Dr. Daniel Jackson

This page last updated on December 9, 1999.

What We Know About Daniel:

Birthday: We've been given two different estimates as to when his birthday is. In August of "1969" he said he was about 4 1/2 years old, meaning his birthday would be sometime around February of 1965 and he'd be about 34 years old. HOWEVER, in "Forever in a Day" we learn that his birthday is July 8th. I smell and inconsistency, don't you?

Family: According to one of the Stargate novels (which are completely unrelated to the TV series), Daniel's parents died in a car crash. Anyway, according to the movie he did have foster parents, and we've actually seen his mother and father die (again and again and again...) in the New York Museum of Art when a setup of an Egyptian building collapsed on them ("The Gamekeeper"). He has no other family (definitely not a sister, as learned in "Holiday") and no other close friends (except SG-1) on Earth that we know of ("Fire & Water").

Marital Status: During the original movie, he fell in love with and married a woman from the planet Abydos named Sha're. This marriage gave him a father-in-law, Kasuf, and a brother-in-law, Skaara. Sha're and Skaara were possessed by Goa'ulds during the episode "Children of the Gods" and Daniel vowed to find his wife after this. During "Secrets," we learned that Sha're give birth to a child by Apophis whom Kasuf hid somewhere far, far away. This was all good, fine, and wonderful until "Forever in a Day" when Sha're's symbiote, Amaunet, stole the child and hid him on the planet Kheb. Sha're reveals to Daniel that the child is a Harsesis, a mortal child born to two Goa'uld hosts and who possesses all the knowledge of the Goa'uld. Daniel vows to find this Harsesis child before the Goa'uld System Lords do. In the same episode, Teal'c was forced to kill Sha're to save Daniel's life (i.e. Daniel is currently single.) As for Skaara, last we saw of him he was about to be blown up in a nasty pyramid ship ("The Serpent's Lair"), but he escaped the explosion. Kasuf is still residing on Abydos. So that takes care of Daniel's family.

Interests/Education: Daniel loves ancient stuff. He has a Ph.D. in Linguistics and Anthropology (which episode did we learn this in? The movie?). While he was working on his dissertation, he was assisted by a student named Robert Rothman ("Forever in a Day"). His love for artifacts actually seems to be more important to him than exploring certain planets ("Message in a Bottle"). Of course, his love of knowledge can cause some life-threatening situations for him ("The Torment of Tantalus"). He also keeps a diary of all the worlds they visit ("Fire & Water").

Languages: He speaks 23 languages ("1969"), not including dead languages, I think it's safe to assume. This includes Egyptian (the movie, "Children of the Gods," and "Serpent's Song"), Cuneiform ("Fire & Water"), Runic ("The Torment of Tantalus" and "Thor's Chariot"), Latin ("The Fifth Race," although not very well if he didn't recognize the word loci), most likely Greek ("Holiday"), and Russian and German (both of which he speaks in "1969"), and probably other languages which we have yet to encounter. Other languages we've seen him translate are Linear B from "Brief Candle" and whatever language they wrote in Teotihuacan ("Learning Curve").

Allergies: He has allergies which pop up sporadically (the movie, "Children of the Gods," "The Broca Divide," "Singularity," "The Gamekeeper," "One False Step"), but he takes antihystemines to keep them under control ("The Broca Divide").

Residence: He lives in a really cool apartment, most likely somewhere near the SGC, with lots of books, lots of artifacts and pictures, and a fishtank ("Fire & Water"). His address is 1152 Mainland street (city unknown, probably Denver), according to "Holiday." Now, what we don't know is if the fancy apartment we see in "Forever in a Day" was just a dream or if he actually moved into a new apartment since we last saw him. Anything is possible with that episode. =)

Financial Situation: He has some money if he can afford a nice apartment like the one we saw in "Fire & Water" or in "Forever in a Day." At the very least, he has a credit card with a decent limit on it ("Holiday").

