My Omni Interview

Natasha Sydor over at OMNI interviewed me.  This was a really fun interview.  Check it out.

A Romantic Ghost

Those ghost chasing reality shows are still quite popular.  If they last and are still the rage until the Enterprise D's launch and space faring era, maybe Dr. Crusher could be a consultant for them in both the romantic arena and the paranormal.

In the seventh season episode, Sub Rosa, Crusher (Gates McFadden) gets quite the ghostly encounter. Writer Jeri Taylor, a producer on TNG, and writer for the tale calls it a 'romance novel in space.'  It certainly qualifies as such, but it also ranks as the most direct parallel to a ghost story ever to appear in Star Trek.  Dr. Crusher gives the eulogy at her grandmother's funeral, only to later be obsessed with quitting Starfleet and taking up residence in her Nana's house.  Is this the end of Dr. Crusher's tenure on Captain Picard's starship?

Captain Picard must approve his Chief Medical Officer's resignation, but he still worries for her, and for good reason. A mystery man known as Ronin, who romanced Crusher's Nana, has now set his romantic sights on Dr. Crusher. Turns out Ronin is a creature composed of 'anaphasic energy' - yet another parasitic lifeform who feeds on humans; here, by possessing a person's body and using them as a host and feeding vessel. In the end, Crusher is forced to destroy the charismatic creature, but realizes its romantic embrace brought great happiness to much of her family - including herself.

A Bionic Voyager Connection

After the role of Captain Janeway was given to actress Genevieve Bujold, it would only be 2 days before the actress quit - deciding that the schedule demands of a weekly TV show was something she didn't want to pursue.  Before she was cast, however, actresses like Erin Grey from Buck Rogers In The 25th Century were considered.  Also Lindsay Wagner - most famous for her turn as Jamie Sommers, the bionic powered tennis pro/teacher - almost sat in the Captain's chair on the bridge of Starship Voyager.

Troi - The Goddess Of Empathy

I am The Goddess of Empathy.  Cast off your inhibitions and embrace love, truth, joy.   Empathy Goddess Troi

Lt. Barclay programmed the Enterprise holodeck to create a version of Counselor Troi, which was shall we say, heavenly.  The Greek idealized counselor wouldn't only preach to anyone ill advised to listen to preachy sermons on being one with your emotions, but would carry on romantically with Master Barclay of the holodeck.

Barclay, played by Dwight Schultz, would have to finally admit the extent of his holodeck addiction.  In coming clean, he would gain more strength and control of his real life, by setting aside his fantasy life of playing in his holographic dream world.  While it lasted though, for Barclay anyway, it was one hell of a good time.

Those Uniforms

Starfleet defines elegance, simplicity and effectiveness.  It prowls the galaxy in enormous warp powered Starships which boast a clean, economical look combined with spectacular performance.  After all, the crew of the Enterprise may work hard, but they are known to play even harder.  Of course, all that work and play demands the best possible uniform.

With the dawning of The Next Generation on syndicated TV in 1987, we saw the return of Starfleeet's finest strutting around in one piece uniforms. Yeah, sure, they looked great, but the form fitting numbers weren't exactly forgiving for those Enterprise foodies who over indulged at the replicator.  That fat fashion faux pas plus no pockets - yup, pockets will be obsolete in a few hundred years, you'll see - made for actors who weren't very fond of their costumes.  By third season, we got a two piece, snazzy version of the uniforms, and Patrick Stewart's legendary 'Picard Maneuver' shirt straightening ritual was born.

Power Couple - Khan and Borg Queen

Khan led his band of genetically enhanced humans in his thirst for power and conquest.  The Borg Queen led her tech enhanced collective for conquest and perfection.  What a power couple they'd make! 

But with gigantic egos like that, could this Trek power couple ever last?

Battle Bridge - Mood Lighting

Starships have lots of places to go to for a little privacy.  You can take your honey to the holodeck.  Bring your man to the sonic showers. Maybe even sneak a little play in a cargo hold.  When all those places get boring, how about the Battle Bridge?

It may be off limits for most occasions, but you can't beat the mood lighting.  Set phasers on fun!