Our flight got into Los Angeles twenty minutes late and, by the time we hit baggage claim, it was past 11:00 p.m. local time (2:00 a.m. for us). We were exhausted and looking forward to that nice, quiet, relaxing ride to our hotel. Yessirree. Once we’d located our driver, it would be smoooooooth sailing. Well, after some twenty minutes of fruitless searching (we DID, however, locate the driver who had been dispatched to pick up one of the actresses we would be testing the next day), we double-checked our travel itineraries. Under “Ground Transportation Los Angeles” were the letters: TBD.

TBD? Who gets to decide? Us, I guess. So we decided on taxi.

$60 later, we were dropped off in front of our hotel. We weren’t permitted to pay by credit card but, fortunately, I had some American cash on me – once all those singles had been counted out, sixty dollars exactly!

Then, we checked in. The place is possessed of unique character. My room smells like a sweat lodge and for a five full minutes after opening and closing the mini bar, it makes an extended sound akin to tubular bells. For some reason, I was given the option of having a key for the mini bar. I opted to take it but, mysteriously, there IS no lock on the mini bar in my room. I suspect what they’ve mistakenly given me is the key to the desk manager’s heart. Also – and I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised – the amenities do not include toothpaste. I’m brushing my teeth with a homemade concoction of Gilchrist & Soames hand soap and Jack Daniels.

As we settled in to our respective rooms, it suddenly dawned on me that while we knew what we were doing here in L.A., we didn’t know where we’re doing it or how we were supposed to get there. And, while I was certain Alexander’s powers of prognostication would no doubt magically divine the location, I felt less confident about actually getting there since I’d already committed the last of my cash to ensuring we reached our toothpasteless destination.

Fortunately, we received an email from production this morning. There had been a mix-up last night but everything was on track. We’re being picked up at 10:00 today. And Rob has made a reservation at Craft for tonight (sadly, Animal is booked).

Alexander and I took a morning stroll and I picked up breakfast –

Also missing from my hotel room: a spoon with which to eat my Ben & Jerry’s Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream. I ended up having to improvise with fries and a bathroom water glass.

See you in Toronto!

Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular Cherluvya!

I hit the mailbag during the flight.

Dustin Owens writes: “1. Many have asked if the scripts for the movies will ever see the light of day as books or just released online. Well does anyone know if MGM even knows the fans still want the scripts at least?”

Answer: I’m sure they do know but, alas, I don’t think it’s a priority for them right now.

“2. If they are taking down the sets, does that mean most of it all will be on that Propwerx auction? And I mean the Destiny sets and any other SG sets/props that have been in storage in case the movies were ever made?”

Answer: Probably yes. Sooner or later, those elements will find their way to auction as well.

“3, And last… who gets the full gates?”

Answer: My guess is whoever makes the best offer.

El Floruso writes: “With Carl, and Brad Wright, you could write some novels with the stories of Stargate Revolution, Stargate Exctinction and the conclusion of Universe.”

Answer: Someone could, but I fee I speak for both Carl and Brad when I say it wouldn’t be us.

Gen writes: “Which are your favorites from Season 4, Joe?”

Answer: Looking back, I’ve got to say I was very happy with the work we did in SG-1’s fourth season. I very much liked Point of No Return and Chain Reaction, but I think Window of Opportunity and The Curse stand out as my fourth year favorites.

William Gallagher writes: “Can you talk about the decisions made going in to the second season, please? […] Specifically, did you want to move the show more toward the feel of the previous series?”

Answer: No, there was never a conscious effort to shift the tone of SGU’s second season toward that of previous Stargate shows. I think it’s more, as you pointed out, a progression of the shipboard relationships and acceptance of their situation. The desperate search for such elementary requirements as food and water are met and the focus shifts from basic survival to exploration of Destiny and its original mission.

William Gallagher also writes: “What did you think in particular of the story that bridged the two seasons, please? I thought the last two in season one were nothing short of incredible: such a rich, exciting, challenging ride. But the conclusion didn’t work so well for me.”

Answer: I had a great time writing the first two parts of the three-part arc and, while I agree it was a fun ride, I have to point out that a ride has to end sometime – and often sooner is better than too much later. And even though we wrapped up the main story, there were plenty of loose ends (the Lucian Alliance prisoners, TJ’s baby, Chloe’s sudden regenerative abilities) that offered terrific story potential for future episodes.

William Gallagher also writes: “I was similarly brought out of the story by the reveal of the bridge: the first time we see it, it seemed to me to be played as if it were the first time Rush found it. Now, that can’t be so: he went straight there, he knew exactly how to get in. And I liked him not telling anyone else, yet something in the scene just played wrong to me. Off-kilter, somehow. Am I alone in that?”

