INTERVIEW: Martin Gero (Writer/Executive Producer)

[GateWorld]

AUDIO INTERVIEW: CROSSROADS GateWorld talks with Martin Gero Martin Gero talks with GateWorld about "Brain Storm," Universe and his movie! READ MORE ...

[Willow'sCat]

David, did you do this interview? Sorry I skimmed the start, I wasn't that interested in YPF!

Um, can I ask David (or if it was Darren) why you didn't bring up slash when you talked about the ship? I don't want to keep pushing the same old tired barrow here but you know as well as I do that fandom (SG-1/SGA) has slash fans, many fanfics have slash... well IMHO John and Rodney have more chemistry then McKay and Keller... or anyone on the show actually in anyway too!

So, what I am getting at in my usual long-winded style of post is this would have been a great opportunity to ask a PTB way they take small tiny slashy steps but never go for it on the show/s.

In all seriousness, I do want to know if it is just that SciFi or MGM wouldn't except it as a canon thing or whether it is just that Rob and Brad (who did write some of most slash centric Jack/Danny stuff IMHO on SG-1) think "homosexual content" is not PG enough for their franchise.

Are you as an interviewer, the guy asking the questions just not interested in what their answer maybe or do you think it is too much of a hot button issue to bring up?

I mean Martin wrote a movie called YPF... he seemed like the most ideal person to ask.

So fail on that. Sorry.

Win on getting him to slam the anti-Keller posters as really just disgruntled Beckett fans! I did the dance of joy! LOL!

[PG15]

You know what?

I think he gets it. I really do. I think he gets it more than most fans. I'm not talking about the quality of the show (that's purely subjective), but the type of self-reflection that goes into certain actions and things that he says. He knows what sets off fandom, he knows what words to avoid (and says them on purpose for ****s and giggles, I love that); he understands fandom. He's like...the fan's producer, and like any other fan, there are fans who dislike him for him and his opinons. The guy's been in fandom, and lived to tell about it. It feels as if he can anticipate what his words will set off.

I wish he posted here. It would be utterly, utterly pwnsome.

Oh, and that news comments section has got to go. It's a festering pond of ignorance, stupidity, and vulgarity; almost as bad as at YouTube.

[Willow'sCat]

He use to post here.

I think they all get it but they also seem to take so much fun in messing with us, which I get but it is kind of stupid. There comes a point, I reached it about two years ago, where you just want them to be honest about why they really write the show the way they do, but we get instead a lot of "towing the franchise line" instead.

If for example I read another interview where TPTB or the actors say about McKeller "there is so much chemistry" I will throw something at my monitor!

[PG15]

Originally Posted by Willow'sCat

He use to post here.

Oh yeah; forgot that.

He should post here again, then.

I think they all get it but they also seem to take so much fun in messing with us, which I get but it is kind of stupid. There comes a point, I reached it about two years ago, where you just want them to be honest about why they really write the show the way they do, but we get instead a lot of "towing the franchise line" instead.

Once they've said it once, that's all you need. They write it that way because 1). they want to write it that way and 2). there are external pressures sometimes.

I don't know; I don't see how it can get more complicated than that, and that's basically what they've said.

[Willow'sCat]

Originally Posted by PG15

Oh yeah; forgot that.

He should post here again, then.



Once they've said it once, that's all you need. They write it that way because 1). they want to write it that way and 2). there are external pressures sometimes.

I don't know; I don't see how it can get more complicated than that, and that's basically what they've said.

Yes but that is all very generic, that was my point. Joe M is a better at explaining why he does what he does as show runner, but Rob and Brad, not so much IMHO.

It is like they are saying the sky is blue just 'cause...end of story. Well it ain't the end of the story.

As for purely the writing side, well I still don't get why SGA became this waste land of unethical behaviour... and not even Joe Ms explanation of it not being so... well the proof is in the watching. Retro virus, Micheal... mass murder.... yeah all very ethical. Not! I would like to be treated as if I have a brain... because I actually do have a brain and maybe I can handle the truth. Even if the truth is they don't actually know why they do what they do.

