One of the great thing about this blog is that it offers up a convenient means by which fans of the show can communicate criticisms, concerns, and, most important of all, information about upcoming food-related events. Such as yesterday’s entry in which Vikitty alerted me to the Third Annual Moon Acres Garlic Festival taking place today, and today only, in Steveston. Fondy and I took the drive up for noon and I could barely contain my excitement trying to imagine what garlic-themed concoctions awaited us: garlic sausages, garlic stew, garlic chocolate perhaps? As it turned out, none of the above. Some burgers, some hot dogs, some corn, but nothing in keeping with the garlic theme. Still, the trip wasn’t a total loss. I picked up two pounds of fresh garlic (whose perfume fairly permeated the interior of my Q7 while we stopped for lunch), an excellent red pepper, garlic and chili spread (with a cream cheese and butter base), and a curious-sounding red pepper and garlic jelly.

Foregoing the burgers and dogs, we opted to try our luck along Richmond’s restaurant row where, influenced by our disenchantment with the garlic-less garlic fest, we tried out a Malaysian restaurant called Ginger and Garlic. Suffice it to say, the less said about this restaurant the better. Some mediocre curries, and a sautéed spinach dish overpowered by the taste of burnt garlic made for an unremarkable lunch.

Dismayed with the garlic festival, dissatisfied with lunch, I decided to make a little cheer-up stop-over. I’m sure everyone can agree that after a disappointing outing, its often nice to end up in more comfortable, familiar surroundings. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where everybody knows your name. And in my case, that place is Monde Chocolat where I am always greeted like a dearly-missed member of the family – enroute to dropping about $100 on chocolates.

P.S. Amy Lynn – Send me your new mailing address.

Questions? Anyone?

Emma writes: “ Talking of spammers…(…) I’ve tried being polite, being not so polite and later, taking a leaf out of your book,I first told them I was moving to Pennsylvania to live with an Armish community and then advised them that I was renouncing all technology to live in a fortified 18th century bunker in the New Forest to wait for impending Nuclear War…alas I have been getting more calls…any suggestions”

Answer: Ah, if they’re phone calls you want to try a different approach. Engage them in conversation but keep it strictly personal. Ask them about themselves, their relationships with their various family members, their respective love lives. Inform them that you are going through a rough time in your life and will really benefit from learning of their experiences and make it very, very clear that you REALLY NEED someone to talk to, a friend. THEM! Tell them about your personal life: your family vacation to Tibet and that hilarious talking monkey-Sherpa that still sends you postcards, your ex-lover with the peg leg who ate avoided plums because it was “the devil’s fruit”, or your experience with that Bigfoot-worshiping cult literally worshipped people with really big feet.

Anonymous #1 writes: “Now that all the episodes of this season have been slotted how many, if any, of these episodes will feature The Genii and are there any major Genii episodes such as “Coup D’etat”?”

Answer: The Genii will make a late-season appearance, but the story will not focus on the machinations within the Genii’s inner circle.

PG15 writes: “1. Hmmm…well, if the podcast is undoable at the moment, is there a chance that it could surface when the show premiers or after production ends? 2. Do you think it’s a good sign that SciFi is waiting this long to reach a decision about the fate of SGA Season 5, or do you think it means nothing? I mean, I’m no expert at business so…yeah.
3. Have you guys worked out the episode order for the second half of the season yet? If so, do you mind sharing it with us?”

Answers: 1. To be honest, pod casts don’t really hold that much interest for us since we pretty much accomplish the same behind-the-scenes commentary for the DVD’s. 2. Let’s say I understand their desire to want to see how the new season performs. 3. We have but I don’t have a schedule handy so I can’t relay that information at this time.

Zoey Flannigan writes: “Do you think that you could do a episode where shepherd is reunited with a love intrest from his past?”

Answer: We are working on a late-season episode in which he is reunited with his ex-wife.

Moe Jacuzzi writes: “…I am taking a leave of undetermined length…”

Answer: What?! I haven’t missed a day of blogging in 8 months and you’re giving up after less than a week?! For shame!

Anonymous #2 writes: “Don’t you think it is time to update your “About Me” photo to include Lulu?”

Answer: Yup. It’s on my To-Do List.

Vikitty writes: “Go to the one in Steveston?”

Answer: I did and thanks for the heads-up. Not much in the way of food but the garlic-chili-red pepper cream cheese is delish.

Patricia writes: “Now that Sopranos is over, who is your villain role model?”

Answer: Who it has always been – Victor Von Doom.

Steph writes: “As part of my summer experience, I get to read one of a few classics (well, duh, seeing as the class is “Classics through the ages”). My choices are The Count of Monte Cristo, Emma, Othello, Beloved, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Any advice?”

Answer: All great choices I’m sure but if it was me, I’d start with The Count of Monte Cristo, them move on to Emma, and then flip a three-sided coin.

Anonymous #4 writes: “What do you suppose would happen if a Goa’uld took a Wraith as a host?”

Answer: You’d have a goa’ulded wraith. Is this a trick question?

Anonymous #5 writes: “Is the last episode for Season 4 being written with a cliffhanging story that could be continued in an MGM Atlantis DVD movie in case there is no SciFi Channel Season 5 pick-up?”

