Stargate Universe S2E19 "Blockade" [spoilers]

[NecronLord]

Objective Interim Spoiler Policy: All prior episodes of Stargate up to and including this one may be discussed without spoilers. Recent EU publications and upcoming episodes must be spoiler tagged and labelled. Previews (as released on TV, website, etc) are not spoilers, nor is speculation derived from them.

[NecronLord]

No comments? Well, I thought it was pretty good.

Poor Park, though at least she survived, which is more than I expected.

Though Destiny's shields invite unfavourable comparison with Cronos' Ha'tak in Exodus which survived close to the same class of star without incident for almost an hour, though obviously it didn't cross the photosphere.

[CaptainChewbacca]

As soon as Park said she was staying behind, I figured she was a gonner. Losing her eyesight is a good compromise, though. Too bad we won't get to see how far humans spread through the 'Novos Sphere' in this galaxy.

[JediToren]

Good episode, but this episode is titled Blockade. "Gauntlet" is the series finale that airs next week.

[Adrian McNair]

So here are my thoughts on the second-last episode of Stargate Universe:

- I knew going into this one that it wouldn't be able to surpass the high standard set by last week's installment. With that being said it was still entertaining enough to pass the muster.
- They're continuing the firmly established tradition of putting the characters through the wringer. In addition to everything else that's happened to these guys now we have Park's blindness
- Those drones are adaptable buggers. They've gone from pursuing Destiny to keeping station near stars, just waiting for the opportunity to pounce. This doesn't bode well for the Novus branch of humanity. Aspects of their portrayal have been inconsistent, however. Two episodes ago one of the smaller drones was shot down by a short burst from an assault rifle. This week it took sustained fire from Greer, Scott and Young to down that same type. Their weapons seemed to be slightly more powerful as well.
- On Terminus there was a degree of divergence from English in the written language department at least. Certain words were spelled in a more phonetic manner ("Atak,""Tymes,""Markit,""Elektroniks," etc). The technology was probably at a 1990s to early 2000s level (judging by the presence of the computer monitors in that electronics store).
- Is Pittsburgh really as bad as some of the characters were making it out to be?
- Varro was up and about, though not completely recovered. He had some sort of Lucian Alliance (or maybe he picked it up on Novus) missile launcher, too.
- Morrison is such a dickhead. He hasn't had a single scene where he wasn't an arsehole. It's an interesting contrast to that other character Vincent Gale played, [url+http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Peter_Laird]Laird[/url].
- "I'm not Captain Kirk. I need to stretch my legs."

Three out of five from me this week.

Next week "the journey concludes," according to Syfy.


A sneak peek:

[dragon]

I thought the alliance guy died in the previous episode, and rush's compliment was unexpected.

[Themightytom]

No comments? Well, I thought it was pretty good.

Poor Park, though at least she survived, which is more than I expected.

Though Destiny's shields invite unfavourable comparison with Cronos' Ha'tak in Exodus which survived close to the same class of star without incident for almost an hour, though obviously it didn't cross the photosphere.

Well somebody named the thread wrong and we were confused!
Rush has finally admitted that Eli's brilliance impresses him. We have come full; circle in this season from Rush recruiting Eli but resenting him, to Rush not only expressing genuine admiration for Eli but encouraging him. Rush knew he couldn't do the calculations as fast as Eli. He went through the whole song and dance to get Eli to voluntarily take the controls and make it his idea rather than just come out and say "Eli, you're faster at math, you better do this."

God damnit Parks, you frigging idiot, is aw that shit a mile away! "Hey, I am a nonessential last minute addition to the plan, can i wear the RED spacesuit?" She never let go of her fucking plants either, for all the good that'll do, they were chilling out in boiling water with her for like twenty minutes.
Grear....MAY not be the best match for Parks here. "She can take care of herself"
Really? Really Grear? She can? What says so, the time she got kidnapped and had a bomb stuck to her back or the time she got mauled by the animal. Why do they even let her do things anymore.

