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{{Infobox fictional race
{{Infobox fictional race
| name = Andorians
| name = Andorians
| other_names = [[List of Star Trek races#Aenar|Aenar]] ''(sub-species)''
| sub_races = [[List of Star Trek races#Aenar|Aenar]]
| image = ProvingGround1.jpg
| image = ProvingGround1.jpg
| caption = Commander Shran and crew from the 2004 ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode "[[Proving Ground (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Proving Ground]]".
| caption = Commander Shran and crew from the 2004 ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode "[[Proving Ground (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Proving Ground]]".
Line 12: Line 12:
| home_world = Andoria
| home_world = Andoria
| affiliation = [[United Federation of Planets]], [[#Empire|Andorian Empire]]
| affiliation = [[United Federation of Planets]], [[#Empire|Andorian Empire]]
| first_major = [[Star Trek: The Original Series]]
| first_minor =[[Journey to Babel]]
| first_date = 1967
|quadrant= Beta, Alpha
|language=Andorian language
}}
}}


'''Andorians''' are a fictional race of [[humanoid]] [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrials]] in the American [[science fiction]] franchise ''[[Star Trek]]''. They were created by writer [[D. C. Fontana]]. Within the ''Star Trek'' narrative, they are native to the blue icy Class M moon, Andoria (also called Andor<ref name=ProphetCards>. The moon orbits a gas giant in the Andorian system. The home planet was first referred to as "Andoria" in Act 1 of "[[Prophet Motive]]", and as "Andor" in Act 3 of "[[In the Cards]]".</ref>). Distinctive traits of Andorians include their blue skin, a pair of [[Skull|cranial]] [[antenna (biology)|antenna]]e, and white hair.<ref name="com">{{cite web |url=http://www.startrek.com/database_article/andoria |title=Andoria |work=Star Trek Database |publisher=StarTrek.com |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref>
'''Andorians''' are a fictional race of [[humanoid]] [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrials]] in the American [[science fiction]] franchise ''[[Star Trek]]''. They were created by writer [[D. C. Fontana]]. Within the ''Star Trek'' narrative, they are native to the blue icy Class M moon, Andoria (sometimes referred to as Andor<ref name=ProphetCards>. The moon orbits a gas giant in the Andorian system. The home planet was first referred to as "Andoria" in Act 1 of "[[Prophet Motive]]", and as "Andoria" in Act 3 of "[[In the Cards]]".</ref>). Distinctive traits of Andorians include their blue/green skin, a pair of [[Skull|cranial]] [[antenna (biology)|antenna]]e, and white hair.<ref name="com">{{cite web |url=http://www.startrek.com/database_article/andoria |title=Andoria |work=Star Trek Database |publisher=StarTrek.com |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref>


Andorians first appeared in the 1968 ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' episode "[[Journey to Babel]]", and have been seen or mentioned in episodes of subsequent series in the ''Star Trek'' franchise. They were indicated to be a vital, important member of the [[United Federation of Planets]] in the 1997 ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode "[[In the Cards]]", but did not gain considerable exposure until the 2001–2005 series ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', on which they were used as recurring characters, most notably in the person of [[List of minor recurring characters in Star Trek: Enterprise#Thy'lek Shran|Thy'lek Shran]], a starship commander who maintained a sometimes adversarial and begrudging friendship with ''Enterprise'' Captain [[Jonathan Archer]]. The series revealed more about Andorian ships, the home world Andoria, and the culture and history of Andorians and their subspecies, the Aenar. The 2004 episode "[[Zero Hour (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Zero Hour]]" established that Andorians were one of the four founding members of the United Federation of Planets.<ref name=ZeroHour>{{cite episode|series=[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]|title=[[Zero Hour (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Zero Hour]]|network=[[UPN]]|airdate=May 26, 2004|season=3|number=24}}</ref>
Andorians first appeared in the 1968 ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' episode "[[Journey to Babel]]", and have been seen or mentioned in episodes of subsequent series in the ''Star Trek'' franchise. They were indicated to be a vital, important member of the [[United Federation of Planets]] in the 1997 ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode "[[In the Cards]]", but did not gain considerable exposure until the 2001–2005 series ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', on which they were used as recurring characters, most notably in the person of [[List of minor recurring characters in Star Trek: Enterprise#Thy'lek Shran|Thy'lek Shran]], a starship commander who maintained a sometimes adversarial and begrudging friendship with ''Enterprise'' Captain [[Jonathan Archer]]. The series revealed more about Andorian ships, the home world Andoria, and the culture and history of Andorians and their subspecies, the [[List of Star Trek races#Aenar|Aenar]]. The 2004 episode "[[Zero Hour (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Zero Hour]]" established that Andorians were one of the four founding members of the United Federation of Planets.<ref name=ZeroHour>{{cite episode|series=[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]|title=[[Zero Hour (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Zero Hour]]|network=[[UPN]]|airdate=May 26, 2004|season=3|number=24}}</ref>


