#Spot and Geordi became friends

[blast-it-jim]

P. 2 of redrawing past sketch book doodles!

My favorite TNG boys (sorry Q)

Text writing below :

Top left :

G : *sigh* "Data, that cat is... crazy."

D : "I suppose she can be rather rambunctious. Mr. Wesley calls it her... 'Zoomies'."

Top right : They Disapprove

Left middle :

D : " Geordi, why are you on my shoulders?"

G : "You're taller and I need to reach this panel :) "

Left right :

G : "Friends?"

Bottom :

D : "Why are we running?"

G : "Does it matter!? Just run, Data! RUN!"

[obviouslyelementary]

Purple - DaForge

This is a fanfic based on @mostly-natm ‘s art, about how Data’s glow functions like a mood ring and shows off different colors depending on how he feels. 

I hope you enjoy it!

-----------------------------

When they first met, Geordi was amazed by how beautiful Data looked to him. He immediately knew he was a different type of life form, since no one else Geordi had ever seen with his visor ever shone or had an aura around them, but Data did, and it was almost breathtaking. When he talked to Riker, Beverly, or any other crew member, they knew he was different, an android, due to his manner of speaking, his white skin and glowing yellow eyes. But Geordi could see none of that, all he saw was a glow that surrounded him, making him look like a true angel.

As their friendship developed and they spent more and more time together, the glow became an afterthought. As with characteristics you get used with seeing, it became to Geordi just another part of Data's self, another characteristic that made him unique. But it didn't stand out anymore. The glow was yellow and greenish, due to the waves Data's body emitted, and he grew used with seeing those around his best friend as a part, an extension of him.

The glow, however, turned into something to be taken in consideration again, after a few years they had served together. For the most part, it was yellow with some green-ish splashes, but sometimes, just rarely and usually lasting less than a second, new splashes of color seemed to join the usual ones.

It was an afterthought to Geordi, making him believe it was just a function Data was doing at the time that would change his waves. But it became more noticeable after an incident with Spot.

Data did care about that cat like nothing and no one else. Geordi was even bold enough to say Data loved her to pieces, even though he assured him he did not, because he had no feelings. Nothing could convince Geordi of that though, and his suspicions were confirmed, when after a quite bumpy mission, Spot was lost through the ship.

Data requested to all personal to keep their eyes open for Spot, but she was missing for days, and hope began to seem slim. After such a mission, the probability of Spot being hurt or stuck somewhere was high, and while no one wanted to think about it, maybe for Data's own sake, it was something they had to consider.

"My people have looked through all the extension of the Jeffrey tubes... we found nothing" Geordi said as he reported to Data at the end of the day. Data was working by his terminal, and looked up at Geordi with a single nod.

"Thank you Geordi" he said, and looked back down. Indeed his face showed no emotion, but as Geordi stared at him, he began noticing a kind of blue splash of color showing off from Data's body. It was weird, and it pushed the yellow out, as if it was taking its place. Geordi watched in surprise as the blue color took over the entire glow, surrounding Data with a dark color theme.

"Data are you okay?" he asked, surprised and worried, walking closer to his friend, who looked up at Geordi immediately.

"Yes. I am fine" he said, but his glow was still blue. "Why do you ask?"

"Your glow... it changed color" Geordi said, tilting his head, and Data raised an eyebrow while looking at himself and back at Geordi.

"Interesting. I sense nothing wrong with my inner organs, perhaps there is something wrong with your visor?"

"No, it is perfect, I checked it last morning" he assured, touching Data on the arm and pulling away immediately as from that point, a purple wave emerged. "You are changing all over the place!"

"Did it change again?" Data asked, and Geordi nodded.

"Yeah when I touched you, it changed to purple... what is going on Data?"

"I do not know" he admitted, and looked down at his terminal, searching for a possible reason while Geordi watched as the blue glow turned yellow again, slowly.

"Maybe we should give it a look..."

"I believe we should."

 After a long, long research, the closest they came to an answer was a mood swing. Data insisted he did not have emotions, but Geordi insisted it was the only solution to their problem. Assuming they were right, then, Geordi suggested that maybe that was how Data showed feelings.

"It is invisible to everyone, even you, but it's there" Geordi concluded, and Data tilted his head. The yellow turned brighter, and Geordi watched it with curious eyes.

"It does make sense, in a way. A subtle but assuring way of showing that I do have emotions, without overwhelming anyone surrounding me" Data said, looking back at Geordi. "What color is it now?"

"Yellow. It usually is yellow" he said, and the android nodded.

"I see. So whenever I am in the middle of thought process, or just acting normally, the color is yellow. What could have been the cause for my glow to be blue earlier?"

"I think it's because you are sad Spot is missing" Geordi said, and Data looked at him, before giving a slow nod.

"I do miss her."

The glow began changing from yellow to blue again, and Geordi gave him a nod.

"We will find her, don't worry."

With another glance, the blue turned back to yellow, but with a greenish tint to it.

 With a lot, and a lot of search, they were able to find Spot hiding underneath a shuttle at the hangar. The security team brought her back to Data's quarters, where he and Geordi were waiting for any news, and she looked fine although a bit dirty and thin. She hadn't eaten for at least a few days, that was quite a lot. Upon seeing Spot again, Data immediately picked her up from the security hands and kissed her head, petting her as she meowed. Geordi saw the yellow glow turn into orange, with some splash of pink, and once Data put Spot down with a bow of food and water, the pink took over and he stared at her.

Geordi smiled to himself, giving a nod.

"You're all pink now" he said, and Data looked at him.

"My glow?"

"Yes."

"Then it must have something to do with how I experience feelings" Data concluded, looking back at Spot as she ate and drank. "I am feeling grateful that she is back."

"I bet."

 Geordi didn't really tell anyone about the glowing changing colors, specially because he didn't want Data to be uncomfortable. Although he believed he would not be, Geordi couldn't be sure, since he basically saw a part of the android that even he didn't know of.

But it also gave the engineer quite the advantage when dealing with Data, since he knew how the android felt even if he didn't know.

He noticed how his glow turned red when he was angry or uncomfortable, and pink when he was embarrassed or happy. It was easy to read Data like this, but he still didn't know what the purple meant when Geordi interacted with him. With all their other friends, he either remained yellow, or turned into orange or light blue. But with Geordi it was always purple, and he had never seen Data's glow turn purple when he interacted with anything else.

Geordi was so curious that he searched for answer in color meanings, and around other people without really putting it to words, but he found no answer, so he took the question to Data himself.

"Data... do you know why every time I touch you or we interact, your glow turns purple?" he asked, and Data looked at him from his terminal, watching as Geordi played with Spot, again, his glow began turning purple, and pink.

"Is it an unusual color?" he asked, and Geordi nodded.

"Yeah it only turns purple around me."

"Then maybe you are special in some way" Data suggested, standing up and walking to Geordi, sitting next to him while still watching Spot play by the engineer's feet. "You are my best friend."

"But for friends your colors are usually yellow, or blue. Never purple."

"I have no answer for you Geordi, other than I believe you are special in some way."

Geordi looked at Data, and he was staring right back, his glow completely purple now. He was unsure if Data could feel it, but the tension became high at how close they were, and Geordi was hyper aware of their legs and arms pressed together. His whole vision was purple now. It gave the room a nice tint of color.

They moved closer like weak magnets, slow and not even realizing it, until their noses bopped together and Geordi gasped softly, pulling away and blushing all over the place.

"I-I'm sorry" he whispered, but Data reached out, holding Geordi's face and making him swallow thickly. Then, the android moved forward again, and tilted his head before their lips were touching, and Geordi shut his eyes out of pure bliss.

He could still see behind his eyelids, but it didn't matter.

Purple turned into red and blue, and Geordi felt at peace as they pulled away, lips taking a second before breaking apart. Geordi looked at Data, surprised and completely in bliss, while he looked back at him, blinking slowly.

"What color am I now?" he asked, and Geordi gave him a small chuckle and a shy smile.

"Red and blue."

"I see."

They looked at each other, before they leaned in and kissed again, neither really caring anymore about their surroundings.

They would have to study those colors later.

[ladyfogg]

May I? - 1/?

May I? - 1/?

Fic Summary: Ensign Faith Diaz struggles to hide her mental illness from her fellow shipmates aboard the Enterprise until an intrigued Data goes out of his way to try to understand her behavior. At his insistence, Faith tries to figure out what she's truly passionate about and eventually seeks the professional help she needs. Fic Masterpost.

Fic Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Data/Female OC

Warnings: tw: depression, tw: anxiety, fluff, friends to lovers, eventual smut

A/N: Hey guys! I have this fic posted over on AO3 already but thought I’d post it here as well. Currently there are 12 chapters. This fic is ongoing and while I have a clear arc/story in the works, I haven’t decided when it will end. I’m just kind of going with it. This story has been my support fic throughout this whole fucking quarantine mess and I’ve been having a lot of fun writing it. I’ll be posting all the chapters so far throughout the week. 

It may seem that everyday something happens aboard the Enterprise. It was almost like every week it was an invasion, a messy political shift, a weird time distortion loop, hostile negotiations...the list went on and on. However, in reality, there was a lot of time when nothing happened. When the ship glided through space effortlessly and the crew fell into a steady routine. Occasionally, they stopped at a planet to gather samples or map it. But other than that, all was quiet. 

It was on one of those routine days that Data found himself in Engineering, helping Geordi with several re-calibrations. They were minor modifications the two had wanted to implement for some time yet had not been able to.

All had gone according to plan and they were in the process of completing their work when Geordi stood up straight, a triumphant smile on his face.

"All set," he declared. "The conductors are functioning five-percent higher than normal. We should run a level one diagnostic just to be sure but there shouldn't be any issues."

"I agree. Readings are well within standard parameters," Data concluded, fingers dancing across the console. 

"I asked Diaz to do a manual sweep just to be sure," Geordi said. "I haven't heard from her yet but it doesn't seem like anything is out of place." He tapped his communicator. "La Forge to Ensign Diaz, what's the status of your sweep?"

Geordi waited for a response but one did not come. He tapped his communicator again. "Ensign Diaz, report!"

Nothing.

Data had only known Ensign Diaz in passing but he recalled Geordi's increasing frustration with the new crew member. She did not seem to have the same level of skills as some of her fellow engineers and her behavior had been less than exemplary.

"Where is she?" Geordi muttered. "Computer, locate Ensign Diaz."

" Ensign Diaz is located in Jefferies Tube 42B."

"Now what the hell is she doing in there?" Geordi said with exasperation. "And why isn't she answering?"

Data cocked his head as he ran through all possible scenarios. "I have calculated two hundred and thirty possible reasons for Ensign Diaz's behavior. One, she found a structural issue that she decided to correct. Two, one of the conductors may be showing signs of stress the computer cannot detect. Three—"

"Thanks, Data. I get it," Geordi cut him off. "Well, whatever the reason, I'm going to find out what's going on."

He had barely taken a step away from the console when his own communicator beeped. "Riker to La Forge, meet me in Transporter Room One. Prepare to beam to the planet's surface."

Geordi sighed but responded, "Aye, Commander. On my way."

Data saw Geordi glance in the direction Ensign Diaz had gone. "I am not required on the Bridge until oh-eight hundred hours. I can locate Ensign Diaz for you," he offered.

Geordi looked relieved and gave his best friend a smile. "That'd be great, thanks, Data. I'll be back as soon as I can." He gave him a pat on the back as he walked by. 

Data finished his work a second later before heading to the tubes. He found one of them already open and climbed inside. 

He did not see any signs of the ensign so he proceeded forward. 

"Ensign Diaz?" he called, his voice echoing off the metallic walks around him. 

He came across her communicator a short distance away, sitting at the bottom of a ladder. Frowning, Data picked it up and examined it. It did not look damaged and a quick diagnostic revealed it was in working order. He continued his search.

When he climbed the ladder, he was met with the sight of Ensign Diaz, deeply engrossed in one of the panels on the wall.

"Ensign Diaz?" he asked.

She spun around in surprise. Once she realized who spoke, she tried to straighten up, though it was difficult in such a tight space. 

"Commander Data! What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question." Data held up her communicator. "I found this in the shaft behind us. I believe it is yours."

Diaz touched the spot on her uniform where it should have been as if she had not known it was missing.

"Thank you. It must have slipped off when I was climbing." She took it from him, pinning it back in place.

"Why are you in the tubes? Commander La Forge asked me to find you. He said you were told to do a manual sweep."

"I was a-and I did," Diaz stuttered, tucking a loose strand of dark hair back into her braid. "While I was doing so, I noticed one of the panels was out of alignment. Physically. I-I tried to correct it. It wouldn't budge so I decided to try to get it from the other side."

"I see." Data moved forward to check her work. Sure enough, he could see where the unit was off-center. "Most curious. That should not be possible."

"That's what I thought. But I can't seem to get it back into place." 

Data knew what was going to happen before it did. Yet even with his quick reflexes, he was not able to prevent the accident. 

Diaz did not have a proper grip on the part when she tugged on it. She had been perspiring and as a result, her hands slipped. The momentum sent her forward, where she smashed her head on the metal edge of the unit.

She screamed in pain, hand pressed to the spot as Data pulled her away. "Son of a bitch!" she exclaimed.

"Are you alright?" Data asked.

"Aside from seeing stars, I think so. Let's just fix the stupid thing and get out of here."

"I will handle it." Data carefully released Diaz, letting her rest against the tube wall while he took her place. Within seconds he fixed the situation, securing the unit into its proper position before determining it was in perfect working condition.

"My readings indicate everything is in working order," he said as he moved his tricorder over the unit. "Good work, Ensign."

"Thanks," Diaz said, removing her hand from her head.

Data looked at her, only to realize her forehead was smeared with blood.

"Ensign Diaz, you are bleeding."

"What? No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. I believe you injured yourself when you hit your head."

"It's not that…" She looked at her hand, the color draining from her face when she saw blood on her palm. "...bad."

Data put his recorder in his pocket and made a move to tap his communicator but she stopped him. 

"No, wait! Don't!"

"Ensign, you are bleeding. I must contact sickbay."

"Honestly, I'm okay. I just need something to wipe up the blood. I'll be fine."

"I insist."

Diaz sighed and Data noted her eyes looked glossy. He wondered if the injury was more severe than she was letting on. 

"Let's at least get out of this stupid tube," she said. "I promise I'll walk there myself."

"That would be acceptable. As a precaution, I will accompany you to Dr. Crusher."

He motioned for her to move ahead and the pair began to backtrack. It was slow work as Diaz was careful not to leave a trail of bloody handprints in their path. When it came time to climb the ladder, Data insisted on going first so he could monitor her in case she needed help. 

He kept his eyes on Diaz, looking for any signs of distress while she descended. He noted her balance was unsteady. She rocked slightly and had to pause several times. During one of those times, she shut her eyes, arms wrapped around the rung in front of her.

"Ensign Diaz—"

"Please, call me, Faith. I never liked formal titles very much."

"As you wish. Faith, are you experiencing dizziness?"

"Sir, I'm fine."

Data found himself making a noise of disbelief. "No. You are not."

Faith cracked her eyes open, glancing down at him and Data saw her arms trembling as she tried to keep herself up. "Commander?"

"Yes?"

"I think I might pass out."

Her eyes rolled back in her head and her grip loosened, sending her tumbling off the ladder. For the second time, Data caught her in his arms. Quickly he tapped his communicator.

"Data to Transporter Room Two. I need immediate transport for two to sickbay. Current location Jefferies Tube 42B."

"Aye, Commander!" O'Brien's voice answered. "I'll have you there in a jiff."

A second later, Data found himself standing in the middle of sickbay, Faith's limp body in his arms. Dr. Crusher whirled around, eyes widening when she saw them.

In an instant she was at their side, scanning Faith. "What happened?" she demanded.

"Faith hit her head. She became weak and lost consciousness."

"How long ago?"

"The injury took place approximately ten minutes ago. She has been unconscious for thirty seconds."

"Data, get her up on the bed for me."

As he carried her across the room, her eyes fluttered open.

"Ugh, where am I?"

"You are in sickbay," he answered, gently lowering her down onto one of the beds.

"What happened?"

"Do you not remember hitting your head?"

Faith's eyes closed and she swallowed thickly, her head lolling from side to side. "It's all fuzzy." She grew still again.

"Faith? It's Dr. Crusher. I need you to open your eyes again. Can you do that for me?" When there was no answer, Beverly injected Faith with something while handing Data a towel. "Data, press this to her wound while I get my dermal regenerator. We have to stop the bleeding."

"Yes, Doctor."

Data did as he was told, pushing Faith's bangs back from her face so he could see the wound properly. It was deeper than he initially noticed. He pressed the towel to it, noting how much paler she had become in such a short period of time.

Beverly reappeared a moment later. He stepped aside so she could work, watching with rapt attention as she peeled the towel away before spraying the wound with antibacterial ointment. Once it was clean, she carefully sealed up the wound, leaving nothing but smeared blood in its place.

"That's done at least," she muttered to herself. She picked up her tricorder and resumed scanning the young woman.

"Will Faith be alright, Doctor?"

"She should be. According to my readings, she has a concussion. I recommend she be taken off duty for the time being."

"A smart recommendation."

Beverly finished scanning Faith, but this time her mouth deepened into a frown. "Hmm…" She scanned her again.

"Is something wrong?" Data asked.

It took a moment for the doctor to acknowledge his question. When she did, Beverly gave him a tight smile. "Nothing you need to worry about. Thank you for your help, Data. I can take it from here. You're free to go."

"I have already created a formal report of the accident. I will send it to you now for your records."

"That'd be great, thanks. And I'll let Geordi know not to expect Faith for a few days."

"Excellent. Have a good day, Doctor."

Data took his leave, but something came over him and made him pause, turning to look back. Faith was still unconscious and Dr. Crusher was staring at her as if deep in thought. Her expression was one Data had come to associate with that of concern.

However, he had duties to attend to. So he left sickbay and filed the incident for later review.

[sshbpodcast]

Tales from the Holodeck: TNG Fanfic: Caitlin’s Story

A Star to Steer Her By is closing the book on Star Trek: The Next Generation with our much anticipated fanfic series “Tales from the Holodeck”! With our random draws for our special guest characters in hand, we’ve written new adventures for the crew of the Enterprise-D for you to enjoy! Listen to the whole episode here, or read on below for Caitlin’s story!

[images © Paramount/CBS]

“The Pulaski Maneuver”

by Caitlin

Random Picks: Katherine Pulaski, Leah Brahms

She wasn’t exactly what you would call a blonde bombshell, but she was no granny, either -  you could see from her bright eyes and sarcastic smile that she almost certainly broke her share of hearts in her heyday. One of those hearts was the subject of her interest for the evening, and she had dressed the part. Her black synthosilk dress fit just right (just as the slaughter of animals was largely a thing of the past thanks to replicators, they had long ago given up raising silkworms just for some soft, shiny fabric), and she had employed a touch of makeup to accentuate her already enviable features.

Katherine, you look pretty damn good tonight, she thought, looking around her. You could give these kids a run for their money…

She sat at a freshly clothed table in a small restaurant, a silently hovering but empty chair across from her awaiting its occupant. The decor was nothing spectacular, though the holo-chandeliers never ceased to impress new visitors - they cast beautiful pastel light and rotated around the room, creating a soft kaleidoscope effect. She had chosen the spot not just because it was one of her favorites, but also because she knew the lighting would give her that vaseline on a camera lens look, and tonight could be an important night...

