Quark

Q is for Quark but who is he? In Star Trek DS9 Armin Shimerman appears as the greedy Ferengi who runs the bar and gambling casino on the station's promenade. His love for gold pressed latinum constantly gets him into scrapes with the law.

Fortunately our silver tongued friend has no scruples about telling yarns to save his own neck. In Star Trek TNG he played the Ferengi who spoke the most lines in 'The Last Outpost.'

Shimmerman is an old hand at science fiction having starred in Beauty and the Beast and Alien Nation previously. Armin initially had some misgivings about the extensive makeup required but a chat with Michael Dorn soon helped the actor come to grips with being stuck in a chair for hours. Shimmerman is definitely one of the more expressive Star Trek actors on Deep Space Nine but this fact is often missed because his face is always hidden behind a mask of gew.

Quark also runs 'holosuites' where any fantasy of your dreams can be played out for the right price. Every good Ferengi follows the Ferengi Code with religious devotion from an early age.

Years ago I snook in an extra rule into the Ferengi Code, can you spot which one isn't the real McCoy?

What fantasies would you like to play out in Quark's holosuite?

P is for the Picard Song

P is for the Picard Song! Heres Patrick Stewart live and in the flesh....SINGING an A to Z special in hilarious form! I've added the lyrics so you can have some fun and sing along! Its not often we hear the captain of the Enterprise-D singing a tribute for Star Trek's creator, Gene Roddenberry. I wonder could this be the same Jean Luc Picard we've all come to know, love and serve under during our galactic trek through the stars?

Perhaps its high time to sing the Picard song?

“Mr. Crusher, set course for Starbase…
A–Gene, you’re adorable.
‘B,’ you’re so beautiful.
‘C,’ you’re a cutie full of charm,
‘D,’ you’re a darling, and ‘E’ you’re exciting,
And ‘F,’ you’re a feather in my arms.
‘G,’ you look good to me,
‘H,’ you’re so heavenly,
‘I,’ you’re the one I idolize.
‘J,’ we’re like Jack and Jill.
‘K,’ you’re so kissable.
‘L’ is the love light in your eyes.
M-N-O-P, I could go on all day.
Q…’Q'? R-S-T, alphabetically speaking, you’re ok.
‘U’ make my life complete.
‘V’ means you’re very sweet.
W-X-Y-Zed!
It’s fun to wander through
The alphabet with you.
To tell you what you mean to…Engage!”

Old Earth Satellite

O is for Old Earth Satellite. The USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D encounters frozen bodies in Star Trek TNG episode of 'the neutral zone.' The strange thing is these humans died over 300 years ago on planet earth!

All is definitely not what it seems. Data the android is fascinated by the 20th century Old Earth Vessel and is itching to investigate. Blackbeard reluctantly gives his officers the green light. Together Worf and Data beam aboard only to discover three humans in a deep freeze cryogenic sleep!

The question facing Data now is what to do with them? A mystery also surrounds the destruction of Federation and Romulan outposts marking the arrival of the United Federation of Planet's secretive neighbours, the Romulans after 50 years of silence. Captain Picard's return to the USS Enterprise-D reveals the man is not a happy camper. Data's and Dr Beverly Crusher shenanigans only makes matters worse. The good doctor has little choice but to thaw out the Enterprise's new passengers, apparently. Picard is unimpressed.

I am never critical of any member of my staff being curious, but... the timing is just so...
DATA
I could not leave them there, Captain. The condition of the vehicle was deteriorating.
PICARD
But, Data -- they were already dead. I mean... what more could have happened to them?
DATA
I see your point, Captain, but at the time...

What would you have done?

Nomad

N is for Nomad but who or what is he? Nomad appears in an epic Star Trek classic episode of 'the changeling' voiced by Vic Perrin.

In 2002 this ancient space probe leaves earth on a peaceful mission, to seek out new lifeforms!...... On its interstellar journey Nomad encounters 'Tan Ru' another of its kind. Quite by accident a merging of computerized minds unites and becomes one. A new far superior device evolves from the joining with an entirely new mission. To seek out and destroy!

In a way this episode reminds me of V'ger from Star Trek The Motion Picture. Both machines are sentient however all is not what it seems. Neither Nomad or V'ger can comprehend human beings or our simple feelings! Despite Nomads vast knowledge imbedded into his data assimilation digital encoder, Earths 21th century space probe now believes humans are the enemy, imperfect in every way! We are to be exterminated! However, the machines mission of perfection soon proves to be its deadly weakness.

It mistakes Captain Kirk for his creator proving once and for all, Nomad too makes human-like errors!

CAPT. KIRK
I am the Kirk, the creator?
NOMAD
You are the creator.
CAPT. KIRK
You're wrong! Jackson Roykirk, your creator, is dead. You have mistaken me for him. You are in error. You did not discover your mistake. You have made two errors. You are flawed and imperfect and you have not corrected by sterilisation. You have made three errors.
NOMAD
Error. Error. Error. Examine.
KIRK
You are flawed and imperfect! Execute your prime function!
NOMAD
I shall analyse error. Analyse error,
KIRK
Now. Get those antigravs on it.
NOMAD
Examine error. Error.

Make It So

M is for Make it so! Watch for these signs, its easy to get hooked when Star Trek is warping through the galaxy on TV! Wide staring eyes, tingling sensation all over the body, hairs standing up on the neck, sweating hands and racing heartbeats are all logical indications that the nervous system has gone into sudden warp drive.

The mystique appeal of future space travel and seeking out strange new lifeforms keeps us on the edge of our seats. You find yourself standing up to say "MAKE IT SO and ENGAGE" during the movie. Trek adrenalin floods the bloodstream sending your buddies into an equally euphoric emotional state, momentarily stimulating everyones cosmic thought pathways. Is it possible Star Trek has engaged you? The situation is grim because now you have to explain your emotional outbursts.

You are found guilty for blurting out 'MAKE IT SO!'

All indications are.....you might be a Trekkie!

Beam me up, Scotty!