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How can Vulcans experience love in a relationship?

Discussion in ' General Trek Discussion ' started by ReadyAndWilling , Aug 9, 2009 .

ReadyAndWilling Fleet Captain

How is it possible for the Vulcans to feel 'love' for someone else? Love is an emotion so how can they really appreciate being in a relationship with another person? Doesn't make any sense to me, or do they view the other person as a high value? Not really sure where this thread should have been posted. Thanks  

Ensign_Redshirt Commodore Commodore

Vulcans do have emotions, they just don't show them or let them affect by them (well, most of the time).  

All Seeing Eye Admiral

ReadyAndWilling said: ↑ How is it possible for the Vulcans to feel 'love' for someone else? Love is an emotion so how can they really appreciate being in a relationship with another person? Doesn't make any sense to me, or do they view the other person as a high value? Not really sure where this thread should have been posted. Thanks Click to expand...

barnaclelapse Commodore Commodore

It always seemed to me that understanding those emotions was a lot more important than actually displaying them.  

USS Triumphant Vice Admiral Admiral

Much of this is speculative, and very little is canon, but here's the best I can grok it: Vulcan society is organized around arranged marriages - and in their case, unlike here on Earth, there is a biological component that actually forces the situation, or at least would have to be fought strongly against to avoid. Which wouldn't be very logical. At the age of 7, Vulcan children go through their first Pon Farr. They aren't physically mature, so the primary sexual component is absent, but the psychological component is there, and Vulcan parents arrange a betrothal at that point that creates a psychic link between their two children. There may be no contact between the children after that point until their next Pon Farr - although I suspect that in most cases, there is at least some acquaintance. At the age of 14, they enter Pon Farr again, and become "married" (which I suspect is a poor English translation of the Vulcan word for the state) since their bodies are mature enough for sexual activity. A "priestess" and several others are on hand during this and every subsequent Pon Farr for reasons that are not entirely clear - but I would think are something aside from, "hey, free porn!" Providing instruction or even applying technology, or making certain participants are unharmed, or providing ... additional genetic material, shall we say ... to attempt to help ensure a pregnancy when that is desired. That isn't generally our way, but hey, these are aliens . What's Love Got To Do With It? In many arranged marriages on Earth, the couples do grow to have an affection - love - for one another. I would assume this is the same for Vulcan pairings. Also, in the event of premature death of one half of a pairing, the biological drive will still be there every 7 years, and it is possible that love, or at least affection, plays some role in the choices made for these older betrothals. And then there are Vulcans that choose to mate with aliens. They are stone freaks , and their logic may be a bit questionable as regards why they would make such a choice. I suspect that Sarek chose Amanda because of the ping-pong ball trick.  

DevilEyes Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

Oh no, do people always have to come up with that question? Vulcans do have emotions, and in fact it's been stated several times (most notably by Sarek in TNG episode "Sarek" - which is also one of the episodes in which you get to see what a Vulcan is like when they are stripped of their emotional control - and in STXI), that their emotions are much stronger and more intense than human emotions. This drove them to violence in the the distant past, and after they almost destroyed themselves through war and aggression, they accepted Surak's philosophy based on logic, stoicism and suppression of emotion, and built their society and culture on that basis. Some Vulcans refused this and left Vulcan to form a society of their own - and became what we know as Romulans.  

KobayashiMaru13 Captain Captain

vulcans have emotions, but as they are exponentially strong, they are supressed. however, in the instance of "married" vulcans, they are telepathically linked, thus the marriage vows: parted and never parted. never and always touching and touched. they can show emotions by a touch or a glance. also-being touch telepaths- a hand rested on an arm or shoulder between consorts is as powerful as a passionate kiss ( ) you need to study your vulcan history.  

Ok, I worded it wrong. I meant to say suppressed emotions. I think it has to do with having a high value on something or in this case, someone.  

Rackon Commander Red Shirt

Good grief! Triumphant, Vulcans don't undergo "pon farr" at age 7!! Nor to the best of my knowledge at 14 either. Bonding at age 7, yes, some fo them. But "pon farr" is very specifically the hormone storm that culminating in compulsive mating drive that if not comsummated will bring death. Vulcans may be sexy, but they're not pervy when it comes to children. Spock underwent his first pon farr in his mid thirties. The stuff on the Genesis planet was because everything being greatly speeded up/out of sync.  

Myasishchev Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

Pon farr is a hodge-podge concept and as such tends to defy reasonable explanation. However, as sexuality is vitally important to any society with gender divisions, "Vulcan biology" as Spock shyly put it is vitally important to developing a framework for how the Vulcan societies operate. Beware, longish post, partly in reply to Triumphant, and parly my own diatribe. For the biologically-minded, you might find it interesting, or find some things to argue with. There is also a great penis joke buried near the bottom. USS_Triumphant said: ↑ At the age of 14, they enter Pon Farr again, and become "married" (which I suspect is a poor English translation of the Vulcan word for the state) since their bodies are mature enough for sexual activity. A "priestess" and several others are on hand during this and every subsequent Pon Farr for reasons that are not entirely clear - but I would think are something aside from, "hey, free porn!" Providing instruction or even applying technology, or making certain participants are unharmed, or providing ... additional genetic material, shall we say ... to attempt to help ensure a pregnancy when that is desired. That isn't generally our way, but hey, these are aliens . Click to expand...

Rackon said: ↑ Good grief! Triumphant, Vulcans don't undergo "pon farr" at age 7!! Nor to the best of my knowledge at 14 either. Click to expand...

Myasishchev said: ↑ At any rate, getting back to Sarek again, what's the deal with his pon farr? He's schtupping a red-blooded round-ear, but it's biologically retarded to say that pon farr could be satisfactorily resolved through that. (I'm looking at you, Voyager .) If this were the case, no sehlat on Vulcan would be safe. The answer must be that Sarek is polygamous, but not legally so. I am convinced he is getting some on the side. Nu-Uhura, watch out. Sylar's going to be a bounder come every seven years. Click to expand...

DevilEyes said: ↑ Myasishchev said: ↑ At any rate, getting back to Sarek again, what's the deal with his pon farr? He's schtupping a red-blooded round-ear, but it's biologically retarded to say that pon farr could be satisfactorily resolved through that. (I'm looking at you, Voyager .) If this were the case, no sehlat on Vulcan would be safe. The answer must be that Sarek is polygamous, but not legally so. I am convinced he is getting some on the side. Nu-Uhura, watch out. Sylar's going to be a bounder come every seven years. Click to expand...

Myasishchev said: ↑ DevilEyes said: ↑ Myasishchev said: ↑ At any rate, getting back to Sarek again, what's the deal with his pon farr? He's schtupping a red-blooded round-ear, but it's biologically retarded to say that pon farr could be satisfactorily resolved through that. (I'm looking at you, Voyager .) If this were the case, no sehlat on Vulcan would be safe. The answer must be that Sarek is polygamous, but not legally so. I am convinced he is getting some on the side. Nu-Uhura, watch out. Sylar's going to be a bounder come every seven years. Click to expand...

Sorry for the two posts in a row, but it's just so... much... easier. USS_Triumphant said: ↑ Well, you're probably correct that they don't undergo anything as thorough-going as what we say in Amok Time at age 7, but it is possible that the biological cycle has started in some small way, and even if it hasn't, that would seem like a logical interval at which to perform betrothal. Click to expand...

DevilEyes said: ↑ Aside from the fact that it makes no sense at all, biologically, that only sex with T'Pring would relieve him; Click to expand...

Myasishchev said: ↑ I doubt the sexual morality of humans would apply to creatures that would literally die without getting it on. Take the mitzvah that Jews can't eat pork, for example--virtually all Jewish sects recognize that if necessity dictates a Jew to eat pork, this is a morally acceptable outcome, because the life of a Jew is more important than anything else. This flexibility in morality recognizes that the nature of life is to live, and no law can effectively prohibit life seeking continued existence. The same applies to the common law and its adoption of principles of self-defense--even if we made an ethically defensible decision that the law should not accept a self-defense justification, biology would make it completely impossible to successfully enforce! Thus, I doubt Vulcan morality attaches any significant approbium to a pon farr-sufferer who, bereft of his mate, takes whatever action necessity dictates. Perhaps Vulcan morality goes even as far as tolerating rape. It would certainly tolerate necessary masturbation. Click to expand...

DevilEyes said: How would you know that?! This is all speculation, and with some very strange conclusions. "Perhaps Vulcan morality goes even as far as tolerating rape"?! Yes, perhaps Vulcans tolerate rape, perhaps they tolerate murder. Only, not likely. Click to expand...

Myasishchev said: ↑ DevilEyes said: ↑ How would you know that?! This is all speculation, and with some very strange conclusions. "Perhaps Vulcan morality goes even as far as tolerating rape"?! Yes, perhaps Vulcans tolerate rape, perhaps they tolerate murder. Only, not likely. Click to expand...

Folks, this is "fascinating". I've wondered for years why GR and the writers of TOS saddled the Vulcans with pon farr. It's often felt like a mere gimmick to me, but it's completely inescapable now. We are (and the Vulcans are) stuck with it. D C Fontanna has said Vulcans can mate anytime, but that they must mate during pon farr. For Myasishchev especially, what is the evolutionary purpose of pon farr in such a long lived race? And...lest we take too strictly a determinist view ...let me also ask you this: What about gay Vulcans? (Please fee free to ignore canon and slash in this discussion.) Cultural taboos aside, one would expect Vulcan sexuality to be at least as complex as human. As far as rape goes, the highly ethical Vulcans regard any encroachment or forcing of oneself on another person - be it mind or body - as abhorent. We are told that that Vulcan in modern times is a peaceful, non-violent, low crime society. That seems highly "logical" to me.  

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Published Feb 12, 2021

13 of Star Trek's Most Romantic Moments

Does your OTP make the list?

StarTrek.com

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, enjoy these 13 moments that showed us Trek ’s tender side.

Star Trek Power Couples Who Make Us Believe in Love

13. Odo Learns about Love from an Unlikely Source

Odo Lets Go with Lwaxana Troi - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

When Lwaxana Troi shows up at Deep Space 9 in “Forsaken,” you know a potential paramour will be involved. And when it turns out to be Odo, at first it’s just as funny as when Captain Picard tried to get away from her overzealous advances. But in a surprising twist, we rediscover that there’s more to Lwaxana than libido. When she and Odo get trapped in a broken turbolift, he learns that romance is about more than writing poetry and giving flowers (or as he calls it, “sacrificing various plants to serve as tokens of affection”): it’s about intimacy. Odo is not the first man to become liquid in Lwaxana’s lap, but probably the first to do so literally. The experience makes him look at love in a whole new way.

12. Culber and Stamets Brush Their Teeth Together

Star Trek: Discovery - Culber and Stamets Brush Their Teeth Together

Just like at the end of a very eventful day, at the end of a very eventful episode, a couple finds themselves in front of the mirror, brushing their teeth. Although it’s a small and simple moment, coming at the end of the fourth episode of Discovery (“Choose Your Pain”), it feels like a revelation to know that two characters we’ve come to admire — Hugh Culber and Paul Stamets — share not just a home, but each other’s confidence. The sentimental setting has even more meaning when Stamets reunites with Culber (believed dead) in the mycelial network. Brushing their teeth together certainly isn’t necessary in a dreamland full of spores, but they do, because that’s what Stamets’ mind returns to when he thinks about being comforted by his partner.

11. Janeway and Chakotay Almost Go “Blue Lagoon”

Star Trek: Voyager - Janeway and Chakotay Almost Go “Blue Lagoon”

When Janeway and her Number One get stranded on a deserted planet and he — I cannot stress this enough — constructs a bathtub for her, I was like, “awwwww yeah, finally!” Then, I  hit pause on “Resolutions,” and went to make some popcorn, as you do. But it turns out the senior leadership of Voyager has more self-control than I would have. While I didn’t get to see the unrequited hookup I had hoped for, Chakotay does say one of the most romantic things in Trek history, by telling Janeway a parable of a warrior who didn’t know peace until he found a woman leader to serve and protect. (Shhh! He’s talking about himself!) Literal days before they would have decided to just go for it and populate the empty planet — I wish! — they get beamed back aboard Voyager . If you don’t believe me, watch the air between them sizzle when they finally get back to their posts on the bridge.

10. Picard Makes Music in the Jeffries Tubes

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Picard Opens His Heart To His New Crewmate

Let’s be honest: Captain Picard’s true love was the Starship Enterprise . But he does get a chance to get romantic in “Lessons,” when a new officer in the Stellar Cartography department brings out his sensitive side. The catalyst is music, with her on piano and him on the Ressikan flute — that instrument he learned to play when he lived an entire life in 20 minutes. In a scene thrilling to those of us watching TV back in the 90s (when characters in TV shows rarely referred back to past episodes), the closed-off captain explains the story of “The Inner Light” and opens his heart to his new crewmate. And in one of the most romantic moments to take place on the NCC-1701-D , an impromptu duet in the most perfectly acoustic place in the ship — a Jeffries tube — turns into an impromptu make-out session.

9. Worf Wails for K’Ehleyr’s Death

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Worf Wails for K’Ehleyr’s Death

It’s fitting that Worf is one of the only characters to appear on this list twice, along with Captain Janeway. It’s hard for people not to fall in love with Janeway, but Worf appears twice because it’s hard for him not to fall in love with others. Possibly the biggest romantic in Star Trek history, he loves (Klingon) opera, his preferred drink is (Klingon blood) wine, and he had expected Ambassador K’Ehleyr to marry him after they… did whatever that bloody hand thing was on the holodeck. In “Reunion,” Worf takes drama to Romeo and Juliet levels. K’Ehleyr reappears just long enough to introduce him to their son before she’s brutally murdered in her quarters. While she makes her journey to Sto-vo-kor, Worf roars at her bedside. His loss — past, present, and future — is palpable.

8. Janeway Gets Amnesia, Moves In

Star Trek: Voyager - Janeway’s Tearful Goodbye

When you’re a dedicated starship captain, perhaps total amnesia is the only way to truly fall in love. “Workforce,” a two-part Voyager episode whose second half was directed by Roxann Dawson (a.k.a B’Elanna Tores), serves as an homage to the TOS episode “The Paradise Syndrome.” Janeway gets amnesia on a foreign planet and finally falls for a fella, who asks her to move in with him. But when she goes back to her place to get the last of her stuff, Chakotay is there to inform her that she has a whole crew that’s counting on her. Like Kirk, Janeway eventually gets her memory — and ship — back. The good news is that her lover is still alive. The bad news is that she has to leave him anyway. The tearful goodbye they share in her quarters before the ship’s departure makes you wonder if she’s losing more than she’s gotten back.

7. Tucker Meets the Parents on Vulcan

Star Trek: Enterprise - Tucker Meets the Parents on Vulcan

It’s not just the scenic lava field that’s steamy when T’Pol takes her “it’s complicated” pal Commander Tucker back to Vulcan in “Home.” He’s so angry that she’s going through with her arranged marriage that (as he later reveals to her mother) it’s at that moment he realizes he loves her. He shows his love in a way that’s appropriate on Vulcan: by doing absolutely nothing, allowing her to do what she needs to to improve her family’s standing. She repays him by doing something that’s absolutely scandalous on Vulcan — giving him a kiss on the cheek before her marriage ceremony. T’Pol and Tucker don’t have sex in this episode (unlike Captain Archer and his climbing companion back on Earth) but the romantic connection between these two is even stronger here than when they did hook up, with T’Pol memorably referring to it as her experiment with human sexuality.

6. Michael and Ash Have a Real Kiss

Star Trek: Discovery - Michael and Ash Have a Real Kiss

No one expects Michael Burham to stay in a relationship for long — especially Michael herself. So it’s all the more sweet when she’s able to steal a moment away with her longtime secret crush Ash Tyler (who has some secrets of his own) in “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.” Like many sci-fi couples, they’ve kissed before, but it was in a different dimension/other plane of existence, and didn’t count because they don’t remember it. Alone on an away mission, they talk about Ash’s lake house and Michael’s bleak future in prison, which makes their first kiss that they actually remember a sad one. But under a double-moon surrounded by what look like intergalactic lightning bugs, it’s also one of the most romantic in Trek history.

