Elizabeth Weir (Stargate)

Last updated
Elizabeth Weir
Elizabethweirstargate.jpg
Torri Higginson as Elizabeth Weir
First appearance"Lost City, Part 1" ( SG-1 )
Last appearance"Ghost in the Machine" ( Atlantis )
Created by Brad Wright
Robert C. Cooper
Portrayed by Jessica Steen (SG-1 7.21–7.22)
Torri Higginson
Michelle Morgan (Human-Asuran hybrid)
Holly Dignard (stand-in for "Old Weir" in "Before I Sleep")
In-universe information
SpeciesHuman, later a Human-Asuran hybrid
OccupationDiplomat, Commander of the Atlantis Expedition
FamilyMom, Simon (ex-fiancé)
NationalityAmerican

Dr. Elizabeth Weir is a fictional character in the Canadian-American Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate Atlantis , a military science fiction show about a military team exploring another galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Elizabeth Weir is introduced as a recurring character in the Stargate SG-1 season seven two-parter, Lost City . She does not hold any military rank since she is a civilian. Weir is the leader of the Atlantis expedition in Stargate Atlantis until the last episode of season three, titled "First Strike".

Contents

The character was primarily played by Torri Higginson, although when introduced in the Stargate SG-1 two-parter Lost City, she was played by Jessica Steen. In the season 5 Atlantis episode "Ghost in the Machine", the consciousness of Elizabeth Weir, having been transferred to sub-space by a group of Replicators hoping to ascend, was transferred to a Replicator template and portrayed by Michelle Morgan.

Role in Stargate

Character arc in Stargate SG-1

Dr. Elizabeth Weir first appears in the episode Lost City and was portrayed by Jessica Steen. She was put in command of Stargate Command (SGC) by President Henry Hayes, replacing Major General George Hammond to put a "civilian" face on the organization. Vice-President Kinsey wanted to use Weir as a civilian "puppet" to achieve his goals to gain control of the Stargate program. Dr. Weir, however, proved to be an ideal choice, quickly learning not to trust Kinsey and to put her faith in SG-1. [1]

She was in charge of Stargate Command during Anubis' attack on Earth and suggested deploying Prometheus (under the command of her predecessor, Gen. George Hammond) and the Allied powers' combined air forces to Antarctica, in order to defend the newly discovered Ancient outpost. Earth repelled the attack, thanks to weapons deployed from the Ancient Chair in the outpost. Dr. Weir remained the Chief of Stargate Command during the fallout from the battle and impressed her senior staff when she successfully bluffed Earth's position during tense negotiations with a delegation of System Lords. Not long afterwards, Dr. Weir accepted reassignment to the Antarctic Research Outpost and its international staff, which she felt was better suited to her skill set. She took particular delight in informing Jack O'Neill of his appointment as her successor and his accompanying promotion to Brigadier General. O'Neill remained in command of the SGC for the remainder of the eighth season. [1]

Character arc in Stargate Atlantis

Some time after Dr. Weir was sent to lead the research envoy studying the Ancient defense facility that had been discovered in Antarctica, Daniel Jackson realized that the lost city of Atlantis was located in the Pegasus Galaxy. Dr. Weir was placed in command of the multinational expedition that was sent through the Stargate to explore Atlantis. [2] As a diplomat, Weir sought treaties with the human populated worlds in Pegasus, one of them being the Athosians. There was often tension between her and the leader of the Athosians and the latter eventually left the city to live on the mainland of the planet where Atlantis was hidden. [3]

Weir approved several projects throughout Atlantis in season two including the Wraith retro-virus that she later gave as part of a treaty to a sect of Wraith looking to replace the human food source with Wraith infected by the virus. The retro-virus suppressed the Wraith genetic material in the DNA of a Wraith, leaving only the human DNA. [4] Weir became infected with the consciousness of an alien soldier named Phoebus that was at war with another consciousness called Thalan who also took over John Sheppard. Both rampaged through the city, triggering a hostage situation which was caused by the aliens' desire to defeat one another for good. After nearly 24 hours, the rogue consciousnesses were subsequently expelled, resulting in both Sheppard and Weir returning to normal once again. [5]

In season 3, Weir's leadership abilities were questioned by the International Oversight Advisory (IOA) Committee after two Wraith hive ships attempted to attack Earth. Although she managed to stop both hive ships, the IOA was divided over whether she should be allowed to remain leader of Atlantis and it was only with some help from Richard Woolsey that she was able to keep her position. She also unsuccessfully tried to negotiate an alliance with the Asurans and was infected with Asuran nanites. They later tried to assimilate her body and she very nearly didn't survive. In the final episode of season 3 ("First Strike") Weir was critically injured by the Asuran Satellite Weapon, leaving the city without a leader and adrift in space. [6]

