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Nicholas Rush : Character Analysis through S1 and 2

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    Nicholas Rush : Character Analysis through S1 and 2

    Thanks to IrishPisano for setting the basis for the title (Camile Wray)
    and to Lahela for her advise


    What about Spoilers? All discussions should go up to the last episode broadcast on SyFy.


    Ok, folks, we already have a few threads about one of the most hated, or most liked character of SGU: Robert Carlyle/Dr Nicholas Rush Thunk/Appreciation thread, two shipping threads, up to now: The Rush/Mandy Ship thread and Dr Nicholas Rush/Eli Wallace Slash/Discussion/Appreciation. A few other threads are hidden among the episode discussions, and there may be more I’m not aware of.
    While the first one is foremost about the actor behind the SGU character Dr. Nicholas Rush, which includes from time to time also discussions about Dr. Rush, and the other two dealing with possible (more or less) relationships between Rush and another person, we still miss a thread to discuss the character of Dr. Rush. A thread where we can discuss his actions and behaviour, which is quite often a reason for heatedly arguments. The pros and cons of interactions between him and other characters of Destiny.
    In addition to a general discussion about Nicholas Rush, I would propose, to include here also links to all threads, where he’s mainly mentioned, so that we have this place as a kind of base for further informations.

    And to start here’s the first question I have: what’s exactly his profession? Is he a Mathematician, or a (Astro-) Physicist, or something else?
    I thought that he was a Professor for Mathematics before he started his work for the Stargate program. It seems to me, but I might be wrong, that he did as the leading scientist the basic calculations to solve the energy problem to dial the ninth chevron back at Icarus, which in the end was solved by Eli. While Rush worked on that very problem, he had to learn a lot of things about the Ancients, and their technology, about their language, and how to connect Ancient’s with Earth’s technology. That’s IMO, the reason why he’s indeed the most qualified specialist for everything about that at Destiny, the other scientist are more specialised, while he did the general work.
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    #2
    The writers have clearly put a lot of effort into creating a complex character that can be both admired and feared. I think that he has been created as a borderline sociopath and definatly a loose canon. Having lost a wife myself, I feel that a person becomes broken, and replaces their loss with (insert reason here) to give them a reason to go on living. "Busy behavior" is a common replacement.
    I am going on the assumption that his wife is indeed dead, and he has come to terms with this, but this is scifi and anything is possible. We might yet see her.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Bismillah View Post
      The writers have clearly put a lot of effort into creating a complex character that can be both admired and feared. I think that he has been created as a borderline sociopath and definatly a loose canon. Having lost a wife myself, I feel that a person becomes broken, and replaces their loss with (insert reason here) to give them a reason to go on living. "Busy behavior" is a common replacement.
      I am going on the assumption that his wife is indeed dead, and he has come to terms with this, but this is scifi and anything is possible. We might yet see her.
      Um ... ?

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by EllieVee View Post
        Um ... ?
        As much as I think she's dead, too...it won't be the first time if someone came back from the dead.
        It IS science fiction.
        Heck, I'd love to see them try to pull that off...and make it work (i.e., believable/not 'forced' or 'cliche', etc.).
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          #5
          Gloria Rush is dead - that is a huge part of Rush's character and motivation. We'll see her again in his memories, flashbacks, maybe even more chair-like experiences, or even an alien force of some kind taking her form, but the woman is dead. Buried.

          It's important to the Rush character that he deal with his grief and the damage it did to him emotionally and personally. We're already starting to see that with his interaction with Mandy in "Sabotage."

          There is absolutely nothing even borderline sociopathic about Rush. He feels deep emotions - it's his grief over losing the love of his life that is driving him. Sociopaths are incapable of feeling emotions, especially not the kind of intense love Rush felt for Gloria. He's shown a wide range of emotions, pain, loss, hurt, anger, caring, kindness (Chloe, Mandy) - he's extremely complex, true, and obsessed with his work, and he has screwed up on occasion, but don't throw around words like "sociopath" without understanding what they actually mean.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by ladypredator View Post
            Gloria Rush is dead - that is a huge part of Rush's character and motivation. We'll see her again in his memories, flashbacks, maybe even more chair-like experiences, or even an alien force of some kind taking her form, but the woman is dead. Buried.

            It's important to the Rush character that he deal with his grief and the damage it did to him emotionally and personally. We're already starting to see that with his interaction with Mandy in "Sabotage."

