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Robert Picardo: Brent Spiner Episodes to Deal With Opposition to Artificial Intelligence

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By Steve Krutzler / 14:46, 15 July 2004 / Enterprise

STAR TREK: VOYAGER actor Robert Picardo ('The Doctor') stopped by the official STAR TREK web site yesterday to chat with fans about his famous role. On the heels of Marina Sirtis ('Troi')'s revelation that TNG cast mate Brent Spiner ('Data') would play an ancestor of Data's creator 'Dr. Noonien Soong' on a three-part episode of ENTERPRISE this season (story), Picardo let fly more details on the story.

"Late last August, I stopped in to see Brannon [Braga] and told him I'd enjoy doing the show but I wanted to try to avoid heavy rubber," Picardo told fans when asked about what he thought of the latest TREK series. "Suppose I played a great-great-great-ancestor of the Doctor's programmer, 'Lewis Zimmerman', who was vigorously opposed to the development of artificial intelligence."

Picardo says he was surprised to learn that a similar idea is being developed for Spiner's guest appearance.

"When I spoke to my pal Brent Spiner yesterday, I found out they're doing exactly the same story with Data in a three-part episode, which he and I both thought was a remarkable coincidence," the actor explained. "I would love to get a phone call from Brannon about this 'remarkable coincidence' as it really is remarkable. Perhaps he'll call, that too would be remarkable. (Laughs)."

In the chat, Picardo answered a slew of questions from his favorite types of cuisine to various VOYAGER episodes. He recalled "Life Line" humorously.

"I found it a great pleasure to work with myself," he said. "I found myself to be demanding, enthusiastic, generous of spirit, and of unfailing good humor. Although, I did have a tendency to talk about myself too much to myself. There was also the gnawing fear that I would not be able to measure up to myself. But, when all was said and done, I had to give myself very high marks, and I would recommend working with me to anyone."

Picardo says he was offered a role in one of VOY cast mate Roxann Dawson ('B'Elanna')'s ENTERPRISE episodes last season, but was unable to take part due to an obligation to THE LYON'S DEN. For more from the actor, including his latest and upcoming theatre plans, check out the complete transcript.



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RE: Sounds good | Report this post to moderator
By: Scorpius (Odo's file, contact) @ 19:09:11 on Jul 15, 2004

Picardo had some great ideas for his character on Voyager - some of them they used, some they didn't. He originally pitched LifeLine, but I heard Braga's version of the episode steered from Picardo's original idea and wasn't quite the gem it should have been.

Sadly Picardo also pitched to have De Kelley join the show for an episode before he died, but they said it was too similar to T&T... So what if it was? T&T was one of the highest rated episodes, and De Kelley one of the most loved Trek actors.

--------

"Men don't use sex to get what they want. Sex IS what they want" - Frasier

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RE: Sounds good by Cymro @ 19:18:57 on Jul 15
    RE: Sounds good by Scorpius @ 19:28:54 on Jul 15
       RE: Sounds good by Cymro @ 20:38:42 on Jul 15
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             RE: Sounds good by Cymro @ 07:15:11 on Jul 16
             RE: Sounds good by tomba1701 @ 21:47:50 on Jul 15
                RE: Sounds good by Avilos @ 21:52:07 on Jul 15
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