Rachel Luttrell is back! In this episode, we will be exploring the Teyla-heavy episodes of “Michael,” “The Queen,” and more, as well as take your questions LIVE!

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Timecodes
0:00 – Splash Screen
00:26 – Opening Credits
00:26 – Welcome and Episode Outline
01:05 – Call to Action
02:22 – Guest Introduction
07:24 – Rachel’s daughter started her career (Ridley Asha Bateman)
12:07 – Do you get recognized for Teyla?
16:27 – Did you ever take Amanda Tapping aside?
17:50 – “The Gift” (SGA 1×18)
20:52 – What are some of your favorite guest stars?
23:18 – Working with Connor Trinneer (Michael)
26:37 – Rachel on SGA finale “Enemy at the Gate” (5×20)
32:23 – Working with Jewel Staite (Jennifer Keller)
36:18 – What was it like to play a Wraith with prosthetics? (“The Queen” 5×08)
42:01 – Shooting the last episode (“Enemy at the gate” 5×20)
44:48 – Memories of Five Years
48:20 – Production During the Pandemic
50:53 – When you have time for yourself, what’s your favorite thing to do?
52:45 – Was there anything specific that you would like to have explored more in the series?
53:51 – Were there any memorable moments with fans that that stuck you?
57:20 – Working with Joel Goldsmith (“Critical Mass” 2×13)
1:03:02 – Relationship between Teyla and Michael
1:06:38 – “The Prodigal” (5×14)
1:08:48 – Working with Christopher Heyerdahl and Jason Momoa
1:11:18 – How did you feel about losing Rainbow Sun Francks?
1:14:57 – Post-Interview Housekeeping
1:23:15 – End Credits

***

“Stargate” and all related materials are owned by MGM Studios and MGM Television.

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TRANSCRIPT
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David Read:
Hello everyone. I can’t believe I just did that. It says Alex Zahara, but it is Rachel Luttrell who is joining us. That is the first time in 86 episodes that has happened. Welcome to Episode 86 of Dial the Gate. My name is David Read. Rachel Luttrell is joining us in this episode but before I bring her in, I just wanna invite you to share the show. If you like Stargate and you wanna see more content like this on YouTube, it would mean a great deal to me if you click that Like button. It really makes a difference with YouTube’s algorithm and will definitely help the show grow its audience. Please also consider sharing this video with a Stargate friends, and if you wanna get notified about future episodes, click that Subscribe icon. And giving the bell icon a click will notify you the moment a new video drops and you’ll get my notifications of any last-minute guest changes. This is key if you plan on watching live. And clips from this live stream will be released over the course of the next several days on both Dial the Gate and GateWorld.net YouTube channels. As with most live streams, I invite you to go to youtube.com/dialthegate and submit your questions for the guests to the moderating team. They will go ahead and get those routed over to me. And that’s how we’ll do it. Now, hailing all the way from her kitchen in the Pegasus galaxy, Rachel Luttrell.

Rachel Luttrell:
Holler.

David Read:
Hello.

Rachel Luttrell:
Hello, hello, hello. I know. This is hilarious.

David Read:
This is fantastic. Cooking with Teyla.

Rachel Luttrell:
Cooking with Teyla, guys. I promised my sweet little daughter, Ridley, that I would make her noodles. But should I just let everybody know what the heck happened?

David Read:
Please. It’s fine. I already started the show saying that Alex Zahara is joining us in the title sequence. So, you know what? You be my guest.

Rachel Luttrell:
So, everybody, I have signed in to talk to David now twice today. The first time was at 6 a.m. David’s time. I thought that… I don’t know what I was thinking, like, “That makes sense,” because that’s my time. I was exhausted. I had a cup of coffee. I was all ready to go. Everything was perfectly lit and then I realized my mistake and then I signed in again at noon my time. Oh my gosh. Once, again, perfect. I had all the kids… I was, like, “Kids…” So, now it’s actual interview time and I’m cooking because it’s just… It’s perfect. That’s just how the day is going. But I also wanna… OK, so let me share this with you. I have a fantastic son who I absolutely adore, and the reason why I’m sleep deprived and not calculating things is because I’ve been on this great adventure with him. He’s a gamer and he’s been playing Resident Evil 8. I hate horror or scary things of any kind. And Kaden has his entire life loved scaring me. He will come into the kitchen while I’m quietly doing… And he’ll sneak in and then just say, “Mom!” And I’ll be, like, “God damn it!” So, anyway, I have been invited by my sweet little guy to go through the stories and watch him play, and he’s amazing at it. So, anyway, I’ve been staying up very, very late watching Resident Evil. We made it through [Resident Evil] 8. He was amazing. The monsters scared me out of my skin and now we are revisiting [Resident Evil] 7, which is even more terrifying. So, I didn’t get to bed until 1 a.m. Visions of… Oh my gosh, they’re horrific. I don’t know if you know anything about it.

David Read:
I’m aware of it. I’m a gamer as well. I’d love to compare notes with him on some of the things he’s played.

Rachel Luttrell:
For sure.

David Read:
It’s intense. And a lot of this stuff… Good on you for being willing to expose yourself to it. I have a mother that my dad and I swore… She can never see things like Silence of the Lambs.

Rachel Luttrell:
Sorry. Say that again.

David Read:
No, that’s fine. She can never see things like Silence of the Lambs.

Rachel Luttrell:
OK, yes, that’s creepy.

David Read:
Or anything of that nature because she will never sleep again. So, there are just certain things we have to keep her away from. So, good on you for being willing to explore your son’s passions.

Rachel Luttrell:
Oh, heck yeah. Let me just… So, that’s Loyd in the background.

David Read:
Hello.

Rachel Luttrell:
This is, like, family live. Listen to me. First of all, I know that it’s… I think that it’s pretty rare for 13-year-old to be willing to share… And so, whenever he says he wants… I’m on it. I’m 100 percent.

David Read:
Good for you.

Rachel Luttrell:
Scares me to death but I’m actually really enjoying it. It’s actually…

David Read:
It’s a good story. I don’t know that much about it but what I’ve heard, I know a lot of people who love it.

Rachel Luttrell:
It’s awesome. Enough about Resident Evil. Kaden, do you mind taking this to Ridley? Thank you so much.

David Read:
Hello, sir.

Rachel Luttrell:
So, I’m done cooking, and I can now leave the kitchen and go to where I’ve been set up for the past several hours.

David Read:
What is that?

Rachel Luttrell:
Avocados.

David Read:
Oh, hello.

Rachel Luttrell:
Gotta have your avocados. They’re really good for you. OK, guys. Sorry.

David Read:
We are getting the full life of the Batemans.

Rachel Luttrell:
Alright, now we’re gonna go where I originally was… OK, I’m being blocked by… Set up three times. Here we go. This is where you were meant to find me.

David Read:
I love it. Very nice, Rachel.

Rachel Luttrell:
Only not polished because it’s kind of chaos back here, too. That’s OK.

David Read:
So, who’s the photographer in the house?

Rachel Luttrell:
Loyd. Loyd’s the photographer.

David Read:
Well, he has a lovely family to photograph. Absolutely. So, the reason that you have been up all night long and everything else, thankfully not… I am a sidebar result of this but what’s been going on in your guys’ lives that’s happening real soon here?

