I have to wonder what “greater good” Young has in mind, however, when he insists on remaining with Scott on the planet, refusing to leave him stuck in the crevasse, even if it means dying—or killing everyone on Destiny along with him. I think by this point in the story we have a pretty clear picture that Young has simply lost his taste for command. “I’ve done it too many times and I’m not doing it again,” he tells Scott. And even the young lieutenant wonders whether his commander has a death wish.
Young’s state of mind goes a long way to explaining his constant refrain about the survivors being “the wrong people” for the mission and his single minded focus on getting everyone home. Perhaps he is projecting—he is the wrong man for the mission (at least at this juncture)—a point made by Rush, and in a later episode during a conversation back on Earth between Young and General O’Neil (Richard Dean Anderson).
Young is wrong for the mission at this point—his attitude, his weariness, his distaste for command are all terrible attributes for a leader dealing with on ongoing crisis conditions, and when nearly everything they do is a risk. He blames Rush, and I get that. Rush’s impulsive action back at Icarus Base sent the entire crew to Destiny, which they have found to be a rust bucket of a ship with many, many problems, and not enough time to begin to understand and tame her. Every problem they run into reinforces Young’s contempt for Rush; every new problem, by extension, becomes Rush’s fault because had he not brought them to Destiny, then they'd be safe and snug back home on Earth.
So when Rush suggests that Young might have to leave Scott on the planet, yes, it is cold, but it also refelcts reality; it’s a choice that might have to be made—and soon. If not, not only will Scott die, so will Young, and the survivors will not get the ice they need—and the space suits, so crucial for exploring inhospitable planets and entering damaged areas of the ship, will be lost forever. In the end, who is right? Yes, Scott is saved, but only by random chance—a tremor. What if that tremor had not occurred when it did?
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