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{{More citations needed|date=November 2009}}
{{Infobox television episode
{{Infobox television episode
| series = [[Stargate SG-1]]
| series = [[Stargate SG-1]]
Line 5: Line 4:
| episode = 12
| episode = 12
| airdate = {{Start date|2001|09|08}}
| airdate = {{Start date|2001|09|08}}
| editor =
| photographer = [[Peter F. Woeste]]
| production = 512
| editor = Allan Lee
| music = [[Joel Goldsmith]]
| production =
| writer = [[Brad Wright]], [[Joseph Mallozzi]] and [[Paul Mullie]]
| writer = [[Brad Wright]], [[Joseph Mallozzi]] and [[Paul Mullie]]
| director = [[Peter DeLuise]]
| director = [[Peter DeLuise]]
| guests = * [[Willie Garson]] as [[Martin Lloyd]]
| guests = * [[Teryl Rothery]] as [[Janet Fraiser]]
* [[Willie Garson]] as [[Martin Lloyd]]
* [[Michael DeLuise]] as Nick Marlowe
* [[Michael DeLuise]] as Nick Marlowe
* [[Jill Teed]] as Yolanda Reese
* [[Jill Teed]] as Yolanda Reese
Line 22: Line 24:
| next = [[Proving Ground (Stargate SG-1)|Proving Ground]]
| next = [[Proving Ground (Stargate SG-1)|Proving Ground]]
}}
}}
"'''Wormhole X-Treme!'''" is the 100th episode of [[military science fiction]] [[Adventure fiction|adventure]] [[television show]] ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' and is the 12th episode of the [[Stargate SG-1 (season 5)|fifth season]]. The episode was first broadcast September 8, 2001 on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] in the [[United States]]. It was written by series co-creator and executive producer [[Brad Wright]] along with supervising producers [[Joseph Mallozzi]] and [[Paul Mullie]] and was directed by [[Peter DeLuise]].
"'''Wormhole X-Treme!'''" is an episode from [[List of Stargate SG-1 episodes#Season 5|Season 5]] of the [[science fiction]] [[television series]] ''[[Stargate SG-1]]''.
The title also refers to a [[camp (style)|camp]] fictional science fiction series named ''Wormhole X-Treme!'', a [[show-within-a-show]] that is portrayed in the episode. This was the 100th episode of ''Stargate SG-1'', and as such was produced as a "special" episode laden with large numbers of [[in-joke]]s, [[cameo appearance]]s, and heavy use of [[metafiction]]al elements for comedic effect.


In the episode, Stargate Command learns that an alien ship belonging to the same race as [[Martin Lloyd]] is heading for Earth. They locate Martin, who having once again lost his memories has created a television series called ''Wormhole X-Treme!'', seemingly based upon the top secret Stargate Program.
==Plot==


The story centres around a [[Story within a story#Examples of nested stories by type#Nested TV shows|show-within-a-show]] called ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' which parodies ''Stargate SG-1''. In creating the episode, Wright and all those involved sought to create a comedic episode that celebrated the show through [[parody]], [[cameo appearance]]s, [[in-joke|inside]] and [[metafiction|metafictional]] jokes and references. The episode is a sequel to "[[Point of No Return (Stargate SG-1)|Point of No Return]]" from the shows [[Stargate SG-1 (season 4)|fourth season]]. A further story from the shows [[Stargate SG-1 (season 10)|tenth season]] celebrating the 200th episode, titled "[[200 (Stargate SG-1)|200]]" follows up on characters and events from the episode.
This episode is a continuation of the Season 4 episode "[[Point of No Return (Stargate SG-1)|Point of No Return]]". A spaceship that had been hidden in the outer solar system activates and begins approaching Earth, and its energy signature is matched to that of [[Martin Lloyd]]'s escape pod suggesting that this is its mother ship. The military tracks down Lloyd (played by [[Willie Garson]]) and discovers that he has become the creative consultant for a television series whose concept he sold to a Hollywood studio, ''Wormhole X-Treme!''. The parallels between ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' and the real [[Stargate Command|SGC]] are clear. The [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] had decided that while being a breach of secrecy, [[disinformation|the show could prevent any future leaks]] of information about the Stargate program from being taken seriously.


==Plot==
[[Jack O'Neill (Stargate)|Jack O'Neill]] is given the position of the Air Force technical advisor to the show in order to covertly confront Lloyd about both the secrets he has leaked and the approaching spacecraft. He discovers that Lloyd has resumed using memory suppressants and does not consciously remember his previous encounter with them or his own extraterrestrial origin. O'Neill initially suspects Lloyd's associates of drugging him again, but in fact Lloyd started taking them on his own so that he could feel more comfortable with living on Earth.


An alien space ship has been detected heading towards [[Earth]], and based upon it's energy signature Major [[Samantha Carter]] ([[Amanda Tapping]]) believes that it it belongs to the same race of people as [[Martin Lloyd]], who [[Stargate Command]] set about locating. They find Martin, who has become the creative consultant on a [[science fiction]] [[television show]] he sold called ''Wormhole X-Treme!'', which bears striking resemblance to the real life top secret [[Stargate Program]]. Under the guise of being the shows Air Force consultant, Colonel [[Jack O'Neill]] ([[Richard Dean Anderson]]) is sent to the studio where Martin is working on the show in order to learn what he can from him about the inbound ship. O'Neill reintroduces himself to Martin ([[Willie Garson]]), who despite having previously met, claims not to remember him.
Lloyd's associates are indeed nearby, however, as well as another secret government group called the [[NID (Stargate)|NID]] that wishes to seize the ship's technology for themselves. Lloyd has in his possession the remote control device necessary for boarding the empty ship when it arrives, thinking it merely another of the many functionless science fiction props used on the show, and both parties want to recover it. His associates kidnap O'Neill and Lloyd, injecting Lloyd with a memory-restoring drug. Before they interrogate him, however, O'Neill and Lloyd escape.


Believing that Martin has once again had his memory erased, O'Neill searches his trailer and uncovers numerous vitamins, which he relays back to General [[George Hammond (Stargate)|Hammond]] ([[Don S. Davis]]) at Stargate Command, who dispatches the rest of SG-1 to assist. Soon Dr. [[Janet Fraiser|Fraiser]] ([[Teryl Rothery]]) determines that the vitamins found contain the chemical used by Tanner, another member of Martin's race who was previously responsible for drugging him. Meanwhile, Carter and Dr. [[Daniel Jackson (Stargate)|Daniel Jackson]] ([[Michael Shanks]]) establish that, also like last time, surveillance devices have been setup around Martin's house. After their attempt to apprehend one of Tanner's men fails, Carter and Daniel's lead takes them to a warehouse filled with government agents.
O'Neill and Lloyd recover the remote control just as the spacecraft arrives, with the NID and Lloyd's associates in close pursuit. O'Neill gives the remote to Lloyd's associates allowing them to flee Earth, both because he sympathizes with their plight and to deny the ship's technology to the NID. Lloyd decides that he is comfortable with his new life and remains on Earth to continue consulting for ''Wormhole X-Treme!''.


O'Neill and Martin are captured by Tanner (Robert Lewis) and his men who administer Martin with an antidote to restore his memories, at which point he tells O'Neill that he drugged himself in order to forget everything that had happened to him. The pair are soon freed by [[Teal'c]] ([[Christopher Judge]]) and Martin realises that he needs to help Tanner's group escape Earth by getting the remote device for their ship. Meanwhile [[NID (Stargate)|NID]] Agent [[Malcolm Barrett (Stargate)|Barrett]] ([[Peter Flemming]]), who's men have apprehended Carter and Daniel, tells them that they plan on seizing the space ship, and soon receive a tip as to Martin's whereabouts. With Barrett gone, Carter and Daniel overpower the remaining NID agents and contact O'Neill warning him that the NID are on there way. O'Neill procures the device and Tanner persuades him to relinquish it to they can flee Earth and the NID. Content with his new life, Martin decides to stay on Earth and Tanner and his men [[Teleportation in fiction|teleport]] to the ship before the NID can get to them.
At the end of the episode there is a "Making of ''Wormhole X-Treme!''" featurette with interviews of several of the actors from the fictional show.
''Wormhole X-Treme'' is mentioned again in the season 8 episode "[[Citizen Joe (Stargate SG-1)|Citizen Joe]]", which reveals that the fictional show ran for one episode before being cancelled, though Mitchell later claims it ran for three episodes. Martin Lloyd returns in the milestone episode "[[200 (Stargate SG-1)|200]]" in season 10, trying to write a TV film based on the fictional show. The latter episode stated that ''Wormhole X-Treme'' ran for ten seasons prior to cancellation.


