Dr. Rush relives his past life by sitting in the alien chair in an attempt to download critical data. A university professor, his wife's cancer returns and he is recruited by Dr. Daniel Jackson for what will be called the Icarus project. He's avoiding dealing with his wife's situation and throws himself into his work. In his dream-like state, he's trying to make sense of all the information he is accumulating. Back on the ship, the Destiny drops out of FTL and some of the crew investigate the planet below. They find an ancient archaeological site but are trapped when part of the site caves in. Digging them out is a slow process and the next jump is quickly approaching.

Desperate for food and water, Rush directs the ship to a planet that has been locked out of Destiny's controls. Young and Wray clash over what to do with the Alliance prisoners.

The crew encounters a ship remarkably similar to Destiny, which may hold the key to their returning home.

Chloe behaves in a bizarre way, prompting a search of her quarters, where Lt. Scott finds a journal penned in an alien language. Elsewhere, Eli copes with his mother's medical condition.