A few people have asked us for our full review of Stargate Universe, seeing as how the press kit arrived a few days ago (story). While we work on the complete review, we thought we should share some informal first impressions of the new series right away.
In no particular order:
IT’S DIFFERENT, YET FAMILIAR. Much has been made about how the show is going to be unlike what has come before it, and long-time Stargate viewers will certainly be struck by how different SGU is. The difference in shooting style, the focus on characters and relationships more than a driving plot, and a very different approach to music may stand out in particular. It’s not just the next Stargate show; it’s a different kind of Stargate show. It is done beautifully, and for us it is a welcome change.
There’s a ton that is familiar, though — and we don’t just mean the big, spinning ring. In spite of the differences it still feels like Stargate. Not least of all is the world that the characters inhabit. The faces, the technology, the set design, the subtly updated sound effects, the humor mixed with fantastical circumstances and emotion … it’s Stargate.
NO BAD GUYS, PER SE. We heard rumblings of this early on, and it seems to be working out nicely so far. There are enemies, to be sure, and the Destiny will encounter alien species. But the pilot doesn’t set up a primary antagonist like the Goa’uld or the Wraith. Instead, the show is about the Destiny crew and their struggle to survive, to learn what they are made of and who they can count on.
DAMN GOOD ACTING. There are a whopping nine cast members, and every one of them is very good at their craft. Everyone gets moments to shine, and after three episodes it feels like we know a bit about who they are and what makes them tick — and where they have personal flaws. There are a few stand-outs, but we are eager to see the spotlight shone on everyone in turn.
One of the very first feelings we got when watching “Air, Part 1″ was that these characters have history, and history with each other. Most of them aren’t meeting one another for the first time. They already feel “lived in;” we get to drop into the middle of their story and figure out what kind of people they are. That’s a credit to the writers (who are clearly writing for an audience that is smart, and doesn’t have to have every plot turn or relationship pointed out with banal dialogue), and it is a credit to the actors.
IT MAKES YOU THINK. Shoot-em-up action and plot-driven fun is great. But because many of the characters on SGU have a history with one another, you may miss something if you’re not watching closely. Our second pass through the pilot revealed over a half dozen clues to characters and potential future scenarios that we didn’t catch the first time around. Thus …
IT PLANTS SEEDS. A large portion of what is hinted at throughout the pilot does not come to fruition at the end of the three hours. The pilot shows a concerted effort to establish that this is going to be a marathon journey — one that will be rewarding to the viewer — than a solo sprint every week.
Our full review of “Air” will be online next week. Why wait so long? Press kits do go out weeks in advance, to give television writers ample time to watch and write. But there’s a reason why most of the mainstream media reviews you will see in the days ahead won’t be published until Friday, October 2: For viewers who aren’t sure if they’re going to watch, that final week and final day are the most critical for publicity.
We’ll have lots more to say about “Air” and Stargate Universe as we count down these final days to the show’s premiere, as well as after the rest of the world has seen it! To make sure that we don’t miss a beat, we have already recorded podcast discussions for the show’s launch week, for “Air” Parts 1 and 2, and for “Air, Part 3.”
Stay tuned for all that and more, and watch the premiere of SGU on October 2!
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You paint a positive picture of the show. I know you are vested in the series, but not to the extent of say an NBC employee who would only point out the positives.
With that in mind, I appreciate the effort at putting some of us at ease. I have had concerns that the show would diverge too far from what we have come to love about Stargate. I think you have helped with this small article.
Cheapshot | September 21 @ 5:03 pmI don’t think the ptb need to worry about gettin an audience for the premier. I’m sure many will tune in just to see how good or bad it is. The true test will be whether it continues to appeal after the first 5-6 episodes and from reviews so far I find it disconcerting that some reviewers feel we need to hang in there to really be able to judge how good the show will be. What are premiers for if not to bring in viewers. If an audience doesn’t like what they see in the premier they wont come back. A lot of effort and money has been put into SGU and the premier in particular, so if reviewers state that even the premier won’t be enough to keep the audience watching then thats a bit worrying. I intend to watch the premier. I’ve hated what I’ve seen so far and I know this new incarnation won’t be for me. A show focused on the drama of the characters from week to week in not my kind of scifi,particulary with characters I feel no connection to. But my biggest gripe with the reviews that have come out is the constant need to say that SGU has great actors. I would assume they wouldnt have been cast if they werent considered to be good actors. Stargate has always had good actors and I’m getting sick of the implication that the SGU actors are any better than the previous casts. If fact what I have seen of Robert Carlyle so far has been rather underwhelming.
blackhawlk | September 21 @ 5:30 pmIt didnt help me at all. I was actually very excited about this at first, and was not bothered by the idea of a younger cast, which was probably the first thing we heard about the series. But as the premiere has gotten closer I have become less and less excited with every bit of new information. I’ll wait and watch it to be sure, but I really dont have much hope left. These are some of the things that worry me:
Clemontine | September 21 @ 5:41 pm-”the focus on characters and relationships more than a driving plot”
-”the pilot doesn’t set up a primary antagonist like the Goa’uld or the Wraith. Instead, the show is about the Destiny crew and their struggle to survive, to learn what they are made of and who they can count on.” (they expect me to come back each week because of a strong interest in the characters relationships instead of in a driving story? Doubtful)
-”we get to drop into the middle of their story and figure out what kind of people they are.” (dropping in the middle of a story doesnt sound like it could ever be a good thing)
-”That’s a credit to the writers (who are clearly writing for an audience that is smart” (so are fans of the original SG writing style stupid?)
-”Shoot-em-up action and plot-driven fun is great. But…” (but not as fun as ppl making out? 3 times in trailer!? I really hope that isnt a proportionate representation)
[...] GateWorld Stargate Universe: First Impressions [...]
Stargate Universe - 9lives | September 21 @ 5:41 pmI feel vaguely insulted, so I’m not smart cause I liked SG1 and SGA? I’m sure you didn’t mean that though. But it’s all part of why SGU disturbs me; the frequent insinuations that everything about this new show is better than something that I’ve loved for years. Makes me feel like a second class citizen.
Sylvia | September 21 @ 5:56 pmNo matter what people say; I’m really excited about the show! I’m a big fan og scifi and I’ve enjoyed SG1 and SGA, and the fact that Universe is a characterdriven show is great news! I can see why many people are scared by the “no-plot” thing, but come on… We have this large, incredible universe that is Stargate and we get a show that is focusing on a group of people whom are lost and need to rely on eachother. This just ups the ante: Stargate has always been a kind of “realistic scifi series” beacuse of the fact that it is not set in the future, we don’t have overwhelming technology and we are naught but a small part of a large galaxy. And now we get to dive even deeper into that. I’m loving this! I’m really excited and can’t wait for the premiere.
It seemes to me that everyone wants a new SG1. I loved SG1, but when a new show comes along, I’m pleased that it’s not just a rehash of a former, succesful series. It’s gutsy to jump into a new thing. I respect, I believe in that, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it.
And I think GateWorld does a great job promoting this. It could be I’m just a genuinly positive guy, but I really look forward to this. October 2nd is so far away…
Tindeland | September 21 @ 6:24 pm“so are fans of the original SG writing style stupid?”
…sigh. Yes, you are a complete idiot because you liked SG-1 and SGA. I’m SURE that’s what they’re trying to tell you here.
Seriously, these “complaints” are getting pathetic. It seems as if with every positive review that comes out, with every unfounded argument against SGU that gets refuted, the anti-SGU crowd desperately try to make up for it by coming up with new complaints and arguments (because they WANT to dislike SGU, not because they have a legitimate reason to) and making less and less sense as they do so.
