Original Fajo vs Final Fajo Comparison # 2 For Review Purposes Only

[@TheGreenarrow88]

The difference in performances delivering the same lines shows how much an actor can bring to a character

[@michac3796]

Völlig richtig, die berechnende Kaltschnäuzigkeit und Gleichgültigkeit von Saul Rubinek passt wesentlich besser zum Charakter. Absolutely right, the calculating coldness and indifference of Saul Rubinek fits the character much better. (DeepL)

[@thewewguy8t88]

@@michac3796 i actually feel like the coldness while it fits the character i also think it adds to just being not a bland or even generic villian of the week but more of standard tng villian of the week.

[@j.p.9522]

Absolutely!!!!!

[@cakestalker]

I guess we'll never know completely how the final episode would have turned out. These takes while looking good still might not have been final. They could have been planning to do more and alternative takes as well as some final ADR here and there etc.

[@randomrazr]

whihc do u prefer

[@IoEstasCedonta]

I have to say, I feel like Rubinek's sliminess suits the role better than Rappaport's more overtly sinister delivery.

[@ricardogalvan1031]

Also a nuance with Rubinek's character. Recall him crying over his past (which he then snapped out of, in an instant, declaring it to be a lie), his shocked look after killing the woman, and then this conclusion: it gives the air that Fajo, deep down, understood he was a bad guy and WANTED to die by Data's hand, but he was always too cowardly to do it himself.

[@javaman7199]

@@ricardogalvan1031 I think his flair for flamboyance really sold his delivery as well. It is the kind of thing that you would expect from someone who collects these things.

[@snake56]

I think it's Robert Meyer Burnett who found the footage while he was working on the bonus features for the TNG blurays. It's nice that they included it.

[@marks47]

I think he knew about it already... A LOT of die-hard fans did.... And asked for it to be dug up, but yeah, his work on the DVD's is what allowed this to finally be seen. They also had to ask the family of Rappaport

[@ChickenRieder]

It's cool how they didn't try to replicate the exact same character. Instead they worked with what they had and try to make the best with it. That's commitment to quality.

[@AndrooUK]

So, they made it better for the replacement?

[@j.p.9522]

2:01 The little hand wave dismissing the crewmember was an awesome touch.

[@rudiruttger]

Before you included this material I'd never known about this actor's part in the series. It's a terrible shame to read about what happened to him.

[@jamessmyth3952]

What he did to himself.

[@SpreadingtheMuse]

It doesnt come up much. In the pre-internet days it was mentioned in the Making-Of books at the time (The TNG Compendium). These days you can find information on every episode on the Trek wiki. Memory Alpha. memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Portal:Main

[@something.icantrememberany1365]

@@jamessmyth3952 Is the distinction worth it? I hope it makes you feel good.

[@G11713]

@@user-qp4ij4yl8y Sounds suspiciously like cycles of mental illness, perhaps bipolar cycles spanning years.

[@aluthman281]

@@jamessmyth3952 Maybe you could be more of a dick about it.

[@epicmercury333]

Wow, Saul Rubinek made that role! His delivery is so much more palpable and sadistically vile.

[@Dubspez]

Honestly I prefer Rubinek’s Fajo. He has a punchable face and the way he delivers his lines makes him feel more manipulative and cutthroat. I don’t get that vibe with Rappaport’s version because it feels static to me, but we are comparing two performances where there could’ve been more editing touches and reshoots done with Rappaport’s version. This is an unfair comparison.

[@slowfreq]

Rubinek's performance was so smarmy, and and arrogant, and unlikeable, that it puts his Fajo easily in my top list of most-hated characters. But that's precisely what I loved about it, and what made the character so memorable.

[@towtruckmafia]

I keep hearing I'm a writer.

[@slowfreq]

@@towtruckmafia Is it because you have schizophrenia

[@lujon103]

The vibe Rappaport gave was his severe depression. He had a wooden performance because he didn't care anymore. The fact he killed himself a couple of days later shows that he didn't give it his all. I've seen him in other movies and shows and he's a damn good actor. It was clear that he wasn't trying in this one. If he actually gave a damn, I'd bet a Year's pay he would have given a memorable performance

[@Pyrolonn]

Honestly they both work, and it's cool they are qualitatively different. I actually think rather than a baddy he should be more of a shyster rather than a devilish imp. Pure selfishness and indifference to others rather than overtly evil. In addition the cleanup of the ecological mess was able to be cleaned up, a devil wouldn't do that.

[@MilesLougheed]

I much prefer Saul Rubinek's performance. He breathes so much life into Fajo's character. He makes me hate Fajo. Rapaport's Fajo almost feels like he wants the watcher to feel sorry for him, but that's not what Fajo is about. Rubinek's Fajo is emotional, manipulative, and breathes life into every sentence. Rapaport may have been a good actor, but Rubinek is exactly what the Fajo character needed.

