Official Stargate Magazine
October 2006
BACK IN BLACK

Since her first appearance in "Stargate SG-1" as Daniel's nemesis in season seven's 'Prometheus Unbound', it was clear that Vala Mal Doran was one of those rare guest characters - like Rodney Mc Kay - that would make an incredible mark on the show's story. Sure enough, her reappearance for part of season nine cemented her as a valuable part of the Stargate SG-1 universe, to such an extent that for season ten, she's a regular in the character line-up. So what's ahead for the character as the Ori come storming towards our galaxy? Actress Claudia Black takes a break from filming the 200th episode to discuss Vala's most recent evolution.

What have been the highlights of season ten so far?

"There's a very interesting development for Vala. She was pregnant at the end of the last season. We meet her child, and we come to reason that Vala's going to be very involved, or at least her child is, in the problems that Earth and SG-1 are going to be facing. So it's terrific that they have involved Vala in the plotline to that level. I think we've had some enjoyable, humour-based storylines that Vala has been involved with. There was an episode that Joe Mallozzi and Paul Mullie wrote, 'Morpheus' where my B-story was hilarious. I've worked with some fantastic guest actors, so for me so far, they have definitely been the episodes that I remember."

Was it difficult picking up from where season nine left off?

"It's always difficult to start work again after a little period of not working. It always feels like the first day of school for me, and I feel like I've forgotten what it is that I do for a living! I won't like the first day's work, probably, when I see it. But, in the scheme of things, it's probably a couple of minutes of screen time. But obviously coming back each time to these guys, they're such a well oiled machine, that it's very easy for me to fall back into the swing of things. But they're fast, so I need to make sure that I've got my fast shoes on to keep up."

During the break you gave birth to your son. How are you finding being back at work with the baby?

"If Amanda Tapping hadn't had her daughter first, I don't know if I would have been convinced it was possible. I'll be interested to see how I'm feeling midway through the season, because it's incredibly tough to do two things like this. I was always worried about having a baby because I love my sleep, and I was worried I'd be a horrible person without it. But it's obviously a tribute to the show, these people, and Vala, that I'm entertained sufficiently every day to forget about the sleep deprivation!"

Is there anything in particular that you wanted to see for the character of Vala this year?

"I think the most important thing is always to grow and develop, and to make sure that your character has depth and obviously the potential to continue entertaining. Vala is irritating, but I think she's also interesting, and I'm enjoying seeing the layers peel back for this character, to see what the real vulnerabilities are beneath her. I'll be interested to see what effect she's having on Daniel - the rest of the SG-1 team are more aware of her ability to make fun of an easy target, so they seem to be in a way more accepting of her behaviour now than even Daniel is."

Is she integrating into the team more in season ten?

"I don't think Vala will ever completely belong, partly because of where she's come from. She's human, but she's got a long way to go before she can be really trusted. So I think season ten is about them giving her an inch, and seeing if she takes that mile."

How has she changed between seasons nine and ten?

"I think what we've always been concerned about is Vala being a one trick pony. She can't just be a girl with a punchline. So we've all been conscious of trying to expose more of her vulnerability and Joe actually came up to me, and said: 'I saw the dallies from yesterday, and I wasn't expecting Vala to be so upset and so vulnerable.' And I said, 'Yeah, of course she is.' She really wants to belong, and there's a moment where she doesn't, and I chose to really play that sincerely on Vala's behalf. I think that the writers always wait to see what the actors will do with their material, and that inspires them, so now I think we'll begin to see even more of what lies beneath Vala."

Have you had a touch of that? Of them beginning to write her how you play her?

"Yes. I talked to Rob Cooper last year when he was directing the episode 'Camelot' - which was a lovely experience, by the way. Rob was really terrific to work with. I said, 'Wouldn't it be funny if Vala...blah blah blah...' and in the second episode of season ten, that was exactly the B-storyline. But that is always the way the show goes - the writers are waiting for the actors to do something with the material, and the actors are waiting for the material from the writers. I was just really lucky that from the beginning with 'Prometheus Unbound', it was very obvious that Vala is a cheeky character. She's a naughty little minx and everyone enjoys writing for her, so most of the time I find that the writers give Vala very rich material to play with, and therefore give me very rich material to work with."

Is there anything that you're particularly looking forward to this season?

"There's a fun episode coming up being directed by Peter DeLuise, where Vala gets to show a little bit more of her background in protecting herself. I'll be interested to see where the storyline concerning Vala is going, because there have been some very interesting seeds sown."

How do you think season ten is shaping up so far?

"I've certainly enjoyed the fact that the episodes in season ten have been unique. I don't feel like we're doing the same thing over and over again. I don't how it is for the other guys who have been on the show for ten years - they say there are only seven or thirteen original stories in Hollywood constantly retold. But for me it feels very fresh, and we've had some lovely guest stars that also make a difference - Willie Garson makes a comeback after the 100th episode, and he's obviously a delight to work with. It's been great to meet Richard Dean Anderson finally, he wasn't around last year when I was filming. One of the most pleasant things for me was finally getting to work with Amanda Tapping, because last year I was here essentially while she was having her baby, and I think she's gorgeous. I've been very, very grateful because she's been so kind to me and so welcoming, and I think that shows a lot of grace. It would be weird being the only woman on a show for the longest time, and then have another female come in to join. But she's welcomed that with open arms, and I will be forever grateful."


BACK