My latest passion is a disease known as Danielitis. Danielitis hits a person unexpectantly and can occur without any warning or awareness that one is being afflicted. It begins via normal viewing of the science fiction show, Stargate SG-1. Based on the successful film "Stargate" starring Kurt Russell and James Spader, "Stargate SG-1" began airing in 1997 on the Showtime cable network with syndicated airings on the Fox Network. Five years later, the show switched to the Sci Fi Channel, and it's still going strong. SG-1 begins filming its ninth season in March 2005. To many, however, it's a time a change as the ninth season brings about many changes.
However, the essence of SG-1 is its first eight seasons. The show stars Richard Dean Anderson in the Russell role of "Brigadier General Jack O'Neill", Canadian born Michael Shanks in the Spader role of "Doctor. Daniel Jackson", British born Amanda Tapping as "Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter", and Christopher Judge as Teal'c. For the first seven seasons, the show co-starred Don S. Davis as "Lieutenant General George Hammond" and Teryl Rothery as "Doctor Janet Fraiser".
When one sits down to watch SG-1, it is often because of the star, Richard Dean Anderson, hereafter known as RDA. RDA's career began back in the pre-glory days of "General Hospital" and then on to the extremely popular "MacGyver" series. Many tune in to SG-1 to see RDA in his current success. His character is an air force colornel, special forces trained. He can be insubordinate and wise cracking, and he has a low tolerance for scientists like "Dr. Jackson". Still, "Jack" has his tender side. It's buried, however, under a ton of grief brought on by the death of his son "Charlie", killed while playing with Jack's service revolver.
Thus, the unsuspecting viewer watches, and expects to become carried away in the drama of the week. Little do they know they are about to be hit with Danielitis. As with the movie, it is the quiet, meekish "Daniel Jackson" character that is the heart and soul of SG-1. He's bumbling, shy, full of disappointments and things he considers failures, wears glasses and is as cute as a bug on a rug! At first, everything seems normal. You react to the wonderful banter of the "Jack" and "Daniel" characters as they play off of one another. "Daniel" is one of those scientists that "Jack" isn't fond of. To be exact, "Daniel" is an archealogist, anthropologist, and linguist. He speaks 23 languages. He's smarter than "Jack" could ever hope to be, and he's the vulnerable type, with puppy blue eyes. "Jack" can't help but adopt the boy in spite of himself. They argue and fight, and disagree on many fundamentals, but in the end, they've become bestest friends, who would die for one another.
The thing about "Daniel" is that he's unassuming and he can melt your heart in a split second. It can happen when "Jack" brushes by him, ignoring "Daniel's" ramblings about some new translation factoid he's discovered (it is so important to "Daniel" for "Jack" to try and understand some of the "meaning of life stuff" that they discover), or when he is forced to destroy some new find that could save his wife, causing our hearts to bleed as "Daniel" destroys the device. As the unaware viewer watches SG-1, from the pilot and then episode by episode. what slowly happens is an awareness of the passion of "Daniel". While "Jack" follows through with military and strategic type of moves and actions, it is "Daniel" who intervenes and speaks for our souls. He asks if it right to do this or that; if it's right to interfere. To "Daniel", the question is not "can we do this", but "should we do this."
Before long, the viewer mantra becomes "I came for RDA, but I stayed for "Daniel". This is not to detract from RDA one bit, because he does an awesome job as "Jack", and he is vital to the success of the "Daniel" character. It is the relationship between the two men that is the essence of the show when it is at its best. It's them arguing over whether or not to take some weapon that could win their war, or look for another peaceful solution. It's their wonderful subtle conversations. Both characters are internal, private, reserved, but somehow, they can't help but share with one another. It begins in the opener, when "Jack" sees the very alone Daniel in the hallway of the SGC (Stargate Command), stranded, no clue what to do next after returning to earth, his wife taken as a host for the goa'uld (the bad guys). "Jack" takes "Daniel" home, and the two talk about their lost wives ("Jack's" marriage fell apart after his son died) and their inner thoughts.
