The Return of Lindsay Ballard to the Starship Voyager

Ensign Lyndsay Ballard (Kim Rhodes) died on an away mission, but that doesn't stop her from returning to her home - the Federation Starship Voyager - commanded by Captain Kathryn Janeway, played by Kate Mulgrew, who also plays Russian prison cook Red on, Orange Is The New Black.

Ballard is back, but she's not the same woman.  She has been resurrected from the dead and both surgically and genetically transformed into a new species by the Kobali - an alien race who scavenges corpses and gives them new life.  Harry Kim tries to kindle something of a romance with the new Ensign Ballard, but the pull of her new race is too strong for them both.  This is one of the most poignant tales of doomed romance on any of the Trek shows.  It's all the more compelling because of the excellent performances of actors Garrett Wang as Harry Kim and Kim Rhodes as Ballard.

Quark's Walk on the Wild Side - Bruce Jenner Would Be Proud

Bruce Jenner captured the world's attention with his highly personal revelation about wanting to become a woman.  Who could have thought that in the colorful Kardashian clan, Jenner would end up standing out more than the others?  Gender reassignment is a highly complex and emotional issue, but as Jenner's comprehensive interview with Diane Sawyer clearly showed us, there's always room for humor.  Yes, comedy is always an effective healing force.

On Deep Space Nine, the mirthful laughter came many times from Quark (Armin Shimmerman) the Ferengi barkeep.  His many run ins with Constable Odo are legendary, and chuckle filled, but then there was the time Quark dressed up....

See for yourself.

Quark wasn't interested in becoming the fair sex permanently, but he did cut an interesting figure as a woman.  Sexy?  Maybe not, but he was certainly alluring - well, for a Ferengi anyway!

Memorial Day

We wish everyone a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

-- The Star Trek Sex Staff

Immortality's Highly Emotional Price

What price immortality?  How about chronic sorrow and loss?  When Kirk's Enterprise comes upon a planet with an odd duo, the Starfleet crew encounters a man who lives forever and one who was never alive at all.

Captain Kirk is captivated by a sexy, young woman - one Rayna Kapec.  Rayna, played by actress Louise Sorel, appears as the worldly man's perfect companion or even his ideal mate.  She's lovely, impressively well read and eternally charming.  She is all these things and can be many more, because she's artificial.  As an android, Rayna can be programmed with many attractive attributes, but the most elusive condition and fragile quality - that of human emotional interaction - eludes her.  Ultimately, it's the female construct's undoing, and a heartbreaking loss for both Flint and James T. Kirk.

Seductive Electric Sex

One of my favorite movie lines of all time is from director Bob Clark's holiday classic, A Christmas Story.  Talking about his father's 'major award', Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) as narrator comments, "Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of Electric Sex gleaming in the window."

In the original series episode, I, Mudd, slimy conman Harry Mudd makes a return and he's once again surrounded by more than a few hot beauties.  This time, however, the sexual allure isn't from drug enhanced super babes, but more like erotically charged refugees from Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.  Mudd's now mixed himself up with highly advanced artificial intelligence - electric sex in the seductive form of super powerful androids.  Care to get acquainted with them? 

Kira And Her Slinky Mirror Counterpart

Star Trek loves to play around with the alternate universe or mirror universe theory - that there may be other universes and realities much like our own, albeit with certain differences.  Although not officially proven by our science at this relatively rudimentary developmental stage, science fiction like Trek or the TV series, Sliders, uses the concept often and to great dramatic ends.

In Deep Space Nine, the Bajoran Officer Major Kira Nerys has her own mirror counterpart, who, shall we say, is complicated.  She calls herself the Indendant, and all who cross her path and challenge her definitely come to know just how seriously she takes her intentions.

Star Brothers - A Sci-Fi Family Grows

With the coming of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a new book rouses from sleep as well.

With dozens of essays on a host of topics, Star Wars Essays covers everything from Yoda's pixels to C3PO's worthiness as a droid.  Available on Kindle at Amazon today.

X-Men Meet Starfleet's Finest

Actress Famke Jannsen may be best known as the telepathically talented Jean Grey in the X-Men movies, but before romping around trying to take down Magneto (Ian McKellan), she boarded Captain Jean-Luc Picard's Starship Enterprise on the syndicated show, Star Trek: The Next Generation, in the episode, The Perfect Mate.