[@lastswordfighter]

It looks like Data is talking to the Leprechaun.

[@marcellachine5718]

I absolutely loved this episode. I had no idea there was an earlier removed actor for the fajo character.

[@lujon103]

I'm pretty certain the guy didn't give his best performance is because he was extremely depressed and didn't care anymore. I've seen him in other movies and shows and he's a very good actor. He was very capable how giving an excellent performance. He was just in a dark place at the time

[@GiselleGauthier]

@@lujon103 It was a very unfortunate and dark time for him. Brent Spiner misspoke at that convention though. Rappaport *attempted* to take his life over that weekend and Saul Rubinek was then brought in to replace him. He only succeeded in taking his own life two months later.

[@WoodysAR]

@@marcellachine5718 'removed'? Is that a euphemism for death?

[@LudvigIndestrucable]

It's a masterclass in how less is more. Rubinek delivers most of the lines with insouciance and disinterest, which ultimately conveys more malevolence.

[@Bayan1905]

Saul Rubinek never gets the credit he deserves as an actor. He's got such range. He played Fajo here, as just someone who isn't just a villain, but cruel beyond measure, dismissive, but at the same time, when threatened acts like an angry child. Then you see him in movies like Unforgiven, more of a curious coward, wanting to tag along to whoever is the popular guy and the toughest guy trying to get the story. I remember him as Donny on Frasier too, where he did comedy very well.

[@Taijifufu]

Wait which of those characters is a lawyer again??

[@williamsmith1399]

Agree. Saul also played the role of Dr Jim Curran in the 1993 movie, And The Band Played On. He was very good at juggling the role of a CDC doctor and the role of a politician. Walked a fine line between being a likeable character while at the same time irritating enough to allow the audience to turn on him. Very similar to how he played the Fajo character.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@williamsmith1399 He was also in Death Wish 5. 🔫

[@smadaf]

CORRECTIONS. _David_ (not Michael) Rappaport _attempted_ suicide during the filming of this episode. He tried again on May 2, 1990, succeeding this time, which was three days before "The Most Toys" premiered on American television (May 5). They didn't hire Saul Rubinek, shoot his scenes, do all the post-production, and distribute the tape to broadcasters, in a mere three days.

[@Pyrolonn]

I noticed that too. I thought maybe his middle name was Michael or some other quirk, but you are correct. Brent Spiner is speaking off the cuff about someone he worked with decades before so it's easy to see how a mistake was made.

[@daniellanctot6548]

... Pity Michael didn’t follow suit...

[@AndrooUK]

His acting was wooden, and his appearance and voice just... distracting, like all little ones.

[@jeffflowers5489]

CORRECTION: The actor was not Michael Rapaport. He is still alive ( and much taller). It was David Rappaport.

[@BasilOnatopp]

Also, I believe he failed in his suicide attempt but had to be replaced. It wasn't until a few months later (just before the episode actually aired) that he successfully committed suicide.

[@KameronJ7]

That makes more sense. Michael Rappaport would also be a bit young at that point

[@brucehubbard1852]

Good that you said that, now I don't have to.

[@DeltaAssaultGaming]

To be fair, Michael Rappaport is also quite crazy.

[@smadaf]

@@BasilOnatopp , you're right. David Rappaport died on May 2, 1990; "The Most Toys" premiered on May 5, 1990. They didn't hire someone else, shoot his scenes, do all the post-production, and distribute the tape to broadcasters, in a mere three days.

[@otocan]

Damn this highlights what a great actor Saul Rubinek is. He turns this from a very forgettable episode into a classic for me.

[@thomasdevine867]

The British actor gave us a cold sadist. The American actor gave us a recognizable sleeze. The American actor took real world experiences of creeps and gave us a realistic evil. The British actor was going for something more abstract and with a cold dignity. A minor version of Milton's Satan.

[@JulianPG17]

Saul rubinek

[@bordaz1]

@Moth breeder an innocent mistake....admit it you had to look it up....or at least wouldn't have guessed on accent alone. USA vs. Canada is like England vs. Cornwall

[@Moutopher]

@Moth breeder Canada is in America

[@thomasdevine867]

@Moth breeder Pure lack of information. I went with the accent.

[@saxbend]

I DID NOT KNOW THIS! I knew that David Rappaport had committed suicide. Time Bandits was the only thing I'd seen him in. I had no idea he was filming The Most Toys at the time.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

The moment that struck me the most is when they realized that as Data was beamed over… he had fired the weapon. Even without emotion chip, Data was already pushed too far. I loved that they added these original scenes to the bonusmaterial of the Blu-ray. The whole restoration of the show was soooooo worth it and the GREATEST thing CBS ever did.

