Cameron Mitchell: Family and Relationships
Family
 Father and son |
 Mitchell's mother |
Cameron had a close relationship with his father (9.12 "Collateral Damage"). Though scared after first seeing his father after the test pilot accident, he smiled for his father and was embraced by his dad. Somehow, his father's attitude made him feel like everything was going to be okay. Mitchell's father was also his confidante after the F-16 incident that almost made Mitchell quit his commission. Mitchell keeps a picture of himself and his father in his locker at the SGC.
Cameron's mother was at his hospital bedside while he recuperated from injuries sustained during the Battle of Antarctica (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). She was very distraught at his condition.
Cameron has also described having a "bible thumping" grandma, an Uncle Marvin, and an Aunt Emma. (9.03 "Origin", 9.01 "Avalon Part 1", and 9.13 "Ripple Effect", respectively).
Romance
- Wondered when Carter was discussing alternate realities if, in some parallel universe, he got to second base with Amy Vandenberg (9.13 "Ripple Effect").
- Had a tryst with a flight attendant at some point in his past (9.14 "Stronghold").
- Mitchell shared a mutual attraction with the Galaran scientist Dr. Reya Varrick (9.12 "Collateral Damage"). His interest was first noticeable by his team right after he had been implanted with a memory from the Galaran Emissary. During this memory, the Emissary indicated an unreciprocated romantic interest in Varrick. It is unclear if this implanted memory had any influence on Mitchell's own attraction, but unlike with the Emissary, Reya returned his affections. Cameron walked her to her home after she became upset at an official reception. Once there, they shared drinks and kissed before Mitchell was knocked unconscious by some type of electrical charge. Reya was killed and Cameron framed for the murder, even to the point of having the murderer's memories of striking her down implanted in Mitchell's mind. Cameron was later cleared of the crime, and was able to have the false memory implants removed. He mourned her death and was pleased he still remembered her after his trauma with the Galar memory device.
- While speaking with Reya Varrick, Cameron expressed an understanding when she explained she had been married, but the job got in the way (9.12 "Collateral Damage"). It is unclear whether Mitchell was referring to his own personal experience, or just knowledge from seeing similar events happen to family or colleagues.
Superior Officers
- General Hank Landry: Landry was very belligerent to Cameron when Mitchell first reported for duty, looking for Cameron's "kryptonite". He seemed to find Mitchell's service record too good to be true. Even as he berated Mitchell, Landry had already confessed his strategy: "I like yelling at people, no one gives me the damned chance." Mitchell has become comfortable enough in Landry's presence to express his straight-forward analysis complete with informal quips. However, he immediately recognizes when he has gone too far, such as when he realized Landry overheard him when he told Daniel: "He has no idea what you just said" or when he seemed to include Landry's query with his own "stupid" question. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2" and 9.13 "Ripple Effect", respectively). Mitchell makes sure to observe military protocol in Landry's presence, immediately standing and/or coming to attention when the General first appears, and making sure his uniform is immaculate. He certainly seems to respect the commander of the SGC. Landry in return, has shown respect and concern for Mitchell. He sympathized with Mitchell's wish to remain with Daniel and Vala before insisting he needed Mitchell's judgment to observe the missionary for this new Origin religion (9.03 "Origin"). When Teal'c was captured by Ba'al, Landry told Mitchell he did not have to return to duty, and helped Mitchell gain access to the Galaran memory device on Earth (9.14 "Stronghold").
- General Jack O'Neill: General O'Neill visited Mitchell when he was recuperating from injuries sustained during the Battle of Antarctica. O'Neill expressed gratitude for Mitchell's efforts and offered him any posting he wanted. When Mitchell requested to join SG-1, O'Neill let him, however, he neglected to inform Mitchell that all of the members of SG-1 had moved on to other projects. His next surprise for Mitchell was much more pleasant. He set up a flight with Mitchell in an F-302, partly to get Mitchell "back in the saddle" flying the craft he crashed in, and partly to further gauge Mitchell's character. O'Neill appeared to approve of what he saw, since he seemed to echo the sentiment he claimed Landry told him: "you're going to be fine, Mitchell." (9.01 "Avalon Part 1" and 9.03 "Origin").
- Colonel Lionel Pendergast: Served with the commander of the Prometheus at one time, presumably during his stint as commander of a squadron of F-302s. It was from Pendergast that Cameron's call sign of "Shaft" was revealed (9.06 "Beachhead"). Pendergast and Mitchell had a cordial relationship, with Pendergast even referring to him by his nickname "Cam" (9.06 "Beachhead", 9.07 "Ex Deus Machina"). After Pendergast was killed in the destruction of the Prometheus, Mitchell made a point to go in person and extend his condolences to Pendergast's wife and children (9.15 "Ethon").
Daniel Jackson
Daniel Jackson visited Mitchell while he recuperated from injuries sustained during the Battle of Antarctica. At this time Daniel expressed his heartfelt gratitude for Mitchell's efforts in saving his life, and consequently helping their mission to save the planet succeed (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). Daniel once again shared that sentiment when reintroduced to Mitchell upon the Colonel's transfer to the SGC. He offered Mitchell the use of his apartment, since at the time, Daniel planned on leaving Earth for the Atlantis expedition.
Mitchell, in return, had an almost hero-worship of Daniel Jackson and his team. He used flattery, a sense of obligation, distraction, and genuine affection to entice Jackson back to the team. When Vala and Daniel were in comas from the Ancient Communication Device, Mitchell sat vigil as long as his duties allowed, and worked to try and save his new friend from the device (9.02 "Avalon Part 2" and 9.03 "Origin"). Once Daniel had recovered, Mitchell continued to harangue him to join the team. He was present when Dr. Jackson succumbed to the unforseen after-effect of the kor mak bracelet, and Mitchell was able to call for help (9.04 "The Ties That Bind"). Either from this hero worship, or the familiarity that has formed between them, Mitchell not only knows how Daniel takes his coffee, but what his favorite blend is (9.13 "Ripple Effect").
Even before Daniel officially rejoined SG-1, he worked with Mitchell on a few missions. Apparently, Jackson finally acquiesced to Mitchell's repeated requests, because the Colonel neither hesitated nor asked when he slapped the new SG-1 patch to Jackson's uniform (9.07 "Ex Deus Machina"). He refers to Daniel respectfully by his title to others, but to Daniel himself, Mitchell uses his last name only, calling him "Jackson", in the same way he referred to his wingman Redmond and his co-pilot Banks (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). To Mitchell, it seems, this is a comfortable appellation for a comrade in arms. He has also called Daniel his "wingman" (9.06 "Beachhead").
Jackson and Mitchell appear to have developed a comfortable working relationship. They trade quips with each other in an easy banter and work as equals on missions (9.04 "The Ties That Bind", 9.11 "Fourth Horseman Part 2", 9.13 "Ripple Effect", 9.17 "The Scourge", 9.20 "Camelot"). Mitchell has become comfortable enough to discuss alternatives with Jackson and sometimes even argue (9.16 "Off the Grid", 9.17 "The Scourge"). They also play basketball together, which indicates they enjoy spending some free time with each other (9.06 "Beachhead", 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1"). When Cameron was feeling depressed after the loss of Prometheus and his friend Col. Pendergast, he approached Daniel in his office where they shared a beer (Mitchell was obviously off-duty at the time based on his apparel) (9.15 "Ethon").
However, this does not prevent Daniel from jumping in when the newest member of SG-1 makes rookie mistakes (9.09 "Prototype). He has also expressed his doubts at times for some of Mitchell's decisions. Jackson was on full alert when they returned to the planet where Mitchell was captured, while Cameron was relaxed and unworried. Daniel's caution appeared more appropriate since they were ambushed (9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1"). Later, when Daniel was exposed to the same dimension shift as Cameron Mitchell and Samantha Carter, he shared Sam's annoyance that Mitchell went offworld in this condition (9.18 "Arthur's Mantle").
