The reason Michael Shanks has a smaller role in this episode is because his appendix ruptured the day before filming. The writers decided that his character would be recovering from the same operation.
First appearance of the Replicators.
Michael Shanks's character Daniel Jackson says, "I feel like I should be up there with them." Shanks also voices Thor, who is up on the ship with the rest of the team.
Colonel O'Neill asks Major Carter for a SPAZ-12, BF-8, 10 pounds of PBX and a USAS-12. A SPAZ-12 is a semi-automatic combat shotgun made by Franchi Arms and is chambered in 12 gauge (2-3/4" only). BF-8 refers to a fictional explosive device that contains Naquadah and is made by the SGC. PBX stands for Polymer-bonded explosive and is a high-yield explosive bonded with a synthetic polymer. Its primary uses are for military demolition and as the triggering device in nuclear warheads. A USAS-12 (Universal Sporting Automatic Shotgun 12 gauge) is a fully-automatic 12 gauge shotgun (manufactured by Daewoo Precision Industries) used by the US military.