Training Day, by Random (PG-13)

Rec Category: Teamy goodness

Pairing: none
Categories: team, gen, Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill, Samantha Carter, Teal'c, drama, angst, episode related
Warnings: violence, Daniel-whumping
Author on LJ: randomfreshink
Author's Website:
Link: currently offline

Why This Must Be Read: It's a brand new Random fic chock-full of teamy goodness and stellar characterization! Isn't that enough of a reason?

[In the interests of full disclosure, I should mention that I had the great pleasure of acting as Random's beta for this fic. Mind you, being Random's beta basically means getting to read really good stories before everyone else…]

In the wake of SG-1's rescue from Hathor in Into the Fire, civilians are required to undergo training under Makepeace's auspices. Sam and Teal'c are also invited to go along for some "team-building," and Jack, anxious about the inevitable clashes between Daniel and the Marines, manages to come along as "observer." He's sure that this is a really bad idea, but it can't be too disastrous… or can it?

There's Daniel's stubborn passive agressiveness against what he sees as utter stupidity, contrasted by Teal'c's frustration that "If there is to be no real danger, O'Neill, then what is the value in this?" We get Sam struggling to keep within the confines of military rank, even as she chafes at being forced to obey the orders of someone she knows is making a bad mistake. And Jack's running silent commentary says as much about him as it does about the events he witnesses…

And that's only the beginning, before the real drama begins. Oops – didn't anyone mention the natives on the "uninhabited" planet, not to mention the visitors through the Stargate?

By the end of this long, satisfying story, we've met a fascinating original character; we've witnessed Daniel in action as soldier, archeologist, diplomat, and peacemaker; we've seen Teal'c in grand First Prime mode as well as Teal'c among the Tauri; we've gotten Captain Carter at her absolute best; and we've been treated to Jack O'Neill as only Random can write him. Everyone shines in Training Day. Absolutely wonderful teamy goodness!

(There are two other civilians involved besides Daniel, by the way. Rothman is easy to spot, but identifying the third civilian made me splutter coffee all over my keyboard. Heh.)

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Song of the Traveler, by Babs (PG)

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: none
Categories: Daniel Jackson, gen, drama, angst, character study, Jack and Daniel friendship
Warnings: original character death
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Babs at Alpha Gate
Link: Song of the Traveler 

Why This Must Be Read: In Song of the Traveler, Babs does a lovely job of capturing Daniel's essence. Here we see not only his love of knowledge, but his incessant need to share that knowledge with others – and the anguish he feels when the past is ignored, or even deliberately forgotten.

SG-1 meets the Pulani, a band of natives that have abandoned the ways of their nomadic ancestors. Daniel becomes close to Yushai, an elderly woman who still speaks the old tongue and remembers the songs of her youth, when the Pulani were called the Upashani and travelled from place to place. Daniel is eager to record her songs, her memories, her language – but what happens when there's no one left to care?

Babs also gives us a nice look at Jack, watching Daniel's near-obsession with preserving culture – not understanding that need, but very much understanding how important it is to Daniel. And when the story reaches its unhappy (but, perhaps, inevitable) conclusion, Jack is there to stand as support for Daniel and help him persevere.

Song of the Traveler is a poignant character study of Daniel Jackson as I like him most: with his love of knowledge, his delight in history and heritage, and his passion for sharing that love and wonder with others.

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