Today’s blog entry may be offensive to sensitive Scotsmen and/or Scotswomen. Reader discretion is strongly advised – especially if you’ve ever worn a kilt.
Yesterday, on my way to dinner with Marty and co., I stopped by my local butcher shop and picked up a fresh haggis, determined to finally sample the Scotland’s national dish (I thought it was the deep-fried chocolate bar. That shows you how much I know). For those of you not in the know, haggis is comprised of various minced sheep’s innards (ie. lungs, liver, and heart), beef and/or mutton fat, oatmeal, onion, and spices stuffed into a sheep’s stomach, served steamed or boiled with a side of turnips and rutabagas.
While no doubt the traditional way to go, steaming or boiling my haggis seemed like, well, adding insult to injury, so I searched the internet and discovered several interesting recipes for roast haggis. I got the idea, by the way, from an episode of the F Word in which Ramsay takes on a Scottish celebrity in the recipe challenge – so it can’t be that much an affront to Scottish sensibilities. Can it?
I preheated the oven to 350 degrees celsius, wrapped my haggis in foil after piercing it several times to avoid an explosion similar to the one that claimed the haggis of a fellow butcher shop customer, and popped it in the oven. While it roasted, I made my whisky cream sauce – sweating some shallots in a pan of melted butter until translucent, then adding a few shots of 15 year old Scotch, reducing, adding chicken stock with chopped parsley and thyme, reducing that, then adding some honey, heavy cream, and another dollop of butter which I also reduced.
The recipe I was following instructed me to roast my haggis for 30 to 40 minutes. 35 minutes in, the A.I. built into my oven informed me that my haggis was done.
I wasn’t totally convinced it WAS done, however, given that another recipe had suggested a cooking time of an hour and a half. So, just to be on the safe side, I pan-fried my haggis to a golden brown finish and served with the whisky cream sauce and a side of sweet potatoes.
And the verdict? Delicious! I loved its oatmealy texture and nutty flavor. I think next year, I might try the traditional version. Maybe I can swing an invite to Robert Carlyle’s place for a Robbie Burns Day feast.
I’ll bring the rutabagas.
Well, I started work on my rewrite of Awakenings today. While I’ve compared writing a first draft to giving birth, I’d say doing a rewrite is more like being worked over by a thug for information you were once privy to but have long forgotten. Today, the muse worked my mid-section. Tomorrow, she’s moving onto the rib area.
So, as we prep for the show’s second season – and keeping in mind you haven’t seen the more action-oriented back half of season one – I’d like to know:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Today’s blog entry is dedicated to Chev. Thanks for the calendar! Paul put it up in my office today.
How did it smell while cooking?
Why do I ask? My Dad (the Scoot) says it’s the smell while cooking that makes him like it, while Mum, (no idea what nationality she is seeing as we found out the day after her Mum died that her Mum had been adopted – and yes, the Birth Certificate looks legitimate, but we’re talking 1917 here where you could just walk into a hospital and say, “Lookit what I gots” and bingo-bango you have a Birth Certificate. She never said a thing to us! Anyhoo…) almost goes into fits of convulsive vomiting at the smell of it, hence, the children of this unlikely couple have never eaten haggis and I’d like to get an unbiased 3rd opinion as I’m equally fond of my parents and don’t want to start a haggis related argument.
I think that was my best run-on sentence in the 2 years I’ve been hanging out here.
1. Definitely Tamara. She seems like a very interesting character that could be opened up more, the bit of her that we saw in Time really showed potential in her backstory.
2. The Destiny. I like the idea that the Destiny is at some level intelligent and aware of the needs of its crew. I’d like to to see it direct the crew to certain interesting places on the ship, as well as protect it from harm and intrusion.
3. The looming sense of hopelessness. The thing that had always separated Stargate from BSG was that Stargate was never cynical, the show and it’s universe never felt hopeless. Stargate Universe however, seems to be going in the wrong direction. I don’t mind a darker theme given the nature of the events on the show, but so far in the first 10 episode, I’ve just been given the feeling that the show is much too cynical and tries too hard to highlight all the flaws in these characters and not enough to highlight the good.
4. My favorite story moment was the ‘what if’ moment in Time. I loved how it lets us a little peek into what these characters would be like in a worst case scenario.
5. This isn’t something that needs to be added fresh per se, as it already exists, but could use more of, and that is humour. The best part of Stargate as a whole is the humour and SGU unfortunately, is lacking in that department. Of course I’m aware that because of the situation on board, the initial episodes would be understandably lean in that department, but hopefully the latter half and the furthers will inject more of the hilarious antics we learned to know and love from SG-1 and SGA. As long as we continue getting hilarious little quips from Riley, then I believe SGU will do just fine.
PS: The veins on the sheep’s stomach makes it look rather, um, unsettling.
Wow its been forever since i posted last, must have gotten lost somehow.
In my opinion, the technology of the ship is a very interesting aspect which merits further exploration. Of course, not knowing what his in the back half of season one it may very well be explored more.
On the Atlantis front, I have been watching a thread over at Scifi Meshes of an incredibly talented 3D artist who has recreated Atlantis. I have seen many over the years but I think this one is on the level of the production model. And on that note, is there any kind of copyright on the design of atlantis because there sure are a lot of different versions out there. I hope there isn’t because this guy’s is incredible.
http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/3d-wips/51175-atlantis-v6-0-a-13.html#post471820
Thanks always,
-ZPB
1. I’d like to see the politician’s daughter do something more useful.
2. I’d like to see the people on the ship getting to know each other more.
3. Definitely minimize the earth stones. All the stories resulting from those are too melodramatic.
4. When O’Neill tells the captain guy to shape up and take charge of his situation.
5. I’d like to see some optimism. I don’t care if it’s fake optimism. I just think those people will never accomplish anything if they don’t brighten their attitudes. It’s human nature to try to make the best of a bad situation. I don’t believe that people who were selected for off-world duty would react as poorly as we’ve seen these characters react.
btw,
I hope you can see the images, I can’t remember if you need a login or not.
I have never tried Haggis. I may try in the future, but for now I’m sticking with traditional Swedish cuisine like meatballs, potatoes, etc…. And now I’m hungry.
1. I’d be intersted in learning more about Chloe, Rush and Camile.
2. More gate travel episodes. It doesn’t have to be an action packed episode complete with Batman soundeffects, but I’d just like to see some more alien planets.
3. The stones. While I do not want the stones to dissappear completely, I think that the use of the stones should be slightly reduced.
4. Can’t pick a favorite because there so many great ones!
5. I’m not sure about this one. But things I’d like to see is that some of the crewmembers are not who they say they are. And maybe some sinister Earth organization like the Trust, but not the Trust.
EDIT: I’d also like to know more about TJ.
Awesome, thanks for giving us a chance to contribute 🙂
1) Tamara Jon!! Alaina Huffman is easily one of the stronger actors, and so far feels underused.
2) I would like to see mythology exploited a bit more. The focus seems to be centered a bit too much on angst and less about what the characters are discovering.
3) While I agree sex needs to be studied during any exploration of the human condition, it has so far felt like your run-of-the-mill titties/ass to attract young, hormonal viewers.
4) My favorite story moment of the first half of season 1 of SGU has got to be the surprise finale at the end of “Justice”. It was definitely drama, but not annoying, angsty drama, and in addition to drama, was relevant to the plot at large.
5) I’d like to see a much stronger shift toward moving the mythology forward, not just the characters inhabiting it. Both are important, but I feel like the OVERALL story hasn’t gone anywhere, whereas each character is gone MUCH farther than seems reasonable without a shift forward in the series’ overall, overreaching, mythology.
Thanks again for the opportunity!! While my criticisms are strong, I’m still loving SGU. 🙂
haha way to go Joe! I’m glad you liked the Haggis.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? Camille Wray
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? Aliens technology, Gate travel, and crew dynamics. (by the way I miss Siler)
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Telford and Young acting like teenage boys instead of trained military Cononels.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? When Rush had everyone believing that they were going to die when they collide with the sun. You see in the background excepting their death in the ways that best fit their inner hearts.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? Aliens! bad guys that could rival the wrath and a good guy or two to make The Destiny their home.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.
1. I think it would be interesting to see more of Lisa Park, either her or Volker!
2. I want Eli to get a girlfriend! I know Chloe has Scott, and am not suggesting split them two up (yet) but at least get him a girlfriend, maybe Vanessa James or Park?
3. I’d like to see two things played down a little. LEAVE THE STONES ALONE! and the relationship between Chloe and Scott, if it keeps going on like it is at the moment, I think Eli is going to end up killing himself or something.
4. I like ‘Life’, but I don’t want to see loads of episodes like that!
5. I want a proper alien encounter! Something to fill the Wraith or Goa’uld gap, but in a change instead of them being baddies, have them attempt to help the Destiny, but then one of the Destiny crew do something to one of the aliens and this drives a stake between the alliance, and I don’t want this to happen in a single episode, an arc over half of series 2. I think you could do this because we don’t know where or when Destiny is going to stop, so that you can have stories that don’t keep showing this alien species!
As for the haggis, I’ve been studying at university in Carlisle in UK since September 2008. I’m about ten minutes away from Scotland and I’ve never had Haggis. I have a slice of it in my fridge, but I don’t know what to do with it yet. My flat mate, who is scottish, says I can shallow fry it, so I might try that and seve with some chips.
Joe, have you ever had a deep fried mars bar? I find them a bit sickly, but my Scottish flat mate has since got the entire flat, which is seven lads in student halls – no girls – into deep fried pizza! Have you ever tried it?
Wow, you’re really asking us? How nice. 😀 But don’t listen to the fans too much.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I’d say Rush, but if I remember correctly, “Human” will be his episode. Definitely Tamara. We haven’t seen enough of her.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Of course, the stargate itself. Have something happen to it. Robert Carlyle has said in an early interview that it’s gonna start to show its age. Maybe he was talking about the malfunction in “Time”, but sounds a cool idea nevertheless.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Sorry to have to say – but the stones. They add (mostly) good drama, we get to see Jack, and whatever happens on Earth, affects what happens on the Destiny, but sometimes those scenes take away too much from what’s happening aboard the ship. Maybe what Scott experienced with Telford’s flashbacks could become a bigger issue, or somebody misuses another person’s body and the use of stones becomes very limited.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
All the unexpected twists and actions of the characters. Especially when Young left Rush on that planet in “Justice”. I couldn’t believe he actually did it.
5. What element would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
That’s a tough one. More everyday life on Destiny, like the end and beginning of “Life”. Let someone get stranded on a planet because they didn’t make it back on time. That would make the ticking clock factor more dangerous.
That’s all I have for now.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Jack O’Neil
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Oooh, ooh, there were moments in Light where the extended crew didn’t feel like just a peanut gallery there to be put in peril to up the ante for the main characters. I really felt empathy spread out across all the characters. I’ve never seen a show accomplish that before and I’ve watched a LOT of TV.
I don’t know what was done differently that gave such unique results. The camera angles? The music? The lighting? Whatever it was, there was something SGU accomplished there that is truly unique to SGU. It could be SGU’s something special if you could figure out how to do it repeatedly.
Also, not even the military signed up for an unending tour of duty so the military-style heirarchy that permeates so many science fiction shows can be fragged more.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I assume random strangers discover something crappy about their personal life all the time. I’m feeling detached from the personal issues the characters are having right now and I think the problem is that they are strangers to me. That doesn’t mean I want to see way more character moments. It means I want to see the characters triumph or fail first with more immediate problems, then I might be more curious about them.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
That Young knew Rush’s role in Justice, but played it through.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Very different aliens, maybe even boarders aboard the Destiny, but so different, they can’t necessarily roam the same halls as the crew. Fine, cuttlefish, I want to see cuttlefish. I’m not complaining. The squids were awesome, but chromatophore communication is awesome, too.
The reason I’d like to see boarders on the Destiny is to give more chances for tie-ins between episodes outside of character issues. Remember how that sand creature showed up again, then got people sick, then the next planet had the cure? The connections there were a bit of a stretch. Let the next sand creature bunk with the giant metal-sucking leeches who are stuck in corridor H and you have a place to revisit when the need rolls around again. Also, I’m a huge fan of the pace of standalone episodes, but it’s nice to see familiar faces (if the boarders have faces) now and again.
I’d like to see Destiny’s history become relevant sometimes. Maybe other explorers who lived in another part of the ship for a while could show up to get their futon – or maybe they left some clues or traps for later Destiny inhabitants.
All kinds of weird stuff has probably happened on the Destiny and there’s lots of space for more weird stuff to happen. The Destiny has been floating around for long enough to support its own race of gremlins – complete with Destiny-specific adaptations. The gremlins don’t have to live on the ship, but they’d have some dependence on it. They could have built their own spaceship by now or spend their time hang-gliding in Destiny’s wake.
Also, the Destiny is big enough to be hiding all sorts of stowaways. Remember the cat from Red Dwarf? That was imagination.
1. Chloe
2. More about the history of Destiny and the stargates
3. Sex
4. The “sweet potato”
5. Aliens!!!
Roasting the haggis may well be the way to go, but still – I don’t eat offal. All it took to reach that decision was the look and smell of my mother’s attempts at liver & onions when I still lived at home. The decision has served me well so far….
Toques off to your friend taking the Le Cordon Bleu program in Japan – they keep you busy no matter where, but to take it in a foreign language? Wow. English was bad enough!
SGU questions:
1) I would like to see some more backstory on Greer, and his past dustup with Telford. Actually, more background on just about everybody would be nice… 😉
2) I’d like to see more organized exploration of both the ship and planets – I miss the science and cultural aspects.
3) I could stand to see less of the stones used for personal relationships, and more use for problem-solving. Let Carter & McKay switch with somebody and have a crack at the tech issues! Would love to see McKay argue with Rush!
4) Favorite story moment? Well, I really liked when Eli got to go home to see his mom, but chickened out at telling her that it was him. And, when Young knocked Rush’s block off – I was pretty sure he’d drag Rush back through the gate by an ankle or something, but he didn’t!!
5) Element to add? Hmmm. Maybe some more cool alien tech that the Destiny inhabitants can use that become part of the overall “language” of the show… zat guns, GDO’s, life sign detectors, etc etc.
Thanks for the opportunity for input, I feel like I’m making a wish list for Santa.
Speaking of Santa, which made me think of Felix, I’m glad to see the rehab facility allowed him to visit your Mom. Hope she’s doing well (waves to Mom Mallozzi).
Lisa
Aww, you’re welcome….glad it arrived safely. Now you can see why I spent some time creating it. Lots of great memories for you in the coming year and a bit.
To explain to everyone:
I “borrowed” photos from Joe’s blog (Chocolate parties, Tokyo trip, the dogs and his friends) imported them into iPhoto & created a calendar that Apple printed for me. Each month featured a Tokyo memory with captions from Joe’s reviews of that dish. It turned out even better than I imagined (well apart from a slightly blurry pic of you & Kerry). I tried to include as many people as I could (some may feature more frequently than others *wink*) & added pics for people’s birthdays (if I knew them). Apologies to anyone whose birthday wasn’t on the calendar.
Cheers and thanks for the blog dedication!
Chev
@ Rose
1. I’d like to see the politician’s daughter do something more useful.
Me? I would like to see a politician do something more useful.
😉
Haggis – I am so surprised that you like it. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it either. I avoid it. Deep fried chocolate I have yet to try.
Haggis are such unusual animals – I often see them when I go to the Highlands. 🙂
It just does not look appealing. I’m glad you enjoyed it, though!
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ and Rush. Both have great potential and knowing more about their backgrounds and their motivations would be wonderful.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship itself. I was always sad more of Atlantis itself wasn’t explored. I think you mentioned this would show up in the second half of this season, but I’d definitely love to see more, be it booby traps or experiments or weapons.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Gotta go with the stones here. I love the back stories, I do. I just find it can detract from the story at hand. Life was an excellent use of them. But when it’s just one or two characters on Earth inserted into the ep, it feels more clunky.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Tough! I loved absolutely every aspect of Time. My favorite episode by far. For a more specific moment, though…the fact that Young left Rush on the planet. I know he’ll be back, but damn! that was cold. And a fascinating personality twist to see in our “hero”. (Always my favorite kind of twist!)
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I realize this isn’t most people’s favorite thing, but I miss the technobabble. I feel like Eli’s math genius should be shown more in practice rather than just by him sitting at the computer. I’d like to see some new Ancient tech (going along with the exploration of the ship) that the geeks on board go crazy over. I’d also love to see the friendship between Matt and Eli and Chloe develop. I love the strong younger characters. And I think it’s friendships that will really get this crew through.
Thanks, Joe! You’re very nice to allow us a few words of contribution.
I wasn’t going to answer right away, but I’m with DP. I’d like to see more of the older, wiser, graver Jack O’Neil.
The rest can wait for the wait times during tomorr…*ahem* today’s four-hour medical test. Should have been asleep three hours ago. G’nite.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? Eli or Rush. Or maybe the lady doctor (whose name I can’t remember at the moment) — would be nice to see more of her that doesn’t revolve around whatever may have happened with her and Young. There was something about the way she watched/talked to Eli when that annoying chick was dying in that episode that never happened that kinda grabbed me.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? Aliens, time-travel, AU, that sort of thing. I actually think the body-swapping stones could be pretty interesting if used for something other than sex/romance drama/debriefing. I was excited at first, but so far it seems like they’ve mostly been used as an excuse to turn a space show into a soap opera. Among other things, it would be neat to see what would happen if someone who wasn’t supposed to have access to the stones got them (an enemy? an alien? a civilian with no knowledge of the stargate?).
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? Everyone’s love lives. Seriously. So over that.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? I loved the reactions of the crew when they discovered the video of them dying, and also them when they were on the planet and trying to figure out how to save themselves.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? More humor and teamwork/friendship. There’s a lot of sexiness and anger; I’d like to see more of that great friendship dynamic like we had in SG-1 and SGU. And it would be nice if you could show a strong friendship between a male and female develop, as well (one that is clearly platonic, yet still strong).
OOH, an opinion poll. Goodie:)
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Rush – I want to know what makes him tick
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Destiny – we’ve seen precious little of her considering the size and scope.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Those bloody awful yet too convenient “stones” I tend to go and make a cup of tea when they come into play as it makes the whole thing too “soapy”
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Definitely the end of Justice!!!!
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’d like to see some of the crew actually accepting the situation and trying to make the best of it with dignity and humour. I’ve found that some of the most desperate times in my life have yielded some very dark but hysterically funny observations and moments. For instance I remember ringing my friend and saying I had to cancel something cus I had to go to my Gran’s funeral and my friend said sympathetically” oh has she died?” and in my tearful hysteria I was struck by the absurdity of the question and replied “No, but we’re burying her anyway”
You’re a brave man, Joe Mallozzi. Good to know that you enjoyed the Haggis, even though you defiled it before devouring it. 😛
A busy couple of days again, so didn’t have time to comment on yesterday’s entry. Woohoo!! I knew it wasn’t Crossroads, haha.
A big thank you to Joe and my fellow blog commenters for the congrats!
So, Cloverdale. Well, there’s a Cloverdale not far from here; my family and I use its US border crossing all the time when we go on our road trips. As I wrote in my original guess, it’s not new for Stargate to name an episode after the town it’s set in. Is something going to happen in Cloverdale that will somehow connect to the crew on Destiny? Is one of the characters from Cloverdale, and now we get to see their backstory? Or, as g.o.d pointed out, is this an allusion to a story from another show where similar things happened?
With Brad writing it, I’m fairly certain it’s going to be Awesome. 😀
So hey guess what? It looks like all my schoolwork has paid off! I just got accepted into the Calfornia Institute of Technology as a Graduate Student!! Woohoo!! If everything goes well, I will be commenting on this blog from my cosy dorm room in Pasadena, California 7 months from now. Of course, that also means I won’t be in the same city as the Stargate productions…*sigh*. It’d be great if I can just have one chance to visit the studios and tour it or something before I leave the city.
Yes, that’d be nice.
Very nice.
Like, very really nice.
Anyways, a survey!! Cool! See, this is why I love this blog; it’s really not very often that an Executive Producer of a show would be so open to interacting with the fans like this. Awesome.
I’ll put my answers in another comment, as it’s pretty long.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I’d like to see the Destiny explored more. And maybe see if the Destiny has tech that allows for the repair of Stargates. Spare parts etc for Stargates would be cool to see (and yes I understand it would be somewhat difficult to gate to a planet with a broken Stargate)
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Ancients, the Destiny and the Stargate.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The quick zooms into the characters faces and things. I totally get that it’s part of the new look for the show, but if you didn’t use it on a lot of shots i’m sure the emotion the audience is feeling when it’s there would still be felt even if it wasn’t there.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
If you count the first time the Destiny lowered its solar collectors to gather the sun’s energy then that one. It’s to date my most favourite part of the “first ten”. It was so emotional that I teared up to its awesomeness.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’m unsure if this is the way you guys were going with this but in the future i’d like to see you rescuing the crew from the Destiny and having the “proper trained people” continuing with its mission. Some of our favourite characters would also be asked to leave. And maybe they don’t want to. Or maybe they start experiencing a kind of Stockholm’s syndrome that makes them prefer their lives on the Destiny. Or maybe there is something that only they know and need to be there to help out on the Destiny (btw the stones would have since been destroyed so they can’t just communicate) And they need to urgently and desperately get their way back on the ship.
You did say it was left wide open. 🙂
@ Narelle: this is RE: the mental institution beside your house comment that you posted 2 days ago. Anyways…wow. That is incredibly unsettling. I don’t think I can handle being so close to some place so creepy and dangerous!
So yeah, post a pic! Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it! 😛
1. Tamara
2. Destiny’s mysteries overwhelming Rush’s limited knowledge, it’s always fun to watch him pouting.:D
3. Sex in every second episode, that should be limited perhaps to an every four episodes ratio.:)
4. The suicide triggered by the claustrophobia of the Destiny.
5. Strange scientific phenomenons, i.e. I read in a journal that something is pulling a dozen of galaxies away from the “general path” of the other galaxies, which is like WTF?
But in that aspect, Time excelled itself.
The recipe really wanted 350°C? Dang, that is one hot oven! My compliments though, I’d be way too chicken to try haggis, but I’m glad you liked it. I’ll admit, it did look good. Anyway, in response to your questions:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I don’t know if there’s a specific character I’d like to see explored more, but there are certainly some relationships I’d like to see explored more. Eli and Chloe, Eli and Scott, and any involving Wray.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Honestly—and I don’t know if this will be a common response, but I doubt it—but one of the things I’ve loved so far was the exploration of, for lack of a better term, the larger Stargate universe. Not in terms of outer space, but some of the political machinations going on back on Earth. The stuff with Strom and the IOA, for example. I can certainly see how it might detract from some of the action on the Destiny, and that’s a valid argument, and maybe this isn’t even the right show to explore that arena in, especially in the detail I might like, but I’ve certainly enjoyed it. I don’t know if it should be exploited more or not, given the premise of the show, but I have heard that some of the Earth stuff might get de-emphasized in the second half of season 1; I just hope we still get to see some of that stuff.
And more going through the gate, too. That’s what it’s there for, right?
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Everyone’s saying the stones, and they might be right. As I said, some of the bigger Earth issues I’m enjoying, but some of the more personal Earth-based stories are a different story. But that might happen naturally, anyway. I mean, how many times can Eli go visit his mother while pretending to be someone else? So, I guess, it’s not that I necessarily want that minimized, I more don’t want those stories to lose their power by being used so frequently.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Last ten minutes of “Justice,” without a doubt. “Justice” was, without question, a completely brilliant episode and absolutely well placed. It didn’t have the “big story” feel of a season finale (because things didn’t really heat up until the end), but it had a helluva cliffhanger that wouldn’t have felt right on any ol’ episode. And the best part was that it wasn’t something Stargate wouldn’t done on Atlantis or SG-1. It’s gonna have a massive effect on things, and it’s gonna lead to a great journey for Young, who had always seemed to be too good of a guy to do something like that. It was a character risk, something that I’m not sure Stargate’s ever done before, and that’s exciting.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Ancients. Their history has more holes in it than an oil field. I’m sure some of that is intentional, but I’m all for making them more mysterious by solving some of the already existing mysteries. But I feel we honestly haven’t learned much about them in recent years. Aside from finding Destiny, I feel like the last time Ancient history was touched on was in “The Pegasus Project” or possibly “The Quest, Part 2.” Basically, I guess I feel that there hasn’t been much in the way of the greater Stargate mythology actually explored in SGU. Sure, it set the groundwork, but I can’t really recall learning much of anything about them (again, besides the fact that they built the Destiny.
Answers from SG Univer website!
UltimateRyukendo said…
Eli. Full Back story with all the nerd perks and stuff.
27 January, 2010
Anonymous said…
Nicholas Rush 🙂
And Tamara Johansen, Chloe Armstrong and Camille Wray.
I like to see more characters like Ripley, or Sarah Connor. 🙂
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Either Greer or Rush.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Humor.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Drama.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Rush talking about Ascension in episode “Time”. It makes me want to see him achieve Ascension at some point in the future.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Exploring more planets & meeting more aliens.
P.S.- …I’d also like to see them using the stargate more often… much more often. 🙂
I would like to know more about Tamara and Ronald. I think they’re great characters.
I’m interested to see what’s going to happen science wise, now that Rush is m.i.a
Minimize the stones or rethink how to use the stones. I understand the relations between but I have trouble accepting that someone would have sex with their friend just because they say it’s really they’re husband.
When Col. Young left Rush. That was amazing, I also like Ronald Greer a lot. I love the attitude of the character.
I would like to see more flaws in the “perfect” characters. I think the longer they are trapped more human and surivial traits would emerge. “Fight or Flight” if you will.
Hi, Joe.
Thank you for the info on the haggis…I remember we ate something similar to that back in the ’50’s…not something I’d care to try again though.
Also thank you for your questions on SGU’s season two:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
MSgt. Ronald Greer
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
MORE exploration of the ship. We never really had a great opportunity to explore Atlantis, which was a shame, beautiful city that it was. The Destiny appears to be equally enticing.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The bickering and one-upmanship.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The sacrifices everyone made in ‘Time.’ They worked as a team to survive. They have it in them, they need to show that side more. Lt. Scott was awesome! Even Rush contributed.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More romance to the sexual liaisons. More displays of friendship, of caring, self respect, respect towards others, compassion, concern, and honor of self.
And please, please, PLEASE, give the female characters something better to do than kvetch, be the love interest, whine, and plot.
Thank you!
Q.1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
A.1. Greer (but I guess an episode in the second half of SGU S1 will take care of that?) Otherwise, TJ and Chloe.
Q.2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
A.2. Exploring the Destiny. Using technology on board the Destiny. How much have they explored?
Q.3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
A.3. Ancient Long Range Communication Stones usage. Couldn’t we get rid of them? OR have more serious downsides, negative effects linked to them. I’d like to see a more solitary/secluded crew of the Destiny, away from Earth. I like the dark aspect that is contained in that.
Q.4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
A.4. So much to choose from. In the end I’d have to go with the Destiny flying through a sun to power itself. That was awesome, albeit maybe a bit predictable for the viewers, but the turn with the shuttle was great. The dark shooting style, Kino-vision in Time was awesome too. I liked the more subtle special effects in that one, combined with a good underlying story. I’m looking forward to the episodes (in the second half) (that) you wrote.
Q.5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
A.5. I’d prefer a more cut-off from Earth feel, combined with some new alien interaction, like we saw with the Dust Alien from Water and Air. I’d also like to see more of the Destiny. And TBH, I always like a good story like Doppelganger, Sunday etc. where there’s really a grave sense of danger, possibly combined with a character’s death. Speaking of characters, and to end with, I’d like to see more of the other characters explored as well. I like the Kino-vision little fragments we saw in Light and Darkness, exploring the minor characters. It gives a great sense of diversity. The Kino-webisodes on MGM are also great in that aspect! I’m looking forward to the return of those Kino-sodes as well. 🙂
Here’s my answers to your wonderful questions:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Tamara. She’s amazing, i think she could be just like Carson in Atlantis. who knows?
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Destiny itself. Like the Atlantis, they slowly reveal the secrets of the place, maybe you could do something like that. And maybe some crossover from SG-1 and Atlantis. sometimes, it gave me this great feeling to watch and point, “hey, that’s xxx from yyy!”
a bit like Tsubasa Chronicle and xxxHolic style. d’ya know this 2 manga/anime?
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The communication stone. it’s kinda ruins the whole dependent part thing. let’s just say the stone smash or something. maybe it’ll be great. i mean, do you show everytime Atlantis contact the SGC for report? i dont think so, cuz it’s kinda boring.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Mm…the opening. when the camera slowly went across Destiny, then the gate start dialing in, i was like, “Oh, a new gate! A new arc!” *maybe not that dramatic, but a bit like that.* maybe because i always find a dialing gate is amazing, perhaps?
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Maybe more mythology. no mythology added so far right? except for the stargate mythology. i’m not sure about the 2nd half, but it might be a good thing to have an arc running. maybe there is one running, i’m too dumb to realize; a bit more obvious, perhaps?
just an example, from revived Doctor Who:
Season 1: the series slowly seed the words “Bad Wolf”, and at the end, it reveals who is Bad Wolf, why does the word scatters across the time and space, all the way to Season 4 ending.
Season 4: The Seer said to Donna in Eps 2 – “there’s something on your back” and to the Doctor “she’s returning!”. they only resolve this words later in Eps 11 until 13.
you get it? it’s like when you watch it, you get these, “oh, this words, that’s what it meant!” or incase of event; “oh, this is what really happen back then!”.
well, i’m just saying. it’s still up to you, rite?
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ, no quesion.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I’d like to see an episode when the ship’s countdown malfunctions while a team is actually OFF-WORLD.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Definitely the stones. While I do see the need for character development, can’t the development itself carry on without the use of the stones?
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The Rush/Young fight at the end of ”Justice”
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More episodes like ”Time”
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
The secondary characters as a whole, but if we’re talking main cast, then TJ and Greer.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship. Can’t be on a runaway train forever. Gotto take control at some point.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Everyone’s going to say either “The Stones”, “The Sex” or “The Chloe”, so I’ll be different (and none of those three things bother me).
