Respect all members: no insults, harassment, or hate speech.
Be tolerant of different viewpoints, cultures, and beliefs. If you do not agree with others, just create separate note, article or collection.
Clearly distinguish between personal opinion and fact.
Verify facts before posting, especially when writing about history, science, or statistics.
Promotional content must be published on the “Related Services and Products” page—no more than one paragraph per service. You can also create subpages under the “Related Services and Products” page and publish longer promotional text there.
Do not post materials that infringe on copyright without permission.
Always credit sources when sharing information, quotes, or media.
Be respectful of the work of others when making changes.
Discuss major edits instead of removing others' contributions without reason.
If you notice rule-breaking, notify community about it in talks.
Do not share personal data of others without their consent.
Over its decade of existence, science fiction TV series Stargate SG-1 developed an extensive and detailed backdrop of diverse characters. Many of the characters are members of alien species discovered while exploring the galaxy through the Stargate, although there are an equal number of characters from offworld human civilizations. While Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe are separate shows, they take part in the same fictional universe, so no character is internally show-specific.
Except for the commanders of the top-secret Stargate Command military base (SGC), all main characters of Stargate SG-1 are members of the SG-1 team, the primary unit of the SGC in the show. SG-1's duties include first contact, reconnaissance and combat, diplomacy, initial archaeological surveying, and technological assessment. The composition of SG-1 changes several times during the series run and varies in several alternative universes.[1]
Jack O'Neill is a USAF colonel (later brigadier general, major general and then lieutenant general) who led the original mission through the Stargate in Stargate. He is played by Kurt Russell in the film, and by former MacGyver actor Richard Dean Anderson in a regular role in seasons 1–8, and in a recurring role in seasons 9–10, also Michael Welch played young Colonel O'Neill in episode "Fragile Balance". He also appears in Stargate: Continuum, and in seasons 1 and 3 of Stargate Atlantis. Colonel O'Neill is the leader of the SG-1 team in the first seven seasons, and takes charge of Stargate Command after his promotion to brigadier general at the beginning of season 8. He is promoted to major general at the beginning of season 9, and is reassigned to Washington, D.C., then makes sporadic appearances in the final episodes of season one of Stargate Universe.
Dr. Daniel Jackson is a brilliant archaeologist and linguist, specializing in Egyptology, whose unusual theories concerning the origin of the Egyptian Pyramids led to his participation in the original mission through the stargate in Stargate. He is played by James Spader in the film and by Michael Shanks in a regular role in seasons 1–5 and 7–10, with a recurring role in season 6. He also appears in both direct-to-DVD films and in seasons 1 and 5 of Stargate Atlantis. Daniel joins the SG-1 team in search of his kidnapped wife (Sha're), until she dies in season 3. However, he decides to remain a part of SG-1, and does so until his ascension at the end of season 5. Following his decision to retake human form, he rejoins SG-1 at the beginning of season 7.
As stated in season 2's "1969", Daniel speaks 23 languages, including Russian, German, Spanish, and Egyptian. Throughout the run of the series, he becomes Earth's foremost expert on the Ancients, and also learns many alien languages, such as Goa'uld, Ancient, and Unas.
Samantha "Sam" Carter is an astrophysicist and USAF captain (later major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, then brigadier general). She is played by Amanda Tapping in a regular role in seasons 1–10, in both direct-to-DVD films and makes an appearance in all seasons of Stargate Atlantis. Captain Carter joins SG-1 under the command of Col. O'Neill in season 1. Following her promotion to major in season 3, she is promoted to lieutenant colonel in early season 8 and assumes command of SG-1. She assists Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell in seasons 9 and 10. After her appearance in Stargate: The Ark of Truth, she is promoted to a "full bird" colonel and becomes the new commander of the Atlantis expedition in season 4 of Stargate Atlantis before joining SG-1 again for Stargate: Continuum. She is later made the commander of the USS George Hammond, a Daedalus-class Earth ship named after former SGC commander General Hammond, who died in correlation with the actor who played him, Don S. Davis.
Teal'c /ˈtiːəlk/ is a Jaffa from the planet Chulak. He is played by Christopher Judge in a regular role in seasons 1–10, in both direct-to-DVD films and in season 4 of Stargate Atlantis. Throughout the entire run of Stargate SG-1, the only episode that the character was absent was Season 8's "Prometheus Unbound". Teal'c states that he is 101 years old in season 4's "The Light", and ages an additional 50 years in season 10's "Unending". His catchphrase is "Indeed". Teal'c's most notable feature is a golden tattoo on his forehead, a sign that he once served the Goa'uld Apophis as First Prime, the highest Jaffa rank. His interaction with Bra'tac (Apophis' former First Prime) and his own personal experiences led him to doubt the divinity of the Goa'uld.
Teal'c defects from Apophis in the pilot episode and joins the SG-1 team, believing this to be an opportunity to eventually defeat the Goa'uld and bring freedom to all Jaffa.[2] He leaves his wife Drey'auc and his son Rya'c behind on Chulak. After succeeding in killing Apophis in season 5's "Enemies", Teal'c and Bra'tac make first progress in uniting a sizable group of Jaffa resistance warriors in season 5's "The Warrior". Teal'c and Bra'tac lose their symbiotes after a sabotaged rebel Jaffa summit in season 6's "The Changeling", but the Tok'ra drug Tretonin can sustain them and eventually becomes instrumental in liberating Jaffa from physiological reliance on Goa'uld symbiotes,. Teal'c and Bra'tac eventually lead the Jaffa to victory over the Goa'uld in season 8's "Reckoning"/"Threads". Teal'c is chosen as a member of the new Jaffa High Council and supports Bra'tac as an interim leader in season 9's "The Fourth Horseman" before a type of government is solidified.
George S. Hammond is a USAF Major General (later Lieutenant General) who commands Stargate Command in the first seven seasons. He is played by Don S. Davis in a regular role in seasons 1–7 and in a recurring role afterwards. He also appears in Stargate: Continuum and season 1 of Stargate Atlantis. Hammond took over from Major General West, commander of the Stargate Project in the original Stargate film, and originally intended the Stargate Program to be his last assignment before retirement.[2] In season 2's "1969", General Hammond is shown to have worked at the Cheyenne Mountain complex (the present-day location of Stargate Command) in 1969. Hammond originates from Texas[3] and became a widower when his wife died of cancer.
Hammond briefly retires under duress in season 4's "Chain Reaction", where he spends time with his two grandchildren, Kayla and Tessa. He is promoted to the rank of lieutenant general at the beginning of season 8, being placed in command of the new Homeworld Security command, a department in control of Stargate Command, the Prometheus project, and the Atlantian Antarctica outpost. Hammond recurs in the season 1 of Stargate Atlantis and seasons 8 through 10 of Stargate SG-1. Hammond appears in a civilian suit instead of a military uniform in season 9's "The Fourth Horseman", and Carter confirms his retired status in season 10's "The Road Not Taken". In his last appearance in the alternate timeline film Stargate: Continuum, Hammond acts as a military advisor to President Henry Hayes.
Don S. Davis knew Richard Dean Anderson (O'Neill) from Anderson's starring role in MacGyver, in which Davis was a stand-in for Dana Elcar (playing Pete Thornton, MacGyver's boss) before making several guest appearances. Davis died from a heart attack at the age of 65 on June 29, 2008, shortly before the release of Continuum, making this his final on-screen appearance as General Hammond.[4] For his portrayal of Hammond, Don S. Davis was nominated for a 2004 Leo Award in the category "Dramatic Series: Best Supporting Performance by a Male" for the season 7 episode "Heroes, Part 2".[5]
Jonas Quinn is an alien from the planet Langara. He is played by former Parker Lewis Can't Lose actor Corin Nemec in a regular role in season 6, and in a recurring capacity in seasons 5 and 7. Jonas leaves his home planet Langara the penultimate season 5 episode "Meridian" after witnessing Daniel Jackson's lethal sacrifice and the following gleeful reaction of his planet's leaders. He is a fast learner and fills Daniel's empty spot on SG-1 in season 6. Following Daniel's return at the beginning of season 7, Jonas returns to his planet and last appears in the mid-season 7 episode "Fallout".
Corin Nemec replaced Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson) during season 6 after Shanks had left the show amid controversy after season 5.[6] The producers based Jonas's motivation to join SG-1 on his momentary reluctance to actively prevent Daniel's death and his feelings of responsibility afterwards.[7] Jonas was slowly integrated into the story in a prolonged transition stage over the first half of season 6.[8][9] Nemec was open to continue playing Jonas Quinn after season 6, but a new contract was reached with Michael Shanks for Daniel to return in season 7.[8] The role of Jonas was reduced to recurring status in season 7.
Cameron "Cam" Mitchell is a USAF lieutenant colonel. He is played by former Farscape actor Ben Browder in a regular role in seasons 9–10 and in both direct-to-DVD films. Mitchell is introduced in "Avalon" as the leader of a squadron of F-302s against the forces of the arch villain Anubis in season 7's "Lost City". Assigned as the new commanding officer of SG-1 at the beginning of season 9, Mitchell struggles to reunite the team's former members under his command. Assisted by Carter (who is of equal rank), he remains in command of SG-1 throughout the series run and both films. He is promoted to the rank of full-bird Colonel in Stargate: Continuum.
Ben Browder joined the cast after Richard Dean Anderson's departure from Stargate SG-1 in 2005. From the beginning, producer Robert C. Cooper wanted Mitchell to be a "super fan" of SG-1 who is openly enthusiastic about exploring the galaxy.[10][11] Mitchell is often at the center of the action and fight sequences.[12] The producers did not realize the physical resemblance between Browder and Michael Shanks when Browder was cast, and employed make-up and costuming techniques to make the transition easier for the audience.[13] The writers' decision to put Mitchell in command of SG-1 instead of Carter was met with resistance by some critics and audience members.[14][15] For his portrayal of Cameron Mitchell, Ben Browder was nominated for a Saturn Award in the category "Best Supporting Actor on Television" in 2006.[16]
Henry[17] "Hank" Landry is a United States Air Force Major General and the commander of Stargate Command from season 9 onwards. He is played by Beau Bridges in a regular role in seasons 9–10, in both direct-to-DVD films, and in the Stargate Atlantis episodes "The Intruder", "Critical Mass", "No Man's Land", and the two-part episode "The Return" of seasons 2 and 3. General Landry is introduced in SG-1's season 9 premiere, "Avalon", having been hand-picked by Jack O'Neill to succeed him. Landry once served as a pilot in the Vietnam War[18] and met a Vietnamese woman named Kim Lam.[19] They had a child, Carolyn Lam, but Landry became estranged to them and left them due to his involvement in military intelligence.[20] Carolyn Lam grew up to be a doctor and was assigned to Stargate Command as chief medical officer in seasons 9 and 10. Bridges said that "Landry truly loves his work [but] respects and appreciates his daughter. He wants a real relationship with her and hopes that will happen some day. At the start of [season 9], you're not sure what their relationship is."[20] The late season 10 episode "Family Ties" brings some conclusion to the Landry-Lam enstrangement, showing a reunification between Landry, Carolyn and Kim Lam in a restaurant.
TV Zone's Steven Eramo described Landry as "fair, intelligent, even-tempered and having a good sense of humour".[21] Bridges thought that "[Landry] likes to empower his team. He realizes how challenged they are. It's a huge burden to protect their country from the entire galaxy, but he also recognizes that, like himself, they are human beings. [...] Sometimes he does that with a bark, and sometimes with a bite, but he also has a sense of humor, this man. And he likes to fool with people."[22] According to Bridges, Landry appreciates Carter's knowledge, and needed some patience with the fast-speaking Daniel Jackson to realize "how important a piece of puzzle" he is. He respects Teal'c as a warrior, and is willing to foster the potential he sees in Vala.[21]
The Stargate producers approached Beau Bridges, a self-claimed fan of science fiction,[22] directly to play the role of Hank Landry.[20] Although the producers had some ideas for the characters, they collaborated with Bridges to develop the character's backstory before the writing of season 9 began.[22] Bridges wanted the character to be three-dimensional by revealing a layered backstory over the course of the show.[23] Bridges researched famous US generals from George Washington to John P. Jumper to get a feeling for the role.[20] He accumulated quotes by generals that Landry would respect, and gave the list to producer Robert C. Cooper, who in turn used it as free research.[23] Bridges made no deliberate effort to distinguish his character from General O'Neill, believing that the character could stand on his own.[22]
Vala Mal Doran is a con artist from an unnamed planet and a former human host to the Goa'uld Qetesh. She is played by former Farscape actress Claudia Black in a regular role in season 10 after having recurred in seasons 8 and 9 of SG-1. Her 1st appearance in season 8's "Prometheus Unbound" is followed by a recurring role in season 9, where she and Daniel unintentionally set off the new Ori threat. She joins SG-1 after giving birth to the new leader of the Ori at the beginning of season 10, and appears in both direct-to-DVD films.
Vala was created by Damian Kindler and Robert C. Cooper as a one-time character, but because of the on-screen chemistry between Black's Vala and Shanks' character Daniel Jackson, and the character's popularity with the producers and the audience, Claudia Black became a recurring guest star in season 9 and joined the main cast in season 10. For her portrayal of Vala, Claudia Black was nominated for a 2006 Saturn Award in the category "Best Supporting Actress on Television",[16] and won a Constellation Award in the category "Best Female Performer in a 2006 Science Fiction Television" in 2007.[24]
The Stargate Command (SGC) is a fictional military base (and real broom closet[25]) at the Cheyenne Mountain complex near Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is the main setting in Stargate SG-1 and occasionally features on Stargate Atlantis. The base extends many levels beneath the ground and is protected from most forms of attack including indirect nuclear detonations, also serving to contain biological, chemical or alien hazards to the outside world by means of a 'lockdown' status. Stargate Command is typically commanded by a General and is staffed by subject matter experts and military support personnel, several elite special operations teams, and several SG teams, including SG-1. The majority of the teams are United States Air Force with some United States Marine Corps, civilians and United States Army, but other nations have SG teams operating from the SGC as well after the events of season 5.
Doctor Janet Fraiser as portrayed by Teryl Rothery in Stargate SG-1
Captain/Major Janet Fraiser, the resident Chief Medical Officer of the SGC (played by Teryl Rothery, seasons 1–7, 9) – She is responsible for maintaining the health of the SG teams, as well as the SGC's support staff and base personnel. On many occasions, she also cares for the health of alien refugees to Earth, including Goa'uld symbiotes. In her first appearance in "The Broca Divide", Dr. Fraiser holds the rank of captain, and is promoted to major in Season 3. In season 1's "Singularity", Fraiser adopts Cassandra, an alien orphan whose people had been exterminated by the Goa'uld System LordNirrti. Dr. Fraiser is killed by a staffweapon blast in season 7's "Heroes" during an off-world medical emergency, but she returns in season 9's "Ripple Effect" as a parallel universe version of Dr. Fraiser, in her reality a regular member of SG-1. Before Fraiser returns to her reality, Carter, Jackson and Teal'c are able to give her a final goodbye. Dr. Fraiser is also shown alive in an alternate timeline in the year 2010 in season 4's "2010", but Fraiser and SG-1 alter the timeline to prevent a catastrophe on Earth involving the Aschen race.
Fraiser joined the United States Air Force (USAF) after breaking up with her husband; there she got some training with firearms. Her husband did not want Fraiser to join the US military which is one of the main reasons for their breakup. As a doctor, Fraiser looks for peaceful solutions and is disinclined towards armed solutions. In the episode "Serpent's Song", Fraiser is the only one in Stargate Command (SGC) who is resistant to the idea to give Apophis over to his enemies. She is eventually forced to give up Apophis.[26][27]
Teryl Rothery was asked by then producer and writer (for Stargate) Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright if she wanted to play the role as Fraiser.[28] In an interview, Rothery was asked what it was like to play a doctor in Stargate SG-1. Rothery replied, "just being true to the character. And as far as the medical stuff, knowing what to do and what to say." She got a lot of help from the medical advisor on the set.
In the first two seasons, Rothery did not have a contract and was booked on every episode in which she appeared. In season three of SG-1, she finally got a contract deal with the producers. She also commented on her acting life once, "The life of an actor is always very up and down. So sometimes you work a lot, but sometimes ... So if you're on a series like Stargate SG-1 you have that work for seven years. So that's a gift."[29]
After her character's death in season 7, there were various rumours which said she would appear in the upcoming Stargate film; this never happened. Rothery said it was unlikely since she had not had any contact with the Stargate producers since her character's death.[29] Rothery has stated many times that she "admires" the character because of her "strength" and "intelligence".[30]Robert C. Cooper, producer for Stargate SG-1, called Rothery about the death of her character. Cooper said, "It is our last year, so we are thinking of killing one of our regulars."[28] Fraiser was killed off in the episode "Heroes" because the producers thought season seven would be the last in the series and felt that a death of the main cast was needed.[30][31][32] Rothery also appeared on the Women of Sci-Fi calendar produced by fellow Stargate cast Michael Shanks and Christopher Judge.[28]
Gary Jones played Walter Harriman, an SGC technician who was also known as "Norman Davies" and "Chevron Guy"
Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman (also known as the Chevron Guy among others, portrayed by Gary Jones, seasons 1–10) joined the Stargate Command (SGC) after excelling in navigation and automatic flight control operations during the first Gulf War. General Hammond recruited him as someone with excellent technical ability and a cool head to operate the Stargate under extreme pressure. He specializes in installing, maintaining and repairing bomb navigation, weapons control as well as automatic flight control systems. He is also an expert in radio and navigational equipment, and in maintaining test and precision measurement equipment. He is primarily a Stargate technician, running the dialing computer and other equipment from the Control Room. He also acts as an occasional administrative assistant to the head of Stargate Command, and has manned the flight console on the bridge of the Prometheus.[33] From season 8 to 10, Harriman's role is expanded to advisor to the Head of Command of the SGC.
His name has been a source of confusion for many fans of Stargate SG-1. Originally, he was simply "Technician" or "Sergeant", listed as such in the show credits.[34] At some point, some of the writers gave him the name "Norman Davis", which came with a name tag, but was never used in dialogue. In the episode "2010", Jack O'Neill refers to him as "Walter". Later, in the eighth season of "Stargate SG-1", the character is addressed as "Sergeant Harriman", with "Harriman" actually based on GeneralGeorge Hammond addressing him as "Airman" what was misheard by fans because of Don S. Davis's Texan accent, resulting in the final name of "Walter Harriman". Many fans fondly refer to him as "the Chevron guy" as many of his on-screen appearances, especially earlier on in the show, had him saying "Chevron (insert number here) encoded".[33] On several DVD commentaries after the introduction of the name "Walter", producer-director Peter DeLuise refers to the character as "Walter Norman" and "Walter Norman Davis". The first time he ever says his own name is in the Stargate Atlantis episode "Home".[35]
As the series continued Harriman got a heavier role in the series. According to Jones, his role was expanded since Richard Dean Anderson wanted him as his personal assistant in the show when his character Jack O'Neill was the leader of the SGC. The Stargate producer and writer staff called 2005, The Year of Walter because the staff evolved Harriman's relationship with GeneralHank Landry.[36] Jones does not have a binding contract with the Stargate producers.[34]
Charles Kawalsky portrayed by John Diehl (in the film) and Jay Acovone (in the series), is introduced in the 1994 Stargate as lieutenant colonel. He is Jack O'Neill's second in command for the first mission through the Stargate to Abydos and returns to Earth afterwards. When the Goa'uldApophis attacks the SGC in the pilot episode of Stargate SG-1, Kawalsky is re-introduced as a captain and reunites with his former teammates to bring Daniel Jackson back to Earth. Kawalsky is promoted to major and becomes the leader of the newly formed SG-2 team, accompanying SG-1 on their mission to Chulak to rescue Sha're and Skaara. However, before returning to Earth, Kawalsky is invaded by a Goa'uld parasite from a dead Jaffa warrior. In season 1's "The Enemy Within", the symbiote starts to take control of him back on Earth. A surgical removal of the Goa'uld is initially successful, but the symbiote turns out to be a dead husk whose intelligence has already taken over Kawalsky's mind. Kawalsky is eventually killed when Teal'c forces his head through the event horizon and closes the gate, severing most of Kawalsky's skull including the lobes controlled by the symbiote.
Despite the character's death, Kawalsky appears several more times in the series. In season 2's "The Gamekeeper", O'Neill and Teal'c encounter Kawalsky in a virtual reality simulation. In season 3's "Point of View", Kawalsky and Samantha Carter from an alternate reality arrive through the gate seeking help in contacting the Asgard. His last appearance is in season 8's "Moebius", in which Kawalsky returns in an alternate timeline accidentally created when the destruction of their time machine traps SG-1 in the distant past. Kawalsky accompanies O'Neill, Carter and Daniel to Chulak and again meets his end, although here he is merely shot; it is the alternate Daniel Jackson who is infected with the Goa'uld and killed by Teal'c.
Darren Sumner called Kawalsky "one of the [1994] film's strongest characters". Sumner called the high death numbers of secondary and recurring characters on the show, The Kawalsky Effect.[37] He also has a card in the card game, Stargate TCG. In the card game he is listed as a good soldier.[38] While only appearing in six episodes in total, actor Jay Acovone frequently appears at Stargate conventions.[39]
Master Sergeant Sylvester "Sly" Siler, (played by Dan Shea, seasons 1–10) – A sergeant at the SGC and one of its primary technicians.[40] First appearing in season 1's "Solitudes", he remains a background character throughout the run of Stargate SG-1 and also occasionally appears in Earth-based episodes of Stargate Atlantis. Dan Shea is primarily the stunt co-ordinator for Stargate SG-1, responsible for the budgets and locations of stunts, and the hiring of stunt people before co-ordinating all stunt action.[41][40][42] Siler is subsequently shown to be involved in many accidents at the SGC, which is parodied in dialogue and action in several SG-1 episodes such as season 4's "Window of Opportunity", season 7's "Heroes" and the milestone episode "200".
