Congratulations go out to my wife who finally completed her course and will be heading back home sometime this weekend. Which means I’ve got to get things ready: throw out the garbage, clean out the fridge, recycle the recyclables, vacuum, clean the carpets, do laundry, wash and change the sheets, bathe the dogs, clean their ears, pack away the Christmas tree and ornaments, organize the mail…ah, forget it. I’ll never get it all done in time. Maybe I’ll just clean the dogs’ ears and she if she happen to notice the rest.
Congratulations to Martin Gero and Andy Mikita on what promises to be a fantastic season opener. We watched the director’s cut today and loved it. I’ve got plenty of behind the scenes pics on this one, but I won’t post them until after The Last Man airs so as not to spoil ya.
Congratulations to me as I finally completed my revised writer’s draft of Whispers. I made some dialogue adjustments, changed the end of the fourth and the top of the fifth acts, lost the compasses, lost the dead end beat, lost the Land of the Lost gag, and fiddled with the act breaks. I’m loving Dusty! Oh, and congratulations to Anne Teldy on her promotion from Lieutenant to Major and command of her own team.
Congratulations to Jason Momoa who came into my office today, clearly smitten by the brand new addition to the show: Tyre’s sword. “It’s perfectly balanced,”he enthused, brandishing it threateningly. “Can I keep it?” In the interest of keeping my actors happy (and my fingers attached) I happily agreed.
A little mailbag:
Squeakiep writes: “Would you be so kind as to tell us how the director line-up looks for the front 10 episodes of season 5?”
Answer: Andy Mikita does the honors on Martin Gero’s Search and Rescue, Will Waring follows on Paul Mullie’s The Seed, Ken Girotti steps into the line-up on my Broken Ties, after which Andy Mikita steps back into the rotation for Alan McCullough’s Daedalus Variations, Ken Girroti is next on Carl Binder’s Ghost in the Machine, then back to Andy Mikita for Brad Wright’s as-yet-untitled tear jerker, which brings us back to Will Waring for my second episode, Whispers.
KirFect writes: “Quick question how do deal with all the pug hair?”
Answer: Like you said – invest in plenty of lint rollers.
Dovil writes: “Maybe your very Special Stargate Episode could revolve around the Science Department getting a mix up with their office supply order and instead of white paper they’re instead sent ream upon ream of puce and magenta coloured terror…”
Answer: There’s a little something called Standards and Practices that forbids the network from airing programming that may be considered objectionable – ie. too sexual, offensive, violent, or, in this case, so bloodcurdlingly terrifying it may psychologically scar some viewers. Nice try though.
Arctic Goddess writes: “I had a question, but I can’t remember what it is. Do you know what my question is?”
Answer: Yes. You wanted to ask: “What are you reading now?” Answer: Just finished Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box and am moving on to Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go.
Knightie writes: “Since we now know that our exteme Shep whump epi got moved to the second half. Any clues as to which spot?”
Answer: That’s a script in search of a home – and a possible transplant. We’ll see how things develop.
Dustin writes: “did it snow at your place yesterday?? and were is the farthest you have had to travel for a set?”
Answer: No snow in Vancouver. It’s actually sunny and nice. As for the farthest I’ve had to travel to a location – probably Widgen Park for the Harmony shoot which was about a 90 minute drive.
Ellie writes: “…some are unhappy with the way Beckett returns and although I still haven’t quite forgiven you for killing him in the first place..”
Answer: You mean “haven’t quite forgiven that heartless Martin Gero for killing him in the first place”, don’t you?
AMZ writes: “How many script drafts do you have on average (ie how many colours per episode)?”
Answer: On average, I think we see yellows most often (it goes white, then blue, then yellow), although there have been scripts that have breezed through green, goldenrod, grey tan, tartan, and all the way back to double whites.
Squall78 writes: “I read an article on-line that Atlantis will have a summer premiere? Can you confirm this?”
Answer: Only SciFi can confirm this. And wouldn’t that be great?
Anoni writes: “Will we be seeing Michael’s Super Bugs again or have they ‘mysteriously disappeared’?”
Answer: The hybrids are an evolution of the super bugs.
Marko quotes: “creepy colonialism of a bunch of Western scientists and military crashing into a New World, and then nobody [..] giving a good goddamn about the people who […] actually live there.”
Answer: There have been plenty of episodes which have dealt with our desire to help various off-world civilizations (ie. Inferno, Irresponsible, The Game, The Ark, Epiphany – to name a few). Equating off-world exploration to “creepy colonialism” is a bit of stretch given that there has been no exploitation of the locals or their natural resources.
Marko also quotes: “ The characters are importing bottled water and playing video games in their spare time, turning the Lost City of the Ancients into a fucking dorm.”
Answer: If by “fucking dorm”, the writer of this rant means “comfortable living environment” then – yes. My counter to that would be “Why the hell not?”. Just because they’re in a new environment doesn’t mean they can’t make use of the comforts of Earth. “Dear God, they’re using forks to eat their food off of plates!” “They’ve brought toilet paper with them?! What nerve!”
Marko also quotes: “ The writers are trying to fob off a half-baked “Athosians in jeopardy” plotline on us, without going to the enormous bother of ever giving us one scene with, well, Athosians, like how would having seen their faces sometime in the last two years possibly make the danger of losing them more resonant in any way? […] John and Rodney…if they gave one one-millionth of a fuck, *they would know some of those people, too.* “
Answer: By that line of reasoning, it is impossible to feel any sort of sympathy for a civilization or characters that are introduced in the very episode in which they are put in jeopardy. Also, the last comment, that the characters can only sympathize with people they know, is a load of bullshit. Tell that to everyone who has ever contributed to a charity (unless they happen to do so with very specific instructions like “Please make sure this twenty-three dollars goes toward Arnold C. Greenblatt’s colonoscopy and a new irrigation system for that village in Borneo.”).
Someone needs to call Triple A about that puddle jumper. Must have been some fender-bender. What are the towing rates from Pegasus Galaxy?
First to comment? I’m pleasantly surprised.
Hey, Joe, remember my challenge to cast a Deaf, ASL-speaking character? Well, now you have a clear field.
SPOILER SPACE
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The only Deaf character in US primetime was killed off in last night’s “Jericho” ep. DANG!
I just saw a picture from the Doppelganger rehearsal. Kaven, Joe and Teyla are all in heavy duty jackets. Any particular reason why the sets are kept so cold?
(“Please make sure this twenty-three dollars goes toward Arnold C. Greenblatt’s colonoscopy and a new irrigation system for that village in Borneo.”).
**
Too bad someone killed off the psychiatrist in “Doppleganger”. There must be a hidden meaning somewhere in your use of those two particular examples. 😉
Quick pointer for your next trip to a bookstore – Iain M Banks has a new novel out.. and it’s a Culture one too! 😀 It’s called Matter. Check it out. 😀
**Answer: You mean “haven’t quite forgiven that heartless Martin Gero for killing him in the first place”, don’t you?**
Actually he’s specifically gone on record and said it wasn’t his decision 😉 May I ask though, who actually made the decision (or first suggestion) to write him out. I’m just generally curious I’m not out for blood or anything.
**Answer: Only SciFi can confirm this. And wouldn’t that be great?**
My answer, no. I wouldn’t think that would be great. I’m one of these people I’d rather get the season as a season, I wouldn’t want to wait 3 months in the middle of a season. I’d rather get it in one go (or as close to as possible) but waiting 3 months mid season never made sense to me and I hope we get it in September again for that reason. I’m happy waiting 3 months now and getting that to be the case then waiting 3 months in the middle.
Also can you confirm Jason Momoa’s hair situation yet, has he cut it or is he keeping it? If so which episode will it first appear shorter?
Speaking of charity, I’m doing the Relay for Life at the end of this month. If you would like to contribute, can you please email me at little_spotted_kiwi@hotmail.com ? I’m running for my aunt who died last weekend of a brain tumour (after fighting various cancers for years) and for my friend who is on her [insert huge number here] round of chemo, and is a fighter. When it get’s tough, she visualises a wee SG-1 in her head, kicking arse.
