Why The End Of Stargate Universe Means Bad Things For Syfy

Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at 6:30am
  • 142 Comments
 
Why The End Of <i>Stargate Universe</i> Means Bad Things For Syfy  

A moment of silence, please, for Syfy’s SGU: Stargate Universe, which finishes its run with Monday’s episode, “Gauntlet.” Not only am I personally sad about the show’s cancellation, I also think that it’s bad news for Syfy overall. After all: Where are the network’s science fiction shows now?

Sure, I like Being Human, Warehouse 13 and Haven as much as the next man – Well, unless the “next man” happens to be my wife, who really loves Haven – but I’m not sure how much claim to being science fiction either show has, with all three shows (Being Human and Haven especially, Warehouse 13 slightly less so) being more supernatural than science fiction. With the cancellations this year of both SGU and, earlier, Caprica, the network formerly known as SciFi finds itself leaning on Eureka and Sanctuary as its sole science fiction dramas. How did that happen?

(And don’t get me started on the prevalence of the network’s “reality” shows like Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth or Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen. For all the flack that the network gets for its wrestling coverage – and, admittedly, I’m not sure that it gets enough – I feel as if the increasing amount of reality shows goes relatively unchecked. When obvious rip-offs of existing, non-genre-related shows – Hollywood Treasure or Face-Off, say – make it on the network, I feel like something’s gone wrong with the commissioning process.)

It’s all about ratings, of course; SGU gets less bang for its buck than Sanctuary (It doesn’t help that it’s a more costly show to produce), and so the network has to go where the money is. But losing SGU – a show that I’ll admit didn’t really find its footing until the second season, even though I think there’s a lot to like in the first – feels like a mistake that could have been avoided had the network tried to wait out another year, despite ratings. It’s not just the “The show was getting better!” thing (Although it was, he whines, hopelessly), but also… Syfy doesn’t have a space opera show anymore. Is it just me that that feels… wrong to, somehow? Shouldn’t a science fiction network make a point of having a show set in space, just because?

I know, I know, I’m old fashioned: Science fiction doesn’t just mean space, and there’s more to Syfy than sci-fi, anyway (Hence the name change, after all). But even as I look forward to the new shows that Syfy has coming up – particularly Alphas, which I’m hoping will end up being Heroes done right – I feel as if something is missing without that essential outer space element, and Blood and Chrome is still some distance away. Maybe someone can shoot Myka and Pete into orbit in the next season of Warehouse 13 for an episode, just to stave off my hunger for orbital action.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
← Older Comments
  • Smokewell

    Apparently the SYFY channel has given up on the ‘science’ part; but at least they can still claim the ‘fiction’ mantle with wrestling.

    And rather than bash each other and our tastes in ‘Stargate’ shows, maybe we should all mourn the loss of our beloved SciFi channel….or should I say the ‘Quantity, not Quality’ Channel.

  • Cnewz

    The idiots running Sci Fi first screwed up changing the name, then putting on wrestling which is as big of a slap to the face to sci fi fans as you can get, and let’s not overlook the pure sewage of “made for tv” Saturday night specials that they put on proudly.

    The Sci Fi channel has fallen off so badly since the Friday nights when they use to have Stargate SG1 and Farscape. Ahhh Farscape. Now that was a great sci fi show.

    Today’s “Syfy” channel is a shell of its former self and a joke.

  • Sedesa1965

    I agree I am going to miss Stargate Universe I was a loyal viewer. Thought that the show had alot of potential. Don’t like the way it ended! I want more. I am very sad to see it end. Don’t. Even know if I’ll watch syfy anymore. Now that Stargate is gone nothing else I’d like to watch and I don’t like wrestling! What that got to do with science Fiction anyway?

  • Anonymous

    Sad to see SGU end, thought this season was its best. Wish SYFY would figure out what they want to be as a channel but I for one hate their reality shows, find them utterly boring as with any of the other stations’ reality shows. When I need my fix of some good syfy/pushing the “fantasy” genre, I also love watching BBC programming.

  • Trisha

    Hear, hear. I am really saddened by the shift to the fantasy portion of SFF to the exclusion of the science fiction side of things. While I adore fantasy – probably more so than scifi – I still really enjoy my “spaceships fix”.

    And of course there is the sadness of the death of the Stargate franchise.

    And may I say holy crapola about the ending!

  • Papabryant

    While I would agree that SyFy – were it trying to succeed as a commercial network – it would repeat its successful tactic of getting an old show and updating it – Space:1999 would be an EXCELLENT choice. But if you notice SyFy cancels successful shows just as they become extremely profitable – does anyone remember Mystery Science Theatre 3000?

    This is because SyFy wasn’t meant to make a profit. Its the tax writeoff dump for the rest of the Universal-NBC networks. THAT is the real reason Stargate is no more, that Battlestar Galactica ran for only 4 official seasons, and that we get those crappy, cheaply made monster movies on Saturdays.

  • Ulostulo

    SGU was a good show – not easy to follow or digest and that was exactly the fact that made it a great show too. SciFi is space for me it has always been it always will be. The military part of this opera was just a twist of lemon there. Do I start watching some wrestling BS on SyFy – hell no. Hope this series will continue some day but I am afraid it never will.

  • cash

    brou ur stupd stargate its the best ever man
    sg1
    atlantis and universe
    please
    bad know about this
    dont cancellllll the showwwwwwwwww :-(

  • Jedi7th

    This is really sad. I love SGU if compare to SG Atlantis. I don’t miss Atlantis but SGU is totally different from SG 1 so it really stand out. The first season I get to know the character but the 2nd season where all the action start and the plot thicken. But it end abruptly. Really hope they can write a better finale.

  • Ftsthbl

    It didn’t help when they moved the time slot Serval times and really didn’t promote all that much. It was a really good show, the most credible of the SG series I believe to date. Please Show time!! Pick this up and lets get back to ‘Destiny”…

  • http://www.alexberger.net AlexBerger

    I agree absolutely. I HATED SGU at the start just because it felt like another reality TV disaster in the making. That said, I kept watching and the final 6 episodes really started to get good. When I first heard about the cancellation, I wasn’t overly bummed. Now though, I’m really sad to see it go. It had finally started to really strut itself as a space-exploration based show. Not just another sitcom in space with dead narrative.

    The rest of the lineup is pretty lame as well. I’m in complete agreement. Sanctuary, Warehouse 13 and maybe on a really bored evening Haven are all that keep me coming back. Beyond that? I’d rather boot up netflix or go elsewhere.

    Where are the days of Babylon 5, TNG and their like? Sci-fi that took a realistic approach to scifi, instead of the modern inclination which seems to be as much mockery or crime of convenience as desire to produce quality content. Scifi should be the land of imagination, dreams, and adventure…even what that adventure is just about the unexplored, explosions and cool aliens.

  • Marwel590

    I certainly hope Syfy reconsiders their decision to cancel SGU.  This series needs to return.  There has to be a space series on Syfy.  Please…..

  • Explorer0822

     No, Jacob. Networks exist to serve as a sales tool for companies and their advertisers.  They capitalize on the fact that most viewers are idiots and will watch anything.  Because most viewers are idiots the good shows don’t last long because idiots don’t get them.

  • Qckagjp

     As fan of all 3 series I would encourage you not to let the attitudes of some fans deter you from watching the older series.

  • http://twitter.com/mjardeen Michael Jardeen

     The ending sucked. The least they could have done was a movie or epilogue. Instead we get a great episode that leaves us with nothing.

  • http://twitter.com/mjardeen Michael Jardeen

    You pretty much nailed my reaction — lose Sanctuary and there is nothing expect the specials and miniseries.

  • Jason

     This new Blood & Chrome series is really going to kill BSG if it wasn’t already dead from Caprica. Sometimes you have to leave things as they are.  Yeah BSG had its slow moment but it was a great show there’s no need for a background story because if you’ve seen the entire series you can tell everyone’s story.  Stargate Universe really did pick up for a space opera.  I think what syfy needs is some input from some people if they can’t make up any ideas on their own.  Sci-fi is not an exact science and people have to stop treating it as such.  It is an expression of the things that we only dream of true being thrown onto a screen and that changes everyday.  

  • djr

    some people are fascinated with space and what might be out there so we live out our curryosity trough shows like sgu and battle star season one of sgu was hard because there were some many new directions to go but we were on the ship most of the time bickering season two starting coming along good and three was even better now I think its getting shut down when the show finally was getting it right space is big show us things we havent seen before and people will watch get off the ship and explore and people will watch like sg1 and Atlantis at least give us a better end to the show

  • Scott hayden

    why did syfy had to cancelled stargate universe?i liked the show.i want to see it come back so we can get the crew home.if any one who wants to bring the show back i want to join. 

  • Gterziani

    I will miss SG UNIVERSE.  I like all of the SG series.  The only other series I liked was Star Trek and Babylon 5.  This so called SYFY station does not really care about fans of science fiction or science fiction.  I guess I will no longer check what is on this station I will just turn to the movies/SERIES on HBO and  AMC.

  • Michael Scott

    Oddly enough, SG Universe was fairly dreadful for most of the 1st and some of the 2nd season, rising to only “ok” in season 2 in my opinion.  However, this final season has been very good.  I’m surprised at how well they pulled this season together. 

