Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 378
July 11, 2015
July 11, 2015: Back! But barely!
Well, I’m finally back home – but it was touch and go there for a while. For some reason, there are no direct flights from Vancouver to San Diego, so we were at the whim of the schedule makers. The aforementioned decreed one hour would be plenty of tie to fly in to San Francisco from San Diego and catch the connecting flight to Vancouver. To make it more interesting, however, our departure gate was left off the ticket, requiring us to race over to the schedule board as soon as we disembarked.
Surprise #1: The connecting flight wasn’t leaving from the nearby international terminal. It was leaving from the OTHER international terminal across the airport!
Surprise #2: We had to through security. Again!
Surprise #3: Apparently, so did more traveler than I had EVER seen stand in line to go through security.
In the end, we did manage to make our flight – with moments to spare – exchanging that crying kid who sat in front of me for the first leg of my flight for a completely different, no less crying, kid for the second leg.
I back home and I’m exhausted. But very pleased with my Comic Con haul:
I had a great time doing the panel and an equally amazing time catching up with some fellow writers (the amazing @Paul_Cornell and the ever-awesome @marjoriemliu) and meeting a bunch of terrific blog friends (Lisa! Screwball! Jeanine! David! Tiffany! Tom! Erin! Jenny and co.! And especially Beth who I had the opportunity to chat with, but not quite as long as I would have liked as I was shuffled off to do a press thing!) but I’m pretty sure that was my last Comic Con.
One of the things I’d like to do now that I’m back at my HQ and not having to run from hotel to booth to hotel, is go through your recent comments and do a mailbag. So, if you have any questions, now’s the time to post ’em. Dark Matter episode #105 aired last night in North America – and Monday in the U.K., Germany, and Portugal (Where we’re apparently breaking all sorts of records. Yeah, Portugal!).
I’m in talks to take part in something called a Periscope for the U.K. airing of Dark Matter’s sixth episode, July 20th. I have no idea what it is but so long as I’m not required to fully submerge myself, I’m in!
Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular gforce and Bart. Get better, buddy!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Comic Con, Dark Matter, San Diego Comic Con, SDCC
July 10, 2015
July 10, 2015: Dark Matter hits San Diego Comic Con! Links! Episode #105 tonight!
SDCC, Day #2!
Akemi ready to rock San Diego, Day #2!
All aboard the Vikings Express!
Steampunk Bobba Fett
Stormtroopers!
Gotham something?
Sam Maggs and me!
Blindspot!
Hey, look who we ran into walking the floor
Jodelle’s autographed backpack!
Hmmmm
Hellsing!
Homer?
Jodelle Ferland Presents…
Kill Bill
My buddy Cas – Assassin’s Creed!
General Ursus!
Dunno
Dr. Strange!
Neko stockings!
Mario!
Goodies!
Abu Driver, rock star!
Jim and me
Me and Jeanine
Scary
Akemi can’t resist
Vanessa stops for a snack
Squirrel Girl!
Dark Matter SDCC Panel: The Intros…
Video (1 of 3):
“Ruby Rose won’t be the only familiar face to join Dark Matter’s amnesiatic crew this summer.”
http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/09/dark-matter-cast-teases-ruby-roses-guest-appearance
“If there’s anything to be learned from the cast of the sci-fi series Dark Matter, it’s that nothing is at it seems.”
http://www.noreruns.net/2015/07/10/interview-with-dark-matter-cast-at-sdcc-2015/
July 9, 2015: San Diego Comic Con! The Dark Matter panel! That Dr. Who/Dark Matter dinner crossover you’ve been asking for!
The photo highlights:
Carrot cake cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory.
Spoooooon!
Not sure but – perhaps unintentionally – creepy.
Pug Hunter
After the kids were done, Akemi got her photo op.
The kickass team-up you’ve been waiting for!
Not sure. Techno Mortal Kombat?
Madoka Magica
Wizard troll (?) and Akemi.
My Little Pony meets Ghostbusters
Back to the Future!
Don’t blink!
Hmmmm. Not sure. Samurai kitty?
Pokemon
No idea. Anyone?
The Punisher and Aquaman
Alice in Wonderland
Akemi with Osaka’s favorite Colonel
Sharknado
No idea.
I run across an old Stargate friend – Jenny Stiven and family!
Having fun at the EW photo shoot.
These guys are soooo cute.
Interview time.
