WormholeRiders News Agency

Tag: Space

Spreading the SGU Love, Jamil Walker Smith, Brian J. Smith, Patrick Gilmore and Beyond!

My apologies for my cyber-silence as of late.

I am a full-time student at the Academy of Acting, and it seems like tonight Wednesday February 09, 2011 is the first night I’ve had to myself, away from my studies…other than of course having the assignment of lifting a frying pan to see how it affects my muscles, then miming it to play with my arm muscle’s memories.

But enough with the acting technobabble, let’s get on with the campaign updates and other Stargate-related news that might be out there. Recently there was a Stargate Universe marathon on Syfy network, and from what I understand, the ratings were good enough to justify doing a standard run-out of the second season.

I am hoping that will lead to continuing on the Stargate Universe storyline. Recent word from Jospeh Mallaozzi is that he and Paul Mullie are heading to the Los Angeles area on a mission. Lets all wish them them the best of luck!

The first one is a reminder about the “Share The SGU Love” and “Spread the SGU Love” campaign, to send the powers-that-be both stateside at the MGM Studios offices and the Bridge Studios offices located in Burnaby, British Columbia a Valentines Day card! I will admit, I have my cards made and will be sending them off Friday.

Hey, I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind getting a Valentines’ card or two (or more) after Valentines’ Day, I always consider it lovely that someone was thinking of me in a kind and loving manner. Remember to mention that you love the series, why you love it, any stories you might be able to tell in your cards, and where you are located. Perhaps include your age as well in case you want to help MGM see the demographics. Click here to see all the great cards.

And speaking of Valentines’ Day, there is a campaign that will be taking place ON Valentines’ Day itself. As iTunes is still selling episodes of Stargate Universe in their on-line store, the plan is for as many SGU fans to buy the episode “Trial and Error”, the episode where Eli and Ginn share their first kiss (insert group “awwwww” here). Please feel free to buy other episodes as well!

A group action that has been taking place is the creation of a graphic collage celebrating Stargate Universe, with the man behind that being Gcm4n (Mario on Twitter). He is accepting graphics (as in digital pictures) fans want to include in the final huge image. Contact him on Twitter for more details.

The biggest news, however, has been a unification of the majority of the campaigns. Look for more details at SGUnite once the site is fully up and running. As is, the webmaster has created a Facebook feed on the front page of the website where news about Stargate Universe current state is being listed, such as the fact when SGU season two returns to SyFy on March 07, 2011 on Monday nights.

There is also a place on the page where people can insert their e-mail address so once the website is up and running, as the webmaster of the site has been otherwise occupied with schooling and also, flooding in his area of Australia. Much love to you as things get cleaned up down there!

In other Stargate Universe related news, some of the stars of the series have been keeping themselves quite busy with non-SGU projects (all things planned before the announcement was made regarding the non-renewal).

First off, congrats to Jamil Walker Smith, whose directing and writing debut with the film Make a Movie Like Spike premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, with three, yes, count ’em, THREE sold-out showings! The next stop for the Little Plow Films movie is to take it to Los Angeles for screenings, with details (I am guessing) being listed on Jamil’s twitter (or on the one for the film itself, @makeamovielike), on the official websites Make a Movie Like Spike or Little Plow Films, or else on their facebook fan page. Check it out, and if you have the chance to get to a screening, please do!

Congrats as well to Brian J Smith, who has been keeping himself busy globetrotting with the filming of the SyFy made-for-TV movie Red Faction: Origins, based on the computer game by the same name. His tweets about the experience make many of us aspiring actors green with envy and also, makes us realize the extremes some projects will take a person, as he has described in his tweets about the very cold weather in some locations, and contrastingly hot weather in others.

I can barely wait for that one to come out, but to be honest, am hoping that more Stargate Universe comes out beyond the second season as I love the series and want to see more of it, and certainly more of Brian and company in action as our favorite refugee crew in a ginourmous spaceship hopping through galaxies!

Another project which would be remiss of me to mention is the web-series Riese. Filmed in Vancouver, its cast includes Patrick Gilmore (Dale Volker of SGU) as well as featuring Amanda Tapping as a narrator.

It is a futuristic steam-punk series, and the best news of all is, the entire web-series will be aired as one episode on the Space Channel in Canada, April 09, 2011 at 9 pm right after the Merlin season finale! This just goes to show the power of the internet, and also, the power of on-line love and determination.

Although not directly related to Stargate Universe, I did promise a friend and classmate of mine to mention a web-series that is being created here in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Pieces is a sci-fi/fantasy mystery thriller with a lot of promise, and who knows, it might follow in the footsteps of other pioneering Canadian web-series (such as Riese and Jpod).

In the future this series could potentially have the following of other science fiction series that have been filmed in Canada, such as X-Files, Fringe, the whole Stargate franchise…well, you get my drift. I promised I’d mention it in my blog, and give the good word to the ‘Peg City, so there you go!

So in summary: Please send out your Valentines’ Day cards to the Bridge and to MGM Studios, buy “Trial and Error” on iTunes this Valentines’ Day, donate some images for the collage, add your name to the mailing list at sgunite.com, check out Make a Movie Like Spike (and perhaps request it at your local indy theatre), and just keep being aweseome!

But I should really get back to my homework, I need to learn how to lift an invisible frying pan by using my own as a model, so until later, keep on Spreading and Sharing the SGU Love, and have a great weekend!

As always we appreciate your reading this article and for visiting our news sites at WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a “Share The SGU Love” or “Spread The SGU Love” comment or a question here. We will respond to your comment or question as soon as is possible.

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 TeamWHR or me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story and or I will See You on The Other Side at my FaceBook“!

Thank you.

Marjorie Roden

February 9, 2011
Stargate Universe: As The Wormhole Turns – Go To The Mirror and “Share The SGU Love” Status Report!

Hello again Stargate fans!

Well, it’s been one week since my first blog was posted regarding my idea for the “Spread the SGU Love” (or “Share the SGU Love”) fan campaign to help garner positive feedback regarding Stargate Universe to The Powers-That-Be (TPTB) at MGM Studios.

So far, what I’ve been hearing from fans is many went out and actually bought cards, while others made their own as I have been doing the last couple of nights as illustrated below! Others including educators and teaches have had their school classes make them to send off to MGM.

Oh, and please click the MGM Studios Lion image above to the right to follow MGM on Twitter to demonstrate your support. Thank you!

Yes, some of us who love Stargate Universe are teachers. Using this as an art project is something I think is quite ingenious! Other fans have created some digital artwork for people to print off and use at their end for the “Spread The SGU Love” "Share The SGU Love" campaign. There are links for accessing the full resolution graphics below this paragraph. Simply click the images below to load the full sized versions. Many thanks to StargateZone (Sarah) and GCM4N (Mario) for graciously donating their digital artwork to our cause! The campaign news article I authored last week is not the only effort going on out there in our Stargate World. In fact there have been a number of them, and in this week's blog, I will highlight the ones that I've heard about on the internet, mainly through Twitter. Some that have been very effective at getting MGM Studios's attention. I was inspired seeing CherLuvYa making a vote on Twitter for the Shorty awards for MGM in television, MeriJewel, another Stargate Universe fan, caught onto this idea in a big way. The Shorty Awards, going into their third year, are defined as “Honoring the Best Producers of Short Real-Time Content.” also known for sites that perform micro-blogging like Twitter. The method of voting is through Twitter, and many Stargate and SGU fans have been voting for MGM_Studios on Twitter for the #television category because of the Stargate franchise. However, there have been other great TV shows to come out of the MGM studios, so vote as often as you can while mentioning #ShareTheSGULove and #Stargate hash tags in this on-line competition. One can also vote for actors and actresses who have Twitter accounts like Alaina Huffman, David Blue, Brian J. Smith, Patrick Gilmore, MingNa, Jennifer Spence, Julia Benson, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jamil Walker Smith, Peter Kelamis Julie McNiven, Kathleen Munroe and Mike Dopud. Several are all fairly high on the list. We also encourage you to vote as well for crew members and Stargate Univese creators such as Mandy Alexander McLean, Mark Savela, Sonia Gilmore, James Bamford John G. Lenic, Carl P. Binder, John Scalzi, Ivon Bartok, Martin Gero, and Joseph Mallozzi ... via his dogs Twitter account anyway! For more information, please click the text link or image banner below to read MeriJewel's article The website SGU Awareness is another outstanding site on the Internet which includes links to other campaigns in its blog. The atmosphere on this page is very positive, and their generosity with giving those links is outstanding! A new website has been in development called SaveOurStargate that launched just this weekend. SaveOurStargate is run by a group of Stargate Universe fans with a dedication to ensure that the MGM Stargate Franchise continues well into the future. Last but not least if the SG: Unite fan campaign has a lot of contact info, including mailing and e-mail addresses, something that would prove to be very useful to get their attention in their e-mail in-boxes. As you scroll down the page you will find many useful Internet addresses and other contacts that might prove to be very useful to "Share The SGU Love".For now Other very positive news came out of Joe Mallozzi's blog this week, it sounds like the creators and producers of Stargate Universe are far from throwing in the towel yet, which is why showing our support in as many different ways as we can – be it from taking part in any of the campaigns happening worldwide right now, to watching SGU on Hulu where the views, I've been told, also count towards total viewings statistics tallied by MGM Studios are important. I would also suggest even to purchasing Stargate Universe by going to the video store and buying a box set of DVD or Blue Ray discs. All of these will help demonstrate to MGM Studios that Stargate Universe is a series fans are willing to invest their hard-earned dollars in. During a recession like the one we're in now, showing this to MGM Studios is huge! Finally, although I started this a few weeks ago, it did kind of get lost in the shuffle of the avalanche of on-line petitions which came out right after the non-renewal announcement. If you're on Twitter, and happen to have the time, please sign it! As always we appreciate your reading this article and for visiting our news sites at WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a "Share The SGU Love" or "Spread The SGU Love" comment or a question here. We will respond to your comment or question as soon as is possible. 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 TeamWHR or me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story and or I will See You on The Other Side at my FaceBook"! Thank you. Marjorie Roden

January 15, 2011
Stargate Universe: As The Wormhole Turns – Share and Spread The SGU Love!

