I'm waiting for the real 'stargate feel' to kick in. I miss the sarcasim of jack and shepherd. I'm also tired of the dark feeling of this show. Turn on some lights already. I'm giving it more time and hoping that it will live up to the Stargate name
Robin Shiller
· 2 months ago
Let me weigh in here: After four hours (three weeks), I'm still waiting for SG-U to do **something**. With the exception of the Geek Kid (who is likable and obviously growing into the 'McKay' role ) and the Crazy Scot, the characters for the most part are as paper-thin as the storyline and the supporting scripts.
In fact, considering that most of the production team has been carried over from SG-1 & SG-A, it really surprising as to how bad this show is.
And, yes it is really, really bad.
Maybe it’s the show's 'left-turn' approach to the SG franchise, which has been characterized by a sense of drama amidst light-hearted adventure. Big moments were B-I-G when they showed up in the previous series, but in SG-U, they barely register.
Two examples, beginning with the Senator's death scene in the pilot. A moment that should have been filled with impact and emotion, yet went by with barely a twitch on the 'Big-meter'. Why? Because the writers (for whatever reason) failed to make us care about the character, his daughter or their situation. The story gave us no reason to relate.
Secondly, "finding an alien life form' on the sand planet. The writers focused us on the risk of the soldier's survival (who was he again?), and when the alien dust bunny save the day, the Big-meter - which the writers want to have focused on the life saving qualities of the sand, barely moves.. and the 'unique' alien is cast aside with nothing but a small mention.
Poor writing is the bane of a great story. So is Direction without a purpose.
The comparisons to Battllestar Galactica are inevitable, but they flatter to deceive: SG-U is no match for Battlestar Galactica, which stands as one of the very best-written and -directed drama series, ever. If you don't believe me, do your own research on the show's qualities and the wide net that it cast.
Without great writing (character and plot development) and visionary production, SG-U can be nothing more than a half-baked success. BG's 'stark reality' had purpose and **gave** purpose. We immediately bonded with the characters and the plot.
No such empathy exists with SG-U, or within it, for that matter. I get no sense that these characters care for each other in any meaningful way, and this, combined with a lackluster and unfocused storyline, leaves us wondering "why should we care?"
Compare that to 'Flash Forward', '24' or 'Sleeper Cell". Love 'em or not, they grab you and make you invest.
If SG-U doesn’t want to be the lighthearted space romp that its predecessors were, fine. But if it wants to be a serious drama, it needs to really, really ramp up quickly.
There are too many fine dramas which compel us to watch, and no new series can afford to spend 8-10 weeks trying to make us care.
Right now, it’s not happening.
B-I-G time.
Nordi
· 1 month ago
I'm sorry but Did you even WATCH any of the eps your talking about?? Or did I totally miss something? Frankly I'm wondering if your just pulling some of your writing out of your ass on this.. the 'senators death' was actually portrayed to be a huge part of the series opener, and the 'aliens on the sand planet' actually left openers to something more, and uh the "who was he" um yeah he is one of the main characters... Really STOP typing reviews if your just typing to read your own words.. People like YOU kill shows. Please write opinions that are actually open minded..
If more people would write reviews ONLY when they liked something, instead of write reviews for the hell of it, then we would actually get some kind of basis on the shows.
And oh yah.. worm holes are not "magical portals".... they are actual scientific proven events. The show may take things into the realm of non fiction.. but please don't be an idiot 100% of the time.. shoot for just 50% of it.
Vernon
· 2 months ago
Are you kidding me???? A twep-dweeb as a main character? His reason for being on the Stargate project is because he won a video game contest? How far "Stargate" has fallen!
And if the reason the 9th Chevron didn't work was because it was mean't to work from earth as a center, then why not go back to earth and try? The whole premise of the show is bogus.
And a stargate operator letting a civilian scientist push him off to disobey a military order to dial up earth, in the midst of battle ???
I could go on and on.
This show is a wreck from the start.
areyouscreening
· 2 months ago
Well, because he solved a problem no one else could, but I suppose it requires some mild suspension of disbelief. They did explain not going back to Earth actually, and it rather made sense. And, frankly, I think you might be showing your lack of experience with general military protocol when it comes to battles with alien races and the chain of command when using technology that no one really understands. Of course, I could just be nitpicking.
z3phyte
· 2 months ago
You used the word stargate(as a noun) and "magic" in the same sentence. I think that pretty much destroys the credibility of this review.
areyouscreening
· 2 months ago
LOL. Describe exactly how it works then, with the precision of someone who could build one.
Name
· 2 months ago
We could or you could watch 3 or 4 hundred episodes. Its a worm hole. Not a magic portal. The physics while impossible in our world in the stargate world they work.
areyouscreening
· 2 months ago
It was sort of cute in the beginning, but now this is just becoming a boring case of people insulting themselves and not realizing it, which is rather sad.
Of course it isn't magic in the sense of casting a spell, but a common and perfectly reasonable definition of magic is, "to produce a surprising or astounding effect by virtue of workings not understood or too complicated to explain."