I’ll say that jeopardy that doesn’t feel real should be minimised. Timmy down the well… sorry, Scott down the crevasse didn’t feel real as it was the third or fourth episode and we /know/ he’s not going to die.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
At the end of Light, where Young suddenly started wondering if Rush knew they were going to be heading into the sun.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
A little more humour, specifically humour that isn’t being added just by Eli. He can’t always be the source or the butt of the joke.
Hi
I suppose you know MGM put in auctions some probs from Sg1 and Atlantis. This give me some worries about the SGA movie.
Is this means there will not be the movie promised after the cancellation…..?
I must add I gave the chance to SGU but I gave up by now. It’s really not stargate show IMO.
I hope you’d take your time to answer me at my worries and I know I’m not alone thinking the same.
If this means there will not the movie I will think it will be another deception after all said since the cancellation from you or BW.
PS I hope too Your relation between you and SGA cast is going better especially with Joe F.
Thanks for you answer
Dom
Hi Mr M!
Greetings from sleep-deprived, though joyous baby-land. Taking a break from washing bottles and baby-grows to drop into the blog!
Ya see! That’s why I love this blog so much! I’m betting there will be a comment total of 256 by the end of the day!!
Yet once more, I (for one) truly appreciate this opportunity to weigh-in, knowing just the first half of Season 1.
In response to your feed-back request:
(1) Character Explored More: TJ. Hands down. In the pilot I was gripped by a particular beat where Rush, in an effort to sympathise on the loss of Chloe’s Dad, talks about the great mystery of the Destiny, rather than commiserating on the loss of her father. The Head-shake and Look away of TJ spoke hugely of her character and her thoughts on Rush! More please! Huge room for development.
(2) Aspect Exploited More: Using the Destiny (even more)as a separate character. I know others may say this, but like Atlantis, I for one hope that Destiny allows us to explore and find out more, and indeed throw us a few curve balls every so often. The discovery of lost corridors leading to ?, out of date ancient tech. causing devastation, rudimentary stargate-beaming hybrid are just some of the ideas I have pondered in my own Walter Mitty PTB pitch meeting…if I were a writer…any good at it…living in Vancouver etc etc
(3) Aspect Minimized: This may sting….can we tone down the teen-esque/nightclub social relations a tad? I for one was a bit at sea with the Chloe in the nightclub/The Hills-esque scenes. I fully appreciate the other character development/drama led story-lines, just that one group of scenes kinda left me cold. Too much Earth-based/body swopping can be a bit distracting. (And I fully admit I am no longer 20, and probably a grump!)
(4) Favourite Story Moment: The whole concept of “Time”, with the non-crayon ending = pure class.
(5) Element Added to the Series as A Whole: “What this show needs is damn sexy female aliens!”….ok only joking. (SG1 fans will get the reference). Can we (gently) re-introduce the humour as seen in SG1 and SGA? I fully appreciate that this is an edgier/darker fight-for-your-life situation but a little levity (eg Eli and the Hof system) would be cool. C’mon you guys are fab at this!!
Will probably think of others as soon as I log off. But that’s what I got for now.
Best to all!
S’n’T
If Haggis smells anything like chitlins when it’s cooking, I’ll have to pass. Though I suppose if I get a chance to try it where someone else has done the olfactory suffering for me, I’ll give it a go. Technically I think you can count this as a weird food. After all, the Scots are a sufficient minority that even if it’s a national dish, there aren’t enough of them to make haggis mainstream. (ducking for cover from tossed cabers and swinging claymores).
1) All of the background characters. I don’t mean major fleshing out. More like “bacon” moments for those faces for whom we’ve not had names attached. Something to humanize them, to make us feel something if and when they bite the dust. I’m trusting you’ve already brought out more about the major characters in the back half of the season. or plan to do so in the current batch of scripts in production.
2) Destiny. I’d like to see the ship “prettied up” a bit. At least lit up and explored enough for us to enjoy comparing the early Ancient design vs. the later Atlantis look. I’d also love to see an exploration of Destiny’s computer. I have been wondering if it has a Liberator-like AI or not, and how that AI might manifest if allowed to.
3) The stones, and communications with Earth. While I realize that this opens up more story lines, I think it is also allowing you writers to cheat a bit. From bringing in crossover characters, to doing soap opera-ish plot lines, it detracts from the isolation the stranded crew are supposed to be experiencing. While I’d miss Telford is this angle is cut back, I think it would improve the show overall.
4) Hmm, story moment. I’ve not re-watched all the episodes, so there are several moments that might qualify. But I’ll go with the “you knew all along the ship would recharge” moment during Light. It sets up the situation between Rush and Everett, without conceeding Rush actually was thinking that diabolically. I enjoy the fact that Rush really doesn’t give a damn what people think, even when it makes him look bad. Most people worry so much about appearances that they go out of their way to counter such negative views.
5) Others have answered this very well. I’d like to see the Stargate mythology expanded, and I’d like just a wee bit of optimism among the reluctant crew. I’d settle for something that would also tie in to my answer to number 1. More “aha!” moments as the crew makes baby steps towards survival. From finding new food sources, to learning some skill that improves their overall odds(where are the Ancient classes so that more people can read the “Do Not Enter”, or “WC” signs? Just 1-2 minute scenes that give us a glimpse into daily life, and possibly set up a future story.
Thanks for asking for imput. Don’t know if any of the responses inspire the writers’ muses, but it’s nice to think that our feelings and thoughts make at least a small difference.
I must add one thing. I gave this chance coz you asked us cos I follow the franchise since the beginning and hoping this will get the SGA movie. but till now no news from you.
I know you wrote the script. so where is the movie promised?
Dom
Hello =) ça va ? moi oui mais un peu malade..
Du haggis ? je ne connais pas, mais ça resemble à une gros boudin…
Alors pour répondre à vos questions:
1…..Rush,Matt,Tamara,Everett, Eli, Chloé
2….Des aventures, avec pleins de nouveaux monde et de nouvelles espèce.
3….Le fait de trop se pencher sur les personnages et leurs sentiments….trop de blabla* pour rien.
4….je ne me souviens pas .?
5….Des extraterrestres qui font peurs, et d’autre espéce incroyable….donc nous faire voyager grâçe à tout cela au lieu de nous confronter au probléme des différentes personnages….qui est très lassant.
Voila =) gros bisou!
blabla* = parler pour ne rien dire d’intéressant.
Haggis?? Ick. I have no intentions of eating sheeps intestines. Yuck.
On to SGU….
1. Tamara
2. More space stuff. I would like to see them meeting aliens. I would like to see more space exploration. And….more exploration through the Stargate.
3. I think you ought to get rid of the those comm stones. I feel they are too much of a cheat. And…I don’t like the whole body swapping thing. I feel it’s immoral.
4. When they go off-world and explore other worlds.
5. They need alien allies and/or alien enemies.
1. Colonel David Telford
2. Aliens, Enemies, Mythology, space action
3. The constant issues with the ship falling part
4. Poor old Rush finding the alien ship, and then subsequently abandoned
5. I want a central enemy, a mega villain, and attached to the central enemy and over arching mythology.
1. I’m with a few other people here and would like to see more of Tamara….and Eli. I love Eli and while I know every episode can’t be about him…he (David Blue) is a joy to watch.
2. Granted the 1/2 half of the season might give us further insight into the inner working of Destiny but at this point I would like see more of the ship.
3. I know the show is about the human condition but the constant despair is really making it hard for me to watch. Even people in the worst circumstance manage to find a way to laugh about something.
4. This is hard…I would say when Eli visits his mother and talks her into making him cookies. The love for his mother is palatable and a little heart breaking but he managed to keep it light.
5. Humor – there is no humor. Stargate separated it’s self from everything else with its humor. Universe is almost humorless and makes for a tough hour of television at a time when television is a way to escape the tough realities of this world.
Thanks Joe! I love that you actually welcome our comments.
To add with my previous comment. So I said I’d like to see the stones go out of the window. I prefer that. 🙂 I do like the flashback story-line telling. Like for example Scott and the priest in Air. (Sort of flashback.) I’d take that over the stones any day. However I fear you (the writers/producers) will be reluctant to get rid of the stones. :S That’s why I suggested a downplay with logical reasoning behind it, ’cause I feel sometimes the stones get shoved away while they should have been mentioned.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I’d love to see Eli or Rush explored more
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The way Destiny is powered
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Communitcation Stones
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? Rush being expelled and stranded on an island with the ship
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Eli’s optimism and almost child like awe – I want to see this rub off on others – after all, laughter is the best medicine.
I admit that I’ve decided to stop watching so perhaps my input isn’t what you are looking for. If, big IF I hear positive things about the show I may change my mind. For the record I agree with a lot of the other posters that the stones need to go. I find that they distract from the story on board the ship and create situations that seem false and unnecessary on Earth.
The show needs to be less dark. I am not talking in terms of tone, but literally add some set lights. Its ridiculous how dark the set is. I realize it hides a lot of imperfections but to me it just seems like that is what it is doing, not making it dramatic. Find the light switch.
Make me care about at least one of the characters. Right now I don’t and that was why I decided to stop watching. When you have actors of the high caliber that SGU has and I still don’t give a crap something is wrong.
Joe,
Mmm Haggis, it’s whats for dinner! Although I haven’t tried it yet(gawd I want to). I didnt know it came like that Inside. I could deffinatle see panfrying that like the breakfast meat getta or as some know it as spackle also. What do you think Joe? Would it be a good option to do that since you’ve now tried it? Kind of what I do with spam.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? Volker or Greer. Id think it would be intersting to see more of a backstory of these two if its not already explored in the 2nd half of S1
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?Someting more interesting finds w/ Destiny- the sun thing was the best we have seen. But At least I do want more than sand for the Oxy scrubbers or water needed, or an Inoperal shuttle.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? None really ecept mabe the teasing of a relationship Eli gets from Chloe. Poor guy has got to have bluballs by now. Or you can let it happen just once.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? Anything with Rush Faking out the crew and Eli just being Eli
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? A door to what the Ancients were doing, Rush has kept most of what Destiny can do to Himself. We all are in the dark still on Destinys capabilities or its functions.
Haggis! Yum!!
I think the sex scenes could be skipped without any loss.
If you are going to keep using the stones, use them to bring someone useful over to Destiny (eg. McKay).
Let’s see the crew act more professionally. Granted, they were ‘the wrong crew for this mission’, but they were selected to be on Icarus so they really should be the cream of the crop.
Joe,
No pics of the finished haggis plate? Come on! That’s like…your cable going out during the last 5 minutes of a season finale.
1. I’d like to see more back story or Rush. I love to hate that guy, so I’d like to know what got him there.
2. I’d definitely like to see more exploration of Destiny. It after all, is the most mysterious character on the show.
3. I’m a bit torn here. I know where you guys are going with the character driven angle. But sometimes I miss the old “sci-fi-alien-dilemma” if you know what I mean.
4. Favorite story moment? There were a few. Those that stand out are definitely when Young stranded Rush on the planet, and when Rush (see a theme here?) was ready to sacrifice anyone (but himself) to unlock the secrets of the chair.
5. Teletubbies. They’re terrifying.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
At the moment Rush, but seeing as his past will be revealed in ‘Human’ I’d say either Telford or TJ. Telford because he is a complete asshole of which he is aware, but he just doesn’t give a shit because he’s above it. His past with Young is also rather interesting, and it would be nice to see that explored. TJ because we don’t know that much about her, other than a hinted affair with Young and that she’s a drop-out from medical school.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The past of the characters. One of the things I didn’t like about Atlantis was the lack of a past life of the characters (or rather, that it wasn’t explored except for a couple of references). Take Sheppard for example, in the first episode it was clear something happened to him in the Gulf War and that had him shipped to Antarctica, but that interesting aspect of him wasn’t explored until much later in the third season, at which point most of the people had forgotten about it. A rather missed opportunity, because a rich backstory brings a character more to life and helps the viewer relate to them, because you see how the characters ended up the way they are now. It seems that the characters in SGU are getting developed that way though (with Rush in ‘Human’ and Greer in ‘Lost’), but I wouldn’t mind taking it another step further like with an episode that takes place before Air: seeing how Greer ended up in jail, why Telford and Young hate eachother so much, how Eli ended up from mathematical genius to game-addict in his mother’s basement, etc. Which is also an opportunity to include some familiar (perhaps dead) faces for long-time fans.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Less melodramatic stuff from the stones would be nice. I don’t mind the stones at all, but if each and every time they are used for melodramatic purposes I can see why some people are starting to hate them. ‘Life’ for example: having Scott discover he has a son which didn’t know of is okay, but having his son raised by a stripper mom who can’t afford the bills is a bit too melodramatic.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
I really enjoyed the episode ‘Earth’, in particular the end where Rush pulled of his plan, and of course the moment where the stones glitched in the middle of the ‘action’. Telford’s look was simply priceless.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’d like to see some ongoing arc on Earth, but not through the stones per se. It could be completely seperate from the Destiny arc, something to do with the Trust (come on, they’ve too much interesting story potential for not to use them) or the Clava Thessara Infinitas (which could end up being worthwile for the Destiny, something like a seeder ship). Also gives a chance to salvage these unfinished arcs from the heap, and to explore the current situation in the Milkyway.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? – Eli, just to watch him grow up more. TJ because she has potential. Chloe because she needs to find a purpose and that would be an interesting character arc.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I want more ship exploration. I think there’s all sorts of interesting potential from looking around there.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The undercurrent of discontent. I have enough of that in my real life. I’d like to see them pulling together.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
I can’t remember a specific one, but I always appreciated the times when we got to see the “real person” instead of the persona the character was giving off in the stress of their position or situation.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Snark. It needs way more snark. Pithy one-liners that make you snort. You’ve danced around it with Eli, but can we loosen up everyone else? And just some humor. Gallows humor would even be sufficient.
Oh sweet fan input!!!!!!!
1. My favs are Young and Greer but they’re already both explored or going to be explored. I’d like to see some more on James and Becker. I love how your using James but Becker is underused for sure.
2. Action for sure. However, since I know you have a limited number of people to kill off, so it’s hard to have shooting every episode. 🙂 I would love to see more offworld adventures and alien encounters.
3. I have to say the stones really. Not the fact that they are there, they just consume the storyline. I love the personal stories like the one with Young, I just think they need to be a bit shorter.
4. I liked the insane plot and action from time, I liked the twist in life about Rush lying, and I like the twisting plotline of justice!
5. I would like the feeling of adventure and hope. I wanna see aliens, action, exploration and discoveies. There has to come a point where the people realize they will be stuck there for a while and they will just have to work together to try to make something good out of the bad. Visit new worlds, meet new aliens, try to make new discoveries that will benefit humanity so when the arrive home they can say they can have discovered new worlds and races and that they did more than twiddle their thumbs and to find a way home.
I would also like to see minor characters like cpl. Rivers or Marsden or Dr. Boone or airmen rennie to be a bigger part of the cast. I’d like to see the one liner characters to do more.
Thanks again Joe for letting us give feedback!!!
Thanks so much,
Major D. Davis
I would really like to see some sort of a time-line of the existance of the Ancients, and the invention of different Ancient tehnology. I think this show should pick up where Atlantis should have explored more, the history of all things Ancient. I know Atlantis has the bad guys ruining exploration, and those damned filler episodes didn’t help things along. SGU has time for exploration. I think in every episode, there could be a little time for someone to stumble upon new information on the History of things. “Hey look here, I found this, and this may be the most imporatant discovery of all time! Or at least until we discover something else next week!” I’m rambling, I know. Gateworld has a little bit of a time-line up, but I don’t think it’s all that accurate. You guys write this stuff, so you guys should be able to know for sure.
Haggis is one of those foods found in every culture, that people within the culture appreciate and people outside generally can’t understand. (In my background, that food is kishke.)
Omg Joe! I totally forgot. For number 1. Certainly I forgot about seargent Riley. Haven’t seen hm so I forgot. But definately I would love to see more of him!!!!!
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I’ll never get enough of Nicholas Rush – he’s absolutely fascinating, however I’d also like to see more of Tamara Johansen. I loved her in Water and I’d like to see more of her taking charge. And more of her acting as a medic. I’d love to see her tell Young off for the way he treated her – I’d be pissed if a guy used me and dumped me like he did. She should stand up to him.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
More explorations of the worlds they find. More of those on-planet adventures like in Time.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Far, far less of the Earth trips. I tend to fastforward past those when I’m watching my recorded episodes. Totally uninteresting and dull. BORING – get rid of them.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The scene I rewatch the most is Rush’s collapse scene from ‘Darkness’ simply because Robert Carlyle is absolutely stunning. I’m also very fond of Rush and TJ’s interactions in Water and Rush and Greer’s interactions in Time.
Darkness, Water, and Time are my favorite episodes. All I tend to watch of ‘Earth’ is the scene at the end where Rush saves the day and embarrasses Telford – that was excellent.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’m mostly interested in learning more about Destiny; I keep wondering if that ship is sentient in some way.
I’m also looking for is for Young to pay for what he did to Rush at the end of Justice. I wanted to do Young some serious physical harm. And BTW – the hiatus until April is bollocks.
Would like to see Rush develop some deeper relationships with the people on board, esp. TJ, Greer, and Brodie.
Too bad we can’t get rid of Eli. Every time I see him, I want to slap him silly. Maybe TJ can do it – she looked like she wanted to in Water.
Oh, and can something be done to save Chloe? Right now she’s utterly useless and I can’t see a reason for her character to even exist.
Counting down to April,
-J
Joe – I’ve been very busy lately, but I want to share my thoughts on your questions – hopefully tonight.
Also, I’m proud of you! Congrats on your first bag o’ haggis! Now…how about that 100-year old egg. 😉
das
As a Scot, personally I can’t stand haggis, and I’ve never tried a deep fried mars bar, lol! My mum’s a fan of haggis though, as was my dad 🙂
1. I don’t have much of a preference for character exploration, but if pushed it would be Rush, Tamara or Greer
2. Don’t know
3. The stones
4. Uhm…probably Young leaving Rush on the planet in ‘Justice’
5. Aliens and humour!
I love a well prepared haggis!
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
More Col. Telford… There has to be more than what we as viewers have seen of him. I have difficulty believing his motivation for getting on board is just because he has been trained for the mission- perhaps someone on board is a loved one?
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Again, Telford. He seems to be a secondary character trying to be a primary.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? The stones- while we as viewers can relate to the transportation aspect of the stones- that’s all they appear to be able to do.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Col. Young smacking the hell out of Telford!
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Perhaps more interaction with Interplanetary beings or phenomena that influences characters
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer. He takes his job so seriously. He has serious issues with Camille and Telford. I want to know more about his life back on Earth.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I like to know more about what is going on back on Earth (no using of the stones). A parallel story to what is going on THE DESTINY. What is Telford getting up to? More Jack O’Neil would be nice.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The Stones. I like how they gave the audience a chance to learn about the character’s lives back on Earth.
I think as time goes on this constant communication is doing going to do more harm then good. I would like to see the crew realize this and stop using the stones to visit Earth and just used them as a way to send regular updates to Earth.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Young punching out Telford. Just what is up between Telford and Young’s wife.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I believe Rob and Brad said that they don’t want a regular bad guy like the Wraith or the Goauld but that is what I would like to see.
1. Tamara, as she is the most interesting (as therefore favourite) character in my opinion.
2. More stargate action! Gating to other worlds, soemtimes for longer periods of time (removal of the time limit would be nice sometimes 🙂 ).
3. I’m liking the increased romance and character development, but it wouldn’t hurt to slow it down slightly to allow for a bit more action.
4. I loved Time, the plot was brilliant, the acting amazing and there was some action sequences. The rest of SGU, in my humble opinion, didn’t match it, mainly because the plot was fast in Time, and some episodes (I’m looking at you Earth!) were alittle bit too slow for my liking.
5. Oooooooooh, brilliant question. My thoughts? We’re in a brand new freakin galaxy and we nothing, and i mean nothing, about who lives there! I know alot of people will want to disagree with me, but some knowledge of the races out there and mabye even a recurring enemy/friendly race would help alot. Because all we know at the moment is that theres a little dust/sand creature out there. I loved it, and the CG was amazing – but seeing some aliens in our Sci Fi would help 🙁 . I have heard rumours that there is some kind alien coming up in the last episode (?), a milky way alien who we know from SG1/Atlantis. However, what about a completely alien race which is really difficult to communicate with (think District 9 aliens), would add heaps to the show, in my opinion.
Hope you can comment/critique the ideas that have been expressed in the comments section.
Thanks for reading 🙂
Hey Joe,
1. Character explored more: Dale Volker
2. I realize that exploring the ship means new sets, but I love knowing more about the ship. The Kino has been great!!! Love it.
3. Minimized: I honestly have loved the stories & all the characters. Does that make my feelings count less if I don’ criticize the show?
4. Story Moment: So many! When Lt. Scott is in the desert. The combination of flashbacks, aliens & life and death moment equals AWESOME!!!
5. Element Addition: I love the science! I want a star room with a team of astro-phys members trying to fiigure out where they are and where they are going.
I love SGU! I love the magic that Mark Savela and his team creates, the adventures that I get to have a peek into. Sci-Finis is my favorite genre and Stargate is some kind of wonderful!
Best to you Joe,
Cheryl. 🙂
Joe – your haggis sounds tasty. I had it once in Scotland but didn’t care for it (no offense to the Scots). But I’m game to try it again after finding out where it is done very well.
Thanks for asking us for our thoughts on the show. Hope our input helps a little.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Aside from Rush – the Destiny. There are so many things we don’t know about the ship that can be dangerous or helpful to the crew.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Basic scifi elements plus ACTION, i.e. solving life threatening situations with technology / quantum theory, Alien encounters, etc.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Body swapping with the stones for anything personal. The stones could be much more effective if they were used to bring people from Earth on board to solve problems. Bringing Carter, McKay, Daniel Jackson or O’Neil on board could be used for drama and/or comic relief. Maybe Jack can change bodies with Young or Rush to assess the situation. Or, maybe he could trade with Eli – that would be amusing. It would be a riot watching RDA do Eli and David Blue doing Jack O’Neil. Or, McKay trading with anyone would be funny – and helpful.
And, minimize the personal drama. This sometimes spills over the line to soap opera. Not what I want to see.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
When Young deserted Rush on the planet after figuring out he was the one behind the frame job. Good drama, action, and suspense.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Quicker pacing. It is taking too long for the back stories of the main characters to emerge. Aside from Scott, I feel we should know much more about them by now and should have more info on the secondary characters at this point.
I know it’s a big cast, but knowing more about all the lead characters early on would have helped me as an audience member become attached to them.
And another element – Less is More. Most times it is more intriguing to see sex or melodramatic scenes implied rather than see them directly. I suspect that a good portion of the audience would prefer this.
First of all, congratulations on doing so well with the Haggis. I am Hungarian but we have food similar to this and since I’m such a mad Scots fan, I have already tried Haggis but …erm…I still have to work on those skills, I guess.
As to the SGU part, the answers would be the following:
1. Rush. And if Rush is already being worked upon, than Eli and Volker.
2. Oh, I’m so into this question. a, Find someone who can actually sit on that chair. b, More about the daily routine like how to get new clothes, if possible, food, cooking, things that normally seem so evident but here…oh, and no razors please, I don’t want anyone to touch Rush’ stubble, it’s so…erm…authentic (wanted to say ‘sexy’ but trying not to be too naughty). c, definitely would like to see more on Destiny’s working process, what is it capable of, defense system, etc. The ship in its entirety.
3. Stones, probably…but I don’t really have anything against the show that should be minimized…bad enough that it won’t return until April or so.
4. Story moment: I had two, I cannot choose between them. a, When they all think they are about to fall into the sun and die sudden death and it was good to see how they reacted. Especially Rush, with his mediocre book…b, ‘We’ll never be done!’ Aaah, that hatred. The two went so far that I am seriously interested how you are going to fix that, not to the level of friendship of course but at least to an extent to not to make them vomit whenever they see each other.
5. Give them some hope, please. Hope on a regular level would be nice.
And thank you for making such a great show! 🙂
I wasn’t sure about SGU in the beginning but became more interested as the stories became more involving, especially loved the last few episodes, but there are also things that pull me out of the story and become tedious, and that’s the personal issues and over done angst and melodrama. And that’s compounded with the ‘in your face’ sex and soap opera elements. Relationships are fine and would be natural enough if not done with such a a heavy hand.
I’ve enjoyed the little bit of interaction between the characters and would like to see a bit more friendliness as they get to know each other and the resulting humor that can develop in human interaction.
Would love to see more exploration of the Destiny and maybe some unknown mysteries aboard the ship or even the planets to mystify us and make us wonder.
Would like to see Rush just a little less isolated, maybe he could actually like or trust someone, probably Eli. Always keep him conniving and untrustworthy but surprise us occasionally and have him do something good or admirable just so we never know what he’s actually up to.
I like Eli’s viewpoint to the reality he’s been thrust into, that’s been the most ‘fun’ elements but doesn’t take away from the story to add a bit of humor in any given situation.
I’ve been annoyed by the character of Chloe as being so useless but liked her in “Justice’ when she was given a task and she performed it well, would like to see her become more involved that way instead of just as a romantic interest or whining about her situation.
Looking forward to some action in the latter half and an encounter with an alien race, and would like to see more development with Eli, Rush, and some of the recurring characters and their working together and developing trust in each other and the military aspect with Young, Greer and Scott, but not as much emphasis on their flaws all the time but things to admire occasionally, too.
Time and Justice were my two of my favorite episodes, so more in that vein please and also liked the ones going through the gate to planets like in ‘Water’ and Air III”. Would love to be shocked again like at the end of ‘Justice’, loved not seeing that coming. Can’t wait to see how that’s resolved.Any episode that leaves me wondering is great writing.
More story and less personal drama is my wish. Character development is good, but there was too much of it at the beginning before we even knew or cared about the characters. That type of thing should be developed slower and over the course of a series, as we get to know the characters and become interested in their personal stories.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Tamara. I like what little I’ve seen of her to date, but it really has been too little. I am hoping like mad she gets more focus in the second half of season one.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Travel through the stargate because of a sense of wonder or natural human curiosity, and because these people have the opportunity to see things nobody else could or did.
So far, rightly, everything has been about survival. The ship is breaking down, it has no supplies, and the situation is kind of dire.
But once the needs of the crew have been largely met, I’d love to see trips through the stargate being about more than finding food or water or carbon dioxide filters. What about a natural sense of curiosity? These people must have joined stargate for a reason, and for some of them (beyond Rush), that must have been about a sense of adventure. I’d love to see some of those stories starting to come to the foreground.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The LRC stones.
I would have said the ‘ships — who’s sleeping with who this week? — but really, it’s the “sex while in someone else’s body” thing I find repugnant.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Eli’s visit with his mom back on Earth, and the reveal of why he signed up.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
A sense of family, or team. These people are in a desperate situation, and yet there is no sense of working together to try to help one another. Instead, there’s lots of backstabbing and petty infighting and shagging. We’re getting to see the worst of everyone involved, and as much as I think SG-1 and SGA may have overplayed the sense of heroism and camraderie, I think SGU is dwelling too much on people’s flaws.
And I’d like to see the characters start to grow and change, so that by the end of season two, it is possible to look back at who these people were in season one, and see how everything that has happened has changed them.
What I think is going to be an amazing story at the end of this series? Is watching what happens when these people do get home (I’m an optimist; they’ll find a way home 😀 ). Because in many cases, I think the people they’ve left behind now will meet strangers on the crew’s return to Earth.
Hi Joe
1. I would like to see Msgt. Ronald Greer explored more. His background and the way his character adapts to several situations is really good and I would like to see more of this.
2. I would like to see more of the Destiny and what its capable off. Its a big ship and I can feel upto now season 1 has only just touched the tip of the iceberg of what the Destiny can unleash.
3. I would like to see less character profiling in season 2. It started off great but I found its gone on way too long especially going to and from earth. Their stuck on a ship and it would be good if the focus became mainly on that.
4. My best story moment had to be the evacuation of the Icarus base.
5. I would like to see a long term enemy introduced somehow. like the wraith or go’uld. I mean who attacked the Icarus base and why? could it be something to do with destiny?
Either way i’m loving the show. After watching SG for well over a decade i’m still addicted.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Rusch and Eli…I have a feeling Rusch has a really cool and interesting backstory. Okay, I will tell you my take on what I though his backstory was originally. I kinda feel like he had a wife and/or child that got very sick and he has been watching them die. This was AFTER he descended to Earth from being an Ancient. There is something out there that will help them, that is why he wanted to go on this journey. Wether he actually remembers being an Ancient I don’t know. I would like to think that he does not remember- like Daniel did, just remembers bits and pieces.
For Eli I definetly want more backstory. Let’s just say I would peg him as a Drew from Taylor Swift’s song “Teardrop’s On My Guitar”. Even though he says he never had a best friend- and I think we all have to assume limited if any girlfriends….I think there was someone back on Earth that cared for him as he does for Chloe.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Sci-fi aspects. “Time” was (in my opinion) one of the best of the first half of the season. It had the sci-fi/Stargate feeling to it, because without the stargate the story doesn’t work. For almost all the other shows you could do ANY of those stories without the gate there, because you are in a ship. That was one of the things I loved hearing Michael Shanks say about Stargate several years ago. “I know I’m going to get roasted for saying this, but it’s so not really our show [traveling in a ship]”. Which is the one aspect that I think sets the Stargate franchise apart from all the other sci-fi shows out there.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
This is actually the question I answered last. That is hard to say, especially since we haven’t seen the second half of the season yet. But as a general idea NO CLIFF HANGERS! The season brake or end of both a SG-1 and Atlantis that had them both is make space ship battles almost killed me!
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
In “Time” after the teaser is over and you cut back to hear Eli say “what the hell” (or something close to that). That was such a Stargate moment, the realization that nothing you just saw happened but now you have to figure out why it didn’t happen and how to keep it from happening this time.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
FURLINGS!!! Hehe…yes I know we are never going to actually see them. But (again my opinion) is that they are tall and slinky creatures (like the Kaminoans from Star Wars). I think their name does not have to do with warm and fuzzy but it has to do with their traveling in ships. I borrowed this from wikipedia.com
“Furling refers to stowing or dousing a boat’s sail by flaking (folding), packing (like stuffing a spinnaker into a turtle), roller furling or just lowering it onto the deck. Nowadays, it is becoming more common to use the term “furling” to refer to reefing a sail that is part of a roller furling system.”
