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54-644: Calhoun appears primarily in Star Trek: New Frontier , a series of spin-off novels and comic books set during the 24th century era of Star Trek: The Next Generation , in which he is the main character. He first appeared in the 1997 New Frontier debut novel , Star Trek: New Frontier: House of Cards . Calhoun is the only Star Trek character that has not appeared in any of the Star Trek television series or movies to have an action figure . In 1997 Pocket Books introduced Star Trek: New Frontier ,

108-406: A sidequel , a portmanteau of "side" (as in side-by-side) and " sequel ", when it occurs in the same timeframe as the original, sometimes contacting with the main narrative at points. In Japanese , the word gaiden ( 外伝 , pronounced [ɡaideɴ] , lit. "outside legends") also refers to such contemporaneous spin-offs and is frequently translated as "side story". Sometimes even when

162-471: A Cardassian fleet may attempt to use the cover of the nebula to launch an attack on Minos Korva. Jellico determines that their best course of action is to place mines across the nebula using a shuttlecraft . However, Riker is the most qualified pilot for the mission. Jellico visits Riker in his quarters, where he candidly criticizes Riker's performance as a first officer and Riker does the same for his command style. Jellico asks, rather than orders, Riker to pilot

216-597: A Hard Place . David has explained that Calhoun was not intentionally a remodeled Stone, but that both were based to some extent by characters portrayed by film actor Mel Gibson : the apparently unstable "cowboy diplomat" Stone was based on Martin Riggs from the Lethal Weapon films, and Calhoun, who was a rebel leader at 20, was inspired by the Scottish rebel leader William Wallace from Braveheart . David has added that Calhoun

270-697: A crucial role. The character of Edward Jellico, who was introduced in this episode, would later return as a recurring character in Star Trek: Prodigy where he has become a high-ranking Starfleet admiral. Jellico's ship, the USS Cairo , would later be reported destroyed in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode " In the Pale Moonlight ". In the Star Trek: Prodigy episode "The Fast and

324-641: A novel series written by Peter David that featured a combination of original characters and recurring, supporting characters from the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its spinoffs. The series is centered upon the U.S.S. Excalibur , a starship of the United Federation of Planets , which is commanded by the series' star, Captain Mackenzie Calhoun. The series was a popular success, and led to New Frontier comic books and appearances in Star Trek video games and action figures. Calhoun

378-539: A scar down the right side of his face, the mirror Calhoun has one down the left side of his. Mac spent a year on Romulus educating himself in areas such as philosophy , war strategy, and chess . He learned to defend himself during his many years in the Reman mines. Fans have noted the similarity between Calhoun and another of Peter David 's Star Trek characters, Commander Quintin Stone from David's 1991 TNG novel, A Rock and

432-471: A show is not a spin-off of another, there will nevertheless be crossovers in which a character from one show makes an appearance on another. Sometimes crossovers are created in an attempt to provide closure to fans of another failed series. Sometimes show producers will re-introduce a character from an older series into a later one as a way of providing a connectivity of that particular producer's television "world". Edward Jellico " Chain of Command "

486-561: A vastly different style of command than the Enterprise crew, particularly William Riker ( Jonathan Frakes ), are accustomed to. Under Jellico, the Enterprise patrols the border near Minos Korva, a strategically significant Federation planet, and holds negotiations with Cardassian representatives as to the fate of the planet. After intensive training in the holodeck , Picard, Worf, and Crusher discreetly arrive on Celtris III, and infiltrate

540-447: A young rebel, he trained himself to control his respiration, heartbeat and pulse in order to make himself a more efficient killer, though Peter David has explicitly made it unclear whether this ability is common to Xenexians or unique to Calhoun. Edward Jellico sees Calhoun as an unpredictable maverick and a cowboy, and Jean-Luc Picard has observed that reverence was never one of Calhoun's strong suits. Calhoun feels that, deep down, he

594-416: Is a savage, and that any appearance of civilization on his part is a façade that he wears like a cloak, though he keeps the scar Falkar gave him as a reminder of his roots. Calhoun has commented on his personality thus: "I’m an officer. I’m just not a gentleman." Like all Xenexians, Calhoun resembles a human almost entirely, with the exception of his purple eyes. His skin has a leathery, burnished texture,