As in, "Wow, this laundry detergent is magic!"
It is then, without question, and in a way that no sensible reader would take issue with, a magic portal.
Stay in school.
Ya
· 1 month ago
Just so you know, wormhole are actually possible. It's just that we don't have the ability to create them because of the extraordinary energies involved.
brad
· 2 months ago
I agree. I almost threw up in my mouth.
captaindiptoad
· 2 months ago
OK obviously this person has a few things to work out, and his review just plain sucks. Someone who is trying to compare Battle star and Stargate is completely favoring one over the other, hes just pissed that another show is coming out that may be better than the one he likes and devoted his late teens threw his twenties on. and someone who explains the Stargate system as "magic" has not seen SG1 at all! If you are a true Stargate fan you would completely disregard this entire review! and whats wrong with the concept of a video game player figuring out the code? some people are so far into these things that they even think they can "speak" "alien" languages (Star Wars duh.) And people who play video games are not all just uneducated kids...
areyouscreening
· 2 months ago
LOL. I have actually never seen an episode of Battlestar Galactica... unless you mean the original, which would make no sense.
The people who comment on this are a lot of fun though.
B
· 2 months ago
Stargate Galactica
Sheena
· 2 months ago
Boring! More of a soap box drama than a Battlestar Galactica episode. Oops! Is it Stargate Universe?
Cap
· 2 months ago
Its a review people. Not sure why people's panties are in a bunch. Just watched all 4 episodes at once and it was.. okay. Made me cringe at many points and am unsure of the writing/acting chemistry yet but I do agree that the writers along with actors will find their pace, most likely. If not then this will be an awfully short series.
Hate to be negative since running and producing a show takes lots o' work.. but yeah, so far the initial episodes are pretty mediocre. Not bad, not good. Just... okay.
DG
· 2 months ago
Hi all, I've watched the entire Stargate SG-1 + Stargate Atlantis collection, as well as the entire BSG franchise. When I found out Stargate Universe was goin to air, I was overjoyed. Boy! was I wrong. This has got to be the WORST stargate series ever! So far, I've watched four episodes of stargate universe and I'm sorry to say, but Syfy just bought a cropper. Each episode just drags on one after the other and half the time I feel like shooting myself for even watching it. It lacks the intrigue as well as the captivating action scenes of all the other stargate franchises. In most films there has to be someone that captures the attention of the audience, like the cockiness / sarcasm of Gen. Jack or Col. Sheppard as well as a female heroine like Col. Carter. But Stargate Universe just has a bunch of people all trying to feel important. I've even decided to stop watching it cos its a complete waste of time.
Syfy, u used to be on the right track. I can definitely tell u that the train has derailed and you're truly heading for a train wreck
amiba
· 2 months ago
I can't understand the people saying "Give it time". Why not? Lets come back after 100 episodes (yeah I know, too much...). BUT, if a show doesn't 'catch' you from the start - then you know it's BAD, and SGU is bad. Yes, there are always 'fine tuning' done in the first few episodes, it's normal, but it has to have a 'golden core', and again - SGU doesnt go it. Characters: No one care who lives or die, they are not interesting, they are cartoonish, sometimes less than that. Note to producers: we don't like lazy ass kids as heroes – we want them to look like say Brad Pit, we don’t wanty chubby bitch-boys as 'heroes'. (just checkwho was starring the previous shows & other shows = no Fat Bastards please) And the 'military guys' – they look like toy soldiers at most, pathetic!. So it's bad, you cant win with this team. Plot: nothing important is\was happening, this could be a submarine, a underground mine etc., where a bunch of idiots got stuck because of their stupidity. And nothing interesting really happens. When the highlite of the episode is Eli playing with his balls - you know you got a problem….. So, RIP SGU
amiba
· 2 months ago
I cant edit my mas for some reason - so xcuze the mistakes. Also: Megan Fox - now thats an example of a 'good heroine', not that crying baby-girl: "oh daddy... oh daddy, oh bhoooo, STFU! your dad is a blood sucking politician! who cares if he's dead, in fact it's a good thing we got rid of that weasel, now suckit up bitch" - thats rwhat they should have said to the annoying brat + a good bitch slap across the face.
Nordi
· 1 month ago
... megan fox.. lol..
idiot.
And yeah the "blood sucking politician" .. bias much? the show actually portrayed him as a good guy.. someone trying to advance the human race by believing in something more.. and oh yeah.. i guess there is the small thing about him sacrificing himself for the rest of the people on board the ship?
carlxa
· 2 months ago
Wordy reviews are not necessary, all you need to say is, SGU is ..........slow, boring, ..........slow, boring, ......... etc. Wake me up when something cool or exciting happens!! I'll be watching SG Atlantis episodes for the 6th time, and enjoying them.
true
· 2 months ago
I just took SGU out of my DVR programming today. I am so disappointed. I don't like any of the characters, or actors for that matter. The stories have been so-so. Huge disappointment. Regretful because it is beautiful to look at. But that's not enough to justify wasting 40 minutes of my time on people I don't like watching.
anthonycrafts
· 1 month ago
Stargate SG-1 had everything going for it. A terrific concept, incredible writers, and some of the all time best players on television. Stargate Atlantis had big shoes to fill and grew into a very enjoyable series. Stargate Universe is a perfect example of what happens when Hollywood executives take creative control. This series is a stinking mess. As I watch I cant shake the feeling they're making it all up as they go along. Of course the basic Stargate concept is still there but the writing is bland and the characters are shallow. SG-1 was intriguing, the way sci-fi should be, but it was also whimsical and fun. Universe, on the other hand, is just tragic.