Varro is rapidly becoming Destiny's Chuck Norris.
Varro one shotted a drone with a rocket launcher we've never seen before.
Varro grabbed a falling TJ with one hand and swung her to a ledge. He fell down three stories, but is all better.
Varro gave a pep talk to GREAR about being tough.
Varro is an expert tracker, he knows the ways of the wood.
Varro is a caring man, he sometimes plays nurse.
Varro is a respected leader who navigated his way through TWO crazy leaders in the LA.

James continues to be awesome, she needs a promotion.

Whaaaaaat the fuck district were they in that they couldn't find anything useful?

Oh look. Colonel Young Is Santa Claus.

"What am i captain kirk?" Was great, Camille loved it. She preened. She took a breath, she thought to herself, "He respects me, he really does! I have found a palce on this ship!"

Rush taking her little happy balloon and popping it by taking a dump on it, was better.
"Don't touch anything."
Ok Picard.

Hey Telford got a cameo! So they could shit on him. Good for them, he ruined their chance at a supply line.

Speaking of which, why the food shortage again, didn't they just cart up a shit load from the bunker? Did they give it ALL to the Novuns?

You know Volker is in quite a pickle. He's got a crush on the gf of the guy who gave him a major organ.

[CaptJodan]

Another solid episode in my view. SGU continues to churn out episodes I enjoy, and this one has a lot of the elements that I've come to enjoy from the show.

-Along with the previous couple of episodes, this episode continues to remind the audience that Destiny still needs resupply. Voyager hardly ever resupplied anything. BSG had only one episode resupplying Tyllium, only one episode that dealt with a food shortage, and only one episode that dealt with getting resupplied with raw materials (and instant replacement of Vipers, apparently). SGU warned us in the first few episodes that the lime wouldn't last for the CO2 scrubbers, and sure enough they revisited it (obviously, even if the series continued, they wouldn't have to now because they have uber scrubbers, but...). Destiny has been seen on screen to recharge 4 times now (I think that's right). Now they have to again repair the garden, and regrow their food. I say GOOD. This isn't fucking "grimdark", it's a natural progression of the hardships of being cut off from home with no support system.

-Lots of more subtle humor in this episode. Few of the lines really stood out, but there was a constant stream of either lines or actions that were funny. Greer and Vulker's conversation with the canned goods, ending in "Yay, botchulism", the "Kirk" line, James casually mentioning that she broke Morrison's nose, the crack against Canada, etc.

-The Rush/Eli arc, as mentioned, comes full circle, and we finally see Rush actually has respect for someone on the crew. Incidentally, Eli is someone that both Rush and Young respect, which makes for good common ground between them. It doesn't seem like Volker and Brody much care for him half the time though.

-From the moment Park said she was staying behind, I was sure she would likely end up dead somehow. I'm glad they didn't kill her. It's true that she seems like the least capable character in being able to take care of herself (Chloe has done a lot to grow up during this season, so obviously the writers heard the fans on that one), and she was stupid to stay as long as she did inside the room. I'm glad there was a price for the stupidity, but I'm glad it wasn't her death.

-We had a stargate this episode. At least the last stargate shot won't be the damaged one, even if it was appropriate. I thought the overall idea behind the episode was a solid one. I thought the elements worked together well, and there was good pacing between the two different stories being told.

-It was a minor point, but I was really glad to see a throwaway line noting that the gate on the planet was in range of 2 other gates, even if they weren't in range of Destiny. Halfway through the episode I was wondering how a human colony could have been established on the world without gates being in range of each other, but they took care of that. Clearly at least one of the two addresses that Morrison tried to dial would have probably been habitable.

-James continues to be an awesome character. I thought they did a good job with her looking genuinely frightened while baiting the drone. She also got to punch Morrison, and that was much needed. I'm really glad to see that James' character was strong enough to overcome the early internet "Lt. Hooters" meme. Well played by the actress.

Really, it was good to see a lot of the other secondary and tertiary characters come out of the woodwork this episode.

