One of the nice things about going away for a while is coming back to find stuff done for you. Things like laundry, guest Q&A’s, and script outlines. Well, guest Q&A’s anyway. And so, today, I turn this blog over to the lovely and talented Martin Gero who has kindly taken the time to answer your questions about last week’s episode, Brain Storm, which he wrote, directed, and produced. Now, if he only did laundry…
Hey everyone! As always, thank you for your kind comments, questions and occasional condemnation. I relish the chance to answer a few questions on this, the most popular Sci-Fi/Food blog on the internet. Let’s begin:
Bailey writes: “I wanted to ask Martin Gero what possessed him to write an episode of Stargate Atlantis that had nothing to do with a Stargate or Atlantis? With so few eps left, why???? And what were you all thinking in making the McKay and Keller relationship so blatant and in our faces?”
Pilota writes: “First off – I really liked Brainstorm alot. It was geeky good fun. I’m not one to pick apart episodes so my question is of the “not so deep” variety….
Dyginc writes: “Welcome Back! I tried to make an reservation at Fuel today for me and my sister’s trip in February (13th-16th) for my birthday but online it said that I was to early to do so?! My questions for you is if I do end up getting one…
1) should I get a table or sit at the bar?
2) what would your recommend for someone who HATES cheese since I can’t see a menu and I really would like to try something to increase my pallet
3) would you recommend a good time slot?”
Answers: 1) It really depends on you. When I’m with Fondy, we get a table as it’s a little more intimate. When I’m with Martin, we usually like to sit at the bar so that we can watch and chat with (aka harass) the kitchen staff. 2) Tell them beforehand if there is anything you can’t eat and they’ll make sure to avoid said ingredients in your multi-course menu. They’re more than happy to accommodate. 3) Again, it depends on you. I’m an early eater so anytime before 8:00 p.m. is my preference.
Wraithfodder: Did you see any Godzillas?
Answer: Alas, no Godzilla. The NHK Studios did promise a photo op with either of their mascots, Spoo or WanWan but, unfortunately, neither was present on the day I visited.
Wonderingbrit writes: “Regarding season two of ‘Weird Food Purchase of the Day’ (wfpd), are we likely to see more of these most excellent videos over the next few days? Or might you be doing something special in the way for interest christmas foods from around the world?”
Answer: You never know what this blog has in store. And neither do I.
Megan writes: “Quick question for you concerning SGA: According to MGM, the decision to cancel the series was not in their hands; they would have approved a sixth season. SciFi wanted a sixth season as well. You’ve stated you wanted to continue with Atlantis as did the actors. So, who made the final call to cancel SGA when all parties wanted to go on?”
Answer: Great, great question.
Terry writes: “ What did you think of the Vernor Vinge book? Had you read “A Fire Upon the Deep?””
Answer: I enjoyed Rainbows End, but A Fire Upon the Deep is still my favorite Vernor Vinge book.
Arctic Goddess writes: “1) Is it possible to not have to learn some Japanese to visit the country? I suppose it would mean just doing the touristy thing?
2) You snapped a picture of a line of middle aged people. Some of them were wearing face masks. Can you explain what that was all about?
3) Is Stargate or Atlantis seen in Japan?
4) Have you noticed any major changes in Japan since you were last there?”
Answers: 1) Sure. Many Japanese speak some English. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a few words and phrases before you go – especially if you think you may need to locate a public toilet at any time over the course of your stay. 2) Yes. I noticed this the last time I visited Ginza – huge line-ups of middle-aged to elderly people waiting for…something? I finally asked one of the guards overseeing the crowd about it. Apparently, they were all lining up for lottery tickets! 3) Yep. On AXN. 4) Actually, I noticed a lot of things that hadn’t changed. There was a tiny shop on a Ginza side street that used to sell funny pug calendars. Fondy and I visited the last two times we went to Tokyo. On this last trip, I didn’t see it and assumed it was no longer there – only to come across it on my second to last day in town.
ElisaD writes: “How is the script going for the SGA movie?”
Answer: We’re still at the outline stage. I did my pass and I’m waiting for Paul to do his.
Annie from Freemantle writes: “I can’t click on the pics to enlarge.. is it just me?”
Answer: Hmmm. It’s not just you. WordPress went through another upgrade and…changed certain things. The pic commands for one. I’ll look into it.
Special writes: “Any chance that some female writers or writers of color will be joining the SGU team?”
Answer: Every season, the show always makes a point of auditioning new talent and I don’t see SGU being any different.
Susan the Tartan Turtle writes: “Did you film a video of the bath and all its buttons?”
Answer: The bathtub console was far less interesting than the toilet command. Rather than control things like water color or tub texture, those buttons merely operated the t.v. and telephone features. Lame!
Ponytail writes: “1) In all your pictures, EVERYONE looked very slim (even the dogs). Are there any overweight people in Tokyo? What would you attribute this to: diet, exercise (lots of walking), or genetics?
2) How did you and Fondy communicate? Phone calls, texting, or did you just say, “Honey, just read my blog”?
3) Do the police wear guns and is there very much crime in Tokyo?
4) What does $1.00 American dollar equal in Japanese money?”
Answers: 1) The majority of the Japanese people I saw were of slender build. I’d attribute it to equal parts diet, genetics, and stress. 2) I phoned Fondy every morning (which was late afternoon her name) and we also exchanged the occasional email. Also, in the event she expressed a desire for details on my trip, I directed her to my blog. 3) There isn’t that much crime in Tokyo and the only policeman I ever saw wearing a gun was the one stationed across the street from a sushi restaurant I was about to head into. I did find it passing strange until, seconds later, a former Prime Minister came up the stairs, headed into a waiting car, and motored off. 4) According to xe.com, a US dollar is presently worth 92.8350 Japanese yen.
Montrealer writes: “My question for your Nippon gourmet excursion. Did you have any meal item that really surprise you in a good way? Any thoughts on the current political mess in Ottawa?”
Answers: 1) Many of the meals I enjoyed offered plenty of great surprises, from Ukai-Tei’s creamy chestnut soup to the fun okinomiyaki place Jessica treated me to. 2) I generally avoid politically commentary however, with regard to the recent goings on in Ottawa let me just say that, given the individual party leaders involved, I’m not at all surprised.
Jinx writes: “Did you ever manage the Absolut Ice Bar? Or will I just need to travel to Tokyo myself?”
Answer: Sadly, never made it.
Shirt ‘n Tie writes: “Tell us more about Chef Belcham’s new restaurant..I assume it is in Vancouver?”
Answer: I’ll have a full review with pics in tomorrow’s entry.
Karen writes: “Am I seeing things or was it snowing on your blog or does my laptop have a virus?”
Answer: I believe it’s a feature of the background theme I’ve selected. Seasonal, no?
Sparrow-hawk writes: “1. How did the GPS Navigator work in Tokyo? Was it worth the time and trouble you took to download the maps?
2. How did you find your dining companions?
3. Did you ever get the the “Parasitological Museum”?”
Answers: 1) Not too good. The model I purchased, Garmin, doesn’t offer maps of Tokyo – despite the fact that they have offices in the city (?). I mainly used it to upload my own maps but that proved less than helpful as Google Maps, I discovered, is often not all that accurate. I generally relied on the map the hotel provided me with. 2) I went online to a bunch of travel sites and expressed my interest in meeting up with some travel companions, preferably those interested in dining out. I supplied a link to this blog so that people could find out a bit about me. Despite this, I was contacted by some individuals willing to meet up. Go figure. 3) Alas, I did not. I plan to hit it on my return visit.
Trevor writes: “Does this mean like SG-1 only two movies or are they really going to make more movies on both SG-1 and SGA ?”
Answer: At present, we are scheduled to produce two movies next year, one of each.
Dear Joe,
Welcome back to Canada. I was wondering if you can give me some advice on what restaurants to try while i’m in Vegas. So far this is what is on our itenary of restaurants: Sensi@Bellagio, L’atelier de Joel Robuchon @ MGM, and Mix@Mandalay Bay.
My girlfriend and I will be there for a week so I really need some professional gourmet advice. Thanks buddy.
Concerning Atlantis, Joe will project twilight come out this summer or in fall 09?
Did you have any encounters with non-westerner public toilets??
And what are the chances of getting an SGA theatrical release??? puuuuleaze!!!
What price range does a Fuel dinner run you? I would assume your bill is double that of a regular person!! It sounds like a really nice place but I don’t like spending $100/plate
I believe it’s a feature of the background theme I’ve selected. Seasonal, no?
Indeed. I like the snow =)
Thanks to Marty G for the HILARIOUS answers.
I can’t help but wonder why y’all are still writing sci-fi… you have me laughing uncontrollably!!! Even when you’re not trying to be funny, I can’t help but smile reading some of the Guest Blog responses 🙂 So thanks again for all the awesomeness!!!!
In other news, I need to expand my vocabulary of positive adjectives. Awesome, amazing, and über-something-or-other seem to be all I can come up with these days!
I just wanted to say thanks to Martin Gero for his Q&A. Of course, I forgot to submit a question so I hope he reads this.
