SGU S02E04 Pathogen (SPOILERS)

[Adrian McNair]

Another week, another episode of Stargate Universe.

Here are my thoughts:

- After last week's effort this felt a bit like filler. Not the worst example of filler (the Eli and Camille scenes were the saving grace) but still filler nonetheless.
- This week Chloe may not have been a glorified extra (She got her own plot thread. Yay?), but she was still useless. Somehow, despite being under the influence of the Blues (to the point where her intelligence has been dramatically boosted) she still manages to be quite bland. It could that she has no defining characteristics of her own (other than being the dead Senator's pretty daughter of course) The most interesting thing about her developing condition is that it doesn't seem as though it's going to be resolved immediately. Her situation and Rush's exploitation of it looks to be one of the arcs of this season. The writers probably won't have the balls to make her transformation into one of the Blues permanent.
- I'm beginning to think that perhaps the visions of Gloria and Franklin are facets of Rush's personality manifesting themselves (Gloria seems to represent both his conscience and his cautious side. Franklin is the analytical, rational aspect). Maybe he really has lost it.
- Camille was actually fairly likeable in this episode. Kudos to her for getting Eli's mother onto the Destiny. They'd better not end her relationship with Sharon, because it's the one thing that humanises her. Plus, out of all of the pairings within the series it seems to be the most stable and loving.
- The resolution of Eli's plot was suitably heartwarming and David Blue got to display some emotional range throughout which was a definite positive.
- The Lucian Alliance prisoners have some measure of freedom now (while still being under armed supervision). Surprise, surprise Robert Knepper is playing yet another character who is stirring up shit (to the point of being confrontational and feeding false intel to Homeworld Command). Actually, that really isn't surprising. After playing T-Bag in Prison Break, Samuel Sullivan in Heroes and now Simeon on Universe he's definitely being typecast.

Overall, I'd give this a three.

[adam_grif]

With each episode I find myself increasingly bored and unable to care about what is going on.

I was very positive going into SGU but unless it picks up its game by the end of this season I can't imagine I'll continue watching it.

[Zac Naloen]

- After last week's effort this felt a bit like filler. Not the worst example of filler (the Eli and Camille scenes were the saving grace) but still filler nonetheless.

You have a weird definition of filler, they introduced us to a whole new series arc, and forwarded two character arcs from last season if not resolved one of them.

- This week Chloe may not have been a glorified extra (She got her own plot thread. Yay?), but she was still useless. Somehow, despite being under the influence of the Blues (to the point where her intelligence has been dramatically boosted) she still manages to be quite bland. It could that she has no defining characteristics of her own (other than being the dead Senator's pretty daughter of course) The most interesting thing about her developing condition is that it doesn't seem as though it's going to be resolved immediately. Her situation and Rush's exploitation of it looks to be one of the arcs of this season. The writers probably won't have the balls to make her transformation into one of the Blues permanent.

I think the writers are well aware she's a useless character, she has no useful abilities on the ship. Perhaps they didn't think through quite what she could contribute early on, I guess they were hoping she'd prove to be another interesting foil like Eli... but I'm interested in the story arc, and don't forget they laid the seeds for this last year.

- I'm beginning to think that perhaps the visions of Gloria and Franklin are facets of Rush's personality manifesting themselves (Gloria seems to represent both his conscience and his cautious side. Franklin is the analytical, rational aspect). Maybe he really has lost it.

I'm keeping my mind open on this one, I'd quite like it to be a portion of ship in his mind from the hack. But they keep lamp shading how exhausted he is.

- Camille was actually fairly likeable in this episode. Kudos to her for getting Eli's mother onto the Destiny. They'd better not end her relationship with Sharon, because it's the one thing that humanises her. Plus, out of all of the pairings within the series it seems to be the most stable and loving.

I never had much of a problem with Camille, she was a woman trying to compete with a strong male leader and she over egged it. Since Subversion she seems to be on the team now and realises they are stronger if she stops trying to undermine Young. Rush hasn't learned this lesson yet it would appear.

- The resolution of Eli's plot was suitably heartwarming and David Blue got to display some emotional range throughout which was a definite positive.

Almost jerked a tear when she said she was proud of him.

The idea of a Destiny relatives support group back on earth raised a bit of a smile also.

