Fondy and I are officially “the worst friends in the world”. True. Our buddies Steve and Jodi offered to take us out for my birthday and we had made plans for Wednesday night but, between the news of the show being pick-up, having both cars serviced, and my damn physical (4:00 p.m. as I write this and still now word from the doctor about my test results), we confused the time and date. I arrived home late and was about to empty the dish washer when Fondy got in. “What do you want to do for dinner?”I asked. “Let’s eat in,”she suggested. Fine. I turned to check the contents of the refrigerator and suddenly froze. Wednesday night! The Budapest! “Uh, aren’t we supposed to be having dinner with Steve and Jodi tonight?” It was a horrible realization, made that much worse by the timing. We were already 30 minutes late. “OhmyGod!”Fondy responded, doing that cute little double-foot-stamp and hand-flutter she does when she’s panicked. “OhmyGod!” GOGOGOGO! We ran to the Q7 and roared off, phoning Steve and Jodi from the car. Not only had they been patiently awaiting our arrival, but they hadn’t even ordered yet. Even worse! Instead of being annoyed, they’d been worried about us! Way to rub it in, guys.
We made it to The Budapest in record time and enjoyed Fondy’s favorite chicken paprikash, the Transylvania Platter for three, and a surprisingly terrific pork paprikash. We capped off our meal with an assortment of Hungarian desserts. We were terrible, but the food was delicious.
A couple of days earlier, we were out with another group - 12 in all - at Rekados to celebrate the albeit-shortlived-return of our friends Errol and Janice to Vancouver. The problem I have about big group dinners like this one is that, inevitably, a food imbalance develops over the course of the meal so that one side of the long table amasses a variety of tasty dishes while the other (the side I’m usually seated at) is left to nurse a bunch of near-empty plates. I do my best to avoid these situations by positioning myself with who I assume will be the lighter eaters (ie. The elderly, the very young, the clearly weight-conscious) and yet, time and again, I find myself hungrily eyeing those crispy pork hocks just out of reach. Sitting in the middle works for smaller parties but in the case of big groups, that just strands me from both selections. I out of ideas and would certainly welcome suggestions.
Well, with Monday fast-approaching, it looks like I’m going to have to come up with some story ideas this weekend. I do have a few ideas…
Today’s pics: Dinners with friends: The infinitely understanding Steve and Jodi, the birthday present they got me, sour cherry and poppyseed strudel (Carl's fave), my favorite Hungarian dessert whose name I can't recall (samloi galouk?) fellow-foodie Ena, chicharon, crispy pata, cheddar-corn ice cream (don't knock it 'til you've tried it)!
Today’s video: None yet again.
Today’s mailbag: Still no mailbag. This must be a record!
87 comments:
Ouch, I know how it feels to mix things up like that dinner. You feel so much more horrible about yourself than your friends could make you feel.
Have fun with the story spinning. Despite the painful process of out-doing yourself again, I know you secretly gain a very fulfilling sense of satisfaction after the process is over. If there wasn't any jeopardy then there would be no reward.
Hi Joe, are we going to see Ford in season 5, at least to close out his story line???? Thanks
That washing machine of yours has to be the most complicated machine I've ever seen. As for sorting, I don't. The only time I separate colors from whites is when something is new. First wash is with like colors (or underwear, etc that people don't see anyway) just in case it bleeds. The rest of the time, they all go in together. Haven't had a problem yet. And I toss in some color-safe bleach too. Whites stay white, colors stay colored.
As for your food dilemma... how about asking them to pass the plate? Or else, order double (or more) so each group gets at least one serving.
No mailbag! Yet again! Why?
Please answer my question. Who is 'the guy in Washington'?
Thanks!
The Ark of Truth promo pics are fabulous!! I can't wait! I haven't been this excited about Stargate since Moebius!!!
Hey Joe - I think I've finally figured out how to write a comment/question to your blog. I'm not a computer person. Congratulations on season 5. A question...I was wondering how my puddle jumpers Atlantis had now? What happened to the starship the ancients were traveling back to Atlantis on in the episode The Return?
Joe is your mailbag broken? Do bridge studios not give its writers enough money for a new mailbag :(
Have a great weekend. And hope everything's OK with those blood tests!
