So we are almost half way into the first season of SGU

[Robert Maxwell]

I'm just not sure guys. I've never watched Stargate before. I've seen the movie, many times... but I've never watched the series - any of them. I was so stuck on BSG that I needed a Sci-Fi fix, and a co-worker suggested I check out SGU. So I did, and I REALLY liked the first episode... enjoyed the second and third... and then things kinda got... weird. They got really good again with "Time" but then this last episode... yeah, I dunno. I talked to the co-worker about the episode, and the fact I hadn't seen any other SG aside from the movies, and he suggested I go start watching SG1 and SGA and check back in with SGU after I finish SG1 and a chunk of SGA. I'm just not sure... maybe it's the fact I'm unfamiliar with the canon, but I'm just quickly getting bored with SGU... I wish they'd do more with the ship, technology, and other planets, aside from the soap opera that they seem to be focusing on!

I can say, Yes, watch ALL of SG1, and ALL of Atlantis. This new series does fall back on knowledge of former series to fill in gaps.

I really don't think those previous shows are all that relevant to SGU. All you really need to know is the history of the Ancients, which you can learn easily enough without watching over 10 seasons' worth of TV!

I've seen a fair amount of SG-1 and a little bit of SGA, and other than a few character appearances and some Ancient lore, there's very little from the prior series that spill over into SGU that would make it confusing for new viewers.

 

[Star Wolf]

I'm not a Gate watcher like I was a Trek watcher but besides the basic of going through wormholes what do you need to know about a cutoff crew. Perhaps the gene which I thought LT Scott might carry and this entire stone business which I've never seen before.

 

[Irvy]

A lot has happened in tv storytelling since SG1 started. Both established their formula from the pilot, as all the characters conveniently fall into position and the big bad enemy introduces themselves, and then they all run around shooting bad guys and win, hooray!

This time around, they're taking a much more relaxed approach, and the lack of momentum now will only increase the acceleration effect once it does kick in.

For me, I love the new series. If it had been another "Here's our military style show with a token, but absolutely human, alien honorary crewmember whose only real attempt at being "alien" is that they don't use contractions" show, I think I'd have stopped watching again. In this show, the stargate is menacing. They're not in control, they don't have any resources, nothing works, and nobody trusts each other.

They're telling a different kind of story, this isn't a run around and shoot the bad guys show. At least, not yet, and I for one hope it stays that way.

 

[clint g]

I'm just not sure guys. I've never watched Stargate before. I've seen the movie, many times... but I've never watched the series - any of them. I was so stuck on BSG that I needed a Sci-Fi fix, and a co-worker suggested I check out SGU. So I did, and I REALLY liked the first episode... enjoyed the second and third... and then things kinda got... weird. They got really good again with "Time" but then this last episode... yeah, I dunno. I talked to the co-worker about the episode, and the fact I hadn't seen any other SG aside from the movies, and he suggested I go start watching SG1 and SGA and check back in with SGU after I finish SG1 and a chunk of SGA. I'm just not sure... maybe it's the fact I'm unfamiliar with the canon, but I'm just quickly getting bored with SGU... I wish they'd do more with the ship, technology, and other planets, aside from the soap opera that they seem to be focusing on!

I can say, Yes, watch ALL of SG1, and ALL of Atlantis. This new series does fall back on knowledge of former series to fill in gaps.

I really don't think those previous shows are all that relevant to SGU. All you really need to know is the history of the Ancients, which you can learn easily enough without watching over 10 seasons' worth of TV!

I've seen a fair amount of SG-1 and a little bit of SGA, and other than a few character appearances and some Ancient lore, there's very little from the prior series that spill over into SGU that would make it confusing for new viewers.

While definitely true, I do believe that knowing the back story behind SG-U does help make for a more complete experience. Plus, as was the case with the episode Time, alot of the fun in Stargate franchise came from watching an episode reference a key plot point in another episode. It just adds more to the fun, even though it isn't required.


On topic.....

it really does feel as if nothing much has happened so far in the show. As a matter of fact, it feels as if the show has had an extended pilot episode. They need to get out of introduction mode

 

[Star Wolf]

Well with the Special Forces selection phase style physical training it does seem that recovering from the water virus/bacteria offscreen that we have jumped ahead in the story and passed beyond always being in crisis mode of living.

 

[Pauln6]

It's easier to establish a show with a smaller cast. I think part of the problem is that many of the supporting cast only become noticeable when they're causing problems for the 'main' cast. This means that they seem to have few redeeming features. Few of the characters appear to be friends and some have 'history' which makes their relationship strained. Even the characters that they have spent some time with are still largely a mystery. Eli and Chloe can be annoying but that is very important to the show. The shortcomings of the civilians vs the shortcomings of the military (with sceince in the middle) will be a recurring theme that was used to better effect in BSG because they had a wider population to work with. This isn't Star Trek but we are all hoping that these people can learn to pull together a lot better as time goes on.

The occasional focus on Camille has been good but is still relatively superficial. It's good to see that she and Rush are not being labelled as one-dimensional plot driving villains. The personalities of most of the characters are more subtle and so are many of the conflicts.

They do need to up their game in terms of action but I don't want to see the show go through a major overhaul. Earth Final Conflict sucked when they ditched the thoughtful plots in favour of blow-em-up sci fi.