Noooo... we still want to hear your comments about 200. :)

You always have an insightful viewpoint, refreshing, with just a trace of snarcasm. :)

Helena

I love that icon, btw. :)

You are far too good for my ego, hon. *hugs*

The funny thing is I finally decided to approach it in two ways: in context and out of context. Out of context, I quite enjoyed it. Funny bits and it's always good to keep a sense of humor about one's self. In context, character-usage (Jack for next to no time!), making sense (Vala proposing that Jack and Sam get married? Get real! She'd be doing a solo show a la Mitchell, but she'd be sexually harrassing everone instead of holding weddings.), and so on, it was "eh" and knowing the disdain that seems to flow between the writers and the fans makes that ending either borderline or nasty.

Now that I know the cast's enjoyment of the cake and balloons "on the other side of the wormhole" was tainted by cancellation, maybe I'm more forgiving of their denying us the opportunity to participate by seeing it. :(

Great icon, btw - I think I must have it. It is so hard to believe that they would be so crass as to break the bad news on the eve of the 200th episode celebration. Although somewhat disappointed in that episode, I certainly did not want the show to not be renewed. I can't imagine Friday nights without it. *cries*

It is a good one, isn't it? It's very snaggable but please note that it isn't mine. It was made by the talented coloneljack. It's my very favorite team icon. :)

I never wished for the series to be canceled. For all my ranting, and for as annoyed as I get at the absolute lazy-assed storytelling, I kept hoping they'd get a good chemistry going in the writers' room and.or accidentally hire someone who wanted to bring back the more powerful storylines of yesteryear. :)

*fingers crossed* they can manage to sucker another network into picking it up and that that network sees the gold in the early stuff and helps reshape it. I know; I'm a cockeyed optimist. ;)

Thanks for letting me know - both that it is snaggable and the proper credit. Will do. Thanks again.

:) I wanted to make certain, btw, that you're planning to participate in the Terylicious contest. Since you're now an icon maker - and there's no such thing as too much love for Teryl - I'm hoping that you'll join all of us in making this event something worthy of the Woman herself. :)

I've been meaning to comment on your icons as well as some by elfcat255 but haven't had a chance. I think you'd be a wonderful asset to the competition.

*blushes* You are far too kind. My icons are really nothing special compared to the animations and clever text and beautiful color and texture that other people do with their icons (ahem - take note of the icon with this comment!). I've gotten lucky with a couple of great pictures to crop from, that's all. I seriously doubt my icons are worthy of Teryl although I'd love to participate. Perhaps I will because at least I'd have a say in paying tribute to the wonderful, talented, lovely woman she is.

Thank you again for your compliments. They certainly came at an appropriate time to cheer me up. *G*

Oooo! I had just heard about when the cast had been told. That's awful. And unclassy on SciFi's part.

Isn't it just? I'd always heard that the entertainment industry is filled with unfeeling, cold personalities who'd just as soon stab you in the back as in the front. "Meeting" the genuinely nice people from the show at cons, though, lulled me into a false sense of complacency. I asked Don Davis about it one time, the gap between the sort of people I met at cons and the stereotype, and he said it was a testament to RDA and the fact that he insisted on surrounding himself with a certain class of person.

Guess he doesn't have much say on who works for Sci Fi.

As long as it kept going, I had hope that they'd stumble into a storyline or character arc that I could really enjoy.

You expressed my feelings exactly. I have such mixed feelings about this, but I still had hope of loving at least some parts of the show again.

I was going to write out a response to "200" but it seems a bit pointless at this juncture.

It must feel disheartening, but I'd still like to know what you thought of it, if you change your mind. :-)

The worst part, to me, is apparently the cast was told right before their 200th episode celebration. That's pretty damned cold. Weird that my day began with links to the brand new place SG-1 earned in Guinness records for longevity and announcement that SG-1 is now available on iTunes and ends with a cancellation.

I know. I left this afternoon feeling pretty good about things--not just SG-1, but the SG-1 news was pretty good. I love the idea of it being available on iTunes. I record it and save it to DVD myself and buy the official DVDs, so I wouldn't pay the price for the full season of downloads, but if I had a power outage or missed an episode for some other reason, it'd be nice to be able to download it legally and without the hassle of every other method I've ever tried (always unsuccessfully).

It must feel disheartening, but I'd still like to know what you thought of it, if you change your mind. :-)

:) I porbably will still write it out. I did that for the last half of last season, though it was for myself since it never sparked discussion. Besides, I would like to be able to go back and read what everyone else thought.