Sorry i was so long winded but that is my opinion on the situation.
1. I would like to see Rush’s character explored more.
2. I would like to see more exploration through the stargate.
3. The stones should be used less.
4. I quiet liked “Time” good story.
5. I loved Stargate Atlantis so I would to more stories on advanced technology.
@ Thornyrose
>>There may not be many of us Scots – but we are everywhere.
Deep fried pizza sounds like a recipe for indigestion.
Hello Mr Mallozzi,
I read your blog on a daily basis, but I never mix up in the discussion. I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate today’s blog. Asking the fans these questions really shows you care about what they think. Ultimately, the big decisions will be up to you and the very capable writing staff… but I still wish to thank you for giving us this opportunity.
1.
T.J.
2.
I’d love to see the crew explore the Destiny, and find out more about the Ancients.
3.
Love troubles, affairs… I’m all for romance on Stargate, but it’s like this show is catching up on the lack of romance on the first two shows.
4.
I was intrigued when the mysterious entity helped out Matthew in Air III.
5.
I’d like to see some team forming among the crew. I get that there won’t be a SGU-1, what with all the tension and distrust among the team members, but I’d love for some of them to get along well.
The Haggis looked horrible. You’re a brave man.
Mirjam
Remember, you asked…;-):
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer (not backstory, just parts of his current personality dealing with things. He just seems one of the most complex of the characters right now rather than “angry black man from troubled circumstance” trope hinted at). And Wray, I want to see more of her life and her thought processes.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
It’s a very minor thing, but in my mind an essential one. Follow through on some of the build up/set ups of things. I’m not talking about hints necessarily, like that ship that took off from Destiny (I’m assuming that’s going to come up later). Several character aspects of the arced story are seemingly dropped by the next episode. Rush ordered Greer to shoot Volker. Except for Volker being a bit (understandably) grumpier at certain points, we never saw any reaction from the higher ups or even the rest of the crew about this incident. What about what happened to Riley after he was badly hurt in “Earth”? Did he survive? How are Brody and the others coping with this accident? Rush claimed “he” heroically saved the stones in the pilot instead of it being a point that the colonel did and that O’Neill ordered him to be in charge. Did anyone find out the truth? It established Rush’s character in some respects to the audience, but how did the other characters react to it or are they still oblivious (and if so, why?) Is Eli still spying on the crew for Young’s benefit overall (that was kinda vaguey in “Earth”, it seemed like it was a different secret job). Even passing references or reactions if/when the situations come up again can do a lot to build the continuity.
It’s a very fluid situation on the Destiny, and humans are fickle creatures, but I’ve been disconnected from the disjointed handling of dropping one climactic moment to go on to the next moment. For example the scientists at times are all “lets stick together against the military” one moment and then distrustful and hating of Rush the next. Sure they can have both feelings, I’m happy for them to, but we care about these characters by their actions and reactions to each other and without some kind of transition or exposure to their thought process aside from “this is now Situation A or Situation B”, it comes across as inconsistent characterization rather than complicated relationships amongst desperate people.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The Ancient stones. Their use has minimized the stranded/desperate feel of the crew and made it harder to get the dynamics of the crew because we’re all seeing them dealing with other people. (Can show Lou and the rest on Earth working on things, worried, jealous, etc, but not interacting with Destiny crew–that ends always turning into a clumsy us v them Snidely Whiplash or something.) There are other issues as to why I hate the stones, but I think this is the one most important: it weakens the characters and is a distraction from the storyline rather than the strength and added complex facet it was envisioned to be.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
One of the best “moments” I recall is the section of “Light” where it went through the whole human dynamic at the actual lottery, the protest cut off, the expressions on the faces of the people who “got lucky” and the resignation of those left–as well as those moments: some praying, some gambling, some being off solo, while the crew of the shuttle came together (ex: “Happy Birthday”). The characters were allowed to just be in the moment and show what they were by how they related in this situation. No backstory or Earth drama or stone tricks, just be. A great example of getting the “show not tell” right, in my opinion.
I guess it’s also telling that my favorite episode of the season to date is “Time”.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More exploration and explanation of the ship as a whole and Destiny’s purpose with these seeder Stargates. The timeline is rocky for how long the crew have been on the ship by this point, but a bit of a routine must’ve settled in, and except for Chloe (who came up with the vid game idea that shanghaied Eli), they’ve all been stationed/worked offworld. A bit of curiosity, checking out this strange place and taking a more *active* role in their situation, even if it’s complain/cope/freak out some more, rather than *reactive* to the crisis du jour or Earth angst.
While there were a few stories about exploring Atlantis, so much happened on offworld missions the city seemed familiar and established before more could be done plausibly. The setup is already there for Destiny with the kino moments and more getting open as their lifesupport systems are stabilized.
P.S. Glad to hear/see your mom’s doing better!
I’d like to add that in my opinion SGU has enough humor. They’re in a serious situation and can’t be joking around. Not always, anyway.
I miss Riley and his sarcasm, tho’.
From what I have seen of the comments, many would like SGU to be turned back into SG1 or SGA.
Why not just bring them back then?
SGU is just fine as it is.
But I’d love to see the other shows back too.
1- Tamara or Greer
2- More alien tech; get Eli discovering and using more of it. He’s got to be good for more than just kino floating and recording.
3- Less stone body swapping sex. Less stones in general. Why are we focusing so much on earth politics? One back to earth episode was enough. Let’s explore!
4- Favorite story moment was the cliffhanger clash of Rush and Young. Did not see that head crack coming.
5- So far the show has focused on survival, with is the most basic fear. I understand the show so far in terms of this motivation. However, it’s a real bummer to watch episode after episode of dark muckiness as people turn to sex, escapism and violence as their way to deal with that fear. I feel like for the first 9 episodes I was plodding through the characters thick emotional sludge waiting for some kind of light at the end of the tunnel to reassure me the show was really worth it. Every one of us deal with those same fears in everyday life and our entire lives are spent working through them. Thus, we can identify with characters having the same struggles without being beaten over the head with it every episode. Instead, think of Dr. Ernest from “The Torment of Tantalus.” He’s been stranded alone for decades but we’re not beaten over the head with how crazy and depressing that is. We identify with it the moment we see his small withered frame hugging Daniel, then, we move on.
Which character would you like to see explored more? Scott. It’s a big jump between altar boy/priest in the making to humping a colleague in the closet. There’s something missing that cannot be explained by one baby out of wedlock. His character is smart, balanced, take charge, but fair and with humor. No clue what he sees in Chloe. She’s scratchable to pare the offering of leads down to a reasonable number. As far as I’m concerned, she offers zero to the show.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? Because there are so many lead characters, we’re never given the chance to get to know any. There’s really not a lot of ‘relationship’ going on because we’re only getting small glimpses of folks. Doesn’t have to be a team like SG-1, but it would be helpful to stay on one subset of characters for more lengthy periods for a chance to get to know them. Definitely want more information about the ancients and the ship.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? Surprise revelations late in the show. The Kino show “Time” still has me confused. It was really interesting, my fav, but for the life of me, I could not figure out what happened in the end. I was expecting a part 2 to explain Chloe’s miraculous return from the dead until I read on GateWorld that the explanation was Scott’s final transmission. And that it was an alternate timeline thing. I’m not a tech, so this type of ‘surprise’ at the very end that is not soon thereafter explained…even in another episode, is a little annoying. Between the dark sets and dark storylines, listening intently for these gems of knowledge becomes more work than fun.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? The Daniel bits, naturally. I’m looking forward to Stargate 101 in DVD. The above Kino alternate universe show was good, but I have to say Jack’s chat in “Earth” showed how strong an actor he really is. I think if the lead characters were trimmed to Scott, Greer, Young, Eli, and Camille…guess Rush has to be in there too cause he’s paid so much to take up space…you’d have the opportunity for much tighter chemistry from the cast. Right now, there’s not much chemistry apparent and that’s why I’m not feeling the ‘it’s about relationships’ vibe.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? More interaction with or from the ancients. Rush telling us what he perceives stuff means given his obvious self-interest, just doesn’t make it believable. Especially not after the water debacle. The ancients would not have sent them to their doom like that.
Hi Joe:
Wow! Just, Wow! Than you so much for giving us a chance to share our opinions about what we would like to see done with the show.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
– In order of interest: Greer, TJ, Eli.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
– More aliens, but sentient ones. And external villains would bring the crew together. It would be nice to see them working together instead of at each others throats.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
– As others have said, the hormonal behaviour of the younger members of the destiny. Chloe, if just irritating. She’s too needy and far too soap opera-esk in her behaviour toward the others. She must have some redeeming traits somewhere. Her character is the one that is often killed off in movies because no one can stand her.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
– The abandonment of Rush on the planet by Young. Rush will likely now need to get even. I’m interested to see what he comes up with as revenge.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
– Sentient aliens and some alien bad guys. More trips through the star gate.
Patricia
Hi Joe,
Glad to see your mom is on the mend and seemingly in good spirits.
What a great chance you offer for SG fans to offer feedback to the people that matter. I love SGU, its
a great show, albeit quite darker and broodier than SG1 and SGA. I get that its a “different kind of
show” from previous incarnations, but the previous incarnations is what built the fan base. That said,
in response to your inquiries…..
1). YOu got to give us more of Brody and Volker, and/or other background science experts. I know that
they were not “military” and not the ones suited for the trip thought the puddle, however, they must be
smart enough to have been picked by the SGC to tell the world greatest seceret too. I mean I love Eli
(my fave charater) and Rush (my #2 fave), but they seem to be the only ones that are doing anything on
the Destiny. I’m sure the others can contribute in a mojor way.
2). Well, I get that in the first 10 episodes every thing is kind of new, and they are still doing the “What the f##K?” feeling about the situation. However, what are they doing about getting home? Or finding our where they are and what can they do. They seem to content so far to “be along for the ride”. These are presumably the smartest people on earth. They need to start working the problem without Young having to get up thier asses to do so. A second thread I’d lke to see expanded is the mythology that runs in SG1 and SGA. It would help tie in the series and hook the core base fan.
3). I would like to see the pettieness minimized in season two. So far it is great for builing tension and drama, but with every family there begins to be acceptance. The crew should start working together on the issues of getting home.
4). My favorite moment from the first 10 eps so far is hard to pick…. It’s great to see O’Niell and HWS and Carter in the Hammond, but the Rush/Young thing is great. The absolute best moment so far was in “Time”, when we learn about the time loop and what Scott did to save everyone. It was a mind twist and classic Sci-Fi timeline trickery ala SG-1. Loved IT!
5). What would be cool to see in season 2 is more of the elements to tie into the pre-runners SG1 and SGA, I’d keep the mood and plots but add more of the quirckieness and hummor Eli displays (as O’Niell is famous and loved for). It owuld be cool to see more characters loosen up and accept the ‘family’ and have more fun, much the way Teal’c did over the seasons. Everybody’s got to goof off every now and then.
It could also be cool to find an alien race that were friends (a sci-fi twist, usually they are the enemy). That may lead to find out that over time, they have enemies and are now our enemies. Just a thought.
Thanks again for the feedback opportunity, keep us the good work.
Shawn Cassidy
With the big sell off of Atlantis props and costumes on Ebay, I have one question, Joe. Is the SGA set still standing?
Wow, you like to live dangerously, don’t you, asking for fan in put on SGU? 😉
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I’d like to see all of them explored, but in a better manner. They’ve got to learn to live together, that, or else have someone murder someone. I’m not looking for the Brady Bunch but there’s so much backstabbing… and when someone dies (like those two redshirts who went through the gate), can’t they be acknowledged? I mean, out of sight out of mind?? But what really needs to be explored more? See below.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Destiny itself. Atlantis barely got explored, so now it’s time to at least correct that on this show (as in exploring the city/ship you’re living in). I’d like to see more of the rest of the faceless nameless scientists, etc. who are also on the Destiny.
And the Stargate. It’s in the title of show. Let’s use it!
And the universe they find themselves in. Surely there’s some intelligent life out there…
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
No question: the accursed stones. They’re the holodeck of Stargate. Toss ‘em, put them in an aquarium, something! Stop using it for people to go back home for sex and getting drunk. Instead, send trained personnel to Destiny more often. And maybe an honest to gosh doctor when disaster strikes. When Riley got the head injury, there was no sign of anyone but TJ (a medic, NOT a doctor) having looked at him. It would be nice if the show got a medical consultant or at least used Google cuz Spencer being unconscious for six minutes is a bad head injury …and hey, whatever happened to Riley anyway??
And yes, minimize the sex. Sex doesn’t equal character development. Sometimes it makes a point but it doesn’t seem to be done (so far) than just to attract viewers. The viewers who, apparently, are more hormone driven…
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Hmm, nothing comes to mind. I’d rewatch, but the DVR died and took SGU with it. But, yes, Rush getting left on planet was fun to watch. Ah, but he’ll find his way back like a bad penny.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Lightbulbs. No joke. The ship is pretty dismal, and realistically there should be more depression due to lack of light (SAD, for one thing). I’m not asking for blinding shopping mall light, but surely if they can conveniently find a way to charge up Eli’s iPhone, they can figure out a way to get lights going. And if not, there sure isn’t much chance of them growing any plants for food.
Aliens. As we’ve seen in previous shows, there are aliens out there. I’m hoping that the Destiny crew can run across some – but please, NO MORE REPLICATORS! Done. To. Death. And it would be nice to have alien aliens, not the same ones we’ve seen in SGA and SG1.
Please, no Trust operatives on the ship. Unless they’re eaten by a totally alien alien. Quickly. Then, no problem 😉
And that’s about it. While I am watching SGU, it’s not grabbing me like SG1 and SGA did. I’d like it to do that, because for one thing, if it tanks, that means the franchise could go with it. I really like all the actors, but the characters, not so much. When I watch a show, I’d like to see at least a couple characters whom I like, but not so much in this show. At least not yet. Hoping that will be corrected in the second half of the season…
Another question 2 or 5 suggestion:
Here’s an element that happens in stories that I just love – when something is revealed that forces you to reassess everything else that just happened with an entirely different paradigm.
The Ring did this awesomely. The story was gripping in its own right – if you’re into that sort of thing – but, at the end, an assumption that had been playing through the whole film was blown out of the water and, suddenly, everything that happened had a different meaning. It took my assessment of the film from good, but not my genre, to super awesome.
Justice did this some, too. Once we knew Young knew Rush’s role, we had to race back through the story and try to figure out when Young knew it and which of his plays were two-faced.
Remember in Lost when they suddenly realized one of them hadn’t been on the plane? Was that cool or what?
Another: “Luke, I’m your father.” That line raced you back through multiple MOVIES, not just recent plot elements.
This element magnifies the fun factor of a story in an instant. It’s about packing as much fun into a single moment as possible, not slow reveals. That’s an important distinction between the element I’m describing and the usual mystery solved.
I don’t post very often but I do read your blog with some regularity.
I have to admit I found it incredibly difficult to answer the below questions but, since you asked, I decided to sit here until I could come up with suitably appropriate and not too insulting answers.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I really don’t care enough about any of them at this point to want to see more.
If I was forced to choose, I suppose it would be Rush, since he seems to have the most complex layers waiting to be pealed away.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Gate travel. Exploring. Learning more about Ancient Tech and the Ancients themselves.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Can I choose two?
As much as I’d love, love, love to keep seeing what those familiar characters back on Earth (O’Neill, Carter ) are doing to get the crew of the Destiny back, I don’t like the use of the Ancient Communication Stones. They just seem like a plot device used to force uninteresting character drama.
The constant character infighting/backstabbing and manipulating is tiresome. I have to care about the characters to care about what’s happening to them. At this point, I don’t. I hope at some point, I will.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of *SGU*’s first season?
What defines a ‘story moment’? What came first to my mind when I read this question is: O’Neill’s conversations with Young.
Another was the exciting desperation (and kick ass musical score ) in Air part 3 when they were trying to get back to the gate and Eli sticks his hand in the event horizon to keep it open.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
What element would I like to see added . . . hmmm. Water! Lots of water! Not just rain. A water planet!
Oh, you didn’t mean that kind of element?
Well, then, my answer here would have to be the same as #2.
Oh and one thing to keep for sure is the filming style. I love the zoom in on the character reactions just like 24. I love shaky cam and the handheld style. Please please keep it!!!!!!!
Thanks so much,
Major D. Davis
OK I haven’t commented but my friend here is telling me that this is a good opportunity to share thoughts on SGU…
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Tamara “TJ” Johansen.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The adventure of exploring worlds through the stargate. We need a lot more of that.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The depressing aspects of the drama (not all of the drama, just the overdone depressing aspects of it).
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
“Justice” when Young leaves Rush stranded on the alien planet with that crash-landed alien spaceship.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More of that famous Stargate humor. Also, give the show more of a positive and optimistic feeling. It can be different from SG1 & SGA but that doesn’t mean it has to have so much of the dark, gloomy, depressing, angsty, emo, or whatever aspects. Lighten it up a bit. Insert more Stargate humor.
I’m with Das and a few others on this. Get rid of the stones. Bring back Jack as we knew him, and give us lots more of him. Daniel too (I know…big surprise there 🙂 More humour would be lovely. Get rid of the stones. More of Tamara. Get rid of the stones. Less jumpy camera. Get rid of the stones. Morjana said it, we never really got to explore Atlantis, lovely city that it was. Hey, if they movie ever comes to fruition, could that be a part of it somehow? Atlantis really captured our imaginations, and I think we’d all love to see more of it. Get rid of the stones. If my daughter acted like the women on this show, I’d slap her silly. Get rid of the stones. xoxo
Today is absolutely crazy…just have a brief lull. Will be quick with these, maybe elaborate later, if I can find the time:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Darren Becker, if he survives the season.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I have trouble expressing my thoughts with things like this – I just don’t feel like I say things well, and prefer using examples, or else I’ll just ramble without making a point. So, here goes…
I like the intrigue – not knowing the good guys from the bad – and all the litte twists and turns that come from it (End of Justice, and just about anything involving Rush 😀 ). I’d like more pure sci fi (Time). I would also love to see more ‘brother-in-arms’ moments (Greer & Scott in Air 3 & Time). I wouldn’t mind seeing more ‘all hands on deck’ kind of moments, where all must pull together to save the ship during a crisis, although we did have a bit of that already…so maybe I’m just being greedy here. 🙂 Also, see answer to #4.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Sex and stones. Especially, as iamza said, ‘the “sex while in someone else’s body” thing’ REALLY needs to go.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Yeah…this is gonna be hard…
The only time (I think) that I actually got goosebumps was when the ship scooped up the sun’s energy (or whatever it did in Light). More ‘goosebump’ moments like that would be GREAT!
Other favorite moments were: Eli & his mom (the only stone moment I really liked), Young leaving Rush behind, and Greer alone in his room, waiting to die.
HOWEVER…my absolute favorite moment was Greer/Rush/Eli at the gate in Air 3. That’s when I really sat up and took notice of Greer. 🙂
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I guess ‘Wraith’ is just out of the question?? 😉 I’ll have to think on this one a bit…
das
PG15 — Congrats on Caltech! Wow. As someone who knows just how incredibly difficult it is to get accepted to that prestigious institution, you should be very, very proud. A remarkable achievement indeed!
I’ve resisted commenting so far because I’m new to this, but I couldn’t resist this time.
I’m so glad for the opportunity to write in my thoughts on the direction of the show — which I love, but let’s face it – not everyday is Sunday. At worst, the shows are good… at best, they’re exciting watching. I like the show and the Stargate concept. That said, I miss SG1 and SGA. The characters in both shows were a great match – I don’t see the same match in SGU yet.
1. Character:
Rush: his background & history
Johansen: visits to earth to gain more medical knowledge and developing alternative medical equipment when needed
Wallace: I want to see him mature (storyline to match)
2. Show aspect maximized: I’d like to see all of them (or most) discover their missing loyalty, humour, respect and professionalism. THAT is the main difference between SG!, SGA and SGU, and I think that is why the other shows lasted as long as they did. I think that Carter could be employed via the stones, to give Wallace some lessons – he’s a fast learner and quite astute, isn’t he?
3. Show aspect minimized: Using the stones for melodramatic use. A little is okay, but I think that we know the characters and what they are capable of. If you focus on the melodrama, than you have to balance it out with using the stones for legitimate research/emergency/medical/technical help.
4. Favourite story moment: I haven’t stopped thinking about how Rush is going to return to the ship. I truly hope that he gets the crashed ship going somehow, or gets inside and uses the stargate inside (I hope there’s one…)
5. Show element added: respect, humour, camaraderie, loyalty… build it up.
– Johansen: I would like to see her become somewhat of a Carter on Destiny with a strong character… not that she should know everything.
– Wallace: Needs a companion. He should start to learn to think out of the box, somewhat like Daniel Jackson the archeologist who ended up carrying weapons and was able to defend himself and protect others.
– Rush: Needs a rational thinking person on his side
– Young: Needs to account for leaving Rush on the planet; not exactly a role model yet, but probably building up to it and I expect we’ll see more proper leadership.
– Scott: Needs to gain a little professionalism and stop acting like a boy with a gun(s). Once you hop into bed with someone, there’s no more mystery or wonder…. again, this is why SG1 was so good. Between Carter and O’Neill, there was sexual mystery and tension amidst the chaos. The best shows were poignant with unspoken love.
– Armstrong: I would like to see her discover something about herself that would put her in a better standing with the people on Destiny. She should discover something that she’s very good at besides hopping into bed.
– Greer: Why is he always so angry – you have to balance that out with some humour/cameraderie…
– Wray: She needs to discover something that she’s good at also, that will be for the good of Destiny that is not HR related. Perhaps when aliens appear, she can be a good negotiator – something along those lines…
– Telford: I’m sure they’re there (somewhere) but I don’t see too many redeeming qualities in this guy. They’re probably all military centred and may come in really handy during the future battles.
– Destiny: One thing I liked about the other SG shows is the colour – in Atlantis and on alien ships. The Destiny is devoid of colour and drags down the psyche of the people on the ship (and watching)… need some colour in the picture – I’m not saying “over night” and “spectacular”, but something on the ship has to be discovered to brighten things up… maybe coincide with the positive, personal and professional discoveries that the characters make.
*I would like to see the other SG teams show up* – including Mitchell and Vala Maldoran (much as I liked how she evolved in SG1, I don’t think that she [Claudia] wants to come back… too bad – I like her)…. and TEAL’C – how can we use Teal’c??? Oh, I guess I really miss SG1 and SGA… can you blame me? I wasn’t ready to say goodbye…
My 5 cents…
This was easy – I’ll have to do it again…
Hello and get well to Mama Mallozzi – your humour will get you through this.
Forgot to mention it, but I also enjoy the more cynical, darker style the show has. I hope that tone remains the same (or better yet, becomes even darker) for season 2. For the lighter, more humorous Stargate I’ve already got 15 seasons 😉
I remember back in High School Home Ex class, we did a ethnic week. Including one day where we did a Scottish theme. We made Haggis and boiled potatos.
Needless to say the haggis ended up in the trash and the potatos were the only part of the meal that was eaten.
As for the “What do I want to see”. Give a little time to think about that one.
As it is I have loved all that I have seen on SGU .
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I would love to see more on The Tamara and Rush characters. The looks she always gives him seem like there is more going on between the two of them…maybe she knows his history or she is looking out for his safety or something.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Destiny itself and more of what might be lurking on some of the planets they visit.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Like others have said “the stones”. While it makes for good storylines at times it just seems too easily available to go back to earth and live out their normal lives…or try too. However it would be great to see RDA use Eli’s body to give Rush and Young a heavy “Grow up you two” talk.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
That’s a hard one as I have enjoyed quite a few of them. But I would have to say “Time” and “Justice”.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
When the stones are used it is for an emergency situation, such as; someone get seriously hurt and needs surgery and a doctor from the SG has to take over Tamara’s body. And more stories of them finding ancient technology in different areas of the ship.
I’ve never seen a picture of Haggis before, so thanks for posting. It looks somewhat like meatloaf in a big dumpling.
Everyone seems to have covered what I like/dislike already. Eli/Rush/TJ, Destiny/Ancients, good. Communication stones, bad. Sex in someone else’s body, bad. I guess one thing I’d like to see more of is life on the ship. Getting stuck on KP duty. Playing chair ball in the hallway, setting up a book swap, etc. I guess these are best handled in KINO segments. So, more KINO!
Thanks, Joe.
@ pg15 – I’ve been rather busy lately, and must have missed your news. Congrats! 😀
das
So, do I go with “Haggis and blog reader input? BraveHeart Joe is your new nickname” or “Mmm, you can butter me haggis enny ole time, laddie-o”?
1. So many fine choices. TJ, Greer, and of course Rush, as well as spotlighting the extras.
2. The Destiny backrooms and deathtraps. Do we get space vermin? And twisty endings. Definitely more twisty endings. And madness. The cracks in the collective psyche should widen.
3. The stones. Too easy. Oh, they shouldn’t all be disabled, but perhaps someone should go a little mad and try to destroy them, toss them in the vortex or some such. The one remaining stone can then flake out a lot in interesting ways.
4. Leaving Rush behind on the planet. Totally out of the blue. I adore WTF? moments. (If Destiny is a smart ship, it will go back for him.) And Time’s slippery versions of the truth, excellent.
5. Not the Ancients, I’ve hated them since the first appearance on SG-1. Aliens would be good, but make them unpredictable and … alien. Perhaps if the scientists meddle too much with Destiny, it has self-awareness which has been in hibernation. And not in the cute Andromeda hot avatar way, although that would be popular with the fanboys. No, the ship would emulate those who were having the most contact with it…. buwahahaha….
Sorry, got a little fanficky there……
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?- I’d really like to see more of Eli’s character explored and maybe an update on how his mom is doing. Maybe how being away from his sick mom is taking a toll or something.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?-
Deffinately look deeper into the Eli and Chloe friendship but please no weird love triangles between Matt, Chloe and Eli, this isn’t twilight haha
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?-
col. Young’s relationship on earth. I really love the TJ and Young relationship though.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?-
I’d have to give it to eli throughout all of the episode “time” his little speech to chloe made me cry and i love how real he makes the whole thing feel cause he shows us he’s scared and he shows the vulnerablity. It really was a brilliant episode
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Hmmmmmmmm….well…lemme see here, tehe, personally what i’d love to see is a little more comedy. I know being stuck on a space ship in the middle of no where is angsty and what not but it’d be nice just to have a funny episode.
AND maybe a christmas special? maybe save it for season two? lol
Also it’d be pretty cool to have david hewlett guest star as rodney cause i’d LOVE to see how Eli and Rodney would get along, like maybe there is a problem on the ship and they need to call rodney to help or something.
So yeah that’s all i can think of at the moment, hope i helped.
OH and when are more of the kino mini’s coming out cause i miss watching them ^_^
~Danielle
This is my first time commenting on the blog, and I really appreciate the chance to offer input about SGU as I’m really enjoying it so far.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Tamara (maybe how she got together with Young)
Greer
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? exploring different planets and meeting alien races
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
the communication stones–The feeling of being stranded across the universe is not helped by using these.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? the end of Justice–can’t wait to see how all that turns out
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? maybe having the group become more cohesive and able to work together. One of the early episodes had Camille making a file on each of the people??
Thanks again for the chance to comment.
First off, I haven’t had time to read all of the above suggestions, so sorry if I’m repeating anything here and/or IF it any of this has already been written or considered.
Okay, so, how about an entire episode without Destiny or any of the crew? I’m thinking a-day-in-the-life of those family/friends of the Crew that have been left behind. And not just the main characters – throw some of the secondary people in there. Follow along on how the spouses, the kids, the parents, etc. are doing – whether they know the truth or not. How are THEY coping? Is Eli’s mom getting her medical help? Is Young’s wife pregnant from her encounter with Telford? And the guy who’s the cook on Destiny, what’s his family [if he has any] up to? Chloe’s mom… Throw in some therapy session with somebody’s kid who doesn’t quite get why their parent isn’t home and would probably “get” the whole stuck on a spaceship thing if they were told the truth. Hey, maybe even throw in a nosy neighbour who’s always wondering about all the military people showing up over at So&So’s place nextdoor… And what ever did happen to the cute nerdy guy in 411? He never did return that casserole dish…
Whatever, it would all add in a different POV of the various characters’ back stories. And, give your actors [and SFX crews] a week or so off, a chance for new blood to come in and strut their stuff…
I forgot to comment on a couple things. I’ll keep this within the format of the questions asked for easier reading.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Brody.
He has an interesting bond with the others aboard Destiny, including a more private one with Rush, which is awesome. Explore that more.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
This has been addressed by others, I totally agree:
We need to see the Ascended Ancients, including Ascended beings in general (even if not Ancient), and the Ancients in the flesh.
Have an Ancient descend back to human form and join the team – full-time – aboard Destiny.
That’ll give us the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Ancients and the history of the Stargate “universe”, even if that person hesitates to share (or has a wiped memory that gradually returns).
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The mostly-human-only aspect of the show needs to be minimized, balance it out a little with full-time aliens, not just a couple or few “token alien” episodes.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
In addition to the Young & Rush dilemma in the “Justice” episode, I really enjoyed the episodes and scenes that took place on the planet Earth. It helps maintain an association with our everyday present-day world.
Stargate wouldn’t be Stargate without stories occurring on the planet Earth.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’m worried that as a result of the handful of people complaining about the communication stones that the SGU writers might end up removing Earth stories entirely. Please don’t do that. We need more stories that occur on Earth.
I would like to see scenes and perhaps entire episodes that take place on Earth regardless of if the stones are used.
There are effective and enjoyable ways to tell the stories on both Earth and Destiny without requiring the stones. The stones help but they aren’t a crutch or some prerequisite to allow for Earth-based storytelling.
Other stories can still occur – aboard Destiny, or as a result of planets visited from shuttles or stargate, or alien spaceships, or anything like that – just please don’t be exclusive to “that side of the universe”. Please maintain an active involvement with Earth.