[@heidikickhouse-]

Oh please. There's not a woman on this planet (exactly who elected me spokesman for half the population?? I'm just saying, we can tell!) - that doesn't believe Spiner's super-specific, super-nuanced pauses, phrasing and looks don't frequently betray his fledgling (probably undefined/unrecognized) emotions once in a while!

[@markvaughan653]

Thanks for showing these clips of David Rappaport's performance as Kivas Fajo. Very sad about what happened to him 😥 On a side note, the Fajo character was named for TNG pre-production and script coordinator Lolita Fatjo--an interesting little homage that Ms. Fatjo herself mentioned at a convention I attended.

[@heidikickhouse-]

Thank you for that!

[@Chillmax]

I feel like I saw Rappaport on TV in the UK, when I was a child, quite often, so I'm sorry that I had no idea of his sad departure. The performances can't really be compared, Rubinek was obviously a fine actor & made Fajo chilling & utterly loathsome, Rapppaport's talents lay elsewhere & his line delivery was obviously not the most inspired.

[@adamsmith7058]

"...his line delivery was obviously not the most inspired." I know you didn't mean anything bad with this observation. But it's worth noting, given what happened, that the guy's mind was probably elsewhere and not on the job at hand. I too think Rubinek's performance was more effective, there are extenuating circumstances for Rappaport though, given his ,likely poor, mental state at the time..

[@slant6guy]

Saul Rubinek is awesome! His presentation and reality, plus little subtleties & facades of a nefarious "criminal character" are shown here in this nearly overlooked episode ST:TNG as it's a gem. Sad how Rubinek got the part. Rappaport's interpretation of Fajo, was more Napoleonic concerning an individual that can & will never fill a gaping void in his life: Rappaport transliterated that personal angst into his final acting role that the World never got to see till the Internet came along.

[@jonahfalcon1970]

DAVID Rappaport. MICHAEL Rappaport is a tall blond guy.

[@dorkmax7073]

David Stephen Rappaport (here) and Michael David Rappaport

[@GeppettoProductions]

Oddly enough Michael Rapaport was in a movie with Saul Rubinek (2nd Fajo actor).

[@gregquinn7817]

@@GeppettoProductions I'm sure they can call get to Kevin Beacon in less than 6 degrees.

[@johnburns9634]

@@GeppettoProductions Yup, The Movie was True Romance with Christian Slater.

[@terrancegerber8902]

Omg thanks I was so fing confused like wait why I dont remember rapport being so short...hmmmmm

[@bazzatheblue]

Saw Time Bandits today,David Rappaport was in a couple of Monty Python off shoots,the Baron Munchausen film and Time Bandits and a lot of british tv stuff.

[@DeathBYDesign666]

Who was he in Baron Munchausen? Was he the executioner's assistant? I know he wasn't the main little guy with the Superman breath and huge ears.

[@deaddropsd1972]

Rubinek’s “murrr-der”. “Rage”. His delivery has much more punch / impact imo

[@ShinSeikiEvan]

I believe what actually happened was that Rappaport ATTEMPTED suicide in the middle of filming the episode. I suppose he was replaced because he might have been held on a psych hold, or perhaps he had physical injuries. But he made a SECOND, successful suicide attempt a couple of days before the episode aired.

[@GooglyEyedJoe]

It's worrying to think whether their recasting of him was one of the reasons behind what really pushed him over the edge in the end, granted he had depression but maybe he wanted to appear in the episode and when they completely got rid of him from it, it was like adding insult to injury.

[@bazzokzwattom2655]

You're correct. Brent Spiner misremembered what happened.

[@cakestalker]

@@GooglyEyedJoe He was the first choice for the role. The recasting only happened after the director learned of his suicide attempt (he was found in his car with a tube running from the exhaust). Had he not done that he would have been in the final episode.

[@beingsshepherd]

'On March 4 [1990], Rappaport was hospitalized suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Police found him lying unconscious and not breathing in an idling Volkswagen with a hose connected from the exhaust pipe to the inside of the car. Detectives described the incident as “an obvious suicide attempt.”' www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-04-mn-145-story.html 'On 2 May 1990, he committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest in Laurel Canyon Park in the San Fernando Valley in California.' en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rappaport#Final_years,_death_and_legacy '"The Most Toys" is the 22nd episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 70th episode of the series overall. [...] Original air date May 5, 1990' en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Toys

[@MaximilianonMars]

@@beingsshepherd what a sad story :( I heard this sermon and it reminds me of this, called "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God" to mean if you have anything else at the top of your desires other than God, when it's taken from you you end up killing yourself. The pastor had examples from his own friends and family where, for example, an avid sportsman and runner became paralysed and rather than live in a chair chose to commit suicide. For Rappaport we could speculate why he was so deeply unhappy. Here's the sermon: www.faithfulwordbaptist.org/020920a.mp3 Currently the pastor's main KZbin channel Sanderson1611 is under attack, but you can find his second channel Sanderson1769 for other sermons and documentary films. And a short, clear gospel presentation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXWoc61oatF6mrs Getting saved is extremely easy and permanent, Christ paid it all, we don't pay our own way to heaven, we just accept the free gift of salvation in faith.

