viginti_tres
5/5
Posts 7051
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Posted 17/10/2009 08:01 PM
I havn't seen any Stargate in the past so i wasn't initially interested but i have heard only good things so far and now with your recomendation too i might have to give it a shot.
So does it work as a serious show like BSG or is it just an admirable sci-fi romp.
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 18/10/2009 11:36 AM
At the moment, it's somewhere between the two. The last two series were a bit of a family-friendly romp, but for a Stargate series, Universe takes it a bit darker. I highly doubt it will have BSG's moments of nihilism or on-screen suicides, but the more serious tone is definitely a step in the right direction for the franchise.
So I've seen the 3rd ep now - story-wise, it tended to follow the usual world-of-the-week SG-1 format, but there were some things that set it apart. Firstly, they were on a strict time constraint, only having 12 hrs on the planet to find what they need before the ship will automatically jump back to hyperspace. This was used really well, with the tension building as the timer got lower and lower.
The other distinguishing element I've found with Universe has been it's music. Joel Goldsmith was the composer for SG-1 and Atlantis as well, but here he's taken a more gritty, urgent tone and incorporated a lot more electronic elements. His music is used to really drive the story, rather than just accompany it.
Got Ep 4 to watch tonight. So far so good, though.
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 20/10/2009 02:15 PM
The sex scene wasn't that big a deal for me. I can understand how people watching SG-1 and Atlantis as a family-friendly show might be put off, but as one review reminded me, SG-1 had full-frontal nudity in its pilot as well, before reverting to O'Neil and Carter's repressed sexual tension.
Agree about the uniforms and other supplies. It didn't seem like they brought all that much through with the. And also about them checking Rush's claim of leadership, although it seems the since Young is in frequent communication with O'Neil, the question of leadership has pretty much been cleared up. Hasn't stop Rush or Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips) from throwing their weight around though. Telford looks like he's gonna be causing more trouble though.
Ep 4 was better than 3 I thought. After 3 I was worried about the format, but 4 put the focus back on the people. Still early days to know whether the series will find its feet, but I'm happy to believe that Wright and Cooper have plenty of ideas up their sleeves for the time being.
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viginti_tres
5/5
Posts 7051
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Posted 20/10/2009 04:42 PM
I still havn't seen any of the show, bandiwidth issues, but from what i've been reading the sex scene seems to be troubling people for altogether different reasons. There has been a sizeable backlash against the shows apparent misogyny in terms of characters roles and reactions. I obviously can't comment to any great degree but from what i do know i would say the show is more of a step backwards then one across the line. We've become accustomed to contemporary sci-fi with a progressive nature thanks to BSG's genderless society and Whedon's feminist fixation so to see a show not working wholeheartedly to prove it's equality is somewhat of a shock. It's a flaw to have weak, flat or superfluous characters at all regardless of gender so i can certainly see why this is a valid criticism of the show, whether or not it deserves such controversy or not is another matter entirely.
Article about it, [link=http://io9.com/5385276/did-sgus-women-get-lost-in-the-wrong-universe]HERE.
What do you two think about it ?
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 20/10/2009 05:46 PM
I was just reading that article and thought I'd post it here too. Nice work, VT.
It's an interesting article, and I could ramble on about it, but everything I'd say has been said in the comments. I also find it interesting because the issue of strong female characters hadn't even occured to me in regards to this show. Mostly because to me it still feels like very early days and I'm willing to give the series a shot before complaining that it doesn't do this or that right.
Edit: Check [link=http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/]THIS out - Joseph Mallozzi is one of the producers and he's answering a lot of fan questions already on his blog.
Edit 2: The so-called Lt. Hooters herself chimes in [link=http://io9.com/5385505/sgus-female-lieutenant-responds-to-sexism+gate]HERE
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butterfly
5/5
Posts 11017
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Posted 21/10/2009 10:17 AM
[color="#330066"][font="tahoma"]Just goes to show that you can't please everyone all of the time.
I'm a stargate fan, have been from the start, but it's still early days and the characters in Universe are still scrambling, trying to figure out what the hell to do, but if they don't sort their shit out soon it is going to get tired.
Batiatus: "Not every venture ends in climax."
Lucretia: "A fact known well to every woman."
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Marcey
5/5
Posts 11467
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Posted 27/10/2009 10:32 AM
[color="#0066ff"]I've watched the 2 parter pilot and episode 3. I am really liking it so far, I'm one who has only seen bits and pieces of the previous series but the promos for this had me interested. I'm interested to see where its going to go, and how awesome is Eli? What a great character! I did a write up on my blog about it, thought it'd be interesting to give an opinion on someone who hasn't seen all the seasons of the previous SG shows.
[url="http://supermarcey.com"]Super Marcey's Super Website
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viginti_tres
5/5
Posts 7051
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Posted 27/10/2009 10:51 AM
Well i've seen all five episodes now and it's definately watchable, the episodes fly past and are easy to enjoy if a little predictable (Solar power was such an obvious twist, although admittedly it was executed a little differently then i had imagined.).It's no BSG but that doesn't make it BS. I will certainly keep watching but if i was told that there would be no more episodes i don't think i would miss it or mourn for it's potential.
