Stargate Atlantis: Multichannel article talks about Weir's status

[wraithfodder]

Over at Multichannel today (Sep 10 2007),  writer Kent Gibbons laments the cast changes after watching a review copy of a season 4 Stargate Atlantis episode. While he feels there's room enough for both Carter and Weir, he doesn't understand why Weir had to get the boot (he needs to stand in a very long line that's already formed...).

One snippet from the article: "I remain a Stargate fan, and Higginson has some shining moments in the first two episodes of Atlantis’s Season Four, returning on Sept. 28. There’s still a nice photo of her on Sci Fi’s Atlantis home page. And the long-established (on SG-1 and Atlantis), often adversarial relationship between Carter and Atlantis brainiac Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) always leads to fun dialogue.

But I’m forced to agree with Wilson [About.com reviewer] on this point: “Dr. Weir, as interpreted by either actor, is a great character and it's a shame that she has to fade into the background just so that Atlantis [can] pull a Worf.”

(Translation installing a character from an earlier hit in the franchise, like the Klingon character Worf who was first in Star Trek: The Next Generation then in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.)"

Alas, I think poor Weir's gonna pull a Ford... vanish in an episode, never to be seen again. Not dead, but simply gone. Out of sight, out of mind.

It'll be interesting to see the TV critics/reviewers take on Weir being ousted and Carter being added. 

Comments

[anjak-j.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with regards to what happens to Weir...I kind of think that will happen too. One episode, something ambiguous will happen and she'll fall into the plot hole...

This would make an interesting topic for my new comm actually...

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yup, producers will probably think if she's not killed outright fans won't be upset.... new community??

[anjak-j.livejournal.com]

I prefer closure personally. I wish they'd deliver some on the Ford storyline, even if it was finding his bones on some planet...

I started an SGA discussion comm, since there doesn't seem to be much in the way of actual discussion in fandom. sga_discuss

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Bones would be interesting, and yes, some closure would be nice, or even a mention... just joined your comm, although until i get a better PC, will probably stick to my prattling away here ;) Just takes so long to open LJs!

[anjak-j.livejournal.com]

A lot of shows have problems with closure. Does my head in.

Cool. Shame you can't participate more though since you have very insightful and balanced opinions of the show, despite what some execs think...

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

They don't like to close in case they need to bring back a character. Of course in soaps, they can kill a character and still bring 'em back (Hmm, maybe Beckett will appear in a soap...)

Thanks. Well, I'll wait and see what happens with season 4 and see how much I feel like chatting, although I really sorta hope to get back to writing fic too.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

for liz

[the-scary-kitty.livejournal.com]

Been lurking for a while now and decided it was time to say hello. :)

Alas, I think poor Weir's gonna pull a Ford... vanish in an episode, never to be seen again. Not dead, but simply gone. Out of sight, out of mind.

Maybe, but then there's a rather interesting comment that Flanigan made in the SciFi Weekly interviews you posted earlier that makes me think otherwise...

It's also been interesting how we've dealt with the transition, going from Torri to Amanda. We had long discussions about that. I was concerned that the transition was too quick. So I went upstairs and I talked to them and I said, "I think we're just moving way too quickly on this." I felt, shouldn't we pause, say, "Oh, we should try to find Dr. Weir and rescue her, hold out hope that she could come back, that we could rescue her," things like that. And so they wrote that back in and tried to create that, and I think we did a pretty good job.

Sounds to me like Joe's got a better handle on what ought to be happening than TPTB. *snerks* And if he's happy with the results of his effort to keep Weir's memory alive, that gives me a bit more confidence that the Weir storyline won't totally suck.

In Flanigan We Trust. :)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Love your last line. Yeah, sounds like JF has a better grasp on storywriting than a few on staff...

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

I think JF is the only one with the guts to say anything publicly. He doesn't seem to care. He says what he thinks, and doesn't toe the company line all the time

The rest just smile and say "Yes, everything's wonderful". Joe's the only one who's really given an indication of how he feels about the loss of Paul and Torri.

[jackfan2.livejournal.com]

Well, it's a little easier for Joe as he's definitely the star of the show and, lets face it, without him, I know I'd quit watching. For. Sure. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE Joe F. and I'm glad he DID speak up for Torri's character.

Torri, on the other hand, well, I think she wanted more story line, and has wanted more over the last year or so. She's been deemed 'problematic' by the SGA machine, so that's why she's going to be shoved off in to the Ford-void. I've seen stuff about this over at Gateworld, but of course, nothing from either camp to confirm or deny that. However, since Torri has another 2 years on her contract, I'm sure they've told her to keep mum or no more contract, and the TPTB camp doesn't want to piss off many more Weir fans than they already have...

Though, me thinks it's a bit too late for that.

Joe, by the way, well, I'm sure that when his contract is up and if the show is still running, they will want him to stay, so no stepping on Joes toes. Anyone else, however, is fair game. Well, with the obvious exception of Amanda-walks-on-water-Tapping.

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's a case of Torri being problematic. I think it's the idiots in charge thinking Amanda Tapping is the be all and end all.

I think the only truly safe people are Tapping and Hewlett. TPTB originally wanted Browder for the Flanigan role. I wouldn't put it past them to bring him in.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Any more casting changes will probably kill the show.

[the-scary-kitty.livejournal.com]

I don't think Torri was ever problematic either. I mean, Joe's been agitating for some significant development for Sheppard as well for quite some time, and they're finally giving it to him. Of course, he is the star, but wasn't Torri second in line right behind him? If she can be taken out, then pretty much any of them are fair game, with the exception of Carter (don't get me wrong, I like Carter, I like AT, but this is overkill), and McKay (ditto, because it's been feeling like SGA is turning more into the McKay Comedy Hour. Argh.).

And as depressing as it may sound, I have to agree that it would serve TPTB right if these games of musical chairs they keep playing with the cast ends up sinking the show.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Alas, I just don't want to see Joe, David, etc. vanish if the show does. I just hope they realize Weir IS liked by lots of fans and will get her back somehow. That, or Torri gets a gig on network TV in a successful show.

[the-scary-kitty.livejournal.com]

Oh, I heartily agree with all of that. :)

[jackfan2.livejournal.com]

Ah! You couldn't have made my night sweeter than to post this. To know there are some in the entertainment press who are not so keen on Weir's removel from the show. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this.

You know, I thought about this the other day and came to the conclusion (and not an easy conclusion for me, being a big fan of Weir).. The conclusion? I'd rather Weir died in John's arms with him attempting to shake some life into her lifeless body, angstily lamenting her death. Hell, they gave Beckett a better finale. Anyway, that's what I'd rather see at this point.

Ah, someone else pointed to what Flanigan said in that interview about Weir, about her disappearing being too abrupt and I agree. When skiffy is basing whether or not they will renew SGA for a 5th season based on the back half of season 3 and the early episodes of season 4- and to dispose of a key main character early in the 4th season? I just see "HUGE MISTAKE" written all over this idea.

Reading more of Flanigan's interview he even mentions how difficult it was to find a bone of contention with Carter/Tapping's character "she's so nice" and (paraphrasing here) when you have someone where it's hard to create any tension, it's difficult to keep it from being dull. The Flan knows what he's talking about.. I'm tellin' ya. Early predictions that maybe this isn't such a good idea.

And we all know Carter can never die, right? She's going to be in the SG1 movies... whopdidoooo.. miss perfect lives forever. Like, we need that.

Interesting idea that there might be room for both Carter and Weir.. hmm.. maaaaybe.. Carter and Weir arguing would likely result and THAT might make for some good watching.

Damn.. I'm willing to see what season 4 has to offer, and should they get a season 5, I'll cheer, mainly because that gives all of us Weir-fans to mount an offensive and demand Weir's return full time to season 5!!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Nope, Carter won't die. I predict if they do that third SG series she'll be in it too, at least as a special guest star. ;) THe biggest problem with Carter - writing-wise - is that she IS so nice. That's why Rodney appealead to me so much when he showed up in SG1 - he's the ONLY person in the galaxy (perhaps two) who can tick off Sam sufficiently enough to get a rise out of her. Alas, those days seem gone. I'm hoping McKay will cease with the 'blue eyes' comments and if they banter/argue, it's over science and 'excuse me, but I've been in the pegasus galaxy for three years and you're here three hours, so listen to the expert,' which is what Rodney would say to anyone else.

Even Weir and Shep had tension in regards to command decisions; hopefully the writers will do the same with Carter and Shep.

[the-scary-kitty.livejournal.com]

You know, I thought about this the other day and came to the conclusion (and not an easy conclusion for me, being a big fan of Weir).. The conclusion? I'd rather Weir died in John's arms with him attempting to shake some life into her lifeless body, angstily lamenting her death. Hell, they gave Beckett a better finale. Anyway, that's what I'd rather see at this point.

Hee. I've always had a fondness on the concepts of courtly love in medieval literature, and the whole Sheppard/Weir alignment fits to a tee. To be honest, some of the speculation about her fate (I don't want to say too much here, as I don't want to spill too much for those who are trying to stay spoiler-free), sound very intriquing for an angsty/debt of honor obsession to be gripping Shep over the season. From a storytelling standpoint, it is far more fun to play happy fun taunt/emotional whump if the characters are being taunted with hope for a character who's still alive. And Joe's comments give me the impression that he's sees the potential in that kind of scenario.

Interesting idea that there might be room for both Carter and Weir.. hmm.. maaaaybe.. Carter and Weir arguing would likely result and THAT might make for some good watching.

I remember when those two were at odds in SG-1's New Order, and I'm hoping to see some sort of "what goes around comes around" thing to smack Carter in the face when she takes command of Atlantis. Some sort of acknowledgement of the irony of the situation would be priceless.

[xfkirsten.livejournal.com]

I agree - I see Weir disappearing into the void like Ford, sadly. :( I just hope that Torri Higginson goes big places after this, because she deserves SO much better than the crap they wrote for Weir. :( She's an amazing actress, but never got the chance to show it on SGA. :(

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I must say that virtually all cast members who have vanished from the SG shows are capable of a lot more than they did on the show (Corin Nemec is a prime example - he is a better actor than what we saw with Jonas Quinn).

Here's hoping her NCIS apperance spins off to recurring, and maybe a new series down the road.

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

It seems that EVERYONE can see how dumb the decision is, except the people who made the decision.

The fans see it, the critics see it... what the hell are they doing? Seriously, if this show gets cancelled, TPTB will have nobody to blame except themselves. And since Amanda was apparently given the choice of doing it or not doing it, she has to take some of the blame, too.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I don't blame AT for anything. She was offered a job and took it. She'd be a fool to turn down a series.

[faekitty71.livejournal.com]

DS9 is different than SGA as Worf was added and was not replacing another character.

I like Carter and I'm think that we could have had both her and Weir on the show. Maybe Weir in charge of Atlantis and Carter in charge of a ship that is permanently stationed at there.

While I loved Jewel Straite on Firefly, she can't replace Beckett.

I thought the show had a great cast for seasons 2-3. I didn't see any reason to shake it up.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

One of the reasons I stopped watching DS9 was because Worf came over. It was suddenly Worf, Worf and Klingons Klingons and well, I'd had enough of 'em, so said adios to the show.

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

I've been reading the comments but what about Zelenka? With Carter and McKay you don't need Dr Z and he's my favourite (okay Aussie spelling here)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, Dr. Z gets some prominent airtime in both "Adrift" and "Lifeline." My hope is they won't muck it up later on! If you check David Nykl's blog, I think he's stated several of the episodes he's in ("Quanrantine" is one of them)