A few more BTS photos from the archives…

Behind the scenes on Episode 210, “Going Out Fighting” (and, evidently, singing and dancing as well).  We shot this episode at Brampton City Hall with its gorgeous floral wall art lobby.  My old friend and former Stargate cohort, Peter DeLuise, directed this story that, in its infancy way back when I was first developing the series, was originally envisioned as one of multiple narratives that would have run through the two-parter series finale, complete with far, far more downbeat ending.  Pictured: Anthony Lemke, Roger Cross, Peter DeLuise, and Jonas Chernick.

Melanie Orr’s Direction of the near touching scene

Behind the scenes on Episode 310, “Built, Not Born” as director Melanie Orr oversees a near-touching moment between Dr. Irena Shaw (Zoie Palmer) and Rebecca (Melissa O’Neil).  The research facility and Shaw’s secret lab were constructed on our second stage that housed the Marauder and, had the series gone a fourth year, played host to an alien ship set.

Redemption and Return To the Light

Behind the scenes on Episode 312, “My Final Gift To You” – director Bruce McDonald and actor Alex Mallari Jr. enjoy some downtime between set-ups.  At the heart of the show was the theme of redemption and the exploration of how dark someone could go before being drawn back to the light.  In the original, much sadder version of the FOUR/Ryo Ishida storyline, TWO casts the deciding vote and takes Ryo for a walk across the extraordinary landscape of an alien world.  As they discuss their lives, the mistakes they’ve made, Ryo spots something in the distance – incredibly, his stepbrother Hiro and his good friend Misaki, kids again, waving to him from a beach.  He starts forward, uncertain at first, then racing down to meet them, joyous and young.  We PUSH IN ON the excitement in his eyes we PULL BACK TO REVEAL Ryo, overcome by hypoxia, dying on the planet’s surface.  An emotional TWO, her nanites protecting her from the planet’s atmosphere, turns and heads back to the ship.  THAT was the dark timeline ending – which changed in time.  In fact, the plan was to redeem and reinstate FOUR as a beloved crew member in season 4, as hinted at in the virtual season 4, episode 4.02.

Roger Cross’ Future

 Behind the scenes on Episode 210, “Take The Shot”.  Roger Cross does NOT like the look of that automated pizza slicer.  The original plan for SIX, aka Griffin Jones, aka Kal Varrick offered a decidedly more somber conclusion to his story as well.  Unable to bear the weight of his past, the memories of the family he lost and his indirect hand in the deaths of thousands, he opts to have his memory wiped.  He awakens in a community and given a new identity, told he is suffering from amnesia as a result of an accident.  As he settles into his new life, now blissfully unaware of his past, the crew watch him from afar and, in some ways, envy his decision, before heading back to the waiting The Marauder.

Anthony Liked To Get Dirty

Behind the scenes on Episode 210, “Going Out Fighting”.  Anthony getting measured for his head restraint.  I don’t think I’ve ever worked with an actor who was so eager to suffer for his art, and by suffer I mean getting down and dirty in the mud and slush of a forest location, going all out in his fight sequences, and, more often than not, eating endless servings of rice pudding, gruel and, on one occasion, a lamb shank that requires so many takes he was gnawing on a bone by the end.

Hey, who is that throwing another shrimp on the barbie?

Why, it’s former Dark Matter line producer Norman Denver, host of the (soon to be) Annual Norman Denver Invitational Barbecue and Booze Fest.  On the menu today: shrimp, steak, sausages, Chicken Adobo, corn, broccolini, assorted Italian pastries, and an 18-year-old scotch I didn’t get around to sampling.  The table’s highbrow conversation covered everything from the arts to wine to that time our Stargate costume designer washed Jason Momoa’s jeans, much to his chagrin.

Gimme some sugar, baby.

Well, rainy day today – which allowed me to complete my polish of that sci-fi script, delineate the issues that need to be tackled on that horror script, and consider the story and character arcs for that OTHER sci-fi script.  Oh, also recorded the second installment of Baron’s Book Blog Blab Vlog, finished up on Handmaid’s Tale season 2, and read another book.  The dogs, on the other hand, were miserable.

Still raining!  Have you SEEN two more despondent-looking furballs?

Hey, who’s up for a little Q&A?  Got some questions?  Post them in the comments section. I’m in the mood for another mailbag!

