Damn Mitch Pileggi and the show he rode in on!

[gwyn]

So, my true confession: I am apparently the only person in fandom who does not like the Stargate shows. I loved the movie, but the TV series left me utterly cold. I have long been bewildered by its appeal, but it has at least mitigated itself in my eyes by allowing many of my favorite vidders to come up with some seriously kickass, wonderful vids. The Atlantis spinoff has baffled me even more. I am completely lost to its appeal.

But now, I must set aside my prejudices and watch it. Because Mitch Pileggi, my uber-clam snugglebunny from the X-Files, is going to be on starting tonight, I believe. And I have watched some truly mind-bendingly awful crap for that man, so this is pretty mild and not like a huge sacrifice -- a show I'm kind of "eh" about, rather than something that makes me cover my eyes and scream "Make it stop!" Honestly, the only really good thing he's done lately worthy of his mostly ignored talent has been a couple of guest appearances on Law & Order SVU or SUV or whatever the hell it is. Otherwise, he's in every filmed in Canada piece of crap on the WB or UPN or something, or he pops up here and there in single-appearance roles that don't really do him justice. Well, I should say that Tarzan wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected it to be and in fact I quite enjoyed it, and he played a pretty cool, morally ambiguous character who seemed both evil and also kind of cynically hopeful, something I overidentify with.

But I also endured The Mountain, which is truly one of the most god-awful shows ever on television, redeemed only by his Mitchly self and Barbara Hershey, two vets who knew how to act unlike the rest of the comely but brain-dead cast, and who sparked with each other quite well. Alas, they kept putting him in ill-fitting suits not unlike his first appearance on XF, or turtlenecks that hid his bodacious charms -- except the one time he got to wear a tux. Curse him for marrying Scully's Canadian stand-in and spending all his time working up there on bad shows!

So you see, I will watch pretty much anything for the Mitchmeister, including weird quasi-documentary freak science shows and shows about magic, a subject that is only slightly lower on my List of Things I Hate than people who torture animals and people who kick my chair at the movies. So, while I am giddy at the beginnings of a new season of Battlestar Galactica, first I have to get up to speed on Atlantis so that I can truly appreciate his jump-suited charms. I hope they will let him do more than bark commands and bounce light off his gleaming bald skull.

What do I need to know about the show before I start watching? I've only once ever watched a show long after it began, because I'm an early adopter who can rarely get interested if I don't watch from the start line, for reasons I don't fully understand (Due South is the only show I got into well into its run). So get me up to speed, people. Who are these people he will interact with? I've watched precisely one half of one ep, and had no idea who was who or what in blue blazes was going on.

Why couldn't he be, like, a new character on BSG, or maybe stay in Hollywood and be, like, some kind of big FBI boss again, on Numb3rs? Stupid Mitch. He is testing my love for him, I just know it.

Comments

[fenchurche.livejournal.com]

I am apparently the only person in fandom who does not like the Stargate shows. I loved the movie, but the TV series left me utterly cold. I have long been bewildered by its appeal

Nope. I'm right there with you... totally mystified by the apparent widespread appeal of those shows.

Because Mitch Pileggi, my uber-clam snugglebunny from the X-Files, is going to be on starting tonight

Really?!? Hmm. So, Ben Browder AND Mitch Pileggi? That's actually somewhat tempting. Maybe. Or are they going to be on different flavors of Stargate?

BTW, I once went up to Vancouver and managed to be on set while they were filming an episode (bit of a long, complicated story as to how that happened). Mitch Pileggi is the nicest man, and has a startlingly beautiful smile.

[umbo.livejournal.com]

Browder's a regular on SG1 (where Claudia Black will also be appearing on at least 9 episodes), and Pileggi's on SGA. So, yeah, they're on different flavors ;-)

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

He really, really does have a great smile. And he's such a nice guy, and really funny, too. Sigh. I wish there was more of a place for really big, bald, older guys in entertainment, because he deserves better than he's had.

Re: evil twin!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

For me the biggest change from the movie, that I found really distasteful about the show, was lightening the tone, and donwplaying Kurt Russell's character's loss and pain. A friend told me why they did that, and I guess it makes sense for that actor, but... I found that the most appealing part of the movie -- Kurt's struggle for some kind of redemption and learning to accept his loss, and Spader's character's struggle for some kind of larger acceptance in his world, some kind of personhood, I guess.

