Huh? Who else besides you wanted this?
I'm disappointed that they still haven't brought back the Sheliak so far
- Thread starter Unimatrix Q
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Huh? Who else besides you wanted this?
From earlier threads, I had the impression that the Sheliak were loved by the fandom and lot more of us would like to see the Sheliak return.
The Gorn also had only one episode until ENT, and as with them, you could do so much with the Sheliak (and the Husnock, which I also would love to finally see for real). Because there is not a lot of lore about them, they are still fresh and shiny
Like what?The Gorn also had only one episode until ENT, and as with them, you could do so much with the Sheliak (and the Husnock, which I also would love to finally see for real). Because there is not a lot of lore about them, they are still fresh and shiny
What makes this particular species intriguing? Genuine question, because when I rewatched their episode nothing stood out except the stupidity of expecting a captain to navigate an extremely difficult treaty without an ambassador or diplomatic officer support.
They looked cool at least in my opinion and were not the usual humanoids. By the way it's time I think to finally do more with nonhumanoid species in Star Trek.
The same also counts for the Tholians.
It would be very interesting to learn about how they perceive the universe and why law is so important to them, and maybe how they became like this.
Also what their culture is really like from the inside, beyond their isolationism.
You are the first person I've seen express such interest in the Sheliak in over 20 years. In fact, I've never heard anyone say, "Hey, what this story needs is some Sheliak droning on about the legality of this. I wonder why they're such party poopers, anyway?"
As Serveaux pointed out, the Sheliak were a plot device. We learned everything about them we needed to know. They're rather akin to the Tholians in their territoriality, but obsessed with paperwork. Not a lot there to pique interest.
By that argument, why not Tholians or Romulans?
The same counts for them. I'd also like to see them return big way and a lot of new lore about both species.
But... why the Sheliak first?
I'm intrigued by the Tholians for sure but the Sheliak don't inspire that intrigue because litigiousness is not enjoyable.
I think if the Sheliak were just another TNG humanoid alien race with some bumps on their heads, they would have been completely forgettable. The fact that it was a guy in a funky rubber suit whose features were shadowed was the only quality that made them stand out. But that's not enough. They are simply not interesting enough to follow up on, unless LDS showed them for comedic value like they did with Armus.
The Gorn may have only been in one episode of TOS, but it was an episode that is well known. Even non-Trek fans have some awareness of Arena, though they likely just know it as "the time Captain Kirk fought the Lizard Man." Likewise, show a non-fan a picture of a Gorn there's a good possibility they'll recognize it as "the Lizard Man Captain Kirk fought." You don't have that kind of recognition with the Sheliak or Husnock. There may very well be many in Trek fandom who don't even recognize either name. Likewise, show a picture of a Sheliak to any but the most devoted of fans and they probably won't recognize it.The Gorn also had only one episode until ENT, and as with them, you could do so much with the Sheliak (and the Husnock, which I also would love to finally see for real). Because there is not a lot of lore about them, they are still fresh and shiny
If they were to use the Sheliak or Husnock they'd have to create so much new content for them it just begs the question, why not just create new aliens? There really is nothing about them that has caused fandom to form any attachments to. I mean, hell, it's been 34 years since both were featured on TNG and there have been no novels or comics about the Sheliak at all, and only one novel about the Husnock. If even the tie-in writers don't see very many story possibilities for these two races, why would the writers of the actual shows?
The Sheliak are interesting because they're alien and mysterious. Plus, they are antagonistic for legal reasons rather than just being your "we are strong and will conquer but we actually only fight the Federation and nobody else"-Empires.
The producers could use that as a basis to turn them into Furry-bait.
Exactly. The Gorn from "Arena" is iconic at this point. He's portrayed on tee-shirts, coffee mugs, Tiki idols, garden gnomes, action figures, even a TV ad for a video game, etc.
Is there a "Sheliak" Hallmark ornament? No?
I rest my case.
I agree SNW shouldn't be using the Gorn, but the Sheliak are just an alien of the week.
SNW should have used Tholians in place of the Gorn. Makes more sense with TOS.
She also had the worst line in Trek history! "Yum yum".
SNW should have used Tholians in place of the Gorn. Makes more sense with TOS.
She also had the worst line in Trek history! "Yum yum".
So explore them more to make them less mysterious, thus less interesting.
If that's the worse Trek is doing pretty good.
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