GateWorld Podcast

Stargate Universe has returned with a vengeance, offering up a mid-season premiere with action, effects ... and aliens! Darren and David talk about "Space" in this week's installment of the GateWorld Podcast, from the very alien aliens to Rush's return, from the strength of our shields to Chloe's new-found inquisitiveness. We'll also analyze the way we think the communication stones work, versus how they've been shown in Stargate's past. Tune in to find out why we think "Space" is SGU's best yet. Before the main discussion we'll also talk about what's up at GateWorld, particularly last week's editor's column and the response it has received. (Look for the Episode #84 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net!)

This week we complete our long "Stargate History" series of podcasts (we've already covered SGA Season Five)! We've made it to the fourth season of Stargate Atlantis, which saw changes both in front of the camera and behind it. From Replicators and Todd to Michael and the Midway Station, this year gave us some of Stargate's funnest moments and best episodes. We'll talk about what we liked and what we didn't through all 20 episodes. (Look for the Episode #83 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

The heroes of the Stargate universe have done some "damned distasteful things" over the years, often walking the moral line ... and sometimes crossing it. In Stargate Universe, however, the writers' goal was to avoid the heroic archetypes and create characters who are all varying shades of grey. But can we as viewers still love these characters and engage in their stories? We can relate to their imperfections ... but can we look up to them? In this week's episode of the podcast GateWorld's Darren and David talk about the "anti-heroes" of SGU, and the capacity of such true-to-life characters for real heroism. If you haven't seen the show yet, beware of spoilers through the end of "Justice," the mid-season finale that aired in December. There are only two week remaining until new episodes return! (Look for the Episode #82 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

The third season of Stargate Atlantis was pivotal for the show: the writers introduced new bad guys, brought back Richard Dean Anderson's Jack O'Neill, and wrote out two major characters (... though their stories would go on). In this week's podcast GateWorld's Darren and David will talk about the highs, lows, and important character developments in Season Three -- from "No Man's Land" to "First Strike," complete with showdowns, flashbacks, sisters, and fond farewells. And we'll hear from you! In an extra-large Listener Mail segment, Stargate fans sound off about women in the franchise, keeping up with the Destiny, the studio's selling off of Stargate props, and more. (Look for the Episode #81 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

Darren and David step aside this week for a discussion on the role and portrayal of women and gender in the Stargate universe. Joining David (who acts as moderator) are two of our favorite guests from podcasts of yore -- Louisa Robison and Tame Farrar. We'll talk about everything from how much (or how little) the women characters have been fleshed out, men showing emotion, to SGU's lesbian relationship. Is Sam Carter faultless? Are Vala and Sam two sides of the same coin? How do Drs. Fraiser and Keller compare? And does Stargate's all-male writing team need a woman to better capture the voice of women? We'll look at all these questions and more in one of our most challenging discussions in 80 episodes of the GateWorld Podcast. (Look for the Episode #80 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

This week on the podcast we're pitting our beloved Stargate against one of our other favorite shows (now becoming a franchise in its own right), Battlestar Galactica! It's the second in our occasional "Versus" podcasts, following last year's show on Stargate vs. Star Trek. We'll discuss the very different tones of the shows, their approach to storytelling and long-term arcs, and how viewers become invested in those stories. We'll also talk about Stargate Universe as a bit of a departure from the typical Stargate storytelling, closer instead to the dark, dramatic approach of BSG. And of course, we'll hear what you have to say about these two venerable sci-fi franchises! (Look for the Episode #79 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

Our look back at the history of Stargate Atlantis continues this week with an episode-by-episode walk through Season Two! This year introduced some important characters and storylines (Michael and the hybrids, Colonel Caldwell, the iratus bug retrovirus), strong episodes that delivered both adventure and thoughtful character stories, but also a few stories that didn't do it for us. We'll talk about everything from "The Siege, Part 3″ to "Allies," the departure of Aiden Ford, the addition of Ronon Dex to the team, and more. (Look for the Episode #78 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, John Sheppard, Rodney McKay -- we love 'em, and we love the actors who bring the characters of Stargate to life. We welcome them into our homes, cheer for them at conventions, and thank them for inspiring us. But just how big a role do the actors play in creating the characters we love? Do we, as fans of Stargate or any television show, not give the writers enough credit for conceiving the character, writing the dialogue, and sending him or her on adventures? That's this week's discussion topic on the podcast, as David and Darren consider the role of the actor, the role of the writer, and what goes into making some of our favorite TV characters who they are. (Look for the Episode #77 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