Jackson respects Mitchell's sense of justice, similar to Daniel's own, and also recognized Cameron's tenacity. He expressed this when speaking to the Emissary of Galar: "Now, I've only worked with the guy a short time, but I'm pretty sure he's not going to let this one go." (9.12 "Collateral Damage"). Like Col. Carter's report of the incident on Galar, Dr. Jackson was apparently quite heated in his description of what happened on the planet and what was done to his teammate.
Samantha Carter
Although he refers to Dr. Jackson as "Jackson", in the familiar "buddy" way he does other colleagues, Cameron Mitchell is on a first name basis with Lt. Col. Samantha Carter. She calls him "Cam", and he calls her "Sam" (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). Whether this is from an earlier acquaintance or another reason is unclear. She appeared genuinely happy at his transfer to her old position as leader of SG-1, and they planned to have breakfast together when she was "Earthside" again.
Samantha was part of the delegation who proudly presented Mitchell with his Medal of Honor while he was still in his hospital bed (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). She also knows some of his background, such as his father being a test pilot (9.12 "Collateral Damage"). However, she was unaware of his tragic mission with his F-16.
Samantha and Cameron work well as teammates on SG-1, both following military protocol, and in knowing when to let the other's expertise dictate the course of action (see for example 9.09 "Prototype"). Cameron also enjoys teasing Samantha on her brain power, and acknowledges he does not understand most of what she explains (9.09 "Prototype", 9.11 "Fourth Horseman Part 1", and 9.13 "Ripple Effect"). Mitchell, however, is smart in his own right, and has a keen awareness of what has happened, and what SG-1 has accomplished through reading the past mission reports. Though Cam may not follow Samantha's hows and whys, he does follow the what, and, like with Daniel Jackson, will cut to the bottom line with their explanations, such as when he flipped through her dense report on the anti-Prior device's ability to transmit a frequency blocking use of their powers by calling it an "anti-Prior gun" (9.10 "Fourth Horseman Part 1").
Like the other veterans of SG-1, Sam shows her concern at some of Mitchell's impetuous decisions. She and Daniel both expressed their doubts at Cameron's suggestion that he pretend to be a buyer for the addictive kassa crops (9.16 "Off The Grid"). She was visibly upset when Cameron informed her he was going after Teal'c while they were out of phase, but knew she would be unable to counter his stubbornness (9.18 "Arthur's Mantle").
When Mitchell was reliving traumatic memories of his past to absolve himself of a murder, Carter stood by his side while Jackson and Teal'c worked on other aspects of the investigation to clear their teammate (9.12 "Collateral Damage). Ostensibly she was monitoring the Galarans' equipment, but she spent most of her time by Mitchell's side, just trying to be supportive. Like Daniel, she expressed her anger at the Galarans after Mitchell's experience quite vividly in her post-mission report. She also took time to comfort Mitchell when she brought him the Galaran memory device he requested (9.14 "Stronghold"). She empathized with his telling his dying friend about the program by pointing out she had told two people close to her about it and asked him if knowing the truth would bring Ferguson comfort.
Teal'c
Teal'c has an interesting relationship with Colonel Mitchell. Despite Mitchell's enthusiasm and ill-hid attempts to entice Teal'c back to SG-1, Teal'c remained unmoved. He did promise to forward names of possible candidates to SG-1 when Mitchell first approached him about rejoining (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). He immediately came when Mitchell indicated Dr. Jackson's life was in danger, and decided to remain with Daniel and Cameron when the scientist recovered. However, he squelched any of Mitchell's enthusiasm that he would return to the team. Teal'c again repeated this sentiment when they were on yet another mission with Daniel and Vala, stating that he was only there to help Daniel Jackson (9.04 "The Ties That Bind"). However, when he departed after that mission, Mitchell expressed his confidence that Teal'c would be back.
Teal'c has also taken advantage of Mitchell's enthusiasm for adventure. When trapped in a stone chamber, Teal'c fired his weapon against the stone slab blocking the door (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). Although it may have just been to test the door, his enigmatic smile at Mitchell's frantic reaction indicates Teal'c may have also engaged in a bit of hazing for the newest member of SG-1. Teal'c responded to Mitchell's flippant demeanor in the face of danger at one point by mentioning Mitchell at times reminded him of O'Neill (9.04 "The Ties That Bind"). Cameron took that as a compliment. Based upon Teal'c's response to Mitchell's reaction, he did not necessarily mean it as such.
