Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 22, 1994 TAG: 9411220076
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: IAN SPELLING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Nearly a year ago, ``Inside Trek'' devoted an entire column to answering Trekkers' most common questions.
Since then, a thousand more readers have sent queries.
This column features three of the most frequently asked questions of recent months - with answers from several ``Trek'' experts.
Q: Can you explain the Jem'Hadar-Dominion-Founders connection on ``Deep Space 9''?
A: This complex and confusing situation figured prominently in several ``DS9'' episodes that helped flesh out the character of Odo.
It also gave the show's writers a new alien threat on which to build an exciting second-season climax and an intriguing two-part third-season opener, and led to the introduction of the Defiant.
Rene Auberjonois, who plays Odo, is probably the best person to explain the inner workings of the Jem'Hadar-Dominion-Founders connection.
``The Jem'Hadar are the storm troopers for the Dominion,'' he says. ``The Dominion's heads are the Founders, who are my people.
``I've had to turn my back on them after having searched for my origins for so many years because they are a people I cannot join or be in league with because they are just so bad.''
Q: What happened to O'Brien's (Colm Meaney) rank when he moved from ``Next Generation'' to ``DS9''? Was it a promotion or a demotion?
A: Executive producer Rick Berman is quite familiar with this question.
``I've gotten all the letters on that,'' he says. ``More than you.
``O'Brien did seem to go from ensign on `Next Generation' to chief operations officer on ``DS9' with no explanation,'' Berman says.
``It's just one of those things. We needed somebody to be our chief engineer and everyman on `DS9.' And Colm was that man.
``To us, O'Brien is an enlisted man. He has always been, to me, the quintessential staff sergeant, as opposed to the second lieutenant.
``So we came up with a new title for him. For people who look at chief operations officer as a downgrade in rank, we apologize.''
Q: Trekkers and those who work on ``Next Gen,'' ``DS9'' and ``Voyager'' frequently refer to Okudagrams. What are they and how do they work?
A: Okudagrams are any graphic readouts seen on the various ``Trek'' series. Included are pieces of computer animation, labels and backlit color graphics (such as the lighted words on the Enterprise's computer screens).
Take, for example, one of the many 4-inch long, 3/4-inch high silver labels that can be seen but not read (because the type is purposely too small for the camera to catch) on the Voyager bridge:
451.) AUXILIARY SYSTEMS - 32-2398
Caution: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear to be. A stitch in time saves nine. In space, no one can hear you scream.
The term ``Okudagram'' was coined by ``Trek''-classic and first-season ``Next Gen'' set designer John Dwyer in honor of ``Next Gen''/``DS9''/``Voyager'' scenic art designer Michael Okuda.
Contrary to popular belief, they are not all in-jokes. Each is meant to visually enhance scenes for viewers and give the actors realistic sets on which to work.
``Michael wants people to know he isn't the only one creating them,'' says Denise Okuda, Michael's wife, who is an art-department staffer on ``DS9.''
``Okudagram has become kind of an umbrella term for all of the graphics you see.
``Doug Drexler, Jim Van Over and I are involved in developing them for `DS9' and Wendy Drapanas and Jim Magdalene create them for `Voyager.'''
Trek specs
Gates McFadden will play Richard Grieco's wealthy stepmother, Kimba Hills-Rose, on the Hawaii-based drama-action series ``Marker,'' debuting Jan. 17 on the new United Paramount Network. ... On Dec. 11, William Shatner and Patrick Stewart will hold three 4,000-person conference calls (one in each time zone). For information about purchasing a $100 ticket to participate, call 1-800-TEC-TREK. ... Shatner's``Star Trek Movie Memories''(HarperCollins) is in bookstores now. ... The second in the four-issue Malibu/DC series of ``Next Gen''/``DS9'' crossover comics is available at comic-books stores nationwide.
Trek/sci-fi alert
If you have Trek or science-fiction news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to ``Star Trek'' - write to Ian Spelling, in care of the features department, Roanoke Times &World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB