Memory Alpha:AOL chats/Ronald D. Moore/ron067.txt

Subj: Answers Date: 97-10-27 14:08:19 EST From: RonDMoore

<< I was watching a old episode and Bashir mentioned how he messed up some fiber on his medical exam so he was 2nd instead of 1st in his class. Now that we know he was genetically enchanced did he mess up.>>

Yes, he blew this question intentionally as he admitted in "Distant Voices."

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All I know is that Michelle wanted to pursue feature films at the time when she was offered the DS9 pilot and that she turned down the series several times. We don't feel any need to revisit the character of Ro on DS9, so I doubt that you'll see her again.

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This is a very old and very tired argument. One more time: the only thing Worf "displaced" was Kira's role as automatic first officer of the Defiant. Big deal. Does Kira still command the Defiant on occasion? Yes. Is she still First Officer of DS9? Yes. Does Worf still have to take orders from her? Yes. Is Kira still the Bajoran Liason? Yes. The entire notion that we set out to damage Kira's character by bringing aboard Worf is ridiculous. DS9 already had a security officer and his name was Odo. Kira's role as Defiant XO was not exactly at the top of her priority list so giving it to Worf seems like pretty small potatoes in the overall scheme of things.

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Let me bring you in on a little secret -- we pad everyone. Men and women. Do you think Worf's shoulders are really that big? Do you think Dukat's chest is the size of a oil drum? The costumes are often made of material that requires... er, reshaping in order to be attactive on camera, especially the Starfleet uniforms, which are so stiff and bulky that if we didn't do something with them, you'd never get any body definition whatsoever. Some actors have great bodies and some don't. We're more than happy to show off those that do and help those who need it. Patrick had a great body and was more than willing to run around in very little whenever the situation called for it.

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Last time I checked, the Federation seemed like a place where sexism and inequality do not exist. The idea that every race in the galaxy should be this way as well is silly. That's not even the way things are here on good old planet Earth. There's a wide variety of male/female relations around the globe and few of them replicate the current state of affairs in the US. This does not mean that every other culture on the face of the Earth is immoral, mysogynistic, or evil. The role of women in India and Pakistan is certainly different and in many ways, less enlightened, than in America, yet both those countries have been led by female prime ministers while America has yet to have a woman as president or even VP. There used to be a concept in Trek known as IDIC, where diversity was celebrated and cultural differences were a plus rather than a minus. It flies in the face of IDIC to say that all alien races must be judged by how closely they conform to notions fo sexual equality in the Federation or the US.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-27 14:27:03 EST

From: RonDMoore

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Call 213-956-8301 and you'll hear a message that will tell you how to get the basic script guidelines, which will answer most of your questions.

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Not yet.

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Not as many out and out romance-based stories, but we'll still be doing them, yes.

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It takes me away from the work and yet makes me think critically about the show at the same time. I also just like the interaction with people who watch and appreciate the work we do here.

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The cloaking device does not work so well on every ship. It uses a lot of power and probably can't be adapted to just any ship.

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Too soon to say.

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I have no idea.

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I think Alexander understands Worf's reasons for joining the House of Martok.

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It's been brought up, but we're probably not going to do it.

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We haven't mentioned the Beta quadrant in so long that I think people would get confused if we suddenly started referring to it. The Alpha quadrant is firmly planted in the audience's mind as where the Fed, the Klingons, and the Roms all live so I think we'll stick with that nomenclature.

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We've got some baseball references coming up.

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Yes.

<<I know you hate this question but... I have read several things about Mr. Zimmerman saying season 7 is on. Is this true now, ot is it still undecided?>>

Still no official word on season 7.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-27 14:47:52 EST

From: RonDMoore

<<Why, when female viewers express offense with sexism, are we told to quit being "politically correct" and cautioned to resist applying contemporary Human values to fictional alien races? Then in the next sentence reminded that Jem-Hadar are logically male, or Cardassia's leadership is male, or Klingons are male-dominant because "that's how it is" in Human warrior societies? Ron Moore seems to be as guilty of this double-standard as everyone else.>>

I don't recall ever making the "that's how it is in Human warrior societies" argument. I have said that applying contemporary *American* values to fictional alien cultures is a mistake. If you follow that line of reasoning, every alien culture in the galaxy would have to work like ours does and that would make for a pretty boring series. I still find it odd that people will look at a race like the Klingons and complain about the sexism, but seem completely unconcerned about the fact that they're also:

-- a blood-thirsty race bent on conquest.

