Suppose Will Decker were still aboard Enterprise with Kirk, Spock, and McCoy during the time of The Final Frontier. As he seemed to be a man of spirituality ("We all create God in our own image."), how do you think he'd have reacted to Sybok's proclamations about taking the Enterprise through the Great Barrier to find Sha Ka Ree? Would he have embraced the idea that God was waiting for the crew on the other side of the barrier, or would he have reacted with skepticism similar to Kirk's? It's difficult know for sure. He wasn't there, and not enough of his character was fleshed out before he departed with V'Ger. But given what we know of Decker, what might he have done upon meeting Sybok? --Sran
I think that Decker would have embraced the possibility that Sha Ka Ree/God was on the other side of that barrier. Just from the way he accepted V'Ger (even though it was probably because of Ilea) but still, V'Ger was like the ultimate unknown of that movie. God is the ultimate unknown of pretty much anything. So it's possible, but Decker wasn't my favorite person so I'm glad he was just in one movie.
I think he would be curious and to know for sure if God was at the center of the galaxy, but I also think he'd be the first one behind kirk wanting to know why God needed a starship. Before or after having sex with Doctor Gillian?
Good point! I can totally picture Decker and Kirk exchanging a WTF look after hearing the entity ask for the ship. More than that, I think Decker's reaction to the entity asking Kirk's identity would have been priceless. --Sran
He would reccomend so much more simulations in the warp enginas that they wouldnt still have reached Numbus
I don't know... Decker: "Recommend defensive posture, Captain. Screens and shields." Kirk: "No, Mr. Decker. That could also be misinterpreted as hostile." --Sran
Good point. Maybe with both Decker AND Savik urging caution Kirk would have listened. But back to TFF. I do wish the movies would have kept with the concept of an XO, but I guess the Shat never wanted to share the spotlight. He definitely would have given Kirk a reality check on going along with the whole God premise. I think his quote from TMP about making God in our own image was more anthropological than religious. He seemed too 'by the book' (sorry for the TWOK hook again) to buy in to Sybok's mantra.
By the book or no, I don't think he'd have fallen for Sybok's nonsense. I do think he'd have been genuinely curious about the chance to find God and would have pursued the opportunity to cross the Great Barrier. But I don't think he'd have played along when Sybok wanted to explore his deepest pain. And like Kirk, I think we've already seen it play out on screen. --Sran
No doubt, since he actually was a captain and not just pretending to buy Kirk time. Better yet, Decker might have been leading the away team instead of Kirk, so Kirk could have talked to Sybok himself while Chekov stayed at the navigator station. --Sran
Honestly? Probably nothing. Sybok certainly knew of Starfleet, but it's not a given he'd have known how to recognize individual rank insignia. As a rule, Starfleet officers don't lie. He had no reason not to take Chekov at his word. As Sybok had been wandering the galaxy for several years, it's not surprising that he had no idea who Kirk was until the latter introduced himself (using his typical leadership by arrogance approach). --Sran