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes. So, Ridley is… She’s no longer burgeoning actress. She’s an amazing young actress who is blowing my mind. We have been back in Georgia here where we currently live for about three and a half weeks, but we are back from Montana where she was filming her very first feature film with John Malkovich.

David Read:
Wow. It’s great.

Rachel Luttrell:
John Malkovich and Frank Grillo. And she kills… I shouldn’t say anything. Anyway, I’m not gonna give anything away.

David Read:
A bug. She kills a bug.

Rachel Luttrell:
She kills a bug.

David Read:
Montana is now safe.

Rachel Luttrell:
Anyway, that was her very first feature and we all got to go, and while we were there, I helped her with another audition, and she booked another huge feature film. An enormous part on a huge feature film with Allison Janney and Jurnee Smollett and Logan Marshall Green, and Ridley. There are four of them. That’s it. So, we’re flying up to Vancouver in two days, all of us are going up, and she’s about to embark on this other enormous… She’s blowing my mind. Both my babies blow my mind.

David Read:
Are you ready for all this? Are you ready for her career to just explode and then you be chasing after her everywhere she… That’s a big responsibility, Rachel. It’s a big deal.

Rachel Luttrell:
It is.

David Read:
For someone so young, and then with school and everything. Especially right now, with everything just off kilter as it is. Let alone the normal world.

Rachel Luttrell:
Right? I know. It’s huge. It’s really huge but to me, it’s a joy. As I said, I love sitting with my son in the dark, terrifying things because he adores, and I’m, like, “OK. Great. I’m ready to be scared to death. Because you’re amazing at this and I think you’re amazing and wherever you go is gonna be amazing,” and Ridley, it’s just amazing to be with her on set. Montana was fantastic and she was blowing my mind. She’s a really wonderful little actress, and very independent. Hurt mama’s feelings a couple of times because I was like…

David Read:
“You don’t need me for nothing?”

Rachel Luttrell:
Exactly.

David Read:
Pretend.

Rachel Luttrell:
“Can I help you with your jacket or do you wanna run lines?” And she’s, like, “Mom, I got this.” She’s only eight. She’s eight but I’m very excited and she’s very excited and the team is awesome, and it’s gonna be… So, to answer your question, yes, I’m ready. There’s something that my parents used to say that was handed down from my grandparents on my mom’s side, from Tanzania, and it’s that your children are ahead of you. They come after you but they’re ahead of you in terms of the fact that they will lead you to places that maybe you’ve never experienced or wouldn’t have thought of.

David Read:
Even considered.

Rachel Luttrell:
Even considered, precisely, that they ahead of you and they will take you places throughout your life that are amazing and unexpected. So, I’m signed up for the journey.

David Read:
Sounds like you’re blessed.

Rachel Luttrell:
I am blessed. I really am blessed. I’m a lucky mama.

David Read:
And I am blessed to have you back once again on my show, bringing your light in. There are some announcements that are gonna be coming, hopefully that I can announce real soon, but Rachel and I, and a few others have something in the works for y’all. But we’re just waiting for clearance for that. But in the meantime, I want you to take me back to that five-year journey in the Pegasus galaxy. Far, far away.

Rachel Luttrell:
No kidding. Far, far away.

David Read:
In Georgia, do you get recognized for Teyla, ever?

Rachel Luttrell:
On occasion.

David Read:
Because Atlanta is becoming a pretty big burgeoning film community.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes, it’s a huge film community here now. But it really takes me by surprise here because for the most part I am just putting around as a mama but every once in a while, it will really take me by surprise. My son likes Chick-fil-A, and where we are right now, Peachtree City, is the center of… I think this is actually where he started everything. So, we were in a lineup to get Chick-fil-A, and there was this adorable teenager, and she was, like, “Can I have a name for the order?” And I said, “Rachel.” And she was, like, “OK. Are you…?” And I thought, “Oh, no way. Are you kidding me? I’m in the Chick-fil-A line.”

David Read:
That’s where these things happen.

Rachel Luttrell:
Stuff like that. Or a farmer’s market, buying some local produce, and then… And it’s delightful. Stuff like that. Every once in a while, I’m peppered with little things like that, and it’s great. My kids are, like, “Why do they care about you?” They’re like, “What the hell? Mom, I want the number one sandwich without the pickles.”

David Read:
The Chick-fil-A sauce is where it’s at.

Rachel Luttrell:
“Please move on.” They’re always, like, “What’s happening?”

David Read:
You know what kids? If you’re lucky enough to get a series that has a dedicated fan base to it, you will then understand. Because your mama is loved the world over. It’s exemplified by the art that I will show at the end of this episode, which I said to you.

Rachel Luttrell:
I know, and I love it.

David Read:
The talent of this community is just ridiculous. Not only are so many new people, young and old, rediscovering the show as we move forward in time with streaming and everything else, but it is encouraging them to explore facets of themselves that they didn’t necessarily think that they could reach before. And I’m borrowing from a quote that you gave about a year ago when we had a Gatecon reunion. It’s something that’s always stuck with me. You said, “It encouraged people to grasp farther than they thought they could reach.” This was one of the things that you said. And that’s what good art does. When it gets into our soul and sticks with us. It’s something that we can’t shake away. It’s one of those things that helps us fall in live with the world and discover aspects of ourselves that we didn’t necessarily know that we had.

Rachel Luttrell:
Absolutely. So people don’t think there’s a poltergeist in the corner of my screen…

David Read:
Who is that?

Rachel Luttrell:
That’s Ridley. There’s little hands coming through. She may decide to come and say hello.

David Read:
She’s grabbing something.

Rachel Luttrell:
OK. She’s got a hair mask on. It’s a conditioner she said. OK. Alright, listen. She’s gotta get ready for close-ups. Yes, this community is amazing, and I am constantly humbled by the outpouring of all of the wonderful things I hear. How lives have been transformed. How they’ve enjoyed the show. How they’ve responded to my character and the other characters. It’s always so awe-inspiring and humbling. So, I’m so fortunate. I’m so fortunate to be a part of this family. I really am. I had no idea when this all started. I had no idea how amazing this was and was gonna continue to be. And so, I kept myself among some very, very lucky people.

David Read:
I meant to ask you the first time that we talked on the show. Did you ever take Amanda Tapping aside or did she ever offer you, “Come to me if any of this seems crazy. I can at least be a sounding board.”

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes. Amanda, first of all, did say that. She was always very open and welcoming. I used her strength and her wisdom when I was pregnant with Kaden. Just before I went and I told the team that, “Hey, guess what. This season, I’m gonna be pregnant.” I went to her first because I knew she had gone through pregnancy. And she was wonderful. She was delightful. She gave me some great — Just a wonderful pep talk and encouragement. And she actually showed up on the day that I went to tell everybody. She was there for me. And afterward she was, like, “How did it go?” And she was delightful through the whole process. And actually, because I, at the time, moved from Los Angeles to work up there, she actually gave me her OB-GYN information, who ended up delivering Kaden. So, yes, Amanda was, and is, a delightful human being and was very supportive.