Hello Stargate fans!

It is an unfortunate fact some individuals out there have been cruel with their hate campaigns regarding Stargate Universe. However, we are putting that behind ourselves and only focusing on positive things.

With the “Share the SGU Love” fan campaign, the purpose is to help the Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios, the production company MGM for short, see the viability of keeping Stargate Universe on the air, we’ll remain positive, conducting ourselves in a very positive and giving way. We shall use one of the most concrete methods of getting attention: the postal system, or as some people call it these days, “Snail Mail” and use Twitter and Facebook to spread the word. We also use the hash tags “Spread the SGU Love” as well as “Share the SGU Love” on Twitter.

On the business side of things, where can Stargate Universe be broadcast? MGM does have their own network, MGM-HD, which is available in the US. In Canada, the Space channel, which is owned by CTV, has been getting an average of 1.4 million viewers per night. Sky1 in the United Kingdom has also been airing Stargate Universe with 1.3 million viewers per night, and in Australia, the numbers have been very high for the viewership, coming in with 800,000 per night.

The idea behind this mail-in campaign is to provide positive feedback & bring attention to and also give the head decision-makers at MGM Studios an idea of the numbers of the fans – as well as their geographical locations, and any other pertinent demographics such as gender and age – who want to see Stargate Universe stay on the air.

You can write me by e-mail here Marjorie Roden

This might lead to a co-production with another network or broadcaster, or even inspire the decision-makers at MGM to go forth on their own accord to keep this 15+ year old franchise, which has been on the television since 1997, with the initial “Stargate” movie first coming out in theatres in 1994. The Stargate franchise has been earning MGM a great deal of money not only in the television rights, but also in sales of the DVD’s and most recently, the on-line iTunes sales.

First and foremost, in keeping with the theme of “Share the SGU Love”, we’ll start by sending Valentines’ Day cards to the main decision-makers at both the main MGM Studios in California, and also to the offices at The Bridge Studios in Burnaby, BC, Canada, where Stargate Universe is produced and all of the elaborate sets have been built.

In these cards, we will express how much we love this series and the stories told, and also make a point of stating where we are located, because a large part of what they, as studio executives need to know, is where the audience is located.

As the majority of the fan base where the show has been getting higher ratings is in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, letting the decision-makers know this information, and to see who’s taken the time to do this, will make the people in these decision-making roles take notice.

Secondary to this, which I hope many of the fans take part in, is to send Valentines’ Day cards to the producers, creative department heads of the series (in care of The Bridge Studios), as well as any writers, actors, etc, just to drive the point home to the decision makers how much we as fans appreciate the series, as well as the people who work day to day on the series, and how much we hope to see the series continue on in the future.

I was asked why I felt including The Bridge Studios in this campaign was important. My method to this madness is quite simple: the series is shot in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, for the most part, at these studios. The people who work day to day on the episodes live in this area, and the non-renewal of Stargate Universe has most adversely affected the crew members, as well as their families. The team built at the Bridge Studios in Burnaby, starting with the original “Stargate SG-1” series created in the 1990’s, has been huge in creating the magic of the franchise. The idea of people making sure the love is “shared” is paramount, because there have been too many knocks the other way, and NOW would be the time to give everyone who has a creative investment in the series a much-needed lift.

Getting the attention of people in the decision-making roles is paramount, so sending the cards and/or letters to them in personally marked envelopes, with the individual’s name on then, would be a good plan. Subsequently, if people decide to send cards to multiple cast & crew members, mailing them in one large envelope – with each card in individual envelopes with the people’s names on them – to save on postage would be understandable. Bottom line, if you can afford to mail cards individually, to really make the mailboxes at MGM Studios and The Bridge Studios in Burnaby stuffed full of Valentines’ Cards, go wild!

Be as creative as you like with the cards. Some have suggested sending “We love Stargate Universe” cards for the campaign, others have considered sending regular Valentines. The idea is to do this en masse, and to drive home the point that the number of fans out there who love this series is a big enough fan base to warrant giving Stargate Universe a third season (and possibly beyond). Be positive with your cards, and if you do have an individual story to tell (ie: if a certain episode really spoke to you in a trying time), include that in your card. These are the kinds of things the shows producers and creators love to hear. Also, I know of some fans who have offered to design a pre-made postcard, available on-line for printing. Links for this shall be provided once the card is designed.

It is my hope that this campaign will get the attention of mainstream media outlets as well, because one of our other goals is to help MGM find some other networks to work with in the future. By bringing attention to both Stargate Universe and MGM Studios via the mainstream media would work for all parties involved.

If sending Valentines Day cards to the folks at MGM Studios and Bridge Studios is not your cup of tea, sending in positive letters to the bigwigs would be great, too. The main point is to get the attention of the MGM Executives, and let them see how large the fan base for Stargate Universe really is, so that the series is not outright canceled. We all love the storyline that has been so beautifully created by this creative team, and if any of the tweets from some of the actors are any indication, we are in store for a cliffhanger that will leave all of us howling and screaming for more.

Now for the contact information, the mailing addresses are:

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios
10250 Constellation Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90067 USA

MGM Worldwide Television Distribution
2500 Broadway Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404-3065 USA
MGM Studios

Corporation Purchasing
240 Broadway Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401 USA

The Bridge Studios
2400 Boundary Road,
Burnaby, BC V5M 3Z3 CANADA
The people we want to reach are:

MGM Presidents, Vice Presidents, and CEO’s:

Gary Barber, Co-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of MGM
Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of MGM
Charles Cohen, MGM’s Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Gerald Ament, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Television and Legal Affairs (found on MGM’s website)
Jim Packer, Co-President, Worldwide Television (found on MGM’s website)
Gary Marenzi, Co-President, Worldwide Television (found on MGM’s website)
Erik Lomis, President, Worldwide Theatrical Distribution, Home Entertainment & Acquisition (found on MGM’s website)
Ann Mather, Head of the Board of Directors, MGM
Steve Hendry, Senior Executive Vice President, Finance (found on MGM’s website)
Michael Vollman, Executive Vice President, Theatrical Marketing MGM; President, Marketing, United Artists (found on MGM’s website)
Board Members at MGM:
Fred Reynolds, former CBS Chief Financial Officer, current MGM Board Member
Jason Hirschhorn, former MySpace President, current MGM Board Member
Christopher Pucillo, founder of Solus Alternative Asset Management, current MGM Board Member
Patrick H. Daugherty, a partner at Highland Capital Management LP, current MGM Board Member
Kevin Ulrich, CEO of Anchorage Capital Group LLC, current MGM Board Member

Stargate Universe Production Team:
(Most of these people are based in BC, so please send in care of The Bridge Studios)

Series Produced by

Brad Wright …. executive producer (40 episodes, 2009-2011)
Carl Binder …. executive producer (40 episodes, 2009-2011)
Robert C. Cooper …. executive producer (40 episodes, 2009-2011)
N. John Smith …. executive producer (20 episodes, 2009-2010)
John G. Lenic …. producer (40 episodes, 2009-2011)
Joseph Mallozzi …. consulting producer / executive producer (40 episodes, 2009-2011)
Paul Mullie …. consulting producer / executive producer (40 episodes, 2009-2011)
Martin Gero …. consulting producer (8 episodes, 2009)
Alan McCullough …. consulting producer (8 episodes, 2009)
Jennifer Johnson …. associate producer (25 episodes, 2009-2010)
George Horie …. line producer (20 episodes, 2009-2010)
Andy Mikita …. co-producer (20 episodes, 2009-2010)
Linda McGibney …. supervising producer (19 episodes, 2010-2011)
Mark Savela – department head, Visual Effects
Sonia Gilmore — visual effects coordinator
James Bamford — stunt coordinator

If there are any other parts of Stargate Universe‘s production that you are particularly inspired by or drawn towards (ie: writing, make-up, set design), you can find the names of the department heads at IMDB.