As far as any misogyny goes i havn't seen anything noteworthy, all the characters are pretty shallow at this stage regardless of gender but that is to be expected. I also don't mind thay they are still figuring out the ship and it's supplies because at this stage what else is there for them to do? My only real gripe is with the spirit stones, those sequences just seem false and overplayed as well as destroying any sense of isolation.
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 03/11/2009 03:00 PM
I agree about the stones and the isolation, but they're also a handy way of opening up the series beyond those on board Destiny, whenever the story might call for it.
Loved the twist with Rush at the end of Ep 5.
I was happy enough going along with the supply-issue-of-the-week format, but Ep 6 is starting to stretch this a little thin now. Thank goodness they brought the sand alien back, since there was absolutely no tension with the situation on the ice planet (much like the Ep 3 - no question as to whether Scott would make it back in time).
What this series lacks (at the moment, at least) is any kind of overarching story. At the moment the story is 'survive', which is great, but hasn't really made for unmissable television yet. Too many people are just sitting around waiting for something to happen to them.
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viginti_tres
5/5
Posts 7051
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Posted 03/11/2009 03:05 PM
Well the episode summaries for the rest of the season leaked and it appears that there will be story arcs soon with invaders, space battles, time travel and a few double agents. Most of it went over my head not knowing much of the mythology but if you're looking for a wider arc then it should appear soon. It's still a little by the numbers for me, BSG worked because it had a flow and an unpredictable nature that this is sorely lacking. It's still some stylish entertainment though and at least the Stargate no longer leads to different variations of British Columbia like what i remember of the original.
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 03/11/2009 04:21 PM
Just Googled them. Sounds like some interesting developments. Bringing the Lucien Alliance back is unexpected. Could be good, could be ordinary though.
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 18/11/2009 09:40 PM
Ep 8 - best episode yet. Utilises an established Stargate plot device (solar flares) and treats it differently (open ending, actually killing some cast members, even if it isn't for real).
Would have been an awesome move to actually kill of Lt. James. Unexpected and would have given the characters some genuine growth. Pity the time travel paradix will basically reset everything.
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viginti_tres
5/5
Posts 7051
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Posted 18/11/2009 10:30 PM
It was a pretty great episode indeed, not only did it introduce some interesting, non-humanoid aliens but time travel to boot. It definitely kept my interest even if it didn't exactly move the story.
James's death was rather a large shock but then when it was followed by that of a major character i knew there was a second timeline shift upcoming. Hopefully they can keep this up over the next few eps.
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 20/11/2009 12:31 PM
It's surprising how these recent major series are taking their time getting anywhere. The likes of BSG and The Wire were in the thick of it within 2-3 episodes. It's what got you hooked.
If you hate Eli pining for Chloe, then you probably wont enjoy at least part of Ep 8. I think it was a good idea to include the stones, but they haven't really been utilised all that well at the moment. They need them for things like Ep 7 when they discussed the plan to get them off the ship with O'Neill and the others at SGC, but yeah, the home visits have so far been kinda hokey.
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 28/11/2009 02:37 AM
Liked Ep 9 as well. Another one that used the stones again, but there's some nascent plot lines brewing back on Earth. And I liked how they're finally getting other sections of the ship open. I'm getting the feeling Wright and Cooper are aiming for another multi-season series with this and slowly building the momentum. I can see it Universe tying in more and more with SG-1 and Atlantis. Hopefully the slow build up pays off and they can do what they want to with it.
One ongoing criticism I've got is the use of songs in each ep. Just seems incongruous with the idea of them being isolated at the end of universe.
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Marcey
5/5
Posts 11467
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Posted 04/12/2009 08:31 AM
I am up to date and I am loving it, I love Eli so SHUT UP! lol I can't wait for the next episode I am hooked and I realllly hope this show makes out the season. It needs more Lou Diamond Phillips, he is so bad ass in this. And I really like Ming Na, need more of her too!
[url="http://supermarcey.com"]Super Marcey's Super Website
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 31/12/2009 03:17 AM
Finished Ep 10. Good enough cliff hanger to finish the year on, but I guess there'll be no surprise when Rush reappears, having fixed the alien ship and gone exploring. My guess is he'll be responsible for bringing the Lucien Alliance into things. Eps 8-10 really picked things up I thought, so it'll be interesting to see how the second half of the season goes.
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butterfly
5/5
Posts 11017
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Posted 31/12/2009 06:12 PM
Love the fact that it's been signed for a second season (along with other SyFy (ew) series Sanctuary). But yes, it is a predictable outcome with Rush's reappearance but I cheered when Young gave him the knock down. Maybe it's just my violent tendancies coming out but the guy can be a prick. More!
Batiatus: "Not every venture ends in climax."
Lucretia: "A fact known well to every woman."
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 02/01/2010 12:27 AM
Yeah, that was great news about the second season. Must be doing very well for them to greenlight before the break, and only 10 eps in.
And Young finally doing what he's wanted to do since ep 1 and lay one on Rush's kisser was indeed a highlight :)
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SethM
5/5
Posts 2064
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Posted 10/04/2010 11:00 PM
It's back!
Caught ep 11 last week - I didn't expect Rush to reappear quite so soon, though I guess Robert Carlyle is something of a drawcard for this series. VERY nice to finally see some aliens, and new ones at that. Have to get my hands on the last night's ep now...
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