David Read:
The show had such an impact on all of us as viewers. The direction that it took us was — I did not expect, Rachel, to have Teyla be carrying the blood of the enemy inside of her. Later on, at the end of Season One. Because she’s a little different from all the other Athosians. She’s a little bit more perceptive and everything else. And it’s just one of those things. It’s a matriarchal society so they’re gonna — Your leaders are your leaders. But then when we discovered that she had Wraith in her, that she had — There was more going on that met the eye. What did you think about that story turn?

Rachel Luttrell:
I absolutely loved it. That’s one of my very, very favorite episodes, talking about The Gift.

David Read:
The Gift, yes.

Rachel Luttrell:
It’s one of my very favorite episodes. It just gave a little bit more insight into who she was and why she was, and the inner workings of her emotional world, and how she struggled much with the fact that she was different and also that she had elements of the archenemy. All of that was wonderful. I loved how that just elevated her story and who she was. I also very much enjoyed working on that show because they introduced the character Dr. Heightmeyer…

David Read:
Claire Rankin.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah… Who is one of my dearest friends on the planet. She’s one of my dearest friends on the planet. If there’s something going on in my world that’s got me down, she’s certainly one of the people who I call. So, it was amazing that she turned out to be my therapist. So, all of those scenes where I’m pouring — It was terrific because she had been that person for years before. We lived together. We lived together in our 20s when we first moved to Los Angeles. We ran lines with each other. So, that’s another reason why that episode is near and dear to my heart. I think it just expanded who Teyla was and set her apart, and also got me, as well as the audience, the opportunity to see something different from her, which was great.

David Read:
We know that she can fight. We know that she can lead. But there’s also nothing wrong with seeing that people are vulnerable, too.

Rachel Luttrell:
Absolutely. In fact, I think that that just makes a character all the more powerful because you see what they’re trying to suppress in order to be strong.

David Read:
Absolutely. What are some of your favorite guest stars over the course of that show? Who would you — Who were you surprised that you guys got and who did you wish you could have worked with more?

Rachel Luttrell:
Interesting. Who was I surprised that we got? We got so many amazing people. I think about Richard Kind because that man works constantly on everything. He is, talking about a working actor, in everything. Blockbusters to — So, yes, when I found out that we had Richard Kind that was really, really fun. Who would I have liked to have worked with more? Goodness. I feel like I was lucky enough with all of the guest star who joined us. I got to work with majority of them. Richard Kind, though, was one of the more surprising ones for me, certainly. And gosh, OK, so let me just tell you something about myself. I could never be a name dropper because I’m horrendous with names. So, I’m trying to — I really am. It’s just terrible. It’s one of the things that my friends know about me and they think it’s really, really funny. It’s, like, “Rachel, so who did you work with in that?” And I’m, like, “She was in this, this and this.”

David Read:
“I can’t think of the name. It’s there but…”

Rachel Luttrell:
Oh my gosh. So, I’m trying to think of this wonderful Irish actor’s name. Colm…

David Read:
Colm Meaney.

Rachel Luttrell:
Thank you. So, yes, he was another one who I was surprised and thrilled to be able to work with because — amazing actor. There was so many. Right now, I feel like I’m doing an acceptance speech and I’m forgetting absolutely everyone [inaudible]. Gosh, it’s like… I can’t remember. It’s terrible. I’m terrible at it. I should have written it all down.

David Read:
No, you’re fine. I didn’t prepare you for this question so that’s not fair to you.

Rachel Luttrell:
That’s OK. It’s fine. You caught me making noodles. It’s all good. It’s one of those days. It’s a noodly day. But I will say I was very impressed by the caliber of our guest stars. They were wonderful. And they’re all actors who’ve gone on to do amazing things and they came to us already with terrific body of work. So, often times it was quite a humbling experience, for sure.

David Read:
What about Connor? You spent a lot of time with Connor.

Rachel Luttrell:
I did. I spent a ton of time with Connor. And I love Connor. I think that he is a terrific actor. When we got to meet Connor for the first time, I was so thrilled to be able to work with him. Sometimes [you] have an immediate rapport with an actor, and it’s so fun because you’re discovering things as you go and it was just that way with Connor. The scenes felt really alive. It felt like there was a lot, even in the silences. And that [carries] through the rest of the seasons.

David Read:
That was a relationship that you see working immediately on screen in Michael. It was, like, “If they really wanna mine this, they can.” And they did throughout the rest of the show, all the way to his death. There was a lot there. And I think that they could have even gone further with it. I think that they could have almost made him a regular and made it work. Because there was almost a single note that he played. Not that it was like a limiting range in terms of what came out, but we had set this thing loose on the Pegasus galaxy. And he had destroyed how many civilizations? And at a certain point it’s, like, “OK. How responsible are we for doing what we have done?” That’s the question that the episode ask. What right do you have to alter a single being, even if it’s a member of your archenemy’s race. And then what are the consequences of doing that on the rest of the galaxy?

Rachel Luttrell:
Exactly.

David Read:
Pretty intense stuff.

Rachel Luttrell:
It is intense stuff. And I think that they dealt with it in a wonderful way. And certainly, that episode was full of those questions. But I feel that that was something that was like a through line they carried through all of the seasons. What right do we have? And then do we have any right to be not necessarily upset… It’s not the word I’m looking for… But surprised by the repercussions, which were of course massive? And I do agree with you. I think Connor certainly could have been a character who we saw a lot more of and could have portrayed so many different levels that we didn’t get an opportunity to see. That’s one of the things that happens in a show that’s an ensemble show. You’re just serving so many characters.

David Read:
Correct. There’s only so much bandwidth. As you and I have discussed to our mutual — To be perfectly frank.

Rachel Luttrell:
Exactly. Yes. I will say this, just to be completely transparent. I haven’t really revisited many of the shows for years. So, for me it’s just relying on my memory and the fondness of — And of course, there are things that I will never forget, et cetera, but on that note… and I don’t mean to jump ahead because I think that maybe you’re gonna ask me… But I will just say this. Just a little peppering. We were gonna talk about the final episode, which I had never watched. I had just never watched it. So, I watched it this morning after I realized that you and I were not meeting at 6 a.m. I thought, “Well, I might as well watch this episode for the first time.”

David Read:
What did you think?

Rachel Luttrell:
It wasn’t —

David Read:
It’s a mixed bag.

Rachel Luttrell:
It’s a mixed bag. And there are moments that I thought, “Gosh, wait, hang on a second. Teyla would never leave Ronan. I wouldn’t have left his body lying there prostrate on the rig.” Just stuff like that. And also, I had forgotten — I didn’t really do a heck of a lot in that last episode… I remember there was… Which is interesting because when I play it back in my mind before watching it, I had a hard time remembering. I thought, “Gosh…” I had a hard time remembering it.

David Read:
Atlantis’ nature was fast paced.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes.

David Read:
I enjoy Enemy at the Gate very much. I wanna clarify.

Rachel Luttrell:
Absolutely.

David Read:
But it was almost two or three times as fast as a typical episode because it had a lot going on in it. So, there was only so much time for little character beats, which is what we watch the show for. At least the people I surround myself with.

Rachel Luttrell:
Absolutely.

David Read:
It wasn’t supposed to be a series finale, even though it was. So, A, you have the nature of the story as it is, and B, it also functions as “This is it.” And the 100th episode.

Rachel Luttrell:
Exactly. And period. Yeah, exactly.

David Read:
I wanna go back a little bit further. I did mean to ask this to you. Is it your intent at some point to sit down and watch the show from beginning to end or do you want it to stay in your memory?

Rachel Luttrell:
The truth of the matter is I haven’t really made a decision about that. I actually really enjoyed revisiting Enemy at the Gates. I did. And it was really — So, I think I would enjoy it at some point. I find it a little bit tricky to just sit and watch my performances. Although, it’s very fun to get to see everybody else and just think, “Look at us,” and then remember moments about what we were doing behind the scenes, et cetera. So, yeah, eventually I’ll go back and watch them.

David Read:
I have to share a moment with you. It’s interesting. It was one of — I think it may have been the first time. Yeah. It was the first time. No. It was the second year that I was on set. Anyway. I didn’t know that you weren’t supposed to do this. So, you guys were filming Irresistible.

Rachel Luttrell:
Speaking of Richard.

David Read:
Yeah, exactly. And you’re on the village sound stage. And you’re not shooting but you guys were rehearsing or something, or getting ready, and you and I made eye contact, and I smiled at you and you smiled back. And it wasn’t five minutes later where Carol Appleby, the publicist, took me aside and said, “Don’t do that.”

Rachel Luttrell:
Really?

David Read:
Yeah. She was very observant.

Rachel Luttrell:
Wow. OK, so, let me just tell you that that didn’t come from me. I smiled at you and the said, “Who the f is that? Remove him.” I had no idea. Really? Oh no. What did she say?

David Read:
I didn’t even consider that it came from you because you didn’t have the chance. You were over there. So, unless you two are telepathic — But it was funny in that I was learning the rhythms of the stage and what is it that you can or can’t do and anything else. But it was just funny.

Rachel Luttrell:
But wait. What was the note for you? That you can’t maintain eye contact with the cast?

David Read:
Don’t make eye contact with the cast when they’re working.

Rachel Luttrell:
When they’re working. OK. So, listen, there’s a difference between being on set and just between scenes and then when you’re actually rolling.

David Read:
You were getting ready to roll. So, you were finding your space. And it was my fault.

Rachel Luttrell:
You threw me. So, if the performance in that episode is all off for Teyla, we know who to blame. Thank you, David.

David Read:
Yeah, sorry. That’s my fault. Geez, that’s great.

Rachel Luttrell:
Oh, fun me.

David Read:
Jewel Staite and you had a romp in the woods when the Athosians go missing in, conveniently enough, Missing. I love this episode because it gets us out of the typical sound stages. It shows us Vancouver in all its glory. The bridge that was built for that episode. Your wardrobe is great for that. And you get to play with James CD Robbins’ very, very disgusting go for slug.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, that was great. That was hilarious. What a delicious yes. Jewel and I had so much fun. We didn’t really get a lot of opportunities to play together, and she was another actress who I very much enjoyed working with. And she’s got an awesome sense of humor and it’s slightly off like mine. And we had a lot of fun. I just remember that episode laughing a lot. And also, that episode I happened to be pregnant in. So, there was a lot going on. But yeah, working with Jewel was really, really funny. I just have memories of us having a lot of fun and laughing a great deal, which is funny considering that the episode itself was not necessarily a funny episode. But it was, I think, really cool to see those two women playing off of each other and how different our characters were but how we were able to come together and help each other. Another one of my favorites, for sure.

David Read:
I loved the note that Jewel struck on the show. Because Teryl Rothery, Paul — We’ve had a great cast of Stargate doctors over the years. And she… Like Lexa Doig when Lexa came in for a few episodes as well… Jewel chose to deliberately give Keller a little bit of a harder edge. Not so softy, smooshy, cuddly like Paul was. Because Paul just exudes that empathy. But Rachel — Jewel came in and gave it a little bit more of an edge to her. And then you put her out in this situation when it’s, like, “OK. This girl is not ready for this situation.” It was so funny to watch someone deal with this because it’s, like, “OK. All of us watching, pretty much all of us here would be in Jewel’s situation as well.”

Rachel Luttrell:
Right. Completely out of her element. She’s great. As I said, I just watched Enemy at the Gate for the very first time and we don’t get to see a lot of Jewel in that one but when we do, it’s all of that. It’s what you said, where she’s being informed that we’re gonna get ourselves to Earth and it might fail, and if it does fail then we’re all dead. And if it doesn’t fail, well, be prepared to fight. And the way she delivered that line was just so wonderful. She’s just, like, “Um, OK.” What are you gonna say? But the way she delivered it was just perfect. And exactly all the things that you say about Jewel. Her performance in that particular role because obviously she played many roles.

David Read:
Absolutely. Your time under prosthetics in Atlantis. It’s interesting because you have one shot in Season One where you were a full-blown Wraith. And then you spend an episode in Season Five, the wonderful episode The Queen, as a Wraith once again. What was it like getting into that character, getting underneath those prosthetics in Season One when the Wraith makeup was still evolving to where it was in Season Five after Andy and all the others had… James… had really found…

Rachel Luttrell:
Perfected.

David Read:
…Perfected the process with the artists that were behind the scenes there.

Rachel Luttrell:
Right, exactly. Very different. Both of them. The experiences were very, very different. I was new to prosthetics, obviously, in Season One. I’d never done them before, had them put on. So, that was unique experience in and of itself. It takes forever to have it put on and luckily, I’m not claustrophobic so it was fine. But it was just a different — Juxtaposed with The Queen, those early experiences were completely different. The Queen for me — First of all, I was resistant to the idea. I was very resistant.

David Read:
Really?

Rachel Luttrell:
I didn’t want — And this is why I was on a personal level because I was a new mom. I was a new mom when I heard that that was something that they were talking about. I was, like, “I’m sorry, what?” Because my infant was in the trailer with me and I didn’t know how that was gonna go down.

David Read:
Just seeing you looking the way that you were? Was that the concern? Or was it the time to take to get into the whole shebang?

Rachel Luttrell:
Both. But the one that weighed on me the most was how I was gonna look and how that would affect him.

David Read:
You look like a monster. For God’s sake.

Rachel Luttrell:
Let me just say…

David Read:
Maybe that’s where the Resident Evil thing comes from.

Rachel Luttrell:
I was just about to say, yes. But I should have known because when he saw me as an infant in full on monster makeup, his response was to laugh. He laughed and laughed. He thought it was just, “What [is she] doing? That’s hilarious,” which is why now he just loves watching that kind of horror stuff. It doesn’t bother him. It’s just part of – Anyway.

David Read:
That has a lot to do with it. Those personality traits just stick with you.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, they stick with you. But as I said, I was resistant to the idea of it but once I was in full makeup and wardrobe and was portraying her, it was actually really, really wonderful. Because she sat in a different place for me, obviously — completely — than Teyla. It felt really powerful.

David Read:
Regal?

Rachel Luttrell:
Regal and powerful and it was entirely different from what I played — Obviously Teyla was regal and powerful but in a different way.

David Read:
Different energy.

Rachel Luttrell:
Totally different energy.

David Read:
This was pompous.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, and that was fun to play. That was really, really fun to play. And I honestly didn’t think I was gonna enjoy it. I really didn’t. But I remember really, really enjoying it. I remember once everything was on and the wardrobe was on — And kudos to our wardrobe department. They were always just so amazing — The stuff that they came up with. And that was no exception. The wardrobe for that character was fantastic, and it transformed it. Just made me feel completely different and I ended up very much enjoying that episode.

David Read:
When you have a chance to see, to get the long view on some of these episodes where I’m imagining weeks in advance you’re being asked, “Will you be willing to do this,” does the mental position that you’re allowed to put yourself in helps sustain you for those longer days? Rather than them saying, “OK. We have a technical error. We’re gonna have to be here five hours longer?” And then you have to drag yourself literally to bed at night. With all the makeup and the lines and everything else, you were asked to bring yourself fully into that episode. Not that you weren’t in others, but this is a big deal.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, absolutely. The time requirement to get into that character is immense, as you said. And then obviously at the end of the day to get out of it. I remember showing up to set around 3:30 in the morning to have the makeup process begin. It was a huge commitment. And yes, it was exhausting. But listen, it’s part and parcel to — I’m an actor. I’m gonna do all that I can to bring it to life. But yeah, it was certainly a taxing situation.

David Read:
Absolutely. Enemy at the Gate, it came far too – If I’m remembering the episode correctly, this is I believe — Yeah. The one where Picardo as Woolsey has the scene, “We’re about to cross out of the Pegasus.” And there’s a great scene between the three of you. You, Picardo and Jason, “What do you wanna do? You want us to let you off at a Stargate here?” And they’re, like, “No. We’re in this. We’re in this for the long haul.” I love that beat in the episode where it’s accumulation of the 99 that have come before it. And it’s, like, “We’re a part of this team. This is who we are. And to the bitter end.”

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, exactly. I love what Ronan said that “You guys have been here for us the whole time in a different galaxy and so absolutely, we’re in it and we’re with you guys.” That was a fun moment, for sure.

David Read:
You were aware that that was the last episode when you were shooting it, right?

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes, we were. We were all aware. We all — Sorry.

David Read:
Please continue.

Rachel Luttrell:
I was just gonna say we were all under the impression, and certainly had hoped, that there would be some movies. So, we didn’t think that it was gonna be the end to storylines. But we knew that it was the end of the season, and that was a big deal as we progressed through that episode. “It’s a series wrap on Paul.” It was so emotional. It’s, like, “Oh my God.” Or, “This is a series wrap on Jason.” It was huge. I remember — All of us, we walked into what we knew, “OK. This is my last scene and then we’re done.” It was a very emotional episode that way, for sure.

David Read:
What happened on set when they would close those scenes down. Applause? What’s the typical situation for something like that?

Rachel Luttrell:
Well, that was five years, and it was a family. And it was a family for all of us. Everyone. Crew. All of us. And so, it was very emotional. So, there was always a large group of people from all departments. So, there was a lot of clapping and then a lot of tears. A lot of tears. And then of course we’d have to regroup and move on and then somebody else would be wrapped forever. And it was very emotional for sure.

David Read:
Have your memories of those five years become more favorable over time? Or are you, like, “Oh, David wants to talk to me again about this show. OK. Fine. Alright. I will.”

Rachel Luttrell:
No.

David Read:
Not to say that it wasn’t favorable then. It’s not what I’m getting at. But is it matured like a nice wine?

Rachel Luttrell:
Fine wine? For sure. I now carry it in a different place in my heart, for sure. The final episode aired 12 years ago. It blows my mind.

David Read:
And you haven’t aged a day my friend.

Rachel Luttrell:
You should see the filters that I’ve got around me. Thank you. But it blows my mind. That was 12 years ago, and we were all in different places. So, I do have a very nostalgic place for it and a lot of really wonderful and loving feelings about that time, for sure. It was a really, really wonderful time. I remember Joe’s wife at the time. In our very first season, we had a party and we were all overlooking the ocean. It was this wonderful party, and we were just about to embark on the adventure of our five seasons, and I remember she pulled me aside and she said, “I hope you’re taking this all in.” She said, “This is really special what you about to do.” And I always remember that. And it’s true. I’m actually getting a little choked up about it. But it’s true. It was very, very special.

David Read:
How many times does an opportunity like this come for an actor, to be a part of an ensemble for five years? It’s pretty rare, is it not?

Rachel Luttrell:
Oh yes. It’s very rare. Listen, it’s very — Listen, it’s rare enough to be able to have a living as an actor, let alone having an opportunity to perform on a show that was so well received. It’s all very rare. You’re taking, like, top four percentile. And amazingly talented — There’s some insanely talented actors out there who don’t get that opportunity. So, it’s very rare. We’re just watching a movie back there.

David Read:
There’s a fantastic opera singer in there somewhere.

Rachel Luttrell:
I have a fantastic — That’s the orchestra for my — We had it scored for this particular interview. I actually feel like it was perfect.

David Read:
It was.

Rachel Luttrell:
For what I was saying.

David Read:
That particular moment. Absolutely. That’s funny, Rachel.

Rachel Luttrell:
A rare moment. Yes. And I do count myself — I’m very lucky. It’s hard. This is a hard business to make a living in, let alone, as I said, being gifted with the opportunity to be part of something that was so beloved, and that was also just a wonderful experience. And it was.

David Read:
I am interested to hear, because obviously you’re in contact, I imagine, with your colleagues globally, how this past year has impacted everyone’s careers. Has it been hard on a lot of people in your industry that you know of? Have they weathered it better than you all expected? Just in general, I’m curious.

Rachel Luttrell:
Sure, sure. It’s certainly been a crazy, crazy year. It feels like three years compounded into one. But it was great to see how quickly the industry figured it out how to make it work and got itself back up and running with all of the testing protocols and the new protocols on set. Just so everybody knows, everybody’s wearing a mask with the exception of actors. Everybody has to get tested three times a week. There’s protocols in place. Just this morning, just to travel with Ridley for her shoot up in Vancouver, they sent a nurse to test myself and Kaden and Ridley because we’re traveling in two days. And we’ll be tested as soon as we land. And then we have to quarantine and then we’re tested again. But having said that, yes, the industry came back and was able to figure it out. So, a lot of my friends, my sister, Loyd, were able to continue to work. Just worked around it.

David Read:
It’s a big deal.

Rachel Luttrell:
It could take a moment and then they were, like, “No. We figured it out.” And it has added a huge budget to these productions. Now just the COVID protocols are enormous in it. An enormous expenditure.

David Read:
Well, if the alternative is to not do it, to not do any of it, what are you gonna do?

Rachel Luttrell:
Exactly.

David Read:
And there are plenty of actors who have… I’ve spoken with a couple of them… Who are, like, “You know what? I’m gonna sit this out until it’s said and done.” I appreciate and respect that situation. Question is when is it gonna be done.

Rachel Luttrell:
When is it gonna be done? I am now currently fully vaccinated.

David Read:
Gotta do what you gotta do.

Rachel Luttrell:
Gotta do what you gotta do.

David Read:
Do you have a little bit more time for some fan questions?

Rachel Luttrell:
Sure. Yeah.

