Talosians and 20th Century Earthers

[GNDN18]

How do we know the Talosians really look like Butt-head aliens? They are masters of illusion!!!! Maybe that form was to make Pike and Vina more comfortable. Perhaps they really are the crab like creatures from the story outline. Maybe Vina had a "Talosian" action figure as a child and they used that memory.

The Pandorica opens….

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Well,in the early draft script reprinted in The Making of Star Trek, the Talosians were described as crab-like.

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

It could also be that the Talosians don't actually look like what we see, and their appearance is in fact based on some old Earth sci-fi show that Robinson watched and Pike was vaguely familiar with. This would explain how they don't understand humanoid anatomy, despite being miniature humans themselves.

How do we know the Talosians really look like Butt-head aliens? They are masters of illusion!!!! Maybe that form was to make Pike and Vina more comfortable. Perhaps they really are the crab like creatures from the story outline. Maybe Vina had a "Talosian" action figure as a child and they used that memory.

Yes, now these are explanations I can endorse. A bit of a ret-con, but now those sneaky Talosians are viewed as implementing even more layers upon layers of illusions. Who knows how much of anything we witnessed on Talos IV "actually" appeared as it was. Great work, gang; I knew we'd get to the bottom of this mystery! Thanks to everyone who helped with the brain-storming.

 

[The Wormhole]

Well,in the early draft script reprinted in The Making of Star Trek, the Talosians were described as crab-like.

Well, that settles it. The Talosians are indeed crab-like. Let it be canon from here on out.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Well, that settles it. The Talosians are indeed crab-like. Let it be canon from here on out.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Yes, now these are explanations I can endorse. A bit of a ret-con, but now those sneaky Talosians are viewed as implementing even more layers upon layers of illusions. Who knows how much of anything we witnessed on Talos IV "actually" appeared as it was. Great work, gang; I knew we'd get to the bottom of this mystery! Thanks to everyone who helped with the brain-storming.

It doesn't quite work, because they were all hanging out together in Brainiac-form watching Pike on the TV with no one else around.

 

[Kor]

It doesn't quite work, because they were all hanging out together in Brainiac-form watching Pike on the TV with no one else around.

In a classic example of "breaking the fourth wall," the Talosians kept the appearance of big-headed weirdos in order to fool us, the viewing audience.

Kor

 

[Nerys Myk]

They are very thorough. Of course we all may be living in a Talosian illusion right now, but don't know it.

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

Perhaps they're method actors and cannot break character, or they could have body image issues and were trying to fool each other.

Of course we all may be living in a Talosian illusion right now, but don't know it.

Honestly, I'd be surprised if that wasn't the case. If nothing else, it would at least lend some credence to my existential crises.

I wonder what the big twentieth-century Earth sci-fi franchises were within the Trek universe?

Possibly "The Adventures of Captain Proton," or was that an original Tom Paris creation?

 

[The Old Mixer]

So what was Pike strangling, an eye stalk?

 

[Nerys Myk]

So what was Pike strangling, an eye stalk?

Trust me, you don't want to know.

 

[uniderth]

In the S3 VOY episode "Future's End," S.E.T.I. astronomer Rain Robinson has a Talosian action figure on her desk. The Talosians are the species from S1 TOS "The Menagerie" (also "The Cage") and were masters of mental manipulation. I was hoping that the creative minds at TrekBBS could help speculate as to possible in-universe explanations for the existence of this depiction of an alien race in the midst of 1996 Earth. Any thoughts?

They're based on aliens from a short lived scifi TV show from the 1960's called "Star Trek."

 

[Tim Thomason]

They're based on aliens from a short lived scifi TV show from the 1960's called "Star Trek."

Written by Gene Roddenberry I, with assistance from time traveller Berlinghoff Rasmussen and his ancestor J.R. Rasmussen, according to Strange New Worlds II.

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

I'm thinking this thread should be pinned to the top of the DISCO forum as it will be required reading once those showrunners inevitably drop in some Zoidberg-looking Talosians sans explanation.

Also, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are admitted Trekkers. Now I can't help but wonder if they took inspiration from early drafts of "The Cage" when creating South Park's Crab People.

 

[SpyOne]

It doesn't quite work, because they were all hanging out together in Brainiac-form watching Pike on the TV with no one else around.

X-Files rules: that was merely what Pike surmised was going on.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

So what was Pike strangling, an eye stalk?

Trust me, you don't want to know.

"That was not his knee." -- Martia
"Kay, he's Ballchinian!" -- Agent J

 

[Kor]

Written by Gene Roddenberry I, with assistance from time traveller Berlinghoff Rasmussen and his ancestor J.R. Rasmussen, according to Strange New Worlds II.

And they got Benny Russel to write some episodes.

Kor

 

[GNDN18]

And they got Benny Russel to write some episodes.

Kor

 

[MAGolding]

Talosians are sharply divided in two: those who travel, and those who prefer entertainment and cold pizza. Those who travel tend to account for 86% of the reports on Greys, and there are plenty of eyewitness accounts, as the traveling folks don't have self-esteem issues. Those who sit in the basement of their motherworld do not appreciate being photographed. And I can't blame them, what with that pale, unhealthily pink complexion and all.

Timo Saloniemi

If a human is born with pale pink skin keeping that skin pale and pink is the way to keep it healthy. No skin looks unhealthier than sunburned or tan skin. I'm going to have yet another bit of skin cancer removed in a few days, so I know first hand that if someone is born with pale pink skin keeping it pale and pink all their life is the healthy look for them.

 

[Timo]

It isn't particularly healthy in the long run, when those with normal grey skin keep beating you up during recess...

Timo Saloniemi