The other day, I did a rundown of the top ten episodes I had the most fun writing. Today, I switch gears to focus on My Top 10 Toughest Episodes.  Why were they tough?  Well, the the issues varied, ranging from script challenges to productions issues, scheduling headaches to post-production problems.

A few may surprise you…

#10

Notwithstanding the fact that this episode turned out to be a fan favorite – and I ultimately ended up very pleased with the results – this one was a tough script to write and, at times, an even tougher episode to produce.  Plenty of twinning also meant long days that turned into nights, and one memorable Fraturday.

#9

The issues with this one were rooted in a fundamental disagreement in pre-production regarding the character of Cadet Jennifer Hailey.  In the end, I lost that particular argument and a character who was introduced as a potential recurring player faded into obscurity once the episode aired.

#8

While I loved the exploration of Jonas Quinn’s backstory, the tale of his addled mentor never quite synced for me.

#7

This one had the misfortune of being overly ambitious – everything from scripts to sets, scheduling to extras conspired against us.  Ultimately a great performance by Roger Cross and some nice moments save the day, but it was a very tough time getting there.

#6

One of the last episodes my then writing partner, Paul Mullie, and I truly co-wrote (moving forward, although we would share onscreen writing credits, we would do most of our scripting solo), it’s one of those episodes you wish you could do-over.

#5

Although I’m happy with the way this episode turned out (and include it among my favorites), I pitched a very different version of this story only to end up being steered in another direction.  I was not convinced it was the right choice.  Even while writing the script, I was not convinced – which made for a very unhappy process.  But, as I said, it all worked out and all it cost me was a little extra time…and some of my sanity.

#4

I don’t think I’ve spent more time in an editing room working on an episode than I did on this two-parter that proved an exercise in frustration.

#3

Another episode that turned out surprisingly solid despite the pains it took to get us there.  I was sent back to the drawing board multiple times on the script, writing, rewriting, and re-rewriting.  “It’s still a little bumpy,”fellow EP Carl Binder informed me following what must have been my fourth pass, couching his words in the gentlest way possible, no doubt fearing I was close to hurling my laptop out the window, and me after it.

#2

The network hated the first draft of this script and, to be honest, I don’t think they were ever particularly fond of subsequent drafts or the finished episode.  Given my hitherto solid experience writing for SG-1 those prior four years, the overwhelmingly negative feedback I received to this script shocked me. Fortunately, my next script for Atlantis, Siege II, was a much more positive experience.

#1

When I got my first draft of this script back from Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Greenburg, I marveled at all of the check marks that adorned its pages.

“No,” showrunner Brad Wright solemnly informed me — “Check marks are bad.”

Oh. In all fairness, I was never privy to Rick’s notes on scripts not my own but, at the time, I remember thinking I’d never seen him hate on a script so much.  Despite my attempts to address his notes, he simply never bought into the possibility that this ship could have been hijacked in the first place.  Throw in one of my, uh, least favorite guest stars in franchise history, and you have an experience I’d sooner forget.

Ah, but I’m sure tough times are not limited to television production alone.  Please, regale us with your professional lowlights.

Some thoughts on Dark Matter‘s Android played by the lovely and talented Zoie Palmer…

When I originally developed the idea for the series that would become Dark Matter, I envisioned Android a lot differently than the character who ended up on our screens.  For one, the character was envisioned as male.  In the comic books, he was less childlike than the final t.v. version and more akin to a polished butler in attitude.  Finally, the plan was for this character to be more of a supporting player.  That WAS the plan, but that plan changed after we cast Zoie Palmer.

Zoie brought something completely different to the role.  Her portrayal was sweet, humorous, and irresistibly charming.  This character I had created on paper came to three dimensional life in ways I never expected.  So, as the first season progressed and episodes started coming in short, my response was to write extra scenes for our Android to flesh out her character and make her an equally important member of the Raza crew.  And, of course, Zoie Palmer was more than up for the challenge.

Zoie’s onscreen presence and her chemistry with the other actors was undeniable, but what really surprised me was the fan reaction.  Online and in those focus group testings the networks love so much, Android continually topped the lists of favorite characters.  Each of the crew members had their supporters, but Android commanded a passionate fanbase I honestly never imagined when I first created the character.

And within that fanbase, what I found truly remarkable and touching were the number of viewers who reached out to say they connected with Android because they were autistic and saw in her a character with whom they could relate.

“As an #autistic person it’s hard for me to let #DarkMatter #Android go. Know what? I just won’t!”

“I have a friend whose young son is autistic & he adores the Android. His mum hasn’t had the heart to tell him that #DarkMatter isn’t coming back (yet!).”

“#DarkMatter android awesome, autistic people related to her, characters developed deeper, miss dinner time chats #RAZA”

“We need 2 raise awareness for women with #autism. Too bad we won’t see #DarkMatter s Android anymore.”

“Thank you @ZoiePalmer for your take on the Android, for precisely this reason. #syfy #Darkmatter #autism #spectrum”

” It really mirrors many of the self-esteem issues of AS people. In many scenes, she sits around the table with her crew while they engage in chit chat as she follows the discussion and earnestly tries to enter the conversation–very awkwardly–sound familiar? She often takes things too literally and asks the the other characters what they really mean. In season 2, the Android character is given a special chip that allows it/her to interact socially more intuitively–like a NT human. She uses it to pass as human to save a fellow crew member. In the next episode, she takes to chip out and goes back to being non-NT android. She says that this is her real identity–so cool. Such an intense episode and a real role-model for an AS person. –Zoie Palmer’s performances as that character is phenomenal”

“I’m autistic and how the crew is with android makes me feel like I’m normal!”

Wow.  Looking back on those tweets, comments, messages, and emails, I’m struck by  varied emotions.  I’m amazed, touched, and incredibly proud of Zoie and Android.  But, above all, there’s overwhelming  compassion for these wonderful fans who connected so deeply with something I helped create.

I am humbled.

Final gifs courtesy of FYEAHTHEANDROID

The post Dark Matter’s Android appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

It’s been approximately one year since Dark Matter was cancelled.

Truthfully, it’s hard to pin down an exact day because syfy never gave us a “Thanks for three years” official announcement, but I like to peg the date at around this time last year when, buoyed by the show’s relatively strong overall viewership, I sold my home in Vancouver and moved to Toronto to finish up what I assumed would be the final two seasons of the show – only to learn on the day I arrived, jet-lagged and exhausted, that we were done.

Over at SciFi Movie Page, Chris Suide offers up a nice retrospective of the series –

Dark Matter: Revisiting A Terrific Series On The One Year Anniversary of Its Cancellation

And I offer you some behind the scenes videos from Episode 1…

Opening shot by director T.J. Scott…

Rehearsing the ONE stasis pod reveal…

Rehearsing the FOUR stasis pod reveal…

Introducing Alex Mallari Jr. as Dancing FOUR…

John Stead oversees the anti-gray sequence with Marc Bendavid and Anthony Lemke…

Shooting footage for the Griffin Jones Wanted video…

The boys singing their hearts out…

Stunt Coordinator/Director John Stead runs through the choreography for the big Android vs SIX fight sequence..

Shooting THREE’s tumble…

Zoie Palmer and Alex Mallari Jr. rehearse a stunt under the direction of stunt coordinator John Stead…

John Stead shoots Alex Mallari Jr. and Marc Bendavid in the first training room scene…

Anthony Lemke practicing his gun twirling…

Great times!

P.S. Haven’t given up on that wrap-up miniseries!  Someday…

The post It’s been one year since Dark Matter was cancelled… appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

When Dark Matter was cancelled a little over a year ago, I was left somewhat frustrated, kind of annoyed, a more than a little pissed.  For various reasons.  I was frustrated because I wouldn’t be able to complete the story I’d mapped out, annoyed by what I felt was a petty and vindictive decision, and more than a little pissed at how it all went down.  In the end, it was a Clueless Exec Sucker Punch to the show’s cast, crew and, chiefest of all, its fans who had supported the series for three seasons.

An ensuing online campaign to save the show proved ultimately (frankly, surprisingly) unsuccessful and so I redirected focus to other projects.  Whenever fans have asked me about the prospect of a Dark Matter revival, I’ve been honest with them.  It’s unlikely, but I still hold out hope for a mini-series that would allow me to wrap up as many of those narrative loose ends as possible and, hopefully, offer fans some closure.  That, I honestly felt, was the best case scenario.

Until today after my conversation with a very determined individual with connections to a group of equally determined, forward-thinking individuals who have proposed an atypical but very intriguing approach to getting it done.    And the more they talk about it, the more convinced I become that, maybe, the odds of a fourth and fifth season of Dark Matter may not be as long as I’d initially assumed.

