Stargate Universe

[Kansas 0]

I've never gotten interested in Stargate, so I'm assuming if I wanted to dive in, I'd do so with this series.

 

Uhhh...that would be a negatory. Star Trek got together with re-Imagined Battlestar Galactica, and the couple adopted a red headed Stargate Stepchild.

 

**SPOILERS** **SPOILERS**

 

Look, I *am not* the type of sci fi fan who picks at shows. Matter of fact, I usually shut down the brain and go along for the adventure since that's what we're supposed to do anyway and enjoy the entertainment. Whenever I did watch either SG 1 or Atlantis, I enjoyed the episode that I happened to be watching.

 

So, when I notice as many plotholes and general issues and character issues as I did with SGU...that's pretty bad, 'cause I don't normally even pick up on or care about that sort of stuff.

 

I checked out the SG Universe premier, and lasted exactly one hour and twenty minutes into it. It was just not cool, and the storyline concept was so disjointed.

 

- There was a painful opening scene to watch in the beginning of the show where all these people and equipment was tumbling through the Gate, banging into one another and trying to avoid the flying equipment. The scene was *supposed* to be dramatic and give us a sense of danger, but I half expected the Three Stooges to come flying through the gate.

 

- I have a real problem with the so called Lieutenant grade officer who is supposed to set an example "getting it on" with a subordinate in a storage room.

 

- A brilliant geek solves a top secret government equation via an online game and is beamed up to the ship to participate in the Stargate mission...riiiiight. That's just cheesy.

 

- They have their own brilliant and eccentric doctor type...I'll call him Gaius Baltar for now since I can't recall the character name, because that's pretty much who he is, a rip on BSG's Baltar. He even has an English-sort of accent! Hello McFly!

 

- An Ancient ship, on a pre-recorded exploration route many many light years from Earth...Star Trek: Voyager, say what?

 

- Most of the actors, with the exception of Lou Diamond Phillips (as Telford) and the actor portraying the character Eli, were just not with it yet. Oh God, talk about lackluster. And though they had very short appearances, I thought Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping were way waaaaaay off the mark as well.

 

- The one soldier by the name of Greer? Disciplinary problem who is released from the brig when it all breaks loose? We need to get him together with the Doctor Baltar sort of character mentioned above, 'cause Greer is obviously supposed to be a BSG re-Imagined Starbuck clone. Hey, at least Greer's an African American/mixed type male; I guess making the character a Caucasian female and blond would've been way too Starbuck obvious, eh?

 

- The lead commander of the expedition is partially paralyzed after the trip through the gate...of course he is, oh, how convenient! Drama!

 

Yeah, poke it with a fork, this SGU meat is done and overcooked.

[Cmdr Ba'alyo 0]

Kansas' observations about all the derivations from other shows is right (although you forgot the Eli / The Last Starfighter connection), but my biggest complaint is that it was... DULL.

 

I DVR'ed this show and it took me three nights to watch it. I fell asleep half-way through, started it up the next night and made it two commercials later, and finally got it done last night. Just as things were picking up... TO BE CONTINUED. So they gave me two hours of exposition and character introduction and yet still managed to avoid the premise-driving question, "Why don't they just dial home?"

[Kansas 0]

Kansas' observations about all the derivations from other shows is right (although you forgot the Eli / The Last Starfighter connection), but my biggest complaint is that it was... DULL.

 

Absolutely true! I totally blanked on the Last comparison.

 

And, the El Tee Officer having a sexual encounter with the subordinate? Hey, that was done in the BSG re-Imagined miniseries btw Boomer and Tyrol, in the storage room off the hanger bay.

 

I'd go so far as to say Stargate U just full on ripped off Battlestar Galactica re-Imagined. SGU had no original ideas whatsoever anywhere in this premiere episode, and I agree with Commander B that it was a very dull and unengaging entry into the Stargate franchise.

