Stargate: Universe - Overview

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

I've had a great time reccing both SG-1 and SGA fic this month, but would like to close with an SGU fic or two. Which means, we need an SGU fandom overview!

Introduction
Stargate: Universe, commonly abbreviated SGU, is the third television series in the MGM's Stargate franchise, which had its genesis with the motion picture Stargate (1994). It follows Stargate SG-1, which ran for ten seasons (1997-2007), and Stargate: Atlantis (SGA), which ran for five (2004-2009). There have also been thirty webisodes (called kinosodes) produced.

SGU revolves around approx. 80 humans who become trapped aboard Destiny, a ship built by a race known as the Alterans (or Ancients), after an emergency evacuation of the planet Icarus. Icarus had been home to a research effort led by Dr. Nicholas Rush dedicated to dialing the only nine-chevron stargate address ever found. Rush, working with Eli Wallace, figures out a few key issues just as the base is attacked, and dials Destiny instead of Earth as ordered, claiming dialing Earth is unsafe.

Destiny is old, and most of the first episodes of Season One revolve around the crew frantically trying to figure out, or repair, enough systems to keep everyone alive. The crew soon discovers that Destiny is on a preprogrammed path, following previous Ancient ships which seeded planets with stargates. Periodically Destiny drops out of hyperspace near a planet, giving the crew a few hours to a few days to explore, look for food, and (of course) get into all sorts of trouble.

During the evacuation of Icarus, a few long-range communication stones are brought to Destiny, allowing those aboard to visit Earth via body swap. This technology drives several episodes of the first season, and plays a factor in many others.

An ongoing theme of the show is that those who have found themselves aboard Destiny are "the wrong people" - not a handpicked, well-trained, well-screen group like the Atlantis Expedition of SGA or the gate teams of Stargate SG-1.

Major Characters

	Dr. Nicholas Rush is a physicist who has spent the past several years working the ninth chevron problem. He will do just about anything to achieve a goal, including lying and withholding information; this doesn't make him very popular. Early season one events lead to him being beaten and left for dead; Rush actually took this surprisingly well, and in the second half of S1 he managed to avoid inciting homicidal rages, among allies at least. Dr. Rush is a fan favorite, largely because Robert Carlyle absolutely rocks the role. Rush has no real friends among the crew, but he works pretty well with Eli Wallace, and he and Chloe Armstrong bond somewhat over a shared alien abduction experience.
	Col. Everett Young is the senior military officer on board Destiny. His faults are many, including a tendency to not use his words; but his junior officers and the enlisted personnel seem to respect him, and I think he relates well to people as individuals and groups when he's not feeling overly threatened. He and Lt. Johansen have been sexually involved, resulting in a pregnancy that is in jeapordy at the end of S1.
	Eli Wallace is a twenty-something MIT drop-out who is drafted into the project to unlock the ninth chevron after he solves a puzzle imbedded in a computer game. He's a genuinely nice kid and plays well with everyone. Thus, he's often torn between the military and civilian factions aboard Destiny. His closest friendship is with Chloe Armstrong; he's also pretty close to Lt. Matthew Scott.
	Lt. Matthew Scott is, well, the type of guy who falls down holes as the plot requires. But he means well. He's Col. Young's second-in-command; as such, he spends a lot of his time defending his boss. S1 events in Matt's life included a romantic relationship with Chloe Armstrong and discovering that he has a seven-year-old son on Earth. Like Eli, he's generally popular with everyone; in particular, he's a bit of a protégé of Sgt. Ron Greer, who seems to see something worth nurturing in him.
	Chloe Armstrong ends up on Destiny because she was visiting Icarus as an assistant to her father, a U.S. Senator, when it was attacked. It was her idea to imbed one of the problems associated with activating the ninth stargate chevron into a video game. She's bright, but a bit of a fish out of water, being neither a scientist nor a soldier.
	Lt. Tamara "TJ" Johansen is a medic, and the only person aboard Destiny with any medical training; this keeps her very, very busy at times. She was about to resign her commission when the evacuation occurred, and during S1, we gradually learn why - she's carrying Col. Young's child. How this happened is never really explained; I'm guessing sex pollen.
	Sgt. Ronald Greer seems to be the senior enlisted officer aboard Destiny. He's devoted to Col. Young and very patient with Lt. Scott. He has issues but he possesses a sense of self and a grace that many of the others on Destiny seem to lack.
	Camile Wray is the senior IOA member on board Destiny. Her primary role on the ship during S1 was to mediate between Col. Young and the civilians aboard Destiny. Despite her efforts, pent-up issues and resentments eventually grew into full (ultimately unsuccessful) mutiny against the military leadership late in S1. She is deeply in love with her long-time partner, Sharon; this is, by far, the most stable relationship we've seen amongst Destiny's crew.

