I know you see the name "Dumbledore" in the headline, but I promise that the column you are about to read is completely free and clear of any spoilers from the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." But just so you know, I think that if you haven't read the book yet, then shame on you!

Anyway, now that I have that out of my system, J.K. Rowling is a genius. "Deathly Hallows" was an extraordinary ending to a magical series that almost made me feel young again. The Harry Potter universe is filled with so many rich characters, I don't know where Rowling comes up with them. But one of the most amazing of all have to be Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and what many consider to be one of the most powerful wizards of all time.

When you reach a status like that, how could you not be compared to a god? For decades, students who went through Hogwarts became well aware of Dumbledore, and he became a larger-than-life personality where it was almost impossible to become human.

The overall perception of Dumbledore in the wizarding world reminds me so much of how the late Gene Roddenberry is revered. It only took one creation -- "Star Trek" -- to change the landscape of science-fiction television forever, and to create 40 years of entertainment from hundreds of epiodes surpassed only by "Doctor Who" in Great Britain.

Even 16 years after his death, many fans still see Roddenberry as a larger-than-life figure, or practically a god. Perhaps a Dumbledore, if you will.

Just like the fictional wizard, Roddenberry deserves the reverence and the kudos, but at the same time, we as fans cannot get caught up in claiming that Roddenberry could never do any wrong.

In "Deathly Hallows," Dumbledore becomes very human. We learn that not everything about him is good, that there were things in his life that he would rather leave in the past, including befriending a dark wizard who would become a precursor to Voldemort, and dabbling in the Dark Arts himself.

Believe it or not, Roddenberry was human, too. He did things that were amazing, but he also did things that weren't so great. While it does little good to dwell on those things, at the same time, we can't just ignore it and pretend that Roddenberry was infallible.

In fact, I bet if Roddenberry were here today, he likely would tell us that being revered as a god is easy ... it's being treated and respected as a human being, that's hard.

SyBits

I'm sure Dumbledore would be proud to learn that we have four winners from our recent "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" contest that took place earlier in the month. We had four special prizes to give away, and randomly chose these winners from the hundreds of entry forms submitted: Lily Kwan of Las Vegas is our big winner, taking home a theatrical poster form the film, as well as a keychain and tattoo made specifically for "Order of the Phoenix."

Also winning prizes of movie posters were Leonie Cesvette of Brookline, Mass.; Sab Edwards of Delisle, Saskatchewan; and Emilie Yount of Chicago. Congratulations everyone!

Let's take a look at the SciFriday mailbox, shall we?

In your 'It's Your Turn To Speak' column, you write in response to a closeted gay writer: "This letter means a lot, and it sums up a lot of how I perceive society dealing with the gay and lesbian community. It's sad that we're in the 21st century, and the only place being attracted to the same sex is acceptable is in a bad episode of 'Torchwood.'

I have to say that you've obviously overlooked several great episodes of 'Doctor Who' in both the first and second seasons. I know that can't be because of Capt. Jack Harkness -- also of 'Torchwood -- being 'omnisexual,' since that doesn't change when he's in 'Torchwood.' So I have to ask, was this merely an oversight?

I've had a few good friends in the gay and lesbian community -- one of whom died from heart problems due to AIDS -- so I do find it a bit sad that there isn't more effort from mainstream television to deal with the subject of gays and lesbians.-- Sheldon Wieve of Calgary, Alberta.

Sheldon, I'm with you on this. Of course, I'm sure you know that I was half-kidding when I made the comment singling out only "Torchwood," and it's good to see that even more mainstream shows like "Doctor Who" are starting to feature gay characters more prominently.

When that movement will head into programming outside of the United Kingdom, it's hard to ever tell.

I just started reading Airlock Alpha recently and I'm alreaedy hooked! Great job.

I wanted to give you big respect for the commentary about Isaiah Washington. I'm truly disgusted that NBC opted to cast him in 'Bionic Woman.' Of the hundreds ... thousands ... of other actors that could have been chosen, I'm disappointed that not only NBC but the producers of 'Battlestar Galactica' (who I have absolute respect) decided thsi would be a good idea. I've already scratched 'Bionic Woman' off my fall viewing list. I'll wait for the other kick-butt chick series during midseason -- 'The Sarah Connor Chronicles.'

Looks like 99 percent of other bloggers/message boarders are also sickened by NBC. As if 'Studio 60' wasn't bad enough ...-- Victor Trevino

Great letter, Victor, and welcome to the site! I am with you on pretty much everything you said, but I do have to admit that I am curious to what "Bionic Woman" is and I plan on giving it a chance.

Was casting Washington the work of morons? You bet. But I am not going to let one dick ruin an entire series for me.

If you want to send me a letter, just drop me an e-mail at mhinman@airlockalpha.com and you might find your words right in this very spot

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Have a great week, and don't be a stranger!

Michael Hinman, a 22-time winner of the British lottery and heir to three Nigerian fortunes, is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha, writing out of Tampa, Fla. He can be reached at mhinman@airlockalpha.com

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