Katherine was pulled from her thoughts and hopes for the evening by a familiar voice calling to her from across the room. She saw a handsome dark-skinned man approaching, with shocking bright blue eyes; his dress gave him away as a Starfleet officer, yellow for engineering. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.

“Dr. Pulaski! Imagine running into you here!” exclaimed Geordi, leaning down to embrace the former CMO of the Enterprise warmly. “It’s so wonderful to see you - how have you been? How’s the on-planet life?”

“Geordi, how nice to see you,” said Pulaski, remembering at last as she returned his hug stiffly - she was not really a hugging person. “Things have been well - as well as they can be, trying to teach advanced medical courses to students who would rather be adventuring on a star ship already. Not as exciting as my time on board the Enterprise, but when Starfleet Academy calls, you answer. You finally took my advice and got the implants - I almost didn’t recognize you!”

“Oh, right - you haven’t seen me out of my visor!” he grinned. He decided to skip telling her about the time he grew new, fully functional eyes - Pulaski wasn’t the type to believe in something so far-fetched. “But say, have you heard the news? Deanna and Will are finally tying the knot!”

A wry smile crossed Pulaski’s face, and she shook her head. “No, I hadn’t heard - I think my invitation must’ve been lost in the mail. Though it’s interesting you ask, I’m meeting Kyle Riker here a little later.” 

Most people might’ve seen that as a tactful way to end a conversation, but Geordi wasn’t most people, and though he was one of the best in terms of engineering, tactful he was not.

Geordi grinned wide, and made sure to log this information away to tease Will. He had heard rumors that Pulaski and Kyle Riker had been… intimate friends, and he knew Will had heard the same ones. He could almost see his face now.

“I’m actually meeting someone for a drink here too,” Geordi offered. “Remember Leah Brahms?”

“Of course I do,” Pulaski replied. “Anyone worth their salt here in Star Fleet knows Dr. Brahms. But why is she meeting you for a drink?” Pulaski tried to keep her question on the right side of rude, but after the infamously embarrassing first encounter between Geordi and Leah, she couldn’t think of any reason, beyond fatalistic female politeness, that would have brought the two of them together in such an intimate fashion.

“Well, I’m sure you know we became great friends after meeting on the Enterprise,” said Geordi, settling into the chair across from Pulaski to continue their conversation. 

“I didn’t realize that, no,” said Pulaski, taking a long sip from her water and wishing it was something stronger. “Fancy that.”

“Well, yeah, we’ve run into each other at a few conferences, exchanged a few subspace communications - mostly when there have been changes made to how I’m running the Enterprise, but they’ve always been very friendly exchanges,” said Geordi, who Pulaski was beginning to think was definitely confusing politeness and mutual friendly interest.

“I see,” said Pulaski. “It’s… nice… that the two of you are able to continue as colleagues and work together with such a... rapport.”

“I thought so too,” said Geordi seriously. “And, I know she’s married, so I have no expectations, obviously, but I’m hoping to ask her tonight if she’d like to go to the Troi-Riker wedding as my date!”

“As your… date?” Pulaski choked on her water. “Surely you can’t be serious…”

“I am serious,” said Geordi. “And don’t call me Shirley.” He grinned, but his smile faltered when Pulaski didn’t respond in kind. “More of a friend date, really, not a date-date.” 

Pulaski fell silent for a moment, holding Geordi’s gaze with a hard stare, before sighing and taking another sip from her near-empty glass.

“It sounds to me like you are in need of a very serious medical intervention,” Pulaski muttered, serving Geordi some serious side eye.

“What? I don’t even feel unwell! How could you determine I need medical attention after what I just - “ 

“Trust me, you need it,” Pulaski said flatly. “It’s a procedure I created and perfected, and in lay terms it’s called the Pulaski Maneuver. It’s used for extraction -

“Extraction?!” Interrupted Geordi. “My god, you think I need to have an ORGAN removed because I suggested -”

“I never said an organ would need to be removed, Mr. La Forge,” said Pulaski. “What needs, in fact, to be removed, is your head from your ass. Are you really suggesting that, after your incredibly unprofessional run-in with Dr. Brahms on board the Enterprise, you would actually have the… unimaginable gall to ask her to be your date to a wedding?” 

“Listen, you don’t really know what you’re talking about here,” said Geordi, gently, like he might with a child mid-tantrum. “Leah and I had a good laugh about it after all was said and done, and besides -”

“Geordi, I can’t believe that, in the 24th century, I have to have this conversation with you,” Pulaski sighed. “We’re supposed to be beyond this now. Some perfect future.”

She folded her hands over her water glass and stuck Geordi with an unflinching stare. “Geordi. Your behavior towards Leah has been incredibly inappropriate. If she had reported you to your superiors, you would have been stripped of your rank and probably black listed from Starfleet altogether.”

“I think you’re making this too big of a deal,” said Geordi nervously, glancing at the parties at nearby tables and gesturing with his hands for her to keep it down. “Please, Katherine, if you could just lower your voice -”

“If it’s not a big deal, why do you care if these people hear about it, Geordi?” spat Pulaski. “Your inappropriate relationship with your Holo-Leah Brahms is not unknown among some of Starfleet, though because she didn’t want to file a report, it’s largely gone ignored. That much is bad enough. To then treat Dr. Brahms with such disrespect when you found she wasn’t who you thought… it is absolutely disgraceful.”

The diners at nearby tables were looking around, trying to not seem obvious in listening to the quickly escalating “friendly” conversation. 

“Now I’ll tell you what you are going to do when Dr. Brahms walks in here to meet you,” continued Pulaski. “And you are going to ask her something, Geordi, but do you know what you’re going to ask her? You’re going to ask her for forgiveness for your disgusting behavior. You are going to do so after acknowledging that you have behaved, frankly, as a cad, and that you are ashamed that things happened the way they did. If I hear from anyone that you actually asked her to attend the Troi-Riker wedding with you, Geordi, I will reverse the Pulaski Maneuver and stick your head so far up your ass you’ll be able to see your vocal cords. Do we have an understanding?”

Geordi leapt up from his chair, blushing a deep crimson red. “Katherine, I-I had no idea,” he stammered. “Le - Dr. Brahms has always acted so friendly when we talked, I had no clue she was so upset.”

“No, you wouldn’t, would you, Geordi?” scoffed Pulaski. “Too wrapped up in your own hurt pride to think about how she was feeling, and what a horrible position you put her in. Did you know that in the 21st century, brilliant women in science and technology fields went through this kind of disgusting harassment regularly? Brilliant minds were forced to flee from their fields because they were the subjects of mockery and gross misconduct from their male colleagues and worse, their superiors.”

Geordi stood, mouth agape, in shocked silence. “Katherine… you’re right,” said Geordi. “I’ve been such a fool, a disgrace to my uniform.” He buried his head in his hands, and Pulaski thought she spied a glimmer of gathering tears in his unearthly blue eyes. “Thank you, Katherine, for making me see the truth, the reality of how I’ve behaved. I will tell Leah -”

“Tell Leah what?” asked a cautious but friendly female voice, from behind Geordi. 

Geordi jumped, visibly startled by the arrival of his intended dinner partner, ran a thumb across his eyes to slick away the threatening tears, and turned to look at Dr. Brahms, who stood before him with an eyebrow raised. “Leah! I, uh, I was going to tell you that Katherine sends her regards, but now you’re here and she can send them herself, can’t you, doctor?” He turned back to Pulaski, eyes pleading for her to not rat him out.

Pulaski cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders, shooting Geordi one last quick glare before turning her attention to Leah and smiling. “Dr. Brahms! Wonderful to see you. How are your husband and the children?” 

“They’re doing well, thank you,” said Leah warmly, crossing to Katherine and greeting her with a quick kiss on each cheek. Leah was dressed in what looked like her usual work clothes, with one of her signature turtlenecks, her hair scooped back into a loose twist at the back of her head. To look at her, you would think her ready for a fight, not feast. “Always lovely to run into you. Geordi, did you still want to grab that drink?”

Geordi looked at the two women, and saw them as both wearing battle armor - one for love, one for war. He smiled. “I would like that, Leah, if you are willing. I… would really like to talk to you about something important. I… realize what an ass I’ve been, and I owe you an apology. Can we find a quiet table to talk?”

Leah looked shocked, and Pulaski looked smug. Another successful use of the Pulaski Maneuver. Now if only Geordi could keep his head on his shoulders and not up his - Well. She would give him the benefit of the doubt. For now. “You two enjoy, it seems like you have a lot to talk about,” said Pulaski, craning her neck to see around them. It was then that she spotted Kyle Riker walking into the bar, and smiled. As tall and handsome as ever, she thought, a smile curving one half of her mouth. “Besides, my visitor has just arrived. Go on, you two, before you make yourselves a nuisance.” She gestured as if to hurry them along, and then smiled and waved at Kyle. He saw her, smiled, and started on his way over.

As Geordi and Leah walked across the room to find a quiet spot, Geordi overheard Kyle say, “Katherine, did you hear about Will? He and Deanna are to be married. And I wanted to ask… would you be willing to join me as my guest for the blessed event?” 

Geordi hid a smile. He knew the conversation he was about to have with Leah would be unpleasant at best, but at least he had some serious dirt to throw at Will next time he saw him. But he knew he had learned something more valuable than romantic gossip that day, and he vowed, silently, to be a better man for it.

—

We’re moving on to new Star Trek and Star Trek–related series we’re sure you’ll enjoy, so be sure to keep listening on SoundCloud, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and pull your head out of your ass, Geordi!

