Get your own Free Home Page
Get your own Free Home Page
LaForge Geordi (LeVar Burton)
Chief Engineer aboard the Starship Enterprise-D. Born blind in 2335 because
of a birth defect, LaForge wore a remarkable device called a visor that permitted
him to see with greater clarity than other humans could. Geordi LaForge came
from a family of Starfleet officers. His mother, Silva LaForge, was a command
officer, captain of the U.S.S. Hera at the time of her death in 2370 ("Interface"
TNG), and his father was an exobiologist. Geordi recalled that, even though
they moved around a great deal, he considered his childhood a great adventure
("Imaginary Friend" TNG). LaForge did not receive his visor till his 5th
birthday ("Hero Worship" TNG). Geordi was caught in a fire when he was five
years old. He was rescued by his parents and was not injured. Geordi recalled
how for a time after the incident it was extremely important to him to know
where his parents were at all times ("Hero Worship" TNG). Geordi had a pet
Circassian cat when he was eight ("Violations" TNG). Possibly because his
parents traveled so much when he was a child, Geordi had something of a knack
for languages. One such language was Hahilian (Aquiel" TNG).
Geordi LaForge graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2357 ("The Next Phase"
TNG). One of LaForge's first assignments was a shuttle pilot for the Jovian
run between Jupiter and Saturn ("Chain of Command Part II" TNG). LaForge
first met Captain Picard when LaForge piloted Picard's shuttle on an inspection
tour. During the tour, Picard made an offhand remark about a minor inefficiency
in the shuttles engines, and LaForge subsequently stayed up all night
to repair the problem. Picard was so impressed with the incident that he
requested LaForge to be assigned to the Enterprise-D in 2364 ("The Next Phase"
TNG). LaForge later served as an ensign on the U.S.S. Victory under the command
of Captain Zimbata ("Elementary, Dear Data" TNG). One of Geordi's closest
friends on that ship was Lieutenant Susanna Leijten. In 2362, both LaForge
and Leijten participated in an away mission to planet Tarchannen III. It
was later realized that all members of the away team were infected by an
alien DNA strand that would , if unchecked, compel them to return to Tarchannen
III, where they would be transformed into a native Tarchannen life form.
LaForge was saved from the transformation in 2367 by Leijten's actions and
medical intervention by the Enterprise-D CMO Crusher ("Identity Crisis"
TNG).
LaForge transferred to the Enterprise-D as flight controller(conn) in 2364
("Encounter at Farpoint" TNG). Geordi was promoted to full lieutenant and
assigned as U.S.S. Enterprise-D chief engineer the following year, just prior
to stardate 42073.1 ("The Child" TNG). Although brilliantly proficient as
a starship engineer, LaForge had difficulty building relationships with women.
Perhaps as a result, Geordi developed an attachment to a holographic
representation to Enterprise-D designer Leah Brahams ("Booby Trap" TNG).
The real Dr. Brahams was outraged to learn of this situation, noting that
creating such a replica of her without her permission was an invasion of
privacy. Brahams did eventually become friends with LaForge, although Geordi
was disappointed to learn that Leah was already married ("Galaxy's Child"
TNG).
The Name of Geordi's mother was listed as Alvera K. LaForge on Geordi's
death certificate as seen in "The Next Phase" (TNG), but was established
as Silva LaForge in the "Interface" (TNG). His father (played by Ben Vereen)
was seen in that episode, but no first name was established for him. Geordi
LaForge, whose first appearance was in "Encounter at Farpoint" (TNG), was
named in memory of the late, handicapped Star Trek fan George LaForge.
Back to RugrRdhwk's Star Trek Page
