This month marks 25 years since viewers were introduced to Stargate.
The original movie in 1994 brought us on a journey with the (then) Colonel Jack “O’Neil” and Dr. Daniel Jackson as they stepped through an alien portal and found themselves transported across the cosmos and into the unknown.
Despite the film receiving a mixed reception at the time, MGM obtained the rights to the franchise and in 1997 we were given Stargate SG-1. Since then there have been a number of spin-offs, including the short-lived Infinity animated series, and the more successful Stargate Atlantis and Universe productions. While Universe was the last to air on television, 2018 sparked some excitement for fans with a brand new, 10-episode Web series, Stargate Origins.
Looking back, the franchise has enjoyed an impressive run — with fans still wishing and asking for Stargate to return on a regular basis. But it also doesn’t feel like Stargate has already had a 25-year history. I mean, seriously, where has the time gone?
People often say time is relative, and I guess it’s true. Recently, I celebrated a birthday milestone of my own and — even though I don’t mind turning another year older — there was one particular card I received that made me pause. The card highlighted the year I was born, plus a selection of important events and moments that occurred within those twelve months. For example, the World Wide Web was invented. The Berlin Wall came down. Archaeologists unearthed a 4,400-year-old mummy at the foot of the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Nintendo’s Game Boy made its grand entrance.
And, the very first episode of The Simpsons aired on our screens. Jack O’Neill (two Ls) would be proud!
It was that final snippet of information — once I stopped chuckling at the memory of Jack’s “Burns as Goa’uld” analogy in “Lost City” — that I realized Stargate has played a key role in my life for the past two decades.
MEMORIES
I’d have argued it was maybe ten years at the most, but when I thought about it, Stargate was the show I grew up with. Every afternoon when I came home from school and before any homework was completed, I watched Stargate SG-1. I followed the characters and their adventures religiously. I remembered the first time I saw the wormhole spring to life, or how my laughter filled the room as I watched Jack and Teal’c’s antics during the infamous time loops in “Window of Opportunity.” And I recalled the night when, through my tears, I witnessed the events of “Heroes” unfold into two hours of the show’s finest (and most heart-breaking) storytelling.
Now, I’m a great one for reminiscing, and those memories gave me a yearning to go back and start watching the show again. As luck would have it, later that evening as I settled down with a slice of birthday cake, I flicked through the television channels and stopped when I saw Stargate SG-1 on the program guide. It was, in all honesty, the first episode I had watched in years. But within minutes I remembered just how much I loved this show.
The characters, the storylines, the moments of humor amidst the tension. It made for great viewing — and left me wanting more. So I unearthed my DVD collection, which had been stored away with the rest of the vast and varied Stargate-related items I’d managed to amass over the years.
I have now started to pick out random episodes to watch on my free evenings. And I’m honestly surprised at how much I am rediscovering about the show … and this is from somebody who used to pride themselves on their knowledge of SG-1 (especially when it came to Seasons One through Eight). Honestly, if you had a question about an episode, it was a certainty that I knew the answer! But all this knowledge faded into insignificance as I really started my rewatch.
BACK TO THE BEGINNING
Yes, I remembered the different episodes and a few quotes here and there … not to mention those key moments that are forever ingrained on a fan’s mind. But I’m not sure if it’s because I am older since I first discovered the show, but the notion I had in my head — that the series was mainly eight years of the fight between good and evil, Earth versus the Goa’uld — barely scratches the surface of what is there on the screen.
For example, early in Season One we see Sam and Daniel (and quite possibly O’Neill too) clash in “The Broca Divide,” over whether or not to intervene and stop what Daniel refers to as a “pre-historic” mating ritual. In today’s society it would be considered rape, and I was surprised to see just how divided the newly-put together team was over this issue.
Then, in Season Three came “Learning Curve.” This episode introduced the idea of individuals — in this instance children — being ‘sacrificed’ for the greater good of their society. Again, we see Jack strongly make his feelings on the matter known, while others — such as Daniel — take a different stance.
Another excellent example of these ethical dilemmas is in “The Other Side.” Earth’s willingness to support one size of a civilization at war, followed by Jack’s decision to let their racist leader Alar splash against the iris, leaves viewers pondering a series of moral issues. The episode also leaves us wondering about the potential fallout that Jack and Daniel’s respective positions will have on their friendship, and on SG-1.
My rediscovery hasn’t been all negative, though (there’s actually more positives to be found!). So far one of my all-time favorite scenes is in “A Matter Of Time,” when O’Neill asks Carter to explain, once more, what exactly a “wormhole” is. He soon gets lost in her answer, but it’s his reaction that makes me smile. He is genuinely trying to understand the science behind what it is they do, and it’s a nice exchange between the two teammates — especially as Jack had given the Captain such a hard time about her scientific insight during their first meeting in “Children Of The Gods.”
AN ENDURING LEGACY
Like I said: I know these episodes. I’ve watched them dozens and dozens of times over the years. But it is only now that I can see the bigger, fuller picture of SG-1 and its legacy.
Yes, it’s a show that provides some light relief in a busy, crazy world. But I also appreciate its ability to be serious. There are real, hard-hitting messages that the writers have seamlessly interwoven into the episodes to challenge us and to make us think.
There are storylines that unfold in such a way that highlight the difficulty that S.G. teams often faced of knowing the right thing to do, versus doing the right thing.
There are those moments that give us an insight into the characters — both positive and negative — and it’s refreshing to see that they are not perfect (as much as we might like them to be). Their flaws are also presented to us as an audience and it makes them, and the show, more relatable as a result.