Which is neither here nor there. Some things grab ya, some things don't, and this is the nature of fandom. There are certain shows that almost seem engineered to make me hate them that I love, and vice versa, and if I could figure out why I react to one and not the other, I'd be a marketing genius with millions of dollars.

Re: evil twin!

[klia.livejournal.com]

Not to contradict what your friend told you, but I think it's possible you have the wrong idea about SG. It's actually an incredibly grim show, especially early on. Then, just as XF did with Humbug, SG started throwing in a lighter ep here and there, beginning around the end of S2. But, overall, it's very grim, and by no means did it erase or make light of O'Neill's pain and loss. The show's theme revolves around identity and alienation. Every character is abused and tormented.

Re: evil twin!

[the-shrike.livejournal.com]

Actually, they do deal very much with his pain.. There is an episode in which he relives the pain of the loss of his son to an accident with a gun, and it gives a strong insight into why the young boy in the movie (who reappears in the show on numerous occasions) becomes such a surrogate. In many, many episodes O'Neill fights harder for children than for anything else, almost to the point of obsession, and it's a part of his character stemming from elements in the movie and the show.

[copernica3.livejournal.com]

http://www.livejournal.com/users/mimesere/474878.html#cutid1

[suaine.livejournal.com]

So.

Atlantis expedition. They went through the stargate to another galaxy to find atlantis. They did. Then they woke up evil life-sucking space vampires. Then their commanding military officer (Sumner, it may come up) got shot before he could get eaten entirely.

Major John Sheppard has been ranking military officer. Caldwell (aka the mitchmeister) is going to change that. Because Caldwell has a big fucking space ship and he saves their asses. Sheppard is the dark haired one, also lovingly called Major. Because he is. A major.

Weir. Dr. of political sciences (or something) and leader of the expedition. She'll be the red-head who gets in Caldwell's face all the time, because Caldwell is military and she's not and she doesn't like people telling her what to do.

McKay, Dr. of astrophysics, and all around obnoxious genius. We all love him very much. It is because he is played by David Hewlett and that makes us all very happy. He's the one with the big mouth ;) He'll definitely have something to say about Caldwell, especially when the military and scientific interests are opposed to each other. McKay has flexible morals, but he's no friend of military strictures.

Teyla. How much contact she'll have with Caldwell is to be seen, but she's very pretty and she can beat them all with sticks, so we don't care. She talks a little funny, but that's okay too, because she's pretty. And she can kick every guys ass.

Maybe you could check out the crack_van overview of the show for more information on the characters.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. This almost sounds like someone took everything I can't stand and put it in a blender. This does not bode well for me! :: runs and hides::

I'm especially confused about one thing, though -- you say they woke up evil life sucking aliens (which actually sounds more fun than just military folks running around, to me). You mean the people on the show are evil life sucking aliens now? Or those people were killed off earlier? I wasn't sure how it played out. The ep I saw, people were in what looked like and apartment, so I couldn't figure out what on earth that had to do with Atlantis.

I will read the crack van thing but I fear I am Doomed. ;-)

[suaine.livejournal.com]

Okay, they woke up the vampires and ran really fast. In fact, it was our dearest Major who shot the vampire gate keeper and woke them all up. And then they ran. They've actually been running away from the Wraith most of season one, until the Wraith come to their hidey-hole (aka Atlantis) and wanted to eat them all.

That's where Caldwell comes with a big ass space ship and blows up the Wraith that are besiegeing atlantis.

And the episode you saw was "Home", which was the one episode that would have made about no sense at all if you haven't seen the show before. Especially if you missed the beginning.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

AHA! See, this is my unique gift, and why I always, always only watch shows from the beginning, becuase if I do tune in later? I WILL PICK THE WORST POSSIBLE EPISODE TO WATCH.

It's either the SPock's brain ep, or the most contextual ep, or the one where some character goes through a huge life altering change, or whatever... this is why I cannot watch shows midstream.

But you know, life sucking vampires does make it cooler.

