Shep’s Wrist Bands: The Hero’s Wardrobe

Some actors enjoy a little mystique surrounding their characters. Stargate Atlantis’s Joe Flanigan (Colonel John Sheppard) is definitely one of them. I’ve watched him work the crowds on a convention stage and kick back in an easy chair across from me. In both settings he has been asked the same question again, and his response is always the same.

The question: “What’s the story behind the wrist bands?” The response: …

Joe Flanigan isn’t telling.

Sheppard was seen with black sweat-absorbent wrist bands back in Season One of Atlantis, and it soon became a staple for the character throughout the show. In almost every episode he could be seen wearing one on his wrist.

It’s most likely that the character, who is regularly active, enjoys having something handy to mop his forehead. But Joe’s response in answering — or not answering — the question has made Sheppard’s arm wear almost mystical among Atlantis fans.

I was fired up to find that several armbands have been preserved with his uniforms by the ever-diligent costume designer Valerie Halverson, who took over for Christina McQuarrie. Now a few select fans will have the opportunity to wear these screen-used pieces of memorabilia. Needless to say, I’m very interested in how much these bad boys will go for.