Red Squad deployed prior to Layton being brought down, it's why Sisko couldn't talk to that Cadet after the first interview that Nog helped set up.
What do you think about the Red Squad?
- Thread starter Kilana2
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Red Squad deployed prior to Layton being brought down, it's why Sisko couldn't talk to that Cadet after the first interview that Nog helped set up.
Starborn Dragon
Captain
It's too military and Starfleet is not a military, or not supposed to be one.
Plus he was not a good captain. Even Riker 2 thought about his crew in safety when he was using the Defiant. That captain never thought about his crew, only his own personal glory, and demanded blind obedience.
You know, kind of like that Patrick Swayze movie, Roadhouse.
Plus he was not a good captain. Even Riker 2 thought about his crew in safety when he was using the Defiant. That captain never thought about his crew, only his own personal glory, and demanded blind obedience.
You know, kind of like that Patrick Swayze movie, Roadhouse.
I have always viewed the Red Squad as a sci-fi version of popular kids against unpopular kids or the extremities that being part of a prestigious college fraternity/sorority involve. And as it often happens, popular kids win until they meet some really big bully who does not care. In a way, they could not understand that being the teacher’s pet and majorettes’ wet dream was not enough when things got serious.
Nog as an outsider by default felt flattered to be part of this high society only to find out that prestige and glamour are not a substitute for common sense. So the cool kids died valiantly and gloriously as befits status symbols.
Nog as an outsider by default felt flattered to be part of this high society only to find out that prestige and glamour are not a substitute for common sense. So the cool kids died valiantly and gloriously as befits status symbols.
Not true. Starfleet* is a military, it's just not very militaristic. There is a difference.
*meaning, the Federation Starfleet. That's the one that's military. The Starfleet that is NOT military is the Earth Starfleet from ENT.
What do I think about Red Squad? They were a bunch of morons. Although, that they turned out that way is largely the Federation's fault for the dubious way how it indoctrinates cadets to believe in authority (Riker talked about that a lot too in a TNG episode).
About the Red Squad, many years ago a wise Trek fan (unfortunately I forgot his or her online username or else I'd state it here) posted these immortal words which I've always remembered:
About the Red Squad, many years ago a wise Trek fan (unfortunately I forgot his or her online username or else I'd state it here) posted these immortal words which I've always remembered:
It's Starfleet's fault to admit primarily kids to the Academy who have parents in Starfleet's highter places. I guess there are still inequalities in the 24th century regarding the admission to the Academy. No excelent marks, no parents in Starfleet, no letter of recommendation, no chance. Applicants who don't meet the requirements have slimmer chances.... Nepotism is no good.
I don't understand, why Aaron Eisenberg aka Nog liked the Red Squad episode so much.
I don't understand, why Aaron Eisenberg aka Nog liked the Red Squad episode so much.
This.
I never liked the idea of Red Squad continuing. I was with Sisko and his disapproval in Homefront. I think they were part of Starfleet's paranoia about the dominion and probably would have been disbanded.
I like to think they were already meant to have been disbanded prior to Valiant, and that the Valiant just hadn't received that communication.
Those are kind of bizarre conclusions to draw based on what's actually in the episode.
You're right, we only got a picture. Hopefully they gave up on this concept of elite.
I'm currently reading a TOS novel. From what I gather, Starfleet chooses its cadets carefully. Uhura got her admission, her friend not. Excellent marks are not enough I would think. Ties might be helpful. But you have to pass psychological tests for admission.
Nepotism is a part of life that is very hard to avoid. In any service academy - real or fictional - there's going to be familial connections that help some kids get in. I'm not saying that's right, or preferable, but it is always going to happen. It's human nature - oftentimes it's as much an issue of WHO you know, as much as WHAT.
The problem with Red Squad isn't how they got in, it's what they do afterward. They were indoctrinated by Admiral Leyton to feel that they are superior to all other cadets (and by extension, to the rest of the Federation citizenry). That's much worse; to think that "I'm better than you" is always indefensible, IMHO.
And in the end, it got them all killed, because that's where attitudes like that often lead.
The problem with Red Squad isn't how they got in, it's what they do afterward. They were indoctrinated by Admiral Leyton to feel that they are superior to all other cadets (and by extension, to the rest of the Federation citizenry). That's much worse; to think that "I'm better than you" is always indefensible, IMHO.
And in the end, it got them all killed, because that's where attitudes like that often lead.
