"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" Film & Fact Quiz

Answer: Star Trek: Phase II

There is a book called "Star Trek: Phase II. The Lost Series" by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens available that tells the story of the series that might have been.

Answer: Star Wars

The success of "Star Wars" convinced the producers that a movie version of "Star Trek" could be viable. The new series was scrapped just two weeks before production was due to start. I, for one, am glad they did change their minds but it would've been interesting to see how the series turned out.

Answer: Xon

T'Pring was Spock's wife-to-be in the original series episode "Amok Time". Stonn was the one she chose to marry instead of Spock. The actor, David Gautreaux, who screen tested for the role of Xon, played Commander Branch in the movie. There is footage of this test on the special edition DVD.

Answer: In Thy Image

Nomad was the name of a probe from an original series episode called "The Changeling". This featured a man-made probe whose programming had become muddled after colliding with a sentient machine. Sound familiar?

Answer: Alan Dean Foster

Alan Dean Foster also wrote the "Star Trek Log 1 - 10" series of books. The others are responsible for writing three of the best original series episodes. David Gerrold - "The Trouble With Tribbles". Theodore Sturgeon - "Shore Leave". Harlan Ellison - "The City on the Edge of Forever".

Answer: Robert Wise

Richard Donner directed "Superman: The Movie". Richard Lester directed "Superman II". Nicholas Meyer directed "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan" and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country". Robert Wise also directed "The Sound Of Music"!

Answer: Gene Roddenberry

Of course it was Gene! Rick Berman co-produced "The Next Generation", created and co-produced "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager" with Michael Piller, created and co-produced "Enterprise" with Brannon Braga, as well as producing the movies "Generations", "First Contact", "Insurrection" and "Nemesis". Busy chap.

Answer: Leonard Nimoy

Hence the writing in of the character of Xon. Nimoy wasn't going to do "The Wrath Of Khan" either until they gave him a juicy death scene.

Answer: Mark Lenard

Mark Lenard's biggest "Star Trek" role was Spock's father, Sarek, but he also played a Romulan Commander in "Balance of Terror" and provided voices for the animated series. James Sloyan played Dr. Mora Pol in "DS9", Ma'bor Jetrel in "Voyager", and a grown up Alexander in "TNG", as well as a couple of Romulans. Marc Alaimo is Gul Dukat in "DS9" but has appeared in "TNG" as two different characters. Armin Shimerman is everybody's favourite Ferengi in "DS9" but also appeared in "TNG" as Letek, the first Ferengi encountered in "The Last Outpost" and DaiMon Bractor in "Peak Performance".

He's in danger of becoming typcast!

Answer: Jerry Goldsmith

Jerry Goldsmith is the undisputed master of "Star Trek" movie scores. He also composed "The Final Frontier", "First Contact", "Insurrection", and "Nemesis" as well as the main theme to "TNG". James Horner did "The Wrath Of Khan" (my personal favourite), and "The Search For Spock". Cliff Eidelman did "The Undiscovered Country". Dennis McCarthy did "Generations", the main theme to "DS9" and scores to numerous episodes of all series except the original.

Answer: Isaac Asimov

Asimov also provided the inspiration for Data's positronic brain and actually gets a mention in "Datalore". Arthur C. Clarke developed the priciples of satellite communication. Fred Hoyle is an astronomer with interesting ideas about universe creation. Heinlein was an engineer at the Naval Air Experimental Station during WWII.

Answer: McCoy

"...Admiral Nogura invoked a little known, seldom used, reserve activation clause. In simpler language, Captain, sir, they drafted me!"

Answer: Deltan

In the director's edition there is a scene which shows Ilia having empathic powers when she eases Chekov's pain. Deltans are supposed to be irresistable to the opposite sex and give out pheremones to attract them, which is why Ilia is sworn to celibacy.

Answer: Gene Roddenberry

And a cracking read it is, too! Vonda N. McIntyre novelized "The Wrath Of Khan", "The Search For Spock", and "The Voyage Home" which are all very good and delve farther into the stories and character backgrounds than the movies. Well worth a read or several. J. M. Dillard novelized "The Final Frontier", "The Undiscovered Country", "Generations", "First Contact", "Insurrection" and "Nemesis" but these follow the scripts almost word for word.

Not bad, though. Alan Dean Foster novelized the animated series.

Answer: "Out there. Thataway."

"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning" is from "The Undiscovered Country". "Let's see what she's got Mr. Sulu. Warp speed!" is from "The Final Frontier". "Young. I feel young." is from "The Wrath Of Khan".