Back on the floor – Johnny Depp’s Alice in Wonderland?
Wicked cool transformer!
Dragonball Z.
Starlord and Groot.
Thanos.
Hanging with blog regular Lisa Yimm
Tony Parker, Paul Cornell, and yours truly. Picked up their comic, This Damned Band when it hits the shelves!
Akemi will be picking up her own copy as well.
With longtime Stargate fans and new Dark Matter fans Tiffany and David.
Black Widow
Daenerys and Akemi with Dark Horse’s rockin’ Publicity Coordinator Aub Driver.
Space Channel’s ever awesome Ajay Fry offered up his own Dark Matter theories…
Finally meeting Tom Gardiner and Erin Conrad of ThreeIfBySpace
One hour before the panel, people are already lining up!
The room starts to fill up. We had about 800 in all.
The panel. A good time was had by all. I think.
Blog regular Screwball keeping the candle burning for Stargate!
Dragonball team up!
Sad rabbit envies Jodelle’s blue hair.
The panel was A LOT of fun. Great turnout and some terrific questions. I was actually sad to see it end.
From there, we headed for a cast dinner at Nobu where, it turns out, we were seated right behind the gang from Dr. Who, enjoying their own cast dinner. Bigtime Whovian Jodelle Ferland got to meet The Doctor, Peter Capaldi, who couldn’t have been nicer, even taking the time to sign her TARDIS backpack.
Jodelle in super-happy mode.
And I got a chance to exchange hello’s with the brilliant Steven Moffat – jet-lagged, post double-panel (Dr. Who and Sherlock), but every so gracious.
And that was that. Tomorrow, I think Akemi and I are going to try to squeeze in a couple’s massage before lunch, then it’s more press, another autograph signing, more press, a final cast dinner, and parties. I’m going to try to squeeze in some t-shirt purchases to boot!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Comic Con, Dark Matter, San Diego Comic Con
July 8, 2015
July 8, 2015: San Diego Comic Con! Finally!
If this is a taste of what San Diego Comic Con has in store for me, I’d best head back home right now.
Akemi and I were up at 6:00 a.m. this morning so that we could get to the airport well in advance of our fight’s departure.
As it turned, out well WELL in advance as our flight – like most flights today- was delayed. In our case, by an hour and a half.
Finally, at 11:00 a.m., we were finally able to board..
And then told it would be another hour and ten minutes before we could leave…
Since there are, amazingly, no direct flights from Vancouver to San Diego, I estimated that we would be arriving in San Francisco just in time to see our connecting flight leave. But, as it turned out, this mass United Airlines inconvenience worked in our favor here as our connecting flight was ALSO delayed by 90 minutes.
We eventually made it to San Diego and, after checking in, we headed out to dinner – my knee still aching from the painful position I’d fallen asleep in enroute from SF, my left ear still throbbing from the pressure change. And that’s when I received an email from ADT Security informing me that my house alarm had been tripped and would I like the police to investigate?
By the time the police, my dog sitter who’d been out for dinner, and Ivon (who kindly offered to swing by my place and investigate) had checked it out, it was thirty minutes later and I was nursing a full-blown headache. As it turns out, it was a false alarm – but my headache was past caring.
Following a throughly mediocre meal, we returned to the hotel – where I discovered these in my nightstand…
Not a good sign.
Also, the in-room air conditioning starts up with a sound akin to a rusty hamster wheel. Or a robot hyena.
Still, I should consider myself fortune. Because of the flight delays, poor Jodelle isn’t get in until after midnight while Anthony will, no doubt tonight, be enjoying the amenities of San Francisco’s finest airport hotel.
BIG DAY tomorrow! Press! That autograph session! And our panel!
Autograph sessions at the Dark Horse Comics booth (2615):
Thursday at 5 p.m.
Friday at 3 p.m.
Dark Matter panel, Thursday night from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in Room 6BCF
with Melissa O’Neil, Jodelle Ferland, Roger Cross, Anthony Lemke, Executive Producers Jay Firestone and Vanessa Piazza, and yours truly.
Finally, here are a few teasers ahead of Friday night’s all-new episode of Dark Matter:
http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2015/07/dark-matter-episode-5-sneak-peek-meet-the-handler/
http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2015/07/dark-matter-episode-5-preview-the-warping-dead/
http://www.spoilertv.com/2015/07/dark-matter-episode-five-advance.html
And previewing Episode #107’s clash of the androids:
DARK MATTER — “Episode Seven” Episode 107 — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: Russ Martin/Prodigy Pictures/Syfy)
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/ruby-rose-clash-zoie-palmer-android-dark-matter/
Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular paloosa!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
July 7, 2015
July 7, 2015: Recommended reads! Dark Matter happenings! Ruby Rose! UK Ratings! Dark Horse Comics!
