About This Quiz
Star Trek and Star Wars draw endless comparisons because, obviously, they're both major media franchises set in space and featuring scores of unique characters. Both franchises have their devoted fans who engage in some mostly good-natured arguments over which is better.Â
And the cultural impact of both fictional universes is undeniably huge. Most people, even the ones who aren't full-blown sci-fi nerds, can name some Star Trek or Star Wars characters. They know Darth Vader is Luke's father — spoiler alert! They might quip "Beam me up, Scotty." And many will trek to the movie theaters to catch one of the new installments in the Star Trek or Star Wars franchises because hey, epic space battles and cool aliens!
People could tirelessly debate the merits of each series because they are quite different. Gene Roddenberry developed Star Trek in 1966 to depict people of our galaxy, hundreds of years in the future, exploring the "final frontier" of space. Star Wars, which came out in 1977, was a fairy tale set in a galaxy far, far away featuring knights, mystical wizards and princesses.
Both speak to people for different reasons. Both have captivated audiences for decades. See how well you can identify the characters of each franchise, and decide once and for all whether you're Team Spock or Team Jedi!Â
A female of the same species as Yoda, Yaddle serves on the Jedi High Council and appears in "The Phantom Menace." The sagacious Jedi is short with auburn hair, but don't discount her powers!
A human of Native American heritage, Chakotay had a strained relationship with his father when he left his tribe to join Starfleet. Later, Chakotay gets a face tattoo to honor his late dad.
An alien of unknown species, Maz Kanata is an influential pirate and friend of smugglers everywhere. She is responsible for finding Luke Skywalker's lightsaber and passing it on to Rey.
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As portrayed by Rene Auberjonois, Odo is a Changeling, a shapeshifting alien race. He regains his ability to change form after he rescues and tries to train an infant Changeling.
CC-2224, or Commander Cody, served under General Kenobi in the Clone Wars and appeared to be a loyal friend. Well, looks can be deceiving! Cody tried to carry out Order 66 and execute Kenobi.
The blue, elephant-like alien from Orto formed the Max Rebo Band and was a particular favorite of Jabba the Hutt's. The band plays in Jabba's palace and on his sail barge in "Return of the Jedi."
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In "The Empire Strikes Back," General Rieekan leads the Rebellion at the secret base on the icy world of Hoth. His homeworld is Alderaan, Leia's home planet that was destroyed in "A New Hope."
Icheb is one of the Borg children who later found a home on the "Voyager." Very intelligent, if not completely familiar with human emotions, Icheb hopes to join Starfleet Academy.
The Empire forces this brilliant scientist to help design the Death Star weapon. However, Erso includes a flaw in the design, which the Rebels, including his daughter Jyn, can exploit.
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Joann Owosekun, or "Owo," is a Starfleet officer on "Star Trek: Discovery," played by Oyin Oladejo. She had an unusual upbringing at a Luddite collective, whose members shun modern technology.
As a Nautolan, Kit Fisto has large black, buggy eyes and several tentacles sprouting from his head. He is one of the Jedi who attempts to arrest Palpatine â — and is killed for his efforts.
Lon Suder appeared on "Star Trek: Voyager" as part of the U.S.S. "Voyager." His character struggled with uncontrollable violence, which must have troubled his crewmates considerably.
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Darth Vader's not the only one who relies on a special suit to survive. Saw Gerrera becomes Jyn Erso's guardian in "Rogue One" after her mother is killed and her father is conscripted by the Empire.
In "Attack of the Clones," Elan Sel'Sabagno approaches Obi-Wan Kenobi in a seedy club and offers him death sticks. Kenobi uses a Jedi mind trick to prod the Balosar youth to rethink his life.
Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson portrays General Hux, a cold, fanatical leader of the First Order. So it's particularly amusing when Poe Dameron "crank calls" him in "The Last Jedi."
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Portrayed by Donnie Yen in "Rogue One," Chirrut ÃŽmwe believes in the power of the Force even if he's not a Jedi. His sacrifice on Scarif allows the Rebels to transmit the Death Star plans.
As played by Michelle Forbes on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," Ro Laren is a Bajoran who reluctantly joins the "Enterprise." Jean-Luc Picard is just as reluctant to accept her, given her past.
