Ten Examples Of Social Commentary On Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek refused to shy away from social issues and commentary, using a sci-fi lens to tell necessary stories. In the original series, there was a metaphor for the Cold War, which showcases an imperfect utopian future where nations and races attempted to live in peace and co-exist together. As a result, they explored and examined other cultures as opposed to the threat of perpetual war and nuclear annihilation between superpowers.
Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered in 1987 during a different era of social upheaval. It carried on the tradition of its predecessor occasionally commenting on individual social subjects debated in public discourse in addition to themes of war and peace. Some topics were provocative and remain relevant today.
The Enterprise encounters two scientists, Raval and Serova, while searching for a missing Federation medical transport, who claim the use of warp drive in their region of space is detrimental to their planet's survival. When Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge and Data fail to corroborate their evidence, Serova takes matters into her own hands and sacrifices herself to prove their theory.
The seventh season episode "Force of Nature," aired at a time when pollution of Earth's ozone layer was a hot topic debated frequently by politicians. Science fiction often examines real-world events and employs storytelling motifs and plot points that illustrate their importance thereby encouraging the audience to seek perspective.
Data is a unique example of artificial life, and as a result, draws the attention of Starfleet's science division. When Data is forcibly transferred to their custody for further study, he threatens to resign and must prove he is fully sentient to enjoy the rights and protections of the Federation. He enlists Picard's help to disprove the notion he is the property of Starfleet and entitled to freedom.
One of the most recurring themes in science fiction is the question of "what does it mean to be human?" Data is an android designed to mimic the appearance and behavior of a human. However, his programming allows him to pursue higher aspirations. Replicating Data's likeness and abilities became a theme of Star Trek: Picard season one.
Following Captain Picard's experience as Locutus of Borg in the two-part episode "The Best of Both Worlds," he returns home to La Barre, France to visit his only living relatives. After he discovers his brother Robert has become like their overbearing father, Jean Luc confesses to feeling powerless as the result of being forced to help the Borg eliminate an entire Starfleet armada at the Battle of Wolf 359.
Picard's trauma of enduring bodily harm and psychological torture shines a light on the experiences of those who have survived horrific acts of violence. In the aftermath, Picard is quiet and resentful of Robert's inquires but when confronted directly in a brotherly scuffle, he realizes that recounting the emotional aspect is a good coping mechanism and ultimately helps him reconnect with Robert.
Wesley Crusher became the subject of a debate about the death penalty in the first season episode "Justice." The Edo lived in a virtually lawless society that was peaceful and harmonic. However, an archaic law about disturbing plant life suddenly thrust Wesley into a life-or-death war of words between Captain Picard and the Eido council.
In addition to the death penalty, the issue of religion came into play as the Edo council insisted to Picard their deity in orbit with the Enterprise would enforce their ruling. The dialogue to end this episode posed several profound questions about the virtue of absolutism and the philosophy of justice which is constantly evolving.
Commander Riker volunteers to serve time aboard a Klingon cruiser as the first officer to learn aspects of the Federation's longtime rival that are unknown or misunderstood. He finds Klingons value honor above all else, that their worth is the sum of their deeds in battle. In addition, he learns they have similar family values to humans, but their cuisine is only for the strongest of stomachs.
The preaching of cooperation with other species (races) is a central theme of the Star Trek franchise. Its mission statement is reviewed in every episode; "...to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one's gone before." This season two gem "A Matter of Honor" is perhaps the most reinforcing example of this higher philosophy.
Beginning with "Hollow Pursuits" in season four, TNG introduced one of its more memorable characters in Lt. Reginald Barclay. Portrayed by Dwight Schultz (The A-Team) as a recluse on the holodeck, at first, the audience learns he is quite knowledgeable in the field of engineering but struggles mightily in social situations. Members of the crew acting childishly and senior officers expressing their frustration with him publicly does not help.
With autism being heavily discussed in the public and medical community, the purpose of Mr. Barclay's character was to convey that some forms of genius come off as narcotic and strange, but these people have deep-seated feelings below the surface. Barclay's storyline argued his gifts should not be ignored or the subject of ridicule but embraced as essential qualities.
The subject of suicide is a difficult one to examine in everyday society much less portray in film or television. The Next Generation attempted to offer a unique perspective in "Half-A-Life," guest-starring David Odgen Stiers (M*A*S*H) as Timicin, who by the tradition of his people, was to submit to voluntary euthanasia after his 60th birthday.
As Timicin's would-be love interest, Lwaxana Troi lobbied Timicin to seek asylum aboard the Enterprise to avoid the rite. A brewing diplomatic incident ensued that required one of Captain Picard's classic sermons regarding the Prime Directive, the supreme law of the Federation preaching non-interference with cultures respecting unusual laws and traditions, to solve.
Making first contact with another alien race isn't always easy. Picard found this out the hard way in "Darmok," where he and his Tamarian counterpart participated in a bonding ritual that reenacted the most storied event in Tamarian legend; Darmok and Julad at Tanagra about two strangers who cooperated in a battle against a great beast.
The Tamarians speak an incoherent language and communicate by example or "metaphor" as Picard discovers. The award-winning episode put forth the idea that the ability to communicate with different people and their cultures is difficult with patience and practice becoming a virtue such as using sign language to communicate with someone with hearing deficiency.
In the fifth season episode "The Game," a virtual reality interface activity spread like a brush fire aboard the Enterprise. Soon after, the crew began to neglect their daily routine, and had it not been for the foresight of Wesley Crusher, they almost surrendered the ship to an alien race determined to introduce the game to every corner of the galaxy.
An ongoing health crisis in western society is addiction derived from substance abuse. While not citing drugs, specifically, the overall tone of the episode can be attributed to any activity or action that results in a habit that brings about destructive behavior. The example used in the story was the game overstimulated the pleasure center of the brain.
When William met Soren while working with the J'naii scientist to rescue their missing colleagues, Commander Riker grows curious about their androgynous race and learns they once identified as male and female. Soren is a remnant, embracing their curiosity and emotions, determined to pursue a romantic relationship with Riker.
Gender identity is a divisive issue in western culture. This episode from 1992 conveyed perspectives on this sensitive subject. Riker's disgust for the official J'naii policy of emotional suppression brings his Starfleet oath into conflict. Soren desires her individual freedom which is a threat to the State, which employ therapy techniques that eliminate Soren's forbidden traits. Ultimately the Prime Directive prohibited any member of the Enterprise crew from intervening.