Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 346
July 5, 2016
July 5, 2016: Behind the scenes on “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”! Major Spoilers!
False alarm! He’s okay! He’s okay!
Pictured above: actor Marc Bendavid out for sushi with Akemi and I after shooting “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”. Love this guy. Super kind, super talented. He was in Van a couple of weeks ago and he took us out for brunch – and spent some quality time with the dogs…
Staring longingly into each others eyes…
After that final scene, many of you are asking: “What is up? Is this the last we’ll see of him?”
Well, all I can say is that if and when the crew do escape from Hyperion-8, they’re going to have some unfinished business with THIS guy –
Triggerman Jace Corso.
In the first draft of the script, the new inmates undergo a three-stage decontamination process. First, they’re blasted with the gas, then, they’re hit with an electric charge that builds up from their feet, arcing over their bodies, and lastly, they are hit with the lights. The second stage, the arcing, was lost in the edit because this episode came in 6 minutes and 11 seconds over.
Also lost for time was the line: “Welcome to your new home”, uttered by Durand, the head guard, when the new prisoners first step into Gen. Pop. When Syfy requested episode titles for season 2, I was of two minds. On the one hand, I was okay with it. The fact that the first season episodes had no episode titles made sense given its thematic connection to the ideas of amnesia and loss of identity that played through the show’s first year. In the show’s second season, we would continue exploring those ideas but, given the fact our characters were on firmer fitting with regard to their backstories, it made sense to add a little clarity. On the other hand, I’ve always hated coming up with episode titles. And so, I came up with what I thought was brilliant solution: have the fans choose it! But how to do it without actually telling them anything about the episode? I thought about it and came up with the perfect solution, selecting three on-point lines of dialogue from the show and inviting the fans to choose from among them. “Welcome To Your New Home” was the win. The Runners up: “Most Noobs Try It” was uttered by Nyx to TWO in their sim yard discussion while “Maximum Time For Minimum Pain” is the mantra Charlie, the older infirmary patient, delivers to THREE as he advises him on how to scam the system.
I’ve had this series – it’s various character and story arcs – planned out for years now. One of the key moments I’d envisioned well before we even sat down to spin stories for season 1 was the shots of the G.A. guards sweeping in and taking the ship followed by the final shot of our incapacitated crew being led out, one by one, with the traitor in their midst – SIX – bringing up the rear, walking alongside Lt. Anders. The how’s and why’s of SIX seeming turn will be made clear over the course of season 2’s first couple of episodes.
Once the truth is revealed, you can go back over those last few episodes of season 1 and pick up the subtle hints laid out: SIX’s encounter with Lt. Anders at the end of Episode 8 – an encounter that ends with Anders bizarre disappearance by the time ONE and FOUR arrive, SIX’s reaction to the destruction of the Mikkei research facility, his emotional conversation with FIVE soon after, his insistence that the crew “stay together” when they discover the shock stick missing from the vault.
Roger steps up BIG time in these first two episodes, delivering one of his best (of many great) performances.
Roger Cross (SIX) and Jeff Teravainen (Lt. Anders).
Also delivering a terrific performance in this episode is actor Jeff Teravainen who plays the role of Lieutenant Anders. The character was named after my friend and author Lou Anders (http://www.louanders.com).
So many oft-unnoticed details go into a production, contributions made by a myriad of people in various productions. Like for instance, the Galactic Authority badge that SIX sports in this episode. Although not featured, it’s a thing of beauty, created by our props department overseen by the wonderful Victoria Klein.
In one of this episode’s early scenes, SIX pays a visit to Warden Treihan. If you look closely, you can make out adorable pictures adorning his rather sleek office. A couple were featured in the director’s, part of an opening exchange that was also lost for time. Here’s a script excerpt of the deleted exchange:
SIX stands in the warden’s office, brow furrowed, checking out a collage of pictures on one wall – crude children’s drawings of prisoners behind bars, guards, or the warden himself with messages like: “Lok up the bad guys”, “Thanks for keping us safe”, and “My dad stole thingz and in your jail now. Say hi from Timmy”.
WARDEN TREIHAN: Those are from a bunch of first graders over at Admiral Farragut Elementary on Torren-5’s third moon.
