The SG-1/Atlantis canon refers to the Stargate universe depicted in Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and the universe that this wiki is dedicated to. This universe is based on the one depicted in the Stargate film, but there are some differences. However, it is clear that the events depicted in the film did occur in the SG-1/Atlantis universe and elements of the film are considered canon so long as they aren't directly contradicted by the series.
There are many novels, comics, role playing games and other works set in this universe, meaning they use the characters and elements of the Stargate universe as seen in the SG-1/Atlantis canon to create storylines. However, these works are not considered canon and therefore do not add to the mythology of the series.
Complications within the series
There are some elements of the series that are considered to be inconsistences and therefore not exactly canon. For example, in the scene from the SG-1 episode "Solitudes" where P4A-771 is being dialed from the SGC, archieve footage of the dialing computer was reused, so the gate address depicted is actually that of Abydos. Since it would be impossible for Abydos and P4A-771 to have the same gate address, the address portrayed in the episode must be inaccurate, despite the fact "Solitudes" is part of the official SG-1/Atlantis canon.
Another issue is that there are some characters who have been portrayed by more than one actor. A notable example would be Elizabeth Weir who was played by Jessica Steen in "Lost City, Parts 1" and "2," but by Torri Higginson for the remainder of the series. Steen and Higginson do have a somewhat similar appearance, but they could hardly be the same person. Since Higginson portrays the character in every episode of Stargate Atlantis and in all her other appearances in Stargate SG-1, her version of the character is considered more canon than Steen's version.
Other Stargate universes
Stargate, the movie canon
This is the universe depicted in the 1994 science-fiction film Stargate. Bill McCay's Stargate novels are set in this universe, but, as in the SG-1/Atlantis canon, novels are not considered canon, so the original Stargate film remains the only legitimate work set in this universe.
Differences with the SG-1/Atlantis universe
The Gate and its Facility
Creek Mountain, where the Stargate Program is headquartered in the film.
The "strudel," as it is called by Roland Emmerich, does not exist in the series.
- Instead of Cheyenne Mountain, the movie places the Stargate in a fictional Creek Mountain.
- There are a couple structural inconsistencies in the Stargate facility. For example, in the film the blast doors that obscure the gate are in front of the window in the briefing room, rather than on the outside. Also, in the series, the briefing room is directly above the control room, but in the film it's a couple levels higher up.
- In the film, a spinning, funnel-shapped whirlwind extends from the back of the gate after it's activated. In the series, the back of an activated gate has a flat water-like surface like the front. A notable exception is the episode "A Matter of Time," where a similar formation was created when the gate was linked to a black hole.
- Unlike in the television series, the chevrons do not glow red when engaged. Also in the film, the symbols are engraved into the gate, but in the series they protude from the gate.
- The top chevron is a different design in the film.
- Though it's stated in the film that Abydos is "on the other side of the known universe" and that it is located in the Kaliem Galaxy, in Stargate SG-1, Abdyos is located in the Milky Way and is one of the closest planets in the gate network to Earth.
- Although Abydos is located in another galaxy in the film (see above), it is reached with a seven-chevron gate address. In the series, eight chevrons are needed to reach a gate in another galaxy.
Characters
- Some characters' names are spelled differently. For example "Jack O'Neill" is "Jack O'Neil," "Sara O'Neill" is "Sarah O'Neil," "Sha're" is spelled "Sha'uri," Charlie O'Neill's first name is "Tyler" and Louis Ferretti's surname is "Feretti."
- The physical appearances of many characters, notably Jack O'Neill, Catherine Langford and Louis Ferretti, are radically different than in the series, due to them being played by different actors.
The Other Side
- When the bomb is sent aboard Ra's ship, Ra changes back into his true alien form. This contradicts Stargate SG-1, where his race, the Goa'uld, are snake-like parasitic creatures and not humanoid in form.
- Ra's guards do not have symbiot pouches or marks on their forward, which they would if they were Jaffa, although the Anubis-headed guard has a tatoo of the Eye of Ra on his shoulder. Ra's Jaffa, as seen in "Moebius, Parts 1" and "2," have marks of the Eye of Ra on their foreheads.
- According to the series, Goa'uld motherships have shields that prevent ring transporters from working, making it seem rather foolish for Ra to keep the shields down when he would know the Jaffa he had sent down had been killed. Of course, this could be attributed to his Goa'uld arrogance.
- There is a scene where, according to the subtitles, Ra says "send the bomb down to the Stargate." He is speaking Goa'uld, presumably, so, according to the series, the last part of what he says should be "Chappa'ai," but it isn't.
- Ring transporters use nine rings in the film compared to five in the series. The rings in the film are smaller, approximately five or six feet in diameter, while the rings are the series are about eight feet in diameter. In the film, the rings actually land on top of each other, whereas in the series they float in the air above each other. In the film the rings appear more golden than in the series, where they are gray.
Infinity canon
This is the universe depicted in Stargate Infinity, which is based on the universes depicted Stargate and Stargate SG-1, but, once again, there are differences.
Differences with the SG-1/Atlantis universe
- The "kawoosh" doesn't dissolve whatever it hits.
- Matter can travel both ways through an open wormhole.
- Stargates have seven chevrons instead of nine.
- Staff Weapons only stun.
- The Ancients are winged, telepathic creatures (in fairness, however, Infinity was produced before the Ancients were revealed in Stargate SG-1)