Doug Jones talks about his species in EW

[Jackson_Roykirk]

It seems many people are basing their opinion about this "ability" on trying to translate an ambiguous line of dialogue.

I still think (as I mentioned before) his ability has to do with being hyper-aware of everything that is going on around him in a manner that allows his species to instinctively do a risk assessment in order to determine when a situation is potentially life-threatening.

This quote for the article seems to reflect that:

"On Saru’s planet, there’s a dominant predator species that constantly imperils another weaker species called Kelpiens. As part of the latter group, Saru has evolved with heightened survival instincts."

"Heightened survival instincts" seems to allude to this risk-assessment idea rather than it being a supernatural precognition ability.

 

[JasonJ]

His eyes should be on the sides of his head - like other prey species. I know he's an alien and all, but there's a very good reason why deer and bunnies have eyes there as it gives a wide field of views.

I hope it's not that Saru has some crazy psionic powers.
Science writer Martin Gardner wrote that the study of psionics is "even funnier than dianetics or Ray Palmer's Shaver stories" Roddenberry also seems to dissaprove, despite many TOS stories featuring such powers, in TNG, he banned stories about psi-forces or psychic powers," "swords and sorcery," "mad scientists, or stories in which technology is considered the villain."
Source:
http://leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Star_...ion/Star_Trek_-_The_Next_Generation_Bible.pdf

Mind you, in that same document, he didn't want Trek to be about war or battles - so yeah - the writers and producers have already disregarded his comments regarding what Trek should and should not focus on.

Whoa.. just read the "bible"... first time. The writers and stories (even if just looking at TNG) broke SO MANY of Roddenberry's rules about what does not work and what kinds of plots and scenarios not to do.

Number 13: Stories in which our characters must do something stupid or dangerous, or in which our technology breaks down in order to create a jeopardy.

Someone better tell the writers to stop breaching the warp core and causing coolant leaks.... and feedbacks through the main deflector are out too.

 

[cultcross]

I'm just glad that TNG featured no mad scientists, myself.

 

[JasonJ]

I'm just glad that TNG featured no mad scientists, myself.

No kidding... like the scientist that hijacked Data's body... or the one that played with space-time (the early episode where Data (Spiner?) accidently say's "it's" ... or any episode with Dr. Soong, really.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

Whoa.. just read the "bible"... first time. The writers and stories (even if just looking at TNG) broke SO MANY of Roddenberry's rules about what does not work and what kinds of plots and scenarios not to do.

Number 13: Stories in which our characters must do something stupid or dangerous, or in which our technology breaks down in order to create a jeopardy.

Someone better tell the writers to stop breaching the warp core and causing coolant leaks.... and feedbacks through the main deflector are out too.

On another note, breaking the first part of that rule Number 13 is the biggest pet peeve of mine when it comes to being able to enjoy a TV show or movie.

I have a very large ability to suspend disbelief when it comes to technology, or the paranormal, or serendipitous coincidences, and the like in order to create story drama and move the plot along....

HOWEVER, one thing I can never get past is people doing stupid things just for the sake of plot. That instantly turns me off to any TV show or movie and completely ruins any enjoyment I might have. To me, this should be rule #1.

 

[cultcross]

HOWEVER, one thing I can never get past is people doing stupid things just for the sake of plot. That instantly turns me off to any TV show or movie and completely ruins any enjoyment I might have. To me, this should be rule #1.

Yes. Characters who are otherwise sensible and rational doing out-of-character dumb things to create a situation or advance the plot is an annoying trope. Trek is only an occasional visitor to that well, in fairness.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Yeah, it doesn't.

The whole "prey species" is a really interesting angle when you get into it, because although human beings are occasionally preyed upon individually by other animals when the opportunity arises we've made our way as predators: we kill and consume just about every living creature that it is practical for us to. We have gotten better and better at killing more and more and at mastering the breeding of other creatures in order to kill and consume them in vast numbers.

The Kelpians are not us; they're not hyper-logical or hyper-violent versions of us. They are our opposites, the one thing we're not.

Which is what makes am an interesting character - he can explore the "human condition" from a new angle.

 

[captainkirk]

HOWEVER, one thing I can never get past is people doing stupid things just for the sake of plot. That instantly turns me off to any TV show or movie and completely ruins any enjoyment I might have. To me, this should be rule #1.

Are you saying it doesn't make sense to do things like walk into a dark room where all your friends have disappeared screaming? Those are the kinds of situations it would be handy to have Saru around.

 

[fireproof78]

Whoa.. just read the "bible"... first time. The writers and stories (even if just looking at TNG) broke SO MANY of Roddenberry's rules about what does not work and what kinds of plots and scenarios not to do.

Number 13: Stories in which our characters must do something stupid or dangerous, or in which our technology breaks down in order to create a jeopardy.

Someone better tell the writers to stop breaching the warp core and causing coolant leaks.... and feedbacks through the main deflector are out too.

