The “investment specialist” greeted me with a “Hi, I’m Sean” and a firm, all-business handshake. “Joe,”I replied, looking him in the eye so as not to let my eyes wander over his not-quite-convincing ensemble: white shirt, brown tie, cream suit. He looked, I thought, like a kid playing banker. Hmmm. Did I really want to entrust my money to someone younger than me? A foolish consideration, I immediately realized, since this youthful up-and-comer was probably par for the course. I allowed the unpleasant fact to settle uncomfortably. When did I get so old? Well, if you ask my writing partner Paul, he’d tell you it was the day his age surpassed that of the average professional athlete. “When I realized that most of the guys on that football field were younger than me,”he confided, “that’s when it sunk in.” It was a depressing thought.
Sean steered me into his office and we were promptly joined by Sandy, the sweet, soft-spoken woman who handles our accounts. As she shut the door behind her, it immediately became clear that they were going with the sweat-box stratagem, one seated directly in front of me, the other flanking, the door at my back. I eased back in my chair as Sean launched into his pitch – banking profile, investment opportunities, the rosy future. Throughout his spiel, I remained a silent spectator, feigning casual indifference, occasionally nodding to convey the fact that I was actually listening and hadn’t allowed my mind to wander to private musings on global terrorism, greenhouse gases, and what I was going to have for dinner that night. In a nutshell: if I was to invest with him, I could expect a conservative 6%-8% return over a 2-3 year commitment. 6%-8%?! 2-3 years?! First and foremost, I can’t tie up my cash for 2-3 years. What if someone kidnaps Alan McCullough and I have to chip in for the ransom payment? Again! As for the 6%-8% – granted, it’s hard to predict how the markets will fare, but 6%-8% sounds a little underwhelming. Then again, I suppose it beats keeping the money in a checking account or under my mattress (which was my first instinct).
I told Sean I’d get back to him. But with installment payments on next year’s taxes coming due (I still don’t understand how the government can charge interest on taxes that won’t accrue for another year), the start-up costs being incurred by Fondy’s burgeoning business, and the financial demands of Carl Binder’s upcoming birthday festivities (the man has expensive tastes!), it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting back to him anytime soon.
In retrospect, I could probably avoid all the problems of watching the markets and dealing with investment specialists/counselors/consultants/professionals/advisers/experts/agents/ by just squirreling my money in one asset like, say, cars. I can’t think of a sounder investment. Take the DeLorean for example. If you had bought one back in 1980, it would have set you back $25 000. BUT, had you kept it in pristine condition, 27 years later you could probably sell it for $35 000! That’s a 40% return on your original investment! The trick, of course, is to find a car that is unique enough to stand the test of time, a model that may seem, yes, thoroughly hideous by today’s standards yet possibly command the attention of future automotive connoisseur’s 30 years down the line. Yup. Snap up all of the Honda Elements and Plymouth Azteks you can afford, store them away, and then just sit back and await your comfy retirement.
BREAKING NEWS – Just got off the phone with Nora O’Brien who has informed me that Sci Fi will be running a special sneak peek of Atlantis season 4 (what they’re referring to as an extended trailer) during Eureka, either this Tuesday or next. Spread the word and I’ll get back to you with further information as it becomes available. I’ve yet to see the trailer myself but when I do, I’ll make it a point to list all of the episodes touched upon and allow you to play mix and match with the clips.
BREAKING NEWS #2 – On this special day (National Fried Chicken Day for those of you who have been living under a rock), I’d like to wish a very Happy Birthday to the lovely and talented Martin Gero. Also celebrating birthdays on this day: Tia and Tamera Mowry of Sister, Sister fame, rapper 50 Cent, Geoffrey Rush, George W. Bush, Sylvester Stallone, T.V. Robin Burt Ward, Ned Beatty, and the Dalai Lama. Martin is in middling to great company.
BTW – I brought 11 books home with me for the hiatus, figuring I could get through 10 if I really applied myself and adding 1 for good luck. With a little over a week to go, I’m about to finish up my 9th book. And so, I swung by the bookstore today and loaded up. I loved Consider Phlebas and decided to stock up on Iain M. Banks. And then, figuring I might want to mix it up a bit, threw in an Iain Banks as well.
You were saying…?
Menefee writes: “I was wondering if you had a least favorite script of SG-1 or Atlantis that you and Paul worked on.”
Answer: Probably Prometheus.
Anonymous #2 writes: “Trinty was terrible also.”
Answer: I thought Ryan Reynolds had some great lines. (After sending the vampiric Pomeranian plunging down the high-rise, Hannibal King confronts his nasty owner.
Vampire: Hey, dickface. You seen my dog?”
King: Hmmm. Did you try the lobby?
Shawna writes: “Do you ever read novels based on movies or TV shows?”
Answer: Never.
Anonymous #3 writes: “Is it the hiatus that has you off your snark??”