SIX glances over as WARDEN TREIHAN walks in – mid forties, sly and calculating.
WARDEN TREIHAN: School figures it helps establish clear ethical boundaries at an early age. But who’re we kidding?
He walks over, pours himself a drink at his desk.
WARDEN TREIHAN: Where they’re being raised – poor little bastards – half those kids’ll eventually wind up in here. Best they can hope for is ending up as guards instead of prisoners.
He knocks back his drink, grimaces.
SIX: You always drink alone in your office?
WARDEN TREIHAN: I’m not drinking. I’m treating a throat condition. (clears his throat) There. Better.
He throws SIX an affable smile. 
The role of Warden Treihan is played with masterful aplomb by veteran actor (24, World Without End, Jane the Virgin, Stargate: Universe) and culinary expert Carlo Rota. Between scenes, we’d discuss food more than the actual script.
The part of Darius der Hoeven was played by actor Doug MacLeod who delivers a delightfully devious performance as the standing CEO of Corelactic Industries. And he does so sporting MY pocket handkerchief. Yes, just before his scene was to shoot, Dark Matter costume designer Noreen Landry snagged the handkerchief right out of my suit pocket and tucked it into Doug’s. I have, thus, been immortalized onscreen!
Plenty more behind-the-scenes insights to offer, but I’ll leave it there for now. Tomorrow, I continue our look at “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
July 4, 2016
July 4, 2016: Dark Matter!
Happy 4th of July to everyone celebrating!
The “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home” Re-cap
The Dark Matter cast still has plenty of fight in the season premiere
HollywoodTheWriteWay reviews “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”
BiffBamPop weighs in on the premiere
Dark Matter Interview: TWO, SIX, & Nyx (Part 1)
Dark Matter Interview: TWO, SIX & Nyx (Part 2)
“Episode 15: Kill Them All” promo:
“Episode 15: Kill The All” sneak peek:
ThreeIfBySpace’s Tom Gardiner offers his take
“There’s something ominous, but not unexpected, about reading a title like Dark Matter 202 “Kill Them All”. Picked by fans, like all the season two titles, the majority of us thought it was appropriate. We had no real idea what the story was about when we voted, but it sounded right. Knowing our pals would be in Hyperion-8, we figured it was about time someone said that. Now, to find out who spoke those titular words … next week when episode 202 airs!”
A hint of what’s to come in Dark Matter season 2
“While Three’s behaviour is generally consistent with the character we met in season one, there’s still plenty of room for change. According to Lemke, this will take the form of a blossoming relationship. “There’s an individual Three develops a much deeper bond with than he had in season one,” he reveals. “You see Three moving on down the empathy route to be able to interact more as a person in a caring way. But it’s still in a Three way, you know? He doesn’t all of a sudden turn into One. He’s still Three, but I think it’s the most fun change that happens for him.””
***Thanks to Space.ca for the awesome gifs!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
July 3, 2016
July 3, 2016: Dark Matter contest winner!
Let me kick off today’s entry by announcing the winner of the cast-signed, annotated script of “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”. Congratulations to MFB, Mike From Blaine, who matched an astounding 9 of 13 episodes to their thematic dog picture counterparts. I say astounding because, as it turns out, this contest was really, really hard. The average number of correct guesses from the approximately 100 people who entered? 3. 3!!
Anyway, as longtime blog reader Line Noise pointed out: “Statistical analysis of everyone’s answers shows overwhelming support for picture 12 for episode 14.” And the majority were spot on!
“Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”
A reminder that I will doing a live Periscope following the UK premiere of Dark Matter’s second season!
Premiere = 20:00 Monday, July 4th
Periscope = 21:00 Monday, July 4th
Get the app and watch for the announcement on my twitter timeline (@BaronDestructo).
More thoughts on our premiere episode. But beware! Spoilers abound!
Mike’sFilmTalk:
“Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie are pulling no punches this season.”
Craig Suide of SciFiMoviePage:
Tyler F.M. Edwards at Superior-Realities:
“Action, suspense, mystery, emotion, character development — the season premiere has it all.”