It's time for Open Line Night on the GateWorld Podcast! These are the shows where we talk about whatever is on your mind, be it Stargate or other sci-fi television and film. Joining Darren and David for this week's conversation is our friend Michael Hinman, owner and site coordinator of Airlock Alpha -- one of the Internet's premiere genre news sites! Up for discussion are things like Avatar, Star Trek Online, Stargate: Resistance, TV broadcast and DVD release strategies, a moon base for Stargate Command, Syfy's new series Caprica, and more. (Look for the Episode #76 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

We're going back to the past this week, as the GateWorld Podcast's series on Stargate history continues! David and Darren talk about the first season of Stargate Atlantis, which aired on Syfy Channel from 2004 to 2005. How successful was the first spin-off show in its early days? Which episodes stand out the most, and which story elements (and characters) were rightly set aside? We'll talk about everything from "Rising" to "The Siege," and hear from listeners about your favorite episodes. (Look for the Episode #75 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

The GateWorld Podcast returns for 2010! In our first show of the new year, Darren and David are weighing in on the first half of Stargate Universe's premiere season. Now that we've seen 10 episodes, what do we think of the show? Who are the stand-out characters? Is the balance right between character drama and plot-driving action? How well does SGU carry on the Stargate legacy, and how is it doing judged solely on its own merits? We'll also hear from listeners on the topic of SGU So Far, and other topics in Listener Mail. (Look for the Episode #74 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

We're wrapping up 2009, a big year of transition for the Stargate franchise, on this week's podcast! Darren and David will look back on the last 12 months, from the final bow of Stargate Atlantis in January to the SGU premiere, our trips to the Stargate conventions in Vancouver and Chicago, Comic-Con, plus the long lead-up to the start of the third Stargate series. We'll also get David to weigh-in on "Justice," and hear from some listeners on their personal Stargate high-points of the year. Our last show of the year wraps up with a special treat for Stargate fans: "PX-75309," a Stargate parody song by the band Sci-Fried! To hear more and learn about the band, visit them at Sci-FriedBand.com. Happy Holidays, and we'll see you in 2010! (Look for the Episode #73 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.)

Ten episodes later, and we've reached the mid-season finale of Stargate Universe! This week on the podcast we'll talk about "Justice," with Justin Nolan from The 5th Race Podcast sitting in for David (who is on assignment). Darren and Justin will talk about how "Justice" starts to pay off the show's slow build, law on board the Destiny and the ship's growing culture of military versus civilian, and who sat in the Ancient chair ... and why. And how about that cliffhanger ending - with a jaw-dropping conclusion to the first half of the season, yet a very unheroic action for one of our "heroes." We'll also make some predictions about how the story will be resolved when SGU returns next spring. In the Quibbles segment, we'll discuss Eli's discovery of the gun, Franklin's fate, and more. And we'll also find out what listeners think about the mid-season finale. Look for the Episode #72 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.

Let's talk about sex! The amount of sex and its portrayal on Stargate Universe has been a major source of discussion and debate over the last nine weeks. On this week's show the GateWorld guys are joined by FusedFilm.com's Kevin Coll. We'll talk about good use and bad use of sex on television to develop characters and relationships; sexuality and Vanessa James's character; and the use of Ancient communication stones to have sex with someone while occupying another person's body. Do you lose rights to your body when you agree to a body-swap? We'll also hear from listeners on this important subject. Before we get to the main discussion this week, we'll welcome David back and hear what he thought about the last new episode of Stargate Universe, "Life." Look for the Episode #71 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.

Stargate Universe heads into its final episodes of 2009 with "Life," last Friday's new and somewhat controversial episode. GateWorld's own Darren and Tame are talking about the ins and outs of the episode in this week's podcast. What do we think of gay characters on SGU, and how Camille and Sharon's relationship was portrayed? How about the surprises in store for Lt. Scott and Colonel Young when they returned home to Earth? And just what is that chair on the Destiny all about? There's a lot to discuss in this episode, which turned from more traditional sci-fi back to the drama well. We'll also hear what listeners have to say about "Life," as well as more on last week's stellar episode, "Time." And we'll nitpick a bit about this week's episode in the Quibbles segment. Look for the Episode #70 Show Notes now at GateWorld.net.