I know you must be tired of fans wanting this or that character in s5, but hey, if everyone else is doing it, why not me? ^_^
Could you please consider bringing Kolya back? Yes, I know, he died in Irresponsible. But being sci fi and all, nobody stays dead in sci fi... unless the producers and writers want to ;)
John and Kolya play so great together. I'd love to see them in a dark and action-packed story.
Oh Joe, you're going to have a lot of catching up to do!
Here are my questions again, if you don't mind:
1. Does Atlantis have 2 ZPMs now? One that we already had (but heavily drained) and the new one from the Replicator Homeworld? Does this development play any major roles in Season 4?
2. The 6th episode of the 5th Season of Atlantis will be the 300th episode of the Stargate franchise. Do you think you guys will be doing anything special for it?
Also, given my experience with doctors (and there's a lot of history there, trust me), they really like to screw with our heads. I don't think you have anything to worry about, personally.
Say, Joe, perhaps it's your plan that's the problem. Sitting with a light-eater doesn't mean you get to eat what they don't; it means you get to eat the same amount they do; after all, if the group knows who the light eater is, they will not be passing food towards him/her; thus, sitting near him/her could only invite the same treatment.
Logically speaking, that is. Suggestion: sit near the person who doesn't care about shouting across tables to demand the good food; i.e. the loudmouth; the non-shy.
Hi Joe
Question: What happens to the cast members mail that we send to them during the hiatus? Is it saved until they return, or is it forwarded to their homes to be looked at or answered?
Robot arms. Or those things that people on community service use to pick up litter. A telescopic version of one of those, that you could keep in your pocket for those nasty occasions when the pig parts are just out of reach. Failing that, you could just swoon with "manly hunger" so that everyone takes pity and passes you the food.
Don't let the lack of test results ruin your weekend. Eat lots of chocolate :-)
hi, joe,
i just finished reading the interview gateworld did with you concerning atlantis' renewel. here's a few things i'd like to comment on -
JM: "Some recent research discovered that our audience increases by up to an astounding 78 percent when the "Live + 7" numbers are factored in. That's huge!"
really? WOW! that's great news!! :D
JM: "That said, Paul and I will continue as show-runners"
YES! :D
JM: "and we would very much love for Amanda and Jewel to spend another year hanging out in the Pegasus Galaxy."
YES! ♥
sally :D
All the fuss about your test results makes you forget the mailbag? Awww. Let us know how the tests went (damn doctors!). As far as actor's contracts, how does that work? Does the studio or another group handle negotiations?
Tell everyone you have a medical condition that means you have to eat…everything on the table. You can choose from one of the following.
“I’m diagnosed Hypoglycaemic Pastry Dependant”
Or my personal favourite “I have to eat that because I am diagnosed Alzheimer Bulimic.” If asked what that is, just explain that you binge and forget to throw up. Always good for anyone who is a little over weight that one.
If all else fails just throw yourself across the table at the food in question shouting “Everyman for himself.”
People will soon move out of the way not wanting to get in the middle of a feeding frenzy.
The only other thing to do is only go to restaurants with round tables!
Don’t worry too much about your blood results if you had them taken Tuesday the results would be back by Wednesday. Any problems and someone would have rang you. Well that’s what I do with my patients anyway.
Have a relaxing weekend.
Pauline
(No offence meant to anyone with the above medical conditions)
Did you miss me? Of course you did.
I have returned from my vacation + work conference on the beach in sunny Florida. I had some amazing seafood while I was there.
I am very pleased to learn that Season 5 is a go. I told you I always get what I want, and so I have.
I've taken a little straw poll of what some viewers (ie: the 10 or so who read my LiveJournal) want to see on SGA next year. Here are some of their responses:
1. Carson Beckett back for good (desired by all who voted)
2. A Rodney/Teyla or Rodney/Ronon episode.
3. An episode where Carter screws up something totally big-time and Rodney comes up with the solution. We (meaning I) think that this sort of change-about would be quite character building for both of them.
4. An evil Atlantis AI.
5. Carson Beckett 4eva.
6. More Lorne. You might be surprised to learn that he has a big following.
7. And, lastly but not leastly, Kolya or even...Son of Kolya!
Maybe some of these things are going to happen later this season? In which case, thanks!
