Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 268

July 9, 2018: Photobucket Finds – Stargate: Atlantis Edition!

I happened across the photobucket website earlier today and recalled “Hey, I think I actually had a bunch of videos uploaded there at one point.”  After several failed attempts, I finally succeeded in haphazardly inputting the correct password and – voila!  I was greeted with a slew of poor quality videos dating back from days on the Stargate.  Here are a few for posterity’s sake (or, if you prefer, as one of my ex-girlfriend’s used to say “For prosperity’s sake”):

SGA “The Last Man”.  The sand in the sandstorm was actually powdered oatmeal.

Real sand would have hurt more.  And been harder to clean up.

Wraith loose on the lot!

SGA “The Last Man”.  The Keller-McKay walk and talk was shot right outside The Bridge Studios lot.

Good times.  Good times.

July 8, 2018: More Terrifying than Horrifying!

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At the end of every season, there was one thing I especially looked forward to.  In addition to the wrap party.  I refer, of course, to the annual focus group research packages that neatly summed up the likes and dislikes of a very small sampling of our overall audience.  From what I could tell, the methodology involved gathering viewer opinions via online questionnaire, engaging roughly 1000 respondents, about 200 of who actually watched our show (I was always quick to point out that they could gather a broader sampling by simply hitting up twitter, but my suggestion went largely ignored).  Their answers were carefully tallied up and revealed in colorful fashion: pages of graphs, percentage tallies, multi-colored boxes, and venn diagrams.  The result were distilled into a cover summary that would offer helpful direction for the next season.  Thanks to these surveys, for example, we learned –

Our series regulars and likable characters, TWO and the Android chiefest among them, were the most popular while the character of the lecherous/murderous Wexler – who at the time had appeared in all of two episodes – was decidedly less popular.  Hell, I would even go so far as to describe him as “unpopular”.  Perhaps not surprisingly, Alicia Reynaud, who also appeared in all of two episodes, was not a fan favorite either.

On the one hand, audiences really enjoyed the complexity of the season 2 storylines but, on the other hand, they found a lot of the second season storylines too complex.  They also simultaneously loved the show’s unpredictable twists and turns yet found these twists and turns somewhat predictable.  They loved the fact that the season was action-driven and exciting, however they were disappointed in the slow pacing.  They preferred instances in which the crew worked together as a team over technical explanations of space travel.

My favorite takeaways, however, were the conclusions that derived from cherry-picked responses and contextless feedback.  For instance, audiences were asked to rate the importance of certain aspects of the show, say: relationships, space battles, and fight sequences.  Relationships were of the greatest importance with space battles coming in second and fight sequences in third place.  “See!”I’d be told.  “Audiences don’t care about fight sequences!”

Another great example was “the great Android voice debate”.  Amidst all the feedback we received on the show’s first season was some criticism of the Android’s voice as a handful respondents found it lacked the authority of classic android’s of yore.  I guess.  So a request was made to make sure the Android spoke in a more authoritative manner in season 2.  My response: “GTFO!”.  Never mind the fact that the Android character ranked either #1 or #2 in popularity across most categories, why the hell would you change a beloved character midstream?  It’s not as if people who weren’t watching the show were going to see a preview and say: “Holy shit!  That android character speaks with authority!  I’m going to start watching this show!”   More likely, fans of the Android will watch and wonder: “What the fuck did they do to the Android?”

It was on the heels of one of these yearly cross-network fact-finding summations that I found myself at a nameless network, looking to pitch.  I sat down and started to roll into my first show, a horror-comedy in the spirit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  “Look, I’m going to have to stop you right there,”said the senior executive in the room.  “We’ve found that our audience doesn’t respond well to horror so horror is definitely not something we’re looking for.  No horror.”  As I shifted gears to my next pitch, the junior started talking about one of their upcoming new productions, a monster-themed show with, uh, comedic elements. “It’s great,”he enthused.  “It’s alternately terrifying and horrifying.”  And then, catching a look from the senior executive, he quickly added: “But more terrifying than horrifying.”

