DS9 Stories/News: Michael Westmore’s Aliens (2)

DS9 Season 2

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The Skrreea from “Sanctuary“, whose ‘bumpy skin’ design was created by combining little bags of pumice, found in a hobby train shop, with a liquid latex, which was then stippled onto the actors faces and dried. Westmore also discusses how when the makeup was applied to one single individual, it simply looked like someone with a lot of pimples, but when applied to a group, it became an alien race

The Dosi from “Rules of Acquisition“, whose facial art designs are based on colorations found in tribes from Borneo and in the South Seas. Westmore also discusses the continuity problems that arise when using elaborate paint designs

Melora Pazlar from “Melora“, whose makeup was designed under the guideline to keep the actress beautiful

Cardassian women, specifically Natima Lang from “Profit and Loss“. Westmore explains that the blue coloration of the ‘spoon’ design on the forehead of Cardassian females came about due to a concern that people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the males and the females. He also discusses that because the producers wanted some of Mary Crosby‘s chest exposed, a large breast plate had to be designed which Westmore says must have been uncomfortable for Crosby to wear, but he never heard her complain once. He also discusses how the love scene between Lang and Quark is one of his all-time favorite Star Trek scenes, because despite the heavy makeup, it is still just a simple, touching romantic scene, and the makeup is completely unimportant

The Cardassian voles from “Playing God“, which were mounted on radio-controlled cars. Westmore explains that the teeth are made from acrylic, and the eyes are glass, and he notes that it was more complex to build a vole than a facial appliance. He also points out that because the voles are Cardassian, they too have the spoon design on their foreheads

Fenna and Nidell from “Second Sight“, with their unusual ear designs, which was again, based upon the desire to have the actress look alien, but not compromise her beauty

Maihar’du, whose makeup was based upon that of Pruneface from Dick Tracy

Fallit Kot from “Melora“, whose makeup was based upon the fact that Westmore had never had the opportunity to bridge the face of an alien

DS9 Stories/News: Deep Space Nine Races – Ferengi

Ferengi Logo

The Ferengi are a technologically sophisticated humanoid race that was long a complete mystery to the United Federation of Planets prior to first contact at the planet Delphi Ardu in 2364. They are extremely sexist, and do not allow their females the honor of clothing – although Ferengi males, often find human females very attractive.

Ships

The Ferengi Business Alliance is ruled by the Grand Nagus, whom is renowned to be the best merchant in the Quadrant. They possess a strict code of honor, called the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, which is basically ruthless principles of capitalism to the extreme. These rules, of which there are currently 285, are learned by heart by every Ferengi at a young age.

Because of the unusual four-lobed design of Ferengi brains, not entirely dissimilar to the Dopterians, even Betazoids are unable to read their minds.

Ferengi Language

Ferengi Officer

Ferengi Civilian

Shortly after first contact with the Federation, Ferengi entrepreneurs saw new opportunities and quickly assimilated themselves into Federation commerce, as did Quark, a Ferengi whom established a bar at the Bajoran space station Deep Space Nine. Also, relations between the Ferengi and the other nearby powers, have always been strictly businesslike, since the Ferengi are interested in wealth only, and not territory. Therefore they seldom get themselves involved in long wars, since wars are always costly, but if there is profit in winning a war, and they have a chance of winning, they will gladly go ahead.

DS9 Stories/News: Legends of the Ferengi Review

Legends of the Ferengi

Rating: Series: Deep Space 9
Author: Quark, as told to Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Published: August, 1997
Review by: CL6 Kali D’or

Found this one in a used book store and couldn’t help myself. The premise of the book is that Quark tells stories based on the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. It is done totally tongue-in-cheek and is a great laugh of a book. I have yet to read the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition which Quark wrote some time ago, but it has to be as good as this one.

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All 285 Rules are not included, the book would be too long and cumbersome, but Quark has taken some of his favorites and explained the who and how and why they came into being through tale tales, old stories, family fables, lies and other devious means to get his/their point across.

