Memory Alpha:AOL chats/Ronald D. Moore/ron105.txt

Subject: Answers Date: Fri, May 1, 1998 18:49 EDT From: RonDMoore Message-id: <1998050122494200.SAA13869@ladder01.news.aol.com>

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I agree that DS9 is much more character-oriented than TNG. Part of this difference is due to the way the two shows were designed and part of it is a result of the preferences of the writing staffs. At its inception, TNG was designed as a follow-on to TOS and the characters were set in places already trod by Kirk & Co. Just as TOS was an action-oriented and plot-driven show, so was TNG at the outset. When Michael Piller came aboard in season 3, the focus shifted to the characters and we attempted to concentrate our efforts on fleshing out a bridge crew that had not had a lot of development up until then. Even so, TNG's format lent itself to being more of a plot-driven show by the nature of the Enterprise mission -- boldy go each week and find a new story each week.

DS9, on the other hand, was concieved as a different type of show. The characters were front and center right from the pilot. "Emissary" was about Benjamin Sisko. You won't find such a deeply personal journey for the lead character in pilots of TOS, TNG, or VOY. DS9 was meant to be about our people, not our ship or our situation. As for this "leaving miniscule and irrelevant roles for certain characters in certain episodes," I suppose you could say that not every member of the ensemble cast gets an equal amount of time in each story, but I'd say that overall in the series they all get sufficient screentime.

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Same ship, different captain. Jellicoe's probably an admiral by now, but we don't have any plans on bringing him back next season.

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Michael and Rick are certainly aware of Dax's departure and the impact on Worf.

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Although we knew about the '65 concert (and Ira had even seen it at the TV Museum in Beverly Hills) we didn't know that it would be broadcast on TV Land the same week as "His Way." Whatever the resurgence of the Rat Pack means, I for one am glad to see it. (Dino Forever!) And as for the return of martinis and cigars -- did they ever go away? Not in my house they didn't.