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There
were some distinct stages in the lifespan of the show, not the least of
which was the departure of its main star, Richard Dean Anderson, who
left as a regular after season eight. He made a few guest
appearances in seasons nine and ten but, for me, the show was never the
same after he left. I missed his dry, quick humour and the underlying
promise of romance between him and a fellow SG-1 team member.
The
series follows four characters who explore the universe as one of
fifteen teams (they’re obviously Team Number 1) using an alien device
called a 'Stargate'. This device is located in a secret
government military base and allows them to travel between planets
through a wormhole in order to obtain technology to defend Earth
against alien invaders.
Season Ten sees the SG-1 team (with only
three of the original members still remaining) continuing their
adventures hopping between worlds and saving the human race from
destruction. While the season is pretty consistent, I simply couldn't
go past one particular episode (“200”) which, for me, is a classic
example of the self-effacing humour and irreverence that the cast and
crew did so well through their ten year run.
While “200” was
episode 6 in season ten, it was actually the 200th episode of the
series (hence the title!). As such, it is a celebration and even
brings back Richard Dean Anderson for few key scenes. The
episode’s storyline is about a TV producer contacting the SG-1 team for
their help in writing a movie of a fictional TV series called “Wormhole
X-treme” (sound familiar?). This allows the SG-1 team to describe
creative fantasies they have for their characters and the future of the
show.
While watching this very amusing and often quite wacky
episode, I remembered another similarly themed episode which I’ve
subsequently discovered was the 100th episode from season five!
You can’t say that the series producers never let go of a winning
formula.
According to a featurette included in the DVD
Extras, this episode was written in sections by almost all the writers
of the series because they couldn’t decide who should be the one to
write this milestone episode on their own. It is filled with
in-jokes, including a Star Trek parody and a Team America-type
puppet sequence, that keep the story fresh but also acknowledge the
past. I suppose you can be allowed such a luxury after ten years
and 200 episodes!
Stargate SG-1 is a classic TV series that is well served by this presentation of its final season. EXTRAS
This
set of season ten discs has a
comprehensive and interesting package of featurettes and photo
galleries which demonstrate just how good the producers are at bringing
together support material that adds value and is entertaining. I
particularly liked the ‘making of’ featurette on the last-ever episode
"Unending” which included footage of the speeches given by the stars on
the last day of shooting.
Conclusion:
Movie 80% Extras: 100%
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