It’s time for a long overdue mailbag…
daithi82 writes: “One question I have though is if there are any plans for the return of the real Jace Corso in season 2? Also why does the Android keep getting stunned?”
Answer: Given the fact that things were left unfinished the last time the crew crossed paths with Jace Corso, it’s safe to assume they’ll cross paths again sooner than later. As for the Android getting stunned – I believe it happened twice. The first time, Wexler used the shock stick to incapacitate her. The second time, SIX made use of a proven method (the shock stick) to take her out of action again.
Keith writes: “You mentioned in an earlier blog post about having a dispute regarding which way of editing a particular scene was “funnier”, and finally taking your laptop around for an office poll – and losing. Can you elaborate now on which scene that was, And what your take on it was?”
Answer: The scene in question was the top of Episode 3 where FIVE drops in on ONE and asks him if he wants to do something. In the original version, we got CLOSE ON ONE for his “No thanks, kiddo. Found this antique book in one of the holding rooms. It says it’s a classic…” Then we go WIDE as he swings a look at the door…and she’s already gone. The final version stayed WIDE and we actually see her exit.
“The whole concept of “Transfer Transit” pods seems rife with problems. Such as, wouldn’t every wealthy person only use the pods to leave their fortified house, as an insurance policy against dying? Are these kinds of issues going to be addressed in the future?”
Answer: Oh, yes and yes. See Episode 206.
Scott writes: “1. Is it just me or was that stun stick used way too many times on the android?”
Answer: By my count, it was used twice.
“2. Why weren’t there more space battle scenes in Season 1? It seemed like every time the crew was about to get into a fight with another ship, something would prevent the fight from happening (i.e. other ships dropping out of FTL, weapons system offline, enemy warping away instead of fighting). Was this done to save money on VFX or were there actual space fight scenes that were cut out of the script because of the episodes running too long? Or were there none planned at all for Season 1?”
Answer: The made judicious use of space battles in season 1 (the missile pursuit in 101, the return to planetary orbit in 102, the face-off against the Ferrous Corp ships in 110) mainly because the scripts didn’t call for them and we chose to put our money elsewhere. Having said that, we will see more involved ship to ship battles in Season 2.
“3. Can you please, please, please make sure there are ACTUAL space battles in Season 2, like what we saw MANY TIMES in SG1, SGA and SGU?”
Answer: Yep. Already on our Season 2 To-Do list.
“4. Will there be aliens in Season 2, like what you posted several months ago about there being a list in the office with things everyone wanted to see in Season 2, and aliens being one of them?”
Answer: I’m going to say…maybe. Also, can you say for sure you didn’t see aliens in Season 1?
“5. Any plans on bringing back Torri Higginson and David Hewlitt back? Any other previous SG members you might have an idea on getting as well?”
Answer: Yes and yes. Both Commander Truffault and Tabor Calchek will be back for Season 2 – in addition to a couple of more Stargate alums if things work out.
no1zoieplamerfan writes: “When do we get Alex Mallari’s answers to our questions?”
Answer: This one’s a question for Alex. Ask him – @AlexMallariJr
Elminster writes: “Will we see what the ‘dimensional pocket key’ is for in season 2? Or was it a red space herring?”
Answer: No red herrings in Season 1. Everything was included with purpose. Yes, we’ll get a surprising answer to the question surrounding that interdimensional pocket key in Season 2.
2cats writes: “1. When will a DVD of season 1 be available to buy? Hopefully it will include cast/crew commentaries like Stargate DVD’s?”
Answer: No idea. Alas, that’s not my department. Also, don’t know if they will include cast/crew commentaries as we’ve yet to be asked to participate.
“2. Why was Android carried off like the others under stun gas? The neural chip was out and she was incapacitated, why not leave her aboard ship?”
Answer: Presumably because their captors wish to study her in their own lab, with their own equipment.
“3. Was there a reason the crew went into the stasis pods in the first place?”
Answer: Presumably the journey to the mining planet (Episodes 101 and 102) would have been a long one (taken months rather than years) and the decision was made to go into stasis to preserve resources…and alleviate boredom.
“4. Are there plans to return their memories, or just let them “discover” their pasts?”
Answer: Tune in to Season 2 to find out. As with most questions concerning our crew, it’s a different answer for each individual.
“5. If One was such a cold, psychotic killer before having her memory wiped, how can she be caring and attentive to Five’s emotions now? I’m no psychologist, but I would think a character/ emotional trait like that isn’t affected by memory loss.”
Answer: I believe you mean TWO and, yes, TWO was clearly adamant about not wanting FIVE on board in the beginning – and TWO does display a frightening lack of empathy when it comes to threats or enemies. If I was a betting man, I’d wager she treats her friends and allies differently – and that she and FIVE somehow bonded, pre-mindwipe. The specifics of those circumstances are a story for another time…
“6. The Vault door seemed to have changed appearance from earlier in season compared to later, when there was an entire tall top part with window cutouts visible, or was that just the camera angle?”
Answer: Had to the the camera angle. The big door has not changed.
“7. Will we have more Q&A with the rest of the cast soon? I’m curious how they anticipate S2 activities… as are we all… sigh, it’s too long to wait.”
Answer: That’ll be schedule dependent. I’ll certainly extend the invitations.
“8. Will Amanda Tapping return to direct or act in S2? (We ALL hope so!)”
Answer: We would, of course, LOVE to have Amanda back in Season 2. It’ll come down to finding time in her busy schedule.
“9. Will you & Paul M. continue to be very closely involved with S2 writing, editing, producing, etc.?”
Answer: Yes, Paul and I are on board for Season 2, overseeing the writers’ room and all aspects of pre, production, and post. I’ll be back to show run as well.
Ponytail writes: “So Joe, what was your reaction to the renewal news? How did you celebrate? Did you hear from the cast? Did you talk to your partners?”
Answer: My initial relief gave way to the realization that we had a show to make! I celebrated by starting the script for Episode 202.
gforce writes: “My question is, was your Mom referring to a character on the show, or to you?”
Answer: She was, of course, referring to me. 🙂
fffffffffffff writes: “Are there any plans to start calling the android “Seven” in season 2?”
Answer: No, but some interesting developments in store for her in Season 2.
JasonVK writes: “1. Why didn’t Five tell anyone about her wounded (boy)friend? He obviously died in the same room where she left him. There was a risk that the crew might toss him out of the airlock, but since he was dying anyhow, what did she have to lose by telling them about him?”
Answer: Presumably she was on uncertain footing with the crew at first and didn’t want to risk him sharing the same fate. When she got the first opportunity to go see him, he was probably already dead. Certainly if she had the crew’s trust, she would have tried to save him.
“2. In the episodes 2 and 3, Five mentions a dream about someone uploading the mind-wipe program and that it wasn’t her. Yet the reveal in the finale seems to suggest that it was Five after all. Unless it was Six who tried fooling Five into believing it was her. Was this supposed to be ambiguous? Can you possibly shed some light on this?”
Answer: Ah, but you’re assuming that the individual who wrote the program (FIVE) was the same person who uploaded it to the stasis pods. If she wrote the program to protect SIX, it’s more than likely she would have warned him, told him her plan – and he would have been the one to risk uploading it.
“3, This was actually picked by someone else in another forum, but here goes. There was a conversation in the finale between Five and the Android Projection. Why didn’t Five ask the Projection about who took the Android out? Also, is it really the end of the Projection? It seemed kind of an abrupt ending to otherwise interesting sub-plot.”
Answer: The projection’s access to information – and ability to interact with the ship – is extremely limited. FIVE could have asked, but Redroid would not have known who was responsible – much less what the hell was going on.
Tam Dixon writes: ” How is Lulu? Also, are you moving?”
Answer: Lulu is doing better. But she needs to go on a diet. Yes, moving back to Toronto in October!
DP writes: “Did you decide who would be The Mole before or after your rib injury?”
Answer: Well before, but Roger’s damaging bear hug cemented it for me.
“How far into the episode 13 script did you announce to the cast who The Mole is?”
Answer: As you see in this video, the cast didn’t know the identity of The Mole until the last scene of the last day of main unit shooting:
“Is there any chance of a cross-over with Killjoys?”
Answer: As much as we do share similarities and I do love what they do, the chances of a crossover are unlikely for now.
Chelsea Lester writes: “1. Now that we know One was the heir to a family fortune, is it safe to assume Titch the farm boy is Three?”
Answer: It’s not safe to assume anything on Dark Matter. But we will have the answer to Titch’s identity early in Season 2.
