Common sense dictates that certain activities can and will exact a terrible toll on the human body: smoking, recreational drug use, 4 sets of 12 forward lunges holding two 20 pound dumbells. Experience will also suggest other not-so-obvious candidates: eating fried spicy peppers, sleeping in one of the guest rooms in my mother’s house.
I woke up this morning feeling like I’d just gone three rounds with Mike Tyson (post Buster Douglas Mike Tyson – it was bad, but not that bad). My neck was stiff, my lower back ached, and every time I stretched my shoulders responded with a less-than-reassuring snap, crackle, and pop. Part of the problem was the bed itself, and part of the problem was my inability to relax. I blame my mother’s security system. Most security systems, when armed, will sound some sort of alert like a chirp or a double-beep or even a sustained whine. My mother’s security system, instead, alerts the house’s occupants with a masculine, booming: “ARMED!”. So there I was at half past midnight, lying in bed, drifting off, halfway to dreamland when: “ARMED!” I sat bolt upright, heart hammering, eyes wide and searching: “Wha-? What? What the hell?” My mother poked her head in and sheeipshly apologized. She’d forgotten that the security speaker just so happened to be located in the guest room. Good night. I spent the next hour trying to will my heartbeat back down to its normal resting rate and, in time, I succeeded as my body eventually reached that close-enough-to-relaxed state that would allow me to finally fall asleep. It was a restless few hours until sheer exhaustion took hold and put me out and into a deep, gentle slumber that had me dreaming of flying amidst the fluffy – “DISARMED!” – I sat up in bed, bug-eyed, heart pounding. Ah, morning already.
We got in at a little after 8:00 p.m. last night. My mother and sister had dinner waiting. A terrific rabbit in red wine reduction, baked basa with parmesan, fried spicy green peppers, rapini, broccoli, and pizza. For dessert: canoli, vanilla and chocolate macarons, some little cookie thing with a topping that tasted like whipped grapefruit cream, and, of course, mom’s home made apple pie with ice cream. Needless to say, it topped the meal I had on the flight over. And, yes, I overate.
Mailbag is back –
Shawna writes: “How do you do it? Do you sort of skim, gleaning the meaning while skipping over words like “the” and “and”, or do you read every word, but somehow do so at an amazing speed?”
Answer: I’m a fairly thorough reader but have always been fairly quick.
William writes: “Will Carter and Teal’c get to interact and have scenes together?”
Answer: Yup.
Peter writes: ” 1. Besides that snake soup thing, when was the last time you got sick from eating bad food, and how bad was it? 2. Doing any on-location shoots near Metrotown in the near future? 3. Since you’re making Atlantis darker with the coming season, do you believe that the previous 3 seasons have not been dark enough?”
Answers: 1. About twenty year ago, I got really sick after eating a suspect samosa. 2. Nope, sorry. 3. It’s not a matter of attempting to rectify any balance in tone. These just so happen to be the arcs we’ve chosen to pursue this upcoming season.
Smiley Face06: “Do you ever eat fast food?”
Answer: On occasions when I’m keeping my wife company.
Bugguy writes: “I realize that you don’t have a whole lot to do with “Ark of Truth”, but when does shooting wrap up or has it already”
Answer: Ark of Truth starts shooting in about a week.
Anonymous 1 writes: “1. I was wondering why the production pushed SGA season 4 all the way to a fall 2007 debut. 2. Also, sir, is there any way to convince you and your people to revert back to a 22 episode season instead of the new format of 20.”
Answer: These were network decisions.
Anonymous 2 writes: “Do you mean that there was an argument between the scriptwriters concerning the death of McKay?”
Answer: The big argument was exactly how to kill him. Carl wanted to go with rabid space squirrel while Martin wanted to stick with the tried and true exploding tumor. I thought it would be cool to have him done in by a whipped lemon curd. Tune in to season four and find out what we eventually decided to go with.
Anonymous 3 writes: “Although a big sci-fi fan, I find it difficult to get into the more recent novels as they are just too convoluted and samey. What 5 would you recommend I start with to get back into the swing of things?”
Answer: Old Man’s War, Ender’s Game, The Day of the Triffids, Childhood’s End, and Foundation – just off the top of my head.