Martin, you write some of the best episodes (of course McKay is my favorite character). I am also so thrilled that Rodney ended up with someone who loves him for who he is. Great job on Brainstorm.
martin’s a good sport. there’s nothing like ‘shipping’ that gets the fires blazing. 😛
“DemonHunter writes: “If Atlantis went on to season 6 would McKay have been a daddy next year???”
Yes…and Sheppard would have been the mommy. It would have been an awesome arch.”
There’s still the movies! Haha. I could actually see a short film just about the two of them in a daddy day care situation together. Seriously, it would be hilarious! Too bad it can’t be added as a bonus or easter egg to the movie DVD when it is released.
Glad you had a great time in Japan, Joe. I’m also relieved that the snow falling is not something gone horribly wrong with my eyes. 😉
Wow, thanks for answering the questions, Martain… NOT!
It’s lovely that you (ALL OF YOU) seem to not understand why we’re frustrated with the show and what’s happened with Rodney.
After reading Martin’s interview with Gateworld I’m no longer willing to cut him or anyone else any slack. He’s belittling our frustrations with Keller by saying that we’re only hating her because of Becket – way to totally not get where your fans are coming from. We’re upset because Keller has become the focus of the show along with Rodney. It’s all about them while the other characters get shoved to the side.
Just because they’re your favorites does NOT mean you can only write for them.
Sorry Joe but I’m done looking for the positives and attempting to rationalize what the writers are doing. It no longer makes any sense.
Ok so its either snowing or your blog has terminal dandruff.
So its normal service resumed I take it?
Erm..are you sure it was Martin G fielding the Q&A? he sounds just like you!
I’m off to bed now since its already tomorrow by 20 minutes and straddling two timelines is somewhat exhausting. Besides I’ve got a cinema trip with the family tomorrow, we’re going to see Madagascar 2. Now I REALLY have to go.
g’night
I meant later not tomorrow since I’m already there
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
To Martin Gero: please, never, ever change. That was some of the most hilarious, snarkiest answers (which is a good thing in my books) I’ve ever read! Awesome.
Anyways, I’ve been really really busy with studying the last few days, so I didn’t have time to comment; heck, I was too busy to even read some of the Tokyo entries, which I will make sure to do so when this is over. Still, it looks like you had fun, Joe, so that’s great! I can’t wait to read all about it.
Oh hey, I have a Garmin GPS too! It’s worked pretty well for us. But then, we never leave North America so, yeah.
Okay, good, other people saw the snow and thought their eyes were screwy as well. I feel a little less like a hypochondriac. 🙂
Martin Gero…thank YOU for the Q&A. I had fun watching Brainstorm; like I think I’ve said here before, one of the really great aspects of Atlantis is the variety and range in storytelling and subjects. Every episode was something different this season, and it’s been a good time.
Gotta love a show that can bring in Dave Foley, Bill Nye, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, too. That was a riot.
Ah…sure it does. It’s their show. They can do whatever the hell they think is right with it. If you don’t like what “it’s turning into”, then don’t watch it. I thought MG spelled it out pretty well in that spectacular interview.
Hey Joe
Will we ever witness the spectacle of all 3 ships (Apollo, Daedalus and Odyssey) fighting side by side?
It’s one of the few things I want to see in Stargate before Universe, because I know there won’t be a chance for it in that show.
Megan writes: “Quick question for you concerning SGA: According to MGM, the decision to cancel the series was not in their hands; they would have approved a sixth season. SciFi wanted a sixth season as well. You’ve stated you wanted to continue with Atlantis as did the actors. So, who made the final call to cancel SGA when all parties wanted to go on?”
Answer: Great, great question.
so it was brad wright.
My wish is for success for SGU.
A perfect world would be success for SGU and a return for two seasons for SGA.
Joe – I just want to clarify a few things on my side.
I actually did like Keller all during season four and I thought she made a good friend for Rodney in Trio. The problem started with this season when she became more and more involved in the episodes and the episodes seemed to focus more on Rodney. I actually don’t have a problem with the idea of Rodney and Keller getting together. What I have a problem with is that it seems like Rodney and Keller getting together is all that matters at this point.
The show is supposed to be about the team – whatever team that is. Not JUST the Rodney and Keller epic romance show – which is what it has become this season.
My frustration about what Martin has said in interviews that have appeared on the net over the last few days stem from the fact that he seems to be obsessed with the idea of writing for Rodney and having Rodney get the girl – because all he want’s is to be loved. He also seems to think that romantic love is the only thing that matters and friendship and family mean nothing.
That and the fact that he’s got it in his head that the only reason we could possibly not like Keller is because of Beckett. He doesn’t seem willing to even consider that maybe, just maybe, you all took the hole romance thing a little too far.
Let me also mention that we’ve only gotten two years with Keller. That’s no where near enough time for us to get used to her, for us to really know her. Of course people are going to get annoyed that she’s being paired with Rodney – we’ve known and loved the other characters much longer than her – how do we know anything about her? We’re being TOLD that she’s the perfect fit for Rodney but not shown it. Showing is better than telling when it come to writing.
If this all had happened a few more seasons down the road after we’d seen more from Keller and learned more about her and maybe gotten used to the idea, I doubt I’d have been this frustrated because it would have made more sense. As it is, it just seems forced.
Really this isn’t just about Brainstorm and how I feel about that episode – it’s about the whole last season and also feelings that I’ve had over the course of the entire show – problems that I knew existed but I ignored them because I thought there were plenty of positive things to enjoy. Now I’m not so sure it was worth trying to find the positives.
@PG15 – which would be exactly why I’m not planning on watching Stargate: Universe – at all. I’m done.
Karen writes: “Am I seeing things or was it snowing on your blog or does my laptop have a virus?”
Answer: I believe it’s a feature of the background theme I’ve selected. Seasonal, no?
Yeah, I just noticed that right before I read this. Good to know I’m not just going crazy.
JM YOUR BACK!
Thanks heaps for sending my questions to Stargate Atlantis: Constume Designer Val Halverson.
Really appreciate it!!
Give her my thanks too!
A few quick question… sorry if this annoys u..
1) With your trip to Japan, how would you rate it overall?
2) I know my family is thinking about going over there for a holiday. But is there any place you would recommend if my family goes there?
Now for some SGA questions
3) Concerning the last SGA episode “Enemy at the Gate”, will the fans get to see (for the last time) a full credit rollout?
4) In the episode that has recently aired “Infection”, does Telya have the ATA gene? If so, since when? Or did Sheppard activate the Life Sign Detector before it was seen?
thanks again!
Hey Joe!
Can you tell us about which actor/actress that TPTB are interested? Just one!
Question…
I thought only the people with the ATA gene could use the handheld people detectors (that would be the technical term). In the very good episode just aired Teyla seemed to have no difficulty using one. What did I miss?
Dang…I missed the mailbag…and I had questions. Maybe, if you feel so inclined, you can squeeze it into your next mailbag…pretty please? *makes puppy eyes*
A. I asked this one a while ago, just before your trip, and I don’t think you answered it, so I will try again. It’s in regards to writing for SGU before the cast is chosen:
When dealing with an ongoing series – one that may last years – how hard is it to write characters, or even develop plots, when you’re not sure who’s portraying those characters? Is it easier to write after you have the full cast set, and have seen and heard them in action – knowing best how to use their strengths, and avoid their weaknesses – or do you just write, and assume the actor can handle whatever is given him or her?
B. In regards to information revealed in Infection, since Wraith ‘exchange fluids’ with their ship during hibernation, can we safely assume they have a symbiotic relationship with their ship? If so, will more be revealed about this, perhaps in the movie?
C. Todd seemed to link telepathically with his ship in those final moments of descent…is this a correct assumption?
D. Back after The Seed aired, I asked the following:
…1. Do Wraith need a human or Wraith host to grow a hive ship?
…2. If so, does this individual then become the ‘brain’, or main computer, of the ship?
…3. If not, is this tech – assuming it’s an extension of Wraith biology – controlled by Wraith telepathy, or something else? (This corresponds to #C above.)
…4. What was meant when Keller said she did not have a designation yet? As a ship or piece of technology, or as something else?
To those 4 above, you replied: “None of which I can answer at the moment. Stay tuned.
Well, I have patiently stay tuned 😉 …and I’m wondering if any of the above can be answered now.
Thankies in advance!
das
Belated thanks for the highly entertaining travel tales, especially the return of the weird food purchase of the day. Although you can actually get Pokari Sweat at a Japanese supermarket near my neighborhood in L.A. A friend of mine with more adventurous tastes introduced me to it — Eek. I suppose it’s an acquired taste.
Glad to hear that the “snowing” blog is just your new background. I was concerned I was having a stroke.
– KB
Marty G, thanks for answering one of my questions. But you avoided my second question. Chicken! Anyway, your Q&A was very intertaining. Thanks for taking the time.
And when Marty talks about how he prefers McKay, now I understand why Atlantis has no female writers. Just think what a female writer could do for Sheppard and Ronon. It would be ALL Shep and Ronon, ALL the time. Now that would be a great show!
And Joe, thanks also for anwering my Tokyo questions. Very interesting trip and your an interesting guy. Or should I say, How are you so awesome?!!
