Orlando Sentinel: Carson Beckett's return promises to be 'shocking'

[prion]

Oddly enough, not really, Skiffy is slow on the update, but this article references an article not yet up on SciFi. Must have been a PR release…



http://www.orlandosentinel.com/enter...0744.storylink

Dr. Carson Beckett to return to "Stargate Atlantis"
Posted on Aug 8, 2007 10:57:11 AM

"Stargate Atlantis" fans wanted it, and thus it shall be. At least for two episodes.

Dr. Carson Beckett (played by Paul McGillion) will be back for two installments of the Sci Fi Channel show. The fourth season begins Sept. 28.

Sci Fi Channel made the announcement Wednesday with this cryptic sentence that the reports of Beckett's demise "have been greatly exaggerated ... or have they?"

That's a shrewd way to tease fans. And there's more from Sci Fi: "It was the fan cry heard 'round the Pegasus galaxy when Dr. Beckett was unexpectedly killed in an explosion at the end of season 3. His return to Atlantis promises to be every bit as shocking."

Make of that what you will. But it's a way to keep fans talking.

Sci Fi Channel said the series also will feature guest appearances by Torri Higginson and Christopher Judge.

[morjana]

From NBC/Universal:

http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail...lionretur.html

PAUL MCGILLION RETURNS TO 'STARGATE ATLANTIS'

Published: August 8, 2007


Fan Favorite Returns for Two Episodes

Torri Higginson and Christopher Judge Also Guest Star in New Season


New York, NY – August 8, 2007 – Reports of Dr. Carson Beckett's untimely demise last season on SCI FI's Stargate Atlantis have been greatly exaggerated…or have they? Paul McGillion will reprise his role as everyone's favorite Scottish physician in a two-episode arc during the series' fourth season, which will premiere on Friday, September 28 at 10pm ET/PT.

It was the fan cry heard 'round the Pegasus galaxy when Dr. Beckett was unexpectedly killed in an explosion at the end of season 3. His return to Atlantis promises to be every bit as shocking.

In addition to McGillion's return, Atlantis viewers can also look forward to season 4 guest appearances by Torri Higginson ("Dr. Elizabeth Weir") and Stargate SG-1's Christopher Judge ("Teal'c").

Stargate Atlantis is executive produced by Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie. The series is currently in production on its fourth original season in Vancouver, BC. with Mallozzi and Mullie sharing the reins as showrunners.

The Stargate legacy continues to burn bright on SCI FI with the fourth original season of Atlantis. Amanda Tapping, one of the most beloved stars in the Stargate universe, travels to the Pegasus galaxy to join the Atlantis cast by reprising her role as television's most adored astrophysicist, Colonel Samantha Carter. Firefly's Jewel Staite also joins the cast this season as "Dr. Jennifer Keller." Taking the torch from SG-1 as television's most thrilling adventure series, Atlantis, promises to up the ante this season by introducing a powerful new race, welcoming new cast members and mourning the loss of some beloved friends.

[prion]

More at http://m2tv.typepad.com/m2tv/2007/08...-makes-it.html

SCI FI Makes It Official: Paul McGillion Returns to Stargate Atlantis
In a press release distributed this morning, SCI FI Channel made it official: Paul McGillion, the actor who captured fan hearts as the compassionate Scot on Stargate Atlantis, will reprise his role for a fourth season, two episode arc. McGillion's character, Dr. Carson Beckett, was abruptly offed in an explosion during a third season episode titled "Sunday."


and


http://www.multichannel.com/blog/130...470012847.html

SCI FI Makes It Official: Paul McGillion Returns to Stargate Atlantis
August 8, 2007

excerpt:

In a press release distributed this morning, SCI FI Channel made it official: Paul McGillion, the actor who captured fan hearts as the compassionate Scot on Stargate Atlantis, will reprise his role for a fourth season, two episode arc. McGillion's character, Dr. Carson Beckett, was abruptly offed in an explosion during a third season episode titled "Sunday."

