Ok...I have made up my mind

[JasonandLorri]

I do not like the new Stargate Atlantis...it just doesnt have the same flow as the original. I have really been trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but watching the 1st few in reruns has really clinched it for me. If it gets better, someone please let me know!!!

Lorri

[Blue Heights]

It lacks likable characters, imo. We just like the people in SG-1. They're definitely better as a team where they can play off each other, but even by themselves, they're just likable people. The Atlantis crew on the other hand, aren't so likable. To me, they're pretty annoying actually.

I didn't like Dr. Weir on SG-1. She annoyed me in the two episodes I saw her in where she was trying to negotiate with a bunch of Goa'uld's. She is essentially in Jack's place in Atlantis. Even though she's not military, she's the one in charge of Atlantis and imo, she's annoying, not a good, strong leader and has not really shown me any qualities to like about her.

The Canadian guy is the worst, imo, I'm sure they're trying to make him the comedy relief, but I think they're trying too hard so that he's overdoing it and isn't really that funny anymore. The Scottish guy is funnier than he is and more likable too. (Maybe it's his cute accent.) ;)

I'm bad with names. The lady they found on the planet who seems to be developing as the military guy's love interest is okay. But like I mentioned in the other thread, it feels too much like Star Trek having these religious people mingle with these Earth explorerers who seem to have abandoned any beliefs by faith.

The head military guy is okay, he's the most likable and a lot like Jack in some ways and yet not like Jack in other ways. I actually like that guy just below him the best. Don't know the character's name, the actor's name is Rainbow. I remembered that because I thought it was so strange for a guy to be named Rainbow. (Glad his parents weren't mine.) :p

IMO, he is the most likable character out of them all.

Overall, I feel like the actors are all trying too hard and the humor feels forced and canned. It doesn't feel natural and doesn't seem to flow. And like my biggest complaint has been, it feels too much like Star Trek. Except Capt. Janeway was much more likable than Dr. Weir.

I start to become weary when a show, namely a sci-fi show, follows after Star Trek. SG-1 isn't even over and they're already promoting another "Stargate" tv series based on the original concept but taking a different spin. That's what ruined Star Trek imo. Atlantis feels very unoriginal to me and the actors aren't making up for it. I think good actors and actresses can save a bad or uncertain idea. But they seem to be making it worse.

I hope it gets better, but so far, I am seriously unimpressed as well.

[JasonandLorri]

Rainbow was a funny name for a guy.LOLOL

and I agree with everything you said about Atlantis. It just has no flow.

Lorri

[FrodoBaggins1982]

I agree. I wanted to watch the first show and missed it but they had the reruns. The first episode was interesting, the first finding of Atlantis and having both Daniel and jack in the shore gave it the “Stargate” feel. But once they were out of the story, I could not get into it.

The character’s chemistry just was not great. And I agree about Dr. Weir, I do not like her. But then, I do not like ‘woman leaders’ and I am a woman myself. But in all the shows I have watched with women captains, they all have the same attitude. I don’t like her and you can’t like a show if you don’t like the cast.

Also, I thought that the fact that they had to leave Atlantis so quickly after arriving was kind of dull. The show is ‘Stargate ATLANTIS” is it not? So why worry about other worlds? There was so much build up about finding the city and then after five minutes, the place was going to be destroyed before anything could be found. (This is me reviewing after only seeing about half of the pilot. If the story line did develop and my info is incorrect, I appologize but I did loose interest half way through).

The only character I liked was the Scottish guy. I think it is because of the accent, maybe not. I thought he was funny. But other than that, none of the characters stick out to me. Perhaps in time, it will get better but for now, I will stick with watching Stargate SG-1.

[Blue Heights]

Also, I thought that the fact that they had to leave Atlantis so quickly after arriving was kind of dull. The show is ‘Stargate ATLANTIS” is it not? So why worry about other worlds? There was so much build up about finding the city and then after five minutes, the place was going to be destroyed before anything could be found. (This is me reviewing after only seeing about half of the pilot. If the story line did develop and my info is incorrect, I appologize but I did loose interest half way through).
I'm not sure where part 1 ended because I saw it the night it premiered when it was shown as a two hour long show.

But basically they were ready to leave Atlantis because the city was flooding, then just as they were about to dial out, the guys who had gone to that world dialed in and came back through with the people of that world and said they absolutely could not go back to it. They all were arguing it seems like over leaving or staying and suddenly instead of Atlantis flooding, it raised up to the surface. The Ancients had designed it with fail safe devices or what not that before the city could completely flood, it would again resurface.

So the city is far below the amount of power it needs to run fully and properly, but they did not have to abandon it and the people from that world they visited now live in Atlantis with them.

Personally, I'm not impressed with the idea of Atlantis being a spaceship and that it sunk to the bottom of the ocean on a world far, far away. I love the idea of Atlantis because it's mystery and fantasy and maybe some kind of history in there, but it's supposed to be a continent, actual land, not a spaceship. And it was supposed to have sunk on earth.

I love the Scottish guy. He's actually likable. BTW, he did guest star in an episode in the first season of SG-1. Different character of course.

The Atlantis premiere, yeah, I liked it pretty much up to the point Jack and Daniel were no longer in it and after that, it lost the great characters.

I haven't seen every episode. But my thought is, all the humans they find in this galaxy, should be direct descendants of the Atlanteans I would think, right? So shouldn't they be able to operate the the technology like the main guy?


But then, I do not like ‘woman leaders’ and I am a woman myself. But in all the shows I have watched with women captains, they all have the same attitude.
I actually liked Janeway in Star Trek Voyager. But I would generally agree with you. We like men being the strong, fearless leader. I mean that is the way history has been and it fits in with male mentality or whatever you call it for the most part. I think a lot of men want to be that kind of guy. The hero, brave and fearless and women essentially are drawn to those kind of men who they can feel protected by.

Guys who don't want to be that are more likely to be made fun of. Called pansies or girly men or whatever.

Women on the other hand have always been the softer, gentler ones, more nurturing and all that. Women who tend to become gun-ho are generally thought of as female dogs (I don't swear). They tend not to be liked by anyone but women like them. Most women don't like them and most men don't either.

Samantha Carter is great because she is a strong female character rising in rank, yet she is very feminine and really isn't trying to become like a man. Those are the kind of women people like - strong yet feminine. She has a wonderful personality that everyone likes. So did Dr. Fraiser. (What happened to her?) Dr. Weir is not likable. She to me is trying to be more like a man. Feminists would probably like her. I'm female too, but I'm not a feminist, though I believe in equal rights and all that. But I like characters like Sam Carter and dislike characters like Dr. Weir. And where did they come up with that last name - Weir? Dr. Weird?

Atlantis is missing the dynamic characters that SG-1 has. SG-1 has four brave people who each has a good sense of humor and great timing. I think Star Trek people created Atlantis. The characters are lacking and the timing is off and the humor is horrible. One of them is very not brave - what's he even doing there then? You don't go on an adventure if you're not brave. Unless you're a really funny comic relief like the gal's brother in The Mummy movies. The Canadian guy, imho, just isn't funny.

Basically, Atlantis feels like it is a show of all the Stargate SG-1 wannabe rejects.

[FrodoBaggins1982]

I agree about Samantha Carter. She is not my favorite character on the show, but she is still a good female role. She is touch and yet she is still very feminine. It makes her human. The kind of character you can talk to. A lot of other women characters often feel as though they have to ‘prove’ something. And I hate that because it is so, what’s the word…cliché.

I really like the Daniel character. Even more so after finally getting to watch the movie last night. He was a man that was not that brave or physically threatening and then watching him evolve over time on the episodes I have been watching. Though are characters I like. Ones who develop. I wonder how the characters on Atlantis will develop.

And I agree. A space ship? Personally, I think that Atlantis is just a little too way tech for me. I always picture the city as very Greek with lots of inventions and art. I have yet to see a good interpretation anywhere in stories.

I think we should just face that the cast and plot of Stargate is one of a kind and can't expect to find that sort of companionship for a while. the show was very smart and very close to the movie and the cast is exceptional. no other spin off will work, i think and i hope non others come. That is, of course not ment in a bad way, just i do not want to see SG become star trek.

[Blue Heights]

I agree about Samantha Carter. She is not my favorite character on the show, but she is still a good female role.
Personally, I don't have a favorite in SG-1. When I think about the characters, I like them all equally by themself, but what makes the show great is their interaction with each other. More along the lines of saying the show is no greater than the sum of it's parts. Jack by himself isn't all that great, he needs the other three for his humor to work right. Daniel by himself isn't all that great, he needs the other three to bounce his ideas and thoughts off of. Sam by herself isn't great, she needs that brotherly comrodery she has with the other three. Teal'c by himself isn't that great, he needs the other three to help him loosen up.

BTW, what's with Teal'c smiling all the time now? That's just as bad as his constantly pointed eyebrow and quizzical look. Usually someone who's been in the same job for 7-8 years isn't smiling anymore. :p

Anyway, it's like Lord of the Rings to me. To me, no one character in Lord of the Rings stood out more than the others. But together as a cast they were awesome and amazing (with maybe one exception - I didn't care for the actress who played Arwen). But she had a minor part. I see SG-1 very much the same way. No one really stands out more than another, but united they are an awesome cast.

I really, really like Sam Carter though. I think it is because she does stay feminine to a good degree, she isn't all macho, she is sensitive. The first season really helped set her character up as having a kind and gentle spirit with episodes like Singularity.

And maybe it helped that the actress grew up with three brothers, one being her twin. I would almost think that she brings that into her character.

In Atlantis, I think Weir is trying to be too macho.


I really like the Daniel character. Even more so after finally getting to watch the movie last night. He was a man that was not that brave or physically threatening and then watching him evolve over time on the episodes I have been watching. Though are characters I like. Ones who develop. I wonder how the characters on Atlantis will develop.
I think he was very brave right from the start. He was geeky, but I think extremely brave. I mean, he was the most eager to go through the Stargate and visit a new world. He jumped in front of the gun to try and save a life, I think Jack's. You say he wasn't brave at first, but I think he was probably braver than anyone else in that movie. I think he has a very bold and brave spirit and I've never sensed fear or not being brave in him.

[FrodoBaggins1982]

I agree. My first interpretation was off. I admit that. I had a chance to watch the movie over a second time and got a good feel for the characters. He was very brave. Taking that shot for Jack, going back into the ship to save the girl with the sarcophagus, taking a shot at Ra with the staff instead of killing his friends.

I think I was so use to that character type that it was just how I wrote it in the responce. But what I was trying to say, was that compared to the beginning of the story (in the movie) and from the newer episodes I am seeing, there has been a bit of evolution to the character that I liked.

And I wonder why you used a Lord of the Rings scenario? What gave you THAT idea? (Looks innocently at my screen name and picture) I can’t stand Arwen…don’t get me started, lol. If it were for all those added scenes that were unnecessary, there would have been more room in the movies for book scenes. And having Arwen rescue Frodo in Fellowship was just so much out of character that it made me sick…Anyway, this is a Stargate board, not an Arwen bashing board, lol

Anyway,

I have a pointless question though…why doesn’t Daniel sneeze anymore when he travels? Got control of his allergies I guess, lol.

[cheriewren]

How many of you like Star Trek TNG? I like it the best of all the Star Trek spin offs. But do you remember the first season? The costumes were ridiculous, the acting was wooden and forced, the cast had no... whats the word... they didn't work well together. But the second season was better, and then it took off, and is now (or was till it jumped to big screen) a favorite of many. My point is... Atlantis is NOT SG-1. It is a new series slightly related. I think too many people are trying to judge it based on later seasons of SG-1. Heck, even Season one of SG-1 needed some work! You can't judge a spin off o its first season. The cast is also fighting the connection back to their 'parent'. They will find their feet, and become a great series. Give 'em some time.

chimera

[Blue Heights]

Some shows do grow on you with time. Atlantis may be like that. We may grow to like the cast.

However, I think Stargate SG-1 had that strong cast right from the series premiere. The chemistry was already there and they didn't have to really work to build it up. It also helped that we had a movie which helped establish two of the lead characters.

[FrodoBaggins1982]

A lot of shows are like that, whether we wish to admit it or not. Especially when a show is a spin off, we have very high expectations of what it should be like and how it should work. I am not saying Atlantis is an awful series or anything. I, and most of us, am saying that it just does not have that ‘spark’ as SG-1 had and that spark is what is needed for a show to survive. If one does not care about the characters or the events they live through, then the show will fail. And some shows cannot afford to take the risk that a lot of people will hang around and wait for them to ‘improve.’

One example that comes to mind is the show ‘Coupling.’ It is a British comedy that was terribly hilarious. The cast was great and likable. The plots were funny and it was a good show. But then America tried their hand at making their own version. I watched the first episode, which was completely the same show as the British version. But it was stale, fake, forced, and really unlikable. My point is: if you can’t engage the audience, then the show will fail. I am sure that perhaps in a few more episodes or even in the next season, everyone will begin to find their niche.

[PKidd18]

OK, so who here has actually watched a first season of ANY sci-fi show and found everything to be good about it? :hmm I mean, I just bought the first season of SG-1 and about fell over laughing with how bad some things were!!! :winky But, then the continuity started and things turned out really good! I will admit that there may need to be some MAJOR character makeovers, but, all in all, I think it has the potential to take off like SG-1 did. Just give it time! It'll come around!!!!! :rollin

[Colonel Carter]

I have season 1 of SG-1 on DVD and as far as characteres and chemistry between characters are concerned, I think it has been perfect from the first episode. That's my opinion though. :)

[Anissa T]

I like Stargate Atlantis, but I have to admit that it had to grow on me. But, I do have some serious questions and concerns about the direction the show is going.

