You got past the bad episode. Now, you are getting to the good stuff.
The Stargate Franchise - A First Timer's Watchthrough
- Thread starter tomalak301
- Start date
You got past the bad episode. Now, you are getting to the good stuff.
Yep, especially when you take into account the ending, in which Lt. Scott has to go into quarantine because he could be infected by Chloe's alien transformation
is immediately undone in the opening scene of the very next episode in which Scott is released from quarantine after no evidence of alien transformation is detected.
A character hallucinating an alternate life while they struggle against a deadly disease is a common trope that we saw in SG1 and SGA. I think this story can be effective when the alternate life has a real point. So if the alternate life actually moves the character development forward, then it is worth it. We saw that "The Changeling". But in "Cloverdale", the alternate life scenes felt pointless. They did not really add anything to Scott's character.
And The Changeling had the weight of two of the best characters in the entire franchise behind it, not to mention it was in Season 6 and we had fully developed characters by then. Scott and Chloe are not that developed in this series, unfortunately. However, I think my favorite scene in the episode was Eli being really pissed off. For being a fun, loveable character, if you piss off Eli, you're doing something wrong.
The Changeling used the alternate life setting to explore Teal'c's psyche and insight into his interior self if you will and the story ultimately lays the groundwork for tretonin becoming an important element for the series. Or you could look at the also similar DS9 Far Beyond the Stars, which tied the story into the greater story arc with the Prophets, and the alternate life storyline provided social commentary on race relations in our own society, which sadly is a lesson modern society is still struggling with.
Cloverdale doesn't have any of that. It has no message about the world around us, it doesn't contribute to any of the show's story arcs in a meaningful way, and it doesn't provide any character development or insight into Lt. Scott. It is literally just an excuse to have everyone play in the "real world" as opposed to a spaceship.
Cloverdale doesn't have any of that. It has no message about the world around us, it doesn't contribute to any of the show's story arcs in a meaningful way, and it doesn't provide any character development or insight into Lt. Scott. It is literally just an excuse to have everyone play in the "real world" as opposed to a spaceship.
The Flamethrowers against the plant aliens reminded me of Aliens, only Ripley was much cooler.
It sadly reminded me of a terrible SEAQUEST DSV episode, "By Any Other Name".
Well, I just finished my personal rewatch of S2. I think the second half of S2 is really good. The finale made me a bit sad SGU was over.
My spoiler thoughts on the second half of S2:
I look forward @tomalak301 's reviews of the remaining episodes. By the way, thank you again for doing this rewatch thread. I got a chance to rewatch so many wonderful SG1, SGA an SGU episodes that I had not seen in a long time.
My spoiler thoughts on the second half of S2:
I really like the two parter "Common Descent" & "Epilogue". It was such a cool concept that the Destiny crew that went through the gate in "Twin Destinies" actually went back in time and started a space-faring human civilization in this galaxy. And we get to see how Destiny's crew went from a small settlement to a large modern civilization.
The Beserker drones are a cool concept too. A fully robotic autonomous "race" that just seeks out and destroys any life with different technology. They kinda remind me of the Cylons in their robotic nature and the Borg in their relentless pursuit. But I appreciate that the Destiny never negotiated with them or anything. They are truly a relentless force of nature.
I liked seeing McKay back in "Seizure". Interesting that this episode mentions that McKay would be offered a position on Destiny if they were able to make a connection. I wonder if McKay would have joined Destiny if a S3 had happened?
The finale is bittersweet. It works as a beautiful season finale but is open ended as a series finale. We are left wondering what will happen next but we will never know. I appreciate Eli's character arc. Like Rush says, he went from a video gamer slacker to a real hero.
The Beserker drones are a cool concept too. A fully robotic autonomous "race" that just seeks out and destroys any life with different technology. They kinda remind me of the Cylons in their robotic nature and the Borg in their relentless pursuit. But I appreciate that the Destiny never negotiated with them or anything. They are truly a relentless force of nature.
