Arriving back on Moya, Crichton is confronted by his father. Shared memories convince him that this is the real Jack Crichton, and he and Moya's crew return to Earth with him.

On Earth the aliens are well treated, whilst they and their technology is examined by scientists. John catches up with his family, workmates, and old flame Caroline.

John soon clashes with his father - now appointed the official IASA Project Director for Extraterrestrial Studies - when he insists the alien technological knowledge be shared between all nations. Jack Crichton instead feels that the US should keep it for itself, citing the September 11th disaster as a reason why the country needs to be careful.

On a trip back to Moya, Aeryn asks John if he'd rather she stayed there. He tells her to make her own decision, an answer she doesn't like. She takes Jack for a spin around Saturn in her prowler, during which he tells her that John does have feelings for her.

Meanwhile, the Skreeth alien Grayza left on board is spying on John, reporting back to Grayza by telepathically taking control of Braca. It smuggles itself back to Earth, killing John's friend DK, his wife and a guard.

D'Argo, Chiana and John attend an IASA do, at which Jack Crichton announces that he has changed his mind and will support John's plans to share the alien technology. As he and John leave, heading for home and a Christmas Eve dinner, the Skreeth hitches a ride on their car.

Back home they find Aeryn, who is just about to leave for Moya. As she and John have an intense discussion, the Skreeth attacks. After a tense fight, it is destroyed by the cannon on D'Argo's ship Lo'la - the Luxan having come to the rescue after finding DK's body.

John decides to head back into space, telling his father he has a job to do. On board Moya, Aeryn confronts Noranti about the emotion-deadening laka essence she has been giving John.