            There is absolutely nothing even borderline sociopathic about Rush. He feels deep emotions - it's his grief over losing the love of his life that is driving him. Sociopaths are incapable of feeling emotions, especially not the kind of intense love Rush felt for Gloria. He's shown a wide range of emotions, pain, loss, hurt, anger, caring, kindness (Chloe, Mandy) - he's extremely complex, true, and obsessed with his work, and he has screwed up on occasion, but don't throw around words like "sociopath" without understanding what they actually mean.
            You're absolutely right about Rush's wife. It is an immense part of his outward appearence (I would green you, if I were allowed to do!). I'm sure that the grief about her loss, and him not being with her enough during her last weeks (cos he was working on that very little problem at Icarus base, which was solved in the end by Eli), brought him to that questionalble decission to dial the ninth chevron address, instead of any other place, to save the people from Icarus. Let that occasion pass away, would made her dying meaningless.

            And you're also very right about this quite often mentioned term sociopath. There are some threads about this in the earlier episodes of SGU. I'll collect them, and give the links here (when I've more time in the evening).
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              #7
              Originally posted by Bismillah View Post
              The writers have clearly put a lot of effort into creating a complex character that can be both admired and feared. I think that he has been created as a borderline sociopath and definatly a loose canon. Having lost a wife myself, I feel that a person becomes broken, and replaces their loss with (insert reason here) to give them a reason to go on living. "Busy behavior" is a common replacement.
              As ladypedator pointed already out, Rush is, and was never a borderline sociopath. He might be very reserved, and seems to be quite callous, but some of his behaviour speaks a different language. If you want to go more in detail about this topic, I've found a thread, which includes it in the thread title (and I'm sure there're countless mentions everywhere in the forum):
              Thread: Rush isn't a sociopath.
              http://forum.gateworld.net/threads/7...-t-a-sociopath.

              You'll find there definitions of sociopath, and quite a lot of different interpretations of Rush's character!
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                #8
                In "Subversion" we get so much more of what Rush is made of - and it's good stuff.

                Just because it's just been broadcast in the US and not elsewhere yet...
                Spoiler:
                Rush is obviously deeply concerned by the attack on Icarus which set the whole thing off -- he was incredibly frustrated by what that attack did to his work, his attempt to give some kind of meaning to Gloria's death. He freely puts himself on the line.

                I love how Kiva says that a civilian or scientist couldn't have stood up to the torture she puts him through, so she thinks it must be a soldier, but it isn't. Just an extremely courageous, tough, determined man. I was almost waiting for him to make some comment about having been tortured worse by aliens already. He sure stands up a lot longer than almost anyone else could. And even at the end, as scared for his life as he is, you still get the sense he's stalling as much as he can.

                I almost felt bad for the LA scientist. Rush really is just stalling... you can see how stunned and horrified he is by the murder in front of him. Scared the bleep outta him.

                Got to be impressed with Rush in this. The man has a lot more strength than anyone gives him credit for. Stuck in an impossible situation again, poor man, but I wouldn't be surprised if he has a surprise or two for Kiva and her folks even if they do force him to get them through to Destiny.

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                  #9
                  I think the fact that he is such a complex and deep character is what makes the show even interesting. Rush and Young, imo, are the driving force behind the show like O'Neill and Teal'c were for SG-1. Rush more so, just like O'Neill more so.

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                    #10
                    What I'm really interested in seeing is how Rush responds to Young's attempt to suffocate Telford and thus himself... This is what, the third or fourth time, that Young has nearly murdered Rush? I wonder if that will go the distance towards making Rush willing to make the Ninth Chevron connection work for Kiva.

                    You'd think Young would've figured out by this point that whatever he might get from Telford isn't anywhere near Rush's value to the Lucian Alliance. But no, again, Young's acting out of wounded pride and vengeance without thought for the consequences. He may have gone too far this time.

                    I'm really looking forward to seeing how Rush handles the fact that Young's remaining more of a danger to him than even the Lucian Alliance. Maybe I am just projecting a bit, but if I were Rush, I'd be out for Young's blood.

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                      #11
                      I suspect nothing will happen with it at all.

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by EllieVee View Post
                        I suspect nothing will happen with it at all.
                        That would be a shame. Young really should have to deal with some consequences after all this. Supposedly he's trying to win back some of the respect he lost and then he pulls stunts like this - Camile's screaming at him and even Scott is disturbed and Scott's dumb as a door nail and less sensitive. You'd think this would have some effect in the long run. Well - I suppose that's what fanfic is for.

                        I guess another likely reaction from Rush could be to get back to the Destiny where he wants to be, and then tell both Kiva and Young to go to hell together. By this point, he probably doesn't see much difference between them.

                        I just keep waiting for everyone to realize Young is completely unhinged.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by ladypredator View Post
                          That would be a shame. Young really should have to deal with some consequences after all this. Supposedly he's trying to win back some of the respect he lost and then he pulls stunts like this - Camile's screaming at him and even Scott is disturbed and Scott's dumb as a door nail and less sensitive. You'd think this would have some effect in the long run. Well - I suppose that's what fanfic is for.

                          I guess another likely reaction from Rush could be to get back to the Destiny where he wants to be, and then tell both Kiva and Young to go to hell together. By this point, he probably doesn't see much difference between them.