Shea first auditioned for the role as Siler with executive producerBrad Wright and director Martin Wood. Shea commented on his first audition that he tried to be "Funny", thinking he could get the role easier that way. Executive producer Michael Greenberg said that Shea "Blew it". Shea then went for a second audition acting more serious, since according to Greenberg the role was "Serious" and he needed to act that way.[43] Siler also frequently appears in the background of scenes carrying an oversized wrench,[41] which he sometimes hands to director Martin Wood as a gag prop in the series. Siler's first name is never mentioned in dialogue in the series, although his uniform patch and magazines give his first name as "Sly" several times,[41][44] and his uniform patch in "Entity" reads "Dan". According to producer and writer Peter DeLuise, Siler's name and dialog deliberately contain the letter "S" because Dan Shea lisps.[45]
Shea had previous worked with both Richard Dean Anderson (who portrayed Jack O'Neill) and Greenberg before on the American television seriesMacGyver in the 80s and early 90s as Anderson's stand-in in stunt scenes.[43] He continued this role in Stargate SG-1. Anderson's partner Greenberg gave the job as stunt coordinator and stand-in to Shea in Stargate SG-1. The first time Shea was officially double for Anderson was in Toronto when they did a MacGyver movie; Anderson had broken his foot so Shea was forced to do a stand-in.[43]
The NID is a shadowy intelligence agency that appears throughout the run of Stargate SG-1 and occasionally on Stargate Atlantis. The official mandate of the NID is to provide vital civilian oversight of top secret military operations, but one of their unofficial primary goals is to procure alien technologies. A set of well-resourced illegal cells named the Rogue NID uses unscrupulous methods to achieve the goals of the official NID and is later replaced by The Trust, a shady interplanetary terrorist group. The International Oversight Advisory (IOA) is a civilian oversight committee created after the United States and Russia revealed the existence of the Stargate Program to the other permanent members of the UN Security Council in season 6.[citation needed]
The producers initially wanted to call the NID "NRD" for "No Real Department", but went for "NID" because it sounded better.[46] Although the acronym still stands for nothing in particular,[47] the Stargate SG-1 Roleplaying Game says it stands for National Intelligence Department.[48] When the producers came up with story ideas for the Trust, they found that Alias had used all the names they could think of. It was not until several weeks after they had decided on the name "Trust" that they found out that Alias had used that name as well. Faced with the choice to either go with the Trust or with what producer Joseph Mallozzi called "The Former Rogue Elements of the N.I.D. Now Working for Private Interests Bent on Global Domination", they chose the first option.[49] The IOA has also been referred to as the "International Oversight Committee" on the show, until producer Joseph Mallozzi realized during the writing of "The Ties That Bind" that the acronym IOC is already used by the International Olympic Committee.[50] The writers originally wanted to set up an IOA watchdog character on SG-1 and possibly have Richard Woolsey on the base all the time, but season 9 already had so many new characters that the writers did not develop this idea.[50]
Special agent Malcolm Barrett, (played by Peter Flemming, seasons 5–7, 9–10) – An NID agent introduced in season 5's "Wormhole X-Treme!". His first significant appearance follows in "Smoke & Mirrors", where he helps uncovering a shadow group behind the NID who tried to attribute Senator Kinsey's apparent assassination to O'Neill. After collaborating with SG-1 in season 7's "Heroes, Part 2" and "Resurrection", Barrett expresses a personal romantic interest in Samantha Carter in season 9's "Ex Deus Machina" and season 10's "Uninvited", but she rejects his advances. His last SG-1 appearance is in season 10's "Dominion". Agent Barrett also recurs in Stargate Atlantis. He warns General Landry in that show's season 2 episode "Critical Mass" of the Trust's plan to destroy Atlantis with a bomb, and aids several Expedition team members to track down Rodney McKay's sister Jeannie Miller on Earth in season 4's "Miller's Crossing".[citation needed]
Peter Flemming had a two-line audition for "Wormhole X-Treme" for a "Man in Black" character in a possible recurring role. Every NID character introduced before Agent Barrett "had been very shady, always had an agenda", and Barrett was "the first mainstay in NID who is actually law-abiding[...], honest, [and] a good person".[51]
Colonel Harry Maybourne, (played by Tom McBeath, seasons 1–6, 8) – A USAF Colonel introduced in season 1's "Enigma" as an NID member with ambiguous morals and loyalties. In season 2's "Bane", Maybourne leads an NID attempt to claim Teal'c for study after an alien insect infected Teal'c. After further antagonizing SG-1 through rogue NID operations in "Touchstone" and "Shades of Grey", and helping SG-1 in "Foothold", Maybourne flees to Russia and aids in establishing the Russian Stargate Program. He is caught in season 4's "Watergate", convicted of treason, and placed on death row. O'Neill contacts Maybourne in season 4's "Chain Reaction" to help reinstate General Hammond, who was blackmailed into resigning from his position. Maybourne escapes after the mission's success and covertly helps O'Neill in season 5's "Desperate Measures" and "48 Hours" in the Adrian Conrad case. Maybourne tricks SG-1 into taking him off-world in season 6's "Paradise Lost", and is eventually exiled to a far-off planet. When SG-1 meets him again in season 8's "It's Good To Be King", Maybourne leads a life of leisure as the seemingly clairvoyant ruler of the local peoples, King Arkhan I. Although the people later discover the deception, they welcome him to stay as his technological expertise has improved their standard of life, and SG-1 returns to Earth without him. He had ascended to power using an Ancient time-travelers log of his journeys into the future of the planet and ended up facing a Goa'uld invasion, but the soldiers were repelled by Jackson and Teal'c with help from one of the villagers, and O'Neill destroyed in the ship in orbit, killing the System Lord behind the attack. When the team leave, O'Neill and Maybourne part amicably with Maybourne having finally accepted responsibility towards the people he was ruling.[citation needed]
After auditioning for the part as Harry Maybourne, the producers revealed that he "maybe" could get a spot as a recurring character in the show. McBeath called his role as Maybourne at the start of the series "boring", but was glad for the new change in the character's direction in the series after he was convicted for treason. McBeath also commented that the writers and the producers for the show had more "fun" when his character started to "loosen" up.[52] When the portraying actor Tom McBeath was asked about the O'Neill–Maybourne relationship, he explained their rapport as "I can't stand you, but at some level I have a lot of respect for you. And I do actually, grudgingly have a good time when you're around, and things seem to work out."[52] McBeath once stated that the character of Maybourne diminished after Richard Dean Anderson's departure from the show in season 8.[53]
Senator Robert Kinsey, (played by Ronny Cox, seasons 1, 4–8) – A US senator who first appears in season 1's "Politics". In "Politics", Kinsey ignores warnings of an imminent Goa'uld invasion and instead manages to briefly shut down Stargate Command for budget reasons, only for SG-1 to prove the program's worth and save Earth through defying orders. In season 4's "Chain Reaction", Kinsey and the NID temporarily succeed in controlling the Stargate by blackmailing General Hammond into retirement and appointing a new general to his position, but O'Neill is able to find evidence of the blackmail and get Hammond reinstated. In season 5's "2001", Kinsey aims to gain prestige through an alliance with the Aschen, but the alliance fails (However, the alliance went ahead in the alternate but unfulfilled future reality witnessed in season 4's "2010", in which Kinsey also achieved his goal of the presidency; only a warning from that future helped the SGC prevent it). In season 6's "Smoke and Mirrors", a group controlling the rogue NID, known as "the Committee", tries to assassinate Kinsey and frame Col. O'Neill for his murder, but NID agent Malcolm Barret and SG-1 foil this attempt. Kinsey becomes Vice-president in season 7's "Inauguration" and tries again to take control of the Stargate Program in "Lost City". Shortly after NID Agent Richard Woolsey presents incriminating evidence against Kinsey to President Henry Hayes in the same episode, Hayes "accepts" Kinsey's resignation. Kinsey makes his last appearance in season 8's "Full Alert", where the SGC convinces Kinsey to go undercover to undermine the hierarchy of the Trust. However, the Goa'uld have completely infiltrated the Trust through their operatives working outside of the solar system, and have already implanted a symbiote within Kinsey to aid in their plans of starting a nuclear war between the US and Russia. After the SGC foil the attempt, Kinsey flees aboard an Al'kesh, but Kinsey's future remains uncertain as the Al'Kesh is destroyed while he operated a transport device, leaving it open-ended if he was able to escape or the ship was destroyed before he could transport away. Kinsey is briefly mentioned as a President in the alternative timeline (with Hayes as Secretary of Defense) in season 8 finale "Moebius".[citation needed]
The producers of Stargate SG-1 asked Ronny Cox if he would be interested in a role in one episode, but according to Cox it was "so much fun that they and I decided we would like to do more together". According to executive producerBrad Wright, every time they got a script from an outside editor, Kinsey was included. Cox has been noted for saying that the character has become a "Malevolent force on the show". Because of the collaboration between the producers and himself, Cox described him as a "self-aggrandizing senator who like[s] to throw his weight around", and as "Kinsey feels that the Stargate [is] being used in completely the wrong way and one that is endangering American ideals and a way of life that he believes in" and a "Born-again, right-wing, Christian fundamentalist"; Cox played him as a heroic antagonist rather than villainous. Cox was approached by the producers to play Kinsey instead of auditioning himself. Kinsey holds the position of chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee until season 7 and oversees the national defense budget of secret projects such as the Stargate Program.[54][55]
Richard Woolsey (played by Robert Picardo, seasons 7, 9–10) – Woolsey's first appearance is following the death of Dr. Janet Fraiser late in season 7 of Stargate SG-1, Woolsey is brought into Stargate Command in the episode "Heroes" to examine the command decisions and threatens SGC personnel with court-martial if they do not cooperate. When Woolsey brings his report to President Hayes in "Inauguration", he comes to realize Senator Kinsey's ambitions and presents incriminating evidence against him,[56] indirectly forcing Kinsey into resigning. Woolsey returns in the season 9 episode "Prototype" and encourages the SGC to take great risks with the captured Goa'uld-human-Ancient hybrid Khalek to learn more about the Ascension process. When the studies cause injury and death among SGC personnel, Woolsey acknowledges his own error and pleads for forgiveness from the SG-1 team.[57] Being the US's representative on the newly formed International Oversight Advisory Committee (IOA), Woolsey and some colleagues are rescued by SG-1 and the crew of the Odyssey after a catastrophe at the Gamma Site in "The Scourge", which he later considers an "eye-opening experience".[58] Woolsey makes two more appearances in "Flesh and Blood" and "Morpheus" and last appears on SG-1 in season 10's "The Shroud". Woolsey remembers the Khalek incident and decides that Daniel, who transformed into a Prior, is too dangerous and must be placed indefinitely into stasis. However, Daniel frees himself before Woolsey's plans can be enacted.[59]
Robert Picardo was in the main cast of Star Trek: Voyager from 1995 to 2001. He was familiar with Stargate SG-1 from his time as a Showtime subscriber. He was offered a one-day guest star as Richard Woolsey for the SG-1 episode "Heroes" in season seven (2004) while he was working on The Outer Limits in Vancouver (where Stargate SG-1 is filmed). He was then brought back for the follow-up episode "Inauguration", which began the rehabilitation of the Woolsey character. With the story introduction of the IOA, the Woolsey character made more regular appearances to "annoy people". Eventually, humor was added to the role, and the character was spun over to Atlantis as a recurring guest character. Picardo later became a main character in Stargate Atlantis.[60][61]
Producer Joseph Mallozzi said:
[...] whenever I do interviews, I often draw parallels between [Amanda Tapping and Robert Picardo]. They are both incredibly kind, professional, delightful to work with, and gifted actors who always elevate the performances of anyone they share a scene with.[61]
Colonel Frank Simmons, (played by John de Lancie, seasons 5–6) – The NID liaison to Stargate Command after Col. Harry Maybourne's arrest for treason. Simmons is introduced in season 5's "Ascension" and is notorious for claiming to have the best interest of the nation at heart, while really he has his own political agenda. In "Desperate Measures", Simmons shoots O'Neill in the back while O'Neill was attempting to capture a Goa'uld who has taken Adrian Conrad as host. "48 Hours" Simmons' involvement in the disappearance of the Adrian Conrad Goa'uld, whom he now holds captive, is revealed and General Hammond has him arrested. In season 6's "Prometheus", rogue NID agents hijack the unfinished starship Prometheus and demand that Simmons, along with Adrian Conrad's Goa'uld, be released. It later turns out that Simmons had orchestrated the entire affair. When Conrad is killed, the Goa'uld infects Simmons. O'Neill is able to open an emergency airlock and releases Simmons into hard vacuum, killing both him and the Goa'uld.[citation needed]
Colonel Chekov, (played by Garry Chalk, seasons 5–6, 8–10) – Russia's liaison to Stargate Command following the early season 4 events of the short-lived Russian Stargate program. He first appears in season 5's "The Tomb", blaming SG-1 for the death of several Russian SG team members.[62] Chekov collaborates with the SGC several episodes later in "48 Hours", giving them a DHD from Russian possession and allowing the SGC to use the Russian Stargate.[63] Colonel Chekov is appointed as the Russian envoy to the SGC around season 6's "Redemption" and agrees to give the Russian Stargate to the US in exchange for money, X-302 technology, and a Russian SG team.[64] In season 6's "Disclosure", Colonel Chekov supports the US's presentation for the disclosure of the Stargate Program to the other three permanent members of the UN Security Council.[65] In season 8's "Full Alert", Colonel Chekov helps General O'Neill deal with the possible Goa'uld compromise of the US government and establishes a direct line between O'Neill and the Russian President to avert a nuclear war.[66] Chekov appears in season 9's "The Fourth Horseman" and "Crusade", where he has become a Russian representative of the IOA. He makes his last appearance in "Camelot" as the commander of the Earth ship Korolev to stop the Ori fleet from invading the Milky Way, but is killed when his ship is obliterated by the Ori Fleet, though six other crew members are transported from the ship before its destruction.[67]
Garry Chalk was assigned to the role as Chekov by executive producer Michael Greenberg and N. John Smith. They asked him if he could speak Russian, Chalk replied "No." Greenberg then replied "No matter!" And gave him his own Russian coach named Alexander Kalugin, who made an appearance in the Stargate SG-1 episode "Watergate" as one of the Russian soldiers. Portraying actor Chalk had previously worked with Richard Dean Anderson, Don S. Davis and Greenberg in 1986 on MacGyver and Smith in The Beachcombers. Greenberg had said to Chalk that they were going to bring him into the show, at first there was no audition or a single phone call, until season 5 of the series. During the shows history, Chalk "Begged" the producers for his character to go through the "Stargate", but they said no, but, eventually they came up with the idea of giving him his own starship. Chalk was the only non-Russian actor assigned in "Flesh and Blood".[68]
Catherine Langford, played by Kelly Vint (girl in the film and at the very start of Stargate Origins), Viveca Lindfors (elderly lady in the film), Elizabeth Hoffman (elderly lady in season 1), Nancy McClure (young woman in season 1) and Glynis Davies (middle-aged woman in season 2), Ellie Gall (Stargate Origins) – Daughter of archeologist Prof. Paul Langford, who discovered the Stargate, as a girl she acquired an amulet depicting the Eye of Ra during the excavation of the Stargate in Giza in 1928.[69] In present-day of Stargate, she gives the amulet to Daniel before his first mission through the Stargate to Abydos. Her fiancé, a scientist named Ernest Littlefield (played by Keene Curtis and Paul McGillion), is the first human to have travelled through the Stargate since the ancient Egyptians buried it. Catherine and Ernest were separated by a gate incident in 1945 and were re-united in the mid-season 1 episode "The Torment of Tantalus", but Ernest is never seen again in the series (although he is mentioned in season 1's "There But For the Grace of God" and season 2's "The Fifth Race"). Catherine Langford appears again in alternate universes and times in "There But For the Grace of God" and "1969". Her death is announced in season 8's "Moebius, Part 1"; she leaves her personal collection of documents and artifacts, including the golden medallion of Ra, to Daniel Jackson.
In the show, Earth's efforts to construct starships of its own using reverse-engineered alien technology begin in the season 4 episode "Tangent", with the less-than-successful X-301. The first spaceworthy Earth fighter, the X-302 (later F-302), is introduced in season 6's "Redemption", and a few episodes later in "Prometheus", Earth's first space battlecruiser, the Prometheus. Squadrons of F-302s are eventually stationed on Earth, Atlantis, the SGC's alternative sites, and its battlecruisers. In season 2 of Stargate Atlantis, the Daedalus-class battlecruiser is introduced, incorporating advancements that were tested on the Prometheus. Six Daedalus-class battlecruisers appeared in the franchise: the Daedalus, the Odyssey, the Korolev, the Apollo, the Sun Tzu, and the George Hammond (named the Phoenix in an alternate timeline). Except for the Korolev and the Sun Tzu, which are operated by the Russians and Chinese respectively, all Earth combat spacecraft are operated by the United States Air Force.
Set designer Peter Bodnarus based the design of the F-302 on the F-117A U.S. Air Force stealth fighter and the HL-10 aircraft from the 1970s, while still leaving the Goa'uld glider origins of the design recognizable. He and his team focused on creating a realistic-looking cockpit interior for the X-302 in terms of the headrest with overhead ejection handles and emergency systems.[70] The original concepts for the look of the Prometheus as well as the X-303's interior were aircraft carriers.[70][71] For the Prometheus, the producers wanted to build something that was exactly the opposite of Goa'uld ships, which, according to Paul Mullie, are basically big empty rooms with nowhere to sit, no screens and no buttons to press. Andy Mikita thought the Prometheus was a fun set to shoot in because "there's lots of layers and textures and flashing lights".[71]
Catherine Womack, played by Chelah Horsdal (seasons 8–9) – A US Airforce officer of unknown rank. She takes over from Major Erin Gant as the helmsman of the Prometheus in season 8's in "New Order, Part 2" and is last seen in "Full Alert".
Paul Emerson, played by Matthew Glave (seasons 9–10) – Introduced as the commander of the Odyssey in season 9's "Off the Grid", rescuing SG-1 and aiding in their mission to take back all stolen Stargates from Ba'al's ship. In the next episode, "The Scourge", he again rescues SG-1 and a team of the IOA from the Gamma Site. In the season 9 finale, "Camelot", Emerson teams up the Odyssey with many other ships of the Jaffa, the Asgard and the Lucian Alliance to battle the Ori battlecruisers which come through an open Supergate, and the Odyssey takes much damage. Emerson continues serving as the commander of the Odyssey in season 10 but is killed by a member of the Lucian Alliance in "Company of Thieves".
Erin Gant, played by Ingrid Kavelaars (seasons 6–7) A US airforce Major and the first known helmsman of the Prometheus under Colonels Ronson and Kirkland as well as General George Hammond. She is first seen in "Memento" and last seen in "Lost City".
Kevin Marks, played by Martin Christopher (seasons 9–10) – A USAF officer aboard the Prometheus introduced in "Avalon Part 1", helping Mitchell and SG-1 locate and gain access to the Ancient stronghold at Avalon. Marks is also present during the Kalana mission in "Beachhead" and the subsequent search for Gerak's hidden mothership in orbit of Earth's moon in "Ex Deus Machina", after which he is promoted to captain. Following the destruction of the Prometheus in "Ethon", Marks is promoted to major and becomes a bridge officer on board the Odyssey, where he participates in various operations in "Camelot", "The Scourge, "Flesh and Blood", "Talion", and "Unending". Marks' last apparent SG-1 mission on board the Odyssey is the retrieval of the Ark of Truth from the Ori Home Galaxy in Stargate: The Ark of Truth. He takes a similar bridge position on board the Apollo in Atlantis's "Be All My Sins Remember'd" and transfers to Daedalus in "Search and Rescue". In "The Daedalus Variations", Teyla mentions that Marks gave her preliminary training on the battlecruiser's systems, an offer that Ronon Dex had declined. He is last seen on board the George Hammond under the command of Samantha Carter in Stargate: Universe's "Air." Aside from the commanders of each ship, Marks is the most recurring crewmember to appear and the only character shown to serve on each of Stargate's major space vessels.
Lionel Pendergast, played by Barclay Hope (seasons 8–9) – Replaces Colonel William Ronson as commander of the Prometheus and is first seen in "New Order Part 2" patrolling Earth. Pendergast intercepts Thor's Asgard mothership Daniel Jackson after its arrival in Earth's solar system and destroys a Trust-controlled Al'kesh in "Full Alert". He is leading the search of Osiris's cloaked Al'kesh in Earth's orbit in "Endgame" and transports the Stargate and SG-1 aboard before the enemy vessel enters hyperspace. In season 9's "Beachhead", Pendergast delivers a Mark IX warhead to an Ori beachhead and maintains the ship's position during the mission despite Jaffa and Ori interruption. Pendergast dies during the destruction of the Prometheus by an Ori satellite weapon in "Ethon"; he remained aboard to beam his crew off the ship, thus saving 76 lives.
William Ronson, played by John Novak (seasons 6–7) – A USAF Colonel and Commander of the Prometheus during seasons 6 and 7.
Ian Davidson played by Fulvio Cecere (season 10) A USAF Colonel who takes command of the Odyssey in the Season 10 episodes, "Family Ties" and "Dominion" following the death of his predecessor, Colonel Paul Emerson.
The Abydonians are the people whom Colonel O'Neill's team encounters on another planet in the Stargate film. They are the slaves of the alien Ra and are descendants from ancient Egyptians brought through the Stargate to mine the fictional mineral naqahdah. The film gives the location of their homeworld—named Abydos in SG-1's pilot episode "Children of the Gods"—as the Kaliem galaxy "on the far side of the known universe" in the film; and as the closest planets to Earth in the Stargate network in "Children of the Gods". In the film, O'Neill and Daniel Jackson inspire the Abydonians and their leader, Kasuf, to rise up against Ra. The military personnel return to Earth, while Daniel falls in love with Kasuf's daughter Sha're and remains behind. In "Children of the Gods", set a year after the film, the Goa'uld Apophis attacks Abydos, abducting Sha're and her brother Skaara to serve as hosts for his queen Amonet and son Klorel. In season 6's "Full Circle", the Goa'uld Anubis destroys Abydos, but Oma Desala helps its entire population Ascend.
Erick Avari played Kasuf in the film and the television series. Kasuf (Arabic for 'eclipse'),[72] played by Erick Avari (film, seasons 2–4) and Daniel Rashid (Origins) – The leader of the Abydonians in the film, and the father of Sha're and Skaara. In season 2's "Secrets", one year after Apophis's kidnapping of Kasuf's children in "Children of Gods", Daniel returns to Abydos and learns that Sha're has become pregnant by Apophis. Kasuf helps Daniel to hide the newborn child from Heru-ur. Kasuf returns in season 3's "Forever in a Day" when his daughter Sha're dies. Kasuf last appears in season 4's "Absolute Power", introducing SG-1 to his rapidly aged grandchild, Shifu. In the prequel web series Origins, it is shown that Kasuf served Aset in Abydos and met Catherine Langford and her group when a German officer named Brucke first activated the Stargate in a warehouse near Giza on Earth. Upon Ra's return to Abydos, Aset made Kasuf the leader of the village of Nagada.
Sha're (Sha'uri in the film), played by Mili Avital (film) and Vaitiare Bandera (seasons 1–3) – Kasuf's daughter who becomes Daniel Jackson's wife and the host of the Goa'uld Amonet (also spelled Amaunet). In the film, her father Kasuf offers Sha're to Daniel Jackson as a gift, and although he initially refuses to take her as his wife, they eventually fall in love with each other. After one year of marriage in "Children of the Gods", Apophis takes Sha're hostage and makes her a host for his symbiote queen Amonet against her will. Daniel meets a now vastly-pregnant Sha're on a visit to Abydos in season 2's "Secrets". She hides her child, a Harcesis fathered by Apophis, from Heru-ur as Amonet is dormant during the pregnancy. When Sha're gives birth to a boy, Shifu, Amonet takes control of Sha're but keeps information about the child to herself. Amonet returns for the child one year later in season 3's "Forever in a Day", sending him to the planet Kheb with one of her handmaidens. During a battle at Abydos in "Forever in a Day", Amonet attacks Daniel with her hand device in a tent, and Teal'c kills Sha're with his staff weapon to prevent Daniel's death.
Skaara, played by Alexis Cruz (film, seasons 1–3, 6) – The son of Kasuf and brother to Sha're. In the film, Skaara and his friends aid O'Neil and his soldiers to beat Ra. In "Children of the Gods", Skaara is taken hostage by Apophis and is made the host for his symbiote son Klorel against his will. SG-1 invades Klorel's ship in the season 1 finale, "Within the Serpent's Grasp", but Skaara is only able to emerge shortly. After O'Neill shoots Klorel to prevent him from killing Dr. Jackson, Bra'tac revives him in a Sarcophagus. Skaara and Apophis flee before their ships are destroyed in the season 2 opener, "The Serpent's Lair". In season 3's "Pretense", Klorel's ship crashes on the Tollan homeworld while fleeing from Heru-ur's forces. With help from the Tollan technology, Skaara regains control and participates in a Tollan trial to get the symbiote separated from his body. Skaara wins the trial and eventually returns to Abydos, where he meets SG-1 one last time in the season 6 finale, "Full Circle". Skaara helps SG-1 in the search for the Eye of Ra before Anubis can find it on Abydos. Skaara is mortally wounded during the firefight with Anubis' Jaffa, but ascends with the help of Oma Desala.
The Ancients are the original builders of the Stargate network, who, by the time of Stargate SG-1, have ascended beyond corporeal form to a higher plane of existence. The humans of Earth are the "second evolution" of the Ancients. The Ancients (originally known as the Alterans) colonized the Milky Way galaxy millions of years ago and built a great empire. They also colonized the Pegasus galaxy and seeded human life there before being driven out by the Wraith. The civilization of the Ancients in the Milky Way was decimated millions of years ago by a plague and those who did not learn to ascend travelled to the Pegasus galaxy on board Atlantis. With few exceptions, the ascended Ancients respect free will and refuse to interfere in the affairs of the material galaxy. However, their legacy is felt profoundly throughout the Stargate universe, from their technologies such as Stargates and Atlantis to the Ancient Technology Activation gene that they introduced into the human genome through interbreeding.
Oma Desala ("Mother Nature"), played by Carla Boudreau (season 3) and Mel Harris (seasons 5, 8) – An Ascended being who goes against the ways of the Ancients. It is unclear if she is an Ancient herself, as the Ancients Orlin and Merlin give different accounts of knowing Oma. Oma is responsible for once helping the fallen System Lord Anubis, the main SG-1 antagonist between seasons 5 through 8, ascend. Although the Ancients banished her for her actions, Oma remains convinced of her responsibility to guide those beneath to the "Great Path" of enlightenment, even if this interferes in the lower planes of existence. Oma therefore only guides individuals, leaving the final decision to travel the great path to them. SG-1 first encounters Oma Desala on their search for Shifu in season 3's "Maternal Instinct". Oma eventually guides Shifu to ascension in season 4's "Absolute Power". Oma is involved in Daniel Jackson's ascension in "Meridian" and forceful de-ascension in "Fallen", and also helps the entire Abydonian population ascend after Anubis's attack in season 6's "Full Circle". Oma Desala last appears in season 8's "Threads", sacrificing herself to enter an eternal battle with Anubis to prevent him from wreaking further havoc on the galaxy.
Note: Mel Harris's teenage son was a Stargate SG-1 fan and introduced her to the series. The Stargate producers offered her the part when she was visiting the set while in Vancouver for another job. The best direction she got for playing this almost "omniscient" character was that she was not like others and was a "being" of her own.[73]
The Asgard are a benevolent race whose former homeworld is the planet Othala. According to the mythology of Stargate, they gave rise to Norse mythology on Earth and inspired accounts of the Roswellgrey aliens. The Asgard can no longer reproduce and perpetuate themselves by transferring their minds into new clone bodies as necessary. Extremely advanced technologically, the threat of their intervention shields many planets in the Milky Way from Goa'uld attack, including Earth.
The Asgard provide much assistance to Earth in the way of technology, equipment, and expertise. Their main adversaries in Stargate SG-1 are the mechanical Replicators, against which they enlist the aid of SG-1 on several occasions. The entire Asgard civilization chooses to self-destruct in "Unending" (S10E20; series finale) due to the degenerative effects of repeated cloning. A small colony of Asgard still exists in the Pegasus galaxy and they were able to stop cloning's diminishing returns.
