Well, SG-1's prepping for it's eighth season, MGM and Sci-Fi's building on the show's success with a new series, and we need a topic to discuss it. So here's a brief FAQ to start us off.

When's it start?

This spin-off of Stargate SG-1 premieres with a two-hour episode at 9PM EST on the Sci-Fi Channel on July 16th, one week after SG-1's Season 8 premiere.

What's the story?



Who's the new team?

Torri Higginson (replacing Jessica Steen) as Dr. Elizabeth Weir


Joe Flanigan as Major John Sheppard


Rainbow Sun Francks as Lieutenant Aiden Ford


David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay


Rachel Luttrell as Teyla Emmagan


Any other info?

Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Shanks, and Robert Patrick are guest-starring in the SG:A premiere.

Check out Gateworld, the Sci-Fi Channel's Atlantis site, and MGM's Atlantis site for additional info.

So, when they go and discover this new galaxy, do they get stuck there, or do they come and go like the regular Stargate team does?

I take it Jack O'Neill also possesses the special gene?

It sounds intriguing, though it will probably be a while before it airs here (UK).

From what I know, they generally won't be based out of the SGC, but I'm not one hundred percent certain.

I heard that they'll be based entirely off Earth. The other Stargate is in an alternate dimension? Something like that. I'm looking forward to it.

The impression I got from what's already been mentioned in publicity is that they end up stuck in a whole new galaxy and can't get home. That would tie in with the idea that the Stargate isn't normally set up for inter-galactic travel.

I saw a preview for Atlantis while I was watching Mad, Mad House, and it gave the impression that the team going to Atlantis may not be coming back to Earth for a while.

I've been anticipating SG:A for a while now, and I've been keeping up to date on all the latest news. But so far, there has already been one major disappointment. I was hoping that the new alien menace would be a type of CGI alien, like the Re'Tou (sp.?) were in that one SG-1 episode who's name escapes me. But then in the commercial they have this very human looking blue-skinned alien doing some kind of hiss/scream. I couldn't help but burst out laughing when I saw it, but then I got kind of bummed when I realized my hopes of a truly alien looking alien weren't going to be fullfilled.

Oh, geez...this is gonna be Stargate: Voyager?

Oh dear, that's what I feared. One of the things I most like about Stargate is how they come home in between missions and it's more like a job.

I'm kind of wondering if this has something to do with (may be spoiler?) the 8th symbol on the Gate that Jack used when he got the Ancient's language dowloaded into his brain. Maybe they'll have trouble finding the right address? I'm going to hold off any negative speculation until the show airs, but if it is Stargate: Voyager, hopefully they can pull it off.

I don't think its supposed to be "Stargate Voyager". My impression is that the Atlantis team is just another off-world research team (a la the Alpha and Beta sites), albeit a lot further away.

Plus, it requires additional power sources to travel across galaxies via the 'gate, so its probably more cost-effective to just send a large team there on a long-term basis, than to have them come and go.

So I've seen the sci-fi channel promo where they are all assembled in what looks like SG-1's gateroom. Is that RDA and MS in the command room? I didn't bother taping it, but it sure looks like it could be them.

I caught that too. I'm pretty sure it was them.


That's what I was thinking also. There's also the little problem that the energy device Jack made in The Fifth Race only worked once. So if they're using one of those, it may not be possible for another team to go to Atlantis after the initial team. Unless they've got a big locker filled with the things.

RDA and MS are in the first episode (which is two hours, I think).

And I don't think Sam or Siler was ever able to back engineer the little Fifth Race gizmo, so I don't think they have a locker full. I must admit, I like the idea of having to go get one out of the supply closet. *g*

Hee. They're called "Z.P.M."s I believe. In "Point of View" the Carters (Major and Ms. O'Neill) were able to rebuild the one Jack made in "The Fifth Race".



Hmm, you might be right, but a naquadria generator might be able to provide the power they need, but given its instability, they might not want to do that repeatedly for trans-galactic travel.

Very interested in this - funnily enough, so is my dad, so hopefully we'll both have something to watch now that Enterprise has been made more boring than getting a root canal.

Really? I think ENT has gotten a lot better this season.

Anyway, I'm hoping that this is good. I loved SG-1 almost from the start, but I think it lost its way a bit. Maybe this new series will have some of that same original creative energy.

I was watching SCIFI last night with a big snake vs. big snake movie and saw David Hewlett in it. Of course they plugged his new series and from the previews it didn't seem that great. The blue alien looks interesting but that's about it. The earlier preview where it shows going underwater and finding a stargate was better at catching attention.

