Portrait of a Character – Major Strong Bear Dawson
Origins
When I first wrote There’s Something About Hoshi, I needed to have a replacement for Major Jay Hayes, as he had died in canon. Enter Dawson, who was originally a WASP. But then I learned that there is a canon Star Trek TAS character, Dawson Running Bear. Hence Dawson got his name and a bit of his origins.
Portrayal
Strong Bear (Bud) is played by actor David Midthunder.
David Midthunder as Strong Bear Dawson
As is often the case with ethnic characters, it was very important for me to ‘cast’ an actor who is of that ethnicity.
Dawson is proud and powerful, and Midthunder seems to be both of those things and also supremely confident. This makes for, I feel, a dynamite combination.
Personality
The strong and silent type, Bud is devoted to duty. However, in There’s Something About Hoshi, he is nearly as affected as the other straight men are. In Shell Shock, he is initially one of the accused, and he and Malcolm meet during the experience. By the time of On the Radio, he is a valued member of the crew and even T’Pol can figuratively let her hair down a bit in front of him. But he’s still pretty far removed. That would be the case for nearly anyone, though, who comes into a work situation much later than the initial stage of building the team.
Mirror Universe
David Midthunder as Mirror Universe Strong Bear Dawson
There is no reason for Strong Bear Dawson to not exist in the Mirror Universe. I imagine him as a person living off the grid and more or less thoroughly embracing his roots.
I do not believe he would be called Bud, either.
Quote
“HQ wanted more experience after the war. They would’ve assigned me earlier but I was getting off assignment with freighter defense and then the Rommie War broke out and they didn’t want to change horses in the middle of the stream. Helluva way for me to meet my new troops, eh?”
Upshot
I like this character well enough, and he is a kind of utility player. I suspect I could place him into other scenarios and he would do fine. I will have to find places for him to shine.
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