/cut/

The "savecarson" flag is now hanging on my office wall. So, a shout-out to SCI FI and MGM and showrunner Joe Mallozzi: I'm with the fans. Bring back Paul. Even if the writing has been uneven at times, the Atlantis ensemble cast is neat and Paul synced nicely, infusing the ensemble with a shimmer of warmth.

Recently, I bumped into an acquaintance of mine - a thirty-eight y.o., highly paid political consultant from Oakland. He broached the subject of Atlantis, then carried on. Unbeknownst to me, he's a big Atlantis fan. He had no idea that Carson Beckett was being offed and he was upset. "I watch that show for the ensemble," he complained, "and relationships develop among all the characters. They're screwing with the dynamic. When you slice out that character, you disrupt the dynamic. It starts to fall apart."

So there you have it - from the cherry demographic. Young male, high income. It's not just us ladies.

The fan campaigners tell me Paul is willing to sign if the series is renewed for a fifth season. So, let's just do it. Option him. Mary waves her little savecarson.com flag.

[prion]

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-pa...news-headlines

Dr. Beckett Is in on 'Stargate: Atlantis'
Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Teal'c also join the Pegasus galaxy
August 8, 2007
Paul McGillion, 'Stargate: Atlantis'
"Stargate: Atlantis" won't let a little thing like death stand in the way of pleasing the fans.

After Dr. Carson Beckett's untimely demise last season, the Sci Fi Channel has announced that actor Paul McGillion will reprise his role as the popular Scottish physician in a two-episode arc for the upcoming fourth season.

In the Season 3 episode titled "Sunday," Beckett had unsuccessfully tried to dispose of an explosive tumor he had removed from a patient.

When the fans vehemently protested his undignified death, the producers reconsidered their action and figured out a way to bring him back in the flesh, and not as a flashback or a Beckett from the past or an alternate universe. According to executive producer Joe Mallozzi, a late Season 3 episode offers a "clue" about Beckett.

[PG15]

Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Teal'c also join the Pegasus galaxy

That is going to piss people off...

[the dancer of spaz]

That is going to piss people off...

Already done.

[morjana]

That is going to piss people off...

Didn't Joe Mallozzi mention a one time appearance by CJ?

And we already knew that Torri would be in four episodes.

Oh look - TV Guide Online has the news report too!
From TV Guide Online:

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-en...sDate=12345678

TV Guide News Report

Dr. Carson Beckett Returns to Stargate: Atlantis

Sci Fi bowed to fan wishes and is reviving Paul McGillion’s beloved Dr.
Carson Beckett for a two-episode arc when Stargate: Atlantis returns in September. “His return to Atlantis promises to be every bit as shocking” as his death, the network announced today in a release.

Fans were indeed shocked (and incensed) when the producers killed the Scottish doc in a explosion at the end of Season 3. In true cult-show fashion, they started a Save Carson campaign that included a press kit, an interactive DVD and a rally complete with bagpipes at the show’s Vancouver studios. The campaigners also showed up at Comic-Con with 700 Save Carson flags and yes, another piper. “We’re absolutely going to keep up our campaign,” says resolute campaign spokesperson Jennifer Kirk. ”We’re very happy that NBC, Sci Fi and the writers listened to us, but we’re going to fight for a full return in Season 5.”

Is there a chance? According to Kirk, the show-runner, Joe Mallozzi, told them Beckett “would be real flesh and blood and doors would remain open” for his further return. “We urge them to use that door.”

— Reporting by Ileane Rudolph

[PG15]

Well, it's the "Dr. Elizabeth Weir [...] join the Pegasus galaxy" part; she ain't joining, she was the first one there!

[morjana]

Well, it's the "Dr. Elizabeth Weir [...] join the Pegasus galaxy" part; she ain't joining, she was the first one there!

Oh.

See...I TOLD you that flocking was affecting me!

That stuff is powerful. It's essence wafts across the internet, and invades my olfactory senses, and interfers with the carbon hardrive's quantum flux inhibitions.

