Brian J. Smith as Matthew Scott
Rather than maintain silence, Stargate Universe co-star Brian J. Smith is responding head-on to criticism of the show.
In an interview conducted with RedEye’s Show Patrol, the actor — who plays Lt. Matthew Scott on the new series — made it known that he is aware of the negative critiques the show has received … even from its core fan base.
“This is a transition experience for everybody,” Smith said. “The tomatoes and lettuce and rotten vegetables were flying through the air before we even opened the curtain. I think that what we’re trying to do is very difficult, which is acknowledge the fact that this does come from 15 years of built-up mythology and also 15 years of [a] very specific kind of tone that appealed in a very intense way to a number of people. And now that we’re trying to take what’s great about Stargate and make it accessible to new people.”
Smith feels that one of the best things about Stargate‘s fan community is also one of its most dangerous.
“I think the hard-core fans feel the same way that people felt about Star Trek,” Smith said. “[They think,] ‘How dare you commercialize what is so special to me! How dare you try and take something that I’ve supported and watched and bought the DVDs and gone to conventions and try and make it something that my next-door neighbor, who’s a jock and who I can’t stand, can get into as well!'”
“There’s a sense of ownership from a lot of fans that’s amazing and rare, but it’s also dangerous,” Smith continued. “It’s a double-edge sword.”
Trapped on the Ancient ship Destiny, Matt and Chloe quickly found comfort in one another's arms.
Smith is also keenly aware of the criticism being lobbed at his own character. Some viewers were angered by a scene in the SGU series premiere showing Lt. Scott having sex in a broom closet with a female soldier. And additional episodes have revealed two other partners — past and present — with whom Scott has been intimate.
“If you ask me, he’s had sex with three people his whole life,” Smith said. “We just happened to meet [all his partners] in the show. … It’s just assumed that he can’t keep it in his pants. I think we’ve made it very clear that, with him and Chloe, there’s an emotional attachment.”
For more from Brian J. Smith on Stargate Universe — including his thoughts about finding his character’s footing, comparisons to Battlestar Galactica, and episodic breakdowns — check out the full video interview and transcript at Show Patrol.
The second half of SGU‘s freshman season premieres in the U.S. on April 2!
i hope i dont seem dangerous but here goes anyway. I dont think that the creators owe me anything, its just a shame to see something great go so wrong and for what.
I think everyone that’s involved in SGU is well aware of the negative reactions. And it’s hard to pretend websites like sgusucks.com and similar don’t exist. I don’t see it simply as a transition. I read a good comment where someone wrote that SGU, after removing everything that was good from SG/SGA coupled the leftovers with everything that was bad about BSG. That’s a pretty good assessment. So when Smith talks about using everything good from SG he is mistaken. In the several hours of SGU I’ve seen there were never any “wow” moments that I can still find in… Read more »
There is no ‘wow’ factor for me in SG-1 episodes cause I watched all of them. It’s new to me. SGA had some great moments in the first season and, in my opinion, went downhill after that. As someone that watched Stargate since the movie and the first episode, I LOVE SGU. Sure some characters may do questionable things, but guess what? They are characters NOT ME. Sure I wouldn’t lock a marine in his quarters cause of personal issues. But he is not me. The show isn’t about discovering “what’s out there”, it’s about surviving, being away from family,… Read more »
“If you ask me, he’s had sex with three people his whole life,”
Because that’s totally realistic. Not. First mr. mallozzi displays a complete 180 from canon with young and now this. Does anyone believe that scott and chloe are destined soul mates? They got it on because they thought they were going to die. Own your character’s horndoggedness, mr. smith.
I have watched every SG-1, SGA, SGU, and the movies. SGU is a lot like BSG, that is fine, but is not what I wanted to see here! I am and will always be a diehard Jack O’neill and John Shepard fan, they make great characters to get into and follow, and the way they acted toward Daniel Jackson/Rodney McKay are classic moments. I will continue to watch SGU and hope that it improves alot!