Come on… Even if you’ll never admit it, things are looking good for SGU at this point. It’s time to either just drop the BS and give SGU a fair chance, or just GTFO of the debate already.
Ugly Pig | September 21 @ 6:26 pmSo far everything I am hearing about this show just sounds brilliant from the cast, the many scenes which have I have read about, the depth of characters and character histories something we lack. They seem to be using more modern story telling techniques. More modern look.
knowles2 | September 21 @ 6:41 pmSo far SGU seem to be fixing the flaws that were obvious in SG1 and SGA. I love that we are having a darker side of the Stargate universe, I am personally fed up of the light side so that ought to be great.
Sounds good!!
+ i don’t believe the intent is to say fans of SG-1 are stupid + this is a step up… in fact i think it very much implies that Stargate fans are smart + the writers are playing to that. That being said i would be o so very happy if the level of writing managed to rebound from SGA. To be sure there were some good episodes + Season 5 of SGA might be my favorite since the first but it was certainly less consistent than SG-1, @ least in my opinion.
ZJW | September 21 @ 7:00 pmWhy do people have to twist things around when something is said in an article?
Originally posted by Sylvia:
“I feel vaguely insulted, so I’m not smart cause I liked SG1 and SGA? I’m sure you didn’t mean that though. But it’s all part of why SGU disturbs me; the frequent insinuations that everything about this new show is better than something that I’ve loved for years. Makes me feel like a second class citizen.”
Actually, if TPTB are smart and all, I hope it is better. (Although, it is primarily a different take and a different direction for Stargate.) There were flaws in SG-1 and Atlantis, so they are taking the flaws from those two, learning from them, and making something better. Wouldn’t you want to take mistakes that you make and better yourself from them? Or stick to more of the same.
Will SGU make mistakes? You betcha. It is created by humans and last I checked, humans are flawed. Future sci-fi will simply learn from SGU’s mistakes to become better. It’s a process. We learn from the mistakes to create or become better at whatever it is we are trying to do.
Come on, if you know or at least think they would never insinuate something along the lines that SGU is for ‘smart people”, why make the comment, “…so I’m not smart cause I liked SG1 and SGA” at all?
You (will) either like it or hate the show. Stop looking for things to jab the show because they look childish to say something like you did.
(I don’t have a problem that you are not looking forward to the show and from what I can tell, probably won’t watch it, but that is guessing on my part only by your take on this. I could be wrong with that, but oh well. My problem with your post and others is that you make statements like the one I mentioned above that shouldn’t even be mentioned because they are simply jabs, nothing more, nothing less.)
Just read above before I posted. Nicely said Ugly Pig.
Orion Coran | September 21 @ 7:05 pmI also just want to say that while SG-1 and Altantis had flaws, they also had strengths that made them awesome. All shows are flawed, unfortunately. (Whether there are plot holes, etc.)
Orion Coran | September 21 @ 7:08 pmEven the commenters are not nice to those of us who liked the old shows :(
Sylvia | September 21 @ 7:32 pmNo, they’re not being nice to you because you’ve somehow gotten this crazy idea in your head that the producers of SG:U have decided that the “old” stargate sucks and plan to drastically change everything about it. Thus, you have the “us vs. them” attitude that is impossible to understand. If you like SG:U, it doesn’t mean you somehow love SG-1 and SGA any less. And let’s be honest here… it won’t bring them back, either.
Look, I’m a HUGE fan of SG-1 and SGA. I’ve seen every episode, many more than once, and it has, hands-dowwn, some of the best characters of any show out there. It was consistently good. THAT BEING SAID… it was a fairly fomulaic show. I’m not saying that to be detrimental… I’m just being honest. I knew that at the end of the episode, the life threatening problem that presented itself would be solved through the heroics of one of the characters. There’s nothing WRONG with that, but that sort of episodic plot-driven show can only really go so far before it gets old. How many times can Atlantis be threatened by some sort of disease that is poised to kill the entire population? You start of run out of places to GO with it.
Now, if you turn it around and instead focus on the PEOPLE, the plot builds itself. In SG-1 and Atlantis, most of the time, the plot really only existed to allow the characters to interact in various ways, and that’s why we all watched. Nobody REALLY cared what happened with the big baddie of the episode, ’cause 9 times out of 10, we knew that the SG team was going to win in the end. Now suppose you take that whole predictability aspect out of the mix, and you don’t know HOW the plot is going to unfold. It’s a lot more interesting that way, innit?
Again, I’m not insinuating that the aspects I’ve mentioned make the older SG series BAD in any way. We’re just talking about different kinds of shows. It’s the difference between a hero serial and a drama. Just give it an honest chance. SG-1 and SGA will forgive you if you manage to like it. :)
Greg Dean | September 21 @ 7:59 pmThere are a lot of lessons to learn about a third series. Taking Star Trek into account you can argue that staying with canon brought down the franchise (or at least stopped it). Voyager had a great deal of promise, but clinging to traditional writing made it lack in some ways.
SGU has the potential to correct itself if the “lite plot” thingy doesn’t pan out. Much like VOYAGER, the crew will no doubt be focused on getting home while dropping by strange new worlds and perhaps making new friends.
This is what I hope for the most. New and interesting beings and planets, discovering quirks among the crew and getting to know the characters. Obviously we start at the beginning… the Sg team has to actually put a team together first, leave earth, and do a bit of traveling.
I wouldn’t be concerned about being dropped in the middle of a familiar story or situation.
Cheapshot | September 21 @ 8:04 pmI for one am above and beyond excited for “Stargate: Universe”! I love this franchise and I’m so much looking forward to seeing a new chapter in the “Stargate” mythology and watch “SG: U” build on the foundations previously laid down by the amazing “Stargate SG-1″ and “Stargate: Atlantis” whilst also being a distinctive show in and of itself! It’s gonna make it’s own mark with the main lead characters, the situation they’re all in, and the friends/enemies they’ll meet and those are all things I’m looking forward to get to know!
Suffice it to say…if it has “Stargate” in the title…I’m there!
October here we come!
Alan | September 21 @ 8:21 pm“Even the commenters are not nice to those of us who liked the old shows”
Playing victim now? Gimme a break. You know damn well that every commenter on this page is here BECAUSE OF the old shows. Everyone here is an SG-1 and/or SGA fan. Some of us just happen to realize that this is a reason to welcome another Stargate series, not dread it.
Ugly Pig | September 21 @ 8:25 pm[...] and a very different approach to music may stand out in particular. It’s not just the next Stargate show; it’s a different kind of Stargate show. It is done beautifully, and for us it is a [...]
Stargate Universe: First Impressions | GamersCircle | September 21 @ 8:29 pmSo…. nothing there that isn’t amazing/wonderful/BestTVShowEver made? the whole thing is flawless? no weaknesses? Wow. Guess I should be impressed and excited…
but I’m not surprised…
SGAFan | September 21 @ 8:35 pm[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Veronica S.., Michael Bunch, Wormhole Riders, StargateAddictand others. StargateAddict said: #stargate Stargate Universe: First Impressions – GateWorld.net http://bit.ly/11W6od [...]
Tweets that mention GateWorld » Stargate Universe: First Impressions -- Topsy.com | September 21 @ 9:16 pm@Ugly Pig I’ve never been a victim in my life and I’m not about to start now. But I am SICK to death of people telling me I have to be happy about SGU. I am NOT. How does that affect anyone but myself? I said what I think and feel. I don’t know why this inspires the kind of anger and snide comments that are made to those of us who aren’t all gung-ho over the new show.