David Read:
Keith Homel wanted to know, “When you have time to yourself, what’s your favorite thing to do?”

Rachel Luttrell:
When I have time to myself.

David Read:
Whenever that may be.

Rachel Luttrell:
I love to sing. I love to dance. I love to plug myself into my music and I’ve got a very eclectic taste. So, it depends on my mood. But that certainly lifts me. I love to go for walks. I love being in nature. When I get time to myself — I’m more, I think, really an introvert than extrovert in many ways. I charge my battery by being alone. I charge my batter by just visiting the poems or the stories that fill me and the music, et cetera, going for walks.

David Read:
There’s something that a lot of people assume about a lot of us when we’re on. How, “Oh, it must be effortless.” It’s draining and not to say that it’s not something that we love but at a certain point we have to retreat. And it’s nothing personal.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, absolutely. And that’s something that I very much need. I get depleted. And also, I’m one of those actors who — I don’t just step on set, or even at a convention, and step out on stage and just, like, “I love this. This is amazing.” I actually do get nervous, and I do worry about “Gosh…” I can be in my head a lot about this kind of stuff and so I do need to take a moment to just be on my own and decompress, for sure.

David Read:
Kicks 394, “Was there anything specific that you would like to have explored more in the series or in the DVD films that never were?”

Rachel Luttrell:
I’m gonna give a generalized answer to that question. And that is to say yes. A big yes. I feel like there was a lot more to be mined from Teyla and where she came from and who she was, and a lot more that I would have liked to have found out about here. And different colors that I would have liked to have played. So, I know it’s general. I’m not being specific. But the answer to the question is yes, for sure. I would have loved to have explored different colors and layers and gotten to know where she comes from. Just a little bit more about her history, et cetera.

David Read:
That’s a fair answer. Eli wanted to know — You had a lot of interaction with fans over the years. You’ve been really good about visiting us at events. Any conversations with fans that really struck a note with you that you carry with you about? Any specific impact that the show has had on someone? I don’t know personally but I know kids have been named after Teyla. Little things like that. It’s really, like, “Wow.” That character meant something to so many people.

Rachel Luttrell:
It blows my mind. As I said, I spend my days romping around as a mama but yes, stuff like that always blows my mind. And I have met quite a few people who have said, “Yeah, we named our daughter after your character.” And then I’ve met a lot of people who have shared with me their stories of great adversity, whether it was overcoming a severe illness… I’m getting choked up. Oh my goodness… And how the show gave them hope… Sorry… Gave them hope and allowed the into a world where they felt like they were a part of this team and how hopeful that was. And I’ve also… Gosh, what’s wrong with me? It’s OK. It’s good to be vulnerable.

David Read:
It’s a show where everyone felt accepted.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes.

David Read:
And we need that. Now more than ever. It’s OK.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes. And then other stories of people who were, like, “I didn’t think that maybe that was something that I could do, or I didn’t think that I could be strong enough or brave enough,” that watching me somehow inspired them to do… To leap into something that has now changed their life for the better. I’ve written many, many stories like that and clearly, I’m very humbled and moved by it.

David Read:
As an artist, to be able to interact with people and discover that through the work you’ve helped them discover a part of themselves, how many of us get to do that? How many of us get to leave a legacy behind? Not just for our own families, because that’s obviously a core piece of what it is to be human, but also to connect with people the world over. That’s a gift.

Rachel Luttrell:
It’s huge. And I thank you for this interview because sometimes I need to be reminded of it. It really is a gift and I’m truly grateful for it. I’m very, very grateful for it. Oftentimes, as performers, you’re in front of a lens and you’ve got your core team, but you don’t know how it’s gonna ripple across and affect people. And the fact that we get to hear those stories is really wonderful.

David Read:
Absolutely. You got to do something that is from my perspective extremely special. To sit and work with Joel Goldsmith on Beyond the Night. Joel was one of my favorite human beings. He is missed. I think about him constantly. The work that you got to do in creating a song had to — Tell us about that experience.

Rachel Luttrell:
It was phenomenal. I got to fly from Vancouver back to Los Angeles several times actually to work with him and to hash out that particular song. And he was just so wonderful in terms of wanting my input as an actor about that character and really playing on the stories and story arc of the Athosians, et cetera. And he was such a delightful human being and a perfectionist. And he had talked about the two of us. We had talked about working on an album together. We had talked about working on album together and he was really, really excited about it. He wanted to do other things, and I was excited about that as well. And we had a lot of fun. I got the opportunity to go out for dinner with him and his crew. So, yes, a great loss. And I’m so grateful that I got to know him and had that experience with him. Boy, it would have been lovely to have continued to work with him. I think about what that might have been. It would have been amazing. A very, very gifted man and a generous, generous soul.

David Read:
Whose idea was it for you to sing? Is it the writer?

Rachel Luttrell:
Well, listen, I had come to them in the season before and I’d say, “Hey, just so guys know, I sing and like to sing and it might be interesting to explore music in the Athosian world, and if you wanted to do that, I can sing.” I remember them saying, “Um, well, we don’t really do pop or gospel.” I was just, like, “Come on guys. We can figure this out.” I come from a background of musical theater, so I loved the idea of, and I always loved the idea, of getting to know a character through music. So, it was a germ of an idea that I planted and then they found a way to run with it, and happily I was able to work with Joel.

David Read:
Do your kids sing? Have you continued that in your family or are they not into it?

Rachel Luttrell:
No, they are. Kaden not so much at the moment. He used to love singing, and every once in a while, while we’re driving, I will start singing a song and then I’ll hear him singing along, and I won’t be, like, “Kayden, oh my God.” It’s just, like, “OK.”

David Read:
“Just let it happen. Let it go.”

Rachel Luttrell:
“Let it happen. I’m good. He’s singing. This is good.” He has a beautiful voice. He just at the moment is in his awkward burgeoning teenage years.

David Read:
He’s figuring himself out.

Rachel Luttrell:
Totally. But he’s got a great voice. Ridley, however, my sweet little powerhouse of beauty, loves to sing. And listen, sometimes she’s, like, “Mom. You sound a little too classic, mom. It goes like this.” And then she’ll do the rift, like, “Do the rift, mom.” And I’m not even gonna try and show you guys what it is but she’s like — She’s got a great little voice. She’s a very good singer. And I can’t…

David Read:
You’re classically musically trained, right?

Rachel Luttrell:
I’m classically trained. Yeah. I’m legit singer. But she’s, like — I had this horrible moment two weeks ago. I was singing. I was feeling emotional because that’s part of how I express myself. I start to sing. And she was in the back seat of the car, and I thought she as loving this. I’m singing this musical theater song and I’m sure she’s… And I turned around and I saw this, and I was, like…

David Read:
“I’m failing as a human parent.”

Rachel Luttrell:
I laughed. She loves the lullabies, and I’ll just stick to that.

David Read:
I listen to the music that’s on now every once in a while, and I’m, like, “It’s not doing it for me.” Every once in a while. The more acoustic stuff is. But it’s, like, “What is this noise?”

Rachel Luttrell:
No. I know.

David Read:
Maybe John Denver or Bob Dylan. The Eagles. Fleetwood Mac.

Rachel Luttrell:
You’re dating yourself, David. Come on. Stop it.

