Okay so along with the many types of TV shows I watched, I am a big sci-fi fan. I loved Next Generation, DS9 and have been a Stargate fan. Only going back maybe a year ago or two, but I've watched nearly every Stargate SG-1 episode (just a few left to see) and every episode of the next show in the series, Stargate Atlantis.
Unfortunately I was surprised to hear that Stargate Atlantis has been cancelled. The show has enjoyed very good ratings, the best since Season 2 and it seemed likely the show would be picked up for at least a Season 6. However the top guys at Sci-Fi obviously had other plans in mind.
The good news is that Atlantis will now go the way of SG-1, movies. Even better, Stargate Universe will premiere also in 2009. The show was announced a few years ago with very little details, but now it will become again the only Stargate show on Television.
One other bit, although I will reserve judgement, there are some troubling tidbits in the announcement of Stargate Universe. I'll show some of the details, the good and the bad:
"will involve more space-based action than its predecessors"
Keep in mind all these quotes are about Stargate Universe and yes, I am passing judgement on statements. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE space battles, but I've thought along with many others that Atlantis does too MUCH space-based action. The fact that the Stargate is hardly even used in Atlantis, this is quite worrying for Universe.
"cast a known actor for one of the leading roles, and fresh faces to round out the cast"
This is probably the best news, besides the show premiering in 2009 without a gap between Atlantis and Universe. Without a doubt a problem with Atlantis has been that they don't have a big name actor like SG-1 did. Definitely a bonus for Universe.
"aimed at a slightly younger audience"
Maybe the most worrying and most quoted on the internet about this news. By no means has Atlantis or SG-1 been intended for young kids, but it hasn't exactly been targeted for 40 years old. While both SG-1 and Atlantis does have a darker side at times, I would of rather had Universe have MORE of that, rather than loosening it up. But this could also be more talk to get younger people interested.
"a little more character-based, a little less rooted in a sci-fi mythology"
Actually the most worrying to me. I like character-based, but less sci-fi mythology is VERY worrying to me. One of the things that really got me so interested in Stargate SG-1 was the mythology, was very intereting and one of the advantages the show had over Atlantis.
Of course all this talk is based on a few statements, but it's almost the only thing we'll get for a while. Hopefully Stargate Universe can take advantage of SG-1 and Atlantis' strengths and weaknesses, while also trying some new things. Will be looking forward to the premiere.
b