The Show

For any television series not called The Simpsons to run ten years is a major accomplishment. For a science fiction series to make it a decade, that’s practically a revelation. Stargate SG-1 has been a major force in science fiction and gathered hordes of fans over the years, but everything must eventually come to a close. Season 10 puts the final episodes on DVD though the Stargate universe isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Launched after the success of the film Stargate, SG-1 is a series about a mixed civilian/military government organization that explores the universe through an ancient piece of technology known as a Stargate. As they arrive in new worlds alliances are formed, enemies are made, and research is done all in the name of protecting Earth and the other unified planets. Season Nine ended with a dangerous enemy known as the Ori annihilating the final unified defense attempting to stop the Ori from entering the Milky Way. Season Ten picks up right after with things going from bad to worse. Vala, who in true science fiction fashion had a mysterious pregnancy, gives birth to Adria (Morena Baccarin). Adria is a genetically created human version of the Ori and is meant to lead the Ori army against all opposition. As if that wasn’t enough, old enemies such as Ba’al continue to muck things up by throwing themselves into the mix, working for selfish purposes only. The episodes are generally quite good in the final season. A crossover episode with Stargate Atlantis is entertaining and the broad Ori arc is handled well. A few throwaway episodes are in the mix, but they are few and far between. Unfortunately the milestone 200th episode is more goofball than anything serious, a cause of much controversy among the fans.

Despite being the final season, Stargate will continue its storylines in the form of two direct-to-video films to be released in 2008 as well as new episodes of Atlantis which will now feature SG-1 character Major Samantha Carter. So while the book must be closed on SG-1 as a series, there is still plenty to look forward to for fans of the Stargate universe.

The 5-disc set contains all 20 episodes from the final season: “Flesh and Blood,” “Morpheus,” “The Pegasus Project,” “Insiders,” “Univited,” “200,” “Counterstrike,” “Momento Mori,” “Company of Thieves,” “The Quest, Part I,” “The Quest, Part II,” “Line in the Sand,” “The Road Not Taken,” “The Shroud,” “Bounty,” “Bad Guys,” “Talion,” “Family Ties,” “Domination,” and “Unending.”

The DVD

The video is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Grain and compression artifacts mar an otherwise solid transfer.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and French Dolby Surround with English/Spanish subtitles. For a television show the 5.1 track is quite active, drawing you into the action or simply setting the mood. Dialogue is a but muted when competing against the heavier sound effects and music.

The Extras

A respectable bunch of special features are spread across the set.

Commentaries are offered on every episode with the exception of “Bad Guys.” The tracks are very writer/director heavy and rarely feature any input from actors.

The SG-1 Director Series features a number of 10+ minute featurettes with the directors discussing the production in great detail. These episodes include: “Insiders,” “Memento Mori,” “Company of Thieves,” “The Shroud,” and “Unending.” These are likely to be the most insightful and popular bunch of featurettes on the set.

“The Ori: A New Enemy” is an 18-minute featurette on all things Ori related though doesn’t offer any new information.

“Behind the 200th” is an 18-minute look at the episode and what was done to make it special.

“Setting the Mood with Jim Menard” is a 23-minute featurette about set design.

“Life as a Tech with Gary Jones” is a 20-minute featurette dedicated to the role of Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman and features Gary Jones offering his thoughts on the character.

23 minutes of Deleted Scenes are available with or without commentary by Joseph Mallozzi.

Various Photo Galleries are offered as well.

Final Thoughts

Stargate SG-1: Season 10 goes out with a packed DVD set that should appease even the most hardcore fan. – Jeff Ritchie