DS9 Stories/News: Deep Space Nine Celebrity Guest Pictures (11)

   Jessica Hendra played Dejar in the Deep Space Nine Episode “Destiny”

Dejar was a Cardassian and an operative of the Obsidian Order in the 24th century.

In 2371, two Cardassian scientists, Gilora Rejal and Ulani Belor were chosen by the Cardassian Union to assist in an effort to place a wormhole relay station in the Gamma Quadrant to aid communications and to provide an advance warning of a Dominion attack. The Obsidian Order, angry at the recently signed Bajoran-Cardassian Treaty, sent Dejar to Deep Space 9 to sabotage the attempt, posing as a third scientist. She sabotaged the USS Defiant‘s main emitter coupling.

Courtesy of Memory Alpha.org

When the ship fired at a comet that was about to destroy the Bajoran wormhole, it shattered the comet instead of vaporizing it as planned. Gilora did not wish Miles O’Brien to be blamed for incompetence resulting in the malfunction and she revealed Dejar’s status as an Obsidian Order operative. Dejar was taken to quarters and confined. Gilora was not worried over exposing her, telling O’Brien that the Order would not look kindly on her failure. (DS9: “Destiny“)

Dejar was played by Jessica Hendra.

The character appears in Andrew Robinson‘s DS9 novel A Stitch in Time where it was revealed that Dejar was a member of Garak’s last cell in the late 2360s. She also appeared in Robinson’s short story “The Calling” in the Prophecy and Change anthology. Her first name is given as “Nal” in both stories.

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Mary Kay Adams played Grilka in Deep Space Nine Episodes “The House of Quark” & “Looking for par’Mach in All The Wrong Places”  

Grilka was a Klingon woman from the Mekro’vak region and the widow of Kozak. Her most trusted adviser was Tumek.

After Kozak died in Quark’s in early 2371, Quark took credit for killing her husband, even though Kozak actually fell onto his own knife. She forced Quark to marry her so she could retain control of her house. Despite Grilka’s aversion to matters of finance, she allowed Quark to inspect her family ledgers where he discovered that D’Ghor, Kozak’s “brother”, had been systematically attacking the House of Kozak for five years in order to weaken it.

Courtesy of Memory Alpha.org

Such an indirect and deceptive attack was highly dishonorable and Grilka demanded Quark confront the High Council with the evidence of D’Ghor’s deceit. Once the accusations were made public Quark was forced to defend himself against D’Ghor and did so successfully by tricking D’Ghor into attempting to strike him down when he refused to fight. In doing so, Gowron was convinced of the accused Klingon’s guilt and had him discommendated on the spot. With D’Ghor out of the way, Grilka was granted control of her house by Gowron and the House of Kozak became the House of Grilka. She divorced Quark (at his request) on the spot. (DS9: “The House of Quark“)

In early 2373, Grilka visited Deep Space 9 again, along with Tumek and Thopok. The recent war with the Federation had been very costly to her house in ships, lands, and warriors. Though she feigned opposition to his request, she allowed Quark another opportunity to help her house by examining their records. This time, however, Quark’s interest was truly stirred by the “glorious” Grilka.

At the same time, Worf, who had been assigned to the station the year before, also took an interest in Grilka. He attempted to pursue her as a mate but Tumek confronted him and advised him it was a waste of time. Worf’s siding against the Empire during the war had stripped his House of its title and Worf of his honor; it would be unthinkable for Grilka to mate with him.

Upset by his failure, and Tumek’s insinuation that he could not know anything about pursuing a Klingon woman because he had been raised among Humans, Worf decided to help Quark win Grilka’s heart. He was successful by tutoring the Ferengi in the traditions of Klingon courtship. Grilka was warmed by Quark’s efforts, even if she considered him a poor fighter. But Thopok was enraged by the prospect of a Ferengi pursuing a great lady and challenged Quark to a duel. With additional help from Worf, Quark defeated Thopok and Grilka welcomed his advances enthusiastically. (DS9: “Looking for par’Mach in All the Wrong Places“)

Grilka was played by Mary Kay Adams.

In the back story of the “Path to 2409″ in Star Trek Online Worf and Grilka are married in 2386.

