Stargate Universe: Light

By Lisa Fary

Given the choice between playing Survivor: Universe on a sub-zero rock and being a fire-roasted vegetable in the universe’s largest hibachi, I’d take the turbulence, heat, and death, thanks. At least I wouldn’t have to camp. And there are naked dudes on the ship (of course we have pics!).

I hate camping. Never understood the desire of so many ex-boyfriends to hike out to the middle of nowhere, pee in the woods, and go without bathing for days at a time. The whole point of our Neanderthal ancestors developing rudimentary tools was so that modern humans wouldn’t have to pee outdoors and be stinky.

Destiny is on a collision course with a star and there are seventeen spots available on the shuttle, which will launch toward the single possibly habitable planet in this system. No details were available at the time of the launch due to the planet being behind the star. Col. Young selects Lt. Scott to pilot the shuttle and Lt. Johansen for her skills as a medic, then selects the remaining fifteen castaways via lottery.

The castaways are teary with joy at the prospect of escaping a burny death; it’s even someone’s birthday! Lt. James’ offers him an awkward wish of happy birthday, which I loved. They’d just left the rest of the crew to die and are flying toward an uncertain future on a planet they know nothing about, but it’s just rude not to wish someone a happy birthday. It’’s what humans do.

However, it’s not such a happy birthday aboard the Happy Birthday Shuttle. The Destiny lottery winners get in range of the planet only to discover that it has no vegetation and averages a balmy zero degrees in the summer. It’s a rock, and a cold one at that.

Naturally, the mood on the Happy Birthday Shuttle nosedives.

Meanwhile, aboard Destiny, the roastees are passing the time. The self-proclaimed “fun people” are playing cards. Across the way, others are reciting the Lord’s Prayer together. Dr. Rush finishes reading a book. Eli and Chloe cuddle on the sofa in the observation lounge, watching the star rise up to meet the ship.

Rush checks his watch – everyone is still alive and remarkably undercooked despite being practically on the surface of the star.

As predicted last week, Destiny has control of her own destiny, so to speak. From the time it dropped out of FTL, its intent was to replenish itself. Whereas I imagined something mundane like solar panels, Destiny actually flew through the star.

Cue the last minute, nerve-wracking docking of the Happy Birthday Shuttle, and all is well. The ship has clean air and power. Next steps: water and food (other than the instant mush they’ve been eating).

“Light”, while ending on an up note for survival, also ends with a big, fat question mark on the slight form of Dr. Rush.

He refuses Col. Young’s reward of a double ration and counters every reason Young comes up with as to why he should have it. Except, the reason of taking his name out of the lottery.

Young and Rush were making progress in this ep, even being mildly pleasant and trusting to one another. When Rush doesn’t immediately quip about taking his name out of the lottery, Young’s face darkens.

“You knew all along,” he says.  Rush leaves the room.

Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. Either way, what the hell is up with Dr. Rush?  My first instinct is, “Oh, he’s hurting. That’s why he is the way he is.”

That’s the special education teacher in me. I’ve met many high school boys over the years who suffered some trauma and as a result, worked really hard at being unpleasant and pushing everyone away.  My instinct, despite no evidence to support it, was that Dr. Rush is engaging in similar behavior.

After the “What if he knew? Of course he didn’t! But what if he did?” conversation that closed “Light”, I’m not so sure. I had assumed that Rush took his name out of the lottery because he wanted to die, then was negative toward Col. Young in the mess hall simply because he’s. . . well, that’s just how he is.

Seriously. What if Rush had known? About either the ship or the planet?  What is his end game? Are we dealing with a sinister, Lost in Space, Dr. Smith type with him?

Then there’s Chloe, who I like and hate at the same time. I like her because she doesn’t put on the airs of the typical, well-heeled politician’s daughter. She knows she’s dead weight and I think she has the resolve to at least try to change that.

However, I don’t like her bouncing back and forth between Lt. Scott and Eli. She banged  Lt. Scott, then in his absence, immediately snuggled up to Eli. I get the whole “we’re all about to die” mood that makes people act out, but it was still annoying.

Really though, Eli and Lt. Scott are on an even playing field on the Darwin front. In space, brains are just as likely to save you as brawn.

And now, it’s time to document the Equal Opportunity Nekkid Nudity that occurred on Stargate: Universe last night.

Lt. Scott got half naked (although his nekkid is partly blocked by Chloe) and Msgt. Greer got all the way naked. If you look closely, you can see Greer’s top butt.

Lisa Fary is a graduate of the creative writing program at Florida State University and holds an advanced degree in Special Education. Her earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She’s angry that it’s almost 2010 and she still doesn’t have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram.

The Geeks' Guide to World Domination: Be Afraid, Beautiful People

Marvel Super Hero Squad Mini Playset - Superhero City Spidey & Iron Man

Dark Matter

F*ck You in Binary Code Tie by Mr. G33K - Black Microfiber

Personalized Superhero Kids T-shirts