How Stargate SG-1 Is Guiding The Ark Toward a Stellar Second Season on SYFY

How Stargate SG-1 Is Guiding The Ark Toward a Stellar Second Season on SYFY

As a longtime gamer and science fiction enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation as the second season of The Ark approaches on SYFY. Having grown up watching classic sci-fi shows like Stargate SG-1 and Star Trek, I’ve come to appreciate the intricate storylines, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes that these series often deliver. And based on the first season of The Ark, it seems that its creators have taken some valuable lessons from these iconic franchises.


I can hardly contain my excitement as the days tick down to the release of Season 2 for “The Ark”! This highly anticipated SYFY original series is set to make its grand return later this week. Get ready for non-stop action starting on Wednesday, July 17, when the season premiere picks up from where a heart-pounding cliffhanger left the crew dangling in thin air in the Season 1 finale. The tension and drama of being stranded in space is more intense than ever!

Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner, co-creators of the “Stargate” movies and the first eight seasons of “Stargate SG-1” (along with Brad Wright), present “The Ark.” This series follows the journey of humanity’s remaining population aboard the “Ark One,” a spacecraft meant to save humanity by finding a new planet to colonize due to Earth’s impending demise. The first season concluded with chaos as the “Ark One” was crippled in orbit, and an intended human colony below went up in flames in a massive explosion.

After the successful completion of Season 1, which left viewers on the edge of their seats, how do you go about creating another thrilling installment for Season 2? When your sci-fi series gains popularity, what strategies do you employ when facing the challenge of producing a fresh set of episodes, following a climax that significantly increased the tension? We had a conversation with Glassner to uncover the secrets.

As a longtime fan of science fiction and post-apocalyptic dramas, I’m thrilled to see The Ark returning for its second season on SYFY. Having binge-watched the first season multiple times, I can attest to the show’s compelling storyline, captivating characters, and stunning visual effects.

The Sci-fi Lessons of Stargate SG-1 that The Ark Creators Took to Heart

How Stargate SG-1 Is Guiding The Ark Toward a Stellar Second Season on SYFY

Outside of the “Stargate” series, it can be confidently stated that the creators of “The Ark” have had extensive experience in crafting science fiction. In addition to Roland Emmerich, who is currently working on Peacock’s production of “Those About to Die,” Devlin has collaborated with him on hit movies like “Independence Day” and the 1998 “Godzilla.” Glassner, a veteran writer for “Star Trek,” has previously contributed to SYFY’s television projects such as “The Outer Limits” and “The Invisible Man.”

In the second season of their science fiction project “The Ark,” Glassner shares that there’s a vast amount of knowledge and techniques they can draw from long-running sci-fi shows like “Stargate SG-1” (which ran for 10 seasons). However, it doesn’t make a difference whether you write for sci-fi or other genres such as police procedurals. Glassner, who has worked extensively on shows like “CSI,” emphasizes that the key lies in creating authentic characters that viewers can connect with and become emotionally invested in. This is what he believes they have achieved in the upcoming season of “The Ark.”

“When SYFY Wire asked Glassner how his work on Stargate SG-1 influenced his ability to craft season-long stories, he replied with a shrug and said, ‘Where do I start? It’s all about the characters for me. In any genre of television, if you can create compelling characters that viewers look forward to spending time with each week and have strong feelings for – whether positive or negative – then, in my opinion, you’ve achieved success.”

How Stargate SG-1 Is Guiding The Ark Toward a Stellar Second Season on SYFY

Following this philosophy, The Ark and its primary spaceship are filled with unique and engaging characters. For instance, there’s Captain Sharon Garnet, played by Christie Burke from the Twilight Saga, who assumes leadership in an unconventional way. Additionally, there’s Lt. James Brice, portrayed by Richard Fleeshman, who appears to be a carefree individual but hid a dangerous secret during Season 1.

Before delving into the intricate characters introduced later in Season 1 of the series, there’s Evelyn Maddox (Jelena Stupljanin), a ruthless leader of a rogue vessel, whose intentions could involve destroying “Ark One” and its crew. Additionally, her daughter Kelly (Samantha Glassner, portrayed by Glassner in real life), grapples with complex emotions towards the show’s opposing factions due to deep-seated mother-daughter issues.

“Despite impressive visual effects and sets, according to Glassner, if the audience doesn’t care for the characters, they won’t be drawn to the production.”

If the true key to producing a hit sci-fi show lies in this, then The Ark is expected to be an engaging view as it gears up for the much-anticipated return of its second season.

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2024-07-15 20:01