== Storyline ==
== Development ==
[[File:JourneyBabel.jpg|thumb|left|Thelev, an [[Orion (Star Trek)|Orion]] assassin disguised as an Andorian, from the 1967 [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original series]] episode "[[Journey to Babel]]".]]Andorians appeared in four episodes of The Original Series, and were background elements in ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'' and ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]'', but remained largely undeveloped until ''Enterprise''.<ref name="heavy">{{cite web |last1=Zabiegalski |first1=Robin |title=DETAILS: Why the Appearance of the Andorians Changed from 'TOS' to 'Enterprise' |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/star-trek/tos-enterprise-andorians-makeup/ |website=heavy.com |access-date=19 October 2021 |date=26 March 2021}}</ref> Showrunner [[Brannon Braga]] originally wanted to limit the number of original series elements on ''Enterprise'', but came to see the challenge of "tak(ing) the goofiest aliens from The Original Series and make them a real culture that’s cool and believable."<ref name="braga">{{cite magazine |last=Saunders |first=Matt |date=August 2002 |title=The Year in Review with BRANNON BRAGA |url=https://archive.org/details/star-trek-communicator-issue-139/page/n23/mode/1up |magazine=Star Trek Communicator |location= |publisher=Decipher Inc. |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref>
[[File:JourneyBabel.jpg|thumb|left|Thelev, an [[Orion (Star Trek)|Orion]] assassin disguised as an Andorian, from the 1967 [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original series]] episode "[[Journey to Babel]]".]]
Andorians appeared in four episodes of The Original Series, but there was very little back story on the Andorians until ''Enterprise''.<ref name=StarshipsCollection37>Fred Dekker, Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, issue 37, p. 11</ref> Historically, the Andorians were rivals of the [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcans]]. In the ''Enterprise'' episode "The Andorian Incident", the Andorian Imperial Guard appear on a Vulcan [[monastery]] world [[The Andorian Incident|P'Jem]] to search for a spy station, destroying property in the process. Archer discovers the spy station and informs the Andorians, leading Shran (an Andorian) to begin to trust Archer. Also in this episode, Andorians begin to refer to humans using the [[pejorative]] "pink-skin."

The tensions between Andor and Vulcan gradually dissipate when Archer settles a conflict between the Vulcans and Andorians over the territory of a planet in the second season episode "Cease Fire".

In the third season of ''Enterprise'', Shran offers to assist Archer in retrieving a prototype of the Xindi weapon, only to betray him by taking the weapon. Archer fears Shran might use the weapon against the Vulcans, so he remotely sets the detonation sequence to prevent this. Shran expels the weapon from his ship seconds before it detonates. In the season 3 finale, Shran helps Archer fight the Xindi reptilians who were bringing the final weapon to Earth. Shran's involvement with the Xindi weapon leads to a brief armed conflict between Vulcans and Andorians in the fourth season episode "Kir'Shara". A Vulcan leader named V'Lass believes the Andorians are designing a new weapon from their scans of the Xindi weapon.

