Season eight! I've got it in my hot little hands!

[icarus]

wildernessguru and I stayed up ridiculously late last night watching season eight. We are not being conservative or watching them slowly -- gorging is the watchword.

We were so disappointed with New Order (though I liked the Jack/Daniel interaction in the second part and the actor who plays Five is just brilliant) that WG was ready to write off the entire season. "Waste of money," he began to chant.

Threshold was gripping, well-paced. But then... Zero Hour. Augh. It was awesome. That episode alone was worth the entire season.

But other good episodes started piling up, Icon, Teal'c apartment, the hints of new trouble, new enemies cropping up (okay, "The Trust" was sillier than shit but it will depend on the acting and they have some good character actors). The writing has really improved. Jack is so terrific as a general (Zero Hour! Augh -- new favourite, cursive, you have to see this one).

I admit, I was expecting to see a slow slide into oblivion. But this is a good show. Different, but revitalized.

I think I'm actually going to watch season nine.

Oh, yes, yes, I miss my stumbling archeologist!Daniel, but Icon clearly shows why he no longer sees the military and moral goals as separate and distinct. Truth to tell, this isn't a sudden change. Daniel has been part of a military unit for seven years. He's just stopped fighting it.


ETA: *as the crickets chirp* Okay, I realize all the Stargate fans are done clapping over season eight and my Harry Potter friends couldn't possibly care less, but -- squee!

Comments

[cyanei.livejournal.com]

I really, really like season nine. But if you're in SG-1 solely for the old-school Jack/Daniel, you will be disappointed. You really have to throw away your hopes for it if you're going to enjoy it in any way.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

As a slash reader, I'm in it for Jack/Daniel. I'm not interested in other types of fanfic quite frankly, though I don't say that won't change.

I watch Stargate from two perspectives: one as a slash-fan, and the other as a sci-fi fan. I'm a sci-fi fan first.

I've been watching Stargate since season four, years before I'd even heard of slash. I watched season six with no knowledge of the backroom issues and wank over Michael Shanks. I just thought, "Hmm. That actor who played Dr. Jackson is gone. I wonder why. Not sure I like this Jonas guy, but hey -- great story."

I admit I wasn't a die-hard fan. Stargate was my replacement for Star Trek: The Next Generation when it went off the air. The production values were in the same ballpark, though it was more military than moral. But I liked it. Jack hooked me into the show.

I find that despite the lack of Jack/Daniel interaction (something I look for as a slasher) I'm enjoying season eight as a sci-fi fan. I think the slash has really hooked me on Daniel as a character so I'll probably like season nine from that perspective. From a sci-fi perspective, the writing in season eight is notches above season seven. It's a definite improvement.

Icarus

[cyanei.livejournal.com]

Oh, good. You'll have no problems, then. Season nine is awesome. Also, new meat!

[tigerlilly2063.livejournal.com]

Cheers for finally getting season eight!
You're so lucky! I still have to wait two months 'til I can get it (damn self-made schedule of buying the boxes one after the other, waiting a month for the next one). *is jealous* But at least I can wath the episodes until then on TV since they're airing them right now for the first time here.

New Order wasn't my favourite episode, too. Somehow it was so... flat. Don't know... it might have been better if they gave it some more depth and made a two-parter out of it.

I missed Zero Hour and already regret it from what I heard of this episode. *sigh*

I don't know what to think of season nine yet. I can't think of it being the Stargate we know without Jack. It probably isn't and I might give it a chance nevertheless.
From a J/D-slasher's point of view I'm probably just going to pretend that it's not existing, even though there might be opportunities to get on with it in the background.
Don't know when I get the chance to watch it here anyway...

Have lots of fun with your DVDs! :D

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know when I'll get to watch season 9: *waves hand vaguely at the distant future* October 2006.

Congratulations on your self-discipline. I managed to dole season six and seven in little dribs and drabs but I've been waiting so long for season eight -- *pounce!*

I can't help myself.

Don't the episodes replay? I read in a TV guide somewhere that in the Seattle area Zero Hour will reply this weekend at 4am and again in the late afternoon.

Icarus

[tigerlilly2063.livejournal.com]

October 2006? Is this the date when the DVDs are supposed to be available? Well, then it's probably going to be the time for getting it here, too.
But... SO late??? How am I supposed to wait that long?

Well, I could buy them all at once, but I only get to watch four episode every weekend, so it doesn't really matter.
Anyway, with a bit of luck I'm going to have season six on my shelf this evening. :D

Yeah, I would love to see everything in a row, episode after episode, DVD after DVD, box after box. *sigh* But I think that would be some kind of overload.
And forcing myself to wait and only see some episodes on my work-free days helps me to extend the time I can enjoy this without having to re-view them. It's still all so new for me sometimes.

No, unfortunately they don't replay them. *sigh* Perhaps some months later, but then I'll have watched the DVDs anyway.

[wickedelf.livejournal.com]

FYI - from what I read yesterday, MGM released Season 8 with an edited episode (I think it was Threshold, edited from 90 minutes into 60). They announced they will be offering an exchange when they release it properly.