5. Sisko Says Goodbye to Kasidy

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Sisko Says Goodbye to Kasidy

The Prophets (a.k.a. wormhole aliens) still have some unfinished business with their Emissary, Captain Sisko, in the series finale of Deep Space Nin e. But before he goes off to learn what only they can teach him, his wife Kasidy joins him in the heaven-looking place called The Celestial Temple. As they share a final kiss, he tells her he’ll be back in, “maybe a year, maybe yesterday,” and she promises to wait for him. Believe it or not, this romantic moment reportedly almost wasn’t — actor Avery Brooks later said he asked for the resolution between the two characters to include the concept of Sisko returning. The idea of leaving his pregnant wife didn’t sit well with him, because he did not want Sisko’s final actions to play into the abandonment stereotypes that often unfairly follow Black men.

4. Riker and Troi Enjoy the Good Life at Home

Star Trek: Picard - Riker and Troi Enjoy the Good Life at Home

I’ve always considered Deanna Troi and Will Riker Star Trek ’s “it” couple, and maybe that has to do with the fact that they feel like celebrities. Attractive bridge officers at the center of the action who  usually only divulge snippets of their relationship — a flirtatious smile here, a jealous glance there — in ways you have to be on the look-out for to catch. In Star Trek Nemesis , they even get waylaid in the midst of their wedding celebration, and we don’t see a ton of personal moments. So it’s a special treat for Triker ‘shippers (I said it) to get to see them in the Picard episode “Nepenthe,” enjoying life in their rustic log cabin. The tenderness these two share is perfectly personified in their daughter Kestra (named after Troi’s late sister) whose wild, kind-hearted soul is safe and protected under their care. Not to mention, Riker looks super sexy in a kitchen, making pizza from scratch.

3. B’Elanna Breaks Her Silence while Stranded in Space

Star Trek: Voyager - B’Elanna Breaks Her Silence while Stranded in Space

One of Trek ’s longest-running couples, Tom Paris and B’Elanna Torres didn’t hook up immediately upon realizing they were both attracted to each other and stranded thousands of lightyears from home. Instead, they were a slow burn, and developed a friendship before a romance. In “Day of Honor,” the truth finally comes out when Tom and B’Elanna are stranded in space — like, really stranded, without a ship. As their oxygen runs out and Tom begins to lose consciousness, B’Elanna makes a confession: “I love you.” There really is no backdrop more romantic than the stars, but it’s a good thing Voyager shows up immediately afterward to beam them aboard. Next, Tom just has to get B’Elanna to go on a date with him.

2. Worf Saves Dax at All Costs

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Worf Saves Dax at All Costs

A brave warrior and a wise but youthful adventurer: a match made in deep space. Worf and Jadzia Dax were an intense couple from the start, with raucous lovers’ quarrels and a reputation for amorous encounters that could even be bone-breaking (hey, it’s the Klingon way!). In “Change of Heart,” Worf shows that his intensity extends to his loyal devotion to his wife, even if it harms his career. “Even I could not stand against my own heart,” he explains, when having to choose between completing an important mission that will save lives or carrying his true love to safety. Worf and Dax might be the most passionate of all Star Trek couples, and this episode — one of Jadzia’s last — is by far their most romantic.

1. Captain Pike Reunites with Vina on Talos IV

Star Trek: Discovery - Captain Pike Reunites with Vina on Talos IV

A romance so epic it spans two different Trek series, the love story of Captain Pike and Vina of Talos IV was originally created by Gene Roddenberry himself for the pilot of The Original Series . But most fans know what happened next: After the pilot (and its captain) were scrapped, the Trek creator gave the love story new life in Star Trek ’s first two-part episode, “The Menagerie,”  in which Spock steals the Enterprise to bring Pike back to Vina’s home planet. Spock committing treason is probably enough to land this romance the #1 spot, but Discovery sealed the deal in its ingenious episode “If Memory Serves,” which takes place between the two episodes. The story is this: Horribly injured in an accident, Vina was put together by the aliens of Talos IV incorrectly, meaning that her beauty is only as deep as the illusions that flourish on the planet. Captain Pike is her dream man, who the aliens bring to Talos IV hoping he’ll stay. When he doesn’t, they make an illusion of him, which keeps Vina company until he’s injured himself (rescuing children, naturally) and Spock brings him back to stay. It’s hard to imagine the day-to-day life of Pike’s illusion and Vina’s illusion — do they go back to their real bodies at night or picnic under the stars? But the beauty of sci-fi romance is that it doesn’t have to be ordinary.

Jennifer Boudinot (she/her) is a freelance writer whose work has appeared on Collider, The Belladonna Comedy, and Points in Case. She's also the co-author of the books Dangerous Cocktails and Viva Mezcal. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is a Kira with a hint of Dax. Find her on Twitter @jenboudinot.

Star Trek: Picard streams on CBS All Access in the United States, in Canada on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and streams on Crave, and on Amazon Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories.

Star Trek: Discovery streams on CBS All Access in the United States, airs on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and streams on Crave in Canada, and on Netflix in 190 countries.

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‘star trek: strange new worlds’ actress gia sandhu breaks down moving episode featuring classic sci-fi trope.

Sandhu examines with The Hollywood Reporter the relationship between T'Pring and Spock, making clear there are deep emotions between them — along with those complications.

By Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker

Former Senior Reporter

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[Warning: This story contains spoilers for the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode “Spock Amok.”] 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds actress Gia Sandhu knows T’Pring and Spock will not ultimately end up together per The Original Series , but she is finding great beauty in their present journey.

T’Pring, the Vulcan who was bonded to Spock as a child, only appeared briefly in the ’60s series, played by the late Arlene Martel in the classic episode “Amok Time.” Most casual fans would instantly recognize the episode from Spock and Kirk dueling one another with lirpas, an iconic Vulcan weapon. By the end of the episode, Spock and T’Pring are no longer (in the Vulcan sense) betrothed. Their story begins and ends with the episode. But there was so much more to be told.

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And that story is now unfolding through Sandhu’s T’Pring and Ethan Peck’s Spock. Strange New Worlds is taking a much deeper look into what makes both of the Vulcans tick, specifically for one another. And this week’s episode (the perfectly titled “Spock Amok”), does not disappoint, with Spock and T’Pring accidentally switching bodies.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Sandhu examines the relationship between the two characters, making clear there are deep emotions between them. But there are also complications. The actress also talked with THR about her and Peck’s process to portray one another for the classic, but fully rewarding, trope.

I love hearing about how folks became involved in the series. Mind sharing how you were cast as T’Pring? 

I went through the traditional casting process. And when I was given the audition scene, the character wasn’t actually revealed, which is characteristic of how Star Trek usually casts. ( Laughs .) It simply said “Vulcan woman,” so I did my best Vulcan woman. I’m actually glad I didn’t know that it was for the role T’Pring. Had I known, it might have caused me to get into my head! I sent in an initial audition tape, which was a unique experience unto itself because usually an actor aims to not sound like they are speaking rehearsed lines. And I remember watching my audition back and thinking, “Am I just doing very bad acting, or am I doing something ?” I guess I was doing Vulcan because they asked for a second audition, and then I ended up landing the part.

How did you prepare for the role? You were in a unique situation: T’Pring appeared on The Original Series played by the late Arlene Martel, but only briefly, so you weren’t beholden to a legacy character, like Ethan as Spock. 

I went right to the source and watched “Amok Time,” which I’d never seen before. I’d actually never seen any of The Original Series , so that happened to be the first episode I ever saw! I remember watching Arlene Martel and going, “Oh, my goodness. I’m playing her?” I was so excited. Although her role is brief onscreen, it’s very impactful. T’Pring is only in “Amok Time,” so it took a lot of pressure off what I think the other actors have to face. Arlene created this beautiful outline of a character, but there was definitely a lot of room for me to still color within that outline.

I looked at Ethan’s material from Star Trek: Discovery and also went back to Leonard Nimoy’s performances. There were a lot more components to think about. When you’re playing somebody who’s more established versus playing someone who’s less established, you get to really use your own imagination and your own creativity to get you there.

This week’s episode is so much fun. I love the classic sci-fi switched bodies trope. How did you and Ethan prepare, a lot of acting exercises? 

Ethan was really generous in terms of letting me into his process and revealing to me what influences him the most. And certainly Leonard Nimoy, I watched the documentary [ For the Love of Spock ]. And I went through a lot of TOS episodes. I also had a bit of a head start in terms of Ethan’s Spock because I got to see his work on Discovery , so that was very informative and helpful for me.

