Why the Air Force Requested These Stargate SG-1 Changes: “There are no Aliens at Area 51”

by

The creative team responsible for the long-lasting SYFY original series Stargate SG-1 collaborated extensively with the U.S. Air Force during its broadcast in the 2000s, which not only meant they had a closer look at military depictions but also required them to be extra careful in getting the small details correct as they went along.

As a devoted fan, I can share that on more than one occasion, the creative minds behind our favorite series had to adjust their original scripts due to feedback from the Air Force. Remarkably, one such alteration even ties in with an intriguing, long-standing conspiracy theory regarding a prominent military base.

Carter and O’Neill’s relationship 

During an oral history discussion on the show’s enduring impact with SYFY WIRE, executive producer Robert C. Cooper disclosed one alteration made to the beloved Season 1 episode “There But for the Grace of God.” This episode presents an alternative reality Stargate program triggered by an alien mirror, and a key modification involved a romantic relationship between O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Carter (Amanda Tapping).

Want more Stargate?

15 years after its original airing, a hidden Stargate Universe reference has been uncovered by fans.

This undisclosed Easter Egg is linked to the pilot episode of SG-1 that ultimately persuaded Richard Dean Anderson to be part of the Stargate series.

What makes it amusing is the unexpected reason why Daniel Jackson had to grow a beard on Stargate SG-1.

One challenge arose since Air Force regulations forbid such interactions between a colonel and a captain. To circumvent this issue and narrate their intended story, the authors devised a creative solution.

Cooper explained that they found themselves in a tight spot initially but managed to find a way out by making Carter a civilian in an alternate reality. They prioritized the significance of their relationship over military rank and decided not to have Carter hold a captain position in that version. On occasions, such adjustments were necessary to cater to suggestions, but maintaining their affiliation and utilizing their expertise and support to make our show appear more genuine was definitely worth it.

The Area 51 dilemma 

A minor, more humorous adaptation occurred within the universe of ‘Stargate’. This concerned the portrayal of Area 51, a military base long whispered to house actual extraterrestrial discoveries by the U.S. government. In ‘Stargate’, Area 51 is depicted as a research facility linked to the Stargate project. However, the Air Force remains sensitive about speculations that the base harbors aliens.

Jonathan Glassner, co-creator and executive producer, discussed the funniest part of their show. It was a scene where the team visits Area 51 with Teal’c and O’Neill. O’Neill jokes, ‘Is this where you keep the little green men?’ The Air Force confirmed there are no aliens at Area 51. They said, ‘No aliens here, full stop.’ However, Glassner explained it was a joke. The next day, he asked if they could let Jack (O’Neill) say something like, ‘Excluding us, do you still claim there are no little green men?’ and they agreed.

SYFY’s The Ark created by Stargate alums

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say that the essence of Stargate lingers on, albeit with a different military flavor, in SYFY’s long-running series The Ark. It’s gearing up for its third season in 2026!

Dean Devlin (known for “Independence Day” and “Stargate”) and Jonathan Glassner (“Stargate SG-1”) serve as co-showrunners and executive producers on the series “The Ark”. In this sci-fi drama, Christie Burke plays a space ship captain leading a motley crew in search of a new habitable planet. Catch the first two seasons currently streaming on Peacock, with Season 3 slated for release on SYFY in 2026.

Read More

2025-06-20 18:31