1 person likes this post.
like this post?
(unlike)
Movie Viral Let's Be Friends Again (Web Comic) ScreenRant TrailerAddict

TV Review: Stargate Universe

By • September 21, 2009 • 42 Comments

Twelve years ago Showtime and MGM saw fit to bring Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin’s Stargate film to the small-screen as a procedural space adventure complete with action and humor that lasted 10 seasons with a spin-off series for 5 seasons. The Stargate franchise has been a bread and butter series for MGM and the Syfy channel so naturally when the idea for third installment came up everyone began to wonder what the long running series could come up with next.

Stargate Universe has brought a new and fresh look to the long running franchise and has used a relatively new style to carry it: dark sci-fi. Many will want to compare this new series, because of that style, to other successful shows like Battlestar Galactica. However, where Galactica seemed to be depressing and too pessimistic in its goal for deep passionate drama, SGU may have been able to achieve something better, that middle ground.

When we were introduced to ABC’s Lost back in 2004, we were introduced to people in pain, anger, confusion and loss. A group of people put in a situation where they all had to rely on one another. Issues of trust, reliability arise and relationships form in order to ban together with the hopes of returning to home off an island no one knew of, in a place as mysterious as it was beautiful. Every character since then has developed nicely with non-linear storytelling giving us background on who they were pre and even post island. I also vaguely remember watching Star Trek Voyager when it first appeared on television and many of the complaints that series got similar to Stargate Atlantis, was the series never took itself seriously and the characters never seemed to feel real in the predicament they were in. Atlantis realized that early on and wrote the “can’t get home” concept off completely.

Where am I going with this? So many people when reading the premise of SGU will be quick to compare and quick to judge based on that comparison. “A group of military and scientist personnel find themselves billions of light years from home on a strange ship, with no hope to return to Earth.” Well that has been done before right? Sure like I said Voyager did it, but the characters were not real, BSG’s dark sci-fi concept was the same and they flew around unable to return home while looking for a new place to settle combating the cylon onslaught. BSG was too gritty, too engrained in its pensive dramatic tale becoming overreached at times and almost consuming their characters in that doom and gloom reality. I think the producers were trying to not make the same mistakes as Voyager but creating a new one. As I mentioned SGU finds itself perfectly set in the middle of these two classic series.

The series brings to us real people, like Lost, these people are put into an immediate situation of survival bringing all the real emotions that go with it. In the series we are shown pain that comes out of great loss, sacrifice, confusion and fear. Immediate character questioning of who the people are around you really are especially when it matters most. Then there is that moment where they finally achieve and identify that everything is finally going to be okay, even if it just a little while. Perhaps this element is so hard to bring to sci-fi because your are representing worlds and elements that are not identifiable to our present humanity but should that matter? of course not but it does.

The series unlike its predecessors isn’t concerned with the right thing but then again none of the characters know what that is and due to their situation so much of that “grey area” arises and decision making resides there quite well perhaps because the “right thing” doesn’t exist or just isn’t clear. That seems pretty real to me and should to all audience members from any part of the world. Most the things I loved but always made no sense to me about the previous SG series was that redemption was easy and the positive outcome was even easier. I mean it was a hero show, SG-1, was the A-Team in space, so that writing and style fit the show, Atlantis was the same and didn’t try anything new. Sure you had Daniel Jackson objecting to Col. O’Neill’s military mindset with liberal perception on most things. Disagreements ensued but resolve and a decision was quickly made, whether it be blowing up a sun or destroying a whole race of people, thing is there was no repercussion, no consequence, the next episode just moved on because the heroes won, no need.

When I spoke to the series star, Brian J. Smith, back in July at Comic-Con we discussed about his character but more importantly how the series would portray these “adventurers” in the deep, dark, depths of space. He told me, “we are flawed, every single one of us is flawed in some way and that is a big piece of the story.” Smith plays 1st Lt. Matthew Scott, an unprepared, newly commissioned officer that is constantly thrown into leadership roles but his troubled past and youth certainly make his job hard as he struggles to keep order amongst the survivors. The flawed aspect of the characters is seen and seen early as we find Smith’s character indulging in some actions an on duty soldier shouldn’t be partaking, one clear moment to show this series is different than its former.

So where does all this tripe above leave my thoughts on the show? How did I feel watching it? What did I discover with SGU?

First off I watched the 3-hours provided to me twice. My impressions were met with the strong, “this is definitely different and man was that intense.” Vague? sure but that was all I could say still digesting what I had been waiting for since the rumblings of this series began around 2 years ago. For long-time fans of the series, they will find traditional elements to laugh at and smile at whereas new fans will be opened up to a whole new world. Watching it the second time I picked up a little more humor in the situations performed mostly by David Blue’s character, Eli Wallace, who is sure to be the geek fan favorite. That humor you love about SG-1 and Atlantis is not gone but comes packaged differently. This is something that co-creator Robert Cooper discussed with me at the MGM party at Comic-Con. “The show will have that humor but it will be when the situation calls for it, when it is appropriate. But we will make sure it calls for it.” I think that humor is one of the main reasons why it fits perfectly in that middle ground as a dramatic, dark sci-fi series. Arguably you can see the Joss Whedon influence in the series because he is the best mixing those elements of horror, drama and humor together – see Firefly if you do not believe me.

