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Dr. Carson Beckett Returns to Stargate: Atlantis
Paul McGillion by Eike Schroter/Sci Fi Channel Photo
Sci Fi bowed to fan wishes and is reviving Paul McGillion’s beloved Dr. Carson Beckett for a two-episode arc when Stargate: Atlantis returns in September. "His return to Atlantis promises to be every bit as shocking" as his death, the network announced today in a release.
Fans were indeed shocked (and incensed) when the producers killed the Scottish doc in an explosion at the end of Season 3. In true cult-show fashion, they started a Save Carson campaign that included a press kit, an interactive DVD and a rally complete with bagpipes at the show’s Vancouver studios. The campaigners also showed up at Comic-Con with 700 Save Carson flags and yes, another piper. "We’re absolutely going to keep up our campaign," says resolute campaign spokesperson Jennifer Kirk. "We’re very happy that NBC, Sci Fi and the writers listened to us, but we’re going to fight for a full return in Season 5."
Is there a chance? According to Kirk, the show-runner, Joe Mallozzi, told them Beckett "would be real flesh and blood and doors would remain open" for his further return. "We urge them to use that door." — Reporting by Ileane Rudolph
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Aug 8, 2007 6:12 PM
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Woo-hoo!
Looking forward to seeing Paul McGillion guest star in SGA's season four.
And congratulations to the Save Carson Beckett campaign. They ran THEIR campaign with a sense of humor, good spirt, and with good manners. Thanks, SCB, for all YOUR hard work.
Morjana
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Aug 8, 2007 8:45 PM
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Count me as someone who highly anticipates those 2 episodes in Season 4. Shock and dismay have been replaced with some hope because maybe, just maybe, this return spurs more time in the future.
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Aug 8, 2007 11:49 PM
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Thanks TV Guide for the write up. The campaign appreciates it! And we will indeed continue to fight until Dr. Beckett is back FULL TIME in season 5!
www.savecarson.com
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Aug 9, 2007 12:26 AM
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The producers and writers need to lay-off watching 24 so that they don't get any further ideas about killing off characters. We all know that the departures of Paul McGillion and Torri Higginson was because they needed to open-up the salary cap for the arrival of Amanda Tapping. It is just that simple. It wasn't because of creative reason or whatever BS they aired on tv. The smart thing to do is put Amanda Tapping's character onto the new third Stargate series that MGM is developing so that people would watch it. Stargate is fast becoming dead like the Star Trek franchise. Maybe in a few years JJ Abram will come to the rescue to fish the Stargate franchise out of the water too like he is doing with Star Trek right now.
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Aug 9, 2007 10:12 AM
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Glad to hear Dr. Beckett is making a return. However, it still won't make me watch SGA. When they took off Dr. Weir for the tired and uniteresting Amadna Tapping aka Sam Carter that was it for me. Taking off Tori Higginson who is an amazing actress and replace her with a Amanda Tapping - it is like asking the stable pony of a race horse to win the Kentucky Derby.
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Aug 9, 2007 10:49 AM
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Never quite understood what happened with them letting him go or him quiting. I loved his character. Great comic relief with lots of medical jargon. Just liked him a lot.
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Aug 9, 2007 12:32 PM
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Paul McGillion's 'Carson Beckett' was one of the most original characters I've seen on any Scifi show for a long time. Not only a non-stereotypical Scot, but a non-stereotypical male AND scifi character. He wasn't a geek or a super hero, but a compassionate, loveable and ORDINARY guy who was easy to identify with and brought warmth and depth to the show. He was also great fun and had wonderful chemistry with the rest of the cast. You'd think he'd be the last name on any producers list to boot. I was shocked when they killed him, disappointed they would throw him away in such a pointless manner and angry they would turn around and kill off the only cast member who had earned his spot and been prompted because of his popularity. Martin Gero saying it was for 'political' reasons rather then story, in his recent GateWorld interview added insult to injury. What a waste.
But it seems they have seen the error of their way and bowed to the overwhelming fan outcry. It's great to have Paul McGillion and Carson Beckett back, even for just 2 episodes, but its not nearly enough! 'Save Carson' wont stop fighting til our reluctant Scottish hero is back PERMANENTLY.
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Aug 9, 2007 2:37 PM
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This is a HUGE mile stone for the Save Carson Beckett campaign. I am thrilled to see so much press coverage about his return.
I am eargerly looking forward to seeing Paul McGillion back as Dr. Beckett.
Next step: Carson back as a season Regular once again.
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Aug 9, 2007 9:42 PM
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I didn't know Elizabeth Weir was leaving. Is there an article somewhere where the uninformed can read about it?
Oh, I was surprised, too, when they offed Carson Beckett. I liked him. However, I wish they had done more with Rodney's "change of heart" after Carson's death. Instead, they let that opportunity slide to change him into something more than a stereotypical arrogant scientist.
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Aug 10, 2007 11:27 AM
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YES! Carson Beckett rightly deserves to be back on Stargate Atlantis! I can see no justification in killing off such a superb, well-rounded character who was fundamental to the fantastic ensemble of this show! The SCB campaigners have done superbly in their support of PM/CB and huge thanks to them for helping to get him back on our screens - my hat goes off to them! I'd absolutely love more than anything to see him back as a REGULAR in the next season!!! Fingers crossed!!! Thanks for your article TV Guide! 
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Aug 11, 2007 12:03 PM
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I am still incensed by this entire debacle and it colors my entire perception of the Stargate PTB as well as SciFi and associates.
With hopes for a third Stargate series they might want to consider how unlikely it will be for disenchanted fans to support their further endeavors.
It was nigh unforgiveable for them to kill Carson and treat Paul so shabbily and not bringing him back for Season 5 is liable to be one sin too many for this fan.
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Aug 11, 2007 10:23 PM
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As much as I admire and respect the Beckett fans and am happy for their success, there's definately an undercurrent of sexism going on here. Everyone knows Stargate fandom is 75% female so God help TPTB if they mess with the fan's favourites. I don't see near the same level of intensity to get Torri reinstated.
Also, regardless of a fan's personal feelings, once a character has been killed off they should remain dead otherwise it just dilutes the idea of ultimate sacrifice. The Atlantis mission is a dangerous endeavour which should sometimes mean losing a frontline character. Good drama needs ocassionally to make you feel uncomfortable.
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Aug 12, 2007 12:03 AM
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I certainly appreciate his return for 2 episodes, but i really wish they would reinstall him permanently in season 5. the show is not the same without him. atlantis is missing it's heart ever since he was written out....
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Aug 12, 2007 5:41 AM
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MrRoarke if you take the time to visit the SCB site you'll see a very large percentage (approx. 50%) of the people who have commented, especially on our guestbook or signed the petition etc are MALE. This isn't just young females influenced by their hormones screaming over the loss of their hearthrob. This is intelligent people of all ages, nationalities and gender upset at the loss of a well rounded, non-stereotypical character with warmth and depth, excellently portrayed by Paul McGillion. I sympathise with your feelings over Torri/Weir but this is not a sexist issue, its about the appeal of the character and the audiences emotional empathy to him/her. However, there is a campaign for her character so if you feel so strongly, join it.
As for 'diluting' his death, the show producers themselves did it by firstly killing him in such a ludicrous and wholey unrealistic way (even for scifi...exploding tumor???? Come on!!) And secondly, by failing to have any follow-up; he was simply forgotten the minute the credits rolled. IF they had followed up I might have been inclined to accept that, but unfortunately they didn't, so that arguement is pointless. It wasn't a 'sacrifice' it was a casual disposal of a proven popular and much loved character...for whatever reason (as the Brad Wright & Robert Cooper have yet to comment...even a year later). Many of those involved with SCB believe, and as other press has pointed out, he should never have been killed off in the first place. This is why the campaign is so 'intense'.
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Aug 12, 2007 6:46 AM
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