 

Probably the only reason we didn't see cybernetic robots zooming about is because that'd be a full on sue/copyright violation issue?

 

Random note: I personally wanted to smack the Senators daughter. C'mon Honey, buck up, go with the flow and tell your actor to stop being so over dramatic.

[STSF Precip 0]

I stayed up late and watched SG-U as well. And I have to agree with pretty much if not all of what Kitteh said.

 

Having seen that Doctor play the Gaius Baltar role...I was awaiting the word Frak to be used...heck they pulled so much stuff from BSG. And the video game kid wizard reminded me of a fat Wesley Crusher. ::bangs head on desk::

 

The ship didn't look right for inside for an Ancients Vessel...Sorry SG fans. I speak mostly of the interior. Granted maybe when they get the power back on it will light up more inside. But again I am reminded of the Darker BSG ship setting.

 

And ugh...I sense abuse of "Stock Footage" galore from what I gathered in the pilot since the ship's going to be in FTL quite a bit.

 

This show has much ..to improve on. And I still insist I do not see off world scene anything like British Columbia.

 

Grade C-

 

-Precip

[Eva Jaz 0]

I was kinda mad that I forgot about the 2 hrs premiere ... but after reading your comments I'm not really!

 

Oh and by the way there's an article on the space channel website : spacecast.com ( Canadian equivalent to your sci fi channel ) called " SGU is no BSG" so I guess Kansas isn't the only one seeing some parallels here!

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

Without reading the posts after the first one, my candid opinion is crash and burn after one episode.

 

Can you say soap opera? The attempt at drama was sad, the obvious trying to be like BSG was even sadder. They would have done better to nix the poor attempt at character development and gone with the more thought-provoking encounters of the original series. I can't believe I actually sat through it for two hours, but I kept hoping it would get better.

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

they added the sex appeal (and not that strange Dr. Carter sex appeal, but girls in far more revealing/less military clothing)

 

You forgot the excessive makeup and "every hair in place" syndrome.

 

That being said, I think there are still quite a bit of avenues for the Stargate universe to explore, and I am excited about the new series. Basically, I just hope it doesn't suck. I'm never home on Friday nights, so as long as I can watch it online somewhere, I'll be fine.

They rerun every episode at 11pm ET on Sunday nights, but you might want to rethink staying up for it.

 

I really hope they don't "battlestar" it too much, meaning I hope they don't ruin a potentially good storyline with a bad script.

 

Too late.

[Kairi 0]

Yeah I was a bit disappointed with the premiere, but I'm not gonna make any big judgement calls just yet. After all, it is just the first episode. I want to see a few more episodes before I can say whether I like or hate it. To me most good/great shows don't do so hot right away. They get better as the show and actors age and adjust to their roles.

 

To be honest, TNG, DS9, Voyager, and ENT all had their moments in the beginning. It wasn't till later when they really began to shine.

[Travis Kroells 0]

Find me a scene in all of Trek lore that tops Picard and Crusher's ready room scene in "The Naked Now" :P

[Kansas 0]

I want to see a few more episodes before I can say whether I like or hate it.

Might want to move forward with some sort of decision Kairi; Stargate U doesn't have the entertainment life to last a few more episodes.

 

And as for the excessive makeup and every hair in place metnioned by Commander J? You know...there is nothing wrong with a scruffy looking group especially if they are in the middle of a stargate disaster. I saw token dust particles falling on peeps during the bombing scenes and that was it.

 

The Stargate team's medic sported black/dark gray pearl earrings. Entertainment bling aside, the jewelry just looked really odd and out of place on a woman who was supposed to be a military grade medic.

 

For a combat medic (or anyone serving), if there is a chance of you going into a skirmish, you shouldn't be sporting any kind of earring or nose ring or eyebrow stud or any sort of exposed jewelry or necklace. If a soldier were to catch the item on something, there goes a chunk of skin with it.