Anonymous 4 writes: “So, can you confirm Carter indeed comand her own spaceship?”
Answer: I cannot.
Prior_of_the_Ori writes: “1) Will season 4 explain how the Wraith became such a big threat to the Ancients so quickly? 2) “Aurora” mentioned that the Ancient crew found a weakness in the Wraith, will we find out what that was? 3) Will the Atlantis Expedition encounter any Ancients this season?”
Answer: 1. Yup. 2. Sort of. 3. That remains to be seen.
Ryu Gaia writes: “Is it true that the “Horizon” weapons’ platform in 320 “First Strike” was a reference to the virtual series “Stargate: Horizon?”
Answer: Nope.
Dee in South Africa writes: “If Gourmet magazine asked you to be their Vancouver correspondent would you do it?”
Answer: Alas, I have my hands full with season four. I’d be happy to be their Asia correspondent for the month of December however.
Anise writes: “What is your favourite chocolate/flavouring combination, and why?”
Answer: Dark chocolate and marzipan because Paul hates it.
Minigeek writes: “I took some pictures of the brood tonight.”
Answer: I love ’em! Especially the fact that they’ll actually let you dress them. If you ever bring them to Vancouver, let me know. My gang would love to meet them.
Tauri Sith writes: “When you say “dark”, do you mean emotionally dark or character death dark or meeting a new enemy dark?”
Answer: Possibly all of the above.
Dorentus writes: “Congrats to you and the whole cast and crew for the Hugo nomination! It is well deserved. What’s your take on the competition (Galactica’s “Downloaded,” as well as “Army of Ghosts,” “Doomsday,” “Girl in the Fireplace,” and “School Reunion” from Doctor Who)?”
Answer: I’ve seen all but the Galactica episode. I really liked Girl in the Fireplace.
Anonymous 5 writes: “Amanda Tapping sounds so very happy in that Scifi interview. Cripes even she seems to be hedging her dialogue, despite your protestations otherwise.”
Answer: Given the way cetain fans have dumped on her for crossing over to Atlantis, does that really surprise you?
How ’bout that ‘Today’ show, eh? ;D
Tauri Sith writes: “When you say “dark”, do you mean emotionally dark or character death dark or meeting a new enemy dark?”
Answer: Possibly all of the above.
Possibly more character death? Haven’t we had enough already? At this rate there won’t be any of the original characters left.
Any chance of seeing McKay’s citrus alergy pose an actual threat? (I think this could have been a perfect way to inject peril into “Sunday”, instead of what happened.) Mundane, every-day, non-sci-fi-y, but still life-threatening peril. I’d love to see this sort of pay-off of all the citrus references.
Mr. Mallozzi:
I do not want to seem rude so please do not read this post in that way. I am curious for what major decisions with Stargate over the past two years you think were good decisions. I see more that do harm not good mostly.
I like Vala but do not like five team member, I do not like Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell character. I do not like Odyssey and Daedalus story episodes, I do not like Lucious, I do not like Dr. Carson Beckett killed, and I do not like Dr. Elizabeth Weir leaving Atlantis. I do like Ronon Dex character and I do like Jack O’neill as guest star of Atlantis in two part episode Return. I also like Michael much.
To me what I do not like is bigger than what I do like, and I am wondering how you think about these decisions of creativity.
Thank you,
Josef
sorry for mistakes, my English is not good.
As for fans dumping on AT, I have to say as a fan, it’s pretty sickening. She’s sticking with a franchise that has been good to her for ten years why not try giving her kudos for loyalty at least? As for season 4, i am sure after a decade you guys can be trusted not to ruin what is a clever witty and above all fun hour of tv. Don’t make a monkey out of me eh?
Hoo boy, and they are dumping on her too. I especially can’t stand the Our Stargate crowd, who seem to have a personal grudge against Amanda Tapping and Brad Wright. You should read some of the things they writer over there, it’s worth a chuckle. They’ve been particularly nasty lately, as they think she’s outdoing Michael Shanks. They’re currently all on about how they hope Sanctuary flops. It’s pretty rotten to say the least.
Good luck with season four, from a true fan. And good luck with the special guest casting you mentioned a few blogs ago.