In the episode "United", an Andorian dies from a phaser wound, leading Shran to challenge a Tellarite to the Ushaan: in Andorian tradition, a duel to the death, which is fought with hand-held ice-cutting blades called Ushaan-Tor, as mentioned in the second scene of Act 3. The Ushaan Right of Substitution allows combatants to choose a substitute to fight in their place. The Ushaan is settled when a combatant is rendered defenseless. Archer takes the Tellarite's place and wins the duel when he cuts off Shran's left antenna.<ref name=United/>


== Appearance ==
== Appearance ==
[[File:Ensign Jennifer Sh'reyan from "Star Trek, Lower Decks".jpeg|thumb|right|upright=0.6|Ensign Jennifer Sh'reyan as seen in [[Star Trek: Lower Decks|Lower Decks]].]]
Andorians have blue blood, blue skin, white hair, and antennae on the crown of the skull. By the time of the 2001 – 2005 TV series ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', the antennae were depicted as protruding from the forehead, and capable of movement, used for [[gesture|gesturing]] and [[vestibular system|balancing]]. If cut off, an antenna will grow back after nine months, though the time can be reduced by half with electrical stimulation and brisk cranial massage.<ref name=United>{{cite episode|title=[[United (Star Trek: Enterprise)|United]]|series=Star Trek: Enterprise|airdate=February 4, 2005|network=UPN|season=4|number=13}}</ref>
Andorians have blue blood, blue skin, white hair, and antennae on the crown of the skull. By the time of the 2001 – 2005 TV series ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', the antennae were depicted as protruding from the forehead, and capable of movement, used for [[gesture|gesturing]] and [[vestibular system|balancing]]. The design of Andorians has changed with every new production; including the placement of their antennae, additional makeup appliances, and the blue shade of their skin.<ref name="heavy"/>


== Homeworld ==
The [[List of Star Trek races#Aenar|Aenar]] are a more reclusive, blue-white-skinned subspecies of Andorians. They were considered a myth until contact was remade in the episode "[[The Aenar]]", during the fourth season of Enterprise. The Aenar are blind, but exhibit [[telepathy|telepathic]] and [[telemetry|telemetric]] abilities. Aenar appear to use their antennae as telepathic receptors.<ref name=TheAenar>{{cite episode|title=[[The Aenar]]|series=Star Trek: Enterprise|season=4|number=14|network=UPN|airdate=February 11, 2005}}</ref>
Andoria (sometimes referred to as Andor),<ref name=ProphetCards/> is an icy moon orbiting a ringed [[gas giant]]. In a DVD bonus feature for the 4th season of ''Enterprise'', episode writers [[Judith Reeves-Stevens|Judith]] and [[Garfield Reeves-Stevens]] stated that Andor was the gas giant, Andoria the moon, and that this was a conscious effort to address the discrepancy, but continued varying usage across canon, reference, and licensed sources have not fully resolved the discrepancy.


Most of Andoria's cities are built underground to take advantage of [[Geothermal gradient|geothermal]] warmth. Temperatures have been known to reach −28 °[[Celsius|C]] in the summer. Andoria has at least one moon or neighboring planet. Andorians share their homeworld with an obscure telepathic subspecies, [[List of Star Trek races#Aenar|Aenar]], which have either light blue or white skin.<ref name="heavy"/>
== Planet ==
Andoria is an icy moon orbiting a ringed [[gas giant]]. It has also been referred to as Andor.<ref name=ProphetCards/> In a DVD bonus feature for the 4th season of ''Enterprise'', episode writers [[Judith Reeves-Stevens|Judith]] and [[Garfield Reeves-Stevens]] stated that Andor was the gas giant, Andoria the moon, and that this was a conscious effort to address the discrepancy. Most of its cities are built underground to take advantage of [[Geothermal gradient|geothermal]] warmth. Temperatures have been known to reach −28 °[[Celsius|C]] in the summer. Andoria has at least one moon or neighboring planet. Andorians share their homeworld with an obscure telepathic subspecies, [[List of Star Trek races#Aenar|Aenar]], which have either light blue or white skin.<ref name=TheAenar/>