Sashurai at Blade of the Sashurai:
I’m going to continue to be “non-specific” in my comments here until we get a few more international premieres under our belt but, in the coming days, I’ll be fielding your questions, offering up hints of what’s to come and, also, another BIG cast/fan Q&A announcement!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
July 2, 2016
July 2, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 premiere – reactions, recaps, and reviews!
Well, Dark Matter’s second season premiered last night and, as predicted, the response was swift and stormy!
So as not to spoil international fans who are waiting for the show to premiere in their part of the world, I will avoid talking specifics for now but…I did warn you it would be a shocker!
Lots o’ links, articles, and reactions to get to…
This episode and Episode 12: “Sometimes In Life You Don’t Get to Choose” hold the distinction of being the only two episodes of the Dark Matter’s second season in which the title doesn’t appear as a line of dialogue in the finished episode. In this case, “Welcome to Your New Home,” uttered by head guard Durand upon the Raza crew’s entrance to Hyperion-8, ended up on the cutting room floor.
I serve up some Fun Facts About That Premiere Episode
Also cut for time was a few seconds off the top of the first Warden scene in which Six checks out the pictures hanging on the walls of the Warden’s office, artwork from “a bunch of first graders over at Admiral Farragut Elementary on Torren-5’s third moon.” One particularly awesome picture is accompanied by the words: “My dad stole thingz and in your jail now. Say hi from Timmy.”
Aimee Hicks breaks down the opener for SpoilerTV:
Dark Matter Welcomes You To Your New Home
DARK MATTER — “Welcome To Your New Home” Episode 201 — Pictured: (l-r) Anthony Lemke as Three, Melanie Liburd as Nyx, Melissa O’Neil as Two, Alex Mallari Jr. as Four — (Photo by: Jan Thijs/Prodigy Pictures/Syfy)
Tom Gardiner of ThreeIfBySpace offers his own thoughts:
Mary Powers of TVGeekTalk weighs in with her take on opener:
Betrayals, New Faces, And One Big “Oh Crap!” Ending
Josh and Anna of GeekOnReview provide a video review:
Kathleen Widel of TVFanatic breaks down our first episode:
DARK MATTER — “Welcome To Your New Home” Episode 201 — Pictured: Melissa O’Neil as Two — (Photo by: Jan Thijs/Prodigy Pictures/Syfy)
HappyEverAfter’s Veronica Scott recaps both scifi Friday premieres:
“Apparently, this season of Dark Matter will contain some big surprises…”
“Dark Matter” Season 2 – Ep.201 Day7/8
Photo: Jan Thijs 2015
DenOfGeek’s Michael Ahr with his review of “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”:
P.S. We have a winner in our Match the Dog Picture to a Dark Matter Episode contest! I’ll make the grand announcement in tomorrow’s blog entry.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
July 1, 2016
July 1, 2016: Dark Matter season 2 premiere night!
The loooooong wait is over. It’s finally here. The night we’ve all been waiting for! At 10 p.m. EST/PDT, Dark Matter’s second season kicks off on Syfy in the U.S. and Space Channel in Canada.
Hyperion-8 (lunar prison) design by Bartol Rendulic.
Here are a few appies in advance of the main viewing course:
An exclusive season 2 episode 1 Android clip at ComicBook.com!
An exclusive season 2 episode 1 sneak peek at ONE, FIVE, and SIX at TVGuide.com!
Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot of the day = MAYHEM!
Of course, I’ll be live-tweeting the premieres on both coasts (10 pm) tonight from my dedicated Dark Matter twitter account (@DarkMatter_show). Join me – and many others! – in the eye of the twitter storm! #DarkMatter
But we won’t be flying solo tonight. The Scifi Friday double-punch kicks off at 9 pm with the season 2 premiere of Killjoys, then rolls into the season 2 premiere of Dark Matter at 10 pm!
See you soon!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2016: 1 day to the Dark Matter season 2 premiere!
Wow. It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we were watching in shock as the crew of The Raza was being dragged off by the Galactic Authority, and the traitor in their midst was revealed as none other than SIX! And now, here we are, less than 24 hours away from answers to questions like:
Why did SIX do it?
Where are they taking the crew?
And does prison food agree with THREE?