Joe,
I read on Gateworld that when Atlantis returns for season four that it will be on Mondays at 9PM. Can you find out if that’s correct or not? That would be pretty bad, as it’s the same time that Heroes is on.
Hey Joe! Happy Easter! =) Hope you’re enjoying all the good food your family’s cooking up!
Just curious… do you or the other writers/decision-making people ever get headaches from reading all the ‘Weir VS Carter’ comments?
Given the way cetain fans have dumped on her for crossing over to Atlantis, does that really surprise you?
Aww. Please tell Amanda that her fans still love her. =) I can’t wait to see her on SGA. <3 It really sucks that people are using her as a scapegoat.
PS. What’s your favourite Japanese restaurant in and around the Lower Mainland? And, what’s your favourite Japanese dish?
At the Vancouver convention, someone told Torri that she would always be our leader of Atlantis.
The crowd went crazy, cheering for her.
That’s not just internet fans. That’s not just Weir fans. That’s a response from ATLANTIS fans.
You have no idea what you’re doing here.
Do you ever bang your head on your desk when you read the comments on your blog? I think it must be hard to resist. Or maybe you walk around making that noise like the Martians in Mars Attacks! That’s what my husband does when he feels like we aren’t paying attention to what he’s saying.
I’m trying to make a final decision on which snacks and how much wine to get for next Friday to cover six hours of Stargate. I say six because I’ll tape it while I’m watching the first time through, and then watch the tape.
A few quick questions
1) I’m in Burnaby for work in early May for about a week, can you recommend a good Italian restaurant in the Burnaby/Richmond/Vancouver area?
2) What’s your take on latter half of season 3 airing in Canada first? I know alot of American fans that are absolutely livid about it…
3) Why don’t human ships include more Ancient tech? Asgard shields seem to be inferior to that of the Ancients for example…
Geesh – all the negativity, and it continues to grow – hhmmmm makes you kind of think, doesn’t it Joe???
crazymom said…
Do you ever bang your head on your desk when you read the comments on your blog? I think it must be hard to resist. Or maybe you walk around making that noise like the Martians in Mars Attacks! That’s what my husband does when he feels like we aren’t paying attention to what he’s saying.
I’m trying to make a final decision on which snacks and how much wine to get for next Friday to cover six hours of Stargate. I say six because I’ll tape it while I’m watching the first time through, and then watch the tape.
Oh so true. I just recently asked why GW didn’t have a headdesk emoticon. It would be so fitting in most instances. ^_^
1. Are you a headdesk or a headwall person, JM?
JM, on another note. This is a not really an S4 story.
2. Will you ever touch upon why Athos had a sister city-ship and if there are Athosians with the ATA gene? We never did a full tour or check for drones.
3. Any chance of Ms. Luttrell singing this season? Maybe another traditional Athosian ceremony of some kind.
Thanks JM. Since you celebrate Easter, have a happy one! With lots of dancing and hopping pink bunnies. ^_^
Are you the Blog author?
What’s the best thing about writing for Sheppard,McKay,Ronan, Caldwell?
Dear Mr. Mallozzi,
Out of the nine episodes titles of season 4 we fans have been made aware of which is likely to:
1. Be the hardest ( utilizes new techniques never before employed in past seasons) to film
2. Coolest in all aspects
3. Most proud of to be included in season 4
4. fans will most likely love the most
Thank sir and I hope you stay objective in your response by not just choosing the ones you wrote yourself
your montreal fan,
Happy Easter to you and your lovely family
Haha, I love how vague you are about everything season 4 related, and everyone keeps asking the same questions in different ways – and getting the same answers every time. 😀
I was on the bus today, reading “My Life With Corpses” by Wylene Dunbar, and something struck me… I’m not sure why it struck me then and there – perhaps it was the fact that the bus had just driven past the third Tim Horton’s on its route, but I came to a realisation and I must ask you about it…
Why has Rodney never mentioned Timmy’s or RRoll up the RRim?! The guys’ Canadian, and he loves Coffee – surely he mustn’t have forsaken the great old Canadian tradition! Is it trademark issues? Because if not, you guys should absolutely work in a ‘rroll up the rrim’ joke that only Chucknician giggles at in the background.
