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Dr. Carson Beckett, the Scottish Heart of Atlantis, was written out of Stargate Atlantis in Season 3's 17th episode "Sunday." Read more here to learn how you can help save him!
Jewel Staite Tells Her Side
10.Dec.06 by astrumporta | Category News |
15 Comments »
Jewel Staite has posted to her blog about her new role on Atlantis:
And finally, lets talk about Stargate: Atlantis, because most of you are, and I’ve been getting a ton of questions about the thing, so lets just get it out in the open. I know it’s finally been revealed that Paul McGillion is leaving the show, and since I’m coming on the show, a lot of you have it in your head that I’m “replacing” him. First of all, our characters are quite different from each other. Second of all, Paul has a penis, so we’re quite opposite from each other. Third of all, I’m not a regular cast member and I’ve only signed on to do a certain number of episodes (not 15″”or at least that was news to me when I heard that on the internet!). One thing I should tell you is that Paul and I are very close friends. He lives three blocks away from me (in my mom’s building– how weird and random is that?) and we see each other all the time. I can honestly say he’s one of the sweetest and most lovely people to work with (the crew of Atlantis raves about him), and I really just adore him. I can’t comment on the why in terms of his character’s absense in the next season, but the best thing about sci fi is nothing is forever! It’s like soap operas””like, maybe in Serenity 2 Wash will have an evil identical twin! (Yeah, Joss, I know, that idea sucks””and if it doesn’t suck and you actually write that one day, I want credit for it) Anyway, I’m really excited about coming on to Atlantis and playing another prodigy””genius mechanic to genius doctor, I am truly moving up in the world! Maybe next time I’ll play the president! heh heh. Just please have an open mind, and don’t hate me””it’s not my fault. I’m just an actor who jumped at the chance to work with a really fun cast in my favorite city (mine) and play a young smarty pants MD with a cool uniform. Can you blame me?
It should be stated again that from all we’ve heard, leaving was not Paul’s idea at all. It’s understandable Jewel would not address that issue since it’s not her place to comment on it.
It is also very true Jewel should not be blamed for taking a role she was offered and that she believes will be challenging and fun. In fact early reports said she didn’t even know she was “replacing” Paul until after she had been offered the role. As a campaign, we direct no anger or ire or anything negative toward Jewel, and we encourage fans not to blame her, either.
The issue for fans is why the writers have replaced a beloved character with a “prodigy” doctor when they have such a poor history of writing such “super hero” characters…
Read Jewel’s entire blog entry here.
15 Comments »
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Comment by SeiyaTheCamper | 10.Dec.06 @ 9:16 pm
Thanks for posting this!
Of course nobody blames, is angry with or hates Jewel! We’ll miss Carson, and will keep fighting till we get him back, but we can also welcome Jewel!
So… welcome to Atlantis, Jewel!!
Francy from Italy -
Comment by Erynn | 11.Dec.06 @ 1:08 am
Gods know I certainly don’t blame the woman for taking a job that was offered to her. Paul leaving has nothing to do with her decision to take the job, and I haven’t ever seen her work so I have no reason at all to hate her. I’m angry at TPTB who are replacing him — and if Carson is leaving and another doctor is coming in, that’s “replacing” him regardless of her words to the contrary.
Nothing against Jewel, I just don’t want Paul leaving.
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Comment by Miso-no-Tsuki | 11.Dec.06 @ 6:37 am
Umm …TPTB *already* have two “strong” female characters on Atlantis. And most of the time Weir sits around in her office and Teyla hits people. Neither of these two fine actresses is exactly being challenged in their roles, so what hope for Ms Stait?
They *had* a nicely complex rounded character in Carson, who was both warm and believable and much-loved by the fans. So they’re getting rid of him and adding another token female to the John-and-Rodney show.
Doesn’t bode well for Atlantis at all, methinks. -
Comment by Siabh | 11.Dec.06 @ 9:32 am
Jewel needs to understand that “we don’t want you, we want to keep Paul” isn’t the equivalent of “we hate you.”
And a prodigy doctor? Uh huh. Because that idea flew so well with fans when they tried it in SG-1 with Jonas.
Given that little bit of information, Jewel should also keep in mind that “we hate Dr. Keller” also doesn’t equal “we hate Jewel.”
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Comment by Nel | 11.Dec.06 @ 1:52 pm
I have to admit that I felt sad when I read the entry in Jewel’s blog. I got a sense that she was really excited about a new character and a new show, and then she was hit by the realisation she might well suffer because she is seen as a replacement for Carson.
I don’t want Carson to go, and I’ll campaign to try to save him, but I would never direct any anger or blame in Jewel’s direction. I have my doubts about the character she is to portray. It sounds a little unrealistic. I would love to see her as Carson’s protegy, bringing a new dimension to the work and to see her relate to the others in that context.
I just hope she doesn’t suffer for this – it’s the last thing she deserves.
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Comment by Vecturist | 11.Dec.06 @ 4:05 pm
I don’t blame or hate Jewel for taking the role, but couldn’t she have been cast as an protege/assistant to Carson (sort of a Zelenka to Carson’s McKay?). I do feel back that she’s possibly facing a huge backlash because the way TPTB have handled this whole situation (haven’t they learned anything?).
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I think Jewel is a great actress, loved her in Firefly and Serenity and wish her nothing but GOOD LUCK for her new role in SGA! I hope she enjoys the part and they give her a chance to shine like we know she can. Though I will say now, I will not be watching more then occassionally but that is in NO WAY because of Jewel, it will simply not be the show I love anymore. Without Carson, there is no SGA for me. And also because I totally disagree with the way the actor Paul McGillion has been treated and this is the only way I can show that to TPTB, to hit them where it hurts.
I also feel very sorry she’s been put into such a bad situation (doesn’t sound like she knew Paul was leaving until after accepting the role). I imagine she’s more then aware about how fandoms work and is probably very worried about the kind of reception she will get. Despite the obvious differences in character, she needs to realise Dr. Keller *IS* replacing Carson as the shows MD. Thats definately NOT Jewel’s fault and no fan should be dumb enough to hold ANYTHING against her. She’s a working actress after all and this is just another job. I dont hold out much hope TPTB will change their MO for the last 10+ years on failing miserably at writing female characters (especially one so unrealisitc) but I’m sure she will do the best she can with the role!
GOOD LUCK Jewel!
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when I heard the news that she would come in SGA (season 4), I thought that she would replace Carson but apparently no, because I have read somewhere that she will be playing a doctor in physics, not a pure doc as Carson! so now, I have no reason to hate her. Like a new actor in the show, it’s tough to face fans’ reactions towards this or that event and I think she’s right being honest. I hope everything’s gonna be ok for her, in season 4. By the way, she did a great performance in Instinct.
Nevertheless, I am still sad that Carson has a thin chance to come back, remember Ford or Jonas? It’s the same! -
Comment by Marina | 12.Dec.06 @ 2:06 pm
I think its unfair that Jewel is made to feel like this. I can’t wait to see Jewel in Atlantis again!! She is a wonderfully talented actress and a beautiful person, who does not deserve any of this!!!!! Jewel is one of favourite actresses and I can’t wait to see her on TV again, its been so long since she was last here.
I agree with Jewel says in her blog “but the best thing about sci fi is nothing is forever!” How so true! But please don’t blame Jewel, she really does not deserve this (not saying there is anyone on here that does blame Jewel)
Hopefully the hard work fans are putting into this, we will succeed in bringing Paul back to Atlantis. Even if just in limited episodes, its better than nothing. He’s a very popularn character and a very sweet man, who would been very upset and angry by the way the fans seem to be treating Jewel, when not her fault. Any one who has been lucky enough to meet Paul will agree with there. He’s very sincere an caring!
Good luck Jewel, I really can’t wait to see you back on Atlantis.
Best wishes
Marina xx
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I think Jewel Staite feels we hate her or something… This isn’t true. I am a fan, from her Firefly days… I just am not sure what the Producers are thinking bringing her into the show amidst all this, and when she has only just played a Wraith… Mind you, I am sure I will come to like her contribution to the show in its own right! I was pleased to see her in Wraith makeup before, after all..! (offer the new role by all means, but you’ve got to be careful of hiding that she was not so long ago Ella The Wraith, unless you make her a relative or something!). It’s not that she has been brought into the show, but HOW that I am protesting (at the expense of Paul/Carson)… I’m sure she and Paul are friends. And I know that that isn’t the way it works, to hate someone whom has ‘taken’ his job… I just don’t see the point in getting rid of Paul … Like with Lexa Doig/Teryl Rothery (both of whom I’m a MASSIVE fan of!) – But they hardly ever use Carolyn Lam!! So, why didn’t they just make the characters leaders of two different shifts in the SGC schedule, and, some days, the audience would see Janet, some days Carolyn..? (The answer to that is probably money, but still, if they’re not sharing screen-time, & you only employ one at a time per episode, then, that adds to the flavour of the show the way you want to, doesn’t it??)…I’m sorry, Jewel, but we will still campaign to bring Paul/Carson back, because we believe in him, and his worth to the show, and are fed up with the penchant the Producers have in these latter years for killing off a character just to shake things up… It makes it seem as though they’re too tired to think of any other way to do it! And Stargate, as a Product, and a company is/should be better than that..! All that said however, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for you, Jewel Staite, in the SGA family (as well as Paul!!)… I know of the anatomical differences between you and he, don’t worry! And, in that sense, you’re right, your character is a different entity, unattached, and not a replacement – But still, the way the producers have handled this is enough to make me unhappy… (though not with or at you!)