Answer: It will be a cliffhanger season-ender and let’s just say that regardless of how things work out, I can’t see us leaving our fans hanging indefinitely.

Yasmin writes: “So P-diddy is asking about the fake P-90 again. What do you say?”

Answer: Unfortunately, the P-90’s are a no-go. How about a staple fired in anger instead?

Anonymous #6 writes: “ When you said “I’m a Strauss man” what does it mean? Is it Johann the Elder, Johann the Younger, Franz or Richard?”

Answer: That would be Johan Strauss II.

Anonymous #7 writes: “Do you watch “Top Chef”?”

Answer: Occasionally.

Atlantisfannew1 a ecrit: “Qu elle sont vos vin préféré??”

Reponse: “Je ne bois pas beaucoup de vin mais, tout quand meme, je prefere des vin blancs plus doux comme un Riesling ou un Gewurtzraminer.

KMcK writes: “Would you like to have Weir back as well?”

Answer: Depending on how certain storylines evolve and Torri’s availability, we would love to have her back.

Anonymous #8 writes: “When will we know if there’s going to be a S6 or not?”

Answer: Season 6?! Let’s concentrate on season 5.

Anonymous #9 writes: “Do you know if the ships in atlantis land ON the city, or NEXT to the city, in the water?”

Answer: If you’re referring to the Daedalus and the Apollo, they don’t land. They remain in planetary orbit.

Anonymous #10 writes: “Now that the “extended trailer” (from Comic-Con) is on SGA’s Yahoo TV page, can you give us the names of the Season 4 episodes that are shown like you said you would?”

Answer: In particular order – Adrift, Lifeline, Doppelganger, Travelers, Tabula Rasa, Missing and possibly (sorry, some of the scenes went by so fast) Reunion and The Seer.

Anna writes: “ I was wondering if we’d ever happen to see Sam and Teyla spar in season 4.”

Answer: No, we won’t.

Tom Foolery writes: “Is there any chance Felger will ever visit Atlantis?”

Answer: Most unlikely.

Tom Foolery also writes: “Have you ever tried Haggis?”

Answer: I haven’t. One of the butchers near my place sells it every once in a while but I haven’t had occasion to pick some up.

Anonymous #11 writes: “ Has it ever been specifically clarified what Jack’s position is in S9 and S10?”

Answer: Specifically? It has not.

Crazymom writes: “Is the doggy spa still on schedule?”

Answer: A strike at Vancouver City Hall has delayed the opening as Fondy has been unable to secure a business license. As a result, the grand opening has been pushed to late August.

Promogirl writes: “By the way, have you watched Flash Gordon, yet?”

Answer: I haven’t.

Anonymous #12 writes: “have you read any books by Robert Silverberg or John Brunner?”

Answer: I read a Best of Robert Silverberg collection over the hiatus and enjoyed it very much. I’ve also been meaning to get around to Lord Valentine’s Castle. Also sitting on my bookshelf are Brunner’s The Sheep Look Up and Stand on Zanzibar.

Anonymous #12 also writes: “Does the commentary for “Irresponsible” include your input?”

Answer: I don’t recall. I remember telling Lawren that if they had me do the Irresponsible commentary, they wouldn’t like what I had to say.

Aurelie McKay-Hewlett a ecrit: “Vous aimez manger a mcdonald’s?”

Reponse: Rarement.

Lisa Gabi Marie writes: “I know this is kind of old, but I finally watched the Comic con SGA panel and was surprised to not hear any questions about Elizabeth. Were you also surprised and what questions did you think fans might have asked about her?”

Answer: I was expecting someone would ask and was somewhat surprised no one did. As to what questions fan may have asked – that’s question for the fans.

Anonymous #13 writes: “…all the questions were screened before they were asked. That’s why there were no Weir questions.”

Answer: First time we heard of any screening was on the boards after the Comic Con. Robert and I neither requested nor were informed of any attempt to screen comments.

81 thoughts on “August 11, 2007

  1. Re: Screened questions at Comic Con (in general)-

    I was in line waiting to ask a question, (sadly, I fell short by a few people) and never saw one person denied a question about any topic. And the SG-1 panel had some supposed “no-no” questions (like the guy who asked to sing the SG1 parody), so I don’t think there was any enforcement of asking “forbidden” questions.

  2. A goa’ulded wraith?? Maybe I’m just a little nuts (or a lot nuts) but that response of yours has still got laughing hysterically!!! My neighbors are gonna think I’ve lost it! (Wait–they know that already…)

    I love your blog, Joe–there’s always *something* to make me smile!

  3. What would you personally(hypothetically) like to see the characters accomplish in a (possible) season 5.

  4. Hmmm, good point. I suppose the fact that pretty much every episode has a commentary sort of voids the whole podcast thing. Thank you again for answering all those questions!

    *note to self: ask Joe about episode list again on Monday*

    For now though, I’d like to clarify a question asked by another poster.

    We have seen the Daedalus land at Atlantis at least twice (The Siege Part 3 and The Hive…maybe more). Now, to me, it’s pretty clear that it lands in the water beside a pier, as seen in this screencap but apparently there is some confusion.

    So the question is, when the Daedalus lands at Atlantis for whatever reason, does it land on a pier, or in the water beside a pier?