[Linzi]

I actually thought David did a great job with his questions to Gero. So thank you David

I have to say, I'm with David on Keller, he summed up how I feel. I don't hate her - in fact sometimes she's pretty ok, heck, on occasion I've even liked her. But, she's just not my favourite and I personally feel pretty strongly Jewel was miscast as CMO. She's just too young to be in that role and as much as I like Jewel as Kaylee in Firefly and as much as I wanted Keller to be wonderful for me, she hasn't turned out to be. Now, if Keller was a junior doctor or a scientist, maybe I'd feel differently. I don't know.

I also feel that the writing for Keller hasn't been great, and instead of concentrating on her being a professional, mature, dedicated young female doctor, we've had a character all over the place emotionally, on the self-confidence front, on the medical front and on the scaredy-cat front too! The more TPTB have been desperate for the fandom to embrace Keller, the worse the character has become at times for me, though it does vary from writer to writer, IMO. When she's allowed to be a doctor, she's ok, I think. Other times, like with Beckett, you squeeze her into scenes for the sake of it and the cracks start to show.

I gave Keller so many chances. I kept listening to TPTB and Gero telling me to give her a chance and I said, ok, they haven't got it quite right, let's give them another chance, but at the end of the day, she's just not great and I don't know why that is really. Partly perhaps it's because Keller just doesn't come across as a committed doctor at times both in the writing and in her portrayal. Partly perhaps it's the Keller/McKay romance. It doesn't work for me and I find the writing for this 'ship' to be immature, unrealistic and not entertaining. It's all very juvenile teenage boy's idea of how romance and relationships mature, or in this case, don't!

I do take exception on Gero's assumption that Beckett fans are the main Keller dislikers - we have no proof of that and many fans I know weren't Beckett fans and they have just grown so tired of Keller.

I personally liked Beckett, though he annoyed me sometimes because I found him to be a bit hammy, and when he was killed off, I was surprised and saddened but I accepted it and moved on. Beckett was never my ultimate favourite and I just figured what's done is done. Thus when Keller was introduced in FS I was more than happy to like and embrace her into the show - I thought she had huge potential. Unfortunately, Missing ruined Keller for me and it took me a long time to start to enjoy her after that. By season 5 I was ok with Keller, though not impressed with her skills as a doctor etc. However, some season 5 episodes really made me feel irritated with Keller's behaviour and general characterisation and it's been these things and the focus on Keller and perhaps the romance which have ultimately made me realise I'll never love this character and never feel as if she's part of the core team on the show. Sometimes, when writers try to force characters on me it just doesn't work for me. They try too hard and lose sight of who the character should be, what his/her role should be, perhaps?

I have to admit that when Paul McGillion came back as Beckett in season 5, I felt he was superfluous and him being included was a waste of time. Either have him back as CMO, or don't, as far as I'm concerned. But, I have to admit, sometimes, as the old adage says, you don't quite realise what you've had until it's gone, and Beckett (and perhaps Paul's portrayal of a doctor, the CMO) just is more convincing as a dedicated, compassionate medic.

But, I did enjoy David's handling of the interview, even if I honestly think Gero has his head buried in the sand about some fan issues.

Brain Storm was one of the worst SGA episodes I've ever seen. It wasn't even like SGA, and the writing was lazy, inaccurate in terms of the weather details in some parts and the hypothermia medical scenes would have been much more accurate, believable and tense if the subject had been thoroughly researched. That is such a sign of laziness and in professional writing is inexcusable, IMO. It's not a matter of not liking Gero's script, because I generally do like his writing very much. It's just so disappointing to see something so casually tossed into a script with no proper research. It makes a mockery of the show, IMO, and as a fan I feel pretty insulted that I'm meant to just accept what's on screen even though it's glaringly inaccurate and laughable.