I liked seeing McKay back in "Seizure". Interesting that this episode mentions that McKay would be offered a position on Destiny if they were able to make a connection. I wonder if McKay would have joined Destiny if a S3 had happened?
The finale is bittersweet. It works as a beautiful season finale but is open ended as a series finale. We are left wondering what will happen next but we will never know. I appreciate Eli's character arc. Like Rush says, he went from a video gamer slacker to a real hero.
I look forward @tomalak301 's reviews of the remaining episodes. By the way, thank you again for doing this rewatch thread. I got a chance to rewatch so many wonderful SG1, SGA an SGU episodes that I had not seen in a long time.
Last edited:
In this very episode.
Trial and Error
I have a bit of a confession to make. I watched this episode last night but it was mostly on in the background so I really didn't watch it. I decided to watch it again because I was told it was a great episode and maybe I just missed all the big parts.
Yeah, that episode was my favorite of season 2 so far. That is a really interesting concept, the ship can feel what is going on in people's thoughts and it was testing Young in his ability to lead. This was an amazing Young episode, showing his fear, guilt of killing Riley, and his alcohol issues. This is a character episode done really really well, especially at the end when Scott was telling him he was a good commander. I am a little confused about something though. If the ship can sense thoughts, is it sensing all thoughts or just one at a time. What if those thoughts come in conflict, or did the ship just choose Young because Young was in a very dark place. It was a battle simulation and Young is the commander. That doesn't detract from this episode though.
I also loved more Ginn in this episode, Scott actually stepping up as a leader, and the end with Rush and Gloria and Franklin. I was thinking Gloria and Franklin represented his conscience, but I wonder if they represent the ship itself, and whether Rush deserves the control of the ship or not.
I have a bit of a confession to make. I watched this episode last night but it was mostly on in the background so I really didn't watch it. I decided to watch it again because I was told it was a great episode and maybe I just missed all the big parts.
Yeah, that episode was my favorite of season 2 so far. That is a really interesting concept, the ship can feel what is going on in people's thoughts and it was testing Young in his ability to lead. This was an amazing Young episode, showing his fear, guilt of killing Riley, and his alcohol issues. This is a character episode done really really well, especially at the end when Scott was telling him he was a good commander. I am a little confused about something though. If the ship can sense thoughts, is it sensing all thoughts or just one at a time. What if those thoughts come in conflict, or did the ship just choose Young because Young was in a very dark place. It was a battle simulation and Young is the commander. That doesn't detract from this episode though.
I also loved more Ginn in this episode, Scott actually stepping up as a leader, and the end with Rush and Gloria and Franklin. I was thinking Gloria and Franklin represented his conscience, but I wonder if they represent the ship itself, and whether Rush deserves the control of the ship or not.
At times it feels like there is a rule that every sci-fi and fantasy series, especially if it has a lead character from modern day Earth, has to have at least one episode where they imagine themselves living a normal. They also have to have a fight club episode, and mysteries are required to have a horse racing episode.
The Greater Good
SG-U, minus Cloverdale, has been on a roll this season. Another great episode, and they revealed so much here. They revealed Destiny's mission, the entire crew finds out about Rush being in control, and just so much happening here. We finally know why it's called SG: Universe, as the original mission is one of discovery to a greater understanding of the universe. We also get more on Simeon who is plotting something. That scene with Simeon and Perry in the hallway was great. That scene at the end was even greater. We don't see it but I think Perry/Ginn is dead. That was a hell of an ending. I'm so glad this series doesn't dwell on things. We spend a few episodes with Rush controlling the ship, admitting he over-rode the simulation program, and then this episode so much is revealed and it sets up so many interesting possibilities in the second half of the season. I'm really excited now as to where it's all going.