[books-on-a-wire]

Title: The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

Genre: YA Contemporary

Synopsis: August is a misfit with a pyro streak and Jack is a golden boy on the varsity rugby team--but their intense friendship goes way back. Jack begins to see increasingly vivid hallucinations that take the form of an elaborate fantasy kingdom creeping into the edges of the real world. With their parents' unreliable behavior, August decides to help Jack the way he always has--on his own. He accepts the visions as reality, even when Jack leads them on a quest to fulfill a dark prophecy. August and Jack alienate everyone around them as they struggle with their sanity, free falling into the surreal fantasy world that feels made for them. In the end, each one must choose his own truth.

Review: Wow, this was a whole experience!! The short chapters quickly pulled me in, the mystery of what happened, the consequences, and how it got so out of hand had me intrigued from the start. I'm juggling about five books and this was the one I kept reaching for. Plus, the mixed media really gave it an immersive feel as you got into their heads. I made the playlists and listened to them as I read. I did spread out the book over four days. I think if I had read it in one sitting I might have triggered my anxiety. As the pages shrank and became darker (fyi the book smells amazing lol!) it becomes a little claustrophobic but for the mood of the book it was perfect. The darker pages really amped up the tension  because you felt like, "how can this get any darker?!" 

It's hard to do a review because I don't want to give spoilers about the incident, the repercussions, and the fantasy elements. My heart broke for the boys, it was definitely a tearjerker. And it was so frustrating watching it happen - neglect from their parents, the intervention (or lack of) by teachers and admin who saw their behavior spiralling down, the struggle with friends and the boy's self-imposed isolation. It was a lot!I have never seen a YA book deal with some of these topics before, specifically the D/s relationship, so that made it really unique. I think it did remarkably well, even though not graphic, of depicting a Dominant/submissive, bisexuality, and a plural relationship. The world setting and fantasy elements were spot on, side characters were great (I want more about Geordie, the twins, and Rina). Loved everything about it, no complaints, I was thoroughly impressed and will absolutely read more from this author. 

[theprocrastinatingalien]

Battle of Star Trek - Batch#8 Quarter-Finals (featuring Picard, Trip, Kira & Georgiou)

We edge closer to discovering your favourite character from across all the series and movies.  128 characters slowly being whittled down to 1 eventual winner.

Here we are in the 8th and final batch, the quarter-finals no less!  We have 8 characters ready for you to vote them to 'champ' status, where they will then take on other champs.

Have a look at who's still in the competition and then head over to twitter - add procrastinalien - and then get voting.

DEANNA TROI

Counselor Troi was half Betazoid and half Human.  She was empathic and so valuable to Captain Picard she had  a permanent seat on the bridge. She held the rank of Lt. Commander through most of the series, before desiring more responsibility and becoming promoted to Commander.  As well as her duties, her duties she had a number of romantic storylines - most notable with Will Riker, who she ended up marrying.  Marina Sirtis played Troi throughout all seven seasons of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATIONS, all four movies that followed, returning for some guest spots in VOYAGER - advising Lt. Barclay as he helped guide the crew home.

DATA

Lt. Commander Data was an android created by Noonien Soong. He applied to Starfleet and served aboard USS Enterprise-D (and E) under Captain Picard as the Operations Manager (the science officer and second officer). He studied humanity and desiring to become human - or as close as he could to it. He installed an emotion chip, but Data's relationship with his emotions were complicated. He formed many friendships, most importantly Geordi, his best friend.  Despite being 'immortal', it's Data who sacrificed himself in NEMESIS, and effectively died.  Although the presence of his 'brother' B4 suggests the essence of Data may have lived on.  Brent Spiner played Data throughout all seven seasons of THE NEXT GENERATION and their four movies.

JEAN-LUC PICARD

One of the most iconic characters in all of Trek, Captain Jean-Luc Picard commanded the USS Enterprise-D (and E) the flagship for Starfleet.  This meant he served many important missions - including first contact with the impish Q, which in turn lead to first contact with the dreaded Borg. When the Borg attacked Earth they assimilated him into the hybrid Locutus.  This is an event that would stay with him for years after.  On the pluss side, He got to serve alongside Ambassador Spock, and even met, and fought alongside, the famous Captain Kirk.  Patrick Stewart played Picard for all seven seasons of TNG, plus the four movies.  He also got to give Commander Sisko his orders in the pilot for DEEP SPACE NINE.

CHARLES 'TRIP' TUCKER III

'Trip' was the chief engineer aboard the NX- Enterprise in the 22nd Century. He was good friends with his commanding officer, Captain Archer, and despite his distrust of the Vulcans, formed a romantic relationship with T'Pol after she entered the infamous Pon Far. Tucker was often seen to be hot headed, but was still the second officer on the ship.  Connor Trinneer played Trip for all four seasons of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE.

KIRA NERYS

Major Kira was once a remember of the Bajoran resistance during the Cardassian occupation on her home world, Bajor.  She serves as the first officer on the space station Deep Space Nine, but is initially unsure o f(and even aggressive towards) Starfleet's presence - possibly seeming them as a new oppressor.  What blurs the lines is when commanding officer Benjamin Sisko becomes the Emissary - a religious icon for her people.  Eventually she learns to respect the Federation and forms many friends on the station.  She, herself, ends up promoted to Colonel during the war with the Dominion.  On a personal level, she becomes romantically involved with station security officer 'Chief' Odo.  Nana Visitor played Kira during all seven seasons of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE.

JANICE RAND

Captain Kirk's yeoman Janice Rand served aboard the famous USS Enterprise. She was only seen a few times - including a point when she became the object of affection by 'Charlie X'.  She was later seen (mostly in the back ground) rising up through the ranks in movies and later served on the USS Excelsior under Captain Sulu, where she'd achieved the position of communications officer and rank of Lieutenant (junior grade).  Grace Lee Whitney played Janice Rand during the first season of STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES, a couple of the films with the same cast, and then a guest appearance on VOYAGER.

SYLVIA TILLY

Cadet Tilly talks a lot when she's nervous... and she's pretty nervous when she finds out that her new room mate is none other than the notorious mutineer Michael Burnham.  Despite her reservations, the pair hit it off and become firm friends.  The nervy cadet is assigned to engineering under Lt. Stamets, as they work on the experimental Spore drive aboard the USS Discovery. When the ship finds itself in the Mirror Universe, Tilly has to pretend to be her Mirror counterpart - who just happens to be the commanding officer!  When the ship gets back, and helps to diffuse the war with the Klingons, Tilly is promoted to Ensign and put on the command track, where she'll start her journey to her own command (for real!).  Mary Wiseman played Tilly for the first season of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, and will return for the second.

PHILIPPA GEORGIOU

Captain Georgiou was the commanding officer of the USS Shenzhou.  Her ship ended up making contact with some Klingon extremists.  In an intense situation, she found her first officer (Commander Burnham) mutinying against her... the situation worsens... resulting the a war with the Klingons, and the death of Georgiou.  When The USS Discovery find themselves in the Mirror Universe, they discover that the ruling Emperor is none other that Georgiou. When the ship finds a way to get back to their own universe, Burnham - feeling guilt - brings Emperor with them.  Back in the Prime universe, Mirror Georgiou pretended to be Captain Georgiou - to confuse the Klingons (and everyone else).  Once her role is played out, she slinks into the shadows.  Georgiou was played by Michelle Yeoh, appearing as a 'special guest star' in the first seasons of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.  She's expected to return at some point, maybe in season two,

So there you have it people.  Those are your eight options... now lets get them down to four for the semi-finals shall we?   You've got three days to vote over on twitter - so get voting!

[ramajmedia]

Star Trek: 10 Hidden Details About The Main Characters of DS9

Widely regarded as one of the most gritty and multi-faceted spin-offs in the Star Trek franchise, Deep Space Nine was the last Star Trek show still running when the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation took to films and Star Trek: Voyager finally reached its journeys end. It's known for departing from the traditional episodic nature of the franchise and transitioning to a serialized format, which allowed for over-arching storylines and the ramifications to be felt from previous episodes.

RELATED: Star Trek: 10 DS9 Storylines That Were Never Resolved

In this way, a series about the various inhabitants of a space station orbiting a wormhole could still be one of exploration, it just dealt with traversing interpersonal relationships rather than deep space. With the psychological analysis of so many fascinating inhabitants of Deep Space 9, came rumors that the cast of main characters was one of the most fractious. There's more to know about them than just what we saw on the screen. Below are ten of their hidden details.

10 ALEXANDER SIDDIQ TANKED BASHIR'S PERFORMANCE

If you're paying attention to Doctor Bashir in the last few seasons of the show, you may notice a change in his demeanor. This is intentional; Alexander Siddiq wasn't happy with the alterations being made to his character, particularly the decision to make Bashir an "augmented" human, illegally altered to be gifted by his parents.

Later, he disliked being turned into a possible Dominion spy. This resulted in him tanking his performance, hoping it would affect ratings and force the writing team to change his character back to its original archetype. Among Star Trek fans of Deep Space Nine, Siddiq is regarded as the problem child of the cast.

9 MICHAEL DORN ALTERED WORF'S ACTING

The cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation is well known for being chummy. The cast regularly saw each other outside of working hours, and continue to be the best of friends. Coming from that environment to DS9, where everyone was committed to a deeply professional work environment affected Michael Dorn's acting style.

Worf was always a serious character, but due to the stiff nature on the set of DS9, where he was surrounded by theatrically trained actors (in the vein of Patrick Stewart), he had to make a conscious decision not to undue all of the progress Worf's character had made while on the Enterprise (i.e., become friendlier as the series progressed).

8 MARC ALAIMO WAS BASICALLY DUKAT

If you peruse the Star Trek Deep Space Nine Companion, a hefty coffee table book dedicated to details about the series, you'll find plenty of interviews and anecdotes with the main cast about the characters they play. Everything from their perspective on the character's psychology to what it was like getting into their prosthetics and makeup is included.

