Well, as expected, reaction to the Whispers casting news has ranged from excitement and anxious anticipation to “Hey, Joe. Couldn’t you cast anyone hideous?” Well, sure, we could have – but rather than basing our casting decision on looks, we chose to pick the best actress for each of the three roles.
I envisioned Teldy as a strong, by-the-book, leader; someone capable of leading her team into battle and going toe to toe with whatever is thrown her way be it an off-world mystery, an alien threat, or Colonel John Sheppard. There were a number of interesting candidates in the running, but after viewing Christina Cox’s late audition it was hard to see anyone else in the role. Those familiar with Christina’s work on shows like Blood Ties, Bones, and House know that she’s an accomplished performer possessed of a commanding presence. Exactly what we were looking for in this case.
The search for someone to play the part of Dr. Alison Porter proved surprisingly tricky. Although she’s described as a “cute nerd”, Porter is really the most nuanced character of the bunch. The only non-military personnel on Teldy’s team, she is in some ways her own little island – the most vulnerable of the foursome and yet, at the same time, the most dynamic given the circumstances. Nicole de Boer actually read for Teldy and, as we sat there watching her audition, Paul and I thought exactly the same thing: “We’ve found our Porter!”. Nicole is an actress who, I’m sure, needs no introduction, having been a regular on shows like The Dead Zone and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She is someone we’ve been wanting to get on the show for a while now and we’re pleased the opportunity has finally presented itself.
Of all the characters, the tough, wise-cracking Dusty was the most fun to write – and the most frustrating to cast. The fact is, there were a lot of great candidates for the role and, in the end, it came down to two terrific actresses. Janina Gavankar got the nod on the strength of her ballsy read and wonderful comic timing. Those of you who may not be familiar with Janina’s range should check out her run as Papi on The L Word.
Over the hiatus, I pitched out the idea of introducing an all-female team as a means of addressing the male-female imbalance on the show. I would introduce them in an early script and whoever survived the episode could potentially be brought back as a recurring character. As Martin started work on the season premiere, Search and Rescue, he suggested he introduce one of the team members in his episode – a character that eventually became Captain Alicia Vega. Leela Savasta came in and delivered a fantastic audition for the role. Our reaction upon watching the video of her session was something along the lines of: “Hey, where the hell did she come from?” After 11+ years of Stargate, you think you’ve pretty much seen everyone in town – and then some young and talented newcomer appears on the scene. The last time we had a “Hey, where the hell did she come from?” reaction, it was a couple of years ago while watching an equally talented young up-and-comer audition for a two-line part on SG-1. We didn’t cast her because it was such a small part that we figured we could give her a meatier role later in the season. When later came, I called up our local casting director and asked if we could see her again. “Sorry,”he replied. “She’s shooting a pilot in Hawaii.” The pilot: Lost. The actress: Evangeline Lily. And, yep, I think Leela has the potential to be just as successful.
A reminder – Discussion on The Keep kicks off this coming Monday, so get a move on! And be sure to come armed with plenty of questions. Author F. Paul Wilson will be dropping by later in the wake to field your comments and queries.
Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular Jenny Robin. Happy belated birthday! It’s even more special the day after.
Today’s pics: Have I already posted these? Didn’t think so.
Mailbag:
Robert C. Cooper writes: “Jaws.”
Answer: Which would explain the framed original Jaws movie poster hanging in your office – and that time we were out for dinner and you started screaming hysterically when Fondy was served her meal, only calming down once the waiter convinced you it was, in fact, only halibut.
David writes: “Would it possible for you to send me an e-mail with an autographed picture? If so, what is your e-mail so I can send you my e-mail?”
Answer: Seriously? Mom, is this you? Okay. Try me at moorsyum@yahoo.com. Give my love to sis.
Shadow Step writes: “Btw, do you have a desktop computer at home you blog from or do you carry a portable around every where (like McKay)”
Answer: Even better. I possess a state of the art brain implant that allows me to download my thoughts to a data chip port located behind my right ear. When I get home at the end of the day, I simply transfer the information to my laptop and – voila! – the blog practically writes itself (aside from the actual writing part).
Namiko writes: “Since your tastes seem to run in a similar vein to my husband’s, have you ever seen Battle Royale?”
Answer: Yep. Loved it. During my first year on Stargate, I hosted an Asian double-bill – Battle Royale and Fudoh: The Next Generation (one of my favorite, seriously warped Japanese movies of all time). James Tichenor was among the guests. Following the screening, he vowed to never again attend one of my movie nites.
Amber Hooker writes: “It’s almost embarassing but “The Blair Witch Project” scared the hell out of me.”
Answer: One of the most amazing things about The Blair Witch Project was hearing how the movie had made people physically ill. Upon hearing this, the general reaction was: “Wow! That’s some scary shit!” As it turned out, what was really scary was the shaky handheld camera that turned the audience a not-with-envy green. Nevertheless, I found that last shot of one of the characters, turned to face a corner, refusing his friend’s plaintive pleas, incredibly unsettling.
PG15 writes: “What do you think about removing one of Atlantis’s piers, permanently, during some battle or explosion or something? Do you guys think you’ll ever do something like that, damage one of the show’s vehicles permanently?”
Answer: It’s possible, but I’m reluctant to make a change for the sake of one episode that would effectively render all of our existing city establishing shots useless.
Anna writes: “How about ‘The Thing’?”
Answer: I loved The Thing but, like Alien, would place it in the scifi category.
Anna also writes: “Have you seen ‘Spoorloos’/’The Vanishing?’”
Answer: Yes! Now that you mention it, that one should be in my top ten as well. I refer to the original Dutch version and not the crappy Hollywoodized remake.
Terry writes: “About “Timescape.” Up to the point when he put the message in the box, there was only one timeline. The divergence in the timelines didn’t start to happen until after that event. So both timelines should have a future where that message exists. Only in the one timeline is there someone who had asked for it and read it. So the presence of the message doesn’t negate the idea of alternate futures.”
Answer: Hmmm. I don’t follow. The fact that they receive the message in the safety deposit box suggests they are able to alter their own timeline. And yet, at book’s end, the way the events of 1998 play out suggest the establishment of an alternate timeline. I don’t think you can have it both ways, saying a slight change to the past alters the future slightly, but a bigger change will lead to another branching in the multiverse.
Fsmn36 writes: “I came to the conclusion that just sending the messages back didn’t alter the timeline–there was no conflict. It was only when the past altered their own actions did it create a different timeline.”
Answer: It still feels like having it both ways. Sending a message back to the past – even if the recipient fails to convince those around him of its authenticity – must result in some repercussion. Unless you’re suggesting (as some have theorized) that the timeline is self-healing, capable of readjusting itself to its original pre-established direction. Bradbury would have something to say about that.
Charles Schneider writes: “Thanks so much for the info. I’m trying to line up as much stuff as I can for San Diego Comic Con. I don’t know if it would work out, but it would be a dream come true for this rookie to score an interview with one of you guys.”
Answer: No problem. If I do end up going to San Diego, get in touch with me before the Comic Con and I’ll arrange a sit-down.
Sheppard’sOnlyPie writes: “Anyone Remember the Changeling with George C. Scott??”
Answer: One of my wife’s top ten. That little red ball bouncing down the stairs terrifies her every time.
Wolfenm writes: “Have you seen Uzumaki?”
Answer: Loved Uzumaki, but found some of it a little silly. Love those giant wall-crawling snails! It’ll forever give you pause whenever you head downstairs to check your laundry.
Wolfenm also writes: “I thought The Others was pretty scary, and had a nice twist, too.”
Answer: “A good movie that I think suffered greatly from following on the heels of The Sixth Sense.”
AMZ writes: “1. Have you seen The Mist yet? If so, what did you think? 2. Have you read/seen King’s 1408? 3. Have you ever seen Satoshi Kon’s “Yume nara samete” (Perfect Blue)?”
Answers: 1. Yes. It was fine. 2. I haven’t. 3. I have. I’m a big fan of his work. Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika, and Paranoia Agent make up part of my extensive anime collection.
Shiningwit writes: I’d like to be able to recommend or even get a hold of some good anime or horror other than what you’ve mentioned here so any more recommendations please Joe?
Answer: Horror (Ringu, Ju-on, Dark Water, Audition, Uzumaki, 3 Extremes, The Eye, Kairo. Anime (Berserk, Boogiepop Phantom, Cowboy Bebop, Infinite Ryvius, Kino’s Journey, The Last Exile, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Now and Then, Here and There, Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai Champloo, Trigun, Twelve Kingdoms).
Pauline writes: “I once worked in a very old hospital…”
Answer: Great, creepy story!
David writes: “Are the new characters going to reacurring throughout the entire season, or just one or two episodes?”