[sherrold.livejournal.com]

life sucking vampires does make it cooler.

Or it would, if they weren't the lamest life-sucking vampires *ever*. (And remember, I'm saying that as a fan of the show...)

Okay, there's things about them I like, but style-wise -- things they wear, their hair, the face appliances...ugh. But that's just me, I'm sure.

[suaine.livejournal.com]

It's either the SPock's brain ep, or the most contextual ep, or the one where some character goes through a huge life altering change, or whatever... this is why I cannot watch shows midstream.

Kind souls (like me) could be persuaded to send out episodes on DVD (avi or mpg format), so you could catch up properly. There's nothing that can't be done in order to convert educate the willing ;)

Also, I always liked getting thrown into the fray through fic. My favorite fandoms are the ones I got into ass-first, from fic to source material. So there could be recs in your future, if you wanted (some good stuff has been produced lately, in our little corner of fandom)

But you know, life sucking vampires does make it cooler.

They do, don't they? ;)

[the-shrike.livejournal.com]

I became a fan of Stargate because I started watching around season 3. I thought it was a dumb idea to make a show out of what I thought was an entertaining but mediocre movie, but after watching a few episodes I was hooked. I had the need to go back and watch from the beginning and I now have the first 6 seasons on DVD.

I guess it just depends on which episodes you come into.

[jidabug.livejournal.com]

I am apparently the only person in fandom who does not like the Stargate shows.

I'll join the chorus of "me too" here. We tried watching when it first started, but I have an automatic dislike of any show that features parasitic alien lifeforms crawling in and out of humans. *shudder* It's a thing. That, and it failed to capture my attention in the first few eps. But the movie was cheesy fun, plus it had James Spader.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Okay, here is where I confess something even worse, something I rarely speak of in public. I cannot watch Farscape. It sounds like the kind of show I would love (angst! misery! stuff blowing up!). But the puppets creep me the fuck out. The makeup creeps me the fuck out. Every time I look at Dargo's (sp?) face with the genital-like makeup, I freak. That old woman with the tacky eyeball in her forehead that looks like a ten year old put it there... creeps me the hell out. I just can't do it! And the puppets... oh man, they give me the heebie jeebies. I don't like puppets much, except maybe Angel in Smile Time and most of the Muppets (though Sam the Eagle? gives me nightmares). I think I was traumatized by puppets as a child, or something. Or they remind me too much of clowns, and clowns are the spawn of Satan!

[jidabug.livejournal.com]

I liked Farscape well enough, but mostly in a "I can't believe I'm watching something so deeply campy" kind of way. And, yes, the puppets and makeup mostly made my skin crawl. I think it was the hotness of Ben Browder that kept me around. ;^)

[the-shrike.livejournal.com]

Hooray! I cannot stand Farscape. And for some reason, all the people I know that DON'T like Stargate DO like Farscape. The thing about Farscape that bugs me is it looks like a show where a hack sci-fi writer and an over-zealous makeup artist decided to make a circus of aliens and forget about the part of stories that make us care.

Too many sci-fi shows are about the planets, the aliens, the technology, the nifty shit, and forget completely that the reason fiction means anything to us is because we can relate to it in some way. Because the stories are ultimately about the possibilities of human existence in a theoretical universe. We want to learn something about ourselves or who we could be, and we use the "utopian" lab to do it. Sci-fi provides the most virile breeding ground for new situations in which to test humans, but it's still about us. If it's not, it might be neat to look at, but it's not going to have a lasting impression.

Chiming in late...

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Smile Time traumatized me, but it wasn't the puppets, it was that kid in the teaser...eeek. ::runs away::

I do have some puppet trauma, though; the Muppets used to frighten me, and I had nightmares too (though not about Sam the Eagle -- for me it was mean old Bert with his Evil Eyebrows).

Farscape's puppets became people for me quite quickly, though. They aren't remotely clownlike after a while. Their pain is true pain! No, really! I have to disagree with The Shrike, below; Farscape is *all* about storytelling. Yes, there are a lot of makeup/puppets/effecty things, but they are always in service of the narrative. And the narrative is A-freakin'-mazing.

I've never been able to get into Stargate, myself (not for lack of trying), but I tuned into the premiere of SG-1 on Friday to see Ben and Claudia strut their stuff. I'll hang around for a bit and see if it takes this time.

But even Mitch can't get me to Atlantis. Sorry about that, but you're on your own there.

[umbo.livejournal.com]

Hmm. What *do* you need to know about Atlantis to be able to enjoy Pileggi's character?

The players include:

John Sheppard, Air Force Major (going to be promoted to Lt. Colonel in the premiere of season 2), played by Joe Flanigan. Has a history of disobeying orders, specifically to go in and save people in Afghanistan, which led to him getting sent to Antarctica. Has the gene that allows him to interact with Ancient technology, and has it in *spades*--the guy's a natural with tech that everyone else with the gene has to struggle to use. Loves flying, fast things, and ferris wheels. Is the guy in this icon. Had to shoot the head of the military contingent on Atlantis in the pilot episode (the guy was being eaten by a Wraith), so has been the lead military guy since, until the end of the season when Stargate Command sent new folks. Is sure to clash with Pileggi, who plays the commander of the ship the SGC sent to help Atlantis.

Dr. Elizabeth Weir, the civilian head of the Atlantis expedition--like the governor. She's supposed to clash with Pileggi's character big-time because her authority's being challenged by the new focus on the military. Played by Torri Higgenson. A fairly interesting character with possibilities, but Higginson does not really have the chops to pull her off well.

Dr. Rodney McKay, head of the science team. Snarktastic, brilliant, hides his insecurities behind his enormous ego and brain, and in love with Sheppard. Often brave in spite of himself. A huge favorite with a lot of people. David Hewlett plays him incredibly well.

Teyla Emmagen, leader (really former leader in a lot of ways) of the Athosians, people the Atlantis folks invited to join them on Atlantis after they managed to have their civilization basically wiped out by the Wraith (as in, it was Our Heroes' fault). Has some Wraith DNA that enables her to sense when they're coming. Completely kicks ass. A member of the top Atlantis team, which is led by Sheppard and also includes McKay and Lt. Ford. Has she sold out her people in some way by joining so closely with the Earth folks? Some of her people seem to think so. Understands Elizabeth's leadership issues better than anyone else. Rachel Luttrell plays her. I *hated* her at first, when it seemed like she was eye candy and supposed to be The Alien on the Team like T'ealc on SG1, but now I adore her and have written a few pieces of fic focused on her.

The Wraith are the Goth life-sucking alien evil guys. The concept of them is scarier than the execution, unfortunately.

There are other characters that are beloved by many, like Carson Beckett, the medical officer; Lt. Ford, the eager-beaver young marine who loves to blow things up (who's going to be going through some changes this season and is no longer a regular), and Radek Zelenka, a Czech scientist who has chemistry with both McKay (which isn't difficult) and Weir (which is pretty amazing, given Higginson's blahness), and who is just plain adorable. And there's going to be another new regular this season, replacing Ford on the team, but I'm not sure what I'm going to think about him beyond the fact that he's pretty (he's played by Jason Mamoa and is called Ronan Dex).

That's enough for now, I think ;-)

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Based on what you and Suaine have said, I think I'm actually more worried now -- it almost sounds like someone found out everything I hate and put it in a blender and mixed it up and poured. I'm a little confused about the name, too -- I thought they went looking for Atlantis, but now it sounds like this is the name of a ship? Or something? Probably doesn't matter-- I have a feeling it will be Mitch that carries this for me, but his character sounds like it's going to be another Annoying Guy. That's what he's usually given to play.

This is helpful, though, and I will refer to it tonight when I see it. Or rather probably tomorrow, since I'll have to TiVo the later repeat (thank god for cable repeating their shows!) because of Into the West and Numb3rs. It's going to be hard to wait an extra 24 hours to watch BSG!

[umbo.livejournal.com]

Atlantis is the lost city of the Ancients, which was once on Earth and then flew away to the Pegasus galaxy, which is where it is now (so it's sort of a city and a ship) and where Our Heroes live. Daedalus is the name of the big-ass space warship that Pileggi's character commands, which he flies to Atlantis to help Our Heroes, who are being besieged by the Wraith. And this is my Teyla icon, so you can see her (although I think you've seen pictures of the characters). And, yeah, geez, if you started with "Home," no wonder you're confused!

