Thoughts on Kivas Fajo from "The Most Toys"?

[The Rock]

What is it about this bad guy that makes him so damn memorable? There have been a lot of despicable villains in Star Trek but THIS GUY is IMO the most hateable.

Is it because of the actor's really performance? Or does it have to due more with Data, a being who has been programmed to never harm another living being, being so disgusted with this evil man that even he wanted to kill him (and he would've had he been beamed up a second longer since the phaser was in a state of discharge)?

Or maybe both?

Great episode, great villain!

 

[NCC-73515]

His unique mannerisms, the way he moves and speaks

 

[Tosk]

I think it's mostly Saul Rubinek's acting skill/quirks.

We've seen what David Rappaport was doing with the character and with all due respect his Kivas was nuthin' spesh.

 

[Mojochi]

Or does it have to due more with Data, a being who has been programmed to never harm another living being, being so disgusted with this evil man that even he wanted to kill him

I don't interpret the scene that way myself. He wasn't disgusted, or acting emotionally in any way. This was by all accounts a logical kill for him, (or would've been) based on Fajo having just arbitrarily murdered someone & an outright threat of easily doing so again, in a circumstance with a narrowing window of opportunity to prevent those very likely murders or further captivity.

It arguably may not be, in the strictest sense, a purely self-defense kill, but it still measures out as righteous IMHO.

I will give credit to the actor for why this villain sticks in your craw so much, especially having seen Rappaport's take, which plays more like a garden variety "mean bad guy". Rubinek wisely makes a deliberate choice to play a particularly cold blend of entitlement & disregard for others, wrapped up in a thin veil of pleasantry & meekness. He takes the simple character trait of "thoughtless" off the page & gives it a real depth of cruelty that other actors might & in fact did miss.

These traits, which are Rubinek's specialty, will specifically grate on a person's sensibilities more than most, as especially revolting, that of a weak bully enjoying power over others. It rubs against the grain with people. Lots of his characters have that same dynamic. It's like his calling card, & it works to perfect effect here

His heartless villainy makes for the perfect foil for Data, who in the end scene gets to outplay that heartlessness with his truly emotionless triumph. I actually think Data knows that his icy android response is the most damaging to a person like Fajo. I sometimes think Data purposely exacts that on people who deserve.

 

[Michael]

It’s definitely Saul Rubinek that made the character memorable. In an episode that itself is rather forgettable you definitely notice his theatrical line delivery, interesting little mannerisms and how in a beat he can flawlessly go from charming host to devious villain. Come to think of it, Rubinek has been memorable in pretty much everything I’ve seen him in. Would be great to see him again in a more substantial role on Trek. And I guess since they actually scored the great Paul Giamatti everything’s possible.

 

[carcinoGeneticist]

What is it about this bad guy that makes him so damn memorable? There have been a lot of despicable villains in Star Trek but THIS GUY is IMO the most hateable.

Is it because of the actor's really performance? Or does it have to due more with Data, a being who has been programmed to never harm another living being, being so disgusted with this evil man that even he wanted to kill him (and he would've had he been beamed up a second longer since the phaser was in a state of discharge)?

Or maybe both?

Great episode, great villain!

Eugh, hate him so much. He always reminded me of the way the Netflix adaptation of A Series Of Unfortunate Events (which ended in 2019, I think) did Vice Principal Nero, if anyone here has watched that show. Although I think that connection is because of the way Fajo talks.

I've always been kind of frustrated by the fact that they didn't let Data kill Fajo. Like, yes, yes, he's Data, but Fajo had that coming to him and it would've been honestly satisfying to let him get what's coming to him.

 

[Qonundrum]

Acting, by far. Original actor David Rappaport also brought a good style to Fajo, but Saul takes Fajo to the next level and it's completely unexpected. Saul, like Susanna Thompson, and others, is an underrated character actor who can play so many different archetypes and not feel typecast at all.

Never bought into Data being "disgusted" as that's an emotion. The lie he states would never be explained, either. Very hollow ending for what is otherwise a decent storyline made far better by the acting of all involved.

 

[Lynx]

He was really disgusting.

But a very good and interesting villain. I would have liked to see him show up again.

By the way, recently I bought some new furniture to my nice little home and the owner of the shop looked like Kivas. However, he was nicer and the furniture he sold was good.

 

[Mojochi]

The lie he states would never be explained, either. Very hollow ending for what is otherwise a decent storyline made far better by the acting of all involved.

In the context of Data's life, him withholding the truth about why the disruptor had been fired makes perfect sense IMHO. If everyone is under the impression that Data has programmed protocols prohibiting killing someone, that Data himself later discovers can be disregarded, under the right circumstances of being boxed into a corner by a threat, it opens up the possibility that someone or anyone at Starfleet might begin second guessing him all over again.

After the pre-existing issues he's already had over his own rights, (only 6 episodes earlier since Lal) the last thing Data needs is an investigation into why he's firing on a seemingly unarmed man. Since he never actually harmed anyone, was freeing himself from criminal captivity, & wasn't specifically acting in any Starfleet officer capacity anyhow, Riker is savvy enough to ask the question, but just accept his ambiguous answer without further probing. It's honestly none of anyone's business, & Data taking that tack is maybe one of the most sapient calls he's ever made.

I do love me some TNG episodes with moral ambiguity though

 

[Bynar0110]

I always got the vibes Kivas Fajo was a evil Pee Wee Herman!

 

[Mojochi]

I always got the vibes Kivas Fajo was a evil Pee Wee Herman!

I bet you dollars to donuts Paul Reubens could've actually played the hell of the Fajo character

 

[Bynar0110]

I bet you dollars to donuts Paul Reubens could've actually played the hell of the Fajo character

That would've been awesome.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I put it all down the actor. Saul Rubinek did such a fantastic job. Truly despicable figure and that is the mark of a great actor

 

[Jayson1]

A really great character. It's sad what led to Rubinek being cast but he was perfect in the role.

50

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

A really great character. It's sad what led to Rubinek being cast but he was perfect in the role.

50

What do you mean by sad? Is there some behind the scenes reason for the casting?

 

[Nerys Myk]

What do you mean by sad? Is there some behind the scenes reason for the casting?

yes

 

[CoveTom]

What do you mean by sad? Is there some behind the scenes reason for the casting?

Rubinek was the second person cast in the role. They originally started filming with David Rappaport in the role, but unfortunately he attempted suicide over the weekend and had to be replaced.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Rubinek was the second person cast in the role. They originally started filming with David Rappaport in the role, but unfortunately he attempted suicide over the weekend and had to be replaced.

OMG that is sad.. But I think Saul did a wonderful job. he's very versatile

 

[The Rock]

I just looked up David Rappaport and damn, I was not prepared for finding out that the reason he lost the role was because he attempted suicide a few days before filming (and even sadder was when he killed himself a couple of months later). Sad, sad story. Poor guy!

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I just looked up David Rappaport and damn, I was not prepared for finding out that the reason he lost the role was because he attempted suicide a few days before filming (and even sadder was when he killed himself a couple of months later). Sad, sad story. Poor guy!

It really is.. I guess you don't know what people are going through in their lives