Stargate Universe: “Intervention,” “Aftermath”
Airdates: Tuesday, September 28, October 5 at 9 p.m. EST on SyFy
Slice of SciFi Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
Continues to make its case as one of the best shows on TV and the best installment of the popular franchise
In his last interview with Slice of SciFi, actor David Blue teased us that the second season of “Stargate: Universe” would continue to hit the sweet spot it found during the last three-quarters of season one. Turns out, he wasn’t exaggerating.
Picking up right where things left off last season, “SGU” returns Tuesday night with the crew of the Destiny facing the Lucien Alliance in a stand-off for control of the ship. Things looked bleak in the season finale for the crew and the good news for fans is that there are no easy answers, solutions or get out of jail free cards in the season premiere. Each side is doggedly determined not to back down in the standoff for control of the ship and it’s interesting to see who will step up and how on each side as the conflict continues. And while the question of who is in control of the ship may be resolved by the end of the first hour of season two, there are still some fascinating issues and character conflicts left over for the rest of season two.
The biggest drawback to the season premiere is a logistical one that solved about as well as can be expected. Actress Rhona Mitra is absent as the head of the Lucian Alliance and we’re suddenly introduced to a new member of the Alliance in Robert Knoeper. Fans may recall we didn’t see Knoeper in last season’s finale, so his sudden appearance here is a bit jarring at first. However, within a scene or two, he’s easily as interesting and compelling as any of the previously established characters on the show and shows a lot potential for the upcoming season.
And while there’s still the division between the crew of the Destiny and the Lucian Alliance, the conflicts and tensions between our established cast members haven’t and aren’t going away. The second episode really highlights this with a lot of focus on Rush and seeing just how far he’s come as a character. His obsession with being right and his desire to keep certain things to himself about the ship looks like it will be an on-going theme and conflict for the season.
Added to that is an examination of just how far and hard Colonel Young has become during his time in command of “Destiny.”
If you loved “SGU” last season, you’ll love what we get here. If you’re just tuning in, I strongly recommend you find at least the second half of season one on DVD and catch-up. The two episodes provided for preview by SyFy would be confusing for a newcomer if this is your first sample of “SGU.” The most heavily serialized of the “Stargate” franchise, the series is rewarding viewers not only with plot payoffs but also character growth and development. Easily one of the best shows running, “SGU” continues to make its case as “must see” TV on a highly competitive night of broadcast and cable choices.
How can you give something a rating of 5 out of 5 if you have never seen the show before? It isn’t airing until tomorrow night.
Omni, we get advance screeners of shows all of the time. One of the perks of reporting on television shows and movies is being able to see things well in advance of their public release dates.
So yes, Hicks has been getting to see SGU episodes before any of us, lucky *$#! 🙂
haven’t read the article, because of potential spoilers. but the airdate is wrong. Tuesday is not 29th, but 28th.
@Omni, if you would have read the article,
“The two episodes provided for preview by SyFy would be confusing for a newcomer if this is your first sample of “SGU.””
Please, think before you speak…or type!
air date corrected… thanks!
I admit it…I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. I’ll be glued to Syfy tomorrow night.
The only drawback to the screeners is that is that episode two ends at a point where I desperately want to see episode three IMMEDIATELY!
Yeah, I know….no sympathy. But I just had to say it.
Looks awesome, can’t wait!
@ Omni, are you aware of the concept that there are critic screenings of TV shows before it airs?
Okay – put my kudos in the wrong thread previously….
Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
I enjoyed last nights episode more than any previous episode of this show, and now, I am retracting my negativity against this show. I think it has found its stride with character and some new “sci-fish” elements. Sure, I still like SG1, SGA better, but this show is good now. And becoming more worthy of the name with each episode.
************Minor Spoiler**********
I think what I liked best, was that finally, Rush is a true hero, rather than a mighty prick. We see him grow tremendously in this episode. He might not know it yet, but we do. I have DESPISED his character to this point. Last night, I enjoyed it.