A direct association between Destiny and Earth doesn’t have to always be present. The stones don’t always have to be the means of connecting the two.
Perhaps the Ascended beings can help out.
Either way, give us more Earth-based stories. 🙂
Thank you for reading!
I said I wanted to see “boarders” on the Destiny. I meant that as in “room and board”, permanent residents occupying their own corner, not just folks coming “on board”.
I forgot, regarding the more-Earth stories:
Just lighten up on the depressing stuff on Earth (as well as on Destiny and everywhere else.)
Thanks! 🙂
1. Lisa Park.
2. I’d like more signs of friendships developing. Not necessarily center-of-show friendships, but much character development so far has been conflict-based.
3. The stones are problematic, and the whole Young/Emily/Telford thing just annoys me. I’m also really hoping that Rush hasn’t become an evil supervillain of evil topped with evil sauce, despite having just been given an origin story that would do any bad guy proud.
4. The way Eli’s mom’s illness was revealed to the rest of Destiny in “Time.” It was so clear that this was his Big Secret, and that the others realized it. Of course, it was a terminating universe version of the crew, sigh. I’ve also liked how Chloe has been working so hard to create a social structure that works for her out of Found Objects (well, Matt and Eli).
5. Really, I’ve been enjoying the ride, and how much SGU isn’t SG-1 or SGA.
Wallace and McKay??? – now there’s an interesting match…:D
I’ve read a few responses, but decided to go ahead and add mine before reading anymore, so I won’t be influenced. I answered the questions for me before I read anyone else’s, but I am definitely seeing a lot of pattern.
1. Character I would like to see explored more?
Def Greer and TJ; there have been interesting hints of their backgrounds. The minor characters — they have always made the Stargate world well-seasoned.
2. What aspect would I like to see expoited more?
More action and interaction with stargate and aliens.
In character exploration, the ways characters are coping with their situation in a realistic way, not just moaning and groaning, Woe Is me.
And let them learn/explore/control more about Destiny.
3. What aspect would I like to see minimized?
Stones, sex and soap.
I understand the stones are the only way to communicate with Earth, but they are becoming crutches.
My kids love Stargate SG1 and Atlantis, and wanted to see SGU. But they don’t wanna see sex in the closet.
I find a lot of the stories too soapy and I am actually a fan of a couple of soap operas.
4. Favorite story moment?
Well, I narrowed it down to 3. I think there have been a lot of great moments, but only a few great eps.
Kino messages from the crew in Darkness
Young leaving Rush on the planet (best moment of all)
Light, Time and Justice have been my favorite eps.
And of course, any scene with Robert Carlyle.. 😉
5. What element would I like to see added?
The smart, snarky humor that has become a mainstay of the Stargate world.
Even in the worst of circumstances, there are people who face life with humor.
Ummm… the show is called Stargate…. more going through please.
People in circumstances beyond their control will find others to bond/commiserate with, not just having casual sex bonding. They all should be starting to get to know each other by now.. The only ones I have really seen that with are with Eli and Chloe, and Lt. Scott still ended up with the girl.
Thank you, Joe, for listening to and valuing the opinions (and quirkiness) of us fans.
1.
Greer deserves more background. Also for us to see what is so dark about him.
2.
More Ancients history, why the built the ship, how they ascended, and why the 9th Chevron?
Also I would love to see more daily life on the Destiny. In non crisis, end of the world mode.
3.
Military!
4.
Scott almost dying. Please?
5.
More Doctor Rush and Eli, moments, solving the mysteries of the Destiny.
Been a while since I’ve commented, but your questions intrigued me.
1) After seeing most of the command-level characters getting at least one major story in an episode I’d like to see a more literal exploration/character study of secondary characters with no particular preference on which characters to dive into first.
2)After seeing a technological and anthropological exploration of ancient culture on SG1/SGA, I’d like to see a more post-modern look at ancient society in the same vein of the current characters examining “how did we get to where we are now?” with less emphasis on recent events and more emphasis on the broader concept of pre-determination vs. destiny (after all, even the ship’s name is destiny).
It would be really awesome to see a philosophical examination of the character’s own destinies dove-tail with the broader destiny of the ancients and the current human race.
So far the characters have been so survival-oriented that only Rush has taken the time to look at the “big picture” and embrace “a destiny” even if it might not be his true destiny.
3) The only aspect of the show that really takes me out of the story is the young characters behaving with no sense of agency. They seem to take gate-travel, alien planets, and technological wonders for granted in the milky way but on the Destiny their maturation has regressed to a junior-high-school level. All of their decisions and behavior seem to be reactionary as if they can’t act without someone else to react to. As opposed to say other young-ish character Lt. Scott.
Plus it would be nice if the characters were a little more self-aware about sexuality. It would be funny to see the characters deal with sex in a very SG1 way, but more explicitly (jokingly, irreverently, not taking it so seriously, becoming a little more casual about it).
4) Favorite moment is easy: the final scene from the mid-season cliffhanger, when Col. Young draws the line in the sand with Rush and drops him cold leaving him on the planet, then leaving him stranded as they leave orbit. This great moment really defines the series’ potential to pull no punches. And that one was a game-changing upper-cut. Bravo, more please.
5) Without doubling up I’d say the self-actualization/agency/sexuality components I addressed in my answer to question 3 earlier.
Overall I’m really excited to see what’s in store for our intrepid heroes/anti-heroes this spring! Excellent job so far.
Now, you want our feedback?
Here’s mine.
Get rid of the sex. Completely.
Light the sets more so we can see what’s going on.
Get rid of the stones.
Get rid of the main characters — I don’t care about any of them.
And please, PLEASE bring back SGA.
That’s my feedback.
PG15 – Here’s a link to the asylum.
http://www.freewebs.com/melbourne/larundel.htm
It’s now been turned into a very expensive housing estate. Old buildings have been turned into coffee shops, units and a country club. Wonder if the inhabitants know of its history?
Sometimes when there was an escape we’d have our parents tell us what they looked like, what they’d done to be in there (shudder) and if we see them to get home or into the house of any neighbour. Never really thought that much of it at the time. But when we’d go through the place after it was closed and you’d see straight jackets, medical instruments and just the general feel of the place it made us realise the level of suffering and general horror that must have happened in there.
And Congratulations on the Caltech news. I must have missed you saying it as well. When do you start? Does this mean a big move?
Joe – While SGU isn’t really grabbing me at the moment, neither did SGA or SG1 in their first season. However, I enjoyed the journey you all ended up taking me on so I’m sitting back and seeing what you come up with. Come ooooon, expecting us to do the work for you? 😉
1 – All, they are a great bunch.
2 – Aliens – that you can see
3 – the on board politics can become tiresome after a while
4 – Fave moment has to be the action parts of each show, there hasnt been a stand out moment yet for me.
5 – I find myself craving for steady/clear shot of what is going on. I can’t get use to the shaky cam style of filming. I would also like to see more off-world missions with aliens and a bit of action. More space battles, I miss seeing the fantastic effects.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? T.J. Besides the fact that she has great hair, I’m sure there is a lot more to her story than what we have seen so far. Seriously, I love her hair.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? Not really sure what you’re asking but I’d like to see more of the Ship. Seems like no matter how big it is, they should be able to see it all in a few days. All except for parts that have no life support. Seems to me that they should have mapped out most of the ship on week one. How do they know there’s not cargo bay full of food somewhere. They’re hungry and yet haven’t explored the whole ship yet…hum… Gee what were the ancients going to do for food when they arrived?
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? The Sex scenes. Can’t let my nephews get into the show, they’re a little too young for what I’ve been seeing. I’m not crazy about it myself. I’m more of a believer that what you don’t see is generally sexier than what you do see. Leave it to our imaginations. We can imagine way MORE than you would ever be able to show.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? Probably the Lt finding out he had a son. Heartbraking that he couldn’t admit who he was. Of course he had to go back to Chloe and I’m not a big fan of them together. That whole relationship moved way to fast. I know you’re sensative about her bing called a slut but….. she certainly has tendancies.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? I’d like an explanation as to how some of these folks passed a psych test to get posted off world. Let’s find out that the person administring the tests was on the take and let all a few crazies pass their evalutaion in an attempt to bring the SGC down. I’m sure you can come up with something better than that but an explation seems needed to me and friends who watch the show. You’re figuring that only the best of the best would make it to thier positions off world and yet they can’t set up a decent base of opperations on Destiny, something they had to be trained for. Don’t get me wrong, I love the show. I just wish I could wrap my brain around a good reason how they reacted the way they did whey they first arrived. Don’t say, “they’re scientists, they werent’ trained that way” I seem to recall Daniel Jackson getting some training in guns and stuff so I’m sure they rest of them should have had more training than Daniel.
Haggis? I’m so impressed! Are you going to try Kishke next? Michael A. Burstein is right. I don’t understand these traditional dishes unless starvation was a factor in their creation! (apologies if I insulted anyone’s native dish) BUT I mean who thinks of stuffing animal organs into intestines? It must take forever to build these dishes.
On a good food note, your friend’s food from the Cordon Bleu school looks fantastic!
Which character should be explored more? Alaina Huffman’s character is intriguing to me.
Exploited? I would like to see more understanding of the ship and some ability to control it.
Minimized? The bitching. It’s like being with my family. AND that is why I left home.
Favorite Story moment? When the crew becomes a team trying to find an answer to the alien/water problem.
New element? More cohesion as a group. More alien encounters.
Das: That Louis L’amour books does sound pretty good. If you hubby tries James Rollins’ start with “Map of Bones”. The preceding books are good but he matured more as a writer in “Map of Bones” . Plus, it’s the start of a few serial characters.
Okay – I’ll play
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? Destiny
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? Planetary exploration
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? All the angsty emotional stuff
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? Rush stranded on the planet
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? More action. I realize that the character driven stuff is in vogue, but how about some more action. When the story drags with character stuff I watch something else and just read the transcript later to see if I missed anything important.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
> Not sure.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
> Exploration of the Destiny, and not just hallways, engineering, and bed rooms. The tease of the assembly hall and other features on the outside of the ship leaves us with much to see. Atlantis had this possibility too, but we really didn’t get to see much of the city. Just don’t randomly start adding things to the ship to fit the story, like the instant take-over control button from Atlantis – that couldn’t have really gone unnoticed.
> I like the small continuity things, like the sunburn not fading away completely in the next episode and the limited supply of clothing.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
> Earth-based story elements which only give us background and don’t add much to the present. For example, the club scene.
> Love triangles and other such shapes. Some relationship development is good, but too much and it gets focused too much on drama (this is not a daytime soap!).
> Luxury items on Destiny, like matching workout outfits. Try to be more practical about what would have been in the containers grabbed in the last minute for the trip.
> NO REPLICATORS! They are overplayed. The sand creature was getting kind of close to the concept. Watch it there!
> More short arcs (2-3 episodes) for major plot points, like the ship detaching from Destiny.. I feel like that answer should have come a bit earlier.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
> Destiny recharging itself, and scaring the crew in the process. Episode 10 also had a fun story.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
> More on the Stargate tech and new limitations. Like, how are off-world Stargates powered? There must be some major power source in those PSPs… i mean Ancient remote computers.
> I would like to eventually see a seeding ship, maybe broken down along its route. Then we’d have two ships to travel in and explore, maybe separating on a few occasions for fun stories.
> More of a galatic community, when civilizations are encountered.
1. TJ, I love her character but sometimes I feel she is always put in the background. I would love to know more about her past and maybe some episodes centered around her.
2. The Science/impossible aspect of things, drama can be great but i’m missing the hard-to-wrap-your-head-around episodes filled with almost impossible scenarios such as parallel universes, psychic powers(?), and well….pretty much anything that would be impossible in real life.
3. The communication stones, I actually love the Earth-based episodes because I love seeing O’Neill and can’t wait to see more old faces from SG1 (and I hope to see some SGA faces as well…please?!) but I feel that stones are being utilized too much.
4. The time travel/ alternate selves saving the day scenario. In fact, the entire episode (“Time”) was a favorite story moment. It just blew me away.
5. Having the SGC involved much more. Homeworld Command is interesting, but I don’t like the Pentagon….and I miss the SGC. It would be great to see the SGC (still under Landry hopefully) trying to figure out a way to bring the crew of the Destiny home.
_______
Oh, and I know you get this alot and I’m sorry but, bring SGA back?
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
T.J., I think. She is the most likable character of the show.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Gate travel, definitely gate travel. It is called Stargate for a reason, right? We already have Battlestar Galactica. And Lost for that matter.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Relationships between the characters, Earth moments, sex.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
I’d say seeing Jack, Sam and Daniel again but that wouldn’t be very fair so I’m gonna say the moment Destiny flew into the star and it was realised it gained energy that way, that was very cool.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Well, what made SG-1 and SGA so good – exploring planets, discovering different cultures (floating sand doesn’t count), less personal drama and a lot more humor.
Best wishes
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Camille, TJ and Rush. I have the feeling Rush is going to get quite a bit more backstory in the second half, whereas I don’t get that impression for Camille and TJ. More time for the women! And not just as extensions of the men, thank you.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship itself. In the tradition of ships like the Galactica, Serenity and the Enterprise, the ship should be as much of a character as any person on the show. And it has so much potential!
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The body swapping stones. Especially body swapping sex. It’s creepy. Contact with Earth should be far more rare and more difficult. It enhances the sense of isolation.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
My favorite episode was “Light”. Especially the bit where Eli had the kino do a flyby of the Destiny and they finally got to see her from the outside. And the flying into the star to refuel was outstanding!
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’d love to see people who are happy to be there and have this opportunity. We’ve gotten that attitude a bit from Eli and Riley (who I really like and want to see again!), Including clashes between people who are desperate to get home and people who are enjoying the opportunity.
I’d also like to see Jack O’Neil tell Telford to shove it.
Hey, thanks for asking these questions. I found I had opinions. Fun. Here they are.
1. I would like to see Chloe and/or Eli expanded a bit. Right now, I get the feeling that we’ve only touched the surface with them, and we don’t know what lies beneath. Everyone is complex, and I’m curious about their complexities.
2 & 3. I really do enjoy the focus on interpersonal interactions and angst in the middle of a tense no-win situation. It’s dark and psychologically complex, and I like that. That said, I’d like to know more about the interpersonal interactions and what led to them. The blatant sex scenes bother me, but only because they’ve seemed to just happen (for ratings, though I know that was not the only intent). I wouldn’t mind it so much as long as the psychological and emotional issues that led to it, as well as the consequences of it, became more important than the act itself. (Still, I like the “raw” feeling of the show, and I realize that the blatant sex was also meant to intensify that feeling…so I get it.)
4. I really enjoyed Life and the use of “Worst Day Since Yesterday.” That was an effective use of popular music for narrative (and not solely commercial) means. A collage accompanied by popular music can sometimes seem transparent and elementary (since lyrics tend to make the intended affect obvious), but in this particular situation, it was a moving and complex device that worked on several different levels. Nice job to the person or persons who put that idea together.
5. A little more comedy…but not so much that it undermines the serious, raw dimension of the show. (Tall order? Yep. )
All that said–while I’ll always miss SG-1 and SGA, I’m very much enjoying this new direction. Shows that deal so honestly with all of which human beings are capable (heroics alongside depravity…and the middle-ground, too) really make my day. Awesome and thanks!
Damn, you got a lot of feedback o this one. I wanted to ask, how much did you do each reduction, by half I assume? and your stock, home made or was it in a box?
1. I would like to see an obscure character explored. someone who would not appear as an important person aboard the destiny, or who goes under appreciated.
2. I would like to see more of what the ancients left in those crates. there have to be some things, they have to look inside them just simply because there could be something useful.
3. The fact that is pointed out thy are hopelessly lost in The Universe with no way back home. and the angst… potter puppet pals comes to mind
4 my favorite story line is okay I am ot sure what my favorite plot is, but honestly chloe and the lt banging, I have no clue were that all came from other than he was the first attractive male around when her father died.
5. someone gets preggers… I want to see that, with all the sex going on someone has to bust a nut at the wrong time.
The Haggis looks half cooked in the picture. so it was a good call to fry it. 🙂 Treat it like a Sunday roast.. 30 to 45 mins per 500g plus 30 minutes… always works for me.
As for your “universe” questions
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Individually I don’t really mind, the series has explored most of the lead character’s lives quite well up to now.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship. definitely Destiny.. we have seen so little of it’s inner workings yet so much of its outside.. Like Atlantis. The Destiny is the immediate “world” for the crew/characters. to not explore and get to know it better is unrealistic. Surely with the advances in virtual sets you can do this fairly convincingly and at a fairly low budgetary requirement.. Even Red Dwarf had the guys wandering around it once in a while and having adventures on the ship.
otherwise could we have a bit more of the other survivors in the show. There should be room for secondary characters to be coming forward by now, you have a selection of people who escaped Icarus base but they all seem to just lurk somewhere in the ship and not contribute much towards what is going on and rarely interact with the lead characters beyond walking past them, or sitting behind them or padding out a scene. You have a lot of scope in this series to create and run with characters that people can get to know and get used too and like. This then improves the over all impact of their fate , which will then improve the reaction to them by the audience if and when they get involved in hazardous situations. You have a comparatively small number of survivors.. which means the loss of any one person should have a significant effect on the group as a whole. As they will all know each other. When it all hits the fan then you want the audience to care and worry about what happens to them rather than just having the whole “redshirt” effect of “oh here is an insignificant member of the crew.. ” Because in this series then unless you open up a gate back home like in Atlantis then every crew member is significant even if it is they they are there to stand between the main cast and a gribbly monster or a projectile weapon.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Those memory stones..
they are significantly Story breaking because their most obvious potential is being ignored for random stories of popping back to earth for a night out and some rumpy pumpy. The whole issue of the ethical and moral issue of using the donor body to go out on a night binge or have carnal relations with your partner/spouse aside. It is actually quite distracting to flip from jeopardy on a space ship that’s part falling apart in the middle of god knows where to a random mini adventure back on earth.. especially as at the moment the Destiny and what is happening on it IS the driving theme of the series.
From a story balance point of view though, those stones are seriously a storyline breaker because they are not being used as you would expect them to be used. The main point being that one thing both myself and my other half have wondered is. Why.. if you have these stones have the IOA and/or SGC or even Gen O’Neill not just grabbed hold of the various established Canon “smart people” not been linked in to go and fix stuff?. You have the likes of Daniel Jackson, Lee, Zelenka, McKay, Carter (to name a few) and many more who are available and more importantly know their stuff when it comes to ancient tech. Why haven’t they been swapped in to translate everything. decipher the computers and make them work? Hell run training 101 for the survivors to bring them up to speed and help them help themselves. They can run classes in ancient language, run engineering classes, get more detailed medical training for TJ etc etc… Those stones may have seemed like a great plot device at the beginning but really are not helping the over all plot. Because even though the survivors are not all Genius’s they have potential access to genius’s to help.
Those stones need nerfing
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
simple, the look on Rush’s face at the end of the last ep before the break. when he realises his predicament:D.. classic and a fantastic character building moment for Young.. up until this point you think he’s just a bit of a push over.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Destiny getting a personality and being more than just a bunch of sets that people wander around and argue in…. this does not have to be an AI perse but something that makes it part of what is going on.. sort of like the TARDIS in classic Dr Who, or Serenity in firefly. At the moment it is pretty much a background thing. Which is not right given that it is the characters “World base” so should be more central to them.
Of course a crotchety arrogant Ancient AI (written with decent dialogue) might work too but might not fit with the series as a whole. I don’t know what the over all plan is for the series so can’t make a definite judgement.
1. Riley (the only one that isn’t whining all the time)
2. Exploration (no, not exploring the human nature but exploring planets, universes…) and discovery
3. Drama (You have to ask? 🙂 ) also get rid of the communication stones. All they create is more drama, drama, drama… very annoying. besides, it’s not interesting to see what is going on on earth when you have entire universes at your disposal.
4. I still maintain that there is only drama but no real story… so, none.
5. Aliens, alien-tech (It’s not very interesting to see things we already know) and “outside of the box” solutions to problems (again, not problems between two characters but something threatening their survival) as well as inventions which they need to survive.
Ah, glad you liked Haggis.
How spicy was it? it should have a good peppery bite to it.
Unfortunately mine wasn’t very spicy this year (should have gone for the Award winning MacSweens one). I usually have mine with mashed potato, turnip/swede (with nutneg plenty of butter)and baked beans.
Alternative serving, if you take your haggis and mix it with the whiskey cream sauce and stuff it into a chicken breast and bake it in the oven. It’s called Chicken Balmoral after the Queens residence in Scotland.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer. I already enjoy Young, Rush, and Eli, but they’re central characters. Greer is really a stand-out among the rest.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Off-world explorations; meeting aliens. Exploring the ship. Problem solving. Dealing with shortages. (Seriously, how many different outfits and how much makeup did Chloe bring? She’s unfortunately starting to remind me of Ginger on Gilligan’s Island – dozens of different outfits, always perfectly made up.)
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Lee romance; less Chloe in general; less Earth-based stories.
The communication stones when the story focuses on (again) romance. I’d prefer ‘stones’ stories when it impacts what’s happening on the ship itself, solving or creating problems on the ship. I’m really done, already, with the Young and his wife thread.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
There’ve been several, but the most didn’t-see-that-one-coming, holy eff momemt was the cliffhanger – Young stranding Rush on the planet. I’m dying to find out how this gets resolved.
There’ve been others too – the dustdevil aliens in Air; the character insights in “Time”; the lottery scenes in Light (i think it was);.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Humor; even in the direst of situations, humans find humor. In fact the worse the situation, oftentimes the funnier the humor. In general, lighten things up just a bit. Not too much, just a little. Also more light (e.g., as in illumination on set.)
Next, stronger inter-personal bonds not based on lust between charaters. Stargate SG1 and Atlantis always excelled in depicting ‘friendship’ relationships between characters, where people cared about each other and would stand by, support and protect each other. I’m not seeing much bonding between charaters that’s not based on human biology and the urge to procreate.
Thanks for asking these questions!
**
Regarding the Haggis: you’re much braver than me. Even cooked. that looked distrubing at best. But one question: 350 degrees *celcius*? Really? That’s like 662 degrees Farenheit.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? TJ
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? The Destiny
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? Less angst
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? Learning about Eli’s motives to join the SGC.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? Forward Momentum to the plot less backsliding and angst.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Eli, I know he’s the comic relief but id to see his character develop and grow into something darker and more mature whilst still keeping his humorous edge.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
More ship exploration, it feels like we see the same areas over and over again which would be ok if they werent so poorly lit and bland.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The communication stones, the show loses that feeling of being lost and isolated in space as a result of them
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The building conflict between young and rush and then to have it end in such a dramatic conclusion was fantastic I never saw that fight coming not to mention how violent and realistic it was (loved it). Totally unexpected events that can have numerous consequences in the future keep me watching.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Id like to see the crew rally together against one common enemy instead of fighting amongst themselves.
First off that haggas looks gross yuck.
secondly i would like to thank u for letting us put our 2 cents in on the show . I would like to see a pregnancy play a part in the show.
skye
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I’d like to see Vanessa James and Dale Volker as main cast members. Both could really opened up more.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I’d like to see the characters exploring planets and more history of the ship. And as far as the planets go it doesn’t have to be “done in one” like the old SG shows. Maybe you could explore the same planet for 3 to 5 episodes. And there has been surprisingly little exploration of the ship.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The incessant in fighting, bickering and one-upmanship of the Destiny crew, all the angst about their love lifes, and the melodrama for the sake of melodrama. I’d like to believe that these people could actually function as members of the SGC.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The Destiny crew coming together to stare at the supergiant. It was nice to let go of the ever present sense of hopelessness and see the characters stand in awe of something truly amazing. It was also nice to just see them come together as a group for just a little bit.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole.
Aliens and strange scientific space phenomenon. Oh, and more use of the Stargate itslef would be nice.
Haggis: Honestly, I don’t know why the fuss about haggis. Just tastes like slightly spicy mince meat. It’s supposed to be drunk (so I was told at a Celtic festival) with a shot of nice whisky. Sixteen-year-old Lagavulin would do nicely but I suppose any whisky would do in a pinch. A side dish of neeps and tatties. Very nice.
But onto your questions:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Well, given that I utterly adore Rush, him, but that’s too obvious, I suppose. Besides mystery is nice. More shots of Carlyle’s tragic eyes. You fangirl, Ellie, you.
Of the main characters, TJ certainly. I think there’s more to her than meets the eye. As a medic who may be required to do triage, she would have to be able to say who gets treatment in an emergency and who doesn’t. The greater good, shall we say. And I think Greer would see it that way as well as he seems to be a far more practical person than Young and Scott. Oh, and do something with Lt James instead of her being a glorified security guard; she is an officer and is actually in the chain of command, is she not?
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Given we haven’t seen the back half of the season and am unsure what is going to happen (other than spoilers, of course), it’s a little difficult to say because you might have already done it (thanking you in advance). Of the relationships, I’d like to see more of a mix (and I don’t mean sex) between the military and civilians because it’s a bit ner the twain at the moment and the more time they’re on Destiny, the more that divide would break down. Things generally aren’t that black and white. What if, for example, various of the military folks didn’t agree with Young’s paranoiac stance on Rush and thought it unjustified? Plus, there are people who are neither military nor scientist. What about them? Of what use exactly is a HR manager? Does Camille just sit in her quarters drawing? And honestly, aside from nearly full-time spy for Young, Eli’s not done a great deal. In terms of plot, more exploration of the ship and the science. Honestly, I’m not that fussed on exploration and aliens. You don’t need those to make Stargate interesting. I’ve always preferred character driven episodes in previous Stargate incarnations.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and say that I don’t mind the stones that much, although I am well over Young’s boring traumas with the irritating Emily. It completely irritated me in Darkness when he went to see her instead of hanging around the Pentagon to ask for a bunch of helpful scientists. Oh, we’re all going to die: I’ll just pop out to see the wife, nevermind trying to do something. Smack. Oh, something another fan mentioned: how about those with clearance visit Destiny?
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Too many to mention but needless to say the majority have Robert Carlyle in them. Ellie shrugs at just how obvious she is. Given how much I liked it when it aired, I find that I have less interest in Time than I do the personal aspects of other episodes. In Time, I liked the character exploration of Eli and Rush and TJ. I find myself going back to those sorts of moments.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
What the writers have tended to do in the past is have a A story with a B story, yes? Why not just have the A story? e.g. In Outcast, the Atlantis story, we had the very interesting story of Sheppard’s estrangement with his father and the not-as-interesting story of the replicator mixed in. That was two separate episodes to my mind. Time was a great example of one story throughout the whole, to my mind, though you separate the elements in parts. I don’t know that I’m that fond of the whole ‘We have to do an episode on Greer cos it’s his turn’ type of method. Integration, that’s what I’d like to see. Snippets not chunks.
En attendant le retour des Nordiques , here are my answers to your questions, and by the way, thanks for asking, it’s an amazing opportunity.
1. Rush, Eli,
2. More about the ship, more mythology.
3. The stones
4. Space and off world stuff
5. More Aliens sometimes even some already known. More explorations, more action, more team spirit
Good evening
Nathalie
(I really hope to see Stargate Extinction before the new Quebec Nordiques…)
OK, take this for what it’s worth, since I haven’t actually seen the show as of yet (so exactly nothing???), but I read your blog every day, follow the SGU forums on Syfy and Gateworld and here is what might possibly get me to tune in next year:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
So far Greer seems like the most interesting character to me. I would like to see him step up and take charge since there is not much leadership evident amongst the other military folk.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? Traveling through the Stargate and having adventures with a Team. Also using the Ship Destiny to explore the Ancients and their history.
I would also like a same-sex relationship between two of the men, not just a lesbian relationship.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? From what I have read, definitely the Stones. I would not like to see the sex and people commiting crimes (beat downs) in other’s bodies. It makes them all seem very vile and morally destitute.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
OK, I did see the potato scene with Greer, that was funny.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I would definitely like to see inclusion of the SGA folk, not just the SG1 guys. Part of what makes me turn away from this incarnation of SG is the feeling I get that SGA is being swept under the rug, like lint or dust bunnies.
Also I like shows where there is comraderie, team work, optimism and humor, and I have not heard that this is much evident in SGA.
Hi, Joe.
1) I know I’ll be in the minority over this, but I’d like to see Chloe explored more. Episodes like “Air”, “Justice” and “Earth” have shown that she’s more than a 1-note character (her grief over her dad’s sacrifice, defending Young from Wray, and wanting to punch her ex in the face being the examples that spring to mind), but while we have seen plenty of her past, I hope we can see a lot more of the person she can become without the expectations and restraints of her “normal” life. Indeed, even more than Eli, Chloe is the perfect commentator on the “military vs scientists” power struggle brewing in the first 10 episodes.
2) I would like to see more off-world exploration, possibly with Destiny allowing longer stops so there is more variation to the current “dial in, race to find the essential supply, race back” episodes. Also, more about why the Ancients planted Stargates on particular worlds; if they were exploring the universe, why so many gates on hospitable (more or less) planets, when they could use the space suits to explore planets without an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere? Were they exploring… or colonising? Conquering, even? While the Destiny is a nice plot device to get the characters from one crisis to the next, more about the ship’s mission would be good, especially if the ship’s agenda starts to clash with the crew’s.
3) Less contact with Earth, in my opinion. For a show about people trapped away from home, giving them so many chances to see their families wears thin, and undercuts the drama of the characters being cut off from their support base, their friends, the people they rely on. If you want a Stargate series set on Earth, then brush off the “Stargate Command” idea and pitch it to Syfy as a new spin-off (hey, SGU’s gotten end sometime or other), but for SGU, the focus should be on what these characters have lost, not just “I now have a different body when I shag my partner” (hilarious though Telford’s face was!).
4) Oooh… toughie. I’ve already mentioned a few favourites, but overall… the scene of Rush waking up on the alien planet, looking up at the sky, realising he’s been left behind… completely silent, a perfect partnership of acting and special effects to create my favourite cliffhanger in years. That had me jumping with excitement for days… much to the amusement of my non-SG fan friends (yes, I’ve tried to convert them… it’s an ongoing process).
