But at least Colonel Jonathan was central in the one episode he appeared in. Look at Dr. Lang, whose role in the original was merely to show up and say, "Uh, the fold system has disappeared" and "Oh, hey guys! Look what we made! Find three girls who can play Centipede, and we're in business!"
And from those humble beginnings, he got spun out into the GREATEST MIND OF HIS GENERATION, WHO CAN COMMUNE WITH THE PROTOCULTURE!!!
Y'know...I bet there's an interesting story to be told about the guy with the mohawk and wicked shades who owns the arcade...I wonder why he never showed up again...?