Stargate Rewatch

So, I've been a Stargate SG-1 & Atlantis fan since the mid 2000s (I think I started watching in 2004), but I haven't actually rewatched anything Stargate related since 2008 when the final SG-1 movie released. Recently, I bought the SG-1 & Atlantis DVD sets and have been revisiting the series for the first time since then, and it's been a fun and nostalgic journey for me since I loved it back in middle school & junior high (and can now say I still do!).

I just finished all 10 seasons (+ 2 movies) of SG-1, and I'm still working through Atlantis (just got to S3), but I'm sad the SG-1 journey is over. I'm really gonna miss the team & characters from SG-1, even the two "new" members from the last couple of seasons; and I loved Vala & Daniel's chemistry/dynamic. I just wish we'd gotten at least another season or two. The Ori arc felt kinda rushed/weak and not as developed as it could've been. Ark of Truth was okay, but Continuum was really weak as the final entry in the series.

One thing I've noticed is that SG-1 has a very loose sense of continuity and is mostly made up of episodic or standalone episodes that are very widespread in terms of "genre. It casts a wide net with time travel, comedy, alternate universes, government conspiracies, techno-horror, sci-fi horror, adventure, and whatnot all being represented. But this can make it feel sporadic and unfocused at times and it's also surprisingly light on its own lore. 

Each season has 20 episodes, but only 5-6 of them are what I call "plot" episodes that tie-into the "grand scheme" of things. These are mostly done through "intel drops" from one or two alien characters (Bra'tac or the Tokra) updating SG-1 on the current state of galactic affairs, then SG-1 taking a quick mission that ties into or resolves the current crisis. If you're an X-Files fan, these are Stargate's equivalent of "Smoking Man" episodes. Atlantis by contrast, feels more focused and straight forward with every episode feeding into the overarching narrative or one of the closely related sub plots (the Genii, the Wraith, the Ancient's/Atlantis itself etc.). 

I love both, but I guess I'd describe SG-1 as being more weekly "fun adventure" and Atlantis being more story/narrative focused. SG-1 is easier to jump into and watch at (mostly) any point (unless it's a "plot episode") while Atlantis is more bingeable because it's more tightly focused which creates that "just one more episode" feeling.