Recruit of the Week: Vanessa James

Each week GateWorld celebrates some of Stargate’s unsung heroes and lesser-known support personnel. Nominate your favorite below!

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A member of the Destiny crew, 2nd Lieutenant Vanessa James plays a key role within Colonel Everett Young’s fragile command structure on board the Ancient ship millions of light years from home. James often commands a unit of soldiers, suggesting she is the third in command (below Colonel Young and Lt. Matthew Scott) among the ship’s military contingent.

Like many of the reluctant members of Destiny‘s crew Vanessa experienced something of a personal crisis during her first months aboard. Her romantic relationship with Lt. Scott was abruptly cut off, leaving her on the outside looking in as he kindled a new relationship with Chloe Armstrong in the close confines of the ship. This left her understandably hurt and angry — so much so that, when infected with a parasite that brought out the crew’s darkest fears, she hallucinated killing Lieutenant Scott.

But Lt. James would continue to serve the crew as a rock of steady service to others, using her skills for planetary missions and to provide security for the beleaguered civilians on the ship.

DOSSIER:

Name: Vanessa James
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Assignment: Icarus Base / Destiny

Played By: Julia Benson (@Julia_Benson)
First Appearance: “Air, Part 1”
Last Appearance: “Gauntlet”

DID YOU KNOW?

Before she was cast as Lt. James on SGU actress Julia Benson (née Anderson) appeared on Stargate Atlantis. She played Willa, one of Lucius Lavin’s wives, in the third season episode “Irresistible.”

Though she was not a full-time series regular, Julia is credited in a whopping 36 of SGU‘s 40 episodes.

ON GATEWORLD:

Vanessa James (The Stargate Omnipedia)
Brawn and Beauty (Interview) (2011)
Julia Benson talks Lt. James, SGU Season Two (2010)
Fans Vote Vanessa James “Best Supporting Character”

Lt. Vanessa James / Julia Benson Appreciation Thread (GW Forum)

What is your favorite Lt. James moment? Post it below!

Who do you want to see featured in a future Recruit of the Week? Nominate a supporting character in the comments!