When the Romulans made their comeback in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” fans noticed a distinct change in their appearance compared to the original series. Despite being an offshoot of the Vulcan species, the Romulans’ evolution on a different planet over the centuries led to their distinct look. The challenge was to differentiate them from their Vulcan relatives without overly altering their recognizable features, as Michael Westmore, head of the makeup department, elaborated:
“Visibility was key for the Romulans; they needed to come across as credible adversaries rather than one-dimensional villains. The difficulty was that physically, Vulcans and Romulans were quite alike with similar skin tones, hairstyles, pointed ears, and upward-angled eyebrows. Even clothing did little to underscore their differences. So the question stood—how could we highlight the distinctions between these two cultures?”
To solve this, Westmore introduced a signature forehead design for the Romulans:
“I crafted a unique forehead style with a central dip and indented temples, aiming for subtlety over a brutish look. It gave them a constant ‘angry eyes’ expression they couldn’t shake off.”
The result was effective. While there is no formal explanation for the Romulans’ evolved foreheads in-universe, some discrepancies in species appearances have been justified eventually, as with the Klingons’ altered looks being attributed to genetic experiments by an ancestor of Lieutenant Commander Data.
FAQ Section
Q: Why do Romulans look different in The Next Generation compared to the Original Series?
A: Michael Westmore, responsible for the makeup, wanted to ensure the Romulans were taken seriously and not just as cliché villains. He achieved this by creating a distinctive forehead design that was subtle but conveyed a permanently sullen expression differentiating them from Vulcans.
Q: Is there an in-universe explanation for the change in the Romulans’ appearance?
A: No official in-universe explanation has been provided for the change in the Romulans’ appearance as there has been for the Klingons. The change is typically accepted by fans without question.
Conclusion
The revamped look of the Romulans in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” illustrates the creativity and thought put into developing a species that could maintain its heritage while also signaling its divergence from Vulcan culture. Michael Westmore’s ingenious makeup design remains a testament to subtle yet impactful character development within the “Star Trek” universe. While not every species’ transformation has been explained within the lore, the dedication to creating compelling alien appearances has undeniably enriched the franchise.