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wraithfodderThis is news that no doubt will spread across the web, but I'll put this Stargate Atlantis news under a cut anyawy. SPOILERS, I suppose...
Source: Mallozzi's blog entry
... I thought it best to inform Weir fans of recent developments. Last year, after we shot that final surprise scene in BAMSR, I stopped by Torri’s trailer to congratulate her on a job well done and, also, to assure her that the door was left wide open for Weir‘s possible return (in some form, be it repli-Weir or other) the following season. Torri was excited by the prospect and, in particular, had great things to say about her new leather outfit (props to Val). As season four wrapped, Carl and Paul got to spinning and came up with a terrific storyline that picked up where that last scene of BAMSR left off. We had a story in place for one episode, the starting point of a potentially bigger arc. The script was written and we eventually contacted Torri who, after much consideration, turned down the offer to reprise the role of Elizabeth Weir for the episode. We are, of course, disappointed, but nevertheless respect Torri’s decision and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
First, we're never going to know precisely why Torri turned it down (although at least one fan on a particular board has alleged she did it out of spite - actors don't burn bridges unless they're Tom Cruise). Since none of us will ever see the script she turned down, it's all speculation. She may not have liked the path they were setting Weir on, or maybe they were killing Weir, or mabye it was only five minutes in an episode, or maybe, well, who knows. Torri made her decision, and I do respect her for it, particularly after listening to her audio interview.
Must admit I'm glad I'm not one of those fans who stays awake until 4 a.m. waiting for news to drop (and no, this doesn't include UK fans as they're on a different time zone so it's probably 7 a.m. for them and they should be out of bed like the rest of us who must walk the dog! oh wait, I digress *cough*). Anyway, I do find Weir's vanishment, for lack of a better description, to be sad, and a psuedo-nail in SGA's coffin. Weir never had to be gotten rid of in the first place. The writers just needed to WRITE - not dish out lame crap like "Irresponsible".
I suspect the writers will, to cover their own (writing) inadequacies, keep changing characters because they don't work, instead of actually hiring writers with new, better ideas...
Sigh.
... I thought it best to inform Weir fans of recent developments. Last year, after we shot that final surprise scene in BAMSR, I stopped by Torri’s trailer to congratulate her on a job well done and, also, to assure her that the door was left wide open for Weir‘s possible return (in some form, be it repli-Weir or other) the following season. Torri was excited by the prospect and, in particular, had great things to say about her new leather outfit (props to Val). As season four wrapped, Carl and Paul got to spinning and came up with a terrific storyline that picked up where that last scene of BAMSR left off. We had a story in place for one episode, the starting point of a potentially bigger arc. The script was written and we eventually contacted Torri who, after much consideration, turned down the offer to reprise the role of Elizabeth Weir for the episode. We are, of course, disappointed, but nevertheless respect Torri’s decision and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
First, we're never going to know precisely why Torri turned it down (although at least one fan on a particular board has alleged she did it out of spite - actors don't burn bridges unless they're Tom Cruise). Since none of us will ever see the script she turned down, it's all speculation. She may not have liked the path they were setting Weir on, or maybe they were killing Weir, or mabye it was only five minutes in an episode, or maybe, well, who knows. Torri made her decision, and I do respect her for it, particularly after listening to her audio interview.
Must admit I'm glad I'm not one of those fans who stays awake until 4 a.m. waiting for news to drop (and no, this doesn't include UK fans as they're on a different time zone so it's probably 7 a.m. for them and they should be out of bed like the rest of us who must walk the dog! oh wait, I digress *cough*). Anyway, I do find Weir's vanishment, for lack of a better description, to be sad, and a psuedo-nail in SGA's coffin. Weir never had to be gotten rid of in the first place. The writers just needed to WRITE - not dish out lame crap like "Irresponsible".
I suspect the writers will, to cover their own (writing) inadequacies, keep changing characters because they don't work, instead of actually hiring writers with new, better ideas...
Sigh.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-09 04:32 pm (UTC)Ascribing "spite" to Torri on the evidence of what little Mallozzi said seems ridiculous. IMDb lists two movies she has in post-production; she's not hurting for work. She may have other offers on the table and felt she couldn't take Atlantis without endangering one or more of those. She held her peace for a long time about her firing, and she finally spoke out about it what, a year after she was fired? More? I don't think she makes decisions rashly.
On the other hand, Mallozzi has said recently on his blog (I don't remember the date and can't think how to search for it effectively) that they usually don't write episodes until they've made sure that they can get a necessary guest star. In this case, they had an episode drafted before they went to her. As of the week before the big announcement, she told a con audience that she hadn't been contacted by the producers. If there's spite operating, it's not on her side. Now it's also possible that she had previously said she wanted to see a script before she agreed to anything, and Mallozzi acted in good faith by going to her only when he had a script. If she didn't like it, she has every right to turn it down. The show has largely moved on. Hanging on to bit appearances on a show that fired you isn't great for a career, and if Torri Higginson has moved on too, that's her right, and it may well be the best professional decision for her.
I do think the writers deserve some blame for writing her character so unevenly. It's a shame we lose her just when Torri was doing her best work and the writers seem to have had some great ideas for the characters. Casting aspersions won't bring her back, however. I think the writers can do better, and I hope they will; I have enjoyed a lot of their work, so I try not to be too harsh on them, either.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-09 05:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-09 05:56 pm (UTC)I don't know why Torri turned it down, but like you said, professionally, it may be the best move for her. If she continues to do movies, guest stars, etc. and she's happy with it, that's what counts. I'm also assuming that if Torri had a six-year contract for SGA, MGM bought it out. At least that's what Paramount did when they killed off two characters in another show many many years ago.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-10 12:47 am (UTC)But, who knows?
I totally support Torri in this and I'm totally depressed that JM & PM felt the need to kill her off. (Idiots!)
She was prefect for leading Atlantis and Paul was perfect as Carson - flawed characters trying their best in a quicksand situation.