Friday, March 13, 2015

In Memoriam Leonard Nimoy (1931 - 2015)

Leonard Nimoy lived and shared many moments with fans across the world. I met him in 1995 at his book signing "I AM SPOCK." Meeting Leonard was a big moment in my life that I'll cherish forever. Goodbye Leonard.



































Saturday, February 28, 2015

Leonard Nimoy




Leonard Nimoy passed away on Friday the 27th February at the age of 83. All over the world tributes have poured in from NASA, Celebrities to Barack Obama.

I never really expected this day to really come. Leonard was universally loved for playing the pointy eared Mr Spock devoted to logic and so much more. He was remarkable and will be sorely missed.

Deforest Kelly's Dr McCoy captured Mr Spock's passing best in Star Trek's Wrath of Khan as you'll remember heres what he said,

McCoy: He's not really dead. As long as we remember him.




Sunday, February 22, 2015

Happy Birthday Jeri Ryan





Aw shucks! Heres Jeri Ryan hanging out with trekkies. I'm guessing this photo was taken at a Sci Fi convention but which one? These tickled pink Trekkers in Starfleet uniforms look really pleased as punch. Don't forget, Star Trek fans come in all shapes and sizes. We've even got a green one wearing a Starfleet combadge. 'Captain Four To Beam Up!'



 Happy Birthday Jeri,  Have a great day.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Into Darkness Speed Chase

Hello Everyone, Heres the David and Goliath Star Trek Into Darkness space chase. You know the score. Big baddie Vengence spaceship races after Captain Kirk's chicken USS Enterprise ship. So now its battle stations! Chekov's got his cool space shades on and Dr Carol Marcos wants permission to, I quote "come on the bridge..."




Anyway, in this space chase the admiral's dreadnought is frightening fast roaring a little like a retro Godzilla but you be the judge. Poor USS Enterprise hasn't a chance. No time for Uhura's 'hailing frequencies, open captain.' Instead its fire first and prepare to die. (1m 20sec) Secretly we're all getting off on the speed chase and what happens next. Those poor devils!!!



 Did you get a rush when Starfleets finest got sucked out the side of USS Enterprise NCC 1701? Go on now admit it, warrior to warrior. How did you feel?


Monday, November 03, 2014

STAR TREK CONVENTIONS









The links on this page will beam you to the furthest corners of the galaxy currently hosting Star Trek and Science Fiction Conventions. Enjoy the Sci Fi buzz Trekkers, Trekkies and Niners!





Creation Entertainment Las Vegas

Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo

Coast Con

Creation Entertainment

New York Comic Con

Baltimore 1999 Worldcon

Cruise Trek

Comic Con International

DemiCon (Des Moines, Iowa)

CollectorMania

Comic Con France

DragonCon Atlanta

FedCon

Gallifrey One California

Gen Con LLC

Science Fiction and Fantasy Con

Light Speed Productions

Galactic Beach Party

Long Beach Comic and Horror Con

Millennicon (Kings Island, Ohio)

Motor City (Detroit, Michigan)

ScifiConventions

Shore Leave Home Page (Maryland)

StarLand Cons

Vulcan Events

Fedcon Sci Fi Experience

Polaris Canada

Starfest

Starfury (UK)

Trek Fest

Northwest Science Fiction Resources

Wizard World Austin Comic Con

World Science Fiction Convention








Boston, MA
 - Official Star Trek Convention

Chicago, IL
 - Salute to Supernatural
 - The Vampire Diaries Official Convention
 - Official Star Trek Convention
 - Official STARGATE Convention

Dallas, TX
 - Salute to Supernatural

Detroit Area, MI
 - The Twilight Saga Official Convention

Las Vegas, NV
 - Salute to Supernatural
 - The Vampire Diaries Official Convention
 The Official Star Trek Convention

Los Angeles, CA
 - The Twilight Saga:
 - The Official Xena Convention
- Grandslam Convention: The Star Trek & Sci-Fi Summit

Nashville, TN
Official Star Trek Convention
 The Vampire Diaries Official Convention

Parsippany, NJ
 - The Twilight Saga Official Convention
 - The Vampire Diaries Official Convention

Philadelphia Area
 - Official Star Trek Convention

San Francisco, CA
 - Official Star Trek Convention

Toronto, ON
 - Salute to Supernatural

Vancouver, BC
 - Salute to Supernatural

Whippany, NJ
 - Salute to Supernatural









































































Monday, September 22, 2014

Blogfest 'Firefly vs Star Trek'

The time to write about our favorite unknown for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest,  MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK has arrived, so here goes!

Firefly vs Star Trek!

