Hey, look at what arrived in the mail today. Books – and lots of ‘em. In addition to my shipment from amazon.com, I also received a couple of titles from D. Rose, and a few more from Sulien. AND a chocolate assortment compliments of Amy Lynn. Thanks to everyone. Sulien, if you remember to remind me, I’ll make the Butcher book one of the nominees in our next fantasy BOTM vote. D., I have to admit to date I’ve started two Turtledove books I never got around to finishing. Hopefully, third time’s the charm. Amy – the Spicy Maya was a pleasant surprise, but that Noir au Grue de Cacao rocks! The hot sauces were great as well.
Another reminder that this month’s book of the month discussions will commence on February 18th when we will kick things off with the scifi selection, Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge. Editor Lou Anders has kindly agreed to swing on by and field our questions so, as my old grade two teacher Mrs. Vowels (I shit you not) used to say: “Put your thinking caps on!”. We’ll follow the next week with Neil Gaiman’s Smoke and Mirrors which I just started last night and was unable to put down until way past my bedtime. I’m a little over halfway through and should finish up tonight.
As I mentioned yesterday, prep is finally underway on episode #1, Search and Rescue. Construction has already started in the VFX stage, and the baby pictures are making the rounds. We’ve pulled the trigger on Porter – who may well be in for yet another name change – casting an actress who had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her part back in season 3’s Tao of Rodney but did a bang-up job and caught our attention. “We should bring that actress back,”I suggested at the time. And now we have. Rachel dropped by the production offices and we had a little chat about what’s in store for Teyla this year. She was not only happy but, admittedly, quite relieved with the creative route we’re taking.
To those of you asking about the Fan Fuel dinner – the only reason I’m reluctant to organize the event is because the restaurant is fairly upscale and may well be out of the price range of many fans. That said, if there are some of you who do have your hearts set on dining there the night of April 1st, then I’m sure Marty G. and I could make ourselves available.
Today’s pics: Books and chocolates and behind-the-scenes pics from this Friday night’s episode, Midway. For more behind-the-scenes pic, follow the link –
http://josephmallozzi.blogspot.com/2007/08/august-26-2007.html
Today’s video: At Fondy’s request, I’ve uploaded yet another vid of Lulu in action. Either scroll down or click on the link –
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/BaronDestructo/?action=view¤t=SnowLulu3.flv
Today’s blog is dedicated to RachelCooper and birthday boy bugguy.
Today’s mailbag –
Jon K. writes: “Any Chance we will be seeing the Travelers in season 5, most notably Larrin?”
Answer: Yep.
NCC-72452 writes: “When you say “story in place” regarding Weir, does this mean 1 episode? 2.71828 episodes? 3.14159 episodes? Also, did Robert Picardo and Jewel Staite’s relative star power in the world of sci-fi influence your decision to bring them on?”
Answers: Story in place refers to 1 episode. While their crossover appeal is nice, the reason Bob and Jewel are on the show is because they are immensely talented individuals.
Flyingdog147 writes: “ Is there a difference between “Special Guest Star” and “Special Guest”?”
Answer: Nope.
Elizabeth writes: “Have you ever seen the Disney movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire?”
Answer: I haven’t.
Enzo Aquarius writes: “Very random question, do you like funnel cake?”
Answer: I don’t know. If I had to guess, I’d say – yes.
Sarah writes: “My husband did not like the original Battlestar Galactica series, he says it annoyed him. Do you think he would like the new series? Would you recommend any other scifi series for him?”
Answer: I have no idea what your husband would like so I’m reluctant to make any recommendations. Although I haven’t watched the new BSG, I’ve heard good things about it. Be warned though. It’s apparently very grim. I watched Farscape with Fondy and we both found it fun and very inventive. Of course, your enjoyment may depend on your willingness to embrace its various puppet characters. I was a little leery at first but, about six shows in, one of the puppets – Rygel – became my favorite character.
Narellefromaus writes: “How’s the state of the house with Fondy away?”
Answer: It’s actually a little tidier now as I’ve been able to put the extra free time toward filing and general organizing. This weekend, I plan to shampoo the rug and sort the recycling. If I have time, I may even take down the Christmas tree.
Rachel writes: “Todd is my best friend’s absolute favorite character (he’s a close second to McKay for me); will we be seeing him again at all in Season 5?”
Answer: Yes, Todd will be making an appearance in season 5.
Breeze writes: “Have you guys started think about SGA 100th episode?”
Answer: We have an idea.
Susanthetartanturtle writes: “Any chance that you will be at Dragon.con this year?”
Answer: Alas, no. But I will be hitting Comic Con in July.
Jean writes: “ Happy Chinese New Year! Here are some interesting if extraneous tidbits about the Chinese Lunar Cycle…”
Answer: Very cool. I’m going to have to share these with Fondy. She’s a tiger.
Thefamousseccles writes: “If all five episodes have been written, and a sixth brilliant idea comes up, is there any possibility of more than five Beckett episodes?”
Answer: Of course.
Emily writes: “My favorite was when I was shopping in the shoe department at Macy’s wearing clothing that in no way resembled a uniform of any kind and had a purse, etc. A lady came up to me and rudely asked me to get her a particular size of the shoe she was holding. She then got all pissed off when I told her I didn’t work there. That was weird.”
Answer: And there was the time I was hanging around the appliance section of my local department store when a middle-aged woman walked up to me and asked about a certain washing machine. I told her I couldn’t help her because I didn’t work there. She walked off, muttering “Then what are you doing standing there?” I wanted to reply “Waiting for my wife, ma‘am.” but she was already gone.
Yazid writes: “Why take Dr Keller in Sheppard’s team and not Major Lorne?”
Answer: There are no plans to put Dr. Keller on Sheppard’s team.
CheekylilDevil writes: “Okay Mr M, would you say the chances of bringing back Kolya are slim to none, or better with bribery?”
Answer: As I’ve often said – This is scifi. Anything is possible.
Dovil writes: “How does it feel to commit television genocide? Washing the nonexistant blood of fictional people from your hands? Hearing the silent screams of those that don’t exist as they are written out of existance?”
Answer: It feels alright I guess. Paul was the one who noticed as we were reviewing season 4 – Holy crap, we killed a lot of people last season! I think we broke the standing record and it’s going to be very hard to beat it this year. But we’ll give it our best shot.
Dovil also writes: “ How do you live with yourself making choices that I might not agree with? Did you not once think to consult me? Did you think for some delusional reason that your creative decisions might hold more weight than mine do?”
Answer: Actually, I had intended to get you to sign off on the creative decisions, but I think I only have your old email address and by the time I got around to realizing it was, unfortunately, too late. There is still, however, time to choose a cake for the big Zelenka birthday episode. So, what’ll it be? Sacher Torte or Black Forest?
Dovil also writes: “After all at the end of the day you’re just the Executive Producer and writer for the show, I on the other hand spend 45 minutes a week slumped on the couch with a bag of potato chips watching this. If anyone knows how to run things around here, it’s me.”
Answer: Point taken. While we’re at it, there are a couple of people working on the show who are on the bubble (ie. Antonio the potlight wrangler’s drive and determination have waned over the course of last season. And I know you’ve already gone on record as expressing some displeasure with his insistence on wearing those clunky, lurid blue plastic sandals.). I’m sending the names your way. Just weigh in with a yay or nay. You sure you don’t write comedy?
Asmoothlie writes: “Also, based on the beginning of BAMSR, is it correct to say that there are still nanite particles floating around in space from the attacks Caldwell and Ellis made, waiting to be re-activated?”
Answer: No, that is incorrect.
Joe, would the actress in mind for Porter happen to be Leela Savasta or am I totally wrong?
I hate to be a re-poster, but you know, since I posted this under last night’s entry, and I’m behind, and I know you are ALL awaiting my salient comments – can I resubmit this comment for tonite’s post? Sorry, Joe!
Elizabeth – I liked the jokes!
Sarah – although I admit I was a fan of the original battlestar, I absolutely loathe the current version. But I’m not into that much soap/angsty stuff. I really enjoyed watching all the Star Trek Enterprise (up until the last pathetic episode or 2, when they had to end the series quickly). And I did watch all the Farscapes. Firefly, I saw most, then watched the movie and figured I didn’t miss anything. I haven’t seen Andromeda but a lot of people like it (and has some of the SG actors), and the 4400 is interesting. I would recommend watching the first couple of episodes before committing to the whole thing though!
Joe – I’m interested to see how you’ll carry Woolsey over to the commander of Atlantis! Since I don’t care for Keller, not too thrilled about the news she’ll be a regular, but that’s just my opinion and I realize I can’t change your plans! Since everyone says Picardo is a big singer (and dancer?) can we assume there WILL be a musical 100th episode in S5??
Finally, we need an update on you – are you drowning in dirty socks? Eating at Tim Horton’s every evening? What’s the reality of life without Fondy? And who’s giving the dogs baths?
Happy Thursday night…wams352
Hey Joe,
How many episodes have been written for Season 5 so far? Also, do you have plans to bring Weir back for more than just one episode?
Thanks!
Squall78
Hey cool, a few people actually liked the jokes I posted yesterday.
I’m going to be gone for a few days, so if anyone notices, don’t worry, I (probably) wasn’t kidnapped.
Hey, wait a minute! I thought Trio was this week. The Sci-Fi preview last Friday and Gateworld both say so.
I’ve told Dovil she needs to write a book or something… either that or tell us what planet she’s from so we can all go there and join in the fun… 😀
Joe, correct me if i’m wrong, but isn’t Trio this Fridays episode?
Hi, Joe!
Leela Savasta as Porter?
And Midway airs NEXT Friday in the US. This Friday we get Trio! Woo-hoo!
Thank you for photos and another cute vid of Lulu.
Morjana
casting an actress who had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her part back in season 3’s Tao of Rodney
Is it that pretty brunette that McKay caught thinking someone was cute, then assumed it was Ronon she meant?
Speaking of characters we haven’t seen much, are we going to see more of Biro ever? I have to admit, that little scene with her and Carson in Sunday was pretty funny, if a bit sad (I say sad because it’s like, “Hey, Biro, you’re so annoying the nicest guy in Atlantis died rather than hang out with you.”). For that matter, I’d love to see Novak again (I think that’s the name…the sneezing one). She was funny.
” There is still, however, time to choose a cake for the big Zelenka birthday episode. So, what’ll it be? Sacher Torte or Black Forest?”
Yeah with Zelenka being a Czech I think Black Forest Cake would bring back some bad collective memories of the 1930′ and 40’s. You might want to go with a Medovník cake.
So Torri will only be in one episode in season five, is that right? I guess I’ll only be watching that one episode.
I just… I have no words to describe how disappointing this is. Then again, we probably shouldn’t have got our hopes up. You’ve made it clear you don’t like the character.
How you can describe one episode as a character arc is beyond me.
Is that official? That Torri will only be in one episode of season five?
I’m very disappointed. Many others will be, too. You just have to go to a convention to see just how popular this actress and her character are. You’re losing an opportunity to bring in her viewers by using her in only one episode.
And anti Weir people, please don’t attack us for voicing our opinion. You want whump? Fine. Ask for it. You want Sam/Jack? Fine. Ask for it. There are a lot of people who want Elizabeth. We don’t attack you for your views, so please do us the same courtesy.
Oh, my name was mentioned! Internet fame for me!
So, what’ll it be? Sacher Torte or Black Forest?
Definitely Black Forest. Gods sakes man, don’t you know that Sacher Torte would have RUINED THE SHOW?!?
