Spirits

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

Plot
SG-1 is sent to PXY-887 to recover SG-11 and they bring back alien infiltrators.

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 Jack's right arm.

With Jack grounded for some days, 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 Daniel 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 Elder 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 SGC, 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, General Hammond informs SG-1 and SG-11, that he has been ordered to send a mining expedition, regardless of Tonanes 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, who made it to the armory, 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 Gate Controlroom, 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
(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!

Background notes

 * As noted in the dialogue between Carter and O'Neill, this episode marks Captain Carter's first command of SG-1.
 * Later events in this season, narrated in "Show and Tell", reveal that a Reetou came to SGC during this episode.

Goofs

 * At the beginning of the episode, an airman notifies General 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.