Scotty and Uhura

[Emissary of the Prophets]

Has the 'relationship' between Scotty and Uhura, as seen in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, ever been referenced in the books?
It was kind of weird as it came out of nowhere.

 

[Christopher]

Has the 'relationship' between Scotty and Uhura, as seen in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, ever been referenced in the books?
It was kind of weird as it came out of nowhere.

There was an issue of the post-ST V DC comic -- I think in the Peter David issues -- where they talked about it as just a passing moment, reaffirmed their friendship, and moved on.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Has the 'relationship' between Scotty and Uhura, as seen in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, ever been referenced in the books?

Where do you think Captain Tryla Scott came from?

 

[JonnyQuest037]

There was an issue of the post-ST V DC comic -- I think in the Peter David issues -- where they talked about it as just a passing moment, reaffirmed their friendship, and moved on.

Yes, that was in the PAD run. It was more or less saying, "That was a weird, out-of-nowhere idea from a not-very-good movie, and we're not going to make a thing of it. Let's just do our best to forget about it and move on."

 

[Pauln6]

Given how beautiful, talented, intelligent and funny Uhura is shown to be, why is she constantly single?

 

[F. King Daniel]

Given how beautiful, talented, intelligent and funny Uhura is shown to be, why is she constantly single?

*Spock from a couple of universes over frowns*

 

[Pauln6]

*Spock from a couple of universes over frowns*

I'm not sure I want to include NuUhura in the conversation since her personality is a very watered down Uhura. She has her moments but her sass is almost entirely gone. I will give her credit for having some agency in the third movie though.

 

[Malaika]

Nichelle Nichols said that they were just friends (source). I also remember she once mentioned their dynamic was inspired by her affection for the actor and her concern for his health.

Reading the novelization and watching the movie, I think the original point was hinting that Uhura felt alone and she had regretted making her life about a career only. So when Sybok raised up those feelings, she projected them on one of her friends. Because the movie doesn't have great writing overall, and her character was honestly neglected, the whole point became too subtle and more like a missed opportunity to address an issue that all the characters had.

It's the one thing I don't like about the movies, making them all married to a job and getting old without showing a personal life that matters too? Not realistic. At one point, almost cruel and pathetic too especially when Kirk gets a son out of nowhere but, of course, they kill him asap. Cannot let him have something, anything, outside that ship.

Given how beautiful, talented, intelligent and funny Uhura is shown to be, why is she constantly single?

Racism.
And when it comes to tos, 60s flavored sexism in all its glory.

I'm not sure I want to include NuUhura in the conversation since her personality is a very watered down Uhura. She has her moments but her sass is almost entirely gone. I will give her credit for having some agency in the third movie though.

I disagree. Kelvin Uhura wastly was an improvement and upgrade of original Uhura. And her sass is just fine.

She had agency in all movies, in and out of her dynamics (eg in st09 and stid when she called Spock out on his shit). I have issues with Beyond completely erasing her pov in the relationship, though, and their making Mccoy the one who mentions she maybe was 'upset', which isn't giving a female character agency but falling in the sexism-disguised-as-feminism trap of thinking that if women express their feelings like guys do they are annoying, naggy, bitches. Dehumanizing women to make them 'strong' to disingenuos fans with double standards isn't genius, it's just lame.
But at least she still has an important role in the story. Her being competent and badass is a constant in the movies, and the fact she is finally allowed to have a personal relationship is a much welcomed plus.

 

[Pauln6]

Nichelle Nichols said that they were just friends (source). I also remember she once mentioned their dynamic was inspired by her affection for the actor and her concern for his health.

Reading the novelization and watching the movie, I think the original point was hinting that Uhura felt alone and she had regretted making her life about a career only. So when Sybok raised up those feelings, she projected them on one of her friends. Because the movie doesn't have great writing overall, and her character was honestly neglected, the whole point became too subtle and more like a missed opportunity to address an issue that all the characters had.

It's the one thing I don't like about the movies, making them all married to a job and getting old without showing a personal life that matters too? Not realistic. At one point, almost cruel and pathetic too especially when Kirk gets a son out of nowhere but, of course, they kill him asap. Cannot let him have something, anything, outside that ship.



Racism.
And when it comes to tos, 60s flavored sexism in all its glory.



I disagree. Kelvin Uhura wastly was an improvement and upgrade of original Uhura. And her sass is just fine.

She had agency in all movies, in and out of her dynamics (eg in st09 and stid when she called Spock out on his shit). I have issues with Beyond completely erasing her pov in the relationship, though, and their making Mccoy the one who mentions she maybe was 'upset', which isn't giving a female character agency but falling in the sexism-disguised-as-feminism trap of thinking that if women express their feelings like guys do they are annoying, naggy, bitches. Dehumanizing women to make them 'strong' to disingenuos fans with double standards isn't genius, it's just lame.
But at least she still has an important role in the story. Her being competent and badass is a constant in the movies, and the fact she is finally allowed to have a personal relationship is a much welcomed plus.

