Captain’s Log, Stardate 662107.0122

The Trouble with Tribbles, Trials and Tribble-ations

                The Trouble with Tribbles, featured in the original series of Star Trek, takes place on Deep Space Station K7. Captain Kirk comes after hearing a Priority 1 call and finds that Nilz Baris has called him over to protect a special blue grain. After assigning a minimum of security officers, Kirk returns to the ship. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Uhura comes across a merchant who gives her a Tribble. Then a Klingon ship arrives at the space station. Uhura’s pet Tribble quickly catches the attention of Dr. McCoy when their swift reproductive capabilities are discovered. With the population of Tribbles quickly increasing, it is discovered that Klingons detest Tribbles (and Tribbles detest Klingons).  In fact, while the Enterprise’s crew is enjoying shore leave, certain Klingons pick a fight with Scotty, Chekov, and another crew member. In the cargo bay, it is discovered that an infestation of Tribbles has consumed the grain and are sick and dying due to a poison.  Darvin, a Klingon disguised as Baris’s assistant, is found guilty of the poisoning in an attempt to sabotage the Federation’s colony on the planet below.  The Enterprise crew returns to the ship and beams the infesting Tribbles on board the Klingon vessel just before it went into warp.

                Trials and Tribble-ations, a Deep Space 9 episode, is the continuation of this story. Captain Sisko and the crew of the Defiant find themselves in the past, during the events of the episode, The Trouble with Tribbles. Darvin has come back in time to get revenge by killing Captain James Kirk.  In groups, the crew is sent to search for the Klingon, while observing the events of the previously described episode. Darvin reveals that he has placed a bomb in a Tribble, in the storage bay, lying in wait for Kirk. Sisko and Lieutenant Commander Dax  find the bomb and beam it into space, saving the timeline from disruption. Before leaving, Sisko introduces himself to Captain Kirk, fulfilling a dream to meet one of his heroes.

What do you think of Tribbles? Do you agree or disagree with the decision to “gift” the Tribbles to the Klingons? If you could meet one historical figure who has influenced you, who would it be and what would you say?

Captain’s Log, Stardate 140164.0121

Far Beyond the Stars

Captain Sisko experiences a vision induced by the Prophets in which he assumes the persona of a science fiction writer in the 1950s United States. During his tenure as “Benny,” Sisko experiences first-hand the racial oppression and conflict of the time as he attempts to publish a short story unknowingly inspired by his real life aboard Deep Space Nine. The story is considered unacceptable because it features a black man in a position of leadership, and Sisko must fight to see his dreams made reality.

The theme of racism is directly addressed by the episode, rather than “subtly” implied like in the Original Series. A relatively progressive time of writing likely allowed the subject matter to be depicted in such a manner, as the social climate would be more accommodating towards a critique of racial inequality. However, the issues to which it speaks are surprisingly pertinent to problems of both the time of writing and to modern issues. The conditions depicted in Far Beyond the Stars may have improved since then, but the issues of racial inequality in the media and under the law persist and make the episode relevant even today. 

Captain's Log, Stardate 214296.0120

Let that be your last battlefield

The Enterprise encounters a new species from the planet Cheron. There are two races on
the planet. One race is black on the right side and the other is black on the left side. Lokai, is
black on the left side and considered the inferior race. By his people he is considered a freedom
fighter and revolutionary. Lokai is considered to be a criminal and a murder by Bele, who is black
on the right side. Over a thousand years ago, Lokai’s people were freed, but conflict between the
two races continued because Bele’s people claimed to be superior. Bele wants to bring Lokai back
to Cheron so that he can be tried after being on the run for fifty-thousand years. When they
arrive at Cheron, Spock reveals that there are no living Cheronians left on the planet, because
they have all destroyed each other. Lokai and Bele are so enthralled in their hatred for each other,
that they oblivious to the fact that their society is destroyed.

This episode clearly deals with the problem of racism. Do you think that our society will
ever move beyond racism?

