Whether its the one act play of The Garrison Commander,or that incredible scene with Dougal and Lieutenant Foster in Prestonpans,one always knew what they were getting with Iras work: professionally written, expertly crafted, inventive and textured words that could be translated easily to the screen. In the years since the show went off the air, nostalgia for Deep Space Nine has grown. It was actually posted by DG in a Compuserve thread. Whether its a simple scene wielding an ax or a choreographed fight sequence, Heughan has proven adept at both. Put either Black Jack Randall in The Garrison Commander,or even Dougal in Prestonpansin your minds eye. We know where we want to go. We were finally really moving and, suddenly, it was, Whoa! Hi Blake, Im kind of remembering, but I wonder what it looks like now. And I looked over and he was standing there, ordering a slice of pizza. I totally agree that I would have loved to have seen it. I enjoyed Iras episodes. I think you hit the nail on the head. It was an hour doc at the time, and it was not going to be a big deal.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check out Mary & Blake's new podcast dedicated to This Is Us on NBC! Send us an email and we'll get back to you. Ira Steven Behr, the showrunner and executive producer on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, was utterly done with toiling around the final frontier. Scary stuff. Claire's unexpected meeting with a British general turns tense when Captain Jack Randall arrives. Do you have a spare $25 million? he says. Diane I totally see what youre talking about here. At the panel DS9 showrunner, Ira Steven Behr said he was attracted to the story pitch from writer Marc Scott Zicree because of how it dealt directly with racism, as well as how it was "about. While I didnt always agree with Iras take on the material, in the end I believe the show benefitted from the push/pull in the room between the book people and the non-book people. At the recent OutlanderCon in Las Vegas, it was truly notable how many times the actors mentioned Metin Huseyin and how much they loved working with him. We dont want to do it. But then we sat around talking and it just developed into this really cool episode.. Piller persuaded him to join the new series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as a supervising producer. Hes got a huge heart, she once tweeted, and hes called her everything from a great advice giver to an extremely nice person., Two Northern Inuits play Young Ians (John Bell) dog, Rollo. He is telling her right from the beginning. What conversations have you had about expanding the show beyond that, whether it's a season seven or spinoffs? As evidenced by this scene, all his other works on Outlanderand, especially, his time on Deep Space Nine, hes simply an old school writer who understands what it takes to create an effective scene that makes the most out of the protagonist and antagonist characters and all within a specific time frame. Within the framework of a six-minute scene, the whole of the story to come, and the fine details that make our characters living and breathing creatures are completely laid out. But, in terms of character, what are we actually looking at here? "Part of the subtext of why I did this doc, and why the film is as long as it is, is that it was repairing my relationship and feelings towards the fans," he says. If Im being honest, I have not rewatched any of the second half yet. Star Trek remains due to the voracious appetite of its enthusiastic fanbase and the franchises ability to morph its core concept without betraying its original ideology. Perhaps hes slightly artistic because he draws her, and theres a major disregard for the clean authority to which he must abide as he pours out the ever important Claret. No matter what, they were characters you understood and cared about. Which episodes of season 3 did you find slow? I admit that its a little disheartening. While it . Posts about Ira Steven Behr written by Your friendly neighbourhood ABOotlanders. Having lived in France for three years I appreciated every costume, set, story line and all the characters. Behr served as writer and executive producer on the short lived series Bob Patterson (2001) which was created by and starred Jason Alexander. Okay. If God in in the details for every writer, then the characters are a golden opportunity to show those details. I agree that Outlander has probably become a little more lightweight than normal. despite the difficulty he found the camaraderie and the dedication in the writer's room rewarding and said that almost all of the writers would have been willing to do it again for another season if they had been given the chance. I must say however, that I so enjoyed Season 3. I totally agree with you. Until finally we get to the whole point of this mental web BJR has spun to a perfect tee. Not