Some of the actors have their official websites and or fan club addresses which they can be reached at. However, if there are some whose addresses you cannot find, it can’t hurt to send any Valentine “Share The SGU Love” cards and or fan letters to them at any of the addresses listed above. It can’t hurt for the people at MGM Studios to know how much we appreciate their acting, can it?

Have fun with whatever you send out, and remember, remain positive while you SHARE THE SGU LOVE!!! All images courtesy to WormholeRiders News Agency courtesy of MGM Studios. Video of WR_Systems (Kenn) included below is the entire Comic-Con 2010 Stargate Universe panel so you can see just how wonderful the actors and creators are! Enjoy.

As always we appreciate your reading this article and for visiting our news sites at WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a "Share the SGU Love" comment or a question here. We will respond to your comment or question as soon as is possible. 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 TeamWHR 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 at my FaceBook"! Thank you. Marjorie Roden

January 6, 2011
Stargate Universe Canceled: A Sad Development As The Wormhole Turns – Is An Era Ending?

Hello Stargate Community and Stargate Universe fans,

I would say good morning, but it really is not a good morning is it? We did have other news to post yesterday at 12 PM Pacific time, but frankly I did not have the heart to complete a story that was ready for publication. I realized that the news I had heard at the end of the day Wednesday December 15, 2010, likely to become reality, had in fact occurred.

For the first time in 17 years the MGM Studios “Stargate” franchise that has been spinning and taking us all on adventures to far away lands, planets, galaxies across the universe, the series franchise filled with action, romance, mystery and mythology may sadly be coming to an end.

I can still remember my excitement in 1993 when MGM Studios announced production of Stargate (the movie). I was living in Austin Texas and could not wait to see the film. I and all my friends were even more excited when the movie became the Stargate franchise. Now after 17 episodic seasons it seems to be coming to an end, a potential end of an era of epic movies and series. I only hope that is not the case, but we are sad here today.

We here at WHR are saddened that the announcement was made one year almost to the day that Stargate Universe was renewed for a second season. I believe I can say with 100% certainty everyone here at WHR are saddened. We have had nine reporters over the past two years write reviews about Stargate Universe and visit the celebrities and creators at Stargate Conventions. We are quite sad for the loss of employment for the most talented actors and actresses. In the world of entertainment these are some of the finest human beings you will ever know.

We are sad that wonderful people we have had the privilege to meet and work with at MGM Studios and The Bridge are liable to lose their jobs.

We are sad that the crews, publicists, agents, and perhaps the entire Stargate family of creators who may also lose their jobs, face unemployment. We are sad for fans who have supported the Stargate franchise for 17 episodic years and three Stargate movies. We are sad because there may be only 10 episodes left in what was planned to be a 5 year 100 episode series run. We are sad because the Stargate may stop spinning in 2012 after the last 10 episodes of Stargate Universe in 2011.

Preparing for a long trip driving to Southern California to work, I did not have time to tweet very much. Texting and driving is not something any of us should be doing. I did however have wireless Internet access on my netbook and and looked at the tweet stream as much as possible via Tweet Deck. I also read a couple of articles when stopping for gasoline and food on the road.

I also became very sad for another reason; a group of people running a web site called “SGU Sucks Dot Com” threw a virtual party proclaiming that their 15 month campaign had “paid off”. And no I am NOT going to hyper link that foul place!

Many of these malcontents also tweeted about it and posted on several web sites. Over recent history, this despicable group of people has attacked the actors, the creators, the families and even the news sites which supported and reported on Stargate Universe (including WHR). Each time with foul mouthed glee since their misbegotten effort began in 2009. They also attacked the Stargate fans grabbing tweets and posting them for their hate filled campaign not realizing that they could be part of the end of the franchise for the foreseeable future as we have reported previously. I was sickened by what I read yesterday from these misguided and often hate filled individuals.

I was however on the phone while driving. I was talking with members of the team (both ours and Stargate’s) about the greatest fear of virtually everyone on our team, including mine. Then it was confirmed by a second source: SyFy elected to not renew Stargate Universe for a third season in 2011-2012. I knew I had to drive to Los Angeles and put out a few tweets, one of which in specific seems to have angered some. That tweet was that I knew that Stargate Universe would be canceled. In fact I was not told directly. While I had made calls to certain sources at MGM and SyFy, I was only told “news would be coming soon”. It was the tone of the e-mails and phone calls that lead me to believe 36 hours ago that Stargate Universe was not going to be renewed.

So when I said “I knew”, I erred and I apologize for that tweet. I did not mean to offend anyone. Nor will I delete it, but leave it there as an indication that I chose the wrong words while on the road to Los Angeles for a reporting assignment.

WHR was not told directly “Stargate Universe” is canceled until the SyFy public statement was released. What I “knew” was that the news of a business decision was “coming soon”. I shared my thoughts privately with few people. Sadly, the cancellation of Stargate Universe indeed seemed to be coming. This was at the end of the day Wednesday December 15, 2010.

Despite the information which seemed to confirm the pending news, it is not the policy nor the job of WormholeRiders News Agency to post rumors. Nor is it our job to initially announce whether a series is renewed or not. We post facts subsequent to reading official press releases and then confirming same from at least two sources. This confirmation came at approximately 11:45 AM Pacific time, some 45 minutes after SyFy made a public statement which they later tweeted as well:

“Syfy will end its original action-adventure series Stargate Universe when the show returns with the final 10 episodes of its second season in the Spring of 2011. The Stargate franchise — consisting of Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe — has aired on Syfy since 2002.

Syfy has a slate of new sci-fi/fantasy scripted projects lined up for 2011 including the series premiere of Being Human on January 17, the recently green lit one-hour drama series Alphas and the much anticipated Battlestar Galactica prequel pilot movie, Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome. Warehouse 13, Eureka and Haven will also return with new seasons next year.”

I was reading the public statement (which was sent to everyone at the same time) when Michael Ausiello tweeted the news and then (literally) all hell broke loose. At first I thought that Michael had blind-sided everyone including SyFy, then I checked the time of the announcement. In fact SyFy had informed the actors and crews in advance with their public statement.

The problem is that Twitter in specific exploded before people even had a chance to read the press release. In a way, it would have been nice for each actor and crew person to be told individually. However that is not possible. Why? While I do know that a few did find out officially, most saw it on Twitter first. But even if a round of calls or e-mails were made, the complaint would then become why did “they” inform “that” person or persons first?

Is Stargate Universe season three announced as a series canceled by SyFy? Yes. Does this mean that the Stargate franchise is finished for the foreseeable future? Maybe. A lot depends on you the fans of Stargate. What can you, the fans, possibly do in a positive way to perhaps save the show?

I would suggest that we all take a lesson from Chuck fans. Buy the Stargate Universe DVD’s and Blu-ray disks from MGM and give them as Christmas or other gifts. Download the episodes from legal sources such as iTunes. Perhaps most critically, when Stargate Universe returns in April get everyone you know to watch the ten (10) un-aired episodes of the series LIVE (NOT DVR).

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, do not send threats or foul language tweets or e-mails to SyFy. That will do no good. Instead demonstrate that you support the Stargate franchise and maybe, just maybe, the series will be picked up. A bonus for all of the Stargate fans in being professional? You may just succeed and we could possibly get those two Stargate movies that all would like to see!

As previously tweeted, we will complete our reviews of every episode of Stargate Universe and finish adding all of them to the updated menu structure as soon as possible.

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

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 Team or me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story.

After a number of tweets thanking the creators, the actors, the crews and MGM Studios, I will see you all soon at the Hollywood Auction 43 and on “The Other Side“! Thank you.

Best Regards,

Kenn

December 17, 2010
Stargate Universe: Resurgence

Welcome back Stargate Universe (SGU) fans.

Watching Tuesday’s episode, Resurgence, was so bittersweet knowing that we would have to wait until April 2011 before a new episode aired, and the greenlight for Stargate Universe season 3 had not yet been announced.

If you have not seen this episode, please know that my review below will contain complete spoilers.

In every episode written by Joe Mallozzi, you are going to find a fair amount of snarkiness. The snark-o-meter rang high during Resurgence (as you will be able to see down below in my favorite lines). You will also be guaranteed a large amount of action. Will Waring was back once again to help direct this mid-season finale.

We open with Rush (Robert Carlyle) on the bridge, trying to be patient with the perceived incompetence in the others working their stations. Dr. Brody (Peter Kelamis) discovers a signal; Destiny goes to investigate.

Before dropping out of FTL, Rush tries to radio Eli (David Blue) but getting no response, he pays him a personal visit. Rush knows only too well the grief Eli is experiencing.

Destiny comes across the remnants of a space battle, a graveyard as Camile (Ming-Na) called it.

Rush suggests Brody should be the one to explore this site; Brody looks quite pleased with that.

Things continue to get awkward with Scott (Brian Jacob Smith) and Chloe (Elyse Levesque). Chloe’s metamorphosis is accelerating. She calls Scott out for the lack of intimacy between them as evidence that he knows where the road is leading (or as the writers will have us believe). I am still rooting for a metamorphosis of Chloe to part alien to give her superhero powers, but they discover that she is an ally and not an enemy.

Having made a personal connection with Eli when his mom’s health took a turn for the worse on Earth, Camile tries to get him to open up.

Scott, Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) and Brody leave to investigate one of the ships in the debris field. Another ship powers up; it looks like a beetle.

After finding their target sites, Greer makes the initial jump (as the locks are not perfectly sealed).

A thought crossed my mind seeing Greer with a gun on the alien ship. What use are the guns in a zero-gravity environment? Has NASA ever fired a gun in space? Surely it would be propelled some distance, but to have a deadly impact. Apparently a gun can fire in space. “Gunfire is a controlled contained fire which expands and propels a projectile out of its confinement. There must be oxygen, fuel and heat present to have fire.

At first glance one would think since there is no oxygen in space that a gun could not fire, but that is not true. There is oxidizer present within gunpowder sufficient to fire the gun. Guns can fire underwater too, but when the gun barrel is filled with water there may be enough resistance within the barrel to cause it to burst. In space however, not only can the gun fire, but likely better than on Earth, since as stated earlier the water in the barrel offers dangerous resistance, air in the barrel offers a minute amount of drag as well, in space, a gunshot would have no air resistance and thus more muzzle velocity than on Earth.”

I also discovered that “a gun will fire in the vacuum of space. And with approximately 14 psi more force due to the lack of atmospheric pressure. The powder contains the oxidizer needed for the explosion. In free fall or gravity-less situation the recoil or ‘kick’ could move the shooter.”

Meanwhile, on Destiny, TJ (Alaina Huffman) visits Varro (Mike Dopud). He says, “I haven’t seen you in awhile.” Does this suggest that TJ has been seeing Varro on a regular basis? He inquires about the Eden dwellers and her baby, and tries to show comfort after she shares that her baby was not among them, that Destiny was trying to protect her. He grabs her hand, suggesting that he would protect her as well. I am looking forward to the future episodes that Joe Mallozzi spoke of on his blog where a love triangle erupts between Varro, TJ, and Young.

TJ spots movement outside Varro’s window. Shortly thereafter, she has to leave; Varro wants to help. The writers are not quite ready for that (but soon).

The Destiny shows the crew the battle simulation. Eli realizes that some ships are just shut down and tells them they have to leave. NOW! Young (Louis Ferreira) radios Scott, Greer and Brody to return.

An visually stunning space battle ensues courtesy of the amazing talents of Mark Savela and his team. I can only imagine the number of days, or weeks, they spent on those sequences.

After trying to communicate and waiting an appropriate amount of time for a response, given the hostiles are not firing upon Destiny, Young orders them to return fire. Once again we see the talents of the visual effects team as the shuttle returns to Destiny and blows up a bad guy in the process.

I wonder if Dr. Park liked firing the big guns?

The FTL engines are offline and things do not look good. Another ship drops out of FTL. Guess who’s coming to dinner? Yahoo! Colonel Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips) is back!

They are headed for cover and power-up in the local star, a place their enemies cannot follow. This is Varro’s first time flying in a star. The visual effects shots of a star power-up never gets old, but this time, we are treated to two ships.

Telford comes aboard and recounts his story of his time on the alien ship, what he learned about the Ursini and who their enemies are. The Ursini want Destiny’s help.

Eli pays a visit to Chloe to keep her abreast of the latest. She does not believe the Ursini can be trusted.

The Ursini want Destiny to attack the command carrier. Rush wants to buy Destiny some time to make repairs and double-cross the Ursini until the repairs can be made. The Ursini are going to give Destiny a lift in FTL. Rush does not see the problem with this until Young says that they hold the key to dialing Earth, which tells Rush that Young is still not 100% committed to Destiny’s mission.

Rush returns to the bridge and spots an error Eli is making. Eli has his mind on other things. Rush is blunt about Eli’s loss and about Eli’s ability to be able to control that even with all of his abilities. It sounded like Rush was paraphrasing from the talk Scott had with him on the Malice planet.

The Ursini accept the deal and jumps Destiny together with the seed ship.

They drop out of FTL too soon. The Ursini have tricked them and placed them right before the command carrier.

The Destiny engages in battle with the ships from the command carrier.

Chloe wants to help and grabs Eli a little bit too hard but once out of her room, she knocks the guard out (Cpl. Baras, played by Jacob Blair) and leaves (great stunt sequence from James Bamford and company). Even doors can no longer contain Chloe, but Young sends Scott out to find her. Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson) also helps.

The infirmary is packed with patients and TJ sends for Varro to come and help.

Scott finds Chloe at a console but says, “It’s too late.” The seed ship is not responding. There is nowhere to fall back. Destiny is getting a beating and the shields are almost gone. And this is where we are CRUELY left until April 2011.

FAVORITE LINES

I had so many favorite lines in this episode.

1. The opening sequence, but especially:
Rush to Brody: Mr. Brody, please don’t make me come over there.
Brody: “Why don’t you by my guest?”

2. Young to Rush: “What do you mean distant? We’re on a spaceship in the middle of nowhere. From where I’m sitting, EVERYTHING is distant.”

3. When Dr. Park (Jennifer Spence) suggests the signal may be that of intelligent life, Rush says, “Best-case scenario” in his opinion.
Volker (Patrick Gilmore): For real??? Do I have to remind everyone of what happened the last time we encountered an alien life form, or the time before that, OR the time before that.
Park: But you can’t judge a neighborhood by a bunch of bad neighbors.
Volker: Are you kidding? That’s EXACTLY how you judge a neighborhood.

4. Eli to Camile: “…and screw The Last Starfighter because all these hours playing HALO didn’t prepare me for this.”

5. Eli to Camile: “You guys are worried because I’m a little distracted?”
Camile: We’re worried because given recent events you should be a hell of a lot more than just a little distracted.

6. Eli to Camile about Riley (Haig Sutherland): “You know what’s weird? Sometimes I’ll forget that he’s gone. I’ll actually walk into the gate room and turn my head and for a splint second, I wonder where the hell he is, and then I remember.
Camile: He was a very important part of your life here.
Eli: When your whole world collapses down to less than 100 people in a confined space, it all becomes important to you, Camile. Riley was part of the ship and losing him…it wasn’t just sad, it was wrong.
Camile: What about losing Ginn?” (Julie McNiven)

Eli gives her a look like “don’t go there” and backs out. Ming-Na and David Blue had some stellar acting in a beautifully written scene.

7. Greer to Brody: So when did you finish fixing the third suit?

Brody: Yesterday. It’s perfectly safe.
Greer: Alright. Wait, wait, wait. How come I’m wearing it and you’re not?
Brody: Easier to fix if something goes wrong…which it won’t…in all likelihood.

Peter Kelamis has such great comedic timing. I am glad the writers are giving our guest-stars some opportunities to shine.

8. Greer to Brody: “Just shut up and let me work.” The “shut up” phrase is getting as much air play as “a lot of work.”

9. When an alert pings on the bridge, Young says, “What the hell was that?”
Eli: It’s Destiny letting us know it finished assembling the simulation….either that or pie’s done.

Yum! Could that be a nice blueberry alien pie?

10. When Young asks Eli to communicate with the alien hostiles: “I want you to broadcast a message.”
Eli: In Ancient?
Young: Ancient, English, bat signal, whatever else you’ve got. Tell them we are not a threat.

11. Wray to Young: “As simple as that.”
Young: I doubt it will be simple. I’m hoping for a step up from impossible.

12. On the bridge, when Rush points out that Eli’s error was causing problems, Eli says, “Shit.” I have listened to this 20 times now. Closed captioning says he says, “shoot”, and with closed captioning on, I could possibly be persuaded to hear “shoot.” But with my eyes closed with no closed captioning on, it’s “shit.” File this under: I love when “shit” gets past the censors!

13. Rush to Eli that he hasn’t screwed up…yet: “I’m sure with your present attitude it’s only a matter of time.”

It was difficult for me to write this review. Subconsciously I think by not writing it, I could imagine that next week there was going to be another new episode. It now will be 4 months before I get to write another SGU review. I will continue to hope through the month of December that we get our Christmas present: SGU has been renewed for season 3. Until then, keep letting both Syfy and MGM hear your voice.

Thank you again for reading this post. Please feel free to leave a comment below, or contact me via Facebook or Twitter. You are welcome to use WormholeRiders News Agency new “share” feature as well. Have a lovely day.

