I can accept that Sarek and Amanda were off world and too far away. Could the absence of T'Pring's
parents be more of her manipulation of the rite?
parents be more of her manipulation of the rite?
T'Pau should have been ticked ...
- Thread starter NTRPRZ
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This is my stance as well.
Vulcan parents not being there is a non-issue. There's no logical reason for them to be their in the first place. They are presumably already familiar with the in-laws, since the marriage was arranged when they were children, so it's not like they need to be there to get to know the other family. Other than that, what would be the logical reason of them being there? None that I can see. So with that in mind, they aren't there. Simple as that.
As far as the possibility of Amanda wanting to be there because she's an emotional human, I think it's safe to say that a human parent probably wouldn't enjoy the ceremony. There's the slim possibility of a battle to the death, and there's the fact that her son isn't exactly behaving like a human gentleman. More like a teenager with raging hormones to the nth degree. For all we know Spock and T'pring would have mated right there in front of everyone. And prior to Kirk and Mccoy's arrival, no outsiders had witnessed the ceremony, and Amanda could have still been viewed as an outsider despite her marriage to Sarek. At least one of these explanations should be enough.
Why, because it might shock them?
T'Pring's parents were not there. So conceding that Sarek and Amanda were likely not at a diplomatic event off-world, it's entirely possible that they happened to be on Earth for personal reasons (ie. visiting Amanda's family). Or the simplest answer is that parents do not attend their children's weddings.
Seeing your child fight and either kill or be killed wouldn't be on my list of things to do as a parent.
It may be something that parents don't do on Vulcan. Or as has been said, both sets could be off-planet. I don't know how likely it was that BOTH sets of parents would be far away at the crucial time, so it seems to me that it's probably something for the participants only.
But it's all speculation as nothing was ever said during the ep.
This made me lol.
I'm betting that T'Pring's parents were on the Intrepid.
That's my standard answer to any missing Vulcan questions.
Without the challenge my impression is that events would have progress directly to the marriage ceremony, in fact the striking of the gong that T'Pring stopped might have been (in it's self) the marriage ceremony.
And why would non-emotional Vulcan parent even want to be at their child's wedding?
Up to the time of T'Pring's challenge Spock was somewhat in control, the blood fever didn't begin until after the challenge.
Debatable it wouldn't have occurred if there had been no challenge.
Somewhat. Spock was still not fully in control of himself.
He was also not consumed with "madness," my impression is that the challenge is rare, so there was no anticipation of a display of madness.
So why weren't T'Pring's parents there? She wasn't going to be fighting.
Haha. Figures, it happens when I'm not trying. :P
The better question would be, "Why would T'prings parents ever be there?"
There's no logical reason for them to attend.
It's possible the ceremony in the arena is a separate area from the families. The arena could be a place for the private bonding and is witnessed only by those selected by the bride and groom and whoever is designated to officiate. The general family could be met, if at all, after the formalities in the arena.
We never quite learn why T'Pau is there. Does she officiate, or just pontificate?
The male is traditionally accompanied by his closest friends. Perhaps T'Pau is Stonn's closest friend? Or perhaps she's T'Pring's mother?
The only one with an explicit official role seems to be the burly guard who is to act if he observes cowardice in the challenge... All others might be spectators of various levels.
Timo Saloniemi
The male is traditionally accompanied by his closest friends. Perhaps T'Pau is Stonn's closest friend? Or perhaps she's T'Pring's mother?
The only one with an explicit official role seems to be the burly guard who is to act if he observes cowardice in the challenge... All others might be spectators of various levels.
Timo Saloniemi
T'Pau called for the end of one round and the beginning of the next and also ruled that McCoy could give Kirk something to compensate for the thin air.
She was obviously running the ceremony.
I would agree that T'Pau is running the show. Kirk seem impressed by her presence, meaning he didn't know that she was a member of Spock's family, or that someone so important (but outside Spock's family) would officiate.
I think that it possible that T'Pau is a elder in Spock's families religion, and highly placed, it's like having a cardinal preforming your wedding. She was there to keep the gods happy.