Annoyances

-We dropped off the survivors off camera? And even though in a previous episode we are told that some wanted to stay aboard, none did? This annoys the crap out of me. This colony wasn't hit by the drones? Why wouldn't others in the colony not want to be taken aboard Destiny and maybe consider going with? The colonists were swept under the rug with a couple of lines of dialogue for no reason. At the very least they could have said that a few stayed aboard, which, had the show continued, allowed for them to have a few more extras in the background or something. This was stupid.

-I have issues with Destiny magically deciding to keep the door closed and completely, even against overrides. Apparently Destiny will absolutely refuse to open a door even with an override and even prior to the danger level being high enough for someone to put on their helmet. Yet, Destiny can still be convinced through overrides to drive into the very thing causing the problem in the first place (Yes, I know part of the plot was that they needed Destiny to get so hot that it released control by shutting down, but Destiny allowed them to get close enough to then be forced to shut itself down, yet it never, ever opened the damn door). This was a complete contrivance.

-Just how prevalent are the drones? I would think it would take a shit-ton of command ships to make sure to cover every possible star that Destiny could refuel at, especially if you include red dwarfs and the like. Maybe Destiny is just now moving into the area of space where the drones were first created or something, but they do seem awfully numerous.

Overall, another good episode, despite my annoyances. It seems to me like SGU really has found its footing. More's the pity.

[Mlenk]

Next week's episode looks interesting, but honestly, with it being the series finale, I hope that they cover more next week besides just fighting the command ships and the drones. I want them to resolve some of the questions surrounding Destiny's mission, that so called "message" from the beginning of the universe, the big picture stuff, etc. After watching the preview's for next week, it doesn't really look like it

[PREDATOR490]

4

Decent enough but with the slow pacing of SGU it is becoming extremely likely the show is going to go out with little resolved. At best the next episode might throw out some random bullshit and have battle scenes. After that they blindly look off into the sunset after winning and.... the end. Alternatively, the episode is going to be a standard cliff-hanger like Angel S5. With an ending that can potentially be written as them getting killed or surviving.

Either way, this episode kinda bored me due to it being back to wasting time showing them refueling while interesting stuff happened OFF-screeen like... the colonists getting booted off.

As for the drones - the smart thing to do would have been to track down the gate... evidently the drones are smart enough to place traps at likely points Destiny will appear but not actually look for the gates. The drones seemingly have a mission to destroy technology but they dont bombard the entire planet or destroy gates etc.
Thus they only destroy ACTIVE technology - Shockingly convienient.

[Alyeska]

They didn't specifically try and kill humans on the settlement. But they shot at humans and even sounds in a city. So they shoot at life in a given context. They are probably programed to try and kill all life in a given setting. But if its a jungle world, that would be a waste of time and energy. So only try and kill life in a setting of technology.

[AndroAsc]

Let me guess... the Novus fleet arrives to save Destiny at the end of the series finale? Sure they don't have hyperdrive, but that doesn't mean that they don't have big guns.

[Ahriman238]

4.

Not much I can say that hasn't already been said. Oh hey, it's that rabid atheist from way back in 'Faith.' I haven't seen that background character in ages, I wonder why? Oh right, he was a jackass then and he's a jackass now. The last time I thought he might be some sort of strawman, here he's just a selfish, cowardly, idiot. Well, I suppose that's progress of a sort. And at least this time someone got to belt him.

Is it my imagination or did that one drone's aim absolutely suck? Did it even hit something within twenty feet of a person? How are these things such a menace again? And once it came under attack from multiple sides it actually started spinning and firing at random. That's the only explanation I have for what I saw, it gave up on trying to hit anyone by anything other than blind chance. I was reminded of the probe droid form ESB, and it is not a favorable comparison for the drones.

I suspect if the series were going to continue, Parks' blindness would have been a temporary thing for a few episodes to give her, Greer and Volker some character growth. As it is...

Yeah. Hard to believe this is the end. It's like tv studios have a psychic sense for when a show will turn around and act quickly to prevent that from happening.

