Looks like Stargate is officially done

[SG-17]

SGU's first season wasn't stellar - that didn't help, but it was far from horrible either. I think its very fair to say that SGU season 1 was 50:50 when it came to good episodes and bad episodes. Hold that next to any of the Star Trek spinoffs, The Clone Wars, or even Stargate SG-1 and I'd say thats a better ratio of good vs bad.

Of course, taste is subjective - it didn't appeal to everyone, but on the flipside of that I was a fan of BSG, SG1, SGA, the first season of Heroes and LOST. All of which are similar shows, and all of which were financially viable enough to last more that 2 seasons. Yes, the argument could be made that SGU was nothing but a ripoff of BSG or what have you, but outside of very general things like lighting and the setting, it quickly differentiated itself, especially in its second season. Looking at it in that light, if all those similar shows could do well for themselves under similar circumstances, why didn't SGU succeed? Limited audience share? Lack of promotion? Bad scheduling?

I think the fact that other high concept shows which have become exceedingly popular such as True Blood and Breaking Bad have been aired over the summer away from heavy competition helped those become as popular as they have. Sure, they're not the same as SGU, but in their cases I do feel that airing over the summer helps them. SyFy also claim that Warehouse 13 and Eureka do well, but they also air over the summer (I guess it also helps those shows look like they cost $10 to make vs SGU's gorgeous sets).

So basically, yes, there is no accounting for taste, but when you look at other popular shows which SyFy champion as being ratings winners, and look at when they air - there is a disconnect there. If they aired Warehouse 13 at the same time as Hawaii 5-0 and Two and a half Men, i'd like to see what the ratings are for that.

It may not have been horrible but it was barely bearable. You have to admit most shows that slow get the channel turned on them. They destroyed the characters only to have them inexplicable resolve their issues from season one and that happened because it was clearly a mistake to pit them against themselves. The producers only have themselves to blame and they need to own up to it.

The arrogance of this duo is the summit of mount ego itself. They told us "don't like it don't watch it." They were so sure of their product out side the standard reaction that THEY put themselves into a sink or swim category and I for one (maybe the only one) am going to hold that arrogance before their nose with a big helping of "I told you so" pie.

That's not how you run a business.
It's not like ENT series were they were so blind they waited 3 seasons to fix the mistakes with horrid patch jobs on their plot devices and contrivances but then SGU was sinking alot faster than ENT. They had to react to the things like the Conventions and what Michael Shanks said and the message boards and the smear campaign. It was direly reflected in the ratings. But they persisted with the "ratings aren't fair".

So I give them props for raising the lighting level, ceasing the pedantic argumentation and writing a bit more substance than drama but that's I can dispense in their favor.

Find something else to harp on already. We get it you were butthurt that Atlantis was cancelled and SGU replaced it. We get it that despite you saying that you didn't like SGU you kept watching and you kept complaining about the episodes in the discussion threads even when you didn't finish watching the episodes. Enough is enough, go cry somewhere else.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

No, they won. They succeeded in driving the franchise into the ground in far less time than star trek did. That's the element of stupidity inherent in the blindness of fools.

They lost their jobs. I don't know how that is "winning" in any reality, unless you're Charlie Sheen.

 

[MacLeod]

Just out of interest those that critise SG:U's first season as not being that great, how would you compare it against SG-1's first season. Yes SG-1 had some good first season episodes such as "Torment.." and the season end plot. But we had stories like "emancipation"

 

[JarodRussell]

Just out of interest those that critise SG:U's first season as not being that great, how would you compare it against SG-1's first season. Yes SG-1 had some good first season episodes such as "Torment.." and the season end plot. But we had stories like "emancipation"

But I'd say SG-1 was more fun and less boring in its first season. I personally couldn't stand ANY of the characters in the first season of SGU.

 

[Noname Given]

No, they won. They succeeded in driving the franchise into the ground in far less time than star trek did. That's the element of stupidity inherent in the blindness of fools.

They did that with SA:A IMO - a cast with Zero chemistry, and a 'scientist' that came across like a copy of Doctor Zachary Smith from Lost In Space, minus the wise-cracking robot and annoying kid.

 

[Kelthaz]

Just out of interest those that critise SG:U's first season as not being that great, how would you compare it against SG-1's first season. Yes SG-1 had some good first season episodes such as "Torment.." and the season end plot. But we had stories like "emancipation"

Emancipation was better than any SG:U first season episode. Although, to be fair I do think Emancipation is a little underrated.

 

[Dac]

Funnily enough I watched Emancipation earlier.

It was pretty crap tbh.

 

[Skywalker]

"Emancipation" was terrible. I almost stopped watching SG-1 (when I was going through it on Netflix) because of it.

 

[Dac]

I'd still like to see SyFy air Warehouse 13 or Wrestling in the Monday slot they had SGU.

You will. Starting in July...Eureka@8pm, W13@9pm, and the new Alphas@10pmEST.

