Spirits

"Spirits" is the thirteenth episode of the second season of Stargate SG-1.

Synopsis
The Tau'ri have discovered Trinium, a superlight yet superstrong element, that could prove useful. However, SG-11 is MIA on the planet on which Trinium is found and are captured by the planet's "Spirits".

Plot
SG-1 is briefed about SG-11 finding Trinium, a rare and very strong metal on PXY-887 and that SG-11, who were sent to mine more Trinium, are 48 hours overdue. SG-1 is supposed to find them. While they are in the briefing, the Stargate starts dialing and SG-11s G.D.O. code is transmitted. But instead of SG-11, an arrow comes through the gate, shoots right through the bulletproof glass into Colonel Jack O'Neill's right arm.

With Jack grounded for some days, Captain Samantha Carter gets command of SG-1 for this mission. On PXY-887 SG-1 discovers the mining site, but SG-11 seems to have just disappeared. While investigating a Salish Indian Clan Crest, SG-1 is taken down by tranquilizer arrows. After waking up, they find themselves in an Indian settlement, "Couple of days' walk" away from the mining site. SG-1 meets Tonane, the apparent leader of the settlement, who suggest them to ask the Spirits where SG-11 is.

Tonane takes them to the forest, where he points out a wolf and says it is T'akaya, one of the Spirits. Carter is not convinced that speaking to a wolf will help them. A raven appears, which is supposed to be Xe'ls, and Dr. Daniel Jackson asks Xe'ls to release SG-11. Xe'ls squawks and Daniel is sure, Xe'ls said, that he would release them, while Tonane thinks he said, he would think about it. They continue to look around, but shortly afterwards, Xe'ls catches up to them and SG-11 walks out of some mist.

After having found SG-11, they meet with the Elders of the settlement, hoping to negotiate a mining treaty. The Elder send Tonane with SG-1 and SG-11 back to Earth, where he can determine, whether the Tau'ris mining methods are acceptable. Back in Stargate Command, Tonane is shown some videos from mining operations. But he refuses to let this happen to their mountain, as the methods are too "wasteful and destructive". While Daniel shows him around SGC, Major General George S. Hammond informs SG-1 and SG-11, that he has been ordered to send a mining expedition, regardless of Tonane's decision.

SG-11 turns out to be the Spirits and they start to make everyone in the SGC disappear. Jack, Carter and Teal'c are the only ones left after a Code 9 alert. Daniel hides with Tonane in a storage room. Jack, Carter and Teal'c manage to incapacitate Xe'ls and take him to the infirmary, where Daniel and Tonane catch up with them. Teal'c and Daniel go to the Stargate Operations room, in order to gate to PXY-887 and appeal to the Elders. In the Gateroom Daniel meets with T'akaya and tries to explain and asks, in exchange for Xe'ls, that the Spirits listen to him.

After the Spirits have healed Xe'ls, they immediately are transported to the Gateroom and Xe'ls wants to destroy the SGC. But after talking with Daniel and Jack, they agree to leave them, return everyone and bury the Gate on the other side. They also come to an agreement with Tonane, to show themselves in their real form, rather than in the form of animals.

Notable Quotes
Carter: You gonna be okay?

O'Neill: I'm not dead, Captain. I'm just grounded for a few weeks.

Carter: If the bulletproof glass hadn't slowed it down...

O'Neill: Oh please. Aliens are always poking me full of holes.

Hammond: Your secondary objective is to negotiate a mining treaty with these people. Obviously, we've started our relations on the wrong foot.

O'Neill: But that's so rare, sir.

Hammond: Captain, as you are taking over command of SG-1 on this mission, my superiors have ordered me to remind you to be diplomatic.

Carter: Yes, sir.

O'Neill: Just as I would be.

Jackson: Wait. You're not going to perform a ceremonial dance or something?

Tonane: Our great great grandfathers used to call the spirits that way. But one day Xe'ls just said, "Call my name." So that's what we do.

(When flattering T'akaya in her form of wolf)

Tonane: T'akaya, my friend! My! Your coat shines beautifully today.

Carter: My! What big eyes you have!

Jackson: Jack?

O'Neill: Daniel?

Jackson: Are you you?

O'Neill: Yeah. You?

Jackson: What?

O'Neill: Never mind.

Xe'ls: Tekaya, destroy this place!

Jackson: Wait! You promised to listen.

Xe'ls: What they don't know won't hurt them. Isn't that what your leaders said? Their word means nothing!

Tekaya: As would mine! I gave my word to this one [indicates Jackson] so we could save your life.

Xe'ls: Very well. I am listening but nothing might sway me from punishing you.

O'Neill: For what? Showing Tonane who you really are? You've been posing as their gods for crying out loud.

Tekaya: Is that truly what you believe we do? When we drove away the Goa'uld a hundred years ago, we posed as their Spirits to guide and protect them without interfering. And now...

Xe'ls: You have disrupted the harmony between us. In time, they will learn to fear us, take the key, and forge weapons against us.

Jackson: No. Tonane's people are from this world. Even now they value the natural world above technology.

O'Neill: Trust them. You shouldn't be posing as their gods. Trust them.

Xe'ls: That still doesn't erase the second transgression.

O'Neill: Fine. I give you my word. We will not try to mine the metal.

Tekaya: Even if we could take your word, your superiors will not be swayed by your oath.

O'Neill: Then don't take my word for it. Shut down your Stargate. That way, no one can come to your world unless you allow it.

Tekaya: (Looking at Xe'ls) Star travel is useless to us. Let's shut down the gate. Our friend Tonane is wise, as is our friend Jack.

Xe'ls: And so he is.

Xe'ls: You view us now in our true form. But this is only one of many forms we can take. Our friends of this world call us aliens. You call us spirits. From now on, Tonane, you and your people can view us in whatever form pleases you best.

Tonane: You have always been kind to my people. So whatever makes you happy.

T'akaya: I think this form makes us happy.

Goofs

 * At the beginning of the episode, SSgt. Laura Davis notifies Major General George S. Hammond that SG-11 is returning, but it is well before the gate is open to send a G.D.O. signal to identify SG-11 and open the iris.
 * When T'akaya is searching for Tonane in her wolf form, she makes four soldiers disappear, and then you can see the hand of the wolf's handler on the left hand side of the screen.

In other languages

 * French: Les Esprits (Spirits)
 * German: Geister (Spirits)
 * Italian: Il Pianeta degli Spiriti (The Spirits' Planet)
 * Spanish: Espíritus (Spirit)
 * Czech: Duchové (Ghosts)
 * Hungarian: Szellemek (Ghosts)