10.07 "Counterstrike" Episode Guide

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Précis

Deadly battles erupt between the Ori, led by Adria, and the Jaffa after 100,000 villagers are wiped out by a powerful energy wave which Adria believes was SG-1’s doing. She captures Daniel and Vala and uses her powers against them to determine the nature of the weapon.

Guide | Transcript

SciFi.com Official Summary

The war against the Ori takes a particularly tragic turn when Se'tak, the new leader of the Jaffa Council, unleashes the deadly Ancient device on Dakara against a world that has just converted to Origin. Every living being on the target planet is killed instantly — thousands of innocent civilians and Ori soldiers alike. Shocked by this tactic, Gen. Landry and Bra'tac journey to Dakara to condemn the unjustifiable attack.

SG-1 and Vala, meanwhile, explore a deserted Ori warship that was left behind on the stricken planet. Unfortunately, they're not alone: a team of Jaffa warriors has also sneaked on board. The Jaffa believe that the powerful warship rightfully belongs to them, and they're prepared to defend their claim — by force. In short order, they capture Mitchell, Teal'c, Daniel and Vala, leaving only Carter at liberty. But there's someone else on board as well: Adria, Vala's daughter and the leader of the Ori crusade.

Her special powers have allowed her to escape the Ancient weapon's blast. Now, with those same powers, she knocks out the Jaffa guarding Daniel and Vala and greets her surprised mother. She's expecting an Origin fleet to arrive soon, after which she's looking forward to spending long hours converting Vala to the one true faith. In the meantime, she attempts to probe Daniel's mind for information about the weapon that so effectively destroyed her troops. With great effort, he resists her, but his good work is undone when she turns her attention to a Jaffa guard, who reveals that the weapon is on Dakara.

Carter rescues Mitchell and Teal'c from the Jaffa guarding them. Before the three can similarly save Daniel and Vala, however, the warship takes off and jumps into hyperspace. Adria has decided to pay a lethal little visit to Dakara, and nothing Daniel or Vala can say will change her mind. Thus, as a grim last resort, Mitchell and Teal'c prepare to blow up the ship rather than let it score another victory for the Ori.

On Dakara, Landry and Bra'tac are getting nowhere in their efforts to make Se'tak see reason. When the massive Ori ship appears in orbit, Se'tak leaps to the paranoid conclusion that Landry's people have stolen it in order to take the Ancient weapon for themselves. The critical Earth-Jaffa alliance is about to implode violently. And if that's the worst thing that happens today, Landry and SG-1 can count themselves lucky.

Cast

Ben Browder as Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell
Amanda Tapping as Lt. Col. Samantha Carter
Christopher Judge as Teal'c
Claudia Black as Vala Mal Doran
With Beau Bridges as Maj. Gen. Hank Landry
And Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson

Guest Stars

Ori:

Jaffa:

Tony Amendola as Bra'tac
Richard Whiten as Bo'rel
David Andrews as Se'tak
Sylvesta Stuart and Aleks Holtz as Jaffa

SGC and Odyssey Crew:

Production

Written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie
Directed by Andy Mikita

Production Notes

"We ended up breaking episode 7 today which either Paul and/or I will write. This one is going to be a lot of fun. Brad said it reminded him of Reckoning, and no wonder." — Joseph Mallozzi, Gateworld Blog, November 28, 2005.
"The plan was to finish one script and write the second one in January when we got back to the office, choosing one and letting Paul write the Atlantis and the third SG-1. Well, that was the plan but after a couple of days of R&R, I started to feel guilty, so I started the second script, Counter-Strike, which I believe has been slotted for the 7 spot. Lots of good emotion in this one, bonding, and a significant loss at episode's end. I'm kind of concerned about the visual effects budget on this one and will look to trim a little in my next pass." — Joseph Mallozzi, Gateworld Blog, December 14, 2005.
Vala will learn about Sha're and Amaunet [from either Daniel or Teal'c] in this episode. (Joseph Mallozzi, SG1Solutions, December 18, 2005)
"As I was writing Counter-Strike, I realized that it was a surprisingly sober outing for one particular character and wondered whether it was a little too "down". I honestly can't see how it can't be given the circumstances. Still, we finally get to see the inside of an Ori ship and the story affords a bonding opportunity between two characters with a rocky past." — Joseph Mallozzi, Gateworld Blog, December 21, 2005.
"For instance, a while ago, a fan asked whether Daniel would be telling Vala about Sha're. At the time, my response was "it's possible" simply because the circumstances had not presented itself. Lo and behold, the proper circumstances did come along in Counter-Strike." — Joseph Mallozzi, GateWorld Q&A, December 22, 2005.
Concerning the two characters with a rocky past who are given a bonding opportunity in this episode, Joseph Mallozzi says, "It's not Landry and Lam." (SG1Solutions, December 22, 2005)
"This early, I can't assure anyone of anything with regard to who or what, exactly, is lost in Counter-Strike." — Joseph Mallozzi, comments section of Gateworld Blog, December 21, 2005.
"Finished the rewrites on Morpheus and Counter-Strike and will be reviewing them both this weekend." — Joseph Mallozzi, Gateworld Blog, January 19, 2006.
In answer to whether or not Daniel will be showing more patience and compassion toward Vala in Season Ten, Joseph Mallozzi stated, "There are some really nice moments along these lines in Morpheus, Counter-Strike, and Memento Mori." (SG1Solutions, January 20, 2006)
Audition sides for Adria indicate that she is to be 21-24 years old and a recurring character.
"The show is looking for a "name" actress to play the recurring role of Adria, the rapidly aging daughter of Vala (Claudia Black). Not surprisingly, Adria will stop aging when her peer group includes the show's desirable demo; producers are seeking someone in her early twenties." — Michael Ausiello, TV Guide: Ask Ausiello, April 5, 2006.
Morena Baccarin has been cast in the recurring role of Adria. — Solutions Blog: Casting a Villain, Part 2.
"Following Morpheus, Paul and I [Joseph Mallozzi] wrote Counterstrike, which is a very action-driven, arc-driven story involving a grand villain and the Jaffa along with a diplomatic mission that requires General Landry to accompany Bra'tac to Dakara. I haven't seen a director's cut of the episode yet and probably won't until early next week, but I'm confident that it, too, will be a solid episode." — Joseph Mallozzi, TV Zone 203, June 2006.
About Adria: "I love the character. She is truly evil. The worst kinds of people are the ones with no acceptance and she is one of those. What she believes is the word of God. [...] I like the nuances of evil. I am trying to be likeable as well. It's an interesting combination. [...] And I get to wear really cool contacts! ...it was pretty comical watching me get around feeling the walls with my contact lenses on." — Morena Baccarin, The SciFi World, May 24, 2006.
"Also, and this is straight from the mouth of writer Joe Mallozzi, as far as the relationship between Daniel Jackson and Adria is concerned, their scenes in this episode kick off a through-line you’ll see all season. There are small moments, if you pay attention, that show that these two are going to have lots more to do with each other in the future. Wink wink. Nudge nudge. Say no more." — Alex Levine, script coordinator, scifi.com Blog, August 25, 2006.

10.07 "Counterstrike" Episode Guide

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