Here is one example, in episode 3 of SGU, the group has come to grips with their present predicament at least for the time being, and when gated to a planet mirroring that of Tatooine, Eli Wallace, out of breath and panting on a hike with the field team, says, “I can see the statue of liberty halfway buried in the dunes over there,” and then casually goes into a Heston impersonation saying, “Damn you! Damn you all to hell.” As a fan this is nothing different then the little quips that have been made over the years by McKay telling Sheppard (Atlantis) “What are you? Kirk?” Or an SG-1 episode beginning with SG-13 gambling on an off world mission and betting whether it’s an abandoned naquadah mine, ruins of an ancient city, trees, two-headed aliens – one head good, one head bad. I firmly believe all of that will be there when it is appropriate but that nothing will out do the new series capacity for exploring these real characters in real ways.

I loved SGU the first time and even more so the second time because of all these things I have spent this document talking about. Brian J. Smith is the best thing about the show and I am not saying that because he and I twitter back and forth but because there is so much to like and dislike about his character. Louis Ferreira plays Col. Everett Young, an established and experienced leader who butts heads with Carlyle’s Nicolas Rush, a scientist with his own agenda and plans. Both men are dedicated actors and bring a lot relationship to character issues and baggage that will hinder the command of getting these folks home. Another character I wanted to mention that brings a lot of secrets and a somewhat new type of persona to the franchises’ classic character gallery is Jamil Walker Smith’s Master Sergeant Ronald Greer, a marine that has no problem shooting anyone that gets in the way of the collective goal. He is a cowboy that will bring a lot of interesting development throughout the series. Walker really makes him work with casual smiles and little subtleties and nuances that this guy should have.

As I mentioned earlier there are flashbacks like Lost but they are there to establish and explain situation not just to develop character back story. Another similarity to Lost is that not all the series regulars and leads are introduced fully nor set up in the pilot and that is okay they are there, we see them but like Lost their characters will come and play a role when they are needed, after all it was 4 episodes before we saw John Locke.

I urge new viewers to give this series a try because of all the good things I have mentioned and none of the previous mythos will confuse you. Eli Wallace, will play your guide in that department. Wallace, new to all of the elements of a SGC and military space explorers, will spend the series learning about all the Ancient history that long-times fans will already know and have fun reliving. Franchise fans I urge to return and give this series a chance as it is different but will have familiar elements in the humor and mythos but a whole new world of storytelling and exploring within the Stargate Universe. Lastly, Syfy and MGM should be happy as they have a legitimate series that will rival any primetime series such as Heroes, Smallville or even the CSIs or Lost. Also I want to commend Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, series creators, for putting together a new series that doesn’t tire a franchise like a Deep Space Nine or Voyager or even Enterprise but enhances it in a fresh and new way giving it legs.

I almost forgot, Joel Goldsmith, returns to bring the series its musical score and it is a lot different than the previous series, rather than some epic rendition of David Arnold’s original theme, Goldsmith brings a more melodic tone to the score intensifying the dramatic tones of the show as well as the scary coldness of space. It almost seems like a James Newton Howard score with a lot of piano but combined with Greg Edmondson’s violin expression from Firefly. I think there is a Giacchino influence there but I do not want this show to have anymore Lost comparison’s because ultimately a show is all about who the cast is and who is writing it that makes it different and SGU is plenty different.

Related Posts with Thumbnails
1 person likes this post.
(unlike)

Links from Around the Web:

  • WilliamDunigan

    Greetings to all in that mighty name of “Jesus”:
    Each Christian of whom know him in the power of His resurrection…or, maybe I should say…those who are well acquainted with the fact, that He truly did come back from the dead…also appeared to His disciples.

    Thomas was invited by Jesus to feel the nail prints within His hands. So, those who also have been convinced by only having His spirit to convince them, having never had the opportunity to feel the nail prints in his hands, as did Thomas: Jesus said blessed are those who have seen and then believed, but greater are the blessings that rest upon those who have never seen, but still believe.

    I am a full time writer and an ordained minister. I have written three books so far. My first book: Reviving the dead church, by reminiscing the day of Pentecost. The second one is: Beyond the Golden Sunset and by the Crystal Sea. My third book: Off to visit the Prophet Elijah, on this one, the contract to publish has been completed and soon the book will be published.
    Warm regards

    William Dunigan
    http://www.eloquentbooks.com/BeyondTheGoldenSunsetAndB... -

  • NHK

    If you actually think DS9 “tired” the Trek franchise then you must have been a hardcore TOS or TNG loyalist who didn't watch most of the episodes. It is the only Trek series after the original that even bothered to bring a fresh approach to storytelling for Trek. It was the first Trek to really take use of its fine ensemble. The first Trek to rely heavily on continuity and to tell its stories in long arcs over the period of years. The first and perhaps the only Trek series in which the characters actually changed and developed over the course of the show's run (unlike say TNG whose example of character development was Riker growing a beard). It was the one Trek series that really flirted with telling darker stories and taking the Federation down darker paths. Some of the subjects that were frequently touched upon during DS9's 7 seasons were terrorism, nation building, religious fundamentalism, the stripping away of citizens' rights, escalating and long lasting wars/conflicts and if people in power are justified in committing atrocities in order to beat the enemy. Hmmm. DS9 ended ten years ago and yet those subjects are, those topics, are now more prevalent in American society than they were during the show's run. That indicates the show was ahead of its time. Oh, sure if Star Trek to you was supposed to only be bout hopping to new planets each week and sleeping with green women every time, then, yeah, Deep Space Nine is a drag on the Trek franchise. But DS9 didn't tire the Trek franchise because it never resorted to repeating the same ways of telling adventures as its Trek predecessors did (unlike VOY, ENT and even TNG). As an added bonus guys like Ronald Moore really cut their teeth on DS9 more so than thy did on TNG and use that experience to take sci fi to even more different territories in shows like the new Battlestar Galactica. We can argue whether DS9 was a better show than a TNG or a VOY. I think it was but that’s subjective. What isn’t subjective was that it took more risks than other modern Trek shows. It and Babylon 5 raised the game for space themed episodic television. I’m looking forward to Stargate Universe but I highly doubt it will ever be as fresh and as well done as those two station-bound series from the 90s.

