Now, if that's not enough to warm your heart, here's a round-up of this week's Stargate news bites:

Michael Shanks hasn't signed his Season Ten contract yet and is "essentially a free agent," according to his publicist (via Michael Shanks Online). Rumors indicate that Shanks will return to the show, but that he is also up for a significant role in L.A. No word yet on whether that would be a guest appearance on a big-name show, a new full-time gig, a Jell-O Pudding Pops commercial, or something else entirely.

popular view: As pointed out by executive producer Joseph Mallozzi in his latest blog entry, this is that tenuous time of year when everyone's contract is up for renewal -- actors and producers alike. Too much speculation about who's returning, who's not returning, and who's having their role radically altered may not be healthy for fans; there is only so much that someone can say or do when they are negotiating a new contract.

Now, once those contracts are signed and we have some solid info to talk about, we will have a few words to say about cast changes.

More good news for Canada! SG-1 Season Nine will start November 10 at 10 p.m. Eastern on SPACE, with "Avalon, Part 1." New episodes follow every Thursday night. SPACE will also air a Season Nine special, Stargate SG-1: Behind the Scenes, November 3 (tomorrow!) at 11 p.m.

The November/December issue (#7) of Stargate SG-1: The Official Magazine is now on news stands! Look for interviews with Amanda Tapping (cover), Robert C. Cooper, Lexa Doig, Louis Gossett, Jr., and much more.

U.S. viewers can catch Stargate mini-marathons from the current season, Friday nights on SCI FI for the next three weeks! This week SCI FI will air "Avalon, Part 1," "Part 2," and "Origin." Next week it's Atlantis's turn with three episodes, then another week on for SG-1. No Stargate on the 25th, after Turkey Day. (New episodes start in January.)