😀
Ayla McKay
Nova Scotia
Holy Hannah!
I couldn’t believe what I saw on the Today Show this morning.
The trusty Save Carson Beckett crew made not one, but THREE appearances.
So, Joe: any ideas for those Carson eps you promised? 😉
“So long and thanks for all the fish
So sad it had to come to this…”
The fact that Cooper admits you have so many letters and postcards of protest from fans just shows how dumb this decision is.
If you’re getting such a bad response from fans, how do you think it’s going to affect ratings?
My LJ flist is inundated with entries about this interview from Cooper. Some have close to 100 answers. All of them are anti the change. All of them.
You need to see what’s happening from the inside. This fandom is imploding. You can stop it, and stop a drop in ratings, by actually listening to fans. Even those who will continue to watch (and they are very few among my friends, believe me, about 10 out for one staying) they’re going to download. You won’t get the ratings you want.
Torri, Elizabeth and the fans of both the actress and the character deserve much better than this.
As for the likes of Sanssong, Joe, I hope for your sake you don’t decide to off Teyla next. She would be 100 times more militant than any of the Weir fans are.
Have you guys checked out the reaction to the Carter news on Gateworld? Things are getting extremely heated, and I’m having flashbacks to the Cam/Sam debacle that seemed to cost SG-1 so many loyal fans. I hope this works out for Atlantis, but right now, I’m worried that it’ll cost us the show.
jacksith
While you’re in Montreal, you should go to restaurant Cavalli or Gibby’s. Everytime I’m there those places offer the best.
Molson and his little friend Heineken
Hi Joe:
In a recent interview, Conner Trinneer had said that when “Enterprise” ended and they all found themselves out of work, it took a couple of weeks for it to sink in that he was now unemployed. He had to start looking for other work. As a writer, and now a Show Runner, are you in the same place professionally, when a show ends? Do you contribute to other productions so that you would be able to move over to another show should yours go under for some reason? The very nature of television – it’s uncertainty as a job you can depend on – must be a worry to some people in the field. How do you deal with it? How do other members of the cast and crew deal with it?
Have a great day,
Patricia
About the spoilers which recently appeared on GateWorld for season 4 episode ‘Reunion’, was that leaked by the production and/or the network ? Is it a way of advertizing season 4 ? Because if this was intended it sucks. Teasers are great but I don’t see the point in giving out the complete plot months before it airs on TV. Why can’t people just wait and see ?
I was just curious, what things do you and the rest of the writers take into consideration when killing off either a major or recurring character? With the recent trend in television right now of killing off main characters, I always wonder what the discussion among the writers is like when coming to that kind of decision.
All I am going to say is that you have some serious cojones for continuing to do this blog. If I were in your place, I would have curled up into a ball in the corner a long time ago from all of the comments made by angry fans. Does it ever get to you that people clearly have no idea how rude they are being?
People from the Save Carson Beckett campaign managed to get the banners shown on camera a few times on the “Today Show”. I heard that you told the campaigners if they got a banner shown on the “Today Show”, Carson could make a possible comeback. Is this now going to happen?
hi joe do you think we will get to find out how the wraith reproduce
Anonymous 4 writes: “So, can you confirm Carter indeed comand her own spaceship?”
Answer: I cannot.
Why not ? You’re a scriptwriter !
Anonymous 2 writes: “Do you mean that there was an argument between the scriptwriters concerning the death of McKay?”
Answer: The big argument was exactly how to kill him. Carl wanted to go with rabid space squirrel while Martin wanted to
stick with the tried and true exploding tumor. I thought it would be cool to have him done in by a whipped lemon curd. Tune
in to season four and find out what we eventually decided to go with.
That doesn’t explain why you said that he died in Adrift whereas he is alive in Lifeline. So why did you say that ?
Oh! I wanted to ask you :
Does “Miller’s Crossing” include Kate Hewlett in cast ?
There would be cool !
Hey! I finally find somebody to answer my question!
Do the SG-1 movies take place before or after the Altantis S4 premiere ?
Hi Joe
Yes I really enjoyed Ender’s Game and as is my wont , when I find a good author I read everything they have published but I found that the rest of his books weren’t so good.