Or the breaking the transporter too.

 

[JasonJ]

Or the breaking the transporter too.

No joke.

It was an interesting read, especially to see how GR described the main characters in a way that was not portrayed on screen. Beverly is supposed to have a natural walk that is like that of woman doing a striptease? Are you effing kididng me? Really, Gene? Really? Glad that one didn't make it on screen.

Or Geordie's career aspiration being described as "I want to be Captain Picard when I grow up!". Wow..

 

[Rahul]

No, Tosk were bred for prey but in the context of a hunt. Kelpiens seem to have evolved naturally as a secondary, weaker species.

The quote "biologically determined to sense the coming of death" at least suggests that this species indeed didn't completely evolved on their own, and instead was 'tinkered' with genetically to be better, intelligent prey. Which is IMO much more believable, and a really unique, new concept.

I guess there'll be no connection to either Tosk or the Hirogen though. Which I'm perfectly fine with!

 

[Rahul]

I doubt it will be anything more supernatural than a heightened version of a prey species' survival instinct. Raised awareness of surroundings and perception of risk. A bit like you might expect your traditional Vulcan to be able to logically analyse a situation better than the Galactic average.

Dear god, I hope so. But the problem here is, ironically, Bryan Fuller. This guy makes great television. But he has a really weird obsession with "death" as a magical concept. Bascially his whole body of work revolves around it, and even here, with scifi, the registration of the ship is a reference to Halloween, and a "death sensing" alien and an ancienct sarcophagus are major story parts.

I haven't seen Hannibal, but just by looking at 'Pushing Daisies', or his VOY's "Barge of the dead", it's like a child that doesn't really seem to grasp the concept of "death" and isn't content with any scientific or religious explanation for it, starts inventing it's own, unique, completely wild and magical rules for it. And the premise and first season absolutely still is 100% based on Fuller's concept.

My biggest fear is indeed, that "death" will be some metaphysical concept in this show, that can be "sensed" or "felt" coming with absolute certainty, and will play a major part in "resurrecting" whatever lies in that sarcophagus. I would hate that.

If it is indeed just a "heightened sense", and no fantasy elements or precognition in the sense of time travel, fate/destiny/free will/stuff will be introduced, I will find these topics absolutely thrilling to be handled in a science fiction show and be looking forward to them!

I just have that deep, dark fear, that I will be burned again, like with the ending of BSG, and my favourite franchise - a science fiction franchise - will again shift into the religious/fantastical/meta-physical esotheric bullsh*t. If that doesn't happen, I'll be MUCH more content and sign love letters to the creators for tackling such extremely difficult themes!

 

[Rahul]

His eyes should be on the sides of his head - like other prey species. I know he's an alien and all, but there's a very good reason why deer and bunnies have eyes there as it gives a wide field of views.

I hope it's not that Saru has some crazy psionic powers.
Science writer Martin Gardner wrote that the study of psionics is "even funnier than dianetics or Ray Palmer's Shaver stories" Roddenberry also seems to dissaprove, despite many TOS stories featuring such powers, in TNG, he banned stories about psi-forces or psychic powers," "swords and sorcery," "mad scientists, or stories in which technology is considered the villain."
Source:
http://leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Star_...ion/Star_Trek_-_The_Next_Generation_Bible.pdf

Mind you, in that same document, he didn't want Trek to be about war or battles - so yeah - the writers and producers have already disregarded his comments regarding what Trek should and should not focus on.

Oh boy, now I HAVE to read the series bible! Thanks for sharing!!

Generally, I find it an extremely good idea to forbid such tired clichés in the first place, and then do them anyway. Because they are going to happen anyway, simply because 24 scripts a year need to be written. But by being made aware of them in the first place, the writers are tackling them different - indeed, all these plots have had, if they appeared, usually one or another layer added to them in TNG.

 

[Long Syntax]

Perhaps the answer to those that need a scientific basis for this species to exist in the ST universe lies in existing knowledge and doesn't need supernatural explanation. The field of quantum mechanics allows for all possibilities to occur at once. Perhaps these possibilities can not only exist but can also be perceived by some scientific principle as yet unstated.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

I think Saru might have midichlorians in his blood. That would explain things.
[runs and hides]

 

[Psion]

A pox of Regulan Bloodworms upon you!

 

[Rahul]

I think Saru might have midichlorians in his blood. That would explain things.
[runs and hides]

Jesus. You COULD have just said "The Force". But no. You chose to say "midichlorians". You knew what you were doing, didn't you?!?

 

[fireproof78]

I think Saru might have midichlorians in his blood. That would explain things.
[runs and hides]

Are we finally getting the crossover I've been imagining since I got my Star Trek and Star Wars action figures?

 

[Mr Awe]

Are we finally getting the crossover I've been imagining since I got my Star Trek and Star Wars action figures?

Before that happens, Disney will have to buy CBS!

 

[fireproof78]

Before that happens, Disney will have to buy CBS!

You joke...