Other Recurring Characters
Lt. Vanessa James is first seen in a broom closet making with Lt. Matt Scott, shortly before he transfers his affections to Chloe; despite this, she is later kind to both of them. She's pretty green, but generally sane (except when she isn't), and a fan favorite.
Adam Brody is an engineer with the Stargate program; Rush seems to respect him more than his other staff. He's in charge of the ship still.
Dr. Jeremy Franklin is a scientist who eventually has his brain scrambled by Destiny's control chair. At the end of S1, he has mysteriously vanished.
Dr. Lisa Park is a scientist who manages to be generally useful. She also likes sex. And reading. But mostly sex.
Airman Hunter Riley is actually happy to be aboard Destiny. He's badly hurt mid-S1, but recovers.
Dr. Dale Volker is a claustrophobic astrophysicist.
Col. David Telford spent most of the first season being a jerk; then we learned that he'd been brainwashed by the Lucian Alliance. He's all better now.
Emily Young is married to Col. Young. She's a bit put out by his affair, and has one of her own, with Col. Telford.
Airman Darren Becker is the ship cook, a challenging job given their lack of ingredients.

The Fandom
The comparatively short life of SGA was largely due to TPTB deciding they'd rather produce a series that was "edgier and younger," and would appeal to a younger fanbase. Not surprisingly, the more active elements of SGA fandom, myself included, were not pleased.

On the whole, TPTB have gotten what they wanted. Ratings are solid, and the fandom does seem to skew younger (and more male).

Controversies
Even before the first episode had aired, there was much discussion about the implication of using the communication stones to allow characters to fully inhabit the bodies of others. And by 'fully inhabit', I mean 'have sex using.'

Particular outrage followed the casting call for the role of Eleanor (late, Amanda) Perry, a scientist on Earth who swaps bodies with Camile Wray during the episode Sabotage. It's complicated; google for details. What eventually got produced was actually pretty good, and seemed to take many of the concerns expressed into consideration. However, a large percent of SGA's fandom is still very hostile to SGU, and comments on LJ in support of the show are often made anonymously.

Fan works
The fandom has yet to produce any brilliant fan works, but there is some decent fanfic being written. There are no obvious slash pairings a la Daniel/Jack of SG-1 or John/Rodney of SGA, but the tension between Rush and Young has led to probably the most slash.

The canon pairings, Young/TJ (mostly aftermath) and Matt/Chloe, also get some attention. Other common pairings, according to purpletrance, are Rush/Chloe (dealing with their shared post-alien-abduction angst), Eli/Rush, Eli/Chloe, Scott/Young, TJ/Rush, Greer/Rush, and Brody/Rush. Yes, our Nick does get around! But he's such an angst ball, one can hardly help it.

Most fanfic is posted either to Livejournal or Fanfiction.net.

Resources
On LJ, active communities include
sgu_destiny general discussion
sgu_challenge weekly fic challenges
sg_universe_fic fanfic and discussion
young_rush Rush/Young fic
rush_chloe Rush/Chloe fic
sgu_daily daily images
sguficrec fanfic recommendations
stargateficrec pan-franchise recs, occasionally for SGU fic
sgu_newsletter daily newsletter, currently inactive

Useful off-LJ sites include Gateworld; Stargate Universe | Syfy; MGM's SGU site; Stargate Solutions; and Producer Joseph Mallozzi's blog.

Final Notes
I was never, never, ever going to watch SGU, but a friend of my daughter's was looking forward to the series starting, so I caught the first episode so that I wouldn't have to explain my reasons for boycotting the show to a twelve-year-old boy. I was unimpressed; but I watched the second episode, then the third, and the next thing I knew I was ficcing away happily.

The second season has just started; I recommend giving SGU a chance if you're not already a fan.

Thanks go to purpletrance, thelasteddis, welshactorlover, nynaeve_sedai, carmencatalina, csiguci, ziparumpazoo, never_at_home, and especially artemis_neith who answered my plea for help on sgu_destiny. All remaining errors, omissions, and bits of inappropriate snark are my own.

Comments

[lothy.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this overview! After some of the comments I saw from SGA fans about SGU earlier today (and previously) I was beginning to think I and my sister are the only people who like both!

(And while I understand resenting SGA's cancellation, honestly, if I started hating every show which resulted in the cancellation of a show I liked, I'd have to hate Firefly and probably a whole load of other great series.)

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

RL friends who aren't a part of fandom per se seem to have happily gone from enjoying SG-1 to SGA to SGU; but I do think the shows are different enough that most people who intensely fan SGA naturally wouldn't fan SGU.

Personally, I like very different things about the shows; and some things about SGA which really annoyed me I think SGU does wonderfully.

[girlysocks.livejournal.com]

I thought that was very nicely written overview. It was funny, it even made my housemate laugh in places and it was informative.

I've never looked into SGU slash because I figured the only pairings I'd like wouldn't be very popular (and from your breakdown they're not), Eli/Scott or Eli/Greer.

I've loved the show from the first episode, except for my complete and total loathing of Chloe Armstrong, so it is good to know that there are others out there who like it. Nearly every SciFi fan I know doesn't.

As for the cancellation of SGA, they deserved it for killing my doctor and trying to palm me off with a clone (not recovered from that yet), I don't think it's fair at all to hold cancellations against a spin off and am still surprised that people do.

