STARGATE SG-U: 1.5 (2010, Blu-ray released July 27, 2010 – MSRP $39.99)
I’ve never been a huge fan of studios releasing a season one half at a time, but this time, it worked out nicely. Watching the first half of Stargate Universe on Blu-ray during the mid-season break turned out great for me. I was able to catch up and then continue along with the show as the new episodes aired (Yes, I still watch TV shows as they air). Even after watching the episodes on TV, I was super glad when the Stargate Universe 1.5 Blu-ray set was released. I am now a fan.
What can I say?–More of the same goodness. In the second half of this first season of SGU, we travel and explore a little more with the crew of the star-ship Destiny… Perhaps this is a good time for a “Previously on Stargate Universe” moment (Don’t worry, Disc 1 let’s you know where you left off). Our cast is made up of unfortunate military and civilian personnel, trapped on a mysterious ship traveling through space, millions of light-years from Earth. When the ships drops out of faster-than-light speed, the crew can visit planets and collect supplies and samples using the Stargate on board. They can also get into a air amount of trouble.
The first half of the season ends with a cliffhanger of sorts: The commanding officer, Col. Young (Justin Louis), strands his main rival, Dr. Rush (the ever-incredible Robert Carlyle), on a planet, after his attempt to frame the Colonel for murder. As you watch, the feeling of being on the ship is still present. The hand-held style of filming keeps you in the action, with a front seat view as the crew interact; either discussing the realities of their predicament, sneakily sharing secrets, and recounting stories unfolding back home, on Earth (thickening plots discovered with the use of the “communication stones”). There is plotting both among the crew and how best for them to deal with the new alien race obsessed with the ship.
Since the beginning of the season, the crew has started finding ways to deal with their situation. They have been forced to contend with the usual stuff, sources of food, replacement medical supplies, in addition to the unexpected, like wrestling back control of the ships navigation. Clearly, some of the crew are better at adapting to their situation than others. Some allegiances have proved surprising, and with new discoveries come new obstacles to overcome.
Picture and sound on the Blu-ray disc are impeccable…near perfect, once again. With every changing scene location, set décor and new extraterrestrial vista, you see that the transfer is crisp, that colors are convincing and the contrasts maintain mood beautifully with deep blacks and sharp detail. The lossless soundtrack keeps dialogue clear and skirmishes thrilling as all channels fully fire, creating an audible experience not felt with many films.
As a second-half of a complete season, SGU 1.5 has new material assembled as the same features: The in-character, personal KNO Diaries and the Destiny Star Map & Logs (SML) are expanded and, similar to the SGU 1.0 Blu-ray disc set, there is plenty of commentary where cast and crew participate. What is completely new this time is an interactive game called “Survival Instinct“, which, using actual footage from the show, tests your survival skills based on the decision you make in situations where there is a perceived threat. Another added bonus is the extra packaging provided to keep both SGU 1.0 and 1.5 together as a set. It’s a handy sleeve that will ensure that they are never far apart.
I, for one, am looking forward to start of Season 2 of Stargate Universe. It has had a strong start; standing out from the other Stargate shows in the franchise, while upholding the serious, story-oriented history behind them.
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