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WilcoCadet
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Profession and/or purpose:
  • Sanitation Engineer
  • Janitor
  • Sanitation Specialist
  • Maintenance Specialist
  • Maintenance Engineer
  • Custodian
  • Garbageman
  • Former Garbage Scow Captain
  • Former/Future Assistant Manager of Monolith Burger, Galaxy Galleria
  • Former Head Janitor and Sanitation Engineer of XOS4
  • Former Head Janitor and Chief Sanitation Engineer of Arcada
Games seen or mentioned in:

All of them.

Locations seen or mentioned in:

All of them.

Voice Actor(s):
This article refers to Roger Wilco, star of the Space Quest series. Information on Roger Wilco Jr. can be found here. His father can be found at Roger Wilco Sr., his Grandfather Roger Wilco, and his distant ancestors Grandma and Grandpa Roger Wilco (x-number of times removed) and Roger Wilco (female).

Roger Wilco is descended from a long line of Roger Wilcos before him, each of them were Maintenance Specialists. His father was a Roger Wilco, so was his grandfather.

"To seek out new life and new civilizations... To boldly go where no man has gone before.."

A wonderful sentiment, isn't it? Ships full of people searching the cosmos, expanding their knowledge into yet uncharted regions of many galaxies, and looking for new lifeforms? Boldly exploring what can be, but has not yet been?

But what happens when the toilet backs up?

The answer is found in the human[1], Roger Wilco, strange hero from Xenon, who's come to save our toilets from total destruction! If his boss is watching, at least.

Background[]

Roger Wilco's career has gone from the depths of the trash compactor to the heights of glory. From humble beginnings as a janitor (junior grade) aboard the research vessel Arcada, Roger has gone on to become one of the most admired figures in the galaxy through his exploits in the Space Quest series. He could be considered the ultimate overachiever, having exceeded any reasonable expectations of his abilities. On the other hand, he might only be the luckiest sucker ever to draw breath.[2]

The brave janitor, Roger Wilco, hails from planet Xenon. Unlike most janitors who are, to the most extent, satisfied with their jobs, our particular janitor aspires to be a real space hero. Most often he bumbles into nasty situations, but his superb wit and daring courage will always see him through...to the detriment of space villains![3]

In all, Roger is a scrappy character and a good guy to know... If only for his advice on getting out Gargleblaster stains.

General Information[]

Roger Wilco was originally born in test-tube 696 (he is a Libra, having been 'born' between September 23 and October 22 on the old Earth/Terra III calendar[4]), his parents had dispensed with all the inconvenient aspects of childbirth.[5] He apparently has a brother.[6]

Roger Wilco was considered a wiz on a kazoo during preschool.[7] Roger Wilco as a kid at least had a pet kitten and a dog. He used to buzz the family dog with a Kamen Kruiser when he was a child.[8] He knew from the age of five that he wanted to be a janitor, and help clean up the universe.[9] As he grew into boyhood he was given the nickname Tangle Toes, it was one of the more kinder nicknames he received.[10] Roger Wilco gave up licking wires as a cheap thrill when he was six.[11] He used to play the ancient Stratego board game as a kid[12], he'd play cards with his grandfather, on the bridge of his space freightor[13], as well as playing with dolls. His favorite childhood doll was spider droid action figures. He spent thousands of hours fantasizing snuffing Spittle Slimes. He also had experience with Nukem Dukem robots[14] and played in them for fun. He spent years playing other innocent droid games. He also had typical fears of the Monster in the Socket. He used to scream into the outlet. He also spent many hours of his youth playing Blazing Paddles. He also used to keep Space Monkeys in a bowl as pets when he was a kid.[15]

When Roger Wilco was a young boy on Xenon, he used to climb a tree. He once got a big dent in his head from falling out of it.[16] Once he was picked on by a local bully, who ground his face in to the asphalt.[17] As a kid, Roger grew to enjoy the wet-tar smell. He had terrible childhood experience where he learned that waving his hand in front of an electric eye was a good way to need the top half of his head surgically re-attached, he also learned that licking the electric eye was a good way to need his torso surgically re-attached.[18] From this we know Roger Wilco was accident prone and made poor life-choices as a child, leading to a number of unneeded reconstructive surgery (and often times to reconstruct his damaged head).

