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When discussing iconic sci-fi television series, “Star Trek” and “Doctor Who” usually steal the spotlight. Yet, “Star Trek” has arguably left the most significant global mark, with its characters and symbols becoming part of everyday language. However, there’s a third sci-fi series that often flies under the radar—”Stargate SG-1,” now available for free streaming on Pluto TV.
Paramount
Although “Stargate SG-1” delves deeper into the military aspects of intergalactic warfare, “Star Trek” aficionados will find much to appreciate. A continuation of the 1994 movie “Stargate,” the series follows a group of military experts as they journey to alien worlds through portals discovered on Earth. While the original film was largely an action-packed spectacle, the show expands on the political and military challenges of engaging with distant civilizations, tackling the moral and ethical issues reminiscent of “Star Trek.”
Adding to its charm, “Stargate SG-1” embraced the allure of crossovers, drawing inspiration from “Star Trek” by casting several of its stars in recurring and guest roles. “Deep Space Nine” veterans Rene Auberjonois and Armin Shimmerman, “Next Generation” star Marina Sirtis, and Jolene Blalock from “Star Trek: Enterprise” all make appearances. Now, you can enjoy their performances along with all 11 seasons of “SG-1” at no cost.
After “Star Trek” was canceled in 1969, the franchise vanished from television until 1987, when “Star Trek: The Next Generation” debuted. This revival sparked two decades of spin-offs, culminating with “Star Trek: Enterprise,” which concluded in 2005. This hiatus created a perfect opportunity for “Stargate” to thrive, filling the sci-fi gap left by “Star Trek.”
“Stargate SG-1” made its debut on Showtime in 1997 before transitioning to the SyFy Channel in 2002. Its first live-action spin-off, “Stargate: Atlantis,” premiered in 2004, coinciding with the final season of “Enterprise.” Featuring “Star Trek: Voyager” alum Robert Picardo and introducing a young Jason Momoa as Ronon Dex, the series continued to expand the Stargate universe. “Stargate Universe” followed in 2009, complemented by three direct-to-DVD films, further enriching the franchise.
Stargate was the sci-fi successor to Star Trek on TV
MGM Worldwide Television
After being canceled in 1969, “Star Trek” didn’t return to television screens for nearly 20 years, when “Star Trek: The Next Generation” premiered in 1987. Over the next two decades, the “Trek” franchise continued with three spin-offs, with the last, “Star Trek: Enterprise” unceremoniously ending in 2005. That conclusion, however, allowed “Stargate” to live long and prosper on its own, filling the sci-fi void left by “Star Trek’s” absence.
“Stargate SG-1” premiered in 1997 on Showtime before moving to the SyFy Channel in 2002. Its first live-action spin-off premiered in 2004, the same year when the last season of “Enterprise” began airing. Titled “Stargate: Atlantis,” it boasted “Star Trek: Voyager” alum Robert Picardo in a recurring role and even starred a young Jason Momoa as series regular Ronon Dex. “Stargate Universe” followed in 2009, and three direct-to-DVD movies were released, too.
But “Stargate” also boldly went where “Star Trek” never did — with a 10-episode web series titled “Stargate Origins” released in 2018. It also received a foreign spin-off in the form of “Stargate Infinity,” a French-produced animated series that aired for one season in 2002. The best news, though? All three live-action “Stargate” shows can be watched for free on Pluto TV — just be sure to do so in the correct order.