Every so often, an ensemble of Hollywood talent unites to create a marvel of science fiction.. I'd like to tell you about Joss Whedon's Firefly. One thing that I look for and enjoy in a work of science fiction are conflict driven characters exploring the scientific and social dimensions taking us to strange new worlds. Star Trek's classic show was unique because of its three-way bond between Kirk, Spock and Dr McCoy. The battle of egos, human scepticism and logic gave it a special edge. I like it when a character does or says something to surprise you but how do you stand out from the crowd when every action hero is so convincing?

Star Trek with all of its official re-incarnations shows humans and aliens working together using futuristic technology exploring the human adventure. Roddenberry's action packed wagon train in space was lucky because its over enthusiastic actors, aliens and cardboard sets produced characters and stories like one seamless magic show fans cared about.

James Cameron understood that if you copy a work of genius like Star Trek, you'll be left with a terrible phony which won't fly. So, he set the trend in Hollywood by re-inventing instead of ripping off the old sci-fi classics.

When Joss Whedon's learned about the secret formula he produced 14 episodes for his sci-fi 'sequel' on a shoestring budget, sound familiar?

Whedon's Firefly 'sequel' simply took Star Trek's followers on a fresh 'spaceship' journey thrilling us with a mirror cast based on Gene Roddenberry's original show. The beauty of Firefly is there are no clean cut uniforms, no energy weapons, no teleportation, no long shots of spaceships warping against a starry backdrop to classical music, no obsession with technology, no robots, no artificial intelligences, not even a clear long-term goal for the protagonists apart from the plot conflict between the Alliance and the Rim, and the bitterness of committed Browncoats. Its all close-up and raw. The characters are flawed and realistic. 

1. Mal is the gruff 'anti-hero' with powerful leadership qualities like Captain Kirk, propelling his crew into the thick of action. Still it has to be said Firefly created its own law and disorder in the galaxy.
2. Zoe and Inara are graceful rational, logical counterparts to Mal, as Spock is to Kirk.
3. Wash has Sulu written all over him, gentle and humorous with a way of articulating intense situations.
4. Kaylee is the cool-headed Scotty full of optimism and the miracle worker.
5. Dr Simon Tam has the same fiery relationship with Mal as Bones has with Kirk.
6. Book has the intelligent saving graces of Dr McCoy.
7. Jayne is a fearless explorer like Chekov often breaking the ice with his cornball humor.

Firefly captured the imagination of sci-fi fans with qualities we can all admire, it provided fresh unpredictable characters in an alternate universe, subtracting the science without ruining the fun or being just a shallow imitation. There certainly are numerous original aspects to Firefly, given River's unnatural insight bordering on the edge of madness providing a mysterious air of intrigue for the show. While Firefly and Star Trek are fashioned on the Western wagon train to the stars, each show is full of emotional depth, adventure with a cast of reverse engineered characters. What do you think?

Which sci-fi show made a distinct impression on you?


Monday, August 11, 2014

All Hands Battle Stations

PICARD: This is about saving the future of humanity.
LILY: Jean-Luc, blow up the damn ship!
PICARD: No! ...No! (Picard breaks the starship display cabinet with his phaser rifle)
PICARD: No! ... I will not sacrifice the Enterprise. We've made too many compromises already. Too many retreats. They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds, and we fall back. Not again! The line must be drawn here, ...this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done.
LILY: You broke your little ships. ...See you around, Ahab.
PICARD: 'And he piled upon the whale's white hump, a sum of all the rage and hate felt by his own race. If his chest had been a cannon, he would have shot his heart upon it.'
LILY: What? PICARD: 'Moby Dick.' LILY: Actually, I never read it.
PICARD: Ahab spent years hunting the white whale that crippled him. A quest for vengeance, ...but in the end it destroyed him and his ship.
 LILY: I guess he didn't know when to quit

Star Trek First Contact is a cool movie. I love it when Lilly rather gloomily, says 'See you around, Ahab.' All seems lost. Its seems to me Lilly Sloane's comparison of Picard to Ahab captures the moment beautifully. Despite Lilly's heated words, our valiant skipper delivers a powerful message - Never Give Up, Never Surrender. After all how would you feel about blowing up the beloved Enterprise?

Well my trekker friends, I just wanted you to know Spacerguy is back! The show must go on. All hands battle stations! Lets go get the Borg.


 

Friday, May 30, 2014

Worfs Secret Fear

In Star Trek's TNG episode, "Coming of Age" Wesley and Worf discuss facing their fears while on the USS Enterprise-D holodeck. But its not actually divulged what Worf's "secret fear" is. So lets make an educated guess.....



Tribbles!!! 


