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Tag: Chloe Armstrong

Stargate Universe: “Blockade” with Special “Gauntlet” Sneak Peek

Greetings Sci Fi Fans!

It is hard to believe that the last new episode of any Stargate flavor will air so soon, at least for the foreseeable future, and I am personally very nervous about how Stargate Universe will end. Our beloved SG-1 and SGA each had the luxury of a years-long run that allowed characters and story lines to fully develop in a way that they could be brought to some kind of reasonable (if reluctant) close.

Sadly, Stargate Universe was not afforded the same opportunity and I am afraid it may be difficult to bring the series to a conclusion that will not leave us tangled in a bunch of hanging threads. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that the writers will be able to give us some kind of closure, preferably through a door that might, some day, be opened again.

This latest episode, “Blockade,” continues to expand on two themes: the descendants of the crew’s other selves, and the Drone ships programmed to destroy any technology other than their own. What might happen if two thousand years of human evolution came up against such a mindless, destructive force?

The advent of the aggressive Drone ships is strikingly reminiscent of the Replicators, nemesis of both SG-1 and Atlantis. Like the Replicators, the Drones are a machine intelligence, mindlessly fulfilling its prime directive and destroying all technology and technology-capable beings in its path. In “Blockade” we begin to see that there may be lot more Drones out there than we might have originally thought. This may be one story element that cannot be concluded with only one more episode to go. Maybe if all the brilliant scientific minds from all three series get together in one last big effort they could figure out a quick and miraculous solution!

“Blockade” begins with Eli Wallace (David Blue), watching the video of the dedication of the little school that was named after his other self. He has obviously watched it many times, and his face betrays both sadness and perhaps some longing as he watches. The Kino footage of the other Eli has affected him very deeply. He saw himself alone while all the other survivors slowly paired off, had children, became families. That other Eli ultimately married Corporal Barnes (Leanne Adachi), who really didn’t seem like his type. I don’t think our Eli was all that excited about the pairing either, yet another reason to feel regret for the fate of his other self. On the other hand, that Eli accomplished great things, creating the basis for an entire people’s education.

Destiny is low on fuel and drops out of FTL to fuel up at the nearest appropriate star but for some reason the ship has decided to detour around a big gas giant. This turns out to be a lucky decision because as soon as they get around the gas giant and in view of the star, they see a Drone command ship blocking the path to the star and the Drones swoop in on the attack. Time for a hasty retreat! Destiny takes a few hits before jumping back into FTL but they get away without any major damage. How did the Drones know about Destiny’s refueling methods? How did they know to position themselves on that particular side of the star? Even Destiny’s crew was surprised that the ship chose such a circuitous approach.

After getting away from the Drone ship, Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) seems strangely interested in having everyone let go of the idea that the Drones can track them or know their destination. When Eli challenges him, Rush says “call it wishful thinking, if you like.” Rush? Wishful thinking? That seems a little out of character, doesn’t it?

Rush plots a course for an appropriate red dwarf star that is not on Destiny’s normal route, in hopes of avoiding the possibility of another Drone attack. If the Drones are waiting for them at all of the eligible stars along their route, Destiny’s only hope for safely refueling—and they are almost out of gas—is to find a star that the Drones will not think to check.

On approach to the next star, Camile Wray (Ming Na) gets to sit in the captain’s chair! She is reluctant at first to take Colonel Young’s (Louis Ferreira) seat, but he says, “What am I, Captain Kirk?” Of course, Rush has to tell her not to touch anything, as if she would.

That Star Trek joke was just the first of many fun references to other sci-fi shows peppered throughout this episode.

Despite their careful planning, when they drop out of FTL they find the Drones are blocking their way to this star too. Destiny jumps back into FTL but they cannot keep this up forever. In fact, power reserves are so low that there will only be one more chance before Destiny is incapable of reaching any more fueling stops.

The Drone blockade does provide some useful information, though. Since the Drones are forming a blockade to prevent Destiny accessing any potential source of fuel, it follows that the Drones are not able to track Destiny after all.

Eli comes up with another brilliant but risky plan to get them the fuel they so desperately need. He proposes they try refueling at a star that the Drones will never suspect they would try, simply because it is incredibly dangerous. Sgt. Ronald Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) gets the joke in this scene—“Don’t tell me—Death Star.” But no, Eli is proposing they pass through a blue supergiant. If you want to know more about blue supergiants, click here. (WHR’s own SciFiFanGirl616 was named for a blue supergiant. How awesome is that?)

Eli and Rush are convinced that Destiny’s shields will be able to withstand that extreme temperatures of passing through one of the hottest stars in the galaxy, but the people on board would not be able to survive. Temperatures inside the ship are expected to climb to nearly 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Everyone will have to be evacuated through the Stargate to whatever habitable planet is in range while Rush and Eli stay on board to pilot Destiny through the star. They can wear two of the three available suits to protect them from the extreme temperatures.

It is agreed that there is really no choice but to try Eli’s plan so everyone starts getting ready to carry it out. High on the priority list is to salvage whatever they can of the fresh food they have managed to cultivate in the hydroponics dome. Under the dome it is lush and green, plants heavy with lots tomato-looking fruits.

As the ship comes nearer and nearer to the blue supergiant, more and more systems start to shut down and Destiny starts locking down hatchways. When the first set of doors unexpectedly shut and locked I was immediately put on alert. This seemed to be an ominous development and I started to get worred.

When the time comes to evacuate, Dr. Lisa Park (Jennifer Spence) has a crazy idea. She volunteers to stay behind in the one remaining suit so she can use the additional time before Destiny enters the star to salvage more of the precious plants. Again, her decision to stay behind made me nervous. Things were starting to look dicey.

Dropping out of FTL, there are no Drones in sight and there is one gate address in range. So far, so good. Eli sends the Kino through the gate, revealing what looks like a long-unused warehouse of some kind, very earth-like and cluttered with debris. Eli’s comment: “Holy crap, we’ve dialed Pittsburgh.” I am sure no offense was intended to Pittsburgh or its residents; merely a comment on how very earth-like the city appeared! Eli theorizes that this must be one of the planets that their human descendants settled but whoever once lived there, it looks abandoned now.

Once on the planet, Col. Young decides to send a few small teams out to search for useful goods like food and weapons. Sgt. Greer has already noted that their supply of ammunition is running low. Camile Wray remarks that she would kill for a new outfit. That made me laugh because the subject of outfits actually came up during Elyse Levesque’s (Chloe Armstrong) Q&A at the 2010 Stargate Convention in Los Angeles.

On the ship, Eli helps Dr. Park harvest the precious plant material until Dr. Rush calls him back to the bridge. Eli and Park have already suited up, but when Eli gets to the bridge he finds Rush is still suitless. He says there is still plenty of time before they reach the star and in the meantime they can work better without the suits. Eli: “Yeah, but now I look ridiculous.” Rush: “Yeah.” Hilarious!

Rush surprises Eli by asking which of the two of them will be piloting the ship through the star. Naturally Eli had assumed Rush would be in charge, but it is Eli’s plan and Eli’s calculations, after all. They agree that Eli should be in charge of the operation so he can enter any necessary course corrections on the fly.

An alarm sounds in the dome as Dr. Park is still pulling up plants. She grabs her bags and heads for the door, but too late—Destiny locks down the hatch and she is trapped inside. Okay, I definitely saw that coming. This is the kind of thing that can happen when a show is cancelled. Characters can be killed off because there is no tomorrow for them anyway. The end of a series can bring shocking outcomes. I knew in my heart that Park was doomed the minute she announced she would stay on board to gather plants in a space suit. Still, I clung to a tiny shred of hope and clutched the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next.

Sgt. Greer finds some canned goods with the labels faded to nothing. Handing some to Dr. Dale Volker (Patrick Gilmore), Greer insists that they take the cans along. Volker: “Mmm, botulism.”

In the warehouse, one of the men, Morrison (Vincent Gale), finds a page from what looks like a newspaper, the headline reading “ATAK!” Young finds a rooftop vantage point and sees that this city was not just abandoned, it was destroyed.

The search teams are halfway across town, walking past abandoned stores with names like Kand-i-Mart and Harmuth Markit. (I wonder if Harmuth Markit is an homage to Harmut Essinger, the person responsible for much of Apple Computer’s early design strategy? I always wonder what inspires writers and set decorators to choose things like store names, don’t you?)

Meanwhile, Morrison thinks he has deciphered the newspaper article. It says the attack on the city came from space, from machines that went after the inhbabitants’ technology. Of course, we knew all along that it was going to be Drones, right? There is no evidence yet, but I know it is just a matter of time.

The salvage teams still have not found anything like a gun shop or a grocery store. Suddenly they hear something that sends them running for cover. A Drone has somehow detected them and comes down to hover over the street, just outside the teams’ positions.

Eli tries desperately to find some way to override Destiny’s systems and get Park out of the hydroponics dome, but nothing is working. Eventually, Rush brings everyone back to the very real problem: trying to help Dr. Park has taken Eli away from the bigger job in front of him, which is piloting Destiny through that star without killing them all and stranding everyone else on some unknown, abandoned planet. He tells Park to get down in the collection basin and ride it out under water. No one really thinks that will work, but they all accept the situation and Eli gets back to work. Rush assures Eli that she will be fine, but his expression seems more doubtful.

The salvage teams remain hidden in buildings on opposite sides of the street, but after a while they can hear more Drones arriving. The people near the Stargate can hear them too, and Morrison panics. He grabs the remote and dials the Gate. Lt. James (Julia Benson) knocks him out with an awesome elbow to the face and shuts down the Gate, but too late. The Gate activation has alerted the Drones. Worse, when James radios Lt. Scott (Brian J. Smith) to report the situation, the ratio chatter gives away Scott’s position and the Drone fires. Greer takes that as his cue to go on the attack. He fires on the Drone to distract it from Lt. Scott and give the rest of their party a chance to escape. Greer and Scott keep firing while everyone else makes a run for it. Then Young unexpectedly shows up and between the three of them they finally shoot the Drone out of the sky. Lucky for them, the other one had taken off for the Gate location. Too bad they used up so much ammunition. That could prove to be a problem down the road.

Destiny is entering the star and Rush and Eli are fully suited, helmets and all, manning the controls. Temperatures inside have already climbed to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Eli theorizes that the ship closed off the hatchway to the dome and would not let them override because it knew the dome would never be able to survive the heat and stress of passage through this particular star.

Lt. James radios that a Drone has just appeared outside the warehouse. Scott warns her to stay off the radio but says she is counting on the Drones being drawn to the signal. Varro (Mike Dopud) comes out with a grenade launcher and blasts the Drone out of the sky.

Park is still clutching her bags of plants. It looks like the temperature in the dome is outrageously high. We can hear the fear in her breath, and we can see it in the way she moves, hesitantly, toward the edge of the collection basin. What a great performance by Jennifer Spence. With a last look around, she climbs into the pool with her sacks of greenery and grabs on.

Eli manages to make all the necessary course corrections and get them into the star long enough to charge all systems to maximum capacity. He starts moving them back out of the star but then the roof of the dome blows apart. The garden is on fire, massive flames leaping toward the sun, Park barely hanging on in the collection pool, her body being pulled toward the shattered roof. With flames all around her and the prospect of being sucked out to a burning death, she screams, but is still stubbornly hanging onto one of her bags. I am personally wondering why the bag is not burning right now.

They make it out of the star with interior temperatures all the way up to 310 degrees. As Rush prepares to start cooling the Gate room so they can bring everyone back on board, he sees on the ship indicators that they have lost the dome. Eli runs from the bridge.

Camile Wray explains to Young and the rest of the salvage team what they have learned from the newspaper article. Apparently, the plan was to move the Stargate from a place they called Terminus to an older part of the city, the building where they are now. There is no technology at that location so the inhabitants were probably trying to avoid attracting the Drones. Volunteers were driving vehicles away from the city to draw off the Drones and save as many people as they could.

