David Blue as Eli Wallace

We’re just one day away from the much-awaited return of Stargate Universe!  Season One continues tomorrow — Friday, April 2 — with “Space.”

To get your SGU engines primed again, today we present our five favorite Eli Wallace moments from the season so far.  David Blue’s Eli brings not only a dash of comedy to an otherwise serious environment, but he also represents the “everyman” — an ordinary guy (with a bit of added brain power) thrown into a crisis of intergalactic proportions.  With the charm of the boy next door and a dash of unrequited love, Eli is quickly becoming one of fans’ favorite characters.

Fans of Eli can follow David on Twitter, and visit his official site (complete with blog) at David-Blue.com.

#5 – Ingenious Invention

“Water”

Desperately low on drinkable water, the ship stops at an ice planet where Colonel Young and Lt. Scott have to hike a distance to bring back clean ice. In need of a quick way to transport the heavy blocks of ice back to the Stargate, Eli shows off his newest invention — a table top floating off the ground because of the dozen or so kinos he’s placed underneath. Why did Eli happen to have this perfect solution handy? He answers, somewhat sheepishly, “Actually it represents my most recent attempt to fly …”

#4 – Confession

“Time”

We knew from Eli’s introduction in the first episode that he was leaving behind his sick mother with some reluctance. But the Air Force agreed to take care of her medical bills in exchange for his cooperation, and so he went.  But what’s wrong with Mom?  In “Time,” we find out: hunkered down in a cave, at night, in the rain, on a planet infested with alien creatures trying to kill them, Eli confesses to T.J. that his mom has H.I.V. — stuck by a needle trying to restrain a junkie in the E.R. — and his dad left them because of it.  What makes this moment so special is not the confession itself — it’s that it comes out while the crew is safe and warm on Destiny, watching the kino recording of the moment, leaving Eli extra vulnerable.

#3 – Incognito

“Earth”

The communication stones give Eli a chance to return home and visit his mother, in the body of someone else, if only for a few hours. And the military even grants permission for him to tell her who he really is and (with limitations) where he’s gone. He doesn’t know what the news will do to her, if she can even understand it — and so when she opens the door, Eli decides at the last moment to hide. He pretends to be someone else, and has a nice — but somewhat distant — visit home.

#2 – ‘Can I Get Some Pants?’

“Air, Part 1”

Recruited (rather against his will) by Nicholas Rush and Jack O’Neill, Eli is beamed right out of the comfort of his mother’s house and on board the U.S.S. George Hammond, in orbit and about to depart for Icarus Base.  Confronted with the wonders of the universe, Eli agrees to go along with them and see if he can help Rush solve the ninth chevron problem.  But first, he asks … “Can I get some pants?”

#1 – Eli Saves The Day

“Air, Part 3”

Destiny‘s clock is counting down, and there just isn’t enough time for Lt. Scott and MSgt. Greer to make it back before the Stargate disconnects and the ship jumps away into F.T.L., leaving them behind forever.  But Dr. Rush has an idea to keep the gate open for those vital extra seconds, and he tells Eli to stick his arm into the event horizon.  With great trepidation Eli complies, holding open the wormhole until his friends can make it.

What did we miss? And where do you want to see Eli go in the second half of the season?  Sound off below, and check out the brand new Stargate Universe sub-forum at GateWorld Forums!

Stargate Universe airs Friday at 9 p.m. (8 Central) on Syfy in the U.S., and at 10 p.m. (Eastern) on SPACE in Canada.