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Forums - Stargate Atlantis - Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show?

 
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rufus2600
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1. Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/19/2008 11:08pm

I have watched many seasons of Startgate SG1 but never followed it very closely. I started watching Atlantis but for some unknown reason I stopped.

I was thinking about buying the last few seasons and watching them all.... But I am worried I need to have watched the SG1 seasons or I may get lost... Is this true?
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Idbeolderifiwas
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2. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/19/2008 11:42pm
Nope, you don't have to. There are some things that tie into SG-1 but not enough to warrant watching 10 seasons of SG-1 first
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JESSPARKY
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3. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 12:15am

Atlantis holds its own as a stand-alone show.

I would recommend just watching Atlantis, then searching for SG1 tie-ins eps after.
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lisagraham
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4. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 12:49am
Just go ahead and watch Atlantis and come back here if you questions about SG-1 tie-ins... there are tons of friendly people here that will fill in the blanks for you... Enjoy!
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TOCM19
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5. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 2:52am
I agree with these guys that Atlantis is a pretty decent stand alon show, but I'm rather of the opinion that SG1 is a far better show than Atlantis, so while you don't need to see SG1 to watch Atlantis, it's still well worth watching it.
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hockey9927
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6. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 2:53am
I agree with everyone else on this. You don't have to watch all of SG-1 to get this one. There is a little crossover but nothing that will leave you completly lost. It pretty much stands on it's own. It would probably help to watch the first season of Atlantis though, if you haven't already.
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Libaax
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7. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 4:18am

IMO you have to watch SG1 first.

Not only because its much better but because you wont understand the great story about The Ancients,where the jumpers came from and all other Ancient techs. Many other things too.

You can watch Atlantis without SG1 but seeing SG1 raises the enjoyment level of Atlantis since the spinoff has alot of history that comes from SG1. Really it would be a shallow show without the history they have from SG1.

Plus characters wise SG1 is better. Only Mckay are near Jack,Daniel and co in quality IMO.
Edited on 07/20/2008 4:20am
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rufus2600
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8. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 4:49am

Thanks everyone. I was worried that this forum might not be used but I guess i was wrong

What I think ill do is borrow my brothers SG1 set and watch season one and see if I like it. I have watched many of the episode up to season 4 of SG1 but that was when it was new on TV... Ive sort of lost the story now. I did really like SG1 though I may also watch the movie and see if it sparks my interest again (Ive only seen it once in the cinema)

What worried me is I just furnished watching Babylon 5 and thought it might be like that. There is no way you could miss a episode of that without being lost Awesome show for anyone who missed it (If you can see behind the crappy FX in the first seasons )

Thanks again everyone

Edited on 07/20/2008 5:10am
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cheysm1
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9. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 10:11am
No, Its a pretty stand alone show! The only thing thats the same is that they both use a Stargate Otherwise its not even like a spinoff.
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sinar121
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10. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 11:49am
maybe there should be sticky tag on this topic cuz it comes up every now and then, and is a sensible question
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FumblesMcStupid
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11. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 1:11pm
I started watching Atlantis with only seeig about 5 episodes of SG1, and it has become my favorite show. As long as you know what the stargate is you will be fine because thats basically all I knew.
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pwells01
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12. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/20/2008 9:12pm

sinar121 wrote:
maybe there should be sticky tag on this topic cuz it comes up every now and then, and is a sensible question

It might not be a bad idea to have a sticky about the topic or links to previous threads. It's an obvious question for newcomers to the Stargate world.
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zzbeach
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13. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/26/2008 4:27am
Why not watch both? Both are damn good shows. I found SG1 earlier episodes at Circuit City for cheap. SG1 does give background to Atlantis and it's a good show. So I ask again, why not watch both?
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MajLorne
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14. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/26/2008 11:58am
Really the later seasons like from 6-8 are good episodes if you want to get caught up on SG-1 before you want to watch Atlantis IMO.
I know one can try to cram in all 8 seasons, but that's pretty tough to do unless you have lots of free time on your hands.
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zzbeach
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15. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/26/2008 8:11pm
I don't think a viewer could ever have a sense of awe over the ancients without watching the first few seasons of SG1. The actual magnitude of actually visiting the city of the ancients will be lost to people who just tune into a few episodes of SG1. Just try to remember back to when you first saw The Torment of Tantalus. One of the first episodes involving the ancients, the builders of the stargates and how the mystery was started there. IMHO if you skip episodes like that the awe inspiring feat of actually visiting Atlantis won't hit you. Then again, I suggest you watch Stargate the movie first. I saw it 6 times in the theater. The last 2 times the manager let me in free because he knew I'd blow $20 at the concession stand. Damn you Milk Duds! You are my Kryptonite!
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Idbeolderifiwas
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16. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/26/2008 11:51pm
zzbeach wrote:
I don't think a viewer could ever have a sense of awe over the ancients without watching the first few seasons of SG1. The actual magnitude of actually visiting the city of the ancients will be lost to people who just tune into a few episodes of SG1. Just try to remember back to when you first saw The Torment of Tantalus. One of the first episodes involving the ancients, the builders of the stargates and how the mystery was started there. IMHO if you skip episodes like that the awe inspiring feat of actually visiting Atlantis won't hit you. Then again, I suggest you watch Stargate the movie first. I saw it 6 times in the theater. The last 2 times the manager let me in free because he knew I'd blow $20 at the concession stand. Damn you Milk Duds! You are my Kryptonite!


