Stargate SG-1 & Atlantis

[Nico]

I'm not sure, but he did have some brief appearance after he left, They actually handled it well, I dont want to spoil to much for you, not sure what would class as a spoiler to you!, I believe RDA wanted to leave to spend more time with his daughter, he understood how important he was to the show, so on the show, instead of just having him announce he is leaving SG1, he was in a position out of SG1 but still was on the show, not as frequently, then he was gone, although all of the actors and actresses said they would happily make the time for the movies.

The whole idea of a stargate offers endless possibilities, the writers ofc have different tastes, some prefer the earth based stoylines, like attacks on earth, some offworld probably the same with atlantis I really should rewatch it and take note of the writers.

[Allan]

I knew that he came back for a few episodes, which was cool. It was nice that the character was still around to show up when needed.

I agree about the Stargate concept allowing for endless possibilities, and I've seen how well they handle that with the first three seasons of Atlantis. Obviously, it's not going to have many Earth-based stories (even if they did manage to get a couple in), but if found a nice balance between big, operatic stories, and smaller ones with them just on Atlantis.

[Nico]

I love those episodes that are slotted in between the main story, it gives a welcome break. Atlantis is tricky, because they are in a different Galaxy, but season four we get some interesting episodes involving earth, not always directly, a great one that I loved takes place on midway station, you will definetly enjoy that episode, I thought it was handled brilliantly. It is so easy to go crazy with episodes, and there were a few behind the scenes clips on SG1 where they were saying it is hard to keep the continuity ( or whatever) running on every episode, because there is to much to remember.

[Allan]

LOL, I can imagine that it would get difficult to remember all the continuity. Especially after ten years.

I'm watching the commentaries for season two of Atlantis at the moment, and there's been a bit of discussion about all the technology, etc, and how they have to keep track of what they can and cannot do. I'd imagine that would steadily get more complicated after every time they try something new.

EDIT - I was listening to the commentary for "Runner" tonight, and it had David Hewlett on there. He's always mentioning that he's a sci-fi geek, though I thought it was cool when they had the flashback to Ronon's time in the army, fighting the Wraith. David says "that's really cool in a Firefly kind of way". I thought that was a nice reference.

[Nico]

I think at one point they mention when they run into a problem, they have Rodney talk what is basically crap, adding in alot of scientific words to explain a problem, or why something malfunctioned .

David Hewlett is great when he is doing commentary, he is a major geek and he likes everyone to know it he is always good for a laugh

[Allan]

David Hewlett seems like great fun in all the DVD features, and everyone seems to get along with him really well. I'm surprised by how many commentaries he does (not quite half way through season two yet), and it seems like he's almost on every second one. He definitely does seem like a geek, though.

And speaking of commentaries, has Torri Higginson done any? She's the only actor on the show who I haven't heard one from yet.

[Nico]

I think David Hewlett is one of the main Stargate actors that puts in 110% effort to talk to his fans, he is always doing behind the scenes stuff at every oppetunity.

I have heard she doesnt have a great relationship with the producers, ofcourse that is only hear say but I believe she does the commentary on 'The Long goodbye" on season 2, that is the only one I remember

[Allan]

So that's still a little way off, though I should get to it fairly soon. It was surprising to me, because on the making ofs, etc, she seems to have quite a sense of humour and likes to have fun, so I thought she'd be on some commentaries.

I also wonder if her relationship with the producers is why she leaves.

[Nico]

I'm not sure why she left in the first place, I do know she wasnt happy with the way her character was written, but I read an interview on the sci fi forums, saying the producers asked her to 'guest' star in a few episodes, but she didnt want to just guest star, she wanted to be in the same capacity she was at the beginning and turned them down.

[Allan]

I don't think there are any problems with how the character is written, though I can imagine that she wouldn't be too exciting to play. I saw some spoilery bits and pieces about how she gets written out in season 4, and my assumption was that she guest starred in those episodes. So is season 4 a similar situation to Rainbow Sun Francks in that she appears as a regular until she's gone for good?

And I was watching a season 2 commentary (Peter DeLuise and Gary Jones, I think), and Peter posed the question to him "So, do you like Torri?". That really seems to add to the stories of her not getting along with the producers.

[Nico]

I found the whole Torri/ Dr Weir situation really strange, in season 4 she is in a few episodes at the very beginning where she would be counted as a main character as the storyline focuses around here (not surprising after the season 3 finale) but then you hear nothing from her, she appears again to us the viewers but not to the Atlantis expedition, she has like 10 seconds and then nothing.

I am thinking maybe season 5 will write her out properly? , it seems pretty obvious she is definetly gone, but if they dont include her character in season 5 I will be extremly annoyed, when you watch season 4, they make a point of showing her on screen in a capacity that makes her (to me) seem important. Then again in a sci fi world with replicators, clones, other dimensions who knows if it actually was her (the character we know) .