What has become clear is that SG-1‘s best qualities have not faded over the years. For me, Stargate is a perfect example of a franchise that has been able to stand the test of time. And I’m looking forward to delving back in from the beginning and seeing just what it’s like to rediscover the franchise — 20 years later.
All this month GateWorld is celebrating 25 years of Stargate! In the days ahead we’ll explore the franchise’s characters, themes, and the family that is Stargate fandom. Post your memories below or use the hashtag #Stargate25 on social media.
I’m a bit older than you. I was in college, I believe when Stargate started airing, but i too “grew up” with this series. I have recently started rewatching the series with my children and I have been just as entranced as they are. Stargate is right up there with Star Trek, in my opinion. The shows were more about personal interaction and what it means to be human, than about ‘science fiction’. Stargate SG-1 will achieve the same fame and notoriety for the same reasons.
I’ve been on the same journey, rewatching SG-1 and now Atlantis. My girlfriend expressed interest in the show a while back (obviously I’d never made efforts to hide the fact that it’s likely my favorite show), and so we started watching it together. It was my first time going back to it in several years, and I have to admit greatly enjoying the rewatch. It also helps to have her perspective on everything, which offered a fresh take on everything. And it was also enjoyable watching her enjoy the same characters and plot lines that I loved my first time… Read more »
I’m an avid Stargate fan! Im currently binge watching Season 8. (Yes, I’ve watched the previous Seasons)?
I love relaxing while going through the Gate.
I love Stargate SG-1 fantastic story line I love them all specialty jack good luck guys miss you all xxxx
Wben Stargate SG-1 first aired, I wasn’t interested i n watching, primary because of T’ealcs mark on his forebead. Then I got the box set of all 10 seasons on CD ine year for Christmas. I began watching, and soon became a die hard fan, and have watched every episode many times each. However, tragedy befell me wben my son made off with the first episode (hmmm….now why did he take THAT one?) Of all the episodes, I would have to say Scorched Earth is my favorite, but there is hardly an episode that I don’t like.
I am a middle aged woman who was a teen when the first Star Wars came out so I have been hooked on sci go my whole life. When I discovered Stargate Sg1 and Stargate Atlantis it was love at first episode with both shows. I loved Carter’s role as there were not a lot of strong smart, science women being shown. Before this. I loved Princess Leia for same reason. However the best part of the show is tying historical myths to scientific possibilities. The ancient gods, the old mystical ties to various religions on earth. I lived in… Read more »
I started watching the series again. Just got to the second season. I’m really looking forward to experiencing heartbreak at *spoiler* Daniel apparently dying then coming back as an ascended being, the episode where they rip off/pay homage to Farscape (one of my other favorite sci-fi shows), and Ben Browder and Claudia Black’s entrance to the show. Love it.
A while back I had answered a question on Quora asking which was better, Star Trek or Stargate. It was a fun and interesting question to answer, being a fan of BOTH. I think what I wrote about SG-1 there is appropriate to share here, but I’ll just post a small bit of it, the rest if you are interested can be found on Quora: https://qr.ae/TW2DDY —— When Stargate SG-1 came out, I absolutely adored it. It managed to strike an amazing balance of action, scifi, and humor all bundled into a world that was excellently created and oh so… Read more »
I’ve watched all sg1 and Atlantis twice this year and I’m currently watching universe for the 2nd time
Great post Jacqueline, I dearly miss this show.
I love this. Stargate franchise is being shone in reruns albeit cut up for numerous commercials but still
A favorite on EL REY network in mornings and afternoons and Sat morning too. Love it.
I watched this show when it originally launched on TV; and watched the DVDs. I recently re-watched all the seasons; and just started Ark of Truth DVD. It is still a fantastic show.
Origins was hot trash. It didn’t spark interest. It was an embarrassing disaster.
I watched part of one episode. Looked like feminists had struck their mark on Stargate to ruin it like many other great things.
Bring it back I missed a few due to work
This article is timely. I just started rewatching from ep 1 about 3 weeks ago. I started watching when it came on syndicated tv in the late 90s some time. It completely holds up. Ever since i saw the first wormhole engage in the movie i was hooked. To me, with the exception of Natasha Henstridge in Species, its the best story device in all of science fiction. More then hyperdrives and phasers. The chemistry in the show between all the characters is obvious and and makes the show feel so fun. The only other scifi show that i think… Read more »
I am, coincidentally re-watching the series while on the elliptical every morning (thank you Amazon Prime) and it just never gets old! I love the comaraderie on the show, how the team coalesced quickly and worked smoothly together. I love their heart and humor and love the stories. I also love that the writers were obviously Star Trek fans, my other Sci Fi love. I miss having new episodes, but agree that Origins was the least compelling contribution to the canon. I hope if they do form another team, they do it with the care that they did with this… Read more »
I love Stargate including the series! One main reason is my dad’s father was once stationed at Chyanne Mountain/NORAD! North American Air Defence. But, no Stargate though. I find it very interesting that I lead character in Stargate series that there is a Cameron Mitchell was named after my grandfather, my dad’s father!
My grandfather was a full Colonel and then a one star General. His name is General William Mitchell. Character in Stargate SG1 Cameron Mitchell was given to the actor that plays Cameron Mitchell.
I could take another team going through the stargate, as long as the mythology and history isn’t erased for newbies.
My biggest wish is Sam and Jack are confirmed as a couple, with being married as the cherry on top.