Category: Universe

The numbers for Stargate Universe episode “Visitation” have been added to our summary table below.

Season Two Viewer and Ratings Summary
Episode	Rating/Share		Viewers in Millions
	HH	18-49	Live+Same Day	Live+7 Days
Intervention	0.8/1	0.5/1	1.175	Note 1
Aftermath	0.7/1	0.5/1	1.070
Awakening	0.8/1	0.5/1	1.222
Pathogen	0.7/1	0.4/1	0.974
Cloverdale	0.7/1	0.4/1	1.012
Trial and Error	0.7/1	0.4/1	0.967
The Greater Good	0.7/1	0.4/1	1.074
Malice	0.7/1	0.4/1	1.025
Visitation	0.7/1	0.5/1	1.169		<<<< NEW DATA

Source for New Data: Travis Yanan

Notes

1. “Just got the live+7 numbers for Intervention, the season 2 premiere. Wow. We jumped 78% from the live number, about 40% from the liv+SD. That’s a lot of eyeballs. Of course that isn’t even counting those who are viewing the show through alternate platforms (ie. netflix, iTunes, and other download options).” — Joseph Mallozzi, October 19, 2010.

Tonight (November 23) on Syfy at 9 PM ET: Stargate Universe episode 2.09 “Visitation”, written by newcomer Remi Aubuchon and directed by William Waring.

“Visitation” is one of those episodes filled with the typical mystery of being billions of lightyears away from home: There could be an incredible spiritual experience awaiting or an unbelievably crushing disaster. As it always is with any Stargate episode, it’s certain that there will be things going “wonko” and possibly emerging as a new thread in the already rich tapestry of the saga.

All that is to say that to include comments about this episode gleaned from interviews and blogs would be to give away spoilers, and we don’t do that here in the body of these teaser articles (but we do do it in our spoiler tags at the article’s end—Hint!).

What we can say about the episode is that we’ll be seeing some intriguing character development as faith is tested, an interesting skill is revealed, something valuable is gained, and a seemingly inevitable end is prepared for.

What are we talking about? Tune in tonight to find out and make sure to rejoin us here for our episode poll on the front page.

Link and Spoiler Collection

• Season Two Episode Guides
• “Visitation” Episode Guide
• SGU Portal

[spoiler intro=”Episode Summary”]

SYFY: Crewmembers left behind on a seemingly ideal world over a year earlier make a mysterious return.

The Destiny crewmembers left behind on an idyllic planet over a year ago suddenly turn up aboard a shuttle, giving Tamara renewed hope of finding her lost daughter. The circumstances surrounding their surprising return remain a mystery however. Dr. Caine and the others have no memory of how they got there.

Young, fearing alien involvement, isolates Caine and company. Tamara’s examination of the former crew verifies not only their identity but also that they are all in perfect physical condition. The investigation of the shuttle reveals the same: it is like new. The mystery takes an unsettling turn when one of the returned crewmembers abruptly drops dead. Wray lobbies Young to let her use regression therapy in the hopes of learning what really happened back on the planet. Young agrees, but the memories stirred prove disastrous for those who’ve returned.

Meanwhile, as her alien transformation progresses, Chloe prepares her final goodbyes.

SKY: Emotions run high when the team are reunited with some familiar faces, but a few surprises are in store.

Destiny crew members left on an idyllic planet more than a year ago suddenly turn up aboard a shuttle, reigniting Tamara’s hopes of finding her lost daughter. Suspicions are aroused, however, when Dr Caine and co maintain that they have no memory of how they got there.

Fearing alien involvement, Young isolates his former comrades. His actions seem hasty, especially when Tamara’s examination not only verifies their identities but reveals them to be in perfect physical condition. The plot thickens nicely though, throwing up a tasty twist…

Meanwhile, as her alien transformation progresses, Chloe prepares her final goodbyes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler intro=”Syfy: Sneak Peek (Actual Scene)”]

[/spoiler]

[spoiler intro=”Syfy: Preview”]

[/spoiler]

TV Guide’s critic Matt Roush was asked to share his thoughts about the vastly-different-from-its-predecessors Stargate Universe in his regular “Ask Matt” column.

