Category: Universe

Stargate Universe

SGU This Week: Season Finale "Incursion Part 2" (Spoilers)

Stargate Universe Season One finale “Incursion Part 2”, written by Joseph Mallozzi (and Paul Mullie) and directed by Andy Mikita, premieres tonight (June 11) on Syfy at 9 PM ET and on Space at 10 PM ET.

The Story: Yes, It Ends On A Cliffhanger!

Chloe Armstrong and Eli Wallace in INCURSION Pt 2 (MGM)
Eli and Chloe are running out of air in INCURSION PART 2 (MGM)
Long-time fans know that most seasons of Stargate end on a cliffhanger, and Season One of the new saga Stargate Universe is no exception!

Tonight’s episode continues the story of the Lucian Alliance‘s attempt to gain control of Destiny after they successfully dialed the nine-chevron code. But Commander Kiva’s plans aren’t going very smoothly. Opposing her every move, Col. Everett Young must try to keep as many of his people alive as possible. Unfortunately, things have a way of getting worse before they get better.

While they play the negotiating game, the two sides must also contend with mysterious events happening aboard the ship. The Destiny hasn’t jumped back into FTL and various systems are operating haphazardly. Men are being reduced to ashes in a most horrific manner, and power outages come at the most inopportune times. On top of that, Chloe is bleeding out from a gunshot wound, and Eli is trying to get them both back to a place on the ship that has replenished air.

We’ll get some of our questions answered tonight, but then, more questions will pop up. They’ll have to remain unresolved until October 2010 when SGU returns for its second season with “Intervention”, directed by Andy Mikita and written by Paul Mullie, whose writing partner Joseph Mallozzi described the episode as “an explosive conclusion” and “chock full of great character moments.” If Season Two premieres on Tuesday, October 5, that means we’ll have close to four months’ worth of counting down to do before we get resolution!

The Story Behind the Scenes: About the Script

Destiny in INCURSION PART 2 (MGM/About.com)
Who will end up in control of Destiny in INCURSION PART 2? (MGM/About.com)
In our episode guide in the Stargate Wiki, we’ve gathered some quotes from writer Joseph Mallozzi and a few of the cast members who have expressed their reactions about the Season One finale. Here are a few highlights:

Joseph Mallozzi: “The second script is a robust 53 pages (52 full) and contains what is, without a doubt, the biggest HOLY #%&@! ending I have ever written. I mean, I knew what was going to happen but, as I was writing toward it and the different pieces of the story were falling into place, I decided to go with a little something different in the lead-up and…well…it’s quite the eyebrow-raiser. Actually, the double eyebrow-raiser. Hell, the truth is, you don’t have enough eyebrows to make it work. Trust me.” … “I wish I could watch the reaction of the cast as they read the scripts. NO ONE IS SAFE!”

Brian J. Smith: “Wow – the finale is – wow – jeeze – did what I think happen just happen? I mean – how could you . . . ? My head is SPINNING.” … “When I read it I got upset. There’s something that happens in that last episode that is so upsetting and so cruel and so wrong … just thinking about it, it gives me goosebumps.”

Alaina Huffman: “Reading the LAST script of the season WOZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t believe it…”

Patrick Gilmore: “Just read #SGU’s season finale ‘Incursion.’ At one point I blurted out ‘Oh my god!’ They’ve done it. 20 solid ep’s. All Killer,no filler.”

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman: “Just finished reading the season finale!! Speechless!! Can’t wait for all the fans to see it!”

Lou Diamond Phillips: “All I can say is that Telford’s journey is so twisted and takes so many turns, it’s very, very interesting.” (From a new interview at Chicago Now.)

So, there you have it, a glimpse into what awaits you tonight! Get your eyebrows ready and prepare for one heck of a rollercoaster ride!

Watch and Rate

Once you’ve seen the episode, make sure to return to Solutions to vote in our front page poll and to read the chatter that’s sure to take place on our Stargate Twitter Superfeed.