Shiningwit: I think it really was Gero. While he and Mr. M. certainly have a similiar sense of humor, Mr. G. seems to sustain a sarcastic streak more consistantly than our host. Not that that’s a bad thing… the guest appearance provided me some much needed laughter. Though if ever I end up anywhere Mr. G. I will make sure to sharpen my own feeble wits and thicken my skin by about 2 inches.
As far as the McKeller in Brain Storm. Heck, give Rodney a break. He finally gets a girl, and to enjoy some happiness. To those who don’t approve, just remember Rodney’s usual luck. Keller’s life expectancy would have dropped by 40 years for becoming involved with him, if only the series could have played out a bit more.
Oh Martin! You know there is a movie feel free to MPreg that up with McShep, I would watch in a heart beat! Although everyone know McKay has them child bearing hips not John… 😛
Joe! Welcome home.
Ah, I see you are still not answering my questions? Look how easily Martin managed to answer my questions.
*look*
Oh well… back to the fanfic and lots of hugs (and other things) between John and Rodney 😛 I don’t need you!
*storms off in a huff*
Hi Joe,
Thank you for that little reasurrance about the SGA movie! I really needed that!
Please give my thanks to Martin Gero for coming on your blog to answer some question, although, after reading a few of them, he may not have felt that coming here was such a good idea.
And speaking of Brad Wright, does he still plan on coming here to answer those questions? It’s been a long time since he was given those questions.
PG15 wrote: ” Ah…sure it does. It’s their show. They can do whatever the hell they think is right with it. If you don’t like what “it’s turning into”, then don’t watch it. I thought MG spelled it out pretty well in that spectacular interview.”
I agree with you.
And Joe, what is with the white things floating across the screen Is is just me or what? Am I having a stroke!? Did I miss you mentioning them earlier? Help!
Just like someone else on here, I’m glad they saw the snow too. I would have been veeery irritated if my computer had a virus. Not what I need right now.
Anyway, thanks for the Q&A! Didn’t get a chance to watch last night’s episode, so I’ll watch it next week.
@Arctic Goddess:
2) You snapped a picture of a line of middle aged people. Some of them were wearing face masks. Can you explain what that was all about?
Assuming my experience in Korea can translate over to Japan, people often wear face masks when they’re sick to avoid spreading it around. They even have nice cloth ones with pictures and designs that people buy to wear.
I don’t think it’s the right time of year for this next reason, but people also wear the face masks during yellow sand storms. At some point in the year (Spring, I think), sands from the Gobi Desert blow over into Korea and Japan. It can get really bad, so people will wear masks to avoid breathing in the sand. Here’s a link to an aerial photo of the sandstorm over Korea:
Yellow Sandstorm
-Emily
Wow. And I thought Paul M. was grumpy. Martin G. seems far more…er…not grumpy. Moodier? Scarier? Yeah, that’s it. Small children and entire villages must run away in fear of his sharp tongue. I know I would.
Still, thank you to MG for giving the Q&A a go. I think.
Joe, how many books did you read while on your vacation? It seems you’re able to read while on a plane. I envy that. My brain becomes jello while I’m flying so I can barely even tie my sneakers let alone read.
Okay – that was weird…
I clicked on Marty’s pic (just to get a better look at that should-be Wraith behind him), and…well…it kinda took me to a different page, with a smaller BS audience pic under it…and a Sept. entry pic under that. Are you playing with the WP features again, Joe??
And will we ever get the post/comment numbers back? It makes it so much easier to remember the last post read…I, and my faulty memory, miss them.
das
Thornyrose said …
See, now I don’t get that logic. Rodney had Katie Brown for like a year, so it’s not like he never had a GF on the show, and who knows if he had anyone before Atlantis. Ronon, on the other hand, has only had Melena in flashbacks, and John’s had mentions of Nancy, a mindmeld with Chaya, and a fling with that chick that ascended. So on-screen. Rodney’s now in his second long-term relationship when we haven’t even had *one* onscreen for Ronon or Shepard. By that “let Rodney be happy” logic, don’t you love Ronon and John? Don’t you want them to be happy too? Why is it some sort of vindication to have Rodney succeed in that department *over* them?
I hadn’t intended to even say anything here now, but that “be happy the geek gets the girl” notion, which I have seen other places too, just really sticks in my craw. I’m not going to be happy the geek gets the girl if I think the girl isn’t good for him. (And sure, maybe Rodney’s not good for her, either, but I don’t really care about what is or isn’t good for her. ;))
Especially with a woman who talks to him like he’s a five-year-old when he expresses, to me, legitimate dismay over his work being stolen; who convinces him to sign a document without reading it (only an idiot does that, and it proved to be a bad decision); and who tells him not to waste his life doing something that would save BILLIONS just because she doesn’t want to die thinking he’ll “waste his life” for *her* sake. Who apprarently lacks confidence in his abilities. Oh, and who seems to prefer him when he has a parasyte in his head and is only half-there, not wanting to take the bad with the good. XD
Besides, why must one be seeing someone to be happy? Tesla died a bachelor — he was married to his work. I can easily see Rodney as a “married to his work” sort of guy.
I do want Rodney to be happy, it’s just if he’s got to be in a relationship to be so, I’d rather watch him be happy with a girl who doesn’t constantly, from my perspective, belittle him. Someone who wouldn’t think it’s okay for the guy who nearly killed them all to still take the credit for Rodney’s work. Someone who doesn’t think he should shush when he’s trying to warn everyone that their lives are in danger. Someone who will, at least when they’re alone, let him vent. Someone who will, when he’s being picked on by others, stand up for him, even if it won’t do any good — it’s the thought that counts. (I have more, but then I’d just be rewiting my whole column here. XD)
And, storytelling-wise, someone who doesn’t hand Rodney morality instead of letting him find it himself. He was far more appealing when the lighbulb of realisation went on in his eyes and he made the effort on his own, than when he’s ducking his head in shame in response to Keller and telling her she’s right (especially when she’s not).
Really, I didn’t see anything wrong with his behavior in “Brain Storm”, felt he was in the right and didn’t think he’d done anything that called for being reprimanded. He was right about Tunney’s motives regarding the plane, and he was right about not needing any help to solve the problem. He could have done it without Tunney, it seemed, but Tunney couldn’t have done it without him. I didn’t see many points where, to me, he wasn’t justified in his thinking, nor many points where I felt Keller *was*.
So yeah, still hate McKeller. XD And am brokenhearted that I’m not sure I can’t find it in me to like the end of SGA as much as I would like, after having become so emotionally invested/working so hard to tell others how wonderful it was/rallying to save it — I would rather stay brokenhearted that it’s *ending*, not be relieved. I have never had such a deep, visceral, intense hatred of a story arc in a series that I otherwise adore before. I mean, I pretty much hated Star Wars 2 & 3, but I was able to just say “ugh” and move on, forget about it — it had just left me disappointed is all. It didn’t leave me feeling sick and depressed and … betrayed’s not the right word, but it’s the best description of how I’m feeling. Yeah, I know, that’s my problem, and I’m happy for the rest of you who are enjoying it. Doesn’t mean I can’t still be sad for me. :/ And, like I said before, burnt out on fandom ….
Drink water. Got it ^^
P.S Loved the interview made laugh so much. Don’t worry if ppl get mad they can all dish it out but apparently cant take it. SGA writers rock! ^^
Thanks for putting on the Q&A’s with Martin- Halarious.
I was reading your blog and was wondering if my eyes were in need of glasses or if I had a Virus on my computer, I’m so happy to hear that everyone else see’s those white spots too. Did you add snow to your page?
I love Stargate <3
Thanks for the Great Blog, very entertaining
So…my husband – sweetheart that he is – brought me roses tonight. So, I put them here on my desk amid all my toys, and snapped a pic…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/dasNdanger/toys1.jpg
Ya know – I really think I need to grow up. 😳 I may also need to get some serious help for my obsession with men wielding sharp, pointy weapons. 😛
Not sure if you can make it out in that blurry pic, but I have a little octopus netsuke in the bowl…I love him to pieces. Out of all my toys, he’s my favorite. 🙂
das
Hi, Joe.
Thank you for your mailbag answers, and please thank Martin Gero for his contribution.
What a shame it is that some fans can behave as adults, and take advantage of Martin Gero asking rude questions, and questions pushing their own personal agendas.
Sigh.
Oh, hey, it’s snowing!
Or my computer screen has developed dandruff.
Uhm that should read can’t behave as adults. Sorry.
The snow was a bit of a pleasant shock when I got on but I like it. At first I thought I got up too fast then sat back down and was seeing stars but then I realized that it was on your page. I realized that I haven’t been on your blog for a few days and I’m glad to hear that you made it back to Vancouver safely.
My current inner debate is whether or not to go on this guided tour of part of Canada for my birthday that involves a train or if I should go to Hawai’i. I keep leaning toward Canada only because I’ve only been to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls and I really want to see Vancouver and Calgary and I’ve never been on a train except for the one at Disneyland. The only problem is that I can’t go ON my birthday because it’s at the end of February and at least the train trip I wouldn’t be able to go until April at the earliest. Any suggestions to possibly help ease my debate?