-- a people who seem flagrantly racist with regards to other beings.

-- a planet ruled by an unelected oligarchy with little or no redress for its citizens.

-- a culture that glorifies violence in all its forms.

-- a society built around worship of and obedience to a warrior cult.

-- a place where children are blamed for the sins of their parents.

But somehow, if they just treated women a little better they'd be perfectly acceptable as role-models? While I do want to bring more balance into the way that Klingon women are portrayed and show them as equal partners in Klingon society, I also think that there's a fair amount of PC (political correctness, not Picard-Crusher) involved in some of the complaints here. Why are all the above-mentioned flaws in the Klingon Empire just fine, but sexism is not? Racism is okay? Love of violence is okay? Militarism is okay? It seems as if there's a portion of the audience that will turn a blind eye to anything so long as the sexual politics are brought into line of current American thinking and that seems to be tinged by more than a little PC to me.

<<Now that in " Behind the Lines " the Female Changeling told us the used to be solids, that explains how they could make him a solid and possiably explains the Aliens in the TNG episode " The Chase " witch could be these ancient changelings, comments thoughts?>>

We've talked about linking (no pun intended) the Changelings to the race seen in "The Chase," but I think we've abandoned that idea.

<<Without going into plot details, when the writers take a character in a startling (and some might think irredeemable) new direction the way they have with Odo this season, do they already have in mind how they plan to make it feasible for the character to continue after the questionable story arc has ended? I've heard that Rene A was worried enough to go to Ira with his concerns when he first read the script for "Behind the Lines", and having now seen it, I can see why. What kind of long-range planning do you do in circumstances like that? Or do you? >>

We do think out how a character arc like the one involving Odo will affect future episodes, but sometimes our thinking changes mid-stream or evolves into something else as the specific episodes come into focus.

<< I have noted that Mr. Brooks has not been signed for a( hopeful) 7th season..If he did'nt, would the show go on, and would one of the regular become commander, or would you hire another actor?>>

I'd rather not speculate on this. The question of who will and who won't be in the potential 7th year is premature at this point.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-27 14:59:58 EST

From: RonDMoore

<<when we try to portray an alien species (on TV, in fiction, or on movies) the screams of agony that arise if the culture isn't totally sympathetic!...

Once we are fated to learn anything about a race, it had better be (for the most part) cute, cuddly, and near-perfect, or watch out! Why do we expect better of the "cultures" we create in our fiction, than we expect of ourselves? Why do we presume that we can *begin* to judge another species, no matter how contrived or made up?...

The main use of another race in Science Fiction (outside of simple target practice, or mere "flavor") is to hold a mirror up to *us*, to make us look in that mirror and say "hmm, never knew that us)....

The problem, of course, if that if you set about to create a *flawed* culture, or one that is *different* than human cultures, *someone* is gong to get upset;

if they're sexist, the feminists get upset

If they're racist, the NAACP and such groups get mad

if they're violent, the anti-violence group gets upset

if they're carnivores, the Vegans get upset

if they're vegetarian, the PETA (People for Eating Tasty Animals) get mad

if they're Minbari, the radical Trekkies get upset :-)...

A perfect culture has no internal conflict, and most likely little reason for external conflict. Conflict is what *drives* drama; a show with no conflict is

TV... a telescope works better :-). Does this mean I think every race should be a bunch of misogynistic racists who eat everything in site, after either blowing it up or stabbing it with big sharp knives? Of course not. But a different culture should be *different*; if I can find it on Earth, why in heck did use Aliens?>>
 * boring* (I can watch people going about their daily lives without using a

Just wanted to repost this and say, "Right on, baby!"

<<There is a computer game I play, an excellent PBEM space strategy take over the galaxy game. Now, it supports the use of addin programs. Anyway, I was thinking of making an addon based on the dominion race. My question is this; is there a serious chance of me gettign sued?>>

You're asking the wrong guy.

<<The founders sometimes change shape even when on the homeworld, according to the female changeling in "Behind Enemy Lines". Into CLOUDS? Now teh founders can vaporize, and turn into gasses and be clouds?>>

That would seem to be the case.

<<For the sake of continuity, is there a chance we might see the Defiant helmsman from FIRST CONTACT in a DS9 episode?>>

I doubt it.