ETA NOTE: “Connect” with Alaina Huffman and Jamil Walker Smith at Syfy.com during the airing of the finale at 9 PM ET.

NOTE: Space will be having a special live chat with Ming-Na during the finale’s airing at 10 PM ET, and after the finale at 11 PM ET David Blue will be taking part in the live discussion. Check InnerSPACE Live for more details.

NOTE: The UK’s Sky One viewers will see “Incursion Part 2″ on Tuesday, June 15, at 8:00 PM, and viewers in Australia will be getting it on the Sci Fi Channel on Friday, June 18, at 8:30 PM.

[spoiler intro=”TV Guide’s Episode Summary”]
Conclusion. A hostage crisis unfolds following an attempt by the Lucian Alliance to seize Destiny, which starts to have ship-wide power fluctuations and blackouts due to its proximity to a binary pulsar in the first-season finale.[/spoiler]

[spoiler intro=”Official Synopsis”]
A derailed attempt by the Lucian Alliance to seize control of Destiny culminates in hostages and casualties on both sides. With a tense stand off between Col. Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) and his brutal adversary, Commander Kiva (RHONA MITRA) the Destiny starts having ship wide power black outs. To make matters worse, Dr. Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) concludes that these power fluctuations are being caused by deadly bursts of radiation from a binary pulsar that will in a short while cause the shields to fail and kill all aboard the ship.

While the standoff plays out, Eli (DAVID BLUE) helps an injured Chloe (ELYSE LEVESQUE) as they try to make their way back from a remote section of the ship.

From Chicago Now.[/spoiler]

[spoiler intro=”Syfy’s Episode Preview Trailer”]

[/spoiler]

[spoiler intro=”Syfy’s Sneak Peek Video Clip”]

[/spoiler]

[spoiler intro=”Dr. Daniel Jackson’s Video on the Lucian Alliance”]

You can read more about the Lucian Alliance in our Stargate Wiki.[/spoiler]

Space Hosting Live Chats During SGU Finale June 11

SGUCanada’s Space channel will be hosting live discussions/chats with Stargate Universe stars Ming-Na and David Blue during the course of the finale’s evening on Friday, June 11, starting at 10 PM ET. Here are the details from their InnerSPACE Live page:

This is what Destiny intended from the moment she entered the star system. On Friday, June 11, starting 10ET the Season 1 finale for Stargate Universe airs on SPACE and we are sending out this season with style!

THE AFTERSHOW

Prepare for an off-world event, because InnerSPACE is hosting a live viewing for the finale at SPACE headquarters, followed with a LIVE 1-hour special hosted by Ajay Fry and Teddy Wilson. There will be celebrity panelists, including DAVID BLUE (Eli), a live web chat, and a lively roundup of the first season.

WEB CHAT

Starting at 10et and continuing for the duration of the live show, Natasha Eloi will be hosting a live web-chat with guest panelist MING NA at spacecast.com – so you can be part of the fun online.

And if you’re in or around the Toronto area, you could be part of our LIVE studio audience! To guarantee your spot in the audience call our InnerSPACE LIVE: SGU hotline at 416.384.LIVE – and follow the prompts! But hurry before spots run out!

Syfy Showing Stargate Universe Marathon June 11

Building up to the Season One finale of Stargate Universe, Syfy will be showing a marathon of SGU episodes starting at 8 AM ET!

Here’s their schedule (all times EASTERN; spoilers present in episode links below):

08:00 AM WATER
09:00 AM EARTH
10:00 AM LIFE
11:00 AM JUSTICE
12:00 PM SPACE
01:00 PM DIVIDED
02:00 PM FAITH
03:00 PM HUMAN
04:00 PM LOST
05:00 PM SABOTAGE
06:00 PM PAIN
07:00 PM SUBVERSION
08:00 PM INCURSION – PART 1
09:00 PM INCURSION – PART 2 <<< NEW EPISODE!
11:00 PM INCURSION – PART 2 <<< REPEAT OF NEW EPISODE!

