Star Trek Babes - use only one per script

[Nerys Myk]

Assuming you're correct: so ? They hire attractive male leads, also, you know.

When was the last time you saw them in little more than body paint each week? ENT was the only series to add a little balance to the demographics by having the men stripped down to their skivvies on occasion, but that wasn't their typical attire.

Had they dressed the male leads in tight clothing just to show off their bodies and get female viewers that otherwise wouldn't care just for the ratings, I'd be just as irritated if not more. I'm a Star Trek fan. I want good sci-fi storytelling with interesting characters, not attractive people showing off their bodies.

If you're actually a fan of Star Trek, you'll have noticed that hiring attractive women (many with limited or no acting ability) and placing them in revealing clothing is a trademark of the show. "Good sci-fi storytelling" on the otherhand isn't. On the male side,Kirk with out a shirt was a common occurrence in TOS. They managed to get Picard to doff his shirt a few times as well.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

^They got Picard naked.

 

[Kevman7987]

If you're actually a fan of Star Trek, you'll have noticed that hiring attractive women (many with limited or no acting ability) and placing them in revealing clothing is a trademark of the show. "Good sci-fi storytelling" on the otherhand isn't. On the male side,Kirk with out a shirt was a common occurrence in TOS. They managed to get Picard to doff his shirt a few times as well.

There is a major difference between putting the female guest alien in a revealing outfit every so often and having a main castmember dressed that way 100% of the time.

It's less like Kirk or Picard getting their shirt ripped, and more like Kirk or Picard going shirtless 90% of every episode.

 

[Nerys Myk]

If you're actually a fan of Star Trek, you'll have noticed that hiring attractive women (many with limited or no acting ability) and placing them in revealing clothing is a trademark of the show. "Good sci-fi storytelling" on the otherhand isn't. On the male side,Kirk with out a shirt was a common occurrence in TOS. They managed to get Picard to doff his shirt a few times as well.

There is a major difference between putting the female guest alien in a revealing outfit every so often and having a main castmember dressed that way 100% of the time.

It's less like Kirk or Picard getting their shirt ripped, and more like Kirk or Picard going shirtless 90% of every episode.

Like I said, putting at least one female cast member (Uhura, Rand, Troi, Kira, Seven and T'Pol) in skimpy or revealing outfits is a Trek trademark. Only the two pilots put female regulars in sensible uniforms. Even TMP had Ilia switch to a skimpy mini-robe after she became probe-Ilia.

Yeah there is an imbalance between men and women in skimpy outfits. Welcome to Star Trek.

 

[Belz...]

When was the last time you saw them in little more than body paint each week?

You are exaggerating wildly. It's hard to have a conversation this way.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Really what my post boils down to is the fact that the producers put Jeri Ryan and Jolene Blalock in those skin-tight jumpsuits and left them in them for their entire series' runs.

Assuming you're correct: so ? They hire attractive male leads, also, you know.

I like underwear and the men of ENT spent a lot of time in it.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtTQQosvC7s[/yt]

OMG! Do you think the fact that Alice Eve is also renown for wearing BLUE underwear in STID is significant? I bet it's code for SCIENCE GET ALL THE BABES. Cuz, blue uniform, science. And of course I'm being completely equal here when I use the term babes to refer to both Alice Eve and Trip Tucker.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Oh and to get back on topic I absolutely agree with the OP, there should be far more than ONE babe per film. I can think of plenty of others in the movies (Caithlin Dar is hot) but I think the point is one particular character steps into that role. Just because females are standing around looking attractive doesn't make them The Babe of the movie.

Time to get over these stupid tropes or cliches and have MANY babes.

(Sorry for double posting, can't edit a post with a youtube in it.)

 

[Therin of Andor]

I'm a Star Trek fan. I want good sci-fi storytelling with interesting characters

So do most of us.

not attractive people showing off their bodies.

And you would be in a minority.

Would people watch cop shows, sci-fi shows, cooking shows, about unattractive people showing (or not showing) off their bodies? The exception would be weight-loss programs, and even then, they all feature the "makeover" episode, when the unattractive people are made attractive.

TV is a visual medium. As any character actor why leading roles are so rare for them.