Captain’s Log, Stardate 156664.0116

The High Ground

            The planet Rutia IV, which is embroiled in a lengthy conflict with Ansatan separatists, is scheduled to receive medical supplies from the Federation. When an Ansatan bomb detonates in a plaza where Worf, Dr. Crusher, and Data are stationed, Crusher attempts to aid the victims but is captured by a separatist agent. The agent, Finn, informs Crusher that he needs her help in administering medical treatments to Ansatans who are dying after repeated use of experimental and unstable teleportation technology. In an effort to rescue the hostage, the crew of the Enterprise becomes involved in the Rutian investigation, and Finn decides to attack the Enterprise in hopes of drawing the Federation into the negotiations. Eventually, the Enterprise and the Rutians mount a joint rescue operation and rescue both Dr. Crusher and Captain Picard, who was captured during the attack on the Enterprise, killing Finn in the process. The episode ends with Riker suggesting that Finn’s successor, who was willing to surrender to Rutian forces, might be less confrontational in the future.

            The debatable ethics of the “terrorist” actions aside, one notable issue this episode was surprisingly prescient—the similarity of the Rutian government’s actions to those of the United States after the attack on the World Trade Center. The enhanced security was criticized by Riker as unnecessary, much like the criticism leveled at the TSA security measures which supposedly treat innocent citizens at terrorists. The argument for such measures is that the tradeoff of liberty for security is justified for the lives it saves, but a counterpoint exists that reacting in such an extreme way, that is, acting terrorized, gives the terrorists the victory they desire. Is this true, and what measures are justified to combat terrorism? 

Captain’s Log, Stardate 013014.0115

Similitude

                In this episode the starship Enterprise was on its way to find the Xindi weapon that destroyed part of North America’s east coast. While in warp they ran into some form of nebula that interfered with the ship’s engines and in an effort to prevent a disaster Chief Engineer Tucker, aka Trip, shuts off the warp drive but is severely injured and entered a coma. In an attempt to save him, Captain Archer approves Dr. Phlox’s plan to create a clone to use its tissue to fix Trip. He believes the procedure will not interfere with the clone’s lifespan, about 15 days, but later discovers that the procedure will be fatal. The clone, named Sim, refuses to partake in the procedure, and instead proposes that Dr. Phlox create a certain enzyme that will allow him to have a normal human lifespan. If Phlox creates the enzyme, too much time will have passed to save Trip, and the enzyme has a very small chance of succeeding. Eventually Trip tries to escape in a shuttle, but decides not to because partially because he would live out the rest of his life and die in the shuttle. He came to the decision to go through with the procedure, and dies.

                 This episode speaks to the ethical implications of cloning and the lives of clones. If you were in the same position as Captain Archer what decisions would you make regarding the creation of the clone, the enzyme, etc.?

Captain’s Log, Stardate: 322124.0115

Shore Leave

In this Star Trek original series episode the crew of the Enterprise has not had a break from duty in the past three months, and have encountered an uninhabited Earth like planet. Which they precede to transport down to the surface and inspect the surrounding area. While exploring the planet Dr. McCoy describes the planet as Earth like almost as if it was out of Alice in Wonder. After stating this Dr. McCoy sees a white rabbit the size of a human, which exclaims that he is late while looking at a pocket watch soon after he runs into the bushes a blond girl comes out into the open and asks Dr. McCoy if he has seen a large white rabbit. This convinces Captain Kirk to come down to the planet’s surface. While investigating the odd events with Dr. McCoy the two of them split up and Captain Kirk encounters Finnegan who bullied him while he was in Star Fleet academy. This then leads the crew to discover that the planet replicates whatever anyone is thinking about including dangerous creatures. At the end of the episode the caretaker of the planet speaks with the crewmembers on the planet’s surface, and tells them about the planet and the role it played in their society along with what it has the potential to do.

The question in the episode is should the caretaker let humans come to the planet because they can’t control their thoughts?

Captain's Log, Stardate 425713.0114

Turnabout Intruder

In this episode, the finale of the third season of the original series, Captain Kirk and others beam down to the surface of Camus II following g a distress call from a team of scientists on the planet. Upon arrival they discover that the entire team but two have died of radiation poisoning. Janice Lester, one of the survivors, attacks Kirk and swaps minds using an ancient machine. Janice proceeds to take over the Enterprise in Kirk’s body and attempts to murder the real Kirk. However, Spock and Bones have their doubts and soon discover the impostor. Spock, Bones and Scotty are accused of mutiny by the false Captain and they are imprisoned with the real Kirk. Eventually the mind swap wears off and in Janice’s last attempt to kill Kirk, They are returned to their original bodies.

