General

What is Stargate SG-1?

Stargate SG-1 is a science fiction television series which follows the adventures of a top secret Air Force team, SG-1, as they travel through a portal called the "Stargate."
Stargate SG-1 is based upon the feature film "Stargate," created by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day," "Godzilla"). The series itself was created by Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright ("The Outer Limits") and stars Richard Dean Anderson ("MacGyver").
Stargate SG-1 currently airs in the United States on the cable station Showtime and can also be seen in syndication. Stargate SG-1 also airs internationally in several countries including, but not limited to, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and France.

Where can I see Stargate SG-1?

United States: Showtime, Syndication (see listings)
Canada: WIC Network
Australia: Channel 7
United Kingdom: Channel 4, SkyOne

Can I see Stargate SG-1 on video?

Yes, the pilot episode, Children of the Gods, is available to rent nationwide. You can also purchase the Stargate SG-1 DVD (digital video disc) in the Official Stargate SG-1 Superstore.

Who is behind the TV series?

The original "Stargate" concept was devised by Dean Devlin and Rolland Emmerich. Devlin executive produced the "Stargate" film, Emmerich directed, and both wrote the storyline. In the fall of 1996, MGM announced its plans to take the "Stargate" property and turn it into a television series, "Stargate SG-1."

For the series, MGM brought in the creative talents of Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright, who previously worked on "The Outer Limits" for MGM, to create storylines and produce the show.
Seasons 1-2 Executive Producers:
Jonathan Glassner, Brad Wright, Michael Greenburg
Season 3 Executive Producers:
Jonathan Glassner, Brad Wright, Michael Greenburg, Richard Dean Anderson
Season 4 Executive Producers:
Brad Wright, Michael Greenburg, Richard Dean Anderson, Robert C. Cooper

Will there be another Stargate movie?

In Hollywood, anything's possible. Currently, however, there are no plans for a second "Stargate" film.

Is it possible to visit the set in Vancouver?

No, due to liability and safety issues where the series in filmed, the set is not open to the public for visitation.

How can I contact the actors or the production office?

You can write to any cast or crew member involved in the show at the address below:
Stargate SG-1
c/o MGM
2501 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Plot Specific

What is the Stargate?

The Stargate is a round portal that can instantaneously transport an object from one point in space to another by generating an artificial wormhole. A wormhole is created between any two Stargates when one Stargate dials the address of another Stargate. A Stargate uses 6 of 38 symbols, representing star constellations, to locate another Stargate and then uses a final 7th symbol, unique to each Stargate, as its point of origin.

All together, the Stargate contains 39 symbols, one of which represents a point of origin unique to that Stargate, and has 7 chevrons that are used to lock on to Stargate symbols and dial another Stargate.
From the Writer's Bible:
Gate Activation & Composition:
The Stargate is made of a quartzite metal not found on earth (Naquada). Naquada is found on the planet in the movie (Abydos) as well as several others that the gate leads to. The metal is the only known element that absorbs (and energizes with) neutrinos. Somehow, when energized with neutrinos, the gate forms a stable artificial worm-hole with another gate. It will not react with any other substance -- radiation, particle bombardment, fire, pressure, etc.
The inner dial of the gate turns like the bevel of a watch. There are 39 symbols on the dial. When the dial is turned to seven of the symbols in a certain order (like a combination lock) it activates the gate between Earth and the planet to which that combination correlates. The combinations, as set up by the creators of the gate, correspond to the points needed to vector a location in three dimensional space where the planet resides. The last symbol is always the point of origin.
The Iris:
The Air Force learns by Daniel Jackson's example on Abydos, and by the actions of the ancient Egyptians, that if the Gate is buried under a strong, substantial substance, it blocks the path of anyone or anything attempting to pass through it. Therefore, the Air Force built a giant iris which closes very quickly over the gate. The iris is so close to the event horizon (less than 10 micrometers) that it won't allow anything to rematerialize on our side. Therefore it will block anything from coming through the gate uninvited. If someone tries to come through the gate with the iris closed, their molecules would not have a chance to rematerialize (they cease to exist).
The SG teams carry a small transmitter capable of sending a coded signal through the gate, notifying the SGC which team would like the gate opened. This device is called a G.D.O. Once the signal is sent (from the G.D.O.) it is safe to pass through the Stargate. The iris is then closed behind the travelers immediately upon their arrival on Earth.
Auto-Destruct:
As a second line of defense, if an unknown traveler is inbound, a base auto-destruct countdown begins. If not terminated by a ranking officer, a nuclear blast will detonate inside the mountain.
Gate Travel:
Gate travel is one way. A person cannot go through the gate, leave it open, and then step back through it. The gate has to be stopped and then restarted from the opposite planet in order to travel back to the other end. The only thing thing that can travel two ways through the gate are radio waves (which the M.A.L.P. transmits back to Earth).

Who made the Stargate?

. It was originally believed that the Goa'uld had constructed the Stargate network. Daniel Jackson theorizes that a race of aliens impersonating the Norse gods constructed the Stargates. The true origins of the Stargate is now that it was built by an advance race of humans called the Ancients

How many chevrons are on the Stargate?
The Stargate contains nine chevrons. Although the gate has nine chevrons, typically only seven of these are used when dialing from a gate. In the episode The Fifth Race, an eighth chevron was activated (thanks to the Asgard) and Carter noted, "The extra chevron must add a new distance calculation to the existing points, like a different area code." So far, the eighth chevron has been used only once (on the Earth Stargate), and the purpose or function of the ninth chevron is still unknown.

Why is the team called SG-1?

The "SG" designation denotes that the team is a part of the Stargate program, while the number following the Stargate designation is to distinguish between separate Stargate teams. Certain teams have special duties within the Stargate program. Listed below are all special designation teams noted thus far in the series:

Special Team Designations:
SG-3 - Marine combat unit, lead by Colonel Makepeace.
SG-5 - Marine combat unit.
SG-7 - Scientific Corp.
SG-8 - Medical team. This team typically will travel accompanied by SG-3 during medical emergencies.
SG-9 - Diplomatic Corp., led by attorney Major Stan Kovachek.
SG-11 - Engineering Corp.

What does this abbreviation stand for?

M.A.L.P. Mobile Analytic Laboratory Probe, which travels through the Stargate to unexplored offworld locations, determining whether or not it is safe for human teams to proceed through the Stargate.
D.H.D.Dial Home Device: activates the Stargate.
G.D.O.Garage Door Opener: transmits a signal to open the iris placed over the over the Stargate on Earth.
F.R.E.D. Field Remote Expeditionary Device: carries supplies for field units on the other side of the Stargate. With six wheels, FRED can navigate almost any terrain.
T.E.R. Transphase Eradication Rod: detects objects operating in the light spectrum 180 degrees out of phase of human vision, like the alien race the Reetouh.

Why does every culture SG-1 encounters speak English?

They do not. As many cultures encountered by the SG teams are derived from ancient Earth cultures, as a linguist, Daniel Jackson is able to communicate with most of these cultures. SG-1 also has Teal'c along, a 90 year old Jaffa, who can communicate with all other Goa'ulds. Occasionally, SG-1 even encounters a race, like the Asguard, who are technologically superior to humans and decipher english in order to communicate with the team.