The non-canonical ''Star Trek Star Charts'' (2002) cites Andor as the seventh planet in orbit around the star [[Procyon]] (Alpha Canis Minoris) in the [[Galactic quadrant#Alpha Quadrant|Beta quadrant]],<ref>Geoffrey Mandel, ''Star Trek Star Charts: The Complete Atlas of Star Trek'' (NY: Pocket Books, 2002), 52.</ref> but previous material has Andor as the eighth planet of the orange dwarf [[Epsilon Indi]] in the [[Galactic quadrant#Alpha Quadrant|Alpha quadrant]].<ref>Eileen Palestine, ed., ''Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual'' (NY: Ballantine Books, 1977), 58.</ref><ref name="Shane Johnson 1989">Shane Johnson, ''The Worlds of the Federation'' (NY: Pocket Books, 1989), 22.</ref> Andor is near [[Betazoid#Betazed|Betazed]], [[Earth]], [[Tellarite|Tellar]], and [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcan]].
The non-canonical ''Star Trek Star Charts'' (2002) cites Andoria as the seventh planet in orbit around the star [[Procyon]] (Alpha Canis Minoris) in the [[Galactic quadrant#Alpha Quadrant|Beta quadrant]],<ref>Geoffrey Mandel, ''Star Trek Star Charts: The Complete Atlas of Star Trek'' (NY: Pocket Books, 2002), 52.</ref> but previous material has Andoria as the eighth planet of the orange dwarf [[Epsilon Indi]] in the [[Galactic quadrant#Alpha Quadrant|Alpha quadrant]].<ref>Eileen Palestine, ed., ''Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual'' (NY: Ballantine Books, 1977), 58.</ref><ref name="Shane Johnson 1989">Shane Johnson, ''The Worlds of the Federation'' (NY: Pocket Books, 1989), 22.</ref> Andoria is near [[Betazoid#Betazoid|Betazed]], [[Earth]], [[Tellarite|Tellar]], and [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcan]].

== Noncanonical information ==
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2008}}
A 1970s technical fiction book, ''The Starfleet Medical Reference Manual'', held that Andorians were the only known semi-insectoid race in Federation territory, with a limited [[exoskeleton]] and antennae used for both quadriscopic vision reception and focused hearing.<ref>Eileen Palestine, ed., ''Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual'' (NY: Ballantine Books, 1977).</ref> These points were repeated in the 1980s book ''Worlds of the Federation''.<ref name="Shane Johnson 1989"/> Fully insectoid races depicted or referred to onscreen include the unseen Jarada in the ''Next Generation'' episode "[[The Big Goodbye]]", and the [[Xindi (Star Trek)#Xindi-Insectoids|Xindi]], which were introduced in ''Star Trek: Enterprise''{{'}}s third season.

In the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine relaunch|Deep Space Nine]]'' relaunch novels, four-person Andorian marriages were extrapolated into four sexes (''thaan'', ''chen'', ''shen'', and ''zhen'').<ref>S. D. Perry, ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Unity'' (NY: Pocket Books, 2003).</ref> A recurring plot point in the post-TV series novels is that the rarity of compatible Andorian foursomes produced extremely low reproduction rates which, in tandem with genetic weaknesses, led to the species' near extinction.

