Ortega

“	Ortega? Ooh, that's pretty.	”
	- Pearl on Public Pearl

Ortega was the silent henchman from the movie featured in Experiment #812, The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies. In a host segment, Ortega (played by Paul Chaplin) appeared as a caterer on the Satellite of Love, where he had an unpleasant encounter with Mike Nelson.

Ortega later became a recurring character, making brief cameos in subsequent episodes. In episode #815, Ortega appeared as a witness during Mike’s trial, during which his (incomprehensible) testimony was damning.

During episode #822, Ortega was seen answering the phone at the Public Pearl TV pledge drive, for which he was compensated.

In episode #903, Ortega and his cousin Staci were guests at Brain Guy’s get-together in Castle Forrester. He is apparently a fan of Sliders.

Notes[]

The similarities between Ortega and Torgo were the subject of some fan discussion when Incredibly Strange Creatures first aired.
Ortega's presence at various times and places is difficult to explain.

Paul Chaplin as Ortega (right).

He was presumably manifested by Observer at Pearl's behest for his testimony at Mike's trial and at Pearl's Public TV pledge drive. The pledge drive took place shortly before the Mads and the SOL returned to modern-day Earth. It is possible that Ortega joined the Mads on that journey but parted ways with them before they arrived at Castle Forrester, thus explaining his appearance in episode #903.