Stargate Universe

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 2, 2009
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 498 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 282 out of 498
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 498
  3. Negative: 183 out of 498
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  1. SGRevan
    Nov 21, 2010
    10
    I've been a fan of Stargate since the very series with Richard Dean Anderson, Stargate SG-1. Now with the newest installment in the series, I had to see if it's a worthy successor to the Stargate franchise.

    THE POSITIVE: - Incredible acting - A new and interesting situation/setting gives the creations tons of possibilities of creating a thriving and exciting story. - Appearances by former    I've been a fan of Stargate since the very series with Richard Dean Anderson, Stargate SG-1. Now with the newest installment in the series, I had to see if it's a worthy successor to the Stargate franchise.

    THE POSITIVE:
    - Incredible acting
    - A new and interesting situation/setting gives the creations tons of possibilities of creating a thriving and exciting story.
    - Appearances by former Stargate actors give it that 'special' touch.
    - Excellent music and sound
    - A Story that not only focusses on combat or exploration, but also that makes you care more.. and get to know the characters.

    THE NEGATIVE:
    - Haven't seen any so far.

    CLOSING COMMENTS:
    Stargate: Universe is a worthy successor to the stargate franchise. After watching the first season... you'll be begging for more. If you were a fan of the previous series, and you feel at home in the Stargate universe, than I'd 100% recommend you to watch this series.    … Expand
  2. evilhomer12345
    Nov 3, 2010
    10
    i was never a fan of the stargate series, it just wasnt for me. but i saw universe and was like, i will watch the pilot atleast. the pilot and every episode since then has been epic. all the characters are cool, the scifi part is awesome. every episode something brings drama and suspense, and u wonder what will happen next. and just as everything is good for now and the episode is over youi was never a fan of the stargate series, it just wasnt for me. but i saw universe and was like, i will watch the pilot atleast. the pilot and every episode since then has been epic. all the characters are cool, the scifi part is awesome. every episode something brings drama and suspense, and u wonder what will happen next. and just as everything is good for now and the episode is over you see a preview for next week which looks 2x as crazy awesome dramatic suspence epicness then the episode u just finished. it is a series that has won over me from episode 1, and i truly recommend watching from the begining.… Expand
  3. Rayna
    Oct 27, 2010
    10
    I have to say out of all the Stargate series â
  4. BobbySandrosa
    Nov 15, 2010
    10
    I really like Stargate Universe because of its difference to SG1 and SG Atlantis. SGU's strong point is its gritty reality, dark circumstances, and human fallibility. Comparing this to the other stargate is a grave mistake, its not supposed to be an action filled hour with no strings attached. I rather see it as quite similar to ABC's Lost. This show is about average people dealing withI really like Stargate Universe because of its difference to SG1 and SG Atlantis. SGU's strong point is its gritty reality, dark circumstances, and human fallibility. Comparing this to the other stargate is a grave mistake, its not supposed to be an action filled hour with no strings attached. I rather see it as quite similar to ABC's Lost. This show is about average people dealing with extraordinary events. There is a perfect amount of humour, drama, and action too keep you entertained, but not too much to make you forget about their dire circumstances. Over all this show has more to say than just average sci-fi adventure and if you let be what it is meant to be (not a copy of SG1 and Atlantis) then it shines.… Expand
  5. duhhitscolin
    Mar 9, 2011
    7
    Having been a fan of SG1 and SGA (I got addicted and watch finish both series in a year), i was mildly disappointed by SGU due to the lack of use of stargate, but the gritty feel and the lovely CGI sort of filled up for the need of exploration. There's always mystery on board the ship, and it was sufficient for several episodes without off world missions.
    Despite a slow first season, i am    Having been a fan of SG1 and SGA (I got addicted and watch finish both series in a year), i was mildly disappointed by SGU due to the lack of use of stargate, but the gritty feel and the lovely CGI sort of filled up for the need of exploration. There's always mystery on board the ship, and it was sufficient for several episodes without off world missions.
