Mutiny. Ship under attack. What can we add to this heady mix to make it more tense? Amateur heart surgery!
For all of my bitching about the civilians last week, after this episode, I get where they’re coming from. Also, I admit to being wrong about Camille Wray’s intent and that of the mutiny. I’m no longer convinced that she wants power for office politics, or that the civilians really wanted to be in control of the ship. She stated it clearly at the end of “Divided”: the civilians and the military simply have to find a way to work together.
Working together means not marooning unpleasant people on alien planets.
Perhaps there’s something to that annoying, corporate interpersonal training session I went through back in August. You don’t do violence to your difficult co-workers, whether they’re Hotheads, Dirty Diggers, or Knowledge Wardens (yes, those are real terms from a real corporate training). I’ve worked with many people over the years who I couldn’t stand, but I would never have left them stranded on an uncharted planet because that’s just not cricket.
And, I’d like to be the one to explore the alien world, thank you very much.
Anyway, my new official position on the Civilian vs Military issue in SGU is this: screw those military twerps.
In “Divided”, amidst the mutiny, Destiny gets attacked by the Mon Calamari/ Na’vi offspring, courtesy of a tracking device implanted in Rush’s chest. After being mentally linked with one of the aliens, Rush expected this to happen and, as part of the mutiny, took steps to get the ship through it. He took over most of the ship’s controls and diverted all power to the shields with the intent of waiting out the attack, a strategy he knew would be counterintuitive to Col. Young, who would understandably want to return fire.
Amidst the attack occurring amidst the mutiny, it’s determined that Rush’s implant has to come out before Destiny jumps to FTL to prevent the aliens from tracking the ship further. Using the communication stones, a doctor takes over Chloe’s body to do the surgery, and she’s shocked, shocked! at the conditions aboard Destiny. Anesthetic made from an alien venom? A laparoscopic camera cobbled together from a kino and a proby-y thing? All during an attack?
Given the surprise on the doctor’s face, I’m guessing she didn’t know the crew is basically playing Survivor: Universe.
It all ends well, in that the tracking device is removed safely and Destiny makes the jump to FTL in relative safety. There’s still tension between the military and the civilians, and increasing interpersonal tensions among the crew, specifically surrounding Chloe.
I’ve got to say that Chloe is getting more impressive. During the mutiny, Eli and Lt. Scott were certain that she was just stuck on the wrong side of the line, that she was totally with her buddies, willing to take orders and so on.
Turns out, Chloe fell on the side of the civilians and may have served as a distraction for Eli as Rush initiated his takeover. Look at her! Thinking for herself, regardless of how her romantic interest may feel about it. Good for her! Chloe, you have the Pink Raygun blessing.
Even though all known tracking devices were destroyed, I imagine this isn’t it for this Mon Calamari/ Na’vi alien species. They’ve been trying to get aboard Destiny since before the human crew showed up, and have been hinted at by Show since the first episode. Surely, there will be more. And I hope so because space without aliens is kinda pointless.
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 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.
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Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 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. 
Maybe a little late to comment on this, but since SGU has been cancelled, I don’t come across much mention of it. The fandom seems to have just given up on the Stargate franchise.
Oh well.
Oh, the civilians were wrong. Young should have interned them and made them earn back their freedom.