Long-time Stargate fans have seen most of their favorite episodes so many times over the years that it’s easy to skip past them when they turn up again on Syfy Channel’s weeknight reruns.  But wait!  There are plenty of jewels in there, and summer is a great time to enjoy classic Stargate all over again.

So in that spirit, each week this summer we’ll be picking one episode to highlight from that week’s broadcast schedule!  We’ll point out a few things you might not know, and share some points of interest you might not have caught the last time around.

THIS WEEK:

"Rising, Part 1"

Stargate Atlantis:
Rising (Parts 1 and 2)
Tuesday & Wednesday at 5 p.m. (4 Central)

Stargate Atlantis begins all over again!  If you haven’t watched the show before, now is a great time to jump into Syfy’s 5 p.m. showing every weeknight.  The 2-hour series premiere airs this week in two halves, Tuesday and Wednesday.  The story follows Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Rodney McKay, Major John Sheppard, and a team of dozens of scientists and military personnel who discover the mythical city of Atlantis in another galaxy.

Did You Know?
• The character of Elizabeth Weir was, of course, introduced just before this in the seventh season finale of Stargate SG-1, “Lost City.” But she was played there by actress Jessica Steen. When Atlantis got the green light, the producers chose to recast the role — with no explanation as to Elizabeth’s change in hair color.

• Daniel pleads with Jack to be allowed to go along on the expedition — part of a running storyline for his character. After trying again in “Prometheus Unbound” (only to be stopped by Vala’s hijacking of Prometheus), he’ll finally make it there two years later, in “The Pegasus Project.”

• Teyla was originally named “Mikala” in an early draft of the script. Among the many actresses who auditioned for the role is Ona Grauer (Ayiana in SG-1‘s “Frozen,” and Colonel Young’s wife Emily on SGU) and Kira Clavell (the System Lord Amaterasu in SG-1‘s “New Order”).

• The expedition’s brilliant scientist was originally written to be an African-Canadian by the name of Dr. Benjamin Ingram. Actor David Hewlett actually auditioned for that part, after which the producers decided to cast David and change the character to the one Hewlett had already played in three episodes of SG-1: Dr. Rodney McKay.

The Stargate universe would certainly never be the same again!

Learn more fun facts about “Rising” and the start of Stargate Atlantis in our episode guide. Here is Syfy’s original teaser spot for the premiere:

ALSO ON SYFY THIS WEEK:

The Quest (Parts 1 and 2). Stargate SG-1‘s last big two-parter came in the middle of Season Ten.  SG-1 goes in search of the Sangraal, part of Merlin’s secret weapon that is supposedly capable of destroying ascended beings.  Along the way they’ll face numerous challenges including a maze with a very sci-fi twist, and a holographic (but very real) dragon.  And they’ll have to join forces with two of their worst enemies.  Airs Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. (5 Central).

This week’s Syfy schedule is a bit thin for Stargate, due in part to the Fourth of July holiday in the U.S.  No episodes will air Monday, Thursday, or Friday evenings.  But catch “Submersion” and “Descent” (one of Season Six’s best, in our opinion) late Friday night at 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. (Eastern/Pacific), respectively.

And don’t forget the wonderful world of syndication!  Your local station should air a repeat of Atlantis‘s “First Contact,” guest starring Michael Shanks, this weekend.  Check local listings for the time and channel.

Check out Syfy’s full Stargate schedule for July!