<<I'm in the middle of watching Generations again, and I've got a couple of questions. Don't worry, they're not about Kirk. First of all, why did you decide to make the helmsman of the Enterprise-B Sulu's daughter?>>

We wanted something to emphasize that the time of Kirk and Co. was coming to an end and there was literally a next generation taking over. Meeting Sulu's daughter was something that would bring that home to Kirk as he stepped aboard an all new Enterpirse (same goes for Chekov's daughter, which was our original thought).

<<why on Earth did you decide to destroy the Enterprise-D? I understand you were trying to establish a theme of loss through the film, but if that's the reason it seem strange that the loss of the ship seemed to be such a small thing. There was only one scene where anyone seemed to give a damn that the ship was destroyed. That was when Riker and Picard were in the ready room at the end, and only Riker seemed to be bothered by it. Picard seemed to care more about his photo album than that he'd lost *another* ship. >>

The destruction of the E-D was something we'd been thinking about for over a year. The crash sequence was an idea we'd come up with back in the sixth season and the movie seemed like the perfect opportunity to do it justice on screen. It also seemed to fit into the theme of loss and mortality, but I will grant you that there should've been a bigger impact on Picard at the end of the picture.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-27 15:13:42 EST

From: RonDMoore

<<Do you think it would be better for anyone writing a spec script at this point to write it for Voyager rather than DS9? >>

Yes.

<<Will "Waltz" have anything to do with Dukat's wife? And if not, will she ever be brought into the storyline as more than just a passing comment?>>

Dukat's wife does not figure into "Waltz" and I'm not sure if we'll bring her into the series or not.

<<Will Gowron be appearing again during the war or in any other episodes?>>

We haven't done anything with Gowron yet.

<<Of course, ron doesnt have to show every annoying thing [Worf and Dax] do. We dont need to know about injuries, or see them making out, or dax jumping into worfs arms(although show it ifhe doesnt catch her, or if he jumps into her arms, or some such humorous thing). All we need to know is that they are engaged, that they will soon be married, and nothing more.>>

Yep, there's nothing more exciting than a relationship that consists solely of the following:

DAX: Benjamin, Worf and I are getting married. It'll be on a Thursday.

SISKO: Congratulations. Now, let's TECH the TECH on that space anomaly.

Sounds great.

<<-I'm really tired of the complaints that Dax is a bimbo, or a jerk, or a mindless adjunct to Worf because she's in love and sometimes does light-hearted things. I thought that her jumping into Worf's arms was funny and charming; neither Sisko nor Martok was offended--why are you? Haven't you ever been so glad to see someone that you ran up and grabbed them in front of God and everybody? It was a very sweet moment, and very much in character, and as none of them was on duty, there's no breach of military discipline going on. It was very much a Dax thing to do. Part of her personality is her playfulness, her teasing, her warmth, and I hope we'll continue to see as much of that as we do of the science officer, the warrior, and the very highly competent commander.>>

Amen.

<<As I said before, I have NEVER, EVER in my entire life seen an adult woman do this [jump into someone's arms]. I never want to either; this sort of display is fine for private but incredibly wrong for public.>>

Well, that's just fine for you, but I didn't see anything wrong with it and the actress didn't either.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-27 19:00:04 EST

From: RonDMoore

<<So is ["The Magnificent Ferengi"] the action-oriented Ferengi episode Mr Moore mentioned awhile back?>>

Yes.

<<Being the widow of Gene, does Majel Barrett-Roddenberry have any input on the direction the ST universe is going and has she any feelings about how y'all are progressing so far?>>

Majel isn't involved with the series. She is very involved in "Earth: Final Conflict" which she executive produces and is based on a pilot script by Gene.

<<Ron, in Generations wasn't the Nexus supposed to let you experience events you lived, not those you invent? What is going on with Picard in the Christmas sceen. Is he Renee's uncle or his father? Why didn't you spend time with Soran and his Borg experience?>>

The notion was that the Nexus let you experience whatever you wished to experience, whether a replay of an actual event or a fantasy like Picard's X-mas scene. He was still Rene's uncle. We had discussed several sequences dealing with Soran and the Borg in the Nexus, but we never could find something we were happy with, so the whole notion was discarded.