One more day to San Diego Comic Con! I’m packing light so I can come back heavy.
If you’re in the SDCC neighborhood, come see us: Jodelle Ferland, Melissa O’Neil, Roger Cross, Anthony Lemke, and Executive Producer’s Jay Firestone and Vanessa Piazza for autograph signings at the Dark Horse Comics booth (2615) on Thursday at 5 p.m. and again on Friday at 3 p.m., and our Dark Matter panel on Thursday night (7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Room 6BCF. Secret will be spilled; no prisoners will be taken!
If you’re a fan of science fiction and aren’t reading Alastair Reynolds – WHY THE HECK NOT?!! He is one of a handful of contemporary SF authors who should be required reading. His books are narratively rich, wondrously engaging hard scifi epics possessed of astounding scope and creative depth. Sound familiar? Yes, if you love the works of Iain M. Banks (his Culture books in particular), then you’ll love Alastair Reyolds – and vice versa.
Slow Bullets, his latest release, tells the tale of Scur, a conscripted soldier who, left for dead following a vicious post-armistice ambush, awakens on a prisoner transport vessel. Something has happened to ship, an accident that has claimed the lives of many in their stasis chambers, but released many more, allies and enemies, who must broker an uneasy truce if they are to survive and find out exactly what happened to them.
At a modest 192 pages, Slow Bullets is a great introduction to Reynolds’ masterful storytelling, and the perfect gateway book for those looking to discover their new favorite SF author.
Speaking of gateway books, I described Frostborn, the first instalment in author Lou Anders’ Throne & Bones series, as a terrific introduction to the fantasy genre for young readers – or older readers looking to raise future Tokien enthusiasts. The second book, Nightborn, does a great job of building on what has come before, expanding the world and its characters in a bold, dynamic adventure. Familiar faces, Karn the gamer and Thianna the giantess, are joined by (or “run afoul of” to be more precise) two new additions to the series, dark elves Tanthal and Deestra (aspiring elite agent of the Underhand!). A deeper world, increasingly more complex characters, and a twisty-turny quest for the Horn of Osius make for a highly enjoyable, fast-paced read.
Speaking of books, my very favorite children’s book series is about to be getting the small screen treatment compliments of Netflix. A Series of Unfortunate Events is a devilishly dark and wickedly humorous series focusing on the treks and travails of the Baudelaire children, three hard-luck but incredibly resourceful orphans.
Here’s hoping this version will allow us to forget the hugely disappointing big screen adaptation hated by fans of the book series and considered non-objectionable by those who didn’t know any better.
No word on a release date.
While you’re here, may I direct your attention to a few Dark Matter-related links:
A first look at Ruby Rose as the android, Wendy, in Dark Matter Episode 7:
Pretty badass looking, no?
http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/06/ruby-rose-dark-matter-photo
U.K. scifi fans love us!
http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2015/07/syfy-uks-dark-matter-grows-by-5-in-week-2/
“Pulling off a rare feat, the space opera series actually grew its audience in its second week, drawing a consolidated audience of 393K viewers. All told, Dark Matter posted gains of around 17K viewers or just under 5% on the series premiere’s 376K viewers.
The (albeit marginal) ratings growth is significant, as it makes Dark Matter the first new series launch on Syfy UK in the past year to actually grow its audience from the premiere.”
Big things happening on the Dark Horse Comics front, publishers of the Dark Matter comic:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ucp-dark-horse-ink-tv-807049
“In a deal a year in the making, comic book powerhouse Dark Horse (The Mask, Hellboy) is getting into the television business with Universal Cable Productions.”
Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular Das. Happy Birthday, Birthday Gal!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Alastair Reynolds, Dark Horse Comics, Dark Matter, Lou Anders, Nightborn, Ruby Rose, Slow Bullets, Thrones & Bones
July 6, 2015
July 6, 2015: The lodger! And countdown to SDCC!
Things are going to be a little crazy over the next couple of days as we prepare for San Diego Comic Con so this blog is going to get a little…erratic. In addition to prep, Akemi and I are entertaining a guest for the next couple of days…a lodger if you will…
Anthony Lemke slings the original Bubba.