Answer: That depends on a lot of things. First and foremost = who survives the episode.
1norriski writes: “Now for my actual question, in The Siege III we see Ford leave by fling a PJ through the gate. Ford didn’t have the ancient gene that I can remember.”
Answer: Can’t remember the episode, but I seem to recall a scene back in season one in which Sheppard takes Ford out for test flight.
Felkin writes: “On a different topic, do you like Banoffee pie?”
Answer: Banoffee? Is that anything like snuffleupagus?
Angel234 writes: “ Since the SG1 movies are now completed, what has become of the standing SGC sets?”
Answer: They’re still standing. But when it comes time to tearing them down and tossing out the old gate, I’ll give you a heads up. Do you think you’d have room for it in your backyard?
SingsingandBeakman writes: “Speaking of monster personalities: how is Jason M’s prsonality really?”
Answer: He’s a sweetheart.
David Oulton writes: “Quick question…is David Hewlett as bad as what everyone says he is?”
Answer: If by “everyone” you mean yourself, then – no. I’ve never known David to be anything but great in interviews and the special features.
NICE shots of David and Kavan. How about some Joe shots? Please… whine…. whine….
Now that you’ve cast Christina Cox in the role of Teldy I really hope she survives. I’d loved to see her around Atlantis some more. Especially if she goes up against John.
Just one quick question now that the next season is purring along over there in Vancover. As showrunner, what has been the biggest surprise you didn’t see coming for season 5?
Hey Joe,
I love the pics! They are fantastic. Especially the David ones.
There is room for the SG-1 gate in my backyard. I think my dogs would love it. Besides, I am tired of flying and will make good use of it to travel around the galaxy.
I forgot to tell you the scariest movie I’ve ever seen. “Show Girls” With Elizabeth Berkley (1995). It was so horrid that I’ve only watched about twenty minutes of it. It’s really scary. Trust me on this.
*shudder*
No way!!! Evangeline Lily auditioned for Stargate?!?!? I’m a big fan of hers… she brings oh-so-much to LOST!!!
Do you think you’d have room for it in your backyard?
I definitely do!!!!! And my ten year old brother (a budding filmmaker) would have a blast with it!!!
Christina Cox ? Are you kidding LOL .. Sorry but disagree *rolleyes* . She was the reason I stopped watching Blood Ties . Her acting was terrible and very unconvincing .
Maybe she’ll do differently on SGA but I’m not getting my hopes up since I’ve seen her in other things too and never found her compelling to watch .
First?
OMG, are you trying to give me a heart attack Joe? Love you heaps. Thanks for the gorgeous Kavan photos.
Cheers, Chev
Dust and water bottles. I feel right at home. Thank you!
Oh, and the Big Guns yesterday … marvelous. Is it hot in here or is it me? Oh wait, nevermind, hot flash.
You’re a real class-act to be so nice. I know that you don’t have to go to conventions, and you don’t have to talk to us every day via your blog. But I’m thankful that you do. Thanks for all the consideration and the extra work you put into everything.
P.S. Expect a press packet from me in the next month.
Answer: No problem. If I do end up going to San Diego, get in touch with me before the Comic Con and I’ll arrange a sit-down.
If?? IF?! What’s with the “if”? I thought you and Marty G were going for sure? I gotta lead you through the maze that is the con centre to the anime exhibition again!
And to be completely off topic, what do you do to destress?
“Over the hiatus, I pitched out the idea of introducing an all-female team as a means of addressing the male-female imbalance on the show.”
The decision made by you and your fellow producers to get rid of strong female regular and recurring characters like Elizabeth Weir and Kate Heightmeyer only made the male-female imbalance worse. It’s too bad you guys didn’t think of that downside to begin with. You could have saved yourselves, the cast, and the fans a great deal of trouble.
Oh my, Mr. M., lovely whump photos… if only one of them could be of Sheppard. Sigh..
Still hoping all is well.
-Loren
I understand. It was the reason why Voyager didn’t do it either (and even when it happened on Enterprise, it was only for a handful of episodes). Such is the disadvantages of a money-driven economy (I assume that the fact that you don’t want to throw away the stock shots is that you have to make new ones, and that = $$$). Oh well, maybe for some time in the future, like in the series finale where Atlantis could be destroyed or something. Who knows.
Thank you for the detailed account on what you wanted out of these characters! It’s very enlightening (and Dusty is wise-cracking? AWESOME.), and I for one am glad that you guys put more stocks in talent rather than just looks; it’s just common sense, really.
Kavan Smith should have that smile patented as a stun-weapon. Even sitting down I felt my knees go weak… truly, blood and all the man looks incredible. Thanks for the pictures. I’m actually looking forward to seeing the all-female team in action. A shame they won’t all survive. It would’ve been fun to see a scene where one of the other teams disparages them, and the reactions. I’ll pull out the Keep tomorrow and make a few notes. Thank you for offering us the chance to ask the author questions. I’m looking forward to the posts.
Thanks for the great shots and the wonderful blog entry. It’s one of the things I look forward to reading every day.
After having skim read the comments for the previous day, I have far more appreciation for what you do most days by answering the mailbag. So, how long does it actually take you to read all the comments?
That would be cool. It would probably take up 3/4 of my backyard.
Does it come with Walter and Siler?
Cheers, Chev
I can’t believe that I didn’t see Poltergiest mentioned during the whole ‘horror’ conversation. Maybe it’s not as scary as I remember, but I still sleep with my closet doors closed. I was something like six when I watched it, though, so that might be part of the reason that it scared me so much!
And to the guy wondering about David Hewlett, I had a chance to interview him. I have to say that he was really funny and super nice. Probably one of the better interviews I’ve had the pleasure of doing. Very personable. Also, the Atlantis PR person was absolutely amazing.
for the record; i’m glad to see kick-ass females on stargate & if they are played by good actresses who happen to be easy-on-the-eyes so much the better.
if any survive to make return appearances that’s icing on the cake as far as i’m concerned.
Answer: That depends on a lot of things. First and foremost = who survives the episode.
So, is this all-gal team episode basically a ‘women in refrigerators’ episode as well? 😉
das
I think the person asking about David H was referring to interviews/specials featuring other cast/crew, who seem to take great joy in “complaining” about him. My feeling is, if he were really annoying no one would actually say it. Plus if he is a jerk, he’s the best actor ever, because he’s the nicest, cutest, geeky geek I’ve ever met. 🙂
I love the all-female crew already. I see “average” people every day; it’s fine with me to see the prettier side of life on my widescreen. I hope they all survive, if only so you can write more Carson eps without worrying there are too many men on screen!
Michelle
OH MY! Those pics have me absolutely dying for Season 5 to start *already*. I swear you take delight in torturing us. 😉
Glad the casting for Teldy et al came out to satisfaction; looking forward to seeing the results!
Why were there clearance issues on “Shrine of Talus,” just out of curiosity…? Somebody named Talus unhappy with being immortalized in Stargate lore? 😉 Sorry, I’m overdosed on caffeine. Seriously…what sorts of things cause a problem like that and how often do you bump into them?
Sorry Joe for me nagativity lately 🙁 I just would like to see some good Teyla centric episodes and possible a couple of nice John and Teyla scenes whether shippy or not .
I also like Keller and do not understand why so many do not like her ?
McKay and Ronon are both great and Lorne is really awesome too ..
NICE pics there! makes me curious. And i love the idea of seeing Nicole de Boer on the whow.
Now i don’t mean to be rude, and i know you get many comments and probably questions, but MUST you ignore every question i’ve asked so far!?
I know i had another one i was going to ask but now i can’t remember…
The actress that you cast for Dr Porter was in cube with David H was she not? That also was a very creepy movie what with the face melting and lasers.
Heidi
On a TV show, or movie, I was wondering what is a producer’s job exactly? I want ot go into the film industry when I am older, and I am trying to figure out what I want to do.
(I mean this question with the most respect, by the way).
Hi, Joe.
Thank you so much for the photos from Season 5. Poor Rodney and Evan…
Nice to know the sets for SG1 are still standing. I’ve pre-ordered Continuum and SGA’s season 4 DVDs…hopefully I can pre-order another new movie soon!
Best wishes, Morjana
Oh, yes….thanks for sharing such handsome, eye candy and wonderful “bookcovers!” Even the dust does not diminish the huge appeal.
Please, may we have more?
That last picture! 🙂 Two of my favourite actors in such an amusing image (oh, how I love costumes). That made my night, thank you.
Yay! Great pics. No, you haven’t tormented us with those yet. Now – Sheppard maybe? *hopeful look*
Well, sure, we could have – but rather than basing our casting decision on looks, we chose to pick the best actress for each of the three roles.
