"SGU Stargate Universe" Air: Part 3 (2009)

Director:

Andy Mikita

Writers:

Brad Wright (creator) &
Robert C. Cooper (creator) ...

TV Series:

"SGU Stargate Universe" (2009)

Original Air Date:

9 October 2009 (Season 1, Episode 3)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Plot:

With the ship out of hyper-space for twelve hours, Lt. Scott, Sgt. Spencer, Ian, Dr. Rush and others...

Plot Keywords:

Desert Planet | Stargate | Survival | Spaceship | Spin Off

Cast

Robert Carlyle	...	Dr. Nicholas Rush
Justin Louis	...	Everett Young (as Louis Ferreira)
Brian J. Smith	...	Matthew Scott
Elyse Levesque	...	Chloe Armstrong
David Blue	...	Eli Wallace
Alaina Huffman	...	Tamara Johansen
Jamil Walker Smith	...	Ronald Greer
Richard Dean Anderson	...	Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill
Peter Kelamis	...	Adam Brody
Timothy Webber	...	Priest
Mark Burgess	...	Jeremy Franklin
Jennifer Spence	...	Lisa Park
Anna Galvin	...	Mrs. Armstrong
Bradley Stryker	...	Curtis
Ming-Na	...	Camile Wray

Runtime:

UK:60 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

MGM Television

Movie Connections:

References Planet of the Apes (1968)

Soundtrack:

Breathe

Part 3

Part 3 of this episode is, in my opinion, much better than the first 2 (although it's not really a third part of a story as much as its its own self-contained story with continuing long-term story arcs.) WHAT WAS GOOD - The character development was much better this episode. Although it centers on Matthew Scott, there is good character development with Chloe, Dr. Rush, and Ronald Greer. Even the main cast who are not central to this episode have subtle character development, which I liked. One of my problems with parts 1 and 2 was the lack of character development and the lack of distinct central characters, but they seem to be fixing this and I'm glad they're giving us a chance to relate to these characters before sending them off on dangerous situations.

This episode also introduces a lot of interesting Stargate concepts, which allows this series to come into its own a little more and step out of BSG's shadow. The utilization of more original tech allows me to see this as more of its own series. There is also a good sense of wonder, desperation, and adventure with some interesting abstract concepts that could become continuing stories, that again help us to separate it from BSG.

The camera work is a lot steadier, and the whole story has the same good feeling I got in the first hour of part 1, which is that it is a show utilizing elements of BSG, but not copying.

WHAT I DIDN'T CARE FOR - Eli's humor, which I found to be a strength in the first parts, seems a little forced here. I'm also not really liking Matthew Scott as a character. I'm not sure why. I think it's because I'm still seeing him as Apollo from BSG now combined with the young military hero model so often found in Stargate. It's nothing the actor is doing wrong, I just don't see him as that interesting right now.

There is a music montage I didn't really care for in the episode, and some of the drama goes on a little too long (but not to the point where its intolerable). There are also a few little things that threw me off, but nothing major I really want to go into.

Overall though, this episode is good, and I would say its worth a look. The series still has its problems, and its obviously still trying to find its footing, but as they continue to develop, I think the writers and producers will adapt according to what works and what doesn't, and create a respectable series from it. The greatest strengths right now are the characters' situation, the tech, the exploration, and the characters themselves.

AS FAR AS CONTENT IS CONCERNED - Now, I don't want to spoil anything because I'm trying to get away from spoiler reviews, but if you hate religion you will hate this episode. I felt it was used more for character development than anything else, and it really didn't come across as preachy; but again, if you hate religion, you will not be able to enjoy this episode.

7/10 - It's good if you don't mind religious content (which I don't if its done well). You can see the series starting to come into its own.