Portrait of a Character – Hamilton Roget
Hamilton Roget is of some interest.
Origins
While writing Take Back the Night, I was struck by an idea that would be strange for Daranaeans – where are the gay sentient marsupial canids? I decided that they would exist. Further, given the female-centric skew to their population numbers, and the male-centric skew to their positions of power, I would think that gay culture would make a great deal of sense. Females would bond as they toiled almost below decks, whereas males would bond almost like the ancient Greek intelligentsia.
Except on Daranaea, no one would ever admit to same-sex attractions and relationships, given the overwhelming pressure to reproduced.
Gay Daranaeans would all be in the closet. Enter Hamilton Roget.
Portrayal
Hamilton is played by veteran soap actor Jack Wagner.
Jack Wagner as Hamilton Roget
This good-looking actor seems to resemble an older David Bowie more as they both have aged.
I wanted someone good-looking but older, a kind of wise counselor to Erika Hernandez. Even more than most humans, Hamilton would be appalled at how Daranaean society is run.
Personality
Aloof but very competent, Hamilton is Erika’s First Officer. He’s got a Tactical background, and somewhat of a counterpart to Malcolm after Tripp‘s death and T’Pol‘s return to Vulcan, and Aidan while Malcolm commands the USS Bluebird. As First Officer, he and Lucy Stone run scientific scanners on Daranaea, so he’s got a bit of a scientific background as well.
Relationships
Hamilton’s partner is mentioned, but not by name. That is his only known relationship.
Mirror Universe
Jack Wagner as Mirror Hamilton
There are no impediments to Hamilton existing in the Mirror Universe.
Because he would not be in competition for the few women in that universe, he might be able to form decent relationships with men, even heterosexual men with whom he would have no hope of a romance.
That is, he would have, perhaps, a more cooperative life than most. He could rise in the ranks quickly and, like the MU Mark Stone, could find himself in a decent and even a relatively safe position of some power.
Quote
“But what about families where they can’t have children, or maybe they won’t? …
“Not everyone does, or can. My partner and me – if he and I wanted to become parents, we would adopt, or work with a surrogate mother. And we would love our child but, together, we can’t biologically have one. Are we worthless to you?”
Upshot
Intellect and IDIC are valued in Star Trek. Hamilton fits rather neatly into both areas. I should write him more.
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