She played Kamala from Krios Prime, a mysteriously gorgeous alien, who like an intergalactic Geisha girl knew just how to please any man in virtually any way.  In both roles, the luminous Jannsen co-starred with British actor Patrick Stewart who played both TNG's Picard and Professor Xavier, leader and mentor of Marvel's Amazing X-Men.

More Essays On The Final Frontier

Star Trek Essays - Volume Two - now available in Kindle format on Amazon.

Delving into Trek Tech, sexuality, actor background and much more, this is my second volume of collected trek goodness.  It's now available on Amazon

Orange Is The New Black And Also 'Red'

Orange Is The New Black is the hot show everyone's buzzing about on Netflix.  Chronicling the desperate lives of inmates in a women's prison, the show rides a thrilling roller coaster of intense emotions and wild themes.  Sexuality, of all kinds and stripes, also plays a big part in the narrative equation.  There are so many fun characters, one would be hard pressed to pick a favorite.  But one of the inmates holds a highly respected sci-fi connection.  One familiar face stands out from the pack of gals - one Kate Mulgrew, best known to loyal Star Trek:Voyager fans as Captain Kathryn Janeway.

Now, Mulgrew plays 'Red' - a tough talking, no nonsense Russian named Galina Reznikov, who cooks up the grub for her fellow prison pals.  It appears that Janeway has morphed into Neelix - who'd have guessed it?

The Regulation Stands - But Not On Risa

"You gonna throw me in the brig?" asks the first officer of Starship Equinox to B'Elanna Torres in the Star Trek: Voyager episode of the same name.  In Max's case, he was up to no good, so the question had merit.  During other situations, it's a seemingly innocent query full of a myriad of legal and moral possibilities.  Indeed, a starship like Voyager, according to Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) must run on regulations and protocols.  However, on the pleasure planet of Risa, those nagging, old school laws and parameters fall neatly away.

Like the Fantasy Island of the cosmos, Risa enabled stressed out Starfleet professionals to officially and efficiently take a load off.  Recreation came in many forms - most especially of the sexual kind. One of the trademark visuals - and helpful items - of a stay on Risa is the ritualistic displaying of the Horga'hn or fertility idol.  It may not look like much, or even downright silly, but it's said that once displayed, the holder nearly always gets romantic action.  Of exactly what type and amount, well, that's strictly personal.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to all creatures great and small - and to all those living in the future especially!

Star Trek Sex celebrates the holidays.  All the best to you and yours!

Deep Space Nine - Space Station of Sexuality

Deep Space Nine (Terok Nor) may have been created by the Cardassians - those bad boys and girls first showcased in Star Trek: The Next Generation - but when the Bajorans took over, the space station went from gloomy to welcoming and even sensuous.  From the many vendors on the promenade to Quark's - where you could play Dabo and flirt with those gorgeous and playful Dabo girls - DS9 was the place to be for those who wanted more than mundane recreational play with their space faring adventures.

Sexy Spotlight - Marta The Orion - Yvonne Craig

Orions are green - but burn red hot with allure.  Take the sexy Orion Marta, played by actress Yvonne Craig.  In the episode, Whom Gods Destroy, Marta is the less than balanced girlfriend of the shape shifting former Starfleet luminary - Garth of Izar.  Garth is now more of a raving madman who seeks to escape his mental institution imprisonment. 

Yvonne Craig - aside from this memorable Trek outing - is perhaps best known in the sci-fi, fantasy and comic book world as none other than Batgirl on TV.  Along with Adam West and Burt Ward, Craig fought the Joker, the Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman and many more freaky folk on the wildly popular 1960's TV show.  The Blu-Ray set of the beloved show is on its way to stores, so fans will ultimately see Craig as Commissioner Gordon's crime fighting daughter in full 1080p glory.

Star Trek Essays Volume Two - Now Available on Kindle

Star Trek Essays - Volume Two - now available in Kindle format on Amazon

Delving into Trek Tech, sexuality, actor background and much more, my second volume of collected trek goodness is now available on Amazon

Sexy Sulu - George Takei on Howard Stern

Mr. Sulu (George Takei) always steered a confident course on Starship Enterprise under his commanding officer, Captain Kirk - William Shatner.  These days, the now legendary Takei can be heard on Sirius XM radio as the official spokesman and voice over guy on The Howard Stern Show.  Set phasers on stunning fun - Oh My!

