Welcome to SaveCarsonBeckett.com
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!
MGM Unwittingly Confirms Carson's Fate
14.Jan.07 by astrumporta | Category News |
On the official MGM site is posted an interview with David Hewlett, portions of which were not to be released until after “Sunday” aired, most likely in the US. Thanks to this blunder we have confirmation from David that Carson will die in “Sunday.” From this site comes a transcript of that part of the interview:
Lady Interviewer: “This is a kind of under wraps thing…”
David: “I’m going to pretend that I don’t know.”
Lady Interviewer: “I understand that there is an episode coming up that is not to be missed. “Sunday!”
David: “Sunday” is one of the most harrowing episodes of Atlantis that you’re going to see. I mean it is literally a ticking bomb throughout and it takes you off. It’s a very, very smart script by Martin Gero who tends to write more of the comic episodes of our show and he’s done a fantastic job of an incredibly sort of traumatic episode. It’s amazing how it takes off in lots of different directions and leads you down one route and then throws you back over here, and literally it puts all of us in incredible peril at some point throughout the episode and the result is quite shocking. I mean it’s really, it’s very.. it’s quite disturbing and at the same time there’s — it leads to certainly some of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever had to do. There’s a scene at the end of “Sunday” which I think is one of the most poignant McKay —not to be self-centered but from my standpoint — one of the most poignant McKay episodes, um, scenes that I’ve had to do. It’s really quite emotional, and I think beautifully written and just sweet, very very sweet. It’s going to be the episode most people talk about for sure. And I both look forward to and dread everyone’s reaction to it because I’m interested to see how they take it.”
Lady Interviewer: “And this next bite MGM will save until this episode has aired.”
David: “Don’t mention this until he’s dead.”
Lady Interviewer: “This is for after so we have a reaction from you.”
Lady Interviewer: “Now that everyone has seen the episode- I haven’t seen the episode so you can tell me perhaps what happened, and how you said it was sort of shocking. That you were even were surprised - the fans will be surprised. Give us an after comment.”
David: “Uh, “Sunday” was one of the toughest shows to shoot, because we lose both one of my best friends, and also McKay’s best friends, both on- and off-screen. Beckett and McKay have had this great kind of symbiotic, very difficult kind of relationship - effectively they’re the two nerds that get stuck together in most situations, and where he will be brave, McKay will be cowardly, and when I’m brave, he’s useless. So there’s been a great kind of back and forth with our characters, and off-set as well. Paul and I wrote a part for Paul in my first film, and he’s just a very, very good friend of mine; a very good actor, and just an irritatingly nice guy and very fun to tease, I might add, as well.
So “Sunday” was quite a shock. I mean, um, it’s one of those things that with a television show that has gone on as long as it’s gone on for, you do get affected by life. There’s just things happen in life that you don’t expect and that you don’t particularly like, and I think that’s the case with “Sunday.” It’s remarkably effective because it points out the reality of life, which is that things don’t always go the way you want them to go, that we aren’t safe. And I think that it’s clever writing and clever producing, I think, because it does remind everybody that, you know, while there’s time for merriment, there’s time for camaraderie and all this kind of stuff, they’re - we’re constantly in danger. These characters are constantly under the threat of some imminent death, and you get reminded like that, quite suddenly, as we do in life, I mean. The same thing happens in life. Out of the blue, you don’t expect it, and these things happen. So, I think it’s very accurate. It’s unfortunate. I mean, you know, ’cause frankly I’m going to miss having Paul around, cause he’s - the crew’s going to pick on me now instead of him — so, that’s basically what it comes down to. You know, I have the sneaking suspicion that we will be seeing McGillion again, though. The beautiful thing about scifi is that no one ever dies in scifi, so I’m curious to see how they resolve this, and I think fans should know that I personally believe that he’s going to be back. So we’ll see how season four unravels, but I look forward to see how they get themselves out of this one.”
Thanks to wraithfodder for the transcript. Having things confirmed like this will only help our campaign be stronger than ever.
22 Comments »
-
Just saw the interview as well as the transcript, and I have to say that I can’t stand any longer the “no one ever dies in scifi* phrase. I mean this SUCKS!And with the new informations from Brad Wright that Torri will become recurring character in S4, I think they dig their own grave!
-
Comment by Francy Gregori | 15.Jan.07 @ 12:58 am
Wow!
I can’t believe they how major is this screwed up by MGM!! (posting this before the episode aired!).
Let’s hope David is right and that Carson DOES come back. That’s what we’ll fight for! -
Comment by Nicke | 15.Jan.07 @ 10:59 am
I agree with you, Halessa! Haven’t they just screwed up SG1? Now this really looks like they try to screw up SGA, too… Are they seriously thinking, there are more fans who want Carter on SGA than fans who want Weir and Carson?
-
Comment by Claudia | 15.Jan.07 @ 12:18 pm
Well, I am ready with SG Atlantis after Season 3, that is for sure. With the final confirmation about Carsons death and the confirmation that Weir will only be “recurring” in the 4th episode there is not much to watch left. Atlantis will not be the same after loosing two of their main team people. Nothing against Sam Carter or Amanda Tapping, I liked her very much in SG1, but Atlantis should stay a special, not a mix up of the crews.
As you said it Nicke, it looks like fine try to screw up SGA. -
Comment by JT Savage | 16.Jan.07 @ 7:20 am
Why? Oh, I cannot believe they did this. What is it with killing off the major characters in this series? And as much as I loved Carson Beckett, I have to honestly say I hope they don’t decide to bring him back from the dead. Didn’t we have enough of the “he’s dead, no, wait, he’s back” bit with Daniel Jackson in SG-1? And as far as losing Elizabeth Weir, remember what happened when they promoted O’Neill in SG-1? Sorry, but after O’Neill stopped going through the Stargate with the team I kind of lost interest in that series altogether.
-
Comment by ledissmogan | 16.Jan.07 @ 9:20 am
I’m disapointed, very disappointed. Carson must come back ! It’s unfair, where is the spirit of SGA? I ak me the question…
-
Comment by andy | 16.Jan.07 @ 11:46 am
for gods sake why do they allways kill of the doctors they did the same with janet in sg1 is it because there a easy target
carson was a exelent actor and fitted well in the series and as a true scot i must say his acsent was exelent and although i would like to see him back for the good of the show its probrly not going to happen (but it should )but as always script writers muck avbout with the cast
NO stop it leave them alone an -
Comment by andy | 16.Jan.07 @ 11:51 am
and anouther thing fire the moron that thought it would be good to write out and marginalise two main charictors he/they oviously dont care about the show or fans or there actors
-
Comment by allison | 16.Jan.07 @ 7:11 pm
He just has to come back. I’m guessing that the writers are trying to make it more believable that in real life, shait happens, but to kill off Carson…that’s…that’s…that’s just plain unbelievable! I agree that with all the crossovers, it takes all the fun out of letting a new SG family into your heart. SG1 and SGA, although an episode or two of crossover is exciting, should be apart. Without their distinctive families, it becomes tedious and frankly, unpleasant.
However much I love SG1, if it can’t stand up on it’s own to provide the quality entertainment we so dearly know and love, it’s time to let that ship finally sail *a little piece of soul dies*. I say, leave SGA out of the original series mix so that it is able to flourish in its own, unique way…starting with bringing Dr. Beckett back and stop messing around with such nonsense. If the formula works, embellish upon it gradually; don’t run at it with a pair of scissors and a cleaver and start hacking it to tatters.
Long live Dr. Carson Beckett!
-
Comment by Yuval | 17.Jan.07 @ 2:59 pm
I am from Israel and I love seeing SGA Atlantis, would be sad to see Carson Beckett leave!
-
Comment by Sharon | 17.Jan.07 @ 11:05 pm
OMG - they killed him. I can’t believe they killed him. What are they thinking?
Yes, it’s hard-hitting, shocking & has gotten a reaction from the fans but it’s a negative reaction. I haven’t read a single bit of information that says ‘yeah that will be interesting to see where SGA goes from now’!
As for Amanda Tapping coming over to Atlantis - don’t you think she’s had her run. I mean why not just bring all of SG1 over! I’ve never really been a huge fan of her character but what would be the point of having her there. Yes, the potential of friction with McKay - how exciting! I don’t really see anything advantageous about having her there!
I think the writers have made a mistake with the direction they’ve gone. I believe that the fans just won’t be happy about it & remember it’s the fans that make a show a success in the first place.
Sorry to see you go Paul!
-
TPTB have a budget, and with Tapping heading over from the miserable failure that became SG1 (coincidentally when Ben B was brought on board - the problem wasn’t so much RDA leaving as lousy chemistry that came with the additions from that reject Farscape disaster), they had to drop at least one major character. With Tapping in her 11th season, she probably makes nearly as much as Paul and Torri together, so they may have called for two heads over in accounting (with just enough budget left over to have her appear in four or five season 4 episodes).
I used to watch SG1 episodes two or even three times in the week they first aired. I stopped doing that when the unnecessary additions of Browder and Bridges made it a completely different show (and it was apparent from the imagination-challenged scripts that the “A” team of writers was sent over to work on Atlantis - I can’t even think of a single good episode of SG-1 from the last three seasons). As for Atlantis, we were told before season 1 that the two worlds would be isolated from one another - that they wouldn’t just be able to call SG1 when things got difficult. Atlantis is a great show - at the moment - but it would have been even more compelling if they had truly been left with no way to contact Earth. Well, we might finally get that in season 4 with SG-1 sort of shut down (except for the don’t-get-your-hopes-up;these-aren’t real-movies; they are direct-to-video SG1 movies), but “Carter” really belongs in the SG-1 universe, not Atlantis, and I have never, ever found her interactions with McKay the least bit humourous or entertaining. As for Tapping, I don’t know what it’s like to have a child, but her character has not been the same. A better choice for Atlantis - though he may have other committments and Tapping is already under contract for (2007) - would be Dr. Jackson. As Teal’c’s act grew tired, Samantha saved the world one too many times and RDA moved on, he was the only reason to watch SG-1 - and he has always wanted to go. With all the mythology and cool ancients sets the Stargate crew is known for, it is a shame they can’t find something for him to do in Atlantis. What a shame such decisions are strickly money - I thought the franchise was worth going all out for but I guess I was wrong.
I hate to admit it here, but I can live without Beckett - even if I enjoy his character more than the annoying McKay. I can watch another five years of Tayla, Ronin, and Flanagan fighting the Wraith (whatever happened to them?), but as much as I loved Don S. Davis as the SG-1 general, Elizabeth’s role in Atlantis (the show) has always been more integral than Hammond’s. If they put some military moron in her place, I will probably be done with a franchise that I have loved for a decade and that I don’t have a replacement for.
Is this really how painful it was for Trekkies as that franchise became more and more mishandled? Well, there’s always the old DVDs.
-
Comment by skorsky | 18.Jan.07 @ 11:50 am
Okay this was just plain stupid they killed off a great character, with the plans of marginalizing another - what are these guys smoking? I mean really. This makes no sense! SGA reported better ratings than SG-1, and the show just started to skyrocket, why do they do this?
Beckett represented the heart of Atlantis, I aggree very much with the caption of this site. McCay is the brains, Shepperd/Ronin the brawn, Beckett the heart, and so on. Yes. I do understand life *changes*. But I don’t watch TV to understand life, I watch TV to ESCAPE IT. ENTERTAINMENT SHOULD TAKE YOU TO PLACES where it’s a bit different. I don’t mean irrational, but just, different. It doesn’t mean every episode is f**ing Loveboat, but the family feeling together with a sense of adventure doesn’t do any harm. I mean, please. Come on.
-
Comment by allison | 19.Jan.07 @ 3:48 am
I totally agree. And even if they brought Dr. Jackson back into the mix, he and Beckett have a different sort of “heart” about them because their motivations towards others are spurred from different ways of thinking (i.e. Daniel empathizes with people and looks for the middle ground while Carson has more of the ‘Every life is precious because I’m a doctor and that’s what I do” conscious). I think that although the characters have similarities, it would be a more creative dynamic shift than just killing people off and adding Carter, no matter how much I love her. I have to agree that, although I like the witty banter between Mc.kay and Carter, it’s not like it’ll go anywhere. I’d be like Mc.Kay would have two smart people to argue with, thus rendering Zelenka obselete. And we wouldn’t want that.
Now, I don’t have cable so I haven’t actually seen the infamous episode, but I have been able to watch much of SGA over the years. When I heard that my favorite character was killed off, I became so disgusted that I almost stopped watching the show all together.
Though I have always been a loyal SG1 fan, die hard, and have become very intrigued by SGA’s new dynamic, I feel that through this continual shift in our family, we have been betrayed.
Betrayed and absolutely disregarded. There is so much potential for Dr. Beckett’s character to evolve into one of the most loved characters of Sg, but they killed him off before he even got the chance (although, I think that he had us all by the first episode ^_^;)
Long Live Dr. Beckett!
blackangelmifune@gmail.com -
Comment by John C. | 24.Jan.07 @ 10:12 am
The producers of ST-SG1 and ST-Atlantis seem to forget without the fans they have no shows. Sponsors
help foot the bill but the fans make the whole thing work. These shows are not domestic they are global
in the people they touch. The producers lie to the fans
and to themselves and figure everything is OK. It is not.
The killing off a main character like Dr. Beckett is not
good for the series over the long haul. To use a device
like they did to dispatch Carson is a most empty pretense that reeks of daytime soaps not Stargate. The
fans of these series deserve to be treated better. A fine
actor like Paul Mc Gillion deserves better as well.
The powers that be should be ashamed and embarrassed buy their actions and the direction the show is taking is unworthy of previous productions. You are becoming a major disappointment and should rethink the path you
have chosen. -
Comment by Steve | 31.Jan.07 @ 4:31 pm
After watching Carson die I couldn’t believe that it was real. Sorry, but writing off one of PPL who really made Atlantis is stupid. As english is not my mother tongue I especially enjoyed Carson’s accent and witty jokes with Rodney and others….
I will miss him very much and really don’t care who MGM think is a good replacement, but it will never be like him.
No one really dies in sci-fi?
Couple of times it really would be better death woud mean end, but in this time, NO!
-
Comment by EdwardDR | 02.Feb.07 @ 8:47 pm
Doesn’t it seem like it is the old formula, kill the doctor either in SG1 and now in SGA, change leaders, because stability in a show is a real “killer” (no pun intended) like Gen. Hammond in SG1 and now Dr. Weir in SGA. Seems like producers have no imagination at all , oh wait ! That’s why they hire writers to do the dirty work for them. Hail Pontious Pilate!
-
Comment by EdwardDR | 02.Feb.07 @ 8:50 pm
If Paul McGillion is going to have some free time now, have him audition for the
Scotty role in the new Star Trek movie. It couldn’t hurt. -
Comment by RedStar | 10.Feb.07 @ 6:18 pm
Beckett has been removed to make way for Carters role in the show. Lets face it, Beckett was an integral piece of the show but he laked the “role” to move it in a positive direction. There are already too many supporting characters and I believe the mainstream cast were themselves becoming supporting cast members, in particular Beckett and Weir.
In fact I can go further and say Tailar’s role is also in question. Her role is two dimensional and lacks and real need to continue.
-
Comment by Timespirt | 02.Mar.07 @ 8:42 pm
I would think that TPTB would listen to the grumbles of their humble fans and DUMP the Carter role, and restore the role of Weir to full cast member. They will lose a lot of fans over this decision, killing Beckett off and demoting Weir. They should have left a good thing alone and let SG-1 bow out with grace. I don’t think this show will go much past the 4th or 5th season. They killed this franchise, put a fork in it, it’s done!!!!!!!
Your Comment
Allowed HTML Tags:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>