...it'd be nice to be able to download it legally and without the hassle of every other method I've ever tried

I worked in copyrights when I worked at a local museum so I've always been weird about illegal downloads; they aren't worth it to me. (Actually, my two loves, fan fic and icons, rely on violations that make me uneasy, but the blind eye is turned so...) iTunes is exactly the sort of service I'm happy to pay for and thrilled to see. Also? legal download=less explosure to viruses and miscreants.

If I thought it would allow me to cap episodes I enjoyed, I'd pony up the money in a heartbeat. However, I'm pretty sure those things are coded nine ways to Sunday to keep that from happening.

Besides, I would like to be able to go back and read what everyone else thought.

:-) Are you like me and have to write out your own thoughts before you read any reviews? I don't know why, but I like to clarify my own thoughts before I read what everyone else thought. That's not to say that I'm not still influenced by it, because I am. Others always have so many good insights into things and notice things that I never notice, and so on.

iTunes is exactly the sort of service I'm happy to pay for and thrilled to see. Also? legal download=less explosure to viruses and miscreants.

Exactly on both counts. I never liked the idea of downloading entire TV shows either, but that's not to say that I haven't tried--always unsuccessfully. OTOH, I have downloaded clips--especially when the show was airing first in the UK in the second half of the season.

If I thought it would allow me to cap episodes I enjoyed, I'd pony up the money in a heartbeat. However, I'm pretty sure those things are coded nine ways to Sunday to keep that from happening.

I don't know. There are probably programs that can strip that away. I know that when I buy downloaded music, it's in WMV format. I bought CD players that would play WMV files, but they won't play the coded ones that I've downloaded, so I had to figure a way around that, which means burning them to CD and then ripping them from the CD with another program. I figure that's fair use since I *should* be able to play the music files on my own CD players. *g* Otherwise, what's the point?

If I get an iPod, I'll have to continue do the same, since that won't play my coded WMV files. I suppose I could start buying music from iTunes instead of MusicMatch, but that wouldn't help for the zillions of songs I already downloaded with MusicMatch over the past few years.

My Tivo is hooked up to my computer network, and I can transfer files of TV shows from one to the other or to any computer in the house. There are two programs that have the codes so that you can legally burn them to DVD on your computer, but there is also a program that you can use to strip the coding and turn it into a regular MPG files. (I've never tried burning with my computer, though, because I have an external DVD burner anyway, though it's broken right now.)

Are you like me and have to write out your own thoughts before you read any reviews?

Absolutely. If I start reading others' opinions, it's likely to color my impressions.

I figure that's fair use since I *should* be able to play the music files on my own CD players. *g* Otherwise, what's the point?

I'm with you there. To me, that's the other side of the coin. I don't mind participating in a system where those who produce are fairly compensated but once I've paid, I do expect that it's mine to use for my own personal use and I have precious little patience with companies trying to control my personal use. In fact, I think that stupidity leads to a "screw you, too" attitude and exacerbates the piracy problem.

My Tivo is hooked up to my computer network, and I can transfer files of TV shows from one to the other or to any computer in the house

I spent part of my vacation trying to do exactly that with my TiVo but for some reason it never did hook into my home network. Now that Joe is home with the laptop, I need to remember to get that set up.

Only certain wireless thingees will work, according to my husband. It's worked great for us. I recently got a second Tivo, but we don't have it hooked up to the network just yet.

Yeah, I'd read up on all the transmitters and which versions of firmware worked. I decided to make my life easier and just order a wireless card directly from TiVo. I'm wondering, actually, if there's something wrong with our router. The wired portions work but the wireless part has always been problematic. In any case, that's way more than you wanted to know. *grin*

It's a real pain but having the ability to pull content off my TiVo appeals very strongly to me. Especially now that we've switched to DSL and it does not like sharing the phone line with TiVo.

I decided to make my life easier and just order a wireless card directly from TiVo.

hehe That's what I would have done if my husband wasn't into it.

I'm wondering, actually, if there's something wrong with our router. The wired portions work but the wireless part has always been problematic. In any case, that's way more than you wanted to know. *grin*

*g* No, really, I'm interested. That would suck if there's something wrong with the router. Luckily ours has worked fine, but I think this is our second one.

It's a real pain but having the ability to pull content off my TiVo appeals very strongly to me. Especially now that we've switched to DSL and it does not like sharing the phone line with TiVo.

Yeah. When TivoToGo first came out, I transfered some episodes just because I could. *g* I really didn't have a reason to do it just yet.

Okay, here comes the boring, stoic "voice of reason" to rain on your little pity party... (You were expecting me, no?)

The worst part, to me, is apparently the cast was told right before their 200th episode celebration.

What would have been a better time? Have them celebrate the 200th episode, raise glasses in hope of a perpetual series and then have SciFi knock them out at the knees a day later? Do you really think the news came as a complete shock to the cast and crew? Chances are good to excellent that they were well aware of the possibility of cancellation and only had the official announcement come on the day it did. SciFi may be run by a bunch of heartless bastards but I think that you may be overplaying the drama here. The cast and crew of SG-1 aren't a bunch of kids. They knew the ratings; they knew that they hadn't been offered contracts for season 11. They all saw the writing on the wall, and if they say different, they're either being very disingenuous or they're stupider than toast.

As for the show itself, yes, it's sad to think that SG-1 won't be returning, but I have to say that it really hasn't held my interest very much beyond season 7. It's rare to see shows last such a long time and there's a reason for it; the writers run out of ideas and jump the shark, the actors get bored and become caricatures of their former roles... you know how it goes. The infusion of new blood last season gave SG-1 a much needed boost, but the show just isn't what it used to be. I think that this is a good time to end it.

Having said that, I know thousands of people will be heartbroken. I am saddened, too. But I for one, look forward to seeing Michael Shanks, Christopher Judge, et al, move on to other, better things.

Yanno, m'dear, it's a good thing I love you so much. You seem to have developed a taste for poking bears** (and god how I hope that's literally true!) while in Cinti. *reod*

I'd have to go look at timelines, but I had the impression that most of these episodes were filmed before the season began airing. Honestly, I assumed the announcement to the cast predated the ratings drop. I could very well be wrong. It has happened 2 or 3 times before. I also thought everyone but MS had signed on for a Season 11. Apparently, I haven't been paying very close attention to the backstage stuff.

...but I have to say that it really hasn't held my interest very much beyond season 7

Which is all the more reason to offer condolences at our loss and be thankful that you don't care. :) I won't argue that it's compelling television or that it's amongst the best offerings on t.v.; the writers long ago got it stuck in their heads that any old slop in front of the pigs was more than good enough. I'll probably even eventually be at peace with the decision. I'm still unsure on why they'd announce it the same day the new records are released and that the iTunes deal is announced, but... *shrug* Anyhow, I'm still sad and it's still a loss, even if it's the loss of hope, for me.

I think that this is a good time to end it.

I am very glad that apparently the final episode isn't in the can yet so I'm hoping against hope that whatever they pen knowing that for real it's the final episode, it's worthy and brings closure.

...But I for one, look forward to seeing Michael Shanks, Christopher Judge, et al, move on to other, better things.

Teryl Rothery and Don Davis already have and I have no doubt that others will, too. CJ has announced over and over that he does not plan to continue acting. Selfishly, I hope he can be lured into other projects but he seemed genuine about wanting to spend more time just being a dad and I wouldn't blame him at all for choosing that route.

Michael Shanks will land on his feet. I hope it isn't in a string of bad Sci Fi movies. There are only so many mutant insect movies I'll watch, no matter how hunky the lead. Amanda Tapping I worry for a little because the industry is famous for bypassing women who aren't young 20 somethings. I hope she's able to defy the odds. (It was one of my gripes about the xenobiologist who looks all of 25. That's one reason I love BSG.)

Anyhow, I'll work my way around to acceptance. I'm just not there yet.

**Yes, I did buy my honey in a bear-form last night. ;-)

I too, hope that CJ will continue to act. He's said far too often that he wants to take up writing and let his figure go. (Gah!)

Michael Shanks will land on his feet. I only hope he will follow his previous plan of going to LA to pursue work. That would keep him out of bad scifi and hopefully get him on American television. Is supect that Amanda Tapping will also land on her feet but be relegated to Canada. As for Ben Browder, I hope he gets a gig on an American series (I think MS should be in movies).

As for that other Ben... I've recharged by laptop battery for the trip home. I should be back on my native soil before 8 tonight.

I bet one thing CJ will enjoy is losing the need to work out so many times a day.

I only hope he will follow his previous plan of going to LA to pursue work

Egads, what did MS ever do to you that would make you wish hell upon him? Oh wait, that's Newark. ;-) Seriously, it would be good for his career but I can imagine better places to raise kids. :| Even if he does move? I still want to live in Vancouver. :)

Is supect that Amanda Tapping will also land on her feet but be relegated to Canada.

There's now a TV Guide piece that suggests "some" SG-1 character might move to SGA. Personally, that seems like a Bad idea to me but if they were planning to move one of the characters, Sam would be bet. Daniel makes more sense to me but Sam is more popular. In any case, the whole thing is purely speculative and unsubstantiated and insubstantial detail-wise, but I find myself cringing at the prospect.

As for that other Ben... I've recharged by laptop battery for the trip home. I should be back on my native soil before 8 tonight.

Yay! Happy Chair Dance Time! Give C and opinionatedmuse hugs for me and get yourself back to...wait. There's soil in NYC? *ducks*