A while back, Robyn E. Kenealy contacted me about a Baltar/Six novel she had written called Emissary From Another World. I read the whole thing and it's brilliant, just brilliant. It's a fantasy of what Gaius and Six's life may have been like after the finale - but it's written in a painfully realistic way, with lots of emotion and deep thought. It really goes beyond fan fiction. Gaius Baltar is not an easy character to write about, but I think Robyn has him to a T - pompous, guilty, lecherous, ridiculous, childish, caring, cowardly, brave, he's everything he was on the show.
I told her to send it to a frakking publisher (although I'm not sure how it would work if Gaius Baltar is a registered trademark of Universal or whatever). She prefers to publish it pro bono in blog form, with some selected illustrations. So here it is.
Do read it if you like Baltar, or Caprica Six, or good fiction. It's going to be published one entry at a time, so it's a bit like a diary blog for Gaius. If you can imagine him writing one in the New Earth while living a rustic farmer's life. (OK, it doesn't make sense, but even Betty Draper from the 1960's has a Twitter account, so let's allow modern-day artists some levity with medium.)
Robyn discusses her obsession with Baltar in the "About this project" section (note the hilarious ad for Baltar's self-improvement classes!)
I’m still not entirely sure whether this identification with Baltar is the epicentre of my obsession. I know it has something to do with it, but I can’t help feeling more. In short, something is happening here, and I don’t know what it is. All I know is I wanted to write about it. And I didn’t want to write against it, I wanted to write inside it. I wanted to see how I was putting this obsession together. This seemed like the right way.
Actually, some of this comes close to what I'm doing with this blog. (especially if you substitute Baltar for "James Callis".) I can't write as James, and I have to be careful because he's a real person out there somewhere. But I'm writing from inside my own obsession and fantasy about him, hoping it will be relatable to others too. Now I brought it back to me and my own fandom, but Robyn's writing will do that - she always makes me deep-think myself and my own mind.
Or maybe it's because fandom really has a common thread of living inside a character or (the fantasy of) a celebrity? Gaius is especially good for this, because while he's difficult to write about, he's very relatable as a character. Few (if any) of us would like to be him, but many viewers grew to like him and see a reflection of ourselves.
OMG, this is awesome! Many loving thanks to Nicole.
Quick bulletin points:
-He is adorable. I just want to cuddle and snuggle him. Look at Gaby-Waby trying to save the day - he is so gonna fail!
-The verdict is still out on autistic savant/Asperger's, but either way he's doing a great job portraying it. And funny. "Can't touch this! Can't touch this!" How does he do this?
-The outfit is hilarious, but him wearing it and being all fateful and frakked up is even more so.
-That is a decent American accent! He doesn't sound fake at all. Awesome!
-This really is unlike what he's done before. I'm so excited!
He is going to be in four episodes, so three more to go. He'll be more prominent next week. Can't wait!
Edit: So um... I'm not sure if I should be timid and try to not gush too much, or be just like before? I feel a bit timid still, but then, that may just be my own bullshit. James didn't ask me to stop gushing. Everybody else is gushing... So frak this. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Fangush!!!! (L) (L) (L) JAMES!!! (L) :D :D :D OK, I feel better.
Somebody make a fanvid of "Can't Touch This" with Gabriel. Please.
I hesitate to say way too much before we see more of Gabriel McDow, but I'm totally having multiple FanForwards over this. (Sorry for the pun, couldn't resist.) I was sure I'd be a little disappointed after the hype and expectations, but it's quite the contrary. I'm beginning to feel more and more excited and can't wait for next Thursday. There's something different about this role.
For one thing, I'm really surprised he's autistic/Asperger's/remains to be seen. We knew he was quirky and socially awkward, but I didn't realize it was in this way. This is truly something new for James, and I'm just proud of how we'll he's portraying it. After seeing the photos, I was very amused indeed, but also a bit worried they might just do a really broad nerd stereotype. But this makes the outfit totally appropriate, even serious - yet he's still also hilarious and adorable in all the right ways. It's just so good.
