A few things to discuss about Kes

[The Hanuk Kai]

If Before and After had been the blueprint for Kes instead of a one-off, it would have been more likely reworked a bit. For instance, Ocampa-human hybrids would likely have had a longer lifespan, so Linnis would likely have still been too young to marry anyone. Problem is, they'd already played the "kid grows up super fast" card with Naomi.

I don't see that as a problem (see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).

 

[Mage]

It still creeps me out that Harry would marry someone he first saw as the baby of his best friend and knew as a child. But that's just me.

 

[The Hanuk Kai]

It still creeps me out that Harry would marry someone he first saw as the baby of his best friend and knew as a child. But that's just me.

IDK. If they became involved, let's say, when she was 5, at a later stage of maturity, it could be a fun dynamic. I could see Harry dominated by a more mature woman.

ETA: If something about Kes doesn't work, IMO, it's the makeup. Lien complained about the effects of putting the ears on, so maybe they became wary of the more intensive makeup that would be required in later seasons. Or they decided Lien had to remain always young and beautiful, and would not explore aging makeup.

 

[Oddish]

It still creeps me out that Harry would marry someone he first saw as the baby of his best friend and knew as a child. But that's just me.

It would require a certain flexibility, that's for sure. Especially since we know from (adult) Linnis that Harry's really good with kids; he was probably a regular babysitter to her.

That being said, I reiterate: Neelix, Tom, and Harry are all honorable men. They would not, under any circumstances, exploit a vulnerable person. So Linnis was clearly capable of making a rational choice, and she chose Harry. Maybe she had to do a lot of work on him to get him to go along with it.

 

[Mage]

It would require a certain flexibility, that's for sure. Especially since we know from (adult) Linnis that Harry's really good with kids; he was probably a regular babysitter to her.

That being said, I reiterate: Neelix, Tom, and Harry are all honorable men. They would not, under any circumstances, exploit a vulnerable person. So Linnis was clearly capable of making a rational choice, and she chose Harry. Maybe she had to do a lot of work on him to get him to go along with it.

That is absolutely a fair point. Still can't shake the feeling...
In real life, an old class mate of mine had a relationship with a woman for a while, he became custodian of her underage daughter when she passed away. As soon as that girl hit 18, they became a couple....
I may have a bias when it comes to things like this.

 

[Detached Nacelle]

IDK. If they became involved, let's say, when she was 5, at a later stage of maturity, it could be a fun dynamic. I could see Harry dominated by a more mature woman.

Since the elogium happens only once between the ages of 4 and 5 they would have to have been together a little bit before then or it was a pretty last minute decision.

I wonder if the Ocampans are aware that only one child for every couple is a path to species extinction.

 

[Oddish]

I may have a bias when it comes to things like this.

I think most of us do. And that's as it should be.

Since the elogium happens only once between the ages of 4 and 5 they would have to have been together a little bit before then or it was a pretty last minute decision.

Ocampa reach physical and sexual maturity before turning 2, so there's some leeway. A quarter of a lifetime of it, for them.

Still, it would have been a major mental adjust for all the humans involved. Given that what we consider "legally adult", the Ocampa consider "your grandchildren are dead".

I wonder if the Ocampans are aware that only one child for every couple is a path to species extinction.

I wonder what the writers were thinking. Surely even they knew that one child per woman is a path to oblivion. One that Europe, Asia, and the USA are currently on.

 

[carcinoGeneticist]

Maybe.
But I still see the nine-year lifespan as highly unrealistic and contra-productive.

I understand that you really, really like Kes, but are you this passionate about everything in Trek being as realistic as you want the Ocampans to be, or is this a matter of bias towards the Kes character?
My bad if this comes off as rude; it's a legitimate question.

 

[fireproof78]

Sad but true.

And even sadder is when videos made from fan script by AI are beyter than official ones (like it is in Star Wars now).

It's not true. Fans have more time and effort to put in than professionals. Fans lack any of the deadlines that professionals have or the pressure to complete something in a limited time frame.

People dies and it's acvcepted as a part of life, yes. But i don't like to have unnecessary death scenarios thrown in my face over and over again, especially not when it comes to favorite characters.

Unfortunately unnecessary death is something I feel like is a part of Trek.

But I don't see him as a god.

Obviously but the foundational ideas that he created for Star Trek persist, especially in the TNG era. But, as with new life seeking, there is opportunity with Kes to see things from a different point of view with a shorter life span.