Answer: I hold fans like you responsible for not giving me anything to get angry about.
Erin Anderson writes: “I was wondering if you’d take a peek and verify for me if that is indeed your scrawl and whether you believe the bottom scrawl is Claudia…”
Answer: That’s me and…hmmm…that’s me anyway.
Zabadoo writes: “1) If the Asurans created Reese which in turn created the Replicators, then the Replicators destroyed the Asurans-wouldn’t that make the Asurans not much of a threat if we destroyed the Replicators, and the Replicators can destroy the Asurans?
2.)In Continuum, is Jack O’Neill the real Jack O’Neill or is it an AU Jack O’Neill?
3.)Why is there such reluctance in bringing in Ford for another episode?
4.)Do you know anything about Brad and Rob’s new Stargate spin-off that you just won’t tell us yet, or have they not told you anything yet?
Answers: 1) Huh? 2) That’s a wait and see. 3) It’s not reluctance. If someone comes up with a great story idea for the character, then by all means we’ll bring him back. But until that happens, it aint happening. 4) I don’t know much but I do more than you.
Mackenziesmomma writes: “Fireworks are you for or against them?”
Answer: Hate ‘em, except on occasions when their hot ashes float down to gently nestle onto an unwary spectator‘s eyeball. So put me down for “against”.
Anonymous #4 writes: “Are you guys concerned that season four seems to be all about Carter, love her or hate her, for most fans?”
Answer: Not really. Most of those complaining are overreacting. Yup, you heard me. Overreacting. Those who are complaining because they think she’s going to take over the show are wrong. Those who are complaining that other characters had to leave simply because we wanted to make room for the Carter character – wrong. Those who think she’ll take screen time away from the existing cast of characters – wrong. O. VER. RE. AC. TING.
Anonymous #5 writes: “Are there any other SF books you would recommend with strong female protagonists?”
Answer: Sure, check out anything by Octavia E. Butler, and Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents in particular.
Edward4th writes: “Do you ever look over the blogs of people commenting on yours?”
Answer: Occasionally, I do.
Stargate Groupie writes: “What is the craziest thing you have even done on a dare?”
Answer: Ordered and tried to eat a chicken fat sandwich. In the end, it wasn’t the chicken fat so much as the accompanying fried onions that did me in.
Primate Studios writes: “1. Season 1 of Atlantis had kind of a dark/erie feel to it. (…) Will we get more of that feeling in Season 4? 2. But is there any Heavy Metal fans on SGA or Sg-1?”
Answers: 1) Hopefully, yes. 2) Don’t know. Does Ministry count? Put me down for Stigmata.
Jennifer writes: “Any other anime recommendations?”
Answer: Last Exile, Now and Then Here and There, Gantsukuo.
Anonymous #6 writes: “Did you always want to be a sci fi writer? What did you study at University?”
Answer: Nope. I wanted to be a novelist. I have a Masters degree in English (and Renaissance Drama specifically).
Crystalite writes: “I just saw the sneek peak programming schedule for Comic-Con, and it only lists the SGA panel. Has the SG1 panel been cancelled, or was it just not included in the sneek peak?”
Answer: Nope. It’s still on.
Anonymous #7 writes: “Ben said that there were no Mitchell centered episodes in season 10, but that there are Sam episodes (note plural), Teal’c episodes (note plural), and Vala episodes. He didn’t mention Daniel, but it could be that he considered “The Shroud” to be a team episode (alot of people do).”
Answer: I’m always reluctant to name a certain episode character-centered because I’ve found that, in the past, my opinion of what is a character-centered episode differs from what other people consider a character-centered episode. That said, I consider Bounty and Uninvited Mitchell episodes.
Anonymous #8 writes: “Do you take the job even though people you trust say you can probably do better if you just can wait a little bit, or do you start reinforcing the door?”
Answer: The bigger question is can you wait a little bit?
Anonymous #8 also writes: “Are there plans for Col. Caldwell to come back, or is it all Col. Ellis, these days?”
Answer: There are plans to see both in season four.
Cheeky Lil Devil writes: “I’m feeling very restless. And i’m getting on my own nerves now. LoL. Any suggestions?”
Answer: Might I suggest re-reading all of my old blog entries and coming up with your personal top ten list.
Hi again a little insulted that you didn’t answer my questions before. I started some games on GW where people voted for the top 5 episodes of all the SG-1 characters Jack is the one that has finished first
Voted by GW in the Forum Top 5 Jack episodes
1st – Window of Opportunity (50)
2nd – Abyss (50)
3rd – Paradise Lost (50)
4th – Point of No Return (50)
5th – Shades of Grey (50)
Here is my personal Top 5 for Jack
1. Window of Opportunity
2. Learning Curve
3. Double Jeopardy
4. Full Circle
5. Allegiance
I was wondering if you would list your Top 5 Jack episodes?
I will give you the other ones as they finish up.
Have you either had an involvement with the SG-1 or SG:A novels, or have you ever read them? They’re not literary masterpieces, but a good read for a rainy day.
I enjoyed the pics of Joe Flanigan a couple of threads back. Sorry if this has been asked, but did you manage to get any pics of Jason in his black suit and white shirt, and if so, will you post them?
Also, Mr. Flanigan may have been doing a Mallozzi impression, but I feel Ronon (yes I said Ronon, not Jason) in a black suit and white shirt would capture more of your essence.
Hi Joe:
You said you wanted to be a novelist. Most writers have at least started a novel in the past. What was yours about?
Why did the writers kill off Pendergast? My theory is that his name was too long and the writers just got tired of typing it. Opinion?
And, yes, I still think you are a genius.
Patricia
Don’t forget to express your anger when that trailer reveals some important plot point! You know you want to…
Ahem.
Anyway, as promised, here is my question again, from yesterday, just in case you missed it:
Hey Joe, I don’t know if you’ll get to this question or not (if not, I’ll just repeated again tomorrow), but Rob Cooper’s recent interview with Gateworld here says that:
Our intention is, when we’re done [with] that, in mid-June [2007], to jump on a script for the pilot of the third series.
So…do you know if they kept to their plans and have began really working on Universe?
But if you chose not to answer it for whatever reason, then let me ask you this: do you ever read fan theories on what’s going to happen in Season 4 based on the spoilers released, and are any of them close to the truth (don’t have reveal specifics, obviously)?
Thanks!
O. VER. RE. AC. TING.
😆 What was it someone was saying about the hiatus having robbed you of snark? 😉
Looks like you’ve succumbed wholeheartedly to Iain M Banks addiction. Good for you. I rather envy you having all those wonderful books yet to read for the first time. Don’t know if you’ve picked up Against a Dark Background yet but that’s another I highly recommend. Good choice on The Wasp Factory for the Iain Banks novel too… it’s… odd.. in a good way! 😀
P.S. After a busy week and a crummy, stressful evening, can I just say “thank you” and “squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” for the news of the extended promo. I look forward to torturing myself with trying to work out what clip is from what ep. 😀
Menefee writes: “I was wondering if you had a least favorite script of SG-1 or Atlantis that you and Paul worked on.”
Answer: “Probably Prometheus.”
me: i’m curious, why? i loved sam doing her macgyver stuff, lol. but really, why?
sally 🙂
You ate a chicken fat sandwhich?!?! Tell me that was a joke. Just thinking about such a creation makes me ill.
I had a sci-fi novel recommendation request–know of any that are similar in tone to the ‘Gates? By that I mean, wonderful, lovable characters, great relationships and witty dialogue mixed into the science fiction element. I love sci-fi, but, for whatever reason I tend to stumble onto novels that are tech heavy and character light–which is not what I really enjoy.
One last note, have you ever read Richard Matheson’s vampire classic “I Am Legend”? I just finished it–great read.
Thanks,
Royal
Also celebrating a birthday – my mother. 🙂
Wow, I never would’ve pegged you as the Industrial Goth type, but the black suits with red shirts make a LOT more sense now!
I can’t listen to Stigmata (or any post-“Everyday is Halloween” Ministry song) in the car as it makes me drive too fast, but what’s on your radio/CD player/iPod playlist? (I’m assuming you have an iPod just like the rest of the planet, but I prefer the Sanza players myself.)
Cars are an okay investment, but if you need the money desperately (for a ransom payment, as you said), you’d probably get a lot less on the car than what you paid for it due to depreciation and you’d have wasted some money. Think smaller – like coins for example. I have some mint condition coins from my birthyear and they are worth in the range of $AU500 now.
Hello Joe.. (that sounds nice)
Is Alan McCullough kidnapable and who is Iain Banks? All this interest in investments .. you’re not still hoping for Ali’s demise and a subsequent monetary windfall are you? Anyway all you need to do is bank with the ING bank. According to that nice German guy you can make a fortunate banking with them…
Dori
Sneak preview? Woo-hoo! I should be getting the first Season 1 DVD for Eureka tomorrow from Netflix.
Arctic goddess reminded me how upset I was when Col. Pendergast was killed. I really liked him! I wailed about it for about half an hour until my husband told me enough already.
I’ve pre-ordered Harry Potter and also A Dog’s Breakfast, but I think I’d better wait until I actually get a paycheck to order the Atlantis DVDs. Plus I still need to find a way to replace my scratched DVD from season 1. There are a couple of episodes I could manage to live without, but not the first two parts of “The Siege”!
Answer: “That said, I consider Bounty and Uninvited Mitchell episodes.”
THANK YOU!!!! I consider them Mitchell episodes too. Sorry if my previous post came across as a little snarky. (((Hugs)))
Well, poundpuppy29’s post just reminded me of which episode won 1st place for best Daniel episode ever. I’ll give you a hint. It’s not “Forever In A Day”, it’s not “First Ones”, it’s not “Torment Of Tantalus”, it’s not “Absolute Power”, it’s not “There But For The Grace Of God”, and it’s also not “Legacy”, “Lifeboat” or “The Curse”. It is, however, an episode that you wrote so I guess you should be proud. Are you sitting down Joe? I’ll give you a hint. It’s an episode from season 10. Still not sure? Yup, it’s “Momento Mori” for best Daniel episode ever.
Oh, and you might be happy to know that “Family Ties” is showing promise for 4th or 5th place for best SAM episode in the last 10 years. *sigh* I know, I know, I’m being snarky again… *Hugs*
Posted by Anonymous “Joe,
I have to admit that I’m confused about something that Ben said in the Stargate Official Magazine regarding season 10. Ben said that there were no Mitchell centered episodes in season 10, but that there are Sam episodes (note plural), Teal’c episodes (note plural), and Vala episodes. He didn’t mention Daniel, but it could be that he considered “The Shroud” to be a team episode (alot of people do).
Maybe you can enlighten me because the only Teal’c episode I remember is “Talion”, the only Sam episode I remember is “Road Not Taken”, but there were alot of Vala episodes. I could have sworn that “Uninvited” was a Mitchell bonding with Landry episode and I know that “Bounty” (the quicker picker upper) episode was a Mitchell episode. I would assume that an episode about Mitchell’s high school reunion at Mitchell’s parent’s house is about MITCHELL, but maybe it was a Sam episode and I’m just confused. I mean Sam along with Daniel and Teal’c might have been in the episode for at least 5 minutes so……. now that I think about it Sam, Daniel and Teal’c were the only things that I liked about that episode. I guess I just need to remember to use those rose colored glasses a little more often. “
Can I just say to Anonymous – I LOVE this post! If you ever get an extra pair of those rose colored glasses could you send ’em my way perhaps they will help. Based on what BB has to say I missed several of the Sam and Teal’c eppys. Unfortunatley I caught the “Action Jackson” episodes (which may explain why BB did not mention “Daniel”) and the Vaniel episodes and some dreck that featured Mitchell so those glasses with the rosy color may come in handy if I ever stomach watching S10 again.
Oh, and the getting older thing? When I realized I’m almost old enough to be Martin Gero’s mother. There’s just not enough chocolate in the world.
I can identify with your comment about the youthful financial advisor. I went to a local minor league baseball game yesterday. One of the players was born the same year I graduated college! OUCH!
I totally agree with you on the fireworks. I live in Northeast Pennsylvania where it’s illegal for a resident to buy the big stuff but it’s legal for non-residents to purchase them here. (Yeah, it’s a pretty stupid law…) Anyway, we have fireworks stores all along the New Jersey border that cater to those who cross the state-line to buy anything from the big aerials, M80’s, Roman Candles, you name it. Here’s the thing: In the state of New Jersey, it’s illegal to purchase/transport/blow-up ANY type of fireworks. So New Jersey State Troopers have been staking out these shops and following NJ residents over the bridge after they leave our state. The second they cross state-lines, they’re arrested and charged with illegal fireworks transport and possession. This week 4 tons were confiscated. Makes this Pennsyl-tuckian mighty pleased 😀 http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070703/NEWS/707030313
Hi Joe.
Have you ever read Timeline by Michael Crichton? It’s a great read and don’t hold the movie against it (it was truly terrible)
I agree that people are overreacting about Carter as well. Based on past episodes, I can only imagine Carter having about as much screen time as all the other commanders have had.
Stargate has always been more about the team, not the person in charge of the base.
That said, I kind of hope it’s not true because I like Carter and Amanda Tapping. 🙂
*Brings a fan in*
Oh boy – this is going to get interesting!
I hold fans like you responsible for not giving me anything to get angry about.
That sounds like a challenge to me. Right, then. Let’s see…
Pugs are an inferior breed. They aren’t fluffy, they squirm a lot, and their noses are just silly looking. In short, there’s a reason their name is one letter away from “pig”. Now, German Shepherds: that’s a dog.
There. Snark away.
Joe,
Ministry, ok. What’s your thought’s
about Motorhead, Nitzer Ebb , or Nine Inch Nails?
I totally agree. As I’ve stated several times before, don’t hate Sam in Atlantis until you actually SEE her in Atlantis! Grrr! Hm. Nothing really intersting for me to share, so I’ll skip right to the question: Okay, on the chicken fat sandwhich, was that the worst thing you’ve ever eaten? If not, what was?
Caldwell and Abe Ellis are to fight it out to the death. Who’s your pick to win?
Hi Joe,
Looks like your signature is one of the autographs in my Celebration of Ten Years book. Do you think this adds to or detracts from the value? 😉
Happy Birthday to ChevronSeven’s mom and Martin Wood who also has a birthday today.
