"Actor: Don Davis"

• Stargate SG-1: Season 6 (Vol. 28) | DVD | (26/05/2003) from £10.55   |  Saving you £-2.57 (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  Allegiance: SGC's Alpha Site is crowded with Tok'ra and Jaffa refugees and tensions mount between them when the base falls under sabotage and both Tok'ra and Jaffa civilians are mysteriously killed. Jacob Carter and Bra'tac try to keep their respective sides restrained. Cure: On the newly contacted planet Pangera SG-1 is offered a deal for a miracle medicine but they eventually discover that the source is a captured Gou'ald Queen. Worse still the Pangerans can't supply enough of the medicine and what they have is only a temporary effect that requires continued dosage to sustain... Prometheus: A camera crew is mistakenly allowed to tour SGC's Nevada facility and end up exposing Project Prometheus in order to break a big story... Unnatural Selection: The SG-1 team is visited by Thor. He informs them that one of the Asgard planets has been overrun by Replicators and the Asgard need their help to defeat the invaders.

• The Hitcher | HD DVD | (01/10/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A road trip takes a deadly turn in this terrifying thriller about a young couple (Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton) tormented by a psychotic hitchhiker (Sean Bean) who forces them to face their fears head-on. The open road becomes a battleground of blood and metal in the race to reveal the chilling truth about this relentless killer. Watch the madness unfold with intense edge-of-your-seat chase sequences that drive this sinister film to a deadly ending you won't soon forget!

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 2 (Vol.7) | DVD | (28/08/2000) from £5.71   |  Saving you £2.27 (83.46%)   |  RRP £4.99

  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. The first two episodes here (nos. 9 & 13) do not follow the previous Volume 6 chronologically. "Thor's Hammer" ought to be seen before Vol. 3, since this visit to Cimmeria presents an earlier chapter in Teal'c's problems at home and is the introduction to the Gate-building Asgard race. "Hathor" is likewise an essential early instalment by introducing the siren-like goddess who will continue to put Earth's men under her spell. Episodes 21 and 22 jump forward to finish Season Two: there's great fun to be had in "1969" and a time-travel plot that loops many aspects of the show's storylines together. The cliff-hanger finale, "Out of Mind", has O'Neill experience an Aliens-style awakening 79 years into his future. What the Hell happened? And why is he being asked so many questions about Earth's defences? --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 5 (Vol. 25) | DVD | (23/09/2002) from £5.97   |  Saving you £-0.98 (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  Stargate SG-1 is the TV spin-off from the 1994 big-screen movie. In the roles of Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr Daniel Jackson respectively are Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks. They are joined by Captain Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) and guilt-stricken former alien baddie Teal'c (Christopher Judge) to form the 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. Episodes on this disc: "Meridian", "Revelations".It's Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan all over again as Daniel Jackson decides the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, sacrificing himself for the greater good in "Meridian". The departure of Michael Shanks is both sudden and suspicious. His Season 6 replacement--Corin Nemec as Jonas Quinn--is quickly established too. So much intrigue will leave regular viewers puzzled, especially since this is only the penultimate cliffhanger to the year. "Revelations" are aplenty at the end of year five. Earth's seemingly all-powerful allies the Asgard show yet more chinks in their armour. The SG-1 teams' grief over Daniel is remarkably short-lived. And behind the scenes a change of US broadcast channels could mean anything might happen between now and next year. Is this the beginning of the end? --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 5 (Vol. 24) | DVD | (26/08/2002) from £6.54   |  Saving you £-1.55 (-31.10%)   |  RRP £4.99