  5. I checked out Flash Gordon. It wasn’t the horrible train wreck I thought it would be based on the promos. It dragged in spots but it really wasn’t half bad. Hopefully they’ll manage an audience that will give you a good lead-in. Atlantis kicks their butt in the quality department, however. I’m just saying… 😉

    I’ve watched all of season one and have moved on to season 2 with the Atlantis DVDs. “The Intruder” was great. My favorite line? “Crap indeed.” I almost sprayed ice tea on my monitor at that one.

    So you mentioned liking Strauss. Do you listen to music when you write?

  6. I would personally like to see Ronan or Sheppard, at their very weakest.
    like in Seteda, ronan’s flash backs.
    But even so i would like something like that to last longer(on screen) and go a little bit deeper.(i love it when they cry.(coz its funny)

  7. God. Wow. A Goa’oulded Wraith. What a terror to inflict on any universe. Maybe next you should just have an Asuran take the form of a Wraith and then Goa’ould him. How about them apples? Or maybe you should make a Replicator take the shape of an Ori and then Goa’ould him. Or if you want to get real freaky, you can have the Replicators and Asurans mix coding, look like an Ori with the powers of a Wraith and THEN stick a Goa’ould inside.

    I scare myself sometimes. Anyways, thanks for the advice. You actually broke the tie between The Count of Monte Cristo and Emma. 🙂 Out of all the classics that you’ve read, which has been you’re favorite?

  8. Please tell me that Sheppard’s reunion with hi ex-spouse will not be schmaltzy, and that you are being truthful when saying it!

    I am even more excited about season 4 after seeing the ComiCon promo. And, it’s only 48 days away! WooHoo!

  9. The Daedalus pretty clearly lands (so to speak) in the water. In one of the episodes where they use the shot, they cut away later than usual, and you can see the ship start to bob. And I think in dialog they once mentioned it landed “alongside” a pier.

    The sad and terrible life of being an effects wonk.

  10. Ah, I LOVE a good Reisling! The Hilton in San Diego had a lovely one. Damian (DK) got a glass of wine, and I was afraid he’d ordered Chardonnay, which I don’t care for…so I asked for a Riesling and was SO very happy to hear they’d gotten one. Apparently that had been what he’d ordered.

    I would ask where I could find a good inexpensive bottle (meaning $30 or less) but, since we are in different countries, I’m not so sure you’d be able to help with that. 🙁

  11. Hello Joe! 🙂 Sorry your Garlic fest was a disappointment and the lunch even more so, but hey anyday day that ends on a note of chocolate is a good day in my book! Good lord though, A Garlic fest without much garlic is kinda along the lines of Coffee without caffiene isnt it, pointless!

    Can’t wait for season 4. I saw the previews and all I have to say about it is it’s going to be the best season ever!!

    As for Conventions. I cant make time to go to one because I live in Florida and there always to far away for me to make the kind of time I would need to enjoy myself. I know they have conventions here. Orlando is always spouting off on Star Trek Conventions, I beg you,lol. For once come to Florida!

  12. Good evening Mr. M.,

    Too bad there was no garlic chocolate at the festival. Although the bunches of garlic really looks good in the pictures. Have you ever tried Asian garlic? It has a sweeter flavor, a little like New England garlic.

    My mom makes the best Spinach w/ garlic – very simple. Saute tiny bit onion & fresh garlic in olive oil and wilt the spinach in it (if you have any Asian markets around, try the different varieties of spinach that are sold there). I am surprised I haven’t turned green from eating it so much.

    Thanks for answering the Weir/Torri question. Even though it wasn’t my question, it’s been on my mind also.

    As for the staples shot in anger for P-diddy, please don’t give him any ideas. The man already owns a staple gun, and just might get some crazy ideas.

    Sorry to hear about Fondy’s doggy spa getting delayed. It must be frustrating for her & her partner/s.

  13. As a lover of garlic, I always felt sorry for other people who had to suffer my indulgence! The after smell really isn’t pleasant. Is it true, the more you eat the less you smell… So to speak?!

  14. This blog is getting addictive. and humbling; I thought that half raw steak was the end all of fine dining. One question on the upcoming dvds; is Gary Jones doing any commentaries on season 3? And any comments or opinions on DC area eateries would be appreciated.

  15. Is it possible a wraith would ever turn good and join the Atlantis crew? Or at least become an actual ally?

    My favorite wraith eps tend to be those where we see the more sympatheic, more personal side of the wraith (Instinct, Michael, Misbegotten, Common Ground), rather than those where they’re just the big, scary villains. Perhaps with the replicators becoming more important as villains, we’ll get to see more of this side of the wraith?

  16. Hi Joe:

    I loved your “Cheers” reference. I enjoyed that show very much. Which reminded me of a question. You’ve written for cartoons and for Sci-fi. I think you would be an awesome comedy writer. Do you plan to pitch for a comedy gig in your next life?

    Patricia

  17. 1. when was the last time you took a visit to the famous “how come room”

    2. I can’t start my day without a cup of coffee from Tim Horton’s do you drink coffee?? where is your fave place to aquire a cup of java??

  18. If nanites invade your body, does it become sort of like a goa’uld host type struggle for control of the mind? One of those almost-impossible-to-break-through-but-if-I-try-really-hard-maybe-I-can-do-it things?

