Fictional Characters from New Mexico Quiz

Answer: Chemistry

Played by Bryan Cranston, Walter White was a former technological company founder who left the company and became a chemistry teacher. After being diagnosed with lung cancer, White began manufacturing and selling meth in order to pay his medical bills. Over time, he falls deeper and deeper into more dangerous, violent and illegal territory.

He works alongside Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), a former student of his.

Answer: Ethel Mertz

Ethel, played by Vivian Vance, was born Ethel Potter in Albuquerque where her father owned a sweet shop. She had dreams of becoming a big star and became a flapper and Vaudeville performer until she met and married Fred (William Frawley). The couple settled down in New York City and purchased the building where they and Lucy and Ricky (Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz) live.

It is heavily implied that the Mertz' money is mostly Ethel's, unusual for the time.

Answer: Navajo

Jesse Black Crow was a Navajo native who left his home in New Mexico for New York City. While working on a skyscraper, Jesse fell and became paralyzed. During his recovery, he received visions from the Earth Spirit who transformed him into the superhero Black Crow. Black Crow is close friends with Captain America, although they were once rivals. Black Crow primarily fights against villains who wish to endanger or harm Native Americans, including hostile spirits.

Answer: High School Musical

In the first "High School Musical" film, Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) has just moved to Albuquerque. Before she starts at her new school, she meets Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and falls smitten with him. Gabriella was a brain at her old high school and hopes to lose that reputation by joining the decathlon team. Meanwhile, Troy is the star athlete of the basketball team and has a secret passion for signing. Troy and Gabriella are cast as the lead roles in their school's winter musical.

The film series is loosely based on "Grease".

Answer: Roswell

"Roswell" is set in the New Mexico town where a UFO once allegedly crashed in 1947. The series focuses on alien/human Matt Evans (Jason Behr) and his human friend Liz Parker (Shiri Appleby). Liz works at her parents diner called the Crashdown Café where she is accidentally shot, only to be healed by Matt.

This causes Liz to become fascinated with him. She learns that Matt and his sister and other people in town, are actually alien royals who arrived in Roswell during the 1947 incident. Matt must keep his true self a secret because there are alien hunters, including those in the federal government, who would do anything to capture an alien.

Answer: The Hills Have Eyes

"The Hills Have Eyes" was originally created by Wes Craven. It focuses on an Ohio family traveling to California who are stranded in the desert after their car breaks down. Also in the area is a group of scientists conducting research. It quickly becomes apparent that something sinister is going on and there are unusual creatures living in the desert. These creatures are revealed to be mutants created after nuclear testing conducting in the area. The mutants were originally townspeople who refused to leave their home or just outcasts who got caught up in the testing.

The 2006 remake was set in New Mexico while the original 1977 film was set in Nevada.

Answer: There Will Be Blood

"There Will Be Blood" tells the story of Daniel Plainview, a silver prospector who discovers a wealthy source of oil. However, the oil is on other people's property and Daniel resorts to lies and schemes to get the land. One of these lies is that Daniel promises to donate money to a church run but reneges and an accident deafens his adopted son.

This is blamed on the well and pipeline not being blessed and God punishing Daniel for reneging on the deal with the church. However, this does nothing to persuade Daniel and he resorts to even more violent and devious ways.

Answer: Smokey Bear

During World War II, there was a severe shortage of firefighters as almost all physically fit men were serving in the war. As a result, the U.S. government started a program to prevent forest fires as there were few people around to put them out. In 1944, Smokey Bear was created and he used the slogan "Smokey Says - Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires". This was later changed to "Remember- Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires". "Forest Fires" was changed in 2001 to "Wildfires" to encompass all types of fires in the wilderness.

Although Smokey debuted in 1944, his "official" birthday is said to be in 1950. He is popularly referred to as Smokey the Bear but his official name is simply Smokey Bear.

Answer: Chuck Connors

Chuck Connors was a professional baseball and basketball player who is best known for playing Lucas McCain on "The Rifleman". McCain lives in North Fork, New Mexico Territory. He was a Union soldier who moved out west and became known for using his rifle against Native Americans in Oklahoma Territory.

When he became a widow, he and his sons moved to New Mexico Territory where he came across many people looking for a new life, redemption and criminals who sometimes came face to face with his rifle.

Answer: The Hulk

Bruce Banner was originally a scientist working on gamma radiation bombs in the New Mexico desert when he was exposed to a blast while saving another person. This gave him superpowers and the ability to transform into the Hulk whenever he becomes angry.

The Hulk is a muscular, green hero sometimes called the Incredible Hulk. He has superstrength, injury resistant and impervious to psychic powers. He was an original member of the group of superheroes called the Avengers.