Some examples:

Rule #31: “Never insult a Ferengi’s mother….insult something he cares about instead.” A good insult is a thing of beauty, a work of art that endures long after it’s crafting. Not bad, and the attached list of the 10 Most Famous Insults in Ferengi history are a hoot.

Rule #104: “Faith moves mountains…of inventory.” This has a clever little folk tale attached, about one of the really old guys, Grand Nagus Gint, who died of a tooth sharpening accident. But a clever Ferengi, Yost, came up with a plan to liven up the mourning citizenry with figurines of the Nagus and marketing was born.

Rule #177: “Know your enemies….but do business with them always.” Another short little ditty about the Tholians, silk, bog moss and how things really work. According to Quark.

Rule #94: “Females and finances don’t mix.” Funny picture, reputed to be an old cave drawing, showing a female Ferengi with bags of “profit” while all around her, the men are dead. This stuff is just too funny.

This is not a big book – just a small paperbound one, only 157 pages long. It’s the kind of book you might keep in the bathroom, for a quick page or two every day? Or next to your computer – read a rule while something downloads. It’s up to you. I found the writing to be very clever, totally in keeping with the character. There are pictures of all our favorite Ferengi cast members, and their “victims” to entertain as well. And references into the history and culture of the Ferengi that we didn’t know before, and may well not really have wanted to find out. Thank you for sharing, Quark!

 

DS9 Stories/News: The Federation Leaders In the Dominion War (3)

Cont.

Site:
http://dominion.tvheaven.com/fedpers.html

Captain Sisko’s adolescent son nurtures journalistic pretensions which have on occasion been used against the Dominion. A junior member of the Federation news service, Jake was the only Federation journalist to report on the Dominion occupation of DS9/Terok Nor from behind Dominion lines. Jake’s close relationship with his father and lack of moral fiber are believed to make him a prime candidate for subversion by the Dominion. Jake currently resides on DS9.

Chancellor Gowron

Former Chancellor of the Klingon Empire, Gowron managed to win the highly contended title of worst Federation Alliance strategist during his brief time at the helm of the Klingon’s forces. Gowron ascended to the Chancellorship when he was determined to be the lesser of two evils in contest against the late Council Member Durass’s illegitimate, Romulan conspirator, teenage son. Gowron met his ignoble end in single combat with the redoubtable Worf and was succeeded by Martok.

Chancellor Martok

Current Chancellor of the Klingon Empire and one of its less humiliating strategists. Martok’s long experience as a military commander has granted him some small measure of intelligence and he is considered one of the Federation Alliance’s most dangerous leaders. Martok succeeded Gowron as Chancellor when this honor was thrust upon him by the shirking Worf. Martok’s plebian heritage leads many in the Dominion to hope that the Klingon Empire will falter under his guidance. Latest reports place Martok on Quo’nos hunting targ.

Grand Nagus Rom

Criminal mastermind and underworld ring leader aboard DS9, Rom posed for years as the bumbling brother of a small time hustler while maintaining an unassuming post in the Bajoran Militia as a technician (second class). Rom’s true capabilities were revealed during the Dominion occupation of Terok Nor/DS9 when his sabotage of first the station’s graviton emitter and later the entire weapons array allowed the Federation to retake the station. With his true capabilities thus revealed, Rom cast off his cover and rose through the ranks of the Ferengi to be named Grand Nagus. His notoriously pro-Federation sympathies could mean an end to Ferengi neutrality in the Alpha Quadrant War.

Lieutenant Nog

Starfleet officer and son of the criminal mastermind, Grand Nagus Rom, this young officer has shot through the ranks of Starfleet in only a handful of years, no doubt due to the extensive connections held by his father. Nog currently serves aboard DS9 and the USS Defiant under Captain Sisko. Nog is unfailingly loyal to Sisko due to Sisko’s part in facilitating Nog’s appointment to Starfleet academy and his long standing friendship with Sisko’s son, Jake. His relationships with both Rom and Sisko indicate that Nog may one day grow to be a formidable adversary for the Dominion.

Quark

The small time hustler brother of Grand Nagus Rom, Quark, though possessing the typical Ferengi drive for profit, has been tamed by extensive contact with Federation personnel. His involvement with Major Kira’s terrorist cell during the Dominion occupation of DS9/Terok Nor indicates his lack of love for the Dominion, though his limited talents make him of little threat. Quark is considered most significant only in the extent to which he can be used to reach his brother.

Colonel Kira Nerys

Second in command of DS9 and believed to be a key agitator in inciting the Cardassian riots against the Dominion on Cardassia Prime, Kira has a long history in participating in terrorist actions, beginning with her part in the Bajoran Resistance which rid Bajor of the Cardassians during the Cardassian occupation of that world. Kira is considered dangerous and unpredictable, entirely lacking in moral fiber, and may be the real force behind the occasionally clever tactics employed by the crew of DS9. Unconfirmed reports place Kira near the Great Link following the Dominion’s strategic withdrawal from Cardassia Prime.

Kai Winn

Spiritual leader of the Bajoran people, Kai Winn ascended to this position following the loss of the beloved Kai Opaka in the Gamma Quadrant. Throughout her tenure as kai, Winn maintained a cordial relationship with the Dominion, the warmth of which was tempered only by her unfailing desire to protect her homeland. During the twilight of her reign as kai, Winn fell in with the unscrupulous Legate Dukat who led her to embrace the pah wraiths in an attempt to facilitate the restoration of Bajor. This unfortunate move resulted in Kai Winn’s death at the hands of Dukat in Bajor’s notorious fire caves.

DS9 Stories/News: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Leeta’s Love Life

Source:
http://thehathorlegacy.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-%E2%80%93-leeta%E2%80%99s-love-life/

by Revena on September 14, 2006

I want to continue with my series about the female characters of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (see the previous article, “Jadzia’s Gender,” here) without too much of a gap between articles, but, of course, I’ve been insanely busy for the last few weeks, and haven’t had any time to do the prep work for another article, much less write one.

So I’m gonna cheat a little bit, and write about Leeta (played by Chase Masterson). This is easy, because while I think Leeta is great (there are not many DS9 characters that I wouldn’t describe as great, really), she does get a lot less screen time than most of the other female characters, and what I want to say about her is comparatively easy to express. It goes a little something like this:

Leeta is sexy. She is played by a lovely actress, she is usually dressed in low-cut and/or tight-fitting costumes, and her job is linked to her sexuality – she’s a dabo girl at Quark’s. Leeta is also sexual. In her first appearance on the show (in the third season episode “Explorers”), she flirts quite openly with Dr. Julian Bashir, whom she later dates. The two eventually break up, without acrimony, on Risa, where Leeta is shown enjoying a sensual encounter with another man (“Let He Who is Without Sin”¦” in season five).

Sexuality isn’t the only thing Leeta’s got going for her – she has a strong sense of justice (she becomes quite involved in the formation of the Guild of Restaurant and Casino Employees), she is friendly and seems to have many platonic relationships, and though she can be a bit flighty, she’s no dummy.

But her sexual energy is definitely one of her most marked traits. And even though that’s the case, Leeta winds up with one of the happiest endings on the show by the end of the series. She hasn’t had any traumatic injuries, and her emotional trauma is no worse than that which affects any other character (Leeta loses friends to violence, but so does everyone else on DS9). She’s fallen in love, had that love returned, and gotten married. She gets along well with her new husband’s family. And, in the second-to-last episode of the series, that husband is named Grand Nagus of the Ferengi Alliance. Leeta gets love, health, and a husband who is politically powerful (and, presumably, a comfortable living as well).

How many other sexy, sexual female characters can you think of on television that end up so well? The sexy woman is usually the victim, or at least the recipient of some shaming or punishment from other characters on the show. She needs to be taught a lesson, made to pay, reformed, exposed as the slut she is – or else her sexiness needs to be linked somehow to a violent death or assault, in the constant sexualization of violence that we consumers and producers of Western media are so invested in.

There certainly are other female characters who are as flirty and as sensual as Leeta, and who wind up with happy endings anyway – but not many. As a person who doesn’t believe that there’s anything wrong with healthy expressions of adult sexuality, I’ll take all the Leetas on TV that I can get.