<< the opening scene on Terok Nor [in "Behind the Lines"]... where Kira and Rom are watching the fight break out...Was that scene originally written that way? Or did the director have some input into it? It was great... Kira's narration (read superbly by Nana... that could have been awful at the hands of a less talented actress) and the viewers watching the scene with her from overhead....Did the original script have us hearing Quark and Damar talking, or was it always set up the way it was shot?>>

This opening was completely scripted just as you saw it.

<<How old is Odo among his people? Is he still considered a child? Or an adolescent? Or really really young?>>

This has not been determined.

<<Dear Ron, I just heard Alexander is the first gay klin.>>

This is not true.

<<I like to write my own Star Trek stories in my spare time. They're nothing fancy, but I enjoy doing it. I was just wondering if you could offer some advice for a very amature writer. How long does it usually take you to write a script for an episode? Do you have an actual outline when you write, or do you just sit down with one idea and see how things flow from there? I'm the type that sits down with one idea and just flys by the seat of my pants. Do you feel that an outline helps increase the effectiveness of writing, or is it better to do both? Have you ever totally scraped all of what you've written so far and started over? What do you do in cases of "writers block"? What do you find is the best way to conquer this "temperal phenomenon"?>>

I find that making a detailed outline of the episode is vital before I sit down and begin working on the teleplay. The function of an outline (or "beat sheet" as we call them) is to provide the writer with a blueprint of the episode. This allows you to concentrate on executing the scenes themselves and getting the character voices right instead of worrying about what the next act is going to be about or how this show will end, or where the hell is this crazy story going anyway? That doesn't mean that you're a slave to the beat sheet. I often find myself changing the outline as I go along, throwing out some scenes, adding others, etc. but the beat sheet helps keep my eye on the ball in terms of the overall story and structure.

I throw out entire first drafts and start over all the time. I just threw out the first draft of "Waltz" because I knew it wasn't working and the writing staff agreed. The second draft was much stronger and more focused. Don't be afraid to go back and rewrite. That's a huge part of the job in writing for film & TV, so get used to it and try to use it to polish your skills.

I can't afford writer's block. When under the gun and something's gotta get written, I'll write something, ANYTHING and then try to fix it later.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-27 19:10:59 EST

From: RonDMoore

<<We all now have a concern that since this a 6 episode story arc that all the great stuff happening so far will be wrapped up too quickly... After looking at all the stuff already shot...do you think people will be saying that? That it was wrapped up too quickly...or will there be many open ends for the rest of the year? Also, would you have prefered to do this continuous stream of storytelling over the entire 26 episodes and not just the 6 episodes that you're doing?...that would be so great becaue I have never enjoyed trek as much as I do right now. >>

If it was up to me, I would've done the entire year as one long story arc, but Paramount would go crazy. But on a more positive note, the war storyline won't end with the retaking of DS9. We'll continue to deal with the war (albeit in the background for a few episodes) throughout the rest of the season.

<<Without going in to details for those who might not be aware, is the current storyline with Odo something that will be resolved over the course of the next two episodes, or is this something that will have a large effect on the character in the future as well?>>

While we'll wrap up the current story with Odo, the larger ramifications of what's happened will continue to reverberate throughout the year.

<<When you assigned the directors for these first six episodes, was it based strictly on rotation or were certain directors specifically chosen for certain episodes.>>

It was a little of both. We try to match directors to scripts whenever possible, but sometimes the normal rotation works out just as well.

<<Are we in for a lot of smaller character-based episodes in the near future, to pay for the first four episodes and what look like a hideously expensive final two?>>

Not a lot of them, but yes, we'll be saving money through some smaller more intimate shows after the initial six.

<<You say there's no "official word" about season 7. What about unofficial? >>

No unofficial word either. But the betting around here is that there will be a year 7.

<<You say it's probably better to submit spec scripts to Voyager than DS9. I assume this is solely because of the incredibly long time it takes to get one read. (Even if you get 9 seasons, mine will still be at the bottom of the slush pile when the series goes off the air!) BTW, I sent mine in on January 31, 1997. Any reason to call Lolita yet?>>

I don't think you need to call yet. There are still people waiting to hear about scripts from 1996.

<<Are you going to tell us who Dukat "Waltz"es with, or do we just have to wait? (Why am I asking a question to which I know the answer?) I hope it's Sisko--they're soooo good together.>>

You're right. It's the Captain.