  19. Hey Joe, love the blog — here’s a link to the garlic ice cream recipe on garlicworld.com — based in Gilroy –http://www.garlicworld.com/icecream.html

  20. “So the question is, when the Daedalus lands at Atlantis for whatever reason, does it land on a pier, or in the water beside a pier?”

    Er, I’d hazard a guess that Atlantis isn’t exactly built to support or accomodate Earth ships. As I also think it’s safe to assume the Daedalus doesn’t float, it was probably holding position over the water, and hadn’t actually landed.

    Likely a ship would take that position only for safety reasons— say, overlapping fields of fire with the City, or because Wraith ships were up above the atmosphere. Otherwise, it’d probably be simpler to just keep the ship in orbit, seeing as they’d have to beam the crew into the City either way.

  21. So a Goa’uld could take a Wraith as a host? I thought the Wraith were too mentally strong (right wording?) for that. That’d be one hell of a Wraith/Goa’uld/being though.

  22. Sorry if this question has been asked a bunch of times.

    Why werent the Nox and the Furlings ever fleshed out? Sure, the Nox made a couple appearances… but they stopped being shown around season three or so. Was it to keep a balance of power?

  23. Dear Joe,

    I’m guessing that “Blue Danube” is your favorite.

    Still, you haven’t answered this question:
    1. Any attempts on putting classical music in stargate atlantis or not?
    In case you haven’t got any ideas on classical music, I’m somewhat of an expert.
    And 2. Have any of the cast or crew ever been, gone or going to Hong Kong?
    Because I am going there for my 21st on November.

    Thanks

  24. 1.I would absolutely suggest you check out the SciFi Channel’s new orignal show “Flash Gordon”.
    2.Can we expect Teyla and Ronon’s friendship to evolve in season 4 with the fact Teyla will be with child?
    3.Another suggestion is that you check out the author Stephanie Meyer. Her bestselling series of books are great.

  25. Hey Joe,

    I really liked the dogfight scenes in Avalon and No Man’s Land… any chance we’ll see the F-302 go up against any Darts or Ori fighters in Season 4 or the movies?

    Chris

  26. Hey Joe,

    I have a quick question about S4 and possibly beyond.

    Are we going to see any (or any more) non-human aliens in S4 or beyond? Like the alien in “The Fifth Man”, (but not specifically that race) or so on? (since the asgard are kaput)

  27. Being in the audience for both Stargate panels at Comic Con, I did hear the announcement in the room that the questions were being screened. It was over the loudspeaker and I don’t recall if you guys were in the room or not. I know it didn’t come from you guys but I’m sure many of us who heard it thought the request came from you guys. So thanks for clearing that up.

    That later became part of the belligerence of that guy who sang that silly song. They told him he couldn’t and then he went on to demand to do it anyway.

  28. Ok I was reading over the blog again because yes I do occasionally mis read something. Then I noticed something that stuck out bigtime and please correct me if I’m wrong here but here was the question and answer that jumped out at me …

    Anonymous #9 writes: “Do you know if the ships in atlantis land ON the city, or NEXT to the city, in the water?”

    Answer: If you’re referring to the Daedalus and the Apollo, they don’t land. They remain in planetary orbit.

    Ok like i said before I may be wrong here but hasn’t the Deadalus landed on a pier a few times. One episode in particular was in The Siege part 3 When they faked the self destruct. If not , I am quite sure I have seen this particular ship land on an Atlantis type pier.

    Then again if i am completely wrong please blame my insanity on my complete lack of caffiene at this point in time 🙂
    Ty

  29. It was great to meet you at Comicon, and thanks for autographing my Amtrak meal. Same one going back up to LA, for what that’s worth. 🙂

    So, now that you’ve recovered (as have I), I’ll dole out some Q’s I never got to ask…. Um, what’s up with the Evian product placement? I find it hard to believe that on a water planet, with the Deadelus presumably packed with actual supplies like ammo and coffee, they’d waste space on case upon case of bottled water. It’s distracting! Do you have any say in product placement like this?

  30. Giving up? Giving up?! First you insult my tie and question my title to being a supervillain, and now you claim that I am “giving up” after “less than a week”?! I’ll have you know I just completed my 10th post (in which I responded to your scandalous comments) and I am merely taking a leave of undetermined length – it’s a part of my being fictional, I suppose. Oh well. It was dastardly while it lasted. You’ll carry on for me, though, won’t you?

    Arrividerci, my most worthy opponent.

    – M.J.
    (No, not Michael Jackson. Or the girl from Spider-Man. It’s actually me – Moe Jacuzzi.)

    P.S.

    I happen to know that the filmmakers wish to sincerely apologize if any feelings were genuinely hurt by their irreverent sense of humor. By means of apology, they wish to give you the offer of personally requesting their next fan film. They also suggest that you may be better pleased by their more lighthearted Atlantis fan films which can be found on YouTube under BoneRiceFilms.

    P.P.S.

    Don’t forget to watch the meteor shower this weekend and cackle evilly at the skies, pretending that you are the cause of the meteorites pummeling the earth’s atmosphere.