Could this be true? Do Tribbles really have what it takes to spook Warrior Worf?


Tribble long and Prosper, trekkers, trekkies and niners.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Zats all Folks

Zats all Folks! Its Zee end of April's A to Z Blog challenge. Its been fun which is why we do it again and again. Heres to the Galaxy's Greatest who beamed on over, so lets rejoice. Thanks to our hosts for making A to Z so:

 Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Author Stephen Tremp
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim's Writing Tips
Heather M. Gardner
AJ @ Naturally Sweet
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian.




 My gratitude goes out to all  of you happy lifeforms who trekked over to join in the party, visited and commented through the A to Z Challenge this month! Thanks trekkers, trekkies, trekinators, trekologists, Niners, until next time. Kapla!

Monday, April 28, 2014

X-Men Xavier

Patrick Stewart is most widely known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and its successor films, as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series, and for his prolific stage roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stewart's character, Charles Xavier, is very similar to Picard and himself, "a grand, deep-voiced, bald English guy" aka Professor X, the leader and founder of the X-Men.

Throughout most of his comic book history, Xavier is paraplegic, although his body houses one of the world's most powerful mutant minds. As a high-level telepath, Xavier can read, control, and influence human minds. Stewart has also since voiced that role as Xavier in 4 video games including: X-Men Legends, X-Men Legends II, and X-Men: Next Dimension. Truly he is one of the most powerful telepaths in the Marvel Universe.


Saturday, April 26, 2014

Don't mess with WORF!

Why is Worf rejected so much? In the STNG episode, "Coming of Age", while on the holodeck, Wesley and Worf discuss facing their fears. It was not revealed what Worf's "secret fear" was.




We know Klingons living to an old age is every warriors worst nightmare, as is being denied the right to die gloriously in battle. Actor Michael Dorn aka Worf has seen the youtube clip,

'Worf gets DENIED again and again on Star TNG' and was amused by it.

Heres what Michael had to say at a Comic and Toy Expo.

(Forward to 2mins 4sec)





In conclusion share with us now, warrior to warrior, 

What is your favorite Worfism?

Here mine: Assimilate this! 

Friday, April 25, 2014

Vash

V is for Vash but who is she? Vash is a fortune hunter in Star Trek TNG 67th episode 'Captain's Holiday' with Jennifer Hetrick co-starring with Patrick stewart. While chilling out on the idyllic pleasure planet Risa, Captain Picard gets involved with a hot babe totally passionate about archaeology. At first she doesn't quite level with Picard until the unethical Ferengi, Sovak and two time travelling Vorgon criminals arrive on the scene looking for Captain Picard. The 'baddies' have come a long way for a 27th century superweapon of ultimate power, called the Tox Uthat. However Vash has other ideas and seeks only one thing, locate and seize the small crystal cube and flog it to the highest bidder.


Who will find the Tox Uthat first? Which do you think is the most destructive force ever created in the universe, the Tox Uthat or the Federation's (Regula One) Genesis Torpedo or Soran's rocket star killer?

live long and prosper, trekkers.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Star Trek The Undiscovered Country

Star Trek The Undiscovered Country is a good movie with plenty of emotional attachment to all the main characters, proper effects and peppered humour. Its fun watching the hungover USS Enterprise NCC 1701-A crew piecing together the clues in this Sherlockian style, Star Trek murder/mystery.

When a mysterious photon torpedo ploughs into the Klingon High Chancellor's flagship, Kronos One, its red alert, battle stations for Kirk's Enterprise. The real mind twister is why are the USS Enterprise computer banks lying? Scotty just isn't buying it.


'Inform them of what? A new weapon that is invisible? Raving lunatics, that's what they'll call us!


What did Valeris see in the evil General Chang? Anyone with an eyepatch NAILED to his head is not exactly someone you want to mess with, Period. Who were you rooting for? Did you feel sorry for Valeris?


 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Robotic Datas' Epic Win

Heres our Robotic Enterprise-D Science Officer, Commander Data awaiting word on missing DNA fragments essential to locating a super humanoid master species. Anyway what makes this youtube funny is the fact Data's positronic brain is encased in battleship armour!

He has the strength of 10 men, doesn't get tired, rust or ever sleep! In an epic encounter with the Klingon Nu’Daq, our metal friend Data is challenged to an armwrestle, Klingon style. When Nu’Daq loses he tries a new move. Lets just say the Klingon isn't counting on Data's very hard head.

Data: "My upper spinal support is a polyalloy designed for extreme stress. My skull is composed of cortenide and duranium."

When you listen closely you can hear chuckles in the Enterprises Ten Forward bar. Should Guinan aka Whoopi Goldberg have intervened? Did you know about Data's molybdenum-cobalt, tripolymer or polyalloys? What would you have done in the same situation?




