Dumb Things We Just Ignore About Stargate

Following the box office hit of Roland Emmerich’s movie “Stargate” in 1994, MGM decided to extend the “Stargate” universe onto television screens, leading millions of sci-fi enthusiasts to become acquainted with the cherished series “Stargate: SG-1”. The show made significant alterations to the foundation and reasoning established by the film, understanding that some rewriting was essential for a serialized story derived from the movie. However, it’s worth noting that “Stargate SG-1” (and its spin-offs “Stargate: Atlantis” and “Stargate: Universe”) have been criticized for their plot inconsistencies and conveniences, which some viewers still find irksome to this day. Yet, the devoted “Stargate” fanbase remains fiercely protective of the franchise, flaws and all.

In the realm of “Stargate,” I’ve found that its timeline holds up, thanks to its unwavering readiness to accept (even celebrate) the inconsistencies and downright ridiculous ideas that are inevitable in a story that heavily leans on imagination and genre tropes. “Stargate: SG-1” doesn’t shy away from its zaniness – take Season 5, Episode 12, “Wormhole X-Treme!” as an example. And let’s not forget Colonel Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) who often gets to poke fun at the absurdity. There are moments in the “Stargate” universe that fans will never stop discussing, and in a strange way, those very moments contribute to what makes it so entertaining.

Every planet looks like Canada

It’s often noted that the planets visited by the Stargate program’s SG-1 team in “Stargate: SG-1” bear a strong resemblance to Canada. This is because the series was filmed in Vancouver throughout its duration, limiting the variety of alien landscapes that could be portrayed. The visual effects team, led by John Gajdecki (the visual effects supervisor for the first two seasons), made efforts to discover unique locations near the sets that were visually appealing but still distinctly different worlds. However, due to practical constraints, they were only able to achieve so much.

In conversation with The Companion, Gajdecki disclosed that Hudson Hickman, MGM’s Vice President of Physical Production, requested them to incorporate more diversity into the alien worlds they explored. As simple as it sounded, it was indeed a challenge. “In essence, he suggested, ‘Could we perhaps avoid the rainy forest planet any longer?’ That’s Vancouver in winter – it always rains here,” Gajdecki explained. “Being outdoors all the time, constantly in the rain, due to the weather at the time, made our task of finding non-forest locations particularly tough.

Throughout their explorations, the team discovered suitable locations for habitable planets similar to Tollan’s homeworld, even uncovering intriguing outdoor filming spots such as the sulfur pits of P3X-562. However, it was mainly forested planets that SG-1 frequently visited during the series. This might be explained by the specific conditions required for human habitation (since Goa’uld, the primary gate users when SG-1 embarks on their adventures, often inhabit human bodies), but it seems unlikely that so many distant planets would resemble Canada.

Everyone speaks English

During the run of “Stargate: SG-1”, it only had approximately 45 minutes per week to weave an engaging tale about extraterrestrial life, sophisticated technology, and intergalactic diplomacy. As a result, detail-oriented viewers often found themselves overlooking one significant challenge that any human space exploration team might confront when interacting with intelligent, alien species: The fact that almost every alien race SG-1 encountered communicated in English as their primary language was somewhat unrealistic. Despite its illogical nature, it’s worth noting that “Stargate SG-1” lacked the time for Dr. Daniel Jackson (played by Michael Shanks) to master a new communication method in every episode due to time constraints.

In the Stargate series, a significant number of beings encountered by the team are actually humans who were transported to different planets by the ancient Goa’uld as slaves. This could account for the wide spread usage of English in their universe, since it is a language that originated on Earth and was carried through gate travel. However, the Goa’uld didn’t know about the English language before interacting with humans from Earth, so they couldn’t have forced their slaves to learn it. When Stargate: Atlantis premiered in 2004, the exploration team encountered a human race that spoke fluent English, suggesting that this wasn’t something specific to our galaxy. The prevalence of English in the Stargate universe is largely due to its convenience for storytelling purposes.

Sam Carter is nearly every kind of scientist

Captain Samantha Carter, portrayed by Amanda Tapping, is an exceptional astrophysicist and engineer who played a significant role in the Stargate project and helped develop strategies for utilizing the gate to travel between planets. Over the span of “Stargate: SG-1,” Carter emerges as one of Earth’s key figures due to her proficiency in deciphering alien technology, both theoretically and practically. While it seems improbable that she is an expert in all these areas single-handedly, the show often attributes any scientifically inclined tasks or knowledge to her. This can appear somewhat contrived. Furthermore, the show’s portrayal of Carter spending extensive time on expeditions rather than conducting lab research raises questions about plausibility, but that’s a separate matter.

