I suppose it sounds funny to say, but my favorite parts of “Faith” were things that didn’t happen. If you’re a fan with any real mileage on your SG odometer, the idea that episodes borrow from earlier in the franchise is not new to you. As soon as I saw the previews for this one, I was sure that’s where we were headed. Something like the Atlantis stories with the generator in “Phantoms” or the magical pheromone from “Irresistible.” It had to be something that was making everyone want to abandon ship, right? I never expected the something would just be blind faith that this one strange little planet, with all of its red flags, and an unknown something that put it there, would seem a safer gamble than remaining on the Destiny.
The other bit that I really liked was how it all resolved. I didn’t expect anyone to stay, but thought there would be a simple reason to chase everyone back to the ship. They finally do meet the things that come out at night, or somebody answers the obelisk signal and it’s clear that they aim to do bad things. Instead, it all came down to faith and responsibilities. Once Young’s play presented a crack in the group that was staying, much of that faith went away. Although, it is unclear just how many finally crossed. I think we can assume that Dr. Caine (Tygh Runyan) stayed, and add that to our list of things to look for an update on in the future.
Much of the rest of the episode simply comes down to relationships. Of those, I was most intrigued by watching Camille and Eli. We have a pretty good idea of where Camille stands at this point, but I’m not nearly as sure about Eli. He’s been firmly on the side of Young in everything to this point, but it seems there is room for change there. Being so new to everything about the Stargate program when this all happened, it makes sense that he would look to the strong military leader. As he finds his footing, and his place with the ship, I could see a much more independent Eli arriving.
Rush and Young continue to be interesting as well. It would appear that they are slowly, and grudgingly, starting over. Their shared moment over the chess set at least points to some possibility of progress between the two. Much more so than Rush coming down on Young’s side regarding bringing everyone back from the planet. I chalk that one up to Rush looking out for what’s best for him, as should be expected by now.
I also really enjoyed the more comic moments with Park (Jennifer Spence) and Brody (Peter Kelamis). Park’s glee in the fact that the shuttle would now turn left was very funny. She’s well on her way to taking on the Zelenka role, and that’s a good thing. Perhaps we’ll get to see her tackling the newly found D.R.D. Overall, a solid episode. It was nice to see the first away mission in the back half, and even better that it didn’t follow the expected Stargate paths.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Apr 17, 2010 @ 08:55 EST5EDT
I wonder why they didn’t decide to leave one of the communication stones with those who stayed behind. They don’t seem to mind when one is missing (like the one Rush took), so what’s one left with those on the planet? I’m not exactly sure what that would get either of them, though. Maybe they can at least report that rescue came?
I also get the feeling we’ll see at least some of those people again some day. Picture a future episode where someone uses the stones to communicate back to Earth, and when that person looks in the mirror … they are one of the people left on the planet! They did find their way back home somehow! Well, that’s how I’d write it. :)
My opinion of this episode differs greatly from yours. It indeed was quite terrible. BG was full of the same type of melodramatic dribble but at least it had some interesting action and “sci” bits once in a while. I wanted more “sci” and less “fi”. Investigate the damn obelisk, meet some aliens, look at some interesting tech. This show continues to disappoint.
And you leave exactly the same response here, word for word, as you did on TVS. Can’t be bothered to write something original?
I liked the episode, even though Dr. Caine annoyed me more than a bit. Give him a full beard, a white robe and the ten comandments and he is Moses in the flesh. “We were brought here for a reason …. bla bla bla.
I’m glad they don’t use Eli as comedic relief as much as before. He has to grow into the group.
Let Greer be the “funny” guy. He has one strange sense of humor, but it works for me. He constantly grows on me and I can’t wait for an episode that concentrates on him.
In response to Keith McDuffee, you actually need more than just the stone in SGU (because they’re using a Human made version of the “controlling” device), and Young only had one controller but several stones.
I thought the episode was strikingly familiar to Star Trek: TOS’ ‘Paradise Syndrome’ – perfect planet with an obelisk covered in strange writing. Now, in Trek’s version, inhabitants were already there, but in SGU, we brought the people. However, in Trek, those people were planted by the Preservers. And the Humans in SGU (and SG1/SGA) appear to be descendants of the Ancients).
Also, I know it was hinted since episode that perhaps there was something romantically going on between Young and TJ — and now it’s been confirmed. Wow, so SGU is all about characters with clay feet issues? (Did I get the right metaphor there?)
I loved SG1, and enjoyed SGA, but SGU has this HUGE arc (with only 13 episodes broadcast so far) of abysmal episodes, to near misses, and two clear hits.
I liked SG1 and SGA because THEIR characters were characters I respected, admired, felt empathy for, would have trusted in real life, and honored.
Unfortunately (for me I guess), so far I’m not feeling that in SGU. Maybe I have a trust issue.
But after so many years of watching SG1 and SGA, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that SGU will “center” itself. It’s still an infant series, learning how to walk. Hopefully, SGU will be flying.
