Mastermind: Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer, CRI Host

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz a Beijing personality on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist.

Contestant: Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer , CRI host

Specialist Subject: Star Trek

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Who won the first-ever international cricket match?
I’m an American, first of all! Pakistan? I’ll go with Britain. X

How many letters are in the Russian alphabet?
It’s either 28 or 24, and I think it’s 28. X

Which language does the word “cherub” come from?
Latin. No. “Cherub” is Greek, isn’t it? X

In Greek mythology, who hit Achilles in his heel with a poisoned arrow?
Achilles ... arrow ... god! It’s the guy – he was in Troy, and it’s not Brad Pitt. Paris. I’ll say Paris but it’s not right, it’s the other one. √

What is the capital of Barbados?
You know, I’ve actually been there. I have literally actually been there and I can’t remember. Portsmouth? No. Not Portsmouth. I know this – I’ve read a book about Barbados, too. Portsmouth, but it’s wrong. X

SPECIALIST SUBJECT

The first interracial kiss on American TV was between which two Star Trek characters?
James T. Kirk and Uhura. That’s actually one I know. √

What is Scotty’s first name?
Montgomery. √

Who was originally offered the role of Spock?
Before Leonard Nimoy? I actually don’t know. It wasn’t somebody else in the show was it? I’ll guess DeForest Kelley because that would make sense to some extent. X

What kind of pet dog does Captain Archer have on Star Trek: Enterprise?
A beagle. No, the little dog. That’s a beagle, right? Yeah, it was a beagle. I think. I can see the dog, I’m just not very good at dogs. √

Where was Captain Kirk born?
Iowa. I don’t know what city in Iowa, but I know it’s Iowa. It’s not Des Moines, I don’t think it’s one of the major cities. I’ll say Des Moines, Iowa. X

FINAL SCORE: 4/10

Answers: 1) Canada 2) 33 3) Hebrew 4) Paris 5) Bridgetown 6) Kirk and Uhura 7) Montgomery 8) Martin Landau 9) beagle 10) Riverside, Iowa

VERDICT: While Brandon’s general knowledge let him down, there’s no disputing he knows his Star Trek. His performance would have made any Trekkie proud, and brings him up to a respectable total.

Click here to see the Beijinger August issue in full.

Photo: Paul Ryding