Section 31 Missed a Golden Opportunity with Nanokins in Star Trek Universe

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Summary

  • Section 31 lacks the philosophical depth of Star Trek, opting for snarky jokes and flashy action scenes.
  • Nanokins offer thematic potential in the Star Trek universe, exploring communication, identity, and acceptance.
  • While Section 31 fails to utilize Nanokins effectively, there is potential for them to become a rich and compelling alien race in the future.

In my perspective, Star Trek boasts a rich legacy of intriguing and imaginative extraterrestrial beings. At times, they resemble humans with additional features on their foreheads or ears, such as Vulcans and Klingons. On other occasions, they are entirely unique entities, like the Medusans or Tellarites. Regardless of their form, Star Trek’s aliens serve as more than just oddities to gaze upon. They are thought-provoking constructs that facilitate an examination of human traits and societal aspects.

Regrettably, the profound concepts often miss the mark in the film “Star Trek: Section 31.” Instead, it’s a boisterous and spectacular follow-up to the plot from “Star Trek: Discovery.” The series “Section 31” features Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou, formerly the Empress from the sinister Mirror Universe. She leads an unconventional group on a covert operation in this show. As opposed to delving into philosophical discourse, “Section 31” opts for sharp wit, dramatic explosions, and emotional moments that seem unjustified.

The majority of the team is made up of well-known characters from the series, such as a versatile Chameloid and an attractive Deltan. Initially, it seems that Fuzz is a Vulcan, but in reality, he hails from a new alien species called Nanokin, which promises great narrative possibilities. However, unfortunately, Fuzz’s character development has been overlooked.

Who is Fuzz in Star Trek: Section 31?

Portrayed with an exaggerated accent by Sven Ruygrok, Fuzz stands out among the Section 31 characters as the most annoying due to his propensity for unnecessary fights and impulsive shouting. However, things take an intriguing turn when Georgiou criticizes Fuzz for laughing excessively, a trait uncharacteristic of true Vulcans, who are renowned for their stoicism. In this moment, Fuzz reveals his true identity by opening his mouth, and the camera plunges deep into his throat, navigating a vibrant blue network of tubes until it discloses his genuine form. It is then unveiled that the blond-haired Vulcan portrayed by Fuzz is merely a disguise – a “vehicle,” to use his own words. The actual Fuzz hails from a minuscule race called the Nanokins.

Initially, Paramount+ conceived “Section 31” not just as a film, but as an entire series. Characters like the Nanokins were intended to be more fleshed out throughout the show’s run, similar to how “Discovery” developed the Kelpiens. However, due to the movie’s runtime of approximately 91 minutes, which is already packed with numerous characters and storylines, there was limited space to delve deeper into Nanokin details. The species is known to have at least two genders, as a male character named Fuzz has a female companion called Wisp. Additionally, the Nanokins are egg-laying creatures and typically have multiple offspring per litter, with Fuzz naming ten of his children in the film.

Well, that’s pretty much all there is to it, which is regrettable since Nanokins seem incredibly well-suited for the Star Trek universe.

What Can Nanokins Offer the Star Trek Universe?

Initially, when Fuzz unveils his authentic form, some spectators may find themselves chuckling due to a certain familiarity stemming from movies like “Men in Black” and “Meet Dave”. In these films, the concept of a tiny extraterrestrial concealed within a human-like vessel is not unfamiliar. However, “Section 31” employs its alien embryo egg in a manner similar to those films, serving more as a jest than offering anything fresh or innovative.

It’s clear that fans of Lower Decks are aware that Star Trek often employs humor when portraying its alien characters. Yet, even the most comedic episodes of Lower Decks delve into profound topics using diverse species. Klingons provide a lens for understanding honor-bound societies and warrior systems. Vulcan narratives touch upon the struggle between emotions and reason. The Nanokins, being microscopic and unable to communicate in traditional ways, offer numerous thematic opportunities. Since they can’t interact with others through sight or sound, they create devices similar to the Vulcan device used by Fuzz, sparking discussions about cultural appropriation and self-identity.

In the universe of ‘Star Trek’, communication plays a crucial role, as evidenced by significant communicator devices or episodes like ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’, where the Voyager probe takes control of Ilya to engage with people. The Nanokins often go to great lengths to converse with others. Would others reciprocate their efforts? Could Starfleet, known for its dedication to discovering new life and civilizations, resort to reducing some of its members like the Nanokins do with human-sized vessels?

Later, there arises the problem of the potential danger that Nanokins present. In one of numerous debates between Fuzz and his colleague Zeph from Section 31, the former, portrayed by Robert Kazinsky, likens Nanokins to a virus during their exchange. At first glance, it appears as if Zeph merely uses this term as an insult to provoke Fuzz. However, when Fuzz later names his children, he seems to give them disease-like names such as “Influensina,” “Tonsilyitis,” and “Grip.” This suggests that Zeph might have been referring to a genuine threat posed by Nanokins.

The concept of a conscious illness isn’t entirely novel (as depicted by the villain Despotellis in the Green Lantern comics). Nevertheless, the values of acceptance and comprehension that underpin Star Trek prevent members of Starfleet from outright rejecting the Nanokins, even if they pose a threat.

As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I’ve come to realize that the diverse alien characters we encounter serve as mirrors reflecting aspects of our own humanity. When a Nanokin assumes the guise of another species, it embarks on a journey of discovery, learning about their culture, physiology, and behavioral patterns. This process often reveals unexpected insights, even to those who belong to that species themselves.

Will Nanokins Appear Again After Star Trek: Section 31?

Section 31 doesn’t seem to give Fuzz the opportunity for deeper exploration. While Fuzz gets to yell, laugh maniacally, and engage in combat, he never delves into philosophical discussions or presents ethical dilemmas.

Due to the annoying manner in which Section 31 utilizes Fuzz, some Star Trek fans might be glad if they never encounter Fuzz, his relatives, or any Nanokins again. However, a single poorly-received story, such as the one from Section 31, doesn’t tarnish an entire species. Consider the Ferengi, who started off as a weak imitation of the Klingons in The Next Generation and eventually evolved into one of the richest and most captivating alien races, thanks to some exceptional episodes on Deep Space Nine.

In a refreshing twist, the Nanokins surpass the Ferengi from the initial Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes. It’s unfortunate if this new intriguing alien species isn’t utilized by Star Trek simply due to their less-than-stellar debut in that movie.

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2025-02-01 17:24