Darkness
Darkness is the fourth episode of Stargate Universe and after the crew solved the problem with the air filtration you would think there would be some respite but it was not to be. Rush is monitoring the power levels and becomes rather irate as technology is activated by order of Young and then as if an off switch is flicked the ship loses power and falls out of FTL. Basic life support is still functioning but it doesn’t look good especially as Rush finally has an emotional break and collapses. Young uses the communication stones to report back and while he is on Earth goes to visit his wife and as she says it seems he is making sure he gets to say goodbye. I guess I don’t blame Young but with so many people on Destiny and the growing issues with transparency between the command staff and highly placed civilians many would have liked the opportunity to speak with their loved ones.

The crew however continue to record bits and pieces using the Kino and in terms of the show this idea allows the viewers to get a peak into the inner thoughts of the crew which is essential to each episode. Stargate Universe is character driven but there are times one one one chat providing exposition can get a little clunky especially if you have a large main cast and a significant number of recurring characters. In this episode we got some really good background on Volker, Riley, Brody and Dr Park was magnificent as she seems to be really embarrassing the opportunities Destiny is providing regardless of the sword hanging above their heads. As it turns out Destiny had dropped out of FTL at the edges of a star system and uses a gas giant to aero break into the inner system, this whole sequence is magnificent and is as good as anything you’ve seen on television and equals theatrical features. As the crew take a deep breath the calculations and visual indications show that the ship is now aimed directly at the systems sun and there is nothing they can do…
Darkness was a great episode, the suspense and tension on the ship as she loses power and Rush breaks down was of the highest order, the episode did take a breather with Young back on Earth and of course Telford playing his games but I guess that is a longer term payoff. The use of Lt James as the focus of some immature and very questionable behavior by Hunter and Eli kinda clashed with how she had manipulated Eli earlier but as with Chloe in the “shower” they chose not to be graphic which they could have done and gotten away with up to a point. The visual effects of Destiny before, during and after her visit to this star system was exceptional, all credit to the artists for rendering some truly spectacular visuals to accompany the performance of the cast and situation. Darkness continues the great work being done early in this first season and once again makes me realise how much better this show is on a rewatch.
This weeks podcast promo is for Flash Pulp and our great thanks to Thomas for joining us this week on the show, he’ll return next week for the second part of the this two part story entitled “Light”. Feedback and other support via social media is most appreciated and welcomed with open arms, we really do like to find out what you think about the show and Stargate as a whole, like the crew of the Destiny we are all in this together.
Promo…

* Flash Pulp

Links…

* Darkness IMDB
* Darkness Wiki
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