The Selay were a carnivorous humanoid reptilian species native to the planet Selay. The Selay were long-standing enemies with a neighboring species, the Anticans.
Physiology[]
The Selay were tall, with broad shoulders. They had reptilian heads with sleek, scaled skin, lacking lips and giving their mouths a menacing appearance. Their heads bore cobra-like markings, and they had folds of skin around their necks, which appeared similar to a cobra's hood. Their small eyes added to their intimidating look. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")
The color of their scales varied, and included green and pink. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us"; DIS: "Jinaal")
History[]
Since achieving spaceflight, Selay had been at war with the neighboring planet Antica. Prior to stardate 41249, Starfleet had detected Ferengi contacts on this planet. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")
Contact between the Selay and the Antican led to intense rivalry, eventually escalating into a prolonged conflict. Over the centuries, this animosity deepened, resulting in numerous wars between the two species. These wars were marked by fierce battles and significant losses on both sides, with each species vying for dominance in their shared region of space. The conflict became a defining aspect of their history, shaping their societies and fueling their mutual distrust. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")
First contact with the Federation took place before 2327, when there was a Selay present on Starbase Earhart. (TNG: "Tapestry")
Ssestar, leader of the Selay delegation in 2364
In 2364, the Selay and the Anticans both applied for Federation membership, and as part of the process the USS Enterprise-D carried a Selay delegation to Parliament to resolve their conflict with the Anticans. Tensions were high when Selay delegate Ssestar demanded to be housed away from the Anticans. The situation was further complicated by a series of strange phenomena, including system malfunctions and a disruptive energy cloud containing a non-corporeal lifeform that inhabited various crew members, including Captain Picard. During this crisis, a confrontation occurred between Miles O'Brien and the Selay and Antican delegates, over the ship's altered course. The crew managed to address the lifeform issue, but Security Chief Natasha Yar later reported that one Selay delegate was missing, and the Anticans had requested the chef to broil reptile. Captain Picard left these matters for William T. Riker to handle while the Enterprise continued its course to Parliament. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")
A representative of the Selay attended the biennial Trade Agreements Conference held on Betazed in 2366. (TNG: "Ménage à Troi")
A Selay delegate was present at the Starfleet Headquarters in 3191. (DIS: "Red Directive", "Jinaal") Later that year, that delegate was a guest at the wedding of President T'Rina and Ambassador Saru. (DIS: "Life, Itself")
Government[]
Selay society is structured around a central governing body. This effective governance, coupled with their technological advancements, made them candidates for Federation membership. Despite their historically aggressive nature, the Selay are actively working to embrace diplomacy and cooperation, reflecting a significant shift in their approach to interstellar relations as they seek to join the Federation.(TNG: "Lonely Among Us")
They had diplomatic relations with the Federation in 3191. (DIS: "Red Directive", "Jinaal")
People[]
Appendices[]
Appearances[]
- TNG:
- DIS:
- "Red Directive"
- "Jinaal"
- "Life, Itself"
Background information[]
Probert concept art
According to the script, the "Selay are tall and two axhandles across the shoulders. Their reptilian heads are sinister – sleek scaled skin, lipless mouths, and beady eyes. The markings on their heads are cobra-like, and folds of skin at the neck imply a cobra hood."
The Selay species was designed for Star Trek: The Next Generation by Concept Artist Andrew Probert. As such, it was one of only three alien facial designs that were conceived by Probert prior to Makeup Supervisor Michael Westmore joining the production crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the others being the Anticans and the Ferengi.
Actors in Selay costuming
Although Gene Roddenberry decided (at about the start of the series) that all aliens shown on TNG were to be depicted without burying the actors under deep rubber or covering their mouths, the Selay makeup – involving a pull-over mask – broke this rule of thumb (in common with the makeup for the Anticans and Armus). (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 2, Issue 12, p. 26) A full latex Selay mask was put up for auction in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. [1](X)
The Selay return in Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, redesigned by Glenn Hetrick and Alchemy Studios. (Star Trek: The Art of Glenn Hetrick's Alchemy Studios, p. 168)
In a Star Trek: Discovery Log released on Instagram before the release of DIS: "Kobayashi Maru", Cleveland Booker mentions a visit by the USS Discovery to the "Selayans", who mistake Grudge for an offering. This may have been intended as a reference to the Selay. The Selay have previously been called Selayans in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual, the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion and the Star Trek: Titan novels.
External link[]
- Selay at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works