The Questor Tapes

Fandom
Name:	The Questor Tapes
Abbreviation(s):	(often referred to as simply "Questor")
Creator:
Date(s):	written in 1973, March 1974
Medium:	film
Country of Origin:	USA
External Links:	the 1974 movie at Wikikpedia
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

"Jerry Robinson," portrayed by Mike Farrell, art by TACS from Diverse Dimensions #4 (1983)

The Questor Tapes is a 1974 television film by Gene Roddenberry, a pilot of a proposed series that never made it off the ground.

According to Gene Roddenberry's son, Rod, the Questor android was an inspiration for the character of Data. One episode of Star Trek The Next Generation (The Royale) even featured Data copying Questor's cheating strategies in order to win money at a casino.

One character in the show, Lady Helena Trimble (played by Dana Wynter), was named for superfan, Bjo Trimble.

The film aired on the NBC television network on January 23, 1974. The plot is about an android (portrayed by Robert Foxworth) with incomplete memory tapes who is searching for his creator and his purpose. His companion is played by Mike Farrell, who went on to portray B.J. Hunnicutt in M*A*S*H.

The idea was conceived by Gene Roddenberry, who is credited as executive consultant, and the script is credited to both Roddenberry and fellow Star Trek alumnus Gene L. Coon. The pilot was directed by Richard Colla.

A novelization was written by D. C. Fontana. It was dedicated to Coon, who died before the program was broadcast.

Leonard Nimoy was originally slated to play Questor. He posed in makeup for production photos and agreed to do the weekly series if picked up. However, Robert Foxworth was ultimately chosen for the part.

Short Canon Description

From For Those Who Came in Late #1:

The top-secret Project Questor has just entered its final stages. A team of scientists have finished assembling a working android — a thinking computer in human shape — built from components and diagrams left by the mysteriously-vanished Nobel laureate Emil Vaslovik. Attempts to decode Vaslovik's instructions to his creation have damaged the android's programming tapes, and the thing remains lifeless, the project apparently a failure. But the android, Questor, finally awakens in the deserted lab, and escapes — with several crucial gaps in its programming.

Lacking the knowledge and emotion Vaslovik intended for it, needing a human guide, Questor abducts Jerry Robinson, the engineer who assembled it, forcing Jerry to join in its search for Vaslovik. Convinced that Robinson has stolen the android and unsure of its power and intentions, the authorities (personified by Project Questor head Geoffrey B. Darrow) hunt the two as wanted criminals. Questor and Jerry visit the stately home of Vaslovik's English protegee. Lady Helena Trimble, and find a cache of high-tech monitoring and surveillance equipment in a sub-basement apparently designed for the android's use. Though Jerry's esteem for Questor is growing (he has grown to consider the android a "him" instead of an "it"), he is concerned about the possible implications of their discoveries and calls Darrow — an action that results in Questor's being shot and perhaps irrevocably damaged.

But all are in greater danger than they realize. Questor must find his creator within only a few days of activation, or, to prevent him being misused, the nuclear furnace that powers him will overload. He will become a nuclear bomb. Jerry once again cuts a deal with Darrow and he and Questor are allowed their freedom — with the armed forces of several nations following their every move, thanks to the transmitter Jerry has implanted in the android's body.

Questor finally learns the secret of his creation — and his creator — but the knowledge comes too late to help them, or the world that they are now pledged to serve. "They'll take you apart rather than let you go free," says Darrow, and he's right. And then salvation comes from a most unexpected source...

Conflict Between Roddenberry and the Networks

In a 1974 Q&A with fans, Roddenberry responded to question and added his point of view about why this show was hobbled, and failed:

ANDRES: This may be a sticky question...on NBC's fall slate released last Friday, the series "Questor" was not listed. I understand the network was very interested, but wanted changes. (There was a report that one NBC executive saw "Fascist overtones" in it.) Can you clear up these rumors and please tell us what is the status of the series?

RODDENBERRY: Yes, we made a pilot called "The Questor Tapes" (a 2 hour movie). It played to about the best reviews that I've seen in the last five years — almost universally liked. NBC immediately ordered twenty shows, and then having ordered them, NBC and Universal decided they wanted to change the format. (GROANS) It was the story of an android and a human. They decided to take the human out. They said, "Look, let's play it safe. Let's do "The Fugitive" except he's a robot, get it?" And I said, "I...I won't do it." And we argued all of last year, and finally I refused to do it. I...I've reached a point where I've had my fights and I...I'm just getting very tired of networks and studios, of men who were formerly accountants, attorneys, agents, and so on, usurping the authority of the creative people. (APPLAUSE) And I think incidentally that's what's wrong with much of television. There is one other reason why ST was special. We came along in a time in which Desilu had not sold a show for eight years. They were desperate ...they were so desperate they said, "We'll try that crazy rocket ship thing with Gene, and he can even do it his own way. We've tried everything, now we'll try something really out." And so we got to do it our own way without network and studio fights, and I think that makes a difference in a show.

