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Star Trek: Section 31 needlessly retcons iconic Star Trek: The Original Series episode

BBG News

As a lifelong Trekkie, I must confess my heart skipped a beat when I saw the latest Star Trek: Discovery trailer hinting at the return of Cheron and its infamous inhabitants. I remember the chills that ran down my spine as I watched “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” for the first time, back in the 80s when VHS tapes were still a thing. The episode left an indelible mark on me, teaching me about the horrors of racism and intolerance in a way that no school or parent ever could.

Star Trek: The Original Series is still considered one of the most influential science fiction series ever made, despite its sets appearing dated and some ideas being outdated for about 60% of the episodes. However, a significant number of episodes, around 40%, are considered must-watch viewing. Among these revered episodes, “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” is often held in particularly high regard.

In the given episode, the Starship Enterprise encounters two opposing factions involved in a conflict. One is led by a man with contrasting facial colors, half black and half white, while his adversary has reversed coloration, half white and half black. Despite their physical similarities, the difference in skin tones creates discord, leading to an ongoing war. Neither side wishes to be the one in control over the other.

The events in the episode cause Bele and Lokai, the alien characters, to meet Captain James Kirk and his team. He then returns them to their home planet, Cheron, where he finds out that their constant bigotry and hatred towards each other due to a minor difference has led to the complete destruction of their world. As a result, they are now the sole survivors of their species.

Back in the ’60s Batman series, I was captivated by the spellbinding portrayals of Bele and Lokai – characters brilliantly brought to life by none other than Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) and Lou Antonio. Their acts were applauded for the raw emotion and depth they infused into their roles. The underlying message was poignant; racial prejudice doesn’t pave the way to harmony. The climax, the total destruction of every single inhabitant of Cheron, drove home the harsh reality that hatred ignites conflict, and war breeds devastation – even annihilation. It’s astonishing how an ending as powerful as that could be tainted.

In the recently released trailer for their upcoming film, Section 31 appears as if it’s straight out of a cartoon, with a mustached antagonist ready to create chaos. This villainous group has unveiled that a Cheron native, thought to be deceased, is actually alive and working under the command of Michelle Yeoh’s character, Philippa Georgiou. While this revelation may primarily serve as a reference to an iconic Star Trek episode, its repercussions are expected to be far-reaching.

Reversing a significant event from one of Star Trek’s most iconic episodes, all for the sake of an insignificant Easter egg? Is this really where we’ve come to, changing established canon just for a brief, inconsequential cameo? It seems rather disappointing and far-fetched.

In this latest phase of Star Trek, fans have found it challenging due to the introduction of Discovery and an emphasis on darker, more complex themes. Despite this, we’ve remained loyal because we love the franchise. However, if you continue to manipulate our loyalty for quick, sensational moments at the expense of our shared fandom, you risk losing us altogether.

The essence of Star Trek is the fact it has remained a pillar through the years and forgetting about that and dismissing it is a surefire way to make sure you have no fans left. We love our history. We love that this story spans 60 literal years and several hundred fictional ones. To erase what came before to fit your view is to tell the fans that what happened wasn’t good enough.

And that never goes well.

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2024-12-12 04:23

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