A very good sign: I'm already fascinated with this guy. I want to know more about his condition and how he sees the world, in a way that isn't only related to the plot. I hope they make something of it and give us some view into Gabriel's head. I'd also be very curious as to what kind of background work/mental preparation James did to get into this character. As Gaius' narcissism and Guy Curran's (Going Wrong; I'll write about it someday) obsession were fascinating, this is fascinating in a psychological way. It may be one of those characters who stay with you.
Jessika Borsiczky, a producer of FlashForward, is on Twitter and she just came out as a total James fangirl. Eeee! She promises that James will be doing four episodes all in all, and that episode 20 is his biggest one. Also that "he steals" the next episode - as if he didn't already!
His American accent has improved since I last heard him use it. It's always been OK, but sounded like he's putting it on - it hasn't sounded very authentic. This time, it sounded authentic to me. It might have to do with the rhythm of his speech here and the way he talks dramatically, but I wouldn't guess by this that he's British. I'm so proud of his development as an actor. *gushes even further*
Last night, I had to go to bed not knowing what his role was like. Had a nightmare where he was in a church, looked more like Sylar with a very calm/evil expression, said dark stuff about God and painted a childlike altarpiece that was yet somehow very frightening. Then he turned into an old, fat, bald guy. (Serves me right for joking he'd be bald for the role!) All through the dream, I was wondering, "Why did people say he'd be adorable/funny? This is frakking depressing!"
All I'm saying is, it's not easy being a fan who lives in Finland. Without illegal downloads, I'd have to wait two weeks to see this. Thank gods for copyright law infringements!
(Um, I'll have to see more of him to determine if he's actually chubbier or not. Maybe the coat is just tight enough to make it look so. I'm sure no one really cares though, but it's important for ME as the foremost expert on the topic. Either way: ADORABLE.)
I went to therapy today and talked about the Facebook thing. I brought my autograph to show what kind of contact I had with James previously. The therapist looked it over and said that it seems like James is a sympathetic, humorous person who really appreciates fans. He also said that given the constraints of this kind of relationship, James probably meant more, not less, than he wrote in the autograph. I said I realize it might be fake, but he said, "No, I don't think so. The length and the word choices... it's genuine." (L)!!!!! (He also had trouble reading James' handwriting - I had to help him with "privilege". Hee!)
Then he said, "So you have all this on the positive side. And on the negative side? That guy who attacked you and what else now?" Well, nothing... apart from the FB blockage, but he seemed to consider that pretty unimportant. He said that anyone reading the attack post would realize this guy has some issues, and that it was a completely unwarranted attack, even if it must feel bad to read that stuff, especially if you worry already what James thinks of you.
He also told me to consider how busy James must be. How much time would he have to think about fans and react to us? He said James probably does read the blog and it probably means a lot to him that there are fans who are so enthusiastic. But no matter how big the fandom is in MY life, and how much time I have put into it, James will inevitably have less time to really think about fandom - as in all fans, not just me. So when I worried I may have upset James and scared him from any further fan contact, the therapist said that's really unlikely, also given the time constraints. There'd have to be two Jameses: one to react emotionally to my posts and another to act and do everything else.
So I feel really relieved right now. Remember, this is a professional who knows about people, not a fan who has to see him in an idealized light. He didn't even know about James previously. If he thinks the autograph is appreciative, and doesn't think the FB blockage means anything... Well, he can't see into James' head of course, but still. This felt really good.
I said I want the fandom to be FUN again, and something that doesn't give me stress or self-doubts. He said it's become a relationship in my life - and he said this in a positive way, not like I have an unhealthy obsession, so whew - and that when it becomes a big thing, there will also be negative things. But he promised to help me bring it back on a level that is fun and carefree. He also thought it was a good sign that I can still gush about the FF photos and the donuts (I don't care what anyone says, he looks chubby in those photos. Remember: I'm the expert!)