I saw that preview, too and I was wondering, WTF? Sadly enough, there is nothing about this show that compells me to watch it so far...not even the Janeway-like commander. I'll watch the first episode. Let's hope the show can keep my attention...

Stargate: Voyager? Oh dear, I watched voyager until I could stand it no more - partway through the first season. I hope I don't have to give up on this as well, it sounds...erm...boring. I think they should have a bit more than just two hours of crossover to get you used to this stargate team. Especially since they changed one of the actresses. How long do things take to get cancelled on sci-fi then?

I wonder why Jessica Steen was replaced? You'd think the show would benefit from having a lead cast member that already has a modest sci fi following (thanks to Earth 2 and Armaggedon) more than gambling on a cast of unknowns.

I don't think anyone knows, even her (allegedly). There's some talk on Gateworld that she was too young looking. I personally liked her, even though I've never seen her in anything else. I get the feeling that other woman is going to irritate me, no idea why just a feeling I get. They really should have had a name to hold this show because it is always going to be compared to Stargate: SG1 and spinoffs/sequals always have problems.

All I have to say is . . . "SeaQuest2032."

As to the "Star Trek" vibes . . . I was talking to a cashier at Wal-Mart and he pointed out that the uniforms for Atlantis looks a little too much like US Air Force meets "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Which is, in itself, scary and wrong.

I'm going to watch the premiere for RDA and Michael Shanks. 'Cause other than the snippets of Daniel and Jack, so far the previews haven't really been doing anything for me.

Hey STV got better AFTER it's first season so I'm not rushing to judgement. This may be unfair of me however, since I didn't give Enterprise much of a chance and got bored with it right from the start. I think I'm just desperate for any genre show to get on as I am still suffering from Xena/Buffy/Angel withdrawal and fear I may never find anything to fill the void.

I'm sure Jessica Steen would thank you for the young comment -- she's 40 next year. I first saw her way back on Homefront over a decade ago and have followed her since then. I'd have liked to see her part of the franchise.

Her official site (http://www.jessicasteen.com) used to take Qs (not sure why that page is still up), but her news page doesn't mention SG:A at all, just the SG-1 episodes. Seems she had a recurring role on JAG this season, too, so maybe that stretched to next season or she just didn't want to be committed to a project that might go five years while she's still being offered fairly regular work elsewhere...

Well, if they're stuck in a place where they can't get home the only thing to do for the survival of their community is to start f***ing. And none of that Sam & Diane flirty business. Just start f***ing. That would hold my attention.

From TVGuide, on line edition, the idiot's riff on the premiere:

The ubiquitous Stargate SG-1 franchise is about to learn if it has Star Trek's ability to launch spin-offs. The two-hour premiere of Sci Fi's Stargate Atlantis (July 16, 9 pm/ET) gets off to a promising, rousing start, introducing a likably sardonic new hero in Maj. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan). His ability to channel the technology of the Ancients makes him a natural to join a team on a one-way mission to the Ancients' legendary lost city. There they encounter the ravenous Wraith, who see Atlantis as a "feeding ground." I bet the pairing of Atlantis with the original Stargate will satisfy fans' appetites.

Isn't it supposed to start on July 9th??

Tonight on SciFi:

Nope. SG-1 is this Friday (July 9), and Atlantis starts next week (July 16).

This may be really shallow, but I think the new look of the Stargate in Atlantis is really awesome.

I was very impressed with the look of the set and the effects shots, too. I like that they're doing something really different with the CG so that it really does look like a different show. The Lowdown was a hoot.

Am I the only one who noticed that the wraith look like Marilyn Manson? They were even playing Marilyn Manson-type music when they were showing the images of them.

I also like the look of the sets, and the new galaxy design. It's quite beautiful. I am a little disappointed w/ the aliens. The kick ass ones look like every other badass--large with body armor. The ships look more alien than the aliens.

Additionally, I think the main cast looks a little bland. SG: BlAhtlantis.

But seeing how there's jack on...

I think you've hit the nail on the head. There is nothing about the characters that make me want to invest my time in the show. I will watch the premiere, because RDA and MS are in that one, but after that, all bets are off.

I gotta say that I'm much more optimistic about it after seeing the Lowdown. But yeah, after the premier all bets are off. My optimism could just be extreme excitement for SG-1 instead.

I loved that that Rainbow guy got hired from an internet audition. Is it still up anywhere?

I'm going to stay optimistic about the show and at least try out the first few episodes. Usually it takes a series time to find its own groove, and not to mention that it is in the shadow of a popular parent show. So I think that it might actually work, and besides, compared to stuff out there like Andromeda, I am more than willing to suffer through a few bland characters. And Andromeda use to be one of my favorite scifi shows.