So are you going to Japan in September to collect your Hugo?
Don’t overdo it in Montreal!!!
Dori
Bonjour Mr Mallozzi !
I am a Stargate SG1 fan since a long time ! Then Atlantis was created and I thought it was a bad idea. I was so wrong, I love Atlantis even more than I love SG1! I love all the characters on both shows but Carter and Weir are my favorite for the women they represent !
I thought that having Carter on Atlantis from time to time was a good idea. But now you’re making her replace Weir. So I’m completely torn apart !!
Atlantis without Elizabeth will never be Atlantis for me. And now I’m not even happy at the idea to see Sam on Atlantis, especially because she will be the leader.
(you know the fact that Atlantis had a civilian leader was the big difference between the two shows, and it was the interest of the show, now how Atlantis will be different than SG1 with a military leader ? it’s just transforming Atlantis in SG1)
I will watch season 4 but, in all honesty, do you think that I (as a Weir and Torri fan) will be able to like Season 4 ?
because it’s the first time in many years that I am not enthousiast for a new season of my favorite show !
C.M. worried and sad fan !
Does McKay have it written in his contract that he is the only character who can have repeated near death (or now it looks like actually death) experiences. We had Duet/Tao of Rodney/McKay and MM and now it looks like we will have another, oh look McKay is going to die ep, where of course he won’t, or if he does it will be temporary. Isn’t it about time the other characters got a bit more of the meaty stuff that Mckay always gets and they have an opportunity to step outside their sterotypical roles. Why is it that tpb seem to love giving McKay these parts and no one else.
Hey Joe,
1.
Hope your having a good easter.
2.
Does anyone else on Stargate have and activly use a blog.
Joe Flanigan has one but he last blog was like more than a year ago.
3.
Could you please, if you remember ask Joe as a favour to make an entry at his blog. “plEAse PLEase plEASE.”
joshua
As for season 4, i am sure after a decade you guys can be trusted not to ruin what is a clever witty and above all fun hour of tv.
I agree completely. You guys rock ;D. Hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend, eat lots of really good chocolate and get a good night’s rest! Also hope that the weather is nice and sunny for everyone *looks out window at brewing storm*. One day, it’s 80 deg., the next, it’s half that and raining. Don’tcha just love Texas weather ^_^;?
Bless your mom! I volunteer to reprogram her alarm system to “Phasers are armed and ready!” in a booming “Worf” voice. (Or was it “Warf”? Fisherman’s Warf?)
That oughta give you some nice nightmares of imminent Klingon attacks, which is what you deserve for not putting a “Beyond the Night” music video as an extra-special-bonus feature on the season 2 DVD set of SGA 😉
Speaking of your mom: her “lean fats” quote from a while back put me into “Possessed Chef” mode a few weeks ago and gave me the idea to my “Mousse au Dieux”, which I finally preserved for posterity.
Joe,
Will Carter be a Lt. Col. or a full Col. on Atlantis in Season 4?
A terrific rabbit in red wine reduction, baked skate wing with parmesan, fried spicy green peppers, rapini, broccoli, and pizza. For dessert: canoli, vanilla and chocolate macarons, some little cookie thing with a topping that tasted like whipped grapefruit cream,
First of all, your mom is adorable!
Second, the reason you slept poorly, aside from the amusing alarm, is because you ate rabbit, skate, fried hot peppers AND pizza and then ate canoli, mararoons, possible “whipped grapefruit cream” AND apple pie for dessert. If I had eaten all of that, it would have killed me. Be grateful you came away with just a few aches and pains.
I know it’s Easter and whatnot, but don’t forget what the Buddha said about eating as well as everything else: Take the middle path. Everything in moderation.
Enjoy the rest of your visit with your wonderful family. And while we’re on the subject of people rising from the dead…no, I won’t ask about it this week.
You mentioned Ender’s Game as a book to get back into reading Sci- Fi. Having read it recently and enjoyed it immensely, did you read any of the sequels and are they worth reading?
Not all of those of us who like Amanda and her character are happy with this change either.
With regard to recent confirmations, I must say–
So long, and thanks for all the fish. So outta here.