 

[Kevman7987]

I just wish that Seven and T'Pol had been dressed either in uniforms or some sort of civilian outfits that were more than just skintight jumpsuits.

 

[Belz...]

I just wish that Seven and T'Pol had been dressed either in uniforms or some sort of civilian outfits that were more than just skintight jumpsuits.

Of course ! Women are a lot sexier in uniform.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I just wish that Seven and T'Pol had been dressed either in uniforms or some sort of civilian outfits that were more than just skintight jumpsuits.

So do I, but they exist to provide "sex appeal".

 

[Firestone]

I agree with op that those tight suits only serve the purpose of creating eye candy for horny guys to look at, thereby lowering the credibility of the character, of the show, and of the actress. ENT especially, went overboard with the idiotic massage and decon scenes. If I wanted to ogle barely clothed females, I would have watched another show. It isn't even sexy any more. Earlier, Dax was mentioned, as she started as a model as well. However, they made her look like a respectable and often sexy character without undressing her(let's forget about Risa...). Same for Kira, Saavik, and later seasons Troi. I can understand that teens prefer T&A over beauty and natural hotness, but I really hope that any possible future Trek show will go for the latter option.

 

[Belz...]

I agree with op that those tight suits only serve the purpose of creating eye candy for horny guys to look at, thereby lowering the credibility of the character, of the show, and of the actress. ENT especially, went overboard with the idiotic massage and decon scenes. If I wanted to ogle barely clothed females, I would have watched another show.

That doesn't make sense to me: why is it OK on another show, but not on Star Trek ? Wouldn't it also lower the credibility of that other show ?

 

[Nerys Myk]

I agree with op that those tight suits only serve the purpose of creating eye candy for horny guys to look at, thereby lowering the credibility of the character, of the show, and of the actress. ENT especially, went overboard with the idiotic massage and decon scenes. If I wanted to ogle barely clothed females, I would have watched another show.

That doesn't make sense to me: why is it OK on another show, but not on Star Trek ? Wouldn't it also lower the credibility of that other show ?

It's okay in Star Trek, too. Has been since the 1960s. Star Trek didn't used to shy away from sensuality, sexuality and skin.

I think if the character or actor's credibility is lowered and continues to remain low after repeated exposure, it might be the fault of the viewer. Neither T'Pol or Seven were written as "sex kittens", but as competent, intelligent professionals. So, again if all you see is a hot chick, the problem might be you.

T'Pol and Seven are covered from the neck to the soles of their feet. So I chuckle at the phrase "barely clothed".

 

[Therin of Andor]

I discussed this issue with Grace Lee Whitney in 1982 - and she supposedly helped William Ware Theiss design the short female uniform which, like the "skant" in TNG, had one upper thigh wrapped by fabric. So it wasn't as risque as it looked. Purposely.

When the first set of pre-publicity pics were taken in he 60s, they made Grace dress up in Sally Kellerman's uniform pants and Grace was puzzled, and then insistent: the show was about the future and, in the 1960s, professional, liberated women were already showing lots of skin (Mary Quant, Jean Shrimpton, the miniskirt) in the workplace. Surely, in the 23rd century women would be able to show off their attributes and yet still maintain professional standing. She worked hard to have good legs (as did Rand in "Miri") and wanted to show them off!

It sounds strangely sexist now, but it was a huge statement for Women's Lib at the time. And it became an intrinsic part of what made Star Trek "Star Trek". Suddenly covering up every once of female (and male) flesh would change an iconic element of the 22nd/23rd/24th century.

When Grace was about to do her first scene in ST:TMP, Robert Wise took one look at Graces "glamour" makeup, called her Kirk's "geisha girl" and ordered her to go and get the makeup removed. (Persis, Nichelle and Majel were not so ordered.)

Which makes me wonder: if people are complaining about Troi's, Seven's and T'Pol's "catsuits", which aren't they also insisting on no "glamour" makeup? And only practical shoes and hairstyles.

I can't imagine a "Star Trek" which employs only ugly actors and then covers them up in baggy clothes.

 

[Belz...]

It's okay in Star Trek, too. Has been since the 1960s. Star Trek didn't used to shy away from sensuality, sexuality and skin.

