Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1 (popularly abbreviated as SG1 or SG-1) is a television series based upon the 1994 science fiction movie Stargate. MGM owns and licenses the show. The first episode was broadcast on July 27, 1997 on Showtime, which aired the series' first five seasons. Seasons six, seven, and eight were awarded to the SciFi Channel. During the eighth season (2004) the SciFi Channel began airing the first season of the spinoff series Stargate Atlantis. In November 2004, the SciFi channel announced that it would renew SG-1 for a ninth season, although none of the original cast members had yet signed contracts. This tied SG-1 with the X-Files as the longest-running sci-fi drama series on American television. Unlike sci-fi franchises such as Star Trek or Babylon 5, SG-1 is set in the present day.

Summary

See Stargate for a general summary of this universe.

The series follows the adventures of four explorers designated as SG-1, who use an alien artifact called a 'Stargate' to travel the vast distances between planets, operating under the aegis of the United States government. The very existence of the Stargate Command and all of its activities are covert and SCI-classified ("Sensitive Compartmented Information").

Originally led by Major General George Hammond, Stargate Command is based out of Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado. At the end of season seven, Hammond was promoted to Lieutenant General and reassigned to the "Office of Homeworld Security" in the Pentagon. Dr. Elizabeth Weir assumed command of the SGC for a short time, after which she was reassigned to the Antarctic base and, subsequently, team leader of the "Atlantis" team (See Stargate Atlantis). Jack O'Neill was promoted to Brigadier General and consequently he promoted Samantha Carter to Lieutenant Colonel and team leader of SG-1. The U.S. Air Force is in direct charge of the Stargate program, although there is at least one SG team comprised of Marines, and also at least one Russian team.

One of the most endearing qualities of Stargate SG-1 is that it takes place in the present day. Humans, as depicted in the series, are technologically behind some the alien races the Stargate teams have met, but are rapidly gaining the ability to fight, defend, and benefit from the advances they have been exposed to in both significant and material ways.

The primary goal of the SG teams is to travel to other worlds through the Stargate and procure alien technology to help defend Earth against the Goa'uld, who became aware of the planet's now relatively advanced civilization after the recovery of Earth's Stargate and the subsequent destruction of Ra, the supreme Goa'uld System Lord (the events depicted in the 1994 movie). The Stargate teams were frustrated in initial efforts to acquire advanced technology to fight the Goa'uld from more advanced species and offshoots of humanity. Three attempts were made to reverse-engineer alien technology and build its own starships, leading to the production of the F-302 and BC-303 models.

The USAF cooperates closely with the makers of the program. Two successive Chiefs of Staff of the USAF, Generals Michael Ryan and John P. Jumper, have appeared in the show, playing themselves. Ryan appeared in the episode "Prodigy" (4x19) because of his fascination with science fiction, especially space exploration. Jumper made a cameo appearance in "Lost City" (7x22), the episode that was originally slated to be the show's last. The Air Force Association recognized Richard Dean Anderson at its 57th annual dinner on September 14, 2004 for his work as actor and executive producer of the show and "for the show's continuous positive depiction of the Air Force." [1]

Alien Races

There are several alien races in Stargate SG-1.

