©2000 Debbie Ledesma
Imagine stepping through a ring of blue light and traveling in an instant to another world across the galaxy. One of the most entertaining Science Fiction universes is that of "Stargate." The original movie has sparked books and a tv series. It has an interesting concept, likable characters and is open to a lot of action and adventure.Archeologists discover a buried Stargate in Egypt. After many years, Daniel Jackson is brought in to translate the symbols on the gate. He solves the gate's mystery and is sent on the mission with Colonel Jack O'Neill to the desert world of Abydos. Once there, they discover a pyramid, human slaves mining a powerful mineral and trouble. They can't get home until Daniel Jackson discovers the last symbol to activate the gate for Earth. Meanwhile, Ra shows up and a battle ensues. That is the focus of the original movie. From there the stories in the books and TV series diverge.
The books continue the story begun in the movie. Jack O'Neill returns to Abydos to meet up with Daniel Jackson again. This time they must battle Hathor, one of Ra's underlings. Each succeeding book continues the story of the fates of Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill and the Abydans. In each new book the story expands further. The characters grow as more details are added. New aliens are brought into the story as the "Stargate" universe grows larger.
"Stargate SG-1" is the name of the tv series. The series also starts with the return of Daniel Jackson. He's recruited as part of a team after his wife Shauri is kidnapped and becomes host to an intelligent parasitic snake called the Goa'uld. Colonel O'Neill befriends the jaffar, Tiuk, one of the servants of the Goa'uld. Along with a fourth member, Captain Carter, this team travels through the gate to a different world each week where they seek new technologies and allies to defeat the Goa'uld system lords.
One of the reasons I like "Stargate" is the emphasis is not on the technology all of the time. The characters aren't trying to fix the Stargate each time to get home. They try to help people on the worlds they visit and encounter new alien species. Each new book or tv episode adds new ideas to contemplate and creates new opportunities for adventure. There is a lot of action in them too.
Stargate is an interesting Science Fiction universe to explore. For more information check out the web site at: Stargate SG-1
Stargate: The Movie Tie-in by Dean Devlin
Books by Bill McCay:
Book based on the TV Series: