To the people who said Keller was too young.

[Skydiver]

Let's remember folks that this is a discussion about an element of hte SHOW. Let's keep it non-personal. Keep your comments centered around your opinions and not put those opinions forth as fact.

Keep it friendly please

[Jumper_One]

We were told the "best and the brightest" were chosen for Atlantis. So I am supposed to believe Keller is more suited for CMO than all these other highly qualified, experienced candidates. Umm.....NO. It makes no sense she would be put in charge.

that sentence was used in 'Rising' though, it's been four years so I'm not sure it still applies. Atlantis is like any other military outpost, granted it's more important but still just another base

[FallenAngelII]

that sentence was used in 'Rising' though, it's been four years so I'm not sure it still applies. Atlantis is like any other military outpost, granted it's more important but still just another base

Still, I don't think Keller's even among the top tier of Earth doctors. She's probably got a lot of potential but you don't just throw greenhorn potentials into challenging situations where one mistake could cost countless lives and hope it works out.

You nurture said potential and hope it grows and then you use it.

[Jumper_One]

Still, I don't think Keller's even among the top tier of Earth doctors. She's probably got a lot of potential but you don't just throw greenhorn potentials into challenging situations where one mistake could cost countless lives and hope it works out.

You nurture said potential and hope it grows and then you use it.

IDK if she's amongst the top doctors Earth has to offer but apparently somebody thought she'd be able to do the job. btw who DID 'promote' her to CMO? generally I agree with you, she's got a lot of potential but lacks experience. however I do like the character and hope we'll get more insights into her past in future eps

[Agent_Dark]

you know what happens when you take experienced people off the line and throw them into a highly classified role? People get suspicious. They ask questions. Highly respected and experienced people don't just fall off the radar. It's hard to hide things like that.

On the other hand, unknowns and newbs are perfect. No-one knows them or they haven't had a chance to know them. So when they head off to another galaxy, no-one gets suss and asks around to find out where they are.

[FallenAngelII]

you know what happens when you take experienced people off the line and throw them into a highly classified role? People get suspicious. They ask questions. Highly respected and experienced people don't just fall off the radar. It's hard to hide things like that.

On the other hand, unknowns and newbs are perfect. No-one knows them or they haven't had a chance to know them. So when they head off to another galaxy, no-one gets suss and asks around to find out where they are.

As opposed to Colonel Samantha Carter, who even appeared on TV last year showing off a new breakthrough in weapon's technology? Or world-famous diplomat and mediator Doctor Elizabeth Weir?

Also, in "Rising", Elizabeth said they were among Earth's best and brightest, not "people who were bright but aren't famous". A lot of scientists, doctors and whatevers lead secluded lives. They don't appear in the mass media or go to lectures a lot, yet they can still be at the top of their fields.

Also, a trip to Atlantis is no longer a one-way trip. Heck, they apparently have lots of scheduled off-time and I bet some of it is spent back on Earth.

Also, do you really think Keller is an uknown n00b? She's a child prodigy who skipped 3 grades and went to medical school at age 15 (or she graduated high school at 15, possibly both, I can't remember). She's probably at least a little bit famous in the medical community.

[Agent_Dark]

As opposed to Colonel Samantha Carter, who even appeared on TV last year showing off a new breakthrough in weapon's technology? Or world-famous diplomat and mediator Doctor Elizabeth Weir?

Carter was an unknown when she started in the stargate program. Her cover was already established, long before she started appearing on anything public.
I always got the impression that Weir was known, but she was more of a "15 minute wonder". Not taking anything away from what she did, but why wasn't moving up in the world and already holding important jobs? There was no mention of anything else that she would have had to give away and she seemed to jump fairly hard on the stargate program before she even knew what it was about. That too is a good cover for a highly classified project. Someone who was known, but has faded into relative obscurity making it easy for a cover to be invented.

Also, in "Rising", Elizabeth said they were among Earth's best and brightest, not "people who were bright but aren't famous". A lot of scientists, doctors and whatevers lead secluded lives. They don't appear in the mass media or go to lectures a lot, yet they can still be at the top of their fields.