Just want to say that while I’m sad to see Weir’s role reduced and I think Torri does a great job, I’m looking forward to SGA S4 and seeing Sam in command of Atlantis. I’m also hoping there are some good scenes of Weir and Sam together. Happy Easter!
Hi Joe!
Just wanted to say I’m looking forward to the changes on Atlantis for season 4. Not all SGA fans are against these changes, by any means. Those writing postcards etc are the same minority of people, but I do admire their tenacity.
Changes are difficult for some fans to embrace, and I understand that. For me Sheppard and McKay are the centre of the show, being the best characters, and Joe and David being the best actors.
As long as Joe particularly, and David are on, I’ll watch.
I actually think Carter will be extremely good in charge of Atlantis, and am hopeful the inclusion of her in Atlantis will be done with respect to the remaining SGA characters, and to the character of Carter too.
My question:
Will we see more of Sheppard and McKay’s wonderful banter? I was so pleased to see it back in season 3 after a bit of a break from it in season 2.
The one slight concern I have, is that the McKay/Carter banter will replace the Shep/McKay snarking I enjoy so much. Can you allay my slight concerns?
Also, I was wondering how the shooting of Travelers is going? Any news on that?
Thanks!
Happy easter! And your account of the security alarm was hilarious! I was very much reminded of the security alarm that irritated me when I stayed over at a friend’s. It took atleast 5 minutes to arm and kept beeping loudly with the male voice announcing every second about door and windows etc etc being armed, and the same thing for disarming…very annoying and very loud.
Quick Question…What happened to the Wraith ship the Atlantis guys got at the end of Submersion? Are they going to use it in any future episodes or will it not come up again? Thanks!
Quote Anonymous at 7:15: “Hoo boy, and they are dumping on her too. I especially can’t stand the Our Stargate crowd, who seem to have a personal grudge against Amanda Tapping and Brad Wright. You should read some of the things they writer over there, it’s worth a chuckle.”
A chuckle?? I purposefully visit there as often as I can (too bad it is not that often and the fact that the little group of 20 or so people who do frequent there seem to spend their every waking moments at that sight complaining about Carter and Tapping makes it hard to keep up — I actually have a life and work to occupy my time) but it is always worth the visit so I can laugh my a$$ off at how twisted they have become in their hatred of a fictioninal character which has, unfortunately, spilled over into reality where they actually express ill-will towards Tapping. It’s quite sad and pathetic really. They seem to be stuck in a world cut-off from reality.
Betsy
I saw the Save Carson Beckett a few times on April 6th’s TODAY Show. Does this mean that you will now honor the promise of putting Beckett into two season 4 episodes (and preferably not as stock footage pulled from previous seasons)?
As for fans ‘dumping’ on AT, that is only a SMALL group of fans. While many fans do like Carter and Amanda, they don’t want Carter on Atlantis as they enjoy the casting/chemistry as it now exists.
And now that you’ve probably written the first half of the season, I would expect you’d be able to tell fans exactly how many guest appearances Torri will have in those episodes? Thanks.
I just cannot believe how riled up y’all are about a bloody tv-show. Really, if you’d be half as vitriolic about things that really matter, people would not still be dying of starvation in this world.
Many Stargate actors have said that Stargate fans are the greatest fans in the world because they’re so incredibly loyal to the show. With ‘fans’ now claiming they’re not going to watch Atlantis anymore because of two supporting characters leaving and another character crossing over, I’m sorry, but in my humble opinion, that does not make you a true fan.
What really disgusts me is that these ‘fans’ take out their frustration on Amanda Tapping or David Helwett, or on anyone associated with the show. Both these people have done and are still doing so much for the Stargate fans, start treating them with some respect and gratitude!
I get that Weir fans are sad and disappointed. I get it, I really do. But it’s life. People are let go all the time in other businesses; it’s no different in the world of television.
So you’re passionate about this show and its characters. I get it, we all do. And yes, I’m passionate about this show too or I wouldn’t be writing this. I have my own doubts about it being a good decision that Carter’s coming over or that Weir might be leaving, but as a true fan, I’m going to wait and see how it all turns out. Who knows, shaking things up a bit might be the best decision ever made for the show. You just CANNOT know if you haven’t at least watched the first few episodes of the new season. I can’t believe the people who call themselves fans are giving up on the show so easily. It’s very disappointing.