RELATED: Star Trek: The 10 Deadliest Villains The Crew Has Ever Faced

Marc Alaimo, known for playing the charming yet unscrupulous Cardassian warlord Gul Dukat, had such a hand in shaping Dukat that he became known for being as arrogant, petulant, and entitled as his character, inspiring ridicule and derision from his cast mates.

7 ODO IS BASED ON JAMES DEAN AND CLINT EASTWOOD

The lovable, grouchy constable aboard Deep Space Nine went through a few iterations before producers settled on the personality and demeanor they wanted Odo to have. They envisioned him as a combination between two loner-types, Clint Eastwood and James Dean.

Clint Eastwood because they wanted him to be reminiscent of a clench-teethed sheriff of the Old West, and James Dean because they wanted him to be moody due to an overwhelming sense of not belonging. Rene Auberjonois did his best approximation of the two, though they chose to not make him as good looking as either of those two actors.

6 SISKO INITIALLY COULDN'T SHAVE HIS HEAD

There have been many reasons why characters on Star Trek series have to look the way they do; originally Patrick Stewart was made to wear a toupee because of his hairline before TNG started filming, but that was soon scrapped for looking ridiculous and his baldness was embraced.

Meanwhile, Commander Sisko (Benjamin Brooks) wasn't allowed to shave his head for the first several seasons because the actor would look to similar to roles he'd previously played in films. By the fourth season he was permitted to do so after audiences became used to the character - he could even grow a beard.

5 JADZIA DAX WENT THROUGH SEVERAL CHANGES

The Trill species were first introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation, but looked much different from Jadzia Dax, the main Trill host in DS9. In TNG, the Trill had ridges on their heads and no discernible "spots", but makeup artist Michael Westmore desired to streamline their appearance.

RELATED: Star Trek: 10 Geordi Logic Memes That Are True And Hilarious

Jadzia Dax was also intended originally to be a character that was born on a planet with little gravity, requiring her to use a wheel chair when she was aboard Deep Space Nine. She could also "fly" only in her quarters when gravity controls were adjusted. This idea was scrapped, but given to a guest character in Season 2.

4 O'BRIEN'S UNIFORM WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE REST OF THE CREW

Colm Meaney originally had some trepidation about returning to the role of Miles O'Brien on DS9. He liked the freedom he had on Star Trek: The Next Generation as a reoccurring character, but not a part of the regular cast. However, his salary upgrade made him reconsider.

When he was fitted for his uniform, he requested two key changes as a non-commissioned officer; he wanted it to be cut with the ability for him to roll up his sleeves as a working man taking care of the ship, and he wanted it to have pockets for his tool.

3 NANA VISITOR WAS ACTUALLY PREGNANT AS KIRA

Whenever female cast members get pregnant during the course of a television show, adjustments need to be made in the storyline they're involved in to account for their changing bodies. One of the ways this was accomplished when Nana Visitor became pregnant in real life was to have Major Kira become pregnant as well.

Kira isn't made to be pregnant with her own child, but rather become the surrogate for the new baby of Miles and Keiko O'Brien. Nana Visitor was actually pregnant with her and Alexander Saddiq's (who played Doctor Bashir) baby, which she gave birth to during Season 5.

2 MAJOR KIRA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RO LAREN

Originally the character of the Bajoran militia member and terrorist turned military leader of a liberated society wasn't Major Kira. It was going to be Ro Laren, the memorably hot-tempered Bajoran introduced on Star Trek: The Next Generation. That actress didn't want to do a Star Trek series again, and so the character of Kira was created.

At first Nana Visitor was skeptical of taking the part, especially at a time when doing episodic science fiction for television wasn't a prestige assignment. But she was convinced by the script, and the fact that Major Kira wasn't a helpmate female Star Trek character assisting the male leads, like Counselor Troi, Dr. Beverly Crusher, and Lieutenant Uhura.

1 JADZIA DAX WAS PREMATURELY KILLED OFF

A favorite character on the series, Jadzia Daz's untimely demise in Season 6 came as much of a shock to fans as to actress Terry Farrell who played her. Farrell had requested more time off, and to become a recurring character to allow her an easier schedule, but producers wouldn't go for it and decided to kill Dax instead.

The Dax Trill symbiant she carried would be transferred to a new host body (Ezri), who fans weren't particularly fond of. Especially since Jadzia had so recently married Worf, a union of two favorite characters. Her death also didn't offer any way for Farrell to return to the part for guest appearances on any other Star Trek series.

NEXT: Star Trek TNG: 10 Hidden Details About The Main Characters Everyone Missed

source https://screenrant.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-hidden-character-details/

[jamesginortonblog]

Leading by example has never been Sidney Chambers’ forte.

The vicar with a penchant for crime solving swigged a whole bottle of whiskey before holding a newborn baby in the Grantchester Christmas special, so it’s no surprise to see him swinging forbidden love Amanda around a dance floor shortly after promising his new boss Archdeacon Gabriel Atubo (we still can't believe it's former EastEnder Gary Beadle) that he’ll put duty above his own needs.

Duty is the buzzword in the third series of the ITV drama, and it’s something both Sidney (James Norton) and Geordie (Robson Green) are struggling with as we return to the Cambridgeshire village.

Sidney’s all but shacked up with Amanda Hopkins (Morven Christie), the childhood sweetheart who broke his heart by marrying another fella, only to come running back to the very handsome vicar at the end of series two.

The bump she was sporting became a baby in the Christmas special, and now both mum and little Grace have become frequent guests chez Chambers, much to the equal delight and chagrin of housekeeper Mrs Maguire.

It’s Sidney’s duty to be a pillar of the community, y’see. He’d be hung, drawn and quartered if anyone knew he was sneaking out for rides with Amanda in the dead of the night. Bike rides, that is, because Sidney is a good man who wouldn’t dream of doing anything improper. No matter how much he and his beloved want to.

Geordie (Robson), however, doesn’t seem too worried about rocking the boat. The Keating household is anything but happy, and poor Cathy (Kacey Ainsworth) is concerned about her husband’s wandering eye. She has good reason to be, too. Geordie’s got it bad for police secretary Margaret (Seline Hizli), whose quick thinking, wit and intelligence instantly endear her to the detective.

Sidney and Geordie's struggles with their personal duties are put on hold, however, when dead crows start popping up at crime scenes and someone calls up the vicarage to do a spot of heavy breathing over the phone.

The trail leads Sidney back to a funeral he presided over, a young woman nursing her ill father, and a rather depressing institution overseen by Jane Bennett from the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice. No really, Veronica – the woman in charge – is played by Susannah Harker, who you’ll know best as Lizzy Bennett’s older sister in the 1990s smash hit adaptation.

In the process of solving the mystery, Leonard (Al Weaver) jumps at the opportunity to acquire a new friend. His duty, handed down by the new big cheese in his delightfully thick brogue, is to keep his sexuality under wraps. The 1950s sure were fun for everyone, eh?

It’s a big ask for Leonard (who had a heartbreaking series two) but he’s committing to it, sensing an opportunity to find the potential wife his boss recommends. Hilary Franklin, the aforementioned young woman tending to her father, is in real need of a friend, so Leonard kills two birds with one stone (crow joke, har har) and sets himself up to stick his head in the sand.

Sidney, meanwhile, ends up with his head beneath a large quantity of bath water as the mysterious killer decides to take down the vicar via baby Grace. It turns out caretaker Patrick Harland has been seeking revenge for the death of his daughter, Bonnie, at the hands of the folks at that scary institution. His previous victims  – Dr Atwell and Ivy Franklin ��were in on the little girl’s drowning and they rather cruelly never revealed what they’d done with her body.

Sidney and Geordie help him get to the bottom of it eventually, carting off Veronica in a police car and taking Harland to Bonnie’s grave for a somber and long overdue send off, worthy of the children who were wronged by those who were supposed to care for them.

All’s well that ends well, right?  This is Grantchester, of course it’s not.

Sidney and Amanda have had a letter from Guy Hopkins, who’s eager to become a daddy to his abandoned daughter. It doesn’t seem as though Amanda's ex is up to anything too sinister in fairness, but five minutes in his company drives Sidney back to the cigarettes.

“You’re a good man, Chambers,” is Amanda's new motto. But how long can the conflicted cleric keep everyone happy when his demons are knocking at the door?

[roseandremus]

TNG/VOY/DS9

Friends: Julian, Tom P., Deanna, Geordi, Siskos, Miles. Shipped with: William Thaddeus Riker, Harry Kim, and Jadzia Dax. Will met you the first time in Ten Forward when Guinan pointed out that you could use a friend. He waltzed over and kindly asked to join you. You accepted, but you were awkward for about an hour before you felt comfortable talking with him. And when the two of you stood to leave, you noticed how tall he was in comparison to you at 5'3". He didn’t mind, so you tried to remember that he was kind about your height unlike others. Besides, you made him laugh; he liked that. The two of you would go Data’s concerts and applaud the loudest while you and Data would go to Will’s theatre productions. Data also was your go to person for books. Geordi on the other hand was your nerd buddy. The two of you would talk about the books Data recommended and “old” films you’ve watched. Deanna was always personally supportive of your relationship with Will, and the two of you were close friends. You always managed to find her a date by playing ‘Have you met Troi?’. —-_—- Harry met you when you stood up for Tom at lunch despite Tom’s attitude. Ever since, Tom has been grateful and the person to hook you guys up. The height difference between you and Harry wasn’t too much, and he loved your dark blonde hair with blue eyes to match. He said he couldn’t picture you any other way. You were the one to attend all of his ‘concerts’, and he was the one to watch musicals and theatre productions with you. He enjoyed them after the first time, because you would cuddle into him. You were shy about the things you were considered a nerd for until he showed his nerdy side. He loved all your jokes no matter how stupid or irrelevant they could seem, to others. –_– Jadzia met you at Quarks in the darkest isolated spot you could find. She wandered over and introduced herself, and after a bit of small talk you opened up to her. The two of you would talk about your home and Starfleet stories to being Trill and several lifetime stories. Jokes and witty statements were met with giggles and stomach aching laughs. The two of you would gaze at art of all types for hours in her quarters. When you hugged, she would set her head on yours. Julian flirted with her until he knew that Jadzia had a girlfriend, you. He backed off and became a good friend. Julian was also a nerd about a lot of things, so you were happy you knew him for more than his medicinal skills. Sisko had been kind before, but now he was teasing you as if you had known him for lifetimes. Miles was a friend on Enterprise, so you tracked him down. When you found him, you bonded over Enterprise and similar interests. You met Molly again and was a significant person to her growing up. –_–

My inbox is now empty...