Thanks a lot Joe for the autograph verification. Now my friend also got one of the books and feels that the auto she got is also yours, but it doesn’t look the same as mine. I was wondering if you could be so kind as to verify if it is yours or someone else’s (PDL perhaps?) Thanks!
http://pics.livejournal.com/switch842/pic/00cgf2wc
We already figured out that the bottom one is Chris Judge’s scrawl. His is fairly easy to read (if all were that easy!)
I’ve never really watched anime before, but a few friends kept recommending Bleach to me, so I gave it a shot (fansubbed, of course). And now I’m totally hooked on it! Have you seen that one yet?
LOL…Ryan Reynolds made that movie for me…he had all the best lines. Besides the moment you mentioned…I love he part before that when that silver nitrate or whatever is in the air. And he asks them after a pause something like “You gotta cell phone” or simular. For whatever reason, I just laughed histarically. But I’m easily amused…
Evening Joe! Too bad you are against fireworks, we just had an hour and 15 minute show here on wednseday(put on by yours truely).
QOTD- Have you tried hershey’s new dark chocolate? I saw some at the store today that was 65% and 72% looked good but was a bit leery.
While I’m far from a chocolate expert, the Hershey’s 65% cacao is marginal. I, um, finished off the bar today, as a matter of fact. It made me want to go out and buy some really good chocolate.
Well, poundpuppy29’s post just reminded me of which episode won 1st place for best Daniel episode ever. I’ll give you a hint. It’s not “Forever In A Day”, it’s not “First Ones”, it’s not “Torment Of Tantalus”, it’s not “Absolute Power”, it’s not “There But For The Grace Of God”, and it’s also not “Legacy”, “Lifeboat” or “The Curse”. It is, however, an episode that you wrote so I guess you should be proud. Are you sitting down Joe? I’ll give you a hint. It’s an episode from season 10. Still not sure? Yup, it’s “Momento Mori” for best Daniel episode ever.
Oh, and you might be happy to know that “Family Ties” is showing promise for 4th or 5th place for best SAM episode in the last 10 years. *sigh* I know, I know, I’m being snarky again… *Hugs*
I didn’t vote for it even though I am a major D&V Shipper I did see it as important for the Daniel character because it was the first time Daniel was passionate about someone again since Sha’re but I still consider it a Vala episode and one of my favorites of season 10 I wish I knew who you are I use the same screen name everywhere the Daniel game is still ongoing you can make sure the classic Daniel episodes get in the Top 5 if you vote in the game you should see that I really have voted for the early Daniel episodes like Crystal Skull and The Torment of Tantalus. I am rather a new fan just discovered Stargate last fall in syndication but I have done the homework I have seasons 1 thru 9 on DVD working on my second time watching the whole series in the middle of 8 right now and seasons 3 and 10 are my favorites. Just to let you Joe know there was a another contest where Daniel & Vala Memento Mori won it was the Ship episode we narrowly beat Jack & Sam Divide and Conquer for 1st place. Thank you for that episode it validated the D&V ship for a lot of us shippers
No offence, but anyone who eats chicken fat by choice is a sandwich short of a picnic.
Now, onto this from Steph:
“As I’ve stated several times before, don’t hate Sam in Atlantis until you actually SEE her in Atlantis! “
I think, Steph, that you’ll find a large number of Atlantis fans have seen Sam on SG1. If they don’t like her there (and I don’t) they won’t like her on Atlantis.
Unless she suddenly changes into a completely different character, which defeats the purpose of bringing her over.
Either way, SG1 was on TV here in Australia late on Thursday night, and the wonderful Ben Browder was on screen. Next thing you know, I copped an eyeful of Carter.
I had to turn it off. I know a lot of people talk about Browder and Black making them stop watching, but for me, it was Carter. I can’t stand the character, and there’s no way I’ll miraculously start liking her just because she’s in a different setting.
I couldn’t even watch the episodes of Atlantis she’s been in already.
If she’s in 14 of them, that’s 14 episodes I won’t be watching. I may struggle through her scenes if she happens to be in an episode with Paul or Torri, but otherwise, I’m pretty much done with SGA.
Of course fans are overreacting. It’s summer what else are we supposed to do? 😀
What’s your stance on turkish coffee?
hey Joseph salut salut!!
Ah il fait enfin beau temp chez moi^^! Sa redonne le sourir =)
=}Waou ba dit donc trés beau livre^^!
=}Mais vous n êtes pas vieux!! Croyer moi , mes grand parent son vieux, mais pas vous 😉
=}Caldwell va revenir!! coool!!
=}Je souhaite un joyeux anniversaire a Martin!!!
=} J ai une question intéréssante a vous posez( pour une foix XD!)
-Les wraith peuvent t il aspirer la vie d un animal??
=} Bon ba voila! merci bc !! Bonne journée!!
