Consider Jazminder Parikh, One of My Original Characters
Who is Jazminder Parikh?
Like in the original Star Trek series, the top three characters are the captain, the first officer, and the chief medical officer.
In short, Marnie, Trixie, and Jazzie.
I see actress Aarti Mann as Jazminder Parikh.
Where Did Jazminder Parikh Come From?
It was not until Star Trek Discovery that I actually saw anyone from the Indian subcontinent anywhere in the franchise. And that is just ridiculous!
I mean, India is the second-most populous country in the world. And it has been for years. There are a good four times as many people there as there are in the United States.
So, why weren’t any of them seeing the stars?
Therefore, I took the old idea to heart. If you don’t see someone in fictional media, then write them yourself.
Of course, this is not my personal experience. But I still wanted this character to get on screen.
The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Jazminder Parikh
Jazzie is from a wealthy family in Hyderabad. But she attended school in Leeds, England. Hence, her accent is a lot more posh British with a mix of Indian.
Also, she does not join the crew of the Valentina Tereshkova until later. At the time of The Enigman Cave, she’s already been ensconced for years. But she doesn’t come out of the same school as Marnie and Trixie.
As for family, the only person she ever mentions is her father. This leads to the conclusion that her mother is likely to be dead.
Description
A bit short, and with very long, dark, straight brown hair, Jaz is younger than Trixie and Marnie. Since Marnie is 53 when the book starts, Jazzie is what, … forty? Maybe. I confess I never gave her an actual birth year. Oops.
She is also a bit of an alcoholic. While she, Marnie, and Trixie get drunk in the first chapter, that’s not the only time for Jazzie. In fact, she even drinks to the point of passing out. As a doctor, of course she should know better.
But it’s also the future, so she has plenty of ways to cure a hangover.
Purpose/Theme/Motivation
Much like for the rest of the Val‘s crew, Jazzie’s main motivation is to explore space and find multicellular life. And, at the same time, assure that everyone stays healthy. Once the crew discover the Enigmans, her purpose shifts, as does everyone else’s.
Now, her motivation is to protect the Enigmans at all costs. Jazzie even goes so far as to perform an emergency c-section and even an autopsy. She ends up invested in their fate.
Quotes
Jaz drained the dregs in the bottle. “Superb. Can I tell you something? I would tell Ginny but she’s not here. Pity, that.” She was starting to slur.
“Just how much wine have you had, Jaz?”
“There may have been an earlier bottle. But I am not going to tell you that.”
Marnie had to smile at that. “Your statement, Doctor?”
“My, oh my but we are formal! As I was saying, you are the best damned boss I have ever had.”
“I am?”
“Absolutely. The other captains? They are all a bunch of sticks-in-the-mud, so far as I am concerned. And they may very well be playing along with that awful Carter. But you! Look at you! You’re strong and capable and I won’t say anything about your dodgy knee, and your preference for much younger veterinarians and your poor dye job.”
Marnie held a lock of her hair for a second. “Gwen did this, not me. How much of that other bottle did you have?”
“Oh hush, you.”
“C’mon, Jaz, you shouldn’t be drinking this much.”
“I am off shift, and am perfectly capable, young lady. Now, as I was saying,” Jaz slurred more, “You are an incomparable supervisor.” She clumsily hugged Marnie and patted her hair a few times.
“Jazzie, are you hitting on me?”
“No, you stupid cow!”
“What?” Marnie started laughing. “If you call me any more nasty names, I’ll stop believing you think I’m the greatest boss of all time.”
“No, no, you are the best damned boss I ever had. Now pay attention!” Jaz swayed and dropped to the floor.
Relationships
The only romantic relationship I have for her is with Ginny Carey. But when the book starts, she reveals they have broken up.
With over a thousand people on the Val, Jaz could conceivably find someone else if she wanted to. But I don’t have her do that. By the end of the book, Marnie is trying to get the two women to reconcile.
I like to think that they do.
Conflict and Turning Point
Much like with just about everyone else on the Val, her turning point comes when Carter emerges as a serious threat. This directly affects Jaz, as she loses contact with her father and fears the worst.
Continuity/Easter Eggs
There really are no continuities or Easter eggs with her. What you see, is what you get. She isn’t intended to be related to another Indian character of mine, Akanksha Kondapalli, from the first Obolonk trilogy.
Future Plans
She was not really a part of the planned prequel until pretty close to its end. Otherwise, I do not have plans for her.
Jazminder Parikh: Takeaways
There may have been some missed opportunities with this character. And I may end up rectifying them in editing and rewrites. She’s smart and capable, a lot more than a stethoscope, a bottle, or a failed relationship.
Jazminder Parikh — this posh doctor brooks no nonsense.
Want More of Jazminder Parikh and the Rest of The Enigman Cave?
If The Enigman Cave resonates with you, then please be sure to check out my other articles about how our society handles first contact with a species that may be as primitive as Australopithecus.
Character Reviews: The Enigman Cave
† Marnie Shapiro
• Trixie LaRue
† Jazminder Parikh, MD
• Lex Feldman
† Benjamin Chase
The Enigman Cave Universe
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