Allow me to start off by thanking author Jennifer Pelland for dropping by and offering some insight into her writing process and her delightfully wicked works. As an example, I offer this little gem from yesterday’s Q&A: “Sometimes a pair of words come together in my head and a story follows (”Clone Barbecue” – my story about a rich guy who clones himself so he can see what he tastes like).” Love it! I asked Jennifer where I could read the aforementioned short and she kindly directed me over to: http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2006/04/short-fiction-clone-barbecue/
To those of you missed out on Unwelcome Bodies, why not head on over and check out Jennifer’s work. And, if you like what you read, think about picking up Jennifer’s book.
Well, it’s nice to see many of you enjoyed our second episode, The Seed. What I found particularly pleasing was the number of people who went in expecting to hate the Woolsey character only to be genuinely surprised by how much they liked him in this episode. Well, hopefully you’ll like him even more after next week’s episode, Broken Ties, in which we get a glimpse of his more human side. And to those of you asking about the baby, Kanaan, and whether or not Teyla will face a crisis of conscience once she is confronted with the prospect of returning to active off-world duty – tune in next week for an episode that’ll focus on issues of personal conflict, belonging, self-sacrifice and friendship.
Funny little story about yesterday’s episode. Back in November of last year, before The Seed was given it’s proper title, I wrote the following in a blog entry: “Well, we actuaally started spinning today. Yep, Monkey in the Control Room is coming along nicely. […]. Next week, we start breaking what we know will be the first three episodes of Atlantis’s fifth season: S&R, B&B, and KGS BGT BSK KSB.” The latter was shorthand for The Seed’s working title at the time: “Keller Gets Sick. Becket Gets Thawed. Becket Saves Keller. Keller Saves Beckett.” (which, structurally, was the way the story was going to go at the time). Anyway, I posted the entry figuring no one would be able to figure it out in a million years. Did I say a million years? I meant three hours. Among the fan comments that followed the entry was the following from Michelle who guessed: “S&R – Search & Rescue (too obvious, I know). B&B – Baby & Bathrooms (finally!) KGS BGT BSK KSB –
Keller gets sick.
Beckett gates through.
Beckett saves Keller.
Keller supports Beckett (‘s return)” Holy crap! I felt like the DJ’s on that episode of WKRP in Cincinnati in which they create a seemingly impossible to identify medley in a bid to keep anyone from winning a contest – only to have the second caller through guess it. Well done, Michelle.
Mailbag –
Arctic Goddess writes: “Joe, are you planning on incorporating any classic Scifi books into your book of the month club? I’m thinking, of course of work such as The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury or Arthur C. Clarkes Trilogy of 2001, 2010, etc.”
Answer: Possibly.
Freidag writes: “After reading the spoilers for Brainstorm I find myself wondering why there is a such a concentrated emphasis on McKay episodes this season. Can you explain the thought behind this Joe? The Shrine, Tracker, and now Brainstorm.”
Answer: Tracker is as much a Ronon or Keller story as it is a McKay story. Yes, other two are McKay-centered, but I hardly think two episodes qualify a “concentrated emphasis on McKay episodes this season”.
Otoole writes: “I would ask that even if she isn’t available that there would be some way to fix the wrongs done to Carter? Let her fans know how this did/didn’t affect her career.”
Answer: Many fans are interpreting the I.O.A.’s decision to replace Carter as coming about because of a failure on her part but just the opposite is true as evidenced by the team’s conversation at the beginning on The Seed. Under Carter’s command, the human form replicators were destroyed and the wraith severely weakened. At the beginning of season four, she was brought in because the military felt that the dangers the Atlantis expedition faced were too great to allow the city to be run by civilian hands. One year later, she had dealt with those threats, making the Pegasus Galaxy a much safer place, indirectly setting up an opportunity for the I.O.A. to re-assume control of the expedition. In any case, you’ll get to find out all about Carter’s new command position in episode 20.
Lostinspace writes: “I’m curious, what about fellow script writers? Who’s encouraged or inspired you in your work? Which current shows in the scifi/fantasy/horror genre do you find particularly well written?”
Answer: Tough to say. I enjoyed the old Twilight Zone series as well as various 60’s sitcoms. As for current shows in the scifi/fantasy/horror genre that I watch – I don’t watch much outside of Dr. Who.
DasNdanger writes: “Though I might be in the minority, I prefer the Wraith more insect/animal-like than human, and this just adds to that image. But it also raises a lot of questions…”
Answer: None of which I can answer at the moment. Stay tuned.
Aeon writes: “Watched the Seed and wondered does Keller have the ATA gene?”
Answer: Nope.
Trish writes: “Also, since Will Waring was involved in this epi, where was the pineapple?”
Answer: If you look closely, it’s among the tendrils in the scene where Sheppard delivers the cure.
Kelly writes: “Why do the ptb delilberately mess with shipper groups. You throw hints one moment between Sheppard and Teyla, admitting that Teyla has a crush on Sheppard and in the next breath you have Teyla fall for some guy we have never heard of. Granted Kanaan was brought in to explain Rachel’s real life pregnancy but why drag it out. And if you intend dragging it out why keep giving hints between Sheppard and Teyla. Why have Sheppard have a romantic dream about Teyla if you planned to explore Teyla/Kanaan.”
Answer: In real life, Kelly, love aint so easy. There are times when two people may share a mutual attraction but be unable to get together due to circumstances.
Inpa writes: “Carson, well I guess it’s answered what they’ll be doing with him this season then, bringing him back from Earth every time…”
Answer: You guess wrong.
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