Stargate SG1 Review

I’m excited to blog about one of my all-time favorite series! I’ve watched this show from start to finish, including all its spin-offs. I’ve already reviewed the movie “Stargate” in a previous post. Do you need to watch the movie to get into the series? Not really, but episode one picks up right where the movie ends, about a year later.

“Stargate SG-1” grabbed my attention for several reasons. First, I love sci-fi. Second, I loved the movie. And third, MacGyver himself, Richard Dean Anderson, stars as Colonel Jack O’Neill, who’s now retired. The series begins with the Stargate program shut down and the gate secured by the military. But things heat up when the gate is unexpectedly activated from the other side. Apophis, who was presumed dead, walks down the ramp, kills several soldiers, and kidnaps a sergeant.

O’Neill is called out of retirement to assemble a team and figure out where these invaders came from. The General initially believes the planet they visited was destroyed but learns it’s still thriving. They also discover that Dr. Daniel Jackson, played by Michael Shanks, is alive and well, living with a wife. They send a message through the gate to verify if the aliens came from that world.

Jackson responds by coming through the gate, reassuring the General that his planet is fine and no one has come or gone through the gate. This revelation leads to the discovery that the gate can travel to other planets using a series of coordinates.

The SG-1 team, the original crew of the Stargate missions, includes Dr. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), Dr. Jackson, Colonel O’Neill, and eventually Teal’c (Christopher Judge), an alien they encounter on one of their adventures. Fun fact: General Hammond, played by Don S. Davis, also acted alongside Richard Dean Anderson in “MacGyver.” The more you know!

Back to the review. The series follows SG-1 as they explore various planets, learn more about the Stargate, and meet both friendly and hostile alien beings. “Stargate SG-1” has ten seasons, and it’s during this time that “Stargate: Atlantis” is introduced. Yes, Atlantis! They find it floating on an alien planet in the middle of the ocean. The season eight finale of SG-1 is a two-parter that leads directly into the first episode of “Atlantis.”

Dr. Jackson figures out where the Lost City is, and a team is sent to investigate. They soon realize the city is underwater, and the shield keeping the water out is failing due to low power. They’re stranded and can’t return home because they lack the necessary power. This is where the series really takes off. Their mission is to visit nearby planets to find resources to survive. Like the SG-1 team, they encounter friendly civilizations and dangerous alien species intent on eradicating all human life. “Atlantis” has five seasons.

But wait, there’s more! “Stargate: Universe” takes the adventure to a ship on autopilot, jumping from one gate to another for supplies. The crew spends two seasons trying to gain control of their explorations.

I mentioned earlier that you can watch the series in order, but guess what? You can also watch them in chronological order, including the standalone movies. This series runs deep, and I’m here for it. They even did a season of “Origins” about how the Stargate was found, exploring one of the characters as a young girl/woman.

If you’re interested in watching the Stargate collection in order, I’ve got you covered with the list below. You're welcome!

1. Stargate movie

2. Stargate SG1, episodes 1 of season 1 to season 8, episode 2

3. Stargate Atlantis, episodes 1.1 to 1.15

4. Stargate SG1, episodes 8.3 to 8.20

5. Stargate Atlantis, episodes 1.16 to 2.1

6. Stargate SG1, episodes 9.1 to 10.2

7. Stargate Atlantis, episodes 2.2 to 3.4

8. Stargate SG1, episodes 10.3 to 10.12

9. Stargate Atlantis, episodes 3.5 to 3.19

10. Stargate SG1, episodes 10.13 to 10.20

11. Stargate: The Ark of Truth movie

12. Stargate Atlantis, episodes 3.20 to 5.1

13. Stargate: Continuum movie

14. Stargate Atlantis, episodes 5.2 onwards

15. Stargate: Universe, all

I give this series and the movies 5 out of 5 acorns.