Most Asgard characters on the show are directly named after Norse gods. Prominent one-time characters include Aegir (voiced by Michael Shanks in "New Order", named after Aegir), Heimdall (voiced by Teryl Rothery in "Revelations", named after Heimdallr) and Loki (voiced by Peter DeLuise in "Fragile Balance", named after and based on Loki). Stargate SG-1 had several Asgard puppets, and six puppeteers were necessary to make the different parts of the main Asgard puppet work.[74]
Thor, voiced by Michael Shanks (seasons 1–8, 10) – The Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet. SG-1 first encounter him as a Viking holographic recording (played by Mark Gibbon) on the planet Cimmeria in "Thor's Hammer". They meet the real Thor one season later when they enlist him to save Cimmeria from Heru-ur's invasion. After O'Neill manages to make friendly contact with the Asgard in their galaxy, Thor includes Earth in the Protected Planets Treaty to safeguard it from a direct Goa'uld attack. Late in season 3, SG-1 helps to destroy Thor's ship, the Beliskner, which had been overtaken by the Replicators, in "Nemesis". Impressed by SG-1's primitive but effective tactics, Thor requests SG-1 to help fight the Replicators in his Asgard homeworld soon after, in "Small Victories" Anubis captures Thor and probes his mind for Asgard technology, and Thor's body lapses into a coma in "Revelations". SG-1 retrieve Thor's consciousness from the ship's database a while later, and transfer it into a new body.
Thor asks for SG-1's assistance after his people's plan to trap the Replicators inside a time-dilation field on the planet Halla backfired. Thor personally makes an appearance at a secret meeting between the permanent members of Earth's UN Security Council taking place in the Pentagon, to ensure that SGC retains control over the Earth Stargate. As the time-dilation device on Halla cannot keep the Replicators bottled up forever, Thor collapses Halla's sun into a black hole, but some Replicators escape. Some weeks later, Thor and Carter modify their Replicator Disruptor, but as the Replicators quickly adapt, they use the Dakara superweapon to destroy all Replicators in one strike. Thor gets a new clone body soon after. Thor summons the Odyssey to the Asgard homeworld Orilla and installs the entire knowledge base of the Asgard race on the ship. As attempts to save the Asgard civilization from their genetic difficulties have failed, he informs Lt. Col. Carter that the Asgard consider people of Earth the fifth race, heirs first to the Ancients and now the Asgard, and that it is their turn to safeguard the future. Thor perishes along with the rest of the Asgard race when their planet self-destructs before the Ori can attack. Carter later programs the Asgard data core's interface to look and behave like Thor, but admits that it is not the same as talking to the god that became her friend.
Thor originally speaks more slowly in the first season, but Michael Shanks, who voiced him since the beginning, joked that he was not getting paid by the hour but by the amount of dialog, when he commented on the increased dialog speed in later episodes. As the Thor puppet is able neither to walk nor stand, the puppet is often put in a chair.[75]
The Goa'uld are the dominant race in the Milky Way and the primary adversaries from seasons 1 to 8 of Stargate SG-1. The most powerful Goa'uld in the galaxy are collectively known as the System-Lords. They are a parasitic species that resembles finned snakes, which can burrow themselves into a humanoid's neck and wrap around the spinal column. The Goa'uld symbiote then takes control of its host's body and mind, while providing longevity and perfect health. In their fictional backstory, the Goa'uld invaded and ruled over Earth thousands of years ago, masquerading as gods from ancient mythologies. The Goa'uld transplanted humans throughout the galaxy to serve as slaves and hosts, and created the Jaffa to serve as incubators for Goa'uld larvae.
Anubis, played by David Palffy (seasons 5–7, hooded), Dean Aylesworth and Rik Kiviaho (season 8's "Reckoning"), and George Dzundza (season 8 as "Jim") – A half-ascended Goa'uld System Lord who replaces Apophis as the main enemy in season 5. Based on the god Anubis of Egyptian mythology, the character is first mentioned by name in season 5's "Summit" (although is alluded to in the earlier episode "Between Two Fires"), and makes his first appearance in "Revelations". It is revealed that like all the other Egyptian "gods", he is in fact a Goa'uld—one so vicious and cruel that he was banished by the other Goa'uld. Earth is eventually able to annihilate Anubis's fleet above Antarctica in "Lost City", but Anubis survives in energy form ("Lockdown"). Anubis regains his power throughout season 8 and develops a plan to destroy all life in the galaxy and then repopulate it to his own designs ("Reckoning"). Just as he prepares to use the weapon in "Threads", Oma Desala, who aided in his ascension thousands of years ago, engages him in an eternal battle.
David Palffy was cast to play Sokar before he got the part of Anubis.[76] Since Anubis is cloaked all the time, Palffy had to express the character's weight through the voice and movements. Mainly because of the severe time-restraints of filming television, the producers gave Palffy no background on the character and encouraged Palffy to experiment and find the character's tone himself.[77] What was under Anubis' cloak became a main question among fandom.[76] Anubis was received as an over-the-top-character,[77][78] but Palffy pointed to what the character represents, saying "Anubis is a god – he's not fully ascended, he's basically an outcast. And as I say, this resulting displacement of energy that's evil, that has been temporarily harnessed under a hood to give him physical form. He's the image of death, the figure of death incarnate, and he's surrounded by a black robe. That symbol in itself has been around since the dawn of time. That in itself is over the top. [...] His whole existence is basically predicated on living up to that theme, and that's a theme that's time immemorial. And of course, as an actor, you've got to work with that. To do otherwise, to underplay that, will work against the idea of what he represents."[78] Palffy was open to continue playing Anubis beyond season 7, but other actors played the character in season 8.[78]
Apophis, played by Peter Williams (seasons 1–6, 8) – A System Lord and the main villain for most of the first four seasons of Stargate SG-1. Based on the god Apep of Egyptian mythology, the character gained power after Ra's death in the film and commands a raid on Earth and Abydos in "Children of the Gods", leading to the restart of the Stargate Program. His then First Prime, Teal'c, defects from his army afterwards. Apophis's standing amongst the System Lords is severely diminished after a failed full-scale assault on Earth in season 2's "The Serpent's Lair". Apophis is killed and eventually revived by the Goa'uld Sokar in season 3. After defeating Sokar's massive fleet and army in season 3's "The Devil You Know", Apophis becomes the most powerful Goa'uld in the galaxy. Despite his death aboard his Replicator-infested ship in season 5's "Enemies", Apophis appears in visions and alternate timelines in season 6's "The Changeling", season 8's "Moebius" and Stargate: Continuum. In the latter, he is the last System Lord to resist the rule of Ba'al who kills Apophis shortly before his attempted takeover of Earth.
Ba'al, played by Cliff Simon (seasons 5–10) – A System Lord based on the Baal of Canaanite religion. Introduced in season 5's "Summit" and recurring until the end of the show, he is the longest-running villain in Stargate history. After Anubis' fleet is destroyed in season 7's "Lost City", Ba'al gains substantial power and wages a war against all other System Lords, driving them to the brink of defeat in early and mid-season 8. Anubis' return in "Reckoning"/"Threads" forces Ba'al back into his service. Ba'al secretly collaborates with SG-1 and Jacob/Selmak to thwart Anubis' plan of overtaking the galaxy with the Dakara Superweapon, but flees when the Jaffa storm his mothership. With his traditional power base gone, Ba'al exiles to Earth and takes over the Trust, posing as a wealthy businessman in season 9's "Ex Deus Machina". Having made multiple clones of himself, Ba'al begins a campaign to battle the invading Ori for control of the galaxy in "Stronghold" and tries to gain power through various means in "Off the Grid", and season 10's "Insiders" and "The Quest". Ba'al captures Adria in "Dominion" and implants one of his cloned symbiotes within her, massacring most of his other clones with symbiote poison. The symbiote is extracted and killed, but he fatally poisons Adria first, forcing her Ascension to survive. The Tok'ra extract the symbiote from the last Ba'al clone in Stargate: Continuum. However, the real Ba'al travels back in time to 1939 and alters history by intercepting the Stargate as it is transported by the ocean freighter Achilles, creating a timeline in which Ba'al gains dominion over the System Lords and lays siege to Earth with Teal'c as his First Prime and Qetesh, the Goa'uld who used Vala as a host, as his queen. Cameron Mitchell manages to travel back in time to 1929 and set an ambush for Ba'al when he boards the Achilles. The real Ba'al is shot and killed by Mitchell, restoring the original timeline. With Ba'al gone, the extraction of the last Ba'al clone proceeds as planned and the symbiote dies, ending the reign of the System Lord forever. Ba'al's host survives the extraction and Vala plans to help him adjust to life after over two thousand years under Ba'al's control.
Cliff Simon met with executive producersRobert C. Cooper and Brad Wright and auditioned eight months before the character Ba'al was created for the series. Simon, Cooper and Wright came to an agreement to wait until they found the right character for Simon in the show. Simon said "I was very lucky," when talking about his character in an interview with The Sci Fi World.[80] According to portraying actor Simon, Ba'al was the most "interesting" character he had done, because of Ba'al's character development and diversity. Simon felt that he needed to diversify the character to make it more exciting. As he put it, "if you're always bad, it gets pretty boring." He wanted to change the development of the character. The writing staff eventually agreed with him and started fleshing out his character.[81]
The Jaffa are an offshoot of humanity, genetically engineered by the Goa'uld. They have an abdominal pouch which serves to incubate larval Goa'uld. The infant Goa'uld provides strength, longevity, and good health, at the cost of supplanting the Jaffa's natural immune system, making them dependent on the Goa'uld for more symbiotes. The Jaffa have a warrior culture and form the armies of the Goa'uld. In season 8 of Stargate SG-1, the Jaffa Resistance wins their race's freedom from Goa'uld oppression, resulting in the Free Jaffa Nation.
Tony Amendola played Bra'tac from season 1 through 10 of Stargate SG-1.
Bra'tac, played by Tony Amendola (seasons 1–3, 5–10) – A Jaffa warrior, former First Prime of the Goa'uldSystem LordApophis, and Teal'c's former teacher and closest friend.[82] His surviving to an age of retirement as First Prime is a noted rarity, and affords him a significant amount of respect among Jaffa. Bra'tac is over 133 years of age at the beginning of the series, a fact he reminds SG-1 of on multiple occasions.[83] He is introduced in season 1's "Bloodlines" and is one of the most frequently recurring characters on Stargate SG-1. Bra'tac, having been one of the first Jaffa to doubt the Goa'uld as gods, has been an outcast among the Jaffa since at least season 1. Bra'tac was also the one who initially influenced Teal'c to doubt the Goa'uld as well. Bra'tac helps Teal'c and SG-1 on many missions. He is initially suspicious of the humans, particularly O'Neill. This dynamic is played out somewhat comically, but Bra'tac slowly learns to trust and respect humans.[84] In seasons 1 and 2, Bra'tac helps to save Teal'c's son, Rya'c from several threats and becomes a guardian to him. During a mission to find the Harcesis child (Shifu) on Kheb in season 3's "Maternal Instinct", Bra'tac is presented with the idea of Ascension but in the end decides against this possibility for himself. At the end of season 6, Bra'tac and Teal'c are both badly wounded during a Jaffa meeting and lose their symbiotes, surviving only by taking the new drug Tretonin. Bra'tac is the primary instigator of the Jaffa Resistance, a rebellion aimed at overthrowing the Goa'uld and establishing the freedom of all Jaffa. At the end of season 8, Bra'tac and Teal'c convince the other members of the Jaffa Rebellion to attack Dakara in an ultimately successful mission. The Jaffa obtain freedom, and Bra'tac receives a position of honor. He becomes a member of the High Council, the governing body of the new Free Jaffa Nation but still stays loyal to Stargate Command. Some time after the destruction of Dakara by the Ori, leaders of the Free Jaffa Nation meet to consider the future, but Bra'tac and Teal'c are badly injured during an ambush by a former enemy of Teal'c. When they get nursed back at the SGC, Bra'tac tells Teal'c that he is like a son to him.
The Lucian Alliance is an interstellar group of human smugglers and mercenaries that have joined together from many different human-settled worlds across the Milky Way Galaxy to fill the power vacuum created by the demise of the Goa'uld, and have obtained and modified Goa'uld technology for their own use. When their trade partner Vala Mal Doran does not keep an agreement in their first appearance in season 8's "Prometheus Unbound", she and Daniel are placed on a Lucian Alliance wanted list. The Lucian Alliance is first referred to by name in season 9's "The Ties That Bind" and reappears as a recurring foe in seasons 9 and 10. The Lucian Alliance story arc is continued in Stargate Universe. Producer Joseph Mallozzi explained in retrospect, "Much of the Lucian Alliance we saw in SG-1 was inept and, dare I say it, a bit goofy. They fit in with SG-1's lighter, more high adventure-driven tone but would have stood out (and not in a good way) in the new series [Stargate Universe]. As a result, I was initially leery at the prospect of introducing them to SGU but, as so often happened over the course of my many years in the franchise, I trusted in Brad [Wright] and Robert [C. Cooper] and, in the end, that trust was rewarded with a terrific story element that not only succeeded as planned [...] but offered up plenty of interesting story material for future episodes [of Stargate Universe]. The Alliance was always envisioned as a loose coalition of mercenary groups so it made sense that certain factions would have been more capable and threatening than others."[85]
Jup and Tenat, played by Geoff Redknap and Morris Chapdelaine (seasons 8–10) – Oranian minor members of the Lucian Alliance who make their first appearance in season 8's "Prometheus Unbound", aiming to trade a case of weapons-grade-refined naqahdah to Vala in exchange for the stolen Prometheus. After Daniel foils the plot, the Alliance sends Jup and Tenat to capture Vala in season 9's "The Ties That Bind", but Mitchell and Teal'c double-cross them. Upon meeting and recognizing Mitchell as a scam artist aboard a Lucian Alliance ship in season 10's "Company of Thieves", Tenat asks for a part of the spoils and is double-crossed again, dying in a self-induced firefight against Netan's mothership. Jup last appears in "Bounty" as one of several bounty hunters attempting the capture of SG-1 on Earth, but another bounty hunter kills him.
Netan, played by Eric Steinberg (seasons 9–10) – The leader of the Lucian Alliance. He first appears in "Off the Grid", trying to intercept Ba'al in stealing Stargates from several planets, including one controlled by the Lucian Alliance. Teal'c approaches the Lucian Alliance for help in attacking the invading Ori battlecruisers in "Camelot", and Netan commits three motherships to the battle. After the big losses during that battle, one of Netan's seconds (Anateo) moves against Netan in season 10's "Company of Thieves", but Anateo's skills and a trick by Mitchell lead Netan to declare war on the people of Earth. SG-1 actually does Netan a favor, killing Anateo for him while retaking the Odyssey. After SG-1 makes raids on Lucian Alliance assets in "Bounty", Netan places a bounty on the heads of SG-1 and is implied to die at the hands of another bounty hunter himself when the hunters fail.
The Ori are Ascended beings who use their infinite knowledge of the universe to force lesser beings to worship them. In essence, they used to be Ancients, however they split into separate groups due to different views of life. The Ori are religious while the Ancients prefer science. The Ori sway lesser-developed planets into worshipping them by promising Ascension through an invented and empty religion called "Origin". This religion states that they created humanity and as such are to be worshipped by their creations. It also promises its followers that, on death, they will Ascend. However, Origin was designed to channel energy from the human worshippers to the Ori. As such, the Ori never help anyone else Ascend because then they would have to share the power that they sap from their worshippers. Their ultimate goal is to completely destroy the Ascended Ancients, who they know as "the Others". All of their efforts, including their technology, are for the purpose of garnering worshippers. As Ascended beings, the Ori do not interfere directly in the mortal plane. Instead, they use humans called Priors, which they artificially evolve so that they are one step from Ascension, giving the Priors godly powers. Because the Ori have worshippers across the entire home galaxy of the Ancients, and using their knowledge to spread, they are nearly unstoppable.
Adria, played by Robert C. Cooper's daughter Emma (season 10, age 4), Jodelle Ferland (season 10, age 7), Brenna O'Brien (season 10, age 12), Morena Baccarin (season 10, adult) – The primary antagonist in season 10. Adria is the Orici, a genetically advanced human infused with Ori knowledge. The Ori had impregnated Vala Mal Doran with Adria against her will in season 9 to circumvent the Ancients' rules in the Milky Way galaxy, and as such Vala named the child after her "witch of a woman" stepmother. Losing contact with young Adria in "Flesh and Blood", Vala meets her daughter again as an adult in "Counterstrike". In "The Quest", Adria tricks SG-1 into obtaining the Sangraal for her and captures Daniel before he can complete the device. Adria attempts to convert Daniel to the path of Origin and makes him a Prior, but he betrays her in "The Shroud" and uses the weapon on the Ori galaxy. Adria is briefly implanted with the Goa'uld Ba'al in "Dominion", but the removal of the symbiote almost kills Adria and she ascends. She nevertheless continues the Ori's assault on the Milky Way in Stargate: The Ark of Truth, where the Ancient Morgan le Fay engages her in an ascended battle, "eternally distracting her from being able to continue her evil ways".[86] • The producers created Adria's character to give Vala a story and personality arc as a new member of the SG-1 team[87] and offered the role of adult Adria to Morena Baccarin, as they were fans of her former TV series, Firefly.[88] The character initially has orange contact lenses, but they irritated Baccarin's eyes so much that the lenses were dropped during the shooting of "The Quest".[89]
Tomin, played by Tim Guinee (seasons 9–10) – A devout Ori follower of the village of Ver Isca, who becomes an Ori commander in Season 10. Tomin is intended as a representation of the Ori warriors,[90] and Cooper described Guinee as a "fabulous actor who instantly creates that humanity and empathy ... while he's mass-murdering people"[87] Tomin is introduced in flashbacks in season 9's "Crusade", having found Vala after she was transported to the Ori home galaxy. Tomin had been crippled since childhood, and was therefore looked down on by his fellow villagers. Tomin married Vala and accepted her pregnancy as his child, not knowing that it was an immaculate conception set by the Ori. A little later, a Prior visited the village and cured Tomin of his limp, allowing him to become a warrior for the Ori. The prior also told Tomin the truth about the child as "the will of the Ori", who would later be the Orici. Tomin is later able to forgive Vala.[91] As seen in "Camelot", Tomin and Vala depart aboard the first wave of Ori vessels entering the Milky Way, and they go separate ways in season 10's "Flesh and Blood". Tomin rises to the rank of commander within the Ori warrior armies, and he and Vala meet again in "Line in the Sand". Because a Prior twists the words of the Book of Origin, Tomin begins to doubt the Priors and their interpretations of Origin's teachings, and helps Vala escape. Despite his betrayal, Tomin survives and remains an Ori commander by the time of Stargate: The Ark of Truth, leading the Ori forces in the ruins of Dakara. After the Prior he serves is killed by Mitchell, Tomin finally loses his faith in the Ori and surrenders to SG-1. Tomin helps Daniel decipher his visions of the Ark of Truth and accompanies SG-1 back to the Ori galaxy where Tomin is instrumental in finding the Ark and ending the Ori threat for good. After the defeat of the Ori, Tomin becomes the new leader of his people, but Vala declines Tomin's offer to return with him, feeling that her place is with SG-1.
Doci (Latin docere, "to teach"), played by Julian Sands (season 9) – The leader of the Priors who also represents the Ori in their home galaxy.[90] He has brown hair and colored eyes, pale skin and facial markings of a Prior. He first appears in season 9's "Origin", residing in the city of Celestis, with his chambers next to the Ori's Flames of Enlightenment. He also appears in a short flash in "The Fourth Horseman, Part 1" and is hit by the Ark's beam in Stargate: The Ark of Truth, stopping his belief of the Ori as gods so that he spreads the truth to all of the Priors in the Ori galaxy and through them to their followers. The Doci immediately breaks down in tears, begging for forgiveness for his actions. • Although Sands' limited availability was a hindrance in The Ark of Truth, the producers felt it was better to include the Doci than to forgo the character.[86] Had Julian Sands not been able to resume the role, the producers had planned to hire another actor as a different Doci in charge in Celestis.[92]
Prior, played by Greg Anderson (seasons 9–10) – The governor of the village of Ver Eger, introduced in "Avalon" when Daniel and Vala first come to the village. As a reward for fulfilling his duties and putting Vala through a Trial by Fire, he is transformed into a Prior in "Origin". He is later sent to the Milky Way and appears in "The Powers That Be" unleashing a plague in a defiant village, in "The Fourth Horseman" turning Gerak into a Prior, and in season 10's "Line in the Sand" ordering the destruction of a village by spaceship. In Stargate: The Ark of Truth, he commands Ori ground forces alongside Tomin during the search for the Ark of Truth. With a Prior disruptor blocking his powers, the Prior is killed by Mitchell with a shot from an Ori staff weapon, proving to Tomin once and for all that the Ori are not gods.
Prior, played by Doug Abrahams (seasons 9–10) – A one-eyed Prior introduced in "Crusade", who cures Tomin of his limp and later informs him of being unable to father children. He is on-board one of the Ori battlecruisers invading the Milky Way in "Camelot" and is present during Adria's birth in season 10's "Flesh and Blood", informing Vala and Tomin of her divine purpose. The Prior nearly kills Daniel Jackson, but he and Vala are rescued at the last second by the Odyssey. In "The Quest", he accompanies Adria in the search of the Sangraal. He is captured in Stargate: The Ark of Truth during an attempt to convince Earth to surrender or face destruction. After the Ark of Truth is retrieved from the Ori home galaxy, the Prior is exposed to it, spreading the truth to all of the Ori followers in the Milky Way galaxy and ending their crusade.
The Replicators are a potent mechanical life-form who use a quiron-based nanotechnology. They strive to increase their numbers and spread across the universe by assimilating advanced technologies. They are hostile to all other life and are opposed primarily by the Asgard. In the episode "Unnatural Selection", the Replicators had used technology extracted from their Android creator to make shapeshifting, human-form Replicators. While standard Replicators are resistant to energy weapons but can be destroyed by projectile weapons, human-form Replicators are resistant to projectile weapons as well, thanks to the change in their nature from large blocks to smaller units the size of organic cells (cell blocks). In the episode "New Order (Part 2)", an Ancient weapon called the Replicator Disruptor was developed by O'Neill while he still had the knowledge of the Ancients in his mind. It works by blocking the cohesion between the blocks that make up the Replicators. The Replicators in the Milky Way galaxy were wiped out by the Dakara Superweapon in the two-part episode "Reckoning" at the climax of Season 8. It has been indicated that the Asgard used the same technology to defeat the Replicators in their own home galaxy as well.
Fifth, played by Patrick Currie (seasons 6, 8) – A human-form Replicator introduced in season 6's "Unnatural Selection". He is the fifth human-form to be created on the Asgard planet Halla, and unlike the others he lacks the programming flaws of the android Reese, on which the human-forms are based. This makes him more "human" than the other Replicators, who consider him "weak" as a result. After SG-1 is captured by the Replicators, Fifth becomes fascinated by them, especially Carter, and attempts to help them, but SG-1 break their promise and leave Fifth behind in a time dilation field. Fifth has escaped the time dilation field in the season 8 episode "New Order", and en route to the new Asgard homeworld of Orilla, he captures Samantha Carter and tortures her in revenge. He eventually relents when she appeals to his humanity again, and professes his love for her. He lets Carter go but creates a Replicator duplicate of her to serve as his consort. Fifth appears for the last time in "Gemini", conspiring with Replicator Carter to obtain data from the SGC that would immunize them from the Replicator Disruptor. Replicator Carter however never returned his feelings, believing him unfit to command the Replicators. She ultimately betrays him, taking the data for herself while manipulating him into being destroyed by the Disruptor.
Patrick Currie had auditioned for the show about 15 times before being cast, according to Currie, because the producers always short-listed him and waited for the perfect episode to use him in. When preparing for the role of Fifth, Currie was unsure where to take the innocence and vulnerability of the character, and later figured that the key to this character is to know "what it's like before we learn to play games and pretend". He thinks Fifth is a misunderstood character and not a villain; Fifth believes he loves Carter, but lacks comparisons.[93]
Replicator Carter (also known as RepliCarter), played by Amanda Tapping (season 8) – A human-form Replicator created by Fifth. She first appears at the end of "New Order", and becomes a major adversary in the eighth season of the series. Fifth intended her to be a duplicate of the real Samantha Carter, but one who would return his affections. Replicator Carter seemingly defects from Fifth to the SGC in "Gemini", but in fact abandons him to be destroyed while she develops a means to immunize herself from the Replicator Disruptor. In "Reckoning", Replicator Carter launches a full-scale invasion of the Milky Way and personally eliminates the last of the Goa'uldSystem Lords. She abducts Daniel and probes his mind to find the location of the Dakara superweapon, the only thing in the galaxy capable of stopping her. She also sends Replicators to fight the forces of Ba'al, the Jaffa Rebellion, and Stargate Command on Earth. Daniel Jackson is able to exploit his connection to the Replicator network at a critical moment, buying enough time to finish calibrating and activating the Dakara weapon. The resulting energy wave breaks Replicator Carter and all her brethren into their constituent parts.
The Tok'ra (literally "against Ra", the Supreme System Lord) are a faction of Goa'uld symbiotes who are opposed to the Goa'uld culturally and militarily. Spawned by the queen Egeria, they live in true symbiosis with their hosts, both beings sharing the body equally and benefitting from each other. The Tok'ra have fought the Goa'uld for thousands of years, favoring covert tactics and balancing the various System Lords against one another. Since season 2 of Stargate SG-1, the Tok'ra have become valuable allies of Earth.