We really just sat down together and said, “How would you say this? How would you say that?” We had to identify for ourselves what’s most identifiable to the audience in terms of Spock’s mannerisms, his voice and intonation. Ultimately, we were given a bit of a free pass because the joke when the whole thing starts, T’Pring in Spock’s body says to Capt. Pike [ Anson Mount ], “Now that you know what’s going on, you can obviously tell the difference between us.” ( Laughs .) And Pike goes, “Yeah … sure,” saying that Vulcans are all very similar.

In this episode, most of my interaction is with Spock and with Jess [Bush] who plays nurse [Christine] Chapel. When we were preparing before the episode, Ethan, Jess and I all got on a call together, and we discussed what our characters are going through and what their intentions are. We rehearsed the scene together where Chapel and Spock in T’Pring’s body are outside. Ethan was listening in on and was able to help us get going in the right direction. One of the things that I definitely had to be mindful of as T’Pring was that I’m also carrying forward their chemistry. It’s almost the opposite of what my instincts want to do, but I’m picking up a part of what’s going on with them. So yeah, we had a great bond.

I spoke with Ethan a little while back, and he told me you’re so good at playing a Vulcan, he feels he needs to be more Vulcan in your shared scenes. Can you tell me more about bringing T’Pring to life? 

I think T’Pring specifically carries herself with a lot of grace, and she’s very deliberate in how she speaks. Her words are chosen very carefully, and this all comes from Arlene Martel, the original T’Pring. I definitely wanted to retain as much of that kind of elegance as I could. I think underneath, she’s probably a bit nervous too. She and Spock are two people who love each other, and are trying to navigate the ultimate long-distance relationship, living on two different planets. Both of their intentions are certainly to make sure this relationship succeeds. This whole episode gets into something that’s very funny, but it really starts off with the two of them just wanting to share each other’s katras, so that they can understand each other more and make things work between them. It is the sincerest intention that leads them astray.

Sadly, fans know it was not meant to be between the Spock and T’Pring. How do you go about the character and performance when you know the outcome that far out? 

You do have to let go of the future and try to honor what’s written for us right now. It is a very relatable situation. In any relationship, there are disappointments and there are triumphs. And the other part that I kind of love about this is that there is a bit of a love triangle that’s evolving at the same time. So, I think there’s a juiciness there as far as nurse Chapel brings to the situation. There’s just challenge after challenge that they’re having to meet and work through. And I think that’s definitely what makes it super relatable.

And finally, can tell me about your experience when the cameras are not rolling? Several castmembers have noted to me that you all have become a tight-knit group. 

Everyone is really easy to get along with, really kind, and all very welcoming. When I first got cast, Anson had everyone get together at a skating rink for his birthday, and he invited me. That was the first time I got to meet everybody, when we went for a skate in Toronto.

Interview edited for length and clarity. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams new episodes Thursday on Paramount+. 

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• A Vulcan Kiss - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1 Episode 5

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T’Pring: We must prioritize our relationship. Spock: Of course. I still have some diplomatic responsibilities I must dispense with before… T’Pring: I expected no different. Spock: You are disappointed. T’Pring: I am realistic. Permalink: I am realistic. Added: June 01, 2022

Vulcan Spock: What would you know of logic? You are a human, ruled by emotion. Human Spock: No, I’m not human! I’m not! Permalink: No, I’m not human! I’m not! Added: June 01, 2022

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6/2/22 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1 Episode 5 Spock Amok

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'Star Trek's' interracial kiss 50 years ago boldly went where none had gone before

WASHINGTON — It was the kiss heard around the galaxy.

Fifty years ago — and only one year after the U.S. Supreme Court declared interracial marriage was legal — two of science fiction's most enduring characters, Capt. James T. Kirk and Lt. Nyota Uhura, kissed each other on "Star Trek."

It wasn't romantic. Sadistic, humanlike aliens forced the dashing white captain to lock lips with the beautiful black communications officer. But the kiss between actors William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols in "Plato's Stepchildren" would help change attitudes in America about what was allowed to be shown on TV and made an early statement about the coming acceptance of interracial relationships in a United States still struggling with racism and civil rights.

The kiss between Uhura and Kirk "suggested that there was a future where these issues were not such a big deal," said Eric Deggans, national television critic for National Public Radio. "The characters themselves were not freaking out because a black woman was kissing a white man. ... In this utopian-like future, we solved this issue. We're beyond it. That was a wonderful message to send."

"Plato's Stepchildren," which first aired on Nov. 22, 1968, came before Star Trek morphed into a cultural phenomenon. The show's producers, meanwhile, were concerned about one of the main episode elements: Humanlike aliens dressed as ancient Greeks that torture the crew with their telekinetic powers and force the two USS Enterprise crew members to kiss.

Worried about reaction from Southern television stations, showrunners filmed the kiss between Shatner and Nichols — their lips are mostly obscured by the back of Nichols' head — and wanted to film a second where it happened off-screen. But Nichols said in her book, "Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories," that she and Shatner deliberately flubbed lines to force the original take to be used.

Despite concerns from executives, "Plato's Stepchildren" aired without blowback. In fact, it got the most "fan mail that Paramount had ever gotten on Star Trek for one episode," Nichols said in a 2010 interview with the Archive of American Television.

Officials at Paramount, the show's producer, "were just simply amazed and people have talked about it ever since," said Nichols.

While inside the show things were buzzing, the episode passed by the general public and the TV industry at that time almost without comment, said Robert Thompson, a Syracuse University professor of television and popular culture.

NBC OUT 'Star Trek' star George Takei says sci-fi can be 'a trailblazer' for social change

"It neither got the backlash one might have expected nor did it open the doors for lots more shows to do this," Thompson said. "The shot heard around the world started the American Revolution. The kiss heard around the world eventually did ... but not immediately."

This was a world where interracial marriage had just become legal nationwide.

In 1967, the year before "Plato's Stepchildren" aired, the Supreme Court struck down nationwide laws that made marriage illegal between blacks and whites, between whites and Native Americans, Filipinos, Asians and, in some states, "all non-whites

Only 3 percent of newlyweds were intermarried that year. In 2015, 17 percent of newlyweds — or at least 1 in 6 of newly-married people — were intermarried, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

Most television — outside of the news — was escapist fare and not willing to deal with the raucous atmosphere in the 1960s, Thompson said.

"It was so hard for television in the 60s to talk about the 1960s," he said. "That kiss and that episode of Star Trek is an example of how every now and again television in that period tried to kick the door open to those kinds of representations."

Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek's creator, and his team had more leeway because he was writing about the future and not current life, experts said.

"Setting Star Trek three hundred years in the future allowed (Roddenberry) to focus on the social issues of the 1960s without being direct or obvious," Shatner said in his book "Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man."

A later episode entitled "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" highlighted the folly of racism by showing a generations-long battle between two people from the same planet who thought each other to be subhuman — one was black-skinned on the left side and white on the right, while the other was the opposite.

Throughout the ensuing decades, interracial relationships with black and white actors became more prevalent on television, spanning multiple genres. From comedies like "The Jeffersons" and "Happy Endings," to dramas such as "Parenthood," ''Six Feet Under" and "Dynasty," and back to sci-fi with the short-lived "Firefly."

The trend is still not without its detractors. In 2013, a Cheerios commercial featuring an interracial couple and their daughter drew thousands of racist comments online.

Historians have noted that interracial kisses between blacks and whites happened on British television during live plays as early as 1959, and on subsequent soap operas like "Emergency Ward 10."

In the U.S., interethnic kisses happened on "I Love Lucy" between the Cuban Desi Arnaz and the white Lucille Ball in the 1950s and even on Star Trek in 1967 with Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban kissing Madlyn Rhue in the "Space Seed" episode.

Other shows like "Adventures in Paradise" and "I Spy" featured kisses between white male actors and Asian actresses, and Sammy Davis Jr. kissed Nancy Sinatra on the cheek on a December 1967 episode of her televised special "Movin' with Nancy."

Whether another kiss came first doesn't really matter.

"For whatever reason, that one between Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura seems to be the one that is marked as the milestone," Thompson said.

It stands out because it had a profound effect on viewers, Nichols said in 2010.

"The first thing people want to talk about is the first interracial kiss and what it did for them. And they thought of the world differently, they thought of people differently," she said.

Screen Rant

Strange new worlds retcons a star trek vulcan tradition.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds sees Spock and T'Pring attempt a Vulcan ritual, but retcon what the tradition has been used for previously.

