Stargate Universe

I am a fan of the show 'Stargate' and have enjoyed its various incarnations so I was already primed to want to check out the new show - 'Stargate Universe'. Heavily influenced by the re-imagining done with the 'Battlestar Galactica' franchise, this is a much darker take but one that appealed to me. I love the scenario in science fiction where a group of people are lost in space and have to find a way to work together in order to find their way home. It was the premise that was missing from the 'Star Trek' Universe before 'Voyager' premiered.

The pilot begins with a 'Stargate' opening on an derelict, abandoned space vessel. Soon soldiers and others are being spit out of the plume created by the active 'Stargate'. There is much confusion and questions. We know instantly that this trip was not planned.They are escaping an attack on their base by unknown forces and have only what they could carry with them. Soon roughly 80 people find themselves in the dark, unaware of where they have been transported several BILLION light years from the planet that, like Krypton, has exploded behind them. They aren't going back and Earth is a distant memory away. Don't expect them for diner.

In flashbacks we get to meet the main characters. You get the standard character types - the genius kid, the military sceptic, the scientific optimist, the lesbian, and many others who have no choice but to get along. Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) recruits a kid named Eli Wallace (David Blue), who solved an 'age old mathematical proof written in an alien language' by playing an online video game. He is the wide eyed slacker newbie who serves as our introduction to the story.


Carlyle's Rush is a troubled and mercurial scientist and this puts him in direct conflict with Colonel Everett Young (Justin Louis), the military commander of the base they all were transported from. They both have differing motivations and that will provide much of the conflict in the series. One values the exploration and scientific adventure while the other is focused merely on the survival of the people who are now his responsibility.

Its a very well produced, tense drama filled with lots of story potential. It got me excited for the weekly series like any good pilot should. What the hell SyFy? You give me 'Warehouse 13' and this show, but try to feed me crap like 'The Phantom' and your goofy creature features. You are like that girl I liked in high school - I hate to love you but I do.