PS: No video and no mailbag? At least it's Friday... But, please, stop worrying about your blood test. It's affecting your blog. If you were really sick, you'd know it by now. Trust me on this.
Hi Joe!
Your birthday present looks delicious, but the sauce/cream extension (from this angle and only cuz my hub has been outta town for a week) looks rather phallic. Sorry!
I'm one of those "light eaters," I've heard talk of, so if you sat next to me, you could probably get plenty of food if we were eating "family style." I have no prob passing the serving dishes over, around, and across. Hey, be brave and bold, like the characters you write, and just ask for the crispy pork hocks (total yum!) to be passed. Anyone not willing to help a poor starving guy out is not worthy to sit with you! :)
Loving S4 so far!
eddy
Only question I could come up with was when will you announce the BOTM?
I normally read fiction, no scifi or fantasy, and have recently became a big fan of nonfiction. Mostly political and historical stuff. Just finished up a bio on Lincoln and will head to B&N tomorrow to add to my thinning stack.
I'm new to scifi and fantasy reading. What do you suggest?
Any other genres you like beside scifi and fantasy?
Little shout out for you on the new Star Wars Websute on yahoo. See web link. Only if you have time.
Hey Joe, did you see southpark Parody Stargate? For that matter do you watch southpark?
way to go on season 5, i have been e-mailing sci-fi 4 the last 3 months about atlantis. glad they lisened.
First, a big congratulations on season 5! Sorry your other projects will have to wait at least one more year (I'm hoping for about 5 or 6), but I am certainly a happy fan.
Commiserations on having to wait for the tests results. I visited my local phlebotomist today and have a long weekend out of town to wait for the results.
The obligatory question is when will filming start again?
SO excited for Season 5 possibilities! Would you be willing to talk about past story ideas that you had that didn't make it as a final product on either shows? I'd love to see another galaxy become involved outside of the Pegasus... ala the amazing episode 'Fifth Race', something we've never seen the likes of before. It changed the whole complexion of SG-1. With a 5th Season, something like that would most certainly catipult you guys to many more seasons, imo! Furlings? Hey, we'll have over 300 episodes and we've had 1 episode reference anything about them. :(
Yay for season five and congrats!
I for one would love to see how Ford is faring, especially with the replicator vs. wraith thing, and his need for enzyme. Is this a chance for him to return to earth and get the care he needs?
Okay, I'll just leave the ideas to you. Either way, happy belated birthday and happy season five!!!
Hi Joe, OMG!!! A dessert made with sour cherries. They are my favourite fruit, but sadly in short supply here in NZ;
re: being at one of the table with the left over food at the other - Asking someone to pass the (insert name of food) dish usually works for me!!
TTYL
I have a couple of story ideas for SGA but you dont take fan submissions ;)
out of ideas and would certainly welcome suggestions. Bring your own giant lazy susan from home! Or some sort of claw mechanism like out of a skill-tester!
Since there was no mailbag, I'll repeat my question from yesterday:
When it comes to the hiring or writers in "the industry" is a college/university background in writing considered important, or more just whether the writing jives with the production?
Thanks ^.^
Hi Joe:
Thanks again for blogging. I certainly don't begrudge you the small vacation you've given yourself from this Blog.Answering questions every day of the week, including holidays is amazing. We may not say it, but we do appreciate it. You are a truly amazing and kind man.
Patricia
LOVED Travelers! Kinda reminded me in a subtle way of Vala's exploits. Totally excellent episode!
So Travelers was awesome. That is really all I have to say.
=D
Dear JM,
Please stop sticking Sheppard in episodes with the hot alien chick of the week.
The chemistry never works and I feel like I'm watching him try to make out with his sister.
Not enough brain bleach in the world for that...
And also, a question: in TV land, what is the significance of the "And..." distinction in credits if any? I've actually wondered this for years now.
Travelers was AWESOME! please do the mailbag tomorrow. Um, will we see the Traveler's Ancient warship again this season? What about the Tria? It's only problem was that it had no hyperdrives. Will we see it in Season 5? Please? thanks.
For the record, Travelers was muy excelente!
You really aren't keen to answer any questions at the moment, are you? To change the topic completely, I was looking back through your blog. It's funny that it has kinda evolved from a travelogue to a food review to a place where people can hit you up for Atlantis spoilers.
