The Asgard

<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The Asgard are a fictional race of characters created for the TV series Stargate SG-1.

Physically, the Asgard are similar to the "little gray aliens" portrayed in numerous science fiction and UFO abduction stories, films, and television series (including The X-Files).The Asgard of yet another depiction of what most "alien believers" think Aliens look like, commonly known as the Roswell Greys.They are approximately one meter in height, with gray skin, large heads, large black eyes and a comparatively small mouth, and long, thin limbs.

Once members of an ancient alliance with three other races, (the Nox, the Furlings, and The Ancients), the Asgard are one of Earth's most powerful allies in the Stargate SG-1 universe. They are an ancient and benevolent race who have acted as universal peacekeepers and played a major role in protecting several worlds in the Milky Way through the establishment of the Protected Planets Treaty reached with the evil Goa'uld. On some of these worlds (for example, Cimmeria and K'Tau), the Asgard are worshiped as Norse gods, appearing as holographic "Norse" warriors to the peoples on the planet.

The first encounter with the true Asgard occurs when Dr. Daniel Jackson and Major Samantha Carter communicate with the real form of the Asgard Thor in the Stargate SG-1 episode "Thor's Chariot" (Michael Shanks, who plays Daniel Jackson on the series, provides the voice for the character of Thor). In a later episode ("The Fifth Race"), Colonel Jack O'Neill meets members of the Asgard race, who tell him the Asgard have been watching the development of the Tau'ri (residents of Earth). O'Neill is eventually selected by the Asgard as Earth's representative in Asgard matters.

Although a technologically superior race, the Asgard had a powerful enemy who threatened their existence for some time: Replicators—technological "bugs" whose sole purpose is to use the materials around them to self-replicate. With the help of their Earth, Tok'ra, and Jaffa allies, attempts to wipe out the Replicators were eventually successful.

The greatest threat to the Asgard proved to be their own science. Several thousand years ago they were once similar to humans in form and developed the technology to extend their lives through cloning and downloading their consciousness into new bodies. Unfortunately, repetitive copying resulted in a degradation of their physical bodies and ultimately, the elimination of their ability to reproduce sexually. The introduction of controlled mutation failed to stave off degradation and the race faced extinction. Even the discovery of ancient Asgard bodies and research into human development failed to provide a solution to their inevitable end. The Asgard sought to maintain their current level of knowledge and transfer that knowledge into healthier bodies able to reproduce. The human brain at its current level of development could not serve their purpose.

Their last attempt to save themselves introduced a disease that would would quickly wipe out the species. But determined to save their knowledge and history, they invited the Odyssey and SG-1 to their new homeworld, Orilla to witness their end and to pass on their legacy. The Asgard installed every available Asgard technology on the vessel and destroyed the entire planet to prevent their technology from falling into the wrong hands, particularly that of the attacking Ori followers. Though some Asgard were uncertain whether humans were ready for their knowledge and technology, Thor felt humans, and SG-1 in particular, had proven themselves as suitable successors.