His dad used to bring him to Phleebhut to see the World O' Wonders when he was just a kid, to see Mog. He was just a little tyke running around in coveralls. He would enjoy all the fun things to do around the park, including many different rides (that used to be there). He and his dad would take the elevator to the top of Mog's head and look at the view through his eye. Roger used to be afraid of the double Ferris wheel that used to be there. He also used to ride on the Tilt-a-World and it was one of the worst experiences he ever had, it left him spinning[19]. Roger enjoyed the grub that used to be served there--especially the sweet stuff, candy. Such as N & Ns.[20] He and his dad could eat a whole bag of them, except they'd pick out all the green ones. They also enjoyed the hot dogs.

Roger used to pole vault back in high school during his eleventh grade. He used to vault all over the place, over cars, bushes, swimming pools. He even pole-vaulted over the principle one time.[21]

Roger is a Janitor 2nd Class, and an exemplary one at that. When not fixing toilets or scrubbing decks, Roger spends his time accidentally saving the universe. As it turns out, Roger has been in a number of adventures, although few of his own choosing.

After graduating from university, his first assignment was aboard the starship Arcada. Early in his career, Roger saved the galaxy from the evil Sariens, and the Doctor of Evil, Sludge Vohaul. He barely escaped their exploding ship and was awarded the Golden Mop. However, his fame soon died down and he resumed work upon a space station. Soon he was captured by Vohaul and forced to escape, eventually killing Vohaul... Or so Roger thought.

After another adventure in which Roger saved the world from the Pirates of Pestulon, Roger was forced into the future to save the world from Vohaul's disembodied head, which had taken over his homeworld.

He joined the StarCon Academy to fulfill his dream to become a starship captain. He spent his days there dodging classes and sleeping over the lectures. He managed to destroy 3 trainer ships, one even before leaving the hangar when he attempted to activate hyperspace. While at StarCon Academy the light of distant suns reaching his eyes, causes a wave of homesickness for his friends and family on distant Xenon. Then its said he has doesn't have either, and is able to get on with business.

Roger has given interviews in Space Piston Magazine and The Official Guide To Roger Wilco's Space Adventures, and was also featured in an article in the Galactic Inquirer. He has written journal of his adventures which were designed to explain to people of the past about the future. He sent them back in time in order to inspire designers to create computer games about his adventures in order to insure his own future existence. They were later published in the form of The Space Quest Companion. A series of personal running monologues from Roger Wilco have been published within the "Official Guide to Roger Wilco's Space Adventures".

Roger Wilco was mysteriously missing in the Space Quest XII era, it is believed in that era he may be dead.[22] Of course if he simply does not exist in that era, its possible that he was indisposed somehow (limbo between time periods, era skipped via time dilation, or ColdSleep or other form of suspended animation again).

Whatever the case at some point his physical years will catch up with him, it is said that in fifty years he will end up with senility (of course its anyone's guess when he will have physically aged fifty years, rather than simply skipping eras).

Personality and traits[]

He wishes he could be a superhero. Roger always does the right thing when the situation demands, even though he'd rather be back in his quarters taking a nap.

Roger is a man of average height. His figure is less than imposing with an average build. A few lines etch the in-extraordinary–but not unattractive-face, giving him a slightly rugged look that actually belies his young age.

Roger has been called perhaps the most reluctant hero of his time. Roger himself wouldn't say he is the most reluctant hero of his time; he'd say he is most reluctant hero of ALL time. The most accurate statement is that he is an accidental hero. He didn't ask for all that stuff to happen to him. He just considers himself an average guy.[23]

Roger has been seen as being highly intelligent, or an imbecile by his fans and enemies. There is hardly any 'position' in between. Of course these positions appear to be both true across the multiverse.

Original version (& Variants)[]

See also: Roger Wilco (original version)

He has been acknowledged as being "just average" in looks and intelligence and gawky and gullible in character, but his capacity for conviction extended well above the norm. His fortitude and resourcefulness wax equally bright no pun intended-and by their very nature must be expressed.[24]

Before his first adventure, he wasn't used to doing alot of thinking (Janitorial work doesn't usually require much), but when put into danger, his brain cells work furiously.[25] He had a well-developed sense of preservation[26], knowing when to hide, when outnumbered and endangered, and knowing when to brave things when the odds were in his favor. He is not quick to throw his life away, but he felt honor-bounded to protect the galaxy from being taken over by evil forces. He is willing to risk his life for the freedom of the entire universe. He rarely confronts danger directly, as it would cost him his life, and he would gain nothing in the process, but instead he learned to think outside the box to see his mission completed.

Following his first adventure, he was known as a brave janitor[27][28], it was through his raw courage, quick wits, and sheer fortitude, he used in in order to survive.[29] He found himself often bumbling into nasty situations, but it was his superb wit and daring courage that always saw him through...to the detriment of space villains![30]

Although he might have quick wits, received post-graduate degrees, some view him as having an IQ in the single digits, some say Zero-IQ, or discerning individual with an IQ significantly higher than the chair he was sitting in. (IQ is learned intelligence, Roger's intelligence comes from experience, and thinking outside of the box, from having had to been quick on his feet to survive). Despite his education, and quick wits, most people assume he lacks intelligence, and motivation to do anything. Only sometimes is he acknowledged for his 'razor sharp intellect' (assuming the person acknowledging him isn't being sarcastic).[31] He uses his abundant imagination to solve problems that he encounters.[32] Being careful, he attempts to be alert at all times -- knowing that disaster may strike in the most unlikely of places.[33] When he identifies a problem, he uses his wits and imagination, then set about solving them in the most creative way possible.[34]

Roger has always been smart enough to collect junk he finds lieng around. He knows heroes just never know when some seemingly insignificant little doodad might come in handy.[35]

Roger uses a mix of discretion when talking to those he meets, and on his guard for any who might attempt to trick him. For those who might shoo first and ask questions later, he finds his best course of action might be to fight (only if he knows he has a chance of surviving), to run and hide, or to use his low cunning to outwit them.[36]

While there are few people who acknowledge his quick witted intelligence, he is certainly someone who self congratulates himself for his own quick thinking, and ability at finding solutions to problems, that he comes across.[37]

No one can fool Roger Wilco for long.[38]

It is Roger Wilco's unassuming nature, and that he is a rather klutzy janitor[39], that gives villains the first impression that he is a bumbling fool. This quick assumption is a mistake, however, that often leads to villain's demise. As Roger is often one step ahead of his enemies with something up his sleeve (or in his pants) to get past any obstacle that the might be thrown at him.[40]

Roger Wilco is not very faithful, and like his alter-ego Leisure Suit Larry has been known to two-time his girlfriend Beatrice Wankmeaster with other women including the Latex Babes and Stellar Santiago.

Roger was often literally hurled into situations that an average person wouldn't be able to handle. He obviously have a gift for extricating himself from the most undesirable predicaments-some of them life-threatening. Now that isn't exactly an average ability. Somehow when his life is threatened that many times, something else inside of him takes over, and he's able to do things he normally wouldn't. As he is thrown into circumstances that are so incredible, so unusual, so unlike anything he's been in before, his mind begins thinking incredibly and unusually, and he becomes very resourceful. [41]

Personality in Other Alternate Universes[]

See Roger Wilco (alternate version)

However, Roger personality and traits have also been affected by changes of history (due to time travel), and creation of parallel universes. While there is the original more brave and intelligent Roger, there are universes where he is more cowardly, less competent, and more 'unaware' of what goes on around him.[42] In this case he often more lazy, than usual, trying to sleep through dangers happening around him. Then being clueless when he finally decides to find out what happened, not realizing the danger he himself is in. While he is still bound to a sense of preservation, he also has an interesting set of priorities, more concerned about himself, and his job as a janitor, than what is going on around him. This creates a myopic view of the universe around him. He doesn't have much in the way of 'deep thoughts' (thinking about how he will go about cleaning up a mess is as about deep a thougth comes to him). He might be more concerned with what he needs to clean up, rather than the danger he is currently in. Then only later at the last moment, reality hits, and he discovers the danger he is in, realizing he needs to take his preservation seriously.[43]

At least in some of these parallel universes he's never been to college, and is instead non-professional (perhaps even, amateur) janitor with no formal education. He somehow got his first job on the Starship Arcada, and bumbled his way through adventures since then.