[travelphilosopher]

There were a few things I wanted to see and do in Newcastle, mainly to see the old Castle and to wander around the city walls. I was there to relax too, and didn’t want to rush around like a crazed tourist. I didn’t need to tick things off a list, and was happy to wander around and see what looked interesting. My friend’s husband had the day off work and offered to take me on a Geordie tour, and he’d never been to the Cathedral Chuch of St. Nicholas (even though he was born in the city) so it was ideal opportunity to visit.

It was sunny, no snow had settled as far as I could see, but the ground was icy, and as ever there was a wind chill in the north east. We parked in St. James Park, which is home of Newcastle United football club, and I had a peak inside the grounds through the gates. The area is known as Gallowgate as it is just outside the city walls and where people were hanged in ye olde days, and there was definitely an eerie feeling in the atmosphere as we walked through the area. However, on match days, I’m sure it’s much livelier.

We headed towards town and stopped to look at the ‘The Town Wall’ remains that date back to the 13th century right next to Chinatown. There are the West Walls to look at and the remains of Herber, Morden, Durham, and Ever Towers. A short walk away was Blackfriars where the medevial friary once was, which later became the site for craftsmen and the guilds when monasteries were abolished. It’s beautifully preserved with shops and restaurants, and stunning courtyard minutes from Eldon Square, the main shopping hub. The Dominican Friars were called Blackfriars because of the black cloaks they wore over their white tunics, and they had arrived in England in 1221, building a number of friaries in the area including Greyfriars. We were there early in the morning on a clear day with the fresh icy snow covering the courtyard. When I visit ancient buildings,  I often think back to who would be walking where I am hundreds of years ago.

The old Friary, tranquil in the morning.

Our next stop was the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, more locally known as the ‘Lit and Phil’ on Westgate, which is a most spectacular library. The entrance is grand, and once you step inside it’s like a different world. Members (there is a fee) can loan items, and the public can sit and read freely or use the study tables in what can only be described as a reader’s paradise. I saw two old men sitting playing chess, while the study tables were lined with students and people who wanted somewhere quiet to do some work, or to read a book. Sadly places such as these are lacking. Again my friend’s husband had never been and he was impressed, so much so that he has considered volunteering there. Outside I spotted a plaque, and apparently the building was on the original site of Hadrian’s Wall. That location makes so much more sense to me than the path that people are asked to follow, which follows the River Tyne.

The rather grand entrance.

Inside the Lit and Phil.

Outside and where the original Hadrian’s Wall once stood.

It was nearly lunchtime, but we decided to go to the castle and cathedral (both next to each other) and then find somewhere for a late lunch. There are two sites for the castle, and you have to buy a ticket from the Black Gate (main entrance to the castle) if you want to go inside and also to go to the Castle Keep where there is a viewpoint, which is good on a clear day. However, there are still parts of the castle you can wander around without having to go in. The history of the castle is fascinating, and yes some parts of it maybe haunted, where many were kept prisoners and who would have died rather traumatic deaths.

Next door is the St. Nicholas Cathedral, which dates back to the early 12th century, just after the castle was built hence its location. Inside there is the medieval Thornton Memorial Brass, one to the largest in Europe and you can stand inches from it. There are also local historical items on display, as well as stained glass windows that take your breath away; you have step back to take it all in and to view them properly. Whenever I am in a chapel, church, or cathedral I always light several candles, and find that it calms me and makes me think about who needs prayers and help. It’s not always for those who have passed, but for those who are struggling now, and I always leave feeling with a bit more faith  and hope in the world.

The Thornton Brass

The last stop on the Geordie daytrip tour was a walk down to the quayside and over the Millenium Bridge (tilting bridge,)  to visit The Baltic (the contemporary art gallery), and have lunch there. It’s housed in a converted flour mill on the bank of the River Tyne, and the views are wonderful from the top floors, and the 4th floor has an outdoor viewing platform too. Here you will see the resident Kittiwakes (a bird similar to a gull) that nest on the Baltic, and as an endangered species there are about 700 couples that breed safely in the area. At first I had no idea what they were, but since the area was redeveloped, their natural homes had gone and I’m glad they are now part of the Baltic.

Lunch was at the Baltic Kitchen, which is a riverside cafe with an excellent homemade menu. There were light snacks, soup of the day, sandwiches, salads, muffins, cakes, and scones to choose from, and all very reasonably priced for a city venue (under £13 for a meal and two drinks) with generous portions. It was very relaxed with papers to read, but as it was a week day it was quieter. I imagine at weekends it’s possibly much noisier and hectic. We visited a few of the exhibitions and then made out way back via Grey’s Monument (named after Earl Grey, a former Prime Minister) which is on Grey Street.

I managed to pack in quite a lot in a day, and Newcastle is an easy city to walk around, although there are some steep roads, but beautifully preserved buildings that you can admire while catching your breath.  The weather had held, and the Lit and Phil is definitely a place to return to, and also the Baltic Kitchen because their breakfast menu looked pretty damned fab.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne ~ Day 2: The Geordie City Tour There were a few things I wanted to see and do in Newcastle, mainly to see the old Castle and to wander around the city walls.

[caveartfair]

How MTV Has Radically Reinvented Its Look over Nearly Four Decades

On August 1, 1981, one minute after midnight, Americans watched the Apollo 11 launch into space. This wasn’t the first time they had seen the maiden moon voyage, but this time, when an astronaut appeared, planting a flag on the rocky surface of the moon, it was their first look at the now-iconic combination of letters “M,” “T,” and “V,” flickering triumphantly in place of stars and stripes—and signaling the launch of a radical new television network. This spot would kick off nearly four decades of MTV’s impact on youth culture, much of which has been successful thanks to its ever-changing visual identity.

Before its launch, MTV had little budget for creative. The logo was originally conceptualized by three young graphic designers—Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky, and Patti Rogoff—who had set up shop in a tiny room in New York City’s Greenwich Village under the moniker Manhattan Design. Olinsky, who received the brief from his friend, the first MTV creative director Fred Seibert, was tasked with designing a logo for a 24/7 music video channel at a time when a “music video” was a foreign concept. The winning design was a blocky “M” with a freeform “T” and “V,” with “Music Television” printed underneath.

The logo remained unchanged for nearly three decades because of its fluidity. It could be any color or texture—as well as animated—adapting, like music, to the vicissitudes of pop culture. Over the years, a seemingly infinite number of versions were produced by various agencies to embody the spirit of MTV.

“MTV was the first real attitude channel; before that, people watched shows on TV, but the networks had no identity,” said MTV co-founder and Bob Pittman, who oversaw the network until 1987. The idea was to give MTV such a strong identity, that viewers would tune in because of the network itself, he explained. “We needed something that said, ‘We’re not like TV’....[It] set the mood of the irreverence of youth, but the seriousness and reverence for music.” (Full disclosure: Pittman sits on Artsy’s board)

MTV Logo, 1981. Photo by Fred Seibert, via Flickr.

The other early decision that made MTV a household name was the slogan “I Want My MTV.” Adman George Lois famously adapted it from the 1956 cereal spot “I Want My Maypo.” Campaigns throughout the ‘80s featured music stars—including Pat Benatar, David Bowie, Madonna, and Mick Jagger—quoting the famous line, and thus cementing MTV’s position as the it-network. When MTV reached Europe’s television screens in 1987, the first video, Dire Straits’s “Money for Nothing,” featured the slogan sung by Sting. (In America, the first video was notably The Buggles’s “Video Killed the Radio Star.”)

MTV’s early identity was provocative, colorful, unapologetic, and in a constant state of flux. Pittman said that making the decision not to grow old with viewers meant that the network had to constantly change. “Even if it was great, we had to get rid of it, because then it was your older brother’s MTV,” he said. This mindset could also be seen in design initiatives led by Jeffrey Keyton, who joined the team in 1987 and continues to oversee design today.

Similarly, programming in the 1980s and 1990s was new and often experimental. Viewers were treated to blocks of music videos and music-centered programming (Yo! MTV Raps, Headbanger’s Ball), offbeat talk shows (Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes), bizarre sketch-comedy (The Idiot Box), obscure animation (Liquid Television), and some seasonal hedonism (MTV Spring Break). The network also struck a chord with programming that delved into people’s lives: 1992’s The Real World and 1998’s True Life would become the jumping-off points for later reality shows and docu-series that focused on teenagers and twentysomethings trying to find their way in the world—or, as with Jersey Shore (and the U.K. version Geordie Shore), partying with cameras in tow.

By 1996, MTV’s unique visual identity had already garnered its own exhibition. The show, held at The Art Director’s Club in New York City and titled “As Seen on TV,” featured 15 years worth of print ads, posters, television spots, and interactive campaigns created for both viewers and MTV advertisers. A New York Times write-up called the work in the retrospective “often innovative, occasionally irritating and almost always rambunctious—all in keeping with a medium that has helped transform how other media, and advertising, looks and sounds.”

MTV logo redesign concept walk through, 2010. Courtesy of Jen Epstein/Pixel Party.

