“Earth” was the first episode of SGU that finally felt like a real episode of Stargate. While the episode still focused heavily on character development, it also examined the science and politics of Stargate that keep fans coming back for more.
“Earth” also dealt with the issue of body swapping and how it has become a problem. There are a lot of fans who don’t watch the show specifically for this reason, but this week’s episode brought up some of the problems and ways in which it could be misused — and dealt with them very well. While “Earth” may have been the best episode of SGU aired to date, there were a couple of issues with the show that should be addressed.
Martin Gero is probably one of the best writers Stargate has, but in my opinion, the scene with Eli and Chloe in the nightclub should never have been written. People feared that the show might become to 90210-like and, this week, it did. The scene was actually alright for a good portion of it. It’s understandable to want to go out and release some of your burdens. But then Chloe went all Brenda on her best friend after she found out she was sleeping with her ex. Just writing that scene description sounds like an episode of a really bad teenie-bopper show. That one scene took away any importance the rest of the nightclub may have had.
Apart from that part of the episode’s story, “Earth” was amazing. Very quickly we get to see that the I.O.A. is up to their old tricks and always scheming. It was nice to see that Camille Wray got some character development in this episode. While she is a member of the I.O.A., I will be curious to see whether she remains a puppet or not, because she is clearly unhappy with the way they have been treating her.
It was also interesting to see Colonel O’Neill working closely with the I.O.A. and actually backing them up. So far, this is a different Jack then we’ve seen on SG-1 or Atlantis. While it probably comes from age and rank, it was a little unexpected to see him not back up Colonel Young’s reservations about the rescue attempt.
There seemed to be a bit of an inconsistency between this episode and prior Stargate series. On one side you have I.O.A. scientists who viewers have never seen before in their lives, yet you also have Jack trying to comfort Colonel Young by saying, “If it makes you feel any better, Colonel Carter save my ass dozens of times using all kinds of wacky science I didn’t understand.” This is where it could have made sense for Jack to say, “Plus, she’s (or McKay for that matter) gone over the data and thinks it’ll work.” While SGU is trying to cater to a new audience, there should also be some consistency left in place. You have two geniuses on Earth — Carter and McKay — and Dr. Rush on the Destiny. If you wanted to come up with a brilliant plan, you’d sit those three in a room together and do it. Obviously, they weren’t going to have the plan work either way because it’s the show’s first season, but it could have been refreshing to do it the old way.
The way in which the body swapping was handled in “Earth” was very well written. It’s quite evident that the writers are trying to factor in what happens when someone on board the Destiny body-swaps and then takes advantage of the body they are in. There were a few occurrences of this, the biggest being Young and Telford. When Telford is in Young’s body, he takes complete control of the Destiny, disregarding everything Young has tried to build by throwing Greer back in detention and pretty much going about things with a “my way or the highway” mentality. The way in which Telford’s character has been written as this really not-nice-guy is incredible to watch.
Then you have Young in Telford’s body, who takes complete advantage by sleeping with his (Young’s) wife. Again, while it is understandable, it’s not necessarily the right thing to do — and by the end of the episode, you see the obvious repercussions as Colonel Telford finds out and shows up at Emily’s house.
Next week it will be interesting to see if SGU focuses on some of the story arcs that were mentioned this week and not fully developed. Colonel Young confirmed that he was having an affair with T.J. after the dream he had about her, and then talking about it with his wife. And then, there’s the question of where Wray fits into the T.J./Young situation. There’s also the Chloe/Scott/Eli love triangle that left Eli pretty upset. And it’s going to be very interesting to see where Young and Telford go from here, as well — as Telford definitely has it out for his rival.
As for this week, barring the deleted scene from 90210, “Earth” was definitely the best episode of SGU yet.
Julian Landau-Brown is a writer for Lunch.com. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his fiance and fellow Stargate fan, Karyn.
Episode reviews represent the opinion of the author, and not that of GateWorld or its owner.
Even though this episode was more stargate related, I have not seen a universe episode yet that reaches SG1 or SGA quality. I do not hate this show or wish it to fail but I do have some problems with it and if they are not corrected my continued veiwing will not be garranteed. If anyone would like to share there opinion with me wheather or not you agree with me my e-mail is [removed by moderator]
I completely agree – “Earth” has been the best episode of SGU so far. If they keep up with stuff like this SGU could beat out SG1 in my book pretty soon.