Wonder which version is heavier.
Shooting from the hip with the original Lulu.
Anthony Lemke, Dark Matter’s THREE, is in town to take some meetings, reconnect with old friends – but mainly to meet the inspiration for a couple of his character’s guns: Bubba and Lulu.
A couple of days back, I mentioned how the ladies in Costumes had put up special dog-themed episode-specific photos in the Dark Matter wardrobe department. We saw a space dog for episode 1, a miner dog for episode 2, a spacesuit dog for episode 3, a gambling dog for episode 4 and for episode 5 we have…
Episode 5: Zombie dog?
A couple of Dark Matter-related links for you to check out:
Marc Bendavid (ONE) talks about the big revelations in episode #104:
http://www.syfy.com/darkmatter/videos/dark-matter-backstage-episode-4
http://jhoff3.blogspot.ca/2015/07/joseph-mallozzi-producer-and-writer.html
“Q:Who would win in an arm wrestling contest between you and Jay Firestone?
A: Jay obviously. The guy is so determined. When he sets his mind to something, he’s unstoppable.”
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/dark-matter-episode-4-postmortem-who-can-you-trust/
“It’s the idea that secrets are kept, but eventually when they come out there’s hell to pay,” Mallozzi previews. He also has some information on how Four will deal with his newfound knowledge of his past, what Two’s actions say about her as well as the ongoing theme of isolation that the show will continue to explore as the season progresses. ”
I did a fun little fan/viewer Q&A here:
http://s15.zetaboards.com/darkmatterforum/topic/7993400/2/
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
July 5, 2015
July 5, 2015: Comic Con! Dark Matter links! Mailbag!
Going to San Diego Comic Con? So is Dark Matter! In addition to our Thursday night (7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Room 6BCF) panel in which Melissa O’Neil (TWO), Anthony Lemke (THREE), Jodelle Ferland (FIVE), Roger Cross (SIX), and Exec Producers Jay Firestone, Vanessa Piazza and I spill on the show’s first season, we’ll also be doing an autograph signing at the Dark Horse Comics booth (2615) on Thursday at 5 p.m. and again on Friday at 3 p.m. If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by and say hi.
I look forward to catching up with all our new friends:
https://tvgeektalk.com/news/dark-matter-heading-to-san-diego-comic-con/
Some great Dark Matter-related links for you to check out…
http://noobist.com/reviews/dark-matter-episode-4-review-recap/
“Bravo! The fourth episode of Dark Matter was the total package. It had humor, drama, action, and suspense. The Raza crew finally made it to the space station for much needed refueling and repairs, but their efforts to remain under the radar were an epic fail on “Episode 4” of Dark Matter. Spoiler alert!”
http://www.mikesfilmtalk.com/2015/07/04/dark-matter-episode-1-4-recapreview/
“Dark Matter continues to move smoothly forward working as a mystery/thriller/science fiction series with an infinite path of possibilities. All the actors are hitting their stride and Zoie Palmer is a joy to watch as The Android. Her almost childlike approach to the crew and their issues is a delight. ”
http://thedailyfandom.com/dark-matter-episode-four-review-facing-their-criminal-past/
“After a somewhat claustrophobic episode that focused on the Android and the Raza ship, ‘Episode Four’ takes us to a place that had been mentioned for a while now: the Space Station. In this episode, our characters learn that they might not be as free to walk around as normal citizens as they thought.”
http://www.tv-eh.com/2015/07/03/review-back-to-square-one-on-dark-matter/
“We’re back at Square One.” Indeed you are, Two, but viewers—and every member of the Raza—have some important pieces to the puzzle. If only they’d trust each other enough to share what they’ve learned.”
http://scifiempire.net/wordpress/dark-matter-episode-4-review-directed-by-amanda-tapping/
“Episode 4 breaks with the first three episodes by introducing the larger world I which the show is set. All six human characters as well as The Android (Zoie Palmer) developed a lot more colour this week by having fun and acting mischievous as the ship they travel docks at a space station.”
http://www.idiotbox.co.uk/dark-matter-review-episode-four-33936/
“All in all another successful episode, the character interaction was superb, particularly between One and Three, the writing was sharp and the mysteries continue to deepen and intrigue. I normally give a show four episodes to convince me to stick around, well we’re that far in now and I’m going nowhere.”
