The Best Stargate SG-1 Episode For Each Of Its 10 Seasons

Stargate SG-1 has 10 seasons, each with a stand-out episode that perfectly defines the series. Episode after episode, the crew of SG-1 traveled to different planets through the titular Stargate, met a variety of aliens who became their friends and foes, and defended the planet from a massive variety of threats. There were good times and bad times—times of comedy and times of tragedy. In all, Stargate SG-1 was some darn good watching, but not all episodes were created equal.

The Stargate franchise got its start with the 1994 movie, which inspired the series’ figurehead, Stargate SG-1, in 1997. The first season’s established team, SG-1, was made up of Jack O’Neill, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, and Teal’c. As the episodes went on, the series only got better, and a cult following quickly evolved. This eventually inspired spinoff series like Stargate Atlantis and some sequel movies that wrapped up these beloved characters’ stories. Stargate SG-1 finally ended with season 10 in 2006, marking nearly a decade of SG-1’s adventures.

1

There But For The Grace Of God

Stargate SG-1 Season 1, Episode 19

Stargate SG-1 is loved for nostalgia’s sake, but it’s clear that the series hadn’t quite found its footing yet. The notorious full-nudity scene in the Stargate pilot episode, “Children of the Gods,” was the work of the show’s original Network, Showtime, and was not reflective of what Stargate was in later years. Still, this certainly isn’t to say there weren’t any great moments in Stargate SG-1 season 1. This was when the sci-fi series introduced many fun concepts that would become familiar stapes, such as the always fun parallel-universe episodes.

Stargate SG-1 season 1, episode 19, “There but for the Grace of God,” was the first (but not the last) time to see what this fictional universe would look like if the story had gone differently. After touching a mysterious alien mirror, Daniel experienced a world in which the Goa’uld had successfully taken over the planet, eliminating most of the population. Thankfully, he managed to get home eventually, but seeing this depressing alternate reality raised the stakes in Stargate SG-1 and was also a great deal of fun.

2

The Fifth Race

Stargate SG-1 Season 2, Episode 15

Stargate SG-1 is when things really started to get good. The character development here was in full canter, and every episode made us more eager to see where these characters would end up regarding their relationships and adventures. This was particularly true for Jack O’Neill, whose vulnerability was beginning to peak through the nonchalant exterior that he was so determined everyone believe. Of course, this made for some of the best episodes of Stargate SG-1— those that stripped Jack down to his emotional bones.

In Stargate SG-1 season 2, episode 15, “The Fifth Race,” Jack stuck his head into an alien device and was gifted intelligence that went beyond even Daniel Jackson or Samantha Carter. Since the Colonel preferred everyone to think him far dumber than he was, this made him highly uncomfortable. Add in the fact that his newfound intelligence was fatal, and there was very little of Jack’s usual facade left for him to hold on to. It’s a tender, dramatic, and highly vulnerable episode, inspiring several similar stories in Stargate SG-1.

3

Nemesis

Stargate SG-1 Season 3, Episode 22

Stargate SG-1 really began to find its flow in season 2, but by season 3, the creative team really had a handle on what this show was about. There was an excellent balance between action and emotion, with wonderfully outrageous solutions to the SGC’s problems pulled out of hats at precisely the right moment. It was clear by Stargate SG-1 season 3 what drove each of the characters. The only problem is that the Goa’uld System Lord villains struggled to hold the show up on their own, but the season finale fixed this issue.

Stargate SG-1 season 3, episode 22, “Nemesis,” introduced the Replicators, who would continue to be one of the franchise’s most frustrating (in a good way) villains. They were like the bed bugs of the sci-fi world—once they got somewhere, there was no way to get rid of them. The fact that they made themselves known by taking over Thor’s ship and putting the fan-favorite Stargate alien in imminent danger was the best way possible to make sure audiences hated the Replicators. Of course, SG-1’s solution of teleporting the entire Stargate aboard Thor’s ship was absolutely delicious.

4

Window Of Opportunity

Stargate SG-1 Season 4, Episode 6

By Stargate SG-1 season 4, audiences knew precisely what to expect from the sci-fi series. This meant that the writers had to turn things up a notch while still delivering on all the best tropes the genre offers. This is the season when audiences become part of the gang. They were in on all of Stargate SG-1‘s running jokes and could deliver answers faster than Daniel Jackson or Samantha Carter combined. Of course, this meant that the show had to really dig into that perfect balance between drama and comedy.

Stargate SG-1 season 4, episode 6, “Window of Opportunity,” leaned into the old Groundhog Day trope by making the SGC relive the same day over and over, thanks to an errant time machine. Rather than lose their cool, Jack decided that the best way to handle this situation was to do whatever he damn well pleased since there would seemingly be no consequences. This was a great deal of fun, but it was ultimately Jack’s breaking point that made this season 4 episode impactful. His monologue about reliving the moment of his son’s death saved the day and again gave audiences a look into the character’s heart.

5

48 Hours

Stargate SG-1 Season 5, Episode 14

Stargate SG-1 season 5 is the halfway point of the series, and it’s when things really started to take a new direction. The show’s initial primary villain, Apophis, finally met his end, but Anubis was ready to take his place as an even more significant threat. This is also the season in which Daniel Jackson was killed, which was quite an upset since his character had remained a fan favorite. In all, it’s clear that Stargate SG-1 season 5 was something of a rebirth of the series, but it made it through, thanks to a few exceptional episodes.