There are a few little details bothering me at this point. Where are the remains of the dead? They couldn’t all have gone to dust already, not with the buildings still so intact and no vegetation taking over. And why do they have to try and decipher the newspaper article? Store names and headlines all appear to be a close relative to English. Could the rest of the article have been that much different? What about remnants of vehicles? The Drones don’t have disintegration rays; they just blast things to pieces. The streets just seem too clean. Okay, pickiness moment over!

There is still at least a half hour to go before the crew can expect to rejoin Destiny. Camile asks Young about what he brought back from his salvage run, and it’s a new outfit! Although he was not able to find anything like weapons or food, he did find a dry cleaner.

When Eli arrives at the hydroponics dome, to his immense relief Dr. Park is able to tell him that she is just on the other side of the door. Now that they are through the star, Destiny allows Rush to override the lockdown and he gets the door open. With Eli’s help, Park makes her way back inside the ship, still stubbornly clutching that bag of plants. Miraculously, she is alive and seems to be okay. But she is blind.

On the planet, the landing party does not like what they are hearing outside. Young decides it is time to dial the Gate. As everyone starts through to the ship, a Drone command ship descends low over the city.

Everyone makes it safely on board. Rush sends Lt. Johansen (Alaina Huffman) to the infirmary, reporting that Dr. Park has flash blindness, and says that hopefully it is only temporary.

Rush tells Young that Eli got them through. He said he kept checking Eli’s calculations looking for a mistake but there weren’t any. He said it was genius, and that he had never seen anything like it, but: “Please don’t tell him I told you that.”

So at the end of this episode, Destiny’s systems are fully recharged, but they will not be able to use the same trick to refuel that way again. Rush says the Drones will not fall for it again, plus that type of star is very rare. Young thinks they are right back where they started but Rush says not exactly, they have a full tank of gas. Last funny moment of the episode: Brody (Peter Kelamis) and Volker: “Yay.” Okay, not so funny in print but very funny on video.

And Destiny jumps back to FTL.

I am both anxious to see the next episode, so I can see what will happen next, but wishing it would not air just yet, so the end will never come. For now I am going to live in the present and relish the fantastic experience of getting to see these talented actors give us their all, interpreting rich storytelling from the gifted writers of the Stargate Universe series. Thank you everyone, cast and crew. We love you all!

Stargate Universe will air its concluding episode May 09, 2011 on Syfy and on the Space Channel on May 10, 2011 with “Gauntlet”. We encourage all Stargate fans to watch the episode live to prove your support of this superb MGM Studios franchise. Thank you. Here is a sneak peek at “Gauntlet:”

Until next time,

OffworldTravelr

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May 7, 2011
Stargate Universe: “Common Descent” and “Epilogue” Clearly Worthy of the Stargate Lineage!

Hello once again Stargate fans,

The latest episodes of Stargate Universe were once again a delightful experience for the supporters of the current incarnations of Stargate by a large portion of the fandom in the United States and an overwhelming majority in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe as measured by percentage of the populations in those regions.

As we have reported previously and unfortunately for Stargate fans, according to Brad Wright’s recent disclosure at the Creation Entertainment Vancouver Stargate convention, the franchise has been placed on the shelf for the time being. The good news is that Stargate may (repeat MAY) be back in the future in one form or the other.

However, it is not likely we will see Stargate in the form of the three series Stargate Universe, Stargate Atlantis or Stargate SG-1. Why? For that answer we suggest you stay tuned to WHR as our team will have more on that particular subject in the near future.

In the meantime, this analysis review encompasses two outstanding episodes which are intrinsically tied together at the hip; “Common Descent” and “Epilogue”. Read on to find out just how much entertainment fun is in both!

Common Descent:

With outstanding writing by creators Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, “Common Descent” was directed in typical awesome fashion by Stargate legend Peter DeLuise. Not to be missed are more superb effects under the guidance of Mark Savela witnessed in a wilderness like location where the descendants of the “other” Destiny crew was sent as a result of a solar flare Stargate time warp far into the past.

“Common Descent” featured superb acting by virtually the entire ensemble cast including the return of one of my favorite actresses, Ms. MingNa as Camile Wray. Normally confined to the environs of the Destiny itself or on visits to Earth via the Ancient Communications Stones, Wray is observed on a rare away team mission to a strange planet with even stranger inhabitants. I was very pleased to see MingNa return in “Common Descent” since she portrays the Camile Wray character so effectively.

The seventeenth episode of Stargate Universe opens with Adam Brody (Peter Kelamis) Dr. Lisa Park (Jennifer Spence) examining the air purification system which is in need on lime and other minerals to keep the air onboard the Destiny breathable. The recent encounters and battles with the heartless robotic drones have precluded the crew from locating the supplies they needed for survival. In addition to the air purification minerals, food stuffs are also in short supply.

Colonel Young (Louis Ferreira) and Tamara Johansen (Alaina Huffman) are observed sharing the concern discussing the bad air on Destiny which is causing headaches and nausea on board the ship. Both do a nice job in portraying officers able to focus on the business at hand, setting aside the fact that a relationship is developing between TJ and Varro (Mike Dopud).

Speaking of Camile Wray (MingNa) the scene then makes a segue to a fun and humorous scene with Chloe Armstrong (Elyse Levesque) and Eli Wallace (David Blue). As the ship decelerates from Faster Than Light (FTL) speed, the two ladies are also discussing the need for supplies, specifically a horrid purple fruit procured previously as Eli enters the observation deck. As with most men being oblivious to such matters, Eli cannot for the life of him figure out why Chloe and Camile want more of the nasty tasting fruit?

Well this is one gentleman who knows the answer and I got a good belly laugh in the process! The ladies on board have not been enjoying or liking the fruit for the taste, they have been using the purple fruit as lipstick for goodness sakes! I guess we better get Eli some glasses because despite the evidence looking him right in the face, he cannot figure it out saying “why am I always the last to know?” As indicated it is a very funny vignette. So I must ask; Are most men so dense?! I suggest you ask your girl friend, wife or female soul mate. They will undoubtedly let you know in two words: “You bet”! So go figure!

Finding the three of them on the observation deck, Eli’s attention on the fruit and pretty lips quickly looses focus as the subject is the return of the hostile drones which have somehow located the poor and ailing Destiny and her crew.

The suspicion is that the drone captured previously and used for study to program a defense in the earlier attack may be the culprit. The orders are given to jettison the drone and Destiny make a jump back to the temporary safety of FTL. Each time the different angles of the Destiny entering FTL are witnessed one can only praise the special effects of Mark Savela and his team including Sonia Gilmore and Andrew Karr. Even more spectacular is a new angle of Destiny entering FTL where they will visit a planet in search of the minerals and food stuffs the crew desperately needs.

We are then treated to new guest supporting actors, fresh faces to be featured in both “Common Descent” and “Epilogue”. Some of the new faces include Reilly Dolman (Supernatural) as Jason, Kate Findlay (Fringe and The Killing) as Ellie and the excellent and well known veteran movie and television character actor August Schellenberg (Eight Below, Free Willy, Free Willy 2, Free Willy 3) as the elder leader Yaozu, who is named after her father, an ancestor of Camile Wray!

As we quickly learn, all are the descendants of the “other” alternate reality Destiny crew from the episode “Twin Destinies” whom escaped destruction using the time honored Stargate solar flare time warp factor to send the “other” Destiny crew thousands of years into the past.

These people of “Common Descent” are found living on a planet they were to colonize for the “home” planet of the “Novus Civilization” where a faction called “Futura” worships many things, but others do not think very highly of Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle).

In another of several very funny sequences, Yaozu recalls the other faction “The Futurans” who think Rush is a demon or devil who steals peoples souls and send them to live an eternity in a lifeless “hell”. No doubt inspired by memories of Rush manipulating the memory core of Destiny these are most enjoyable sequences with Dr. Park and Dale Volker (Patrick Gilmore) sharing differing opinions about Rush. This plot twist will play a key role later in the second part of this ninety minute “movie” imparted by Kino flashbacks.

No doubt the seeds of thought about Rush are what lead to the two diverse factions that think of him as a devil or futurist. In any event the colonists were sent from Novus to this new planet through the Stargate after determining the home world was facing imminent destruction from volcanic eruption.

Also most enjoyable is a scene an older woman from the settlement who says that Sgt. Ronald Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) is more handsome in person than is his Kino footage. Like most women who enjoy Smith as Greer and the character he portrays, she appears to have a hankering for Greer! I would swear he actually blushes in the scene!

Unfortunately the colonists lost contact with Novus and apparently the ability to get back home since they cannot dial the Stargate to make a connection to the Novus gate. During the historical perspective we are delighted to observe the “other” Destiny crew in “ancient” Kino footage on a device similar to a USB hard disk drive. TJ has had a baby and is seen screaming through the process. We are happy to see birth not for the pain of childbirth, but since our TJ lost her child previously.

Colonel Young among others are observed as older people in an aged state and is sharing knowledge on their journey and salvation on the new world that will become known as Novus. Young is seen talking about the challenges that face them in generations to come.

While the crew we know from our reality are reminiscing over the Kino footage, the hated drones return attacking both the planet and Destiny destroying the Stargate ring and circuitry taking a huge chunk out of it on the planet colony. It was rather a nice scene to see a Stargate not fully destroyed. Very nice work by the field crews and VFX teams once again. The end result of this attack leaves many of our heroes stranded while they were evacuating the inhabitants of the planet to Destiny.

In the meantime Lt. Matthew Scott (Brian J. Smith) has ordered to Eli to try to fix the gate, an impossible task given the circumstances. Eli states that he can barely turn the power source off crystals off and on. Eli is an undisputed genius, but it takes the experience of the military officer to put two and two together to figure out to use the low power emanations as a Morse Code signaling device to signal Destiny.

A nice script writing mechanism (to say the least) to save the team left of the planet. This is not to mention the excellent overhead VFX sequence of the Destiny shuttle coming back to their rescue.

Forced to leave the area to save themselves before returning, we get another laugh at the humor as Dr. Lisa Park makes a joke about “Futura” being a “font” while Volker and Brody are observed bickering in their good nature banter we have come to enjoy from week to week!

As always the interplay between the Volker and Brody characters brings another moment of humorous distraction from the drone attacks and what is about to come next. As we have come to expect it is this great job at levity by both Patrick Gilmore and Peter Kelamis with a bit of ever present catalyst provided by Jennifer Spence!

We leave the first half of the wonderful two part adventure with the Destiny journeying to the home world of Novus. The shuttle is observed over an advanced city covered in what appears to be deep snow fall. No one is found on the planet and no electromagnetic radio emissions can be detected. What is the world has happened to all the millions of people of Novus and the civilization they have built?

Epilogue:

We begin with another very cool, in fact outstanding VFX sequence with the shuttle coming in for a landing on Novus attempting to return the settlers to their home world. A statue of Col. Young is in the foreground. The away team is comprised of Eli Wallace (David Blue), Camille Wray (MingNa). Sgt. Greer (Jamil Walker Smith), Lt. Scott (Brian J. Smith), Jason and Yaozu. They quickly realize it is not snow covering the city but is instead volcanic ash. The fear on the faces of the away team are palpable.

We discover that the main weapon of Destiny will be used for another purpose. Yaozu knows where there is an underground bunker of the archives of the Teneran Archive. The Teneran’s were one of two countries created after the Rush faction setup their own society “Futura”. The archive is however protected by a very thick blast door and here is where the Destiny weapon will play a constructive role in gaining access to the archive facility where the secrets of the society are secreted.

Using a superb digital angle on the Destiny main gun, we see an energy blast leave the weapon from orbit and zoom towards the city archive bunker doors. It is another great special effect which is a pleasure to behold.

The team begins the investigation of the archives. Especially enjoyable is the elevator “Muzak” sequence. Along with all the crew, the look on Greer’s face sure to bring a grin to anyone who has been in such situations themselves.

Another scene with Greer illustrates the actor doing his characters part perfectly! Greer finds a food storage locker with beef jerky perfectly preserved after 2,000 years and immediately has a snack festival throwing a bag of the jerky at Dr. Rush! At least we know that the problems with Earth-like food will be solved for the time being!

