Stargate Trivia: Stargate: Atlantis "Midway" (4.17)

Who would win in a fight between Teal’c and Ronon? this was the question Stargate fandom had posited. Well, if you ask Chris Judge (which I once did) he’d reply: “Ronon. Teal’c is still doing that wushu shit.” Still, we weren’t satisfied with that answer and so, Carl Binder put fingers to keypad and wrote this all-out actioner in which Ronon and Teal’c team up to battle a wraith incursion. And also throw down.

So who wins? Why, it’s a draw, natch.

Early in show’s fourth season, we wanted to do a scene with Carter, back at Stargate Command, leaving behind the life she knew for a fresh adventure in the Pegasus Galaxy. We wanted the scene to be grounded in the world of SG-1 and felt that the best way to accomplish that would be for Sam to have a conversation with one of her SG-1 teammates. I approached Chris Judge about doing it but told him we wouldn’t be able to afford his episode rate for the single scene. Chris just shrugged in response and happily offered his services for a nominal fee. I thought that was a stand-up thing to do and this episode was a repayment for that kindness, an episode guest-starring Teal’c. And, yes, Chris got his full episode rate for this one.

Jason Momoa and Christopher Judge had a blast shooting the episode, especially the action sequences. And there were plenty. The episode also boasts some terrific guest stars like Bill Dowd, Dean Marshall and Ben Cotton who return to reprise familiar roles.

Check out the BTS footage of Jason and Chris rehearsing.


Jason and Chris rehearsing for Midway Part 2

Stargate Trivia: Window of Opportunity

We had no idea this episode would become so beloved by fandom and yet, looking back, it’s easy to see why it has.  It’s one of those "fun" episodes with a fairly straightforward premise that allows our characters to shine in ways unexpected.  Specifically, Jack and Teal’c who, in the past, have relied on Carter and Daniel to handle the science and Ancient translations, and suddenly find themselves having to step into their team members’ shoes.  

Yes, it’s our version of Groundhog Day.  And yet, in its earliest form, the pitch for this story was very different, much darker in tone.  Originally titled Ad Infinitum, it involved the team gating to a planet and becoming trapped in a seemingly endless time loop orchestrated by a dying race seeking to buy more time to come up with a solution to an impending armageddon (which became the backstory of the device’s genesis mentioned in the episode by Malakai).  Exec Producer Robert Cooper suggested another spin on the time loop angle and, while I was dubious at first (“Isn’t this Groundhog Day?”I remember asking.  “Yeah,”was Rob’s counter.), I was proven wrong.  Now, the “Groundhog Day” episode has become a staple of most every genre show.

While there’s a lot to like about this episode, it was the “time off” montage that stands out.  And it almost didn’t happen.  The episode was timing short, it was clear we would need to come up with some extra scenes, and that gave Brad the opportunity to do something he had always wanted to do: see our characters golfing through the stargate.  And so, several scenes were added (they were all scripted, not improvised as some fans assumed): the juggling, Teal’c’s repeated door run-in, Jack riding his bike through the corridors of the SGC, Jack trying his hand at pottery, the golfing through the gate and, oh yes, THE KISS.  The latter was my former writing partner Paul Mullie's idea - in his pitch, an opportunity we could not pass up.  Note: We made sure to have Jack tender his official resignation before dipping Carter and planting one on her, just to make sure we didn’t catch any flak from our Air Force tech advisors.

Last year, I came across a bunch of old VHS dailies from this episode and, after having the footage converted to digital files, I uploaded a bunch of the more memorable outtakes and alt. takes.  In case you missed them the first time, here are a bunch of them in one dedicated thread…

Stargate - Window of Opportunity Alt. Takes and Outtakes 1/10 Stargate - Window of Opportunity Alt. Takes and Outtakes 2/8

Top 10 Running Gags in #Stargate SG-1
10. Blue Jello
What’s the deal? Well, it was simply something the prop department whipped up one day that stood out, both for its neon properties and sheer ridiculousness, quickly becoming a comically beloved visual staple. Top 10 Running Gags in #Stargate: SG-1
9. O'Neill's obsession with The Simpsons
RDA was a huge fan of the show. After guesting on SG-1 and hitting it off with Rick, actor Dan Castellanetta wrote a Stargate/RDA-themed episode of The Simpsons to which Rick lent his voice talents.