5) I’d like to see a connection between the Ancients who built the Destiny, and the ancient wise gods of Earth. Unless you’re familiar with SG-1 and Atlantis, viewers have no idea who the Ancients actually are, and given the wide variations in how the Ancients have been depicted over the years (long-lost Asgard allies, Mother Nature with attitude, all-powerful all-knowing Powers That sit on their Be-hinds in a cosmic cafe, arrogant humans with slightly better tech who lost the war to the Wraith), it is difficult to understand the beings who built the Destiny, and WHY they built it. Early SG-1 episodes benefitted from the mystery of not knowing who actually built the Stargates (before you’re time, Joe, I know, but many good episodes nonetheless), and that mystery allowed seeds to be planted (the second gate found in Antarctica being the best example), hints that could be built up for future stories, teasing and growing the mythology of the show bit by bit. What I think SGU needs right now is a MYSTERY, something to make people wonder what the Ancients were actually up to, clues and hints that challenge the fundamental preconceptions about the SG universe.
Well, thanks for reading my rant. I hope you’re not regretting asking for readers opinions!
Jonathan
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Well i think that Lt. Vanessa James, not just because she is hot and need more screen time but because i personally would like to see more army womens being useful in the sg universe, i know some people would point out samantha carter or even weir and teyla tho they aren’t exactly from the army, but the show hardly focus out on all of them, i really liked how by the end of atlantis there were this few episodes were there were this interesting female characters, like in “The Prodigal”, or in “Search and Rescue” when captain vegas shoot down a dart, i though back then “hey a new female character” but nothing was followed down by that line… so yeah i would like to know more about here.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I will go with Ancient technologies, like, this people have no supplies so they will have to learn to use the ships technologies at one point and stop relying in earth tech, so i would like to see they using more and more ancient tech.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
All the drama stuff, i mean if i want real life problem i would go and look through the window, dont take me wrong, i mean ok make some drama, but this is not days of our lives or something, nor it should be.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
That would be when they falled into the sun, we had a peak on their psique and we learn a lot about the ancients, and the way they did stuff.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
as someone said before, some humor wouldn’t hurt.
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE… *inhales* …WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
(My sister says I’m a ‘happy drunk’. 😀 )
Anyhoo…
Regards question nombre OOOOOn. Un. Une. Whatever.
I thought you were referring to an secondary character, and for that I suggested Becker. I just like him. However, if you’re talking about a primary character, then most certainly Greer. Hawt, sexy Greer. 🙂 Erm…I mean…edgy, unpredictable Greer. You know what would make Greer near-perfect. A LONG WHITE WIG!!! 😀
Of course, then someone might mistake him for Storm from the X-Men…
I love Greer. I wanna see him punch Telford right in the mouth. Or worse…give Telford an atomic WEDGIE!!! Woo! 😀
Yeah…
I know…
Settle down and behave (who’s ‘have’?).
Anyway…
I was gonna say something else, but right now I’m just excited that 1. a new Psych is on tonight, 2. I just found out I might not have to work tomorrow, but instead my dad/boss wants me to go shopping at Sams Wholesale, and 3. …. I don’t have a three, actually…
BUT, I did just eat a wonderful piece of dark Godiva chocolate….mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Have a good night, everybody! (Or day, if you’re on the other side of the world…)
Ciao!
das
I don’t really like any of the characters except Eli. You need a new, likeable character to partner with Eli and exchange snark like Sheppard and McKay.
More gate travel would be good
Get rid of the stones, or at least use them for reasonable exchanges, rather than for visits to bars.
Rush being left stranded, of course. If only he would stay there.
The things that I would like added to the show would be more humor, likeable characters, and some references to Atlantis and McKay.
Hey Joe,
You should now try Blood Sausage – a traditional Irish breakfast DELIGHT! Black or White pudding are your options, and I have to admit, if you don’t think about what you’re eating (much like Haggis), it’s a pretty great part of a Sunday fry. Alan makes his friends from home stock him up when they come to visit because the good stuff is hard to find in Vancouver.
With St. Paddy’s day just around the corner, you might as well try it!
Oh, one more thing, Joe…on a serious note…
Mark Harmon was on Jay Leno the other night, and he talked about NCIS and the show’s success. He said that they’ve been very lucky to 1. have the same writers on the project, and 2. that everyone (I was under the impression that he meant the cast) likes each other.
I think this shows. You can tell that the actors enjoy their work, enjoy creating their characters. You just don’t feel like you’re watching a show where egos are getting in the way behind the scenes. But I was wondering about the writing team – what’s really better? A team of the same writers, or mixing things up a bit by bringing in new blood? Personally I think having a consistent team of writers is good, since they really get a feel for the characters. Sure, outside writers can bring in new ideas, but what if those ideas are at the expense of the characters? Just wonder what you think of regular writers v guest writers…if you have a sec or two to share.
das
1. Tamara and Greer.
2. Off world exploration – more action, aliens, etc. I’d like to see more of the relationships between the people on the ship…not romantic or dramatic though, but something more lighthearted that explores friendships and such (the moment with McKay and Sheppard playing with toy cars come to mind).
3. I’d prefer less romance and less personal drama (meaning, the wife/girlfriend/baby thing at home). I’d rather have the story focused on their problems on the ship, their problems with the people on the ship, and exploring the unknown.
4. Rush getting left behind was shocking.
5. Humor please! I don’t need quips here, there and everywhere – I just think it’s natural for people to have a sense of humor and let one or two funny comments slip from time to time.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Eli. He has the potential to become the ‘heart and conscious’ of the show, much as Daniel was in SG-1 – but he’s not quite there yet. I think it important that we have that kind of character to balance some of the darker flaws we are getting in our ‘heros’ like Young and Rush. We need to have a good guy who is also an ‘everyman’ that people can relate to – that ability to relate (via the fact that it was happening in our time on our world) is part of the dynamic that made SG-1 work so well. Right now, I’m not feeling that connection with the characters despite the fact that I really want to.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship itself, as so many others have said before me; an incredibly advanced piece of technology that is so very old built by aliens that were not *quite!* human. The fact that the Ancients/Alterans weren’t human could also be explored more and have interesting consequences for the current crew.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I think the interpersonal relationships are being over emphasized. I’m not the type who wants full on action/fighting/explosions all the time – definitely want some strong character moments to drive the show forward, but those moments so far have been largely tied to romantic pairings. I’m not saying to do away with them, but they need to be more in the background of what is happening and not so much in the foreground of everything.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The ‘Sweet Potato’ because it said so much about Greer – and I thought it was one of the first realistic looks as a military mind set. Of all the military personnel depicted so far, he is the most believable.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Hmmm…. a limited ally of some sort; be it an AI interface with the ship that only works periodically or a very strange alien they rescue. Grin – Maybe they thought it would make a good protein source only to discover it is sentient. It would be interesting to explore preconceived notions of what is and isn’t life/intelligence/communication.
Ooo! And it might be interesting if one of those seeder ships that are ahead of the destiny were found… You know, it’s quite possible an alien race might not want a Stargate to be planted on their world and see these advance ships as an invasion force…
Janice
I’m short on time – yoga class tonight. But since you ask, I’ll throw in my two cents worth (more like a ha’penny):
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Rush.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Destiny. Please let them start figuring out more about how the ship works.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The stones. The angsty back-home stories are not my favorites. They may be more “realistic” and reflect how real people would actually behave, but in my opinion, they just drag down the show and make it the space equivalent of Grey’s Anatomy.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Rush making Telford and gang believe that the Destiny’s gate was about to explode. That devious li’l devil!
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Not sure how to reply to this one. I guess I would like a bit of interaction with “local” life forms.
And in my heart, I would like to see Rush get into that ship on the planet where that slimy, underhanded Col. Young marooned him, figure out how to fly it and take it back to the Destiny, where he will invite anyone who really has an interest in space exploration to join him. Then he and his new crew can leave Col. Young and the whiny people who are blind to the wonders around them just whine about going home behind and explore the galaxy in peace. But then there would be no season two…
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ ;definitley underused so far.James seems ‘real’ and very interesting and one of the few strong ‘real’ women as characters.Rush needs more exploration more Im bored of the constant second guessing of him.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Number one priority should be the ship exploration/tech and a lot more positveness about the whole ‘ball game’ At the moment i feel depressed after watching it.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Chloe is a weak,total whining nightmare.The nightclub scene was just ‘what show am i watching?’
No more sex.Please.Just stop with the close up sweating bodies. why do we need to see this?
SG1 and SGA never about watching people bone jumping.Suggested ,yes,hinted at ,yes.Never the slap in the face close ups on SGU.And having sex while ‘in other peoples bodies?’ Am i the only one that finds this really really icky?
Humour – Eli wise cracking every scene is annoying (doesnt he have another teeshirt?) I watched SG1 and SGA because everyone had their quirky humour to add.Eli is the only one in SGU with ‘funny’ lines and it shows.
Get rid of the soap opera moping miserable angsty-ness,its incredibly irritating.
Telford /Young/ Scott ALL acting like sex crazed idiots and not like ANY of the military men we have seen in SGA and SG1 before them.Give them some dignity!
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Collecting the suns energy was truly awesome and well told.We had science ficiton,new planets,fab effects a story! no relationship angst.MORE!
‘time’ It incorparated everything -the stargate,travel to a planet,aliens,time travel and a mystery to solve.And! yet again no angst!
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Aliens! Technology,ship exploration,Stargate travel?what ever happened to the civilain and soldier that went throu the gate in the first few eps and got left behind? but most of all Humour!
its desperatly needed to enjoy the program rather than endure it .
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Rush!!
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The aspects of Exploration, and discoveries.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The Soap opera elements like with “Life”
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The moment in Air part 3 when Scott and Greer are running to the gate with the mineral lyme to save the ship’s crew and to restore the life support system. The music and the suspense of the gate timer counting down was one of the best moments to me.
2nd would be the episode “Light” with the ship going through the Sun to recharge.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More action, alien encounters. Make the show more like past Stargates but still keep that character focus going which has been great. But we need a big payoff.
Take Season 4 of SGA for an example the first half was very dramatic with the whole Weir arc. It was also very dark and brought up a lot of moral questions, sorta like SGU is doing. The big payoff was BAMSR, and the 2nd half of Season 4 which was amazing.
The show also needs direction. It was lost after “Water”. There needs to be a strong plot element and story to go with these developed and introduced character elements.
1. T.J. has so much potential, but you only ever see her when someone is sick! lame.
2. More exploited? As if the angry black man, lesbian and handicapped rapist weren’t enough?
3. Everybody picking on Rush, we get it, nobody likes him.
4. Icarus Base.
5. Space Zombies!! I got a great idea for one.
Like you said it’s tough to make calls about a show when we have seen so little. But I think you guys are on the right path.
I’ve completely loved everything you guys have done with SGU to date, so basically would just like to see everything taken to the next level. — Oh, that’s really helpful. But my preference would be carte blanche for the creative team.
Characters: I would really love to see Chloe come into her own. I know there’s a reason she’s onboard the Destiny, and I think she has a lot of potential. Truly, though, all the main characters impress and intrigue me, maybe the younger people just a bit more. — As well, Greer is a fascinating wildcard.
Would also love to see continued regular use of the Kino to show us things we wouldn’t normally get to see — the whole spectrum of characters’ interactions with each other, and with their own minds and emotions as well. I see this and the stones both as strong storytelling devices, with the Kino being readily believable, while the stones obviously require suspension of disbelief.
— Really, there’s such a solid base for building on, everyone and everything has a lot of potential. It’s no great leap to guess that more development of the ship’s capabilities is already in the works. Organic vessels with advanced neural interfaces, just waiting to be discovered (with often surprising results), are fascinating to me. — Thinking about it, I have no idea how you’re going to cover everything that holds interest unless TPTB do the sensible thing and have the show run for as long as SG-1.
Speaking of…. I very much enjoyed SG-1 and SGA, but have no wish to see more than the occasional (and subtle) homage to those series, whether in style or character presence. I don’t see how you could continue to break new ground if fan pressure induced a return to those shows’ very different approaches to scifi.
I hope an impressively high emphasis on outstanding effects and aesthetics will continue to elevate SGU to big-screen-quality viewing, budget permitting. (Since MGM is USA-based, maybe Obama could be persuaded to pony up matching funds.) Seriously, LOVE the tech-art, and the great production values.
So many fav story moments to choose from, but if pressed, I’d probably pick Scott’s mind-altered desert flashback, with fascinating life-form in attendance. The entire sequence was captivating, from every perspective.
A guy pal at work requests more sex and more aliens, but not necessarily sex with aliens.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? Matt Scott. I see him as the second in command on the ship. How did he get there? How does he think?
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? More exploration and discovery of the Destiny. Rush is constantly saying how old everything is and how complex it is to understand. Would be nice to actually have some understanding.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I am totally over the stones. I truly dislike them and fast forward through most of the scenes. Only one I liked was Eli’s meeting with his mother.
But the one that really gets to me is Rush and his constant, continuous, everlasting bitching. He is always angry, always upset about something and yelling about it. Can’t he have other emotions and moods? To me, he is quite one dimensional.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? I enjoyed the search for water, episode. Honestly, I’ve not experienced that many so far, to my disappointment. I don’t mind the dark tone of the series but with the stones and all the personal crap, i find myself getting bored. Things move so slowly in each episode. I would like to enjoy this show, but so far, it’s been tough to do.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? More information or presence of the Ancients and why/how they build the ship. They are on an Ancient ship, for god’s sakes. A recording? Hologram? Some journals? Something!
Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Glad to read that your first Haggis experience was such a positive one! I wouldn’t steer you wrong! 🙂
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ and Greer. By the mid-season break, these were the characters I had the most faith in.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I’ll agree with others and say Destiny, as a character on the show. I wanted to see this ship explored, and I wanted to learn more about its seeming ability to recognize what the crew needs and give it to them.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The communication stones. I was about giddy with excitement over the potential moral implications of switching bodies with strangers, and was disappointed when it seemed to be treated like no big deal. I also kept waiting for Young to use the stones in order to bring in people — anyone — who could help him keep ahead of Rush.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
“Light” was the highlight of the season for me. The scenes at the end of the crew spending what they believed to be their last hours and minutes alive were beautiful, and then seeing Destiny dip into the star was amazing.
With respect, subsequent episodes didn’t capture my imagination and interest like “Light” did, though I did find “Time” to be interesting.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I admit, I miss the humor and camaraderie of the other Stargate series.
Ok, here are my answers to the survey:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Several, actually. TJ is at the top of my list. Out of everyone on the cast, she seems to be the one that’s seen the least amount of meaningful screentime. For the most part, we only saw bits and pieces of her awesomeness (i.e. when she drugged Telford in Air III), and at other times, she served mainly as a foil for other people, i.e Young, Eli in “Time”, and most of the cast in “Life”. The only time that I can recall that she really shined was in Water – however, come next week, nothing seems to have changed. It was as if her being in command never happened.
From where I stand, I would love to see her in a more desperate situation, like Time, but have the focus be on her and her struggles. I would also love to know more about her background; at the moment, the only thing we know about her background is her problem with the airforce, and I do believe that has something to do with Young. Far be it for me to judge before seeing it, but the fact that her past conflicts is because of a man is kind of…well, discomforting, to put it simply. Of course, I will wait and see before I actually make any solid judgement besides a vague feeling. I think it’d be cool to see a bit of her family as she mentioned in “Time” – maybe TJ flashing back to when her nieces or nephews were born or something. It’s all good.
Next on my list is Scott. He’s had more exposure (pun not intended), but most of it seemed more situational – i.e. they served the plot, rather than serve the character. The reveal of his tragic background was well done, but since then there has been very little mention of it; there also hasn’t been any clear instances of his background influencing Scott’s actions. Similarly, after the major revelation of “Life”, nothing seems to be amiss in “Justice”; I was hoping for some kind of follow up or hint, i.e. Chloe and Matt talking about it, or Matt being absentminded for a bit, even during a serious situation such as the one in Justice.
One could mention “Water” again, but I’d say that that was far more a Young episode than a Scott episode (or even a Young-Scott episode); Scott served to highlight the internal conflicts and honor of Colonel Young, but did very little developing himself; this was apparent to me when he spent most of the episode stuck in a crevasse.
Here’s a question that you guys may be able to explore with Scott: most of the military heroes we’ve seen in the past have been willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good; is Scott one of these people too, or is he much more like a normal person, who’d be at least hesitant about it?
Lastly, there is Wray. I am actually pretty happy for how she’s been developed; we’ve seen hints of how she’s faced past prejudices; we’ve seen her loving partner and ADORABLE relationship with Sharon; we’ve seen her strength in taking control of Destiny and standing up to Greer; now all I need to see is her following through on Sharon’s pep talk; start gaining support from the civilians and make her move. Basically, I just want more of her. One critique though: I was a tad disappointed that Young both lost and regained the control of the ship in “Justice” – it felt too early and neat; I would’ve loved to see Wray reign over the ship for a few more episodes; that would’ve made it a true game changer instead of a thing that happened in one single episode, and it would’ve given Wray a lot of meaningful screentime.
Those are my main ones. For the most part, I am very, VERY happy with Eli, Rush, and Young’s development. Chloe is on the right track of her development; you can actually chart, very clearly, her path from grieving for her father and being unable to get out of her funk, to beginning to realize her place amongst the crew and really stepping up, like in Justice. I think you guys just need to keep this up and not backtrack – unless you are going for a story where she purposefully backtracks because of some traumatic event, in which case it’s totally fine; after all, it’s normal for someone to momentarily lose all the strength they’ve gained since the previous traumatic event due to another one, and break down.
Personally, I feel that Chloe is the strongest of them all. Though it’s not shown very often, the fact that she 1). Stood up to Rush’s intent to sacrifice someone based on their worth, 2). Beat up Rush after her father died and 3). Stood up to Rush again when he suggested leaving Scott behind really sold it for me that she has an incredible inner strength just waiting to be let out; I wish to see this inner strength explored more in the future.
Telford is doing just fine as mainly an antagonist; however, I’m all for expanding his character if you guys go in that direction.
Now, Greer – the man is in a whole other league as far as I’m concerned. Even though he hasn’t had that much screentime, every time he appears on screen he basically steals the scene. Jamil Walker Smith is just so incredibly good at this. And, of course, you guys are doing a great job writing him. So yeah, keep doing what you guys are doing with Greer, and maybe throw in an introspective episode about him somewhere down the line.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
By far, the wonder of the Universe. I’m all for human drama, and I’ve loved what has come of that so far; however, the one missing ingredient that I wanted to see ever since the show was announced was the exploration of the far reaches of the Universe. As Carl Sagan once said, “the explorations of the Cosmos is a voyage of self-discovery” – it fits SGU perfectly. However, it doesn’t just apply to how humans behave when left alone so far from home, but also how they react to seeing things they couldn’t imagine.
One of the problems that was apparent in later years of SG1 and SGA was how our heroes were all hohum over the fact that they were traveling to other planets. That is to be expected (they’d probably get used to it), but it also kinda decreased the excitement factor a bit. With SGU, I want to see our crew momentarily forgetting their troubles as they, say, gaze upon the massive disk of a spiral galaxy as it rises above the ocean of an alien world. The scene in Darkness where the crew gathered to watch Big Bertha was an excellent example of this, and I wish to see more. Another good, but short example was Young staring up at the snow-strewn skies of the “Water” planet and noting how beautiful it is.
I mean, they are on the other side of the Universe; the only laws are the laws of nature, and with it the Universe has created so many wondrous things that some are still ungraspable by the human mind. Strange “balloon creatures” may live in the clouds of gas giants; once habitable worlds may have become Venus-like due to their stars warming as they age (this is going to happen to Earth in a few hundred million years), leaving behind telltale signs of the last days of a great civilization; Stars may get trapped in the gravity well of a Super Massive Black Hole and drift ever closer to its doom, while planets orbiting said star bare witness to the most incredible light show in the Universe, as the stars themselves are ripped to shreds right in front of them; while gas subgiants like Uranus and Neptune might be mined by aliens for the liquid diamond oceans that exist beneath their thick atmosphere, moons such as Titan, covered in organic material enough to form lakes of methane and ethane, can be sites of great battles over those precious resources; etc. etc. etc.
Remember those three videos I posted with the autotuning and the scientists “singing”? I suggest spreading that around the office; I really do think they are inspirational, especially if you want to write science fiction.
And, to go with such imagery and concepts, I would like to see Joel’s score become even more prominent. The music in the first 5 episodes was marvelous. However, for some reason, I didn’t think the music from Water to Justice was nearly as memorable; they weren’t bad, of course, but nowhere can I find another “Light” or “Air III” in them in terms of the scoring. Joel’s score really put that extra oomph into episodes and I would love to hear more of it.
Finally, I like to make mention of the Destiny and the Ancients. Yes, Joe, I know you don’t like them that much, but since the show is set on a ship built by them, I think they should be featured, eventually; perhaps as a flashback episode showing the building and launching of the Destiny or something.
Speaking of the Destiny, I love her. From that very first scene where we see her gliding quietly across the dark void of space, I just knew that this ship was going to be special. The score accompanying that scene was especially moving, and instantly made the ship a character in its own right rather than as just a piece of hardware. In that moment, I felt the plight of the ship; alone, empty, isolated, ancient, battle-scarred, forgotten for millions of years…and yet determined to forever travel onwards, following the commands of its long-dead creators. Then, in “Light”, when the Kino sees the ship from the outside for the first time, that theme played again; all I can think of at that moment was “at last, it is finally time for you to lay down and rest”. All of this to say that I would love an added emphasize on this aspect of Destiny; it has so much history, mystery, and experience that one can tap into for story ideas and for development of the Destiny as a character. You guys have done a pretty good job so far, having Destiny connecting to planets purposefully, showing off its amazing AI; and I want to see even more of that.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Nothing. Despite my demands in the previous questions, a vast majority of the stuff in the current episodes has been good – but there could be stuff added or made more prominent that would make things better (as I described above).
.4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
There are so many, but if I have to pick one, I’d probably pick the lottery scene and the subsequent shuttle-leaving scene in “Light”. It was a perfect blend of excellent writing (Greer letting loose on Spencer; Rush seeing the Destiny for the first time from the outside), excellent acting (Wray grieving for the lost souls on the Destiny, Scott and co. saying goodbye to those left onboard the Destiny), excellent CGI (obviously) and excellent music (Joel Goldsmith is a freaking smith of golden tunes).
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I think my answers to question 2 apply just as well here.
1. To be honest, I haven’t connected with any of the characters. You remember during action flicks, when the schmaltzy stuff started, you looked away? Well, I keep flipping over to MSNBC to see what Rachel Maddow is harping about. I like Rachel. She’s always interesting.
Maybe it’s the age thing. I’m 52, and your typically cranky middle-aged woman. Appeal to me.
2. The ship. Definitely the ship. I cut my teeth on hard SF. And where are the aliens? I believe you had, at one time, promised aliens that did not appear human. Still waiting!
3. Less jiggle and melodrama. I want to see that, I’ll rent the appropriate video. Or watch the next episode of Spartacus…now that’s a cool show! They’re even getting the archeology right.
4. Anything that expands on the Ancient mythology, and anything “sciency.”
5. So are they alone in this new universe, or what? And I agree with a previous poster that we need to check in with the SGC now and then.
Mmmmm, Haggis. Kinda looks like a giant puffball mushroom, so when you stick your fork in, parasitic spores will come spurting out. Saw that in a movie once, LOL.
So glad my culture’s cuisine relies heavily on cabbages. Halushki, halupki, real food for real people.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Destiny itself. I’d like to see different rooms on Destiny — engine rooms, any rooms set up for entertainment purposes?
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I’d like to see the visits to Earth used more sparingly, and minimize the drama between Young and his wife.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Almost anything from Time. That was an awesome episode.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Chloe needs to start learning a job. Maybe she could start to learn how to be a medic? A friendship between Chloe and Tamara would be nice.
Hi, Joe!
MGM Stargate has a SGU Graphic Novel Contest:
http://sgugraphicnovelcontest.com/
Featuring Dr. Rush!
Whoa, so nice of you to ask the fans what they think!! Of course, I am a fan, so I’m pretty enamored with what you’ve done already. Not too many things I think you should change the-show-in-general wise.
1) Eli! Eli is a fantastic character (and outrageously funny), and I’d love to see what happens now that he’s getting involved in the do-or-die politics that are at play here. Although he’s completely unassuming, he’s a valuable player on the board – not only is he a genius, but he’s also able to move pretty easily between the civilians and military. I’ll love to see what happens to him in later episodes. BUT PLEASE DON’T PUT HIM THROUGH ANYTHING TOO TERRIBLE THE POOR BOY’S SUFFERED TOO MUCH ALREADY.
2) As everyone else seems to be saying, the Destiny itself. Gotta love the uber-computer-mystery-alien ship.
3) Nothing, really… I wouldn’t complain, per se, if the communication stones became less of a plot device, but I don’t see other ways to keep what’s happening on earth part of the plotline. And the earth/Destiny tension is priceless.
4) I loved Young leaving Rush on the planet – big turning point for Young’s character. How does he reconcile that with his earlier refusal to leave Scott behind? And losing Scott would have been a lot less risky. Sure, they’ll all breathe easier knowing that the angry Scotsman isn’t about to yell at them for whatever reason, but breathing will become a WHOLE LOT HARDER when the filter breaks again and there’s NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THAT. Nice planning ahead, Young.
5) Erm… can’t think of anything I didn’t see in the upcoming episodes summaries. EPIC BATTLE. RUSH ANGST. DIVISION. MORE RUSH ANGST. Can’t wait for April!!!
Joe I just miss the show, too long til April, why do they not show reruns of SGU? Its hard to remember… 😉
Hello Joe.
I think I might be in the minority on this, but I think the communication stones have potential. What if someone on Earth with a high CIA (chair interface aptitude) like Sheppard or Beckett use the stones to take over the body of someone on Destiny with the ATA gene? If the movie is on hold, this gives fans the chance to reconnect with old characters and also explore new areas of the ship.
I also want to see people come together, because (and Haiti has proven this) during disaster, people tend to come together in solidarity.
One thing I feel could be toned down is the overt sexuality. It does seem to distract the audience from the story. Also, the sexuality could be implied by Eli echoing Mckay’s great line from Season one “…my god, he is Kirk!”. That would be funny, less offensive to sensitive viewers, and have second level resonance with fans of the series.
One that note, I agree with everyone else that I would to see more humor. Getting back to SGA, what made Sheppard great is that no matter how dire a situation was, he could always break the tension with a great one liner. RDA had a similar quality (“I like to close my eyes and think of England…”). Again, I think it is natural to use humor to break tension.
Thank you for giving us a chance to sound off on SGU. Can’t wait to see what is coming. Best wishes.
Bryan M. White
I should say upfront that my knowledge of the show is limited to reading scripts. This was flagged on the net, I couldn’t resist, sorry.
You guys got hauled over the coals regarding the portrayal of the female characters so do something that a lot of primetime shows fail to do, meet the Bechdel test. Have two or more of the female characters be friends with each other and have them bonding while doing the equivalent of racing remote control cars down a corridor (note: the female equivalent is not chatting about cake baking while burning incense and doing yoga/meditating, the female equivalent is racing remote control cars, but they’re pink and have bows on them and they cry when the cars crash into the walls). Take a couple of female characters and write them as if they were male characters – wahla, big part of the problem solved and you can be heroes to all and parades will be thrown in your honour. If you then add in a platonic male/female friendships (Just throwing it out there: Tamara and Greer since a lot of people want to see more of these two) you may be given a country to rule over, maybe a principality.
Use the plot to further the character development, not the character development be the plot – at least in the early days when viewers are trying to get to grips with the characters – that way the set up is still done, people get invested, and people’s attention is held. An example – the end piece you wrote between Radek and Rodney regarding Elizabeth – it was short, it was sweet, it was an excellent way of gaining insight into the strength of the friendships between the three characters – that was very nicely done!
What someone else above said – don’t underestimate the power of the Bacon guys. Two extras in SGA get gunned down and the fandom hive mind remembers it – it had an impact. Don’t undervalue the power of humour; it humanizes characters, it makes them more identifiable, and if you want to go dark, humour can be the perfect vehicle for delivering that sucker punch and making everything that much more poignant – Mutant Enemy is an excellent example of this. It can’t just be left to Eli to make Futurama references, and it just makes everyone else look like emo pod people.
Parks gets syphilis and after her brain turns into swiss cheese she starts leaping out at crew members and attacking them with sporks. Chloe gets an eyelash in her eye causing her to start screaming and rolling about the floor, in turn causing Scott, wanting to end her suffering, to pull out a gun and shoot her in the head while screaming, “Noooooo, Whatsherface!” and wiping away his tears with his rosary beads/picture of his stripper mommas baby (which is not his sibling, but what a (disgusting and unfortunate) twist!). A female crew member suddenly discovers that she is out of mascara, cue montage of her favourite moments of applying makeup, followed by cutting back to her poignantly weeping over her Maybelline, mascara smeared all over her face while “I feel pretty, so pretty” plays in the background in a touchingly ironic moment. New alien food gives everyone horrendous gas – will the crew die from methane poisoning? 42 minutes later they land on a planet and someone cracks open a window – only three crew members are lost, and nobody liked them anyway.
But um, yeah pretty much what others have said – explore the ship, explore the community, ditch the stones, up the humour (gallows, snark, knock knock, limericks, maybe a whole episode dedicated to puns), have someone pull a gun on someone else in order to get their hands on an iPod (possible sponsorship deal!), and have the scientists and military personal put on an amateur production of West Side Story with lashings of finger clicking and jazz hands. Sorted!
Most importantly – don’t ask what has already been done as far as BSG, Firefly, District 9 etc are concerned, ask what HASN’T been done, and do that. At the very least it would give fandom something new to complain about, and that’s got to have a novelty factor to it.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ and Rush
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Destiny itself and the exploration or contact with other worlds
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The use of stones, the scenes on earth always seem contrived to me. On the other hand I’d love a meeting on destiny of Rush, Mckay and Carter
4. What was your favourite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The end of Justice, Young leaving Rush on the planet came as a surprise and even more the unapologetically way he carried it off, with all the military culture of never leaving a man behind I look forward to see how that impacts on the crew once the truth is known.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Aliens and humour
Thank you for giving us this opportunity 🙂
I only tried haggis once and liked it, I had it in Scotland and it was served in a bowl, without the skin, looked more appetising
Get rid of the bimbo Chloe and the gratuitous sex scenes/ Chloe in the shower.