I thought of you and your pugs today. We had our Christmas parade today in Bishop and this group of people got all their pugs together, dressed them up and entered them in the parade and they had this sign that said “Merry Pugmas”. I’m going to put the pictures on my blog tonight before bed. They were so cute. They kept going toward the crowd hoping to be pet and I would have gladly scratched them behind the ears but I was too busy taking pictures and their owners kept them going so that they wouldn’t hold up the parade.
Excellent Q&A with Martin. Thanks so much to him. Now my ribs hurt from laughing. If I cracked one, I’m sending him the bill.
And I echo the relief of everyone else that your blog is filled with snow. I thought I needed new contacts.
I agree with dasNdanger – can we please get the post numbers back? Those of us born in the early sixties (and earlier) need all the help we can get!
Martin – wow, such snark. Very refreshing.
However, one hopes you don’t use that snarkiness on a day-to-day basis or your life, while interesting, will be short. 🙂
Thornyrose. I think I worked it out now ;P Mr M wants to Martin G when he grows up bwahahahaha.
*coughs* Sorry bout that needed some light relief after putting in a full nights sleep, waking up, checking to see if my lad is back from work and finding the car NOT THERE three hours after he was supposed to be home kinda threw me straight from normal to nuclear panic. Luckily he’s ok, just hit a patch of ice and slid into about 8 inches of mud which wouldn’t let him go. Also luckily when I rang him he’d gotten hold of my eldest son who lives miles away and he and his fiancee didn’t hesitate, got in their car and were with him when I spoke to him, cheers Pid & Katie. Oh and cheers to the very nice (*if slightly insane) Landrover driver who came to the rescue as he was on his way to a very early game of golf. Also thanks to the Maserati driver who made Pids day just by driving past in his Maserati, I guess he’s going to be drooling for the rest of the day now.
I think I need a second cup of coffee.
“Sparrow-hawk writes:
2. How did you find your dining companions?
2) I went online to a bunch of travel sites and expressed my interest in meeting up with some travel companions, preferably those interested in dining out. I supplied a link to this blog so that people could find out a bit about me. Despite this, I was contacted by some individuals willing to meet up. Go figure.”
Ah so thats how you did it! I had asked the same question too. Definately trying that on my next vacation!
Glad to know you had fun and you made it back.
And Martin did a great job guest blogging. Thanks again!
Coucou Joseph! sa va.?
Moi oui je mrofite de ma derniére journée de week end =)!!
Yééé!! Vive martin! Je l’adore!^^. Sympas d’avoir répondu à ces questions.
Je ne sais pas comment vous faites pour partir en voyage sans votre femme. Moi si je passe de bon moment a l’autre bout du monde je voudrais les partagés avec mon cheri!
Questions:
1) Savez vous auprés de quel organisme on pourrait obtenir une subvention pour notre convention de stargate?
2) A quand votre prochain voyage?
3) Maintenant allons nous en savoir plus dans les jours à venir sur SGU?
Voila!! Merci! Gros bisou
Hmmm…the long awaited Martin Gero Q & A. A bit underwhelming I think. I’m sure he was aiming for humour but sometimes he just came off as a jerk. Just calling it as I see it. In a way I’m glad he ignored my questions.
Thanks for the photo with Alan in the background.
Cheers, Chev
Ooh just enlarged that photo and it’s Ivon in the background too. Nice! Just need Joe and Kavan and we’ll have hit the jackpot.
Cheers, Chev
Video of Rob, Tom and Tim building (literally) Campagnolo restaurant:
http://scoutmagazine.ca/2008/11/19/first-look-at-campagnolo/
If you’re interested that is 🙂
I watched “Infection” and don’t know what to think about it. On a hand, I loved the team, Lorne, the bits about wraith and their hives, the lot of excellent funny lines, the story twists, the creepy crazy warriors, and last but not least, Todd, of course. I love him even more than before, if that was possible. I’m growing really fond of Keller too, and I was impressed, in a good way, that Teyla seemed to prefer peace than genocide. After her behaviour in “The Queen”, I didn’t expect that, and I was pleasantly surprised. Woolsey was understandably wary, but still open to discussion; as for Ronon, he was his usual barbarian self but I never expected much from him anyway.
But on the other hand, the dislike I was slowly growing for Sheppard for some time has now turned into full hatred. Fearing the hive was going to attack them was only natural, as well as not being too keen on helping the wraith. Abandoning the ship after discovering the malfunctions and the dangerous maskless and brainless warriors was very understandable, even considering it would abandon Todd and the other wraith to a certain death. But Sheppard crossed a line when he woke up Todd just to help control the ship, with no intention of ever healing him or his crew. Ordering in cold blood the murder not only of the warriors, but also all the faced wraith in the ship was unacceptable as well. Yes, Todd basically sent the Daedalus crew to their death. So what? As if Sheppard wouldn’t have done the exact same thing if the situation had been reversed! And not only to save his entire species but only Atlantis or even one single member of his team. Sheppard would have been well inspired to remember that instead of unifying the wraith against Atlantis, like he could have (after all, he knew its new location), Todd was willing instead to sacrifice his whole way of life to take the treatment. Yes, Sheppard unconditionally owed him an attempt to save him and his crew.
The ending was sickening. Has the sickness brainwashed Todd or what? How can he consider he owes Sheppard anything after what had just happened? Granted, Todd doesn’t know half of it, but still! Is respecting level zero of honour (i.e. merely keeping one’s word) enough for a human to earn consideration, no matter the amount of nastiness and hypocrisy you showed just hours before? While a wraith has to sacrifice his ship, his people, his very self, and save a bunch of guys who have just sentenced him to death, before earning any amount of respect? I’m sick of seeing the bad guys go away unpunished and even praised in SGA, and no, I’m not talking about Todd.
On a completely different topic, I saw you went to a Ladurée during your trip. You have good taste, but it’s not very Japanese, is it? 😉 I love their food but I’m especially fond of their violet oolong tea. It’s so fragrant you can reuse the same leaves several times, but it’s not sickly either. If you enjoy tea as much as solid food, you should try it!
Hi!
Thanks for the informative and hilarious Q&A! And the photo … I soooo want that cool Nostromo t-shirt *sigh*
Do I want to know something?
Mmm … oh, okay.
1) Do you plan an international team for SGU like there was in Atlantis? I’m looking forward this new series! It’s so difficult to find a good old scifi series in Tv these days. Anything scifi related and creative is very welcomed.
2) Could a foreigner be ever accepted to the team of writers in Canada? (dumb question, I know, but I still have to ask)
3) I’ve really enjoyed Brainstorm. Anyone watched Firefly before writing this one??
4) Any chance that we could meet that other Runner, Kiryk, before the series ends?
Thanks for the deatiled Japan blogging! I’ve been learning japanese for more than a year and I admire japanese culture and stuff. It was very nice.
Dog pics are simply adorable.
tc
Ava x
Well.
I don’t think we’ll ever get a serious answer to the question of what possessed the writers of SGA to write Jennifer Keller the way they did, why they thought Rodney/Jennifer was a good idea, but most of all how they think Rodney is ever going to be happy like this.
I don’t even recognize Rodney anymore.
He used to be my favorite character. But now… Is this truly your idea of romance?
But anyway, critisism on this subject is swept under the carpet or ridiculed.
Thanks for nothing. You’ve lost a fan. Not that you care, but I’ve invested enough in this show to feel like I should sort of officially say goodbye. Thanks for the first 4 years, and a handful of episodes this season. It’s good it’s ending now.
OK, I read the entire blog before I realized it was “snowing” & I wasn’t actually seeing things (or my macbook was going floopy!)
Thanks for the Q&A, it was great!
So the Stones Song in “Vegas” is “Sympathy for the Devil”? 😀 Love this song.
The Martin Gero guest blog was very entertaining! Not terribly informative, but very entertaining.
First, I’ll second das’s request to find out more about the hive ships :
We’ve only got 3 episodes left, and none of them seem to be Hiveship related, unless the Enemy at the Gate episode is actually about a rogue Hiveship that finds its own way to Earth and is bent on revenge for all the Hiveships killed during the filming of the program.
Third, no, second, yes, das when I clicked on the Martin Gero picture, the picture enlarged and I saw the small picture of a scene from Brainstorm appeared below it, too.
Third, really this time, I can contribute to the answer about Arctic Goddess’s question about the surgical masks people wear in Japan: Emily has it party right, they wear them to keep from spreading illness and also to keep from getting sick. Also, during the spring and summer, a lot of people are allergic to the pollen from cedar trees and wear masks to keep from breathing it. Maybe I should try it next August to keep out the ragweed pollen.
Hi again Mr M!
thanks for the heads up re: Chef Belcham’s new restaurant! Looking forward to the review. Is Mr Doughty also involved or is this a solo effort?
Best to all!
Shirt’n’Tie
PS: For any fans of those excellent podcasts on GateWorld, tune into their most recent, Episode 21 where Darren and David talk about “fan entitlement”. These podcasts are really excellent….particularly the listener phone-in bits (!!!) Laugh/cringe at this week’s listener…about 10 mins out from the end..Hmmm…voice to the name eh?
I have an indiscreet question: how much did your journey cost ?
ciao
Joe Mallozzi said:
Maybe it’s because they have offices there that they realized the futility of trying to create an interactive map of Tokyo to assist people who need to find an address.
