Interpersonal Relationships and Ranks

[DGCatAniSiri]

Of the options, I would think that a relationship between Riker and Ro was the most unlikely to work out (you know, apart from the fact that the characters were only doing it because they'd been memory-wiped and didn't normally get along), given their ranks. I would think that there might be more of a potential for abuse of privilages - the Commander giving the Ensign a promotion or two to give them better job opportunities and such. I suppose it could be done with a Captain and Lieutenant Commander, like Picard and Daren, but a Lt. Commander has had more of a chance to get to a job they want, and if the Captain were to put them in for a promotion, they'd probably have to get transferred off the ship anyway.

Ultimately, though, I don't think Starfleet really has a policy on interpersonal relationships up until they interfere with the job - going to the rescue of your lover in the middle of a crisis and abandoning your post is definitely an offense, as we learned in 'Change of Heart,' when Sisko told Worf that by saving Dax at the expense of the Cardassian spy, he'd probably never get a command of his own. Starfleet was at war at the time, and so they couldn't exactly drum someone with such experience out, but had it been a time of peace and Worf had done something similar, I doubt he'd get off so easily. In fact, personally, I think it would have been better if instead of killing Jadzia, they'd had Starfleet reassign Dax, perhaps even giving her a field promotion and command of a ship elsewhere to show the consequences of Worf's actions.

 

[Praetor]

If you mean romantic relationships on Trek, as far as I can tell, there is no line. Officers are expected to figure out for themselves what is appropriate and what they can and cannot handle.

Which is, I have to say if you allow me to get on my soapbox for a minute, just stupid. I thought so from the moment I saw my first episode of TNG (I was too young to consider this when I first saw TOS). I don't know if the writers genuinely wanted us to believe that humans in the 24th century are "advanced" enough that relationships between superiors and subordinants won't be the enormous problem they have been for the rest of human history, or - which I think is more likely - if they just decided to ignore it because they wanted to leave themselves lots of room for romantic plots. But whatever the reason, it completely ignores how humans actually behave. *gets off soapbox*

If this sounds as though I've considered this question before, it's because I have. I've ranted about this plenty in the Voyager forum.

Edit: So as for your poll, Xerxes, you don't have an option for me, because I'd check the one that says "all of them cross the line." Starfleet, however, would disagree.

Ditto. Too much potential for conflicts of interest.

 

[DGCatAniSiri]

I think the main reason (in-universe, of course, since we've already touched on the writers' reasons for it) that there's no reg on the books about interpersonal relations is due to the fact that the ships were originally only filled with other Starfleet officers, with no civilians. Let's face it, put a group of people in an enclosed area for extended stretchs and the odd life-endangering encounter, and you've got to figure that there will be some kind of relationship that develops.

 

[Praetor]

Well, Roddenberry's concepts for Phase II which eventually became TMP suggested that the highly evolved people of Trek's time had 'given up being possessive of things - be they objects or lovers.' He envisioned casual, recreational, and even public sex being a common thing on starships such as the Enterprise - although I'm sure he realized we would never actually see this on screen. (Hey, it was the 70s. )

So I suppose 'in reality' the 20th and 21st century lens through which we have continued to seen 'Star Trek' defies his intent in that regard - interpersonal relationships wouldn't be an issue between personnel because they would be emotionally evolved enough for it to not bother them. From that real-world perspective, I still find it difficult to believe all of mankind will ever truly evolve past such jealousies that would prevent such 'hangups' from getting in the way.

 

[Wally]

Granted it's just in the novels, but both Captains Picard and Riker are married (no, not to each other). In the instance of Riker and Trio, it HAS created issues, and Riker's XO has felt uncomfortable about it.
I think the only no-no should be having a relationship with with your DIRECT superior or subordinate. It would probably best then to observe an idea of 'Don't Date your Department', but I doubt rules are set.

 

[32JaX]

Free love (except 7 and Chakotay - yuck)

 

[WillsBabe]

Granted it's just in the novels, but both Captains Picard and Riker are married (no, not to each other).

For a moment, that's how I read it!

 

[Mach5]

Free love (except 7 and Chakotay - yuck)

Yeah, she was so wrong for him.

 

[jamestyler]

But I often wonder if officer/enlisted relationships are permitted. Serving in the real world military I know they're taboo, but on Voyager at least there appears to be evidence of such relationships, refer to a couple of my previous posts for examples.

In the Trek universe I'd always assumed the social gap between officers and the enlisted weren't an issue. The class system had collapsed somewhat and everyone was seen as an equal (off duty, anyway).

 

[Praetor]

I still think that it should be common sense for the Captain and one of his or her senior officers to not be involved. At the very least, the first and second officers and maybe even the department heads should be off-limits, as the Captain might have to order them into a 'suicide' mission.