“Dear Carl,”read the note. “Here are the season one videotapes you requested. Matt.” Season one? Videotapes? Matt??? A bewildered Carl looked over the box sitting atop his desk. He was positive he’d never asked for copies of Atlantis’s first season from post, much less video versions! Or had he? Was this some sort of bizarre mix-up? Or, more than likely, was it Martin Gero who, while cleaning out his office earlier in the day, had come across the stack of videos and decided to unload them on his next-door neighbor? I’d done something similar two years ago when I discovered the entire video collection of the ill-fated Stargate animated series behind an office shelf. “Brad wants you to review these,”I informed a stunned Carl as I dropped them off. “He needs you write up a few synopses. No big deal. Just a page or page and a half on each episode.” Sadly, Carl is at the point now where he’ll no longer take the bait, always assuming the worst, a long way from the open, trusting fellow who first arrived on the show. I suppose I’m at least partly responsible for turning him into the paranoid, untrusting individual he’s developed into over time. Now, rather than accepting a boxful of videotapes, he’ll automatically assume the worst and do something like – oh, wait until Martin Gero is in a meeting and then stack the videos under Martin’s laptop with an accompanying note: “Martin – That laptop stand you asked for came in. Nathan.”
I was in editing most of the morning, working with Rick Martin on This Mortal Coil. It’s coming along swimmingly and still only two minutes short. I already picked spots for the two scenes I’ll be writing – one with the entire team, the other a McKay/Zelenka scene – both nice character moments for all.
After all lunch, we finally started work on the first part of the late season two-parter, what Carl has tentatively titled “Rise of the Googlions”. We also took the time to discuss the physics of Martin’s upcoming eppy and Paul’s very cool idea for the season (?) finale, a little episode we’re calling…“Finale“. Amidst all the hard work, we found time to enjoy the big block of chocolate sent to me by the mysterious “Jim”. At 500 grams of decadent 70% cocoa, it’s not only delicious but the perfect murder weapon. I could beat someone to death with it, then conveniently eat the evidence and no one would be any the wiser.
Went to Taison last night for some terrific Vietnamese food. While Fondy did the short rib with the vermicelli, I had the lemongrass chicken with the shredded pork on rice, and a side of special egg noodle. For dessert, we swung by Steeps and picked up some of Fondy’s fave carrot cake which I complimented with five different ice cream flavors: chocolate fudge brownie, dulce de leche, pistachio, cookie dough dynamo, and peanut butter zigzag.
By the way, finally watched the last installment of Domino this morning and all I can say is…WTF? It didn’t make any sense. There were weird incongruous timelines and bizarre leaps in logic that, in retrospective, suitably matched the movie’s confounding visual style.
Pics: Last night’s dinner, my bludgeoning chocolate, editor Rick Martin’s unique decorative tastes, the spin session in progress, Martin’s new laptop stand.
Questions?
M writes: “I was wondering if Peter Deluise is still directing any Stargate Eps?”
Answer: He is not.
Shawna writes: “Have you ever considered having your car customized, like on Pimp My Ride…only less cheesy. (…) What would you have done to it if you did?”
Answer: I’d probably turn my car into the Bat mobile (the 1960’s version of course).
Marsha R. writes: “If all your time in San Diego isn’t spoken for, we’d like to treat you to corn tamales at Cheesecake Factory”
Answer: Oooh, I love those corn tamales. At the moment, I can’t commit to anything as I don’t know what my schedule will be like. But thanks for the invite.
Anonymous #1 writes: “With it starting later than usual, will you have the same summer break?”
Answer: We’ll be off the first two weeks of July.
Platschu writes: “Will the last two episode (4×19-4×20) be a two-parter or do you plan cliff-hanger at the end of season4?”
Answer: It will not be a two-parter.
Firefly827347 writes: “Seen Kavan Smith in the studio lately?”
Answer: He was around for This Mortal Coil.
Anonymous #2 writes: “Alot of Atlantis fans and Sam fans have been concerned that Atlantis could become the Sam/Mckay show so why post a picture of their chairs side by side? Why not post a picture of Amanda and Joe’s chairs, Amanda and Rachel’s chairs, Amanda and Jason’s chairs…”
Answer: Uh, you’ve got to be kidding, right? I didn’t position the chairs close to one another for the shot. I just happen to walk by and notice that their chairs were side by side, clearly indicating how well these two get along while they’re not shooting. What can I say. They‘re friends. I’m sorry if this disappoints.
Lady Dulcinea writes: “How did you pick the names for your dogs?”
Answer: They’re all movie names. But might I suggest you mine comic books for a suitable dog name. Consider Magneto, Joker, or Fing Fang Foom.
Alex Levine writes: “What an outrage! Here I’ve been blogging about Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis for nearly three years…”
Answer: That was you?! Small world. Yes, Alex Levine also blogs and you can read up on his behind-the-scenes musings over at the SciFi site. There. David, David, and Alex. I believe I’ve covered everyone…
Anonymous #3 writes: “Don’t feel bad Alex because Joe forgot a few other blogs too like gee I don’t know maybe Michael Shanks!!!”
Answer: …except Michael Shanks who also blogs as well for TV Guide.
Anonymous #4 writes: “In both SG Series, we are able to see nice Computer-backgrounds. In the SGC the Stargate-Control, and in Atlantis the shield- / biometric-activities of the city. I would like to know more about them. Do they change during the series, are they programms or just some sort of small video-clips? Who created them ?”
Answer: Some change according to the episode requirements while some remain standard. All are the work of our crack playback crew lead by Krista McLean.
Anonymous #5 writes: “Will there be any Jack/Sam ship scenes in Continuum that leave no doubt as to the nature of their relationship (in this reality!), or is this something that only Brad and Rob can answer?”
Answer: Better that Brad and Rob answer this one.
Cindy writes: “Since you watch the Soprano’s…do you think that Paulie Walnuts is involved with the New York Family in destroying T’s crew?”
Answer: It doesn’t make sense. If Paulie was a mole for New York, he would have warned Phil about the hit (since Paulie was the one who put it together) and given him the opportunity to save his mistress.
Rebecca writes: “Is Mr. Flanigan aware of your eagerness to shoot him into space?”
Answer: In all seriousness – he wants to go.
Michelle writes: “So what chance do you give Tony to survive the last Sopranos ep (titled “Made in America”)?”
Answer: Yeah, there’s a lot of talk about Tony offing himself in the finale but I‘m hoping the producers don‘t go down this all-too-obvious route.
Majorsal writes: “have you ever heard of someone dieting by eating nothing but rice?”
Answer: Nope. I would suggest early morning exercising (about 30 minutes of cardio every other day alternating with about 45 minutes of weight training) to lose the excess weight.
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