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648-560: Is a two-part episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation . It aired as the 10th and 11th episodes of the sixth season , the 136th and 137th episodes of the series. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D . In this episode, Jean-Luc Picard is relieved of command of

702-454: Is born M'k'n'zy of Calhoun on the planet Xenex , in the city of Calhoun. He grows up under the brutal rule of the Danteri, who occupied his world. As a child, M'k'n'zy witnesses the public execution of his father in a town square by Falkar of Danter, which spurs him to grow into a rebel warlord. He kills his first person at age 14, and is given command of a strike vessel that marked the beginning of

756-478: Is closer to the historical Wallace, in that like Calhoun, Wallace was much younger than the real-life Gibson was when he portrayed Wallace in the movie. In addition, Calhoun, who is depicted as something of a cowboy, has been compared by other characters in the stories to James T. Kirk , as in a conversation with Edward Jellico in the novel Martyr . David has stated that on his blog that Calhoun indeed looks up to and identifies with Kirk, seeing himself very much in

810-531: Is returned to Federation custody and reinstated as commanding officer of the Enterprise . Picard admits privately to Counselor Troi ( Marina Sirtis ) that he was saved just in the nick of time, as by that point he was broken enough to be willing to say or do anything to make the torture stop – and by the end, he actually believed he could see five lights. "There are four lights!" Jean-Luc Picard , "Chain of Command, Part II" Writer Frank Abatemarco consulted with resources compiled by Amnesty International on

864-670: The Enterprise and reassigned to lead a covert mission, while his replacement is assigned to deal with the Cardassians openly. The second part of the episode is noted for the intense performance of Patrick Stewart and its depiction of brutal torture and interrogation scenes. The episode has been frequently ranked among the ten best in The Next Generation . This episode has guest performances by Ronny Cox as Captain Jellico, and David Warner as Gul Madred. A scene that pays homage to

918-556: The New Frontier novel covers, and in the comic book Double Time , consistently depict him as resembling a Caucasian human male with dark brown hair, though it appears as black in Turnaround . The Mirror Universe Mac, who first appears in "Cutting Ties", a story in the 2007 anthology Star Trek Mirror Universe: Obsidian Alliances , is described as having black hair, and appears thus in Turnaround . Whereas our universe's Calhoun has

972-572: The Star Trek fan film series Star Trek: Hidden Frontier , in which he meets his old lover, Elizabeth Shelby, now commanding the Excelsior , in the Briar Patch . Calhoun was played by James Cawley , producer and star of Star Trek: New Voyages , in which he plays James T. Kirk . Peter David stated on his blog that although the creators of the episode did not check with him beforehand, he thought it

1026-553: The Enterprise-D , and Captain Picard trying to endure a brutal Cardassian interrogation. Patrick Stewart's acting performance as a captive Picard is especially praised, noting the story as a showcase of the human spirit against lies and adversity. In 2019, they also ranked "Chain of Command" the eighth best episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation . In May 2019, The Hollywood Reporter ranked "Chain of Command" (Parts I & II) among

1080-520: The New Frontier novels, a First Officer heads the ship's day shift, while the Executive Officer commands the night shift watch). Calhoun is assigned to Sector 221-G, the area of space of the former Thallonian Empire, which has collapsed, resulting in destabilization of the region. Calhoun makes an appearance in the 2007 Star Trek: The Next Generation novel Before Dishonor by Peter David . In

1134-431: The Star Trek 50th anniversary convention. In 2016, The Washington Post ranked the two-part "Chain of Command" as the fifth best episode of all Star Trek . They point out famous scenes, such when Picard (Patrick Stewart) is tortured by a Cardassian after being captured, but also Captain Jellico (Ronny Cox) struggling to command the Enterprise crew. Empire ranked "Chain of Command" (Parts I & II) 16th out of

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1188-461: The "there are four lights" scene with Picard as the 11th greatest scene in all Star Trek including films and television. They praised the contributions of David Warner and Patrick Stewart to Star Trek . They note David Warner had previously played a role in 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country . In 2016, CNET noted that "Chain of Command" was rated one of the top ten episodes of all Star Trek episodes in an audience-based rating at