Ambiguous, no?  Alas, for now, all I’ll say is that the wheels on a resurrection are – surprisingly – in motion again.  There is, of course, no guarantee that anything will come of this, but the strategy is crazy-brilliant and certainly worth pursuing.

Anyway, I followed up this afternoon’s call with an email outlining the game plan, the questions we needed to answer, and my proposal for a schedule moving forward.  Conversations to follow.

Let’s just file this one away for now but I’ll leave you with this.  Prior to this afternoon, Magic 8 Ball said “Outlook not so good”.  After my chat, it had revised it’s prognostication to: “Ask again later”.  Read into that what you will.

The post November 12, 2018: Distant Dark Matter Rumblings appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

I came across this interesting Screen Rant article today by Toby Symonds which offers up his take on what he felt were ridiculous plot twists (and a few that weren’t) on shows that aired on syfy.  Among the culprits was the decision NOT to kill of Ronon Dex in the Atlantis finale and the decision to reveal SIX as the mole at the conclusion of Dark Matter’s first season.

https://screenrant.com/syfy-shows-plot-twists-hurt-saved/#leave-comment

I love nothing more than a discussion or heated debate about the creative decisions made on a production I was a part of.  And, while I appreciate Toby taking the time write the article and point out what didn’t work for him, I can’t help but disagree with a few of his points and weigh in –

My response –

First off, thanks for taking the time to feature the series. We didn’t have a lot of money to make the show, nor did we receive a lot of support from TPTB while we were making it, but we had a great cast and crew, and an even greater fanbase that’s still very active online.

Second, I wanted to respond to your take that: a) SIX lacked motivation and b) was an illogical choice to be the traitor.

I started developing Dark Matter way back when I was working on Stargate: Atlantis. The plan was to complete the final season of Atlantis and segue smoothly into the first season of Dark Matter. As it turned out, however, we had two seasons of Stargate: Universe and about a year of development work before Dark Matter finally saw the light of a t.v. screen. Between that gap and the years I spent developing DM while working on SGA, I had a good five years to develop the show. As a result, going into the writers’ room for that first season, I had all of the character and major story arcs mapped out, along with a five-year plan. I approached each season like an installment in a book series, with a beginning, middle, and end. And so, season 1 kicks off with the revelation that our characters are wanted criminals and ends, appropriately enough, with them being hauled off to prison (In season 2, our character come together, finally united, in common purpose – to redeem themselves and do the right thing…only to have it blow up in their faces – quite literally – with the destruction of EOS-7 which ignites a galaxy-wide corporate war).

Before I even sat down to write the pilot, I already knew how season 1 would end – with their capture and the reveal that one of them was a traitor and former mole/agent for the Galactic Authority. And I also knew that character would have to be SIX. It really couldn’t be anyone else given their respective backstories. More importantly, one of the central themes of the series was the nature vs. nurture debate. Are you born bad or are you a product of your environment? Dark Matter, like much of the research that has been done on the subject (check out the excellent Three Strangers) posits the answer is: a little of both. SIX is the crew’s moral center (although you could argue FIVE parallels these values). He is/was a principled law enforcement officer tasked with bringing in this galaxy’s most wanted and, despite the mind wipe, demonstrates these honest and right-minded outlooks throughout the show’s first season. Although he possesses no memories of his past, aspects of who he was inform who he is post-mindwipe (In the same way we see these post-mindwipe characteristics bleed through in, say, TWO’s brutal takedown of the casino staff in Episode 4, and execution of Wexler at the end of Episode 11).

One of the great things about having a detailed game plan going in is the opportunities it affords you to seed in clues that pay off later on down the line. Like the Android’s strange but seemingly innocuous comment to TWO prior to her space walk in Episode 3, a comment that hints at TWO’s reveal as a bio-engineered construct (hinted at in more obvious fashion, two episodes later, when her wound miraculously heals). In Episode 8, SIX flashes back to his past and receives the truth about who he is via an undercover Lieutenant Anders. In one of the episode’s final moments, an overwhelmed SIX sits alone amidst the destruction only to have Anders get the drop on him. In the next scene, ONE and FOUR arrive on the scene – but Anders is long gone. Why did he leave and let SIX go? What happened off-screen? It’s a huge red flag.