Minor typo, Colonel O’Neill, is GENERAL O’Neill
@Tom not sure its wise to post your e-mail as a comment, could get a lot of spam. Anyway I like this review. It wasn’t just pro SGU and actually brought up both the good and the weaker aspects of the episode. As a fan I’m fine with that as long as it doesn’t come across as completely insulting which this doesn’t in the slightest. I liked this episode but I will admit that the Chloe scenes on Earth were a little too long and I was like “Okay can we get back to the Destiny now”. But the scenes… Read more »
@Scott Watson Thanks very much! I hope that my reviews over the past few weeks have been as fair as possible.
@brian577 You are absolutely right. I’m just so used to him as Col. O’Neill :)
Overall, I liked this episode as much as the premiere, which was a lot, and is tied for my favorite so far. Could have done without Chloe’s whining (again), but I get why it was done. This was the first episode that actually felt like Stargate though, and it was a welcome change. And this episode settled it for me: I’m a Dr. Rush fan. He’s a devious little sh*t, but he knows what’s going on, and he had the crews back, whether they liked it or not. Oh, as a side note, we’ve all heard the Stargate BSG comparisions…well… Read more »
Generally, it was better than I thought but not quite my taste. I much prefered the previous episode “water” as it had more elements I could indentify with such as the non-humanoid alien entity, but this one was pretty decent. The next ep sounds even better though!
Interesting review as you made me re-think several aspects of what went on in “Earth”, which is yet another episode that I liked again – though so far, my favorite has been the one just before: Water. As for Gen O’neil’s support of the Homeland group, I didn’t see that as in itself being incompatible with his previous character. It’s not as though he has to be against everything they try to put through, and if he really believed the plan would work, I can understand why he might support it. I do agree though that it might have been… Read more »
I agree with the review.
As for those whose support is wavering- apparently the next three are supposed to be pretty good, at least according to JM quite different than the past couple episodes.
I like Julian Landau-Brown’s reviews, but was curious, who is she?
@Xenomorph: LOL, I know they sound similar, but have different meanings:
Julian: Male. ie., Julian Bashir (ST:DS9), Julian Calendar: from Julius Ceasar
Julianne: Female. ie., Julianne Hough (CW singer, DWTS Pro)
Julienne: Cutting Vegetables into long thin strips
Julian is probably From Philadelphia, PA, Graduated from Johnston State in 2005. Also may have attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Married to Karyn Ruark who graduated from Bryn Mawr in 2006. (she likes indian food). LMAO, but then, I could be totally mistaken.
One of the worst SGU episodes yet (just I can’t decide if its worse than Light or not). Actually, might be the worst Stargate episode of all times. So far, SGU is like a rollercoaster (in a bad sense): average,average,good,bad,horrible,good,horrible. Shame.
@altairantares JM might be right there, the trailer for next weeks episode looks interesting.
I think it will be interesting how they handle the moral implications of the body switching. Telford seemed quite disturbed by what had happened, as evidenced by him playing with his wedding band in one scene after knowing how his body was being used. I do have a question for all those who want to see Carter and McKay solve all the problems of the Destiny. Isn’t it safe to assume that in the Stargate reality that they are currently facing their own dilemmas? Carter was the commander of the “General Hammond” I believe. We know that there is a… Read more »
An excellent review, and well thought-out comments as well. This has made up my mind – I’m definitely going to add GateWorld to my list of regular sites :) Have been looking for a good stargate website. So, onto the episode. I agree with pretty much everything written above (review + comments), except this: [quote] One of the worst SGU episodes yet (just I can’t decide if its worse than Light or not). Actually, might be the worst Stargate episode of all times. So far, SGU is like a rollercoaster (in a bad sense): average,average,good,bad,horrible,good,horrible. Shame. [/quote] If anything, Earth… Read more »
I agree with this review. This was the best (and closest to Stargate feeling) episode of the series to date. Yes, it was well below my expectations for the previous series’, but it was notbad at all. I even have to say I disagree with the 90210-esque nature of the Chloe scenes. Chloe even explained why that part was relevant: she lived most of her life in ‘drift’ mode and was trying to rise above when catastrophe struck and now she finds herself pulled back into old habits. The character development available to her far exceeds anyone else on the… Read more »
Great episode. My only gripe is the body switching stuff. To me the moral implications of what was happening is wrong, and I would probably not trust my wife if what happened in this episode happened to me. In fact I feel so strongly about this kind of stuff I’ll probably stop watching this show if this keeps up.
I mean to say, the sexual intercourse. It’s just disgusting. What happened with Eli was funny. Tone it down on the sex.
The body switching was a pointless and distracting. This is like the sci-fi version of the bold and the beautiful.
I don’t get how SGC and the IOA would allow people to wander around in other people’s bodies like that.