[the-shrike.livejournal.com]

There are several other mythology elements from SG1 that would greatly improve the understanding of Atlantis. I honestly don't imagine that there are many people that watch Atlantis (or that do or will enjoy it) that are not fans of the original show.

For example, it helps to know that the Ancients (the gate-builders and "ascended" demi-god beings) were Atlanteans that ascended or became enlightened and now leave on a higher plane of existence. This has already come up and will undoubtedly come up again in Atlantis.

Also, the Atlanteans were native to the Pegasus galaxy, but they had a colony on Earth. When it became clear that the wraith (the so called lifeforce-vampires) were going to defeat the Atlanteans, many escaped to Earth (and one such was found frozen in Antarctica in an episode of SG1).

The Asgard are "grey" aliens, who were also the basis of the, you guessed it, Norse gods of Earth. They are extremely friendly to the people of Earth, and it is their help that has made it possible for humans to build the ship that Pileggi is flying to Atlantis. I have almost no doubt that the Asgard will show up or be mentioned at some point again in Atlantis.

I could go on and on, but you get the point. I would highly recommend watching SG1 if you are going to watch Atlantis on any sort of a long-term basis. I could certainly suggest numerous good episodes.

[batdina.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. Damn. I don't wanna watch tv any more!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

At least there's BSG to salve our wounds -- have you given it a try yet? I was genuinely surprised how much I love it. Never in a million years expected that.

[batdina.livejournal.com]

a friend just gave me a copy of the mini series, which I haven't watched yet cause I'm waiting for the partner to come home from the wilds of Ontario first.

did finally see The Fast and the Furious though. I now know which one's Dom and which one's Brian ...

[scribll.livejournal.com]

Not the only one. I made a post about this just the other day. I have tried to get into Stargate. I liked the movie, but the series leaves me eh. I'm trying to get into it for the sake of Ben Browder.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm glad I'm not a fan of both Mitch *and* Ben (never really got into FS) because then I would be doomed, doomed, doomed. :-D

[zandra-x.livejournal.com]

In somewhat the same position. I just start watching Farscape (always the last one on the bus), and now I have to watch Stargate because of Browder and Black. Oh, this ain't gonna be pretty!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

it's interesting that they are bringing *both* of them onto that one show. Sci-Fi must just be the stupidest people -- cancel the series everyone loves, but bring them on to the one other successful show? That just seems... so bizarre to me.

[abbylee]

I'm trying to watch Stargate. Trying really hard. I'm only part way through season one. It's gotten better, but I'm still not drawn in. I've had the episodes for months and only gotten to ep eight, I think. One should not have to force oneself to watch a tv show, but I'm hoping that by S2 I'll like it as much as my friends who've not steered me wrong before. If not... well, I'll just clear more space for other tv shows.

Started watching Doctor Who, too. I don't think it will ever be a favourite, but I definitely like it.

The thing about Stargate is that it doesn't seem to embrace or even recognize it's campiness. Plus, it's just horrible to women. And I've yet to feel for any of the characters, which doesn't bode well for me. But I will try for longer. I'm an optimist :)

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I feel like TV shows shouldn't be like coffee. I tried for years to teach myself to like coffee, since everyone drank it, and it was hard to go to meetings or interviews and decline a coffee, though I couldn't bear it, and I wanted tea, but no one ever had that and it was too complicated to make. I even drank almond lattes, just because it cut the coffee taste. To no avail -- I still hated coffee, years on, and I felt like I was drinking motor oil sometimes.

We should not have to drink motor oil for our BSOs and for our fan friends. yet, of course, we do. ;-)

[abbylee]

The funny thing? I'd never watch a tv show just because one of my 'real life' friends watched it. But get enough of my internet friends excited, and I'll try it out. Plus, then I know there will be good fanfiction after.

I didn't like Firefly the first two times I tried it. Then I fell head over heels in love. Farscape, I loved the first ep and then got bored through the first season, but soon found that it exactly fit all my cravings. So I'm willing to give Stargate a little more of a chance, but it also needs me to give it more of a chance than any other "highly" recommended show has needed.

