Many ’shippers pine for relationship between Col. O’Neill and Maj. Carter.

Who cares if the Goa’uld System Lords are about to attack Earth, or if the Asgard are going to show up in time to save the day, or if the giant Ancient Weapon is of any more use to Earth than a pea-shooter? The real question looming as Sci-Fi Channel’s "Stargate SG-1" starts its eighth season Friday is: Will cryogenically frozen Col. Jack O’Neill be thawed and survive so that he and Maj. Samantha Carter can hook up . . . or not?

To be fair, plenty of fans care about the System Lords and all that other plot stuff, but quite a few spend a lot of their time discussing, arguing and speculating about the love lives (or lack, thereof) of the main characters. They’re the ’shippers (from the word "relationship"), and throughout science-fiction and fantasy television, they’re among the most vocal and ardent fans.

In fact, the strong feelings of the ’shippers have had an effect on the development of the "Stargate: SG-1" spin-off, "Stargate: Atlantis," which premieres next week and will, after its two-hour premiere, share Friday nights with its predecessor.