In the Season 1 episode “Brief Candle,” it falls to Captain Samantha Carter to tackle the problem of Colonel O’Neill being infected with nanites that accelerate aging. Although she gets assistance from General Hospital Command’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janet Fraiser, Dr. Fraiser is well-versed in emergency medicine and diagnostics rather than nano-technology. Interestingly, Sam doesn’t have a background in mathematics, but she displays an uncanny ability to spot a critical mathematical mistake just before the crucial moment while activating a space mine during negotiations between Goa’uld lords Apophis and Heru’ur in Season 4’s “Serpent’s Venom.” Throughout the series, Sam demonstrates remarkable proficiency in numerous scientific fields beyond her expertise. Even if she were as intelligent as Colonel O’Neill boasts, it would be improbable for her to possess such comprehensive knowledge across a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Daniel Jackson is way too smart

In one of the most outstanding episodes of “Stargate: SG-1”, titled “Pretense” from Season 3, the team receives a message from the Tollan. They’ve captured a Goa’uld prisoner known as Klorel, who is actually inhabiting their friend and ally, Skaara from Abydos. You might recognize Skaara as Daniel Jackson’s brother-in-law. The Tollan organize a trial to decide Skaara/Klorel’s future, and surprisingly, Skaara selects Daniel (and O’Neill) to speak on his behalf. This choice makes sense given the circumstances, but it reflects an aspect of “Stargate: SG-1” that can seem a bit contrived – Daniel being the team’s ‘social science expert’, much like Sam Carter is portrayed as the ‘hard science expert’.

In the realm of TV shows, I find myself captivated by a character who is both a linguist and an archaeologist – a rare blend of talents that never fails to impress me. As a fan, let me tell you, Daniel is one of the world’s elite in these fields. His ability to instantly identify and translate any Earth language during the series is nothing short of extraordinary. Moreover, when it comes to deciphering alien languages, which are often found in written form, he’s simply unmatched.

Beyond his linguistic prowess, Daniel possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of every ancient civilization, event, people, and archaeological discovery known to man. But that’s not all! He also serves as an authority on ethics, philosophy, anthropology, and even psychology within the team. His knowledge and skills verge on the absurd.

Earth weapons work too well against alien enemies

Though ballistic weapons, considered rudimentary compared to the advanced technology wielded by alien civilizations in the “Stargate” universe, are often derided by non-Earth entities, they prove remarkably efficient throughout both “Stargate: SG-1” and “Stargate: Atlantis.” Jaffa warriors, clad in heavy armor and chainmail, find themselves helpless against Earth’s assault rifles. Even formidable beings like the Wraith, with their supernatural powers and vampire-like abilities, are no match for the ballistic weapons employed by Earth forces occupying Atlantis, after initial difficulties encountered during the first season of “Stargate: Atlantis.

In any story, audiences prefer characters who triumph rather than consistently losing due to weak equipment. However, the SG teams gain access to advanced weaponry relatively early. It seems odd that they don’t predominantly use Zat gun technology given the Stargate program’s objective – harnessing superior alien tech. Yet, it makes for an appealing visual spectacle to see a U.S. military officer like Colonel Jack O’Neill using an assault rifle to secure his team’s retreat, even if it seems somewhat illogical.

Jaffa staffs are largely ineffective

In simple terms, Teal’c (played by Christopher Judge) was initially a top-ranking official under system lord Apophis, a Goa’uld. He eventually chose to ally with Stargate Command and the people of Earth, known as the Tau’ri among others. During their escape from Apophis’ prison, Teal’c used his staff weapon, which marked the beginning of his strong affinity for this weapon throughout the series. The Goa’uld, being scavengers, have a history of stealing technology from other societies and modifying it to suit their needs. Despite having access to advanced technology, they arm their forces with staff weapons, indicating their preference for efficiency over innovation.

As the First Prime, or top Jaffa warrior, of his system lord, Teal’c is one of the most formidable Jaffa warriors alive. This means he can effectively use the staff weapon on occasion. However, many individuals who wield these staff weapons struggle with aiming and handling their cumbersome, heavy nature. In the instance of Jack and Teal’c using the staff weapons to create a breach in a building on Chulak to aid the imprisoned, this was an exceptional and beneficial application of the staffs. Unfortunately, such powerful use of the staff weapons is not often repeated.

Zat guns are incredibly powerful

The Goa’uld and their Jaffa are equipped with Zat weapons, which are versatile and potent devices. These weapons possess three distinct functions, all powered by the durable and enduring energy source, naquadah, favored by the Goa’uld.

A single blast from a Zat weapon inflicts intense agony and renders most targets unconscious. A second shot within minutes usually results in death for many, but there are exceptions. The third consecutive shot will cause the body to disintegrate, leaving no trace behind, as if the target had never existed.

The effects of the Zat weapon persist for a longer duration than one might expect, but targets can remain unharmed as long as an adequate amount of time has elapsed between each shot.