  • NHK

    If you actually think DS9 “tired” the Trek franchise then you must have been a hardcore TOS or TNG loyalist who didn't watch most of the episodes. It is the only Trek series after the original that even bothered to bring a fresh approach to storytelling for Trek. It was the first Trek to really take use of its fine ensemble. The first Trek to rely heavily on continuity and to tell its stories in long arcs over the period of years. The first and perhaps the only Trek series in which the characters actually changed and developed over the course of the show's run (unlike say TNG whose example of character development was Riker growing a beard). It was the one Trek series that really flirted with telling darker stories and taking the Federation down darker paths. Some of the subjects that were frequently touched upon during DS9's 7 seasons were terrorism, nation building, religious fundamentalism, the stripping away of citizens' rights, escalating and long lasting wars/conflicts and if people in power are justified in committing atrocities in order to beat the enemy. Hmmm. DS9 ended ten years ago and yet those subjects are, those topics, are now more prevalent in American society than they were during the show's run. That indicates the show was ahead of its time. Oh, sure if Star Trek to you was supposed to only be bout hopping to new planets each week and sleeping with green women every time, then, yeah, Deep Space Nine is a drag on the Trek franchise. But DS9 didn't tire the Trek franchise because it never resorted to repeating the same ways of telling adventures as its Trek predecessors did (unlike VOY, ENT and even TNG). As an added bonus guys like Ronald Moore really cut their teeth on DS9 more so than thy did on TNG and use that experience to take sci fi to even more different territories in shows like the new Battlestar Galactica. We can argue whether DS9 was a better show than a TNG or a VOY. I think it was but that’s subjective. What isn’t subjective was that it took more risks than other modern Trek shows. It and Babylon 5 raised the game for space themed episodic television. I’m looking forward to Stargate Universe but I highly doubt it will ever be as fresh and as well done as those two station-bound series from the 90s.

  • NHK

    If you actually think DS9 “tired” the Trek franchise then you must have been a hardcore TOS or TNG loyalist who didn't watch most of the episodes. It is the only Trek series after the original that even bothered to bring a fresh approach to storytelling for Trek. It was the first Trek to really take use of its fine ensemble. The first Trek to rely heavily on continuity and to tell its stories in long arcs over the period of years. The first and perhaps the only Trek series in which the characters actually changed and developed over the course of the show's run (unlike say TNG whose example of character development was Riker growing a beard). It was the one Trek series that really flirted with telling darker stories and taking the Federation down darker paths. Some of the subjects that were frequently touched upon during DS9's 7 seasons were terrorism, nation building, religious fundamentalism, the stripping away of citizens' rights, escalating and long lasting wars/conflicts and if people in power are justified in committing atrocities in order to beat the enemy. Hmmm. DS9 ended ten years ago and yet those subjects are, those topics, are now more prevalent in American society than they were during the show's run. That indicates the show was ahead of its time. Oh, sure if Star Trek to you was supposed to only be bout hopping to new planets each week and sleeping with green women every time, then, yeah, Deep Space Nine is a drag on the Trek franchise. But DS9 didn't tire the Trek franchise because it never resorted to repeating the same ways of telling adventures as its Trek predecessors did (unlike VOY, ENT and even TNG). As an added bonus guys like Ronald Moore really cut their teeth on DS9 more so than thy did on TNG and use that experience to take sci fi to even more different territories in shows like the new Battlestar Galactica. We can argue whether DS9 was a better show than a TNG or a VOY. I think it was but that’s subjective. What isn’t subjective was that it took more risks than other modern Trek shows. It and Babylon 5 raised the game for space themed episodic television. I’m looking forward to Stargate Universe but I highly doubt it will ever be as fresh and as well done as those two station-bound series from the 90s.

  • sandymccollum

    I was very disappointed by the first episode of SGU. First – the producers tried to “rope in” SG-1 and SG Atlantis fans by including O'Neill, Carter and Daniel in very brief cameos, which I found insulting as they did nothing but make me wonder how much the producers had to pay them in order to get them to participate. Second – there were so many characters involved and the episode was so disjointed (switching back and forth between the past and present), that I found it extremely difficult to follow. I don't want to have to watch a show three of four times in order to be able to understand and appreciate it! Third – in these dark and uncertain economic times I have enough problems of my own – I certainly don't want to spend the limited free time I have watching those of others on the small screen! I want to be uplifted and encouraged by heroic people such as those from SG-1 and SG Atlantis who “do the right thing”, defeat the “bad guys” and save the world for another day! Fourth – I don't know who did the casting for the original SG-1 series, but they did an excellent job – there was instant chemistry between the five main characters, in particular between O'Neill and Carter. The show survived Daniel's temporary departure, but started to go downhill and lose followers when O'Neill and Hammond were replaced. A lot of the show's appeal was centered around these characters and when they left, their replacements were unsatisfactory. I saw no characters in SGU's pilot last night who have the presence/appeal/charisma to carry the show. In fact, I found all of the characters to be quite unlikeable….. Out of loyalty to the SG franchise I probably will try watching the second episode to see if it gets any better, but I'm not holding out much hope.