Joe - have I told you lately that YOU ROCK!! Just finished watching Travelers and LOVED it. Unabashed Shep whumper here - great beating scenes and I LOVED that she stunned him after she kissed him and stole the weapon. *giggles*
Seriously, great ep. Can't wait to have them return. I loved seeing smart Sheppard (inertial dampeners, hotwiring the control chair). Nice to have Ronon and Teyla listen to Rodney's technobabble without threatening his life. I've noticed a change in Rodney since Sunday - he seems much more a team player. And Ronon's comment about going after Sheppard even if they were facing a fleet of hive ships - inspired.
Now, a couple of questions:
1. Did Shep get to keep the blaster he had even though the power cell died? Can he recharge it?
2. Jason is rumored to have cut off his hair. If so, will you write that in like you did the tattoo or will he have a wig like Rachel?
What, no adventures with the dryer?
Re: Travelers ... On the one hand, I wasn't really *expecting* to enjoy the ep much, what with the lack of the presence of the rest of the characters (who happily weren't quite as lacking as I'd *feared* they would be), and found myself pleasantly surprised. On the other hand ... I still didn't exactly *love* it. I just [i]liked[/i] it. It had some funny moments, especially that bit in the "closet" where they were they were trying to shut each other up. (Reminded me of an old 30s/40s-era movie, that bit.) But unlike with Vala, the girl here (Laren?) just grated on me 95% of the time, despite the fact that she apparently was telling the truth about needing the ship to save her people .... I even found myself half hoping she *wouldn't* be saved from the Wraith's feeding. Odd.
Yay for Keller and Sam still sticking aorund for season 5! (Though I hope we get more Beckett, too!!)
Well, we're leaving the house at around 5 am. (I'm not even sure it's worth trying to sleep tonight -- I'll only get about three hours.) See you in a week! Hopefully by then you'll have gotten your test results (with good news)! ;)
Just finished with the new SGA. Another Great episode. Kudos to you Mr. Destructo.
As far as I'm concerned having this bunch as an ally will make things... interesting.
Sorry Joe. Travelers gets a big thumbs down from me. Too much Shep, too little *anyone* else, no chemistry between Shep and the Chic in Leather (Larren?) and plot devices I could see a mile away.
The whole episode felt very flat.
The only part I liked was the "sexy alien" comment and Teyla's eye-roll.
Hope we have better luck next week.
suse
By the way, someone mentioned Ark of Truth pictures above. Where from?
I wish there was a restaurant like that near me. And I believe you mean Galuska (or Halušky in Slovak). Ah the joys of traditional Hungarian cooking. And speaking of that general area, is there going to be more air time for everybodies favourite Czech (Zelenka)?
An episode without Amanda or Jewel! The haters must love this episode!
I still enjoyed it. :p
The best bit of the episode was at the end of the epilogue with Sheppard and McKay going on and on. Teyla's reaction was so dead spot on. Although one would have thought that Sheppard and McKay would have had their conversation during their five hour trip back to the stargate. Then again, that would have been radio chatter that they really didn't need to be broadcasting. So I guess I answered my own question there.
And congratulations on Season 5.
Now that I'm half decently unburied in laundry, (and I found my dad's machine is nearly as complicated as yours. All these fancy buttons and digital read-outs. Just more stuff to break in my opinion =D ) I wanted to comment on tonight's ep.
One thing I get a kick out of more than anything else, and I mean, mostly anything else, is when something from the past, perhaps an unanswered question, or the origins of something, is explained. In this case, Ronan's gun. WAY COOL.
If anything could be brought back or explained in next season of Atlantis, I would love to find out the origin of the enemy ship in the SG-1 episode Grace. That's totally been eating at me for the last couple of years!
Anyway have a good weekend and all that sort of thing.
Cheers!
On what someone above said, I didn't think the episode was about 'hooking' Sheppard up with a space chick of the week, the kiss was totally playing at his WEEKNESS for well, the space chicks, but I thought she was a great actress/character and her people are going to be a really interesting addition to the series.
Anyway, loved the episode! Can't wait til next week!
