Memory Alpha:AOL chats/Ronald D. Moore/ron063.txt

Subj: Answers Date: 10/7/97 11:16:09 PM From:  RonDMoore

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We haven't nailed this down (and don't intend to) but we've established at least a Ninth Fleet which could imply eight others.

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In the fifth episode ("Favor the Bold") we refer to the Third Fleet protecting Earth.

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We keep ball-park guesstimates as to where everything is and but don't have a master map of the galaxy sitting around. Mike Okuda generally lets us know if we say something that's off-base.

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I don't want to work this way. I like making it up as we go along -- it allows more freedom to tell stories and we don't get locked into directions that we don't like. It's fine for Babylon 5 do it that way, but it's not for us.

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Our belief was that the Vulcans did have some type of faster-than-light engine on their ship. Whether or not this was "warp drive" is open to debate. Certainly Cochrane is credited with the invention of warp drive as we know it in Trek, so we could assume that the Vulcans were using something else -- possibly a variant of the contained singularity used by the Romulans. That might've been a much more dangerous and inefficient technology which was quickly abandoned by most of the galaxy when Cochrane's system was introduced. But that's all just speculation.

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Dukat's interest/obsession with Bajor and Terok Nor is something that we'll be exploring in the next few episodes. I think it's fair to say that Dukat has never quite gotten over having to give up Terok Nor to Sisko way back in the pilot and now that he's back, he wants to stay. Also, he has unfinished business with the Bajorans.

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I lobbied for giving Picard a permanent bionic arm, but Rick and Michael wouldn't go for it. Picard's arm is his own.

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Don't want to give that away.

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Federation I believe.

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I'm not sure about most of this. The VFX guys may know the answers, but I haven't had this kind of detailed conversation with them about that specific scene.

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He'll become the Adjutant to another Admiral. Most of your other questions I either don't have the answers to or I shouldn't give them away just yet. Sorry about that.

Subj: Answers Date: 10/7/97 11:37:32 PM From:  RonDMoore

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Hmm. The cube... now where did we leave that.... Oh my God! WHERE'S THE CUBE!!!! He might be on the loose again!!!

<<  Actually, technically, neither does ST. The original series ran what, three years? And then the first movie was made in 1980? And there are significant spaces between the movies made. ST has been "continuous" since ST:tNG started, since DS9 came into being at the end of it..yes?>>

You may be right, but someone just sent me this little tidbit on the volume of material we have to grapple with in Trek:

"There have been 452 episodes of Trek as of today (TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY). There have been 8 movies. 452 episodes at an average of 60 pages = 27,120 pages of script 8 movies at an average of 110 pages = 880 pages Total = 28,000 pages of Star Trek script

Assume an average of 220 words per page (at about 1/3 stage directions and 2/3 dialog)(I counted words on a script)(I know, get a life!), that would equal 6,160,000 WORDS of official written Star Trek!"

Anyway you slice it, that's a lot of Trek.

<< I am aware you have stated that no TNG cast members will be appearing on DS9, however I was wondering if we might hear some sort of reference to them? >>

We don't have any plans to refer to the Enterprise-E or the TNG cast at the moment.

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I do remember Simon, but I haven't heard from him in a couple of years. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to contact him.

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We don't plan to pick up this thread. The idea was that this one Jem'Hadar's lack of White dependency was a freak genetic occurence within the Jem'Hadar.

<< it was established that there are a limited number of Changelings on Earth. Will they be playing any role in the development of the current story? And what about the Changeling-detector device that was used on Odo -- will that finally be used to determine who is a Changeling?>>

Both of these subjects are still under discussion.

<< I just watched my copy of FIRST CONTACT, and a question popped into my head. The date, APRIL 5, was chosen as the day of first contact, and I was curious if that date had any special meaning?>>

April 5, is my son's birthday.

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I didn't notice this, so I'll have to look. If there's someone *outside* the door, it's probably just a Jem'Hadar guard.

<<Was there any implication in Kira's remark about Dukat "doing something about [his] breath," indicating that Dukat was more than a little intoxicated?>>

I think it was just an insult.

<<What was your thinking as to why the Jem 'Hadar raised the security net and why the bomb went off early? I think the obvious answer is that they detected the bomb almost immediately, and by tampering with it set it off early. But the crew seems as baffled by this as anyone, and no explanation is offered up. Was there one?>>

I would assume that someone tampered with the bomb, but we deliberately left this unanswered, so it's anyone's guess.