We’ll have more information about the season finale in our “SGU This Week” feature coming June 11.

Stargate Universe "Incursion Part 1" Ratings

The numbers for last Friday’s Stargate Universe episode “Incursion Part 1” have been added to our summary table below. Thanks go to Travis Yanan at pifeedback.com for the data this week:

Season One Viewer and Ratings Summary
Episode Rating/Share Viewers in Millions
HH 18-49 Live+Same Day Live+7 Days
Air (Parts 1 and 2) 1.5/3 0.9/3 2.346 2.8
Air (Part 3) 1.5/3 1.0/3 2.447 3.0
Darkness 1.3/2 0.9/3 2.099 2.6
Light 1.3/2 0.8/3 2.015 2.7
Water 1.3/2 0.8/2 1.974 2.6
Earth 1.1/2 0.7/2 1.626 2.3
Time 1.1/2 0.7/2 1.802 2.5
Life 1.2/2 0.8/3 1.891 2.4
Justice 0.9/2 0.5/2 1.340 2.0
Space 1.0/2 0.6/2 1.486 2.1
Divided 1.0/2 0.6/2 1.600
Faith 0.9/2 0.5/2 1.422
Human 0.8/2 0.4/1 1.313
Lost 1.0/2 0.6/2 1.578
Sabotage 0.9/2 0.6/2 1.391
Pain 1.0/2 0.6/2 1.554
Subversion 1.0/2 0.5/2 1.454
Incursion (Part 1) 0.8/1 0.4/2 1.178 <<<< NEW DATA

Stargate Planner: Week of June 7-13

You might be interested in these news tidbits and announcements that have been noted on this editor’s calendar and notebook for this week. If you’ve got more to add, please don’t hesitate to announce them in the comment section below. We’ll update this article if something comes to our attention during the week.

Calendar

Monday, June 7 NBC’s Persons Unknown premieres at 10 PM ET. Current SGU writers/producers Remi Aubuchon and Linda McGibney contributed to the 13-episode show, and actor Robert Picardo is due to make an appearance in the show’s first season finale.

Robert Picardo is participating in the industry presentation of Rocket Boys in New York City at 2 PM and 7 PM.
Tuesday, June 8 Today is Lexa Doig‘s birthday! Follow her on Twitter.

Stargate Universe “Incursion Part 1” on the UK’s Sky One at 8:00 PM. Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping guest star!

Richard Dean Anderson can be seen as the ever resourceful Angus MacGyver in the release of a two-movie DVD in Region 1 today! MacGyver: The TV Movies comes with MacGyver: The Lost Treasure of Atlantis and MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday. More information about the release can be found at TV Shows on DVD.
Wednesday, June 9
Thursday,
June 10		 Stargate Universe “Darkness” on New Zealand’s Prime TV at 8:30 PM.

Lou Diamond Phillips will be participating in the Osoyoos Wine Festival, which starts today and ends June 12. More details can be found at the Vancouver Sun.
Friday,
June 11		 Stargate Universe “Incursion Part 1” on Australia’s Sci Fi Channel at 8:30 PM. Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping guest star!

Stargate Universe “Incursion Part 2” on Syfy at 9 PM ET and on Canada’s Space at 10 PM ET. This is the season finale!

  • In preparation for the big event, Syfy will be showing an SGU marathon starting at 8 AM ET! Check their schedule for details.
  • Space will have a live chat with David Blue following the episode’s airing at 11 PM during their InnerSPACE program.
Saturday, June 12 The Official Stargate Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, will begin today and end tomorrow, June 13. Guests include Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Brian J. Smith, Alaina Huffman, Dan Shea, and Gary Jones. Check the website for schedule details.

