The Best of Don S. Davis

Sunday’s passing of actor Don S. Davis came as a shock to his family and friends, and also to those of us in the Stargate world who consider ourselves something of an “extended family,” and to the entire Vancouver film community. Many of us met him at conventions, or on the set of one of his many projects. A few of us even had the privilege of getting to know him personally.

But all of us, all Stargate fans, came to know Don Davis as Major General George Hammond, the leader and father figure to SG-1 and Stargate Command. While the SG-1 team got all the storylines and fan attention, Don reported for duty each day to put in a steady and vital performance as the General — the man who sent good people on dangerous missions, always wishing that he himself did not have to stay behind.

In celebration of the life and work of Don S. Davis, we present our favorite General Hammond moments from more than a decade of Stargate history:

#12 – PRISONERS
SG-1 Season Two, Episode 3
When SG-1 is banished to a prison planet by an alien race, Hammond himself travels to the judgment planet to plea the case of his people and try to bring them home.

#11 – POINT OF VIEW
SG-1 Season Three, Episode 6
After Carter and Kawalsky arrive from an alternate reality, General Hammond sends the team through the quantum mirror to save another Earth from the Goa’uld. There they find Hammond himself, tortured by Apophis — but revived by the Asgard. Sam gives him a hug and a kiss upon his miraculous return.

#10 – PROMETHEUS UNBOUND
SG-1 Season Eight, Episode 12
Commanding the Prometheus on a trip to Atlantis, Hammond and his crew find themselves stuck on a crippled Goa’uld ship when the Earth cruiser is hijacked. The General transports to a cargo ship with almost no life support, risking his life to retrieve the control crystals they need to get home.