Darkness

"Darkness" is the fourth episode in Stargate Universe.

Synopsis
Dr. Rush tries to figure out why the ship's power reserves are critically low. In response, Colonel Everett Young orders everyone to limit the power consumption. Eventually everything apart from the life support goes down. Fortunately, Destiny reaches a solar system with three planets, giving the crew hope to live another day.

Plot
Nicholas Rush is operating an ancient console and is becoming increasingly frustrated. He has discovered that someone has activated another device without his permission and upon finding the culprits, orders them to shut it down.

In the mess hall, members of the Destiny Expedition discuss their current water supplies while eating their daily rations. As it turns out, the water supply is large enough for some of the crew suggest using showers, but as Eli points out, the showers do not use water. At this time Dr. Rush joins them in mess hall and Everett Young dismisses meeting. Rush briefs Young about the current power issues and his failed attempts to access the main computer systems. He also asks the Colonel to stop the crew from ship exploration and activating systems. As Rush leaves the mess, Hunter Riley reluctantly asks him for help and Rush has a sudden burst of aggression toward the Sergeant, throwing him against the wall of the corridor.

Meanwhile Eli Wallace decides to record some of the crew members messages via the Kino, for posterity's sake, should someone (or something) find their recordings if they die or are no longer aboard the ship.

Hunter Riley shows Colonel Young a new discovery - recharging plates, but Young orders Riley to turn it off and begin spreading the word that no more electronics or systems are to be activated.

Matthew Scott tries to figure out the purpose of the controls in the Ancient shuttle cockpit. Ronald Greer and Tamara Johansen join him to help with the process. Chloe Armstrong ask Eli to show her how shower works. Rush tries works with computer consoles and Young sais him that all works except researching shuttle halted until Rush gives the green light. Rush then suggests that their life on Destiny can be shorter then they think. Young then said he going to send Dale Volker to help Rush.

While Chloe taking a shower, Eli guarding the enter. Vanessa James shows up and ask Eli to go with her to private conversation. Volker meets Rush and suggest help, but Rush refuses it. Rush shows him readings of power supplies and blames crew members for activating systems and attempting to dial Earth. Volker arguing and Rush drives him out.

Vanessa brought Eli to observation room full of people questioning him about whats going on and if there is any way to dial Earth. Eli denies he or anyone else knows anything about it. Eli promises to tell crew anything "they" will tell him.

Volker reports back to Col. Young and he decides to speak with Rush by himself.

Background notes

 * According to this episode, only a day has passed since the events of Air

Production

 * This episode was originally titled "Fire", however, since the script ran for 20 minutes longer than any episode, it was extended to cover two episodes, and was renamed "Darkness", and "Light"


 * 1) "Darkness" marks the return of veteran Stargate director Peter DeLuise, who left the franchise at the conclusion of SG-1's tenth and final season (two years previous). DeLuise had been a regular director, writer, and consulting producer since that show's third season.

(Consulting producer Joseph Mallozzi, in a post at his blog)
 * 1) "Brad's script, 'Fire,' is also out and it is pure BW: action, humor, and enough angst to trigger an anxiety attack in even the most composed of viewers. The scene about halfway through with the characters when the thing happens (sorry, I can’t be anymore specific) is a real nailbiter!"

(Consulting producer Joseph Mallozzi, in a post at his blog)
 * 1) "Yesterday, I was over on Stage 2, watching Peter DeLuise direct the shuttle sequences in 'Fire.' Boy, that shuttle is a beauty. Someone referred to it as 'a Puddle Jumper on steroids.'"

(Consulting producer Joseph Mallozzi, in a post at his blog)
 * 1) "This episode was absolutely riveting. GREAT -- except for the fact that it's about twenty minutes too long, and this isn't even taking into consideration a bunch of scenes that Brad actually wrote but had to cut at the script stage for fear that the episode would run long -- which it has anyway. And yet even though the running time is long, the episode is tight, moving along at a surprisingly brisk pace. So congrats to director Peter DeLuise on his triumphant return to the Stargate franchise."

(Writer-producer Joseph Mallozzi, in a post at his blog)
 * 1) "Speaking of character moments -- today, I read Brad's finished version of 'Darkness' and 'Light.' This one has got me very excited as well, particularly for the remained climactic sequence."

(Consulting producer Joseph Mallozzi, in a post at his blog)
 * 1) "Meanwhile, Robert Carlyle tears it up big time in the 'Darkness' and 'Light' two-parter. Love his 'for a fact' scene. Truth be told, there are incredible performances throughout these two episodes: Ming Na and Justin in the red room scene, Peter Kelamis and Patrick Gilmore in their kino scenes, Jamil's stoic warrior acceptance, Elyse in Chloe's farewell, and Alaina Huffman's turn as T.J., a character whose cool professional exterior belies genuine charm and a wicked little sense of humor."

(Consulting producer Joseph Mallozzi, in a post at his blog)
 * 1) "One of the things I'm really loving about the new series is the colorful cast of characters: Rush, Young, Armstrong, Scott, Telford, Wray, Eli, Chloe, T.J., Greer, James, Brody, Franklin, Volker, Park, Spencer, Kane and Riley. I told Brad that 'Darkness' and 'Light' do a wonderful job of offering the viewer insight into these varied individuals thrown together by circumstance, glimpses of their respective personalities only the kino can capture."