Audition Advice for Actors
- from my 20 years of casting roles ranging from series regulars to dialogueless agonizing death-screamers. A few thoughts and hopefully helpful suggestions. 1/ You spent all weekend studying those sides, preparing for that audition. And then, when the day comes, you NAIL IT! You head home feeling great, certain you got the role. You tell your friends, you significant other, your mom (She’s been a longtime fan). You're feeling great! 2/

The idea of creating your own big budget sci-fi epic may have seemed far-fetched years ago, but now the prospect grows increasingly less preposterous with the rapid advancements in A.I. 1/
indiewire.com/2023/04/joe-ru… As Artificial Intelligence evolves and refines, we'll see technological breakthroughs across the board - breakthroughs that will quickly drive down the costs of production as more efficiencies are realized and once costly and time-consuming processes will become achievable. 2/

The latest scandal to rock Japan centers on an act of "sushi terrorism", so named because it involves video of a teen licking a communal soy sauce bottle, the rim of a tea cup, and a passing order of nigiri at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. 1/ theguardian.com/world/2023/feb… The restaurant where the incident took place is part of the Sushiro chain. Its parent company saw its stock drop 5% (roughly 5.7 billion dollars worth) on the heels of the breaking news. The prank video has been viewed over 40 million times. 2/ dimsumdaily.hk/stock-price-of…

SHOWRUNNING 101
You've just landed your first show running gig. Congratulations! Allow me to offer a little advice distilled from my own experience. Hopefully there’s something here that may prove useful in helping you navigate these uncharted waters. 1/ PREP YOUR WRITERS' ROOM
Take two weeks before the room convenes to come up with your creative frame. What are your narrative arcs? What are the major plot points and character beats you want to see realized? Things can change, but it helps to have a plan going in. 2/

With the news that the Washington football team is changing its name, I thought that this would be an opportune time to weigh in with some suggestions. Suggestions that stand apart. 1/9 You’ll have your standards (Tigers, Bulldogs, Wildcats) and your regional go-to’s (Senators, Presidents, Lobbyists and Swamp Things), but I’d like to recommend something more original. Syrup Makers? Battling Bathers? Nimrods? Banana Slugs? Alas, all taken at some point. 2/9

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.03 - Act 1
Previously on Dark Matter: The crew teams with Anders and the G.A. to seal the rift, the black ships' power source. THREE and SIX return. Wexler stays. Ryo uses transfer transit to reboot himself as FOUR. #DarkMatter 1/11 A Reynaud Industries press conference. CEO Alicia Reynaud's brilliant young daughter, Carina, is delivering a speech about her mother's company when - smoke bombs go off. Chaos! Her bodyguards hustle her through the back and down a corridor where - #DarkMatter 2/11

This reminds me of the time I was invited to Akemi's sister's wedding in Japan. As we were preparing for the trip, Akemi asked what I would be wearing to the event. I said: "My suit." She told me her father had suggested I wear a kimono. "A kimono?"I said. "For a man?" 1/4

https://twitter.com/japantimes/status/1027540105945333760

She informed me that, yes, there were male kimonos. And that she thought I'd look very handsome in one. I demurred. "A kimono? I don't know..." She insisted, her father thought it was a great idea, and she would be wearing one, so we'd look great together. 2/4

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.02, Act V
Our story so far: josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2018/06/24/jun…
VFX - SPACE
The G.A. shuttle streaks towards the rift, evading weapons fire from the alien ships. As it draws near -
Another ship exits the rift. It's the Marauder! Onboard The Raza, Android detects the Marauder. SIX's voice comes over the comm channel, requesting permission to dock. As a jubilant FIVE responds, Android directs The Raza on an intercept course, providing cover fire for the Marauder as -

#DarkMatter Episode 4.02 Act 4
SIX drifts wide of the mark. He begins to run Tash through the piloting sequence that will get her through the rift when suddenly, his progress is halted. REVEAL Tash, secured to a lifeline, has snagged his ankle, literally "catching her lift". Commander Vandermeer pays a visit to the imprisoned TWO, THREE, and Wexler. TWO makes a pitch for the white hole bomb so that they can target the rift and, hopefully, deal the looming alien invasion a critical blow. Vandermeer is unconvinced...

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.02, Act III
Act 1:

https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1009918982839627776

Act 2:

https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1010317894683512836

An unconscious TWO is cuffed as Anders, THREE, and Wexler are pulled out of their transfer pods and arrested. Their clones are still active - but not for long…. Inside the facility, Anders gets on a computer and deduces the bomb has been moved to the R&D lab, two floors down. He, THREE, and Wexler are on the move. #DarkMatter

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.02, Act II
Act 1:

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VFX - SPACE
The Raza drops out of FTL at a space station.
At the airlock, Lieutenant Anders is welcomed aboard. In the mess, they discuss the op to steal the white hole bomb. It's being held in a heavily-secured facility. But there's a way in. Guards travel to and from the station via a dedicated transfer transit station. The crew of The Raza will get into that station with Anders' help.

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.02 - Act 1
Previously on Dark Matter: Wexler forces the alien out of TWO, but not before she glimpses a clue to the whereabouts of her daughter. THREE turns the tables on a Alt. Portia. Ryo informs Android he wants to remain onboard... FIVE mourns the loss of SIX - who, it turns out, is alive and well but trapped on the other side of the spacetime rift with Tash. A plan is hatched to use Traugott's white hole bomb to destroy the rift - but we discover that it is now in the hands of the Galactic Authority.

DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.01, Act 5 (of 5)!
Establish a remote farmhouse. It's a beautiful day. TWO steps out outside - "She finally fell asleep..." - and trails off at the sight of a shirtless Kryden returning from his chores. His lean, muscled body is covered with a web of cybernetic circuitry running from his fingertips to his very core. He's augmented.
Kryden puts on his shirt, tells her: "She's sleeping a lot better now that you're here. You were gone so long, I didn't think you were coming back."

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.01, Act 4
FIVE contacts Anders. He knows nothing about the GA's heist of the white hole bomb and is reluctant to investigate for fear of risking his career. FIVE reveals SIX sacrificed much more. Anders, shocked by this news, vows to help. FIVE, Android, Ryo and Wexler discuss what appears to be their only option for ridding TWO of the alien: torture.
But FIVE can't bring herself to do it.
And neither can the Android.
While Ryo deems it dishonorable.
They turn to Wexler who shrugs: "Sure, why not?"

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.01, Act 3
Picking up where we left off, THREE and Portia trapped in Boone's vault. Without the passcode, they are screwed. But maybe not! Portia pulls out a small explosive device and informs THREE she'll simply blow the door.
#DarkMatter THREE: That won't work.
Portia: Yes, it will.
THREE: No, it won't. All it's going to do is cause a lot of damage, to this place and us.
Portia: My nanites will heal me.
THREE: I don't have nanites.
Portia: And what's your point?
#DarkMatter

#DarkMatter Virtual Season 4 - Episode 4.01 - Act 2
Establish The Raza in sublight... Ryo, alone in his quarters, receives a transmission from Teku who informs him that loyalist troops eager to see him back on the throne of Zairon await his command.
#DarkMatter

The Raza and its allies start taking fire from the alien armada. It's a battle for the ages and they're getting their asses kicked. One by one, the allies abandon the field of battle - first Truffault then Teku, leaving FIVE, now in command, to decide their next move.
END TEASE