In his opinions about the future of his character, Michael Shanks appears content with the way things are working out. “The antagonism between Jack and Daniel has evolved into a bit of a closeness now although they still keep at opposite poles and Daniel himself has developed a little more of an edge. There’s been more of a dark side revealed to the character which I think balances well with the original core.”

A tiny bit of Shanks’s own rebellious side surfaces when the assistant director comes in to the actor’s trailer to announce he’s needed on set. “You know... with all this sitting around and waiting it’s difficult to maintain your focus, especially when the hockey play-offs are on. I mean, I even find it hard to get out of the trailer.”

Sympathizing with his predicament, I suggest he might like to carry a portable television around. Slapping his head with amazement he agrees, “I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s only for like six months of the year. I’m a star! I’m going to go out there and demand one.” Mumbling something about the producers being totally selfish when they could at least devote one of the monitors on set to sport, Shanks insists, “More tantrums are needed. A little bit of attitude.”

Getting into his stride, he jokes, “It’s just too chummy with us – no dirt. What we need is a little controversy. Come back when the show wraps. I’ll give you dirt!” Leaving the man to his ravings I slip into the transport with Amanda Tapping who shakes her head and tuts wisely. “He’s tired and emotional.” she grins.

We take the opportunity to chat a bit about her continuing role as astro-physicist Samantha Carter and the milestones which have charted her progress to date. “The first season was all about developing the character and trying to figure out who she was and how she reacted in certain situations. The second season was about these situations and now it would be nice to throw some new things into the mix. I had pretty much everything that I wanted to achieve with Carter happen throughout Season Two and am now really looking forward to seeing what this year will bring.

"What I’d really like to see occur more is that occasionally we get to have some fun as a team. It would be great to see the situation on-screen echo what happens on set.” Speaking of the characters she says, “We’ve worked as a team now for two and a half years and you never see us laugh together or see us being goofy together and I’d love to see moments where we as people have that type of closeness...”

Get Cult Times #47 for the full interview