SG-1 Season Seven 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

Audio commentary on each episode.

There is not a “play all” option.
The only audio language is English.

Subtitles: None

Although there are no subtitles, the episodes are close captioned. You can use the close caption option on your television to view the dialog in English.

This is a five-disc set, with 21 episodes.
Each episode is approximately 44 minutes long, except for “Lost City” (episode 21) which is approximately 1 hour 24 minutes long.

All episodes are anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1.

Sound: 5.1 (Dolby Digital)

The special features are not rated.

The special features are not closed-captioned.

Special Features:

SG-1 Directors Series: “Fragile Balance”
SG-1 Directors Series: “Space Race”
SG-1 Directors Series: “Avenger 2.0”
SG-1 Directors Series: “Death Knell”
SG-1 Directors Series: “Lost City”
Stargate Fan Club Spot
Photo and Production Design Galleries
SG-1 Beyond the Gate: Michael Shanks
SG-1 Beyond the Gate: Christopher Judge
SG-1 Beyond the Gate: Richard Dean Anderson
SG-1 Beyond the Gate: Amanda Tapping
Photo Galleries

I rate this set Good because it has all of the season’s episodes in their entirety, and in broadcast order, and there is audio commentary for each episode, along with a variety of featurettes. 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 7 DVD set, neither of those two quality of life options are available.

SG-1 Season 6 At a Glance

My rating for each episode in season six.

Episode 1: Redemption: Part 1 -- Excellent
Episode 2: Redemption: Part 2 -- Good
Episode 3: Descent -- Very Good
Episode 4: Frozen -- Good
Episode 5: Nightwalkers -- Very Good
Episode 6: Abyss -- Excellent
Episode 7: Shadow Play -- Very Good
Episode 8: The Other Guys -- Very Good
Episode 9: Allegiance -- Very Good
Episode 10: Cure -- Very Good
Episode 11: Prometheus -- Good
Episode 12: Unnatural Selection -- Very Good
Episode 13: Sight Unseen -- Fair
Episode 14: Smoke & Mirrors -- Good
Episode 15: Paradise Lost -- Good
Episode 16: Metamorphosis -- Good
Episode 17: Disclosure -- Good
Episode 18: Forsaken -- Good
Episode 19: The Changeling -- Excellent
Episode 20: Memento -- Good
Episode 21: Prophecy -- Good
Episode 22: Full Circle -- Excellent

Daniel Jackson being gone from the show at the start of season 6 meant there was a void in the SG-1 team that needed immediate filling.  Both as a warm body, and as someone with Daniel Jackson's skill set, but who was not a Daniel Jackson clone.  Jonas Quinn was a nice fit.  I think both Micheal Shanks and Corin Nemec are talented, and both did a great job with their respective Stargate SG-1 characters.  I think praise is due for how Quinn did not become Daniel Jackson 2.0.  There was some handwavium to explain Quinn's encyclopedic knowledge, something lost with Daniel Jackson's departure.  Otherwise, Quinn had his own voice that wasn't a full on copy of Jackson.

I enjoyed Corin Nemec's portrayal of Jonas Quinn.  The one issue I have with the character is that Quinn is perfect in every way.  I think Quinn's biggest fault is that he has no faults.  The character was boxed in by perfection.  Stronger than most humans.  Incredible intelligence supplemented by being able to absorb and remember anything he read or saw.  Jonas Quinn is too good, and kind, and true.  He would be a lovely sort of person in real life.  In a television series, not so much.  A flawless “good guy” character, like a villain with no redeeming qualities, is not all that interesting.

The SciFi Channel's initial decision to cancel Stargate SG-1 after this season meant no new, long term plots that couldn't be resolved being introduced in season 6.  I think the show runners did a good job with this situation.  There was the intention to make Stargate SG-1 movies.  Ongoing plots from previous seasons remained, simmering on a back burner, waiting for future movies.  The late timing of the SciFi Channel's renewal of Stargate SG-1 meant that season 6 episodes were a done deal at that point.

The result for me is that season 6 is what it is: mostly a compilation of stand alone episodes that respect the ongoing Stargate SG-1 storylines without doing much to expand on them.  This is a good thing for a series that knows it will be cancelled.  There are important facets of Stargate SG-1 canon introduced in season 6: tretonin modified by the Tok'ra ("The Changeling"), countries other than just the U.S.A. and Russia being made aware of the stargate ("Disclosure"); and completion and testing of the Prometheus spaceship ("Memento").

