Why do you watch Stargate Atlantis?

[DeeKayP]

Here are two interesting quotes by the show-runners for Stargate Atlantis:

Brad Wright when SGA was just getting started:

Brad sees part of ‘Stargate’s’ success as its ability to build upon an established foundation, while still making it accessible to new viewers. “‘SG-1’ has become a little bit more mainstream now than it was, say, in season one or two. And ‘Atlantis’ isn’t so far out there either. It’s not going to be steeped in such mythology that if you miss an episode you think, ‘I don’t know what’s going on!’ We’re trying to tell slightly more mainstream stories and just good solid science fiction stories. Here’s the thing about any television show. As much as we like to think it’s the writing, and a lot of it is, what it is in terms of ratings numbers is, do people want to invite these characters into their homes every week? If they like these characters, if they want to spend an hour with them, care about what’s going to happen to them, that’s a successful show. I mean, what’s the plot of ‘Friends’?” he asks rhetorically. “They’re friends! But you would love to spend a half an hour with them every week. You just love that friend. A science fiction show is that plus the worlds we take them to, the imagination that we bring to it on top of that.”

http://www.rdanderson.com/stargate/scenes/bradrob.htm

And now, the new show-runner, Joseph Mallozzi, in his personal blog:

Over the course of a show’s run, characters will come and go (and, occasionally, come back again). Things change. In that respect, a t.v. show is not unlike real life. And although I’m sure some fans will disagree, I personally think that’s a good thing.

http://josephmallozzi.blogspot.com/2007/02/february-21-2007.html


Do you watch Stargate Atlantis for its characters or for the uncertainty that no one is safe? Is the plot more important to you than the characters? Do you prefer the science/technology of the Stargate Universe over the people using that technology? What are your thoughts about the "new direction" slated for Season Four along with its change in cast/characters?

[Nirmanakaya]

For me is a combination of both.  I watch mainly for the story line not the characters, although I love the interaction with Sheppard and McKay, and Sheppard and Dr Weir.  I don't know how SGA will work for me without her, and I am sort of upset that Amanda tapping was their first choice and not Shanks.... 

I am not keen of all the changes, I prefer a character development type of show.  Even on SG-1 when RDA left it was not as attractive as it used to be for me.


IMHO

[Rocza]

I agree. I watch for both the stories and the characters. As I re-watch the episodes, I find that some I will never get tired of while others are glossed over because I don't particularly identify with the character that was the focus of that episode. But I found with SG-1 that as the new characters develop, I have made new friends. Think of Ronan. He was new in Season 2 basically replacing Lt Ford. Looking back with 20/20 hindsight, was this a good change or a bad one?

The main difference with the Weir/Carter swap is that we already know Carter. Some people love her,  while others hate her. She is a known. An unknown might have worked better. But ultimately, it is too soon to tell. Let's look back during Season 6 and pass judgement then.

[Kalliope]

I agree. I watch for both the stories and the characters. As I re-watch the episodes, I find that some I will never get tired of while others are glossed over because I don't particularly identify with the character that was the focus of that episode. But I found with SG-1 that as the new characters develop, I have made new friends. Think of Ronan. He was new in Season 2 basically replacing Lt Ford. Looking back with 20/20 hindsight, was this a good change or a bad one?

The main difference with the Weir/Carter swap is that we already know Carter. Some people love her,  while others hate her. She is a known. An unknown might have worked better. But ultimately, it is too soon to tell. Let's look back during Season 6 and pass judgement then.

Do you believe they're going to reach season 6? I have some doubts about it. I wonder how many people decided not to watch Atlantis anymore after they saw Torri Higginson's name replaced with Amanda Tapping's in the credits. I'm not happy with this change at all and they actually lost a viewer in me (after leaked to iTunes "Doppelganger"), although I don't count in the ratings, since I don't live in USA.

[Aurora Novarum]

With any show, not just Atlantis, it's the characters that are my primary focus.  If I don't find the main characters sympathetic (or in the case of House, at least intriguing), it's not going to maintain my attention.

The plots, overall conceit have to be good, but I find I can forgive a shoddy plot (in movie/tv/books/play) if the characters keep me in tuned much more than a great plot with shoddy characterization.

It's not a matter that I watch for "one" character though.  If a character is killed off/disappears, the interest in others will often keep me tuned in.  In SG-1, I watched with Jonas, and didn't care for the dynamic.  After a few times, I was ready to tune the show out...then found out Daniel was coming back.

With NCIS, I was disappointed they killed Kate, but I love Officer David better.

With BSG, the characters were still raw and somewhat intriguing, but they also became so much cannon fodder (sometimes literally, sometimes just by plot twists changing their personality/nature/interdynamics) that by the latest finale, I was not as intrigued.

With SGA, I missed Ford, but Ronon has...eventually grown on me.  I don't hold the disappearance of old cast members against the new.  And the differing dynamics of such a large cast are enough to keep me coming back.  (they really do have to stop with the disappearing characters over there though).

Well, that's enough babbling from me, anyway.    [see my tagline]

[GORT]

I was never a big Atlantis fan, but since the untimely demise of SG1, I have watched some of the episodes, and I am curious to see how Carter does in the transition. (Never was a Weir fan myself).
but I have to admit that I still need to make an effort to be around to watch.  Not like Stargate, where I hated missing a Friday night.  Maybe I am watching it as a substitute at this point, but I have come to appreciate the Ronan character, and Rodney doesn't annoy me as much as he used to.  It will be interesting to see how they meld the Rodney/Carter situation.  Not being a shipper, I hope they just pretend it never happened.

[chevron7]

I was never a big Atlantis fan, but since the untimely demise of SG1, I have watched some of the episodes, and I am curious to see how Carter does in the transition. (Never was a Weir fan myself).
but I have to admit that I still need to make an effort to be around to watch.  Not like Stargate, where I hated missing a Friday night.  Maybe I am watching it as a substitute at this point, but I have come to appreciate the Ronan character, and Rodney doesn't annoy me as much as he used to.  It will be interesting to see how they meld the Rodney/Carter situation.  Not being a shipper, I hope they just pretend it never happened.

I love the characters and the stories, that's why I watch. I actually liked the blonde Weir that was on SG1, but Torri grew on me and I loved the scenes when there was a conflict between she and Sheppard.

I think they should do more with Ronon (maybe they have as I haven't seen Season 4 yet).

I think it will be interesting to see the team dynamics with the change in leadership. Carter is military yet she's a scientist. How will she go when there's a conflict between the two? Will the writers write her character in the same way as in SG1?

Cheers, Chev

[DeeKayP]

I love the characters and the stories, that's why I watch. I actually liked the blonde Weir that was on SG1, but Torri grew on me and I loved the scenes when there was a conflict between she and Sheppard.

I think they should do more with Ronon (maybe they have as I haven't seen Season 4 yet).

They have started to give more time for Ronon in Season Four, I think. Jason Momoa is doing very well at developing a character who is starting to break out of the Runner mode and show more humanity, I think.

I think it will be interesting to see the team dynamics with the change in leadership. Carter is military yet she's a scientist. How will she go when there's a conflict between the two? Will the writers write her character in the same way as in SG1?

Cheers, Chev

I still haven't gotten used to Carter as the leader of SGA. I read Joe Flanigan in an interview and he made it sound like they were trying for conflict between his character and Carter, but there was very little for him to grab onto. However, I think there is supposed to be some conflict between Carter and McKay, but so far, it doesn't seem to be there.

I don't think that the writers are writing her the same as the Carter of SG-1. Even Amanda Tapping has said over and over again that she felt like she was playing a different character.

I think that this will have to be one of those instances where it will all be up to the viewer to decide if she is in or out of character and even that decision depends on what your perception of the character was before she moved over.

[Atlantica]

I watch stargate atlantis because of the team dynamic and chimistry that the actors bring to life. Also because i thunk over John Sheppard

[random]

The Characters and the Story mainly but when characters are written out it doesn't bother me to much, as i find it fun to watch the new characters like i liked ford and when he left i was annoyed but after Runner it didnt bother me its different if they replace a good loyal character with a disloyal evil character, but if they do it correctly and not just pure evil sort of layers. but i write stuff myself and finding new characters strengths and weaknesses are a fun part of the writing process which im sure anyone who writes whether its Fan Fiction, Books, Scripts finds it fun

[Spacemonkey_jackson]

It's a bit of both for me. I love the characters. That's part of the reason why I come back week after week and watch any of the episodes multiple times. But, the plot is important, because the plot is what makes the characters grow and develope.

As for the Weir/Carter swap: I was a little angry by this because I like Atlantis being on it's own with the occasional crossover from SG-1. But, I got used to the idea of Sam being in charge. I'm still getting used to her long hair though.

[GORT]

As for the Weir/Carter swap: I was a little angry by this because I like Atlantis being on it's own with the occasional crossover from SG-1. But, I got used to the idea of Sam being in charge. I'm still getting used to her long hair though.

I never really liked Weir on the series, I too liked the blonde Weir that they started out with on SG1.  as for the Hair thing what were they thinking by making her look so unkempt.  She and the new Doctor must be seeing the same hairdresser.  the ponytail with the strands hanging out?  Yuck.   Scissors anyone?

[Spacemonkey_jackson]

I never really liked Weir on the series, I too liked the blonde Weir that they started out with on SG1.  as for the Hair thing what were they thinking by making her look so unkempt.  She and the new Doctor must be seeing the same hairdresser.  the ponytail with the strands hanging out?  Yuck.   Scissors anyone?

I like Torri's version of Weir. I also thought that Weir's long hair was pretty.

[Atlantica]

I never really liked Weir on the series, I too liked the blonde Weir that they started out with on SG1.  as for the Hair thing what were they thinking by making her look so unkempt.  She and the new Doctor must be seeing the same hairdresser.  the ponytail with the strands hanging out?  Yuck.   Scissors anyone?

I like Torri's version of Weir. I also thought that Weir's long hair was pretty.

I like Torri's hair allso

[Atlantica]

Ahem, acording to the title, this is aobut why we like SGA, rihgt?
I loved SGA because of the great chemistry between the actors, the pretty decent story lines, and the wonderfull new ships. (Both kinds)