Onscreen evidence M'Ress is an alien?

[Marsden]

Can you name another genetically modified animal in Star Trek?

Dr. Julian Bashir.

...technically you are correct

Technically, I was joking.

And Gov. Kodos is right, it is cheating to draw from DS9 for a TAS discussion. It just seemed too good to pass that one. I'm having quite a good time with this thread, actually.

Thundercats HOOOOO!

Totally off track for a post or two, the ThunderCats, at least the original design, never really struck me as particularly feline. To me, they looked more like steroid pumped elves dressed up for a glam' rock concert.

Back to the subject, we should start calling this thread "Schrodinger's M'Ress" as she seems to exist in a state of indeterminacy. She's anything and everything (and nothing) until the metaphorical box is opened (the on screen revelation of her background), which at this point is VERY, VERY unlikely.

Sincerely,

Bill

Another great post!

Lion O and the Holograms!

What in the world does "uplifted cat" mean? Is she just really inspiring to people?

She's inspiring to the other cats. Putting in that extra effort to evolve to a better life. :P

 

[Redfern]

Thanks, Marsden! I wasn't even "trying" with that one.

Oh, I linked this thread to some friends for a giggle. One of them suggested the zaniest "background" yet.

Hmm, suppose everyone aboard the Enterprise thinks M'Ress is an alien, and then she's outed as a cosplayer. Called Kevin.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Dukhat]

Dr. Julian Bashir.

...technically you are correct

Since we are dealing with TOS and TAS, the examples should come from there. That Said, Bashir brings up the rather Luddite attitude Earth in Star Trek takes towards genetic engineering.

And bringing up Bashir actually makes a point against M'Ress being a genetically engineered Earth cat, since the whole point of making Bashir enhanced was that it was illegal in the Federation to do so. So there's no way some genetic freak like M'Ress would be serving in Starfleet if that were the case (remember, Starfleet was going to send Bashir to the stockade until his dad took the wrap for him.)

 

[SonicRanger]

...technically you are correct

Since we are dealing with TOS and TAS, the examples should come from there. That Said, Bashir brings up the rather Luddite attitude Earth in Star Trek takes towards genetic engineering.

And bringing up Bashir actually makes a point against M'Ress being a genetically engineered Earth cat, since the whole point of making Bashir enhanced was that it was illegal in the Federation to do so. So there's no way some genetic freak like M'Ress would be serving in Starfleet if that were the case (remember, Starfleet was going to send Bashir to the stockade until his dad took the wrap for him.)

Except that's all bull.

A human and a Vulcan wouldn't naturally have a kid without some genetic tinkering to get a viable offspring. That's a common idea in early novels like Spock's World, and it is supported by ENT.

 

[Ithekro]

If M'Ress was the subject of tinkering in a fashion suggested for Vulcan-Human, or the Klingon-Human, or even Klingon-Trill hybrid babies, that would still make her an alien. Because one, if not all of her parents would be aliens.

 

[Redfern]

Honestly, if we can't reach some sort of agreement, I will be compelled to "thread bomb" this discussion with another M'Ress render. You guys don't want that, do you?

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[hux]

It's so obvious.

A Federation ship is exploring space when they're taken back three million years in time. They assume they're stuck there so they settle on a nearby planet. A number of the crew have pet cats they take with them.

Suddenly the crew are transported back (without the cats). On their return, they discover that the planet is now inhabited by a population of millions of cat evolved life-forms.

The crew agree to keep their time travel adventures a secret as it could land them in trouble so as far as the Federation is concerned, these cat-like creatures are an alien species.

 

[Orphalesion]

Except that's all bull.

A human and a Vulcan wouldn't naturally have a kid without some genetic tinkering to get a viable offspring. That's a common idea in early novels like Spock's World, and it is supported by ENT.

So you discard M'Ress' mini-biography but then point towards novels to proof/disproof something about the TV/Film verse?
That is a bit selective.

Thing is giving a couple some sort of gene therapy (I think Jadzia was thinking about getting some as well before Dukhat freed us of her) is something different than basically creating sapient life where there was none before.
The Federation already has a crisis when it comes to the possibility of a sapient android, uplifting animals does not sound like something they'd do.

 

[USS Triumphant]

However as we know of no other genetically modified cats in Starfleet but we do see aliens resembling other animals it is safer to assume she is an animal.

Well, there we go then: she's an animal. They just put her in a uniform for kicks, and the times we thought she was talking or operating equipment were just an experiment Filmation was doing with something called Visual LSD.

Dr. Julian Bashir.

...technically you are correct

Since we are dealing with TOS and TAS, the examples should come from there.