Does  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds retcon an old Vulcan ritual with Spock and, more importantly, does it matter?  Star Trek 's Vulcans are a mysterious species with many a tradition, ritual, and biological quirk. Among those is the concept of transferring a katra - a Vulcan's soul or essence. Officially introduced in  Star Trek III: The Search for Spock as a means of bringing Leonard Nimoy's character back to life, a Vulcan's katra contains everything "not of the body" and can be transferred to a non-Vulcan host - in Spock's case, Dr. McCoy .

Previously in  Star Trek , katra transference has been used as a heavy duty solution to problems of the mortal and metaphysical kind. Bringing a beloved Starfleet officer back from the dead in  Star Trek III , resurrecting Michael Burnham in  Star Trek: Discovery , or preserving oneself after death in  Star Trek: Enterprise , etc. Katra is arguably used (albeit not by name) between Nurse Chapel and Spock in  Star Trek: The Original Series but, once again, the measure is demanded by a matter of life and death.  Star Trek gives the impression that katra transference is a weighty matter not to be used under trivial circumstances... Trivial circumstances like having a tiff with your fiancée, for example.

Related:  Kirk’s Weird Green Uniform Finally Explained By Strange New Worlds

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ' "Spock Amok" episode sees Spock and T'Pring's relationship floundering due to the science officer's Starfleet dedication (they'll figure things out eventually, right...?) As a means of better understanding each other, Spock prepares a ritual T'Pring initially calls " Vulcan soul-searching ." The description sounds very much like a temporary katra transference, with Spock and T'Pring exchanging innermost thoughts, but the "temporary" part doesn't quite stick.  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds then confirms Spock did  intend a katric transference, as he admits to Captain Pike, " We have undertaken a ritual to share our katras ."

Given how  Star Trek has always presented katra transference as a Vulcan "nuclear" option - a last-ditch effort to save oneself or others from mortal harm - Spock employing it because T'Pring doesn't like his Starfleet pals feels like a break from continuity. Surely, this kind of misunderstanding is exactly what the Vulcan mind meld was designed for, reaching into the brain and coming out having gained a better understanding of another person's perspective. Sharing katras over candles and a bottle of wine also undermines the dire circumstances in which this technique has been employed before, such as the deaths of Spock and Michael Burnham . It's comparable to firing a photon torpedo at a troublesome tribble.

On the other hand, broadening the limits of katric transference might be considered an acceptable stretching of canon for  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds . There's no hard and fast rule saying Vulcan's  can't try sharing katras to solve romantic woes; it's just that Vulcans from  Star Trek 's past (and Spock from the future) had the good sense not to try. In fact, the hijinks of "Spock Amok" might explain why Vulcans  don't typically use katra transfer to solve everyday misunderstandings when a mind meld would likely prove sufficient. Spock and T'Pring's body-swap might highlight the danger of the process, and wholeheartedly prove why it shouldn't be used unless your lifeless body is moments from being jettisoned toward a genesis planet.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds  perhaps gets a pass for comedic reasons too.  Star Trek  already mined the dramatic value of katra transference, but largely ignored the obvious comedic " Freaky Friday " element. Make no mistake, "Spock Amok" is an outright comedic piece of  Star Trek , and although it's certainly odd to find Spock making rookie errors during Vulcan rituals, there's no ignoring how the comedic tone allows Ethan Peck to explore a new side of his  Strange New Worlds character .

More:  Strange New Worlds Massively Retcons Spock & Chapel's Friendship

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues Thursday on Paramount+.

• Jul 2, 2023

Vulcans: Logical Minds, Raised Eyebrows, and a Mysterious Sense of Humor

In the vast universe of Star Trek, where colorful aliens abound, one group stands out for their logical minds and trademark raised eyebrows: the Vulcans. These pointy-eared beings, with their serene demeanor and mind-boggling logic, have captured the hearts of fans for generations.

Vulcans, first portrayed in the original Star Trek series, are a stoic bunch. Spock, the most famous Vulcan, often finds himself at the center of humorous situations. With his dry wit and logical quips, he effortlessly steals the show. It's as if Vulcans have an off switch for laughter. Perhaps their lack of emotional outbursts has something to do with it. Picture this: a Vulcan walks into a comedy club and observes everyone laughing uproariously. Their reaction? A polite, perplexed eyebrow raise, accompanied by a barely audible "fascinating." Comedy, it seems, is a cultural nuance Vulcans have yet to fully grasp.

While Vulcans may not be known for their sense of humor, their logical nature and commitment to peace and rationality make them an integral part of Star Trek's enduring legacy. Through their unique blend of logic and science, Vulcans serve as a reminder to embrace our own emotions while seeking balance in our lives. So, whether you find humor in a Vulcan's stoic gaze or appreciate their profound wisdom, these enigmatic beings continue to captivate our imaginations and remind us that even in the vastness of space, a good laugh is always a logical choice!

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The story behind 'TV's first interracial kiss' between 'Star Trek's' Nichelle Nichols and William Shatner

• 'Star Trek' made TV history when it aired an episode where Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura kissed on screen.
• The moment is widely regarded as one of American TV's first interracial kisses.
• Show executives were worried the kiss would anger Southern TV stations and tried to change the script.

When Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura kissed on screen in 1968, it made TV history.

The kiss between the "Star Trek" characters, played by William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols, is widely regarded as one of American TV's first interracial kisses.

Related stories

"Star Trek" has left a lauded legacy for featuring a multiracial crew working together to explore space. Nichols, considered a trailblazer for Black actors, was one of the first Black women to star in a major television series. She died on July 30 at 89 years old.

Concerns over the interracial kiss

The episode aired at a time when America was still grappling with racism and civil rights. Just one year prior, the Supreme Court made a landmark civil rights decision in Loving v. Virginia, a case that now protects interracial marriage under the 14th amendment.

Worried the kiss would anger TV stations in the Deep South, NBC executives tried to have Spock, who is half-Vulcan — an extraterrestrial humanoid species in the series — kiss Uhura instead. Shatner insisted they stick with the original script, according to critical race scholar and filmmaker Daniel Bernardi, who wrote the book "Star Trek and History."

Showrunners ended up filming two versions of the scene: one with an on-screen kiss, and one that took place off-screen. But Nichols and Shatner deliberately flubbed lines so the original shot would be used, Nichols said in her autobiography, " Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories ."

"The only alternative was to cut out the scene altogether, but that was impossible to do without ruining the entire episode. Finally, the guys in charge relented: 'To hell with it. Let's go with the kiss.' I guess they figured we were going to be canceled in a few months anyway. And so the kiss stayed," Nichols wrote.

A lasting legacy

Despite initial concerns, the episode aired without huge backlash, and has since been ranked by several media outlets as one of the top moments in "Star Trek."

Even Nichols wrote in her book that "for me, the most memorable episode of our last season was 'Plato's Stepchildren,'" as the episode was titled.

The "Star Trek" series has been regaled — and sometimes criticized — for shattering taboos and crossing boundaries of what's deemed acceptable. In a 1966 episode, Lieutenant Uhura and Christine Chapel, played by white actress Majel Barrett, shared a friendly kiss.

More recently in 2016,  "Star Trek" revealed that Hikaru Sulu, played by John Cho, is openly gay.

"The whole show was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but to take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms," Gene Roddenberry, the show's creator, said .

• Main content

30 Facts About 'Star Trek' That Even The Biggest Fans May Not Know

Posted: March 20, 2024 | Last updated: March 20, 2024

Space, the final frontier. For over three decades, Star Trek has captivated audiences with its bold exploration of the unknown.

From the charismatic Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner, to the logical Spock, portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, the original series ran from 1966 to 1969, sparking a devoted following of 'Trekkies' who gather at conventions to celebrate their beloved franchise. Keep clicking through this incredible list to learn some little-known facts about the beloved franchise.

Star Trek Had A Captain Before Kirk

The original pilot for Star Trek , featuring Captain Christopher Pike, was rejected by NBC.

Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of Spock was the only character retained for the second pilot, which introduced Captain Kirk, with William Shatner as the lead role. Jeffrey Hunter played the role of Pike in the initial pilot but did not continue with the series.

Spock Almost Had Red Skin

Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek , envisioned Spock as a Martian with red skin.

