Stargate: SG-1 Memories - Prometheus Unbound, It's Good To Be King, Full Alert

PROMETHEUS UNBOUND (812)

We finally got the opportunity to cast Claudia Black, and it was in a role that she seemed born to play. Robert Cooper took Damian’s solid first draft and injected it with a humorous spin that essentially formed the basis of the Vala character we would come to know and love. To be honest, I wasn’t convinced at the script stage as I thought the humor might have been too broad, but all doubt dissolved the moment those dailies started coming in. Wow! As far as eighth season episodes went, this one was probably my favorite for its comic elements and the terrific onscreen chemistry between Claudia and Michael.

IT’S GOOD TO BE KING (813)

I always enjoyed writing the funny episodes and this one was no different. It gave us the opportunity to bring back Harry Mayborne, one of my favorite recurring characters. This episode ran long and, as a result, I had to cut a scene in which Mayborne displays Solomon-like wisdom in a dispute over a duck. When the complainants cannot agree on ownership, Mayborne demands a knife be brought forth so he can cut the duck in half and offer an equal share to each. The men standing before him are shocked at the suggestion and thus, King Mayborne makes his ruling, declaring that neither men are deserving. As the two men head off, Mayborne turns and hands off the duck to one of his assistant with a: “Cook it up. I’ll have it for lunch.”

FULL ALERT (814)

There’s a point in the episode where Kinsey meets up with three suspicious characters who use the pseudonyms Mr. Kent, Mr. Wayne, and Mr. Parker (the references should be pretty obvious). The scene was shot in an old mansion in Vancouver, presumably the estate of a former game hunter because one of the rooms was bedecked with animal trophies. This, apparently, didn’t sit well with some of the crew, but especially Exec. Producer Michael Greenburg, an animal lover, who didn’t like being surrounded by the stuffed heads.