by Chris Snelgrove
| Published
Majel Barrett Roddenberry became one of the most consistent parts of the golden age of Star Trek, voicing the ship's computer and starring as Lwaxana Troi in The next generation and Deep Space Nine. It was actually a big deal when she first came to DS9 in the episode “The Forsaken” because, in addition to being a pre-established character, she was the wife of the late, great Gene Roddenberry. Her appearance could have been uptight, but according to series stars like Armin Shimerman, she instantly won everyone over and “really looked like someone coming home to roost.”
Majel Barrett was not a singer
Speaking about Shimerman, he described how much he “looked forward” to acting with her Deep Space Nine. Fortunately, the experience seemed to live up to his expectations, and he described how “she was great to work with and she was so sweet and kind and funny.” He was apparently concerned that she might have a little trouble fitting in at first, but the Quark actress described how she “felt comfortable on these sets.”
clearly, Armin Shimerman He truly loved everything about his experience working with Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and his opinion was shared by everyone who worked there Deep Space Nine. According to him, “The crew adored her, and she was very considerate.” Perhaps borrowing a little candor from his Ferengi character, Shimerman then said the quiet part out loud: “Given its position in cosmology Star TrekShe was a very, very caring person.
Reading between the lines, it seems like Shimerman was implying that Majel Barrett Roddenberry, as the wife of franchise creator Gene Roddenberry, would have been a complete front diva (if not an outright tyrant) when she came to Deep Space Nine. She was the wife of Trek's ultimate authority figure, and after his untimely death in 1991, she essentially carried his authority when she was on set. Instead of displaying that authority to achieve her goal, she immediately impressed everyone with her kindness and grace.
Great performance
As much as everyone admired Majel Barrett Roddenberry's kindness, they were equally impressed by her talents as an actress, which is why she was invited back to the Deep Space Nine For two more episodes to follow. In The Forsaken, Odo actress Rene Auberjonois enjoyed the way she brought the relationship between his shapeshifter and her telepathy to fascinating life. “Through his relationship with Lwaxana, the audience got to know a side of him that made him likable, and they really connected with him,” he said.
Furthermore, Majel Barrett Roddenberry impressed Michael Piller, who was the show's director and co-creator of Deep Space Nine. According to Beeler, “Magel was at her warmest and most wonderful as Mrs. Troy.” In a detailed explanation, he noted that she “goes from being the woman you couldn't imagine being stuck in an elevator with to the best companion you could ever have.”
The final comment refers to the plot of “The Forsaken”, in which Lwaxana Troi follows spinners Odo to a turbolift where they are stranded due to a strange system failure. Odo becomes increasingly dismayed that his alter ego will have to return to liquid form, and tells Troy that no one has ever seen him this way before. This makes her take off her wig and say that no one has ever seen her this way before, and this is enough to make Odo transform into his liquid form in her lap in a sweet, intimate moment.
Sometimes, it's easy to forget Majel Barrett Roddenberry Deep Space Nine episodes because the show is remembered more for things like it Dominion War bracket. However, it was one of the best parts of the early show and helped bring out the best of the show's regular cast. And thanks to casting and director Beller, we now know that Roddenberry herself is as impressive as her character when it comes to winning over every cast and crew she encounters.