And tell that Antonio chap and his lurid fashion choices that I’m keeping an eye on him. Unfortunately. Because blue plastic sandals? The fashion gods do weep. Weep and drink to forget.
And no, I don’t write comedy, but I do have a typing speed of 75wpm, can make coffee, and I die a little bit inside each day I come to work. Does that count?
Hey Joe,
A kind thank you for answering both of my questions… I most definitely agree that Bob and Jewel are very talented. Even though Keller grates on me, I absolutely loved Jewel as Repli-Keller and, of course, Kaylee on Firefly. And Bob was wonderful in 7 years of Voyager. I must say that only 1 episode for Weir is disappointing, but I assume that Thefamousseccles’ question about more than 5 Beckett episodes if the perfect story comes along would also apply for Weir. I’m counting on you, Joe, find that 6th episode for Beckett and that 2nd and 3rd episode for Weir…
Please? There’s chocolate in it for you…
~Derek
One episode.
With those two words, you’ve crushed what little hope I had that you actually saw the value of Elizabeth.
Good luck with your new show. I’ve bought every DVD, I’ve been to conventions, I’ve paid huge amounts of money for merchandise. Not anymore. I’m moving on.
Trio is this Friday, Joe, not Midway. Is that correct, or has SciFi boned us again?
Also, what does the Magic Eight Ball say about a Jack O’niell guest spot in season five? “Outlook good”? “Future uncertain”? Or more likely, “Sure, we’ll just boost ourselves a Brinks truck and go to town!”
Looking forward to Search and Rescue!
Nigel, RAF
Survivor premiers tonight, will you be watching? I’m so addicted to that show; I started watching because I met hubby on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere (Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean). We laugh, because “survivor”? Right. Although I think he’d be great on any island version; I’ve seen him climb straight up cocoanut palms. Our friends fondly call him Monkey Man. And he can catch lobsters with his bare hands. What’s not to love?
Saturday is our 21st anniversary. Yay! I wish everyone could be this happy.
Oh. My. God.
One episode. That’s the arc? One episode?
Congratulations to the Beckett fans. I’m so happy you got what you wanted. However I’m disappointed beyond words that the awful Keller character has been made a regular, and Elizabeth features in nothing more than one episode.
Joe, you can try to sell us on Keller as much as you like, but you should look around online. People love Jewel, but a lot of people hate Keller. The most positive thing they say about her is that she’s hot. Then again, if that’s the audience you’re going for, I guess you’ll be happy with that.
Joe, I have to say, in contrast to some of the negative crap that gets posted on your blog, I think the decision to make Richard Woolsey the Atlantis commander is a damn good move. After having watched some Star Trek: Voyager on DVD (again) and seen how well Robert Picardo played the Doctor, I reckon Woolsey could be the best commander yet. Maybe time to go back and look at all the old Woolsey episodes.
Just so there’s no misunderstanding, are you saying that as of this moment, you are only planning on having Torri/Weir in only 1 episode next year?
One quick thing, Joe, this Friday’s episode is listed as being Trio, not Midway, but thanks for the pics anyways ^_^
Well. There’s that slap in the face I was worried about. Does this mean Weir will definitely only be in one episode? That’s the storyline? I’m just…gutted. Suddenly all my enthusiasm for the season is gone. Time to move on to other things, I suppose. 🙁
hi, joe,
i see ppl are correcting you on this friday’s ep being ‘trio’, not ‘midway’. and speaking of ‘trio’; you said to the fans that as soon as the ep aired, you’d write out the unedited version of the ‘not-so-subtle sj/ship reference’ that ended up on the cutting room floor. will you still do that?
sally 🙂
Kate, Weir fans don’t get “attacked” for holding opinions, rather it’s for the manner in which they present those opinions. If someone claims that Joe has “destroyed” Stargate: Atlantis through his “dislike” for Weir, they should expect to be called on it, as it’s not a supportable claim (the show is doing just fine, and in fact has been renewed.) Also, if people are going to express their views in a hostile and abusive manner, they should also expect to be called on it. As a rule, nastiness is frowned upon. If I heard anyone (in RL) being addressed the way Joe is often addressed in these comments I would speak up then, too.
Have an opinion, feel free to express it – but do so with respectfully. Joe is a human being, and deserves to be treated accordingly.
Riley, perhaps you should let Joe deal with the people you find so distasteful instead of putting them in their place yourself.
It’s his blog. It’s his perogative to say how he feels about individual posters.
He’s a big boy. He doesn’t need his posse to defend him.
Dear Joe,
1. will there be an Ori related episode in season 5 Atlantis?
2. will we see the Tria in season ?
3. Is the brotherhood of Dagan episode gonna be revisited for the missing ZPM in season 5?
thnxs
Joe,
My comments are based upon my interpretation of the following exchange….
“NCC-72452 writes: “When you say “story in place” regarding Weir, does this mean 1 episode? 2.71828 episodes? 3.14159 episodes?”
“Answers: Story in place refers to 1 episode.”
My interpretation of that is that your plan for Elizabeth and Torri for Season 5 is only one episode. If my interpretation is correct….
There will be only one episode to address Elizabeth Weir’s storyline in Season 5?
Seriously?
So, the direction you took this character in that you were so pleased with gets a one-shot appearance in Season 5?
Interesting. One would have thought if her new direction were so great it would warrant more than one episode. Granted, Torri will shine in this role, no matter how much screen time you give her, but this character and the events you put Elizabeth through in Season 4 surely would benefit from more than one mention in next Season.
Joe, I’m trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but unfortunately I think the light I’m seeing is also being accompanied by a rather loud and scary sounding train whistle.
I sincerely hope the outpouring of support for Torri Higginson and the character of Elizabeth Weir (which this news will only intensify by the way) will someday convince you and the others in charge of this show that returning her to the line-up would be a smart move.
And before anyone writes me off as just another disgruntled Weir fan that needs to quit whining and get over it, please understand I became a fan of SGA because I found characters there I could relate to and care about. Elizabeth was a big part of that – and this Season has proven to me just how big of a part she was.
I hope those SGA fans who still have their favorite characters on the show enjoy how those characters develop as the Seasons unfold. I just wish I could have my favorite character back on the team.
SMB_BOOKS
SEW Crew Member
http://www.saveelizabethweir.com
Hey Joe,
Can I get a snarky response? I love this blog because of the classic snark you use to dish out. But since you have been moderating the more offensive posters the snark has somewhat dropped off. 😉
If I remember right you are watching Lost? What do you think of the new episodes?
Come on now, Joe. We can’t all be as entertaining as Dovil. No need to mock me and my mistaken-as-a-shoe-saleswoman-at-Macy’s story. Geez. Besides, you’re a snake and I’m a cock. We’re supposed to get along.
Another cute Lulu in the snow video, but I must admit, I’m sick of snow. We got over a foot here yesterday. And to think that our local groundhog (Groundhog Jimmy) prognosticated an early spring. Lying bastard.
I must go now to locate my thinking cap and refresh my memory on the various Fast Forward short stories…
-Emily
You know it doesn’t seem to me that Joe has actually confirmed Dr Weir is in only one episode, he’ only explained to a fan that “story in place” means one episode. That’s up to this point, I mean they’re just starting the season, things are not set in stone, who knows what may happen as they develop the rest of the season. People should try not to jump on every comment Joe makes until there’s more information. And everyone is asking how many episodes someone is in when the production has just gotten started, the writers and producers probably are still just working on ideas beyond the first few episodes at this point.
If and when you feel up to tackling Turtledove again, try Ruled Brittania as your “third time a charm”. An interesting “what if” tale, with a smaller cast of characters than he usually likes to utilize, a stand alone book, and a paean to the power of the written word.
to the Weir “fans” who are posting here. Perhaps you would do better to study the tactics and strategy of the Save Carson fans. They accomplished for Carson what you claim you want for Weir. True, he’s not back as a regular, but he is returning, and who knows what season six will bring? As things stand, the single episode involving Weir does not mean that will be the last of her character. It only means the writers AT THE MOMENT have a single story planned. I can’t imagine they’d be ready to actually kill her off after just a single episode. Heck, it takes what, 3-6 tries to kill off villians in the SG universe, doesnt it? I like the actress, I love the character, but I dont want to see the character stagnate. So come up with a game plan and who knows? Oh wait. That might require work, and dedication. And imagination. Never mind…
Mr. M, either you need to meet your bedtime (no more reading after hours even for the sake of the book club) or you’ve developed a time machine. Unless we are getting two new episodes this week…
“Another cute Lulu in the snow video, but I must admit, I’m sick of snow. We got over a foot here yesterday. And to think that our local groundhog (Groundhog Jimmy) prognosticated an early spring. Lying bastard.”
I know what you mean. Right now the wind is howling outside and the snow is up to my knees in places. If anyone tells you Rock Springs is a wonderful little town, punch them in the face.
I can be at Fuel on Tuesday night. I’m arriving from Phoenix Tuesday afternoon for the con and to help Arctic Goddess(Patricia) with the BBQ and Fan Party on Wednesday.
Hello Mr. M.,
I keep feeling like a punching bag. Yes, it’s not about me, but I as a fan would like to feel that my viewership contributes something to the show. I would like to believe that, when I purchase the DVDs, magazines and encourage other people to watch the show, it means something.
I am so glad for the Beckett fans they are getting 5 episodes, after he was blown up. He was a pleasure to watch for three seasons, and it will be good to have him back. Yet, we the step children of SGA are left to rejoice the fact that we’re getting ONE episode with Weir. Yes, that may be an over dramatic statement, but honestly from outside looking in it sure feels that way.
Is there no way you would consider bringing her back for more? I was re-watching The Rising today, and I was blown away by the passion Torri displayed in her portrayal of Weir. Why was there even a need to re-write her in this particular way? I am excited by the new direction her story was going, want to see more, a lot more. It’s not because I want my “ship” to survive, it’s because I genuinely miss the bond having Torri on creates. She added so much more to the show. I always considered her as the leader, guidance counselor and the resident psychologist for SGA. She was also the team’s cheerleader. Even without much screen time on many episodes, she tied it all together.
I understand there are many fans out there that are happy with the changes, and to some others having Weir gone is a good thing. I am not concerned by them. I am selfish in my wanting Weir back, along with numerous other people I have met online and in real life.
Please reconsider.
Have a great night, Mr. M.
Kate, I’m perfectly aware that Joe doesn’t need any defence from me or anyone else – but that’s not the reason people react to those posts. As I said before, if I heard someone speak that way to someone in real life, I would call them on their behaviour then, too. To be silent is to condone. I don’t condone people abusing others. It’s got nothing to do with being a suck-up. I’m not in anyone’s “posse”.
Katesaid
<blockquote)Riley, perhaps you should let Joe deal with the people you find so distasteful instead of putting them in their place yourself.
It’s his blog. It’s his perogative to say how he feels about individual posters.
He’s a big boy. He doesn’t need his posse to defend him.
And it would mean a lot less comments to just go “geez” at when you’re trying to see if someone asked a question or not 😉
You know the reaaaaaaal new commanders of Atlantis?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/anny_phillips/dastardly.jpg
Great team there!!
How are you eating Joe? You’ve not mentioned your diet to us for a while. We need to know so we can giggle or be envious.
Do you ever get the urge to correct poster’s spelling and grammatical mistakes when quoting them for your mailbag? I can’t believe that your teacher’s name was Mrs Vowels!!!
And to all you snark posters out there… you’ll get outsnarked each time so why bother?
Dovil – Love your work 😉
I can’t believe no one has commented on this yet, but LOL, fan dinner on April Fools Day. Good one Joe 🙂
So what other joke(s) do you have planned for April Fool’s Day? Will Paul be on the receiving end as he so oft is?