If an alternate Teal'c's reaction to Mitchell is any indication, at times Mitchell's demeanor annoys the Jaffa (9.13 "Ripple Effect). The alternate Teal'c seemed to take undue pleasure in physically beating up the Mitchell of this reality...a move that disquieted the alternate Mitchell of his own team. In this reality, Teal'c expressed concern as to Mitchell's welfare when Cameron offered to be the bait to draw a zombified Volnek into a trap (9.18 "Arthur's Mantle"). Mitchell responded that although he could be seen by the Sodan cloaks, matter could not pass through him. Teal'c took Mitchell up on his offer to "hit with his best shot" and attempted to strike Mitchell with a serious blow to the head. Mitchell was a bit surprised at the lack of hesitation. Mitchell offered to help Teal'c find an offbase apartment, and when Mitchell did not take the hint that it was not necessary, Teal'c felt obligated to stress the point (9.17 "The Scourge").
Despite this occasional testing, Teal'c has tolerated Mitchell's quips and is even beginning to trust him. He appeared shocked when Cameron first suggested they help Vala while Daniel was still in his sickbed (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). However, this did not prevent Teal'c from also deciding to join the mission to Avalon and attempting to help Mitchell defeat the knight (9.02 "Avalon Part 2"). He sat at Mitchell's side while they held vigil over the ill Daniel and Vala, and worked together to destroy the communication device before it killed the pair (9.03 "Origin"). They worked well together to save Daniel and Vala (9.03 "Origin"). He acquiesced to Mitchell's lead while they were conning some aliens in a plan to reverse the effect of the kor mak bracelets on Daniel and Vala (9.04 "The Ties That Bind").
He eventually accepted Mitchell's invitation to rejoin SG-1 (9.07 "Ex Deus Machina"). He was very aggressive in interrogating Volnek on the whereabouts of Mitchell (9.08 "Babylon"). When noting approaching Jaffa on Ba'al's ha'tak, he immediately called to Mitchell for backup (9.16 "Off the Grid"). He was Mitchell's F-302 copilot during the events over Tegalus (9.15 "Ethon"). Although not hesitating to strike at Mitchell when realizing he was out of phase, Teal'c was quick to act when he realized his teammate was in very real danger from the zombified warrior Volnek and risked his own life to save Mitchell (9.18 "Arthur's Mantle").
Although annoyed by Mitchell's breach of protocol in addressing the Jaffa Council, the duo operated smoothly when uncovering both the intelligence on Ba'al and Gerak's deception (9.07 "Ex Deus Machina"). Teal'c looked for Mitchell among his friends when he first announced the referendum for Jaffa democracy was going to happen, and appeared genuinely remorseful at Mitchell's friend's death, making a point to reach out to Cameron (9.14 "Stronghold"). After Mitchell saved his life and that of Bra'tac's in Ba'al's mothership, Teal'c acknowledged he was in Cameron's debt (9.14 "Stronghold"). Cameron denied the gesture, saying he was just doing his job to watch his teammate's back, with Teal'c only giving a knowing nod in response. Mitchell had returned from leave and left his dying friend's bedside to be part of the mission. Teal'c recognized the lie as much as Cameron had when Fergie had said it to him.
Mitchell, on the other hand, has shown the same enthusiasm and interest in Teal'c as he did the other members of SG-1. He has declared Teal'c a genius a few different times and trusts his knowledge and wide experience (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). Despite this obvious admiration, Mitchell has never appeared intimidated by Teal'c, questioning some of his sources and not abashed at impersonating Teal'c within the Jaffa's hearing (9.08 "Babylon").
Biography Articles
- Cameron Mitchell Biography Home and Links
- Early Life and Military Career
- Personality and Motivations
- Family and Relationships
- Injuries Received
- Favorites and Expressions
- Key Episodes in Cameron's Character Arc
--Aurora 16:34, 29 January 2006 (PST)