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Inside Stargate Atlantis' Season 5 Shake-up
Robert Picardo in Stargate Atlantis by Eike Schroter/Sci Fi Channel Photo
He might not be as easy on the eyes as Amanda Tapping, but when Stargate Atlantis starts filming its fifth 20-episode season later this month, Robert Picardo will join the cast on a full-time basis, just as the officious (and heretofore recurring) bureaucrat Richard Woolsey assumes command of the expedition from Tapping's Samantha Carter.
Tapping, whose Web series Sanctuary has been picked up by Sci Fi Channel for a 13-episode run, will appear in several Atlantis eps, as will her SG-1 costar Michael Shanks. Fan fave Paul McGillion (who was literally brought back from the dead by fan demand!) will also return for five shows. — Ileane Rudolph
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Feb 5, 2008 11:37 AM
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YAY!!!! Although I will miss Amanda Tapping, I don't feel like she was integrated into the cast properly. She wasn't able to save the day in the Samantha Carter way and I miss that. Woolsey is hilarious and love Robert Picardo in general. Michael Shanks, yay! And ditto to McGillion!!!
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Feb 5, 2008 12:24 PM
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Interesting switch up. I'll miss the camraderie of the orignal SGA team, but I guess some of Carter, Weir and Becket is better than none? I just hope the cast can continue to have good chemistry.
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Feb 5, 2008 12:43 PM
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The snark level just WAY up for Stargate Atlantis' season five!
It will be interesting to see McKay, Ronon and Sheppard vs Woolsey.
And we'll be seeing Amanda Tapping and Paul McGillion -- and more of Amanda in HER new series on SciFi Channel, "Sanctuary," so the sun is shining on Morjana's planet today.
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Feb 5, 2008 12:48 PM
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I love Robert Picardo. One of Trek Voyager's only bright spots. Have seen him in person and he's a funny, warm, classy guy.
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Feb 5, 2008 12:59 PM
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Granted, Samantha Carter was completely wasted as an administrator, and I'm happy for Ms. Tapping, but Woolsey is the single most annoying character on that show! I skipped most of season 2 of SG-1 because it got annoying - I have a feeling I'll be skipping much of season 5 of Atlantis.
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Feb 5, 2008 1:00 PM
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Five is certainly better than none, but I just can't hide my disappointment that Paul isn't becoming a regular again. Oh, well, small steps, I guess! I, too, love Robert Picardo, so it will be interesting to see the new dynamic as Woolsey assumes command of Atlantis.
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Feb 5, 2008 1:03 PM
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Mostlyareader, I think Robert Picardo gave on around Season 7 so I don't know who was annoying you in Season 2. I liked his character and am interested to see how they will intergrate him into the show. I am not as fond of Atlantis as the original show but am glad that Stargate continues on especially guest starring original SG-1 characters.
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Feb 5, 2008 2:06 PM
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I like Robert Picardo the actor, but Richard Woolsey the character has never left the impression he's even remotely capable of being a leader. I don't see how this can work well without significant changes to his character. For example his character will suddenly have to grow a pair.
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Feb 5, 2008 2:17 PM
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All fine with the shakeup but 1 question that's been driving me crazy: why can you see the microphones at the side of the faces of the characters? It's very distracting. Does anyone have an answer?
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Feb 5, 2008 2:18 PM
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All fine with the shakeup but 1 question that's been driving me crazy: why can you see the microphones at the side of the faces of the characters? It's very distracting. Does anyone have an answer?
It's...part of the costume...it's how the team members communicate with each other...
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Feb 5, 2008 2:26 PM
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God NO! This is terrible! He is the single worst person they could put in charge. He is incapable of making a decision. So, season 5 will consist of nothing but Woolsey being afraid to act on anything Sheppard getting in an argument with him about it and then the team acting against his wishes and proving him wrong.
Contrary to the producers beliefs...not everybody thinks it's a good thing when there is conflict between the commander and the team lead. Gen. Hammond was never that way.
I like Robert Picardo but Woolsey may cause me to miss season 5.
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Feb 5, 2008 2:34 PM
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I think we've already seen Woolsey start to thaw a bit. In the episodes where he has actually been thrust into action I think he's starting to realize that bureaucracy doesn't quite work out there.
Then again, part of his mindset might just come from the "You go do what you do and I'm the one that has to square it away at home." Maybe he'll loosen up once he's on his own.
Conflict is good if they do it right. Woolsey is going to have to lighten up though. Every single decision can't be fought over.
Looking forward to seeing how it plays.
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Feb 5, 2008 4:03 PM
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I love Robert's work, but the character of Woolsey is a spineless wimp. Its a terrible decision that will doom this show. Jewell Staite's horrid Dr. Keller needs to give way for Beckett's return, and the writers need to admit it was a mistake to kill him in the first place.
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Feb 5, 2008 5:08 PM
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Wow, way to spoil the show, TV Guide!! Believe it or not, there are SOME PEOPLE who have no idea about Beckett, as that particular episode hasn't actually aired yet. And, even tho that knowledge has been "out there" for quite a while, SOME PEOPLE don't go to websites that divulge upcoming news/spoiler items. Now, thanks to this article, millions of people know something that they would probably rather experience live as they watch the show.
(And this isn't the first time a TV Guide staff person--possibly the same one--has 'spoiled' Stargate information prior to its airing.)
As for Woolsey... he's stiff and annoying, but I think he'll have no choice but to unbend once he gets to Atlantis. After all, he won't be able to be in direct, constant communication with the IOC from there, so he'll have to learn to "wing it" from time to time. I'll miss Carter, but I agree that she was not the right person to lead Atlantis, and was woefully underutilized, both the actress and the character.
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Feb 5, 2008 5:14 PM
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