Of the new shows I've tried to dive into this year, one of the surprising ones has been STARGATE: UNIVERSE.
For anyone who didn't read my review of Caprica awhile back, I'll explain that which I have stated before: to me, a good scifi is not just one that puts a supernatural spin on drama, but rather that the sci-fi elements take a backseat to the drama itself; when it's a group of people in conflict with each other, I feel that a show has effectively drawn me in if I'm no longer fascinated by the Tech or the flashy elements but that they are simply a tool to achieve the plot/conflict.
Stargate: Universe does this beautifully. In summation, a group of scientists and military narrowly escape an outpost's destruction, only to end up on a derelict observation ship that is pre - programmed to tour entire galaxies simply to conduct research; they're running out of air, supplies, and the Ancient technology the ship's programmed in is not the same language. The two factions aboard the ship must work together to gather resources and stay alive until they can find a way to steer the ship back to the milky way and get home.
If you've never seen anything from the STARGATE 'verse before, you'll still be able to make heads or tails of things by the end of the three-part pilot episode; It's very straightforward and you can comprehend what's going on almost as quickly as those who've seen anything that comes before it. But basically, the titular Stargate is one of countless technological bits that allows one to "jump" through space to a distant location where a similar stargate has been built by an ancient race. The Destiny was built to study these planets where Stargates have been built, and has been on autopilot gathering data for centuries. I will admit there are some carryover elements that will have more of an effect if you're a viewer of the previous shows, but SG:U does plenty to get new fans on board without letting you feel left behind.
Speaking of Left Behind, it actually brings me to another fine point of the show. Because the ship, the Destiny, is preprogrammed and the new "crew" has no way (thus far) of being able to change course, each venture through the onboard Stargate has an added edge of tension, because the ship will literally close the stargate and take off for another system in the galaxy. the ground team that goes to get supplies effectively has a clock deadline or they'll be stranded on the opposite edge of the universe with even less of a way of returning home. It's another fine element to keep the drama fresh, in a Sci-Fi, typically deus-ex storytelling Episodic. And without spoiling too much, this problem actually occurs with an upsetting (and long-plot-term-ing) consequence as a result.
but the most captivating part of the show has got to be the flawed heroes that make up the main ensemble; everybody here has some baggage they're lugging onboard and the central characters have been just fascinating to watch unfold...particularly the character of Dr. Nicholas Rush, played by Robert Carlysle. Anybody who's seen him as Bigsby in "trainspotting" will tell you he's a fine actor, but I have never watched a series before BECAUSE I can't tell if one of the protagonists is a good guy or bad guy. His actions regularly seem to fly in the face of the military commander, but more importantly common sense when it comes to helping the whole group survive, and you often question if he's doing this for the greater good
or some personal reasons that he is selective in revealing.
Either way, I give the show 8 out of 10 Bakulas.
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