Children of The gods

DVD, Stargate SG-1 (Children of The gods)

First thing I thought was 'oh, it's in widescreen right from the beginning, that's good', and something that gives it a modern quality. I noticed mention of 'McGuyver' (Richard Dean Anderson's previous starring role), and a nod to 'Star Trek' with the Vulcan hand salute, too. There was probably enough exposition of various things, though it was surprising that it was aimed at people that had seen the film - backstory was touched on without overmuch explanation - but I suppose there wasn't all that much to know and the overall story was pretty well structured, even if some lines seemed a bit forced, or cliched. But that's to be expected from a pilot episode. The sets and locations were quite impressive, and with the widescreen, and feature length it seemed more film-like than the most episodes. The effects weren't bad (apart from the unreal looking bodies where the symbionts came out of), and indeed the glider attack looked very good, with a strong level of realism. 

I should explain where I stand on Stargate. I saw some of the early episodes sporadically, and watched regularly when Channel 4 started showing it on Sunday afternoons, I think with Season Four, possibly the one where Daniel leaves the series, up until Season Seven I think, which is when they stopped showing it. So I know the middle of the series well, and know enough to rate the first season. This is the second time I've watched this season, and to be honest, I felt it was generally lacking. I've always considered the series to be 'inspired' by the Star Trek spinoffs, and the success they were having in the mid-to-late nineties. Inspired in that they nicked most of the Trek ideas - phasers and phaser rifles become staff weapons and zat guns with stun settings; instead of transporters we have 'ring' transporters, and their mission is to go boldly and seek out new life and... weapons.

The 18 certificate was just about earned with about three horror moments and one very strong as the symbiont burrows into Sharray's back. The full nudity was not expected or needed and generally it seems strange that a pilot episode should go for that when it's going to shrink it's audience potential. I get the feeling they wanted to market it as 'adult' sci-fi so they could get away with more violence, etc, and might draw more attention for a shocking start. But it is even more bizarre when it soon settled down into a family friendly series in the same mould as 'Star Trek'.

The fact it was set in the present day made it easier for some to relate to, but for me it was far too militarised, with the dull, functional underground base, not a patch on glitzy starships (or an architectural materpiece of a space station). The plots were borrowed too, and the effects didn't live up to those seen in 'DS9' or 'Voyager'. Often the deeper side of stories, that made those series so strong was not included, or was watered down. So why did I watch the series at all if it was substandard Trek? The characters. They were as good as some of the Trek characters, and that's saying a lot.

You can see it in the first episode: once Carter has got her defensive spikes retracted after the initial introduction (and this is something I'm really not used to, since in Trek the women's credentials aren't even questioned when in command!), we see her fascination with science and the world(s) around her. Daniel is scatty, but so dedicated to his people, and constantly skittering off at a tangent. Teal'c isn't fully realised in this episode and seemed a bit quick to join some strangers for no particular reason, but he does his roaring and shouting well, and the line where he tells O'Neill he has no where to go shows his acting power. The response is for O'Neill to just invite him along, in that way he always has of making light of emotive moments - that sums up his character. There are several moments that allow for what makes the story personal, and that is what carries the series, and makes it worth watching.

Having seen the first season I was frustrated that the main questions initiated in the pilot were not answered, left for Season Two, and were really nothing more than a carrot to keep you watching without giving a satisfying conclusion, which is a bit of a crime in my book. If you ask an audience to stay with you over 20-odd episodes, you need to reward them more. And yes, some things were a bit clunky (the Jaffa suits, literally), although there were few problems with the story. Mainly because it was pretty straightforward, though clearly they set up a lot of precedents, such as travel to multiple worlds and such, which takes the concept on from the film admirably.

Admittedly any series that lasts ten seasons is going to change hugely, but for me, I don't think enough change occurred during Season One, and we were treated to far too many weak Trek rip-off's instead of playing to the concept's unique qualities. Still there were good episodes, and the semi-cliffhanger ending gives you great impetus to tune in again!

I should also mention the excellent music, which was, in a way, birthed from 'Star Trek' also, since Joel Goldsmith is Trek composer Jerry's son!

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