    Despite a slow first season, i am really geared up in season 2 by the more fast-paced actions.    … Expand
  6. Kaptain
    Apr 4, 2011
    10
    Stargate Universe is hands down my favorite of the Stargate series. It is a high quality sci-fi drama without the standard cheese that so often plagues these types of shows. This program gives the feeling of real peril in a surreal setting. It has a darker more gritty atmosphere akin to the Battlestar series. Removing this show after only 3 great seasons is a real disservice to those of usStargate Universe is hands down my favorite of the Stargate series. It is a high quality sci-fi drama without the standard cheese that so often plagues these types of shows. This program gives the feeling of real peril in a surreal setting. It has a darker more gritty atmosphere akin to the Battlestar series. Removing this show after only 3 great seasons is a real disservice to those of us out there that hope daily for the staying power of real science fiction TV minus the silly costumes and cheesy dialogue. It is clear the Syfy network is where good shows go to die. Stargate Universe lends itself well to what science fiction television could be; great drama, real moral dilemmas, fantastic characters and a mysterious ship to get lost in. In short, SGU is a fantastic show for those who facepalm the old ideals of sci-fi tv being wacky effects, uninteresting characters and laughable dialogue. If like me, you're a science fiction fan looking for a more gritty real space drama, with believable characters, subtle effects, mystery and intrigue, Stargate Universe fills that void.… Expand
  7. klawhammer
    May 3, 2011
    0
    Every week this show finds a why to smother the science fiction genre to death. It really is not so hard. Every week you beam (or gate) down to a planet shoot some alien in the face and hook up with some green chick.
  8. wicada
    Apr 25, 2011
    10
    Too bad no one gave it a chance. The episodes are getting better, but maybe the first 1 1/2 season of character development was too much for some people.
  9. JessantS.
    Oct 13, 2009
    0
    I hate this show. There are no likable characters. There were big problems with plot in SGA but characters like John and Rodney made it bearable. I don't like anyone on this horrible mishmash of a show.
  10. SteveO.
    Oct 12, 2009
    0
    Boring show and it gets worse with every new episode... Completely weired science, irrational characters trying to be funny (the fat gamer dude)... Can it get worse ? Yes it can ! I hope this one gets canceled soon.
  11. John
    Nov 9, 2009
    2
    If people want BSG, then watch that... I hated it. Its sad that Stargate is now a soap opera. The first 2 episodes looked promising and I told myself that they were just building characters... nope, I need to find a new show now. Maybe someone will turn the new Star Trek movie into a series. And please leave out the drama!
  12. KamP
    Oct 22, 2009
    0
    The characters are awful. They have no depth and they are very annoying plus the actors can't act to save their life. I am actually rooting for them to either freeze to death or the show to get cancelled. Although the idea is good the execution is the worst. I've seen 3 episodes and I am not interested to see anymore. I loved the first 3 seasons of SGA why not bring that back.