“2. Is the Raza the same ship that we saw Six and his buddies steal in episode 6? If so, does that mean that Six was the former captain?”
Answer: Nope. They stole a G.A. ship.
“3. What specifically caused the Android to suspect that Two was different?”
Answer: Little things only an Android would notice – like the fact she was on a blink cycle.
duptiang writes: “What is Paul’s Take on things?”
Answer: Paul’s attitude pretty much parallels my own.
“Are you going to invite him on the blog for a quiz the guest moment?”
Answer: I would but he’s notoriously social media averse.
“Are you and he working on lyrics for the theme music?”
Answer: Sure, but they’ll be pretty damn short.
Angela writes: “What can you tell us about those thigh holsters everyone wears? It’s a bit hard to see the black-on-black on a small screen, I know there’s two straps, but are they made of leather or something else? What sorts of buckles?”
Answer: They were a stylistic choice. They needed somewhere to carry their guns and I prefer the look of the thigh holsters and the easy quick-draw accessibility. I’ll have to get back to you on the specs.
“Any specific details you can give us on Three’s vest? (Why is it such a complicated vest? Why couldn’t he have a simpler iconic outfit?)”
Answer: I think his vest IS pretty iconic. Costume Designer Noreen Landry and her team did a terrific job outfitting our crew. Akemi is constantly going on about SIX’s big overcoat…
That’s it for now. I’ll be answering more of your questions in the coming days!
In spite of your unmatched skill at deflecting direct questions you did provide a few clarifying nuggets. Thank you for that.
Can you give us a clue about how much of the Raza and its contents have not been discovered by the crew? There is such an eclectic assortment of cargo and so many dark passageways and storage areas it begs further exploration. It would be fun to have a complete ship schematic when you’ve revealed the bulk of the ship. And a cargo manifest. And of course all the paperwork on prior ownership and previous ports of call. You could just show us blurry blacked out areas on the schematic for any super secret stuff. That would keep the blog busy for the down months.
Have you decided on a good name for the massive, rabid and dedicated fan base as yet? Would you consider putting it up for a vote?
Thanks again for the always entertaining Q&A.
“She was, of course, referring to me.” LOL! Does she ever say that she wishes you had gotten a “real” job, like doctor or lawyer? 🙂 I’m sure glad you didn’t!
Great mailbag – I did have another question from a while ago: I love the concept of Transfer Transit, and was wondering who came up with the idea. Was it yours, something that grew from discussions in the writers’ room, or was it an already existing idea?
Yay for Lulu! Yay for the mailbag! I’m really going to enjoy reading all the Q & A’s.
We are In Hot Springs, Arkansas to visit family/friends. When we booked our trip, we didn’t realize this weekend was a motorcycle rally. There are 2-3000 motorcycles just in the downtown area. Weird to see most of the riders without helmets though. Arkansas doesn’t have helmet laws.
Thanks for mailbag day! Have a nice weekend everyone!
REALLY relieved about Lulu. Enjoyed the questions/answers also. 🙂
*Starts a chant* — “Space Fights! Space Fights! Space Fights!!” 🙂
Thanks for answering my questions Joe. I just really want to see more involved space combat in the next season, instead of just a quick scene where you’re firing 1 single shot or 1 single missile.
Guess I’m just used to the old SG days. Remember the end of SGA Season 1, the three-part episode “The Siege”? From the lantean laser defense satellite in space to the ship combat between the Daedalus and the hive ships… that’s what I really missed in DM’s first season… seeing epic vfx scenes like those.
Joe one of the issues with the show is not knowing where we are in the cosmos especially in relation to earth and also the year what year is it so pretty much where does the raza and the crew fit into the grand scope of every thing.
“In spite of your unmatched skill at deflecting direct questions…”
LOL!! Yep! Joe’s the best!!
Glad Lulu is doing better!
“Costume Designer Noreen Landry and her team did a terrific job outfitting our crew.”
Agreed!! One is always so handsome, Two is always super cool, I love Three’s vest, Four is always so handsome too, Five has her own great, colorful style, and Six is drop dead gorgeous. (I think it is all his muscles) The android is a little monochrome but maybe she will change a little over the years.
Thanks for the always informative Q&A!