This episode aired during the height of the feminist movement in the sixties and focused on the fight for gender equality, even in the future. It depicted a hysterical woman who pursued a plan to take over the Enterprise at all costs. Although the display of the female characters in the episode did not seem to be in favor of the feminist movement, it didn't specifically disempower women. It also showed the struggles of a woman working to gain power, even if with malicious intent.

Captain’s Log, Stardate 246411.0113

A Private Little War

            A scientific mission undertaken by the Enterprise on the planet Neural goes awry when Kirk discovers that the villagers have come into possession of more advanced weapons than he believes they should have at that point in their development. After some investigation, McCoy and Kirk discover that the Klingons have been supplying weapons to a single tribe on the planet. This forces the crew of the Enterprise into an ethical dilemma—should they intervene with weapons of their own to restore the balance of power or refrain and risk a genocide of those without advanced arms.

            This episode, written while the Vietnam War was still in progress, speaks heavily to imperialist themes, especially those relating to the idea of “proxy war.” The dilemma faced by Kirk and McCoy is similar to that faced by powers involved in the Cold War: Arming the people of a neutral territory in order to fight wars on their behalf would weaken the Federation’s rivals, the Klingons and reinforce the balance of power. However, this brings up moral concerns relating to the ethics of interfering with natural development and using a sovereign people as little more than glorified weapons in an indirect war.  Considering that intervention would possibly save lives, could it be justified to supply weapons or do the costs outweigh the benefits? 

Captain’s Log, Stardate 309642.0112

The Measure of a Man

                Bruce Maddox, a cyberneticist, wishes to dissemble Data to learn from him to create more androids. Data, Riker, and Picard do not believe that Maddox is capable of creating another Data and preserving the experiences of events. Data refuses to take part in Maddox’s experiment, however Maddox was prepared for that and showed Picard a transfer order that put Data under his control. At this point Data is considered property of the Starfleet and not his own being. Picard challenges the ruling insisting that Data is sentient, and so the matter is taken to court. Starfleet Judge Advocate General for the 23^rd sector, Captain Philippa Louvois finds that there is too much doubt that Data is not a sentient being, therefor he is granted rights to choose and formally refuses to take part in Maddox’s experiment.

                This episode closely relates to an idea that has recently emerged called “mind uploading”. Mind uploading is a “process by which the mind, including memories, personality, consciousness, etc., of a specific individual is transferred from its original biological brain to another operating substrate.” How is this any different from Data? He too is an intelligent being uploaded onto another operating substrate, except he was created that way. With that in mind, can you consider computer program life?

Captain’s Log, Stardate 570715.0109

Latent Image

                While performing routine checkups on the crew of the starship Voyager, the holographic Doctor notices scars on Ensign Harry Kim’s neck, residual signs of a past neural surgery. However, he has no recollection of performing this surgery and Kim claims not to as well. Intrigued, the Doctor asks Captain Janeway whether she recalled something that could explain. When Janeway gave an ambiguous answer, he consulted with Seven of Nine who agreed to scan him and research the anomalous scarring. Later, they discover that the captain had erased the memories of an incident in which Ensign Kim and another ensign were equally injured and in equal need of treatment. More familiar with Kim, he reflexively chose to save him and was drove his program to developing a feedback loop because of his guilt over valuing one life over another. This made him unable to perform his function, so Janeway had no other choice but to delete the interfering memories. The second time this problem developed, she chose to present the issue to him so that he could make his own decision as an individual.  Despite the harm to his ‘mental state’ the Doctor kept his memories and was forced to confront them as any other person. He finally learns that the situation was out of his hand and he could only save one of them. This realization brought him closer to achieving humanity.

                Captain Janeway was put in a very difficult situation. She decides to value the flesh and blood members of her crew before the Doctor who, despite being a hologram, had developed a sentience of his own. Do you disagree or agree with her choice? Did she take the right action the second time although the Doctor’s ability to perform his medical duty was compromised? 

Captain’s Log, Stardate 961132.0108

The Hunted

        In this episode a prisoner from the Lunar V detention center escapes in a transport ship,
killing three people in the process. The Prisoner is Roga Danar, a veteran of the Tarsian war. He
and his comrades were genetically modified to become the ultimate soldier. Because of the
modifications, the soldiers have the instinct to survive at all cost, even if it means killing others.
After Roga escapes he alludes the Enterprise until he is eventually captured. Counselor Troy
becomes interested in the prisoner after she senses he is in pain. She then tries to learn more
about his condition, finding that he is actually a nonviolent person by nature, but has the ability
to preform violent acts if he feels as though he is in danger. After multiple conflicts Roga finds
himself at the capital of Angosia supported by fellow veterans. At this point the Prime Minister of
Angosia has the option to try to forcibly return the former soldiers to the prison or accept them
back into Angosian society, accepting that they have the capability to be peaceful.

