 
GW: Do you like the creative decisions that they're taking the show, or is there anything you disagree with, with this fourth season?
BW: I really love watching a dub of a show, and seeing, "Wow, that really did come together." Even though it isn't necessarily the way I would have done it. You know what I'm trying to say? Had I got the script, I might've changed this or done that. I didn't get it. It didn't go through whatever process I would've done. So it moved through the process onto the screen in a different way than had it gone through my typewriter.
I'm always delighted when I realize, "Well, this is still really good. This isn't necessarily the angle I would've taken, but in some ways it's better." And that's what I love about television! You find yourself hearing an idea from a director or another writer, which isn't what your original idea was, but it's better! You run with it, or let it come to fruition in a different way. I think that's the fun of it. That's the fun of our business. If you don't like doing that, go write a novel, you know?
GW: Right, yeah. Well it must be a pleasant delight to see this baby you've nurtured and grown taking off in directions that you didn't necessarily plan.
BW: Well how does one person plan 300-plus hours of television anyway? It's bigger than any one person. John Smith and I always have a sit-back at the end of every year. We're both kind of paternal people. And I like watching the people grow. I like seeing people that started as writers, or for that matter assistant directors become directors and just grow as artists. I really do get a kick out of that. Especially since we're the kind of company that promotes from within and gives people opportunities from within. I've always been that way, and I like seeing that kind of growth. I think it's as rewarding as putting out something on your own and seeing it work.
GW: In what ways do you feel Amanda and Jewel have contributed to the overall cast and storylines from this year?
BW: Well, Amanda's a really great actress and is going to add that to every scene she's in. She's also a rich character who has ten years of SG-1 behind her in terms of experience. She's doing exactly what I knew she would do, which is be great! And enriching the show.
Staite brings an innocence to Atlantis that has rarely been seen. | |
Jewel is a really pleasant surprise and I think we would love to use her even more. She's a very strong actress, but she brings a vulnerability to the show, to her character, that we don't usually do -- don't have that much of in our show. We're usually fairly tough, rolling with all the punches.
There's some scenes that she's done this year where she's scared, and she's vulnerable. I love that! It's a dimension of the show that is really rich, and she's actually a really strong actress, too. I think, granted, her character is going to get stronger as she's more familiar with the environment she's in, but Jewel is smart and will, I'm sure, continue to make those vulnerable choices.
GW: She's a really interesting contrast to Jason's character. Put them both in a scene together, it's like you've got the Yin and Yang.
BW: Yeah! And yet there's a chemistry between them! Jason's really come too. I just watched a dub with the guys. He's really growing. His character is becoming more interesting, which is really good to see.
GW: Yeah, I think Martin Gero really put it poignantly in "First Strike." In one of the scenes 'I really need to learn some science -- I'm not much good in situations like this.' And it's good to see that the characters of Ronon and Teyla are beginning to grow out more this year, and that they're being put more in the forefront than they were previously.
BW: Yeah, they very much are.
GW: Now Season Four ends in a cliffhanger. What can you tell us about it? We haven't heard much about "The Last Man."
BW: [Laughter] Well, I should let Paul talk about "The Last Man." But it's a great story. It's a great idea. It puts Sheppard in a very interesting situation. McKay is in it, too, in a very big way, although it isn't really McKay. I don't want to give away too much. It's a great episode and it's, I think, a perfect season ender. Thank goodness it's not the series ender!
GW: Yes, exactly! So it will lend itself well to a Season Five?
BW: It's very-much a cliffhanger.
GW: OK, good! Now have negotiations with Amanda commenced for next year? You think she's willing to negotiate for a second season on the show?
BW: I certainly hope she is. I don't want to make any predictions other than I know she's always been committed to Stargate and I know what it has done for her and what she's done for us. I can't help but think there's going to be a middle-ground that we'll be able to arrive at, and she'll continue to be part of the franchise in a big way.
GW: Are you planning on introducing any new writers into the Season Five pool?
BW: Maybe. I think we'll probably take some pitches from freelancers, but our staff is very secure and very strong. Robert and I are embarking on pitching a third series. That's not going to happen right away, but we're certainly developing it, and that's the point where we're going to need more writers again!
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Though the stories presented this year have a dark feel, Brad believes the show possesses this tone by and large. |
There's something about knowing where we've been, in terms of story. And I've never once felt -- having just spent the last couple of days with the guys spinning stories for the next season -- I've never once felt, looking around the room, that we we're going to run out of ideas any time soon. [Laughter]
To a certain extent it's a testament to the guys and to our team, but it's also a testament to the natural legs within the franchise itself. It's just got legs. As a storytelling device it's just got the capacity to go for a long time.
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