Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: NEW Stills - 'First Contact' - Nov 12 '08

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view all the photos in their original format.)

Ten new publicity stills from 'First Contact' have been uploaded.



Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan)

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate - NEW Video: Designing the New Alien in First Contact

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view the video in its original format.)



NEW video - Designing the New Alien in 'First Contact'

Includes mini-interviews with Writer/Executive Producer Martin Gero, Stunt Coordinator James Bamford, Model Maker Keith Arbuthnot and actor Michael Shanks, and behind the scenes clips from the episode.

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: Behind The Scenes: First Contact and The Lost Tribe

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)



Behind The Scenes: First Contact and The Lost Tribe

October 13, 2008 (Episodes)

Writer Martin Gero takes us behind the scenes on the making of Stargate Atlantis’ tumultuous two-parter!


A brief excerpt:

As far as most fans are concerned, Atlantis is where Daniel Jackson belongs. After all, he knows the Ancients arguably better than any other living human, and so you’d think that establishing a colony in one of their cities – in another galaxy, no less – would be right up his alley. He thought so too, and it became something of a running joke that the character has never really had time to explore the city as much as he’d like.

Setting out to rectify that, writer Martin Gero put together a mid-season two-part episode that saw Daniel spending plenty of time unearthing Atlantis’ secrets – and finding more than he bargained for in the process. Gero describes ‘First Contact’ and ‘The Lost Tribe’ as “One of those big swash buckling episodes that we do right,” and putting Daniel Jackson into the middle of all that action was just part of the fun.

“It was definitely something that I had wanted to do for quite some time, and was finally afforded the opportunity to do,” says Gero of Daniel’s arrival. “My favorite Daniel stories were always the ones where he was on the treasure hunt, with puzzles and figuring out this and that. We hadn’t done that in forever.”

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: NEW Video: Dr. Daniel Jackson Returns To Atlantis

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view the video in its original format.)



Dr. Daniel Jackson Returns to Atlantis

3:45 10MB

Michael Shanks on the set of the mid-season two-parter: First Contact / The Lost Tribe.

Stargate Atlantis / SG-1 - GateWorld: Podcast: Episode #13

At GateWorld:



GateWorld Podcast: Episode #13

Tuesday - October 7, 2008 | by Darren Sumner

Visit the GateWorld Podcast page for more about the show!

The GateWorld Podcast returns this week with "First Contact," the first half of Stargate Atlantis's fifth and final season! Darren and David discuss the new episode, Daniel Jackson's big arrival, the new alien race introduced in the episode, and some important questions about the Wraith's identity and future.

The podcast also gives you a recap of the latest news from the Stargate universe and the latest additions to GateWorld. We'll also open up the mailbag again for lots of comments from listeners.

Also this week, check out an exclusive preview of GateWorld's upcoming interview with "Bra'tac" actor Tony Amendola.



This Week's Listener Question: Watch "The Lost Tribe" this Friday night, and then call the GateWorld Podcast Hotline and tell us what you think of the new bad guys' secret identity. Is it a good move to bring in this race, or not?

Leave us a voicemail on the GateWorld Podcast Hotline any time, day or night, and we'll play some of your responses in the next podcast! Just dial:

616-712-1647
(Long distance rates apply)

Listeners outside the U.S. can use Skype to call for just 2 cents per minute. Or, record a brief message on your computer and e-mail the MP3 or WAV file to us.

You can also leave a comment [at the link above], or post on the Podcast Feedback thread at the forum.

Next Week: We'll charge into the second half of Season Five with our discussion of "The Lost Tribe," with special attention to the shocking identity of the new bad guys.

Look for a new episode of the GateWorld Podcast every Tuesday, and thanks for listening!

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate - NEW Stills 'The Lost Tribe' & 'First Contact'

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view all the photos in their original format.)

48 NEW Stills

Episode 11 - The Lost Tribe - (Preview)

(however, there are some stills in this folder that are clearly from 'First Contact')

Stargate Atlantis' 'First Contact' airs Friday, October 10 at its NEW time -- 9pm -- on the SciFi Channel (US), guest starring Michael Shanks as Daniel Jackson, Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd, and Mitch Pileggi as Col. Steven Caldwell.


First Contact



Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) and Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks)



Jackson



McKay

The Lost Tribe



Amelia Banks (Sharon Taylor)



Chuck (Chuck Campbell) and Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan)



Shep, Nurse Marie (Linda Ko), Teyla Emmagan (Rachel Luttrell) and Dr. Radek Zelenka (David Nykl)



Teyla



Shep, Katana (Daniella Alonso) and Zelenka



Richard Woolsey (Robert Picardo), Ronon Dex (Jason Momoa) and Dr. Jennifer Keller (Jewel Staite)

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: NEW Behind the Scenes Photos - 1st Contact/Lost Tribe

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view all the photos in their original format.)

12 NEW behind-the-scenes photos from First Contact and The Lost Tribe. The Lost Tribe airs Friday, October 10 at its new time -- 9pm -- on the SciFi Channel (US).



Michael Shanks and David Hewlett



Writer/Executive Producer Martin Gero



Director Andy Mikita





Daniella Alonso as Katana and David Nykl as Dr. David Zelenka from 'The Lost Tribe'

Stargate Atlantis - MGM Stargate: One New Photo From 'First Contact'

At MGM Stargate:

(Please follow the link to view the photo in its original format.)

Stargate Atlantis - GateWorld: Full Coverage: First Contact

At GateWorld:



FULL COVERAGE: First Contact

Discussion

Episode Guide

An excerpt from the Production section in the Episode Guide:

"It was the most cryptic, enigmatic pitch of a story I've ever heard. The pitch was: 'You go to Atlantis and something happens and Daniel has to help everybody to get rid of the bad guys that are coming.' I was like, 'Wow, did you spend a lot of time thinking that one up?' But it's one of those things. Stargate is like old home. It's always nice to be able to revisit that universe and those individuals and to play that character again."
(Actor Michael Shanks, in an interview with The National Ledger)

Photos

Transcript


Download (iTunes)

Download (Amazon)

Stargate Atlantis - SciFi Channel Updates for First Contact

From the SciFi Channel's Stargate Atlantis site, updates for September 26, 2008:


First Contact

* Episode Synopsis

* Episode Photos


NEW Alex Levine Blog update for First Contact




NEXT new episode: The Lost Tribe airs Friday October 10 at a NEW time -- 9pm -- on the SciFi Channel (US). Michael Shanks guest stars.

Can McKay and Jackson prevent a cataclysmic chain of events? Friday October 10 9/8C



Trailer for The Lost Tribe

(Please follow the link to view the trailer in its original format.)





NEW Season 5 Quiz!

Stargate SG-1

Stargate Atlantis - Behind the Scenes Video & Photos from 'First Contact'

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for September 25, 2008:

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update and to view the NEW photos [in their original format] and video of the new alien race introduced on Friday's Stargate Atlantis episode, 'First Contact.')



Writer Carl Binder

September 25, 2008: A First Contact Sneak Peek, Underrated Authors, and the Mailbag


If there are two things Martin Gero loves, it’s show tunes and heist movies. So, very early on in his Stargate career, he was presented with an irresistible challenge: How to combine these two greatest passions into one hugely awesome episode of Atlantis?

“Impossible!”you say? Well then, I would have to agree with you. But how about going with one or the other? Say an episode in which the team travels to a planet with a civilization built upon the worship of Broadway musicals? Or an episode in which the city of Atlantis is the target of an SF-style heist? Okay, let’s go with the latter.



Martin had wanted to do this story for a while. As far back as season 2, I remember him pitching it out only, in the original version, Atlantis was compromised by a crazed Aiden Ford (and equally crazed cohorts) who had taken the city in order to get their hands on something special. Something very special. Something so special that, at the time, none of us could think of what it could be. So the story was tabled.



Flash forward to earlier this season. Martin is still spinning this heist story, but this time as the possible mid-season two-parter. I had pitched out the idea that given the wraith’s weakened position in the Pegasus Galaxy as a result of the heavy losses they had suffered over the past year, it would make sense for advanced civilizations that had been in hiding for hundreds of years might seize the opportunity presented by the shift in the galactic status quo to make themselves known. We went back and forth on who these aliens might be until Rob [Cooper] came up with a clever spin on a familiar notion. So we had our villains and we had their backstory. All we needed now was a motive. And it came compliments of Alan McCullough who pitched out an idea about the team discovering a secret lab on Atlantis that was once the workplace of the enigmatic Ancient Janus.



With all of the major pieces in place, Marty G. took the week to spin it in his head, we all gathered and broke the two-parter, then he wrote the script. That was easy part. Then, it came time to design the look of these new interstellar baddies. Well, we knew what we wanted. Something cool-looking. And we knew what we didn’t want: lycra, shiny plastic bits, and enormous cod-pieces (q.v. SG-1 super soldier). After much discussion between Mary G. and Production Designer James Robbins, the villains were given their look: sleek, nefarious, body armor chic. Check ‘em out in the posted pics. And in tomorrow night’s episode, First Contact, the first part of our spectacular mid-season two-parter.



Hey, you may have noticed I host a little book of the month club here on this blog, the purpose of which is to introduce readers to new authors and offer a forum for discussion on literary works in the fields of SF, fantasy, and horror. With our October/November selections set, I was looking ahead to January 2009 and started thinking it might be nice to consider some underrated or underappreciated authors, authors who, for whatever reason, aren’t getting the recognition they deserve. So who, in your opinion, should we be considering? Pitch me your Top 5 Underrated Authors.



