Captain Styles' Swagger Stick

Discussion in 'Star Trek Movies I-X' started by USS Triumphant, Sep 4, 2012.

  1. USS Triumphant

    USS Triumphant Vice Admiral Admiral

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    http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Swagger_stick

    It has recently occurred to me that his "swagger stick" could have been intended to be something along the lines of the force lance carried by Commonwealth officers on Andromeda...

    http://andromeda.wikia.com/wiki/Force_lance

    ... or, if not *intended* to be, then that there is still nothing in canon that would prevent someone from using it in a way similar to that in fan fiction or other further stories.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. sbk1234

    sbk1234 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I just thought he was a pompous ass who got off carrying a "scepter" like he was a friggin' king or something. It also reminded me of the "tension balls" that Capt. Queeg carried in The Caine Mutiny. Perhaps it was a real stress-related "security blanket" of some sort.

    But some type of weapon makes sense, too. I've no problem with this idea.
     
  3. JarodRussell

    JarodRussell Vice Admiral Admiral

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    It always reminds me of Captain Harris in Police Academy.

    MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT! MOVE IT!
     
  4. T J

    T J Commodore Commodore

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    My understanding is, and I don't remember where I got this but it was a universal translator. Due to the Excelsior having more non-human crew members... wonder if I got it from the novelization... hummm... It was along time ago! :lol:
     
  5. UssGlenn

    UssGlenn Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    if I remember correctly, one of the books had it something he took from a Klingon he had bested in hand to hand combat.
     
  6. CoveTom

    CoveTom Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    ^ It certainly does not look Klingon.
     
  7. CorporalClegg

    CorporalClegg Admiral Admiral

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    I think it's a lot of this:
    And maybe something like this or similar:
    I wonder if it was in the script or if Nimoy's choice.

    I'm guessing Nimoy figured giving Styles a vitis would make him seem more of a "polished brass" type of officer (See: pompous ass) in contrast to the man of action, Kirk.

    Or it could simply be a 23rd C. riding stick and Styles is an avid equestrian.
     
  8. cardinal biggles

    cardinal biggles A GODDAMN DELIGHT Moderator

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    I always associated it with the riding crop General Patton liked to carry.
     
  9. CorporalCaptain

    CorporalCaptain Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    It reminded me of a reflex hammer.
     
  10. doubleohfive

    doubleohfive Fleet Admiral

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    Maybe it was just the stick he had up his ass all the time?
     
  11. Transwarp Drive

    Transwarp Drive Lieutenant

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    I always thought it was a pacing stick beloved of drill instructor types.
     
  12. Ronald Held

    Ronald Held Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I vote for the pompous part and likely the equine as well.
     
  13. JarodRussell

    JarodRussell Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Did they REALLY have to go there?

    Styles was the stereotype of the typical stiff, arrogant British officer. Carrying that stick around was part of that.
     
  14. Alpha Romeo

    Alpha Romeo Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Prime Directive...he was an LT then. Scotty smashed it!
     
  15. SimpleLogic

    SimpleLogic Guest

    I agree that it was just a way to show his as a by-the-book arrogant jack-a**. Someone we don't have to like since he acts so uppity about himself and his ship.

    I do like the reference to Captain Harris too. "Lets go to warp. MOVE IT! MOVE IT!"
     
  16. Dukhat

    Dukhat Admiral Admiral

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    I'm pretty sure it was just a regular swagger stick, and not some secret laser gun/light saber.
     
  17. Trekker4747

    Trekker4747 Boldly going... Premium Member

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    Another vote for the "he was just a pompous ass" thing.
     
  18. inflatabledalek

    inflatabledalek Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    That's why it's a secret ;)
     
  19. Transwarp Drive

    Transwarp Drive Lieutenant

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    One can be arrogant when you are in the best army leading the best soldiers in the world, to be fair to the Brits, what they do with 100 guys, any other army would struggle with 500. The US Army may have all the toys but when it comes to the business end of a scrap, there is no better standing army in the world.

    There's a good reason why US troops are told not to fight with UK troops. In fact, US troops in a certain theatre of war were issued the following advice;

    "DO NOT drink with the British troops"
    "DO NOT gamble with the British troops"
    "DO NOT fight with the British troops"

    "YOU WILL LOSE."
     
  20. Dukhat

    Dukhat Admiral Admiral

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    And it's also kind of an odd thing to say anyway, considering that Styles wasn't British.