Stargate Universe

[Барбоса]

I have been a fan of all things Stargate since the original movie and was happy to hear that Atlantis and the SG1 movies were not the end to the Stargate story.

I have to say that I was immensely impressed by the first two episodes of SGU. Not only did it firmly establish itself as being quintessentially Stargate with appearances from O'Neil, Carter and Jackson but it also carved out a niche for itself by taking the story as Atlantis to the next level.

One of the major pluses, aside from the setting, was the acting. I think Robert Carlyle's Dr Nicholas Rush has the potential to be a particularly excellent character. I think his Machiavellian persona could really be the driving force behind the show.

The writers also did a good job in laying the foundations for future character and plot development from within the survivors. A political struggle between Dr Rush, Ming-Na's IOA overseer and the military under Colonel Young is definitely in the offing while there are potential internal troubles within the army with Young's medical problems, Greer's lack of self-control and TJ's apparent lack of interest in a military career.

I hope that the writers do tackle these more human problems as well as extra-terrestrial foes and that they do so in a similar way to the incredible revamp of Battlestar Galactica. I already see many potential equivalents such as Dr Rush and Baltar, Colonel Young and Adama, Ming-Na's character and President Roslin, Greer and Colonel Tigh, Lt. Scott and Lee Adama, Chloe Armstrong and Kara Thrace and of course Destiny with Galactica itself.

Although I hope the SGU can follow BG in terms of quality without becoming a copy.

Did anybody else catch the premiere/early episodes?

 

[X]

I've not seen this new show. Honestly, I haven't seen any of the other series either. I remember watching the film when I was about 10 or so, haven't seen it since, but I remember liking it. Anything involving Kurt Russell usually gets a thumbs-up from me. Awhile ago I picked up the first season of the original Stargate series, but it's sat here on my DVD shelf for nearly a year now. I keep saying I'll watch it, but there's always so many other things I think I need to or want to watch instead.

What do you think, should I just shut up and dive headfirst into the first season of SG-1? I'm a huge fan of the Star Trek universe and love all of those series (aside from Enterprise), do you think I'll enjoy SG-1? It always just seemed kind of...cheesy to me. Like, even cheesier than some Trek episodes.

 

[Барбоса]

I would definitely suggest diving straight in to SG1. The opening episodes "Children of the Gods" sets up the story nicely and having it on DVD is the best way.

There is undoubtedly cheesiness in Stargate but no worse than any other sci-fi show. The interaction between the main cast is pretty good

Also if you are interested in more ancient history, which I get the feeling you are X, then the linking of old religions and myths with alien visitors adds another dimension.

Start watching it now

 

[Shua]

I caught the two hour premiere, and I wasn't particularly impressed. It just didn't do anything to hold my interest. But, then again, like most shows, it takes a while before they hide their stride and become better. Maybe I'll jump back in once a couple seasons have gone by.

 

[Барбоса]

I watched the last part of the three-episode opening arc, "Air", last night. I didn't think it was quite as good as the opening two episodes, although in a way it did demonstrate how this was going to be different from past Stargate series.

We got to see the first sight of a non-humanoid alien species, something that the writers promised for this new season. Although there was little communication between the expedition and this "sentient wind," it did repay Scott's giving water to it by providing him with some at a crucial time. I hope we see more different kinds of aliens as the Destiny jumps.

Not sure what I make of the story behind Lt. Scott. He seems to me to be based on an archetypal guilt ridden Catholic, which is the source of his drive and determination but also potentially his greatest weakness. This could make him an interesting character or someone who could get very old, very fast.

I would say that they need to do something with Chloe Armstrong other than have her as the grieving, hysterical eye candy (although I find TJ more aesthetically pleasing). Her interaction with her mother almost made me want to turn over.

The enigma of Dr Rush's character continued. On the one hand he is a very determined scientist who might endanger the chances of getting home just to explore Destiny and the galaxy while on the other he was a petulant child who refused to go any further while searching for something useful. On top of this, he ordered the manic/heroic Greer to shoot another expedition member in order to stop him going through the gate, saving his life in the process.

Now that the air is sorted out (for now), I assume that water and food will be next on the agenda and I am sure that the leadership struggle between the army, the scientists and the bureaucrats is just around the corner as there is no way that an recognisable actress like Ming-Na will have signed on to just be seen breathing in every episode.

Adding in the small craft lifting off from the Destiny at the very end of the episode, even though this was not as good as the opening episodes, I still think that the show has got great potential.