I find it sad to report that the awesome and amazing television show known as Stargate SG-1 has left the building.
Oh sure, there’s still a show filling the time slot with the same name, but Stargate SG-1 it ain’t, and my entire family is in mourning. 
The first sign of Sci Fi channel trying to milk the Stargate cow dry was last season’s premiere of Stargate: Atlantis. It’s not bad, per se, but the only character that’s really captured me and become a favorite is Dr. Rodney McKay (played by David Hewlett). Other than that, eh. And now that it’s looking like they’re going to try to hook up Col. Sheppard with Dr. Weir instead of Teyla, I’m going to start to get annoyed with the show.
With this season of SG-1 there is more milking evident. Richard Dean Anderson has left the show (for the record I commend the man for dropping out to spend time with his family), Amanda Tapping is yet to be seen beyond a brief video-monitor cameo in the season opener, a younger replacement for O’Neil has been brought in who is (who would have guessed) also irreverent and to the point. There’s also a new female character whose name escapes me but is infinitely annoying, and one of the Bridges’ brothers as the new general. And oh yes, those great opening credits and music have been cut down to just 10 seconds in order to make more time for… extra commercials.
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It seems like Christopher Judge (Teal’c) and Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson) are just there as window dressing.
Anderson did make a brief appearance in the Season 9 opener, but I swear that he looked like he was either drugged or senile. It was bizarre, to say the least. And for some reason Shanks is delivering his dialogue so quickly this season that I can barely understand what he’s saying. Maybe he gets paid by the word this season?
So far the Gould are nowhere to be seen and we have completely new villains who seem to be fanatical religious extremists from another galaxy whose religion you must join or die (make your own connection).
This show should have ended at the end of Season 8, changed a bit to tie up loose threads and either lay the whole thing to rest or replace it with another spinoff. As it stands it’s a completely new show masquerading as Stargate SG-1, which it no longer seems to be. That’s both sad and a disservice to the fans.
At least I still have SG-1 reruns and Battlestar Galactica…
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17 Comments
This is slightly off-topic, but I recently had the opportunity to see the Stargate movie from 1994. It is by far my favorite collaboration from Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich. Also, it was quite a shock to see James Spader playing someone who wasn’t a despicable sleaze. It was some of the best acting he has done, IMHO. The movie was a little hokey in spots, but very enjoyable overall. Who knew that Devlin and Emmerich would be producing mildly enjoyable schlock within two years (Independence Day), and bang-your-head-into-the-wall garbage within four years (Godzilla)?
I have always enjoyed Richard Dean Anderson’s acting, and it’s a shame he had to leave the show. It sounds like his absence has had a profound impact on the overall quality of the show.
Brian
I agree with your Devlin/Emmerich assessment, BTW. It’s hard when you start out at the top… people expect greatness every time and there’s nowhere to go but down. Look at Shyamalan, he’s got the same problem.
Vic
I kind of agree. It seems like they have been grasping for air this season. A 3-episode arc is no way to start a new season while establishing a new character. The show as a whole is getting to be formulaic. Defeat powerful villian, introduce even more powerful villian, invent weapon at last second to defeat villian. Repeat if desired.
Amanda Tappings lack of screen time is similar to why Anderson left the show. If he can leave the show for family reasons, she should be excused for a few of them.
I really have yet to watch Atlantis this season. Too many cooks in the kitchen and it seems that the “isolation” aspect of the show has been removed once the Daedalus(sp?) arrived to save the day. I found Dr. Weir to be incredibly annoying from day one. Most of her dialogue is P.C. driven and she sounds more like Professor X at times.
Battlestar Galactica has grown on me. I’ll be tuning in this season.
I didn’t like it at first, but the cliff-hanger was pretty good and this season seems to be keeping up the pace.
Offtopic: I am glad SciFi is airing Firefly in it’s entirety. Now if they would pick up Mutant-X, that would be cool. I’ve bashed SciFi before, thought I would give them points for doing something right.
I also came to BSG late in the game, but did manage to watch last season in it’s entirety via Tivo.
Gotta agree with your assessment of Dr. Weir… and “Atlantis” is also suffering from an injection of too many new characters.
As far as “Firefly” goes, I’ve heard so much about it that I’ve decided to give it a try as well, especially in view of the fact that a feature film is coming out this fall.
Vic
Apparently (based upon remarks made at several conventions by various actors) TPTB at Bridge Studios (where Stargate is filmed) did want to change the name of the series for season nine, but either the SciFi Channel and/or Sony Pictures nixed the idea.
The beginning of the season is actually like the beginning of the series — there was NO SG-1 at the beginning of the series either. SG-1 wasn’t created until the third episode, “Emancipation.”
We’re going through a change. Jack O’Neill (and his actor, Richard Dean Anderson) have accepted other responsibilities in life. Sam Carter (and her actress, Amanda Tapping) is busy trying to adapt to personal life changes (Amanda had a baby, Sam is…up to something!). Daniel was on his way to the Pegasus Galaxy, to study more on the Ancients. Teal’c was busy on Dakaar, trying to help the formation of the new Jaffa nation.
Right now, we have a new (and hopefully, temporary) SG1 commander, Lt. Col. Mitchell. He’s in search of a team. He has Daniel’s and Teal’s assistance right now for specific emergencies.
Hopefully, in the sixth episode, when Samantha Carter returns to the SGC to assist in a specific emergency…we’ll find out in that episode, or the episode following, how everyone concerned — Sam, Teal’c, Daniel and Mitchell — will comprise SG-1.
And we’ll begin the process again of following the adventures and journeys of SG1 as they explore our galaxy through the Stargate.