Sylvia | September 21 @ 9:17 pmWhy does anyone even care enough about what I think or say that they respond to it? I did not ask for feedback. My not having good feelings about SGU is in no way expected to have any impact on anyone else at all. I am just happy to have a place to say my piece, and expect you do do the same. So please, just go ahead and be happy about what you are happy about! And I’ll be sad about what makes me sad.
Interaction is at not all necessary.
Thanks heaps Gateworld team :) This is going to make me tell all my friends about it and get some of the newbies into the Stargate Franchise. If they like it so much I’m sure they are going to want to go back and buy the DVDs of SG1 and Atlantis.
Now…if only they would screen it on aussie tv :(
ssx001 | September 21 @ 10:40 pm@Sylvia – we’re not telling you you HAVE to be excited about SGU. You’re acting like it’s the plague that’s about to befall all mankind, and I think a lot of us are just trying really hard to UNDERSTAND it, is all. I mean, our two Stargate shows got cancelled, and then there’s news of this NEW Stargate show they’ve been working on. Isn’t that supposed to be exciting? Isn’t that what we WANT?
It’s kinda like the new Star Trek movie… yes, it was a different approach to Star Trek. Was it better or worse than the previous approach? Of course not… but it made the series accessible to a new audience while still retaining the core of what it WAS, and made for a helluva ride in the meantime. That doesn’t detract from what came before, because it wouldn’t have had a CHANCE of success if it didn’t already have years of history and world building to make it possible. I see this new SG series much in the same way. It wouldn’t be possible if it didn’t have fifteen YEARS of excellence to back it up, so I say we give it a shot and see how Wright and Cooper do. They haven’t let us down yet, after all. :)
Greg Dean | September 21 @ 11:10 pmWow, generalization much? Sylvia was actually very articulate and reasonable in her feelings against SGU. SOME ppl are acting like SGU is a plague, but not everyone who isnt excited does so. For a lot of us thats all it is, a lack of excitement. And its true, the announcement of a new SG series was a very happy day. But eventually, after enough information was released, I realized that it wasnt the SG I loved anymore. But if the things that you love about SG are still present in SGU, I am very happy for you. The release of new, generally positive reviews, isnt proof to any skeptics that SGU will suck, its just further proof that its not what we are looking for.
Clemontine | September 22 @ 2:42 amEveryone is entitled to their opinion. If some think SGU will be awesome then good for you, but the constant need to attack posters who give their honest opinion about the show not being for them is uncalled for. The old style Stargate lasted for 15 years so it couldnt really have been that flawed and kept audience coming back for more. I doubt SGU will bring in any more numbers once it gets past its first season. There was nothing wrong the previous Stargate except uninspired writing and lack of imagination. I find it amazing that these same writers think they can make SGU more interesting because they have a new group of characters to work with (they tried that with Keller and look how that turned out) and yet they never once explored Atlantis in the entire 5 years of the show. They barely developed any of the characters. They had a myriad of possibliites to make SGA different from SG1 and amazing talented characters to do it with but yet pretty much only concentrated on one character. SGA had loads of potential but it was mostly ignored. The ptb couldnt think of anything besides falling back on old cliches so they decided to chuck it aside and start all over again with a new set of characters, not realising that in order to create good and interesting characters, you need good interesting writing. SGU won’t be any different. Stargate didnt need to be changed, the orininal formula just needed some intelligent writing. Bringing dark angsty characters with manufactured issues and throwng in sex will not solve the issues that plaged SGA.
blackhawlk | September 22 @ 3:45 am[...] Published Stargate Universe: First Impressions. [...]
Chevron26.com – News » Stargate Daily Digest for September 22nd 2009 10:02am | September 22 @ 5:04 am@Sylvia
I don’t have a problem with you not being too excited about SGU. But if you are so sick of being told that SGU will be great and you’re going to love it, why do you enter a Stargate fansite and read about the show? Just so you can spew some crap about how you feel insulted and attacked?
I’m sorry you feel that way, but I agree with Ugly Pig, it really sounds as though many people just WANTS to dislike it. I guess that’s your problem, but please don’t mak it ours (we who actually look forward to the show).
Tindeland | September 22 @ 6:00 amI feel that at this point, before I see the show, that if they say the actors will have an established history, then how come we never saw them during SG1 or SGA ? Thyey are going to manufacture relations, histories, and the past…
after more than 10 years of SG history, they wil just put these character sin front of us and say they were in the buidling next door andf never crossed paths with SG1? Yet they knew everyone and wer part of it all?
???
retiredat44 | September 22 @ 6:17 amhow will they pull this off??
I will give it a 1-season chance and see if its (hopefully)much better than the dissapointment of Atlantis was. My biggest hope is for aliens that look alien and arent the same cliche rubbish that seems to only end up in the TV/film world, I want to see stuff that isnt at all earthlike whatsoever, and thats a challenge cos theres some weird stuff on our own planet (just look have a look in the ocean!).
AbstractAlien | September 22 @ 8:54 am‘Then how come we never saw them during SG1 or SGA ? Thyey are going to manufacture relations, histories, and the past…’
¯\(º_o)/¯
What do you expect them to do? The writers aren’t prescient gods with the ability to see a decade or so into the future :)
Zulchi | September 22 @ 9:39 amAny past history stuff -like with Rush and Daniel- will be dealt with the same way they dealt with a plethora of characters before; in little flashbacks.
Anyway, as i understand it most of the chars are Stargate nooblets and aren’t experienced SG team members or were stationed on Atlantis for years. So there wouldn’t have been much interaction with sg-1 or sga.
You do have a point though. But as long as they don’t shoehorn the likes of Rush in too much it’ll be fine. Saying he was Daniels bro or bestest buddy in the whole world or something would be a little hard to swallow at this point lol.
@blackhawlk; @Sylvia, You guys are my heroes. @Greg Dean; Orion Coran, and that Ugly Pig. Where the heck did all this sudden writing inspiration come from? (No not you, the writers for the show). They could only come up with “plagues” for the Atlantean Crew, or at best, a McKeller as a character development? But they had to discard an established show, and Start writing a brand new show to show off their new “creative juices” that just started to flow abundantly like the Niagara Falls? “Damn good acting”.. oohkaay, so maybe I’m not a talent scout, but what the heck was wrong with SG1/SGA crew’s acting? I have a feeling that some people are faulting bad Role Assignments with bad acting. Carter was good in her capacity of Team Member/ Not as Head of Expedition. That, in my mind, was always Wier’s Job, and could not be replaced. McKay was the lovable yet insufferable lunatic genius, not a casanova, and similarly Ronan was the Muscle and not Mr Enrique Suave. The writers are the people who made the bad choices. The acting was always good. If someone is insinuating the “acting was bad” then how come Ms. Tapping is a successful Different Series?
Dont get me started on the “That’s a credit to the writers (who are clearly writing for an audience that is smart, and doesn’t have to have every plot turn or relationship pointed out with banal dialogue)”. I’m sure there’s a backhand in that compliment somewhere :)
US06154 | September 22 @ 10:22 am“Yet they knew everyone and wer part of it all?”
That’s one of my – many – problems with this premise. Rush should be THE expert on Ancient technology, even bigger honcho than Carter and McKay but we never EVER heard of him before. If he was AN expert, one of MANY, I could understand that. I mean, we had Zelenka, Kavanagh, Lee… But he’s described as the top of the top of the top of the cream which is ridiculous – McKay at least had a past with Carter and was her equal (once he swallowed his arrogance) so I could understand his reputation in SGA. But suddenly, there’s someone NEW and even a BIGGER expert? Really? *rolls eyes*
Oh well, still not my cup of tea *shrugs*
katikatnik | September 22 @ 10:25 amSylvia: I never said you “have to” be happy about SGU (nor have I seen anyone else suggest that, ever). I don’t CARE if you like SGU. I really don’t. It’s perfectly okay to genuinely not be interested. What bothers me is what you and others write in comments sections such as these, with complaints that don’t even make sense – it really does appear to me that you folks WANT to dislike the show, and want to make darn sure everyone KNOWS you dislike the show. “I did not ask for feedback,” you say, but you sure don’t have a problem GIVING it.