Subj: Answers Date: 10/7/97 11:54:08 PM From:  RonDMoore

<<How would you say the rest of the arc compares to "A Time to Stand?">>

The other episodes are very different, but if you liked the beginning, I think you'll like the rest.

<<Since this is DS9's and any Star Trek's first attempt at a multi-episode arc (longer then two episodes), are you guys finding it easier to write this then a one parter where everything has to be taken care of in 45 minutes?>>

It's been a challenge. We've had to work much more closely as a staff than we ever did before. Typically, each writer has a fair amount of leeway when it comes to translating an approved story outline into an actual script. I often deviate from the beat sheet if I feel something's not working or I have a better idea. But in this case, that means hurried conferences with everyone else working on the same story arc and lots of scrambling to make sure everything is in sync. It's been a struggle, but a good one and I'm glad we're doing it.

<<Is that the same Jem'Hadar ship they found in Aclypsoe (sp?) Rising, where they fought over the ship and the changling died? Also, I was wondering if you ever answer my question about why people in the 24th century drink so much coffee? I mean by then don't you think they would of found something better? >>

That was the same vessel they captured in "The Ship." And I can't imagine anything better than coffee.

<<Do you think we'll ever see Vice Admiral Nechayev again?>>

I doubt it.

<<There are 2 explosions at the end of "A Time to Stand", the 2nd one was the bomb that Sisko & Co. sent down and the 1st one was...?>>

First the bomb went off and then the shield generator was destroyed.

<<Is it my imagination, or has the lighting on the sets become brighter recently? I noticed it mostly in the scene in Quark's Bar. >>

I don't think the lighting has changed dramatically, but they might've lit Terok Nor a little differently under Dominion rule.

<<What I really want to know is whether you guys discuss the way people might really be in that future you create, and make a choice to portray characters with the sensibilities of this time -- or with the sensibilities you think they may actually have int he future -- for dramatic or creative purposes?>>

We try to make the characters accessible and "real" in a twentieth century sort of way. To our minds the show is a drama that just happens to be set in the 24th century. We do try to imbue our Starfleet people with a bit of Gene's evolved humanity, but to make them perfect is to make them dull (as TNG veered toward now and then).

<<Wouldn't Picard want Kirk's family to actually be able to have a proper funeral for him? Or, for that matter, Starfleet? I understand the time and financial drawbacks of showing Kirk's funeral, but just a line tossed in to explain that at least Kirk got a burial worthy of the captain of the Enterprise would be worth something. One of the things I've enjoyed about the Shatner et al Kirk novels is the fact that Starfleet sent an honor guard to bring Kirk's body back to earth, even if he "got better" before they could. Or am I missing something? What's your rationale in having Picard keep the knowledge of Kirk's sacrifice to himself?>>

You're probably right. I hadn't given this a lot of thought when I said that Picard probably kept it to himself. He probably did inform Starfleet Command.

<<I submitted my 1st Voyager script in July 96, got a reply Nov 96. I gave Lolita my second script at a con in England in Novemeber 96, and I have yet to hear anything back from it. >>

I really don't know what to say, except I apologize for the long delays. We have a very small script department and they're frequently overwhelmed by the huge volume of submissions. I hope they'll get back to you before too long.

<<It was too bad Eddington had to die. He was a great adversary(pardon the pun).Is there any chance of him coming back in the mirror universe?>>

We have no plans to bring back any Eddington at the moment.

Subj: Answers Date: 10/7/97 11:55:34 PM From:  RonDMoore

<<When the actors are shooting a scene where they are having a meal- do they really eat, or just pretend to have their mouthes full?>>

They usually have real food to eat.

Subj: Answers Date: 10/9/97 10:44:07 PM From:  RonDMoore

<<First, the beginning of Season Six seems to be one large story, like a 2-parter, only many more than 2 episodes. So, how does the 2 parter Favor The Bold/Sacrifice Of Angels fit into this? Does it signal the end of this larger story, or what?>>

"Sacrifice of Angels" does conclude the multi-part story concerning the effort to regain the station, but does not signal the end of the war against the Dominion, which will continue.

