Alright, so you're asking what was wrong this time. And it wasn't the worst episode ever. In fact there were moments where some sort of interesting development peeped through. And then the writers decided that there was no point on dwelling on it. *Rolls her eyes and screams*.
With Col Young (Justin Louis), who by the way is nothing like our previous adored colonels O'Neill, Mitchell, Shepard or even Carter, accused of murder, the plot went a little BSG with a court case and military vs civilian tension. Too bad that there's been no build towards that other than the IOA's continual desire to take over all things Stargate. Plus, with less than 80 people, you'd think they could get over the distinction, and it didn't really matter, because rather than letting that tension rise and go forward with it, the writers pulled the rug out from under us. The case was dropped and the IOA was given command - no fuss, no entertainment.
Then, after a little side bar where one of the scientists sat in the chair and likely killed himself or solved all their problems - we'll find out after the break, - we find out that Rush (Robert Carlyle) framed Young, and the victim committed suicide. Not only was this suicide forgettable, since the guy was a prick and nobody liked him, but I really didn't care. Frankly a murder would have been more interesting.
Again, BSG, even though I hated Dee, when she shot herself, it affected me.
So, we come to the end, with Young (who earlier refused to take command of the ship by military force) and Rush on a planet examining an alien spaceship. Young beats the crap out of Rush and abandons him on the planet, creating a very fine, dashing, heroic persona for himself. The hate between these two is another thing that has yet to be explained or developed.
Is Young even remotely sympathetic anyway? He cheated on his wife, punched a fellow officer in the face because he talked to the woman, and doesn't have the balls or the charm to be a commander. Are we supposed to be glad he came back instead of Rush. What we know of Rush, despite his machinations, is that his wife died and that he still misses her. He makes decisions based on what he thinks will advance them the most. I have NO idea what Young's motivations are...other than perhaps to sit on the fence.
So, Stargate Universe writers, here is what you need to do when the show resumes (and yes, I know the scripts have already been written and the episodes filmed):
1. Destroy the communication stones so that no one can go back to earth.
1 (part 2). Have the communication stones destroyed while Young's consciousness is on earth and replace him with a character that is more likable and more useful.
2. When Rush gets back with the new alien ship, have our adventurers make contact with some alien race and let's get the historical/fantasy side of stargate back.
3. Make every episode based around discoveries made on another planet, and occasionally on problems caused later by those discoveries or on ship-based science developments to put the science fiction part of stargate back into the show.
4. The show is called Stargate Universe, NOT Stargate Melrose Place. Yes, I pined and still pine for Sam and Jack to get together, and for Vala and Daniel too, but that should be a secondary plot line that develops over time!
What are your thoughts?
No comments:
Post a Comment