October 10, 2011: More SG-1 Memories! Mailbag!

Back to SG-1 memories…

COUNTERSTRIKE (1007)

The second of three scripts I wrote over a fourteen day period during one hiatus, I loved this one for the Daniel-Vala moment (something I expand on in the ensuing episode) and the fact that it had all of our team members – and Landry! – in play.  I recall actor Ben Browder (Mitchell) recommending his friend, actor Mark Dacascos, for the part of the lead Jaffa.  I loved Mark Dacascos' work in Brotherhood of the Wolf and The Crow (and, lately, Iron Chef America) but didn't want to cast him only to kill off his character in the episode.  I held off and, two years later, cast him as Ronon's former comrade, Tyr, in SGA's Reunion – and, the following season, in Broken Ties.  He was one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure to work with.  Over the course of production on Broken Ties, I had a half dozen crew members approach me about finding a way to make him recurring.  In addition to Iron Chef America, you can now catch Mark on Hawaii Five-O as the villainous Wo Fat.

MEMENTO MORI (1008)

The third script I wrote during those two weeks was a lot of fun – atypical and Vala-centered, but with a nice, emotional pay-off that cements the friendship between Vala and Daniel, suggesting the possibility of much more.

I remember one of the scenes I had trouble with was the interrogation of the captured Trust operative.  I was wracking my brain, trying to figure out how Teal'c could get him to talk when Rob Cooper – as he often did whenever we reached a creative roadblock – would throw out a suggestion.  In this case, simply have Teal'c lean in and whisper something in the operative's ear.  Something so terrifying that the operative immediately starts talking.  So, what did Teal'c whisper in his ear?  Something just too horrible to repeat.

In the original version of the script, Vala gets a job at Sal's Diner.  For some reason, it was changed to Sol's Diner.  We ended up casting the wonderful Don Stark in the role and Director Peter DeLuise suggested we change it back to Sal's Diner because Don looked Italian.  I did.  I met Don and told him about the change and he pointed out that he was, in fact, Jewish.  Sol's Diner it became.  And then I found out he was of German, Jewish AND Italian descent.  I briefly toyed with Sigi's Diner but ultimately elected to leave well enough alone at the risk of having the entire Art Department coming after me.

Speaking of Director Peter DeLuise – the direction of this episode's tease is wonderful – tight, dynamic, and provocative (or, I prefer, WTF?!-inducing).

Mailbag:

Sylvia writes: "Food looks scrumptuos!  Please do list macaron shops in Van."

Answer: I'll be doing one better.  I'm going to check out the top 16 macaron makers in town and test their products, head to head, in a macaron-off.  Stay tuned!

Debra writes: "How are the pups doing, especially Maximus? Still eating?"

Answer: Yep.  He's eating and walking.  He's a whole new dog since the move back to Vancouver.

Lewis writes: "1) Who was your favorite BusyTown character? I always thought Mr. Worm was stylin' in his apple car and wearing his hat/boot combo."

Answer: Yeah, definitely Lowly Worm.  I always thought he was hiding a dark side.

Lewis also writes: "2) If DARK MATTER gets the greenlight to become either a show or movie, which format do you think it would be the strongest suited for: live action, animation, or anime?"

Answer: Ideally, a live-action television series.  That's the plan.  A mini-series would also work since I have the series mapped out – beginning, middle, and end.

glowyzoey writes: "We had a little silver tree when I was a kid. [...]   I had to throw it out just 7 or 8 years ago, because all of the "needles" were gone. I had it over 40 years! Did yours fold up for storage?"

Answer: Yes!  Beautiful – and practical too!  I loved that silver and tinsel monstrosity!

Anais Bellieres a ecrit: "Vous étiez un bon grand frére avec Andria, vous ne lui faisiez pas trop misères?"

Reponse: Non.  Il y'avait plein de miseres.

dasndanger writes: "Joe – quick question. I see that you read the first Uncanny X-Force trade. How'd you like it? I LOVED it, as you well know. Just hoping you enjoyed it, too."

Answer: I did like it but had a difficult time figuring out who was doing what and why for much of the time.  I probably would have been better served reading the previous volumes first.  There are previous volumes, aren't there?  Loved the ending though.

Airelle writes: "Can you play a piano now or just banging on it?"

Answer: In fact, I can.  This after three years of piano lessons (mom's idea).

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