    The pacing in the first too seasons was too slow, like they were hunkering down for a long run and were afraid of using up all the good ideas too soon.  Even worse, the characters were not believable.  They were far too dysfunctional.  I understand the desire to build a show around more “human” characters which aren’t such epic heroes, but they went too far in this direction, to the point where the characters and their motives and actions were not believable.  They were too flawed and fractious.  Facing an existential threat, even the baddest most flawed people will generally find some cohesiveness.  The Rush/Col. Young dynamic was particularly unrealistic.

    But I’ve got to hand it to them, with the impending doom of the show hanging over their head the writers really pulled it together and tightened up the plotlines and the characters.  In the middle of season 2 I could not have cared less if the show was canceled, but this last Monday I was genuinely sad to see it go.  Too bad they weren’t able to pull it together sooner.

    The writer of this article is exactly right btw, why not change the network name to something else.  With no flagship Sci-Fi show on the air, why even call it “SyFy” anymore.

  • Rooster-teeth

     Wtf? Caprica was good, I was pretty pissed when the ended it. And seriously, the ending of BSG was totally crap… They should frickin redo that.

  • Mcveyz

    well Im pissed. How could they call that an ending? that sucked. I want to know wat happens when they wake up? they could have gotten them home or something.or even killed everyone off or something.that would have at least been a ending.

  • Blue

     RIP SyFy

  • Adam-green2010

    Well said my Scfi friend and i was a huge fan of Stargate universe and shattered that the it has been axed by Fox. I know its not as popular as they wanted and thats due to people been tasteless sheep these days and would rather watch people sing or cook badly! Guess i will have to just watch stargate SG1 repeats to get my startgate fix. I Still have slight hopes that SGU could come back at some point as the final episdode did leave the story open!

  • Mr. SciFi

    Wow. Is it me or is BBC (America) becoming a better sci-fi channel than SyFy? Good thing they changed the name as I wouldn’t want them to be confused with a REAL channel devoted to sci-fi heads like myself. What with all the reality and wrestling and cooking shows (W-T-F??!)

    I’ve read a lot of the comments below and, yes there were a devoted base of SG(blank) fans that couldn’t get over the lack of kitsch and tongue-in-cheek moments on SG-U but that is the sole reason that the million or so (and it STILL got cancelled? Sheesh!) NEW viewers (and open-minded SG(blank) fans watched it.

    BSG WAS sci-fi (remember the old campaign – “I AM Sci-Fi!”), as was Farscape and Caprica (even though it got slow and somewhat disorganized). Don’t even get me started on shows like First Wave and The Invisible Man – that Sci-Fi COULD have sold to UPN when it was dropped from their line-up. Along with a nice set of science fiction lore, good STORIES make a show. Good stories also build loyalty.

    Thanks abandoning us SyFy. Time for me to take my loyalty elsewhere – BBC here I come. If the proliferation non-sci-fi material continues, it will be the beginning of the end for Sy-Fy. Why? Because as we all know, reality and WWE fans don’t have nearly the loyalty of sci-fi fans. Once Fox or some other schlock network airs something for the ADD crowd, they will switch too.  

  • cpm5280

    SyFy’s biggest problem is one that it will never acknowledge as long as its run by cookie-cutter beancounters:  great television cannot be properly produced, aired, seen and loved when it’s seen as just another widget.

    JUST ANOTHER WIDGET. That’s how they see it, that’s how they make and market it, and they inspire just as much love and loyalty in the masses as does the company that makes the buttons on your shirt. What? Exactly. As soon as somebody else comes along and does it better, and doesn’t abuse the target audience, SyFy will be toast.

  • Jdfinchum523

    I liked SGU, I do not watch Warhouse 13, I finds those characters annoying and unlikable.  I agree that SyFy needs some Si Fi.  Like MTV, it is losing its focus. I enjoy the space series.  I do agree that the SGU characters could have been less damaged individuals and more likable.  Regardless, I am sad to see it go.

  • Positronictom

    Oh no!  Please don’t let SyFy touch the Foundation series.  If the Foundation series is brought to life, let it be by a studio that will pump serious money into it and do it justice.

  • Appropriately Dysfunctional

    “Even worse, the characters were not believable. They were far too dysfunctional.” ….this opinion made me laugh very hard!

  • Pkr

    I saw the last episode of SGU tonight (I live in Sweden) and I miss it already. I want it to contionue.

  • James

    Its been awhile since I watched the final SGU episode but was looking around the net to see if they’d talked about a series closer special or something like they did for the other stargate series. I watched all of SG1 from the beginnings on Showtime, lost interest a season or two in and re-found it later. I watched all of Atlantis and felt it even ended too soon. They were both great series that had deep stories and characters and I was extremely happy to hear about SGU when it was first announced. BSG was one of my favorite science fiction shows in a long time and I was a nice contrast to the kind of bubblegum pop science fiction that the stargate shows had turned into.