I was surprised she wasnt fully happy with the way her character was written, both SG1 and Atlantis are known to let the actors write and produce an episode (obviously with supervision ).

[Allan]

I guess if she's not much of a writer or director, then there mightn't be enough pull for her to do that.

After the season three finale, I thought it'd be likely we'd see her for a few episodes, at least in some capacity to deal with the events of the finale.

Regarding season five, hopefully they will write her out properly. Even if the character isn't "her", you'd hope that they'd go to the effort of at least sorting it all out.

But the midseason two parter for season two hinted that we'd be seeing more Ford after that, and that never came about. I think in some instances, the actors just aren't available at the right time.

[Nico]

Yeah pretty understandable, I saw a behind the scenes on the SG1 boxset about Atlantis and it was the actor who plays Ford doing it, he is only like 19/20 , and he seemed really excited to be in that position (who wouldnt) he even had a signed picture of Richard Dean Anderson on his fridge he was extremly proud of, its a shame he never came back, I wouldve enjoyed seeing some more of him on screen.

[Allan]

Was this the behind the scenes thing that featured both shows (and was done in two parts)? Because that was also on the Atlantis season 1 DVD set. It showed his RDA pic, which was amusing - as well as a picture of Deadpool, who's a hilarious comic character - good to see he's a fan.

[Nico]

Yes it was, I didnt realise it was on the Atlantis set to, I guess that makes sense since the big boxset of SG1 was released after Atlantis started airing , I reckon that is exactly what I would be like, getting autographs alot of the time!, it was nice to see into his home was like that show through the keyhole "who lives in a house like this" , I'm not sure if you have that show there lol.

[Allan]

I can't say I get that show.

How does Season 4 compare to the first three seasons? I noticed it's going to cost around $80 when released here... It'd better be good for that price.

[Nico]

In my honest yet Humble opinion, it is alot better, alot more going on character developement is very high, they even treat the fans to a few flirty sessions every now and then, I think it has everything needed to keep the viewers highly entertained, and a great episode that centers on Ronon & Teal'c from SG1! , you wont be dissapointed Allan!

[Allan]

Glad to hear it, Nico. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it.

I was reading an interview with Brad Wright about Stargate: Continuum. Interestingly, it looks like it'll be standalone, so I might have to check it out before getting through 10 seasons of SG-1. Looks pretty cool.

Also, he mentions something called Stargate: Universe. Have you heard anything about this?

fter 10 ground breaking seasons, Stargate SG-1 was finally shut down although its spin off, Stargate: Atlantis, is currently gearing up for its fifth amazing year and there are still talks of another Stargate project waiting in the wings.

“Stargate: Universe is very much something we have been discussing with SCI FI and MGM for a long time...too long actually,” concludes Wright. “They need to make some decisions. I think we are at the point of finding out soon. We know what we are doing and what we want to do. We are excited about the prospect but as long as Atlantis is going strong and as long as there are prospects for new movies, it doesn’t matter to me if my next project is two more movies for next year. Essentially, we would put a third series off another year but MGM wants one. They know the franchise is still strong.”

[Nico]

Yeah my brother was telling me about Stargate Universe, I remember reading that Brad Wright and Robert Cooper said it had the possibility of turning into a movie, but a series was far more likely , rather exciting . I also heard that it will be completely seperate to Atlantis & Sg1, but will not be set in a different Era, yknow our scientists, our people so it will be interesting to see what they come up with!.

Like in what you quoted, he says the franchise is still strong, and what more can you ask for. They are making lots of cash from Atlantis and previously SG1, and they recycle it, not only into new atlantis series, but movies, it is like a fans dream the show that never ends!

I am very excited about Continuum, the last movie didnt have Jack in it, this one does which is great! (well I have seen alot of production shots with him in it) , and yeah I think this one will be like a standalone episode, kind of like SG1's 200th episode, the storyline begins/evolves and possibly ends in the one movie, which is great, a good way to get people interested who have never seen SG1, or watched and stopped like you!.

[Allan]

It's definitely cool to see that they'd like to expand the universe further, even if it is completely separate.

And it's good to see that the franchise is still strong. Apparently Atlantis isn't getting the same kind of love from fans that SG-1 got, but it must be doing okay to be reaching season 5 (especially considering the budget the series must have).

I noticed that Jack was in Continuum from the photo on the interview, which was surprising. I was sure that RDA wouldn't be coming back for more.

It's interesting that SG-1's 200th episode was standalone. How was that as a fan, because I can see an anniversary episode that isn't heavy on the continuity disappointing a few people.