G
Gul Sengosts
Guest
Related to my previous thread about who you'd hang out with, now I'm asking: for each series, which character can you relate most to/identify most with? This is probably more personal than who you'd like to hang out with, but if you want to share, please do. The single rule is: one character for each series. No "these two" or "none", exactly one for each series. And in the end, you have to pick THE one regardless of series.
I find these thought experiments interesting because actually thinking about the characters (and yourself) makes you think and learn about things you may not have considered before.
I'll start then:
TOS: Spock. He's super rational and finds himself baffled at the emotionality of his human peers--at the same time, it is revealed to be at least to some extent a coping mechanism for dealing with his own emotions which he finds too overwhelming to allow. I can relate to that a lot.
TNG: I can't fully relate to anyone here, which is interesting given that this is one of my favourite series. If I have to pick one, I'm torn between Picard and Data but I'll go with Data. I can relate to his rationality and trouble understanding humans to some extent, however not as much as I can relate to Spock.
DS9: again interesting because it is my favourite series but I can't really identify with anyone. Closest is probably Kira. She gets so much shit, she's rightfully angry, I can relate to that even though otherwise she's very different to myself.
VOY: Tuvok. Again, the rational guy with troubling emotional issues beneath the surface. There's some chemistry between him and Neelix, and how he seems to be in actual physical pain when exposed to Neelix, yep that's me. That's Vulcan no.2 when it comes to who I can relate to.
ENT: T'Pol. Oh my God, so much. I'm not a fan of ENT but I can relate to T'Pol so much. Again, the rational Vulcan--but this time, she's disrespected by the rest of the crew for being that. Kirk valued Spock for what he was, Janeway valued Tuvok for what he was. Archer and Trip on the other hand try to assimilate T'Pol, make her more human. T'Pol doesn't appreciate it and Archer/Trip seem to be unable to take a hint.
She may also be the most introverted Trek character, which I can relate to a lot. She does all she can to do her job, and unlike in previous series, she's faced with a highly irrational captain, given all the heft of being the single adult in the room. But in her private time, she just wants to be left alone, which is again often not respected. I can relate to that so much.
But my appreciation for T'Pol as a character further sours my appreciation for ENT because I find it appalling how much she's sexualised in desperate attempts to attract an audience.
DIS: having the most trouble here. I just can't relate to anyone on this show. I'll pick Culber because to me he seems like the most reasonable/relatable person. But really, there is no character here that I can really say I relate to.
PIC: Raffi. The character may not be fully realised, but I feel her. She's broken and submitted to alcohol, and I know that place. I understand.
Lower Decks: no one really. But I've set up the rules, one for each series. I'll go with Beckett Mariner actually. I don't have a great lot in common with her, but the attitude and the sarcasm... can't say I object to it.
Final overall pick: T'Pol. The ultimate introvert.
I find these thought experiments interesting because actually thinking about the characters (and yourself) makes you think and learn about things you may not have considered before.
I'll start then:
TOS: Spock. He's super rational and finds himself baffled at the emotionality of his human peers--at the same time, it is revealed to be at least to some extent a coping mechanism for dealing with his own emotions which he finds too overwhelming to allow. I can relate to that a lot.
TNG: I can't fully relate to anyone here, which is interesting given that this is one of my favourite series. If I have to pick one, I'm torn between Picard and Data but I'll go with Data. I can relate to his rationality and trouble understanding humans to some extent, however not as much as I can relate to Spock.
DS9: again interesting because it is my favourite series but I can't really identify with anyone. Closest is probably Kira. She gets so much shit, she's rightfully angry, I can relate to that even though otherwise she's very different to myself.
VOY: Tuvok. Again, the rational guy with troubling emotional issues beneath the surface. There's some chemistry between him and Neelix, and how he seems to be in actual physical pain when exposed to Neelix, yep that's me. That's Vulcan no.2 when it comes to who I can relate to.
ENT: T'Pol. Oh my God, so much. I'm not a fan of ENT but I can relate to T'Pol so much. Again, the rational Vulcan--but this time, she's disrespected by the rest of the crew for being that. Kirk valued Spock for what he was, Janeway valued Tuvok for what he was. Archer and Trip on the other hand try to assimilate T'Pol, make her more human. T'Pol doesn't appreciate it and Archer/Trip seem to be unable to take a hint.
She may also be the most introverted Trek character, which I can relate to a lot. She does all she can to do her job, and unlike in previous series, she's faced with a highly irrational captain, given all the heft of being the single adult in the room. But in her private time, she just wants to be left alone, which is again often not respected. I can relate to that so much.
But my appreciation for T'Pol as a character further sours my appreciation for ENT because I find it appalling how much she's sexualised in desperate attempts to attract an audience.
DIS: having the most trouble here. I just can't relate to anyone on this show. I'll pick Culber because to me he seems like the most reasonable/relatable person. But really, there is no character here that I can really say I relate to.
PIC: Raffi. The character may not be fully realised, but I feel her. She's broken and submitted to alcohol, and I know that place. I understand.
Lower Decks: no one really. But I've set up the rules, one for each series. I'll go with Beckett Mariner actually. I don't have a great lot in common with her, but the attitude and the sarcasm... can't say I object to it.
Final overall pick: T'Pol. The ultimate introvert.
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