I will get into discussing these episodes, but bear with me for a moment.
Through the years of writing posts about TV shows, I’ve gotten my fair share of complaints from readers about spoilers. Sometimes it’s understandable to be upset, like when we someone mistakenly spoils a major plot point in a post’s title or excerpt (or … I guess in an image, like above. I’ll take the hit for that.) Other than that, it’s usually pretty easy to avoid having your eyes drift to a spoiler within the post. In the case of episode promos — most particularly those that are for the next episode of a show, that appear immediately following the current one — it’s a gamble: will they or won’t they ruin the current episode’s quasi-cliffhanger? A risk-taker will watch, while the rest can rather easily just skip it altogether.
In the case of Syfy’s promo spots for upcoming episodes, their track record has been atrocious. With other networks, promos are very much teasers and do not usually reveal much in the way of plot spoilers; and, anytime the promo does appear to spoil the hell out of the next episode, many times it’s a red herring … or is it? With Syfy, though, they’re simply not clever enough to fool us with their promos, and instead just flat-out spoil what’s to come. It happened with Battlestar Galactica, and it happened earlier in the season of Stargate Universe. Now it’s happened again with this most recent episode, and it sucks.
I won’t get into what was spoiled, just in case you were quick enough to avoid it. Chances are, though, you couldn’t help but hear the very spoilery words come from the promo, which appeared an unavoidable few seconds after the episode concluded. You simply couldn’t avoid it.
Alright, onto these two episodes. For the most part, I won’t get into last week’s episode much, as this most recent one overshadowed it quite a bit. The most interesting aspect of “Trial and Error” was what Young was going through, in having to endure a Kobayashi Maru-like, unwinable situation. It was very cool to see that the ship can continually mess with the minds of its inhabitants, and the fact that we never really get a clear indication of how and why this happens keeps this show very fresh.
“The Greater Good” was what I consider a huge step forward in the series, and could really be seen as an extreme game changer. The hidden bridge — or control room, or whatever you call it — is finally open for all to use, and full control of Destiny is in their hands. Revealed to us, also, was what appears to be the original purpose and mission of Destiny: to collect and map out some sort of hidden “structure” or message hidden deep within the furthest-most edges of the universe. The question now, of course, is whether the rest of the crew shares Rush’s enthusiasm for continuing this mission among the stars, or if they’re more interested in getting the hell home.
The most obvious choice, as I see it, would be to figure out a way to at least allow the crew aboard Destiny to go home, if and when they want to. At the same time, they’d need to figure out a way to keep Destiny on its current mission. However, would that even be possible? I imagine it’s only a matter of locating the power needed to dial the appropriate gate to transport people as needed, but if they’re able to do that, would that cheapen the show a bit? Is the fact that these people are stranded upon Destiny part of what makes the show special?
Something to note: Rush’s “ghosts” didn’t seem to make an appearance once others were within the hidden room. So, are they simply all within Rush’s head, or will others start to see the same thing later?
I like the revealed mission of Destiny, and now knowing what its purpose is — and assuming Rush is telling the truth about it, which I do — doesn’t make me any less interested in seeing the series continue. It does, however, allow for the producers of the show to consider an endpoint to the series, where Destiny completes its mission and fans can have some much-needed closure.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Nov 10, 2010 @ 10:42 EST5EDT
I think I’m fine w/ what I saw in the previews for next week. It puts SGU on my mind. They are desperate to get higher numbers and a maxim about urine and a spark plug comes to mind.
Regarding that preview, now Eli has something he can feel guilty about, and it should help him grow up a bit. I like where this is all going.
I’m just loving SGU!
I can imagine how it feels to be spoiled by the network, after the writers put so much work into creating an exciting cliffhanger. That’s why I’m glad, that I watch SG-U online.
“FINALLY” was the word I shouted out when Eli, Brody and Volker walked through the door and saw Dr. Peck sit in the chair. It was about time. How many times can Rush disappear without anybody figuring out where he went?
The fact that our prom king and queen weren’t in the spotlight for once, was a welcome change. IMO both of them have become a little stale. I’d rather watch Young try to kill Rush, anytime.
I din’t see the promo, but can deduce what will happen. I like Gin alot, even though her relationship with Eli felt a little rushed. At least that way his puppy-love for Chloe was put on the back-burner.
I’ll wait for the next episode with a mix of anticipation and concern.
In this case, for whatever reason, it didn’t bother me. I wonder if we didn’t know what we saw in the previews, would we have even thought it was a big cliffhanger?
I actually likes spoilers. I’m so impatient that I like to know what’s going to happen next. In this case, that ominous ending could only mean one thing, so the preview wasn’t too much of a spoiler.
SGU is definitely growing on me, and I like eps like this one (the less focus on Chloe the better). For me, the most interesting aspect of the show is the relationship between Rush and Young. Scott and Chloe, on the other hand, annoy the heck out of me.
I’m sorry but why is T-Bag allowed to walk anywhere he wants again?
It’s really getting beyond ridiculous. His boss is nowhere to be seen on this episode and he’s allowed to stalk her. I mean actually stalking her, actively. And why is she going to earth in the first place?
Everything just so we can get some drama out of it. It didn’t feel natural to me and this just sucks on an otherwise really good episode of a really good TV show. I mean that scene where Camile walked past that guard was another example. Dude knows what’s going on, dude thinks it’s best not to say anything. All of a sudden all those Military guys behave as if they were guarding Buckingham Palace, sans the hats.
I’m assuming he killed his escort. Ginn went to earth to report on LA dealings. What’s the guy’s name, why do you refer to him as “tbag” ?