Spirits

Plot: SG-1 travel to a planet in search of the missing SG-11. There they find a population of Native American descent, who are protected by a group of mysterious spirits.


For a while, this episode is quite good fun. SG-1 are being briefed on SG-11 and their mission to mine a mineral called Trinium from PXY-887. The briefing is interrupted as the Stargate activates and SG-11's IDC is confirmed. Instead of SG-11 though, a Trinium tipped arrow is fired through the gate, the bullet proof glass of the briefing room and in to Jack's arm. This puts him out of commission for the mission, meaning that Sam gets her first shot at commanding a team. 'Cool', as Jack puts it.

There's no sign of SG-11 on the planet, but there is Tonane, who is a great character. He's fun and friendly and just all round pleasant to watch. He teaches SG-1 of the planet, the Trinium, which they call 'the key' and of the spirits. SG-1 manage to convince two of the spirits, one in the form of a crow, Xe'ls and one as a wolf, T'akaya, to free SG-11. SG-1 then try to negotiate for mining rights, eventually agreeing to let Tonane return to Earth with them in order to view Earth's mining methods.

This is where it all starts to unravel. Turns out SG-11 aren't SG-11, but instead the same spirits that took the form of Xe'ls and T'akaya. After Hammond gives an order to mine the Trinium without Tonane's people's permission, they begin trying to take over the base, by making the personnel disappear. this leads to SG-1 running around trying to find them and stop it. This goes on for about twenty minutes and it's all a little tedious. Eventually SG-1 convince the spirits to leave and return their people.

A point of interest is that the leader of SG-11 is Captain Conner, who we first saw in season one in 'The First Commandment'. He's again played by Roger Cross.

So not the best episode, though it is memorable for one great guest character and for Sam Carter's first command. Cool.

6 out of 10