Get rid of the stones. I found it totally confusing about who was supposed to be who and where’s the peril being on a ship light years away when you can just pop home for a bit whenever.
Surely they’d have found the light switches by now, does it need to be so dark?
Could we actually find out what’s going on? instead of people quarrelling, moaning and being non-co-operative. Nobody seems particularly interested in the awe and wonder there should be ‘out there’
Mysterious Vaguely Annoying Person!
Dovil?
I think your blog has finally had it with me Joe and is sending comments straight to the spam bin. I’d understand if it was the Junk bin, because, that would be about right.
1. Of the main characters it seems TJ has gotten the shortest shrift. But I’m okay with that. I’d like to see more about Lt James. In the pilot it seemed like she’d be more prominent.
2. I’d like to see more examination of notions of command and authority. And moving beyond the simplistic notion that we too often see in scifi of the heroic military commander and the interfering busybody civilian. There’s this great moment in IIRC Earth after Telford’s attempt to dial Earth fails and Young is reporting to the leadership at the Pentagon and Young lets everyone know that he’s in charge. He holds all the cards in their relationship with Earth. I’d like to see some more insightful discussion along those lines Young has hinted at times that he understands that he has no real basis for authority on Destiny other than that people like him (and ultimately that he has people with guns who are loyal to him). I’d also like to see more examination of the civilian military split, including possibly a more heroic focus on the civilians.
3. I can’t think of an aspect per se. I will say that Water was, for me, the weakest episode of the series, and Air Pt Three was second weakest. Those eps seemed to be a bit more on point about being “mission” eps. They had a mission “get some sand” “get some water” and the ep was really all about that. Ultimately those were more lackluster episodes for me.
4. I haven’t watched the episodes in a couple of weeks so I’m sure I’m forgetting some. And I’m not quite sure what you mean by “story element” but here’s one little bit I enjoyed, which illustrates something I really enjoy about the show. In Light, I believe, Young has just made his announcement about their death plunge into the star and the lottery. There’s a scene that’s only maybe a minute long where everyone is doing their thing. There’s no clearly audible dialogue but the camera just moves around and we see things. Rush watches and then stalks off, James goes to confront Eli but he brushes her off and she leaves in disgust etc. I loved the underplayed nature of that scene. There’s a lot of different people here with a lot of different agendas and without actually having any dialogue, or really having anything substantive happen in that scene (except at the end where Scott and Chloe hook up) you get across something about the relationships on board.
5. The only one I can think of is more of a civilian presence on the ship. Other than Eli and Rush most of the main characters are military. I think with SGU there’s an opportunity to step away from some of the military fetishism that exists in a lot of space opera. Other than that I’ve got no major add ons to suggest. Just minor tweaks here and there.
I gave my two cents but felt I’d chime in on some common ideas I saw in other replies just so it doesn’t seem unanimous.
First, the aliens. I really like the fact that we’ve not, so far, seen any bipedal English speaking aliens. I’m sure they’ll show up soon but I like the fact that we’ve got this problem but no big enemy for the series.
Second, people who say that there is no humor are off base. Rush is blisteringly funny, albeit in a very vicious way, especially in Time.
Third, I say keep the stones. I shared other peoples concerns when they were first introduced, but they’ve been handled real well. I disagree with people who think that they lessen the stakes. They raise the stakes because they remind the characters, and us, what they’ve lost. If they couldn’t communicate with Earth then they might be able to make a cleaner break. And we, as the audience, would have a harder time understanding their emotional predicament. With the stones they can look but not touch. They can visit their loved ones, but they can’t go back. Plus the stones have opened up interesting issues of responsibility and authority.
Hi, Joe —
Thanks for asking the questions for our opinions on what we’d like to see in Season 2. Here are my answers:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I’d like to get a better feeling for what Rush’s agenda is. In the eps aired so far, he just hasn’t been relatable for me. Why is he putting his discovery of Destiny above the needs/wants of everyone else. It feels a little like Kinsey to me, who always struck me as evil for the sake of being an antagonist, not because he actually had any kind of a plan. Rush’s only agenda can’t be that he doesn’t want to go home for some unknown reason.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Destiny itself. Get people exploring the ship, finding surprises. IMO the best ep so far was Fire with the trip into the sun. What else can Destiny do that will awe us?
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Stop using the stones so much. Trust your characters to carry us along on their journey instead of sending them back to the ranch so often.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Fire worked because even though we knew as viewers that things would turn out, we didn’t know how. You exploited the particulars of the Universe situation, rather than fighting against them.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More of a feeling of an external antagonist. Yes, this is more a drama, than an action series, but I think SciFi needs that uniting theme of an enemy to be overcome.
The best stories come out of character conflict, so I would love to see Wray and Greer locked up in a room together, forced to depend on each other for survival.
I used to cook haggis at a seniors home I used to work at here in Vancouver. The residents loved it. We even had a Scot march in with bagpipes accompaniment and recite the ‘address to a haggis’.
1. I’d like to see Eli and Rush characters explored.
2. The exploration of the ship and new rooms/devices discovered.
3. The stones and trips to Earth can be reduced in my opinion.
4. I’ve always loved SciFi shows that feature time and it’s paradoxes, so Time
stands out for me.
5. More humour, dare I say it- less sex (I watch with my daughter). If they continue to use the stones, maybe the stones could allow them to visit alien worlds. Aliens would also have stones, having been given stones by the Alterans in the past. That would make it interesting when aliens find themselves aboard Destiny and vice versa. The crew would then be able to visit that culture in person when the stargate is active and are able to meet face to face.
1. T. J.
2. The exploration of the Destiny. It is such a huge ship that a whole season could be used to show them exploring and cataloging the ship.
3. The Stones
4. Young leaving Rush on the planet. Did not see that coming.
5. I would like to see more of the background characters. There are approx. 80-90 people on the Destiny. We only know about perhaps a third of them, probably less. You could have a story arc that runs through the season where you have one or two different background characters each episode that contribute to the A or B story of the episode. This way we can learn about all the crew of the Destiny.
I’ll probably have more to add on this later on, but in regards to #5: What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Giving this one just a bit of thought, I looked back to other shows that I’ve enjoyed in the past, and what element worked for me. One this is a running ‘theme’ throughout an ep – Star Trek (esp. TNG) did this sort of thing a lot. The ‘theme’ (not sure what else to call it – plot device?) usually is set up at the beginning, and has some sort of impact in the episode. I’ trying to think of an Atlantis ep that did what I’m talking about…arrrgh. I’m sure there’s one…maybe the pilot, when the Athosian kids had the Wraith mask, though that may have just been a case of foreshadowing.
Anyway, the thing I’m talking about is something that gives a glimpse into everyday life aboard ship – into the ordinary lives of the people. For instance, remember that purple potato bit in Universe? Well, instead of leaving it in the mess, if that ‘potato’ moment played out somewhere else, just an ordinary thing that is woven throughout and/or affects the outcome of the episode. Oh, damn…Joe – this is a case where I can envision perfectly what I mean, but just can’t figure out how to describe it!! Blast! Okay…silly example but this is the easiest way for me to explain myself…
In the beginning of an ep, the crew decide to aim for a bit of normalcy by having a Halloween costume party. Someone has a really cool costume, but no one knows who it is. Things start happening aboard ship while everyone is at the party. People are told to get back to their stations, duties, or whatever, and most people remove all or part of their costume. Mysterious costume guy stays in costume. Mysterious costume guy is discovered to be some sort of alien. Mysterious ‘costume’ alien guy is eventually subdued by Eli in a Spider-Man costume.
Now – that’s just a bit of silliness, but I think you get the idea of what I mean. It is an element I like in several of the shows I watch (Psych does it a lot, Monk, too…and that’s probably why my example is silly instead of serious, but I think you get the idea). I’ve seen it done to lesser and greater degrees in shows – in something light, it’s quite obvious and not necessarily believable (like my example), in a more serious show it’s more subdued, more like that foreshadowing moment with the Wraith mask.
I just wish I could explain myself better…I know what I can see in my head, and it’s just not coming out right in type. 😛
das
1. Greer – I know there’s an upcoming episode about him but I’d like him to get more rounded out as a character.
2. I’d like to see more of the Destiny and its capabilities exploited. What makes this ship so special? And visit more planets, especially planets that are wildly different to what we’ve seen before.
3. Being cut off from Earth. We tried it in Atlantis and it worked for a bit but it’s been done. I’d prefer to have the characters be able to gate back to Earth at will, like in Atlantis, but continue to explore the Destiny and the regions of space it passes through.
4. The cliffhanger in Justice.
5. SPACE. BATTLES. LOTS of them please.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Vulkar (I know he’s just a minor character, but I think he’s fun), or Dr. Mehta (also minor, but so gorgeous), or Ray/Rhee(?). I really like the idea of taking some minor characters and fleshing them out.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
More dangerous and suspenseful exploration, i.e. “Time”.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The stones. They’re used too much, and they offer too much escape from the isolation and confinement of the ship. Limit or remove them, please.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Difficult to pick. It’s all so engrossing. Everything involving Rush?
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
A lot more mystery to compliment the already tense atmosphere.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? All of the secondary characters (Riley, Volker, Wray, Franklin, etc), Tamara Johansen, and Eli.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? Humour. Golly gee, there needs to be more humour. Please even go so far as to exploit the humour.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? SHAKY CAM! I know for a fact that y’all have competent camera people, because they did a fine job on the first two series. Please don’t feel like you need to shake the camera in order to get across your point that this show is “edgier”…if the episode is written, directed, and acted well enough this will come across on its own. Another: the stones. Too much Earth contact means I don’t get to know the people on Destiny as well as I want to. It should be about them, not about the people they left behind on earth. I’d almost like to see an early-LOST-style “character of the episode” format, where we learn a lot about one character and a little about the rest in every episode. OR tell each story from a different perspective (like how the 1st ep was from Eli’s perspective.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? I only get to pick one moment? 🙁 Well I guess I’ll hafta go with when Rush wakes up alone, staring up at the sky. So well acted was the scene that I wasn’t thinking “OMG did Young just do that and did Eli just agree to that?” but rather “Oh, wow. Rush. Wow.”
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? Well, I’ve already said more humour. And more Eli. And I’d like to see more aliens. And (I know I’ve voiced concerns about this before) I’d really like to be able to show my family/friends a random episode and have them catch on quickly. I’d have never gotten addicted to SG-1 if the episodes weren’t standalone (My first SG-1 was Morpheus, which was indeed part of a larger story arc, but still managed to stand alone as well. If I hadn’t been able to jump right in and get a feel for the team dynamics right away, I would never have watched another episode.).
Thanks for asking. Even if you *can’t* change the second half of season 1.
@Das Oooh I know what you mean about the recurring element thingy. I have a good example (involving the Holocaust, in which coffee represents both the prospects of Jews and the hardships of shortages and the darkness of concentration camps) but I just realized it’s kind of hard to explain. Sort of like what you were saying.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
obviously Chloe. she seems so useless, besides being matt’s love interest and Eli’s *friend*
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
the moral aspects of the Stones. what we saw in the first half… can hardly believe those things did not have serious consequence. would be good to have them cut off from the stones, everyone mad at Young for being the cause of it, etc.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
uhh. Life-like episodes. was fun. never again, please. i prefer SGU taking 90% place on the ship (including offworld visits) and 10% on earth.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
TIME was my favourite, from the “altering time might be harder than we thought” (as said in Season 5 of atlantis)
to Matt as the recurring rescuer to chloe the recurring dying.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
a group left behind, knowing the next ~10 stops of the Destiny, trying to get back to the destiny in time to catch up.
I just want to see the show having accurate science (which it always seems to have).
I’d like the show to never add extras on board Destiny that weren’t present from Air, Part 1.
I actually like the less humor on Universe, I find it more enjoyable.
I’d like to see the ship model be consistent with interiors and exteriors and never change from Air, Part 1.
I’d like to have the show be as realistic as possible. And no stereotyping of things, such as scientists as being weak or nerdy.
The show should always favor atypical, as far as everything is concerned. I think being atypical is the way to be.
I’d like the ship to always be explored throughout the entire show. And explore different rooms like the dome-looking room, and all across the ship – rooms in the front, rooms in the upper triangular part of the ship.
I’d like to see Rush take over the ship, and less focus on the military and more on the scientists and civilians.
I really like Rush, I’d like to see him never bend to military control and always just think logically and the way he does now.
I really like how there’s not a main enemy in this show, I find it a refreshing change.
I’d also like to see Telford get revenge on Young, I think that would be fun. Not that I support the concept of punishment though.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Destiny, various chambers, instruments, see below.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The soap opera aspects (usually regarding Earth relationships and accomplished via the comm stones).
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
The mythology for certain.
Here’s a wish: Let the Destiny Library finally be discovered and subsequently let serendipity bring a crewmember to browse the room while using a comm stone. With his/her hand holding the comm stone, the daydreaming browser rubs one of the zillion markers (Ancient lettering of course) on a vertical panel of the one of the many walls…BOOM, that crewmember is now reliving the publication/record of the original authour of the marker. Not holography, but as good as, it’s a derivative of the Ancient Repository tech. The stones coincidentally allow this feature. Each marker notes the title and authour of an article or story or academic lesson. And each work can be read traditionally in Ancient using a reader (which could be found later I suppose, and could be anything from an eye patch to a tablet to a button that fills the space with holographic script); OR With the happenstance crossover comm stone, the script can be “downloaded” into the brain to make images and understanding without need for conventional translation. Since the comm stone feature was not meant as the mainstream library reader, various issues can come up with using them this way. It works for some people and not for others, and can be a completely hallucinogenic trip for still others (as opposed to an accurate coherent hallucination which it really should be). I would prefer a different use of the comm stones now, rather than the soap aspects. However, I think the comm stones are a great way to check in with SGC (much the way Atlantis did). I’m sure you can see all the possibilities this brings up for adding to the Ancient mythology, learning what Destiny’s purpose really was, perhaps learning why Destiny was never inhabited as it was meant to be by it’s builders (or at least not in the way most Earthlings expect). Addictions, other medical problems, instilling a great sense of purpose to various crewmembers, learning new skills (via the academic categories of publications/records), most of all getting glimpses of Ancient authours in their style in their time, etc, etc, etc. Feel free to use this idea.
If the above is more of an answer for Question 2, then the element I would like to see added to the series as a whole would be optimism. Please. Keep in mind:
… a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events.
Robert A. Heinlein
No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.
Helen Keller
Thanks for asking.
more explore destiny napr.
engine
shield
weapon
energy core
ftl
Rush know all, I nothing!
bye
@ ytimynona – It sounds like you’re talking about symbolism, which is also a great element to add in, though I think it tends to work a bit better in movies than in a series…like the color red woven throughout a vampire movie, or bats in a Batman movie.
I love homages, too…whether it’s just one nod, or an entire episode done in a particular style (Hitchcockian, for instance). I think Universe does pay homages – especially in their movie references, etc. So that’s taken care of.
I think what I’m talking about a is a bit different – not symbolism. Take that purple potato, for instance (it was a potato, right?). In the beginning you have a man trying the potato. It doesn’t taste good, but he fakes it. Well, somewhere in the episode you have another person saying something like, ‘why should I trust you? You said the potato was fine’, etc…almost like a running ‘gag’ throughout the ep, without it becoming stupid. I think that reflects real life – if someone does something stupid/funny/sneaky, etc., you tend to NOT let them forget it. That’s the ‘subtle’ theme I’m talking about…the, ‘but you said the potato was good’ thing. The previous example I gave, about the costume party, is a more obvious thing, and may not work in a show as serious as Universe.
Gotta run!
das
1.) RUSH & Tamara
2.) Clearly Destiny. More about this ship. New
3.) Personal life and love of people, because we want more action (SGA was best). There is not action.
4.) my best episode was SGU Light 1×5
5.) The Rush or Eli could be find the code of Destiny and cancelled countdown. (We have 12 hours on mission. I think, its not good… than It will be serial “Sliders”).
And I think, that it will be best, if we have our earth weapons. So, people on the ship could find device, which make bullets and simple things..
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I really liked the concepts of Time and Water. I also liked Justice. I suppose I would like to see more action-driven plots with science fiction elements.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I would like to see the stones, kinovision Telford and the love triangles/relationship angst minimized.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Justice was the only episode I enjoyed from beginning to end. I was going to skip the back half until I saw it, and I think I have decided to give the last have a try based on the strenghth of this episode. I liked Young’s confrontation of Rush in Justice. I also like how that entire episode played out, particularly the Greer/Wray tension, Eli’s role and how Young dealt with the situation. I never expected him to leave Rush. I don’t think it endeared me to either character, but it was a good ending.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’d like to see more humor. I’d also like to see more aliens, less reliance on contact with Earth.
Also, and I imagine this is far less likely because I don’t think this is the kind of show you are trying to make, I’d really like to see the development of more fully likeable characters. Eli and TJ are the closest to that now, but I’ve just had trouble liking this crew and caring about what happens to them. This minimizes my enjoyment of the show.
Thank you for soliciting these opinions. Good luck with the back half and season two.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer – I’d love to see him grow out of his anger issues due to something he encounters on Destiny – something other-worldly.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The space exploration aspect. I know this is more ‘drama’ than sci-fi but I’d enjoy seeing more insights into just what kind of weird life and alien planets are on the other side of the galaxy
Also — the Ancients themselves. More solid backstory/history as related to Destiny, Atlantis, the plague that wiped out the Milky Way — basically please build more on the established mythology of Stargate, via these trapped and desperate for any help humans.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Who’s sleeping with who, Eli’s love triangle with Chloe, Tamara’s situation, etc – not totally done away with but not the main focus as much.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Clearly it was Rush getting punched in the face and left on the planet.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
The Ancients playing a more direct role in the show – perhaps even an Ascended being. I know you want to establish SGU as its own thing, but you have such a rich treasure trove of concepts and established history to draw on, that I think it wouldn’t lose any new viewers, in fact it might inspire them to look backwards into Stargate once they’ve seen what beautiful sci-fi concepts it contains.
1. Rush – We haven’t seen much of him and we don’t really know why he is like he is (you can’t blame his personality issues/traits on his wife)
2. Using the stargate, going to new worlds, cooking food, rolling.
3. The soap opera
4. The part where all the army guys were ready to back Young up.
5. a cat
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Too many people are dumping secrets on Eli. He seems to be keeping them, but his expressions show he’s not comfortable. I’d like to see more of what’s going on in his head.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? I’d like to see them out on other planets, and I’d like to find out who left the ship where Rush is stranded.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? I don’t like all the R&R trips back to Earth. Some of them seem contrived. I’d like to see them get more control over the ship.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? Finding the alien ship and leaving Rush there. I assume you aren’t writing him out of the series, so I am interested to know how he gets back to the Destiny.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? More mature interaction (and I don’t necessarily mean sex) between the characters. The temptation has to be to go to the lowest common denominator in so many things when you are in a situation like this (think the Lord of the Flies), but the moments when people step up and think ahead–act maturely–are the best in the series. Yes, action is good, adventure is good, but character development makes the show. There’s a lot of potential here, and I’d like to see it explored.
5 . Put really strange alien into main crew of destiny 🙂
I want said yet, I think if the sgu had better intro (I think song) than SG1 or SGA, It would be beautiful. I know, that sgu will have new intro and I saw it, but Its so boring!
1. Of the new characters Rush and more Jack/Daniel is always good.
2. A few more planet exploring episodes might be nice.
3. Little less time spent back on earth.
4.The Cliffhanger in the mid season finale.
5. What I’d like to see is an episode showing that even though they weren’t supposed to be there, that they are the ones that should be there. Like they discover a piece of technology and they get into an argument about how someone more experienced like SG-1 would have this thing back to Earth already. They touch the technology and poof. The whole main crew has now become out of touch with reality and Jack, Daniel, Teal’c and Carter have appeared on the ship. Then they watch as the four of them try to understand what is going on and they learn that they are doing a better job then they thought they were, through watching sg1. Of course it will turn out it wasn’t sg1 but a made up incarnation or something, that the destiny programmed.
I have never seen a Haggis baked. Perhaps if I had, I might not be so- “squicked” when it came to the prime feast of the land of my ancestors. Alas, now, I am a rather solid Vegetarian. No. I have not and will not eat the canned Veg variety, that IS an insult to my heritage.
I don’t know why…but I’ve been very reticent to post this. I’ve now read through other posts and seen some folks say some of the things I have. I do hope that maybe this is still just enough different to still be a valid independent opinion. And I am a no one- it’s my first post here. I’m just going to suck it up and hope I don’t sound too odd. I have a bad habit of ‘guessing’ things.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
This is a super tough question to narrow down to just one person. I simply can not decide on just one, because I have been titillated just enough that several characters intrigue me: Eli because he is the one so far distant from everyone else on the ship. Not military; Not a politician, Not one of the ‘groomed’ scientists. Just a guy who’s brilliant in his own right. He’s a well done tag back to the SG:Movie Daniel. “You did in two weeks what they couldn’t in two years.”
Dr. Rush from word “Go” I hear this nagging voice in the back of my head: “He wasn’t always like this.” So why then is he? Why did the SGC put up with someone so high maintenance, and how did that all spiral away from his control? I think there is an episode coming that might touch on a lot of that… but I am certain sure even after 43ish minutes there could be more.
I would like to ultimately see more of *all* of them. As of now I expect TJ to have a baby as the reason she was so quick to get out of the SGC and not telling anyone. It’s cliched, but the gun is already over the mantle and it would certainly effect Col. Young as a character as well. Two birds, one baby. Just don’t get all “Lost” about it, and don’t kill TJ for it either. I REALLY loath that women always pay for the ‘illicit affair’.
Chloe… You know it’s with her I had the first fancy of who would be the BEST unlikely traitor on board. With things in the SG-verse like Tokra memory devices, and hidden spies (A Za’tarc perhaps?) without even knowing they are, Chloe would be a great nemesis… of course so would sweet, unassuming Eli.
Perhaps he even shoved Dr. Franklin (Mark Burgess- oh hey! Him too! If he jumped in the hot seat on his own- why?! In Kinosode 16 “It’s all Telford’s fault.” He tells Park they have to support Rush.) in the chair. Yay dramatic tension.
I would also like to see the Women in SGU with more meaning than being set dressing for these randy men… That does mean all of them. On Amazon.com only men are listed as actors on the Blueray and DVD. Bleh. My male room mate could not remember Lt. James name for the longest time. He called the poor woman “Lt. Broom Closet”. This is a mature, college graduate mind you.
I think Joe Straczynski said it best: “The purpose of an author is to put his characters up a tree and throw rocks at them.” Done right… SGU could drop mountains.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Where are the Archaeologist/Cultural Anthropologist? SGC should have Xeno-biologist-botanist-pologists running around by now. The ship is not just an Ancient Language machine. Language reflects on a culture… a Society. The design of Destiny is gorgeous. One thing well done is Destiny proves the Alterans were frail little things like us once too. I can’t help but wonder who were Ancient to the Ancients. Who helped them, if anyone?
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I rather hope that with Young’s blatant abuse of the Stones against Telford (No matter how well deserved- And I am still waiting to see how O’Neill puts an end to that little insurrection because Telford has no business talking to Emma about SGC Business.) Anaway- I think Stone usage should somehow become limited… a lot.
There is ONE thing I hope to never see in the new series: all of the Belief System bashing. Season’s 1-8 Gou’auld create religions they are evil. Oma created Buddhism and Earth religions but the Ori started out that way. So she’s evil. The Ori are any one of the main organised book thumping religions celebrated today. – I like the little bit of Rush talking to Eli about an Afterlife in “Time”. It didn’t HAVE to do with religion. Just don’t roll it up and beat Rush with it later.
Please, don’t butcher any more mythology. Earth isn’t the centre of the Multi-verse. Keep the new Story. I like what we have so far.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Uhg… just one? Episode Justice, after Rush is left behind and Eli is talking to Col. Young. He *LOOKS* at him. At first I took that to be lost innocence, he’s broken (“They could turn off mom’s health care if I don’t do this!”), fear- maybe something else… I even picked up on a touch of “Oh god! I know full well I could be next!”- and Young knows Eli is off somehow now. That LOOK could *be* so much.
I liked the effects sequence for Destiny’s corona dip in “Light”. The music used getting the shuttle back after the sunbathing trip was fantastic as well. A StarGate spinning from behind? Priceless.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I really WANT SGU to be separate from everything SG that has gone before. I would like to see this crew discover Destiny. Find ways as they go along to repair her. I want to see her tech. Her society. I would love to see Destiny actually *AWARE* of her crew. Sentient even. Rush makes a point to say if you tell Destiny what you need she brings you there. I’d also like to see the effect on places that have a Gate and weren’t abused by evil marching through it.
I would love to see blessed Furlings- perhaps disguised in another name, bringing it up in the last episode ever of SGU- “Oh hey, didn’t you guys know the translates into “Furling” in the most recent dialect of Ancient? Furlings. Funny huh? Sounds like Ewoks.” A Great line for Eli who has no idea how long SGC has tried to figure them out. Perhaps Ferlings as sentient ships… hrm.
A Nice thing between Malps and Kinos, Kinos likely have stronger tolerances to the effects of uninhabitable worlds. Meet more *Alien* aliens. Ones you could never meet in person because they live in a sea of liquid diamond and sapphire on a gas giant not unlike Neptune or Uranus. Both of these fantastic planets in our own backyard could redefine life if silicon can support similar structures to carbon being just one step off on the periodic table. Exotic and intelligent creatures that might glance at the humans on Destiny and say, “How sweet.” Of course, I had always hoped humans might change the minds of the “Others”. It’s what we do.
Another thing about SGU that I like is the Asgard won’t be along in 43ish minutes to pick up the crew from Destiny and bring them home. Humans are finally on their own out there. “The wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time” I would like to see proved wrong. That’s what Destiny is about- Because the Right people ARE in the Right places at the Right time. And you know full darn well Rush asked Destiny to take them to a place where he’d be able to get back to her. (The crashed ship) He knows where she’s going. He even warned Eli what was going to happen in advance. Sheesh. “Fans” are so excitable. *grins*
And maybe could someone get around to opening the crates full of nifty uniforms, cleaning products, food, and find the Ancient Med-lab/sick bay/whathaveyou. TJ has to be running out of acetaminophen by now.
Just my 2p, and vastly over-inflated at that.
1. well all of them really because we’ve only had half a season and so we don’t know much about any of them
2. I’d like them to figure out how to use the ship a little more
3. the communication stones
4. When they Rush was left behind
5. Aliens and Humor
Characters… I would really prefer to have new characters that I actually like and “care” about. I am not sure I would have any of the current characters over for dinner. Eli is the closest and he’s a wimp geek who lived at home for heaven’s sake… so grow him up. You don’t have much to work with in the current crop and you have a tendency to reduce the “extras” to a whining mob.
Story… get off the damn ship, explore some alien worlds with aliens on them, stand-alone episodes of wonder and mystery – look at SG1 “Revisions” as a model.
Less of… Earth. These guys are supposed to be self-reliant, not attending staff meetings and doing soap opera stuff with other people’s spouses.
More of… good writing and episode construction – “Time” for instance was very nicely crafted. And some humor would be nice, subtle, even dark would be ok… but something. SGU is about as much fun as a funeral.
More discovery on the ship (woo-hoo, cheap bottle episode!)
Less Earth stories- I skip over all of that when watching.
How about another group of survivors, on the ship. Too Lost-y? Shuttle?
1. Which character would you like to see explored more? – Vanessa James and Dale Volker. Two characters in the background, one gorgeous, one with alot of character. These characters are just wide open. Could be awesome.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more? These aren’t stupid people. They have access to McKay, Carter, and everyone else’s info on the Ancients, and their technology. I’d like to see them figuring things out faster.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized? – the ship saving their lives every week. Jumping out of hyperspace when they need something, we get it, they do that, You’d think they’d give the ancients better credit and go with it.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? man that’s tough. “TIME” had some awesome OHenry moments. But I like the craziness surrounding the “stones”. Mainly because you’d think there would be some stipulations on people using other peoples bodies to do all sorts of THINGS (awwwkkkwarrrd).
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole? Romance, a big bad, and some more aliens.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ or any of the civilians for that matter… i hate extras… give them all some story
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Ship!!! cargo bays/airlocks/strange storage items/anything… lets see more strange rooms/items the ancients put in place but never used….
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The stones… earth. the political struggle to take over the ship. they’re supposed to be trapped… far away from home… lets keep the struggle for survival going without the security of seeing home all the time.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
the power struggle ON THE SHIP between the military and civilians… and Rush being stranded on that planet.. (love Rush and Young, FINALLY a mature hard as nails officer in charge)
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
well, first.. PLEASE don’t bring in humor… keep it gritty and real….
second… nothing i need right now.. you’ve made a great show… just keep on course ( and move away from the earth side stuff with the stones )
1. TJ. She’s the most interesting character to me.
2. Explore the Destiny! Let’s see some more of the Ancient tech. Rush, his team and Eli should be trying to figure more stuff out. Remember McKay’s experiments gone wrong on Atlantis?
3. Ditch the communication stones. More 1st season Atlantis, less Melrose Place.
4. Young stranding Rush.
5. Aliens. Develop some of the other characters. For example, Lt. James and Dr. Park seem competent but let’s see them actually being competent.
1) Greer.
2) I’d like to learn more about the pre-Atlantis ancients. Explore the ship more. Maybe find some records of their society. I’d like to see them when they were just people.
3) Less sex, please. It’s just a lazy way of demonstrating that these are Real People.
4) One word: “Time.”
5) I’d like to see some interactions with a society who doesn’t know about the ancients, too. Aliens who aren’t human, but who think as well as humans. Maybe they’re a little weirded out by these ships coming from out of the intergalactic void and dropping stargates all over.
