Last Friday was the final part of the SGU premiere, Air. And, sadly the show continues to disappoint. This is all a matter of perspective, of course. There are several things that have taken the show in a new direction different from previous Stargate series.
The tone is much darker, and the character dynamic is much more like a soap opera than a group of professionals working together. Seriously, if you were selecting an elite group of people to work together on a world in the far reaches of the galaxy wouldn’t you pick some people that wouldn’t be at each others throats constantly?
The presentation is also quite different. The sets are much darker, and worn looking. Apparently the SGU people are stuck on what is possibly the most advanced piece of technology to ever be on the show, and it looks to be the least advanced. Sadly, it looks like something straight out of Battlestar Galactica.
Camera work is just dreadful. One of the things I have always liked about Stargate is the wide open camera shots. I always felt like I knew where everyone was, and what was going on. Sadly, so far in SGU they have opted for very tight shots. This only adds to the soap opera feel of the show, and makes me feel like I am missing out what is going on off camera.
These changes, among other less obvious ones are why people are beginning to polarize around the show. Right now, people seem to be falling into three camps: hate it, love it, don’t know what to make of it.
The people who have been following the show for years, and loved it the way it was are leaning towards the hate it camp. Too many things have changed in such a way that the show does not even feel like Stargate. It is something else that has elements from Stargate in it.
The love it crowd seem to be the people that were BSG fans. I loath that wretched re-imagining, so it is fairly obvious why my opinion would clash with theirs. I also think some of these people are those that came onto the show towards its end, and didn’t really care for it. Most of the changes have made it filmed in a more contemporary way at the show’s detriment.
A vast majority of the people are still in the don’t know what to make of it group. I think these are people that have been watching the show for a while, but are only casual fans. They recognize that there are differences in the new show, but they are waiting to see how it all settles together before they make a decision on it.
I intend to keep waiting the show, and will watch the whole first season to see if it improves. Hopefully I will warm up to it, because there are not a lot of options for science fiction right now.
9 Comments
“there are not a lot of options for science fiction right now”
For serial sci fi there aren’t many options you are right. Maybe you could start watching “Fringe”.
I watch Fringe off and on, it isn’t very good. And, the cross promotion with American Idol was just insulting.
Well, there is another group you missed. Stargate junkies like me, who will watch just about anything that has circular portals with water-like event horizons. ( as long as they make it spin
)
I am a hardcore SG-1 fan. I hated Atlantis … Well at first. … Then I just had no choice. And I guess it will be the same with SGU.
For me, Stargate will never be as good as it was decade ago, but I will settle for anything that will remind of those good years.
You are absolutely correct. I am in the same boat as you, and did not think to add a “desperate” category.
You are correct in your critic of this show. I find myself wondering why they would even conceive SGU this way. It goes against everything stargate franchise had always been and I liked it the way it was. The characters on this show is a bunch of stupid, moronic characters who doesn’t seem to know up from down. These people are suppose to be cream of the human race, smart, brave, and have a strong sense of brotherhood. These characters however are just BAD!! If they keep up the writing and the acting this way, this show will not last one season. I say, change all the actors and change the story lines. The potential for great stories is out there!
I AGREE with all you guys and the article
SGU is basically a joke , I had same thing at atlantis , but atlantis was targeting to fix it self , it was becoming better and better.
The cancelation proved a huge blow , if atlantis continued it would be as close to SG1 at 10th season.
There was no stopping SG1 either , it is all MGM and SCIFUCK channel that messed it all up(cancel)
Stargate is canadian , but the capitalist bosses want it to be influenced by crappy american hollywood. They do make stargate mainly for american market , this is the biggest mistake , if they would target the Earth , they would get much wider input and viewership , they seem to not care how stargate is popular around the world and keep those saturated market macdonalds spoiled guys with things they don’t like to watch and with 100 of stuff to watch (but what they did with SGU , was they made it just for those who don’t care about legacy of a quality full series)
Scifi channel can suck my balls.
What I enjoyed so much about Atlantis ( my favorite ) and SG1 were the character bonds and team work backdroped by space, new worlds, new species, and battles. SGU is lacking all of this and it’s darker then BSG! BSG had hope, there is no hope in SGU!
well, lets be honest SGU is a load of rubbish, it’s annoying how they rope you in with the promise of excitement but just fail to deliver!
Where is the action? where are the aliens??? when I say aliens I DONT mean whirlwinds!!!!
I want to see a foe! i want action! I might as well go and watch sex in the city for all the interest SGU has generated!!
And that long range communication device is simply absurd! they are supposed to be millions of light years from home and yet they can communicate as easily as you or I would with a cell phone!
GIVE ME ACTION!
Ah the good old days……I keep checking the internet to see when it will be cancelled. And see What comes next..Most shows in the past I like are 1 to 2 years then cancelled so I guess I am in that group that hates reality, soaps, Incredibly stupid people Etc. Maybe just maybe it will end this year by blowing up, they already lost one engine have been invaded …..BOOM heheheeh. what a ending.
There is a saying ..screw me twice and why watch commercial TV. there is always internet porn.