Thanks for the clarification on the schedule, Aatrek.

And if I remember correctly, SG:A will be on 3 days later on Movie Central, after the US debut.

I just realized that Robert Patrick, my favorite Agent Doggett, is in the commercial for SGA and will be in the two-hour premeire. Now, I will definitely watch it. But why, oh why, couldn't he have been a regular?

After watching the hour-long commercial... er, "lowdown", the Mr. and I have dubbed the new bad guys "Space Goths". It would kind be a hoot if they hung out in old churches turned into nightclubs, and were depressed and overly dramatic all the time. I'm not that looking forward to it, but as someone else said, there's not much else on... We even tried to watch Andromeda, but I gave up at the "universe is alive with death" line. Which was in the first episode I saw. Also, the Mystical Elf Chick totally bugged me.

ETA: sometimes it takes me a while to notice typos.

I am really looking forward to the new SG-1 and the start of SG:A. However, when I saw the lowdown, I wondered if the SG:A producers were hoping to attract the crowd that likes vampire mythology (such as the Jossverse) Yeah, yeah I know they're calling the new bad guys "wraiths" but they do seem sort of vampire-y what with all the feeding off others and their general look.

I never watched the original series, mainly because I didn't get cable until season 3, and I hate coming to shows too late in their run to feel caught up.

But I'll check out Atlantis, because I love Atlantis, and I just might get caught up in what's going on. No promises though. Big Brother's been addicting this season, and it's only the first week. I can watch only so much.

Can anyone help a Canadian viewer out? I've been checking around to see if any Canadian stations (Space, Global etc.) are carrying Atlantis and so far there is no sign of it. Does anyone here know if it will be on in Canada, and if so, where and when? Thanks.

Whoever said Stargate: Voyager. I totally think you're right. Apparently we meet a nice little Kes type right off the bat.

I've got to say that this show worries me a bit. I approve of all the male choices: The smartass scientist, the loose cannon top-gunnish Jack clone, the young wide-eyed security guy - these three appeal. They're just yummy.

But the two woman feel like the wrong choices. Dr. Weir has a permenant bitch-face expression that made me want to slap her. Plus she's waaay too skinny, especially when compared to our healthy gunslinging Samantha. Perhaps Amanda Tapping has a clause in her contract that said no other female lead could be as attractive as her?

I had high hopes for Dr.Weir when she was Jessica Steen, because I remember her as doing a good job on Earth 2. I don't hold the same hope for this version.

Another issue: the alien chick - Her hair just bugs. It's either a wig or a bad weave, but it just bugs. In 20 years we'll look back on her hair style and snicker, the same way we do when we watch old Star Trek episodes with warrior women with pink bouffants. She reminds me of Tracy Bingham from the Surreal life, and that's Not Good.

Awful to say, but I think these two character could sink this show.

OH MY GOD you're right. So that's what's been really bugging me about her!

I hate thinkin' about the sinkin' before the show actually airs. (Anybody know if SciFi's given them a sure number of episodes or seasons to find themselves?)

I'm with you on the alpha-males. Weir? I'm going to wait and see. She grew on me over the SG-1 2 hour premiere. And ok, she's whateverthinner than Samantha, and she didn't throw quite the 'you...kill me' look at Jack at the end of their scene that AT threw at I-Can-Do-Anything?GeneralJack, but she's got her own JackClone to practice on. (Sorry for any bad crossover etiquette.)

The buggin' hair? For me, the pink bouffants are part of the ST legend - I love the snicker. And the snark.

Iguana, Movie Central is going to show the two-hour premiere on Monday, July 19th. It starts at 6:00PM in BC. Check your local listings for the time in your area.

Thanks, Harmony. That's the last channel I would have thought to check. Now I'm happy I subscribe.

Glad to help.

I'm soooo glad I got digital cable a few months back.

Now only if Movie Central Adrenaline Drive would show the newer episodes of SG1. Space already shows them every weekday!

well i cant wait till the premire of SG:A because SG rocks and i think that SG:A will be good but it dose have to live up to some big standars i mean come on how could you beat Stargate. But i must say that i think that Major John Sheppard has something to offer am i right?

Okay...tonight's the night...it's gonna be alight...'cause I love you...

oops...okay...no channeling Rod Stewart....

Anyway, tonight's the night. This show is gonna either sink or swim. Jack and Daniel are likely to make 30-second appearances, but the show has got to hold it's own, and so far, none of the characters are appealing...

We haven't seen any of them, other than Weir, for long enough to know if they're appealing. I have high hopes for Rainbow Francks if only because I find his father (Walter from La Femme Nikita) so cute.