10 best Stargate SG-1 episodes of all time, ranked

Stargate SG-1 is one of the most popular science fiction television shows ever made. With a total of more than 214 episodes, the show took viewers through wormholes, revisited old stories, explored alien wars, and delved into deep moral issues. And the most unique part of Stargate SG-1 was not only the action but also the team's chemistry, smart storytelling, and the emotional decisions they had to make in the unknown universes.

On this page, we'll explore some of the best episodes of the past. These are the episodes that made us laugh at brilliant strategies and feel the pressure of sacrifice. There's a time-traveling mission and a race to defeat an infectious disease, a courtroom struggle for the future of Earth, and a euphoric farewell to a fan favorite. Each episode is memorable and amazing.

Stargate SG-1: Top 10 Episodes, Ranked

1. Window of Opportunity - Season 4, Episode 6

This is arguably one of the most appreciated Stargate SG-1 episodes. It features Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c. Window of Opportunity shows that they are trapped in a time loop, repeating the same scene. While the rest of the world is unaware, the two begin enjoying their freedom, juggling cycling through the Stargate and even beating the snarky generals. Amid the comedy, this episode explores the pain, loss, and a scientist's unwillingness to give up a loved one.

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2. Heroes, Part 2 - Season 7, Episode 18

This Stargate SG-1 episode is a heartbreaking tribute to the dangers SG teams face every day. Here, a documentary shoot turns into a deadly mission. When one beloved character doesn't make it back, the team and the viewers feel the heavy cost of exploring new, unknown worlds. With brilliant acting and deep emotion, Heroes Part 2 is a raw, honest look at sacrifice and bravery.

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3. The Fifth Race - Season 2, Episode 15

O'Neill accidentally downloads the wisdom of the Ancients into his brain. He begins to speak in a foreign language and constructs advanced technology. As his mind begins to take over, the team rushes to rescue his life. This episode is not just a glimpse into the fierce Asgard race but also reveals O'Neill's inner power. This Stargate SG-1 episode is a turning point that lets us in on the bigger mythology of the show.

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4. Abyss - Season 6, Episode 6

Colonel O'Neill is captured by the Goa'uld Ba'al and thrown into the dark prison. The only companion he has is the ghostly presence of his former colleague Daniel Jackson, who tries to keep him in a state of mind. Their conversations, full of sorrow as well as humor and trust, make the episode more believable. "Abyss" in Stargate SG-1 focuses on survival and friendship even when faced with despair.

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5. 1969 – Season 2, Episode 21

Time travel was never so easy. SG-1 Returns to the 60s. Then they're in the heart of the hippie era, standing about dressed in tie-dye shirts and comical wigs. So they must conceal their true origins and get home. Along the way, they run into a village of friendly folks and have their minds blown by ancient technology. The Stargate SG-1 episode brings to light how every small decision we make in the past affects our future.

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6. Lost City, Part 2 – Season 7, Episode 22

This is one of the most exciting episodes in Stargate SG-1. Earth is under threat from the powerful enemy, Anubis. Jack O’Neill lets Ancient knowledge be downloaded into his mind, which puts his life in danger. The team finds a hidden Ancient city buried under the ice in Antarctica. A huge battle takes place there, with spaceships, explosions, and high stakes. The action is fast, but there’s also emotional weight, especially for O'Neill, who may not survive. It's a mix of great visuals and deep moments.

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7. Threads - Season 8, Episode 18

This episode in Stargate SG-1 goes a bit slower. But wow, it’s emotional. The episode shows that Daniel is stuck between life and death, trying to figure out what to do. And the rest of the team? They’re making big choices about their lives. Some secrets come out, people say goodbye, and there’s one last fight with a big enemy. “Threads” gives us some answers and feels like an ending, but it also shows that life keeps moving forward.

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8. Unending - Season 10, Episode 20

The final episode of the series, Unending, is quiet but powerful. SG-1 gets stuck in a time bubble where time passes slowly for them, but fast outside. They spend many years together on one ship, while the rest of the universe moves on. Instead of a big battle, the episode shows what happens when people are stuck with each other for years, love, loneliness, learning, and ageing. It’s a soft and emotional goodbye to the team of Stargate SG-1 we’ve followed for ten seasons.

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9. The Torment of Tantalus - Season 1, Episode 11

This episode takes us deep into Stargate history. SG-1 encounters an individual who disappeared through the gate over 50 years prior and lived on an isolated planet ever since; there, they also discover an ancient room where powerful alien races once met. It is one of many Stargate SG-1 episodes that make us realize just how vast and ancient it truly is.

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10. Reckoning, Part 2 - Season 8, Episode 17

In this Stargate SG-1 episode, the team ends the war with the Replicators and the Goa'uld. Sam Carter sets a powerful weapon on Dakara to send out a wave of energy. That destroys the Replicators while killing off Goa'uld parasites; by doing this, SG-1 frees the Jaffa people, saves galactic freedom.

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Each of these 10 episodes of Stargate SG-1 is so unique. Time, space, and the human condition are key themes in their work. They show us how to battle for the necessary and smile through adversity, never to retreat. People are still watching these episodes today.