Uh, right.

7 Great Movie Endings Demolished By Test Audiences

July 7, 2018: A Trip Down Memory/Candy Lane!

Yesterday, my buddy Ivon and I started reminiscing about the stuff we used to eat growing up – chocolates, candies, weird slushy-like beverages sold in blood bag-like containers accompanied by straws so sharp they could be used as weapons. So, today, we decided to check out one of Toronto’s premiere shops for classic treats, and then some: Sweet Addictions Candy Co on Dundas Street West.

We must have circled the aisles a half-dozen times, recognizing old favorites, noting new offerings, and filling our handy shopping basket as we went.  By the time we were done, THIS was our haul…

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We headed back to Ivon’s place where we proceeded to sample everything we’d bought while Akemi filmed our reactions (Video presently being edited.  Stay tuned!).  We divided our sugar and salt buffet into three categories –

CHIPS

The chicken tikka masala chips certainly tasted like chicken tikka masala, but not a very good version in my opinion.  Although I had high hopes for the cheese fondue, we both gave it a thumbs down as we were expecting more of a cheddar flavor and got blue cheese instead.  The Burts’ Guinness were some mighty fine chips – thick cut and crunchy – that, unfortunately, didn’t really taste much like Guinness. Finally, the Combos 7 Layer Dip Tortilla tasted very much like 7 layer dip tortilla, particularly the gross sour cream topping I hate so much.  Unlike me, Ivon was a huge fan and I’m sure won’t have any problem finishing off the bag for dinner.

CHOCOLATES

Boy, I have fond memories of the Flake chocolate bars I used to eat for lunch in my youth, easily accessible and delicious mini-meals readily available at the chocolate warehouse my buddy Cas and I would clean on weekends.  And, I must say, they’re just as good as they ever were.  Another winner was the Zero bar, winning points for taste and texture (although Ivon preferred the milk chocolate).  They’re somewhat reminiscent of those weirdly delicious Icy Squares we’d get every Christmas.  The peanut butter Kit Kat was fine, though it gets points for offering a touch of salt to balance the sweet.  The Snickers white was equally fine, but I can’t help but think it would have been improved with a battering and deep-frying. Finally, that Oogoo bar?  Where have you been all my life?

CANDIES

I’ve never been a fan of sour candies, but I had to get the SweeTarts because, well, they take me back – yet they’ve still to win me over.  Nerds, on the other hand, were surprisingly good, bursting with berry flavor the package claims is artificial-free…but I remain unconvinced.  Ivon swore by the Pink Candy Popcorn when he was a kid but, apparently, has outgrown these stale circus offerings.  Pop Rocks, on the other hand, remain as awesome as ever – an effervescent, snap-crackle-popping treat.  Showing equal staying power was Bottle Caps.  Although the size and shape of the caps has changed, the root beer version is as good as ever, and the cola possibly even better!  Not as much love from for the Haribo Happy Cola gummies that I found so tough to chew my jaw was already sore thirty seconds in. Finally, the Fun Dip.  In retrospect, it’s more about the experience of dipping the stick in the various powdered flavors – and that’s just as fun as it ever was.  The butter rum Lifesavers were a list second impulse buy – and one of the only items I actually kept for myself once we were done.  I’m a lifelong fan.  Ivon isn’t.

GUM

What the hell happened to Gold Mine Nugget Bubble Gum?  For some reason, I remember it being closer to gold in color than the present canary yellow.  I also don’t recall it tasting like medicinal banana syrup.  Not good.  Thrills, on the other hand, has not changed much (and whether that’s a positive or negative really depends on your take on this weird rosewater-based gum).  In fact, the packaging proudly proclaims “It still tastes like soap!”  That it does, that it does.  “It’s the cilantro of gum!”according to Ivon.

By the time we were done, I was thoroughly exhausted and, to be honest, ready for bed.

At 4:00 p.m.

Next week, we’re going to put a half dozen of Toronto’s best burgers to the test!