Hidden Talents that make O'Neill say "Gee, I didn't know you could do that, Daniel!": He knows how to deliver babies, a talent he learned from a midwife while he was on a dig in the Yucatan ("Brief Candle"). So far he's delivered three babies (one is mentioned in "Brief Candle" and another actually occurs there; he delivers Sha're's baby in "Secrets"). He has never been real sure about himself and his place on this world, nor does he know how long he should wait for Sha're to return to normal (I'm assuming this is his subconscious talking in "Need"). Another thought Daniel keeps to seems to keep to himself is that he doesn't think O'Neill respects him ("Need"). He has had three extra-marital affairs, one with the princess of the Land of Light ("The Broca Divide"), one with Hathor ("Hathor"), and one with Shyla ("Need"). Of course, we can kinda sorta excuse him since he wasn't in his full mind any of those times.

Aha, but we can't forget his evil side which shows up from time to time as well. In "Bloodlines" he kills a bunch of defenseless Goa'uld larva, even after Carter told him not to. In "The Nox" he contemplates killing Shak'l in cold blood, which startles the rest of SG-1. And in "Need," well, do I need to say more? Threatening O'Neill with a gun, keeping SG-1 locked up in the mines, knocking Dr. Fraiser to the ground, being really *rude* to Carter...

But overall he seems to have a decent relationship with all of the members of SG-1. While his character is a polar opposite of O'Neill's, they do get along...sometimes. There's a great bonding moment in "Children of the Gods" (which I've heard was cut from the syndication version...gotta love the Fox Network's scene-cutting). O'Neill seems to look out for Daniel a lot (teaching Daniel about being in prison in "Prisoners," concerned about Daniel's welfare in "Holiday"), and in Second Season they actually have some touching moments together (can you say 'hugs' in "Need" and "The Serpent's Lair," in addition to that 'Space Monkey' thing). And then there's the awesome memorial scene in "Fire & Water." O'Neill also relies on Daniel's expertise, as witnessed in "The Fifth Race" where Jack comes to *Daniel* (not Carter, for a change) to find out what's wrong with him. Of course, they also come to bouts a lot over the military vs. culture debate, especially noticeable in "One False Step." It also pops up in "The Broca Divide," "There But For the Grace of God," "Prisoners."

Daniel almost has a brother-sister like relationship with Carter. Some great moments are a little bonding moment in "The First Commandment" when they discuss Sam's engagement, his attempts to comfort her in "Singularity," the moment he walked into the room when she was kissing Nareem in "Enigma," and the moment he reveals Graham's 'crush' in "Message in a Bottle."

His relationship with Teal'c is hard to figure out since they really don't interact that much. We do know that he wanted to hate Teal'c when Teal'c joined them for turning in Sha're to Apophis, but couldn't ("Cor-Ai"). They've played the game "The Jackal and the Hound" together ("Fire & Water"). And when Teal'c goes back to the warehouse to talk to Ally in "Bane," Daniel's the one who goes with him (although that might just be to give Michael Shanks more air time in that particular episode...). Teal'c also appears to be making jokes to Daniel, such as the deja vu one in "One False Step."

Episodes focusing on Daniel (and are, therefore, awesome episodes): Quite a few, actually. "The Torment of Tantalus," "Fire & Water," "There But For the Grace of God," "Need," "Secrets," and "Holiday." I'm also going to place "The Fifth Race," "Serpent's Song," and "One False Step" in this category because, while he's not the *main* character, he has some absolutely drop-dead wonderful scenes in each of them.

Pretty Good Daniel Episodes: "Children of the Gods," "Thor's Hammer," "The Nox," "Cor-Ai," "Enigma," "Solitudes," "Tin Man," "The Gamekeeper," "Thor's Chariot," "Message in a Bottle," "Spirits," "1969."

So-so Daniel Episodes: "Emancipation," "The Broca Divide," "The First Commandment," "Brief Candle," "Singularity," "Within the Serpent's Grasp," "The Serpent's Lair," "In the Line of Duty," "Prisoners," "Bane," "Tok'ra Part 1," "Tok'ra Part 2," "Touchstone," "Show & Tell," and "Out of Mind."