  13. MichaelS.
    Oct 3, 2009
    1
    As a huge fan of all things Stargate I was very disappointed. The plot was slow and boring and the screenplay was so full of logic holes it boggled the mind. Where are the villains? Where are the aliens either evil or good or somewhere in between? Where is all the cool sci-fi tech stuff? The only tech we saw on the ship other than a view computer stations was a floating movable camera! As a huge fan of all things Stargate I was very disappointed. The plot was slow and boring and the screenplay was so full of logic holes it boggled the mind. Where are the villains? Where are the aliens either evil or good or somewhere in between? Where is all the cool sci-fi tech stuff? The only tech we saw on the ship other than a view computer stations was a floating movable camera! That was it! Not exactly exciting stuff. Most importantly where is all the drama and the action. Other than the surpise attack on the base there was none. So far what we have to worry about is a misguided scientist who sent the survivors to the ancient spaceship and the old broken down ship itself which looks more like a tramp cargo ship from World War 2 than it does a cool spaceship. This is supposed to be the third stargate series not the sequel to Battlestar Galctica. I hope the show improves but with so little connection to the first 2 stargate series I don't see a lot of stargate fans sticking around for a full season and unless the show gets a lot more interesting and yes I dare to say a lot more exciting I don't see a lot of new fans staying for a full season either. For now I will keep watching in the hope of some serious improvement but from what I have seen so far I'm not all that optimistic. I mean, come on! For a show centered on a lack of air on a lost spaceship there was very little tension. No one lost consciousness or collapsed. All we had was people complaining about the bad air and about having headaches. And when the urgent air problem was solved for 24 hours the sacrifice of one character hardly seemed dramatic at all. The premiere of Universe was not what makes for exciting and interesting sci-fi. If this is suposed to be dark and edgy and realistic sci-fi then they missed the mark and hit dull and slow instead.… Expand
  14. andreww
    Jan 14, 2010
    1
    Like most other viewers, I kept hoping the sci fi would come out, but it views like East Enders in Space. What is all this crap with people keep popping back to earth in somebody else's body?? - drop it!, or the writers, or both! There is limitless potential for exploring the wonders of the ship - yes, they are on a ship- in case you had forgotten! it could be done on a low budget if Like most other viewers, I kept hoping the sci fi would come out, but it views like East Enders in Space. What is all this crap with people keep popping back to earth in somebody else's body?? - drop it!, or the writers, or both! There is limitless potential for exploring the wonders of the ship - yes, they are on a ship- in case you had forgotten! it could be done on a low budget if needs; but please stop all the over dramatic interplay between characters- simplify it, go read up on the strengths os the previous stargate series, and remember it's pobably the same viewers. YOU ARE BORING US TO DEATH GUYS! - and could the so-called proffessional critics take a look at what the normally silent majority think, because you guys are losing the plot, along with the writers of SGU. I am free next weekend, as a favour, if you want, I will knock out an episode that people will watch- because thats how difficult it isn't! - are the writers getting paid for this? - Why??… Expand
  15. DaveS
    Jan 20, 2010
    1
    Started out well enough but plunged down hill fast. To much Soap Opera who's sleeping with who. Any day now we'll find out Eli is his own grandpa.
  16. GuyS
    Jan 8, 2010
    0
    It's just a bad soap with the stereo-typical mad scientist. Just plain awful
  17. BruceH
    Oct 18, 2009
    1
    This new show focuses more on interpersonal drama than exploration or discovery. It's nothing more than a soap opera set on a spaceship. This is not the Stargate I watched, and it is not a show I will continue to watch. It may win awards, but I believe this is the show that kills the franchise.
  18. ElizabethD
    Jan 11, 2010
    1
    SGU was one of the worst things I have ever seen! I loves Stargate Atlantis. It was an epic win! This is a epic fail! The characters have no personalities, the story sucks! And 8 episodes could be one episode. Everything is so slow and it never happens anything! I mean, I can watch slow TV shows, I mean Ghost Whisperer is pretty slow, but it happens stuff in that show that makes you more SGU was one of the worst things I have ever seen! I loves Stargate Atlantis. It was an epic win! This is a epic fail! The characters have no personalities, the story sucks! And 8 episodes could be one episode. Everything is so slow and it never happens anything! I mean, I can watch slow TV shows, I mean Ghost Whisperer is pretty slow, but it happens stuff in that show that makes you more excited! So it's not that I can't watch stuff taht is slow. It's just that this is so slow and nothing ever happens, the 3D animation sucks, the actors dosen't bring life to the characters! I can go on for hours! But this is an epic fail! Stay away from this if you're an SG fan! Go and watch SGA all over again instead and wait for the upcoming S´GA movie "Stargate: Extinction" instead. Wow, what a dissapointment!… Expand
  19. BobbleHat
    Jan 12, 2010
    0
    Lost !! In Space !! Can it ever hope to be as good as SG1 or SGA? Can it ever hope to have a decent watchable episode? Can it ever develop characters ior plots into something we are interested in watching? No !!! So just CAN IT !!!