only that, but it takes an unprecedented level of communication and understanding of vision to take a massive project like Outlander from vision, to paper, to film and, finally, to our screens. . Our first example of this tool would be right after we see the beating of Jaime via flashback and BJR discusses why he did what he did to him. The truth is revealed about both our main characters and the plot of the story is forever, and irrevocably, changed. They had never really been explored. I just have to disagree with you on this. Discover Ira Steven Behr's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. How she said Frank lost his temper? But the effect one screenwriter can have on a film, or even a television show, should neither be understated nor underestimated. It was a special episode and also they let us throw money at it with reckless abandon.. I just thought they were very conservative; they want the same thing. The fact that you can admit to it is yet another hopeful sign. Totally agree. But like a well-written scene does, it continues to funnel down even further: BJR: I promised that I would reveal myself to you. Actually, The Battle Joined is probably my favorite episode to date! Thank you for this article. Its one of my favorites! His exit, as well as that of Anne Kenney, have left us with a much more lightweight Outlander. Again, its needed for balance. They dont want new; they want the same old shit that makes them feel good., On the other hand, Behr cannot help but be impressed by such a devoted and intense passion. Anna Foersters name also came up. Do you think Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe will continue with the series if it continues? As far as Toni Graphia is concerned she is 100% capable in my opinion. I agree that Ira is missed. One of my favorite techniques that Ira uses is to make the whole point of the scene funnel down to the absolute last line of that scene. Instead, Behr elected to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in writing comedies for television and film. These are all original ideas as proposed by Ira Steven Behr. While my love for Outlander knows no bounds, I must admit something felt off in Season 3. You could kind of tell ISB wasnt any where around the writers room. I liked most of season three but felt two episodes, The Doldrums and Creme de Menthe dragged a bit. Are you ready for a kiddie (all-ages) human adventure? Deep Space 9 was the most character driven Star Trek series, and I have no doubt Ira was instrumental in that. Such a reengagement with his art and those fans/nonfans of the work must have driven Behr to some level of catharsis, but the director is still too far into the weeds of selling What We Left Behind to commit to any kind of greater understanding. Yes, Anne wrote one episode for season three, but youre right about the show missing her too. Diana created BJRs cold calculation of Claire. Outlander Cast: Joining us today is Ira Steven Behr, a television producer and screenwriter most known for his work on Star Trek:The Next Generation but especially on Deep Space Nine, on which he served as showrunner and executive producer. What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine began life as a Thank You to the cast and crew that fought in the trenches of fandom alongside Behr. You can choose to be the man you wish to be. Look, everyone told me that we would find what the doc is about and I would be the guy to find it, says Behr. Were trying to be as truthful as we can, says episode writer Ira Steven Behr, knowing that the truth is elusive, especially from hundreds of years ago., In the Prestonpans hour, writer Behr says, when Dougal (Graham McTavish) stabs a British soldier (Grantchesters Tom Brittney) after having won the battle, You love him and hate him almost from moment to moment It was important to show what war could make people do., A shocker from the books comes alive in Untimely Resurrections when Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) resurfaces in Versailles. Finally, the series is seen as more than the dismissable stepchild of Star Trek: The Next Generation and can support its own celebratory documentary. As a standalone episode, its not terrible especially when you look at it like a satire almost. They didnt give clear reasons why they left and, of course, theres lots of rumor mongering. Im a little stunned that a global hit likeOutlanderthat is based on such beloved novels hasnt by season six already had two or three spinoffs. But her work on BSG has made her untouchable IMO she knows how to tell a great story and I find myself having a sigh of relief when she writes an episode. And I have. You didnt think of that at the time.'. I will be excited not to wear a wig and a cap, he says. Season 3s treasure and Galis being cookoo for Coca Puffs doesnt jibe. 2 (Original Television Soundtrack), Outlander: Season 2 (Original Television Soundtrack). Its the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You can click here to find out where its playing at a theater near you. While you come up with your own answers, I immediately think of BJR being cold and calculating by tricking Claire during their conversation. Wish there was a chance Ira Stephen Behr could get another shot at writing for Outlander again! Perhaps he could do no wrong in her eyes, but he did act that way and she forgave him. Ira Steven Behr (born 23 October 1953; age 69) was executive producer of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as well as a writer of several episodes. [CDATA[ Im so glad you mentioned the Garrison Commander, because it is one of my favorites. Thanks for the very kind words! We also lost Anne Kenney as a fine writer in S3 and I think that contributes. Yeah, I am too. (function(){for(var g="function"==typeof Object.defineProperties?Object.defineProperty:function(b,c,a){if(a.get||a.set)throw new TypeError("ES3 does not support getters and setters. Lottie Vanderbeek played her as high camp, Mommy Dearest like. Now its about the Klingons and not the Dominion. Cool, right? Ironically, Behr was initially against the idea of doing anything to celebrate the Star Trek three decade milestone. I went back and listened to our podcast interview with Ira before writing this piece, and I was once again surprised at how close the two were on a professional level. Were gonna remaster this whole thing. How exactly did she get from a woman of mystery, an activist to someone who bathed in blood and raped young boys? Its Outlander, so theres always going to be external forces, Balfe says. Next month marks a full two decades since Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired its series finale, What You Leave Behind, concluding an epic seven year Star Trek adventure that boldly went where none had gone before, exploring issues and ideas previously untouched, even by the famously progressive franchise. Wouldnt it be cool to get the band back together? I guess he was still going to conventions, and he was just really excited especially for Avery, who doesnt get excited in this way a lot about the young fans who were not alive when the show was on the air. When Behr was running things on Deep Space Nine, many of his interactions with the fan community were negative. Claires basically telling BRJ where Jamie was, basically sealed his fate right then and there. The darkness has grown within me. Hmmshe likes virgins? Nirvana always rests around the corner. You think sci-fi fans are going to have this openness, but the shock of the new, man, theyre just like everyone else. The writers have captured some, but reading the books had me in stitches over and over. I recently spoke with Ira Steven Behr, executive producer and showrunner of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," who more recently has been a writer and executive producer on the Starz series "Outlander . With writing partners Robert Hewitt Wolfe and, later, Hans Beimler, he possibly deserves the most credit for the Deep Space Nine Dominion War story arc and the series' approach to . 4 is my favorite, Ep 6 had a lot of the hesitation and unknowing of their rejoined relationship = a lot of questions and answers to come. But, the back half of 3 never really helps me with that understanding. I also believe he wanted to add a scene in which BJR proposed the idea to Jamie of running off together because they were in love. Now, at the time, I was like, Do we need this? In this episode, we chat: what we believe is missing from Outlander, the importance of character development, Ira Steven Behr, a test between Black Jack Randall, Dougal and Geillis, a writing tool called "funneling" and much more. II could see the beauty. I saw it as an opportunity to give our Rupert a fitting goodbye.. They said, Yeah, okay. It gave me the chills. This is where Claire becomes trapped in BJRs game. The latest season explores the American Revolutionary War, and Rankin (shooting Episode 5) prepared by growing out his own hair during the 2020 lockdown. Then [Rick Berman] said Voyager was doing one and it was like, Screw that. But it was not until Deep Space Nine, which included a Ferengi character in its regular cast, that the Ferengi were truly explored in any depth. I thought it undercut all the dramatic tension that was built in the premiere. It could be so. I would like nothing better. I find myself doing such things garish work until I no longer recognize the man Ive become. Consequently, Trek fans were hesitant to accept the kinds of conflict, humor, drama and all-out war Ira and his writing staff (which included Ron Moore) wanted to explore. Most seemed to be either filler, or one note, with one boring objective. I thought Doldrums and Heavan and Earth could have been condensed to one episode, Uncharted could