- The Lucian Alliance prisoners have some measure of freedom now (while still being under armed supervision). Surprise, surprise Robert Knepper is playing yet another character who is stirring up shit (to the point of being confrontational and feeding false intel to Homeworld Command). Actually, that really isn't surprising. After playing T-Bag in Prison Break, Samuel Sullivan in Heroes and now Simeon on Universe he's definitely being typecast.

He makes a good bad guy, i doubt he's complaining.

This Simeon guy doesn't seem too bright, i hope they don't try and play him off as some crafty bad guy down the line. He's too stupid to realise he's in no position to play games.

[Themightytom]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwn.

Sure, character exploration with Eli and Wray, but THIS time instead of as a subplot nxt to a dangerous experiment on Destiny that could either get them home or blow up the ship we get Chloe SleepWalking.

They are making reverse progress on young having him question Rush's activities but not do anything to verify what he says.

"Look see? I have a hallway full of hastily scribbled equations which is my private study that no one knew about before this episode. thats where I was"

"Yeah? How the fuck did you contact Scott from your hallway last episode? And why the fuck aren't you worried about the ship acting retarded?"

[Adrian McNair]

You have a weird definition of filler, they introduced us to a whole new series arc, and forwarded two character arcs from last season if not resolved one of them.

Well, I did say that it felt like filler, not necessarily that it was filler. Perhaps calling it a transitory episode would be more accurate. adam_grif raised the point that Universe needs to pick up the pace and I don't think it's an unfair one. Is it unreasonable to want some of the mysteries to be resolved and for the plot to build up some momentum? I want some indication of what Destiny is heading towards and I definitely want Rush's secrets to unravel completely. Such slow-moving episodes (not that I'm saying that this was poor) might not be problematic for other shows with better viewing figures, but Universe is in a pretty precarious position at the moment (Ratings have been barely above a million this season). It could be cancelled at any moment.

[JME2]

I have to say, I'm enjoying Rush more this season than in Season 1. There's a definite element of classic nsBG Baltar in his character: mental hallucinations, a secret to keep, and evading suspicion.

[PREDATOR490]

Decent episode but ultimately boring due to the simple fact its trying to assemble the 'FORSHADOW' of the arcs to come yada yada.

Chloe - Waste of space just became slightly less wasteful if this pans out into actually making her USEFUL beyond being a bedwarmer. Although I find it hilarious noone thought her ability to heal bullet wounds warrented investigation or it took them THAT long to do something about her 'amnesia' trips.
I can forgive Eli being a dumbass at the start because he isnt too bright around Chloe but the combined brainpower of Eli and Scott should have been enough to set off warning bells.

You have a person that was captured by an alien race, experimented on and is demonstrating unnatural abilities and behaviour... should we be concerned ?

Rush - I can see they are trying to setup the character as being something like Baltar from nBSG and thus being dislikeable is part of the deal... but I really dislike Rush and the way they are playing this out. Especially since the similarity is getting bad with him seeing people that arent there A.K.A Balter's Angel

The entire crew seem to be really slow on the uptake with Rush being able to sneak off and fuck with the ship or missing Chole's behavior. Additionally, I would like to see more exploration of Destiny occuring.

This isnt like Atlantis where the expedition was meant to be long term and Atlantis had plenty of time. Destiny is getting further away from home as time passes and one would think that causes the power requirements to dial the ship to increase. Your seriously telling me one door is what stopped these people from reaching the bridge or they are so thick they are going to pull ANOTHER Atlantis ?
Where in say... S4 they magically discover a hidden shuttle bay or S5 they discover a super-secret lab designed by an Ancient with surprises.

In this case though, it really is retarded Rush is the ONLY one that seems to have found the bridge or be the first one to get there. If the place had been open to vacuum then it might have made sense but as it is. The bridge seems to have been functional from the beginning behind a door.
If I was on a ship that was out of control and I wanted to get it UNDER control... I would be looking for the BRIDGE as a top priority.

I find it silly enough Rush can go into a corridor on his own and draw on the walls without ANYONE catching on let alone Rush being able to find and hide in the most important part of a SPACESHIP that is likely to have the controls they need to properly command Destiny.

[D.Turtle]

Did you miss where Rush unlocked the master code that allowed him access to the bridge? Did you ignore the fact that maybe, just maybe, Rush is capable of locking doors so that a normal investigation will just turn up another locked door?

