Fangasmic

If you answered, "Because the only Daniel Jackson you will ever accept into your heart is played by James Spader," then, all right, fair enough, that's probably true to some (read: major) extent.

Beyond that, though, does anybody else ever get this weird vibe that Michael Shanks just thinks he's too good for us?:

"I literally just yesterday finished a guest spot on Supernatural. I had a relatively minor role in it, working with Jared (Padalecki) and Jensen (Ackles), and a few other actors, fighting some demons and throwing down with the boys. I think that will be out in a couple months. The episode is called, I think, '99 Problems'. I'm not featured quite prominently in it, but it was a lot of fun to play in that universe. It fit into my schedule quite handily. That's why I did it." — Michael Shanks, from this interview in February

It fit into his schedule? That's why he did it? I know a lot of people who'd punch a lot of babies in the face to throw down with J2 on set. I mean, if I got to hit people on set with Supernatural, first, I would have to fashion some sort of adult diaper situation that would fit attractively underneath whatever they would dress me in, since I'm pretty sure there'd be a lot of shitting myself in glee happening, and secondly, I would CANCEL MY EVERYTHING to do it.

Still, I get it. Shanks is a professional actor, and lots of actors pick up gigs because they slot neatly in between other commitments. From someone else, or depending on tone, probably this wouldn't rub us the wrong way at all. But. It's Shanks.

Longtime dabblers in the Stargate television universes probably remember when Michael "Fuck This Noise" Shanks decided to peace out of the series in the fifth season -- not because he wanted to pursue a film career or anything specific, but "more a case of having embarked on a course of action so that I can explore the possibilities that are out there." That's Actor for "leaving to spend more time with my family," which is Normal Person for, "I'm either being fired, or I'm abandoning ship."

It's always been baffling to watch Shanks, who was lucky enough to portray probably one of the most well-loved and iconic science fiction protagonists of the last two decades, subtly deride the experience. Stargate SG-1, which ultimately took its toys and went home after an incredible 214 episodes spread out across two networks, had its flaws, sure, but it also had some of the most passionate and dedicated fans a series could hope to have. Given the number of people trying just to get started in the business, the number of shows that get scrapped or never even get greenlit, the number of small potatoes careers or thankless acting jobs out there, one would think Shanks could see beyond the trees of film fame aspiration and appreciate that genre shows -- that's shows you and I like, guys, stuff like Supernatural and Smallville or hell, Eureka, all shows he's been or going to be on, incidentally -- have given him an incredible ride.

Maybe it's just residual bitterness about Jackson's ascension talking, but come the fuck on, Michael Shanks. Why can't you be more like Amanda Tapping?