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Lorna Dune
Lorna Dune
2 years ago

With all due respect, this article gets rather silly at times. It’s an average episode at best and I’ve never seen anyone else say otherwise. Also, her replacement was so much better in the role. In the end, the part went to the right actor, and I’ve not encountered many people who were wondering why she’d been recast–near universally, fans seem to be glad that she was. So I can’t help but chuckle at the over-the-top hyperbole in this article.

Last edited 2 years ago by Lorna Dune
Clint Corrie
Clint Corrie
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Sorry Darren, Lorna hit the nail on the head with her comment. Most of the fans where I come from thought Steens performance was inferior.

Craig
Craig
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

From the first episode Torri played, I found her Weir was significantly superior to Jessica (comparing first episode to first episode). I am not saying Jessica was bad, but it did not hit me as caring whether she came back or not. Sometimes when I see a new character in a series, I think she/he would be a good fit for a spin-off or replacement character… but she did not. I really did not want her staying at SG-1 the next season either, her Weir just did not grab or endear me to her making a good addition to the… Read more »

Connor Macleod
1 year ago
Reply to  Darren

I’m late to this party Darren but I wholeheartedly agree that pre-Torri, I was shocked when the show returned missing Jessica. I thought that she was going to be a fantastic fit for the spin-off. I agree that Torri did a great job in the show but still, to this day, think that Jessica would have done better. Her introduction to the show went off flawlessly. I don’t see how that wouldn’t have continued looking forward. I think the unceremonious way that Jessica was dropped without even being asked where her priorities would lie if she stayed in the role… Read more »

Jack O'neilll
Jack O'neilll
7 months ago
Reply to  Clint Corrie

And most of the fans – actually all of them in my friend circle – feels the opposite. Jessica Steen should have been kept in the role.

Kimberly
Kimberly
4 months ago
Reply to  Clint Corrie

Most fans do not. I’m in different social media fan groups and many were not excited by Torri Higginson’s performance, finding it flat and 2-dimensional.

moms2398
moms2398
4 months ago
Reply to  Darren

Darren, I agree. Each time I watch the last episodes of S7 and the first eps of S8 (and subsequently Atlantis), I ask the same question. I loved Torri as Weir, but feel that Jessica did a phenomenal job in the role. She is a fantastic actress in everything I’ve seen her in and I think she would have done Weir wonderfully on Atlantis. It is unfortunate that she was recast, but Torri’s take was wonderful as well.

Thank you for your article.

MA

Nigel Murray
Nigel Murray
2 years ago
Reply to  Lorna Dune

Really? Lost City is THE go to SG1 story… it’s the one I would show to my non SG or even non SciFi friends. Don’t get me wrong, Torri was brilliant, I loved her in the show and was a little annoyed when they killed her off apparently for the chance of a “bigger name” to replace her… I called it “doing a Jonas” at the time. But… I watch Steens performance in Lost City and it is so natural, her facial expressions at the conference table when the “Shrub” is arguing with SG1 and Hammond… just watch her… that… Read more »

Jack O'neilll
Jack O'neilll
7 months ago
Reply to  Lorna Dune

That is your opinion only. The episode was great! She was great! The replacement was not great at all she was the weakest link in the Atlantis cast if you ask me. I remember that when Atlantis started I looked up what happened to the actress because she had good stage presence and she was beautiful and gave off the strong yet soft characteristics that I expected from a diplomat because her role was supposed to be that. A diplomatic link between the army and the interest of the people giving a new less militarized but similar leadership.to the show.… Read more »

Michael
Michael
2 years ago

I really liked Steen’s performance and was disappointed the role was recast. Interesting to learn what happened behind the scenes and it’s unfortunate things went down the way they did. Thanks for doing this interview!

Leon
Leon
2 years ago

Lost City is amazing, as are seasons 8, 9 & 10 (as well as Ark of Truth and Continuum). If you’re mad about Dr. Frazier being killed off, that’s one thing, but don’t trash the last few seasons of an amazing show because of one character.

jake123
jake123
2 years ago

Great interview, Darren! I gotta say, though, out of all the possibilities that went through my head over the years as to why Weir was recast, this was certainly not on the list.

Last edited 2 years ago by jake123
zenophite
Corvinus
2 years ago

I’m not sure if it was because I saw Tori Higginson in the role first (at the time i had missed the SG-1 episodes) but I think overall I liked her performance of the role better than Steen’s.

Edward
Edward
2 years ago

They should be focusing on remaking the movie, and ignoring the spin off shows. The shows were entertaining but overall awful and constantly retcon the movie which was honestly the best part of the lore.

jake123
jake123
2 years ago
Reply to  Edward

You seem a bit misinformed about how Stargate is perceived in TV history. I’m guessing you didn’t watch all of the seasons, but SG-1 is often considered to be one of the greatest sci-fi shows of all time. As for the movie reboot, you’ll find that the vast majority of the millions of Stargate fans do not agree with or want that.

