So this was kind of clever and nifty. (For values of "kind of" = very.) I love it that John's got no great ability, nothing that could save the world at cost to himself -- apart from "well rested Rodney is more productive" -- and that it's so very benign and, thanks to the Ancients, so very terrifying. Also that John learns to appreciate the difference between "go" and "die" with ascension, even though it must pretty much feel the same when he's not trapped in the retreat.