<<Second, are there any plans to expand the Bashir character? He seemed very interesting, up until the moment we found out he was genetically altered. now he acts like a computer - so what's gonna happen?>>

We're going to tone down the Bashir as computer stuff, which went a little too far. But we will do more stories about his genetic abilities and background, most notably in an episode filming right now.

<<And finally, in A Time To Stand, when they snuck behind enemy lines in the Jem 'Hadar ship, how come the other ships flew right by? After all, they KNEW the Federation had a Jem 'Hadar ship...doesn't it seem like they would have more security measures when protecting their most precious resource, ketracel white? Also, does the destruction of the white mean the end of the Jem 'Hadar?>>

There was a line somewhere that indicated that the captured J'H ship was transmitting a newly updated recognition signal, but this got cut somewhere along the line. The Dominion will concentrate on other ways of providing White to their soldiers now that the main supply depot has been destroyed.

<<Kirk lost most of his family on a colony under the rule of some madman who later became a Shakespearean actor...the colony was running out of supplies and this man had to choose who lived and who died...>>

As I recall, there's no indication in "Conscience of the King" that Kirk lost his family on Tarsus IV. Lt. Kevin Riley lost his family there, but I believe Kirk simply referred to himself as "A young man caught up in a revolution." As far as I know, there's no information regarding the fate of either of his parents at all in TOS (or even their names).

<<I saw earlier tonight on TV Della Reese of "Touched by an Angel" appealing to her fans to write and call CBS to help her lobby for a pay increase. Now, I don't know about the fans of that show, but Trek fans *invented* mass letter writing campaigns. Any fear Avery Brooks will be holding a similar press conference anytime soon??>>

First, I doubt very much that Reese's theatrics are going to have much of an impact. Second, I would be shocked if our very dignified lead actor engaged in anything of the kind.

Subj: Answers Date: 10/10/97 12:33:49 AM From:  RonDMoore

<<Mr. Moore some people have posted that you have stated Dukat will NOT die as the current DS9 storyline concludes, is this true?>>

I think I'll let you wonder.... and worry.

<<Anyhow I was watching "Sarek" the other night, and of course that is the episode where Picard and Sarek do a mind meld. Sarek asked him if he realized the dangers involved, and I wondered, what ARE the dangers invlolved in a mind meld anyway??? Can you get "stuck" together like if you lost the keys to a pair of handcuffs? Do you just go nuts? Do you suddenly experience urges to run around Macy's with jello in your underwear singing showtunes? >>

I would think that those are all possible dangers of the meld (T'Polo, Vulcan Matriarch and Sprocket, Vulcan Boy Toy were once arrested in Macy's singing "The Music of the Night", by the way.) Ira and I (we did the rewrite on "Sarek") wanted to introduce a note of danger into the meld and this seemed consistant with the way Spock originally described the meld way back in the early days of TOS.

<<Do you use Chinese food usually to represent Klingon food? That's what it looks like to me, only sometimes weirder.(food dyes added?) Specifically, what is gagh made from, and would you say it's truly edible?>>

I'm not sure what they use. I think they've tried all kinds of stuff over the years.

<<Ron, did you ever do any acting or was it always writing you wanted?>>

I acted in some high school plays and had a blast, but never took it any further.

<<Maybe I'm missing an obvious explanation, but when Dukat identified himself in his station log as Dukat, S. G. (assuming I heard it right), is that a reference to given names or a title, or something else.>>

I think Hans & Ira threw that in 'cause it sounded cool. The initials probably represent some rank or association or achievement (like Ph.d, or A.S.C., or J.D.).

<<So, does the genetic engineering also change personalities, and make people either nicer, or meaner, or is it that they did just get the wrong guy with khan?>>

As I recall "Space Seed," the idea was that the same genetic enhancements that increased things like intellect and physical prowess also increased traits like ambition and ruthlessness in the Khan supermen.

<<I'd like to know who I, and other fans like me, can write to at Paramount/Viacom to express my support for a 7th season of DS9.>>

Write to Garry Hart, President, Network Television, Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Ave. LA, CA 90038 and BE POLITE.

<< The return of Mirror Spock would make a great resolutionto that storyline. Any chance of trying again?>>

No.

<<To that same end, I know you've said the staff isn't looking to do any more TOS or TNG guest shots any time soon. Why is that?>>

We're just not interested in doing either TNG or TOS guest shots at the moment. I suppose that could change, but our feeling right now is "been there, done that."

