Review of Stargate SG1: Volume 18

Introduction

I`ve got the first nine volumes of Stargate SG1 on DVD, but haven`t been keeping up with them since then because there have been too many other things I fancied instead! I`ve seen some of the episodes on Sky, but not all of them. Now Volume 18 has arrived courtesy of DVD Reviewer, I`ve got an opportunity to get back into watching it.

Volume 18 contains four episodes from the fourth series - Absolute Power, The Light, Prodigy and Entity.

Video

The video comes in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen and is of fairly good quality, as it should be given the high production values and youth of the series. There is no dirt in sight, but there is a hint of grain at times. The image is stable at all times, and quite crisp.

Visually, the effects are quite good, although some look a little "cheap" compared to other sci-fi series that are currently doing the rounds. The only major grumble comes in the Prodigy episode where a stock shot of a military base is used, which is dark and very grainy in comparison to the rest of the show.

Audio

The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, which is well presented but for the most part concentrates on the front three speakers. The rear channels are used occasionally for effects, for example when travelling between the Stargates. The series also features quite a good score, which helps build tension at key moments.

The dialogue is clear and understandable throughout each of other episodes.

Features

The extras consist of "Secret Files of the SGC - Personnel Files" - a seventeen minute behind the scenes featurette which is quite interesting; previews of the next DVD; and audio commentaries for all four of the episodes from the directors, producers and other key staff. I had a brief listen to each commentary track and they gave useful information and were quite interesting - it`s doubtful that anyone other than the really keen would sit through all four episodes again with the commentary tracks on however!

Conclusion

It`s highly unlikely that anyone will just buy the 18th volume of a series without having seen any of the previous episodes, so you`re likely to know what to expect from the content of this disc.

There are four episodes - I enjoyed watching the first three of these, but the fourth, "Entity" was tediously dull and particularly unexciting: The first episode sees Daniel being taught a lesson as he is launched on a spiritual journey - this one is pretty good and pretty watchable, with a few twists as things progress. The second episode is probably the strongest of the three, as SG5 travel to a planet and become seriously ill on their return - a visit back is required to find a cure - this is classic sci-fi stuff and very watchable. In the third, O`Neill, Carter and a brilliant (but troublesome) cadet are at a research base when they come under attack from mysterious aliens - this is another good episode with plenty of variety. The final, and easily weakest episode sees Carter infected by an alien probe and is a deeply unexciting program that offered little of interest.

The video and sound are both above average, but not earth-shatteringly exciting, and the extra featurette and commentary tracks are a welcome bonus.