However, due to the lack of color TVs at the show's inception and the hassle of applying red makeup to Leonard Nimoy's skin in every episode, this idea was deemed more trouble than it was worth.

The Fanbase Didn't Arrive Until After The Show Ended

While Star Trek aired its first episode in 1966, the fanbase and Trekkies people know today didn't really show up until after the series ended in 1969.

In fact, it wasn't until the 1970s and the television reruns of the show that people began to become interested in the adventures of Spock, Captain Kurt, and the rest of the crew on the USS Enterprise .

Martin Luther King Jr. Was A Trekky And Convinced Nichols To Stay

Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura on Star Trek, rescinded her decision to depart after season one. A persuasive conversation with Martin Luther King Jr., a Trekky himself, swayed her.

King Jr.'s belief in the significance of her character's representation inspired Nichols to continue in the portrayal of her ground-breaking role.

The First Space Shuttle Was Inspired By Star Trek

The first US Space Shuttle Enterprise was named after the fictional starship from Star Trek and its widespread popularity, the USS Enterprise . The show's passionate fan base, which included NASA engineers, inspired the agency to choose the name.

Enterprise symbolized the spirit of exploration and innovation, capturing the imagination of both science fiction enthusiasts and space professionals.

Bones' Line "I'm a doctor, not a..." Was From A 1933 Movie

The line "I'm a doctor, not a..." originates from the 1933 film The Kennel Murder Case . It was later popularized in the Star Trek series and became a recurring catchphrase uttered by Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, who would say the line when he was frustrated about being asked to do more than he could.

The line was often completed with different endings, emphasizing the doctor's dedication to his medical profession.

Trekkies Can Get A $500 Scholarship For College

Starfleet, an international fan group, offers a $500 scholarship to Star Trek enthusiasts pursuing higher education.

Their generous initiative supports students in their academic journey while celebrating their passion for the beloved sci-fi franchise. Starfleet's commitment to nurturing the next generation reflects the values of unity and exploration championed in Star Trek .

Teleporting Was Cheaper To Film Than Spaceships Landing

In the original Star Trek series, the ingenious use of teleportation during filming proved to be a cost-effective solution to showcase the futuristic technology of spaceships.

With a limited budget, the production team creatively employed teleportation to depict crew members effortlessly moving between locations, giving the illusion of seamless transportation across the galaxy.

Spock Was Not Originally Star Trek's "Number One"

The producers of Star Trek opted to progress with Spock instead of Number One after the pilot. They admired Spock's distinctive ears and eyebrows, which lent a more devilish appearance to the series.

Although it was not easy, their choice eventually set the stage for Spock's enduring presence and the show's subsequent success.

Wardrobe: Miniskirts And Green Shirts

Originally, NBC had wanted the female cast members of Star Trek to don miniskirts, believing it would enhance the show's appeal.

The network's suggestion was ultimately abandoned. Interestingly, the gold shirts the male characters wore were green, but due to the television's color rendering, they appeared gold to the viewers.

Shatner Became Petty With Nimoy

Off camera, William Shatner reportedly clashed with co-star Leonard Nimoy. Shatner's concern stemmed from not wanting other characters to appear more intelligent than Captain Kirk, leading him to steal Nimoy's lines occasionally.

This alleged rivalry behind the scenes added tension to their on-screen dynamic.

Inside Jokes Were Built Into The Set

Star Trek's original series set harbored delightful inside jokes cherished by the cast. Among them, the tubes on the ship flaunted inscriptions like "GNDN" with random numbers, teasingly translating to "Goes Nowhere, Does Nothing."

This witty jest added a touch of amusement to the futuristic surroundings they inhabited and was included in future iterations of the series.

Communicators On Star Trek Influenced The Flip Phone

The iconic communicators featured on Star Trek served as a source of inspiration for the design and technology behind flip cell phones.

The first flip phone, the Motorola StarTAC, was introduced in 1996 by Motorola in the United States. Its sleek, compact form factor and ability to flip open and close echoed the futuristic communication devices seen in the beloved science fiction series.

Nimoy Invented The Vulcan Nerve Pinch

Leonard Nimoy was a method actor before his role as Spock in the TV series. Nimoy is credited with inventing the Vulcan grip. This maneuver, performed by joining the fingers in a specific pattern and applying pressure to the neck, swiftly immobilized opponents.

Affectionately dubbed the "Vulcan nerve pinch," it became a trademark move synonymous with Spock's logical and formidable nature.

Shatner And Nimoy Were Rivals Turned Friends

Actors Shatner and Nimoy, once competitive, formed a unique bond while performing together on screen. They frequently collaborated at Star Trek conventions, delighting fans in character. However, Shatner privately voiced his unease over Spock's popularity overshadowing Kirk.

Despite this, their enduring friendship triumphed, showcasing the depth of their connection beyond on-screen rivalry.

Paramount Tried To Deep-Space Star Trek

After producing the original Star Trek series, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's production company sold it to Paramount. The company then attempted to sell it to Roddenberry, the show's creator, who couldn't afford it, compelling them to retain ownership.

Massive financial losses and a scarcity of syndication-worthy shows prompted their desire to sell the rights.

Kirk Never Asked Scotty To Beam Him Up

The iconic phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" is widely associated with Star Trek , but interestingly, it's never actually spoken in the show. The character referred to as "Scotty" is Montgomery Scott, the skilled chief engineer of the USS Enterprise, played by James Doohan.

The phrase has become a popular cultural reference nonetheless and has been used in subsequent Star Trek films.

Shatner's Superiority Complex Was Built Into The Script

William Shatner's commanding presence on set was accompanied by special considerations that ensured his prominence. With a guaranteed abundance of lines, his dialogue took precedence even when others were cut.

The hierarchy Shatner roamed the set with extended to the credits, granting him a higher placement, which added a palpable tension among the cast.

Nimoy's Dad Offered "Spock Haircuts"

The immense popularity of the show Star Trek transcended the screen, reaching Leonard Nimoy's own father, a barber.

In his bustling barber shop, he delighted customers, often fans of the series, by offering them the opportunity to sport a haircut reminiscent of the iconic Spock. It was a testament to the show's lasting cultural impact.

Nimoy Created The Spock Salute

The origin of Spock's iconic salute can be traced to Leonard Nimoy's creative inspiration. Drawing from his Jewish heritage, Nimoy crafted the distinctive gesture by adapting the hand sign used in a sacred Hebrew blessing.

The open hand, with fingers separated in a "V" shape, became synonymous with Vulcan culture and a beloved symbol for Star Trek fans worldwide.

Shatner Could Not Do The Vulkan Salute

William Shatner, despite his fame as a versatile actor, faced a physical challenge when it came to executing the iconic Spock salute. He couldn't do it.

Stagehands resorted to clever tricks, using fishing lines to carefully tie his fingers apart, ensuring the desired hand gesture. This ingenious solution enabled Shatner to flawlessly showcase the Vulcan salute.

Nimoy Thought He Was Spock

Leonard Nimoy, the brilliant mind behind the creation of Spock, received a modest payment of $2,000 per episode for his iconic portrayal. Despite the show's immense success, he yearned for greater financial recognition.

Dealing with newfound fame was a daunting challenge for the talented actor. Nimoy preferred to stay in character even when not on screen. Shatner accused Nimoy of being Spock more than his natural self.

Spock Was Initially Supposed To Be Female

Initially intended to be female, Spock's character changed significantly before the show's executives decided to make the logical Vulcan a male.

This alteration unknowingly would shape the beloved character we now know and remember fondly, portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, who brought intelligence, stoicism, and a unique perspective to the Star Trek universe.

Nimoy And Shatner Suffered Tinnitus From Explosions

Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner have battled with persistent Tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing in the ears, stemming from the explosive effects on set. The duo was standing too close to an explosion one day during filming, which caused their affliction.

Shatner resorted to utilizing a white noise-emitting device as a means to alleviate the issue.

Scotty Was A Soldier Off Set

James Doohan, who portrayed "Scotty" in the Star Trek series, was a former soldier. He served in the Canadian military as a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery during World War II.

Doohan valiantly fought in several major battles, including the D-Day invasion.

Takei And Shatner Clashed Off Screen

Star Trek co-star George Takei had a widely publicized feud with William Shatner. Takei famously remarked that Shatner exhibited an attitude of superiority, acting as if he was larger than the show itself.