[@peppermintspacecapsule9898]

Oh, man. ☹️ Growing up in the UK, David Rappaport was in so many of the TV shows and films I watched as a kid. Poor guy. He just couldn't face going on, I guess.

[@Craig_Spurlock]

His TV series, 'The Wizard' from 1987 should have been more successful, IMO.

[@peppermintspacecapsule9898]

@@Craig_Spurlock - To me, he'll always be one of the O-Men, with Sylvester McCoy!

[@zarcon85]

The guy who actually did it, is maybe the most evil and unsettling part in the whole series. Only is topped by David Warner playing that cardassian torturer.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

David Warner was always a WONDERFUL guest actor in Star Trek, in EVERY role :)

[@tomvignola9896]

THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!!!!

[@Connection-Lost]

Gul Macet demands you remember his name

[@StarTrekRecovery]

So sad about David Rappaport, it would have been fascinating to see his Kivas Fajo in the episode. However, with all due respect to David, I think Saul Rubinek's performance was superior.

[@MajorGrin]

I agree . not to speak ill of the dead but Saul was just better for that specific role . David would have been great as a different alien villain (or hero)

[@thewewguy8t88]

@@MajorGrin i actually kind of enjoyed both but saul did come across as more tng standard villian of the week. david i felt like gave bit of a uniqueness to the role not just in looks but in terms of how confident he was compared to saul.

[@Johnny-rx4hs]

@@MajorGrin He would have been good as someone like the pirate captain in "Gambit" or something along those lines.

[@lujon103]

David could have played this character far better than the way he ended up doing it. I've seen his past works. Damn good actor, just didn't care anymore.

[@jcortese3300]

I remember when this aired. It remains among my top five, and Rubinek was jaw-dropping. I'd never seen a more wilful, childish, chilling portrayal of evil and still haven't.

[@adamchurvis1]

Saul Rubinek rocks in everything he's in.

[@Matthew_Raymond]

I prefer Saul Rubinek’s performance, because you can sense the character’s transference of his own cold, intellectual curiosity onto Data, whereas David Rappaport feels more like a conventional villain from the original series. I just don’t feel what he’s feeling. Rubinek’s take on the character just feels more modern to me. There’s even a moment when you see a flash of amusement on Rubinek’s face when his character contemplates Data acting out of rage. He ever streamlines and skips some of the less necessary lines to improve the pacing. It’s a very nuanced performance.

[@InfernosReaper]

the skipping lines might've been inevitable as scripts sometimes get refined. Rapport does seem more fanciful, but definitely oldschool, which has a more niche appeal

[@MilesLougheed]

I believe he also adds in a "Data" to help punctuate one of his lines. He does an excellent job building Fajo without getting carried away. I *hate* Fajo... A definitive way to say Rubinek nailed it.

[@ironhandz1]

David Rappaport would have made a very memorable villain, but beside that unfortunate tragedy, this comparison shows that he really wasn't in the moment at all, IMO. I mean, he's delivering his line fine, hitting his marks, but somehow there's really no "character" in his character. Just pretty bland delivery, which I feel is more a symptom of his depression that he was having at the time. Very sad. Still glad to finally have seen this footage, thank you!!!

[@erin_3569]

I think he was already planning to commit suicide when filming He bought the gun 15 days before killing himself

[@lujon103]

I completely agree. I've seen his performances in other shows and movies. He's a damn good actor. His heart just wasn't in it.

[@toomanyaccounts]

@@erin_3569 the attempt while filming was car exhaust. he killed himself before the episode aired.

[@heidikickhouse-]

I appreciate this information. It's hard to say how great Rubinek was without feeling like you're disrespecting the wonderful actor David Rappaport. Even while consumed with depression, he was ominous.

[@LocksAndChains]

I actually enjoy both performances, albeit for different reasons. Different feelings.

[@TheTuubster]

Rappaport wasnt the right fit for the role. I understand the idea behind it, having a character with a small appearance with such power, but he couldnt represent the menacing aspect of the character. But the blame goes also to the casting director, who should have said no.

[@builder396]

Honestly, Rubinek being a little opulent sold the same aspect, someone who wasnt physically fit, so his threats come from other things, like guns, brains and tech gizmos. It also sold just how self-indulgent this character was, you could just picture him lounging around, snacking on stuff while being amused by whatever he fancies all day every day, like a lazy spoiled brat. Heck, even his defense against Data physically attacking him is just a passive shield.

[@LilBrownieD]

Very tragic situation, but damn this makes me appreciate Saul's performance

[@FrankMillersEvilHat1]

This was so cool, you hear about actors replacing during filming and a lot of times it is either obvious one was better or we never see the other footage but this time we see the footage and both actors do amazing jobs while bringing different aspects to the character. Rappaport brings a wicked and manipulative quality while Saul has kind of a sleazy aspect that is rather humor full but with a darker aspect just under the surface. This was a really a case of two good performances in a very good episode.

[@RurouniKalainGaming]

I had no idea about all of this. A shame. Glad it's preserved in some way for the guy. Thanks for all of these.

[@aaronhoosiershrm-cpphr8362]

Poor guy was struggling that’s why he didn’t pull off the part.

[@hilaryc3203]

It's not that he didn't pull it off. He attempted suicide due to his depression. He succeed later.

[@coltrider666]

I prefer the version we got (maybe because I am used to it), but it felt more fitting for TNG. Getting some more TOS villain vibes from David's version and I think he could have been an interesting choice for other characters. Really sad to hear what happened to him

[@windyhours]

Wow, I just watched this episode today. Thank you for sharing this.

[@MiketheratguyMultimedia]

Saul Rubinek's performance was brilliant, one of the best guest spots on any TNG episode. I feel that he was better that the little guy. That said, Rappaport would still have made for a compelling villain and it's a shame that he felt that he had no choice but to take his own life (the second attempt at doing so, sadly).

[@MedalionDS9]

I dunno man... I like the actor who plays the Fajo in the actual ep... I've seen him in other shows, he's a good actor

[@hariman7727]

They're both good performances.

[@RealMonoid]

@@hariman7727 No. The dwarf sucks

[@SupremeGreatGrandmaster]

"If only you could feel anger." That whole scene is great writing.

[@shodancat1000]

Wow, this is a fascinating bit of trivia about TNG I was utterly unaware of. The Most Toys happens to be my favorite Trek episode so it was kind of shocking learning about what happened in production.

[@maxwellgarrison6790]

It is almost as if he is lecturing himself. “Murder me!” He was asking himself the question if he could feel the need to get revenge on himself.

[@jayyyzeee6409]

"We said 'We'll see you on Monday. Over the weekend, he killed himself." 1. He killed himself on Wednesday, May 2, 1990. Not "over the weekend". 2. “There was a story going around that they had found him in his car with a tube running from the exhaust. Obviously I had to replace him.” - Timothy Bond, director of the episode. Therefore, he was replaced after the first attempt, but before his successful attempt from a gunshot wound.

[@skatemetrix]

David Rappaport committed suicide during the production of this episode? That's very, very dark. But his performance here is truly great, there's a real cold anger to it, whilst those autocratic British tones give Fajo a real commanding presence (even though he's a dwarf). Thanks for that Grin, you're a treasure to Star Trek for your parodies, commentaries, recuts, compilations and ability to find rare gems like these.

[@killdeer]

He attempted suicide during the production and they replaced him while he was in hospital. He successfully ended his life several weeks later.

[@christopherdean1326]

He lived just down my road when I was a kid, think we went to the same schools. He was a nice, quiet guy. RIP

[@CheshireCat-cm1si]

Poor David Rappaport. As sorry as I am to hear about what happened to him, Saul really nailed that monologue. I could hear it fifty times (and I have) without getting tired of it.

[@TimThomason]

I had no idea that Michael Rapaport also played Kivas Fajo in early days of production. I loved him in Boston Public.

[@SpreadingtheMuse]

It doesnt come up much. In the pre-internet days it was mentioned in the Making-Of books at the time (The TNG Compendium). These days you can find information on every episode on the Trek wiki. Memory Alpha. memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Portal:Main

[@119Agent]

@@SpreadingtheMuse he was joking. Brent Spiner got his name wrong. It is David Rappaport.

[@SpreadingtheMuse]

@@119Agent What makes you think he was joking? Its completely possible that no one would know about Rappaport so many years later.

[@119Agent]

@@SpreadingtheMuse i think it went over your head. Michael vs David Rappaport.

[@SpreadingtheMuse]

@@119Agent If that's the case, as a comedian he shouldn't quit his day job.

[@ObiWanBillKenobi]

One of the best dialogues in TNG ever.