Jacob Carter, played by Carmen Argenziano (seasons 2– 8) – A retired United States Air Force Major General and the widowed father of Samantha Carter and Mark Carter. Jacob Carter is introduced in season 2's "Secrets" as a USAF general dying of cancer, and after becoming a willing host of a Tok'ra named Selmak who would cure his illness ("The Tok'ra") he frequently recurs as the Tok'ra liaison to Earth. As a member of the Tok'ra High Council, Jacob/Selmak engages in Tok'ra covert operations and provides help to Stargate Command when problems arise. He goes on off-world missions with SG-1, and frequently provides valuable knowledge and expertise, including the ability to use a Goa'uld healing device. When the Earth-Tok'ra relations deteriorate, Jacob/Selmak remains the strongest link between the allies despite his loss of influence in the Tok'ra High Council. In season 7's "Death Knell", Jacob helps his daughter devise the Kull Disruptor as an invaluable weapon in fighting the army of Kull Warriors of Anubis's creation. He also plays a key role in returning the Dakara Superweapon to the right pattern to attack the Replicators in season 8's "Reckoning", but Selmak dies of old age one episode later in "Threads", along with Jacob who would not let go of him a few weeks earlier knowing by keeping Selmak alive he would help in the fight against the replicators but would ultimately die with Selmak due to release of a poison when a Symbiote dies. Selmak fell into a coma shortly after the Dakara Superweapon was activated thus preventing him from saving Jacob.
Martouf, played by JR Bourne (seasons 2–4, 9) – A leader in the ranks of the Tok'ra. Martouf had been the mate of Rosha, host to Jolinar, for almost a century. SG-1 first meet Martouf during their first encounter with the Tok'ra in season 2's "The Tok'ra", and since Jolinar was once blended with Samantha Carter, Martouf develops an interest in her. Some episodes later in "Serpent's Song", Martouf recommends that Apophis, who sought asylum at the SGC, should be handed over to Sokar. In the season 3 two-parter "Jolinar's Memories"/"The Devil You Know", Martouf joins SG-1 on a mission to rescue Jacob Carter, the host of the Tok'ra Selmak, from Ne'tu. They are captured and tortured, but Martouf, Selmak and SG-1 can escape when a new Tok'ra weapon destroys Ne'tu. However, Martouf is unwittingly subjected to Goa'uld mind control, turning him into a zatarc. His attempt to assassinate the President of the United States in season 4's "Divide and Conquer" ends in failure, and Carter is forced to kill him. Martouf's symbiote, Lantash, survives and is placed in a Tok'ra stasis chamber, which is destroyed in a Goa'uld attack in season 5's "Last Stand". The new SGC recruit Lieutenant Elliot (played by Courtenay J. Stevens, season 5) blends with Lantash after a severe injury, but they give their lives to save the rest of SG-1 and the Tok'ra, eliminating the entire Goa'uld invasion force with a vial of symbiote poison. An alternate version of Martouf arrives at the SGC when many SG-1s from alternate realities start coming through the Stargate in season 9's "Ripple Effect". That universe's Martouf had joined the SGC to be closer to Carter, but their relationship did not last.
According to portraying actor Courtenay J. Stevens, the first draft for the character was that he was supposed to be a young Jack O'Neill in the then new spin-off show Stargate Atlantis. The producers dropped Elliot and minimized his role so that he was never even mentioned in Stargate Atlantis. Many fans of Stargate thought that Elliot and his team would replace Samantha Carter, Teal'c, Daniel Jackson and O'Neill as the main characters of the show. Stevens has stated that the producers took much time to look at new "Options", for the series and further stated that he knew "they were looking at it". But the plans were changed and actor Stevens left the Stargate set in Vancouver after the shooting of "Last Stand". When shooting the episode, "Summit" J.R. Bourne was booked, so he was replaced with Stevens. Before being cast in the episode "Summit", the producers told the history behind the Tok'ra symbiote Lantash. Stevens was later cast as Keras in the Stargate Atlantis episode "Childhood's End".[94]
Aldwin, played by William deVry (seasons 3–5) – A Tok'ra introduced in season 3's "The Devil You Know" to aid SG-1 on a mission to rescue Jacob Carter from Sokar's prison moon Ne'tu. In season 4's "Absolute Power", Aldwin is sent to the SGC to verify via a zatarc-detecting device that Shifu is indeed the supposed Harcesis. Alwin is killed in season 5's "Summit"/"Last Stand" when Zipacna attacks the planet Revanna where Aldwin guided SG-17 through the Tok'ra base.
Anise, played by Vanessa Angel (season 4) – A gifted scientist and historian whose human host Freya is attracted to Jack O'Neill, although the symbiote prefers Daniel Jackson, as stated in season 4's "Divide and Conquer". She is introduced in season 4's "Upgrades", researching the Atanik armbands on SG-1 in the hope to use the armbands' powers on a dangerous SG-1 mission to destroy Apophis' new prototype mothership. Anise is present for Tanith's introduction in "Crossroads", and assists Stargate Command in "Divide and Conquer" to uncover possible Zatarcs within the SGC ranks. She improperly diagnoses O'Neill and Carter, who unwittingly lied during the test to conceal their feelings for each other.
Jolinar of Malkshur, played by Amanda Tapping (season 2) and Tanya Reid (season 3 as Rosha) – Tok'ra symbiote of Rosha and temporarily Samantha Carter. The symbiote is severely injured by an ash'rak, a Goa'uld assassin, and died saving her host's life.
Ren'al, played by Jennifer Calvert – A member of the Tok'ra High Council. In "Enemies", she travels to Earth to inform General Hammond that, though their plan to destroy Apophis' fleet was successful, no trace of SG-1 or Jacob/Selmak has been found. In "Summit", Ren'al briefs the SGC on an upcoming summit of the Goa'uldSystem Lords and the Tok'ra plan to assassinate them using symbiote poison. When the Tok'ra base on Ravenna comes under attack by Anubis' minion Zipacna in "Last Stand", Re'nal is killed by falling debris.
The Tollan are an advanced human civilization who are introduced in season 1's "Enigma" when the SGC helps a group of them relocate from the original Tollan homeworld that had undergone catastrophic volcanic activity. The Nox take the Tollan in while they continue to search for a new home, later revealed to be named Tollana. The Tollan have a strict policy against sharing technology with more "primitive" races, instituted after such a transfer caused the civilization of their neighboring planet Serita to destroy itself in a single day.[95] Teal'c notes in season 3's "Pretense" that despite the Tollans' technological superiority, they "do not think strategically". The Tollan are wiped out by the forces of the Goa'uld Tanith in season 5's "Between Two Fires" after the Goa'uld Anubis developed shields impervious to Tollan weaponry.
Narim, played by Garwin Sanford (seasons 1, 3, 5) – An influential Tollan who befriends SG-1 after they save him and a group of fellow Tollans in "Enigma". He develops an apparent attraction to Carter and reconfirms his feelings for her in "Pretense", although she informs him that she is not looking for a relationship at that time. After the death of the Tollan leader, Omoc, in "Between Two Fires", Narim and SG-1 discover that his government was collaborating with the Goa'uld. Narim takes action to spare Earth from destruction, but the Goa'uld begin attacking the planet. Narim escorts SG-1 to the Stargate and stays behind to help his people fight. Shortly afterwards, Narim informs Earth of Tollana's devastations via a transmission, which ends abruptly.
Travell, played by Marie Stillin (seasons 3, 5) – High Chancellor and a member of the Curia, the Tollan's highest ruling body. She is first seen in "Pretense", where she presides over the hearings about the future of the Goa'uld Klorel and his unwilling host Skaara. In season 3's "Shades of Grey", Travell participates in an undercover operation conducted by the SGC to expose the rogue NID agents as thieves. In Travell's final appearance in "Between Two Fires", she offers Tollan ion cannon technology to Stargate Command, later discovered to be part of Tanith's extortion of the Curia.
Cassandra, played by Katie Stuart (seasons 1–2), Pamela Perry (season 2, old woman), and Colleen Rennison (who also played Ally in the S02E10"Bane") (season 5) – A young girl whom SG-1 discovers in season 1's "Singularity" as the sole survivor of a biological plague on the planet Hanka, and whom Janet Fraiser subsequently adopts. A naqahdah bomb that the Goa'uld Nirrti once planted in Cassandra's chest shuts down on its own and is eventually absorbed into her body's tissues, allowing Cassandra to sense the people who are infested, or blended with, a Goa'uld. As such, Cassandra senses Carter to have been taken over by Jolinar in season 2's "In the Line of Duty". In season 5's "Rite of Passage", a retrovirus Cassandra contracted on her home planet several years ago causes her to evolve into a hok'taur (an advanced human being), but SG-1 makes a deal with Nirrti to save Cassandra's life. After Janet Fraiser's death in season 7's "Heroes", Carter promises to inform Cassandra about what happened to her adopted mother. Travelling from the year 1969 to several decades into the future, SG-1 meets Cassandra as an old woman in season 2's "1969", who helps them return to their own time. In season 9, Carter mentions that Cassandra is going through a hard time.
Chaka, played by Dion Johnstone (seasons 4–5) and by Patrick Currie (season 7) – A young Unas from P3X-888 who captures Daniel in season 4's "The First Ones" to prove his maturity to his tribe. When the two learn to communicate, Chaka kills his tribe's existing Alpha male and rises to become the new leader. After SG-1 frees Chaka from slave dealers in season 5's "Beast of Burden", Chaka chooses to remain behind to lead an ultimately fragile but successful fight for the freedom of his fellow Unas. Chaka last appears in season 7's "Enemy Mine" to negotiate between a large group of aborigine Unas and SGC personnel, whose naqahdah mining operations on the Unas planet unwittingly encroached on holy Unas ground. • When Dion Johnstone was unavailable to play Chaka in "Enemy Mine", Patrick Currie (who had previously been cast to play Fifth) prepared for the role by watching Johnstones's previous performances. Director Peter DeLuise told Currie to follow Dion's lead but to add his own spin to the character. Playing an Unas is a challenging job as it requires a full prosthetic body-suit, contact lenses, and fake teeth.[93]
Dreylock, played by Gillian Barber (seasons 6–7) – A high ranking Kelownan official from Jonas Quinn's home planet Langara, and a Kelownan ambassador to other nations and planets. She approaches Earth in season 6's "Shadow Play" to obtain more advanced military technology against Kelowna's two rival nations, but the SGC refuse to share their technology. Dreylock becomes Kelowna's new First Minister in season 7's "Homecoming" and ask Earth for help against Anubis. Dreylock subsequently allows Jonas Quinn, whom she previously regarded as a traitor, to remain on Langara. Since the forming of the planet's Joint Ruling Council in the aftermath of the Goa'uld invasion, Dreylock has become concerned with maintaining the uneasy peace between the three nations and again asks for Earth's help in season 7's "Fallout".
Martin Lloyd, played by Willie Garson (seasons 4–5, 10) – A human from another planet who crashed on Earth after deserting from his military fighting a losing war with the Goa'uld. Drugged with pharmaceuticals by his comrades, Martin loses his memories and becomes a paranoid conspiracy theorist who learns of the Stargate Program. In season 4's "Point of No Return", O'Neill helps Martin to slowly regain his memory, and Martin chooses to remain on Earth. By season 5's "Wormhole X-Treme!", Martin has become so disgruntled with his life that he starts taking the drugs again. His latent memories inspire him to create a campy science fiction television show, Wormhole X-Treme!, based on the real Stargate program and SG-1, and O'Neill helps Martin recover his memories once again. A ship approaches Earth to pick up Martin's former comrades, but Martin chooses to stay behind to continue working on Wormhole X-Treme! as a creative consultant. As becomes known in season 10's "200", Martin's show only aired for three episodes but had high DVD sales. Martin approaches the SGC to review a script for a television movie based on the series, and although the movie is eventually cancelled, the series is renewed, ultimately lasting ten years with Martin Lloyd as producer.
Lya, played by Frida Betrani (seasons 1, 3) – A Nox woman. She first appears in season 1's "The Nox", where her family brings her back from the dead after one of Apophis' Jaffa killed her. In season 1's "Enigma", Lya offers the Tollan sanctuary with the Nox. In season 3's "Pretense", Lya serves as the neutral attorney at a Tollan hearing and eventually gives the deciding vote to remove the Goa'uld Klorel from his host Skaara. Lya also enables the Tollan to repel a Goa'uld attack.
Shifu, played by Lane Gates (season 4) – The son of Sha're and of the host of the Goa'uld Apophis, conceived while Sha're was the host to the Goa'uld Amonet. Apophis intended him as his new host. As the offspring of two human hosts, Shifu possesses the Goa'uld genetic memory and is referred to as "Harcesis". After his birth in season 2's "Secrets", the boy is hidden safely on Abydos until Amonet discovers him in season 3's "Forever in a Day". She sends him to Kheb to keep him safe from the Goa'uld who want the child killed. In season 3's "Maternal Instinct", SG-1 finds and leaves him there in the care of a powerful energy being called Oma Desala. In season 4's "Absolute Power", SG-1 encounters Shifu on Abydos and invites him to Earth. After SG-1 acknowledges that Shifu would never reveal his genetic knowledge, Shifu ascends. In season 4's "Absolute Power" Dr. Daniel Jackson translates Shifu into English as "light"; however, in Chinese the word shifu also means "teacher" . In the same episode, Shifu says that all he is doing is teaching Daniel.
Kull Warriors (also known as Supersoldiers), played by Dan Payne and Alex Zahara (seasons 7–8) – Creatures created by Anubis for use as his personal army against minor Goa'uld. The Kull Warriors first appear in the two-part episode "Evolution", where seemingly none of the weapons of SG-1 or the Jaffa are effective against them. In "Death Knell", Samantha Carter and Selmak develop a prototype weapon designed to counteract the energy animating the Kull Warriors. After the apparent defeat of Anubis in "Lost City", Ba'al gains control of the Supersoldiers and thus a significant advantage over his rivals. As a result, in the episode "New Order" the other System Lords approach Earth for a new military arrangement. A simulated invasion of Stargate Command by Kull Warriors is the main premise of the episode "Avatar". In "Threads", the remaining Kull Warriors become aimless and confused after Anubis' final defeat, and are easily dispatched. The Kull Warriors make one appearance in the Stargate Atlantis episode "Phantoms", where they are hallucinations caused by a Wraith device. The Kull Warriors were conceived as a much more powerful adversary than the Jaffa, and one that would be more palatable to fight.[96] The art department developed the final concept while "Evolution" was written; in the original plans, the face looked a lot like that of the Borg, which eventually developed into the idea of the fiber-optic network that ran over the skull. The motion of the Kull Warrior was deliberately styled to be unique and not resemble other robotic characters, such as RoboCop, the Borg, or human-form Replicators.[97] Dan Payne described the suit as the most functional, mobile full-body unit he has ever been in. It took 15 to 30 minutes to get him into the suit, making him about seven feet tall due to the helmet and the boots.[98]
Landry: "I was flying air support out of Bien Hoa. Caught some triple A in my left engine and had to eject. Ended up landing somewhere near the Laotian border, well north of the DMZ."
The list of Stargate SG-1 characters encompasses the fictional individuals appearing across the Canadian-American military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan C. Glassner as a continuation of the 1994 feature film Stargate.[1][2] The series, produced by Gekko Film Corporation and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, originally premiered on Showtime on July 27, 1997, before transitioning to the Sci Fi Channel (now Syfy) in 2002, and concluded after 10 seasons comprising 214 episodes on June 22, 2007.[1][3][4]At the core of the series are the members of the elite SG-1 exploration and combat team from Stargate Command, including Colonel Jonathan "Jack" O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), astrophysicist and linguist Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks), astrophysicist Major/Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Jaffa warrior Teal'c (Christopher Judge), who together investigate alien worlds, battle threats like the parasitic Goa'uld, and forge alliances with advanced species such as the Asgard.[5][1] The ensemble expands to include later additions to SG-1, such as Abydonian scientist Jonas Quinn (Corin Nemec) in seasons 6 and 7, and Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Mitchell (Ben Browder) alongside Vala Mal Doran (Claudia Black) from season 9 onward, as well as recurring figures like Major General Hank Landry (Beau Bridges) and a diverse array of antagonists, allies, and guest roles from over 200 episodes.[5][3] These characters, drawn from human military personnel, extraterrestrial civilizations, and mythological-inspired entities, drive the narrative of interstellar diplomacy, warfare, and discovery central to the franchise.[1][4]
Main SG-1 Team Members
Jack O'Neill
Jonathan "Jack" O'Neill is the primary protagonist of Stargate SG-1, serving as the commanding officer of the SG-1 team and later as a high-ranking leader in the Stargate Program. A career U.S. Air Force officer, O'Neill's military background includes extensive experience in black operations before his recruitment to the secretive Stargate initiative in 1997.[6]O'Neill's early life was marked by tragedy, particularly the accidental death of his son Charlie in 1991, which strained his marriage to Sarah O'Neill and led to his temporary retirement from active duty amid personal struggles. Recalled to lead the second Abydos mission, he demonstrated tactical prowess by defeating the Goa'uld System Lord Ra, setting the stage for his leadership of SG-1. His pre-Stargate career as a colonel involved covert missions, honing skills in strategy and combat that proved invaluable against interstellar threats.[6]Characterized by witty sarcasm and a irreverent humor that often defuses tense situations, O'Neill balances dry quips with sharp tactical expertise, frequently taunting adversaries like the Goa'uld to gain psychological advantages. Over the series, his initially skeptical views on alien alliances evolve into strong partnerships, particularly with non-hostile species, reflecting his pragmatic approach to interstellar diplomacy. Major narrative arcs include commanding SG-1 through its formative seasons, where he leads missions against the Goa'uld empire; his promotion to brigadier general in 2004, assuming oversight of Stargate Command (SGC); and later to lieutenant general heading Homeworld Command. Personal milestones encompass a brief implantation with a Tok'ra symbiote for survival, the download of Ancient knowledge into his mind—twice straining his humanity—and events involving ascension to a higher plane followed by de-ascension back to mortal form.[6]O'Neill's relationships underscore his mentorship role, guiding archaeologist Daniel Jackson in military protocols and physicist Samantha Carter in field command, while fostering a deep, brotherly bond with Jaffa warrior Teal'c through shared trials. These dynamics highlight his loyalty to team members, often prioritizing their safety over protocol. Portrayed by Richard Dean Anderson throughout the series' run from 1997 to 2007, O'Neill's character draws on Anderson's charismatic delivery to embody resilient leadership.[6]
Daniel Jackson
Dr. Daniel Jackson is a central member of SG-1, serving as the team's archaeologist, linguist, and cultural expert, whose expertise in ancient languages and civilizations proves invaluable in deciphering alien technologies and negotiating with extraterrestrial societies.[7] Recruited to the Stargate program due to his prior success in translating the gate's chevron symbols and activating the device, Jackson initially expresses skepticism toward the military's militaristic approach, advocating instead for exploration and peaceful contact.[8] Orphaned at age eight following his parents' death in a museum accident involving a cover stone similar to the Stargate's, he was raised by foster families and influenced by his grandfather, archaeologist Nicholas Ballard, fostering his lifelong passion for ancient mysteries.[8]Jackson's intellectual curiosity drives much of SG-1's discoveries, from decoding gate addresses to unraveling the history of the Ancients, an advanced human race whose language he masters over time.[9] A committed pacifist, he often serves as the team's moral compass and diplomat, prioritizing negotiation and understanding over violence, though his idealism sometimes clashes with military protocols.[8] His personal life intertwines deeply with his work; he marries Sha're, an Abydonian woman, during the initial mission to Abydos, but she is abducted and made host to the Goa'uld Amaunet, fueling a multi-season quest to rescue her that strengthens his ties to the Abydonian people. This arc culminates tragically in season 3's "Forever in a Day," where Jackson mercy-kills Sha're to stop Amaunet, marking a profound loss that shapes his empathy and resolve.[10]Throughout the series, Jackson experiences multiple near-death experiences and two ascensions to a higher plane of existence, reflecting his profound connection to ancient knowledge and the universe's deeper truths. In season 5's "Meridian," he sacrifices himself to radiation exposure to save an ally, ascending with the aid of an Ancient device, during which he intervenes subtly as an ascended being in episodes like "Threads."[9] He returns to human form in season 7's "Full Circle" with amnesia, rejoining SG-1 but grappling with the loss of his ascended insights. During his absence in season 6, the team integrates Jonas Quinn as a temporary replacement, highlighting Jackson's irreplaceable role in cultural interpretation and ethical guidance.[11]Jackson's relationships anchor his character development, particularly his close friendship with Colonel Jack O'Neill, built on witty banter and mutual respect that bridges their differing worldviews—Jackson's scholarly optimism contrasting O'Neill's pragmatism.[8] He shares a deep intellectual and occasionally romantic tension with Captain Samantha Carter, evolving into a profound platonic bond centered on shared curiosity about the cosmos.[5] His alliance with Teal'c grows from initial cultural exchanges to steadfast loyalty, with Jackson aiding Teal'c's quest for Jaffa freedom. In leadership roles during team absences, such as temporary command on missions, Jackson emphasizes diplomacy and historical context to guide decisions.[8]The role of Daniel Jackson is portrayed by Michael Shanks from season 1 through 5 and seasons 7 through 10, bringing a nuanced depth to the character's evolution from awkward academic to seasoned explorer.[12] Shanks temporarily departed after season 5 due to creative differences and a desire for new challenges, leading to the character's ascension arc, but returned after fan demand and script developments allowed for a meaningful reintroduction.[13] In the original 1994 Stargate film, the character was played by James Spader, establishing Jackson as a brilliant but socially isolated Egyptologist whose theories on ancient astronauts validate the Stargate's existence.[7] Shanks' performance earned praise for expanding the role into a more action-oriented yet principled figure, including directing episodes like "The Changeling" to further explore Jackson's psyche.[14]
Samantha Carter
Dr. Samantha Carter is a brilliant astrophysicist and U.S. Air Force officer who serves as the scientific expert and second-in-command of SG-1, specializing in Stargate and wormhole technology.[15] She earned her Ph.D. in astrophysics and graduated at the top of her class from the Air ForceAcademy, later logging over 100 hours in enemy airspace as a pilot during the Persian Gulf War before contributing to the Pentagon's Stargate program establishment from 1994 to 1996.[15] Recruited to SG-1 in 1997 for her expertise in deciphering the Stargate address system, Carter quickly proves indispensable by designing the SGC's dialing computer and advancing Earth's understanding of alien technologies.[15]Carter's key traits include her logical, methodical problem-solving approach, unwavering loyalty to her team, and ongoing struggle with work-life balance amid high-stakes missions.[16] As portrayed by Amanda Tapping, the character embodies intelligence and femininity without apology, evolving from a more serious demeanor in early seasons to a warmer, more humorous presence through writer collaborations that added emotional depth.[17] Her devotion to duty often blurs personal boundaries, reflecting Tapping's own sense of commitment while highlighting Carter's vulnerability in balancing professional demands with personal relationships.[16]Throughout her tenure, Carter's major arcs showcase her technical brilliance and personal growth, including pioneering upgrades to Stargate technology like enhanced dialing mechanisms and defensive systems against interstellar threats.[15] She navigates alternate realities, encountering a version of herself married to Colonel O'Neill, which underscores her internal conflicts over duty and desire.[15] Under General Hank Landry's command, Carter assumes the role of executive officer, demonstrating leadership while maintaining her scientific focus.[15] Her family ties deepen through her father, Jacob Carter, a retired general who becomes a Tok'ra host, strengthening her resolve and providing rare moments of emotional connection.[15]Carter's relationships highlight her professional dynamics within SG-1: she shares mutual respect and unspoken romantic tension with Colonel Jack O'Neill, constrained by military regulations, and forms an intellectual partnership with Dr. Daniel Jackson, collaborating on scientific and ethical challenges.[15] These bonds, combined with her combat proficiency honed in the field, contribute to her growth as a multifaceted leader and scientist.[17]
Teal'c
Teal'c is a Jaffa warrior from the planet Chulak who served as the First Prime to the Goa'uld System Lord Apophis before defecting to join Earth's Stargate Command (SGC).[18] Born around 1899, Teal'c was the son of Ro'nac, a former First Prime to the Goa'uld Cronus, and was trained from a young age in the ways of Jaffa combat under the mentorship of Bra'tac, Apophis's previous First Prime.[19] As a Jaffa, Teal'c's body was modified to host a Goa'uld symbiote in an abdominal pouch, granting enhanced strength and longevity but requiring regular larval implantation for survival; his forehead bears a golden tattoo signifying his rank as Apophis's Primus.[18] Doubting the divinity of the Goa'uld after witnessing their cruelty, Teal'c's defection occurred during an SG-1 mission to Chulak, where he aided Colonel Jack O'Neill's escape, leading to his branding as shol'va (traitor) and subsequent imprisonment and torture by Apophis.[20][21]Teal'c's key traits embody the stoic honor of Jaffa warrior philosophy, marked by unyielding loyalty, physical prowess, and a deep sense of justice.[19] He practices kelno'reem, a meditative state allowing profound mental clarity and control over his symbiote, which he uses to maintain discipline amid cultural alienation on Earth.[18] As a mentor, Teal'c imparts Jaffa traditions and the fight against Goa'uld oppression to younger warriors, drawing from his own training under Bra'tac to foster rebellion.[22] His integration into Earth culture involves gradual adaptation, from learning humor and sarcasm—often delivered in his distinctive deadpan style—to navigating human social norms, though he retains a formal demeanor reflective of his heritage.[23]Teal'c's major story arcs center on his pivotal role in SG-1 and the broader Jaffa liberation. Upon joining the team, he became a core member, contributing his tactical expertise and symbiote knowledge to missions against the Goa'uld.[18] A significant personal arc involves his search for his family: after his defection, his wife Drey'auc and son Rya'c were ostracized on Chulak, leading to rescue attempts where Rya'c was brainwashed by Apophis and Drey'auc later died from a terminal illness.[22][24] Teal'c rose to leadership in the Jaffa rebellion, allying with Bra'tac to capture the holy shrine of Dakara and establish the Jaffa Nation free from Goa'uld rule. Post-series, he serves on the Jaffa High Council, advocating for his people's autonomy while occasionally aiding SG-1.Teal'c's relationships underscore his character depth, particularly the father-son dynamic with Bra'tac, who not only trained him but also shared his secret doubts about the Goa'uld, guiding Teal'c toward rebellion.[25] His loyalty to O'Neill evolves into a profound bond of mutual respect, with O'Neill viewing Teal'c as an equal warrior and brother-in-arms.[18] Portrayed by actor Christopher Judge, who appeared in nearly every episode across the series' ten seasons, Teal'c's character was crafted to represent cultural bridging and quiet heroism.[23][26]
