Stargate SG-1 Season 8 and Stargate Atlantis

The premiere episode of Stargate Atlantis (SGA) was first broadcast in July, 2004.  The season eight premiere of Stargate SG-1 was also first broadcast in July, 2004.  Both shows occur in the same timeline, during the same time period.  While SGA is a freestanding series, the characters in one series are aware of the characters and events in the other series.  There are even appearances by Stargate SG-1 characters on SGA.  The first mention that references something related to Stargate Atlantis is in Stargate SG-1 season 8’s episode 2.   

I intend to do a re-watch of SGA.  There are times when something that happens on SGA is mentioned on Stargate SG-1 and vice-versa.  I thought about doing simultaneous re-watches of the two series starting with Stargate SG-1 season 8.  For now, I’m going to fully re-watch Stargate SG-1, and then re-watch SGA, rather than juggle re-watching both series at the same time.

SG-1 Season Eight DVD Set -- Content

I will rate each season’s DVD set before reviewing the season’s individual episodes.  My rating in this post solely reflects the DVD content, options, & extras (or lack thereof), not episodes.

Overall Rating for the Set:  Good

No audio commentary on episode 18,  “Threads.”
Audio commentary on the rest of the episodes.

There is not a “play all” option.

English and French audio.

Subtitles: English, French, and Spanish.

The episodes are close captioned.

This is a five-disc set, with 20 episodes.
Each episode is approximately 44 minutes long.

All episodes are anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1.

Sound:

English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
French: Stereo Surround

The special features are not rated.

The special features are neither closed-captioned nor subtitled.

Special Features:

SG-1 Beyond the Gate: An Air Force Experience with Richard Dean Anderson
SG-1 Beyond the Gate: A Convention Experience with Christopher Judge
SG-1 Directors Series: “Avatar”
SG-1 Directors Series: “Covenant”
SG-1 Directors Series: “Reckoning”
Super Soldier: The Making of a Monster featurette
Photo and Production Design Galleries

All episodes in their entirety, some featurettes, and there are audio commentaries for all episodes except one.  Episodes finally have subtitles, and in three languages.  Audio is available in English and French.  Slim cases, and nice artwork.

With TV series on DVD, there are two quality of life options (meaning non-essential perks) that I enjoy.  First, a “play all” option for the episodes on a disk.  Main menu to episode menu to “play episode,” and then from the episode menu to the main menu to the next episode menu to “play episode” gets old, fast.  Second, putting a scene break on the DVD at the end of every episode's opening credit, where the theme music plays.  I love Stargate SG-1's opening credit theme music (I love all of Stargate SG-1's music), but sometimes I want to get straight to the episode after the opening scene.  In this season 8 DVD set, neither of those two quality of life options are available.

By having subtitles on episodes, and more than just English as a language option, this DVD set is a step up from previous seasons DVD sets.  On the flip side, there are fewer special features in this season’s DVD set, and for the first time since commentary was added there is an episode without commentary.

I rate this season’s DVD set as  a solid Good.

SG-1 Season 7 At a Glance

My rating for each episode in season seven.

Episode 1: Fallen -- Very Good
Episode 2: Homecoming -- Excellent
Episode 3: Fragile Balance -- Very Good
Episode 4: Orpheus -- Very Good
Episode 5: Revisions -- Very Good
Episode 6: Lifeboat -- Very Good
Episode 7: Enemy Mine -- Good
Episode 8: Space Race -- Fair
Episode 9: Avenger 2.0 -- Excellent
Episode 10: Birthright -- Fair
Episode 11: Evolution: Part 1 -- Excellent
Episode 12: Evolution: Part 2 -- Excellent
Episode 13: Grace -- Very Good
Episode 14: Fallout -- Very Good
Episode 15: Chimera -- Very Good
Episode 16: Death Knell -- Excellent
Episode 17: Heroes: Part 1 -- Good
Episode 18: Heroes: Part 2 -- Good
Episode 19: Resurrection -- Very Good
Episode 20: Inauguration -- Very Good
Episode 21: Lost City: Parts 1 and 2 -- Excellent

The season has an exciting start, and a spectacular finish.

Overall, a strong season with few missteps, one that I enjoy re-watching.  While many episodes have some sort of direct Goa’uld involvement, I’m hard pressed to discern a story thread that unifies this season.  The majority of the episodes are stand alone stories that make sense as part of Stargate SG-1, but are otherwise unconnected.  I mean that if the stand alone episodes were whittled out, Stargate SG-1’s story would still make sense.  I am not saying to skip those episodes.  I highly recommend watching all of this seasons’ episodes.

