Stargate SG-1

Guide Note

The popular science fiction series, Stargate SG-1 was inspired by the 1994 film Stargate. It follows a crew of scientific and military investigators on their missions through the alien-built Stargate portal that connects several different galaxies together.

Stargate SG-1 premiered on television in 1997, picking up to expand upon the Egyptian theme laid out in the original film. It theorizes within the Stargate Universe that Earth was the first planet humans inhabited, and that a race known as the Goa'uld harvested the human race and helped it spread throughout the universe. Similar cultures that appear on Earth, for example the Mayans or the Atlanteans, could be found inhabiting other planets in other galaxies due to the cultural teachings and influences o the Goa'uld.

The Stargate Command Center or SGC on Earth is hidden in an underground base at Cheyenne Mountain. The original Stargate Team was comprised of four members: Colonel Jack O'Neill, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Captain Samantha Carter and an alien named Teal'c. Their mission is to travel through the Stargates searching for advanced technology, alliances and advanced races they can befriend and learn from.

The central antagonist of the series is the Goa'uld, who use their powers to an unfair advantage throughout the universe, often portraying themselves as Gods to carry out their plans to take over the universe. They possess the ability to invade the mind and body of any creature they come in contact with, making them a dangerous foe.

In 2007 the Sci-Fi Channel announced that they would not be signing on for more episodes of SG-1, however two SG-1 films have been added to expand the series. In March of 2008, the first film, Stargate: The Ark of Truth introduced the notion of a device that could bring the end to war forever. In July 2008, a second film, Stargate: Continuum explores an altered universe in which the Stargate Portal on Earth is removed before it is discovered.

Fast Facts

1. New episodes: In syndicate
2. Original Network: Showtime
3. Later Network: Sci-Fi Channel
4. First aired: July 27, 1997
5. Final Episode: March 13, 2007
6. Starring: Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Christopher Judge, Don S. Davis, Corin Nemec, Beau Bridges, Ben Browder, Claudia Black
7. Created by: Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner
8. Includes two direct-to-dvd films released in 2008
9. Spinoffs: Stargate: Atlantis and Stargate Universe

Quotes:

1. "We are beacons on the road to enlightenment."—Prior
2. "If you once again try to harm me or one of my companions, my patience with you will expire."—Teal'c
3. "You know me, I'm a huge fan of subtlety, but that's downright encrypted."—O'Neill
4. "Wait! I can be dull! Want me to be dull? What a nice shade of gray. How about some white bread with mayonnaise? Wanna watch golf on television?"—Urgo