David Blue in "Stargate Universe."

In one breath David Blue says he and his character on Stargate Universe are "not the same at all, as much as my wonderful cast-mates like to say it."

Then in the next breath, Blue liberally lists the characteristics that he and the fictional Eli Wallace share.

"Love of media, television and movies, the love of math, the incredible intelligence, sexiness, wit, ability to run the world and just animal magnetism," Blue said.

OK, we're not sure exactly at what point the previous quote went from genuine to tongue-in-cheek. Somewhere around that "love of math" comment, we're guessing?

That's wrong, as it turns out.

Blue really is as math-friendly as his character on Stargate Universe, which also stars Robert Carlyle and Louis Ferreira, and is back for its second season beginning Friday on Space.

"Let me clarify, I actually hate math, but I've been good at it since I was a kid," corrected the 28-year-old Blue, who previously was best known for his TV roles on Ugly Betty and Moonlight.

"I took honours calculus in my freshman year of college and got an A. When I was a kid I wanted to be an astronaut, so in addition to going to space camp - which I did, after seeing the movie SpaceCamp - I started studying math and electronics and computers and all of that.

"Now, that was quite a few years ago. I probably couldn't figure out a tip without a calculator these days."

Nonetheless, this again proves the danger of making assumptions. Eli is a hero for genius slackers everywhere, but we had assumed that in real life Blue would be closer to slacker than genius.

"The slacker assumption is especially incorrect," Blue said. "Even though some people think it's a fault, I'm proud that I'm a workaholic."

In many ways, the Eli character still serves as the "regular guy" entry point for viewers of Stargate Universe.

"When they first came at me with the role, their hope was that Eli would be that window for the audience," Blue recalled. "I thought it was a lofty goal, and I was honoured I was being considered for it, but I almost turned it down. I didn't know if I could live up to that.

"Their reasoning was that, as much as they love all their characters and the world they've created, people started getting too used to it."

True enough, that always is a danger for science fiction. If spaceships and aliens don't "wow" us any more, then what's the point?

"Even going through the gate for the first time, ever since I watched the original Stargate movie, I was like, 'I don't understand - these people are walking into a giant puddle, and no one is afraid of choking to death?' " Blue said. "So in the first take, I held my breath, and they kept it in."

So, 50% genius, 50% space rookie. It all adds up in the mathematical minds of both Eli Wallace and David Blue.

bill.harris@sunmedia.ca