Loving these viewer video reviews:
GeekonReview review last Friday’s Defiance, Killjoys, and Dark Matter:
QuickTV’s Best & Worst TV Shows of 2015 (so far!):
Mailbag!
daithi82 writes: “Since the show started off as a graphic novel are there any plans for any tie ins through other media such as webcomics, mini episodes or anything like that? Assuming the show gets picked up for a second series obviously.”
Answer: I’d love to see alt .media tie-ins although, if the show does get picked up for a second season, I’dbe too busy writing/producing to be involved. :(
Sylvia writes: “My memory is fading…but – did not 5 have a brother? And they lived in a palace… Perhaps the kid on the table is her brother?”
Answer: In episode #101, FIVE recalled a brother – but told TWO the recollection wasn’t hers. In episode #103, TWO posits the theory that FIVE has all of their memories downloaded into her subconscious. A recent episode strongly hints at the owner of said memory. As for the dead kid…we’ll find out his connection to FIVE sooner than later.
no1zoiepalmerfan writes: ” In the credits it has the actors who play ONE thru FIVE listed first then it says “with Roger Cross and Zoie Palmer”. Does that mean Roger and Zoie are considered recurring?”
Answer: Despite the credit placements, it’s a true ensemble show.
Ponytail writes: “I can’t remember what they did with his body. Is he still on board?”
Answer: TWO said they needed to jettison the body before they got to the next space station. Since last episode (#104) took place on a space station, it’s safe to assume the body was long gone by the time they docked.
Belouchi writes: “Aussi qu est ce qu’il se passe avec la serie transporteur, c etait pas mal???”
Answer: Je ne said rien au sujet de transporteur. :(
antisocialbutterflie: “My understanding of the underlying science behind mag boots is that the magnets need to be able to disengage and reengage, i.e., electromagnets. If this were the case, shouldn’t the pulse that knocked out the Android have also disengaged the mag boots and sent her floating into space?”
Answer: Yes, if they’re electromagnets that would be correct.
Furioso writes: “I ask because I’ve noticed a big push for Killjoys on both networks and on social media (even billboards) but practically nothing for Dark Matter. […] What I want to know is why no love for Dark Matter? Is this something that bugs you? Or are you used to it from all those years on Stargate?”
Answer: I’ve already talked about the great job the gang at SyFy PR and Marketing have done supporting the show, from their first kick-ass trailer to a continued online push. At the end of the day, you can’t worry about what’s going on with other shows, you just need to focus on making the best show possible and doing your best to get the word out. So help us get the word out!
Scott writes: “Also, random off-topic question, but does Space have access to the previews of the next episode of DM, or is that Syfy-exclusive? Because Space keeps showing previews of the next episode of Killjoys, but there’s never any previews for the next episode of DM.”
Answer: No, they should be able to air previews. Not sure why they aren’t.
Tam Dixon writes: “What kind of place would you look for in Toronto?”
Answer: Ideally, somewhere downtown within walking distance of a grocery store (for Akemi) and park (for the dogs).
JeffW writes: “And how are Bubba and Lulu doing? Have they re-adjusted to life in Vancouver?”
Answer: They’re doing well. Lulu is enjoying the sun – but has seemed down. Bubba, meanwhile, is plain slowing down. Old age. :(
Ponytail writes: “How come ONE and THREE don’t just tell what really happened?”
Answer: THREE doesn’t tell because he sees an opportunity in keeping ONE’s secret and ONE isn’t telling perhaps because he fears the reaction he’d get from the rest of the crew. As THREE points out, it does make him the lead suspect in their communal memory wipe.
2cats writes: “1) Why did Six go to the clinic when the Raza has a med-bay? Couldn’t the Android run the table diagnostic and treat him?”
Answer: The ship’s med-bay isn’t equipped with what is needed to generate a skin graft.
“2) How did One and Three escape the chairs if only the chest wires were loosened? Their hands and feet were tied separately.”
Answer: Presumably, with a little more maneuvering room, the same way they loosened the chest constraints.
“3) Was it difficult filming the face-to-face between One and Jace?”
Answer: Difficult, no. A little complicated and time consuming? Yes.
“4) Was that a mini-electric car motoring by in the background?”
Answer: Why, yes, it was. Station security.
“5 Was that Akemi playing the coughing lady in the clinic, wearing the brown boots?”