A life as interesting as the one Takei has led demands documenting.  To Be Takei is a documentary - 3 years in the making - on George Takei's life.  For anyone who loves Star Trek - or has followed this extraordinary actor's life - it's a must see event.

On his most recent appearance talking to Howard and the gang, Takei related how he was the last to sign on for the feature film Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.  Why did he take so long?  It had to do with the director - none other than Bill Shatner himself.  George also revealed that Shatner loved to tease his co-star by calling him Georgie - a nickname that Takei loathes.  When talk turned to how he and his partner, Brad, enjoy their nude wrestling on Sunday afternoons, Howard definitely waded into Star Trek Sex territory.

Star Trek Sex - Available On Amazon

Star Trek Sex - On Amazon.

Star Trek Sex Focus - Klingon Passion, Sex & Foreplay

Klingons and sex?  Too mature?  No combat?  The sons and daughters of Kahless are not just honorable warriors, they're also passionate lovers - well, after a fashion anyway.  Throughout Star Trek's long history, the bad boys and glorious gals of the galaxy are portrayed as the most violent and merciless - but also one of the most intriguing when it comes to sexual activity and procreation.  From Kang battling Captain Kirk to Worf on Picard's Enterprise and then Deep Space Nine, to the inner turmoil and personality conflict of B'Elanna Torres of Starship Voyager lost in the Delta Quadrant, the love life of Klingons has never been dull.

One of the most intensely emotional examples of Klingon lovemaking and courting was Worf and K'ehleyr.  Indeed, theirs was a doomed love affair, however a son - Alexander (Brian Bonsall) - came out of their tumultuous union.

In Star Trek: Generations, the El Aurian scientist, Soran (Malcolm McDowall) hits his Klingon partner in crime, B'Etor, in the face with a palm strike.  Without missing a beat, she shoots back to him, "I hope for your sake that you are initiating a mating ritual."  Clearly, those lusty Klingons are just as tough in the sack as on the battlefield.

Star Trek Sexy Spotlight: Andrea The Android - Sherry Jackson

Androids are sexy.  Well, OK, they certainly can be.  Take Andrea from Star Trek - The Original Series.  Played by actress Sherry Jackson, Andrea is one android who helps to define the sexual allure of an artificially constructed human being.  Captain Picard's science officer, Data (Brent Spiner) may have been known for his burning intellectual thirst and hunger for human experiences and emotions, but before him, we met the erotically charged Andrea.

Created by the cybernetic scientst Roger Korby, Andrea could entice starship Captains like James T. Kirk as easily as flipping on a switch. However, the sexual energy - Lothario Kirk's legendary erotic mojo - could work both ways.  When Captain Kirk kissed Andrea, it enlisted stimulating 'emotions' within her.  When Andrea passed on her new sexual education to her startled creator, it did them both in.  Ah, the burning power of love!

Star Trek Sexy Spotlight: Dr. Miranda Jones - Diana Muldaur

The old fashioned notion of a doctor being stuffy, nerdy or fully non-sexual is shattered with this original series episode featuring the exotic Dr. Miranda Jones - played by Diana Muldaur.  Is There In Truth No Beauty? tells the tale of an enigmatic alien ambassador, Kollos - who exists in a pure energy state - being shepherded aboard Starship Enterprise by Dr. Jones.

Jones is a powerful telepath - so much so, she spent years on Vulcan to help control her telepathic powers so to avoid a dark trip into total insanity.  Why?  Simple:  The Medusan race is supremely intellectual, however, their hideous appearance drives human beings stark raving mad.  Jones is there to use her expertise, and to help see things don't get chaotic with the Medusan Kollos, while working on Captain Kirk's Enterprise.

There are many curious things about Miranda Jones, but one of the more amazing is that she's completely blind.  She utilizes a complex sensor web garment to navigate the world around her.  Diana Muldaur is well known to TV watchers in so many shows as guest star and regular cast member (L.A. Law), and two decades later she'd go one to create the character of Dr. Pulaski - replacing the departed Gates McFadden as Chief Medical Officer of Captain Picard's Enterprise.

Sexy Spotlight on Keiko O'Brien - Rosalind Chao - Star Trek: The Next Generation & Deep Space Nine

Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney), first seen as an engineer on Captain Picard's Enterprise 1701-D, made the move over to Captain Sisko's (Avery Brooks) outpost - the former Cardassian mining station of Deep Space Nine.  He wasn't alone for the transition.  He took along his school teacher wife, Keiko, played by Rosalind Chao.

