These last two to three months, I've been watching the show for the first time. These are my thoughts in general about the series.
Movie:
A good start. I was hesitant to start my watch with the movie since I knew the lead actors were recast for the series, but I did it anyway. Kurt Russell and James Spader did well enough while Jaye Davidson had the thankless role as main baddie, Ra. I felt that Jackson turned out to be the bigger protagonist, though O'Neil obviously had all the action scenes. I thought it was a generally good movie, highlights include visual effects and just how large scale it is compared to the later series.
Season One:
I felt like the first season was pretty mediocre. The writers were still finding their footing with the series. I kept stopping every few episodes and going back to watching again during the first week while watching the series.
The first episode felt like a second pilot if you include the movie, we are introduced to two new main cast members with Carter and Teal'c. I was glad they didn't bring Ra back to life to use him as a main villain, though I'm sure the writers were tempted to. I have never seen Richard Dean Anderson in anything before Stargate, so I guess it was very easy for me to see him take over as O'Neill.
After the two parter opening, I had to slog a bit through the next episodes. The Enemy Within, Emancipation, The Broca Divide, The First Commandment, Brief Candle, Cold Lazarus are episodes I see myself never watching again. They aren't horrible (with the exception of Emancipation), but there is nothing special about them.
"Thor's Hammer" was the first important episode we got after the pilot with the introduction of the Asgards and the reveal that they have the tech to fight to Goa'uld. Also we get the plot about the Unas that would be a reoccurring element in later seasons.
"The Torment of Tantalus" seems like a big deal to some fans, but I thought it was merely okay. I liked learning more about Catherine's background, and more about the history of the Stargate program.
"Bloodlines" was decent only because we learned more about Teal'c's family, and what he had to give up when he became an outcast. We also get to meet Bra'tac, who becomes one of my favorite reoccurring characters in the series.
"Fire and Water" was a drag. See Daniel trapped with alien he can't communicate with in the water hideout was a chore.
"The Nox" introduces the title's aliens which would become reoccurring. But the problem is that they look so damn cheesy, also the races never ends ups up doing anything significant in the series. Yes, they "saved' our heroes, but obviously our main characters were never going to die and stay dead. I have the same problem with the Tollan, another highly advance race that are pretty damn useless.
Hathor, Cor-ai, Singularity, Enigma, Tin Man are other episodes I don't see myself rewatching any time soon.
I loved "Solitudes". Maybe it's the two people trapped together in a small room about to die aspect. It is a big character development episode, instead of an alien of the week episode like most of the first season's episode. We are also introduced to a second Stargate on Earth.
"There But for the Grace of God ", "Politics", "Within the Serpent's Grasp".
I thought Grace was a decent alternate universe episode enough though it no way compares to Trek's best. It is always cool seeing alternate universe versions of our main characters. Apophis with the goatee was an obvious reference to Trek! The ending was a good way to lead up to the season finale.
Politics' was the first clip episode for the series. The drama of the Senator trying shut down the Stargate was fine, an entire episode of that might have been okay, but not those damn clips! I fast forward through them all. At least we had the first appearance of Kinsey.
"Within the Serpent's Grasp" was great. A nice season finale plot with Earth in danger plot. Throughout the first season I kept wondering why the Apophis didn't just invade in one of his ships. We got plenty of action and the introduction of the Zat guns! It was also very cool finally discovering the final shot in the opening credits with the black ops dressed characters rushing through the Stargate was from THIS season finale.
The first season was average, but still better than any of the first season modern Trek shows. I liked every member of the Big Four that was introduced, and also General Hammond. That's pretty rare for me to like every person in the main cast for any series.
Movie:
A good start. I was hesitant to start my watch with the movie since I knew the lead actors were recast for the series, but I did it anyway. Kurt Russell and James Spader did well enough while Jaye Davidson had the thankless role as main baddie, Ra. I felt that Jackson turned out to be the bigger protagonist, though O'Neil obviously had all the action scenes. I thought it was a generally good movie, highlights include visual effects and just how large scale it is compared to the later series.
Season One:
I felt like the first season was pretty mediocre. The writers were still finding their footing with the series. I kept stopping every few episodes and going back to watching again during the first week while watching the series.
The first episode felt like a second pilot if you include the movie, we are introduced to two new main cast members with Carter and Teal'c. I was glad they didn't bring Ra back to life to use him as a main villain, though I'm sure the writers were tempted to. I have never seen Richard Dean Anderson in anything before Stargate, so I guess it was very easy for me to see him take over as O'Neill.
After the two parter opening, I had to slog a bit through the next episodes. The Enemy Within, Emancipation, The Broca Divide, The First Commandment, Brief Candle, Cold Lazarus are episodes I see myself never watching again. They aren't horrible (with the exception of Emancipation), but there is nothing special about them.
"Thor's Hammer" was the first important episode we got after the pilot with the introduction of the Asgards and the reveal that they have the tech to fight to Goa'uld. Also we get the plot about the Unas that would be a reoccurring element in later seasons.
"The Torment of Tantalus" seems like a big deal to some fans, but I thought it was merely okay. I liked learning more about Catherine's background, and more about the history of the Stargate program.
"Bloodlines" was decent only because we learned more about Teal'c's family, and what he had to give up when he became an outcast. We also get to meet Bra'tac, who becomes one of my favorite reoccurring characters in the series.
"Fire and Water" was a drag. See Daniel trapped with alien he can't communicate with in the water hideout was a chore.
"The Nox" introduces the title's aliens which would become reoccurring. But the problem is that they look so damn cheesy, also the races never ends ups up doing anything significant in the series. Yes, they "saved' our heroes, but obviously our main characters were never going to die and stay dead. I have the same problem with the Tollan, another highly advance race that are pretty damn useless.
Hathor, Cor-ai, Singularity, Enigma, Tin Man are other episodes I don't see myself rewatching any time soon.
I loved "Solitudes". Maybe it's the two people trapped together in a small room about to die aspect. It is a big character development episode, instead of an alien of the week episode like most of the first season's episode. We are also introduced to a second Stargate on Earth.
"There But for the Grace of God ", "Politics", "Within the Serpent's Grasp".
I thought Grace was a decent alternate universe episode enough though it no way compares to Trek's best. It is always cool seeing alternate universe versions of our main characters. Apophis with the goatee was an obvious reference to Trek! The ending was a good way to lead up to the season finale.
Politics' was the first clip episode for the series. The drama of the Senator trying shut down the Stargate was fine, an entire episode of that might have been okay, but not those damn clips! I fast forward through them all. At least we had the first appearance of Kinsey.
"Within the Serpent's Grasp" was great. A nice season finale plot with Earth in danger plot. Throughout the first season I kept wondering why the Apophis didn't just invade in one of his ships. We got plenty of action and the introduction of the Zat guns! It was also very cool finally discovering the final shot in the opening credits with the black ops dressed characters rushing through the Stargate was from THIS season finale.
The first season was average, but still better than any of the first season modern Trek shows. I liked every member of the Big Four that was introduced, and also General Hammond. That's pretty rare for me to like every person in the main cast for any series.
Last edited:
