Story consultant and writer Joseph Mallozzi told fans in his weblog that the creative team for Stargate Universe has begun their work to fill up the 20 slots for the first season of the new show. Including the co-creators Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, the story consultation team is the same as that for Atlantis: Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie, Carl Binder, Alan McCullough, and Martin Gero.
The team started meeting yesterday, November 10, to discuss the pilot, which is now looking like it will be a three-parter. Stargate SG-1 started with a sort-of three-parter itself with “Children of the Gods” and “Enemy Within” (“Enemy Within” was a direct continuation of the events in the pilot, but there was no “To Be Continued” leading into it.). The new characters and enemies for SG-1 in Season Nine were introduced in a three-parter: “Avalon” and “Origin”. Mallozzi explained, “Originally planned as a two-parter, Brad and Robert quickly discovered that there was simply too much story for such a tight frame, so the series opener is now looking like a three-parter.
“Brad and Rob did a terrific job of kicking things off in thrilling fashion. The script is fast-paced and fun; its characters unique and engaging. My favorite: Dr. David Rush. Oh, he’s going to be a handful,” Mallozzi revealed.
A fair warning should probably be given at this time: Don’t get too attached to Rush; he’s not listed as one of the main characters for the new “team”, which is led by Col. Everett Young and is made up of mostly young and inexperienced personnel who are in their early 20s. The team is supposed to be desperate and that includes not having an experienced doctor (of any kind) with them when they get stranded on the Ancients’ Destiny without a way home. But, you never know, Rush might be a bright spot in the show as he works Earth-side to bring the team home. We’ll have to wait and see if he’ll be around after the pilot.
Cooper explained in an interview with MGM why they decided to have a group comprised of mostly young and inexperienced people, “One of the things I’m really excited about is that we’re looking for people who are a little more identifiable and contemporary. I always thought one of the things that was attractive about the original series was the ‘everyman on the street’ point of view that O’Neill had to science fiction. It made the characters identifiable. They were more like we would be in a science fiction situation, and how we would react. And that’s what we’re trying to do with the new show – create characters that are going to be challenged by the situation.
“The team that ends up on the ship is not really who was supposed to go, and in some cases they’re very unprepared and unqualified to be in that situation. So they don’t have all the answers as quickly, and the challenges are greater than they would be for people who have seen it all and don’t have as far to go as characters when they encounter an incredible situation.”
During this time of slot-filling, the writing team pitches ideas and they decide on which ones will work. Then, each lays claim to a story that interests him. Mallozzi said, “In addition to that first script, Brad and Rob provided us with a beat sheet and springboards for several more stories. Brad has laid claim to #4, a story that is right up his alley. Speaking of perfect pairings, I couldn’t think of anyone better than Carl Binder to write #5. Rob is eying #6 which offers a most intriguingly SF door in, while #7 and #8 have yet to be claimed.”
So, here’s what they have so far:
- 1.01 – Pilot, Part 1 – Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright
- 1.02 – Pilot, Part 2 – Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright
- 1.03 – Pilot, Part 3 – Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright
- 1.04 – Story up Wright’s Alley – Brad Wright
- 1.05 – Best Story for Binder – Carl Binder
- 1.06 – Intriguing SF Door In – Robert C. Cooper
- 1.07 – Untitled – Unassigned
- 1.08 – Untitled – Unassigned
Only 12 more slots to fill!
“As I mentioned in a previous entry, Stargate: Universe is a series that draws on established mythology yet blazes a bold, new path for the franchise,” Mallozzi continued. “It’s definitely more character-centered and intimate in its exploration of the interpersonal dynamics that will drive a lot of the shipboard developments (and, no, I’m not talking about romance). The premise of this ship hurtling through uncharted territories offers up unbounded story possibilities, yet also forces us to adopt a very different approach toward alien encounters and planetary investigation. Twin themes mentioned over the course of today’s conversations: survival and sacrifice.”
Mallozzi said that they still haven’t pinned down the look of the Destiny, but Cooper assured him that they’re getting close. The Sci Fi Channel published some of the concept art for the show, but there appears to be no guarantee that these are indeed final versions. Mallozzi liked the design for a new MALP (Mobile Analytic Laboratory Probe), which he described as “very cool.”
There is still no firm news in the casting, but “some interesting names are being bandied about.” The production team will continue this week with laying out the stories and will “establish some of the big picture storylines and arcs we’d like to pursue over the course of the show’s first 20 episodes.”
Since Mallozzi titled his entry “Spinning Stargate: Universe – Day One”, it is possible that he plans to give fans more tidbits as the new show gets developed. This will be a first for Stargate fans: following a Stargate show on a daily basis as it gets started from the ground up.
Please continue to visit the Stargate Wiki as Solutions builds the episode guide for the first season of this new show.
I see concept art Destiny…. Stoped really stoped.. The rust for millions years would destroy the starship if it though as that to it is subject. And the idea with teens on a spaceship too was more than once used. It is silly… But that is good in it that when the Stargate Unverse show to fail again to return to old ideas. SG-1 SGA For exapmle Stargate Infinity. Ha HA Ha