How it works, boys

It's been brought to my attention that the video clip (which I had no part in formulating) in the last post features a lot of the character Seven-of Nine. Well, that's Voyager in a nutshell.

The conversation at Paramount would have gone something like this.

- Studio President: "Well, we're midway through the projected run of the series, and ratings aren't what they could be. What fruit can we pluck from the hundred year old tree of science fictional excellence to stir into the heady brew that is Voyager?"

- Flunky 1: "How about a republic of scholars dedicated to preserving the scientific knowledge of mankind after the collapse of the galactic empire, saving the galaxy from 30,000 years of chaos and sowing the seeds of a new, even greater empire?"

- Flunky 2: "How about a tragically doomed experiment to augment the intelligence of a simpleton, raising him to the level of genius and beyond, only to save his life he has to revert to being a simpleton again?"

- Flunky 3: "How about a gorgeous babe in a tight one-piece?"

- President: "Darn, this one will cause me sleepless nights."

Then, once the decision had been made, there was a further crisis meeting over the exact level of gorgeousness for the new character - should it be unattainable perfection-type gorgeous, or just the drop-dead variety? Eventually they went for drop-dead based on the novelty factor, as Trekkies are just too used to unattainability in women to bat an eyelid.

Ooh, see me.