Hi Joe,
I was sure you'll get a season 5, just like I'm sure it will be the last one. Please bring Jack and Daniel for a couple of episodes...
Re: Tonight's eppy
Pros:
-Sheppard focused
-A smart, strong willed female leader
-Great tension and chemistry without it being a space bimbo vibe
-Nice to see John using and repairing technology, he's a smart guy, nice to see he can handle stuff without Rodney
-Cool to see such a new race
-Great visuals as usual
-Hostage Sheppard is always great to see
-For once the team worried and trying to rescue John.
-Ronon's it wouldn't matter if it were a fleet of Hive ships!
Cons:
-I know this season is supposed to be more character driven, each team member getting an eppy. I just feel like the others are/will get more 'personal' emotionally eppys while Sheppard gets another 'action” eppy.
-Its okay to have Sheppard in a more 'dramatic' eppy, but maybe we'll get that in “Outcast"
-The pace was a bit off
Overall an entertaining episode.
Episode gets a 5 out of 10 from me. Shep whump with some blood...off to good start.
Touch space chick...I like that. Saw very little chemistry between her and Shep. Rolled my eyes when they locked lips. Please don't make him Kirk of the Pegasus Galaxy.
High point was at the end with the team sitting together. That was great banter with Rodney and Shep. :)
Not a bad episode, but not great either, IMO.
I just had to come back tonight and say thanks for another great episode! Travelers was all I hoped it would be and then some. The way this season is going, y'all are going to have a hell of a time coming up with better episodes in season 5! I'm salivating at the thought!
Dear Joe
I see from your Gateworld interview that you would love to have Amanda & Jewel around for another year.
As a fan, I would love to see them around too, as I believe they add to the show.
Pam
Loved Larrin! Really good episode. Can you please bring back Larrin in Season 5 as she would be a great recurring character to play off Sheppard.
SEASON 5!!!!!!!!!!! *dances*
Its my birthday next week and Im buying the stargate sg1 box set, I cant wait! I havent seen most episodes since they aired on tv ages ago and it will also be a reward for finishing my HSC exams.
P.S Good luck with your blood tests (hey at least you survived through the needles) XD
Still waiting for your results? You probably don't want to see this.
I hope it's all good.
As for forgetting about the dinner... I forgot to go to work yesterday. I usually only work Saturdays, and Friday was my first extra day of summer work. I was gutted and felt so guilty when I realised and checked my phone to find all the messages.
Hi!
I am happy that you like Hungarian foods. The dessert was "somlói galuska". Somló is a name of a mountain, a castle and a wine-growing region.
Somló:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somlo
Galuska:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halu%C5%A1ky
I don't know why are "galuska" in the name of this dessert, because the base is a sponge cake. You should ask the chef. :)
I am happy you got the order for season 5. I hope for SG:U too, but I don't know, if you want make 40 episodes in a year again.
I always wanted to ask that theoretically how many DVD films can you make in a year in such quality and long as SG:AoT? 3-4-5?
Platschu
1.)For Atlantis's 100th episode, do you think you guys will do something epic or comical?
2.)Will any major characters (Sheppard, Ronan, Teyla, McKay, Zelenka, Keller, Carter) bite the dust this season?
Hey Joe!
I just watched Travellers. Thought it was wonderful, when I remembered reading something (from your blog, probably) about Jill Wagner being friends with Jason Momoa. Will we see any interaction of their characters together in any of the remaining episodes of S4?
And congratulations on S5 being picked up! Looking forward to it!
I thought Travelers could have been better if some of the stuff shown in the episode was fleshed out better. I thought either not enough time was spent on learning more about the Travelers culture or what time was spent wasn't written that well, but I haven't decided which yet. It was an episode that felt like the story should have been longer than an hour and yet shorter than two hours. Too bad there are only 43 minutes of an hour show that are the actual show. There are too many commercials on a channel I already pay my cable company to be able to see!
I hope we learn more about the Travelers culture/history in BAMSR and I think you guys missed an opportunity for a two-parter that incorporated another sub-plot. I'm sure one of the later stand alone episodes could have been told next season. The Travelers are far more interesting to me than the Genii were and you guys had 4.25 episodes with them in season one alone!