Nordi
· 1 month ago
Why your an idiot for NOT liking the new SGU.
1. Yes it started out as a huge mix of popular shows (BSG being one of them), but it HAS evolved in the course of only 5 eps.
2. Did you expect a TOTALLY new stargate series with no introductions to just pickup somewhere? This show had to do the "flashback/into to lead characters"
3. If you are.. or have EVER been a stargate fan, you will give the writers a chance to prove their worth before you totally bash the show. Welcome to the reasons why Firefly got canned early.
4. There are large shoes to fill here, saying they failed right off the bat is wrong of epic proportions.
5. I will be among the first to admit that the show had me hesitating on my continuing viewership, but after the past 2 eps (e6 and e7) the character development and overall storyline has proven to be something I would be dedicated to watch.
I profoundly hate anybody that posts/writes reviews on shows that doesn't have a clue about what the show is trying to accomplish. Please DO NOT WRITE REVIEWS until you actually have a plot to base a show on, your just proving your own faults and lack of intelligence, and on top of all that you would be killing a great show (and other shows) without giving a shred of thought.
thatbonnielass
· 1 month ago
As a hard core SG1 and Atlantis fan, I eagerly awaited the arrival of Universe. That being said, I'm still on the fence. Half of the fun of the Stargate franchise is, as was previously stated, the light-hearted banter of team members who truly cared about each other. The Atlantis crew faced incredible hardship but still managed to keep up our morale despite desperate circumstances. I'm not sure the hard edge of the BSG does justice to the fans of SG. However, I am willing to continue to give it a go, if only because I am such a fan and am hoping that some spark of that fun I love in the first two series will arise, not to mention the great concepts and writing... I am concerned that I have been able to predict the outcome of every episode thus far, however and am keeping my fingers crossed that the writers will have some curve balls to toss our way shortly. As for another reviewers Firefly reference and giving it time--no offence meant, but Firefly was a kick-ass show from the first episode with tight writing and an amazing cast that leapt at you from the beginning. I'm not dissing Universe, but I haven't felt any of that yet--I am starting to develop some attachment to a couple of the characters, but not in the way I had hoped.
I guess, ultimately, my question is--for such a popular series, why reinvent the wheel when the premise worked so well? And why was there a need to so totally change the franchise, despite its huge sucesses? I will continue to watch the entire season and hopefully get an answer
areyouscreening
· 1 month ago
Thanks for the comment.
I think the answer is simply that there is popular and then there is popular. It seems the hope was to push through to an even larger audience, and try to wrangle a serious portion of the time slot.
areyouscreening
· 1 month ago
I'm really glad for all the communication here, but this one has me a bit stumped. I'm the only one who really posted/wrote a review of the thing, and yet I didn't remotely think it was negative.
I'm also rather confused by "have a plot to base a show on," no matter who you're talking to.
At any rate, good to see the opinions being put forward.
Bernstar
· 1 month ago
What a waste of 6 hours of my life so far. It has been like having teeth pulled with a lot of anaesthetic, unpleasant and numbing.
First off 3 episodes to kick it off Air 1,2&3 (more like hot air) followed by another 2 parter Darkness and Light (Dull and Duller)which has really helped to drag things out. They should have stuck to the 2 part pilot, mid-season 2 parter and maybe an end of season 2 parter or cliff-hanger.
Also there are too many charters to kick off with 4,5 max 6 would do, with a little bit of input here and there from other charters and develop them a bit i.e. Walter in SG1 who dials up the Stargate. Too much going on too soon. The charters also come with too much baggage broken marriage, dead parents, just dead farther, poor working class brining up, sick Mum and I am not supposed to be here, again they could have covered later in one episode later on. All the charters lack any backbone are weak even the commander (cannot be bothered to remember any of the charters names unlike SG1 SGA)and they are I dislike them all. There is a weak leader called Young (bad name choice) with weaker right hand man and a evil doctor from lost in space. Need I go on.
The show really needs to take off and the crew need to win and not live on a knife edge all the time leaving me hoping they run out of air, water or burn up in a star to get it over with. In really hope it will get better but I think the damage is done for season hopefully there will be a second season and they get it right.
Bernstar
· 1 month ago
What a waste of 6 hours of my life so far. It has been like having teeth pulled with a lot of anaesthetic, unpleasant and numbing.
First off 3 episodes to kick it off Air 1,2&3 (more like hot air) followed by another 2 parter Darkness and Light (Dull and Duller)which has really helped to drag things out. They should have stuck to the 2 part pilot, mid-season 2 parter and maybe an end of season 2 parter or cliff-hanger.
