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IIRC Andorian space is right next door to Vulcan space. Why don't the Andorians show up more often in Star Trek (vs. Vulcans, Klingons, Romulans, and later Cardassians)?

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I seem to recall the Andorians being particularly xenophobic, but I can't find supporting documentation on Memory Alpha at this moment. – Iszi Nov 21 '12 at 15:20
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Out of universe, Andorian make up is much more complicated than vulcan, romulan, klingon or even Ferengi makeup. Painting an actor's whole head and hands bright blue takes time and constant touch ups during production. That's a serious damper on the budget and shooting schedule. – SteveED Nov 21 '12 at 16:13
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I'm likely voting as Not Constructive because, well, they just don't. It's one species in the Federation, and there's hundreds more species in the Star Trek continuity that nearly this same question could be asked about... – Izkata Nov 21 '12 at 21:11
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Actually, thinking about it a bit more, I think there may be some confusion as to the political relationships of the species/governments specifically mentioned in the question... (And no, I didn't actually VTC yet..) @zipquincy, could you clarify a bit why you're mentioning those species in particular? – Izkata Nov 21 '12 at 21:30
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I wonder why this question is still open... – Sachin Shekhar Feb 28 at 3:57
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1 Answer

up vote 10 down vote accepted

Putting the list of appearances from Memory Alpha in (out of universe) chronological order:

  • TOS: (4)
  • TAS: (2)
  • TOS films: (2)
  • TNG: (2)
  • ENT: (16)

From this list it becomes obvious that until ENT, they were rarely seen at all!

Apparently, for a long time they were more like 'token blue aliens' for fun and giggles rather than even a semi-important race with a solid background such as the Vulcans or Klingons. ENT and the excellent role of commander Shran definitely brought them more to the foreground, but there haven't been all that many opportunities to show more Andorians since then.

Notice that they were completely absent from DS9 and Voyager. It is easy to explain their absence in Voyager: there are no Andorians in the Delta Quadrant. As for DS9, I speculate we didn't see any Andorians there because the station already had Bolians as frequent extras and to a lesser degree, Benzites; they were frequently seen in Quark's and on the promenade. These races are also 'token blue aliens', so adding even more blueskins would be unnecessary and possibly confusing for the viewers.

In future movies or tv series, if the setting (time and place) allows it, maybe the increased visibility of Andorians will continue. If so, you have commander Shran/Jeffrey Combs to thank for it.

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I don't mind the blue skin but the antennae look so silly! – zipquincy Nov 21 '12 at 17:47
Sillier than Ferengi ears? – Junuxx Nov 21 '12 at 18:00
actually yes. Simply because -- vertebrates don't have antennae. Horns sure, but not antennae – zipquincy Nov 21 '12 at 18:23
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That's an interesting point, though I don't see why it couldn't be different on another planet. And maybe they aren't strictly what a zoologist would call antennae , maybe they're more like ossicones or something like that. – Junuxx Nov 22 '12 at 8:56

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