The Omega Directive.... thoughts?

[at Quark's]

(Putting this in general because I think this isn't a VOY-specific question, even though it is only based on VOY material)

Recently I viewed VOY's "the Omega Directive" and it left me with some questions. While I like the ep in itself, I'm still unsure what to think about the concept of an Omega Directive.

On the one hand it feels much like a gimmick that was just invented for that episode, perhaps not being thoroughly thought through and perhaps never intended to be revisited. Somehow, it doesn't feel 'right' for Starfleet's idealistic philosophy to be governed by fear and trying to avert something even to the point of rescinding the "prime" directive (which proves to be not so prime, after all).

On the other hand, it could perhaps be seen as a much-needed streak of realism in Starfleet (in the vein of which we saw more in late DS9); sometimes ideals have to take the back seat. Just as I imagine in our world, most governments will have certain emergency protocols in place that would overrule everything else in certain situations, but aren't widely publicized.

So, what do you think about the concept of Starfleet having an 'Omega Directive' -- and keeping it highly secret? (Though I certainly can understand they wouldn't want to encourage people to try and build their own Omega molecule synthesis devices, or the Romulans to learn about it, or ....)

 

[Scotchy]

While you're right about Omega being a McGuffin, this is a still a great episode. It reminds me a little of the old Mission Impossible. It's amusing to see Starfleet cast aside the Prime Directive once in a while and slap around other species.
One of the most interesting aspects is the quasi-religious reverence the Borg have for the particle. It's a novel idea that they worship it as the core symbol of their concept of perfection. Even though 7 of 9 is separated from the collective she clearly still feels that way. Her conversation with Chakotay on the subject was well done. It was also interesting to hear the various accounts of the catastrophic attempts to stabilize it.

 

[dswynne1]

(Putting this in general because I think this isn't a VOY-specific question, even though it is only based on VOY material)

Recently I viewed VOY's "the Omega Directive" and it left me with some questions. While I like the ep in itself, I'm still unsure what to think about the concept of an Omega Directive.

On the one hand it feels much like a gimmick that was just invented for that episode, perhaps not being thoroughly thought through and perhaps never intended to be revisited. Somehow, it doesn't feel 'right' for Starfleet's idealistic philosophy to be governed by fear and trying to avert something even to the point of rescinding the "prime" directive (which proves to be not so prime, after all).

On the other hand, it could perhaps be seen as a much-needed streak of realism in Starfleet (in the vein of which we saw more in late DS9); sometimes ideals have to take the back seat. Just as I imagine in our world, most governments will have certain emergency protocols in place that would overrule everything else in certain situations, but aren't widely publicized.

So, what do you think about the concept of Starfleet having an 'Omega Directive' -- and keeping it highly secret? (Though I certainly can understand they wouldn't want to encourage people to try and build their own Omega molecule synthesis devices, or the Romulans to learn about it, or ....)

Well, considering that misuse of the Omega Particle can cripple interstellar travel, I do think that there would be exceptions to the rule (i.e. the Prime Directive).

 

[Richard Baker]

I agree it is great to see Starfleet having to set aside abstract ideals and just get the job done. I also liked it when Archer attached a peaceful alien vessel and stole an engine part he needed so he could continue on and save Earth.

 

[Timo]

That the Omega Directive exists need not be an aberration from the UFP norm. It's simply that such protocols are secret - they may in fact be numerous and commonplace! The Slingshot Maneuver Directive, the Guardian of Forever Directive, the Kironide Directive...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[JoeCabby]

Starfleet has always been more realistic than the people aboard the enterprise D, Voyager or the Federation in general. There have been instances where Picard would go against the Admiral's orders because it was against his ideals. DS9 had Section 31 and Voyager had to deal with the Omega Directive. I think it makes sense to have a directive to ensure the safety of the universe.

That aside, I find it ridiculous that an Advanced Civilization would be afraid of technological progress.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

The idea of an unmanageable and catastrophically destructive phenomenon was interesting. Given the expected consequences if they were to do otherwise, it's plausible that the Federation would subordinate all other concerns to getting rid of the molecules. "The Omega Directive" was one of the better VOY episodes.