==Production==
==Production==
===Development===


{{multiple image
"Wormhole X-Treme" features many cameos by the crew of ''Stargate SG-1''. The director of this episode, [[Peter DeLuise]], also played the director of ''Wormhole X-Treme!''. Writer and executive producer [[Robert C. Cooper]] played a ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' writer. Further cameos include [[Joseph Mallozzi]] (who co-wrote this episode), producer [[N. John Smith]], and ''Stargate SG-1'' writer [[Ron Wilkerson]] as ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' crew members; ''Stargate SG-1'' property master David Sinclair as the ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' assistant director; make-up artist Jan Newman as a make-up artist; director [[Andy Mikita]] and producer [[John Lenic]] as the characters being beaten by Col. Danning; ''Stargate SG-1'' director [[Martin Wood (director)|Martin Wood]] as an [[NID (Stargate)|NID]] agent; and several more.<ref>[http://www.rdanderson.com/stargate/episodes/episodes/05-12wormhole.htm List of major and minor cameos on]</ref> The two executives who commented on the unrealistic look of Lloyd's spacecraft are played by ''Stargate SG-1'' executive producer Michael Greenburg and executive producer/co-creator [[Brad Wright]].
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| footer = [[Brad Wright]] (top) co-wrote the episode with [[Joseph Mallozzi]] (bottom left) & [[Paul Mullie]] (bottom right).
| image1 = Stargate SG-1 co-creator Brad Wright speaks at VFS (4545783183).jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = Joseph mallozzi and paul mullie comic con.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
}}


The initial idea for the story came from series co-creator and executive producer [[Brad Wright]]. He imagined the character of [[Martin Lloyd]], who had previously appeared in the [[Stargate SG-1 (season 4)|season four]] episode "[[Point of No Return (Stargate SG-1)|Point of No Return]]" as having once again lost his memory, leading him to make a television series like ''SG-1''. According to Wright, the story "was something I would never have done in a million years unless it was the one-hundredth episode".<ref>[[#essential2004 | Wright (2004)]]: p. 238</ref> After Wright had outlined the story, writing duo [[Joseph Mallozzi]] & [[Paul Mullie]] were assigned to write the script, although they initially believed Wright was joking when he pitched them the story.<ref>[[#essential2004 | Mallozzi (2004)]]: p. 238</ref> Wright believed one of the things fans found attractive in ''Stargate SG-1'' was the fact that the show didn't take itself "too seriously".<ref>[[#essential2004 | Wright (2004)]]: p. 293</ref> Instead of a typical episode, the writers looked to produce a more comedic story, celebrating the milestone. The 1999 [[Science fiction comedy]] film ''[[Galaxy Quest]]'' enthused Wright and the shows writers to instead craft a story that [[parody|parodied]] ''Stargate SG-1''.<ref name="scifi 02-07-01">{{cite web |title=Stargate Begins Landmark Season |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue219/news.html |website=Sci Fi Wire |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060210224107/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue219/news.html |archive-date=10 February 2006 |date=2 July 2001}}</ref><ref name="gate watch">{{cite magazine |first= Brad|last= Wright |title=Gate Watch |magazine= [[TV Zone]] |date=2001 |publisher= Visual Imagination |page= 76|quote= |issn=0960-8230 |issue= Special 42}}</ref><ref name="deluise dec 21">{{cite magazine |first= Peter|last= DeLuise |title=Clocking Up the Century |magazine= [[TV Zone]] |date=December 2001 |publisher= Visual Imagination |pages= 21-24|quote= |issn=0957-3844 |issue= 146}}</ref><ref name="scifi 04-09-01">{{cite interview |last1=Anderson |first1=Richard Dean |last2=Tapping |first2=Amanda |last3=Mullie |first3=Paul |last4=Mallozzi |first4=Joseph |last5=Glassner |first5=Jonathan |last6=Wright |first6=Brad |title=Stargate SG-1's cast and crew blow out the candles on its 100th birthday |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue228/interview.html |website=Sci Fi Wire |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20051226214335/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue228/interview.html |interviewer=Melissa J. Perenson |archive-date=26 December 2005 |date=4 September 2001}}</ref>
Within the fictional show ''Wormhole X-Treme!'', the four primary characters of SG-1 each had a representative character within the show-within-a-show. The characters, actors, and their counterpoints are:


In developing their script, Mullie found that they had no shortage of jokes, however "The hard part was finding an excuse for the humour to happen".<ref>[[#essential2004 | Mullie (2004)]]: p. 239</ref> Mullie wanted to ensure the episode still meant something and had "an actual Stargate story underneath all of the parody".<ref name="cinescape 04-04-02">{{cite interview |last1=Mallozzi |first1=Joseph |last2=Mullie |first2=Paul |last3=Wright |first3=Brad |last4=Cooper |first4=Robert C. |interviewer= Melissa J. Perenson|title=100th episode Milestone for STARGATE SG-1 |url=http://www.cinescape.com/0/Editorial.asp?this_cat=Television&obj_id=29158&aff_id=0 |website=Cinescape |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20020504163007/http://www.cinescape.com/0/Editorial.asp?this_cat=Television&obj_id=29158&aff_id=0 |archive-date=4 May 2002 |date=8 September 2001}}</ref> Once the shows production team found out about the nature of the episode, Mallozzi recalled "So many people wanted to add so much", and would pitch them material.<ref>[[#essential2004 | Mallozzi (2004)]]: p. 239</ref> As writing progressed it was the idea that Martin Lloyd had purposely decided to erase his own memory which "made certain events fall into place" for Mallozzi and Mullie.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/>
<ref>{{cite interview|last1=DeLuise |first1=Michael |title=Sci-Fi Blast From The Past - Michael DeLuise (Stargate SG-1) |url=https://scifiandtvtalk.typepad.com/scifiandtvtalk/2011/11/sci-fi-blast-from-the-past-michael-deluise-stargate-sg-1.html |website=scifiandtvtalk |interviewer=Steve Eramo |date=11 July 2011}}</ref>


There were conversations about how far to push the parody elements of the episode. Visual effects supervisor James Tichnor had hoped they would also be able to include "corny" computer generated effects, citing the invading spaceships in the film ''[[Mars Attacks!]]'' as an idea, however Brad Wright still wanted to maintain a level of realism within the episode. The visual effects team were able to include some smaller scale gags, such as paying homage to the original ''Star Trek'' [[Transporter (Star Trek)|transporter]] effect at the end of the episode.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/>
{| class="wikitable"

|-
===Writing===
! Actor !! ''Stargate SG-1'' character (name of fictional actor) !! ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' character !! ''Stargate SG-1'' analogue

|-
Events that had taken place both on and off screen in the show and its production helped inform numerous scenes. [[Peter DeLuise|Peter Deluise's]] earlier directorial decision to ask the [[Property master|props master]] to "Make the [[kiwi (fruit)|kiwi]] look alien", suggesting they be painted red during the production of "[[Beneath the Surface (Stargate SG-1)|Beneath the Surface]]", was written directly into "Wormhole X-Treme!". Another choice by DeLuise to have [[Jack O'Neill]] kill, what he was later told was "too many Jaffa", and then step over their dead bodies in the episode "[[The Fifth Man (Stargate SG-1)|The Fifth Man]]" informed having Danning / Marlowe struggle to navigate a kissing scene whilst surrounded by dead bodies.<ref name="the fifth man">{{cite book |contributor-first= Peter|contributor-last= DeLuise |contributor-link= Peter Deluise|author1=Thomasina Gibson |contribution= The Fifth Man |title=Stargate SG-1: The Illustrated Companion: Seasons 5 and 6 |date=2003 |publisher=[[Titan Publishing Group]] |pages= 20-21|quote= |isbn=184023606X}}</ref><ref name="deluise dec 21"/><ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/> The president of [[MGM Television]], Hank Cohen, was also mocked for his advocacy that the show introduce a "sexy" female alien character, which ultimately took the form of [[Anise (Stargate)|Anise]] portrayed by actress [[Vanessa Angel (English actress)|Vanessa Angel]].<ref name="joe 30-01-23">{{cite web |last1=Mallozzi |first1=Joseph |title=Stargate SG-1 Season 5 concept art and episode insights! |url=https://josephmallozzi.com/2023/01/30/january-30-2023-stargate-sg-1-season-5-concept-art-and-episode-insights/ |website=josephmallozzi.com |date=30 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="jm 08-10-19">{{cite web |last1=Mallozzi |first1=Joseph |title=Secrets of Stargate – The Wormhole X-Treme Edition! |url=https://josephmallozzi.com/2019/10/08/october-8-2019-secrets-of-stargate-the-wormhole-x-treme-edition/ |website=josephmallozzi.com |date=8 October 2019}}</ref> Mullie felt that the character "didn't quite work out" and as "a dig at him" he wrote that an executive would make the same suggestion. Cohen was ultimately given a cameo in the episode, delivering the line. Mullie had neither expected the joke to remain in the episode, nor for Cohen to be the one who delivered it.<ref>[[#essential2004 | Mullie (2004)]]: p. 239</ref>
| [[Michael DeLuise]]