Titles and Nicknames[]

  • Roger
  • Rog
  • Roginator
  • Rog-meister
  • Rog-man
  • Wilco
  • Mr. Wilco
  • Janitor Wilco
  • Janitor
  • Janitor 2nd Class
  • Head Janitor
  • Ace Janitor
  • Hero of Xenon
  • Galactic Warrior
  • Mr. Sanitation Engineer
  • Sarien Sanitizer
  • Sir Wilco
  • Tangle Toes
  • Pinky
  • Buckaroo
  • Space Ranger
  • Mac
  • Buddy
  • Buster
  • Bucko
  • Sonny
  • Pardner
  • Space Cadet
  • Generic Space Hero
  • Kid
  • Buckwheat
  • Time Jockey
  • Scum
  • Custodian of Xenon
  • Janitor to the Stars
  • Pal

See also[]

Trivia[]

  • In the backstory for SQ1AGI, Roger is a bit more 'competant' in that he chose to stay put and wait for safe moment before he chooses to brave leaving the closet. He realizes what happening around him instantly, and decides he must not only find a way to escape and save himself, but also that he is honor-bound to save the rest of the galaxy as well. The manual is also quick to point out he has great imagination and wits, and low cunning to get past his problems. In the remake it makes him more incompetant by saying he ignored what was going on around him and tries to go back to sleep, but commotion prevents him from doing so, then he finds himself brave enough to find out what happened. In addition he seems more concerned with the mess the Sariens had made rather, than thinking about how he needs to save the universe (the narrator also mocks his intelligence "...intensely deep thought (well deep for YOU)", and it isn't until he startled by a laser blast and a scream that he's brought back to reality of his situation, and he realizes he is in danger too. This difference in Roger Wilco's personality is explained away as being 'parallel universes' in some of the later written material.
  • Like original SQ1 Manual, SQ2 Manual treats Roger Wilco as a brave janitor, fairly intelligent (quick witted/low cunning, couragous and honorable individual), though klutzy.
  • At the time of SQ1VGA, Roger Wilco was not dating any women (he had an interest in Blanche, and claims to had an hour with Cornucopia Agricorp while in university over a half a year before coming on board the Arcada), Madonna was not representive of the type of woman whom Wilco wanted to date.
  • Roger Wilco once had a run-in with the Xenon cops, after he nearly hit their police hovercraft, and then barely missed the Mayor's aircar. He almost lost his pilot's license over it.[44]
  • He has a trouble with higher mathematics, which give him a headache.
  • Roger states that he had wished he had gone to college, and become something more than a starship janitor. He thinks he could study extra-dimensional physics... He wonders what career he'd have, if he had gone to college instead of taking the job on the 'Arcadia' (sic). He believes he would have been more than a janitor.[45] Roger had in fact gone to university, so this may be an effect of the time travel he was involved in. Roger at the time is the pre-sq4 era Roger (and whose time travel was limited to blackhole 'parallel universe' travel and Hoyle I journey) and may be part of the original timeline (before time travel affected his life), perhaps in the original version timeline Roger hadn't gone to any 'college' but rather took the only job that didn't require much education. On the other hand the 'university', and later 'graduate school' may have actually been fancy names given to 'trade schools' as such they were not truly 'colleges' of the sort that teach scholary academia. If so Roger may be making the distinction that he truly hadn't gone to college and pursued a scientific career.
  • Roger Wilco is a fan of sensory movies and books involving Steve Spaceblaster.[46]
  • The smells of iron oxide, burning rubber, and fusel oil, reminds Roger of his Mom's cooking.[47]
  • Roger Wilco used to enjoy depositing oils from your hand on the window. As an addult it was not as entertaining as it was when he was a child.[48]
  • In SQ3 Roger is said to be a small-brained biped from a hick planet.
  • Roger loved the smell of wet-tar as a kid: "The pavement has lost that wonderful wet-tar smell you loved so much as a kid."
  • He was bullied as a child, "The taste of the street brings to mind all those wonderful times as a child that the local bully ground your face into the asphalt."
  • After more than a century of debt on 20 buckazoids, Roger owed 6.573 billion buckazoids, rounded to an even 8 billion (with a six percent discount).
  • Roger Wilco hates the movie, Night of the Living Dead.
  • Roger Wilco had a subscription to Planetary Geographic, and had every issue back on Xenon.
  • Roger has a thing for being in the closet, is always coming out of the closet, and he also has rainbow plaques on his wall, a rainbow air freshener in his aircar, and has even cross dressed, hmm...[49]
  • Tangle Toes was one of Roger Wilco's kinder boyhood nicknames, in reference to his clumsy nature. Roger also apparently sees him as an imaginary 'friend' who causes him to trip up.[50]
  • Roger Wilco's favorite slurpy machine flavor is Cherry.
  • Roger Wilco apparently loves video games, but he tells others he hates them, believing they ruin the minds, reflexes, and morals of anyone who plays them. Can we say hypocrite? One of Roger Wilco's favorite computer games is "Name that Body Odor!".
  • Thanks to the influence of time travel Roger Wilco history has been modified essentially three times (and a number of minor variations) sometimes Roger maintains memories of both or several variations, other times his memories have been lost by the changes. These timelines as long as Roger survives self correct and merge back into the same time lime for later adventures. Thanks to the splitting timeline there maybe at least three parallel Roger Wilcos. At least two of them sometimes share the same time sector (as one travels back into the past) but usually they just miss meeting each other sometimes by seconds (which might be a good thing as it might cause further paradoxes).

