by Jenny, HW Satire

With Season 7 coming into sight and speculation continuously growing about the impact Richard Dean Anderson’s lightened working schedule will have on his role in the show,we now ask the question: just how much Jack is enough?

With the prospect of a Season 8 hovering, we are now forced to confront the possibility of a “Jack-less” or “Jack-light” season. So the question on everybody’s lips is can the show survive without the man above the title, or is it heading down the path the X-Files took a couple of years ago?

On the one hand I’m tempted by the idea that the show is more than the sum of its individual characters. It is essentially a team show and its success relies upon both exciting storylines and a strong ensemble cast. Season 6 serves to reinforce this point, as even with the departure of one of its original characters (Daniel Jackson actor Michael Shanks left at the end of Season 5 in order to pursue other projects) and Anderson taking some time off, (resulting in several “Jack-light” episodes), Season 6 was a resounding success for the Sci-Fi Channel.

However the alternative point of view is that a few “Jack'light” episodes is rather different than a whole (or nearly whole) season without him. His unique brand of wit, humour and sarcasm has always been a hit amongst viewers and he is often relied upon to ask the questions we all want answering. Usually: “Carter what the hell are you talking about”?

So whilst it is entirely possible and maybe even probable that the show would be just as successful without Anderson’s portrayal of Colonel Jack O’Neill (as after all whilst Anderson may have originally provided the shows pulling power, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge and Michael Shanks have joined him in ensuring staying power) there remains the case of the X-Files that will forever provide that niggling doubt and remind that a show's popularity will not last forever. To may viewers the X-Files was dragged out two seasons too long and admittedly, whilst the “Doggett and Reyes” years did have its own following, it in no way emulated the success the show brought in its heyday.

Therefore the final question left to ask is: do you go out on top and hope for the best in terms of movies and future franchises? Or do you take the risk of a couple more seasons and wait to see if it goes out in a puff of smoke rather than a big bang?

As the saying goes “All good things must come to an end”…but do they – really? After all, as Shanks’ return to the show for Season 7 demonstrates, nothing really dies when it comes to science fiction!

Do you think the shows success is based entirely upon the participation of Richard Dean Anderson? Or do you think its popularity relies upon a combination of creative storylines and a talented ensemble cast?

Let us know on whletters@sjhw.net and your comments could appear in next month’s issue.