1242-548: The Cardassian alien interrogator Gul Madred. They note the struggle between Picard and Madred characters, and their battle for truth vs. information about the Federation. In 2020, Vulture recommended this as one of the best Star Trek s to watch along with Star Trek: Picard . In 2021, Robert Vaux writing for CBR , said this was the high point of the sixth season and noted David Warner's Cardassian character. The episode

1296-652: The Curious", the wreckage is found by the Medusan Zero on a planet in the Delta Quadrant. Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ), Worf ( Michael Dorn ), and Beverly Crusher ( Gates McFadden ) are assigned by Starfleet on a covert mission to seek and destroy a Cardassian biological weapons installation on their border world, Celtris III. In Picard's place, Starfleet assigns Captain Edward Jellico ( Ronny Cox ), who has

1350-492: The Federation's plans for Minos Korva. Picard refuses to acknowledge Madred's demand for information. Madred attempts another tactic to break Picard's will: he shows his captive four bright lights, and demands that Picard answer that there are five, inflicting intense pain on Picard if he does not agree. Meanwhile, the Cardassians inform the Enterprise crew that Picard has been captured. Jellico refuses to acknowledge that Picard

1404-642: The Xenexian rebellion. By the time M'k'n'zy is 20, he liberates Xenex. Shortly after doing so, he fathers a son, Xyon, with Catrine, a woman from the Calhoun clan whose husband had died, as she requests as part of Xenexian culture. Calhoun encounters Jean-Luc Picard , who, while commanding the USS Stargazer , visits Xenex as a representative of the United Federation of Planets to assist in negotiations between Xenex and Danter. Picard convinced Calhoun to join Starfleet ,

1458-506: The base. However, they find no signs of biological weapons, and suspecting a trap, they attempt to flee. Worf and Crusher escape, but Picard is taken prisoner and brought to Gul Madred ( David Warner ), who informs him Celtris III was a trap designed to capture Picard. Madred uses a number of torture methods, including sensory deprivation , sensory bombardment, forced nakedness, stress positions , dehydration , starvation , physical pain , and cultural humiliation to try to gain knowledge of

1512-526: The cowboy mold that Kirk personified. Playmates Toys produced a limited edition Captain Calhoun 4.5 inch action figure which was available only via mail order through the Star Trek Communicator fan club magazine, and began shipping in September 1998. Approximately 10,000 of these figures were produced. In September 2005, Calhoun made a cameo appearance in "Vigil", a sixth-season episode of

1566-495: The crew of the Enterprise -D, and Picard enduring a brutal interrogation. In 2017, Den of Geek included the "Chain of Command" two-part episode as one of their 25 recommended watches of Star Trek: The Next Generation . A regional newspaper of Cleveland, Ohio, ranked 25 of the greatest episodes of Star Trek prior to Star Trek: Discovery , and included "Chain of Command" as the fifth greatest in 2017. In 2017, Den of Geek ranked David Warner's performance as Gul Madred, as

1620-412: The earliest spin-offs of the modern media era, if not the first, happened in 1941 when the supporting character Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve from the old time radio comedy show Fibber McGee and Molly became the star of his own program The Great Gildersleeve (1941–1957). A spin-off (also spelt spinoff ) is derived from already existing works that focus on more details and different aspects from

1674-406: The least as a historical mention, in the new subseries. Spin-offs sometimes generate their own spin-offs, leaving the new show in its own series only vaguely connected to the original series - for example, the police procedural franchises of NCIS / JAG and CSI have both spun multiple shows, including multiple spin-offs from series and spin-offs from spin-offs. A spin-off may be called

Mackenzie Calhoun - Misplaced Pages Continue

1728-428: The methods, psychology and the survivors of torture. Madred's test of using four lights is an homage to George Orwell 's Nineteen Eighty-Four , in which O'Brien tortures Winston Smith until Smith admits that he sees five fingers when O'Brien only holds up four . Warner and Stewart first worked together in a production of Hamlet in 1965. Warner praised Stewart, who was early in his Shakespearean career at

