Well, i liked this episode on my second watch.
First time round, i found it a bit annoying, but im such a huge stargate fan, and i really want to like universe, so i gave it a second viewing, and i liked it, though i do have some issues.
Heres what i liked.
It looks great - This really adds to the emotional impact of some of the scenes. I watched it in HD for the first time, and wow, i was really impressed.
I was pleased to see some follow up on the strange planet obelisk episode from last season. I found that really interesting, and am pleased to see that that plotline isnt done with.
I liked that the stand off was resolved without answers having to come from young. Young is a fascinating character, but i dont want him to always be the one with the answers. I liked seeing Greer and Scott being proactive and taking control of things.
Rush was great. Robert Carlyle is brilliant in this role, and brings so much to the show. I felt his actions were reasonable and necessary, and i think this was appreciated by Greer and Scott, and presumably Young, though we have yet to see this. Eli and Chloe, well what else were they going to do? Eli is the eternal optimist i think, and as a civilian he was well written in his reactions. Chloe, well she wouldnt really have anything to do in this situation.
Though having a small role in this episode, i felt it was good to see wray breaking down under the pressure and terror, and i think there is a lot more that can be done with her character.
As for the Lucian alliance, i was glad to see that the leader died. I did not like her character in the season 1 cliffhanger, and found her to too much of a one-note persona. Do i have fears that we might see a star trek voyager maquis similarity in the future? Yes, but not really!
Now, onto what i didnt like.
Most of this resolves around TJ unfortunately, and yes BSG.
When the episode started with her waking up, i thought how much she looked like Kara Thrace from BSG. Then as her plotline continued, i have to say, it seems to me to be remarkably similar to themes that were raised in BSG with Starbuck, Leoben, the nature of dreams/reality, and a mysterious nebula...
Its not a bad thing at all if universe trys to learn from what BSG got right, however SGU is its own show and i hope that this plotline goes off in an original way.
I also found it odd that she would leave her baby and go off for a walk like that, though i suppose this might be evidence for the experience being somewhat out of the norm, and her behaviour reflecting that.
As to the nature of the aliens on the planet, who they are, if they are real, if the experience was real etc, i dont mind really, as long as its original.
I thought the acting was really strong throughout, with the possible exception of the actress who played chloe. However, it was possibly not an easy task for her in this episode.
I enjoyed the music at the end, and the character moments, especially rush sitting up in bed, and young taking a drink.
But going back to the negative, i didnt really like the ending with TJ and the nebula (if that is what it is)
Overall though i felt this was a promising start to the season.
First time round, i found it a bit annoying, but im such a huge stargate fan, and i really want to like universe, so i gave it a second viewing, and i liked it, though i do have some issues.
Heres what i liked.
It looks great - This really adds to the emotional impact of some of the scenes. I watched it in HD for the first time, and wow, i was really impressed.
I was pleased to see some follow up on the strange planet obelisk episode from last season. I found that really interesting, and am pleased to see that that plotline isnt done with.
I liked that the stand off was resolved without answers having to come from young. Young is a fascinating character, but i dont want him to always be the one with the answers. I liked seeing Greer and Scott being proactive and taking control of things.
Rush was great. Robert Carlyle is brilliant in this role, and brings so much to the show. I felt his actions were reasonable and necessary, and i think this was appreciated by Greer and Scott, and presumably Young, though we have yet to see this. Eli and Chloe, well what else were they going to do? Eli is the eternal optimist i think, and as a civilian he was well written in his reactions. Chloe, well she wouldnt really have anything to do in this situation.
Though having a small role in this episode, i felt it was good to see wray breaking down under the pressure and terror, and i think there is a lot more that can be done with her character.
As for the Lucian alliance, i was glad to see that the leader died. I did not like her character in the season 1 cliffhanger, and found her to too much of a one-note persona. Do i have fears that we might see a star trek voyager maquis similarity in the future? Yes, but not really!
Now, onto what i didnt like.
Most of this resolves around TJ unfortunately, and yes BSG.
When the episode started with her waking up, i thought how much she looked like Kara Thrace from BSG. Then as her plotline continued, i have to say, it seems to me to be remarkably similar to themes that were raised in BSG with Starbuck, Leoben, the nature of dreams/reality, and a mysterious nebula...
Its not a bad thing at all if universe trys to learn from what BSG got right, however SGU is its own show and i hope that this plotline goes off in an original way.
I also found it odd that she would leave her baby and go off for a walk like that, though i suppose this might be evidence for the experience being somewhat out of the norm, and her behaviour reflecting that.
As to the nature of the aliens on the planet, who they are, if they are real, if the experience was real etc, i dont mind really, as long as its original.
I thought the acting was really strong throughout, with the possible exception of the actress who played chloe. However, it was possibly not an easy task for her in this episode.
I enjoyed the music at the end, and the character moments, especially rush sitting up in bed, and young taking a drink.
But going back to the negative, i didnt really like the ending with TJ and the nebula (if that is what it is)
Overall though i felt this was a promising start to the season.
Comment