Why were the Maquis conscripted but not Kes/Neelix?
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Kes and Neelix weren't fighters - they had no military training or background. They weren't qualified to stand watch like the rest of the crew. That's why they weren't "drafted". They were better off exactly where they were: Kes as a medic and Neelix's cooking and "ambassadorial" duties.
(Although there was going to be an ongoing storyline with Neelix training as a security officer, but they never followed up on it.)
The Maquis, OTOH, had combat experience. So that's why they all got commissions. And some of them (like Chakotay) actually were Starfleet vets.
(Although there was going to be an ongoing storyline with Neelix training as a security officer, but they never followed up on it.)
The Maquis, OTOH, had combat experience. So that's why they all got commissions. And some of them (like Chakotay) actually were Starfleet vets.
Though the Maquis are terrorists, they were still/once Federation citizen so all familiar with Starfleet and how it operated, they all had experience and at least some basic training to operate ship systems and all given roles to fill for the operation of the ship. Neelix and Kes were more free floating in the beginning, with jobs that were outwith the norm (guide/cook and gardener/medic).
Admitted I do think they (and later Seven) should've all ended up in uniforms as they became more experienced and practiced in Starfleet ways, and would also look more profession and unified as members of the actual crew.
Admitted I do think they (and later Seven) should've all ended up in uniforms as they became more experienced and practiced in Starfleet ways, and would also look more profession and unified as members of the actual crew.
There's a general view that you have to 'earn the uniform', rather than be subjected to it. The Marquis were given uniforms to integrate them better as a group, to try to foster the view that they were one crew. Giving Seven a uniform may have integrated her more quickly, but she had bigger problems.
Neelix wore a uniform in Year of Hell (At least the Before and After version, can't recall the full version). Seven in Relativity. I don't think Kes ever wore a (starfleet) uniform
Neelix wore a uniform in Year of Hell (At least the Before and After version, can't recall the full version). Seven in Relativity. I don't think Kes ever wore a (starfleet) uniform
My personal opinion is that all of them should have had Starfleet uniforms, including Kes, Neelix and Seven and no special-designed Maquis rank pins.
I guess that some Maquis had only rudimental combat training, like Gerron for example. So why give him a Starfleet uniform and not Neelix who obviously had a lot of survival skills.
I guess that some Maquis had only rudimental combat training, like Gerron for example. So why give him a Starfleet uniform and not Neelix who obviously had a lot of survival skills.
Well he survived by hiding in the space-trash in a star system so unimportant it didn't have any water, rather than face the wrath of such fearsome foes as the Kazon Oogla.
That's a skill I guess.
Or Seven, for that matter.
My guess would be, because every "Star Trek" series after TOS apparently needed at least one or two cast members who didn't wear the uniforms, just to spice things up. (I'm dead serious.)
My guess would be, because every "Star Trek" series after TOS apparently needed at least one or two cast members who didn't wear the uniforms, just to spice things up. (I'm dead serious.)
She looks great in Starfleet uniform!
I (sort of) know the guy who does those uniform photoshops. He's a righteous dude.
He's excellent in his photoshopping.
I hope that he will come up with more Kes pictures!
He's excellent in his photoshopping.
I hope that he will come up with more Kes pictures!
I know he has at least one other one with her, in a blue TOS outfit.
You mean the Maquis? They do whatever Chakotay tells them, because he was their commander. If Chakotay tells his people to peacefully integrate with the Starfleet personnel on Voyager, and accept provisional Starfleet commissions, they'll do it without question.
That's why there wasn't any large scale Maquis/Starfleet tension during the run of the show: because Chakotay wouldn't allow it. He was as much in favor of an integrated crew as Janeway was.
Which gives rise to my favorite Chakotay line in the entire series. I can't remember which episode it was, but it's where two of the Maquis crew say that they'll support him if he wants to take over the ship, Chakotay gets really mad and says "If I EVER hear you talk that way again I will personally throw you in the brig for MUTINY!"
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Alas I fear it was in too close proximity to "Get the cheese to sickbay"
They gave the Maquis Starfleet uniforms originally as more of a symbolic gesture so they would not feel like prisoners but equals. Neelix and Kes were in a different situation, they were the ones asking to be allowed to stay aboard. It's likely if they had been there the whole 70 years and Neelix never left, Neelix would have eventually had a Starfleet uniform. Was it only Year of Hell he joined the security team or did he also in Before & After?
Not all of them were Federation citizens.
In "Before and After" he became.... (sigh)... Chief of Security.
I guess the Year of Hell took out Tuvok's entire security force in that timeline.
(Really, "Before and After" is a great episode, but it's one drawback is the extreme to which it plays the "main characters do everything" trope...)
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