Goa'uld-related

• Goa'uld: The dominant parasitic lifeforms of this galaxy. Goa'ulds are snake-like aliens who burrow into the upper spinal cords of humans or humanoids and take control of the "host"'s body and mind. For centuries, they ruled Earth by claiming to be gods, and so they resemble the gods of Earth mythology. Most have trace amounts of naquadah in their blood. The show consistently calls the Goa'uld a symbiote, even though most biologists would use the term symbiont.
• Jaffa: Humanoid species with marsupial-like pouches, which were genetically engineered from humans. Their pouches serve to incubate a Goa'uld larva for approximately 100 Earth years. Though the symbiote gives strong healing capabilities and strength to the Jaffa, it robs them of their own immune system, requiring them to have a symbiote or take the drug tretonin at all times. The Jaffa constitute the majority of the military strength of the Goa'uld.
• The Tok'ra: Opposing the Goa'uld are the Tok'ra (literally, "Against Ra"). Though genetically identical to the Goa'uld, the Tok'ra have fought the Goa'uld for millennia and have come to ally with the Tauri (humans from Earth) against the System Lords. Unlike the Goa'uld, who take over the host body completely, the Tok'ra respect their hosts and freely share the body with the human mind that still inhabits it.
• Unas: The first host for the Goa'uld; they coexisted with them on their original planet. The Unas possess incredible physical strength as well as the ability to regenerate from almost any wound. Few Unas are still used as hosts, having been abandoned in favor of humans' greater dexterity and hands able to manipulate fine machinery.
• Kull Warriors: Creatures genetically engineered by Anubis for use in his personal army. Given life and enhanced, they are essentially blank slates bred for obedience and war. Their suits are impervious to all main weapons and explosives, including C-4 and other highly explosive compounds. Small trinium darts, however, can penetrate the suit. The Kull Disruptor was eventually devised by the Tauri and the Tok'ra using an Ancient healing device discovered by the Goa'uld Telchak and is capable of bringing a Kull Warrior down in two or more shots.

The "Four Great Races"

An alliance who, at one time, would come to a particular planet (unknown to the Goa'uld) and interact as "a sharing of clans to share a common interest".

• The Asgard: Physically identical to Greys, the Asgard are a benevolent, highly advanced and evolved race who have visited Earth on many occasions from the galaxy Ida, and who also gave rise to the Norse legends. The Asgard are enemies of the Goa'uld, and thus allies to the Tauri. The Asgard are no longer able to reproduce in the traditional sense, and must use cloning technology in order to survive.
• The Ancients: An unbelievably advanced race that was originally humanoid, originating on Earth millions of years ago. They are credited with building the system of Stargates and possessing technology that surpasses anything known throughout the Stargate science-fiction universe. The Ancients expanded their gate system to numerous galaxies, the most notable being the Pegasus Galaxy. After the vast majority were wiped out by a plague. Then they fled to Pegasus via their "flying city" several million years ago. However, after florishing in this new galaxy they encountered a race that they could not effectively defend themselves from. Thus a 100 year bloody war with a race of beings known as The Wraith, whose psychic and physical abilities rivalled those of the Ancients. The war cost the Ancients dear, and they eventually quit Pegasus, leaving behind the city of Atlantis, hidden beneath several hundred feet of ocean. The few Ancients who survived the war returned to Earth to live out the rest of their days. Physically indistinguishable from humans, although apparently somewhat more intelligent, and possessed of abilities from a gene known as Ancient Technology Activation (or ATA). No Ancients now exist on a mortal plane of existance, having ascended to a higher state of being, a state which some of the show's characters (most notably Daniel Jackson and the population of Abydos) have since achieved and then returned.
• The Nox: A peaceful and fairy-like people, who are capable of reviving the dead and rendering even large objects invisible.
• The Furlings: Nothing is known about the Furlings, save that they are a member of the alliance of the Four Great Races. However, occasional artifacts attributed to the Furlings have been identified. In the episode "Paradise Lost ", an old utopian colony established by the Furlings and wiped out by a Goa'uld bearing a mind-altering drug was discovered.

Others

• The Replicators: a mechanical life form composed of building blocks using nanotechnology. They strive to increase their numbers by assimilating advanced technologies. They are opposed primarily by the Asgard. In the episode "Unnatural Selection ", the Replicators had developed human-form Replicators that appear just like humans and are able to change their form. Standard Replicators are resistant to energy weapons, and can only be destroyed by projectile weapons. Human-form Replicators, on the other hand, are resistant to projectile weapons as well. In one part of the two-part episode "New Order (Part 2) ", an Ancient weapon called the Replicator Disruptor was developed by Jack O'Neill while he still had the knowledge of the Ancients. It works by blocking the cohesion between the blocks that made up the Replicators.
• The Gadmeer: Existed for thousands of years, before being wiped out. They created a ship for the purpose of terraforming a new planet to live on.
• The Re'tu: Enemies of the Goa'uld. They appear to be large spider-like creatures. They exist 180 degrees out of phase from the normal visual spectrum, making them invisible except under a TER.
• The Re'ol: Almost wiped out by the Goa'uld, the Re'ol have a unique natural defense: one of their bodily secretions is used to create false memories when it comes in contact with a living creature. A Re'ol managed to infiltrate SG-1 in the episode "The Fifth Man " as Lt. Tyler.
• The Oannes: Nem and Omaroca are the only members of this species known. In the episode "Fire and Water ", Nem kidnaps Daniel Jackson to find out what happened to his mate Omaroca.
• The Serrakin : Seen in "Forsaken " and "Space Race ", the Serrakin helped free the Hebridans from a Goa'uld, who is possibly Morrigan, a long time ago.
• The Spirits: Seen in the episode "Spirits", the race defeated the Goa'uld a millenia ago, and coexisted with the Salish as the Salish gods.