 

I will give kudos to re-Imagined BSG: other then Starbucks (Katee Sackoff own personal jewelery aside) thumb ring that she sported, the BSG pilots never had noticeable jewelry or earrings on per military common sense.

[Leila Kalomi 0]

Just finished watching it on Fancast. I have nothing to say. My favorite part was seeing my beloved Daniel unable to shut up on a video recording.

 

...

 

...

[FredM 0]

Hey there,

 

I have actually enjoyed the show thus far. I think the largest issue is that people need to look at it for what it is, not "what it is compared to SG1 or SGA."

[Leila Kalomi 0]

I think it's really a training drill and any moment now Earth will dial them up and say "Hahaha, nice joke aye? Well, you're good to go, come home now." Several of the "Ancient" corriders looked strangly Tau'ri.

 

As for comparison, I can't help it. SG1 was good. I'd like to expect something else good.

Edited October 13, 2009 by Leila Kalomi

[McFly 0]

Wow am I the only one that absolutely loved this show?! I watched maybe one or two episodes of SG1 and Atlantis but just couldn't get into them. However I love Universe.

 

And as for not just dialing back home that was an energy issue. The planet they dialed in from was nuclear so earth can't call themselves. Likewise the ship is in such bad shape that it can't dial anything too far away and I'm sure outside the galaxy would require long distance charges.

[STSF Precip 0]

Despite my C- Review of the debut, I did watch the first episode and will probably continue to watch SG-U as long as it seems new. I'll give myself a chance to warm to the show.

 

Quick Question for the SG faithful: These Ancients stones that are allowing a form of communication between earth and the Destiny, can someone explain to me where they came from and how the heck they work?

 

-Precip

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

I think the largest issue is that people need to look at it for what it is, not "what it is compared to SG1 or SGA."

 

As long as it carries the Stargate name, comparison is inevitable, just as we would (and have) compare any new Trek series to previous incarnations. And when a franchise starts off as well as SG1 did, following series really need to live up to their press.

 

I saw the pilot, and I think I'm done. Two hours of cliches and plotholes is about all I can take.

[Travis Kroells 0]

Having not seen any of SG-U yet, I'm going to take a guess that they're the same/similar to the Ancient Stones we've seen on SG-1. They were first seen in the Season 8 Episode, "Citizen Joe" Where some random guy somehow finds one of the stones and has visions of O'Neil's adventures ever since SG-1 originally discovered the Quantum Mirror. Turns out that Joe's stone was dug up in Egypt, bought and sold until he picked it up at a garage sale, while O'Neil's was found with the Quantum Mirror...or something. (I'm working of personal gate knowledge here, which is fading over the years :P)

 

Anyways, the stones link two people telepathically allowing them to see visions of each others lives. Joe's life was basically ruined trying to prove what he was seeing was real, while O'Neil never said anything, because he claimed the visions of a dull barber were "relaxing". (Which was the only part of that episode I liked, since it was so O'Neil :P)

 

The stones were later used by Daniel and Vala to inhabit the bodies of two Ori citizens in the Season 9 three part premiere I like to dub "Lets revive the series with evil ancients, oh snap!" SG-1 should have ended with O'Neil's now fish filled lake.

 

But now I'm going off topic. Anyways, I have no idea if this helps at all, but this is the only thing that came to my head in regards to Ancient Stones. If these are the stones Precip mentioned, I'd be interested to see how they managed to use them for "normal" communications.

Edited October 14, 2009 by Travis Kroells

[Leila Kalomi 0]

I think they should just get the ship off auto and turn it around, then find a blackhole, dial it, nova, hyperspace, and BOOM they're back to Earth in no time. Well done team. SG-1 would have fixed everything in a couple of episodes.

Edited October 14, 2009 by Leila Kalomi

[Kansas 0]

Star Trek

 

+ Re-Imagined BSG

_________________

 

Red Headed Stargate Stepchild.