The season 4 premiere episode "Adrift" revealed that Weir had suffered massive injuries. She was later healed by the Asurans Replicator nanites that were left dormant in her body from when she was infected by Niam. [7] As a result of this treatment, she became part-Replicator, part-Asuran. She took part in a mission to save Atlantis by stealing a Zero Point Module (ZPM) from the Asurans and sacrificed herself to allow the team to escape. Before that, however, she was able to control Oberoth and the collective for a short time. She ordered Col. Sheppard to leave her behind and escape. She was left on Asuras and it was later stated that she was killed by the Asurans shortly afterward. [8] [ failed verification ] Showrunner Joseph Mallozzi mentioned the possibility that a Replicator lied to or misinformed the Atlantis team when she said that Weir was killed. [9]

An organic copy of Weir, possessing all of her memories and personality, was created by the Replicators, along with similar copies of Sheppard, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan and Rodney McKay. This clone of Weir is believed to have been killed by a contingent of Asurans when she sacrificed herself to allow the original Sheppard, Ronon, Teyla and McKay to escape. At the end of "Be All My Sins Remember'd", Weir was seen as the commander of an Aurora class ship with what appeared to be a rogue faction of Asurans. After the replicator planet was destroyed, she said, "now we can finally get to work without having to look over our shoulders". [10] Her last appearance is in the episode "Ghost in the Machine", in which she is portrayed by Michelle Morgan. [11] Here, she and her faction of Replicators had found a way to "digitally ascend" by downloading their consciousnesses into subspace. They planned to ascend from there, only to fail miserably. Once they determined that they needed organic bodies to ascend, they sought out technology that would allow them to regain solid form. But when they couldn't find the technology they needed, Elizabeth infiltrated the Atlantis system. She downloaded herself into a F.R.A.N. body and the rest of her faction followed suit. Once Elizabeth convinced Col. Sheppard and Mr. Woolsey that they would not be a threat to Atlantis, they proceeded to work on creating organic bodies into which they could download themselves. However, one member of the Replicators believed that he could ascend from a Replicator body and with eons of time he thought he would eventually succeed. The Replicator wreaked havoc on Atlantis in order to escape, but Elizabeth deactivated him before anyone could be hurt. Deciding that the incident proved they could no longer be trusted, she lured the remainder of her faction through a space gate to prevent it from happening again. The episode ends with Elizabeth closing her eyes and drifting through space.

Weir later reappears in the official continuation series Stargate Atlantis Legacy where it is revealed that an Ascended Asgard named Ran helped her ascend for real. After Weir saves McKay's life, she is forcibly de-ascended as Doctor Daniel Jackson once was and is found by the team, human once more. Weir aids the team in dealing with the Vanir - a rogue faction of Asgard - and returns to Atlantis until she is confirmed to be human once more. However, she indicates that she will not stay once she is cleared.

Conceptual history

Jessica Steen was the original choice to play Weir, but ultimately only filmed the character's first appearance. Higginson was written out of the series in part to allow Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) to take over as leader of Atlantis. Towards the beginning of February 2008, it was revealed that Torri Higginson would not be reprising the role of Elizabeth Weir in season 5. Due to Higginson's absence, actress Michelle Morgan was brought in to replace her in the episode "Ghost in the Machine". [12]

Related Research Articles

Stargate Atlantis is an adventure and military science fiction television series and part of MGM's Stargate franchise. The show was created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper as a spin-off series of Stargate SG-1, which was created by Wright and Jonathan Glassner and was itself based on the feature film Stargate (1994). All five seasons of Stargate Atlantis were broadcast by the Sci-Fi Channel in the United States and The Movie Network in Canada. The show premiered on July 16, 2004; its final episode aired on January 9, 2009. The series was filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Daniel Jackson (<i>Stargate</i>) Fictional character from the Stargate universe

Daniel Jackson, PhD, is a fictional character in the military science fiction franchise Stargate, and one of the main characters of the 1997 series Stargate SG-1. He is portrayed by James Spader in the 1994 film Stargate, and by Michael Shanks in Stargate SG-1 and other SG-1 derived media. Jackson is the only Stargate character to appear in all films and series in the franchise.

George Hammond (<i>Stargate</i>) Fictional character in Stargate

Lieutenant General George S. Hammond, USAF (Ret.) is a fictional character in the Stargate franchise. Played by American actor Don S. Davis, General Hammond serves as the commander of Stargate Command (SGC) in the first seven seasons of the 1997 television series Stargate SG-1. He is relieved of command in the series' season 7 finale "Lost City", but becomes head of the new Homeworld Security department at the beginning of season 8. Hammond's off-screen retirement is confirmed in SG-1's season 10, and the character's death is mentioned in the series finale of SG-1's spin-off series Stargate Atlantis, "Enemy at the Gate".