My favourite NuUhura moment is where she rescues herself in Beyond, nicely turning the tired old trope on its head.

 

[Malaika]

My favourite NuUhura moment is where she rescues herself in Beyond, nicely turning the tired old trope on its head.

I loved that scene, Spock's face is priceless when he says 'clearly, I'm here to rescue you' because he notices the irony. That's the second time she saves him. (Fourth, I think, if you include comics)

that said, if there is a scene where she is in danger and needs help, I don't think there is something inherently wrong in her needing to get saved just like everyone there. Or someone who loves her wanting to help her. I don't think Spock (or Kirk or anyone) shouldn't be allowed to help Uhura, or want to help Uhura, when she's in danger just to make a point. It's always a matter of balance.

It's also worth to mention that even old tired tropes don't exist in a vacuum because intersectionality suggests that even the trope you are referring to doesn't apply to woc who, on the opposite, rarely get to be the damsel in distress (and not for so nice, progressive, reasons..).
So, in a way, if Spock ended up saving her there it wouldn't be that offensive because that would too subvert a trope.

 

[Pauln6]

I loved that scene, Spock's face is priceless when he says 'clearly, I'm here to rescue you' because he notices the irony. That's the second time she saves him. (Fourth, I think, if you include comics)

that said, if there is a scene where she is in danger and needs help, I don't think there is something inherently wrong in her needing to get saved just like everyone there. Or someone who loves her wanting to help her. I don't think Spock (or Kirk or anyone) shouldn't be allowed to help Uhura, or want to help Uhura, when she's in danger just to make a point. It's always a matter of balance.

It's also worth to mention that even old tired tropes don't exist in a vacuum because intersectionality suggests that even the trope you are referring to doesn't apply to woc who, on the opposite, rarely get to be the damsel in distress (and not for so nice, progressive, reasons..).
So, in a way, if Spock ended up saving her there it wouldn't be that offensive because that would too subvert a trope.

One of things I like most about Uhura is that (unlike Rand and Chapel) the focus wasn't on her mooning over some man. I agree that it was probably from reluctance to involve her in a mixed race relationship but it works for her overall.

That said, she's so cool it stretches credulity that she wouldn't have some kind of relationship. It's a shame it's never mentioned.

 

[Malaika]

One of things I like most about Uhura is that (unlike Rand and Chapel) the focus wasn't on her mooning over some man. I agree that it was probably from reluctance to involve her in a mixed race relationship but it works for her overall.

That said, she's so cool it stretches credulity that she wouldn't have some kind of relationship. It's a shame it's never mentioned.

I always thought the fact she isn't the 'mooning over some man' type is what would make her and Spock work. And the kelvin movies more or less seem to agree with that.
The writers even admitted that their original, original, plan was to have an unrequited spock/chapel thing for the laughs, but it was dropped pretty fast because they were inspired to actually put him into an actual relationship for a change instead, and that's when they thought Uhura would be the woman he could love and from whom he'd want/accept affection. It's like they recognized Uhura as a love interest only for a mutual loving relationship.

The fact that, in tos, she wasn't portrayed like the white female (disposable) love interests were doesn't make the racism that forced her to be single any less problematic or something that, maybe, in our time we can be a tad over about...and thus allow her to get a personal life too, and not be only defined by a job and a ship that won't be forever anyway. This is valid for all the characters honestly. A ship cannot be their whole life. I don't even think this is how officers are trained because the truth is, you might get transfered or see your ship getting destroyed. You may have a life-altering accident that prevents you from doing that same exact job anymore. They need to have something outside of their job to keep them alive.

 

[DimesDan]

Given how beautiful, talented, intelligent and funny Uhura is shown to be, why is she constantly single?

Because she prefers it that way?

 

[Pauln6]

Because she prefers it that way?

One could try suggest that but her comments in the Man Trap suggest otherwise. I suppose she might have preferred no strings relationships. She has a maintenance man on tap to fix her rattling doors after all.

 

[Dales]

Has the 'relationship' between Scotty and Uhura, as seen in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, ever been referenced in the books?
It was kind of weird as it came out of nowhere.

Things tend to come out of nowhere when it comes to women in TOS Trek.

Honestly Star trek never had any female empowerment or female identity until next generation with Deena Troi and Beverly Crusher.

I never cared much for scotty and uhura not to mention final frontier is a terrible film.

I prefer her with Spock from the kelvin movies. Quinto and saldana have better chemistry and uhura has more personality in the kelvin films too.