The Romulan way is a devout duty to the state
To the state, to logic, they are still giving away their freedom. I think both admire humans because we gave up nothing of our core to grow.
But you might need to for the greater good. From each according to his ability to each according to his need.
"The greater good"
Communist stuff probably isn't a good thing to bring up considering their track record on Jewish folks.
But we work to better ourselves and the rest of humanity in space future!
Impossible. I have been reliably informed -- by Leonard Nimoy himself -- that TMP had "nothing about the characters" in it.
I do love how Lower Decks ran with this idea and had the crew of the Sh'vhal acted like T'Lyn was a hysterical mad woman for enjoying a side project and having a gut feeling.
Reminds me of the scene in SNW when M'Benga points out the tension between Spock and the Vulcan judge but all Ortegas and the audience can see are two people sitting at a table talking in low tones.
That is why I used quotation marks: they are seemingly as such, but not truly.
In any event, I believe the initial intentions behind the creation of the Vulcans were good. As for how the franchise developed in later series? It seems strange to include a race firmly established as both generally benevolent and a founder of The United Federation of Planets only to have them regularly mocked on the sly (or even overtly).
... later that series ...
... later that series ...
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Wanting your kid to be surrounded by well-behaved, calming influences is one thing; believing in their spiritual practices over your own area of expertise is another. The Doctor didn't want Jeffrey to become a Vulcan; he just wanted them to moderate the boy's wild impulses by example.
If Vulcans weren't walking around telling everyone how great their way of life is and how it is superior to everybody else, they would probably get less flak from outsiders. When faced with people like that, other folks will begin to want to take them down a peg or two.
Many times they sounded more like a missionary for Surak than anything else.
I think this goes down the road of "Spock wasn't different from other Vulcans at all. Vulcans are racist jerks (with really terrible children) and Spock just had a really messed up head."
If all Vulcans act just like Spock (logical, stoic, sarcastic, possibly serene depending on what Spock you're going for) and then have their control ripped from them showing their suppressed emotions just like Spock, then what was the big deal about Spock?
Spock wasn't even REBELLIOUS about Vulcan philosophy. He toed the line at every turn. Seemingly the only decision he ever made against Vulcan (or at least his father) was to join Starfleet.
I get that TOS made it's own bed on this, but later Trek has run with it. I don't know how well they would have done it but Xon in Phase II, but he was supposed to be genuinely different from Spock because he was full Vulcan. Yet surely they had the same upbringing. So that can't have been intended to be philosophical difference.
If all Vulcans act just like Spock (logical, stoic, sarcastic, possibly serene depending on what Spock you're going for) and then have their control ripped from them showing their suppressed emotions just like Spock, then what was the big deal about Spock?
Spock wasn't even REBELLIOUS about Vulcan philosophy. He toed the line at every turn. Seemingly the only decision he ever made against Vulcan (or at least his father) was to join Starfleet.
I'm sure fans who came later have fewer problems with this. But going by TOS It's a physiological characteristic (pon farr is a thing). But it can be learned and sometimes ignored. It's also something Vulcans adopted within the last few thousand years. But something about Spock's physical makeup makes him different from other Vulcans. Except not?
I get that TOS made it's own bed on this, but later Trek has run with it. I don't know how well they would have done it but Xon in Phase II, but he was supposed to be genuinely different from Spock because he was full Vulcan. Yet surely they had the same upbringing. So that can't have been intended to be philosophical difference.
Missionaries try to convert. Vulcans say "Our way is better. It's beyond you."
Best way to sell a product is to make it seem unobtainable.
That worked with FANTASIA for quite a few decades.
Myself, I miss Munchos chips, and they seem to have generally vanished as well. It makes one wonder how Spock might freak out over time if he were denied Plomeek soup permanently.
If my recollection is on the money, in Season One, The Doctor seemed respectful of Chakotay's spiritual beliefs. Remember: in the "mumbo jumbo" episode in question ("Infinite Regress"), they had exhausted all conventional medical options. Also, it isn't as though Vulcans had begun practicing mind melds yesterday; they have been around for quite a while. This may simply be a matter of inconsistency.
It may also be due to the Borg complications of Seven's case.
