Thomas-An
The conceptual foundation of this series was simply amazing. The potential for intrigue and mystery was off the charts, but the casting was very poor. The characters were hard to identify with, empathize with and often too easy to hate. The dynamics and chemistry wasn't there. (The expanse and Game of thrones are benchmarks of stellar casting and personality/character selection)Lastly the biggest problem with the show was its name. Stargate is synonymous to lighthearted pop-corn sci-fi. Stargate Universe was a dark and gritty sci fi. The producers tried to switch flavors on the existing fan base instead of reaching out to the appropriate audience.I give it a 9 star rating for the amazing idea behind the show and its potential.
Michael_Takes
So we all know how it ended. They all had to go into stasis as they traveled out of the galaxy, as there was not enough supplies to last the journey. Only Eli stayed awake to ensure that the ship traveled safely.So time for the show to return!!! None of the cast are doing particularly well so why not have it return, on one of the many new channels and subscriptions.
How do we get this in motion?!
Mike Jones
After reading my summary, it should be quite easy to predict a quick death for the show. Other shows have started slowly and yet stayed around long enough to turn into fondly remembered classics, STNG comes to mind. So why not SGU? In looking through other reviews, talking to friends and co-workers, and to stars of other SG shows (for some reason no SGU stars have come to my local Con), and in watching the complete SGU series on DVD several times (most recently finishing last night) I have to say responsibility lies with the writers and the character of Colonel Young. I can safely say that I never saw anything this Colonel handled well or was good at: military command, strategy, discipline, dealing with civilian authority, husband, boyfriend, space battles, first contact, you-name-it. If a humor-less loser is your idea of someone you want to spend an hour with every week, you're welcome to him. To me, he's a character better left to a play or a movie you see once. Rush was also a problem character, but Rush didn't put himself in charge. He needed to be dealt with in the harshest way possible every time he stepped out of line. But almost as bad were the other people. These 'scientists' had to be the dregs of the SGC. Not only did they have one, but it seemed like every scientist was mistrustful of military authority...on a survival situation. Where did they get these people? The producers took some hits on the continuing plot lines versus the shows that reset every week. I do like story arcs, many series have done them well. The problem? If you miss a week or two, you won't know what's going on. That hit me with this show when it initially aired. I missed a couple of weeks and tried to watch when I got back. No idea what was going on. I got so tired of pointless arguments between Rush and Young, I gave up. However, I did buy both seasons on DVD and have watched several times over the years. So what did they do right? The sets and props were terrific! The Destiny design was first rate. The new 'old' stargates were interesting. Alien designs were very good. Space battles and other CGI were well done. Plot lines got very good (over time). I didn't mind the jerky camera shots so much (I think they're much worse in other shows and movies). But the biggest missing factor? Humor. They had two stand-up comedians in the cast who weren't given really funny material until the second season. Why was this needed earlier? To offset the blind rages of Rush and Young. Eli was it and he wasn't enough by himself. We know Carlyle can do humor; did you see "Full Monty"? Ferreira was hilarious in the behind-the-scenes shots. And so on; but it seems instead the humor was sucked out of each script. This is the writers' fault. They say it was supposed to be more serious, dark even. Okay, case in point. SG-1, early episode, O'Neill and Carter stuck in a frozen cave on an 'ice planet' and Carter can't get the Stargate to work. O'Neill is badly injured and they're freezing to death. They huddle for warmth and O'Neill says to Carter, 'I swear that's my sidearm'. Couldn't get more serious, but O'Neill has a joke to make us smile. This is real life, not all the doom and gloom on this show. However, I do hope they someday bring the show back. If it continues like it was when it was canceled, I will watch it. Update Finally someone from the show came to my local con: Mike Dopud came this year. He's one of the nicest people I've met! Great stories, funny, engaging, and willing to listen to me while smiling. He also had little Jodelle Ferland horrified with some stories about stunt work. Anyway, would still like to see a miniseries or movie to put a decent ending on this show.
