시즌 3, 에피소드 14: Trying to preserve power by turning off all the non-essential systems the Ancients recently activated before being killed by the replicators Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) mistakenly is hit by an energy beam from a mysterious device. His worst fears are quickly laid to rest when Dr. Beckett (Paul McGillion) gives him a clean bill of health and returns him to active duty. Not long after the incident Rodney begins to display advanced powers such as amplified senses and telekinesis. Unable to ignore his powers Rodney and Zelenka (David Nykl) discover the machine that zapped him actually accelerated his evolution. Basking in his new found super power exponentially growing intelligence and equally bloated ego the team struggles to deal with the new Rodney. But envy turns to concern when Weir uncovers the true nature of the ancient device. Designed to accelerate a person's evolution it was designed to speed up the process of ascension. However without being able to achieve the same advancement in mental state the machine killed most of the ancients that ever tried to use it. Death looming as he continues to physically evolve Rodney tries to crack the secret of ascension in quantified terms. With no success in site he resolves to use his final days making peace with his colleagues and friends even if they aren't ready to give up on him just yet.