Hilda Bowen (aka PBMom)

December 12, 2010
Stargate Universe: Visitation Review

Welcome back Stargate Universe (SGU) fans!

As always, there are complete spoilers in my post, so if you have not seen the episode, please come back later.

It has to be difficult when your episode is airing the next week after Robert Cooper’s episode “Malice.” Everyone is going to be using that as the yardstick of measure.

As with every Stargate since Stargate SG-1, there were your action-packed episodes, and then the more intellectual episodes that required you engage the thinking part of your brain. “Visitation” is similar to those many Stargate SG-1 episodes with a spooky twist. Remi Aubuchon, writer of this particular episode, and his first script Stargate Universe, excels at these kinds of scripts. He likes exploring the world of the walking dead or the walking undead (as in Caprica).

As we open, it appears Rush (Robert Carlyle) is integrating more with the crew, but we find out they are only really there for the still that Brody (Peter Kelamis) is fixing and have little interest in Rush’s discovery, much to his dismay. At least he gave it an effort.

Having traded his shift with Brody so he could fix the still, Volker (Patrick Gilmore) radios Young (Louis Ferreira) after potential planets since they dropped out of FTL; however, a shuttle similar to the ones that came from Destiny is next to them, carrying within it the crew that was left on the planet in “Faith”, now dubbed as Eden by them. Rush, Volker, Brody, Eli (David Blue) and Young all speculate how this could happen.

A still-injured Greer (nice continuity) and his team go to meet the shuttle. His team includes our fantabulous extra Herb Sommerfeld, still sporting his military short haircut.

Now we will know what happens to Carmen, TJ’s (Alaina Huffman) and Young’s baby. In my post on “Intervention”, however, having had a similar experience to what was scripted, I said this: “So here I was sitting, watching a mirror experience of my life being performed on Stargate Universe. On the Destiny, I am certain Carmen’s body remains, yet she exists in this other state. Are the people on the Faith planet dead now, just remaining alive in this alternate plane of existence?

I think so, but time will tell.” My heart knew the fall she was about to take, but I also need for certainty. Caine (Tygh Runyan), Val (Camille Sullivan), Peter (Tobias Slezak), and Dr. Chan (Bill Y. W. Butt, aka B.A.G.) were all there. But no baby. Also of note, the character was supposed to be called Vince Kwan instead of Dr. Chan (or Dr. Chen? hard to tell with Mr. Carlyle’s accent), but I guess that was changed as well.

Oops! Continuity error. Where’s Dana? When TJ went to what she thought was the Faith planet, Peter and Dana visited her in Caine’s cabin. Three female exited the shuttle. One was Val, one was Rachel, and one was an unknown woman who did not look like Dana (played by Caroline Cave in “Intervention”). Caroline Cave actually looks similar to the actress they got to play Val (Camille Sullivan). All the people who were on the Faith planet were brought back to Destiny. Joe Mallozzi said about a half dozen people along with Caine stayed behind on the Faith planet on his April 17, 2010 blog, so perhaps she is the mysterious passenger number 7 whose fate remains a mystery.

Chloe (Elyse Levesque) talks about being there in her consciousness but this other thing having priorities. I wonder if again that is a continuation of the metaphor with the communication stones, being two people inside of one body. Chloe prepares a “goodbye” Kino that sort of reminded me of Stargate Atlantis, “The Shrine” episode.

Young and TJ discuss how the former crew members were creeping them out. In fact, the crew of Destiny does not want to associate with the Eden planet-dwellers. TJ wants to talk to Caine alone and shows him the hydroponics area where we get to see our Destiny robot hard at work (thank you Mark Savela and team!). They discuss her dream.

The scene with Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) and Scott (Brian Jacob Smith) in the hallway was awkward. The scene was well acted, but the story just seemed contrived as did the whole Chloe storyline which is why this episode did not sit well with me. It felt like these were scenes that should have been placed in another episode. Scott also is a 1st lieutenant and only 2nd lieutenants are called butter-bars. I looked this up to be sure. I will expand on my issue with the Chloe storyline in this episode in just a bit.

Eli feels sorry for Val who is sitting alone. After engaging in conversation, she begins to have a memory and relives what seems to be an aneurysmal event and collapses.

Meanwhile, Rush and Caine have a discussion about advanced aliens versus God. Rush brings up a good point: The shuttle was returned to a condition better than it was on Destiny, so why weren’t the crew members? “Either He’s lost his touch or God’s got nothing to do with this.” Caine is summoned to the infirmary because Val is now dead. TJ determines that Val died from a blunt-force trauma to the head.

Regarding the “B” storyline of Chloe: Like I’ve said before, the actors did a fine job with what they were asked to say and act, especially the dialogue between Greer and Chloe. I understand Chloe is slowly changing into something else and understood the sequences for it. The storyline feels contrived. I do not know how else to say this than to just be blunt: It is like Chloe’s has been pegged into a corner and no one knows what to do with her, especially leaving her in isolation over the last couple of episodes. Just an episode or so ago, they were discussing the fact that they might have to put Chloe on a planet that seems habitable IF she becomes a threat.

While the scene between Greer and Chloe was beautifully acted, how did we get from “Chloe is changing” to “Greer is going to have to execute Chloe when she fully transforms?” Seeing the scenes from next week might help explain a few things, but they did not put enough emphasis on Chloe’s transformation to make that scene between Greer and her as important as it should have been.

It’s like we went from A to C and next week we will be at “D” but we forgot about “B.” I only see a few possible outcomes to this story: First, Chloe continues to transform but proves she is friend, not foe. Second, Chloe continues to transform and dies in a blaze of glory. Third, Chloe continues to transform and is either left on a planet or executed by Greer. Fourth: They find a way to reverse the changes in Chloe. Fifth: Chloe makes it onto the alien ship and reverses the transformation herself. My own personal choice would be the first outcome: Let Chloe become part alien and get her out of isolation. The character has been through enough, with the first season playing the fish out of water, not knowing where her place was among the crew. This season she’s been walled off from the rest of the crew with the exception of Lt. Scott and Eli.

Camile puts Peter under hypnosis who remembers who happened to Val and then shortly succumbs to hypothermia and exposure.

TJ figures it out: What if they are dying again in the order they died on the planet. Scott and Greer visit Rachel (Michelle Harrison). After seeing her, our hero Scott dives right in and grabs her to carry her to the infirmary despite Greer’s warning that she might be contagious and TJ’s admonishment once he did. Rachel dies. Young picks Caine to be next up for the hypnosis.

Caine relives his time on the planet. Camile has him describe the last night. He, the last survivor on Eden, prays for help. Then he woke up next to Destiny. After the session, he knows his time is short. “I’m already dead.” Feeling his impending death, he asks TJ to join him in the observation deck so he can see the stars one last time. Even though it is not shown on camera, we know that is where he dies.

James brings Eli a Kino from the shuttle that shows the last moments with Caine and then a bright light. The aliens heard his plea and tried to intervene, but they are not God.

FAVORITE LINES

I had quite a lot of them in this episode.

1. Brody (when Young sniffs him on the bridge): “I wasn’t drinking. I was…fixing it.”

2. Rush: “That sounds like Caine.”
Volker: “Caine’s more monotone than that.

3. Eli: “Trust me. These aliens built a planet from scratch. They can just throw a shuttle between galaxies. I’m pretty sure they can impersonate Caine if they wanted to.
Volker: “Boone used to do a pretty good Caine.”
Brody: “I thought it was the other way around.”

4. On having the crew back and how exciting it will be to talk to them:
Young: “I wouldn’t mind having a working shuttle again.”
Rush: “Then there’s that.”

5. Caine: “I don’t even drive a car.
Brody: “Just what a Trojan would say.”

6. After Eli quotes somebody the appearance of alien beings and advanced technology does not make them God.
Young: “Turn the mic back on. — Winston Churchill.”
Eli: “Really.”

7. After thoroughly checking out the shuttle, Young reports in for a report:
Brody: “Even has that new shuttle smell.”

8. Park to Greer: “Okay, you’re being too deep again.”

9. A conversation Camile and Young have after she shows them Kino footage of interviews:
Young: “They don’t creep you out, even a little.”
Camile: “A lot of people creep me out a little, so I’m not the best person to ask.”
Young: “Really?”
Camile: “A little.”
Young: “Me?”
Camile: “Not as much now.”
Young: “Hmmm. That’s good. Progress.”

10. Young in response to finding out Camile can perform hypnosis:
Young: “Did the IOA teach you that?”
Camile: “Yeah, they did.”
Young (suspiciously): “Anything else I should know about?”
Camile: “That I was a little overqualified for HR.”
Young laughs and nods.

11. TJ to Scott (for obvious selfish reasons — blushing)
“Strip down and get your ass into decon.”

12. That scene with Varro (Mike Dopud). Argh! Another episode without him. Hope he is in next week’s mid-season finale.

13. And my most favorite of all the lines in the episode: Caine to TJ: “I believe that my soul has already moved on and is looking down, even now, marveling at how kind you are to comfort a shadow.”