Also, the Destiny is more than slightly screwed. They have an enemy that can learn from it's mistakes (so unlike the Goa'uld) and have enough ships in their area to make this blockade tactic reasonable. Be interesting to see them get out of this fix, but it's more likely we'll have a cliffhanger that will never be resolved.

[CaptJodan]

Next week's episode looks interesting, but honestly, with it being the series finale, I hope that they cover more next week besides just fighting the command ships and the drones. I want them to resolve some of the questions surrounding Destiny's mission, that so called "message" from the beginning of the universe, the big picture stuff, etc. After watching the preview's for next week, it doesn't really look like it

I wouldn't count on it. The show wasn't planning in any way shape or form to end in its current state. We'll probably end up with a cliff-hanger, which will be all the more maddening. During that time, I intend to be reminded of "Epilogue", as it is still a decent "ending" and I'd argue the best episodic ending to any SG series yet.

[PREDATOR490]

Next week's episode looks interesting, but honestly, with it being the series finale, I hope that they cover more next week besides just fighting the command ships and the drones. I want them to resolve some of the questions surrounding Destiny's mission, that so called "message" from the beginning of the universe, the big picture stuff, etc. After watching the preview's for next week, it doesn't really look like it

I wouldn't count on it. The show wasn't planning in any way shape or form to end in its current state. We'll probably end up with a cliff-hanger, which will be all the more maddening. During that time, I intend to be reminded of "Epilogue", as it is still a decent "ending" and I'd argue the best episodic ending to any SG series yet.

It actually makes for an ending to the entire SG franchise.

Stargate started with Earth being nobodies in a land of giants then ascending to becoming a major power.
SG-1 - SGA - Has always been sitting in the footsteps of where the Ancients were before

SG-U - Going where the Ancients have never been before and Epilogue shows them BECOMING the 'Ancestors' that founded an entire new galactic civilisations.
I would say thats a pretty powerful and unintentionally ironic end to the franchise.

[Themightytom]

As a matter of fact, this is par for the course for ALL SG series. They keep overestimating what they have left despite all the signs. SG:1 had to finish their Ori arc off with a mini movie, after a last minute Celo Green salute to established arcs of the camaraderie of SG:1 and all of it's accomplishments, as well as the arc of steadily gaining more and more advanced technology in order to fight an overwhelming foe.

NOPE. We're done with that, here's everything the Asgard have. And guess what, it's better than when they had it, because even though THEIR ship got it's ass kicked too, they just came up with the perfect weapon.

NOPE, we could do a tour of old stomping groundsm have an SG-1 victory pass, or bring back some old buddies for one last mission together, but screw Jack O'Neill, Bre'tac, General Hammond, Jonas Quinn and whoever else I missed, we're gonna blow all our time watching Ben Browder jog.

Atlantis, having spent the fifth season introducing one shot enemies of awesomeness, such as the lost tribe and the mysterious alternate universe baddies, Todd and the shifting wraith alliances, the Genii and all of that, well no. let's spend the second to last episode in an alternate universe that ISN'T the one we've seen before by the way, but is close... and then the last episode we'll amp up the Wraith as a one shot doomship, pwn all the BC304's that have been kicking ass so far, and teleport Atlantis into orbit over Earth via contrivance because one episode is actually too short to even use the contrivance we introduced at the BEGINNING of the episode, via Atlantis' interstellar drive. let's waste the whole episode documenting the sudden and unpredictable manner in which every established defense is removed as a set up for a manufactured bit of drama in which the Atlantis team volunteers to sacrifice itself for Earth. And you know what... let's pretend Atlantis might crash but, we're short on time, so that will be a little off screen forty five seconds or so of suspense. Bleh.