Drat. can’t find a way to edit, so, will just add one more comment.
Can you clarify on the Weir situation? Does what you said mean that Weir will be in only one season five episode, OR…. is there the strong possibility of more episodes in season five?
Crap. Forgot what I originally wanted to say. Here it is anyway.
Ideas that would be totally cool in the show:
-Courtroom drama! Seriously, in the 13-odd years you guys have been doing this, I’ve seen just about everything but a good old fashioned courtroom episode. Well, there was that one with Teal’c, but it felt more like adjusting to alien customs than Law & Order. Speaking of which, why not have Dick Wolf on as a consultant for the courtroom episode? I’d die laughing if you really did that.
-Let’s have one of those cold, calculating, manipulative type characters. Not as an alien, we’ve had tons of those. I’m talking about maybe a small-scale arc of corruption in the Atlantis base. You know, some slightly off guy who you suspect as being evil and as the story progresses you see more and more of the bad side. It would add more of a human element to the show, I’d think, if you had an evil dude on the Atlantis personnel.
Thornyrose, I predict you were expecting an angry response. Not going to dignify you with that. I’ll just say that there’s a lot of work being done by some dedicated Weir fans, and just because you’re not privy to it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
You’ve really never had a funnel cake? Didn’t they have fairs or carnivals where you grew up? 🙂
Uh, Thornyrose, there are a few things you should probably know.
JM was not part of the decision to get rid of Beckett.
JM was part of the decision to get rid of Weir.
That in itself should show you that it’s not going to be as easy a fight for the Weir fans. And yes, we’re fans, not “fans”. It’s downright insulting of you to use the term in that way.
A lot of people are writing letters and working hard to get Elizabeth back, but we face an uphill battle, because as I said, JM has admitted he was part of the decision to get rid of her.
Your snide remarks don’t help anyone. People are trying to be positive, polite and proactive. People like you, who seem to delight in making us feel worse about a situation that already seems pretty dire is insensitive to say the least. What do you do in your spare time? Pull the wings off butterflies?
Are there definite plans for more episodes for Weir, other than the one that is already in place? Your answer left a little bit of wiggle room there, so I’m clinging to my bit of hope until you say nay. I love her character, and I’ve really missed her this season. I was hoping to see much more of her next year. The BAMSR reveal was so spectacular, I thought for sure we’d see Weir in more than one episode. And hopefully we will?
Take care.
Joe,
Let me second the invite of susanthetartanturtle for you to attend Dragon Con in Atlanta GA over Labor Day weekend 2008. Reasons to Come: 1. We would really love to see you. 2. It’s not a Creation Con there are actual fans involved in the planning and playing. 3. Susan and I have talked and we are willing to host you with a true Southern Dinner at a restaurant of your choice while you are there. Hey how can you turn that down, if nothing else now there’s FREE FOOD as well.
Take care Joe and Thanks for bringing Carson back for Season 5.
Sandy
Lynn Said:
“You know it doesn’t seem to me that Joe has actually confirmed Dr Weir is in only one episode, he’ only explained to a fan that “story in place” means one episode. That’s up to this point, I mean they’re just starting the season, things are not set in stone, who knows what may happen as they develop the rest of the season. People should try not to jump on every comment Joe makes until there’s more information. And everyone is asking how many episodes someone is in when the production has just gotten started, the writers and producers probably are still just working on ideas beyond the first few episodes at this point.”
Lynn, reread Joe’s comment. He has just confirmed it. He has already stated more than once that they are already writing the scripts for the first half. It’s the second half that they are now in the “idea” stage for. So yes, it appears that “story in place” does indeed refer to only ONE episode that will be coming in the second half of the season.
I find that incredibly disappointing and insulting. After the surprise ending of BAMSR, the sky was literally the limit as far as where they could take Weir. There is such rich potential that could be used to build a story arc that would span an entire season. Martin Gero said on this very blog that Weir’s storyline would be “revisited” in Season 5. Weir fans that were no longer watching the show were actually beginning to feel confident that perhaps they might start watching again in Season 5. And those Weir fans who were still watching were finally beginning to feel that their loyalty in the face of adversity was going to be rewarded.
Some reward this has turned out to be. Now Joe is telling us that Weir will only get one episode. One. The questions that have been piling up in the aftermath of BAMSR are simply too many to be properly dealt with in only ONE episode. This is nothing but a slap in the face to Torri, as well as to the rest of the cast and to the fans, all of whom care about her and want her back on the show.
When asked about the casting shift, Torri herself has spoken several times about loyalty to the longer-standing SG-1, from which Atlantis came. Well, what about loyalty to those of us who have been fans of Atlantis from the very beginning? Those of us who favored Atlantis over SG-1; at least, before late Season 3 and Season 4 uprooted everything that made Atlantis unique and superior to anything on SG-1? Does OUR loyalty mean nothing to you?
Shame on you, Joe. You’ve been deliberately playing us for fools all along, having a cruel, sick joke at our expense. And the real victim in all this? Torri Higginson. You’ve done nothing but screw her over ever since the news of Weir’s departure came out. And you don’t even care about the damage you’ve done, to her and to the show. She deserves better than this. The rest of the cast, who have been with her for three years and feel like their family has died, deserve better than this. The fans, who have stuck by the show and trusted you to do the right thing, rather than the easy thing, deserve better than this. Shame on you.
Hello,
The fourth season has been great. So many wonderful moments — scripted and acted. I’m happy to hear that Woolsey will be a regular next season, as I’ve been a fan of Robert Picardo’s since China Beach. I’m not exactly estatic that Keller will be around more. Although I loved Carson I’m not dumping on Keller because she replaced him as primary doctor on Atlantis. I just find the character boring, which is a disappointment since I did like Jewel very much on Firefly, and still like her just…not Keller. Oh well.
Outcast was such a welcome episode in so many ways. Backstory at last for Sheppard. Fantastic! Loved it over and over. Just one question about Outcast: is Dave Sheppard older or younger than John?
Hey Joe!
Love the “snow bunny” video! All of your pups are so cute, running in the snow. 🙂
To the person who is posting as several “people,” it’s obvious even to me, when I’m tired and have a cold. This blog gets enough comments from real people, eh?
I wonder how many fans ran to their Tao of Rodney DVDs and looked at every woman walking by to see who the new Porter-or-whatever-her-name-will-be may be?
Have a great night, Joe!
eddy
A ZALENKA BIRTHDAY EPISODE!? HOW COOL IS THAT!?
Also, I’m very excited to hear about the direction of Teyla’s character into next season!
At this point, how many episodes for Season 5 are set in stone?
Come on Joe, you can do it. 12 episodes for Carson should be no problem for someone so intelligent, smart, creative, funny, handsome, … (is it working yet?). See, and I am not even asking for 20 episodes (batting eyelashes).
Hey everyone!
Are things on SGA not working out the way you wanted? Are you claiming damage to yourself? To others you know? To others you don’t actually know?
Are your questions not being answered? Repeatedly?
Do you feel it’s okay to be rude and nasty to a real person because of the situation of a fictional person?
Wanna be mad? Fine. Wanna make your problems everyone else’s? Nope. Ain’t gonna work.
No one here is a victim! Don’t try to play one.
Have a great evening,
eddy 🙂
You don’t know if you like funnel cake? Meaning, you’ve never had it. Where have you been, Joe? Funnel cake, mini donuts, cheese curds…these are the (admittedly cholesterol-inducing) things midwesterners (and probably people living around Coney Island) look forward to all summer! Have you never been to some kind of state fair or theme park that serves these? Does Canada lack the equivalent of state fairs? What a travesty. Highly recommend funnel cakes. Especially with chocolate sauce, powdered sugar and ice cream.
Also wanted to say I look forward to Woolsey joining the cast. He’s the guy you kind of love to hate. I think it’ll add a great dimension to the group. Which I’m sure you already knew.
Grace said: “People like you, who seem to delight in making us feel worse about a situation that already seems pretty dire is insensitive to say the least.”
I sent this to my business partner and asked him what he thought the excerpt was in relation to.
He said global warming. Whaling was his second guess. Third world debt was a close third.
Give you an idea that maybe you are over-reacting just a little bit to the whole situation?!
And Catling. Talk about melodrama – “feel like family has died”, “that their loyalty in the face of adversity was going to be rewarded”. Maaaan, bring out the violins.
I shall now wait for the pelting of abuse about my lack of sensitivity now.
Do people seriously watch this show for just one character!!? WTF? I look on GW and I see people say “oh that’s it I am only watching one episode next season.” There are other amazing characters that have been there since the beginning. You brought back one of them, Carson. When I do the math for later this season, that will be Carson in at least 7 out of 23 eps right when “The Kindred” is about to air! That is awesome! You guys replaced Ford with Ronon, EXCELLENT move. Ronon is an amazing character. I love how he has developed over the years. My only misgiving is Weir, and I was hoping for more than one episode next season. If not, oh well, there are so much other things going on with the show that I am looking forward to.
Annie from Fremantle AKA Kylie Said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAJgFDCU3So
I love this.. snakes on a plane auditions. See who the artist is imitating. Warning – language!!
Too funny! My guesses are:
Christopher Walken
Jack Nicholson
Joe Pesci
Haven’t got a clue
BEAKER!!!
Anybody know for sure?
Elizabeth: Loved the jokes
Mr. M: Did the Posties deliver? Was it new and different or blasé and jaded?
Dear Joe,
I haven’t read through all of the comments to know if I’m the only one who is going to say this, but:
Let me be one to say THANK YOU for only bringing Weir back for one episode (so far) in season 5. I have nothing against Torri, but her character just never did it for me (in SG1 or SGA).
Slian
PS: You are going to protect me from all the rabid fangirls/fanboys who are upset she isn’t coming back for more, right?
Alright, Joe, you’ve got at least one fan who’s happy as a clam that Weir might only be in one episode. I don’t know where this notion comes from that because the character was a successful negotiator before joining the program she must also be imminently upright and inherently good. As far as I’m concerned, Elizabeth Weir is the most morally bankrupt good guy Stargate has ever created. She even beats Maybourne.
Let’s see, just off the top of my head: there was the time she decided a cargo ship was more valuable than Jack O’niell’s life, the time she decided to Dr. Mengele the Wraith, the time she let the Wraith into Atlantis not as prisoners but as guests, the time she blackmailed so that her unqualified, disgraced friend could score an undeserved promotion, the time she supported a military coup in an alien government which would be beneficial to her, and the time she let Richard Woolsey compromise himself and his honor so that she could remain in command of an expedition she has always been unqualified to lead.
I’m sure there are more instances out there that I’m forgetting, but you get the picture. I actually think the Weir we saw in BAMSR was the real, live Liz Weir. That she’s more overtly evil now is just logical. You can’t expect to keep the farce she’s had going up forever.
Good grief. I’m having horrible SG-1 Season 6/Dannygate “how could you do this to us after all we’ve done for you” flashbacks. All I can say is thank goodness most of the Carson campaigners (at least the ones I’ve run into) have been a little more, um, what’s the word I’m looking for…
Did this all look as fun when Brad and Rob were on the receiving end, Joe? 😉
Re: Comic Con, make sure you swing by the Mile High Comics table and say hi to Lisa, our official SJHW representative 😀
PPS: Are there any plans for an SGA episode that’s just plain fun, the way that Window of Opportunity was in SG1?
(Sunday doesn’t count.)
I think the addition of Woolsey will be good thing. The character will add conflict and humor – I’m a Carter fan but not as the Atlantis leader – too boring. It’ll be fun to watch McKay and Sheppard deal with him.
