The Stargate Franchise - A First Timer's Watchthrough

[Romulan_spy]

Wormhole X-Treme

That might be the craziest thing I see this year. I think the only bad thing about it was the NID being involved and they interrupted the parody flow, but everything else was gold. This was an episode that made fun of itself (Air Force consultant, every facial expression Jack had was priceless), and other sci fi shows and movies (The X-Files, Star Trek, Galaxy Quest). There was so many gags it's just easy to say this entire episode was one big self parody. I also realized it was the 100th episode so knowing a little bit about the 200th episode, I am very much looking forward to that. It was nice to see Martin back involved again. He's a fun character.

Yeah, this episode is filled with self-parody jokes. I especially like when the lady actress asks why her character does not fall through the floor when she is out of phase in one episode. That's exactly what fans of every scifi show ask when there is an "out of phase" plot.

Yeah, the 200th episode is a sequel to Wormhole X-Treme with some super funny parody skits. You will love it!

 

[tomalak301]

Yeah, this episode is filled with self-parody jokes. I especially like when the lady actress asks why her character does not fall through the floor when she is out of phase in one episode. That's exactly what fans of every scifi show ask when there is an "out of phase" plot.

The long silence followed by the "We'll get back to you on that" made that scene hilarious.

 

[The Wormhole]

I was always a bit confused as to where the NID was in the government hierarchy and how they were able to pull the things they were pulling without apparently answering to anyone.

Sort of the S31 of the SG universe.

The NID actually is supposed to be a legitimate government agency, their problem is they apparently have an extremely piss-poor screening process given a vast majority of their personnel are "rogue agents. If you want a more appropriate Section 31 parallel in Stargate,

Spoiler

that would be the Trust.

The NID's purpose has always been somewhat muddied. As mentioned earlier, they were created to fill the narrative necessity of having a villainous presence within the US government after the USAF voiced disapproval with the original intent of having renegade military officers creating trouble for the SGC not unlike Evil Starfleet Admirals. I believe it's not until the Colonel Simmons arc in season 5 that we learn the purpose behind the NID is supposed to be providing civilian oversight into top secret military operations.

Indeed, it was because of the USAF's wishes for them to be squeaky within the show that Maybourne is now court-martialed and dishonourably discharged. Though apparently they're completely okay with the other branches of the US military being vilified. Colonel Simmons is Army (based on a picture in his office showing him in an Army dress uniform) and every other person in the military in SG-1 and indeed the entire Stargate franchise who ever gets depicted as evil, corrupt, a troublemaker or just anything other than a perfect human being is a Marine.

In fact, unless I am wrong, I don't think the show ever defined what NID stood for.

Correct, on one of the DVD commentaries, one of the writers/producers/someone even brings up the fact that fans always ask what NID means and the answer is "Nothing In Particular." Two which the other person doing that commentary says "shouldn't that be NIP?" and the matter gets dropped there. Though the official Stargate magazine that was published around the mid 2000s did say it stood for National Intelligence Department, this was never the intent by anyone involved with the show.

 

[fireproof78]

Though apparently they're completely okay with the other branches of the US military being vilified.

And Congress, and the office of the President

 

[tomalak301]

Proving Ground

This was like Lower Decks done extremely well. I really liked the chemistry amongst the cadets, and thought Hailey was better here than her first episode. She also seemed to be much improved in terms of personality and mannerisms which was nice. Also, this was Grace Park before she became a Cylon. I really liked how everything was a test, but it took a while to figure it out and then they just kept adding layers and layers to it. Also, Daniel in the big chair (His role was really small) was very memorable.

 

[fireproof78]

Proving Ground

This was like Lower Decks done extremely well. I really liked the chemistry amongst the cadets, and thought Hailey was better here than her first episode. She also seemed to be much improved in terms of personality and mannerisms which was nice. Also, this was Grace Park before she became a Cylon. I really liked how everything was a test, but it took a while to figure it out and then they just kept adding layers and layers to it. Also, Daniel in the big chair (His role was really small) was very memorable.

Has one of the more innovative shots too that I remember Peter deLuis talking about. Circling around with each shot at the beginning against the trainees. It was very fun episode.

 

[tomalak301]

48 Hours

I hope this is the end of the Simmons/NID storyline for a while. As a follow up to Desperate Measures, this episode was a lot better. The Goa'uld is in a holding cell, Simmons has been arrested, and we got some more nice scenes between Maybourne and O'Neill. Also, Tanith is dead, so that was an end to his story, even though there is still that situation with the Tollen. I think the thing that intregued me most about this episode was this was the first episode that gave us a hint of Stargate Atlantis. I may not have seen the series (yet), but I know watching various endings waiting for BSG one of the most popular characters on that series was Rodney McKay. Well, this was his first episode, and he has a ways to go before I start liking him. To bring in a Buffy comparison, I hope McKay gets the Cordelia treatment because he starts out here as an arrogant, misogynistic asshole. He deserves his trip to Russia.