Stargate SG-1 season 5, episode 14, “48 Hours,” saw another excellent use of the time-old sci-fi trope—the countdown to doom. After Teal’c became trapped within the Stargate, the SGC had limited time to get him safely out before catastrophe struck. The episode was one of those predominantly set at the SGC, which meant it was more politically focused than those off-world. Saving Teal’c required both an intellectual battle with Russia and Harry Maybourne, resulting in a very exasperated Hammond. It’s a high-tension episode that made the sigh of relief at the end all the more satisfying.

6

Abyss

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 6

Stargate SG-1 season 6 had the tough job of keeping the ball rolling after all the drastic changes of season 5, and this was no easy task. After Daniel Jackson’s death and ascension, Jonas Quinn joined SG-1, and this meant some significant growing pains for audiences. At first, Jonas was a rather unpopular character, but his quirks eventually grew on audiences, allowing him to remain present even after Jackson’s return. Stargate SG-1 season 6 also saw the introduction of Ba’al, who would remain an interesting villain all the way through the show’s sequel movies.

Just how despicable Ba’al could be became clear in Stargate SG-1 season 6, episode 6, “Abyss,” when Jack O’Neill, fitted with a Tok’ra symbiote, is taken captive and tortured by the villain. By this point in the series, it was clear that any episode that saw Jack vulnerable was going to become popular, and watching Jack be tormented by Ba’al, only to be thrown into a sarcophagus and healed so that it could all happen again was heartbreaking but entirely gripping. Daniel’s reappearance and offering of mercy was the emotional high point of the episode and of the season in general.

7

Lost City: Part 2

Stargate SG-1 Season 7, Episode 22

Stargate SG-1 season 7 is one of the less popular installments in the series. Many of its episodes did little to continue the plot in any meaningful way, to the point that most of season 7 felt like a collection of filler episodes that lacked a cohesive arc. Of course, it had its high points. Daniel Jackson returned (for good) in Stargate SG-1 season 7, and the groundwork for spinoff Stargate Atlantis was laid. Then, by the final episode of Stargate SG-1 season 7, it became clear that things were starting to get back on track.

The final episode of Stargate SG-1 season 3, “Lost City: Part 2” once again saw Jack burderened with the intelligence of the Ancients. This time around, he made the conscious decision to take this upon himself, knowing that it would help his team find the Lost City and save the day. Once again, Jack’s impending death meant some emotional moments between SG-1, especially regarding him and Same. These more touching moments were balanced out by Anubis’ attack on Earth. In all, this episode was among the most intense, with enough suspense to revitalize the Stargate series as a whole.

8

Moebius

Stargate SG-1 Season 8, Episode 19

By season 8 of Stargate SG-1, it was becoming clear that the series couldn’t last forever. The writers began to wrap up storylines to the point that the end of this installment could have easily been the definitive conclusion for SG-1. However, when viewership remained high throughout season 8, it was decided that Stargate SG-1 would go on. Still, the fact that the writers were attempting only to start plotlines that could be quickly wrapped up led to a pretty remarkable, full-circle episode.

Stargate SG-1 season 8, episode 19, “Moebius,” is another episode that perfectly captures the series’ favorite sci-fi trope. The crew winds up time-traveling back to ancient Egypt, which ties the events of this later season with the original Stargate movie from 1994. From there, “Moebius” leads to an alternate-future storyline, which gives audiences a peek at some of the series’ more heartwarming what-ifs. Several great moments from Stargate SG-1 are revisited, resulting in a wonderfully nostalgic episode.

9

Origin

Stargate Season 9, Episode 3

Stargate SG-1 season 9 had a significantly different flavor than the rest of the series, primarily due to the absence of Richard Dean Anderson’s Jack O’Neill. This season also saw the introduction of a new lead character, Cameron Mitchell, which was a divisive choice on the part of the series since there were already existing characters (like Samantha Carter) who could have taken center stage. Additionally, while frightening, the Ori didn’t quite hold up to villains of past episodes.

Of course, this isn’t to say that Stargate SG-1 season 9 was bad, and episode 3, “Origin,” stands out as something special. This was when the connection between Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran began to inch its way into audiences’ hearts. Though the Ori weren’t the best villains of Stargate, they were undoubtedly the most powerful, and this episode perfectly showcased this. Ultimately, the high emotion of “Origin” makes it stand out. Vala’s torture was a devastating climax, leading to a vulnerability that was rarely seen in her character.

10

The Pegasus Project

Stargate SG-1 Season 10, Episode 13

Like Stargate SG-1 season 9, season 10 felt like a different series compared to the previous ones. Still, this final installment in the series was a bit more steady on its feet than its predecessor. The Ori were a more entertaining villain by this point, too, with Vala’s daughter Adria providing a more personal threat than any of the Goa’uld System Lords. Ultimately, Stargate SG-1 season 10 had a lot of great moments, but it was the Stargate Atlantis crossover episode that stood out.

Stargate SG-1 season 10, episode 13, “The Pegasus Project,” saw Daniel Jackson finally take a trip to Atlantis, which meant some quality time with many of the characters from Stargate Atlantis. Since, by this point, it had become clear that SG-1 would be ending and Atlantis would be continuing the franchise’s legacy, making these two series more clearly take place within the same universe was helpful. To make matters even better, this episode of Stargate SG-1 saw the exciting defeat of an Ori warship, which proved once and for all that victory was imminent.