As for “not being a victim” – well, maybe not intentionally, but that’s what it looks like to me. You post your opinion – someone else disagrees – and instead of backing up your opinion with any kind of reasonable argument you go “oh poor me, you’re all so mean”. What do you call that?
And US06154 – Another perfect example of complaints that don’t make sense. So, the writers wanted to take the Stargate franchise in a different direction, and your complaint is that they start a new series instead of taking SGA in this “new direction”. But really it should be painfully obvious that that would have been impossible. We’re talking an entirely different way of telling the stories here, and different types of stories to tell, with different types of characters in a different format than before. It simply wouldn’t have fit in with SGA. That SHOULD be easy to understand.
What’s really stupid, though, is the idea I’m seeing a LOT of in these comments that every compliment towards SGU is somehow a negative comment towards SG-1/SGA. “They said SGU has good actors! That means they think the SG-1 cast sucks!”…no. It doesn’t. That line of thinking is downright bizarre. Let me ask you this: If someone tells you, “oh you look so pretty today”, does that imply that they think your older sister is ugly?
The end.
Ugly Pig | September 22 @ 12:26 pmGod I love watching fans argue. Very amusing :P
Cant we all just agree to disagree?
anubis lives | September 22 @ 1:31 pmAnother Universe thread, another comment section devolved into fanboys foaming at the mouth over dissenters. Just another day at Gateworld eh?
Imitation Tofu | September 22 @ 3:27 pmVery true and it confirms for me more than ever that SGU has been geared to a certain demographic which is rather odd as it seems to be narrowing the audience instead of increasing it. I don’t see many others besides fanboys who seem to be interested in this new version of “Stargate”.
blackhawlk | September 22 @ 4:53 pmI agree completely with Clemontine.
kzap333 | September 22 @ 5:00 pmI will give the show a shot sure but it just sounds to different to be good (or as good).
I know this has been said before but the old show was PERFECT and you can’t change perfect and it still be perfect, the way I see it when something is 100% every change can only make it worse and it appears they changed a lot with SGU so chances are it will be worse.
I dont think its fair to judge the interest of the show based only on Gateworld. I mean, it a big site but mostly for larger fans of the shows. I for one cannot wait for SGU. But I see no point in arguing about it. Its an exercise in futility. No ones gonna win. I think the show will be a success. Kepping audience interested and the show fresh is going to be the challenge.
anubis lives | September 22 @ 5:52 pmI wasn’t particularly excited about SGU when it was announced and the more I hear the less interested I am becoming. My initial disinterest stemmed from the way the PTB appeared to sacrifice SGA for SGU, that may not be how it was but that’s certainly how it looked like to me. I was sad to see SG1 end but at least they ran SGA in parallel so everyone could get used to the new show before the old one ended.
I’ve listed a few things in this article that make me even less likely to watch this show.
IT’S DIFFERENT, YET FAMILIAR:
Even though SG1 and SGA differed slightly I really like them and so why would I want to watch a new show that is “unlike what has come before it”.
If I wanted to watch a show that “focused on the characters rather than the plot” I’d watch Coronation Street/Eastenders or for you guys in the US Dynasty/Dallas!
NO BAD GUYS, PER SE:
This one surprised me as some of the best episodes were with the Goa’uld or Wraith.
DAMN GOOD ACTING:
Wow 9 cast members if only SG1/SGA had that many…oh wait they did! I know they are referring to main cast members but SG1/SGA could have easily expanded episodes to bring in more detail from other characters. If you want to see good actors you only need to watch Robert Davi, he’s only in a few episodes and he was awesome!
IT MAKES YOU THINK:
So does Sudoku but you wouldn’t watch that week in week out! I watch TV to be entertained and the action is a part of that so I’m not sure I want to be watching closely trying to miss anything. Past experience watching Lost where you have to watch out for all the little things
and constantly piecing the plot together can sometimes end up becoming annoying.
I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to watch the show anytime soon…and besides what if the PTB have a better idea for a new show after only couple of seasons?
sledgehammer | September 22 @ 6:13 pm@retireddat44: Because we don’t see absolutely everything that happens in the 12 years of Stargate that is revealed to us. There are likely to have been hundreds of missions that we didn’t witness, just for SG-1, not to mention the dozen or so other SG-teams.
We are not privy to their personal lives (for the most part), and we don’t know the entirety of their past. McKay was a character introduced in the middle of the series, but was said to be a brilliant man who was well known in the scientific community. Why didn’t we hear of him until season 6? Why don’t you have a problem with that? Also, NO ONE from Atlantis or SG-1 will be a part of the cast, so I don’t know what your talking about.
The problem some people are having with Sylvia and the other dissenters is that they are taking all praise for SGU as an insult to SG-1, SGA, themselves, or all of the above. This is a logical fallacy. I forget the formal name of this kind of fallacy, but its translation is “it does not follow.”
theStormWeaver | September 23 @ 1:02 amGive Stargate Universe a chance, if you dont like the sound of it dont watch it, plain and simple. Ig you think its ‘Too BSG’ and you loved BSG what are you complaining at? If you didnt like BSG but are a fan of SG. Stop moaning and go watch classic Gate on DVD or Hulu or whatever you watch it on. I for one will be tuned in on October 9th (or 6th)on Scifi TV Australia ready to watch ‘Air’ because i believe (and hope) its gonna be fantastic. Just because something sounds different doesnt mean its bad.
Byza | September 23 @ 1:05 amFINALLY: Some high quality acting from the WHOLE cast and not just 2-3. (Don’t even get me started on poorly written dialogue).
“intelligence” is relative, and while SGA/SG-1 had plenty to think about they never took a deep ‘serious’ approach to the philosophical aspects of the show.
This is where BSG shined – and even if it was overly dark – it sure as heck made you think about all aspects of humanity.
BRING IT SGU!!!
AscendedTauri | September 23 @ 2:21 amI forced myself to watch a few episodes of BSG but just couldn’t get past that weird camera movement thing they had going on. I guess it was either a poor steady cam operator or it was meant to make you feel like you were there with them, whatever the idea I ended up suffering from motion sickness!
sledgehammer | September 23 @ 4:36 amI don’t think BSG is a good example of how you retain previous viewers, I loved the old show but was put off with the way they had drastically changed some of the main cast members (Boomer and Starbuck). I know they probably wanted to spice things up with strong female characters but why not introduce them as new characters? For me it was change for the sake of change.
Anyway I’m doing exactly as Byza suggested watching all the old SG1 and SGA episodes! If I happen to stumble across an episode of SGU on Sky1 I’ll give it a chance, but I’ll not be sitting in front of the TV in October waiting for the Pilot to air.
@Byza I’m not trying to moan about SGU, how can I without seeing it? I was highlighting why I and probably quite a few others are disinterested in SGU.
sledgehammer | September 23 @ 4:59 amLOL @ Ugly Pig. Jeez ugly pig, I bet you didn’t debate in high school or College. What “oh you look so pretty today”, would imply is, you look better than yesterday or the day before. But as the old addage goes, If Your momma is fat and ugly in her old age, and your elder sister does too, that is a sure possibilty that you will turn fat and ugly as well. (That’s just logic, not a personal comment directed at you :) )
So if SGA and SG-1 had flaws and was getting tired (and old and fat:), we have to come to the hypothesis that the new show written, directed and produced by the same bunch, cannot be any better either? (I have to apologize, as my first language is not english, but have debated in 3 – 4 different languages from time to time.)
