Reading Stargate SG-1

by Stan Beeler (Editor), Lisa Dickson (Editor)

Stargate SG-1 premiered in 1997 and over the course of eight seasons, the show has developed its own unique mythological superstructure. It has blossomed into a series driven by fierce fan loyalty, with lively Internet discussion groups, the proliferation of "textual poaching" in fan fiction and art, and popular annual conventions. This book is a lively critical celebration of both Stargate and its spinoff, Atlantis. Its characters, themes, representations of sexuality and "otherness" are discussed, along with its interaction with fan fiction, its locations in Canada, its ideological framing of an American point-of-view, and tensions between its humanistic morality and military/political objectives in the shows' plots. There is also assessment of the currently fledgling Stargate: Atlantis. Written for both fans and scholars, the book also includes an episode guide to the first eight seasons of Stargate SG-1.

Genres: Nonfiction

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Dr. Stan Beeler is an associate professor of English at University of Northern British Columbia.

Reviews

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of Samantha Carter-focused essays in here. As someone interested in gender theory as it relates to TV shows, that makes me very happy. In some ways, the extreme Sam focus was A Lot™ (three Sam-specific essays in a collection of twelve — but also, I enjoyed the varied views presented on her character. Honestly, I probably would’ve purchased this book just for the Sam content had I known about it beforehand.
This collection touches on the idea of the Other as it relates to gender and sexuality. I can’t be as eloquent as Sabine Schmidt, but the entire essay “Gender roles, sexual identities and the concept of the Other in Stargate SG-1” is fascinating. Actually, it might be my favorite essay in the book, along with “Sam, Jarred: The Isis Myth in Operation.”
I tend to be very into character-specific analyses, but I have to applaud the team- and show-centric analyses in here. They felt very well-balanced.
In one of these essays, someone brought up the idea that TV analyzers tend to critique TV as a piece of interesting text rather than as a product designed to sell. I realized in that moment that yes, when I read TV essays, I definitely prefer “TV as text” vs. “TV as product” styled essays. Call it my literary-minded brain.

[Jake GR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting academic discussions of the Stargate franchise, generally focused on Stargate SG-1, although with some mention of Stargate the Movie and Stargate Atlantis. Much of the analysis is stuck in a 1990s frame of reference, which can seem irrelevant or uninteresting to the contemporary reader. The chapters on Samantha Carter perhaps fall the flatest, especially the final chapter in its discussion of "postfeminism".

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it to be an interesting read for the most part, but damn, some of these people hold Sam to mega-insane standards.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too academic at times. Some of the authors are way too serious. This is a television show after all. And what's with all the hate on Samantha Carter?

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

As is usually the case with this sort of academic compilation, it's hit and miss. Some of the gender discussions in particular are interesting. Other pieces just devolve into mindless summary (like the article by Young), lack rigor (like MacGregor's piece), or read like an ad for the Stargate RPG (the one by Kyer & Kyer).