I have a Garmin Nuvi that works great in the midwest, but I haven’t purchased any of the maps for outside the U.S. Thanks for answering my questions.
Hey Joe;
I saw you were talking about David Weber’s book On Basilisk Station so I thought I would check it out.
The local Library didn’t have it but they did have one of his later books that had a CD inside the front cover that had several of David’s books on it including On Basilisk Station.
Which, by the way it can also be downloaded along with some other Weber books for free from (http://www.baen.com/library/ ) (if you download the HTML version you don’t need to install a reader since your webbrowser can open the files.)
Personally I find them a bit word-dee (?) but that hasn’t stopped me from reading at least ten of David’s books which includes seven of the Honor Harrington series. Actually I’m on number eight of the series at the moment.
I guess what I’m saying is thanks for the tip about David Weber.
Bailey writes: “I wanted to ask Martin Gero what possessed him to write an episode of Stargate Atlantis that had nothing to do with a Stargate or Atlantis? With so few eps left, why???? And what were you all thinking in making the McKay and Keller relationship so blatant and in our faces?”
I know this sounds crazy, and I don’t want you to get paranoid, but MGM called me about six months ago and said: “Look, we have two and half million dollars…is there any way you could do something to REALLY annoy, Bailey?”
At first, I thought it was impossible, but I like a good challenge to set to work.
So, thanks for the comment, I think I get some sort of completion bonus now.
Martin: Best. Reply. Ever.
Your non-response to the question of who was really responsible for SGA’s cancellation spoke volumes. If MGM and Sci-Fi were supportive of another season for the show, that leaves only one party — Acme Shark (a.k.a. Cooper/Wright) as the culprit in SGA’s demise. I surmise that they wanted every resource they had to focus solely on their newest and latest creation, SGA fans be damned. Sadly, this is just another reason on my growing list of why I will not be watching SGU.
On another note: There was an obituary in today’s Washington Post for Forrest J. Ackerman, who died December 4, at the age of 92. He has been credited for creating the term “sci-fi” in 1954.
Good morning! 😀
Okay – me again. 😛 I just wanted to say something [else] about Infection…again. If you have the patience, Joe…please read through this. I’ve watched the second half of the thing a dozen times – ya know, from the point where they wake up sleepy beauty 😉 – and suddenly it hit me… THIS is exactly what I had been talking about a few weeks back.
Remember in one of my thinking-out-loud rambles about what sort of team dynamics I’d like to see in SGU?? Well, the stuff between Todd and Sheppard in this week’s ep is exactly the sort of thing I’m talking about (to a lesser degree, the interaction between Todd and McKay, and Keller, as well).
Todd certainly brings an element to the show that has been lacking…he adds much-needed tension, a little spark of excitement, between ‘friends’. Much of this is really owed to Chris, especially since he adds the same sort of excitement to his roles in Sanctuary, but the writing also plays a part. I enjoyed Crazy Ford episodes for this, and Phantoms, and other episodes where teammates were at odds – but in those situations there were outside influences that caused the conflicts between characters. And with Todd, well…he’s the ‘enemy’, so I suppose it makes sense to have these moments of conflict and aggression…and the pouting. I actually think Todd was pouting in this one. 😉
But, what if – instead of some mind-altering amoebae or thrust-together-with-the-enemy situation creating the conflict – it all just arose from personalities? Sometimes it seems to me that writers of sci fi shows are afraid to have the lead characters act up – especially in inappropriate or unjustified ways – as if it will taint their saintly image, or something (or, it’s just way overdone, like in BSG).
So, if you take the scenes in Infection and imagine, if you will, that Todd is part of the team….well…everything that took place between him and Sheppard would have been just as exciting – perhaps even more so – if they were teammates instead of enemies. That’s the sort of thing I’d love to see between SGU crewmates. The head-butting, the characters at odds, the mistrust. It just adds an electrifiying spark to the characters…especially when it’s tension revolving around trust and respect and honor – and most certainly in life-and-death situations.
It goes back to my love of AoS stories – where everyone – regardless of who they are – must lend a hand to save the sinking ship. Remember the whole bit where I rambled about science fiction – though often taking place on a ship – rarely captures the same elements as age of sail stories?
Well, I gotta say, Infection DID. If I ignore the first half of the episode with all the ‘let’s just kill ’em’ mindless talk, the second half of this episode was CLASSIC age of sail storytelling (okay, so maybe the ‘let’s blow ’em out of the water’ stuff at the beginning was too 😉 ). You have the floundering vessel, the ship-wide illness, the boarding party, the rampaging crew, the mutiny, the mad captain (sorry Todd) thrown into the brig, and then the compromise, where all must work together to save those who are left, with Todd barking orders like an old sea captain, and McKay jumping to it like a green midshipman.
It took me a while to realize it…although, I suppose, my subconscious mind ‘saw’ the connection immediately since I did come away from it feeling that it was my favorite ep of the season, even with the genocidal attitude of the team. But I did love it, especially the back half, and now I fully realize why – Alan was able to do what few sci fi writers can do successfully – he captured the true spirit of an age of sail story. Please, can you just thank him for me for that? Oh, and give him a hug while you’re at it. 😉
Thankies.
das
PS – I am enjoying the snow…especially since I just saw a few flurries outside. 🙂 And thank you for letting me ramble away – it sometimes takes me a while to explain the thoughts in my head, and even then it never comes out quite right. 😛
Ohh, today I can see snow on your blog! Purdy!!!
Quote: DemonHunter writes: “If Atlantis went on to season 6 would McKay have been a daddy next year???”
Yes…and Sheppard would have been the mommy. It would have been an awesome arch.
Now THAT’s something I’d pay double to see. Shepp with big golden earrings, blonde wig and in a 50’s bell dress, please. 🙂 Rodney in leather and Ac/Dc shirts, and all episode singing a musical like the “once more with feeling” episode of Buffy.
🙂
Thanks for the MG QA
RIP Forry Ackerman. His collection was amazing & I considered him the “patron saint” of the genre “fandom” trifecta (sci-fi, horror & fantasy).
Which, by the way it can also be downloaded along with some other Weber books for free from http://www.baen.com/library/
Thanks very much for the tip!!
DD
Infection was just what I needed, a great team story. Kudo’s to Alan M. I’m so glad that Todd was not killed off, I love the relationship between him and Shep, it’s so complicated.
Your Welcome, And if you like combat scifi stuff you might checkout some of the John Ringo downloads
Hello Joe. Just been catching up on a few days of reading when I couldn’t get to the site (just too busy) But must say that your trip was very interesting and thank you very much for sharing some of it with us. I hope to get to Japan someday, but that is not likely anytime soon.
For MaggieMayDay and Davidd, my belated sympathies to you both. It’s difficult enough to loss someone you care about, worse when it happens at this time of year. Both of you, as well as your families, are in my thoughts and prayers.
“And when Marty talks about how he prefers McKay, now I understand why Atlantis has no female writers. Just think what a female writer could do for Sheppard and Ronon. It would be ALL Shep and Ronon, ALL the time. Now that would be a great show!”
Agreed. Overwhelmingly so 😀
Soo… thanks to Marty for the much-anticipated and insightful Q&A. ‘Insightful’, in no means related to SGA, but perhaps more to the man himself. The brain behind the wisdom. The Geek behind the, uh.. well, Geek. In the words of a well known towel-lover and advocate of Vogon verse, ‘Very deep. You should send that in to the Reader’s Digest. They’ve got a page for people like you.’
‘Infection’.. was quite possibly brilliant. Kudos to Alan, Cast and Crew. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and am certain that Das and I have enough ammo to throw at one another for a long time to come. T-E-A-M.. Boy, i’ve missed that. Fantastic and because I still haven’t seen Brainstorm, I didn’t have to think too long about the (albeit, very short) Rodney/Keller clips towards the begining.
I get the feeling i’ve missed out on passing wishes, heartfelt sympathies, or a general kick in the pants to someone over recent days. Someone throttle me if I do miss something out.. I hate it when brainfade kicks in >.>
@wolfenm
I just want to say that I think the problems with the episode have more to do with the structuring of it than the characters. In a way both Rodney and Keller were in a no-win situation. No one there was going to ever believe Rodney because of their experiences with Rodney in the past (and I do think Rodney was that bad in the past – try to remember that he HAS changed since coming to Atlantis and that all of these people only know him from the past).
Standing up and yelling out that it was a bad idea to turn the device on was never going to do any good – no one was going to believe him. Even if Keller HAD stood up and agreed I doubt they’d have believed him because they’d have thought she was just saying it because she was with Rodney. I think Keller just wanted Rodney to stay quiet so that he wouldn’t make such a scene – or cause a problem – because really that’s all he ended up doing.
It was only when he sat down with Tunney and TALKED to him instead of yelling “THAT”S MINE!” which is what he was doing at first that Tunny listened. Even the way he want to the computer made him look bad because in he still was saying “I’m going to prove it’s MINE” instead actually trying to find a way to shut down the device right away.
Keller isn’t the bad guy here – she was put into a difficult situation and all she wanted to do was keep from causing a scene. It’s just that the set up of the episode made everyone look bad just like I thought Midway ended up doing for everyone – especially Sam and Teal’c because they were basically telling Ronon that he had to behave or else he was going to be in trouble. Why did Ronon have to listen to the IOA? What right did Sam and Teal’c have to make him behave like a good little boy?
