Write or Wrong? Writing Stargate SG-1
"Stargate is a tough show to write for," continues Glassner. "One of the reasons for this is that we want to give something to all of our leads to do in every episode and occasionally that's a challenge if the plot centres on just one of them."
Jonathan Glassner, Executive Producer, Stargate SG-1 Seasons One - Three.
He Said She Said
"When we first started the series, there was talk of starting up something between Jack and Sam, or Sam and Daniel, and we all nixed that," Tapping says. "Richard and I right away said, 'Never.' A, it could never happen because he's her superior officer, and B, we don't want it to kill the show. I think the beauty of the relationship between the four of us on the team is this great friendship that we have, and this wonderful respect and admiration for each other. Adding anything into that mix would be silly, because I think right now it works as a team of really good friends."
Amanda Tapping commenting on season 1
As for Carter and O'Neill, the writers constantly scan the Internet and they know the audience has a yearning to see some sexual attraction between these two characters, but at this time we believe that's too obvious a choice," explains Anderson. "We're not saying that things aren't going to go somewhere, what we are saying is that it would be a mistake to jump into this situation right now.
"We shot an episode back in the middle of April that's set in an alternate reality and our O'Neill has to relate to an alternate version of Carter. So we deal with that dichotomy and the emotional dilemma O'Neill must go through because he's never really thought of Carter in sexual terms. Obviously, we'll have to face it eventually..."
Richard Dean Anderson, 1999, commenting on season 3
"Part of the appeal of the show is that we strive for realism, particularly with regard to our military pursuits. In accordance with current regulations, it would be highly irregular for two serving officers such as O'Neill and Major Sam Carter [Amanda Tapping] to have an on-going personal relationship. So in the context of SG-1 it's unlikely to happen."
Brad Wright, 2000, commenting on season 4
When you compare the above with what they did to the Carter-O'Neill relationship in S4 in D&C it does suggest that sometimes the actors get handed scripts that might not necessarily take their characters in a direction they like. They can say what they would prefer to see on the screen, but that doesn't mean they (and we) are going to get it. For instance, I have yet to read an interview with AT and CJ before the shooting for the new season starts where one of them doesn't mention how much they'd like to see the Sam-Teal'c relationship developed but we haven't exactly seen that on screen.
"As far as Carter and Teal'c, their relationship has been explored probably the least on the program...I enjoy my scenes with Amanda and I'm hoping our two characters interact more with each other next season."
Christopher Judge in TV Zone Issue #115
"When we went into Season Three, Amanda and I thought this would be the time when Teal'c and Carter really bonded and had an opportunity to show the ties that bound them as friends as well as comrades in arms. That hasn't happened yet. We hardly ever interact together. In fact, whenever they put us in a 'two shot' we joke, 'Here comes one of those bonding moments'. We're pushing for our friendship to be developed more in the new season. We'll have to wait and see what Season Four brings."
Christopher Judge in CULT TIMES #54 March 2000
And then you look at what RDA said last year around the time of WOO: "To some degree, I'd say Michael Shanks and I probably have the most fun in banter scenes. I think this is built partially out of mutual respect of the theatre of the absurd and the fact that we have a ball working together."
RDA in TV Zone Special #38 2000. And think about how many Jack and Daniel banter scenes we got in S4...<sob>
Then compare it with what he's just said in the most recent interview: "... I like most scenes that are written with Michael Shanks, especially written by Brad Wright because he understands the rhythm between the two of us and certainly the two characters. Shanks and I tend to have a lot of fun."
RDA in 2001.
And I would say there was no guarantee whatsoever that we are going to be getting any more Sam and Teal'c bonding moments or Jack and Daniel banter scenes in S5 than in S4. We can all hope though. And at least we know the actors want many of the same things for their characters that we do which I find comforting anyway. Other than that I think it really is just a case of waiting and seeing. Although crossing our fingers and toes probably wouldn't hurt...
“We’re really, really excited about the show this year,” he beams. “We’ve had a little bit of a shift around, introduced some new members to the creative team, welcomed Robert aboard in a different role as co-executive producer and confidence is high. We feel Season Four is going to be our best season yet.”
Brad Wright commenting on season 4.
Um...
Lori
Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, SCI FI Channel, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. All blog entries represent the opinion of the poster. All editorials represent the opinion of the author. All linked content represents the opinion of the linked site's webmaster. Copyright on all articles/editorials/blog entries belongs to the original author. Offer void where prohibited. Please remain seated while the aircraft is in motion. Warning: Coffee will be hot. A moose once bit my sister.