 

Bring back Firefly as an alternative possiblity for the independent science fiction TV franchise free and clear of any past influence or shtick of sci fi shows that have made it big.

 

Firefly had a very short TV run (FOX scheduling screwed it up, honestly) leading to a motion picture, and yes, I know not all of us here on STSF have cared for it.

 

But, Firefly/Serenity was an original concept that really had no (blatant/rip off) elements from Babylon 5, Star Trek, Stargate BSG; and I think we can all agree to a point that these three shows are the juggernauts of the maintstream sci fi entertainment world.

 

Look, I love science fiction, pretty much all, from Trek to SG to BSG. Of course, my main focus will always be Star Trek because the bottom line is I just prefer the franchise. But on the flip side, I think the same old same old is the reason I'm a proponent of the New Original Series Timeline concept introduced in the May 2009 film and any "new" ideas that come down the pike.

 

...I'm tired of the same old same old from these science fiction TV shows...and SGU is the same old from several shows combined...

 

1.) BSG had the right formula with adult oriented sci fi.

 

2.) Firefly had the right idea with an independent concept.

 

3.) New TOS (the movie; I prefer a wait for a TV series for right now as a motion picture structure is more conducive for the new timeline concept) has the right idea with regard to jump starting a 40 year old franchise with both history and credit and a fan base that can be reeeeeeaaaaaallllly rabid (Read: Stubborn and Unmoving). There really IS nothing wrong with a straightforward, feel good adventure.

 

I'll go on record and say I'm glad the sex of the main characters were not changed though. Kudos to re-I BSG for taking the leap, but stay away from the main ensemble Trek characters. Oh, Chapel and Rand are guys now? Go for it. :P

 

::looks back at length of post and rant:: Oh Noes!! I've entered into Sci Fi Geek Debate Mode!!

[FredM 0]

As long as it carries the Stargate name, comparison is inevitable, just as we would (and have) compare any new Trek series to previous incarnations. And when a franchise starts off as well as SG1 did, following series really need to live up to their press.

 

I saw the pilot, and I think I'm done. Two hours of cliches and plotholes is about all I can take.

 

There isn't a Sci-Fi show that has ever been made that didn't have cliches and plot holes. Even the mini-series of BSG has some serious "holes" in it and looked how that turned out. :P

[Leila Kalomi 0]

Okay okay, we'll just have to see how the rest of the series plays out.

[Atragon9 0]

Bring back Firefly as an alternative possiblity for the independent science fiction TV franchise free and clear of any past influence or shtick of sci fi shows that have made it big.

 

Firefly had a very short TV run (FOX scheduling screwed it up, honestly) leading to a motion picture, and yes, I know not all of us here on STSF have cared for it.

 

But, Firefly/Serenity was an original concept that really had no (blatant/rip off) elements from Babylon 5, Star Trek, Stargate BSG; and I think we can all agree to a point that these three shows are the juggernauts of the maintstream sci fi entertainment world.

Firefly? Shiny!!!

AND you included Babylon 5 as one of the mainstream SF juggernauts!!?? Will you marry me!?

 

Oh wait, I'm already married (and I'm already "married"), nuts.

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

There isn't a Sci-Fi show that has ever been made that didn't have cliches and plot holes. Even the mini-series of BSG has some serious "holes" in it and looked how that turned out. :P

 

And I hated the new BSG, so maybe that's not the best argument... :P

[Kansas 0]

Firefly? Shiny!!!

AND you included Babylon 5 as one of the mainstream SF juggernauts!!?? Will you marry me!?

 

Oh wait, I'm already married (and I'm already "married"), nuts.

 

Well, I wouldn't want to tick off your Real Wife/Wife, and besides ::leans in close and whispers:: I think the Other Wife/Commander Farrington can totally knock me senseless. :P

 

Firefly bonding! w00t! It lives!

[Leila Kalomi 0]

Wormhole X-treme.