I hope you don’t find it cheeky asking like this, but I’m putting it out there. If any other blog readers are interested in donating, please email me!
Thanks!
Geez some of your readers are particularly rude.
Question about those hybrids: Why would Michael make such a switch? Okay humans with wraith dna added in are faster and stronger, but the bugs are practically invulnerable. Are they too much of an upkeep? Can the hybrids survive on human food alone?
I know I didn’t win anything, but I wish you could name a Lowlife after me, I am pretty low and I think I am alive…
Peace
Hi there Joe, i was wondering if you could give me a specific date for that poem aparently written for season 4. I’d like to read it as i haven’t yet. And it’s a pain to find it. (You write a lot! Which is cool)
Hooray! Fondy’s returning and you never ended up going batsh!t crazy! It’s a miracle! Congratulations!
But wait! WTF is this? Anne Teldy gets promoted? I thought she was going to DIE. Like, REALLY REALLY DIE DEADLY-ish! Whatever happened to that? Is her new rank going to cause her so much stress that she gets an ulcer, which leads to death somehow? Is her new rank pip (I’m assuming they get pips) going to puncture an artery, leading, again, to DEATH? WHY IS SHE NOT DEAD, I ASK YOU?
I should just stay tuned, shouldn’t I?
My next outrage: Amort?! What the crap is that? Is it an acronyme of an episode name? Like…A Mission Of Radio Tart? That makes no sense sir! No sense at all! Or…A Michael O’Reilly Tortilla. Hmmm..that does seem plausible. Am I close?
Ahem…but, uh, seriously…is “Amort” an episode title? I gots me to know since I makes them episode threads on Gateworld. Come on Joe, it’s all I have to offer to that place.
Also…the photos yesterday, of those blue thingies…are they from “The Seed”?
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Disclaimer: Of course, all anger in this post is pretend, and not to offend.
Thank you for posting so early today. Due to technical difficulties I went blogless yesterday. The withdrawal symptoms were not unlike that of coming off of Wraith enzyme cold turkey. The double dose has impoved my mood considerably, for which those around me wish to thank you.
Oh boy! Can we get a blog war going between you and Mr. H, with both sides firing whiffle broadsides at one another? That should be good to get the Gateworlder fundies spreading rumors over the broadcast hiatus. And if any hard feelings should arise between you and the Squirrel King, well then, we fans would simply have to broker peace via lavish donations of chocolates to all parties.
Lieutenant to Major? Excellent. That means Major Lorne should recieve his long overdue promoation to Brigdier, placing him in command of the military contingent on Atlantis, forcing Sheppard into insubordinate behavior. But wait. The military doesn’t promote dead people, so scratch that. After all, we are all eagerly awaiting Lt. Teldy’s unique method of expiring….
Thanks also for the pics, though i’m not able to view them properly till I reach some civilized place with better internect connections. Thus I’ll leave you question free till this weekend, when I can peruse the last few posts in more detail.
Glad yer wife is coming home. Have fun! Mebbe push the dogs off the bed.
“Please make sure this twenty-three dollars goes toward Arnold C. Greenblatt’s colonoscopy and a new irrigation system for that village in Borneo.”
Damn that Arnold C. Greenblatt – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him hit someone up for that damn colonoscopy. Someone should just send the guy a box of bran flakes.
Tell that to everyone who has ever contributed to a charity
Eh, I only give to charity if I can get something out of it. Like earmarking little orphan Johnny’s liver for future harvesting, or watching him leap desperately on his crippled withered legs for a candy bar to while away a boring afternoon. Great kid. Only cost me $5 and worth every penny.
They have toilet paper?!
At last the myth at atlantis has no toilets can be put to rest!
On March 5, 2008 at 6:41 am talula Said:
Oh! Oh! *raises hand* The Queen is about John Sheppard. The flashback scene you’re looking for is at the end of Harmony. Come on. Maybe just a little?
When I read the phrase “The Queen is about John Sheppard” I started laughing and pictured John in drag! LOL I think there are just too many McShepp references out there…I automatically thought the poster must be a McShepper until I read further. 😀
Hmmm…come to think of it….when I was watching Some Like it Hot, I kept thinking of McKay and Sheppard! Where is my brain lately?
*ducks behind the chair out of Joe’s throwing range* Joe…I know you are sick of this, but on the script color issue, I still think making the border different colors would work. I see others have suggested similar things. I did mention this a few days ago…but sadly I was ignored. *wink*
Kimberly
I really enjoy the behind the scenes pics, Joe. Well, that and the food ones, too. I love seeing the sketches as well. I look forward to seeing more. 🙂
Question one:
A while back the makers of Star Trek auctioned off costumes, ships and other items used on the various series. Is there any chance that someday in the future that Stargate might do the same thing for charity or something? I sure wouldn’t mind bidding on Ronon’s dreads or Shep’s book ‘War and Peace’. 🙂
Question two:
It’s been great that you’ve gotten some folks willing to answer questions on your blog. Can we look forward to anyone else for season five? What about one of the actors from the show?
Land of the Lost! My word. I haven’t thought about that show in years, but I definitely used to watch it. The 90s version of the show, that is. I’m pretty sure I can still sing the theme song…
(I’m convinced that the seemingly useless store of television theme songs – with and without words – rattling around in my head will be of use at some point. I mean, they have to be, right? Come on, Joe! Right?)
Congrats to you on the revisions and congrats to Anne Teldy on the promotion!
So, Joe. I just invested in Netflix. (Finally!) Any fantastic movie suggestions?
Ah, the livejournal rant (as quoted by Marko). There’s a few of those out there – I have the fittest eyeballs in the world (from rolling my eyes at them). Seriously, there’s a whole group of people out there who apparently only watch the show so they can pour shit all over it. I’ve read some of these things (I have a livejournal) and honestly, all I can do is wonder why the hell they bother watching if they hate the show so much??? I mean, they are seriously invested in reviling the programme, but still tune in to watch (I’m assuming, based on the fact that they always have something current to distort and bitch about). And there’s certainly no place in their journals for a reasoned discussion of their “points” – it’s usually a “with us or against us” situation. (Like the recent “SGA writers are misogynist fools and any fan who disagrees is a penis worshipper” farce. Jeez. (Hence my common refrain: “Big bomb. Kill all the stupid people.”)
Thanks for the promotion! 😀
I meant to ask yesterday: is that well where the space cows live?
Anne Teldy
Here’s one question in regards to one of your answers, hello by the way, well I wouldn’t call this a question, more something one would think about, if the humans from earth used toilet paper from earth when going to the bathroom, what did the ancients use millions of years ago on atlantis? sea shells?
Congrats to Anne Teldy on her rapid promotion! Considering the short time she’s been in the military, just what did she do to deserve said promotion?
and Joe…you really might want to dump the Christmas tree before Fondy gets home….
The remark about the Athosians reminds me – I was so happy to see Halling back! I saw Christopher H on the guest list at the beginning and figured the Wraith Todd would be back – I was pleasantly surprised! (Not that I dislike Todd mind you..)
Ha! sounds like massive cleaning – or not 🙂 Though I’m sure you and the pugs will both be glad to have your wife home – as she will to BE home. Nothing like living at a hotel for over a month.
Enjoying the pics. And you are teasing us with not showing The Flan hum? I hope Season 5 has lots and lots of moments with the friendship between McKay and Sheppard. And lots of the TEAM going out and exploring. Yep.
Pass my congratulations onto Fondy, that is great news!
And yay for Anne Teldy that is really exciting. I can’t wait to see season five just for her character!
On the script paper again…does the colour of the paper only change once you’re onto production for that episode? Or is it for each draft before that (like is “Whispers” now on different coloured paper)?
Amz/Amy
Congratulations Fondy! Now you’ve got a shitload of housework to do (yes Joe, I saw your carpets and the dust as well in the pugkid pics..nothing escapes us women).. hope there’s no new species of spores moulds and fungi in the fridge (ok so I like “Ghostbusters”).
