Stargate Universe (comments on spoiler review from Futon Critic)

[wraithfodder]

Hmm.... I dare say I do believe my LJ will always be focused on Stargate Atlantis, since the characters just caught my imagination and heart. THe writing wasn't always the best, but Flanigan and Hewlett and the rest made me tune in no matter what.

Anyway, Futon Critic just did a review of Stargate Universe, and it voiced a lot of my...c oncerns? fears? For spoilerphobes, don't click on the cut, otherwise proceed...

Futon Critic review: http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20090910_sgu


You can read the review at the link above for plot details, but here's the stuff I"m going to discuss:

What doesn't: ...the show inevitably decides to sidestep following through on them in the name of having an easy out. In other words, nobody dies because of the decisions of others - the deus ex machina of the plot actually frees them from doing so. Both cases expose the inherent flaw of the show: it's more than willing to walk up to the precipice of truly shaking things up, it's just not willing to make the leap. Said aspect bleeds into other aspects of the show as well. The Destiny crew for instance isn't actually on their own: several just-so-happened-to-make-the-trip alien devices will allow them to trade consciousness with folks back on Earth, meaning everybody they've ever known is still a phone call away.

More troubling however is that the characters don't really seem to solve their problems, they just luck their way into solutions - week two in particular ends in a "whaaa???" fashion that's more than frustrating (for reasons which I won't spoil here). All of the above certainly blunts the overall excitement of the show - for all the refreshing aspects it's just unfortunate to see the franchise fall back on old habits so quickly. That's not to say there's not a lot to like, or look forward to, in this incarnation, it's just it could have been a home run...

.Okay, for lack of a better word, this is what i've bitched about. They're falling back on stuff they already used on both Stargate shows, and worse, they're doing to SGU what they did to Atlantis: that damned 'we're lost in space but look, we can dial home and chat with family/friends.' 

I think what I find dismaying about the review is that this is not a fan reviewing the show, but a critic  (and I've already heard from another critic who has yet to post their review that the show isn't up to snuff.

If SGA hadn't bitten the dust 24 hours before SGu was announced, it probably wouldn't be so bad. I would have preferred just one more year of SGA, let them explore the city, etc. than the quick end and pollyana finale they tacked on. Yeah, it's beating a dead horse, but it's my horse and I can beat it ;) Feel free to add comments below but please don't stick in any really bad language - I'll delete. I know lots of fans are still ticked off, to be polite, at the cancellation.

However, all said, I'll watch the pilot, because I want to see just what the heck is going on, then I'll write my review ;) 

Comments

critics

[domjohn.livejournal.com]

I'm always afraid by the superlatives. So when I read and listened what all TPTB, BW and co, MS or GW said about SGU since August 08, amazing fresh new creative exiting and stand alone show I wondered why SGA was considered so bad by their own producers when this show had just won people choice award 08.As for SGA cost a lot to produce when BW and RC announced at comic con they got 1m$ beyond per eps. TPTB considered they didn't get their return on investment when I saw the DVD sales for 5th season( best sales when we consider all season SG1 and SGA included). So when I heard all these superlatives I avoid it in general. when I watched the teasers and trailers I didn't see any originality so claimed by TPTB, BW. When I saw the cast hired I got more worries. Sorry but I gave a try to R. Carlyle and I don't understand what he said.

I followed SGA coz the cast, great cast by the way.

And now I read this entire critic and it becomes obvious they keep the old habits and put on the side their great declarations at the beginning and it would seem we feel there is something missing at the each end. So what is new in this toy? So they axed SGA for making the same with some more"flaws" in the end. So they turn their back to SGA so quickly for this as they turn their back to their audience and SGA fans. So they put SGA in a trash for a show that looks similar shooting differently( this way give me headache)and similar to BSG hoping to appeal their viewers.
They have a successful show in their hand and they are not sure to earn the same success with their new toy.
How can we trust producers who put so quickly their former show and treat so badly their cast putting them in the trash.
Sadly all my fears would seem justified and confirmed.
So I told you.
In addition there will not other show on air to compare. They eliminated all competition( no more BSG no more SGA except rerun) Hopefully for them SGA won't be on air at the same time coz I wonder which show would get the best rates?
I watched SGA coz the cast and I will not watch SGU coz Stargate name is in the title.

Re: critics

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I've had to not watch the video interviews, etc.... there is such an incredible build-up to how fantastic the show is going to be that it cannot live up to the high expectations being bandied all around, so I'll pass on the interviews, and maybe watch them later...

I'll check out the SGU pilot, to see what it's about, but don't know if it can hold me for a series.