Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Entertainment Discussions > TV Talk
Reload this Page >

Can I enjoy Stargate: Atlantis w/o watching Stargate: SG-1?

TV Talk Talk about Shows on TV

Can I enjoy Stargate: Atlantis w/o watching Stargate: SG-1?

Old 02-27-06, 08:42 AM
  #1  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
 
JuryDuty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Lost in Texas
Posts: 6,627
Received 32 Likes on 25 Posts
Can I enjoy Stargate: Atlantis w/o watching Stargate: SG-1?

I have a few friends who have encouraged me to rent the Stargate SG-1 series on DVD, and I've heard Stargate: Atlantis is much better. But would I enjoy/understand Stargate: Atlantis without ever watching Stargate: SG-1?

I just don't think I'll want to watch nine seasons of SG-1 unless it's spankin' spectacular.
Old 02-27-06, 09:02 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SG-1 is a guilty pleasure; it's like a plate of baked beans - fun to eat but no nutritional value. My one complaint is that too many times the team or Earth get resuced by some deus ex machina ending. There are good eps and bad eps, like any other show. I think somewhere in the forum is a list of episodes that you would need to watch to get caught up - not every show focuses on the big story (Earth vs. the System Lords). However, the writers have a habit of going back into the show's history and using something obscure in a later, more important episode. YMMV.

You probably would need to watch - or at least know what's going on in - SG-1 to fully understand and enjoy Atlantis. Check out www.gateworld.net to get good synopses of the episodes, and how they might link back to an earlier one. I haven't watched every episode of SG-1 - my wife is the bigger fan, so sometimes I have to ask her where "that thing" came from on certain episodes.
Old 02-27-06, 09:33 AM
  #3  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Warren, MI
Posts: 5,976
Received 142 Likes on 97 Posts
Yes you can. I watched Atlantis S1 without having seen a single episode of SG1 and I did just fine. I did start watching SG1 right before the S2 premiere of Atlantis and so far it's pretty good (I'm about halfway through S7). Like most shows there are some great episodes and some clunkers with most of them hovering somwhere in-between.
Old 02-27-06, 11:18 AM
  #4  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SnogBox
Posts: 8,462
Received 128 Likes on 94 Posts
I dont' know. As was said above, you could probably go with SG-A without having seen SG-1, but I think you'd be doing yourself a diservice by doing so. There is so much critical background that sets up the SG universe that leads you to SG-A. That inandofitself is a journey worth taking IMO. Would be nice if they came out with a "Mythology" set(s) like X-Files, etc.
Old 02-27-06, 11:53 AM
  #5  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I've never watched SG-1 and watch Atlantis. Mainly because I never watched the start of SG-1 and I'd rather start at the beginning than just jumping into the middle of the series. But 8 seasons is hard to get caught up with, so I haven't even tried. So I just keep happily watching Atlantis instead since I started watching from the beginning.

There are a few parts of Atlantis where I am guessing they are bringing in SG-1 stuff in, like when they introduced the Daedalus and the asguard on board - I was kind of confused what was going on there. But other than that and a few other perhaps minor things, I think it stands well on its own.
Old 02-27-06, 12:37 PM
  #6  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,767
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 7 Posts
You probably could just watch SG-1 reruns on tv and be fine.

Some people say atlantis is better than sg-1 and sg-1 better than atlantis, but I don't know. For me, both shows have its high and low points. Both shows have some episodes that are really good, but others can be just painful to sit through.

I'm not quite ready to get the stargate dvds yet but I do plan to go with atlantis first, then maybe the last couple seasons of sg-1.
Old 02-27-06, 12:55 PM
  #7  
DVD Talk Godfather
 
Michael Corvin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 62,508
Received 909 Likes on 644 Posts
Originally Posted by Ranger
Some people say atlantis is better than sg-1 and sg-1 better than atlantis, but I don't know.
That is probably due to the fact that Atlantis jumped right into the action bypassing the exploring and adventure part of SG-1, most notably the first 3 seasons.

I think you are fine just watching Atlantis. They have their own thing going with new characters and enemies unrelated to the SG-1 world.
Old 02-27-06, 01:02 PM
  #8  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Chew's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: South of Titletown
Posts: 18,628
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Don't read the first spoiler unless you've seen all of Atlantis S2, don't read the second if you don't want a S3 casting spoiler!

Having seen the finale of Atlantis S2,
Spoiler:
I have to wonder just how much longer "distinct and seperate" is going to last with the wraith heading for earth!


Especially since:
Spoiler:
Carter is rumored to show up on Atlantis for at least half the third season.
Old 02-27-06, 01:57 PM
  #9  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Lompoc, CA
Posts: 11,536
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
I know they try to keep the arcs more-or-less seperate, so I guess so, sure you can. But there'll always be lots of things you're missing.

And with both shows being created at the same time, in the same studios, by the same producing/directing/writing staff, there will always be lots of crossovers and bleed-through, and I'd be skeptical of anyone who tells you one is very superior over the other.

I have to say I'm a total convert when it comes to them bringing in ringers from other sci-fi shows. Why not? If SG1 and SGA want to be the "landing spot" for all old sci-fi regulars, I'm all for it! I found myself wanting them to *keep* Connor Trineer around after last week, and I'm pleased to hear that Claudia's coming back to stay...

Last edited by adamblast; 02-27-06 at 01:59 PM.
Old 02-27-06, 02:08 PM
  #10  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Chew's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: South of Titletown
Posts: 18,628
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by adamblast
I found myself wanting them to *keep* Connor Trineer around after last week
Spoiler:
wait a couple weeks....

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.