Stargate Atlantis Season 4 Drifts Home Tonight
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It doesn't seem like three months has passed since the season 3 finale of Stargate Atlantis, if anything it feels like half a year. Although the dynamic due of SG-1 and Atlantis won't be gracing the airwaves anymore (for those unaware, SG-1 was sadly canceled after 10 seasons) the junior series is still getting its game on, and tonight is the night my friends.Firstly, Atlantis is moving back to its original time slot from before Battlestar Galactica started sucking up all the available money (first it cost us SG-1, now word is they are going to split it into 2, 10 episode seasons because of the enormous cost.)
I love BSG but if it really is costing that much, somebody isn't doing their job..
If you're a SGA fan as I am, then you'd be happy to find a couple of links to things going on around the Internets related to the Stargate universe. Two that I recently found are a short feature in ScifiWire about Amanda Tapping joining the cast for season 4 and probably beyond. If I may interject a little bit of opinion - this was stupid. Of all the SG-1 actors to cross over, the most logical and popular choice would have been Michael Shanks. Having Daniel on Atlantis just plain makes the most sense, and he's the best actor of the entire bunch.
Probably of more interest and practical value, TV Guide published an interview with David Hewlett today.
TVGuide.com: McGillion is back for two episodes. How? Isn't he dead?
Hewlett: Let's say that he becomes a product of his own medical genius. Paul looks very L.A.-fit. I told him maybe he should start doing more work and less exercise.
TVGuide.com: The fans boast he's back because of them. True?
Hewlett: Definitely. There was a huge response on the Internet, we had bagpipers show up at Bridge Studios where we film.... I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up more. He's always a popular character. We have Serenity's Jewel Staite playing a doctor this season. No offense to Paul, but Jewel is a lot easier to look at.
Good interview though I could have used more SGA and less "blah", but hey if you like "blah", you'll dig both halves and then I'll look like a freakin genius.
Yeah maybe not so much the genius part..
Before I run off I'd like to say a few things about SGA and DVRs. Now, the network and studio want you watch it live without using your DVR because ratings become a little murky when DVRs are thrown into the mix, so they'd prefer you just watch it live. I generally agree and think this is an important thing to do for a show that isn't a breakout hit, yet on the other hand if you aren't a Neilsen family, it doesn't make *any different* at all. You can do anything you want and you won't hurt the ratings...well maybe if you're a Tivo user.
I think Tivo records and
Note: I was going to enter this post and a couple of others into an MGM contest for spreading SGA information, but the retards have their system setup only to allow you to post the stuff on forums. Apparently the people at MGM have never heard of blogs...jesus.
October 1, 2007 1:11 PM | Reply
I dont agree. Sam Carter is very qualified to cross over to Atlantis. Danel Jackson had a humongous brain transplant the last two years and lost his first charm. Michel Shanks may be popular and talented but so is Amanda Tapping.
besides, if they really wanted Danel on Atlantis, he would be there and not her. they must think she's good for something.
October 1, 2007 3:10 PM | Reply
Well, I never said the character wasn't qualified - she's redundant. Without nitpicking, McKay has her brains and Sheppard has her brawn. There is nobody on Atlantis that gives what the Daniel character provides which really is why he was so unique to SG1.
I did like him a little better when he was the passionate optimist, but I suppose losing your wife and ascending changes a person, eh?
Shanks may not have been available, but speaking of redundancy, Joe Mallozzi has said a couple of times that getting Shanks to Atlantis would be a top priority for season 5 if they get a pickup.
Thanks for commenting.
October 27, 2007 8:35 AM | Reply
Sam is both scientist and military indeed...however her role is not to be the Sheppard or the McKay, but to oversee them. Her training and experience in those fields gives her just the right expertise to be able to manage and balance both the military and the scientific sides of things and weigh in and provide support when needed.
Daniel, not being military, would have been in the same shoes Weir was...i.e., a figurehead for the IOA to use and discard as needed. He'd also have the same level of control over the military as Weir did, which is to say, not much. As the superior officer in this set up, Sam's orders have to be followed else there be serious consequences beyond a stern talking to.
As for Daniel bringing something different to the table...you're right. He does. But that doesn't mean that he'd fit into the day-to-day operations of commanding a military/scientific expedition. I see him more as a special guest character who visits when there's some important discovery or whatever.
I'm glad you enjoyed it but I found the changes that took place to his character in the last couple of years (specifically seasons 9 and 10) to be jarring. It was like he was trying to be the action hero of the show all of a sudden and it just didn't fit for me. He also seemed to be trying on Jack's personality at times and again, it was a misfire (that cringeworthy scene at the end of Company of Thieves is a prime example). Changing and evolving over a period of time is one thing but it was like a switch flipped or something.
Thankfully, there were instances of him leveling off more...most notably in those very moving scenes in Unending.