Answer: Nope. She’s holding out for a larger role. Season 2 maybe?
Mike A. writes: “In the tease at the end of episode three, Jayce was on Cygni-4, and in this episode, they were all on Shaofu-2, correct? ”
Answer: Correct.
2cats writes: “I assume, now that the crew is broke, the David Hewlett character will soon make an appearance. He’s their agent – right?”
Answer: It seems like a good bet we will be seeing Tabor Calchek very soon…
DP writes: “Would someone who was a sociopath because of childhood experiences still be so if he/she had amnesia? Would a born psychopath still have the skills to manipulate people and pretend to be normal if he/she had amnesia?”
Answer: Very interesting that you would ask those particular questions. Maybe we’ll find out.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.
July 4, 2015
July 4, 2015: Gambatte Japan! What did you think of Dark Matter episode 104?
So, tomorrow Japan plays the U.S. in the finals of the Women’s World Cup. Despite the fact that they’re playing the match here in Vancouver, Akemi refuses to go watch it live – not because she doesn’t care but because she cares too damn much! I fear that, if we do go and Japan loses, she’ll be depressed for weeks (as opposed to the mere days brought on by a t.v. loss).
She is clearly emotionally invested in her national team as evidenced by her reactions to Wednesday’s semi-final game…
England scores on Japan:
Japan misses a scoring opportunity:
Speaking of emotional investment and passionate responses – what did you all think of Dark Matter’s fourth episode?
I’ll hold off on my detailed discussion for now but will say all of these early episodes continue hints to future revelations and payoffs. Watch again and pay close attention!
Meanwhile, others have weighed in with their thoughts on Episode 4:
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/dark-matter-episode-four/
“The latest Dark Matter episode gave the crew a serious reality check after a disastrous stop over at the space station. Not only did they get a sense of how much danger they’re in, some of them got a taste of just how dangerous they really are.”
“We’ve been insanely spoiled this summer with extraordinary programming, but even in such a crowded landscape Dark Matter shines like a super nova.”
https://tvgeektalk.com/recaps/a-tilt-a-shift-and-one-times-2-makes-one-in-dark-matter-episode-four/
” In less than an hour, the writers managed to shine more light on our beloved characters and their pasts than we have seen in the first 3 episodes combined.”
“Two creates one of the best comedy teams since Abbott and Costello when she pairs up One and Three. They both object to the decision, but she shuts them up by giving them each the same “I don’t trust him, I want you to keep an eye on him” excuse. The look on her face after they both take the bait so easily is that of an exasperated mother dealing with two unruly boys.”
And here is an interview with actor Marc Bendavid (ONE) who pulled double duty in last night’s episode:
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter
July 3, 2015
July 3, 2015: Dark Matter Dog Clues! Episode 4 tonight! Directed by Amanda Tapping!
I was in the costume department, talking to Dark Matter costume designer Noreen Landry when I noticed the pictures of the dogs lining the back wall. How cute, I thought. A different dedicated dog for each episode. And then, on closer scrutiny, I realized that it was much more than that. Yes, a different dog for each episode. And, yes, each dog with a different look. But each different look was on theme, a little teaser of every one of our episodes…
Episode 1: Space Dog
Appropriately enough, in our first episode, the crew awakens on a spaceship.
Episode 2: Miner dog
In our second episode, the crew assists a mining colony in fending off an attack by a powerful multi-planetary corporation.
Episode 3: Space suit dog.
In our third episode, the Android (and later ONE and SIX) undertake a perilous EVA.
Episode 4: Casino dog?
In our fourth episode…well, I’ll let the above dog pic offer a hint.
Yes, tonight’s the night. Dark Matter is BACK with an all-new episode, this one directed by amazing Amanda Tapping (Stargate’s Samantha Carter). She did a brilliant job on this episode and, in the time she spent with us, garnered a whole new fan contingent amongst our cast and crew.
If you weren’t around reading this blog back in February, here are my behind-the-scenes write-ups on “The Amanda Tapping Experience”:
https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/02/12/february-12-2015-space-travels-with-amanda-tapping/
A few episode #104 previews:
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/dark-matter-preview-where-the-raza-goes-trouble-follows/
http://www.spoilertv.com/2015/07/dark-matter-episode-4-advance-preview.html
http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2015/06/dark-matter-episode-4-preview-face-off/
The past comes back to haunt members of the crew during a stopover at a space station, during which Four makes a stunning discovery, while Two and Five learn that some games of chance come with surprising risks. Elsewhere, Six receives some unwanted attention at a local clinic; and One and Three’s attempts to sell the weapons in their cargo hold lands them at a dangerous disadvantage.