As far as the number of changes of leaders in 3 years, that’s the way the world works, miltary and corporate. Change is the only constant.
On the subject of Jewel – I loved Kaylee in Firefly but Dr. Keller has just seemed kind of flat to me until Quarantine. A lot of people have made comments about not liking Keller because she’s a wimp and whiny. Did they not see the same in Carson? He always complaining about something – flying a jumper, using the chair, or making “house” calls, etc. He just had a stronger presence than Keller. She, however, is coming around. I’m looking forward to seeing her character grow. I’m also looking forward to the miracle survival of Carson.
Joe said: “Answer: It’s actually a little tidier now as I’ve been able to put the extra free time toward filing and general organizing. This weekend, I plan to shampoo the rug and sort the recycling. If I have time, I may even take down the Christmas tree.’
And all the women on this blog go “Yay!” and give you a big pat on the back Joe!
If you don’t get around to the Christmas Tree, just say you are thinking of the environment and are going to keep it for next year. 🙂
Have a good night everyone.
Try to not belt each other up…I have pictures in my head of logging on tomorrow to just find bits of blog scattered everywhere over my screen, injured usernames lying bandaged, bloodied and some just left twitching under piles of blog abuse rubble.
Hello, I’ve been a fan since season one, but have only recently discovered your blog. I like the direction of season 5 based off what i’ve read of the ideas being tossed around for the season opener!
One question: Since the Porter idea got the axe, will the new character/actress follow along the same lines as what had been originally intended for Porter(i.e. new addition to military contingent and participating in “Search and Rescue”) or will she make a later debut?
Good work on the show thus far, and thanks for being willing to share your thoughts with us viewers!
I just wanted to say I hope you enjoy The Dresden Files books! I am a rabid Dresden fan (have been for about 6 or 7 years now) and I have never loved a series as much as I do those books.
I can’t wait to see what you think of the books.
Aw, Joe… Do Ben Browder and Claudia Black know that they were only on the show because they’re prettier to look at than a puppet and not because they’re talented actors? Or was Rygel just not available? I assume he wasn’t since he was played by Thor in 200. Either way, poor kids… just living every day knowing they were second best to cookie monster’s space-cousin.
I am so glad for the Beckett fans they are getting 5 episodes, after he was blown up
I’ve been giggling my head off after that statement. Not laughing at you but just visualising after Beckett ‘being blown up’ that in those 5 appearances he will have, I expect to see him being transported around Atlantis, in a jar on a trolley.
aaaaaaaaaahahaahahahaha
“OCH RODNEY,TAKE THAT SPOOON AWEE ! IT’S MEEE, AHM NOT A JAR OF RELISH!!!”
One Weir episode? Story in place? I really hope you mean so far. If not, that would be kind of awful, considering we’re stuck with Woolsey and all.
Hey Joe
thanks for all your wonderful tidbits you provide us everyday and the drool worthy food pictures as well. seriously no funnelcake? It’s a fried donut confection covered in powdered sugar and cinnamon. I may send you a batter mix the real thing won’t ship well. Simply wonderful like a french crueller only better.
Can you give us any hints as to how Sam Carter will end up leaving Atlantis and what her new job will be? If you can’t I understand but even a obtuse clue or two would be great. Maybe I’ll see you at Comic Con in San Diego this year. I am looking forward to it and my vacation was just approved.
Have you ever read the Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen?
Yay Biro and Novak! Two not-so-stereotypical scifi babes! Bring them back, even for a moment, and it would make me happy indeed. I love quirky characters so much and girls can be geeks too!
I also agree R.Picardo and J.Staite are terrific actors, so it’s up to the writers/directors/producers to match that talent by giving them good characters to play.
This is what I had to say in my LJ about the season 5 casting news:
I am so pleased that Carter is not going to be the expedition leader any more. But, I’m not sure if I like the idea of Richard Woolsey being the new leader. He didn’t exactly make a good showing earlier this season in The Seer… and his character seems to have used used as ‘light relief’ in many of the episodes in which he has appeared – I hope that I can be pleasantly surprised.
Whew! At least Sheppard/McKay and the rest of the flagship team are still okay; though I could wish that they had replaced Keller, her ‘little girl’ voice and her performance in Missing hasn’t endeared her to me at all.
I’ll try to be happy that Carson is coming back, for those I know who like him., but I had hoped that Carter would disappear for ever…. What is it with these people that they keep foisting SG-1 characters on us? Atlantis was supposed to be it’s own show.
OTOH… Daniel Jackson 🙂 I like Daniel
Catling said
I find that incredibly disappointing and insulting. After the surprise ending of BAMSR, the sky was literally the limit as far as where they could take Weir. There is such rich potential that could be used to build a story arc that would span an entire season. Martin Gero said on this very blog that Weir’s storyline would be “revisited” in Season 5. Weir fans that were no longer watching the show were actually beginning to feel confident that perhaps they might start watching again in Season 5. And those Weir fans who were still watching were finally beginning to feel that their loyalty in the face of adversity was going to be rewarded.
So now the Weir fans want Weir to be the star of the show and have her own story for the whole season, doesn’t matter Joe said the show is about the team and Weir was supposed to be a Hammond type character pretty much in the background. Maybe you’d like to rename the show the Dr Weir show and just forget the rest of the cast. Are we to expect the rest of the cast just to become secondary characers to the great Dr Weir, sounds like you’d love that. As far as you are concerned she’s the only characer worth watching.
Those comments of yours are certain to rile fans of the other characters and the show in general but then again thats what a large portion of Weir fans seem to do. They love confrontation and stirring the pot then run for cover saying how badly they are treated by other fans who get upset with their constant insults about their favourite show.
Loyal fans, don’t make me laugh, you say that and then you talk about Weir fans no longer watching the show, fans that will only come back if Weir gets a big storyline, some loyalty to the show that is.
Frankly I find your comments insulting to the rest of us fans out there, the ones who support the show and Joe and the writing team.
We have stayed loyal through the changes and yes some of us actually believe season 4 is the best yet and are shock horror looking forward to season 5.
So before you talk about loyal Weir fans who no longer watch the show, remember there are plenty of real loyal fans who love the rest of the cast and whose loyalty keeps the show rating.
It’s comments from Weir fans like yourself who have really turned me into an anti-Weir fan. You seem to think that Joe has some kind of personal vendetta against Torri instead of a producer and writer writing for his tv show.
Maybe the reason the Carson fans were so successful in getting Carson is back because unlike the Weir fanatics they went about their campaign in a respectful manner even those of us who weren’t that invested in the character cheered them on from the sidelines and I’m sure in part because Paul M himself was very gracious when talking about the show and the writers and never said a bad word against Atlantis or the writers something your favourite actress seems to do quite a lot when stirring up her fans in battle. Insulting Joe isn’t going to win you any favours in getting your favourite character back.
Fans of the show will attack you when you constantly put down the show and the writers and producers because we feel strongly about our show too not just one small character.
Jules
I may be way off base here regarding the Weir storyline, but “story in place” to me does not mean a single episode. To me a story consists of several chapters, unless it’s a short story, in which case it’s more of a vignette than an actual story story.
I think that, if one episode is what was meant, then one episode is what would have been said and that it’s more likely that the story is planned out, but the actual number of episodes it will take place over has not been determined yet. There would be other factors involved, such as other storylines and the availability of the particular actors needed for the story.
Also, given the ending of BAMSR, it does not make sense that the Weir storyline could be wrapped up in one episode.
Anyway, I guess Season 5 will “tell the tale” as it were. I for one can’t wait to see it.
Narelle from Aus: I’ve got a pineapple with your name on it! *g* Duck!
On February 7, 2008 at 8:03 pm raski66 Said:
“Let’s see, just off the top of my head: there was the time she decided a cargo ship was more valuable than Jack O’niell’s life, the time she decided to Dr. Mengele the Wraith, the time she let the Wraith into Atlantis not as prisoners but as guests, the time she blackmailed so that her unqualified, disgraced friend could score an undeserved promotion, the time she supported a military coup in an alien government which would be beneficial to her, and the time she let Richard Woolsey compromise himself and his honor so that she could remain in command of an expedition she has always been unqualified to lead.”
As much as I like Wier, all these points are, from a certain perspective, valid. So she’s actually a much more complex, morally ambiguous character than many people seem to think. Boy is this an unpopular view though.
raski66–
Oh, you’re in for it now 😉
Woke up at godawful o’clock having dreamed about your dogs! only they were my dogs and they had a pet squirrel! I blame the pain meds! Still it was the best nights sleep I’ve had in over a month due to a trapped neck in my nerve….bollocks did I actually write that? Oh well you know what I mean!
Your exchange with Dovil had me crying with laughter, I agree she(?)should be writing comedy.
Joe, I have to ask, why do you let people attack the Weir fans all over your blog? The majority are polite. The majority state their case, and leave it at that. Yet you continue to let these people go on the attack? Seriously?
I know it’s a vocal few, but the most vocal seem to be a bunch of selfrighteous Aussies who like to chime in with things like “pull your head in” or other various Aussie sayings to people they disagree with, and seem to be targeting Weir fans in particular.
Guess what? I’m from Australia too, and I find their constant use of “Oh my God! I’m an Aussie! I’m going to show you just how Aussie I am by using strine and ocker sayings all over your blog because it makes me special!” really embarrassing. The world already thinks we’re country hicks like Crocodile Dundee and whatnot. Why do you people want to perpetuate that myth?
For the record, I’m a Beckett fan, and I’m delighted he’ll be in five episodes. I would have loved to see him in more, so I can understand exactly how the Weir fans feel, and to me it’s rude, insulting, and just plain “not cricket” (how’s that, fellow Aussies, I can play that game, too) for you to allow these people to attack them.
To the Australians, for crying out loud, show a bit of decorum and respect for other posters.
Hi Joe:
Well, the BBQ is off. Apparently, Creation’s exclusive agreement to hold events connected to Stargate, means that we would be creating no end of problems between the studio and Creation if we held it at Bridge Studios. So, please share my regrets with the actors and production people at bridge. We did try to show our appreciation to you all, but rules and regulations have put an end to it. I realize you can’t comment, Joe. But I thought I’d let everyone know. The entire e-mail sent to me regarding this is posted on Gateworld – the Vancouver Convention thread.
As for Fuel. I will begin a list of attendees for that on the same thread in lieu of the BBQ.
Thanks
Patricia
Cat4444
The other is Robert De Niro
Hey, I’ve got an idea! If Weir comes back for only one episode maybe its for the 100th episode/season finale. It would then be a lead in for many more episodes in the (hopefully) 6th season. Just trying to give something positive to all the negative Weir fans posting tonight.
Also, Joe, I’ve been wondering lately what the reason was that the character of Weir was recast between S7 and S8 of SG-1. Just curious. (Though it seems an appropriate question tonight somehow.)
Here’s hoping you’ve been able to develop a thick skin since becoming a show runner.
“I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but on a blog words are helpful.”
Ah, sorry. Hmmm…cheap internet connection at work? Or my old eyes refused to see? Honestly, there was just the vid of sweet Lulu. Your words are brilliant as usual, and there are a lot of them.
“Caution: Explosive Bolts” – A note for you or us?
Did you ever get a chance to read Good Omens?
After reading today’s mailbag, I have realized the reason you write this blog daily. The comments left by your fans (and critics) must be a constant source of amusement. I was wondering if you could tell me the most unusual question you have ever been asked? I don’t necessarily need you to answer said question, but I am positive it is a doozie and was just curious. Thanks!
PS- I look forward to dinner at Fuel on April 1st!
