Tonight’s Stargate Universe left me with a slack jaw and a “WTF?!” mentality when the executive producer credits rolled. Is this a bad thing? Not at all. The episode gave us answers on two of the long running mysteries on the show, while slightly setting up the mid-season finale for next week by using character growth as the lead. Just about everyone got a chance to shine tonight and we saw some deep character moments from the least likely of subjects.
The Story
So we finally found out what happened to Those Who Stayed Behind on the planet created by the aliens, but yet still have no clue as to what happened to them. My thoughts? The Blue Aliens Group are behind the return of the group as well as the planet they tried to call home, which begs the question: what is their endgame? If they want the Destiny, are they trying to get ahold of the message Dr. Rush discovered? What will they do with the information once they recover it?
As for the flash at the end of the Kino feed, could that have been the obelisk activating, sending them across the galaxy to say goodbye to their counterparts before their final journey ‘home’?
On the flipside, the return of Dr. Caine and his “flock” also sent the whole TJ’s baby story line into a tailspin, because now we don’t know if TJ’s baby is actually dead or if there is something else going on we don’t know about. While I’m leaning towards the former, I’m pretty sure that anything is possible at this point in terms of plot twists and surprise revelations on SGU. Then again, TJ’s visions of talking to Caine during the Lucian Alliance incursion could’ve been a premonition/warning of sorts to the group’s ‘return’. In that regard, it would be plausible for TJ’s baby to be deceased given that the people she thought she was talking to were deceased as well.
In the same incident, TJ’s final conversation with Dr. Caine last night mirrored the one they had at the start of the season, which revolved around the concept of faith. I will get more into this later.
While the rest of the crew were dealing with the whole return of Those Who Stayed Behind, Chloe was dealing with her impending death/transformation. This story line set up the stage for next week’s mid season finale, which seems to be epic based on the trailer at the end of last night’s episode. Will Chloe’s newfound powers come to some use, or will it be too late to save her?
Characters
Last night, Ronald Greer showed a sign of… what can we call it? Weakness? Tenderness? A heart? In more than one scene, mind
you! The scene between Ronald and Chloe as he asked for her forgiveness (for when he has to kill her when she changes) was one of the true highlights of the episode. As he delivered Ronald’s scared, remorseful plea, Jamil Walker Smith knocked his performance across several universes, breaking Ronald’s mold of being the hardheaded, stone cold grunt we’ve all come to know at the same time. It was a great turn for the character and I hope to see more of this side of Master Sergeant Ronald Greer in the future.
Chloe has pretty much came to terms with her impending death by idly waiting for the day to arrive. It’s traumatic for her to have some sort of use for the crew, but since they have no way of harnessing it to their advantage, she must pay the ultimate price, which is unfortunate. The other sad thing? Scott seemingly has came to terms with Chloe’s dilemma, which we thought wouldn’t happen given his expression at the end of Cloverdale (yet he still held her hand). He truly loves Chloe, so it was very sad for her to turn him away to make the blow of her death seem a bit less painful. He was the only person who’s really stood by her through this entire ordeal, which makes denying his entrance all the more tragic. This might not end well next week, people, so be prepared for some frustration to come our way with this scenario.
TJ managed to balance her feelings and her duties tonight in a remarkable way, because with all the stress she’s been under, I don’t see how she hasn’t snapped yet. One would think the reveal of her baby not being with Those Who Stayed Behind would’ve been the switch to trigger her emotional breakdown, but surprisingly it didn’t. Instead, TJ used logic to deduct what she probably knew all along, which leads me to my final thoughts of the night.
Theme
Faith vs. logic/science were the ongoing themes of tonight’s episode, bringing me back to TJ and Caine’s conversations from both “Intervention” and last night’s episode that I mentioned earlier. ‘Dead’ Caine gave TJ advice on having faith that her baby was in a better place, which is similar to what ‘Angel’ Caine kind of told her in “Intervention” about knowing her beliefs and who she was being everything she will ever need. The correlations between both scenes are uncanny, except the difference this time around was TJ prepping ‘Dead’ Caine to move on as ‘Angel’ Caine did for TJ in “Intervention”. It was as if this story line had come full circle, but there is a nagging thought in the back of my head that says this situation is far from over.