| Nick Marlowe
The writers also took aim at other elements of ''Stargate'' and science fiction in general storytelling. The recurring [[Goa'uld]] weapon, the Zat'nik'tel, which Mallozzi described as weapon of "connivence" used the opportunity to lampoon its ability to disintegrate targets upon the third shot.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/><ref name="jm 04-04-11"/> Additionally, during filming, DeLuise had the ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' team perform what the shows production mockingly referred to as the "jerky" or "twitchy" dance after being shot; something that the main cast of ''SG-1'' had become reluctant to do after being "zatted" as the show progressed over the years.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/><ref>[[#essential2004 | Gosling (2004)]]: p. 244</ref> The science fiction trope of characters being out of phase was also made fun of, as were the ''SG-1'' conceits of everyone speaking english and having the same concept of time as Earth.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mallozzi |first1=Joseph |title=Getting the Book of the Month Club back on track! More Dark Matter Designs! Mailbag! |url=https://josephmallozzi.com/2011/05/27/may-27-2011-getting-the-book-of-the-month-club-back-on-track-more-dark-matter-designs/ |website=josephmallozzi.com |date=27 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/>
| Colonel Danning

| [[Jack O'Neill]]
Some scenes and ideas were dropped during development. This included Wright's idea for a "huge, knock down, full-on, comically-big fight scene" showing Carter and Daniel's escape from the NID. Wright dropped the scene as he was concerned they were "in danger of going too far" in sending themselves up.<ref>[[#essential2004 | Wright (2004)]]: p. 277</ref> A scene referencing the ongoing will-they-won't-they romance between [[Jack O'Neill]] and [[Samantha Carter]] was also written but ultimately dropped. According to Mallozzi the scene would have involved Martin expressing his desire to have two of his main characters in a relationship, but being unable to do so due to their position in the military - mirroring the O'Neill/Carter relationship. O'Neill would have gone on to reference the events of the ''SG-1'' episode "[[Beneath the Surface (Stargate SG-1)|Beneath the Surface]]", with Martin responding "I can’t do that! That’s a ''[[Star Trek: Voyager|Voyager]]'' episode!".<ref>[[#essential2004 | Mallozzi (2004)]]: p. 240</ref>
|-

| [[Jill Teed]]
===Cast and characters===
| Yolanda Reese
[[File:Garson, Willie.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Willie Garson]] returned to the show as alien refugee [[Martin Lloyd]].]]
| Major Stacy Monroe

| [[Samantha Carter]]
[[Willie Garson]] returns as the alien refugee [[Martin Lloyd]], first introduced in "[[Point of No Return (Stargate SG-1)|Point of No Return]]". Robert Lewis and Mar Andersons reprise their roles from "[[Point of No Return (Stargate SG-1)|Point of No Return]]" as the alien refugees hiding on earth, Dr. Peter Tanner and Bob. [[Matthew Bennett]] who had previously portrayed one of the alien refugees was unable to return.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/>
|-

| [[Christian Bocher]]
The character of Nick Marlowe, who portrays Colonel Danning in ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' was originally based on [[Richard Dean Anderson|Richard Dean Anderson's]] ''Stargate SG-1'' character Colonel [[Jack O'Neill]]. The part of Marlowe / Danning was first offered to [[Jeff Probst]] and then to [[Robert Hays]]. After being unable to secure either actor, the part was opened up to auditions, before [[Brad Wright]] suggested [[Michael DeLuise]], brother of [[Peter DeLuise]].<ref name="deluise dec 21"/> After accepting the part, Michael was sent a tape of Richard Dean Anderson's work on the show, however Michael with the support of director Peter DeLuise instead looked to the performances of [[William Shatner]] and his depiction of Captain [[James Kirk]] from ''[[Star Trek]]'' for inspiration. As well as imbuing the character with "Shatnerisms", Michael sought to portray Danning as an "over-the-top TV hero" and Marlowe as a "pissy, self-absorbed actor".<ref>{{cite interview|last1=DeLuise |first1=Michael |title=Sci-Fi Blast From The Past - Michael DeLuise (Stargate SG-1) |url=https://scifiandtvtalk.typepad.com/scifiandtvtalk/2011/11/sci-fi-blast-from-the-past-michael-deluise-stargate-sg-1.html |website=scifiandtvtalk |interviewer=Steve Eramo |date=11 July 2011}}</ref> For the role, Michael DeLuise's hair was dyed slightly grey and two cuts were made into his right eyebrow as homage to the single slit in O'Neill's.<ref name="deluise dec 21"/><ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/>
| Raymond Gunne

| Dr. Levant
[[Christopher Judge|Christopher Judge's]] [[stand-in]] Herbert Duncanson was cast as Douglas Anders, who would portray Grell the Robot within ''Wormhole X-Treme!'', a parody of the character of [[Teal'c]].<ref name="deluise dec 21"/> [[Jill Teed]] was cast in the role of Yolanda Reese, who would portray the character of Stacy Monroe in ''Wormhole X-Treme!'', a parody of [[Samantha Carter]]. According to Peter DeLuise Teed had "come so close on so many different parts and this time around we thought, We have to have her in this story".<ref name="deluise dec 21"/> Christian Boucher was selected to parody Dr. [[Daniel Jackson (Stargate)|Daniel Jackson]], portraying the character of Raymond Gunne who plays Dr. Levant in ''Wormhole X-Treme!''. Boucher had previously portrayed the character Major Dean Newman in the episode "[[Shades of Grey (Stargate SG-1)|Shades of Grey]]", and would go on to guest star as a character called Torrell in the episode "[[Condemned (Stargate Atlantis)|Condemned]]" of spinoff series ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]''.<ref name="deluise dec 21"/> The episode marks the first appearance of Agent [[Malcolm Barrett (Stargate)|Malcolm Barrett]] portrayed by [[Peter Flemming]], who would go on to make numerous appearances on both ''SG-1'' and ''Stargate Atlantis''. Flemming gave a quick, two line audition for the part, which at the time was called 'Man in Black' with the possibility of becoming recurring.<ref name="flemming"/> [[Benjamin Immanuel]], Don Thompson, Laura Drummond, Kiara Hunter and Keath Thome respectively play the parts of Producer, Props Guy, Security Guard, Alien Princess and Head SF.
| [[Daniel Jackson (Stargate)|Daniel Jackson]]

|-
Many of the shows production staff guest or cameo within the episode as the fictional crew of ''Wormhole X-treme!''. Director [[Peter DeLuise]] portrays a fictional version of himself - the director of ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' and [[property master]] David Sinclair portrays Bill the [[assistant director]]. Cameos include writers [[Brad Wright]], [[Robert C. Cooper]], [[Joseph Mallozzi]] and Ron Wilkerson. Executive producer Michael Greenburg, his wife actress Nikki Smook, co-executive producer N. John Smith and production manager [[Andy Mikita]] all also appear. Other cameos include visual effects supervisor Michelle Comens, senior digital compositing artist [[Bruce Woloshyn]], [[makeup artist]] Jan Newman, 3rd assistant director Gisela Schulte, property master Kenny Gibbs. Series director [[Martin Wood (director)|Martin Wood]] portrays a NID agent.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/>
| [[Herbert Duncanson|Herbert&nbsp;Duncanson]]

| Douglas Anders
===Filming===
| Grell the robot
[[File:The Bridge Studios - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|Much of the episode was filmed in and around [[The Bridge Studios]] in [[Burnaby]], [[British Columbia]].]]
| [[Teal'c]]

|}
[[Peter DeLuise]] directed the episode, whilst [[Peter Woeste]] oversaw [[cinematography]]. The shows standing Stargate Command set at [[The Bridge Studios]] in [[Burnaby]], [[British Columbia]] was used for filming, whilst Bridge Studios itself was featured throughout as the movie studio where the fictional ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' is filmed.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/> The production team originally considered digitally altering the Bridge Studios signage to show the ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' branding, but ultimately dropped the idea.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/> DeLuise opted to fill the Bridge [[backlot]] with as many [[Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] as he could, including props from ''Stargate SG-1'' such as the [[Asgard (Stargate)|Asgard]] puppet and a [[Goa'uld]] Death Glider model.<ref name="wormhole x-treme">{{cite book |contributor-first= Peter|contributor-last= DeLuise |contributor-link= Peter Deluise|author1=Thomasina Gibson |contribution= Wormhole X-Treme |title=Stargate SG-1: The Illustrated Companion: Seasons 5 and 6 |date=2003 |publisher=[[Titan Publishing Group]] |pages= 36-37|quote= |isbn=184023606X}}</ref> He also looked to [[Disneyfication|Disneyfy]] the backlot, hoping to give it a "'circus-type' atmosphere" and make it far more colourful and alive through having crew everywhere, added set dressing and saturating the scenes in post-production.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/><ref name="wormhole x-treme"/>