While I enjoy many season 6 episodes, it is not my favorite season to rewatch.  As mentioned, the over-arching story doesn't advance much at all this season.  And, while there aren't that many Quinn-centric episodes, it feels as though there are too many Quinn-centric episodes.  Quinn and the Ancient ("Frozen").  Quinn and the Kelownans ("Shadow Play").  Quinn and Nirrti ("Metamorphosis").  Quinn and his psychic abilities ("Prophecy").  In addition to just being a part of the SG-1 team in other episodes, this season felt very Quinn heavy to me.

SciFi channel ended up renewing Stargate SG-1 for two additional seasons (and another two seasons later, for a total of 10 seasons of the show). This dramatically changes the stories and flow of story arcs in seasons 7 and onward.  I think season 6 is good on its own, and very good in the context at the time of being written as the series' final season.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 22

"Full Circle"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:

Martin Wood – Director
Jim Menard – Director of Photography

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

 

Review: 

On Abydos, Skaara (“Pretense”) and other Abydonians discuss taking precautions for an incoming threat – Anubis.  There's talk of hiding the more vulnerable of the population, while the rest fight to protect what brings Anubis to Abydos.  Skaara points out that they have no chance fighting against Anubis.  One of those at the meeting turns around, and it is Daniel Jackson (“The Changling”).  He assures Skaara that the Abydonians will not be fighting alone.

Next we see O'Neill in an elevator at SGC.  Daniel Jackson appears in the elevator with O'Neill, asking for help with assisting the Abydonians, and preventing Anubis from obtaining an artifact that would make him incredibly powerful.  O'Neill is a hard sell for Jackson in a wonderful scene, as he knocks Jackson off his Ascended pedestal with some very good questions.

O'Neill meets with General Hammond and the rest of SG-1, explaining the situation with Anubis.  When asked what the source of his information is, O'Neill admits that it was the Ascended Daniel Jackson.  And, he is surprised when not only is his source (Jackson) accepted without question, but then Teal'c shares that he, too, has interacted with the Ascended Daniel (“The Changeling”).  Cognizant of just how dangerous Anubis is to Earth as well as the rest of the galaxy (“Fail Safe” “Redemption part 1 & part 2”), General Hammond gives a go for SG-1 to head to Abydos and help prevent Anubis from obtaining the artifact -- called the Eye of Ra -- needed for his weapon.

SG-1 searches for the Eye of Ra on Abydos, without Jackson providing the exact whereabouts of the artifact.  Partially because of the Ascended beings rule book, and partially because being Ascended doesn't make one omniscient, i.e., Jackson doesn't know the exact location.  There is one hard and fast rule in the Ascended beings playbook: no using Ascended powers in direct action to make major changes involving the lives of unascended beings.  Like saving Abydos and the rest of the galaxy from the badness of Anubis.  Violation of that rule will result in … something bad for the rule breaker.  Really bad.  Being on the receiving end of a lot of mind-bogglingly powerful beings retribution bad.  But, it's okay to use knowledge one possessed before becoming Ascended.  The bounds of the Ascended beings rule book seem wobbly to me, but I guess what with being immortal and outside of the normal rules of space and time, some Ascended beings can think of ways to test boundaries.

Anubis arrives at the planet before SG-1 finds the Eye of Ra.  Skaara, the Abydonians, and SG-1 desperately attempt to hold off Anubis' far superior forces.  O'Neill demands that Jackson do more to help, or SG-1 will walk, leaving the Eye of Ra (wherever it is) for Anubis to find.  Adamant that Anubis must not possess the Eye of Ra, Daniel pushes against the Ascended beings rule book, with mixed success.  The stakes are high, with the fate of Abydos, Earth, and the entire galaxy at stake.

Thought at the time to be the series finale, there is no resting on laurels here.  This episode holds nothing back.  There is action and adventure, good dialog delivered well, and a very touching but sad ending.  The effects are wonderful.  The story reconnects with the over-arching story of the Goa'ulds threat to the galaxy, and the threat of Anubis in particular.  The SciFi Channel did not renew Stargate SG-1 until very late in season 6.  This episode was meant as a lead up to Stargate SG-1 movies to tie up the loose story ends.  As we now know, the SciFi Channel did renew Stargate SG-1 for additional seasons.

Her'ak (“The Other Guys”) returns as the First Prime of Anubis.  Her'ak is outmatched in every verbal spat with O'Neill, resulting in some amusing dialog.  Micheal Adamthwaite is very good as Her'ak.  The performances of the regular cast are excellent.  Anubis is a form in a lot of shiny, loose robes.  His voice and actions exude menace, but the outfit – not so much.