Congrats Anne Teldy! Woot! Can’t wait to see the ep with her name on it.
Yeah for you and Fondy 😉 Don’t you have a housekeeper?? You should!
ANNE TELDY! Wow! A Major. Maybe you and Lorne share some space?? Major notes? KEWL.
2 more days here… wish we knew when season 5 will air in the US. Sounds like another winner.
wams352
Please do not approve my last post as it was mistakenly posted before I reviewed it. Or at least please correct my spelling first. Thanks!
Now for the edited version . . .
Joe, we are planning an amateur location tour in conjunction with the Creation convention in April. Are there any locations in particular that you would suggest that we not miss? On the other side of the same coin, are there any that you think would be a waste of our time? Thanks and I look forward to having the opportunity to meet while there!
You said
Knightie writes: “Since we now know that our exteme Shep whump epi got moved to the second half. Any clues as to which spot?”
Answer: That’s a script in search of a home – and a possible transplant. We’ll see how things develop.
In search of a home? Transplant? THe Shep whumpers are turning pale at the thought that this episode might not materialize. Can you expound on the ‘in search of a home and transplant’ comments??
Ooo….if Jason can keep the sword – can I have Todd’s knife?!
Okay – quickies…
Why are the Wraith so pathetically easy to kill these days? Bang! Yer dead! And when can we get to see some good hand-to-hand combat between Wraith – and whoever? They kickass in hand-to-hand…and it’s so much more exciting than watching them get picked off like ducks in a shooting gallery.
Oh yeah, and this is my obligatory ‘please continue to use Todd’ post, and continue to develop his character. Best thing that’s happened to SGA – as many others are telling me. He’s brought in new fans, and it would be a waste to throw him away. Love where he’s at – in that nice gray area that keeps things exciting. Just can’t get enough of the li’l green sucker… 😉
das
I’m not sure what show Marco is watching and if he is the color sky the resides in his world but both Stargate shows have been one of the few that upholds intergrity to quality. One of the few that doesn’t spin of into the realm of cheesy that could reform into Velvetta! And FCOL. If I was posted in another galaxy I’d sure want all the comforts of home! Toilet paper included. It’d be my luck i’d grab the Pegasus equivellent of Poison Oak! So yeah bring on the gameboys, play stations, toilet paper! The less like a hosipital the better.
Thanks for all the inside piccies Joe. So far, season 5 looks to be awesome!
Is there going to be anymore exploration of Atlantis in next season?
Oh, and congratulations to Anne Teldy on her promotion from Lieutenant to Major and command of her own team.
Congrats on the promotion and on getting command of your very own real live team!!! It’s really going to suck for you now when your namesake gets eaten by the rabid mutant space cows.
Wow. Whoever wrote that blog Marko was referring to needs to get the stick out. And perhaps purchase a thesaurus.
Well, on a cheerier note, let me throw my congratulations in with everyone else’s on the completion of the draft of Whispers!
So, just the three main directors? Forgive me for not paying better attention in the past (^_^’) but about how many directors do you all generally have in a season? It seems as though there are fewer directors than writers.
Heh. Who doesn’t want their own sword to play with? I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. 🙂 You don’t need all of your fingers anyways.
And as for it being sunny/nice in Vancouver… I think there’s been a mixup. Texas is nearly frozen and I (in the fine tradition of many a fan of Stargate with an entirely unrelated problem) blame you. >: ( I’d like my weather back now, please.
Okay, I give up, what color is tartan? I never heard of it… and does it replace our script color ‘cherry’ which is always amusing because how often do you actually see pink paper bright enough to qualify as cherry? Salmon is another fun color.
Hey Joe!
Ooooh, a Puddle Jumper! How many different ways do you folks film Puddle Jumper sequences and does it get expensive? As shown there, you got the frontwards view (Out into the front window), then you have the interior, then you have rear shots…and I’m blabling. 😛
I’m getting really excited about the finale on Friday, not too long now!
Thanks as always,
– Enzo Aquarius
Does anyone have any suggestions on how not to be nervous when in front of an audience? I have a mid-term performance in my vocal techniques class and it’s not going to be good, if it’s anything like the first in-class presentation I did two weeks ago which was incredibly awful (okay I was sick but still…….the first line of the first set of lyrics came out nicely, I hit all the right notes and stuff but after that………nothing, not a single sound). So, any suggestions? (And please, nobody say picture everyone in their underwear, that makes the whole thing more embarrassing)
I am unimpressed with your response to the person Marko quoted. While it is certainly possible to feel concern for someone you have never met, I believe the point is that John and the other Earth characters, in fact, do not show enough concern for people they have “known” for years now. In fact, all they seem to be doing is “humoring” crazy old pregnant Teyla.
Hi Joe,
Welcome back to Fondy! I’m sure you missed her a lot! I’ll bet the puppies are spinning with happiness. Hope Lulu doesn’t hurt her hip jumping for joy. Better give her a doggie sedative, just in case. Oh, and if you can’t get the tree down, decorate it with Green Shamrocks cookies and little weeee Lepercons.
Question: Can you find out for us fans how many AoT’s were pre-ordered at Amazon or via the MGM website? Just wondering how many fans pre-ordered. Do the pre-orders help the TPTB to decide if they will fund a third move, I really hope so! Also, could you ask Brad when will we be able to pre-order Continuum? I ordered my AoT in January and according to Amazon it should ship sometime between March 11th and Mar 14th. So depending on the postman’s fast feet, or not, only 6 to 10 day before I can pop the corn and snuggle with my kitties and watch AoT! Yahoo! Thanks again for the tidbits you give us on this blog! We are ever so grateful.
Happy Day!
Patricia Lee
Wow! You wrote early today! And *gasp* I realized I missed yesterday’s blog since I was at my studio later than usual, and just came home and went to bed. Dude what’s up with the ranters? There seem to be a lot in this mailbag…and thanks for bringing it back 🙂 Once again your blog has saved me from actually doing any work 😀 Thank you! And I can’t wait for Last Man!
Krys
Yikes. Having to deal with hostiles again, I see.
Does it seem at all weird to you that the season premiere already has a director’s cut before the previous season’s finale even airs? Because it seems weird to me. Excellent, but weird.
I’m finishing up Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (I know you said you have it on your bookshelf). I love the voice and the idea but there’s something that keeps me from really loving the book. Does that make sense? Maybe when I’m done I’ll have more coherent thoughts. But until then, I suppose in a world that possesses some truly bad books, finding one that’s just enjoyable is still pretty good.
Looking forward to this months BOTM selections. Still not sure what I’m reading, though.
Congrats on the promotion Anne Teldy!
Gilder Said:
The only Deaf character in US primetime was killed off in last night’s “Jericho” ep. DANG!
WHAT!! How dare they!! This is the reason I don’t watch much TV anymore (besides the fact I have school and can’t stay up all night watching TV), all of my favorite characters always end up dying or disappearing or something awful like that (I don’t want to know what happens to Ronon and Lorne, I really hope they don’t die too but they probably will…..Ronon will die of grief after losing his dreads and Lorne will get run into while he’s painting, getting the end of his paintbrush poked in his eye, which gets infected and mutates into a deadly alien virus which kills him……just kidding, don’t actually do that please!)
With the mention of the Anne promotion, and the Shep whupping episode needing a transplant………Can I ask if Joe Flanigan is set to the entirety of Season 5? It sounds to me, like there are some major doors opening for new characters to walk through, and some established ones to walk out.
PS Love SG-1 and Atlantis. Concerned about Woolsey character, but hey, you never know.
Do you really still have your Christmas tree? My family didn’t even get a tree this last Christmas (yes, it’s very Christmas-y when all the presents are piled at one end of the living room and they’re all wrapped in Happy Birthday wrapping paper….not)
Elizabeth S Said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how not to be nervous when in front of an audience?