An incomplete set for a [[Goa'uld]] space station interior, which was being constructed for the then upcoming ''Stargate SG-1'' two-parter "[[Summit (Stargate SG-1)|Summit]]"/"[[Last Stand (Stargate SG-1)|Last Stand]]" ended up being used by DeLuise in the episode as a set for ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' TV series for a where Martin and O'Neill are ambushed by Tanner.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/> The Zephyr Mercury building on Boundary Road was used for the O'Neill, Matin and Tanner interrogation scene.<ref name="van sun 01"/> For the warehouse being used by the [[NID (Stargate)|NID]], production took over a [[car dealership]] across the street from Bridge Studios, whilst the frequently used [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]] Sand Dunes features as the final location of the episode.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/>

During filming, DeLuise realised they would not have enough usable material to make the required episode length. In considering what else could be added, DeLuise thought of his father, [[Dom DeLuise]], and how many of his films had [[bloopers]] at the end.<ref name="deluise dec 21"/> Although usually resistant to bloopers, DeLuise convinced Brad Wright to include a "making of ''Wormhole X-Treme!''" segment to end the episode, combining fake [[bloopers]] and interviews with the cast of the show-within-the-show.<ref name="manatthetop">{{cite interview |last1=Wright |first1=Brad |title=The Man At the Top |url=https://www.gateworld.net/news/2002/07/the-man-at-the-top/ |interviewer= Darren Sumner |website=Gateworld |date=14 July 2002}}</ref> Under DeLuise and Wright's guidance, Michael DeLuise, Teed, Duncanson and Bocher recorded some two hours of additional and largely unscripted and [[improvisation|improvisational]] material.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/><ref name="deluise dec 21"/><ref name="van sun 01">{{cite interview |last1=Anderson |first1=Richard Dean |last2=Wright |first2=Brad |last3=Cooper |first3=Robert C. |interviewer=Alex Strachan |title=Actor Follows His Own Star |url=https://www.rdanderson.com/archives/articles/2001-06-20.htm |publisher=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=20 June 2001}}</ref> Peter DeLuise's [[director's cut]] of the episode featured real [[bloopers]] of the ''Stargate SG-1'' cast that was ultimately omitted from the broadcast and home release versions.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary"/> Additionally, a scene involving [[Teal'c]] watching the trailer for ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' "laughing uproariously and enjoying the hell out of the show – much to the bewilderment of his fellow team members" was cut by Wright during editing.<ref name="jm 04-04-11">{{cite web |last1=Mallozzi |first1=Joseph |title=Transporter pre-production update! Canada’s Space Channel pays us a visit! Further Stargate SG-1 season 5 reminiscences! |url=https://josephmallozzi.com/2011/05/04/may-4-2011-transporter-pre-production-update-canadas-space-channel-pays-us-a-visit-further-stargate-sg-1-season-5-reminiscences/ |website=josephmallozzi.com |date=4 May 2011}}</ref><ref>[[#essential2004 | Mallozzi (2004)]]: p. 292</ref>

==Cultural references==

One of Tanner's men uses the alias Steve Austin, a reference to the [[Steve Austin (character)|character of the same name]] from the 1973 television series ''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]'', which Robert C. Cooper was a fan of.<ref name="wormhome dvd commentary">{{cite AV media |last1= DeLuise|first1=Peter |author-link1= Peter DeLuise|last2=Mallozzi |first2=Joseph |author-link2=Joseph Mallozzi |date= 24 June 2002 |title=[[Stargate SG-1]] "Wormhole X-Treme"|medium=[[audio commentary|DVD commentary]] |language=en |publisher=[[MGM Home Entertainment]] |volume= 22}}</ref> Although "a show about a talking dog who solves crimes" was included in the script, it was [[Richard Dean Anderson]] who, as an [[ad-lib]] decided mention the unsold television pilot ''[[Poochinski]]'' by name.<ref>[[#essential2004 | Gosling (2004)]]: p. 261</ref> According to DeLuise, the green skinned ''Wormhole X-Treme!'' aliens were an homage to the [[Orion (Star Trek)|Orions]] from ''Star Trek''.<ref name="deluise dec 21"/>


==Release==
==Release==
===Broadcast===
The episode first aired on September 8, 2001 on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] in the [[United States]]. The episode was moved from its usual Sunday slot to Saturday night and was preceded by a ''Stargate SG-1'' [[Marathon (media)|marathon]] to mark the hundredth episode.<ref>{{cite web |title='Stargate' Celebrates 100 Episodes |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?19756 |website=Zap2it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020112205629/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?19756 |archive-date=12 January 2002 |date=7 August 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Stargate celebrates 100th episode |url=http://gateworld.net/news/archive/010907_1.shtml |website=Gateworld |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020619123114/http://gateworld.net/news/archive/010907_1.shtml |archive-date=19 June 2002 |date=7 September 2001}}</ref> The episode was first [[television syndication|syndicated]] in the week of February 24, 2003 where it received a 2.4 Nielsen rating.<ref>{{cite web |title=RATINGS: Syndication Week of February 24 |url=http://www.gateworld.net/news/archive/0303_ratings.shtml#newsitem1047588166,5793, |website=Gateworld |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030625081529/http://www.gateworld.net/news/archive/0303_ratings.shtml#newsitem1047588166,5793, |archive-date=25 June 2003 |date=13 March 2003}}</ref> In the [[United Kingdom]] the episode was first shown on November 21, 2001 on [[Sky 1]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date= December 2001|title= TV Focus |magazine= [[TV Zone]] |publisher= Visual Imagination |page=13 |issue=145 |issn=0957-3844}}</ref>


===Reception===
The episode first aired on September 8, 2001 on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Stargate celebrates 100th episode |url=http://gateworld.net/news/archive/010907_1.shtml |website=Gateworld |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020619123114/http://gateworld.net/news/archive/010907_1.shtml |archive-date=19 June 2002 |date=7 September 2001}}</ref> The episode was first [[television syndication|syndicated]] in the week of February 24, 2003 where it received a 2.4 Nielsen rating.<ref>{{cite web |title=RATINGS: Syndication Week of February 24 |url=http://www.gateworld.net/news/archive/0303_ratings.shtml#newsitem1047588166,5793, |website=Gateworld |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030625081529/http://www.gateworld.net/news/archive/0303_ratings.shtml#newsitem1047588166,5793, |archive-date=25 June 2003 |date=13 March 2003}}</ref> In the [[United Kingdom]] the episode was first shown on November 21, 2001 on [[Sky 1]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date= December 2001|title= TV Focus |magazine= [[TV Zone]] |publisher= Visual Imagination |page=13 |issue=145 |issn=0957-3844}}</ref>


Jan Vincent-Rudzki for [[TV Zone]] awarded the episode 10 out of 10, writing "This is witty, well-written, well-directed, with some great in-jokes". Vincent-Rudzki applauded the episode for being "semi-ridiculous and yet still quite dramatic episode", with a "nice story" for non-fans of the show to enjoy.<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Vincent-Rudzki|first= Jan|date= December 2001|title= Reviews - Television - Stargate SG-1 |magazine= [[TV Zone]] |publisher= Visual Imagination |issue=145 |page=73 |issn=0957-3844}}</ref> Reviewing for [[IGN]], Daniel Solis called it a "Great, great episode", praising the "side-splittingly accurate" "caricatures" of ''SG-1''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Solis |first1=Daniel |title=Stargate SG-1, Wormhole X-Treme! |url=https://scifi.ign.com/articles/315156p1.html |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020831211924/http:/scifi.ign.com/articles/315156p1.html |archive-date=31 August 2002 |date=17 September 2001}}</ref>
Jan Vincent-Rudzki for [[TV Zone]] awarded the episode 10 out of 10, writing "This is witty, well-written, well-directed, with some great in-jokes". Vincent-Rudzki applauded the episode for being "semi-ridiculous and yet still quite dramatic episode", with a "nice story" for non-fans of the show to enjoy.<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Vincent-Rudzki|first= Jan|date= December 2001|title= Reviews - Television - Stargate SG-1 |magazine= [[TV Zone]] |publisher= Visual Imagination |issue=145 |page=73 |issn=0957-3844}}</ref> Reviewing for [[IGN]], Daniel Solis called it a "Great, great episode", praising the "side-splittingly accurate" "caricatures" of ''SG-1''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Solis |first1=Daniel |title=Stargate SG-1, Wormhole X-Treme! |url=https://scifi.ign.com/articles/315156p1.html |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020831211924/http:/scifi.ign.com/articles/315156p1.html |archive-date=31 August 2002 |date=17 September 2001}}</ref> Andy Hall for DVD Times believed the episode was a "great way to mark reaching 100 shows" and that it "hilariously sends up SG-1 and in fact many shows of the genre, by ruthlessly picking plot holes in the concept".<ref name="dvd-times-16-07-02"/>