I mean, how do you properly prepare for a trip that you "know" is a one way trip. I'm not even talking technology here. I'm talking everyday basic needs.....toiletries, survival products, etc. etc. etc. But, then you see Maj Shepard has a TV. What's up with that?

Then you have the line up. I don't think they characters mesh well, but I actually like that. Having been in the military before you are often pushed into situations with people you may or may not get along with. It's not always peachy. So, that in itself doesn't bother me. But, I see a little bit of tension between Maj Shepard and Tala (sp??). I just don't like the combination one bit. Or, atleast not at this stage of the show. It's way too early. And my goodness, the summer season ender.......way too early to kill a main character off. It's not right for the show.

But, those are just my humble opinions.

[Colonel Carter]

Having been in the military before you are often pushed into situations with people you may or may not get along with.
That can apply to any job though. One huge difference between SG-1 and Atlantis is that three out of the four head stars are not military characters in Atlantis. In SG-1, two are Air Force, Teal'c isn't officially, but he was raised in a military type style on his own world so it's pretty much the equivelant. Only one really is completely non-military (Daniel), so it's the exact opposite focus than Atlantis.

In SG-1, the military was in control of the Stargate. So you have the very organized military structure in place which does well to stop people from fighting over who is in command. Sam and Daniel many times disagreed with Jack, sometimes they disgreed to the extreme, but when it came to it, Daniel and Sam always followed Jack's orders and didn't give him any lip.

Unlike in that one episode when some of the Atlantis crew were stuck in the puddlejumper in the middle of the Stargate in space trying to get unstuck so they could get through. Back at Atlantis, Weir had problems with that one scientist (I think he was a scientist) who gave her tons of lip, even after she told him the discussion was over. Of course neither are military which creates a problem for her if people rebel against her and a problem for the non-military people that they don't know how to accept authority.

Atlantis may be more true to mirror our government today. We are not run by the military but by civilians and people certainly do rebel against authority. So Atlantis sets itself up, I think, to deal with political issues in a way SG-1 couldn't. If it were me, I'd rather join SG-1 and have a commander I knew had the final say because in Atlantis, you could be arguing with people for forever and never get anything actually done. Perhaps that's a problem with out government today. The Republicans want to do something and the Democrats bicker. The Democrats want to do something and the Republicans bicker. You can't trust either side to look out for citizens best interests. So we spend all this time arguing and watching our country decay away. :p


I mean, how do you properly prepare for a trip that you "know" is a one way trip. I'm not even talking technology here. I'm talking everyday basic needs.....toiletries, survival products, etc. etc. etc. But, then you see Maj Shepard has a TV. What's up with that?
Have we even seen a bathroom yet in Atlantis?

Gotta go potty? Just jump into the ocean, do your duty, and jump back out. No need for tp. :p Or like a camp leader I had when I was a kid said, you only need one square of toilet paper when you go. But I won't go into the gross details of how it works. :p

I have a question. In The Fifth Race, Jack O'Neill built a power source after his head was filled with the Ancients knowledge. Why wasn't anyone watching him and jotting down what he was doing, or why couldn't they figure it out even after the energy was depleted and create more?

[Anissa T]

Or like a camp leader I had when I was a kid said, you only need one square of toilet paper when you go. But I won't go into the gross details of how it works.

You worry, you don't have to. I had a drill instructor nicely show me how to while I was in basic training. LOL!


Why wasn't anyone watching him and jotting down what he was doing, or why couldn't they figure it out even after the energy was depleted and create more?

I was wondering the exact same thing.

I was also wondering, exactly how much lipstick did Dr. Weir bring along? LOL!

[Colonel Carter]

I was also wondering, exactly how much lipstick did Dr. Weir bring along?
Never thought about that. But I have wondered why Sam wears make-up. I would think being in the military, women wouldn't wear that. Well, maybe around the SGC, but going on a mission in gear and all?

[Anissa T]

Well, I can only tell you my experience. Which BTW, I really don't see Sam wear it all that much. That's how you can tell there is going to be a storyline about her.

Anyhow, in a garrison environment, I can certainly understand. But whenever I went out on a field exercise, deployment etc., there really wasn't a point to wear anything except chapstick and/or sunblock. Some people think not even that, but I got a severe case of wind burn which absolutely tore up my lips. LOL!

[Colonel Carter]

I haven't paid that much attention to every episode. But the one I noticed it in didn't focus on her at all. It was the first season episode "The Torment of Tantalus" I believe. It was a nude shade of lipstick, but still obviously not natural lip color.

Personally, I avoid wearing makeup as much as I can because it makes me break out more.