Command and Support Personnel
George S. Hammond
Major General George S. Hammond is a career United States Air Force officer who assumed command of Stargate Command (SGC) shortly after the reactivation of the Stargate program in 1997. Originally from Texas, Hammond served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War and participated in the Gulf War, earning the Kuwait Liberation Medal among other commendations. He was nearing retirement when the Goa'uld System Lord Apophis attacked the SGC through the Stargate, prompting his assignment to lead the newly operational base at Cheyenne Mountain.[27][28]Hammond's leadership is characterized by a strict adherence to military protocol and ethical standards, balanced with a paternal protectiveness toward his personnel and a strong commitment to defending Earth against extraterrestrial threats. He coordinates all off-world missions, prioritizing the acquisition of advanced technologies, diplomatic alliances, and defensive strategies while reporting directly to the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His firm yet fair approach fosters loyalty among teams like SG-1, often allowing flexibility in high-stakes situations despite bureaucratic constraints.[27][28]Throughout his tenure, Hammond approves numerous high-risk missions, such as SG-1's rescue operations on planets like Hadante and P2X-555, and negotiations that avert interstellar crises. He frequently clashes with the National Intelligence Department (NID) over their unauthorized black operations and attempts to seize alien technology, including a blackmail scheme in 2000 that temporarily forces his resignation before SG-1 intervenes. These conflicts highlight his advocacy for the SGC's integrity amid political interference. By 2004, after seven years in command, Hammond is promoted to lead Homeworld Security and oversee the battlecruiser Prometheus, paving the way for his replacement by Lieutenant General Hank Landry.[27][28]Hammond develops a fatherly bond with the SG-1 team, offering guidance and defense during personal and professional challenges, such as supporting Teal'c's symbiote pouch treatments and mourning Daniel Jackson's temporary death. In contrast, he experiences ongoing tensions with Senator Robert Kinsey, who seeks to dismantle the SGC for political gain, leading to heated confrontations over funding and oversight in episodes like "Politics" and "Disclosure." Hammond's portrayal is provided by actor Don S. Davis, who appeared in nearly 150 episodes during the first seven seasons, with guest appearances in later seasons, from 1997 to 2007, bringing authenticity from his own military background before health issues prompted his reduced role after season seven.[27][28][29]
Janet Fraiser
Dr. Janet Fraiser served as the Chief Medical Officer at Stargate Command (SGC) for its first seven years, recruited as an Air Force physician specializing in rare and exotic diseases to address the program's unique medical challenges posed by interstellar travel and alien encounters.[30][31] Her background included expertise in xenobiology, particularly treatments for Goa'uld symbiote effects and other extraterrestrial pathogens, making her indispensable for diagnosing and curing conditions unknown to conventional medicine.[30][31]Fraiser was known for her compassionate yet firm demeanor, balancing a strong bedside manner with assertive decision-making under pressure, such as quarantining personnel or pulling SG teams from duty to protect base health.[30][31] She demonstrated fearlessness in personal risks, including during outbreaks where she exposed herself to threats like the RepliCarter virus or alien experiments, and even wielded firearms proficiently when necessary to safeguard patients.[30]Among her major arcs, Fraiser adopted the young alien girl Cassandra after a Goa'uld attack destroyed her homeworld Hanka, forming a deep maternal bond that influenced her protective instincts throughout her tenure.[30][31] She played a pivotal role in treating symbiote-related crises, such as negotiating with Nirrti to cureCassandra's implanted bomb and conducting autopsies on Goa'uld hosts to advance SGC knowledge.[30] Her storyline culminated in her death during Season 7's "Heroes, Part 2," where she was fatally shot by a Jaffa warrior while leading a medical rescue mission on P3X-666 to save wounded SG-13 members, an event orchestrated by network demands for a significant character loss after the show's network shift.[30][32]Fraiser maintained close professional and personal relationships within the SGC, particularly a strong friendship with Major Samantha Carter, with whom she frequently collaborated on medical solutions and shared off-duty moments.[31] She occasionally clashed with General George Hammond over protocol, asserting medical authority in high-stakes situations like denying mission clearances for health reasons.[30] The character was portrayed by Canadian actress Teryl Rothery, who appeared in 75 episodes from 1997 to 2004, bringing a blend of warmth and resolve to the role.[30][32]
Walter Harriman
Walter Harriman is a longtime computer specialist and Stargate technician at Stargate Command (SGC), serving as the primary operator of the Stargate dialing computer since the program's inception in 1997.[33] Holding the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, Harriman is responsible for inputting gate addresses, initiating dialing sequences, controlling the iris, and monitoring off-world activations, often announcing "Chevron [number] locked" during operations.[33] His role extends to crisis support, where he coordinates with teams during emergencies and acts as an intermediary between the control room staff and base commanders.[33]Harriman's character is defined by his unflappable demeanor and deep expertise in Stargate mechanics, remaining calm under intense pressure amid alien invasions and technical failures.[34] Early in the series, he was nicknamed "Norman Davis" based on his uniform nametag, but the name evolved through production mishaps: actor Richard Dean Anderson ad-libbed "Walter" in the episode "2010," solidifying "Norman Walter Davis," before a mispronunciation by Don S. Davis (General Hammond) turned it into "Harriman" in later seasons.[35] His encyclopedic knowledge of chevron alignments and gate protocols has proven vital in troubleshooting malfunctions, such as during the Trust's theft of the Stargate in "Endgame."[36]Throughout the series, Harriman participates in major arcs involving gate crises and SGC defenses. In "Lost City, Part 2," he joins General Hammond aboard the Prometheus for a space battle against Anubis, marking one of his rare off-world assignments. He demonstrates loyalty during invasions, assisting in simulations against Replicators in "Avatar" and helping repel threats in the control room amid multiple off-world activations.[37] In "2010," a future timeline portrays him advising at a public Stargate museum before aiding SG-1 against the Aschen.[38] Brief field involvements, like coordinating evacuations in "Heroes, Parts 1 & 2," highlight his reliability beyond the console.As a subordinate, Harriman reports directly to commanders like General George S. Hammond and later General Hank Landry, executing orders with precision during briefings and alerts.[33] He shares a professional camaraderie with SG-1, frequently interacting with Colonel Jack O'Neill and the team during gate operations and sharing light moments, such as in "Zero Hour" where he serves as O'Neill's aide.The character is portrayed by Gary Jones, a Welsh-Canadian actor who first appeared as the unnamed technician in the pilot "Children of the Gods" and reprised the role across 111 episodes of Stargate SG-1, plus appearances in Stargate Atlantis and the audio drama Lines of Communication.[39] Jones has credited the role's longevity to fan appreciation and production decisions that expanded Harriman's presence from background extra to recurring support figure.[34]
Hank Landry
Major General Henry "Hank" Landry is a United States Air Force officer who serves as the commanding officer of Stargate Command (SGC) starting in season 9 of Stargate SG-1. He replaces Major General Jack O'Neill after O'Neill's promotion to lieutenant general and assignment to Homeworld Security, assuming leadership during a critical transition period for the program.[40] Landry's tenure focuses on adapting SGC operations to escalating interstellar threats while emphasizing team cohesion and diplomatic relations with alien allies.[41]Landry's background includes a distinguished military career, initially portrayed as a retired general persuaded by O'Neill to return to active duty, drawing from actor Beau Bridges' research into real-life American generals for authenticity.[42] He possesses a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach honed through prior diplomatic roles, making him adept at navigating bureaucratic challenges and interstellar negotiations.[41] Key traits include a tough yet fair leadership style, occasional dry humor to diffuse tension, and a strong emphasis on family dynamics, which humanizes his command presence and contrasts with more rigid predecessors.[42] This family-oriented perspective evolves from an initial strict demeanor to a more relaxed, supportive role, reflecting personal growth amid professional demands.[41]Under Landry's oversight, major arcs center on the escalating war against the Ori, a powerful ascended threat that dominates seasons 9 and 10, including key operations like the deployment of the Sangraal weapon and defenses against Ori invasions.[42] He plays a pivotal role in recruiting Vala Mal Doran to SG-1 after her initial capture, integrating her skills into the team despite risks, which proves instrumental in countering Ori Priors.[41] Subtle hints of retirement surface toward the series' end, underscoring his long service and desire for personal reconciliation. In relationships, Landry mentors Colonel Cameron Mitchell, assigning him to lead SG-1 and providing guidance on command decisions, fostering Mitchell's integration with the veteran team.[42] He experiences tensions with the International Oversight Advisory (IOA), particularly over resource allocation and mission approvals during the Ori crisis, highlighting his defense of SGC autonomy. Landry's family ties add depth, notably his strained relationship with estranged daughter Dr. Carolyn Lam, SGC's chief medical officer, leading to gradual reconciliation efforts that parallel his professional evolution.[42][41]The character is portrayed by Beau Bridges, an Emmy-winning actor known for roles in films like The Fabulous Baker Boys, who joined the series in 2005 and collaborated with producers Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright to flesh out Landry's biography from a blank slate.[41] Bridges' performance emphasizes Landry's blend of authority and vulnerability, contributing to the character's enduring appeal in the franchise's later years.[42]
Temporary and Replacement Team Members
Jonas Quinn
Jonas Quinn is a human scientist from the planet Kelowna on Langara, who temporarily replaces Daniel Jackson on SG-1 following Jackson's self-sacrifice during a naquadria experiment gone wrong in the season 5 episode "Meridian."[9] In that incident, Quinn, serving as a special advisor to Kelowna's high minister, witnesses the unstable naquadria's radiation overload, which exposes Jackson to a lethal dose; wracked with guilt for ignoring prior warnings about the element's dangers, Quinn defects to Earth with a sample of naquadria to aid the Tau'ri.[9] This act stems from his conviction, influenced by Colonel Jack O'Neill, that Jackson should not be scapegoated for the accident by Kelownan leaders.[43]Characterized by his exceptional intellect and rapid learning ability, Quinn demonstrates a photographic memory and heightened senses, later revealed to result from genetic manipulations by the Goa'uld Nirrti after he joined SG-1, setting him apart from typical Langarans. His eager, optimistic demeanor contrasts with the team's grief over Jackson's loss—briefly referenced as his ascension—but fosters a student-mentor dynamic with Major Samantha Carter, who guides his scientific education on Earth.[44] Conversely, his relationship with O'Neill begins with tension, marked by O'Neill's resentment over Jackson's death and Quinn's alien outsider status, though Quinn earns gradual respect through persistent dedication in missions.[44] Over time, Quinn undergoes significant moral development, evolving from a guilt-ridden defector to a principled team member who prioritizes ethical decisions amid interstellar threats.[45]Quinn's primary storyline unfolds in season 6, where he integrates into SG-1 starting in "Redemption, Part 2," contributing key insights to avert a planetary crisis by proposing the relocation of Earth's Stargate.[44] His arc culminates in season 7's "Homecoming," when, after aiding in the liberation of Kelowna from Goa'uld occupation and sustaining an injury while protecting Jackson's return, he departs SG-1 to serve as Kelowna's representative on a newly formed inter-nation council, leveraging his Earth experiences to promote planetary unity and development.[46] This departure allows him to address his homeworld's ongoing conflicts and naquadria-related instability, marking the end of his tenure with the team after one full season.[46]The role of Jonas Quinn is portrayed by American actor Corin Nemec, who first appears in "Meridian" and recurs through season 7.[47]
Cameron Mitchell
Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Mitchell is a United States Air Force officer introduced as the new commanding officer of SG-1 in the ninth season of Stargate SG-1, following the original team's temporary disbandment after the promotion of Jack O'Neill. Born in May or June 1970 in Auburn, Kansas, Mitchell grew up in a military family; his father, Frank, was a test pilot who suffered a crippling accident that cost him both legs when Mitchell was around 10 years old. Mitchell himself became an accomplished test pilot, notably leading an F-302 fighter squadron during the 2004 Battle of Antarctica against Anubis, where he was critically injured after being shot down, resulting in the death of his co-pilot, Captain Adam Banks, and earning him the Congressional Medal of Honor. While recovering, Mitchell was personally recruited by Major General Hank Landry to lead the reformed SG-1, fulfilling a promise made by O'Neill during his hospitalization.[48][49]Mitchell's key traits include his charismatic and adaptable personality, marked by enthusiasm for the Stargate Program and a penchant for pop culture references, often quoting films to lighten tense situations or draw parallels to missions. As a daring and competent leader, he brings a fresh, outsider's perspective to the team, having limited prior off-world experience compared to his teammates, which allows him to approach threats with youthful vigor and sarcasm. His piloting skills prove invaluable in high-stakes scenarios, emphasizing his dedication to military service and quick thinking under pressure.[50][51]In seasons 9 and 10, Mitchell's major arcs center on reassembling SG-1 amid the emerging threat of the Ori, a powerful ascended civilization seeking to impose their religion on the galaxy. He successfully recruits Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, and Teal'c back to the team, navigating initial resistance and personal challenges, such as a ritual staff weapon duel on the planet Avalon and a false accusation of murder on Langara. Mitchell leads space battles, including commanding the Daedalus in engagements against Ori forces and Wraith allies, and confronts the Ori directly through missions involving their followers, such as priors and ship constructions. His arc culminates in the series finale "Unending," where he is trapped in a time-dilation field aboard the Odyssey, and extends into the films Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum, where he battles Replicators and time-traveling Ba'al forces, ultimately sacrificing himself in an alternate timeline to preserve history.[48]Mitchell's relationships emphasize continuity with the original SG-1 members, fostering collaborative dynamics where he shares leadership duties with Carter due to their equal ranks and respects Teal'c's warrior expertise and Jackson's intellectual insights, often deferring to their experience while injecting his own energy. His partnership with Vala Mal Doran evolves from initial rivalry and mutual exasperation—stemming from her chaotic entry into the program—to genuine respect and teamwork during joint missions. Mitchell is portrayed by Ben Browder, an American actor known for his role as John Crichton in Farscape, who joined Stargate SG-1 to provide a revitalized dynamic for the series' final seasons.[52][53][54]
Vala Mal Doran
Vala Mal Doran is a recurring and later main character in Stargate SG-1, portrayed as a resourceful ex-Goa'uld host turned intergalactic thief and eventual member of SG-1. Originally enslaved as the host to the Goa'uld symbiote Qetesh, who ruled her homeworld with a cult-like following, Vala was freed during a Tok'ra-incited rebellion approximately four years prior to her first encounter with the Tau'ri.[55] Following her liberation, she honed her skills as a con artist and smuggler, leveraging stolen Goa'uld technology to survive in the galaxy's criminal underbelly, often resorting to deception and quick-thinking schemes to evade capture or profit from ancient artifacts.[56] Her life took a dramatic turn when she became pregnant with a child conceived through an Ori communication device, giving birth to her daughter Adria, whom she desperately seeks amid conflicts with the Ori followers.[57]Characterized by sharp sarcastic wit and unyielding survival instincts, Vala injects humor and unpredictability into SG-1's dynamic, frequently using flirtation and banter as tools for manipulation or deflection. Her maternal drive emerges as a core motivator, propelling her from self-serving opportunism toward genuine loyalty to the team, though her past breeds ongoing skepticism from authority figures. Despite initial portrayals as unreliable, her arc reveals a deepening commitment to protecting Earth and her daughter, blending cunning resourcefulness with moments of vulnerability.[58][59]Vala is introduced in season 8's "Prometheus Unbound," where she hijacks the Tau'ri ship Prometheus and takes Daniel Jackson hostage in a bid to locate an Ancient treasure, marking her as a chaotic wildcard. She recurs throughout season 9, aiding SG-1 against the Ori while grappling with her pregnancy and the cult's pursuit, before officially joining the team in season 10 after proving her value in missions like thwarting Ori crusades. Her tenure involves intense conflicts, including Ori possession attempts and efforts to redeem her daughter Adria, who briefly leads the Ori forces as the Orici.[60][61]In team dynamics, Vala develops a flirtatious rapport with Cameron Mitchell, their banter providing comic relief and subtle romantic tension that evolves from playful antagonism to mutual respect during joint operations. Conversely, General Hank Landry maintains a wary distrust of her due to her history of deceit, subjecting her to loyalty tests like simulated interrogations before granting full SG-1 status.[62][63]The role of Vala Mal Doran is played by Australian actress Claudia Black, known for her prior work as Aeryn Sun in Farscape, bringing a blend of intensity and levity to the character across 30 episodes from 2004 to 2007, plus the films Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum.[59][64]
NID and Earth Oversight Figures
Overview of NID, Trust, and IOA
The National Intelligence Department (NID) serves as a civilian oversight agency within the United States government, tasked with monitoring top-secret military operations, including the Stargate Command (SGC), to ensure compliance and protect national interests.[65] Established early in the Stargate program, the NID initially operated with legitimate authority but was soon infiltrated by rogue elements driven by paranoia over alien threats and a desire to seize advanced extraterrestrial technologies for Earth's defense or personal gain.[65] These rogue factions engaged in illicit activities such as stealing artifacts from Area 51, blackmailing SGC personnel, and deploying moles within the military, leading to direct confrontations with SG-1 teams over control of devices like weather-manipulating machines and cloaking technology.[66][67]The Trust emerged as a criminal syndicate in the post-Goa'uld era, evolving from disbanded rogue NID operatives, wealthy industrialists, and former government officials who rejected official oversight in favor of unilateral action against surviving System Lords.[68] Composed of a loose network of ex-NID agents and symbiote carriers, the group sought to eradicate Goa'uld influences on Earth through extreme measures, including the theft of Earth's second Stargate to deploy a symbiote poison across Goa'uld-held worlds and orchestrating assassinations of key figures.[36] Their operations escalated with Goa'uld possessions of Trust members, resulting in infiltration of global governments and attempts to weaponize ancient devices, often clashing with the SGC in efforts to hoard alien tech for profit or power.[69][70]The International Oversight Advisory (IOA), introduced after the eighth season, represents a multinational body formed under the Gate Alliance Treaty to provide diplomatic and bureaucratic supervision of the Stargate program, encompassing the SGC, the Atlantis expedition, and interstellar fleets.[71] Comprising delegates from nations such as the United States, Great Britain, France, and China, the IOA focuses on allocating resources, evaluating mission risks, and enforcing international protocols for off-world activities.[71] It has intervened in operations by inspecting facilities like the Gamma Site and questioning command decisions, such as those involving high-risk personnel or experimental technologies, though its actions sometimes hinder rapid responses to threats.[72]Throughout the series, these organizations reflect Earth's evolving relationship with the Stargate, shifting from Season 1's NID-driven suspicions and tech thefts to the Trust's chaotic post-victory vigilantism and the IOA's formalized alliances during the Ori crisis, where diplomatic interference occasionally aligned with SGC goals against existential dangers.[65][68][71] Key conflicts, including NID assassinations of SGC allies and Trust-orchestrated global disruptions, underscore tensions between secrecy, international cooperation, and the ethical use of alien knowledge, ultimately fostering a more unified Earth defense by the Ori era.[73][36]
Harry Maybourne
Harry Maybourne is a recurring character in Stargate SG-1, portrayed as a former United States Air Force Colonel and intelligence operative for the National Intelligence Department (NID). Initially introduced as a self-interested agent involved in the unauthorized smuggling of advanced alien technologies, such as Tollan phase-shifting devices and Stargate components, Maybourne's actions stem from his belief that the SGC withholds valuable tech that could bolster Earth's defenses. His background highlights a career marked by ethical ambiguity, where he prioritizes personal gain and survival over strict allegiance to authority.[74]Maybourne's key traits include a cunning, self-serving nature that often provides comic relief through his elaborate betrayals and quick-witted escapes, evolving from a straightforward antagonist to a more nuanced figure. He frequently engages in double-dealing schemes, such as leaking classified information or allying with adversaries, yet his opportunistic intelligence occasionally aligns with SGC interests. This blend of duplicity and humor makes him a memorable foil to the protagonists, with his antics underscoring the tensions between military oversight and rogue operations.[74]His major story arcs trace a path from betrayal to redemption. Early on, Maybourne allies with rogue NID elements plotting against the SGC, but he later collaborates with Colonel Jack O'Neill to thwart these internal threats, including during the "Foothold" invasion and a plot to force O'Neill's resignation in "Chain Reaction."[73] Facing arrest for treason, he flees to Russia and eventually exiles himself offworld, where he poses as King Arkhan I on a medieval planet by leveraging knowledge of Ancient technology to aid the locals against invaders.[75] In his later appearances, Maybourne provides crucial aid, such as helping rescue Teal'c in "48 Hours" and assisting in operations against NID dissidents, marking his shift toward reluctant heroism.[76]Maybourne's relationships are defined by conflict and uneasy partnerships, particularly as a frenemy to O'Neill, whose banter evolves from hostility to mutual respect amid shared battles against common foes. He clashes repeatedly with Senator Robert Kinsey, a more ideologically driven NID figure, over control of black-market alien artifacts and power struggles within the organization.[73] These dynamics highlight Maybourne's role in the broader rogue NID plots, where his survivalist pragmatism contrasts with others' ambitions.[74]The character is played by Canadian actor Tom McBeath, who appears in 11 episodes across the series, bringing a charismatic edge to Maybourne's roguish persona.[74]
Robert Kinsey
Robert Kinsey is a recurring antagonist in Stargate SG-1, depicted as a ambitious U.S. Senator who serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and pushes aggressively for greater governmental control over the Stargate Command (SGC).[77] Introduced in the first season episode "Politics," Kinsey questions the SGC's $7 billion annual budget and its secretive operations, arguing that the program poses existential risks to Earth by opening a "Pandora's box" to hostile alien influences.[78] His background as a powerful political figure enables him to leverage congressional oversight to undermine the SGC, reflecting a broader agenda to repurpose alien technologies for U.S. military dominance rather than peaceful exploration.[79]Kinsey's key traits include xenophobic paranoia toward extraterrestrial threats and manipulative political maneuvering, often prioritizing personal power over national security.[77] He exhibits a deep-seated distrust of the SGC's autonomy, viewing its teams—particularly Colonel Jack O'Neill—as reckless and unaccountable, which fuels his repeated attempts to expose or seize control of the program.[79] These characteristics portray him as a quintessential bureaucratic adversary, using rhetoric about protecting Earth to mask his self-serving ambitions.In major story arcs, Kinsey forges alliances with rogue elements of the National Intelligence Department (NID), including ties to black ops at Area 51, which lead to blackmail schemes and assassination attempts against SGC personnel.[73] His political ascent peaks with a presidential campaign, resulting in his brief tenure as Vice President under President Henry Hayes in 2004, from which he resigns after a failed coup to commandeer the SGC during the Anubis crisis. Subsequently, in season eight, Kinsey is captured by the Trust and implanted with a Goa'uld symbiote to incite nuclear conflict between the U.S. and Russia; the symbiote is extracted, but Kinsey escapes via Asgard transporter and is presumed dead when the Trust's Al'kesh ship is destroyed.[69]Kinsey's relationships position him as a primary foe to General Hammond, whose resignation he forces through threats, and as a tool manipulated by NID operative Adrianne Simmons in covert plots.[79] His antagonism toward the SGC often escalates into personal vendettas, such as framing O'Neill for his own assassination attempt using alien mimic technology.[73] The character is portrayed by Ronny Cox, who appears in 11 episodes across seasons 1 and 4 through 8.[77]
Richard Woolsey
Richard Woolsey is a recurring character in the Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis television series, portrayed as a civilian oversight representative who evolves from a rigid bureaucrat to a compassionate leader within the Stargate program.[80] Initially introduced as an agent of the National Intelligence Department (N.I.D.), Woolsey holds an M.B.A. and L.L.B. from Harvard University and serves as lead counsel for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Defense Policy Board before transitioning to the International Oversight Advisory (I.O.A.).[80] His background as a rule-bound lawyer emphasizes strict adherence to protocol and civilian control over military operations, reflecting his patriotic yet initially distrustful stance toward the secretive Stargate Command (S.G.C.).[81]Woolsey's key traits highlight his transformation through direct exposure to the dangers and moral complexities of interstellar threats. Early on, he appears overly officious and skeptical, prioritizing audits and accountability over operational risks, as seen in his personal life where he is divorced with no children and his ex-wife retains custody of their Yorkshire Terrier.[80] Over time, personal experiences—such as surviving offworld crises—foster empathy, allowing him to balance bureaucracy with understanding the human cost of S.G.C. missions, ultimately earning respect from military personnel he once antagonized.[81]In Stargate SG-1's tenth season, Woolsey's major arc centers on his I.O.A.-mandated investigations of the S.G.C., including probes into costly operations like the P3X-666 mission that resulted in Dr. Janet Fraiser's death and incurred $27 million in expenses.[80] These audits lead to clashes with General Hank Landry, whose leadership style conflicts with Woolsey's insistence on transparency, though Woolsey's exposure to threats like the Ori ultimately shifts his perspective toward supporting the program's necessity.[81] He also aids in exposing corruption tied to former Vice President Robert Kinsey, assisting President Henry Hayes and solidifying his role as an ally.[80] This growth extends to Colonel Cameron Mitchell, with whom Woolsey develops mutual respect during joint operations, highlighting Woolsey's adaptation to team dynamics.[81]Woolsey's arc continues in Stargate: Atlantis, where he crosses over to evaluate expedition leaders Elizabeth Weir and Samantha Carter before assuming command of the Atlantis base in its fifth season.[80] As commander, he navigates crises including Wraith sieges and Replicator invasions, applying his bureaucratic precision to diplomatic efforts while demonstrating newfound leadership empathy.[81] Post-series, Woolsey is promoted within the I.O.A., appearing in Stargate Universe's episode "Seizure" as a high-level oversight figure briefing on the Destiny mission.[80]The character is portrayed by actor Robert Picardo, known for roles in Star Trek: Voyager and other science fiction projects, whose performance captures Woolsey's nuanced shift from antagonist to integral program supporter.[80]