Today’s entry is dedicated to birthday gals Narelle from Aus and Rachel. And an extra special dedication to regular Becky L. who is undoubtedly going through a very tough time right now.

Today’s video: Bam Bam shows off the suit.



Today’s mailbag:

Missy writes: “Has there ever been a story idea that you really wanted to write for Stargate Atlantis but never got the chance??”

Answer: In the coming days, I’ll post a rundown of certain episodes that did not make the cut (a.k.a. story ideas that got shelved that we would have inevitably reconsidered had we done another season).

Stargate Atlantis / SG1 - TV Guide Online: Michael Shanks on His Return Trip to Atlantis

At TV Guide Online:

(Please follow the link for the complete interview.)



TV Show Blogs

TV Show Previews

Michael Shanks on His Return Trip to Atlantis

Since Stargate SG-1 closed its portal, Michael Shanks has popped up on such non sci-fi shows as 24 and Burn Notice. On Sept. 26, he steps back into his sorely missed role of whimsical archaeologist Daniel Jackson to guest on Stargate: Atlantis, which ends its five-year run in January, to be resurrected in TV movie/DVD form. — Ileane Rudoplh


TV Guide: Is this two-parter your first time guesting on Atlantis?

Michael Shanks: I've never actually been on Atlantis since the pilot, but I always bugged the guys about it. My character spent seven years on the show looking for the lost city of Atlantis and they even made a gag about the fact that he was dying to go but wasn't allowed to.

[NOTE: Obviously, he doesn't remember returning to Atlantis in SG1's season 10 episode, 'The Pegasus Project. - Morjana]

TV Guide: Why is Daniel there?

Shanks: He comes to find a secret lab that contains important technology. Then a batch of unexpected villains shows up. Let's just say, Daniel has a history with them.

TV Guide: He has to work with the annoying Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett.) Producer Joe Mallozzi compared the two of you to Abbott and Costello. Are you hurt?

Shanks: [Laughs] The thing with David is that he's one of the fastest talkers on the planet and apparently I speak relatively quickly as well. They wrote six to eight extra pages of the episode just to compensate for the fact that they were going to be short. David's very good at the rhythmic gymnastics that's our banter. We had a lot of fun...

Stargate Atlantis / SG1 - SciFi Friday Line Up Sept 26 '08

From SciFi.com's schedulebot, the Stargate SciFi Friday line up for Friday, September 26 '08 on the SciFi Channel:

6:00P STARGATE SG-1 COMPANY OF THIEVES



7:00P KNIGHT RIDER A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR



8:00P STARGATE ATLANTIS (SEASON 4) THE LAST MAN



9:00P STARGATE ATLANTIS S5 TRACKER



10:00P STARGATE ATLANTIS S5 FIRST CONTACT - Michael Shanks guest stars as Dr. Daniel Jackson



11:00P STARGATE SG-1 SMOKE AND MIRRORS



12:00A STARGATE ATLANTIS S5 FIRST CONTACT



01:00A STARGATE SG-1 EVOLUTION - PT 1



02:00A STARGATE SG-1 EVOLUTION - PT 2



Photos courtesy of GateWorld

Stargate SG1 / Atlantis - GateWorld: Michael Shanks Audio Interview

At GateWorld:



NEW VOYAGES

GateWorld talks with Michael Shanks

Beware minor SPOILERS for the Atlantis two-parter, "First Contact" and "The Lost Tribe," in the interview [at GateWorld]!

Even after Stargate SG-1's cancellation, and the successful release of the first two in a series of planned SG-1 DVD movies, Michael Shanks continues to remain in the public eye. In addition to his current recurring role in the series Burn Notice, the actor returns to the role that truly launched his career when the character of Dr. Daniel Jackson comes to Atlantis in the mid-season two-parter, "First Contact" and "The Lost Tribe."

GateWorld's Chad Colvin sat down with Michael at the end of August, while Shanks was a guest at Creation Entertainment's Chicago Stargate Convention. In the interview, Michael discusses his final thoughts on Continuum, the Atlantis episodes in which he features, his memories of Don S. Davis, Burn Notice, and Rage of Angels!

GateWorld's interview with Michael runs nine minutes. Listen online at your leisure, download it to your MP3 player, or subscribe now to the iTunes podcast! The full interview is also transcribed [at the link above].


A brief excerpt:

GW: Fans are looking forward to seeing you in the upcoming two-parter on Atlantis with "First Contact" and "The Lost Tribe." How easy was it stepping back into Daniel's shoes after such a long period between the end of Continuum's filming and now?

MS: You know what? Daniel is like a comfy sweater. It's never too difficult. As long as the writers can remember how to write for him, the voice comes really easily to me. It was odd with such a big break to step into that character, stepping into a different world, to not have the usual players from SG-1 there but to actually go to Atlantis after not playing the character for close to a year was a little bit odd. But fortunately, in regards to Daniel's fast talking, David Hewlett managed to warm me up relatively quickly.