[@johnrobinson4445]

the broadcast one is far better. Vocal emphasis is much more appropriate. The first one is quite flat and unconvincing.

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

It feels wooden.

[@xxlCortez]

I suppose the crippling depression had a lot to do with it.

[@lujon103]

Well he was suicidal and didn't care anymore. I highly recommend watching some of his past performances. He's not a bad actor at all. If he actually cared, this could have been a memorable performance of his. A lot better than what he gave in the end.

[@whos-the-stiff]

As much as I loved Rappaport, I prefer the second Fajo.

[@wolfgangkranek376]

Did he play a Star Trek-Hobbit? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHSWZpaHgK2qsMk

[@hariman7727]

I think there's two factors that make the final version better: The makeup, and the line delivery. Both line reads are good, but I think they refined the lines between the original and the final version. I also think the makeup for the original was too heavy, and restricted the nonverbal acting of expression too much.

[@RaeSyngKane]

Herman Cillo I agree, makeup on Rappaport was a bit too extensive. Speech patterns of the second are better though. Actor was going for smug more than just superior. Probably a more fleshed out script providing a more accurate role.

[@dorianleakey]

it was early in the filming, it would have improved.

[@l.e.miller1208]

@@RaeSyngKane Is it too extensive, or is most of the makeup in TNG just some ridges glued to actors faces and very little done to distinguish species other than Klingons?

[@glennmaloney4962]

Both actors bring there own uniqueness to the character

[@MirrorDomains]

I never knew this but it's nice to see two actors interpretations of the same material!

[@toomanyaccounts]

one of the set design ideas for Fajo's ship was that it was made to fit the small alien so Data and others had to hunch down.

[@78beast]

Oh wow . Both actors bring something completely different to the scene. Thanx for sharing

[@chouseification]

Holy cow, Michael Rappaport was so cool - when I was growing up, Herve was the "mean little guy" and Michael was the cool one - Time Bandits, The Wizard, and more. When we heard he killed himself a lot of nerds made sure everybody knew about it (pre-internet news took longer to flow often). I hadn't known he was originally playing the part Saul Rubinek ended up playing in the episode we saw.

[@willybeeproductions9357]

This is a fascinating look behind the curtain of acting. And how casting can change the tone and vibrance of a scene or show. The circumstances are of course tragic as to why this re-casting was required, but I must concur with the majority of comments here. Saul Rubinek is a fantastic character actor, and his gift is bringing devious or "prick"-like characters to the screen. Being Canadian helped as well, he played a real twit of a lawyer on Street Legal here in Toronto back in the day. Reviewing both performances it's clear that Saul brought more to the role. We've all met a guy in our lives like Saul's version of Fajo. Perhaps to a less murderous degree of course, but you get my point. The Rappaport version of Fajo was TOO alien, too unrelatable. I think to a great episode of ST:Voyager where Bilana Torres was trapped on an alien ship where all of the crew were killed and the only entity left is a hologram caretaker who is asking for help. This character is just seething with anger, rage and disgust and played wonderfully by another great character actor, Leland Orser ....fantastic casting in this one, his hatred of humans and himself for being cast in their likeness is wonderfully vile. Man, it's great to talk about Star Trek again and watch examples of what made ST great!! Too bad Discovery and Picard are made by people who HATE Star Trek and great storytelling for want of F-bombs and feeling the urge to constantly piss on the grave of Gene Roddenberry. Discovery was bad enough, but dragging classic characters like Jean Luc Picard, Will Riker, and Deanna Troi through the same mud is just unforgivable! Hire some real Sci-Fi writers, have at least a shred of respect for what came before and maybe, just maybe Picard could become a third the show that TNG became through it's 7 seasons.

[@jeremymain7303]

His performance is so raw and real. The other guy just sounds like he's reading lines off a card.

[@disposablebasterd]

Wasn’t that the varyon t disruptor or some other rare weapon?

[@Bill_Oddie_Face_Mask]

I feel Rubinek’s version is far more menacing, like he is a full-on sociopath. But Rappaport had a sort of pathetic nature, like he’s been broken down all his life for one reason or another, and his experiences turned him bitter, manipulative, and lustful for control. Honestly I think his take had room for the kind of deeper moral play TNG was known for, if the writers were willing to put in the effort.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

Rappaport was the star of a show I watched as a kid called The Wizard, where he played a toymaker. I don't remember a whole lot about it, though. (This show is unrelated to the Fred Savage movie / Super Mario Bros. 3 commercial.)

[@119Agent]

I loved the Wizard. It should have ran longer.