US06154 | September 23 @ 8:13 amSeems you missed my point entirely. I thought I was pretty clear. I won’t bother to repeat myself.
You know what? This bickering is getting old. Let’s everybody group hug!!
…no? Fine, I’ll just hug myself then.
Ugly Pig | September 23 @ 8:28 am“If you think its ‘Too BSG’ and you loved BSG what are you complaining at?”
That these writers don’t have the talent to pull off a BSG style show? That the writers’ idea of dark and mature looks to be lots and lots of sexual situations, some of them nonconsensual? That the producers talk about how much Universe will be character driven and nonepisodic and intelligent like BSG and yet they somehow couldn’t pull that off on their previous shows?
Different isn’t bad. But if a chef can’t prepare simple dishes consistently then of course some diners are going to be wary when the chef attempts haute cuisine.
Imitation Tofu | September 23 @ 9:21 am@Imitation Tofu: hahaha, I just laughed my ass off at the Haute Cuisine crack. good times.. Bah, we are all too serious about this stuff, a good laugh was just the medicine. We bicker and argue, while other people get rich.
US06154 | September 23 @ 11:07 amFor the love of God, just please don’t let this series turn into a soap opera in space (ala Battlestar Galactica).
Kosh | September 23 @ 4:04 pm@Kosh:
Almost every single review so far has stated it will not be a BSG copy, but instead will find a nice balance in between. (The others that haven’t stated SGU will be a BSG copy simply didn’t state anything about it.)
So, obviously, we are gonna see something closer to SG-1′s early seasons, but with a bit of modernization for 2000′s. :P
Orion Coran | September 23 @ 10:23 pmI’m watching it. As for the rest of you, I could give a rat’s ass if you watch it or not. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem and your loss. All this arguing is stupid anyways, its the internet, nobody cares whether you’re for or against this show.
DarkElfa | September 23 @ 10:37 pm@Kosh: Space Opera doesn’t have to be bad. Ie. “the commonwealt saga”, “void trilogy”, and “nights dawn trilogy” by Peter Hammilton
yamarin | September 24 @ 4:44 amTastes like New Coke to me.
joshed | September 24 @ 6:34 amI don’t know what to say, I will probably watch this but I’m very skeptical to this, I do want Atlantis back, I don’t really care about the charachters nor the drama, only what happens in the episode.
Robinio | September 24 @ 6:48 am@DarkElfa: “So if it’s the Internet, and nobody really cares”, Why did SyFy or whoever send a Presskit to Gateworld? Surely not because they are secretly in love Darren and David (from Gateworld) and wanted to impress them? I think it was because viewer opinions do matter, and Gateworld is a vehicle, willingly or unwillingly, to give the show some “inexpensive” publicity. They DO know that this forum is a gathering place for fans [of the entire franchise, that is], and is no different than What all big companies do, before trotting out a new product. They organize a panel of people from different walks of life (a Focus Group), get them to analyze the product, and pay them a small stipend. The technical term is market Intelligence. In this particular case, the producers “leak” an idea or concept, have rabid fans (aka “The Focus Group”) have go at it, and adjust as they go along, all without having to pay a penny, but the cost of a press kit. LOL! I’m sure everyone appreciates your ratty ass not being being in the equation.
US06154 | September 24 @ 10:28 amOk, first off…the people that are percieving the statement: “That’s a credit to the writers (who are clearly writing for an audience that is smart, and doesn’t have to have every plot turn or relationship pointed out with banal dialogue)” as a backhanded insult should realize that it is in fact a compliment to the fans of the entire stargate franchise. WE are the audience.
Honestly though, aside from the premier which I assume will be spectacular, I am not expecting too much from the first season of this show. I tend to not like first seasons though. Farscape, SG-1, and every single Star Trek were less than amazing their first seasons, in my opinion, because the cast and crews weren’t quite comfortable with their job. I don’t think SGU will be much different in that regard. My big fear with this is that with the way the economy is and the way the nay-sayers are ranting, that SGU will not even be given a chance to have whatever bugs it might have worked out.
I have had my concerns from the beginning about attaching the Stargate title to this show. I am sure it would be met with much less resistance if not for that. I fear that the new direction is alienating the die-hard fans and that the new blood they are hoping to pull in will be dissuaded by the title Stargate. I have gotten many of my friends into the other Stargate series but they were very against it at first because of the first few seasons of SG-1. I am not sure the creators are totally aware of the stigma the Stargate title has to non-fans of the other series.
I do hope that the writing for this show successfully skirts the fine line between drama and melodrama. I loved BSG, but even they got a little annoying with Starbuck’s storyline, and pretty much everyone else I have talked to has felt the same way on that note.
Oh, and I forget where I read this…but I do know that at least one of the creators do occasionally browse these forums to see fan feedback…just so everyone knows.
Kevinp321 | September 24 @ 2:57 pmHere are some excerpts from an interesting review i found. ANd it makes my fears real. It’s from mediapundit.net. Here are a few comments. Check it out for yourself.
“People who will not like this show are people who do not like this style of show. It almost doesn’t matter what your personal relationship is to Stargate in general, it’s not the Stargate factor that will put you off or suck you in forever, it’s that this is not a family action show pretending to be science fiction like its predecessors were…”
“The first three episodes are a single story, and will not be representative of the pacing of everything that comes after, not by a long shot. And that’s not even addressing the comedy moments we’ve all come to love and expect from Stargate. Forget it, they are gone. This is a real drama now, if you don’t like real dramas, that’s what’s going to seal it for you…”
“Don’t sit down expecting a Stargate show like the ones that have come before. If you do, you’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment — and not because SGU isn’t good, but because you’ll be getting something other than what you thought you’d get, and there is no way this show can win in that scenario.”
and this i find disturbing. Not a family show anymore…
“That said, yes, there’s a sex scene in “Air”, one that lasts I think a grand total of about 20 seconds or so, and that’s it. 20 seconds out of a 1.5 hour three-part pilot that takes place in what I believe was some sort of base storage closet.”
kenny | September 24 @ 5:29 pm@Kosh, yeah I agree. But soap-operas are what most sci-fi fans seem to want because they quite simply lack imagination, their also the same people who say “its all been done” to defend TV networks lack of artistic ability because their scared to take a risk on something that actually is different and risky. It’s no wonder modern sci-fi is merely soaps in space.
AbstractAlien | September 24 @ 11:54 pmI don’t think it will be space soap like BSG. I mean we still know that they will explore at least 5 planets during the 1st season (I think there’ll be more) and will meet some aliens too- obly they’ll be CGI and won’t be speaking English. It will have more space soap elements but I don’t think it’ll be a space soap. At least I hope…
lkrnpk | September 25 @ 6:01 ami enjoy that the producers came with a new ideea, but, but, but, the sga end was not sow good. they live tthem hanging, what hapends with the city?, with the crew? the season 5 was the unexpected end, a end with a sober taste. i am convince the the sgu will be great but what about the sga caracters? i love those guys they are great. i wish that the sgu continued some how the sga with the city leaving the known galaxys….
popaionut26 | September 25 @ 10:55 amsorry if a made ortografic mestaks i am from romania
I’ll give the show as much slack as I can. But after the pilot I still feel I’m going to see something akin to one of the parodies from SG200. The teenagers in space one comes to mind. Who was the youngest person to fly on the shuttle by merit again?
