The franchise’s third incarnation, Stargate Universe, is due to hit the airwaves this fall. The established fandom is once again reaching out with its diversity of opinions, and battle lines are being drawn.
Shanks has seen this firsthand, both in online message boards and at the Creation 2009 Chicago convention where we had the chance to catch up with him.
“I’ve never seen so many knives being sharpened for a show being aired, especially by the fans of the franchise, as I’ve seen over this past year when it came to Universe,” Shanks told GateWorld’s Chad Colvin. “I’ve also seen a lot of love for it. … But I’m just kind of surprised at the waiting-in-the-wings tension that is almost desirous for this thing to fall on its face. And I think that’s a mistake.”
Shanks has already filmed two guest spots for Universe, including the pilot episode for the series in which he makes a cameo. But it’s enough for him to draw some conclusions from the scripts he has read and the professionalism he has seen on set.
“The shows, at the end of each episode, they don’t wrap up nicely in a nice little bow,” Shanks said. “They’re not bottle shows. It’s very much an arc driven series. The interplay between the characters bleeds into the next one and the next one. The tensions and the relationships … So it’s very arc driven. By missing an episode of SG-1, eh, no big deal. Missing an episode of this might be a bit confusing for the viewers.
“I think that one of things that people should respect about this show is that what they’ve always felt about the Stargate universe is that they love the characters. They want to know the characters more. This show is going to allow you to do that. More so than we had the opportunities in doing it in our series. If that is what people always loved about it, this is the show that’s going to give [it to them].
“Is it going to have as much humor in it? I don’t know. I haven’t seen it. I doubt it. But there’s certainly going to be a lot more character driven drama, angst, conflict and relationship interaction than ever in a Stargate show.”
Many fans of SG-1 and Atlantis have already made up their minds about whether or not they will give SGU a chance. Shanks suggests that we reserve judgment and risk a couple of hours on the pilot.
“I think the most important thing is watch the show,” he said. “Judge from what you see. I didn’t think much about it until I watched the trailer that they had done for the pilot and I went ‘Wow! This looks cool!’ And I know from interacting with that cast, they’ve got a great group there. They have some amazing actors led by the profoundly amazing Robert Carlyle, who I couldn’t say enough about. I think it’s worth a look. I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised.”
One thing is certain: Universe will give birth to many brand new Stargate fans who will be watching to see if we are a group worth joining. Those of us already aboard the franchise will have to make room.
Watch GateWorld for the exclusive interview with Michael Shanks in the weeks to come! Stargate Universe premieres October 2 on SyFy in the United States.
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View Comments
Heh heh, Dr. Michael (Huggy Bear) Jackson, Pimp Daddy extraordinaire, in a heart rending new role, where he begs viewers to wach SGU :)
Like Atlantis before it, I don't see any point in condemning a show before I get a chance to watch it. People that read the spoilers are only going to see the facts and not the context with how the show deals with stuff.
I avoid spoilers at all costs, which is why I don't bother to go to the GateWorld forums until after both SG-1 & Atlantis were over.
Besides, having seen TPTB run Atlantis into the ground, I'm more patient to see the whole path of a season before I say what's good or bad.
SG-1 had a cast that just clicked, but Atlantis just had the McKay & Sheppard show at the expense of other characters
It smells like desperation when actors from an original show start pleading with the fandom to watch a spinoff. Not much confidence there, huh? If Universe is so awesome then a little online schadenfreude should be no obstacle at all, right? At least TPTB will be all set to play the blame game if Universe does bomb, pointing their fingers at those SG-1 and Atlantis fans who never gave their precious new show a chance, those big meanies!
Mr. Shamks has a good poit. It's important to actually watch the show before you voice your opinion of it, otherwise you will just look stupid.
I made a stupid typo. I wrote Shamks, instead of Shanks. Silly me! :p
So, even when one of the Gods of Stargate, Michael Shanks, asks you to give SGU a chance, you won't do it. Look, I hate that both SG1 & SA were canceled just as much as everyone else, but, Spify did not want to pay the higher budget for a sixth season of SA, it was cheaper to start another spin-off show, end of story. Can we all move on now? Oh, we can't, I didn't think so. One month to go.
The show is going to be, darker and character based.
And I don't like that type of show.
I don't doubt it will be a very high quality show but if it didn't have the name Stargate on I wouldn't even still be reading about it.
As it is, I will watch the first episode but until then, give me one reason (other than the fact it is Stargate) why I should assume I will like it.
I don't like dark, character based shows, that's my personal preference,
I can't change my what I like.
And so far I don't like anything that has been said about the show, it's not my fault I don't like it, I just don't.
I will give it a chance (I never said I wouldn't) but nothing will stop me assuming the worst and posting about it.
So long as I have freedom of speech I will express my opinion.
If I do like the show it will be the FIRST of this type of show that I like and that is unlikely.
Don't judge me just because I refuse to praise anything with the name Stargate on.
Well, I'd say the MGM and Syfy PR folks should take a look at this! For Michael to say he sees so much negativity is pretty amazing. That is, it's not biased fans hyping the amount of negativity; it's widespread. Anyway I applaud Michael for defending the show, and I think he's being sincere. He doesn't have much to gain -- he already got paid for his appearances. :)
Hmmm...I have to wonder if the PTBs "suggested" that Mr. Shanks make some sort of statement. Could it be that they are worried about their precious new show?
Doesn't really matter. Like everyone else, I have the right to my own opinion and the right to watch (or not watch) whatever I choose. And I choose NOT to watch SGU. Ever.
Truthfully, I found there was very little of the characters' personalities on display in the trailers. Hard to build anticipation from folks rolling around on the ground looking wide-eyed, but I'll take HIS word for it and watch with an open mind. Um. Don't suppose you can post the audio from this interview? :-D