Rising (<i>Stargate Atlantis</i>) 1st and 2nd episodes of the 1st season of Stargate Atlantis

"Rising" is the pilot episode for season one of the military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis, a Canadian-American spin off series of Stargate SG-1. The episode was written by executive producers Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode was the strongest episode of the whole series on Nielsen household ratings. The episode got strong reviews from major media publishers worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aiden Ford</span> Fictional character from Stargate Atlantis

First Lieutenant Aiden Ford, USMC is a fictional character in the 2004 Canadian-American Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate Atlantis, a military science fiction show about a combined civilian and military team exploring another galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Played by Rainbow Sun Francks, Aiden Ford is introduced as a main character in the season one premiere "Rising", holding the military rank of first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

The Siege (<i>Stargate Atlantis</i>) 19th and 21st episodes of the 1st season of Stargate Atlantis

"The Siege" is the season finale for season one and season premiere for season two of the military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis, and the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first episode of the series overall. The episodes were written by executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie and Martin Gero, and all three were directed by Martin Wood. The episodes were one of the series strongest in season 1 on Nielsen ratings and part three gathered the strongest rating with "Instinct" in season 2. The episode got strong reviews from major media publishers worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carson Beckett</span> Fictional character in the TV series Stargate Atlantis

Dr. Carson Beckett is a fictional Scottish character in the 2004 Canadian-American science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis, a spin-off series of Stargate SG-1. He is portrayed by Scottish-born Canadian actor Paul McGillion, who previously played Dr. Ernest Littlefield in the first season of SG-1. The character's Scottish nationality was only decided after McGillion's audition.

Dr. Radek Zelenka is a fictional character of a scientist in the 2004 television series Stargate Atlantis, portrayed by David Nykl. He is a member of the original expedition from Earth to the Ancient city of Atlantis in the Pegasus galaxy, which he joined after turning down a job at Masaryk University in his home country Czech Republic. His expertise on Ancient technology is only surpassed by Dr. Rodney McKay, with whom he shares a friendly rivalry. Zelenka's planned one-time appearance in the season 1 episode "Thirty-Eight Minutes" was followed by a recurring role for expository scenes with McKay and the leader of the expedition. Zelenka has since appeared in approximately half of each season's episodes and also appeared in the crossover episode "The Pegasus Project" of Stargate SG-1. The series finale of Atlantis, "Enemy at the Gate", marks his last appearance. For his portrayal of Radek Zelenka, David Nykl was nominated for a 2005 Leo Award in the category "Dramatic Series: Best Supporting Performance by a Male".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Lorne</span> Fictional character from the Stargate universe

Major Evan Lorne, USAF is a fictional character in the 2004 Canadian–American Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, two military science fiction shows about military teams exploring the galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Played by Kavan Smith, Evan Lorne was first introduced as a recurring character in the seventh season of Stargate SG-1, holding the military rank of Major in the United States Air Force. He joins the Atlantis expedition after "The Siege" as one of the personnel on the Daedalus class battlecruiser.

"First Strike" is the 60th episode and the third season finale of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode originally aired in Canada on February 5, 2007, on The Movie Network, and subsequently aired March 14 on Sky One in the United Kingdom, and June 22 on the United States Sci Fi Channel. It was written by executive producer Martin Gero, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode is the first of a three-parter, in which the new Earth ship Apollo arrives at Atlantis to conduct a preemptive strike against the Asurans before they can launch a fleet to attack Earth.

"Adrift" is the 61st episode and the fourth season premiere of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode first aired in the United States on September 28, 2007, on the Sci Fi Channel, and subsequently aired October 9 on Sky One in the United Kingdom. It was written by executive producer Martin Gero, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode continues from the third-season finale "First Strike", where Atlantis drops out of hyperspace in the middle of deep space with 24 hours of power left after an Asuran attack.