Oh, absolutely and you get to cast from who turns up. I certainly don’t think that SGA is any worse than any other tv show so I’m not making a dig, it’s just there seems to be a lot of actresses who are more waif like than athletic so for any roles where they’re meant to be in a highly physical profession it stretches belief. Sure, bring on the angry albino space vampires, but if I think the kick back on a handgun is going to send the actor through the wall…
And saying that I think you guys made a perfect casting choice with Rachel Lutrell – she’s beautiful, she’s a fantastic actress, and she also looks like if she wanted to go stick-fu fighting on you that it would hurt.
But this is a generalisation on the industry as a whole – I’m not going to pass judgement on an episode I haven’t seen and the characters you describe sound like fun.
I glomp you for the David and Kavan pics!!
Nevertheless, I found that last shot of one of the characters, turned to face a corner, refusing his friend’s plaintive pleas, incredibly unsettling.
Aye, that scene completely creeped me out, and was, to me, the only worthwhile thing about the whole movie. Oddly enough, the sequel was much better, I thought. I wouldn’t have bothered, but it was on TV one day and POE did a song for it, so I decided I might as well give it a shot, on her recomendation. I’m a huge fan of her album Haunted. She’s a really sweet gal, too — she did a performance at the Borders I worked at years back. Her brother is the guy who wrote House of Leaves; he did a reading of parts of it, intermingled with her performance. She said her album was basically a soundtrack for his book, as well as an homage to their late father (it even incorporated bits of recordings of him she found after his death — letters on tape to her and her brother.) In fact, “The Five and a Half Minute Hallway” was directly related to the book. I have the book, thanks to that night, but, being a non-linear work, it’s a hard text to read; I never got very far, alas. 🙁
Hey Joe,
How about posting some bloody pictures of Sheppard from 5×1?
You forgot to mention how wonderful Christina Cox was in “Spirits” and “The Sentinel.” She is a part of the Stargate family. Good to have her back!
Have you watched The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford? Some of the shots in that film blew me away, as did the absolute subtlety of the entire film. Fabulous.
David Oulton writes: “Quick question…is David Hewlett as bad as what everyone says he is?”
WHO would ever even suggest such a thing?!!!!!! Don’t you know David Hewlett is amazing, funny, smart, kind, entertaining, etc…..?
Begone Hewlett naysayer!
Trish/whovian said …
I live in a Disney kind of world. You call it Florida. It’s so easy to dec my house out in Mickey Mouse stuff. Where is the fun in that? If I could deck my house out in SG stuff, I’d be all over that like, well, a rabid SG fan would be all over that type of merchandise!
I suppose now that the Disney-MGM Studios has changed to the Disney-Hollywood Studios, there goes all hope of there ever being a (good!) Stargate ride and a shop with Stargate merch there. I totally had this vision of a mix of a simulator and a ride-through ride, kind of like how the Spider-Man ride is. You’d ride a puddlejumper through the Atlantis gate and out a space gate, get shot at by the wraith, and land on another world — it would be sooooo easy to do! And just think — being able to tour the city! *_* Hey, if they can make a Hogwarts at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, someone can make a walk-through Atlantis!! (Oooh!! In fact, that would be a great Island at IOA!!! 8D)
Trish/whovian also said …
What SG fan wouldn’t want a wraith yard gnome as opposed to a Mickey Mouse yard gnome?
Damn you, woman, don’t give me ideas!! XD
das said …
And NO hockin’ my stuff! Besides, I already have a life-sized Todd ‘doll’…it’s Mr. Das in green face paint and a wig! W00T!
Pictures!! It’s only fair — I showed you my Todd doll, you gotta show me yours! 😉
Ooh! An unexpected sharp left turn down a veridical anti-glib tangent sure to silence the critics. Though being the curious sort, I am compelled to ask; Who would you say is ugliest actress you have cast because of her great talent? 😉
James Tichenor
Ah, the long lost ever ready dvd commentator, last seen disheveled and unkempt in a cave on the eastern slope of Mount Hyjal (overlooking the Orc encampment) – this reminds me of something I’d like to know. It is common knowledge that Stargate SG1 started with DVD commentaries from season 4 – however I remember Tichenor wrote in his blog long ago, that they did record a commentary (with him and others, perhaps Martin Wood) for the last episode of season 3 (which would be the cliffhanger “Nemesis”). Perhaps they did it at the same time as “Small Victories”. Anyway, he didn’t know what happened to this recording – I’m sure you don’t either, but perhaps you’d be curious enough to find out? Perhaps it resides in nuclear proof vault beneath Sharpe Sound. Just waiting to be an MP3 fan goodie? 🙂
“Now for my actual question, in The Siege III we see Ford leave by fling a PJ through the gate. Ford didn’t have the ancient gene that I can remember.”
The Puddle Jumper is on Autopilot when going through the gate, so Ford didn’t actually pilot it. He just dialed the gate and the Jumper did everything for him. Then he simply dumped the Jumper on the planet and went on foot from there.
hey Joe,
wow what a blog entry! Lorne and Rodney whump AND an extensive explanation for casting these actresses 🙂 you seriously wanted Evangeline Lilly? oh well I’m sure Leela Savasta will be great (a friend of mine’s a big fan).
I was wondering does season 5 have less Shep centred episodes than previous seasons? because after checking several blog entries and reading spoilers one might think so. also it seems that Ronon still has the dreads, can you confirm this?
THANK YOU so much for the LOVELY pictures of David and Kavan!! You made my week!! GORGEOUS!!!!!!!
The people who joke around about David on the commentaries are doing so with great affection. What is that saying? I tease because I love.
I’m sure if they didn’t like him, they wouldn’t say anything at all about him. I love that his fellow actors feel comfortable enough to tease David without fear of him getting angry or hurt—I mean, let’s face it, people can be touchy—-but I think The Hewlett enjoys the razzing and gives as good as he gets.
Peruse Jewel Staite’s blog sometime, she has talked about she and David teasing one another and lists trading barbs with David as something she really missed over the SGA hiatus.
Dovil writes: The unrest in Sudan? David Hewlett. Those shopping carts that always have one wheel that seems to turn the wrong way? David Hewlett.
Dovil—I believe you owe me yet another monitor….reading your posts is becoming a pricey pastime.
Love those pics of Kavan. He always seems to be smiling, no matter how grungy and bloody he is. If only all people were that way!
Consider this like a presidential press conference..
Clear throat
I have a two part question……
Does Joe Flanigan run from your camera?
And if not do you NOT like taking a photograph or two of him in action as it were?
Feel free to throw the 5th out, others do.
Take Care
Be Well
Jean :~)
Since you’re into quality anime, I’d also recommend Death Note, Wolf Rain, Full Metal Panic!, and Full Metal Alchemist. I’m not sure if you have the time to play games at all, but if you do, the Silent Hill series will drive you a little wild.
Thanks for update – looking forward to the all-female team.
I do have a question for you, if you’re so inclined to answer. Recently, we found out that the third Stargate series will be called Stargate: Universe. Will you be a part of this series, and if so, will any Stargate: Atlantis team members join that series?
Just wish that if the cover wasn’t “Drop-Dead Gorgeous” that you’d even consider taking it off the shelf!
But they do sound like good people and I’ve had my say so won’t complain anymore about it. I really do love the show!
Joe wrote: The fact that they receive the message in the safety deposit box suggests they are able to alter their own timeline.
Terry: Hmm. I see what you mean, but I don’t agree. A couple of things to consider…
1) The note merely shows that a sterile artifact can be ‘sent’ through time, but it cannot actually change events that the future person has known. The moment that artifact has an effect, a different timeline emerges. When that note is opened in the story we read, nothing about the past has changed.
2) The note can exist in many timelines.
The past moves in a series of shared streams and diverging forks. (Gordon certainly ‘felt’ the moments when the forks happened.) When the scientists communicate backward in time, they can still reach back to that shared stream and shared points in time. 1960s California is a shared stream. When the note is put in the vault, that is a shared stream. A later action by Gordon or of those around him causes the time-stream to fork. When that happens, the note is alredy in the vault and can now move through both timelines, just as the people do. It so happens that we don’t see what happens with Gordon in the stream that allows the environmental disaster world to emerge from which the message will be sent and in which it will have not effect. Instead we do see the stream where Gordon and his peers use the message to avert the disaster and form a new stream.
So no altered past, no altered timeline, just a powerless and useless artifact. The interesting thing is whether the artifact itself causes a change to the future (and it does because support for the message to the past increases) which then allows the alternate time stream in the past to emerge.
At least that’s one way to rationalize it. Am I still not making sense? It could be my convoluted thought processes. Time travel stuff warps the brain.