Hi Joe,
I’m glad the book got there ok and I’ll gladly remind you about “Storm Front” when the time comes to select another fantasy book for the club. I never mind rereading any of the Dresden Files books. 🙂
Thanks for the video of Lulu and the pictures from “Midway”. Lulu made me laugh and seeing Chris Judge as Teal’c again made me grin from ear to ear. I’ve resisted the temptation to download “Ark of Truth” with great effort and I am not so patiently awaiting my copy of the DVD from Amazon. Thankfully, there’s only a little over a month left to wait! I’m really looking forward to seeing SG-1 again and the wrap-up of the Ori plot line.
Hi Joe!
I’ve noticed something about the episode “Home”, from season 1 of SGA, there are a lot of similarities with the episode “A Human Reaction” from the show I’m keen on now : Farscape, is it an “hommage” or it just happened “like this” when you wrote the script?
From what I’ve learned, you’re a Farscape fan! What’s your top 10 of the best episodes of Farscape? I can’t do my top ten because there’s over than 10 episodes that I love.
Hi Joe
One thing I have noticed at both Stargate & Star Trek conventions is that other actors (and others associated with the shows) are always full of praise for the attitude of both Amanda Tapping and Robert Picardo to their work: knowing their lines, being on time, respect for other actors, etc. Is this one of the factors that led to both being on the shortlist for the position of base commander in the run up to Season 4?
All the best
Pam
Hey Joe,
I just thought I’d let you know I am still one of your loyal fans. I for one have disected the information regarding Woolsey, and Kellar. All characters need to grow. Like Woolsey/Kellar will, I think and I hope.
I hope that there’s a lot of friction with Woolsey and that EvERYONE(CALDWELL) on the base HATES him. Remember that particular mess-balcony conversation in season 3.
I think it could make a very interesting arc for both the CO in Woolsey and the recurring Caldwell. After all Frasier was recurring and had that girl and her character grew through that.
Hi
I was just wondering will you playing the new stargate game coming out (stargate worlds) or at least trying it?
Hi, Joe.
I was just over at the Visual Effects Society web site:
http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/
(SGA is nominated for a VES award)
And they are hosting a FREE event the night before the awards society, on Saturday, February 9, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm, at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd (intersection of Wilshire and Westwood Blvds), Los Angeles.
Is anyone from SGA going to be at this event to represent SGA?
Thank you, Joe.
Morjana
I have to admit…I’m really disappointed that it seems like Weir will only be in one episode. I thought that the ‘storyline’ you’d hinted at would be hugely interesting. And to all the naysayers out there – no, we don’t expect or want ‘Stargate: Weir’, we were just hoping for a little bit better for our favourite character. Hoping for a couple of epsisodes rather than just one for what looked like a potentially cool story is hardly asking for the moon.
Jules said: Paul M himself was very gracious when talking about the show and the writers and never said a bad word against Atlantis or the writers something your favourite actress seems to do quite a lot when stirring up her fans in battle.
Frankly, Mr M, I’m surprised you even let that through considering how blatantly uninformed and insulting to TH that statement is. Torri Higginson has never spoken against either the writers or the show for the decision to reduce Weir. She said countless times that she understood it, and that she thinks she was partly at fault for ‘never finding a place for her’. Even AT said she was ‘gracious and awesome’ about moving on. She has always spoken warmly and enthusiastically about her character, the writers, and both Stargate shows. What she did say, in one interview a year after she left, was that she was ‘not upset by the decision itself, but upset by the way the decision [to tell her] was handled.’
Some battle cry.
And Thornyrose and those posters who don’t think the Weir fans are putting work in to their campaign…why not visit http://www.saveelizabethweir.com and see some of the other things they’ve done, like raising charity money? I’m not a member of the campaign, so I’m blowing their trumpet for them….I admire SMB_Books and her crew. Just because they also come over here to express their opinions, doesn’t mean that’s all they do.
It’s certainly funny you mention “Tao of Rodney”. Ah, the good old times, when Atlantis was a city, a family, not the cold military outpost that is now… It’s a pity the “bad blood” between you (TPTB) and Torri Higginson. I have heard her last interview, and well, is not very flattering with you…. It’s a shame that a personal problem (between you and the actress) is boycotting the show with negative decisions. Also, has destroyed Atlantis fandom. It’s quite disagreeable and quite sad to go now to any Atlantis forum, really… But well, I suppose that is as the television world works; a world of great egos. Sorry to sound so negative, but is what I think.
Well, a couple of questions, although I know it’s a little early: you have thought if the fifth season will finish or not about a cliffhanger? You have thought about Woolsey like head of Atlantis for long time, or if Amanda Tapping was available for a hypothetical sixth season Carter would return as a Commander? By the way, I know that he is not a very popular personage, but I like Woolsey. In certain way, remembers me the first McKay of SG-1.
“Answers: Story in place refers to 1 episode.”
Scripts don’t get written overnight people. I bet you that other Weir stories are being tossed around at this very moment (okay maybe not right this moment seeing as 1pm here in Cape Town is 3am in Vancouver), but still, instead of screaming at each other (and the rest of us) why don’t you ask Joe this in a polite manner?
Hi again Mr M.
Greetings once more from Tipperary!
Firstly, Many many thanks for agreeing to pop in to Fuel with Mr G., on April 1st…That is very considerate of you and my deepest thanks!
For those who are planning to attend, you might pop on over to GateWorld and look me up…(Vancouver Con 2008 thread) It would be nice to get a number together and I can contact Fuel (if you guys wish)to have enough places at the same table for all…rather than random small groups of SG fans scattered throughout the restaurant…..(although that would be funny)Mamasue, glad you can make it!
Finally, as Mr M says, this is an upscale restaurant…check out the prices on their web page…www.fuelrestaurant.ca…..Me, I’ll be flying over 9000 miles, so I’m sure I’ll be hungry!!!, and I can always sing a few tunes for passing Canadians…..
Thank you again Mr M., and looking forward to meeting you and Mr G.
Shirt’n’Tie
AKA Paul
Hey Joe!
I’m reeeeeally loving Season 4 so far.
Is there any plans to bring more of my fave OTP Shep/Iratus bug? Outcast was brilliant, can we expect to see more of Nancy and Dave in S5?
Many thanks for all the SGA love!
Erika
Lulu! Don’t eat the yellow snow! 🙂
How do you stand all that cuteness? I’m assuming this is a protective measure to balance out when she gets in trouble.
Congratulations on getting all that organizing done. I’m such an anal-retentive personality that it always makes me happy when people do that.
(Why yes. Yet another arguement for how strange your fans are.)
Well… Weir for one episode, I really hope you mean SO FAR… If not, well, that’disappointing, but it is your call to make.
I do am surprised that, if one episode is all we’re gonna get, you couldn’t see the potential there was after the ending of BAMSR for Weir.
One episode, I hope Novak is gonna get that in season 5, but Weir?
Oh well, life goes on. But please promise me one thing: if Weir will only get one episode because you can’t see anymore potential for this character or because you find Torri annoying or because you find her fans annoying or for whatever reason, please kill her off. Be over and done with it and don’t let her fans hanging, hoping for more like it happened to Ford. A nice, definite closure would be nice then.
Still hoping for more than one episode on Weir though… We’ll see.
I am so glad for the Beckett fans they are getting 5 episodes, after he was blown up
I’ve been giggling my head off after that statement. Not laughing at you but just visualising after Beckett ‘being blown up’ that in those 5 appearances he will have, I expect to see him being transported around Atlantis, in a jar on a trolley.
aaaaaaaaaahahaahahahaha
“OCH RODNEY,TAKE THAT SPOOON AWEE ! IT’S MEEE, AHM NOT A JAR OF RELISH!!!”
And thank you for making me laugh :D. That could be an episode. How to put Carson back together? I am really excited to see how this will play out.
p.s. Joe, please, Weir in more than just one!
Joe,
I’m sure there are going to be dozens of questions about ‘why was Rachel not happy?’ and I’m also going to assume that if you were going to say anything, you would have said it in the post. With that in mind, I’m still obtuse enough to ask…
Why was Rachel not happy?
Thanks Joe,
Kamilla
Woolsey is a nice choice, will be an intersting first half of season 5!
Any chance the one episode Elizabeth Weir will be in is the 100th episode? (if it is in fact a one-episode-only-deal)
Could potentially lead into a (possible) season 6… Mmmaybe… Would make for a nice cliffhanger, wouldn’t it?
More episodes would be better of course, purely thinking of my fannish needs here. 🙂
And, what happened to the militarization of Atlantis which seemed so hellbend in season 4? I mean, Woolsey is a civilian IOA representative. Kinda lost on the link really… might be that will be addressed in your season 5 beginning, but I’m curious nonetheless.
Greetz,
Heightmeyer’s Lemming (aka Falcon Horus)
SEW member
http://www.saveelizabethweir.com
Just felt like a whinge so of course I came here **grins**.
The Ark of Truth isn’t available in Australia until April 9. MGM sucks buckets. We want it in March too.
“Why did you call it a dinosaur hunt if you’re not going to have a dinosaur hunt” – trust me, you just had to be there.
Cheers, Maryanne
I picked up my first Science fiction book from Amazon.com title Asimov”s science fiction magazine 30th Anniversary Anthlogy.finished reading it some good stories from some good authors. what would you recommend in Fantasy reading for a beginner??
Joe,
You might want to toodle over to SyFy Portal where they have a commentary on SGA on their homepage this morning. They specifically mention the loss of Torri Higginson and Paul McGillion as being detriments. They also don’t care for all the SG1 characters and plots being carried over to SGA.
They hit the nail on the head. I go to many forums, and fan consensus is the same across the board. Check it out at http://www.syfyportal.com. The article is under “Headlines” and is titled, “Atlantis: Stop Trying to be Like SG1!”.
You can also add me to the “Dump Keller” camp. The character is boring beyond belief.
Joe, I wanted you to know that at least one person thinks you made the right decision to get rid of the Weir character. I liked Weir when she was played by the original actress on SG-1. But I NEVER accepted Torri as Weir, even after 3 years. I don’t want to say she’s a bad actress. I enjoyed listening to her commentary on the DVDs. It sounded like she and Rachel genuinely liked each other. However, I just don’t think she captured the same character that the original actress was able to create. To me it felt like something wasn’t working and I applaud you for making the change.
On the other hand, I didn’t see the need to replace Carson. But I don’t whine about it all the time. Sure I’d be happier if he came back. But, whatever. My life isn’t ruined because an actress that I liked on another show was replaced an actor that I liked on this one. Get over it, people.
Honestly, if it was up to me, the next show would be Stargate: Martouf – four Martoufs saving the world one gate at a time. 😉
Seriously, though, the only storyline that has me a little anxious for next year is Teyla’s motherhood. There’s a delicate balance between keeping the team dynamic the same and acknowledging that Teyla’s priorities have changed. I’m sure you will handle it well.
Woolsey – I don’t think his character has progressed enough for me to like or trust him yet. But hopefully, you will deal with that early on and we will see a dramatic character change. I HATED Rodney on SG-1, but he’s my favorite character on SGA. So I have confidence that you can make Woolsey work. And come on, you gotta work in the line, “Please state the nature of the medical emergency.” That would be a scream.
On February 7, 2008 at 8:03 pm Slian Martreb Said:
Dear Joe,
I haven’t read through all of the comments to know if I’m the only one who is going to say this, but:
Let me be one to say THANK YOU for only bringing Weir back for one episode (so far) in season 5. I have nothing against Torri, but her character just never did it for me (in SG1 or SGA).
