So I was flipping through a back issue of Dreamwatch the other day, checking out the review section, when I noticed two things. 1. The Atlantis episode, Intruder, was reviewed and received a 6 on 10. 2. A couple of pages later, the Lost beach towel was reviewed. It received a 7 on 10. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not dissing the towel. In fact, I think its a terrific beach towel. I just don't think the beach towel was better than Intruder. Of course, I'm biased.
Speaking of t.v. - I'm deep into Oz, a great series I watched only sporadically when it first aired. I've picked up all five seasons on DVD and, the way things are going, will probably finish all five before moving onto another show. Finished season 3 of Alias and have Nip/Tuck season 2, Curb Your Enthusiasm season 4, and Arrested Development season 2 up on deck. To those of you wondering - yes, I've already watched Firefly. And loved it. On the anime side, I'm watching Gunslinger Girl. I heard it was from the same gang that brought us Noir (one of my top ten favorite anime series) and, while I am enjoying it, I find it lacks the heart of its predecessor.
Still waiting to hear word about next year. Ratings for both shows were solid, particularly considering SG-1's move to an earlier time slot and the fact that, unlike previous years, we went up against some first-run network shows.
Finishing prep on Camelot (working on the pink pages this weekend). Finished cutting The Scourge last week (its going to be a great episode. Some really great moments from Woolsey and Carter in this one).
The Ice Cream Report: Last Friday's line-up included: Kahlua Truffle with Vanilla Crisp Wafers, Vanilla-Advokaat, White Chocolate with Shaved Milk Chocolate Toberlone, Milk Chocolate Pistachio Cream, Vanilla with clotted cream Grand Marnier, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies and Sweet Cream. This coming week will mark the last week of the regular season. Flavors will include...
SPOILER ALERT!
...German Chocolate Cake, and Peanut Butter with Shaved Milk Chocolate Cappuccino. Afterwhich all ice cream friday participants will vote, American Idol style, for their favorites. The top 3 favorites will be announced next weekend and they will be on the menu for the last day of filming. 1 800 numbers are being set up as I write this.
Scrolling through the responses to my blog, I've noticed that the same comments keep coming up. In the interest of putting people's concerns to rest (or, in some cases, enraging people even further), I've decided to take the time to answer some of the more, uh, controversial questions -
1. Why isn't Carter leading SG-1? Why has the character been demoted?
We had a number of challenges facing us with the start of season 9. One was the introduction of a new team member: Cameron Mitchell. The other was Amanda's pregnancy which would keep her out of the show for the first six episodes of the season. Rather than going the "new guy joins the team" route, Robert opted for something a little different. We had finally wrapped up 8 seasons worth of loose ends, so it was natural that our characters would be moving on. Simply put, their main mission accomplished, the individual members of SG-1 were finally free to pursue areas of personal interest. In Teal'c's case, that meant helping the free Jaffa. In Daniel's case, it meant finally going to Atlantis. And, in Carter's case, it meant helping Cassie through a rough time, and focusing on the Research and Development of the technology we had acquired over the years. So, when Mitchell came aboard, there was no SG-1. He was given command of a team that he would have to rebuild. Ideally, he wanted to "get the band back together" - and that meant Daniel, Teal'c, and Carter. So who is leading the team? They both are. The two have reached a mutual understanding whereby they can alternate command on various ops. "Impossible!"some will undoubtedly howl. That goes against regs! Maybe. And it goes against regs to have two Colonel's on the same team. But rather than giving Carter command of SG-22 (and following her adventures in another spin-off series), we thought this would be a nice compromise.
2. Why does Mitchell call Daniel by his last name?
Its not unlike Teal'c referring to Jack by his last name, O'Neill, through the show's first eight seasons. It simply goes to character, in this case Mitchell's military tact. It doesn't mean he thinks any less of Daniel, just as it didn't mean Teal'c thought any less of O'Neill.
3. Why aren't you bringing O'Neill back?
After eight great years on the show, Richard Dean Anderson decided it was time to call it a day. By all accounts, he is enjoying a well-earned retirement from the world of Stargate.