During the initial reading of the archives, Chloe finds her own daily diary and her first entries from 200 centuries earlier. This effective use of brilliant science fiction writing technique allows us all to take a journey back in time to learn details about the alternate Destiny crew.

Each member of the crew is observed, many with tears in their eyes as they see their alter selves living life under initially primitive circumstances. In these sequences we see Varro (Mike Dopud) and TJ are not getting along while he sees Young and her kissing. A moment of sadness on is the expedition’s first loss, the death and burial of the alternate Dale Volker (Patrick Gilmore) character.

We also see other tender moments including Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson) and Lt. Scott discussing his pending marriage to Chloe. Despite the reputation she wrong deserves as a wild woman, James wishes him well and says that she is proud and happy for both of them.

TJ and Young get together again in the alternate story arc. To enhance the romance and hence need for couples, in fact survival, of course there is the making and delivering of babies!

Fans of the TJ Varro romance could be heard groaning in pain just like TJ above as James and he are making eyes at each other! Sure enough a little baby Varro/James is the result! We see then observe the many alternative babies being born with good ole’ Lt. Scott is standing by “on duty” with scissors to cut the umbilical cords! Everyone gets in the act including the proud poppa and momma Greer!

Even Eli gets in the act himself and finally has the relationship we all wanted to see with Corporal Barnes (Leanne Adachi) after the two “bust their buns” helping support the birth process of all the other couples!

And yes you guessed it, they are next on the list for making and having babies as the Kino visage documents the screaming Cpl. Barnes in the process of bringing new life into the universe while papa Eli look on in panic!

We observe the leading ladies of the community some years later. Chloe, TJ and Camile Wray are working in the vegetable gardens. TJ’s young child is growing up and playing in the crop fields of Novus.

Chloe sees him reading his diaries and teases Eli; “Something to pursue”? Throughout “Epilogue” Eli’s Kino footage coupled with the flashbacks from the computer journals is a great way to share the story and wrap the story arc of what happened to the alternate reality versions whom went through the Destiny Stargate and actually survived.

I often found myself wishing I could spend a lifetime in the Teneran archives to learn all about the characters and their descendants of the alternative versions. So many stories left to explore, and so little time!

The lighter moments of humor in “Epilogue” more than effectively demonstrate the path of character development in Stargate Universe. This outstanding episode clearly proves that the writers had planned, all the way along, great things for fans of this series in general and all the dedicated supporters of the Stargate franchise in specific.

The light moments are offset by the urgent situation that the planet Novus is being pulled apart by a Black Hole in the vicinity. The gravitational effects have led to the cracking of the planets crust and subsequent volcanic activity that led to the evacuation of the entire planet. We also learn that the two opposing factions developed into separate countries.

The current reality versions of our characters begin transfer of the Teneran archive database. Brody works with Eli to effect the transfer of the many exabytes of research. However we all know that dire circumstances will not allow then to discover all the secrets and research. This item will become critical as we will discuss in the coming analysis.

The transfer of the archive data is where everyone can learn a valuable lesson in life. What lesson? That people with differing opinions can learn to respect each other and work as a team to obtain progress rather than slinging mud at each other. Doing so in real life is never an easy process. We all have observed this senseless mudslinging on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook as well as in the interactions of our real lives at work, in politics and even at home between family members. The fact of the matter is that people slinging mud at others is most often a cover-up by the slingers hiding their own shortcomings as they seek to blame others for their own mistakes. Such is a sad but true part of life.

As observe the alternate survivors raising their children in flashbacks, we find out that coming to the planet has consequences for TJ in both story arcs. She has contracted the un-curable disease ALS also known commonly as Lou Gerhigs Disease. The elder citizen Yauzo indicates there is a cure in the Novus database, but ther emay not be enough time to transfer all the data. “Our” Varro rushes to his love saying it does not mean she has the disease. TJ knows this is not the case and tears well up in her eyes (mine too).

We learn that she will likely die some eight year later much as the diary from the past 2,000 years ago documented. The current reality scenes between TJ and Young are accentuated by the primitive life sequences of her death some 2,000 years ago in the house as we saw Young at the table with the two children and an empty seat. I am convinced that there was not a dry eye for lovers of this series.

As the episode progresses we see the surviving alternate reality characters become grandparents. The make-up used to age the characters seen in the Kino footage is simply excellent. We see James and Varro, Scott and Chloe, Greer and Park and Camile Wray all becoming old. One of the best bits included a very grouchy and grumpy older Adam Brody!

MingNa is especially wonderful when she talks about writing the new Novus constitution and that Eli has become a teacher! I gigged when Camile said that Eli is good at it too. The look on her characters face says it all!

Back in the story arc version of “our” characters, fans of Varro (Mike Dopud) get a heart attack moment as the violent earthquakes lead to a ladder rung giving way during the escape from the archive facility while he saves TJ’s life. Varro falls to the bottom of the shaft and after observing the SGU hash tag tweets on both Monday April 25 and Tuesday, more than several hundred tweeted “Nooooooo”!

Varro is of course saved by none other than his main competition for the affections of TJ, Col. Young. Young takes critical time to rig a rescue line to haul the injured Varro to safety. A fitting bit of irony would you not say? As TJ diagnoses Varro whom has merely suffered a broken arm, we learn that the result of data transfer from the archive did not contain the cure for ALS. She knows her life is limited and will likely be cut short. At this point I wanted to pass the tissue box to TJ as her tears begin to form again.

Based on the fact that Stargate Universe is canceled, this episode could easily serve as a fine ending to the series. There were too many moments of excellence to effectively analyze in this review. However, two very poignant moments really did it all for me.

The first is the scene at alternate Col. Young’s deathbed with Chloe, Scott and his children at his side. Col. Young feels that failed in his mission to bring the crew back “home”. The telling moment is the quote from Chloe when she shares with Young that “We are home”. You see people it is fairly simple; home is where you make it under any given circumstance.

The final sequence with a very old Camile Wray portrayed by MingNa was both touching and brilliant. Kudos to the writers in this regard and to the considerable acting talent that is what MingNa herself is all about. We find ourselves at the Eli Wallace School. Camile Wray is the last living member of the expedition. Camile she delivers the heart felt lines about “Wahn Shee Rul Yee”, “May all go according to the wishes of those who hear it” and life being about “Our mission is and always will be about the journey itself”. We all take such journeys’ in our lives, but not everyone gets the message. Bravo MingNa for superb delivery in the closing sequences!

The visual effects team then takes us on a “journey” as we witness a move through Novus history to see the society evolve into a fine civilization over the two millennia to the present. The episode ends with a look at a magnificent city and the first of the giant space ships beginning their journey to life on a new planet some 200 years distant.

No matter what you think of Stargate Universe, this two part story epitomizes the greatness of the Stargate franchise. I would suggest that you go to Hulu or tune in to Comcast or other cable system to view these two episodes to witness for yourself it’s greatness. Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed.

Stargate Universe begins its concluding episodes May 02, 2011 on Syfy and on the Space Channel on May 03, 2011 with “Blockade”.

If you call yourself a Stargate fan do everyone a favor and watch the episode live to prove your support of this superb MGM Studios franchise. Thank you.

As always we appreciate your visiting our news sites at WormholeRiders News Agency. Thank you.

If you prefer, click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit the WHR on Facebook or me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story and or on See You on The Other Side“! Thank you.

Best Regards,

WR_Systems (Kenn)

May 2, 2011
Stargate Universe: The Hunt Season 2 Episode 17 with Mike Dopud Interview
Heya my fellow Stargate Universe fans.

Welcome back to yet another awesome episode of this fantastic series, Stargate Universe.

Okay, when I was told that this was the best Varro (Mike Dopud) episode to date. I simply HAD to request that I write this review. Though I am not writing this review to score points (I do not feel I need to).

Now do not get me wrong, I love the entire cast of Stargate Universe, however I am a big fan of Mr. Mike Dopud! And well to be perfectly honest with Varro in leather in The Hunt– OMG!! Why on earth would I or anyone pass that up? 😛

Again, if you have not seen this episode, one question – WHY THE HELL NOT?? Or for that matter, ALL of them. But anyway. this episode focuses on a several interesting story lines. The Hunt does have focus on the Varro character and his future with the crew of the Destiny. However there is also Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) who continues in being conniving – no big surprise there. The episode includes Sgt. Ronald Greer‘s (Jamil Walker Smith) new outlook on life. Then there are new and interesting creatures to blow our minds!

And I apologize if I seem to have more Varro pictures in this report then anyone else. It just cannot be helped. After all, this is more of a Varro-centric episode. Though I will have others in here too. And I might jump around a bit, so I hope you still enjoy the read.

I must say the location where they filmed The Hunt episode is awesome. I have never had the pleasure of venturing over that far west in Canada, but when I eventually do, the locations where Stargate Universe is filmed is definitely one place I will want to go and visit.

Besides the gorgeous scenery, you cannot help but be in awe when you see the new alien animals created by Mark Savela and his visual effects team . One of which Lt. Scott (Brian J. Smith) and Sgt. Greer decided to try and hunt down to take back to the Destiny for food. Hey, nine plus months on the ship with no fresh meat? The crew certainly needed some steaks!

Of course, The Hunt does not go without dislike from Dr. Lisa Park (Jennifer Spence), she is a vegetarian. Dr. Park voiced her opinion on the matter in no uncertain terms. A good doctor, she did so not for the fact that she does not eat meat, but that they were on an alien planet and she did not know if the dear-like creature was going to be safe to eat at all.

In the end, Lisa leaves with a “not cool” and heads back to the camp they have set up.

And the fact good ole’ Dr. Rush lured Eli (David Blue) and Adam Brody (Peter Kelamis) to an unopened and unexplored section of the ship, Rush knew that their curiosity was going to get the best of Eli. Especially when they opened the door to a room full of stasis pods. Everyone knows that Eli wasn’t going to just open, look around and then leave. Which was what Rush told them to do.

Leaving the stasis pods reluctantly, Eli started getting fed up that Rush seems to always call the shots as to what is important to check out and what to leave. So going against Rush’s “orders”, he turned around and went back, with Brody running to catch up with him.

Of course with Rush back in the main bridge, he could see that Eli could not help but to go back to the room. I was thinking that there was no way in hell that someone was going to actually get in a pod voluntarily, so by being the sneaky little snake, Rush had Eli and Brody fall for his trap.

Then we have Varro stepping up and asking Lt. Scott to let him and his team go to the planet and help in the search. Scott I find is a character that cares for his teammates that much that he would do anything to keep them safe. Or for that matter, if he could, he would take their place.

Of course the best moment is when Varro and his team met up with Young and his and start on the tracking of where this new and dangerous creature has taken TJ and the other officer.

But what I found to be really touching was when Col. Young (Louis Ferreira) got injured and Varro went to his side and convinced him that he is a liability to the mission. Young knows that Varro will do whatever it takes to get TJ back. So stepping aside (sort to speak), Young issued Varro a gun so Young could go back to the Destiny.

Varro and Greer have their moments as well. Varro heard what happened to Greer not able to take the shot at the deer-like animal. So to Varro he needed to find a way to kick Greer in the arse and get back to his usual loving self. LOL

Of course with Greer having had a near death experience, he did not feel like his usual, shoot now – ask questions later. Instead he felt himself questioning everything he has ever done. Suddenly he was afraid, but he knew that could get him in trouble or the very least a liability to everyone on the ship.

The pivotal point to his enlightenment was when he was having a chat with Lt James (Julia Benson). She did not understand how someone like Greer could go from wanting to kill everything or anyone who got in his way, to a guy who started thinking of what his actions could cause.

I think Greer has grown a lot this past few episodes. Learning to live with a group of terrorists who wanted to take the Destiny from them is one thing, but then turning around and putting in a good word for Varro. Which leads to Varro’s freedom aboard the ship.

Although, like Varro tells TJ, he doubts very much that if he had to confront Greer about it, he would deny it. So it does show that Greer is lightening up and getting a bit more trustworthy. Least I hope so.

