SCI FI PI

On our recent trip to The Bridge Studios, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the World, we managed to sneak a little video spycam onto the set of Stargate!

Of course, by 'spycam' we mean the crappy video recorder function on our digital camera. So the quality's not the best. But for that, there's the essential flavour of 'truth'. Here now is the unvarnished reality of Stargate. And frankly - it's awesome!

The sets are as close to the 'reality' of the fantasy as you can imagine, with the obvious exception of say, cement floors and the occasional giant light poking through what should really be a space-worthy window.

We managed to walk the octagonal corridors of the Daedalus. We also managed to sit in the captain's chair. It's not 'the' captain's chair of Sci Fi, but it's still pretty damned cool. Built solid, it slides in and out, has buttons in the armrests - and is surprisingly comfy, with black vinyl that feels like leather over a solid wooden construction and a gigantic metal bolt and plate. The corners and edges are appropriately worn, exactly what you'd expect after years of intergalactic combat.



Ben Browder talks about Stargate:Continuum.

TOUCHING STARGATE

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Walking around the Daedalus, it's surprising just how authentic it feels - not at all dissimilar to a modern day naval vessel's mix of high tech and old school plumbing. However, if you do open the wrong door, you may find a surprise or two. And a reference to The Fifth Element, for some reason.


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Finally, a walk around the bridge of the Daedalus revealed that the buttons that they have aren't just set dressing. They actually work!

No, not every time we pressed one, a missile flew off into space, no, but a little light came on and off with a resounding and satisfying click, just like in a real spaceship. As all Sci Fi show buttons should work. We know this truth to be self-evident.

We also snuck off and had a wander inside a Stargate:Atlantis Wraith hive ship, which wasn't nearly as creepy as it looks on the show. Although, in some ways it's more disturbing.


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The walls, which in the show are biogenic, are in real life made from oogy latex, stretched thin like bits left over from a Clive Barker movie. You press the walls and they respond in an unsettlingly organic manner.


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The Wraith Queen's throne, however, is super comfy, with some nice padding. It also promotes excellent posture. Which is important when intimidating minions.


To join in our massive Stargate competition, click here.

Stargate:Continuum is available on Blu-ray and DVD on Aug 6. Stargate:Atlantis Season 4 is available on Blue-ray DVD on September 3.

To find out when the next episode of our network premiere of Stargate:Atlantis Season 3 is on, click here!