My advice is to not look at their faces, but at the top of the heads of your audience. It’ll appear that your looking straight at them, but you won’t be. Plus, know the material frontwards and backwards. Know it so well that you could recite it in your sleep, upside down and whatever. Preach it, sing it, speak it and practice it. Do it in front of a pretend audience, a few friends and a mirror. The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll get. Do it over and over and over and over.
It’s made a difference for me.
Not me but the other Kimberly~~> pm kimberly Said: Land of the Lost! My word. I haven’t thought about that show in years, but I definitely used to watch it. The 90s version of the show, that is. I’m pretty sure I can still sing the theme song…
There was a 90’s version? Sheesh, I watched it in the 70’s! I think the song goes like this: “Marshall, Will and Holly, on a routine expedition, when the greatest earthquake ever known” Um…something..something..something “it struck their tiny raft, and plunged them down a thousand feet below….to the Land of the Lost….to the Land of the Lost!” I know I’m missing some words in the middle…but I think that’s most of them…lol. Hey, it’s been almost 30 yrs! Lol
Kimberly
I will never understand why someone watches a TV show they obviously hate. OK Bret Michaels’ excepted because thats just too pathetically funny. Also, one of the things I hate most about the internet is that its oh-so-easy and painless to be nasty… betcha 98% of these would not have the guts to say things to your face and risk the possible physical damage.
One point in particular, the perception that Earthers don’t care about the humans in the Pegasus galaxy… I disagree & I’ve got two names for you who did on a major visible scale, Beckett & Weir. We’ve seen plenty of offers of help from Day 1 as it was John’s fault that all the Wraith woke up and even though we don’t see it, I think I know the character well enough that he’s lost many a night’s sleep over the thousands of human deaths from it, starting with the Athosians on their original planet. And as for the other Earth characters we see all the time, I think most of them have had plenty of grief over the human toll as well. What do we need to do, have an episode where everyone sits around, mopes & cries the whole time?
Can’t wait to see Last Man & get my copy of Ark of Truth
DD
NZNeep – I’ve sent you an email re sponsorship for Relay for Life.
Would love to help.
~ Narelle from Aus
Will this promotion of “Lt. Anne Teldy” influence the role of the character and number of episodes in which Leela Savasta’s character will be appearing? With this change in command of the new team, will Vega still be a member? Thanks!
I was turned down for that library job I was going for — didn’t even get an interview. I am very bummed, and I have the sneaking suspicion that “Last Man” is going to make me more so, between the plot hints you’ve given and the fact that it’s the last new ep we’ll get for a while. *sigh* Cross your fingers that I score some freelance work when I go to MegaCon with some fellow SGA fans on Sunday — thank Gaia for press passes! In the meantime, I guess I’ll finish that Todd doll and the Go’auld ribbon device I’m making for Dragon*Con — maybe I can even get them done in time to bring to MegaCon …
(Pictures of David Hewlett would be very much appreciated, if you have any new ones to share. *cough*)
On the upside, my friend and former coworker sent me a care package from the Borders I used to work at — they’d marked down a bunch of Harry Potter stuff, so we sent me over $100 worth of stuff I don’t have and it only cost her five bucks. 😀 So the week hasn’t been a total loss …
And yay for Fondy coming home! 🙂 Omedetou to her!
Speaking of which ….
@Anne Teldy ~ omedetou on the promotion! 😉
@Knightie ~ you wouldn’t happen to be the same Knightie I was on a fanfic panel with at the Buffy track at Dragon*Con a few years ago, would you?
So, Carter in Ark of Truth….
Lt. Colonel or Full Colonel?
Oh no!! Dropping the Land of the Lost reference!! I hope it had something to do with a “sleestak”…a word that, strangely enough, pops up in some of the banter between my friends and I. It just says so much with two syllables–not sure what, but it says it. You had a Land of the Lost reference in SG1, did you not……wasn’t the Cha-ka character named after the little cave boy from the show?
The promotion made sense if Alicia Vega is getting a field promotion as the acting leader of the Girls team. Remember the Space Cows have a date of reckoning with Anne Teldy in the “Whispers” episode. Much the way Sheppard became the military leader of Atlantis in season one. The Alicia Vega character development should not be affected.
My sneaking suspicion is that a major would be someone in their earlier thirties. So to make it easier for TPTB casting the role.
Since Anne Teldy got promoted. Can TPTB consider Tricia Helfer for the role. It should boost the ratings. LOL. Think previously that Tricia Helfer is too old to be a lowly lieutenant.
————————-
Remus123 Said:
Will this promotion of “Lt. Anne Teldy” influence the role of the character and number of episodes in which Leela Savasta’s character will be appearing? With this change in command of the new team, will Vega still be a member? Thanks!
Congrats to Anne Teldy on promotion to major, I assume she’s now going to be trampled by rabid mutant space cows instead of eaten by them.
Congrats to Fondy, bet she’s gonna be glad to get back to you and the pooches.
now get that housework done you! never mind all this slacking off and pretending you have a REAL job like scripwriting and executively producing stuff, we all know what you do in real life and I’d give up trying to chew through the straps if I were you. 😉
” Eri Said:
Hi there Joe, i was wondering if you could give me a specific date for that poem aparently written for season 4. ”
Eri,
You’ll find poems in the Dec 31 entries of 2006 & 2007.
Silver
Sorry Joe, didn’t mean to be personal – meant the collective “you” – how easy it is to be misunderstood in print! Anyway, still loved Kindred 2, still love Atlantis and still looking forward to seeing Season 5.
Any chance of dedicating your blog on 10th March to my Husband Chris and I as it is out 24th Wedding Anniversay and we have watched every episode of SG-1 and Atlantis having been fans from the very beginning.
Glad to hear Season 5 is going so well – both looking forward to it.
You said: “In the interest of keeping my actors happy (and my fingers attached) I happily agreed.”
I have one word for you: CHICKEN!
“NZNeep – I’ve sent you an email re sponsorship for Relay for Life.
Would love to help.
~ Narelle from Aus”
Thanks! I have replied and sent an invite 🙂
Hi Joe,
I was just curious if you can tell us just how much showtime Teyla’s going to get in Season 5? She’s a lovely lady, fierce and graceful and just a joy to watch. Perhaps we can get alot of Sheppard tagging along with her if it’s not too much trouble? I think they make a great dynamic, their friendship is fantastic in all its nuances. So what do you say? Can you throw me a bone here? No, not the Pugs’ bone either. Thanks!
🙂 Is Carson getting his turtles back? Will he have to fight Rodney for them? Maybe Rodney could get a kitten. 🙂
Susan and the rest of the Tartan Turtles
xx
Hi!
Thank you for your blog. It’s great and it helps me to choose my books.
I’m sorry for my english, I hope it’s understandable. I just want to say that I loved the Kindred two parts. It was great episodes, really sad with the wait to discover what will happen to Teyla and Carson. It was great for their characters and the actors are amazing. I like the intrigue (?) of the story and the link and the answer of different questions. Glad to see Michael too.
Thank you for this show.
Bye
I will never understand why someone watches a TV show they obviously hate.
I take that back. Please, watch SGA whether you like it or not, because either way you boost the ratings which could ensure yet another season which I want.
Also, if a Sept premiere for season 5 means we would get the whole season in one chunk (like 4) I’d rather wait the extra 3 mo. now than wait in the middle. I also think the one-chunk helps ratings.
DD
Big congratulations to Fondy on doing so well. If you’re going to be gone that long, you should get something out of it.
Too bad she’s going to be coming home to a disaster area. I would suggest flowers and chocolate. I would suggest a strategic gift plan over the next two weeks as she gets things back in order.
Granted, I don’t expect you to get out of participating in said clean-up, but still. You’ll have some making up to do!
And the language in the diatribes you’re receiving, these days. My delicate eyes can’t handle it!
I agree with the gentleman above that said:
“I believe the point is that John and the other Earth characters, in fact, do not show enough concern for people they have “known” for years now. In fact, all they seem to be doing is “humoring” crazy old pregnant Teyla.”
Being a regular reader of your blog I’ve noticed that I’ve never read a response from you where you admit you were wrong to do X, Y, Z, or that the reader/poster was indeed right in bringing up something that occurred in an episode. Why is that?
On another very sad note; I saw the Ark of Truth last week. Man, as much as I love SG1 the movie was just awful. Dialog was worse than a low budget SciFi Saturday night cheapo, the FX were mostly terrible. (Teal’c looked as though someone slapped some duct tape on the side of his head to show the gray hair he has) My wife liked it, but agrees that some of the dialog was cheesy… I’ll admit that I was on track to rate the movie a solid “C” until someone (I won’t say who) came in at the last moment and said “Not if I have something to do about it!” … that killed it for me. I rate the movie and “F” now. That was very hard to do.
A 10 year run for SG1 comes to a crashing end because someone didn’t take the proper amount of time to write a fresh script, and wrongly spent the FX money on some scenes while others that needed FX were shorted. This movie is going to be clobbered in the reviews.
Just to warn you joe, its unlucky to take down the tree after 12th night it now has to stay up til next xmas, my dd came home before xmas and her flatmate said shed take the decorations down,when becca went back 15th jan they were still up, they’re still up now.dont want to have bad luck do you.by the way season 4 is amazing, good luck with season 5(no hope of pic of jason with sword i suppose?)hugsx
pg15 Said:
I’m with pg15. We were promised a death, not a promotion. I’m really worried we’ll never hear the end of it.
Help us Obi-Wan Mallozzi!
Cheers, Chev
Wow, SGA with commercials! This is a first for me – watching “Irresistable” on actual television, as opposed to a download, or on the DVD. It’s the first airing of season 3 on Australian TV. 11pm Thursday nights, Channel 7. Oh, Lucius – you’re creepy little bugger … but you have a lovely gourd.
Hold on….you’re married?
*is puzzled*
In your response to AMZ, who asked about number of colors a script might go through, you commented that some scripts had gone through several – including tartan. *blinks* Tartan? As in Scottish tartan? Sorry, I just suddenly had this image of SG Atlantis stories running about in little kilts. ; )
And congratulations on the Whispers revisions.
Hey, hey… it may not be of any use to ask such a question, but if you’re taking photos of stuff on set, would it be possible to request a particular shot?
Namely a photo of the control panel of the Puddle Jumper? 😀
Then again, like I said, I understand if it isn’t possible, but I don’t think I’ve seen a good shot of it in the series, and would like to get a better look at it. 🙂
Thank you!
can you dedicate the next blog to Gary Gygax, who turned many a person to the world of fantasy.
Shame about no Bug People, I thought they were quite interesting and being one of the few non-human looking races of the galaxy.
I’m curious as to who slid in that awesome A Dog’s Breakfast reference into Kindred II? Because the person responsible should be given special cookies for that. It was utter brilliance and oh so subtle. Of course, it took a second or two to penetrate before I fell into a quiet fit of giggles, but still. Kandosii!
Hello.
Three questions, in varying degrees of seriousness:
1) What happened to James Lafazanos?
2) Has it already been determined what the Furlings are like, and just not shared with the audience, or are they an enigma to audience and writers alike?
3) When will we see an SG team have to wear that awful pink camouflage that’s so popular among teenage girls in order to blend in with the fauna (or the rocks, I’m not picky) of an alien planet?
Thank you.
Hi Joe
If you feel a need for more funding to Mr. Grenblatt or the village of Borneo, I’d be more then happy to add to the $23.00. Virtually of course.
REALLY looking forward, as I’m sure everyone is, to the showing of ” The Last Man”. I just hope John brought enough Power bars along with him.
Have good one, Take Care
Jean
Answer: …Equating off-world exploration to “creepy colonialism” is a bit of stretch given that there has been no exploitation of the locals or their natural resources.
Answer: By that line of reasoning, it is impossible to feel any sort of sympathy for a civilization or characters that are introduced in the very episode in which they are put in jeopardy. Also, the last comment, that the characters can only sympathize with people they know, is a load of bullshit. Tell that to everyone who has ever contributed to a charity (unless they happen to do so with very specific instructions like “Please make sure this twenty-three dollars goes toward Arnold C. Greenblatt’s colonoscopy and a new irrigation system for that village in Borneo.”).
I respectfully disagree. First – before this gets too rambling…the whole ‘I sympathize with you so I’m giving to charity’ thing is not (usually) sympathy on an individual basis – but on a situational basis. We sympathize with people as a whole that are affected by a certain disease, or natural disaster, but we rarely make a personal connection with those people unless we get to know them as individuals. Without the individual connection, the sympathy is usually fleeting.
But moving on to the colonialization idea. There’s more to the PG than just humans. The first off-world exploration lead to the total disruption of the balance that existed in the galaxy…affecting both human and Wraith alike. Right or wrong, the Wraith had a system that worked – it kept humans from overpopulating and exploiting their own planets (which would lead to a depletion of resources, as well as poverty, disease, famine, wars, etc – the same things we experience on earth due to poor planet/population managament). The Lanteans quickly adopted the colonial attitude of ‘the only good Indian (Wraith) is a dead Indian (Wraith).’ And to top it off, Michael is a PERFECT example of forcing one culture/race into the mold of another against their will. Just as the indigenous peoples of continents and islands around the world were forced to conform to colonial ideals – or die – the Wraith are forced to do the same.
Keep in mind, for many of us, the Wraith are the most important characters in the show. It might not be what you intended, but for us, SGA is not all about ‘humans’ (perhaps acknowledging this will even boost ratings). You’ve created the best alien race in TV sci fi ever – even better than the Klingons, my previous nerdy favorites. 🙂 (For the record, I am not some goth vampire chick – but a spiritually-inclined, married working woman…with money to spend on DVD box sets and stuff…and really bad taste in alien men… 😀 )
Not sure if from your side of the TV set you see what we see. You are the creators, the manipulators, and as such you may not be fully aware of the effect your creations have on viewers. Maybe you don’t even care. For you, the characters are puppets to toy with, to manipulate within the situations you create for them, all for the purpose of entertaining the audience according to your personal vision. But on our side of the screen, we sometimes see things much differently. Why? Because it is human nature to equate what we see on the screen with what we know of in real life – and since each person’s real life experiences differ from everyone else’s, then you have hundreds, maybe thousands of different reactions to the show you put on for us. As the creator you may only see one facet of the episode – the facet that was meant to be shown. Your goal is to entertain, and to do so by presenting characters in situations that will in some way advance their development, or the development of the show. Cut and dry.
But to the viewers…well…we each ‘read’ things into the show that you may – or most likely, may NOT – have intended. We do this because – as I said – we tend to compare what we are seeing on the screen with what we personally – individually – have experienced or been affected by in real life. Therefore, fan reaction will be varied – and often not the way the creators originally intended.
So, from this side of the TV set, it is easy to see how some of us sympathize more with the Wraith, or need more character development, or may compare the invasion of the PG by humans to the colonial conquests of the new world here on earth. We base what we see on what we know – on what we’ve experienced – on our own ideals. Creators should accept that fans will read things into episodes and characters MUCH differently from what was originally envisioned – just as 10 people standing in front of the Mona Lisa will see 10 different things, and none of them will be what Da Vinci intended.
das
Does Anne Teldy’s promotion mean Lorne gets less screen time? 🙁 (Congrats Anne though!)
Ok, I am totally bummed, Ronon in your office several times in two days!! And not one photo for us to drool over!! What up with that!! *sniff sniff*
But now is your chance…take one with him saying Ooo Juliana….hehe just kidding!!
wait no I’m not. So hot he is!
Keep up the great work!!!
Don’t bother getting rid of the Christmas tree now. Just hang some plastic eggs on it and say you decorated for Easter.
Do you sell any of the costumes? If so can I buy the DOCI one!!!!
Also…will we ever see Niam and Oberoth ever again?
