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aion-rsa · 3 years

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Star Trek Villains Who Actually Had a Point

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This article contains spoilers for various parts of the Star Trek franchise.

Last fall, airing just a few weeks apart, both Star Trek and Star Wars debuted season premieres of new streaming TV episodes in which the heroes of each show had to fight a giant, legless worm-monster. In Star Trek: Discovery’s “That Hope Is You Part 1,” it was the deadly Tranceworm, while The Mandalorian’s “Chapter 9: The Marshall” had the murderous Krayt Dragon. The differences between the Final Frontier and the Faraway Galaxy could not have been made clearer by these dueling beasts: in Mando, the plot involved killing the monster by blowing up its guts from the inside, while in Disco, Book taught Michael Burnham how to make friends with it.

The Trek universe deals with the concept of evil a little differently than many of its famous genre competitors. There is no Lex Luthor of the Federation. Palpatine doesn’t haunt the planet Vulcan. The Klingons have no concept of “the devil.” (At least in The Original Series.) This isn’t to say Trek doesn’t have some very memorable Big Bads, it’s just that most of the time those villains tend to have some kind of sympathetic backstory. Even in the J.J. Abrams films!

So, with that in mind, here’s a look at seven Star Trek villains who maybe weren’t all bad, and kind of, even in a twisted way, had a point…

Harry Mudd

In Star Trek: The Original Series, Harry Mudd was presented as a straight-up con-man, a dude who seemed to be okay with profiting from prostitution (in “Mudd’s Women”) and was also down with marooning the entire crew of the Enterprise on a random planet (in “I, Mudd”). He’s not a good person. Not even close. But, he does make a pretty could case against Starfleet’s lack of planning. In the Discovery episode “Choose Your Pain,” Mudd accuses Starfleet of starting the war with the Klingons, and, as a result, putting the larger population of the galaxy at risk. “I sure as hell understand why the Klingons pushed back,” Mudd tells Ash Tyler. “Starfleet arrogance. Have you ever bothered to look out of your spaceships down at the little guys below? If you had, you’d realize that there’s a lot more of us down there than there are you up here, and we’re sick and tired of getting caught in your crossfire.”

Seska

At a glance, Seska seems pretty irredeemable. She joins the idealistic Maquis but is secretly a Cardassian spy. Once in the Delta Quadrant, she tries to screw Voyager as much as possible, mostly by hooking up with the Kazon. That said, Seska is also someone caught up in hopelessly sexist, male-dominated power structures and does what she has to do to gain freedom and power. The Cardassian military isn’t exactly enlightened nor kind, so the fact that Seska was recruited into the Obsidian Order in the first place certainly explains her deceptive conditioning. You could argue that Seska could have become a better person once she had Captain Janeway as an ally, but, the truth is, she was still a spy caught behind enemy lines, but suddenly without a government to report back to. So, Seska did what she had to do to survive, even lying to Chakotay about having his child. The thing is, again, outside of Starfleet, Seska is at the mercy of the sexist machinations of the Kazon, so again, she’s kind of using all the tools at her disposal to gain freedom. Had Voyager not gone to the Delta Quadrant, and Seska’s villainy may have been more clear-cut. But, once the reason for her espionage becomes moot, her situation gets more desperate, and, on some level, more understandable.

Charlie Evans

In The Original Series, Kirk loves telling humans with god-like powers where to shove it. In “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” he phasers Gary Mitchell and buries him under a rock. But, in “Charlie X,” when teenager Charlie Evans also gets psionic powers, Kirk does a less-than-a-great job of being a good role model. For most of the episode, Kirk tries to avoid become Charlies’ surrogate parent, and when he does try, it results in an embarrassing overly macho wrestling match featuring those famous pink tights.

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Charlie was a deeply troubled human being, and there was no justification for him harassing the crew and Janice Rand in specific. But, angry, kids like Charlie have to be helped before it gets to this point. Kirk mostly tried to dodge the adult responsibility of teaching Charlie the ropes, and only when some friendly aliens arrived, did everyone breathe a sigh of relief. But, don’t get it twisted, those aliens are basically just social workers, doing the hard work Starfleet is incapable of.

The Borg Queen

Because the origin of the Borg Queen has dubious canonical origins, all we were told in Voyager is that she was assimilated as a child, just like Seven of Nine. As Hugh and Jean-Luc discuss in the Picard episode “The Impossible Box,” basically, everyone assimilated by the Borg, is, on some level, a victim. The Queen was never presented this way in either First Contact or Voyager, but, at one point, writers Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens had pitched a story for Enterprise which would have featured Alice Krige as a Starfleet medical technician who made contact with the Borg.

Because both Alice Krige and Susanna Thompson played the Borg Queen, it’s possible the backstories of each Queen is different and that maybe they aren’t the same character. Either way, assuming the Borg Queen retains some level of autonomy relative to other drones (likely?) then she’s pretty much making the best of a bad situation. In fact, at the point at which you concede the Borg are unstoppable, the Queen’s desire to let Picard retain some degree of his independence as Locutus could scan as a kind of mercy. The Borg Queen actually thinks she and the Borg are making things simpler for everyone. And with both Data and Picard, she tried to make that transition easier and, in her own perverse way, fun too.

Ossyra

Yes, we saw Ossyra feed her nephew to a Trance worm, and we also saw her try to kill literally everyone on the USS Discovery, including Michael Burnham. However, in the middle of all of that, Ossyra did try to actively make peace between the Emerald Chain and the Federation. And, most tellingly, it was her idea. Ossyra also pointed out one of the most hypocritical things about the United Federation of Planets: the fact that Starfleet and its government rely on capitalism without actively acknowledging it. Essentially, Ossyra was saying that the ideals of the Federation are great, but the Federation has all kinds of dirty little secrets it doesn’t want to talk about. In her meeting with Admiral Vance, pretty much everything she said about the Federation was true—and her treaty proposal was fair.

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The only snag: she wouldn’t turn herself over as a war criminal. Considering the fact that the Federation made Mirror Georgiou into a Section 31 agent, despite her war crimes in another universe, this also seems hypocritical. Why not just do the same thing with Ossyra? Tell everyone she’s going to prison for war crimes, but make her a Section 31 agent instead? Missed opportunity!

Khan

Khan was genetically engineered by wacko-a-doodle scientists at the end of the 21st Century. At some point on Earth, he became a “prince” with “power over millions.” But, as Kirk notes in “Space Seed,” there were “no massacres” under Khan’s rule, and described him as the “best of the tyrants.” Kirk’s take on Khan in “Space Seed” is basically that Khan was an ethical megalomaniac. Most of what we see in “Space Seed” backs this up. Khan doesn’t actually want to kill the crew, and stops short of doing it when he thinks he can coerce them instead. His only focus is to gain freedom for himself and his exiled fellow-Augments. In the Kelvin Universe timeline, Khan’s motivations are similar. Into Darkness shows us a version of Khan who, again, is only cooperating with Section 31 because he wants freedom for his people. Sure, he’ll crush some skulls and crash some starships to get to that point, but in his dueling origin stories, Khan is, in both cases interested in freedom for his people, who, are by any definition, totally persecuted by the Federation.

Khan is still a criminal in any century. But, we only really think of him as a villain because he goes insane in between the “Space Seed” and The Wrath of Khan. The Khan of The Wrath is not the same person we met in “Space Seed.” As he tells Chekov, “Admiral Kirk never bothered to check on our progress.” Had Kirk sent a Starfleet ship to drop in on Khan and his “family” every once in awhile this whole thing could have been avoided. In the prime timeline, Khan goes nuts because Ceti Alpha VI explodes and nobody cares. In the Kelvin timeline, Admiral Marcus blackmails him. Considering that Khan is Star Trek’s most famous villain, it’s fascinating that there are a million different ways you can imagine him never getting as bad as he became. In “Space Seed,” he and Kirk basically part as friends.

