Mid season two-parter - Pre Airing Discussion and speculation

[Steve_the_Wraith]

It's a little early I know, especially considering we don't have any spoilers, heck even rumours about the episodes but we do know one thing, Joe Mallozzi is writing this one himself. Which makes a change from the usual Martin Gero cliffhangers, not that I don't love Martin's stuff but alittle change now and again never hurt anyone. Mallozzi has said that the episodes will be unlike any Atlantis 2-parters so far...

So how do people feel about this, Joe Mallozzi reputation as a writer especially for Atlantis has taken a knocking recently. 2 high profile cases are the episodes, "The Tower" and "Irresponsible" which alot of people flat out hate, he also wrote the episode "Misbegotten", which received alot of criticism. However Mallozzi has also been responsible for some solid if less notorius episodes aswell such as Suspicion, Home, Siege Part 2, and Intruder

What do people think?
For me I'm feeling abit nervous about the whole thing Mallozzi wrote some great SG-1 stories over the years ("Window of Oppurtunity" for example) but his Atlantis writing career and some of his latest SG-1 stories have been dissapointing. Also the mid-season two parter is so important in bringing back an audience after the hiatus, especially this year with Atlantis striving to exist on its own without SG-1 as a running partner (cross promotion only help the show imo)

[Mitchell82]

It's a little early I know, especially considering we don't have any spoilers, heck even rumours about the episodes but we do know one thing, Joe Mallozzi is writing this one himself. Which makes a change from the usual Martin Gero cliffhangers, not that I don't love Martin's stuff but alittle change now and again never hurt anyone. Mallozzi has said that the episodes will be unlike any Atlantis 2-parters so far...

So how do people feel about this, Joe Mallozzi reputation as a writer especially for Atlantis has taken a knocking recently. 2 high profile cases are the episodes, "The Tower" and "Irresponsible" which alot of people flat out hate, he also wrote the episode "Misbegotten", which received alot of criticism. However Mallozzi has also been responsible for some solid if less notorius episodes aswell such as Suspicion, Home, Siege Part 2, and Intruder

What do people think?
For me I'm feeling abit nervous about the whole thing Mallozzi wrote some great SG-1 stories over the years ("Window of Oppurtunity" for example) but his Atlantis writing career and some of his latest SG-1 stories have been dissapointing. Also the mid-season two parter is so important in bringing back an audience after the hiatus, especially this year with Atlantis striving to exist on its own without SG-1 as a running partner (cross promotion only help the show imo)

Well I like Joe M's writting, though I do have a distaste to theman from time to time. I think his eps are usually very good so I think it will be fine.

[PG15]

Correction: Paul Mullie wrote both "The Tower" and "Misbegotten", and Joe detests how Irresponsible turned out (as do we all ;)).

Anyway, Joe is not the strongest writer, but he seems to do pretty well with mid-season 2 parters and season finales; case in point, "Camelot" and "The Quest"; so I'm not worried.

[Steve_the_Wraith]

To be really accurate Paul Mullie and Joe Mallozzi wrote "The Tower" and "Misbegotten" together

[PG15]

Nope, according to Joe's blog, Mullie was responsible for both.


Anonymous #3 writes: “Of the scripts you've written, which in your opinion was the bigger disappointment The Tower or Irresponsible?”

Answer: 1) Paul wrote The Tower. 2) Far from being a disappointment, I actually liked The Tower. Granted, it was an atypical episode, but I thought Paul did a great job creating some very entertaining guest characters. 3) Irresponsible.


For Misbegotten, you'll need to go search through Joe's old blog at Gateworld; however, I do remember a period of time when Mullie was trying different titles like "The Misbegotten" or "The Begotten" and so forth; therefore, it's logical to assume that he himself wrote it, and that Joe had as much to do with it as any of the other writers (that is to say, A LOT).

EDIT: Huh, that was easy; here are some passages from Joe's old blog showing that Paul wrote Misbegotten:


Paul's Atlantis script has been renamed once again, from The Begotten to, now, The Misbegotten. Chances are good it will have yet another title next week.



Good news! Paul finally has a title for his script. Atlantis, episode 2: The Begotten. Quick, make it official before he changes his mind!


After much discussion, Paul still doesn't have a name for the show's second episode. Potential titles have included: "Remnants", "Executive Decision" and, my favorite, "The Grapes of Wraith".


Spoke to Paul and he's busy working on episode 2 of Atlantis, the one where Beckett finds himself "trapped in the asylum when the inmates take over". He says he's having a great time for "that Star Trek alumni" who will be making a first appearance on Atlantis.

[Agent_Dark]

To be really accurate Paul Mullie and Joe Mallozzi wrote "The Tower" and "Misbegotten" together

They don't write many, if any, episodes together like they used too. Too busy.

[Steve_the_Wraith]

According to Gateworld they wrote the episodes together

[BJX]

I'm not particularly worried, granted I'd be more confident if it was a Gero script but I have high hopes for season 4 and Joe really seems to have a clear idea of what to do with the season, so I'm remaining confident. Plus a big part of the story for these episodes was pitched by Brad Wright so I'm sure it will turn out great.

[Iambob]

Ok so since that question was answered, what would all of you like to see in the mid season 2-parter? I would like either a very wide scale battle for Atlantis, or something involving lots of action and suspense in both episodes.

[Mitchell82]

Ok so since that question was answered, what would all of you like to see in the mid season 2-parter? I would like either a very wide scale battle for Atlantis, or something involving lots of action and suspense in both episodes.

I'd like to see the Wraith find us again in our new location, and while the Wraith are preparing for an assault the asurans come to destroy the Wraith and us.

[PG15]

According to Gateworld they wrote the episodes together

And according to the writer himself, they didn't. :p

[Mitchell82]

And according to the writer himself, they didn't. :p

*talks in oneill voice* Hmmm two conflicting statements? Odd.

[Ravroz]

I agree with before a large battle over Atlantis would be pretty sweet. One involving the deddy the apollo and maybe an Ancient ship or two. Maybe including both the Wraith and the Asurans at the same time.

[Mitchell82]

I agree with before a large battle over Atlantis would be pretty sweet. One involving the deddy the apollo and maybe an Ancient ship or two. Maybe including both the Wraith and the Asurans at the same time.

Thats exactly what I want to see.

[kymeric]

Well out of 3 seasons 2 have had Atlantis in direct danger, and the other had a big honking space battle. So im sure its safe to assume it wont be SUNDAY 2, where we see what they do on their OTHER day off.

[Mitchell82]

Well out of 3 seasons 2 have had Atlantis in direct danger, and the other had a big honking space battle. So im sure its safe to assume it wont be SUNDAY 2, where we see what they do on their OTHER day off.

Well I doubt it since that wasnt a two parter.

[expendable_crewman]

Ok so since that question was answered, what would all of you like to see in the mid season 2-parter?Whatever it is, I hope it opens up the show to something new. I really, really love space battles, but they don't hold me over a hiatus anymore. The mid-season ep's got to have the potential to change something ... although whether or no the conclusion changes stuff is not the point. The cliffhangar just has to give the impression it could.

It's got to put in jeopardy something that can actually be damaged or destroyed, like a main character's reputation or a favorite recurring character's life. I know the city isn't going to get blown out of space or water or whatever, no matter how big or many the guns that are pointed at it. That's why drawing out a battle doesn't work for me. I love the action but action alone doesn't sustain me. The cliffhangar has to have stuff running under the surface.

Oh, and easy on the rest button, please! Can't we give that button a sabbatical for season 4? That would be great. Wrong thread, sorry, but I'd like for everything that happens in season 4 to have consequences that resonate through arcs. And when the reset button gets back for season 5, I hope it's got a better agent and some really firm "terms and conditions."

[Starxgate]

Would be cool to see a Wraith army head to Atlantis & a Wraith army head to the Asuran home world & the Asurans & Atlantis team makes a timed agreement / team up. With Atlantis now having a new leader I would think the Asuran leader would be open to new discussions & giving the new leader has alot more military experience the Asuran leader would hopefully be mature enough to give Carter a chance & they come to a temp agreement until the Wraith & Michaels bug army are destroyed since the Wraith are a threat to both.

[Darren]

GateWorld lists the official "Written By" screen credit that you'll see on the episode. As a writing team, for the past several years Joe and Paul have primarily written episodes on their own and then sent it over to the other guy for another pass / revisions.

That's why there's an apparent discrepancy. Paul predominantly wrote "The Tower," but after the writing process is done (and, I believe, contractually) they are co-credited for all their episodes.

[Mitchell82]

Would be cool to see a Wraith army head to Atlantis & a Wraith army head to the Asuran home world & the Asurans & Atlantis team makes a timed agreement / team up. With Atlantis now having a new leader I would think the Asuran leader would be open to new discussions & giving the new leader has alot more military experience the Asuran leader would hopefully be mature enough to give Carter a chance & they come to a temp agreement until the Wraith & Michaels bug army are destroyed since the Wraith are a threat to both.

I seriously doubt we will team up with the Asurans. More likely, I hope anyway, the Wraith will come to attack and the asurans will come to attack the wraith and us.

[prion]

I'd like to see the mid-season break NOT one where once again, the city is under attack. It's been done already! These cliffhangers are a waste of time because by the time the second half starts up, everybody will have forgotten the first half anyway.

I can't say that Joe Mallozzi reportedly writing this episode(s) will be good or bad, unless he rips off another one of his SG1 scripts.... (Sorry, he has a tendency to do that).

[Mitchell82]

I'd like to see the mid-season break NOT one where once again, the city is under attack. It's been done already! These cliffhangers are a waste of time because by the time the second half starts up, everybody will have forgotten the first half anyway.

I can't say that Joe Mallozzi reportedly writing this episode(s) will be good or bad, unless he rips off another one of his SG1 scripts.... (Sorry, he has a tendency to do that).

Well I like those stories but mabey you're correct. Still I have faith for a good ep.

[PG15]

Well, I asked Joe a few weeks ago about it, asking whether it'll be similar to the others:


Peter writes: “Can you drop any hints with regards to the mid-season 2 parter? It seems to me that most of these 2 parters have something attacking/taking Atlantis (except Lost Boys/Hive). Will this be similar?”

Answer: No hints but I will say that it will be very different from previous mid-season two-parters.


So...I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[Platschu]

I think they should make more two-partner or three-partner episode in the next season(s). Instict-Conversion, Progeny-The Real World were quite good, so they should give up the season start, mid season two patner, season end cliff-hanger cliche. I would like to see next to the two-partners 3-4 episode long story arcs for every main character. ;)

[Mitchell82]

I think they should make more two-partner or three-partner episode in the next season(s). Instict-Conversion, Progeny-The Real World were quite good, so they should give up the season start, mid season two patner, season end cliff-hanger cliche. I would like to see next to the two-partners 3-4 episode long story arcs for every main character. ;)

That would tie up too much of the season. They need enough room for primary stories, as well as stand alones.

[Gen_J_O'Neill]

^^ from what Ive read on JM's blog there's going to be more arcs. As in themes that run through a series of eps, and less stand alones that have that dreaded reset button. I for one am happy about that!

I have a feeling this cliffhanger will have something to do with the wraith and our new 'Allies'! Dont ask me why, I just have a feeling. Id love to see some type of war thing though!

[sparkygate]

Im hoping that the mid season two-parter will have to do with the war between the wraith and asurans and the atlantean team... oooo some thing bigs gootta happen!! :D

[PG15]

Small tidbit on this episode's behind the scenes stuff:


Anonymous #1 writes: “Is this script the one for the first part of the mid-season two-parter? Have you named it yet? Are you going to write the second part of the mid-season two-parter? Or, is Carl Binder writing the second part?”

Answers: Yes. Yes. No. No.

[Mitchell82]

^^ from what Ive read on JM's blog there's going to be more arcs. As in themes that run through a series of eps, and less stand alones that have that dreaded reset button. I for one am happy about that!

I have a feeling this cliffhanger will have something to do with the wraith and our new 'Allies'! Dont ask me why, I just have a feeling. Id love to see some type of war thing though!

Oh me too. I for one am glad that the season will be darker and involve more character related plots.