Stargate Universe - My New Impression On An Old Idea

I remember when I was younger, my mother came home with the movie Stargate on VHS.  That was a long time ago.  Since then we've seen television adopt the premise into three syndicated television shows.

Back in the 90's, Stargate SG-1 launched as a serialized version of the Stargate movie, incorporating two of the main characters from the movie, and introducing some new ones.  Colonel O'Neil (Richard Dean Anderson), Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping, Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks), and Teal'C (Christopher Judge).

Taking place two years after the timeline of the Motion Picture the team, SG-1, explores strange and unusual planets using the Stargate which is connected to thousands of other planets throughout the Milky Way; and in later episodes, other galaxies.

Stargate Atlantis, for those who don't know, is a spinoff based on SG-1's adventures, creating an all new ensemble cast to follow and learn about.

The series is based around the ancient city of Atlantis, but still uses the the one common factor-The Stargate, battling new enemies, and meeting new friends.

I have not followed the series, as I'm not very interested in the idea of Atlantis and whatnot.  In general I'm not a huge fan of spin-offs, unless they can be executed with just the right amount of spice and character development.  I think a spin-off needs to be able to stand alone, while using the pieces of the whole crafted universe only as needed.

The spinoff ran for 5 years before being cancelled, but just in time for a new spin-off, the one in question.

Stargate Universe.

My honest to God first impression of Stargate Universe was "Oh Crap, not another one."  I swear.  I thought it was going to be a redundant piece of garbage, reinstating the same ideas from the movie and two other television shows, making it pathetically boring with some new people to throw in crazy situations.

Boy was I wrong.

The first time I turned the show on, I changed the channel.

The second time I turned on the show, I changed the channel.

The third time I turned on the show...I stopped, and watched a bit, resigning my judgmental nature.  I gave it a chance.  It was good, better than good, it was engaging.  I was instantly pulled in and I needed to know more.  Granted I jumped in on the second season, but I needed more!

Stargate Universe pulled me in, on it's own merit, not because it has the name Stargate in the title.  The show does use the traditional Stargate, but in a completely new and interesting way.  It doesn't base the entire episode around it.  I haven't watched enough to know exactly what is going on, but the thing I loved is that I didn't have to.

The characters intrigued me, and left me wanting more- Exactly what a spin-off should do!

So my first impression is: WOW!  Good show, great mythology taken in a new direction.  I love it.

You should check it out too on the SyFy Channel!