Review of Stargate SG1: Volume 39

Introduction

This is the second volume for Season 8. It has four episodes

Icon

Once again Stargate SG! Manage to stir things up when they arrive on a new planet. Their arrival causes the outbreak of civil war and when the gate is taken by the rebels Daniel is stuck on the wrong side of it. Whilst O`Neill practises his diplomatic skills Daniel makes the acquaintance of one of the locals, who is rather unfortunate married to an army commander.

Dull episode let down by laziness and low budget. 5/10


Avatar

When Teal`c enters a virtual reality scenario he doesn`t realise how life and death it really is. As the machine learns from him he faces an impossible task as it gets harder and harder to defeat the enemy.

The animation in this episode is by the company that produce the console games of Stargate.

A nice twist on the eternal battle 7/10


Affinity

Teal`c is learning to have a normal life. At last he is allowed off the base and into his own apartment; he even has a pot plant. But just how is this alien going to fit in? And will `they` let him?

Apparently shown out of sequence-this should have come after Covenant. The existence of the Trust is revealed here.

6/10

Covenant

It looks like the secret is out. A billionaire industrialist threatens to reveal what he knows about alien life unless SG1 lets him in on the secret. Cue Samantha in her best leather skirt to try to talk him out of it.

Enlivened only by the appearance of Thor and a few quips this is again on the dull side.Must try harder 5/10.

Video

No complaints about the picture quality with TV coming in with good sharp images and as ever making use of limited locations.

Audio

Quality continues with high production values as ever. Unusually for a TV series this has 5.1 surround but there is not a great deal happening in the rear speakers.

Features

SG1 and Atlantis Trailers
Watch this series…it`s ok guys we get it!

From Stargate to Atlantis-The Lowdown Part two

Part Two of the very long advert for Atlantis-quite enjoyable but as an extra a bit of a swizz.

SG-1 Director`s Series Covenant

Another short film about one of the episodes-at least it`s one this disc this time but doesn`t do a whole lot for me.

Conclusion

Issuing this series one disc at a time is fine until a couple of below average episodes let the side down.

This time the episodes are more of a mixed bag and definitely not so `must see`. Icon is a rather dull, predictable, episode. Avatar at least has more of a spark to it, Affinity is a fairly stolid Teal`c `goes to town` episode and Covenant`s main thrust is the introduction of the Trust as a human enemy but again fails to get into gear.

Next time I`m hoping for some commentaries to liven up the offering. This disc fails to deliver on episode quality or extras but the depressing truth is that if you are planning to invest in the whole season will need to be included.