“Colonel Young confirmed that he was having an affair with T.J. after the dream he had about her, and then talking about it with his wife. And then, there’s the question of where Wray fits into the T.J./Young situation. There’s also the Chloe/Scott/Eli love triangle that left Eli pretty upset.” I’m sorry, but is this Stargate or All My Children? These are “story arcs that were mentioned this week” that the reviewer is looking forward to? Why not just switch to Dr Sexy and his gang of weepy, but sexy, nurses over on Grey’s Anatomy or try an eppy of… Read more »
Earth : The Final Episode. The Mo Ryan article in the Chicago Tribune sums it all up for me and I expect a great number of other former fans. Sorry Julian, this fan won’t keep coming back for more. Might have a look at V in its place though.
To everyone who is lacking faith in SGU, read this from Mallozzis blog (not any criticism): “DasNdanger also writes: “Therefore you are assured of my continued viewership through the first half of the season. And yup, though I can see straight through you and your devilish, tricksy ways, I am still gonna jump right into your little trap…just ’cause you set it!” Answer: Nope, no. No trickery here. Just saying – if the next three episodes up to the hiatus don’t do it for you, I’ll be surprised – and sad you won’t be watching any longer. Especially since the… Read more »
Thats good advice to all who are losing faith in SGU: Give it 3 more episodes.
‘Time’ looks interesting from what you see in the trailer for it.
The producers sure spend a lot of time fighting with critics and pleading for fans to keep on watching.
@Imitation Tofu: Damn it, do you have to be negative all the time? Try being positive once, who knows, it might make you feel better?
Well that one was in response to a comment made by someone on his own blog and the “rant” was against those who did personal attacks on the cast themselves.
I haven’t once seen any producer “plead” for fans to keep on watching.
Wow it seems that SGU’s ratings are not so hot after all. link By now, kerfuffle between Brad Wright and Chicago Tribune TV critic Maureen Ryan has been well circulated. Brad Wright could be right that “there are enough viewers and reviewers who think SGU is neither boring, poorly plotted, or sexist to keep us on the air long after “V” is just a letter in the alphabet again.” But he could be wrong, too. The drop off in SGU ratings is perhaps not quite as alarming as White Collar dropping from 5.075 million down to below four million, but… Read more »
I feel great Nikst but thanks for your concern. My point stands. When Atlantis started these producers didn’t get into stupid fights with online critics and they didn’t have to beg fans to keep watching either.
I don’t think the party scene detracted from the episode as much as it did some character development and backed up the assertion that “these are not the right people” to be on board destiny. There are a number of “young adults” who lack maturity and might find themselves in a “grow up or die” scenario. Chlöe is one. Yeah, she was a bit too much angst, but it showed that she needs to grow up in a hurry and get over the trivial matters that are back home on Earth. Eli too. He needs to get over his genius… Read more »
My problem with the episode – as with most the episodes so far – is they’re simply not a genre of entertainment I enjoy. I’m sure my parents would love it (they like all those rubbish drama shows) but I prefer Sci-Fi which – apart from being set on a spaceship – was practically non-existent.
The endless “meaningful conversations” absolutely nothing important are awfully boring.
This series is hitched to, arguably, the greatest science fiction conceit ever imagined: the Stargate. The Stargate presents the opportunity to delve into new worlds weekly and to explore an infinite number of possible human stories. The problem with the heavy-handed yet transparent writing in this show is that the gate is an (as yet) under-used accessory and the human stories are repetitive echoes of better science fiction. The danger though is not that Universe is not unwatchable. I actually enjoy it a little. But I do miss the old style of Stargate. I think these individual episode discussion have… Read more »
@zackwbrandon: I do agree that they could use the gate a little bit more. But the again there have only been 7 episodes so far and out of those they have used the gate in 3 episodes. But there is one problem. Sure using the gate is fun but I don’t know if I really want them to do that that often. For example, on Atlantis I wanted them to explore Atlantis and all its secrets, the show was called Stargate ATLANTIS, for crying out loud. In stead 80% of the show was “of world”! That annoyed me quite a… Read more »
@Nikst They are doing neither, exploring the ship or the gate worlds. I was with them until this episode and I will watch a few more but the ‘cliff hanger’ being Telford and Young’s wife was some 90210 stuff. Furthermore sleeping with someone in another person’s body along with SGC/IOA allowing people to wander around in other people’s bodies does not seem like something that will go away. There have been as many sex scenes as Gate uses! What I am trying to say is that this seems to be the direction they want to take and I will keep… Read more »
@majatt: Well the next episode seems to have a classic Stargate story so it should be more to your liking. And Mallozzi said that episode “Space” will have action and space battles so you should at least watch until then.