Hi Joe!
Thanks for the behind the scenes pics. Interesting!
Also, congrats to Anne Teldy on her promotion! 🙂 Go Anne! Now, get killed off! ;P LOL!
dasNdanger said,
“Right or wrong, the Wraith had a system that worked – it kept humans from overpopulating and exploiting their own planets (which would lead to a depletion of resources, as well as poverty, disease, famine, wars, etc – the same things we experience on earth due to poor planet/population managament).”
I disagree. The Wraith were the oppressors which stagnated the human cultures of the Pegasus Galaxy. Stagnation leads to extinction. So, IMHO, the system didn’t work. It was just the status quo. Plus, who says the PG humans would’ve overpopulated and exploited their planets? I’m sure at least a small percentage wouldn’t have done so.
I’m almost sad S4 is almost over. It’s been a wild ride! 🙂
Take care!
eddy
Eager to see your pics from Search and Rescue…even though I said I’d be avoiding real spoilers…I trust you won’t really “spoil” the Season 5 opener.
It would be great to have a summer premiere of Season 5. I don’t know if I want to see another 7-month break between new episodes. I’m really really looking forward to it.
As for the angry ranter(s)…there’s a lot of anger out there, eh? Are these youngsters? Unable to differentiate between the real world and fictional entertainment? That would explain it for me. You handle them well. La te da.
Howdy Joe,
I was just wondering, with so much back story to keep track of, if the writers keeps some of those questions from stargates SG1 in mind. Like, “What does the 9th chevron do?”, “What happened after Danial’s grand father went with the giant alien” and “Furlings!”
Are some of those off limits (I’m guessing we’ll never really hear any more about the furlings than what we got in the 200th ep. which I loved.)
Does the Pegasus gallaxy have any other alien races other than the sentient fog and Wraith? (a la the asgard, retu, goauld, foot hold aliens, etc. from the milky way.) Could a Goa’uld control a Wraith or human/wraith hybrid?
Kaycee Said:
Hey, hey… it may not be of any use to ask such a question, but if you’re taking photos of stuff on set, would it be possible to request a particular shot?
Namely a photo of the control panel of the Puddle Jumper?
AHA! someone has been sneaking peeks at my plans to convert my Vauxhall Cavalier cockpit into a puddlejumper cockpit, the electrics are going to be a bugger, especially since deflector shields are going to be more important than Stealth mode shielding(you haven’t seen the way they drive over here!) Then theres the HUD, how the hell I’m gonna fit that in I don’t know, I may have to substitute an Etch-a-sketch.
Anyways, I’ll hold on for more details, I’d hate to bollox it up by being in too much of a hurry. That reminds me do puddlejumpers have rear de-misters? how about rear wipers? are they fold away ones or what? Inquiring minds need to know
On March 6, 2008 at 8:34 am firefly827347 Said:
Does Anne Teldy’s promotion mean Lorne gets less screen time? (Congrats Anne though!)
This would be unacceptable. Kavan Smith is rather ‘easy on the eye’, I would object to Anne Teldy (newly promoted) taking up any of his screen time.
Susan
Tartan paper??
AV eddy Said: I disagree. The Wraith were the oppressors which stagnated the human cultures of the Pegasus Galaxy. Stagnation leads to extinction. So, IMHO, the system didn’t work. It was just the status quo. Plus, who says the PG humans would’ve overpopulated and exploited their planets? I’m sure at least a small percentage wouldn’t have done so.
Heh. Yeah – that’s why I started that whole rant off with ‘Right or wrong’. 😉 I appreciate that this is all science fiction, and so I TRY to look at it through different eyes, and not just my real-life ones. For the most part, I enjoy the show far better from the Wraith’s POV, than the humans, so don’t mind me too much when I rabidly defend the li’l buggers… :p
Still…the system was working in its own way. And the LAST thing the Wraith want is human extinction. They were – in effect – in the business of ‘wildlife management’. A managed herd is less likely to suffer from overgrazing, disease, and territorial disputes. (On the flip side, now that the Lanteans went and screwed everything up by waking them too early, the Wraith themselves are suffering from overgrazing, disease, and territorial disputes. The very thing they prevented among humans is now plaguing them. )
I betcha JM never realized how profound and thought-provoking SGA really was…
das
There you go, yesterday I knew what to ask you, today I don’t.
Do the Ori know about Atlantis? Or the Pegasus Galaxy?
I hope Season 5 has lots and lots of moments with the friendship between McKay and Sheppard.
Seconded. ♥
Hi, Joe. I figured that I would grace you with my presence long enough to let you know my thoughts on Carson’s return.
First off, I felt that both Kindred 1 and 2 were good episodes (that terrible cliffhanger at the end of part 1 just about drove me mad, however…). I must confess to having slightly mixed feelings about the return of the beloved Scot, however. After all, while he is, in fact, Carson, he’s not *really*. He’s a clone… and yet, that doesn’t make him any less the physician I’d grown to adore.
While there’s a part of me that at this juncture is still sulking, “He’s not *really* Carson,” what I hope is the more reasonable, logical part of my mind says that the way you guys have elected to bring this wonderful character back to us is (for) the best. Besides, the fact that Carson is a clone could lead to some very good stories. First, of course, we need to get the dear man out of deep freeze. *Ahem*
That all said, another great couple of episodes with a character return that, while not quite what I hoped for, is highly acceptable and well-done in my mind.
Regards,
Mel
JacobIsThere Said:
On another very sad note; I saw the Ark of Truth last week……This movie is going to be clobbered in the reviews.
I’m not sure if your complaints are relavant, considering that if you saw the movie last week you saw the version that was leaked to the internet, and the leaked version apparently wasn’t finished.
Thank you so much for the advice Cyn. My teacher obviously agrees with you, since she says the song has to be memorized (no following along in the textbook and missing the opening) and since she can tell how nervous I am (the first presentation only the first line came out, the second presentation half the lines came out except I sounded absolutely horrible) she now has me doing presentations every single class (I can’t tell if it’s helping or not, every time I think of singing in front of anyone I get really, really nervous like arms shaking, voice won’t come out, my heart feels like it’s jumping out of my chest, et cetera).
Mauri said: “I believe the point is that John and the other Earth characters, in fact, do not show enough concern for people they have “known” for years now. In fact, all they seem to be doing is “humoring” crazy old pregnant Teyla.”
Huh? Are we watching the same show? Because I’ve watched the show since its beginning and I can certainly confirm that, for me, all the main characters have shown concern for each other and others as well throughout the seasons, and in particular more during seasons 3 and 4… Maybe you’re watching an AU version?
JacobIsThere said: “Being a regular reader of your blog I’ve noticed that I’ve never read a response from you where you admit you were wrong to do X, Y, Z, or that the reader/poster was indeed right in bringing up something that occurred in an episode. Why is that?”
Hmmm. Maybe because so far none of these posters have been right in his opinion? Why would he admit he was wrong if we feels he wasn’t?
I’m a regular reader of this blog too and I have to say that 99.99% of the time one of these posters have brought up some stuff that happened in an episode, I disagreed with those posters’ opinions and I felt they were wrong (not saying I agree with all Mallozzi says or writes either…)
wolfenm Said:
Well that totally sucks. What kind of job were you going for? Library Officer, Librarian? If you need any advice I’d be happy to pass on some, I work in libraries and know what they often look for in applications.
Cheers, Chev
Hey Joe,
so Shep whumpers will have their Sheppard whump. And what about us, McKay whumpers? Is there any McKay whump in S5? Some big, cool whump, where he would be dirty, sweaty and perhaps without his shirt? :-))
Thanks!
riley said:
Yeah it’s nice seeing it on TV again (I’m in Australia too). I wish they would show double episodes so they hurry up and show Season 4.
Lucius was very creepy. I do agree with the folks that say there should have been more consequences for him than just facing all of his people and the wives. Sure he ends up banished but he just goes off to run a similar scam somewhere else. What punishment is that?
Cheers, Chev
Hi, Joe!
