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em>Stargate SG-1 was my first introduction into the absurd world of televised science fiction. Moving beyond everyone’s childhood love of Doctor Who, Stargate vowed to defeat the world’s alien foe with highly classified and top-secret weapons and no improvised dialogue. With over 10 seasons I was kept occupied for the remainder of my youth absorbing the possibility of time travel and exploration of extraterrestrial life. The multitude of series is down to its originality and well written scripts.
The first series begins with the search for life outside our planetary system and the rescue of scientist Daniel Jackson. An elite military Air Force Special Forces squad are transported through portals known as ‘Stargate’ where they encounter an alien race called the Goa’uld who live inside their human hosts and were responsible for transporting humans from Earth to populate other worlds. The Goa’uld’s love of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, the loin cloth and desire to possess unexplainable alien technology is battled against dry-cleaned camouflaged uniforms worn by patriotic defenders of Earth who throw their inexhaustible grenades and wield their armoured guns.
Each series is an exploration of the characters own fears and faults, new philosophies and religions and importantly new races and civilisations. It’s like the X-files, only Mulder patrols the borders of space with a sub-machine gun and not a pen and paper and highly elusive thinking.
Highly entertaining plots, surreal set designs and well–written characters steer this military adventure into a memorable experience. By far, the best character and the one that demands the most respect because of his excellent facial acting, is Christopher Judge’s character Teal’c. A Jaffa (modified human engineered by the loveable Goa’uld) who’s only wish is to do the best possible good makes him the most electric and sombre best friend you’ll never have.