That brings up a good point. Maybe someone should make an "Essentials" list of SG-1 episodes that should be watched before watching Atlantis? Mostly just episodes featuring the Ancients (Which, for the most part happen to be some of the best, such as Window of Opportunity and Lost City)
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MajLorne
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17. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/27/2008 12:26pm
zzbeach wrote:
I don't think a viewer could ever have a sense of awe over the ancients without watching the first few seasons of SG1. The actual magnitude of actually visiting the city of the ancients will be lost to people who just tune into a few episodes of SG1. Just try to remember back to when you first saw The Torment of Tantalus. One of the first episodes involving the ancients, the builders of the stargates and how the mystery was started there. IMHO if you skip episodes like that the awe inspiring feat of actually visiting Atlantis won't hit you. Then again, I suggest you watch Stargate the movie first. I saw it 6 times in the theater. The last 2 times the manager let me in free because he knew I'd blow $20 at the concession stand. Damn you Milk Duds! You are my Kryptonite!
true, but for the most part they really started to bring up the Ancients more in the later seasons, but of course such episodes like the Fifth Race would also be among those must see list.
Edited on 07/27/2008 12:28pm
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zzbeach
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18. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/27/2008 12:44pm

OK, I'm glad you guys agree with me to a certain extent. Let's come up with some "must see" episodes of SG1 for the Atlantis beginner. Let's start with season one. I already mentioned The Torment of Tantalus. How about The Nox and Thor's Hammer ?

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MajLorne
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19. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/27/2008 2:31pm
The Nox, yes. Thor's hammer, eh not so sure. Thor's Chariot yes.
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Idbeolderifiwas
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20. Re: Do I need to watch SG1 to understand this show? | 07/27/2008 8:52pm
There aren't many from season 2 really, clearly the Fifth Race is a must see, but other than that and maybe 1969 just cuz its a good time travel ep, theres almost nothing Ancient related.

From season 3 we have Maternal Instict which is our first real glimpse at Ascension, and that's pretty much that.

Season 4 has of course Window of Opportunity which is widely regarded as one of the best episodes in SG1, and it is all caused by Ancient technology. Possibly Tangent due to it having Earth's first ship made with Alien technology, which happens to be the predacessor to the F-302's.

Season 5 has Ascension, which is largely about an Ancient. We could include Menace because Reese is the first glimpse of Human Form Replicators, and it is Assumed that an/the Ancient/s built her after they left Atlantis and headed back to Earth/The Milky Way. And of course Meridian, where our beloved Daniel Ascends after suffering from Radiation poisoning.

Now we come to Season 6, which has quite a bit of Ancient technology with the new villian Anubis, who we know is a half ascended Goa'uld system lord. There is Frozen where they first uncover the Ancient lab in Antarctica. Prometheus and Unnatural Selection just because they include the Prometheus. Sight Unseen which includes an Ancient Device. We could include Disclosure because it includes the beginning stages of the IOA, whom we know have a lot of pull on Atlantis.

And we come to season 7 which is chock full of Ancienty stuff, including the first episodes Fallen and Homecoming (Mostly Fallen though) Where they search for the Lost City of the Ancients. Evolution Pts 1+2 have Daniel and Dr. Lee searching for an Ancient Artifact that allegedly is what the Goa'uld based their Sarcophagus technology on. And of Course the BIG ONE! Lost City parts 1 + 2, which of course is the reason why Atlantis is found in the first place. Not to mention they are both excellently superb episodes.

and of course Atlantis picks up right after season 7 of SG-1 so there is no need to go further, unless of course you are thoroughly hooked on the show by that point Plus season 8 can be watched at the same time as Season 1 of Atlantis.
Edited on 07/27/2008 8:55pm
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