  • sandymccollum

    I was very disappointed by the first episode of SGU. First – the producers tried to “rope in” SG-1 and SG Atlantis fans by including O'Neill, Carter and Daniel in very brief cameos, which I found insulting as they did nothing but make me wonder how much the producers had to pay them in order to get them to participate. Second – there were so many characters involved and the episode was so disjointed (switching back and forth between the past and present), that I found it extremely difficult to follow. I don't want to have to watch a show three of four times in order to be able to understand and appreciate it! Third – in these dark and uncertain economic times I have enough problems of my own – I certainly don't want to spend the limited free time I have watching those of others on the small screen! I want to be uplifted and encouraged by heroic people such as those from SG-1 and SG Atlantis who “do the right thing”, defeat the “bad guys” and save the world for another day! Fourth – I don't know who did the casting for the original SG-1 series, but they did an excellent job – there was instant chemistry between the five main characters, in particular between O'Neill and Carter. The show survived Daniel's temporary departure, but started to go downhill and lose followers when O'Neill and Hammond were replaced. A lot of the show's appeal was centered around these characters and when they left, their replacements were unsatisfactory. I saw no characters in SGU's pilot last night who have the presence/appeal/charisma to carry the show. In fact, I found all of the characters to be quite unlikeable….. Out of loyalty to the SG franchise I probably will try watching the second episode to see if it gets any better, but I'm not holding out much hope.

  • sandymccollum

    I was very disappointed by the first episode of SGU. First – the producers tried to “rope in” SG-1 and SG Atlantis fans by including O'Neill, Carter and Daniel in very brief cameos, which I found insulting as they did nothing but make me wonder how much the producers had to pay them in order to get them to participate. Second – there were so many characters involved and the episode was so disjointed (switching back and forth between the past and present), that I found it extremely difficult to follow. I don't want to have to watch a show three of four times in order to be able to understand and appreciate it! Third – in these dark and uncertain economic times I have enough problems of my own – I certainly don't want to spend the limited free time I have watching those of others on the small screen! I want to be uplifted and encouraged by heroic people such as those from SG-1 and SG Atlantis who “do the right thing”, defeat the “bad guys” and save the world for another day! Fourth – I don't know who did the casting for the original SG-1 series, but they did an excellent job – there was instant chemistry between the five main characters, in particular between O'Neill and Carter. The show survived Daniel's temporary departure, but started to go downhill and lose followers when O'Neill and Hammond were replaced. A lot of the show's appeal was centered around these characters and when they left, their replacements were unsatisfactory. I saw no characters in SGU's pilot last night who have the presence/appeal/charisma to carry the show. In fact, I found all of the characters to be quite unlikeable….. Out of loyalty to the SG franchise I probably will try watching the second episode to see if it gets any better, but I'm not holding out much hope.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Blake/100000161635744 James Blake

    If you missed the premiere, you can go ahead and watch Stargate Universe online free on FlickPeek :

    http://www.flickpeek.com/tv-shows/Stargate-Univ…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Blake/100000161635744 James Blake

    If you missed the premiere, you can go ahead and watch Stargate Universe online free on FlickPeek :

    http://www.flickpeek.com/tv-shows/Stargate-Univ…

  • Snakecitygirl

    I found it … boring (not even in caps, just lower case), just … boring. Please get better or Destiny will never see the Milky Way galaxy again. Oh, and kill off Rush ASAP … the idea of having a lead who's a bad guy just doesn't match with the SG-1 & SG-A ideals.

  • Snakecitygirl

    I found it … boring (not even in caps, just lower case), just … boring. Please get better or Destiny will never see the Milky Way galaxy again. Oh, and kill off Rush ASAP … the idea of having a lead who's a bad guy just doesn't match with the SG-1 & SG-A ideals.

  • Snakecitygirl

    I found it … boring (not even in caps, just lower case), just … boring. Please get better or Destiny will never see the Milky Way galaxy again. Oh, and kill off Rush ASAP … the idea of having a lead who's a bad guy just doesn't match with the SG-1 & SG-A ideals.

  • SGUbetternot

    Looks like the Voyager crew found a Stargate that has taken them to a Battlestar Galactica Universe? And so the beginning of the end begins? Stargate is doomed, when’s LOST out?

  • SGUbetternot

    Looks like the Voyager crew found a Stargate that has taken them to a Battlestar Galactica Universe? And so the beginning of the end begins? Stargate is doomed, when’s LOST out?

  • SGUbetternot

    Looks like the Voyager crew found a Stargate that has taken them to a Battlestar Galactica Universe? And so the beginning of the end begins? Stargate is doomed, when’s LOST out?

