History Recap / StargateSG1S4E6WindowOfOpportunity

An alien archaeologist named Malachi activates an Ancient time-travel device which causes several planets including earth to become stuck in a [[GroundhogDayLoop time loop]] repeating every ten hours, something that only O'Neill and Teal'c seem to be aware of.

!!"Window of Opportunity" provides examples of the following tropes:

* BigDamnKiss: O'Neill takes the opportunity to lay one on Carter during one of the loops. In the control room, in front of Hammond no less.

'''Daniel:''' ''(a little confused at Jack's arrival)'' I was just about to look for you..?
* ContinuityNod: It's pointed out that O'Neill should have at least a passing familiarity with the Ancient language, since he had their entire database downloaded into his brain in [[Recap/StargateSG1S2E15TheFifthRace "The Fifth Race"]].
-->'''Daniel (to O'Neill):''' It should ''[look familiar]''. It's something that you ''spoke'' for a few days.

''(Sam and Gen. Hammond share incredulous looks, then cut to Jack sitting in sickbay with Dr. Fraiser examining him.)''

* ImpossiblyMundaneExplanation: During the first loop, when O'Neill starts correctly guessing what Carter is going to say during her briefing, she points out that it's possible he just read her report. Daniel's reaction suggests this is the most ludicrous thing he's ever heard, and the rest of the team -- including O'Neill -- seem inclined to agree.
-->'''Carter:''' Maybe he read my report.\\
'''Daniel:''' Maybe he ''read'' your ''report???''
* InnocuouslyImportantEpisode: Despite being a comedic time travel romp, "Window" is also ''very'' important to the franchise moving forward because of its world-building. Specifically, this episode answers what happened to the now-bygone Ancients millions of years ago: They were wiped out by a plague. We'll learn more about the plague in Season 6 (and its origins will implied come Season 9). The plague will also be revealed to be part of the catalyst for the Ancients relocating to Pegasus come ''Stargate Atlantis''.
** It's also confirmed the Ancients attempted time travel experiments and were able to build time travel technology. This too will become important later down the road in ''SG-1'' and over in ''Atlantis''.

-->'''Jack''': Listen to me. I know what it's like.
-->'''Malachi''': You can't!
-->'''Jack''': I lost my ''son! I know!'' And as much as I....I could never live that over again.

* RuleAbidingRebel: Even with no consequences for his actions O'Neill still feels the need to resign on the loop where he [[InappropriatelyCloseComrades lays one on Carter.]]

* SomeKindOfForcefield: Malachi is revealed to have set one up around the device at the end of the episode, which Teal'c finds out the hard way by walking into it face-first.

** One could alternately argue Teal'c was wrong, or simply screwing with O'Neill for his own amusement.

-->'''-- Dr. Daniel Jackson'''

** One could alternately argue Teal'c was wrong, or simply screwing with O'Neill for his own amusement.

* AluminumChristmasTrees: In one loop, O'Neill is riding a bicycle down the corridors of the Cheyenne Mountain facility, presumably one of the things he had always wanted to do and now can without fear of consequences. In some large underground facilities, especially in Europe (the LHC, for example), bicycles are a preferred means of transit.

* MemoryWipeExploitation: Jack and Teal'c are caught in a GroundhogDayLoop and eventually decide to take advantage of the lack of consequences. Ranging from using the stargate as a driving range to Jack violating the fraternization rules with Carter.

* WritersCannotDoMath: When hitting golf balls through the Stargate, Teal'c comments that Alaris, the planet they dialed was several billion miles from Earth. That would put Alaris somewhere near Pluto. Heck, a light year is about 5.8 trillion miles and the closest star to our sun is Proxima Centauri, which is 4.2 light years away.

-->'''Jack''': Listen to me. [[NotSoDifferent I know what it's like]].

* NotSoDifferent: Jack uses this to get through to Malachi: both are still grieving the loss of a loved one (Jack's son Charlie and Malachi's wife), and could never live through the pain of losing them again.

* AluminumChristmasTrees: In one loop, O'Neill is riding a bicycle down the corridors of the Cheyenne Mountain facility, presumably one of the things he had always wanted to do and now can without fear of consequences. In some large underground facilities, especially in Europe (the LHC, for example), bicycles are a preferred means of transit. Then again, the SGC isn't big enough for that

* AluminumChristmasTrees: In one loop, O'Neill is riding a bicycle down the corridors of the Cheyenne Mountain facility, presumably one of the things he had always wanted to do and now can without fear of consequences. In some large underground facilities, especially in Europe (the LHC, for example), bicycles are a preferred means of transit.
* AndThenWhat: Malachi eventually explains that he's doing this to go back in time and be reunited with his dead wife. When he learns that she tied of an incurable disease, O'Neill uses this trope. Could Malachi really watch someone he loves die again?

* ButtMonkey: Daniel gets knocked over by Siler crashing into him in several loops. After a few loops, O'Neill finally intervenes, heading to Daniel's office/room to per-emptively meet ''him''.

* NotSoDifferent: Jack uses this to get through too Malachi: both are still grieving the loss of a loved one (Jack's son Charlie and Malachi's wife), and could never live through the pain of losing them again.

-->'''Jack'''I know what it's like.

-->'''Jack'''I know how you feel.

-->'''Jack''': I lost my ''son! I know!'' And as much as I....I could never live through that again.