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.

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!

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?