As someone already pointed out, it’s 4th of July weekend and many will be traveling – or attending fireworks displays on the night in question. But, hopefully, YOU won’t be among them because you’ll be home, watching the premiere. Trust me, you’re going to want to be sitting down for this one (But not in traffic or on an uncomfortable picnic blanket or lawn chair. On a related note, did you know that number of fireworks-related eye injuries is on the rise? Hot burning embers can damage your corneas! Stay safe this weekend. Stay home and watch Dark Matter!). It’s going to get mighty crazy – onscreen and then online, immediately following the episode. If you miss out, don’t say I didn’t warn you…
It also means that this will be your last chance to win a cast-signed, annotated copy of the script for “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”. Match the dog pictures to the episodes they represent.
And, yes, it IS harder than it looks.
Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot of the day comes via VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson from the award-winning gang at FUSE FX!
Just in case you need to prep:
What to know for the Dark Matter premiere
Bigger, more WTF moments than season 1!
Be sure to follow my dedicated Dark Matter account for all the live-tweeting action: @DarkMatter_show
And then check it out on Monday for a live Periscope session after the July 4th U.K. premiere!
Hey, click below for a 360 degree view of the bridge of The Raza (brought to you by Executive Producer Jay Firestone).
Also, check out our Dark Matter official Facebook page for a chance to win some swag!
One more blog entry and then I’ll be seeing you all at the Hyperion-8 Galactic Detention Facility!
P.S. Thanks to @DarkMatterOfOpinion for the Raza crew Brady Bunch collage!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
June 29, 2016
June 29, 2016: 2 days to the Dark Matter season 2 premiere!
Today, the season 3 writers’ room followed up yesterday’s blisteringly creative outburst – in which we broke not one, not two, but two and a half episodes! – by spinning our wheels in frustration, watching an adorable cat video, and having soft serve for lunch. Ah, well. There’s always tomorrow.
And the day after when Dark Matter season 2 premieres! Here are a couple of cast interviews to get you psyched up:
Interviews: Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr., Shaun Sipos
Awww, how adorable. FIVE’s firing some sort of energy-based weapon. At who? And why? And why is she wearing that red lab coat? Consider today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot.
Still a very beatable tie atop the leader board for the chance to win a cast-signed annotated copy of the first episode of our season premiere: “Episode 14: Welcome To Your New Home”! Time is running out to enter!
I’ll be live-tweeting our season premiere Friday night – with a little help from some friends. Follow my dedicated Dark Matter account for all the live-tweeting action – @DarkMatter_show – this Friday at 7 p.m. PDT, 10 p.m. EST/PDT.
Then join me July 4th @BaronDestructo for a live after-show Periscope directly following the U.K. premiere (20:00 on Syfy UK! Then 21:00 on Periscope!).
Off to do another interview. But, before I go…
A little something from the Stargate archives – for all of you wraith enthusiasts out there. Designs (as almost always) by James Robbins.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, SGA, Stargate, Stargate: Atlantis
June 28, 2016
June 28, 2016: 3 Days to the Dark Matter Season 2 Premiere!
Hunh. Interesting. It’s like that sequence in Game of Thrones where Bran, seemingly losing all sense of reason, enters a vision without the three-eyed raven and unwittingly ends up dooming a bunch of people to the wrath of the Night King including that poor bastard in the tree. Now replace Game of Thrones with real life and replace the Night King with me and you have a pretty fair approximation of how things unfolded this late afternoon. That guy in the tree? He is SCREWED.
Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot of the day! Check it out. Yes, that’s The Raza. And, yes, that does appear to be a Mikkei destroyer. Hmmmm.
Holy crap! Only three days to the season 2 premiere! To prepare you, here’s an advance preview from Aimee Hicks at SpoilerTV.com:
Dark Matter Season 2 Premiere: Advance Preview
And another little preview c/o Dark Matter’s THREE, Anthony Lemke. Or Lemon Key as Akemi calls him. Or, occasionally, Le Monkey.
Anthony Lemke Previews Season 2
Small consolation to the many fans of the late great Defiance (Hey, Julie Benz – Mayor Rosewater – used to live in my building. We used to talk dogs all the time), but there’ll be a double shout-out premiere night when both Killjoys and Dark Matter feature a Defiance alum. Read about it below:
There’s a little Defiance in the Killjoys and Dark Matter season 2 premieres
3 days to the Syfy/Space Channel premieres – and, coincidentally, you also have three days to enter for a chance to win a cast-signed, annotated copy of the premiere script! All you have to do is match doggy pictures to episode titles. How easy is that?
