rachel500 | Review: Seizure (Reply)

Seizure is the fifteenth episode in Season Two of Stargate Universe.

Review

Admittedly, I was looking forward to “Seizure”, having already been spoiled on the appearance of Atlantis alumni in the episode. After all, crossover episodes can be pretty damn spectacular and are one of the advantages of having an ongoing franchise. That said, I think the aim to include Atlantis folk led to some decisions plot-wise that detract from the great guest appearances by Robert Picardo and David Hewlett. Add Nicholas Rush having sex in a virtual environment into the mix and the whole episode kind of just makes me go a giant “HUH?”

Let’s start with the mess that was the plot. Earth wants a supply line to Destiny; enter ally Langara, a planet which gave SG-1 Jonas Quinn (Corin Nemec) for a time. Langara is naquadria rich and its Stargate is presumed capable of dialing Destiny, especially using a new ninth Chevron dialing program designed by Atlantis’ Chief Scientist, Doctor Rodney McKay (David Hewlett). Only Langara won’t let them because two planets have already blown up dialing the ninth Chevron and they would like their planet not to be number three. But Langara is suspected of conspiring with the Lucien Alliance and another attack on Destiny may be imminent. Cue Earth suddenly seizing its ally’s Stargate ostensibly to show it can be dialed safely?? And, oh, it turns out Langara has been insanely loyal to Earth, isn’t in bed with the Alliance, but still has no intention of letting their planet blow up so the whole thing is a giant waste of time. Hmmm.

OK, on the surface it doesn’t seem that insane -- and possibly if you’ve only ever watched Universe, it may not even bother you at all -- but as a veteran of the franchise my immediate reaction is that the plot is so totally unbelievable that it boggles the mind that it was ever thought up. Langara was always an awkward ally in SG-1 and I would have bought them getting into the bed with the Alliance much more than them turning out to be the good guys and Earth making a prat of itself. But primarily, the whole mission to seize the Langaran’s Stargate makes no sense at all; it probably deserves the title “Operation Most Likely to End Badly” because even if the Stargate had been dialed without blowing up the planet, why would an ally ever trust us again in order for us to be able to use it? Moreover, no sooner has Woolsey (Robert Picardo) said he and Rodney won’t take part in taking the Langaran’s Stargate by force when lo and behold, they’re on a mission to do just that!

My other main problem with using Langara is the complete lack of mentioning Jonas Quinn. Needless to say I would have loved to have seen Nemec revisit the character and make a guest appearance but I know sometimes it just doesn’t work out for whatever reason. However, not to even mention Jonas just irks. You know the main reason most fans were irked by the throw-away line in “Counterstrike” that Langara had fallen to the Ori? No mention of Jonas!! This is just a repeat of that but on an ever larger scale of irkdom.

I don’t necessarily blame Remi Aubuchon for the plotty mess in the episode. He isn’t a Stargate veteran and can be forgiven. I do find it somewhat bizarre that a newbie to the writing staff was given the episode since it involved crossing over Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Universe. I will also give Aubuchon credit for the great dialogue exchanges that pepper the episode, both in the plot and the subplot; loved the whole PowerPoint discussion between McKay and Woolsey, loved the time discussion between Young and McKay (nice reference to the usual exchanges between Sheppard and McKay), loved McKay bantering with Eli.

Talking of Eli: he and Rush, the two Universe scientists, bar a brief scene with McKay and Eli, are shuffled off into the sub-plot. The main thing going for the sub-plot (and possibly only thing) is Robert Carlyle looking very cool in a white-button shirt and jeans. The rest of the virtual environment sexy times plot (with Rush getting trapped because the ship doesn’t believe he loves Amanda) is just not that interesting, although Kathleen Munroe puts in an excellent performance as the virtual Amanda Perry. David Blue also acts his heart out in the final scene with Rush where Eli’s devastation at having to quarantine his love Ginn (Julie McNiven) alongside Perry in order to save Rush is very well done.

The guest stars also give excellent performances. McKay and Woolsey remain “heroes.” Both characters remain in-character. McKay is particularly well done; acerbic and arrogant but brilliant and wanting to do the right thing. Hewlett also looks incredibly good.

All in all, despite the issues with the plot, the episode is very watchable, and that’s pretty much thanks to the great acting and production throughout. That watchability is its saving grace. “Seizure” is nowhere near a crossover classic, but if you ignore the plot and no Jonas, it’s a nice enough escape from reality for a while.

Previously published at GeekSpeak Magazine