"Actor: Richard Anders"

• Stargate S.G. 1 - Series 10 - Vol. 2 | DVD | (10/09/2007) from £5.38   |  Saving you £14.61 (73.10%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Stargate SG-1 Season 10 is the final adventure for the team and the last instalment in the SG1 collection. It sees the SG-1 military squad undertaking missions across the universe through the Stargates encountering various alien creatures and cultures on their journeys as they set out on another mission to defend the earth from the unknown. Episodes Comprise: 1. Uninvited 2. 200 3. Counterstrike 4. Memento Mori

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 4 (Vol. 15) | DVD | (24/09/2001) 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 when 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 lookalikes, Stargate has held its own with stories that put the science fiction back into TV sci-fi. On this DVD: "Divide and Conquer" presents a disturbing theory that none of us may be who we think we are. Newly recurring guest star Vanessa Angel returns as Freya to reveal that "za'tarc" technology can programme a person to be an assassin without their knowledge. This episode becomes a claustrophobic showcase for the actors to display distrust for one another. "Window of Opportunity" is the now mandatory Groundhog Day scenario episode that all franchise series must attempt. Typically the SG-1 writers make more of the material than in other shows, with O'Neill and Teal'c growing to enjoy having 10 hours to live repeatedly. Ultimately, though, there's a lesson to be learned about the fruitlessness of trying to recapture the past. "Watergate" demonstrates the excellent continuity kept up by the show in revealing what happened to the original missing Dial Home Device--the Russians have it! Not only that, they have their own Stargate, a disturbing amount of information on the SG-1 team, a mysterious link to a water planet and a scientist who bears an uncanny resemblance to Deanna Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation (Marina Sirtis). "The First Ones" is a warm variant on the Lion and the Mouse fable when Daniel establishes a relationship with a primitive alien creature. The planet is the original home world of the Goa'uld parasites, meaning that the SG Team's rescue mission turns into a dangerous period of paranoid suspicion. Who has been compromised and what does Chaka really want with Daniel? --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 3 (Vol. 11) | DVD | (23/04/2001) 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. 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-a-likes, Stargate has held its own with stories that put the science fiction back into TV sci-fi. --Paul TonksOn this DVD: Resolving the cliffhanger from Volume 10, "The Devil You Know" reveals an embarrassing secret that could allow the team to escape the clutches of Satanic Sokar. Then, when following up clues to find the Harcesis child "Forever in a Day", Teal'c is the only one to notice the SGC has been taken over by chameleonic aliens trying to establish a "Foothold" on Earth for invasion. The following "Pretense" is one of those sci-fi series staples as a character is put on trial to prove their guilt on behalf of another. "Urgo" is this volume's highlight, and expands the general sardonic humour with a little pathos for the guest appearance by Dom DeLuise. Lots of slapstick ensues. As well as trailers for the next volume, the disc includes a seven-minute interview with Don Davis on his character of General George Hammond. He talks about his own Captaincy in the army and an acting career that began with MacGuyver! There's also five minutes with costume designer Christine McQuarrie explaining what has to be done in just seven days. --Paul Tonks

• Stargate S.G -1: Season 5 (Vol. 20) | DVD | (22/04/2002) from £11.45   |  Saving you £11.53 (136.29%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The opening episodes of the fifth season of Stargate SG-1 had a lot of story left over from the nail-biting Season 4 cliffhanger, so this year had to open with a two-part conclusion. "Enemies" is aptly named because the team are faced with their biggest nemeses of all, Apophis and the Replicators, while stuck in another galaxy 120 years away from Earth. The biggest interpersonal problem facing them, however, is a switch in allegiance by Teal'c. Continuing into "Threshold", it takes the wisdom of his old master Bra'tac to perceive that all is not as it seems. But after so many attempts, can the enemies ever truly be vanquished? At long last, Sam gets a sympathetic and revealing spotlight. We get to see some of her home life and who she is away from the science lab. In her garage she has a 1940 Indian motorcycle, a 1961 vintage Volvo and a Harley. These aren't the only things she tinkers with in "Ascension", however. In a case of torn loyalties, she's confronted by an imaginary friend/lover (Young Indiana Jones himself, Sean Patrick Flanery). And then Jack seems to experience something very similar when the team gains a "Fifth Man". Both these episodes' storylines are threatened by the poisonous introduction of Colonel Simmons (John de Lancie, Star Trek's Q). --Paul Tonks