==Vous inquiétez pas vous faites vraiment plus jeune que votre age;)!==
Extended trailer eh? You just sent me happily vaulting through the roof, haha.
Have you thought of adding a historian/archealogist type of character to SGA? It seems that one or even a team of them would be needed to correctly archive any information on new societies they discovered. The character of Daniel Jackson on SG-1 really emphasized that. A women historian would be nice. Someone with an English accent…like Sonya Walger.
Also, are there any computer programmers on Atlantis? It seems that McKay and Zelenka are doing that job as well as being astrophysicists.
If you have any spare time during the hiatus how would you like to write a 5-8 min script based on the theme love, trial or summer?
I’m doing a film course just now and I need a script. I just like being behind the camera. I don’t want to be a writer. I couldn’t write a script to save my life. I have ideas but they start in the middle and they don’t have an end – which is a problem. I’m the kind of person who starts a conversation half way through and expects people to know what I’m saying.
Do you have any advice (other than get psychiatric help or don’t be a writer) or can you recommend any books on script writing?
A chicken fat sandwich with ONIONS??? *turns green* You really are a very brave man!
Hey Joe,
Thanks for the recomends. My wife is definetly going to check those out! You sure you don’t need a personal assistant or anything to help with your crazy life. I could drive you everywhere, make sure your food is poison free, and slap any other wirters around who critique your work? Interested, let me know.
Totally unrelated to anything you posted today, I thought I would share about this wonderful show I attended last night called “A/V Geeks.”
This guy has collected old educational films from the 40’s onward and puts them together in theme shows. (Last night’s was “Movies with Annoying Songs.”)
Somehow, I thought this would fit with your sense of humor. Go. Amuse yourself. http://www.avgeeks.com
Well, I can understand why Ben Browder didn’t consider Uninvited or Bounty Mitchell episodes. Bounty might have looked like it should be a Mitchell episode but we didn’t learn anything new about Mitchell, and the episode was really all about Vala. Yep, another Vala episode. Gee, what a shock!
Uninvited did have a couple of nice Mitchell and Landry scenes I’d hardly call the episode a Mitchell episode. Look at Talion, Momento Mori, or The Road Not Taken and compare the character focus in those to Uninvited. In comparison, Mitchell has hardly any attention in the episode.
G’day from the Aussie Gateworld thread. We love the spoilers we have read for season 4 and are looking forward to seeing it. Now on to the serious questions. 1. Given that there are Australians on Atlantis (judging by the flags on uniforms) does that mean there is vegemite in the Pegasus Galaxy? 2. And is there any chance of seeing an Australian in a bigger role in the hopefully many seasons to come?
Your kindly; Shrap (Jo), rosey_angel (Kathy), Amaunet (Rhi), LiquidKal (Brad), gavo2o (Josh), phaeton, B O Y S C O U T and Kidwizz (the Bens), MB Eddie and Gen_J_O’Neill (the Eddies)
Anonymous said: “Can I just say to anonymous – I LOVE this post! If you ever get an extra pair of those rose colored glasses could you send’em my way perhaps they will help.”
Thank You! What Ben said really bothered me. He made it sound like season 10 was all about Sam, Teal’c and Vala. I thought we weren’t watching the same show. As a long time fan of the show, and a fan of the original team, I still watched season 9 & 10 with an open mind. What I saw in season 9 made me really angry. Season 9 was all Mitchell all the time while Sam, Daniel and Teal’c were wallpapered.
I do disagree with you about action Jackson and Vaniel. Season 10 was alot of Vala with some Mitchell. IMO Daniel was treated just as bad in season 10 as Sam and Teal’c. For that reason I didn’t see Vaniel anymore than I saw Meal’c or Scam. What I saw was 3 characters that I love being used to SUPPORT the 2 new stars of the show. Teal’c and Sam were there to support Mitchell and Daniel was used to support Vala – in other words, the Big3 were still being used as fancy wallpaper.
Anonymous said: “Well, I can understand why Ben Browder didn’t consider Uninvited or Bounty Mitchell episodes. Bounty might have looked like it should be a Mitchell episode but we didn’t learn anything new about Mitchell, and the episode was really all about Vala.”
Are you kidding? I mean this has to be a joke right? “Bounty” was a Mitchell episode. We (lucky us) got to see where Mitchell was raised, meet his parents, see where he went to high school, become acquainted with his old girlfriend and meet some of his other high school friends. It was a Mitchell episode. If C.B. was able to overshadow B.B. in a Mitchell episode (according to you) that’s not the writer’s fault.
We have never had an episode where we go to Sam or Daniel’s high school reunion. We’ve never spent a weekend with Daniel and his foster parents, or Sam spending the weekend at her brother’s house, and Daniel and Sam have been on the show since the begining. IMO Mitchell and Vala have both had a ton of character developement in 2 years…too much as far as I’m concerned.