With all the garbage on TV today I wish them success and a ten year run. But I also can’t wonder if they’re flogging a dead horse. We’ll see.
Mentat | September 25 @ 8:06 pmKeep in mind that this is just my opinion. Please.
I was watching the SG1 marathon and the commercial for SGU came on…followed by a commercial for a movie called “Surrogates”. It got me to thinking…SGU is a surrogate (or, in this case, a “surroGATE”). in my opinion, it is a replacement; a substitution for the real thing.
solista | September 25 @ 11:41 pmI hope that the people who are looking forward to it enjoy the show. I, however, am not the least bit interested in it and never plan to watch it. I happen to like plot-driven shows with adventure and a little bit of humor at times. SGU just doesn’t fit my viewing tastes.
My fear is it will be more SG1+BSG than SG1+Firefly.
diggler | September 26 @ 5:15 am“God I love watching fans argue. Very amusing :P
Cant we all just agree to disagree?”
Nope! I don’t agree with that! :)
ounceofgoauld | September 26 @ 12:41 pmHi everyone, I just want to say that even though I am still upset at the way Atlantis was cancelled, I wish all Stargate fans that are going to watch SGU that the show is everything they want and have looked for. I hope it’s a huge success for all you fans (not for the ptb even though they would benefit)for many years to come, we all need a little Stargate in our lives. I’ll wait for the alleged Atlantis and SG-1 movies for my fix lol! Anyway everyone take care, good luck and bye!!!
serenitypoi | September 28 @ 11:00 pmI just wanted to say to Darren and David that your comments about relationships etc not having to be pointed out in a banal way makes me think you are referring to the two extremely successful shows that have gone before this new one. I hope I am wrong because there are a lot of fans who, like myself, adored both SG-1 and Atlantis. If I am wrong then I am sorry.
serenitypoi | September 28 @ 11:06 pmWell I guess all of us fans who are not watching the new show have been told! Hi DarkElfa how’s things? I see you are still being confrontational! You know when I wrote my first comment above I felt happy about you guys getting to watch the new show but after reading the negative comments and article (please don’t even go there and say that I am being a victim or making mountains out of molehills cos you guys know what you are saying!) I now don’t give a toss if, and I just mean the people who are negative about our opinions about not wanting to watch it, you like it or not! For all those others who have said that we are entitled to our opinions and actions thank you for your kindness and maturity! As for Darren and David, your articles have not impressed me lately and this one enforces my opinion.
Now all that said I wish for huge success for the cast, crew and fans who live and let live. I know there is nothing wrong in having a debate about issues etc but can we just leave the ridicule, intended or otherwise, out of this thread cos we are only pandering to certain people who love hearing people argue or reading comments that create arguments, there is no need. Okay, so hope you enjoy whatever you all decide to watch, take care and bye!!!
serenitypoi | September 28 @ 11:41 pmBefore I say anything, lets be clear about something. NONE OF US HAVE SEEN THE SHOW YET! Let’s not get into a frenzy based off of a few comments. How about we judge for ourselves?
I’ve watched Stargate since its premiere way back when I was 7 or 8. It’s a part of me, a part of my childhood and adolescence. I’m welcoming Universe with open arms. Will it change the Stargate formula? Absolutely! That is a good thing – we have had fifteen seasons and three movies for Stargate, and both Atlantis and SG-1 stuck to the same basic style and structure. No offense, but after fifteen seasons it begins to get old. The series needs something new and fresh. As I’ve grown I became weary of the “Oh no we’re all going to die……oh wait nevermind, we’re saved by brilliance.” It sucks a lot of the fun out of the show, and its also not fun when we see a bunch of similar plots. Some people were happy with the old Stargate and want it to go on forever – of course people do! But after fifteen seasons, we need something to keep stargate fresh. Universe looks to have a lot of potential. The characters will actually be in some real danger, reacting as real people would! There is always room for a real Villan to appear, should the need arise. And trust me, we all know that often people can often be the biggest villains against other people – we encounter it every day.
If you got stranded on a ship in the middle of nowhere with no way home, I would love to see how composed you would be. You would be falling apart mentally. They said someone commits suicide early on. Guess what? THATS WHAT REAL PEOPLE DO! You may think it’s stupid, but its a realistic problem. And this may be just me, but I find the show a lot more uplifting and hopeful when we see people who are really ripped apart, dehumanized, yet they still manage to keep fighting no matter how bad things get. This show looks like it will offer that! I am very excited about this!
I’ll also add that the Atlantis ending sucked. These guys need to learn the value of longer story arcs: When you’re going to end a series, actually give it the time it needs instead of cramming it into 1 or 2 episodes. Pretty please?
To conclude, if you don’t like it, thats fine! Not everyone will! But it’s not the end of the world, the plague hasn’t struck, stargate is not collapsing, its changing. If stargate never tried anything new, it would end up collapsing anyway – you can’t keep going with the same thing forever! (Star Trek Voyager and Enterprise anyone?) Good or not, the show is changing to something I and a lot of others love. If stargate fans love it, they haven’t sold out or something. They like it! If not, then they don’t! It’s all cool!
Duckey | September 29 @ 1:54 amIt still amuses me that there is so much bitching about SGU!
biggdogg | September 29 @ 5:09 amWe brits only have another week to go before we see the episode so I’ll have to stay away from gateworld for a few days when the show airs in america. lol!
Duckey, see your comments are cool cos you have made your mind up, expressed your opinion and are fine about others, like myself, who don’t agree and are not watching! Sure it’s fun to read some fiery comments but being nasty cos you don’t like what another person is saying is not right! Okay bye everyone, much respect Duckey!!!
serenitypoi | September 29 @ 10:37 amI’m going to watch at least the first few episodes of this show because it is Stargate. I’m not expecting to like it, which may be for the best because it’ll be much easier for a show that I’m not expecting to like to impress me than for a new stargate show that I’m eagerly anticipating. I was very skeptical of Atlantis at first for this reason and it took a long time for Atlantis to win me over as a result. But they had characters like McKay, Zelenka, Carson, Sheppard and Ronon. Each one very unique, representing clear pictures of their character. Their actions pretty much always consistent to how you would expect the character to act. Some would call it predictable. Well, people are predictable. If you know someone well enough, you can predict how they’ll act in pretty much any situation. The characters also grew as people. It was subtle. They didn’t make a big deal out of it. Rodney was the classic cowardly lion. Zelenka, standing in the shadow of Rodney, slowly came into his own as not just another helper for Rodney. Carson stepping into darkness with Michael and dealing with it. Sheppard realizing his responsibilities and rising to them. Ronon learning to trust people again. And in thinking about it, I realized why people had problems with it and wanted things like suicide and struggling. It’s The Matrix phenomenon. People have a hard time accepting the idea because the characters thrive despite their situation. They’re too good. They’re not seen suffering or falling apart. I guess for most people, they need that in order to identify with the characters because it’s the world as they understand it. Presumably, they haven’t had really strong people in their lives that have given them the idea of how such people deal with things.
So it begs the question, was it realistic for all of the people on SG1 and Atlantis to be that way (or at least the majority of them – they did have some characters that fell apart, just not major ones)? I’d say yes. Because they were chosen to be there. They were the best of the best. They were highly trained and routinely had to deal with life and death situations and even galaxy-endangering situations which changes your perspective on things. In SGU, it will be different. As they’ve told us…again and again and again…they were the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time. So maybe it can work. I guess my biggest fear is that they’ll all be lessened characters. I could believe an SG group with a bunch of whiny, scared diplomats. Or Sheppard and Ronon babysitting some IOA visitors. I originally thought that SGU was just another BSG, but now, at least until it airs a few episodes, I have renewed hope. Is it possible to have both? I don’t see why not. And I’d be willing to accept the lesser characters more if there are stronger characters as well. Granted, the advertising and reviews seem to indicate otherwise. But advertising is often used to steer ideas in a certain direction. And most of the reviews have been about the first episode which is often much different from how the show plays out. SG1 and Atlantis both had a lot more ‘emotion’ in their first episodes.
