Portrait of a Character – Rayna Montgomery
Rayna Montgomery spoke to me.
Origins
A call was put out, on Trek United, for short stories for a newsletter. I was currently writing more basic fare such as More, More, More!
Freak School
Then something turned in my head, and I came up with this odd character, a kind of Klingon Valley Girl.
Meet Rayna.
Portrayal
Amanda Seyfried as Rayna Montgomery
I like Amanda Seyfried for Rayna, particularly without heavy makeup.
But the truth is, Rayna could be played by a lot of young actresses. Certainly Kaley Cuoco or Holly Marie Combs would have been fine in their earlier days.
Personality
Gawky and out of place, Rayna is as unsure of herself as many teenaged girls are. The difference is that Rayna, being half-Klingon, can do some serious damage if she becomes angered. Failing in school, she is taken out by her concerned parents and is moved from Connecticut to the Archer Academy on Oberon, where troubled hybrid teens can go as a kind of last stop before Juvenile Hall.
But Rayna is also smart, and her poor grades are more a reflection on her not fitting in than on any lack of ability. Once she gets to the Archer Academy, she begins to blossom, particularly in English. But she still can’t quite get the hang of advanced Math. But that’s okay; she’s about to get a tutor.
Relationships
Stellak
I haven’t decided whether this will actually go anywhere, but I like the idea of Rayna having a fellow in class who she can relate to, or at least strive for. Because not only does she want to fit in; she also wants to get the guy and, at the same time, defeat her arch-rival, Tellifa.
Mirror Universe
There are really no impediments to Rayna existing in the Mirror Universe.
Amanda Seyfried as Rayna Montgomery (image is for educational purposes only)
I like to think she’d be more graceful, and maybe even beautiful.
But she’d still be crafty.
Quote
“If I had more Klingon in me, I guess I’d be more intimidating, but most of the time I’m just a creampuff with cranial ridges. I swear I have never told anybody that before. Group is useless, but I feel I can at least mention it here.”
Upshot
I love this character but I really haven’t done enough with her. After Freak School, she was mainly forgotten, which is a shame. I’ll have to find something to do with her one of these days.
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