Thank you for your reviews, Brett. And I agree about Park. I loved that she was so excited that the shuttle could turn left.
Best wishes.
I’m a total newb when it comes to those stones, but what about the stone Rush took? That one seemed to work the way I meant, since that’s how they met the aliens, right?
Reply to Keith: I think the stone that Rush had with worked [with Young] because he was linked to the aliens. In SG1’s ‘Citizen Joe’ a civilian had come across an Ancient stone at a garage sale (…yes…), but it only worked for him for because he carried the Ancient gene … and his stone was “connected” to Gen. O’Neill.
Perhaps Rush thought he could find another way to power the communication stone without the “generator,” as I don’t believe anyone on SGU has been identified yet as a carrier of the Ancient gene.
The stones have worked inconsistently in previous series, so it’s impossible to draw any firm conclusions for SGU. When Daniel and Vala switched with the Ori villagers, they were unconscious, but when Keller was switched, both women were conscious. Joe’s stone only exchanged memories when O’Neill or he was sleeping, not complete minds, and the Ancient gene was never a prerequisite for stone use in any other instance.
From what we’ve seen in SGU, though, Keith’s idea should be completely feasible. The human-designed consoles just allow them to initiate and terminate connections whenever they want; they don’t power the stones in any way. The person on the planet wouldn’t have any control over the stones, which would remain on the Destiny, but should be able to receive just fine.
As to the episode itself, was there a new writer suddenly? It seemed completely unlike the rest of their awful scripts. Gone were the ridiculous plot holes and melodrama, and the characters acted like real humans with understandable motivations and reactions to one another. If I just pretend that everything that came before this never happened, it would actually be a watchable show.
Unlike Brett, I wasn’t expecting anything to come from the obelisk or its builders because this isn’t a show that gives you answers, or where anything actually happens. But I was fine with that here, because the human dilemma was actually interesting for once.
There were eleven that opted to stay on the planet, and only TJ and Scott changed their minds, so we’re down nine. I don’t expect that to change anything going forward, as we’ve really only seen about twenty individuals out of the seventy people remaining on the ship anyway. Like Voyager and BSG, it’s a pretty meaningless number, and the writers will pull a serial killer or neurosurgeon out of the mix whenever they need to.
For the moment, I still like TJ, and hope they don’t ruin her with this “storyline.” The writers’ track record with main characters’ pregnancies doesn’t exactly fill me with hope for the prospect.
As I always seem to say – Eli and Camille do nothing for me.
I actually really liked this episode, the show seems to be working for me in these new episodes. Surprisingly, the no-action was just fine.
I know Young is married, but why not want him to know about the baby? Does it make it ” too real ” to tell him? My guess is that he already knows on some level. Men are smarter than we think in that regard. They know about first trimester ill health and they can count backwards. The thought of having a baby on that ship does sound a bit daunting, but as long as the food/water/baddie situation stays stable, everything should be alright. Yep, the drama of a baby aboard really works for me,
bsgfan2003….I don’t mind the baby storyline. I also agree that having the baby aboard ship wouldn’t (shouldn’t) be a problem. What I scratch my head about is the ongoing idiocy of these supposed intelligent, RESPONSIBLE represenatives of disciplined military personnel. First, you have TJ (I still like her better with her hair up) wanting to remain behind to birth her baby on a totally unknown, unproven (albeit lovely) planet, and what amounts to going native. That may be understandable or even romantic except when you ask if she is going to birth her child in the woods? And what of the childs future concerning the dangers and unknowns thereafter? Wouldn’t the child would be safer with the people and the technology? But TJ went back only after Young’s armtwisting. As for Young, I consider him to have the maturity equivilent of a highschool boy to not have the wisdom to take preventive measures in having sex. Both of them really. Just thoughts my dear.
Agreed. Childbirth in the woods is dangerous to say the least. Just think if the baby was breach?!!
I’ve read many posts from people expecting more discipline from this elite force. But, there are always exceptions to the rule. I always think of the astronaut who drove across the country in Depends Underwear to pepper spray her rival for a man’s love.
I suspect Clhoe will be more careful now, at least for a while.
Elite international astronaut candidates like that was precisely why I couldn’t take that show seriously, and have the same problem with this one, in a top secret program that is even more selective. One or two of the SGC soldiers being such trainwrecks would have been hard to swallow, but all of them?
Good memory Ryan.
When you and I get to pick the team for our off world space missions/battles we’ll choose better! I’ll send you my partial crew list via secret talking gumball so we can compare notes on candidates. Deal? ;)
Iä! Iä! Starbuck fhtagn! :)
SGU hangs on a very thin thread.
I will stop watching the show if any of the following happens:
* Anyone but Colonel Young is in charge.
* Babies make too many on-screen appearances.
* Colonel Young risks everything & everyone to rescue a baby.
* Religion becomes important.