3 of the most controversial people to ever appear in Star Trek

As a lifelong Star Trek enthusiast who’s been beaming through the galaxy for over three decades, I must say that the franchise holds a special place in my heart. It’s like a warm cup of Earl Grey tea on a cold, dark night – comforting, exciting, and often surprising. However, as with any long-running series, it has its share of imperfect characters, both on screen and behind it.

Star Trek is widely recognized as one of the most exceptional pop culture and science fiction franchises throughout history. Boasting an impressive roster of talented individuals, captivating storylines, and characters that endure the test of time, it’s hard to find a more flawless example. However, no creation can ever truly attain perfection.

From its inception by Gene Roddenberry to its ongoing history, this series has consistently been a vibrant mix of distinctive individuals. Not every personality within it was without flaws. The initial troika – Roddenberry, William Shatner, and Leonard Nimoy – were all flawed men themselves.

At heart, these men were noble, yet imperfect, much like us all. Sometimes, stories portray them in an unfavorable way. Roddenberry, for instance, was challenging to collaborate with and even attempted to undermine the franchise at times. Similarly, Shatner had a reputation for being difficult on set, and his behavior could be off-putting due to his self-consciousness. Moreover, Nimoy faced personal struggles, including alcohol problems in his private life.

I must admit, there have been some questionable figures associated with this beloved franchise over the years. However, it’s important to note that the majority of the core cast, crew, and notable guests were genuinely outstanding individuals. They stood up for workers’ rights, fought against injustices, and generally served as a positive influence. Of course, they weren’t without their flaws, but overall, they used their platform for good.

However, it’s important to note that not everyone among them was virtuous. In fact, some were truly abhorrent due to various reasons. Today, we delve into the lives of three particularly despicable characters portrayed on the big screen.

Andy Dick

In the “Message in a Bottle” episode of Star Trek: Voyager’s fourth season, Andy Dick portrays an advanced emergency medical hologram (EMH Mark II). The Doctor encounters this hologram when he rides a wave-like mechanism to the Alpha Quadrant. There, they find a Federation ship under Romulan control. Together, these two holographic entities work to regain control of the vessel.

In my gaming world, I often save the day as a brave hero, but the truth is, it’s just a game. In reality, Dick isn’t the gallant figure portrayed on TV. He’s battled with addiction for years, and that struggle has led to some serious problems. From minor offenses like indecent exposure, to truly shocking acts such as sexual abuse, his actions have left a dark shadow in his wake.

Mention a mix of assault charges, battery, burglary, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and you’re describing a man who hasn’t tasted tranquility for quite some time. Despite being a registered sex offender, Dick continues to face legal issues well into 2023, as he was apprehended for public drunkenness and failing to comply with his duty to register as a sex offender.

Jennifer Lien

During Andy Dick’s struggle with addiction, Jennifer Lien’s challenges primarily revolve around mental health. Initially, Lien garnered success with her acting career. She shared the screen with Matthew Lillard in SLC Punk, and subsequently, she starred as Kes, an Occumpan character, in Star Trek: Voyager. After being dismissed from the show, she continued to voice act as Agent L in the Men in Black animated series.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share the rollercoaster journey I’ve witnessed. Initially, it seemed like everything was going smoothly, but somehow, things began to unravel. Regrettably, Lien faced arrest multiple times over a span of about a decade for several reasons. Specifically, during a period of roughly seven years, Lien was taken into custody no less than eight times.

July 3, 2012, domestic violence arrest
April 2015 for “…evading arrest, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, and aggravated assault after attempting to flee police”.
September 3, 2015, for indecent exposure to a child (charges were later dropped)
Dec. 2017 DUI arrest

Over the period between February and March of 2018, there were three consecutive arrests due to driving with a suspended license. Subsequently, eight more arrests related to the same offense occurred in September 2019, marking a total of so far final arrests for this infraction. It appears that Lien has been facing significant issues, and we can only hope that over the past five years she’s managed to overcome her struggles with substance abuse.

Stephen Collins

1. Andy Dick is essentially a product of addiction, whereas Jennifer Lien grapples with significant mental health challenges. In contrast, Stephen Collins is undeniably a horrific individual. During the late 70s, Collins was part of the Star Trek crew, portraying Captain Willard Decker of the Enterprise. This character was initially intended for Star Trek: Phase II but later transformed into the captain we recognize from Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

In the movie, Collins played an influential part, however, his character met a fatal end by the film’s conclusion. His on-screen persona was valuable to the overall production, but he hasn’t been reprised since then. This is largely due to the bond between the Deckerr character and Collins.

It appears that while Dick and Lien have a past involving substance abuse and mental health problems, which could potentially explain their repeated problematic behavior, Collins does not have such a background. To be clear, neither their actions nor Collins’ are acceptable, but the former pair’s pattern may be somewhat understandable due to their history. However, it is evident that Collins is simply not a good individual.

In 2014, investigations were launched by the NYPD accusing him of past sexual misconduct towards a child under the age of 14. Although the term “alleged” can be used to soften the accusation, Collins himself has openly acknowledged these actions. Subsequently, when the LAPD attempted to prosecute but failed, Collins chose to give an interview to People Magazine.

During that interview, Collins confessed to engaging in “inappropriate sexual behavior” with three distinct minors, spanning different decades. He maintains it occurred only in ’73, ’82, and ’94. But who knows if those are all the instances where he crossed paths with potential victims? As a gamer, I can’t help but wonder…

Collins, who used to be a regular figure on TV and films, has been absent from the public spotlight for more than ten years and hasn’t taken up any acting roles since 2014. The immaculate and unsullied image he once had no longer exists.

2024-08-12 02:23

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