I'm glad Gero has wanted to dedicate so much time and effort to McKay, though some would argue it's not the right sort of dedication. It's such a terrible shame that he or other writers haven't bothered to do the same for the rest of the core cast. That, to me, has been a big failing. You play favourites all the time, and the ensemble cast becomes neglected. Brain Storm is a great example of what happens when you become self-indulgent as a writer, IMO. So many fans have been crying out for the team feel of the show, and so many episodes haven't had that. SG1 had that in leaps and bounds and it's been a continual disappointment to me in Season 5 that that aspect of the show has been forgotten. I'd hoped, if there had been a season 6, and certainly I hope in the movie that we can see some team interaction again. Because for me, that's the heart of the show, and it's sadly been lost and neglected in season 5 for the most part.

[SGFerrit]

Good interview. Gero does indeed get it. It's those posting in the comment section who don't. And they talk about him being arrogant and condescending. lol.

[Reiko]

His self-delusion over the Beckett/Keller issue is hysterical.

[fumblesmcstupid]

*looks around*

psst

*whispers* "you can't say anything bad about" *leans in closer* "about you know who"

*sticks head up and looks around some more* "you might get tossed in the pokey"

(Slithers back under the rock whence I came)

[Jumper_One]

excellent interview, thanks David

[Briangate78]

Marty G has always written some of my favorite eps for SGA. Maybe having him write on SGU might be good.

[Lythisrose]

It was interesting to see Marty G's point of view, and although I don't think he really "gets" the antipathy to McKeller or Keller, I was glad to get the insight into his thought processes.
While I like quite a few of his episodes, I can't help but think this year he has placed his personal fantasies featuring his favorites ahead of what is good for the show as a whole.
But I guess he has every right to do so, he's doing what he's paid for and none of the other PTB or evidently a fair number of the fans seem to mind.

[TwiceBorn]

Man, he used to be my favorite writer, but he's bombed lately. I don't really like his attitude, but hey, i get what he's trying. He's humorous and cute and all but when the fans are trying to get you to realize that your driving your show to the ground don't make fun of the for that. The McKeller bits in Brainstorm were pukeish lame and sickening. I don't know a nicer way to say it. Now hey, it's your show, so it's your right to ruin it. I'm not gonna run your show for you, but hey, at least respect me when i'm warning you in the most loving way i know how, that you're tearing down everything that made Stargate good. Frankly, i'm happy SGA was pulled. They can make up whatever reason they want to for why they canceled it, but hey, when a shows stinks, it gets pulled. For those of you who say "Look at the ratings!", well 1. They should be better. C'mon Sanctuary's beating us? I mean, it's not bad, but it wouldn't hold a candle to classic Stargate. and 2. Ratings don't mean anything to me. Look and High school Musical. Yes i compared Stargate to High school Musical, that's how far we've come. Just saying in love Mr. Gero: You are ruining your reputation as a good writer and driving this franchise into the ground. Do what you will with that, but i feel it must be said by loyal fans. Boy, he's blind.

Oh, and Ms. Staite: No offense, i think you're a wonderful person, but your character stinks. And when you say she's written well, you're either promoting your character, or just not very savvy when it comes to this field. Love ya to death, but please, you could do better than Keller. I hope you figure out that your wasted on this show and find something better because i really think you have it in you to play something interesting.

I say, move on to SGU and leave this rotting show lay. Make movies for McShep, but don't out to much effort into this. And please, get some new writers. Brad is a genius, and Gero can be great when he's not writing for the Disney channel, and they even have a few other talented people. But please, please, do not ruin the whole show before it evan airs. Ok, You "AntiMcKeller" haters can beat me up now. But don't judge me just because i can tell when a shows going downhill and want to stop it.

