Stargate Universe is a quantum leap forward for the universe, and franchise, of Stargate. This series is very different than the previous incarnations of Stargate, in that it does not focus on action or battling evil space aliens. Instead, it is a more character oriented drama based upon a classic film and television premise. Take a group of people, throw them into a dangerous and isolated situation, and see how they function. There is a stark and deadly serious quality to this show that reminds me of Battlestar Galactica, and this seems to fall into line with the direction that modern science fiction television is going in (less explosions and alien makeups, more drama and angst). In doing such a radically different series for Stargate's third television incarnation, the producers has avoided the trap that the Star Trek television franchise fell into. With each new Trek series from Next Gen. to Enterprise, each series was just more of the same, just different characters and slightly different window dressing. Even Enterprise, the supposedly new direction for Trek, became just more of the same after a while. Thus, Trek's TV franchise got old, and ultimately died. Funny enough, SGU is what the Trek people could have done with Voyager, but they didn't. With Stargate Universe, you still get the same universe of Stargate, with some very familiar Stargate elements and a couple of familiar characters thrown in (RDA making a couple of appearances), but in a completely new setting and new style. I predict this series will keep the Stargate franchise alive for at least another decade.
Review of Stargate Universe