There are several lesser alien species in the show.

Human civilizations on other planets

The Goa'uld used Stargates to transport large numbers of humans to other planets for use as slaves. Some of these groups were later abandoned and developed on their own to a level of technology far greater than that of contemporary Earth. The premise is that had this world not experienced the Dark Ages, it would also have developed to such advanced levels.

Advanced human civilizations

• Aschen: A seemingly benevolent race, SGC made contact with them through the Stargate (which the Aschen had not yet learned to use). They agreed to help against the Goa'uld, although it was discovered they had another agenda. Deciding against outright conquest, they slowly sterilised the population of Earth so that, within a century, they could simply walk in and take control of the planet. SG1 used the Gate to send a message back in time to prevent this when the deception was discovered.
• The Hebridans: Descended from Celtic Islanders, this race is perhaps one or two hundred years ahead of Earth. First seen in "Forsaken", it is thought that their ancestors may have been transplanted from earth by The Goa'uld System Lord Morrigan. It is also most likely that their closely allied race the Serrakin defended and freed the Hebridans from Morrigan.
• The Orbanians : A Race that uses Nanotechnology to greatly enhance and accelerate learning. First seen in "Learning Curve".
• Tagreans : The Tagreans are a human race shortly ahead of Earth in technological development. They were apparantly transplanted by the Goa'uld System lord Heru'ur.
• The Tollan: Highly advanced race of humans on the planet Tollana. After having shared their advanced technology with a less-advanced race, that race used the technology to destroy themselves. Henceforth, the Tollan have adopted a strict policy forbidding them from sharing technology with less-advanced races. It is thought that their ancestors were transplanted from Earth by the Goa'uld System Lord Tel'chac.

Less advanced human civilizations

• Bedrosians:
• Cimmerians: A race descended from the Norse Vikings.
• Edorans :
• Latonans :
• Langarans: A race with technology on par of mid 20th Century Earth, their planet consists of three countries: the Kelownans (Jonas Quinn's people.), the Terranians , and the Andari Federation
• Nasyans :
• Madronans : The Madronans are a primitive race that was first seen in "Touchstone". Their planet once had a hostile climate until it was terraformed by a more advanced race. The Madronan priestess uses a device called the Touchstone to control the weather.
• Pangarans : The people who first developed Tretonin.
• Salish: A race descended from ancient Native Americans.
• Volians :
• Vyans :

Technology

There exist a number of more technologically advanced races and societies on the show, who have produced a variety of highly-advanced weapons, tools, and spacecraft. Some of these are listed below.

