Stargate Universe

Having been a massive fan of Stargate SG-1 since 2001 and sadly disappointed by the 2004 spin off Stargate Atlantis (SGA), I only allowed myself to become quietly excited about the announcement that they were adding a new series to the franchise; Stargate Universe (SGU).

The idea behind SGU was put to the SY FY channel back in 2007, but due to the writers’ strikes and ongoing issues with the SG-1 films and SGA, it wasn’t until the latter part of 2008 that SGU was finally confirmed.  It aired in America on 2nd October 2009 and will be premiering on Sky One in the UK on 6th October 2009.  Producers Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper conceived Stargate Universe as "a completely separate, third entity" in the live-action Stargate franchise.  They wanted to produce something completely different from the previous offerings and give the show a more serious and mature feel.

The casting of completely new characters and the decision to not use any characters from SG-1 or SGA on a regular basis was not unexpected, although the obvious crossover with characters such as Samantha Carter, Jack O’Neil and Daniel Jackson from SG-1 was indeed essential. 

Their decision to cast Robert Carlyle (Dr. Nicholas Rush) in a leading role was one which both excited and puzzled me and I have to admit to not being sure how someone who played Francis Begbie so perfectly would fit into such an iconic series.  Another familiar face was that of Lou Diamond Phillips who plays Colonel David Telford, although his role as a permanent or recurring character is left unclear.

The series opens with characters arriving to an unknown place through the Stargate; they are arriving quickly and appear to be running from something.  The story jolts backwards and forwards in time and attempts to explain why these people have arrived here and where they came from.  As the episode progresses we find that these people are from earth and were escaping an attack on their off world base.  They have found themselves aboard an Ancient ship called ‘Destiny’ an old and damaged vessel whose life support system is failing.  They are billions of light years from Earth and unable to establish a wormhole connection to escape through the Stargate.

According to Robert C. Cooper, the essence of the story is "that sort of fear and terror of a tragedy combined with the sense that there is hope for us in the basic ways in which human beings survive".

Although the writers are looking to make this a more serious science fiction series, the inclusion of the character Eli Wallace makes me believe that the traditional tongue in cheek humour will be subtly balanced against the increased levels of drama.

So, without giving too many spoilers, what did I really think?  Honestly?  I loved it.  SGU looks to be more gritty, darker and not as predictable or repetitive as previous Stargate series while still retaining that ‘Stargate’ feel.  Okay, so it isn’t my beloved Stargate SG-1 but then, what would be?  I hope that this becomes a more suitable replacement than Stargate Atlantis ever was and that the series grows and develops into a long standing, successful member of the Stargate franchise.

Stargate Universe on Wikipedia

Stargate Universe official MGM website