“It was bittersweet.”

Those were the words actor David Hewlett used when GateWorld brought up the subject of “Seizure,” the episode of Stargate Universe that acted as a crossover-of-sorts with Stargate Atlantis and marked — in light of executive producer Brad Wright’s recent announcement (story) — what may be the final time that Rodney McKay graces our television screens.

Hewlett sat down with GateWorld earlier this month at the annual Official Stargate Convention hosted by Creation Entertainment in Vancouver, British Columbia.  In our exclusive chat with the actor, Hewlett likened the experience of stepping into his character’s shoes again in food terms.

“I feel like I went into the ice cream store and I just had a scoop,” Hewlett joked.  “Just the little tiny taster scoop.  Not a decent bowl where I could have myself a good helping.”

“It was fun and I’m glad I did it,” Hewlett continued. “And it was great to hang out with Bob [Picardo] again.  Although I wish it hadn’t been canceled.  There was a need in the episode to play [McKay] as more restrained.  And I think that had the show continued, maybe he could have came back again where I could have incorporated more of that character into the performance.  In the end though, I think it was a decent blend of the two tones.”

McKay returns in SGU's ''Seizure''

Hewlett also took time to praise the director of his next upcoming project, Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  The film — directed by Rupert Wyatt and co-starring James Franco (127 Hours, Spider-Man), Frieda Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), among others — opens theatrically across America on August 5.

“The star of that movie is [Rupert],” Hewlett said.  “The fact that he’s gone from making small character movies in England to Planet of the Apes is [great].  It’s so smart of the producers to say ‘Yes, we’re going to do the suspense and the spectacle.  But let’s get a director in here who is actually going to worry about the characters.’  And that’s what they’ve done.”

“The reason I was drawn to it and attracted to it — outside of the nerd factor — was the story,”  Hewlett continued, while noting how little he could say about the film at this early juncture.  “At its core, it’s a story about family and I love that.  I’m so sick of going to the movies and being like, ‘That was so gorgeous, but the plot … meh.’  This has a real story and a real plot and real characters you can care about.  And now that I’m done with it, I can sit back and enjoy it just like the hordes of fans and see how it unfolds.”

For more with Hewlett about his time on SGU, Apes, and an update on new signs of life from his long-gestating Starcrossed project, keep your browser locked on GateWorld.  A full interview with David Hewlett is on its way in the weeks to come!