  31. I’m pretty sure the Daedalus has landed on the pier at least in two episodes already. And I say ‘on the pier’ because that has never been a question for me. It always looked like that. And why should it land on the water, such a big spaceship surely doesn’t float, or does it? :S

    I think it’s funny that fans rememeber certain details better than TPTB. That isn’t meant as criticism, my guess is that the fans watch the eps a lot more often than TPTB or the actors, who most likely watch the eps when they’re in production and not again and again months after that.
    I just noticed that because this is the third thing about the show that you mixed up or forgot about (after Lorne’s first name (=Evan) and Atlantis time (=day has more than 26 hours)). Again, no criticism, just an observation. 🙂

  32. The same Hun controlled the room and the mic the three years I’ve attended CC. She stated ahead that questions would be screened, that is, you had to tell her your question before you asked it. When I got in line to ask a question in 2005, she did, indeed, insist on knowing ahead what my question was.

    I suspect she did not stop the guy with the song because Amanda Tapping said she wanted to hear it. But they did at some point, I think, cut off the microphone.

    If you want to see a REAL garlic festival, you should wander down here to CA for the one in Gilroy. Unfortunately it was the same weekend as CC this year, but maybe next year it won’t be…
    http://www.gilroygarlicfestival.com/ I think it would have all that you could ask for in a garlic festival and perhaps more.

    Will RDA be guesting on any SGA S4 episodes?

  33. Was it scifi or comic con or others screening questions at comic con? Do you feel this was fair to the panel as well as the fans? I was surprised to hear someone asking about Teyla’s pregnancy, some fans are anti-spoilers. But I guess if you go to comic con you are a fan who likes to more know than the average fan.

  34. =}Salut joseph!!!
    Merci d avoir répondu a ma question!
    Oui c est vrai que le vin rouge c est fort, le vin blanc est trés bon, j aime bien aussi le rosée!
    =}Vous ne mangez pas souvent a Mc Donald…bah moi non plus^^…sa fait trop grossir lol!
    =}J ai une question:
    Esque des personnage principal vont mourir dans la saison 4?
    =}Donc voila! Merci! Bisou! a demain, je vous adore!

  35. Sorry that the garlic festival was a disappointment. I’ve never been myself – a customer from work told me about it (someone from the Steveston Winemakers). At least you picked up some fresh garlic, spread and jelly.

    Um… what else did I pick up from work? Hmm… if you ever want a tour of Vancouver from the skies… I now know someone who’s logging hours.

    And there’s a new Japanese restaurant no No. 3 and Ackroyd called “Ebisu”. The manager came in and now I’m tempted to go – their menu looked delicious. I think they have a location somewhere in Vancouver too… ever heard of it?

  36. “Depending on how certain storylines evolve and Torri’s availability, we would love to have her back.”

    That’s was very nice to read being a Torri fan. But why make her recurring in the first place then?

    Thanks for saying that nevertheless.

  37. Such beautiful puppies, but they look kinda dejected. They must be jealous of your day off eating, even if it was stuff that can make them sick! Puppy treats all around!

  38. Hi Joe – could you give us an idea where Ark and Truth will fit in terms of the stargate timeline – e.g. before, during or after Atlantis season 4?
    Regards,
    Chris

  39. I´ve read an interview with David Hewlett and he says, quote: “Lets just say there are a few screw-ups this year that I don’t envy McKay for doing.”
    http://comicsonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=308

    I thought you promised that McKay won´t be an idiot this year? I hoped that you can avoid to make a drooling idiot from him. Why can´t Carter screw up? This will look exactly like most McKay fans are afraid-perfect Carter teasing and humiliating McKay.

  40. Answer: We are working on a late-season episode in which he is reunited with his ex-wife.

    Is this by any chance the episode where Ronon goes to Earth?

    I was also wondering, will you be watching the new show on AMC done by the creators of The Sopranos, Mad Men?

  41. Answer: Ah, if they’re phone calls you want to try a different approach. Engage them in conversation but keep it strictly personal. Ask them about themselves, their relationships with their various family members, their respective love lives. Inform them that you are going through a rough time in your life and will really benefit from learning of their experiences and make it very, very clear that you REALLY NEED someone to talk to, a friend. THEM! Tell them about your personal life: your family vacation to Tibet and that hilarious talking monkey-Sherpa that still sends you postcards, your ex-lover with the peg leg who ate avoided plums because it was “the devil’s fruit”, or your experience with that Bigfoot-worshiping cult literally worshipped people with really big feet.

    I don’t think I’ve laughed that loudly in at least a few weeks! I wish I had your imagination Joe 🙂

    Some of my friends on GateWorld advised me to post a link to a wallpaper I made which they thought you might like, considering I used a lot of your blog photos. I hope you don’t mind 🙂 (You’re in the bottom right)

    Wallpaper

    If you click on it, it goes fullsize. I hope you like it!

  42. I love that picture of your babies. Were they huddling together in fear of Lulu?

    And bummer about the Garlic Festival bust. You should try to figure out how to work a trip to the Gilroy Garlic Festival. That is basically all garlic-based foods.

  43. All these different foods. Have you ever tried Kangaroo?Personally I haven’t… made a rule not to eat anything that bounces… Kangaroos, Rabbits and frogs. What strange foods have you tried?

