New Villains

2 NYP TV WEEK -I a 5 'Stargate' spin-off introduces new villains, o the Wraiths By MICHAEL GllTZ That's why the team in this sbow is trapped N the new Sci Fi series "Slargate: in a different galaxy and living in the lost city Atlantis" - a spin-off from the qui of Atlantis. It's fm from a safe \1~ven thanks to Oetly successful "Stargate SGI," which its alien technology, the lack of fdrce fields that just launched its eighth season - the lost leave it vulnerable to the elements and the city is finally rediscovered. But accord threat of new uber-villains, the:Wrruths. Ing 10 c<>-cr~3IOr Roh 'n ooper, it In conceiving the new show, ,Cooper doesn't should have OCCUlTed lljles ago. hesitate to name the one element of "SGI" he "We plannell for this t happen a was happiest to jettison. couple f years ngu." says oop 'r, "The Coa'uld," he says firmly about "SCI's" who "Iso helps oversee "SGt." main baddies, "I find them sort of ridiculous. "But we were victims of our That's something I probably shQuldn't be say own success because the ratings ing, considering I still executive produce the for 'SGI' kept growing on Sci Fi. other show. We originally planned the spin "They're great for 'SGI' and they have a spe off to be more of a hand-off. 'SGI' cific tone and feeling to them - these arro would be finishing and then we gant, theatrical, over-the-top, weird-dressing would pass the baton to ''Atlantis.'' bad guys," Cooper says. "But for me it was a When they said they wanted both at lot of fun to create the Wraiths - something the same time. it made us rethink the fresh. They're a much more gothic, dark type concept for the spin-off." of villain." Now, instead of one show ending and the The cast is populated with newcomers, other beginning, sci-fi fans get the best overload including Joe Flanigan as the daring, rcbellious of entertainment since "Star Trek: The Next Maj. John Sheppard and Rachel Luttrell as Teyla, Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" the hal, sexy leader of the Athosian race. aired at the same time in the early '90s. It's the Coopcr." lifelong fan of"The Si x Million Dol la test mark of success for "SCI," which was itsdf lar Man," confesses he approached l.indsay a spin·off from the modest 1994 theatrical hit Wagner about playing Dr. Elizabeth Weir, the starring James Spader and Kurt Russell. head of the Stargate team, but ultimately decid That led to the series debut on Show time ed the show didn't need a name to draw view starring Richard Dean Anderson as the leader ers (Torri Higginson got the part). of a team of explorers that travels through Star Those fans shouldn't get too att3ched to gates to other worlds. Five years on Showtime "SCI," however. It looks like this could be the and in syndication led to its reloc~tion to Sci final season for that franchisc_ Fi. with the show always growing in popularity "We definitely think of the second half of both overseas (where it's a smash hit and seen this season as the series finale," Cooper in more than 60 countries) and on DVD. admits. "There are economics involved in The show's unique appeal? The Stargate sto moving forward to a season nine. and even to ries don't take place in some distant future - a season eight, quite frankly. But we'll see. I've they involve people who live on earth here and learned never to say never. If 'SGI' docs even now who must deal with alien cultures as best better than last year, it's entirely possible Sci they can. Cooper knows that wish fulfillment Fi will do whatever they have to do to make - getting to interact with other worlds right [anothet season] happen." now - is at the heart of "SC!." But he knew ''Atlantis,'' especially since it would be airing at STARGATE: ATLANTIS Suiting up for a trip through the galaxy: Rachel Luttrell and Joe Flanigan. the same time as "SG\," had to be different. F"oay; 9p.m.;-SdFi - -.

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