Volume 22, Number 4 When Stargates Collide by Brandilyn Carpenter and Ralph Gallagher Sunday, Sept. 1 On Saturday aft ernoon in the Interna- tional Ballroom of the Marriott, there was a Stargate cast reunion of sorts. Ben Browder, star of seasons 9 and 10 of the fl agship series, Stargate SG-1, was joined on stage by David Blue from the short-lived, but much-loved, Star- gate Universe series, and Paul McGil- lion, from the run of Stargate: Atlantis. Military SciFi track director Karen Hen- chise, his respect for those who came Stargate, with more hilarious antics son moderated. before and his love of the SciFi genre in from behind the scenes. The actors Before the panel even started, Ben general came through with his stories went on to discuss their favorite actors Browder and David Blue set the tone and his infectious smile. Browder was and panels, showing that they’re just as with an informal Q&A with the audience certainly the most serious, regaling us big of fans and geeks as the audience. with stories of his now-grown children dailydragon.dragoncon.org while they waited for Paul McGillion to The panelists thoroughly proved their arrive. Once all panelists were present and displaying his respect for the US Air need for moderation as they strayed and accounted for, the not-so-serious Force. McGillion told the audience of into naughty territory with their stories business commenced. David Blue pro- pranks played on set and some of the and random comments, making the vided much of the comic relief for the more awkward fi lming experiences. audience laugh voraciously. They com- hour. Though a star on probably the Each of the cast members spoke about pared the antics between Christopher their favorite arcs or episodes from Judge and Jason Momoa. n least known vehicle in the Stargate fran- Playing Spock: Intense Emotions by Maggie Birge-Caracappa Ethan Peck makes playing Spock on so I would really start gearing up for the o Star Trek: Discovery look easy, but he is day and ‘thinking Spock thoughts’ was very open about the terror he felt when how I put it. It’s a very diff erent pres- taking the part. He hates to admit it, but ence… something very observant and he got past all the fear and negative ferociously smart and sharp. It defi nitely g self-feedback by practicing gratitude, takes some ramping up.” self-love, and positivity. “I hate to say it, Peck added that he is an intensely emo- but it’s true. And it worked!” tional person and he felt Spock is, too. Peck knew that if he worked from fear Spock’s emotions inform his logic and a then he would “create something dis- strategy and problem-solving. While torted and inauthentic.” But it wasn’t re- Peck had done a lot of work to break ally until fi lming the fi nal episodes that down the walls he had built to protect r he really felt it come alive, even though himself from his hypersensitivity, it was “every moment as Spock is super chal- easy for him to put them back up in lenging because he’s so complex. He’s wonderful and so curious. I really credit playing Spock, again because Spock’s got these warring factions within him- them with getting to make me feel wor- intense emotions are always fi ghting self… his logic and emotion, his Vulcan thy of attempting to play the role.” against his Vulcan-ness. D and human sides. So every moment on For Peck there was a great synergy Peck is intensely proud of having camera was a challenge.” between the growth that Spock went been a part of a series that celebrates Aft er being cast as Spock, Peck met through during the second season of diversity and inclusion, with the fi rst with the Nimoy family, Adam and Julie the show and the growth that Peck went African-American female lead of a and their partners, to get their blessing through to be able to play the part. “It science-fi ction show (Sonequa Mar- and feedback. It was a surreal moment was almost serendipitous that I was put tin-Green) and the fi rst queer relation- y for Peck because they met at a place in in position to play him. A lot of what you ship in Star Trek, as well as disabled Studio City across from the place that see is real for Ethan but worked so well characters and other characters of color. l Dragon Con 2019 Dragon Peck went to high school. “My head for Spock. But I’m sitting in prosthetics He hopes that it’s the start of a long con- was just spinning, but they were so for two-and-a-half hours every morning, tribution to the overall Trek universe. i The Messiness of Humanity by Debbie Yutko Cast members Wes Chatham, François Chau, Chad Coleman, and Steven a Strait from The Expanse captivated the audience with their insights about the show and their characters on Saturday in the Marriott Atrium Ballroom. Strait, D who is also a producer on the show, really enjoys the open, communal cul- ture of commitment and involvement, An Expanse Novella. He wanted to bet- kind of a jerk.” He also has a recurring where everyone is trying to help the ter understand Amos’s motivations, a role on The Orville and said he doesn’t show reach its full potential. Chatham process Chatham has repeated at the have trouble working on two projects is thrilled to be back in his hometown beginning of fi lming for each season. at once. He focuses on the material in e of Atlanta. He loves Dragon Con be- Strait also worked with a psychologist front of him, and since his roles are very cause it’s such a fan-oriented show, and wanted to learn about what it was diff erent, he’s able to compartmental- and he thanked the fans for saving The like for the survivors of the Rwandan ize. As for Chau, he told the audience Expanse, which was picked up by Ama- genocide. He drew on these emotions that Mao isn’t really a bad guy, that he’s h zon for its fourth season. when he had to make the decision to doing what he does to help mankind. The panelists discussed how they pre- blow up the doctors’ ship, an awful but He’s making the diffi cult decisions. pared to play their characters. Aft er necessary choice. When he has to deal with little Mei, it getting the part of Amos, Chatham sat Coleman spoke of drawing inspiration was the chance for him to show some T The Daily Dragon down with a psychologist to discuss the from Colin Powell and of his eventual humanity. He was almost there. It all character’s backstory from The Churn: surprise when he realized that Fred “is comes down to character motivation. Sunday, September 1, 2019 The Daily Dragon Vol 22, Num 4, p. 2 Hy = Hyatt S = Sheraton Daily Dragon Tweets M = Marriott W = Westin Hil = Hilton Don’t miss the latest Dragon Con Schedule Changes AM1/2 = AmericasMart Bldg 1/2 news and announcements. Follow The following previously confi rmed present- CANCELLATIONS on “Slayer Support: A Buff y Fan Panel” Sun @daily_dragon on Twitter! ers will not be able to attend Dragon Con “The Magicians Cast” Sun 1PM, Centennial 5:30PM, Chastain 1–2 (W). 2019: Emily Andras, Asher Angel, Aaron-Mi- II–III (Hy). Jon Boutelle will not be on “Solve This!” Family-Friendly Dance chael Hall, Rachael Harris, Dirk Manning, Sun 7PM, Regency V (Hy); “Make the Bad Misty Massey, Jack McDevitt, Jorge Molina, Asher Angel will not be on “Andi Mack Pan- Luau-themed dance featuring Dis- el” Sun 1PM, Regency VI–VII (Hy). Men Stop, 2019 edition, v2” Mon 2:30PM, Mark Pellegrino, Cherie Priest, Mercedes Athens (S). ney and pop songs. G-rated, alco- Lackey, Chris Schweizer. Ben Davis will not be on “Chernobyl” Sat hol-free event for kids 13 or younger. 1PM, 210–211 (Hil). *NEW* Scott Sutherland will not be on “Space Weather” Mon 10AM, 212–213 (Hil). Running not allowed inside the ball- ADDITIONS Jason Stiff will not be on “Cartoons that Zachary Levi will not be on “Shazam Cast: room. Children under 16 years of age Kenneth Hite will be on “The Dark Magic of Curse” Sun 10PM, Galleria 4 (Hil). Qualities of a Hero” Mon 10AM, Centennial must be accompanied by a parent or Folk Horror” Sun 2:30PM, Peachtree 1–2 (W). Emily Andras will not be on “Wynonna II–III (Hy). guardian. Adults without children Jeanne Adams will be on “The Dating Earp Cast” Sun 4PM, Centennial II–III (Hy). may not be admitted (fi rst 2 hours Game, Fantasy Style” Sun 10PM, Embassy Michelle Schusterman will not be on UPDATES only). Kid Friendly. Sun 5:30PM, In- EF (Hy). “Tweens Read, Too: Middle Grade Books” *NEW* “Operation Orville: What Lies ternational North (Hy). “What We Do in the Shadows” Sun Sun 10AM, A707 (M); “Fannish YA” Sun 4 Ahead” Sun 1PM, was Peachtree Ballroom 11:30PM, Peachtree (W). PM, A707 (M); “Writing YA: Craft ing Charac- (W), now Regency VI–VII (Hy). *NEW* “A Special Hour with Aly and AJ!” ters” Sun 5:30PM, A707 (M). “Zachary Levi, Live!” Sun 1PM, Imperial Miss Star Trek Universe Sun 1PM, Peachtree Ballroom (W). Paige Gardner will not be on “LGBTQ Re- Ballroom (M).