 Laugh Long and prosper, trekinators!

Friday, April 18, 2014

Cable Guy Star Trek Battle

Remember Kirk and Spock's duel in Star Trek's classic episode of Amok Time? Well, here's Jim Carey's skit of trek's famous fight to the death scrap. It's an epic "Cable Guy" parody really. When you play the clip you'll see the master of crazy comedy lampooning around as Chip with a terrified Kovac slugging it out in the arena. Listen out for Carey's improvised "Star Trek" sound effects which are a total hoot.




"All right you want to play rough? Daddy can play rough." Da-na, na, na, na, na, naaa, na-naa, na, na.

"Like when Spock had to play Kirk on Star Trek, best friends forced to do battle." - Cable Guy.

"Chip this isn't funny, will you stop it!!"

"The name is Spock, if we don't battle to the death, they will kill us both." - Cable Guy.

 "This isn't Star Trek" yells Kovac.


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Natasha Yar in Naked Now


N is for Naked. In Star Trek TNG's "Naked Now" the USS Enterprise-D crew get infected with a virus from another ship, the Tsiolkovsky. The fun begins when everyone loses their inhibitions, acting real weird when they return from an away mission.

Security Officer, Natash Yar is a real stunner all dolled up and a sight for sore eyes. She sets her sights on Data, seducing the android, adding him to her list of conquests. With a mischievous expression on her face, she corners Data and their eyes light up. The android is baffled but can't help resisting Tasha's advances towards him. Security Officer Tasha is in complete control of the situation.


" Data, You are fully functional aren't you ?"
" I am functional" replies Data
" HOW fully functional ?" demands Yar, smiling eagerly like a hungry little cougar.
" In every way!, I am programmed in multiple techniques." responds Data "
You little Jewel" responds an ecstatic Tasha leading the smiling android away to an adjoining bedroom.

Lucky day for Data? A bird wearing a Starfleet shirt with insignia appears on a computer screen. Could this be the Great Bird of the Galaxy?

Dream Long and prosper, trekkers.



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Mind altering Star Trek TOS Bloopers


M is for Makeup Meltdown. William Shatner spent 3 hours in the chair prepping for Star Trek's classic 'Deadly Years.' One day after suffering the exhausting 'aging' makeup process, Shatner arrived at Paramount's Star Trek production set which was closing down. Frustrated heres what he said:

'Bob Justman, I'm going home now. after spending three hours putting this f****** makeup back on.....and its your fault!


Have you seen treks original blooper reel outakes? How would you have reacted? Whos your favorite alien sci-fi creature?

Jump to 3.54 for Shatners reaction.


Monday, April 14, 2014

Locutus of Borg

L is for Locutus of Borg but who is he? In Star Trek TNG's Best of Both Worlds, Picard's Enterprise-D crew get their butts kicked in a battle with the big scary Borg. Victorious, trek's cybernetic baddies beam off the Federation's Galaxy class fortress with their prized possession, Captain Picard. How could this be happenning, I hear you ask. Well to be honest, TNG's Best of Both Worlds left many of us gobsmacked on stardate 44001.4 It was spine chillingly thrilling watching Picard become Locutus of Borg. However, many of us still couldn't accept Starfleet's finest diplomat was now the enemy, a walking and talking Borg.

 'I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From now on, you will service us.'

 How did you react when Commander Riker gave the order?

 'Mr Worf.....fire.'

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkers.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

King Abdullah's 'Investigations'


K is for King Abdullah. Star Trek Voyagers 'Investigations' episode is quite the surprise. In 1996, a Jordanian Star Trek fan was but a mere Prince. He landed a non-speaking role in Star Trek Voyager as a Science Officer. When Moral Officer Neelix strikes up a conversation with Harry Kim, Science Officer Abdullah departs the scene rather quickly.

7 years later Jordan's avid Star Trek fan is a King! Apparently he was visiting the States as part of a military delegation and had to stopover in L.A. A friend offered to arrange for the prince to visit Voyagers' film set and try on a uniform.

'Then the next thing, when I actually showed up, they said that if you want, you can stand in. So it wasn't planned, it just turned out that way. I had a great time.'

How cool is this? Are you a fan of Star Trek Voyager? Do you wear costumes to Star trek conventions?

Wednesday, April 09, 2014

Heroic Captain Kirks Crew Are Hiding!



