Ming-Na as "Camille Wray"
One upcoming episode, titled “Sabotage,” will feature a lead guest character who is a quadriplegic. Dr. Eleanor Perry comes on board the Destiny via the Ancient long-range communications device, which allows her to trade bodies with someone on board the ship. For the duration of her stay, she is able to walk for the first time in her adult life.
Today series creators Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper posted at GateWorld Forum in response to outcry about the character’s description, which surfaced this week at sites like SpoilerTV. Here is how the original casting breakdown read:
ELEANOR PERRY, (35-40) and quite attractive. A brilliant scientist who happens to be a quadriplegic. Affected since childhood, her disability has rendered her body physically useless. However, after being brought on board the Destiny as the only person who may be able to save the ship and her crew from certain annihilation, she is given temporary powers that enable her to walk again and to finally experience intimacy. Strong guest lead. NAMES PREFERRED. ACTRESS MUST BE PHYSICALLY THIN. (THINK CALISTA FLOCKHART).
Critics challenged what appears to be an insensitive description of a disabled person, such as calling her body “physically useless” and suggesting that she would have been unable to experience true intimacy throughout her life without the use of her arms and legs.
There are also unconfirmed rumors that Perry will have a sexual encounter with a male crew member in the course of the story.
In response to the criticisms, Wright and Cooper said (via GateWorld Forum):
Recently, a casting breakdown was released to agents for a upcoming character in our television show, Stargate Universe. The character, Doctor Eleanor Perry, is a brilliant scientist at the top of her field, who also happens to be a quadriplegic. As part of a science fiction conceit that is core to our series, Perry’s consciousness is temporarily exchanged with one our series main characters, Camile Wray, who is a lesbian.
In the course of the story, Perry has the experience of being able bodied for the first time since she was a child. At the same time, Wray, temporarily encumbered by Perry’s physical disability, experiences the unconditional love of her life partner.
The language of the breakdown was insensitive and inaccurate, and we sincerely apologize to those who may have been offended. The audition pages that have been under scrutiny were from an early draft and released out of context. It is our desire and intention to portray both characters with dignity and respect, while remaining mindful of the ethical issues we’re raising.
As the producers explain, the ethical matters pursued in this episode of Stargate Universe go even deeper than disability and inhabiting someone else’s body — two huge topics for exploration in science fiction (calling to mind stories like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s “Melora”). Dr. Perry trades places with Camille Wray (played by Ming-Na), a lesbian woman who is in a long-term relationship back on Earth (story). Perry explores the possibility (and acceptability) of not only a sexual relationship inside Wray’s body on board the ship, but also a heterosexual relationship.
Meanwhile, Wray wakes up back on Earth in the other woman’s quadriplegic body and has her own personal issues to face.
The producers’ comments acknowledge and apologize for the failings of the breakdown, which is used for casting purposes and not intended for public consumption. But the question remains: How will “Sabotage” deal with these sensitive issues of disability, sexuality, and respect for another person’s body when it airs?
Read more on the criticisms and an SGU spokesperson’s response at AfterEllen.com.
Stargate Universe premiers Friday, October 2 at 9 p.m. on Syfy in the U.S. “Sabotage” is written by a still unnamed freelance writer and directed by Peter DeLuise, and will air in 2010.
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aside from the premier "Air" which (based on a trailer) looks awesome, is there really any episode that looks good. the characters don't seem interesting so i'm thinking either the survival desperation theme is big, I hope.
I got really upon finding out about an openly gay character on the show, equally as burnt was a lot of people, and they ignored us just fine. IF YOU'RE BOLD AND EDGY ENOUGH TO IGNORE US, BUT SUDDENLY GETS ALL WIMPY WHEN OTHER BOTTOM FEEDERS get offended, then you're not only hypocritical but you had no reason of canceling Atlantis in lieu of an EDGIER show. If you're going to be Political Correct, then maybe, making edgy shows isn't your thing, I know; Keith Olbermann need nodding compliant yes man, if you're interested, I know a guy...
I don't see the controversy.
There can be different levels of quadriplegia.
There's a man in Perth who is a quadriplegic and has to be fed with a feeding tube who wants to end his life. He was given the right to starve to death (as he requested) by the court just two days ago.
"Physically useless" describes exactly how that character should be played.
It does not say "all quadriplegics are physically useless."
AVATAR, anyone?
This sounds like a very bad scifi B movie that only a teenage boy would love. Lesbian body swapping.
The people who wrote this crap episode are the same ones who ruined SGA.
Color me not surprised.
@cynatnite
Since when does Lesbian mean soft core? Cause that's the way you are portraying it. Maybe it is time that Scifi shows start exploring the issues of our time like Star Trek used to do. Actually use the medium to challenge the social norm.
I have read the sides. Unless they make some major changes to the storyline (which I hope they do) it is foul and disgusting and nothing I would find worth watching.
I have already decided against watching SGU, for a variety of reasons, this only adds another brick in the wall.
ABSOLUTE FAIL dudes!
My first reaction to this was, 'Great, more things to make this show a space soap'. This could go terribly, and I emphasize terribly, wrong. On the other hand Wright and Cooper have brains in their heads. They've done good by things that could have gone terribly wrong before. Hopefully this won't go wrong and we'll get a fantastic, introspective, character episode. Here's to hoping...
You know what else? I just read on the Afterellen site above that, according to the MGM spokesperson, Camile and her female lover have the "only" healthy relationship on the show, and also that this body swapping for sex is going on long before we get to the episode that has caused the current controversy.
I am now 50000000000% sure I would never want to watch this show if this is how adult sexual realationships are handled. I am disturbed and disgusted with what Stargate has become. A true shame.
wow! i didnt realise this episode had aired, where can i see it? how about all the naysayers hold off on the negativity and watch the damn show when it airs! i feel sorry for the producers having to hear all this negativity before the show airs on things they have 'heard'. grow up, watch the show!