Stargate SG-1 is by far the best show out there. The creativity that went into it is almost unmatched. What is unique about Stargate SG-1 is that it takes the idea of inter-planetary travel to a level never-before-seen in sci-fi.

The storyline is about a special branch of the U.S. Air Force that travels to distant planets through a stargate, a device that creates wormholes to other stargates. The series focuses on four main character: Jack O'Neill, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, and an alien friend named Teal'c.

What is amazing is that the show never gets old, even after 10 seasons.

However, I was a bit disappointed when Richard Dean Anderson, who plays Jack O'Neill, was replaced in Season 9-10 by Ben Browder, who plays the character Cameron Mitchell.

Another warning: The packaging for The Complete Series Collection is rough on the DVDs. Some of mine were scratched, but they still played. However, I read that some other recipients were not as lucky.

Anyway, the show is a great addition to any DVD collection.

During it's extraordinary 10-year run, "Stargate SG-1" was never taken seriously by either it's critics, or by many in the industry, itself. The concensus opinion was that it lacked the nostalgic value of "Star Trek", off-beat imagination of "Farscape", or gritty drama of the updated "Battlestar Galactica" or even it's own spin-off, "Stargate Atlantis", and that it was little more than lightweight weekly silliness. This is a shame, and completely unwarranted; after viewing the entire series, in "Stargate SG-1 - The Complete Series Collection", I can honestly say I've seldom enjoyed myself more!

It's hard to keep a review of a ten-season collection brief, but allow me to single out praise to Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright, who took the framework of the original "Stargate" movie, and actually improved upon it, adding terrific characters (Amanda Tapping as brilliant Air Force officer Samantha Carter, and Christopher Judge as stoic alien warrior, Teal'c), finding an actor equally as gifted as the film's James Spader, for the role of Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks), and, best of all, allowing Richard Dean Anderson to cut loose in the Kurt Russell role of Jack O'Neill ("Two 'L's...there's another guy who spells it with one 'L'...too serious, no fun at all..."). In enlarging the premise, through the introduction of a system of Stargates, the series opened a rich vein of story opportunities, with our heroes battling a pantheon of advanced aliens posing as false 'gods', in a multitude of cultures. Episodes ranged from somber drama, to edgy suspense, and swashbuckling adventure, with even an occasional near-slapstick comedy tossed in (although the comic interludes could be a bit self-serving, at times). Making things even better was the series' present-day setting, giving viewers an increased sense of involvement, as well as the dramatic possibilities of current global politics (wonderfully personified by guest appearances by Ronny Cox and William Devane). The special effects were extraordinary (that the series was never honored for them in America is beyond comprehension!), and the score, by Joel Goldsmith, frequently enchanting.

Most remarkably, the series never lost a beat when Anderson, and key supporting star Don S. Davis, left the series (other than occasional 'guest' appearances). Anderson's replacement, "Farscape's" Ben Browder, proved every bit as funny, physical, and charismatic, and Beau Bridges, as the new boss, combined Davis' authority with a warmth uniquely his own. The addition of another "Farscape" alum, Claudia Black, increased both the humor and sexiness of the proceedings, as a fast-talking alien con woman, wrapped up in both the storyline, and Daniel Jackson's life. These last two seasons, with the near-omnipotent Ori, Arthurian legends, and intergalactic battles, is heady stuff, indeed, despite a few 'clunker' episodes!

Tons of Special Features, fascinating episode commentaries, even fan convention footage with cast members, all enrich the collection, lifting it far above nearly every other series compilation you can buy. I should warn you, however, if you plan on viewing this with small children, the pilot episode does have full-frontal female nudity (I believe Showtime, where it first aired, hoped to market the series as more 'adult'...a decision which, thankfully, never went any further than the pilot).

This collection isn't cheap, but is worth every penny if you love a great adventure series with an outstanding cast.

"Stargate SG-1 - The Complete Series Collection" has a prized place in my growing collection of DVDs!

I saw this huge package of DVD's for a great price and read all the good reviews, so I took a chance. I started watching and I thought...oh no..what did I buy, but being open minded I kept watching and was really excited. The beginning of season 1 to me was awful (now I go back and I like it, since I now love the show) the series gets better and better. I can't believe I missed this series. IF YOU ARE A FAN OF STAR WARS, BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA AND/OR STAR TREK YOU WILL MOST LIKELY ENJOY THIS SERIES!! This box set is not the best design however, a few disks might have a few light scratches on them, none were bad enough to me to return them. Today I am going to buy all of the SG Atlantis seasons and SG-1 movies.