Here is the SGU-specific section of the Q&A:

Question: When Stargate Atlantis was first announced, they said it would be different from SG-1. There would be civilians and military going through the gate knowing they would be cut off with no help from Earth. I was excited about that show because it meant the rules would change. People would be on the brink of death and actually die without a last-minute save. That show lasted less than a season. Now we have Stargate Universe, the show we should have had with Atlantis, and the fans are complaining. I love Universe because it is darker and shows what really happens when you make difficult choices and people die. What are your thoughts about Universe? Do you think it will see a third season? — Traci

Matt Roush: I like Universe for the same reasons you do (although the glut of new season and November sweeps programming has kept me from keeping up with this one lately). I can see why the traditional Stargate fan may not embrace a show this dark and glum, lacking the humorous esprit de corps that characterized the original series. It would be like if an NCIS spin-off started acting more like Rubicon. But I admire Universe for sticking to its more intense premise, if that indeed has been the case. And I’d like to see Syfy support something with a little dramatic meat on its bones (not that I don’t appreciate the whimsy of Warehouse 13 and Eureka). As for a third season: Haven’t a clue.

Favorable critical acceptance of any show is encouraging, but it doesn’t guarantee a renewal. We’ll find out by January 2011 if Syfy wants to continue Destiny‘s mission. Until then, we have two more episodes to go before the mid-season break.

Stargate Universe airs first on Syfy on Tuesdays at 9 PM ET.

Stargate Universe executive producer Joseph Mallozzi has announced in his weblog that principal photography has wrapped for the show’s second season!

It’s been a great year and, looking back over the 20 episodes produced for SGU’s second season, I have to say I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished: great stories, grand arcs, wonderful character moments both big and small, set-ups, pay-offs, and more than a few surprises. As much as I’ve enjoyed working on these episodes, I’ve enjoyed hearing your reactions even more. So, thanks to everyone out there who has supported – and continues to support – the show! You aint seen nuthin’ yet!

Congratulations to the cast and crew for another season of Stargate! There is, of course, still post-production to be done over the next few months (Mallozzi has stated, “It takes us about six months from shooting to final.”), but basically, it’s all done as far as leaving the season in a cliffhanger is concerned (as is usual for Stargate). News of renewal may not come until January 2011, but even so, Mallozzi wrote about what the process would look like if a Season Three is given the green light:

At the end of every season, we’ll look back and take stock, discuss what worked and what didn’t from a creative standpoint, consider what the fans responded to and what didn’t work for them, receive input from the studio and network, and move forward. Suffice it to say that provided we get that third season pick up, season 3 will see some shocking, monumental developments.

Even though new scripts are not being written right now, Mallozzi stated that both Brad Wright and Carl Binder were already thinking up storylines for the new season. What is in store for the crew of Destiny? Mallozzi couldn’t tell, but teased, “Let’s just say the second season finale sets up a VERY INTERESTING scenario.”

New episodes of SGU are still being aired first on Syfy on Tuesdays at 9 PM ET. We’ve got two more episodes to go before the mid-season break. Make sure to visit Solutions’ Season Two index for guides (including spoilers) for all 20 episodes.

The numbers for Stargate Universe episode “Malice” have been added to our summary table below.

Season Two Viewer and Ratings Summary
Episode	Rating/Share		Viewers in Millions
	HH	18-49	Live+Same Day	Live+7 Days
Intervention	0.8/1	0.5/1	1.175	Note 1
Aftermath	0.7/1	0.5/1	1.070
Awakening	0.8/1	0.5/1	1.222
Pathogen	0.7/1	0.4/1	0.974
Cloverdale	0.7/1	0.4/1	1.012
Trial and Error	0.7/1	0.4/1	0.967
The Greater Good	0.7/1	0.4/1	1.074
Malice	0.7/1	0.4/1	1.025		<<<< NEW DATA

Source for New Data: Travis Yanan

Notes

1. “Just got the live+7 numbers for Intervention, the season 2 premiere. Wow. We jumped 78% from the live number, about 40% from the liv+SD. That’s a lot of eyeballs. Of course that isn’t even counting those who are viewing the show through alternate platforms (ie. netflix, iTunes, and other download options).” — Joseph Mallozzi, October 19, 2010.