David Read:
That’s fine.

Rachel Luttrell:
The music these kids listen to these days. It’s terrible. Some of it is terrible.

David Read:
Michelle Palmer, “What did you think about the relationship between Teyla and Michael? Were you able to connect with him in a way no one else could which made it more complicated?” Especially after the episode Michael. Can you imagine had that gone a different way where the two of them had connected? Because they do in that episode. If she were able to turn him like Rey and Kylo Ren, it would have been fascinating.

Rachel Luttrell:
It would have been fascinating

David Read:
That relationship, one way or another, had depth.

Rachel Luttrell:
Absolutely. Gosh, I feel like she answered her question in the question. I just wanna concur. Absolutely. It was wonderful. First of all, it was always wonderful performing with Connor. He brought so much to the character, and it was always a joy to dissect and play with that relationship between the two of them, which was incredibly complex. There was guilt, intrigue and certainly in the beginning, in the first episode where he’s introduced to, there was a lot of compassion and understanding, which carried through. And yeah, she was the only one who I think really had a insight to who he was and that was very fun to portray.

David Read:
As evil as he was, as backward as he was, there is this ping of eros that vibrates underneath all of the scenes. It’s, like, “She, by who she is, may just be able to reach him by he, by who he is.” And at a certain point it’s, like, “You know what? I’m gonna kick you off this roof one way or the other. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be redeemed.” Until he takes the baby. That’s what does it. Because then he crosses the line and it’s, like, “You’re beyond redemption.” Did you agree with that choice or was there a part of you that was, like, “I wish that I grabbed him with Sheppard and picked him up,” as he was hanging off the side of that roof.

Rachel Luttrell:
No, I agree.

David Read:
That’s a big deal.

Rachel Luttrell:
It’s a big deal but it’s the mama bear thing. I agreed with the choice. I think at that point, with everything that she…

David Read:
Correct.

Rachel Luttrell:
…There was just no — I certainly did agree with it. But hand in hand with where I was in that particular point in my life as a mom of a young little one. And of course, you’d do anything to keep them safe.

David Read:
Correct. But yes, I loved how that element played through all of the seasons. There was always that complicated connection.

David Read:
I would argue it’s one of the richest arcs in the show. That connection.

Rachel Luttrell:
I agree with you.

David Read:
Carl Binder did a great job with Michael.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes, he did. And Carl, what a lovely man. First of all, what a lovely man. And yes, he did a wonderful job with Michael. And certainly, that’s part of the reason why I was always so excited when Connor came to play because I got to dive into things that I wasn’t necessarily afforded to do on a regular basis.

David Read:
Absolutely. One of my favorite scenes in the show, and clearly it is for Peace Rider as well, [who] wants to know — The race cars sequence in The Prodigal. Did you get to race with the guys at all during break and how many, as an aside, Torren actors were there?

Rachel Luttrell:
There were — I recall — I think there were just two.

David Read:
Two babies?

Rachel Luttrell:
Two babies. And did I get to race? No, I did not get to race. Come on. Do you think that they would have given me an opportunity? No. I did not get to the race but that was very fun.

David Read:
I think with your enhanced reflexes you would have clobbered whoever had the other car.

Rachel Luttrell:
Probably. There was talk for a moment of, like, “Hey, do you wanna use Kaden?” But we couldn’t use Kaden because my Kaden was so blond, with blue eyes. They’d be, like, “That can’t be her baby.” Seriously. Platinum blond with the bluest eyes.

David Read:
Well, maybe had her spouse been. But after that it was, like, “Well, this is not gonna work.” So, absolutely.

Rachel Luttrell:
Exactly.

David Read:
That is a relationship that — It was unacceptable that we didn’t’ get to see more of [it]. We got one scene after his un-transformation, which basically establishes that he’s – “At least, there’s that…” That he’s back to his normal self again. Or at least something akin to normalcy. That he’s recovered his life. But it was just one of those things, like, “Give us more. There is more here to this family, to this story.”

Rachel Luttrell:
Absolutely. That’s just another element that would have been great to have explored, for sure.

David Read:
Jim Kite and Razvan Deji, “What was it like working with Christopher Heyerdahl?”

Rachel Luttrell:
Chris is lovely. Chris is a delightful man, and a wonderful actor. When I first met Chris in our very first scene together, he gave me this wonderful gift. He said, “It’s not…” Because, of course, I was portraying the leader. He said, “You don’t elevate the queen by the queen necessarily being powerful. It’s how others defer to the queen.” And he did that so beautifully in that performance that really empowered Teyla. And that was a gift the he gave me. And it was wonderful acting with Chris. He’s still a friend. Every once in a while, I get to reach out to him and see how he’s doing. Wonderful, wonderful actor.

David Read:
He’s doing really well.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, right? Wonderful actor. Gifted and generous performer, for sure, and a lot of fun to work with.

David Read:
And Jason? How was he? Talk about someone who has shot through the stars and earned every accolade that he’s gotten. A lot of people would argue that the Game of Thrones was his big break, but I don’t think he would have had that without Atlantis. Maybe he would have but that’s — The relationship that you all — I remember him with his guitar and just being chill. There was an energy that he brought to that set that was just all its own.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yes, yes, yes. Jason is a unique individual.

David Read:
That’s the word for it.

Rachel Luttrell:
And a lovely guy. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Jason, for sure. And it’s wonderful to see his trajectory. I always very much enjoyed working with Jason. And he’s a heartfelt guy. All of his blusteriness — He can’t help himself. But he really — Once you get him, he’s a very heartfelt, wonderful human being.

David Read:
Kapa1611, “How did it feel about losing Rainbow?” I took it hard. I can’t imagine what you guys did. Because you and Rainbow and Paulie were particularly tight.

Rachel Luttrell:
Yeah, we were. We were a motley crew. Very silly. We were that group. You know how. When you meet somebody and you’re, like, “Oh my God.”

David Read:
“I get you.”

Rachel Luttrell:
“You get me!” And so, we got into all kinds of mischief and couldn’t stop laughing. We were just ridiculous. We were like this combo. So, it was really, really sad. It was sad, sad news. We didn’t wanna lose him at all. And he was just such a lovely guy. In many ways, he was my little brother. And we didn’t wanna lose him.

David Read:
But the interesting result was that he got to do a lot of – Well, in his own words, he got to act, in Season Two.

Rachel Luttrell:
Exactly. I suppose nothing happens without a reason.

David Read:
That’s true. Absolutely. I think that’s pretty much what I’ve got for you here, Rachel.

Rachel Luttrell:
Rachel.

David Read:
We’ve got 200 people watching. There is just a continued desire for this content. And I’m really, really hopeful that we haven’t seen the last of Teyla. I hope that if this SG4 ever gets a green light — I think sky’s the limit, in terms of weaving past stories into the new one.

Rachel Luttrell:
Sure. We shall see.

David Read:
Absolutely. And I hope to see you again very soon.

Rachel Luttrell:
Fingers crossed.

David Read:
Absolutely. Anything can happen.

Rachel Luttrell:
Anything can happen. And yes, I am currently at the beck and call of Ridley’s schedule but I’m…

David Read:
Absolutely. How long are you guys gonna be up in Canada?