  Stargate SG-1 is the TV spin-off from the 1994 big-screen movie. In 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 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. Episodes on this DVD: "Fail Safe", "The Warrior", "Menace" and "Sentinel". Before now, this show has managed to skirt around the edges of the technological implausibility that plagued the latter Star Trek incarnations. But in "Fail Safe", Sam's surreal solution to the problem of an asteroid on collision course with Earth has to be seen to be disbelieved. Teal'c and his old master Bra'tac have always wanted an inspiring leader to assist in making the other Jaffa realise their mistaken allegiances. Kytano (Rick Worthy) sure looks like "The Warrior" for whom they've been waiting. But everyone's patience and beliefs are put to the test when Jack questions what he sees as a situation that's too good to be true. The discovery of a Data-like android poses all sorts of questions for the SGC, especially as the dormant machine is the only thing left of a desolated world. Dr Jackson persuades everyone to turn it on, and boy do they regret it! Reese (Danielle Nicolet) turns out to have the mental maturity of a child, and a stroppy one at that. Worse, she's responsible for the greatest "Menace" the galaxy has ever known. Former crimes by the sinister NID have to be rectified on a doomed world. Led by the timid Marul (a fantastic turn by Henry Gibson), the planet believes in the mystical protection of "The Sentinel". Regrettably two turncoat agents destroyed that protection and it's up to the team to put something in its place. --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 5 (Vol. 22) | DVD | (24/06/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Stargate SG-1 is the TV spin-off from the 1994 big-screen movie. In 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 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. Episodes on this DVD:"Between Two Fires". If there's one lesson SG-1 has learned, it's to always look a gift horse in the mouth. So when old acquaintances the Tollan offer Earth a brace of advanced weaponry, Jack's the first to raise a questioning hand and wonder if they aren't "Between Two Fires". Some James Bond-style sneaking about soon unravels the mystery. "2001". A lot of behind-the-scenes political machinations occur during "2001". There's another gloriously menacing cameo from Ronny Cox as Senator Kinsey who's desperately trying to dismantle the Stargate programme. All of which makes the A-plot about a new ally somewhat insignificant! But as always with newcomers on the show, the Aschen may not be all they appear to be. "Desperate Measures". Driven to "Desperate Measures", the perpetrator behind the kidnap of Major Carter puts everyone in an ethical quandary. Jack is forced to team up with his old foe Maybourne to find her. As if his cameo isn't insidious and slimy enough, there's another terrifically snake-like appearance by John de Lancie as Colonel Simmons. "Wormhole X-Treme!". Coming soon to network TV is "Wormhole X-Treme!", a science fiction show featuring an intrepid team travelling to other worlds via an intergalactic portal. Sound familiar? It sure does to the SGC, and when Jack and company investigate they discover dear old Willie Garson (Martin Lloyd from Season 4's Point of No Return) has become a whole new form of security problem. This is the show's 100th episode, and was created as a sort of Galaxy Quest parody. Full of crew-member cameos and in-jokes, it's definitely the best fun fans and cast have had amid the more dramatically serious story arc over the year. --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 2 (Vol. 5) | DVD | (26/06/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  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. A satisfying conclusion to the previous episode's cliff-hanger is reached in "The Tok'ra (Part II)". There may only be preliminary goodwill established between Earth and the rebels, but the dangling thread bodes well. On planet Madrona, the team are accused of stealing a "Touchstone" that controls its climate. The revelation of who really stole it causes ripples in the pond back on Earth. Prepare for a science lesson (one of the series' strengths) in "A Matter of Time" as the gang ponders how to resist a black hole's pull. The last episode in the volume carries a voice from the past through O'Neill's lips as the "Fifth Race" demands to be heard. --Paul Tonks

• Deadman's Island | DVD | (08/11/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Where evil is a state of mind... Steven his wife Julia and their 6 month old baby are planning to get away from the rat-race for a while at Julia's parent's remote island home. Her parents have plans to turn the island into a tranquil holiday resort for rich city-folk. However a band of red-neck squatters raised on morbid traditions believe that the idyllic paradise island belongs to them. After a series of bizarre and tragic events Steven and Julia realise that they are trap

• Dragon Flyz - There Can Be Only One | DVD | (22/07/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Flight is Might! Three more episodes of animated action: 'There Can Be Only One' 'Cifex' and 'Into Hell's Gate'.

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 3 (Vol. 13) | DVD | (25/06/2001) from £6.22   |  Saving you £-1.23 (-24.60%)   |  RRP £4.99

  The 1994 film 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. In the roles of Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr Daniel Jackson 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" 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 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-alikes, Stargate has held its own with stories that put the science fiction back into TV sci-fi. --Paul Tonks

• Atomic Train | DVD | (26/06/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  A train headed for Denver carrying nuclear waste and toxic materials is en route for disaster when it becomes a runaway. Renegade investigator and train enthusiast John Seger jumps on board in a bid to save thousand of innocent lives...