  44. saluuuutttt comment vas tu aujourd’hui? je tien a te remercié de m’avoir repondu je suis super contente, vous ne pouvez pas savoir. moi aussi je mange rarement au mcdo lol. sinon j’ai une question il est quelle heure à vancouver quand il est 10h00 en france? cela me perturbe car je ne sais pas.

    ps: j’adore vos chien il sont trop mignon c’est tous des bouldog français?
    voilà je vais vous laissez bonne journée et merci je vous adore bisous bisous.

  45. Being in the audience for both Stargate panels at Comic Con, I did hear the announcement in the room that the questions were being screened

    If they were being screened, how did that guy sing the song? I’ve read about it and it sounds like you could have gotten one if not two decent questions in its place. Should have gotten out the hook and dragged him off stage! 😉

  46. Hi Joe!

    Soit disant qu’on peut parler Francais et que vous comprenez…c’est vrai ? Bon, dans le doute…on verra! Lol!

    J’adore votre blog, ca tourne souvent autour de la bouffe (ça me fait bien rire)et les chiens (ils sont trop mignons…). Et on en apprends toujours un peu plus…

    J’en ai oublié ce que je voulais dire…ha oui! ça y est !

    Alors ma question: Est-ce que si Sheppard disparaissait de la série, ce serait vraiment grave??Honnêtement; est-ce qu’il est vraiment, vraiment, vraiment indispensable??

    (je sens que je vais me faire tapper sur les doigts…)

    Hum…bref, en attendant votre réponse: Bonne continuation, j’ai l’intention de revenir ! lol !

  47. Hello Joe:)

    I was wondering, alot of ‘anti s4’ peaople seem to think that because Carter is coming over and will outrank Sheppard, he will no longer be military head of Atlantis and she will take over from him, and he will become useless on base. I thought that even if Carter did take over, because of Sheppard’s experience he would still have a big say in what goes on military-wise, and she would acknowledge and respect his opinion.

    1. Will Carter take over as military head of Atlantis? 2. Will Sheppard still have as big a say as he does now if she does?

    It would certainly clear up some fears that some people are having.

    Thanks:)

  48. for fishbaum:

    You could ask the same question of people on Earth, a ‘water’ planet.

  49. for Nathan:

    There is a book by Harold Bloom called “The Western Canon” which lists hundreds of books a person should read to consider him/herself well-read. You can find it in the lit crit section of your local bookstore.

    But I also laugh at this. In 1999 (I think), Random House released a list of the best 100 books of the 20th century. The number one book was Ulysses by James Joyce. I cannot tell you the number of people who bought that book and told me they couldn’t finish it–too difficult to slog through, or not interesting at all to them.

    In short, read what you want. Lists of recommended books are a great way to start, but free time is too precious to read something you are not enjoying.

    I want back all those hours in high school I spent reading Hawthorne, Dickens, Hemingway, and Shakespeare….can’t stand any of them.

  50. Hello,

    Yesterday :
    KMcK writes: “Would you like to have Weir back as well?”

    Answer: Depending on how certain storylines evolve and Torri’s availability, we would love to have her back.

    Today:
    Thank you very much for answering my question, a lot of people are waiting to have some news about Elizabeth Weir.

    IF there is a season 5, will you have plan to have her for more than 4 episodes ?
    (because with your answer I have the feeling that you don’t plan to have her back as a regular)

    Thank you for your time !
    And Lulu is so cute !

  51. Bonjour !
    Est-ce que vous avez déja fait l’audition pour le “petit copain” de Teyla ? Pourrons-ns bientot voir une photo ?

  52. The pregnancies of Amanda Tapping, Claudia Black, and Rachel Luttrell have influenced the writing and storyline direction of Stargate SG1 and Atlantis. I’m thinking that if any of these women had not gotten pregnant, that the stories on the show would evolved differently. No “Sam’s at Area 51 so let’s bring Vala back”, no Adria, no “whatever you have planned for Teyla’s character in Season 4”.

    So, here’s my question (since I just read that David Hewlett will be a father in the fall): have any of the writers thought about a storyline where one of the men on the show becomes a father and the repercussions?

  53. Question:”1. Will Carter take over as military head of Atlantis?”

    Careful here Joe, just as a reminder (history and canon notwithstanding) you previously said:

    “Answer: She wears an Atlantis uniform because she will be a member of the Atlantis possessing both military and civilian authority.”

  54. ” Anonymous said…

    I´ve read an interview with David Hewlett and he says, quote: “Lets just say there are a few screw-ups this year that I don’t envy McKay for doing.”
    http://comicsonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=308

    I thought you promised that McKay won´t be an idiot this year? I hoped that you can avoid to make a drooling idiot from him. Why can´t Carter screw up? This will look exactly like most McKay fans are afraid-perfect Carter teasing and humiliating McKay.”

    Did DH say Carter was going to “tease and humiliate McKay”? Please link!

    Or perhaps that is your own interpretation of what might happen. Because you added how you feel about Carter. Doesn’t mean it’s going to pan out that way.

    Perhaps she has sympathy for an idea gone bad? Or does that not figure into your “McKay will be belittles by Carter” thinking?

    suse

  55. “Question:”1. Will Carter take over as military head of Atlantis?”