And, on a totally unrelated note, you can actually order one of these on Amazon –

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July 6, 2018: Making the comic book move!

My credits include:

400+ hours of produced television

100+ hours as a writer

100+ hours as a showrunner

But two of my greatest accomplishments remain:

My contribution, “Downfall”, to the Lou Anders-edited superhero-themed anthology Masked

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And the four issue Dark Matter comic book for Dark Horse Comics

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As much as I love television, I love comic books even more for the freedom they allow a creator to tell a complete story, uncompromised by budgetary constraints or executive interference.

For some time now, I’ve been sitting on a few original ideas.  Three years ago, I would have gone out and pitched them to broadcasters and production companies, looked to secure a development deal, been paid handsomely to write a bible and accompanying overview, pitched, and hoped it I would get the opportunity to produce a television show based on those original concepts.  Today, I’m less inclined to do so because, to be honest, the lure of actually being able to tell a full story, from beginning to end, outweighs the attraction of development work and the gamble on a prospective pick-up.

Sure, in the case of Dark Matter, it was the best of both worlds – a comic book AND an ensuing t.v. series.  But for me, right now, the endgame is an awesome comic book series (or two, or three, depending on which get the green light) that will, in at least a couple of instances, fill that Dark Matter-sized hole in your hearts.

First things first though.  I need an artist, preferably one with experience, who’d be interested in collaborating on a sci-fi comic book series.

Let’s discuss.

I’m still going to continue my t.v. work, follow through on the various projects in play – the sci-fi series, that horror novel adaptation (deal pending), that small town horror series (overview delivered, pilot script up next), that sci-fi series (doing a polish on the pilot next week), and the drama pilot (just optioned) – but I just really want to tell some amazing stories.  And I can think of no better, and no more satisfying, medium than comic books.

Stay tuned!

Today’s blog entry is dedicated to the memory of The Amazing Steve Ditko.

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July 5, 2018: All in!

Okay.  I’ve pulled the trigger.  I’m all in.  Next up, the negotiations.  Meanwhile, I’ve already started discussions about series structure with the show’s insanely talented creator.  Good good guy.  You’re gonna love him.

In answer to the obvious question – Yes, sci-fi, but very different from the type of shows I’ve worked on in the past.  Very exciting.

If all goes as planned, we should convene the writer’s room in early August after which it’ll be smoooooooooth sailing!

This is definitely going to put a crimp in my record-setting reading pace.

Oh, thanks to everyone asking about the move.  We’re all settled in.  Akemi successfully assembled both the bar and bar cart.  By the time the book and liquor shelving arrive in 5-6 weeks, I’ll have all 65 bottles of whiskey on display. Meanwhile, we accepted delivery of the new coffee table, bar stools, dining room chairs, and living room couch (albeit with the wrong legs).  Once we get a t.v. in here for moderate background noise, it’ll truly feel like home.

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The dogs, meanwhile, are already fully settled.  Lulu has already claimed the couch (with the wrong legs) as her own.

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But that sunny spot by the window remains a favorite.

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Suji meanwhile, not quite as chill, too a little longer to adapt.  Pictured above facing one of her many existential moments.

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The nice thing is we’re now only a short 5 minute walk from my favorite place with the fancy coffees.  Pictured above, me on a date with my gal.

Tomorrow, it’s lunch with former Dark Matter Visual Effects Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson, possibly an anime matinee, some more research for this upcoming project.  Official news to come…

July 4, 2018: Week’s Best Comic Book Covers!

These were the ones that caught my eye…

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Astonishing X-Men #13 (cover art by Greg Land)

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Batman #50 (cover art by Mikel Janin)

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Captain America #1 (cover art by Alex Ross)

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Catwoman #1 (cover art by Laura Allred, Joelle Jones)

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Death of the Inhumans #1 (cover art by Kaare Kyle Andrews)

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Spawn #287 (cover art by Jason Shawn Alexander)

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Star Wars #50 (cover art by Travis Charest)

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi #4 (cover art by Rahzzah)

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Weapon X #20 (cover art by Rahzzah)

So, which ones caught your eye?