"Lifeline" is the second episode of the fourth season, and the 62nd episode overall, of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode first aired in the United States on October 5, 2007, on the Sci Fi Channel, and subsequently aired October 16 on Sky One in the United Kingdom. It was written by executive producer Carl Binder, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode is a continuation of the previous episode, "Adrift", following Colonel Sheppard and his team as they perform a mission to steal a Zero Point Module from the Asurans. It was described by executive producer Joseph Mallozzi as a "big op eppy."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be All My Sins Remember'd</span> 11th episode of the 4th season of Stargate Atlantis

"Be All My Sins Remember'd" is the 71st episode of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis, and the eleventh episode of the series' fourth season. The episode was written by Atlantis co-executive producer, Martin Gero, his third script of the season, and directed by Andy Mikita. The episode originally aired on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on January 4, 2008, and aired on Sky One in the United Kingdom on January 8. The episode's title is derived from the line, "The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons/ Be all my sins remember'd" from the "Get thee to a nunnery" scene in William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Keller</span> Fictional character

Dr. Jennifer Keller is a fictional character from the Canadian-American military science fiction series Stargate Atlantis, a spin-off series to Stargate SG-1. She is played by Canadian actress Jewel Staite, who previously played the Wraith Ellia in season two episode "Instinct". She was created by the producers, who wanted someone to fill in for Carson Beckett after Paul McGillion's departure from regular status in the series. Keller had a recurring role in the fourth season, and was later promoted to a regular in Season 5.

<i>Stargate Atlantis</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the television series Stargate Atlantis commenced airing on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on July 16, 2004, concluded on The Movie Network in Canada on January 31, 2005, and contained 20 episodes. The show was a spin off of sister show, Stargate SG-1. Stargate Atlantis re-introduced supporting characters from the SG-1 universe, such as Elizabeth Weir and Rodney McKay among others. The show also included new characters such as Teyla Emmagan and John Sheppard. The first season is about a military-science expedition team discovering Atlantis and exploring the Pegasus Galaxy. However, there is no way to return home, and they inadvertently wake a hostile alien race known as the Wraith, whose primary goal is to gather a fleet to invade Atlantis and find their new "feeding ground", Earth.

<i>Stargate Atlantis</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of Stargate Atlantis, an American-Canadian television series, began airing on July 21, 2006 on the US-American Sci Fi Channel. The third season concluded after 20 episodes on February 5, 2007 on the Canadian The Movie Network. The series was developed by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, who also served as executive producers. Season three regular cast members include Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay.

<i>Stargate Atlantis</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis commenced airing on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on July 11, 2008, concluded on the same channel on January 9, 2009, and contained 20 episodes. The show itself is a spin off of its sister show, Stargate SG-1. The season upgrades previous supporting characters cast members such as Richard Woolsey and Jennifer Keller. Amanda Tapping's character Samantha Carter was downgraded to recurring character in this season. The fifth and final season is about a military-science expedition team fighting against the Wraith from their base of operation, Atlantis. The Wraith primary goal is to gather a fleet to invade Atlantis and find their new "feeding ground", Earth.

"The Shrine" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode is also the 300th produced episode in the overall Stargate franchise. The episode first aired on August 22, 2008 on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States, and subsequently aired on October 23 on Sky1 in the United Kingdom. The episode was nominated for a Nebula Award, and a further four Leo Awards.

References

  1. 1 2 Martin Wood (director); Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper (writers). "Lost City". Stargate SG-1. Season 8. Episode 21 and 22. Sky One.
  2. ↑ Martin Wood (director); Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper (writers). "Rising". Stargate Atlantis. Season 1. Episode 1 and 2. Sci Fi Channel.
  3. ↑ Mario Azzopardi (director); Paul Mullie and Joseph Mallozzi (writers). "Suspicion". Stargate Atlantis. Season 1. Episode 5. Sci Fi Channel.
  4. ↑ Andy Mikita (director); Treena Hancock and Melissa R. Byer (writers). "Instinct". Stargate Atlantis. Season 2. Episode 7. Sci Fi Channel.
  5. ↑ Andy Mikita (director); Damian Kindler (writer). "The Long Goodbye". Stargate Atlantis. Season 2. Episode 16. The Movie Network.
  6. ↑ Martin Wood (director); Martin Gero (writer). "First Strike". Stargate Atlantis. Season 3. Episode 20. The Movie Network.
  7. ↑ "First photos from 'Lifeline'". GateWorld . September 11, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  8. ↑ Martin Wood (director); Martin Gero (writer). "Adrift". Stargate Atlantis. Season 4. Episode 1. Sci Fi Channel.
  9. ↑ Joseph Mallozzi (December 8, 2007). "Thoughts and tirades, rants and ruminations". Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  10. ↑ Andy Mikita (director); Martin Gero (writer). "Be All My Sins Remember'd". Stargate Atlantis. Season 4. Episode 11. Sci Fi Channel.
  11. ↑ Ken Girotti (director); Carl Binder (writer). "Ghost in the Machine". Stargate Atlantis. Season 5. Episode 5. Sci Fi Channel.
  12. ↑ Darren Sumner (February 9, 2008). "Higginson Out for Season 5". GateWorld . Retrieved 2009-05-10.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.