The 1994 movie Stargate was originally intended as the start of a franchise, but creators Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin were distracted celebrating their Independence Day. Episodic TV treatment was the natural next step. Since neither Kurt Russell nor James Spader would be able to commit, it gave the producers licence to tinker with the cast and the universe they'd explore. Replacing the roles of Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr. Daniel Jackson respectively are Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks. They're joined by Captain Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) and guilt-stricken former alien baddie Teal'c (Christopher Judge) to form the teacher's pet primary unit SG-1 With a seemingly endless network of Stargates found to exist on planets all across the known universe, their mission is to make first contact with as many friendly races as possible. Chasing their heels at almost every turn are the "overlord" pharaohnic Goa'uld--the ancient Egyptian Gods who are none too chummy after the events of the original film. The welcome notion of a continued plot thread sees offshoots that follow the reincarnation of Daniel's wife, Sam's father literally joining a renegade faction of the Goa'uld, and Jack in an unending quest to out-sarcasm everyone. There's something of The Time Tunnel to the show's premise, but amid a dearth of derivative look-a-likes, Stargate has held its own with stories that put the science fiction back into TV sci-fi. Returning to the planet from the original Stargate movie, Daniel catches up with his lost wife and painfully discovers her "Secrets". Teal'c gets stung by a giant insect in "Bane", and O'Neill is crippled in "Spirits". The best is saved to last on this volume in "The Tok'ra (Part I)". Sam's estranged father is dying of cancer, but her obligations sway her toward saving a member of the Goa'uld renegade Tok'ra who is also dying. Although the resolution may seem apparent a mile off, the series takes one of many brave steps in not chickening-out at the last moment. --Paul Tonks
Deluxe DVD set containing exciting extras and four further epsiodes featuring stranded spaceman John Crichton.
John Crichton's explosive journey through the Uncharted Territories continues as Scorpius reveals that the plans for the wormhole technology harvested from Crichton's brain have a far deadlier purpose. As the universe prepares for war Moya's crew have to decide where their loyalties lie... 3.11: INCUBATOR Scorpius' work into Wormhole Technology is finally making headway - until one of the prototype crafts is stolen by a test pilot who flies it to Moya. Linfer the pilot offers the technology to Crichton - in exchange for Moya itself. But is the deal as straightforward as it seems? 3.12: MELTDOWN When Talyn narrowly avoids a fatal attraction to a sun the crew find themselves being affected by a fluid released by the craft as a defence measure. With Crais constantly enraged and Crichton and Aeryn at each other's... well just at it... it falls to Stark to discover what is drawing Talyn in... 3.13: SCRATCH 'N' SNIFF Crichton D'Argo Chiana and Jool alight on a pleasure planet LoMo for some rest and recreation. When Chiana and Jool go missing Crichton and D'Argo are approached by Raxil a wily alien with information on their whereabouts. Hoping for help retrieving her own 'mate' Raxil leads them to Fe'tor a notorious Freslin maker; Freslin being a drug Fe'tor extracts from sentient beings including his captives Chiana and Jool. 3.14: INFINITE POSSIBILITIES - Part I: Daedalus Demands An Ancient - again taking the form of Crichton's father Jack - appears on Talyn and accuses Crichton of sharing wormhole stabilising technology with the Charrids a vicious race who have formed an alliance with the Scarrans. Crichton realizes that Furlow the mechanic from Dam-Ba-Da depot who once repaired Crichton's module and had a mercenary interest in wormhole technology is the real guilty party. With a Scarran Dreadnought heading towards Dam-Ba-Da to collect Furlow's data Jack must unlock the wormhole technology in Crichton's brain in order to build the ultimate weapon - but must first confront the evil Scorpius Clone in Crichton's mind.
It's clear from the opening episodes of its third season that Farscape has developed into a grown-up show. There's a new self-confidence and a new maturity here that's entirely welcome after the often wildly erratic tone of the second season. The production design and high-quality effects remain true to the show's original quirky style, although both the look and the more adult-themed scripts have become progressively darker. It's also clear that anyone who has not followed Farscape extremely closely from the very first episode of Season One will be utterly baffled by the convoluted plotting and complex character interactions. Farscape is a whole galaxy away from the clean, cosy world of Star Trek. On the DVD: Farscape's third season is being released as both standard two-disc sets and strictly limited deluxe editions: the latter are handsomely packaged with a variety of collectable extras, in this case a Farscape watch, limited edition prints and a photo album. The discs are the same as the standard Volume 3.1. --Mark Walker
With the third season well under way by now it's clear that Farscape has developed into a grown-up show. There's a new self-confidence and a new maturity here that's entirely welcome after the often wildly erratic tone of the second season. The production design and high-quality effects work remain true to the show's original quirky style, although both the look and the more adult-themed scripts have become progressively darker. It's also clear that anyone who has not followed Farscape extremely closely from the very first episode of Season One will be utterly baffled by the convoluted plotting and complex character interactions. All the principal actors know their characters inside and out by now, and delight in showing off their many weaknesses and flaws. Refreshingly, the crew of Moya are a squabbling, bickering, selfish bunch most of the time, who somehow and against expectations manage to pull together (just) at the crucial moment. The writing has matured, too, remaining as witty as ever but equally unafraid to push both genre and censorship boundaries as villains bloodily torture their victims (usually Crichton) and the main characters become more and more obsessed about their sex lives (or lack thereof). Farscape is a galaxy far, far away from the clean, cosy world of Star Trek.--Mark Walker
Throughout its consistently strong third season itÂ’s clear that Farscape has developed into a grown-up show. There's a new self-confidence and a new maturity here that's entirely welcome after the often wildly erratic tone of the second season. The production design and high-quality effects work remain true to the show's original quirky style, although both the look and the more adult-themed scripts are have become progressively darker. It's also clear that anyone who has not followed Farscape extremely closely from the very first episode of Season One will be utterly baffled by the convoluted plotting and complex character interactions.--Mark Walker
The Stargate is an intergalactic gateway developed by an ancient civilization that links other planets from other solar systems to ours. Boasting incredible special effects sequences rapid-fire pacing and awesome scenes of alien warfare Stargate SG-1 is your gateway to pulse-pounding sci-fi action! Episodes comprise: 1. Company of Thieves 2. The Quest - Part 1 3. The Quest - Part 2 4. Line in the Sand
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