How This Early Stargate SG-1 Episode Nailed the Morality Tale Sci-Fi Trope

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A classic moral story is a common theme in science fiction TV, and it’s often remembered by fans for its appearance in the 1960s Star Trek: The Original Series, but many shows have given this idea their unique interpretation over the years.

As a gaming enthusiast, I must confess that during the ’90s and early 2000s, SYFY’s beloved series Stargate SG-1 was not shy about reflecting our world and our understanding of good and evil through science fiction. One of the first instances I recall is the 15th episode of Season 1, titled “Cor-ai.” In this episode, my fellow team member Teal’c (Christopher Judge) found himself standing trial before an alien civilization for his service under the malevolent Apophis.

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Indeed, Teal’c abandoned his past as a servant of the Goa’uld when he chose to aid SG-1 and join Earth’s forces. However, does this change in allegiance wipe clean the damage and devastation he inflicted during his years and decades serving a deceptive alien deity? This is the question this episode aimed to address, and it was a compelling narrative thread that writer Tom J. Astle (The Outer Limits) wanted to delve into through the story.

Remembering Stargate SG-1‘s “Cor-ai”

During an interview reflecting on his time involved with SG-1, Astle shared with Dial the Gate that at the time, the show was still in its early stages. He’d only watched the initial episode and read a few scripts before creating “Cor-ai.” Remarkably, the tale he narrated would significantly shape Tealc’s character trajectory for a substantial portion of the series: a character continually seeking redemption, attempting to reverse the harm he had assisted in propagating.

Astle shared some insights about the character Teal’c from ‘Stargate SG-1’. He pointed out that while science fiction often carries moral messages, what stood out to him was Teal’c’s transformation from a villain to a hero. Redemption stories are popular in all genres, but Astle felt there was more depth to Teal’c’s character. He suggested the intriguing possibility of an episode where Teal’c encounters planets that still view him as a villain, forcing him to confront his past actions.

Besides exploring Teal’c’s background, the episode also held up a reflective surface for Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), the leader of SG-1, to ponder about the impression his actions are creating on other planets, questioning if they truly are the heroes in every conflict they encounter.

In simpler terms, “Astle stated that we frequently believe we’re on the right side and are ‘good guys.’ However, war has a way of distorting even the noblest intentions, making it challenging to discern who is truly good. This ambiguity is particularly relevant in the case of O’Neill, as the episode explores his struggle with questioning whether he is indeed a ‘good guy.’

Stargate’s morality tales live on in SYFY’s The Ark

While there may not be any new Stargate tales unfolding at present, the imaginative essence of the franchise continues to thrive in SYFY’s ongoing show The Ark, set to debut its third season in 2026.

As a devoted fan here, let me share that Dean Devlin, known for his incredible works like “Independence Day” and “Stargate”, teams up with Jonathan Glassner, famously associated with “Stargate SG-1”. Together, they’re the co-showrunners and executive producers of an exciting new series titled “The Ark“. In this captivating sci-fi drama, Christie Burke stars as a brave space explorer spearheading a diverse team on a mission to discover a fresh world to call our own. Catch the first two seasons of this thrilling journey on Peacock right now! Looking forward to 2026 when Season 3 will exclusively air on SYFY.

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2025-06-27 20:46