I also noticed that you didn’t mention “The Shroud” as a Daniel episode like you mentioned “Talion and “The Road Not Taken” for Sam and Teal’c. Alot of people consider “The Shroud” to be a team episode on how the team is dealing with their friend. My point is that at least in “The Shroud” nobody is wallpapered. Compare that to “Bounty”. It seems like everytime we get a Mitchell episode, Sam, Daniel and Teal’c suddenly disappear….we wouldn’t want Mitchell overshadowed now would we?
“Anonymous said: “Can I just say to anonymous – I LOVE this post! If you ever get an extra pair of those rose colored glasses could you send’em my way perhaps they will help.”
Thank You! What Ben said really bothered me. He made it sound like season 10 was all about Sam, Teal’c and Vala. I thought we weren’t watching the same show. As a long time fan of the show, and a fan of the original team, I still watched season 9 & 10 with an open mind. What I saw in season 9 made me really angry. Season 9 was all Mitchell all the time while Sam, Daniel and Teal’c were wallpapered.
I do disagree with you about action Jackson and Vaniel. Season 10 was alot of Vala with some Mitchell. IMO Daniel was treated just as bad in season 10 as Sam and Teal’c. For that reason I didn’t see Vaniel anymore than I saw Meal’c or Scam. What I saw was 3 characters that I love being used to SUPPORT the 2 new stars of the show. Teal’c and Sam were there to support Mitchell and Daniel was used to support Vala – in other words, the Big3 were still being used as fancy wallpaper.”
THAT’S ENOUGH!!! You had 8 YEARS, and you deny us, the fans of season 9 and 10 the right to enjoy the new characters’ development for just one year??? Go to hell…
You guys really dropped the ball not mentioning Jack in “Unending”! Will Jack be acknowledged at all in Season 4?
“Anonymous #7 writes: “Ben said that there were no Mitchell centered episodes in season 10, but that there are Sam episodes (note plural), Teal’c episodes (note plural), and Vala episodes. He didn’t mention Daniel, but it could be that he considered “The Shroud” to be a team episode (alot of people do).”
Answer: I’m always reluctant to name a certain episode character-centered because I’ve found that, in the past, my opinion of what is a character-centered episode differs from what other people consider a character-centered episode. That said, I consider Bounty and Uninvited Mitchell episodes.”
Ah, definitions. Yes, they can be quite subjective.
Joe, is a character-centred episode in your opinion:
(a)an episode which focuses solely on one character’s situation (my example, Memento Mori – focuses completely on Vala, her kidnap and rescue)
(b)an episode that explores a character’s past and/or develops their character beyond what the audience already knows about them to some degree as part of a plot/sub-plot but not necessarily as the main focus of said plot/sub-plot (my example, Family Ties – focuses on Vala’s relationship with her father and how far she has progressed as a character and being accepted into the team)
(c) an episode where the character takes the ‘lead’ in a plot (my example, Dominion – Vala leads the main plot of trapping Adria)
(d) all of the above
(e) none of the above – in which case please share 🙂
You see, if it’s only (a) then Mitchell really didn’t have a character-centred episode in S10 (although I would equally argue under this definition Sam only had The Road Not Taken, Teal’c only had Talion, Daniel had The Shroud and Vala had Memento Mori.) Bounty and Uninvited really fall into the B category.
I actually thought the best Mitchell episode in S10 was Company of Thieves and thought Bad Guys was a great epi for him too.
I’m making no judgements of Carter in Atlantis untill I see season 4. My question is, how is the interaction/relationship between Carter and Sheppard differ from Sheppard’s relationship with Weir?
farscapefan said: THAT’S ENOUGH!!! You had 8 YEARS, and you deny us, the fans of season 9 and 10 the right to enjoy the new characters’ development for just one year??? Go to hell…
I never watched SG-1 (nothing against it, just not my cup of tea. I adore Atlantis, though), and since I’m not and never been a fan of SG-1, I think I can speak without bias. I’d agree with you if TPTB had created a new show, called it Stargate-whatever, started with season 1, and promoted the show as being the Ben Browder & Claudia Black show, with them as the regular characters, and the actors from SG-1 being recurring. However, as far as I’ve read, they didn’t do that. They kept the name, they continued with SG-1’s seasons (aka s9 and s10), Michael, Amanda and Christopher were still REGULARS, and they promoted the show as the show it had always been with the addition of Ben and Claudia. Therefore, the show shouldn’t have lost its focus. It should’ve had at least an equal number of episodes dedicated to each character.
Let’s say things had turned out different, and Farscape had gotten a season 5 and a season 6, and in those seasons Michael Shanks, Amanda Tapping and Christopher Judge had been added as regulars, and the focus of seasons 5 and 6 of Farscape had turned into these 3 actors, and the characters played by Ben and Claudia had had little to do, with all or 99% of the character development for Michael, Christopher and Amanda. And fans of Michael, Christopher and Amanda were telling you: “THAT’S ENOUGH!!! You had 4 YEARS, and you deny us, the fans of season 5 and 6 of Farscape the right to enjoy the new characters’ development. Go to hell…”
Would you have gladly accepted this situation?
