Stargate Universe Pre-Review 7: Focus “Divided”

Hey Stargate Universe Fans,

Episode 12 of Stargate: Universe “Divided” is certainly a lot more intense than “Space”.  The struggles for power among the crew was brought the tension to a new level with this fine episodic addition to the series! Well done MGM, SyFy and Bridge Studios!

Sadly, there was little friendship-building and there were no lighthearted relief scenes.  Although, for the latter, considering how the episode was structured, it would probably have been weird if there were.

Still, I rather missed them.

The plot of “Divided” is centered around the fight for control of Destiny.

This is no spoiler since this theme has been inherent in the story arc from virtually the beginning of the series.

However if you have not seen episode 11 “Space” minor spoilers lay ahead.

Obviously with Rush back in the picture – and his obvious alliance with Camille – things have heated up, and put Colonel Young in a tight position, struggling to stay in charge.  The military versus civilian problem, which has been prevalent within the other Stargate series as well, is starting to heat up even more.  Everyone has taken sides and this episode sees that conflict reach a new level as the ship is both literally and figuratively divided.

As I said in my last pre-review, I don’t expect this conflict to end any time soon.  I imagine it will continue for quite awhile – possibly throughout the whole series, though I hope they don’t use it as the main focus for too long.  I think it’s a good mechanism to use once in awhile, but as the central plot-line, I believe it could get old really quickly.

We’ll see about that, I suppose.  I do look forward to seeing how it plays out – whether the civilians take charge or the military, if an alliance is ever formed or if they continue to live in a continuous war for ultimate authority.

I was thinking as I watched this that it might be interesting even to see someone else rise up in the battle as a new potential leader.  Obviously for the moment, there are three candidates – Rush, Camille and Colonel Young.  I think it might be fun to see someone else jump in and fight for dominance over the ship.  Eli, for one, would be fun.  He has the technological know-how and presuming Rush did not interfere too badly with the systems, he could probably easily take control of everything.

I doubt that would happen, considering he seems to take orders rather than give them, but I still think it would be possible once he gets more comfortable with the situation.

I doubt that anyone in the military (on Destiny) would try to gain authority over Colonel Young, considering how they operate.  It’s a possibility, I suppose, but I see it as far less likely.  Still, should they realize some of the things Young has done, then there is a slight chance.  I wouldn’t put my money on Scott, though, considering how loyal he seems to be to the Colonel.

Even TJ seems to hold a strong loyalty to her ex-lover.  I’m not entirely sure why, but I’d bet if – and this is a strong if – it were to be anyone from the military, my money would be on Greer.  I think there’s a lot we need to still learn about him.  I’m sensing (and hoping for) a dark side.  Of course, I hope that for most of the characters we know little about.

Out of the civilians, I kind of want Chloe to take power.  I doubt it would happen, considering how her character seems to be rather soft spoken and often in need of saving, but if she were to become strong, as I suspect she will, I think she might be an amusing twist.

Mostly for Chloe, I want to see her taken out of her damsel-in-distress mode.  I’m sure she could be a strong character, but yet, she constantly needs saving.  Thankfully she does seem to be standing up for herself a bit more and speaking her mind in Divided and I hope to see that continue.

There’s also the possibility that whomever this fourth party was could be outside of the main cast.  It might be exciting if one of the minor characters were to step up and take power.  I have no preferences who this would be.  If done right, though, they could be a great new force – whether the protagonist or the antagonist.

Of course, everything I’ve just said is complete speculation and entirely what I would like to see – besides the inherent character traits.  I doubt any of this would come to pass, at least any time soon, but I would definitely be interested in seeing it eventually.  Probably later, rather than sooner, though, as the characters have a lot of growing to do.  I would just like to see someone else involved in the power struggles instead of blindly following the three whom have appointed themselves in charge.  It would be a neat twist in events.

However, while I’m on the topic of things I would like to see happen – things which I’d like to take place in the more immediate future than my last statement – I have a few.  Mostly, these revolve around things which have taken place on Earth.  Firstly, I think there needs to be a greater development of the plotline with Scott’s son.

He found out he had one, yet there has been little, if any, mention of this revelation since.  I’d like them to explore in greater detail his feelings about this and how he’s dealing with it.  Obviously it would be quite a shock to suddenly find out you have a child, and not something one would really get over in the course of one episode.  I would personally like to see more about that.

Secondly, Camille’s love life.  They showed her and her girlfriend in one episode and once again have barely mentioned it since.  This is a storyline which actually really  interested me, and I’d like to see or hear more of it.

For that matter, I’d like to find out more about the personal lives of the whole crew of Destiny, save perhaps for Young, considering we actually know a fair bit about his relationship with his wife (yet another revelation which hasn’t been mentioned in awhile).  Mostly, though, Camille’s seemed to interest me the most.  They seemed to be a couple I could get on board with easily, if only we could know more about them.  There aren’t too many lesbian couples on primetime (although granted, the numbers are increasing), so I think it’s great that Universe has included them.  I just wish they were on-screen more.

Another thing I can’t wait to see more of?  The aliens, of course.  Those aliens really amuse me.  They remind me of something, though I can’t really put my finger on it.

They’re almost a cooler variation of the stuffed aliens I used to win at the amusement park when I was a child.  Of course, more awesome, though, as they’re animate and trouble-makers.  I’d love to know if they’re actually ‘evil’ or just like dogs in a war over territory.  What do they want (or need) Destiny for?  Is it just a sort of prize?  Is it for the technology?  Or is there some other reason we’re not yet privy to?  I almost want them to gain possession of the ship, simply to see what they would do with it.  Mind you, I was also the child who was rooting for Coyote to catch the Roadrunner, so I’m probably in the minority on this one.

In fact, if the aliens would use some of Wile E. Coyote’s techniques, I think I’d love them even more.  Just a thought.

Either way, the aliens have definitely raised the stakes.  The pressure is on now to figure out a system of power on Destiny now.  If they’re going to defeat the aliens, for the most part, they’ll have to work together.  They need all the help they can get.

Since they can’t agree on the best way to deal with the aliens, though, the separation has just become even greater.  Now, when they need to be working together, they’ve ended up even further divided.

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ValaBlack