That same year, the network expanded, launching the anticipated MTV2 (then known as M2) to a shaky start, with regular programming change-ups in its early years. An overhaul in branding and programming in 2005—including the two-headed Rottweiler logo, designed by Keyton’s wife, Stacy Drummond—retargeted MTV2 for a teen and adult male audience and saved it from decline.

Meanwhile at MTV, music videos aired less and less frequently, and had been relegated to odd hours of the day. Reality programming dominated, with celebrity-centric shows such as Jackass, Punk’d, and the unlikely favorite, The Osbournes (featuring the family of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who was a generation—or two—removed from many of its viewers), pushed to the forefront.

MTV’s idents—video and animation footage that bookended commercial breaks—remained eclectic through the turn of the millennium, and kept up with the network’s spirit of change. Shifting geometry, mysterious black-and-white drawings, and linework animations of famous musicians made appearances over the years. The logo’s colors and shape transformed with each concept.  

In 2010, MTV’s in-house creative team, under the eye of Keyton, turned MTV’s visual identity on its head, rolling out a new buttoned-up, black-and-white look. MTV also axed the words “Music Television” from its logo, thus admitting by omission that it was no longer a music-focused brand.

MTV’s 2010 redesign of the logo. Courtesy of Jen Epstein/Pixel Party.

“You’d have to be heavily sedated to not anticipate change,” Keyton said of the rebranding, in an article that ran in The Atlantic in 2013. “Especially for our audience, which demands it. MTV feeds off change. It lives and flourishes because of it. And all that change is a big part of what inspires our design.

The new creative was simple and practical. It employed Helvetica, a font often intentionally used for its lack of personality. Helvetica’s history reaches back to 1896, though it would reappear as an experimental typeface in 1920s Switzerland. Repackaged by German designers in the late 1950s for widespread use, the font became ubiquitous across companies such as Microsoft and Nestlé. It was enthusiastically adopted by the IRS for tax-return forms, and was selected for the New York City subway system precisely for its blandness. For an envelope-pushing brand to use Helvetica was rebellious in itself, in the same way that a teenager raised by artist parents dares to become a corporate account manager. But it served a purpose, to be different, and to contrast with the emotionally driven programming, like Teen Mom, that was in demand.

“We reached an inflection point when our eclectic identity of the past was getting lost in the cluttered visual landscape of the world today,” Keyton said to The Atlantic. “It became pretty clear that we had to be more consistent and visually unified to stand out and be remembered. We also needed to communicate that we were a new MTV, by doing something bold and different.”

That mission, to be different, is shared by all of MTV’s international channels, which span six continents. Up until 2009, MTV networks abroad handled their own creative separately. But that changed with the founding of MTV World Design Studio (later changed to World Creative Studio) which is headquartered in Buenos Aires and Stockholm and oversees design for 160 countries, excluding the United States.

In 2009, the in-house team launched a cohesive international rebrand with design agency Universal Everything. The new look featured a logo stripped entirely of color, though the video idents, which bookended commercial breaks, remained vivid and imaginative: piles of candy exploding in slow-motion or a furry humanoid walking to upbeat electronica.

In the past few years, the international team, led by creative director Sean Saylor, has made headlines for overhauling design. In 2015, they launched a new international brand identity with ad spots that were a frenetic fever dream of motion graphics, referencing internet aesthetic subcultures such as “seapunk” and “vaporwave,” with bobblehead avatars, cats, and pizza tossed in for good measure. Its attempt to reflect both the oversaturation of internet content and shortened attention spans prompted headlines such as Motherboard’s “What the Hell Is MTV’s New Rebrand About?”

But that wasn’t all: A single word change in MTV’s slogan to “I Am My MTV” signaled the end of an era. The network began to invite viewers to upload their own content to be considered for on-air play through MTV Bump, a partnership between World Creative Studio and the creative agency B-Reel, which launched in the U.K., France, Sweden, Brazil, Germany, and Australia in June 2015 and was later rolled out in the U.S.

MTV’s 2010 rebrand concept walk through of the channel’s new voice. Courtesy of Jen Epstein/Pixel Party.

In early 2018, World Creative Studio shifted gears again, partnering with creative agency Builders Club and artist Antoni Tudisco, among others, to execute a multilayered branding identity, “Mood Swing,” which was initially released in more than 45 countries  and categorized MTV’s programming by emotion. It was created by identifying and color-tagging selected feelings (such as “happy,” “melancholy,” or “love”), and then producing for each a library of idents that emphasized storytelling and body language. Those visuals were broken down further into simpler on-air motion graphics and key art stills, representing color, texture, and mood. The library included short narratives that show the joy or ennui of teen life; macro footage of “microfeelings,” such as a teardrop falling; and surreal, textural representations—undulating blue fur for “relaxed” or bouncing pink plastic for “horny.” The MTV logo also assumed new textural forms, too, with animated red spikes for “angry,” or dripping blue liquid for “sad.” The project directly referenced emojis, but instead of compressing complex emotions into simple visuals, it unpacked them again in all of their multi-sensory glory.

The move toward a richer narrative in MTV’s international brand identity coincides with a time in which the future of narrative shows on the network is uncertain. Reality shows continue to perform well both in the U.S. and overseas, as evidenced by the revival of Jersey Shore in the U.S. and the recently announced aristocratic title The Royal World abroad. The arrival of well-received scripted shows Awkward. and Teen Wolf in 2011 suggested change (they lasted five and six years, respectively) with the campy adaptation of Scream following in their footsteps. But, the premiere of three new scripted shows in 2016 each ended in cancellation after one season, and this past February, Maggie Malina, the head of scripted shows in the U.S., exited the network, leaving the post open until yesterday. No scripted series are currently on the air (however, Scream will return, with a new cast).

News from MTV suggests that it has been looking backwards to refresh its lineup. The long-running music video countdown show TRL was revived last year, and recent revival announcements include animated shows Daria and Ӕon Flux, as well as The Real World and makeover series Made.

What the network will look like in the coming years—both its lineup and its brand identity—is unpredictable. But throughout its 37-year history, it has maintained a focus on serving an equally unpredictable audience: youth. It’s a television network that has consistently produced content for those who are finding their voice and coming of age; because of that mission, every generation of MTV must find its voice, too.

from Artsy News

[fashiontrendin-blog]

What Love Island 2018 taught us about love, ladies and loyalty

http://fashion-trendin.com/what-love-island-2018-taught-us-about-love-ladies-and-loyalty/

What Love Island 2018 taught us about love, ladies and loyalty

So there we have it, another muggy summer of coupling up, cracking on and Flack Attacks is over. The winners have been announced, the finalists are flying home and we’re already in a state of mourning. What will our evenings be like now, without the dulcet tones of Ian Stirling? Oh hell.

Last year’s Love Island – to borrow a parlance from the show – spun our heads. Previously relegated to the bargain basement bin of reality TV, it suddenly became essential, water cooler viewing. It was a game changer. This year’s Love Island had the tricky job of following in its footsteps yet it’s still managed to consume our summer and dominate the headlines.

So what lessons have we learned from another spell in the villa? We’ve learned that Brexit is apparently about trees, that Georgia is about as loyal as her recollection of events is accurate, that Samira’s idea of flirting revolves around your floor material preference and that Charlie Brake’s cutlery may, in fact, match.

Here’s why Laura is the MVP of this year’s Love Island – and what we can ALL learn from her

Love was actually hot on the agenda this year, with Jack and Dani stealing the crown early on for their undisputed compatibility and their unbreakable loyalty. Jack’s determination to sleep outside at Casa Amor was eye-wateringly touching. Even Wes and Josh, whose behaviour could so easily have damned them, managed to redeem themselves, by proving they had taken risks (and caused considerable collateral damage) for what seems like genuine love. Wes’s loyalty to Megan, even in the face of rejection, and Josh’s permanent cat-that-got-the-cream expression from the moment he snared Kaz, were proof enough.

It wasn’t plain sailing for male PR though. We should have listened to original islander Niall Aslam, who left shortly after week one, when he said “never trust a man with too many abs.” Cue Adam, the subject of said remark, gaslighting nearly four women (does Zara count now?) and sending two of them home himself. His hypnotic eyes and Geordie drawl were a sirens call luring women towards him, only for them to crash against his abs. His behaviour towards Kendall and Rosie resulted in Ofcom complaints and even women’s charities wading in.

But said charities needn’t have worried too much, because in the red corner we had Rosie Williams, the sassy, raven haired Welsh girl who looked like Lindsay Lohan with a law degree. Her dressing down of Serial-Woman-Destroyer Adam Collard was one of my personal highlights of the season.

You CAN have plastic surgery and still be a feminist so please stop judging the Love Island women

It opened the gates for what, in my opinion, was a Love Island preoccupied with women; their strengths and insecurities. One of the most revealing moments of the whole summer was Samira’s breakdown during Casa Amor week. Her tears were so painfully relatable to so many women; worrying that she wasn’t good enough, frustrated with her lack of romantic success, comparing herself to other women, specifically surgically-enhanced bombshell Megan.

“Yeah you can pay for your fake tits and veneers,” was Megan’s bolstering response, “But that’s only 1%. If I could have your intelligence and everything about you I would swap everything.”

Love Island podcast host, Arielle Free, on her favourite couples and behind the scenes gossip

It was a watershed moment for the show and for Megan; who had earned herself a reputation as a snake for her betrayal of fellow female contestant Laura. It revealed the true extent of her own seismic insecurities. Megan’s redemption throughout the show has not been proving critics wrong in her relationship with Wes, but in gaining and maintaining female friends and, crucially, self-confidence.

This year’s show has been so much about the journeys of women. It has resulted, after all, in Alexandra being more unanimously popular than Nation’s Sweetheart, Dr Alex. After his brutal rebuffing of her, the scales shifted and her Rosie-esque put down in response was one of the most tweeted moments of the series.