  • Pat

    SGU started off with a bang. Really well done and a very interesting direction for the franchise. The first episode was excellently paced never feeling boring or stopping into long winded crying or laments even when characters died. The fact they didn't rush through the story either having them right away be in a planet but rather focusing on the issues of injuries, lack of resources, and the fear and concern for their situation was an excellent choice as well. I hope the writers keep this pace instead of giving us right away an enemy of the week next episode. Keep developing the characters and their backgrounds and keep presenting problems for their survival within the ship. That's really interesting to begin with. I wish that Stargate Atlantis had stayed with the group stranded in Pegasus for a few more seasons instead of giving them a connection home so quickly at the end of the first season.

    In any case SGU seems to do what Atlantis didn't and focus first and foremost on their survival and the characters. I see many comparing it to Voyager, but that show was nothing more than a cliche ridden quick cash of the franchise. Cliche ridden because every character in the crew was a copy of the most popular characters from previous Star Trek series and once the premise of them being far from home was set the show returned to the same storylines as every other ST show (not to mentioned that the crew unable to return home story had been done much better in classics series like Lost in Space and the animated Macross). SGU definitely presents a much different take on Stargate that has the potential and quality to be SYFY's signature series for years to come.

    And to NHK, I agree with you that DS9 was the most interesting of the ST series. Specially later on when the massive conflicts and wars began that for me set it apart from the rest. My favorite is still Enterprise since it is the only ST series that for me presented more real characters and realities (and had an exhilarating season 3). But even that series tried to stayed too close to home in regards to storylines during the first two seasons, hampering its potential success. Never cared for TNG or Voyager.

    Stargate is another story and I am eagerly waiting for the rest of the season of SGU.

  • Pat

    SGU started off with a bang. Really well done and a very interesting direction for the franchise. The first episode was excellently paced never feeling boring or stopping into long winded crying or laments even when characters died. The fact they didn't rush through the story either having them right away be in a planet but rather focusing on the issues of injuries, lack of resources, and the fear and concern for their situation was an excellent choice as well. I hope the writers keep this pace instead of giving us right away an enemy of the week next episode. Keep developing the characters and their backgrounds and keep presenting problems for their survival within the ship. That's really interesting to begin with. I wish that Stargate Atlantis had stayed with the group stranded in Pegasus for a few more seasons instead of giving them a connection home so quickly at the end of the first season.

    In any case SGU seems to do what Atlantis didn't and focus first and foremost on their survival and the characters. I see many comparing it to Voyager, but that show was nothing more than a cliche ridden quick cash of the franchise. Cliche ridden because every character in the crew was a copy of the most popular characters from previous Star Trek series and once the premise of them being far from home was set the show returned to the same storylines as every other ST show (not to mentioned that the crew unable to return home story had been done much better in classics series like Lost in Space and the animated Macross). SGU definitely presents a much different take on Stargate that has the potential and quality to be SYFY's signature series for years to come.

    And to NHK, I agree with you that DS9 was the most interesting of the ST series. Specially later on when the massive conflicts and wars began that for me set it apart from the rest. My favorite is still Enterprise since it is the only ST series that for me presented more real characters and realities (and had an exhilarating season 3). But even that series tried to stayed too close to home in regards to storylines during the first two seasons, hampering its potential success. Never cared for TNG or Voyager.

    Stargate is another story and I am eagerly waiting for the rest of the season of SGU.

  • Pat

    SGU started off with a bang. Really well done and a very interesting direction for the franchise. The first episode was excellently paced never feeling boring or stopping into long winded crying or laments even when characters died. The fact they didn't rush through the story either having them right away be in a planet but rather focusing on the issues of injuries, lack of resources, and the fear and concern for their situation was an excellent choice as well. I hope the writers keep this pace instead of giving us right away an enemy of the week next episode. Keep developing the characters and their backgrounds and keep presenting problems for their survival within the ship. That's really interesting to begin with. I wish that Stargate Atlantis had stayed with the group stranded in Pegasus for a few more seasons instead of giving them a connection home so quickly at the end of the first season.

    In any case SGU seems to do what Atlantis didn't and focus first and foremost on their survival and the characters. I see many comparing it to Voyager, but that show was nothing more than a cliche ridden quick cash of the franchise. Cliche ridden because every character in the crew was a copy of the most popular characters from previous Star Trek series and once the premise of them being far from home was set the show returned to the same storylines as every other ST show (not to mentioned that the crew unable to return home story had been done much better in classics series like Lost in Space and the animated Macross). SGU definitely presents a much different take on Stargate that has the potential and quality to be SYFY's signature series for years to come.

    And to NHK, I agree with you that DS9 was the most interesting of the ST series. Specially later on when the massive conflicts and wars began that for me set it apart from the rest. My favorite is still Enterprise since it is the only ST series that for me presented more real characters and realities (and had an exhilarating season 3). But even that series tried to stayed too close to home in regards to storylines during the first two seasons, hampering its potential success. Never cared for TNG or Voyager.

    Stargate is another story and I am eagerly waiting for the rest of the season of SGU.

  • SG 1 fan

    I, too, was very disappointed. There are just too many characters in the story. I watched all three episodes, what a waste of my time! I used to look forward to “Sci-Fi Friday” just to watch SG-1 and SG Atlantis. I am definitely not watching any more of this SG Universe crap.

    Watching SG Universe makes you feel like you're watching Battle Star Gallactica (BSG). They should have made Baltar play the role of Dr. Rush.

  • SG 1 fan

    I, too, was very disappointed. There are just too many characters in the story. I watched all three episodes, what a waste of my time! I used to look forward to “Sci-Fi Friday” just to watch SG-1 and SG Atlantis. I am definitely not watching any more of this SG Universe crap.