Bethany S. Heard, UK
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Comment by Annie | 14.Dec.06 @ 11:54 am
I don’t blame Jewel for being offered the job. I loved her in Firefly and Serentiy. And I welcome her to Atlantis. But I also don’t want to lose Dr. Becket, I like him. Such a Sweetheart. Total opposite of Dr. McKay, more lighter in personailty I think!!!! The charactor always makes me laugh!!!!
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Comment by Mel | 05.Jan.07 @ 8:08 pm
I don’t think any of us (apart from a few kids) blame Jewel at all for what has happened. It’s not her fault in the slightest. That said, losing Beckett means I won’t be watching the show after season three. It’s just not SGA without him. This show already has a great collection of characters who are well-depicted and have good chemistry with one another and losing Beckett ruins that. More so because he’s being replaced by what sounds like a Mary Sue, as we say in fan fiction, who is a mix between Voyager’s Seven of Nine and Harry Potter’s Hermione Granger. This show doesn’t need another strong, intelligent female main character; the balance is fine with Teyla and Weir coupled with the main male characters of MacKay (who’s meant to occupy the resident genius role), Sheppard and Beckett.
It’s time the scriptwriters and producers realised they can’t just keep hacking away main characters (especially those as likeable as Beckett). Ford was written out after season one and now we’re losing another? It’s just annoying because not only is Beckett a great character but all I’m left thinking is who will be next on the list.
Good luck to Jewel but I (and I imagine many others) won’t be there to watch her.
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Comment by David | 18.Jun.07 @ 2:00 pm
I really hate when one of my favorite sci-fi shows replaces a character with some young pretty woman. It is especially unbelievable when the young attractive woman plays some genius scientist or doctor. I enjoy science but I don’t ever recall seeing a young attractive expert in the field of science. I’m sure there are a few but it is far outside the norm. The same goes for men by the way.
7 of 9 eventually hurt Star Trek Voyager (although initially did boost ratings). I stopped watching the 7 of 9 star trek show because she was the focus of most episodes.
In Stargate SG1 the new young attractive woman doctor just isn’t believable. It just isn’t realistic casting. The original doctor was much more believable.
I can equate the same thing to companies that make cereal. If their cereal starts falling in approval ratings they will add more sugar or salt to make it taste better. Which is nice in theory but eventually when your customers start getting high blood pressure and diabetes they will start buying cereal with little sugar and no salt. The end result is the cereal will fail.
The same can be said for sci-fi shows. Sure they can add some young attractive woman doctor to the show. If the producers are desperate enough maybe they will even throw in a few topless scenes (think young attractive woman Vulcan on Star Trek Enterprise) to boost rating. But in the end a (few months or years) the ratings will be down much further because they no longer have realistically portrayed cast members.
Sci-fi fans always require realistic science and casting. I’m surprised more sci-fi shows don’t know this basic truth.
I really laughed the first time I watched Andromeda (ex-Hercules guy). Their entire cast was young attractive people. I’m sorry, I don’t care how good of an actress someone is, if I’m watching a 25 year old knock out girl being a top scientist, I will just laugh my ass off.
But of course, none of this is Jewel’s fault. A job is a job.
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Comment by Karen | 24.Sep.07 @ 6:05 pm
Having just done a “Firefly” marathon over the weekend I have to say I am glad that if Atlantis had to loose Paul McGillion (Dr. Beckett) I’m glad they at least brought in such a wonderful actor to help balance the loss. I’m a hard core SG1 fan who almost threw in the towel on Atlantis when they killed off Beckett. I’ll give it another shot but they had better write a decent part for Jewel! I’m still waiting for Atlantis to start living up to the legacy SG1 provided for them. Hope they get a move on soon!
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