Piccardo in, Tapping Out at Stargate Atlantis
Stargate Atlantis readies for production on its fifth season. My how time flies. It seems like only yesterday when Colonel Samantha Carter took over command of Atlantis and now she’s on her way out. With Amanda Tapping demoted to “special guest star” status, Robert Picardo will be moving in as top dog in the ancient city.
Richard Woolsey has often been a thorn in the side of Sheppard and the Atlantis team and I imagine he’ll continue to be, forcing our heroes to “adjust to his unique leadership style.” It worries me and not in a fictional sense. Piccardo has always added an element of humor to the series, something he does quite well, but not something I want to see on a weekly basis. Though it wasn’t specifically mentioned by SCI FI, Tapping’s exit does seem well timed with the announcement that Sanctuary, in which she also stars, is moving to SCI FI.
The rest of the cast remains intact and Paul McGillion will return for a five episode arc (never say dead.) Stargate SG-1 star Michael Shanks will also make a quest appearance and the series will hit a landmark. During this season, the show will hit it’s 100th episode. An amazing feat! Surely The Ancients would be proud.
Carter/Tapping never fit here.
And as much as I love seeing more of Kaylee, she doesn’t either. I can’t see either of these two being sent cross galaxy in real life. Kaylee’s uber cuteness and aloof nature is floating away into the ether in this show. Not that everyone should be type cast but each show these ppl are in is another chance to get a faint whiff of Firefly in the air.
Summer Glau has at least made a succesful transition, not that I’m completely convinced that John Conner didn’t send River Tam back in time to protect his former self. It sounds like a good plan to me…