1782-454: The novel 1984 is noted for a contest of wills between Picard and Madred about perception of reality under coercion (seeing four lights vs. five). Both episodes were the last of The Next Generation to air before its spinoff, Deep Space Nine , premiered in January 1993. As such, "Chain of Command" revisits the Cardassian political situation leading in to Deep Space Nine , where the race plays

1836-434: The novel, Calhoun encounters Picard en route to Sector 001 to defend Earth against a new Borg threat. Calhoun's older brother, D’ndai, dies during an alien invasion of his homeworld, Xenex, in the 2011 novel Blind Man's Bluff . Calhoun is depicted as intelligent, cunning, canny, resourceful and sneaky. His success as a tactician is due in part to his ability to sense imminent danger, and anticipate his enemies' moves. As

1890-400: The original work (e.g. particular topics, characters or events), and includes books, radio programs , television programs , films, video games , or any narrative work in any medium. In genre fiction , the term parallels its usage in television; it is usually meant to indicate a substantial change in narrative viewpoint and activity from that (previous) storyline based on the activities of

1944-565: The scientific and defensive arm of the Federation. Calhoun leaves Xenex, a move which rouses the ire of many of his people, to enter Starfleet Academy , where he meets Elizabeth Shelby , who would become his lover, rival and, eventually, fiancée. Their engagement ends after Calhoun took the Kobayashi Maru test. As a Starfleet officer, Calhoun served aboard the USS Grissom , where he meets Katarina "Kat" Mueller, who would become his lover. It

1998-436: The second best guest acting performance on Star Trek: The Next Generation , for his performance in "Chain of Command". They elaborate that David Warner gives a "...calm, measured performance", which they said "perfectly matches Stewart's slowly crumbling Picard". The interaction between Gul Madred and Captain Picard was noted as "one of Star Trek 's most memorable confrontations..". In 2017, Nerdist ranked this episode(s)

2052-419: The series' principal protagonist, and so is a shift to that action and overall narrative thread of some other protagonist, which now becomes the central or main thread (storyline) of the new subseries. The new protagonist generally appears first as a minor or supporting character in the main storyline within a given milieu and it is very common for the previous protagonist to have a supporting or cameo role, at

2106-407: The shuttle. Riker agrees, and he and La Forge successfully lay the minefield. Jellico uses the threat of the minefield to force the Cardassians to disarm and retreat, but not before they release Picard. With word of the failure of the Cardassians to secure Minos Korva, Madred attempts one last ploy to break Picard, by falsely claiming that the Cardassians have taken the planet and that the Enterprise

2160-495: The sixth best episode (counting the two-parter as one) of Star Trek: The Next Generation . In 2013, Slate ranked "Chain of Command" one of the ten best episodes in the Star Trek franchise. In 2014, Io9 rated it the 11th best Star Trek episode. In 2015, The Hollywood Reporter , noted this episode's scene where Picard cries out "There are four lights", as one of the top ten "most stunning" moments of Star Trek: The Next Generation . In 2016, Radio Times rated

2214-553: The sixth best episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation . In 2018, CBR ranked "Chain of Command" (Parts I & II) as the fifth best episodic saga of all Star Trek , in between "All Good Things..." as #6 (the Star Trek: The Next Generation finale) and "In a Mirror, Darkly" from Star Trek: Enterprise (#4). In 2018, Entertainment Weekly ranked "Chain of Command" as one of the top ten moments of Jean-Luc Picard. A character in this episode, Captain Jellico,

Mackenzie Calhoun - Misplaced Pages Continue

2268-558: The time. Warner had previously appeared as different characters in two Star Trek films: St. John Talbot in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Chancellor Gorkon in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country . The actor initially cast as Gul Madred in "Chain of Command" dropped out on short notice, and with only a few days before production, Warner had no opportunity to learn his lines. His dialogue

2322-502: The top fifty episodes of all Star Trek in 2016. At that time, there were roughly 726 episodes and a dozen films released. In 2016, IGN ranked "Chain of Command" (Parts I & II) the 13th best episode of all Star Trek series. They note the performances of guest stars Ronny Cox, as the autocratic Captain Jellico, and David Warner as the Cardassian Gul Madred. They note the double story lines of Jellico trying to command

