How do you feel about Majel Barrett?
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She was utterly delicious as Lwaxana Troi. I also enjoyed her as the Computer Voice. She was tireless and fearless in her defense and protection of the Franchise, however differently done than some would have llked. Her roles as "Number One" and "Nurse Chapel" were not memorable to me, but I acknowledge she did not get a lot of development and maturity time for those two characters.
Except for the shows where they didn't.
I wasn't fond of Chapel. I think it's because her role in the series was near solely about 'impotently lusting after Spock.' If they'd given her something else to do (or even left her as a recurring 'blue shirt' so there wasn't so much of it) I would probably be more fond of her. As she was, I kept wanting to shake her and tell her to stop mooning at her completely uninterested commanding officer.
She wasn't bad in 'What are Little Girls Made Of?', except for that whole revelation that she had been engaged whilst trying to get into Spocks pants. Was that episode meant to be set before the others, or were we just meant to forget that characteristic had been a recurring thing up until that point?
I only warmed up to Lwaxana once she was on DS9, and maybe in some late TNG eps. In my defence, the character was initially meant to be one-note and annoying. Her relationship with Odo was interesting, and it let Barrett show a bit of range.
She wasn't bad in 'What are Little Girls Made Of?', except for that whole revelation that she had been engaged whilst trying to get into Spocks pants. Was that episode meant to be set before the others, or were we just meant to forget that characteristic had been a recurring thing up until that point?
I only warmed up to Lwaxana once she was on DS9, and maybe in some late TNG eps. In my defence, the character was initially meant to be one-note and annoying. Her relationship with Odo was interesting, and it let Barrett show a bit of range.
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I think Number One was decently acted, though her character was wooden by nature. I never cared for Chapel, nor for ''Anthrax'' Troi despite some comedic incidents involving her character.
Loved Majel!
Strong, devoted and yes, opinionated, but her heart always in the right place.
Sticking with Roddenberry even though he cheated took a tremendous strength and love that I hope he eventually appreciated and reciprocated near the end of his life.
She couldn't do much with Christine Chapel but she NAILED Lxwana Troi. Her episodes are my favorites and I would love to have known who she based that character on.
Oh, and let us not forget her portrayal as Number One in TOS pilot. Unbeatable.
Strong, devoted and yes, opinionated, but her heart always in the right place.
Sticking with Roddenberry even though he cheated took a tremendous strength and love that I hope he eventually appreciated and reciprocated near the end of his life.
She couldn't do much with Christine Chapel but she NAILED Lxwana Troi. Her episodes are my favorites and I would love to have known who she based that character on.
Oh, and let us not forget her portrayal as Number One in TOS pilot. Unbeatable.
I met her at one of the Las Vegas conventions. My memory of her stage talk was the look of horror on the event organisers faces when she asked all the folks in the cheap seats to come up and sit at the front. (She was the first actor on stage that Friday). I got her autograph later and she was delightful and posed for a picture with me.
I like the character of Luxwanna - the way she treats Mr Wolf and makes Picard lug her cases are hilarious.
I also love the ship computer voice role she portrayed.
I like the character of Luxwanna - the way she treats Mr Wolf and makes Picard lug her cases are hilarious.
I also love the ship computer voice role she portrayed.
I have information on that.
Her husband said he had created a role for her.... and said she wouldn't even have to act.
That it was indeed Majel's naturally strong fearlessly independent unapologetic full of life on her own terms personality that shines through the Lwaxana character was confirmed directly to me by a friend of the family.
If you have not seen this I do think you will enjoy it for it is my understanding it speaks to both Majel Barrett AND Lwaxana Troi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsr3XQUEGsk
I am what I am, I don't want praise, I don't want pity.
I bang my own drum, some think it's noise, I think it's pretty.
I am what I am, and what I am needs no excuses.
I deal my own deck, sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces.
There's one life and there's no return and no deposit.
Life's not worth a dam 'till you can say, hey world, I am what I am!
Majel was a perfectly competent actress in Trek and in her other roles so it doesn't bother me if she got one or more jobs by banging the producer (she wasn't the only one then or now). I really like Number One and I enjoyed her part in Earth Final Conflict too.
