It's the proverbial fork in the road in the second season of Syfy's "Stargate Universe."
Scientist Nicolas Rush (Robert Carlyle) has cracked enough of the ancient ship's code and figured out how to control Destiny. Does that mean they go exploring like Rush wants to or start heading home, as Col Everett Young (Louis Ferreira) argues that they should?
In addition, should they try to ferret out any possible threats to Earth?
That's a question that will take more than just the next episode to figure out.
Stargate Universe, which airs Tuesday nights at 7 and 9 p.m. on Syfy, is the third series in the "Stargate" franchise. First there was "Stargate SG-1," which ran for 10 seasons, and "Stargate Atlantis," which ended last year.
"SG-1" introduced the secret gates created by an ancient race that is used for intergalactic travel. Teams of scientists and military would use the gates to travel to different planets and occasionally time travel, as they explored the universe, made allies and defeated the tyranny of several bad guys.
The spin-off "Atlantis" took teams to the lost city, also created by the ancient race, on the edge of the Pegasus Galaxy. From there, they also had access to a gate network and explored the surrounding planets — making both friends and enemies.
"Universe" follows a group of scientists and soldiers who find themselves via stargate on the spaceship Destiny after their base was ambushed. But Destiny is unfortunately locked on an unknown course and periodically jumps through space, leaving behind their most recent destination.
"Universe" was developed by both Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, both of whom created "Atlantis." Wright also worked on "SG-1."
"Universe" is darker, edgier, goes deeper emotionally into the characters and seems to show more violence than its predecessors "SG-1" and "Atlantis," which had a lighter tone and their share of humor as the teams found themselves in unexpected situations.
Most of the episodes this season have received a "TV-PG" or a "TV-14" rating for language, violence or both.
So far in this season of "Universe," life in outer space hasn't been simple. The crew has already battled the Lucian Alliance, a group of humans bent on taking Destiny, and those that survived the attack would likely be killed or dropped off on an inhabitable planet.
Add to that Col. Telford (Lou Diamond Phillips) being left on another ship with bug-like aliens (you could make the case that he chose to stay), being low on supplies, figuring out whom on the crew is trustworthy, and more technology than the crew can explain. Not to mention the relationships that form or dissolve and several other personal issues.
Their morals are tested, too, as they figure out what to do with the Luican Alliance members and deal with risking their own lives to save the rest of the team, as outer space can feel a bit like the Wild West.
And in tonight's episode, a Lucian Alliance member — who is believed to have information about a planned attack on Earth — escapes Destiny with a hostage and leaves a wake of injured (or dying) crew members. Emotions run high as a manhunt ensues.
Be careful about getting too attached to some of the characters, as many seem die off as the band continues to problem-solve one crisis at a time through the galaxy back to Earth.
Or as Eli Wallace (David Blue) has said, "Just another day in outer space."
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