Disclaimer: WHR supports each person’s right to believe in a faith of their own choosing or for those who do not believe and their right to choose not to believe. WHR is neither comparing nor stating one is “better than the others.” Our only editorial purpose is to analyze the potential religious elements that are represented in this Stargate Universe episode.

This episode gets into some interesting points about the body, the soul and the days we have been allotted. In my own faith, the body is part of an evolutionary process; the soul is what is eternal. In 1996, Pope John Paul II came out saying that the theories of Charles Darwin were factually and wholly compatible with the teachings of the Church. It is steadfast that our soul is given to us by God and that is something not bound by the laws of evolution. Remi Aubuchon explored this idea of the walking dead/walking undead in the Caprica miniseries.

The question there was when does a machine, built by science, become sentient, i.e., develops a soul. Here the Eden dwellers were only returned to their state of well-being as that when they arrived to the planet. The aliens could not replicate their souls. Until the very end, Caine still believes that there is a life beyond this one, one that his soul has already moved onto. And in some warm cabin, Caine, Dana, Val and Peter truly are taking care of Carmen.

I’m melancholy about next week’s episode of SGU. It has become part of my weekly schedule. I thought that we would only have to wait until February or at the latest March for the rest of season 2. I have heard it is more like April. It is going to be a harsh and cold winter, similar to that on the Eden planet. Hopefully by the time April comes around I will be more than just a shadow of my former self, having been starved in the desert without my SGU energy drink.

The only thing that could comfort me, I think, is hearing that Stargate Universe has been renewed for season 3. It would make a wonderful holiday gift.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Please feel free to leave a comment, or contact me on Facebook or Twitter. Also, you are welcome to use the “share” options.

PBMom (Hilda)

November 29, 2010
Stargate Universe: Malice Post Review

Some called it a game-changer; others called it epic. I call it Stargate at its finest moments.

Written and directed by Robert C. Cooper, it had the air about it of the Stargate Atlantis: Vegas episode and I loved it. As with all my post review stories, this will contain full spoilers, so please come back later if you have not yet seen the episode.

Although full of action and drama compelling the story to move forward, there were brief pauses, long enough for us to catch our breath to be present during some emotional fallout for our heroes, only for the story to be propelled forward once again. All the main and supporting characters were put in jeopardy. I could not count the number of heart-beat pauses I had, hoping that the “Ginn (Julie McNiven) is dead” was a red herring thrown out to us by Syfy, that no one else would die in this episode.

The question of what happens if one was using the communication stones and died was answered. It was speculated in season 1 but this now confirms it: Both parties die in both body and consciousness. It gave me shivers to see Ginn’s body (Dr. Perry’s [Kathleen Munroe] consciousness) look like her neck was broken. The irony is that Dr. Perry on Earth ( with Ginn’s consciousness) had quadriplegia, which is paralysis from the neck down and D r. Perry was on a ventilator to live.

We begin the epis ode, however, when Dr. Park (Jennifer Spence), Dr. Volker (Patrick Gilmore), Dr. Brody (Peter Kelamis) and Eli (David Blue) expressing their feelings of distrust of Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) while Colonel Young (Louis Ferreira) plays the diplomat to restore a better working relationship. Although they called Dr. Rush up for a question (the reason why he left Dr. Perry/Ginn’s body) just a few moments ago, and he would never outwardly admit it, I think he was glad for the break. He walks over to see Dr. Perry (Ginn’s body). When she does not answer, he opens the door to find Ginn’s body (that contained Dr. Perry consciousness) on the ground dead.

Things move quickly from here. Eli goes into shock mode. They discover Dr. Perry on earth (Ginn’s consciousness) is also dead. Simeon (Robert Knepper) killed his guard and is on the loose. He arms himself and then shoots Dunning (Darcy Laurie) and another crew member to get into the armory before he leaves for the gateroom.

However, minor possible flick flub: I only counted 2 mines (6 in the box, 4 were left) that he took, yet 3 mines were used on the planet (on Dr. Park, on Dr. Rush, and as a trap for 2nd Lt. James’ team).

He takes Dr. Park hostag e. Dr. Volker is concerned but petrified. I believe Dr. Park is waiting for him to take charge and save her life (to be aggressive, not assertive), but he says, “Take me.” That is a big statement for Dr. Volker. Volker has been reminding of a lot like the cowardly lion on the Wizard of Oz. He is working on it though and this was a huge step. For Dr. Park it was not forceful or passionate enough. Once Simeon and Dr. Park are through the gate, he does not charge to her rescue either. Certainly he loves her.

Then in barges Dr. Rush, enraged after knowing a second woman he loved was now dead, who just runs unabashed through the gate. Volker’s expression is priceless.

Young leads a team to enter the gateroom, while Scott (Brian Jacob Smith) and his team flank him. Guess who is in the scene, spotting a pretty nice new hairdo? None other than fan favorite extra: Herb Sommerfeld (whom I have dubbed on Twitter as the fantabulous SGU extra). We thank Herb for sharing what his life as an extra is like in the many forums (Twitter, chatrooms, Facebook, etc.)

Once through the gate, Rush’s mind is only on getting Simeon, but he could not leave Dr. Park with a mine strapped on her back. In his crosshairs, Simeon was about to shoot but the wormhole activated and he left. Jennifer Spence was given a wonderful chance to stretch her acting legs from just the scientist/minx on the ship to showing a lovely range of emotions of fears, anxiety, resignation of death, trying to make peace with it and forgiveness to all who could not help her. Rush gets the device off and we are given our first special effects explosion of the evening, from the talented Wray Douglas and C. Scott Stofer.

Scott and Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) go through the gate first. Scott goes off after Rush; Greer comforts his woman (Dr. Park). Lt. James and other unidentified crew also join her. It must be the era of when I grew up, but I kept hearing the song, “Manhunt” in my head from the 1980’s (the song from Flashdance: “I’m goin’ on a manhunt…”

The wounded are taken to medbay where TJ (Alaina Huffman) does her best to save as many as she can. We lose more crew members. The infirmary scene was interesting. Here the group is on a ship whose technology is far superior to that of our own, yet medicine-wise, they are reverted to almost 19th century before the invention of antibiotics, when a simple wound could kill you. It gave what was happening on the Destiny a nice “western” feel to match what was occurring on the planet.

Scott’s leadership skills continue to blossom as does his personal growth, learning that the world is not black and white, but shades of gray. He lends his gift of listening to Rush who had a breakdown after losing yet the second woman he loved (Dr. Perry). They talk more about Scott understanding why Rush did the things that he did.

Varro (Mike Dopud) is summoned and wants to help, but Young refuses to let him. Heavy sigh. I was hoping for more lines for Varro, but I will be happy with what I got.

Trying to understand why Simeon let him live, Brody gives him a few explanations: He’s a soldier, to him this is war, you were unarmed…” Volker: “You think he was being honorable.” Brody: “That, or he knew how much it would torture you.” After hearing what Simeon says to Rush at the end, it is obviously the latter of the two. When Park comes back on board, Volker apologizes and Park says she knew he did everything he could, but her eyes glance downward and give her true feelings away–she did not think he did everything he could: She needs a man like Greer (or any soldier I guess) to protect her. I felt so badly for Dr. Volker.

Park joins Volker, Brody and Eli who are tasked at prolonging or stopping the clock to give the people on the planet more time. However, Eli continues down the path of the grieving process, biting the heads off anyone in his path until Young snaps him back into reality with a reminder that he is not the only person on board who has lost someone for whom they cared.

Pinned down in a ravine, Scott calls in James for reinforcement, but when she approaches, Rush realizes it is a trap. Another wondrous special effects moment is captured.

My heart stops. Have they decided to kill off Lt. James, too? I cursed the commercial break despite its brilliant placement.

Obviously battered, James and her team survive with just injuries.

When Young, Greer and Rush catch up to Simeon, there is a nice call-back to Air III when Rush ordered Greer to shoot Dr. Franklin (Mark Burgess) to prevent him going through the gate. Rush tells Greer to shoot, and Greer maims.

In an unexpected twist, as Rush is arguing when Greer did not kill versus just injuring him, Greer is shot. My heart stopped again. At this point, I’m thinking perhaps I need to buy a personal defibrillator for my home if SGU continues to roll out episodes like this. While Scott tends to Greer, Rush leaves and then ignores Scott’s pleas to turn back.

The Destiny crew receives some unexpected help from Chloe (Elyse Levesque) to give the people on the planet more time. Her mind is evolving to the point where the complex math equations are making sense to her.

Simeon hates the Tauri because people he loved were killed. He understands Rush wanting revenge. He tells Rush he did not kill him before because he wanted the pain to eat Rush alive like it did for him, which is a fate worse than death. Simeon tells him to bring it on; this time he will kill Rush. Rush spots Simeon and a group of new visual effects creatures who I am now calling the buffalosaursus rex (or buffosaur with some great brainstorming with Kenn–thank you) because they look like a cross between buffalo with their humps and hooves, part dinosaur, and part T-rex with their upper arms close to their torsos). He formulates the perfect plan that includes the use of C4.

