By Steve Krutzler / 13:00, 27 October 2004 / TrekWeb Features

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This season actor Jeffrey Combs will return for his sixth, seventh, and eighth stints as the Andorian 'Shran', and possibly more. TrekWeb continues our conversations with Combs (interview archive) in this new, exclusive interview from contributor Jacqueline Bundy.

"A Conversation with Jeffrey Combs"
by Jacqueline Bundy

Every time Jeffrey Combs creates yet another memorable character in an appearance on STAR TREK you can't help but wonder if you will see that character again. After all, Combs brought to life two of the franchise's most popular recurring characters: the nasty FCA liquidator 'Brunt', and the fawning Vorta clone 'Weyoun' were two of DEEP SPACE NINE's most unforgettable characters and Combs work consistently draws raves from the critics as well as the fans.

So when Jeffrey Combs first appeared on ENTERPRISE as Shran, an officer of the Andorian Imperial Guard in the first season episode "The Andorian Incident," it wasn't much of a surprise that those watching soon found themselves hoping that this blue guy would be back. The upcoming episode "Kir'Shara" will mark Combs's sixth appearance as Shran and fans can look forward to seeing Shran at least twice more this season.

It's been a busy year for Mr. Combs, who in addition to guest appearances on ENTERPRISE and CSI in the episode "Jackpot," has been voicing the character of 'The Question' in the animated series JUSTICE LEAGUE and shooting new film roles. Jeffrey was kind enough to talk with TrekWeb about his work in general and his latest take on playing the role of Shran on ENTERPRISE.

TW: I understand you grew up watching the original series.

JC: Absolutely, are you kidding? I was a major fan of the show when I was a kid. Unfortunately my dad wasn't so I had to connive, we only had one TV, and he thought it was sheer nonsense, he'd rather watch something else. I didn't get to see it every week but on the happy evening when he was doing something else I would get to watch it or I'd catch the reruns. I've seen all of them many times.

I just loved the energy and humor and the conflicts in that show. A lot of people seem to forget that it was originally a not so veiled metaphor for the cold war. The Klingons were the Soviets and the Romulans were the Chinese and the Vulcans, well I'm not sure who the Vulcans were supposed to be with their cold logic. (laughs)

TW: You once said in an interview that of all the modern STAR TREK's you thought ENTERPRISE most resembled TOS in terms of style.

JC: In terms of it's back to the basics yes. In that it's to go where no man has gone before and it's a little more willing to show humans not only at their best, but with their flaws as well, making mistakes and so forth. They're learning as they go, so in that sense it is very much in the style of the original. I just hope that with Shran I can bring some of that TOS energy and attack.

TW: So this is what, the sixth time for you playing Shran?

JC: Yes, I did Shran twice in the first season, once in the second and twice in the third season so this is number six. And actually I've just found out that I'm going to be doing two more, starting in the beginning of November, two back-to-back episodes. I guess it will be a mini arch having to do with the Andorians, beyond that I don't really have any specifics as far as what the storyline is going to be ["Babel One" will be at least one of those future appearances, --ed.].

TW: You probably haven't even seen the scripts yet?

JC: No and I usually don't until about three days before I step in front of the camera actually. It's disconcerting sometimes but I've done it enough now to be comfortable with it.

TW: At this point you've played six roles on three STAR TREK series; DEEP SPACE NINE, VOYAGER and now ENTERPRISE. Your list of STAR TREK credits just keeps growing longer.

JC: I'm proud of that. I love STAR TREK. Going back and doing it is like going home at this point. I have had at this point three recurring roles. I think there are other actors like Vaughn Armstrong ('Admiral Forrest') and maybe Marc Alaimo ('Dukat') and others that I'm forgetting who have done more characters but I don't know if anyone has done more recurring roles.

TW: No one could forget the three roles you played on DEEP SPACE NINE (Weyoun, Tiron, Brunt) but many people forget that in addition to those characters you were also in an episode of VOYAGER, "Tsunkatse", where you played a fight promoter, a Don King-like character.

JC: The episode with the Rock! It was so incredible when the Rock came up to me and said "can I take a picture with you?" I'm like 'come on, of course' -"" the Rock.

TW: Did you feel small next to him?

JC: I was dwarfed next to him. I'm only 5'8". After all I've played a Ferengi so I can't be too tall.

TW: You've been pretty busy with other work lately in addition to Enterprise-Didn't you recently work on the movie ALL SOUL'S DAY?

JC: Yeah, I just finished that. I do just small role in it. It's a little independent film about Mexico and a small village that comes to life every All Soul's Day, the day after Halloween. The day of the dead in Mexico and I played a 50's Dad. My wife and I and our two kids we're on a vacation in Mexico and we stop at the wrong time in the wrong town. We check in but we never check out as the old song goes.

Right after my next two episodes on ENTERPRISE I jump right into another independent film called THE MASTER OF GORE and know I am not the master. This role is a real departure for me; it's something I've never done before so I'm looking forward to that.