Heroic Captain Kirk has proven himself on numerous occasions with his ingenious battle strategies. Keeping the power and secrets of the Genesis Torpedo away from Commander Kruges grasp is top priority. He's the perfect mean spirited, vengeful Klingon on a power tripping quest... All our greedy friend has to do now is seize the Enterprise and steal her "secrets." When Kruge sizes up the situation, Captain Kirk cunningly outwits his mortal enemy by setting the USS Enterprise 1701 on self destruct!!! Kruges undefeated reputation is in tatters with his moment of glory backfiring sending him into an unhinged spasm of madness. He has to defeat his elusive opponent. Captain Kirk.

Trouble is, where are Captain Kirks heroic crew?

(Forward to 3.18) 
TORG: My lord(Kruge) the ship appears to be deserted. [Enterprise bridge]

KRUGE: How can that be? They're hiding! [Bird-of-Prey bridge]

TORG: Yes sir. But the bridge appears to be run by computer. It is the only thing speaking.[Enterprise bridge]

KRUGE: Speaking? Let me hear. [Bird-of-Prey bridge]

ENTERPRISE COMPUTER VOICE: Nine, ...eight, ...seven, ...six, ...five,... [Enterprise bridge] 

KRUGE: Get out! Get out of there! Get out! COMPUTER VOICE: ...one... [Bird-of-Prey bridge]

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkers.

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

Guinan and Picard?

G is for Guinan but who is she? In Star Trek's TNG Whoopi Goldberg plays Guinan who runs the USS Enterprise-D's ten forward lounge. Amazingly she belongs to a mysterious race of El Aurians that doesn't seem to age, Guinan is over 500 years old. Captain Picard and Guinan share a very strong bond, they have a trust and an unspoken understanding that surpasses normal friendship and hints in some TNG episodes at possible intimacy.

She is the only character apart from the omnipotent Q who can challenge Picard's orders and get him to change his mind. Data believes her perception goes beyond linear time, which explains why she knew the timeline was altered in 'Yesterdays Enterprise'A self confessed Star Trek fan and Golden Globe winner to boot, the actress told Gene Roddenberry she wanted a part to play on the show. Whoopi Goldberg has been a Star Trek fan since childhood (her hero was Nichelle Niichols) so her character took off when producers found out she wanted to be part of the series.

What do you think, did Captain Picard and Guinan have a secret love affair?

Live Long and Prosper, trekkers.

Monday, April 07, 2014

Fascinating Fans First


F is for Fascinating, Frequencies, Fans and First. In Star Treks classic 'The Corbinate Maneuver' Uhura appears providing actress Nichelle Nichols with her signature line 'Hailing Frequencies Open' which she says seven times during the episode. Theres little doubt that the popularity of Star Trek characters has gone from strength to strength in the eyes of the fans.

Several of Star Trek's characters have signature lines of dialogue. The guy with the ears, Mr Spock regularly says 'Fascinating.' Dr McCoy's legendary quips include 'Hes dead, Jim' and Chekov the Ships Navigator, screams 'Aaaaaagggghhhhhhhh! The fact is many of the first season episodes were cast out of shooting order, a fact easily discernible by the characters uniforms. Which characters geekspeak is your favorite?

Hail Long and Prosper, trekkies and trekkers!

Saturday, April 05, 2014

Elaan of Troyius

E is for Enslaved by Emotional Elaan but who is she? Elaan is a spoiled princess played by Frances Nuyen who cries in Star Trek's classic episode "Elaan of Troyius." When the USS Enterprise escorts the beautiful Dohlman Princess of Elas all blazes breaks loose. The idea was to unite two wartorn worlds, Elas and Troyius with an arranged marriage union except her glory has other ideas. She doesn't want to get hitched fullstop.

The fun begins when a substance in Elaan's tears biochemically casts its spell on Kirk, who falls in love with her. The Dolhman's secret "weapon" specifically weakens the Captain's will and crumbles his resolve! You can't really blame Kirk for trying to teach her some manners, a task her tutor, Ambassador Petri despised totally.
Its true. Bones you've got to find me an antidote!
What will Spock and Dr McCoy try next? Can this lady killer really enslave Kirks heart forever? Will Dr McCoy find Kirk an antidote in time? How do you reverse falling in love with a beautiful babe?




Friday, April 04, 2014

Gul Dukat

D is for Dukat but who is he? In 2351, Gul Dukat played by Marc Alaimo rose to the position as Prefect of Bajor under Cardassian rule on Star Trek DS9. This guy ruled the Bajorian people with an iron fist while believing he was actually helping them.

Terok Nor later renamed Deep Space Nine was Dukat's base of operations where he chose to subjugate the Bajorian people at all costs. Offenders engaged in criminal activity were always declared guilty and sentenced to death in advance of a public show trial. To no end, Dukat personally instigated a counter uprising program to quell rebellious behaviour by instilling fear in his subjects. In an bizare twist though, he appoints the changeling Odo to investigate the murder of the stations chemist with surprising results.