I’ve enjoyed Stargate Atlantis, and was impressed with the addition of Jason Momoa to the cast as Ronon Dex. I appreciate all the cast, but Joe Flanigan is definitely my favorite.
Battlestar Galactica is also entertaining, and I’ve loved Edward James Olmos for years. His scenes sizzle with his passion. But Jamie Bamber is hotness personified.
“Firefly” was a hoot on FOX, and I was happy I was able to download the unaired episodes in the US from the internet after they premiered in the UK. And then I also purchased the DVD box set. And now I’m taping them again (for the second time) off of the SciFi Channel.
See, MPAA, downloading TV episodes is not EVIL. Fans will download and buy the dvds!
Morjana
I respectfully disagree with the rant
I love both Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis, I’m a RDA fan, and I certainly love season 9 even without him.
In my humble opinion, the first 3 episodes were amazing. I think Michael Shanks has done a great job in those episodes, especially in the last two. I like all the new characters so far, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them.
BTW, Amanda Tapping is absent from the first 5 episodes because she was on maternity leave. She’s coming back for the rest of the season.
I sincerely hope we have at least 3 or 4 more seasons, so the new story arcs and characters get to grow.
I think that the new blood is good… i had my douts but i have liked ever ep. so far i do miss RDA but i like Stargate more
Vic, you’re a man after my own heart.
I agree with everything you wrote. It’s as though you were pulling those thoughts from my brain! 
Someone upthread posted that SG-1 didn’t get formed until “Emancipation.” That’s incorrect. In the Pilot, Hammond instructed O’Neill that he would lead a unit designated as SG-1, with Kawalsky leading SG-2. So Teal’c didn’t join until episode 2. But the brass had to be convinced of his joining and he did at the end.
I’ve just started watching “Firefly” on Sci Fi and by the second episode I have to say it’s growing on me. I love the character of the captain of the ship and the pilot’s ultra low key performance is great.
Thanks everyone for chiming in with your thoughts!
Vic
Vic, I totally agree! It’s now SG MINUS 1 and it bears no resemblence to the occasional joy that was SG even last season when Richard Dean Anderson only made minute appearances throughout, and no where near as good as 2 or even 3 seasons ago. SciFi’s pale attempt at cashing in on the franchise after Anderson’s departure is more than just obvious. They figured that the fans they would lose with Anderson’s leaving would be negated by the influx of people who will watch ANYTHING with Browder or Black in it..quality be damned. So far they have been correct, but I wonder if it will last once Black is not a regular and Mitchell becomes a Jack Jr. and everybody is doing the Jack speeches except for Daniel who is still talking too fast to be understood. The show I loved is gone..and I never liked the new BG. As for Atlantis…well, I’m thinking Lost in Space with creepier aliens…unfortunately Cooper et al are NO Gene Rodenberry’s…or even Majel Barrett’s. This is now just another show without the good sense to bow out gracefully, when its major player left, exactly like The X-Files.
Just saw stargate tonight, 8-12-05. The previews for next week show the return of Major Carter! Amanda Tapping. I wonder if this is for good or just a guest appearance?
I hope it is for good.
If my first time discovery of Stargate SG1 had been Season 8, and I had never seen Stargate SG1 seasons 1-7, I would probably think it was a great show! But, since I have seen the show for years, with Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge and Michael Shanks, Season 8 is just breaking my heart!!!
I fear that it is on it’s way out, and it sickens me. Stargate SG1 seasons 1-7 was really the only show on TV that has the “entire package”! Drama, humor, and a very intelligent plot….And I really, really miss it.
I was a fan of the movie. I missed the opening on the movie channel. I did not care for MacGyver when it was on.
I caught up with SG1 in reruns and grew to love the show.
I did not think RDA could pull off the role made in the movie as it was played very coldly. RDA was what was needed for the tv series, great comic relief.
I think the series should have been relauched under another name with most of the original cast thrown to the four winds or given a grand final and Atlantis left to carry the flag forward.
BSG is fantastic also - I hope neither are replaced by a “Tremors” like show. Sciffy Execs should have been downsized and their jobs sent overseas for that move on Farscape.
RDA sucess in any endeavor you choose in the future.
Vic
I have resigned myself to the current state of affairs with SG-1 - I’d rather have it changed as it is than not have it all, which would seem to be the option if it was ended when RDA left. Ben Browder appears to be RDA Jr. at the moment - the writers didn’t even change the lines between the characters.
I could care less about Atlantis - the only reasons I watch it are Dr. McKay, because I have a DVR and can fast forward when it gets too annoying, and because it occasionally has common story arcs with SG-1. I lost what little respect I had for the show in the episode “Poisoning the Well” when Weir’s group didn’t want to help the natives who were making themselves bad Wraith food because “it would make the Wraith attack other planets instead.” WHAT?! In the very next episode, they’re helping a bad group of people take a nuke into a Wraith ship…yeah that was a much better idea…
BSG is great so far - it’s starting to edge out SG-1 IMO.
Now if we could just get SciFi to stop showing all the horrid giant bug/reptile/sea creature movies Saturday - Thursday. And kudos to them showing Firefly…excellent show.
I agree completely with your RDA jr comment, I had EXACTLY the same thought. And Bridges as the General seems to be pretty clueless considering his position.
I’m really getting into “Firefly” as well. I love the vibe of the show.
Vic
i have enjoyed the last eight years with richard dean anderson and the crew and wished they would and should stop the show entirely after Jacks depature or at least changed the name,to another disappointing spin-off because series 9 of sG1 has lost the entire team spirit and great scripts and story lines that only Richard Dean Anderson and the crew can deliver. Without Jack and the old spirit of the team the entire legacy of stargate will be ruined, please make them stop the show or bring back jack!
Vic