Then we have Tamara Johansen (Alaina Huffman) in the cave trying to calm down the young officer with her. He was freaking out that he did not want to be some creature’s dinner. She had to step up and whip him back into fact – no one gets left behind. Same sentiment as SG-1 and Atlantis. That I found was awesome to see them carry some aspects from each of the previous series, into this one. Very nice way to tie them all together.

I found this next sequence of pictures so awesome. Finally we get to see the connection that have obviously has gotten stronger between Varro and TJ. When she came to visit him in his room to inform him that he was a free man, he smiled and said “I know”.

As I watched this I said, “Well it’s about bloody time!” Then with him looking at her.

And she looking at him.

Then he walks in closer and reaching out for her to draw her near.

With their lips just about to touch, do we finally get contact?

OF COURSE NOT!!!! Young had to beep at the door and F*** it all up. I never wanted to go through the TV so badly then at that moment.

But the look on Young’s face as Varro left to join the rest of them for their version of a BBQ, he then realized what was about to happen AND what he lost.

I am sorry, but I do not feel bad for Young at all. If he had been there for TJ when she lost their baby, maybe that would have bonded them closer. But I think, as does TJ, that Varro would have been the better choice in the end anyway. And who would pass Varro up? A man in leather!! Can you say HOT!!

The best way to end this episode was to have Varro carve the meet in the end sequence. That I found was an awesome gesture to have him included into the rest of the crew.

However, what I did not know was that Varro is left on his own now. Something that Mr. Dopud had pointed out in the interview you are about to listen too at the end of this report. The rest of Varro’s Lucien Alliance members are all gone from one thing or another. But I guess we can take comfort that he’s got TJ there for company. Something in fact I believe has brought them together, they both lost loved ones. TJ her unborn baby, and Varro his wife.

Besides the fact that this episode was full of Varro — and in LEATHER!!! But it had a lot of interaction between Rush with Eli and Brody, Young and Varro, even Varro and Greer moments. And especially Varro and TJ. Whatever it is with this episode that makes you love it, it’s definitely well worth watching. This has been an awesome journey, one that I hope will come back in the future.

Until we meet again below is a treat I have for you. An interview I had with Mike Dopud the aid of WR_Systems (Kenn) from WormholeRiders with an amazing actor from SGU. I hope you all enjoy this little — well, far from little, it’s an hour long — interview. This interview gave me butterflies ten minutes before it actually happened. And with this being my first time interviewing someone, I was worried that I was going to trip over my words. But this awesome actor made it easy to relax and to get the job done.

I have been thinking up questions for this for a while, even googling him for hints or ideas as to what to ask. I must say, coming up with the questions was somewhat the easy part. But when it came time to actually ask them is when I got nervous.

We chatted about his previous role in this episode that you just finish reading about. As well as his other projects he has had the opportunity to do, one of which was Exit Strategy. Though, in saying that, I may have given away who this actor was that I had the honor of having a chat with.

However, once everything was said and done, and we had signed off, that is when I remembered one other question that I forgot to ask. I am sure that I will get to ask it on twitter.

So without further adieu, I give you, Mr. Mike Dopud.
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Thanks for stopping by WormholeRiders News Agency this review of Stargate Universe and our interview with Mike Dopud.

Please feel free to leave a comment here, click an icon below to share this review and interview or you can nab me on Twitter by clicking on my avatar to the right.

Come again.

Karen Ford XO
April 18, 2011
Stargate Universe: “Seizure” Season 2 Episode 15 Analysis with S2x16 “The Hunt” Trailer

Hello once again Stargate fans,

This has been the most anticipated episode of Stargate Universe ever since I saw the preview over a week ago. Although, I have known about this episode for some time now, I put in my request that I write on this one. As I am a fan of Stargate Universe, that still did not take away from the fact that I am still a fan of Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1. To love one and not the other is ridiculous. I love each series for what they were and what they are.

That being said, let us get on with the reason for your visit today. To read my thoughts on the Stargate Universe episode Seizure.

***SPOILER ALERT*** If you have not seen this episode yet, then stop right now and wait until you do.

On the other hand, if you do not mind reading what you have to look forward to, then by all means, keep reading. I will NOT write a play-by-play of the episode, that can get boring real fast. I will NOT jump around to different places as that will only confuse the hell out of you. I WILL however write in sequence from beginning to end the parts that stood out to me the most.

First of all, let me start off by adding in this lovely picture of Washington D.C. I am not adding it in for who it represents, but more of the beautiful landscapes and surrounding areas. I only wish that someday I will get to visit.

Of course first we see our beloved Mr. Woolsey (Robert Picardo) trying to convince everyone that by using the Langeran stargate to dial the ninth chevron, they can get a good connection to get everyone aboard the Destiny home. Only problem was the leader of the Langerans (Victor Garber) wasn’t easily convinced. So seeing that Woolsey was having problems in convincing them, our other lovable guy, Col. David Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips), stepped in and said that they have someone who is qualified that this will work.

And who should we see walking in the door?

Yes, it’s our very own Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett). This was a delight to see Rodney return to Stargate. And it was very cool how they brought McKay back into the Stargate series in the way they did.

With Dr. Nicolas Rush (Robert Carlyle) and Eli Wallace (David Blue) aboard the Destiny, and Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) off doing her own thing, it only left us with McKay to solve the problem.

Now do not get me wrong, I like McKay, however I personally like John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) a bit more is all! 😛

And of course, you can not have Rodney on any planet without some sort of technical gadget with him to solve the scientific problem!

In this case Rodney had his trusty laptop with him to try and convince the Langarens that HIS idea will work. Well of course it would. He is the one and only Dr. Rodney McKay after all 😛

Even if I try to look past Rodney’s egotistical manners (wow, I typed that word correctly the first shot), he was a joy to watch. This fact made me miss Atlantis that much more. Though, the best part that I laughed my arse off was where Rodney used the communication stones and switched bodies to go on board the Destiny.

I guess when it comes to certain areas on a woman, McKay does not notice the color of the hair. Of all the years we heard him say that blond women does something to him, (his constant mention of Samamtha Carter), it is quite the flip for him to sort of hit on a brunette. LOL. The line that had me cracking up was when Lt. James was on McKay duty and noticed that he was looking at something that he should not have been. “I’m up here” to Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson) as Rodney was transfixed by her feminine attributes!

I still find myself laughing when I remember the looks on both their faces. Then of course McKay tried to be somewhat polite and offered “Ladies first.” Of course that kinda backfired as James did not move, leaving McKay to walk out ahead of her with his tail between his legs! :-P.

The look on James’ face was of typical, “another boob man”. But I still could not help but giggle. I can not wait for the DVD’s, there has to be some funny behind the scenes from this episode for sure!

Of course, it does not take long to figure out why Rush would want to sit in the chair VOLUNTARILY!

Yep! Rush finally gets a bit!

Then we observe Chloe Armstrong (Elyse Levesque) informing Col. Young (Louis Ferreira) that Rush hooked himself up to the chair, but he was not fixing or alternating anything. He was in some sort of virtual dream state thingy. No, I am not that technical when it comes to wording. This is as good as it gets, and if you know me on twitter, I have my own way of describing things.

Then we have our geek-fest with Eli and Rodney.

I swear, it is a good thing that Rush is not among the rest of them cause I do not think that we could cope with three brilliant minds in the one episode.

Though, besides the fact that Rodney loved making himself seem way smarter then anyone else on any given day, he did manage to get out a compliment to Young about how smart Eli is. I found that to be a nice touch

This is a beautiful scene with TJ (Alaina Huffman) and Sgt. Greer (Jamil Walker Smith). And then we can see Dale Volker (Patrick Gilmore) in the background, feeling much better then Greer is at the moment. From the last episode, we seen Greer give up his kidney to help someone in need. Unfortunate, Greer will need extra time to be himself again.

We then observe see Eli and Adam Brody (Peter Kelamis) trying to figure out what is happening to Rush. That is until Eli gets an idea and tells Brody to go back into the computer log records of what is being uploaded.

This is where I need some science geeks to tell me what is really happening. Where is my good friend Redone68?? She is way smarter when it comes to the science of things. I think she would have been a great asset to the brilliant minds on the Destiny.

This is a great picture of the old style Stargate! It was so cool seeing it in action again.

And, we can never forget the huge KAWOOSH from the event horizon.

With it ending with the lovely blue shimmer of an open wormhole. It takes me back when I saw the event horizon open for the very first time. It still puts me in awe how the special effects by Mark Savela and his crew including Sonia Gilmore are able to make it appear so real!

Another part of all this that seems to never get old, is the using of the Ancient Communication Stones. One second you have you, the next you have a totally different conscience in your head, controlling your every action. The freaky thing about it is the fact that you are oblivious to it all. Freaky, but very cool!

Yet another part that had me laughing, was when the Captain of the Langerans (Darren A. Herbert) was in the body of Lt. Matthew Scott and he looked into the mirror at his reflection. The amazing camera work to pull that off is nothing but astonishing. Plus it only goes to show how awesome these actors are when doing each episode. Mr. Brian J. Smith in his portrayal of Lt. Scott in my opinion demonstrates once again that is a very talented actor and does an amazing job.

Though, in saying that, I believe they all deserve their own recognition when it comes to trying and succeeding to make the characters in Stargate Universe believable each week including a special guest star Victor Garber as the Langaran Ambassador.

I am not sure about you, but does Telford not resemble General Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) when it comes to scientists. Especially when it comes to McKay. I guess in a way, McKay makes it very hard to like, from a working with point of view. Mr. Hewlett on the other hand, seems to have a very large following. Especially on twitter.

There was a lovely moment between Eli and Ginn (Julie McNiven) as well. This was a bittersweet one, where Ginn told Eli what Dr. Amanda Perry (Mandy – Kathleen Munroe) was doing and that Rush was in a lot of danger. Typically from actually dieing. And that he had to be the one to terminate the program for them (the girls) to be able to interact with their other half’s (the guys). This was tough for Eli.

There were also a fair amount of touching moments with Rush and Mandy. Until Mandy gave a small peck on the cheek that he felt that something was “off” a bit. Not really realizing he was still inside the ship, per say, just that something felt different.

So he thought he’s put his assumptions to the test and do a little fiddling around with the computers to see if his thoughts were right. And sure enough, when he confronted Mandy, she told him that he was going to kill everyone. He knew that was not the case, and they stood there and watched the Destiny blow up.

Unfortunately, because Ginn had warned Eli of Mandy’s plan and what she was doing. Eli had no choice to do what he done. Mandy could “feel” this and she confronted Rush about what she had tried to do.

To find a way to keep him there with her. She confessed to him that she did love him, and that that was the reason for her messing around with the program. She told him she will always love him and then she was gone. Unfortunately, we are left again to witness Rush go through another mourning. First with his wife, and then with Mandy – twice.

When Rush finally wakes up in the infirmary it has been two days that he was in a coma. Again, TJ was so sympathetic with what Rush went through, as well as Eli. After all, if you think about it, it was Eli who had to severe all ties he could possible have with Ginn, just to save Rush. Of which Eli made that quite clear when Rush asked him, “what did you do?” Eli told him as much, if he did not do what needed to be done, Rush would be dead. TJ concurred with Eli, and Greer spoke up from his bed to tell Rush to listen to the good doctor. She knows what she is talking about.

I felt so bad for Eli. He lost Ginn once, then to get her back in the last episode, only for Mandy to screw it up, he had to essentially loose her again for the second time. Maybe he can figure a way to give her access and not tell anyone. Take a page out of Rush’s book for secrecy.

I shall end my review with an amazing picture of the Destiny flying through space. On her way to her predestined destination. The talents of Mr. Mark Savela and his team can not go unnoticed. Very well done.

That concludes my review. Hope you all had a great read. Feel free to comment below, click on a button to share it, or you can catch me on twitter. Be sure to venture back next week when I will have my thoughts on the episode “The Hunt” posted for all to read. Until then we include the promotional trailer for “The Hunt” below courtesy of Syfy via Hulu.

I will end this analysis with some personal thoughts I have been wanting to say for a long time. I would have thought that the ratings would have gone up a few notches with this episode, solely because we have McKay back again. But I do not think that happened. I am surprised actually, that the fandom as a whole did not support this endeavor.