<<Just wondering if you guys have plans to show Leeta anytime soon?>>

Leeta will be in "Favor the Bold" and "Sacrifice of Angels". (I'm sure that made Catbyte's day.)

<<Ron, any chance to see Worf's brother return to DS9?>>

There's a chance, but not in the near future.

<<Ron, is there a Trek character that you wish you could write a story around, but is unavailable on DS9, (Janeway, McCoy, Sulu...you get the idea.)>>

Not at the moment. Mirror Spock would've been cool though...

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-28 18:14:15 EST

From: RonDMoore

<<Ron... my son just ran our tape of Trials and Tribs again... and I noticed when the viewscreen came back on and the Defiant crew first saw the enterprise... the viewscreen looked like an old TV coming on...Fuzz... static...than a clear picture... was that intentional? >>

I think the VFX guys did give the effect a little bit of a TV screen quality as a sly in-joke.

<<In one of the "mirror" episodes, we saw Tim Russ play a Vulcan. I cant remember, but was that Tuvok? Was it just inferred, or was it him? Any plans to mesh crews like that again using the Mirror?>>

I think it was inferred that it was Tuvok, I don't think we said it explicitly (I could be wrong about this, I don't recall). We don't have any plans to mesh the crews like this again, but you never know.

<<Is there any plans for the Breen to make some appearance into the ST world? Perhaps a reference maybe? >>

I think there are some references coming up, but no big Breen shows are planned yet.

<<Does the Defiant have a holodeck or a holosuite?>>

No.

<<Any plans to see Martok's son from "Way of the Warrior"?? >>

No. But we will be seeing someone else from Martok's family in "You are Cordially Invited..."

<< IMO the ideal would be:

Show opens to the bridge of the defiant.

Dax, chatting with sisko: Yeah, worf and I are getting married.

Sisko: Thats great dax. You two make such a cute couple.

Obrien: Captain! Theres an anomalous anomoly emmitting particly particles.

Sisko: Scan it.

etc, etc.

Natural conversation, but we catch only the end of it. Therefore, I(and many other viewers) arent bored out of our skulls, we are informed that dax and worf are getting married in a natural fashion, and we have more time for spacial anomolies that pose cool moral dilemma's and such.>>

There's nothing wrong with what you're suggesting, but I much prefer our way of doing things. To me, the best thing about DS9 is that it's really about the characters. It's a drama about people set against a science fiction backdrop, not the other way around. That's not to say that it's everyone's cup of tea -- it's not -- but it's what interests me as a writer.

<<I've seen Michael Dorn in person several times, and he's no shrinking violet, but it wouldnt' surprise me that the guys get padded shoulders. But really, Ron, do you honestly equate turning an A or B cup woman into a huge D cup woman with padding a guy's shoulders? >>

I thought the subject was the alleged sexism involved in our costuming and how we deliberately enhance the sexual characteristics of women and not men. I think a case can be made that bulking up men to look stronger and more physically powerful is indeed enhancing their secondary sexual characteristics. You should also note that we've never shied away from showing off the bodies of men who were fit and sexy, whether regulars or guest stars. And come on -- Dax and Kira have not been taken from A to D.

<<Ron you said no one would get promotions but for Sisko, but how many wars will this now make O'Brien in and how many times will he have been decorated????? Also, can you clear up how he went from a Lt. to a Chief Operations officer on DS9 I think everyone who goes to O'Brien(Colms) message board have always have a problem with how that came about???? You would think by now he would deserve some kind of promotion?>>

O'Brien has presumably been decorated many times. His "demotion" from Lt. to Chief actually occured back on TNG. O'Brien had been called Chief so many times on TNG that it seemed only natural that he really was a Chief Petty Officer, regardless of what wardrobe may or may not have put on his collar up to that time. It also gave us something new to play -- the noncom.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-28 18:36:30 EST

From: RonDMoore

<< <Kira was the single most interesting and strongest woman in the history of Star Trek. They took most of that away with THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR<

What happened in WOTW? Was it worf existing, or him doing better in a fight using klingon weapons?>>

This has always mystified me as well. The central objection seems to be the way that Kira was introduced to Worf (in a silly holosuite outfit), but other than that.......????

<<My husband told me to post this <G>. He said that you'd know what he was talking about.

"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.">>

I believe your husband is a Blade Runner fan.