Most of the Vulcans we see are there apparently in a official capacity, carrying things. That doesn't exclude the possibility that they are T'Pring's friends that she invited. There's the four who carry T'Pau's chair (which could be a great honor), the bell ringers (two I believe), the weapons carriers (two more), all these people could be like ushers at a Human wedding, close friends you put to work.
And assuming that the next ringing of the bell wasn't the totality of the wedding ceremony, after T"Pring accepted the marriage, or Spock won the declared challenge, Spock and T'Pring could have walked to the nearby temple where the majority of the guests waited for the elaborate actual ceremony.
Oh, please.
Kirk and McCoy have several lines about being impressed that T'Pau of Vulcan - the only person to ever turn down a position on the Federation Council - is officiating at Spock's wedding, and Spock never mentioned that his family was THIS important.None of Stonn's friends were there because he was NOT the official bridegroom. I suspect T'Pring sneaked him in by telling T'Pau that he was her closest friend (no rule says the friend has to be of a particular sex). And no, T'Pau is NOT T'Pring's mother.
Yes, they even have "sleep overs."
That T'Pring was going to challenge the marriage might not have been a secret, T'Pring could have directly told T'Pau of her intent long before the events in the arena. Half the people in town probably knew. Her relationship with Stonn could have extend back to their teen years, with T'Pring never intending to marry Spock. Stonn looked nice and beefy, he might have been studying martial art and working out for years so he could win T'Pring in the challenge.
T'Pring's selection of Kirk was a last second decision, it pretty obvious that Stonn was going to be the original choice.
It was certainly news to some of the wedding party.
Duh. Stonn has a line that starts, "No! It was agreed that I..."
T'Pring merely used an unexpected opportunity to ensure that whatever happened, she wouldn't have to put up with Spock being around, and Stonn would still be alive. If Stonn had fought, there was a chance he could have been killed.
Well, that's hardly an argument. Our human heroes are so ignorant that they consider this event a "wedding" and we should trust them with knowing who does what and why?
(As per above, the issue is settled by other, more objective lines from the episode, though, meaning our heroes got it right by sheer chance.)
Based on what? All the telltales of a Vulcan blood relation are there: the total lack of compassion or indeed interest, the failure to exchange words other than direct orders, the turnings away, the passing of judgment...
Which only means T'Pring led him to believe he'd get to do the Spock-slaying. Doesn't mean T'Pring ever intended him to do it.
If the male traditionally brings his best friends to such an occasion, T'Pring could certainly have based her plan on that. She could then pick a friend, any friend, although Captain Kirk was ideal in many ways.
Timo Saloniemi
Kirk recognized T'Pau. It was clear that she was the one running the ceremony. Since Kirk and McCoy had never attended a Vulcan wedding before, why wouldn't they consider everything normal?
T'Pring's grandmother... maybe. T'Pau is too old to be T'Pring's mother. And your argument is based on how Sarek treated Spock, which was not a normal Vulcan family situation (the only son joining Starfleet instead of the Vulcan Science Academy). This makes your argument illogical.
Which only means T'Pring led him to believe he'd get to do the Spock-slaying. Doesn't mean T'Pring ever intended him to do it.
If the male traditionally brings his best friends to such an occasion, T'Pring could certainly have based her plan on that. She could then pick a friend, any friend, although Captain Kirk was ideal in many ways.[/QUOTE]
I will concede that T'Pring may have misled Stonn. However, that doesn't negate the fact that he was there as the original intended Champion (from his pov). He was not there as a mere spectator, nor as T'Pring's relative. As I said - T'Pring could have justified his attendance by saying he was the friend she chose to accompany her. Of course, it is entirely possible T'Pau figured out that his presence meant that T'Pring intended to Challenge... but that wasn't 100% certain, and the forms must be obeyed in any case.
T'Pol's mother was at her wedding but no one was going through Pon Farr. I think parents don't show up if the child is consumed with blood fever--certainly Vulcans are deeply embarrassed about it even among themselves.
I love T'Pring. Why should she soil her bloodline marrying a half human and end up with diluted children. She didn't choose that, it was all politics happening over her child's head.
I love T'Pring. Why should she soil her bloodline marrying a half human and end up with diluted children. She didn't choose that, it was all politics happening over her child's head.
