Message in a Bottle

"Message in a Bottle" is the seventh episode of the second season of Stargate SG-1.

Synopsis
SG-1 explores the rather barren and moon-like P5C-353 and brings back a mysterious orb to study. After realizing it is a threat, Colonel Jack O'Neill attempts to throw it through the Stargate and return it to P5C-353. However it takes control of him to prevent this, and infects Stargate Command with a virus.

Plot
SG-1 are on P5C-353, a sterile planet with a moon-like landscape, they are looking for the source of which the probe has detected. The source is a spherical metal artifact of obviously alien (but not Goa'uld) design. SG-1 are reluctant to take the artifact back through the Stargate, but Captain Samantha Carter realizes the object must have a power supply which has lasted since Neanderthals were a dominant species, hundreds of thousands of years ago. Colonel Jack O'Neill decides that the potential benefits outweigh the risks and the artifact is brought back to Stargate Command for study.

Carter and Dr. Daniel Jackson make little progress studying the object and SG-1 are about to leave on a mission to a "primordial world" (with no advanced life forms) when the artifact suddenly starts heating up and emitting high levels of, , and gamma rays. O'Neill decides to return the sphere to its original world so he and Teal'c carry it to the gate room.

When the Stargate is activated, the sphere shoots out metal spikes in all directions. One of the spikes penetrates O'Neill's shoulder and pins him to a wall. O'Neill starts to show signs of infection and other people begin to become ill. SGC quickly discover that the "infection" can eat through concrete and is particularly attracted to wiring. Dr. Janet Fraiser finds out certain antibiotics slow the infection and Carter finds that low oxygen also slows growth.

Major General George S. Hammond orders the quarantine procedures known as "Wildfire" whereby the whole base is totally sealed and the base self-destruct is put on automatic countdown.

Meanwhile, Carter has realized that energy speeds up growth of the organism and a nuclear explosion is just what it needs to help it spread all over the Earth. When Hammond is told, he tries to cancel the self-destruct but the base computers have now been "infected" and will not respond.

Jackson sees an image on one of the computer monitors which matches a symbol on the sphere, he finally understands that the organism is trying to communicate. Carter suggests that they allow the organism to grow and the oxygen levels are increased, with Teal'c firing his staff weapon at the sphere several times to provide more energy.

O'Neill wakes up from his coma and Hammond calls his name to which he responds "O'Neill is here". Hammond then asks "Who else am I speaking to?" and O'Neill says "We are also here". A discussion with the alien intelligence reveals that although it has no desire to harm humans, it will not allow itself to be returned to its previous world and intends to remain and "consume" the Earth.

Jackson suggests that the sphere allows itself to be taken to P4G-881, the primordial world SG-1 were due to visit, where it will have ample resources without interfering with other intelligent organisms. The sphere agrees and the spikes retract allowing a miraculously healed O'Neill to push it through the Stargate. The base computers reboot with the infection removed, allowing the self-destruct countdown to be terminated at the last second.

Notable Quotes
Teal'c: When a Goa'uld's world is taken by another in battle, he will sometimes leave the means to destroy the conqueror.

Carter: You think it might be a booby trap?

Teal'c: Booby?

(While analyzing the artifact)

Carter: Lieutenant, I'd like to record this.

Graham: Whatever you say, Captain.

Carter: Try to relax, Graham, or it's gonna be a long day.

Jackson: You know, I don't think its the artifact. He gets nervous like that every time he's around you. Maybe a crush.

Graham: Uh, we're recording now.

(Daniel and Sam are silent)

Carter: Thank you, Lieutenant.

Jackson: Oops. Hey, the artifact!

(While Jack is pinned to the wall.)

O'Neill: Teal’c, you don’t have to stick around.

Teal'c: Undomesticated equines could not remove me.

O'Neill: Wild horses, Teal’c. It’s…that’s a joke. You told a joke. Ah, don’t make me laugh.

Hammond: The NID people want to see it.

Carter: Even knowing what it's done to the Colonel?

Jackson: Especially knowing what it's done to the Colonel.

Goofs

 * The address shown when dialing P5C-353 is actually the Stargate address for Abydos.
 * The Orion-glyph is directly activated by the corresponding chevron instead of the top one.

Character

 * Graham Simmons

In other Languages

 * Hungarian: Üzenet a palackban
 * German: Trojanische Kugel (Trojan Ball)
 * Italian: Messaggio Alieno (Alien Message)
 * Polish: Kula Trojańska (Trojan Ball)
 * Portuguese: Mensagem numa garrafa (Message in a Bottle)
 * Romanian: Mesajul din sticla
 * French: Un Message dans la Bouteille (A Message in a Bottle)
 * Spanish: Mensaje en una Botella (Message in a Bottle)
 * Czech: Zpráva v lahvi (Message in a Bottle)