Keiko may not have been an exotic alien from a wondrous world or another dimension, nor was she an expert in high tech magic or medicine, but as a teacher on the Enterprise, and then later on DS9, Keiko made a difference to the children and families of Starfleet.

Chao's career on TV is well known to fans, as she played Soon Lee Klinger in the final two episodes of the legendary TV series, M*A*S*H, and also had a recurring role in the Gary Coleman smash sitcom Different Strokes.  Though Chao plays Keiko O'Brien, a character who is a Japanese national, the actress herself is Chinese American.

Spotlight On Ishka - Ferengi - Andrea Martin & Cecily Adams

Ferengi aren't usually an alien race one looks to when sexual attraction is a prime topic of conversation.  Still, you have to admire a people who are so prosperous when it comes to conducting business and making that all important profit.  The small in stature race is also known for a natural comic bent which can lead to great laughter - albeit, at times, unintentionally so.  In Deep Space Nine, the most famous Ferengi is Quark, played by Armin Shimmerman.  His mother is Ishka, affectionately known by her sons Quark and Rom as Moogie, played by actress Andrea Martin.

Andrea Martin - the American comedienne best known from the Canadian comedy TV show Second City Television SCTV - gave Ishka more than a devilish sparkle and hint of mischievousness.  Martin did enjoy creating the popular role, but refused to come back to reprise the fan favorite character because of the heavy make-up process, which she hated.  Actress and casting director Cecily Adams (daughter of Don Adams from TV classic Get Smart) took up Ishka's persona for several more DS9's eps after Martin backed out.

Sexy Spotlight - Gary Seven's Isis - Victoria Vetri

A dog may traditionally be a man's best friend, but sometimes a cat can get a lot closer to a guy.  In the Star Trek episode, Assignment: Earth, a human (Robert Lansing) trained by aliens to be the super spy named Gary Seven, is definitely a cat kind of guy.  Indeed, he doesn't rely on a mutt like Lassie, Benji, Bolt nor AirBud to help him out.  He's constantly shadowed and assisted on his top secret missions by a mysterious black cat named Isis.

                           

Playboy Playmate of 1968, Victoria Vetri, played enigmatic Isis in alluring human form.  Assignment: Earth was conceived as a possible launch of a spin-off TV series.  It never happened, so we lost track of Isis - that is, until, a Star Trek novel, The Rise And Fall Of Khan Noonien Singh, Volume 2.  In the novel, Isis is killed by one of Khan's henchmen.

Sexy Spotlight - Roberta Lincoln - Teri Garr

Gene Roddenberry created one of the most popular and recognizable male characters in pop culture history - Captain James T. Kirk.  The Star Trek creator also invented other iconic male characters like Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Chief Engineer of the Enterprise, Scotty.  Roddenberry was also adept at coming up with the feminine side of the TV equation with characters like Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) or Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) - hostess of Ten Forward lounge on Captain Picard's Enterprise.  He also crafted a memorable female character we only saw once - Roberta Lincoln, played by beloved actress Teri Garr.

Garr is perhaps best known as the confused girlfriend of gender bender Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie, or as Gene Wilder's love in Young Frankenstein - from director Mel Brooks.  In Star Trek, Garr played the beautiful and confused Ms. Lincoln opposite Gary Seven (Robert Lansing), in the episode Assignment: Earth.  The episode was designed as a 'backdoor pilot' - meaning a tale inserted within a TV show that could serve as a launch for a spin-off series. Unfortunately, the show never materialized, so we're all left wondering - whatever became of the resourceful Ms. Lincoln?

Sexy Spotlight - Hoshi Sato - Linda Park

Can an ear be considered sexy?  If that's possible, then it can be safely said Enterprise officer Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) can claim her commanding officer, Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), found her both competent and sexy.  Archer said to her earnestly, yet colorfully, "I need someone with your ear."  Indeed, as communications officer aboard the first warp powered United Earth starship Enterprise, Lt. Commander Sato was an expert listener, and she helped her brave crew communicate with all manner of lifeforms.

Sato was such a gifted linguist and such an accomplished professional, her work would lead to the standard Starfleet language translation matrix - or in the more common usage term, the linguacode.