DS9 Stories/News: Key Odo & Kira Moments Part I

Source: http://www.freewebs.com/laurelgirl120/keyodokiramoments.htm

The following scenes are pivotal in depicting the evolution of the relationship between Odo and Kira, as their friendship deepens, survives crises, hits rocky patches and generally follows the path many of us are familiar with as they find their way eventually to love.

It is, IMO, the most intelligently written, natural and believable relationship, not only in the world of Star Trek, but in television. The fact that their friendship and romance captivates us, 15+ years after the debut of DS9, is a testament to the enduring nature of their love.

Enjoy The

Journey!

    

Past Prologue

This scene from the second episode of DS9 gave viewers their first look at Odo and Kira’s relationship and was a harbinger of things to come.  A troubled Kira comes to Odo for advice and we can see the bond of trust that exists between them. This scene also led many of us to suspect that there was ‘something more’ under the surface.

 

A Man Alone

When Odo is accused of the murder of a Bajoran man all the latent prejudices about the “Shapeshifter” bubble to the surface. Odo is vilified by the Bajoran population on the station. Sisko relives Odo of duty, his office is vandalized and he becomes a hunted man by the Bajorans who want to enact their own lynch mob brand of ‘justice.’ Only Kira (and Quark?!) come to Odo’s verbal and active defense, calling him “the most honorable man on this station.“  Another early example of their bond of trust.

Duet

Arguably the best episode of the series, played with power and conviction by Nana Visitor.  Kira interrogates a Cardassian she believes to be the Commander of a death camp during the Occupation, causing her to relive the horror of those times on Bajor.  In a touching scene that demonstrates support and understanding, Odo brings Kira a drink after a grueling session with the prisoner.

The Circle

Odo displays a rare moment of pure emotion as he passionately challenges Kira to fight for what she believes in when Kira is removed from DS9. Although nothing about Odo’s feelings for Kira had been hinted at, this scene now reveals how terrified Odo was at the prospect of losing the woman he would come to love. It is also further proof of how close Odo and Kira are in their sibling-like affection for each other.

Necessary Evil

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One of the best episodes in the series, “Necessary Evil” provides the backstory for how Odo and Kira first met and how Odo found himself working for the Cardassians on Terek Nor (DS9), responsible for providing security on the Promenade. Tasked by Gul Dukat, the station’s prefect, with uncovering the murder of a Bajoran Chemist (Va’atrick), Odo at first suspects, and then dismisses Kira as the murderer. The pivotal moment in this episode takes place in the last scene, when Kira finally admits to Odo her guilt in the murder. Odo’s reaction, a mixture of disappointment, pain and ultimately, forgiveness is what first gave the writers the notion that Odo was in love with Kira.

The Search, Part 2

After a lifetime of searching, Odo has found his people. But in a cruel twist of fate, they turn out to be the Founders of the malevolent Dominion. Rejecting them, Odo chooses life among his adopted family and in the last scene, he and Kira prepare to beam up to the ship. Kira takes his hand in a powerful demonstration of support for her friend’s decision. Her eyes shine with compassion and fierce pride. I believe this is the moment when Kira fell in love with Odo, even though it took her three more years to realize it.

 Heart of Stone

Thinking Kira is about to die, Odo refuses her order that he leave, and then speaks the words that only her imminent death can wrench from his lips. “I can’t leave you . . . because I’m in love you.” Racked by shame and guilt, Odo hunches over a rock, almost curled into the fetal position. For some of us, this scene is nearly impossible to watch, as Odo emotionally disintegrates before our eyes. When Kira says she’s also in love with Odo, he stiffens and withdraws from her. His suspicions about her true identity (he knows Kira isn’t in love with him and he knows she wouldn’t lie to make him feel better, so he suspects she is an impostor) are confirmed when ‘Kira’ morphs into the Female Founder. Pouring salt into Odo’s already lacerated soul, she calmly tells him that “she (Kira) will never love you. You are a Changeling.”