This dynamic created tension between Takei, Shatner, and other cast members during their time in the series. According to Takei, "We all had problems with Bill on the set."

Every Stardate Announced Was Completely Random

The signature Stardate, spoken at the start of each Star Trek episode, held a unique charm. Fans quickly noticed that the numbers had no discernible sequence or pattern.

They soon realized what seemingly were arbitrary figures actually were made up, yet they embraced them as a beloved part of the show's immersive futuristic setting.

DeForest Kelley "Bones" Auditioned For Spock Initially

DeForest Kelley, known for his portrayal of the doctor in Star Trek , initially auditioned for the role of Spock but was rejected. However, he was later cast as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, the ship's compassionate and often grumpy physician.

His memorable performance made him an integral part of the beloved sci-fi series.

Spock Was Supposed To Kiss Uhura, Not Captain Kirk

The kiss between Captain Kirk and Uhura in Star Trek was first intended to be a kiss between Uhura and Spock. As fans probably remember from watching the episode, that kiss did not happen.

William Shatner, who played Kirk, complained until the scene was rewritten for his character.

Star Trek Inspired Over 125 Video Games

The original series of Star Trek has served as the inspiration for over 125 video games since 1971. These games have spanned across various gaming platforms, including Atari, Commodore 64, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and Xbox.

They have allowed fans to immerse themselves in the iconic universe of Star Trek in interactive and exciting ways.

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A Complete History of the Romulans in Star Trek

Since The Original Series, the Romulans have been one of Star Trek's most mysterious villains, but who are they and how do they relate to the Vulcans?

Quick Links

The romulans were created to be star trek 'romans', the timeline of the romulan star empire, the romulan cold war and joining forces against the dominion, the destruction of romulus changed star trek timelines.

Some of the most mysterious villains in Star Trek are the Romulans, whose history with Earth dates back to before the time of Star Trek: The Original Series . The Romulans are depicted as an oppressive group with a militant culture and are arguably even less agreeable than the Klingons. Still, they have united in common cause with the Federation in some instances.

When Star Trek: Discovery advanced the timeline by 900-plus years, the Romulan Star Empire was no more. Their home planet, Romulus, was destroyed. Thanks to Spock's efforts to expose their culture to Vulcan logic, the Romulans found a new home on Ni'var, the renamed Vulcan homeworld. In fact, along with their distant, pointy-eared cousins, the Romulans are part of the Federation in the 32nd Century. Romulans went from unseen enemies in Star Trek 's history to cohabitating with humans' first alien friends, but have plenty of story left to tell.

How Gene Roddenberry Lost Control Over the Star Trek Movies

Before Star Trek returned for its second wave of stories, the creation of the Romulans was a point of contention. In a featurette on The Original Series Blu-ray, writer and franchise legend Dorothy Fontana said freelance writer Paul Schneider invented them by taking inspiration from the ancient Roman Empire. Schneider confirmed this in Captain's Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyagers by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman, calling his creation "an extension of the Roman civilization to the point of space travel." This is the impetus for their militaristic society, drive to conquer and fanatical loyalty to the unseen Emperor.

The Romulans appeared twice in Star Trek: The Original Series and weren't fully fleshed out as adversaries until the time of The Next Generation . Originally, they looked just like Vulcans, but makeup supervisor Michael Westmore added forehead ridges and a different hairstyle. The Romulans were considered to be the villains in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock , but the production opted for the more popular Klingons. They would have taken the place of the S'ona in Star Trek: Insurrection . However, Patrick Stewart objected to their inclusion thinking fans wanted a fresh villain. Ironically, the opposite was true.

The Romulans also appeared as villains in Star Trek: Nemesis , Star Trek (2009) and in Season 1 of Star Trek: Picard . Because they were originally introduced as an "offshoot" of Vulcans, Leonard Nimoy appeared as Spock on The Next Generation to send the character to make peace with them. His final mission was to reintegrate the Vulcan and Romulan cultures as one society. Star Trek: Discovery revealed he succeeded indirectly by the 32nd Century. While there was an Earth-Romulan war, this story hasn't been told yet, likely because humans never saw their enemies in the flesh.

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In the Star Trek universe, it was discovered that most humanoid life could trace its genetic origins to a single star-faring species billions of years in the past. They traveled the universe colonizing many planets, and both Vulcans and Romulans share traces of this DNA. At some point in Vulcan's history, before the populace adopted the logic-based philosophy of Surak, a group of Vulcans went to the stars and eventually settled on Romulus. These beings became Romulans, and possibly Remans, the pale-skinned, scaled "slave caste" of the Romulan Star Empire, at least through the late 24th Century.

By the 22nd Century, the Romulan Star Empire was known by Vulcans, yet they had no contact with their long-distant cousins. In fact, this connection was lost to history among Vulcans, although Romulans retained that information. On Star Trek: Enterprise the NX-01 encountered a planet surrounded by cloaked mines. They briefly exchanged communications with this unknown race, but never identified them for certain. Later, the Romulans sent spies to Vulcan to attempt reunification, but when Captain Archer and T'Pring discovered Surak's teachings, the plans fell apart.

A long-distance Romulan plot also attempted to foster war in the galaxy via cloaked drones, controlled telepathically. This caused Captain Archer to form an alliance with founding members of the Federation , thereby starting the process of its creation. In 2156, Earth and Romulus went to war. The Vulcans, Andorians and Tellarites united again to defeat them in 2160, whereby the neutral zone was established. The treaty was negotiated via long-distance communication. The Romulans were never seen until the USS Enterprise encountered a cloaked vessel attacking Earth colonies near the edge of the neutral zone.

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Two years after this encounter, Captain Kirk was ordered to violate the Neutral Zone to steal a cloaking device. He succeeded and captured a Romulan commander as well. Later, in Star Trek: The Animated Series , the Romulans tried to steal the Enterprise, but were defeated. By the late 23rd Century, the Romulan Star Empire had an ambassador at Federation headquarters. He was part of the conspiracy to prevent the Klingon Empire and the Federation from signing the Khitomer Peace Treaty. The Romulans remained isolated until the mid-24th Century.

There was a Cold War between the Empire and the Federation with many incidents amounting to 45 appearances in the second-wave series and films. Notable encounters included the attempted defection of Admiral Alidar Jarok. A Romulan spy impersonated the Vulcan ambassador T'Pel. After a test of a new cloaking device failed, the USS Enterprise-D helped the stranded Romulans. The Enterprise conducted two cover missions on Romulus. First, they were sent to retrieve Spock who had decided to preach Surak's teachings to Romulans. They then sent Deanna Troi to help Vice-Proconsul M'Ret defect to the Federation.

The Romulans still engaged in conflict with the Klingons periodically throughout the 24th Century. They also tried to steal an experimental starship, thwarted by the ship's Emergency Medical Hologram and the EMH from the USS Voyager. The Romulans stayed out of the Dominion War, until Captain Sisko aided Garak in framing the Dominion for the death of one of their ambassadors. They remained allies until the war ended.

Star Trek: Discovery's Kenneth Mitchell Was Heroic On and Off Screen

The film Star Trek: Nemesis took place in 2379, when the Remans rose up against the Romulan masters. A clone of Captain Picard named Shinzon became the new praetor. He brought the USS Enterprise-E to Romulus under the ruse of peace talks, but he needed Picard to heal a medical malady. His plan was to launch a war with the aim of destroying Earth. His defeat led to true diplomatic negotiations, aided by Ambassador Spock. In the 2380s, a cosmic accident destroyed Romulus. Spock and a mining vessel captained by Nero were sent to the past and created an alternate timeline, in which Vulcan was destroyed.

Back in the Prime Timeline, Admiral Picard tried to help refugees from the (now so named) Romulan Free State relocate. The Romulan secret order Zhat Vash used synthetic lifeforms to destroy the Utopia Planitia shipyards and the relocation fleet. Years later, the group attacked two synthetic lifeforms -- "children" of Data -- and a retired Picard helped save them and a planet full of their kind from destruction. A group of Romulans also captured a Borg cube, creating the Borg Reclamation project. The Artifact, as it was called, ended up landing on the planet of synthetics, where they presumably took over the effort.

