Production on episode #220, Gauntlet, the BIG season finale continued today. How BIG a finale? Well, let me put it this way – the booming bass of the thunderous happenings on Stage 5 were reverberating all the way up to the writers’ room ALL AFTERNOON. On a somewhat related note…
What hath wrought such destruction?
Beats the hell out of me, but I can’t wait to find out!
Thanks to everyone who weighed in with their thoughts on last night’s episode, #217, The Greater Good. Carl (“You like me! You reaaaally like me!”) Binder was thrilled to hear so many enjoyed his latest epic.
Fans in Canada have to wait until Friday night to check out The Greater Good, but they also get an extra treat when the entire cast puts in an appearance on Innerspace immediately following the show. So, those of you in Canada, make sure to check out Stargate: Universe this Friday night at 9:00 p.m., then stick around for the SGU fun.
Also, thanks to those who have started weighing in with their thoughts on November’s Book of the Month Club selection, Christopher Moore’s Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story. Keep those questions and comments coming!
Thanks to blog regular Arctic Goddess for this interesting link to The Meaning of Dog Barks. Listen to six different barks and guess interpret their meanings. I went 5-1.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/meaning-dog-barks.html
My Snow Monkeys are on the cusp of serious playoff contention and need YOUR help. This weekend, I’m starting Schaub over Matt Ryan, and going with monster RB’s Foster and Gore. My wide receivers are a big question. Which three should I start between: the underachieving Brandon Marshall (playing at home with a new QB), the overachieving Percy Harvin (playing in Chicago with a bum ankle and migraines), Steve Breaston (playing a weak ‘hawks D at home on grass but coming off a weak effort last weekend), or Dez Bryant (who scored two TD’s vs. the Giants last time they met, but is playing their tough D in NY this time out).
Mailbag:
Lewis writes: “Which Stargate scientist do you think is smarter? Carter, McKay, or Rush?”
Answer: We’re talking about three exceptionally intelligent individuals but, if I had to rank them (and there are several variables to consider when doing so, ie. intelligence derived from book learning, intelligence derived from experience, application of knowledge to varied scenarios, etc.) I would rank them:
#1: Samantha Carter
#2: Rodney McKay
#3: Nicholas Rush
Kyle writes: “When Rush and Young went to the other ship, was Young’s bump into the doorway scripted?”
Answer: It wasn’t scripted. However, on the day, writer/Exec. Producer Carl Binder was on set and noticed that the dwarfed size of the alien ship interior wasn’t really playing, so he asked Louis to include that little bump to convey the sense of tighter quarters.
Kassian writes: “Please, please can you tell me something regarding her story arc, because I love Julies charakter Ginn and it´s just heartbreaking what happened to her.”
Answer: What happened to her? If you think you know, think again because this is science fiction, after all. Anything can happen. And will.
Nathan writes: “Those guards should’ve been completely focused. Any thoughts as to why there was no guard with him???”
Answer: Now that you mention it, that IS strange. After all, we did establish the fact that all Lucian Alliance prisoners are only been permitted out of their quarters with an armed escort. What happened to Simeon’s guard? Hope he’s okay. Well, guess we’ll find out next week. 🙂 I mean 🙁
Michelle writes: “Bloodsucking Fiends had me at the first sentence […] My only quibble was I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I mean, I know what’s going to happen next, but there seem to be threads hanging, like the scientist and the poor Emperor, what will happen to Ben Sapir and whether Tom will be happy with his “new life”.”
Answer: I knew it was the first installment of a trilogy so I wasn’t that bothered by some of the hanging threads although, now that you mention it, the ending did feel a little abrupt. Also, I probably missed it, but how did Jody figure out that Ben’s killing was altruistic in nature? I mean, I know she was able to glimpse the foreboding dark aura of death in her victims, but how did she know that Ben’s victims possessed the same aura?
John M. Hammer writes: “I think that it has become painfully obvious that Rush needs to be replaced as head of the science team.”
Answer: You’re not the only one…as we’ll learn later this season.
Nate writes: “1.) Concerning the mission, since the Ancients have ascended, is it safe to assume they already know what the structure or message is?”
Answer: I suppose it’s safe to make that assumption.
“2.) The mission sounds like proofing of god or the creation of the universe being done by some form of life, how far off am I?”
Answer: No comment. Answers forthcoming as the pieces of puzzle come together.
“3.) In a blog you posted awhile back you referred to having the ending of the show planned out…assuming the plan is to finish the Destiny’s mission…isn’t that a little to convenient, considering the Destiny has been going for millions of years then all of a sudden a group of humans show up and with in a few years Destiny completes its mission?”
Answer: All I can say is – nope. Offering anymore in the way of a response would give too much away.
Devris writes: “How in the hell Simeon is not kick out of the destiny? What kind of justification are the HomeWorld security have to keep that lunatic onboard?”
Answer: Well, let’s just say Simeon can look forward to a stern talking to next episode.
E writes: “How did you come up with the idea of Destiny’s mission? You as in the writers.”
Answer: Actually, Brad and Robert had the idea for the ultimate mission. We discussed it internally, ran it by our Creative Consultant John Scalzi, then decided on a game plan on how to introduce, develop, and, ultimately, pay it off. Great things to come!
“Are the TJ flashbacks gone for good from “The Hunt”?”
Answer: Alas, yes. In completing my Producer’s Cut 1 of The Hunt, I had to strip away the T.J. flashbacks. Still, they’re self-contained and could be integrated into a future story provided we get that third season pick up. Not using them here will push me to come up with another T.J.-centered episode next year.
Tim Gaffney writes: “The strange thing is that someone asked him a question about why you, Mr. M, hate him.”
Answer: Really? Last I checked, the only things I hate are tabouleh and biting the side of my cheek.
JYS writes: “which restaurant in Vancouver has the best peking duck?”
Answer: Good question. I like Fortune Garden on West Broadway and Imperial Chinese Seafood on Burrard.
Mr. Fartleberry writes: “Are you going to Toronto as part of the SGU delegation at the Geminis?”
Answer: As much I love and respect award shows with an admiration usually reserved for tabouleh, I’ve decided to pass.
DJ writes: “All production related issues aside. If you had the chance to do an episode featuring only one character out of the entire franchise, which would you chose, and why?”
Answer: Oooh, tough question. If I could only choose one to feature, I’d probably go with Vala Mal Doran.
Cuper MacLeod writes: “Would buying the DVD sets have any bearing on a decision for a 3rd season pickup?”
Answer: Purchasing the DVD’s and episode downloads from iTunes may not factor into the network’s decision making process, but they certainly go a long to fueling the studio’s desire to ensure the show gets another season.
babancat writes: “And finally, will we see a return to ‘Weird Food Purchase of the Day’ … perhaps on your upcoming travels?”
Answer: Since I’m headed to Tokyo, you can count on it.
Greg writes: “What benefit does he gain from not telling anyone about the bridge?”
Answer: He could have many reasons for not telling anyone – 1) He fears Young could dictate the pace of the research, potentially prohibiting it outright like he did with the chair, 2) He doesn’t trust the others enough not to screw things up and prefers getting the lay of the land before allowing them access, 3) He wants first shot at Destiny’s secrets in the event he can make use of them to further a personal agenda. To name a few.
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