For that matter, it’d be nice to see what’s going on with the stargate seeding ships. What if they break down? What if Destiny enters an area where there’s supposed to be stargates, but an error left the the area unseeded?
1. Rush. He is played by one of the best actors on the show, appears to be one of the deepest characters, and has the potential to energize just about any story around him. To a large degree one of the distinguishing characteristics of Stargate was that it was a show about grownups, for grownups. As in not every conflict is resolved through fisticuffs, and most of the time scientists save the day. Often they know better than jarheads who sometimes see every problem as a nail that needs to be hammered.
Look at it this way – to many it is a question of Batman vs. Superman. Superman is neat and all, but hard to identify with. Batman OTOH is an extremely clever and determined individual who is much more human (you know what I mean). To your core demographic the same can be said about Rush and the Lt. – scientists and geeks are far more interesting and easier to identify with than
2. Exploration and change. Another neat thing about Stargate is that things have actually changed from season to season. Characters got new and better weapons, discovered alien technology made it into their hands, etc. Unlike in Star Trek, where every season was nearly identical.
3. Ronald Greer and Matthew Scott. One is a complete dick that I don’t want to see any more (kill him, please?) and the other is just annoying and bland. Not as bad as Aiden Ford, but just about there. Could you kill them both – or at least minimize them on the show?
4. The episode where Destiny was out of power and diving into the star – “Light”. I liked how it presented Rush. Also the comment about the cool people playing poker while the dorks were in the corner praying was awesome. 😀
5. More exploration and world building. Less darkness and militaristic pseudo-jingoism, and more fun sciency stuff. Less “There Will be Blood” and more “Back to the Future” tone. And above all don’t forget the humor – compared to the other Stargate shows it has been seriously lacking in Universe. That has been one of the key components of Stargate shows up until now.
Overall it seems to me that Stargate has rested on three pillars:
1. Humorous and interesting characters with a good dynamic.
2. Optimistic outlook on the world and exploration.
3. An air of intellectualism and the tendency to solve problems through grown-up means.
Pretty much all of these have been missing from Universe up until now. It should be an alternative to BSG, not an attempt to clone it. I know people (I was one of them) that refused to watch BSG because it wasn’t fun. Don’t make us stop watching Universe for the same reason.
I want to learn more about TJ, and Rush, although what I love about Rush is that he’s got this air of mystery about it.
I’d like to see more of the awesome sci-fi elements explored every once and again like in Time, that came completely from the leftfield.
I think you should lay off the stones too. It gives great license to have shows set on Earth but seeing has how Telford is trying to use it to get a foothold on Destiny it makes more sense that they’d use it less, except for when they have to report to SGC.
Just, Rush, his whole character. I loved the execution of Time as well it kept us guessing the whole episode.
And personally. I want to see the Replicators. as in, proper, no human form, just mechanical insects of death. We know how far they’ve gotten through the universe. I’d love to see them just show up and start messing with the destiny.
1. Greer or TJ. However: I want Greer to be more than just an angry black man (no matter what his reason to be angry is), and I want TJ to be more than Young’s indiscretion.
2. a) The amount of ship they haven’t explored/accessed yet! Destiny has been rocketing around for millions of years, there’s no way the Icarus crew is the first to live there. Send someone in with an EVA suit and give us a dark, tense, suspenseful a-la-Alien episode.
2. b) Their limited supplies and conveniences. Things like clothes should be getting pretty ragged, make-do and repaired clothes should start circulating; men should be growing beards, etc.
3. a) Earth. Don’t stop the body swapping, but we don’t need to see the Earth-side of the story.
3. b) The Ship Is Broken Then The Ship Fixes Itself. Sure it’s derelict and there seems to be some sort of AI helping out as best it can, but let the humans figure out the problem, the solution, and then do it (maybe with some sacrifice).
4. a) I like that there are schisms forming on the ship; Young and his people versus Rush and his people; Inner Circle and Outer (with Eli nominated to tell the Outer what the Inner is up to; Wray/IOA looking to shift the balance of power their way (“third faction”, I think it was called). Keep this up, push it further.
4. b) Franklin sitting the chair. He plays a bit of a wildcard, and now that he has the Ancient database in his head, I’m really curious to see if he’ll side with Rush, Young, or use the knowledge to put himself in power.
5. Humour. You have body-swapping rocks, think about it!
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
-Rush
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
-Gate travel to other worlds in this new galaxy
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
-Survival, get the fancy ancient ship up and working.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
-When the ship flew into the sun for energy; that’s the kind of awesome ancient tech we want to see, not broken air systems and everything else. How come the ship doesn’t have repair bots or creatures of some kind to fix it automatically.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
-In my wild theory to explain rush’s douchery to the crew and fervor to get on the ship, I believe rush to be an ancient in human form who’s job is to keep the ship working. I think that would make for good story.
Which character would you like to see explored more?
Any woman, at all, at any stage, EXPECT the senator’s daughter who is whiny and needs to die. One really great possibility would be to see a single female solder get into a scrape and get herself out of it; present her with a logic problem and lets see her solve it.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship, the ship, the ship. Its architecture, the culture, the mythology of the culture that created it are all interesting. This is a chance to present truly alien ideas, don’t lose it.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I’m torn between trips back home, and trips back home. I’ll go with trips back home.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The unexplored fact that the alien attack that had them dialing to Destiny in the first place was in all likelihood created by Rush. Or am I wrong?
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
This ship is more intelligent than anyone on board. It is alive longer than the human race, and has seen more than anyone else has. It is a thing of beauty, smarter than a God, and deserves the chance to enchant the audience.
1. Maybe someone new? or unexpected? One of the side/background characters maybe. I like the pace at which we’re finding out about people…the mystery keeps me coming back!
2. The Destiny! Let’s open her up and see what she does. Atlantis relied on the plot crutch of “Hey it’s a giant city full of crap” for way too long.
3. Anything formulaic. I loved that this was a departure from the “Problem-Resolution-we’re-all-alive-in-30-minutes that plagued SG-1 and Atlantis
4. Again the story arcs that cross episodes. Leave things unfinished and unanswered. It’s great! Not to rehash the Lost comparison, but the reason that show’s writing works is that you never want to see the next episode of Lost more than right after you finish the previous one. Don’t answer our questions.
5. Multiple cross episode/season stories! Again, don’t be afraid to leave us hanging. Make us hate you (because we will secretly love you.) I know it’s not easy to do, but you’re doing a great job and we want more.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
TJ.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The deeper lore of the Ancients themselves, and ESPECIALLY as it relates to Earth. That was my favorite aspect of the transition from SG1 to Atlantis: it went from this “Oh no! Egyptians are aliens!” idea to this crazy notion of our species being actually descended from this million year old species that in turn ascended, after fleeing their last home galaxy. It became this fantastic circular science fiction idea, and in my opinion the single strongest element of the entirety of the Stargate franchise.
The gate network itself? Naquaoftheweekadah? All plot devices. The notion that maybe we’re the aliens ourselves, descended from them? Returning to what they are in our little ways, such as the ATA gene? That was the money shot. Much more, please. This is why conceptually Atlantis was the far better show.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
As much as I appreciate (very much) the intense character development we’re seeing via the Ancient stones and their usage, dial back the sheer minutes per show and the sometimes drawn out nature of the Earth scenes. They’re not actually that long in all cases–but something about the way they’re filmed–the editing frequency and cuts? The pacing and tenor of the dialogue on Earth?–something makes them feel visibly slower than what we see when the Destiny castaways go to a planet or deal with each other on the ship.
We recently finished the entirety of the modern Doctor Who run, from Eccleston to Tennant’s finale. That crazed pacing, especially of Tennant’s run, felt closer to the best episodes of SG1, circa the end of the Showtime years and the beginning of the SyFy years. Don’t kill them completely — but maybe be bold and go for more of a short film’s pacing in five acts per episode, rather than your standard “television” pacing. That doesn’t mean more budget for SFX, either. Look also at the pacing tone of Dexter, True Blood… those sorts of television shows that, when they’re over for the week, you’re frothing for more since it was gone so fast.
That’s how the best SG1 & Atlantis felt. Universe, except for the Light episode in the sun, hasn’t done that yet.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The pure joy of the “marvels we are seeing” moments. The first encounters with the parasitic water aliens on the ship. The entirety of the Light episode, and the dawning (sorry!) revelation of what was happening, down to the slowly building crescendo of music. The bits that captured the sheer wonder of science fiction (yes, budget and special effects) and human response to the science fiction situation (not so much on the budget).
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I’m sure the “give us talking aliens” bit will be covered soon enough, so nothing there…
But what I wrote at the end of #4 above: the sheer WONDER of the situation. Yes. it’s horrible. Yes, it’s miserable. We’re eating crappy alien fruit, and powdered protein Stuff, if we’re doing OK on rations. We’re drinking likely stinky alien water. We’re showering in weird steam baths. My bunk is a piece of metal. I’ve been wearing the same khakis for TWO MONTHS. We may all die at any moment of any number of things: the ship may split in two from old age; another virus may get us; one of us may crack up and shoot the rest.
For all the nature of the show dwells on this and will–and it has to, by it’s very high concept, for at least I’m sure several seasons–don’t forget the sheer moments of joy that these people will experience, and don’t cheap out on showing them to us. Little sublime things, big ones. Back to Light: them watching the sun? That was one. How about other little things? Give us Lisa and Hunter, doing some work with Kinos–what? Tech busywork, whatever.
Lisa bumps Hunter’s Kino by accident, disrupting his work for all of 10 seconds–the sort of in real life little workplace annoyances we see ourselves daily. Hunter is annoyed and bumps Lisa’s Kino back. She retaliates, with another bump. Bump. Bump. Anger. Bump. One laughs at the stupidity of it all. Bump. Both laugh. Bump bump bump bump. They’re playing bumper cars with advanced million year old alien space probes. Laughing. Being human.
You’ve seen Forrest Gump? Remember in Vietnam, when the rain finally broke, Forrest took off his helmet, and looked up to the sheer beauty of the stars, with that tiny human moment in the midst of horror?
Don’t forget to show us that.
(if it’s needed, go ahead and ‘steal’ anything from here, freely licensed, etc., kill off someone named me in payment some distant day from now)
Which character would you like to see explored more?
Dr Rush
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Definatly the Ancients and Dr Rush’s and Destiny.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Anything to do with the senator’s daughter this charactor does nothing but complain and bitch and carry on a little bit to emo for me.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
not sure which episode it was from but where Dr Rush is left on the planet was definatly the best story line so far
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
The Ancients Omar desala could she be hanging in that part of the galaxy?
The wraith especially Todd they are capable of gaining the power needed in dialling the extra chevron
The replicators well because they are in all gallaxys
The Azguard bring back Thor lols
Adria? is this the galaxy she and omar dissapeard too?
1. Would definitely like to see Greer explored. Terrific actor and aside from Rush, the most interesting character. Great internal conflict. However, would never want him to lose that border-line psychotic personality that always has you wondering what he’ll do in any given situation. And, of course, Rush, to some degree. But tread lightly; his mystery is a big part of the character’s charm.
2. Like many others have said, let’s see more of the ship!s
3. I’m conflicted over the stones. Its allowed some interesting storylines (Young’s marital problems, the Telford-Young rivalry, Young’s struggle maintaining command of the ship) but too many returns to Earth detract from the central plot: they’re stranded and on their own deep in space in a huge ancient ship! (And family members/lovers seem a bit too accepting of the fact their loved ones are inhabiting someone else’s body.)
4. Favourite moments: a) Who doesn’t love plot twists? Young stranding Rush delightfully caught me off guard. b) Greer. Just Greer. And c) the ship energizing via the sun.
Now that I think about it, just about every favourite moment I can think of involves Rush, Greer or the ship itself in some way.
5. Two elements to add: more alien contact and more comic relief. Its an intense situation and Eli is carrying the comic relief load.
1: TJ. Seriously I feel like I know some of the random earth characters better than her.
2: The ship. Why keep going back to Earth when you’ve got this massive unexplored spaceship right here!?
3: The stones. This really destroys the whole “all alone at the other end of the universe” thing. Just get rid of them. Please.
4: The half-season finale. Woah!
5: We get it, their situation kinda sucks. I was so happy when rush gave them that fake hope about the planet a year away. Hopefully those in on it don’t give the game away and the crew can stop whining every five minutes.
I gave it a full post on Scificool.com
Here’s the meaty bit.
Well, since you asked Joe.
1. The girls on the show is the obvious answer. They’ve had a hard time getting revved up. It’s time for the space chicks to kick a little ass. If you’re going to showcase the space racks, you need to let the girls lock and load some too. Balance is everything.
2. People walk around on the Destiny like it’s their junior high school. The ship is ancient! It’s dark and echoey. There’s gotta be creatures someplace. I want to see long views down corridors where the end is in darkness, except, you can kinda see, something , slinking low at the edge of the light, something…that’s probably my imagination. Probably.
3. The Earth stuff. This is Sci-Fi. I know the stones thing is supposed to help with character development but it’s not helping the show in general. This is a castaways show. It’s about isolation, loneliness and hopefully, paranoia. I want to see desperation and despair. Letting people go home every week to see Mom almost lets all that air out of the balloon.
4. Rush getting left on the planet was epic. It was awesome. Gives me a lot of hope the arc of the show is heading in the correct direction. To infinity…and beyond!
5. We need more scary. We need more exploration of the ship. Space 1999 this thing. Eerie it up. Show us glimpses of mysterious happenings on the ship. Scenes of old battles, desiccated alien corpses, untranslatable messages scrawled in alien blood. We need mystery.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Ancient’s history. This ship’s from way back, right? We should learn a lot more about them.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Earth time. Unless it has Daniel, then by all means plenty of Earth time.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season? Not sure.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Furlings!!!! XD
ok ok…umm…color? It could use more color. Not sure how this changes later in the season or by visiting more planets but it’s too monochromatic for entire episodes.
Personally all I have to say is number 3.
3. The Stones. Destroy the Ancient Stones completely. Yes it allows all the characters the ability to interact with their home problems, but it totally destroys the drama of the series. With the stones playing an active role in the series, General O”Neill could have probably called in Daniel Jackson, Rodney Mckay, Samantha Carter, Dr. Zilenka and all the other omni-disciplinary scientist characters from past shows to help fix all the problems on the Destiny that Young cannot. Why Jack hasn’t called in his old buddies has not been explained at all.
So in order to quell this particular fridge logic, you have to throw out the stones. Besides, lack of contact with Earth would bring isolation to the crew of the Destiny and by extension drama. You want to show us what the crew member of the Destiny can/can not do? You want us to take the “being away from home” plot seriously? Destroy the ancient stones. Have some accident befall them, have some alien threat board the ship and throw them out the airlock. Besides, we won’t have to go through another episode where nothing happens. Yes the little character development fulled episodes are fine and all, but this is Stargate, and Stargate is a show that does it’s thing best when characters have to explore alien planets.
On second thought, I’ll answer this as well.
4) Time. It was an episode where the communication stones were excluded from the plot, where character development occurred without the aid of a trip back to Earth using the communication stones, an episode where the problem of the episode wasn’t involving the systems of the ship, and where a good deal of the episode involved exploring a strange new alien world. It was also the episode that I felt most pushed the characters limits, because you know, everyone was dead, dying, or horribly screwed. The only thing I can really criticize episode for is that it had to press the reset button at the end of it.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
– The women in general. T.J specifically.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
– More about the Ancients and Ancient tech.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
– Use of the stones. Bitching and complaining about their predicament.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
– Rush getting stranded
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
– Reasons for choices being made by everyone, especially Rush.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Destiny itself. The ship looks massive; possibly as big as a city with floors. The ship has the potential to be the best character on the show if used right.
Human nature. Right now it looks like people are trying to mine their P’s and Q’s. There have been a few that have lost it but the characters are still in their Earthbound social “roles”. Can we see people really cut loose, please? I find people are not really who they seem to be when we first meet them.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The 90210/Gossip Girls/Mean Girls styled storyline surrounding Chloe. I was particularly confused by the whole “he cheated on me with my friend” outburst in the club. I could see her being shocked but the rage did not come off as hypocrisy but rather 90210/Gossip Girls/Mean Girls silliness to me.
After seeing “Justice” I know the character has potential but the teen drama pool she is drawning in is very disheartening.
The stones are overused. I like the idea of the crew being completely cut off from Earth; having to deal with the fact that they are never going home and moving on to make the best out of the life they have.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Everything in “Justice”!!!
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Please give me more suspense, not sure if that is the right word, like in “Justice”.
“Time” was a good example of what I mean too but having it be time travel and all the character development gains lost because of it kind of nulls and voids the episode.
“Water”, however, was way too predicatable. We all knew what was going to happen. There was no suspense there.
I think you should do a Bollywood number in Season 2. Why let Sanctuary have all the fun? Or maybe some Irish Stepdancing? 😉
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Chloe, Eli, Matt, Nicolas –
While Matt and Nicolas have more nuances to come, it seems that the dyanamic involving these characters could be interesting…
Matt and Chloe have issues and while Chloe has a strong interest in Matt, it appears that a signficant bump in the road has occurred. We know sort of what Matt stands for and a little about Chloe now. But where does Eli stand? Or what does he stand for? He likes Chloe, but that relationship is one way. What are the limits of this relationship? Is he willing to sacrifice himself for her? Is Matt with Young? Or does Nicolas remain his ‘mentor’ despite Nicolas’s personality? Is Eli’s interest in Chloe perceived as an impediment to Eli’s potential by Rush? Does Rush care? Given what Rush has lost, what does he think about Eli’s potential involvments. Or perhaps Rush doesn’t care about Eli at all? Does Young now become Eli’s mentor? That’s a wild one…
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship. It’s big. Perhaps you’ll have more later on this.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
We know all the character’s have flaws and that there are agendas. There is a point when you have too many plot lines going and some of the more interesting character interactions from earlier plots lines (see 1 above) potentially get left behind.
Less stones please. We’ve seen too much of the Earth for now. Don’t space them… just ease up.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The dynamic between Eli, Chloe, and Matt when Eli realizes that his feelings are really one way. We have to have hope that the nerd can win someting in the end…
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
The shuttles seem like they have additional possibilities for moving around the ship and for planetary work.
Thank you for asking! I love it when execs ask us fans what we think. It makes me feel appreciated and part of the show.
Q: Which character would you like to see explored more?
A: I, of course, want to know about all of them but right now, I find Dr. Rush and Colonel Young the most fascinating. I think the character development so far is phenomenal. Keep up the good work.
What would I like to know about Rush? Most probably what everyone else is wondering – what makes him tick. He seems to be a little emotionally wounded and distant to me (wears a wedding ring but wife is deceased I’m guessing since he never goes back to Earth to visit, etc.). I can ‘almost’ forgive his horrible actions if he’s really hurting inside. I really don’t want to hate the character so I hope you’re not going to overdo his bad behavior. And please don’t make him a bad guy – misunderstood is okay but not bad.
As to Colonel Young, I’d like to know more about his little indiscretion with the medic Johansen. Most importantly, why? And how did the wife find out – did he tell her or did she find out on her own? I also like how Telford is brought into the picture with Young’s wife to make things worst. I don’t think Young making love to his wife in Telford’s body helped much either – she’s still looking into Telford’s eyes, not his! I also like that Telford and Young don’t get along and would like to know why on that as well. Telford wasn’t dating Johansen was he?
Q: What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
A: I love the references to other TV shows. I’m surprised you haven’t added some kind of comment about Lost in Space or Star Trek: Voyager (two shows about ships being lost in space far from home).
Visiting planets and exploring is another thing. While they’re there, they might as well look around a little bit.
Repairing the ship and learning the new technology. Are they going to have to learn how to make a ZPM (Zero Point Module) so they’ll have the power to gate home?
I also know that more action scenes are planned (thank you), which is a definite must, and I also like it when you add songs to certain scenes (Breathe by Anna Nalick comes to mind in Air). I love it when you turn certain scenes into rock videos.
This kind of makes me think of songs that I’d assign to certain character’s as well.
Nicholas Rush – Snuff by Slipknot (if he’s hurting inside)
Everett Young – Landing in London by 3 Doors Down (makes me think of him missing his wife)
Matthew Scott – Keep the Faith by Bon Jovi
Ronald Greer – What I’ve Done by Linkin Park or Monster by Skillet
And I think you have 1st Lt. Matthew Scott too bland so far so I’d like to see you crank up that character a little bit.
Q: What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
A: The use of the stones. I kind of find them distracting more than anything. I mean, should you really be having sex with another person’s body – hello . . . have you never heard of STD’s and unplanned pregnancies? And what if someone pigged out on chocolate in a body that is diabetic? I’m just wondering how bad would it be if the stone’s stopped working or randomly had problems? If you do use the stones, use them to send the Medic Johansen to medical school.
Q: What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
A: The first thing that comes to mind is when Col. Young abandons Dr. Rush on that planet (Justice). Wow! The other moment is (Water) when Young and Scott are conversing on the ice planet kind of father and son like. The last one is when Eli is watching the Kino of them dying (Time) and you end the scene with Eli saying “What the-“ and the screen goes black.
Q: What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
A: Can I suggest several elements?
1. Action and more action for starters. I love fight scenes.
2. Non-humanoid aliens or if they are humanoid, make them different somehow; strange and vicious animals; and dinosaurs (what can I say, I like Dinosaurs – Velociraptors the most, saber tooth tigers next). If you want to go a more sicker route, have them meet ugly, clown-faced aliens (you do know that clowns are evil right?). How about a half biological/half mechanical alien?
3. An alien join the crew as a translator/survivalist to help them communicate to get food and other supplies from the natives (which I’m assuming there will be) kind of like Sacajawea & the French traders with Lewis & Clark (because with the ship on a set course, they don’t need a guide and I really don’t think any races this far out will speak English!) When the Ancients came through the first time, did they leave any unplanned pregnancies behind as in are there any half-breed Ancients running around that can help? Oh by the way, I really like that Destiny is on a set course that they can’t change.
4. I’m kind of wanting someone on the Destiny to turn traitor and join the other side but not Rush (I don’t even know what the other side is yet but I just think that there is a big bad enemy out there somewhere that they are going to engage at some point). Having someone turn traitor gives this big bad enemy an insight into what Destiny has to offer. And who knows, maybe the original Ancients made some enemies the first time they came through and ruined it for the rest of them.
5. With all the sexual tension, I can tell you what I DON’T want to see – pregnancies. Maybe the crew need to start looking at plants for medicinal purposes. You know, that magical mushroom that works as birth control. I don’t mind the sex – it just needs to be safe sex. Of course you have to make sure they don’t choose that hallucinogenic mushroom instead which would not be good.
6. I’d like to see something left behind on the Destiny by the Ancients – video diaries, tools, etc. that will give the current crew an idea of who lived there before them so they can identify with them. You’ve heard the phrase ‘you can’t take it with you’ well it looks like the Ancients did. The ship is totally bare as though they were never there to begin with.
7. More emotional agony for the main characters – especially Rush and Young. I loved Dr. Rush’s meltdown from Caffeine and Nicotine withdrawal – good idea. I’d also like to see Rush suffer a little – a couple of more breakdowns would be nice . . . maybe some hallucinations or delirium . . . physical pain always works too, and throw in some diarrhea and upset stomach . . . and tears of course – you get the picture. We’ll love the guy no matter what he does, if he suffers a little. I also like it when he pouts.
8. More humor and practical jokes. I know SGU is darker than SG-1 and that is okay as long as it’s not dark all the time. And please don’t go as dark as Battlestar Galactica (I actually stopped watching BG because of it).
9. The crew mutiny.
10. If there is life out there, I would love to see some of the crew “go native” and wear local styles of clothing – especially the civilians/scientists of the group.
11. I can’t remember if anyone from the series Stargate SG-1 or Atlantis went missing and is presumed dead, but it would be cool if they suddenly showed up on Stargate Universe enslaved on a planet or something.
12. I love the mythology of all the Stargate series. It looks like you’ve covered just about all of them except the Mayan. Viking–Asgard; Egyptian-Goa’uld; Atlantian-Ancients. Is there a race out there for the Mayan culture?
13. If you do add an alien (for the exotic effect), I’d love for it to be a strong, warrior-like female. I love strong, fighting women who can kick butt. Tattoos would be kind of cool too. How about an Ancient who is mentally challenged and can’t ascend? (Mentally challenged by Ancient standards – genius by Earth standards). Maybe she could be a little immature and give Rush a headache now and then. Perhaps she is pursuing her own “destiny” and helping the crew is part of it.
And finally, THANK YOU for putting out another Stargate series. I am reallly looking forward to watching their adventure.
No offense I’d really like to answer those questions but I haven’t been able to watch a full episode of SGU without turning the channel. I find SGU extremely slow and boring. It seems at times to be a rip off of Battlestar Gallactica camera work and Star Trek storylines.
Since Stargate Atlantis should never have been cancelled I’ll answer those 5 questions in relation to that far superior show.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Todd the wraith
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
More of the evil asgard storyline
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Copying independance day (movie) for a crappy finale, just remove that entirely and continue with Season 6.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Not Applicable
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Season 6
1. TJ. Rush. Greer.
2. Sacrifice (not necessarily death). Trust, and mistrust.
3. Communication stones, unless you’re going to deal with the ethics of using another person’s body, or why they’re not being used to bring specialists (doctors, etc) on board more regularly.
4. Lots to choose from, I’m not sure I could easily pick one, except to say “nothing from Water.” Light, Time, and Justice were standout episodes for me. Any moment where Rush makes an unpopular choice motivated by his sense of logic and greater good.
5. The struggle for survival will only carry the show so far. I love the internal conflict and the shades of gray, but the stakes will have to be raised to carry on for more than one season. Young leaving Rush to (presumably) die is a good step in this direction, but to create a strong credible sense of threat to the characters you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re willing to kill them, and to do that you’ll also need some way to introduce new characters. I’m less interested in the introduction of an adversary, unless the adversary can be made sympathetic and “shaded in gray”.
1. Greer, because he seems to have so much more complexity to his character than anyone else. He’s quick to take sides, intensely loyal, has a sense of humor but keeps it in check, has an artistic/spiritual side as seen during Light, and is aggressively passionate about his past and sense of responsibility (when he chooses to accept responsibility).
2. Politics, because it seems natural to form factions around opposing ideas on how to survive. I honestly expected Camille Wray and Vanessa James to each form factions that would sometimes oppose and sometimes be assets to Young’s and Rush’s factions.
3. The communication stones. They’re great when they build tension like between Young and Telford, but often they reduce the tension of whatever’s happening on the ship. So I guess it’s not the stones themselves, but the fact that they are used to reveal back-story rather than enhance the plot that is unfolding in the present or telling a parallel story.
4. When Telford demanded Young be removed from command. The story needs a central villain, but that villain doesn’t have to be an alien bent on killing everyone. Telford seemed to be assuming that role by undermining the authority on Destiny and antagonizing anyone he came in contact with. It would be awesome if he had a more concrete objective that put at odds with everyone while also gaining more power over the Destiny crew so he can’t just be ignored.
5. Curiosity out of all the characters. Not just about exploring Destiny or other planets, but asking intrusive questions about each other’s opinion, pasts, and relationships. That is where great character drama comes from, right? Characters with opposing views on how to solve the same problem or revealing secrets that affect the present.
Also, the overall pacing of each episode is really slow. I think shorter scenes with more plot lines in each episode would really help to speed things up. Other shows with ensemble cast, like The Wire and Heroes, cut back and forth between different characters confront unrelated problems each episode but their actions have consequences for other people and add depth to plots. I know that can get tricky if you are trying to keep the plots episodic while serializing the character development, but I think it would be a great way to keep the audience interested in multiple characters.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Eli, as his character seems to have that sense excitement and wonder that so many of us look for in science fiction.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship, and teamwork (for a group of mainly career-driven adults they’re particularly uncooperative and backstabbing).
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The politicking, backstabbing and general angst. Also stop wasting the stones, either send useful (technically minded) people through who can do somthing useful on the ship while they’re there ,engineers or doctors, or stop using them so much. Do we really need to see so much of earth?
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The ship refuelling in the sun, and Rush letting everyone think that they’re about to die.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Science fiction suprises: new ideas, rather than inpersonal drama that just happens to be set in space!
If you ever go to Scotland, do not deny yourself the majesty that is fried haggis. You can get it in any Scots chippy. It verifiably takes three years off your life, it’s that good.
1. Young and Greer are by far my favorites, but don’t explore Greer. Ever. He’s best in short, mean doses. Same with Rush. Scott’s faith could do with more testing, but at the moment, I’m not entirely certain what purposes Chole or Camile serve on the show (outside of Camile’s brief palace coup). They’re prime vote-off-the-island candidates as-is, so that’s where I’d focus some attention.
2. I think we’ve seen about eight rooms on Destiny, which is billed as a colossal ship. Let’s see some people get in trouble just walking around… it IS old and falling apart, after all, and who knows who/what else is in unexplored parts of the ship. Or why it was built. Or what its program is meant to accomplish. Give me more than another chair.
3. Earth. Cut those people off. The more desperate and “we’re totally screwed” they are, the more they color outside the lines, the better it plays. The big mistake of “Voyager” was making things comfortable, and then making them even more comfortable. Don’t do that. Don’t give them things. Take things away.
4. Young stranding Rush. Oh, of course Rush is going to get inside that ship and catch up, but it was so well executed that the initial impression was “Holy shit! They just stranded Robert Carlyle!” Even if you leave yourself a teeny-tiny Out, pull triggers like that on a regular basis. “We’re totally screwed” works best when, at random, you actually totally screw someone. Preferably the lead.
5. Desperation. Desperate solutions to desperate problems, which are not always good or right solutions (see Young stranding Rush). Get away from the Resource Of The Week stories (without losing sight of that issue), and get nice and chummy with Consequences Of The Week stories (see Rush Catching Up to Young).
Otherwise, keep ’em coming.
1) 1st Lt. Tamara Johansen
2) Destiny – the ship is so huge, but yet we’ve seen 3 rooms of it. We need to see more of it.
3) Kino’s. They peeping tom instruments are an overdone device.
4) Dr. Rush being left behind.
