Stargate Universe

There's been some controversy over an upcoming episode of an upcoming show, Stargate Universe. The episode, "Sabotage", features a lead guest character who is quadriplegic.  Dr. Eleanor Perry comes on board the Destiny via a long-range communications device, which allows her to trade bodies with someone on board the ship. Perry trades bodies with the main character Camilla, who is lesbian. The outcry was sparked by the casting call description, which reads:

ELEANOR PERRY, (35-40) and quite attractive. A brilliant scientist who happens to be a quadriplegic. Affected since childhood, her disability has rendered her body physically useless. However, after being brought on board the Destiny as the only person who may be able to save the ship and her crew from certain annihilation, she is given temporary powers that enable her to walk again and to finally experience intimacy. Strong guest lead. NAMES PREFERRED. ACTRESS MUST BE PHYSICALLY THIN. (THINK CALISTA FLOCKHART).

The shows creators responded to the criticism, posting on the Gateworld forum:

Recently, a casting breakdown was released to agents for a upcoming character in our television show, Stargate Universe. The character, Doctor Eleanor Perry, is a brilliant scientist at the top of her field, who also happens to be a quadriplegic. As part of a science fiction conceit that is core to our series, Perry’s consciousness is temporarily exchanged with one our series main characters, Camile Wray, who is a lesbian.

In the course of the story, Perry has the experience of being able bodied for the first time since she was a child. At the same time, Wray, temporarily encumbered by Perry’s physical disability, experiences the unconditional love of her life partner.

The language of the breakdown was insensitive and inaccurate, and we sincerely apologize to those who may have been offended. The audition pages that have been under scrutiny were from an early draft and released out of context. It is our desire and intention to portray both characters with dignity and respect, while remaining mindful of the ethical issues we’re raising.

It's good that the creators responded, because the original character breakdown was insensitive, although it wasn't intended for the public. The episode has the potential to be interesting and good, although I more expect Stargate to be fun adventures, and not insightful social commentary. But it's possible Stargate Universe will have more of that, since it starts off with an out lesbian character, in a relationship.

Afterellen.com has further commentary on the controversy, but mostly focuses on the lesbian-having-sex-with-a-man controversy (since Eleanor, while in Camile's body, will apparently have a sexual encounter with a man). Based on the information so far, this isn't accurate and ignores the sci-fi aspects of the episode. Camile, the lesbian, isn't having sex with a man. Her body is, but while it's inhabited by a (presumably straight) woman. This raises it's own ethical issues - what is ethical to do with someone else's body, does this change if there are potential long-term consequences, is there consent beforehand, how much is this changed by the circumstances (presumably risking getting shot/killed is fine, since it's a routine part of their life on the ship, but does this change if the two characters have vastly different occupations), etc. And hopefully the show will address some of those, since body swapping is going to be a theme, apparently. But, at least in this episode, there isn't a lesbian having sex with a man, because the lesbian is off in a different body, on Earth, presumably pursuing her relationship with her partner.

Also, one thing I'm left wondering is how does the episode title ("Sabotage"), although still open to change, tie into this. Presumably something boring, like the reason why Eleanor is on the ship, but I'm left wondering if it also ties into the interpersonal relationships related to the body-swapping (and maybe the long-term consequences).

(As an aside, I still want to know who the secretly-gay Stargate Atlantis character is. My bet's on Zelenka.)