And for what it's worth, I really like season 9, but I'm also a big Ben Browder fan from his Farscape days. So I had no problem with him replacing Richard Dean Anderson.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was informed immediately that they edited Threads down to 60 minutes. I think I'll watch every single one of these episodes, probably several times over, before I let any disks leave my happy little hands.

Icarus

[sarka.livejournal.com]

So, is Stargate something to watch? I've finally caught up with the rest of the world on Lost, and am now wondering whether to watch CSI, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica or Babylon 5.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Stargate is a blast, and I love CSI (those who know my real name get a kick out of the connection). I'm told that Stargate Atlantis... improves... but I was not impressed with the episode I saw.

Babylon 5 is not a show I'd recommend, and Battlestar Galactica is brilliant, but very, very dark and war-like. Too bleak for WG, which is saying something, though I found it fascinating.

As someone weaned on old Star Trek and Twilight Zone episodes, Stargate is the closest sci-fi series to my specific tastes.

Icarus

[sarka.livejournal.com]

Does it have a lot of Stupid Scienc-y things? I am no longer welcome when my Star Trek friends are watching it, because I kept snorting and laughing and going WTF???

Battlestar Galactica is dark and warlike? Hmmm. Must go investigate that one...

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*nods vigorously*

You'd have to describe it at "science-ish" and those who really know the science guffaw. The fun of Stargate SG-1 was the unique anthropological/sociological spin they had, but the physics end I understand is particularly bad.

WG says that they really got their military hardware right on the other hand. I guess when SG-1 discovered the Air Force was watching (and loving) the show they made sure they didn't screw up that part. WG's thrilled at each new weapon and state-of-the-art toy, though he does catch the occasional mistake.

Icarus

[sarka.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I'll take that with a barrel of salt, then - I don't mind it, it's just that other folks around me tend to mind me pointing it out...

WG says that they really got their military hardware right on the other hand.

Yikes. You sure have an interesting partner. My brother can tell me all about the planes and the ships, but that's as far as his knowledge goes...

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, WG's into it all. He reads these military hardware manuals from Jane's that look like encyclopedias, only bigger.

Icarus

[skipmcgee.livejournal.com]

:thinks of the whole "FIND HIM!" in Icon:

Oh no, I'm not done clapping yet. Season 8 is fun, and there's lot of good stuff in it (I get the feeling you'll be all over Endgame like half the fandom when it came out, though I could be wrong), some silly stuff, some downright stupid stuff, but overall I was really happy.

And I totally thought season 9 had some Jack/Daniel subtext ("Origin" anyone?), but it's a different story now and that really makes sense given how long it's been on the air. I love both seasons, I hope you give 9 a chance :)

Hey, there's one HP fan who cares (well, HP/SG1, but why be specific?)

[theemdash]

Jack/Daniel still works within the context of Season 9. It's just different. Some slashers need to get over themselves. :P

And Season 9 rules--well, the first six episodes anyway. And "Prototype."

[skipmcgee.livejournal.com]

Some slashers need to get over themselves. :P

Hehe. I'll agree with that.

Season 9 has entertained me to no end so far, even if I saw it a little behind most of the crowd. I want the rest, damnit!

[theemdash]

I'll still clap over Season 8!

There's some disgruntlement with the DVDs however. For some stupid reason, they put the 42-minute version of "Threads" on the set. There are supposed to be releasing the proper 60+-minute version and doing a trade with those who wish it. I highly recommend it. They cut down a bunch of the Daniel-scenes, and those were the best bits of the episode.

"Icon" is probably my favorite of the first half of the season. I'm also pretty partial to "Avatar." "Zero Hour" is also extremely excellent, as you pointed out.

I should warn you that many slashers dislike the second half of season eight. Personally, I see nothing wrong with it--not like slash is canon anyway. Anyway, prepare yourself however you feel you need to.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh they've been playing up the Jack/Sam since New Order. I can see this coming from a mile away -- and I understand Daniel's going to have a new love interest.

Slash is canon, and I go on to believe that MS and RDA are together in real life and the het-ships are just to distract everyone from the searing chemistry between them on the show. ;) It's my fantasy world and I can do what I like with it. *snickers*

Icarus

[theemdash]

and I understand Daniel's going to have a new love interest.

Sort of. I mean, I wouldn't mind them getting together, but I don't believe they will. Still, she rocks.

Slash is canon, and I go on to believe that MS and RDA are together in real life and the het-ships are just to distract everyone from the searing chemistry between them on the show. ;)

I rather like your world. ;)

[celestialseason.livejournal.com]

There's some disgruntlement with the DVDs however. For some stupid reason, they put the 42-minute version of "Threads" on the set. There are supposed to be releasing the proper 60+-minute version and doing a trade with those who wish it.
Where did you hear about this? I didn't find out Threads was the edited version until after I bought season 8 and was so disappointed. I so want the full version on DVD.

[theemdash]

I heard about it from friends (because I forgot it came out!), and then it was reported both on tvshowsondvd.com and gateworld.

[celestialseason.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info!

