Stargate SG1: Volume 36 (UK)

STARGATE SG-1, a sequel to the 1994 Roland Emmerich movie; Stargate, follows the adventures of Stargate: One, a military team consisting of Colonel O`Niel (Richard Dean Anderson), Major Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) and Teal`c (Christopher Judge) who travel through the gate to explore new worlds, finds allies and attempt to procure alien technology in the hopes of defending Earth from potential Goa`uld invasion.
The show first premiered in 1997 on the Showtime network in the United States, boasting dazzling film quality visual effects, top notch performances from the main cast and some of the best Science Fiction story telling since Star Trek. Stargate SG-1 continues to go from strength to strength. Now entering its Eigth Season, the fan base continues to grow as more and more people discover this terrific series. Currently SCI FI Channel`s highest rated show, and with a spin off in production... Stargate is only getting better.

THE DVD:
Volume 36 contains the following episodes: Heroes Part 1, Heroes Part 2, Ressurection & Inauguration.

`HEROES`, Part 1: On the occasion of the 1000th trip through the Stargate, and in preparation of the Stargate program someday going public, the president authorizes documentary filmmaker Emmett Bregman to chronicle Stargate Command. The SGC personnel are less than enthusiastic about the situation, and are reluctant to take part in Bregmans "little reality show".
As Bregman continues to pressure various personnel in interviews, SG-13 (a survey team) head to planet P3X-666 and discover the ruins of structure that was built by the Ancients, an important discovery that may help assist in the search for The Lost City. However, when an airborne Goa`uld probe attacks the team -- It is soon realised that the probe has sent a communication. General Hammond immediately orders SG-1 & SG-6 to the planet to help SG-13 escape a possible ambush...

`HEROES`, Part 2: In the shows 150th episode: Stargate Command comes under investigation when a rescue mission goes horribly wrong and a valuable member of the SGC is killed in action.

Without a doubt, Heroes Part 1 and 2 is STARGATE SG-1`s finest hour. A gripping story that starts as a lighthearted romp with our favorite characters as they go out of there way to make life difficult for Bregman and his team. However, the story soon takes a dark turn when an off world mission goes wrong. With amazing performances from the acting talents of Saul Rubinek, Robert Picardo and Don S. Davis, this episode is a must see. But get those tissues ready... you`ll need them.
I must point out that the directing is absolutely superb, from the short but effective on screen ambush where Andy Mikita uses a camera on dolly tracks to follow the action, to the scene in the Infirmary, with Daniel Jackson sitting in the dark, while a single light beams on a medical bed.
I would also like to make mention of the unique mixture of film and hand held video camera that is used in the episodes to represent the documentary filming. It makes the episode alot more real and especially dramatic in Part 2 when Bregman`s team are reviewing the offworld footage. Shocking, effective and clever.
Award winning stuff and the cast and crew really deserve praise for what started out as a second unit 42 minutes episode. If there is one episode I would recommend out of the entire series, it would be Heroes.

`RESSURECTION`: In Amanda Tappings directorial debut, SG-1 investigates a secret N.I.D. laboratory, where all but two of its personnel have been murdered. An uncooperative scientist Dr. Keffler, and a young woman called Anna.

I must say: Amanda Tapping has made an impressive directing debut with this episode. A refreshing and different style for the show.

Amanda utilizes Steadicams and Cranes to produce continuous shots as opposed to the traditional cuts creating a somewhat seamless flow right from start to finish. A fantastic episode, and as usual great performances. But to me, Amanda`s directing talent stands out the most.


`INAGURATION`: The newly elected President Hayes (William Devane) is debriefed on the Stargate programme. However, it isn`t long before Vice President Kinsey (Ronny Cox) attempts to sway the presidents opinion of the SGC, in the hopes of gaining control of the Stargate himself.

An important episode, which not only recaps some of the most important story lines of the past seven years -- but also sets the stage for the season finale (Volume 37) as well as a new story which will likely continue into Season 8. With strong performances from the guest cast (William Devane, Ronny Cox & Robert Picardo), this episode is not to be missed.

BONUS FEATURES
SG-1 Directors Series: Heroes with Andy Mikita: A detailed look at how Heroes impressive action scenes and visual effects were created.

SG-1 Beyond The Gate: Amanda Tapping: A look at actress and director; Amanda Tapping, where she talks about her hobbies, interests and hopes for the future. And also her experiences on the show.

SG-1 Directors Series: Resurrection with Amanda Tapping: A short feature on set of the Amanda Tapping directed episode: Ressurection. Amanda talks in detail about her first day on set, with exclusive behind the scenes footage of the first take where she forgot to say "Action". Fun to watch.

Photo Gallery: Plenty of stills from all four episodes.

And fantastic commentaries on each episode!.

As for Video and Audio. Each episode transfer is superb, the picture quality is crystal clear. There are many dark scenes in the episodes on this disc & you would expect to find the occasional grain, but it is non existant. I really cannot applaud the transfer enough.

Audio is great, 5.1, which is standard on all recent Stargate SG-1 DVD`s. This disc doesn`t really contain much action in the later episodes, but Heroes Part 1 and 2 will give your sound system a good work out.

A well rounded DVD package, and as usual a fantastic set of extra features. Great value for money. Kudos to MGM.