• Hells Angels On Wheels | DVD | (19/02/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Hell's Angels on Wheels' takes you back to an era of drug and gasoline fuelled rebellion. Photographed by Lazlo Kovacs (Director of photography on 'Paper Moon' and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind') and starring Jack Nicholson in one of his finest roles this movie goes hog wild! The director Richard Rush worked alongside the notorious Sonny Barger and the Oakland Hell's Angels as well as using Hunter S. Thompson's 'Hell's Angels' as major background source. Adam Rourke plays 'Buddy' the head of the Angels and Nicholson plays 'Poet' a gas jockey who joins the brotherhood. Nicholson soon comes to realise that there are a lot of slaves in Buddy's Hell and he doesn't want to be one of them. Until that realisation however he delights in the violence and the orgies - which allows Nicholson to give his baby-faced-killer grin a thorough workout...

• Please Sir! - The Best Of Please Sir! - Vol. 3 | DVD | (03/02/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The Decent Thing: When Bernard spends a night with Sharon's mother he doesn't bargain on the consequences such as Sharon telling people that her mother is in the club again. Is Bernard about to have his first nervous breakdown? The Generation Gap: Class 5c becomes socially aware and take to promoting care in the community amongst the older residents. Unfortunately it's not necessarily the students who have to be co-operative as Potter finds out with Mr. De'Ath. The School Captain: The newly founded House system at Fenn Street runs into a few teething problems with election rigging and uncooperative students all whilst Bernard is trying to maintain his own reputation as Housemaster.

• 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.

• Der Sechs Millionen Dollar Mann - Die komplette Serie | Blu Ray | (14/10/2022) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• 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

• Black Listed | DVD | (31/05/2004) from £10.49   |  Saving you £2.50 (23.83%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Frustrated with the legal process a young and ambitious lawyer approaches his former college classmates and colludes with them to meter out strong justice where the all too lacking legal system has failed. These hyper-intelligent modern day vigilantes wreak out justice and vengeance upon those that were spared by the technicalities and limitations of our legal system. Sometimes the defenders of innocence become the criminals.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Crime True Stories 6 dvd Box set | DVD | (07/07/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Titles Comprise: In The Eyes Of A Stranger: When Lynn Carlson witnesses a brutal slaying of a stranger on the subway she tells police that the dying woman gave her a message she didn't understand right before she died. Soon it becomes clear that the murders were part of something much bigger - a gold heist and two million dollars in cash that's gone missing. The Heart Of The Lie: Who was Bambi Bembenek? Lindsay Frost stars as the attractive enigmatic Bembenek a former Milwaukee cop and one-time pin-up girl convicted of the brutal slaying of her husband's ex-wife. Her sensational Midwest murder trial and subsequent prison break-out turned her into an international cause c''lebr''. Hit And Run: In the stifling suburban world inhabited by Joanna Kendall very little happens to change the meticulously planned existence. That is until she accidentally hits an eight-year-old girl who has dashed in front of her car. Her nightmare only worsens when after calling for help she chooses to drive on rather than take responsibility for what's happened. Dangerous Child: A divorced mother faces the bitter irony of being suspected of child abuse when in fact her own teen son is taking verbal and physical swipes at her. Murder Of Innocence: A woman who seemingly has everything becomes increasingly unhinged and a danger to everyone around her... The Ultimate Betrayal: The true story of one daughter's fight to bring her father to justice for years of physical and mental abuse...

• 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