This was what the team produced when they KNEW KNEW they were getting canceled. They made these on purpose

Seriously, I think we were saved people, saved, who the hell knows what they would have tried to shoehorn in if they'd know the series was going to end? they might have aborted episodes like Epilogue and Common Descent, so I'll take what i get next week and be grateful

[JME2]

Mallozzi's given an updated thought on the de facto series finale:

"It is a true cliffhanger along the lines of a 'Camelot,' 'Incursion, Part 2,' and 'The Siege, Part 2.' The kind that, once it ends, will leave you asking yourselves: 'How the hell are they going to get out of this one! Can't wait until the next episode!' Except there won't be a next episode, much less a next season.

"Also, in response to a question several have posed: Unfortunately, the last few episodes build upon each other so simply switching the airing order wouldn't have helped. You could consider 'Epilogue' the series finale and move on to some other show (I hear great things about Breaking Bad) but that would rob you of two truly awesome episodes in 'Blockade' and 'Gauntlet.' Both deliver action, adventure, humor, and some terrific character moments. 'Gauntlet,' in particular, is very touching and its conclusion will no doubt you leave you -- among many other things -- frustrated, incredulous, outraged, offended, annoyed, vexed, saddened, distressed, bitter, aghast, irritated, unsatisfied, pissed-off, melancholy, miserable, confused, furious, dejected, riled, shocked, heartsick, angry, surprised, exasperated, indignant, enraged, despondent, bewildered, dismayed, incensed, stunned, and grief-stricken. Fair warning."

So, it'll probably be a Bolivian army-style ending. But as pointed out earlier, I consider 'Epilogue' the real series finale. After following in the Ancients' footsteps, Earth finally left its mark in the great unknown.

Anyway, good penultimate episode. Really wish this wasn't ending.

[hongi]

-We dropped off the survivors off camera? And even though in a previous episode we are told that some wanted to stay aboard, none did? This annoys the crap out of me. This colony wasn't hit by the drones? Why wouldn't others in the colony not want to be taken aboard Destiny and maybe consider going with? The colonists were swept under the rug with a couple of lines of dialogue for no reason. At the very least they could have said that a few stayed aboard, which, had the show continued, allowed for them to have a few more extras in the background or something. This was stupid.

Same annoyance as you, but you could argue that none were allowed to stay on by Young, possibly because they were stretched in resources as they were and the Novans didn't have any skills they needed.

Whaaaaaat the fuck district were they in that they couldn't find anything useful?

It was mentioned that it was a pretty run-down district that the Stargate was shoved into.

I like the drones, they're a credible threat.

I was a bit confused initially why Eli was so interested in the KINO footage, but I think I understand now. His alt self did something great with his life, helping to build a civilisation from the ground up. More than that, he was genuinely appreciated. Eli obviously wonders if he too can be like that, and I very much liked that he was given the opportunity to do his thing in this episode. It proves that it's not a fluke. Eli really is a genius. Now if only Rush would tell him that.

Sad to see the series end. I think it's a credit to the producers that I am genuinely excited to see the finale.

[CaptJodan]

Same annoyance as you, but you could argue that none were allowed to stay on by Young, possibly because they were stretched in resources as they were and the Novans didn't have any skills they needed.

So they teach the Novans how to be useful. If Chloe can be useful, anyone can. Clearly the Novans aren't primitives. They can learn about technology. They are more advanced than present day Earth, everything from the stargate not withstanding.

As for supplies, Destiny has suffered some attrition. They were able to support the people they originally had aboard when they had less access to food. Originally, they just had this one hydroponics room. Now they still have that, plus the larger garden (assuming they repair the place again), plus food they were able to pick up from the colony and any they might have gotten from this colony. Air is no longer a major problem because their CO2 scrubbers are super scrubbers now.

Young could certainly pick a number he's most willing to accept to come aboard from the best and brightest of their colony that are willing to go. Or the best and brightest from those on Destiny who want to go. Or he can pick from those most willing to be trained in military ops, as we've lost quite a few of them, especially during the LA raid.

I think the point is that there were just too many variables that were washed under the rug with no real explanation. If the show was continuing, this would bother me a great deal. Now it's just a minor annoyance, because it really doesn't affect anything long term (because there is no long term).