I think if the character or actor's credibility is lowered and continues to remain low after repeated exposure, it might be the fault of the viewer. Neither T'Pol or Seven were written as "sex kittens", but as competent, intelligent professionals. So, again if all you see is a hot chick, the problem might be you.

T'Pol and Seven are covered from the neck to the soles of their feet. So I chuckle at the phrase "barely clothed".

Shht ! Silence with your logic and reasoning. You'll scare him away.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I can understand that teens prefer T&A over beauty and natural hotness, but I really hope that any possible future Trek show will go for the latter option.

Why can't we have everything?

 

[Firestone]

I see people like to focus on specific words, instead of going for the overall idea my posts tried to convey. I guess I have to be more explicit, similar to the boobs-in-your-face suits you guys deem to be normal everyday attire :P When watching a ST episode, I - and I hope other fans too - hope to see an entertaining story, preferably somewhat intelligent, and perhaps somewhat of a light comedy, drama, or mild action. In addition, I hope to see the characters in the show to kinda portray the function they perform, e.g. Picard being a good captain with diplomatic skills. I do not however, care for sexing it up just for the ratings. For instance; by letting a member of the regular crew walk around in a skin-tight suit, while everyone else of said crew is required to follow strict rules regarding uniforms. Take T'Pol for example; why would a science officer - especially a Vulcan one - dress like that, or even be allowed to dress like that? And don't come with she wasn't a member of Starfleet. Give me one example of a job in our everyday lives where that kind of attire is acceptable unless intended as eye candy. If I wanted to see that, I'd watch the current equivalent of Baywatch. Don't get me wrong. If there would be some proper story-wise reason for it, it would be ok by me. It wouldn't ever bother me for instance, if we saw T'Pol topless in bed after sex. But then make it part of a serious story, such as a long-term relationship, and not just because you want higher ratings this week.

 

[Belz...]

I see people like to focus on specific words, instead of going for the overall idea my posts tried to convey. I guess I have to be more explicit, similar to the boobs-in-your-face suits you guys deem to be normal everyday attire :P When watching a ST episode, I - and I hope other fans too - hope to see an entertaining story, preferably somewhat intelligent, and perhaps somewhat of a light comedy, drama, or mild action. In addition, I hope to see the characters in the show to kinda portray the function they perform, e.g. Picard being a good captain with diplomatic skills. I do not however, care for sexing it up just for the ratings.

Why do you draw the entertainment line at good-looking women ?

How is that mutually-exclusive with any of the other things you mentioned ?

But then make it part of a serious story, such as a long-term relationship, and not just because you want higher ratings this week.

Businesses exist to make money. It pains me to have to repeat this all the time. Ratings are the lifeblood of tv shows.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I see people like to focus on specific words, instead of going for the overall idea my posts tried to convey. I guess I have to be more explicit, similar to the boobs-in-your-face suits you guys deem to be normal everyday attire :P When watching a ST episode, I - and I hope other fans too - hope to see an entertaining story, preferably somewhat intelligent, and perhaps somewhat of a light comedy, drama, or mild action. In addition, I hope to see the characters in the show to kinda portray the function they perform, e.g. Picard being a good captain with diplomatic skills. I do not however, care for sexing it up just for the ratings. For instance; by letting a member of the regular crew walk around in a skin-tight suit, while everyone else of said crew is required to follow strict rules regarding uniforms. Take T'Pol for example; why would a science officer - especially a Vulcan one - dress like that, or even be allowed to dress like that? And don't come with she wasn't a member of Starfleet. Give me one example of a job in our everyday lives where that kind of attire is acceptable unless intended as eye candy. If I wanted to see that, I'd watch the current equivalent of Baywatch. Don't get me wrong. If there would be some proper story-wise reason for it, it would be ok by me. It wouldn't ever bother me for instance, if we saw T'Pol topless in bed after sex. But then make it part of a serious story, such as a long-term relationship, and not just because you want higher ratings this week.

And why would they allow Uhura, Rand or Chapel wear miniskirts? Why would they let Troi wear her lowcut and tight non-uniforms? (and she was in Starfleet and a psychologist). Why is Kira's uniform more form fitting than other Bajorans?

It's a TV show, that's why. It doesn't have to be "acceptable" in real life. Would it really be better if there was some technobabble reason for it?