TV episodes review
US airdate 2 November 2010; 9 November 2010; 16 November 2010; 23 November 2010 (SyFy)

WARNING: Contains possible spoilers if you haven’t seen these episodes!

The relationship between Rush and Young deteriorates once again when they are trapped on an alien ship…

Stargate Universe keeps getting better. While Rush works hard to protect his secrets, Young cracks up in ‘Trial and Error’, an episode that begins as a replay of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s ‘Cause and Effect’, but soon veers off in a direction of its own — one dictated by this series’ unique characters.

‘The Greater Good’ builds on the Rush-Young dynamic, trapping them aboard an alien ship, while back on Destiny Rush’s secret control room is discovered. That Rush’s actions cause the death of his friend Dr Perry (in the body of Eli’s gal pal Ginn) has major repercussions for the character.

Written and directed by Robert C. Cooper, ‘Malice’ is a tour-de-force episode. OK, it’s essentially a space Western, complete with alien Buffalo stampede, but it is so well done these genre inspirations can be forgiven. Chasing Simeon (Perry’s killer and a rather undeveloped character given he’s played by Robert Knepper) across an alien landscape, the single-minded Rush is not prepared to allow him to live, no matter what information he might have. In the end, Rush coldly shoots Simeon in the head: imagine any other previous Stargate leading character doing that!

Members of the crew left on the planet Eden return in ‘Visitations’, but are they what they seem? There’s maybe a bit too much existential chat here, but it’s a great little show that develops many of the Destiny’s crew in profound ways. Brian J. Robb

VERDICT
Episode: 6: Trial and Error: 8/10
Episode: 7: The Greater Good: 8/10
Episode: 8: Malice: 9/10
Episode: 9: Visitation: 8/10