I find SG:U continuing to be very interesting and I want to see where it ends. I'm guessing that Destiny has something to do with Ascension (maybe it was where the Ancients perfected/first found how to ascend?). I liked both Earth arcs, covering how people react to the situation of being unable to properly meet their loved ones etc.

[JME2]

I find SG:U continuing to be very interesting and I want to see where it ends. I'm guessing that Destiny has something to do with Ascension (maybe it was where the Ancients perfected/first found how to ascend?).

I'm really getting curious as to what exactly the ship's mission is. What could the Ancients have known and can we, the Fifth Race, take on the task?

[Zac Naloen]

In this case though, it really is retarded Rush is the ONLY one that seems to have found the bridge or be the first one to get there. If the place had been open to vacuum then it might have made sense but as it is. The bridge seems to have been functional from the beginning behind a door.

A locked door that, he needed the master key to access it. He may have known where it was before Aftermath, but he didn't have access.

If I was on a ship that was out of control and I wanted to get it UNDER control... I would be looking for the BRIDGE as a top priority.

Again, they may know where it is, but as far as anyone is concerned the door is locked. We don't really know, Brody can't be far off working it out though I can see him challenging Rush over his disappearing act soon enough. Park just seems like your stereotypical no common sense academic though so I'm not surprised she isn't catching on.

I find it silly enough Rush can go into a corridor on his own and draw on the walls without ANYONE catching on let alone Rush being able to find and hide in the most important part of a SPACESHIP that is likely to have the controls they need to properly command Destiny.

The ship doesnt seem to have internal sensors like Atlantis does, so they can't just run a scan and locate him. It's also massive, and their numbers are few. It is by no means a stretch that he could wander off to an unused section of the ship and draw all over the walls. Particularly if that corridor doesn't lead anywhere important.

[PREDATOR490]

Locked doors did not stop the Lucian Alliance and if your in an out of control spaceship, getting access to the Bridge even if it means trying to force the door / cut it open etc. would seem a valid option. At the very least, MENTIONING they have tried to get in or know where the bridge is would be an improvement.
Not searching every deck I can understand or going into every single room and cupboard but its going to be extremely annoying if this series develops in a similar manner to Atlantis pulling out random labs with problem-of-the-week or plot-point jumper bays late into the run.
One would think finding key locations like that would be of the highest priority, not only for the fact you might find some useful stuff but also because there could be dangerous shit lying around I.E Explosive Tumour Generators or Alien stasis pods etc.

[Siege]

I liked how Rush managed to throw suspicion on Chloe; I thought they had him for a moment there, but even so I'm giving it one or two more episodes before someone corners Rush or follows him on the way up to the bridge. So it's a race between the crew discovering what Rush has been hiding, and Rush finding out whatever he needs to find out to do, well, whatever he's trying to do. Considering that it's actually a good idea to enlist Chloe's help: he stands a better chance of succeeding, and if he can gain ultimate control over Destiny and whatever facilities it has on board her chances of beating whatever's happening to her are markedly improved as well.

[Oskuro]

Locked doors did not stop the Lucian Alliance and if your in an out of control spaceship, getting access to the Bridge even if it means trying to force the door / cut it open etc. would seem a valid option. At the very least, MENTIONING they have tried to get in or know where the bridge is would be an improvement.

If I remember correctly, the bridge was behind what looked like a bulkhead, so it might be the kind of door they can't really force open (which makes sense, seeing how it is such a vital part of the ship). And even if they managed to force the door open, it is doubtful the bridge would've worked without the code.
I feel that the weakest part in the Rush subplot is that he manages to sneak away unnoticed, not because it would be hard to sneak away on such a large ship with such a small group of people, but because Rush has proven so often to be untrustworthy that it is strange no one is permanently tailing him with a Kino just to make sure.

As for Chloe... I'm not sure if it is the character or the actress, but I have a really hard time sympathizing. At times I get the feeling they are trying to make her into an unsettling mysterious character, like Firefly's River Tam, but she's no Summer Glau.

I liked Rush's misdirection too, though, it was a nice touch.


Regarding the episode in general, nice to watch, but not very exciting. Character development was necessary, but at times it felt forced, like they wanted to resolve Eli and Camille's arc quickly before the actresses ran away or something.