Daniel
Daniel
2 years ago
Reply to  jake123

I thought Jessica did a good job on star gate but I think she got the last laugh, 15 years and counting on the same show. She is laughing all the way to the bank!

zenophite
Corvinus
2 years ago
Reply to  Edward

My friend, I won’t say you’re on the wrong Stargate fandom site but….most of us here love the tv series.

Scott
Scott
2 years ago
Reply to  Edward

I, uh… where do you think you are, Ed?

Lorna Dune
Lorna Dune
2 years ago
Reply to  Edward

I can only assume Edward is trolling since the show is near-universally beloved, whereas the movie is largely viewed as all spectacle, no substance, and exceedingly corny.

David4
David4
2 years ago
Reply to  Edward

Yeah of course. Let’s remake a rather boring movie that most people don’t actually like or care about and throw out 17 seasons of TV series that clearly people liked because one show lasted ten years, two movies and two spinoffs.

mockingjay
2 years ago
Reply to  Edward

I kind of agree and disagree. The movie was so huge it allowed for three shows, but the shows were never that big, and did not allow for a theatrical film ever again. Let’s be fair… As much as we love the shows, if these were as good and famous as some people is pointing out, we would have had some streaming platform buying the rights and producing three or four Stargate-related shows already. However, these have not taken the step because Atlantis and Universe plummeted in ratings. SG1 seasons 1-to-5 were seen by millions in the US and also… Read more »

Andrew Ryan
Andrew Ryan
2 years ago
Reply to  mockingjay

One petition: bring Ra back, like Star Wars brought the Emperor back.

You’re playing a dangerous game here, kid.

The shows, specially SG-1 are universally beloved by the fans and I’m pretty sure the woulnd’t want them any other way.

Stargate’s time may have come and passed, but trying to shove the disney strategy into this franchise would poison it for years to come.

Ryan
Ryan
2 years ago

I have always wondered this! I liked both Weirs, but I never saw why she needed to be recast.

I only have one problem with this article. It mentions that this happened 18 years ago. I refuse to acknowledge that reality.

LORD MONK
2 years ago

To bad she came out a long time ago stating that she signed up for the movie and the movie only and wanted to further her movie career and not be in TV. BOOM !!!! But after learning she has been doing Burning Man I understand her confusion for all those people are self righteous, hippi, narcissist’s. She is fitting the role perfectly. I knew she wasn’t going to be in it before it even aired.

Shane
Shane
2 years ago
Reply to  LORD MONK

Your comment makes literally no sense.

She wasn’t in any of the Stargate movies, but in a 2-parter.

You also sound like someone that thinks that assumptions based on ignorance are a virtue.

Lorna Dune
Lorna Dune
2 years ago
Reply to  LORD MONK

What are you even talking about, Lord Monk? She wasn’t in any movies. She was only in a TV episode.

Shel
Shel
2 years ago

I enjoyed Jessica Steen’s portrayal, but I think Torri Higginson was a better fit for the role. Her chemistry with the other actors was much better, and I am not sure how Jessica’s portrayal would have meshed with Shepard, McKay and the others.

Last edited 2 years ago by Shel
Aaron
Aaron
2 years ago

She gave up life changing money and a good table multi-year job for a burning man display? I bet she’s kicking herself now!

As for who was better. I think Tori had a little more gravitas / sternness that you’d expect from a leader in this position.

Steen seemed more vulnerable and in a way less serious.

It’s close, I’d give it to Tori.

dwd999
2 years ago

While Jessica’s performance was certainly well done, if you listen carefully to her voice, it wasn’t suited to the authoritative nature of the character. Torri’s deeper voice and the ability to command which it gave her were much more in keeping with a leadership role that the character represented.

David4
David4
2 years ago

So ironic.
The writers treated the Weir character like garbage. They pointlessly fired Terri Higginson for no reason after thinking Jessica Steen wasn’t committed to the character?

Quinton
2 years ago

Great article, Darren. Nice to finally have some closure on this. And by the way, I want to thank you for your commitment to this stuff. My recent pursuit of a career in games journalism has a lot to do with watching you tackle a separate, equally beloved corner of geekdom with such aplomb for over 20 years and counting. I grew up on the GateWorld forums; I won’t out my prior name since it’s actually my deadname now, ha, but it was a wonderful time rich with learning. I can’t wait to see Brad Wright’s treatment get an official… Read more »

mockingjay
2 years ago

Thank you Darren for bringing some light to this issue! I absolutely loved Steen’s portray of the character. You could tell she was acting clueless, which made it very real and genuine. Her expressions of “what is this people talking about” and similar moments made the whole two-parts very memorable in my opinion. I was very sad when I found out that she was being re-casted. I never thought Atlantis characters had that much of a charisma, or at least not as much as SG1’s. And I guess most people must have felt the same, because the audiences dropped massively… Read more »

Edmns-1
Edmns-1
2 years ago

Well like the old saying goes, you snooze you lose! She WAS good, but extenuating circumstances involved that put her at odds with those producers and prior commitments 86th her own self from the show.

Trioki
2 years ago

I always wondered why they had changed actress for Dr Weir. There is a beginning of explanation now thanks to your article, but it is still not completely clear.

Steve
Steve
2 years ago

I’m blown away by comments on here. I’m sorry but Torri Higginson’s Weir was bland, forgettable and utterly lacking any sort of charisma. In one episode Jessica Steen showed more acting ability, life and personality than Weir did in four seasons. I’m genuinely amazed at the comments here

Grace of Heart
Grace
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve

I absolutely agree with you! Steen’s presence in the series would have just made a SG1 Marvelous. Steen’s short time in the show, made me want to know this Dr. Weir”, she did have charisma as well as a very strong female character, I wanted more. Higginson’s Weir, was so uninteresting… I mean, the episode when she returns to earth and sees her husband… there was absolutely no connection there, I felt nothing from this actress, she gave us nothing. Again, if when see her in other tv shows,,, she’s Dr. Weir, with a different hairdo….. we did miss out… Read more »

Katie
Katie
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

I agree… I’ve always preferred Jessica Steen’s Weir so much more than Torri Higginson’s. I diligently watched every episode of Atlantis anyway, but Steen’s Weir was always a “what if” in the back of my mind. I never really bought into Higginson’s leadership presence, but was sold on Steen’s in just 2 episodes. Now we know why, how sad. I almost wished it was because Steen didn’t want to do it, as the rumours went at the time, rather than the real reason.

mattboesch8907
Matthew Boesch
2 years ago

where did you a copy of that script page?

BRYAN
BRYAN
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I hate these page pop ups. Took me 6plus refreshes to finish the page. Jus saying. I be been Gw reader since before I can remember. Prob since before Atlantis. But these pop ups are ridiculous. I kno I gotta get revenue. But could be a lil more user friendly. My 2 cents.

JOHN ONEILL
JOHN ONEILL
2 years ago

Too much time AND money on her hands. Why would she want to get a long term acting gig that requires a fair amount of work and dedication? She had a party to plan.

Grace of Heart
Grace
2 years ago
Reply to  JOHN ONEILL

John O…
I guess you didn’t read what Jessica Steen said….. She wanted the role, she was committed, she just took some time to say goodbye to her commitments with “Burning Man”. That’s the kind of person you want to hire!

Gerald King
Gerald King
2 years ago

The real issue between seasons 7 and 8 that we should be discussing is who greenlighted Teal’c growing out his hair? Ruined his whole vibe.

Grace of Heart
Grace
2 years ago
Reply to  Gerald King

Lol!!
I agree…. And he did lose his golden hue over time… I just attributed it to Earth’s pollution….

Grace of Heart
Grace
2 years ago

Well, I have to say, I really liked Jessica Steen as Dr. Weir, much more than Tori. The way Stein carried herself as Weir, her way of discourse with the primary characters, even her body language. I liked her soft spoken manner, her presence really filled the room. I truly believe, Steen would have been a superb Dr. Weir. It would have been a very different feeling when Dr. Weir’s death dominated the headlines. I was relieved when Tori’s version was ended, she just grated my nerves. Steen just had a Grace about her that if, indeed, writers did follow… Read more »

mikm
mikm
1 year ago

A stronger Weir would have helped the show.

ifmu
ifmu
1 year ago

when i first saw it, i hated it…
just cannot stand when the actor is replaced, always have.
however, as Atlantis continues, i grow to like her more and more to the point by the end i wonder if the first could have done such a fantastic job.
and then rinse and repeat every time i re-watch.
which has been nearly half a dozen times minimum for each series

bobalouie
bobalouie
1 year ago

Loved Lost City and always though Jessica’s performances, albeit brief, had depth and complexity that I found lacking in Torri’s depiction. Can’t please everyone! That’s why ice cream comes in so many flavors, LOL.

Yah Noos
Yah Noos
7 months ago

I think this is a great article. And I love Torri. The article does exactly what the headline does. Which is rare in the clickbait realm of “internet journalism”. Thank you for the info. And it sounds like Jessica would have enjoyed the role. But I love the cast we ended up with