Cool News
Major Garland Briggs Has Entered The White Lodge: Don S. Davis 1942-2008
I am – Hercules
Don S. Davis, the busy character actor who played Major Garland Briggs on “Twin Peaks,” has passed away.
He was 65.
Davis' role on “Peaks” may have inspired producers to cast him as military men on other sci-fi shows, including Captain William Scully (Dana’s pop) on “The X-Files” and Major General George Hammond on “Stargate SG-1.” One of his final filmed appearances was for the direct-to-DVD movie “Stargate Continuum,” which hits shelves July 29.
Before turning to acting, he was a real-life U.S. Army officer.
His list of credits on IMDb is huge, and demonstrates his penchant for playing a wide array of authority figures, including judges, principals, correctional officers and doctors.
Read more about Don S. Davis here.
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That frakin sucks! I love SG-1 and Twin Peaks!!! Rest in peace General Hammond!
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To me he will always be Dana Scully's Navy-man father. Thanks for all the entertainment.
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Yes it's Scully's dad!
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SIGH ...and the 2008 Hollywood Death March suckage goes on. R.I.P., Gen. Hammond ... Godspeed to you, my friend.
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well i guess he won't be making it
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There is a fascinating expose of Mr. Davis on the TWIN PEAKS Season 1 box set. He seemed like a really intense but low-key and kind man. I know more people probably remember him from Stargate. But he will always be Major Garland Briggs to me.Farewell, Mr. Davis. R.I.P.
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can take his "authority" and shove it up his faggy asshole, rotting by now.
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"SG1 YOU HAVE A GO!!" RIP.
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wanted to sound like an unhinged asshole. he should've played the real life homer though.
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he always did a good job in everything. he was a doctor in something, I remember him having a surgical mask on, taking it off, and saying something...now I gotta look it up or it'll kill me!!
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I was bummed when he left Stargate, and was always glad whenever he turned up from time to time.
He was one of those character actors who may not have been a "star" but made everything he was in better.
The Iris is truly closed. -
Is some one who doesn't always dominate the scene, but leaves you with a feeling that you always enjoyed whatever it was he was doing.
The last actor who left me with these feelings was DeForest Kelley.
You will be missed old friend. -
that was it...I think...man I'm not sure now...
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but he was good at it. these 'B' actors always touch me more than the big name people when they go.
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Literally I mean. He did a lot of painting and sculpting. I think he was sort retiring from acting to do more of it actually. His speech to Bobby about his dream in Twin Peaks is one the coolest parts of the whole damn show. That's all I got.
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these obit articles?? Madness I say!!! A LITTLE respect people! Didnt see the so much but I always thought he was good on it. Rest in Peace
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on the Stargate website.I always thought he resembled Dana Elcar,never realized he doubled for him.
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in real life? i thought he was actually a former military man who swung it into acting it after retirement. i was just thinking the other day about how he's in EVERYTHING. the only thing as good as a big paycheck in acting is a steady one, and this guy was steady.
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Awwwww man....
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This isn't the first time we thought he was dead.
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renee auberjonois?! another sci-fi guy that plays the same type of guy/alien in everything...that would upset me.
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I mean of all the Hollywood legends dieing recently, Davis was little fish-but he mattered to me and a lot of people. I loved major Briggs, and the man brought a smile to my face everytime I saw him, in no matter what show...RIP sir
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reason 325235235 why I do not believe in god.
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Celebs are dropping like flies! I wouldn't mind so much if it was annoying douche celebrities, but General Frickin' Hammond?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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When he talk with his son about a vision a dream that he had about the future. It was something. That was a great moment. Isnt that life is all about? Great moments?
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Always added a little more to any scene he was involved with.
RIP -
great character actor. Too bad his last project will be a Dr Boll "movie"... Hopefully people will remember him from the good shows he played in instead.
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stargate slid down that slippery slope when hammond and o'neal left. RIP sir
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so one person asks if he played scully's dad while another asked if he was really in the military....dont you people read the article before posting? oh wait...nevermind, this is AICN.
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great actor, always got an "oh its him" from me whenever he was in anything. a great ammount of memorable roles.
i wish legends would stop dying. -
My friends and I used to always joke about him showing up to auditions and saying "I have my own Air Force uniform!"