Where my logic breaks is that they can still get the message from the future after the streams diverge.
When I was a kid, I’d come home every night for dinner looking like David and Kavan, though the blood would be coming from my hands, elbows, and knees instead of my head. Good times.
I’ll be interested to see how this all female team works out. I have a feeling it’s going to be entertaining no matter what.
Didn’t the puddle jumper have some auto-pilot thing??
But it begs the question, don’t you need to have the ATA gene to even activate flight control?? Although I have always seen Ford’s flight control abilities as he, recieved the ATA gene after “HOT ZONE.”
Dracula (1979), with Frank Langella and Laurence Olivier, scared the bejesus out of me. Of course I was only 8 at the time, so that might have had something to do with it. What about Rosemary’s Baby? The Poltergeist? An American Werewolf in London? Can you really narrow it down to ten?
Joe,
The most scariest movie ever to me is The Excorcist it is so scary up to this day I have never seen the entire movie..I turned it off when her head started spinning and have never went back to it. My sister called me a Woosh! I refuse to watch movies that have anything to do with Satann. I dont know why. Should I face my fear and just watch them all.
Hiya sweetcheeks!
Nevertheless, I found that last shot of one of the characters, turned to face a corner, refusing his friend’s plaintive pleas, incredibly unsettling
That bit really got to me… so you’re not alone. It’s the unseen and the anticipation of something happening around the corner that gets me.
Blair witch was scary in its own way.
Nice pics Kavan! hahahaha
“The actress that you cast for Dr Porter was in cube with David H was she not? That also was a very creepy movie what with the face melting and lasers.
Heidi”
I wouldn’t call Cube creepy just on the basis of the traps— which, mind you, are enough to make a horror film all their own. But I mean, the whole unknown aspect and the fact that even though they’re in a giant deathtrap, most of the people end up killing each other— great, y’know what? I’ve started thinking about it, I won’t be able to sleep til tomorrow.
Great actresses— can’t wait to see them in action, then! Though, I’d also be lying if I said I -could- wait to see the guys all dusty and bloody (re the photos). …Mostly dirty. The blood I could actually wait on.
Good luck with that chip-behind-the-ear thing, too. What, that works like some kind’ve jump drive? I’ve opted for the USB port behind the ear, myself.
Oh stupid wordpress is acting up. I got ‘page not displayed’ when trying to post my comment but I see it went up anyway.
Forgot to mention Joeski, that a great horror movie is ‘The Changeling’. Starring George C Scott and Trish Van de Vere. Brilliant!!! Scary as shit. Includes sceances, whispers, balls bouncing on their own, that sorta stuff. But with excellent acting as one would expect from the immortal G C Scott. Highly recommended.
I don’t read the mailbag until later and see that someone mentioned the movie.. Sorry!!!!
Ok how about Dreamscape?
“WHO would ever even suggest such a thing?!!!!!! Don’t you know David Hewlett is amazing, funny, smart, kind, entertaining, etc…..?
Begone Hewlett naysayer!”
I was being sarcastic!!!!!! Hewlett is a great actor! I guess you can’t really tell if someone is serious when they’re typing…my bad!
wolfenm Said: Pictures!! It’s only fair — I showed you my Todd doll, you gotta show me yours!
Okay. I lied. 😛 But he DOES do one heck of a Todd impersonation! His current favorite line to growl out is: “No, this is all wrong. You must iterate all values of the expression before you can aggregate the results.” 😕
Yeah, that’s hubby’s idea of ‘sexy talk’ … 😆
das
Hello Joe,
Did you let Anne Teldy know that you’ve cast her part? How is the real Anne doing? Have you heard anything? I noticed she has not updated her personal blog lately either! I hope she is doing okay!
Thanks for the pic’s and details. Always appreciated!
Patricia
Rosie Said:
I saw that at Easter and was very impressed. While you knew what happened in the end, the film really drew you in with the why. Could have done with a bit more editing though.
Cheers, chevron7
Superthanks, Joe. I always knew you were a nice guy in some approximation.
Thanks for the Kavan & David pics.
If you like Trigun, have you seen City Hunter? It’s got action and humour.
I saw David Palffy(Anubis/Sokar) today at a Creation SciFi Convention in Burbank. His wife, Erica Durance(Smallville) was there as well. He is a very lucky man indeed.
I think you should make the SG-1 Gate your next prize givaway for blog visits. That would make your ranking number one for a long time to come.
The title of the entry vs. the pictures underneath – serendipity or planned irony? Either way, SAT words for the win. Now is the time on Mooskets when we watch last night’s BSG. Are you watching? If so, what do you think of the season so far? Do you have the same apprehension I do about it not wrapping up cleanly?
Blogger Joe said:Answer: Even better. I possess a state of the art brain implant that allows me to download my thoughts to a data chip port located behind my right ear. When I get home at the end of the day, I simply transfer the information to my laptop and – voila! – the blog practically writes itself (aside from the actual writing part).
OH MY GOD, I WISH! I can’t write anymore. I can’t even finish a letter. My hands are just too slow for my brain, it takes too long to write or type what I’m thinking (and I can type 60 wpm) and I get frustrated and give up. I’ve always wished for a set-up like Leto had in God Emperor Dune, where he could mentally dictate his thoughts and it would be transcribed for him. Then I might be able to write something longer than this comment.
“The Puddle Jumper is on Autopilot when going through the gate, so Ford didn’t actually pilot it. He just dialed the gate and the Jumper did everything for him. Then he simply dumped the Jumper on the planet and went on foot from there.”
Thanks to whoever cleared that up (I don’t know how to do the cool quote thing so their name shows up…)
Also thanks to Joe for answering my question…
Here’s today, how much of the back half of the season has been plotted out as of now and can we hope to see more (more than the 5 we know of) of Paul McGillion in the back half (please say yes, please say yes… you know I’m not above bribery, I know you’re a chocolate man but I make some killer peanut butter rice krispy treats)….
Thanks Joe for the awesome pics of Kavan and David. Very cool 🙂
Hi Joe,
I see someone above asking about commentaries, and you’re into the DVDs now, what with bloopers and all, so….what’s the deal with Threads?? Is there a commentary for it or not? It’s only like the most important episode ever!
Also, can you tell us anything about a third SG-1 movie? And after the new poll on GW I have to ask, who would be in it?
Joe, again, you are my hero! You like Boogiepop Phantom, Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai Champloo, Trigun, AND Battle Royale? Yeah, you totally kick Wraith ass with that selection…Go’auld ass too, now that I think of it.
Hi Joe can you publish photos of Sheppard from Whispers that would be amazing. Please.
I meant Goa’uld, sorry. Midnight here, and I’m flipping out from watching The Ring when I’m home alone till one.
Blogger Joe said:Answer: Even better. I possess a state of the art brain implant that allows me to download my thoughts to a data chip port located behind my right ear. When I get home at the end of the day, I simply transfer the information to my laptop and – voila! – the blog practically writes itself (aside from the actual writing part).
OOOH I recognize this.. you want a BRAINPAL!!! I would love one too. Honestly I love Scalzi’s work.
Now for my question: Did Lulu have to have surgery on her eyes for the same reason as before?
Hey Mr Malozzi.
I´d like very much to audition for a role in Stargate Atlantis. I live in Sweden.
Joe,
You guys created an all SG-Female Team which consist of a bunch of really really good looking Ladies.
Hey!
Just out of curiosity, does the world on which Atlantis currently resides have a name beyond its designation, as Lantea does? If not, will it receive one?
Thanks for the great pictures, Joe. So that’s kept David and Kavan’s fans happy but what about the numerous fans of JoeF? So how about a bloody pic of him? PLEASE! Gets on knees and begs.
On April 12, 2008 at 7:46 pm Jean Said:
Consider this like a presidential press conference..
Clear throat
I have a two part question……
Does Joe Flanigan run from your camera?
LOL!! I so had visons of Joe’s looney tune Dusty outline standing in for him as he ran for the hills!!!
That made my day!!
As for the Pics, well, I heard several very shrill shreiks coming from England so I know my best friend has seen the Lorne Whump Piccies. You just made her a very happy woman! Now satisfy my needs with some Shep Whump…KIDDING!! 😉
On April 12, 2008 at 8:54 pm Annie from Fremantle Said:
I don’t read the mailbag until later and see that someone mentioned the movie.. Sorry!!!!
Ok how about Dreamscape?
Omg! I have that movie and I must admit I’m not afraid of snakes but the guy that turned into Cobra Freak from hell gave me some sleepless nights as a kid for sure!! Was a good campy horror movie!!
As for MGM ever having Stargate anywhere in the park..I WISH!! 🙁 I live in Florida like Trish aka Whovian. I went to Universal Studios once back when Atlantis was just premeiring and I swear they had this huge Billboard Of Atlantis coming soon on Sci Fi on one of the studio buildings. I ask if they could please load that into the back of my truck I’d greatly appreciate it.. They had the nerve to say NO!! Whats the world coming to?!? ROTF! I mean I had an area in my living Room pick out three seconds after seeing the Bloody thing. And having said all this (frowns) Why did Universal have that on site to begin with?? Thought Stargate franchise was MGM territory. Is Universal an affilite (if i spelled that wrong my bad!) of Sci Fi. Because after pitching a Rodney like fit over not getting the billboard I came back to reality and pondered over this like the complete utter-nutter I am.
Love the pics !! Wubs you Joe!! Send the cast and crew our wub for them as well!!
Granted, I’ve had way too much to drink and it’s past 3am, but this post was very interesting to me. Ok, after proofreading the past sentence, I’m putting down everything I say to too much drinking. 5 errors in 1 sentence? Yoinks.
Anyway, I already have a girl crush on Alison Porter. A “cute nerd”? Sign me up!
I’m feeling like less of a person for not commenting on Timescape, especially since I both checked it out at my library and then bought it at my local used book store, but I have to admit to not having had the time to read it yet. But the first 50 pages have interested me enough to keep reading. I’ll try to comment at some point, even if it’s way too late.
Ok, beginning to think that the late night donuts were a bad idea…and I should probably go now.
Sorry for the inebriated comment posting and hope my drunken proofreading was enough to pass muster. Have a nice Sunday!
-Emily
Salut Joseph =) c’est moi !=D
Waou! Génial les photos =) Merci beaucoup!
Sachant qu’il y’a plus de femme fan de stargate que d’homme , vous êtes sur qu’autant de femme dans la serie sa marchera? Moi je voudrais bien avoir un beau mec et francais de préférence..♥_♥…alala dream dream..
Oh je doit révisais toute la journée aujourd’hui car j’ai mes Bep blanc =( Je pense pouvoir passer sur votre blog demain mais pas les autres jours au moin jusqu’a Vendredi…snif …snif
Tient, il y’a de l’orage chez moi…O_O sayer ma mére commence a crié pour que j’eteint mon ordinateur ..dream..dream
Questions:
1 Vous êtes inviter au mariage de David en juin?
2 Pensez vous que Tod le wraith puisse un jour avoir une relation amoureuse avec une humaine?
Bon voila =) Bonne journée =)je vous adore♥ Gros Bisou =)
I love the picks for the women….Nicole??? Wow! I wonder what David thinks…seeing as they starred in Cube together!
Don’t kill off any of them! Why can’t we have an all female kick-@$$ team??? Stop the killing….unless it’s Katie Brown….you could bring her back and kill her off. Yes! There you go. You weren’t bringing her back anyway…right?
You could bring Ford back and kill him off for good too! Heh heh heh *evil grin*
Man that was some BIG ammo in those machine guns. A couple shots of those into a wraith should drop them! I mean seriously….the back of them would be blown away. Those are some big @$$ cartridges…do you have any idea what size they are?
I have been next to someone shooting a 45 magnum and the sound was deafening(except I was wearing sound reducing earmuffs), and you could just feel it reverberate through your body. Do the blanks sound as loud as the real cartridges?
I think for target practice shooting a 22 is the most fun. Hardly any kick(depending on the gun) so I can quickly shoot accurately. Have you gone target shooting? Martin G. has pictures on his myspace page of him going target shooting, ever join him?
Kimberly
wolfenm Said: I suppose now that the Disney-MGM Studios has changed to the Disney-Hollywood Studios, there goes all hope of there ever being a (good!) Stargate ride and a shop with Stargate merch there. I totally had this vision of a mix of a simulator and a ride-through ride, kind of like how the Spider-Man ride is. You’d ride a puddlejumper through the Atlantis gate and out a space gate, get shot at by the wraith, and land on another world — it would be sooooo easy to do! And just think — being able to tour the city! *_* Hey, if they can make a Hogwarts at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, someone can make a walk-through Atlantis!! (Oooh!! In fact, that would be a great Island at IOA!!! 8D)
Noooooooo *she whines quite pitifully* Why…why…why??? I’ve been dreaming…hoping…fantasizing about a Stargate ride at Disney’s MGM studios!!! Will that affect any rides? *and the dream dies a slow agonizing death*
Despondently,
Kimberly
I read your answer to a question concerning blowing up one of Atlantis’ piers, and that reminded me of something I keep wondering about when I see shots of Atlantis either from directly above or directly below. Why is it not symmetrical? I mean it could have been, for example, like a star with 5 (or however many piers it has) equally long and similarly shaped piers. But, if I remember it correctly, one pier is sort of more broad and shorter while the pier/piers directly across from it is/are longer and more narrow in comparison.
Nothing scares me more than the prospect of ever having to watch the film Napolian Dynamite again. All my friends love it – there’s either something very wrong with them OR me!
BTW Wasn’t Christina Cox in SG1 aswell?
Joe
You should get the girls from the “Whispers” episode do a get well message video clip for the real life Anne Teldy. Hope to hear from Anne Teldy or her sister soon.
What was the later meatier part for Evangeline Lily in SG-1?
Aw man! what did ya go and do THAT for huh? Putting pictures like that on your blog and I can hear the girly-fannish squeeing from here with my head under a pillow! LOL
Thanks for giving me some genuine fodder for my collection and my sons inheritance (PMSL)I’m gonna track down the titles we don’t already have between us and keep adding!
I decided a long, long, long, long time ago that I had to have a minimum of 30 movies in my all time top ten! It was really the only way to get around the disparity, like I have about 12 in my top 5.
Thanks to whoever it was that mentioned The Changeling, that was an awesome movie and yep that bouncing ball was about the creepiest thing since Linda Blair’s head did a 360!
Further to yesterdays hot topic about hot women I was discussing my theory of “Wormhole Surgery” with a mate last night and we decided also that you could put(and I truly don’t wish to offend anyone here so please don’t take offence) the homeliest looking gay person (male or female) through and the Stargate would automatically render tham a)gorgeous and b) Straight!
Good luck with that chip behind the ear thing, mine just kept making the alarms go off when I left the library and I also got letters from the local vets informing me that I was due my next parvo-virus shot.
1norriski Said: “…but I make some killer peanut butter rice krispy treats)….”
do share! my mouth is watering at the prospect! especially with chocolate on top!
Thanks for the names of some of Satoshi Kon’s other work. I haven’t really watched a lot of anime, but I really liked Perfect Blue. Out of his other works you listed, what would you recommend to someone not incredibly familiar with anime?
On “Timescape” and timelines…at first I went with the two separate timelines, as in the 1998 we read about from the start is different to, say, the 1998 which the characters in the 60s would get to. It didn’t quite make sense to me for the already established 1998 to change suddenly or dramatically. The people in that 1998, however, could possibly warn the people in the 60s and change THEIR future, while the former future remained as bleak as ever.
Having said that, and in light of Joe’s mention of a self-healing timeline, if the message was sent from 1998, wouldn’t that create some sort of connection (a binding if you like) between the two timelines? And wouldn’t that connection be able to alter one or both of the timeline states? That idea actually makes a bit of sense, especially if you approach it with reference to the Steady State Theory, in which it was suggested new matter was being continually created.
…and one last question. What kind of fake blood do you use on Stargate Atlantis?
An all girl team it was going to happen sooner or later, so please make them strong women.
Please don’t give them weak ankles, no falling over when being chased by the enemy.
Falling weeping to the floor hand clutched at said ankle shouting, “I can’t go on, my ankle…I think I broke it!” (In best Marilyn Munroe voice)
I mean come on Joe their mascara might run or god forbid they break a nail!!
I have every confidence that you and your fellow writers will give us characters we can respect and that they will last longer than a couple of episodes.
Pauline
MizMoose Said:
Yeah I thought the title related to the photos. I thought “Joe’s calling Kavan and David drop dead gorgeous? OK. :-D” until I read the article and realised it MAY have been about the all-female team.
Cheers, Chev
Oooooh I just made the connection! Nicole de Boer was Joan Leaven aka “The Maths student” in Cube with David! Thats awesome I knew I recognised her from something I’d seen recently (apart from in The Dead Zone)!! Thats cool she was the best in that film (apart from David of course) -will look forward to watching her. I think its a great idea that you are having an all female cast, it will be interesting to see how the episode goes and having Paul McGillion in it as well! Fab.
Any news on that John wumpage episode in back half of season 5? Still gonna have it?
Thinking along the lines of scary things. Have you ever heard of Alien War? I first went to it when I was just 7 years old and I have never been more terrified in all my life. They held it in this underground section area and there were people dressed up in VERY realistic Alien style suits from the Alien films. The idea was that you are running around this mock up of a ship while aliens are chasing you. The worst part is for 90% of the tour you don’t see any aliens at all! It’s the tour guide calling out that there’s “something” so many metres away according to his device and counting down as it gets closer. There was one moment where there’s 3 ways to go but they’re coming from all directions until one arrives, but it’s actually another person and you then had to follow him!!!
There was one breather when we hit the elevator. I was 7 years old but I remember plain as day the fully grown men around me crying their eyes out; they were that scared. The older friend that snuck me into the event held onto my hand the whole way through, unlike my best friend’s dad. He was so terrified he was at the front of the group running away, leaving his KID behind!!!
It was one of the best and scariest experiences of my life and I hear it’s coming back to London around about now. I hope it’s still there when I go down in June *prays*. It’s supposed to be going on a world wide tour after London so if you hear of it anywhere near you, I URGE you to go. I am NOT easily scared in the slightest but memories of this event still haunt me to this day!
Beautiful pix! (eye of the beholder)
Padawan Aneiki Said: I swear you take delight in torturing us. 😉
Wow I have noticed this also! Especially when the Sheppard/ Joe F. gimme chorus gets particularly loud. 🙂
And, speak of the devil, as of this moment I have decided that Sheppard is going to be my Number-ONE fave Atlantis character this 5th season (sorry Merry McKay you get Number-TWO). As such, I would hate to be disappointed with any perceived lack of screen time. Dialogue, of course, is optional as no one tunes in just to hear him talk.
😉 DD
Lovely pictures of Kavan and David.
Wonderful casting of the new female crew. Did you warn Christina Cox about the space cows?
Come on Mr Mallozzi!
It’s time to come clean with those poor Sheppard fans.
I think we can all see some of the Shep fans have got their undies in a twist. So don’t you think you should tell them the truth, Joe, and put them out of their misery?
We both know that Mr Flanigan has caused a serious problem for you.
Yes, I’m talking about the fact that his demand for hair gel has spiralled out of control, rather like a black hole sucks in matter… only this time it’s money being sucked from the SGA budget to ‘Teh Hair TM’.
You’ve told him on numerous occasions he can’t have any more, and now he’s put such a strain on the budget you can’t afford to have Mr Flanigan actually appearing in any episodes, let alone saying lines, or heaven forbid – ACTING!
How can you write an episode for Sheppard with all the budget gone on hair gel? Who will pay Mr Flanigan? Who will pay the poor writer of said episode, and naturally who wants to write for no fee? Well other than all those Fan Fic writers who’d be tripping over themselves to do it…
These demanding Sheppard fans really need to know the strain you’re all under with an actor who is draining the budget.
I do have a solution though – a cunning plan if I say so myself. Just write an episode titled : The Gel of John. It’s a tear jerker, naturally.
That poor empty pot of gel, sitting there, abandoned –Sheppard with, *gasp*, flat hair looking all dejected – even cowlicks need a bit of gel to keep them upright, after all. (I’m sure the little remaining of the SGA budget could stretch to that).
Sheppard fans will be reaching into their pockets as their heart strings are tugged and will be sending in gel pots by the thousand.
Problem solved!
Free hair gel, budget available, Mr Flanigan is happy, the writers get paid and finally the Sheppard fans get their ‘Shepisode’ as they so delightfully call it.
I’m a genius, no?
hey, this is my first post, and i would just like to say thanks for everything you have done for Atlantis, and i was just wondering what made you want to write? and do you have any tips that helps when writing.
I made the classic mistake of buying a sunday paper today. Well once I’d wrestled it off the kids who hate me ranting at it (I’m also banned from watching news channels!) I was pleased to read about the dignity and respect accorded by your canadian compatriots towards those servicemen who have fallen in battle (won’t go into my usual rant about the politics of this ridiculous war) and disgusted to read how those british servicemen who have gone the same way are treated in my country.
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/news/thenews.html?in_page_id=1770
I am ashamed of my country and of the way it treats its war dead and injured and I congratulate you on your country’s integrity!
Thanks for explaining some of the reasoning behind the casting. I always find the casting/auditioning process to be interesting. I’m really looking forward to this team.
Also, great pictures!
Unless you’re suggesting (as some have theorized) that the timeline is self-healing, capable of readjusting itself to its original pre-established direction. Bradbury would have something to say about that.
Hmm, I hadn’t actually thought of that. Although it seems like that could apply to the story. Otherwise, I can’t think of a reason why the future would receive the security box; to judge it as a non self-healing ‘verse or in contrast to the way I first suggested, it almost seems like it’s something the author missed/ignored. Interesting concept either way. As for Bradbury, I haven’t read him since junior high–is there a specific story where his thoughts on timelines are explained?
Hi Joe!!!
I watched “Window of Opportunity” the other night. I forgot that you and Paul Mullie wrote that episode. Who wrote the “Wacko” scene (Best funny sequence for Jack of all time)? Who came up with the golf sequences “In the middle of my back swing!”? It is our families favorite episode of SG-1(at least from a comedy prespective)! Hope you are having a great weekend!!! I’m on crunch time!! Finals in a few weeks. Projects due soon. If you could, could you send a shout out to me (36 yrs old & wife/mom) and the rest of the college students on Sunday, May 4th(my Finals Week). Thanks!!!
Jen
from Indiana 🙂
Holy schmowly! More dirty, bloody pics of Kavan. My heart’s just leapt out of my chest and ran off. You are doing wonders for Lornelovers everywhere 🙂
Just read an article about famous writers and some do all their writing in a shed at the bottom of the garden. Some also have an inspirational object on their desk for well… er inspiration. Do you have such a shed or object?
I was just wondering. Does everyone on set pretty much get along all the time or do people get on each others nerves sometimes like in any other job?
Joe,
Does each guest actor receive the same pay or is it dependent upon whatever can be negotiated? I would imagine there is a tier/ranking system based on experience, name recognition and ability of manager to “get the best offer”.
May I also assume, for our cast, that there is really more to the term leading man than just airtime, number of lines and prominence on screen? I’ve often heard Joe F. (in interviews) refer to himself as the show’s lead and he seemed self-assured about it. So what does the term “leading man” actually mean?
Thank you in anticipation of your reply Joe,
Carol Z
Finally in receipt of a computer at work and able to perform my duties… sigh…
As I recall, in Hot Zone, Ford had been given the gene therapy but it hadn’t taken, and he was freaking out that his brain was about to explode…
So Joe, how DID he fly that puddlejumper?
Joe: Love the photos! Ooh, poor Lorne, poor McKay… Mmmmmm, poor whumped McKay…
Sorry, where was I? Drifted off for a moment there…!
Anyway, thanks to those who pointed out that Brent Stait played Michael in Allies, not Brent Spiner. *sigh* I could have sworn the friend who pointed it out said Spiner…I should have looked it up before posting to be sure – oh well, my bad, sorry.
As for the new female team – looking forward to seeing them in action. Of course, based on the photos today, I’m looking forward to Search & Rescue even more! Can’t imagine why… Mmmmmm, poor Rodney…
Leesa Perrie
First, I feel I must say how much I enjoy your blog. It’s very nice, kind and incredibly sinister of you to pass on these tidbits of information. Thank you.
As with many who comment here I have a few questions that I hope you will grant me the answers to. I do know my questions aren’t very topical, but these are the ones that have been nagging me, so I thought I’d pass the nag on.
I was wondering what a production does when one of the actors becomes unavailable for a period of time. This thought came to me when I heard of Joe Flanigan’s recent loss and wondered if his character would be missing from a few scenes he’d normally be in or if the production would just pick up the scenes at a later date?
Do you have a sketched out idea of what all the episodes for season 5 will be, or are there a few spots that still need a creative birth?
Will you be posting any video’s for this season?
Again, thank you for taking the time to tease us fans.
Sorry to post again so soon.
On April 13, 2008 at 6:53 am Bec Said:
As I recall, in Hot Zone, Ford had been given the gene therapy but it hadn’t taken, and he was freaking out that his brain was about to explode…
That was Radek. Ford hadn’t been given the gene therapy at that time:
ZELENKA: I’ve already been given the gene weeks ago — it didn’t take.
McKAY: I know. I’m already on it.
ZELENKA: The gene therapy is only effective in forty-eight percent of recipients.
FORD (to Beckett): If I was given the gene shot right now, how long would it take to kick in?
BECKETT: A minimum of four hours.
FORD: I don’t have four hours! I met up with McKay and Hays ninety minutes after they met up with Dumais. I have (he checks his watch) a little under an hour before my brain explodes.
Quote from GateWorld transcript. Hope that helps.