Also there are too many charters to kick off with 4,5 max 6 would do, with a little bit of input here and there from other charters and develop them a bit i.e. Walter in SG1 who dials up the Stargate. Too much going on too soon. The charters also come with too much baggage broken marriage, dead parents, just dead farther, poor working class brining up, sick Mum and I am not supposed to be here, again they could have covered later in one episode later on. All the charters lack any backbone are weak even the commander (cannot be bothered to remember any of the charters names unlike SG1 SGA)and they are I dislike them all. There is a weak leader called Young (bad name choice) with weaker right hand man and a evil doctor from lost in space. Need I go on.
The show really needs to take off and the crew need to win and not live on a knife edge all the time leaving me hoping they run out of air, water or burn up in a star to get it over with. In really hope it will get better but I think the damage is done for season hopefully there will be a second season and they get it right.
JOKA2788
· 1 month ago
We all know that the writers wanted to take SGU to another level, but in the process they are destroying the roots of stargate. This show focuses on characters feelings and drama amongst themselves. Without sounding too chilish, where's the action, enemies, new ancient technologies, and most importantly the ALIENS???????
Jaws
· 1 month ago
So far ive been unimpressed with SGU, the more I watch it the more sex scenes I see ; like seriously is there anyone in SGU that hasnt had an affair or had sex yet, and the more it feels like Battlestar Galatica. Also General Oneal ? I need to find out if that is really him, cause it sure doesn't look like him nor does he have the amazing personality from the original Stargate. Only thing that keeps me watching at the moment is my boredom between shows. Seriously, the beginning felt like watching "The Last Starfighter" from like 1984 I think it was. I'm not impressed by this addition to Stargate.
Jimbo
· 1 month ago
SGU is complete rubbish. A low-budget, washed out american soap drama set in space.
They’ve even managed to dilute the personalities of the previous cast so they weren’t at all enjoyable to watch.
The show is bad in almost every conceivable way yet I forced myself to watch it because it is stargate.
I pray it gets axed so I don’t have to endure the torture for long.
Simon J Stuart
· 1 month ago
7 episodes in and STILL the series is like a soap-opera that just HAPPENS to have the Stargate as a plot device to tell more immature stories of people skrewing other people, trying to skrew other people, and being skrewed BY other people.
Calling this series "Stargate" is as big a mistake as calling McDonald's "healthy" just because it HAPPENS to sell it's version of a salad. The Stargate in this series is thus far used so rarely that it begs the question: What's the point?
The idea of having a young cast... are they SERIOUS? Like the USAF is really going to trust a bunch of 20-something punk kids with the world's greatest secret, laughable at best, absolutely retarded at worst.
The handheld camera concept makes even my dogs vomit, and makes me wonder if I'm having a stroke... it's STUPID.
From minute one it appears as though the producers KNEW the concept, script, and lead cast were so sub-standard they made the decision to dazzle their audience with supposedly "attractive" women with absurdly large breasts and tight-fitting T-Shirts. The camera angles of course supporting the eye-candy with absolute precision "side-boob" action. It's pathetic, and whoever makes these decisions should be fired, perhaps even hung.
It embarrases me to admit to being a Stargate fan now that this new addition to the franchise has utterly trashed every ounce of its credibility, and left me (and I'm sure many other Stargate fans) with a bitter after-taste.
When first reading this series' plotline, I said to many that it appeared this would be something akin to Star Trek Deep Space 9 but with stargates... having wasted so much time giving the series a chance, I must revise my prior statement and say that this is "HOME AND AWAY.... IN SPACE!"
On a scale of 1 to 10, this gets 2... and that's just for the visual effects. Enough time wasted, move on to something better and let Stargate die.
tay
· 1 month ago
Having been a fan of sg1 and atlantis, i couldn't wait for a darker edgier SG. any new show needs to be given at least ten episodes to develope plot and and characters. just finished watching "time" and we see a dramatic side to eli. this show will be great and won't be any fun if you jump into late. get in now while the episodes are still fresh in VOD on certain systems
Ricky
· 1 month ago
This show started off very well, but failed to keep me enthused by episode nine. With all the scientist, and high ranking military soldiers, you'd think they become better explorers of the ship. Nobody cares about there home life!!!! They were on an away mission before they were stargated away onto this ship. Start creating better episodes, or you going to lose your viewers.
elcampeador
· 1 month ago
I miss Rodney Mckay :( I saw the new one and I can see they heading toward a lot of stupid drama. No fun at all.
elcampeador
· 1 month ago
I think the main reason why the show is not catching on, aside from the obvious stupid soap opera element is that they lack very interesting characters. Their military ranking officer is a rash blond guy that remind me of douches from my school, while the girls are nothing special either, their lead scientist is a boring old guy... the only guy who has a little bit of character value is the dude who won the game... but even him is not nearly strong enough a character. I mean he is ok, but he is no House, he can't lead a entire show by himself, thus I think SGU isn't going to change much unless they start changing their personalities. SG1 we have O'Neil, Jackson... basically a whole team of interesting people that can support the show (Sam is a bit bland tho, no offense), in Atlantis, we have Rodney Mckay and John Shepherd. Rodney has very strong characteristic power, he is almost like house in a sense they both have strong enough personality that they alone can support a entire show. (Well I will never knew if Rodney alone could, but SGA has John and Ronon as well so I won't have to find out).