He will be missed -
I'm not gonna go into how I loved this guy...I didn't really know him in anything (except Best in Show as someone pointed out). However, if I was in the entertainment business, I'd be crappin' my pants. These people are dropping like flies latley.
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totally didn't read the part about him being military- i just saw his picture and started reacting/typing.everybody dies. we just have to take these examples and remember how one person can touch alot of live without being a big deal, and how everything is interconnected.
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Seasons nine and ten were amazing!!! Hallowed are the Ori. I'm glad he's in Continuum though! I always loved it when he would be in the show after season seven. And the atlantis appearances are priceless!
And being one who said "first" I just signed up for ain't it cool today and I noticed that's what everyone did when they're the first to post witch I thought I was. I mean no disrespect to Mr. Davis! I think you people should chill the fuck out and just write about how awesome the man was! -
I can't know what he was like in real life, but every time you saw him on screen you just felt he must be a great guy if you met him.
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Crap, I thought he was 65 20 years ago when I was watching Twin Peaks. Too bad though. He was a great character actor.
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Seriously. I'm always sorry to hear about the death of someone I admire, but that was an evocatively referential statement.
Also, kudos to you guys who brought up Major Briggs' speech to Bobby - that scene has an honest emotional resonance to it that almost seems to eclipse its surroundings. -
He was "that guy."
I have tremendous respect for "that guys" and Don S. Davis is a great example. I'm sorry to say I never knew his name before hearing he'd died, but that's sort of the mark of a "that guy."
RIP -
Davis was one of those actors where you know his face, but not the name.
Seen him in a bunch of things, but, to me, he'll always be the doctor in LOOK WHO'S TALKING. He will be missed. -
this is sad news indeed, RIP
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People would say to me, life is short - kids, they grow up fast, before you know it, it's over. I never listened. To me life went at a proper pace, there were rewards until the moment that I knew, I understood, I would never see you again. My little girl. Then my life felt as if it had been the length of one breath, one heartbeat. I never knew how much I loved my daughter until could never tell her. At that moment I would have traded every medal, every commendation, every promotion for one more second with you. We'll be together again, Starbuck. But not now. Soon.
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Jesus, he was only 65 for cryin' out loud.
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He was Wild Bill in those recent CGI straight-to-video G.I. Joe movies. Needless to say, he was the only good thing about them. I know he always played military guys, but he was damn good at it.
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But I am not NickJBauer2009.Strange.
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...too bad Stargate was such utter shite.
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never knew this guy's name, but he was always one of those "Oh, its THAT guy" people.
RIP -
...Major Briggs was always one of my favorite Twin Peaks characters. A man of honor, he was.
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i really enjoyed his character on Twin Peaks and in SG
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He was wearing jeans and a stripy polo shirt. It was strange seeing him without some kind of uniform on.
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Always liked that guy
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... you owe it to yourself to check the extras disc of TWIN PEAKS Season 1 and look for his "postcard," the little "where are they now?" mini-interview that many of the actors did. His was by far the most unconventional, but in those ten minutes, we get a small but utterly moving and tender insight into this soft-spoken gentleman.
Would that it was on YouTube so I could show others. I dearly urge you all to check it out if you have Season 1. -
the composer of the Matrix films.
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*slaps Bobby across face*
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...but so is the scene where Bobby smokes at the dinner table and talks back to Major Briggs, so Major Briggs smacks Bobby in the face so hard that the cigarette gets lodged in his slice of meatloaf. That, my friends, is what I am talking about.May this bastion of gentle intensity rest in peace.
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You apparently complete me
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This really, really sucks. I haven't seen him in Twin Peaks or anything else, but the past two weeks I've been buying and watching every season of SG-1 in order. Don Davis IS General Hammond, and that character fucking rocks so much.
I just started Season 5...watching the rest won't be the same now.
Fuck. Stan Winston, George Carlin, now General George Hammond of the SGC.
Very sad it couldn't be Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Hannah Montana. -
Whose pumped for The Dark Knight?
