Spoilers Alan Van Sprang officially joins Season 2 as...

[middleagednerdgirl]

I would not want to see Section 31 become a huge part of the story, but they could be used in an interesting way. I think the idea that they were in league with Lorca, either before or after the big switch, and maybe even knew he was Mirror Lorca, is pretty intriguing and could explain much. (I don't remember who raised that, but you are a clever boy.)

Besides, more Michelle Yeoh can only be a good thing (probably). I'm still grieving over the knowledge that I'm not going to get to see Jason Isaacs for 13 more episodes, so bringing back the other actor I couldn't tear my eyes away from is a plus as long as it isn't overdone.

I don't think there is any danger of Section 31 being pictured as the heroes. They have always been shown as either evil or at best a morally dubious faction who might unfortunately be useful in dark times.

It is the fact that the Federation has ethics which causes something like Section 31 to exist. In an Evil Empire they would just be the official security branch, like the Tal Shiar, or whatever Kim Jong Un is calling his these days.

I mean, look who they just recruited. She will fit right in and that tells you where they are coming from.

If I were a tie-in novelist, I would be slavering to write a story about Georgiou's adventures with Section 31.

[QUOTE="
Oh, and the stupid black badges. Way to keep your secret organization secret. I guess it wouldn't be the same if you simply didn't tell anyone, but gotta have the cool decoder ring to make it official.[/QUOTE]

With you there. The idea that a super-secret spy agency has its own badges is hysterical. It's like a CIA agent with a name tag. And why the hell did they give Georgiou one, unless it does something other than look menacing? The badges aren't yet communicators, unless maybe hers is special...

 

[fireproof78]

Badges are likely special forces badges, with a pretty much "Don't ask" attitude around them. S31 just uses them to blend in to ship operations.

 

[DigificWriter]

A list of * some * of Alan Van Sprang's TV credits/roles:
- Valentine Morgenstern/Shadowhunterss
- King Henry II/Reign
- Frances Bryan/The Tudors
- Derek Spears/King

He's also had guest roles in a number of different series, and is someone who is instantly recognizable even if you may not know his name per sae because of the breadth of his TV portfolio.

 

[dahj]

He's also had guest roles in a number of different series, and is someone who is instantly recognizable even if you may not know his name per day because of the breadth of his TV portfolio.

I guess I'm an uncultured swine, but I've never heard of him, nor seen any of those shows, nor remember him in any of the billion guest starring roles.

I thought he looked familiar, but only because he reminded me of Colin Farrell as Bullseye in Daredevil.

 

[XCV330]

Perhaps they trade in the black badges for this handy cigarette case/LED RSA token device later:

 

[Amaris]

the federation never exploits any other civilization! On the contrary, the federation helps other peoples! gave replicators to the Bajorans for example

Badges are likely special forces badges, with a pretty much "Don't ask" attitude around them. S31 just uses them to blend in to ship operations.

 

[rhllot]

the federation never conquered or attacked another civilization nor tried to steal resources.
section 31 does not seek galactic domination or slavery of other civilizations, its objective is to protect the federation of those who want to attack the deferacion.

 

[Amaris]

the federation never conquered or attacked another civilization nor tried to steal resources.
section 31 does not seek galactic domination or slavery of other civilizations, its objective is to protect the federation of those who want to attack the deferacion.

Just like the United States only seeks to protect itself. I mean, we don't conquer people, and we don't steal resources. Seems legit.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Badges badges badges badges badges badges badges badges
MUSHROOM MUSHROOM
Badges badges badges badges badges badges badges badges
MUSHROOM MUSHROOM

 

[The Wormhole]

He's also had guest roles in a number of different series, and is someone who is instantly recognizable even if you may not know his name per sae because of the breadth of his TV portfolio.

I guess I'm an uncultured swine, but I've never heard of him, nor seen any of those shows, nor remember him in any of the billion guest starring roles.

I know, right? I've just been through his IMDB. Earth Final Conflict is literally the only show he's been in that I've watched. And even then, the season he was in is the one season of that show I refused to get on DVD. It's really awful.

 

[RuthlessNate]

the federation never conquered or attacked another civilization nor tried to steal resources.

Tell that to the Ba'ku.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Tell that to the Ba'ku.

For all we know, Admiral whats-his-name was with Section 31. That seemed like their kind of caper.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

For all we know, Admiral whats-his-name was with Section 31. That seemed like their kind of caper.

IIRC, in the novelverse, Dougherty was a Section 31 operative.

 

[CorporalClegg]

When you get right down to it, the Federation is - and always has been - pretty fucking nefarious. The fact they do it under the guise of peace and love and friendship and harmony just makes it that much worse.

 

[Amaris]

For all we know, Admiral whats-his-name was with Section 31. That seemed like their kind of caper.

Maybe, but he still had the support of the Federation council. Even so, though, with Section 31 it becomes easy to explain away the times the Federation has had no problem destroying civilizations in the name of peace/freedom/defense/protection. The truth is that the Federation does what it feels it must to preserve itself. Hell, General Order 24 should be enough to indicate such.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Maybe, but he still had the support of the Federation council.

So he says. But why should we believe him?

Assuming Dougherty actually was a Section 31 operative (which I find highly likely), there is literally no reason to take anything he says at face value.

Hell, General Order 24 should be enough to indicate such.

Assuming there really WAS a General Order 24, and Kirk wasn't just making something up to scare the bejeezus out of the Eminiar council.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

So he says. But why should we believe him?
Assuming Dougherty actually was a Section 31 operative (which I find highly likely), there is literally no reason to take anything he says at face value.

Exactly! Unless the guy had a signed certificate from the council, Picard simply had to take his word at first.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Dougherty could also have been misleading and/or outright lying to the Council as to what was really going on with the Ba'ku.

 

[cultcross]

section 31 does not seek galactic domination or slavery of other civilizations, its objective is to protect the federation of those who want to attack the deferacion.

The definition of which lies entirely with them.

"This wars not even over and you're planning for the next one!"

IIRC, in the novelverse, Dougherty was a Section 31 operative.

That is not at all surprising.

 

[Amaris]

So he says. But why should we believe him?

Assuming Dougherty actually was a Section 31 operative (which I find highly likely), there is literally no reason to take anything he says at face value.



Assuming there really WAS a General Order 24, and Kirk wasn't just making something up to scare the bejeezus out of the Eminiar council.

If you want to go that route, why believe anyone who says they speak for the Federation? That's a quick and easy way to absolve organizations of wrong doing. "Oh, no, we didn't authorize that. He was clearly a lone wolf. That we gained a way to access eternal life isn't relevant to what he did."

Plausible deniability is a real thing.