Skrain or Elmo Dukat?

[apenpaap]

In the Relaunch novels, Dukat's first name is Skrain. But, according to Memory Alpha Ronald D. Moore frequently said Dukat's first name was Elmo when someone asked him about it. Leaving aside the fact that he was obviously joking, which name do you prefer? Skrain Dukat, Elmo Dukat, or will he always just be Gul Dukat to you?

 

[Gul Re'jal]

For my Polish ears "Skrain" sounds like finger nails on a blackboard :shivers:

 

[Avon]

I like to think his first name is Gul. like Darth Vader's was Darth, before it was badly retconned to be the title of every bad guy with a lightsaber.

 

[indolover]

Elmo sounds goofy, like a childrens' cartoon character. Skrain sounds more alien and more Cardassian.

 

[Photon]

In the Relaunch novels, Dukat's first name is Skrain. But, according to Memory Alpha Ronald D. Moore frequently said Dukat's first name was Elmo when someone asked him about it. Leaving aside the fact that he was obviously joking, which name do you prefer? Skrain Dukat, Elmo Dukat, or will he always just be Gul Dukat to you?

Skrain sounds like something you do when you need a stout glass of prune juice

 

[MHT1138]

I thought it was in an episode of DS9 that his first name was Skrain. I don't know which one though.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I thought it was in an episode of DS9 that his first name was Skrain. I don't know which one though.

All the show ever gave us was one episode where he gave his name--or name and title--it's not clear--as "Dukat, S.G." This could have been "Station Gul," but it's not clear.

"Skrain" comes from the Pocket Books novels.

At first I admit I was not the biggest fan of that name, but I've now spent a few years writing for an alternate "good-guy" version of him, and just the different feelings associated with that character have changed the way I hear the name. When I write the "good twin," I don't hear the harshness of the name so much...I hear the rhyme with "rain." But when I write about Gul Dukat, it seems like a harsh, mean name to go with a cruel man.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I like to think his first name is Gul. like Darth Vader's was Darth, before it was badly retconned to be the title of every bad guy with a lightsaber.

Actually the term 'Gul' was first used - as a Cardassian rank - on TNG, well before Dukat ever existed as a character. "The Wounded", I believe it was. Although it did feature Marc Alaimo, as a different Gul (Macet, who in the novels is Dukat's cousin).

 

[Herkimer Jitty]

This week's occupation of Bajor brought to you by the letter C!

 

[Pemmer Harge]

Gul Dukat - that's as much of a name as he'll ever have!

 

[Jack Bauer]

Elmo's just too silly. Skrain isn't that great but I'll take it over Elmo any day.

 

[Photon]

I like to think his first name is Gul. like Darth Vader's was Darth, before it was badly retconned to be the title of every bad guy with a lightsaber.

Actually the term 'Gul' was first used - as a Cardassian rank - on TNG, well before Dukat ever existed as a character. "The Wounded", I believe it was. Although it did feature Marc Alaimo, as a different Gul (Macet, who in the novels is Dukat's cousin).

You gotta wonder if Macet actually got to meet Wes Crusher. That would be a case of Boy Meets Gul

 

[TerokNor]

I don´t like the name Skrain much from its sound, but somehow it fits Dukat. Elmo just sounds... stupid...reminds me of some furry sesam street doll or so.
Gul Dukat of course sounds most familiar, but as Gul is a rang and not a name....
I would vote for both...Gul Dukat and Skrain Dukat, depending if he is on duty or not.
But as you asked for a name I think I put in my vote for Skrain then.

TerokNor

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Elmo's just too silly. Skrain isn't that great but I'll take it over Elmo any day.

^ This.

I agree.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I gotta stick with Elmo, though my actual preference is for Cosmo.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

When I write the "good twin," I don't hear the harshness of the name so much...I hear the rhyme with "rain."

I'd never thought to play it through my mind like that before. Yes, it does have a very different feel when read in that way. When reading "Skrain" I tend to draw out the "fingernails on a blackboard" bit, as Gul Re'jal put it. I guess I unconsciously make the sound "appropriate" to the man. From now on, I'll definitely read AU Skrain the way I read rain. More emphasis on the "ain", less on the "Skr"

 

[DevilEyes]

I like to think his first name is Gul. like Darth Vader's was Darth, before it was badly retconned to be the title of every bad guy with a lightsaber.

Actually the term 'Gul' was first used - as a Cardassian rank - on TNG, well before Dukat ever existed as a character. "The Wounded", I believe it was. Although it did feature Marc Alaimo, as a different Gul (Macet, who in the novels is Dukat's cousin).

Yeah. And then there was Gul Madred and Gul Lemec. That would have to be one very popular first name on Cardassia... Also, when do officers get called by their first name?! That would be like everyone calling Picard "Jean-Luc", rather than just Beverly, or everyone calling Sisko "Ben". Or aliens concluding that "Captain" must be a very popular name on Earth.

 

[Avon]

why didn't they call each other by their first names? everyone knew who was in charge anyways and it seems less militaristic.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Yeah. And then there was Gul Madred and Gul Lemec. That would have to be one very popular first name on Cardassia... Also, when do officers get called by their first name?! That would be like everyone calling Picard "Jean-Luc", rather than just Beverly, or everyone calling Sisko "Ben". Or aliens concluding that "Captain" must be a very popular name on Earth.

HA! There was a character in one of Gul Re'jal's stories that made a joke about exactly that.

 

[Gul Re'jal]

I completely forgot about that But in that case the popular name was "Lieutenant"