       This episode explores the concept of genetically modifying people for specific tasks. It
shows the consequences of these actions on a personal level to allow the viewer to understand the
issue from a different perspective. To give the viewers this perspective, the writers make you
empathize with Roga. Do you think humans will create genetically modified soldiers and what do
you think the best way to reintegrate them into society would be in the future?

Captain’s Log, Stardate 641342.0107

Darmok

            The Enterprise is dispatched to an uninhabited planet in order to meet with an alien race known as the Tamarians, whose communication had previously been declared incomprehensible. After a brief “conversation” in which neither party is able to understand the other, the Tamarians beam both Captain Picard and their own captain to the surface of the planet. The crew of the Enterprise attempt to determine the intentions of the Tamarians while Picard and Dathon, the Tamarian Captain, struggle not only to survive on a hostile world, but also to come to a mutual linguistic understanding.

            Eventually, Picard comes to understand that the Tamarian language is based on allusion to folklore and other metaphors. The titular “Darmok” legend is revealed to be analogous to the situation in which Picard and Dathon find themselves, showing that Dathon instigated the situation to provide a powerful example of the syntax of their language.

            Two themes are addressed by the episode. First and foremost is the idea of a language barrier, which is relevant even to human society. As Counselor Troi notes, when two negotiating parties do not understand each other, it is very easy to a simple misunderstanding to escalate into tragedy. In human history, there exists a (possibly apocryphal) example of a diplomatic translator who provided a poor explanation of a French request which caused other parties offense until the mistake could be cleared up. Darmok accordingly promotes the importance of mutual understanding not only in politics, but also in individual relationships.

            Another theme is the idea of individual sacrifice. Dathon valued giving the Federation and his people a chance at tolerance and understanding over the life of any individual, as he deliberately placed himself and Picard in danger in order to create the shared experience which would be necessary to form an understanding. Whether he acted ethically is up for debate—in one sense, the sacrifice of individuals on behalf of the many seems noble, but it is worth noting that Picard’s involvement was nonconsensual, so one could argue that Dathon violated his individual rights by forcing him into a life-threatening situation. Perhaps the Tamarians do not have the same sense of rights as humans do—indeed, Troi also notes that their concepts of individuality are not as strong as those of humanity. This reiterates the difficulty that different cultures frequently have in coming to an understanding when language and values are so different.

Captain’s Log, Stardate 072430.0106

The City on the Edge of Forever

Captain Kirk and First Officer Spock go back in time to the 1930’s to stop the crazed Dr. McCoy from changing the course of history. While Spock attempts to learn more about the event McCoy has changed, Kirk falls in love with Edith Keeler, a pacifist charity worker. They discover that by saving her, McCoy gave her the opportunity to begin a pacifist movement that delayed the US’s entrance in WWII and therefore allowed Germany to be the first country to develop the atomic bomb. This causes Germany’s victory and ultimately leads to Star Fleet never being created. The three are forced to let Keeler die in a car accident so that this possible future is avoided. Spock reflects on the situation, saying, “She brought peace, but at the wrong time.”

This episode, while maintaining a message of peace, speaks in a manner that promotes the American Government’s decision to become involved in the Vietnam War, contemporary to the time the episode aired. Commonly, in Star Trek, allusions are made to current events of the time either in critique or satire. It is interesting to see the way entertainment has been used to influence the people’s opinions.

What do you think?

Star Trek has embedded itself in our daily lives and sparked the minds of scientists to go where no man has gone before.  In Star Trek 4 (1986) Scotty sold the formula for transparent aluminum, today Surmet makes ALON transparent aluminum armor. Communicators, transporters, tractor beams, Phasers, tricorders all things of the far future in 1966 when star trek first aired, now currently used or being developed. And it’s not just the tech set Phasers to stun, beam me up Scotty, live long and prosper phrases that have become part of the American lexicon. Through discussion, writing, online exploration and viewing selected episodes we will see why Star Trek has endured the test of time.