SG-U, minus Cloverdale, has been on a roll this season. Another great episode, and they revealed so much here. They revealed Destiny's mission, the entire crew finds out about Rush being in control, and just so much happening here. We finally know why it's called SG: Universe, as the original mission is one of discovery to a greater understanding of the universe. We also get more on Simeon who is plotting something. That scene with Simeon and Perry in the hallway was great. That scene at the end was even greater. We don't see it but I think Perry/Ginn is dead. That was a hell of an ending. I'm so glad this series doesn't dwell on things. We spend a few episodes with Rush controlling the ship, admitting he over-rode the simulation program, and then this episode so much is revealed and it sets up so many interesting possibilities in the second half of the season. I'm really excited now as to where it's all going.
Last edited:
Malice
Holy Shit
I don't think this show will be as good as SG-1 mainly because that was the first and they used the characters so well. If Atlantis had utilized it's characters well, I would have still ranked it number 2. However, in the final two seasons it really did become the John/Rodney show and I was annoyed by that. These stretch of episodes, from Trial and Error to Malice has just solidified Stargate Universe as my second favorite series of the three. I still like Atlantis, but what SG: U is doing right now is unbelievable.
So many things made this episode great. Simeon escaping Destiny, we finding out that Mandy and Ginn had died (Man, he killed 2 people by just killing the one) and then the action that took place after that was tension-filled. Then we had Rush on a revenge spree and the tension didn't stop because Park was strapped to a bomb that Rush had to take off. This episode was basically a duet of Rush and Simeon on the planet and each scene was as gripping as the last. The way Rush Lion King-ed Simeon was insane (Set a C-4 off causing a stampede bulldozing the guy over) and then he goes up to him and just shoots him. While all that is happening, Chloe used the equations Rush gave her to turn Destiny around and rescue him from the planet.
With all that happening the main plot is still maybe finding out how the universe was created. I mean with all the series now dealing with how to save the universe from annaihilation, this one is asking how was it created in the first place.
I know this series has been considered the least popular over the years by Stargate Fans, but now that I'm pretty much at midseason of Season 2, I have to wonder why. It may not feel like a Stargate show, maybe it's too adult for the Stargate franchise, but damn the drama in these last few episodes has been incredible. It's making me actually fear that the series was cancelled in 12 episodes.
Holy Shit
I don't think this show will be as good as SG-1 mainly because that was the first and they used the characters so well. If Atlantis had utilized it's characters well, I would have still ranked it number 2. However, in the final two seasons it really did become the John/Rodney show and I was annoyed by that. These stretch of episodes, from Trial and Error to Malice has just solidified Stargate Universe as my second favorite series of the three. I still like Atlantis, but what SG: U is doing right now is unbelievable.
So many things made this episode great. Simeon escaping Destiny, we finding out that Mandy and Ginn had died (Man, he killed 2 people by just killing the one) and then the action that took place after that was tension-filled. Then we had Rush on a revenge spree and the tension didn't stop because Park was strapped to a bomb that Rush had to take off. This episode was basically a duet of Rush and Simeon on the planet and each scene was as gripping as the last. The way Rush Lion King-ed Simeon was insane (Set a C-4 off causing a stampede bulldozing the guy over) and then he goes up to him and just shoots him. While all that is happening, Chloe used the equations Rush gave her to turn Destiny around and rescue him from the planet.
With all that happening the main plot is still maybe finding out how the universe was created. I mean with all the series now dealing with how to save the universe from annaihilation, this one is asking how was it created in the first place.
I know this series has been considered the least popular over the years by Stargate Fans, but now that I'm pretty much at midseason of Season 2, I have to wonder why. It may not feel like a Stargate show, maybe it's too adult for the Stargate franchise, but damn the drama in these last few episodes has been incredible. It's making me actually fear that the series was cancelled in 12 episodes.
Visitation
A step down from the prior three but still a pretty interesting episode. There were a lot of religious overtones here, like the idea of Eden, the possibility of God bringing the people from "Faith" back, and the talk between Caine and TJ about believing that her baby was in a better place. Of course this episode confirms that she only experienced a hallucination in the premiere episode, but it leaves open the possibility of Caine still being alive. The Kino showed the light hitting the shuttle when Caine was still alive so I really do wonder if we will see him again. Chloe also continues to be a bright spot this season with her ongoing transformation and her seems with Greer were incredibly sad and powerful.