So aside from the unbearable drama, more importantly they have no characters strong enough to support the show, and that's why I think it's heading for a EPIC fail.
Ray Southern
· 1 month ago
From reading some of the responses, I get the feeling that people want more gunfights, fistfights, parasite aliens, and wisecracking in their Stargate. No real Sci-Fi, just action.
This Stargate is different. It focuses more on character drama than blowing stuff up or looking cool.
Granted, when it first started out, it was a weepy, emo version of Stargate. The constant camera interviews were REALLY getting on my nerves, however it's grown out of that.
Writers have figured out how to put character development in the background instead of shoving it in your face, so it feels like part of the episode.
To anyone who's complaining about "When is anything going to happen?" keep this in mind: The show has JUST STARTED. They have JUST gotten on the ship and begun to figure things out.
A previous poster recommended the "Time" episode, and I strongly agree. "Time" is a great example of how SG:U... - Ties each episode together, so there aren't really any standalones. - Now does character development without throwing it in your face - Makes good use of the mechanics surrounding the use of the Stargate - Takes better advantage of TV shooting techniques. Constantly seeing the expedition through the eyes of the Kino turns you into a sort of character, and adds a sense of claustrophobia, another way of sharing the pressure they're under.
Bottom line: The main review is correct. SG:U started off weak, but it's episodes have been getting better and better, and is now one of the few shows on TV I actually look forward to.
areyouscreening
· 1 month ago
I appreciate the thoughtful response. Thanks for visiting.
richeck
· 1 month ago
So far the show sucks, too much like my little sisters soap operas, too much dialogue not enough science or real plot. I am a SG fan of many years so I will continue to view this series in hopes that it will improve with time real soon, before it gets canceled.
ihatebigotry
· 1 month ago
Got to say one thing that ruined the show for me... The Scott character... Been watching a bit into episode 5 when I just turned it off, no point watching some series where a "christian" guy is screwing 2 girls on the side... Also a side note for Vernon, first of all, 9th chevron was supposed to be calculated from earth yes, but as I recall it there was an ongoing battle shortly after they realized that? Second, Eli was a MIT dropout. That do take brains even to get started there, and he is clearly not solving issues using taught skills but with reasoning outside the box... You got any idea how many layman are involved in science as ideagivers?
fatboy88
· 3 weeks ago
I'm an avid fan of the SG franchise, and this latest version if you might call it that, does not really help the franchise, I agree with the majority's it a frankenstein of some of the greatest sci-fi plots, which when combined becomes a total crap, not to mention getting old. I just hope this show gets a little better, if not.... just bring back stargate atlantis
Thatdellguy
· 3 weeks ago
This show is terrible!! RIP the Stargate franchise...I was there at the theatre for the first movie, watched each SG-1/Atlantis/Extra episode at least twice. Watched the recent TV series movies at least three times. I was sad when SG-1 got cancelled but understood it had to end sometime. Atlantis took some getting used to but I loved it until they cancelled the series with a rushed to air episode . This Universe series needs to get cancelled. Its a cross between boring big brother character development vids, battlestar galactic drama, and startrek voyager. Thank god for Tivo and the ability to skip the character development vids and overly loud sudden commercials. Count me out of this series.
fail
· 3 weeks ago
The problem with SGU:
they cant give them control of the ship....to maintain the helplessness and inability to get home they are going for.
Because of this....the characters are unable to deal with any formidable enemy, technology, phenomenon.
This leaves them with the boring, unfufilling dribble they are trying to draw out each episode with.
I am a long time fan of SG1 and SGA, also BSG.....this show does nothing to live up to the name Stargate and is a weak copy of the brilliant story BSG was.
I see no hope for SGU...they have dug themselves into a corner where the best they can hope for is "Lost" in space.
It's an insult to even call this show Science Fiction, Stargate or Entertaining.
Guest
· 3 weeks ago
The problem with SGU:
they cant give them control of the ship....to maintain the helplessness and inability to get home they are going for.
Because of this....the characters are unable to deal with any formidable enemy, technology, phenomenon.
This leaves them with the boring, unfufilling dribble they are trying to draw out each episode with.
I am a long time fan of SG1 and SGA, also BSG.....this show does nothing to live up to the name Stargate and is a weak copy of the brilliant story BSG was.
I see no hope for SGU...they have dug themselves into a corner where the best they can hope for is "Lost" in space.