Still, it is "Daniel" who rips your heart out with his sadness and despair over the loss of his wife, and the many sacrifices he must make as they search for her. Yet, he has such hope, and he loves his work. He will ramble on excessently about things he's learned, and while he is shy and seems meek, he is a tremendous fighter of his beliefs. He's not afraid to stand up to "Jack" or "General Hammond". He'll take a stance, and he is often right, which always frustrates the curmudgeony "Jack".
The other key characters on the show are "Sam" and "Teal'c". "Sam" is another brain, like "Daniel", that "Jack" must contend with. She's an astrophysicist, but also an airforce captain (later promoted to Major) who has worked in the pentagon and fought in the Gulf War. She loves science as much as "Daniel", and is often torn between which road to take ... the military or scientiific. She gets along well with both "Jack" and "Daniel" and has some great sparkage with "Daniel" in this writer's opinion. "Teal'c" is a Jaffa from the world of Chulak. He was first prime to Apophis, the false god ruling the Goa'uld, until he helped the team escape in the pilot and pledging his allegiance to earth in the fight against the Goa'uld. He ends up joining SG-1. "Jack" teaches him about our world and they too are best buddies. The "Daniel" dynamic plays here because "Teal'c" was one of those that helped take Shar're from him, so at first, he wants to hate the Jaffa, but he comes to know Teal'c, and they also form a very close friendship. "Teal'c" usually calls "Daniel" by his full name, which is endearing in its way.
While it takes all four of these talented performers and characters to make SG-1 the complete success, without "Daniel", they drift. This became very evident during 2002 when Michael Shanks left the series after his beloved "Daniel" was relegated to virtual wallpaper in order to allow more war-like stories to take place. While there were some very nice season 4 and 5 episodes for him, more and more the powers that be stopped the always fun "Jack" and "Daniel" banter scenes, and got away from the exploration of the other worlds. They got into a spy type of atmosphere and lots of Star Wars type of action. "Daniel" was there, but hardly doing what he does best. He was flying spaceships instead of translating languages. It simply was not right.
A massive fan campaign was launched that included ads in the bigshot industry trade papers and a barrage of letters to a variety of powers that be. It wasn't long before it was announced that Shanks would be a guest star in the 6th episode of the current season. Then, it was announced he'd be in yet another 2/3rd of the way through the season; then he would be in the season finale in a story that surrounded his character greatly; and finally, the cheers were heard world round when the powers that be issued the announcement.... yes, Michael Shanks is returning as "Daniel Jackson" for season number 7!
The heart and soul of the SG-1 returned at the beginning of Season 7. Those with Danielitis cried for joy! Their voices were heard! The banter return, and "Daniel's" so-called, cough, replacement was ushered off to "sorry, don't call us, we'll call you" status (which is nothing against the actor brought in for season 6, but the character was horribly written and brought onto the show in a very dumb way, and to say that "Daniel" fans were not pleased would be mild).
There are many wonderful websites out there that are devoted to Stargate SG-1. Some of my favorites will be included here. These sites have all the latest news, photos, episode guides, message boards, and a host of other information. You can read all about the Shanks adventures with the torment of leaving and the thrill of returning. This writer will not try to compete with these very worth while sites, but what is being included here is simply a fan's perception of what is great, or not so great, about each episode. You'll learn what my favorite moments and lines are, and some links to some fanfics that I've been lured into reading (I've never been a fan of fanfic, because I prefer to stick to story canon and so many fan fics stray from the essence of the characters, but those included here are simply marvelous extensions of a specific episode or scene that will either make you laugh your socks off or shed a few tears).
I came for RDA; I stayed for "Daniel". My case of Danielitis appears to be incurable. Though they had him acting like Little Rambo by the end of season 5, he is still our sweet, empassioned, caring, soul-searching, in-need-of-some-serious-tender-loving-care "Daniel".
Come, join me for a trip through the Stargate and the adventures of "Dr. Daniel Jackson".
Note: if you have any artwork or scans you would like to share that would be appropriate for this page, please let me know!
Page Last Updated 02/12/05Michael Shanks Narrates "Local Custom"
Michael has done the narration for a new audio book entitled, "Local Custom." Due to release June 26, 2005, this promises to be a real treat! The book is written by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller and is the first of a series of books focusing on the warring families and star-crossed lovers of another galaxy. Personally, I'm getting it just to listen to Michael talk for a few hours! If you'd like to pre-order, click below!
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