Slian
PS: You are going to protect me from all the rabid fangirls/fanboys who are upset she isn’t coming back for more, right?
Slian –
You aren’t alone. Weir always seemed like a sideline / fill in character to me. She didn’t really do much more than stand there in most eps. Bland – I suppose that’s the word I would use for her character. The most backbone she showed was at the end on the Replicator world when standing up to Oberoth.
You, Raski66 and I are most likely on several hitlists by now.
Keller’s character is developing nicely for those who apparently don’t remember Carson’s character in the beginning wasn’t that complex or deep and he was afraid of a lot of things. Give her time to get used to going off world and being shot at ( at least she isn’t afraid to go through the Gate.)
Hello Joseph =) sa va bien? Youpi! c’est le week end! trop happy ^^!!
Cool ces photos! Super video^^..mais site moi pas qu’il neige encors chez vous?
Car ici depuis Lundi, il fait soleil et chaleur!les beaux jours reviennent.
Tigne! Yé j’adore cette animal =)..moi je suis Cheval^^!
Aujourd’hui j’ai appris quelque chose d’incroyable!! Saviez vous qu’il y’a 40% de produit gras dans l’avocat? c’est aussi gras que des frites….glurp o-O!
Bon aller gros kisou, je vous adore! Merci.
Is there any possibility on closing the plot hole of what happened to Lt. Ford? Personally I don’t really like the character, but I think a conclusion is necessary.
Will we see Rodney’s sister make an appearance in Season 5. Kate Hewlett is awesome.
Hey Joe, I have to say that the Wraith in the fourth pic down today looks more like a Klingon.
oh man! A Fan Fuel dinner. It makes me wish I was going to Vancouver this year. I’m going to cross my fingers that you’ll do something like that next year.
You mention fancy chocolate a lot. Do you have any recommendations in the realm of white chocolate?
>>>>Highly recommend funnel cakes. Especially with chocolate sauce, powdered sugar and ice cream.<<<<
Noooo! Funnel cake is best with powdered sugar, apple pie filling and whipped cream! YOU’RE RUINING THE STATE FAIR! I’m never going to eat funnel cake again!
(And we won’t even touch the blasphemy which is white chocolate. Fourth Sign of the Apocalypse.)
Joe! Today is SGA Friday!
That’s a cause to rejoice, if ever there was one.
Hey Joe,
So is your organizational style “filing” or “piling”? Not to say that pilers aren’t organized – it’s just a different approach. Pilers can often find things as quickly (if not more quickly) than filers, by knowing which stack is the most likely and how far down in the stack to look (i.e. how long ago did you throw the thing you are looking for on that particular pile?). Personally I am a filer, but I know lots of pilers that amaze me with their ability to extract the desired paper from the many piles on their desk/floor/etc. Maybe it has something to do with left brain/right brain dominance – are creative people more often right brain and more often pilers??
By the way, you can pass this on to Fondy as a point of interest –
One of the most dynamic signs in the Chinese zodiac, Tigers are by turns fascinating, commanding, and exasperating.
They are patient but short-tempered, calm but rebellious, petty but noble, fearsome but affectionate, free spirits but fiercely territorial.
With their many & various personality traits, Tigers are also – not surprisingly – noted for a marked reluctance to make up their minds.
What makes them magnetic and commanding figures is the absolute loyalty and affection they show for those they love. With a natural air of authority, Tigers easily earn the respect and admiration of those who love them in return.
While domesticated Tigers are quite happy among familiar surroundings, they are just as apt to fly off on an adventure at a moment’s notice. Unpredictable and emotional, they can become quite fearless when standing up for themselves or others, and often hold definitive views on how to right the wrongs of society.
At work, Tigers show natural leadership ability, but prefer to work alone. They usually excel as business managers, social activists, explorers, or travel writers.
If you are curious about your own animal, you can check it out here:
http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/chinese-zodiac.htm
I have to say, the descriptions of my animal and my husband’s hit pretty close to home.
Jean
Hi Jo’ !
Sorry for my question ( about Keller ) I was maybe tired…I would say just why choose her in a regular role and not an other one ?
I was confused with this sentence on GateWorld : ‘The actress joins Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, David Hewlett, Jason Momoa, and newcomer Robert Picardo on the 6-person main cast ‘
Thank you for te pictures and good luck for this new season of wonderful adventures in Pegasus Galaxy !
Hi,
Are we ever going to see any more Lantean built City-ships, or any more of the one from the Tower?
Thanks
I’m not Joe, obviously, but if I may reply…
OneCheekyHobbit said: “I’m sure there are going to be dozens of questions about ‘why was Rachel not happy?’ and I’m also going to assume that if you were going to say anything, you would have said it in the post. With that in mind, I’m still obtuse enough to ask…
Why was Rachel not happy?”
I think you misread the paragraph. He said Rachel WAS happy, not that she wasn’t…
From Joe’s entry: “She was not only happy but, admittedly, quite relieved with the creative route we’re taking.”
Maybe English is not your first language and you got a bit confused? Let me rephrase Joe’s words. What he said is the same as saying “She was happy and, admittedly, quite relieved with the creative route we’re taking.”
Hope this helps…
Yazid said: I was confused with this sentence on GateWorld : ‘The actress joins Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, David Hewlett, Jason Momoa, and newcomer Robert Picardo on the 6-person main cast ‘
Being part of the main cast doesn’t mean that they’re part of the team. Torri and Paul were regulars in the past, however Elizabeth and Carson were never part of the team. In the same way, the fact that Jewell and Robert are regulars now doesn’t make Keller and Woolsey part of the team either.
The team (Shep’s team) has always been a 4-member team: Shep, Rodney, Teyla and Ford in season 1; Shep, Rodney, Teyla and Ronon in seasons 2, 3, 4 and 5 (and hopefully more). That hasn’t changed.
I have two questions today, Joe.
1. I apologize in advance if this has already been answered, but I’m curious if “The Seed”, and “Broken Ties” are each stand alone episodes or continuations from “Search and Rescue” and the season 4 finale?
2. Do you have any more episode titles that you are able to reveal for season 5 yet (besides the first four episodes)?
Looking forward to tonight’s episode.
Thanks for posting the pictures from “Midway”
danielfanforever
Kate, glad to hear some work is being done. But there are many of us who would come on board for a “bring back Weir” campaign if handled right. I’ve not seen that kind of positive effort yet though. Please point me in the right direction and I’ll gladly correct my misassumptions.
Grace, I try to avoid commenting on the whole Weir situation, but the cumulative effect of what I see as negative posts gets annoying enough to get me to respond. It’s obvious you are a Weir fan. What is less obvious is that you are a SGA fan. Many people have posted their intentions of not watching the show because a single character has been written out. That indicates to me a lack of interest in the show as a whole. I’m open to you demonstrating me wrong. But it boils down to this. As long as you insist on using the approach you and some others here have used, dont be suprised when others of us show our ire. If you need an example of what I consider positive, scroll up to Yasmin’s post. There is a person who I respect for standing up for a favorite character in a way that is conductive to influencing folks.
Oh, I gave up torturing butterflies years ago. I’ve taken up working on a recipe book for newborn babies instead.
Will any of the crew be forced to choose between what is right and what they desire?
Joe F. had done two episodes of Women’s Murder Club while on hiatus. Once the writer’s strike gets settled, will Joe be able to continue his role on there, since you guys will be in production by then?
One last thing, is it a coincidence that your Fuel Fan dinner is scheduled for April 1st? Not planning on having a waiter seat people and say, “People, did you really like Joe Mallozzi would show up to eat dinner with you? Get a clue. It’s April Fool’s Day.”
“GateLady Said:
Joe,
You might want to toodle over to SyFy Portal where they have a commentary on SGA on their homepage this morning. They specifically mention the loss of Torri Higginson and Paul McGillion as being detriments. They also don’t care for all the SG1 characters and plots being carried over to SGA.
They hit the nail on the head. I go to many forums, and fan consensus is the same across the board. Check it out at http://www.syfyportal.com. The article is under “Headlines” and is titled, “Atlantis: Stop Trying to be Like SG1!”.
You can also add me to the “Dump Keller” camp. The character is boring beyond belief.”
No, it is not “fan consensus” that SGA = SG-1. Nor is it “fan consensus” that removal of the Beckett and/or Weir characters is a detriment. It is only the opinion of the article writer and anyone who may agree, in whole or in part, with him/her.
I have seen plenty of discussion between SGA fans on both sides of these issues. If there was this alleged “fan consensus,” this discussion would not exist.
I happen to like Keller, so seeing your opinion, I would say there isn’t “fan consensus” on that issue either. 🙂
SGA Rocks!
eddy
Hey Joe!
I’m excited you’re thinking about including a Jim Butcher book for your fantasy BOTM choice. I don’t know how you feel about urban fantasy, but I love the series.
As for Zelenka’s birthday cake, Black Forest, definitely. I haven’t had good Black Forest cake in ages.
Finally, contrary to many of the posters here, I’d sort of wish you’d leave the dead characters dead. I enjoyed both Beckett and Weir, but it always feels like you’re going a bit backwards trying to engineer ways to bring them back just to satisfy fans. Right or wrong, let’s just move forward. Meh, I know my opinion is far in the minority, but I thought I’d toss it out there anyway.
Thanks!
Hi Joe,
Have the writers ever scrapped a story idea early on because it seemed like it’d be too expensive, daunting, or too much of a hassle to do? I know you do lots of very expensive episodes with elaborate effects, so maybe this is a dumb Q to ask, but I was just curious.
Looking forward to tonight’s episode!
Hi Joe,
I was curious about something. Since you average over a hundred comments on your blog, do you really read them all or do you randomly just pick and choose which ones to read and answer?
Thanks,
Elisa
Answers: Story in place refers to 1 episode.
Guess I should read the current comments instead of being a day behind. Ah, well, I not blonde. And besides Oscar jogged my elbow and hijacked my post. Yeah, that’s it.
OH BOY JOE !
You love troubles but you are a ferocious businessman. You had the intuition that without Weir you could have more viewers and ratings because more people would check how bad the show would become! WOW ! Neither Bill Gates nor Warren Buffet have your nose! By the way, if you have time please chek your moosyum’email
To Elodie, about Farscape best episodes ,for me those are: A human reaction, Die me dichotomy, Green eyed monster,Infinite Possibilities, Part 1 and 2,Dog with Two Bones,Promises,We’re So Screwed, Part 1,2,3 and Bad timing.
Hi, I’ve just discovered your blog too and wanted to say *Thanks*!
I’m a BIG SG-1 fan and switched to SGA when the SG-1 series ceased. I’m really enjoying Season 4 and TBH I love all the characters, but especially McKay! I’m happy to go with the flow with whatever the writers send our way. I am a S/J shipper though so….
I did wonder about O’Neill’s clone (Fragile Balance). Will we ever see him again in Atlantis, afterall he has the Ancient Gene?
Eagerly awaiting the films this year!
babancat
Hi Joe. I know this is a wee bit long for a blog post; my hope is that you will read it, but you don’t have to include it in the comments. I felt as though it was time to write in, because I have been remiss in doing so in the past and today I wanted to take the opportunity before I lost it, seeing as how these season five details are fresh and new.
I am a fan of Elizabeth Weir; but please take my words in the context of who I am. I can promise I’m not an ‘anti’ or a character hater; there are no characters on Atlantis I truthfully dislike. I have no desire to see the show fail, nor place fault or blame on any person or groups of people. I don’t believe in speculating on reasons or questioning business decisions simply because I do not know the facts. What I do know is that I am a fan of Elizabeth Weir, and I hope you will listen to my words.
