SG1/SGA Question

[DigificWriter]

Hi. I'm trying to get into Stargate Atlantis, but had a question:
What SG-1 episodes are absolutely essential viewing in order to avoid being lost or confused as I watch SGA?

 

[Claudia]

I'd say, the only one that's kind of necessary is "Lost City"... but even without that SGA pretty much stands on its own.

 

[Lindley]

As great as "Lost City" is, it might be more confusing to start there, since it relies on a fair amount of SG-1 backstory (The Fifth Race most notably).

Perhaps "48 Hours" and "Redemption 1+2" would make sense, for character reasons.

 

[Harvey]

If you're not going to watch the whole lot, just skip SG-1. "Lost City" is great, but it comes at the end of an arc and has a different (and better?) actress as Weir. "New Order I and II" introduces the new Weir actress, and takes place right before the Atlantis pilot...but it also comes in the middle of an arc. "48 Hours" and "Redemption I and II" are the SG-1 episodes that feature McKay (the ones before Atlantis started, anyhow), but they also come in the middle of other storylines.

You'll get to know all of these characters in short order on Atlantis, and any references to SG-1 will be small, or explained.

Personally, SG-1 is a far better series than Atlantis (especially the latter seasons of Atlantis), but if you're just going to watch the spin-off, don't bother with SG-1. Too confusing keeping things straight when you're only seeing a few of the puzzle pieces.

 

[DigificWriter]

I've actually already watched both Lost City and New Order, but was wondering what other eps were pertinent to SGA in terms of either character or plot-related developments.

 

[Harvey]

Well, in Moebius something happens that directly influences the Atlantis season one finale (and it features an alternate universe McKay), but it's not like you'd be confused if you didn't see the episode.

 

[Kirby]

You don't have to watch any SG-1 to get SGA. I hadn't seen any SG-1 before SGA aired and I had no problems with it.
I actually like the way I did it because there were something things in Atlantis that I just accepted as fact and unique to Atlantis, but when it was touched on in SG-1 it became a cooler moment because it changed my perspective on it.

Here is all you really need to know before you watch:
McKay was a dick in SG-1, the first Weir was better, both shows love forests.

 

[Kryton]

...both shows love forests.

Heh...they actually mocked that so much of the series was set in the wooded areas around Vancouver in an early SG1 episode.

A princess takes Daniel Jackson out to show him her planet and she points out the amazing TREES that they have there, which (she presumes) surely must be native to only HER world!

 

[SmoothieX]

I don't know how much you've seen so I won't spoil anything Antlantis-wise for you.

Maternal Instinct - starts the Ancient/ascension stuff
Frozen - we meet our first Ancient
Full Circle/Fallen - Starts the lost city theme
Lost City - Established the power of the Ancients, ZPMs, weapons, and they find an Ancient outpost in the Antarctic
New Order - Really doesn't do much other than give more exposure to Weir and give her an out to be the Atlantis commander
Moebius - SG-1 obtains a ZPM to help the Atlantis expedition

 

[USS Kongo]

I've actually already watched both Lost City and New Order, but was wondering what other eps were pertinent to SGA in terms of either character or plot-related developments.

There's also the third episode of SG-1 Season 10: The Pegasus Project. Daniel Jackson and SG-1 travel to Atlantis to research the Ori in their library.

You don't really need to see this, but it's a fun team-up episode featuring the casts of both shows (most of them, anyway) working together against both the Wraith and Ori.

Sean