The Ultimate Star Versus Battle

There is something wrong with that title. But I like it.

I know, I know, in my IG prompt-list, the question was simply Star Trek vs Star Wars. But I’m feeling ornery and I’m throwing Stargate into the mix because I can. Also, because I love it.

Also, for those of you who are going to be annoyed about Star Trek being included in “Fantasy Month”… I don’t really know what to tell you. I’m a Rebel. I rebel.

We’re just breaking all the rules this year. And I kinda like it.

Star Wars

We’ll start with my first love. I grew up on Star Wars. It was definitely the first sci-fi fandom I joined… and joined whole-heartedly. You can read more about my Star Wars Origin Story Here. When it comes to these three fandoms, Star Wars is definitely the one I get the most passionate about (especially when it comes to the newer stuff, upon which I have OPINIONS (in all capitals because they are necessary)).

The Original Trilogy is still my favorite, though The Mandalorian is a pretty close second… especially if the theory that it cancels out everything about the sequel trilogy holds true… (which we can discuss another time when I’m feeling chatty and willing to divulge spoilers).

I also love the cartoon shows. Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. Also, The Freemaker Adventures is epically awesome… I thought it was gonna be kinda ridiculous, but was actually really super fun and adorable, and had some great character development… which is IMPRESSIVE for a Lego show. I love how it managed to be very Star Wars but also perfectly LEGO as well. Seriously, if you want something fun and Star Wars-y that takes place during the Original Trilogy with some fabulous new characters (and a few cameos from your beloved favorites) this is one I highly recommend.

And the Prequel trilogy is… all right. I appreciate it far more after watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars… but the directing/acting is still rather atrocious in the prequels.

And I’ve enjoyed the Star Wars Story movies (Rogue One and Solo).

I’ve also read (and own) MANY of the Star Wars Expanded Universe books, which I love to pieces. Honestly, my fandom of Star Wars is probably mostly influenced by how many of the BOOKS I’ve read and loved.

Seriously, when it comes to sheer numbers… Star Wars seems like the clear winner. But let’s not get too hasty (as Treebeard would say).

Star Trek

Growing up, we watched a couple of the Star Trek movies. I think we watched the first movie? (I don’t remember, I just know that the character I liked died). And then later we watched the one where Kirk dies twice. This kind of left me with the feeling that Star Trek was just a franchise that would repeatedly kill off whichever character I decided to like, and was done with giving it a chance.

Then I married Derek, who had grown up with The Next Generation. He wisely decided that I should start with Voyager, though, and I was hooked… completely hooked… within a couple of episodes. Star Trek Voyager is therefore “my coming home” Star Trek, and the one that has the most special place in my heart. Captain Janeway, Tom, Tu’vok, B’ellana, The Doctor, Seven, and all the rest… they are definitely the crew I’d most want to travel with.

And while I appreciate The Next Generation, it’s just not as good as Voyager. Sorry to all the avid TNG fans. I just prefer the overarching story line of Voyager (main goal: get home!) to the more episodic nature of TNG (wander around and often back-track and I’m not even sure what they’re doing most of the time). I will say that the way they tied the last episode back to the first one was pretty clever.

Amusingly enough, having said that, Enterprise is probably my favorite of the three Star Trek shows I’ve watched (even though it is still kind of episodic… but they have a goal: go further from Earth than anyone has ever gone before). And I love the Wild West feel of it… because the Prime Directive hasn’t been invented yet, and beaming technology is new and we’re not sure if we trust it yet, and humanity is just sort of out there on the raggedy edge, in kind of way over their heads, but absolutely and stubbornly convinced that they are big enough to swim in the deep end. Also, I just love the characters so very much.

Stargate

I had seen the Stargate movie before I got married, but didn’t know about the show until there were already seven or eight seasons of it out.

SG-1

This is a story that absolutely stole my heart. In many ways, like Star Wars, it feels more fantasy than sci-fi. While advanced, alien technology does come into play… the story and plot are far more fantastical in nature than sci-fi. There are villains to defeat and quests to embark upon (and Merlin even shows up in later episodes, along with various other relics and characters from the King Arthur stories… and there is even some “magic” that comes into play). This is not a show in which we investigate the human condition, which is part of what makes a story science fiction (obviously, futuristic technology that could be possible someday is another staple to differentiating between sci-fi and fantasy).

The characters are what really make this show, though. The friendships that are forged (particularly between people with such differing personalities, interests, and ideas on how best to handle various situations) are so beautiful. The humor is witty and entertaining and often makes me laugh out loud, even on re-watches.

Of the three, this is the only one that takes place in current day, which is part of the charm as there is much to relate to and with. The fact that various Earth-based religions and legends get explored as being used by the villains to try to control (or help, in the case of certain alien races) humanity is another point of relatability.

Atlantis

Speaking of Earth-legends, the spin-off series of Atlantis is equally loved by Yours Truly and (as the title implies) is a retelling of the Lost City of Atlantis legend.

Atlantis is by far the most fantasy of the shows mentioned in this post. Even though technology does play a big role, the themes are more fantastical. Also, the main villains (the Wraith) are pretty much space-vampires. So… there’s that.

The characters in this show are absolutely phenomenal, and I can’t honestly choose between them and the SG-1 team. This is impressive, since one of my least favorite minor characters from SG-1 (Rodney McKay) became one of my most favorite main characters in Atlantis… and that is fairly impressive.

The Verdict

As much as Star Wars was one of the first fandoms I fell into (it’s been a fandom of mine for ALMOST as long as fairy tales), and as passionate as I can get about it, and as many Opinions (with a capital O) I have about the direction the more recent installments have gone and how they should fix the problems that have been created (not that they ask me… they never do). And in spite of the fact that I’ve read and loved a massive percentage of the EU books….

I’m gonna have to say that SG-1 and Atlantis win this versus battle for me.

Are you shocked?

I’m kind of shocked. I didn’t actually see that coming.

But as much as I will always love the Star Wars I grew up with, and as much as I still enjoy and even LOVE some of the newer offerings (e.g. The Mandalorian)… the creators of Star Wars have broken my heart one too many times.

Stargate Wins!

Did you see that coming?

When it comes to Star Trek, Star Wars, and Stargate, which is YOUR favorite? Have you seen all three of these shows or movies? Do you like The Mandalorian? Have you seen either of the Star Wars cartoons? Have you ever read any of the Star Wars or Star Trek books?

Do you have a favorite sci-fi fandom that DOESN’T start with the word “star”?