So while I hope he visits and contributes to SGA when needed, I don't agree that he had the skillset required to manage and command both military and civilian scientist assets. Conversely, Sam is uniquely qualified in both fields and therefore can understand and provide backup as needed in both arenas as well as respect and listen to both groups with equality, which is something the scientists on Atlantis feared would not be the case were the expedition to be militarized.
Mary Beth
October 28, 2007 12:02 AM | Reply
[quote]Sam is both scientist and military indeed...however her role is not to be the Sheppard or the McKay, but to oversee them. Her training and experience in those fields gives her just the right expertise to be able to manage and balance both the military and the scientific sides of things and weigh in and provide support when needed.[/quote]
Sam has never been shown as being a leader or having the ability to oversee anything other than some civilian scientists or more junior officers/cadets/NCO's/enlisted personnel. Even Cooper and Wright have said that her being in SGA will finally allow her to lead.
Sam has never been shown as being able to balance the science and military sides. Whenever she has had to choose, she takes the military side.
[quote]Daniel, not being military, would have been in the same shoes Weir was[/quote]
Given that Atlanits was meant ot be a civilian/scientific operation this would make sense.
[quote]...i.e., a figurehead for the IOA to use and discard as needed.[/quote]
As opposed to Sam who the IOA okayed because she always follows orders.
[quote]He'd also have the same level of control over the military as Weir did, which is to say, not much.[/quote]
Daniel has been shown on the show to have a lot of respect from the military people and they will follow his suggestions and orders. Enemy Mine for example.
[quote]As the superior officer in this set up, Sam's orders have to be followed else there be serious consequences beyond a stern talking to.[/quote]
So superior officer Sam will shout at people like she does at the scientists in S6 when things aren't going right, or get all emotional like in Heroes when she thinks Jack is dead or..... Anyway, she will get all huffy with people who don't follow her orders and throw them in the brig or cry.
Great leadership skills. Not.
[quote]As for Daniel bringing something different to the table...you're right. He does. But that doesn't mean that he'd fit into the day-to-day operations of commanding a military/scientific expedition. I see him more as a special guest character who visits when there's some important discovery or whatever.[/quote]
Remember Daniel is the expert on the Ancients and their technology you know, what Atlantis is meant to be all about.
Sam is an second rate version of Rodney and Sheppard combined.
Yes, that's right second rate. She wasn't picked to join the first mission, Jack never forbade her from going like he did Daniel, she doesn't have the Ancients gene and she hasn't lived with the Wraith/Ancient technology or Atlantis for the past 3 years like Sheppard and Rodney have. She has never lead anything as per Cooper and Wright's comments. She adds nothing.
[quote]I did like him a little better when he was the passionate optimist, but I suppose losing your wife and ascending changes a person, eh?[/quote]
Try loosing someone you love and having all those things happen to you and not change. If we all took your view of the world, we'd all still be emotional 5 year olds.
[quote]I'm glad you enjoyed it but I found the changes that took place to his character in the last couple of years (specifically seasons 9 and 10) to be jarring. It was like he was trying to be the action hero of the show all of a sudden and it just didn't fit for me. He also seemed to be trying on Jack's personality at times and again, it was a misfire (that cringeworthy scene at the end of Company of Thieves is a prime example).[/quote]
Unlike Sam who has become more and more the girl incapable of doing anything apart from running around after Jack, crying, and thinking she has a chance of a relationship with her boss. Not jarring at all.
[quote]I don't agree that he had the skill set required to manage and command both military and civilian scientist assets. Conversely, Sam is uniquely qualified in both fields and therefore can understand and provide backup as needed in both arenas as well as respect and listen to both groups with equality, which is something the scientists on Atlantis feared would not be the case were the expedition to be militarized.[/quote]
You are entitled to your opinion Mary Beth, however all you have proven in this post is how one eyed you are. You are not happy unless everyone agrees with you that Sam is the center of the entire Stargate universe. Your arguments lack insight into character development and the show.
Medit Pundit got it correct.
October 28, 2007 10:04 AM | Reply
And Weir HAD when she stepped through that gate 4 years ago? I in no way believe Elizabeth Weir was more qualified to lead Atlantis when she started out than Sam Carter is now. But that was one of the best things about Dr. Weir, she evolved as time went on. And this experience will help Sam to evolve.
And about Daniel taking Weir's place instead of Sam, please don't make me laugh. I love the character, but if he ever went to Atlantis, he would not want to lead it. He would want to study it.
The fact is, the Pegasus Galaxy is now at war. And everyone knows, both the fans and the characters, that Atlantis is going to get dragged into it. Sam is military, and she is there as a military commander. Yet, unlike someone like Caldwell, she also has the scientific backround, and is not so quick to jump into something with all guns blazing. She is, IMHO, perfect for the role. And I look forward to seeing her and the rest of the crew in season 5.