No, I meant in the fall alongside prime-time network shows. The summer is usually the dead zone for US TV, which like I said is why Warehouse 13 and Eureka do so well. Put it up against Hawaii 5-0, Castle and the rest and then see how well it does.

 

[Dac]

"Emancipation" was terrible. I almost stopped watching SG-1 (when I was going through it on Netflix) because of it.

After watching Children of the Gods final cut the other day I wanted to go back and rewatch SG-1 from the beginning. After Emancipation, I watched Torment of Tantalus and the season finale. I'm sure there's a few more good ones in there, but, pfft.

 

[MacLeod]

Solitudes is another good Season 1 episode.

 

[Saquist]

Find something else to harp on already. We get it you were butthurt that Atlantis was cancelled and SGU replaced it.

I miss Atlantis but it's just another show. It wasn't a phenomenon or epic achievement. It was something I enjoyed. It being gone doesn't mean I blame SGU. That's how minds like yours think and how other fans think, but I'm just a guy...who grew up reading sci fi and imagining great adventures not watching them like you and your ilk. I'm not a TV addict. I know I can go to the book store pick a favorite author and be far more satisfied than the likes of mediocre Atlantis or crappy SGU.

I suggest expand your horizons and stop being miffed by the opinions of others. Stop being offended when no one offered offense. To get you started I will offer you a series of books I think a relative few have read. The "Hope Series" by David Feintuch he died in 2006 is a military space opera just like Stargate Universe was "TRYING TO BE" and far succeeded.

Midshipman's Hope
Challenger's Hope
Prisoner's Hope
Fisherman's Hope

And I promise you will not be disappointed. He doesn't waste your time and he's one of the few men that are good at both drama and suspense.

We get it that despite you saying that you didn't like SGU you kept watching and you kept complaining about the episodes in the discussion threads even when you didn't finish watching the episodes. Enough is enough, go cry somewhere else.

As I promised I stopped watching in Season 1...last episode and picked back up with the series once the Atlantis cross over was made. (People LIKE YOU begged me to stick with the show at least for that season before giving up) From others like yourself that endlessly defended the series (because apparently it was the best thing since sliced bread) I was told there were changes for the better. Thus I watched a few more. I never watched all of Season 2. The improvements were there, the person I talked to was right it was "improved", better lighting, less bickering a bit more cohesiveness, less kino, less use of the stones and from what I saw on the crossover a very practical use of the stones but the plots (of those I saw) were still technically weak. Clearly writing solid plot lines is difficult for the writing team.

You clearly don't like my critiques.
Might I suggest that you don't read them since you can't handle them. I understand. I'm nailing something you clearly love to the wall with unmitigated precision and factual persistence. It's not for everyone. I know.

They lost their jobs. I don't know how that is "winning" in any reality, unless you're Charlie Sheen.

Right now in the US there are 13.7 million unemployed citizens and many of them weren't fired for cause. They were laid off because of the deteriorating state of real-estate and business, inflation and rising cost of living and doing business. Through no fault of their own they can no longer provide for their families, pay their debtors or find another job.

The people of the stargate franchise made millions selling a mediocre product for the last five years. Their arrogance, stubbornness and mediocrity finally caught up with them despite being told repeated they weren't meeting expectation...the writing was on the wall and they ignored it. They made the calls and they got what they deserve. To the "helpless" actors and the helpless production crews now out of the job...I hope they saved their money because good things tend not to last forever.

I've read the Gateworld post for the articles about Stargate Universe and it's such an insipid misery fest. They want their ears to be tickled. Every excuse under the sun is bandied about as to why it failed with Sy Fy incompetence being the primary favorite....Perish the thought of course that the show actually deserved it. Perish the thought that anyone other than a stargate fan could see that it was a doomed show from "Air" part One and so perishes objectivity with the plight of the fan needing his next fix of stargate. It's the same story for Star Trek ENT in fast forward. 2 years instead of 4. It's hard to watch a favorite get put down but it really was necessary. This way it preserves more of the memory of what stargate was. The action, the drama, the good writing and excelling characters that people tuned in for.

 

[AJ86]

For many of SGU's fans, it was the first Stargate show they ever watched. I realise it suits your agenda to paint the show as being on life support from hardcore fans, but it simply isn't true. Syfy's ineptitude did harm the show, we can look back objectively and see that as clear as day. The only point in dispute is whether that harm may or may not have been the difference between a two season run and a three season one, I suspect it may have been, but I suppose we'll never know.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

The people of the stargate franchise made millions selling a mediocre product for the last five years. Their arrogance, stubbornness and mediocrity finally caught up with them despite being told repeated they weren't meeting expectation...the writing was on the wall and they ignored it. They made the calls and they got what they deserve. To the "helpless" actors and the helpless production crews now out of the job...I hope they saved their money because good things tend not to last forever.

They're not the only people in the entertainment biz to get rich off of mediocrity.

And I assume that anyone involved in the TV biz knows how dicey it can be, and plans their finances accordingly. Stargate provided extremely long-term and stable employment by comparison with industry averages.

Just out of interest those that critise SG:U's first season as not being that great, how would you compare it against SG-1's first season.