 

[DonIago]

I'm still disappointed by how summarily they resolved the Tanith arc. It's like they decided they didn't have anything left to do with the character so, there you go. That Tanith was on the ship is almost incidental.

 

[tomalak301]

I'm still disappointed by how summarily they resolved the Tanith arc. It's like they decided they didn't have anything left to do with the character so, there you go. That Tanith was on the ship is almost incidental.

It did seem pretty random, especially for a character who just a few episodes ago nearly brought down the Tollon government and made them refugees.

 

[captainkirk]

My understanding is that they had a major falling out with the actor, and so they were forced to kill his character off using recycled footage.

 

[The Wormhole]

one of the most popular characters on that series was Rodney McKay. Well, this was his first episode, and he has a ways to go before I start liking him. To bring in a Buffy comparison, I hope McKay gets the Cordelia treatment because he starts out here as an arrogant, misogynistic asshole. He deserves his trip to Russia.

In his pre-Atlantis SG-1 appearances McKay really was an unlikeable jerk. When Atlantis comes around they tone him down a bit. He's still a jerk, and always will be, but in Atlantis they play his jerk side up for comedy, which makes him much more bearable.

 

[Jayson1]

I always liked McKay from the start and that has lots to do with the actor. Sure they make him kind of a jerk but I could tell the character was kind of special even in his first episode and I was thinking of him being a regular someday even then. Including when Stargate adds a new important character in the future that could have been him in theory but things worked out even better when he goes to Atlantis. In fact I think it's almost a tie between Jack and McKay as my favorite Stargate universe character of all time.

Jason

 

[Romulan_spy]

In his pre-Atlantis SG-1 appearances McKay really was an unlikeable jerk. When Atlantis comes around they tone him down a bit. He's still a jerk, and always will be, but in Atlantis they play his jerk side up for comedy, which makes him much more bearable.

I would only add that since McKay is a regular on Atlantis, he does get more backstory and more character development on Atlantis which does flesh out his character a lot more. So while he still has that "I'm always right because I'm a genius" arrogance about him, we also see other sides of his personality. And without spoilers, Mckay does get some excellent episodes on Atlantis.

 

[DonIago]

My understanding is that they had a major falling out with the actor, and so they were forced to kill his character off using recycled footage.

This is news to me (not contradicting you, just surprised); do you have a source?

ETA (per https://www.gateworld.net/sg1/s5/48-hours/):
“The episode kicks off with the shocking death of Tanith, shocking insofar as he was a mid-major villain who suddenly and all too quickly buys it in spectacularly unspectacular fashion. From what I recall, we were unable to reach a deal with the actor on another episode and, rather than leave the character dangling, elected to write him out instead. This episode also saw the introduction of one Dr. Rodney McKay (‘Rodney?’ I remember asking Rob at the time. ‘Is that the name you want to go with?’), an insufferable ass who, over the course of the franchise’s run, ended up redeeming himself in surprising fashion.” (Writer/producer Joseph Mallozzi, in a post at his blog)"

It's certainly possible that "unable to reach a deal" is diplomatic language, but I'd be curious to hear more about this if more information is available.

 

[Jayson1]

I would only add that since McKay is a regular on Atlantis, he does get more backstory and more character development on Atlantis which does flesh out his character a lot more. So while he still has that "I'm always right because I'm a genius" arrogance about him, we also see other sides of his personality. And without spoilers, Mckay does get some excellent episodes on Atlantis.

I always liked his arrogance and how he can even be condescending. I've always liked non-traditional heroes and he is someone who saves the day not with being a big action hero with a gun but often with his brain and a laptop.


Jason

 

[captainkirk]

This is news to me (not contradicting you, just surprised); do you have a source?

I'm not sure where I first heard it, so it could be hearsay. My best guess is that it was something like Crispin Glover wanting too much money in BTTF2.

 

[David cgc]

The interesting thing about McKay becoming a regular on Atlantis is that it wasn't the writers' idea; the actor just auditioned for the scientist-character (who, IIRC, was conceptualized as being South African), and they decided if they were going to cast him, they may as well have him reprise his earlier role, since it wasn't too much of a stretch. He definitely has a personality reboot between his first appearance on SG-1 as a straight-up antagonist and the version of him on Atlantis (though there is one more guest appearance on SG-1 before Atlantis begins that sets him on the path away from being an entirely loathsome, sexist asshole).

 

[JirinPanthosa]

McKay’s second appearance tones down his attitude, at least the sexism toward Carter.

 

[Romulan_spy]

McKay’s second appearance tones down his attitude, at least the sexism toward Carter.

Yeah, I think it is "48 hours" where McKay calls Carter "hot" to her face. It is totally unprofessional.

Spoiler: upcoming appearance

In the season 6 premiere "Redemption", there is a nice scene where McKay confides to Carter about his insecurities. There is also a nice moment at the end where Carter gives him an innocent little kiss on the cheek and he says "you don't hate?" and she winks as she walks by and says "Too bad for you. I think I was more attracted to you when I hated you"

 

[tomalak301]

If I remember, he called her also a dumb blond. I was shocked at that scene.