[@greensmurf6515]

"What did I say?" 😧🤣

[@MajorGrin]

kind of a low blow

[@neiloch]

@@MajorGrin yeah that was kind of cringey. Always annoys me how hilarious Brent Spiner thinks he is with his edgelord dad jokes.

[@skyserf]

It didn’t strike me as if he was looking for laughs.

[@DesireeStamat]

I think this was a legitimate question one would have in this situation as an acting partner.

[@TheWilkReport]

Man, it's a shame that Rappaport's footage ended up being cut. The actor who replaced him for the broadcast episode did a better job conveying a spoiled psychopath, in my opinion, but I wonder now what would have happened if it had gone to air with Rappaort as Fajo.

[@phoenixman8569]

Good point there but its hard to say, there was not enough footage of him as he sadly ended his own life on the weekend when the episode was only half finished..

[@NeoTechni]

naw, he sounded goofy

[@WalrusWinking]

I like both

[@MLife1972]

I do like Saul Rubinek's performance here. He's got that Willy Wonka blend of benevolence and sadism. Rappaport's version is harder to judge, but it seems more like he's reading off a page. Perhaps the change in actors also allowed them to change Fajo's tone. Either way, it's probably one of my favorite episodes and Spiner's greatest performance.

[@boedye]

OH wow! Thanks for posting this -- really fascinating to learn about this. Where do you come up with all this?!

[@joek5882]

All due respect to the original actor, no question hands down Rubinek is the better Fajo. He is childlike, playful, giddy and thus much more sinister and dangerous. You really want to like him because he manipulates you into thinking he's a nice guy...but he's unpredictable and dangerous.

[@erin_3569]

I don't think the comparison is fair, considering he was depressed and tried to kill himself There would have probably reshoots and editing before finishing the actual episode

[@bskec2177]

Sauls performance was a Fajo that wasn't quite sure. It had that note of I really hope this works, and was trying to convince himself of what he was saying as much as he was Data. Rappaport was playing a villain with more confidence, and of all the clips I've seen of him, I cna't help but traditional Shakespearian actor training shining through. Oddly enough, it is the hesitation of Sauls version that makes him more believable and thus more threatening and sinister. I am reminded of a quote "Fear is wasted on the mighty. Fear those who are weak, for in order to accomplish anything, they must act as monsters."

[@cigarnewbie6436]

Been a fan my whole life and this is one of my favorite episodes but I never knew this. I've always liked Saul Rubinek ever since this show. I've never seen him do a bad performance in anything.

[@Fcutdlady]

The actors name is David Rapport. Great actor. he was a small person and suffered from depression hence he took his life. .

[@TheFiddleFaddle]

All respect to Mr. Rappaport, RIP. But Saul Rubinek was absolutely phenomenal in this role. The way he played this scene, _I_ felt rage.

[@peterhaywood4111]

Rubinek is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. He shines in everything he does -True Romance, Unforgiven, many many others.

[@LostInTheFarmersMarket]

The best part is, you can see the exact moment near the end as data prepares to fire where both Fajos shit themselves.

[@SkepticalChris]

Saul Rubinek (Second Fajo) definitely had the superior performance. His words every inflection and look he gave was full of emotional intent. The other guy....eh...sounded too much like he was just reading lines, and I found it not believable.

[@murrayp4]

This is excellent......Both very good performances

[@sid2112]

Saul Rubinik is so good.

[@MarginalSC]

Always thought it was funny how Data always raises his eyebrows when he shoots a phaser.

[@ricardogalvan1031]

Even his facial gestures, his movements, contain more emotion and character than the original Fajo. You see the sudden surge of fear, "he's really gonna do it!" You see his pathology, his mental sickness and humor. With Rappaport, you see a TOS baddie of the week. With Rubinek, you see a person.

[@smadaf]

It also helps that he looked and sounded like a typical American or Canadian human. The choice to use Rappaport's small height and (for most initial viewers) foreign accent, and to cover his face in shape-changing makeup and doctor his voice electronically, makes him harder to relate to as the dark side of one of us. Instead, he's just a caricature villain, like all those posh-English-accented Romans in Biblical epic movies and posh-English-accented Nazis and Soviets in World War II and Cold War movies, playing against American-accented Palestinian Jews and American good guys.

[@KeychildProductions]

The author from the movie 'Unforgiven', if you recognize him

[@jasonrodgers9063]

Would very much have liked to see both performances in full comparison for the duration of an episode. R.I.P. Mr. Rapaport.

[@jonathanross149]

Wow, I had no idea

[@PotentiallyAndy]

I remember hearing about this back in the day, but I didn’t realize who the original actor was. I recognize his voice from Time Bandits. Very sad

[@vidrowu]

David Rappaport was a great actor. I remember when he committed suicide but I never knew he had been filming this episode at the time. Very sad. As for the comparison, it's interesting to see the different takes the two actors had on the same character.