2376-493: The top twenty-five episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation . In 2019, IGN recommended watching both parts of "Chain of Command" as background for another Star Trek universe show, Star Trek: Picard ; a show that will also feature the same character as in this episode, Picard. They note a plot that tackles the struggles of people with bureaucracy, bad leadership, and suffering. They note performances by Ronny Cox as Captain Jellico, and David Warner's brutal presentation as

2430-408: The years of hardship he endured early in life having given him a weathered look, with several deep creases already lining his forehead by the time he was 19. Calhoun has a scar down the right side of his face from his right temple down across his cheek, left by the wound Falkar inflicted on him with his short sword in 2353. He is a head shorter than his older brother, D'ndai. The renditions of Calhoun on

2484-553: Was also one of the episodes included in the anthology DVD box set Star Trek Fan Collective - Captain's Log ; the set also includes the TNG episodes "In Theory" and "Darmok" among other episodes from the franchise. The set was released on July 24, 2007 in the United States. "Chain of Command" was included in a Picard box-set released on October 15, 2019, along with "Best of Both Worlds", and the four TNG theatrical films. The release included

2538-503: Was destroyed in the battle. He offers Picard a choice: to remain in captivity for the rest of his life or live in comfort by admitting that he sees five lights. As Picard momentarily considers the offer, the Cardassian head delegate enters the room and informs Madred that "a ship is waiting to take him back to the Enterprise ." Picard realizes he has been duped. As Picard is freed from his bonds and about to be taken away, he turns to Madred and defiantly shouts, "There are four lights!" Picard

2592-457: Was getting "too deep" into the lifestyle of the thugs and criminals he was associating with, pulled him out and gave him his own starship to command, the USS Excalibur . It was in taking this command that he is reunited with both Shelby, who was now his First Officer, and Mueller, whom he picked as his Executive Officer (the terms are normally synonymous on the various television series, but in

2646-426: Was on a Starfleet mission, an admission necessary for Picard to be given the rights of a prisoner of war rather than being subjected to torture as a terrorist . This leads to a heated argument between Jellico and Riker, which ends with Jellico relieving Riker of duty and assigning Data as first officer. La Forge detects residue from a nearby nebula on the hull of the Cardassian delegation's ship, and Jellico suspects

2700-505: Was on the Grissom that he learns to play poker , and establishes a reputation for being able to bluff his way through any hand, even evading an empath 's attempt to get a bead on him. Calhoun was present during a catastrophic event aboard the Grissom , which led to his apparent departure from Starfleet. In reality, he becomes an undercover operative for head of Starfleet Intelligence Admiral Alynna Nechayev who, years afterward, fearing Calhoun

2754-497: Was ranked as the 68th most important character of Starfleet within the Star Trek science fiction universe by Wired . TheGamer ranked Captain Jellico as the 14th best captain of Star Trek . In 2018, Tom's Guide rated "Chain of Command" (Parts I & II) one of the 15 best episodes featuring Picard. In June 2019, Screen Rant noted "Chain of Command" as the second best episode of all 755 episodes of Star Trek up to that time. They highlight Captain Jellico in command of

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2808-465: Was released as part of the Star Trek: The Next Generation season six DVD box set in the United States on December 3, 2002. A remastered HD version was released on Blu-ray optical disc, on June 24, 2014. "Chain of Command" was released in the United Kingdom on PAL -Format LaserDisc on April 7, 1997. The episode was published on a two-sided 12" optical disc with runtime of 88 minutes. It

2862-474: Was very entertaining. In the online game Star Trek Online , Calhoun is a Starfleet mission contact based on Starbase K-7. He issues PvP missions to Federation players so they can fight other STO players playing the Klingon faction. Spin-off (media) A spinoff or spin-off is any narrative work derived from an already existing work that focuses on different aspects from the original work. One of

2916-538: Was written onto boards for him to read out as he went along. He preferred the Madred character to either of his previous Star Trek characters because of the scenes with Stewart, which he called "wonderful". This two-part episode is ranked tenth in Entertainment Weekly ' s list of top ten Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes. Variety listed "Chain of Command, Part I" and "Chain of Command, Part II" as

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