I was never that fond of Beckett and dislike Keller so apparently according to Gero I don’t exist. I am so jacking my job in and telling my boss what I really think about them.
This is the official reaction to a controversial and polarizing character? It’s the fans fault? Five people in Glasgow who sob bitter tears into their Beckett screen printed pillow cases are behind the dissatisfaction for the character of Keller? Wow. Hey, personally I found Keller to be the UN of fandom, bringing together all parts of the fan base to point and go o_O, but no, apparently it was the rabid militant Beckett fans that were behind the conspiracy of Keller dislike all along. Damn them, damn them to hell! Those ladies and their jealous emotional hair pulling, it’s probably all just menstrual related, certainly couldn’t have been anything to do with what the writers did. No siree!
I loved what you guys did for the majority of the show’s run. Didn’t like where you ended up, still hoping upon hope that I’ll get my original gen show and the team back if the movie ends up being made. I wont be buying season five (so that’s a quarter of a cent that wont wind it’s way to Bridge Studios – better cancel that Fiji holiday and deck extension) though I get that the show wasn’t written for me personally.
But finger pointing, blaming a section of fans and setting up straw man arguments to knock down? Come ON. This is just insult to injury and it doesn’t make it true no matter how much it’s repeated. Does my typeface look stupid to you? (That’s a rhetorical question – this particular font, smart like custard! Like tapioca. )
When you guys got it right, you got it really, really right, and you don’t get an emotionally invested fan base without doing that, so major props. But I think you guys stumbled with Mary-Sue Keller, all my own opinion.
Or perhaps I should blame the Beckett fans instead. 😉
@ Laura Dove – I went into more length about Todd/Sheppard and the ‘you owe me’ bit in the WDC, but I will add this here (of course, this is the way I’ve interpreted it – I may be way wrong):
Yes, techincally, Sheppard owed Todd one – Todd sacrificed everything he has ever known (hand-feeding, perhaps his very acceptance among Wraith) at the urgings of Sheppard and the Lanteans to find a different way to feed, whereas the Lanteans have sacrificed nothing at all. That fact that no one in the show can see this is a bit annoying.
HOWEVER, going back to what happened on the ship…in that moment of desperation, Todd also revealed his true nature – he lost control, his instinct took over and he showed that – if he still had the ability – he would have sucked the life right out of the best human ‘friend’ he has ever known. It was, I feel, the turning point…and it was beautiful. Todd looks at his ‘healed’ feeding hand, and says Sheppard owes him one…but, at the same time, he has just overstepped a line and made the most aggressive move a Wraith could ever make against a human being. Todd has been concealing his nature, even joking about it to make light of it, but in his last two episodes he has shown the lengths he will go to in order to get his way, even against a ‘friend’. (God, I love the Wraith! Great tension creators when used the right way – like here!)
Now – in both cases it was understandable – he had to stop the Attero device and his best bargaining chip was Woolsey, and in this episode he was dying, and desperate for a cure. Still..he raised his hand in anger/aggression to Sheppard…and for that, for showing his true self, Sheppard felt that he owned Todd nothing, and – perhaps – rightly so (I am trying to see this part from Sheppard’s standpoint – best way I can relate to it is to imagine me as Sheppard, and my husband as Todd – if my husband ever raised his hand to hurt me, I am not sure I could immediately forgive him for that, if ever).
So, I understand all the reactions there. Everyone was on edge, everyone was desperate, and everyone made mistakes.
In the end (and because of Keller’s compassion chat), Todd – I believe – finally understands that Sheppard does show compassion in his own way, and it’s not a weakness, but a strength. He ‘saves lives’ using different tools – in this case, using his decision to set Todd free. It was a tool at his disposal, a tool that, perhaps, will save Todd’s life. Despite Sheppard saying that he had given his word, I believe Todd understands that it’s more than just the technicality of a promise that Sheppard is acting upon, but that he’s also showing compassion by at least giving Todd a chance to cure himself, although the odds are against him. It takes a strong character to go against the rules and let the guy who just threatened to kill you go…and I think Todd sees that, and he appreciates this act of kindness, and says that he will not forget it.
There are a lot of issues here – mistakes made on both sides – but in the end, I think both man and Wraith have reached a point where they are finally beginning to really understand each other, and maybe even themselves.
Key thing is, if the next time they meet, it goes right back to ‘I’m gonna kill you if you don’t kill me first’ – well, then the big step taken in this episode will be for naught. But if they continue down this road, this could end up being just about the best relationship between characters this series has ever known. Already I love it more than Sheppard’s friendship with Rodney, simply because of the dynamics involved. Just as long as one doesn’t end up stabbing the other in the back, that is…because that would just ruin everything that’s been built up so far.
Then, of course, I’m afraid they’ll have Todd go and do something stupid and totally OOC, like sacrificing himself for the Lanteans, or something. THAT would be going too far the other way…too…ya know…melodramatic. Nah – I like things this way – the tension, the misunderstandings, the ‘kissing and making up’… ya know, all the good stuff. 😉
das
Hey Joe,
I have a question for you and Paul, and you can add it to Brad’s Q&A too, if you’d like.
Has there ever been an episode that you guys (you and Paul) have written that, after having seen the finished product, didn’t quite do what you’d intended?
To clarify – if you’ve written something that sets a specific tone and feel and upon airing you find that the ep goes in a completely different direction? If so, was that new direction better than what you envisioned? The same? Worse? Made you scratch your head and reach for the chocolate in consolation?
I’d love it if Brad could take a stab at this one too.
And lastly, welcome back and I love the snow on the blog. I miss snow (living in southern California).
~Pol
Dear Martin Gero,
Congratulations! It worked!
Love,
Bailey
🙂
Re: Infection
Excellent episode. Team! It has been sorely missing this season. I want to hug the team!
I love Todd and the dynamic between Sheppard and Todd.
Kudos to JF and CH for such a great acting.
Kudos to Alan, you and all the cast and crew involved for a fantastic episode.
Re: Brain Storm
Against my own advice, I watched the episode. My opinion: worst episode ever. Juvenile. Teenage boy’s fantasy. I thought it was mentioned at the beginning of the season that the writers wanted Rodney to be in a more mature relationship. All I’ve seen so far is teenage-soap-opera romance.
I used to like Jennifer but after such an overdose of the character this season, I’m ready to see her go and never come back. And for the record, I’m not a Beckett fan. I liked the character, but I thought bringing him back in s4 and s5 was a mistake.
And I used to like McKeller in the background, but as season 5 progressed, all the McKeller overdose especially since Tracker, and more so in Brain Storm, made me change my mind. Now I can’t stand them much.
I’ll never understand why the writers suddenly decided to change the show so much this season. After 4 seasons of building the relationships among the team members, suddenly this season all those relationships (and I mean friendship, nothing else) were thrown out the window. The bonding moments between John & Teyla, John & Ronon, John & Rodney, etc were almost non-existent (yes, there were a few, very few moments, that’s why I say “almost”). I understand the need of trying to work with new relationships from a creative point of view, but… why do it in such an unbalanced way? Why don’t experiment with pairing some characters in a friendship way in a couple of episodes and see how it goes, but without taking the long-established friendships between the team members away during a whole season?
@PG15
1) It’s Mallozzi’s blog, so I’m sure that if he as a writer/producer felt people can’t talk about their thoughts on the show here, the good and the bad opinions, he would just allow good opinions or no opinions at all. From what he’s said in the past, I think he values all the opinions, as long as fans express themselves in a non-obnoxious way.
2) I believe all the writers and producers are interested in reading feedback from the fans. They wouldn’t be online otherwise. And listening to the audio commentaries from the SGA DVDs, they mention quite often about going online to read fandom reaction. And I’m sure they would rather read different opinions, from everybody, and not just “OMG you are writing the best show evah”.
3) I would agree that if someone doesn’t like or is not interested in a show at all, he/she shouldn’t watch it (that’s what some of us will be doing with SGU or any other show we are not interested in: not watching it). But I think none of the posters here are saying they dislike everything. They (we) are just expressing dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the show. And, back to 2), once again, it’s not the 100% positive opinions the only ones taht count and are valid.
“Nah – I like things this way – the tension, the misunderstandings, the ‘kissing and making up’… ya know, all the good stuff.”
Das: I can deal with most things Shep-Todd orientated.
Not the kissing.
Nooo… Don’t put images like that into my innocent little mind just before i’m about to pop off to bed. I’ll have nightmares for weeks to come >.>
PS @ Laura Dove – Now that I’ve had a nap 😀 …I have a couple other things to add…
Don’t get me wrong – you know that I have little tolerance right now for the team, and how they treat the Wraith…so I don’t want my above comment to seem like I’m winking at their actions. And I am in total agreement with you when you said,
“While a wraith has to sacrifice his ship, his people, his very self, and save a bunch of guys who have just sentenced him to death, before earning any amount of respect? I’m sick of seeing the bad guys go away unpunished and even praised in SGA, and no, I’m not talking about Todd.”
