'Stargate' has long been one of those science-fiction franchises that seems untouchable to the average person. 'Star Wars' has Ewoks and other cute creatures like Yoda, and 'Star Trek' has gimmicky, affable characters like Spock, Data, and Worf to draw people in. 'Stargate' has always floated - in neutral - off the mainstream radar. Its various incarnations, including 'Stargate: Atlantis' and 'Stargate: SG-1', have sat on the cusp between "serious" sci-fi (like 'Battlestar Galactica') and the more "cheesy" sci-fi (some 'Star Trek', 'Xena: The Warrior Princess', 'Buffy'). Fans of 'Stargate' are die-hard, there's no doubt about it - but it has had its fair share of problems attracting new viewers. (Getting your partner to watch with you doesn't count, because they're secretly dissing the show when your back is turned.)
Canadian Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, co-creators of 'Stargate's TV version, have completely shattered this unapproachable quality with their latest creation, 'Stargate: Universe.'