Fine. Khan and his whole crew. Also, apparently, TOS Klingons.

 

[SonicRanger]

The Federation already has a crisis when it comes to the possibility of a sapient android, uplifting animals does not sound like something they'd do.

Why would it be the Federation's doing?

There are plenty, especially in TOS and TAS, of advanced civilizations, god-like aliens, and bad guys with tech around.

 

[Orphalesion]

Why would it be the Federation's doing?

There are plenty, especially in TOS and TAS, of advanced civilizations, god-like aliens, and bad guys with tech around.

So.....you are alright with (non earth derived)cats existing on other planets but not feline humanoid aliens?
Or do you mean the aliens randomly picked up cats and decided to modify them?

It's a very interesting theory (I'm serious), but I don't know if "random god-like civilization picks up a litter of kittens on earth and genetically modified them to be sapient humanoids" is that much more possible then "feline alien from the planet Cait". Coincidences happen.

 

[SonicRanger]

Apparently interstellar probes are interested in whales on Earth.

And humans can do things without it being "The Federation" involved. Doctor Moreau didn't conduct his experiments as part of the British Empire.

 

[Dukhat]

Since we are dealing with TOS and TAS, the examples should come from there. That Said, Bashir brings up the rather Luddite attitude Earth in Star Trek takes towards genetic engineering.

And bringing up Bashir actually makes a point against M'Ress being a genetically engineered Earth cat, since the whole point of making Bashir enhanced was that it was illegal in the Federation to do so. So there's no way some genetic freak like M'Ress would be serving in Starfleet if that were the case (remember, Starfleet was going to send Bashir to the stockade until his dad took the wrap for him.)

Except that's all bull.

A human and a Vulcan wouldn't naturally have a kid without some genetic tinkering to get a viable offspring. That's a common idea in early novels like Spock's World, and it is supported by ENT.

And I call bull on that. There's a world of difference between creating a genetically engineered cat-person, and a human & a Vulcan wanting a baby together. Unless you're implying that M'Ress was the product of both a human and a standard Earth cat also wanting a baby together, which is something I'd rather not discuss in open company...

Anyway, the heights of stubbornness this thread has developed into is quite enough for me, so this will be my last post about this subject.

 

[SonicRanger]

It seems easy in the Trek universe to de-evolve (TNG's "Genesis") or hyper-evolve (VOY's "Threshold") and have the medical staff genetically engineer you back to human form. In addition, it seems pretty common to meet aliens on Earth (TOS's "Who Mourns for Adonais?," VOY's "Tattoo") and even be kidnapped by them (TOS's "The Paradise Syndrome," VOY's "The 37's"). Not to mention aliens conducting secret tests on humans (TNG's "Schisms," VOY's "Scientific Method").

 

[Poltargyst]

Still, offering no support for your idea, I see.

Ditto.

My argument: We have no evidence what M'Ress is. Why? Because there is no evidence in TAS.

Your argument: M'Press is clearly an alien. Why? Because I think so.

No. In Star Trek the default value is "alien." We don't have to prove she's an alien. If you think she's not an alien, the burden of proof is on you.

The flaw in your argument is this idea that all possible explanations are equally likely. They are not. There is one explanation that is far more likely than the others because this is Star Trek. If you think that's not it, prove it.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Still, offering no support for your idea, I see.

Ditto.

My argument: We have no evidence what M'Ress is. Why? Because there is no evidence in TAS.

Your argument: M'Press is clearly an alien. Why? Because I think so.

No. In Star Trek the default value is "alien." We don't have to prove she's an alien. If you think she's not an alien, the burden of proof is on you.

The flaw in your argument is this idea that all possible explanations are equally likely. They are not. There is one explanation that is far more likely than the others because this is Star Trek. If you think that's not it, prove it.

Pretty much, or go with Redfern's suggested idea of her really being a cosplayer named Kevin.

 

[Saga]

i'm telling youse guys! M'Ress is the reincarnation of JFK. why won't anyone listen to me

 

[Redfern]

Pretty much, or go with Redfern's suggested idea of her really being a cosplayer named Kevin.

Eh, I can't take the credit (or the blame) for that one. An on-line friend suggested that and had me giggling like a lunatic for several minutes. I merely relayed his genius.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Ithekro]

Instead of Kevin, how about Calvin?

 

[Gov Kodos]

Pretty much, or go with Redfern's suggested idea of her really being a cosplayer named Kevin.

Eh, I can't take the credit (or the blame) for that one. An on-line friend suggested that and had me giggling like a lunatic for several minutes. I merely relayed his genius.

Sincerely,

Bill

Between that and Schrodinger's M'Ress, you have kept me chuckling.