Newsday by Steve Parks

Despite the predictable conclusion, "Stargate SG-1," leaves many character threads dangling tantalizingly. If you aren't careful, this series could definitely hook you. [27 Jul 1997]

People Weekly by Terry Kelleher

The two-hour premiere is sort of fun, but the plot is nutty even by sci-fi standards.

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times by Ron Miller

Stargate SG-1 is mainstream sci-fi television of the no-brainer genre. Light on intellectual depth and heavy on action, it seems destined to play toward a younger age group than the Star Trek and Babylon 5 sort of science fiction shows. [24 Jul 1997]

New York Daily News by David Bianculli

The TV pilot, like the theatrical film, is long on hardware and gunplay and short on logic. [24 Jul 1997]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Robert Bianco

"SG-1" is a passable action series on a par with most syndicated sci-fi fare. Its only real distinguishing feature is [a] ludicrous, completely gratuitous nude scene. [26 Jul 1997]

The New York Times by Will Joyner

Stargate [the movie] gained in power largely because of its visual sweep: the scenes of ancient folk and modern warriors joining to engage the supernatural, against a vast desert backdrop, made for a resonant, even poetic blend of the past, present and future. A television series, with a lower budget, can't be expected to achieve its impact in that way, but Stargate SG-1 seems to be trying to make up the deficit with shock tactics.

Variety by Tony Scott

Pedestrian writing, pulp-mag plotting, shopworn characters, hackneyed dialogue ('with all due respect' pops up at least three times in the first hour) and Mario Azzopardi’s broad direction will all undoubtedly delight billions and billions.

Washington Post by Tom Shales

Anyone with fond memories of [the] film should avoid "Stargate SG-1," Showtime's oddly enervated series version. ... "Stargate SG-1" will be a treat only for those who love science fiction most when it's done badly. [26 Jul 1997]