[celestialseason.livejournal.com]

Hey there - glad you guys finally got to see season 8. I have the DVDs but only just started. I remember really liking Icon, Zero Hour, Reckoning and Threads (unedited version)when I first watched them. I am going to slowly savor this season. Fifth is awesome - everytime I watch the ep where you first meet him(so bad with ep names/season #s) I feel so horrible for him when they leave him behind.

[leni-jess.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this positive response to season 8, with reasons - I've been wondering whether to bother.

[dustandroses.livejournal.com]

Well, it's definitely a different show than it was in the early years, but Season 8's not that bad. The whole Jack/Sam thing is just sad, if you ask me, but TPTB forgot to ask, so we're stuck with it. There were still plenty of j/d slashers that found ways to work around it, and did a good job of it, so I can deal with that. I even read 2 j/d fic this week that manage to deal rather well with the total lack of Jack in Season Nine, so I know it can be done.

As for Threshold, I personally thought that the longer version went on a bit. I haven't watched the cut version, but I could have done with a little less of the Daniel angst, myself. You'll have to tell me what you think when the longer one comes out...

I'm going to talk about Season Nine, now, but I'm going to be so vague that I don't think you'll read anything you haven't already heard.

It took me a few episodes to get into things this season - but then I never watched Farscape, so I started at a disadvantage with both of those actors who joined SG-1. As a SciFi fan, I think you'll probably enjoy it, although there is a "religious fanatics" aspect to the new bad guys that got old really fast for me. Fortunately, those guys are only in about half of the episodes. And I've really warmed up to Mitchel. I like him just fine now, and the new General is growing on me, too. The doctor is still a bit of a cypher, but hey, can't have everything, right?

I can even actually get into slashing Mitchel with Teal'c, which totally freaked me out when I first realized it, because I've never been interested in slashing Teal'c with anyone before now. So yeah, you will probably still enjoy Season Nine. Just remember, there will always be a place for Jack and Daniel, even if it's only in your heart (and on the internet, of course.) *g*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

So Rick Anderson isn't in any of the season nine episodes? *frets*

I've never watched Farscape either, but I can't see why it would matter unless the two plots -- Stargate and Farscape -- converge somehow. It should (should) be better if you haven't seen the actor in another sci-fi series, because you don't have any preconceptions to shake. If you need to have watched Farscape, that's a problem I think. I'm not looking forward to seeing "Rommie" from Andromeda as the doctor in season nine.

I'm starting to feel less interested in watching that season. Somehow I was under the impression that RDA was around a little bit, even though it was less involvement than season eight. It was the character Jack O'Neill that hooked me into the show.

Icarus

[celestialseason.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to feel less interested in watching that season. Somehow I was under the impression that RDA was around a little bit, even though it was less involvement than season eight. It was the character Jack O'Neill that hooked me into the show.

If you liked the season 8 episode Promethius Unbound you should at least give season 9 a try for the continuing interactions between Daniel and Vala (I hope that wasn't too spoilery a comment and if so, sorry). Also, aside from Jack/Daniel, if you like the character of Daniel you should also give season 9 a try to see how the events occurring affect his character.

You don't need to have watched Farscape, I think fans of Farscape were just happy to see those actors in a new show.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

So there's no Jack O'Neill in season nine? *continues to fret*

I just watched Prometheus Unbound and loved it. The "attractive" comment was pure comedy gold (and Daniel's reaction? HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA! I have never seen him more unnerved!). MS clearly loved doing that whole Vala scene, which amuses me to no end.

But there's no Jack in season nine? At all? Not even a little?

Icarus

[celestialseason.livejournal.com]

But there's no Jack in season nine? At all? Not even a little?

just a very little :-(

[dustandroses.livejournal.com]

But there's no Jack in season nine? At all? Not even a little?

Yeah, there's a tiny, tiny bit in the first two or three episodes...and that's it.

I really didn't like Vala's character in Prometheus Unbound, so I wasn't looking forward to seeing more of her in Season Nine. Her character developed a bit more depth as the shows went on, so I enjoyed her a bit more, but if you didn't like Vala, the first handful of shows were kind of bare of interest. (Well, at least they were for me.)

It took me three or four episodes to get over Cameron's frat boy look and sense of humor (fortunately, they've toned that down a bit) and I actually like his character, now. But if it weren't a show I really wanted to like, I probably wouldn't have lasted past the first month of episodes. So, since all the fangirls I read commenting on those early episodes who were squeeing over Cameron were also squeeing over how much they loved BB in Farscape and how cool it was that the chick playing Vala and he were lovers on that show and were back together on this one, I kinda thought that the real draw in those early episodes was the Farscape connection.

If you liked Vala, then you'll like the early episodes. I didn't, so I didn't. But the episodes are better now, and I think it was worth my sticking around. But it's a totally different show these days. And I really miss my Jack.

[lizardlaugh.livejournal.com]

I have really enjoyed season 9. The writing is better than it has been in at least two seasons. Totally watch. I had really low, low expectations because there would be no Jack (he's my favorite character), but I have been very pleasantly surprised. I was never much of a Daniel fan and I have ADORED him this season. My only complaint is that I wish they would do more with Ben Browder. He is a brilliant actor and I think is underused.