Crazily shaped assignment patches

I gotta wonder whether some fan somewhere has concocted an in-universe rationalization for this little gem from The Way to Eden. Perhaps the atmosphere of Eden creates mirror-reversed lens effects every now and then.

 

How about that mid-episode switch to an alternate universe in "Charlie X"? Kirk enters the turbolift in his gold uniform shirt, then we switch to an AU when he arrives on the bridge in his green wraparound.

 

Since the subject of odd uniform patches has come up, what of these from the Dagger of the Mind Tantalus colony?

 

The same uniform patch was worn by Governor Cory in "Whom Gods Destroy." We can assume that the rather odd logo is a symbol of Starfleet's mental health services. As to the logo's meaning, well, who wants to take a crack at it?

 

I invoke Zen.

We also shouldn't forget the seashell-patch worn by Commander Hansen and Lieutenant Harold.

 

Doves are usually symbols of peace and hope. The hand reaches up for it towards the sun, a symbol of life. So, strive to hope and heal.

 

Hmmm. I never picked on up any indications that the penal colony was part of Starfleet.

I always took it that the hand was holding the bird, presumably releasing it to fly toward the sun. But it could also be interpreted as catching the bird and stopping it from flying to the sun. Kind of ambiguous.

 

Perhaps it is throwing the bird into the sun to free it of madness like the Denevans.

 

I like that one!

 

That's a good one.


OK, I'm ready for my stab at it:

"We won't let you go free, because people who think they can fly are obviously crazy, but we'll make sure your cell has a window with a nice view."

 

"God, these mosquitoes are big on Tantalus. Kill them in the sunlight! Squash them in your fingers!"

Sorry, that's the best I could come up with in 30 seconds...

 

Some really great suggestions! Although the Pollux IV one is my favorite.

It does look like the bird is actually trying to fly (in)to the sun. The "helping hand" assures that he doesn't do so and hurt himself.

Bob

 

"Crush tiny birds in sunlight"

 

The sun? I always thought it was the Neural Neutralizer's radial emitter.

 

I thought about that too, Zap, but I thought it'd be reaching. But it would suggest a bird help in flight under its' influence, i.e. "stabilizing" it!

 

OMG, you guys are freaking me out!

 

I see, so the hand protects the bird from getting too close to it: "no children or animals were harmed in testing the Neural Neutralizer".

Just tells us how big the American Humane Association got by the 23rd Century.

Bob

 

It's clear now that the emblem was meant to be the sun, and the helping hand of space psychiatry is freeing the bird of mental health.

I'm just saying, on the old standard def CRT TVs I grew up watching, it really looked like the emitter. So much so that I think it was meant to, as the visual equivalent of dialog with a double meaning. Or it could be accidental.