Leesa Perrie
Oooooh great pics of Kavan and David, looks like they’re really suffering for their art! 😛
These Pics just make me want to see Season 5 even more and yet us lot here in the UK have to wait even longer than those lucky US viewers, dammit! 😀
…n’oubliez pas mon email. 😀
…je l’attend avec impatience.
Is there any chance of McKay being turned into a Wraith in season 5?
In the picture of the guns you posted on April 11th, there’s one gun on the left between the P90 and the 21st century Tommy-Gun-Shotgun-Thingies. I think I’ve seen Mitchell use that in SG1. I’m just curious–what the hell is that? (Oh, and if you know what those Tommy-Gun-Shotgun-Thingies are supposed to be, that would be cool to know too.
Also, a couple of posts ago you discussed rising costs for production, something along the lines of “Salaries. And the dropping value of the American dollar.” I just have one thing to say to that.
You’re in Canada.
On April 12, 2008 at 9:06 pm David Oulton Said:
“WHO would ever even suggest such a thing?!!!!!! Don’t you know David Hewlett is amazing, funny, smart, kind, entertaining, etc…..?
Begone Hewlett naysayer!”
I was being sarcastic!!!!!! Hewlett is a great actor! I guess you can’t really tell if someone is serious when they’re typing…my bad!
No worries! Perhaps it was the shock at reading such at the ungodly hour of 1:30am after 4 days of no solid food.- Stomach viruses -yuck.
Sarcasm is more than welcome. I have my fair share of it running around my house.
sorry to have jumped to the wrong conclusion. *hangs head*
Demon Hunter, trust me, Napoleon Dynomite is a LOT funnier if you live in Utah or Southern Idaho. Spot on the Mountain West rural culture.
Oh dear. What you must think of Utah now.
Meh, I’ll shut up now, running off to Vegas yet again. Good thing my vices are drinking and sex and not gambling, huh? My third vice is either art or setting things on fire, or both, and they frown on random acts of setting art on fire in Sin City. Their Fire Marshall has a real bug in her bonnet about that.
Joe,
Thanks for the wonderful pics…I’m still waiting for information about renting the time-traveling puddle jumper so I can jump ahead to watch Season 5, by the way. (snicker)
The thing about Evangiline Lily is great. I love “Lost” and have a hard time envisioning anyone else in the part of Kate, but to think that she could have been a part of the “Stargate” universe…sigh. Well, maybe she can guest or cameo or something while on hiatus.
Fantastic blog, as always. Have a wonderful Sunday. Kiss Fondy for me!
MA
Oh, Major Lorne has a bad owie! Where does the line to kiss it better start?
Joe – Have you ever seen Frailty? Great movie, one of the few truly scary (as opposed to gross) serial killer flicks made in the last 10 years or so.
I had dinner at Fuel last night and it was fabulous! And the staff is so nice. A woman, no reservation, dining alone, frequently gets short shrift by restaurant staff, but not at Fuel.
Dear Joe,
I was rewatching some of teh last eps od S3 and in the “Tao of Rodney” it seemed as though you (meaning SGA writing staff) were laying the groundwork for a McKay/Weir thing. I’m sorry if this has already been asked, but was that ever a possiblity in teh staff;s mind?
Thanks,
Royal
Hey Joe, since you are addressing imbalances in the show, what about race? Some races have been relegated to certain roles for years (i.e. Blacks were mostly Jaffa) while others have been been nonexistent like Latins. What are the odds we see an all Black or all Hispanic team?
If I may pose a totally off the wall question.
I do recall some statements prior regard the sports you will watch or follow avidly. And, if I recall correctly – there was not mention on Curling which is a huge sport in Canada. The Canadian Men’s Team is currently competing against Scotland for the Gold Medal at the 2008 World Championship.
Recall back on SG1 – Jack made commentary about Curling as hs is “from Minnesota” and there are a lot of Curling Clubs there – actually the northern tier of US states share the enthusiasm with our Canadian neighbors.
Just wondering when, how, who, had idea to put the Curling reference in. And, what your thoughts might be on this sport. Hope this has not been addressed and I missed it.
Bon je vais me coucher Joseph!
Piou, je vient de passer 30 minute a regarder toute les photos que j’avais de vous.. =) d’ayieur j’ai une question…C’est qui la photo de la petite fille et l’homme qui se trouve sur votre frigidaire..vous savez la photo entre le chien et la fleur…
Enfin bon^^..Bonne nuit! jespert demain avoir une surprise dans ma boite email..Bisou, je vous adore fort♥♥
1)Will any of the newly cast female characters clash with Teyla in upcoming episodes?
2)Will there be any well-concealed enemies or spies within Atlantis’ mist this season?
I know we will be seeing new space ships in season four, but will we be seeing a new Earth ship?
One hasn’t been introduced since the Apollo, and considering there has been 1 a year so far, season 5 would be perfect for introducing a new ship. The Phoenix must already have been under construction during the real timeline, so maybe we will see that in ‘real life’.
Oh, that was so hilarious! I read the title, (Don’t judge a book by its drop-dead gorgeous cover) and then saw the pics of dirtydirty David & Kavan… and I was like… alrighty, then, where is he going with this….?
Thanks for telling us the cool background stuff on the actors.
Nice pictures! Thanks!
If anyone wants to check out a new Stargate blog, here’s one (it’s not mine). It has news and polls, that sort of stuff. Here it is:
http://stargate–sg1–atlantis.blogspot.com/
Joe
This has been bugging me for a while now. I read on IMDB that Joe Flanigan is 6’2”(1.88m) and that Jason M. is 6’4”(1.93m). Does the show film in a way that makes Jason look much taller then Joe? I Notice that he always seems to tower over Joe and although Joe is taller then Rodney and Carson it doesn’t seem so overpowering as it does with Jason and Joe. Are they really the heights that IMDB say’s they are or is Jason much taller then Joe. Do you use special camera angles?? Have one stand on higher ground? My question has no relevance to anything important but I’d really really like to know. Thanks again, Nicole.
Back-tracking to previous post!:: I love all of those same horror movies; in fact, I own all of them. How sick was “Audition”? I think it was the most awesome movie that ever made me vomit. Luckily, there was no psycho to make me eat it again. (To anyone reading this with a confused/disgusted look, that is because you have never seen the movie.)
I have such an insane collection of Asian flicks. Ever seen “The Booth”? How about “Oldboy”? Come on! Everyone has seen “Oldboy”!
Anyway, I have a random SGA question. Be honest, now! Is the reason for relocating Atlantis really because you just didn’t want to have to create different external shots when you already had so many water-based ones?
I agree about “The Blair Witch Project.” Sat through the entire movie saying, “Wow, this is incredibly stupid. This scared people? We’re not even seeing what they’re so scared of and reacting to!” But the last shot, with the guy in the corner, left me feeling creeped, as much as I didn’t want it to. On the shaky, hand-held camera front, the same went for “Cloverfield.” Went to see that movie with five people and all six of us were nauseous halfway through.
Hello Joe,
Thanks for the great pictures and for sharing. You make it sound like things are falling into place like clockwork,(episodes) I hope it would be that easy. Enjoy the day and try not to work too hard…
I tried posting back when you were asking about what scared us, but after four times was unable to because wordpress told me that it was too busy.
Odd.
My original thought on horror.
I’m with everyone, what is scary is the fear of what’s not seen. The sounds and things you ‘think’ you see, that allows the mind to fill in he void with much more scarier images. Our imaginations are what truly frighten us when we’re alone in the dark. Psychological terror pimps ‘slasher’ outwardly graphic violence any day.
Anyhow all the talk over “Whispers” intrigues me. I”m going to be very interested at the end results after all the re-writes you went through and all this preparation for scary, spooky elements. To be honest, at fist I wasn’t that thrilled with the idea of an episode with just Carson and a bunch of minor characters female or not. Then I learned Sheppard would be there which made me feel more interested. Now I’m really intrigued by pictures of mists and all the eerie props you’ve been giving us glimpses of and the effort in the casting process.
Can’t wait for the end results, to see how style and tone combined to create a scary story. Also to see a story unfold that didn’t involve most of the rest of the team which is why I watch the show. Can’t wait to see it and then read about all the trials behind it.
Thanks for the pics. Keep them coming.
Correcting my previously posted question::
Is the reason for relocating Atlantis TO ANOTHER OCEAN really because you just didn’t want to have to create different external shots when you already had so many water-based ones?
Joe,
Rather than an all-female team, I would have preferred a team of three women — all officers and one male member (pardon the pun)– not an officer.
Regarding what horrifies me: Try the US medical insurance system. I just got home from having knee surgery. As I was having “elective” surgery, I had to pay 10% of my projected hospital bill before they would allow me on the operating table. If I had not had this “elective” surgery, eventually I would have been unable to walk. What’s “elective” about that? Luckily, my check went through, and the surgery went well.