Abydonians
Kasuf
Kasuf serves as the chieftain of Nagada, the primary settlement of the Abydonians on the planet Abydos, leading his people as a wise and courageous traditionalist deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.[82] As the father of Sha're and Skaara, he becomes Daniel Jackson's father-in-law through Jackson's marriage to Sha're, fostering a profound bond of trust and mutual respect that strengthens the alliance between the Abydonians and Earth's Stargate program.[82] His leadership emphasizes loyalty to family and community, guiding the Abydonians through threats from Goa'uld forces while upholding their peaceful nomadic traditions.[82]In the early seasons of Stargate SG-1, Kasuf plays a pivotal role in forging alliances with SG-1, beginning with the aftermath of the rebellion against Ra in the original Stargate film, where his people are liberated with Earth's assistance.[82] He later summons SG-1 to Abydos in the episode "Secrets" to address the abduction of his children by Apophis, highlighting his protective instincts and reliance on Jackson's counsel during crises.[83] Subsequent arcs include his capture alongside other Abydonians by Amonet in "Forever in a Day," where SG-1 intervenes to secure his release, and a reunion in "Absolute Power," where a mysterious presence draws the team back to Abydos under his guidance.[10] These events underscore his enduring alliance with SG-1, as he coordinates defenses and shares vital intelligence against Goa'uld incursions, such as the brief threat from Apophis's forces.[82]Kasuf's story culminates in "Full Circle," where he leads the Abydonians in a desperate stand against Anubis's invasion, ultimately facilitating their ascension to a higher plane of existence with the aid of Oma Desala, ensuring the survival of his people beyond physical threats.[84] Throughout his appearances, Kasuf embodies protective familial devotion, prioritizing the safety of Sha're and Skaara while extending that guardianship to the broader SG-1 team as trusted allies.[82] The character is portrayed by actor Erick Avari, who reprises his role from the 1994 Stargate film across key episodes of the series.[82]
Sha're/Skaara
Sha're and Skaara are Abydonian siblings, the children of village leader Kasuf, and central figures in the early narrative of Stargate SG-1 due to their close ties to Dr. Daniel Jackson. Sha're, portrayed by Vaitiare Bandera, becomes Jackson's wife following his first mission to Abydos, forging a deep personal bond that drives much of his involvement with the Stargate program.[20][85] Skaara, played by Alexis Cruz, is Sha're's younger brother and Jackson's friend from the original Abydos expedition, sharing a familial loyalty that underscores themes of loss and resilience among the Abydonians.[20][86] Their abductions by Goa'uld forces in the series pilot initiate prolonged search and rescue efforts by SG-1, profoundly affecting Jackson emotionally as he grapples with guilt and determination to save his loved ones.[20]In the pilot episode "Children of the Gods," aired July 27, 1997, Sha're and Skaara are captured during a raid on Abydos by Apophis and his Jaffa guards while defending the Stargate.[20] Sha're is selected as a host for Amaunet, Apophis's queen, a Goa'uld symbiote that implants itself into her neck, suppressing her consciousness and transforming her into a vessel for the parasite's will.[20][87] Skaara, similarly, is infested with Klorel, Apophis's immature offspring, who takes control of his body, leading to visible signs of possession such as glowing eyes.[20] These events strand the siblings on the planet Chulak, prompting Jackson and Colonel Jack O'Neill to join the S.G.C. in pursuit, while their father Kasuf is left in mourning on Abydos.[20]Sha're's storyline unfolds as a tragic arc of captivity and fleeting reunions, heightening Jackson's personal stakes in the fight against the Goa'uld. In season two's "Secrets," Sha're briefly returns to Abydos, nine months pregnant with a child conceived by Amaunet and Apophis, hidden for her safety but at risk if the symbiote awakens.[83] During labor, Amaunet emerges, but Jackson delivers the boy—Shifu, a Harcesis child possessing the Goa'uld's genetic memory—before the symbiote reasserts control and departs with Apophis, leaving the infant concealed with Kasuf.[83] The search culminates in season three's "Forever in a Day," where SG-1 locates Sha're on planet P8X-873, only for Amaunet to hold the Abydonians hostage and torture Jackson with a hand device.[10] In a desperate act, Sha're momentarily surfaces to beg Teal'c to kill her, preventing Amaunet from murdering Jackson; Teal'c complies with a staff weapon blast, ending Sha're's life and concluding the multi-season quest for her freedom.[10] This loss devastates Jackson, leading to his temporary resignation from the S.G.C. and a new mission to locate the hidden child, while deepening the emotional rift and eventual reconciliation with Teal'c.[10]Skaara's possession by Klorel similarly imposes a heavy toll on his family and SG-1, manifesting in episodes of conflict and resistance. As Klorel, Skaara participates in Apophis's fleet preparations for an assault on Earth, including aboard the command ship in season one's "Within the Serpent's Grasp," where SG-1 infiltrates to sabotage the vessel amid escalating tensions with the Goa'uld armada.[88] Subtle signs of Skaara's underlying defiance emerge, such as moments of hesitation against his oppressors, highlighting the host's suppressed struggle.[88] His rescue occurs in season three's "Pretense," after Klorel's ship crashes on Tollana; a Tollan triad trial determines body control, with O'Neill and Jackson advocating for Skaara against Goa'uld representative Zipacna, supported by the Nox arcon who deems enslavement invalid.[89] Amid a Goa'uld attack on the planet, Teal'c destroys the invaders, allowing the Tok'ra to extract Klorel and free Skaara, who returns to Abydos in recovery.[89] Kasuf's relief at his son's survival reinforces their familial bond, though the trauma lingers for all involved.[89]Skaara's later years on Abydos reflect a return to normalcy, but end in sacrifice during season six's "Full Circle." Leading his people against Anubis's invasion for the Eye of Ra artifact, Skaara aids SG-1 in deciphering pyramid inscriptions before being mortally wounded by Jaffa fire in the gate room.[84] He dies from his injuries, his body ascending in a glow of light orchestrated by Oma Desala, sparing the Abydonians from annihilation as Anubis destroys the pyramid.[84] This event compounds Jackson's grief over lost Abydonian connections, echoing the broader emotional burden on him and Kasuf from the siblings' ordeals, which symbolize the human cost of Goa'uld oppression.[84]
Ancients and Ascended Beings
Oma Desala
Oma Desala is an ascended Ancient, one of the original builders of the Stargate network, who manifests in corporeal form as a wise, elderly woman to guide deserving mortals toward ascension, the process of transcending physical existence to a higher plane of energy.[90] Her name, translating to "Mother Nature" in an ancient dialect, reflects her nurturing role in fostering spiritual enlightenment among lower beings, often appearing on the protected planet Kheb as the guardian of the Harcesis child Shifu.[91] Despite her benevolent intentions, Oma operates as an outcast among the other ascended Ancients due to her willingness to subtly intervene in mortal affairs, though she adheres strictly to their cardinal rule prohibiting direct interference that could disrupt the natural order.[90] This enigmatic benevolence is characterized by her cryptic speech, delivered in riddles and parables, which challenges seekers to find their own paths to wisdom without overt aid.[91]In her major story arcs, Oma first encounters SG-1 during their search for Shifu on Kheb in 2000, where she protects the child from Goa'uld threats and subtly directs Daniel Jackson toward understanding ascension's true nature.[91] She later aids Jackson's own ascension in 2002, appearing to him as he succumbs to fatal radiation exposure after destroying a Goa'uld weather-control device, offering him the choice to join the ascended plane as a reward for his selfless sacrifice.[92] This guidance extends into conflicts with the fallen ascended Goa'uld Anubis, whom Oma mistakenly elevated millennia earlier upon perceiving his latent potential for good, only to witness his corruption; by 2005, she engages him in an eternal, non-lethal struggle within the ascended realm to prevent his return and avert galactic catastrophe.[93] Her actions also play a pivotal role in the ascension of the entire Abydonian population in 2003, shielding them from Anubis's annihilation of their world while Jackson, temporarily ascended, grapples with the moral imperatives of non-interference.[84]Oma's relationships underscore her role as a moral compass and mentor, particularly with Daniel Jackson, whom she views as a kindred spirit worthy of ascension and repeatedly counsels during his ascended and descended states, helping him navigate ethical dilemmas like revealing Anubis's weaknesses.[93] Her tragic mentorship of Anubis highlights the perils of her compassionate interference, as his ascension—intended to redeem him—ultimately forces her into perpetual containment of his destructive ambitions.[90] The character was initially portrayed by Carla Boudreau in her debut appearance in the season three episode "Maternal Instinct," with Mel Harris assuming the role for subsequent episodes including "Meridian," "Full Circle," and "Threads," bringing a serene authority to Oma's ethereal presence.[90]
Morgan Le Fay
Morgan Le Fay is the ascended persona adopted by the Ancient Ganos Lal in Stargate SG-1, drawing from Arthurian legend as a sorceress and half-sister to King Arthur.[94] Originally a Lantean from the Atlantis era during the war with the Wraith, Ganos Lal designed holographic teaching programs for young Ancients before ascending and taking on the Morgan Le Fay identity to oppose the Ori schism among the ascended.[94] Her background ties her to Merlin, initially as a rival who opposed his development of an anti-Ori weapon, though she later supported efforts against the Ori threat.[95]Morgan Le Fay exhibits key traits of subtle intervention, constrained by ascended limitations, while leveraging extensive knowledge of Ancient technology such as defensive cloaking fields and the Sangraal weapon.[96] She employs holographic projections and indirect guidance to influence events without direct confrontation, often appearing in visions or as illusions to convey critical information.[94]In major arcs during the Ori war, Morgan Le Fay hides the Sangraal—a blood-based anti-ascended weapon created by Merlin—on a cloaked planet, establishing perilous trials to test seekers' worthiness and protect it from Ori forces.[96] She aids SG-1 by providing gate addresses to Ori-aligned worlds like Castiana, Sahal, and Vagonbrei in the episode "The Pegasus Project," despite being pulled away by other Ancients for her interference.[97] Her involvement escalates in Stargate: The Ark of Truth, where she guides Daniel Jackson in a prison cell to prioritize using the Ark of Truth on Adria, the Orici, and ultimately engages Adria in an eternal ascended battle to neutralize her power post-activation, hinting at potential de-ascension risks for such prolonged conflict.[98]As an ally to Daniel Jackson, Morgan Le Fay repeatedly deceives and then reveals herself to him, offering strategic insights during the Sangraal quest and Ori crusade, forging a bond through shared commitment to defeating the Ori.[94] She positions herself as a foe to Oma Desala, clashing over the balance of non-interference versus active resistance against threats like the Ori.[99]The character is portrayed by actress Sarah Strange.[100]
Other ascended entities
Orlin is an ascended member of the Ancients who first encountered SG-1 on the planet Velona, where he had been banished for violating the non-interference policy by aiding the locals in constructing an orbital weapon against the Goa'uld.[101] Infatuated with Major Samantha Carter after observing her compassion, Orlin descended to human form, manifesting as a youthful figure lacking toes to signify his otherworldly origin, and followed her through the Stargate to Earth.[102] There, he constructed a miniature Stargate in her basement to facilitate communication and expressed his desire for a romantic relationship, but his interventions, including attempts to warn Earth of the weapon's dangers, led to punishment by the other ascended beings, forcing him to reascend.[101] Years later, during the Ori threat, Orlin descended once more, this time as a child to preserve more of his knowledge, to assist Carter and SG-1 in developing a cure for the Prior plague by sharing retained Ancient medical insights while evading the Ori's influence. His actions highlight a rebellious streak against the ascended prohibition on mortal aid, driven by personal affection and a moral imperative to protect humanity.[102]Shifu, the harcesis child of Sha're and Apophis, was born with innate knowledge of the Goa'uld due to his mother's possession by the Goa'uld queen during conception. Protected on the planet Kheb by a monk and guided toward ascension by Oma Desala, Shifu rapidly aged through Ancient influence and ascended fully after demonstrating his powers to Daniel Jackson in a dream-induced vision on Earth. In this encounter, he warned Jackson against using the Goa'uld's accumulated knowledge for violence, illustrating the corrupting nature of absolute power, and affirmed his commitment to non-interference by ascending permanently.[103] Shifu's brief interaction underscores his ties to Jackson as a surrogate father figure and his adherence to ascended principles of peace, contrasting with more interventionist entities.Other minor ascended entities occasionally intervene in limited ways, often bending rules to offer subtle guidance to SG-1 members like Daniel Jackson during his own periods of ascension. For instance, entities such as the inhabitants of the Astral Diner represent everyday ascended life, providing philosophical counsel without direct action against threats like Anubis.[104] These figures exhibit diverse motivations, from personal connections to ethical dilemmas, but remain peripheral, focusing on spiritual enlightenment rather than galactic conflicts.[105]
Asgard
Thor
Thor is the Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet, a highly advanced alien species that allies with Earth against the Goa'uld System Lords throughout Stargate SG-1. As a member of the Asgard High Council, he oversees military operations and diplomatic relations, often providing the Tau'ri (humans) with crucial technological aid, such as upgrades to Earth's spaceships and weapons to counter Goa'uld threats. The Asgard, including Thor, reproduce through cloning, a process that has sustained their species for millennia but leads to progressive genetic degradation over successive generations.[106][107]Characterized by his logical and analytical mindset, Thor exhibits a diminutive, gray-skinned humanoid form typical of the Asgard, standing about four feet tall with an enlarged cranium and minimal facial features. He frequently employs Asgard beam technology for instantaneous transportation, communication, and extraction of allies from danger, showcasing their superior engineering prowess. This reliance on non-invasive beaming allows Thor to interact with humans without physical presence, emphasizing the Asgard's preference for intellectual over brute-force solutions.[106][107]Thor develops a strong personal bond with ColonelJack O'Neill, marked by mutual respect and occasional humor, as seen in their collaborative efforts during crises where O'Neill's unconventional thinking complements Thor's precision. Through High Council diplomacy, Thor champions Earth's inclusion under the Protected Planets Treaty, negotiating protections against Goa'uld incursions despite internal Asgard debates on intervention.[106][108]In key narrative arcs, Thor leads Asgard forces allied with SG-1 against Goa'uld leaders like Anubis, deploying fleets to defend human worlds and sharing intelligence on interstellar threats. He also coordinates the war effort against the Replicators, enlisting human ingenuity to disrupt the mechanical invaders after Asgard conventional weapons fail. Thor's story culminates in his participation in the Asgard's final cloning cycle, where, confronting total genetic collapse, he transfers their accumulated knowledge to Earth via the ship Odyssey before the collective self-sacrifice of his species.[106]Thor is voiced by actor Michael Shanks, who also plays the lead role of Daniel Jackson in the series.[109]
Other Asgard representatives
In addition to Thor, several other Asgard served as key representatives in interactions with the Tau'ri, providing technological expertise and diplomatic support amid their species' ongoing struggle with genetic degradation from prolonged cloning. These figures exemplified the Asgard's collective societal structure, where individual roles contributed to the preservation of their advanced but declining civilization.[107]Freyr, a prominent member of the Asgard High Council, acted as a peace advocate, often mediating between Asgard policies and human needs during crises. He first appeared to assist SG-1 in resolving an accidental destabilization of the K'Tau sun, guiding Colonel Jack O'Neill to the High Council for judgment while advocating leniency toward Earth.[110] In later encounters, Freyr commanded an Asgard fleet to intervene in battles against Goa'uld forces, such as confronting Anubis's motherships to rescue SG-1 and other Asgard, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the Protected Planets Treaty despite internal debates on the extent of aid to less advanced species like humans.[111] His interactions highlighted tensions within Asgard society over resource allocation for external alliances, yet he consistently supported technological transfers to Earth, including beam technology refinements.[110]Heimdall, an Asgard geneticist and High Council member, focused on combating the species' extinction through research into cloning solutions, establishing an outpost in the Milky Way to study ancient Asgard ancestors' unaltered DNA. His work was crucial for addressing the degradation that had plagued Asgard reproduction for millennia, positioning him as a key figure in efforts to sustain their society.[112] SG-1 aided in rescuing Heimdall from Goa'uld threats on multiple occasions, including an escape from Anubis's forces with vital genetic samples aboard a Tel'tak, underscoring his reliance on human allies for operations in their home galaxy.[111] Known for a more affable and quirky demeanor compared to other Asgard, Heimdall collaborated closely with Major Samantha Carter on scientific matters, sharing insights into Asgard physiology while operating under Thor's oversight.[113]Kvasir, another High Council scientist specializing in advanced technologies like time-dilation devices, provided essential support to Earth during escalating threats from the Ori and internal dimensional anomalies. He frequently acted in Thor's stead, transporting aboard Tau'ri vessels such as the Odyssey to analyze phase-shifting artifacts and propose solutions for closing unstable wormholes.[114]Kvasir's contributions included upgrading human ships with Asgard beam weapons and advising on strategies against superior foes, reflecting the collective Asgard commitment to aiding allies despite their own existential challenges with cloning-induced decline.[115] His diplomatic role involved briefing SG-1 on High Council decisions regarding human involvement in galactic conflicts, fostering stronger ties through direct interactions with Carter on engineering projects.[116]
Tok'ra Symbiotes and Hosts
Jacob Carter/Selmak
Jacob Carter is a retired Major General in the United States Air Force and the father of Samantha Carter, who serves as a key liaison between Earth and the Tok'ra after blending with the symbiote Selmak.[117] Diagnosed with advanced lymphoma and facing imminent death, Jacob accepted the Tok'ra's offer to become Selmak's host in the episode "The Tok'ra, Part 2," allowing the ancient symbiote to save his life through a symbiotic blending process that integrated their consciousnesses.[118] This union transformed Jacob from a skeptical human military leader into a vital ally for SG-1, leveraging Selmak's millennia of experience while retaining elements of his original personality.[117]The blended entity exhibits dual personalities: Jacob's traits include human skepticism, stubbornness, and a supportive demeanor toward his daughter's career aspirations, contrasted with Selmak's profound wisdom, reduced stubbornness, and occasional arrogance derived from nearly 2,000 years as a Tok'ra leader.[117] Selmak's presence grants Jacob enhanced healing abilities and extended lifespan, enabling him to contribute to critical missions despite his initial health crisis. Key story arcs involve Jacob joining the Tok'ra High Council and aiding SG-1 in operations such as tracking the Goa'uld Seth in "Seth" and supporting the extraction of symbiotes from unwilling hosts, as seen in "Exodus."[119] His arc culminates tragically in Season 8's "Threads," where Selmak succumbs to old age during a Replicator crisis, leading to Jacob's death shortly thereafter as the blending ends.[93]Jacob's relationships underscore his personal stakes in the Stargate program; his bond with Samantha evolves from estrangement—stemming from her choice of military service over his preferred astronaut path—to deep reconciliation and mutual reliance during joint missions.[117] He also shares a professional friendship with General Hammond, who facilitated the initial Tok'ra contact that offered Jacob salvation. The role of Jacob Carter/Selmak was portrayed by actor Carmen Argenziano, who appeared in 25 episodes across the series from 1997 to 2007.[120]
Martouf/Lantash
Martouf is the human host to the Tok'ra symbiote Lantash, a blended pair who serve as operatives in the resistance against the Goa'uld System Lords. Introduced during SG-1's first contact with the Tok'ra in the planet Vox, Martouf and Lantash represent the symbiotic relationship central to Tok'ra society, where both host and symbiote share control and memories equally. Lantash, known for his passionate and sometimes impatient demeanor toward humans, complements Martouf's more reserved loyalty, making them effective spies in covert operations.[121]The pair's key emotional arc revolves around their grief over the death of Jolinar of Malkshur, Lantash's longtime mate, who briefly possessed Major Samantha Carter before dying in an Edrekhan attack. This connection leads Martouf to develop unrequited romantic feelings for Carter, stemming from Jolinar's residual memories and the Tok'ra tradition of mating bonds persisting across hosts. Despite this personal tension, Martouf and Lantash form a strong alliance with SG-1, participating in joint missions that highlight their dedication to the anti-Goa'uld cause. Their loyalty is evident in operations like the infiltration of Sokar's prison moon Netu to rescue Jacob Carter, where they risk exposure to extract vital intelligence from Jolinar's lingering memories in Carter's mind.[122][123][124]Martouf and Lantash's major contributions include high-stakes espionage, such as aiding SG-1 against Apophis and Sokar by providing Tok'ra resources and tactical insights during the Netu crisis. Their arc culminates tragically in season 4, when Martouf is unknowingly programmed as a za'tarc assassin by a Goa'uld memory recall device. During a confrontation at the SGC, the programming activates, forcing Carter to shoot Martouf to prevent him from killing a Tok'ra leader. With Martouf dying, Lantash emerges to affirm their innocence but, to eliminate any residual threat and protect the fragile Earth-Tok'ra alliance, requests a second zat'nik'tel blast, ensuring both their deaths without time for a new host. This self-sacrifice underscores their unwavering commitment to the greater mission.[125]The role of Martouf/Lantash was portrayed by Canadian actor J.R. Bourne, who brought nuance to the dual personalities through distinct vocal and physical mannerisms.[126]
Other Tok'ra agents
Anise, a prominent Tok'ra scientist specializing in ancient technologies and archaeology, shares significant advancements with SG-1, including the Atanik armbands that temporarily enhance human physical and mental capabilities by interfacing with a viral agent.[127] Her host, Freya, embodies the Tok'ra ethic of harmonious blending, often displaying a more emotional and compassionate demeanor that contrasts with Anise's analytical focus, reflecting the symbiotic longevity that allows Tok'ra to live over 200 years without reliance on Goa'uld sarcophagi.[127] In efforts to integrate former Goa'uld symbiotes, Anise investigates Jaffa's kelnorim meditation to enable communication and potential recruitment, though this leads to ethical dilemmas when deception is uncovered, such as with the symbiote Tanith.[128]Malek, a resolute Tok'ra warrior and former commander of the outpost in the Risa System—destroyed by Anubis—leads refugee operations following Goa'uld assaults, coordinating base relocations to sites like the Alpha Site to ensure survival amid ongoing battles.[129] He supports joint operations with Earth forces, collaborating with SG-1 to counter threats like the Ashrak assassin using naquadah generator bursts, demonstrating the Tok'ra's commitment to the alliance despite initial tensions with Jaffa allies.[130] Malek's pragmatic approach extends to high-stakes missions, such as demanding the release of the Tok'ra queen Egeria from Pangaran custody, where her healing properties were exploited, though she ultimately perishes, underscoring the Tok'ra's vulnerability and dedication to their founding principles.[131]Garshaw of Belote, head of the Tok'ra High Council, spearheads diplomatic overtures that solidify the pact with Earth, initially detaining SG-1 for security but ultimately recognizing the value of Tau'ri volunteers as hosts to bolster Tok'ra numbers after heavy losses.[132] As one of the most hunted Tok'ra for her leadership against the System Lords, she enforces strict protocols on host blending to maintain ethical symbiosis, rejecting forced implantation and emphasizing mutual consent that extends host lifespans through shared physiology.[133] Her tenure facilitates tech exchanges and joint strategies, though she is later succeeded by Per'sus amid relocations following the devastating attack on Revanna, highlighting the Tok'ra's adaptive resilience in their resistance.[118]
Jaffa Allies and Leaders
Bra'tac
Bra'tac is a prominent Jaffa character in Stargate SG-1, serving as the former First Prime to the Goa'uld System Lord Apophis and a pivotal mentor in the Jaffa rebellion against symbiote oppression.[134] He first appeared in the episode "Bloodlines," where he is revealed as Teal'c's longtime teacher on the Jaffa homeworld of Chulak, having trained him in combat and philosophy from a young age.[135] At over 130 years old during his debut, Bra'tac embodies the ancient warrior traditions of the Jaffa while harboring deep-seated doubts about the Goa'uld's divinity, which he imparts subtly to his students.[134]Known for his honorable and courageous demeanor, Bra'tac is depicted as a wise anti-symbiote advocate who risks everything to challenge the false gods he once served loyally.[136] His key traits include strategic pragmatism in battle, spiritual depth in questioning Jaffa servitude, and unyielding bravery, as seen when he aids SG-1's infiltration of Apophis's forces in "The Serpent's Lair."[137] Bra'tac's advocacy against symbiotes stems from his realization that they exploit Jaffa as incubators and slaves, a belief he nurtures quietly among rebels.[134]Throughout the series, Bra'tac's major arcs highlight his transition from covert dissident to overt leader. He provides crucial aid to Teal'c's defection by smuggling intelligence and coordinating escapes during Apophis's purges, notably in "Family." Later, he trains free Jaffa warriors in survival and tactics on hidden bases, fostering a new generation unbound by symbiotes, as explored in "The Warrior." Bra'tac endures multiple near-death experiences, including a severe wounding by Apophis's guards in "Into the Fire" from which he recovers to continue the fight, and a later injury from a terrorist bombing in "Talion" that tests his resilience.Bra'tac's relationships underscore his role as a paternal guide, particularly to Teal'c, whom he treats as a son and confidant in their shared quest for Jaffa autonomy.[136] This bond is evident in their joint operations against Goa'uld threats, where Bra'tac's counsel shapes Teal'c's decisions. He also forges a strategic alliance with the Tok'ra, collaborating on joint missions like the defense of a shared outpost in "Allegiance," blending Jaffa rebellion efforts with symbiote resistance.[130] The character is portrayed by actor Tony Amendola, who brought depth to Bra'tac across multiple seasons, drawing on the warrior's evolution from loyalty to liberation.[136]