Failures:

There is one point where, out of the blue, Ascended Daniel Jackson makes an offer that has zero sense.  It's such a non sequitur moment that it causes a disconnect in the flow of the scene.  The rationale for the offer is explained later, but in that moment it is awkward.

Ascended Daniel Jackson is kind of cold-blooded, willfully trading some lives for others.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 21

"Prophecy"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

William Waring – Director
Peter F. Woeste – Director of Photography
Rick Dean – Chief Lighting Technician

The commentary is interesting, and stays with what is on screen.

 

Review: 

SG-1 is off-world on P4S-237 sharing a meal with the folks living there.  Their leader, named Ellori, states that they live a hardscrabble life, working in mines for Ba'al (“Abyss”).  Carter says that they thought Ba'al abandoned P4S-237 about 100 years ago because there wasn't any more naquadah.  There isn't much, but Ellori's people scratch out what they can and give it to Ba'al's emissary, a Goa'uld named Mot.  Ellori seems to doubt that Mot is a god, but Chazen, another resident of the planet, pipes up that of course Mot is a god.  He says that at the very least, Mot has god-like destructive powers.  Very po-tay-toe, pa-tah-toe is Chazen.

During this chat, Jonas Quinn is looking a bit ill and wobbly.  Then, Jonas has a prophetic vision, which is proven true a few moments later.  Unaware of Jonas' vision, Ellari mentions that his people have an ancient prophecy that one day someone will travel to their world via the stargate and save the people of P4S-237 from their lot.  Roll credits on the episode title.  Things are getting a bit tense between pro-Mot Chazen and pro-not being enslaved Ellari when Jonas keels over and passes out.

Back at the SGC, Dr. Frasier cannot find anything conclusive that might be the source of Jonas' ailment.  There's mention of the possibility of it being related to naquadria, as in the past being around improperly shielded naquadria is shown to cause brain damage (“Shadow Play”).  More medical testing is needed, but for now Jonas seems to have recovered.

At a briefing, Carter shares the Tok'ra confirming Ba'al's abandonment of P4S-237 about 100 years ago, and he is not receiving naquadah shipments from there.  The general thought is Ba'al defeated Mot at some point in the past, and demoted Mot to lackey.  Mot is likely keeping P4S-237's naquadah for himself in hopes of overthrowing Ba'al one day.  SG-1 sees the situation as a chance to take down Mot, and free the people of P4S-237.  Since Ba'al and the other System Lords have the planet on their “not worth my time” list, there shouldn't be a problem with more Goa'ulds moving in after deposing Mot.  During the briefing, Jonas has another vision that later comes true.

This all happens before the opening credits finish rolling.

Dr. Frasier and other medical staff try to learn what is physiologically happening to Jonas, as his physical condition deteriorates with each vision.  Jonas thinks that whatever Nirrti did to him in “Metamorphosis” is the cause.  Considering that this episode's “previously on” is all about “Metamorphosis,” that seems likely.  Dr. Frasier discovers some sort of non-cancerous growth in Jonas' brain, and wants to operate.  Jonas wants to wait and see what his prophecies provide.  General Hammond agrees to let Jonas wait 24 hours before having the surgery, but does not clear Jonas for going off-world.

So, ¾ of SG-1 head to the gateroom, ready to go back to P4S-237 and see about taking down Mot. But, Jonas has another vision just before they gate out.  This time of a severely injured Carter.  General Hammond takes Carter off of the P4S-237 mission, just in case.  Teal'c, O'Neill, and SG-15 head off-world.  Jonas continues having periodic visions that he hopes will be of good use.  Until something happens that brings in to question the usefulness of Jonas' visions.  The first time he tried to change the future based on his visions didn't end well.  Things aren't going well for SG-15 and the ½ of SG-1 on P4S-237, either.

Everyone's acting performances are fine.  Victor Talmadge is very good as Mot, exuding a nice level of Goa'uld menace.  The regular cast performs well, with Corin Nemec's portrayal of an increasingly ill Jonas being the best.  The story is all right.  Jonas' prophetic ability overrode the other story in this episode, the situation on  P4S-237.  Carter and Jonas' discussions about seeing the future are mildly interesting.

Failures:

Nothing major.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 20

"Memento"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

Peter DeLuise – Director
Damian Kindler – Producer/Writer

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

 

Review: 

The Earth ship Prometheus is on a shakedown run in space, with SG-1 riding along.  But, the Prometheus breaks down, and the Asgard don't show up like a space faring AAA this time (bright spot – O'Neill commenting on the Asgard not showing up).  The ship can't get back to Earth.  But, hark!  There's a planet nearby that should have a stargate.  Uh, oh.  The ship's naquadria reactor malfunctions and is jettisoned before it explodes.  The reactor is spewed into space, near a planet.  One that the Prometheus crew doesn't know whether or not is populated.  Turns out it is, and the planet is called Tagrea by its inhabitants.

