Stargate Universe Series Premiere
I have to admit I enjoyed the premiere of Stargate Universe. I would even go so far as to say that it ranks up there with “Children of the Gods,” the pilot episode of Stargate: SG-1. (Almost, but not quite.)
As we’ve been told since the series was announced, SGU is definitely a darker, grittier series this its predecessors (complete with an unnecessary grunting sex scene). Gone from this series are many of funny moments we’ve come to expect with Stargate. Even the appearance of Jack O’Neill had none of RDA’s trademark humor in it. (On a side note, RDA is looking his age these days.) At first, I missed that, but then the story kicks up the dramatic action in a way we haven’t seen in a long time with the Stargate franchise.
In addition to a great story, SGU features of one stellar cast of actors. From Robert Carlyle and Ming-Na to great Canadian actors like Justin Louis to lesser known actors. Of the lesser known actors three really stand out for me: Brian J. Smith as Lieutenant Scott, David Blue as Eli Wallace and Elyse Levesque as Chloe Armstrong. All three gave fantastic performances in this first episode.
The premise of the show worries me just a little bit. The pilot episode certainly builds in some conflict between the characters that should make for interesting interactions, but the idea that the Ancient ship this group is travelling on will make periodic stops throughout the universe so the team can explore unknown worlds and civilizations sounds like it will grow old quickly. I hope the producers have thought through where they plan to take this series.
So far, I’m excited by what I’ve seen and look forward to watching this new series.