July 3, 2018: Best Books of 2018 – so far!

I have been on a reading tear this year.  212 books and counting.  Of those 212 titles, 51 were graphic novels while 70 were 2018 releases.

We’re still a long way off from my end of year rankings and countdown but, for now, I’d like to give a halfway-mark shout-out to The Best Books of 2018 so far.

Sci-fi, fantasy, horror, thrillers, graphic novels, general fiction, and non-fiction – a little something for everyone in no particular order…

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A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa

In this memoir translated from the original Japanese, Ishikawa candidly recounts his tumultuous upbringing and the brutal thirty-six years he spent living under a crushing totalitarian regime, as well as the challenges he faced repatriating to Japan after barely escaping North Korea with his life. A River in Darkness is not only a shocking portrait of life inside the country but a testament to the dignity—and indomitable nature—of the human spirit.

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The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

When Myriam, a mother and brilliant French-Moroccan lawyer, decides to return to work, she and her husband are forced to look for a caretaker for their two young children. They are thrilled to find Louise: the perfect nanny right from the start. Louise sings to the children, cleans the family’s beautiful apartment in Paris’s upscale tenth arrondissement, stays late whenever asked, and hosts enviable kiddie parties. But as the couple and the nanny become more dependent on each other, jealousy, resentment, and frustrations mount, shattering the idyllic tableau.

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Grist Mill Road by Christopher J. Yates

The year is 1982; the setting, an Edenic hamlet some ninety miles north of New York City. There, among the craggy rock cliffs and glacial ponds of timeworn mountains, three friends—Patrick, Matthew, and Hannah—are bound together by a terrible and seemingly senseless crime. Twenty-six years later, in New York City, living lives their younger selves never could have predicted, the three meet again—with even more devastating results.

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A Map of the Dark by Karen Ellis

Though her father lies dying in a hospital north of New York City, Elsa cannot refuse a call for help. A teenage girl has gone missing from Forest Hills, Queens, and during the critical first hours of the case, a series of false leads hides the fact that she did not go willingly.

With each passing hour, as the hunt for Ruby deepens into a search for a man who may have been killing for years, the case starts to get underneath Elsa’s skin. Everything she has buried – her fraught relationship with her sister and niece, her self-destructive past, her mother’s death – threatens to resurface, with devastating consequences.

In order to save the missing girl, she may have to lose herself…and return to the darkness she’s been hiding from for years.

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The Armored Saint by Myke Cole

In a world where any act of magic could open a portal to hell, the Order insures that no wizard will live to summon devils, and will kill as many innocent people as they must to prevent that greater horror. After witnessing a horrendous slaughter, the village girl Heloise opposes the Order, and risks bringing their wrath down on herself, her family, and her village.

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The Friend by Sigrid Nunez

When a woman unexpectedly loses her lifelong best friend and mentor, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted dog he has left behind. Her own battle against grief is intensified by the mute suffering of the dog, a huge Great Dane traumatized by the inexplicable disappearance of its master, and by the threat of eviction: dogs are prohibited in her apartment building.

While others worry that grief has made her a victim of magical thinking, the woman refuses to be separated from the dog except for brief periods of time. Isolated from the rest of the world, increasingly obsessed with the dog’s care, determined to read its mind and fathom its heart, she comes dangerously close to unraveling. But while troubles abound, rich and surprising rewards lie in store for both of them.

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Spider-Men II by Brian Michael Bendis and Sarah Pichelli

The sequel five years in the making! The first time the Amazing Peter Parker and the Ultimate Miles Morales met, things ended with a question – who is the Miles Morales of the Marvel Universe?! Now that the Miles you know and love shares a world with Peter in the mainstream MU, you’re finally going to get that answer! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg…because as the mystery deepens, the wall-crawling wonders will be targeted by Taskmaster!

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Bury What We Cannot Take by Kirstin Chen

The day nine-year-old San San and her twelve-year-old brother, Ah Liam, discover their grandmother taking a hammer to a framed portrait of Chairman Mao is the day that forever changes their lives. To prove his loyalty to the Party, Ah Liam reports his grandmother to the authorities. But his belief in doing the right thing sets in motion a terrible chain of events.

Now they must flee their home on Drum Wave Islet, which sits just a few hundred meters across the channel from mainland China. But when their mother goes to procure visas for safe passage to Hong Kong, the government will only issue them on the condition that she leave behind one of her children as proof of the family’s intention to return.

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Cyanide & Happiness: A Guide to Parenting by Three Guys with No Kids by Kris Wilson, Rob Denbleyker, and Dave McElfatrick

Finally, a definitive and reliable manual that demystifies the complicated world of parenting while delivering crucial tips and sage advice—all from three guys who make comics instead of children. This informative guide for breeders tackles all the big parenting issues: Finding messages in your alphabet soup, drawing the perfect hand turkey, getting away with kidnapping, telling your kids you don’t love them anymore, and making out with your kid’s best friend’s dad.

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Semiosis by Sue Burke

Forced to land on a planet they aren’t prepared for, human colonists rely on their limited resources to survive. The planet provides a lush but inexplicable landscape–trees offer edible, addictive fruit one day and poison the next, while the ruins of an alien race are found entwined in the roots of a strange plant. Conflicts between generations arise as they struggle to understand one another and grapple with an unknowable alien intellect.

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The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble—and its shocking secrets are laid bare.

What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems.

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My Boyfriend Is a Bear by Pamela Ribon and Cat Farris

Nora has bad luck with men. When she meets an (actual) bear on a hike in the Los Angeles hills, he turns out to be the best romantic partner she’s ever had! He’s considerate, he’s sweet, he takes care of her. But he’s a bear, and winning over her friends and family is difficult. Not to mention he has to hibernate all winter. Can true love conquer all?

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An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.

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Blood of Assassins by RJ Barker

The assassin Girton Club-foot and his master have returned to Maniyadoc in hope of finding sanctuary, but death, as always, dogs Girton’s heels. The place he knew no longer exists.

War rages across Maniyadoc, with three kings claiming the same crown – and one of them is Girton’s old friend Rufra. Girton finds himself hurrying to uncover a plot to murder Rufra on what should be the day of the king’s greatest victory. But while Girton deals with threats inside and outside Rufra’s war encampment, he can’t help wondering if his greatest enemy hides beneath his own skin.

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We’ll Fly Away by Brian Bliss

Uniquely told through letters from death row and third-person narrative, Bryan Bliss’s hard-hitting third novel expertly unravels the string of events that landed a teenager in jail. Luke feels like he’s been looking after Toby his entire life. He patches Toby up when Toby’s father, a drunk and a petty criminal, beats on him, he gives him a place to stay, and he diffuses the situation at school when wise-cracking Toby inevitably gets into fights. Someday, Luke and Toby will leave this small town, riding the tails of Luke’s wrestling scholarship, and never look back.

But during their senior year, they begin to drift apart. Luke is dealing with his unreliable mother and her new boyfriend. And Toby unwittingly begins to get drawn into his father’s world, and falls for an older woman. All their long-held dreams seem to be unraveling. Tense and emotional, this heartbreaking novel explores family, abuse, sex, love, friendship, and the lengths a person will go to protect the people they love.

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The Bomb Maker by Thomas Perry

A threat is called into the LAPD Bomb Squad and when tragedy ensues, the fragmented unit turns to Dick Stahl, a former Bomb Squad commander who now operates his own private security company. Just returned from a tough job in Mexico, Stahl is at first reluctant to accept the offer, but his sense of duty to the technicians he trained is too strong to turn it down. On his first day back at the head of the squad, Stahl’s three-person team is dispatched to a suspected car bomb. And it quickly becomes clear to him that they are dealing with an unusual mastermind–one whose intended target seems to be the Bomb Squad itself.