It's an insult to even call this show Science Fiction, Stargate or Entertaining.
bryannc42
· 2 weeks ago
ok first i didnt even read your review..i just wanted to drop my 2 cents in. i used to be a HUGE stargate fan but this new one has just crumbbled!! my first main issue is What the fuck is up with the "military" staff on this project these "soldiers" are so unruly and disobediant they would have barely made it past boot camp ...let alone be privvy to something as secret as the stargate and for them to be put on the All important super secret 9th ceveron project is just ludacris! The "soldiers" are an unruly pack of dogs i could go on with invidiual issue about them but .....that would be boring! Second the whole style of the sets and filming....could you rip of battlestar alittle more? Third the "scientists" i like em... poor fellow have Daniel Jackson or Rodney ever had to deal with out right insult and threats by the " military " staff that is supossed to protect them? i could easily put up a 1000 resaons Not to watch this show...but i will settle with 3.
bryannc42
· 2 weeks ago
i also just wanted to add part of what was SO great about stargate sg1 or altlantis was it wasnt Always life and death and gloomy...there were some real Funny episodes in and this new "stargate" offers none of that and no hope of it in future episodes.
stayingtrue
· 1 week ago
way to duul, the seriously need to apply some action to this almost boring series or whatever
keith
· 6 days ago
sgu the most boring crap ever time you will never get back hopefully it will be cancelled
Joseph
· 5 days ago
SGU is a huge disappointment. I am an avid Stargate fan, and i was looking forward to the adventure and excitement I have come to expect over the years. The problem is that this program provides no adventure nor excitement. So far all I have seen is a cross between Lost and As the World Turns. Oh well, I see that As the World Turns may be cancelled. Maybe SGU will be next. I suppose the writers could only come up with a limited story, so the added fluff to make it last the whole season. The sad part about this is, the story seems to have a great potential but the writers have no clue. Its a shame.
All Comments
In fact, considering that most of the production team has been carried over from SG-1 & SG-A, it really surprising as to how bad this show is.
And, yes it is really, really bad.
Maybe it’s the show's 'left-turn' approach to the SG franchise, which has been characterized by a sense of drama amidst light-hearted adventure. Big moments were B-I-G when they showed up in the previous series, but in SG-U, they barely register.
Two examples, beginning with the Senator's death scene in the pilot. A moment that should have been filled with impact and emotion, yet went by with barely a twitch on the 'Big-meter'. Why? Because the writers (for whatever reason) failed to make us care about the character, his daughter or their situation. The story gave us no reason to relate.
Secondly, "finding an alien life form' on the sand planet. The writers focused us on the risk of the soldier's survival (who was he again?), and when the alien dust bunny save the day, the Big-meter - which the writers want to have focused on the life saving qualities of the sand, barely moves.. and the 'unique' alien is cast aside with nothing but a small mention.
Poor writing is the bane of a great story. So is Direction without a purpose.
The comparisons to Battllestar Galactica are inevitable, but they flatter to deceive: SG-U is no match for Battlestar Galactica, which stands as one of the very best-written and -directed drama series, ever. If you don't believe me, do your own research on the show's qualities and the wide net that it cast.
Without great writing (character and plot development) and visionary production, SG-U can be nothing more than a half-baked success. BG's 'stark reality' had purpose and **gave** purpose. We immediately bonded with the characters and the plot.
No such empathy exists with SG-U, or within it, for that matter. I get no sense that these characters care for each other in any meaningful way, and this, combined with a lackluster and unfocused storyline, leaves us wondering "why should we care?"
Compare that to 'Flash Forward', '24' or 'Sleeper Cell". Love 'em or not, they grab you and make you invest.
If SG-U doesn’t want to be the lighthearted space romp that its predecessors were, fine. But if it wants to be a serious drama, it needs to really, really ramp up quickly.
There are too many fine dramas which compel us to watch, and no new series can afford to spend 8-10 weeks trying to make us care.
Right now, it’s not happening.
B-I-G time.
If more people would write reviews ONLY when they liked something, instead of write reviews for the hell of it, then we would actually get some kind of basis on the shows.
And oh yah.. worm holes are not "magical portals".... they are actual scientific proven events. The show may take things into the realm of non fiction.. but please don't be an idiot 100% of the time.. shoot for just 50% of it.
And if the reason the 9th Chevron didn't work was because it was mean't to work from earth as a center, then why not go back to earth and try? The whole premise of the show is bogus.
And a stargate operator letting a civilian scientist push him off to disobey a military order to dial up earth, in the midst of battle ???
I could go on and on.
This show is a wreck from the start.
Of course it isn't magic in the sense of casting a spell, but a common and perfectly reasonable definition of magic is, "to produce a surprising or astounding effect by virtue of workings not understood or too complicated to explain."
As in, "Wow, this laundry detergent is magic!"
It is then, without question, and in a way that no sensible reader would take issue with, a magic portal.
Stay in school.
The people who comment on this are a lot of fun though.
Hate to be negative since running and producing a show takes lots o' work.. but yeah, so far the initial episodes are pretty mediocre. Not bad, not good. Just... okay.
Syfy, u used to be on the right track. I can definitely tell u that the train has derailed and you're truly heading for a train wreck
BUT, if a show doesn't 'catch' you from the start - then you know it's BAD, and SGU is bad. Yes, there are always 'fine tuning' done in the first few episodes, it's normal, but it has to have a 'golden core', and again - SGU doesnt go it.