As I just got home from surgery (as noted above), I could do with something to help speed my recovery. I’m only asking you for two things: photos of Joe F.; and, photos of your adorable dogs. Please.
Lastly, I just finished The Blade Itself. I love Sand dan Glockta (but I’d much rather look at photos of Joe F. HINT. HINT.)! Glockta reminds me a bit of Todd. Not sure why. Anyway, Im looking forward to the book discussion in May, as well as reading Before They Are Hanged.
Joe said: “Answer: Even better. I possess a state of the art brain implant that allows me to download my thoughts to a data chip port located behind my right ear. When I get home at the end of the day, I simply transfer the information to my laptop and – voila! – the blog practically writes itself (aside from the actual writing part).”
So you got one too? Didn’t see you at the lab, I mean clinic. Unfortunately I was on the beta program (they said they needed people with only minimal brain function – not sure why they chose me) so there have been some side effects.
I have the issue of not being near a download terminal often enough and my chip is now “Out of Memory”.
This has caused me to say “huh?” a lot when people are talking to me as the chip deletes that birthday of a good friend, so I can take in the workings of the catalytic converter in a “fooly shick” VL Commodore Turbo just so I can continue to participate in the current conversation.
So Jenny Robin, it wasn’t that Joe forgot, it’s just that his chip was full. (I’m looking out for your Joe, and I’m looking out for the feelings of Jenny Robin)
I decided to have the implant in my middle left finger so when people say in the street “Hey! Show us your chip” I’m more than happy to oblige.
Wow, that comment made me sound like a fully fledged bogan… and I’m not talking a small slow-moving stream.
Just watched Ripple Effect again, and always thought it was a great episode one of those that has both an old and new school feel to it (Much like Bad Guys), but, ‘cut the green one’ line. What happened to that? Was that originally going to be followed up, but then dropped. Or was it just a thing to open up the potential re-visit in the future if you ever wanted to, but no specific plan to?
As for the Ford thing, Rob Cooper said in an interview that the Jumper was on autopilot at the time. I suppose it explains why the ship always enters the gate and is lowered in the exact same way every time….well that and it’s cheaper to reuse the shot but never mind about that!
The only thing about Blair Witch Project that scared me was how fast my motion sickness kicked in 30 minutes into the film and how long I suffered from it hours after it ended. I haven’t been that sick since the Tea Cup ride at Disney World!!
Now THAT IS horror in Real Life!!! Tes Cups!!! SCARY!!
Has a date been set for Robert C. Cooper’s guest blog?
Thanks for the pictures of David and Kavan. I’d love it if you could post a picture of Bob sometime too. I’m a big fan of Woolsey.
danielfanforever
Thanks for the great pics of David and Kavan.
Is there any reason why we got many Joe Flanigan pics last year and we’ve barely had some this year?
You said in the past that you asked the person before taking any photos and if he/she said no, you didn’t take the pic. So has JF said no? If he said no, it’d be nice to know, so we can stop bothering you with comments such as “could you post some JF pics, please”? 🙂
M said: “The decision made by you and your fellow producers to get rid of strong female regular and recurring characters like Elizabeth Weir and Kate Heightmeyer only made the male-female imbalance worse. It’s too bad you guys didn’t think of that downside to begin with. You could have saved yourselves, the cast, and the fans a great deal of trouble.”
Heightmeyer? She had a very small part as a recurring character in just 4 or 5 episodes. And I don’t see how her role as a psychiatrist could have been expanded or given more screen time (it’s not like you need one in that many episodes… It would’ve gotten old very quickly).
I can see your point about Weir, but I’m sure TPTB didn’t decide to reduce the character’s role because of her gender. If they felt the character didn’t work or they wanted to take her in another direction, why keep her? Just because she was a woman? Personally I found Weir’s story arc in s4 way cooler than having her as the base leader (and I used to say that I loved her as the commander and I wanted her back, but I realized in s4 that it was far better to have her as a wild card. At least IMHO).
I am a little miffed by the questions implying that the actors have bad attitudes. After attending the recent con in Vancouver, it seems the oppisite is true. Is the real problem getting the cast to stop clowning around and work? I know they are professionals and are hard worker but they seem like a family as well as friends.
I realize that Sheppard is her superior, but regardless of that, and what is in the script; who do you see winning a confrontation between Teldy and Sheppard, verbal or otherwise?
Hey Joe,
Was watching The Storm and The Eye with my boys the other night and something occurred to me at the end of The Eye. Once the shield generators had charged enough from the lightning strikes to raise the shield, then no more lightning would get through, and wouldn’t the shield soon drop again? Rodney said that they wouldn’t be able to store any power in the generators for any length of time, so would they be cycling through lightning strikes –> raise shield –> no more lightning –> shield drops –> lightning, etc. Guess they would have to count on the shield being up enough to protect the city from the worst of the storm. Did this occur to any of the writers at the time?
Also, a funny story. Today my husband was waiting to pick up our daughter and overheard one of the waiting moms chatting with a friend, relating how her daughter was visiting her sister’s family out in Vancouver, and she was having a blast. The friend asked this mom how long had her sister been out in Vancouver and she said a few years now, her husband got involved with a TV show called Stargate many years ago, then there was a spinoff called Atlantis which really took off… so my husband offered that his wife is a big fan … turns out this mom is Rob Cooper’s sister-in-law. Small world. 🙂
Jean
I have a feeling David and Kavan found all kind of dirt in all kinds of places for awhile after that day of shooting.
GREAT casting choices for the female characters. It’s going to create a nice dynamic. It’s just for the one episode right?
Have a good night
Penny
Hello and thank you for the beautiful pictures of the one and only Mr. Smith!
He is always smiling so much, that surely cannot be healthy! Thank you once more for making my Sunday perfect with them!
So any chance that we will see McKay’s sister in Season 5?
Daniela Said
Do you have a website? With pictures? To gauge your talent 😉
Ah, many, many thanks for the lovely pictures of Kavan! Yeah, yeah, David too, but, as someone called him, “The lovely Mr. Smith” is my reason for being here.
I’ve decided to keep positive thoughts that Lorne is going to have a real storyline this season, and NOT be killed off. I don’t think you could have a better XO for Sheppard than the loyal, smart, funny, wise-cracking Major Evan Lorne, and many many thanks to the wonderfully talented Kavan Smith for bringing him to life, no matter how limited the role (yes, that’s a not-so-subtle hint – More Lorne, please!). And thanks to the talented team who brought him aboard the show.
And on another note: das? Is that you? From the HH fandom? I’m known as fluteface there…
“Drop-dead gorgeous” DOES go well with pictures of Lorne and McKay for sure!
(I thought you meant them, anyways, before I read on)
cheers,
ringish
Lorne_ly Lady Said: And on another note: das? Is that you? From the HH fandom? I’m known as fluteface there…
FLUTIE!!!! Aye, ’tis me!!! *squish!* Straight from Hornblower & the Age of Sail, to Jack Sparrow, to Wolverine (not to be confuzzled with that Jackman fella), to…
green life-sucking bugmen with extra nostrils and no eyebrows.
I am SO moving UP in the world!!!
…or is it the other way round…? 😛
I’m on Gateworld, too…if you wanna drop me a PM, feel free – same username as always! I stopped in the chicken chat a few weeks back, but rarely visit the old sites. Still modding Marvel’s forum, and that’s about it. LOL…it’s been such a LONG time since those old HH days…damn good times they were.
GREAT to see an old friend! It took me a while to warm up to SGA, but finally, I’m here! WOOT!!
Now…they’ll probably cancel the bloody thing… 🙄
das
After meeting Jamie Bamber and Adam Baldwin this weekend I thought nothing could top that but coming home to new Kavan pictures has just made me even more excited! Thanks Joe 😀
I have been waiting to see how long it would be before
PC raised its ugly head in this series.
I see now it has……….First there was a pregnant
Teyla……..and now an all female team…….I guess having
a mixed team was not sufficient??
For starters, they cannot seem to find anyone suitable to be the director of Atlantis…….Weir and then Carter and now??
Second, they made the real mistake, IMO, of getting rid of Carson to replace him with Jewel who should have stayed with the mothership, Serenity……….
What next?? an affair between Teyla and Sheppard. Maybe
he could be her baby’s stepfather??? That way you could break up the team permanently.
If they keep changing horses in mid stream, I might
just find it necessary to tune out.
You don’t fix something that WAS not broken, yet they seem
to feel the need to do that.
Also, how about returning to some stories that don’t feature a lolli sucking colonel. I know it looks cute, but for who?