Teal'c's family and followers
Drey'auc, Teal'c's wife from the Cord'ai Plains on Chulak, exemplified the resilience of Jaffa women under Goa'uld oppression, maintaining her loyalty to Teal'c despite societal pressures after his defection. Forced into a marriage with the Jaffa warrior Fro'tak to secure protection for herself and their son, she confessed her enduring love for Teal'c during SG-1's rescue mission on Chulak in 1998.[22] This reunion highlighted Teal'c's protective drive, as he prioritized reuniting his family amid the dangers of Apophis's forces.[138] Tragically, Drey'auc succumbed to illness in a rebel Jaffa camp in 2002, her death underscoring the harsh conditions faced by those resisting Goa'uld rule.[139]Rya'c, Teal'c and Drey'auc's son, demonstrated remarkable resilience against Goa'uld indoctrination from a young age, surviving multiple brainwashing attempts by Apophis.[140] Kidnapped in 1998 to undergo priming for a larval symbiote, Rya'c was rescued by SG-1 from Chulak, where he initially denounced his father as a shol'va under Apophis's influence.[22] Years later, in 2003, he was again captured and subjected to torture in a Goa'uld death camp, yet emerged committed to the free Jaffa cause.[141] By 2005, Rya'c had forged his path as a warrior, leading missions against System Lords and planning to wed a member of the Hak'tyl Resistance, reflecting his growth into a leader inspired by his father's defiance.[142]Teal'c's repeated risks to save Rya'c, including defying orders to reach the rebel camp after Drey'auc's death, revealed his unyielding paternal protectiveness, even as Rya'c briefly blamed him for her loss.[139]Rak'nor, a Chulak-born Jaffa warrior whose father Del'nor was spared execution by Teal'c under Apophis's orders, initially harbored resentment but evolved into a key follower.[143] In 2000, Rak'nor betrayed Teal'c during a covert operation against Heru'ur, driven by lingering loyalty to the Goa'uld, but this act stemmed from personal vendetta rather than systemic allegiance.[144] By 2003, recognizing Teal'c's integrity—further shaped by Bra'tac's teachings—he joined SG-1 in rescuing captives from a death camp, solidifying his role among Teal'c's loyalists in the fight for Jaffa freedom.[145] Rak'nor's arc illustrated the broader challenge of overcoming Goa'uld indoctrination, mirroring the perseverance seen in Teal'c's family.[19]
Other free Jaffa
The free Jaffa beyond the primary leaders represent the broader ranks of rebels who transitioned from Goa'uld servitude to active participants in the Jaffa Nation's formation, contributing to battles, governance, and adaptation to symbiote-free life through tretonin. These individuals exemplified the cultural shift from ritualistic slavery to self-determination, forging alliances with the Tau'ri (Earth's Stargate Command) and Tok'ra for military and technological support during the rebellion's expansion.Key figures among these free Jaffa include Rak'nor, a Chulak-born warrior who joined the rebellion after his father Del'nor was spared execution by Teal'c, instilling in him skepticism toward the Goa'uld as gods. Rak'nor rose as a leader in the Jaffa resistance, participating in pivotal actions such as the infiltration of Heru'ur's forces and the rescue operations from a Jaffa death camp, before serving on the Jaffa High Council to advocate for unity and democratic reforms. His arc highlighted internal conflicts, including debates over tretonin dependency, which weakened Jaffa physiology without symbiotes but enabled independence from Goa'uld control.[145][143]Ka'lel, a female Jaffa from the Hak'tyl Resistance, escaped the sacrificial rituals of the Goa'uld Moloc, where infant girls were burned to favor male warriors, and became a fierce combatant raiding Goa'uld outposts for supplies. After integrating with the wider free Jaffa movement, she adopted tretonin and represented the Hak'tyl on the Jaffa High Council, mediating alliances with Earth during crises like the Ori threat and internal power struggles that tested the nascent nation's stability. Her role underscored the Jaffa's evolving relationships with Tau'ri allies, who provided tretonin supplies and strategic aid in battles such as the defense of Dakara.[146][147]Other Jaffa council members, such as those from various clans, navigated post-liberation challenges including the adoption of tretonin, which cured the need for larval symbiotes but introduced vulnerabilities exploited in conflicts like the skirmishes against remnant Goa'uld forces. These figures participated in rebellion battles, such as the assault on Anubis's domain, fostering the Jaffa's transformation into an independent entity allied with the Tau'ri against mutual threats. Internal divisions, including resistance to modernization and symbiote pouch obsolescence, were resolved through council deliberations that emphasized collective survival over factionalism.[148]
Goa'uld Antagonists
Apophis
Apophis was a prominent Goa'uld System Lord in the Stargate SG-1 universe, emerging as a major power following the defeat of Ra, whom he succeeded as a dominant figure among the System Lords after Ra's death on Earth.[149] As a parasitic symbiote, Apophis took multiple human hosts throughout the series, including an initial unidentified host encountered by SG-1 on Abydos and later bodies such as that of a Jaffa named Na'onak after his resurrection.[149] His rise involved commanding a significant fleet and expanding influence through conquests, such as invading Earth and Abydos to secure prime hosts, where he claimed Sha're as the host for his queen Amonet and Skaara for his son Klorel.[20]Characterized by megalomaniacal ambition and exceptional military prowess, Apophis portrayed himself as a false god demanding worship from his subjects, enforcing loyalty through fear and advanced Goa'uld technology.[149] His strategic acumen was evident in large-scale operations, including the deployment of motherships against planetary targets and the absorption of rival forces, such as seizing Sokar's army after orchestrating his defeat. Apophis's conquests often involved subjugating worlds via Jaffa legions, but his defeats mounted due to interventions by SG-1, highlighting his overconfidence as a recurring vulnerability.[149]Apophis served as the primary antagonist from seasons 1 through 5, initiating conflicts with SG-1 during the pilot episode "Children of the Gods," where his forces attacked Earth via the Stargate.[20] Key arcs included a failed invasion of Earth in season 2's "The Serpent's Lair," where his fleet suffered heavy losses, and his apparent death from wounds inflicted by Sokar, only to be resurrected on the hellish world of Ne'tu in season 3.[137] He later consolidated power by killing Sokar and commandeering his domain on Delmak in season 4's "The Devil You Know," but faced repeated setbacks, culminating in the destruction of his fleet at Vorash in "Exodus" and his presumed demise when his mothership was overrun by Replicators and crashed into a black hole. Apophis briefly returned in season 8 via a pocket dimension, allying temporarily with SG-1 against the Replicators before his final death in "Enemies."In relationships, Apophis was the former master of Teal'c, his First Prime, whose defection to SG-1 prompted retaliatory actions like brainwashing Teal'c's son Rya'c as a Jaffa apprentice. He maintained a direct paternal bond with Klorel, his larval son hosted in Skaara, whom he attempted to extract during escape attempts from Earth.[137] His rivalry with Sokar escalated to outright conquest, as Apophis manipulated events on Ne'tu to assassinate him and claim his resources.The role of Apophis was portrayed by actor Peter Williams, a Jamaican-born performer who first appeared in the series premiere and reprised the character across multiple seasons until 2002.
Ba'al
Ba'al is a Goa'uld System Lord and major antagonist in the television series Stargate SG-1, portrayed by actor Cliff Simon across seasons 5 through 10 and in the 2008 film Stargate: Continuum.[150] Introduced in the season 5 episode "Summit" as one of seven surviving System Lords in the wake of Apophis's demise, Ba'al quickly establishes himself as a cunning and resilient threat to SG-1. His background as an "industrialist" System Lord is highlighted during Earth infiltrations, where he poses as a corporate magnate, such as the owner of Halcyon Properties, using human fronts to mask his operations.[151] Ba'al's use of multiple clones—genetically identical symbiotes implanted in hosts—allows him to evade death repeatedly, with the SGC capturing and extracting nearly two dozen such clones in season 10.[152]Characterized by sarcastic intelligence and a dry wit, Ba'al frequently mocks his adversaries, injecting humor into tense confrontations that humanizes his otherwise ruthless persona.[153] This trait is particularly evident in his ongoing rivalry with Colonel Jack O'Neill, whom he taunts during interrogations and battles, turning personal barbs into psychological warfare. His technological innovations underscore his strategic mind, including the development of enhanced naquadah bombs and the hijacking of advanced vessels like the Earth starship Prometheus to further his schemes. Ba'al's Earth infiltrations exploit human vulnerabilities, blending Goa'uld superiority with covert operations to undermine Tau'ri defenses.Ba'al's major arcs span seasons 6 to 10, evolving from a torturer of captured SG-1 members in "Abyss"—where he employs advanced neural devices to extract information from O'Neill—to a persistent overlord plotting empire reconstruction amid the Goa'uld collapse.[154] He serves as a puppet master to the Trust, a shadowy human cabal, briefly allying with them to launch attacks on rival Goa'uld while pursuing his own dominance on Earth. These villainous endeavors culminate in Stargate: Continuum, where Ba'al's final clone attempts to rewrite history by preventing the Stargate program's inception, only to be ambushed and killed by Colonel Cameron Mitchell aboard the freighter Achilles in 1939.
Other System Lords and symbiotes
Yu, one of the oldest and most respected System Lords, ruled for over a thousand years and was known for his strategic intelligence and leadership within the Goa'uld hierarchy.[155] As an ancient emperor figure, he commanded vast territories and participated in key diplomatic efforts, such as negotiating Earth's inclusion in the Protected Planets Treaty alongside other lords.[156] His domain emphasized disciplined military campaigns, but his advanced age eventually led to reliance on subordinates like his First Prime Oshu for decision-making.[157] Yu met his end when killed by a Replicator version of Samantha Carter during the Goa'uld-Replicator conflict.[158]Sokar, a formidable Goa'uld who adopted the persona of a devil-like entity, was banished from the System Lords by peers including Cronus due to his ruthless methods.[159] He controlled the hellish prison world of Ne'tu, where he tortured captives using fire and pain devices to extract information or assert dominance. Sokar's arc involved attempts to reclaim power, such as capturing Apophis and using him as a bargaining tool, but he was ultimately killed by Apophis using a hand device aboard his ship, after which the Tok'ra detonated Ne'tu, obliterating his flagship and allowing Apophis to seize control of his forces.[160]Nirrti, cast out from the System Lords for her destructive pursuits, specialized in genetic manipulation to create advanced human hosts or weapons.[161] Drawing from her ancient Hindu association as a goddess of darkness, she conducted unethical experiments on populations, such as implanting bombs in children like Cassandra Fraiser.[162] Her downfall came during an attempt to perfect a Hok'taur host in season 6's "Metamorphosis," where she was killed by her experimental subject Wodan, who used telekinetic powers to break her neck.[163]Cronus, a traditionalist and highly influential System Lord, maintained a domain inspired by Greek mythology, where he posed as a Titan ruler.[164] He enforced strict hierarchies, as seen in his execution of Teal'c's father Ro'nac for failing in battle, and played a pivotal role in exiling rivals like Sokar while clashing with other lords over territorial control. Cronus met his end in season 4's "Double Jeopardy," killed by a robotic duplicate of Teal'c during a confrontation on a Jaffa world, avenging the death of Teal'c's father. Earlier encounters with SG-1, such as in "Fair Game," involved negotiations and assassination attempts among System Lords.[165]Anubis, once a powerful System Lord who ascended and was later banished by the Others, returned as a half-ascended being posing a major threat from seasons 5 through 8.[166] Portrayed initially by David Palffy and later by Rik Young in his super-powered form, Anubis sought to conquer the galaxy using advanced Ancient technology and his Kull warrior army. His arcs included disrupting System Lord summits, allying with the Replicators, and repeated confrontations with SG-1, culminating in his final banishment to another dimension by the Ancients in "Threads." Anubis's manipulations weakened the Goa'uld empire significantly before his defeat.These System Lords exemplified the Goa'uld's varied domains, from Yu's imperial stability to Sokar's infernal tortures, often entangled in alliances and betrayals at summits where Tok'ra agents like Daniel Jackson attempted infiltrations and assassinations.[167] Goa'uld symbiotes reproduced via specialized queens, which produced larvae imprinted with genetic memories to ensure loyalty and continuity among underlings.[156] Individual downfalls, such as symbiote extractions or battles, frequently stemmed from these internal power struggles, weakening the collective empire.[158]
Ori and Priors
Adria
Adria is a central antagonist in the tenth and final season of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1, serving as the human embodiment of the Ori, a race of ascended beings intent on conquering the Milky Way galaxy. Conceived through the impregnation of former Goa'uld host Vala Mal Doran by a symbiote-like entity representing the Ori, Adria was engineered as their ultimate leader, known as the Orici, to propagate their ideology of forced worship and conversion. Born aboard an Ori warship during its journey to the planet Chulak after a standard nine-month gestation, she was immediately named by a Prior and raised in isolation among Ori followers, bypassing normal human childhood development through accelerated aging induced by her creators.[57]From her initial appearance as an infant, Adria exhibits a duality in her character, blending childlike innocence with an emerging zealotry toward the Ori's doctrine, which she views as absolute truth. This innocence manifests in moments of vulnerability, such as her curiosity about human emotions during interactions with her mother, but rapidly evolves into fanatical devotion, driving her to command vast armies of Priors and followers with unyielding conviction. Her immense powers, surpassing those of standard Priors, include telekinesis, rapid healing, energy manipulation, and encyclopedic knowledge of ancient lore that unfolds as she matures—facilitated by a distinctive pendant symbolizing her divine status and possibly amplifying her abilities. These traits position her as a tragic figure, torn between her biological humanity and the manipulative programming of the Ori, who use her as a vessel to extend their influence.[57]Adria's major storyline unfolds across season 10, beginning with her birth and swift growth from infant to pre-teen in the episode "Flesh and Blood," where she demonstrates her powers by healing Vala and asserting control over Ori forces. She continues to mature into a young adult, leading the Ori crusade with strategic brilliance, such as orchestrating ambushes on Tau'ri defenses and converting entire populations, culminating in her full ascension following the Ori's temporary defeat by the Ancients' anti-ascended weapon. In her ascended state, she engages in a philosophical and physical battle with Daniel Jackson in "The Shroud," attempting to sway him to the Ori cause before being outmaneuvered. Her arc concludes in the film Stargate: The Ark of Truth, where exposure to the Ark of Truth shatters her faith, leading to a final confrontation; she ascends once more but is eternally trapped in combat with the ascended form of Morgan Le Fay, preventing further threats.[61][168][98]Her relationships underscore themes of manipulation and conflicted loyalty, particularly her maternal bond with Vala, who searches relentlessly for her daughter and attempts to instill human values like compassion and doubt, often met with resistance as Adria prioritizes her divine role. The Ori exert total control over her psyche, imprinting their will from conception to suppress any rebellion, though cracks appear in moments of doubt triggered by Vala's influence or encounters with SG-1. This dynamic highlights Adria's internal ideological conflict between inherited humanity and imposed godhood.[57]The adult Adria is portrayed by actress Morena Baccarin, who joined the series in 2006 after roles in Firefly and brought a nuanced intensity to the character's zealous charisma, as noted in her reflections on embodying unquestioning faith. Child versions were played by Emma Cooper as the infant, Jodelle Ferland as the young child, and Brenna O'Brien as the pre-teen, each capturing stages of her rapid transformation.[169][170][57]
Tomin
Tomin is a recurring character in the American science fiction television series Stargate SG-1, introduced during the ninth season as a devout follower of the Ori religion. Portrayed by actor Tim Guinee, he represents the human face of the Ori crusade, evolving from blind zealotry to personal redemption through doubt and alliance with the protagonists.[171]Originally from the village of Ver Isca in the Ori's home galaxy, Tomin lived as an outcast due to a childhood injury that left him lame and infertile, conditions that isolated him from his community and barred him from military service. His life changed when an Ori Prior visited the village and healed his physical ailments, interpreting it as a divine blessing that affirmed his worthiness to serve the Ori. This miracle transformed Tomin into a fervent believer, propelling him into the ranks of the Ori army where he excelled as a soldier and leader.[172][173]Tomin's key traits include his unyielding fanatical faith in the Ori as benevolent gods, which drives his actions and justifies the crusade's conquests, coupled with a underlying sense of kindness and moral introspection that surfaces in personal interactions. As a military commander, he rises to captain an Ori warship, enforcing the spread of Origin with disciplined authority while adhering strictly to Prior directives. His devotion is portrayed as genuine and all-consuming, yet it begins to fracture when confronted with inconsistencies in Ori teachings, highlighting his capacity for independent thought.[171]In his major story arcs, Tomin marries Vala Mal Doran after discovering her pregnant and stranded in Ver Isca, entering the union out of compassion and religious duty to provide legitimacy for the child conceived by the Ori. This relationship strains as Vala attempts to sway him from his faith during their time together on his ship, leading to his capture by SG-1 and exposure to anti-Ori propaganda. A pivotal moment occurs in Stargate: The Ark of Truth, where viewing the Ark reveals the Ori's deception, prompting a brief but profound de-conversion; he defies a Prior's orders to execute SG-1, rallies his troops to surrender, and ultimately aids SG-1 following their encounter on Dakara and in the battle against the Ori forces in their home galaxy.[172][61][98]Tomin's primary relationships underscore his arc of devotion and redemption: as Vala's husband, their bond mixes genuine affection with ideological conflict, ending in mutual respect after their separation, with Vala expressing lingering care for him. He also serves as a protective figure to Adria, Vala's daughter and the Orici, showing initial loyalty influenced by his faith in the Ori's role in her birth.[98]
Other Ori followers
The Doci serves as the chief Prior and primary spokesperson for the Ori, residing in the City of Celestis with chambers adjacent to the Flames of Enlightenment, where he communicates directly with the Ori and relays their directives to subordinates.[174] Highly devout in the teachings of Origin, the Doci possesses enhanced abilities surpassing those of standard Priors, including the capacity for his eyes to glow red when channeling the Ori's voice, and he oversees the transformation of loyal humans into new Priors through exposure to the Flames.[174] In key arcs, the Doci orders the dispatch of additional Priors to the Milky Way galaxy following encounters with intruders like Dr. Daniel Jackson and coordinates the escalation of Ori ship construction to support their invasion efforts.[175] His role culminates in exposure to the Ark of Truth, which compels him to disseminate revelations about the Ori's true nature to Priors across both galaxies, effectively dismantling their hierarchical zeal.[98]Priors represent the elite envoys of the Ori, artificially evolved humans selected from devoted followers—such as village administrators—and genetically enhanced at Celestis to embody unwavering zealotry in propagating the Book of Origin.[176] Marked by ornate facial tattoos, elaborate robes bearing the Ori symbol, and tall staff weapons capable of telekinetic manipulation, energy blasts, and plague induction, Priors exhibit superhuman strength, the ability to choke or incinerate dissenters with a gesture, and limited resurrection powers over recent deaths.[176] Brainwashed into absolute loyalty, they enforce conversions through sermons and demonstrations of power, self-immolating in failure to maintain the faith's purity, and operate within a strict hierarchy directly subordinate to the Doci and the Ori themselves.[176] Notable arcs include their initial incursions into the Milky Way, such as the Prior of P3X-421 converting locals and clashing with SG-1, the unleashing of plagues on resistant worlds like Darin in "The Fourth Horseman," and defensive roles in ship battles during the Ori crusade, where inhibitors temporarily neutralize their abilities.[175]Among minor devotees, villagers from Ori-controlled worlds like Ver Eger exemplify the rank-and-file followers, often comprising entire communities indoctrinated into daily worship and communal labor to support the war effort.[175] These individuals, such as Harrid and Sallis Cicera, demonstrate the perils of doubt within the faith, as they face execution for harboring outsiders, highlighting the coercive zeal that binds followers under threat of Prior intervention.[175] Other figures include converted administrators elevated to Prior status and anonymous Ori soldiers who crew invasion vessels, participating in battles like the assault on Chulak, all unified by their hierarchical devotion to the Ori's expansionist doctrine.[175]
Replicators
Fifth
Fifth is a human-form Replicator introduced in the sixth season of Stargate SG-1, distinguished as the fifth such entity created by an Asgard-engineered android also named Fifth.[177] This android reprogrammed primitive Replicator blocks into humanoid forms during the events on the planet Halla, aiming to harness their potential against the broader Replicator threat, but the resulting beings inherited emotional vulnerabilities from their design inspired by the ancient inventor Reese.[178] Fifth exhibits heightened curiosity and individuality compared to his counterparts, displaying an initial fascination with Major Samantha Carter that borders on affection, which underscores his more human-like programming flaws.[177]In the episode "Unnatural Selection," Fifth defects from the aggressive Replicator collective to assist SG-1, providing critical insights into their weaknesses and helping to lure the others into a time-dilation trap on Halla.[178] However, this cooperation sours when Carter activates the device, imprisoning Fifth alongside the rest, an act he perceives as profound betrayal that ignites his vengeful evolution from curious ally to determined adversary.[177] By the eighth season's "New Order," Fifth has escaped confinement and commandeers a Replicator ship to intercept Carter en route to the Asgard homeworld of Orilla, subjecting her to neural probing for strategic knowledge while grappling with his lingering emotional attachment.[179] During this confrontation, he fabricates a duplicate of Carter—known as Replicator Carter—using her scanned neural patterns as a companion, forging a creator-progeny bond marked by shared intellect but underlying tension.[177]Fifth's arc culminates in "Gemini," where his alliance with Replicator Carter fractures; she feigns loyalty to SG-1, luring Fifth into a vulnerable position before deploying an Asgard disruptor satellite to disintegrate him, ending his threat permanently.[180] Throughout his appearances, Fifth's relationships evolve from tentative cooperation with SG-1—particularly his complex dynamic with Carter, blending resentment and obsession—to outright enmity, culminating in his destruction at the hands of his own creation.[177] The character is portrayed by Canadian actor Patrick Currie, whose performance captures Fifth's shift from inquisitive vulnerability to calculated malice across three episodes.[177]
Replicator Carter
Replicator Carter, also known as RepliCarter, is a humanoid Replicator duplicate of Samantha Carter created by the Fifth Replicator without the original's knowledge or consent, using her image, memories, and intellectual patterns as a template. Intended initially as a companion and strategic weapon for Fifth, she emerges fully formed in the episode "New Order, Part 2" of season 8. This version of Carter possesses an advanced nanotechnology-based physiology that allows rapid self-repair and adaptation, making her a formidable adversary in the ongoing conflict with Stargate Command.[181][182]Her key traits include a precise mimicry of Samantha Carter's intellectual capabilities and thought processes, derived directly from the copied memories, but marked by profound emotional detachment and a lack of human moral constraints. Unbound by loyalty, duty, or empathy, Replicator Carter exhibits an obsessive drive for technological upgrades and self-preservation, viewing evolution and power acquisition as paramount goals. This detachment enables ruthless decision-making, such as prioritizing Replicator supremacy over alliances, while her mimicry allows her to anticipate and exploit the strategies of her human counterparts.[181][180]Replicator Carter's major arcs unfold primarily in season 8, beginning with her debut where she aids Fifth in capturing the real Samantha Carter before turning against him. In "Gemini," she feigns vulnerability to infiltrate Stargate Command, tricking the team into providing access to Ancient disruptor technology that she adapts to immunize herself and her forces against anti-Replicator weapons, ultimately destroying Fifth in the process. She then leads a massive Replicator invasion of the Milky Way galaxy in "Reckoning, Parts 1 and 2," systematically targeting the Goa'uld empire and capturing key figures like Daniel Jackson to further her objectives. Her destruction occurs in "Reckoning, Part 2," when the real Samantha Carter, her father Jacob Carter, and the Goa'uld Ba'al reprogram the Dakara superweapon to emit a targeted energy wave that eradicates all Replicators, including her, thereby halting the invasion and reshaping galactic power dynamics.[180][183][184]In terms of relationships, Replicator Carter shares a twisted mirror rivalry with the real Samantha Carter, confronting her directly in "Gemini" and using their shared knowledge to engage in psychological warfare, highlighting the original's internal conflicts through a detached, amplified lens. Her dynamic with Fifth begins as one of intended companionship—framed as a consort-like bond—but devolves into manipulation, as she betrays and eliminates him to seize control of the Replicator collective, viewing him as an obstacle to her ambitions.[181][180]The character is portrayed by Amanda Tapping, who also plays Samantha Carter, allowing for seamless visual and performative duality in scenes of confrontation.[185]
Other replicator variants