Well, apparently not that easy. Of the 50+ brave entrants to date, 2 are tied atop the leader board. And, trust me, they can be beat!
Here’s a little something via VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson via Craig Van Den Biggelaar and Brendon Morfitt at Darkroom Digital Effects based on an original design by John Hrubesch. Now that is a sweet, sweet ride!
Hey, Stargate fans, I’ve got you covered. Check out the Atlantean DHD from the Stargate: Atlantis pilot, designed and drawn by the amazing James Robbins.
Finally, I conclude today’s blog entry with this memorable exchange last night…
Akemi: Knock knock.
Me: Who’s there?
Akemi: Apple.
Me: Apple who?
Akemi: Okay, what do I say now?
— Akemi discovering the cultural-based challenges of knock-knock humor.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
June 27, 2016
June 27, 2016: 4 Days to the Dark Matter season 2 premiere!
Oh yeah. Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot shows certain members of the crew all dressed up and heading out. What’s the special occasion? Well, I can’t be certain, but I suspect it’s the Dark Matter season 2 premiere, airing this Friday night at 10 pm (after Killjoys!) on Syfy and Space Channel!
And with the premiere only four days away, here’s a quick season 2 character primer from the gang at TV Fanatic:
Dark Matter season 2 character primer
…including a couple of new faces!
Meanwhile, Syfy.com offers us a story refresher:
Everything You Need to Know About Dark Matter
As well as a rundown of our crew BEFORE they went into stasis and had their memories wiped:
Dark Matter Pre-Season 1 Timeline
And then there’s this advance review from Jamie Ruby at Scifi Vision:
Dark Matter Season 2 Preview Review
Today, the writers’ room convened for more pitching, spinning, and breaking. I can’t tell you how amazing and exciting it is to pay-off so much of what has come before, while setting up so much of what’s to come. I’m inspired by these wonderful characters, my fellow writers, and these surprise treats (c/o EP Paul Mullie) chock full o’ creamy goodness. Also high fructose corn syrup, calcium sulfate, and polysorbate 60!
And yellow 5 and red 40!
Later that day – Me reconsidering my dietary choices. And Ivon Bartok’s pitch for the episode 8 tease.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
June 26, 2016
June 26, 2016: 5 Days to the Dark Matter Season 2 Premiere!
“You’re show is coming back this week!”said my friend Tomomi.
“Yes,”I confirmed.
“What channel?”she asked.
“Syfy in the U.S., but Space Channel here in Canada.”
I noticed one of the saleswomen standing off to the side, clearly privy to the conversation, beyond excited and poised as though ready to pounce.
“This Friday at 10 p.m.,”I said.
Unable to hold back any longer, the saleswoman stepped up: “What show are you talking about?”
“Dark Matter,”I told her.
She smiled, hugely. “I LOVE that show! Are you in it?”
“No, I’m the show’s creator.”
She was beyond thrilled. “I’m so happy it’s back. Friday night?”
“Right.”
“It is SOOOO good.”
“What was your favorite episode?”
A pause to consider and then: “The one told from Julie’s point of view.”
Julie?
“Wrong show.”
“No, I’m sure it was Dark Matter.”
I was pretty sure it wasn’t but who was I to argue? Besides the show’s creator. She stepped behind the cash and did a quick online search. “Yeah, this is it Dark Matter…No, wait. This isn’t it.” And then, helpfully: “This looks good too.”
Thanks.
She assured me she would be binge-watching season 1 in preparation for the Friday premiere.
Just in case though, I’m thinking of dropping by, say, Wednesday-ish to see how that binge-watch is coming along.
Today’s Dark Matter season 2 sneak peek screen shot of the day. Seriously, WTF?
An early blog entry today as I am off to watch the season finale of Game of Thrones. I predict a little subterfuge on the part of Queen Margaery that should see the High Sparrow and his disciples dealt a mortal blow…with an innocent and unwary Tommen as collateral damage.
Tomorrow – back in the writers’ room spinning season 3!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
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