Stories are told through the grace of the writer’s pen; but no reader, or in this case viewer, has been held captive courtesy vivid and repetitive descriptions of unique landscapes. Our attentions are captured by the way the story is told, but held by the characters through which the events unfold. We are human; we identify with humans (or in sci-fi’s case, humanoids) and hence our reason for returning to the page, or the screen—to see how those characters develop through the course of the story.
You created a fantastic character in Weir. I enjoyed every moment of her time on screen, because for me, she represented more than just a token female character, whether she was intended to be post-modern feminist or not. As boundaries are broken and changed, we tend to proceed with radical versions of what we’re trying to evolve or develop. We get the Janeways, the Scullys, the Seven-of-Nines. Breakthrough characters that change the face of the familiar. Once they’ve established the precedent, however, we are given the ability to toggle back from the extreme and move towards the realistic. I believe Weir was one of the first who worked this theme. With the way the stories were shaped, she fell outside the tradition stereotypes for sci-fi females—not the battle ‘babe’, not the cold, stern, ‘I can fit in the boys club’ leader, not the lovely, intelligent, perennial sidekick. Weir had a heart; she made mistakes, she led at times cleverly, at others strongly, and in some instances, poorly. To see a character possess both the strength to govern resolutely, and the heart to be as close as family to her team—that was a rare trait I haven’t seen displayed in many sci-fi shows. Not with a leader-type character, at least.
There is no point in the first three seasons where I grew tired of Elizabeth Weir. Though the outward appearance and the nature of the stories changed as the years progressed, her presence was always carefully balanced between leader and friend. From instances of difficult decision-making and stern control to episodes of self-doubt and weakness, she ran the gamut of leadership, femininity and friendship quite believably. I have a high appreciation for the episodes in which she is portrayed as having to make difficult decisions, some of which are, in the long run, poor ones. Or seeing episodes such as “Condemned” or “Common Ground” where she must be ruthless—and is. I would not have liked her nearly so well had all her appearances been triumphs, or cold command scenarios. I don’t enjoy the token ‘let your hair down’ episodes, and Weir never really had one of those—she didn’t need them. Your writers shaped her to have steel and heart episode by episode, and Torri Higginson took that theme and developed it. Even into Season 3, where some people have come to think, somehow, that she failed as a character.
I believe in change; in the evolution of stories and scenarios, and I believe very much in the show creators’ rights to move on with their stories as they see fit. We would not have these characters had not someone else evolved them. And I don’t dislike adding characters. “Deep Space Nine” was the only Trek I watched, so I have a strong respect for Robert Picardo. Jewel Staite has been a favorite since I watched her in “Higher Ground”; a respect that grew through “Firefly”. And SG-1 I liked in the beginning and always respected. How you incorporate these characters, and evolve future stories, is your prerogative.
But that being said, I do believe in the right to do what we are able as fans to do—let our opinions be heard. That is one of the two options we are afforded as fans—to let production know how we feel, or, to take the road more often traveled, and simply change the channel.
I don’t want to take the second option—not yet. I haven’t decided, to be honest, what my final action shall be. The one thing I know for certain is that I will miss Weir. I am disappointed I will only get the opportunity to see her once next season, and I hope, as things progress, opportunities will open that will allow her to be seen again. I hope that you will see your fan base extends to people such as me, people who were English majors and possess law degrees; who consider Faulkner an acceptable beach read and enjoy the challenge of new books every week. People who relish Shakespeare references and parallelism and dynamic depth of character. Intelligent folk who did find something redemptive, intriguing and inspiring in Weir, right up to the end.
I know you have your reasons for change, and coming from a production background myself, I understand none of us really know how the business end works. I’m not posting to comment on that; my concern comes solely from what I see broadcast week to week. What I miss and what I’d like to see again. And how, as one fan, the changes have affected me.
I will miss Weir. I hope as Season four progresses towards the finale, something else can capture me and pull be back as strongly as her character did this past year, when I was first introduced to Atlantis. I wanted to write in and let you know that—that there are people who do respect everything you do, that respect your stories and your characters, but who yearn for a little more of one thing they considered great—one thing that captured their attention and made them watch devotedly in the first place. And who hope, while the future is still uncertain, that it will remain open to the possibility of bringing something they loved back to them.
Thanks, Joe, for all you and your team do. I know not everything is easy to handle, but please, keep on creating. Imagination on television runs thin these days, it seems, and every attempt at developing intelligent, original ideas is not just appreciated, it is necessary.
How do you feel Season 4 was darker than 1 through 3? What is the idea to make Season 5 differ from 1 through 4?
I’ve been watching and despite the darker lighting and clothing styles it doesn’t seem to have changed somewhat.
Bonjour Joseph,
Encore une belle journée d’hiver qui se termine et en plus c’est vendredi. Bon, je dois avouer que ce matin je rêvais de rester à Hawaïe parce ça m’a pris environ 40 minutes à déblayer mon auto à cause de la neige, mais bon… J’espère que tout va bien pour toi et tous ceux qui lisent ton blogue.
Morgia
Hi Joe,
Why is Sheppard spared the ignominy of wearing the Atlantis uniform??
Have you watched Eli Stone? (It’s on after Lost). I really like it so far. 🙂
Do you just not want to go to Dragon? Or is it simply a matter of us getting the con to invite you? (I know the con has this weird thing against inviting producers, but we’ll do our best to campiagn for your invitation if you’d be willing to go!! It’s fine if you don;t want to, though — I just don’t want to pester the committee if you don’t, hence my asking! :))
I take it Wizard for Hire covers Storm Front and Fool Moon? Amazon doesn’t actually say. Well, save for the new hardcover, I’ve read all the Dresden Files, so no mater which books are in it, I’ll be able to participate. Yay! 😀
I just put in an application for a Library Assistant job today. My living sitation has made getting a job next to impossible (due to an extreme lack of trasnportation options), but I can walk to this one (it’s about 2 miles away), and it’s pretty much the only gig available in my very rural, family-owned business-ridden town. I have been wating 4 years for an opportunity like this! So please, wish me luck, everyone. (I really, really need this job, so I can get some money and get the hell out of Florida!! XD)
Erika, well said! Thank you for your post & for saying so well what I’m sure many are thinking.
Ok, one question, is this NEW enemy a New new enemy or have we seen it before in sg1?
Please say it’s New new.
I was sitting in a history lecture and the professor said, “Tabula rasa.” NOW I know what it means.
I’ve never been mistaken for a salesperson. However, I was at Border’s one day and asked this man to help me locate a book. He said, “Oh, I don’t work here.” Unlike yours and Emily’s experience, I just got embarassed, apologized and walked away. In my defense, he was wearing a lanyard AND was standing by a computer.
Answer: Paul was the one who noticed as we were reviewing season 4 – Holy crap, we killed a lot of people last season! I think we broke the standing record and it’s going to be very hard to beat it this year. But we’ll give it our best shot.
We’ve noticed too….cut it out! That’s what red shirts are for. Kimberly
Joe said: “To those of you asking about the Fan Fuel dinner – the only reason I’m reluctant to organize the event is because the restaurant is fairly upscale and may well be out of the price range of many fans. That said, if there are some of you who do have your hearts set on dining there the night of April 1st, then I’m sure Marty G. and I could make ourselves available.”
Is April 1st a typo or are you playing an early April Fools joke on us?
April 1st is a Tuesday and would probably be before most people get to Vancouver for the convention. I think the date given was Thursday April 3rd….which might still be before some people get there…lol.
Kimberly
Dear Cookie Monster,
I am a big fan of yours and have been since I first watched you on Sesame Street when I was but a child. Maybe you can help me with my problem.
I think Joe is mad at me…or maybe he just doesn’t like me anymore. We had this relationship where I would ask him questions and once in a while he would answer them. It was such a satisfying relationship. I just haven’t felt the love in a very….very…very long time now. I don’t know what I have done to lose his affection.
I am turning to you Cookie, may I call you Cookie? I feel I know you so well…you have been with me on TV for more years than I would like to calculate. Or that I can calculate…I didn’t actually pay much attention to the Count. If you have any pull with Joe, could you please see if you can get him to answer this simple little question:
Who is older, John or Dave Sheppard?
Oh…and would you put in a good word for me with Joe? I really miss his regard….the shared glances over the 3300 miles between us…the witty repartee.
Help me Cookie Monster, you are my only hope. 😉
Love Always,
Kimberly
*Disclaimer: To all the knuckleheads that don’t get it…this is all in jest*
Will there be any Teyla heavy eps next season?
Will Teyla be in Trio or Midway at all,i know it was probably unavoidable that Teyla wasn’t in some eps this season what with Rachel’s Pregnancy but i miss Teyla?
Will we find out more about Teyla’s Background next Season and will we ever see what happened to her Father?
Will there be any John/Teyla sparring next season,i miss her whipping John’s butt? 😀
Oh by the way i love your wicked sarcastic sense of humour,i know i’m weird but oh well!!!;)
Frankly, Mr M, I’m surprised you even let that through considering how blatantly uninformed and insulting to TH that statement is. Torri Higginson has never spoken against either the writers or the show for the decision to reduce Weir. She said countless times that she understood it, and that she thinks she was partly at fault for ‘never finding a place for her’. Even AT said she was ‘gracious and awesome’ about moving on. She has always spoken warmly and enthusiastically about her character, the writers, and both Stargate shows. What she did say, in one interview a year after she left, was that she was ‘not upset by the decision itself, but upset by the way the decision [to tell her] was handled.’
Some battle cry.
On February 8, 2008 at 3:02 am A.A. Said:
It’s certainly funny you mention “Tao of Rodney”. Ah, the good old times, when Atlantis was a city, a family, not the cold military outpost that is now… It’s a pity the “bad blood” between you (TPTB) and Torri Higginson. I have heard her last interview, and well, is not very flattering with you…. It’s a shame that a personal problem (between you and the actress) is boycotting the show with negative decisions
I still stand by what I said Torri has stirred up the fans with comments just read the above from her fans. I’ve read plenty of Weir fan comments along the same lines how Torrie was removed so that she could be replaced by Amanda Tapping, thats what caused a lot of fan wars between Season 3 and 4. She has also said in an interview that TPTB are loyal to SG1 in other words she is implying that her character was removed so that she could be replaced by Sam. Joe has repeatedly said that wasn’t true.
I really like and respect the small number of Weir fans who come on here and have valid arguments but not the ones who come on here attacking the show and Joe.
Yes Carrie I’m an Aussie and no I’ve never used Aussie slang, don’t even know any. I’m no Crocodile Dundee but I am very much a fan of the show and I will defend it when it’s being attacked just as the Weir fans will defend their character so don’t go lumping us all in one basket, implying that we are all ignorant Aussies just because we don’t support your beloved character and come out in defence of the show.
Roll on Season 5 Joe.
Jules
Is there any chance we’ll see Lindsay Novak (‘hiccups’ in case you forgot) of the Daedalus in season five?
hi, joe,
any idea when you’ll be able to reveal some tidbits of what sam’s future is going to be, atlantis series wise? if it’s too soon to give away that type of spoilery, can you estimate when you could?
sally 🙂
Well it sounds as though people are getting really excited over the dinner at Fuel. I hope you take a lot of pictures for the rest of us to be jealous over. I’m going to Vancouver but I’m not flying up until the 2nd. I still intend to try Fuel while I’m up there though.
Hey Joe, I was wondering if it was too much to ask to have February the 9th’s blog dedicated to me? It’s my 18th birthday then and it would make an awesome present 😀
Great pics by the way 🙂
For those who do not wish to read about the efforts of the Save Elizabeth campaign, please feel free to skip this post.