have been a half episode, and the events of The Bakra and Eye of the Storm could have been expanded. Behr also had a significant role in the development of the Ferengi alien race during his work on Deep Space Nine. The previous seasons were rich in wonderful muti-layered characters: Black Jack, Dougal, at that time Galis. If one respects Ira as a writer, then this episode needs a second chance. Unlike the original Star Trek or Star Trek: The Next Generation, DS9 embraced a form of serialized storytelling that, while commonplace on television today, was something unexplored on Star Trek when the new series launched in 1993. I believe that part of you lives still. Probably Ep. For Behr, serialization didnt mean mapping out a seven year story. Moving forward. It has to adapted properly, and in my opinion, the show should be INSPIRED by the book. ISB had a style, or panache if you will, to him that stands out pretty clearly. I love a well written, in depth analysis that helps me comprehend why I like something so much. I loved season 1 and the depth to which the characters were developed. Its Benny Russell who comes back. She falls deeper: Claire: You are not the first soldier to be changed by combat. Nope. Years after the full stop is placed, the work rattles in the brain. The young players were wonderful. [13][14] After his disappointment at the cancellation of "The 4400" people were surprised that Behr chose to join the struggling show. I said, No, he passed away. Seems more like a legacy choice than anything. Although they would disagree on many things, Behr said they had a good working relationship.[7]. Another thing that really puzzles me: the almost universal dislike of episode 202 Not in Scotland Anymore. I used to say the difference between Outlander fans and Deep Space Nine fans is that Outlander fans want to bake you cookies and Deep Space Nine fans want to tell you how much they liked the show but what you did wrong and what you should have done.. Rankin says, Its more about embracing the change that hes been through., New arrivals! The first line is: BJR: The crowd had to look away. Yes, I read that RDM will not be writing 4.01 too. Stacks of racks and rows of chapeaus! I actually appreciate that you disagree with me. In the nearly 20 years since its final episode aired, however, the fan base for Star Trek has finally started to recognize the art, originality and incredible writing acumen behind DS9s thematic and character work. She wasnt the intriguing character of Season 1 or 2 she lost all of her depth. But that wasnt all that interesting at first for me but then as I went through it, and yes, then I became Black Jack.. Not to say that it was bad, or that it needed an overhaul it just felt different. This is an excerpt from TV Guide Magazines Outlander Forever Special Collectors Issue, which is available to order online at OutlanderForever.com. The scene comes to a head with the infamous punch to Claires stomach. Im not sure you can take any of these as definitive answers. Well need a sequel in another 20 years. I got a call from Avery Brooks, who was very excited about what he was witnessing, says Behr. Its not Sisko who comes back onto the station. BJR: But truth carries a weight that no lie can counterfeit. Example: Heughans Jamie has a run-in with what is seemingly a bear in Common Ground.. The audience as well as Claire knew that in their first meeting BJR tried to rape her. Maybe yesterday. Now she finally realizes how much trouble she really is in. They're all the same.' And this is truth, as always with Avery. Now, considering BRJs erotic delight with Jamie, Id consider Claire threw poor Jamie (a wanted man) under the bus. Claire: The fact you care what I think gives me some hope yet for your soul. I mean, look, I get it. [2], Behr married Laura Feder, who is credited as choreographer on three episodes of Deep Space Nine and one episode of Voyager.[3][4][5]. Tinkering beyond the sell-by date leads to heartache for all parties involved. As a non-fan, non-book reader, he helped maintain the balance that Ron & Maril so badly needed in the writers room. My gut rings with a resounding, no. I dont know, maybe its just me but her characterization just feels thin. (it looks fantastic by the way) and thats why he chose to leave. Black Jack Randall was an expert of the cat-and-mouse technique in that episode, and Ira was a master weaving such a edge of your seat episode. Hope he never returns. In North Carolina (shooting location: Scotland), Jamie and Claire build a home on 10,000 acres called Frasers Ridge. Speaking during a panel at Star Trek Las Vegas, Behr revealed that he . Why is she crazy? But, to me, it was about what we found within the story within each season without freaking people out In terms of Deep Space Nine, I liked to know going in each season what I thought it was going to be about and have some vague idea