SGU Finale Is Tough, Not Cruel

SGU Finale Is Tough, Not Cruel
Part 1: Actor David Blue shares exclusive insight into what fans will find in Syfy series

Part 1 of 3

"Stargate SG-1" was a hoot. It was fun, aloof and without a care in the world.

OK, it had its moments. But they were nothing like what we experience on a weekly basis in "Stargate: Universe," a series which has been dubbed the "Battlestar Galactica" of the Stargate franchise.

In contrast with its parent franchise, "Universe" refuses to include the light-hearted twist to the entire situation and is instead filled with stark realism, unnervingly flawed characters and a pragmatic look on surviving life in space. And because of that change in tone, the show unfortunately has divided the fans of the franchise.

Unlike both "SG-1" and "Stargate: Atlantis," both of which blended as much comedy as they did action and suspense, the humor in "Universe" is very subtle and restricted to some very intimate glimpses of the characters.

To some, it is as if Stargate has grown up and taken on a more mature perspective of the science-fiction genre. To others, though, it has turned a very comedic property into something bleak, bitter and altogether disturbing … and that darker than normal atmosphere is definitely something that the SGU cast had in mind when production originally kicked into gear.

"It's kinda two fold," series star David Blue recently told Airlock Alpha. "On the one hand it's really nice. I hate to use this phrase, but it's kinda like a built-in fanbase. I mean, you know, we came out as a show and didn't need to worry about, 'Hey, are only five people gonna watch?' because we knew that a good amount would at least give us a try and give it a whirl to see what they thought. And that's a kind of a security that a lot of shows can't have these days."

Despite the security that comes with being the arm of a pre-existing franchise, Blue confirmed that he still feels a bit of pressure to make the series a success given the magnitude of the changes being made to the whole Stargate setup.

There is "also a lot of pressure because we wanted to push the envelope and try something new and really, really put something out there that we were proud of and that's risking a lot of that existing fanbase," Blue said. "It's saying, 'Hey, we know what you love and we are still going to be in that universe, but we're going to try something a little bit new here. We're going to try and grow with television and see what you guys think.' It's fun, it's exciting and it's a little bit of pressure."

But "Universe" doesn't try to be dark just for darkness' sake. Every act of cruelty has a purpose, and there is reason behind every betrayal. More than that, though, the series is simply keeping up with the latest fads in our society and aims to produce as visceral an experience as possible.

Most theaters are now boasting 3-D editions of the latest blockbusters, and now 3-D television is preparing to take hold of the home entertainment market later in the year.

What's the big deal? Well, it's all about becoming immersed in the entertainment medium and feeling like you are right there next to the central characters. There are no 3-D scenes in SGU, but you will find plenty of techniques all designed to create that same immersive experience. At the top of the list: the shaky camera.

"It's a weird reflection of our society right now," Blue said. "We as a society seem to love the voyeuristic aspects of entertainment. We like 3-D, the feeling that we're right there. We like, not the shaky camera, but more realistic camera movement and how the camera presents the scene to you like you are actually right there watching and the camera is your eyes. And we like more realistic terrifying type settings and I think that is in direct relation to why we like -- well not 'we' because I don't -- but why a lot of people like reality type shows. They like feeling more like a part of it and it's something that is really existing and not some pre-packaged product they are being given.

"So it's the next step in most television. Even single-camera comedies these days like 'Modern Family' or 'The Office' are doing the fly on the wall kind of feel. So to take the Stargate universe into that realm is kind of just the next step."

Key to presenting the spectrum of the human condition is Eli and his relationship with the key characters of the series. His rapport with Rush (Robert Carlyle) is a volatile one (as is everyone else's dealings with Rush). There's also his soft spot for Chloe (Elyse Levesque). Although their relationship isn't quite at the will-they, won't-they phase, there is without a doubt a few signs that leave viewers guessing on whether or not the duo will ever hook up … something fans should be familiar with.

"The themes that we've been dealing with are the ones that have been present since the very beginning of 'SG-1' and from the original 'Stargate' movie," Blue said. "Love, death, survival ... the only difference is that instead of making them light-hearted, we show them for what they are.

"It's not just about a guy who gets left by his wife on a planet and is distraught. We show you the wife leaving the man. We have the unrequited love of Eli and Chloe. You had the unrequited love of O'Neill and Carter. They're similar themes and it's just delving a little bit deeper into them and I personally have to respect that as someone who loves getting to know characters in shows. If I hadn't learned why House was the way he was then I might not enjoy the show. But it's one of my favorite shows because I do know what he's all about. So I like being a part of, not the revolution, but the envelope push."

Of course, with such weighty themes being developed throughout the remainder of the first season, not to mention a finale that promises to be huge in scope, fear is mounting that death may be on the way. Already viewers have seen the crew of Destiny turn against themselves, fight for resources and plot to overthrow the military. Taking center stage in what is being called Season 1.5, all of those aspects will be back and in far greater quantities.

Although Blue wouldn't share any plot twists that fans should expect, he did confirm that fans should become acquainted with the feeling of loss.

"It's more about survival and loss than anyone is expecting," he said. "Everyone knows what is coming up is big, and everyone knows that there is going to be aliens. But I don’t think people realize how much risk is going to happen and how much this season is going to be about trust and about coming to terms with loss and about change, really, and whether or not you are willing to accept it.

"And I think that’s a huge part that no one is really expecting. You're gonna love some of the special effects. I'll say it right now, 'Space,' 'Divided' and 'Faith' … you're gonna love 'em. The opening few minutes of 'Divided' are my favorite moments this season."

His co-star, Brian J. Smith (who plays Lt. Matthew Scott on the series), has already posted a video message warning the season finale will be cruel and upsetting. When asked about what could possibly be so devastating to give Smith goose bumps, Blue explained that he himself has a very different opinion of the finale and the events that will leave fans reeling.

"I don't agree but I understand the point of view," Blue said. "It's hard. More than cruel, or heartless, I'm gonna say it's hard or tough. I hate to brag, but we've watched Episodes 11 through 20 as a cast and we’ve seen them because we can't wait to watch them. Nineteen and 20, the two-part end of the season, is just really fun to watch. It is really exciting, and between [parts] one and two, I know everyone is going to be pissed because I got part one and had to wait a week for part two and I was nipping at their heels saying, 'When am I gonna get the next part?'"

The way it ends, Blue said, will cause you to turn and look at everyone with you.

"I'm pretty sure the fans are going to kill us, because I can't believe we left it there," he said.

"It's so beautiful and heartbreaking and terrifying and you just don’t know what is going to happen. And I think that makes for good television," he said. "At the same time, it's hard to go into that as a fan because then you are strapping yourself in for a wait until the next part.

"But I definitely think people are going to like it. It'll be hard to watch but it doesn’t mean it's not memorable, amazing and fun."

“Stargate: Universe” airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.

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