<<Now I know Sons and Daughters is over...and as far as I know(having missed it), Molly wasn't in it. So will there be another episode I can look forward to seeing her in, or seeing her future hinted at? She's a great little person.>>

We haven't brought Keiko and Molly back to the station yet, but we will before this year is over.

<<Ron, is there any chance we could see that Ferengi female who escaped from her planet, and what she is doing now? >>

It's possible, but we don't have anything planned.

<<Catbyte, what you are saying is not the problem. I rarely if ever agree with your opinions, but I have to give you a lot of credit for being coherent and reasonable about them. I have a lot of respect for your opinions because I can tell how much you mean what you say.

The problem, it seems to me, is the tactics. It seems like lately you've adopted the methods of another poster with a strong agenda of their own: beat them over the head with your opinion long enough and eventually they'll give in to what you want and beg forgiveness. >>

To be honest, I don't have any problem with Catbyte's blunt language or her dogged defense of her position. She's entitled to take me to task for the problems she sees in the show and the way we portray the characters. I disagree with a lot of the things she says, but I have a lot of respect for the principles she defends and her refusal to be cowed. She's a valued part of this little group and even though many of her postings make me want to find out just how seriously BirdofPrey takes the rules against profanity, I'm glad she's around.

<<I'm curious as to what you think of the different uniforms that Starfleet has employed over the years. The TOS and (to a lesser extent) TNG uniforms had a lot of color to them and made those shows very visually striking. The new DS9/ FC uniforms seem to perfectly fit the (very often) tense tone of the show. But those pre-FC uniforms (currently used by Voyager)? Kinda bland, no? Was this something that was taken into account when costuming FC?>>

I think my favorite uniforms were the Trek II -- VI duds. The old DS9 costumes were good, but we were very limited in what we could do with them. The big plus with the FC uniforms is the ability to actually take off the jackets, wear the vests, unzip the shirts, roll up the sleeves, etc. This functionality helps shows like "Rocks and Shoals" immensely.

<<as a fan of Trek, do you ever sometimes wish you could just sit back, and be surprised by the series or episodes, instead of knowing ahead of time where it's going. How do you maintain your interest as a fan?>>

I do sometimes wish I could just sit back and enjoy it from a distance, but being in the thick of it is MUCH more rewarding. Believe me, I wouldn't trade places for a minute.

Subj: Answers

Date: 97-10-28 18:56:11 EST

From: RonDMoore

<<How far in advance did the staff have "the basics" of "Call to Arms" worked out? That is, did you guys know, even during "Rapture," that we'd lose the station and that Bajor would sign a non-aggression pact to keep them out of the fighting, or did you just make-up Sisko's prophecies and then later create something to fufil them?>>

We had been discussing the possibility of doing a major war with the Dominion for quite some time, so it was definitely something we were conscious of during the development of "Rapture." But we didn't know for sure that we would be able to end the season with the war or that we'd be able to do it at all, so in the back of our minds we had to keep open the possibility that the prophecies might have to mean something else one day.

<<How long is the war going to last beyond ep.6>>

We're not sure when it will end, but it will definitely continue for well over half the season.

<<In recent episodes, sparks aren't so fatal. Why?>>

I think you missed episode 27 from last season: "Sparks Fly" -- Dax and Worf spend an entire episode in bed, breaking bones and smashing consoles. During Act Three, Dax accidently hits a phase-discriminator coil with her elbow and sends a double-back-tachyon-flip-with-a-half-pike surge through the station's ODNMSG circuitry and cripples the station. Sparks start cascading from power relays all over the place, but when O'Brien tries to get power back on-line, he discovers that the sparks are actually sentient lifeforms who are just trying to communicate with us. Do we have the right to use these sparks as part of our power grid? Will Sisko use the sparks as slaves? Sisko does a lot of soul-searching before the Sp'Arhks (as they call themselves) decide that they do not belong in our world, but prefer the life of freedom and ecstasy they experience with the walls of the station. O'Brien shoves the little buggers back into the power grid, but (techs) the (tech) in such a way that our normal power requirements will no longer harm the Sp'Arhks, who are now our friends. In return, the Sp'Arhks have sworn to be careful when they come bursting out of an exploding console so as not to harm our people. (The B-story had to do with Odo morphing into several pairs of stilleto heeled shoes for Kira as a way of courting her, but I think we've beat that subject to death on these boards already...)