And if you think polls on GW or LJ or wherever are a reliable indication of how the show will fare after Weir has left, you’re wrong. The majority of viewers are casual viewers, who are not as passionate about the show or its characters as we are. The fandom only represents a tiny slice of Stargate’s viewership.
Honestly, the show has never been about Weir or Beckett. It has been about Sheppard’s team and their adventures in the Pegasus Galaxy. The team is still there, and JM has said there will be a strong focus on the team in S4. So I’m excited and I’m looking forward to it.
Now you’ve all had your say, myself included. People who don’t want to watch SGA anymore, that’s fine, but stop whining about it and move on.
*steps off soapbox* Sorry, didn’t mean to go on that long! Joe, keep up the great work! The true fans are still here, and we’ll keep supporting you!
Jenn
After watching “First strike” episode I think I’m done with Atlantis. Reason? Dr Weir… Atlantis without this character simply doesn’t exist for me.
Wow, people sure are getting riled up with Amanda Tapping coming to Atlantis.
Personally, I’m happy about Amanda Taping coming over to Atlantis. Even if I was not, I would still give Season 4 a shot. I had my doubts about adding Vala to the cast in Season 10, but after watching just one episdoe with her added, I thought Caludia Black’s addition was a great call.
On a completely unrelated note: I was watching Memento Mori last night. Just what did Teal’c say to that Trust agent during interrogation? Or was it scripted as “threatening whispering?”
“Miller’s Crossing”…might that episode have to do with McKay’s sister?
Thank you Jenn, for helping all of us know exactly what a “true fan” is.
Thank you again for writing a multi-paragraphed rant about ranting fans. Your oblivious irony made my day. 🙂
Mr. Mallozzi, you read a lot of SF! Have you ever thought of using some of the concepts from the books in your show? In a strictly non-copyright-infringing way, of course.
Hi Joe,
I’m currently reading one of the Fandemonium SGA books, and it keeps metioning Sgt. Stackhouse. For some strange reason, prior to reading this book, I was convinced Sgt. Stackhouse was dead. Which brings me to my main question: do you and the other writers have a board up in the writers’ room keeping track of which of the minor SGA characters are still alive? And do the Fandemonium authors/editors have access to that board?
Happy chocolate egg day!
So I noticed something about the Apollo and the Daedalus between ep. 20 of both Atlantis and SG1. The Daedalus “is off taking care of other business” in First Strike. Now. My question is were they dropping Hermiod off at his homeworld while at the same time the Odyssey was taking SG-1 to the Asgard homeworld to get the Asgard “gift” in Unending? If then why wouldnt the Deadelus have stepped in to help out with the attack of the Ori ship? My only guess is that Hermiod is still alive.
I’m so sick of hearing all the constant abuse being hurled at Amanda Tapping because she has accepted a role in a francise that she has been part of for the past 10 years. Atlantis is not just about Weir and if every Weir fan stops watching it will make absolutely no difference to ratings – so stop deluding yourselves. TV is a business and decisions like in any business have to be made by the people who run that business – and sometimes they can be harsh. People are let go from jobs all the time – its a fact of life. If the ptb decided to reduce or get rid of Weir for whatever reason that it’s their choice. Ratings have been falling and they needed to so somethig to vitriol from Weir fans and the try and boost them, and these changes sound very promising and should be very good for the show. Everything changes – if things were left the same most likely Atlantis would have been cancelled anyway, so these changes are to help the show and until viewers actually see season four, stop whinging and moaning about how bad its going to be. Atlantis can easily survive without Weir – she was never the main focus of the show anyway. Sheppard/McKay and the team are the focus of the show.
The problem here is that Joe, Rob and Brad can say the show is going to be the greatest thing ever next season; but it isn’t going to matter one iota if enough people stop watching Atlantis. (And by the way saying something is going to be great doesn’t make it great).