In “Encounter at Farpoint,” Q accuses humanity of being “a savage child race.” And walks Jean-Luc Picard through the various atrocities committed by humanity, through the 21st Century. Picard kind of shrugs his shoulders and says, “we are what we are and we’re doing the best that we can.” When we talk about the philosophy of Star Trek, we tend to give more weight to Picard’s argument: the idea that by the 24th century, humanity has become much better, in general than it is now. But, the other side of the argument; that there’s a history of unspeakable violence and cruelty baked into the existence of humanity, is given less weight. We don’t really listen to Q when he’s putting humanity on trial, because we can’t see his point of view.

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But, because Q wasn’t a one-off character, and because he said “the trial never ends” in the TNG finale, he’s actually not really a villain at all. Q exists post-morality, as we can imagine it. His notions of ethics are far more complex (or less complex) than we can perceive. Q is one of those great Star Trek characters who is actually beyond reproach simply because we have no frame of reference for his experiences or point of view. In Voyager, we also learned that even among other members of the Q Continuum, Q was kinder, with a more humanitarian approach to what he might call “lesser” lifeforms. If Q is villainous, it’s because of our definitions of villainy. Of every Star Trek antagonist, Q is the best one, for the simple fact that he’s not a a villain at all.

Which Star Trek villains do you think had a point? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Star Trek Villains Who Actually Had a Point appeared first on Den of Geek.

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placesthatchangedpeople · 7 years

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J.S trying to understand the concept

This testimonial was found on drasurvivors before the hostile takeover. It was submitted October 26, 2014

Trying to Understand the Concept

Sometime around two thirty AM, I heard my mother’s voice. Next thing I know, she was laying on me and softly saying, “Do you remember how I said I would do anything to help you?” Confused I replied with a “Yes?” “Well, these people are here to take you to your new school.” I opened my eyes to see two “transport people”—that’s what we called them—standing in the doorway.

I did not struggle or try to get away, but it was “policy” to restrain my arms until I was “locked in the car.” My mother kissed me as I got into the car, but through her kisses I knew what was happening. I had genuinely believed that I was going to see my aunt on my way home after I had been sent to Texas to finish out the school year, but to accept I would return home never felt right. I was right— oh so right— not to believe what I had been told. But never had I imagined just how right I was.

I arrived at Diamond Ranch Academy that same morning around eight-o-clock. I was quickly stripped, searched, given different clothes, and sent out to join the “Homeless” group. Needless to say, I did not receive a “successful” day. The next day, and the days and the weeks after my first day, I came to terms that I was not leaving. I also realized that no one cared what my issues were, and they wouldn’t listen; they were more concerned about fixing me.

I struggled, going up and down, in my spirits, emotions, energy, and program. But until Amnesty Day, I had not figured out how this place worked. It is sad it took me so long, but I finally figured everything out, and realized what was really going on.

The great day of “amnesty” brought many girls to their knees; including me. All claims against me and many others were validated with, “You’re lying.” We never stood a chance. For a day we were assured to have the slate wiped clean, there were sure a lot of people on suicide watch. I was set back a month in my program, but I had a revealing light bulb moment. I had previously been told that the only choice I had was to either have a good or bad attitude. I knew this, but that day helped me see past the program, and it allowed me to examine the facilities motives.

Our parents had been scammed in their weakest moments, and we were being broken, refused basic human rights— like going to the bathroom— and were being brainwashed to follow orders.

After this realization, I figured out how to manipulate the system. I opted to get my GED to get out of possible citations during school hours. I also learned the outlined role of an upper level, and that’s where I stayed; a “Manager” who had graduated from high school. This put me in the most comfortable position I had been in since I had been there. I triumphed in my victory but told my parents I was doing my best. When in reality, I had stopped trying; I was safe where I was.