Joe, thanks so very much for taking the time out of your non stop schedule to do the Q & A . And, as always, a gazillion thanks to the always beautiful amazing Akemi, who has been doing everything and anything she can to support you in this endeavor.
Oh my! I didn’t realize there were so many questions posted! Well, no need to answer my “writing collab” question. Seems you’ve now answered it via your responses to other questions.
Gee, Is it Summer 2016 yet? As much fun as it is to let my imagination run wild entertaining wild whacky theories, – would so much rather be watching the real story! 🙂
Hi Joe
Thanks for the Q&A. For some reason I’m really intrigued by that ‘key’. Can’t wait for the reveal of that next season.
Elminster
I’m hoping we’ll see some series highs for Season 2. Hopefully people who were on the fence about watching will support the show. Though when you look at how badly the network is doing in general, I’m not getting my hopes up, but It’ll be great to see none the less.
@No idea. Alas, that’s not my department.
Just had a quick peak at several Amazon websites and only found a listing for the DVD boxset on Amazon UK that has an October 12 release.
@Ponytail: I would love to know where FOUR got his leather jacket – the one with the zippered collar. I love the look of that. Probably way out of my price range, but…
Another question I just thought of: Given the recent introduction of the new Apple TV and the “Content as apps” concept, do you ever see a time in the future when shows (like DM for instance) are “app” based rather than (or as well as) broadcast based? I’m thinking an app where all content, including episodes, behind the scenes and commentary, and real-time and timeline based social media would all be rolled up under one “experience”. I would think that without a broadcast framework, it would also allow more freedom for episode length, etc. Interesting idea, not that we’re *that* close to it, but I can see it happening.
Thanks for the Q&A Joe
Really loved the last seven episodes of Dark Matter as the dynamic of the show really came together. Hope we see more writing and directing like that for Season 2. Not a huge fan of the Zombie episode as it’s been in so many shows and movies in the last 10 years.
Confusion on the Android getting stunned might be a result of her getting disabled for other reasons in other episodes. If you count those, it was at least 4 times out of 13 episodes.
Crossovers seem like a gimmick that would lose focus on the characters. It would be like doing a crossover in Game of Thrones or Walking Dead. Would rather see small roles from people in other shows like Stargate (and still waiting for Akemi’s Season 2 debut of course).
@sparced: I’d love to see a walk-on part for Akemi! Make it happen, Joe! 🙂
Heya Joe, Is anyone involved/working on shirts (black) with the DM logo? That would Tshirts and polos. And, caps, and hoodies,
So glad to hear that LuLu is improving. Thank you for the mailbag. 🙂
I don’t remember seeing if this was asked:
In the episode where ONE learns he’s Derrick Moss, we see a bit of his personal bio on the computer screen. He’s born on Earth. Will we be learning anything about Earth in season 2? Will we be visiting?
@:”Also, can you say for sure you didn’t see aliens in Season 1?”
ooooohhhh! So is ‘5’ really an alien? 😀 😀
@Randomness: Absolutely love that idea of things going wonky in time on different parts of the ship. It was done in both the Andromeda & ST series and both times it was fantastic. So if the writers can successfully combine the invisibility idea with the time loop thing it’d be like The Somnambulist meets Abbot & Costello in space on a bad acid trip! 😀
It wouldn’t even have to be all that complicated or difficult to explain. It could just be something like: 3 is having a really bad day so he goes for a walk on the ship, wanders into a previously unexplored cargo bay. Discovers what he thinks is Bacon beer, drinks it… and wham! As he’s making his way back to his quarters, things go all wonky! ( think: Alice in wonderland – with eat me – drink me potions).
O! Hey, Joe! ….Maybe that’s how you can get Bubba a guest appearance as an “alien” and could even get Akemi a walk on roll as @Sparced & @gforce suggested 😀
Just thought of a perfect end to this hilarious episode: After Android administers the equivalent of pepto bismol antidote and 3, who now seems to be all better, makes his way back to his quarters, The closing scene would be Bubba waiting for him on the bed.
3: (eyes fly open wide, in disbelief!)
Bubba asks: “coming to bed dear?”
LOL!
Cool! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. 🙂
Thanks so much for the update on Lulu. I hope by now she is feeling better on her new diet. Thanks so much for always taking the time to answer people’s questions in such detail. I appreciate you.