Vitals
- Products: Stargate Universe
- Franchises: Stargate
- Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Associated Luminaries: Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper
- Cast Members: Brian J. Smith, David Blue, Ming-Na, Robert Carlyle
- Notable Characters: Dr. Nicholas Rush, Eli Wallace
- Studio: MGM Television
- Network: Syfy
by Tod Emko
Stargate Universe is the very best Stargate series so far, and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who's seen the show who'd disagree. If you lament that Battlestar Galactica is off the air, or you're in any way a fan of other Stargate shows, you'd do yourself a disservice not to watch this.
The special effects, the intensity of the story, everything's been ramped up for Universe. Although there's a large element of humor, the series moves in a distinctly different direction from the other Stargate series, which were almost whimsical in nature compared to this.
The basic plot sets the bleak tone, as a motley band of disaster survivors finds themselves on a doomed ship without any conceivable hope of getting home. You'll see scenes that you'd never see in Atlantis, like extreme dirty close-ups of soldiers (male and female) getting it on for recreation in stressful times. Further distinguishing itself from other Stargate shows, Universe sports an ensemble cast, with actors you'd never think you'd see in Stargate, like Lou Diamond Phillips and Robert Carlyle.
The makers of Universe are unmistakable Battlestar fans. The show has many tributes to the Cylon show, from the cinematic style and the use of terms like "FTL" drives. Even Robert Carlyle's villain character is clearly Gaius Baltar-like. For anyone bummed that there's been no Battlestar in a while, Universe can easily be your fix. In the pilot episode, you're introduced to many characters with very divergent motives, some of which are less than noble, and this brings up intrigue to be addressed in later episodes (you're also introduced to Happy Gilmore villain Christopher "Shooter McGavin" McDonald, nice).
The episode is also notable for bringing up more mysteries than straight up exposition. For instance, the major plot begins with a huge space battle, beginning with an enemy fleet somehow finding the main characters in a secret base. Although the obvious Baltar character would be the one to suspect, you never actually find out who leaks the information to the enemy to help them find the base.
If you watch the pilot episode, chances are you're going to tune in next week, because the plot, the characters, the mysteries are all just beginning to unfold.