Or maybe it's gas?

Yeah, probably gas.

Morjana

[prion]

Quote:
from article:
Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Teal'c also join the Pegasus galaxy

from PG15
That is going to piss people off...

Oh yeah, definitely. I don't know who writes these press releases but I think they don't watch the show and used to work for Lifetime channel.

ALthough technically the original PR said "In addition to McGillion's return, Atlantis viewers can also look forward to season 4 guest appearances by Torri Higginson ("Dr. Elizabeth Weir") and Stargate SG-1's Christopher Judge ("Teal'c"). " Zap2it.com just took liberties, or else they don't watch the show.

so anybody who missed the massive bruhaha over Weir being deepsixed is going to go "WTF?!" Perhaps they need to get someone to do damage control....but then they're showing ads with the wrong time ...

[PG15]

Oh.

See...I TOLD you that flocking was affecting me!

That stuff is powerful. It's essence wafts across the internet, and invades my olfactory senses, and interfers with the carbon hardrive's quantum flux inhibitions.

Or maybe it's gas?

Yeah, probably gas.

Morjana

Hahaha!!

[Jenner8675309]

Wow, I didn't know TV Guide was going to run that so fast, I just spoke to her today!

Check out the SCB thread for more Carson-returning press!

[morjana]

SGA - SciFi Wire: McGillion Talks Atlantis Return:


From SciFi Wire:

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index...ory=0&id=43135

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

12:00 AM, 08-AUGUST-07

McGillion Talks Atlantis Return


Paul McGillion, who will be returning to Stargate Atlantis in the role of Dr. Carson Beckett for a two-episode arc during the upcoming fourth season, told SCI FI Wire that it feels great to be back on the show after nearly a year away. "Honestly, it feels like coming home," McGillion said in an interview on the phone from the set in Vancouver, B.C. "And everyone's been so terrific to me. The crew gave me a little round of applause when I came back on the set. And that was really sweet. That felt really nice. And everyone's been really gracious towards me and it's just been really nice. I love the character, and the chance to reprise Beckett is my pleasure."

**snippage**

The future of the character beyond the two episodes remains unclear, but McGillion is open to the possibility of coming back on a more permanent basis. "We'll see what happens," he said." I don't know what their plans are for the character or where I'm going to be, but it's always a pleasure to come back and work on the show, that's for sure. So I'm not ruling anything out."

In addition to McGillion’s return, Atlantis viewers can also look forward to guest appearances by Torri Higginson (Dr. Elizabeth Weir) and Stargate SG-1’s Christopher Judge (Teal’c) in the upcoming fourth season. Stargate: Atlantis will return on Sept. 28 in a new timeslot on Fridays at 10 p.m. PT/ET.

—Cindy White


<><><><><><>

This story was carried by a wide variety of newspapers, websites, blogs, etc. today, all basically repeating the NBC/Universal press release. Sources include:

MGM Media Center

http://mgm.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=436


Firefox News

http://firefox.org/news/articles/563...our/Page1.html

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI):

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=644715

United Press International

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Enterta...atlantis/4150/

Coming Soon.net:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=23138

Movie Web:

http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/55/21755.php

Zap2It:

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-pa...news-headlines

Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fl):

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/ent...son-becke.html

Daemons TV

http://www.daemonstv.com/2007/08/08/...gate-atlantis/

Political GateWay

http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/95059

Newsvine

http://pwtenny.newsvine.com/_news/20...rgate-atlantis

SciFi-Meshes

http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/s...is-return.html

IGN TV:

http://tv.ign.com/articles/811/81169...0&RSSid=811692

Monsters and Critics:

http://smallscreen.monstersandcritic...rgate_Atlantis

ENI News:

http://enewsi.com/news.php?itemid=11554

The Futon Critic:

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.a...0070808scifi01

[Jenner8675309]

Newscom picked up the story as well

[prion]

Newscom picked up the story as well

It's the most publicity the show has received in, er, well, a long time. Kudos to the SCB people for putting SGA on the map, so to speak