where it was going to end up. Thank you! And Anne, well, she has been very mum about the situation. I kinda wish she would have kept that bolt so she could have used it to give . Now, after all these years, Benjamin Sisko returns in true DS9 fashion. We chat with restoration producer David C. Fein about assembling Robert Wises Directors Cut in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision. He was the executive producer and showrunner on Crash, executive producer on Syfy's Alphas, and a writer and co-executive producer on Outlander . Im not doing it, [he said], but Im just saying that you shouldnt do talking heads. She wrote the Wedding.why did these talented writers leaver Outlander?? Thats not what its about. It really cemented the characters of both Black Jack and Claire. He is a phenomenon.. However, instead of comedies, Behr made his mark in television dramas. Its one of the most memorable visual cues from Outlander ever. . The Garrison Commander also let us see what I consider Claires flaws as well. Was it the new writers room? I think all they could see was the horror. One of my goals was to remove as much of it from Deep Space Nine as I could. We can only hope that Matt and Toni will continue to write and contribute throughout the run of the series. I did find what I was looking fora Facebook friend referred it to me. I see the scripts and look at the cuts and give feedback to Matt and then he goes off and takes the notes or doesnt. The following contains plot spoilers - read at your own risk. The season 3 finale should have been split into two longer episodes to do it justice. But it was him. To Ransom A Mans Soul do I even have to say the words on this one? That is, not exactly in the form you might expect, but in a manner that Star Trek fans are all the better for having the chance to experience. My god, its full of stars. He has been covering entertainment news out of Los Angeles for more than a decade. Ira Behr. She mentions Ron, not Ira, so (my mistake) maybe Ira had nothing to do with it. It sets up Claire to marry Jamie, BJR to discover Jamies whereabouts and, ultimately, puts our couple on the run, leading down the path to our next and inevitable meeting between them: Wentworth Prison. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Many people sing the praises of Toni Graphia, but she was responsible for Freedom and Whisky, which gave us the warm fuzzies, but was a storytelling mess (how many days are there between Christmas Eve and Christmas, again? And yes! The crimson stunner which Claire wore to the French court in Versailles was created by costume designer Terry Dresbach for Not in Scotland Anymore., Prestonpans details that stunning, bloody, and controversial victory for the Jacobites over the British. Thats what we want to do. Did you want to see that scene as much as I did? . The Ballad of Roger Mac chronicles the Battle of Alamance Creek, which pits Jamie honoring his commitment to the Crown against his fellow Scots. Behr wrote or co-wrote some of the most important episodes in the Dominion arc, including "The Jem'Hadar", "The Search", "The Way of the Warrior", "Broken Link", "Apocalypse Rising", "In Purgatory's Shadow", "By Inferno's Light", "Call to Arms", "Sacrifice of Angels", "Tears of the Prophets" and the final episode, "What You Leave Behind". I cant speak too well to Dianas writing as I have only read the first book. [8][9], Behr left Star Trek following the completion of Deep Space Nine's seven season run in 1999. [16][7], In December 2010, Behr was appointed head writer, show runner, and executive producer for Syfy Channel's Alphas, for which a pilot, written by Zak Penn and Michael Karnow and directed by Jack Bender, had been produced. by Behr, Ira Steven Blu-ray . I do not keep track of writers. Long time Star Trek: Deep Space Nine writer-producer Ira Steven Behr teamed with veteran Trek . Another fascinating aspect of our podcast conversation was when we learned how much trust Ron put into Iras hands because, as Ira stated it, it was his job to run the writers room in Rons absence. Even if Ron were present, Ira still had to help smooth issues the other writers couldnt handle. Between structure, using simple writing tools, understanding character and having enough of a relationship with the showrunner so that he can translate Rons words to paper and carry them out with the other writers, its my belief that Ira is missed mostly because he could be leaned on to fix writing issues that appear to be too complicated for others who may be too invested in what happened in the book series. Outlander is an example where we had these books and we knew that we had to stay close to the books so we knew what the ending was. Most episodes feels like a mini-movie to me; always rich in storytelling. Neither of them worked on Season 3 as far as I know. 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