<<Getting back to weddings, what's up with Kasidy Yates?>>

We're talking about a new Kasidy show right now.

<< I was wondering if there was an address I could write to to see if there were any more views of this or other concept sketches like it....I've completed the primary hull of this particular ship, but I'm reluctant to continue with the secondary hull if there's a chance I could base it more on Sterbach's sketches rather than my improvisation.>>

Well, you could write to Rick Sternbach c/o Star Trek at the same Paramount address as above, but I'm not sure if he'll be able to help you or not.

Subj: Answers Date: 10/10/97 1:05:34 AM From:  RonDMoore

<<Another question about the food-- when the actors drink that weird colored (i.e.- neon blue or yellow) drinks- what are they really? And does Avery Brooks really cook cajun on the set? >>

I'm sorry, but I really don't know what they use for our food or drink down on the set. But I do know that Avery isn't really cooking on camera.

<<My question is, [in "The Die is Cast"] was the idea of only seeing Odo in the mirror something that was in your script, or something David Livingston came up with?>>

This was the inspiration of the director.

<<When DS9 fans write Paramount asking for a 7th season should we include something about ourselves in the letter? Specifically are they interested in the age, career, or family size of the fan? >>

Anything to personalize your letter (without being too long) would help to distinguish it from the other mail and emphasize the fact that it's not just a form letter you're passing along.

<<I hate to sound critical but I was just wondering, at this point in the war, WHERE THE HELL ARE THE CHANGELINGS?>>

There's some info on the changelings in the Alpha Quadrant coming up.

<< <April 5, is my son's birthday. >

That's pretty cheesey.>>

I was about to write something pointing out what an enormous jerk you are, but then I noticed that several other people have beat me to it. To them -- Thank you. To you -- you're still a jerk.

Subj: Answers Date: 10/10/97 7:12:33 PM From:  RonDMoore

<<Ron, is there even going to be anymore Romulans?>>

There will be Romulans on Voyager, but on DS9, we're still in the early discussion phase of bringing them back into the tale.

<<Bravo for bringing back Alexander and revisiting his relationship with Worf. Sometime last season, under another screenname, I wrote an impassioned plea for just that, stating how difficult it was for me, and I'm sure for others, to reconcile his decision not to be a part of his son's life, because of my own expreience with an absent father. Did this letter in some small way influence your decision?>>

Not really, because it wasn't my idea. The notion came up in the room when we were discussing story ideas for a Worf show in the middle of the war arc. The story was good and only worked with Alexander, so we went for it. As I recall, I always said that if the right story came along that we'd bring him back, it was just a question of finding that story.

<<Will we get to see the Dax/Worf wedding? If so, when? >>

The wedding will be in episode # 7, "You are Cordially Invited..."

<<How do you come up with episode titles>>

The title is usually the choice of the writer doing the teleplay, although sometimes the initial story title remains throughout or there's a better one suggested by the writing staff.

<<My question (the real question, not the extrapolated one) has gone unanswered once more.... alas. >>

Am I crazy? I thought I answered your question!! Weren't you asking about Sisko and his father?

<< Rocks and Shoals>>

Please repost your questions about this episode next week and I'll be happy to answer them.

<<.if Odo and Kira ever do finally get around to it...but if it ever does happen, exactly WHERE do you think that he would take her for that first big date???>>

A cozy night spent in a holding cell perhaps...?

<<Will you be giving us more background on the Eugenics War in a future ep?>>

I don't think we want to talk about the specifics of the Eugencis Wars on DS9. Yes, there are explanations that can be made about alternate timelines and so on, but they're pretty convoluted and I'd rather not point out to the audience that it's 1997 and the Wars are supposed to be in full swing. We'll make references to Khan and the Eugenics Wars in vague terms, but I think we'll avoid straight-out exposition about what happened.

<<Will there be more Bajoran stuff this season such as the Orbs, Prophets, or Kai Winn?>>

Definitely.

<<Do you have any big Kira episodes planned for later in the season (ie. after the war arc), and if so can you give us any information on it?>>

Show # 8 is a big Kira show and I'm still trying to preserve some mystery about it.

<<Isn't about time for "Q" to visit the station again?>>

No plans for Q on DS9.