Star Wars fans can't forget Lobot, Lando's assistant on Bespin who has cybernetic implants wrapped around the back of his bald head. He never speaks a word in "The Empire Strikes Back."
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On Corellia, Lady Proxima runs a criminal organization that employs street kids like Han and Qi'ra. Something of a cross between a snake and a worm, Proxima's not an alien to mess with!
Ray Walston played Boothby, the wise groundskeeper who counseled many cadets at the Starfleet Academy. Jean-Luc Picard, in particular, found Boothby's advice and support of immeasurable value.
One of Biggs Darklighter's scenes was restored in the Special Edition of "A New Hope": his reunion with Luke just before the attack on the Death Star. Sadly, Biggs does not survive the battle.
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Portrayed by both Megan Cole and Adrienne Barbeau, Kimara Cretak was a member of the Romulan Senate. She was happy when the Romulans allied with the Federation and the Klingons.
Half-human and half-Klingon, K'Ehleyr struggled with her dual heritage. She felt that her Klingon side should be kept in check, even if it afforded her strength. She died in Worf's arms.
A female Klingon officer, Lursa schemed to make the House of Duras the top house in the Klingon hierarchy. Her plots and schemes came to an end, however, when her Bird-of-Prey was blown up.
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Natalia Nogulich played the human character Alynna Nechayev, a fleet admiral for Starfleet. She often clashes with Jean-Luc Picard, the captain who reports to her. Can't they just get along?
Logray is the tall, striped Ewok shaman who commands the other Ewoks to sacrifice Han and Luke to C-3PO, whom they see as a deity. He comes around, though, and declares the Rebels part of the tribe.
A Denobulan, Dr. Phlox serves as the chief medical officer for the "Enterprise." A man of many secret talents, he can, for instance, blow up his head like a blowfish to ward off enemies.
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Lieutenant J.G. Saavik is supposedly half-Vulcan and half-Romulan. Kirstie Alley first played the Starfleet officer in "The Wrath of Khan," and Robin Curtis assumed the role for the sequels.
In "Star Trek: Enterprise," Jeffrey Combs played Thy'lek Shran, a commander of the Andorian Imperial Guard. As an Andorian, he's essentially the opposite of a Vulcan: hot-headed and impulsive.
A Vulcan ambassador, Soval lends his aid to Starfleet Command. He has the hidden ability to form mind-melds with others and forms one with a human, a first in Vulcan history!
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Roxann Dawson played the half-human, half-Klingon character on "Star Trek: Voyager." According to the actress, her Vulcan makeup was initially more intense and uncomfortable to wear.
In "Rogue One," Krennic is the Imperial director responsible for building the Death Star. In an ironic twist, he is one of the first victims of the Death Star's destructive blast.
A leader of the Ferengi Alliance, Zek has large wrinkled ears, which grant him heightened sensitivity to sound. Shawn found the extensive makeup challenging but also liberating.
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Half monkey and half lizard, Salacious Crumb serves as a sort of pet and court jester in Jabba the Hutt's palace. The Kowakian creature has a hair-raising cackle. R2-D2 rescues C-3PO from Crumb.
A major character in "The Next Generation" T.V. series and movies, La Forge is the chief engineer on the "Enterprise." LeVar Burton's best man and groomsmen were his Trekkie costars.
In a three-part story of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Li Nalas is rescued from a labor camp and hailed as a Bajoran war hero. As he reveals to Sisko, his "heroism" is not as clear-cut as it seems.
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J. G. Hertzler played the Klingon leader who rises up the ranks to become a chancellor. Hertzler earlier appeared in the pilot of "Deep Space Nine" as an ill-fated Vulcan captain.
In the Mos Eisley cantina, Ponda Baba lets Luke Skywalker know that he doesn't like his face. After a brief skirmish, the Aqualish loses an arm and perhaps learns not to mess with Jedi.
With bright orange eyes and tentacles coming from his head, this Twi'lek is just one of the frightening faces greeting visitors to Jabba's palace on Tatooine. He appears in "Return of the Jedi."
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In "Solo: A Star Wars Story," Tobias Beckett forms an uneasy alliance with the young Han. He ended up teaching Han an important lesson: "Assume everyone will betray you." This includes Tobias.