Education and experience[]

Depending on the universe and timeline Roger Wilco has had education, and others he may have not had any education.

Education[]

Pre-SQ
Sanitation engineering preschool
Grammar school
Time Theory class during Fifth grade with crazy Mrs. Drimple.[51]
The High School of the Custodial Arts
All the basics, including Basic Disinfecting 101, Broom Wrangling, History of Mop Management, and pole vaulting[52].
Sanitation Engineers of Xenon University (SEX U) Survival Microzapping and Computers for the Technologically Indifferent.[53] Language arts (not his best subject)
Janitorial Graduate School
Majored in Industrial Waste and sanitation management[54].
Between SQ1 and SQ2
Hollyroid
Writer and director of "The Sarien Encounter" (award-winning (original version universes or cancelled ([[alternate version) universes)
A year of health club membership;
Between SQ2 and SQ3
ColdSleep EduStim
Fly Your Own Starship for Fun and Booty
Visualize Your Way to More Efficient Bipedal Locomotion
Better Reflexes in 30 Years via EduStims


SQ5
StarCon Academy
First Year
Officer Training
Geology 101: Rocks for Jocks
Space Piloting 101
Captain's Training Seminar.
Gym class
SQ6

Favorite Books & Entertainment[]

His favorite book is Bill the Galactic Hero, by Harry Harrison. It's about this poor guy who was just minding his own business, and he get's dragged off to another planet. All this weird stuff happens to him, but by the end of the book he's the hero of the galaxy. Boy, where do these guys get their wild ideas? It just amazes him.

Steve Spaceblaster and the Fantastic Feline Females of Fendom

Steve Spaceblaster and the Sorority Girls of Snarfleblax

Steve Spaceblaster and the Warrior Women of Warxwurfx

Lone Space Ranger

Work experience[]

SQ1
Sanitation Engineer Second Class with NucleoTherm Hazardous Substance Containment Services. Chief (and only) sanitation engineer and head janitor (as in the commanding janitor, not just the one who cleans the ships potties) on board the Federation Arcada Spacelab (his first job after getting his degree[55]).
SQ2
Janitor at Xenon Orbital Station 4
SQ5
Captain of SCS Eureka
SQ6
Janitor at SCS Deepship 86

Major Achievements[]

SQ1
Saved the galaxy from the Sariens (his first adventure[56])
SQ2
Saved the galaxy from cloned Insurance Salesmen
SQ3
Saved the Two Guys from Andromeda
Between SQ3 and SQ4
Saved Xenon from Sarien invasion and saves the second Star Generator.
SQ4
Saved future Xenon from the Super Computer
SQ5
Saved the galaxy from the Sludge Bandits
SQ6 Demo
Saved the crew of the DeepShip 86 and defeated the leader of the Bjorn.
SQ6
Saved Stellar Santiago from Sharpei

Interviews & Exposes[]

Between SQ1 and SQ2
Between SQ3 and SQ4
Between SQ4 and SQ5
Between SQ5 and SQ6

Other[]

Hoyle Book of Card Games, Volume I

Trapped in a card game simulation along with King Graham, Rosella, Larry Laffer, Sonny Bonds, and others: trying to find a way to escape to get back and save the new Star Generator from invading Sariens.

