Majel Roddenberry passed away

[Jetsfan]

Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the widow of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and an actress whose longtime association with the "Star Trek" franchise included playing Nurse Christine Chapel in the original series, died early Thursday morning. She was 76.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituari...,1017655.story

[Traditional_Ale]

She was also Laxwana Troi (Deanna Troi's mother) as well as the voice of the computer.

R.I.P.

[CaptainCrunch]

I remember it caused all kinds of trouble for GR because he wanted her as the Enterprises first officer original and the Studio heads almost fired him on the spot for putting a woman in a position of authority over a military vessel.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I remember it caused all kinds of trouble for GR because he wanted her as the Enterprises first officer original and the Studio heads almost fired him on the spot for putting a woman in a position of authority over a military vessel.

I remember reading it wasn't so much a female first officer they opposed, as it was having Gene Roddenberry's girlfriend in one of the main roles. The one the Studio really hated was Spock, yet he was only one who remained. They did get away with a female Romulan fleet commander. A sexist portrayal, but groundbreaking for its day.

Apparently, there was an unused script meant for Season 4 where there would be a female starship captain. The goal would likely have been an authoritative actress with some star power, someone like Honor Blackman.

[CaptainCrunch]

If IIRC they didn't mind the female romulan captain because she was a villian and she was duped by Kirk and Spock when she had her cloacking device stolen. So while she was a strong for a woman, she was dumb compared to the men, gullable and a slave to her sex.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If IIRC they didn't mind the female romulan captain because she was a villian and she was duped by Kirk and Spock when she had her cloacking device stolen. So while she was a strong for a woman, she was dumb compared to the men, gullable and a slave to her sex.

Yep... but was there ever a villain who wasn't dumb compared to Kirk and Spock? Even genetic superman Khan got his ass kicked promptly by Kirk and Spock once they realized they were in trouble.

Still, even a flawed female authority figure is still an authority figure. One that not only commanded a ship, but was the flag officer of a task force. It was ambitious for 1968.

[ken0042]

I'm trying to remember- did she have a role in "Enterprise?"

I know prior to Enterprise she was the only actor to have appeared in the 4 TV shows and the movies.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm trying to remember- did she have a role in "Enterprise?"

I know prior to Enterprise she was the only actor to have appeared in the 4 TV shows and the movies.

according to imdb:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000854/

She was in Enterprise as the voice of some of the starship computers

[Stumptown]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I remember it caused all kinds of trouble for GR because he wanted her as the Enterprises first officer original and the Studio heads almost fired him on the spot for putting a woman in a position of authority over a military vessel.

She did play the first officer (in a dark wig) in the pilot episode, and they made a big deal out of her being in charge of the ship while the boys went down to the planet.

Sad day. I always loved her as Lwaxanna. She stole every scene she was in.

[Yeah_Baby]

Her voice will again be heard in J.J. Abrams' Trek incarnation.