Stargate Atlantis produce Joe Mallozzi has stated that Captain Vela, a character introduced in the show’s fifth season, was intended to be the show’s first gay character – a revelation that was to end up on the cutting room floor.
What exactly does this mean? Sod all.
The character was never defined as gay on screen, therefore, to 90% of Stargate viewers, she remains entirely straight. Yet, the producers seem to expect a pat on the back for thinking about making a character gay?
The very fact that this development – something most shows would treat as a milestone; something to be proud of – ended up on the cutting room floor is indicative of the lack of risk-taking in the Stargate writers’ room. Leaving aside the fact that such a revelation may have made a few episodes somewhat more compelling, we get the impression that the writers knew a gay character could heighten the drama and make characters more interesting, yet couldn’t bring themselves to take the final push.
To then actually announce that the aforementioned plot development was cut seems, well, a little useless. You didn’t actually achieve anything.
-sarcasm-
So way to go, Stargate writing team. Have yourselves a pat on the back for doing nothing of use, in this case. You deserve it.
-/sarcasm-
Why would most shows think this something to be proud of?