Richard Woolsey
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Richard P. Woolsey is a
fictional character In fiction, a character (or speaker, in poetry) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, Play (theatre), play, Radio series, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or b ...
in the ''
Stargate ''Stargate'' (often stylized in all caps) is a military science fiction media franchise based on the film directed by Roland Emmerich, which he co-wrote with producer Dean Devlin. The franchise is based on the idea of an alien Einstein–Rosen b ...
'' television franchise about military teams exploring the
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and
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galaxies via a network of alien transportation devices. Played by actor
Robert Picardo Robert Alphonse Picardo (born October 27, 1953) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the Cowboy in ''Innerspace'', Coach Cutlip on ''The Wonder Years'', Captain Dick Richard on the ABC series '' China Beach'', the Doctor on '' St ...
, Woolsey made his first appearance as a member of the NID in " Heroes Part 2", an episode of season 7 of ''
Stargate SG-1 ''Stargate SG-1'' (often stylized in all caps, or abbreviated ''SG-1'') is a military science fiction adventure television series within Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's ''Stargate'' franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is ...
'', and recurred in several ''SG-1'' episodes until season 10. He was also a recurring character in seasons 3 and 4 of ''
Stargate Atlantis ''Stargate Atlantis'' (usually stylized in all caps and often abbreviated ''SGA'') is an Adventure film, adventure and military science fiction television series and part of MGM's Stargate, ''Stargate'' franchise. The show was created by Brad Wr ...
'' before becoming a main character in season 5 of ''Atlantis''.


Role in ''Stargate''


Character arc in ''Stargate SG-1''

Following the death of Dr. Janet Fraiser late in season 7 of ''Stargate SG-1'', Woolsey is brought into
Stargate Command Over its decade of existence, science fiction TV series ''Stargate SG-1'' developed an extensive and detailed backdrop of diverse characters. Many of the characters are members of alien species discovered while exploring the galaxy through the S ...
in the episode " Heroes" to examine the command decisions and threatens SGC personnel with
court-martial A court-martial or court martial (plural ''courts-martial'' or ''courts martial'', as "martial" is a postpositive adjective) is a military court or a trial conducted in such a court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of mem ...
if they do not cooperate. When Woolsey brings his report to President Hayes in "
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", he comes to realize Vice President Kinsey's ambitions and presents incriminating evidence against him, indirectly forcing Kinsey into resigning. Woolsey returns in the season 9 episode " Prototype" and encourages the SGC to take great risks with the captured Goa'uld-human-Ancient hybrid Khalek to learn more about the Ascension process. When the studies cause injury and death among SGC personnel, Woolsey acknowledges his own error and pleads for forgiveness from the SG-1 team. Being the US's representative on the newly formed
International Oversight Advisory Over its decade of existence, science fiction TV series ''Stargate SG-1'' developed an extensive and detailed backdrop of diverse characters. Many of the characters are members of alien species discovered while exploring the galaxy through the S ...
Committee (IOA), Woolsey and some colleagues are rescued by SG-1 and the crew of the ''
Odyssey The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major Ancient Greek literature, ancient Greek Epic poetry, epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by moder ...
'' after a catastrophe at the Gamma Site in " The Scourge", which he later considers an "eye-opening experience." Woolsey makes two more appearances in " Flesh and Blood" and " Morpheus" and last appears on ''SG-1'' in season 10's " The Shroud". Woolsey remembers the Khalek incident and decides that Daniel, who transformed into a Prior, is too dangerous and must be placed indefinitely into stasis. However, Daniel frees himself before Woolsey's plans can be enacted.


Character arc in ''Stargate Atlantis''

Faced with the threat of the
Wraith Wraith is one of several traditional terms for a ghost or spirit. Wraith, Wraiths, or The Wraith may also refer to: Fiction Characters * Wraith (G.I. Joe), a Cobra mercenary in ''G.I. Joe: America's Elite'' * Wraith (Image Comics), a comic book s ...
, Woolsey tells Dr. Weir that the IOA is considering bringing the
Atlantis Atlantis ( grc, Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος, , island of Atlas) is a fictional island mentioned in an allegory on the hubris of nations in Plato's works ''Timaeus'' and ''Critias'', wherein it represents the antagonist naval power that bes ...
ZPM to Earth to power the Ancient defense platform in Antarctica. He is also part of an IOA panel that recalled Dr. Weir to Earth to explain her failed alliance with the
Wraith Wraith is one of several traditional terms for a ghost or spirit. Wraith, Wraiths, or The Wraith may also refer to: Fiction Characters * Wraith (G.I. Joe), a Cobra mercenary in ''G.I. Joe: America's Elite'' * Wraith (Image Comics), a comic book s ...
. He genuinely respects Weir and attempts to defend her actions, but must defer to his IOA colleagues. The IOA dispatched him to Atlantis to evaluate Weir's ability to command. While evaluating Weir's abilities, he made a rather poor impression on the expedition members ( Lt. Col Sheppard expressed a strong desire to knock Woolsey on the head). However, he ultimately sides with Weir by sending the IOA a report modified to favor Weir and keep her in command of Atlantis. When live Ancients were found and reclaimed control of Atlantis, Woolsey and General O'Neill were sent to negotiate with them. Woolsey and O'Neill were allowed to stay as liaisons with the Ancients, and both were trapped when the
Asurans The characters from the Canadian military science fiction television series ''Stargate Atlantis'' were created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper. The series follows the adventures of a human expedition to the lost city of Atlantis in the Pegas ...
invaded and took control of the city. They were eventually rescued by members of the former Atlantis expedition, although Woolsey expressed frustration that he had been duped as a part of the rescue plan. After Samantha Carter takes control of Atlantis, Woolsey once again returns in order to assess her ability to command the expedition. Once again he finds himself in the middle of a dangerous situation, including coming face to face with a Wraith for the first time. Eventually he leaves and apparently presents a favourable report of Carter's methods. Although he had claimed to want to produce a report which was as thorough as possible, he indicated to Carter that certain facts would be left out to make the report more favourable to her. In an alternate timeline Woolsey became the leader of Atlantis, after Carter was killed in a
kamikaze , officially , were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units of military aviators who flew suicide attacks for the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, intending to ...
run against three Hive ships. In this timeline, he ordered every resource in Atlantis to focus on the protection of the city and recalled everyone trying to help other humans in the galaxy who had fallen victim to Michael's plans for galactic domination. Robert Picardo joins the cast of ''Stargate Atlantis'' in Season 5, as Richard Woolsey assumes command of the Atlantis expedition after Colonel Carter is reassigned. Once Woolsey learns not to go by the book all the time, he proves to be an effective and good leader.