From the Tagrean perspective, Prometheus introduced itself by throwing an explosive brick through a window. So Tagreans launch an attack on the Prometheus with missiles capable of reaching and destroying the Earth ship.  Prometheus tries to convince the Tagreans that the big boom was an oops, not an act of war, and somehow that works.

The two sides meet, with Prometheus/SG-1 wanting to use Tagrea's stargate.  Except, Tagreans say they don't have a stargate.  But, there's a gate address for Tagrea. So, aha!  There must be a stargate on the planet that the Tagreans don't know about.  Or (I thought), whatever Goa'uld brought humans to Tagrea took the stargate with them when they abandoned the planet.  But, it looks like we're going with an unknown stargate.

After establishing that the Tagrean Commander Kalfas (military leader) and Chairman Ashwan (political leader) have different visions of first contact protocol after a seeming attack, SG-1 gets some historical information that doesn't shed light on where Tagrea's stargate is  located.  The information only covers the last 300 years of Tagrean history.  Turns out Tagreans would rather forget everything that happened more than 300 years before.  A statement which causes the Earthlings to clutch their pearls at the willful destruction and erasure of history.  Which happens on Earth, too, although not always with the vigor of the Tagreans.

With the Tagreans permission Teal'c and Jonas root around in Tagrea's archives.  There Teal'c and Jonas meet the charmingly squirrely Tarek.  Tarek says that he can help them find Tagrea's stargate.  Tarek is part of a secret sect that still worships Heru'ur (“The Serpent's Venom” and the Goa'uld who brought humans to Tagrea long ago) as a god.  In secret, because keeping the history of anything before the time Heru'ur left their world is frowned on.  Turns out that some digging with hand shovels uncovers the stargate.  Tagreans are really bad at hiding their past.

After Teal'c, Jonas, and some Tagreans successfully test the newly uncovered stargate, Kalfas rolls up on them in an armored vehicle, firing warning shots and backed by a lot of Tagrean military personnel and equipment.  SG-1 finds themselves in the midst of another world's two-sided internal conflict.  Again.  This time with the Prometheus' crew along. 

I give this episode a rating of Good because while the story had me sighing -- a lot -- everything else about the episode is done well.  The acting is very good.  John Novak (Ronson) and Miguel Fernandes (Kalfas) performances keep their respective characters from being one note.  There's more going on within those individual characters, even though their dialog isn't inspired.  Robert Foxworth as Ashwan shows a mature delight that there are not only others in the galaxy, but that those others don't to seem to want to fight.  Alex Diakun is quite a talent, and gives the character of Tarek Solamon a wonderful balance of twichiness mixed with certitude, without falling into caricature.  The special effects are very well done throughout.

One of my favorite parts: the glimpse of Ashwan's assistant messing around with the unfamiliar Earth food of mashed potatoes, while Kalfas' assistant doesn't even pretend to eat the Earth food because he's too busy glaring at the Earth folks during a meal on the Prometheus.  Nicely done.

Failures:

First impressions are lasting.  There are a lot of bad first impressions with this episode.  O'Neill's public snit fit over justified drills.  Dumping a naquadria generator near a planet without knowing anything about the planet's possible population.  Then there is various Prometheus bridge crew members, and SG-1, having to lay some very basic truths on Ronson, things he should have known on his own.  Colonel Ronson and Commander Kalfas – who is so hawkish at times I'm surprised when words instead of bird of prey screeches come out of his mouth – have a round of literal, “my guns are bigger than yours.”  Prometheus' uninspired “my bad” to Tagrea, and it being accepted (although not by Commander Kalfas).  When not bumping heads with Ronson, I thought that Kalfas was not wrong.  The well done effects and acting performances save this episode.

 

I think not focusing on the Tagreans purposely attempting to eradicate a chunk of their history is a missed opportunity, and had the makings of a more interesting story.  That was one thing where Ashwan and Kalfas were in complete agreement. I wonder, did another religion(s) replace the forced worship of Heur'ur, or do the Tagreans refuse to worship anything, or at least not worship anything that isn't tangible?  Juxtaposing the Tagreans willful erasure of history with some on Earth willfully re-writing, and at times trying to erase, history could've made for insightful dialog.