The Sheliak

[Norrin Radd]

Remember the time when these alien freaks appeared on TNG?

They looked damn creepy...but seemed fascinating.

Anybody know anything about them other than what we learned that episode?

 

[Aquehonga]

Nope!

Worst part is Treks had too much time to elaborate about the Sheliak Corporate.

I think Odo named the SC on his laundry list of α/β Quadrant powers who'd signed non-aggression treaties with the Dominion.

It'd been if the SC had been shown more than just once in canon/continuity.

 

[Praetor]

I was always interested by them too, and, yeah, I couldn't find anything either. Here's a link to the Memory Alpha article and as you can see, virtually nada. I don't see a mention of the non-aggression treaty with the Dominion and I don't think Odo mentioned them. IIRC, he mentioned the Romulans, Tholians, and Miradorn.

Is it just me or does the Sheliak costme seem like a modification (or recreation) of the costume for Armus that killed Tasha Yar?

 

[Bacl]

I was always interested by them too, and, yeah, I couldn't find anything either. Here's a link to the Memory Alpha article and as you can see, virtually nada. I don't see a mention of the non-aggression treaty with the Dominion and I don't think Odo mentioned them. IIRC, he mentioned the Romulans, Tholians, and Miradorn.

Is it just me or does the Sheliak costme seem like a modification (or recreation) of the costume for Armus that killed Tasha Yar?

Another low-budget attempt at a non-humanoid species. I applaud the efforts.

 

[JNG]

They seemed really cool and intimidating as a species...but man, of all the reuses of the Merchantman model, this one was the least appropriate (though the modifications were a valiant effort). If they'd had a cool, original ship that was as alien as their own physical appearance and as threatening as their behavior, I'll bet they really would have taken off with the fans.

 

[The Grim Ghost]

I've always been fascinated by them. Not developing them further was a missed opportunity.

 

[Timo]

Agreed about the fumbling of the ship effects. If they had just showed the highly modified bow, and avoided the angle that showed the easily identifiable engine cluster at the stern...

The critter itself was really nice, though. A good thing that they didn't try and give it more mobility - that would have looked awkward as hell.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Evil_Kirkneivel]

Is it just me or does the Sheliak costume seem like a modification (or recreation) of the costume for Armus that killed Tasha Yar?

The same actor who voiced Armus voiced the Sheliak captain (Mart McChesney), so there are other similarities between the two. Great voice, by the way.

 

[2 of 10]

They are an classification R-3 life-form, they were very reclusive. In 2255 the treaty of Armens was established between the Federation and the Sheliak. As part of the agreement the Federation gave up their colony on Tau Cygna V, there was no further contact with them for over a century. They refered to themselves as "The Membership" and have a governing body called "The Corporate" they were seen in the TNG ep "The Ensigns of Command"...

 

[2 of 10]

I was always interested by them too, and, yeah, I couldn't find anything either. Here's a link to the Memory Alpha article and as you can see, virtually nada. I don't see a mention of the non-aggression treaty with the Dominion and I don't think Odo mentioned them. IIRC, he mentioned the Romulans, Tholians, and Miradorn.

Is it just me or does the Sheliak costme seem like a modification (or recreation) of the costume for Armus that killed Tasha Yar?

I got my info on them from The Star Trek Encyclopedia, page 440

 

[Norrin Radd]

The Sheliak to me are basically a kickass/no nonsense version of the Ferengi.
They value commerce and profit above all, but are above the Ferengi's comedic bullshit.

 

[QuasarVM]

The Sheliak to me are basically a kickass/no nonsense version of the Ferengi.
They value commerce and profit above all, but are above the Ferengi's comedic bullshit.

True, but if they are reclusive then who do they trade with?

 

[john titor]

The shelliac were kind of lame, they looked like towels draped over sticks.

 

[Praetor]

The shelliac were kind of lame, they looked like towels draped over sticks.

What, a race of towels draped over sticks wouldn't freak you out?

 

[Anwar]

I thought they were very well done for Trek Aliens. Basically they are the TNG equivalent of the Horta when it comes to design.

 

[Praetor]

Exactly. They're no Melkotians (or Melkots depending who you are) but hey, who is?

 

[Marie1]

Was it not the Sheliak that Nog traded with in one of the DS9PF books for a shield thingy? Maybe the Gateways book?

 

[Nardpuncher]

I haven't seen the episode in at least 10 years but I seem to remember them looking like the Melkots from The Savage Curtain of TOS.

 

[Anwar]

The Melkots has discernible heads and eyes, the Sheliak didn't have those.

 

[Praetor]

Here are a few images for the discussion.

The ship's schematics as seen in the fact files:

And various screencaps from Trekcore:

They really got their mileage out of the old Merchantman miniature. Looking at the Sheliak here, it seems like he's made of a fabric with a reflective pattern. I also didn't remember that last shot where it makes it seem like the Sheliak are much larger than humanoids Picard and Troi.