So, I ask for those whom have written it off to give it a chance. And this is coming from a skeptic. Because, really, either way, it’s better for everyone to watch the first few episodes. If the show starts off with meager numbers, they won’t expect better and they can find ways to justify it and toddle along. However, if the numbers start off strong and then die off, they’ll be forced to face the mistake they’ve made. So really, you can’t go wrong giving the show a chance. If it turns out to be ok, good. If it turns out to suck, show it by not watching anymore and letting the numbers drop and showing them the mistake they’ve made.
mythos | September 30 @ 9:53 pmI’m glad there’s going to be a focus on the characters. That was what catapaulted Sg-1 from being good to being great. I hope that they don’t rush us into empathising with the characters though. That stuff takes time.
I also hope there will be more interactions with alien species, not just hostile shoot ‘em up scenarios. But from what you say there might be fewer aliens all told. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Finally, one thing I would deinitely like to see is less obsessing about technologies. Technology is definitely part of the Stargate experience, but it became a bit too central in Atlantis, with a constant theme of how smart or brilliant (or not) everyone was. I’m not saying Atlantis didn’t have heart too, but the balance was sometimes a bit off. The trailers for Universe look very positive in this regard -the crew seem completely out of their depth, which was humbling and demands a lot of courage to overcome. My favourite thing about Stargate.
spikslow | October 1 @ 3:45 pmI subscribe to many of the opinions above regarding the disappointment caused by the radical change in tone of the show. I really enjoyed the uplifting sensation the show gave during the first two series and I will miss it incredibly. I’m also a bit sad because there aren’t that many shows out there which make you fell like stargate did when it comes to humor and knowing stargate will also be different just makes the world a place a bit less cheerful. I do hope something similar will come to take it’s place( I have enjoyed Warehouse 13 so far :P )
I will watch SGU and I’m a certain that it will be a great production, however this stargate series, though different than BSG, will definitely give a similar vibe at some levels, and from what I read it will be, at leas I hope it will be, unique on other levels…anyway I just didn’t need another show to see life how it really is( there are plenty of those), I see it every day. Going to miss Stargate.
goku235 | October 2 @ 1:49 pmCould there be more commercials? Maybe, because they are more interesting than SGU. What a shame. I’ll keep watching but so far I do not like what I see.
flmatthew | October 2 @ 10:37 pmThe one thing that disappointed me the most about this new series was the need to put the sex scene in the premiere. It’s not so bad when they insinuate it, but it was really tasteless to have it. Every other Stargate series did perfectly fine without it, why the need for it now? There is no need to stoop to that level! So far I have really mixed feelings about this series, but I do see some potential for it. I do have high expectations after the success of the other two series.
JRAYO | October 2 @ 11:30 pmHi mythos, you are one of the few that I respect because you haven’t insulted us for not wanting to watch the show, you have to realise though that we are a little tired of people telling us to take a chance no matter how nice the comment is. Others have not been so cool and have ridiculed us (they may deny this but if you check some other news comments you will see this), I am also tired of following new shows and putting so much effort into them. I am watching others but Supernatural is the only one that I will truly follow. I know most of you are enthusiastic about SGU and that’s okay but a lot of us are not and just wish to put our thoughts out there without getting ridiculed, again check the comments just for this article alone and see who are the write some very unnecessary comments. I’m someone who lives and lets live and can take criticism but some go too far.
serenitypoi | October 3 @ 1:10 amThanks for your maturity, I just wish others would follow your example!
Woooshhh! Let me get this straight. We got a bunch of folks in a broken down ship, looking for earth. We may or may not get a villinous race to interact with them, but that doesn’t matter as the ACTING will be so far superior to the plot based stories of SG-1 and SGA. By the amount of wailing, deep regret, and illusion to dark secrets; I’m pretty sure that before its all over, we’ll all know enough about these characters to play them. Finally, how many of you haven’t heard this music or saw a depressing dank lighting scheme like this before. All we need now is a couple main stream critics to praise it and we’ll be stuck with it for the next few years. Still with so few good sci-fi shows out there, I feel compelled to support one that isn’t total tripe.
Harold Dresden | October 3 @ 4:45 amI liked the content. Acting well done. Pace was hectic and what created more chaos was the editing.
New show and new characters and the story is getting botched by the flash forwards and flash backs by a editor stuck in a time vortex! Is this the new pop culture fashion thingy for editing? We getting hopped up and crank and juicing the NLE? Whoever approved that for production must have their head examined. It didn’t help the story for new viewers and they probably found their own gateway and went off channel.
Only the diehards survived the punishment and continued watching the chronologically twisted adventure a crackhead would enjoy. If it wasn’t for them, this show would have sunk like a turd going kerplunk.
dmax | October 3 @ 5:11 amI was bored to death watching the first show. The actors are all very weak. The small sex scene was completely unnecessary and from previews it looks like this will be in every episode. After watching every season of SG-1 and Atlantis, I think I’ll pass on SGU. I was not impressed.
nomoreraith | October 3 @ 9:29 amIf you missed the premiere, you can go ahead and watch Stargate Universe online free on FlickPeek :
http://www.flickpeek.com/tv-shows/Stargate-Universe_2009/
rogermms | October 3 @ 11:26 amI thought it was horrible.
Flash back, flash side, flash current…
I will watch 2 more weeks and if I am wowed, that will be the end.
And PLEASE stop the bouncing camera.
uisignorant | October 3 @ 4:47 pmSGU or BSG?
magicmansf | October 3 @ 4:54 pmSame ambiance (lightning, lots of grey, etc), same type of camera play (shaky, as if nobody ever went to film school and learnt the proper film methodology), same type of editing, same character-centric focus, same flash back type sequences.
In short, the only thing I see differencing BSG and SGU is the universe in which it is set and the fact that one was searching for earth and the other is looking to get back to earth.
Acting was good for some and in my opinion, dreadful for some others ,especially sergeant Greer in the scene where he points his gun at Rush because Rush wants to press the button to reset life support. That scene reminded me of old school 1960-70s overacting.
I will however keep on watching the show for a while (even if I personally hated BSG) because I cannot believe that they would scrap SG as much as to get it to sink down to a BSG clone.
I am sure I forgot some parts to this comment, but I am pretty sure I have written too much already.
Nomoreraith, thank you for saying it, the sex scene was absolutely unnecessary! Look at Hollywood and the defense Roman Polanski, the princes of Hollywood need a human reproduction scene in every feature. Maybe it has to do with overbearing Jewish mothers and their homosexual producers or script writing neurotic sons. If they can’t do it reality, it is done in fictional proxy. It only promotes social debasement and if this is going to be the norm, parents, turn off SGU. Magicmansf, thanks for picking up where I left off. I didn’t want to spend too much time on this.
dmax | October 4 @ 4:37 amI am a huge fan right from the beginning and own the entire library on DVD – Movies, SG-1 and SG Atlantis.