Characteristics

Prior to taking his position in the NID, Woolsey was lead counsel for the Army Corps of Engineers and later sat on the
Defense Policy Board The Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee, also referred to as the Defense Policy Board (DPBAC or DPB), is a federal advisory committee to the United States Department of Defense. Their charter is available online through the office of the Dire ...
. He resigned after it was discovered he had ties to a large corporation which had received $800 million in private contracts from
The Pentagon The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense. It was constructed on an accelerated schedule during World War II. As a symbol of the U.S. military, the phrase ''The Pentagon'' is often used as a metonym ...
. He has an M.B.A. and a J.D. from Harvard, where he served on the Harvard Law Review. Woolsey is divorced and has no children. Robert Picardo described Woolsey as a "hard guy...with a tough, investigative exterior that was sent in to assign blame." He also called him "a likable
Dick Cheney Richard Bruce Cheney ( ; born January 30, 1941) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He is currently the oldest living former ...
", a "conflict character" and the "ultimate bureaucrat".


Development

Robert Picardo Robert Alphonse Picardo (born October 27, 1953) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the Cowboy in ''Innerspace'', Coach Cutlip on ''The Wonder Years'', Captain Dick Richard on the ABC series '' China Beach'', the Doctor on '' St ...
was in the main cast of '' Star Trek: Voyager'' from 1995 to 2001. He was familiar with ''Stargate SG-1'' from his time as a
Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global ...
subscriber. He was offered a one-day guest star as Richard Woolsey for the ''SG-1'' episode " Heroes" in season seven (2004) while he was working on ''
The Outer Limits ''The Outer Limits'' or ''Outer Limits'' may refer to: Television * ''The Outer Limits'' (1963 TV series), a black-and-white science fiction series that aired from 1963 to 1965 * ''The Outer Limits'' (1995 TV series), a revival of the older series ...
'' in
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(where ''Stargate SG-1'' is filmed). He was then brought back for the follow-up episode "
Inauguration In government and politics, inauguration is the process of swearing a person into office and thus making that person the incumbent. Such an inauguration commonly occurs through a formal ceremony or special event, which may also include an inaug ...
", which began the rehabilitation of the Woolsey character. With the story introduction of the IOA, the Woolsey character made more regular appearances to "annoy people". Eventually, humor was added to the role, and the character was spun over to ''Atlantis'' as a recurring guest character. When
Amanda Tapping Amanda Tapping (born 28 August 1965) is a British-Canadian actress and director. She is best known for portraying Samantha Carter in the Canadian–American military science fiction television series '' Stargate SG-1,'' '' Stargate Atlantis,'' ...
announced in late 2007 that she would not reprise her regular role as Colonel Samantha Carter on ''Stargate: Atlantis'', the producers immediately agreed on Robert Picardo's Woolsey as the new commander of the Atlantis expedition. Joseph Mallozzi called Picardo, Picardo "was surprised yet delighted at the prospect of coming aboard" and ran it by his wife, and Picardo joined the cast of ''Stargate: Atlantis'' in season 5.


Reception

Producer Joseph Mallozzi said that "whenever I do interviews, I often draw parallels between
manda Tapping and Robert Picardo Manda may refer to: Places * Kafr Manda, Arab town in the Lower Galilee * Manda Upazila, an upazila in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh * Manda, Kale, a village in Burma * Manda, Guinea, a town in the Labé Region * Manda, Jammu, India, a vi ...
They are both incredibly kind, professional, delightful to work with, and gifted actors who always elevate the performances of anyone they share a scene with." Actor
David Hewlett David Ian Hewlett (born 18 April 1968) is a British-born Canadian actor, writer, and director known for his role as Dr. Rodney McKay in the ''Stargate'' science-fiction franchise. He first gained fame for his roles as Grant Jansky in the Canadi ...
was enthusiastic and praised Woolsey's promotion to main character, stating "he brings sexy back," and expressed that Picardo's addition to the cast was "fish out of the water ..he is the last person who should be in charge of Atlantis."


References


External links


Richard Woolsey
at scifi.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Woolsey, Richard Stargate characters Fictional diplomats Television characters introduced in 2004 Crossover characters in television