    Careful here Joe, just as a reminder (history and canon notwithstanding) you previously said:

    “Answer: She wears an Atlantis uniform because she will be a member of the Atlantis possessing both military and civilian authority.” “

    What’s to be careful about? She’s wearing the uniform as leader of Atlantis, “possessing both military and civilian authority.”

    suse

  56. Is there a chance that Torri/Elizabeth will ever rejoin the show as a “full-time regular” cast member again?

  57. Vous parlez français (tant mieux cela sera plus facile pour m’exprimer 😉 ?

    Je voulais juste savoir si vous étiez au courant de l’existence de nombreux sites, Livejournal (et encore j’en oublie) qui avaient pour thème la relation (pas forcément amicale… 😉 entre les personnages de McKay et Sheppard (soit mcshep) ?

    Voilà, juste par curiosité…
    Portez vous bien ! ^^

  58. I’m curious. In season four, with Col. Sam Carter in charge of Atlantis, will we see more of the military’s perspective on Sheppard? It seems like an interesting opportunity to flesh out the rebellious side of his character. Maybe from the military perspective he really is a loose cannon, even when he is right.

  59. As a counterpoint to Clash of Kings I’m also reading Stephen King’s Dark Tower books. EXCELLENT literature, I’m now a fully paid up member of the Mid-World Appreciation Society. Have you read them or do you intend to? My eldest offspring is also well into them and is currently collecting the graphic novelisations for his collection(he’s already earmarked my book collection when I shuffle off this mortal coil, haven’t the heart to tell him they’re being buried with me LOL). Its great having someone to discuss books and authors with,looks like I actually got something right:)

  60. Hiya Joe!!

    My friend Meagan and I are anxiously counting down the days till our roatrip to Canada and I had a question that I think would fit your unique knowledge of Vancouver…

    What are the top 5 restaurants (in the $20 or less per plate category cause we are poor college students) in Vancouver? I am a meateater myself, but Meagan is an ovalactopesco(sp?) vegetarian: she eats eggs, dairy, and fish (she LOVES sushi in fact). This is her first time out of the country and I want to make sure it is a memorable one and part of a good trip is good food. Hopefully you will have a chance to answer this question…we thank you for your divine food wisdom…and for SGA too of course! 😉

    Cheers, Dani

  61. So you drive a Q7. It seems I wasn’t that far off when I recommended an FX45 for you a while back. How do you like Audi? I’ve not driven one.

  62. *waves*

    Just wanted to say that I loved the pics of Lulu, bless her getting dragged around like a rag doll. My youngest kitten likes to dive bomb from a great height onto my 15 year old cat… she wasn’t amused either, lol.

    No Lulu in that pic with the pugs today? Are they not playing nicely with her at the moment?

    Anyway thought i’d share this with you, as our friend has a birthday request that only you can give her… Oh my that sounded really dirty, lol.

    Moving swiftly on. 😉

    *cough*

    It’s Sheppy D’s birthday,
    And she hopes her wishes come true,
    Of Sheppy in the infirmary,
    Can you make her wish come true?

    Can I be really cheeky and ask,
    She’d like him nekkid to,
    And have him whumped to oblivion,
    So his lips turn almost blue.

    I’m sure she’d have a fangirl squee,
    As she’s been waiting from the start of Atlantis, season 3,
    For her dream of seeing him ventilated,
    has lasted longer than my quest,
    And of seeing Sheppy shirtless,
    or getting a glimpse of his manly chest.

    For so long she has been waiting,
    to see hot and sweaty shep.
    And to have his shirt ripped open,
    Would be the best gift she could get.

    So Mr M, I am asking you please,
    And have no problems of begging,
    Or getting down on both knees.
    So that Sheppy D, has her birthday wish come true,
    But alas I’m just a minion,
    Which is why I’ve turned to you.

    *hugs*

    Thanking you Mr M you’re indeed a very wise and kind man. 😀

  63. After almost 3 years, I was so happy to see Sheppard in Dress Blues (even if it was for a sad occasion) — any chance we’ll see him in his Dress uniform in S4?

  64. Hey, we have a garlic festival where I live every summer, and you would love it! Garlic Ice cream, beer, seafood, sweet corn, Garlic fudge then tons of other dishes containing the main ingredient of course! and loads of attractions. The Beer is lovely, but the ice cream not so much. xx

  65. jenny robin said…
    I want back all those hours in high school I spent reading Hawthorne, Dickens, Hemingway, and Shakespeare….can’t stand any of them.

    Jenny how can you not like Charles Dickens when it was Chas who first advocated time travel?
    In ‘A Christmas Carol’ Scrooge time travels with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
    Not just a social commentator, but one of the first Sci-Fi writers a well.
    Pauline

  66. Re: Lack of questions about Weir at Comic-Con…

    Fans of Weir and of Torri have been the target of ridicule and hostility throughout the SGA fan community. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if any who were in attendance at Comic-Con may have felt too intimidated by all the negativity directed at them because of the situation surrounding the changes to Weir and Torri’s status to feel comfortable in speaking up.

    As I see it, the issue seems to have two main sticking points.