  20. CrystalD
    Jan 20, 2010
    1
    I can't believe they canceled Atlantis for this pathetic show! The characters are all boring and it seems to lack imagination at every angle. I kept hoping it would turn around but about the 4th show in just couldn't stand watching it anymore. It seems completely void of humor. It's like they were trying to turn Stargate and Battlestar all into one and save themselves some I can't believe they canceled Atlantis for this pathetic show! The characters are all boring and it seems to lack imagination at every angle. I kept hoping it would turn around but about the 4th show in just couldn't stand watching it anymore. It seems completely void of humor. It's like they were trying to turn Stargate and Battlestar all into one and save themselves some bucks. Well guess what it's not working. Neither fan group is satisfied. It's dark and depressing and not at all enjoyable to watch and the sex crap is just that CRAP{!… Expand
  21. JosephG
    Jan 22, 2010
    1
    DISGRACEFUL. The only reason I give this a 1 and not a 0, is that the characters of Eli, Rush, and the commander (forgot his name) are well acted. But good acting cannot make up for the utter embarassment, disgrace of a show that the writers have put together so far. I don't mind a desert planet at all. I don't mind a slow-build up. But don't insult our intelligence by DISGRACEFUL. The only reason I give this a 1 and not a 0, is that the characters of Eli, Rush, and the commander (forgot his name) are well acted. But good acting cannot make up for the utter embarassment, disgrace of a show that the writers have put together so far. I don't mind a desert planet at all. I don't mind a slow-build up. But don't insult our intelligence by focusing on plot lines that you would see in "Chuck" or some teenie-bopper show. Stargate fans are a sophisticated bunch, and very loyal to well-written shows. But you have totally abaondoned us - seriously guys. You gave sophisticated camera-work and more theatrical acting, with god-awful plots. And look - I was in the military. Of course there are gays in the military and there are people with other diverse backgrounds. You don't have to make that the focus of 50% of your shows!! This is such drivel, its so awful, its like being forced to watch "As the World Turns" or "General Hospital" dressed up in the Stargate franchise. Brad, and the other creator guy... time to rest on your laurels and retire. I'd rather watch C-SPAN than this c**p.… Expand
  22. kyleb
    Oct 11, 2009
    3
    Not impressed so far. I knew the second they canceled Atlantis they had a bad case of BSG envy. SGU shows every sign of being BSG light--the worst of both worlds. What they're sacrificing is the fun, humor and charismatic characters that were Stargate hallmarks. And what they're overlooking is that BSG was only fantastic 20% of the time and the rest was pretentious crap.
  23. DanielW
    Dec 23, 2009
    2
    Stargate is a franchise known for it's humor and traditional sci-fi plot lines, not character development or drama. And yes, after a total of 15 years of that kind of show, a change was needed (the later seasons of Atlantis showed us this). Unfortunately, Stargate Universe tried to be too different. The show feels much more like a soap opera set in space. The best episode yet was Stargate is a franchise known for it's humor and traditional sci-fi plot lines, not character development or drama. And yes, after a total of 15 years of that kind of show, a change was needed (the later seasons of Atlantis showed us this). Unfortunately, Stargate Universe tried to be too different. The show feels much more like a soap opera set in space. The best episode yet was only on par with some of the worst SG-1 or Atlantis episodes. Like previous commenters, I watched this show hoping each week that it would get better; that it would stop focusing on the sex and the drama and actually have an episode with a real science-fiction plot. I've since given up. SGU continues to show a pattern of relationship drama and, well, sheer boringness. Perhaps this show will attract more mainstream viewers who aren't necessarily sci-fi fans, but I don't think even they'll be interested for that long. I'd be surprised if this show lasted longer than 2 seasons.… Expand
  24. fantasy
    Oct 3, 2009
    1
    I have watched all the Stargate series. Yesterday's offering was a two hour commercial showing the same scene over and over. It better quickly catch my attention as there were no memorable characters in the entire cast. And Eli? Where are they going?