If they are at the top of their fields, then are they are well known amongst their respective communities. That's why you can't really recruit them for a mission like Atlantis. Otherwise, you'd have every single top scientist in the world working for their respective governments wouldn't you. Plus, do you think the Government will pay anywhere near as much as they earn privately? Of course not. There's also the issue of confidentiality. Science by its nature is an open discussion - people come up with ideas and experimentations and other people take those and put their own ideas into it. You cant do that in a classified environment, because the things you are working on can't be discussed. I wouldn't doubt that alot of top scientists are aware of that, and avoid working for the government for precisely that reason. Also the fact that they don't have that much control over their projects.

Also, a trip to Atlantis is no longer a one-way trip. Heck, they apparently have lots of scheduled off-time and I bet some of it is spent back on Earth.

The Stargate would not be trivialised like that on Atlantis. For one, it uses up bulk power to establish an connection back to Earth (and vice versa) and ZPM power definitely would not be thrown away like that. If it's used in that way, then it will be used for something that is for the Mission itself. Secondly it has far more important uses - ie sending teams on missions and keeping it open in case of emergencies.

[FallenAngelII]

Carter was an unknown when she started in the stargate program. Her cover was already established, long before she started appearing on anything public.
I always got the impression that Weir was known, but she was more of a "15 minute wonder". Not taking anything away from what she did, but why wasn't moving up in the world and already holding important jobs? There was no mention of anything else that she would have had to give away and she seemed to jump fairly hard on the stargate program before she even knew what it was about. That too is a good cover for a highly classified project. Someone who was known, but has faded into relative obscurity making it easy for a cover to be invented.

You skillfully sidestepped the fact that Keller should be relatively well-known in her field for being a child prodigy.

If they are at the top of their fields, then are they are well known amongst their respective communities. That's why you can't really recruit them for a mission like Atlantis. Otherwise, you'd have every single top scientist in the world working for their respective governments wouldn't you. Plus, do you think the Government will pay anywhere near as much as they earn privately? Of course not. There's also the issue of confidentiality. Science by its nature is an open discussion - people come up with ideas and experimentations and other people take those and put their own ideas into it. You cant do that in a classified environment, because the things you are working on can't be discussed. I wouldn't doubt that alot of top scientists are aware of that, and avoid working for the government for precisely that reason. Also the fact that they don't have that much control over their projects.

You don't only need the cream of the crop but also the cream of the crop who are willing to do what they do without public recognition for a chance to go to Atlantis. And who says the American government can't pay the CMO of Atlantis at least as much as they're getting paid for whatever medical job they're currently holding?

The Stargate would not be trivialised like that on Atlantis. For one, it uses up bulk power to establish an connection back to Earth (and vice versa) and ZPM power definitely would not be thrown away like that. If it's used in that way, then it will be used for something that is for the Mission itself. Secondly it has far more important uses - ie sending teams on missions and keeping it open in case of emergencies.

"The McKay-Carter Intergalactic Gate Bridge". You no longer need the ZPM to dial Earth from Atlantis. It's slightly slower but it costs only a small fraction of a direct dial.

[magie]

What do critics think about Keller's characters ? or journalists, I don't know. I know that for me, Keller is a crossover between Lana Lang and Wesley Crusher, so I would like to know how people in the show business see this character.

[Agent_Dark]

You skillfully sidestepped the fact that Keller should be relatively well-known in her field for being a child prodigy.

But who knows her? By her own admission, she didn't socialise much. You've all made it quite clear that she wouldn't have much experience which means that she hasn't worked much at all in the medical field (therefore her name is not known). Her University professors probably know her, but they know a lot of people and they aren't in the medical profession anyway. She's young and she's relatively unknown, which means she's perfect for a top secret job.

You don't only need the cream of the crop but also the cream of the crop who are willing to do what they do without public recognition for a chance to go to Atlantis. And who says the American government can't pay the CMO of Atlantis at least as much as they're getting paid for whatever medical job they're currently holding?

It's the government. If you're any good at what you do, you will earn much more money privately than working for the government. That's a fact. Anyone of the experience you're talking about would be taking a significant paycut to take a job on Atlantis.

"The McKay-Carter Intergalactic Gate Bridge". You no longer need the ZPM to dial Earth from Atlantis. It's slightly slower but it costs only a small fraction of a direct dial.

But you're also tying up another vital link between Earth and Atlantis. You know, people who serve on a Navy ship are only a short plane ride from the beach. Surely they can just jump on a helicopter and head off for some fun? Or maybe take a seat on the COD if they're on a carrier? Hell F-14 Tomcats are two seaters and they're fast. Back home in time for dinner.