R.Strong | October 4 @ 3:58 pmI was looking forward to a more intelligent production, a departure if you will from the previous series, that would take Star Gate to a new level delivering thought provoking stories and awesome effects – yet maintaining the “I can share this with my family” atmosphere. A dream that has been dashed by the children producing this show that feel it is a badge of honor to have slipped in a couple having sex on national television and getting away with it. You can dismiss this concern as just some old prude or you can come to realize that this type of behavior has sent many a “new” show to the dump because decent people that never voice their objections simply quit watching scared to death of what might be presented next that will have to be explained to their children. No matter how good the effects, it’s just not worth the risk … Rick Anderson said in one of his interviews that all he had to do was present a program full of good Christian-Judeo values to explain the franchises success. It’s a shame the new series and its producers and directors have taken no stock in these values. A mistake, dare I say of biblical proportions. And you’ll be scratching your heads wondering “why did everyone quit watching our show.” It’s pretty bad when a dad has to tell his children they can’t watch their favorite show because the people making it have lost their way. As for me – thanks but no thanks – you can keep it.
Well I cant say I’m impressed it wasn’t terrible but it had nothing to it that made SGA or SG-1 great there was no relation to the characters, no plot development and other than getting themselves lost not a lot actually happened I was really looking forward to more Stargate Im a huge fan and it saddens me to think that Stargate has sunk this low, its just another drama show about how low people can be not how they can cooperate make a difference, and look out for one another to achieve goals like the previous shows, and there was no need for the sex scene it has further limited the audience range which was completely unnecessary and a bit stupid. I used to watch this with my dad when I was a child what happened to the family show we all used to love.
koopa_troopa1982 | October 4 @ 11:16 pmEquating an honest (and extremely clean for modern TV) depiction of consensual sex, with defense of the child molester Roman Polanski, has got to be the single dumbest thing I have seen on the Internet all year.
thebaz | October 5 @ 4:08 amI have to agree that the first episode left me
mokie | October 5 @ 1:53 pmdisappointed. With SG Atlantis the first episode
was exciting, the cast had such amazing chemistry, and you couldn’t wait for the next
week’s epy. This cast has “absolutely no chemistry.” Lou Diamond Phillips who was, I
thought, the glue that was supposed to hold
this new series together, was practically a
no show. Too many youngsters on the show. I
know the powers that be want to always target
the teenybopper crowd, but most scifi shows are
watched by a little more sophistated audience.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that it gets better,
but have my doubts.
I was so excited about the new Stargate… but so disappointed. It’s dark… and I couldn’t “connect” with any of the characters. I’m hoping the new show grows on me… I’ll watch it again – but for me – it was too… Galactica… (and THAT was too dark for me too – I never connected with the characters, there was no magic…) For me to like the new Stargate… they’d have to lighten up… that was the genius of the old shows… I don’t want to see dark and brooding.. I like action – and humor – and creativity – and characters I can relate to – smart, capable, witty… please – don’t give us Galactica… ugh
galileo | October 5 @ 11:06 pmhello fellows SG fans from all over the world! i must say, i was not pleasant surprised by this episode. i was expecting something else.But let’s admit that this serial is not going in the same direction as SG-1 or Atlantis. It left me the impression that it’s meant to be comercial.
bizu | October 7 @ 6:48 pmThe “soap-opera-drama”, and the characters arguing all the time like mobs.. the sex-scene!!! (of course) led me to believe that the makers are trying to make audience trough the teen-agers, and people with low-intelect which couldn’t “fully” understand the story (in SG-1,for example..it was required certain amount of general knowledge:))).
That’s what people want… that’s what they will give them!
What happened to QUALITY?
i dont want to be sarcastic, but if u want a movie thats revolving around people go rent a soap-op with guns and nudity!
oh. sorry for my bad english :} im from ro
bizu | October 7 @ 6:48 pmWell we’ve had the next episode and again more of the same crap its watchable, but again very little actually happened accept the main characters arguing and what happened to the two that went though the gate to another planet? I really hope it improves but unless they make some drastic changes I’m going to give it a miss even though I am obsessed with Stargate also teens don’t really watch sci-fi shows they cant talk about them with friends as sci-fi is associated with being a geek. MGM really need to start using their heads you cant target that kind of audience with this type of show IDIOTS!
koopa_troopa1982 | October 11 @ 12:34 amI have to say at this point I’m disappointed with the show. So far I find it much closer to Battlestar G. than Stargate. Don’t get me wrong, I was a BG fan but it wasn’t Stargate and to this point SGU isn’t either.
a_sad_fan | October 13 @ 4:31 pmI guess I could put it best this way, Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis were fun and Universe isn’t. Universe is dark and sad and hopeless.
Bottom line, as a Stargate fan I feel betrayed by the creators, and turned off by the show. I don’t expect very many of the old fans to stick with the show and I don’t think it’s going to pick up much of a new audience so I’ll be surprised to see the show make it past a season.
So, I guess all that’s left for me are my old Stargate DVDs and the hope of more SG1 movies and with any luck at all, an Atlantis movie.
I’d like to tell the creators and the writers, “Thanks for trying but you guys missed the boat with Universe”.
Signed,
A sad fan.
SGU is a big disappointment. There is so much anger and so little cooperation and respect which you would need and expect on an expedition. It’s like everyone got there by accident and they want out but can’t go so they’re yelling at each other. Everyone acts like they are in charge. I think Eli, the blonde doctor, and the black guy with the gun usually are the best actors. And, why for pete’s sake are they always in the dark and on the ship. There was a chance that the alien on the dry planet who got off their ship onto the water planet could have been written in to mean more. There isn’t anything fun about this show compared to SG1 that we all loved and even SGA. Fix it fast or get rid of it!!
beej | October 31 @ 8:50 pmI also agree with Blackhawk. Somebody from SGU, read these comments and acknowledge.
beej | October 31 @ 8:53 pmLooking for a great Stargate show? Me too! So far, nothing comes close to what people have expected from this show. Has the entire SGC personnel forgotten how to read ancient? Are the stones that allow communication to Earth allowed to send someone to translate the ship’s design and get data to study back on Earth?
Here we go, episode 1 – end up on a ship, can’t get home.
Fugazi | November 1 @ 10:41 amepisode 2- continue with episode 1 premise.
episode 3-need air to survive, ship drops out of Hyperspace for a planet that helps get air.End
episode 4-need power to survive, ship drops out of Hyperspace to get power. End
episode 5-continue with episode 4 premise.
episode 6-need water to survive, ship drops out of Hyperspace for a planet that helps get water.End
Future Episodes
episode 7-need food to survive, ship drops out of Hyperspace to get food. End
episode 8-need toilet paper, ship drops out of Hyperspace to get leaves. End
episode 9-need air again to survive, ship drops out of Hyperspace to get more air. End
episode 10- I can’t watch because I will have blocked SyFy for becoming the worst channel I have ever watched (outside of HSN while I was drunk)
Fugazi (above) hit it right on the nail. Good job! I’ve been watching star-trek since 1967. I enjoyed all of them, including the movies except for BSG and this one SGU. I watch it because I am an optimist that it will get better. I like to end a show or movie being happy because I was wowed with a story line full of action and adventure. One in where the good guy wins or overcomes adversity with wit, imagination, cooperation and if a scifi with futuristic technology. This show sucks!
alcanh | November 14 @ 3:08 amI’ve watched SGU for a few weeks now. It’s characters don’t talk, they bark. I can’t say that it’s anything to crow about. It’s angry, depressing, whiny, too dark and predictable. There’s just no life in it…no hope…no heart.
Even in its darkest episode, SG1 had a little smile and a vibrancy that made you want to come back for more. SGU makes you want to slash your wrists. It’s understandable that their situation is dire, but it’s truly amazing that all the characters haven’t offed themselves just to spite each other.
JonathanPDX | November 20 @ 11:11 am