Stargate Atlantis: Dr. Weir has, oh, blast... season 5 news *SPOILERS*

[wraithfodder]

This 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.

Comments

[nightspring.livejournal.com]

Who knows what the cause is, but I feel like telling Torri "You go girl!" for standing up for herself. In my mind, the fact that TPTB put that cliff-hanger in there without first securing Torri's agreement to participate in further seasons of SGA implies a certain arrogance on their part that all they had to do was offer her a role and she'll accept. Unfortunately, now that cliff-hanger will remain hanging, and the writers will have to patch it up in an unconvincing manner, or just ignore it completely -- so not good for the show!

But, whatever. I know I'll keep watching as long as I get good John/Rodney interaction, and bury my head in the sand about any of the rest. ;D

[jademacgrath.livejournal.com]

Damn. I was so excited for Weir's possible return in S5. This is really a depressing news.

Weir never had to be gotten rid of in the first place. The writers just needed to WRITE

And word to that.
One might think that after all that happened with Carson Beckett, TPTB would think twice before removing another beloved character from the show, but it doesn't seem so...

[aelfgyfu_mead]

I'm sick of people dissing actors: I've seen people say it's Torri's fault they fired her, or Rainbow Sun Francks's fault way back in season 1. The writers and producers aren't saying that, so why should we assume it? I've even seen one person say Paul McGillion was a prima donna, and that's why they fired him! Funny how they keep asking him back, then, and other Stargate actors want him in their projects: A Dog's Breakfast, a small part in the web version of Sanctuary.

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.

[anjak-j.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with nightspring - the arrogance that implies on the part of the Powers That Be just boggles. Especially after how she found out she was being relegated to recurring. You treat your cast like crap and this is what happens. They should have thought to ask her if she wanted to come back before filming a cliffhanger on her arc. More power to Torri for telling them where to stick it. I'm sure they'll find a suitable sci-fi trope for getting around it.

As for the allegations of Torri turning it down out of spite - after hearing that interview and talking to her at P3, I honestly wouldn't blame her if she had.

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...

A world of word. Because if their inability to write strong characters doesn't kill the show, their regurgitating of SG-1 plots will.

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

I agree 100 percent. It was arrogant of them to assume she'd say yes. She'd said she'd be interested if they came up with the right story. Then they go and write something, and just expect her to say yes? The arrogance. Unbelievable.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't surprise me if they kill off someone else in season 5. I hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, you can hear fans say this actor did this, this actor did that, and nobody has any evidence to back it up.

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.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I can understand people getting let go, etc. Heck, I've been laid off a couple times, but it's how it's done, and why it's done. In that business, people are just like office equipment - replaceable if for some bizarre reason you're not the flavor of the month. But how you let a person go takes grace and tact, and after reading JM's blog for years, I don't know if it was necessarily handled in such a fashion (and when you're called into an office and let go, face it, your mind sorta goes into brain freeze).

A show can survive only so many permutations and alterations before viewers go "again? eh, I'm changing the channel."

[anjak-j.livejournal.com]

Oh, I get that people are let go...been there myself. What comes of working on contract rather that actually for companies. As you said it comes down to how it is done, and honestly, having read JoMo's blog, I have my doubts about how it was handled. There are two sides to every story and while I don't think we'll ever hear the full 411, from JoMo's response to questions about Torri's interview with DTRN, I'm inclined towards her version of events.

A show can only survive so much...and the viewers are already changing the channel on SGA. A shame really, because there have been some good stories this season but people don't invest themselves in stories, they invest themselves in the people on screen who tell them.

[arlessiar.livejournal.com]

A shame really, because there have been some good stories this season but people don't invest themselves in stories, they invest themselves in the people on screen who tell them.

I love what you said here! That sums up everything perfectly!
TPTB think the stories (especially the action in a story) is most important, but the best story in the world doesn't work when you cannot relate to it in any way. But in most cases you cannot really relate to Scifi stories and highly fictional events, so you need the characters because you can relate to them and their feelings. You fall in love with certain characters and into the team dynamics, and if TPTB destroy that or shake it up too often, they will eventually destroy the whole show.

[jadestrick.livejournal.com]

I think that if this is what Torri wanted (be it out of spite or whatever), good for her. I personally think the writers need to get their act together, but I'm not going to go on a rampage.

This is what I hope will happen. For me (and maybe for other people too), ever since the whole Paul McGillion thing, the fans have been lashing out. I can say that, I have been to. But now, with this news, I have this strong desire to just put my feelings aside and watch the show. Maybe with *ahem* coming to the show, the show can make a clean start. This is truly what I'm hoping for. I know when people stopped watching the show because of Carson, I wanted to do the same thing. I know there are people who watch for relationships, and I will admit, I'm one of those too. But in general, we watch the show because it's a good show. We should watch because the storylines have merit and because we love to see what happens to the characters. Forgive my bluntness, but to stop watching a show simply because they got rid of your favorite character, or they're not moving forward with the storyline you wished tends to show a smack of pride.

And I'm not trying to start a debate or anything, because like I said, I DO watch the show for the relationships, the characters, because Joe Flanigan is gorgeous, etc :D, and yes, I DO think the writers should get their act together, but ultimately, even without Torri being on the show or Carson only being recurring or the consistent change in casting, ultimately, it comes down to this: I STILL WANNA WATCH THE SHOW. Not merely for the people, but because it's worth my Friday nights.

I guess you could call this a fan realizing the need to remember what the show means to me.

Just a thought and I didn't mean to offend anybody. :)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Nailed it right on the nail with that last sentence.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Despite Weir's and BEckett's loss, I still watch the show, but I still do gripe if I find the writing lacking. If the writing sucks, even George Clooney couldn't save lame dialogue (well, he could make it less painful, I suppose) ;)

I'm hoping that season 5 brings tighter scripts, more drama (I just don't want to see any episodes like "The Tower" again), and well, yes, more Sheppard, since he's my favorite ;)

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

I think the SGA contracts are season to season so far.....

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.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

Here here!

*sniff* this is just totally making me all depressed & PO'ed at TPTBs. Idiots.

Their attempt at garnering more ratings is a miserable failure.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

even George Clooney couldn't save lame dialogue (well, he could make it less painful, I suppose) ;)

*cackles* Welllll..... let's not mention the travesty that was Batman & Robin........

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I don't remember too much of it except he did look good in the outfit, but then, that couldn't save the dialogue, which I've totally forgotten.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

but then, that couldn't save the dialogue, which I've totally forgotten.

No, it couldn't....... *laugh* I'm glad I had a free pass to go see it - that movie was so atrocious & so perfect for the MST3K guys! ;)

[nialla]

I respect Torri's decision, no matter the reason it was made. I wish I could respect how TPTB have been handling things, and not just with the character of Weir and Torri as an employee.

The writers just needed to WRITE - not dish out lame crap like "Irresponsible".

Amen to that. If they'd focus more energy on writing scripts instead of spinning excuses online, posting teasing hints, etc., they just might have a damn fine show.

[jadestrick.livejournal.com]

See, this is what I'm talking about. :) I think it's mainly an idea that I need to remember the show can still be good with or without people.

Well, that is, if Shep leaves, I may have to resort to desperate measures... :P

Anyway, sorry for babbling earlier. I jsut started typing and couldn't stop. :D

[roxy-palace.livejournal.com]

This is really sad. I didn't know how much I missed her until she showed up in two eps this season. I thought the arc they set up for her could be really cool. It'd be Weir but Uber-Weir...so not like going back to the same old same old.

It's a sad day for the show to be sure.

I just hope it doesn't send the whole show into a shame spiral that ends with it not getting picked up for another Season.

The writers have a hard time, they have a million people to appease and a gaggle of lawyers and no-nothing execs breathing down their necks. It's not an easy job. Having said that, I do think they could do with a jiggle up on this show though...Fresh blood and a new perspective? And not just the addition of yet another hot chick to the cast (I guess we've heard about Captain Porter by now...ho hum...)

[roxy-palace.livejournal.com]

And having said all that...I have just started watching SG-1 and I am utter appaled at how many plots SGA lifted straight from that show. I had no idea it was as bad as it is...LAZY! I know budget restraints are called RESTRAINTS for a reason, but c'mon!

[miera-c.livejournal.com]

The writers just needed to WRITE - not dish out lame crap like "Irresponsible".

*groan*

You know, they could come up with the best story line ever in S5 and execute it flawlessly and I'd still never forgive them for that episode.

Here's hoping Torri had other offers on the table, so we get more of her in better places.