Yes, I would have loved to have had another season of Stargate Atlantis. Or the very least, the third Stargate SG-1 movie and the first Stargate Atlantis one. But because of the anger by certain factions, this is the main reason why Stargate Universe was not renewed. Ratings for any given show are what counts at the end of the day and this is also what happened to Atlantis.

The only point they are showing is how their lack of support is NOT going to get them their “promised” movies. We were never promised these movies. We were told that it was a possibility. But, here’s a question, why should we be rewarded with a movie for such behavior? It’s no different if a child is misbehaving. Do you reward that behavior with what they want? Or do you say, “until you can learn to behave yourself, you’re not getting it.”

And I know that I will probably loose a nice few followers on twitter for some reason or another. And I wouldn’t be surprised if i did. Especially from certain factions in the Stargate Atlantis fan groups. Yes, they are passionate, and I love Stargate Atlantis just as much as the next person. However, being a STARGATE FAN first and foremost, I will show my support for anything that has the name Stargate in it.

And another subject about this whole thing that has my goat is the fact that the convention organizers go out of their way to give the fans awesome conventions year after year. Yet you have some (and I repeat SOME) who will buy the gold tickets to see every guest there, and then boycott the SGU stars because they figure they will “prove a point” that way too to the creators. How sad.

But what it does is piss me off even more. I would love nothing more then to be able to afford to buy a gold ticket for a Stargate convention that Creation Entertainment presents wonderfully and see ALL the Stargate stars they have confirmed to attend. But you have these “people” that would buy a ticket, only to go and see who they want and ignore the others. That to me is a waste of money. They would take away from someone who would have loved to have seen EVERY Stargate guest going to these things.

And acting like spoiled little brats too. This is my opinion mind you. If I sound like a b***h, then so be it. I am a Stargate fan through and through and I for one enjoyed the many years and countless adventures our heroes have brought to my life these past 14 years, 17 if you count the original movie that started it all.

Like I said, these are my personal thoughts. If you don’t like it, oh well. But just to let some of you that love to cause debates and arguments in open tweets, I will NOT be apart of that. If you feel the need to send me messages to try and provoke me, just so you know, I will NOT answer to it. Not that I am a coward. It is just a fact that I will not be drawn into a pointless debate.

I think that is all I have to say. In fact, I feel I have said what I needed to say. So end of story.

Thank you for stopping by WormholeRiders News Agency and reading my thoughts.

I hope you come back again soon. You can leave a comment here or you can reach me on twitter by clicking on my avatar to the right.

Till next time. XO

Karen Ford

April 10, 2011
Stargate Universe Hope; Season Two Episode 14 Critique

Hello again Stargate Fans,

Episode 14 of season 2 of Stargate Universe, entitled Hope, aired this Monday evening March 28, 2011 on SyFy, and Tuesday night March 29, 2011 for those of us in Canada who are cursed with having to wait an extra day until we get to see it on the Space Channel. Thanks for the spoilers, Twitter. Always appreciated.

Even with the spoilers the episode remained enjoyable for me I did see from the few people who post them (that I still follow who post spoilers), when Canadians have to wait an extra day, spoiler posts are a reason that may cause me to un-follow on Twitter.

Hope was another episode which took place entirely on the Destiny. An outside connection had still not been made – at least not with Earth. With everyone taking rounds manning the stones, hoping for some sort of news to do with the impending explosion of the last episode, no one expected the consciousnesses of two prior shipmates to jump into an unsuspecting Chloe, whom had fallen asleep during her shift.

I want to start off by saying Chloe Armstrong (Elyse Levesque) must be really getting used to her body being stolen or taken over by some foreign substance. Unlike the others, who switch bodies through the stones alone, Chloe always seems to be the one who gets taken by aliens and experimented on – or whatever exactly they did to her – and now by the free-floating consciousnesses of Amanda Perry (Kathleen Munroe) and Ginn (Julie McNiven) interacting with Eli Wallace (David Blue) and Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle). I bet if she ever gets a month of just being herself in her own body, she is going to have some sort of withdrawal symptoms or something.

At the same time, I admit, it was nice to see Ginn return. Eli is always so alone. Well, maybe not physically, but I always sense a bit of loneliness from him, even when he’s cracking jokes. Maybe I’m imagining it, though. He finally found love and she was taken from him, only to return now in Chloe’s body. I felt so bad for him that it was like he finally had her back, but with the constant fear of losing her again – especially with the episodes she was having as she flashed back to being strangled.

As mentioned Amanda Perry came back too, like I said. I guess I am not a huge Rush/Perry fan or anything so I was not really excited to see her. Also, I was not really surprised when suddenly she showed up halfway through in the body of Chloe while Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson) looked on. It is not that I was expecting her, really, I just was not shocked either. It was more like I nodded and said, “Oh, huh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” All I can really say about her and Rush, I guess, is that it is nice to finally see him be happy.

I think my problem with these two is, I really have a problem with bodynapping, or whatever you would call it. It is different from body-switching, where at least both parties are allowed to live, albeit in a strange and, I imagine, awkward existence. Bodynapping always bothers me – where more than one consciousness are fighting over the body. It reminds me too much of Stephenie Meyer’s book The Host (yes, she did write something besides the Twilight series) where alien parasites come in and take over the bodies of humans.

It is not so much a struggle as a domination. Of course, yes, the Goa’uld did this too, but I was making the comparison more that in The Host the aliens were not trying to start a war or rule the galaxy, they just wanted to live on Earth and went about it in an ethically questionable way, much as I saw with this.

I do concede (and was relieved to see) that the circumstances were different in that Amanda and Ginn neither tried nor wanted to take over Chloe’s body. Thank goodness. I spent half of Hope crossing my fingers that one was not going to get comfortable and take over. I might have lost some of my faith in the series had that happened. It’s too overdone, in my opinion, so I personally thank the Stargate Universe writers for thinking better of that!

I liked how that story concluded, temporary though the resolution may be. Again, I feared that Chloe’s consciousness would be one of the two downloaded into the ship and that Amanda or Ginn (though I was leaning toward Amanda) would end up inadvertently taking over her body. So thank you again, writers, for proving me wrong.

It was interesting how they tried to explain how this may have happened – that Amanda and Ginn came to be inside of Chloe. I find it hard to believe that she was the only one to fall asleep, but I guess they must have had relatively short shifts. Either way, Rush’s explanation that her consciousness must have relaxed just enough to let another in was cool. I like that he just knows things. Everyone else is puzzling and he jumps in going, “This is probably exactly what happened,” and everyone else goes, “Oh. Okay, then.” Well, I’m paraphrasing. I just wish I had that kind of magical power where explanations I make up actually make sense and are not just random like the kiss with Eli.

I do have to wonder, though, as they did, where exactly were Amanda and Ginn for all of this time? Obviously their souls neither died nor moved on, so they must have been somewhere. But were they in limbo somewhere – just in a vast dark space between universes or realms? Or were their souls being held somewhere within the stones themselves, almost like a container? I know they were radio signals, but that really does not explain to me where exactly they were or how they got transferred from the stones. I know they were trying to figure that out too and I’m curious to find out. I hope they do not just let that one waver and die, and that they actually pursue an answer.

I have one more question. They kept saying that they wanted to find bodies to put Amanda and Ginn into, but where exactly do they plan on coming up with these bodies? Unless they have magical special powers – or the Ancients have some powerful technology that the crew learns to use – they cannot bring a dead body back to life. The consciousness is one thing, but if the body dies, it generally cannot be brought back to life. A heart does not start beating again because a consciousness has been installed. Well, unless it is a vampire or a zombie. I know this is science fiction, but I somehow do not see Stargate going that route.

The other option, I suppose, would be for them to share a body, but haven’t we learned from this episode how badly that would turn out? Yes, the Goa’uld and the Tok’ra shared bodies – moreso in the case of the Tok’ra – but they were snakes which took over the body, not just a free-floating consciousness. Even then, good luck finding a willing host.

Plus, now Eli can be with Ginn – at least in some small way. I may have audibly squee’d with the line, “Just being here, seeing you, hearing your voice. It’s enough.” Haven’t we all felt that way about someone? Loved them so much that just knowing they’re around brings us comfort. As much as a physical presence would obviously be better in many ways, who can deny that being able to talk to and see someone who was once thought to be dead – someone who meant so much – is incomparably better? I think that simple quote brought out that emotion so well, even if it is so simple. Sometimes, something simple like that is better than a big speech, and I think that was the case in this instance. I really felt it when Eli and Ginn were together and now maybe he won’t be so alone.

Now, if only they could bring Sharon onto the ship for Camile, I’d be a very, very happy girl. (Yeah, they’re my favorite couple to ship on Universe.)

The other major story which took place in this episode was Dale Volker’s (Patrick Gilmore) need for a kidney transplant. I guess this story dealt mostly with TJ’s (Alaina Huffman) growth as a doctor and her ability to use the Ancient technology.

The episode also focused on some of the characters we don’t get to see as much, mainly Volker and Adam Brody (Peter Kelamis). Those two have a great bromance, if you ask me. I think we should definitely see more of them. I know there are a lot of friendships which have formed on Destiny, but theirs is one of the least explored and I feel it could be really interesting.

At first, I was skeptical how this would work out. So many complications with the storyline. First, there’s the part that TJ is only a medic, not a surgeon. Obviously, being the only one with real medical training, she had to get over that at some point. I am actually surprised it wasn’t sooner. But there is also the problem with the fact that they seem to not have near enough medication. Two planets they need to find: the medicine planet and the clothing planet. Seriously. They need to change. I don’t want to know how much their clothes must stink by now.

I got over that quickly, though. Mostly what bothered me is that immediately everyone on the ship was tested. Okay, that makes sense, but shouldn’t they have asked for volunteers? The surgery is shaky, at best, and for real, it’s a dangerous procedure even done in a hospital. Instead they just drafted everyone and decided one of them would give up their kidney? I mean, I felt a bit better when Greer volunteered and they were asking him if he was sure and all. At least there was that, but it really bothered me before that.

Well, Greer offered, and it’s not that I’m upset he did or that I think it was the wrong decision, but I just want to point out that considering repercussions of functioning on only one kidney, it might also not be the best decision. People who donate kidneys are not supposed to undergo any overly strenuous activities – barely exerting effort on much during the recovery, but even after, there’s a lot they are not allowed to do. Greer is one of the main offensive, one of the military guys that is constantly involved in fighting the enemy.

If cheer leading is not allowed, then how exactly is he supposed to brave strange terrains of future planets, run around and fire guns? That’s dangerous all on its own, but with one kidney?! You’re practically asking for him to die!

I know, I know, it’s a television show and they can suspend reality, so perhaps that might not be a problem. It’s just that as someone who has had family members both donate and receive kidneys, I think about these things.

Now, that said, I thought it was really sweet of him to offer and to go through with it. I think it shows a lot of Greer’s character that he would be willing to do that for someone he barely seems to know, despite their close quarters on the ship. I always thought deep down he must be a softy, even if he doesn’t show it very often. Maybe he is just trying to be noble or did it because of a sense of duty, but I think it was much more than that. He genuinely wanted to help.

While I am on that topic, how sweet was the scene in the greenhouse (or arboretum or whatever it is called)? Totally sweet, right? I’m a sucker for friendship and bonding. I loved the look on Greer’s face as he looked up at the stars. He was so content. It made me think of a child looking at him. It was nice for him to bond with Volker a bit – especially since now they’ll be bonded forever like Amanda and Rush.

Who else found it hilarious when Brody started playing music before the surgery? Not just that it was the most inappropriate song for the moment, even if it was with good intent, but also just that it was such a strange thing to do.

Like I said before, though, I love Brody and Volker’s friendship. I’m so glad he was there to support his friend through it. Those two are always together so it’s only right that he was there. In fact, I thought for a long time it would be Brody who was going to give up his kidney. I hope before the series ends, we get to see more of them.

Of course, in the end, they finally made contact with Earth to find out the bomb had been diffused. I was mostly just hoping this meant that Camile would go visit Sharon soon… I actually really like these episodes which focus on just relationships on the ship. I thought overall it was really well done. I am excited to see where this addition of Amanda and Ginn into the ship’s systems will take the Destiny crew and how it affects Eli!