5) More exploration and world building. Less darkness and militaristic pseudo-jingoism, and more fun sciency stuff. Less “There Will be Blood” and more “Back to the Future” tone. And above all don’t forget the humor – compared to the other Stargate shows it has been seriously lacking in Universe. That has been one of the key components of Stargate shows up until now.
Hello, Joe!
Nice haggis report. The dish appears totally disgusting, but I am vegetarian, so what can I say? 🙂
Anyway, in regard to your five questions:
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I would like to see more Greer background. He’s a character that will obviously mature, and he is one of the more “real” characters in the show, if you ask me. (And if that makes any sense.) His character is just begging for more reveals.
Plus, it is always good to see a rebel in the SG Universe.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
More of the ship. I don’t care if people compare that idea to SG: Atlantis, or whatever. We need to see more of the ship. Or, probably better, more of the ship’s functions being discovered and utilized in an interesting fashion. Rush would have obviously led the charge in this effort, but since he is gone (for the time being), I guess Eli will have to do this.
And more “pew, pew” of the ship’s weapons would be nice. Preferably blowing up some bad guys (at some point) or engaging in space combat.
Pew, pew is always good.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Less of the love interests/love stories would be preferred. Yes, I know that’s sometimes needed, and I know SyFy wants to attract a female audience. (Or, at least SyFy THINKS female sci-fi fans want to see interpersonal relationships . . .) But too much ship/planet exploring time was absorbed by the whole tangled mess of character relationships in this last part of the season.
If you are going to have a more adult direction with a sexier edge, it’s probably not a good idea to overdo it.
I do admit, though, I thought “Life” was a pretty good episode, so maybe some drama ain’t so bad after all.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
I absolutely loved “Time” — I thought it was one of the best episodes of the season. But I guess that isn’t a story moment, is it? That episodes did have some good moments of reflection from the characters — maybe because they were in dire straights, their emotional reaction seemed more sincere.
One last thought: I do dig the musical montages. Good stuff.
Anyway — thanks for listening, good luck with the rewrite, and we all look forward to the next season!
Cheers,
~Baculus
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Scientists. I’ll bunch them together. I like to see more of them all working together and discovering more of the Destiny itself.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Technology of the Ancients.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Get read of the stones. Once in a blue moon is ok but not more often. And please, stop portraying military officers as a 13 years old emotional wrecks.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
I love the moment in Time where TJ came out of the infirmary and had n emotional brake down. What a grate seen by the grate actress. What a grate way to introduce human emotion with out sex and soapiness.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Aliens. Not necessary bad guys or villains. How about we encounter ship and a group of the aliens. Ship is broken and we need to make a decision if we take them aboard or live them to die. We take them aboard but our cultures clash (think StarTrack and culture of Klingon’s or Magog from Andromeda). What a reach fields for conflicts, anthropological study and study of the human nature could that be?
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
I would like to see all of the characters explored more. Because SGU has done this extremely well already, I think that aspect of is already perfect. However, to note my personal favorites- Greer, Young, and Rush, and that is because of their unique and morally gray personalities.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
One thing about the show that I think is lacking is it’s suspense. Unlike other science-fiction serials, (Heroes and Lost), SGU has failed to catch that excitement of ‘What will happen next week?’ So in direct answer to this question, I would like to see more scenes like Young leaving Rush stranded on another planet, and Rush making everyone believe that the ship was going to explode, only for everything to be ok. Basically, more plot twists- just not too many more, as that is what caused Heroes and Lost to loose viewers, but just enough to make me excited about the next episode. So far only “Time” has manged to do this.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
As many others have said, I would like there to be less sex. I’m not saying take it out entirely, just not to let the camera linger on the two people having sex. I believe in order to develop characters properly, sex scenes is an important thing. But there is no character development or anything constructive with watching those scenes for more than fifteen seconds. As for the communicating stones, I like the drama that has come so far from them, but I would like a little less of their involvement.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
All of my favorite moments were from the episode “Time.” Sadly, all of those moments never happened for the timeline SGU now follows. I would love to be more particular about what scenes I loved in “Time,” but basically every moment of that episode I loved, particularly the character development, suspense, and twists.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I don’t think that SGU needs any new element yet. Certainly more of elements it already has, but I think that SGU needs to a little more time before it brings out the mythology we saw so much in SG-1 and SGA, or any else new. One thing I would like being part of every episode (except for the season finales) is cliff hangers. Nothing can maker me excited about watching the next episode of a tv show then a good cliff hanger.
1. The Destiny is a character. It must be explored much more, but it needs to put up a fight, too. I would be oh-so-happy if the mystery aspect was drug out for five seasons with small clues being opened up one at a time. Don’t go “God mode” and just open it up and spill all the beans. The best drama comes from torturing the viewer through curiosity. Think “Lost”.
2. The hopelessness is wonderful as a device and needs to become a driving force, something people take real sides on. There needs to be a rift between those accepting their apparent lot in life and those fighting to get home, and it needs to widen very slowly until there’s some dangerous fire brewing.
3. The stones need to be limited to once every three shows. This isn’t about Earth and, frankly, one guy banging another guy’s wife just isn’t good scifi to me.
4. Rush getting dumped. Pure awesome.
5. Aliens. And not humanoid aliens — the Ancients were not out this far. I’m talking about “a whole different line of evolution” aliens. Different kinds of life (maybe not even cellular?). Anything that doesn’t have eyes and legs as we know them. And for the love of God, don’t cop out and toss in reptiles or insects. The “sand aliens” were a neat idea in this respect. Keep going there.
Loving the show, honestly. I love the grim aspect and the drama. I love that it’s NOT SG1 or SGA. It’s something new and fantastic. Keep that! SGA got boring, quick. Don’t go there. Stay where you are, lose the stones, and fight! and blow things up!
1. Greer. I am not as fond of TJ as other fans seem to be. Greer is the most interesting character to me, by far, and we haven’t seen much of his backstory at all.
2. I’m really more a fan of “planet of hats”-type sci fi than I am of serials like Lost. I find it fun (and thought-provoking) when the characters encounter something unusual and have to figure it out. The episodes with the dust mote aliens were really dissatisfying to me. Instead of being an interesting alien species, they became yet another technical glitch. Boring. The show could be renamed Stargate: Technical Glitches.
3. Just going to repeat what everyone else is saying: the stones. I understand that you’ve been using them to develop your characters, but honestly, I’d rather see the characters finding out who they are now than continuing to revisit who they used to be. It’s depressing. Perhaps there could be an episode where they realize they need to stop for their emotional well-being, or the stones are causing physical health problems, or something. I also don’t like all the romance. It’s okay once in awhile, but I don’t want it to be the focus of the show. (Note: I am part of that female demographic you’re supposedly aiming for.)
4. The last episode was enjoyable. I look forward to seeing what’s going to happen with the chair, and what will become of Rush.
5. I understand that you’re trying to give this show a more adult flavor than the other SG shows. But still, I’d like to see some kind of recurring alien enemy. You don’t have to make them wear fabulous costumes, but I’d like to see the characters battle something other than the ship’s systems. However, please don’t bring back the Replicators. It would make sense, because the Ancients invented them and they have visited these worlds, but I was sick to death of them before their final SG-1 appearance. I hated having to see them on SG-A too.
1. Genereally all the women.
2. The ship, the ship the god damn HUGE alien ship!
3. The crazy genious doctor. I dont understand his agenda.
4. Twist at series pause.
5. A constant threat in pursuit of the HUGE ship. An alien presense in other words.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Rush. Who is he? Why is he doing what he is? He’s got to have some interesting background that explains the way he is.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
+1 on exploring the Destiny. It’s a huge ship, but we’ve only seen a couple of rooms, not to mention that it’s fully automated so far.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
THE DAMN CAMERA SHAKING! This enough is reason enough for me to almost stop watching. “Air” parts 1 and 2 made me feel sick for hours afterwards (if not the whole day – I watched it in the morning), and “Time” was the same (Kino-to-the-head? The kinos are horrible enough as they are!). The rest still make me sick, but not as much as the above two episodes.
PLEASE tone this down, a lot, as it does little except make the camera crew look incompetent! Knowing SG-1/SGA, I know they’re not.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Unsure, but the biggest twist was certainly in Justice. 😉
Destiny recharging in the star was also a nice one, although much easier to expect than Rush being dumped on a planet.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Other spacefacing species – good or bad, or both – just something to make the show less focused on virtually characters only. The Sci-fi element is left out too much for character exploration.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
The women, but no more Wray relationship drama. Put the ladies front and center. They need to be described by their traits and actions more than their jobs.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Other planets. The ship.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Earth. The stones shouldn’t go away, but we need repercussions for the abuse and someone needs to take a stand against them and echo the fan’s stance on how they can violate a person. Isn’t it a violation to take over someone’s body. Repercussions and changes on how the stones are used. Have something horrible happen, like two people switch permanently. That way they’re too risky to use and we can come back to them later. Cut them off. Reinforces the idea they can’t get back. Til now they’ve had hope.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Rush stranded. Conflict with consequence. Split the group more.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
We need more of the outside conflict thrust back in. Character is good and all, but even BSG had Cylons to run from.
I just want to start by saying that I really enjoy the show. I’m a professional screenwriter, so I know that telling you that I like everything is of very little use when you’re trying to improve something, so I’ll focus (hopefully constructively) on what I think isn’t working.
1. I actually feel that, aside from a central few, I don’t know any of the characters at all. Most of the second tier characters feel like one dimensional place-holders. In some ways, this is a good thing, as it allows a lot of growth, but it currently prevents me from caring about any of them. The direct to camera interview clips do give hints to deeper characters, but it says a lot that after ten episodes, I still can’t name most of them.
2. The stones. Actually, this is more a “use them right or get rid of them”. There have been several cases in the show where a crew member needs to be selected to be objective for some task, or is asked to do something beyond their actual skill set. The stones allow any expert to be accessed, so long as Mission Control has them, yet the crew never do this.
I can understand that having a regular character engage in a task beyond their skill set allows the character to be explored and to develop; I understand that having a character required to behave objectively in a situation that everyone has a personal stake in allows for drama and interpersonal politic, but you need to either justify exactly why they don’t get someone from Earth to do it via the stones. Otherwise you have to let the most logical course of action be taken and use the stones.
3. The distrust between characters. I like the darker tone, but the element of distrust has been overemphasised so far. It’s already become a cliche of the show that after anything happens, there will be one character who assume this means someone else can’t be trusted. Distrust between characters is a good thing, but when you are signposting as much as SGU does, it undermines itself. I think an example of a show that really got this right was creaky old Blake’s 7 – on that series, each character had their own personal agenda, often in conflict with the others, but they all needed to work together, so they rarely expressed their distrust directly, yet you always knew it was bubbling away under the surface, ready to erupt when events forced things to a head. (As a disclaimer, I should point out that this is how I REMEMBER the show being and that time may have improved how well this played in my memory).
4. My favourite story moment is really more of an element: the ongoing issue of supplies and resource management.
I was always a little bothered by the way the recent Battlestar Galactica never really dealt with the fact that there was only so much paper left, or cigarettes, or medicine, or malt liquor. That fleet was all that was left of humanity, but (aside from a couple of beats early in the series) there never seemed to be a sense of everything running out.
I’ve really liked how SGU has placed an emphasis on the scarcity of just about everything. I hope to see the cast’s costumes degrade as the series progresses, getting patched and repaired. I want to characters die and have the survivors putting their hands up for the dead person’s shoes and clothes. I want to see the brief discussion of the ghoulishness of this that gives way to the realisation that absolutely everything must be reused.
I personally see a greater potential for drama among the characters if, rather than constantly distrusting each other, the work together and seem to get along until the scarcity of certain resources force them into conflict.
5. I’d like to see the total banning of the story structure: “Destiny arriving at planet X, the away team goes down to explore or collect supplies, and everything is fine until some conflict or catastrophe occurs just as time is running out and a rescue or resolution to the situation must be achieved before the Destiny leaves them behind.”
In one of the first episodes, the solution of having someone stand with their arm through the gate was discovered, and since then, this race-against-time trope has played as phoney. If you solve a problem, you can’t just ignore that solution every time it is inconvenient to the story.
I hope these suggestions help to make SGU everything it can be.
I can only speak for my myself and my friends that watch SGU but the only episode aside from the cliffhanger that got us truly engaged is “Time”. Then the very next episode after “Time” was more of the same sleeping with loved ones on Earth drama. Things like that make us all conclude that instead of building amazing stories you take the cheap-writer’s way out. I’m sure it sounds all fine and dandy in the writer’s room, “Let’s really explore the history of Camille and her sexuality by having her visit Earth.” If anymore conversations in the writer’s room have the phrase, “visit Earth” you should shoot yourselves. I know visiting Earth is your way of doing in real-time what other shows use flash-backs for, but they are executed horribly. A secret military operation will let people control the bodies of their officers for drinking and sex off-base?
You preface your request by saying there is more action to come, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is having good scifi you are all dropping the buck; you have an amazing cast and amazing story premise and you’re just disappointing everyone.
Mitch
1. Rush. As much as I love not being entirely clear on his motivations, and further exploration could threaten this uncertainty, his time on screen stands out. The man’s a scene stealer, and should clearly be allowed more stealing.
2. Coping. I’m enjoying that about the show, how people might actually cope when thrown into that circumstance. Exploring what bravery and heroism actually mean, four man teams taking on entire armies devalued that, and universe can reclaim it.
3. Fitting into the above; while I understand there are many new things to see in the far reaches of space, and that these things often drive the narrative, “planets of the week” serve to make the theme about the situation rather than the characters reaction to it. I appear to be advocating less gating in Stargate.
4. Crashing into the sun. A classic trope inverted, in a time of crisis our intrepid technical genius goes and reads a book, awaiting the inevitable. There have been subtler references to the central idea, the ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, but this stood out to me as the signature moment.
5. As little as possible! Exploring what is there rather than continually adding.
If I wanted to watch a freaking soap opera, I would quit my day job.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Definitely more Greer, I see him as someone who is more complicated and deep then he lets on. I would also like to see more of TJ and Wray.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
I want to see more of the Destiny and what it can do, particularly more development of the AI.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
I have to agree about the stones, they are good but I get a bit bored when more the half an episode is back on earth. I think they should still be used to develop characters stories but just not too much.
I also get a bit sick of the tension between Young and the SGC back on earth. I always found the ‘new person/bureaucrat comes in to try and challenge and remove the popular leader’ story lines in other SG series incredibly dull. Less office politics please.
I’d like to see Rush a bit more humanised. I love that he is dark and complicated, but I’m concerned that it is going too far that way. I’d hate to see him become a one dimensional character like House MD for example.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
It is hard to pick one moment but the bits that I’ve enjoyed most are the ones around how they are trying to survive, so when they were obtaining the water, food and so on.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
I agree that it needs more humour but not at the expense of the darker feel of the programme. I think SGU has been the most realistic series in terms of how humans really interact with each other and this has made it more entertaining but it would be good to see them having more fun. I want to see them improvising entertainment and developing their own social culture and rituals.
Finally just wanted to say thank you for giving us this opportunity to voice what want. It is nice to think that the writers care about what we think and I know it can’t be easy for you to balance everything that we’ve asked for. I’m really enjoying the series and can’t wait till it starts again in April.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Rush. What’s his real agenda? Why is he such an ass? Is he a good guy, a bad guy, or something in between?
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship and its alien technology.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Convoluted plans to get back to Earth that inevitably fail. We all know that if this series thrives and lasts several years that they aren’t getting back to Earth until near the very end if ever. They need to let Earth go and embrace their fate and try to learn us much as possible about the ship. I could also do without any more time travel episodes. That has been done to death in scifi shows.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
I enjoyed when the ship refueled in the star even though I saw that coming a mile away. The excitement and relief of the crew was well done. More amazing revelations about the ship would be welcome.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
To avoid becoming a rehash of Lost In Space or Star Trek Voyager, the show really needs to delve into the ship, its creators, its purpose, its destination, and perhaps even whether the humans were intended/destined to be on it.
the only wish i have is that the Atlantis movie be produced and released sometime in the near future
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Eli Wallace. Yes, he is already the leading man (sort-off). But it feels like he has been held back so far. His best moments are the more emotional ones, where you get to look in his personal life. He’s just a smart dude who wants a normal life, girl, house, etc. but now he’s lost between the military guys/gals on a space ship. He is the least trained person for this mission of everyone on the whole Destiny (hell, even Chloe is used to the public/politics). I know you wanted him for the comedic aspect, but David Blue is just way more convincing with the character moments.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The ship it self. Rodney McKay just ransacked the city in Stargate Atlantis for fun technology to play with, and that was fun! Some of the best episodes and usefull tech for later episodes have come from this. Just let Rush loose on the ship! 😀
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The Earth moments. Earth is cool, but use it for cameo’s like with Rodney. Also, less Matthew Scott. Yes, you need a military dude like John Shepard and Jack O’Neil. But those parts we’re fun and cool. You made Scott the opposite of them, but that just doesn’t work out. Give the guy something better to do than screw Chloe.
For a good comparison: Ronald Greer could have been like
the useless Aiden Ford in Stargate Atlantis. But luckily you made him more like Ronon Dex, the big grumbling Wookie. Greer is more serious, but he’s stil a Wookie. 🙂
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
The half-season finale. Leaving Rush was really cool. But even better was a smaller moment: Chloe choosing Scott, after all Eli had done for her. The surprise and look on Eli’s face was just a really good character moment, not seen before in a Stargate.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More ship space. A little more neon. Keep up the strong arcs for both the adventures and the characters, they are both Universe’s life-blood, not one over the other.
The problem with the entire show is that it took everything that made the previous shows beloved and tossed that out the airlock. It was then replaced with characters that are darned hard to care about and dark and dreary drama between said characters you really don’t care about.
I’m sure you can tell I’m one of those grossly disappointed previous fans who now watch SGU mostly out of a sense of obligation, something like “I’m a fan, guess I should force myself to sit through it” kind of a thing.
So – how about more humor, more action, more emotional involvement in the characters (make us actually care for them, not actively want them dead in a gate malfunction incident)?
1. I’d like for any one of them to be actually likable. The nerd gets closest now, but the cliche “nerd loves the hot chick, who firmly puts him in the friend category while getting with the hot guy” is annoying me. Sure, it’s real life-like… which is why I want to escape into entertainment.
2. The ship itself. Right now it’s a gloomy backdrop to gloomy characters… how about some sense of wonder for the ancient ship, please?
3. The soap-opera like bouncing back and forth to Earth, not to mention how bodies are apparently interchangeable. I mean seriously – a woman switches bodies with someone on earth, shows up at her lovers place in the borrowed body and they then spend the night together as if that was no big deal? Come now now… tell me that’s not insane.
4. Drawing a blank, honestly. It’s all kind of a dreary blur of dreary people.
5. Fun! Humor! Though I suppose that may clash with the basic premise of “let’s make it a dark and dreary exposé of dark and dreary people in a dark and dreary situation” that is the show.
Hmm, I wonder if this is too bitter… ah well, at least it’s honest. 😉
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Eli. But only because I’m somewhat the same type of character, so it’s only natural to identify with him more. Excepting Eli, I’d have to say Tamara, definitely an interesting character as well.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Ancients, mythology, the Destiny, the stargate itself.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Bending away from established technology, honestly, what is that? Why use FTL when you already established that people travel through subspace? A similar thing with the stones, they built this square lighted thingy to make them work long distance. How did they ever build this?
Also, much less sex, in fact, more than once per season is too much, and then only about people we actually care about. Like Eli with Chloe or something. I really don’t need to know about Scott’s “conquests”. You actually don’t need any sex, McKeller never had sex, and yet I enjoyed that (well mostly).
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Either finding the alien ship, or Rush’s edginess due to his lack of coffee. The latter is very relatable, while the first is just exciting, especially in the SGU context.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
More humour (humour is a coping mechanism for many -if not most- people, afterall), and more techy stuff and good ideas, like McKay’s plan for wiping out the replicators halfway through season four of Atlantis.
Those Asgard off-shoots also seem to belong more in Universe than they did in Atlantis.
Well, those aren’t technically new things.
1. Greer. If there is one character I want to have my back it’s him. I want to know why he was in jail and know if he is good or bad. Love him!
2. The ship stupid!!! I want to see them explore the ship and mess with it. I want the ship to anticipate their needs and give them what they want. (Sex? Combat training?) Get rid of the stones and have the ship compensate them for it by giving them holograms of their loved ones. You have so much to work with!!
3. The stones (great at first but have the ship do that now and if the stones worked I’d use them to get Daniel Jackson on the ship and fix it. The premise doesn’t work).
4. The moment I learned the ship is trying to help them and give them what they need. Imagine if they didn’t want what the ship was doing!
5. A big bad – Rush at first but it’s really the ship (You’re writing Rush too mean to be likeable or sympathetic you should make him the bad guy. He’s best in small doses for now.) Then imagine an evil ship and a good Rush having to rescue everyone.
Those are my ideas.
1. Any of the other crew. So many fled to Destiny, yet very few are truly featured (I know, limited main cast). Just one of two new prominent people on a recurring status. And don’t blow it like Lost did with Nikki and Pavlo.
2. Unlocking Destiny’s secrets.
3. Barely surviving. If Destiny was in that bad a shape for real, it’d be a broken down hunk of driftwood.
4. The time travel one where they find a Kino with their deaths on it.
5. Aliens. They’re in space, and all we’ve gotten so far is intelligent dust. Adding the Asgard to the original got passed the every planet has humans on it bit (yes I know, it’s easier and cheaper). We need some recurring alien species for Universe.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer, hands down. There’s clearly a lot going on in his head. Also, frankly, he’d make a good leader if Young were incapacitated, especially if T.J. was holding him back a little as his effective XO.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
Beyond question, the actual hardish science fiction aspect, an example of which would be the entire first “refueling at the star” sequence.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
Guys wuv Chloe.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Rush not being willing to sit in the chair himself.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
Assuming they gain control of, stop or leave the Destiny, our guys building a permanent colony. For extra points, building a colony not on a planet, out of the raw materials orbiting whatever star they settle.
Alternate possibility: hijack the Destiny’s systems to start planting a Stargate (sub-)network of their own, and through that creating a network of small, permanent settlements.
1. Greer. He intrigues me.
2. The tensions between the military and the civilians. I’m mindful of ST:Voyager’s promises that the Maquis and Starfleet crews would bump heads a lot but in fact they were all buddies by the end of the pilot. I like that you’ve kept the tension simmering – and not just between Rush and Young, but between everyone in their respective camps – and I would imagine that as their situation gets more extreme that the tensions will continue to rise. So I’d like that to continue to be a major ongoing issue, perhaps rising to some kind of open confrontation. Whatever you do, don’t have them suddenly all be buddies.
3. My heart does tend to sink every time Lou Diamond Philips comes on screen, but I don’t think that’s his fault. Something about the character winds me up, and not in a good ‘ooh, he’s a nasty bad guy I can’t wait to see him get his comeuppance’ kind of way. I can’t put my finger on it, but ten episodes in I don’t quite understand why he’s in the mix.
4. The fact that you ended the time travel episode when you did, without a final, laboured, explanation scene – and then didn’t mention it in the next episode. Not only was it ballsy as hell, it showed a respect for the viewer’s intelligence that is rare these days.
5. Felicia Day. Just, y’know, because.
Nah, I think you’ve got the balance about right. I wouldn’t go throwing a major alien threat into the mix just yet. But when you do, make it as different as possible to anything Stargate has done before. Believe me, I know how big of an ask that is, but this is a such a different show that it needs a totally different kind of alien encounter.
All in all, the ten eps I’ve seen so far have me really enthused about the show and excited about what’s coming next. Keep it up 🙂
Let it be said, I tried watching a few SG1 and SGU episodes, and could never get behind it as it always felt too cheesy and tounge-in-cheek. This iswhy I’m really liking Universe, as it keeps some of the ideas of exploration/conflict and other things, but “grounds” it a bit more.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Grier and TJ, they seem like they have something more to say and have grown from very meh/boring characters to some of my favorites.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Destiny! I may be new to Stargate, but the ship (And it seems pretty big) has a lot of things to discover. Mysterious passages and terminals. Perhaps -reaaallly- figuring out what Destiny was designed for and the people who were on it?
That and getting into the whole deal of what it’d take for a bunch of Civilians and a few marines to actually live on this place.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The stones, I don’t think they’ve been a deal breaker, but keep it minimized and use them to further a story arc.
Ancillarily: Eli. Don’t get rid of him, I -like- him, but my one big issue (which has gone down as the episodes go on) is he is a character. The first few episodes, I couldn’t get behind his character as he just screamed “Hey viewers! I’m your portal in to the world!” and he had nothing else going on. You guys are developing him along, and that’s good, just don’t rely on overtly silly gags and I think we’ll be fine.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
Rush being left behind. Jaw-dropped.
5. What element (I’m leaving this one wide open) would you like to see added to the series as a whole?
1. Definitely more TJ. I think she’s excellent & of all the women the one I’m most interested in seeing more often. And if not TJ then Greer because he’s damned interesting with the little we’ve got so far.
2. Personal stories. Most specifically alliances being built, shifting & breaking down between the people on the Destiny (especially those who have agreed on things in the past). As all are not military & some have obvious tension it’d be interesting to see more of who & how sides are taken given various perilous situations they encounter & also regular everyday challenges.
3. Please minimize the Chloe/Scott interaction & make them more interesting singly so possibly I’ll care about them together. And the stones… I’m kinda over the novelty of that whole thing now. It was great for background on our mains but I don’t really want to see that so much any more.
4. Best story moment may have been Rush being left behind by Young. It’s what I’m most looking forward to finding out more about when the next half of the season resumes.
5. I’d like to see more of the people on Destiny adapting & carving out actual lives as opposed to simply surviving. It’s pretty clear they’re not going home any time soon & while I get that they’re all still craving that, someone has to be clear on the reality that it’s further from happening than not. It was good when TJ was doing her psych evals to check on how people were coping but surely that’s an ongoing and ever changing kind of thing that should be followed throughout. I’d like to see how all these characters react when challenged with the harsh realities of what’s happened & the fact that, stone or no stones, they’ve only each other to really rely on at the end of the day. I want to see how they do that. What happens to faith & culture in this situation? Do they all hold on to what was or seek out something else? There’s got to be more recreation than sex for everyone, so what is it? And with regard to sex what are the possible consequences of that over time? There’s likely no limitless birthcontrol options on Destiny or in TJ kit bag so sooner or later that’ll need to be covered. And how does the possibility of reproduction affect everything else in this perilous situation where supplies are limited? It’s not just a personal issue, surely it’s a political one on Destiny as well. So far it seems they’re all still working as though their lives have only changed minimally but in reality there are some serious discussions that need to take place about what rules they are going to agree to in this little society they’re now in. The game’s changed & likely so will the rules.
1. Which character would you like to see explored more?
Greer, I like edgy characters. Greer is a very interesting character who hasn’t been fully explored or developed. Why was he in the cell? What’s up with him and Telford? He is obviously a good loyal soldier in some respects and a loose cannon in others. Why? We need to learn more about what makes Greer tick and see some of his back story.
2. What aspect of the show would you like to see exploited more?
The Ship/The Big Universe – I don’t know a better way to say this than, “Take a page from Farscape”. What I loved about that show was the interaction of the trapped crew and how the grew into a family over time coupled with the growth of Crichton (and to a lesser and different extent Aeryn growing from a mindless footsoldier into a person) as he is introduced to a universe much larger than he ever dreamed. He was thrown in out of his depth and over his head and forced to rise to the challenge. You have a whole crew Crichton’s…let’s stop solving problems by shooting them or hoping back to earth. Explore the ship, have the crew over come obstacles together, grow and change based on acceptance of their new lives. Accept that getting home isn’t happening anytime soon and get on with what needs to be done. Let this group of strangers become friends and more as they struggle to survive against terrible odds. The plot appeared to be flowing this way as the first half of the season progressed and I hope to see more. Find the chair was a good start. there is so much more to do and find on the ship just to stay alive. Between fixing the ship, gathering supplies/exploring offworld, there is so much room for this series to grow.
3. What aspect of the show would prefer to see minimized?
The Stone/Earth – Enough already with Stargate Command. The crew has gone rogue, Command has tried to usurp control, they ain’t getting back anytime soon, so lose the stones. You have a giant ship and a whole universe to explore let’s leave daily visits to earth to see mom and dad or cry on my girlfriend’s lap behind. You’ve made the point everyone is leaving someone or something behind even if they didn’t know it before (Scott). The fact that the behavior of these people while borrowing someone else’s body is appalling is besides the point. A number of times they have done questionable things and acted with very little respect for their colleagues bodies. This could be expected from the civilians, but from the military people it seems out of character and even creapy. Young screwing in Telford’s body, Chloe getting loaded, etc… If this keeps up, we will end up not liking any of the characters just based on how they disrespect the people who’s bodies they are borrowing. Besides this little bit of Deus Ex Machina, has played itself out. It’s a crutch that is now taking away from the story rather than adding to it. Need to flush out a characters background and motivation, use the stones; have a difficult problem to solve, use the stones; need to set up tension in the crew, use the stones. Besides the whole Telford story line need to be shot dead and buried then dug up and shot again just to be sure. The whole idea of him deciding it’s a good plan to seduce Young’s wife is ridiculous and strains belief. Why would a Colonel in the US Military, who obviously has progressed well and far to have attained his position and rank in Stargate Command, risk it all… Never-mind the fact that if he is so unstable how the heck did he make it that far in the first place. Who would ever actually behave this way risking the mission, the lives of everyone on board, and their rank and status? Beyond that what’s his motivation, revenge on Young, he’s horny, he wants Young to crack so he can take over, he’s angry because Young was getting busy in his body…none of these make a great deal of sense. This plot line is really dragging down the rest of the show like an anchor.
4. What was your favorite “story moment” from the first half of SGU’s first season?
I loved the episode “Time”. It’s not just the action of the episode but it was the interaction both before and after the trouble started. Greer teaching Eli to shoot, Chloe picking fruit… Character development outside the Keno (well not exactly but it wasn’t the Keno Big Brother confessional), outside the cafeteria, and outside Earth. Plus bad-ass aliens