In his quest for ultimate power Dukat has been many things, soldier, freedom fighter, despot, Prefect of Bajor, outcast, pawn, father and even ruler of the Cardassian homeworld but lost that status when he suffered a mental breakdown. One thing remains constant, Dukat is a supreme warlord fighting battles with Federations, Klingons and Bajorians to name a few. I have to admit DS9 is the darkest Star Trek show which ran for seven glorious seasons. When DS9's Jadzia Dax played by the wonderful Terry Farell departs the station, I realised Dukat is someone you don't want to meet in a dark lane way.

 Which Star Trek DS9 character is your favorite?

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkers.

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Star Trek TNG Brothers





B is for "Brothers" which begins with the USS Enterprise-D being covertly diverted to Commander Datas home planet!

In this 77th episode episode of Star Trek TNG, Data takes over Captain Picard's ship when a malfunction in the androids programming summons him to a mysterious planet. Apparently all it took was a homing beacon to get Data, Lore and Dr Soong reunited in a cosy family get together.






A surprised Data meets his creator, his actual living father who hasn't been killed by the Crystalline Entity after all. Soong has created the perfect chip specially designed to allow Data experience human emotions for the first time! The real mind twister here is how will Data's Emotion Chip affect the android whom we have come to know and love.

 In a bizare twist, Data's evil brother Lore fools the old man. Lore gets the chip and in turn goes quite mad, assaults Dr Soong and runs away. What made this really unique is Spiner plays all three characters but when Soong touches Data's face, the hand belongs to a photo double.



 Brent Spiner candidly admits,

'I didn't have a clue as to who the character was, he was just a generic old man.' Four hours of ageing make-up later, 'People started treating me like I was an old man with so much more respect' 'The older I acted between scenes, the nicer people treated me, it was incredible.'


The brothers are soon at odds but when Soong interrupts to reveal he's dying, its like WOW. For a moment I actually believed Data's evil twin, Lore had a heart!

 'Brothers' was written by Rick Berman and directed by Rob Bowman. The element of jeopardy was suggested by TNG's Michael Piller who wanted Lore on the scene.

How many days of shooting do you think it took Brent Spiner to shoot this episode?  What did you think of Data fooling the computer by impersonating Captain Picard's voice? Who's your favorite character, Data, Lore or Dr Noonien Soong? 


Monday, March 24, 2014

Spacerguys Top 100 Sci-Fi Robots

This week I've shortlisted 100 Science Fiction Robots in showbusiness. Most of these iconic robots' originated from various science fiction movies and tv shows. A few others featured in fantasy musicals, cartoons and comic Sci-Fi spoofs like Galaxina, the Wizard of Oz, Futurama and International Man of Mystery.

Technically speaking the Terminator played by Arnold Schwarzenegger is neither a robot nor an android. In simple Sci-Fi terms hes just your average killer cyborg disguised with living flesh covering an indestructible exo-skeleton. So sit back and enjoy the fun. A couple of evil robots and computer entities mimicking human qualities are here too but why Locutus Of Borg at no.46? Needless to say I'm a trekker.


How does your geek feel about the sequencing of these Robots, Androids and Cyborgs? By the late 1970's and 80's Star Wars, Asimov's Three Robotic Laws and Robocop's Prime Directives were well known. Our robot pals have become like family intrinsically rooted in modern society. They no longer have to look like us to be lovable. R2-D2 and the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 bridge speak to us in whistles and beeps. I hope you've been listening closely, they have more personality than many a humanoid robot.

Perhaps by 2100 the friendliest living thing on planet Earth will be an immortal robotic mind filled with human memories!




















Whos that friendly, beaming face hugging R2-D2?

What is the fourth law of robotics?

Which Sci-Fi ROBOT is your favorite?