Similarly, the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comic book ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (comics)|Star Trek: Starfleet Academy]]'' refers to complex yet flexible marital structures, involving one or more fathers, and describes Andorians as passionate, with a violent history.<ref>''Star Trek: Starfleet Academy'', issue #13, ''Parents' Day'' (Marvel/Paramount Comics, 1997).</ref>

In the Pocket Books continuity, specifically the 2010 novel, ''Star Trek: Typhon Pact – Paths of Disharmony'' by [[Dayton Ward]], the Andorian Empire withdraws from the Federation in 2382.<ref>Dayton Ward, ''Star Trek: Typhon Pact – Paths of Disharmony'' (NY: Pocket Books, 2010).</ref> However, the Andorian government still maintains diplomatic relations with the Federation, and Andorian officers are allowed to remain in [[Starfleet]] if they so choose. Despite Andor's withdrawal, a sizable percentage of the population – represented in the Andorian government by the "New Progressive Party", as opposed to the secessionist "Visionist Party" – favored continuing membership in the Federation, opening the possibility of a later reunification. In a subsequent novel, Dayton Ward's ''Star Trek: The Fall – Peaceable Kingdoms'', Andor does rejoin the Federation.<ref>Dayton Ward, ''Star Trek: The Fall – Peaceable Kingdoms'' (NY: Pocket Books, 2013).</ref>

In the [[Free-to-play]] online role-playing game ''[[Star Trek Online]]'', which takes place in 2409, the Andorians are still ordinary members of the Federation.

In the [[Fan film]] episodic series ''[[Starship Exeter]]'', the communications officer on the bridge is an Andorian Lieutenant named B'fuselek. In this series it is explained that Andorians' antennae give the Andorians the ability to detect nearby fluctuations in gravity, and know their position in relation to these gravity differences. Andorians and Vulcans also have a history of feuding over many things.