Even Majel said Chapel was rather dull. While I thnk her first appearances as a guest star were down to Gene, I don't accept that was true of her more regular role in seasons 2 & 3. The sixties through to the eighties had a lot of roles for women that involved a short scene at the beginning and at the end while the male protagonist did everything in between. Chapel is just that kind of character. I lament the fact that she wasn't allowed to do more and i thought it was a serious blunder to turn her into a second fiddle doctor instead of making her a xeno-biologist with her own unique portfolio. Her contribution to TMP would have been no different but it would have opened up the character for meatier roles in the subsequent books and comics.
I was rather peeved at the lack of respect shown for the Chapel character in the reboot, especially after Majel was gracious enough to lend her voice to the computer. I think it showed that the Trek writers are still mired in the sexism of the sixties. They can cope with one or two prominent female characters but can't grasp the concept of equality wider than that. She should have been revamped to be a tribute to Majel, with more personality, and more independence.
To summarise: Majel good. Chapel bad.
Even Majel said Chapel was rather dull. While I thnk her first appearances as a guest star were down to Gene, I don't accept that was true of her more regular role in seasons 2 & 3. The sixties through to the eighties had a lot of roles for women that involved a short scene at the beginning and at the end while the male protagonist did everything in between. Chapel is just that kind of character. I lament the fact that she wasn't allowed to do more and i thought it was a serious blunder to turn her into a second fiddle doctor instead of making her a xeno-biologist with her own unique portfolio. Her contribution to TMP would have been no different but it would have opened up the character for meatier roles in the subsequent books and comics.
I was rather peeved at the lack of respect shown for the Chapel character in the reboot, especially after Majel was gracious enough to lend her voice to the computer. I think it showed that the Trek writers are still mired in the sexism of the sixties. They can cope with one or two prominent female characters but can't grasp the concept of equality wider than that. She should have been revamped to be a tribute to Majel, with more personality, and more independence.
To summarise: Majel good. Chapel bad.
That Majel would put up with being endlessly cheated on does reflect upon her. Roddenberry wasn't (from my readings of him) particularly discreet about his multiple affairs and employing the "casting couch." That Majel stayed with him might not generate admiration in some people's eyes.
Many people might consider her to be a cuckold, which (when said thing happens to a male) is considered degrading and embarrassing.
IMHO, Number One was amazing, Chapel was mediocre (and nowhere near as good or useful as Carol Marcus is in Into Darkness, which is why she's not in the new movies) and Troi was just the middle-aged female version of the male sleeze-think Leisure Suit Larry, but we'll call her Leisure Suit Laxwana instead.
I have met Majel at conventions (twice) and have always though of her as a great lady.
I always though that she could have been a great actress, but was stymied by the roles that she got, with her husband being of no help whatsoever.
Actually, "The Naked Time" was filmed and aired before "What Are Little Girls Made Of?"
During one of the Vegas conventions at the Hilton she showed up at Quarks. She was warm, self deprecating and a real hoot; we had a great time with her. As for her acting, it's true she would probably be unknown if not for her connection to GR, but many people gain success through relationships, so no big deal there. She was a great ambassador for the franchise. What's not to like?
I just saw her DS9 appearance and discovered why I liked her Mrs. Troi.
Not only was she loud, outgoing, persistent, and oblivious, she was also kind-hearted to those who needed kindness the most. Whether it was Alexander, Odo, or whoever, she was capable of seeing the best in the people she focused on.
There was something Star Trek-ish about that.
Not only was she loud, outgoing, persistent, and oblivious, she was also kind-hearted to those who needed kindness the most. Whether it was Alexander, Odo, or whoever, she was capable of seeing the best in the people she focused on.
There was something Star Trek-ish about that.
Yes, the consequences are usually very bad. You should always prepare yourself for them...
Totally agreed!
I love Mrs. Troi for her truly feminine nature. She was I love Mrs. Troi for her truly feminine nature. She was brilliant in each episode (especially in DS9).
As for TOS, well, her character was not so expressive. I'd like to watch Majel Barrett as Number One, but there is no chance to do it.
Sorry to disappoint but I do not dislike her at all.
I liked her portrayal of nurse Chapel. And I really liked how she played Lwaxana Troi!! It's just so much fun to watch Picard in an uncomfortable situation. But I can see how Lwaxana may be anoying to other viewers.
I liked her portrayal of nurse Chapel. And I really liked how she played Lwaxana Troi!! It's just so much fun to watch Picard in an uncomfortable situation. But I can see how Lwaxana may be anoying to other viewers.
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