@Nikst.. If the “gate” is not used or used sparingly like expensive truffles.. wouldn’t the show become Star Trek? I was under the impression StarGate implied Gate Travel, not to be aimlessly wondering in a galaxy, far, far away.. “These are the voyages of Starship Destiny, it’s mission, to swap bodies, and other bodily fluids?” :D
There has been precious little exploration of the ship, discussion of its purpose or general interest in anything sci-fi related full stop. Plenty of “expression of feelings”, very little sci-fi.
@US06154
“These are the voyages of Starship Destiny, it’s mission, to swap bodies, and other bodily fluids?”
If only we could get Dr. Rush to say that at the beginning of every episode. Then instead of a woman singing they could have a bunch of moaning to cheesy 60s music – LOL!
But seriously, the episode was an improvement and I actually like the show. Just not a fan of oversexing the franchise.
@Nikst
That is encouraging but again my thing is the focus. Stargate has never meant romantic drama within Sci-fi and that is not what I want to see. If they continue so strongly in that vein I will eventually stop.
Its like you show up at a Pizza place and they are serving various foods using Pizza ingredients…but no Pizza.
@US06154: A bunch of gate travel was what SG1 was about. Atlantis should focus on Atlantis, at least 50% of the show. SGU should have an equal 50, 50 of gate and ship episodes. Granted they haven’t done much of either but then again it wouldn’t be realistic that the crews get to the ship and immediately accept their situation and start exploring and going to other planets. Especially since the ship is in charge of where they go and when they drop out of ftl. With the next episode hopefully they will have started to settle in and they… Read more »
Couple of things. First, while the amount of and nature of the sex in SGU is getting annoying, lets stop acting like SG-1 had none. We had Sam and Pete and Daniel and Vala just off the top of my head. And lest we forget SGA with Rodney and Jennifer joining the mile high club? So I guess the question then becomes one of what it is that makes the SGU sexual content annoying. In my opinion, what is making it annoying as opposed to the content in the other SG series is the whole ‘90210’ factor. The sex in… Read more »
I have always been a SG fan and really want SGU to be successful. However SGU is so BAD I have been driven to register here and voice my disappointment with SGU so far. I have to agree with Joelist’s post. This is exactly the biggest problem with SGU. It’s trying to be something I don’t think many real SGU fans really want. The characters in the show come off as so shallow and unbelievable. The writers of this episode in particular don’t seem to have any concept of true character development when in comes to relationships. The relationships (to… Read more »
Well said pat the sooner the better. They are wasting money on a show that is going nowhere I wonder when MGM will step in and put an end to it.
Just curious have you guys looked at the trailer for “Time”?
I post a comment critical of the show and it is CENSORED???!!! Come on! Give me a freakin’ break.
This episode was more of the same 90210 BS. These are terrible characters who are indeed “the wrong people”… the wrong people for an entertaining scifi show. Bring back Atlantis!
Like a lot of people, I’m hoping for less sex and body swapping and more aliens and Gate travel, but I can handle a little delayed gratification. My patience paid off with SGA, which I hated in season 1, but grew to like until maybe the second half of season 4. If you can’t stand the show, here’s a novel concept for you: Stop watching! There’s been several Sci-Fi/SyFy originals I couldn’t stand (Sanctuary, Painkiller Jane, Warehouse 13, Ghost Hunters) but instead of constantly bitching about them and personally attacking the people involved as the SGU haters are doing, I… Read more »
The defenders of SGU go on about how much of a character driven show this is. Give me a break. The characters are shallow, predictable, and unbelievable. Scott is shown in first episode having sex with one of the cast. The seem to be very close. But somehow when they get to destiny they don’t even say anything to each other, like they hardly know each other. It would have at least made sense if he was having sex with Cloe in ep1. Scott and Cloe having sex when they thought they were doomed was ridiculous. Some grade eight boy’s… Read more »
@Stormin: Clearly you don’t have to look far to see that we don’t censor comments that are opposed to SGU.
If your comment contains profanity, multiple links, or a few other choice caustic words, it will be caught by the filter and must be manually reviewed. If it violates the rules, please don’t expect it to be approved.
“Next week it will be interesting to see if SGU focuses on some of the story arcs that were mentioned this week and not fully developed. Colonel Young confirmed that he was having an affair with T.J. after the dream he had about her, and then talking about it with his wife. And then, there’s the question of where Wray fits into the T.J./Young situation. There’s also the Chloe/Scott/Eli love triangle that left Eli pretty upset.” What on “earth” is this? An ABC primetime drama review? Those aren’t “story arcs”. A story-arc is a new alien race threatening earth or… Read more »
I didn’t have a problem with the nightclub scene. Good episode. :)