Jonathan Frakes

Jonathan Scott Frakes (simply known as 'Frakes') is the resident 'Fact Checker' and recurring character in The Waldoverse.

Background:

Frakes, best known in the real world for his role as William T. Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation and as the host of the anthology series *Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction*, was imported into the Waldoverse by "The Editor" around 2022. His primary role is to declare whether various claims made within this peculiar realm are "Fact or Fiction." This unique assignment has made Frakes a recurring figure in Widdlington, a town known for its oddities and frequent crises.

Physical Description:

Despite being in his early 70s, Jonathan Frakes appears as he did around the year 2000 during his time on Beyond Belief. He retains the youthful look of a man in his late 40s to early 50s and is always dressed in the black suit he wore on the show. Recently, however, he has battled with morbid obesity, a condition exacerbated by his addiction to Kaz Miller’s "Chemical Burgers." While he manages to keep his weight somewhat in check thanks to regular magical interventions from Dr. Larry Fraser, a local witch doctor, Frakes’ refusal to exercise or cut down on his burger intake means he occasionally relapses into gross obesity when he misses his treatments.

Personality:

Frakes in the Waldoverse is a far cry from the authoritative figure seen on television. He is lazy, apathetic, and somewhat feckless. Rather than engage in the frequent struggles that plague Widdlington, Frakes prefers to sit back and observe from the sidelines. His days are mostly spent lounging around the Masters Council campus, typically near Kaz Miller’s burger van, Pax Hamburgana, where he consumes an unholy amount of Chemical Burgers while reading Playpen magazine. His lethargy and indifference to the chaos around him make him a largely passive figure in the community. Like Kaz, Frakes is also a bit of a womanizer, and the two often spend their evenings at The Sasshole, a gentleman's club in Wallywood.

Frakes is known for his corrupt tendencies, particularly in his fact-checking role. He is willing to declare almost any claim as "fact" or "fiction" in exchange for a bribe. This dishonesty has made him a controversial figure, especially when his false validations have been used to support outlandish or harmful claims. Although he generally avoids conflict, his controversial judgments have earned him some enemies, so he carries a working Type 2 2371 Phaser for self-defense.

Notable Relationships:

• Kazuhira McDonell Benedict Miller: Kaz Miller is Frakes' main supplier and enabler. Frakes spends most of his days indulging in Kaz's famous Chemical Burgers, even when his health takes a nosedive. Despite the health risks, Kaz never cuts him off and will even bring him burgers while he's in the hospital following a heart attack.
• Waldo and Master Devlin: Frakes has a strained relationship with Master Devlin, a powerful figure in Widdlington. In the early days, Waldo would pay Frakes under the table to confirm his wild and often baseless claims as fact. This practice angered Devlin, who despises being contradicted, especially when the claims are blatantly false. Despite the tension, Frakes continues to navigate the delicate balance between truth and fiction, usually motivated by his own self-interest.

The Editors and their Battle Over Frakes' Obesity:

One of the more intriguing dynamics in Frakes' story is the behind-the-scenes power struggle between the Editor and the elusive Co-Editor. While "Ed" introduced Frakes’ love for Chemical Burgers with no apparent consequences, "Co-Ed" began imposing the reality of obesity on Frakes. To counter this, "Ed" invented the magical treatments from Dr. Larry Fraser, the local witch doctor, allowing Frakes to manage his weight despite his unhealthy habits. The fluctuations in Frakes’ weight are a direct result of this ongoing tug-of-war, reflecting the differing whims of the writers in control at any given time.