My therapist also said that this relationship I have with James - whatever it means to him - is not something that can be jeopardized at this point. That made me feel really safe and happy in my fandom.
So maybe this is, all in all, a good thing. I can try and stop worrying about the fandom and bring it back to fun and carefree; I can feel accepted as a fan, because whether or not James wants me on his Facebook, we'll always have the autograph.
They really made him an über nerd. Taped glasses! A WALKMAN! A horrid-looking, too tight jacket! A dusty old cap! And I must say he still looks cute, albeit in an awkward, clumsy kind of way. I won't comment more today, but enjoy!
Pictures here. They're from episode 1.18, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
How cute is this?! James Callis and Tricia Helfer on a break during BSG shooting. James is eating what appears to be chips (or crisps?), offers some to Tricia, she pretends to stop short of taking one and they laugh. And then she takes one. They are so cute, it should be illegal.
Would you watch The James And Tricia Preparing For a Scene Show? I totally would.
(This is my capture of a moment on the Behind the Scenes for season 3, from a TV rip made by someone. Sorry about the quality.)
And we have the first picture! Granted, it's taken from afar (by lucky fans who could go see the show film!), so I'll have to refrain from any precise analyses for now, but he's looking good! Probably to the dismay of many fans, he seems to have short hair for the show. I'll admit I'm a bit disappointed - I do love the mane so - but the hair is styled nicely, and he's looking smart and handsome. I'm curious as to what he's holding - that thing could be anything. A model airplane? A baby's milk bottle? A remote control controlling the weather? On that show, it could be anything.
More in-depth, an interview with Eureka's co-executive producer Amy Berg at io9. She assures us that they don't just hire sci fi geeks for the geekery, they want actors with range:
Eureka has a very specific tone — it's science fiction, sure, but it also has a lot of heart. And it's funny. To find an actor who can tell a joke in one scene and get their heart broken in the next is not an easy task, regardless of genre.
That pretty much describes James! I'm gleeful to hear Berg - so soon after the FF producer - praise James' talent. Apparently he's also a Eureka fan:
He jumped at the chance join Eureka and was especially excited when we told him what we had in mind for his character. Casting him was serendipitous, really. In Vancouver, the soundstages for Battlestar Galactica were next door to Eureka, so James was already friends with some of our regulars. And then when his name appeared on a casting list for Dr. Grant, our eyes lit up. He is a genuine talent.
Hmmm. I feel a bit bad that I was so lacklustre about the news - and it seems like all James fans were pretty meh. If I had heard about Eureka before FlashForward, I might have been much more excited. But it just doesn't seem like my kind of show. I hope that when it airs, I will be proven wrong and get sucked into it.
(inner battle:
should I give the show another chance and down...buy season three? It had higher ratings. James is a smart guy and he usually has good taste...
but he did Merlin...
NO! What kind of a pathetic fangirl would I be if I started to love a show just because James loves it? Put yourself together, woman!)
Yeah, I'm still not a fan of the show, but it's still 20 episodes of a show with James in it. And he gets to be funny! Should be fun!
Asked about the character, Berg doesn't want to spoil. Blah! Nobody ever wants to spoil. I wouldn't mind being spoiled a little, because we have to wait until July to see it.
Let's just say that Grant is unlike any character Callis has played, and unlike any character we've had on the show. He's an outsider trying to find his way. James is having a blast with the part. And he gets to mix it up with Colin Ferguson's Carter, which is fun for both of them.
The character sounds like it might be a challenge for James and intriguing for the viewers. However, someone rightly points out in the comments that Baltar, too, was an outsider trying to find his way. But Berg has probably seen BSG and knows what she's talking about, so I'll be cautiously optimistic about his role.
Awww, I just realized something. If Salli Richardson-Whitfield's character has a baby, maybe James gets to act with a baby? Seeing him hold a baby would be so... *coos* Daddy man!!!! Ah, I knew I'd find some gush-worthy aspects of the show, no matter what.
