Memory Alpha:AOL chats/Ronald D. Moore/ron047.txt

Subj: Answers Date: 8/5/97 2:36:52 PM From:  RonDMoore

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I'm sorry, but I don't have the answers to technical questions like this one.

<< In "Journey's End", Wesley goes with the Traveler off into the depths of space/time, whatever... Who's decision (as in the writers) was it to send Wesley back on this path? Plus, is there any truth to the rumor that Wesley's departure from Trek in this episode was a direct result of Wil Wheaton's dislike of where the Star Trek franchise has gone (ie marketing)? >>

I was the one who pushed to get Wesley out of the Academy and send him off with the Traveler. I felt that there was a built-in contradiction in a character that we'd said was like Mozart in his appreciation of higher mathematics and physics, yet was just on the same career path as any Starfleet cadet. I didn't get it -- if Wes is truly special and gifted, what the hell is he doing at the Helm? It seemed like he was only going to the Academy to live up to the memory of his father and the expectations of Picard, not because it was his best destiny. "Journey's End" also seemed like an opportunity to see someone walk away from Starfleet with their head held high and just say "It's cool, but not for me." I was tired of everyone in the 24th century saying, "All I want to do is wear the uniform and serve on a starship." Hey, it's cool, but it's not for everyone. So I pushed to have Wes realize his destiny was elsewhere and have him walk away.

As for Wil's reason's for leaving in the first place, you'll have to ask him for a definitive answer, but my understanding was that he was tired of the daily grind and was looking to get out of actoring.

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I'd say that with the exception of "interesting TECH" that all of the above are important. The physical layout itself tells us whether or not you're a professional who knows what you're doing and then the story itself tells us whether you can write our particular show.

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Somewhere around 20-40% of spec script submissions lead to pitch invitations. The spec itself should show us that you know the show and that you've got talent, and it is more of a showcase for your abilities since we haven't actually bought a story from a spec in a long time. We always give you the option of pitching in person or on the phone, and no, it doesn't help or hurt you one way or the other.

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This is very doubtful, but I guess you never know.