    Since Ford’s last appearance in “The Hive”, he hasn’t been heard from since, nor even spoken of by the other characters. It was the same with Beckett after “Sunday”; the very next episode, everyone’s all happy and smiling again, not a single sign that they’re still mourning their friend. And realistically, they would be mourning. That was a serious blow to the show’s sense of continuity, and thus, to the confidence of the fans. Now fans are afraid that the same will happen to Weir; that the very memory of her will be shoved under the rug and forgotten unless a convenient story idea comes up. Even a brief scene in which the team drinks to “absent friends” would at least let the audience know that all those characters who have been lost along the way haven’t been forgotten, will not be forgotten, and perhaps may not be as lost as we fear.

    The lack of information as to the whys and hows of Torri’s departure from the show is also not helping the situation. With next to no official word from anyone authorized to speak on behalf of the production, all sorts of wild theories have started running rampant through the fandom. Some are saying Torri was forced into taking a reduced role due to pressure from upper management at MGM and SciFi; others are saying that some individuals within the SGA production itself were not satisfied with Torri’s performance and wanted her gone; still others believe that the writers had written themselves into a corner with Weir’s character and thus decided to write Weir out altogether rather than put in any effort to further develop her as a regular character and thus get themselves out of the corner.

    All of this is tremendously unsettling to fans who have been loyal to SGA from the very beginning. Weir is an irreplaceable part of what makes SGA the show and the story that it is, and to lose her, and Torri, under such a cloud of controversy, is only hurting the support for the show, not helping it.

    For spoiler reasons, we all understand that you can’t tell us much more about the actual storyline for Weir than you have already; what you have been able to reveal thus far sounds very encouraging in its potential for fantastic storytelling. But perhaps some real answers about what’s happening behind the scenes would go a long way towards reassuring fans that Weir and Torri are not being abandoned.

  67. Joe, any reason that the S4 previews at comic con featured SG1 and Elizabeth Weir so heavily?

  68. I know somebody already mentioned it in a previous blog comment but if you are able to make it to the Gilroy Garlic Festival I don’t think that you’ll be disapointed. I’ve gone every year for the past 5 years and it’s something every foodie should attend at least once.

    Garlic fries, garlic ice cream, garlic wine, and the list goes on. It’s not just vendor type food either. They set up a sort of tent and they have chefs preparing all sorts of garlic concoctions to try.

  69. Regarding my question about males on SGA and reproduction, I wanted to clarify that I am not interested in seeing young offspring make an appearance. I like it when they grow up quickly. I still cringe when I think of Worf’s son Alexander on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

  70. Suse said: “What’s to be careful about? She’s wearing the uniform as leader of Atlantis, “possessing both military and civilian authority.”

    Do you not read Joe’s blog everyday? Do you not read interviews, articles, Joe’s previous blogs at various sites?

  71. An Ancient Soul said:
    Now fans are afraid that the same will happen to Weir; that the very memory of her will be shoved under the rug and forgotten unless a convenient story idea comes up. Even a brief scene in which the team drinks to “absent friends” would at least let the audience know that all those characters who have been lost along the way haven’t been forgotten, will not be forgotten, and perhaps may not be as lost as we fear.

    Your point? Once Jack was gone, none of his friends so much as mentioned his name, said they missed him, there was no explanation as to *why* he left or exactly what he was doing. No toast to an “absent Jack” at all. I imagine Weir will get the same treatment, which will make some people upset. On the other hand, if she does get mentioned and toasted, it will probably make the Jack fans upset that she was treated in a manner Jack was not.

    So as not to play favorites, I think the writers should treat all departing characters in the same shabby manner as they treated Jack.

  72. But perhaps some real answers about what’s happening behind the scenes would go a long way towards reassuring fans that Weir and Torri are not being abandoned.

    Why do you think you deserve any real answers? The reasons for Torri’s departure are, IMO, something only Tori and the PTB need to know. If Torri wants to share those reasons with her fans, I assume she will. If the reason is, for example (and I’m speaking hypothetically here) that somebody at Sci-Fi or Bridge or whatever thought she was not a good actor, I’m sure that’s something that doesn’t need to be told to fans.

    I’d suggest you read between the lines. The Weir character *is* being abandoned. Like it or not, that’s what they’re doing (having her in only 4 episodes). Like it or not, you’re not going to get any reassuring words to the contrary.

  73. Perhaps she has sympathy for an idea gone bad? Or does that not figure into your “McKay will be belittles by Carter” thinking?

    Well it would certainly be an unexpected character development for Carter. I’ve never noticed her be “sympathetic” before. She’s mostly more interested in telling everyone how “impossible” their idea is.

  74. Joe,

    Hello from North Carolina (105 degrees here)! My first time blogging you, but I have been an avid SG-1 and SGA fan. I followed SG-1 from Showtime to Sci-fi! I’m sure you hear this all the time…

    Anyway, I wanted to reccomend Fetzer Gerwurtzminer (sweet, but good) – great with Talapia. Also did you realize “Tabula Rasa” was a title of a Justice League episode with The Martian Manhunter?…hmmm…;-)

    Keep up the great work as I watch DVR’d episodes of Echoes and Sunday… Only a month away. Here’s to Season 5!

  75. Ok…Strange but what if…

    Teyla is carrying her people? Strange I know, but here I am watching The Ark and reading the 12/31/06 poem… Things that make you go hmmmm…

    The seer does say that here people are “shrouded in darkness..” This probably has already been said, but I am new here and i thought I would just throw it out. Bizarre, but stranger things have happened…

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