Stargate: SG1 - Sell me but don't spoil me...

[John Crichton]

Well, go on...

What's good about the show?

Should I pick up the season one DVD?

What's bad about the show?

Gush and vent, please. But keep the spoilers out of it if you will.

 

[Volaran]

My short list:

Advantage: Continuity
Stargate has writers who will keep a storyline popping up for many seasons, building to advancements and endings.

Disadvantage: Pacing
I saw the first episode of SG-1 many years ago, and was not sold on it. Catching it in late night syndication later made me see a noticable improvement and want to follow up. It is a show that may need time to grow on you.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Honestly, if there was ever a good time to start watching Stargate...its now. This new season is being treated like a new series, and pretty much all of the old plotlines from the preview eight seasons were completely tied up.

One thing I really love about it is the mix of humour that's pretty much always there. Of course, its hard to say how things are going to be going now, as the new season has just started and we just don't know all that much about these new bad guys to say.

 

[Kesh]

If you want to start from the beginning, I highly recommend renting the first season. If that gets you hooked, you won't regret buying up to the current stuff.

Stargate has tons of stuff going for it. You've got some great acting, characters you really grow to care about, and stories that aren't just rehashed sci-fi fare (usually). The military aspects are very well done, to the point where the (then current) head of the Air Force even agreed to do a cameo for an episode!

If you want to know the back-story, rent the original Stargate flick, and that will give you the basic concept. The pilot episode then expands on that, and shows you just what the evil aliens are, how they're so powerful and how the travel through the gate works. It's mostly an episodic series, so if you miss some things you're not terribly confused... but it holds together well, and the writers do re-visit older plot hooks from time to time.

Plus, it's just fun. The banter between characters is great, the action is well-done, the FX worked well and the plotlines are entertaining.

 

[John Crichton]

Some good advice so far folks. My thanks.

How does the show compare to other genre shows like B5, Trek, Farscape, BSG?

I have seen the original movie and really liked the first half. The second half - not so much.

 

[Crothian]

It has better continuality of all those shows except B5. Liuke B5 things that happen seasons ago are brought up and matter.

 

[haiiro]

How does the show compare to other genre shows like B5, Trek, Farscape, BSG?

I have seen the original movie and really liked the first half. The second half - not so much.

I've seen a ton of Trek, so that's the only one I can compare it to. SG definitely has stronger continuity, and it's darker than all but possibly DS9. They have compelling characters in common, as well as a good sense of fun (though I find SG's humorous episodes tend to be funnier).

In it's own right, I love SG because of its internal consistency -- the show takes a fairly cheesy concept (the Goa'uld) and builds it into a rich and believable background for the series. And while there are some clunker episodes -- give season 1 at least 4 episodes until you make a decision! -- overall the writing is solid through the whole first 6 seasons (as far as I've seen). Good stuff, and there are some truly fantastic episodes in seasons 3-5.

 

[Captain Tagon]

Yeah, the big thinf for me is the way it plays off various mythologies from around the world.

 

[Jhamin]

The continuity and character development are both very strong.

One word of warning: while the 1st season is pretty good, the first 2-3 eps after the pilot are some of the biggest clinkers in the entire series. They really hit their stride at about ep 4 or so.

 

[Darthjaye]

Coming from a guy who has watched it since it originated on Showtime and has watched it since episode 1 all the way through, I can honestly say that you should try to get ahold of every season you can. All the DVD sets are worth it and you really get to enjoy Richard Dean Anderson for all it's worth. I'm a big fan and even enjoyed the previous movie that Kurt Russell was a a part of. This is pretty much my 2nd favorite Sci-Fi series ever (I'm still a big fan of B-5 as I enjoyed even the first season that a lot of people seemed to not like initially) and the new season should be interesting to watch. I'm not sure if i like it being the "Claudia Black Show" so far. As I have enjoyed her in the past in this and other shows, I think only so much comedic relief is needed and can't wait for the serious episodes to kick in. I'm bummed however that Tapping is taking so much time away (but understand as a parent why both her and RDA took a backseat if not semi-retirement starting this year.) and even more saddened that RDA will be on sparringly for guest shots. On the bright side, I have 8 seasons of DVD's to collect (well actually only the last 3 now).