The over-arching story of the Goa’uld Sytem Lords versus everyone else in the galaxy (including other System Lords) doesn’t progress much this season.  The Goa’uld have their hands full dealing with Anubis, and little time to spare on harassing others.  The machinations of Anubis — who is the biggest bad of the big bads — mostly occur off-screen.  We often learn what he has been up to as backstory in an episode, like the events in “Evolution: Parts 1 and 2.”

The new cannon introduced this season are the Kull warriors and the weapon to them take down.

We do learn that rogue N.I.D. elements are still active.  And that the animosities between SGC, the Tok’ra, and the Free Jaffa highlighted in “Allegiance” were not resolved, and instead have been smoldering in the background.  I like this aspect of the SGC - Tok’ra - Free Jaffa alliance being addressed.  M’zel, a Free Jaffa in “Alliegiance,” brings up a salient point.  Are the Free Jaffa truly free, or have they switched masters from the Goa’uld to the Tau’ri.  The Free Jaffa want to truly be free and rule themselves, meaning they don’t have to answer to SGC.  That the Tok’ra have a “you’re not the boss of me” attitude towards SGC didn’t surprise me.  Many Tok’ra have come across as barely tolerating the Tau’ri.  Dalek, a Tok’ra in “Allegiance,” mentions that the Tau’ri are unlike most humans strewn across the galaxy by the Goa’uld because they don’t have subservience ground into their core by generations of Goa’uld atrocities and oppression.  And, he acts like that is a detriment, not an advantage, for the Tok’ra.  There’s still no love lost between the Free Jaffa and the Tok’ra.

No new, far more advanced society than Earth’s is introduced this season.  Except for possibly the mystery ship in “Grace” which is never explained.  The Asgard are still in the picture and helpful (at times), however they have their hands full with the Replicators and the no longer pushovers they once were Goa’ulds.  While no societies that are significantly more advanced than Earth are introduced, there are a couple of planets with societies whose techno-know how is comparable to Stargate SG-1’s Earth.  The Hebridans, the residents of P3X-289, and near the end of season 6, the Tagreans.  The Goa’uld have seemingly been slacking off when it comes to making certain that no other society advances their tech to the point where they become a viable threat.

Richard Dean Anderson’s Jack O’Neill has less of a presence this season.  My understanding is that Mr. Anderson wanted to spend more time with his family.  I miss O’Neill when he doesn’t appear in an episode, but no way am I mad about the reason why.

The final episodes of the season bring major changes to Stargate SG-1.  O’Neill is in stasis.  SGC is under civilian command.  General Hammond now commands the Prometheus.  Anubis’ fleet is defeated, but there are still plenty of Goa’ulds out there who aren’t fond of the Tau’ri.  As we head into season 8, there is also the newly discovered Ancient outpost under Antarctica, and the knowledge that Atlantis exists, somewhere, and is likely the actual lost city of the Ancients.

Season 7 is fun, at times touching, and often exciting.

Stargate SG-1, Season 7, Episodes 21 and 22

"Lost City: Parts 1 and 2"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:

Martin Wood — Director
Amanda Tapping — Samantha Carter
Robert C. Cooper — Writer

The commentary is very informative and interesting.   Lots of behind the scene information.   The commentary stays on point with what is on screen.

  

Note: While originally broadcast in two parts, on the DVD “Lost City” parts 1 and 2 are put together in one extended episode, so I’m writing them up together in one blog entry.

Review:  

Part 1:

At SGC, Daniel Jackson is so excited about writings an SG team found on a structure off world on P3X-439, that he telephones Jack O’Neill at home to share the news.  The writings make mention of a repository of knowledge, like the one found in “The Fifth Race.”  Jack rightfully points out that he’ll be at SGC soon, and the news can wait until he gets there.

In Washington, D. C., Dr. Elizabeth Weir is rushing to get to a meeting with President Hayes.  Weir is a well respected diplomat.  Vice President Kinsey (”Inauguration”) rolls up in a sedan to give Weir a ride to her meeting, and hands her a file with a bare bones description of the stargate program.  President Hayes wants Weir, a civilian, to be in charge of SGC.

At SGC, Daniel and Carter present their reasons to General Hammond for wanting to go to P3X-439 and investigate the writings.  O’Neill is less enthused at the prospect, but understands the importance of maybe finding another repository of knowledge.  He does suggest contacting the Asgard (”Fragile Balance”), but General Hammond states that an attempt was made to contact them, but there was no response.  He also points out that without something more, hopefully something useful from the Ancient’s lost city, the Earth doesn’t stand a chance when a likely attack by Anubis (”Evolution: Part 2”) happens.  The mission is given a go.