[[Brian Ford Sullivan]] for [[The Futon Critic]] placed the episode 50th in his "The 50 Best Episodes of 2001" list, calling it "a grand celebration of how good this underappreciated series can be" going on to applaud the episode for delivering "some of the series' best laughs to date".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ford Sullivan |first1=Brian |title=The 50 Best Episodes of 2001 - #50-41 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/reviews/2002/01/01/the-50-best-episodes-of-2001-number-50-41-12210/20020101_bestof2001/ |website=The Futon Critic |date=1 January 2002 |quote=While easy to dismiss as a parody of itself, the 100th episode of "Stargate SG-1" was a grand celebration of how good this underappreciated series can be. In the same way "Galaxy Quest" was an homage to "Star Trek" this episode looked at the (at times) inherently hokey nature of the show and delivered some of the series' best laughs to date.}}</ref> [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]] for [[Tor.com]] described "Wormhole X-Treme" as "a hilarious hundredth episode that celebrates by making fun of itself", applauding the return of [[Willie Garson]]'s [[Martin Lloyd]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=R.A. DeCandido |first1=Keith |title=The Stargate Rewatch: SG-1 Season Five |url=https://www.tor.com/2015/05/01/the-stargate-rewatch-sg-1-season-five/ |website=Tor.com |date=1 May 2015}}</ref> Reflecting on the episode in 2019, Helen Ashcroft for [[Screen Rant]] believed the episode was "one of the most polarizing episodes in the entire show", claiming that "While many hate it, there must be others who agree that it is a light-hearted fun diversion".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ashcroft |first1=Helen |title=The 5 Best Episodes Of Stargate SG-1 (& 5 Worst) |url=https://screenrant.com/best-worst-episodes-stargate-sg-1/#best-season-5-episode-12-wormhole-x-treme |website=Screen Rant |date=23 July 2019}}</ref>
[[Brian Ford Sullivan]] for [[The Futon Critic]] placed the episode 50th in his "The 50 Best Episodes of 2001" list, calling it "a grand celebration of how good this underappreciated series can be" going on to applaud the episode for delivering "some of the series' best laughs to date".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ford Sullivan |first1=Brian |title=The 50 Best Episodes of 2001 - #50-41 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/reviews/2002/01/01/the-50-best-episodes-of-2001-number-50-41-12210/20020101_bestof2001/ |website=The Futon Critic |date=1 January 2002 |quote=While easy to dismiss as a parody of itself, the 100th episode of "Stargate SG-1" was a grand celebration of how good this underappreciated series can be. In the same way "Galaxy Quest" was an homage to "Star Trek" this episode looked at the (at times) inherently hokey nature of the show and delivered some of the series' best laughs to date.}}</ref> [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]] for [[Tor.com]] described "Wormhole X-Treme" as "a hilarious hundredth episode that celebrates by making fun of itself", applauding the return of [[Willie Garson]]'s [[Martin Lloyd]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=R.A. DeCandido |first1=Keith |title=The Stargate Rewatch: SG-1 Season Five |url=https://www.tor.com/2015/05/01/the-stargate-rewatch-sg-1-season-five/ |website=Tor.com |date=1 May 2015}}</ref> Reflecting on the episode in 2019, Helen Ashcroft for [[Screen Rant]] believed the episode was "one of the most polarizing episodes in the entire show", claiming that "While many hate it, there must be others who agree that it is a light-hearted fun diversion".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ashcroft |first1=Helen |title=The 5 Best Episodes Of Stargate SG-1 (& 5 Worst) |url=https://screenrant.com/best-worst-episodes-stargate-sg-1/#best-season-5-episode-12-wormhole-x-treme |website=Screen Rant |date=23 July 2019}}</ref> Writing for ''Stargate'' [[fansite]] [[Gateworld]], David Read noted "A lot of people don’t consider this episode to be canon".<ref name="flemming">{{cite interview |last1=Flemming |first1=Peter |title=Agent of Honor |interviewer= David Read |url=https://www.gateworld.net/news/2008/12/agent-of-honor/ |website=Gateworld |date=4 December 2008}}</ref>

===Home media===

"Wormhole X-Treme!", along with the previous episodes "[[Between Two Fires (Stargate SG-1)|Between Two Fires]]", "[[2001 (Stargate SG-1)|2001]]" and "[[Desperate Measures (Stargate SG-1)|Desperate Measures]]" were first released to [[DVD]] on June 24, 2002, as part of ''Stargate SG-1 - Volume 22'' in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="dvd-times-16-07-02">{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Andy |title=Stargate SG-1: Volume 22 |url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=5137 |website=DVD Times |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060531060618/http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=5137 |archive-date=31 May 2006 |date=16 July 2002}}</ref> On the same day, "Wormhole X-Treme!" and "Desperate Measures" were also released to VHS in the UK as part of volume ''5.06''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=In the Shops |magazine=TV Zone |page=5 |issue=151 |issn= 0957-3844 |date=May 2002 }}</ref> The episode was then released as part of the complete [[Stargate SG-1 (season 5)|''Stargate SG-1'' Fifth Season]] Region 2 DVD on April 28, 2003 in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=In the Shops |magazine=TV Zone |page=7 |issue=161 |issn= 0957-3844 |date=March 2003 }}</ref> In the [[United States of America]], the episode was first released as part of the complete fifth season region 1 DVD set on January 20, 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=MGM confirms Season Five DVD date |url=http://www.gateworld.net/news/archive/0310_productwatch.shtml#newsitem1065735397,46768, |website=Gateworld |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040229020521/http://www.gateworld.net/news/archive/0310_productwatch.shtml#newsitem1065735397,46768, |archive-date=29 February 2004 |date=9 October 2003}}</ref> The DVD releases of the episode include an [[audio commentary]] by director and producer Peter DeLuise, writer and producer Joseph Mallozzi and visual effects supervisor James Tichenor.<ref name="tvsodvd 02-01-04">{{cite web |last1=Lacey |first1=Gord |title=Stargate SG-1 - Season 5 Box Set Review |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/sitereviews.cfm?ReleaseID=3229 |website=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040621094409/http://tvshowsondvd.com/sitereviews.cfm?ReleaseID=3229 |archive-date=21 June 2004 |date=2 January 2004}}</ref>

The episode, along with the rest of the fifth season of ''Stargate SG-1'' were first made available to download on [[iTunes]] and [[Amazon Unbox]] in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stargate expands iTunes, Amazon presence |url=https://www.gateworld.net/news/2008/01/stargate-expands-itunes-amazon-presence/ |website=Gateworld |date=11 January 2008}}</ref> Along with every other episode of the series, "Wormhole X-Treme!" was made available to stream for the first time through [[Netflix]] in the USA on August 15, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Entire Stargate television library now streaming on Netflix |url=https://www.gateworld.net/news/2010/08/entire-stargate-library-streaming/ |website=Gateworld |access-date=8 December 2020 |date=16 August 2010}}</ref> The episode, along with the rest of the series has been [[Video scaler|upscaled]] for releases on various streaming platforms and the 2020 [[Blu-ray]] release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stargate's HD Blu-ray Picture: Better Than The DVDs? |url=https://www.gateworld.net/news/2021/03/stargate-hd-1080p-bluray-picture-better-than-dvds/ |website=GateWorld |access-date=18 June 2021 |date=1 March 2021}}</ref> In July 2009, the official ''Stargate'' [[MGM]] website posted 5 previously unreleased [[bloopers]] from the episode.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #5 |url=http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/872/index.html |website=Stargate |publisher=MGM |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20161102202707/http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/872/index.html |archive-date=2 November 2016 |date=7 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #4 |url=http://stargate.mgm.com:80/view/content/871/index.html |website=Stargate |publisher=MGM |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20151230231138/http://stargate.mgm.com:80/view/content/871/index.html |archive-date=30 December 2015 |date=7 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #3 |url=http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/870/index.html |website=Stargate |publisher=MGM |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20161102205605/http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/870/index.html |archive-date=2 November 2016 |date=7 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #2 |url=http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/869/index.html |website=Stargate |publisher=MGM |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20161102204628/http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/869/index.html |archive-date=2 November 2016 |date=7 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #1 |url=http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/868/index.html |website=Stargate |publisher=MGM |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20161102205957/http://stargate.mgm.com/view/content/868/index.html |archive-date=2 November 2016 |date=7 July 2009}}</ref>


In September 2001, [[The Hollywood Reporter]] included a 18 page feature on ''Stargate SG-1'' reaching it's 100th episode. The feature included cast and crew interviews, as well as congratulatory messages from around the entertainment industry.<ref name="thr 100">{{cite web |title=Stargate SG-1 100th Episode |url=http://rdanderson.com/archives/articles/2001-09-04.htm |website=rdanderson.com |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=4 September 2001}}</ref>
In September 2001, [[The Hollywood Reporter]] included a 18 page feature on ''Stargate SG-1'' reaching it's 100th episode. The feature included cast and crew interviews, as well as congratulatory messages from around the entertainment industry.<ref name="thr 100">{{cite web |title=Stargate SG-1 100th Episode |url=http://rdanderson.com/archives/articles/2001-09-04.htm |website=rdanderson.com |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=4 September 2001}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
=== Citations===
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

===Works cited===
* {{cite book|contributor-first1= Wright|contributor-last1= Brad |contributor-link= Brad Wright| contributor-first2= Joseph |contributor-last2= Mallozzi |contributor-link2= Joseph Mallozzi| contributor-first3= Paul |contributor-last3= Mullie |contributor-link3= Paul Mullie| author1=Sharon Gosling |title=Stargate SG-1: The Essential Scripts |contribution= Wormhole X-Treme|year=2004|publisher=[[Titan Publishing Group]] |isbn=1840238879 |ref=essential2004 | url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/stargatesg100shar}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 18:37, 15 February 2023

"Wormhole X-Treme!"
Stargate SG-1 episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 12
Directed byPeter DeLuise
Written byBrad Wright, Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie
Featured musicJoel Goldsmith
Cinematography byPeter F. Woeste
Editing byAllan Lee
Original air dateSeptember 8, 2001 (2001-09-08)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Proving Ground"
Stargate SG-1 (season 5)
List of episodes

"Wormhole X-Treme!" is the 100th episode of military science fiction adventure television show Stargate SG-1 and is the 12th episode of the fifth season. The episode was first broadcast September 8, 2001 on Showtime in the United States. It was written by series co-creator and executive producer Brad Wright along with supervising producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie and was directed by Peter DeLuise.

In the episode, Stargate Command learns that an alien ship belonging to the same race as Martin Lloyd is heading for Earth. They locate Martin, who having once again lost his memories has created a television series called Wormhole X-Treme!, seemingly based upon the top secret Stargate Program.

The story centres around a show-within-a-show called Wormhole X-Treme! which parodies Stargate SG-1. In creating the episode, Wright and all those involved sought to create a comedic episode that celebrated the show through parody, cameo appearances, inside and metafictional jokes and references. The episode is a sequel to "Point of No Return" from the shows fourth season. A further story from the shows tenth season celebrating the 200th episode, titled "200" follows up on characters and events from the episode.

Plot

An alien space ship has been detected heading towards Earth, and based upon it's energy signature Major Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) believes that it it belongs to the same race of people as Martin Lloyd, who Stargate Command set about locating. They find Martin, who has become the creative consultant on a science fiction television show he sold called Wormhole X-Treme!, which bears striking resemblance to the real life top secret Stargate Program. Under the guise of being the shows Air Force consultant, Colonel Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) is sent to the studio where Martin is working on the show in order to learn what he can from him about the inbound ship. O'Neill reintroduces himself to Martin (Willie Garson), who despite having previously met, claims not to remember him.

Believing that Martin has once again had his memory erased, O'Neill searches his trailer and uncovers numerous vitamins, which he relays back to General Hammond (Don S. Davis) at Stargate Command, who dispatches the rest of SG-1 to assist. Soon Dr. Fraiser (Teryl Rothery) determines that the vitamins found contain the chemical used by Tanner, another member of Martin's race who was previously responsible for drugging him. Meanwhile, Carter and Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) establish that, also like last time, surveillance devices have been setup around Martin's house. After their attempt to apprehend one of Tanner's men fails, Carter and Daniel's lead takes them to a warehouse filled with government agents.

O'Neill and Martin are captured by Tanner (Robert Lewis) and his men who administer Martin with an antidote to restore his memories, at which point he tells O'Neill that he drugged himself in order to forget everything that had happened to him. The pair are soon freed by Teal'c (Christopher Judge) and Martin realises that he needs to help Tanner's group escape Earth by getting the remote device for their ship. Meanwhile NID Agent Barrett (Peter Flemming), who's men have apprehended Carter and Daniel, tells them that they plan on seizing the space ship, and soon receive a tip as to Martin's whereabouts. With Barrett gone, Carter and Daniel overpower the remaining NID agents and contact O'Neill warning him that the NID are on there way. O'Neill procures the device and Tanner persuades him to relinquish it to they can flee Earth and the NID. Content with his new life, Martin decides to stay on Earth and Tanner and his men teleport to the ship before the NID can get to them.

Production

Development

Brad Wright (top) co-wrote the episode with Joseph Mallozzi (bottom left) & Paul Mullie (bottom right).

The initial idea for the story came from series co-creator and executive producer Brad Wright. He imagined the character of Martin Lloyd, who had previously appeared in the season four episode "Point of No Return" as having once again lost his memory, leading him to make a television series like SG-1. According to Wright, the story "was something I would never have done in a million years unless it was the one-hundredth episode".[1] After Wright had outlined the story, writing duo Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie were assigned to write the script, although they initially believed Wright was joking when he pitched them the story.[2] Wright believed one of the things fans found attractive in Stargate SG-1 was the fact that the show didn't take itself "too seriously".[3] Instead of a typical episode, the writers looked to produce a more comedic story, celebrating the milestone. The 1999 Science fiction comedy film Galaxy Quest enthused Wright and the shows writers to instead craft a story that parodied Stargate SG-1.[4][5][6][7]

In developing their script, Mullie found that they had no shortage of jokes, however "The hard part was finding an excuse for the humour to happen".[8] Mullie wanted to ensure the episode still meant something and had "an actual Stargate story underneath all of the parody".[9] Once the shows production team found out about the nature of the episode, Mallozzi recalled "So many people wanted to add so much", and would pitch them material.[10] As writing progressed it was the idea that Martin Lloyd had purposely decided to erase his own memory which "made certain events fall into place" for Mallozzi and Mullie.[11]

There were conversations about how far to push the parody elements of the episode. Visual effects supervisor James Tichnor had hoped they would also be able to include "corny" computer generated effects, citing the invading spaceships in the film Mars Attacks! as an idea, however Brad Wright still wanted to maintain a level of realism within the episode. The visual effects team were able to include some smaller scale gags, such as paying homage to the original Star Trek transporter effect at the end of the episode.[11]

Writing

Events that had taken place both on and off screen in the show and its production helped inform numerous scenes. Peter Deluise's earlier directorial decision to ask the props master to "Make the kiwi look alien", suggesting they be painted red during the production of "Beneath the Surface", was written directly into "Wormhole X-Treme!". Another choice by DeLuise to have Jack O'Neill kill, what he was later told was "too many Jaffa", and then step over their dead bodies in the episode "The Fifth Man" informed having Danning / Marlowe struggle to navigate a kissing scene whilst surrounded by dead bodies.[12][6][11] The president of MGM Television, Hank Cohen, was also mocked for his advocacy that the show introduce a "sexy" female alien character, which ultimately took the form of Anise portrayed by actress Vanessa Angel.[13][14] Mullie felt that the character "didn't quite work out" and as "a dig at him" he wrote that an executive would make the same suggestion. Cohen was ultimately given a cameo in the episode, delivering the line. Mullie had neither expected the joke to remain in the episode, nor for Cohen to be the one who delivered it.[15]

The writers also took aim at other elements of Stargate and science fiction in general storytelling. The recurring Goa'uld weapon, the Zat'nik'tel, which Mallozzi described as weapon of "connivence" used the opportunity to lampoon its ability to disintegrate targets upon the third shot.[11][16] Additionally, during filming, DeLuise had the Wormhole X-Treme! team perform what the shows production mockingly referred to as the "jerky" or "twitchy" dance after being shot; something that the main cast of SG-1 had become reluctant to do after being "zatted" as the show progressed over the years.[11][17] The science fiction trope of characters being out of phase was also made fun of, as were the SG-1 conceits of everyone speaking english and having the same concept of time as Earth.[18][11]

Some scenes and ideas were dropped during development. This included Wright's idea for a "huge, knock down, full-on, comically-big fight scene" showing Carter and Daniel's escape from the NID. Wright dropped the scene as he was concerned they were "in danger of going too far" in sending themselves up.[19] A scene referencing the ongoing will-they-won't-they romance between Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter was also written but ultimately dropped. According to Mallozzi the scene would have involved Martin expressing his desire to have two of his main characters in a relationship, but being unable to do so due to their position in the military - mirroring the O'Neill/Carter relationship. O'Neill would have gone on to reference the events of the SG-1 episode "Beneath the Surface", with Martin responding "I can’t do that! That’s a Voyager episode!".[20]

Cast and characters

Willie Garson returned to the show as alien refugee Martin Lloyd.