4. Are Sam and Jack going to get together? Are they together?
The only way to do this properly would be to have O'Neill back on the show - and that is unlikely to happen. So, does that mean there's no hope? Nope, not necessarily. Never say never. But I will say that its not a storyline we're looking to pursue anytime in the near future (as we have other more pressing stories to tell). Then what about the scene in Ex Deus Machina? When Carter replied "Its complicated", was she referring to Jack? Yeah. She probably was.
5. Why aren't you bringing back Jonas?
Again, never say never. If the right story comes along, there's no reason why we won't revisit the character. But for those wondering why we're not bringing Jonas back as a full team member, it all comes down to $$$. Ideally, if everyone worked for free, we could have ten members on SG-1 with George Clooney as the new team leader. But sadly (for the studio), we have to pay the actors a salary, and we only have a set amount in our budget from which to pay them.
6. Do you or any of the writers on the show read fan fiction? What do you think of Stargate Platypus?
Nope. And I have no opinion on Stargate Platypus or any other like fan fiction project.
Well, that's it for now. Off to hit the weights and watch another episode of Oz.
P.S. Go Longhorns!
What do you mean, where was I? Where were YOU?
Well, to be perfectly honest, between coming up with new ice cream recipes, watching t.v. on DVD, watching movies, going out for dinner, and spending quality time with the dogs, I also write and produce the occasional episode of Stargate SG-1. And, as an executive producer, you are often asked to do a pass on the script you'll be producing. No problem. However, when the scheduled prep on said episode is moved up a week and a half giving you only two days to get the job done, then the weekend becomes a wee bit stressful. I had a week to recharge my batteries, then write the outline for Camelot, the big season finale. A week to write the script and - voila - done! Well, not quite. Paul is doing a pass on my draft and there's still the matter of prepping and producing the episode, not to mention doing our producer edits on The Scourge. But this is the final script of the year and now, the waiting game begins. Contrary to the rumors, we have yet to hear word on the fate of either show - either from confirmed or uncomfirmed sources.
So, what did I miss? Oh, yes, just to show you I wasn't totally out of the loop, I am aware of the the BIG DEBATE that has raged over the past week or so. I've read comments along the lines of "What are they thinking?!" or "What a terrible idea!" and I'd just like to take this opportunity to put all your doubts to rest. The carrot cake ice cream turned out great. A little sweet (I think I'd forgo the sugar next time and just rely on the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting, or just go cream cheese without the frosting and keep the same amount of sugar).
Speaking of ice cream, last week's flavors included a dark chocolate with shaved white Toblerone, toasted coconut with milk shaved milk, chocolate, and the winner - Maple Butter Vanilla.
On the t.v. on DVD front, my wife and I are almost done season 3 of Alias. What the heck happened to Lena Olin? Just finished season 3 of Babylon 5. Vir is fast becoming my favorite character due in no small part to the terrific Stephen Furst. Also just finished the third season of Sealab 2021, a show which first came to my attention when we were contacted by the show's writer/producers about taking a little poke at SG-1 way back in the show's first season. I won't spoil it by giving it away, but if you get the chance pick up the first season boxset and look for the reference. Overall, a very funny series and, I'd dare say, funnier than 99% of the first-run sitcoms on the air right now.
On the anime front, I'm just watching La Petite Fille Cossette. A beautiful if somewhat mystifying series. Speaking of beautiful, I checked out the trailer for Gankutsuou - The Count of Monte Cristo. Talk about eye candy. On deck: Gunslinger Girls, Wolfs Rain, and Read or Die, the t.v. series.
Back to it on Monday as we begin prep on Camelot. Lots to look forward to: holograms and horses, a gathering of allies, hope and despair, death and destruction, and an uncertain future. Peter shoots Arthur's Mantle and Robert continues prepping Crusade (Michael Ironside was in the office on Friday chatting golf). On the Atlantis side, things heat up with Inferno, then explode in Allies. All I've got to say is - if there is no next season, there'll be some major loose ends left dangling.
Executive producer Joseph Mallozzi has been on the SG-1 writing
staff since Season Four. Along with writing partner Paul Mullie, Joe has
written such fan favorite episodes as "Window of Opportunity," "Summit,"
and "Lockdown." Joe lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. 
