Turns Out Star Trek's Been Peeking at Stargate's Ancient Alien Playbook, and Bloody Hell, It Works!
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff explores how a recent Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode uncannily mirrors the classic Stargate franchise with its ancient alien mysteries and parasitic threats, making a compelling, if accidental, case for a Stargate reboot.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're just casually exploring the digital ether, minding your own business, and then *bam* – two completely separate universes decide they've been reading from the same dusty old spellbook? That's what's been happening in my brain ever since Star Trek: Strange New Worlds dropped its latest episode, 'Through the Lens of Time.' And bloody hell, if it didn't feel like someone at Paramount+ accidentally opened a wormhole straight to a classic Stargate episode.
This particular trek through the strange and new kicks off with a space archaeologist – yeah, you heard that right, an *archaeological medicine pioneer* Dr. Roger Korby, which honestly sounds like a job description I’d make up after too many energy drinks and a deep dive into ancient alien theories. He ropes the Enterprise crew into a mission to find an ancient species that apparently cracked the immortality code. Sounds like a grand old time, right? Well, naturally, exploring a subterranean temple never goes smoothly. It quickly devolves into a delightful mix of pulpy adventure and outright horror, which, if we’re being honest, is exactly the kind of chaotic fun I live for.
Now, as I was tinkering with this story, my brain kept pinging with a very specific, very familiar frequency. Because the secrets the Enterprise crew unearths – these ancient, possessing entities – had me muttering 'Goa'uld?' under my breath. And that’s where the Stargate connection becomes undeniable. Remember Roland Emmerich’s 1994 *Stargate* film? Ancient aliens, Egyptian mythology, a big ol' wormhole generator discovered during a dig? Then, of course, the absolute masterpiece that was *Stargate SG-1*? Richard Dean Anderson as O'Neill, James Spader as the brainy Dr. Jackson, and later Michael Shanks continuing that role. SG-1 took that initial concept and just *ran* with it, building a rich, galaxy-spanning mythology around these parasitic, body-snatching aliens called the Goa'uld. They were basically intergalactic overlords, and frankly, terrifying.
SNW's 'Through the Lens of Time' absolutely leans into this. We meet the Vezda, a malevolent species capable of possession. And in a rather brutal, yet clever, twist on the ol' 'redshirt' trope, they spend a good chunk of the season building up poor Ensign Dana Gamble, making us care about him and his bond with Dr. M’Benga, only to have him possessed by a Vezda after touching a dodgy alien artifact. Ouch. The Vezda then uses Gamble’s memories to psychologically torment M’Benga and starts causing all sorts of ruckus. It’s effective, mate, properly chilling. And it brings back all those memories of Daniel Jackson watching his wife become a Goa’uld queen. SG-1 spent eight seasons hammering home just how scary these ancient parasitic aliens could be, with the Goa’uld dominating the galaxy, forcing SG-1 to forge alliances with other species – from the Jaffa (used as incubators and soldiers, grim stuff) to the symbiotic Tok’ra, and even the Asgard, who apparently inspired Norse mythology. Seeing how other aliens navigate this complex universe, outside of just dealing with humans, always made Stargate's world feel so much richer. And SNW gives us a tantalising glimpse of that with Captain Batel’s dramatic, Gorn-infused reaction to the possessed Gamble. Spock had previously found a Gorn psychic presence in her, and whatever’s inside her goes full-tilt alien berserker, speaking an unknown language and attacking Gamble with incredible strength. What a setup, eh? It makes you wonder what else is lurking in the cosmic shadows.
Now, *Strange New Worlds* is a beautifully episodic show, much like *SG-1* was back in the day. You never quite know what you’re going to get week to week, beyond the recurring threats. And both shows absolutely revel in the silly, self-contained devices we all love – *SG-1* had time-loop episodes, body-swap episodes, you name it. *SNW* seems to be picking up that mantle with gusto. While *SG-1* perhaps wasn't as overtly romantic as *SNW*, the tension between O'Neill and the brilliant Captain Samantha Carter kept fans hooked, a bit like a sci-fi *X-Files* with less angst and more alien archaeology. It’s also fascinating to remember that *SG-1* was running concurrently with *Deep Space Nine* and *Voyager*. But *SG-1* offered a more grounded alternative – how would a *modern* US government actually deal with a powerful alien threat? It didn't have Star Trek's utopian sheen, but it absolutely captured that tight camaraderie of a Starfleet crew with its dedicated unit of specialists. This focus on practical, often gritty problem-solving, even amidst cosmic wonders, really sets *SG-1* apart. And *SNW* capturing some of that 'humans as underdogs' vibe, trying to figure out their place in a mysterious universe filled with elder races and untold dangers, is just plain good storytelling.
So, with *Strange New Worlds* accidentally making such a strong case for it, does this mean we need a *Stargate* reboot? Amazon MGM Studios now owns the rights, and with hits like *Fallout* showing how well sci-fi can land on streaming, it certainly feels like ripe territory. *SG-1* was a massive success, spawning *Stargate Atlantis* and *Stargate Universe* before going quiet after 2011 (barring a brief animated prequel in 2018). There’s a craving for throwback shows, a desire to revisit familiar worlds but with modern sensibilities. A new *Stargate* could absolutely scratch that itch, giving us more space archaeology, more ancient alien rivalries, and more of that 'humans punching above their weight' charm. Star Trek will keep boldly going, with *Starfleet Academy* on the horizon, but 'Through the Lens of Time' is a potent reminder of just how wonderfully weird and exciting the concept of delving into cosmic history can be. It's the kind of story that makes you want to grab a trowel and start digging, even if you might accidentally unearth a parasitic threat. You know, just for the science, mate.
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**Attribution:** This exploration of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Stargate was inspired by and built upon insights from Samantha Nelson’s article "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' latest episode parallels Stargate's ancient aliens" published on Polygon.
Tags: Star Trek, Stargate, Sci-Fi, TV Shows, Space Exploration
Original article: Polygon