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Like everyone else in this talkback, I have extremely fond memories of Don Davis's work. I especially enjoyed his character on "Twin Peaks." In that show he brings a nuanced, extremely skilled performance to what may at first appear to be a simple role, but one which reveals hints of so much more as the show goes on. One scene in particular really stands out for me. In it, the Major is having breakfast with his son, Bobby, and decides to share with him a dream that he had the previous night. At this point in the show Bobby is in a dark, dark place, and clearly feels that nobody understands him. Up until now his father has been an uptight cypher to him, the last person in the world whom he'd expect to say anything of the slightest relevance. Here's the scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= ISVZ3GrMJk8 (delete the space in the url). In my opinion it's one of the best father-son scenes ever, and it's less than three minutes long and on an episode of a network TV show. Amazing...
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Such as shame, and such a good actor. RIP Mr Davis.
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I just got off the couch where I'd JUST finished watching a few episodes of My Twin Peaks boxset with buddy. He just left my apartment a few minutes ago but we were commenting on the fact that Davis played Scully's Dad on X-Files... and mere minutes later I log on to see this sad news!? My thoughts to his family, friends and fans!
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gas prices through the roof and everyone dying...
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i was literally just talking about him, i watched hook like 2 days ago and he shows up as one of the lawyers in robin williams office at the beginning, which i found very odd, its funny cause theres this part where all the lawyers say something corny to williams in unison...expect davis, he stays silent. i found it rather amusing. ill miss this guy, my sympathys go out to his family.
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knowing him mostly from TP of course, I'd always yell "Garland!" I thought that character was such a great dad. Aww. This is sad. My condolences go out to his family.
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For those of you who saw the final ep of Red Dawrf, Death comes calling for Rimmer as the ship is falling apart. Rimmer asks Death if there is someone behind him, Death turns his head, and BLAMMO!!! Boot to the ball-sac and DEATH goes down. Maybe then Death will stop taking the most talented away from us!Don Davis was one of those actors that could make any episode of television better by just walking in. Many people have already mentioned his best known parts...Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Stargate SG-1. I was disappointed when Hammond left as well (no disrespect to Beau Bridges). Rest In Peace, General...You Will Be Missed.Iris Closed, Sir.
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Great man, great actor. He was welcome wherever he made an appearance, be it Stargate, Supernatural, The X-Files, The Dead Zone or what-have-you. In person, he was the sweetest, warmest human being anyone could ever hope to meet. RIP, sir. You will be missed.
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to use the Stargate reference. What a great Character Actor. Indeed..Rest In Peace sir.----m
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This will be sad news for Master Bra'tac! And for all us Stargate fans as well. Gods speed Mr. Davis!
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Abe Vigoda will outlive everyone!! All hail the great Abe Vigoda!!
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Sadly, the Go'aould sarcophagus won't fix this.
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thanks for being around in the first place Major Briggs.
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Though we gave up on Stargate SG-1 around the fifth or sixth season, Mr Davis' performances in the show really helped to anchor the thing in some sort of reality. His portrayal of a tough veteran who was catapulted into a realm completely outside of past experiences was multi-layed and always compelling. God speed.
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Jul 01, 2008 3:09:00 AM CDT
Guess he finally figured out the painting in the Owl Cave
by uncle_pooch
RIP Soldier
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Don S Davis was one of the best characters on Stargate and he was always great on whatever show he appeared in. Rest in peace Mr Davis!
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the owls are not what they seem.
possibly my favourite scene in the entire show. -
Report to Heaven at 0600 Hrs.
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He was one of the best things about SG-1, entirely believable as a principled, brave man with a quiet authority over, and great respect for, his subordinates. Everyone has to go sometime, but 65?
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...though he has had health problems for a few years now, in fact that's why he left Stargate, because the workload was too much for him. It's a shame too, he was such a natural actor, and he did have range, as those who have seen more than just how roles in Stargate, X-Files and Twin Peaks would know, he unfortunately just didn't often get the opportunity to stretch those acting muscles. But they were there all the same. Rest in peace sir.
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I hate when these quality actors are lost to us. I was just watching some episodes from the The West Wing last week and he was in it. He always elevated a show or film with his presence. Will be missed.
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So im repeating it, beautiful stuff:
"People would say to me, life is short - kids, they grow up fast, before you know it, it's over. I never listened. To me life went at a proper pace, there were rewards until the moment that I knew, I understood, I would never see you again. My little girl. Then my life felt as if it had been the length of one breath, one heartbeat. I never knew how much I loved my daughter until could never tell her. At that moment I would have traded every medal, every commendation, every promotion for one more second with you. We'll be together again, Starbuck. But not now. Soon." -
I had the privilege of eating lunch with Don a few years back at the Twin Peaks festival. He was, without a doubt, one of the nicest guys I have ever met from any walk of life. This is truly sad news.