                          I just keep waiting for everyone to realize Young is completely unhinged.
                          I'm really hoping there will be some method to Young's madness in Subversion - that he somehow knows suffocation cures Lucian Alliance brainwashing or something similar because otherwise he's being portrayed as foolish, cruel & a bit psycho (again). I can just about get past the attempted murder in Justice if I see it as him losing it (temporary insanity) and not coming to his senses until it was too late to go back for Rush. I do wish the writers had shown him feeling guilty about it more clearly before Rush returned though.

                          I'm not sure how Rush or the viewers are supposed to get over Young leaving Rush to be tortured (he had to know the LA would use torture) and risking his life unless theres a very compelling reason and the reasons given in the episode seemed a bit flimsy to me. Otherwise you're quite right what real difference would Rush see between Young and Kiva - both use torture and both apparently kill scientists who disappoint them.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by kudra View Post
                            I'm really hoping there will be some method to Young's madness in Subversion - that he somehow knows suffocation cures Lucian Alliance brainwashing or something similar because otherwise he's being portrayed as foolish, cruel & a bit psycho (again). I can just about get past the attempted murder in Justice if I see it as him losing it (temporary insanity) and not coming to his senses until it was too late to go back for Rush. I do wish the writers had shown him feeling guilty about it more clearly before Rush returned though.

                            I'm not sure how Rush or the viewers are supposed to get over Young leaving Rush to be tortured (he had to know the LA would use torture) and risking his life unless theres a very compelling reason and the reasons given in the episode seemed a bit flimsy to me. Otherwise you're quite right what real difference would Rush see between Young and Kiva - both use torture and both apparently kill scientists who disappoint them.
                            Life on Destiny

                            Day 84

                            Young tried to kill me again. He used the interrogation of Telford as an excuse this time. The man wonders why I'm hostile towards him.

                            Day 85

                            Young is acting like nothing has happened. I'm beginning to wonder how much exactly is this man mentally disturbed.

                            Day 90

                            Young again. Once more he's done something that has the crew questioning his mental stability.

                            Day 95

                            Camille and I are planning on removing Young permanently from command again. Only one problem, Greer. The incident with the ticks shows that the man won't hesitate in shooting us next time. We'll need to remove him first somehow. I wonder if Brody could make his moonshine a bit more potent to knock out even an elephant for hours?

                            Day 102

                            Mutiny take 2.



                            That's what I foresee happening :-p

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by ONeill4tW View Post
                              Life on Destiny

                              Day 84

                              Young tried to kill me again. He used the interrogation of Telford as an excuse this time. The man wonders why I'm hostile towards him.

                              Day 85

                              Young is acting like nothing has happened. I'm beginning to wonder how much exactly is this man mentally disturbed.

                              Day 90

                              Young again. Once more he's done something that has the crew questioning his mental stability.

                              Day 95

                              Camille and I are planning on removing Young permanently from command again. Only one problem, Greer. The incident with the ticks shows that the man won't hesitate in shooting us next time. We'll need to remove him first somehow. I wonder if Brody could make his moonshine a bit more potent to knock out even an elephant for hours?

                              Day 102

                              Mutiny take 2.



                              That's what I foresee happening :-p
                              LOL - certainly could happen that way.

                              Actually, given his behavior in the last two eps, even Scott and O'Neill are beginning to question Young. Good to see Scott actually show some backbone briefly and for O'Neill to give him a much-needed dressing down.

                              And Rush was right when he gives Camile and Young an earful about the situation - they're not going to get out of this without people being hurt. It's a battle. But again, it takes Rush's pragmatic, if somewhat brutal, honesty to point out the reality of it and, of course, Young doesn't want to listen as usual, but by the time O'Neill's told him the same thing, he finally has to admit Rush is right. Young ought to have figured out by this point that Rush is almost always right, esp in a crisis.

                              It makes Rush seem harsh when he says these things, but he's just stating the truth. Saying what everyone knows but doesn't want to admit, which takes guts. But then Rush is an incredibly strong man and he knows what his priorities are and he always thinks through to the long term consequences. He always has good, logical reasons. Young is so concerned with how people see him, in being the 'hero', in being liked that he doesn't think, he just reacts emotionally and irrationally, inconsistently. No wonder Rush gets so incredibly frustrated with him.

                              You'd think Rush would've earned some respect at this point. And he knows more about Kiva and the Lucian Alliance than any of the others, after all he was their prisoner for a while and it was leaving him in their hands that allowed in the attack in the first place. Young should've gotten him out of there as soon as they had even the slightest idea of what was happening.

                              And no concern from anyone over the fact that he was captured and tortured. Young's more concerned for Telford, who was the traitor, than for Rush who risked his life to find the truth.

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