It’s so easy to criticize when you’re a fan of the actors who haven’t been wallpapered!
Anonymous said… “I had to turn it off. I know a lot of people talk about Browder and Black making them stop watching, but for me, it was Carter. I can’t stand the character, and there’s no way I’ll miraculously start liking her just because she’s in a different setting.”
well i’m glad you’re the minority, because otherwise sam wouldn’t be coming over to atlantis and some other sg1 character would. face it, you *are* the minority. there aren’t going to be some huge group of ppl that stop watching because carter’s suddenly on this show. there might be some beckett & weir fans that stop watching (because their faves aren’t on the show anymore), but bringing a well liked and received sg1 character over *will* bring some sg1 fans over. proof? i’m one of them.
sally 🙂
Sorry Joe but I see another post that I need to respond to…….
So, Farscapefan, Formerhost, Kalliope, and Truskawka (did I miss any), I see you haven’t changed much. You need to accept the fact that there are actually people that don’t like Mitchell or Vala. There are actually some people that don’t like Farscape. Everytime someone doesn’t like Vala you threaten them. You have been kicked off of so many boards (under lots of different names)that it isn’t even funny.
Considering that you go around saying how much you hate seasons one through eight, that Stargate was basically awful before Vala joined, and you’re constantly saying how much you hate Jack and never want him to even guest star……..Sorry, but I really don’t put much stock in your opinion.
Nope. I wanted to be a novelist. I have a Masters degree in English (and Renaissance Drama specifically).
Hey Joe! I’m curious; how did you transition from wanting to be a novelist to writing for television? Apologies if you have elaborated on this before, I’ve only started reading the blog recently.
I’m currently equally divided between journalism and my own fictional writing, and have no idea how, when or whether I will choose between the two!
I would also recommend first edition Harry Potter books as a highly worthwhile investment 😉
Mary
Have you either had an involvement with the SG-1 or SG:A novels, or have you ever read them? They’re not literary masterpieces, but a good read for a rainy day.
Only if you can put up with dreadful grammar, purple prose, endless typos and zero editing.
Farscapefan said… “THAT’S ENOUGH!!! You had 8 YEARS, and you deny us, the fans of season 9 and 10 the right to enjoy the new characters’ development for just one year??? Go to hell…”
farscapefan, i just threw something in the corner, go fetch.
sally 🙂
Have you thought of adding a historian/archealogist type of character to SGA?
Never fear, by next season I’m sure Carter will have added all of the above to her increasingly ludicrous list of “accomplishments”. With such a “multi-faceted” character around you wonder why they need anyone else in Atlantis at all. 😉
So much for the anemic mailbag! Apparently that was a fluke, and the whining and sniping have resumed! I’m going to go eat some shrimp and watch Eureka.
How would I go about finding good chocolate in my area? Yellow Pages?
farscapefan said…
THAT’S ENOUGH!!! You had 8 YEARS, and you deny us, the fans of season 9 and 10 the right to enjoy the new characters’ development for just one year??? Go to hell…
First of all, no one’s denying you anything. You like what you like and we like what we like.
Secondly, what does one thing have to do with another? SG-1 was on the air for 10 years. Not 8. Seasons 9 and 10 were not a separate show. It was the same show.
You might not understand this though since by your own admission you’ve only seen a few episodes from the first 8 seasons…but my point, Kalliope, is that fans of Stargate SG-1 wanted to see Stargate SG-1 and some were disappointed because they felt the show had lost something really special…almost magical in fact, and had sacrificed it to focus too much on the new characters/storylines.
BTW, I said “some were disappointed” because I don’t know how many. It’s easy to feel as though you’re in the majority position when you feel so strongly about something and believe that the bulk of the audience is on your side. I will endeavor to not make that assumption regarding how I felt since I can’t quantify it with actual numbers.
That being said, I’ll speak only for myself when I say that I wish the inclusion of the new team members had felt more natural…that the team interactions hadn’t felt as forced…and that the history of the show and characters had been treated with more respect than I felt it was.
Just my personal opinion of course. Well, all except for the part where I stated that SG-1 ran for 10 years. That’s a fact, Formerhost, regardless of how many times you insist it was a new series. And since it was a continuation of a wildly successful show, I humbly submit to you that TPTB should have taken greater care to ensure that the integration of the new characters honored the existing set up rather than attempt to reinvent the show and the team to fit the newer people.
Mary Beth
Hi Joe,
I have a Comic Con question. The advertisement on their site doesn’t show Joe F. as a guest. Do you know if he is going to join Amanda and David? For the Arc of Truth panel do you know if Michael and Chris are still joining Amanda and Rob?
Thanks