A Veritable Playground for Fanwriters' Fix-Its and Alternate Universes

From For Those Who Came in Late #1 (1991):

"The Questor Tapes" has generated a considerable body of fan writing, surprising perhaps for a relatively obscure unsold pilot, though not particularly so to anyone who has been touched by the film's combination of not-always-idealized human (and unhuman) behavior, tight plotting, and optimism for the future (if we're careful).

The casual reader may find the fan fiction a bit confusing, however. Many of these stories appear to be based on a common background, but one that extends far beyond the ending of the film. The explanation for this is that there are several surviving versions of the "bible" (writers' format) for the television-series-that-never-was, distributed to fandom through both commercial (i.e. Lincoln Enterprises' catalogue) and collector channels. Many fan writers used these as springboards for their stories, writing fan fiction based on a series that didn't exist. (Kind of zen, really.) Still others use their own versions of Questor's future, or mix and match from various sources.

In one version of the series format, Jerry and Questor set up shop as Robinson Enterprises, Ltd., a legitimate mainly-electronics corporation that acts as a front for their true mission, housing their living quarters and all the advanced lab equipment needed to keep Questor functioning. A supporting cast is introduced. Jerry hires as secretary the least bright and most attractive woman he can find (yeah, I know — but this was 1973), Candi, on the grounds that her low I.Q. will make it easier to conceal their more inexplicable activities. Company manager is one Balfour, a brilliant but extremely bitter Viet Nam veteran, wounded in action, whom Jerry quite literally rescues from the gutter. Another version (almost entirely discounted by fandom) simply drops Jerry and ignores the ending of the pilot, making poor Questor an android fugitive forever in search of his creator. Along with the bibles, there are also a few full scripts extant (one by then-newcomer Juanita Bartlett) to give a glimpse of the series that might have been.

To add to the confusion, there is also more than one version of the pilot story itself. The original script went through several greatly varying drafts, several of which have fallen into the hands of script collectors. D.C. Fontana's Ballantine novelization, combining the best elements of several of these drafts plus the final film, is for many the definitive version of the story. It was published in two different paperback editions, and is well worth seeking out.

A Sexual Controversy

In a very early review of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a fan expressed dismay at Data having sex with a human and made a comment about a similar scene in "The Questor Tapes":

In Roddenberry's "The Questor Tapes", the idea that a human female could receive sexual satisfaction from an android is what cost him the series! The producers, the network, and the censors, did not believe it was good fare for family entertainment.

Roddenberry himself recalled the problem with the Questor android:

In my original script, the android then made love to her - he was programmed for excellence in many areas... I was called to a meeting of the [studio] executives, and they minced no words: 'A robot doing it to a woman was absolutely unacceptable'. The first thought that popped into my mind was thank God I hadn't written a gay robot, I really would have been in trouble... A great argument ensued... What they were really trying to say to me was a version that has been heard so many times on this planet of ours, something that is so old that I couldn't keep from laughing. What they were saying was "After all, Gene, how would you like your sister to sleep with a robot?" I lost the argument. Questor did not get the girl. But I remember, driving home that night, I was kind of happy, I was saying, "You know what? In your whole writing career, how many times will you get an opportunity to create a whole new area of intolerance?"

Bjo Trimble Attended a Private Screening

Printed in The Nimoyan #4 (1973) was a description by Bjo Trimble of this show. It was also paraphrased in A Piece of the Action #8 (November 1973):

Well, viewed Questor with a random group of people asked by the studio (for audience reaction of the general public): a bunch of senior citizens from Newhall, a coupla sailors, and several people who'd been called on the phone. The pilot is GOOD... I was pleasantly surprised, after Genesis II which I didn't like very much. The build-up from the first view of the android, to an almost Frankenstein-creation, to the being he turned out to be was an interesting transition

You've all read the story if you've been into science-fiction more than a year. It is the characterization which carries it. Robert Foxworth is really, a believable android, and Mike Farrell is an even more believable human being! The death scene, when Questor gets shot, is short but traumatic, and well-directed (and edited) The special effects are terrific during the creation of the android, but not quite as great but some nice mat-work) at the ending. The rest of the cast is good, though I object to [there being] only one token female scientist out of a large roomful of great brains of the world (damnit!)

The possibilities are good for more than a mechanical FUGITIVE; the development of the android's manners as well as emotions and morals could be some fun shows. The programming possibilities -- giving him the personality traits of someone else for a short time, etc. could lead to interesting episodes.