Rachel Luttrell:
I think we’re gonna be there for about a month and a half.

David Read:
Wow. Well, you know what? This is a tremendous opportunity for her, for her savings account, for college.

Rachel Luttrell:
All of it.

David Read:
This is fantastic.

Rachel Luttrell:
It is. And as a mama, it’s so wonderful to see your little one in their joy and in their confidence. It’s just, like, “Oh my gosh.” And she certainly is when she’s on set. She just adores it. So, there’s no telling where she could go. I might end up being a tiny little addendum in her story. Because she’s really amazing. She’s amazing.

David Read:
Well, considering her mama and her daddy, I can’t blame her. I will be in touch with you real soon. Please stay safe and be safe. Like Catherine said to you before you started the show, “Soak every bit of it up.” This is a great journey.

Rachel Luttrell:
It is indeed.

David Read:
Thanks for your time, Rachel.

Rachel Luttrell:
It’s my pleasure, David. It’s always a pleasure talking to you. Truly.

David Read:
Thank you. I’ll be in touch with you real soon. I’ll email you soon.

Rachel Luttrell:
Awesome.

David Read:
You take care of yourself. I’ll wrap up the show on this side. Good to see you.

Rachel Luttrell:
Good to see you too. Bye, David.

David Read:
Rachel Luttrell. Teyla Emmagan on Stargate Atlantis. Thanks so much for tuning in. I have artwork that I wanted to share with you all. This is an artist by the name of Salchat. I think she also goes by Sally. I think that this is charcoal, if I’m not mistaken, or pencil. I didn’t ask what the medium was but whatever it is, it is absolutely fantastic. I love this. Let me see if I can — There we go. Check this out. The fluidity. You can just tell that even though it’s an inanimate image, you can feel the movement. And this one. The way that she’s captured Rachel is just terrific. And also not just Rachel but check this out. From Rising. Just coming up from the depths underneath the ocean. And this may be my favorite. I would love to hang this on my wall. Believe me. That is so cool. Absolutely cool. Thank you, Sasha, for submitting these images to us. The fan community is just so freakishly talented and never fails to surprise me. Questions for David. Teresa Mc, “Do you like to draw or any artwork? Enjoyed the art concepts!” So, I grew up drawing. Drawing was my major thing and it’s just — I went the writing direction instead. I stopped drawing around fourth [or] fifth grade. That’s something that I probably should regret but I don’t. Because I focused on other areas. Some people are just naturally talented and can just produce anything. I truly believe that you can become technically proficient in something just by doing and doing and doing. You can actually achieve it. Like Gary Jones says that he had. Although I think that he has more raw talent than that. But then you look at something like his son did. That kid is just pure talent. I’m referring to our episode with Gary Jones. In our interview. You can go back and watch that in the Dial the Gate archive where he shows us some of his and his son’s artwork. And it’s just amazing. Absolutely. Kicks 394, “When you first found yourself getting into the Stargate fandom, did you ever picture yourself doing things like this?” No. No, I definitely did not. I was 14 years old, just a kid in my bedroom, watching TV on Saturday night expecting either The Outer Limits or Poltergeist: Legacy to come on. It was a double — Two hours’ worth of sci-fi on Saturday nights. The ABC local affiliate. And one of them didn’t come on and Stargate did instead, and what an adventure it’s set me on meeting these lovely people. TuneTamasha, “A Dog’s Breakfast sequel. Is it happening?” Unfortunately, not right now. Kate Hewlett and I discussed A Dog’s Bed and Breakfast. David Hewlett on his last episode — We talked about a similar idea to that. But no. I was lucky to be the first reviewer for A Dog’s Breakfast and posted that on GateWorld years ago. I absolutely love the film and if you have not seen it, check it out. It comes at you from Three Stooges direction but man, is it funny. One of the things that I tend to gauge humor with, at least certainly definitely when I was younger, is, “Will my dad laugh at it?” Because if my dad laughs at it then it’s funny. And my dad laughed through this whole movie. And he doesn’t often do that. So, absolutely, to David Hewlett, you guys did terrific. “40-minute mark on the concept art video, there is an audio sync issue with the video.” Oh, fantastic. Just great. I was afraid of that. I’m sorry guys. I hope it was still salvageable. Those pre-recorded episodes, you never know what’s gonna happen. So, OK. I appreciate the note, Tracy. I’ll keep that in mind for the future. Jeremy Heiner, “Can we interview Connor Trinneer by any chance?” So, Connor, I have been messaging his agent. I have not heard back. I’ve sent a few messages. I don’t know if he’s getting them. I don’t know if it’s something he’s not interested right now. I would love having Connor on. I always loved Connor and every time we got to talk about Michael, the man is insightful and thought-provoking about that character. If any of you have a line on him on Twitter or anywhere else, if you want him on the show, let him know. That’s one of the ways I have gotten talent in the past to take a second look at our show and agree to come on when there is fan interest. If you want Connor, reach out to Connor via tweet and send him a brief message, and hashtag Dial the Gate, and we’ll see if we can get his interest again. Because I would love to sit down from beginning to end and go through the Michael arc with him. He did a fantastic Trip Tucker, but he did a really great Michael Kenmore. That’s what we have for this episode. If you liked what you saw, be sure to like it because it changes YouTube’s algorithm and gets this in front of other Stargate fans. Otherwise, it won’t. Or leave a comment. That also helps. I’m always reading through the comments and checking them out. And if you really like what it is that we’re doing, subscribe and click the bell icon because you’ll get the notifications of any last-minute guest changes, or any upcoming episodes as they go live. Next week on the docket — If I can press the button. There it is. Joseph Mallozzi will be joining us for part eight on May the 23rd to discuss Season 10 of Stargate SG-1. 12 p.m. Pacific Time. And then — Let me see here. This also marked wrong. Let me double check this real quick. Darren, we need to update the website. 12 p.m. Pacific Time is Joseph Mallozzi, and then 2 p.m. Pacific Time on the 23rd we have Pierre Bernard of Sergeant O’Brien fame from Stargate SG-1, and even more famous, or infamous, depending on how you approach his takes, Pierre Bernard’s requiem of rage from the Conan O’Brien’s show. So, Pierre will be joining us next week and I am really excited about this episode, getting to nerd out with another Stargate fan. And he’s who we’ve got coming. Later on this month, very special episode between me and Darren. 12 Things We Want from SG4. That is gonna be premiering on the 30th at noon and then at 2 p.m. on the 30th, I’m hoping to meet with Rob Cooper this week to get it recorded, part four of his ongoing interview. I wanna discuss the inner workings of building Stargate Atlantis with Brad. So, that is the intent. My profound thanks to my team who makes every weekend happen. Summer, Tracy, Keith, Jeremy, Rhys, Antony, GateGabber and Jennifer Kirby. You guys are the best. You make this show happen. I couldn’t do it without you. And to all of you who tune in, my regulars, I do know who you are, and I do appreciate that you do so. And to newly discovered audience members, welcome. Hope you enjoyed what you saw. Hope you can stick around for more. There’s some big stuff coming. I’m looking forward to making some announcements soon. Thanks again to Rachel Luttrell for joining us. My name is David Read for Dial the Gate. We’ll see you on the other side.