1. Robby the Robot                             Forbidden Planet          
2. Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-One.     Star Trek Voyager
3. Wall-E                                      Wall-e
4. Robot B-9                                   Lost in Space  
5. Lieutenant Commander Data                   Star Trek TNG
6. Optimus Prime                               Transformers (2007)
7. Nomad                                       Star Trek TOS
8. Lore                                         Star Trek TNG
9. R2-D2                                       Star Wars
10. Bionic Man                               Six Million Dollar Man                
11. T-800                                      Terminator 2
12. RoboCop                                    Robocop
13. Andrew Martin                              Bicentennial man (1999)
14. HAL 9000                                   A Space Odyssey
15. Bender                                      Futurama
16. RUK                                        Star Trek TOS
17. C-3PO                                      Stars wars
18. Ash                                        Alien
19. David                                        A.I. Intelligence
20. Gort                                       The Day The Earth Stood Still.
21. Sonny (Nester Class 5)                     I, Robot (2004)
22. Megatron                                   Transformers
23. T-1000                                     Terminator 2
24. Max                                        Flight of the Navigator
25. LAL                                        Star Trek TNG
26. Frankenstein                               Frankenstein Movies
27. Ilia Probe                                 Star Trek TMP
28. Annalee Call                               Alien Resurrection (1997)
29. Edward Scissorhands                        Edward Scissorhands (1990)
30. Kronos                                     Kronos: Ravager of Planets (1957)
31. Bee Bee                                     Deadly Friend
32. Gigolo Joe and Gigolo Jane                 Artificial Intelligence: A.I. (2001)
33. AMEE                                       Red Planet (2000)
34. Andrea                                     Star Trek TOS
35. IG88                                       Empire Strikes Back
36. Borg Queen                                 Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
37. Death Probe                                Six Million Dollar Man    
38. Daleks                                     Dr Who
39. ABC Warrior                                Judge Dredd (1995)
40. KITT                                       Knight Rider
41. CYLON CENTURIONS                           Battlestar Galactica
42. Rommie                                     Andromeda
43. V'Ger                                      Star Trek TMP
44. Maria                                      Metropolis (1927)
45. Nova S-A-I-N-T                             Short Circuit (1986)
46. Locutus Of Borg                            Star Trek TNG "The Best of Both Worlds"
47. Galaxina                                   Galaxina (1980)
48. Zen                                        Blake 7
49. Maximillian                                The Black Hole
50. The Tin Man                                The wizard of oz
51. Agent Smith                                The Matrix
52. Ed-209                                     Robocop
53. Colossus                                   The Forbin Project
54. RoboMan                                    Robotic Cyborg
55. Boba Fett                                    Star Wars)
56. T-X Android Terminator                     Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
57. Earthbot vs Tsu Garu                       Robo Warriors (1996)
58. Jaegers                                    Pacific Rim
59. AT-AT                                      Star Wars
60. Harvester Robot                            Terminator Salvation
61. Hunter Killer                              Terminator Series
62. Bishop                                     Aliens 2
63. Cameron                                    Terminator Chronicles
64. The Vulture Droid                          Star Wars 1 and III
65. Mechani Kong                               King Kong Escapes
66. Bumblebee                                  Transformers
67. Dwarf Spider Droid                         Star Wars II and III
68. Enforcement Cops                           THX 1138
69. Fembots                                    Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
70. SID 6.7                                    Virtuosity (1995)
71. Hector                                     Saturn 3
72. Tik-Tok                                    Return to Oz
73. Ulysses                                    Making Mr Right (1987)
74. Replicant Pris                             Blade Runner (1982)
75. Teddy                                      A.I. Artificial Intelligence
76. Marvin, Protype Android                    The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (2005).
77. Huey, Dewey and Louie                      Silent Running 1976
78. Wheelie                                    Revenge of the Transformers
79. Iron Man                                   The Phantom Creeps (1939)
80. JohnnyCab                                   Total Recall
81. Edgar                                      Electric Dreams (1984)
82. D.A.R.Y.L.                                 D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
83. Questor Tapes                                      Questor Tapes
84. Gunslinger                                 Westworld
85. VINCENT and B.O.B.                         The Black Hole
86. Dot Matrix                                 Spaceballs
87. Battle Droids                          Star Wars The Phantom Menace
88. Bubo                                       Clash of the Titans
89. Replicators                                Stargate
90. Sentinels                                  The Matrix (1999)
91. Eve VIII                                   Eve of Destruction (1991)
92. Stella                                     Star Trek TOS. "I, Mudd"
93. The Exocomps                               Star Trek TNG. "Quality of Life"
94. Nanites                                    Star Trek TNG  "Evolution"
95. Satans Robot                               Star Trek Voyager "The Adventures of Captain Proton"
96. APU 3947                                   Star Trek Voyager "Prototype"
97. M-4 Multitronic Unit                       Star Trek TOS "Requiem for Methuselah"
98. K-9                                        Doctor Who
99. Lonzak                               Star Trek Voyager
100. Box                                       Logan's Run (1976)


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

National Wormhole Week

National Wormhole week has kicked off in blogland for 2014. Wormfest is co-hosted by Stephen, Alex and Diane. So shall we begin? The rules are two-fold but fun to follow. Name one thing where science advances mankind, and one where the same technology with unforeseen consequences will go too far and set mankind back.