Answer: Rush clearly knew there was something important behind that door (may have even known it held the bridge) but hadn’t been able to access it until the tease of that episode.

Max writes: “Was there any serious consideration by the producers or writers of doing a mini-arc of the wraith taking on the ori?”

Answer: Alas, no. While it certainly would have offered interesting story fodder, there was never any consideration given to going down that road.

Max also writes: “In the Ark of Truth, was the victor of the battle in the end (when both because pure energy) between Morgan and Adria decided?”

Answer: Nope. Like Anubis and Oma Dessala, they are locked in endless mortal combat.

Shiny writes: “Are you hosting your chocolate party this year? Sounds like a great way to keep those reunions going.”

Answer: Sadly, no. Last year’s chocolate blowout was my last – for the foreseeable future.

Gilder writes: “Joe, finally to Vegas next week. Any non-gourmet recommendations?”

Answer: Get the corn tamales at the Cheesecake Factory in the Caesar’s Mall.

Dallas Marshall writes: “How many scripts for SGU season 3 were written before everyone left for end-of-season hiatus (never to return)?”

Answer: 0.

Dioxholster writes: “one thing though, how did you meet Paul? Was he with you in college or something?”

Answer: We actually met in a college creative writing class.

Lewis writes: “If season 3 had come to fruition were there any particular characters from the other Stargate shows that had been discussed for a guest spot… or even repeat guests like O’Neill or McKay?”

Answer: We hadn’t gotten as far as to discuss potential guest stars.

Alabaster Runner writes: “Did you ever “aquire” any props or souvenirs from the show?”

Answer: Yes. A goa’uld pain stick from SG-1’s Serpent’s Venom, some carnivorous prop bugs from SG-1’s The Scourge, some oozy past-one pustules from SG-1’s Lockdown, and an alien petri sample of Gadmeer DNA from our very first episode, Scorched Earth.

MNP writes: “Why did you quit with Vanessa Angel? I’ve heard she didn’t get along with you guys that well but I have no idea if that’s true.”

Answer: Untrue. She was terrific, both in front of the camera and off. I remember watching her audition and coming away very impressed. While most of the other actresses simply said the words, it was clear that Vanessa had actually LEARNED the dialogue. There’s a big difference. In the end, the decision not to revisit the character had nothing to do with the actress and everything to do with our inability to find a proper, satisfactory storyline for her.

Oneil7 writes: “Where can we see the concept art of the exterior appearance of Destiny Ship ?”

Answer: They’re probably archived somewhere in the Art Department offices. Don’t know what will become of them now sadly.

Lloyd67 writes: “I know you do not know the plans for MGM Stargate franchise. But you, do you think Stargate is frozen for the time like other projects at MGM?”

Answer: No doubt. Stargate is too valuable a property to lie fallow for long.

J514 writes: “what would of happened in part 3 of the aschen trilogy if it had ever been made?”

Answer: The third installment of the trilogy would have seen the surviving Aschen mount a ship-based attack on Earth.

Tim Gaffney writes: “Since we know that T.J. will get sick in this timeline as well, does that mean that Volker will as well?”

Answer: The planet-bound Volker died of renal failure. The Volker we followed aboard Destiny had a successful lifesaving surgical transplant in Hope.

mix-martes1986 writes: “Hey Joe, is Alexander aware that in that picture he was wearing a WW2 German dogtag (at least, that’s the shape they had)? New sort of fashionable items?”

Answer: Actually, it’s a German dogtag, circa 1987, from Alex’s 15-month military service and has nothing to do with WW2.

StellaByStargate writes: “A question for later, relative to the ship. You noted that in your opinion it ended in a way that was unsatisfactory to everyone. (Agreed) Could you share a bit about why? […] I’m curious where the resistance came from, once the whole matter of the regs were out of the way? Was it MGM? SyFy? The lady on the park bench outside of Bridge?”

Answer: It was an internal creative decision. I think Brad and Rob simply felt that if we did resolve the ship, where would we go from there? Hard to disagree while O’Neill was a regular, but I thought it was a shame that we never offered closure even after the show had ended.

Dodoalda writes: “Of course, I understand that Mr. Goldsmith is working hard (and results of his work are outstanding), but as a fan, I would just like to know if the soundtrack is ever going to happen.”

Answer: Unfortunately, I’m out of the loop on marketing decisions but, given the present situation, I doubt we’ll see anything in the way of new Stargate-related merchandises hitting store shelves any time in the near future.

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