    Watching SG Universe makes you feel like you're watching Battle Star Gallactica (BSG). They should have made Baltar play the role of Dr. Rush.

  • SG 1 fan

    I, too, was very disappointed. There are just too many characters in the story. I watched all three episodes, what a waste of my time! I used to look forward to “Sci-Fi Friday” just to watch SG-1 and SG Atlantis. I am definitely not watching any more of this SG Universe crap.

    Watching SG Universe makes you feel like you're watching Battle Star Gallactica (BSG). They should have made Baltar play the role of Dr. Rush.

  • Robin Shiller

    Let me weigh in here: After four hours (three weeks), I'm still waiting for SG-U to do **something**. With the exception of the Geek Kid (who is likable and obviously growing into the 'McKay' role) and the Crazy Scot, the characters for the most part are as paper-thin as the storyline and the supporting scripts.

    In fact, considering that most of the production team has been carried over from SG-1 & SG-A, it is really surprising as to how bad this show is.

    And, yes it is really, really bad.

    Maybe it’s the show's 'left-turn' approach to the SG franchise, which has been characterized by a sense of drama amidst light-hearted adventure. Big moments were B-I-G when they showed up in the previous series, but in SG-U, they barely register.

    Two examples, beginning with the Senator's death scene in the pilot. A moment that should have been filled with impact and emotion, yet went by with barely a twitch on the 'Big-meter'. Why? Because the writers (for whatever reason) failed to make us care about the character, his daughter or their situation. The story gave us no reason to relate.

    Secondly, “finding an alien life form' on the sand planet. The writers focused us on the risk of the soldier's survival (who was he again?), and when the alien dust bunny saves the day, the Big-meter – which the writers want to have focused on the life saving qualities of the sand, barely moves.. and the 'unique' alien is cast aside with nothing but a small mention.

    Poor writing is the bane of a great story. So is Direction without a purpose.

    The comparisons to Battllestar Galactica are inevitable, but they flatter to deceive: SG-U is no match for Battlestar Galactica, which stands as one of the very best-written and -directed drama series, ever. If you don't believe me, do your own research on the show's qualities and the wide net that it cast.

    Without great writing (character and plot development) and visionary production, SG-U can be nothing more than a half-baked success. BG's 'stark reality' had purpose and **gave** purpose. We immediately bonded with the characters and the plot.

    No such empathy exists with SG-U, or within it, for that matter. I get no sense that these characters care for each other in any meaningful way, and this, combined with a lackluster and unfocused storyline, leaves us wondering “why should we care?”

    Compare that to 'Flash Forward', '24' or 'Sleeper Cell”. Love 'em or not, they grab you and make you invest.

    If SG-U doesn’t want to be the lighthearted space romp that its predecessors were, fine. But if it wants to be a serious drama, it needs to really, really ramp up quickly.

    There are too many fine dramas which compel us to watch, and no new series can afford to spend 8-10 weeks trying to make us care.

    Right now, it’s not happening.

    B-I-G time.

  • Robin Shiller

    Let me weigh in here: After four hours (three weeks), I'm still waiting for SG-U to do **something**. With the exception of the Geek Kid (who is likable and obviously growing into the 'McKay' role) and the Crazy Scot, the characters for the most part are as paper-thin as the storyline and the supporting scripts.

    In fact, considering that most of the production team has been carried over from SG-1 & SG-A, it is really surprising as to how bad this show is.

    And, yes it is really, really bad.

    Maybe it’s the show's 'left-turn' approach to the SG franchise, which has been characterized by a sense of drama amidst light-hearted adventure. Big moments were B-I-G when they showed up in the previous series, but in SG-U, they barely register.

    Two examples, beginning with the Senator's death scene in the pilot. A moment that should have been filled with impact and emotion, yet went by with barely a twitch on the 'Big-meter'. Why? Because the writers (for whatever reason) failed to make us care about the character, his daughter or their situation. The story gave us no reason to relate.

    Secondly, “finding an alien life form' on the sand planet. The writers focused us on the risk of the soldier's survival (who was he again?), and when the alien dust bunny saves the day, the Big-meter – which the writers want to have focused on the life saving qualities of the sand, barely moves.. and the 'unique' alien is cast aside with nothing but a small mention.

    Poor writing is the bane of a great story. So is Direction without a purpose.

    The comparisons to Battllestar Galactica are inevitable, but they flatter to deceive: SG-U is no match for Battlestar Galactica, which stands as one of the very best-written and -directed drama series, ever. If you don't believe me, do your own research on the show's qualities and the wide net that it cast.

    Without great writing (character and plot development) and visionary production, SG-U can be nothing more than a half-baked success. BG's 'stark reality' had purpose and **gave** purpose. We immediately bonded with the characters and the plot.

    No such empathy exists with SG-U, or within it, for that matter. I get no sense that these characters care for each other in any meaningful way, and this, combined with a lackluster and unfocused storyline, leaves us wondering “why should we care?”

    Compare that to 'Flash Forward', '24' or 'Sleeper Cell”. Love 'em or not, they grab you and make you invest.

    If SG-U doesn’t want to be the lighthearted space romp that its predecessors were, fine. But if it wants to be a serious drama, it needs to really, really ramp up quickly.

    There are too many fine dramas which compel us to watch, and no new series can afford to spend 8-10 weeks trying to make us care.

