March 15, 2007

So I'm sitting here, trying to gather some kind of inspiration and motivation for starting this blog -- and it's pretty difficult. The question immediately comes to mind: why? I think the reason is a simple one. Whenever you put time into trying to put together a blog entry with some assumingly interesting info on upcoming episodes, you'll end up getting no reaction or response whatsover. Leaving me only with one conclusion -- people couldn't care less about this blog. So I've been thinking about just giving it one final entry, sort of a grand finale, and then just call it a wrap. Why let a blog slowly die, if you it can go out with some honor, and with a bang? But then again, what if I get the urge to blog again at some point in the future. Do I start a new blog? So the decision was an easy one: the blog must go on! Regardless of whether or not anyone gives a damn about it. It ain't going anywhere. Eventually, probably, it will. But not yet.

Of course, one has to wonder what the reasons could be for the lack of responses. Not only talking about this blog, but about everything in general. The funny thing is we're not actually asking people to talk to us, as in the team behind Stargate: Horizon. The forum is also there so that the fans can discuss their series amongst each other. But alas, there seems to be no motivation to do that. Everything is silent. People are either loving or hating the show. But one thing's for sure -- if they love it, they won't actually tell us.

So feel free to bring up your own suggestions for how to get some more activity going on the forum -- that is if that's something you'd like to see.

Anyway. Might as well through in some updates on what's currently going on here around the production offices. We're about a month away from wrapping any major work on writing the season. Outlines are done up to episode 22. 23 and 24 are in outline development.

And once more there's been changes with regard to some episode titles. What used to be known as "Conspiracy" has been renamed into "Hidden Agendas," because it's really not a conspiracy. After some uncertainty over wether "The Guardians" is a better title for episode 20 or "The Higher Plane," we're currently sticking to the latter. Don't be surprised if it changes again, but as of right now that's unlikely.

We're still struggling with the right title for episode 21. Originally it was called "Vendetta." When working out the final outline, I realized that "Shades of Grey" would make an interesting title, because of all the shades of grey that happen in this episode. But then Mike kindly informed me that "Shades of Grey" is a title already used on Stargate -- on Stargate SG-1 to be precise. "Bad Blood" was then suggested as another title. And while the outline still refers to the episode as "Shades of Grey," one thing's for sure -- that will still change in one way or another. Perhaps we'll just go with "Shades of Yellow" instead, even though some seem to prefer "Shades of Blue." Also in the race: "Shades of Green," because we do actually see chevrons in this episode, and "Shades of Pink," for no reason whatsoever. But my current favorite on the list of potential titles would have to be "Shades of Goldenrod."

While we're still deciding on 21, we've got a great and very unique title for episode 22: "So Near The Darkness And The Night." That, of course, is just a more creative and poetic way of saying: "Impending Doom."

As for the writing of the scripts, I'm working my way through "The Higher Plane." Marc's taking on "Shades of Whatever-Color-You-Prefer," and Mike's working on "So Near The Darkness And The Night."

Overall I couldn't be happier with this seven episode arc. In fact, I'll even compare it the the ending of Season One, where a lot of fans seem to believe that with "The Enoly" the series took a huge leap in terms of quality. Well, naturally that's up for our silent fans to decide for themselves, but I think that with the ending of Season Three, the series is about to take another leap like that, setting the bar very high come Season Four. One surprise twist follows the other during these final seven episodes. Add one or two shocks along the way, and voila: it's 24 in space, but without the real time, and with space ships and aliens.

And I guarantee you that at the ending of episode 22, you won't be able to tell just what will happen in the two part finale. All bets are off. And as of right now... not even we know what will happen. We've discussed ideas, but at this point we're taking it scene by scene. Should be interesting.

I should also talk briefly about the upcoming episode "Together We Stand." It was highly anticepated a couple of weeks ago, and while everyone seems to have gotten quiet about it lately, I do hope that the anticepation is still there. We all consider this episode as one of the best we've ever done, and I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we're very proud of it, and how it deals with a very compelling issue.

Let me put it this way: this is our version of "Saving Private Ryan." It's a drama about a group of people, who end up facing the brutality of war as no one would ever want to. Things get very powerful, intense and brutal. And at it's core, it's a story that sends a message out there, reminding people of something that no one should ever forget about.

And with that, I'll sign off, wondering if anyone will ever read this blog. Either way, they won't say anything. That gives me an idea actually: perhaps in my next blog, I could post all spoilers from next week's episode up to the what we're currently working on, and see what happens.

I might do that. But until then, good night and good luck!

Alex