 

[Drone]

While you're right about Omega being a McGuffin, this is a still a great episode. It reminds me a little of the old Mission Impossible. It's amusing to see Starfleet cast aside the Prime Directive once in a while and slap around other species.
One of the most interesting aspects is the quasi-religious reverence the Borg have for the particle. It's a novel idea that they worship it as the core symbol of their concept of perfection. Even though 7 of 9 is separated from the collective she clearly still feels that way. Her conversation with Chakotay on the subject was well done. It was also interesting to hear the various accounts of the catastrophic attempts to stabilize it.

Just a quick point that harkens back to a thread sometime last year.

I don't think that Omega fits the definition of a McGuffin here. It is not a mysterious unknown object that is never defined or explained, it does have an acknowledged real world impact, a very devastating one, and a specific action with a real and known impact on the particle, drives the basic plot. I don't claim that the issue of how the existence of such an element can disrupt, challenge, or negate supposedly sacrosanct principles and the moral and ethical questions such a situation inevitable brings to the fore is not a co-equal aspect of what makes the episode intellectually interesting. It's just that Omega can't plausibly be described as ultimately being superfluous to the significance of the incident, to be classified as a McGuffin, IMO.

 

[Timo]

That aside, I find it ridiculous that an Advanced Civilization would be afraid of technological progress.

Then again, the Federation does appear somewhat stagnated technologically: Archer and Kirk have basically all the same goodies, with minor quantitative differences, and no culture the UFP has absorbed in between appears to have contributed much. Perhaps the Earthlings did listen to the wisdom of their elders, learned of some Omega-like disaster in the Vulcan or Andorian past, and indeed adopted a policy of suppression of development?

I don't think that Omega fits the definition of a McGuffin here.

VOY is in the habit of applying that other story convention, the Reset Button, so regularly and with such vehemence that this makes most plot elements resemble McGuffins by cushioning (that is, totally removing) their impact.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Drone]

^^ Well, then maybe we should just name a variation of the usual variety of the device that fits the description of its application as you describe it. Hereafter, perhaps they should just be called Voyager McGuffins, thereby eliminating the need for an "is it"? thread that pops up here every once in awhile.

 

[Bagofmostlywatr]

The thing that always bugged me was... What if it was detected while the captain was off the ship?

 

[CorporalCaptain]

The thing that always bugged me was... What if it was detected while the captain was off the ship?

No doubt the computer would make sure that the acting captain was briefed. The computer always knows who the acting captain is.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

That the Omega Directive exists need not be an aberration from the UFP norm. It's simply that such protocols are secret - they may in fact be numerous and commonplace! The Slingshot Maneuver Directive, the Guardian of Forever Directive, the Kironide Directive...

Timo Saloniemi

Most of those could be combined under the "Kirk Directives" (aka: the "what not to do manual").

 

[nx1701g]

I remember when I first saw this episode that I thought it was an odd thing, but, as I got older, I thought about it and it really started to make sense from a real world perspective. There are always things that are considered to be need to know and in the military more so than anywhere else. I know that Starfleet is not a military per se, but it is a exploratory and peacekeeping armada with conventional rank and chains of command. Plus, it was finally meant to be something that a typical Starfleet crew wouldn't try to handle and couldn't.

So, all in all, I like it now.

 

[The Wormhole]

The thing that always bugged me was... What if it was detected while the captain was off the ship?

For a ship in the Alpha Quadrant it probably wouldn't be that much of an issue. Presumably an automated signal would also be sent to the nearest starbase who could dispatch someone to the ship to unlock the computers. The crew might have to go several hours or even a whole day without computer access, which would be frustrating.

For a ship like Voyager stuck out of contact with Starfleet, yeah, they screwed.

I know that Starfleet is not a military per se,

Actually, they are a military.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ Quasi-Military

 

[Timo]

...In the same sense that the Royal Navy of old was quasi-military.

But "civilian" organizations would no doubt also exercise extreme powers of policing to protect their interests, sometimes perhaps beyond the boundaries of law. And the Omega Interest is at the very top of things to protect if you are in the business of, say, interstellar shipping, asteroid mining, or generally staying alive...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[BillJ]

^ Quasi-Military

Military.

Starfleet is the defensive arm of the Federation. Which has been shown time and again.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'll just put this out there again :

Starfleet is obviously military. What it is not, however, is militarISTIC. There's the difference.

As for the Omega Directive: I think it's a great idea. If this particle can do so much damage, then to blazes with the Prime Directive - Omega's more important. (And speaking of military - I'd love to see the Omega Team in action.)

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I just think the exploration aspect makes it "quasi".

Obviously still a defensive (and occasionally offensive) force and organized with ranks and such.