An early blog entry today as I’m off to dinner with Carl tonight and suspect that we‘ll be up into the wee hours of the morning doing grappa shots and smoking volcano coolers. Oh, and squash-stuffed agnolotti with black truffle butter.
Well, this week is the calm before the storm, and a golden opportunity to make some major headway on Whispers before prep begins on Broken Ties. I’m pleased to report that I’m out of Act I and making progress on Act II. Right now, I’m feeling pretty good about what I’ve got but, traditionally, the second-guessing doesn’t really begin until, oh, Act III. There’ll be a lot going on in this one production-wise and I’d like to put it out early so that we can commence the planning/hair-rending/tearful recriminating as soon as possible.
While Marty G. is on the set of his episode (Search and Rescue), and Paul is prepping his episode (The Seed), and I’m writing my script (Whispers), Carl is doing another rewrite of his script (Ghost in the Machine), and Alan is mulling over a possible story to slip into the #9 slot as the script originally envisioned for that spot ran into a “creative snafu” that a) moved it into the back half and b) may necessitate a change in perspective. Brad is, of course, penning #6 (can‘t wait to see the grotto), Carl is going to jump on #8 (interesting developments in this one that had Priscilla and the gang at MGM very excited), and Marty G. will do the honors for the mid-season two-parter (Welcome back to Atlantis, Dr. Jackson).
As discussion continues on Fast Forward 1, I’d just like to remind you voracious readers that we’ll talking Neil Gaiman’s Smoke and Mirrors starting on Monday, then Dan Simmons’ Children of the Night the Monday following. Speaking of Fast Forward 1 –
AMZ – Interesting observation on Anon goodnurse’s interesting observation on machine humanity in “The Terror Bard” (I really do have to give this story another go). Yes, how much less human is a human mind when it exists inside a synthetic construct (A question we’ve asked on our show more than once)? I was reminded of Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and how much I loved its linchpin character of Mike the supercomputer. I notice a similar pattern in anime as well – an ability to imbue artificial life forms with personalities that out-human their human counterparts. What’s the deal? Why are we, as viewers, more likely to sympathize with androids and robots? Is it because they are, at their core, innocents inculpable at any level of moral judgment? Is it because, directly or not, they are victims of their creators? Entities who cannot be held responsible for actions connected to internal flaws they had no hand in determining? Or is it something else – perhaps a secret desire we’ve all harbored since the day we anthropomorphized our first teddy bear?
Food for thought while I slip out for food for less cerebral aims.
Today’s entry is dedicated to Nikki who’ll be celebrating a birthday in the coming days and having surgery in the coming months, and lizzyshoe’s Sophie.
Today’s photos: Snaps from the Norco set.
Today’s mailbag:
Thornyrose writes: “So Continuum is complete and just waiting release?”
Answer: Nope. What we watched yesterday was a mix.
Julia Justina writes: “Any news yet on how many episodes Michael Shanks/Daniel will be in next year?”
Answer: Right now, we have him for two.
Kosmo writes: “Ronon, in our opinion, would not have been such an immature alfa dog toward someone that is basically a legend at the SGC.”
Answer: Are you kidding? Sure he would. Ronon is a major Alpha dog (note the A is capitalized). In Runner, he was established as highly suspicious by nature, and inclined to react first and think later. Yes, he’s certainly grown since then, but much of that growth has been expressed in his evolving relationship with Sheppard and co. The Ronon we know and love opened up to his friends on Atlantis over time because they have earned his trust and respect. Teal’c, or any outsider for that matter, has yet to earn that same respect. Furthermore, after all he’s heard about Teal’c the kick-ass warrior and living legend, a rep that actually mirrors his own, it‘s no wonder Ronon want to challenge the guy for bragging rights.
Kosmo also writes: “Season 4 reminds me very much of Season 4 of Star Trek Enterprise and Manny Coto’s efforts to address certain issues with each episode rather than continue the story of Enterprise.”
Answer: I’m not sure what that means. That we’re doing more stand-alone episodes this year? Well, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but I’d argue that if you were to draw a side by side comparison of season 4 with the preceding seasons, you’d find we’ve offered more multi-episode story arcs, more character development, and a far more even distribution of stories for our individual team members this season. Atlantis found a new home, got a new commander, initiated a war between its two biggest enemies, forged a new alliance, ultimately allied itself with the wraith to end the threat of the human form replicators in the Pegasus Galaxy, established an uncertain relationship with a wraith who has developed as a character in his own right, set up a mystery regarding the missing Athosians we’ll be paying off before season’s end, explored the relationships between team members to a degree we had yet to do prior to the start of this season, shown sides of the characters we hadn’t seen before (ie. Teyla’s ruthless warrior side in Missing, Sheppard’s backstory in Outcast), and opened up a new storyline for the replicators. From my obviously very different perspective, I feel season four was our best season yet.
Kosmo also writes: “…but I do hope this post gets published so that those that think as I do will see this as an opportunity to put forth their own criticisms that will surely face the smack-down of sycophant fans that believe you can do no wrong.”
Answer: How delightfully myopic. On the one hand, you present your take of the show and make a case for the right to have similar opinions expressed here; but, on the other hand, you’re quick to dismiss any dissenting opinion as nothing more than the arguments of “sycophant fans”. Kind of ironic in that you end your post with: “I figure you’re not one of those, “He can dish it out but he can’t take it” kind of guy.”
Leave a Reply