In a hypothetical cast of half a dozen (just using that number) main characters, how many should be Humans?
I would have two Humans, two "near Humans," one who is humanoid but has a obviously different cultural mind set, and one that is as profoundly different as possible and still be able to be a part of the mix of characters.
What do I mean by "near Human?" Kira from DS9 would be a example, alien but her culture isn't really that separate from a Human one. She doesn't have any magical powers, and her appearance (other than her nose ridges) is Human.
Different cultural mind set would be Spock, Phlox, or Worf. While there are some similarities to Human cultures, they come from overtly different societies and it doesn't take long to realize that. There is no effort on their part to assimilate to a Human norm.
Profoundly different would be someone unlike anyone who has ever been a part of one of the previous main casts, seriously the odd man out. Perhaps someone who views Human cultural values with a degree of amusement and indulgence, and holds their own non-Human values not so much as equal, but superior. A near Picard level of cultural arrogance.They also might have some magical abilities that impact their outlook
This ratio of characters would carry over to the secondary/tertiary characters on the ship.
How would you do it?
I would have two Humans, two "near Humans," one who is humanoid but has a obviously different cultural mind set, and one that is as profoundly different as possible and still be able to be a part of the mix of characters.
What do I mean by "near Human?" Kira from DS9 would be a example, alien but her culture isn't really that separate from a Human one. She doesn't have any magical powers, and her appearance (other than her nose ridges) is Human.
Different cultural mind set would be Spock, Phlox, or Worf. While there are some similarities to Human cultures, they come from overtly different societies and it doesn't take long to realize that. There is no effort on their part to assimilate to a Human norm.
Profoundly different would be someone unlike anyone who has ever been a part of one of the previous main casts, seriously the odd man out. Perhaps someone who views Human cultural values with a degree of amusement and indulgence, and holds their own non-Human values not so much as equal, but superior. A near Picard level of cultural arrogance.They also might have some magical abilities that impact their outlook
This ratio of characters would carry over to the secondary/tertiary characters on the ship.
How would you do it?