 
GW: What are your impressions regarding the range of the character? Were you satisfied with the amount of latitude the character was given in terms of personality?
As I said before, I believe the character was there to facilitate others but of course personally I wish that she had had a chance to be seen outside of a purely work capacity. A psychologist's job is to be a calm easy listening presence with the right questions to ask to help someone else free themselves. Their emotions and feelings are not only unimportant but also unacceptable in a work setting. So, without a chance to been seen outside of that capacity there was no opportunity for me to play with who she was personally.
GW: Did you do any research for the role -- get in touch with hrinks you knew personally or Wikipedia famous psychologists?
CR: I did actually. I have a couple of acquaintances who are therapists and I took quite a bit from their advice, especially in demeanor.
It's that calm, thoughtful quality that make the person you're treating feel safe and let's them know you're really listening.
GW: Kate dies in a falling nightmare. Was this surreal for you in any way? Are you afraid of heights?
" A psychologist's job is to be a calm easy listening presence with the right questions to ask to help someone else free themselves. Their emotions and feelings are not only unimportant but also unacceptable in a work setting."
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CR: I actually don't care much for heights but I'm not really scared of them. I enjoyed being harnessed on the ledge of the set and getting to do something a bit physical. It was fun with the wind machines and all!
GW: Was it ironic to you that Rachel shared your final scenes?
CR: Teyla really is the only character the audience sees Kate connect with a in any sort of personal way- so I think that the audience could believe that they were friends and she would be the one to try and save Kate.
GW: Were you told the character was going to be killed off before you got the script for "Doppelganger?"
CR: No, I had no idea. I was reading it and I saw my death and I thought "that can't be real" and then I saw Rodney's death and I thought "that really can't be real" and then his was not, but mine was- and I was bummed. But it's sci-fi so anything can happen- I could be cloned yet!
GW: How does Vancouver-based Atlantis compare to the LA-based Star Trek Voyager, in which you guest starred, in terms of production schedules and the atmosphere on set?
CR: Well, I only had the opportunity to do one episode on Voyager (although it was a great part) so I didn't get the chance to be there long enough to feel like a part of the cast. I almost exclusively worked with Robert Duncan McNeill and he was wonderful -- very welcoming and a ton of fun. And it was great to be a sexy bad girl.
Atlantis was lovely because I was there long enough to get to know everyone. I was thrilled when I was finally given my own earpiece -- I really felt like a part of the cast then. They are both well-oiled machines because they both had predecessors and so everyone in all departments are serious pros.
GW: Will fans be lucky enough to spot you at any Stargate conventions in the future?
CR: I hope so! I had a fabulous time at Dragon-Con last year and loved getting the chance to meet everyone. It was so great to feel that support -- and to get a chance to thank the fans. I don't have anything lined up at the moment -- but let some conventions know you want to see me and I'll be there!
GW: Do you have any projects currently in the works?
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Fans felt the ping of tragedy when Heightmeyer fell to her death in her dream. |
CR: I have a film that is doing the festival circuit and I hope it will be on your TV or in a theatre soon. It's called "One of Our Own" and it stars Josh Randall, Matthew Lillard, Kate Beahan and myself. It's about a couple with fertility issues and the surrogate that comes into their lives and the hell that follows. I also just finished shooting a film called "Viper" with Tara Reid and it's a really fun horror flick.
GW: You are a shining example of beauty and gracefulness. Do you have any messages for young women facing pressure from the media?
CR: Well, I don't know about that but thank you. What I aspire to be is just myself. There's so much pressure to be thin and perfect and to fit into this unattainable mold and it's a terrible message. Why does the media get to decide what is 'perfect'? And who wants to be perfect anyway? What a bore.
Yes, I do try to take care of myself (eat well, exercise, wear sunscreen... and I would never give up my mascara!) but I don't measure who I am as a person by what I look like.
As my sister says to her daughter, "pretty is as pretty does" so I try to spend more time thinking about who I am and less time about how I look. Find somebody who needs help, and help them- I guarantee you'll feel "beautiful."
GW: The strength of women goes back to Samantha Carter in SG-1. Would you recommend either series to your niece?
CR: Actually, Stargate SG-1 is my mom's favorite show -- and now she's getting into Atlantis. (especially seeing that Amanda is doing episodes.)
I think there's lots to be gained for young women by watching strong female characters. The women of Stargate lead teams, defend themselves and others, and command authority and the more positive role models we can get out there for girls the better. I hope it makes them dream of what they themselves can aspire to be.
And who knows? By the time my niece is grown she may have the chance to lead a team in space herself!
GW: What do you think is Stargate's lasting quality? How has the franchise survived for over a decade?
CR: Well the fans would be a huge part of that. No show survives without the love and support of their audience, and clearly Sci-Fi fans are the best!
- D. Read
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