In the ensuing episodes, we see a sudden shift in SIX’s character, culminating in his emotional plea to FIVE to leave the ship. At this point, he knows that it’s going to end badly. And, after the delivery of the white hole bomb that ends up destroying the Mikkei facility and the planet, claiming thousands of lives, he finally makes the call on the decision he has been mulling over since Episode 8. These people are dangerous and he has to bring them in. And so he sets his plan in motion…

A second important theme in this series was the notion of redemption. Throughout the show’s first season, we peel the onion on the crews’ histories and they must come to terms with their past lives, their past actions, and look to start fresh, be better. In season 2, this theme is studied in another light, through the prism of SIX who seeks redemption for his betrayal. While the rest of the crew is looking to turn over a new leaf and “do the right thing” (spearheaded by TWO), SIX seeks to regain the trust of his former friends. And it’s not something that happens overnight. It takes theentirety of the show’s second season for the crew to accept SIX back into the fold. In short, like most of the character developments and reveals on Dark Matter, I wanted it to feel earned.

Anyway, all this to say that, perhaps despite appearances, we were never making it up as we went along. There was always a good reason (at least so far as I was concerned) that we did what we did. Every narrative decision was tied to character or thematically linked. As for that Ronon decision on Stargate: Atlantis…

My response –

The only thing I can say to this is that Enemy at the Gate was never intended as a series finale. In retrospect, yes, we could have killed off Ronon, perhaps even destroyed Atlantis itself, but the plan had always been to come back for a sixth season. Had we done so, AND killed off the Ronon character, the show would have been poorer for it.

Just a few nitpicks –

Regarding SG-1 – The plan was not to have the show bow out after two seasons. The show had a two season order but the plan was always to go the full five. When Paul and I joined the show’s writing staff in season 4, it was with the understanding that the show would go one more year and conclude with its fifth and final season.

Also, the creative dream was not to end the show after season 7 either. We were simply under the assumption that season 7 would be SG-1’s last – but, in all fairness, we made the same assumption for season 4, 6, 8, and 9. The show’s tenth season, ironically, was the only one I felt confident would NOT be its last – so, of course, it was.

And finally, on a show I never worked on – but watched the hell out of and loved…

Could let this one go without putting in my two cents –

Regarding the critique of the final moments of the Farscape finale (a show on this list that I was not a part of but I watched and loved) – in all fairness, I’m sure it didn’t seem like such a gamble at the time because, from what I understand, they had already been informed they’d been picked up for another season…only to have the pick-up rescinded.

Check out the article.  There are takes on other productions as well: SGU, Wynonna Earp, and BSG to name a few.

Thoughts?

A bittersweet trip back to the site of my previous series, Dark Matter, today as we start early prep on this new show.  I have, to the best of my ability, sought to reassemble the same behind-the-scenes team that made DM such a great experience.  If all goes as planned, I’ll be moving back into my old office and those 65+ bottles of whiskey will be adorning the shelves once again.  But FIRST – we have a lot of work to do.  9 of the first season’s 10 scripts are in play (Yours truly will be doing the honors on the finale, but only after those first nine are in solid shape), and all of the pieces of the production puzzle are slowly coming together.

On this day, we did a walk-thru of the stages with Production Designer Ian Brock and Rick Fernandez, Construction…

 Awww.   I missed these three: Production Manager Kathy Lang, Rick, and Ian.

These phone and lamp collections have coming along nicely since we vacated the offices.

Happy memories.

Hard to believe this space once held the infirmary, mess hall, and training room.

Production Designer Ian Brock has a plan.

This area feels so cavernous and empty without The Raza.

I had very mixed feelings about this visit.  It’ll be nice to be back in production with familiar faces and on familiar ground, but I won’t be satisfied until we return to shoot that proper Dark Matter finale.

Lunch date today with Zoie Palmer (aka Dark Matter‘s Android).  You wouldn’t believe how much she ordered.  I mean, I could barely keep up!

Great to hear she had a crazy-busy 2018 – and is looking ahead to an even crazier and busier 2019!

Came across some behind the scenes pics from the Dark Matter days…

Early call times and low blood sugar often resulted in lunchtime chaos.

Director/Sunt Coordinator John Stead demonstrates proper braining technique.

That episode where Android ate all the churros!

Director Peter DeLuise has a vision for this Anthony Lemke scene.

Also, from back in the Stargate days…

Finally… 

Warning!  This strange individual has been spotted in the building.  If seen, do not approach!  Immediately alert the authorities!