As the shadowy organization sponsoring this campaign of violence puts increasing pressure on the bomb maker, and Stahl becomes dangerously entangled with a member of his own team, the fuse on this high-stakes plot only burns faster.

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Police at the Station and They Don’t Look Friendly by Adrian McKinty

Belfast 1988: A man is found dead, killed with a bolt from a crossbow in front of his house. This is no hunting accident. But uncovering who is responsible for the murder will take Detective Sean Duffy down his most dangerous road yet, a road that leads to a lonely clearing on a high bog where three masked gunmen will force Duffy to dig his own grave.

Hunted by forces unknown, threatened by Internal Affairs, and with his relationship on the rocks, Duffy will need all his wits to get out of this investigation in one piece

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Doctor Star & the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows by Jeff Lemire and Max Fiumara

An aged crime fighter desperately wants to reconnect with his estranged son, who he hoped would one day take the mantle of Doctor Star. Over the course of the story we learn his World War II-era origin, how he got his powers, his exciting astral adventures, the formation of some of Black Hammer’s greatest heroes, and more in this heartbreaking superhero tale about fathers and sons.

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Good Me, Bad Me by Ali Land

How far does the apple really fall from the tree?

Milly’s mother is a serial killer. Though Milly loves her mother, the only way to make her stop is to turn her in to the police. Milly is given a fresh start: a new identity, a home with an affluent foster family, and a spot at an exclusive private school.

But Milly has secrets, and life at her new home becomes complicated. As her mother’s trial looms, with Milly as the star witness, Milly starts to wonder how much of her is nature, how much of her is nurture, and whether she is doomed to turn out like her mother after all.

When tensions rise and Milly feels trapped by her shiny new life, she has to decide: Will she be good? Or is she bad? She is, after all, her mother’s daughter.

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Barbed Wire Heart by Tess Sharpe

Harley McKenna is the only child of North County’s biggest criminal. Duke McKenna’s run more guns, cooked more meth, and killed more men than anyone around. Harley’s been working for him since she was sixteen–collecting debts, sweet-talking her way out of trouble, and dreading the day he’d deem her ready to rule the rural drug empire he’s built.

Her time’s run out. The Springfields, her family’s biggest rivals, are moving in. Years ago, they were responsible for her mother’s death, and now they’re coming for Duke’s only weak spot: his daughter.

With a bloody turf war threatening to consume North County, Harley is forced to confront the truth: that her father’s violent world will destroy her. Duke’s raised her to be deadly–he never counted on her being disloyal. But if Harley wants to survive and protect the people she loves, she’s got to take out Duke’s operation and the Springfields.

Blowing up meth labs is dangerous business, and getting caught will be the end of her, but Harley has one advantage: She is her father’s daughter. And McKennas always win.

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There were a few pretty good books that missed the cut as I tried to limit myself to a Top 20.  They’ll no doubt make an appearance in my end-of-year rundown.

So, any 2018 releases you’d like to recommend?

July 2, 2018: On Spoilers!

Oh, teasers are teasers and spoilers are spoilers and never the twain shall meet.

The subject of spoilers came up the other day after a New York Times article essentially spoiled the ending to DC Comics’ big Batman/Catwoman wedding storyline.  Not only did they spoil it, they spoiled it in the damn headline!  Fan response was…heated.  Comic shops that had pre-ordered copies were suddenly left holding the bag (and board to ensure its contents remain in mint condition!) as readers responded by cancelling their planned purchases.  Twitter was ablaze with a furious fandom who felt betrayed by either the book’s ending and/or the decision to reveal said ending days before the title dropped.

To be fair, it was a curious PR call.  I mean, I understand the great buzz that would follow a feature profile in the New York Times, but surely that could have been achieved without ruining the ending.  It’s not like you’re going to convince new readers to check out a movie, t.v. show, or book by saving them the trouble of actually watching/reading.  I honestly don’t get it.

