Air (Stargate Universe)
Air is the title of the three-part series premiere of the science fiction television series Stargate Universe (SGU). The episodes constitute the first, second, and third installments of the series. They were originally broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) on October 2, 2009.
The "Air" trilogy establishes the premise of the series, introducing the main characters and the circumstances that lead to their involuntary journey to the Ancient spaceship Destiny. The narrative begins at the Icarus Base, a secret Stargate research facility on Earth dedicated to discovering the "ninth chevron," which would unlock the ability to dial addresses incredibly far away.
The first episode, "Air, Part 1," focuses on the attack on the Icarus Base. The base comes under unexpected and devastating attack, forcing the personnel to evacuate through the Stargate. Dr. Nicholas Rush manages to dial the ninth chevron address, the only destination they can reach in time.
"Air, Part 2" finds the survivors arriving on the Destiny, a derelict Ancient spaceship billions of light years from Earth. The ship is in disrepair and lacks life support, most critically, air. The episode depicts the desperate attempts to find a source of breathable air and establish rudimentary control over the ship's systems. The situation is further complicated by injuries sustained during the attack and evacuation.
"Air, Part 3" continues the struggle for survival aboard the Destiny. The crew faces multiple challenges, including dwindling air supply, malfunctioning systems, and a lack of food and water. They manage to activate some of the ship's basic functions and begin to understand its purpose. The episode ends with the realization that they are trapped on the Destiny, with no immediate way to return home, and are now forced to continue the ship's original mission – an automated voyage of discovery across the universe, seeded millions of years ago by the Ancients. The episode's title directly refers to the critical need for breathable air and the life-threatening scarcity of it in the immediate aftermath of their arrival on Destiny.