    All that being said though I think all of those shows had some pretty bad decisions made here and there (what the hell was with the final couple of BSG episodes). SGU suffered from this more than others as I think they took way too long to try and figure out the balance of the existing stargate series and the BSG series. It struggled with that balance for a long time, often more than the initial 5-6 episodes people talk about. They would often introduce elements (communication stones for example) that would have been better introduced much later in the series, as well as not letting some story elements linger a little longer (like Rush being marooned on that planet at the end of the first season). And right when things started going in the right direction they would throw in something completely unnecessary like the whole using the communication stones to try and take over some planet’s power station. It didn’t really need to take place to move the actual story along. It was just a filler episode really.

    I agree that the shows SyFy has been creating recently have been pretty much crap. I did like Face-Off but I grew up wanting to get into the make-up fx industry. I’ve become tired of ghosthunters and still love destination truth.I still have no idea why in the world they would bring wrestling to SyFy. Of all the stuff they’re bringing to SyFy how does that make the slightest amount of sense?

    The final few episodes were some of the better ones of the series and it was nice to see the writers and actors given a real chance to shine. I loved the episode that showed the alternate timeline’s crew  staring over and creating this advanced civilization. Take away a lot of the random crap they threw out in that series and it could have gone on for another couple of seasons at least. The final episode left me feeling very curious as to where the show could lead, and I think that adds a good amount of wonder.

    In the end though I have to ask if this is all about ratings let us look back at a fairly low rated show named Farscape. How many times was that show cancelled for low rating and high costs? I fear that if SyFy continues down this path there wont be a SyFy. And wasn’t the whole point of the network to create a geeky network for us geeky scifi fans?

  • Guest

    This is so true -  SGU was a brilliant show, aswell as the other Stargate series (Atlantis should have gone to 10 seasons! Syfy bad for cuttin the space opera

  • Angelofdeath6668

    SGU sucked because its just like TNG the crew is on one ship and the fact they keep using the stones to go back to earth got boring  unlike SG1 or Atlantis there was more races lots of ships and planets they went to explore plus the actors watching them got boring

  • Abiblebum

    Man you are right about Star Gate Atlantis & stuck on a ship ? For years on end! OMG give me a break. Lets mix up please for artistry sake…

  • ARKTOUROS

    WELL SAID….SO SAY WE ALL!!!

  • Lonnie

    I want my SGU back if not then give us some movies so there can been an end to some of the questions and then give us back SGA or something that has to do with Stargate that show must go on…

  • tonymost

    The station changing its name from Sci-fi to Syfy should have been your first clue.

  • Naniskay

    i loved all the star gate movies I started collecting all the movies all the time and money wasted it is not fair on the people who love the shows. but still after the show is ended you still have the guall to show the reruns to just throw it up in our faces shame on you

  • gatehacker9th

    hah i totally agree i thought SGU was awesome and a great new take on a brilliantly intriguing francise and i really liked that O’neil got a few guest appearances. i do think they left to many holes in the show thou like whatever happened to the second Rush? and what about those people who stayed on that created planet that where shy back to the ship. there was so much more that could have been done with this show…if ratings al they wanted air it later and put more fucking tits and sex in there hell I’d tune in twice a week hah! why do you think any shows on STARZ or HBO do so well…bring the on the tits syfy just don’t sacrifice strong writing and special effects…come back SGU!

  • http://twitter.com/kaydpea chris moore

    lol, no, SGU is one of the worst shows ever produced, and i’m a sucker for scifi

  • Fluffy2001

    It was the only show I watched from that network.

← Older Comments
 

Recent Articles

Disney Reverses Merida Makeover, But Still Seems to Miss the Point  
  •  

Disney Reverses Merida Makeover, But Still Seems to Miss the Point

Saturday, May 18th, 2013
Animation, Movies
Three Great Young-Adult Novels <br />That Should Become Films  
  •  

Three Great Young-Adult Novels
That Should Become Films

Friday, May 17th, 2013
Movies
Samuel L. Jackson Teams With <br />Hailee Steinfeld in <i>Barely Lethal</i>  
  •  

Samuel L. Jackson Teams With
Hailee Steinfeld in Barely Lethal

Friday, May 17th, 2013
Movies
Whedon Confirms Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are in <I>Avengers 2</i>  
  •  

Whedon Confirms Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are in Avengers 2

Friday, May 17th, 2013
Comics, Movies
Syfy Renews <i>Warehouse 13</i> <br />For Fifth and Final Season  
  •  

Syfy Renews Warehouse 13
For Fifth and Final Season

Friday, May 17th, 2013
Television

Contributors

Kevin Melrose

TJ Dietsch

Terri Schwartz

Katie Calautti

Keri Luna

Anna Pinkert

Kiel Phegley