Hoyle 3
Hoyle 4
Visiting Arrakis.
Visiting Warxwurfx.
May have occurred during the Sarien invasion.
Visiting Xon 87.
Visiting Eroticon 6.
Visiting Daventry (again);

Rosella's First Quest.

See also[]

Dialogue[]

See Roger's Dialogue for an exhaustive listing.

Images[]

Check out the evolution of Roger through the series.


Behind the scenes[]

His name is a play on a common phrase used in voice procedure, "Roger wilco", which is short for "Received, will comply." It is used to affirm one understands that the last call did not only contain information, but a clear directive, as well.

Roger Wilco (unofficial)[]

For detailed information about Roger Wilco from the fan games see; Roger Wilco (unofficial)

Refrences[]

  1. Narrator (SQ6): "What's the matter? Afraid a measly, little, pencil-neck, lowlife janitor and general waste of human life is going to embarrass you in front of your friends?"
  2. SQ1VGA Hintbook, pg39
  3. SQ2 Hintbook, pg 1
  4. Roger Wilco's Scrapbook
  5. Space Quest Companion, Second Edition, 29
  6. Narrator (SQ6): "You did have a brother, didn't you? Perhaps his IQ broke double digits."
  7. SQC2E, 89
  8. Narrator (SQ1VGA).
  9. OGTRWSA2E, 185
  10. SQC2E, pg 32
  11. SQ6
  12. OGTRWSA2E, 285
  13. Hoyle 1
  14. OGTRWSA1E, 189
  15. TSQC2E, pg 354
  16. Narrator (SQ5): This tree reminds you of one you used to climb as a young boy back on Xenon... and so does the big dent in your head you got from falling out of it.
  17. SQ4
  18. "You hazily recall from a childhood experience that waving your hand in front of an electric eye is a good way to need the top half of your head surgically re-attached.", "You hazily recall from a childhood experience that licking an electric eye is a good way to need your torso surgically re-attached."
  19. OGTRWSA1E, 178
  20. OGTRWSA2E, pg 147, 148
  21. OGTRWSA, 172
  22. SQC2E, pg
  23. TOGTRWSA1E, pg
  24. OBRWSA, pg 17
  25. SQ1AGI Manual, pg 6
  26. SQ1AGI manual, pg 5
  27. SQ2 Manual, pg 15
  28. SQ2 Hintbook, pg1 Space Quest III is the continuing story of a brave janitor, Roger Wilco, who hails from planet Xenon. Unlike most janitors who are, to the most extent, satisfied with their jobs, our particular janitor aspires to be a real space hero. Most often he bumbles into nasty situations, but his superb wit and daring courage will always see him through...to the detriment of space villains!
  29. SQ2 Manual, pg 3
  30. SQ2 Manual, pg 1
  31. Narrator: You can't see WD40's ship, but your razor sharp intellect tells you it must be around here somewhere.
  32. SQ1AGI manual, pg 8.
  33. SQ1AGI Manual, pg 9
  34. SQ1AGI Manual, pg 1
  35. TOGTRWSA, pg 108
  36. SQ1AGI Manual, pg 8
  37. OGTRWSA, pg
  38. OGTRWSA, pg 214
  39. SQ2Manual, pg 5
  40. TSQC, pg 369
  41. TOGTRWSA1E, pg
  42. SQ1SCI manual, pg 4-5
  43. SQ1SCI manual, pg 5
  44. Hoyle I
  45. Hoyle I
  46. Hoyle I
  47. SQ1VGA
  48. Narrator (SQ6): Depositing oils from your hand on the window is not as entertaining as it was when you were a child.
  49. OGTRWSA1E, pg 199
  50. SQC2E, 33
  51. SQ4
  52. OGTRWSA, 172
  53. KQC, 270
  54. OGTRWSA1E, 92
  55. Space Quest Companion, Second Edition,
  56. Narrator (SQ4): Peering through the port, you see an unusual land. It's wind-carved pinnacles and buttes bring back memories of the planet Kerona, where this whole adventure mess started.
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