[the-shrike.livejournal.com]

Oh, you just haven't gotten to the good part. It will ABSOLUTELY embrace it's campiness without killing the serious parts of the show. In fact, in Season 7, there is a moment between O'Neill and Carter in which Carter is whistling and it's the Stargate theme.

[chrisleeoctaves.livejournal.com]

Just because you like Mitch so much, I thought I could just get you all wound up by telling you that I actually met him in person when I lived in Vancouver years ago. (The circumstances were not glamorous and therefore, not worth repeating!) However, very handsome (and large) man in RL. He was very kind to me.

Oh, and I've not seen a single Stargate eppie. I don't like 1/10 of the stuff people prattle on about on LJ. *g*

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I got to meet him at a Creation Con, where I spent the extra $$ just so I could sit up close and get in line for photo signings. He was just fabulously fit then, and wearing these tight jeans and cashmere sweatshirt, and I was bowled over. Plus, he was so tall! And those broad shoulders... sigh. Anyways, now I'm all fangirly again about him. Drat.

[sherrold.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you how much I love this icon. Wow, it's just gorgeous. I tend not too love animated icons -- most of them are too frenetic for me -- but this one is perfect!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Isn't it beautiful? It's by awmp, and she did it right after the show ended. It was my favorite of all the ones I saw after Angel ended -- it's so gorgeous and really conveys everything cool about the show.

So, ya gonna call and talk me through Atlantis? ;-)

[nullabona.livejournal.com]

I’m a Mitch watcher myself ever since I met the man a few years ago at the Chicago X Files convention. His wife was due at the time and he was waiting for page letting him know she was in labor. I’m 5’11 and he commented that I was tall. I initially bailed on the show after the 2nd ep. I really didn’t understand. I would watch SG1 and tune back in for BSG. I kept seeing recs for fic from people I’ve read for years and years (a lot like you) and gave the show a 2nd try about 2/3 into the season. For me, it’s the hot, Sheppard/Mckay geek-on-geek action—the show’s like a geek bathhouse….

[cy-girl.livejournal.com]

There's a show about Stargate? I saw the movie but didn't know a thing about a series.

File me under "clueless."

[the-shrike.livejournal.com]

I feel for your difficulty in starting to watch Atlantis. I seriously don't know that it's at all approachable for anyone that hasn't watched SG1. It's the most content heavy spinoff I know of. Meaning that it's so dependant and interlinked with SG1 that I can't imagine someone NOT finding it stupid watching it without any background. This ain't like watching DS9 without having seen TNG.

That said, to a fan of the franchise, it's awesome to have another show in the same universe.

The main trick is, imho, to put aside any problems you may have with wormhole travel - just ignore it if you can't stomach it. Accept that they have offered scientific basis for the wraith ability to suck the life out of people, regardless of whether you buy the explanation. Just try to enjoy the people on the show. In many ways it's got a kind of cowboy appeal that original ST had, though it may be a stretch for everyone to accept that.

Of course, to those who watched SG1, it's clear how they tried to "copy" a successful show: Evil Uber aliens Gould - Wraith, Comical unit commander O'Neill - Sheppard, goofy scientist Jackson - McKay, attractive competent woman Carter - Teyla. I think one of the reasons it works is because they have incorporated a relationship between the two shows, so Atlantis doesn't come off as a copy of the same show in another universe, despite it being largely so.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I have a bad feeling I'm kind of doomed. From what little I've seen and what everyone is telling me, this sounds like everything i hate wrapped up into a package. BUT! I have learned never to make up my mind until I try and while I did try it out once before, it didn't have Mitchster, and that might make a huge difference in terms of how I feel about it. I've watched a lot of SG, though, because some of my closest friends are into it, and read a lot of fic, and it still eludes me in terms of appeal. Sometimes, though, an actor you like can make an enormous difference.

[justacat.livejournal.com]

I'm right there with you too! No Stargate for me, thank you...

[maubast.livejournal.com]

I am apparently the only person in fandom who does not like the Stargate shows

Nay! I don't care one tiny bit for them. They bore me.

[fiercy.livejournal.com]

Add me to the hate Stargate list...