Torri Higginson can be seen tonight on Syfy in the movie Stonehenge Apocalypse at 9 PM ET! Peter Wingfield also stars, along with a whole host of other Stargate veterans (check out the movie’s IMDb profile for the cast list).
Sunday, June 13 Michael Shanks is wrapping principal photography in Winnipeg, Canada, for the movie Faces in the Crowd. Director/writer Julien Magnat has been posting production updates on his Twitter/Facebook, including a few behind-the-scenes photos (none include Shanks to-date, though). Shanks will begin filming his next movie project Red Riding Hood in Vancouver starting July 22.

News Notes

Last week, we posted a few background articles in our LJ Companion that you might be interested in. These articles don’t have a companion piece in our News Blog here:

Reminders

For news as it happens, make sure to visit the Stargate Twitter Superfeed for tidbits directly from the Stargate stars and production crew. And don’t forget our new feature Beyond the Event Horizon, which consists of “home pages” with dynamic feeds from our LJ and Blog for the stars of SG-1 and Atlantis.

Our LJ Companion has news bites, polls, and glimpses into the lives of the actors that we don’t necessarily cover here in our more formal news blog. Make sure to visit the LJ’s feed on our front page or visit the site directly to see its mostly fun little tidbits.

For the latest in convention appearances, which are subject to change, make sure to visit Stargate Actor Appearances.

Stargate Universe Wins Best Dramatic Series Leo Award

The Gala Awards Ceremony for the 2010 Leo Awards occurred last night and newcomer Stargate Universe was selected as the Best Dramatic Series!

Between the two nights of ceremonies, SGU took home six trophies, while Amanda Tapping’s Sanctuary took home seven. Here’s the final list:

Stargate Universe

  1. Best Dramatic Series: Brad Wright, Robert Cooper, Carl Binder, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mulle, John G. Lenic, N. John Smith – Producers
  2. Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series: Brad Wright – Stargate Universe – “Light”
  3. Best Cinematography in a Dramatic Series: Michael Blundell – Stargate Universe – “Human”
  4. Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Series: Rick Martin – Stargate Universe – “Human”
  5. Best Visual Effects in a Dramatic Series: Mark Savela, Shannon Gurney, Brenda Campbell, Craig Vandenbiggelaar, Krista McLean – Stargate Universe – “Air”
  6. Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series: Julia Benson – Stargate Universe – “Pain”

Sanctuary

  1. Best Direction in a Dramatic Series: Brenton Spencer – Sanctuary – “Pavor Nocturnus”
  2. Best Production Design in a Dramatic Series: Bridget McGuire – Sanctuary – “Kali Part 2”
  3. Best Costume Design in a Dramatic Series: Christina McQuarrie – Sanctuary – “Pavor Nocturnus”
  4. Best Make-Up in a Dramatic Series: Todd Masters, Holland Miller, Harlow Macfarlane, Werner Pretorius, Yukio Okajima – Sanctuary – “Fragments”
  5. Best Guest Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series: Christopher Gauthier – Sanctuary – “Hero”
  6. Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series: Christopher Heyerdahl – Sanctuary – “Haunted”
  7. Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series: Robin Dunne – Sanctuary – “Pavor Nocturnus”

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!

Mallozzi's Weblog: Elyse Levesque Fan Q&A

Stargate Universe star Elyse Levesque has submitted her answers to the questions posed by fans at executive producer Joseph Mallozzi’s weblog.

Eli Wallace and Chloe Armstrong in TIME (MGM)
Eli Wallace and Chloe Armstrong share a moment in Levesque's favorite episode from the first half, TIME (MGM)
A few highlights:

Emotional scenes definitely take their toll, but I find them to be more therapeutic than anything. As actors it’s part of our job to go into those dark, messy places. I think it’s important to leave “the work” at work and not take it home with you.

What’s great about Chloe is that the possibilities as to where her character can go are endless. I would love to see her come into her own and take on a leadership, perhaps in an area that would allow her to exercise her skills as a political science major.

One of the hardest scenes for me, probably would have been in the pilot where my character attacks Rush after her father dies. The emotional and physical demands of that scene were both very challenging. I felt terrible having to beat up poor Bobby, but he was a trooper and insisted I just go for it. Funny part is that I was probably more bruised after that scene than he was!