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
In 2017, ''[[Den of Geek]]'' ranked the Andorians the 9th best aliens of the ''Star Trek'' franchise, behind the [[Ferengi]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-12|title=Star Trek: The 50 Best Alien Races|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-trek-the-50-best-alien-races/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2017, ''[[Den of Geek]]'' ranked the Andorians the 9th best aliens of the ''Star Trek'' franchise, behind the [[Ferengi]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-12|title=Star Trek: The 50 Best Alien Races|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-trek-the-50-best-alien-races/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Appearances==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|+ ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! '''#''' || '''Episode''' || '''Appearance'''
|-
| 210 || "[[Journey to Babel]]" || Andorian Ambassador, plus an Orion spy, posing as the Ambassador's aide, who frames Sarek for murder
|-
| 216 || "[[The Gamesters of Triskelion]]" || One of the slaves of Triskelion
|-
| 314 || "[[Whom Gods Destroy (Star Trek: The Original Series)|Whom Gods Destroy]]" || One of the mental patients was Andorian
|-
| 318 || "[[The Lights of Zetar]]" || Two Andorian scholars were present at Memory Alpha at the time of its destruction
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|+ ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]''
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! '''#''' || '''Episode''' || '''Appearance'''
|-
| 102 || "[[Yesteryear (Star Trek: The Animated Series)|Yesteryear]]" || [[Spock]] replaced by Andorian first officer, Thelin, in alternate timeline
|-
| 112 || "[[The Time Trap]]" || Andorian on the Elysian Council, plus a member of his old crew in background
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|+ ''Star Trek: Movies''
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! '''Episode''' || '''Appearance'''
|-
| ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'' || Three ambassadors in crowd at Starfleet Headquarters; two crew on ''Enterprise'' Rec Deck
|-
| ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]'' || Two members of Starfleet on the Federation Council
|-
| ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier]]'' || Script suggests one "face of God" was Andorian; see bonus scenes of two-disk DVD
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|+ ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! '''#''' || '''Episode''' || '''Appearance'''
|-
| 316 || "[[The Offspring (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Offspring]]" || A young Andorian female is shown as one possible choice of appearance for Data's new child, Lal.
|-
| 319 || "[[Captain's Holiday]]" || Andorian tourist on Risa
|-
| 508 || "[[Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Unification]]" || An alien pianist plays "Andorian blues" for Riker
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|+ ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]''
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! '''#''' || '''Episode''' || '''Appearance'''
|-
| 107 || "[[The Andorian Incident]]" || Thy'lek Shran and three more Andorian Imperial Guard commandos
|-
| 115 || "[[Shadows of P'Jem]]" || More Andorian Imperial Guard commandos
|-
|-
| 215 || "[[Cease Fire (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Cease Fire]]" || Numerous Andorian Imperial Guard soldiers; first appearance of Andorian starships
|-
| 313 || "[[Proving Ground (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Proving Ground]]" || Andorian Imperial Guard starship and crew; Andorian general
|-
| 324 || "[[Zero Hour (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Zero Hour]]" || Commander Shran, Andorian Imperial Guard starship
|-
| 409 || "[[Kir'Shara]]" || Numerous Andorian Imperial Guard starships
|-
| 412 || "[[Babel One]]" || Survivors of the wreck of the ''Kumari''
|-
| 413 || "[[United (Star Trek: Enterprise)|United]]" || Survivors of the wreck of the ''Kumari''
|-
| 414 || "[[The Aenar]]" || Commander Shran, several members of the Aenar subspecies
|-
| 418 || "[[In a Mirror, Darkly]]" || Crewman aboard the I.S.S. ''Enterprise''
|-
| 419 || "[[In a Mirror, Darkly]] (Part II)" || Crewman aboard the I.S.S. ''Avenger''
|-
| 420 || "[[Demons (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Demons]]" || Andorian delegates at Coalition of Planets conference
|-
| 421 || "[[Terra Prime]]" || Andorian Ambassador, plus delegates at Coalition of Planets conference
|-
| 422 || "[[These Are the Voyages...]]" || Holographic representations of Shran and daughter circa 2161
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|+ ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]''
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! '''#''' || '''Episode''' || '''Appearance'''
|-
| 11 || "[[The Wolf Inside (Star Trek: Discovery)|The Wolf Inside]]" || One of the leaders of the resistance coalition against Terran Empire in a mirror parallel universe
|-
|35
|"Scavengers"
|Ryn, an Andorian slave in the Emerald Chain
|-
|37
|"The Sanctuary"
|Ryn, a rescued Andorian slave of the Emerald Chain
|-
|41
|"There is a tide..."
|Ryn, a rescued Andorian who fights along the crew of Discovery
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 160: Line 46:
{{Memory Alpha}}
{{Memory Alpha}}
{{Memory Alpha|Andor}}
{{Memory Alpha|Andor}}
* [http://andorfiles.blogspot.com/2000/01/tos-rogues-gallery.html A Rogues' Gallery of Andorians] – a series of blog postings listing the appearances of Andorian characters across all ''Star Trek'' media


{{Star Trek}}
{{Star Trek}}


[[Category:Star Trek species]]
[[Category:Star Trek species]]
[[Category:Fictional extraterrestrial life forms]]
[[Category:Fictional extraterrestrial species and races]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1967]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1967]]


Latest revision as of 02:17, 13 September 2024

For adjectives related to the nation of Andorra, see Andorran.

Andorians
Star Trek race
Commander Shran and crew from the 2004 Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Proving Ground".
First appearance
Created byD.C. Fontana
In-universe information
QuadrantBeta, Alpha
Home worldAndoria
Sub-racesAenar
LanguageAndorian language
AffiliationUnited Federation of Planets, Andorian Empire

Andorians are a fictional race of humanoid extraterrestrials in the American science fiction franchise Star Trek. They were created by writer D. C. Fontana. Within the Star Trek narrative, they are native to the blue icy Class M moon, Andoria (sometimes referred to as Andor[1]). Distinctive traits of Andorians include their blue/green skin, a pair of cranial antennae, and white hair.[2]