I hope that Gene Roddenberry sees to it that the show follows STAR TREK's lead in having comedy as well as adventure episodes. There are some character developments which could be exploited well for episodes when Questor meets certain types of humans, greedy or power-mad ones, well-intentioned but bumbling ones (it is my own certain conviction that the end of our world will be brought about not by a neo-Hitler type, but some kind gentle, WELL-MEANING soul who does it "for our own good" and if that isn't a thought-provoking idea for you..., how about his meeting a very liberated woman, or -- can we do it yet? -- a homosexual? Questor is a handsome android, and certainly would attract attention.)

There was an interesting surprise, too, for me. The female lead was Dana Wynter, whose name is "Lady Helena Alexandria Trimble," and she lives in Trimble Manor, of course. I don't know quite what GR had in mind there. Lady Trimble is, on the surface, at least, the "whore with the heart of gold", but very wealthy; her money is probably obtained from some hefty blackmail deals around the world. But then....is that true? She is most certainly involved with some of the problems surrounding Questor; the question is: how much does she know, and how much is she actually manipulating? Or is she a mere contact? She’s intelligent, has a sense of humor, and definitely mysterious. Fascinating, to coin a phrase. (If I had a choice of alter-ego's, Miss Wynter would be high on the list.

The token female scientist, to nobody's surprise is Majel Barrett. She is dark-haired for this movie (and looks better than as a blonde I think) but is given only a few good lines. Walter Koenig is an administrative assistant, who usually shows up in doorways, looking fatigued and carrying a briefcase, with not much else to do.

After the screening, we were led to a conference room, where we filled out a questionaire [sic] and then were taped while discussing the show. There was a supply of fairly good coffee and donuts to relax everyone. The questionaire just gave the studio an idea of what age bracket we were in, what profession, and our scholastic standing so they could get an idea about the type of people they are dealing with. (I understand that there have been several of these screenings to get a response to Questor, so far.)

After we left, I went to a nearby phone and called GR at Warner Bros to tell him that I'd seen the show and liked it. He seemed gratified about that, and said there was a possibility of getting a 16mm version of it for FILM-CON 2, but would have to see about it. I'd like to do a concordance type of thing, only mainly for writers -— to keep all the facts straight this time --— on QUESTOR. Perhaps our past differences would prevent [Roddenberry] from ever considering it ; it would still be an interesting project for some fan.

We were given no date for QUESTOR premiere watch for it. I think most of you will enjoy it. It has been slated for a mid-season show. Support it, if you like it! Again, letters can make a lot of difference between a show making it or not; we fans have a lot of power, if we use it! When it starts as a series is when it will need support; plan to write letters, then, especially.)

1974

From "The Great Bird's Wild Goose Chase," comments in 2-5YM #3 (June 1974):

When "The Questor Tapes" was finally aired this past spring, it was universally liked, my own opinion was that — dare I say it? — it was as good as, or better than, the best ST episode ever aired. Nevertheless, the show did not make the fall, 1974 line-up.

Why? Apparently, NBC does not learn: they are still timid when it comes to putting on anything new or different, like, for instance, such (gasp) science fiction as Star Trek and Questor, (Remember the air-brushed Vulcan ears?)

Well, they made the same mistake with Questor, except that this was more severe. Having bought it, they said (to quote Star-Borne, which quotes Gene Roddenberry"'Look, let's play it safe. Let's do The Fugitive, except he's a robot, get it?' And I [Roddenberry] said, 'I... I won't do it.' And we argued all of last year, and I finally refused to do it...'" If Questor is ever going to come on, then, it will be done right — Gene's way. And I, for one, agree with him, (If you do to, write to NBC-TV, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10029, and tell them. Who knows? It might help.)

Related Roddenberry Projects

• Genesis II
• Planet Earth
• The Questor Tapes
• Spectre
• Strange New World

Fanfiction

Dedicated to Questor

• The Devil's War Collected (1986)
• The Vaslovik Archives, a 1976-1987 zine series

Contains Questor

• Starfleet Annals #3
• 2nd Age #5
• The Chaotian Chronicles #1
• The Clipper Trade Ship #15
• Diverse Dimensions #4
• Double Natural
• Moonbeam (zine) #7
• Only Trek #1
• Paladin #1
• Prime Time #4
• Time Winds #20

Fan Comments

1973

Bjo Trimble was invited to a studio viewing of "Questor" at NBC--the viewing was held to obtain audience reaction of the general public, and there was a random group of peo ple in attendance. Bjo has Kindly consented to share her experience and views with us, and here's what she has to say about it!