I also should ask you why so much of this episode was released early in preview and promo video clips? I might have enjoyed the episode more if all this info wasn't out there and thought we would see some of the stuff that was shown in the clips fleshed out and not that what was in the clip was it. I think "more info" on Ronon's gun was a misnomer because it is never said that the Travelers made the weapons or why Sheppard never asked Ronon if he got his gun from one of the Travelers. That would have been a better ending than McKay whining about never getting captured by the sexy alien when he should have been asking Sheppard about the level of tech the Travelers had. It seems like Paul Mullie decided that there wasn't enough comedy in this ep and tried to throw it in at the end. Either have a funny episode, a serious one, or do a better job of mixing the two and this show would be better IMO.
I'm a Jill Wagner fan who gave up on SGA in season 2 and only started watching again because I knew she was going to be in this episode. Too bad she wasn't in a better written episode since the concept of it sounded pretty good. Why does bad writing follow her around? First, poorly written first half of Blade: The Series and now this. *sigh*
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Salut Joseph♥!
Superbe les photos!
Oh ne vous inquiétez pas, vous n'êtes pas du tout un mauvaise amis, sa arrive a tout le monde de se trompé, et puis si vous aviez beaucoup de chose a faire, vous êtes pardobnnez^^!
J'ai une bonne nouvelle! Demain on passe en heure d'hiver, donc on recule d'une heure. Se qui fait que nous n'aurrons plus que 8 heure de décallage horaire..enfin si vous ne changer pas d'heure.
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♣Ma question est toujour la même:
1)Pitier!! dite moi que vous pensez a mettre un francais dans stragate atlantis?
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Bon aller gros bisou! je vous aime trop! bonne journée!!! a demain! Merci!
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As for the mailbag thing-hey everyone deserves a vacation every once and awhile. :)
Order two of everything! (Or ask them to serve onto 2 smaller plates?)
Joe and Paul,
Loved Travelers. Mucho Shep Whumpage. Reed Richards. Ronon's gun a Travelers weapon? Or did the Travelers rip off the Satedans?
Looking foward to Larrin's return in 'Be All My Sins Remember'd!'
Morjana
You help out others. You yell out (politely), "Oi, can we have the .... down this side of the table?"
When someone guiltily hands you the plate you desire you hand an empty one back and ostensibly offer it to anyone your side of the table that shows an interest. Once they're done, well, the rest is yours right?
Been thinking about asking for a while, but now I can't resist any longer. Any plans to eat out IN Budapest instead of at? ;)
There are many fans here who would love to see you coming here, maybe, at some point.
Oh and the dessert's name is spelled "somlói galuska" and yeah, it's really good:D
Hey Mr. M.,
I was watching Travelers last night (AWESOME!) and was curious about something....
When the characters sit down to eat..are they eating the food that was catered in for lunch, is it left over snacks, or just some grub that is found laying around? Who gets stuck doing the dishes?
Thank You.
Gate Geek
My tip...clear a large space in front of you on the table...waiters and waitresses automatically then put the food right down in front of you...
Of course, if the problem is that you eat all your share and then have to look longingly up at the top of the table with their still remaining food, asking for it is usually the best policy :D
Will the immorality of genocide become a plot point over the erradication of the ever surprisingly multifaceted Wraith?
Ok, I'm one of those people who was totally prepared to hate Travellers. I'm also suspicious of the "hot alien babe of the week" stories (especially after Sanctuary, since Chaya had the personality of a stapler), AND I absolutely LOATHE those Mercury car ads Jill Wagner stars in. I don't know why I hate those commercials, but she comes across as so smarmy.
However... I took a deep breath and watched the actual episode -- and it was good! I liked her a lot, liked Sheppard's interaction with her, and she was sufficiently vulnerable and yet unlikable enough to be come across as a "real" person (much like what I love about Rodney McKay). But watching her and then seeing Lorne at the end... I could see her meeting him and falling for him at some point! He's one of those forthright and upstanding kind of guys that women of questionable character always seem to fall for (like Vala and Daniel). So we will be seeing more of Larrin and the Travellers in S5? And more Lorne? Please?
Thanks!
I really enjoyed "Travelers" last night! It was a fun ep and it's nice to see the Wraith again...especially since they've found their flat-iron's again :). I was set to hate Larrin but I really like her (which is funny, the same thing happened with Vala).
One nitpick, though: How is it that folks without the ATA gene can use a life-signs detector? First it was Zelenka in "Lifeline" and then Larrin last night. I thought it was established in "Seige 2" that only ATA can use one, unless I'm mistaken. Thoughts? Thanks!
Joe - I think the solution to your tabled food troubles might be a stylised table. One where there's a hole in the middle of the table where you can sit and conveniently reach everything. That failing, get a "food buddy" at the opposite end of the table and swap foods (or seats) halfway through...
I hope your tests are fine. I think the waiting might be worse than the results (well, I certainly hope so).
Hello,
Found your blog (which is fantastic by the way) through Gateworld. Great site. Thank you and everyone else at Stargate for the show, the season four is so great. I'm very happy that scifi decided for a 5th year.
On a personal note, hope that your tests are okay.
Une très bonne fin de semaine.
Well, Mr. Mallozzi, I've only just heard about Atlantis's renewal, due to the fact that i haven't been able to get to the computer because of my bad knees and back! Congratulations! I'm dancing around the room right now, to "You're my first, the last, my everything" celebrating season 5! I might crack open the booze! Heehee! Again congratulations on the Atlantis pick-up.
Kady
Is it my imagination or did one of your blogs mention a Daniel return if you got a series 5?
Would it be in a full or part-time capacity?
I'll allow other people to break down “Travelers” in more detail here just a few thoughts:
Anytime you have a strong female role there's going to be debate about the interaction with the male lead. In my opinion this is one of the first times SGA got a female leader right, she was strong, nearly fearless and would do whatever she had to for her people, just her methods were more questionable...
but then again our guys have made some bad moral decisions.
Didn't see any Kirking on Sheppard's part, but people will see what they want.
The highlights for me was showcasing that Sheppard is capable of handling technology without Rodney's help. He used sound tactics and the resources available to him to our smart Larrin most of the time. I really loved how easily it is for him to operate the Ancient Tech and prove his skills as a pilot.
Another highlight for me was the Team concern. We've seen so many episodes where Sheppard expresses how much they mean to him, this really showed us what they were willing to do to find him! It was a nice reversal and Ronon's-- it wouldn't matter if they were facing a fleet of Hive ships was a very powerful line.
Yeah for Lorne!
Not the strongest episode, but it was fun.
Kristen
Hi, Joe. Great news about season 5! Also, Travelers was awesome. I actually really liked Larrin -- I'm not sure why that surprises me, because Stargate is one of the few shows where I find the female characters consistently well-done.
Was the actor in Fridays episode the girl from those mercury commercials?
4x05 was awesome! I really liked Larrin. I think she had character and she was a very well-rounded female character at that.
Great job and congrats on season five!
Travelers was great! At last Sheppard meets a strong woman who can give as good as she gets. I hope we see more of her. The chemistry was great, and they really had the witty repartee down perfectly. It reminded me of one of those old Tracy/Hepburn movies. More please.
It was also great that Sheppard showed his brain. He has obviously learned a lot from Rodney. And how touching that the team worked so hard to save him and that he never doubted for a moment that they would come for him. And Teyla's eyeroll...priceless. She obviously thinks they are adolescents but is too polite to say so.
Thank you for an enjoyable show.
Hi Joe:
Just wanted to add to what another poster said about the promo pictures for Ark of Truth - they're FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
The quality is exceptional. Whomever took these photos, please keep them around. Daniel, Sam, Teal'c and Cameron all look great in the team photo as well as their individual shots. It's so nice to have pictures that are not airbrushed to death. The actors are all gorgeous, and it's nice to finally see some pictures that haven't had every line and wrinkle removed.
Seeing the photos has also gotten me even more excited for the movie. As excited as I already was, I didn't think that was even possible. Can't wait. I'm really missing SG1. Please pass on a special thank you to whomever took the promos.
Thanks Joe
Travelers....
Great episode. Superb smart dialogue written between Larrin and Sheppard. In fact, all the scenes with the two of them interacting were great and believable, except for the kiss. I don't have any objections to Sheppard kissing hot alien chicks or otherwise, but they had just sent the Wraith packing and since they are both smart warriors, they should have been shadowing the Wraith to make sure he leaves, not gazing into each other's eyes. How would they know he wouldn't get into his dart and blow them to kingdom come? Or come back at them once they were distracted? It's not like the Wraith was at death's door when he gave back her life force.
