Captain Styles' Swagger Stick

[USS Triumphant]

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Swagger_stick

It has recently occurred to me that his "swagger stick" could have been intended to be something along the lines of the force lance carried by Commonwealth officers on Andromeda...

http://andromeda.wikia.com/wiki/Force_lance

... or, if not *intended* to be, then that there is still nothing in canon that would prevent someone from using it in a way similar to that in fan fiction or other further stories.

Thoughts?

 

[sbk1234]

I just thought he was a pompous ass who got off carrying a "scepter" like he was a friggin' king or something. It also reminded me of the "tension balls" that Capt. Queeg carried in The Caine Mutiny. Perhaps it was a real stress-related "security blanket" of some sort.

But some type of weapon makes sense, too. I've no problem with this idea.

 

[JarodRussell]

It always reminds me of Captain Harris in Police Academy.

MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT! MOVE IT!

 

[T J]

My understanding is, and I don't remember where I got this but it was a universal translator. Due to the Excelsior having more non-human crew members... wonder if I got it from the novelization... hummm... It was along time ago!

 

[UssGlenn]

if I remember correctly, one of the books had it something he took from a Klingon he had bested in hand to hand combat.

 

[CoveTom]

^ It certainly does not look Klingon.

 

[CorporalClegg]

I think it's a lot of this:

I just thought he was a pompous ass

And maybe something like this or similar:

My understanding is, and I don't remember where I got this but it was a universal translator.

I wonder if it was in the script or if Nimoy's choice.

I'm guessing Nimoy figured giving Styles a vitis would make him seem more of a "polished brass" type of officer (See: pompous ass) in contrast to the man of action, Kirk.

Or it could simply be a 23rd C. riding stick and Styles is an avid equestrian.

 

[cardinal biggles]

I always associated it with the riding crop General Patton liked to carry.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

It reminded me of a reflex hammer.

 

[doubleohfive]

Maybe it was just the stick he had up his ass all the time?

 

[Transwarp Drive]

I always thought it was a pacing stick beloved of drill instructor types.

 

[Ronald Held]

I vote for the pompous part and likely the equine as well.

 

[JarodRussell]

if I remember correctly, one of the books had it something he took from a Klingon he had bested in hand to hand combat.

Did they REALLY have to go there?

Styles was the stereotype of the typical stiff, arrogant British officer. Carrying that stick around was part of that.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

if I remember correctly, one of the books had it something he took from a Klingon he had bested in hand to hand combat.

Prime Directive...he was an LT then. Scotty smashed it!

 

[SimpleLogic]

I agree that it was just a way to show his as a by-the-book arrogant jack-a**. Someone we don't have to like since he acts so uppity about himself and his ship.

I do like the reference to Captain Harris too. "Lets go to warp. MOVE IT! MOVE IT!"

 

[Dukhat]

I'm pretty sure it was just a regular swagger stick, and not some secret laser gun/light saber.

 

[Trekker4747]

Another vote for the "he was just a pompous ass" thing.

 

[inflatabledalek]

I'm pretty sure it was just a regular swagger stick, and not some secret laser gun/light saber.

That's why it's a secret

 

[Transwarp Drive]

if I remember correctly, one of the books had it something he took from a Klingon he had bested in hand to hand combat.

Did they REALLY have to go there?

Styles was the stereotype of the typical stiff, arrogant British officer. Carrying that stick around was part of that.

One can be arrogant when you are in the best army leading the best soldiers in the world, to be fair to the Brits, what they do with 100 guys, any other army would struggle with 500. The US Army may have all the toys but when it comes to the business end of a scrap, there is no better standing army in the world.

There's a good reason why US troops are told not to fight with UK troops. In fact, US troops in a certain theatre of war were issued the following advice;

"DO NOT drink with the British troops"
"DO NOT gamble with the British troops"
"DO NOT fight with the British troops"

"YOU WILL LOSE."

 

[Dukhat]

if I remember correctly, one of the books had it something he took from a Klingon he had bested in hand to hand combat.

Did they REALLY have to go there?

Styles was the stereotype of the typical stiff, arrogant British officer. Carrying that stick around was part of that.

One can be arrogant when you are in the best army leading the best soldiers in the world, to be fair to the Brits, what they do with 100 guys, any other army would struggle with 500. The US Army may have all the toys but when it comes to the business end of a scrap, there is no better standing army in the world.

There's a good reason why US troops are told not to fight with UK troops. In fact, US troops in a certain theatre of war were issued the following advice;

"DO NOT drink with the British troops"
"DO NOT gamble with the British troops"
"DO NOT fight with the British troops"

"YOU WILL LOSE."

And it's also kind of an odd thing to say anyway, considering that Styles wasn't British.