Going through some old file folders and came across the awesome playback elements from back in the day…

DM313 – Aslanov Field Screen

DM313 – Ferrous Corp Lab Wall Graphics

DM313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Transparent Lab Monitor

DM313 – Ferrous Corps Shipyard Transparent Monitor

DM 313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Console

DM313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Store-room Inventory Screen

DM 313 – Ferrous Corp Shipyard Monitor (Aslanov Field)

DM313 – Aslanov Field Overload Initiated

12 finales in 18 seasons.  10 in the last 13.

February 23rd, 2001…

May 17, 2002…

March 25, 2005…

March 10, 2006…

March 7, 2008…

January 9, 2009…

June 11, 2010…

May 9, 2011…

August 28, 2015…

September 16, 2016…

August 25, 2017…

???…

Whew!  What a ride so far!

And hopefully a few more coming your way, sooner than later.

I have a window of opportunity to do a little writing  in the coming weeks: completing the pilot script for my (formerly) Untitled Awesome Project, outlining the pilot for that comic book adaptation, beating out the first five issues of my original ship-based sci-fi comic book series, developing that horror novel adaptation, hopefully moving on to the next step on that other BIG comic book adaptation, AND posting Episode 4.03 of the Dark Matter Virtual Season 4 wherein FOUR attempts to make peace with his recent past, FIVE meets her long-lost sister Carina, and the crew suffers a shocking betrayal.

YES!  ANOTHER SHOCKING BETRAYAL!

Anyway, get caught up if you haven’t already…

Episode 4.01 (The Virtual Season 4 Premiere!)

ACT 1  –  ACT 2  –  ACT 3  –  ACT 4  –  ACT 5

Episode 4.02

ACT 1  –  ACT 2  –  ACT 3  –  ACT 4  –  ACT 5

I’ll look to drop the first chapter in the coming days.

Erratum!  5/11 should read: “Aboard the Raza, FIVE exits the transit pod.  THREE, Wexler, and TWO are waiting for her.  So?  Did she get her sister the transmission codes?  FIVE doesn’t know.  The only thing they can do know is wait and see…”

Episode 4.03, Act 1

Our story continues…

Our story so far…

ACT I

ACT II

ACT III…

Previously On Dark Matter

Our story continues…

A little trip down memory lane…

Welcome to Hyperion-8

Anthony Lemke as THREE

Director Amanda Tapping

Meet your new neighbors

Alex Mallari Jr as FOUR

Face-off

Fight!  Fight!

Fight!

Take the high ground!

Time-out!

Stunt Coordinator John Stead and actor Alex Mallari Jr

Ah, good times.  Good times.

(All photos by Jan Thijs)

Occasionally, when faced with a more complicated series of shots, a director may work with an artist to storyboard the sequence.

Going through my old files, I happened to come across this storyboard for the Android space-walk from Dark Matter’s third episode…

It’s like a Dark Matter comic book!

More often than not during Dark Matter’s first season, episodes came in short, often necessitating the scripting of extra scenes (usually featuring the Android – like the accents scene in Episode 7).  Occasionally, however, an episode came in long requiring edits to bring it down to time.  Rarely did this ever result in the excision of an entire scene – but this was the case in Episode 2 when the run time was so long that we needed to make a big cut.  And this scene was it.

As scripted, ONE, THREE, FOUR, and SIX return to the Marauder, preparing to head back to the Raza – only to learn the ship has left and they have presumably been abandoned.  In the next scene of the broadcast version, we pick them up back at the mining colony, offering their support.  BUT in the original version, there was an intermediary scene that saw our foursome discuss their options – and explain why they (and especially THREE) don’t simply ride out the storm somewhere else…

This one was not so much a deleted scene as it was re-shot (so, technically, yes, deleted and replaced).  The broadcast version has ONE and Android scrambling to save SIX who has gone into cardiac arrest.  Ultimately, it’s the Android’s quick-thinking – and a residual electro-magnetic shock – that brings him back to the land of the living. Exciting, no?

The original version – admittedly not quite as exciting but no less fun – was deemed too sedate given that this was the show’s all-important third episode, the point at which (many in the industry believe) a series either keeps or loses the bulk of its viewer.  “Keep ’em past the third episode and they’ll stay with you for the rest of the season” is the accepted assumption.  And so, the scene was changed.

Outside of a few gags, the broadcast version covers the same beats.