Andorians first appeared in the 1968 Star Trek: The Original Series episode "Journey to Babel", and have been seen or mentioned in episodes of subsequent series in the Star Trek franchise. They were indicated to be a vital, important member of the United Federation of Planets in the 1997 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "In the Cards", but did not gain considerable exposure until the 2001–2005 series Star Trek: Enterprise, on which they were used as recurring characters, most notably in the person of Thy'lek Shran, a starship commander who maintained a sometimes adversarial and begrudging friendship with Enterprise Captain Jonathan Archer. The series revealed more about Andorian ships, the home world Andoria, and the culture and history of Andorians and their subspecies, the Aenar. The 2004 episode "Zero Hour" established that Andorians were one of the four founding members of the United Federation of Planets.[3]

Development

[edit]
Thelev, an Orion assassin disguised as an Andorian, from the 1967 original series episode "Journey to Babel".

Andorians appeared in four episodes of The Original Series, and were background elements in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, but remained largely undeveloped until Enterprise.[4] Showrunner Brannon Braga originally wanted to limit the number of original series elements on Enterprise, but came to see the challenge of "tak(ing) the goofiest aliens from The Original Series and make them a real culture that’s cool and believable."[5]

Appearance

[edit]
Ensign Jennifer Sh'reyan as seen in Lower Decks.

Andorians have blue blood, blue skin, white hair, and antennae on the crown of the skull. By the time of the 2001 – 2005 TV series Star Trek: Enterprise, the antennae were depicted as protruding from the forehead, and capable of movement, used for gesturing and balancing. The design of Andorians has changed with every new production; including the placement of their antennae, additional makeup appliances, and the blue shade of their skin.[4]

Homeworld

[edit]

Andoria (sometimes referred to as Andor),[1] is an icy moon orbiting a ringed gas giant. In a DVD bonus feature for the 4th season of Enterprise, episode writers Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens stated that Andor was the gas giant, Andoria the moon, and that this was a conscious effort to address the discrepancy, but continued varying usage across canon, reference, and licensed sources have not fully resolved the discrepancy.

Most of Andoria's cities are built underground to take advantage of geothermal warmth. Temperatures have been known to reach −28 °C in the summer. Andoria has at least one moon or neighboring planet. Andorians share their homeworld with an obscure telepathic subspecies, Aenar, which have either light blue or white skin.[4]

The non-canonical Star Trek Star Charts (2002) cites Andoria as the seventh planet in orbit around the star Procyon (Alpha Canis Minoris) in the Beta quadrant,[6] but previous material has Andoria as the eighth planet of the orange dwarf Epsilon Indi in the Alpha quadrant.[7][8] Andoria is near Betazed, Earth, Tellar, and Vulcan.

Reception

[edit]

In 2017, Den of Geek ranked the Andorians the 9th best aliens of the Star Trek franchise, behind the Ferengi.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b . The moon orbits a gas giant in the Andorian system. The home planet was first referred to as "Andoria" in Act 1 of "Prophet Motive", and as "Andoria" in Act 3 of "In the Cards".
  2. ^ "Andoria". Star Trek Database. StarTrek.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Zero Hour". Star Trek: Enterprise. Season 3. Episode 24. May 26, 2004. UPN.
  4. ^ a b c Zabiegalski, Robin (March 26, 2021). "DETAILS: Why the Appearance of the Andorians Changed from 'TOS' to 'Enterprise'". heavy.com. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Saunders, Matt (August 2002). "The Year in Review with BRANNON BRAGA". Star Trek Communicator. Decipher Inc. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  6. ^ Geoffrey Mandel, Star Trek Star Charts: The Complete Atlas of Star Trek (NY: Pocket Books, 2002), 52.
  7. ^ Eileen Palestine, ed., Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual (NY: Ballantine Books, 1977), 58.
  8. ^ Shane Johnson, The Worlds of the Federation (NY: Pocket Books, 1989), 22.
  9. ^ "Star Trek: The 50 Best Alien Races". Den of Geek. October 12, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
[edit]
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