To be completely honest im tired of the endless criticisms. It has gone way past constructive criticism and became downright sad. For example on sgusucks.com there just posting pictures of monkeys and saying they would make better writers, The Queen saying she does not approve etc. To me they have made a mountain out of a molehill. I completely agree that SGU isn’t perfect, it has it issues but there nowhere near as bad as some critics have been saying. I just don’t see the point behind continued criticism: Bashing SGU is not going to bring Atlantis or SG-1 back.… Read more »
For all you SGU haters out there, OK, I get the picture. Enough already. Go watch your SG1 & SGA DVDs and leave SGU alone. Some of us really like the show. I’ve been a fan of Stargate since the original film and have seen every episode of SG1 & SGA. I loved those shows, but they are gone. SGU is a logical successor and a really interesting show in its own right. I’m glad it’s different and not just a clone of what came before. I look forward to the rest of season 1 and season 2. Dr. Rush… Read more »
I’m liking the show. If it was too much of the same as SG1 and SGA, then we would end up with the CSI curse. Where CSI:Miami was pretty decent, but CSI:NY just got to be way too much. If you don’t change the format of a show, then it’s just the same things hashed over and over.
SGU is allowing for the actors to be more than goofy comic relief. I can see some of them getting acting award nominations for this series.
I think it is good that someone is saying something. I got caught up with SG1 for a few years ago. An after that I have watched the show every day.
And SGU is different, something I think is good. And the show will soon be sent on norwegian television. And I’m so looking for it!
And they who claims that SGU is not a good show, or will not be a good show, it is different, yes and so what. The SG1 and SGA ideas is not the newest ones, and SGU is the refreshment the series might need.
Thank you Gateworld for posting this article. It is refreshing to see positive feedback on your site. I honestly believe the negative over the top commenters are a minority, but vocal. It is past time that we see the actor’s point of view. I am hopeful cooler heads will prevail over time. The cast of SGU is highly trained and very talented. It’s time those that recognize this spend a few moments to remind them they are appreciated for their hard work. Nobody really know’s what they go through, and it is heart wrenching to see their efforts blasted day… Read more »
Smith, you are missing the point.
Fans are not angry about the fact that Stargate has CHANGED.
They angry about WHAT IT CHANGED INTO.
Which a less than cheap soap opera with reality show scripts yet characters with literally UNREALISTIC negativity, weakness, and general patheticness.
I agree with gigitravels: I don’t mind them wanting to do something new with Stargate, to change things up a bit. But what they have changed it into is just too much of an extreme.. They changed it into a soap opera! Just because half the show happens on a space ship doesn’t make it sci-fi or fun to watch (unless you like drama & soaps). All the love triangles, daddy issues, sex, suicide, crying, and other drama, those kinds of change are what’s gotten so much of the community riled up like we’ve never seen before over previous “controversial”… Read more »
@Kosh thats exactly my point those issues “love triangles, daddy issues, sex, suicide, crying” have been over blown by the critics.
Take the sex for example, out of 10 episodes there has only been roughly 90-120 seconds of ‘sex scenes’ (A lot of which you can barely call sex). But if you believed some critics you would think that SGU is just a soft core porno where all they do is have sex all the time.
The reason SGU gets so much criticism has nothing to do about it being different, its because its a slow boring soap drama with no resemblance to Stargate. If they wanted to take everything away that made the previous shows great, than don’t call it Stargate. Call it Destiny and turn it into whatever they want to. But SGA got cancelled for a show that doesnt have half the magic of its predecessors. If the producers had put half the effort into SGA ie, bigger budget, better locations and actually concentrated on more than one of their characters it would… Read more »
All this negativity reminds me of the Star Trek franchise, especially with Enterprise. Segments of the fandom would go out of their way to hate other shows because it wasn’t the Star Trek show they liked. I see this with Universe– some, if not many, of the SG1 or SGA fans do not like Universe. That is fine, but why do some have to go out of their way to complain about it? I have never understood that, but from past experience it is something that fans of Universe will just have to get use to (not that it is… Read more »
Hi there! I don’t think the SGU haters are a minority and I don’t think they are a minority. Seriousely, I’m happy that Brian is thinking about the reasons for the “hate”, but I think he’s wrong with the conclusion. SG fans are not dangerous, but yeah, probably a double-edged sword. I’m not happy with the situation at the moment, I don’t really blame that on SGU, and I did never attack the show, but the way it was created. If Stargatefans would be the problem alone, than why wasn’t there such a problem when SGA came out?? As far… Read more »
From what I see in SGU, I would say the core problem is that everyone but Eli is a majorly selfcentered jerk- the only character who this makes sense to me to have this trait is Rush.
The show idea is an interesting one at the core but, in my opinion, the execution and development is lacking.
“If you ask me, he’s had sex with three people his whole life,” Smith said. “We just happened to meet [all his partners] in the show. … It’s just assumed that he can’t keep it in his pants. I think we’ve made it very clear that, with him and Chloe, there’s an emotional attachment.” It’s great that he’s thinking about the backstory for his character, but where on earth in the script would it support the idea that he’s some blushing sexual novice who is only know suddenly being waylaid by women into storage cupboards – did he suddenly swap… Read more »
The fandom of Stargate has become a lot like Left wing vs. Right Wing politics with the left fruitlessly trying to sway the most stout republicans on universal healthcare. its just not going to happen. And it only seems to have elevated for the people against the show because it does seem that no one in production agrees it was better the other way and it irritates the people in love with this show because they frankly don’t agree with people who continually bash it. Regrettably I don’t think either side will get what they want because the failure of… Read more »
Wow, only read the first part but already feel to comment. He sounds a bit arrogant to be and “blaming” fans. Also using Star Trek fans as a really bad example… Hmmm I like this guy (not!). I’ll come back with more comment later. :)
I agree with blackhawlk. The problem isn’t that they made the show different the problem is that in an attempt to be different they went too far taking out everything that made Stargate great and filled in the gaps with a mash up of ideas from other shows. What we’ve been left with is a slow moving soap with annoying camera work and a group of characters that I find thoroughly unlikeable and uninteresting. TPTB told us these characters would be more easily relatable but we just ended up with a bunch of people I wouldn’t want to invite into… Read more »
“I think the hard-core fans feel the same way that people felt about Star Trek,” Smith said. “[They think,] ‘How dare you commercialize what is so special to me! How dare you try and take something that I’ve supported and watched and bought the DVDs and gone to conventions and try and make it something that my next-door neighbor, who’s a jock and who I can’t stand, can get into as well!’” Well, at least now I COMPLETELY understand why GW discourages us from trying to presume we know what other fans think. Nice poke at geeks and jocks (and… Read more »
I personally don’t like the show. I tried watching the first season but there was nothing of interest to me. So I rewatch my old SG-1 dvd’s because still there is a great deal of wonder and awe even after all these years which is what is missing for me with SGU. However I don’t see the point in bashing a show. If you don’t like it don’t watch it!!!!
@vss – I did find that comment to be a bit odd as well.
Apparently fans are unhappy because of SGU being ‘commercialized’ unlike SG-1 and SGA (what?!), and are a bunch of convention goers who hate people who like sports, which is the new audience for SGU.
Again: what?!?
@tablelamp LOL @Yes it was the Star Trek ref that got me a bit annoyed.. Btw, this talk about a “character based” show, always gets to me. It’s probably more fun and rewarding for the actors, but in my opinion you cannot really have a show *without a story*. The story has to be core and then of course the characters need to be interesting too! If we just want to watch characters we could go for any old soap. Why not Top Model (good looking people, interesting characters ;-) and no particular story…) Combine good story (that gives a… Read more »
I’ve been reading the Gate World forums for quite a while and followed them intensely for the first half of SGU. My biggest reason being that I wanted to know if I was alone in my dislike of the new direction for Stargate. However, I agree with Tanith and many posters here that while it’s ok not to like the show please be respectful to those that do like it. And on the flip side, for those that do like the show please don’t lump me or others into a group of SGU haters just because we don’t feel the… Read more »
I love Stargate: Atlantis, but I could never really get into SG-1 after watching over 30 episodes (over the various seasons). SGU I love though. Granted, it doesn’t have as much action as SGA, but the really intense moments come from conflicts between the characters. Best cliffhangers on the show are the ones that make you wonder how characters will react to the actions, lies, etc. of characters like Rush, Telford or Young. Can’t wait for SGU’s return.
The main reason most SGA fans hate SGU is because our show which was doing fine in the rating(without them being spun)was canceled pure and simple so this could be made, asked at a con if a SGA would get a 6 season we were basically lied too and when it’s fate was finally told and we spoke out we were ridiculed and treated like dirt by tptb. Now I happen to be one of those SGA fans who does watch SGU because I’m a Sci Fi fan but to my mind it’s just a sci fi show not a… Read more »
@vss and tablelamp, the jock comment is funny. Is this show supposed to appeal to jocks? Really? Are my next door neighbors interested in a dull drama with boring and selfish characters? Really? Was universe really an attempt to expand stargate to a bigger audience? The ratings laugh at that.
I dislike SGU because I find it incredibly boring, uninteresting and with characters I have no interest in. Yes I am annoyed that SGA was killed before its time and replaced by something so disppointing, but I don’t hate SGU because of SGA’s cancellation, I hate it on its own merits. Brad Wright wanted something different because he was bored and he didnt care if the fans wanted this new direction or not.Maybe he may hold onto his new audience who like this soap opera in space, but for me he has taken everything out of the franchise that I… Read more »
@tablelamp: My translation: “The old fans of Stargate are mainly scifi geeks and the new show is dumbed down for a mainstream audience.” Because we all know the companion word that goes with “jock” is “dumb”. As I said, a bit of a poke at all groups of fans, IMHO, and one that probably was unintentional. But a sentiment that seems to be shared by most of TPTB. However, it’s that obsessed convention-attending-fanfic-writing-stargate-tattoo-wearing-fan that’s given Stargate cult status. TPTB gambled on that fan sticking around, and it’s clear that not all of them have. So while the numbers of viewers… Read more »
you know what? i don’t care.
the ptb want sgu as part of the stargate franchise, go ahead. but how about living up to the promises made about the sg1 and atlantis movies too.
the sg1 movie is what i’m interested in. that’s what i want. THAT’S IT. for the atlantis fans, they want their movie.
have sgu all you want, but have the other stuff, the stuff that made this franchise to beloved, too.
do the sg1 and atlantis movies!!!!! :(
I agree with the sentiment that the reason people don’t like this show is mostly because they wanted one thing, and they didn’t get it. It like offer a kid a lolly-pop when they wanted Ice cream! For those that were expecting another tongue and cheek action show, don’t watch SGU, it was NEVER advertised as such and never will be that, at some point Stargate had to “Grow-up”! Hey I like ALL the SG1 and SGA, for what they were but when you talk about predictable those shows are the MOST predicable of any show on TV, but still… Read more »
I do not have a problem with the show writers doing something different. Its just that SGU is very difficult to watch as very little happens plot wise in the episodes. I agree with some of the other comments saying its just a soap opera set in space. The writers wanted to make it more character driven? Ok but not at the expense of the story. There are far to many episodes where nothing has happened apart from lots or talking, yelling or sex. I just wish as a sci fi show there were a lot more sci fi storylines.… Read more »
They are trying to acknowledge 15 years of mythology? Really? They sure fooled me. “…we’re trying to take what’s great about Stargate and make it accessible to new people” You are failing. SG1 and SGA were Sci-Fi, SGU is a soap opera set in space. Aliens, bad guys, space battles, techno babble, Egyptian mythology, ancient technology. That’s what I liked about SG1 and SGA, SGU has none of that. Take for example the pilot SG1 or SGA would have explained more about the 9th chevron like they did about the 8th, they would have explained how the gate is powered… Read more »
I second everything Blackhawlk said. Thank-you for putting it so succinctly. Zach236 also had some very good points and I appreciated the Amazon numbers.
I am still just mourning the complete end of SGA. I just love that show. It’s like the Wraith just got ’em all the way the life was sucked out of it. GAH! I want justice! I want to save them! Someone let me through the gate!
Dang. I’m reduced to using my own imagination again. LOL
“A transition for everybody.” Well, I guess it’s not a transition for the old fans who don’t really give a darn about this new show. Seriously, why does the fact that someone loved SG1 and SGA suggest that they have to love SGU? And why does anyone involved with SGU care about the old fan base? They didn’t make this show for them and they don’t, or at least they didn’t, think they need them. Get more T&A, more reality elements, more Real World type characters and sell the heck out of this show to the audience SGU obviously wants,… Read more »
All of the complaining about the criticism is getting old. A vast majority of the critical comments are well thought out. The criticism complainers are quick to dismiss them and add nothing by wishing the criticism would go away. Critical comments will continue as long as the fans feel betrayed. If you think SGU is great then good for you. I suggest watching the show while it lasts – it may not be around for long, just do not dismiss fans that are more critical.