I trust you have enjoyed this review of Stargate Universe. As always thank you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. We appreciate your taking your time to visit our news sites.

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ValaBlack (Steph)

April 4, 2011
Stargate Universe “Alliances” Season Two Episode 13!

Hello Stargate Universe fans!

This past week’s episode of Stargate Universe “Alliances” was excellently directed by Mr. Peter DeLuise. “Alliances” literally kept me on the edge of my seat.

We had two special guest stars in this episode. Kathleen Quinlan portrays Senator Michaels who is head of the I.O.A. Off Oorld Spending Committee, and French Steward (original Stargate movie as Lt. Ferretti), who portrays Dr. Andrew Covel in Stargate Universe “Alliances”.

In this episode Home World Command is attacked by the Lucian Alliance. The attack happens as Camille Wray, played by the very talented Ming Na, and Sgt. Ronarld Greer, played by Jamil Walker Smith are on Earth. They use the stones to return to Earth while Senator Michaels and Dr. Covel take their places on the Destiny.

This episode also focused on a couple of relationships. As everyone knows that follows me on Twitter, I as well as karenford1 are huge fans of Mr. Mike Dopud who portrays Varro. Varro was part of the Lucian Alliance that attempted to take over Destiny last season. Varro is one of my favorite characters on the show.

At the beginning of this season it appeared as if Varro and Lt. Tamara Johansen (Alaina Huffman) were going to develop into a serious relationship. There are a few layers to Varro and this makes him a very interesting character. He starts off as a bad guy and quickly turns into one of the good guys. Varro helped TJ while she was pregnant and saved her life when the Lucian Alliance took over. Who said chivalry was dead? Varro is the definition of chivalrous. I am sad that Stargate Universe is coming to an end because I would have loved to see the further development of this character and the relationship.

Varro and TJ are in the infirmary when Senator Michaels and Colonel Everett Young come in. They are laughing and talking. It is evident that they get along very well. It is also evident that Colonel Young is jealous. It was all over his face. Louis Ferreira has done an outstanding job with this character.

Last season TJ was pregnant with Col. Young’s baby when she lost it. He turned away from her and Varro was there as support. TJ introduces Varro to Senator Michaels and explains that he has been volunteering at the infirmary. Later in the episode Varro offers to help diffuse a bomb and Col. Young questions whether or not Varro can be trusted. TJ said she believed he could be trusted and Col. Young said “We can see that”. He is clearly jealous of this relationship.

The second (and I felt most important relationship) dealt with in this episode was between Camille Wray (MingNa) and Sgt. Greer (Jamil Walker Smith). Last season Camille had him detained in his room because of behavioral problems. At the beginning of this episode she said the person who needs to go back to with her to Earth is Greer.

She refers to him as “unstable”. After they return to Earth, Greer does not want to talk to her. He told her “I don’t have to talk to you”. While they are in the hall arguing the incoming alarm sounds. Greer pushes her into the room and throws her to the floor. He saved her life. This was just the beginning of their road to recovering any kind of working relationship or friendship.

In the blast, Greer’s leg was injured. Camille bandaged it and they set off to find out what happened and how to get out of the rubble. They find Evans who is portrayed by Morgan David Jones. They learn from Colonel David Telford, played by Lou Diamond Phillips, that the Lucian Alliance has crashed into the command center and there is a bomb that has yet to detonate. Greer, Evans, and Wray set out to find this bomb. They find a Geiger counter that measures radiation levels.

It is at this time that Camille discovers they have been exposed to lethal levels of radiation. Greer and Camille began to argue over past differences and Evans told them to stop arguing. Evans grabbed Camille and held a knife to her throat. She told Greer to shoot Evans because he is Lucian Alliance. Greer shot Evans saving Camille’s life a second time.

Camille and Greer found the bomb. They were faced with dying. It wasn’t until then that they began to work out their differences. At the end of this episode they are back on Destiny. Camille talks about her friend Sharon that lives in DC. She told Greer that they were more than just friends.

Greer also opens up and told Camille about this mother. He started to cry when he told Camille about how he did not get to say all that he wanted to say to his mother. It was at this time I believe they saw each other as human beings instead of enemies. I believe Camille and Greer’s relationship will be stronger because of what they went through together.

On a related topic, Karenford1 and I were discussing the use of “Icarus” in Stargate Universe a few weeks ago. I did a little research and found why I believe they used the term Icarus in the series. Project Icarus is an joint initiative by Tau Zero Foundation and the British Interplanetary Society to design an interstellar probe to travel to Barnards Star. It made perfect sense to me. A few times Destiny has used a star to gain energy to continue its mission. There is no coincidence here.

I want to briefly discuss the theory of Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation or CMBR. The CMBR simply put is detectable radiation left over from the big bang. What excites me most about Stargate Universe using the CMBR in the storyline is it involves the most coveted questions in cosmology today. How old is our universe? Was it created from a single point that simply exploded into existence into what we see today?

Did time and space exist before the big bang? What is the fate of our universe? All of these are huge questions in cosmology today, and scientist believe they are on their way to discovering the answers to these questions. The discovery of the CMBR happened by accident in 1965. Since then we have used the CMBR to come up with a baby picture of our universe known as the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe or WMAP.

Senator Michaels was a friend of Chloe Armstrong’s (Elyse Levesque) father Alan Armstrong (Christopher McDonald). She requested to see Chloe as soon as she was aboard the Destiny. She explained to Chloe that she felt Chloe being stuck aboard the Destiny was a waste. She told Chloe “your father had such high hopes for you”. Chloe is quick to tell Senator Michaels that “my father died so that we may live”. She does not want her father’s death to be in vain. This moment was great because it is the first time this season we have heard Chloe speak of her place aboard the Destiny.

The Lucian Alliance has attacked Home World Command.They have a bomb in the command center that Camille and Greer have to find. They find the bomb but must diffuse it. This takes several minutes and a few tricks. Dr. Covel and Senator Michaels are unexpectedly sent back to Earth. When they get there Dr. Covel finds that their bodies have been exposed to lethal amounts of radiation.

Dr. Covel sabotages the system so that they can no longer go back to Earth. Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) figured this out and the Senator asks Colonel Young to send them back to Earth by breaking the link via the Ancient Communications Stones.

Varro saves the day! He instructs Senator Michaels how to diffuse the bomb. Once back on Earth, Senator Michaels diffuses the bomb. We do not get to see what happened to the Senator or Dr. Covel, but one can only assume they died as a result of being exposed to that much radiation.

The episode ends with Camile and Greer on the observation deck discussing their new found respect for each other from their new death experience. It is a beautiful sequence with outstanding visual effects my Mark Savela and his team!

Stargate Universe airs again on Monday March 28, 2011at 10:00 PM EST/PST or March 29, 2011on the Space Channel in Canada. I hope you will tune in to watch the new episode of Stargate Universe. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek of “Hope” courtesy of Syfy via Hulu for your enjoyment!

I trust you have enjoyed this review of Fringe. As always thank you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency.

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Thank you,

Redone68 (Sandra)

March 28, 2011
Stargate Universe: Alliances Pre Review – Special Guest Stars Kathleen Quinlan, Tom MacNeill, French Stewart and Brian McCaig

Hello once again Stargate fans,

SPOILER ALERT: Tonight on Syfy is airing a powerfully explosive episode on your screens this week with a hint of the future in the next episode of Stargate Universe. “Alliances” is the episode as the series which continues the epic saga of the Destiny and its crew but with a terrorist action on Earth. Episode 13 of Stargate Universe, “Alliances” will air this evening Monday March 21, 2011 in the United States. Written by Linda McGibney and once again directed by Stargate legend Peter DeLuise , it is another watershed in Stargate history not to be missed!

“Alliances” follows on with the saga of Stargate Universe after the season 2.5 openers “Twin Destinies” and “Deliverance”. Last week we observed the death of two primary cast / crew. Naturally they were alternative time line versions of Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) and Col. David Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips).

This week we will see additional special guest stars in addition to the other fine main cast members such as Camile Wray (MingNa) Eli Wallace (David Blue), Lt Tamara Johansen (Alaina Huffman), Col. Everett Young (Louis Ferreira), Lt. Matthew Scott (Brian J. Smith), Chloe Armstrong (Elyse Levesque), Adam Brody (Peter Kelamis), and Dale Volker (Patrick Gilmore), all in this weeks Stargate Universe episode “Alliances”!

Alliances include the continued presence Varro (Mike Dopud) also known for his legendary roles in all three Stargate Series including his roles as Kiryk in Stargate Atlantis “Tracker” as well Odai Ventrell (Bounty) and Colonel Chernovshev (Full Alert) in Stargate SG-1!

Mr. Dopud is joined by acting greats Ms. Kathleen Quinlan (The Event and Apollo 13), French Stewart (Castle, original Stargate movie and Days of Our Lives) Tom McNeil (Fringe and Caprica) and Brian McCaig (Sanctuary)!

While we typically do not deal in pre-review episode full spoilers here, we can share with you that the long awaited Lucian Alliance attack will take place. When you find out how this occurs and who is involved, we are sure you will enjoy “Alliances”! We suggest that if you are a fan of Stargate please tune in to learn what lies in store for Earth and the Destiny crews! Moreover…

We can also say that the developments and attack are both shattering and epic! The performances of the quest stars are superb and should not be missed by fans of the Stargate Franchise. Are these enough spoilers for you to get you to tune in this evening in the United States? We certainly hope so!

As is typical of my behavior, I have watched “Alliances” via screener DVD courtesy of Syfy several (5) times already. In fact I am watching it for the 6th time now! ! As the promotional trailer above begins to illustrate, the reasons the Lucian Alliance is attacking is quite certainly obvious to Stargate fans who have watched the series unfold since the original days of Stargate SG-1! The Lucian Alliance is a group of criminals driven by pure evil and lust for revenge to get even with Stargate Command!

What we can also provide you with a number of “Alliances” images courtesy of Syfy and Stargate franchise owner MGM Studios mixing these a touch to add to the spoilery fun of “Alliances”! The images are not in exact chronological order, however if you look closely, you will figure out a bit of the plot line and story arc of this great episode!

I hope you tune in to learn about the Stargate saga continuing on Syfy March 21, 2011 at 10 PM EST/PST or March 22, 2011 on the Space Channel in Canada. United States folks can watch on Comcast ON-DEMAND to help boost the Stargate Universe ratings. Please do. Thank you!

As always we thank you for your visit to our news sites at WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a spam free comment or a question here. We will respond to your comment or question as soon as is possible.

If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit the WHR on Facebook or me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story and or we will see you on See You on The Other Side“!

Best Regards,

Kenn

March 21, 2011
Stargate Universe: Season 2 Episode 12 “Twin Destinies” Analysis with Full Episode Video

Welcome back Stargate Universe fans!!!

Wow, this has been a while since I have written a review for Stargate Universe. Did you miss me?

I know that last review I wrote was way back when with the season one tenth episode “Space”. That was a great experience for me as I have never ever accomplished something of sharing my perspectives like that before.

Although I wrote my “Space” review as a play-by-play of what occurred, this one is more of my impressions of what I thought about and of “Twin Destinies”. Several sections of “Twin Destinies” (directed by Stargate legend Peter DeLuise) are pointed out either as to what caught my eye the most or what I found especially entertaining. So be prepared that I may jump all over the episode with this review. Let us get on with the reason why you are here, my analysis.

We start off with a meeting of all essential bodies discussing their options of fixing the Destiny. Unfortunately with no parts or any clue as to how to fix the ship, the only apparently viable option is what Eli Wallace (David Blue) suggests. That option is to dial the ninth chevron and go home to Earth while recharging Destiny in a sun!

Of course Dr Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) rejects that reasoning. Even if they did manage to dial the gate and go home, it could very well blow up the ship according to Rush. With no one really caring *mainly cause they would be on their way home*, Rush speaks up and suggests that some people may want to stay behind with him and continue on the mission and journey aboard Destiny.

