Why are there different opening sequences?
Episodes that aired on Showtime in the United States began with the “movie style” introduction, as the camera slowly pans across the statue’s features. In the syndication market, the original introduction was a little more fast-paced. It shows the actors and multiple scenes from the show’s first season — a more traditional intro, probably to appeal to the average viewer. Showtime subscribers already pay to watch the show. On the SCI FI Channel, the first three episodes of Season Six began with a new (short-lived) intro, with multiple close-up shots of the gate spinning, seen from different angles. It was replaced with a new intro (beginning with “Frozen”), based on that, but includes shots of the actors intercut with scenes from the series. Beginning with “Metamorphosis,” the shot of O’Neill awaking in a sarcophagus (from “Abyss”) was replaced with him firing his pistol (from “Paradise Lost”). The intro was altered again for Season Seven, with Michael Shanks replacing Corin Nemec and
