Description:
This is the first instalment from Season 9 of Stargate SG-1 the successful TV spin-off of the 1994 sci-fi movie Stargate. This disk contains the first 4 episodes of the season, which essentially restarted the series after the departure of Richard Dean Anderson and Don S Davis.
9.1: Avalon Part 1
A new Lt. Colonel Mitchell is assigned to lead and reform SG-1 by the new commanding officer General Hank Landry. Later Vala, the thief who previously had tried to steal the Prometheus arrives with an ancient tablet, which she believes to tell the location of a buried ancient treasure. Their search for the treasure takes them deep underground where they have to solve a series of riddles in order to find this treasure or they will never get out alive.
9.2: Avalon Part 2
Using a device they found at the Avalon site, Daniel and Vala find themselves inhabiting the bodies of two strangers on some distant planet. They find themselves in a village devoted to a race of gods called the Ori and where any unbelievers are punished by death. While they try to prove their real identity and to not get burned for being unbelievers they encounter a Prior of the Ori and witness their power.
9.3: Origin
Having learnt about our galaxy from their contact with Daniel Jackson, the Ori begin sending Priors through the stargates in order to convert the unbelievers in our galaxy or destroy those who don't follow the true path. While the team back at Stargate Command work on freeing Daniel and Vala from the device and start diplomatic relations with the fledgling jaffa nation, Daniel witnesses the true face of the Ori.
9.4: The Ties That Bind
Soon after Vala removes the wrist bands and leaves stargate command Daniel collapses. The apparent cause was a complication created when they used the communication device, giving them a more permanent bond. So Daniel, Mitchell and Vala set off to find the person who Vala originally stole the bands from in order to find a way to counteract the effects. This leads to a hunt to find various items that were stolen and need to be returned in order to get his help. Meanwhile Landry asks for Daniel and Vala's help when a review board for the stargate program desires to reduce funding.
Review:
The ninth season starts with a slow build up, introducing the new characters and their new enemy, the Ori, who are fundamentally like the former Goa'uld but far more god-like in their abilities. Cameron Mitchell, the new leader of SG-1 brought in to replace O'Neill has some backstory introduced in the first couple of episodes. Vala, however is a love her or hate her character, depending on the viewers reaction to here interaction with Daniel Jackson. Mainly the bubbly tomboy who enjoys picking on the quiet bookworm type, which does work well. The new general Hank Landry, seems to have settled in well and has a nice companionship with Walter Harriman, the stargate dialler guy. He seems to be a bit harder than General Hammond was during his time on the show.
This season is a restart for the series, to the extent where it nearly got renamed. It does manage to pull it off somewhat, and the first 3 episodes are the best on offer here, with the last falling a bit flat.
The picture is presented in the regular 1.78:1 or 16:9 widescreen. As the show was originally filmed in high definition, so picture quality is very high. The CGI work has improved from Season 8, as with every season it just gets better and better. The sound is the regular Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround setup, with the channels being well used and most noticeable during the action sequences.
Extras:
Most of the extras are pretty standard fair, with each episode having their own commentary and a Production/Photo Gallery added in. There are two featurettes which might pique some interest:
It Takes A Crew To Raise a Village (14 mins): This is a behind the scenes look at the new standing set that Stargate uses for their village shots in SG1 and Atlantis. Its mainly a series of commentaries of the different stages of construction, from planning to constructing sets for different uses. This will be of interst for people who like to know what goes into making the sets for the show.
SG1 Directors Series: "Avalon" (11 mins): This is a behind the scenes look at the making of the two parts of the episode Avalon. It mostly focuses on the Avalon Cave and Ori Village scenes with the odd exposition about the new cast and crew they're working with in the new season. Also has a few moments of the crew goofing of and is quite interesting.
Overall:
A solid start to Season 9 with some good episodes to start and with the new villian of the show being introduced. The fourth episode is a bit of a let down as its clearly a filler episode. For those who crave extras it might seem a bit light on that side but otherwise its a good volume by Stargate standards.