A nice western shoot-out occurs–

–with a twist: A stampede!

Have I said how much I love the visual effects department lately? It always feel like Christmas, actually better than Christmas (they do all the hard work and I get all the rewards that I can enjoy again and again).

Not quite dead, Rush walks over and inflicts the final killing blow.

It’s a long walk back to the gate for Rush as we listen to the beautiful sounds by Joel Goldsmith. Most of the episode has this weird “Twang” western-like sound to it, but along this walk was the wind howling accompanied by traditional Stargate music with Navajo/Hopi Indian inspirations. It was as haunting as Rush’s walk. He arrives at the gate only to find once again he is abandoned on the planet….or is he? I think he was secretly pleased to see Scott, then James and then others emerge from their hiding positions. Trust in each other will take one act of faith at a time.

Favorite lines:
1. When they are listening to the background noise the Ancients heard that led them on this mission, Young says: “Sounds like static to me.” Eli: “You were expecting Stairway to Heaven?”

2. When Rush is trying to defuse the bomb on Park’s back and Volker is talking: “Please shut up.”

3. On seeing there is an animal lifeform on the planet, Greer says, “Is it something we can barbeque?”
Greer does like his flamethrowers in any form, doesn’t he?

4. Scott: Eli says there may be unforeseeable consequences as a result. Rush: “Well there always are, aren’t there.”

This indeed was one of the best Stargate Universe episodes yet. It had drama, moments of humor, team unity, use of the Stargate, a sense of uncertainty if some of our main characters would live or die, and aliens. I would like to thank Julie McNiven, Kathleen Munroe and Robert Knepper for bringing such power to their characters that fans identified with them immediately and longed for them to stay part of the Stargate universe.

The one thing, though, that fans know is that no one ever TRULY dies in science fiction, so we will just hope that some clever plot device will allow us to see your characters in some fashion in the future. We look forward to following your careers as you journey to new adventures. You are part of the Stargate family now. Once on Stargate, always part of Stargate.

Thank you again for reading this post. Please feel free to leave a comment below, or contact me via Facebook or Twitter. You are welcome to use WormholeRiders News Agecy new “share” feature as well. Have a lovely day. Hilda Bowen (aka PBMom)

November 21, 2010
Stargate Universe: Malice Pre Review – Dr. Rush’s Dirty Little Secret!
Hello once again Stargate fans!

Stargate Universe continues this evening with “Malice” on SyFy at 9 PM east and west time zones with one of the best Stargate episodes of all time across all three series and three movies. “Malice” is the second of two parts that began with “The Greater Good”. WHR assures you that Stargate fans do not want to miss the second of them, “Malice”!

WARNING: Certain parts of the series, and the music news videos specifically of season two episode eight “Malice” are discussed and illustrated. However the details will NOT be discussed so you can enjoy them for yourself.

My grade for “Malice”? An A PLUS. This episode is the proof that Stargate Universe is Stargate and always has been. My hope? A season three of SGU!
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The fact that the franchise changed demonstrates the maturity of the MGM Stargate efforts so eloquently that some have become perplexed by the deep story arc. Nonetheless, Stargate Universe is rooted in the original mythology of Stargate, The Ancients.

We continue focus on the series development that accentuates why the discoveries on Destiny are edification of the purposes of The Ancients. These factors which I refer to as Dr. Rush’s “Dirty Little Secret” are discussed on the MGM Stargate site interview featuring Robert Carlyle.

REPEAT: Some passages and the Dr. Rush promotional trailer on revenge (below courtesy of MGM Studios) may be be considered spoilers by some fans of the series. If you do not enjoy spoilers, please stop reading and viewing now. Thank you.

Before beginning, WormholeRiders News Agency once again expresses thanks to SyFy Publicity for making “The Greater Good” and “Malice” available to our team for pre air date review. We appreciate the courtesy extended by SyFy Publicity staff for entrusting WHR with the digital material much as Adam Brody (Peter Kelamis) is trusted at the controls of Destiny in Stargate Universe.

We would also like to thank our friends in the Stargate Fandom for the wonderful music news video we feature below supporting an effort to promote a Stargate Universe season three.

And no we did not hold them at gun point like the Lucian Alliance! 😛

This review is an ongoing analysis development in the series including theories. As excellently illustrated by the character actors in Stargate Universe, you will see for yourselves just how much thought and hard work has gone into creating SGU.

Last week we began such an analysis tied to the developing storyline. This week we will continue the analysis including paying homage to one of the Stargate legends, Mr. Robert C. Cooper. The images used herein are exclusively from “Malice” including ‘as previously seen on SGU’ shots in the prologue.

First, as previously reported, congratulations to Robert Carlyle for his 2010 Gemini award. Mr. Carlyle’s portrayal of Dr. Nicholas Rush in the series is brilliant. We featured our initial character analysis starting with Dr. Rush last week being hopeful he would earn the acclaim he so richly deserves from the Gemini award committee. We we NOT disappointed! In “Malice” you will once again see why he won the award. Simply put, the mastery of Robert Carlyle as Dr. Nicholas Rush is a pleasure to behold.

Of note before the overview analysis of “Malice” is the team lead ably by Mark Savela and his Visual Effects Coordinator Sonia Gilmore of The Bridge Studios located in Vancouver British Columbia. Nominated for an Emmy, this team of many contributors should be commended and supported for their outstanding accomplishments. Their visual effects magic are quite prominently featured in Stargate Universe “Malice”.

As seen in the Stargate Universe trailer above “Malice” begins with a horrific scene leading to pure acts of malice by a member of the Lucian Alliance who has been driven previously witnessed as overcome by jealousy and resentment regarding another crew member. The complexity of such rich episodic emotion is not hard to internalize based on the real world that we live in. The effects of the ongoing acts leads to a fateful conclusion within “Malice” that many will relate to when they see the ending minutes.

Written and directed by Robert C. Cooper, “Malice” reflects much in our the real world of action and emotional reaction of people operating under stressful conditions. WHR had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Cooper. This episode represents some of his last active contributions to the Stargate Franchise as he discussed with us at Comic-Con earlier this year. You may click the image below or text link above to understand his intent.

Now that the crew of Destiny has learned about Dr. Rush’s “dirty little secret”, the consequences of that discovery lead the crew to a planet to search for a missing member of the Lucian Alliance who has gone through the Destiny “Gate” to escape.

Dr. Rush is the first to go through the gate to find out what has happened. It is here that he finds Dr. Park (Jennifer Spence) waiting on the other side after she has been held at gunpoint for reasons you will learn when you see “Malice” for yourself.

The away mission is lead by the crews erstwhile young officer Lt. Matthew Scott (Brian J. Smith), supported by Sgt. Greer (Jamil Walker Smith), Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson). I cannot reveal the story line of what happens on the planet, but I can and will share this; The activities on the planet are shot on location in the Badlands of New Mexico. The cinematography and visual effects are stunning in their raw natural beauty.

The episode “Malice” is filled with action, adventure and explosive scenes as crew of Destiny on the planet works closely together with one exception you find out only at the end of the episode.

If “The Greater Good” is a “Rubicon” episode (using a phrase we borrowed from Brian J. Smith), then “Malice” is the crossing of that rubicon both on the planet (as seen above) with Julia Benson and back aboard as the crew including David Blue, Peter Kelamis, Patrick Gilmore and Elyse Levesque investigate Dr. Rush’s not so little secret.

Meanwhile our poor medical officer TJ (Alaina Huffman) and Col. Young (Justin Louis as Louis Ferreira) deal with blood and gore of the events that took place! Suffice it to say the scenes leading up to the ending sequences of episode 8 “Malice” are clearly what the the epic nature of Stargate has always been about.

The location of the secret bridge on board the Destiny in “The Greater Good” proves my earlier theory that The Ancients were on their mission in distant galaxies to find the secrets of existence and life itself. My theory about the original crew of Ancients opens many new secrets about where the Destiny has been and why.

In the opinion of this reviewer, the question remains are Dr. Rush’s apparitions the Ancients way to guide the crew to find the path to not only ensure the survival of the humans aboard Destiny in this galaxy to complete the mission about the microwave radiation messages? Can Chloe (Elyse Levesque) help solve the equations?

As the story progresses beyond “Malice”, the next question we should consider is whether or not The Ancients (who can cross galactic distances with ease) will reveal themselves? And when will they do so? Or will they take a hands off approach as in Stargate SG-1 unless disaster threatens the mission of Destiny? I suggest that you tune in as we will to find out the Secrets of The Ancients as they continue to unfold!

