Stargate and Star Trek

DreadPirateMurphy · May 24, 2006

OK, so hints of a THIRD Stargate television series are popping out. That makes it only the second sci-fi show to go beyond 1 spin-off after Star Trek (I don't count BG despite Caprica because the 2nd show was a remake of the first). I don't get hints that Stargate is anywhere near the cult status of Star Trek. While I like the show, I wonder, why is it so successful?

Discuss.

Elf Witch · May 24, 2006

I like Stargate because it is fun. That may be a key to its success. I know that for example BG is more critical success but IMO it does not have the fun factor that Stargate has.

Mouseferatu · May 24, 2006

DreadPirateMurphy said:
OK, so hints of a THIRD Stargate television series are popping out. That makes it only the second sci-fi show to go beyond 1 spin-off after Star Trek...

Babylon 5 had two spin-offs.

The fact that one failed after 13 episodes and one after just a pilot--due, in both cases, to the stupidity of the network, IMHO--doesn't change the fact.

But yeah, Stargate's just cool. What third spin-off have you heard about? This is news to me (though I'll admit I've been waiting for DVD to watch the latest season.)

Ranger REG · May 24, 2006

DreadPirateMurphy said:
I don't get hints that Stargate is anywhere near the cult status of Star Trek. While I like the show, I wonder, why is it so successful?

It doesn't take itself too seriously. It does have a cult following, you just that you don't see fans dressing up as Jaffa anymore than seeing Desperate Housewives fans are making themselves looking like Bree Van De Kamp (the redhead that makes Martha Stewart look like a slob).

buzzard · May 24, 2006

Well SG-1 is a good show, and Sci Fi needs something original besides dreck movies. However after Atlantis I am in no way optimistic about anything good coming of this.

buzzard

Storm Raven · May 24, 2006

DreadPirateMurphy said:
OK, so hints of a THIRD Stargate television series are popping out. That makes it only the second sci-fi show to go beyond 1 spin-off after Star Trek (I don't count BG despite Caprica because the 2nd show was a remake of the first). I don't get hints that Stargate is anywhere near the cult status of Star Trek. While I like the show, I wonder, why is it so successful?

My guess - it is cheaper to make than many other science fiction television series. Most of the filming can be done without making huge elaborate sets (most exteriors seem to be little more than shots of the woods). The good guys are modern soldiers - no need for special equipment (other than the odd staff weapon or zat gun) or made up uniforms. The only people who need extensive make up type jobs are aliens, and then only ocassionally (for SG-1, the wraith in Atlantis are more common). The cast is fairly small (four main characters and a handful of secondary characters). I'd guess than the stargate shows are easier and cheaper to make than most other shows, and thus more likely to be replicated by a network.

Brakkart · May 24, 2006

Care to elaborate on what you've heard about a 3rd Stargate series Dread Pirate? Atlantis is my favourite show on TV right now and SG-1 is pretty good too (though the untouchable Ori armada was annoying as hell in the season 9 finale). Actually thinking about ti this would in fact be the 4th Stargate series, what with the animated Stargate Infinity (which I've never seen any of).

DreadPirateMurphy · May 24, 2006

Here is a link to Gateworld's news item on the feature film/3rd series:

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2006/05/mgmplanningstargatefilmthi.shtml

Einan · May 24, 2006

Sweet! The show suceeds because it's self-aware and not pompous. It makes fun of its own conventions and isn't afraid to take chances with itself. It's not locked into any mold, and even changes bad guys without suffering from the Star Trek "You Had the Power to Kill Them All All The Time And Just Didn't Know It" problem. It evolves in a way that sucessful series learn to do. And it's funny.

Einan

PS Of course, I loved Enterprise, too. My opinion is best taken with salt.