I was catching up on back episodes of Stargate Universe last night (another show that is quickly climbing my must-see list) and one of them featured a character with a disability. Sorta. The plot involves a scientist with quadriplegia who trades bodies with a woman who is stranded on a spaceship in a completely different galaxy because the scientist’s expertise is needed to repair the ship. The casting call for this episode caused a bit of controversy at the time and I was rather dismissive of the whole idea. But after viewing the final cut, I can’t find much to criticize. Sure, the conceit of swapping bodies has always been one of science fiction’s hokiest tropes, but the writers seem to have given some thought on what it would be like to adapt to their temporary host bodies. The scientist relishes her physical ability, but she isn’t overcome with self-pity when the time comes to return to her own body. And the woman from the ship pays a visit to her partner on Earth, who gets a lesson in accommodating disability as part of a relationship.
The scientist also tries to initiate a sexual encounter while in her temporary body (referring to it as a “once-in-a-lifetime chance”), but she gets turned down. I can’t really fault the writers for throwing this in. If I’m honest with myself, I’d probably try the same thing. But the episode doesn’t descend into cheap wish fulfillment, which might be a response to the criticism levied at the show last year. I wouldn’t want to see this as a recurring plot thread, but it was a solid effort at treating disability with a matter-of-factness that isn’t often seen in television.
