From the Excelsior to limbo...

[Bixby]

I don't know if this has already been answered before, but I was curious as to the details of the transfer of command between Captain Styles to Sulu for the Excelsior. Not that I mind Sulu in any way, but the sheer arrogance of Styles was especially appealing.

I remember DC's Star Trek comic had Styles and Kirk exchanging the center seat and back. Memory Beta has Styles later assuming command of the Exeter, and being killed in action in 2289.

Although Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock made it seem as if Kirk and Styles barely knew each other, a TOS novel dubiously had Styles on the Farragut at the same time as Kirk, and was another of the survivors from its decimation (by the vampire cloud from 'OBSESSION' ).

Any other insight on Styles anywhere? oddly enough, I really like that dude...

 

[Balrog]

Was there suppose to be a connection with the Styles in Balance of Terror?

In any case, Sulu was suppose to take command of Excelsior after the training cruise in Star Trek II, according to the novelization.

 

[Maurice]

The names were Stiles and Styles, so not spelled the same.

 

[Timo]

OTOH, there's little or no spelling in Star Trek.

There's some spelling in end credits, but those aren't part of Star Trek. So we don't really have to believe that Uhura changed the last vowel in her name for her final onscreen adventure. Indeed, we don't even have to stick to any particular vowel there, because the name was never seen written onscreen in any actual in-universe context. (Not until the 2009 movie, that is)

Whether the guy from the TOS episode spelled his name Stiles, Styles or Stailz is not canonically established. But the TOS bit does appear to establish a large family of Starfleeters named Stiles (whatever the spelling), and the skipper of the Excelsior could well be another member of the family. Or then a totally unrelated character.

Which of the novels or comics make the connection explicit? I vaguely remember the Reeves-Stevens Prime Directive insisting that the two are the same.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[SeerSGB]

Personally, I'd prefer that the two were the same. It'd give Stiles/Styles more of a reason for being a dick other than just being a dick.

 

[22 Stars]

^ Poetic... but true

 

[Dukhat]

In any case, Sulu was suppose to take command of Excelsior after the training cruise in Star Trek II, according to the novelization.

That scene was filmed, but cut because of Shatner's less-than-stellar performance.

However, IIRC at the time of TWOK, the "Excelsior" that Sulu was to command was just a generic starship. It was only for TSFS that the name was given to the transwarp experiment.

 

[Bixby]

Whether the guy from the TOS episode spelled his name Stiles, Styles or Stailz is not canonically established. But the TOS bit does appear to establish a large family of Starfleeters named Stiles (whatever the spelling), and the skipper of the Excelsior could well be another member of the family. Or then a totally unrelated character.

Which of the novels or comics make the connection explicit? I vaguely remember the Reeves-Stevens Prime Directive insisting that the two are the same.

So by that reasoning, all fictional characters named Jones or Smith or Lee would be related? To try to forcefully link two completely dissimilar characters for whatever arcane and foolishly anal-retentive purpose solely because they share a somewhat similar name is just BAD writing.

Let's make it clear, there is NO family link between Lt. Stiles and Captain Styles, nor is there a storytelling need for it. If the Reeves-Stevenses actually went there, then bad on them...

 

[22 Stars]

^ not 'would' be related but 'could' be related. I think it's a unique enough name in the Trek universe that people can make the connection if they want. It is not for you to say that there is NO family link, you don't know that for sure. Maybe they are related by marriage ~

 

[Ultramann]

To answer the original question, the novel Forged in Fire addresses the Sulu Stiles question.

 

[Bixby]

To answer the original question, the novel Forged in Fire addresses the Sulu Stiles question.

Thank you Ultramann. Memory Beta has the book's outline (http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Excelsior:_Forged_in_Fire ) and it actually sounds interesting, not to mention that it links to a favorite DS9 storyline. I may seek the book out on EBay this week...

 

[CaptainMatt]

Seems to me I must have read that book once upon a time, I must have as I am a fan of Captain Sulu and the USS Excelsior. The series that never was. A Pity.