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.
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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 even Season One of Stargate SG-1. And that's why 15 year old television disc sets still sell where SGU ... well we'll see. I believe in the industry his next door neighbor would be referred to as "bums in seats".
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, and all of that.
It's a solid show that's still growing. I gave SGA a chance in the first season even though we all saw the signs of what was to come. Ford wasn't used much (for a character THEY created), Shepard/McKay show, rehashed SG1 plots, etc.
But deserves a chance for a season and it's not the same Stargate anymore. That's fine. I don't like rehashed plots, I don't like predictable episodes, I like interesting characters and situations and SGU gives that.
It's not my favorite show on TV now (thanks Leverage, Burn Notice, Supernatural), but it's one of my favorites.
“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. Its a deluded thought that if SGU is cancelled that they will 'take note of there mistake' and bring back Atlantis. I don't mind those who just want some improvements here and there but we have went way beyond that.
If you don't like SGU that's fine but there are those that do, its rather selfish to go 'If I can't have my Stargate then no one else can have theirs'.
At the end of the day it is just a TV show, the way some of us have been acting it backs up the image of what some people believe fans of science fiction to be like (The kind that go to Star Trek Conventions dressed up in a starfleet uniform calling each other captain & stuff).
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 is gonna be really pissed when he meets up with the Destiny again.
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 after day on Gateworld.
It is my hope the tide is turning and those that appreciate the show will take the time to voice their opinion, and those that don't will take the time to watch something else.
Thank you again, best wishes to you and yours.