[@grantwatson27yearsago14]

Don't want to speak bad of the dead.. especially when he committed suicide just after this. RIP. But this was a very poor performance. You can see the difference immediately between both actors. Great episode.

[@CBfrmcardiff]

I prefer the original - up until the final bit there, where Daphne's fiance suddenly improves enormously.

[@erin_3569]

He was probably not really in the moment He had already bought the gun he used to kill himself

[@WoodysAR]

He does amazing job in Time Bandits and years of UK tv roles. His depression was sapping his creativity...

[@manonymous4737]

David Rappaport was Ftumsh in The Young Ones. “Oh look, a little girl!”

[@IHWKR]

I wonder when Rappaport said murder me, if he said it in a way that he meant those words or if those words could have been the words that led him to his own suicide. Chilling.

[@Elerad]

Interesting to see this comparison, but I do prefer Rubinek's version. There's something so much more manipulative and slimy about his take on the character.

[@lordfaladar6261]

First I heard of this, How Terrible how tragic. what must he have gone through to do that. how sad , how very sad

[@brianfox7067]

I don't think we can make any comparisons based on this performance when he was probably thinking about blowing his head off the entire time

[@OldieWan]

Always been more of a Star Wars guy, so I never knew about this. I had only seen the guy who played in Warehouse 13 play this role. Then I learned about the story of the original Fajo and it made me sad. In this day and age Star Wars fans and Star Trek fans can cry on each others shoulder now. We are all we have left now. Major Grin, you son of a bitch! *Epic Handshake*

[@PeterParker-yg6fc]

good thing they changed it

[@20rvd02]

Rubinek’s performance is so, so much better.

[@chemicalmike646]

The difference I saw was one actor who just read the lines, and one that put passion into it. It saddens me that the passion was missing from his life before he took it.

[@MegaZidzid]

it seems that skill vanishes when depression jumps into the game

[@shaun6828]

Good to finally know why I've seen both versions of this floating around... Sucks that David Rappaport went out like that. Not that Star Trek really made any effort to make aliens look alien, but greater than normal size differences in the actors of various races does help. The Ferengi and that "Lurch" like assistant of Troy's are the only ones that come to mind as standing out. Saul Rubinek being a more recognized face to me also spoils it a bit, but his facial reactions / acting are much better for the scenes shown here.

[@CheshireCat-cm1si]

Shaun They did that it subtle ways with some species (I noticed that the Klingons were usually taller than the actors playing humans), but keep in mind that the makeup budget was probably stretched thin 99% of the time (Michael's Worf makeup must have cost a fortune). And there are only so many ways that you can make humans look alien without scaring the audience.

[@shaun6828]

@@CheshireCat-cm1si Humanizing aliens probably was the best way to go, since the goal was a peaceful universe where everyone could get along and be ideal citizens. It is still unfortunate that a wider range of actors wasn't included. Mostly white washed. Mostly fit and conservative... Piercings, tattoos, weird hair, odd body shapes, etc were aliens only.

[@iamthewizardwhoknocks2845]

@@shaun6828 It was a TV show, it had to be visually appealing.

[@shaun6828]

@@iamthewizardwhoknocks2845 So extra tall basketball player height actors are not appealing? Probably just harder to find and harder to get in the shot.

[@kommissar.murphy]

Did the replacement guy also play a Norman Bates type character on Voyager?

[@starsiegeplayer]

I get very different vibes from the performances. Rappaport comes across as evil. Rubinek comes across as a self absorbed sociopath, like he's charming and enjoys putting up the facade but he ultimately doesn't care about anyone or anything except his collection and himself.

[@IHWKR]

Rubineks character is more calculated, which would classify him as a psychopath.

[@briankaler6147]

Both great performances IMO, very unique but still so much impact.

[@ALoonwolf]

Another difference is in the choice of words. It seems Rubinek changed the word "anger" to "RAGE". Anger is just a feeling, but rage is out of control, and better captures the meaning of what he was talking about; being pushed by feelings to do things you normally wouldn't do.

[@johnfoggjr2458]

I was confused by this account. It was actually David Stephen Rappapott who commuted suicide, after filming two days in the role of Fajo.

[@MichaelELambert]

I understand completely now. The first scene is with Michael Rappaport, who, after the shoot, killed himself over the weekend. They had to re-shoot the scene with Sal Rubinek to complete the shot.

[@Meatisfood]

David Rappaport

[@kblskables2877]

We all just glass over a robot making a decision to kill on its own...roll credits and never bring up that terrifying fact...

[@reactions5783]

When they first said the name, I was thinking they meant 'Michael Rapaport' ... Doh!