Aside from that one glitch, it was refreshing to watch Larrin in action. It's been a long time since SG has created (written and stunt-coordinated) and acted (fine job by Jill Wagner) a female commander who is actually believable as a military commander/leader, aside from Teyla, of course.
And it was great to see Lorne back leading the rescue mission, as he has done in seasons 1-3. Which by the way, I should give kudos to the writing of Atlantis, because I hated his smart-mouthed personality in SG-1 (talking the character here, not the actor).
We have a rule amoungst my group of friends, that at large gatherins in resteraunts we have to swap seats at every course. Thus alowing every one to talk to every one else. It also has the added bonus of totatly confusing the weighters (make them earn their tip)... which is where you could benafit food wise if you so chose!
I haven't checked been on the computer much the past few days, so it was a pleasant surprise to find out today that we're getting a fifth season of Atlantis! I'd love to see the entire main cast of season 4 come back, as well as Jewel Staite. :)
Hi Joe,
Does Torri will come back in cast member in season 5 ?
Thank you.
Joe,
Just one thing to say about Travelers:
LOVED IT!
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Highlights:
-Shep spitting blood
-Larrin opening the bay doors and leaving Shep standing over open space
-The kiss/stun
-The final cafeterial scene
Thanks for an hour of wonderful entertainment. Season 4 rocks!
WB
Any test results yet?
I really liked Travelers, and all of s4 so far. Hoping you sign all the cast you need for s5 (ok, would rather have Beckett back than Keller, she seems way too young). Thanks for all your hard work!
Just dropping by to compliment you on yet another wonderful episode. I loved the snark. I loved how the balance of power kept going back and forth. It was a lot of fun.
The casting of the lady (whose name I am completely blanking, at the moment) was inspired. She's a great physical match for John. And she exudes a great strength that was a lot of fun to see. (I always appreciate more kick-ass women in Stargate.)
You guys are starting out entirely too strong. You have a lot to live up to the rest of the season!
Joe, I would like to amend this comment I made earlier:
Why does bad writing follow her around? First, poorly written first half of Blade: The Series and now this. *sigh*
I guess I was disappointed in the episode with all the anticipation I had for it. After seeing it again (twice,) it was not bad writing, just a little weak in places and not even close to the bad writing in the first part of BTS. I would really be interested if there were some scenes and bits edited out from the episode due to time constraints that might have done a better job of giving more info about the Travelers? Can you say if any deleted scenes from Travelers will end up on the DVDs?
I still think it could have and probably should have been better, but that's just me.
I found Travelers to be meh.......too Shep-centric for my taste and I didn't think Shep and Larrin had any chemistry whatsoever. I did like the team's effort to find him though. Yeah Lorne!
Glad to hear that Amanda and Jewel will be welcomed back with open arms.
Good luck on the bloodwork. I'm sure you're fine. Try not to worry so much.
I thought Travelers was awesome! I loved every minute of it. I think it's tied with CG for fave ep. Nice to see Shep use his Mensa brain and his ATA gene. Loved Larrin and their interaction. Great job all around.
*waves*
Oh my goodness. I think i'm incoherant at this point Mr M. I loved Travelers. I giggled and squee'd with delight... hopefully in all the right places. :D
I loved Larrin! Nice to see a smart sassy leader who's willing to give as good as she gets. And OMG she kicks ass... especially when it comes to shep. LOL. Lookin forward to Rodney's reaction if/when they meet up.
Quick question though. Was this written in like this?
Travelers.
I had to laugh my ass off!
Oooooh and I saw the promo for next week. You might have to get the ear plugs out again.
*takes a deep breath*
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Ah that felt good.
Thank you for the whumpery gift. Loved the spitting up of blood. *squee*
Talking of blood. ;) Did you get your test results back? Aren't doc's a pain in the ass? They promise you'll get the results and then leave you fretting over the weekend. I'm sure they'll be fine though.
*Squooshes Paul and Joe for a great eppy*
Travelers was OK but I still think that Reunion is the best episode of the season [so far].
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