Willie Garson returns as the alien refugee Martin Lloyd, first introduced in "Point of No Return". Robert Lewis and Mar Andersons reprise their roles from "Point of No Return" as the alien refugees hiding on earth, Dr. Peter Tanner and Bob. Matthew Bennett who had previously portrayed one of the alien refugees was unable to return.[11]

The character of Nick Marlowe, who portrays Colonel Danning in Wormhole X-Treme! was originally based on Richard Dean Anderson's Stargate SG-1 character Colonel Jack O'Neill. The part of Marlowe / Danning was first offered to Jeff Probst and then to Robert Hays. After being unable to secure either actor, the part was opened up to auditions, before Brad Wright suggested Michael DeLuise, brother of Peter DeLuise.[6] After accepting the part, Michael was sent a tape of Richard Dean Anderson's work on the show, however Michael with the support of director Peter DeLuise instead looked to the performances of William Shatner and his depiction of Captain James Kirk from Star Trek for inspiration. As well as imbuing the character with "Shatnerisms", Michael sought to portray Danning as an "over-the-top TV hero" and Marlowe as a "pissy, self-absorbed actor".[21] For the role, Michael DeLuise's hair was dyed slightly grey and two cuts were made into his right eyebrow as homage to the single slit in O'Neill's.[6][11]

Christopher Judge's stand-in Herbert Duncanson was cast as Douglas Anders, who would portray Grell the Robot within Wormhole X-Treme!, a parody of the character of Teal'c.[6] Jill Teed was cast in the role of Yolanda Reese, who would portray the character of Stacy Monroe in Wormhole X-Treme!, a parody of Samantha Carter. According to Peter DeLuise Teed had "come so close on so many different parts and this time around we thought, We have to have her in this story".[6] Christian Boucher was selected to parody Dr. Daniel Jackson, portraying the character of Raymond Gunne who plays Dr. Levant in Wormhole X-Treme!. Boucher had previously portrayed the character Major Dean Newman in the episode "Shades of Grey", and would go on to guest star as a character called Torrell in the episode "Condemned" of spinoff series Stargate Atlantis.[6] The episode marks the first appearance of Agent Malcolm Barrett portrayed by Peter Flemming, who would go on to make numerous appearances on both SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Flemming gave a quick, two line audition for the part, which at the time was called 'Man in Black' with the possibility of becoming recurring.[22] Benjamin Immanuel, Don Thompson, Laura Drummond, Kiara Hunter and Keath Thome respectively play the parts of Producer, Props Guy, Security Guard, Alien Princess and Head SF.

Many of the shows production staff guest or cameo within the episode as the fictional crew of Wormhole X-treme!. Director Peter DeLuise portrays a fictional version of himself - the director of Wormhole X-Treme! and property master David Sinclair portrays Bill the assistant director. Cameos include writers Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi and Ron Wilkerson. Executive producer Michael Greenburg, his wife actress Nikki Smook, co-executive producer N. John Smith and production manager Andy Mikita all also appear. Other cameos include visual effects supervisor Michelle Comens, senior digital compositing artist Bruce Woloshyn, makeup artist Jan Newman, 3rd assistant director Gisela Schulte, property master Kenny Gibbs. Series director Martin Wood portrays a NID agent.[11]

Filming

Much of the episode was filmed in and around The Bridge Studios in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Peter DeLuise directed the episode, whilst Peter Woeste oversaw cinematography. The shows standing Stargate Command set at The Bridge Studios in Burnaby, British Columbia was used for filming, whilst Bridge Studios itself was featured throughout as the movie studio where the fictional Wormhole X-Treme! is filmed.[11] The production team originally considered digitally altering the Bridge Studios signage to show the Wormhole X-Treme! branding, but ultimately dropped the idea.[11] DeLuise opted to fill the Bridge backlot with as many easter eggs as he could, including props from Stargate SG-1 such as the Asgard puppet and a Goa'uld Death Glider model.[23] He also looked to Disneyfy the backlot, hoping to give it a "'circus-type' atmosphere" and make it far more colourful and alive through having crew everywhere, added set dressing and saturating the scenes in post-production.[11][23]

An incomplete set for a Goa'uld space station interior, which was being constructed for the then upcoming Stargate SG-1 two-parter "Summit"/"Last Stand" ended up being used by DeLuise in the episode as a set for Wormhole X-Treme! TV series for a where Martin and O'Neill are ambushed by Tanner.[11] The Zephyr Mercury building on Boundary Road was used for the O'Neill, Matin and Tanner interrogation scene.[24] For the warehouse being used by the NID, production took over a car dealership across the street from Bridge Studios, whilst the frequently used Richmond Sand Dunes features as the final location of the episode.[11]

During filming, DeLuise realised they would not have enough usable material to make the required episode length. In considering what else could be added, DeLuise thought of his father, Dom DeLuise, and how many of his films had bloopers at the end.[6] Although usually resistant to bloopers, DeLuise convinced Brad Wright to include a "making of Wormhole X-Treme!" segment to end the episode, combining fake bloopers and interviews with the cast of the show-within-the-show.[25] Under DeLuise and Wright's guidance, Michael DeLuise, Teed, Duncanson and Bocher recorded some two hours of additional and largely unscripted and improvisational material.[11][6][24] Peter DeLuise's director's cut of the episode featured real bloopers of the Stargate SG-1 cast that was ultimately omitted from the broadcast and home release versions.[11] Additionally, a scene involving Teal'c watching the trailer for Wormhole X-Treme! "laughing uproariously and enjoying the hell out of the show – much to the bewilderment of his fellow team members" was cut by Wright during editing.[16][26]

Cultural references

One of Tanner's men uses the alias Steve Austin, a reference to the character of the same name from the 1973 television series The Six Million Dollar Man, which Robert C. Cooper was a fan of.[11] Although "a show about a talking dog who solves crimes" was included in the script, it was Richard Dean Anderson who, as an ad-lib decided mention the unsold television pilot Poochinski by name.[27] According to DeLuise, the green skinned Wormhole X-Treme! aliens were an homage to the Orions from Star Trek.[6]

Release

Broadcast

The episode first aired on September 8, 2001 on Showtime in the United States. The episode was moved from its usual Sunday slot to Saturday night and was preceded by a Stargate SG-1 marathon to mark the hundredth episode.[28][29] The episode was first syndicated in the week of February 24, 2003 where it received a 2.4 Nielsen rating.[30] In the United Kingdom the episode was first shown on November 21, 2001 on Sky 1.[31]

Reception

Jan Vincent-Rudzki for TV Zone awarded the episode 10 out of 10, writing "This is witty, well-written, well-directed, with some great in-jokes". Vincent-Rudzki applauded the episode for being "semi-ridiculous and yet still quite dramatic episode", with a "nice story" for non-fans of the show to enjoy.[32] Reviewing for IGN, Daniel Solis called it a "Great, great episode", praising the "side-splittingly accurate" "caricatures" of SG-1.[33] Andy Hall for DVD Times believed the episode was a "great way to mark reaching 100 shows" and that it "hilariously sends up SG-1 and in fact many shows of the genre, by ruthlessly picking plot holes in the concept".[34]

Brian Ford Sullivan for The Futon Critic placed the episode 50th in his "The 50 Best Episodes of 2001" list, calling it "a grand celebration of how good this underappreciated series can be" going on to applaud the episode for delivering "some of the series' best laughs to date".[35] Keith R.A. DeCandido for Tor.com described "Wormhole X-Treme" as "a hilarious hundredth episode that celebrates by making fun of itself", applauding the return of Willie Garson's Martin Lloyd.[36] Reflecting on the episode in 2019, Helen Ashcroft for Screen Rant believed the episode was "one of the most polarizing episodes in the entire show", claiming that "While many hate it, there must be others who agree that it is a light-hearted fun diversion".[37] Writing for Stargate fansite Gateworld, David Read noted "A lot of people don’t consider this episode to be canon".[22]

