Can one take a shower alone on the Enterprise?

[Timo]

From the film, it's impossible to tell which parts of the process are typical of Starfleet-issue sonic shower booths, and which parts are typical of moon-sized cry-baby automatons intent on finding their creator.

Is the red haze a sonic shower characteristic? Perhaps, perhaps not - but it does look completely unlike the VOY version. Is the adding of the clothing? Perhaps, perhaps not - it was possible to program a TNG-era, that is, replicator-era sonic shower to cover the user in mud! But that sounds unlike a TMP-era feature.

Ultimately, there is no "sonic shower" in ST:TMP. The dialogue does not refer to such a facility, nor is signage really visible. For all we know, Ilia still had a water-spraying shower, just like Archer, and sonics were introduced in the 24th century only.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[T'Girl]

IIRC there's a computer voice over that says "the intruder" is in a sonic shower.

Maybe the shorty robe (and stripper shoes) were sent from V'Ger, and wasn't something that came from the shower compartment. This would explain the out of thin air appearance, V'Ger sent them the same way it sent the probe.

The design of the robe and shoes was taken from Ilia's mind.

All Kirk was doing with the controls was first opening the shower door, and second turning the shower off.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Ultimately, there is no "sonic shower" in ST:TMP. The dialogue does not refer to such a facility

Actually, it does. The computer voice is heard to say "Intruder location: A sonic shower."

 

[Timo]

Ah, all right, then.

All Kirk was doing with the controls was first opening the shower door, and second turning the shower off.

Or possibly not even that. All the action inside the shower may be V'Ger's doing, from the red glow, to the appearance of the Ilioid and then her clothes, to the temperature variations, to the door opening - and contrary to all the usual shower operating principles. And when Kirk sees the shower door starting to open, he just locks the outer door of the cabin, to keep the intruder from escaping!

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Basill]

Well, she was dripping wet just seconds before, so I've always presumed that the sonic shower was some combination of water and "sonic waves", possibly used as a means to boost any effect water could have, in light of how precious the resource of H2O is on deep space vessels (though in hindsight, they are probably more than capable of overcoming that particular obstacle with their future tech).

I've even wondered if it simply utilized equipment installed overhead to compel water out of the atmosphere itself using some frequency of sonic waves. It's just a frivolous thought really, though I remain curious as to why things weren't a tad steamier in there given that she was "white hot" just seconds before.

As to the robe issue... 'tis weird. She almost seems (through the frosted door) to be looking down with curiosity, upon her own limbs and surroundings, as Kirk is pushing those buttons, whilst the beamy woo woo sounds are occurring. So, I've always considered the possibility that it was part of that shower/robe transporter process, even before reading any novelization. Then again, it could just as easily have been V'Ger's finishing touch using vague imagery from Ilia's own mind as a guide. I use the term vague since her presentation seems so very specific, given that no other concept of her Deltan culture made it to the recipe (other than being totally comfortable in her nudity, which might strengthen Kirk's "push-buttons-of-modesty scenario). Of course, V'Ger needed Ilia/probe as a tool for communication, and if it truly understood an ounce of the guideline it was following, V'Ger's mission would have been over much sooner.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

The probe looks down because it's reacting to having a robe materializing around her.

 

[Basill]

The probe looks down because it's reacting to having a robe materializing around her.

Well, that was kind of my original point: that the curiosity thing implies a "WTF" moment on the probe's behalf (at least to the comprehensible limits of a confused, emotionless, avatar probe that is). However, I was also entertaining the notion that it was all V'Ger's doing (though I actually doubt this), as a sort of devil's advocate for those who cannot accept beamable fashions.

I wasn't able to make myself as clear as I wanted. I was in fact trying to rough out my post when my sister called me up and told me I had 20 minutes to rush to the court house for her impromptu wedding! Had to press "submit" a little earlier than I'd intended.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I agree that it does play as a "WTF" moment on the probe's behalf. I've always taken the probe's reaction to having the garment put on it as among the evidence that at least some part of Ilia is still "in there." It's as if the probe activated part of Ilia to cope with the sudden intrusion into its personal space.

 

[drt]

We don't know what the heck Kirk is doing with those controls. "Materializing clothing" is inconsistent with everything we ever see elsewhere in Star Trek, so we might be better off forgetting all about that concept.

Well "materializing clothing" was the intent - the idea was that all of the uniforms were to have been put on that way, which is why the shoes were integrated into the pants, and there were no fasteners evident.

If one's goal is to try and have a single continuity across all of the prime Trek productions, it's probably better to just remove TMP from consideration altogether, as it doesn't really fit in that well with the rest.

 

[Therin of Andor]

V'Ger was thoughtful enough to send the probe to the Enterprise wearing makeup

"Even eye moisture..." (Dr Chapel)

 

[SpocksOddSocks]

V'Ger was thoughtful enough to send the probe to the Enterprise wearing makeup, unless the shower did that prior to Kirk opening the door.

A shower that applied your usual facial makeup would be a great time saver.

I wonder if it would also style your hair?

Perhaps we're supposed to believe Ilia was not wearing makeup and Deltans just look like that

 

[FormerLurker]

The way it plays in the novelization, and at least seems to play out in the film, is the shower door opens, the Ilia probe is standing there naked, Kirk and co. are all WTF, and Kirk closes the door and activates the "put on bathrobe" program. Of course, since it's a G-rated film, when she's naked they only show her from the upper chest up, but still...