davidklecha | Day 4 of 30 Days of TV Shows (Reply)

Day 04 – Your favorite show ever

So, I’m not typically a very fannish sort, especially when it comes to TV. I just don’t get deeply invested in shows, even shows that one might say I really, really enjoy. Just not part of my matrix or something.

Stargate SG-1, for whatever reason, blew that sensibility out of the water. I still didn’t start writing fanfic or making homemade music videos or anything, but through the first 8 seasons, it’s the sort of show that I could just pop in a DVD and sit down for a day and watch them. Which is, in fact, how I watched the first five seasons or so, on consecutive days, for quite a while.

I don’t remember when I first became aware of the show–I remember seeing the movie in the theater and enjoying it quite a bit–but one night my girlfriend (now wife) and I went to hang with some people at a bar in downtown Grand Rapids. And Stargate SG-1, for some reason, was on one of the bar TVs. I couldn’t hear what was going on, but I could tell that it was the Groundhog Day episode of the series, “Window of Opportunity,” just from the visual cues.

And I was in love.

I don’t know what it was that struck such a chord with me. It might have been Richard Dean Anderson playing against type as a wise-cracking, kinda dumb, let’s-blow-shit-up military officer. Or it might have been the “team” aspect of the show, or something like that. I think the things I point to the most, however, are the kinda hybrid nature of baddie-of-the-week and overarching mythology, and the blend of action and drama and humor. I liked, especially, how it was obvious that the show seemed to operate in an environment where things did carry over, but not every episode had to focus on the big questions and big story.

Until the 9th & 10th seasons, for the most part, which is why this isn’t on my list as a show that should never have been canceled. In fact, I would have loved if they had directly spun off the series into an idea that some had floated, called “Stargate Command” which would feature the same characters to begin with, but would give them the opportunity to transition in other actors, transition out the mainstays if they wanted, and keep things fresh. But, apparently, Sci-Fi Channel wanted its 10 season behemoth, so… we got those seasons, which seem like kind of a mistake to me. Except for the 200th episode, which is freaking hilarious, and a handful of others, here and there.

Anyway, back to why I love it so much. So, another aspect I loved about it is that it seemed like the perfect Saturday afternoon syndicated science fiction show. Probably it and Farscape really fill that role well, and there’s stuff for everyone (it seems), or at least every mood, in SG-1. I never watch it that way, one episode a week, though I’ve toyed with that idea as a weird sort of rewatch. Would take me years to get through all of them, but… it seems like a nice, slow way to go through it.

The only problem is, whenever I rewatch the series, I tend to stall out right before some of the show’s more embarrassing episodes, especially in the second season. But, I should remember, there is stuff to appreciate about the show, even in the worst episodes. Which is probably also why I love it so much.

Day 01 – The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. (should never have been canceled)
Day 02 – The IT Crowd (show that you wish more people were watching)
Day 03 – Detroit 1-8-7 (favorite new show)
Day 04 – Stargate SG-1 (favorite show ever)
Day 05 – A show you hate
Day 06 – Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 07 – Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 08 – A show everyone should watch
Day 09 – Best scene ever
Day 10 – A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 – A show that disappointed you
Day 12 – An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 – Favorite childhood show
Day 14 – Favorite male character
Day 15 – Favorite female character
Day 16 – Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 – Favorite mini series
Day 18 – Favorite title sequence
Day 19 – Best TV show cast
Day 20 – Favorite kiss
Day 21 – Favorite ship
Day 22 – Favorite series finale
Day 23 – Most annoying character
Day 24 – Best quote
Day 25 – A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 – OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 – Best pilot episode
Day 28 – First TV show obsession
Day 29 – Current TV show obsession
Day 30 – Saddest character death