There is always going to be those diehards who resist change and growth. That’s what this show is, growth. The character development is top notch and is going at a believable speed where SG1 and SGA took a couple of seasons to develop. In the previous two versions, the minor characters only had filler parts where as on SGU, they are sometimes pivotal and critical to the show. They are also a little more believable along with the regular cast. I like the show and I see it as a growth of the franchise. The bottom line is, it is… Read more »
@eteasley, yes, that’s very true. But suggesting that all criticisms about SGU are made by ‘Trekie-like fans’ or by people who are resistant to change are just strawman arguements and nothing more than saying “It’s not me, it’s you!”. I feel there are some legitimate problems with the show, completely removed from the fact that it is part of the Stargate franchise, and people, both fans and professional reviewers alike, have set out these in an articulate and well thought out fashion. You are not wrong to like the show, but this idea that people who do not are somehow… Read more »
@eteasley
Calling a mistake “growth” isn’t going to cut it. The ratings don’t agree with you.
Those who keep insisting people complain about SGU is “because they didn’t get what they want”, are just in denial and just don’t get the big picture. For example if Coca Cola is to suddenly change all their products from being sweet to salty tomorrow, you can expect the same criticism across the world. What it really comes down to is tptb doesn’t know how to manage expectations, in business we all know you don’t need to destroy what you already have to bring something new to the market, not to mention destroying 15 years of standards and expectation. Yes… Read more »
Its not so much that this show is not SG1 or SGA I like several other shows that are nothing like those two series. A lot of the criticism does seem to be well found. Though comments like the show is boring or unentertaining are just opinions and people who like the show just don’t see it. But that has been the cause of the elevated outrage that TPTB. Who replaced a good thing with a rather uninteresting soap opera. Now if SGU had been an even a little faster paced and the writers put some more attention on something… Read more »
Like sgakaz I too am female and in my 40’s. I have been a fan since day 1 and have all the dvd’s for both series and movies. I never missed an espisode and still watch re-runs on the sci-fi channel but having watched SGU I find that I don’t care if I miss an episode or not. It just doesn’t hold my interest and I would rather watch re-runs of SGA or SG-1. Where’s the great Jack/Daniel and Shepherd/Mckay interactions???? God the show is so boring, Season 2 is being forced upon us, why? Do TPTB think we will… Read more »
@hawkeye2 I liked your coke reference. To take it even further, Coke has tried many new types of Coke, Cherry, Lemon, Vanilla….etc. But the underlining taste in ALL of them was….you got it, Coke. SGU, at least in my opinion, does not that underlining feeling of Stargate. If I was an SG fan that had been living under a rock for the last year and and started watching SGU in the middle of an ep I wouldn’t connect it with SG at all. The only things connecting the two is the never used gate and the word Stargate in the… Read more »
@nell
“criticizing fans for their negative opinions will not endear you to them.”
Agreed, and this is why I call SGU an midlife/identity crisis.
The producers are acting as if SG1/SGA is some bad past they wish to forget, and those fans who likes SG1/SGA are somehow enemies.
This is very unusual in the industry, and it is just not the way to do things unless you have a desperate need to prove you are better than the past.
Yes, not all people who are “stargatefans” and do not like SGU are the same, but the same goes for the fans of SGU. I feel that like in most cases, people can see their side, and find it harder to see the other. And, on another note (not entirely related), people suck. I would bet that most of us would not be Eli – we would be a “backstabbing” and “dark” character. Its sad, but true, and something that SGU is following Battlestar Galactica in. No, not everyone is likable or developed as a character, but this is the… Read more »
@hawkeye2 I have had that feeling as well. They probably don’t mean to, but its almost like TPTB are hoping the old fans will leave so they can forget SG1 and SGA ever existed. They have bordered on being and actually in some cases insulting to the fans the voiced those negative opinions. I think part of the problem is that their new baby hasn’t been welcomed with the open arms they were hoping for so their pride is all wounded. Naturally they are going to blame us, instead of admitting they might have gotten the new formula wrong. Alas… Read more »
Many of you are missing the point and finding the production group as arrogant. Look back to all the negative posts before the show was even aired. Stargate 90210, anyone? Maybe it’s that they feel criticism is being leveled simply because it’s not SG-1 or SGA. The show hasn’t been given a fair chance by many. Other simply don’t find it to fit their tastes. The latter group is legitimate. For me, the show is not SG-1 or SGA, it is its own person. I enjoy it, though I think there are things that could be better. I hated SGA… Read more »
@nell
My guess is someone they care about or respect, has insulted them by implying “all you can make is shallow action humor”.
And SGU is their reaction.
SGU just screams “I can make drama too”, and that’s why they filled 95% of each episode with it, it’s borderline insane.
The sad thing is even their drama is bad, if character development, tensions and love triangles is what you’re looking for, ANY drama show currently out there is far far better than SGU is, and ever will be.