Many years ago, I started watching Stargate in syndication, mostly because of my lack of cable. This was back in those wonderful days where Fox affiliates would show science fiction shows in the 9 PM slot instead of yet another crappy local news show, but I digress. Anyway, as time went on, I picked up the box sets as they came out and have enjoyed every season. I finally finished off season 7. Of course, as I understand it, season 8 is where the cast starts to change again (I don’t think season 6 really counts as much) and I don’t know if I want to watch a show with no Richard Dean Anderson and no Don Davis. I’m remembering what happened to the X-Files in the later seasons. Plus, my bookshelf now looks funny, with six full-size seasons and one little tiny slimpack. I haven’t seen any of season 8, 9, or (of course) 10.
While I’m at it, should I get Stargate Atlantis? I think I saw one episode of it while I had cable in college.
I really like SG1, so of course I’m gonna say keep getting them. But I suppose it really depends on why you’re watching it. If you like the character interaction, and feel like Gen. Hammond and (now) Gen. O’Neill bring alot to the show then you won’t like seasons 8 and 9 respectively.
If, however, you like it for the stories, then I don’t think it gets worse. There are some weird progressions (They get some FTL ships, so the gates aren’t their only means of travel. Oh, and the Goa’uld have been taken down, so they’ve gotta fight diff. baddies now.). Beau Bridges brings the badass and Ben Browder brings the…okay there’s really no synonyms for “smartass” so I’ll have to break the alliteration. You get the picture, though.
So really, the show hasn’t radically changed, it’s still good fun sci-fi.
As for Atlantis, I’d recommend renting “Atlantis Rising,” the first two SGA episodes on DVD. Or just start watching it (It’s on Fridays at 10/9c).