In The Enterprise Incident, Checkov was able to locate Spock on the Romulan ship using sensors to distinguish Vulcan life signs, although he said it was difficult because Vulcans and Romulans are so similar.
The Drumhead- best ST episode
- Thread starter gakelly
- Start date
Fair enough.
Mind you, I kind of wonder if the reason he didn't attend Starfleet Academy was worry over this being revealed. It's possible that being an enlisted man didn't subject him to the same scrutiny.
That's my one criticism of the episode. It was doing so well, it needed a better final speech. If the speech had been as good as Picard's defense in The Measure of a Man, this one would be higher on my list. Unfortunately, it's just what you said. He found a sore spot in her psyche and exploited it, but he never laid bare the danger of what they were doing and forced people to concede the awfulness of what they had become.
The ending wasn't up to the standards of the rest of the episode.
^^^
IDK - I doubt the families of all the crewmembers and ships he's scarified so he could maintain his often hypocritical/superior moral attitude would agree that he's "The Best Captain". Hell, at the start of TNG S6 - "Descent" he was (IMO rightfully) dressed down by Admiral Nehayev for Picard's actions in TNG S5 - "I Borg":
http://www.chakoteya.net/NextGen/252.htm
I for one wouldn't want to serve under Picard. The man sacrifies the lives of others under his command WAY too easily.
Watching it now, did not know Jean Simmons was a Star Trek and wanted to be on the show. I wonder in universe where is Troi?
Actually Jean Simmons wasn't a fan and was going to pass; but her grandchildren were big fans and said she should do it, so she ultimately did.
Starfleet is not bigoted.
The problem was NOT that Tarses' grandfather was Romulan. The problem was that Tarses LIED about it. He didn't have to do that. If he'd just come clean and admitted the truth from the get-go, there wouldn't have been a problem.
As you correctly pointed out, Saavik made it through just fine, even though she was half Romulan. The difference is, she (presumably) didn't try to hide it. That proves Starfleet doesn't care if a recruit has Romulan ancestry. They just have to tell the truth. As any decent officer would.
If Tarses was so scared about what Starfleet might think, that's his own damn problem.
Saavik's half-Romulan heritage never shows up on screen and we never actually hear the circumstances of it, assuming that it wasn't the case. It's possible she didn't know or the matters became more stringent in TNG era. Either way, the fact that he had a Romulan grandfather is something Picard clearly thinks is IRRELEVANT and that focusing on it is ridiculous.
Also, if you think there'd be no problem, I point out that his career is utterly ruined and he's suspected of being a Deep State undercover operative not that he's a liar. The Admiral believes she's found a traitor.
As much as I like the Drumhead, I also think the Admiral goes over the Deep End far too soon and I wish she'd been an actual judge. Just a hint this kind of anger is there, waiting to be let loose. I also wish we could have done a similar "court" episode regarding the Maquis.
Only because he lied on his application. Why should Starfleet trust anyone who does that, for whatever reason?
Again, he's been (falsely) arrested as a saboteur and traitor. Not because he lied.
Only because Admiral Satie was batshit crazy.
Considering Admiral Satie's attitude and in the TNG era Starfleet is a mainly human dominated club I would not trust the application board to leave their unconscious biases at home. (Or maybe they use AI to process the applications). In universe TOS and TNG Starfleet reeks of Terran privilege and so does its flagship.
We also need to understand Tarses' attitude. Why did he think having a Romulan relative should be hidden, if Picard thinks it should not?
We have heard a couple of dissenting voices about Starfleet, although surprisingly generally from people within. "Good Shepherd" gives us three less than flattering accounts, foremost Harren's. "Choose Your Pain" has the Mudd testimony, although of course Harry always lies ("Listen to this carefully, Norman. I am lying."). Joe Sisko had less to say about the Fleet as an organization and more about its political role, but still.
Romulans apparently weren't much of a menace for a century, but they bounced back just in time for Tarses to have his weak moment. Perhaps that's how it works? Patriotic propaganda boosts enlisting, but also places unreasonable apparent demands on it.
Timo Saloniemi
We have heard a couple of dissenting voices about Starfleet, although surprisingly generally from people within. "Good Shepherd" gives us three less than flattering accounts, foremost Harren's. "Choose Your Pain" has the Mudd testimony, although of course Harry always lies ("Listen to this carefully, Norman. I am lying."). Joe Sisko had less to say about the Fleet as an organization and more about its political role, but still.
Romulans apparently weren't much of a menace for a century, but they bounced back just in time for Tarses to have his weak moment. Perhaps that's how it works? Patriotic propaganda boosts enlisting, but also places unreasonable apparent demands on it.
Timo Saloniemi
I’m still confused with how it ended. Picard quotes some milquetoast legal bromide, the scenery-chewing lady has a tantrum and storms out...and we’re done.
And gosh, how much of a chump is Worf
Picard was quoting Admiral Sati's father, Judge Aaron Sati. She tried to break him during the trial by bringing up his nightmare and guilt for what happened at Wolf 359. Picard, on the other hand, was able to break Sati by using her pride for her father against her with the end result that she eventually snapped and that;s it,.
Agreed and especially in the way that Picard treats Simon Tarsus by talking with him in I presume Picard's quarters.
Am I the only one who was especially disturbed when Satie brought up Picard's assimilation? The man was violated...he was mentally raped and had his knowledge turned against the Federation in what was - up until that point - the biggest massacre in Federation history.
This was a two-year old post. Forum rules are kinda averse to resurrecting dead threads. I’m going to leave it open though, your observation is good and might generate more good conversation.
Apologies. I was searching for a discussion on The Drumhead, saw this thread and then noticed that it was on a good conversation track; I can abstain from further posting if necessary. Although, in fairness, the thread wasn't locked. If this is an issue, shouldn't threads automatically close after a set duration of inactivity? My philosophy is to continue sticking with a winner (and enriching it) instead of generating yet another thread, but if that clashes with protocol...no biggie.
Nope, your logic is very sound and the "necrosis rule" really amounts to a suggestion. The intent is to prevent some clown from replying to a bunch of old threads with a couple of words or a smiley face to artificially build post count. The fact that your comment was very thoughtful made me leave the thread open.
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