Also, the scene between Rush and Caine was pretty awesome in terms of the religion debate between the two. Caine’s hopeful outlook on their “miraculous” return was shot down by Rush’s impeccable logic of the whole situation, because it really didn’t make sense in neither a biblical or scientific nature. It was as if Rush was having the ‘last laugh’ at Caine’s blind faith, which turns out ultimately got Caine and the others killed in the end, because they didn’t bother to use logic with their faith when they decided to stay behind. Plus, Rush is still shooting down the concept of the message he cracked originating from God, which had a plenty of SGU fans in a tizzy when it was revealed a couple of weeks ago, me included. Religion can have a place in science fiction, but I think it would get a little too preachy if it lands on SGU. However, with the concept of the message and where it originates, can we avoid explaining that without bring religion into the mold?
Before I sign off, there was one more two thing that stuck out oddly to me this week:
– Eli and Rush both got over their vengeance spells pretty quick this week, especially after the hell they raised after finding their loved ones killed by a deranged lunatic. Maybe a good significance of time has passed? Hopefully that’s the case…
I really, really enjoyed your comments last week and can’t wait to hear what you have to say this time around. What do you guys think? Are the Blue Aliens the equivalent of the Wraith and Ori from the previous Stargate series? Or are they just a pesky menance that you’re growing tired of? Also, do you really think Chloe is a danger to the crew? And was there finally closure in TJ’s story line?
Sound off below and in our Forums!
P.S. Sorry for the barrage of questions.
1)I don't think the "Blue Aliens" are the same as the Mysterious Aliens who created the planet that Caine and the other doomed crewmembers decided to stay on. The Mysterious Aliens seem to be on a whole other level.
2)Caine could still be alive. It appears he was sent to the Destiny before he died (unlike the other people obn the shuttle).
3)Anyone paying attention understands that Jamil Walker Smith is a special talent. His delivery is impeccable and he can do wonders even with limited material. Last season his best work may have been in the scene when he told Scott to not doubt his decision to leave Greer behind in the episode "Lost". Jamil delivered a tour de force, albeit in hushed, quiet tones, in that scene. You don't remember it? Well, that's probably because it was unfortunately wasted on one of season one's kino clips (this one being titled "Drop the Sirs"). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtuPkznEgAI
Yea I remembered it well, but unfortunately a lot of people did not see those Kino webisodes, which (IMHO) showcased A LOT of damn good acting at times. Plus, I agree with JWK's acting. The guy is freaking amazing. I see a bright future for him.
Why do you think that obelisk planet creators are actually blue ones? There is no indication that blue ones has such power and skills to do all that.
Because they've been a driving force of opposition since the show premiered. They've kept tabs on the Destiny all this time and it wouldn't surprise me if they were the ones who set up the planet as a lure of sorts to abandon the ship. But, like I said, it's just a thought and not fact. Personally, I pray it's not them, because it would add another variable/possible enemy to the overall picture. Who do you think it might be? I'm open to suggestions people.
Ok, I will admit, obelisk planet aliens…their intentions doesn't stick, I don't understand them, in fact, conclusion of this episode frightens me. If they are ascended, their actions indicates Ori type of mindset. Therefore I have similar uneasy feeling about this. But are they blue ones…We shall see :)
See, I'm clueless on the Ori as that's when I decided to tune out of SG-1. But I share your sentiments regarding the end of the episode. I, too, was unsettled by it's conclusion.
I think the Obelisk Planet is there as a statement; these Mysterious Aliens want people to know what they did. It's like a marker on the way to glory.
