The Dorvleks are coming!
Hit TV show reflects popular unease over rise in Dorvish influence, says sociologist
The Dorvleks
A new Trigunian, alternate reality, science fiction television drama series called Professor What and the Dorvleks has become a massive hit in Trigunia, and is fast becoming popular all over Terra, with television stations queuing up to buy the rights to broadcast the show.
Professor What being captured by the Dorvleks in episode 2
The show is written and produced by the staunchly nationalist Trigunian film director, Nikita Pasternak, and is about the adventures of a Trigunian genius called Professor What, who works with Trigunia's Tsar Nikolay and other companions to foil the efforts of the Dorvleks to conquer the universe and subject the whole of Terra to slavery.
Dorvrosh
In the show, the Dorvish people have been transformed into a race of militaristic robots called Dorvleks, by the mad scientist Dorvrosh, who is half human and half Dorvlek. However, by the end of the third episode, Dorvrosh's creations have turned against him and overthrown him, replacing him as leader with former Dorvish President Hendrietta Schroeder, who appears as the Supreme Dorvlek.
Hendrietta Schroeder as the Supreme Dorvlek
The Dorvleks have not so far succeeded in conquering the universe, as the Trigunian heroes, led by Professor What and Tsar Nikolay, always succeed in outwitting them at the end of each episode. Several times the Dorvleks have seemed very close to becoming invincible, but have always ended up being held back by limiting factors such as their inability to climb up stairs and the lack of dexterity in their robotic limbs, which makes it difficult to perform tasks such as operating equipment or using computers.
Pasternak's show has attracted controversy because it uncompromisingly presents all of the Trigunian characters as brave and heroic, whereas characters from other nationalities are almost universally presented in a more negative way. In fact, Trigunians are the only ones presented as humans, with all of the other races and nationalities depicted as alien monsters.
Alorian Prime Minister Daniel Leitzke
The Solentians, who Professor What rescued from extermination in episode 5
Davostag''s Lord Medivh Evil, an enemy so terrible Professor What had to temporarily team up with the Dorvleks in order to defeat him
The Indralans, depicted as a race of power-hungry plant monsters
The Narikatonites, who sometimes join forces with Dorvleks but usually end up feuding with them eventually
The Istalians, often portrayed as cowardly and unreliable
King Kezkai II of Vanuku, cast as a foolish buffoon who is jealous of Tsar Nikolay's dignity and intelligence
The Kirlawans, presented as giant radioactive fanged flesh-eating maggots
The Baltusians
Dundorf's President Maria Sophie Truberschatz
Hutori's Prime Minister Christine Bates (left) and Defence Minister Alexa Dotson (right) learning they are about to be exterminated by the Dorvleks
Malivia's President Julian Ferdinand being cared for by a Trigunian aid worker after being rescued from the Dorvleks by Professor What
The Barmenian Ambassador
Lidochka Popov, one of Trigunia's most renowned sociologists, has commented:
Deep down, I think what this show reflects is the increasing sense of insecurity Trigunians feel about their status in the world. They're used to feeling like they're amongst the top dogs, but now, with the problems over the last 10 years or so, they're getting a feeling they are lagging behind. This is why an escapist show like Professor What is suddenly so popular, because its given them a reassuring image of the world where the Trigunians are all brave and noble people in contrast to the rest of humanity.
The Dorvleks are fascinating. I think they reflect a growing sense, both in Trigunia and elsewhere, that Dorvik is on the rise again as a world power, both economically and politically. There is some degree of anxiety about that, and the Dorvlek, when you look at it, represents Terra's very worst, most paranoid fear of what a revival of Dorvish power might mean.