    Right now, it’s not happening.

    B-I-G time.

  • Robin Shiller

    Let me weigh in here: After four hours (three weeks), I'm still waiting for SG-U to do **something**. With the exception of the Geek Kid (who is likable and obviously growing into the 'McKay' role) and the Crazy Scot, the characters for the most part are as paper-thin as the storyline and the supporting scripts.

    In fact, considering that most of the production team has been carried over from SG-1 & SG-A, it is really surprising as to how bad this show is.

    And, yes it is really, really bad.

    Maybe it’s the show's 'left-turn' approach to the SG franchise, which has been characterized by a sense of drama amidst light-hearted adventure. Big moments were B-I-G when they showed up in the previous series, but in SG-U, they barely register.

    Two examples, beginning with the Senator's death scene in the pilot. A moment that should have been filled with impact and emotion, yet went by with barely a twitch on the 'Big-meter'. Why? Because the writers (for whatever reason) failed to make us care about the character, his daughter or their situation. The story gave us no reason to relate.

    Secondly, “finding an alien life form' on the sand planet. The writers focused us on the risk of the soldier's survival (who was he again?), and when the alien dust bunny saves the day, the Big-meter – which the writers want to have focused on the life saving qualities of the sand, barely moves.. and the 'unique' alien is cast aside with nothing but a small mention.

    Poor writing is the bane of a great story. So is Direction without a purpose.

    The comparisons to Battllestar Galactica are inevitable, but they flatter to deceive: SG-U is no match for Battlestar Galactica, which stands as one of the very best-written and -directed drama series, ever. If you don't believe me, do your own research on the show's qualities and the wide net that it cast.

    Without great writing (character and plot development) and visionary production, SG-U can be nothing more than a half-baked success. BG's 'stark reality' had purpose and **gave** purpose. We immediately bonded with the characters and the plot.

    No such empathy exists with SG-U, or within it, for that matter. I get no sense that these characters care for each other in any meaningful way, and this, combined with a lackluster and unfocused storyline, leaves us wondering “why should we care?”

    Compare that to 'Flash Forward', '24' or 'Sleeper Cell”. Love 'em or not, they grab you and make you invest.

    If SG-U doesn’t want to be the lighthearted space romp that its predecessors were, fine. But if it wants to be a serious drama, it needs to really, really ramp up quickly.

    There are too many fine dramas which compel us to watch, and no new series can afford to spend 8-10 weeks trying to make us care.

    Right now, it’s not happening.

    B-I-G time.

  • Name

    Are you kidding? DS9 was a space drama Titanic that was about to go down until they introduced the Defiant. Seriously, DS9 was boring and drab compared to the other Star Trek shows. It only started gaining life when it gained some action and fight.

    I'm afraid that SGU is going down that same path. Watching the episodes so far only makes me think that I was right in that SGA was retired too quickly. You talk about a hero based show and relatively easy resolutions like it's a bad thing. I like that stuff. They actually drew a lot of suspense between seasons with cliff hangers. The only episode that I thought was a stretch was the last one where they decided to conclude the series very quickly.

    A show that's different with an edge might be good, but that doesn't make it better than what people have historically liked for years.

  • Name

    Are you kidding? DS9 was a space drama Titanic that was about to go down until they introduced the Defiant. Seriously, DS9 was boring and drab compared to the other Star Trek shows. It only started gaining life when it gained some action and fight.

    I'm afraid that SGU is going down that same path. Watching the episodes so far only makes me think that I was right in that SGA was retired too quickly. You talk about a hero based show and relatively easy resolutions like it's a bad thing. I like that stuff. They actually drew a lot of suspense between seasons with cliff hangers. The only episode that I thought was a stretch was the last one where they decided to conclude the series very quickly.

    A show that's different with an edge might be good, but that doesn't make it better than what people have historically liked for years.

  • Name

    Are you kidding? DS9 was a space drama Titanic that was about to go down until they introduced the Defiant. Seriously, DS9 was boring and drab compared to the other Star Trek shows. It only started gaining life when it gained some action and fight.

    I'm afraid that SGU is going down that same path. Watching the episodes so far only makes me think that I was right in that SGA was retired too quickly. You talk about a hero based show and relatively easy resolutions like it's a bad thing. I like that stuff. They actually drew a lot of suspense between seasons with cliff hangers. The only episode that I thought was a stretch was the last one where they decided to conclude the series very quickly.

    A show that's different with an edge might be good, but that doesn't make it better than what people have historically liked for years.

  • Terry Smith

    Huge dissapointment. Very depressing with no lighter moments like from earlier SG series. It reminds me more of Battlestar than SG. I want to see heroes blasting aliens and cracking jokes. This show is no fun.

  • Terry Smith

    Huge dissapointment. Very depressing with no lighter moments like from earlier SG series. It reminds me more of Battlestar than SG. I want to see heroes blasting aliens and cracking jokes. This show is no fun.

  • Terry Smith

    Huge dissapointment. Very depressing with no lighter moments like from earlier SG series. It reminds me more of Battlestar than SG. I want to see heroes blasting aliens and cracking jokes. This show is no fun.

