Stargate: SG-1 Memories - Beach Head, Ex Deus Machina, Babylon

BEACH HEAD (906)

Although Exec. Producer Brad Wright had his hands full with Atlantis, he took the time out to write this episode of SG-1, a big crossover event that quickly became a fan favorite. At one point in the episode, Mitchell pulls out a lemon and shows it to McKay in an attempt to keep the high-strung Rodney in check (Actually, now that I think of it, I remember seeing it in dailies but don’t recall if it made the final cut). McKay’s citrus allergy was a long-standing in-joke, a reference to a member of the production team early in SG-1’s run who, every time they’d go out to lunch, would insist he was violently allergic to citrus. “One drop could kill me!”. This despite the fact that, unbeknownst to him, most every salad he ordered at the local restaurant did, in fact, contains citrus.

EX DEUS MACHINA (907)

While we were spinning this story about Baal hiding out on Earth, I suggested he could be working in a garage under an assumed identity, thus giving us the opportunity to title the episode Deus Ex Mechanic. Paul pointed out that, given the fact Baal was an ex goa’uld “god”, an even more appropriate title would be Ex Deus Machina. Well, when we finished breaking the story, the mechanic idea was out the window, so we settled with Ex Deus Machina. One of my very favorite titles – made all the greater by those outraged fans who called us out for such an obvious mistake!

This episode also gave us the opportunity see my favorite System Lord, Baal – played to deliciously evil perfection by actor Cliff Simon – take his overlord act to the environs of planet Earth. And, best of all, dress the part!

BABYLON (908)

Director Peter DeLuise had long lobbied to have actor Tony Todd (Candyman) on the show and, finally, the perfect opportunity/role presented itself in this episode in the form of Haikon, the leader of the Sodan. Tony’s was one of many great performances in this episode, but special mention goes to Ben Browder who went all out, even performing some of his own stunts – with bruising results. In fact, after watching one alarming set of dailies, the producers made the executive decision to revoke the lionshare of Ben’s stunting privileges!