Yes – I fully agree. However, what I said in my previous post was solely in respects to Todd’s relationship with Sheppard, and visa versa…and the arc of that relationship in this episode…not all the moral and hypocritcal issues that were presented (I think I got all of that out of my system after Outsiders/Inquistion/The Prodigal – Woo! ).
So, back to this episode. In the end, even Woolsey pointed out that Sheppard had wanted to kill Todd earlier, but now he wants to help him. Did you notice Sheppard’s reaction when Woolsey said he was considering his request? Sheppard’s ears perked…the tone of his voice suggested that he was hoping for a positive answer. This was not the response of an indifferent soldier, paying back a debt. If Flanigan was playing that scene the way it appeared to me, then I would say Sheppard was hiding his true feelings about Todd behind a facade of ‘one good deed deserves another’. I think – deep down inside – he really likes Todd.
Now – maybe I’m wrong, but if he does, then he’s certainly not going to let the others know that he’s a bit partial to the guy. But I do think he likes Todd – or maybe ‘respects’ him is a better way to put it – because he sees himself in Todd. It’s something my sister has always said since I introduced her to the show – Todd is the Wraith version of Sheppard. I always disagreed with her, but now…I think I’m seeing it her way.
Shep can’t see himself in Rodney – they’re opposites. Sure, he makes a good drinking buddy 😉 , but they just approach life so differently. He can’t see himself in Ronon because Ronon can’t think outside his narrow-minded little box. And he can’t see himself in Teyla, because she can go the other way…perhaps a bit too reasonable at times for the likes of Sheppard. But Todd? The two are the same: Both commanders, trying to save the lives of their people. Both HUGE risk-takers. Both darn good pilots. 🙂 Both loners – Sheppard because he shuts people out, Todd because he chooses a path that most of his kind can’t accept. Both have suffered untold losses – of ‘family’, of friends. Both are men of their word. Oh, I could go on…but you get the idea.
So I think Sheppard sees a bit of himself in Todd – especially now – and because of that he is finally able to empathize with him, seeing him as an individual, and not just a ‘wraith’. HOPEFULLY this episode will advance their relationship beyond the deal-making and death threats, and give us something a bit more profound, something truly built upon the foundation laid in Common Ground.
So…I can look past the bone-headedness the team shows towards Todd and the Wraith in general in this episode, and focus solely on the continued development of the relationship between Todd and Sheppard. Keeping in mind that this is fiction, I realize that for such development to happen, characters need obstacles to overcome. IF IF IF the ending had been different (death of Todd, Todd turning against the team, etc), I would be complaining about the obstacles, for sure. But in this case I see them as tools (for lack of a better word 😉 ) used to grow the characters – Todd jumping through Sheppard’s hoops, despite his illness and desperation to find the cure, and Sheppard still pissy over the Daedalus event, and holding a grudge that he was obviously taking out on Todd’s crew…and it all came to a head when Todd finally snapped and showed his true nature (not ‘evil’, of course, but instinctive), and then – so did Sheppard. In the end, both had to humble themselves to save themselves – Sheppard had to go ask Todd to help, and Todd had to swallow his pride to do so.
Yeah – these two are very much alike…even Todd said that at one time, if I’m not mistaken… 😉
@ Perragrin – Hey – I finally got around to watching the Wales v Australia game a few nights back – Whew! What an exhausting match! THAT had to put a smile on your face! Good stuff!
Oh, and catch me while I’m hot – I like Sheppard again! Woo! I might not feel so generous after the final two eps… 😛
das
Hi Joe,
Have you seen Entertainment Weekly On Line today?
They are asking what the is dumbest TV move in 2008, and yes, many SGA fans are leaving comments about SGA’s cancellation.
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/for-friday-dumb.html?cid=141714852#comment-141714852
dasNdanger wrote: “in that moment of desperation, Todd also revealed his true nature – he lost control, his instinct took over and he showed that – if he still had the ability – he would have sucked the life right out of the best human “friend” he has ever known.”
A human “friend” who just had proved that this tentative friendship was one-side only. A human “friend” who had betrayed him, who made him suffer inside for the second time in a row, and this time, it wasn’t a misinterpretation. Humans kill out of passion too, Das, it’s not that uncommon. I don’t see Todd’s reaction any different. Of course, he kills with his feeding hand instead of stabbing the person with a knife or strangling them, but basically, it’s the same kind of reaction.
You say you wouldn’t forgive your husband if he raised his hand against you, but would YOU rejoice in front of him at the thought of his death and the death of his whole family? That’s basically what Sheppard did to Todd.
Sheppard saved no wraith life at all, not even Todd’s. All he did was keeping his side of a bargain by sparing him after contracting a big debt towards him. He exchanged the lives of his team plus Lorne’s for Todd’s only life; which, by the way, would only have been challenged by the Atlanteans themselves. He gave from one hand a fraction of what he had taken from the other hand. If the humans hadn’t desperately needed Todd’s help to ensure their own survival, they would have left Todd to die his slow and painful death. Wow, what a reason to be grateful.
Weren’t you one to say you don’t want the wraith to be neutered? That’s how I see Todd at the end of the episode: Becoming Sheppard’s tame pet, accepting anything from him, and even smiling at him and thanking him for being just a bit less evil than he could have been. Todd offered some form of friendship at the end of “Common Ground”, but Sheppard dismissed it and hurt him again and again. Now that he has broken him into submission, I just can’t call that a healthy friendship, nor even a friendship at all.
PS – again – @ Laura Dove – You said over on GW – “Of course Todd lost his temper when faced with such an injustice against him, with such… not even ruthlessness, but smug cruelty. Who wouldn’t? I know I would. It’s not a matter of wraith being unable to control themselves, it’s a matter of people reacting to betrayal and moral suffering.”
Thank you for that. I am bringing it up here because it does relate to this discussion, and I do agree with it very much.
When I say that Todd showed his true nature, I meant in the way he reacted, NOT why he reacted. Yes – his reaction was that of a Wraith – angry, instinctive, impulsive. So, when I speak of Todd’s reaction as being part of his nature – yes, when he’s pushed far enough, he WILL lash out with deadly instinct, even against a friend.
However, the point you are bringing up – WHY he lashed out – is a very good one. Yes, he was faced with a great injustice, and was met with smug cruelty, as you put it, towards his plight. He had sacrificed everything for these humans, and they couldn’t even treat him with the respect due him as a sentient, and extremely intelligent, being. They still viewed him as nothing more than a dog. So, yes…he had every reason to be livid with Sheppard, and that anger boiled over into his instinctive reaction… reminding them all (himself included) of his true nature. It’s not that his nature is ‘bad’, but that – under normal circumstances – it is a deadly one.
But, if I’m reading this episode correctly (NOT sure that I am), I think that all had to happen for Sheppard to finally see Todd as an individual – as a being deserving of LIFE. Yes, he didn’t kill him in Common Ground, but they did have that ‘all bets are off’ clause. At the end of this episode, there was no mention of such a clause – instead, there was a definite suggestion of mutual respect, above and beyond what we have seen in the past. I would LIKE to think that Sheppard has finally acknowledged all the sacrifices Todd has made, and that he deserves credit for that. So this time – unlike with Michael – he is willing to give Todd a chance to prove what he is truly made of…even if that means possibly restoring himself to full Wraith (I wasn’t sure about that part – whether or not the iratus ‘cure’ would restore his feeding ability).
In the end, Todd’s “I will remember this, John Sheppard” gives me hope that he will prove himself worthy of Sheppard’s trust…and then, maybe, these two can stop playing games, and just get a room already! 😉
(Okay, I just put that last bit in to see if anyone was actually reading this.)
das
What did you think of the ‘Boston Legal’ episode last week, (5×11 ‘Juiced’) with the beautiful rant by Carl about the networks pandering to what they think younger demographics want?
Carl made some perfect points regarding the idea of the need for shows for the older folks out there–with intelligent writing and a cast with older actors to relate to.
Boy, am I going to miss this show!
Best lines:
Carl: “The older viewers, the ones with intelligence, don’t want to watch that crap. Give us something TO WATCH — dammit!”
Carl: “We should be able to turn on our damn TV and not have to watch scripted shows with dimwitted twentysomethings running around in suits and doctors scrubs.”
After the show, I scanned my DVR’s series manager and realized that Boston Legal was the only show I record that has a cast of mostly actors in their late 40s and 50s. Stargate Atlantis came in 2nd.
Waah.
JenR said …
Point taken — itw as an impossible situation and Rodney’s past didn’t make it any better (although I’d venture a guess taht, by their behaviors, each and every one of them had acted in exactly the same way at various points in their careers.) But why does it matter that it was a hopeless situation? Just because an act you take is unloilely to succeed doesn’t mean it’s not worth still *trying*. At least he made the *effort* to save lives and was willing to risk humilation to do it. If you love somone and believ in them, you suppirt them even in adverse circumstances, even if you get painted a nutter right along side them and it does not good You still *try*. And you still *trust* the man you love when the chips are down, especially when the stakes are people’s *lives*. In my opinion, anyway. And I fully believe, even with my slash-goggles off, that John would have trusted Rodney and tried to reason with Tunney right alongside him — he knows Rodney well enough to tell the difference between when Rodney is being arrogant and when he’s afraid. And When no one would listen, he wouldnlt have told Rodney to stop it and just have some cocoa; he would have immediately said Okay, tell me what’s going on.