I could actually make it thru SG-1's first season and it didn't stop me from watching the second, the third, etc. I found SG:U to be immediately and conclusively unwatchable. There's a big difference between okay but unambitious TV fodder (SG-1) and total crap (SG:U).

 

[Dac]

The people of the stargate franchise made millions selling a mediocre product for the last five years. Their arrogance, stubbornness and mediocrity finally caught up with them despite being told repeated they weren't meeting expectation...the writing was on the wall and they ignored it. They made the calls and they got what they deserve. To the "helpless" actors and the helpless production crews now out of the job...I hope they saved their money because good things tend not to last forever.

What the fuck?

I repeat.

What the fuck?

 

[Temis the Vorta]

It wasn't mediocrity that did them in. They wouldn't have lasted as long as they did if mediocrity was fatal.

They tried to change the direction of the franchise and failed. I found the change to be wrongheaded and inept, but if it had been a glorious creative success, the outcome might very well have been the same.

You can't assume that when a bad series fails, it was the badness that did it. Quality and ratings don't correlate.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

The people of the stargate franchise made millions selling a mediocre product for the last five years. Their arrogance, stubbornness and mediocrity finally caught up with them despite being told repeated they weren't meeting expectation...the writing was on the wall and they ignored it. They made the calls and they got what they deserve. To the "helpless" actors and the helpless production crews now out of the job...I hope they saved their money because good things tend not to last forever.

What the fuck?

I repeat.

What the fuck?

My thoughts exactly. While it would have been nice to get some more SGU--especially since the show had improved in the second season--I can't say I have anywhere near the personal investment in it that Saquist seems to. That his investment is so deeply negative is even more disturbing. Personally, I like to think about stuff I enjoy, not stuff I don't. SGU had its problems but I enjoyed it more than not. It's hard to find a "perfect show" and I'm willing to accept some crap in order to get the good stuff.

But when I didn't like Enterprise, I didn't watch it. When I didn't like Voyager, I didn't watch it. When I didn't like V, I didn't watch it.

And you'll not find me going around saying much in the ENT and VOY forums, because discussing those shows has little interest for me--again, I prefer to talk about things I enjoy.

I get the whole idea of criticizing things you find shortcomings in. I do that, too. What I don't do is beat the dead horse week after week, when I know I'm not being entertained anymore, and I just want to convince everyone else what a horrible, horrible show it is. I don't understand that mindset at all, unless some people's lives are just so bereft of enjoyment that their nearest alternative is to drag down the enjoyment of others.

 

[RoJoHen]

I really liked SGU.

 

[JarodRussell]

What's the problem with Emancipation?

 

[Saquist]

For many of SGU's fans, it was the first Stargate show they ever watched. I realise it suits your agenda to paint the show as being on life support from hardcore fans, but it simply isn't true. Syfy's ineptitude did harm the show, we can look back objectively and see that as clear as day. The only point in dispute is whether that harm may or may not have been the difference between a two season run and a three season one, I suspect it may have been, but I suppose we'll never know.

Firstly. To critique is not an agenda and anything you realise beyond the facts is an opinion I'm not concerned with. You don't have to inform me directly of your prejudices.

That his investment is so deeply negative is even more disturbing. Personally, I like to think about stuff I enjoy, not stuff I don't.

I like to critique things whether I enjoy them or not. I'm not biased in that regard.

SGU had its problems but I enjoyed it more than not. It's hard to find a "perfect show" and I'm willing to accept some crap in order to get the good stuff.

Good for you.
I have exacting standards but I'm along the same lines.

I get the whole idea of criticizing things you find shortcomings in. I do that, too. What I don't do is beat the dead horse week after week, when I know I'm not being entertained anymore, and I just want to convince everyone else what a horrible, horrible show it is. I don't understand that mindset at all, unless some people's lives are just so bereft of enjoyment that their nearest alternative is to drag down the enjoyment of others.

That's where you and the others hit the wall so-to-speak. You're partial. It makes sense to you to engage ONLY in things which you like, to study ONLY things which you like. Sorry...Your expectations of me fall short of who I am and who I've told you I am, despite you actually asking "who do you think you are". I'm impartial. My interest was stargate sci fi in general but my main interest is critique and analysis-review. People do it for a living you know. In order to make a proper critique I have to understand the standard. The standard of writing, production at least some knowledge of cinematography, music and acting and I have to know Stargate Standards. While I didn't waste my time watching all of SGU I got a pretty sizeable helping of it's mediocrity and it's the same mediocrity that plagued Atlantis from Season 2 onward. Directionless plot wandering and contrivances. There is a trend that was easily recognizable but because the fans love everything they're fanatical about and producers because of fans have amassed large egos of their abilities and imagination (which happens to almost all artist) they were either blind or ignored it. You'll see the pattern again too.

You give SGU glowing reviews to no end.
I give it critical analytical reviews of it's faults because the show was failing and thus was canceled. We balance each other out. The only difference is I don't take critiques of fantasy productions personally.