Amort, eh?
Amort = being at the point of death
Hmmmm…and who would be that person at the point of death?
Is this a gentle hint of major (or lt. colonel) Shep whumpage? Will the Earth rock with squees from the Shep whumpagees?
Thanks, Joe for all the cool photos and tidbits.
Morjana
pg15 wrote:
Bloodthirsty Bastardthat is, PG15 😉 , Thornyrose, kimberly, audu2, Amz, Annie from Fremantle, wams352, cat4444, Elizabeth S, wolfenm, shiningwit,GoremongerI mean chevron7 😉 , firefly827347, AV eddy, and the incredibly shallow susanthetartanturtle,Thank you all so much for your congratulations on my promotion (including you, susanthetartanturtle, even though you assume I’m not as ‘easy on the eye’ as Kavan Smith). I think you can rest easy about my namesake’s death. Instead of only merely dead, I’ll be really most majorly dead.
I’m quite sure Mr. M will stick with his promise to make it a memorable death.
Anne Teldy
dasNdanger – I think you’re a little off-beam in extending the ‘colonisation’ model to cover the Lantean interactions with the Wraith. One very important feature of the colonisation model is the power imbalance: the colonisers being possessed of far superior firepower and/or numbers. On SGA, with regard to the Lanteans and the Wraith, this is just not the case. The Wraith vastly outnumber the Lantean settlement, and Rodney is constantly scrounging to find borrowed technology which he can fix to try to counter the Wraith Hive Ships. I’d actually say that the Lanteans are closer to the freedom-fighter model – they have allied themselves with those like them and work to not only ensure their own freedom from the Wraith, but also the freedom of their fellow humans. That’s not to say that I don’t see the American Imperialist approach in there, but I see that in the directives from the SGC and the IOA – directives which the Lanteans argue against. I see the Atlantis expedition as being more like the plucky kid in the playground who stands between the bully and the victim … only in this case, the bully is trying to *eat* the victim, not give them a wedgie.
I, too, find the Wraith interesting (partly because I’m a vegetarian. It amuses me to see humans as a food source – it’s like the cow’s revenge!) I also found what was done to Michael to be incredibly immoral – but that’s what makes things interesting! I can talk about the implications with my friends – it adds to my SGA enjoyment! It’s like the appointment of Woolsey as expedition leader – people say “Oh! He’d be a terrible leader – he’s just not qualified!” … which is kind of the point. Just because you get made leader doesn’t mean you should have been made leader … there are plenty of terrible bosses/managers out there. In TV land, it just opens the way for a different kind of story than if he had been an ideal leader. Weir made some terrible leadership decisions, but if she hadn’t, there wouldn’t have been some interesting ideas to get into discussions over. And man, now I’m just rambling, so I’m gonna stop. Sorry.
dasNdanger said, “I betcha JM never realized how profound and thought-provoking SGA really was…”
Totally! 🙂
eddy
P.S. Your “wildlife management” concept is interesting.
*ponders as I wander off*
“Knightie writes: “Since we now know that our exteme Shep whump epi got moved to the second half. Any clues as to which spot?”
Answer: That’s a script in search of a home – and a possible transplant. We’ll see how things develop.”
Hello Joe,
as a Shep whumper I’m so sorry to hear that.
I was wondering though, when you said “a possible transplant” did you mean to replace the Shep-whump with ‘someone else’ whump or just to move it to the end of the 5th season?
das said:
But moving on to the colonialization idea. There’s more to the PG than just humans. The first off-world exploration lead to the total disruption of the balance that existed in the galaxy…affecting both human and Wraith alike. Right or wrong, the Wraith had a system that worked – it kept humans from overpopulating and exploiting their own planets (which would lead to a depletion of resources, as well as poverty, disease, famine, wars, etc – the same things we experience on earth due to poor planet/population managament). The Lanteans quickly adopted the colonial attitude of ‘the only good Indian (Wraith) is a dead Indian (Wraith).’ And to top it off, Michael is a PERFECT example of forcing one culture/race into the mold of another against their will. Just as the indigenous peoples of continents and islands around the world were forced to conform to colonial ideals – or die – the Wraith are forced to do the same.
Are you for real? You’re equating the Wraith to Native Americans? WTF? That is just completely idiotic. ROFL
First off the Wraith made a practice of not allowing human populations to get very far along technologically. That was made very clear right from the start in the pilot of the series.
Considering that Wraith are sucking the life out of men, women and children, and have proven time and time again that they are completely untrustworthy, I’d say the notion that they are somehow the poor natives being run over by an oppressive force is just plain wrong.
They are the ones doing the oppressing, the killing and so on. The humans are barely surviving…that’s not to mention the replicators who were wiping out human settlements in order to decimate the Wraith’s food source.
Talk about revisionist history. ROFL. Maybe you need to rewatch some of the early episodes. The pilot is a good start. In fact, the whole first season pretty much lays out the Wraith history fairly well.
I’ve gotta say…this is the funniest thing I’ve read on the internets in recent memory. ROFL
The Wraith are Indians. LOL
I, too, find the Wraith interesting (partly because I’m a vegetarian. It amuses me to see humans as a food source – it’s like the cow’s revenge!) I also found what was done to Michael to be incredibly immoral – but that’s what makes things interesting! I can talk about the implications with my friends – it adds to my SGA enjoyment! It’s like the appointment of Woolsey as expedition leader – people say “Oh! He’d be a terrible leader – he’s just not qualified!” … which is kind of the point. Just because you get made leader doesn’t mean you should have been made leader … there are plenty of terrible bosses/managers out there. In TV land, it just opens the way for a different kind of story than if he had been an ideal leader. Weir made some terrible leadership decisions, but if she hadn’t, there wouldn’t have been some interesting ideas to get into discussions over.
I second what you’re saying here. Not a veggie person, but I did think ‘cow’s revenge’ from the beginning. I was a little pissed at what they did to Michael. It was just wrong and I hated how they handled Michael. You’re right, though. Weir’s bad decisions brought us some great episodes. Far more interesting to have Michael as he is now as well as Todd. Now, that’d be an interesting conversation to see…or would there be one?
I love the idea of Woolsey being leader. I love Robert Picardo and I think he’s done a fabulous job with the character. It’s one of the reasons why I’m so looking forward to season five. *G*
riley Said: I think you’re a little off-beam in extending the ‘colonisation’ model to cover the Lantean interactions with the Wraith….I see the Atlantis expedition as being more like the plucky kid in the playground who stands between the bully and the victim … only in this case, the bully is trying to *eat* the victim, not give them a wedgie.
Points taken. I don’t see it as an EXACT model – but certain aspects resemble the European influence over the cultures and civilizations they destroyed instead of trying to understand. There are, of course, many differences too – but I was looking at it primarily from the aspect of annihilating a race, and upsetting the balance that existed before outside interference.
Now, as far as comparing Wraiths to bullies – there is a difference. The Wraith must feed in order to live… 😉 (There is no proof, however, of a life-sustaining wedgie. 😛 )
I, too, find the Wraith interesting (partly because I’m a vegetarian. It amuses me to see humans as a food source – it’s like the cow’s revenge!) I also found what was done to Michael to be incredibly immoral – but that’s what makes things interesting! I can talk about the implications with my friends – it adds to my SGA enjoyment!
Exactly. I enjoy many of the moral issues raised – my favorite thus far was allowing Todd to feed on Wallace. Such issues make discussion among friends (on and off-line), quite enjoyable. It’s one reason I’d really like to see Todd have more involvement with the team (NOT as a team member, but as an occasional tag-along)…just to see how writers handle his dietary requirements – AND the reactions of the Lanteans to letting him feed. The Lanteans kill their fair share of human baddies, so it would be easy enough to let Todd (their very own pitbull!) loose on them instead…and then watch how both the enemy, and the Lanteans, react. It’ll never happen though.