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 4 (Vol. 17) | DVD | (26/11/2001) from £9.99   |  Saving you £10.00 (100.10%)   |  RRP £19.99

  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. In 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" Goa'uld--the ancient Egyptian Gods who are none too chummy after the events of the original film. There's something of The Time Tunnel to the show's premise, but Stargate has held its own with stories that put the science fiction back into TV sci-fi. On the DVD: Episodes: The Curse, The Serpent's Venom, Chain Reaction and 2010. It's five years after the Stargate movie saw Dr. Jackson's theories professionally debunked. In "The Curse", he finally finds short-lived vindication with a few of his old archaeological colleagues. Unfortunately, one of them is more interested in the recently discovered Osiris Jar than is healthy. The birth of a powerful new Goa'uld God is sure to spell trouble for the SG team soon. "The Serpent's Venom" is the strongest test of Teal'c's loyalties anyone could have imagined. Betrayed and captured on homeworld Chulak, the "sholvah" is tortured to the point of death. In fact, it is his willingness to accept death that convinces his captors that perhaps his rejection of Apophis has meaning for them too. This is a powerful episode with strong violence and performances. When General Hammond announces his resignation on the grounds of disliking sending people into danger, the team know something's wrong. A "Chain Reaction" of events and clues leads O'Neill to the recently incarcerated turncoat Maybourne. Suddenly with this episode, all the previous references to the sinister NID agency make worrying sense. As Hammond explains, they're "above the law". That doesn't stop Jack from MacGuyvering a way out of the clutches of Ronny Cox's double-dealing Senator Kinsey though! Inexplicably, we're then presented with a future vision of the year "2010" where Kinsey has become President. Here we see Earth in peaceful alliance with the Aschen race. But Jack is sulking in secluded retirement. Sure enough things aren't at all idyllic--just as he forewarned--and in typical style for the series, an engaging time-travel plotline unravels to safeguard the past from this imperfect present. --Paul Tonks

• CBS Salutes Lucy - The First 25 Years | DVD | (23/03/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  CBS Salutes Lucy, a 1976 tribute to Lucille Ball, captures prize moments from her three television series (most notably I Love Lucy), highlights from her movie career, and excerpts from numerous other TV appearances. Each segment of the 97-minute special is introduced by famous cohorts, from series regulars such as ex-husband Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and Gale Gordon to sometime co-workers like John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dick Van Dyke. Although she lived another 13 years after this special was made and had a fourth go at a TV series, this programme captures the most brilliant moments of her trademark physical comedy. The red-haired queen of American comedy appears at the end when Jimmy Stewart gives her an honorary plaque, making for a nostalgic moment. A short time later the credits roll, revealing that Ball's production company was behind the tribute, reminding viewers that she wasn't a bad businesswoman either. --Kimberly Heinrichs, Amazon.com

• Treasure Planet (Read Along) | DVD | (26/05/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Treasure Planet, a pet project of Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Hercules codirectors Ron Clements and John Musker, is an ambitious animation hybrid (traditional animation combined with elaborate CGI backgrounds). It was the subject of numerous in-studio battles, but Disney office politics and a poor public reception shouldn't distract one from its many admirable qualities, not the least being its overall fidelity to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel Treasure Island. Curiously revamped as a sci-fi adventure with space-faring galleons, flintlock ray guns and extreme-sports attitude, it caters to a young audience for whom Stevenson's adventure is an undiscovered treasure, revving up the material with arcade-game excitements. It's entertaining, for what it is, and kids will surely enjoy it. Maybe next time, however, Disney will follow its own legacy and properly adapt Stevenson (as they did with their 1950 live-action classic) for a new, and hopefully receptive, generation. --Jeff Shannon