Characters: No one care who lives or die, they are not interesting, they are cartoonish, sometimes less than that.
Note to producers: we don't like lazy ass kids as heroes – we want them to look like say Brad Pit, we don’t wanty chubby bitch-boys as 'heroes'. (just checkwho was starring the previous shows & other shows = no Fat Bastards please)
And the 'military guys' – they look like toy soldiers at most, pathetic!.
So it's bad, you cant win with this team.
Plot: nothing important is\was happening, this could be a submarine, a underground mine etc., where a bunch of idiots got stuck because of their stupidity. And nothing interesting really happens. When the highlite of the episode is Eli playing with his balls - you know you got a problem…..
So, RIP SGU
Also: Megan Fox - now thats an example of a 'good heroine',
not that crying baby-girl: "oh daddy... oh daddy, oh bhoooo, STFU! your dad is a blood sucking politician! who cares if he's dead, in fact it's a good thing we got rid of that weasel, now suckit up bitch" - thats rwhat they should have said to the annoying brat + a good bitch slap across the face.
idiot.
And yeah the "blood sucking politician" .. bias much? the show actually portrayed him as a good guy.. someone trying to advance the human race by believing in something more.. and oh yeah.. i guess there is the small thing about him sacrificing himself for the rest of the people on board the ship?
I'll be watching SG Atlantis episodes for the 6th time, and enjoying them.
1. Yes it started out as a huge mix of popular shows (BSG being one of them), but it HAS evolved in the course of only 5 eps.
2. Did you expect a TOTALLY new stargate series with no introductions to just pickup somewhere? This show had to do the "flashback/into to lead characters"
3. If you are.. or have EVER been a stargate fan, you will give the writers a chance to prove their worth before you totally bash the show. Welcome to the reasons why Firefly got canned early.
4. There are large shoes to fill here, saying they failed right off the bat is wrong of epic proportions.
5. I will be among the first to admit that the show had me hesitating on my continuing viewership, but after the past 2 eps (e6 and e7) the character development and overall storyline has proven to be something I would be dedicated to watch.
I profoundly hate anybody that posts/writes reviews on shows that doesn't have a clue about what the show is trying to accomplish. Please DO NOT WRITE REVIEWS until you actually have a plot to base a show on, your just proving your own faults and lack of intelligence, and on top of all that you would be killing a great show (and other shows) without giving a shred of thought.
I guess, ultimately, my question is--for such a popular series, why reinvent the wheel when the premise worked so well? And why was there a need to so totally change the franchise, despite its huge sucesses? I will continue to watch the entire season and hopefully get an answer
I think the answer is simply that there is popular and then there is popular. It seems the hope was to push through to an even larger audience, and try to wrangle a serious portion of the time slot.
I'm also rather confused by "have a plot to base a show on," no matter who you're talking to.
At any rate, good to see the opinions being put forward.
First off 3 episodes to kick it off Air 1,2&3 (more like hot air) followed by another 2 parter Darkness and Light (Dull and Duller)which has really helped to drag things out. They should have stuck to the 2 part pilot, mid-season 2 parter and maybe an end of season 2 parter or cliff-hanger.
Also there are too many charters to kick off with 4,5 max 6 would do, with a little bit of input here and there from other charters and develop them a bit i.e. Walter in SG1 who dials up the Stargate. Too much going on too soon.
The charters also come with too much baggage broken marriage, dead parents, just dead farther, poor working class brining up, sick Mum and I am not supposed to be here, again they could have covered later in one episode later on.
All the charters lack any backbone are weak even the commander (cannot be bothered to remember any of the charters names unlike SG1 SGA)and they are I dislike them all.
There is a weak leader called Young (bad name choice) with weaker right hand man and a evil doctor from lost in space. Need I go on.
The show really needs to take off and the crew need to win and not live on a knife edge all the time leaving me hoping they run out of air, water or burn up in a star to get it over with. In really hope it will get better but I think the damage is done for season hopefully there will be a second season and they get it right.
First off 3 episodes to kick it off Air 1,2&3 (more like hot air) followed by another 2 parter Darkness and Light (Dull and Duller)which has really helped to drag things out. They should have stuck to the 2 part pilot, mid-season 2 parter and maybe an end of season 2 parter or cliff-hanger.
Also there are too many charters to kick off with 4,5 max 6 would do, with a little bit of input here and there from other charters and develop them a bit i.e. Walter in SG1 who dials up the Stargate. Too much going on too soon.
The charters also come with too much baggage broken marriage, dead parents, just dead farther, poor working class brining up, sick Mum and I am not supposed to be here, again they could have covered later in one episode later on.
All the charters lack any backbone are weak even the commander (cannot be bothered to remember any of the charters names unlike SG1 SGA)and they are I dislike them all.
There is a weak leader called Young (bad name choice) with weaker right hand man and a evil doctor from lost in space. Need I go on.