Rush is one of these people that is hard to figure out. He started off as a very conniving individual who is hell bend on doing what has to be done as long as “his” mission is completed. Then later on you see that he does genuinely care for people until something or someone threatens his plans. Then as we have observed he goes right back to his old ways.

I had really thought that when he started “seeing” his wife Gloria Rush (Louise Lombard) and Dr. Jeremy Franklin (Mark Burgess) in the actual bridge, that he would lighten up a bit. And for a while he did. What was a surprise actually was Col. Everett Young (Louis Ferreira) siding with Rush in his decision to stay aboard Destiny. This actually shocked me more than surprized me. However that was a short lived change of heart in Rush as we soon discover. I wondered if we will see a real change of heart in “Twin Destinies”? Let’s find out!

Why on earth would anyone what to stay aboard the Destiny when you have a way home is beyond me. Maybe Rush has got something to prove to someone, or to himself. Which I think is most likely. It is like he can never ever be wrong. And when someone does point out something that he might have overlooked, he gets agitated and lashes out to whoever is in close proximity.

Of course every chance Col. David Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips) could get to undermine Col Young or especially Rush, he was going to do it. When they were all gathered in the gate room (the first time), Telford took the opportunity to have his say. Not sure if it would have worked or not, Young seems to have the backing of everyone on board. Well, almost everyone.

Eli I have found has grown a lot since the beginning, and especially since the death of Ginn (Julie McNiven). He’s gotten more outspoken, especially when up against Rush in certain matters. We seen that when he stood up to Young after Rush was left on the planet, “well you should have thought of that before you got rid of Rush!”.

Two of the best recent scenes occurred in “Twin Destinies” and both were hilarious. The first was the return of Dr. Bill Lee (Bill Dow) in an exchange of conscience mind with Eli via the Ancient Communications Stones when they talked about computer gaming. Leave it to the two great geeks of Stargate, Eli and Dr. Lee to discuss gaming during a crisis!

The second was a chat between Lt. Tamara Johansen (Alaina Huffman) and Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson) about Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett). The ladies including Chloe Armstrong (Elyse Levesque) were comparing Eli to the other genius’ of the Stargate program and were having a very hard time thinking past Dr. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) and Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks). Then they suddenly and a bit reluctantly recalled that McKay had leered at each of them in the past before the mission. (David Hewlett returns to reprise his role in the Stargate Universe episode “Seizure” to be aired in April 2011)

These next set of pictures are taken from various places in the episode. I think that the special effects are nothing but brilliant. For someone like me that does not have a clue how it is done, Mr. Mark Savela and his team really out-do themselves in every episode. I mean, I understand the concept of the green screen when the actors are in the gate room and such, but this with the computer generated special effects are beyond me. I will just sit back and enjoy. I am completely amazed with the brilliance of his teams VFX work.

OK, I do not know if you feel the same as I do or not, but does it creep you out that we have TWO Dr. Rush’s? When I watched “Twin Destinies” The geeky-ness factor (yes it is my new word for today) just went up a few levels! We have seen in the other two Stargate series (Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis) the usages of parallel universes and what happens when you have the same person in the one reality. Only goes to show how they make it different in each situation.

After the failed attempt to get the crew safely home and with two Rush’s on-board after the discovery of the second alternate reality Destiny, the only course of action was a salvage mission to obtain the spare parts required.

With two Rush’s that means double the deception! Rush ‘A’ is bad enough, but having Rush ‘B’ as well, that is a recipe for disaster. Although with Telford being his usual charming self *snicker*, he and Rush ‘B’ got into a little dispute. I do not think that Telford had much respect for Rush anyway, though it makes one wonder if there were any differences at all from Rush ‘B’s reality compared to Rush ‘A’s. I used the concept of Rush ‘A’ and ‘B’ from Teddy and Ajay when they were discussing the episode on InnerSPACE on SPACE channel.

Though we all know that you can’t push Rush too much, he will only push right back. And unfortunately for Telford, we see just that. But if you think about it, if we have two Rush’s, which Telford is this one? And for that matter, why didn’t Rush ‘B’ experience tropic cascade failure like Dr. Samantha Carter did in the episode “Point of View” from Stargate SG-1?

She was in the same time dimension as Major Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) in no time when she started having problems. You can’t have two of the same person in the same universe. Or can you?? I guess we are left to ponder that one. Or maybe they can answer that at the next convention they attend. If someone could ask that, can you please let me know the answer? 😉

After Rush ‘B’ shoved Telford, the mere look on Rush’s face made me think that maybe he felt guilty of killing Telford. At one point, it looked like Rush was going to grab for Telford and save him (if that was even possible) when he was reaching out for him. Then of course when Rush ‘B’ realizes he can not help Telford, he leaves and heads off.

Of course it does not help matters when Rush ‘A’ and Lt. Scott finds the dead Col Telford and hurries off leaving the young Lt behind. Again, same old Rush. It’s scary that even though they are from a different time, space and experience, they are still the same in all other aspects.

Now I can never end off this analysis without adding my thoughts about Varro (Mike Dopud). Albeit he has a small appearance Mr. Dopud is still lovely to see as I am sure all the ladies agree!

But no review of mine is not complete without having a nice butt shot of Varro from behind, LOL. I HAD to add in that picture for a certain someone who loves to look, LOL *wink*.

Now as soon as I observed this, I couldn’t help myself but tweet something a little typical of me. I will tone it down here, because I never know who is actually reading this. But can you say “Varro a tad bit roasted.”? LOL

At the end of the episode while the spare parts have been procured, the fate of the remainder of the crew is unknown. The twin Rush’s do the right thing with alternate Rush sacrificing his life to maintain control of alternate Destiny allowing Rush and Lt. Scott to barely escape.

As alternate reality Destiny is destroyed in the star and since only Telford actually made it to Earth, this leaves one to believe that the others were either killed or transported to another destination as a result of the unstable wormhole.

The crew compliment of Destiny is now at a bare bones level!

Support your local Stargate and make tune in live to find out what has happened and help boost the ratings. We thank you for your support. Stargate Universe returns with “Alliances” on March 21 in the United States and March 22, 2011 in Canada on the SPACE Channel. In the meantime we include the full episode courtesy of Syfy for your pleasure. Enjoy!

And again, thank you for popping by the WormholeRiders News Agency. Hope you come again. And I shall try to have the next one out sooner. You can leave a comment on here or you can message me, karenford1, on twitter by clicking on my avatar.

Thank you.

XO

March 19, 2011
Stargate Universe: Twin Destinies Pre Review – Bill Dow, Mike Dopud and Something Rodney Mckay!

Hello once again Stargate fans,

SPOILER ALERT: Tonight on Syfy standby for the airing of a blast from the past and a look at the future in the next episode of Stargate Universe, “Twin Destinies” as the series continues the mission of the Destiny. Episode 12 of the second season of Stargate Universe “Twin Destinies” will air this evening Monday March 14, 2011 in the United States

The special effect sequences in “Twin Destinies” are so special that we are sure that your mind will be blown away by the extremely talented team of creators at Bridge Studios and MGM Studios.

Continuing under the superb genius of Mark Savela and his VFX team including Sonia Gilmore, the sequences featuring new special effects sequence in “Twin Destinies that are sure to please all Stargate fans that are able to tune in.

Having said that, when we say a blast from the past, we are not fooling one little bit! Tonight in “Twin Destinies” several beloved and revered Stargate legends!.

These include the ever talented and funny Dr. Bill Lee (Bill Dow) and Varro (Mike Dopud) also known for his legendary roles in all three Stargate Series including his roles as Kiryk in Stargate Atlantis “Tracker” as well Odai Ventrell (Bounty) and Colonel Chernovshev (Full Alert) in Stargate SG-1 return and something rather special for the fans of Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) is included too!

Now as you know, we do not deal in pre-review episode full spoilers here, we leave that to the more paparazzi type of news sites that deal in such matters. So you will just have to tune in to learn what Dr. McKay is accused of this time and what Dr. Lee is doing in Stargate Universe “Twin Destinies”. However…

We can say is that the developments are mighty interesting and should not be missed by fans of the Stargate Franchise. And when you learn that Dr. McKay has been up to his old tricks, you are certain to get a belly laugh!

Oh and before I forget, we will give you a spoiler of sorts, two main cast Stargate characters will die in the process of “twin Destinies”! Nope, I am NOT fooling around her. It is true and when you ind out who is no longer with the Stargate frachise you will be no doubt shocked!

Is that enough of a spoiler for you to get you to tune in this evening in the United States? Well we certainly hope so!

I can only say that like all of the series I review, I have watched “Twin Destinies” via screener DVD courtesy of Syfy seven (7) times already. In fact I am watching it for the 8th time now to see if there is something I can share without spoiling the story arc. And of course I and all true Stargate fans will be tuning in live! For me that includes both the east and west coast airings on Syfy to support he fine cast, creators and crew who have brought us 17 wonderful episodic years of Stargate and three movies in the process!

While I found the title “Twin Destinies” to be intriguing, the episode promotional trailer illustrates that the passengers on Destiny are going home, well at least some of them are. When you learn as I have their “destiny” tonight you will know who of the many main cast characters from the Stargate will suffer a fate equal to death. No change that, death it will be (and no there will not be such an image)!

Even more so as the promotional trailer illustrates, the reasons the crew is forgoing their mission is certainly obvious to anyone who watched last weeks episode, “Deliverance” whereby the Destiny was heavily damaged barely escaping the relentless Drone Command Ship. Does this play a role in why the crew is set on going home?

As mentioned, I did find something I could share: Could it be that the so-called heartless Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) actually has a heart? Will Destiny leaders Camile Wray (MingNa), Col. David Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips) or Col. Everett Young (Louis Ferreira) play a role? Well tune in tonight and you may just find out!

What we can also provide you with a number of “Twin Destinies” images courtesy of Syfy and Stargate franchise owner MGM Studios. We are going to mix these spoilery “Twin Destinies” images up a bit so they are not in exact chronological order. However if you look closely, you will figure out an element of this great episode!

I hope you tune in to learn about the Stargate blast from the past on Syfy tonight at 10 PM EST/PST or tomorrow evening on the Space Channel in Canada!

As always we thank you for your visit to our news sites at WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a spam free comment or a question here. We will respond to your comment or question as soon as is possible.

If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit the WHR on Facebook or me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story and or we will see you on See You on The Other Side“!

Thank You and Best Regards,

Kenn

March 14, 2011
Stargate Universe: Deliverance – The Fate of the Stargate Franchise!

Hello once again Stargate fans,

With all our thanks to Syfy for airing the last ten episodes of Stargate Universe, the series returned for its apparently last blast of Destiny. Episode 11 of the second season of Stargate Universe “Deliverance” aired Monday March 07, 2011 with epic special effect sequences by the talented team of creators at Bridge Studios and MGM Studios.

Under the genius of Mark Savela and his VFX team including Sonia Gilmore, the sequences and special effects are exquisite and deserve an award .

Having been of a mind to not cloud the issue and despite valiant efforts from many areas of the Stargate fandom, the return of Stargate Universe garnered ratings of just over 1.036 million views with a ratings share of 0.45 in the critical 18-48 age group and 0.6HH, we waited to post this analysis of Deliverance.

Here at WHR we did our part and set a new worlds record watching Deliverance over 28 times on COMCAST ON-DEMAND. 25 viewings occurred within 24 hours after the episode became available and 3 times the evening of the broadcast on March 7. You the fans of Stargate in the United States can also help by watching Stargate Universe ON-DEMAND as well to boost the viewing numbers. Thank you.

The saga of the Destiny story picked up from with the impending battle well underway between the attack drones whom were awakened in “Resurgence” upon the discovery of a space wasteland, actually the site of a horrendous defeat for an alien race of beings known the Ursini whom face extinction at the hands of the heartless drones.

To our glee the entire main cast of Stargate Universe returns with the exception of Varro (Mike Dopud) whom we will see tonight in “Twin Destinies”, next week in “Alliances” and in the near future in an episode called “The Hunt”.

