This is one of my posts where I “review” Star Trek episodes. I will be giving each one a star rating. I sometimes will make some comments about non-political parts of them that I like or don’t like. I’ll sometimes use the issues raised in the episode to discuss similar issues in real life. And I will sometimes simply high-light the progressive politics of ST. ST is in-line with the three original themes of this blog, as I explain in the first ST post where I offer some general thoughts about ST.I’m not very familiar with The Original Series and there might be some small amount of material there that would affect what I say about Star Trek (i.e. how often religion is mentioned)
Lastly. multi-culturalism is such a pervasive theme in ST that I only comment on it when it goes beyond the norm (i.e. inter-species partners).
“The Crossing” See this for plot summary.
A non-political episode. I give it two stars out of five.
“Judgment” See this for a plot summary.
This episode is about the Klingon judicial system. Apparently it used to be a “forum for the truth,” and the defendant would often be acquitted, but now it invariably finds people guilty.
It also highlights some other ugly aspects of the Klingon state and society. Although we hear about teachers and lawyers and even universities, we also are reminded very much about how warriors are seen as VERY important, and how ANY victory is praised, even those against innocent civilians. We also learn that the Klingons would annex nearby planets, take all the resources, and then leave, providing nothing for their new subjects. Archer says something about how settling differences through violence is something found in Earth’s history.
Archer’s lawyer has some good things to say about the Klingon judicial system.
Archer’s lawyer defends him to such a degree that he is sentenced to the same penal colony as Archer. When one of Archer’s men comes to the penal colony to rescue them, they have the following exchange.
The lawyer: I can’t go with you.
Archer: Why not?
The lawyer: I’ve been an advocate for 50 years. And I spent the last 20 of them standing in that tribunal, playing my part, holding my tongue. And all the while honorable men were being sent to places like this without the benefit of a defense. And then I was assigned your case. You told me that on your world a few courageous people made a difference. I’m not sure I have the courage, but I know I’ll never be able to restore honor to my people living as a fugitive.
Archer: You realize what that means- you said most prisoners here don’t survive a year.
The lawyer: Most prisoners here have very little to live for.
As I have said about the Romulan Star Empire and especially the Cardassian Union, this kind of dissent in favor of democracy and freedom and civil rights, is very inspiring.
I give it four stars out five.
“Horizon” See this for a plot summary.
A non-political episode. I give it two stars out of five.
“The Breach” See this for a plot summary.
About half this episode is about two alien races who, more or less, absolutely hate each other. Phlox is a Denobulan, and a man who was rescued by Enterprise is an Antaran.
Dr. Phlox: When I was quite young I wanted to take a trip to an arboreal planet near our system. It was a park of sorts with a... great variety of exotic animal life. Some friends and I had planned the journey for months, but a... week before I was supposed to leave, one of my grandmothers took me aside and told me I couldn't go.
Sub-Commander T'Pol: Why not?
Dr. Phlox: She said the planet was tainted. Antarans had lived there once; even though they'd been gone for years, she believed the place had been spoiled by their presence.
Sub-Commander T'Pol: Did you go?
Dr. Phlox: No. But when I had children of my own, I took them there. I was determined not to raise them as I was raised.
Sub-Commander T'Pol: Your children were fortunate to have a father who taught them to embrace other cultures.
Dr. Phlox: [gloomily] I certainly tried...
There’s another good exchange:
Dr. Phlox: You also asked me if I have children; I have five. And no, I never told them my grandmother's stories. When they asked me about the Antarans, I told them the truth, as best as I knew it. I told them about our military campaigns against your people. About how we had demonized you, turned you into a faceless enemy. I wanted them to learn to judge people for what they really are - not what the propaganda tells them.
Hudak (the Antaran): How would you know who we really are?
Dr. Phlox: I don't. But I am proud to say that my children would consider my grandmother's attitude archaic - all of them but one.
Overall it’s a pretty good illustration of racial hostility and ignorance and racist propaganda. At the end, though, the Antaran talks about interacting with more Denobulans on his voyage home, and how he’ll try to move past his hatred for them, something he made some progress on with Phlox.
I give it three stars out of five.
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