Earth technology

• X-301. Initial attempt to reverse engineer a space craft using alien technology (Goa'uld Death Glider). Failed due to the overlook of a Goa'uld recall device, which allows the Goa'uld to retrieve stolen Gliders.
• X-302. Second attempt to create a craft using alien technology, included first use of a man-made FTL device, a hyperspace window. Went into production as F-302.
• X-303. Third attempt to create a craft using alien technology. Larger craft capable of creating a hyperspace window. Went into production as BC-303, now commonly known as the Prometheus.
• P90. The weapon of choice for SG-1; different teams have different weapons.
• GDO (short for "Garage Door Opener). Used to transmit a coded radio signal to transmit an Iris Deactivation Code (IDC) to Stargate Command through the event horizon of the Stargate.
• Iris. Blocks incoming traffic and is deactivated by a GDO. It was developed to prevent other alien races from just dialing Earth and invading.
• MALP. Mobile Analytic Laboratory Probe: Robotic probe device used to explore alien planets without endangering personnel.
• FRED. The Field Remote Expeditionary Device is a six-wheeled cargo transport vehicle used to carry supplies through the Stargate.
• UAV. (abbreviation of "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle"). Used as a long-range reconnaisance vehicle. Also a modified version that "paints" targets with a red laser beam to guide missile attacks from the SGC through the Stargate. The UAV in use by the SGC is the Predator.
• Missile. In some cases, the SGC, and at one point the Trust, has used the Stargate as a weapon delivery system, firing missiles through the wormhole, and guiding them using a targeting laser. This laser can be used both by a UAV or by a person on the ground.

Goa'uld technology

• Zat'nik'tel. A commonly used weapon, the zat'nik'tel is typically used to render a victim unconscious. One shot causes pain and unconsciousness, two shots kills, and three shots disintegrates the victim. Originally seen in "Within the Serpent's Grasp ". They are commonly referred to as "zats", and are often used to disable electronics or elminate enemies without killing them.
• Staff weapon. Originally seen in the movie Stargate, it is an energy blast weapon, and is the standard firearm for the Jaffa. Also used for hand-to-hand combat.
• Hand Device. Ra's glove weapon from the movie Stargate. This is the personal weapon of the Goa'ulds themselves. It can only be used by those who are or have been hosts. It can be used to telekinetically knock away foes, or torture/kill them by directing it over their forehead at close range.
• Sarcophagus. Used to revive the dead and heal the wounded. It also serves to extend the life of the Goa'uld. In un-blended humans, it can affect judgement and creat addiction after repeated use, like a drug, as seen in the episode "Need ".
• Death Glider. Fast attack fighter, generally piloted by Jaffa in service to a Goa'uld.
• Tel'tak . Unarmed cargo ship, typically carries four escape pods and a set of Ring Transporters. Some are equipped with a cloaking device. The ship is divided into two major sections -- the flight deck, onto which the main entrance opens, and the cargo area. They are separated by a bulkhead, which is removable to allow for more space during flight..
• Al'kesh. Mid-range bomber, equipped with energy weapons, a cargo hold, and a Ring Transporter.
• Ha'tak Mothership. Goa'uld Mothership, the most powerful standard vessel in the Goa'uld fleet.
• Troop Transport . Large, heavily armored Goa'uld transport vessel. The troop transport can carry a large army of Jaffa ground forces into battle.
• Healing Device. Worn on the hand in a manner similar to a hand device, it allows a Goa'uld or former host to heal injuries.
• TER. The TER (Transphase Eradication Rod) serves two purposes; first, it has a scanning light which causes cloaked objects or objects cloaked by being 180 degrees out of phase with our own reality to appear. Secondly, it is an energy weapon with the ability to kill a Re'tu.
• Shield. All Goa'uld capital ships and some Goa'uld leaders utilize energy shielding for protection. In the case of personal shielding, the shield's power is directly porportional to the speed of the projectile it is blocking. This makes the shield powerless against slow moving projectiles, like arrows.

Tollan Technology

• Ion Cannon. Used to protect the Tollan planet of Tollana from Goa'uld attack. A single shot can destroy a Goa'uld Ha'tak Mothership. However, Anubis was able to develop a counter-measure against it.
• Weapon Disabler. Does just as the name suggests: disabling weapons of visitors to the Tollan homeworld. Typically placed in the entranceways of important government buildings. To emphasize this point, the only use seen in the series is while SG-1 is entering the Triad room, the counterpart to Earth's courtroom.
• The Tollan also possess portable devices that allow person-sized objects to pass through solid matter.
• Reverse-Engineered Stargate. With the destruction of the original Tollan homeworld, the Tollan's Stargate was also destroyed. When they moved to their new homeworld, Tollana, a new Stargate was built with the assistance of the Nox. The new gate is much smaller and slimmer than the Ancients' Stargates. It also seems to lack a DHD, or even an inner track for manual dialing, suggesting remote dialing.