A heart and gut-wrenching episode with a plot twist at the end that renders the story meaningless. Odo and Kira find themselves on a remote moon in the Badlands. Kira is ‘caught’ in a living crystal that threatens to envelope her. Responding to her request, Odo tells her the story of how he got his name (Odo ital, the Cardassian word for ‘nothing’), and how that name shackled him “until I met you…“ The final knife to the heart – Odo finds the ‘real’ Kira and they return to DS9. When Kira inquires what made Odo believe she was being impersonated, he casually replies “Just a slip of the tongue . . . nothing important.” His voice is neutral, but for an instant, his face betrays him. Major angst moment! While this episode confirms what the viewer already knows (that Odo is indeed in love with Kira), Kira remains clueless, which is why this episode lacks any real impact. But stellar performances, especially by Rene. (Note: Nana Visitor has often conformed that is this her single most hated episode because she was trapped in that crystal for up to 18 hours at a time.)

DS9 Stories/News: Birthday Alert/18 March

It’s J. G. Hertzler’s Birthday. He Played General Martok on DS9

John Garman “J.G.” Hertzler (born 18 March 1949; age 62) is an American actor from Savannah, Georgia, who has portrayed many different roles on several Star Trek series. He is one of only five actors to play seven or more different characters in the Star Trek franchise. Hertzler’s best-known role is Martok, whom he played for four seasons on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also wrote the continuation of his character’s story in The Left Hand of Destiny novel diptych with Jeffrey Lang.

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/J.G._Hertzler

Martok was a Klingon warrior who rose to the rank of general in the Klingon Defense Forces, and later became Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. His brilliant leadership during the Dominion War made him very popular both among other warriors and among the civilian population. As the leader of the House of Martok, he became a good friend of Worf while the two were stationed together on Deep Space 9.

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Martok

Other Appearances

Starfleet Captain of the USS Saratoga, a Vulcan, killed during the Battle of Wolf 359 in early 2367. (DS9: “Emissary“)

The captain was played by Star Trek veteran J.G. Hertzler, who was credited as John Noah Hertzler. The Michael Jan Friedman novel Saratoga gives the name of the Vulcan captain as Saros, although the novelization of Emissary names him Storil.

Roy Ritterhouse was the in-house illustrator for Incredible Tales in New York City in the 1950s.

In his role for the magazine Ritterhouse would create several illustrations each month with a brief explanation or title to suggest material for the writers. The writers in turn would create stories relating to the pictures Ritterhouse created.

In 2374, Benjamin Sisko believed himself to be a writer for Incredible Tales named Benny Russell while under the influence of visions from the Prophets. In this capacity he took on the assignment of writing a story to accompany a picture Ritterhouse had drawn of a space station with a striking similarity to Deep Space 9. Benny couldn’t quite understand why the picture felt familiar, but created a detailed story about the station and its crew. The entire magazine staff loved the story, and Ritterhouse in particular was impressed with Benny’s descriptions of the Cardassians, especially their neck ridges.

Roy Ritterhouse was played by actor J.G. Hertzler who plays Martok.

Ultimately, however, the story was not published in Incredible Tales due to its focus on a black captain amid the racism of the 1950s. (DS9: “Far Beyond the Stars“)

Laas was a Changeling and one of the “hundred” that were sent by the Founders to gather information on the solids they encountered. Like the Founders, Laas had an established distrust of solids based on experience.

Laas was played by J.G. Hertzler, credited as Garman Hertzler at his own request. Hertzler felt that this was necessary to separate the role from his recurring character of Martok. Other actors considered for the role included Jeffrey Combs and Andrew Robinson, but it was felt that those actors would be too recognizable. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, pp. 656-657)

Hertzler partially based Laas’ distinctive way of speaking on William Shatner: “I wanted to find a way to keep this character sort of annoyingly judgmental, because of his politics. He felt that these humanoids were so far beneath him that it was like talking to dogs. His pro-environmentalist point of view, feeling that humanoids ruin things, seemed like almost a passionate adherence to the Prime Directive. And that reminded me of James Kirk. William Shatner has a theatrical way of delivering lines by taking breathing pauses and holding onto the ends of words. I thought, ‘That would work for Laas.’ So that’s where the voice came from. It’s me doing my best imitation of Laas doing William Shatner doing Kirk!” (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 657)

Episode writer René Echevarria has been unable to recall exactly why he called the character Laas, but he did note that “I wanted his name to be something really strange and unusual. Ira kept making fun of it. Whenever we would talk about the story, Ira would say, ‘And then the Swedish guy comes in…’ ” (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, pp. 658)

Holosuite Guest
DS9: “What You Leave Behind“