(In case I tagged it badly: "Comic Timing Essential" was update part 2.)
It's been confirmed that the episode James first appears on is episode 17, The Garden of Forking Paths, which will air in two weeks' time. The press release is on many sites, here at SpikeTV.
Of even more interest is this link with SpoilerTV quoting TV Guide: a fellow BSG fan is asking about his role in more detail.
MICKEY: How the frak are ya, Romy? Here's what Sonya Walger says about him: "He's this curious person who seems to know an enormous amount about Olivia's future. It turns out that this guy has had multiple flash-forwards, so he becomes incredibly important and significant to her and, in time, to the entire investigation." The bad news: He's not a good guy. In fact, he's going to make D. Gibbons look like a walk in the park full of unconscious people.
Hmm. So he's the villain again? I'm a bit disappointed. I was kind of hoping he'd be more like Lloyd Simcoe - someone with an important part, who's essential to the story without being the enemy, and yet manages to be a bit complex and imperfect.
But let's be honest: some of the show's "good" guys - including Mark Benford, Demetri Noh and Aaron - aren't particularly interesting characters. What's happening to them is interesting, but they haven't managed to get my sympathy throuhgout most of those events. There's something wrong with this show and "good guy" roles, and in that framework, I want to see James as a complex, strange, highly intelligent bad guy. Simon has been the most interesting character for me so far, and he's not really a good guy at all.
What I do worry about is that James is now going to be the bad guy every time, because Gaius was the bad guy. This is annoying because
a) he wasn't, at all;
b) on some shows, the bad guy roles are really black and black evil; and
c) James is such a kind guy in reality - it would be nice to see him exhibit that on shows as well.
But the actors always say that playing the villain or antagonist is the most interesting role. That's the role they want. I remember Jamie Bamber saying that Apollo was a limiting role, because he had to be good, and he sometimes envied James the more varied Baltar. The bad guy gets more leeway.
It's also a question of how James plays the part. He's really only played the eevil villain once, on One Night with the King, where he really was just bad bad bad. (And I doubt that, as a Jew, he'd like to play a Jew-hating bigot with much compassion.) Generally, though, James seems to bring some kind of understanding or nuance or compassion into the part he plays.
The reason actors want to play the villain is probably not that they want to be eevil and swirl their moustaches and cackle in a corner. They want to portray the darker side of human nature, which exists in all of us, but which we usually have to control. It may be liberating to let that part of you go and just get to do bad stuff for once. But if it's not done with complexity and psychological insight, it's just boring and cartoonish.
So let's hope for a complex character most of all, be it a hero or a villain. (Or a weird mixture of both, like Gaius Baltar.)
Heh heh! OK, in my defense, it was already April Fool's in Finland when I posted that, and also I apparently got many people - most notably kixxa who just about had a heart attack. Relax, baby! :D I'm flattered that you guys think so much of my James-imitating skills - the "article" contained three quotes, so I pat myself in the back for making anyone think that was actually him. Do I know our man or what?
Just in case: if James should actually be bald in FF, I repeat my heartfelt NOOOOOOOOOO!
Other than that, happy April Fool's day everyone! :)
You know, I have been fearing this since that Galactica Quorum interview! We so should have made that petition that he not touch scissors for a year (Artemis_Neith's idea).
At least he knows we love it:
"I know my fans love the hair," says the hirsute actor. "But don't worry, girls - it grows back!"
....
"You know, I always wanted to know what it feels like to be bald," Callis says.
So how did it feel? "Cold."
Callis promises that the hair will be back by his Eureka role. "They pretty much insisted on it," he laughs.
Damn! I knew Dominic Monaghan was bald on the show, but James?
And I was so excited about this role! Oh well... at least we knew in beforehand so it won't be a big shock when we see him.
