It seems that the SciFi (now SyFy) Channel has discovered that without the Stargate franchise, they're literally nothing. So, they're launching a new series continuing on the same premise of a story based on Ancient created wormhole powered interstellar jump stations known as stargates. A new cast of characters, with cameos by old SG1 regulars (damn, Richard Dean Anderson got freaking fat) the show starts with Parts 1 & 2 of the first episode (called "Air") being a... (see behind spoiler if you really want to know) Spoiler ...desperate escape scenario... (like da-uh, it hasn't been done before, right?). And the concept of a video game contest winner being brought in as an expert outside consultant? LOL... So, am I the only PA member watching this? headbang2 Watch first Ep (1h:26m:58s total time) here: http://www.hulu.com/watch/99870/stargate-universe-air-parts-1-and-2#s-p1-so-i0
After watching part 3, it was more of the same. Some character development, but more questions. Spoiler What was the swirling sand thing; was it some sort of telepathic alien life form; an ascended Ancient? What happened to the two who disobeyed orders and went through the gate to one of the alternate sites? What was that small craft that detached from the Destiny and flew away, just seconds before the end?
Actually, I'm a fan of the Stargate franchise but there seem to be so many questions which I'm sure they will answer as the series continue. That computer game part was done before, I was like this again, all the smart people are only found playing video games...lol Did they cancel SG Atlantis? Or was that it...I forgot the ending...
Yeah, SGA got the boot, it was never as successful as SG1. Even bringing in Samantha Carter didn't help because the audience just wasn't there anymore. Most of the people who grew up with SG1 grew up with O'Neil, Teal'c, Carter, and Jackson. When they got rid of O'Neil, a large part of that audience felt alienated. Bringing him back for cameos, or referring to him during the show but in name only, leaves a hollow feeling for most of the old time audience. ie the crowd that started watching more than 10 years ago. They tried to let Michael Shanks go too and that was another disaster that they backtracked on. Now they're trying to use the same formula to capture a new audience and hope to keep some of the old. BattleStar may have had a small core audience, but if SGU tries to do the same melodrama in space thing, I don't think that will work. The original SG1 worked because it was action packed and lighthearted, with lots of gee whiz. BSG wasn't gee whiz, but more God damn... as they traveled through space very darkly, no pun intended. It was more Greek tragedy than sci-fi romp and I'm not sure if the old audience would appreciate that. Much like how Enterprise lost the old Star Trek fan base without ever gaining a new crowd until it was too late, trying to shoe horn a new series into the parameters of an old one is one of the most dangerous things to do in media. The sequel is very hard to do, much more so when it is a serial. Time will tell which way SGU will swing, but a lot of the old fans are already all over this one with various complaints. After one episode in three parts, there isn't yet a comfort level with the show. If the show sticks with established SG franchise routine, there will eventually be a quad team consisting of a flippant, imperfect but admirable group leader; a supporting character that is strong, reliable, of little words but decisive action when needed; a contrarian foil that includes comic sensibilities; and a well built piece of eye candy poured into something tight fitting. SGA made a serious mistake with the first season's choice of Lt. Ford (played by fly weight actor Rainbow Sun Francks). I'm sure they wanted to bring in someone of color to be PC but this guy just wasn't believable as the exceptional soldier that one would expect to be required to be chosen for off world assignments. FYI, a Lieutenant is the officer version of a private. That is frankly speaking, the lowest form of life in the military. To make matters worse, this guy looked like a bunch of schoolgirls could kick his ass. They should have picked someone like Dwayne The Rock Johnson and had given him the rank of Master Sgt or Sgt Major; someone that people would step out of the way for when they see him coming and looks every bit the warrior. They realized this and went with Ronon (played by Jason Momoa), in season two. Torri Higginson was another story. They stupidly kept her on until season four and then floundered around looking for someone to replace her. The Doctor Weir character was never really good to begin with, and following behind the expectations laid out by General George Hammond, she was a very limp second act. Bringing in Samantha Carter for one season didn't really help. By the time the Richard Wosley persona was ensconced in the big chair, the curtains were already starting to close. Also, I never did like Flanagan's portrayal of Sheppard. His attitude was worthy of maybe a corporal or private first class; certainly not someone of high officer rank. Maybe I'm just jaded after having spent a few years of my youth as government issue, but that's the way I read people. Long story short, Sheppard was no O'Neil and it showed badly. So, is this show going to be around for ten seasons like the original SG1? I certainly hope so, as good SciFi is hard to come by. But having a video contest winner as a potential team member is already a bad sign.
Just finished ep3 and it seem like a melodrama. I hope to see more action and I really don't want it to be like BSG, too much like a drama. I get what you were saying about the sand thingy, wth was that suppose to be and that little ship detaching at the end, that's another thing that needs some answering. At least it got me curious, it's going to be like exploring new worlds and encountering new enemies and stuff. Maybe down the road, they will find out why those planets were blocked and those 2 people who went to one of those worlds. Non of these series will be as good as SG1 but I just hope scifi will have something good or decent cause it's hard to find any of these type of series anywhere.
I love how there is always this second guessing of command decisions in television show, as if the process is somehow debatable. In real life, in military situation orders are followed to the letter. The chances of two going off to another spot in direct contravention of orders would be so remote that for all intents and purposes, it would never happen. But of course, on TV, they call this artistic license. Maybe they'll come back and discovered that the two who left have now morphed into becoming something else? IMHO, serves them right for disobeying their orders, LOL...
Well, now that we're at the mid season break, has anyone else caught this show? Spoiler: And how about that ending... The colonel kicking Dr. Rush's ass and leaving him behind on that alien planet? LOL... I was like -bigclap -bowroflarms-clapclap-bigclap But, I bet Rush will somehow figure a way into that crashed alien ship and use it to eventually come back to haunt Destiny, et al, in some later episodes...
Yea, it was kinda funny seeing Dr. Rush got left on that planet. I bet he'll get that ship working and get back to Destiny. I don't really like this spin off of the series, it's boring and some of the plots in this show is really lame. Stargate series don't need this kind of drama. Need more action.
