TheStargatefranchise is full of exceptional characters, but only a handful are the best of the best.Of course, the team fromStargate SG-1often stands out among the rest since this series is the longest-running and the flagship of the franchise.Characters like Jack O’Neill and Daniel Jackson were given the most extensive character development, allowing audiences to fall in love with them through and through. Still, theStargatespinoffs offered up some excellent characters as well, each bringing their own unique brand of heart to the franchise.
The story inStargategot its start with the 1994 movie, which introduced audiences to Jack and Daniel (though played instead by Kurt Russel and James Spader). Their stories continued intoStargate SG-1, where the primary team was expanded to include Samantha Carter and Teal’c—both beloved characters. From there,this sci-fi universe expanded intoStargate AtlantisandStargate Universe, and new characters took the wheel, including fan favorites like John Sheppard and Rodney McKay. These and more are thebestStargatehad to offer.
10Thor
Stargate SG-1
Thor was never a primary character inStargate SG-1, but he was still one that audiences were pleased to see whenever he appeared on screen. This Asgard alien developed a soft spot for Earth’s residents, and the affection was wholly returned by those at the SGC—especially Jack O’Neill. Wise and gentle, Thor had unwavering faith in humanity, and his actions throughoutStargatehelped to ensure that the other beings of the universe saw this potential as well.
Thor’s time on screen inStargatewas often full of emotional weight.His friendship with Jack was among the more heartwarming dynamics of the series, and this made Thor’s death all the more devastating. Like manydeaths inStargate SG-1, Thor’s ending wasn’t so straightforward. Regardless, the tear-jerking moment continues to stand out within the franchise, earning Thor a place of supreme honor within the fandom.
9Janet Fraiser
Janet Fraiser is anotherStargate SG-1character who wasn’t part of the primary crew but who is remembered fondly. At first, she was just the kindly medic at the SGC, responsible for solving the various medical problems faced by those jumping from work to world. Over time, however,audiences got to know Dr. Fraiser as she took center stage in multiple episodes.
Her surprise death in Stargate SG-1 season 7 was among the more shocking moments in the sci-fi series—and that’s saying something.
Dr. Faiser was very passionate about her work and gave her all to save the lives of those at the SGC. Her compassion expanded beyond just her work, and she even adopted an alien child, Cassandra, at one point inStargate SG-1. Unfortunately, Dr. Fraiser is another bittersweet character since her surprise death inStargate SG-1season 7 was among the more shocking moments in the sci-fi series—and that’s saying something.
8Vala Mal Doran
Vala Mal Doran is a character that no one (Stargatecharactersand audiences alike) expected to love so much. She was initially a Goa’uld host, but even when in control of her own body, she was no saint. Vala was a con artist and thief and wasn’t above betrayal in the early stages of her development. Still, even at this point, thisStargate SG-1character was a lot of fun, especially given how uncomfortable her flirting made Daniel Jackson.
Over time, it became clear inStargate SG-1thatVala Mal Doran was a diamond in the rough. Once given a chance, she proved she was capable of incredible selflessness and put the lives of the innocent and those she cared about far beyond her own. She went to great lengths to save Earth and the SGC and was eventually rewarded by becoming an official member of SG-1.Vala continued to be a beloved character across theStargatespinoffs as well.
7Rodney McKay
Stargate Atlantis
Rodney McKay was the Chief Science Officer on the Atlantis Expedition, making him something of a Daniel Jackson equivalent inStargate Atlantis. However, this isn’t to say that McKay wasn’t an intriguing and complex character all his own. He’s a bit arrogant at times, but this is only because he is realistically aware of his own intelligence. While he knows he’s the smartest person in most rooms, however, he by no means places his life above others.
McKay’s periodic condescension makes his brand of comedy all the more unique in Stargate Atlantis.
McKay’s periodic condescension makes his brand of comedy all the more unique inStargate Atlantis. Still, the quality that makes this character stand out as one of the best is how he handles emotional situations.McKay had a touching friendship with Carson Beckett, and processing his death remains one of the most heavy-hitting moments of theStargatefranchise.
6John Sheppard
Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1
While McKay was basically the Daniel Jackson ofStargate Atlantis, John Sheppard was the Jack O’Neill. He’sa bit of a wildcard and deceptively intelligent. Sheppard is a highly skilled and knowledgeable fighter, which makes his moments in action a lot of fun to watch. He’s also a great pilot, which, along with his status as an Ancient descendant, makes him unique compared to hisStargate SG-1counterpart.
