After the combined 15 series of SG-1 and Atlantis came something a
little different. Universe features a small group, partly military,
partly scientific, and partly wrong place/wrong time people, being
hurled onto a ship far, far away from Earth and with no prospect of
returning.
Immediate concerns are sustainable water/food supplies, ensuring the
ship (Destiny) doesn’t fall to pieces and deciphering how the
damned thing works. I really like the premise, and two of the leads
(Rush, played brilliantly by Robert Carlyle, and Eli) gel very well
together. I’m not normally a fan of everyman figures, but Eli
(normal in character albeit mathematically genius) is great.
Most of the other characters were either ok or not of much interest,
to be frank. There were some nice moments, such as coming at the
friendzone from the other direction, when politician’s daughter
Chloe essentially tells Eli there’s no chance of romance and
doesn’t want him to see being a friend as a consolation prize or
being second best, but on a persistent basis Rush and Eli were the
two chaps I found intriguing.
However, there is a very big but. Two, in fact. The tone is grim and
dark, which I like, but it absolutely doesn’t fit with the Stargate
approach of all preceding series. There’s very little levity, and
when O’Neill makes a guest appearance with his trademark humour, it
grates against Universe’s dark and cynical tone.
The other problem is that of adversaries. Initially, there’s the
problem of survival, and then an ongoing conflict between military
and civilian personnel, and both are well done. Beyond this, there’s
nothing to match the Goa’uld, replicators, Ori, or Wraith. A couple
of persistent villain races (intelligent machines, and some aliens
deliberately tracking the Destiny) are introduced, but neither are
especially engaging.
There is the Lucian Alliance, a group of inter-galactic freebooters
who cause trouble sometimes directly for the Destiny and sometimes on
Earth, before a small number are incorporated into the crew.
Individually these villainous groups aren’t bad, but they should be
the garnish, not the main course. Nowhere is there a Baal being a
smug jester, or Evil Carter outwitting everyone.
Viewership declined and the show was cancelled after two series. It
did have a perfect ending, which leaves things open should anyone
wish to resurrect the series. The central premise is great, as are
the actors portraying Rush and Eli, but that isn’t enough, alas, to
make Universe more than the third and least of the Stargate series.
I like grimdark things. But not everything has to be like that. SG-1
and Atlantis were fun, witty, and had great characters.
There’s been recent murmuring about a reboot or new series
(although Stargate Origins hasn’t gone down too well, probably
because fans wanted more than a few 10 minute episodes). I wouldn’t
be surprised if Stargate returned. With a total of 17 series and over
300 episodes, there would certainly be interest. If it does, I hope
they take their time with it, and get it right.
Thaddeus
No comments:
Post a Comment