Courtesy Richard Dean Anderson Marina had Sirtis stumble onto the lines of Stargate SG-1

For Star Trek fans, Marina Sirtis is royalty. Best known for her role as the half-human, half-Betazoid Diana Troi in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (along with numerous other appearances in the “Star Trek” franchise), the actress has actually had a prolific career outside of the influential sci-fi series. At one point, she appeared in another long-running sci-fi series playing a Russian doctor, only to find herself stumbling over lines after receiving praise from series star Richard Dean Anderson. It looks like the former “MacGyver” star was in on the act Colonel Jack O’Neill (after Kurt Russell turned down the opportunity To reprise the role), he refused to leave the set while an actor of Sirtis’ caliber was there in order to deliver his lines off-camera, despite the fact that he was scheduled to leave to spend time with his daughter. This clearly upset Sirtis, who struggled to regain her composure after receiving such high praise.

In 2000, Sirtis played Russian scientist Dr. Svetlana Markova in the season 4 Stargate SG-1 episode titled “Watergate”. The installment finds Stargate Command struggling to activate the titular portal before discovering that the Russians have managed to recover their Stargate from the wreckage of Supreme Leader Thor’s personal ship. Because the Rus’ Gate was stuck in an outgoing wormhole, the SGC was unable to use its stargate, prompting Dr. Markov to ask the crew to investigate.

Eventually, Markov accompanies Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) and Major Samantha Carter (Amanda Tupper) as they pass through the Russian portal, leaving Colonel Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Teal’c (Christopher Judge) to explore the Russian base. It soon turns out that the “water” on the water planet is not water at all, but is actually a race of aliens. After Teal’c becomes saturated with the tiny creatures, they are able to escape back to their home world just as Markov, Jackson, and Carter return. It was all an exciting adventure, though not quite as exciting as receiving praise from MacGyver himself.

“Watergate” aired in August 2000, by which time Marina Sirtis was already well-established thanks to her stint on “Star Trek” (thankfully, she was… She was saved from being fired from the role of Deanna Troi due to her “Star Trek” exit.). But that didn’t stop her from stumbling over the lines after receiving a compliment from Richard Dean Anderson.

In a video via Omega PathsSirtis discussed her experience on “SG-1” and recalled filming a scene on the runway before her character and the SG-1 crew boarded the plane. According to the actor, Anderson wrote in his contract that he could leave the set after 6 p.m. in order to spend time with his two-year-old daughter (family time was partly the reason). Anderson ended up leaving Stargate SG-1.). “He left with my full blessing,” Sirtis said. “We were filming the scene where you arrive in the jeep at the plane (…) It was about five or six o’clock and we filmed his dialogue and I saw that his driver was waiting and I said: ‘Richard, I just saw your driver here.’ “He said: ‘No Marina, I’m not going.’” As Sirtis recalled, she again insisted that Anderson reply, “Oh, no (…) When we get actors of your caliber, I’ll stay and do my off-camera dialogue.” This seemed to throw Sertes for a loop. “I was absolutely flabbergasted,” she said. “I kept messing up lines. He made me nervous when he said that.”

It’s certainly a compliment to have the lead of any show openly compliment you. But Anderson himself was an established TV star outside of “SG-1” (which is partly why he was cast in the first place). As such, it may have been a bit exhausting for Anderson to be so complimentary. Unfortunately, Sirtis’ other memories of filming the episode were not so positive, as the actress recalled how she injured her back filming the scene in which she jumps out of the plane.