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

I think Eli/Scott could be good; but not as John/Rodney v2.0, yk?

RE: Chloe - I think you either love her or hate her. I love her - she reminds me a lot of me at that age :-)

[lothy.livejournal.com]

When the character description of Chloe came out, and in her first scenes in episode 1, I instinctively disliked her... but that was based on the theory of her if you know what I mean, rather than the actual character. She's now easily my favourite character on the show.

(The one character I'm not so keen on is Eli. I don't hate him or anything, I just don't understand why I'm supposed to love him.)

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

I'm with you about Chloe!

I'm pretty fond of Eli too, though- it's the older generation that irritates me.

(Loved them all in the first ep. of s2, though!)

[lothy.livejournal.com]

For some reason, some people hold everything against a spin-off. The parent show loses a character? Blame the spin-off. The parent show's writing quality declines? Blame the spin-off. Certainly sometimes with explanations (as in this case as the producers have said themselves that the two shows could not have been made simultaneously) but it's not an attitude I care to share. As I mentioned above, if I were to hold cancellations against other shows, I'd have to blame Firefly for Dark Angel ending and deprive myself of watching one of the best SF shows ever.

I've never actually read any SGU fic. I think if I did I'd probably be looking for femslash, or possibly TJ/Young.

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Given how short creative lives/professional lives actually are, and how rare it is to find oneself in the position to do what one really wants, how could I possibly resent an artist, or group of artists, for following their muse?

And would the product that resulted if they were tied to doing something they didn't want to do be any good???

(Good point about Firefly!)

[enviropony.livejournal.com]

I tried to give this show a go, but I couldn't even get through the first episode. It was just boring. While I'm definitely one of the bitter SGA fans, I don't dislike SGU for that reason. I dislike it for the same reasons I never liked 90210, Melrose Place and almost everything that the WB network has put out since it was created. ---->>*snore*

That said, rec me some fics that really get at the heart of what SGU is (supposed to be) about, and I'll give it a chance. The SGA fandom proves that what we create as a community can far outstrip the best ideas (and the most adamant glaring and foot-stomping) of TPTB.

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, with only maybe a couple thousand SGU fics ever writ, and Sturgeon's Law being what it is, there aren't a slew of great stories out there. But I think I've found some worthy of the van; will post all the recs I can tomorrow.

[twigged.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this! I have added the SG:U tag for your use.

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[slippery-fish.livejournal.com]

*proudly waves her 'SGU is awesome, haters to the left' flag. Great overview. :)

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!

[magician113.livejournal.com]

Wow an overview on the 29th? While driving the van full tilt and never spilling a drop of your Coke? You are an awesome, dedicated fan. SGU is lucky to have you.

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Let's just say I'm happy it's October!

[carmencatalina.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this! We SGU fans are out here, watching our show, writing our fanfic, and it is nice to get a little love.

Have some candy!

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

[kegom.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the overview! I'll keep my eyes open for your recs - perhaps there'll be some that will get me into the series!

(I was really excited for the idea of SGU, especially with Robert Carlyle in a leading role, but after the first two episodes, I stopped watching, partly because I didn't find a character that I was able to get emotionally invested with, and partly because I was frustrated that they seemed to be going back to the "all-male-on-the-top" kind of hierarchy. I'm kind of hoping that perhaps fanfiction will help me with the emotional investment, at least. ^^")

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Alas, I was the van driver back in September; I mostly rec'd SGA and SG-1, but squeezed some SGU in at the very end, along with this overview.

A lot of people who have given SGU a decent shot have ended up not liking it, for a lot of different reasons. I can't argue that it's gotten any better wrt gender/power, mostly because most of the first season was about struggling for some sort of sanity at top, and none of the players, F or M, has any talent for leadership IMNSHO.

Thanks for commenting!

[kegom.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks! (You even stated that at the top of your post, but apparently I can't read properly. ;P) It's really cool that you decided to treat all three shows equally!


You know, the thing about struggle for sanity at the top with lots of players who have no talent for leadership is actually rather interesting, even if most players are guys! Perhaps it was just the rather jarring transition from SG-1 and SGA with their kick-ass, powerful females from the start to a show where the first two women we really saw were a very pretty and very young (and truthfully, not all that powerful and kick-ass) girl and a woman in a very typically "female" position as a nurse that made the lack of females in position of power so very obvious to me. I think if I ignored that, I might still be able to enjoy the show on its own.

[lothy.livejournal.com]

There is one other female on the regular cast list: Camile, the IOA representative (formerly head of human resources) who is one of the players vying for leadership. (Also she's a lesbian in a committed relationship, which is always good to see.)

It is an adjustment going from SG-1 and SGA to SGU though, mainly because this isn't a show for "heroes". Most of the characters on SGU are various different shades of "grey" and it can take a while to actually like them - not that they're dislikable (most of them are fairly nice - or at least interesting - once you get to know them) but they don't have instantaneous appeal the way SG-1 & SGA characters do. In fact there's more than one character I've started out thinking I'll hate who's ended up being on my list of favourites.