A Goa'uld reconnaissance drone was in the area before, so General Hammond sends SG-1, SG-3, and SG-5 to P3X-439.   SG-3 and SG-5 set up to defend the stargate just in case, while SG-1 heads to the structure to check out the writings.  An interface like the one in “The Fifth Race” pops up on the building.  Then, Jaffa attack the location from the air and on foot.  O’Neill wants to destroy the interface to keep it away from the Goa’uld.  Jackson tries to use the interface for the knowledge about the lost city of the Ancients.  O’Neill stops him and reluctantly uses the interface himself.  Afterward, SG-1 destroys the interface then they run for the stargate while SG-3 and SG-5 fight the attacking Jaffa forces.  All teams make it back to SGC.  And Jack knows that his days are numbered, as the repository will begin to unwrap itself in his head, overwrite his mind, and destroy him.

The Jaffa attacking the SG teams on P3X-439 are with Anubis, who is also looking for information about the Ancient lost city.  And he is none too happy about the Taur’i getting there first.

Pragmatically, Jack heads home for the weekend (with General Hammond’s permission), since before it took a couple of days for the knowledge in his head to come forth.  Carter, Teal’c, and Daniel show up at Jack’s house.  They know without the help of the missing in action Asgard Jack’s condition is fatal.  They spend time with their friend.  General Hammond shows up, too, as he has news to share with SG-1: Hammond has been relieved of command of the SGC.  This doesn’t sit well with SG-1, but Hammond says leave it be.  And, President Hayes shut down the SGC for three months to review all the goings on there.  Which makes things a bit awkward for O’Neill in his current condition.

Later, back at SGC, Daniel speaks with Weir trying to convince her about the urgency of both Jack’s condition and the ongoing Goa’uld threat to Earth.  During their discussion, Bra’tac (”Evolution: Part 2”) gates to SGC.  He has news: Anubis and his full fleet are on their way to destroy Earth, and will arrive in three days.  After SGC’s visit to P3X-439, Anubis thinks that Earth knows the location of the Ancients lost city, and decides now is a good time to obliterate the Taur’i.  SG-1 and Bra’tac meet with Weir to discuss the situation.  Kinsey shows up for the meeting, too.  SG-1 and Bra’tac want to keep SGC going in order to deal with the impending Anubis situation.  Kinsey says that they are lying just to keep SGC going.  Weir has the final decision.  Much to Kinsey’s displeasure, Weir states that she will consider allowing a stargate mission if O’Neill comes up with the location of the lost city.  Bra’tac and Teal’c gate off world, hoping to garner space ships and Free Jaffa support to aid Earth.

Part 2:

At SGC, the repository’s knowledge is beginning to surface with O’Neill.  He begins speaking, and writing down words, in the Ancient’s language.  Daniel thinks Jack is providing the location of the lost city.  It turns out that each symbol on a stargate has a corresponding sound.  The planet’s gate address sounds out to the words Praclarush taonas.  To convince Weir, they try the gate address Jack wrote down.  There is a stargate at that address, but no wormhole can be established.  Jack is going further down the repository rabbit hole, and gathers a lot of equipment for reasons he doesn’t understand.  He, Jackson, and Carter gate to Teal’c and Bra’tac’s off world location, where the two Free Jaffa have gotten the use of a space ship from another Free Jaffa, named Ronan, who wants to go along with them.  The six of them use Ronan’s ship to go to Praclarush taonas.

Back on Earth, President Hayes, General Hammond, General Maynard (”Inauguration”), and Vice President Kinsey are in the oval office when the National Security advisor, General Jumper, informs the president that three Goa’uld vessels have been detected exiting hyperspace.  Still arguing just to argue, and demonstrating an utter lack of any sort of combat tactics knowledge, Kinsey says that three ships aren’t the full force of Anubis’ fleet.  Hammond points out that the three ships are a test to see if Earth has weapons from the Ancients lost city.  Which it doesn’t.  Hayes decides to hold back on using what defenses Earth does have for now, rather than tip their hand.

Anubis orders his First Prime, Her’ak (”Homecoming”) to begin the attack on Earth.  Back on Ronan’s ship, SG-1 finds Praclarush taonas to be devastated long ago by volcanic activity.  But, there is one area that seems to be protected from the destruction.  Using the ship's transport rings, SG-1 heads down to see what they can find.  All while O’Neill becomes more and more Ancient-like, which is great for gaining knowledge but also means the clock is ticking down on his survival.  While Praclarush taonas appears to be Ancient, no weapon is found.  Instead, Jack operates the surviving machinery and pulls up a glowing crystal something.  He then indicates that they need to head back to Earth, bringing the crystal thing with them.