I’ve tried to keep an open mind about the changes. I really hate Beckett getting killed (nor do I get why you killed him in such a nasty and final way; I always thought a significant part of sci-fi was about hope, where’s the hope in this ending?) but what worries me 100 times more is the 180 change in the whole Atlantis premise. Suddenly it’s gone from an international team headed by a civilian (By the way the characters and the premise being what drew myself and a lot of others to Atlantis in the first place) to the arrival of Carter and what appears to be a complete disregard to what until a few months ago the writers and producers were claiming was a very different show from SG-1; now it sounds like a poor photocopy of the original.
As to the whole Amanda Tapping thing, I agree that fans attacking Amanda Tapping are ludicrous, who can blame her for taking a job? Absolutely no one with common sense. Having said that do I want to see Sam Carter on Atlantis? No. Why? Frankly after ten years I’ve just had enough of SG 1, I don’t dislike them and I am looking forward to the movies a lot, it’s just, I’ve found out all I want or need to know about the characters; I hadn’t about the Atlantis characters (including Weir who I always thought could be written a lot better)
As to those who say that complaining about the changes doesn’t make me a real fan and I and others like me should just watch the show and trust the producers I say, maybe your right. Maybe I’m not a real fan, but the viewing figures of the ‘not real fans’ count every bit as much as the ‘real fans’ do and why should I watch a show that is no longer entertaining me? Why should any of the Weir fans? The Beckett fans? And those fans who just don’t find the ‘new’ premise interesting or appealing? What, to keep it on screen for all the ‘real’ fans? Please.
Having said that I don’t want the show to be cancelled, and I hope everyone who will watch Season Four enjoys it – I just no longer care if it is cancelled; something I wouldn’t have said a year ago.
I apologise for rambling.
What makes you true fans? That you’ll stick around even when the show turns to crap, just so you can say that you’re true fans. Ah, no thanks, I’d rather not waste my time watching something I don’t enjoy anymore.
About the complaining I’m sure once s4 starts the people that said they wouldn’t watch will stop talking because they ARE NOT WATCHING and you guys can go back to talking about how awesome SGA is without anyone criticizing the show.
just wanted to say im really looking forward to season 4…
my question is as someone who is concerned about the inclusion of carter..can you please at least assure me that the focus will definately be on shep’s team and not to heavy on sam??
ok maybe not just one question..:)
with sam in charge will sheppard still be the commanding officer? (please!)
also joe..any more shep whumping tidbits you’d like to tell us about??:D
ok thats it for now!!thanks joe!!:D
Jenn, thank you very much. I have been screaming that very thing into my monitor whenever these comments become flame wars. I await season 4 greatly, because I am very curious to see how things will all play out.
On that regard, of course Mallozzi hasn’t been very specific about season 4, since he probably wants you people to actually WATCH THE SHOW TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS. It’s called tension and drama, and you can’t very well have that when the producers gives away all the secrets 6 months or more before it happens. I was sad to see Beckett go, and I will miss Dr. Weir, but I also believe that change is not automatically a bad thing. Apparently none of the people posting here have ever seen the Simpsons. There was an episode where someone remarks (I forget who) “And every thing’s back the way it was 22 minutes ago.” “And that’s the only way it could ever be.” It was a line that is perfectly suited to this situation.
And Mel, are you really that gullible? Killing McKay was a gag included in the April Fools day post, and responses like the one he gave to that question are intended to extend that joke. Apparently it went over your head.
I’ve come this far I may as well ask a question: Has there been an episode of either series where things have gone so wrong behind the camera (accidents or technical failures or whatnot) that made filming difficult or almost impossible?
Cowscows, I believe you missed the point of my previous post entirely. Contrary to what you may think, I have nothing against ‘ranting fans’. Indeed I must admit that I have indulged in a rant or two myself. However, I am against the ranting fans that are rude and abrasive and who have already made up their mind about not watching a new season without even giving it a chance.
As for a ‘true fan’, if you go back and take a look at my previous post, I clearly said that it is my humble OPINION that a true fan would not abandon a show so easily. If you took that as me providing a definition of what a true fan is, I’m sorry but that’s not what I said. What a true fan is is in the eye of the beholder; I just said what I believe to be a true fan.
And to one of the anonymous posters, I do criticize the show myself on occasion, but I prefer to reserve judgment on an episode (or on an entire season for that matter) until AFTER I’ve seen it. *shrugs*
Jenn