My favorite episode of the first half is “Time”. I think it stands out. Everyone brought their best game to the table in that episode and it shows.

As far as Eli and Chloe are concerned, you never know where the writers may take the relationship, but I think it’s a stronger choice to not have them get together because once you cross that bridge, there’s no turning back. There’s something enticing about not giving the audience what they want and I think the constant desire to see these two together will keep certain fans tuning in!

There’s more, so make sure to visit Mallozzi’s Weblog: Elyse Levesque Answers Your Questions!

Savela Reports First Night of Leo Award Winners

Stargate‘s Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Savela attended the first night’s ceremony of the 2010 Leo Awards and reported the winners on his Twitter. Thus far, it appears that Stargate Universe and Sanctuary are having a wonderful year of wins:

Stargate Universe

  1. Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series: Brad Wright – Stargate Universe – “Light”
  2. Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Series: Rick Martin – Stargate Universe – “Human”
  3. Best Visual Effects in a Dramatic Series: Mark Savela, Shannon Gurney, Brenda Campbell, Craig Vandenbiggelaar, Krista McLean – Stargate Universe – “Air”

Sanctuary

  1. Best Direction in a Dramatic Series: Brenton Spencer – Sanctuary – “Pavor Nocturnus”
  2. Best Production Design in a Dramatic Series: Bridget McGuire – Sanctuary – “Kali Part 2”
  3. Best Costume Design in a Dramatic Series: Christina McQuarrie – Sanctuary – “Pavor Nocturnus”
  4. Best Make-Up in a Dramatic Series: Todd Masters, Holland Miller, Harlow Macfarlane, Werner Pretorius, Yukio Okajima – Sanctuary – “Fragments”

Congratulations to the winners!

The winners of the remaining categories, including acting and best dramatic series, will be announced tonight at the Gala Awards Ceremony.

SGU This Week: "Incursion Part 1" (Special Guest Stars, Spoilers)

Stargate Universe episode “Incursion Part 1”, written by Joseph Mallozzi (and Paul Mullie) and directed by Andy Mikita, premieres tonight (June 4) on Syfy at 9 PM ET and on Space at 10 PM ET.

The Story: All Hell Is About to Break Loose

USS Hammond in AIR (MGM)
The 'USS Hammond' returns in tonight's episode (MGM)

The histories of SG-1 and the Lucian Alliance are intertwined, as we covered in the feature we published for “Subversion”, and in tonight’s “Incursion”, writer Joseph Mallozzi tells us that we should prepare for a two-part episode that is “reminiscent of golden age SG-1.” Perhaps this is because the episodes are “significantly more action-driven and visually spectacular,” or perhaps it is because two former members of SG-1 are contributing to the story: Gen. Jack O’Neill and Col. Samantha Carter. And if you know that Carter’s going to be present, you’ll know that her powerful Daedalus-class starship USS Hammond is going to make an appearance and, hopefully, contribute to that action and visual spectacular!

The Lucian Alliance wants Destiny and they’ve got Col. David Telford on their side. And thanks to some undercover body-swapping gone wrong, they’ve also got Dr. Nicholas Rush. Will he be able to build upon the mathematical solution to drawing energy safely from a naquadria core like Eli Wallace managed to do? And if he does figure it out, will he actually dial Destiny? And back home on Earth, will O’Neill determine what the Lucian Alliance is up to and where they’ve taken Rush (in Telford’s body)? And if he does locate the Alliance’s Icarus-type planet, will he try to take it? He’ll need the fire power of Carter’s Hammond in case he does.

After viewing the Day 1 Mix of tonight’s episode, Mallozzi wrote in his weblog, “Magnifique! An episode full of action, anguish, intrigue and suspense. And Joel [Goldsmith]’s score is phenomenal.” He also told us that some characters will get to shine as the tension heightens on the Destiny, “Wray is a civilian with a background in Human Resources and while, at first blush, the skills she possesses may seem impractical in a space-faring scenario, Camile will step to the fore later this season, especially when all hell breaks loose in the show’s two-part season finale.”