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Sheppard gets into a lot of trouble inStargate Atlantissince he tends to trust his intuition over the orders of his superior officers. Of course, he is right more often than wrong, so he is granted a certain amount of freedom on the Atlantis Expedition. Like many of the bestStargatecharacters,Sheppard ranks because of the moments of heart he brings to the series. Despite the facade he typically presents to others, he is compassionate to a fault.
5Jonas Quinn
Jonas Quinnbecame an unlikely favorite inStargate SG-1. He was initially brought in as a replacement after Daniel Jackson’s death, which meant Quinn wasn’t very well received. In his early episodes, the character fell short of the scientist and linguist audiences already knew and loved, so it took a while for anyone to give him a chance. However, as Quinn developed (and Daniel Jackson returned), he became difficult not to love.
While Jonas Quinn wasn’t in Stargate SG-1 long, the show greatly benefitted from a new face.
While Jonas Quinn wasn’t inStargate SG-1long, the show greatly benefitted from a new face. The character brought a sense of wonder that hadn’t been present in the series for several seasons, helping renew the audience’s experience. Jonas also managed to establish some hilarious long-running jokes inStargate, which only adds to his endearment.
4Daniel Jackson
Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe
As one of the OGStargatecharacters, discussing the best of the best would be impossible without including Daniel. It was largely because of him (and his love for his wife) that team SG-1 was formed, and thus, dozens of wonderful episodes andStargatespinoffs were possible. Additionally, Daniel’s unlikely and somewhatcomplicated friendship with Jack O’Neill made up some of the emotional backbone of the franchise.
Stargate SG-1is available to watch on Pluto TV.
Danielalso got some of the best character development in theStargatefranchise. He lived off-world, came back to Earth to join SG-1, fought to save his wife and in-laws, died, came back to life, ascended, and much,much more. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call Daniel the overarching main character ofStargate SG-1since his arc was far more involved than even Jack O’Neill’s.
3Samantha Carter
Samantha Carter is anotherStargatecharacter whose development is the heart and soul of the franchise. She started the series with a lot to prove, especially to the men at the SGC, who quickly disregarded her (even Jack O’Neill, to an extent).Sam quickly proved that she was a force to be reckoned with. She was almost a combination of Jack and Daniel—a strong fighter and military personality but with a brain that most couldn’t compete with. However, the heart and natural wisdom Sam brought to team SG-1 were all her own.
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Samantha was the foundation of all the friendships in SG-1. She had a close bond with each of her teammates and proved she could connect with characters of all different personalities. She was also the team’s moral compass, and, over time, Jack especially looked to Sam to guide him in the right direction when he didn’t know the right course of action.
2Teal’c
Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis
Teal’c started as an enemy Jaffa inStargate SG-1, so his character arc was among the most drastic. Though intimidating and deadpan, it quickly becomes apparent that Teal’c is a profoundly emotional character who cares almost too much for his family and friends. There’s no question he would give up his life to save just about anyone, and this is a quality that makes itimpossible not to love Teal’c. Really, he’s just a big old softy.
Teal’c also brought a unique brand of comedy toStargate SG-1.His own dry sense of humor was enhanced over time as he learned the nuances of Earth comedy from Jack O’Neill. This made them a rather hilarious duo at times, balanced out by the many touching moments these characters shared as they constantly put their lives on the line for one another.
1Jack O’Neill
It really just can’t get better than Jack O’Neill inStargate. He’s the protagonist who started it all, beginning with Russel’s performance in the 1994Stargatemovie and continuing on to Richard Dean Anderson’s portrayal for the years that followed. Jack is your classic, rough-around-the-edges, loose-cannon character whose own intuition is always going to come before orders. This gets him into a lot of trouble in the early days, but superiors at the SGC eventually learn that Jack’s intuition is typically trustworthy.
Though Jack pretended to take nothing seriously inStargate SG-1, he was, in truth, a deeply emotional character. His background is rooted in devastating pain, ultimately translating to an indisputable passion for defending the weak. Jack O’Neill loves his teammates, is a weak spot for the underdogs of the universe, and is a passionate friend to aliens and humans alike. In all, he’s justthecharacter of theStargatefranchise.
Cast
Stargate SG-1 is a sci-fi adventure television series spin-off set in the Stargate Universe, initially created by Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin. Set roughly a year after the film’s events; the story takes place after it becomes known that the Stargate technology allows those who use it to travel across different planets. With several teams dispatched to perform recon and defend the Earth from potential extraterrestrial threats, the series follows the titular team SG-1 of the U.S. Air Force as they face several alien threats.
