Review of Stargate SG1: Volume 32

Introduction

Continuing the latest series of Stargate SG1 comes volume 32 which contains the first 4 episodes of season 7:
`Fallen` & `Homecoming` - 2 Part Episode which sees the return of Daniel Jackson and the battle against Anubis`s new super-weapon.

`Fragile Balance` - sees Col O`Neil replaced by a clone, unfortunately the clone is still in his teenage years.

`Orpheus` - The SG1 team discover Teal`C `s mentor has been taken prisoner on a prison planet.

Video

The visual quality of this, as with pretty much all the other discs in the series, is first rate. This is a high budget, high quality series both in terms of the quality of DVD`s and also the actual episodes themselves. The special effects etc wouldn`t look out of place in a higher budget movie never mind a long running TV Series. Menu`s are also very nicely done and the whole presentation of the series is top quality.

Audio

As with the visual quality, the sound is also very well done. Dolby Digital 5.1 is used though to good effect though as it`s a TV series first and foremost the sound is mostly focused on the front speakers and tends to make little use of the rears. That said music and sound effects are excellent throughout and the dialogue is consistently clear.

Features

There is the usual assortment of extra features as with other discs in the series. The Directors series looks at `Fragile Balance` while the other short behind the scenes featurette shows a day in the life of Michael Shanks (aka Daniel Jackson), quite an interesting look behind the scenes through the eyes of one of the stars of the show. To top it all off there`s a Production Design and Photo Gallery, Audio commentaries and access to web based content.

Conclusion

As this is part of a long running series then the chances are you`re not going to want to buy this unless you`ve either got or at least seen the others. That said though it is easily one of the strongest sci-fi series around and has a large cult following so you`d be one of many people who likely would be interested in it. The four episodes on the disc are reflective of the series as a whole, `Fallen`, `Homecoming` and `Orpheus` show the larger scale battle against Anubis and the System Lords while `Fragile Balance` is one of the quirkier ones which serve to lighten things up now and again.

All in all 4 very good episodes of a rather good series backed up with a nice array of extras, indeed if you`re a fan of the series the only possible excuse for not buying this would be if you`re buying the boxed season sets instead.