The Story Behind the Scenes: Special Guest Stars

Samantha Carter in SGU AIR (MGM)
O'Neill and Carter coordinate their efforts against the Lucian Alliance (MGM)

Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping are tonight’s special guest stars, as we see their characters coordinate their efforts against the Lucian Alliance. Rhona Mitra and Mike Dopud also return as the Alliance’s Commander Kiva and her lieutenant Varro.

Carter’s history with the Lucian Alliance goes all the way back to her SG-1 days, when her team made it a priority to end the Alliance’s grip on worlds left behind by the Goa’uld. It was her duty to be the one to break it to Stargate Command that they had officially declared war with the Alliance after her friend and fellow officer Col. Paul Emerson, the commander of Earth’s starship USS Odyssey, was executed in cold blood before her very eyes when the Alliance tried to coerce her into helping them to take the ship. Now that she’s commander of the Hammond, Carter represents Earth’s powerful, yet benevolent, presence in a galaxy full of worlds that are trying to break free from the harmful influences of the Alliance.

Concerning her SGU appearances, Tapping told the Huffington Post back in November 2009, “Well, I’ve done two episodes. I did their first two-parter and I’m at the very end of their season. And I just shot that a few weeks ago. So I started their season and I’m ending their season, which was very cool. But I didn’t get to play with anyone. That was my one, you know…if they were ever to have me come back, I’d want to be with people. [laughs] I’m kind of off on my ship, which I think is awesome. I have to say, when I got to work, and I saw the uniform and the General Hammond crest on it, I teared up. I think it’s a great honor to, not only Don, but to the character. (note: Don S. Davis, who played Major General George Hammond passed away in June 2008.) So that was very cool. But I’m up in my ship and I don’t get to play with anyone.”

Watch and Rate

Once you’ve seen the episode, make sure to return to Solutions to vote in our front page poll and to read the chatter that’s sure to take place on our Stargate Twitter Superfeed.

NOTE: The UK’s Sky One viewers will see “Incursion Part 1″ on Tuesday, June 8, at 8:00 PM, and viewers in Australia will be getting it on the Sci Fi Channel on Friday, June 11, at 8:30 PM.

[spoiler intro=”TV Guide’s Episode Summary”]Part 1 of 2. Col. Telford reveals a threat to the Destiny from the Lucian Alliance, prompting Gen. O’Neill to launch a preemptive attack on the foes’ base.[/spoiler]
[spoiler intro=”Syfy’s Episode Preview Trailer”]

[/spoiler]
[spoiler intro=”Syfy’s Sneak Peek Video Clip”]

[/spoiler]
[spoiler intro=”Dr. Daniel Jackson’s Video on the Lucian Alliance”]

You can read more about the Lucian Alliance in our Stargate Wiki.[/spoiler]

Stargate Universe to Premiere July 26 in Asia

This announcement from WorldScreen.com:

SCI FI Rebrands in Asia
By Kristin Brzoznowski
Published: June 2, 2010

SINGAPORE: SCI FI Channel in Asia is being rebranded as Syfy Universal, with its new look launching in July.

The channel will launch its rebranded look with the exclusive premiere of Stargate Universe (SGU) on July 26. The rebrand is part of NBC Universal’s plan to reposition its global network of pay-TV channels around the world under five core brands under the banner of Universal Networks International. The name change has enabled the brand to expand beyond a single genre, now encompassing fantasy, action, paranormal, reality and science fiction.

Raymund Miranda, the managing director for Asia Pacific at Universal Networks International, said, “We are excited about making the change from SCI FI to Syfy Universal in Asia. Syfy Universal builds on the channel’s 17-year heritage of delivering imagination-fueled content to global audiences. We know these changes will appeal not only to our existing and extremely loyal fans but will reach out to a new army of viewers.”