S9 Spoilers: Crusade

Black is Back
TV Guide Features Vala’s Return in “Crusade”
Ileane Rudolf interviews Claudia Black

When script coordinator Alex Levine let it slip in his SciFi.com blog that Claudia Black was expecting a child, all kinds of talk started to buzz about how this would impact Vala’s story arc upon her return to Stargate SG-1 as Vala Mal Doran, Daniel Jackson’s personal pain in the mikta. Executive Producer Robert C. Cooper explained in a TV Zone interview, “It’s not like we could hide it, but thought it was an interesting opportunity.” Cooper used Black’s pregnancy as an opportunity to introduce a new villain to the Stargate saga.

Cooper explained in Rudolf’s TV Guide interview that Vala adds a new dynamic to the show. “As an alien outsider, she creates a different chemistry among the team.” Rudolf says that this chemistry is very apparent in the Tracy-Hepburn-like relationship Vala shares with Daniel Jackson. To this, Black adds, “I don’t think the teasing will ever stop. He’s such an easy target.”

According to Black, Vala does something bad in order to survive in the Ori’s home galaxy, but says that Vala “never manipulates unless she has to.” She tricks local man Tomin (Tim Guinee) into marrying her, claiming that the child is his. But, the circumstances behind Vala’s mysterious pregnancy won’t be revealed until Season Ten (beware of spoilers)!

In real life, Black delivered a son in December!

On the same page in the 27 February – 5 March issue of TV Guide, Ben Browder answers a few Q&A questions concerning his role as Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell and the return of his former Farscape castmate Claudia Black to Stargate SG-1. Browders says, “I’m just happy to have her around. She’s a fantastic actress and a good friend.”

Pick up your copy of TV Guide on newsstands now.

[Thanks to sueb45 for the tip and to sunddundee for the image — DeeKayP]