JenR also said …
I didn’t have the impression that Tunney had even heard Rodney’s “He stole my idea!” though — only the people in his immediate area. In fact, I think only the guy next to huim even noticed what he was actually *saying*. When Rodney stoof up and projected himself to Tunney, at that point his voice was full of fear and he spoke pleadingly. You’re right that he still probably wouldn’t have listened, but Rodney did not initially start the discussion with Tunney with any actual accusation, he simply tried to impress upon them that he knew what he was talking about. But yeah, you’re right, there’s no reason the rest of the crowd should listen to him — but *Keller* should have.
I do have to say I appreciate the fact that, in “UInfection”, Rodney was nice to Keller, comforting, without needing any sort of prompt and without there being a sesne that he was doing it only because he was “expected* to, as was often the case with Katie. THAT kind of character interaction I can get behind, at least — *that’s* a good way for one character to bring out the best in another, not one character *telling* another character to “be better” or the character behaving well mostly because they are afraid of losing the other character’s approval.
@ Perragrin – Todd and Shep, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. 😉
No worries. I am not into slashy ships – EXCEPT to joke about them. I have like…the mentality of Mel Brooks, c. Men in Tights…or something. 🙄
@ Laura Dove – Yup – that was me…I don’t want to see Todd neutered. I’ll let you know when I think that happens…so far, it has not, IMO.
You make excellent points and I am not not in agreement with you. However, I have to see this in practical terms…there are only three episodes left, one or two which may include Todd. Not much can be done with him except 1. kill him, 2. turn him into an all-out enemy, 3. keep him as-is, or 4. turn him into a true and permanent ally. I certainly don’t want the first two options, I’d be okay with the third, and still not 100% sure how I feel about the 4th. Still, I have no other choice than to look at this episode as a positive step, and not a negative one, considering there is no time left,and any opportunity for the Lanteans to accept responsibility for their mistreatment of the Wraith in general was lost in Inquisition.
So, I am trying to see positive things in this episode…and look at it from both sides.
The thing with Todd and his relationship with Sheppard is that – in the end – HE has chosen this alliance. He is the one who first approached Sheppard, asking for help. He did not turn to his own kind, but to a human. He had to know that he would be travelling a very rocky road.
Now – is that human abusive to him? YES. Sheppard treats Todd like dirt…however…you forget one very important thing, mate (sorry, slipped into Captain Jack Sparrow there for a sec 😳 ): Todd is Wraith. What did he say about his culture? They seek to be ruled, they fear being without a queen. Todd, although not necessarily a Wraith who seeks to be ruled…is still a Wraith. If it’s in his nature to lash out with deadly instinct, it is also in his nature to be submissive to someone he views as an authority figure…and in this case, that would be Sheppard. In effect, therefore, Sheppard fulfills Todd’s ‘need’ for a queen (oh, Shep lovers will HATE me saying that! Queen Sheppard! Woo!).
Lemme ‘splain. Todd knows that – right now – power (and survival) lie with the Lanteans, and Sheppard represents Altantis. So Todd, with an instinctive nature to be submissive to someone in power, would – even subconsciously – accept being ‘lead’ by Sheppard. Of course, he’s much more complex than that – he is more of an equal to Sheppard, and certainly more of a leader than a follower among Wraith. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not in his nature to be submissive to someone who’s authority he respects, and I do believe he respects Sheppard’s authority.
Also, Todd comes from a brutal society. When you consider how Wraith speak to each other, how Todd himself assassinated the Primary, how they will even cannabalize one another…well, I’d say that dealing with Sheppard is a breath of fresh air for Todd. Yes, Sheppard can be a real bastard to him at times, but I doubt it’s anything worse than what’s been dished out to him from his own kind (if he was real, and all of that 😉 ).
I’m not saying that it is right…I’m just saying that I can see how it all fits together…even if I have put more thought into this than the writers ever intended.
Now – getting back to the neutering thing. As long as they never take away angry, in-yer-face cranky Todd, I think I’ll be okay with most things. But I won’t know until I see what’s going to happen at the end of the series. Then, if Todd does survive…well…then I have to worry about the damn movie, and what horrors they may do to him in that. But that’s far enough away that – maybe – by that time I won’t even care anymore…but instead I’ll be gushing over Bigfoot, or something. 😉
das
Yeah…I don’t think I said anything to counter this?
My first point was that the writers can do whatever they want, and we can’t tell them what to do.
My second point had nothing to do with “disallowing” expressing negative opinions, but rather expressing my confusion on why people who dislike what the show is turning into is still tuning in. If JenR doesn’t dislike what the show show in general is turning into then my point is moot, and that’s fine.
But really, if a big enough part of the show is irking you that it trumps the good parts, then I’d just as soon give up on the show. Why bother getting irritated every Friday night, and then pointlessly complaining about it? I’ve got better things to do, better shows to watch.
Luckily, I’ve been pretty lucky with the shows I pick to stick to.
Hey Joe!
Great interview! Glad to see Martin got around to answering our questions. 🙂 It was an excellent read!
I like the little touch of snow in the blog, just make sure it doesn’t accumulate too much or you’ll need to get the shovel out! I also like the new font. 🙂
Thanks as always!
– Enzo Aquarius
PG-15 said ….
I can see what you mean — I’ve been puzzled by it in instances where it seems like a person never liked the show much to *begin* with, or by those who are still venting over things long done. But of those that are more newly-disenchanted, I would consider it a matter of grieving over a relationship gone sour. Some people can just walk away, but some need to sort through their thoughts and feelings and let the other side know just why it didn’t work for them. Letting go sometimes takes time — the more you’ve invested emtionally, the harder it is.
Not that *I’m* likely to say goodbye — I’m too addicted to McShep, and will likely still always watch anything SGA in the hopes of seeing even the tiniest glimpses more. Same with me and SG-1 — I will always hold onto the hope pf mone more little Daniel/Vala tidbit, or Sam/Jack.*sigh* I’m hopeless. XD
I know Gero was trying to be sarcastic, but he just came off as mean spirited and disrespectful to many fans who do not like the overt in your face ship of Keller and McKay. Those answers were a waste of space. I felt it was a legitimate question to ask why after 10 years of SG1 and 4 years of SGA that they had to have “romance”. What made the writers come to that decision and what kind of discussions were involved in the process? Seems the answer is because Martin Gero wanted to get the girl. The pairing still is like wet paper, no spark, no chemistry and certainly not unconditional love. I don’t even recognize Rodney when he is around Keller. I really wish as much attention given to this dreadful pairing was spread around to Sheppard, Ronon and Teyla. Sheppard has really been shorted and cheated of any kind of significant storyline or character development. Reading the Gateworld interview, it sounds like Gero was writing for his friends. Fine, but how come none of the other writers could pick up the torch for Sheppard, Ronon, Teyla or team? As has been said, I only care because I love the show and don’t think it is any where near the quality of past shows, especially season 4. It really has veered off in quality this year with the emphasis and weak storytelling of the writers favorites – Keller and McKay.
Ok, between this and the latest GateWorld interview, Gero has officially ticked me off. And he used to be my favorite writer, what a world. Oh yes, he’s clever and amusing and all but the way he and others have been wrecking their show make it obvious they’ve completely lost touch with the craft. Anybody who can watch the last scenes of Brainstorm without wanting to puke is just psycho with all due respect. Anyway, if you guys want to run your show into the ground, that’s your business, but please don’t make fun of fans when we’re nice enough to point out your downfall. Btw, ratings do not equal quality. Look at High School Musical. Yes i just compared Stargate to High School Musical. That’s what it’s come to.
I’m sure Mr. Gero thinks he’s coming off as humorous but he’s not, he’s snide. What’s the point of saying you’re going to answer questions if you’re not going to take them seriously? Oh, right, you’re too busy being ~*~edgy~*~
JenR: Just because they’re your favorites does NOT mean you can only write for them.
It’s not even a question of favourites. Gero has admitted he’s writing the McKay/Keller romance because he’s getting vicarious pleasure from it. Way to be a Gary-Stu!
Morjana: and take advantage of Martin Gero asking rude questions, and questions pushing their own personal agendas.
Are you kidding me? We’re taking advantage of guy that writes (well, used to write) a moderately successful TV show? What the hell should we ask him about – his stance of the crisis in the Middle-East? Go clutch your pearls somewhere else, Claribelle. If you don’t like, don’t read.
After all the trouble of getting Keller and McKay together, how does Martin fell about Mallozzi killing her of in the finale episode? Someone should have asked him that 😉
Actually Shadow Step, that would be a good idea. Her dying in McKays arms as the finale scene in the series. The shippers would be heart broken, but i think it would actually redeem this whole mess. I mean, that would be somewhat original. Oh, wait, right, this is SGA, i forgot, they don’t do original. But anyways, THAT would be some serious McKay development. Dark McKay would be good. I love it when he gets genuinely angry and brave. It’s prolly to late now, but who nows, maybe they did it and are keeping it a huge secret. That would make me actually look forward to the new movie.
Don’t listen to ’em, Martin Baby, you’re so money!
For the record, calling it Planet Kidkill would have been one of the greatest I-don’t-know-what.