Was Trek ever really intelligent sci-fi?
- Thread starter F. King Daniel
- Start date
I agree with 2TF. There's just something inspiring about characters who are striving to do the right thing, perhaps contrary to their own wishes. Certain impulses are natural to humans, and as I heard someone say recently, they never had to send their kids to classes to learn how to lie! I don't know why there are some people who want their 'heroes' to be no better than they are... 
What's inspiring about that?
What's inspiring about that?
I've never understood the idea that heroes are simpler than villains. I think it's just the opposite. Villains are people who just act on their own desires and self-interest, who put what they want over what other people want, which is a very simplistic and childish thing to do. Heroes are people who have those same selfish urges and fears and resentments, but who choose to fight them and take the harder path of acting on behalf of others. That gives them much more complicated internal lives, in my view.
Of course, there can be complex villains, if for instance they feel they have no choice but to do something awful for what they think is the greater good. But there's still a kind of nobility in that, however misguided. Characters who are just messed up and petty and selfish are not all that interesting.
Of course, there can be complex villains, if for instance they feel they have no choice but to do something awful for what they think is the greater good. But there's still a kind of nobility in that, however misguided. Characters who are just messed up and petty and selfish are not all that interesting.
Broadly speaking I'd agree, but admittedly a lot depends on delivery. Saul Rubinek's Kivas Fajo is still probably my favourite Trek villain -- or at least TNG villain -- precisely because he is just messed up and petty and selfish and Rubinek finds and brings out a very personal, chilling sort of menace in that.
Fajo is interesting because Rubinek is an interesting actor and brings a lot of depth to his characters. But Rubinek is even more interesting when given a more complex character to play.
I don't deny having a bit of a soft spot for the simplicity of, say, the villain with a death ray situated on a mountain top, ready to destroy the city below, but yeah...the idea of someone coming to making life decisions, teetering on the edge of right and wrong is a bit more engaging. Life is about choices...let heroes and villains make them. In our lives, it's stopping at the red light, or going through it because it's 4 a.m., and no one's around. Those decisions do define us...
While not a villain, Larry Mondello on Leave it to Beaver was always a favorite of mine. Basically a good kid, but he always fell prey to his selfish instincts. I loved his "reasoning": in the episode where he had the idea to try smoking a pipe, Beaver said they weren't supposed to smoke, and Larry replied with "But nobody's home, and if there's no one around to catch us, then it's okay to do it!".
While not a villain, Larry Mondello on Leave it to Beaver was always a favorite of mine. Basically a good kid, but he always fell prey to his selfish instincts. I loved his "reasoning": in the episode where he had the idea to try smoking a pipe, Beaver said they weren't supposed to smoke, and Larry replied with "But nobody's home, and if there's no one around to catch us, then it's okay to do it!".
One of my favorite TNG villains as well. Fajo and Armus from "Skin of Evil".
Does he have a pet vulture? He should have a pet vulture.
It's important for the image.
Duty? Humanity? Fighting against his instincts?
Kirk's one true love was the Enterprise.
The Enterprise would never exist if Edith Keeler lived.
It's a wonder Kirk didn't kick her off the curb.
Kirk's one true love was the Enterprise.
The Enterprise would never exist if Edith Keeler lived.
It's a wonder Kirk didn't kick her off the curb.
Does he have a pet vulture? He should have a pet vulture.
It's important for the image.
Yes...a vulture is a must!
I have a bit of a soft spot for the hero who can punch his way up the death ray.
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