Atlantis writer explores “Sunday”

Since news broke at GateWorld earlier this Spring about the possibility of Stargate Atlantis writer Martin Gero considering shelving his “day-off” episode (story), fans from around the globe, eager to see such a story told, mobilized in response.

Months later word broke regarding “Sunday,” and it was apparent that Gero’s premise was executed. How much of that push is the result of fan persuasion may never be known, but one thing is certain: everyone involved in the episode is singing its praises.

Gero recently took time to talk to us regarding the episode. Though careful not to reveal too much, he did explore the backbone of the premise and gave generous insight into how the story, and characters, may be shaped. “Sunday” will be told in various segments dealing with the different regulars, but each segment will take place over the same exact time period. As the episode progresses, the viewer will get more insight into the catastrophe that is occurring at the base.

“It’s no secret to the fans of GateWorld that it’s an episode that I kind of had in my back pocket really since Season One,” Martin tells us. “[I] just haven’t figured out a way to make it work for the show. For some of us here it’s our favorite episode that we’ve done on Atlantis, just because it really is a showcase for the actors. They are all so very good, and it also opens up and showcases … their characters.”

Perhaps the largest development of Atlantis‘s third season is the redoubled efforts of the writers to deliberately make team episodes and team moments. By SG-1‘s Third Season the relationships between O’Neill, Carter, Jackson and Teal’c were firmly in place. Atlantis appears to be catching up, and “Sunday” is a generous push in that direction.

Gero equates this episodes personal moments to an earlier show he penned this year. “In ‘McKay and Mrs. Miller‘ you get little glimmers,” he tells GateWorld. “You get the odd golf scene, or you get the cafeteria scene. Like the scene at the end where they’re talking about Teyla having a crush on a marine — you get the odd insight into what their life is like when they’re not on missions. Well, this [‘Sunday’] is a whole episode of that. It’s a whole episode of what their lives are like just on Atlantis. What their relationships are like. Some of their relationships will be a revelation, and some will just be as expected. And it’s great.”

Though the acts are likely to be tight with the various scenes, there will definitely be room for some of our favorite guest stars. “Everyone is in the show. Lorne, Zelenka. All of the outer ring of Atlantis characters.” And Caldwell? Gero admits that “Mitch is not in the episode, actually. That was, unfortunately, scheduling conflicts. But we’re bringing back Katie Brown from ‘Duet.’

“You really get to see a side of those characters and kind of see how the year has affected them in some senses. So I think it’s a really beautiful episode. I think Will Waring did a wonderful job directing it. And the cast — each of them gives, I think, one of their better performances. I’m really excited for the fans to see that one.”

Despite the possibility of bloodshed, Gero tells GateWorld that none of the show’s adversaries will play a part. “In a weird way, there are no bad guys in this episode,” he says. “In this episode the dangers of living in the city are explored, somewhat. For the most part, 90 percent of the episode is about character interaction on the day off. And although that may sound insanely boring to some people, I assure you it’s very entertaining. It’ll also, I think, be a big ‘ship’ episode.

“I don’t think it’s a secret that it’s all segments. Each character gets their own segment to which other characters flow in and out of. And Weir’s segment has a date with one of the other scientists there. And part of it is very much about that struggle within her, about her perpetual concern of splitting her focus. And by doing that, you’re going to get to open up her relationship with Teyla a bit as well, and see that they kind of have, perhaps, a more friendlier relationship than one would think, just with their interactions during the missions of the show.”

“Sunday” premieres in the United States in the Spring of 2007, but Canadian viewers do not have to wait nearly as long, since new episodes of Atlantis are currently airing on The Movie Network. Meanwhile, Martin Gero is spending his holiday in Toronto filming a project decidedly different from Stargate (story).

Stay tuned to GateWorld for more with Gero on this episode after it airs in the U.S.!