In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that I’ve never seen a single episode of any of the Stargates, even though I love Michael Shanks and Amanda Tapping!  But I have to say that I was completely hooked on STARGATE UNIVERSE, starting tonight on Syfy with a gorgeous 2 hour premiere.  The show stars a wide variety of familiar faces – Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting), Lou Diamond Phillips, Ming Na, David Blue (aw Cliff from UGLY BETTY), Alaina Huffman (Black Canary from SMALLVILLE), among quite a few others, as well as some unfamiliar faces that I think are moving up my favorites list rather quickly – Brian J Smith and Elyse Levesque.  Read on for Syfy’s description of the show, my thoughts on what I watched, some pretty cast pictures, and a video sneak peek of tonight’s premiere!

Officially, here’s Syfy’s description:

Syfy‘s upcoming one-hour series, Stargate Universe follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth.  Faced with meeting the most basic needs of food, water and air, the group must unlock the secrets of the ship’s Stargate to survive.  The danger, adventure and hope they find on board the Destiny will reveal the heroes and villains among them.

Set to premiere in October 2009 with a two-hour special, the series stars Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty), Lou Diamond Phillips (Che, La Bamba), Ming-Na (ER, Vanished), Alaina Huffman, Louis Ferreira, David Blue, Jamil Walker Smith and Brian J. Smith with special guest stars, Grammy^ nominated recording artist, Janelle Monáe, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Gary Jones and Carlo Rota.

Edgier and younger in tone, Stargate Universe will take the franchise in a dynamic new direction, appealing to longtime Stargate fans and first-time viewers alike. The two-part premiere is being directed by Andy Mikita (Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1) and lensed by Rohn Schmidt (The Shield, The Mist).   Robert Cooper and Brad Wright, of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, serve as executive producers and writers on the new series.  Stargate Universe is distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.

Like I said, I never watched an episode of Stargate, worrying that it might be too Sci-Fi for me, too not up my alley, but this new SGU was captivating from minute one, as the members of this new team are thrown through a Stargate to an unknown location.  The visual effects, the intensity, the promise of a really exciting show have got me glued to my seat.  The performances given by the cast are fantastic – David Blue is totally relatable as this guy who is thrown into the Stargate world (his “recruitment” featuring guest star Richard Dean Anderson is pretty great).  Robert Carlyle has always been one of my favorites, so seeing him play this man affected by his past as he embarks on the future of this group is fabulous.  Any time Ming Na shows up, I’m instantly intrigued.  She always brings something awesome to the role.  Quiet but strong and fierce, and from what I’m hearing about this character, it’s going to be a fantastic ride.  One of my favorites had to be Brian J Smith, as Lieutenant Scott – he’s just a bundle of emotions and I can’t wait to see how that plays out on screen.

The action is great, the suspense is great, the effects are impressive – I’m hooked.  I also love seeing some familiar Stargate faces helping to make the transition!  You don’t need to have been a Stargate fan previously to be an SGU fan now!!

Check out a sneak peek of tonight’s episode:

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And something nice to look at this morning: