Amanda Tapping talks about joining Stargate Atlantis

[wraithfodder]

Got an email notice that Amanda Tapping has updated her site at http://www.amandatapping.com. It's got both good and sad news (family-wise) but also snippets on her joining the cast, which I've snipped out...

Amanda said "I am also joining the cast of Atlantis next year for 14 episodes!! I am delighted. I have been quoted as saying that "I am contractually obligated to the franchise for another year." This sounds incredibly cold. It's strange sometimes to see your words in print. I want to be on the record as saying that I am very excited about the move to Atlantis. I think it's a wonderful opportunity for the character of Carter and for me personally. I am also aware that some people are not thrilled with the idea. I can only say that I think it will be a nice fit. I know Atlantis is not my show and I intend to tread lightly on their boards. I have a huge amount of respect for the cast and crew and hope that I will add to the show and not take away from anyone. I have talked at great length with Joe and Paul. When they first pitched the idea to me, I was a little nervous. After talking to them I am convinced that this is a good move. They are very excited about show running Atlantis and I am sure their enthusiasm will be felt on screen. I will also be in the two SG-1 TV movies which are shooting in April and June. I am looking at a very busy and fulfilling year. Surprisingly, I will have a bit more time off this year to spend with my family as I am only scheduled for four days per episode on Atlantis. This is perfect for me. Olivia is an absolute wonder and Alan and I are enjoying this time immensely."
 
I dare say that most fans realize that Amanda is just taking a job offered her (and to which she's contractually obligated) ;) Anyway, most fans have trepidation over what the WRITERS will do. Seeing as how this was Joe Mallozzi's and Paul Mullie's idea, and how JM is currently er, well, baiting parts of fandom on his blog, one wonders just how Carter will be integrated into SGA. While she's enthused, I'm not terribly excited. I like Carter, but I fear we'll see Carter reducing McKay's IQ - as face it, whenever she's around, his IQ tends to go down and he acts stupid. Plus, what is Carter doing on Atlantis? For SG1 fans, this means that the SG1 team might bsaically be broken up again if she's going to spend that much time (14 episodes is a lot unless they're smart and keep her on Earth and we see her via video transmisisons).

Anyway, food for thought and discussion.

Comments

[tipper-green.livejournal.com]

If Carter ends up in McKay's lab...I'll not be happy. Because I totally agree on the "she drops McKay's IQ" front, and he comes off as a buffoon.

HOWEVER (and this is a HUGE however related to a slim hope I have), if she does, in fact, "come with her own ship" (as has been noted in a couple of places), and she ends up staying up there...I'm actually pretty happy with the idea. Weir and Caldwell butted heads pretty nicely that way, without either ever really coming off poorly, and Caldwell eventually ended up in a very respectful role. If Carter comes in her own ship, say...the Odyssey?...as it's captain, she'll be butting heads with McKay the same way, I would imagine. I can see him, on the ground, needing to be rescued (and maybe not wanting to be?), or arguing about whether she's right about something she sees up there but he's looking at down below, or arguing about whether to risk the ship to help Atlantis, and so on. I think, so long as they stay ostensibly "apart" that it could work out really, really well. I like the idea of Carter in a Caldwell like role, and I think there's a lot of potential there...

But, and here's the kicker, we don't know if that will be the case. Carter can't and won't be as easily pushed to the back as Caldwell was, and there's no clear answer on the part of the writers about who is "in charge" or "the lead", so...it's a real curiosity. And Carter's heavy Mary Sue-ism has reached scary levels.

So, I'm not going to pass judgment yet, just because I *think* there is a way to do this which would be awesome. But, there's also a way to do this which would be terrible.

Fingers crossed, eh?

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

WEll, hope you're right on the possible 'awesome' part....

[tringasolitaria.livejournal.com]

I agree with Tipper, in spite of my recent and mortifying freakout. Out of the whole "series of unfortunate events," what pushed me over the edge was the thought of Carter ending up not only in McKay's lab but also in Weir's office (not that anyone official has said that's going to happen-just my own panic talking). I've since stepped back, regained some perspective (hopefully), and decided to wait and see how the writers play it. "Only four days per episode" might mean a more supporting role, rather than lead? I don't know what a normal schedule is. But I could be happy with Carter in Atlantis in some sort of support role, such as Caldwell has been playing the last couple of seasons.

I do agree that Carter being around tends to reduce McKay's IQ, but maybe the writers will realize it's not a good idea to make your heroes look like idiots too many times. And maybe if McKay could start to see Carter as just another person, a human being, rather than his chief competitor and fantasy object? Then there might be hope. Maybe? Just a little?

Here's crossing my fingers as well.

[tringasolitaria.livejournal.com]

I hope I don't insult anyone here by what I said about perspective -I was speaking about myself. I wouldn't want anyone to think that comment was intended for them-it definitely was not. Oh dear. This is the problem with being a newbie poster-I'm always second guessing everything! Hope it's ok...(going away to hide now).