Stargate Atlantis - Season 1 [DVD]

Good

Very good series

Yes, it does tend to resolve complex and sometimes hopeless situations with almost a snap of a finger,Yes, it doesn't take itself too seriously (and that's some of its charm),yes, it has its ups and downs,yes, you may say it is more fiction science than science fiction,and yes, I STILL LOVE to watch it, with all it's well done special effects, villains, story lines, and original ideas.I won't elaborate on the content, as I believe potential buyers have already seen most of it.I'll just try to complete the missing data that doesn't seem to appear neither on the Product Details on Amazon nor on the boxset or accompanied booklet and nor in the previous reviews I've read here.I,personally, find it highly interesting, especially on heavy loaded movie magic productions, to have behind the scenes information given in the form of featurettes and commentaries.This boxset has some good ones, but I've removed one star to differentiate it from later seasons where it got better and better, culminating in season 4,where all episodes have commentaries (with subtitles !!!).In this boxset one or two episodes at most on each disc have commentaries, and they are generally very good and well presented. None of them are subtitled.These are their details:Disc 1Episodes 1&2 RisingMartin Wood (Director) & Joe Flanigan (Sheppard)Disc 2Episode 6 Childhood's EndMartin Gero (Writer), Rachel Luttrell (Teila) & Rainbow Sun Francks (Lt. Ford)With some long silences and not so well prepared, this is the least memorable commentary, but still has it's good moments.Disc 3Episodes 10+11 (The Storm + The Eye 2-parter)Martin Wood, Martin Gero & David Hewlett (Dr. McKay)Episode 12 - The Defiant OnePeter De-Luise (Writer & Director) & Dan Shea (Actor & Stunt coordinator)Disc 4Episode 13 Hot ZoneMartin Gero (Writer), Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks & Paul McGillion (Dr. Becket)Disc 5Episode 18 The GiftPeter De-Luise (Director) & Gary Jones (The Actor that plays the SGC "Chevron Guy" - Walter Harriman)A very joyful and wacky at times commentary with the best part IMHO is the cool story about Rainbow Sun Francks' audition (at around minute 30 of the episode).Episodes 19+20 (The Siege 1+2)Martin Wood, Martin Gero & David HewlettOverall highly recommended, but with shipping costs accumulating when ordering separate seasons consider buying the complete season 1-5 boxset.

Stargate : Atlantis is far more than just a spin-off from the successful Stargate SG1 series. It stands on its own two feet as a clever, dramatic, funny, entertaining, well-crafted show. In some ways it even surpasses the original, benefiting as it does from the producers' and crew's 8+ years of experience in writing and producing the SG1 series. Continuing the mythology of the original show, but with the added twist of a whole new galaxy to explore, this show has something for everyone. The mix of characters is great and the core cast - and also the regular recurring cast - boasts some excellent actors. Production values are consistently high and, while some episodes are always stronger than others, the writing in season 1 has also been excellent. The first season got things off to a great start, introducing the new team, new allies.. and a new enemy. There is a great mix of humour and drama in this series and stand-out episodes for me include 38 Minutes, Brotherhood, The Defiant One and the excellent mid-season 2 parter, The Storm and The Eye. The DVD boxset of this first season is great - packed to the brim with extras including lots of audio commentaries on various episodes, behind the scenes features, production and design stills, set tours and - perhaps best of all - "Mission Directives" featuring footage of the various episodes actually being set up and filmed (often with segments shown side by side with the finished scene). A treasure trove for any Stargate fan - and great fun to watch as the cast and crew seem to be a really, fun down-to-earth gang (not to mention all being completely insane!) and appear to have a LOT of fun making this show! My only quibble with the DVD boxset itself is that a little more care could have been taken with the presentation etc - there are two instances in the insert booklet where the wrong picture or wrong chapter headings have been attached to an episode listing and on the DVD menus David Hewlett's name is mis-spelt (oops!) on two of the audio commentaries and, on other commentaries, one wrongly lists Joe Flanigan as being involved in the commentary whilst his name is missing from the commentary in which he actually participated!. All in all though, a great first season and an excellent boxset - roll on the release of the Season 2 boxset please!!

New Galaxy with good stories stretching the imagination. And introduces some excellent new actors.

exactly what I ordered and expected.