  • XAVLENAZE

    I totaly agree with Mr Coll's comments about SGU, except for 1 thing : He says that “Also I want to commend Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, series creators, for putting together a new series that doesn’t tire a franchise like a Deep Space Nine or Voyager or even Enterprise but enhances it in a fresh and new way giving it legs.” I disagree about the fact that Deep Space Nine is just another franchise, exploiting and tiring the original Star Trek series. DS9 is far off the best Star Trek series, the most intelligent one, the deepest and most complex one ! It's by far superior to the original and the other star trek series and is the only one worth watching, if you had to make a choice within the franchise !
    XAVLENAZE, a french tv series fan and movie buff.

  • XAVLENAZE

    I totaly agree with Mr Coll's comments about SGU, except for 1 thing : He says that “Also I want to commend Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, series creators, for putting together a new series that doesn’t tire a franchise like a Deep Space Nine or Voyager or even Enterprise but enhances it in a fresh and new way giving it legs.” I disagree about the fact that Deep Space Nine is just another franchise, exploiting and tiring the original Star Trek series. DS9 is far off the best Star Trek series, the most intelligent one, the deepest and most complex one ! It's by far superior to the original and the other star trek series and is the only one worth watching, if you had to make a choice within the franchise !
    XAVLENAZE, a french tv series fan and movie buff.

  • XAVLENAZE

    I totaly agree with Mr Coll's comments about SGU, except for 1 thing : He says that “Also I want to commend Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, series creators, for putting together a new series that doesn’t tire a franchise like a Deep Space Nine or Voyager or even Enterprise but enhances it in a fresh and new way giving it legs.” I disagree about the fact that Deep Space Nine is just another franchise, exploiting and tiring the original Star Trek series. DS9 is far off the best Star Trek series, the most intelligent one, the deepest and most complex one ! It's by far superior to the original and the other star trek series and is the only one worth watching, if you had to make a choice within the franchise !
    XAVLENAZE, a french tv series fan and movie buff.

  • Xavier BLANCHARD

    If you just want easy action and no profound subjects, you're right, don't look at those kind of TV shows like DS9 or Batllestar Galactica. It raises too many political, sociological and existencialist questions, and drag you far from basic consuming, politicaly correct and every day propaganda…Those kind of series, US ones nonetheless, help people asking themselves, what surrounds them and reading between the lines ! If you didn't read till this point, you're making mine (point, I mean)… No offense. Have a nice day and enjoy reruns of “Who's the boss ?”
    XAVLENAZE

  • Xavier BLANCHARD

    If you just want easy action and no profound subjects, you're right, don't look at those kind of TV shows like DS9 or Batllestar Galactica. It raises too many political, sociological and existencialist questions, and drag you far from basic consuming, politicaly correct and every day propaganda…Those kind of series, US ones nonetheless, help people asking themselves, what surrounds them and reading between the lines ! If you didn't read till this point, you're making mine (point, I mean)… No offense. Have a nice day and enjoy reruns of “Who's the boss ?”
    XAVLENAZE

  • Xavier BLANCHARD

    If you just want easy action and no profound subjects, you're right, don't look at those kind of TV shows like DS9 or Batllestar Galactica. It raises too many political, sociological and existencialist questions, and drag you far from basic consuming, politicaly correct and every day propaganda…Those kind of series, US ones nonetheless, help people asking themselves, what surrounds them and reading between the lines ! If you didn't read till this point, you're making mine (point, I mean)… No offense. Have a nice day and enjoy reruns of “Who's the boss ?”
    XAVLENAZE

  • Nick

    A truly enjoyable read, because it was so well written. Thanks for that.

  • Logan

    I like your take on SGU. However, IMO, David Blue's Eli Wallace has stolen the show. He's got amazing comedic timing – a natural. He is definitely the proxy for sci-fi geeks out there. I watch the show to see what happens to Eli next. Sure, the Matt Scott character is Captain Marvel, but Eli is everyman who's done good. As the song goes, “We don't need another <super> hero!”

  • Jo

    Hello! First excuse my rusty English! Secondly, could you tell me, how does an alien ship, never before inhabited, may contain ladders made for humans by humans, and the commands with all those flashing lights and beeps emitting with the design for humans ? Perhaps it was some miracle of God!I think a boing 747 is more advanced in technology! And how does a ship with the technology to charge batteries in stars, can not automatically create an alternate route around the planet to return to the ship, as in the last episode! It would be more common census put technologies such films as the surrogates, matrix, and Aliens in this show? And where is the surprise factors such terror? Thank you!

  • Jo

    Hello! First excuse my rusty English! Secondly, could you tell me, how does an alien ship, never before inhabited, may contain ladders made for humans by humans, and the commands with all those flashing lights and beeps emitting with the design for humans ? Perhaps it was some miracle of God!I think a boing 747 is more advanced in technology! And how does a ship with the technology to charge batteries in stars, can not automatically create an alternate route around the planet to return to the ship, as in the last episode! It would be more common census put technologies such films as the surrogates, matrix, and Aliens in this show? And where is the surprise factors such terror? Thank you!

  • Pat

    If you watch the rest of the Stargate series then you have the answer to those questions. The “Ancients” were physically human in form thus the human sized controllers and ladders.

    As for Destiny unable to change direction, it is flying in auto pilot without any possibility to control it, which is part of the premise of the show.

  • Pat

    If you watch the rest of the Stargate series then you have the answer to those questions. The “Ancients” were physically human in form thus the human sized controllers and ladders.

    As for Destiny unable to change direction, it is flying in auto pilot without any possibility to control it, which is part of the premise of the show.