Back at Earth, embolden by the lack of defenses, Anubis contacts President Hayes and demands Earth’s surrender.  Hayes refuses, and Anubis rightfully believing that if Earth had the Ancient’s weapon they would have used it, calls in the rest of his fleet to destroy the Taur’i.  More than thirty of his ships drop out of hyperspace and head towards Earth.  Then, they begin to systemically destroy communication and power infrastructure.

SG-1 and company head back to Earth, hoping to find the lost city, now known to be called Atlantis, and a weapon to deal with Anubis.  While Kinsey hightails it to SGC hoping to escape through the stargate, everyone else at the oval office decides to stay with President Hayes, who refuses to leave Earth.  And, Hayes has a special assignment for General Hammond.  At SGC, the power goes out just as Kinsey is about to gate out.  Weir orders the iris closed, and good thing because Anubis dialed the gate and sent through a gi-normous bomb.  There is a very satisfying moment where Kinsey gets his comeuppance.

Earth is under attack from the full force of the most powerful Goa’uld in the galaxy.  O’Neill is fading away, as the Ancient depository of knowledge unfolds in mind.  The last chance is an Ancient weapon that is, hopefully, buried under ice in Antarctica.   Just as SG-1 approached the location, Anubis targets their small ship sending Al'kesh and gliders.  Outnumbered, out gunned, and still trying to get to and use a hoped for weapon that is their last chance before Anubis wipes out everyone on the planet.

"Lost City: Parts 1 & 2" are outstanding!

The story is very well written, placing the Taur’i in danger of extinction in a believable manner.  The actors performances keep that energy going, and ramp it up throughout.  I cheer out loud every time I watch "Lost City."  The special effects are wonderful.  The SG-1 actors are great, with Richard Dean Anderson as O’Neill being the standout.  Don S. Davis as General Hammond elevates the most basic lines with his delivery.  Tony Amendola returns as Bra’tac, which is always a joy to behold.  Jessica Steen as Dr. Weir does a great job as someone who is suddenly thrown into the deep end of things, and learns to swim fast and well.  James McDaniel as General Maynard which is a pleasure.  Ronny Cox as Kinsey, and William Devane as Hayes, both making those characters live.  David Palffy returns as Anubis.

General John P. Jumper, then the real life U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, appears as himself.  The winner of the Sci Fi channel's 2003 "Get in the Gate" sweepstakes has a cameo in part one.

Failures: 

Absolutely none.

Stargate SG-1, Season 7, Episode 20

"Inauguration"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:

Peter F. Woeste — Director of Photography
Michael Greenburg — Executive Producer

The commentary is very informative and interesting.   Lots of behind the scene information.   The commentary stays on point with what is on screen.

Review:  

Henry Hayes has just been inaugurated as the new President of the United States.   At the White House, he makes his way to the oval office as his Chief of Staff runs down some situations needing Hayes' attention.  And, also alerts Hayes that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Francis Maynard, is waiting for him in the oval office.  General Maynard is there to brief President Hayes about the stargate program.  The United States Air Force has, for years, sent people to planets around the galaxy via alien technology?  Hayes thinks it’s a joke.  It’s not a joke.

While Hayes is processing this paradigm shift in his understanding of reality, viewers also get a surprise.  Robert Kinsey (”Heroes: Part 1”) was Hayes' running mate, and is now the Vice President of the United States of America.  Kinsey has long known about the stargate program.  Still trying to gain control of SGC, and in the process boot out Hammond and O’Neill, Kinsey does his best to convince Hayes to take his side.  Balancing the argument, General Maynard supports the current SGC personnel.  To his credit, Hayes isn't immediately swayed by either Kinsey or Maynard to take their side.  Clips are used, as Kinsey and Maynard recount past SGC events to Hayes to support their positions.

Like another clip episode, “Politics,” this has a strong story framework, and excellent performances by the actors.  The clips are used logically.  And, this isn't a filler episode.  President Hayes' decision about keeping or changing SGC's leadership and personnel will affect future episodes.

William Devane is excellent as Henry Hayes, a leader who is well aware of his power as the President of the U.S.A., but not corrupted by it nor losing touch with his humanity.  Mr. Devane portrayed President John F. Kennedy in a made for TV movie, The Missiles of October (1974), and this is given a wink and a nod.  Ronny Cox returns as Robert Kinsey and continues to provide a stellar performance as the less than stellar character.  James McDaniel is solid as General Maynard, showing quiet strength and steely determination.  Robert Picardo returns as Richard Woolsey (”Heroes: Part 2”), and does a great job.  Don S. Davis appears as General Hammond, strong as always.  The rest of the regular cast appears only in clips.

Failures: 

None.