Home media

"Wormhole X-Treme!", along with the previous episodes "Between Two Fires", "2001" and "Desperate Measures" were first released to DVD on June 24, 2002, as part of Stargate SG-1 - Volume 22 in the United Kingdom.[34] On the same day, "Wormhole X-Treme!" and "Desperate Measures" were also released to VHS in the UK as part of volume 5.06.[38] The episode was then released as part of the complete Stargate SG-1 Fifth Season Region 2 DVD on April 28, 2003 in the United Kingdom.[39] In the United States of America, the episode was first released as part of the complete fifth season region 1 DVD set on January 20, 2004.[40] The DVD releases of the episode include an audio commentary by director and producer Peter DeLuise, writer and producer Joseph Mallozzi and visual effects supervisor James Tichenor.[41]

The episode, along with the rest of the fifth season of Stargate SG-1 were first made available to download on iTunes and Amazon Unbox in December 2007.[42] Along with every other episode of the series, "Wormhole X-Treme!" was made available to stream for the first time through Netflix in the USA on August 15, 2010.[43] The episode, along with the rest of the series has been upscaled for releases on various streaming platforms and the 2020 Blu-ray release.[44] In July 2009, the official Stargate MGM website posted 5 previously unreleased bloopers from the episode.[45][46][47][48][49]

In September 2001, The Hollywood Reporter included a 18 page feature on Stargate SG-1 reaching it's 100th episode. The feature included cast and crew interviews, as well as congratulatory messages from around the entertainment industry.[50]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Wright (2004): p. 238
  2. ^ Mallozzi (2004): p. 238
  3. ^ Wright (2004): p. 293
  4. ^ "Stargate Begins Landmark Season". Sci Fi Wire. 2 July 2001. Archived from the original on 10 February 2006.
  5. ^ Wright, Brad (2001). "Gate Watch". TV Zone. No. Special 42. Visual Imagination. p. 76. ISSN 0960-8230.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j DeLuise, Peter (December 2001). "Clocking Up the Century". TV Zone. No. 146. Visual Imagination. pp. 21–24. ISSN 0957-3844.
  7. ^ Anderson, Richard Dean; Tapping, Amanda; Mullie, Paul; Mallozzi, Joseph; Glassner, Jonathan; Wright, Brad (4 September 2001). "Stargate SG-1's cast and crew blow out the candles on its 100th birthday". Sci Fi Wire (Interview). Interviewed by Melissa J. Perenson. Archived from the original on 26 December 2005.
  8. ^ Mullie (2004): p. 239
  9. ^ Mallozzi, Joseph; Mullie, Paul; Wright, Brad; Cooper, Robert C. (8 September 2001). "100th episode Milestone for STARGATE SG-1". Cinescape (Interview). Interviewed by Melissa J. Perenson. Archived from the original on 4 May 2002.
  10. ^ Mallozzi (2004): p. 239
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q DeLuise, Peter; Mallozzi, Joseph (24 June 2002). Stargate SG-1 "Wormhole X-Treme" (DVD commentary). Vol. 22. MGM Home Entertainment.
  12. ^ DeLuise, Peter (2003). "The Fifth Man". Stargate SG-1: The Illustrated Companion: Seasons 5 and 6. By Thomasina Gibson. Titan Publishing Group. pp. 20–21. ISBN 184023606X.
  13. ^ Mallozzi, Joseph (30 January 2023). "Stargate SG-1 Season 5 concept art and episode insights!". josephmallozzi.com.
  14. ^ Mallozzi, Joseph (8 October 2019). "Secrets of Stargate – The Wormhole X-Treme Edition!". josephmallozzi.com.
  15. ^ Mullie (2004): p. 239
  16. ^ a b Mallozzi, Joseph (4 May 2011). "Transporter pre-production update! Canada's Space Channel pays us a visit! Further Stargate SG-1 season 5 reminiscences!". josephmallozzi.com.
  17. ^ Gosling (2004): p. 244
  18. ^ Mallozzi, Joseph (27 May 2011). "Getting the Book of the Month Club back on track! More Dark Matter Designs! Mailbag!". josephmallozzi.com.
  19. ^ Wright (2004): p. 277
  20. ^ Mallozzi (2004): p. 240
  21. ^ DeLuise, Michael (11 July 2011). "Sci-Fi Blast From The Past - Michael DeLuise (Stargate SG-1)". scifiandtvtalk (Interview). Interviewed by Steve Eramo.
  22. ^ a b Flemming, Peter (4 December 2008). "Agent of Honor". Gateworld (Interview). Interviewed by David Read.
  23. ^ a b DeLuise, Peter (2003). "Wormhole X-Treme". Stargate SG-1: The Illustrated Companion: Seasons 5 and 6. By Thomasina Gibson. Titan Publishing Group. pp. 36–37. ISBN 184023606X.
  24. ^ a b Anderson, Richard Dean; Wright, Brad; Cooper, Robert C. (20 June 2001). "Actor Follows His Own Star" (Interview). Interviewed by Alex Strachan. The Vancouver Sun.
  25. ^ Wright, Brad (14 July 2002). "The Man At the Top". Gateworld (Interview). Interviewed by Darren Sumner.
  26. ^ Mallozzi (2004): p. 292
  27. ^ Gosling (2004): p. 261
  28. ^ "'Stargate' Celebrates 100 Episodes". Zap2it. 7 August 2001. Archived from the original on 12 January 2002.
  29. ^ "Stargate celebrates 100th episode". Gateworld. 7 September 2001. Archived from the original on 19 June 2002.
  30. ^ "RATINGS: Syndication Week of February 24". Gateworld. 13 March 2003. Archived from the original on 25 June 2003.
  31. ^ "TV Focus". TV Zone. No. 145. Visual Imagination. December 2001. p. 13. ISSN 0957-3844.
  32. ^ Vincent-Rudzki, Jan (December 2001). "Reviews - Television - Stargate SG-1". TV Zone. No. 145. Visual Imagination. p. 73. ISSN 0957-3844.
  33. ^ Solis, Daniel (17 September 2001). "Stargate SG-1, Wormhole X-Treme!". IGN. Archived from the original on 31 August 2002.
  34. ^ a b Hall, Andy (16 July 2002). "Stargate SG-1: Volume 22". DVD Times. Archived from the original on 31 May 2006.
  35. ^ Ford Sullivan, Brian (1 January 2002). "The 50 Best Episodes of 2001 - #50-41". The Futon Critic. While easy to dismiss as a parody of itself, the 100th episode of "Stargate SG-1" was a grand celebration of how good this underappreciated series can be. In the same way "Galaxy Quest" was an homage to "Star Trek" this episode looked at the (at times) inherently hokey nature of the show and delivered some of the series' best laughs to date.
  36. ^ R.A. DeCandido, Keith (1 May 2015). "The Stargate Rewatch: SG-1 Season Five". Tor.com.
  37. ^ Ashcroft, Helen (23 July 2019). "The 5 Best Episodes Of Stargate SG-1 (& 5 Worst)". Screen Rant.
  38. ^ "In the Shops". TV Zone. No. 151. May 2002. p. 5. ISSN 0957-3844.
  39. ^ "In the Shops". TV Zone. No. 161. March 2003. p. 7. ISSN 0957-3844.
  40. ^ "MGM confirms Season Five DVD date". Gateworld. 9 October 2003. Archived from the original on 29 February 2004.
  41. ^ Lacey, Gord (2 January 2004). "Stargate SG-1 - Season 5 Box Set Review". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2004.
  42. ^ "Stargate expands iTunes, Amazon presence". Gateworld. 11 January 2008.
  43. ^ "Entire Stargate television library now streaming on Netflix". Gateworld. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  44. ^ "Stargate's HD Blu-ray Picture: Better Than The DVDs?". GateWorld. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  45. ^ "Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #5". Stargate. MGM. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016.
  46. ^ "Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #4". Stargate. MGM. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 30 December 2015.
  47. ^ "Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #3". Stargate. MGM. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016.
  48. ^ "Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #2". Stargate. MGM. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016.
  49. ^ "Wormhole X-Treme - Blooper #1". Stargate. MGM. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016.
  50. ^ "Stargate SG-1 100th Episode". rdanderson.com. The Hollywood Reporter. 4 September 2001.

Works cited

External links

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