SGU: David Blue Interview

David Blue talks about the overall feel of the show, the seriousness, the realism. He also talks about the effect the new show has had on the fanbase (which has been a hell of a thing to watch, that’s for sure!) He even deals with the shaky cam

What I love is that this show has the guts to write something like this. To write something that’s sure to enrage a few people. That takes guts and I have to respect that, so I’m really looking forward to the end of this show…did I just say that out loud? Yes, yes I did.

Via: Airlock Alpha

…
To some, it is as if Stargate has grown up and taken on a more mature perspective of the science-fiction genre. To others, though, it has turned a very comedic property into something bleak, bitter and altogether disturbing … and that darker than normal atmosphere is definitely something that the SGU cast had in mind when production originally kicked into gear.

“It’s kinda two fold,” series star David Blue recently told Airlock Alpha. “On the one hand it’s really nice. I hate to use this phrase, but it’s kinda like a built-in fanbase. I mean, you know, we came out as a show and didn’t need to worry about, ‘Hey, are only five people gonna watch?’ because we knew that a good amount would at least give us a try and give it a whirl to see what they thought. And that’s a kind of a security that a lot of shows can’t have these days.”

Despite the security that comes with being the arm of a pre-existing franchise, Blue confirmed that he still feels a bit of pressure to make the series a success given the magnitude of the changes being made to the whole Stargate setup.

There is “also a lot of pressure because we wanted to push the envelope and try something new and really, really put something out there that we were proud of and that’s risking a lot of that existing fanbase,” Blue said. “It’s saying, ‘Hey, we know what you love and we are still going to be in that universe, but we’re going to try something a little bit new here. We’re going to try and grow with television and see what you guys think.’ It’s fun, it’s exciting and it’s a little bit of pressure.”

But “Universe” doesn’t try to be dark just for darkness’ sake. Every act of cruelty has a purpose, and there is reason behind every betrayal. More than that, though, the series is simply keeping up with the latest fads in our society and aims to produce as visceral an experience as possible.
…

…
“It’s more about survival and loss than anyone is expecting,” he said. “Everyone knows what is coming up is big, and everyone knows that there is going to be aliens. But I don’t think people realize how much risk is going to happen and how much this season is going to be about trust and about coming to terms with loss and about change, really, and whether or not you are willing to accept it.

“And I think that’s a huge part that no one is really expecting. You’re gonna love some of the special effects. I’ll say it right now, ‘Space,’ ‘Divided’ and ‘Faith’ … you’re gonna love ‘em. The opening few minutes of ‘Divided’ are my favorite moments this season.”

His co-star, Brian J. Smith (who plays Lt. Matthew Scott on the series), has already posted a video message warning the season finale will be cruel and upsetting. When asked about what could possibly be so devastating to give Smith goose bumps, Blue explained that he himself has a very different opinion of the finale and the events that will leave fans reeling.

“I don’t agree but I understand the point of view,” Blue said. “It’s hard. More than cruel, or heartless, I’m gonna say it’s hard or tough. I hate to brag, but we’ve watched Episodes 11 through 20 as a cast and we’ve seen them because we can’t wait to watch them. Nineteen and 20, the two-part end of the season, is just really fun to watch. It is really exciting, and between [parts] one and two, I know everyone is going to be pissed because I got part one and had to wait a week for part two and I was nipping at their heels saying, ‘When am I gonna get the next part?’”

The way it ends, Blue said, will cause you to turn and look at everyone with you.

“I’m pretty sure the fans are going to kill us, because I can’t believe we left it there,” he said.

“It’s so beautiful and heartbreaking and terrifying and you just don’t know what is going to happen. And I think that makes for good television,” he said. “At the same time, it’s hard to go into that as a fan because then you are strapping yourself in for a wait until the next part.

“But I definitely think people are going to like it. It’ll be hard to watch but it doesn’t mean it’s not memorable, amazing and fun.”
…