What do you think were the "official" rules on romantic relationships during TNG?

[Skipper]

(Of course I'm talking in-universe, I know that IRL they were whatever the writers decided what was best for the story )

The question came to my mind during the last episode of SNW where (spoiler!) two main characters start a relationship and wonder if they should inform their superiors according to regulation.

It seems to me that it is similar to what happens in many private companies and, I assume, in the military. If a relationship could in any way impact the work, superiors/company/HR or similar should be informed. And it should be avoided that the two involved in the relationship are hierarchically dependent on each other.

In TNG, however, it seems to me that anything goes. It's all up to the common sense of the involved individuals. Even when Picard started a relationship with Nella Daren people only worried if this could affect his judgment but it seems that didn't break any formal rule.

I'm wrong?

 

[FederationHistorian]

The only time period where it is strictly forbidden to be involved with colleagues, and specifically the superior officer, in Starfleet is the 22nd century. Which isn’t all that far removed from the 21st century and its values, as well as also representing United Earth values. There are no regulations in the 23rd century in Federation Starfleet when Kirk was in command of the Enterprise. By Kirk’s time, Starfleet is a place where multiple species approach relationships differently from humans (Andorians, for example), and spouses are living and serving together on the same ship. A romance between colleagues isn’t a big deal. This is further emphasized in the 24th century where there are no regulations forbidding a captain being involved with a fellow officer. There technically should not be any rules regarding a romance among colleagues on Pike’s Enterprise.

We know from VOY that there is a Starfleet regulation where, before becoming intimate with an alien species, Starfleet officers must clear it with both the commanding officer as well as the medical.

But its possible both sickbay and command were extremely lax about it on the Enterprise. It is quite possible that the mentality on board the ship and throughout Starfleet during TNG is that its none of Starfleet’s business what goes on in the bedroom. We are talking peak utopia here, where security is lax and they don’t even bother with seatbelts. Maybe that regulation where an officer needs clearance before becoming intimate with an alien seems silly. And that also opens up that they might think that the idea that a romantic relationship would affect an officer’s judgment in the workplace is also silly. Even during the Dominion War, when Worf got flak for returning with a wounded Jadzia instead of completing the mission in “Change of Heart”, Sisko had sympathy for what Worf did, even though Worf’s judgment was impaired. I think the Starfleet of the 23rd century and 24th century don’t put romantic relationships ahead the workplace, as long as they are not distracted by it while they are on duty.

Meanwhile, the situation in SNW is more about spoiling the relationship they have by letting the world in on it. But they are technically not breaking any rules by keep it quiet.

 

[fireproof78]

If a relationship could in any way impact the work, superiors/company/HR or similar should be informed. And it should be avoided that the two involved in the relationship are hierarchically dependent on each other.

I mean, Kirk has two officers getting married under his command, and he officiates. So I imagine that it is how you describe it, that they are not in the same hierarchy, different departments, and that if it disrupts good order and discipline then there might be a transfer or other adjustment. Duty first, as it were.

 

[DonIago]

If it's anything like the industry I work in, fraternization is fine as long as there's clear segregations of responsibility between the various parties in the relationship.

 

[Skipper]

If it's anything like the industry I work in, fraternization is fine as long as there's clear segregations of responsibility between the various parties in the relationship.

Well, Picard had a relationship with two people under his command. I think that today it would be unthinkable. But in the episode with Nella Daren they showed that it could be troublesome even in the future. So I'm little baffled. If even a man of integrity like Picard couldn't manage a relationship with a subordinate, why they leave something that can impact negatively on the whole at the individual's discretion?

I really think it's a legacy of Gene's philosophy, free love and all.

 

[Oddish]

"Lessons" states that there are no regulations about Starfleet captains banging their subordinates... but it also shows why there should be.

 

[Tosk]

Exactly. Picard should only get to sex the civilians.

 

[DonIago]

Well, Picard had a relationship with two people under his command. I think that today it would be unthinkable. But in the episode with Nella Daren they showed that it could be troublesome even in the future. So I'm little baffled. If even a man of integrity like Picard couldn't manage a relationship with a subordinate, why they leave something that can impact negatively on the whole at the individual's discretion?

I really think it's a legacy of Gene's philosophy, free love and all.

Because Star Trek represents a largely idealized future, not a realistic one?

 

[Timewalker]

We know from VOY that there is a Starfleet regulation where, before becoming intimate with an alien species, Starfleet officers must clear it with both the commanding officer as well as the medical.

Actually, this regulation only seems to apply to Harry Kim.

 

[Skipper]

Because Star Trek represents a largely idealized future, not a realistic one?

Rules exist because even the most enlightened person possible can make mistakes, or because not everyone simply knows "intuitively" what is the best thing to do in certain situations.

They have shown time and time again that StarFleet is full of rules and regulations. Ryker scolded Laren because her earring wasn't up to standard. If it were an idealized future, why would there be a need for hierarchies, superiors and subordinates? We are all perfect and there is no need to order because of course we would all be doing the right thing.

So I find it a bit bizarre that there are very strict rules on clothing but when it comes to interpersonal relationships it's all left to common sense. Because, as has been shown in multiple episodes, a relationship with a subordinate is more problematic for the crew and the ship than an earring.

 

[Timewalker]

Ryker scolded Laren because her earring wasn't up to standard.

Riker "scolded" Ro for her earring due to the prejudice against her and because he's a jackass when it comes to respecting other species' faiths.

 

[at Quark's]

Because Star Trek represents a largely idealized future, not a realistic one?

Theoretically, in such an idealized future with those 'evolved humans', a captain would be able to carry on a relation with a subordinate. He would be able to distinguish his two roles (lover and captain) with perfect impartiality. But of course that wouldn't make for interesting story telling.

 

[Skipper]

Riker "scolded" Ro for her earring due to the prejudice against her and because he's a jackass when it comes to respecting other species' faiths.

This is the exact quote:
"You will follow Starfleet uniform code aboard this ship, Ensign."
It doesn't matter what Riker's motives are. The important thing is that there was a regulation that prohibited earrings. There are probably religious exemptions that Riker wasn't aware of, but the regulation existed.

In an idealized future, what need would there be for regulations on uniforms? If you know how to do your job, you can go around naked, right?

Let's just say they didn't "include" romatic relationship rules because in Gene's vision the whole crew had holoroom orgies in their spare time and everyone was engaged in non-exclusive polyamorous relationships, but of course you couldn't say explicitly that on network TV.

 

[DonIago]

Theoretically, in such an idealized future with those 'evolved humans', a captain would be able to carry on a relation with a subordinate. He would be able to distinguish his two roles (lover and captain) with perfect impartiality. But of course that wouldn't make for interesting story telling.

Hence "largely".

 

[DonIago]

In an idealized future, what need would there be for regulations on uniforms? If you know how to do your job, you can go around naked, right?

Perhaps in an idealized future everyone respects everyone else's general comfort levels by wearing uniforms rather than going around naked?

 

[Oddish]

Actually, this regulation only seems to apply to Harry Kim.

That's one of five reasons why he's Trek's champion whipping boy...
1. He has Data's luck with promotion.
2. He has Worf's luck in love.
3. He suffers like O'Brien.
4. He is the only person punished for interspecies romance, a Trek staple (and he was under alien influence).
5. When they finally try to do right by him in a Nu Trek show... it gets canceled.

And Travis Mayweather might have gotten some of that, but at least he gets a high school named after him.

Perhaps in an idealized future everyone respects everyone else's general comfort levels by wearing uniforms rather than going around naked?

Most Trek species are mammalian, have limited amounts of hair, have a sense of bodily modesty, and hide the same body parts as humans do. That goes with the whole "humans with funny bumps on their head" trope.

 

[Jedi Marso]

The episode 'Lessons' seemed to indicate that there were no hard, fast rules on this. If the ship's captain is allowed to engage in a relationship with someone under his command, then there are no rules because that represents the height of fraternization.

Starfleet's rules on this would necessarily be different than those of a contemporary military service, given the length and nature of deep space missions. How different they should be is definitely a matter for discussion and debate.

I really don't have much of an opinion on it as far as Trek goes, because if it serves the plot one week it will be allowed, and for next week's plot someone will be getting court-martialed over it.

 

[Oddish]

I really don't have much of an opinion on it as far as Trek goes, because if it serves the plot one week it will be allowed, and for next week's plot someone will be getting court-martialed over it.

Like the interspecies romance rule. Unheard of yesterday, here today, gone tomorrow.

 

[FederationHistorian]

That's one of five reasons why he's Trek's champion whipping boy...
1. He has Data's luck with promotion.
2. He has Worf's luck in love.
3. He suffers like O'Brien.
4. He is the only person punished for interspecies romance, a Trek staple (and he was under alien influence).
5. When they finally try to do right by him in a Nu Trek show... it gets canceled.

And Travis Mayweather might have gotten some of that, but at least he gets a high school named after him..

Looking at Travis compared to Kim…

1. Who knows? If Hoshi eventually gets promoted to Lt. Commander by the mid-2160s, why not Travis?
2. Between his life before the NX-01 on the Horizon and his on-off relationship with Gannet, I’d say his love life was fine.
3. Aside from being kidnapped by the automated station, breaking his leg twice, being under the influence of Orion pheromones with the rest of the male crew, and dying in an alternate timeline, not comparable to O’Brien or Kim.
4. Mayweather did absolutely nothing wrong in the series. He never would have been punished for an interspecies romance. He may even be giving the rest of the crew advice there.
5. At least get referenced in a Nu Trek show. Harry is a mystery.

Travis might actually have it better than Harry. Bu the lack of character development makes the audience think otherwise.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

As long as all the toys were back in their boxes for next week....