Never thought of it like that! Great observation, but what does that have to do with the source that sent the crew and the ship back to the Destiny?
I know what happened now. I can see it clearly — or I'm wrong! ;-}
TJ's previous vision, or travel, was to visit this section of the universe's version of ascended beings. Or something greater than Ascension but a variation thereof, dramatically speaking.
All these characters died, and were ascended or the equivalent (lesser, greater version, or both, tbd). Thus, when TJ visited them, she did so on another plane akin to Ascension. Thus, also her child was so saved or ascended. Thus, everybody could have died and been saved, too.
Now there are no doubt differences, but I think these higher level aliens are akin to Ascended beings, or as I say something greater or significantly different. Something different perhaps in their relationship with material and manifested reality than our galaxy's Ascended Ancients, and the Ori as well, something linked to world-building perhaps.
These returned golem-like characters also could be a a trial run at returning consciousness to material form, botched or purposely limited, in a way perhaps to be shown to be relevant to these higher order Aliens' nature or situation.
That's my bet.
I think the ship itself might have had something to do with TJ’s vision as it were. I think she plays a crucial role to Young and his sanity, treating the crew, etc and I think the ship may have provided a vision to help her get through it as it sees her central to the crew’s survival. By that logic, I’m thinking the ship had nothing to do with the ones that stayed behind reappearing. But, I think the ship is going to be coming to life more and more as it were and exerting a will of its own.
I’ve discounted the blue aliens as they show a huge desire to gain control of the ship and if their technology allows a craft to be sent accross the Universe in that way, I don’t think gaining control of destiny would be an issue for them. I can see them reappearing very similar to the simulation ran by the ship. Also, Chloe has shown greater ability in using the ship systems than Rush, so if they could make her THAT capable via genetic engineering, then I think any message Rush has uncovered they could find quite easily.
Also, I’m really unsure as to whether the blue aliens are the reason behind Chloe’s change. If they caused it, why has Rush not undergone the same change? Why did they not do it to two just in case?
I’ve got a real feeling the ship is controlling more than we know. As a complete guess and trying to find a perhaps non-existant twist, I’m wandering if the ship has caused the changes in Chloe??? Maybe the ship requires something/one capable of accessing all its systems, etc, without a consciousness to manipulate it. Maybe it is trying to take control of itself in a body??
I don’t know!!! Wild guesses!!! I cannot wait until next episode!!
I think the ship itself might have had something to do with TJ's vision as it were. I think she plays a crucial role to Young and his sanity, treating the crew, etc and I think the ship may have provided a vision to help her get through it as it sees her central to the crew's survival. By that logic, I'm thinking the ship had nothing to do with the ones that stayed behind reappearing. But, I think the ship is going to be coming to life more and more as it were and exerting a will of its own.
I've discounted the blue aliens as they show a huge desire to gain control of the ship and if their technology allows a craft to be sent accross the Universe in that way, I don't think gaining control of destiny would be an issue for them. I can see them reappearing very similar to the simulation ran by the ship. Also, Chloe has shown greater ability in using the ship systems than Rush, so if they could make her THAT capable via genetic engineering, then I think any message Rush has uncovered they could find quite easily.
Also, I'm really unsure as to whether the blue aliens are the reason behind Chloe's change. If they caused it, why has Rush not undergone the same change? Why did they not do it to two just in case?
I've got a real feeling the ship is controlling more than we know. As a complete guess and trying to find a perhaps non-existant twist, I'm wandering if the ship has caused the changes in Chloe??? Maybe the ship requires something/one capable of accessing all its systems, etc, without a consciousness to manipulate it. Maybe it is trying to take control of itself in a body??
I don't know!!! Wild guesses!!! I cannot wait until next episode!!
WARNING! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was really disappointed by resurgence. We never find out what happened to Caine. He's never even mentioned again. What the hell is that about???!!!
They died by choise NOT BY DESIGN. (just like the rest of all mankind).
PS: "I am the architect of my own destruction"