Applications are already open for Love Island 2019, here’s how to ensure you land a spot on the show

The results prove that we really got behind women this year. In second place was Laura Anderson. It’s safe to assume that she earned her runner up accolade solo, seeing as no one was exactly overly-enthused about Paul Knops (bless him). It was her class and resilience that got her there, with the public rallying behind her, willing her to have a happy ending after a summer of heartbreak at the hands of, yes Niall, men with too many abs.

The winners this year say a lot about us. For a show frequently labelled as soft porn for simpletons, we chose a couple who have stayed faithful to each other all summer, whose romance has been puppy-dog levels of adorable and who have yet to have sex. Ultimately, Georgia Steel was right, we did prioritise loyalty this year, in both our worthy winners and our stoic, authentic runner-up.

[geordienorman]

Actress and TV 'pioneer' Mary Tyler Moore dies

By: Sky News

TV sitcom star Mary Tyler Moore has died at the age of 80, surrounded by her husband and friends.

The US actress became a household name in the 1960s as suburban housewife Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show, where she enjoyed unmistakable chemistry with her co-star.

She and Van Dyke also appeared in several television specials, including a PBS production of the play The Gin Game in 2003.

But it was as Mary Richards, the spirited and comfortably single Minneapolis television news producer on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, that she was best known.

Image Caption: Moore pictured at the height of her fame in the 1970s

She played the character between 1970 and 1977, and through the role she brought audiences one of the first independent career women seen on television.

Speaking in 1995, Moore said: “My life is inextricably intertwined with Mary Richards’ and probably always will be.”

She won seven Emmy awards during her career and was nominated for an Oscar for her 1980 portrayal of a mother whose son dies in Ordinary People.

That same year, Moore’s only child Richard accidentally shot himself, aged 24.

Image Caption: Moore with Dick Van Dyke

Among those who paid tribute to Moore was Robert Redford, who directed Ordinary People.

He said: “Mary’s energy, spirit and talent created a new bright spot in the television landscape and she will be very much missed.

“The courage she displayed in taking on a role, darker than anything she had ever done, was brave and enormously powerful.”

Michael Keaton, who worked with Moore on the shows Mary and The Mary Tyler Moore Hour, described her as a “gem”, adding: “She was iconic, my boss, cast mate and a friend and I will miss her”.

Talk show host Larry King described Moore as “one of the pioneers of American television and an under-rated actress”.

Her publicist Mara Buxbaum said in a statement that Moore died on Wednesday in the company of friends and her husband cardiologist Dr S Robert Levine.

Moore had struggled with diabetes for some 40 years and six years ago she had surgery to remove a benign tumour on her brain lining.

The cause of her death has not been revealed.

The post Actress and TV 'pioneer' Mary Tyler Moore dies appeared first on GNL.

via: http://bit.ly/2kumjg7 Geordie Norman Media 2013 ©

[theprocrastinatingalien]

Battle of Star Trek - Batch#8 Heats (featuring Picard, Tilly, Kim & Kira!)

The Battle of Star Trek continues, but the end is nigh, as we enter our final batch of characters for you to whittle down to your favourite.

We started with 128 characters, and here we have the last batch of 16.  Head over to twitter, add procrastinalien and get voting!

DEANNA TROI

Half Human, half betazoid, Deanna is an empath - meaning she can sense emotions in others.  She was Picard's trusted counsellor on the USS Enterprise-D (and E), and eventually married his first officer Will Riker.  Throughout seven seasons of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, four movies, and some guest spots on VOYAGER and ENTERPRISE, Troi was played by Marina Sirtis.

TORAL ZIYAL

Ziyal spent much of her life as a slave, neglected by her father Dukat due to being half-Cardassian but also half-Bajoran... something his people would never have accepted.  She ended up on DEEP SPACE NINE, where she was taken under the wing of Kira Nerys and started developing a romantic relationship with Garak until she was killed by Damar.  An act which sent her father a little crazy.   A supporting role, Ziyal was played by a number of actors - Cyia Batten, Tracy Middendorf, but most notably Melanie Smith.

DATA

Lt. Commander Data was the first android in Starfleet, and served aboard the USS Enterprise D & E, under Picard, where he spent much of his time studying, and endeavouring to become a part of, humanity. He built up great friendships, in particular with Geordi La Forge.  He was an asset to Starfleet, until his sacrifice in STAR TREK: NEMESIS.  Data was portrayed by Brent Spiner throughout seven years of THE NEXT GENERATION and four movies.

LORE

Lore was, essentially, Data's evil twin. Unlike Data, he was equipped with an emotion chip from the beginning, but sadly his personality wasn't as promising.  He did may evil acts throughout a number of guest spots, particularly when he took control of a dysfunctional faction of the Borg, and tortured Geordi in the process - or worse, got Data (mind controlled) to for him.  Like Data, Lore was played by Brent Spiner.

JEAN-LUC PICARD

Arguably the best commanding officer in STAR TREK.  Some might argue (and there are certainly arguments for the likes of Kirk or Janeway etc) but Picard - as played by Shakespearean actor Patrick Stewart - is easily the most commanding.   At first he was uptight and offish, but surrounded by a warm crew, Picard softened over the years... especially after he was assimilated by the Borg as Locutus.   Stewart played Picard for seven seasons of THE NEXT GENERATION, four movies, and a guest spot in the pilot of DEEP SPACE NINE.

HIKARU SULU

The very first time we met Sulu, he was in the science division, but for the rest of his time in THE ORIGINAL SERIES (and THE ANIMATED SERIES), we was the ship's helmsman.  He remained at the helm through three seasons of the live action series, two seasons of the animated, and five movies, until he was finally given his own command.  Captain Sulu appeared in charge of the USS Excelsior in STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY and again for a guest spot on VOYAGER.   He was played by George Takei in all of that, with John Cho playing the character for the Kelvin timeline appearances since 2009.

KURN

A proud Klingon, Kurn was Worf's brother, and looked down on his decision to join Starfleet.   The brothers attempted to turn the dishonoured name of their father into something good again... but when Worf went against Kurn (now a Klingon councillor) over the a Klingon invasion of Cardassia, Kurn had his mind wiped so he would feel Worf's fall from grace.  Tony Todd played Kurn in both THE NEXT GENERATION and DEEP SPACE NINE.

CHARLES 'TRIP' TUCKER III

'Trip' was the chief engineer onboard the NX Enterprise. He was a good friend of the commanding officer, Archer, and despite his distrust of the Vulcans, he not only became good friends, but romantically involved with the first officer, T'Pol.  The three would often eat dinner together.  Connor Trinneer played Trip throughout the four seasons of ENTERPRISE.

KIRA NERYS

At the start of DEEP SPACE NINE, Kira resented Stafleet's position on the station.  She'd been a rebel, freedom fighter against the Cardassian occupation of her homeworld, Bajor and felt Starfleet was another oppressing force.  She lightened up though and over the years Kira came to trust and value Sisko and the other Starfleet officers. Kira was played by Nana Visitor over the course of all seven seasons of DS9.

HARRY KIM

When the USS Voyager was flung across to the Delta quadrant, young naïve Harry Kim stepped up.  He was the Operations officer on board and became a valued member of Janeway's crew. He formed a strong friendship with Tom Paris, the two often hanging out in the holodeck.   Harry was played by Garrett Wang for all seven seasons of VOYAGER.

WESLEY CRUSHER

Some people found the Wesley character annoyed, but come on, I dare you not to feel a little bit proud when he first walks on the bridge in his Starfleet uniform.   Wesley, son of Dr Crusher, was a child genius, and applied (but missed) his chance at starting Starfleet courses, so Picard gave him duties on the USS Enterprise.  Wil Wheaton played Wesley for a full three seasons of THE NEXT GENERATION, and left part way through the fourth.  He made guest appearances in the seasons that followed, including a cameo in STAR TREK: NEMESIS.

JANICE RAND

Grace Lee Whitney played Kirk's yeoman.  Despite appearing in a lot of the promotional images for STAR TREK, Janice Rand only appeared in the first bunch of episodes. She did appear in cameos across the movies though, last seen on the USS Excelsior under Captain Sulu, in VOYAGER.

LT. KYLE

Lt. Kyle was one of those rare things in THE ORIGINAL SERIES... A red shirt that didn't get killed off.  He was played by John Winston across the series as well as an appearance in STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN.

SYLVIA TILLY

Tilly could be described as the 'heart' of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.  A young and hopeful cadet, Tilly is also determined. She found herself bunking with known mutineer Michael Burnham, but whilst nervous, became her friend - and after proving herself to the rest of the crew, was promoted to ensign, and put on the command track.  Mary Wiseman played Tilly during the first season, and will return for the second.

ALYSSA OGAWA

Every good doctor needs good nurses, and Dr Crusher had Nurse Ogawa.  Whilst only a supporting character, we got a few nice moments for Alyssa, including an episode (THE LOWER DECKS) which saw a few ensigns looking for promotion and her starting a family.   Patti Yasutake played Ogawa from the fourth season of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, and went onto the first two movies featuring the same cast.

PHILIPPA GEORGIOU

Michelle Yeoh was the first cast member to be announced for the newest of the Treks - STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.  Captain Georgiou (commanding officer of the USS Shenzhou) was killed by the Klingons in only the second episode however, with only a hologram of her, reading a message to her first officer Michael Burnham, to follow.  That was, of course, until the USS Discovery found itself in in the Mirror universe... and we met Emperor Georgiou.   Burnham brought her back to our prime universe, and after pretending to be our Georgiou for a bit, she's disappeared into the shadows.  I think we all expect an appearance from Yeoh in the second season - currently shooting now.

So there you are.  No new names after this point, this is it.  We already have champions from the previous seven batches, and now we need to find one from this batch. You've got three days to pick your favourites - get yourselves to twitter and get voting!