On the other hand, there are productions that guard against any and all pre-release reveals with merciless determination.  Many an extra and crew member has been fired, publicly pilloried, and, on occasion, even sued for posting what they deemed a perfectly innocent pic on their instagram page, or made mention of a seemingly innocuous onscreen development on twitter.  In some cases, I get it.  In others, not really.  For me, it comes down to the difference between a spoiler and a teaser.

And what is that difference?  Oh, that’s easy.  A spoiler spoils viewers while a teaser simply teases them.  I know, I know.  Where to draw the line?  It varies from production to production, viewer to viewer, but I’ve personally always been very forgiving when it comes to on-set posts and pictures so long as they don’t reveal any major plot twists or surprises.  For example, a photo of a presumably deceased character on set would, by my definition, be considered a spoiler.  Photos of our series regulars in action would not.  Yes to sneak peeks of most concept art, costumes, visual effects designs and props because I want to get viewers excited in the lead-up to the episodes – and hopefully intrigue some new viewers as well – rather than wait until after the episode airs at which point these visual tidbits are rendered mere points of interest for the hardcore fans.  No to major reveals – like that new Android costume or a shot of SIX back on the ship after his apparent departure in Episode 303.

I think that’s reasonable.

Inciting a full-scale rebellion among your fandom probably isn’t.  But then again, I’m not the one with the marketing degree.

My Top 5 Stargate Spoilers

#5 – The Curse: Dr. Daniel Jackson reconnects with some people from his past, one of who, it turns out, has been taken over by a goa’uld.  Who could it be?  Well, if you watched the broadcast promo, you’d note a fiery-eyed Anna-Louise Plowman using a goa’uld hand device to blast our heroes.  A dead giveaway.

#4 – Apophis episode: Don’t recall which episode, but the network aired a promo that included a scene of Apophis actor, the amazing Peter Williams, snapping orders.  Only problem was they inexplicably used raw footage in which the actor’s voice had yet to be flanged to achieve that ominous goa’uld delivery.  As a result, mystified viewers were treated to a uniquely terrestrial-sounding System Lord with a slight Jamaican lilt.

#3 – Solitudes: A gate mishaps strands Sam and Jack on an icy wasteland.  Stargate Command races to locate them.  Where could they be?  Well, if the SGC had merely consulted TV Guide before the episode aired, they would have learned Antarctica and saved themselves the time and effort.

#2 – Kindred I: Another network promo totally ruins a surprise the production had kept under careful wraps for almost a year.  “You won’t believe the last five minutes!”says the voice-over, at which point we are treated to a shot of a once-dead, now very much alive Carson Beckett asking Sheppard and his team: “What took you so long?!”.

#1 – Forever In A Day: The German title for this episode is “Sha’re Ist Tod”.  Translation: Sha’re Is Dead.  But maybe not!  Ah, who am I trying to kid?

July 1, 2018: Decision time!

Answer these questions…

1 – Do you like the project?

2 – Do you like the people involved in the project?

3 – Do the project’s theme and tone resonate with you?

4 – Is there an opportunity for humor?

5 – What is the budget?

6- What is the timeline?

7 – What are the obvious challenges unique to this project?

8 – How much creative leeway will you have through prep, production, and post?

9 – How much management authority will you have through prep, production, and post?

10 – How much of your A-Team will join you on this project?

11 – What are the chances that the project ends up on syfy?

…then carefully consider your responses before making the call.

June 30, 2018: Erratum!

Egads!  How embarrassing!  Yesterday, while considering my sizable sock collection enroute to selecting my Top 10, I completely overlooked a drawer.  Thus, the following worthy candidates (among many others) were not entered into official competition:

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From left to right: Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Munsch’s The Scream, NASA, Grey Aliens, Hot Pink Cool Cats, Boxing Kangaroos.

This blog seriously regrets the oversight.

Also, I stand corrected.  My total sock count actually exceeds Akemi’s seemingly lofty estimation of 100, coming in at a staggering 132 pairs!

Next week, let’s move on to my cufflink collection –

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