I've selected Ronald Reagans "Star Wars Defense" which was originally called the Strategic Defence Initiative. The President proposed the Star Wars' initiative in 1983 because I think he wanted Americans to feel safe. The plan was to defend America and the rest of the world against 'the Extraterrestrial Threat' with outerspace interceptors.


The downside to Star Wars defense is it took countless nations by complete surprise. Folks were stunned. Its 'Risky and Unscientific' idealism made several headlines in Time magazine sizing it up alongside George Lucas' fantasy Star Wars. Of course today the whole thing sounds like science fiction but not at the time. The Star Wars thing really was a wakeup call despite being a huge financial flop.

President Reagans Defense Strategy of 'outerspace interceptors' cost America billions and spooked our Russian Friends but we were lucky. Star Wars Defence cracked the ice in the Cold War. President Gorbachev met with Ronald Reagan for several talks which led to peace.






Do you think Science Fiction saved the day? or was Reagans' Star Wars Defence a brilliant prelude for peace?

Glastnost Long and Prosper, trekkers!


Monday, March 10, 2014

3D STID Khan Wallpaper



Heres a spectacular, 3 dimensional wallpaper of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701 with Khan rising up from a city of ashes. If you dig this graphic art then you'll enjoy these starships too.. Its fun staring at these deep space objects, imagine if they were real!

Lets pretend for a moment the Enterprise is warping through Earth's star system in sector 001. Shes on a rescue mission to save Sol's Federation earthlings once again. Earthers are scouring the skies. Finally she arrives, all shiny and new. Starfleets finest is ready for action with Captain James T. Kirk commanding.

 Ah yes, but who is that dark figure in the foreground? Great space, its Khan! That villainous scoundrel from Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Which movie rocked your world the most? Whose Khan gets your vote? Benedict Cumberbatch or Ricardo Montalban?

Live Long and Prosper, trekkers.




Friday, February 14, 2014

TNG Realm of Fear

Realm of Fear is an epic Star Trek TNG episode #128 starring Dwight Schultz as the (USS Enterprise-D) engineer Reginald Barclay. Brannon Braga wrote TNG's script 'Realm of fear' in homage to 'Nightmare at 20000 Feet.'


When captain Picard's Federation Galaxy class flagship USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D locates the stricken USS Yosmite, the Enterprises' Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge calls on Reg for help. He is after all a systems engineer. At first, all is not what it seems because the Yosmite crew are missing. To make matters interesting, Lieutenant Barclay lives in mortal terror of transporter 'beaming' but then who doesn't? Dr Leonard H McCoy and Catherine Pulaski cringe at having their atoms scattered across the galaxy too.



Barclay is a starship systems diagnostic engineer yet oddly hes extremely nervous about transporters. When he finally plucks up the courage to step into the thing and de materialize, Reg makes a startling discovery. An encounter with a creature from within the matter stream spooks the living bejeepers out of him. Is it a lifeform? Could it be alive?

The thing floats and then zaps his arm. Barclay steps out from the transporter pad a completely shaken and changed man, convinced life will never be the same again. He suddenly develops a thirst for water and believes time is running out.

Yeah! its got to be transporter psychosis, right? or was it the creature in the transporter stream?

Enjoy your star trekking, trekkies and trekkers!

Friday, February 07, 2014

Star Trek Into Darkness Laserpower



See all these Starfleet Redshirts? The warp core pictured in director J.J. Abram's (2013) Star Trek Into Darkness movie was filmed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory aka National Ignition Facility in CA. Looking at this epic (NIF) structure you'd hardly guess its the largest and most energetic laser system in the world but it is! Hardly surprising Star Trek continues to test new frontiers boldly exploring where no red shirt has gone before, hehe. Which ones Chekov, I wonder?



 STID is full of cool stuff like this. Apparently the (NIF) is where real-life scientists are attempting to create nuclear fusion without underground nuclear testing. In 2012, with the approval of the Department of Energy, the NIF's laser laboratory was used for the first time as a film set during a normal maintenance cycle for the facility.




Heres Scotty getting pegged to wear special 'neutron' cream to avoid damage from ions in the air.

Heck yeah! with all this Enterprise firepower, Scotty should have vaporized Khan's USS Vengeance into sci fi oblivion.





Laser long and Prosper, Trekkers and Trekkies.

Friday, January 24, 2014

You Had Your Ears Fixed

Heres a fun interview with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner. Enjoy the laughs!


Who said "I recognise you, you had your ears fixed!"



1. John Wayne 
2. Elizabeth Taylor
3. Ricardo Montalban
4. George Lucas
5. Brent Spiner
6. Justin Bieber
7. Zoe Saldana


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