The Dark and Dangerous Spin-off of “Stargate SG-1” and “Stargate Atlantis”
Ever since it was announced last year that “Stargate Atlantis” was ending after its 5th season and that Syfy would be launching a new spin-off series, “Stargate Universe,” the fans have been outraged and ready to denounce the new series sight unseen.
However, based on the clips shown today at a panel featuring “Stargate Universe” before a packed room of 4,500 fans, this new version is set to break records in the sci-fi realm. This “Stargate” series will have everyone literally on the edge of their seats as it is a super-amped up version of “Stargate” steeped in dark themes of moral decay.
As creators Brad Wright and Richard Cooper explained, out of loyalty to the fans and in order to satiate the building anticipation of the fans, they felt it was important to keep the latest incarnation contemporary and yet make it more dynamic. Thus, they incorporated a new style of hand-held cinematography to heighten the drama by putting the viewer more on the front lines and set about reintroducing what the Stargate is and how it can be used — while handicapping its abilities at the same time.
Both Brad and Richard stated that rather than attributing the influence back to “Battlestar Galactica” for this new darker version of “Stargate,” that instead, they looked to two of their favorite TV series, “Firefly” and “The Shield,” for elements to incorporate and apply to “Stargate Universe.” They wanted to create new layers of tension and drama and integrate it into the regular “Stargate” formula and universe previously established over the past 11 years. This mean moving away from standard stand-alone stories and embracing an arcing, serialized style of story-telling. They also wanted the show to be character-driven and not just about encounters with alien races. This show is all about the complexities of people forced to rely on each other in an extreme and harsh environment to survive. In those circumstances, everyone’s loyalties are suspect and strategic alliances are formed between the most unlikely of people.
And so it is in this new ‘verse that they have cast the most diverse group of individuals they could to bring this multi-faceted show to life.
“Stargate Universe” follows a diverse group of people thrust into trusting and relying on each other to survive when they are attacked and forced to flee through a Stargate, which takes them to the other side of the universe. The show focuses on this conflicted and desperate group of survivors (both military and civilian) who are searching for a way to get back to Earth.
Leading the group is Robert Carlyle portraying Dr. Nicholas Rush, who is an enigma. He is the one everyone turns to as he has promised to take them back to Earth. Yet, as he explained, because there is nothing for his character to go back for, he is drawn to the wonder and thrill of discovering what is out there. This duality of purpose may cause many to question whether Dr. Rush is the villain or hero of the show.
But for Robert Carlyle, this is exactly what drew him to the “Stargate Universe” series. As an actor best known for his cutting-edge film roles like on “The Full Monty,” “28 Weeks Later,” and even “24: Redemption,” he stated he was looking for something different — a bigger challenge, something fresh, and it came completely out of left field. When he first got the script for “Stargate Universe,” he asked Brad and Robert, “why the hell do you want me?” and they responded that they wanted someone who could make dislikeable things more likeable. In other words, they wanted an actor who was able to portray a man who was deeply conflicted that could make harsh decisions for the greater good and still be appealing to the audience.
Following in the view of conflicted and troubled characters, also appearing on the series are Ming-Na and Alaina Huffman. Both were looking for characters that were strong, intelligent women that were also deeply flawed. So when they had a chance to portray Camille and T.J., respectively, they leapt at it.
Alaina stated that she liked knowing that her character had an affair with her superior and now she had to live with those consequences. In their fish-bowl existence, it is the constant white elephant in the room and it forces her to be vulnerable and to deal with the repercussions of her actions. Thus, she finds it a challenge and joy to be able to sculpt her character.
Ming-Na stated that she loved the fact that, while her character is initially perceived as a trouble-maker, she has a good heart and truly cares for others and believes she is acting in their best interests. She also stated that she understands that people want to justify what they do, and that no matter what they do or how it is perceived, if they feel it is right, they are going to do it anyway. After all, she said, “no one decides to be evil.”
Also, recurring on the show is Jamal Walker Smith. He initially had a throw away role without a proper name, but as the series developed, he became much more integral and allowed to grow. On a personal note, he shared that when his mom found out that he was going to be on the show, she said, “you’re going to be the next LeVar Burton!”
Brian J. Smith, who portrays Matthew Scott, is proud of the fact he is portraying a soldier and admitted he researched quite a bit for his role as he wanted to be true to the character and the military. Brian also elaborated that because his character has suffered so much loss, that he has no personal ties and has yet to make his mark. This sense of loss makes him incredibly earnest as he only wants to do good.
Elyse Levesque portrays Chloe Armstrong and said that her character is just going along with the flow, thinking it is for the greater good, but is confused and has yet to fully discover who she is and what she is capable of. But she is incredibly excited to be playing such a physical role that also has great flaws.
David Blue is an unabashed uber-fan of the original “Stargate SG1” series and the “Stargate Atlantis” series and thus is still rather awed that he is now working on a show he is such a fan of. He has seen every single episode and is a source of vast information to the rest of the cast on what is what in the “Stargate” verse. David also stated that he wanted to give respect to the fans and the original shows and feels an immense responsibility to get it right. That being said, he feels a bit spoiled to be welcomed with open arms to such an iconic ‘verse. He said it is an “honor and privilege” that he will endeavor to live up to. However, his character has a long way to go as he plays Eli Wallace, a civilian literally hijacked off his front porch to assist them. Given this unexpected recruitment, Eli is a bit indifferent to their precarious situation and has a distinct unwillingness to be a hero.
For all the diehard fans, the biggest revelation was that Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping will be making appearances on the show. Ming-Na worked with Richard Dean and said that he was like “hoot” as he was peeling an orange and was very blasé about the whole thing; and all the while she felt the weight of this extraordinary legacy to create something new and deserving of the “Stargate” verse.
Given the heightened circumstances of survival and uneasy alliances forged out of necessity, “Stargate Universe” offers an array of troubled, torn and tortured individuals who will undoubtedly clash in a dramatic way quickly. As Brad Wright and Robert Cooper promised, the first 10 episodes will offer astounding revelations on who each character is and there will be huge surprises. The pace is set at light-speed and they only ask us to buckle up and enjoy the wild ride. “Stargate Universe” is set for take off on October 2, 2009 on Syfy.
Where to find this article: http://www.airlockalpha.com/node/6551