The show really needs to take off and the crew need to win and not live on a knife edge all the time leaving me hoping they run out of air, water or burn up in a star to get it over with. In really hope it will get better but I think the damage is done for season hopefully there will be a second season and they get it right.
They’ve even managed to dilute the personalities of the previous cast so they weren’t at all enjoyable to watch.
The show is bad in almost every conceivable way yet I forced myself to watch it because it is stargate.
I pray it gets axed so I don’t have to endure the torture for long.
Calling this series "Stargate" is as big a mistake as calling McDonald's "healthy" just because it HAPPENS to sell it's version of a salad. The Stargate in this series is thus far used so rarely that it begs the question: What's the point?
The idea of having a young cast... are they SERIOUS? Like the USAF is really going to trust a bunch of 20-something punk kids with the world's greatest secret, laughable at best, absolutely retarded at worst.
The handheld camera concept makes even my dogs vomit, and makes me wonder if I'm having a stroke... it's STUPID.
From minute one it appears as though the producers KNEW the concept, script, and lead cast were so sub-standard they made the decision to dazzle their audience with supposedly "attractive" women with absurdly large breasts and tight-fitting T-Shirts. The camera angles of course supporting the eye-candy with absolute precision "side-boob" action. It's pathetic, and whoever makes these decisions should be fired, perhaps even hung.
It embarrases me to admit to being a Stargate fan now that this new addition to the franchise has utterly trashed every ounce of its credibility, and left me (and I'm sure many other Stargate fans) with a bitter after-taste.
When first reading this series' plotline, I said to many that it appeared this would be something akin to Star Trek Deep Space 9 but with stargates... having wasted so much time giving the series a chance, I must revise my prior statement and say that this is "HOME AND AWAY.... IN SPACE!"
On a scale of 1 to 10, this gets 2... and that's just for the visual effects. Enough time wasted, move on to something better and let Stargate die.
So aside from the unbearable drama, more importantly they have no characters strong enough to support the show, and that's why I think it's heading for a EPIC fail.
more gunfights, fistfights, parasite aliens, and wisecracking in their
Stargate. No real Sci-Fi, just action.
This Stargate is different. It focuses more on character drama than
blowing stuff up or looking cool.
Granted, when it first started out, it was a weepy, emo version of Stargate.
The constant camera interviews were REALLY getting on my nerves, however
it's grown out of that.
Writers have figured out how to put character development in the background
instead of shoving it in your face, so it feels like part of the episode.
To anyone who's complaining about "When is anything going to happen?"
keep this in mind: The show has JUST STARTED. They have JUST gotten on the
ship and begun to figure things out.
A previous poster recommended the "Time" episode, and I strongly agree.
"Time" is a great example of how SG:U...
- Ties each episode together, so there aren't really any standalones.
- Now does character development without throwing it in your face
- Makes good use of the mechanics surrounding the use of the Stargate
- Takes better advantage of TV shooting techniques. Constantly seeing the
expedition through the eyes of the Kino turns you into a sort of character,
and adds a sense of claustrophobia, another way of sharing the pressure they're
under.
Bottom line: The main review is correct. SG:U started off weak, but it's episodes
have been getting better and better, and is now one of the few shows on TV
I actually look forward to.
they cant give them control of the ship....to maintain the helplessness and inability to get home they are going for.
Because of this....the characters are unable to deal with any formidable enemy, technology, phenomenon.
This leaves them with the boring, unfufilling dribble they are trying to draw out each episode with.
I am a long time fan of SG1 and SGA, also BSG.....this show does nothing to live up to the name Stargate and is a weak copy of the brilliant story BSG was.
I see no hope for SGU...they have dug themselves into a corner where the best they can hope for is "Lost" in space.
It's an insult to even call this show Science Fiction, Stargate or Entertaining.
they cant give them control of the ship....to maintain the helplessness and inability to get home they are going for.
Because of this....the characters are unable to deal with any formidable enemy, technology, phenomenon.
This leaves them with the boring, unfufilling dribble they are trying to draw out each episode with.
I am a long time fan of SG1 and SGA, also BSG.....this show does nothing to live up to the name Stargate and is a weak copy of the brilliant story BSG was.
I see no hope for SGU...they have dug themselves into a corner where the best they can hope for is "Lost" in space.
It's an insult to even call this show Science Fiction, Stargate or Entertaining.
i used to be a HUGE stargate fan but this new one has just crumbbled!!
my first main issue is What the fuck is up with the "military" staff on this project these "soldiers" are so unruly and disobediant they would have barely made it past boot camp ...let alone be privvy to something as secret as the stargate and for them to be put on the All important super secret 9th ceveron project is just ludacris! The "soldiers" are an unruly pack of dogs i could go on with invidiual issue about them but .....that would be boring!
Second the whole style of the sets and filming....could you rip of battlestar alittle more?
Third the "scientists" i like em... poor fellow have Daniel Jackson or Rodney ever had to deal with out right insult and threats by the " military " staff that is supossed to protect them?
i could easily put up a 1000 resaons Not to watch this show...but i will settle with 3.