[PG15]

Originally Posted by TwiceBorn

Man, he used to be my favorite writer, but he's bombed lately. I don't really like his attitude, but hey, i get what he's trying. He's humorous and cute and all but when the fans are trying to get you to realize that your driving your show to the ground don't make fun of the for that. The McKeller bits in Brainstorm were pukeish lame and sickening. I don't know a nicer way to say it. Now hey, it's your show, so it's your right to ruin it. I'm not gonna run your show for you, but hey, at least respect me when i'm warning you in the most loving way i know how, that you're tearing down everything that made Stargate good. Frankly, i'm happy SGA was pulled. They can make up whatever reason they want to for why they canceled it, but hey, when a shows stinks, it gets pulled. For those of you who say "Look at the ratings!", well 1. They should be better. C'mon Sanctuary's beating us? I mean, it's not bad, but it wouldn't hold a candle to classic Stargate. and 2. Ratings don't mean anything to me. Look and High school Musical. Yes i compared Stargate to High school Musical, that's how far we've come. Just saying in love Mr. Gero: You are ruining your reputation as a good writer and driving this franchise into the ground. Do what you will with that, but i feel it must be said by loyal fans. Boy, he's blind.

There are so many things wrong with this paragraph it's not even funny.

Well, it's a little funny.

Please stop acting as if your opinion of the show is a fact, mmmkay? Just because you didn't like what's been happening lately doesn't mean the show's ruined (and it's already canceled; so who cares?); it just means it's ruined for you, to paraphrase Martin Gero.

He can make fun of the nutjob fans (i.e. those asshats commenting below the interview) as much as he wants; heck, I applaud him for it. It's a good thing Stargate has so many Execs who aren't afraid to call those idiots on their utter bull****. It's also not your job to "warn" him that the show's "turning bad". Please, your opinion only.

And finally, the "loyal fans" remark. Hilarious. Keep that elitist crap to yourself please, and stop speaking for the fandom as a whole.

If Marty G. is blind, he wouldn't have said:

GW: Not everyone, Martin. Not everyone hates [Earth-based episodes]. They're just so different.

MG: A lot of people do, and I understand it. People like the show they like. They give us a lot of leeway, I think, to try new things. But historically they haven't loved Earth shows. I, however, like them a great deal. Unfortunately I am under the employ, so I get to do something that I like every now and again. Not that I don't like them all.

So I did it with a heavy heart. I was like, "Ah, this is going to be a tough one to have people like." Plus I knew it was going to be a really shippy episode. That was, again, strike two up here in the back of my head. "Not right."

He knows; he just chose to do it anyway because it's his (and his fellow execs') show. You don't like it? Tough; that's your problem.

Ok, You "AntiMcKeller" haters can beat me up now. But don't judge me just because i can tell when a shows going downhill and want to stop it.

Done. Also, no, you can't tell when a show's going downhill. No one can. You can only speak for yourself. Yeah, the show's gone downhill in your eyes, but then that's meaningless to me.

[Pandora's_Box]

TwiceBorn? Imagine me saying exactly what PG15 said only more sarcasticly and possibly less eloquently.

We fans are allowed to verbally slam TPTB into high Hell and oblivion all we want, but God forbid they do the same in defense of their jobs and their passions.

But you're right, fans do know best. Too bad we can't all agree on what it is we all know so much about.

[Skydiver]

Pushes people to their corners with the obligatory reminder to

Not make personal remarks about TPTB
Not make personal remarks about other fans
Not make broad generalizations about other fans and fan groups

[Skydiver]

Let's take it easy on thr throwing around of terms like 'loyal' or 'true' or other descriptors for fans.

Define the terms.

what quantifies a 'loyal' or 'true' fan?

You cant' define it, thus it's often used as little more than a perjorative term, used to make one group feel better about themselves by knocking others down.

not only that, it's off topic here really.

So let's keep your comments about YOUR PERSONAL OPINIONS about MG's interview, and leave the analzying other fans out of it.

[Briangate78]

Originally Posted by Skydiver

what quantifies a 'loyal' or 'true' fan?

Come on now, anyone who does not like Stargate Atlantis anymore is not a loyal or true fan, they are beneath the true fans and should be treated like yesterday's garbage.

Hopefully you know I am kidding.

[Skydiver]

i do know that you're off topic