Romulan Question (TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY)

[Yuri Nikolayev]

Quick question regarding the Romulans…

Is it ever stated or written (and if so, where, please) that the Romulans explicitly cannot perform a mind-meld? Looking for information or examples from only the TOS, TNG, DS9 and VOY series. Thanks, in advance.

 

[BillJ]

Nothing that I’m aware of. Though I don’t think we ever had the subject broached.

My best guess would be that they would likely be equipped to do it, just something that fell out of disuse after they separated from the Vulcans.

 

[Shawnster]

No, nothing in canon. I'm not aware of anything in a book.

What is in Canon is that before the time of Surak the people of Vulcan were engulfed in a civil war fueled by both emotions and telepathy. Vulcans were savage meat eaters that used nuclear weapons (if I recall correctly) in their internal struggle for global supremacy. Surak convinced Vulcans to shed their emotions and embrace logic.

My head canon is the Romulans chose to forsake telepathic powers in exchange for keeping emotions.

 

[korblborp]

but vulcans did keep their emotions, they just suppress or redirect them. i think in romulans the telepathy and other esper abilities is just latent or dormant, and the right circumstance or training can bring it out, they just never receive the training (unless they are part of spock's unification group, maybe).

 

[Finn]

Maybe Romulans are Vulcan augments...viral side effects of genetic engineering gone wrong. They do not discuss it with outsiders.

 

[Yuri Nikolayev]

Thanks, folks. The only thing that makes me think maybe they can’t, is the fact that the Commander in The Enterprise Incident was going to presumably have Spock interrogated after his confession. If they could do it, why not have herself or one of her Centurions mind-meld with him?

 

[fireproof78]

Thanks, folks. The only thing that makes me think maybe they can’t, is the fact that the Commander in The Enterprise Incident was going to presumably have Spock interrogated after his confession. If they could do it, why not have herself or one of her Centurions mind-meld with him?

To avoid disclosing secrets.

 

[Yuri Nikolayev]

Fair point, but then again, if they did interrogate him, I doubt he’d have been returned to the Federation…

 

[fireproof78]

Fair point, but then again, if they did interrogate him, I doubt he’d have been returned to the Federation…

Romulans are not ones to take the risk.

 

[Toril Toran]

I think the Romulan would not want to give away any secrets, as previously stated. However I also think that the Romulan Commander might suspect that Vulcans could shield their mind from that sort of invasion.
So, she decided to try to use her feminine wiles against him instead.

 

[Shawnster]

Thanks, folks. The only thing that makes me think maybe they can’t, is the fact that the Commander in The Enterprise Incident was going to presumably have Spock interrogated after his confession. If they could do it, why not have herself or one of her Centurions mind-meld with him?

Is it brought out that the interrogation would not involve mind meld?

but vulcans did keep their emotions,

Picky picky. Yes. I should have said suppress. In fact, some seek to purge their emotions entirely.

Live a normal life ruled by emotions by abandoning telepathy or live a telepathic life ruled by logic by suppressing or denying emotion.

Maybe Romulans are Vulcan

Interesting idea.

i think in romulans the telepathy and other esper abilities is just latent or dormant,

Also interesting. And this works well with my idea.

 

[Tosk]

I'm almost surprised that some Trek ep or book hasn't yet made up some reason excuse for why Romulans and Vulcans could be any different from one another after so short a time.