Search - Stargate SG-1 Season 1, Vol. 2: Episodes 4-8 on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 5/6/2020...

Great Sci-Fi Alien entertainment and continuation from the Stargate Movie!

Richard Dean Anderson proves (repeatedly) that he can act

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 07/19/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think it is useful to remember that when you are looking at the first season of any series that the writing staff spends a lot of time getting everything set up in the pilot and then off of the various premises they have established they start spinning off stories. This means that everybody is writing episodes without having seen any, which explains why it takes a show a while to get going after a strong pilot. You will see that this is the case in the five episodes from Season 1 of "Stargate SG-1" that are collected here on Volume 2. The results are certainly not bad as they explore some ideas basic to the premise of the series, but this series really hits stride in the second half of this first season and finishes very strongly. The biggest common denominator for this set is that most of the episodes showcase the acting ability of Richard Dean Anderson, who gets to do a lot more than crack jokes in a sardonic manner. So just keep in mind that the pilot was good, that the best is yet to come, and that these are still enjoyable episodes and one of them is very good:Episode 4, "Broco Divide" (Written by Jonathan Glassner, Aired August 15, 1997) has SG-1 visiting a planet when the people are divided into the "Touched" and the "Untouched." When the team returns home they discover that they have contracted the disease of the "Touched," which has General Hammond (Don S. Davis) and Doctor Frasier (Teryl Rothery) in a state of near panic. Although the problem of contagion is rarely as "real" consideration in these shows, this episode does deal with the problem and gives Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) an opporunity to get primitive. 4 Stargates.Episode 5, "The First Commandment" (Written by Robert C. Cooper, Aired August 22, 19977) has SG-1 going off on a rescue mission for a pair of members from SG-9. The planet has sunlight that is practically lethal and has caused Captain Jonas Hanson (William Russ) to go insane. Hanson has declared himself a god and is working the natives to death in a quest for something he insists will save them all. This is one of those episodes where the idea is something that "Stargate SG-1" wants to get around to, but the fifth episode is a bit early to play this card. 3 Stargates.Episode 6, "Brief Candle" (Story by Steven Barnes, Teleplay by Katharyn Powers, Aired September 19, 1997) is one of those episodes when our heroes show up in a paradise and discover the place is more of a hell. On this planet people live at an accelerated rate and live their lives in terms of days and not years. O'Neill becomes afflicted by the nanocytic virus that afflicts the local populace and begins to age rapidly. The question of why some aliens would think this was an ideal way for people to live becomes secondary to Anderson's performance. 4 Stargates. Episode 7, "Cold Lazarus" (Written by Jeffery F. King, Aired August 29, 1977) is the best episode on this set. After O'Neill is injured touchign a blue crystal on a mission an alien comes through the Stargate impesonating the Colonel and goes to see his ex-wife (Harley Jane Kozak). This is one of those episodes where you wonder what is going on and the payoff to the mystery is worth the wait. 5 Stargates. Episode 8, "Thor's Hammer" (Written by Katharyn Powers, Aired September 26, 1997) takes SG-1 to the planet Cimmeria (where Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian hailed) where they encoutner a Viking-like culutre that worships Thor, god of thunder, and his big hammer. Meanwhile they meet a woman who once had a Goa'uld but it now free of the parasite, which might have some significance for Teal'c (Christopher Judge), who has an encounter with Unas, the first Goa'uld. This is an episode where the stuff about the Goa'uld is interesting but the Viking stuff is rather unnecessary. But, again, remember this is the first season and the idea that the people on the planets you can reach through the Stargate originally came from Earth thousands of years ago has all the writers picking their favorite ancient cultures. 4 Stargates.You will notice that the airdates are out of order. I have no explanation for why this does not jive with the episode numbers presented here, but I will offer the observation that the obvious result is to put three solid acting performances by Richard Dean Anderson on this one DVD. Of course, this makes it seem like the whole point of "Stargate SG-1" is to see what they new makeup job they can make their star endure each week, but I can assure you that is not the dominant theme of the first season. I would rate this disc 4.5 stars if they would let me."

The Best!!!

Account Closed by User | Yakima, WA USA | 05/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"StarGate SG-1 is the best, the only problem I have is that several other reviews show that the episode The NOX is on the disc, but the disc I revieved only has episodes 4-8 on it. So if you purchase this title, take a close look at it and check to see what is on it, if some have the extra episode and some do not, you might be getting a bonus!!!"

Correction

Jose | Bedford, New Hampshire | 08/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD does not include the episoide THE NOX, the chronological order of the DVD is based on the Syndication release, not on Showtime. Therefore, THE NOX is in Volume 3, which is in the Season One boxed set."