Episode of the Week: ‘Children of the Gods’

When powerful aliens come through Earth’s Stargate, Colonel Jack O’Neill returns to Abydos to retrieve Daniel Jackson, who has discovered that the alien transit system includes much more than the two planets.

In honor of last week’s news about a new movie trilogy following up on 1994’s Stargate, we’re going back to the beginning of the TV series to see how Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner told their version of the events following the film!

“Children of the Gods” Facts:

• The first Stargate television series was developed from the feature film concept by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, who were working for MGM at the time. The studio wanted to develop a TV business and its recent acquisition of Stargate made for a perfect weekly premise. (Filmmakers Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin were reportedly asked to consult, in lieu of their desire to make more Stargate films, but declined.)
• For the series the producers immediately made a number of key changes to what the movie had established: Ra was not the last of a dying race (of Roswell Grey-looking aliens), Abydos is not located in the distant Kaliem Galaxy, and alien princess Sha’uri was renamed “Sha’re.” The Earth base was also relocated from Creek Mountain to Cheyenne Mountain.
• Actor Alexis Cruz (Skaara) was initially approached to be a regular on Stargate SG-1. He declined, but was glad that the writers brought him back in a recurring role.
• In addition to recasting the roles of Jack, Daniel, and Sha’re, one other role from the feature film was recast here: Louis Ferretti, a member of the original military mission, is played by Brent Stait. He’d go on to play Rev Bem on Andromeda, and even subbed for actor Connor Trinneer to play the Wraith hybrid Michael in one episode of Stargate Atlantis (though Trinneer’s voice is still heard).
• “Children of the Gods” was recut and released as a DVD movie in 2009 as Children of the Gods: Final Cut. Much of what didn’t really fit with what the series later became was removed, including some of Carter’s dialogue. The film was re-scored, new visual effects were added, cut scenes were restored, and actor Christopher Judge even re-recorded the dialogue for his entire performance as Teal’c.

“Children of the Gods” on GateWorld:

• Episode Guide
• Photo Gallery
• Screencap Gallery
• Screencap Gallery (Final Cut)
• Discussion Thread
• SG-1 Season One Podcast
• Review: Children of the Gods: Final Cut
• “Final Cut” Interview with Brad Wright (2009)
• Interview with Jonathan Glassner (2009)

Download Children of the Gods: Final Cut now from Amazon or iTunes!

Rewatch “Children of the Gods” this week! Then post your comments below, or head over to the “Children of the Gods” discussion thread and see what people were saying back in the day. What are your favorite moments?

Each week we’re highlighting a favorite episode from Stargate’s 17 seasons. Watch the episode with us this week and join in the fun!