However, after seeing a few individuals on this blog make some comments about what it is we actually do, as well as what they wish we would do, I wanted the opportunity to respond. I do this in the spirit of education, not to belabor a point or certainly not to make anyone angry.
I am not trying to say we are perfect. No one can claim that. I am trying to say that we are a group of devoted fans who love this character and are sad (and yes, in some cases, angry) that she’s not around anymore.
I also do this as a tribute to the fans who actively participate in the Save Elizabeth campaign. The time they take to raise their voices in the support of this character and the actress who portrays her is something they do because they CARE about the character and the actress. I cannot speak for all members in our group, but I seriously doubt any of us feel that Elizabeth should be the center of the show. We have enjoyed other characters on the show (and continue to do so); we just miss Elizabeth and want her back.
Here are some of the activities the campaign has undertaken:
*SEW Crew members participate in online communities, showing their support for Elizabeth and Torri and the role this character plays on SGA.
*SEW Crew members send emails and letters to Bridge Studios, the major networks sponsoring the show, SciFi publications and other media outlets.
*SEW Crew members sent flowers to Torri as she finished filming her episodes in Season 4, telling her how much we appreciate her work.
*SEW Crew members have created buttons, flyers and newsletters that we distribute at conventions letting other SGA fans know about the effort and what they can do to help.
*SEW Crew members have printed out online petitions and distributed them to Bridge Studios, SciFi and MGM.
*SEW Crew members regularly send letters to Torri, expressing our support for her projects and the work she does (SGA work and other projects as well).
*SEW Crew members have created scrapbooks, CDs and other media to give to Torri and the studios detailing our support.
*The SEW website has several pages of “Celebrate Elizabeth” events where Crew members shared their creativity and talent in an effort to Celebrate this character.
*The SEW Crew donated money to one of Torri’s favorite charities in honor of her birthday.
*SEW Crew members post here.
It’s a big list, and I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few things. I hope this helps to illustrate the many different strategies we have implemented in our campaign.
For those of you who took the time to read this, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to give us the courtesy of your time.
Sincerely,
SMB_BOOKS
SEW Crew Member
http://www.saveelizabethweir.com
Hey Carrie. You have never heard me speak in person so you wouldn’t know any better. But I hope you realise that we are playing up on the stereotype that comes along with being an Aussie. Joe’s blog is light hearted so we play it that way.
Hey Joe! As you (and others) are writing the episodes for season 5, I was wondering if it would be too much to ask you to name a walk-on character “Kate” and then write a tragic, slow death for “Kate” that could have been averted had “Kate” not been so whiny and complaining throughout the episode. Personally, I would find this very “cathartic”. Just a suggestion, mind you. I in no way intend to tell you (and others) how to do your job.
With deep respect,
AMAC
Hola!
I bumped into a few music videos at Joel Goldsmith’s website.
http://freeclyde.com/video_bytes/freeclydevideo.html
Usually I find “music videos” obnoxious, but these were really good. Whoever compiled them has quite a knack for editing. You should watch the “Beyond the Night” one. It was interesting to watch clips of the Second Siege with the unique instrumentation in the background.
its very nice that your having a supper with people, just thought id say thats nice of you.
i would come but i live 7 to 8 hrs away roads would be bad knowing my luck, and i have no place to stay. hope you do somthing like this again in summer months maby.
Dustin
raski66 wrote:
😯 How strange! I thought Kavanaugh was a fictional character? 😯
Anne Teldy
Erika,
That was a wonderful post. You made me miss Elizabeth again! I really enjoyed her character for all the reasons you gave.
Kimberly
Hmm, the lunar eclipse doesn’t happen until the 20th, but I suspect the insanity and intolerance fans are showing for each other will implode the comments section long before then…
It would be intereting to see one entry where you don’t let through any posts of fans slanging other fans, etc. Of course, it might cut down the amount of posts, but it would be a worthy experiment…
To SMB_Books,
You don’t have to defend Weir or Torri. Some fans, not you of course will make up stories and bash the show and the producers. I am a Weir fan, and yeah I am upset that she is no longer a regular. However a lot of folks like myself enjoy the overall show and the other characters as well. Trust me, I hope Joe and co. have plans for more than just one episode. I am going to support this in a way you do. Which is a civil well-mannered way. In the end, it’s up to the producers if they want to bring her back. All we can do is hope there is a plan for a decent amount of episodes. Still, I am still loving Atlantis, and to me Weir just adds more to it, but without her I can still enjoy it. Keep up the good fight! 🙂
Squall78
Ok I wasn’t going to join this war, but its getting a little out of hand. I don’t know how most of the Weir fans can claim they are fans of Atlantis, evidently the 1, single fascet of the show Weir was all that you cared about in the show. Since if Weir is only in 1 episode that will be the only one you watch. I love everything about Stargate. I am a fan of both SG-1 and Atlantis and am hoping that Universe gets made. I will watch every episode that is aired no matter who is in the story. True some episodes will be better than others, but that is the way it works.
In the Return Part 2, the stardrive on Atlantis was disabled….was it repaired by McKay and his team or did the Replicators repair it right before they were destroyed?
Hey Joe!
Wow, never heard of a funnel cake? You may know them by another name, ‘beaver tails’ or ‘elephant ears’. Of course, the beaver tail name is more common here in Canada. 😉
They’re simply a donut-like pastry that is deep fried till it’s crispy. Then you sprinkle icing sugar, and put fruit (such as strawberries) and ice cream on top. I highly recommend it, they are REALLY good. 🙂
Or, you could make it on your own! If you have a deep fryer, you are set! This recipe is by Alton Brown from the Food Network: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_20681,00.html
Enjoy!
– Enzo Aquarius
Joe,
Just started watching Trio and I’ve got to ask… was Rodney’s comment about Shape magazine compliments of an adlib or the writers?
As I finally have gotten to read more comments..I guess the date has been moved to April 1st for the Fuel dinner? So that is pretty early in the week.
Are most of you going to the Creation Con, going to be there that early in the week? I wasn’t planning to come until Wednesday.
Kimberly
Enjoyed Trio. It was nice to see Sam out in the field again. I especially loved Rodney’s babbling to Carter and Keller. He just kept digging himself deeper and deeper… 🙂
I’ve got a question for Martin. Why did he choose those three characters? Was it for the comedy potential? Or did he just think they’d make for an interesting team?
Hi! I loved Trio. It was good fun and Jewel’s character really shined. 🙂
But I am honestly confused. I thought Ronon and Keller were dating since Quarantine, but the end makes it seem like she was flirting with Rodney and asking him on a sorta date? Did I just read this wrong? Was the order of the episodes changed, making something not click?
Either way, confusion aside, I loved the eps. Rodney not willing to leave Carter behind despite his bleeding hands was great!
I think people need to lighten up in the Weir battle. Remember folks, that at the end of the day, SGA is a show, meant to entertain us, not cause us to go into internet battle. I so wanted Carson back but I wasn’t prepared to start slanging matches in someone’s blog or in gateworld. If Carson didn’t come back, I’d not hold it against anyone..I’d still watch the show..
What’s real is the stress of pre-production, the writing, the production, trying to get the eps done on time, crossing fingers that the big bods allow the next season and trying to please everyone. Just be grateful that there IS an SGA. I know I am.
All the squabbling achieves is well, stress, apart from that, diddly squat.
Let’s get things into perspective huh?
Hey, me again. The ending to Trio… it was clear to me, but some on the forums would like to believe that this is a romantic beginning for McKay and Keller, whether they are for it or against it.
I thought it was pretty clear she was taking a bud out for drinks… however I have been wrong before.
Could you clear this up?
Finished “Trio” it wasn’t bad, but it was pretty boring I have to say.
On the positive side:
I enjoyed the set that was pretty creative.
When Keller isn’t written as all whiny, she does come across more likable but for the first half hour she was pretty meek until she was given something to do. She grew on me which was nice, didn’t expect that. As long as she doesn’t act so meekly, she’s a more interesting charcter.
I liked the girl talk in the episode, it fleshes out heroes out, give them a ‘normal’ personality.
On the negative side:
It was a very slow moving episode and really didn’t hold my attention. I probably won’t watch it again.
I’ve really been missing the Team episodes this season. I know the filming schedules and actor availability this year was very difficult but its been very noticeable.
So, over all this was not a favorite , but I look forward to the last four episodes where I hope we can to see the whole Team together.
I liked Trio. Since I was intrigued by the variety of ways they tried to escape, I didn’t find it boring or slow moving.
Keller continues to grow. Her attempts to pass the time and ease the tension show she’s a peacekeeper at heart.
Rodney becomes better and better with each episode. He’s actually kind of sweet now instead of annoying. I can’t imagine Atlantis without the humor he brings to the mix.
HEEEEEEEEE! Trio was fun!!! Hewlett, Staite, and Tapping were brilliant, of course. Loved all the clever escape ideas! 😀 And the pipe-launch — was that a Phineas Gage reference??? (That story totally freaked me out when I was in school …)
Count me in the Keller-fan camp! 🙂 Really, I don’t understand why everyone is so hard on her — she doesn’t whine any more than Carson or Rodney, and she has her moments of bravery. Also, how can people see her as undeveloped? We know more aboyut her background than we know about Carson’s! Now, don;t get me worng — if I had to choose between Carson and Keller, i would choose Carson (and I would choose Newman), but since the choice is out of our hands anyway, having already been made, I can’t say I mind Keller becoming a regular. 🙂
As for the idea of Keller/Rodney, I don’t mind it, but I’m assuming she was asking him for a beer more in the sense of being encouraging/make him feel wanted, after hearing about Katie, and doesn’t actually expect/want anything to come of them spending time together other than that keg McKay promised and a boost to his ego. It was a really sweet scene, and she’s certainly a better match for him than Katie, but I see *more* chemistry/attraction between her and Ronon. (But we probably won’t get more than flirting in either arena! XD)
(And as a McShepper, yes, I am very happy that Rondey weighed in on the “If you had to choose …”, game. *G*)
Oh, was I the only one who was in McKay’s camp over the break-up? I’m such a terrible girl, I wouldn’t have seen his needing more time as a break-up either, just as an “I need more time!” LOL I’m really glad that it was brought up. 🙂
It would serve the Weir…supporters… right if all this griping left Joe, et al, with a hankering to be completely finished with the character by using previously shot footage and a back-shot stand-in to kill her off.
Especially after her “brave” (lol) comments about TPTB and their reasons for bringing Amanda (who I’m sure is responsible enough to not ‘need’ the work) in.
Or bring back Jessica Steen as Weir-with-a-backbone(and chutzpah to spare).
suse
Yay Vega!!!! Naked Zombie Sex Queen (see internet for further details!!!)
if Torri won’t take the part cause she’s butt hurt, kill the character, since she’s not interested in it anymore.
at least with Paul McGillion, he has a good attitude as an ACTOR.
Will General Landry make an appearance this season or next season?
That’s pretty great of you and Martin to offer up your time to the fans. Especially considering the mountain of work that you’re probably being buried under as we read your posts every day. I’m sure the patrons of Fuel will be just as welcoming to the fans as you have been.
Thanks for addressing and giving thanks to the fans who express their opinions in a intelligent and well-thought out manner. I have to admit reading what others comments has gotten progressively cumbersome as more and more fans flock to your blog.
Good luck this week. Happy posting!
Holy crap, someone sent you hot sauces from Owensboro? I’m actually from Owensboro! I’d recommend staying away from the Moonlite one though, they are like the McDonalds of Owensboro BBQ!
Any chance of you making the Owensboro BBQ Festival some year?