Review of Stargate SG1: Volume 36

Introduction

Stargate SG-1 was a spinoff of the Roland Emmerich - Dean Devlin movie of 1994 starring Kurt Russell and James Spader. The tv show was basically a post Star Trek version of The Time Tunnel, where a group of scientists (and the military) explored what turned out to be a network of Stargates.

The tv show, starring former "MacGyver" Richard Dean Anderson (in the not quite Kurt Russell role) and Michael Shanks (in the James Spader role) has run for eight seasons.

Volume 36 consists of four episodes from season seven of the series - 7.17/ 7.18 "Heroes" part one and two, where an investigative journalist is given access all areas to the Stargate project for future full disclosure purposes. Saul Rubinek (Daphne`s ex from Frasier) guests as the journalist who naturally gets under everybody`s feet.
7.19 "Resurrection" where one of the shadier operations linked to the Stargate project is unearthed. This episode was directed by series co-star Amanda Tapping (Major Samantha Carter).
7.20 "Inauguration" (technically a clip show) where the newly inaugurated President is brought up to speed with Stargate operations.

These episodes were screened in the UK prior to their first showing in the US. Stargate-SG1 is produced in syndication rather than being financed by one of the main US networks.

Video

All episodes are presented in 16:9 anamorphic as originally produced. Picture quality is faultless, as should be expected from digitally transferred brand new material.

Audio

Audio is in Dolby 5.1 surround, which of course beats the Pro Logic soundtracks currently transmitted by Sky/Sci-Fi. The soundstage is frequently very lively and would do a lot of theatrical features justice.

Features

All the episodes are fully subtitled and accompanied by audio commentaries by the directors, writers and cinematographers. There are two "SG-1 Directors Series" featurettes, one about Andy Mikita directing "Heroes" and one about Amanda Tapping directing "Resurrection". She is also the subject of a third featurette "Beyond The Gate". There is also a photo gallery and production design gallery and weblinks.

Conclusion

Spun off from one of 1994`s most unusual hit movies, Stargate has developed into one of the strongest television fantasy franchises. This in spite of not having the backing of a major US broadcaster or network. It has more humour and style than recent iterations of the Star Trek franchise, whilst still maintaining a background mythos as lively as any the Roddenberry gang has ever come up with.

If you fancy getting up to speed with this series, this disc is the one to get (for the clip show "Inauguration"). The only trouble is you`re then going to have to fork out for the other thirty-five discs.