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He was one of those guys who could make you like a character by using very small means.
Loved that WTF scene in Twin Peaks when he suddenly and inexplicably showed up on his own doorstep in the rain wearing a World War 1 fighter pilot outfit.
R.I.P. -
whilst this doesn't affect me as much as Stan or George's deaths, I'm still saddened by his passing. He was a great character actor. 65 is too young.
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Fuck sticks! I really liked this guy, RIP my man
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Thought he was great as the conscience in Stargate:SG1. Added a real air of authenticity to that show. Was also a dog show judge in Christopher Guests Best in Show.
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I always loved his work, especially as Gen. Hammond. He will be missed.
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Always enjoyed him on Stargate SG1 and other shows he was in. He will be missed.
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The guy seemed a little young to just pass away.
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This guy was one of the great character actors of the last 20 years. He wasn't quite as ubiquitous as somebody like J.T. Walsh, of whom I'm still mourning the loss, but I was always so happy to see Don Davis turn up in a movie or TV show.
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He looked every inch the crusty, old school baseball manager. He was also a part of my Friday nights on SG-1 for many years. You will be missed, sir. God Speed.
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RIP.
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"A vision, I had in my sleep last night. As distinguished from a dream, which is a mere sorting and cataloguing of the days events by the subconscious; a vision fresh and clear as a mountain stream, the mind revealing itself to itself. In my vision I was on the verandah of vast estate, a palazzo of some fantastic proportion. There seemed to emanate from it, a light from within this gleaming, radiant marble. I had known this place. I had, in fact, been born and raised there and this was my first return, a reunion with the deepest well-springs of my being. As I wondered about I noticed happily that the house has been immaculately maintained and there had been added to it a number of additional rooms, but in a way that blended so seamlessly with its original construction that one would not detect any difference. Returning to the house's grand foyer, there came a knock on the door. I opened it, and my son was standing there. He was happy and carefree, clearly living a life of deep harmony and joy. We embraced, a warm and loving embrace, nothing withheld. We we're, in this moment, one. My vision ended, and I awoke with an overwhelming feeling of optimism and confidence in you, and your future. That was my vision Bobby, it was you." R.I.P. Don. You'll be missed.
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The grammatical errors in that weren't mine... don't shoot the cut+paste guy...
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I always get a chuckle thinking of Garland coming out of his sedation/drugged scene on Twin Peaks.
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He will be missed
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He did a lot of fine work in a lot of fine shows. It freaks me out that he is was my dad's age. Rest in peace, Mr. Davis.
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He is one of my top ten vocal actors of all time. Right up there with John Huston and Orsen Welles, Don S. Davis' delivery of the most mundane lines could kill. Funny personal note: I happened to be reading Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian when Twin Peaks was on the air, and Major Briggs' imitable speaking style became, for me, the voice of The Judge. RIP
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He was a great character and of course, Hollywood lefties presenting a military man with heart and honor.
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Granted, he was actually in the military at one time, but he played generals better than anyone else out there. So young too. Too bad.
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He ruled in every role i ever watched him in and Stargate was never the same after he left - like Maltheus said, he was the mot believable character on the show, terrific character actor through & through.
Rest in Peace, Mr Davis... -
I've seen him in a lot of things.
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His talk with Bobby at the cafe, over pie, was one of the finest moments ever on television. I think Bobby and even the actor who played him was floored as well. Too bad we never got to see him turn into the man the Major envisioned.
Don Davis, sir, rest in peace. -
...that could out-Coop Dale Cooper. This show was and always will be my rite of passage TV series, and the Briggs stayed steadfast throughout the series, never betrayed by the asinine comedic elements that plagued the second season. Without his character, the saving resolution of the final act of this show would have been greatly diminished.
I joined the Air Force in 1991. It was because I wanted to be the kind of man that I saw the Briggs & Cooper characters to be. I have fallen short of that, but today's news gives me inspiration to remember where i came from, and what I need to do.
Thank you, Mr. Davis. -
Really nice guy and seemed to enjoy talking to the fans. I have an autographed pic of him.
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