  25. MichaelS
    Dec 7, 2009
    3
    I just watched the season finale. Look. It's real simple. This is incredibly boring! It's insulting really. We veiwers need tangible bad guys to root against! If I see one more episode of a dark ship with a dark plot and dark moody people walking around with sad faces I'm out! It's so sad to take a wonderful concept for a series and then totally mishandle it! Aargh! I just watched the season finale. Look. It's real simple. This is incredibly boring! It's insulting really. We veiwers need tangible bad guys to root against! If I see one more episode of a dark ship with a dark plot and dark moody people walking around with sad faces I'm out! It's so sad to take a wonderful concept for a series and then totally mishandle it! Aargh! Could have been awesome but instead it just makes me more upset that they canceled SG1 and SGA in the first place.… Expand
  26. StephanieC
    Apr 15, 2010
    3
    I can't wait for the next episode.
  27. SomeBody
    Nov 8, 2009
    3
    It's like the original SG1, but without the fun.
  28. 21nine
    Oct 8, 2009
    5
    Take the Eli character out and this was good...his tomfoolery brought it down several notches and destroyed for me any real sense of suspense....this as a result verged on everyday soap rather than tense adult drama/thriller....disappointed as the premise was good, not a fan of the other stargates, just seemed too run of the mill...but BSG is/was great...give it 5 to allow it to see where Take the Eli character out and this was good...his tomfoolery brought it down several notches and destroyed for me any real sense of suspense....this as a result verged on everyday soap rather than tense adult drama/thriller....disappointed as the premise was good, not a fan of the other stargates, just seemed too run of the mill...but BSG is/was great...give it 5 to allow it to see where it goes...why do so many dramas, and films for that matter, have to have token dumb nerdy types in them.… Expand
  29. BenD
    Oct 8, 2009
    2
    Stargate in name only. The winning formula is MIA, replaced by a premise that is both hackneyed and shallow. The show borrows from genres that have already been done better and offers nothing new. The allusions to Lost, BSG, and Voyager are all valid -- only Universe fails to duplicate any of the aspects that made those shows memorable and captivating. Gone is the compelling team dynamic Stargate in name only. The winning formula is MIA, replaced by a premise that is both hackneyed and shallow. The show borrows from genres that have already been done better and offers nothing new. The allusions to Lost, BSG, and Voyager are all valid -- only Universe fails to duplicate any of the aspects that made those shows memorable and captivating. Gone is the compelling team dynamic of SG-1. Instead, we're treated to hollow drama delivered by mediocre actors. When the pivotal character tragedy of the pilot episode could have been avoided by duct taping a stick to an aerial observation drone introduced just minutes earlier, you know the writers haven't brought their A-game. Good sci-fi may be a little sparse right now, but do yourself a favor and skip this mess.… Expand
  30. DoodleFace
    Oct 9, 2009
    2
    Surprisingly bad. Not a single character has made me want to learn more about him or her. The story so far is also not engaging. And I hated BSG, so the imitation isn't doing it any good at all with me. Carlyle can do great comedy, so I wish they had utilized that part of his talent, but foolishly, they made his character all grim with no oddities. Damn, what a waste. I miss Stargate Surprisingly bad. Not a single character has made me want to learn more about him or her. The story so far is also not engaging. And I hated BSG, so the imitation isn't doing it any good at all with me. Carlyle can do great comedy, so I wish they had utilized that part of his talent, but foolishly, they made his character all grim with no oddities. Damn, what a waste. I miss Stargate Atlantis even more now.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best TV Season of 2009
1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
34
#34 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    50
    Stories aren't particularly dense or surprising, and some of the conflict feels quite contrived
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Marc Bernardin
    67
    Hopefully the story itself, which finds a band of alien-attack victims jumping blindly through a Stargate and landing on a mysterious spaceship billions of light years from Earth, will eventually transcend this premiere's BSG-lite-ness.
    Read full review
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    80
    With 19 episodes remaining in this season, there's plenty of time for all this drama to intensify and the characters to sort themselves out as good and not-so-good.
    Read full review
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