We leave you now but will return with more Stargate Universe news in the near future including character analysis over the course of season two. Stargate Universe returns this evening on SyFy at 9 PM East and West in the United States. “Malice” is such a superb episode filled with so many wonders of Stargate, we suggest that you get set and go through the Gate to their, your and our Destiny!

Your support would be appreciated by the creators, actors, writers, and crews, so If you can, please view the episode live to enjoy the series as we here at WHR have.

In closing, please resist the urge to illegally download Stargate Universe or any other program or movie because if you do you are not only committing a crime, you are supporting the siphoning of revenue away from the creators to persons of dubious intent whom are only profiting from the hard work of others. Your help in promoting an anti-piracy campaign not only helps Stargate, but all others who work so hard to bring their labors to our homes and theatres around the world. Thank you for not being a pirate!

As always thank you for reading and visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a spam free comment or question here or click one of the social media icons below to share this article.

if you prefer (as so many of our visitors do) you may also visit and follow WHR on Twitter or Facebook with your comments or questions.

Best Regards,

Kenn
November 16, 2010
Stargate Universe: “Malice” Preview

Welcome SGU fans. It is rare that I can say this:

This will be a spoiler-FREE preview (instead of spoiler- full recap). “Malice”, the new episode of Stargate Universe, airs in the United States on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 on the Syfy Channel and November 19, 2010 on SPACE in Canada (check local listings for times).

This is the episode that was filmed in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico. The terrain of the area is perfect for SGU because it looks truly alien, even though it is from our own world. The red rock almost looks like Georgia clay against the sand. What beauty our own planet has, yet few of us have discovered.

Joel Goldsmith did a stellar job on the music, especially towards the end where it sounded like he incorporated regional sounds of the perhaps the Hopi and Navajo Indians of the New Mexico region into Stargate-like music. It was simply beautiful.

With all the drama in this episode, it would not be Stargate without at least one moment of levity. I burst out laughing (and this is nonspoilery) when one of our characters says: “Please shut up.” I could just picture myself saying the exact same thing in the exact same situation.

Overall, “Malice” shows us the consequences of plot points from “The Greater Good.”

For those living in the United States, you probably saw the trailer for “Malice” immediately after “The Greater Good” finished and know what happens to at least one of the characters. I had intended to make this part of my report since Syfy opened the door on the subject matter, but Space and other channels around the world may air a different cut, and I have decided to remain silent about who this individual is so as not to spoil it for those who are still in the dark on this subject matter.

Robert C. Cooper is a master storyteller. Everyone loved Stargate Atlantis’ “Vegas” episode (he must love the desert). He both wrote and directed this episode. It starts off strong and does not stop. There are injuries, death, mayhem, destruction, ground-shaking events. Mark Savela and his team have whipped up a fabulous new visual effect on the planet. A character we have not seen in awhile returns.

The crew gets help from an unexpected source. TJ is up to her elbows in blood. Other characters who haven’t had many dialogue lines get their chance to shine once again during this episode. Most of Destiny’s crew will be put in harm’s way. Who lives? Who dies? You will have to tune in to find out. It is better than a rollercoaster ride–it’s a wormhole kawoosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for reading and visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a comment or question here or click one of the social media icons below to share this article.

See you on the other side for my recap of this wonderful episode. Come join us on Twitter for a SGU Tweet-Up on Tuesday night before SGU comes on. Just use the hashtag #SGU.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hilda Bowen (PBMom).

November 16, 2010
Stargate Universe: Get Ready for “Malice”

Greetings, SciFi Fans!

WARNING: This pre review is as spoiler free as possible, However images are from Stargate Universe season two episode eight “Malice.” One image should be considered a spoiler. If you do not like spoilers, stop reading now. Thank you.

If you made other plans for Tuesday night, we suggest you cancel them because you are definitely going to want to be home watching Stargate Universe.

This week’s episode, Malice (Episode 208), is one of the most heart-pounding Stargate Universe episodes yet.

With outdoor cinematic scenes staged and filmed in the rocky, high desert landscape of northwest New Mexico, fantastic 3D creature effects by special effects guru Mark Savela and his team of VFX experts, and top notch performances by the Stargate Universe cast, Malice will take your breath away!

This is not SGU’s first trip to New Mexico. Part 3 of Air (Episode 103) was shot near Alamogordo in southern New Mexico. For Malice, a location was chosen near Farmington in the Four Corners area of the state. The stark beauty of this area formed the perfect backdrop for Malice.

Malice the emotion is an ugly thing. It is “the desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another.” Depending on your dictionary, the definition may include the idea that malice is the desire to harm someone else without provocation. But does any emotion just pop into being without some catalyst? Who aboard Destiny might have a reason to feel malice right now? Enough to want to take action, maybe take revenge for some perceived wrong?

Revenge is very like malice, in that it is the act of inflicting injury on someone in return for something they have done. In the official Syfy trailer for Malice, Col. Young (Louis Ferreira aka Justin Louis) says, “Revenge can be a very dangerous game.” Everyone on board Destiny has a reason to be angry after everything that has happened up to this point, and especially after the dramatic events of last week’s episode (Episode 207, The Greater Good). Tension is building, emotions are running high, some people have a short fuse anyway, but even the unlikeliest characters may be ready to explode.

At the end of The Greater Good, much had been revealed but we were left on the edge of our seats wondering what had just happened and what would happen next.

First, we finally found out why Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) had been so secretive about having discovered Destiny’s command center and his ability to control the ship. Destiny is on a mission, set on its course by the Ancients toward the source of a mysterious signal. With so many people involuntarily stranded on Destiny, Rush was probably right to think he might be forced to turn the ship around in an effort to get those people back to Earth. Col. Young said it before, “That ship is the best chance we have for getting home.”

But what if they tried to take the ship back to Earth, effectively ending Destiny’s mission? Would the ship allow it? Destiny has already made adjustments to accommodate the humans now on board while keeping to its primary purpose.

And there is another possibility: the ship was built and sent on its way by the Ancients. There is a chance that the Ancients, even after they Ascended, have continued to monitor Destiny’s progress. Despite their policy of non-interference, would the Ancients prevent Destiny’s human component from destroying hundreds of thousands of years of progress when the goal is now so close?

Also revealed last week were the deep feelings and blossoming relationships of Eli (David Blue) and Ginn (Julie McNiven), and Rush and Amanda Perry. Eli and Ginn had already taken things to the next level. Rush and Amanda had not yet had the opportunity, but they had definitely made the emotional connection.

At the end of The Greater Good, both of these relationships were in terrible danger. If you recall, Ginn and Amanda (Kathleen Munroe) had changed places using the communication stones. Ginn’s body, inhabited by Amanda’s consciousness, remained on Destiny. Ginn’s consciousness was in Amanda’s body on Earth to answer questions about Lucien Alliance plans to attack the home planet. Eli was not happy about his new girlfriend’s body being used by Rush’s love interest, and someone else on board Destiny–Simeon–was not happy about the possibility that Ginn was spilling Lucian Alliance secrets.

Simeon of the Lucien Alliance (Robert Knepper) was among those kept on board Destiny when most of the Alliance personnel were put off the ship. Despite the agreement that had kept him on board, Simeon had apparently never let go of his ill will towards Earth or the people aboard Destiny. Seeing Ginn cozying up to Eli and getting so cooperative with the crew was making Simeon very nervous.

Simeon failed to get to Ginn before the switch, but he was able get to Amanda in Ginn’s body and we saw what appeared to be the aftermath of Simeon’s violent attack on her. So what happened last week? Is Ginn’s body dead? And if so, what does that mean for Ginn and Amanda? Is Ginn’s consciousness alive in Amanda’s body? Is the connection severed at death? Are they both dead? She certainly looked dead lying on the floor, her eyes open but vacant. But in TV and movies nothing is certain.

What we do know from Syfy’s trailers for Malice is that both Eli and Rush are very, very angry. Eli asks for a gun and Rush is screaming in rage. But again, they could be angry for many reasons. For example, you might expect them to be angry whether the women they loved were injured or killed, or even if they were unhurt but had been threatened with harm.

What if Amanda’s consciousness and Ginn’s body were dead, but Ginn’s consciousness remained alive in Amanda’s body? How might they respond to that? Or they could be angry about something else entirely, like sabotage of some kind. What if Destiny was irreparably disabled and everyone stranded on a (mostly) lifeless rock?

Thanks to the folks at Syfy I had the great privilege of viewing a rough cut of Malice and I can tell you, this is one you will want to watch live, then you will want to watch it again–so fire up those DVR’s!

As mentioned, the WHR Team of reporters will have more special Stargate Universe news reports over the next 24 hours about S2x08 “Malice.”

As always, thank you for reading and visiting Wormhole Riders News Agency. Please feel free to leave a comment or question here or click one of the social media icons below to share this article.

if you prefer (as so many of our visitors do),you may also visit and follow WHR on Twitter or Facebook with your comments or questions.

See you on the other side on Twitter,

OffWorldTravelr

November 15, 2010

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