I'm always dubious to call anything "weekly", because I probably won't end up writing every week and it looks silly. But let's just say these are random thoughts of this week, regardless if the thoughts ever come back or if they rush out into the darkness never to return.
Small personal update: I'm a bit more depressed lately, but having my meds adjusted and getting more therapy, so hopefully I'll have more energy for this blog and the LJ rewatch community soon. I feel like my writing is sub-par for now, but maybe that's just the depression talking. I'll be reporting on the news as soon as I see them, either way. If I sound lacklustre, it's because of my brain chemistry, not because I've lost interest in James.
A reader asked about James' glasses. I have no idea, but there's a thread at the Unofficial Website on the topic. Apparently it would be a Ray Ban model that someone identified. Read more here. It's interesting that his glasses fascinate people. Maybe also try having his hairdo (the long one)? Chicks dig that.
Still no con bookings for this year. Shooting Eureka in Vancouver, James is probably just too busy and not where the cons are. But who knows, maybe he'll be joining something on a shorter notice? I'll keep you posted. Looks like I won't be able to go to any con this year, judging by my finances, but it's always nice to hear about other people's experiences. Honestly, it is. I'm not envious AT ALL that you people get to talk to James and hug him and all that. (Grr.)
FlashForward: turns out we're only two weeks behind the US, and Revelation Zero, part 1 aired yesterday. Whoa! I'm going to see James soon, no doubt! I'm very excited about that - except that the pace of the show is still sssslllllooooowwww. I enjoy the premise and am still excited James will be on this show, but jesus. It may be an ABC thing, because I think the same is true of Lost. I didn't watch it when it first aired, partially because it's so painfully slow. Now, on DVD, I'm hooked on it, but only if I fast forward a lot of the scenes. There are characters I really care about, and characters I don't care about at all, and all of their back stories are expanded, so it's slow going. I have a feeling I'll love FF on DVD, but for now, we only have the slow-paced episodes. I just hope James will have some killer dialogue and great scenes that won't feel like watching paint dry. (Well, at least watching him and his subtle expressions is still interesting, no matter what's in the scene.)
Poll-wise, people seem pretty unanimous that they will watch James' episodes only, if a show he appears on is not something they'd otherwise watch. In fact, 100 % voted for that. I must admit I did peek at Eureka season one, but felt no need to watch the entire show, because it's apparently more of a sitcom type thing, not really a story with a plot you must follow. So I'm one of the "just watch his episodes" fans. You don't have to be a fan of the show to enjoy James' episodes. I hope.
I was looking through the archives, and looks like I have an anniversary coming up - one year of obsessing over James+donuts! I expected it to go away but, um, it hasn't really. It's been a juicy year. Mmmmm, donut gut. (L)!
A softer side of James. All cuddly and sweet. Plus: Tricia. I'm not sure which one turns me on more. *drool*
Speaking of James' physique - some people apparently felt uncomfortable with the James' body poll, so I've removed it. Let me know if I sound annoyingly objectifying or disrespectful or whatever. I probably wouldn't enjoy a poll asking ppl if they prefer me muscular, chubby or skinny, and maybe James wouldn't feel very good about it either. Sorry, James. It wasn't a serious thing for me. I love you just as you are (and also chubbier).
It's becoming harder and harder to google anything James-related, because there is a shocking amount of spam. I don't get it. Is it because people are googling James so much right now? Or because some spambots are creating spam based on your search? "James Callis shirtless" amuses me, but the day it turns up "james callis donut porn james callis donut eating contest james callis donut gut james dunkin donuts" type stuff, I will freak out. And can I just, once again, frown upon the "james callis alexander siddig" crap. People, they look nothing alike. Nothing at all. I do not see the resemblance, and I've spent a fair amount of time staring at James Callis pictures. I have nothing against Mr Siddig, but every time his face turns up in a James search, I get a bit annoyed with him. I wonder if Siddig fans feel the same way about James, coming to think of it.
That's about it for now. More James news hopefully soon.