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 2 (Vol. 3) | DVD | (24/04/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  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. One of many romances for the supposedly grief-stricken Jackson puts SG-1 in jeopardy again. "Need" refers to several aspects of the plot, but someone should do something about Daniel's libido! A return to planet Cimmeria tests their battle savvy as "Thor's Chariot" links the Asgard race to the plot once more. There's a rather unfriendly "Message in a Bottle" delivered to O'Neill in the form of a spear through his shoulder. This fantastic episode demonstrates every aspect of the show's appeal. Finally in "Family", Teal'c's son Rya'c performs a role reversal on his father that puts the Goa'uld's motivations in question. --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 4 (Vol. 19) | DVD | (28/01/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  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. In 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" Goa'uld--the ancient Egyptian Gods who are none too chummy after the events of the original film. There's something of The Time Tunnel to the show's premise, but Stargate has held its own with stories that put the science fiction back into TV sci-fi. On the DVD: Episodes: Double Jeopardy and Exodus. In "Double Jeopardy", SG-1 experiences a bogus journey when they're reunited with their robot doppelgangers (from "Tin Man"). Some welcome resolution is given to their separate story line, since they'd basically been left to fend for themselves. The split-screen effects are excellent allowing the actors to interact with themselves. This was the directorial debut of Michael Shanks (Dr Jackson). The big Season Four finale had a lot of continuity to pull together before allowing our heroes their "Exodus". Sam gets to spend more time with her Tokra father than has been possible while everything disintegrates around them. While Teal'c goes out of his way to avenge the death of an old lover (how many wives has he had?), the unveiling of Earth's most recently acquired piece of technology seems to turn the tide of battle against the Goa'uld. And then all is lost. Including them.--Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G - 1: Season 4 (Vol. 16) | DVD | (29/10/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The 1994 film 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. In 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" 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. On this DVD: "Scorched Earth" presents the kind of moral dilemma Star Trek: The Next Generation often explored. The SG-1 team aren't exactly hampered by a Prime Directive, but searching questions are asked when they discover two civilisations attempting to colonise a world simultaneously. This is a great episode for seeing the friends disagree over personal principles, and features some stunning FX. "Beneath the Surface" refers to several things at once. The team are literally in an underground environment; enforced slave labour is taking place without the general government's knowledge; memories have been suppressed. But most tellingly for this season's story arc, Jack and Sam are free to express their secret love for one another."Point of No Return" is light relief after several episodes of angst and continuity. Willie Garson guest stars as Martin, a worryingly well-informed conspiracy theorist. It's a chance for the team to interact with the real world for a change and leads to several hotel room luxuries, such as the sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still for Jack and a vibrating bed for Teal'c! "Tangent" puts Jack and Teal'c in the worst kind of danger. Two years on from the capture of Goa'uld gliders (The Serpent's Lair), Earth scientists have developed their own. It all goes horribly wrong through a trap laid by old nemesis Apophis, and strands the two men in space with out enough oxygen to reach safe harbour. --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 3 (Vol. 9) | DVD | (26/02/2001) from £7.72   |  Saving you £15.26 (322.62%)   |  RRP £19.99

  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. In 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" 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. --Paul Tonks On this DVD: On planet Orban, Daniel Jackson is intrigued by a population's scientific advances over only a few years. An exchange of knowledge is agreed and the precise "Learning Curve" of their children is revealed. Still recalling the original movie, O'Neill is concerned for the siblings because of the loss of his son. Some more continuity tests the memory back to the episode "There But For the Grace of God", when Jackson discovered a dimensional mirror. Here, in "Point of View", it allows the Sam Carter and Major Kawalsky from an alternate reality to shelter from their Goa'uld threat. The problem being that Sam's married to Jack in her reality, and Kawalsky's dead in ours! The show is blessed with a star turn from Flash Gordon himself in "Deadman Switch" when Sam J Jones guests as Aris Boch, an alien bounty hunter working for the Goa'uld. Lastly, in "Demons" some serious lambasting of organised religion occurs in a storyline concerning a medieval Christian village that's being terrorised by a giant Goa'uld servant creature. This episode both brings to light and questions each of the principal characters' beliefs. As well as trailers for the next volume, this disc includes an interview with Amanda Tapping on her character, Samantha Carter. There's also a featurette on the general workings of the show called "Producing the Stargate". --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 2 (Vol. 4) | DVD | (29/05/2000) from £6.52   |  Saving you £13.47 (67.40%)   |  RRP £19.99

  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

• Mary Wilson Of The Supremes - Up Close - The Copa Room | DVD | (27/07/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Mary Wilson is best known as a member of the Motown soul and pop group The Supremes. On this DVD Wilson performs her 2005 show ''Up Close & Personal'' at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas where she sings ballads and standards in addition to Supremes' hits. Wilson was the only Supreme who remained in the group from the time it was formed in 1959 as The Primettes until the very end when the group was disbanded in 1977. The Supremes (Diana Ross Florence Ballard and later Cindy Birdsong along with Mary Wilson) enjoyed twelve US number-one hit records.