Some people have said Neelix is the Jar Jar Binks of the Star Trek franchise. Is that a fair statement? Why or why not?
Is Neelix the Jar Jar Binks of Star Trek?
- Thread starter The Overlord
- Start date
I don't believe he is. Jar Jar is hated because he was a stupid character added for comic relief and to appeal to kids. Neelix was of moderate intelligence, and with his badass skullet mohawk and sharp dress sense appealed to all ages. Children could not appreciate that level of style.
I admit, I used to hate Neelix, especially during first-time viewing the first half of Voyager, but it was mainly for superficial reasons ("Snarf in Space!"). Upon watching reruns and then watching the second half of the show, I've come to appreciate his character, and I found parts of his personality endearing -- eager to please, by no means a super-macho Chakotay/Riker type, but he'll step up to the occasion. Sure, he gets annoying at times and some of his character-centric episodes really stunk, but it wasn't enough to get me to outright hate the guy, and I think that mix of fondness and annoyance was rather realistic. I was surprised that I was saddened when he left the crew rather than discover Earth for himself.
With that said, I would think Wesley fits closer to Jar-Jar (fairly or unfairly) because of the Mary Sue-ish aspect of the character earns him ridicule, even if he wasn't intended to be comic relief.
Jar-Jar got untold numbers of people killed and oppressed because he voted to make Palpatine emperor. Sure, he had good intentions, but that's not what happened ultimately.
With that said, I would think Wesley fits closer to Jar-Jar (fairly or unfairly) because of the Mary Sue-ish aspect of the character earns him ridicule, even if he wasn't intended to be comic relief.
Jar-Jar got untold numbers of people killed and oppressed because he voted to make Palpatine emperor. Sure, he had good intentions, but that's not what happened ultimately.
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Watch "Jetrel". That alone puts Neelix several dozen levels above Jar Jar.
I feel I must also add that Neelix was played by a flesh-and-blood human, not a collection of textured polygons. I can watch Neelix without venturing into Uncanny Valley territory. Not so with Jar-Jar. Plus, Neelix doesn't have an infinitely annoying speech impediment.
BlobVanDam, Neelix's "sharp dress sense" really only applies to the first episode, LOL. (I loved his coat.) Otherwise, he generally dresses like Jo-Ann Fabrics threw up on his torso. But, your post was probably sarcasm, so I should probably stop while I'm behind.
BlobVanDam, Neelix's "sharp dress sense" really only applies to the first episode, LOL. (I loved his coat.) Otherwise, he generally dresses like Jo-Ann Fabrics threw up on his torso. But, your post was probably sarcasm, so I should probably stop while I'm behind.
After watching a bunch of shows, I can honestly say that Neelix has his moments.
Despite being elevated to the level of Senator ultimately Jar Jar was a patsy.
Neelix was his own man.
"Kes-Kes! Mesa so smilin' to see yousa!"
"Lookie, lookie, captain, desa Hirogen arriven!"
I don't mind Jar Jar as much as most people, but I didn't grow up in the generation that saw the original trilogy, then looked forward with great anticipation toward the new trilogy. I was just in middle school when Phantom Menace came out, and while I enjoyed the original trilogy I wasn't obsessed with it. Jar Jar was a jokish, novelty character to me and I'm amused by him.
Neelix, on the other hand, could be a bit irritating but truly was a fleshed-out character. I didn't like him at first, but he grew on me.
"Lookie, lookie, captain, desa Hirogen arriven!"
I don't mind Jar Jar as much as most people, but I didn't grow up in the generation that saw the original trilogy, then looked forward with great anticipation toward the new trilogy. I was just in middle school when Phantom Menace came out, and while I enjoyed the original trilogy I wasn't obsessed with it. Jar Jar was a jokish, novelty character to me and I'm amused by him.
Neelix, on the other hand, could be a bit irritating but truly was a fleshed-out character. I didn't like him at first, but he grew on me.
A Starfleet ship has to respect the laws of other races and planets, and if Ocampa says the legal age of consent is 1 year old, then Neelix is in the clear.
"She looked 2, your honor, I swear!"
I don't like Neelix very much, but I didn't stop watching Star Trek because of him. I did stop watching Star Wars because of Jar Jar Binx.
Definitely not!
While Jar-Jar was supposed only to be comical but ended up silly, Neelix had a well-constructed background story which explained his way of trying to be cheerful and helpful, even if he over-did it many times.
My theory is that Neelix actually was a very tragic character, struck by the terrible loss of his family in the war. But instead of grieving and being depressed, he tried to keep his spirit up by being cheerful and helpful. Those who dismiss Neelix as a silly clown character should watch or re-watch "Jetrel" where Neelix's background story is revealed. That might lead to a reevaluation of the character.
While Jar-Jar was supposed only to be comical but ended up silly, Neelix had a well-constructed background story which explained his way of trying to be cheerful and helpful, even if he over-did it many times.
My theory is that Neelix actually was a very tragic character, struck by the terrible loss of his family in the war. But instead of grieving and being depressed, he tried to keep his spirit up by being cheerful and helpful. Those who dismiss Neelix as a silly clown character should watch or re-watch "Jetrel" where Neelix's background story is revealed. That might lead to a reevaluation of the character.
What about episodes like the one reviewed here, where he acts like a idiot for the whole thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PEcPu4Zn2w
Lets not forget Neelix once almost destroyed Voyager with cheese and got one of the crew members killed due to his own incompetence, he really comes off an total idiot in many episodes.
I'd think the cheese thing was more a massive design flaw in Voyager's computer network than anything Neelix was to blame for.
When did he get someone killed?
When did he get someone killed?
