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The following story contains MINOR SPOILERS of the fourth season of "Stargate: Atlantis."

When "Stargate: Atlantis" returns for its fourth season on SciFi Channel this fall, it will do it without the long-running franchise powerhouse, "Stargate SG-1."

With Daniel Jackson, Teal'c and crew heading to direct-to-DVD movies, changes were of course taking place with the remaining Stargate series, including a new head of the Atlantis expedition. Executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie recently told reporters attending the SciFi Digital Press Tour in Vancouver, B.C., that the transition from two series to one was actually quite smooth.

"As far as changes behind the camera, there haven't really been any except for me and Joe taking over," Mullie said. "It's not like we're coming from the outside. We've been working on 'SG-1' together since Season 4, and been working on 'Atlantis' since the beginning. I don't think the fans will notice a big difference there."

Some fans posting on message boards expressed some concern on how "Atlantis" will fare by itself as the franchise's new torchbearer, especially with the number of cast changes being made. However, fans should simply wait to see what happens before stressing out about it, Mallozzi said.

"Something I noticed in the past is that spoilers will get out, and fans will always assume the worst," he said. "I'm certain fans won't be upset. Those who have adopted the sort of doom-and-gloom worst-case scenario will be pleasantly surprised by what they see."

The fourth season will see the full-time additions of Amanda Tapping and Jewel Staite to the series. Tapping, of course, spent 10 years playing Samantha Carter on "SG-1," and will bring that character over to Atlantis to replace Torri Higginson. Staite made an appearance at the end of the third season and will play a doctor more or less replacing Paul McGillion, whose character was killed off last season.

"it's not like they are going to come in and change it all up and be different," said Mark Stern, SciFi Channel's vice president of original programming. "They are going to just bring a whole new perspective, and bringing in Amanda and Jewel have done that. They provide a new energy to this in a whole new way. They want to put their own stamp on it, but still be very respectful of the franchise itself."

And speaking of Carson Beckett ... why isn't McGillion's character staying dead?

"No one necessarily stays dead in sci-fi," Mallozzi said. "Daniel Jackson dies, ascends, and a season later descends. It's not something you see on 'Grey's Anatomy.'"

Those fans that are complaining about how resurrecting Beckett will negate one of the most touching moments last season on "Atlantis" shouldn't judge too quickly, however.

"It really depends on how well it's executed," Mallozzi said. "I suggest the fans just tune in and they'll be pleasantly surprised."

Keep reading Airlock Alpha or all the latest on SciFi Channel's press tour in Vancouver, B.C., highlighting shows such as "Battlestar Galactica," "Stargate: Atlantis," "Eureka," "Flash Gordon" and more.

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