Instead of solely focusing on zat guns for close-combat situations, it wouldn’t be too challenging to develop an enhanced variant that extends its influence over a greater distance. The Goa’uld may be scavengers, but they employ scientists and weapon specialists, allowing them to adapt and maximize the potential of their acquired technology. Zat guns have the ability to annihilate physical forms altogether; they are potent weapons indeed. In the hands of the Goa’uld, Jaffa, or Tok’ra, there is no substitute. Choosing alternative weapons, particularly staffs, would be ill-advised at best.

Ascended Ancients aren’t allowed to interfere (unless they really want to)

In the Season 5 episode titled “Meridian,” Dr. Daniel Jackson manages to avert a catastrophic nuclear incident on a planet resembling Earth called Kelowna. However, while saving the planet, Daniel is subjected to excessive radiation and passes away. At the instant of his demise, a radiant white light emanates from Daniel’s body, which leads viewers to believe that he has ascended, similar to how the Ancients did in the past. It’s comforting to know that he experienced a meaningful departure, and his consciousness gained new strength and purpose. However, one of the fundamental aspects of being an ascended being is that they shouldn’t meddle with occurrences taking place in the lower realm of existence. This implies that Daniel possesses knowledge and awareness of numerous things that could greatly assist his former team; yet, he is prohibited from using this information.

During his time as an ascended being, both Daniel and Oma Desala, who assisted him in his ascent, frequently intervene indirectly. In the Season 6 episode “Abyss,” while Jack is enduring torture at Ba’al’s hands, Daniel maintains a mental connection with him throughout the ordeal. Although he doesn’t physically halt the torment, he offers Jack the emotional and psychological reinforcements that help him sustain his sanity until rescue arrives. This form of interference from an ascended being is usually met with retaliation against the mortal realm, but when Daniel later tries to alert Stargate Command about Anubis’ assault on Abydos in Season 6, his punishment for this indirect intervention is to be restored to the physical world, unharmed.

We learn hardly anything about the Furlings

The majority of episodes from “Stargate: SG-1” at the start can be watched without needing extensive background knowledge, but occasionally an episode was produced to provide more context for Stargate Command. One significant example is Season 2’s “The Fifth Race.” In this episode, SG-1 discovers a peculiar repository of information that belonged to the Ancients – an extinct race who created the Stargates and are our genetic forebears. Character Jack O’Neill has a unique gene that facilitates interaction with Ancient technology. During the story, a hole in the wall accidentally ingests Jack’s head, granting him immense knowledge from the Ancients. This newfound wisdom compels him to travel to the Asgard homeworld to have them eliminate the data overloading his brain before it becomes catastrophic.

Following his recovery, the Asgard inform Jack about the past: In the Milky Way galaxy, there were once four dominant species – the Ancients, the Asgard, the Nox, and the elusive Furlings. Although SG-1 established strong ties with the Asgard, uncovered traces of the Ancients, and met the Nox on multiple occasions, they never crossed paths with the Furlings. In “Paradise Lost” (Season 6) and “200” (Season 10), SG-1 found a Furling artifact and Martin Lloyd, an alien TV producer portrayed by Willie Garson, offered a depiction of the Furlings in the latter episode. However, throughout most of the series, the Furlings remain a mystery, seldom mentioned or integrated into the plotline. It’s peculiar that such significant races are introduced early on but fail to significantly impact the storyline.

SG-1 always imposes American values on aliens

Despite their best efforts, members of Earth’s SG-1 team find it challenging to overcome their personal biases while exploring alien societies across the galaxy. Regrettably, they often overlook these biases as potential influences on their objectivity when evaluating various aspects of these societies. Even Daniel Jackson, the team’s non-military member and usually the one offering a different perspective from O’Neill’s military viewpoint, occasionally tries to impose his personal values and beliefs on the civilizations they encounter. It’s almost comical how many of these extraterrestrial societies grapple with philosophical questions that mirror those faced by humans on Earth – such is the nature of science fiction.

In my perspective, one of the most glaring instances where SG-1 missed out on exploring an alternative approach is depicted in Season 1’s “The Nox.” Upon discovering a new planet with an invisible creature that piqued their curiosity for study, SG-1 found themselves face to face with System Lord Apophis and his Jaffa guards. In a misguided attempt to ambush Apophis, they met their demise instead, only to be revived by the compassionate beings known as the Nox.

The Nox consistently emphasized that weapons were unnecessary on their planet and that they would remain protected from the Goa’uld. However, SG-1 remained skeptical of this notion. Despite witnessing the Nox resurrect one of their own and harness the invisibility they initially attributed to the planet’s insect species, SG-1 clung stubbornly to the belief that violence was both the root cause and the solution to every problem. They struggled to comprehend a society that thrived on methods of passive protection and regeneration rather than aggression.

2025-04-26 19:31