Graduating from this place would let Diamond Ranch Academy claim another victory, and would have destroyed my parents when I had finally left and kept with my same opinions. I was a silent victor; it was safer that way.

Until I got pulled, I enjoyed myself. I stopped worrying about the program and started thinking about my future outside of DRA. I was numb and did not care about anything there but my personal gain. I was empathetic and supportive of the girls, but all bets were off for any staff who tried see inside of me. I knew my victory time was near.

The best day of my stay came the day all the program directors called me to the office. I initially figure I would be accused of something, but found out I would soon be free. I was asked if I wanted to stay and complete my program because I was “so close.” Respectfully I declined with, “I haven’t been home in over sixteen months. I think it is time for me to go home.” I will never forget that day. I actually felt happy for the first time the entire time I had been away from home. Although not all my time was spent at DRA, it didn’t matter, I would soon be allowed to live my life.

Two days later I was once again stripped, searched, and given my own clothes. My parents had planned for a vacation to Zion’s National Park and the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, before we even got anywhere, I realized that nothing at home had changed. I had been forced to make personal changes and had to come up with a contract before going home, but no one else had bothered to set rules for themselves. Even after explaining this, nothing changed—I had apparently been the only “problem.” I was forced to be an adult, and they should have been too.

After arriving home, I got a job, and soon started experimenting with things I had learned about from the other girls during my stay at DRA. I stopped listening, and made every excuse imaginable not to be at home. My then humble nature soon turned to resentment, lack of trust, and I was still having nightmares about being back at DRA.

The more my mother yelled and screamed for me to do what she wanted, the worse I became. After being kicked out; losing my job; miscarrying; leaving a bad relationship to start another; being homeless; starting college; moving back in; starting a new relationship, and being kicked out once more, I got married, and started college again for real.

I am almost done now, and am looking forward to my career, but I am not a success story. I’ve struggled, been miserable, and still struggle with psychological demons. What no one had formerly known was that I have personality disorders— well it’s plural now. Yelling and demanding me to be a certain way only made me feel worthless and like I wasn’t good enough for anyone. I lost all faith and hope in myself because no one could understand or empathize with me.

Now, I present myself as tough and like I know what I am doing, but inside I question whether the life plan I made for myself will actually work. Am I going to end up letting my mistrust and irrational fears consume me? Only time will tell. I fight a self-sustaining battle full of contradictions that remains in my mind where no one can see. I have learned it is easier to deal with by keeping it to myself; what people don’t know about me can’t hurt me.

For those of you, who are ex-students of facilities like DRA, remember, you get to control your life’s path now. Do not throw it away because you feel resentful or hopeless. Whatever you are willing to work for, you can have— as long as you do it the right way. Little achievements are mere fractions of what you can accomplish; you just have to point yourself in the right direction.

Parents, please talk to your children. Don’t yell. Approach your child the same exact way you want to be approached, and tell them you love them. Please find the real source of the problem: drug use and bad friends are not the root of the problem, just manifestations of it. When going through therapy, don’t choose a therapist that you like or that is convenient; your child will child never open up enough for a full evaluation. Being too controlling of a teenager goes nowhere: talk to your kids about being an adult in the adult world. Use sentences like, “I know this is your world right now, but what happens after high school?”

But first and foremost, parents please remember that the teenage years of adolescent development focus on acceptance and finding a place in the world. Remember that frontal lobes, where all the reasoning takes place, are still under construction too. Be an example, and allow friends of your child into your home because you never know which one of them will benefit. Teenagers are not structurally adults yet, so be loving, kind, their voice of reason, and do not blame or pawn them off for your behavior. Be a responsible parent and obey the rules too—monkey see, monkey do applies in reality. You are the one responsible for the way your children turn out, and they only turn out as good as their examples. Lastly, remember that someone relying on your payments will not objectively help your child; especially when their livelihoods depend on keeping your child as long as they can.

#Diamond Ranch Academy #hurricane #Utah

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