By the 32nd Century, the Romulans and Vulcans successfully reunified. Vulcan was renamed Ni'var, and while there remained cultural tension, the two cultures lived in relative peace. When a cosmic accident caused all the dilithium crystals to explode, which prevented warp travel and killed countless people, Ni'Var retreated from the Federation. With the help of Captains Michael Burnham and Saru, they agreed to rejoin the union. This means the forthcoming series Starfleet Academy could introduce Romulan cadets.

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The Star Trek universe encompasses multiple series, each offering a unique lens through which to experience the wonders and perils of space travel. Join Captain Kirk and his crew on the Original Series' voyages of discovery, encounter the utopian vision of the Federation in The Next Generation, or delve into the darker corners of galactic politics in Deep Space Nine. No matter your preference, there's a Star Trek adventure waiting to ignite your imagination.

This New 'Star Trek: Discovery' Character Is a Deep-Cut 'Deep Space Nine' Reference

Callum Keith Rennie's Captain Rayner is not Vulcan or Romulan after all.

The Big Picture

• Callum Keith Rennie joins Star Trek: Discovery as Kellerun Captain Rayner, revealing the obscure species from Deep Space Nine .
• Rayner's Kellerun backstory is crucial to Rayner's characterization and mission, with the showrunner promising a focus on his personal history.
• Discovery continues the tradition of exploring one-off alien races with new characters, adding depth and diversity to the final season.

Veteran actor Callum Keith Rennie will join the cast of the final season of Star Trek: Discovery as the alien Captain Rayner, and now we know what species he is. Fans have speculated that Rayner's pointed ears mark him as a Vulcan or a Romulan, but a new interview reveals that he is a member of the Kellerun, an obscure species from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . TrekCore.com has the details from SFX Magazine's feature on Discovery 's upcoming fifth season , which will premiere on Paramount+ early next month.

Rayner's species will apparently be important to his characterization and the mysterious mission he joins the USS Discovery crew for, as they race against time in the show's final bow. Says showrunner Michelle Paradise , "He’s Kellerun, which is a minor planet mentioned in one of the other iterations… we learn more about his personal backstory and how that plays into who he is, and why he is how he is. We learn about that as the season goes on, and the planet he’s from has a lot to do with that." It won't be the first time an important character on Discovery comes from a one-off alien race; Commander Nhan ( Rachael Ancheril ), who debuted in the series' second season, is a Barzan, a race that had up to that point only appeared in the third-season Next Generation episode "The Price".

Who Are the Kellerun?

The Kellerun made their first and (so far) only appearance in "Armageddon Game", which first aired in 1994 as part of Deep Space Nine 's second season. A species with distinctive large, pointed ears, they had been at war for centuries with their neighbors, the T'Lani, in a conflict that utilized the Harvesters, deadly biological weapons. After the two races made peace with each other, Starfleet sent in Deep Space Nine crew members Dr. Julian Bashir ( Alexander Siddig ) and Miles O'Brien ( Colm Meany ) to help dismantle the remaining Harvesters. However, the Kellerun and T'Lani insist that all knowledge pertaining to the Harvesters must be destroyed - which means killing Bashir and O'Brien, too. The two have to make a desperate race for survival as their friends try to save them from the two alien species.

Although the Kellerun did not appear on the series again, the episode established Bashir and O'Brien's friendship, which endured for the rest of the show's run. Canadian actor Callum Keith Rennie is a veteran of science fiction productions, having starred in Battlestar Galactica , Impulse , The X-Files , Jessica Jones , and The Umbrella Academy . Discovery will be his first Star Trek appearance.

Star Trek: Discovery 's fifth and final season will premiere April 4, 2024 on Paramount+ , wehere past seasons are also streaming. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates, and watch the trailer for Discovery 's fifth season below.

Star Trek: Discovery

Taking place almost a decade before Captain Kirk's Enterprise, the USS Discovery charts a course to uncover new worlds and life forms.

Watch on Paramount+

• View history
• 1 Biography
• 2 Alternate timeline
• 3.1 Appearances
• 3.2 Background information
• 3.3 Apocrypha
• 3.4 External link

Biography [ ]

Her name meant "A New Day" in the Romulan language . ( PIC : " The Star Gazer ")

She was a close friend of Picard, and they truly cared for each other.

Laris and Zhaban were promised to each other at birth, in accordance with Romulan tradition. Prior to her relocation to Earth, Laris had been a member of the Tal Shiar , and part of her duties at Château Picard included Picard's security. As a young Tal Shiar operative, her handler, Zhaban 's mother , once revealed to her details about the rumored Zhat Vash organization and its hatred of synthetic lifeforms. In 2399 , she revealed this information to Picard. ( PIC : " The Star Gazer ", " Maps and Legends ")

She was a skilled cook and she also seemed to have a decent understanding of at least basic medicine . ( PIC : " Remembrance ")

She demonstrated extensive experience with forensic analysis, which she employed in 2399 to reveal details of the attack on Dahj Asha at her apartment in Greater Boston and of Dahj's correspondence with her sister, Soji , off-world. ( PIC : " Maps and Legends ")

After Zhaban's death in 2400 , Laris' affection for Jean-Luc Picard became deeper, and she hoped to develop a romantic relationship with him, but his sense of duty left him unable to reciprocate, despite clearly having romantic feelings for her. When Picard suggested that nothing had to change between them following her confession, Laris responded that ruing would be awkward she was too old for awkward. ( PIC : " The Star Gazer ").

During Picard’s trip to the past Laris arranged for the solarium of Chateau Picard to be restored to its former glory. She also began preparing to leave the chateau for good. Before Laris left, Picard returned home. Having come to understand the origin of his difficulties regarding long-term relationships, Picard admitted his foolish behavior and asked Laris for her forgiveness and a second chance. Laris agreed. ( PIC : " Farewell ")

Later, that year, Picard retired from Starfleet again and made preparations to accompany Laris to Chaltok IV where she would be setting up diplomatic security. However, the plan changed when he received an encrypted message from his old friend, Beverly Crusher , pleading for his help. He played the message for Laris and asked her opinion. Laris stated that could see that Crusher looked both terrified and injured. Laris speculated that Picard and Crusher's past history on the USS Enterprise -D , which included an attempt at a romantic relationship, lead Crusher to see Picard as the only person she could trust. Laris stated that, from her viewpoint as a former Tal Shiar operative: Crusher's fear was genuine and not the result of paranoia. She was out of options, which led her to turn to Picard, and only Picard, for help. Both realized he would have to go to answer Crusher's call. Before leaving, Laris promised to save him a seat at a bar at Chaltok IV. She also advised Picard to mind himself, kissed him, and departed alone. ( PIC : " The Next Generation ")

Alternate timeline [ ]

In an alternate timeline created by Q , Laris was still married to Zhaban , where together they were the leaders of the Free Romulan movement during the Romulan uprising . Both were killed at the gates of Romulus . General Jean-Luc Picard had encountered Laris before her death .

In 2401 , after Admiral Jean-Luc Picard found himself in the alternate timeline, he asked the General's valet Harvey about the whereabouts of Laris. Later that day , Harvey answered Picard's question and he learned about this timeline's Laris. Harvey suggested that he could make an inquiry with the Museum of Conquest to see if they might have tribute photos of Laris in the museum's files as he knew that his Picard enjoyed looking at the photos. Picard declined the offer. ( PIC : " Penance ")

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

• " Remembrance " ( Season 1 )
• " Maps and Legends "
• " The End is the Beginning "
• " The Star Gazer " ( Season 2 )
• " Farewell "
• " The Next Generation " ( Season 3 )

Background information [ ]

Laris was played by Orla Brady .

While Laris more closely resembles Romulans of the Original Series era, who are physically indistinguishable from Vulcans, Zhaban possesses prominent brow ridges like the Romulans which appeared during The Next Generation era series and movies. Laris calls Zhaban and a Zhat Vash agent with similar ridges a " Northerner ." ( PIC : " The End is the Beginning ")

Apocrypha [ ]

Zhaban and Laris reveal their identities to Picard and Raffi Musiker (2385)

Before her first onscreen appearance, Laris was featured in the Star Trek: Picard - Countdown prequel comic book , alongside Zhaban. According to the comic, before the supernova, she and Zhaban were agents of the Tal Shiar who fell in love, and then defected to aid Picard. In issue #3 , a Tal Shiar commander addresses her as "Agent Avem".

External link [ ]

• Laris at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• 2 Star Trek: The Next Generation
• 3 USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-G)