Robert April filling in for General Clayton?
Spoilers Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2x02 - "Ad Astra Per Aspera"
- Thread starter Commander Richard
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Robert April filling in for General Clayton?
I gather that Una’s modifications are not heritable or at least not all of them are. All of the Illyrians in this episode appear human, unlike the Illyrians with ridges in the Enterprise episode. Presumably the human appearance and internal makeup IS heritable. Una passes as human on all scans and is compatible enough to receive a blood transfusion from the human Dr. M’Benga. La’an inherited augmented DNA from one or two ancestors several generations in the past. She is not herself an augment.
Una says something along the lines of there being Illyrians that can hide their modifications and those who can't. I wondered whether that was a nod to the Illyrians on Enterprise having a different appearance that might be explained by modifications?
Another thing I noticed is that the Federation ban is worded to outlaw "permanent" modifications. So, presumably, if the modifications are temporary, that might fly under Federation law.
Another thing I noticed is that the Federation ban is worded to outlaw "permanent" modifications. So, presumably, if the modifications are temporary, that might fly under Federation law.
Hmm.. If genetic engineering is illegal, then wouldn't the species from Enterprise that Dr Phlox DIDN'T give the cure to, if they received the cure, which would be genetic engineering in nature, due to it being, well genetic.. would they be in violation of that law? They changed there natural evolution by correcting the genetic anomally in them that was slowly killing there race.
I think one thing that would've made the episode just a hair stronger would be a passing reference to horrific eugenics in the histories of the non-Human Federation member societies --- just something like, in the 1800s, the Tellarites banned augmentation after a science blunder caused a horrible plague, or Andorians tried to genocide the Aenar a million years ago (wiait, did they?), or something to that effect. Make just a bit clearer to see why the entire Federation would uphold such a broad and clearly prejudicial ban.
But ... great episode. And fairly tightly written. For example, it's a damn good thing Pike WASN'T on the witness list, because he wouldn't be able to truthfully say he was offering literal, legal asylum. He did, in a sense, but probably not the kind of sense that would stand up to cross-examination. Plus, they're holding the breaking point for Pike and Batel until later. Does Batel yet know about Pike's destiny? How will that change their tense relationship. Interesting questions! Excited to see the answers.
Anyway, what a winner! Excited for this season, though still nervous about the Gorn characterization.
But ... great episode. And fairly tightly written. For example, it's a damn good thing Pike WASN'T on the witness list, because he wouldn't be able to truthfully say he was offering literal, legal asylum. He did, in a sense, but probably not the kind of sense that would stand up to cross-examination. Plus, they're holding the breaking point for Pike and Batel until later. Does Batel yet know about Pike's destiny? How will that change their tense relationship. Interesting questions! Excited to see the answers.
Anyway, what a winner! Excited for this season, though still nervous about the Gorn characterization.
If this definition holds for another 3 hundred years, Federation Doctors are only able to gene mod abnormalities large enough to be seen with the naked eye.
Just to add: I'm also really pleased with how they wrapped up Pike's uncertainty with knowing his destiny in season one. "A Quality of Mercy" was such a good episode in that, and in other regards.
Now, Pike has been liberated by the knowledge of his own (sad) destiny --- but this frees him to act without worry about the future --- to make him willing to always risk his life, to be the best ally to his friends and crew he can be. Totally fearless. Out of oxygen? Eh, I won't die yet. A good, dep way to create a fearless, debonair yet down-to-earth dashing captain character. As the characters themselves point out, Pike is a comically good Boy Scout. And it's not just his "character" it's the world around him shaping his POV and actions.
Very fun way to give life an energy to a story we know the end to. Again, a prequel is at its best when it enriches the source material. So far, I applaud SNW in this regard.
Now, Pike has been liberated by the knowledge of his own (sad) destiny --- but this frees him to act without worry about the future --- to make him willing to always risk his life, to be the best ally to his friends and crew he can be. Totally fearless. Out of oxygen? Eh, I won't die yet. A good, dep way to create a fearless, debonair yet down-to-earth dashing captain character. As the characters themselves point out, Pike is a comically good Boy Scout. And it's not just his "character" it's the world around him shaping his POV and actions.
Very fun way to give life an energy to a story we know the end to. Again, a prequel is at its best when it enriches the source material. So far, I applaud SNW in this regard.
I personally wonder if there are exceptions for genetic modifications done for reparative purposes... for instance, if an unborn child had Down's syndrome, if they could delete that problematic third chromosome.
I know such modification was allowed by the 24th century, because the Doc had no qualms about doing it with B'Elanna.
I know such modification was allowed by the 24th century, because the Doc had no qualms about doing it with B'Elanna.
It does make you wonder what criteria the Federation classifies a "serious" birth defect. Since if Geordi's eyes aren't sufficient a reason to correct his vision, that would seem to indicate it can only be used to modify life threatening conditions.
Voyager Lineage, B'Elanna's baby has some sort of spinal issue which needs to be corrected, and B'Elanna says she underwent corrective surgery for the same thing when she was a baby.
Yes, but it did appear in Enterprise on the Starfleet emblem several times.
https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/earth_starfleet_emblem.htm
So what Una claimed is canonically correct.
Geordi mentions in early TNG that he has a condition that makes such procedures not work on him. It's very early on, but I forget which episode. Later in S2, Pulaski says she knows a more cutting edge treatment that could work for him, but he isn't interested in giving up his visor at that point. I presume he only, eventually, went with ocular implants because they allow him to keep some aspects of his visor-vision, but IFAIK, it's never really addressed.
Finally managed to watch this (seems these SNW episodes are much shorter then the PIC ones; I expected there to be about 40 pages by now). I think this was the best episode of SNW thus far and it’s first bona fide classic. Excellent, tight writing and a particularly great performance by the actress playing Una’s advocate: she had real screen presence and gusto without resorting to scenery chewing. Rebecca Romjin also reminds that she is one of this show’s best assets; I do hope they actually USE her character this year. Great writing, compelling performances and execution. Colour me impressed!
Interestingly, Trek fans often seem to think all the franchise’s courtroom dramas are bona fide classics, but for every “Measure of a Man” and “The Menagerie” we also get so-so stuff like “Court Martial”, “Deadly Years”, “Dax” and the occasional stinkers like “A Matter of Perspective” and “Rules of Engagement”. Happily this one sits near the top.
Interestingly, Trek fans often seem to think all the franchise’s courtroom dramas are bona fide classics, but for every “Measure of a Man” and “The Menagerie” we also get so-so stuff like “Court Martial”, “Deadly Years”, “Dax” and the occasional stinkers like “A Matter of Perspective” and “Rules of Engagement”. Happily this one sits near the top.
oh I see how it is.
His VISOR destroyed the Enterprise D.
I mean if someone uses my medication to kill someone, I'm not going to blame the fact they stole my medication. That's absurd.
Geordi did eventually get the visor changed to ocular implants starting with FC. Which raises a whole other series of questions.
One thing that is being missed in this conversation about the genetic ban, is what would happen if the ban was lifted. The playing field would no longer be even as non enhanced cadets would be having to compete with enhanced cadets and would feel pressured to get enhanced themselves just to compete. Similar to how before steroids were banned, athletes had to take them just to stay up with athletes that did, since steroids are an incredible advantage in any athletic endeaver. Hence the reason for them being banned in the Olympics and all professional sports.