I’ll be live tweeting both the east cost and west coast broadcasts! Hope to see you all online tonight!
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Amanda Tapping, Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.
July 2, 2015
July 2, 2015: Completing the Dark Matter Episode 103 overview!
1) I went through the vent.
This is my favorite scene in this episode. A lot of nice little beats here, from FIVE’s slow bullet spill to THREE’s uncertain weighing of his guns.
Rehearsing the standoff.
2) You might want to hurry.
This scene in the final cut is a shortened version of what was originally envisioned. From the script:
ONE, SIX and FIVE head out. TWO trains her weapons on THREE and FOUR.
THREE: Is that really necessary?
By way of an answer, she motions for them to raise their hands – a little higher. They do.
—After a cutaway to the rescue, we cut back to the bridge where:
TWO still has her guns on THREE and FOUR. Beat.
THREE: Look, they’re back on the ship, we’re safely in FTL. We done here?
She doesn’t move.
THREE: It wasn’t personal. We were –
TWO: Just looking out for yourselves.
THREE: Looking out for all of us.
Off TWO –
THREE: If the shields had failed while we were waiting for them to haul him in, we’d be singing a different tune now. We were lucky.
He has a point. She lowers her guns. THREE and FOUR lower their hands.
THREE: Alright. I’ll be in my quarters. Let me know when we get to the station.
He starts off. She stops him with –
TWO: Not so fast. We’ve got to finish something first.
Off a confused…
— We SEGUE TO THREE in the hot seat, finishing up his lie detector test.
3) You would’ve done the same for us.
In the original script, this scene played out much differently. ONE gets an injured but still conscious SIX to the infirmary – where they are later joined by FIVE and the Android. Executive Producer Jay Firestone felt that the episode needed more jeopardy in order to a build to its satisfying conclusion, and so the original scene was rewritten and replaced by this much more dynamic sequence.
4) We move on.
Well, whaddya know? THREE was telling the truth after all!
We come away with three conclusions from this scene:
1. Even if one of the crew members was responsible for their communal mindwipe, he/she doesn’t remember.
2. The communal mind wipe may have been an accident, the result of a crude program designed to target someone else’s memories.
3. In TWO’s words: “Finding out whoever did this is going to be next to impossible.”
Ah, well. Two out of three anyway.
5) Looking out for number one.
This was another scene that played out a little differently from the way it was originally scripted.
In the script, he leans in and kisses her. She pulls back. He immediately backs off and apologizes. There is an awkward exchange and then, he leaves.
I actually preferred this original version which made TWO more emphatic and clear but, in this instant, production concerns necessitated a tighter version.
6) One final round of discovery!
Just as we draw closer to some answers, a few more questions are thrown our way. How did FIVE know where to look? Does this suggest some sort of past connection to the mysterious key card and the gun? Will we be learning more about the key card as the season progresses? Will that gun pay off in some way further on down the line? Do the writers actually have a game plan? Tune in to find out!
7) Goodnight!
Ah, the bookend. We conclude our opposite in much the same we started – with our Android on the bridge, giving the crew the 411. THREE seals up his vent, SIX touches up that nasty burn on his arm, while FOUR considers – oh, yeah! – that ring he discovered in the puzzle box. Yet another loose end we’ll presumably be getting around to sooner than later.
Much sooner.
8) Jace. Jace Corso.
So, after everything our crew went through, the burgeoning suspicion and shifting alliances, the suspected sabotage and lie detector test, we must finally come to terms with the fact that we’ll probably never know who was lying.
Until about five (show) minutes later with the final reveal of an all too familiar face sitting at a bar on some space station. The guy, a dead ringer for one, says he’s been after The Raza for a while now, looking to catch up with someone.
Wonder who?
P.S. This concluding WTF?!! scene was shot by Episode 4 director Amanda Tapping since this Cygni 4 bar set up was shot concurrently with the upcoming bar, lounge, casino, and back room scenes in #104.
PPS. Isn’t that space station establisher amazing? Kudos to Lawren Bancroft-Wilson and our VFX team on the gorgeous visuals.
Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter t.v.
Joseph Mallozzi's Blog
- Joseph Mallozzi's profile
- 39 followers