The Replicators in Stargate SG-1 encompass several variants beyond prominent individuals, primarily manifesting as bug-like swarms and more advanced spider and humanoid forms that posed existential threats across galaxies. These entities originated from experimental nanotechnology in the Milky Way, evolving into relentless, self-replicating machines driven by an insatiable drive to consume and multiply. Although originating from the Milky Way via the android Reese, the Replicators had spread to the Ida Galaxy by the time of their discovery by the Asgard, through unspecified means prior to SG-1's involvement.[186][187]The earliest bug-like swarms emerged on planet P3X-797 in the Milky Way, where they were initially simple modular blocks capable of assembling into basic insectoid structures. These variants infested local technology, rapidly spreading through assimilation of metals and other materials, leading to the devastation of Reese's civilization before SG-1's intervention. Their arcs involved early containment efforts, such as destroying the android Reese to deactivate the Replicators on Earth, highlighting their vulnerability to disruption of their control mechanism at that stage.[188]The Replicators, first encountered as bug-like swarms in the Ida Galaxy, were inadvertently transported to the Milky Way by SG-1, where they continued to evolve into more sophisticated spider-like forms, resembling metallic arachnids with four legs and wing-like appendages for enhanced mobility. In the Ida Galaxy, they formed massive swarms coordinated by larger "queen" units, up to story-tall in size, which directed infestations of Asgard vessels and planets. Key arcs included ship takeovers, such as the hijacking of the Asgard ship O'Neill, where spiders burrowed into hulls and systems, overriding controls and using acidic sprays to dissolve defenses. These takeovers extended to Goa'uld Ha'tak vessels, where enhanced beetle variants—larger and capable of boosting hyperspeed by up to 800 times—integrated into enemy fleets, turning them into Replicator-controlled armadas. Anti-Replicator weapon tests, like the Asgard's time dilation traps and the Ancient disruptor technology, were pivotal in arcs such as the Battle of Orilla, where swarms adapted by shielding against energy weapons but remained susceptible to targeted nanite disruptions.Traits common to these spider variants included nanite-based self-repair, allowing dismembered units to reassemble from scattered blocks, and rapid adaptation to threats, such as developing countermeasures to Asgard plasma beams after initial exposures. They operated via a collective hive mind, enabling seamless coordination across vast swarms without individual autonomy, which amplified their efficiency in overwhelming larger forces. Relationships with other races were uniformly antagonistic; they waged a genocidal war against the Asgard, nearly eradicating their empire by consuming advanced technology, and indirectly clashed with Ancient-derived systems through their relentless expansion.[178]Humanoid variants represented an evolutionary leap, shifting from block-and-spider constructions to nanite swarms mimicking organic forms for infiltration and strategic superiority. Composed of trillions of interconnected nanites, these hybrids could interface directly with technology, assuming control of ships or Stargates with minimal resistance. Their arcs focused on galaxy-spanning invasions, including the infestation of the Asgard homeworld Orilla and assaults on Goa'uld strongholds, culminating in widespread takeovers thwarted by the Dakara superweapon, which broadcast a galaxy-wide disruption pulse. These forms exhibited advanced self-repair, regenerating from near-total destruction, and adapted to countermeasures like the Replicator disruptor by seeking rare neutronium deposits for fortified replication. The hive mind persisted, linking humanoids to spider swarms for hybrid operations, while conflicts escalated with the Asgard—leading to the species' self-destruction via a core explosion—and indirect opposition to Ancient artifacts that once inspired their creation. A brief reference to the Carter clone illustrates their mimicry potential, though details are covered elsewhere.[184]
Lucian Alliance Members
Netan
Netan is a recurring antagonist in seasons 9 and 10 of Stargate SG-1, serving as the primary leader of the Lucian Alliance, a coalition of human smugglers, mercenaries, and criminals who capitalized on the power vacuum following the downfall of the Goa'uld System Lords to establish a black market empire across multiple worlds.[189] Under his command, the Alliance engaged in illicit trade, including the cultivation and distribution of kassa, an addictive narcotic crop grown on at least one Alliance-controlled planet, which fueled their operations and generated significant profits through underground networks.[190] Netan's rise positioned the Alliance as a major interstellar threat, filling the void left by the Goa'uld with opportunistic exploitation of advanced technologies scavenged from fallen enemies.[191]Characterized as a ruthless opportunist, Netan maintained control through intimidation and swift elimination of dissenters, exemplified by his execution of subordinate Gavos during a council meeting for questioning his unilateral decisions on military engagements.[191] His black market dealings extended to arms trafficking and resource hoarding, allowing the Alliance to amass a fleet of commandeered Ha'tak motherships and other Goa'uld vessels, which he deployed aggressively to protect Alliance interests.[190] This cutthroat leadership style fostered loyalty among a diverse cadre of criminals but also sowed internal rivalries, as underlings vied for power amid growing pressures from external foes.Netan's major story arcs unfold primarily in seasons 9 and 10, centering on escalating conflicts with Stargate Command (SGC). In the season 9 episode "Off the Grid," he demands the return of Stargates stolen by Baal, dispatching ships to intercept SG-1 and berating subordinate Worrel for operational failures that threatened the Alliance's kassa production.[190] Later in "Camelot," Netan commits three motherships to combat the emerging Ori threat, only to suffer devastating losses when their fleet is decimated, weakening his position.[115] Season 10 intensifies these tensions: in "Flesh and Blood," blaming Teal'c for luring the Alliance into an Ori ambush that cripples his forces, Netan captures and tortures the Jaffa warrior aboard his vessel, demanding the surrender of the SGC's Odyssey.[61] His vendetta escalates in "Bounty," where he places a high-value reward on each SG-1 member's head in retaliation for their disruptions to Alliance operations.[52] The arc culminates in "Company of Thieves," where internal challenges from rivals like Anateo and Tenat—exacerbated by SG-1's interference, including a deception orchestrated by Cameron Mitchell—lead to Anateo's execution, the destruction of Tenat's ship by Netan in response to the trickery, and a declaration of war by the Alliance against the Tau'ri, though Netan survives.[191]Netan commands a loose network of diverse criminals, including lieutenants like Worrel, Gavos, Anateo, and Tenat, whom he deploys for enforcement and raids, though their ambitions often undermine his authority.[191] His enmity with Mitchell peaks during the undercover operation in "Company of Thieves," where Mitchell, posing as a trusted enforcer using Reol chemicals for deception, manipulates events to provoke conflicts among Netan's subordinates.[191]The role of Netan was portrayed by actor Eric Steinberg.[192]
Other alliance figures
Tenat served as a low-level smuggler and trader within the Lucian Alliance, originating from the planet Oran and specializing in illicit dealings with stolen Goa'uld technology.[193] Alongside his partner Jup, he engaged in multiple confrontations with SG-1, including a failed attempt to purchase a Goa'uld ship in "Prometheus Unbound," where he was outmaneuvered by Vala Mal Doran, and subsequent schemes in "The Ties That Bind" and "Company of Thieves," culminating in his death during an ill-fated ambush on Netan's forces tricked by Cameron Mitchell.[194][195][191] His actions exemplified the Alliance's human-centric focus on scavenging advanced tech from fallen Goa'uld remnants, often through cutthroat negotiations that highlighted internal opportunism amid the Ori war's chaos.[189]Anateo, a high-ranking First and commander in the loose coalition under Netan, embodied the organization's rivalries and betrayals by plotting a coup to seize control during the Ori invasion.[196] Ruthless and ambitious, he orchestrated raids on SGC assets, including the hijacking of the Odyssey in "Company of Thieves," where he captured the crew and demanded Samantha Carter disable the ship's Asgard beam to present it as a trophy to other Alliance leaders, intending to eliminate Netan and consolidate power over scavenged territories.[191] His scheme unraveled through SG-1's intervention, leading to his exposure as a traitor and execution by beaming into space, underscoring the fragile alliances formed by human survivors scavenging Goa'uld and Ori-era technologies for dominance.[196][191]Other figures, such as interrogators during Alliance captures of SG-1 in operations like the kassa raids on P6G-452, reinforced the group's traits of tech scavenging and internal distrust, often exploiting the power vacuum left by the Goa'uld and Ori conflicts to launch opportunistic strikes on Earth forces while maintaining a decentralized structure loyal only to personal gain under Netan's nominal oversight.[190][189]
Other Alien Races and Characters
Tollan representatives
The Tollan representatives are pivotal figures from the advanced human civilization of the Tollans, known for their sophisticated technology and strict isolationist policies that limit interactions with less advanced species like humans from Earth. These characters, including diplomats and leaders, interact with the SGC (Stargate Command) primarily through episodes involving refugee aid, legal disputes, and technological crises. Their arcs highlight the Tollans' internal conflicts and eventual downfall due to Goa'uld aggression.[197]Narim serves as a key Tollan diplomat who fosters rare diplomatic ties with Earth, first encountered when SG-1 rescues him and other Tollan refugees from their dying homeworld in the episode "Enigma." He develops a close personal friendship with Samantha Carter, expressing romantic interest after she saves his life, though their relationship remains platonic due to interplanetary differences. Narim acts as a liaison, warning SG-1 about threats like the Goa'uld trial of Skaara in "Pretense" and later uncovering his government's secret deal with the Goa'uld in "Between Two Fires," where he helps deploy Tollan ion cannons to protect Earth at the cost of his homeworld. His character embodies the Tollans' cautious openness, contrasting their broader non-interference policy.[198][199][89]Travell, as High Chancellor of the Tollan Curia—their ruling council—represents the epitome of Tollan isolationism, staunchly enforcing laws against sharing technology with primitive cultures to prevent past mistakes, such as the destruction of their original neighboring planet Serita due to misused tech. She clashes with SG-1 over these policies in episodes like "Pretense," where she presides over a triad hearing, and "Shades of Grey," involving limited tech exchanges amid NID (National Intelligence Department) betrayals, where rogue Earth agents steal Tollan devices. In "Between Two Fires," Travell negotiates a disastrous alliance with the Goa'uld Tanith for weapons that could bypass Earth's Stargate defenses, a plot exposed by SG-1, leading to her presumed death during the subsequent attack on Tollana. Her arrogance and legal rigidity underscore the Tollans' self-imposed vulnerabilities.[200][67][201]Omoc, a wise and moral Tollan leader among the refugees, initially contacts the SGC during the evacuation in "Enigma," viewing Earth as primitive but accepting aid out of necessity, and bonds with Daniel Jackson over shared philosophical discussions on Tollan history. As a Curia member on Tollana, he advocates strict non-interference, refusing tech sharing despite SGC pleas, and is murdered by his own government in "Between Two Fires" to conceal their Goa'uld collaboration, allowing a policy shift toward weapon trades that invites destruction. His phase-shifting bracelet technology, which renders users intangible, exemplifies Tollan advancements used in escapes and signaling allies like the Nox during refugee crises. Omoc's death at his funeral marks a turning point, highlighting internal betrayals and the refugee arcs from their original world's volcanic destruction to Tollana's fall.[202][203][199]The Tollan representatives' arcs revolve around tech exchanges, such as the ion cannons used against Goa'uld ships, which demonstrate their superior weaponry but are never fully shared with Earth due to policy. Their non-interference stance crumbles amid refugee crises, starting with the SGC-assisted relocation aided by the Nox, and culminates in Tollana's destruction by Anubis's forces via Tanith, scattering survivors whose fates remain unknown. Relationships with Carter, particularly Narim's, add personal depth, while NID's theft of phase-shifting devices in one incident strains alliances briefly. These elements portray the Tollans' technological prowess— including impervious shields and self-built Stargates—against their isolationist downfall.[197][201][67]
Nox elders
The Nox elders are ancient, wise members of the peaceful Nox race, characterized by their childlike appearance, profound philosophical outlook, and advanced yet concealed technologies that emphasize harmony with nature and the cycle of life. They reside in simple forest dwellings on their homeworld, avoiding overt displays of power to prevent attracting aggressors like the Goa'uld. Central to their beliefs is a strict aversion to violence, viewing all life as interconnected and deserving of protection, which guides their subtle interventions in galactic conflicts.[204]Anteaus serves as the primary spokesman and leader among the Nox elders encountered by SG-1, demonstrating leadership through calm authority and a commitment to non-interference unless necessary for preservation of life. In their first meeting, Anteaus hides the Stargate and the indigenous Fenri creatures from SG-1's view using illusion technology, underscoring the Nox's preference for concealment over confrontation. He later orchestrates the revival of SG-1 after their fatal ambush on Apophis, employing a ritual that restores the dead by channeling life energies, and firmly rejects SG-1's pleas for weapons or direct aid against the Goa'uld, stating, "There will be no killing." Anteaus's interactions with SG-1 evolve into a position of wary trust, positioning the Nox as neutral allies who offer philosophical guidance rather than technological alliances.[204]Lya, a female Nox elder and Anteaus's wife, embodies compassion and empathy, often acting as a bridge between the Nox and outsiders through her intuitive understanding of emotions and intentions. She participates actively in healing rituals, such as the one that resurrects her own body during a demonstration of the "Ritual of Life" to teach SG-1 about the Nox's reverence for renewal and rebirth. In later encounters, Lya relocates Tollan refugees to a safe Nox world, protecting them from NID pursuit and affirming the elders' role in providing sanctuary without endorsing conflict. During a Triad judgment on Tollana, she serves as the neutral archon representing the Nox, advocating for the host's autonomy in a symbiotic possession case and hiding a defensive weapon at Teal'c's request while refusing to activate it, thus upholding the aversion to violence. Her bond with Daniel Jackson highlights the Nox's selective sharing of wisdom, as she praises his personal growth in understanding non-violent paths.[204][205]Ohper, the eldest of the group at over 432 years old, represents the depth of Nox longevity and accumulated knowledge, living in harmony with the forest and deriving medicines from natural elements to sustain their extended lifespans. He engages SG-1 in discussions on the futility of endless warfare, explaining that the Nox have observed countless cycles of destruction by races like the Goa'uld without ever resorting to retaliation, as true advancement lies in transcending violence. Ohper's insights into child-rearing emerge through his role in guiding the young Nafrayu, emphasizing patience and observation of life's natural progression over imposed control, which subtly influences SG-1's perspectives on leadership and growth. As part of the family unit, he supports hidden aid efforts, such as concealing the Fenri young Shak'l from harm, reinforcing the elders' collective philosophy of nurturing without domination.[204]Collectively, the Nox elders' arcs begin with their introduction in SG-1's early missions, where they reveal their illusion-based technologies—capable of rendering people, objects, and even cities invisible—to shield innocents from Goa'uld incursions without direct engagement. Their aversion to violence stems from a belief in the eternal cycle of life, where death is not an end but a phase, allowing them to intervene through resurrection and relocation rather than combat. This philosophical stance fosters neutral alliances with SG-1, providing moral counsel on child-rearing and conflict resolution, such as advising against aggressive pursuits that perpetuate suffering, while maintaining distance to preserve their pacifist way of life.[204][205]
Unas and primitive aliens
The Unas are a primitive humanoid species native to the planet P3X-888, characterized by their reptilian features, exceptional physical strength surpassing that of humans, and regenerative healing abilities that allow rapid recovery from injuries. They represent one of the earliest sentient species encountered by the SG-1 team, exhibiting prehistoric intelligence through complex tribal social structures, rudimentary language, and tool usage for hunting and survival. Unas society is organized around alpha males who lead through displays of dominance, with younger members undergoing rites of passage to prove their worth.Chaka, portrayed by Peter Williams, emerges as the most prominent Unas character and a key ally to SG-1. Introduced in the episode "The First Ones," Chaka is a young Unas who captures Dr. Daniel Jackson during a tribal rite, initially intending to claim him as prey, but the two form a bond after Jackson demonstrates empathy and shares knowledge.[206] This alliance leads Chaka to challenge and defeat his tribe's alpha male with indirect assistance from SG-1, elevating him to leadership and marking the first interspecies friendship in the series. In subsequent arcs, Chaka faces enslavement by a human mining colony on another world in "Beast of Burden," where he is captured alongside other Unas and forced into labor extracting naquadah; SG-1's rescue operation highlights the Unas' vulnerability to exploitation despite their strength.[207] Chaka returns in "Enemy Mine," leading his tribe in negotiations with SG-1 to trade naquadah deposits, solidifying his role as a diplomatic bridge between Unas and humans. Throughout these events, Daniel Jackson advocates fiercely for Unas rights, viewing them as sentient beings deserving protection from Goa'uld parasitism and human slavers, which influences SG-1's policies on primitive contacts.[208]Other notable Unas include the Shy One, an enslaved female Unas encountered in "Beast of Burden," who aids in the escape from human captors by providing insider knowledge of the mining operations, underscoring the Unas' communal loyalty even under duress.[209]Iron Shirt (Kor Asek), the alpha Unas in "Enemy Mine," initially opposes Chaka's dealings with humans but relents after witnessing their non-hostile intentions, illustrating internal tribal conflicts over external alliances.[210] These characters collectively depict the Unas' arcs of enslavement by ancient Goa'uld symbiotes—who originated on the same world and used Unas as initial hosts—and later by opportunistic humans, contrasted with emerging partnerships fostered by SG-1 interventions.[211]Primitive human aliens in the series often inhabit remote worlds with limited technological advancement, forming tribal societies reliant on oral traditions, basic agriculture, and warrior hierarchies. In "The Broca Divide," SG-1 encounters divided tribes on P3X-797, where one primitive group reverts to aggressive, instinct-driven behavior due to a genetic contagion, prompting rescues that emphasize ethical dilemmas in uplifting isolated societies. Similarly, the inhabitants of Simarkia in "Emancipation" live under patriarchal customs enforced by offworld myths, leading to SG-1's intervention to liberate women from ritual subjugation and promote gender equality. These primitive humans exhibit prehistoric intelligence through adaptive survival skills and spiritual beliefs tied to their environments, often allying with SG-1 against external threats like Goa'uld incursions while grappling with cultural clashes. Daniel Jackson's linguistic expertise briefly aids in bridging communication gaps with these groups, reinforcing his broader advocacy for respecting primitive autonomy.
Minor and Guest Characters
Earth military and civilian guests
Earth military and civilian guests in Stargate SG-1 primarily consist of United States Air Force personnel who serve as temporary aides, team leaders, or scientific consultants during specific missions, often interacting briefly with the Stargate Program's core teams. These characters embody professional discipline and expertise, supporting operations without long-term integration into Stargate Command (SGC). Their roles highlight the broader military and civilian support structure, providing tactical leadership or technical insights in high-stakes scenarios.[212][213][214]Major Evan Lorne, portrayed by Kavan Smith, is introduced as a competent Air Force officer overseeing a naquadah mining operation on P3X-403, where he assists SG-1 in defending against Jaffa attacks during the episode "Enemy Mine" (Season 7). As a skilled pilot and executive officer, Lorne demonstrates resourcefulness and loyalty, coordinating evacuations and combat support under pressure, traits that later define his crossover role in Stargate Atlantis as second-in-command. His brief SG-1 immersion underscores his subordinate position to SG-1, facilitating joint field missions without deeper command involvement.[212][215]Colonel Albert Reynolds, played by Eric Breker, evolves from a Major at Area 51 to a key SGC team leader, frequently commanding SG-3 or SG-16 in support of SG-1's objectives. Initially encountered in "Touchstone" (Season 2), where he escorts SG-1 to recover an ancient weather device, Reynolds exemplifies professional soldiering through his enthusiasm and tactical acumen in episodes like "Evolution" (Season 7), where he leads an ambush defense on an off-world planet, and "Prometheus Unbound" (Season 8), aiding in the recovery of the stolen Prometheus vessel. His arcs involve multiple field missions, such as ZPM retrievals and base defenses, always as a reliable subordinate to SG-1 and General Hammond, marked by unwavering loyalty to Colonel O'Neill.[213][216]Lieutenant Jennifer Hailey, portrayed by Elisabeth Rosen, represents the civilian-scientific side as a brilliant but rebellious astrophysicist cadet who catches Major Samantha Carter's attention. Debuting in "Prodigy" (Season 4), Hailey joins an off-world reconnaissance mission with SG-1 to investigate an energy surge, showcasing her argumentative intellect by spotting flaws in Carter's theories during tech consultations at the SGC. Promoted to Lieutenant, she reappears in "Proving Ground" (Season 5) as part of a trainee evaluation, subtly aiding a simulation without full disclosure of her prior exposure. Her brief immersions highlight her potential as a protégé to Carter, blending scientific curiosity with military discipline in subordinate roles focused on analysis rather than combat.[214][217][218]
One-off alien encounters
Linea, known as the Destroyer of Worlds, is an advanced alien scientist infamous for engineering a deadly pathogen that wiped out much of her homeworld's population under the Taldor civilization. Imprisoned on the harsh penal planet Hadante for her crimes, she encountered SG-1 during their own incarceration there and manipulated them into aiding her escape by providing a means to power the Stargate.[219] Upon reaching Earth, Linea attempted to access the SGC's computers before departing through the Stargate to an unknown destination.[220] She reappeared later on the planet Vyus as Ke'ra, a benevolent healer suffering from amnesia caused by her own experimental "Vorlix" treatment, which had regressed the planet's inhabitants to childlike states. SG-1 assisted in restoring and then suppressing her memories to prevent further harm, highlighting an ethical dilemma in dealing with her potential for redemption versus her history of destruction.[221] Linea's interactions with SG-1 underscore themes of betrayal and the risks of temporary alliances with unstable figures, as her intellect posed unique threats to planetary societies.[219]Morrigan, a cunning Goa'uld System Lord and queen, operated from the shadows by using her human servants to extract intelligence from rivals, such as information from Yu's former lo'taur. She attended the pivotal System Lords summit on a protected space station, where she advocated for reinstating Anubis among their ranks, demonstrating her strategic ambition.[222] Later Tok'ra reports revealed that Morrigan's forces were defeated by Ba'al during the ensuing power struggles, forcing her capitulation and effectively ending her influence.[167] Although her direct encounters with SG-1 were limited to surveillance during the summit infiltration, her pretender-like subtlety in concealing her full Goa'uld nature among allies exemplified the deceptive traits of lesser-known symbiotes.[223] Morrigan's arc illustrates temporary alliances fracturing into betrayals within Goa'uld politics, with her planet P3X-289 later found deserted, reflecting the transient nature of such alien powers.[224]Various planet leaders encountered by SG-1 in single episodes represent diverse alien societies, often leading to ethical dilemmas, fragile alliances, or outright betrayals. On Euronda, Alar led a bunker-dwelling remnant of his people in a genocidal war against the so-called "Breeders," contacting Earth for advanced weapons and supplies to sustain their ideology of racial purity. SG-1's investigation revealed the Eurondans' extermination campaigns, prompting the team to withhold aid and seal the Stargate, dooming Alar's faction to extinction from starvation and failing life support.[225] This interaction highlighted moral conflicts over intervening in alien civil wars and the dangers of allying with ideologically extreme leaders.[226]In contrast, Tonane, chieftain of the Salish people on PXY-887—a culture descended from Native American tribes protected by advanced alien shapeshifters known as the Spirits—sought to negotiate mining rights for trinium while safeguarding his planet's sacred grounds. After SG-11's disappearance due to Spirit intervention, Tonane guided SG-1 through rituals and even visited Earth to evaluate extraction methods, forging a brief alliance based on mutual respect for environmental and spiritual concerns.[227] The episode's resolution, with the Spirits agreeing to limited mining under Salish oversight, showcased positive episodic ties amid unique threats from hidden alien guardians.[228]On Simarka, Turghan, a warlord chieftain among the nomadic Shavadai tribes, kidnapped Major Samantha Carter to enforce patriarchal customs, trading her as a bride in exchange for peace with rival clans. His aggressive expansionism and betrayal of hospitality norms led to a confrontation where Carter defeated him in ritual combat, catalyzing social reforms toward gender equality among the Shavadai. This encounter exemplified SG-1's role in challenging oppressive planetary leaders and fostering temporary alliances for cultural evolution.[229]These one-off characters illustrate the breadth of alien encounters in Stargate SG-1, from scientific menaces and political schemers to tribal authorities, each driving standalone stories of moral complexity and interstellar diplomacy.[230]
Recurring background figures
Master Sergeant Sylvester "Sly" Siler, portrayed by Dan Shea, serves as a key technical expert and engineer at Stargate Command (SGC), frequently appearing in over 30 episodes across the series to handle maintenance and repairs on the Stargate and base infrastructure.[231] Known for his competence in high-stakes situations, such as recharging gate chevrons during emergencies or operating cranes for off-world equipment, Siler often provides essential tech support to SG-1 teams, including assisting Samantha Carter with experimental devices.[127] His recurring cameos highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts that sustain SGC operations, with humorous undertones from his bureaucratic diligence amid chaos.Technical Sergeant Davis, played by Gary Jones in early episodes before evolving into the more prominent role detailed elsewhere, contributes to briefing scenes by relaying critical updates and coordinating communications during missions.[35] Appearing in multiple briefings, he embodies the dedicated support staff who ensure smooth information flow, occasionally referencing gate operations in passing without deeper involvement. His presence underscores the ensemble's reliance on reliable personnel for routine procedural tasks.Recurring airman extras, such as Senior Airman Carol Weterings (Rachel Hayward), represent the unsung backbone of SGC daily life, appearing in background roles across seasons to depict base routines like security patrols and control room duties.[232] These figures often feature in casualty reports or minor glimpses of personnel responding to crises, such as the initial Apophis incursion, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and resilience among lower-ranking staff. Their ensemble interactions with the main cast provide subtle humor through depictions of military bureaucracy, like hurried responses to unexpected alerts, while reinforcing the collaborative environment at the SGC.