[FallenAngelII]

But who knows her? By her own admission, she didn't socialise much. You've all made it quite clear that she wouldn't have much experience which means that she hasn't worked much at all in the medical field (therefore her name is not known). Her University professors probably know her, but they know a lot of people and they aren't in the medical profession anyway. She's young and she's relatively unknown, which means she's perfect for a top secret job.

And who would know a top medical professional from X town? It's not like medical doctors become so world famous people would become suspicious if one disappeared to do "classified work". Or they could just get one who's really good but not famous. Carson and Janet were good at their jobs but not famous AFAWK. Being eligible to be a CMO does not mean you have to be famous world-wide.

Also, Jennifer should be at least as famous as any qualified CMO they can pull off a high profile ER for graduating from medical school at an exceptionally young age. The papers would probably have had interviews with her or whatever, people love it when child prodigies make it young. 15 minuets of fame? More than a lot of very qualified doctors good enough to be CMO of Atlantis get.

It's the government. If you're any good at what you do, you will earn much more money privately than working for the government. That's a fact. Anyone of the experience you're talking about would be taking a significant paycut to take a job on Atlantis.

A lot of people would take the job because of its importance and for what they would be contributing for humanity. Not everyone would, but a lot of people would.

But you're also tying up another vital link between Earth and Atlantis. You know, people who serve on a Navy ship are only a short plane ride from the beach. Surely they can just jump on a helicopter and head off for some fun? Or maybe take a seat on the COD if they're on a carrier? Hell F-14 Tomcats are two seaters and they're fast. Back home in time for dinner.

I'm not saying everyone is going to gate off to Earth willy nilly. But it's not like it's impossible to have the staff take short vacations on Earth once in while (collectively, gating off and back together).

[Actionhank]

...and the worst thing to ever happen to her was to miss some parties. Give me a break.

Boy, I should've skipped some grades rather than party too much.

[ToasterOnFire]

Uh most nerosurgeons are 10X her age so that proves her skills are very good.

Most neurosurgeons are 250-300 years old?

What they should have done if they had to have such a young doctor was to work with that instead of forcing her into a position calling for an older person. Why couldn't she have just been a brilliant young doctor doing a residency in Atlantis? Why the need to make her CMO?

Yeah, I thought that would have been better too. Much like Mitchell - he lacked any gate experience which makes one wonder why he got to be in charge of the highest ranking SG team. There's no reason why TPTB have to automatically shove new characters into high ranking positions, especially if they're going to point out their lack of experience.

[Avenger]

Mitchell may not have had any gate experience, but he did command a squadron of 302s, so he was part of the SG program and spent time on one of the 304s doing various missions. It wasn't a huge stretch.

[Agent_Dark]

And who would know a top medical professional from X town? It's not like medical doctors become so world famous people would become suspicious if one disappeared to do "classified work". Or they could just get one who's really good but not famous. Carson and Janet were good at their jobs but not famous AFAWK. Being eligible to be a CMO does not mean you have to be famous world-wide.

People who work in high skilled positions tend to make acquaintances with their colleges. Those acquaintances can get suspicious if their colleges suddenly drop of the radar. They can start ask questions. Other people hear those questions and start wondering. Then a reporter, or an intelligence officer hears about. They start probing. That's how a leak can start.

Also, Jennifer should be at least as famous as any qualified CMO they can pull off a high profile ER for graduating from medical school at an exceptionally young age. The papers would probably have had interviews with her or whatever, people love it when child prodigies make it young. 15 minuets of fame? More than a lot of very qualified doctors good enough to be CMO of Atlantis get.

Err no. you're not understanding. It's not about having your name in the papers - it's about having your name known among the profession. That comes from years of working with people, and working up a network of acquaintances. Joe Blogg who saw an article in the paper about some young upstart won't care what's she's doing. Dr Jones who worked with Dr Smith at John Hopkins for a couple years might wonder what his old friend is up to, where he's working now and what he's been doing. Imagine his surprise when he finds that Dr Smith has 'dropped off the radar' - that's not like him. He was hell into his work.

A lot of people would take the job because of its importance and for what they would be contributing for humanity. Not everyone would, but a lot of people would.

sure... but what they are already doing is just as important isn't it? Why do they want to work on bombs or weapons or some nonsense that the government/military is always up to. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stick with what I'm doing.