Stargate SG-1/Atlantis Viewing order

[species5618]

Hello,

I'm currently watching SG-1 for the first time and I'm just past the midpoint of Season 9 (I've just finished 9x14, "Stronghold"). I intend to watch Atlantis as well, but I'd planned to wait until I've finished SG-1--the problem is during several Season 9 SG-1 episodes, I'm hearing numerous references to Atlantis and the Wraith (not sure what that is yet) but without a lot of explanation or backstory.

I'm now thinking the two shows are structured with loose crossovers/references to one another, sort of how Angel and Buffy would crossover, or TNG and DS9.

I'm not sure when Atlantis started (during SG-1's 8th or 9th season maybe?) but I think now I should have alternated between the two series--especially since I found myself scanning past a part in one SG-1 episode where Cam Mitchell was recounting a past Atlantis mission.

So my question is this--based on where I am now in SG-1, should I simply continue to the end of the series and then start Atlantis, or is there some sort of definitive viewing order for those watching both series that I should follow?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Harvey]

Atlantis started at the same time as SG-1's eighth season. The best way to watch would have been to begin with "New Order" (both parts) and then watch the Atlantis pilot, "Rising."

However, since you've already finished much of the NINTH season of SG-1, I'm not sure there's much point in going back at this point. There is a major crossover between the two shows in the form of SG-1's "The Pegasus Project" in season ten, but you'll get everything you need to know from the episode itself.

I would just finish watching through the end of the series (and don't forget the two movies), and THEN watch Atlantis. If you ever go back and re-watch, try for a more chronological approach, but at this point, might as well sojourn on.

 

[Hermiod]

"The Pegasus Project" is an episode of SG-1 that happens to take place on Atlantis. Nothing of any real importance to Atlantis' own ongoing storylines takes place in this episode.

The only real crossover of importance is from SG-1's season eight:

Spoiler: Crossover

In SG-1's "Moebius" SG-1 recovers a ZPM from the past. They also mention Earth's new battlecruiser, the Daedalus. This ship then arrives, powered by the ZPM, at Atlantis in time to help fight off the Wraith in "The Siege, Part Two".

There is also a minor one in Atlantis' fifth season.

Spoiler: Minor one

Carter says at the end of "Search and Rescue" that she is returning to Earth to join up with the rest of SG-1 to witness the execution of the last Ba'al clone - which we see in Stargate: Continuum.

And one more in theory crossover from Atlantis' third season.

Spoiler: Last one

After returning to Earth, Sheppard is given command of a SG team and apparently spies on the Ori at one point.

Typically, apart from the first one I mentioned, there are no Buffy/Angel style crossovers. Certainly nothing like the one where Faith was attacked in prison by a woman carrying one of the knives used by the Bringers in Buffy.

 

[Kpnuts]

Just keep watching to the end of SG-1 first then start SGA

 

[Yoda]

The correct viewing order is to have a few beers, watch the original movie with the sound cranked real loud... wait a couple of weeks (or however long it takes you to forget plot details, and the fact that Kurt Russell and Richard Dean Anderson are not the same person), then watch the 5 seasons that aired on Showtime, and STOP! Oh, and make sure to get the premiere episode with the nudity. It's a shame they eventually went for cheesy sci-fi show aimed at kids instead of cheesy sci-fi show aimed at perverts.

But you've already messed up that possibility, so yeah, just plow through the rest of SG-1, watch the little TV movies, and then see if you can make it through Atlantis.

Yeah the timeline will be a little disjointed, but guess what, they did that to us on the original airings, and in the end it's not going to matter.

 

[The Wormhole]

Some Atlantis knowledge probably would help with season 10 episodes The Pegasus Project and The Road Not Taken.

The Pegasus Project features SG-1 travelling to the Pegasus Galaxy, visiting Atlantis, and at one point even fighting Wraith. Also features appearances by Atlantis regulars Lt. Col. Sheppard, Dr. Weir and Dr. McKay and Atlantis recurring characters Dr. Zelenka and Chuck the Technician.

The Road Not Taken is in fact an alternate reality episode but still features appearance by Dr. McKay and Major Lorne, another recurring character on Atlantis.