"The pilot is GOOD. The build-up from the first view of the android, to an almost-Frankenstein, to the being he turned out to be, was an interesting transition. "Robert Foxworth is a really believable android, and Mike Farrell is an even more believable human being! The death scene, when Questor gets shot, is short but traumatic, and well directed (and edited). The special effects are terrific during the creation of the android, not quite as great (but some nice mat-work) at the ending. The rest of the cast is good; though I object to only one "token" female scientist out of a large roomful of "great brains" of the world. The "token" female scientist, to nobody's surprise, is Majel Barrett. She is dark-haired for this movie (and looks loads better than as a blonde, I think), but is given only a few good lines. Walter Koenig is an administrative assistant, who usually shows up in doorways, looking fatigued and carrying a brief case, with not much else to do. The female lead was Dana Wynter. She's intelligent, has a sense of humor, and definitely mysterious. Fascinating, to coin a phrase. "The possibilities are good for more than a mechanical Fugitive; the development of the android's manners as well as emotions and morals could be some fun shows. The programming possibilities—giving him the personality traits of someone else for a short time, etc. could lead to interesting episodes. I hope that Gene Roddenberry sees to it that the show follows Star Trek's lead in having comedy as well as adventure episodes.

There are some character developments which could be exploited well for episodes, when Questor meets certain types of humans - greedy or power-mad ones, well-intentioned but bumbling ones; or how about his meeting a very liberated woman? Questor is a handsome android, and certainly would attract attention.

"After the screening, we were led to a conference room, where we filled out a questionnaire and then were taped while discussing the show. (I understand that there have been several of these screenings to get response to Questor, so far.) We had an open-end discussion, with the NBC representative adding things, or asking for clarification, now and then. The rest of the folk never watched science fiction...nobody was willing to admit to being a full-fledged fan of the genre, except me. So the reaction was surprising; everyone liked the show. Most of them said they'd probably watch it again, and perhaps even the episodes, if it became a series.

"We were given no date for the Questor premiere; watch for it. It has been slated for a mid-season show. I think most of you will enjoy it."

1974

I enjoyed Questor considerably -- at last Foxworth got a role wherein his blank stare was an advantage!

I did not care for Roddenberry's TV movie, "The Questor Tapes." It was another case of an interesting idea given a banal treatment.

"The Questor Tapes" is the second Gene Roddenberry sf pilot to appear since Star Trek was permanently warped out of orbit, and it is a much better production than "Genesis II." The naturally comedic situations found in a concept such as this are irritatingly overdone in most cases, but not in "The Questor Tapes." Instead, the scenes showing Questor's odd (to humans) reactions as he learns about the world were honest and convincing, and the humor was admirably re strained. Robert Foxworth's portrayal of the android verges on brilliance; a perfect performance in every way; Also very effective was Questor's featureless appearance at the beginning of the film, and the subsequent sequence where he molds himself a face.

The script was fine right up until the climax, and then it just fell apart. The mystery of who created Questor, and why, was handled nicely throughout the story, and it lead me to expect something a little better than the old bit about benign aliens giving covert guidance to the savage earthlings (an idea not too dissimilar from the unsuccessful "Assignment: Earth" [sic] pilot on Star Trek; apparently Roddenberry wanted to give it another try). John Vernon's character never was developed to my satisfaction. His motivations were unclear and his decision to commit suicide so that Questor might survive was totally unconvincing.

The premise still has great potential, though, and the word is that a "Questor" series is still very much in the running at NBC. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

1979

Why do most fans support simple-minded junk like "alactica" and other so-called TV sf with the comment, "Well, it's not good, but at least it's something sf." It's nothing! Only a few years ago GR offered the networks "Genesis II/Planet Earth" and "Questor", which had the potential of putting some adult level sf on the tube. Harlan Ellison tried to put together a sf series for TV and gave up because of all the hassles from the TV bureaucrats. Any number of fine sf writers could develop intelligent TV shows. Why aren't they on? Because the networks don't have the foggiest idea what sf is. They throw us a few crumbs and we gobble them down like starving mongrels. What we should do is get out our typewriters and pens and tell the networks that we know they are handing us a bunch of garbage and we won't stand for it. And tell them in simple, straightforward terms (but polite!) what we really want. Maybe then we'd get something worth watching. Maybe it wouldn't last long, because if it were too "far out" most TV viewers wouldn't like it, but it would be worth the effort.

1980

Of all his post-ST projects, only "Questor" has come near matching the quality of ST, and even that doesn't hold up well in places. Roddenberry is essentially a well-meaning man whose talent is unfortunately not equal to his ambition.

Meta

• Jenna Busch (29 January 2010). "Roddenberry's Son Revives the QUESTOR". Newsarama. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 23 December 2010. (2012)
• Forgotten Roddenberry: The Questor Tapes by Mark Farinas (2016)
• "Beyond "Star Trek": A Look-Back at Gene Roddenberry’s Other Sci-Fi TV Adventures, ^{Archived version} by Herbie J. Pilato (Aug 11, 2020) (discusses Genesis II, Planet Earth, Spectre, and Strange New World)
• Forgotten Roddenberry: The Questor Tapes (2021)