As Jackson suffers from a fatal dose of radiation, he struggles with the value of his life while his friends deal with the emotional and diplomatic repercussions.

After a long absence, Jacob Carter returns to the SGC to tell Jack that the galaxy is under threat of takeover by the Replicators. The Goa'uld are under attack from the Replicators and are quickly being eliminated. Ba'al's armies are being destroyed and he arrives at SGC to suggest they work together to defeat their common enemy. Carter's doppelganger, RepliCarter, is leading the attack and she has kidnapped Daniel Jackson in the hope of learning of any weapons the Ancients may have created that could defeat them. Jackson gets help from an unexpected source - the Ancient, Oma Desala - or so he thinks.

Daniel finds himself in a strange time and place - a diner where Oma is working as a waitress. She gives him a clear choice - he can choose to die or to ascend but if it's the latter, he will not be able to help his friends fight Anubis, who has yet to be disposed of. He strikes up a conversation with another patron, Jim, who has his own take on the situation. Meanwhile, Sam decides the time has come for her fiancé to meet her father, Jacob. Jacob is not well, however, something he has kept from Sam for several weeks. After Pete surprises her - he thinks he's found the perfect house for them - Sam realizes she has to come to grips with her feelings for someone else. Teal'c and Master Bra'tac have information that Anubis may be gathering what remains of his forces for an attack on Dakara.