The watchful selenak has suggested that their key contribution was using the sonic screwdriver to get into Warehouse 15 with Sigma, since it appeared only Halpen had authorised access. Once Halpen had disposed of Dr Ryder (who, despite being a hero, made the classic villain's mistake of explaining his plan too soon), he might have been able to carry out his plan to destroy the Brain before it could be freed.

But I hope Ryder got a particularly good song, and also that the Brain was able to absorb him into the collective consciousness, so that he lived on inside the people he had helped to liberate.