GateWorld: The stuff that’s been in the past three episodes, and the changes since the mid-season break …
David Blue: But what people forget is that we were already shooting! It was mostly shot before even the pilot came out. This is their [Brad and Rob’s] goal – this is why I respect them. Because they have this plan. And if people want to think it’s because of what they said, then that’s fine.
But I’ve said from the beginning: Stargate fans, and sci-fi fans in general, are some of the smartest freaking fans in the world. And I’m not just saying that because I am one of them. I knew that they’d at least watch an episode, and I said from the beginning, “If you watch four or five episodes and you don’t like the show, thank you for giving us a try. I really do appreciate it. I hope you find another show that really makes you happy. But if you don’t watch it, if you’re angry, because the timing of the press release was bad, or because you think we’re trying to fill in anyone’s shoes – which we’re really not – at least give it a try.”
I know for a fact that when I was in London for my first con, I wanted to go because we weren’t sure how we were going to play over there. I said, “Guys, watch ‘Time,’ watch the episode ‘Time.'” And I bet some of them money that [they’d] like it if they watched “Time.” And I’ve had so many e-mails from them saying, “Yeah, I like it.” And “Space” and “Divided” and “Faith.” I’m really happy with the response, and I love the people who understand that we weren’t trying to get rid of anything.
I think that’s the biggest misconception. People tried to say, “SGU is shunning us! They want to have the 8 million people who watch LOST.” Screw that! We want everyone who watched Stargate, and then we want to get more people so that way it becomes such a popular show that we can continue it forever.
I think the people who are enjoying the show now will realize it’s its own show. We have episodes like “Time,” which are crazy and sci-fi, and then we have episodes like “Life” which show you the character part. Then we have “Space,” where you get to see aliens.
It’s exciting for me. Maybe I’m selfish because I like watching the show. I devour the DVDs and the scripts when I get them.
GW: All good things in time.
DB: That’s another thing too, you know. [The] beginning of SG-1 is completely different from the end of SG-1 – not just because of the cast, but just the tone. You started having a more serialized format the later on you went. And Atlantis was completely different to that. Having watched all of the show I can tell you that for a fact.
It’s the nature of television, and television changes itself, too. Sitcoms have gone the way of the dodo; now it’s single camera, because that’s what people want.
GW: Any message for fans in general – fans of you and fans of the show?
DB: Thank you. I am completely humbled that anyone wants to come to conventions. Anyone who wants e-mail me, feel free to e-mail my site, my Twitter. I apologize, OK – thank you, and I apologize because I work so much that I usually can’t get back to people. But I try. And I promise you that I read every e-mail, every Twitter – I just don’t get to reply.
But more than anything, I appreciate everyone who has given us a try, whether they love it or not, and anyone who is respectful, which I think 99.9 percent of the fans are. Anyone who is respectful – I’m right there with you. I’m at the convention complaining because “Why did Worf and Troi sleep together?! Imzadi! Come on!” I’m humbled by the passion of Stargate fans and I just hope that we keep making them happy.
I’ll say, four or five episodes into Season Two right now, it just keeps getting better and better, in my opinion. But talk to me mid-Season Two and then we’ll see.
Interview by Chad Colvin. Transcript by Sam Wedderell.
And when you have been IN the role, if SGU lasts 10 years, for several years, how realistic do you think it would be to stay innocent. Come on.. Daniel Jackson evolved and matured. It would be pretty silly otherwise, much as I adored naive Jackson.
Eli is one my favorite characters on SGU. David brings a lot to the character and much needed humor to the show.
he wasnt saying he didnt think Jackson evolved. he was saying after 10 years he became skill’d and stuff, which is true. sounded to me like he was just sayin he knew eli was created to bring the innocent thing back to some stories.
DB, you hold the future of the nerd-hero image in your hands (ignoring those producer/writers/etc).
Do us proud man.
Has DB lost weight during the production of SGU season 1? He seemed a little less “plump” in Incursion (Part 1) then he did in Air (Parts 1, 2 and 3).
He is still awesome though!
We need a rousing intro sequence like SGs past!
Look, ST Enterprise tanked and I had to mute the intro it was so schmaltzy. Intros matter!
I crank it up for Stargates orchestral movements.
Eli would look cool in an action intro piece! Don’tcha think?