Don't bother--little or no Daniel: "The Enemy Within" (just doesn't show up much in this one), "Cold Lazarus" (once again, he's not here much), "Bloodlines" (absolutely *horrible* characterization--he acts ditzy almost the whole time), "Hathor" (horrible characterization, although this time there's a reason for it), "Family" (nope, not here much either, although those new blue outfits look pretty darn good....). "Into the Fire" (let's just say he's there because there's nowhere else for him to be). And of course, the ultimate "Avoid this episode like the plague because Daniel's only in it for one minute" award goes to "A Matter of Time."

"Let's Beat Up Daniel" Episodes: Ok, this'll be a really long list. The Movie (he dies, is taunted by military people, etc.) "Children of the Gods" (sees that his wife has turned into a Goa'uld, as has Skaara). "The Broca Divide" (O'Neill attacks him, the natives on the Dark Side attack him, he turns into a Neanderthal...). "Thor's Hammer" (O'Neill makes him decide who's life to save--Sha're's or Teal'c's--a *torturous* decision, mind you). "The Nox" (he dies...again). "The Torment of Tantalus" (has to decide between his intense love of knowledge and his life, is almost crushed by the collapsing temple, gets hugged by a very old, very naked man) "Fire & Water" (kidnapped, hit with a Goa'uld-like hand device, endures lots of pain from Nem's brain machine). "Hathor" (put under a nasty little spell which makes him do lots of things he never wanted to do). "Solitudes" (flung out of the Stargate at a really high speed, knocking him unconscious when he hits the ramp...has a really nasty looking cut on his forehead). "There But For the Grace of God" (shot by an alternate-reality Teal'c). "Within the Serpent's Grasp" (Clorell uses the ribbon device on him and he goes all woozy on the team from the pain...ouch). "The Serpent's Lair" (shot, again, uses the sarcophagus, again...). "In the Line of Duty" (Teal'c shoots him with a zat gun). "Prisoners" (Vishnor chokes him, almost to death). "The Gamekeeper" (gets to watch his parents die over and over and over again). "Need" (crushed by an avalanche, uses the sarcophagus *way* too many times, goes through all the symptoms of addiction). "Secrets" (watches Sha're turn back into a Goa'uld, knocked to his knees by Teal'c although this time it was intentional, almost had a ribbon device mess with his mind again). "Serpent's Song" (he's emotionally drained by a very intense scene with Apophis). "Holiday" (switches bodies with a dying man and almost dies in the process). "One False Step" (gets a nasty little headache, becomes cranky, has a couple spats with O'Neill). "Into the Fire" (is shot by a Goa'uld tower weapon, his leg is injured).

Episodes in which Daniel saves the day: "The Torment of Tantalus" (if he hadn't had the guts to tell Catherine, against orders, about the Stargate program, Ernest probably would never have been saved). "Fire & Water" (he does save his own life and is willing to stand up to Nem...if he hadn't done that, Nem probably would never have let him go). "Solitudes" (he's the one that realizes there's a second Stargate on Earth, thus saving O'Neill's and Carter's lives). "Enigma" (he's the one who gains the Tollan's trust and helps them contact the Nox). "There But For the Grace of God" (alright, so he pretty much saved the world as a result of this episode--if he hadn't experienced the alternate reality and was determined to get SG-1 to see he was telling the truth, they never would have ended up on the ship and blown it up, etc.). "The Serpent's Lair" (if he hadn't made it back to Earth and told SGC that there was the possibility that SG-1 was still alive, floating around Earth, the space shuttle wouldn't have been sent up and saved them). "Prisoners" (he's the one who comes up with an address for SG-1 to go through where they'd actually be found by another SG team). "Need" (despite his massive addiction and the amount of time it took him to do it, he was still able to convince Shyla to release SG-1 from the mines). "Thor's Chariot" (because he was willing to be honest with Thor, Thor was able to dispose of the Goa'uld and the Jaffa on Cimmeria), "Message in a Bottle" (he's the one who realizes that the alien...thing...is trying to communicate with them). "Spirits" (he's the one who convinces the Spirits to listen to them and give them the chance to prove themselves). "The Fifth Race" (he's the only one who believes Jack possesses the knowledge of the Ancients and convinces the others to let him do what he has to do). "One False Step" (sort of--he insists that the cause of the problem on the planet is due to the growing plants).