Ancient Technology

• Ring Transporter. A teleportation system in use today by the Goa'uld and Tok'ra, and used by humans aboard the Prometheus.
• The Stargates were created and distributed by the Ancients, along with DHDs (short for "Dial Home Device") to control them.
• Time Travel Machine. Ancient attempt to make a time travel device to save themselves. It was perfected by Janus, one of the Ancients seen on the TV show Stargate Atlantis. SG-1 found that time machine and used it to go back to the days where Ra was alive and the Goa'uld ruled Earth in the two-part season finale "Moebius ". There was also a much larger time machine, but it was flawed in that it forced several planets to relive the same day over and over again, in and endless time loop.
• DNA Resequencer. Device used by Nirrti in the episode "Metamorphosis ". Nirrti used it to corrupt the DNA of people living in a nearby village.
• Repository of the Ancients. Device that stores the collective knowledge of the Ancients. It is seen in the episodes "The Fifth Race ", and "Lost City, Part 1 ". The transfer of knowledge from this device can cause serious problems for beings whose physiology is not prepared to take the mental strain.
• Zero Point Module. A device used by the Ancients to power their technology using zero-point energy. It is more powerful and efficient than any energy source on Earth, and can last for thousands of years. Jack O'Neill managed to obtain one at an abandonded Ancient outpost and used it to power Ancient weaponry to repel Anubis's attack on Earth. The same ZPM was also what allowed Stargate Command to open a wormhole to the Pegasus Galaxy, providing the backdrop for Stargate Atlantis.
• Weapon Drone . A device that is shaped like a jellyfish, which is capable of targeting and destroying a small vessel. Many of these drones can destroy a larger vessel, as demonstrated in one part of the two-part episode "Lost City, Part 2 " when they destroyed Anubis's mothership, which was preparing to attack Earth. They can also penetrate energy shields. Its power was shown in the episide "It's Good to be King" where SG-1 destroyed a whole mothership with a single drone. The drones also have a very advanced guidance system, allowing them to automatically home in on and destroy smaller and faster targets.
• Dakara Superweapon . Can selectively reduce any compound within range to its basic atoms. It can destroy all life in the galaxy if sent through the Stargate network. This weapon was used to eliminate the Replicators in the two-part episode "Reckoning " and was subsequently destroyed by the rebel Jaffa in the episode "Threads " for fear it would fall into the wrong hands (i.e. Anubis).

Planets

A number of different planets are seen throughout the series.

• Earth: The homeworld of the Tauri (humans from Earth) and the Ancients.
• Chulak: a Jaffa homeworld, formerly controlled by Apophis.
• Abydos: the planet visited in the original Stargate movie, as well as several times during the series. Homeworld of Sha're & Skaara
• Tollana : the homeworld of the Tollan until their destruction.
• Hanka: P8X-987, the homeworld of Dr. Fraiser's adopted daughter, the population of which was wiped out by a plague set in motion by Nirrti.
• Altair: P3X-989, the homeworld of Harlan, the first robotic lifeform seen in the series.
• Langara : homeworld of Jonas Quinn.
• Halla : The Asgard world of origin. Halla's sun was artificially collapsed into a black hole in a failed attempt to eradicate the replicators.
• The Alpha Site: a designation for an uninhabited world set up in case Earth (or any other Human-controlled world) has to be evacuated.

There are also many lesser planets.

Cast

Spin-offs

• Stargate Infinity (animated)
• Stargate Atlantis
• Stargate SG-1 comics
• Stargate SG-1: The Alliance (video game)
• Stargate SG-1 Roleplaying Game

See also

• List of Stargate SG-1 episodes

External links

• MGM: Stargate SG-1
• SCIFI.COM | Stargate SG-1 hosted by the SciFi Channel
• Pegasus Galaxy: Stargate SG-1
• Stargate SG-1 Solutions Wiki (StargateWiki)
• Stargate Technology Center