With her engines down, the Destiny was a sitting duck until the unexpected arrival of Blue Aliens who entered the fray to somewhat deflect the attack. The Blue Aliens are of course being self seeking wanting to obtain access to Chloe Armstrong (Elyse Levesque) for intelligence on the Destiny, their relentless obsession. Chloe was last observed on the bridge of Destiny with her new acquired knowledge. Chloe condition is well advanced as she is converting to becoming a hybrid of the Blue Aliens themselves.

The Ursini is fighting to avoid extinction after they had attempted to drain power from the Destiny when they suddenly realize that only the Destiny may be able to help them. They transmitted a message to Col. David Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips) to attack the Drone Command Ship as their only means of survival under the circumstances.

Despite knowing the strategy from the hint given by the Ursini, the Attack Drones have protected their Achilles Heel, the Command Ship making it well out of firing range of the Destiny’s power main weapons battery at the moment. Eli Wallace (David Blue) in a state of stark realization says “There are hundreds of them” (attack drones). The attack proceeds while Eli works on a solution.

On the bridge of Destiny, Lt. Matthew Scott (Brian J. Smith) is accompanied by Sgt. Ronald Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) where they discovered that Chloe had sent a message to the Blue Aliens revealing the location of the Destiny in what appears to be an act of betrayal under the alien influence. In a moment right out of his character Sgt. Greer is completely ready weapon in hand to eliminate Chloe with “She sold us out” quip.

Naturally Lt. Scott intervenes telling Greer to “just hold on” and seeks guidance discussing the matter with Col. Everett Young (Louis Ferreira). As we find out, Sliver Surfer Chloe sent in a call in the Blue Aliens knowing that they would present another target for the vicious attack drones. The strategy succeeds as half the drones veer off to attack the new incoming targets and re-deploy to protect their Drone Command Ship.

Here is where the mastery of 15 years of Stargate creativity comes into play. The battle scenes, the veering off of the little drone monsters are so effective and realistic that one can only bow in humble account to what Mark Savela’s VFX team have accomplished. Being a long time admirer of the visual effects used in all the Stargate series and movies, they are a delight to behold. With the drones re-deployed an opportunity to launch a counter strike against the Drone Command Ship. Adam Brody (Peter Kelamis) comments that by doing so the Destiny will take heavy damage in the process.

Eli Wallace (David Blue) analyzes the situation that by emitting a jamming signal will disrupt the sub-space communications and likely stop the attack. Col. Young realize this is their only chance ordering them to proceed with the implementation. This will provide the much needed few seconds for destroying the Drone Command Ship.

In the meantime suspected traitor Chloe is locked up for her sending of a message to the Blue Aliens by her lover Lt. Scott. Little do Lt. Scott and Greer realize that she has told them the truth and is in fact helping to save Destiny from destruction.

Now some may see this as a predictable plot in the story arc, I do not. Entertainment of the caliber of Stargate Universe is to be enjoyed from my perspective. Much like seeing a classic stage play that has been performed countless times, a key to entertainment viewing is to activate ones “Willing Suspension of Disbelief” and just enjoy it. Many people however also enjoy dissecting a story to look for what is about to happen.

Those in the entertainment business, especially actors, screen writers, producers and directors, find such to be a joyless activity knowing that a fair review (even of a timeless classic like The Sound of Music) is best enjoyed by simply allowing yourself to become immersed in the arc of the tale unfolding. Believe me folks and try it sometime and you may find the experience most enjoyable.

At this point we are treated to the brief flashes of Dr. Lisa Park (Jennifer Spence) and Dr. Dale Volker (Patrick Gilmore) and Col. Telford under the command of Col. Young as they maneuver Destiny into firing position after Eli and Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) send out the jamming signal in the nick of time. Rush in one of his usual and enjoyable moments tells Eli :See what you can do when you apply yourself!” Naturally the expression on Eli’s face says it all!

The blasting of the soulless Drone Command Ship is a superb series of visual effects at its very best. After viewing the sequence 28 times I never tire of watching the enemy getting blown to smithereens! We also learn that two of the three Blue Alien ships were destroyed in the battle, which the third one so heavily damaged that it poses no threat to Destiny for the moment. It was nice vindication for Chloe that she did the “right thing”.

Based on Chloe’s facial expressions when confined, I believed she also took a sense of satisfaction in what she accomplished; getting revenge for the terror of being experimented on that she endured when taken captive by the relentless Blue Aliens.

Next we get to see another favorite character Lt. Tamara Johansen (Alaina Huffman) tending to the wounded and talking with Lt. Scott. This wonderful actress is always so natural she is simply a pleasure to behold. TJ is more than understandably concerned about Chloe after she had broke both arms of another crewman as she made her way to the bridge in Resurgence. Huffman is a favorite of all Stargate fans and always will be!

As the episode continues we learn that the shield system is heavily damaged meaning that even though the FTL engines are now repaired, Destiny may be unable to escape. We observe Brody and Volker at a control panel of fried components shaking their heads in despair. Peter Kelamis and Patrick Gilmore, great friends in real life are very natural when acting together being a joy to behold.

As the repair process continues we learn that Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) and Col. Young have settled into a more than cordial respect for each other. These two characters have grown immeasurably being two of four of the only real leaders outside of Col. Telford and Camile Wray (MingNa) that have learned the only way to survive is to work together as a team. Much like the real world, learning to work in a team environment, despite difference of opinions is a crucial key to success in life. If only more people on planet Earth could learn this principle what a better world we would all live in.

Speaking of Camile Wray, one of my favorite scenes is with the four leaders Wray, Col. Telford, Dr. Rush and Col. Young. They arrive at the logical conclusion that their “fight” is now the same as the Ursini’s. Once again we observe that people with vastly different points of view can come together in a team spirit to save the Destiny and its crew from certain destruction.

And what of the Ursini? Having also escaped destruction, the nearly extinct cute little aliens send a message to their home world apparently seeking re-enforcements and to check on the fate of their race. This proves to be a major mistake since the heartless drones have overrun their home planet. The message they got back was in “Machine Language”. The message only serves to notify the drones that some of the Ursini have escaped and giving away their position to the little horrors of unknown cybernetic origins in the galaxy billions of light years from Earth.

In what may become a truly fateful quote, Camile Wray (MingNa) states to the others “So they really are the last of their kind”. Why fateful? Because dear Stargate fans if the radical elements of the Stargate fandoms, really factions that refuse to support Stargate Universe do not wake up soon and watch the show, the remaining nine episodes may be “The Last of their Stargate Kind”. The sad expression on Camile’s and all their faces is telling.

We here at WormholeRiders News Agency have been monitoring fan activity. To our dismay we continue to observe a group of fans whom are steadfast in their belief that a Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis movie will follow the end of Stargate Universe. Their latest strategy is to watch “Seizure” with David Hewlett and Robert Picardo to send a message themselves. What message? That SGA is better than SGU and they want Stargate Extinction.

This is not very likely at all people. Sadly, more layoffs have occurred at Bridge Studios including Mark Savela himself. Joseph Mallozzi and team have moved to Toronto and we have confirmed that more layoffs are just around the corner.

However to be optimistic, one of my philosophies is: “There are no problems, just opportunities and solutions waiting to be found and acted upon”. The opportunity for the Stargate fans boycotting Stargate Universe is to open their minds and hearts and watch the program faithfully for the next nine weeks. If ratings improve considerably the positive “message” the fans can send is “we understand the Stargate franchise is a whole being, not just one series, but all”. We suggest everyone be part of the solution. Thank you..

The fate of the Stargate movies depends on solid ratings to prove they will be a success. We here therefore trust that the word will get out to the fans and that ratings improve enough to justify the huge investment in them.

As we return to the crew and their plight another telling scene with a larger portion of the crew reminds us of what I have just shared with you. To encapsulate the single effect of this sequence it boils down to this: The crew is discussing “negotiating with the drones”. Dr. Rush and Col. Telford know that this is impossible with observations like “the race that built the drones died out long ago” and “their only mission is to destroy alien technology.

To the fans who claim to love Stargate (or really is it only a portion of it?), many have gone out of their way to express hatred by attacking Stargate Universe, the actors, their families as well as the creators. It is no coincidence that the writers deliberately wrote these lines into Deliverance. Their “message” is an analog to the fans whom have considered Stargate Universe to be “alien technology” bent on destroying the series without realizing they were also destroying the franchise in the process.

We segue to more favorite special effects scenes with the capture of a drone for examination for counter action. A decision is made send Chloe to the surviving Blue Alien ship in exchange for passage back to the Destiny. We observe Dr. Lisa Park (Jennifer Spence) in a Destiny EVA suit capturing the drone. Once again the special effects sequences are exquisite.

In a “deal with the Blue Alien devils” the decision is made (inherent with the risk) that Chloe will reveal what she knows to the aliens. However the Blue Aliens may turn out to be not the villains many have suspected. They may in the opinion of this reviewer have a not so hostile intent and may be seeking the same “answers” as Dr. Rush. How do we know this?

In the season two promotional trailer we observed the Blue Aliens coming through the Destiny gate. Destiny had been in their region of space for countless eons. It is my opinion Destiny was considered by the Blue Aliens to be a prelude to an invasion of their territory. Is it not the same here on Earth with colonization by the western powers? Did not the indigent populations always perceive the same things? The story of the American Indians comes to mind as well as countless stories dating back thousands of years in human history.

If you watched the season two promotional trailer close the question comes to mind; Why did they (will they) come through the Destiny gate? Keep watching people the answer to that question is only a few episodes away. One of the best team sequences with a hint of the future is when Camile Wray and Dr. Rush are observed walking down a corridor on board Destiny. Watching these two veteran actors is simply wonderful. The sarcasm between them is wonderful! I especially enjoyed MingNa’s smile after their “chat”!

Near the end of the continuing “Deliverance” saga, a fantastic special effects scene unfolds when Lt. Scott enters the Blue Aliens ship though a space docking bay. The sequence is eye candy of the first order.

We also observe that the Blue Aliens actually save Chloe removing the infection that is taking over her body. Just prior, the well acted scenes between Elyse Levesque and Brian J. Smith are very touching as they express their love for each other.

While we are not treated to exactly a Borg like probe actually drilling into her head, we do see a probe of sorts near her skull. The question becomes is that really required. The Blue Aliens use a form of telepathic communication and they may have extracted what they wanted from the probe without the need for Borg like impact techniques. Chloe is saved when the Blue Aliens leave her for Lt. Scott to bring back to Destiny.

Tragically at the end of the episode, we learn that the Ursini take responsibility for bringing their crew of the Destiny into their war while seeking their own survival. In an act of selflessness, they move their ship into suicide attack position while Eli and his helpers Volker and Brody are able to re-program the attack drones from the first Drone Command Ship to recognize Destiny as a friend and the incoming second Drone Command Ship to be a foe. The diversion works thanks to the genius of Eli!

We end “Deliverance” with the Destiny making their escape with a few seconds of Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson) smiling in her wonderful way taking command of the ship with Col. Young and Col Telford to save Desting. After the Ursini sacrifice themselves, Destiny will live to fight another day and continue the mission to discover the secrets of the universe.

We see Dr. Rush speaking to Chloe being grateful for her return. Chloe says “Because I am useful” to which Dr. Rush retorts that everyone on Destiny is there because they are useful!

The question that we pose for you the fans of Stargate is this: will you learn to set aside your difference and behave like a team by watching the last nine episodes of Stargate Universe on Syfy? If you can do so, you may just get those movies you all desire.

Stargate Universe continues this evening March 14, 2011 with “Twin Destinies” an excellent episode I have had the honor of already viewing when Varro (Mike Dopud) returns and we a cameo with Dr. Lee (Bill Dow) too! Give yourself a treat and please tune in when you will see Dr. Rush and Col. Young standing side by side to determine the ultimate fate of Destiny. Thank you for making your time available to watch the next nine weeks.

As always we thank you for your visit to our news sites at WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a spam free comment or a question here. We will respond to your comment or question as soon as is possible.

If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit the WHR on Facebook or me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story and or we will see you on See You on The Other Side“!

Thank You and Best Regards,

Kenn

March 14, 2011

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