STARGATE UNIVERSE was
my favorite of the STARGATE series. It grounded itself more in the science
and the human side of science fiction that the other STARGATE shows. The
storylines would continue and nothing was forgotten as events in the lives of the Destiny crew would have benefits or consequences
in future episodes. Sadly SyFy cancelled the show after two seasons. The show does have some type of ending. I wish
it went on as I want to see what would happen in season 3. Season 2 had
love, technology destroying drones, time travel, and timelines among other elements.
Season 2 picks up where season 1 left off as most of the crew of the Ancient starship called Destiny
are held prisoner by the Lucien Alliance. They fight back and are able to seize control of the ship which sets the
stage for some new conflicts and new characters. Rush continues to question trusting Colonel Young and keeps everyone
in the dark about the bridge of the Destiny (and that he hacked the ship's master code). The actions in season
2 send Young into a downward spiral while Eli finds love. Chloe finds herself changing and has new science knowledge
(along with missing time from when she black outs).
Being STARGATE UNIVERSE, love is usually fraught with tragedy.
They are only connected to Earth through the communication stones. The end of season 2 leaves the show hanging on a
thread that may never be resolved since it was cancelled and MGM looks like they may not do any follow up movie to this show
or the other STARGATE shows. Fans of the other two STARGATE shows, SG-1 and ATLANTIS, unfairly lashed out at STARGATE
UNIVERSE which was a refreshingly different show which happened to be it's undoing among other things. The show did
continue to deliver some great episodes and develop the interesting characters which some viewers found unlikable at
first. The series did have some episodes that are like cousins to episodes in the first two STARGATE series.
Still I thought the show was the best of the STARGATE shows for it's character development, serial story lines that never
dropped story threads from previous episodes, and bad guys that were mostly different from came before. The show was about
survival on the other end of the universe with little chances of getting home while many hang onto the hope to get
home one day. Rush discovers the true mission of the Destiny which sets the show up for a new direction.
STARGATE UNIVERSE will be missed and I hope it will be back on TV or DVD one of these days in the future.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
DISC 1 featurettes:
ROBERT CARYLE DIRECTS
ANDY MIKITA DIRECTS
ELI'S MOM COME SON BOARD
BRIAN J. SMITH'S FIRST FIGHT-
CRASHING A SHUTTLE-
a look at how the shuttle crash was created combining a simple model and CGI.
THE SEED SHIP WITH JOE MALLOZZI
SAYING GOODBYE TO SGT. RILEY-
LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS ON GUEST
STARS- it also shows Lou playing around between takes and they even animated an alien for a gag scene.
DISC 2 featurttes-
LT SCOTT GETS HIT BY A CAR
INSIDE CLOVERDALE WITH BRAD
WRIGHT
HOW TO GET SUCKED INTO SPACE-
a fun look at filming that scene
SG-U WELCOMES YOU TO NEW MEXICO'S
BISTI BADLANDS- on location as SGU films the episode MALICE in a unique alien setting
DECONSTRUCTING DESTINY (disc
3)- a multi-part featurette focusing on various elements that make up Destiny:
POWER, WEAPONS, SHIELDS, FTL
DRIVE, THE ANCIENT CHAIR, COMMUNICATION STONES, THE BRIDGE
DISC 4 extras:
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JAMIL
WALKER SMITH
TRANSPLANT DAY
SITTING DOWN WITH MIKE DOPUD-
a featurette on the actor who plays Varro
BRINGING THE BRIDGE TO LIFE-
production design of the Destiny and the Destiny's bridge
LOUIS FERRERIA VS. COLONEL
YOUNG- comparing the not-so serious Louis vs. the serious (and sometimes down trodden) Colonel Young. Using behind-the-scenes clips showing the not-so serious side versus clips from the show.
DISC 5 extras:
PITCHES: A JOURNEY OF FRIENDSHIP
AND DSICOVERY- actors Patrick Gilmore and Peter Kelamis attempt to present a comedic look at writing and pitching a Stargate
Universe script
BEHIND THE SEASON 2 FINALE:
GAUNLET- the cast reflect on the filming of the last episode
FINAL ANLYSIS: Sad to see what I consider to be the best of the STAGE shows
to end after two seasons because STARGATE UNIVERSE season 2 is a show that strived to make a gritty sci-fi drama. This set has plenty of behind-the-scenes extras and you should check the show out (both seasons)- I will
miss this series and hope it can come back someday and somehow.
this DVD review is (c)6-25-2011 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com