It’s like the appointment of Woolsey as expedition leader – people say “Oh! He’d be a terrible leader – he’s just not qualified!” … which is kind of the point. Just because you get made leader doesn’t mean you should have been made leader … there are plenty of terrible bosses/managers out there. In TV land, it just opens the way for a different kind of story than if he had been an ideal leader. Weir made some terrible leadership decisions, but if she hadn’t, there wouldn’t have been some interesting ideas to get into discussions over. And man, now I’m just rambling, so I’m gonna stop. Sorry.
Yes! A flawed character is so much more interesting than the perfect ones. I just watched The Return for the first time, and LOVED Woolsey in it! If they keep writing him like that, it’ll be GREAT. I never felt that Weir or Sam had much personality (as they were written, NOT as they were portrayed by the actors), so I’m looking forward to his addition. JUST as long as he doesn’t go all ‘Kill The Wraith’ in every episode… 😉
das
By my calculations, episode 100 for Atlantis should be coming up in season 5, as the very last episode of season 5 if I’m not mistaken. Is there anything special planned like in SG-1 for 100 and 200? Also, what happened to Peter DeLuise? Is he ever going to be coming back to direct anymore episodes of Atlantis?
Note to Major Anne Teldy: Avoid hamburgers. Dying of Mad Space Cow Disease is ignoble and not amusing in the slightest. A splashy death ala Paul Reubens in the Buffy movie, now there’s an amusing death.
“I’m not sure if your complaints are relavant, considering that if you saw the movie last week you saw the version that was leaked to the internet, and the leaked version apparently wasn’t finished.”
No, actually the movie I saw was the finished product. The version you speak of was leaked months ago and didn’t even have completed FX shots or finished audio. The finished product is out there, as of last week. But, boy do I WISH what I saw was a rough cut.
Watching SG1 is something I continue to do almost daily so its not like I’m a casual fan. And as a huge Farscape fan I adored the idea and execution of bringing Browder and Black over to SG1 and I think S9 and S10 were, for the most part, excellent SG1 seasons. Hell, I believe the Ori storyline was on the road to being much more engrossing than the Go’uld. Some of the best episodes of the entire 10 years were Ori episodes.
I cannot, for the life or me, understand how the Stargate powers-that-are, thought that they made an excellent film with AoT. It is unbelievable to me that they looked at the finished product and thought “Well done!”
maggiemayday wrote:
😆
I’ve never seen the Buffy movie. How’d he die?
Anne Teldy
das said:
but I was looking at it primarily from the aspect of annihilating a race, and upsetting the balance that existed before outside interference.
They were upsetting the balance of the Wraith having complete control over the human population of the Pegasus Galaxy?
The Wraith did the feeding, the attacking and making sure humans couldn’t advance as they would have in normal circumstances.
They are a complex species and with ones like Michael and Todd it makes them even more fascinating. Hell, I love the Wraith, but I’m under no illusions as to what they are and what they’ve done to innocent people.
Keep in mind the Wraith have shown their intelligence time and time again, but have done nothing to find alternate sources of food. Right or wrong, at least the good guys made an attempt at finding another source of food which is a hell of a lot more than the Wraith have.
The Wraith have advanced technology. They have ships, transports, darts, computers and other items.
The humans, on the other hand, live like 15th century peasants.
Thank you so much for answering that question which has plagued many of us for the longest time, keeping us from our proper sleep! Now we know for certain that the city of Atlantis does indeed have toilets. Thank you for sparing us of that burden; now we who ponder near incessantly over the existence of Atlantean toilets may rest easy.
Joe,
I am so glad I found this blog! (It only took me FOREVER!) I completely understand where the irreverent humor of SG1 and SGA comes from. Thank you!
I asked this before and you said you spoke to Robert Davi, but you didn’t REALLY answer my question: Will Acastus Kolya make any kind of reappearance in S5, as has been rumored?
Also, have you and Martin ever bounced around the idea of doing a “behind the scenes” ep, similar to “Lower Decks” in Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 7)? I think it would be a fun diversion…or do you consider you did that sort of thing in SG1 in “Proving Ground”? I would love to see a bit more of the nameless Marines interacting with the nameless scientists, perhaps while working together behind the scenes to help our favorite team? Just thinking outloud.
Thanks again for the blog!
MA Milan
aka moms2398
Keirberos–Howdy, neighbor! Click on my name for into on a scifi/gaming event next weekend in San Antonio.
AnneTeldy–Virtual congrats on the virtual promotion!
And a request for crossed fingers…I have to tape myself telling a story in sign language tomorrow.
PS–Thanks for indulging me, Joe…a publicist’s work is never done.
Oh, Anne, Anne, you must see the Buffy movie. Paul played a vampire, so he was staked. Nothing unusual, but he had an over the top kicking and kicking and flopping around like a fish out of water death scene. Then he’d die, and then flop and kick some more. And some more. And a little more. One of my favorite funniest moments on film. The man simply would not die!
Hey Joe,
I want to echo a previous poster! What happened to Peter DeLuise? Is he ever going to be coming back to direct anymore episodes of Atlantis?
Thanks
Patricia Lee
cyn Said:
They were upsetting the balance of the Wraith having complete control over the human population of the Pegasus Galaxy?
Yup. Everything was under control until those pesky Earthlings showed up. 😉
The Wraith did the feeding, the attacking and making sure humans couldn’t advance as they would have in normal circumstances.
Wasn’t it wonderful? A perfect balance between preditor and prey.
They are a complex species and with ones like Michael and Todd it makes them even more fascinating. Hell, I love the Wraith, but I’m under no illusions as to what they are and what they’ve done to innocent people.
Extremely complex. REALLY need to know more about them, actually.
I am under no delusions either. I know what they are, and what they do in order to survive, I just accept it. They enjoy the hunt, and the kill. They are arrogant and conceited and vain. They have a code of honor, though it is not exactly like ours. And they’ll turn on you in a second. Above all, they find extreme pleasure feeding on humans…just like any creature finds pleasure in its food.
However, I disagree with one thing. To say that humans victims of the Wraith are ‘innocent’ implies that the Wraith are murderers. They are not – no more than a lion is a murderer for killing a gazelle. Can’t put human morality on creatures that must feed on humans to survive. If a shark eats a human, that shark isn’t a murderer. Maneater, yes – but not a murderer. And the human who is eaten isn’t an ‘innocent’ victim, but an ‘unfortunate’ victim. So, I would say that those who have fallen prey to the Wraith are unfortunate humans who just happened to find themselves on the wrong end of the food chain.
And yeah – I’m splitting Wraith hairs… 😉
Keep in mind the Wraith have shown their intelligence time and time again, but have done nothing to find alternate sources of food. Right or wrong, at least the good guys made an attempt at finding another source of food which is a hell of a lot more than the Wraith have.
Wraith had no reason to find an alternative source – until now. I hope they find an alternative…with certain conditions: They do not change in appearance, or in the ability and desire to feed on humans. Instead, I’d like to see SOME (not the majority) choose to feed on the alternative source, while still constantly craving their old human diet, but suppressing the urge to feed. It would keep them a constant threat, but allow some to rise above their dependancy on a human meal.
The Wraith have advanced technology. They have ships, transports, darts, computers and other items.
The humans, on the other hand, live like 15th century peasants.
Seeing as how I’m a big Ren Faire fan, that argument just makes me love the Wraith even more! 😛
Sorry, Mr. M – for derailing your blog. Thanks for letting us debate this on your time…very kind of you, sir…
das
Joe,
I’ve meandered your site before and enjoyed. I have to say, though, that you should read Hth’s original journal entry rather than listening to a poster who takes her words out of context.
Of course, you’re not *obligated* to listen to what your fans have to say; but I thought that, of the few shows I’ve enjoyed enough to call myself a ‘fan’, the producers/writers of SGA have seemed *more* hooked into the flow of fandom rather than less. I was pretty certain that was part of what made the show so good.
Needless to say, Hth was discussing something that concerns a lot of SGA fans, myself included. Hth just is a bit more articulate than I am in expressing those concerns.
-K