Tonight was a great night for SG: U watching. Looking forward to the midseason episodes tomorrow.
I also wanted to add an addendum to my previous review. I think time will be very good for this show. SG:U feels like a series that would fit today in the age of streaming and binge watching. People like dark and gritty, but the plot isn't the destruction of the universe so it's not like a lot of the other sci fi out there today.
A step down from the prior three but still a pretty interesting episode. There were a lot of religious overtones here, like the idea of Eden, the possibility of God bringing the people from "Faith" back, and the talk between Caine and TJ about believing that her baby was in a better place. Of course this episode confirms that she only experienced a hallucination in the premiere episode, but it leaves open the possibility of Caine still being alive. The Kino showed the light hitting the shuttle when Caine was still alive so I really do wonder if we will see him again. Chloe also continues to be a bright spot this season with her ongoing transformation and her seems with Greer were incredibly sad and powerful.
Tonight was a great night for SG: U watching. Looking forward to the midseason episodes tomorrow.
I also wanted to add an addendum to my previous review. I think time will be very good for this show. SG:U feels like a series that would fit today in the age of streaming and binge watching. People like dark and gritty, but the plot isn't the destruction of the universe so it's not like a lot of the other sci fi out there today.
Last edited:
Yeah, these episodes are great and like I said earlier, I think the second half of the season is great too. The drama is really great. The characters have found their niche now. The Destiny and the aliens they encounter are fascinating too. SGU also did a great job creating a sense of awe and wonder about the universe.
I think the backlash against SGU was mainly because fans were so used to the fun, light action adventure of SG1 or SGA and SGU was very different in tone. Also, the start of the first season probably turned people off because it was so slow and boring with the crew just trying to get air and water and also overly soap opera with the relationships and the hook ups.
Personally, I think they should have compressed the first 5 episodes into 2. Still show the struggle to survive but not drag it on so long. And then get to more adventures on planets and gate travel sooner. Still emphasize the tension between civilians and military. Cut out all the stuff with using the stones to have sex in other people's bodies. And cut out of the sub plot of Telford and Young's wife.
I'll admit, I'm going on half remembered memories, but I thought the ship was attuned specifically to Young's mind because he was the commander.
Although it is an alright episode, my problems with it have less to do with the episode itself and more to do with the pre-season buzz. Specifically, when the casting announcement was made that Robert Knepper was cast as Simeon, I remember the character description of Simeon described him as "Rush's rival and every bit his equal." And indeed, prior to the season premiering everyone from the writers, director, producers and even the other actors were talking about what a thrill it was watching Robert Carlyle and Robert Knepper filming scenes together, and that they had such "powerful performances" when playing off each other. Then the season premieres and the two of them aren't even in the same scene together until the eighth episode, and the only time they're even on screen at the same time is when Rush shoots Simeon. I sure would like to know what everyone was talking about when they were setting up this awesome dynamic the two of them allegedly had.
Granted, you were spared this, so you can evaluate the episode on its own merits meaning it probably comes off as a pretty good episode from your perspective, but for me, that just got to me when I watched it and kind of did stand in the way of my enjoying it as much as I probably should have.
SGU's greatest flaw is probably that it took so damn long to do anything. Even in the second season you can see parts where they could have trimmed the fat and made a far more streamlined narrative. IMO, the second half of season 2 is when the show finally gets it shit together, a combination of actually advancing some plot points, doing some interesting storylines and realizing which characters are working best and giving them more material. Sadly, right when the show is getting itself on track, it ends.
@tomalak301 i was wondering... have you noticed any changes in Greer? I felt like it wasn't h til the 2nd half of season 2 that they didn't do much with Greer, and finally gave him some personality that I really liked. But it has been years... am I remembering correctly?
IIRC, I think it was the most recent episode watched, with Dr. Caine and his flock back that had a scene with Greer and Park which actually really did a great job establishing the relationship between them. A lot more that all the Scott/Chloe scenes had done for their relationship.
Similar threads
