As a gamer and avid Star Trek fan, I’ve been following the storyline of Ruon Tarka (Shawn Doyle) in Star Trek: Discovery with great interest. Tarka’s character arc from a promising Starfleet officer to a desperate man driven by his obsession with finding his friend Oros in the mythical parallel universe of Kayalise, was both intriguing and heart-wrenching.
Shawn Doyle’s character, Ruon Tarka from “Star Trek: Discovery” season 4, experienced a downfall as a Starfleet scientist while attempting to confront the Dark Matter Anomaly (DMA). His behaviors ranged from doubtful to criminal. He abducted Jett Reno, Discovery’s engineer (Tig Notaro), and seized Cleveland Booker’s (David Ajala) vessel without permission. Tarka left viewers questioning his motives and rooting against him. In contrast, Callum Keith Rennie’s Commander Rayner initially appeared enigmatic and volatile, but once the audience learned about his past, they could watch him evolve into a trustworthy member of the USS Discovery crew.
I was really rooting for Tarka when he appeared in “Examples,” season 4 episode 5 of Star Trek: Discovery. He came across as a brilliant Starfleet officer with a promising future, particularly with his genius-level intellect that could prove invaluable in the fight against the DMA. However, despite this asset, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease due to his troubling past and the shadow of his own hubris that followed him. Sadly, even his brilliance wasn’t enough to save him from succumbing to his own arrogance in the end.
Science Officer Ruon Tarka
In the series “Star Trek: Discovery,” characters with extraordinary intelligence were frequently introduced in an impressive manner, and Tarka was no exception. At just five years old, he accomplished his initial groundbreaking scientific experiment. Unlike most of his contemporaries on the luxurious planet Risa who solely focused on enjoying themselves, Tarka’s exceptional intellect often left him feeling disconnected. It also instilled in him an inflated sense of self-worth. In later conversations with Jett Reno, he described his upbringing as being among “fools.” Sadly, his abilities drew unwanted attention from the most powerful criminal organization in the galaxy before the Federation could claim him for their own purposes.
The calamitous occurrences of The Burn deprived the Orion crime syndicate, the Emerald Chain, of the essential dilithium required to activate their warp engine. Rather than exploring alternatives independently, their leader Osyraa (Janet Kidder) resorted to coercion. She seized brilliant scientists, including Tarka, and subjected them to slavery. A control mechanism was implanted in Tarka’s neck, and he was confined to solitary isolation for approximately four to five years. This situation significantly boosted their productivity, particularly when Oros (Osric Chau) joined him. However, the immense mental anguish took time to manifest itself.
Tarka Goes Rogue
At first glance, it seemed that Tarka’s demise began when he became involved with the DMA predicament in “Star Trek: Discovery” season 4. Impressed by his discourse on advanced warp drive innovations, Admiral Charles Vance (Oded Fehr) welcomed Tarka into Starfleet. Leveraging his genius, Tarka contributed to various scientific projects. Eventually, he collaborated with Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) on the spore hub drive. However, their focus eventually shifted towards thwarting the planet-devouring DMA.
Despite the team’s belief that Tarka was driven solely by his passion for science and the urge to aid others, it was later revealed in season 4, episode 7, “…But to Connect,” that there was more to his motivations. He exploited Booker’s distress over the DMA destroying his home planet Kwejian to involve him in his own destructive schemes. Therefore, what fueled Tarka’s descent into such a harmful path amidst all the devastation?
The Legend of Kayalise
Tarka’s true motivation was being reunited with his friend Oros in the mythical parallel universe of Kayalise. When they were both held captive by the Emerald Chain, the two not only worked together, but developed a profound emotional connection and desired to escape together. They believed that an interdimensional transporter would take them to this mythical realm of eternal happiness. Star Trek has always rejected the idea that this kind of joy is real or sustainable. Then again, Voyager once turned Starfleet officers into slugs, then had them mate. So, it wasn’t too far-fetched to think that Discovery might deliver on this seemingly impossible world. At least, that’s what Tarka seemed to think when he returned to his former cell — only to find the symbol of Kayalise in place of his dear friend and partner Oros.
Tarka’s infatuation with the notion that his extraterrestrial companion had attained their long-coveted goal consumed him, leading him to a dangerous edge. This delusional belief in their unlikely reunion fueled his desperation to such an extent that he became a threat. Seeking entry into paradise, Tarka disregarded the consequences, even if it meant inflicting harm on others. Although they had distinct drives, Tarka’s actions bore striking similarities to those of Matt Decker from “The Original Series.” In Star Trek’s second season, episode 6, titled “The Doomsday Machine,” Decker, like Tarka, refused to heed caution and assumed command of one of Star Trek’s most iconic vessels. Their unyielding determination proved costly, ultimately leading to their demise.
Among fans of “Discovery,” there has been much debate regarding the relationship between Tarka and Oros. Some believe that their harrowing experiences under The Emerald Chain’s enslavement created an unbreakable bond between them, akin to the connection formed by Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Saru (Doug Jones) in “Strange New Worlds.” Due to their lengthy captivity, they were each other’s only source of comfort. The potential for an unhealthy co-dependency may have developed under such distressing circumstances. Others argue that Tarka’s relentless pursuit to return to Oros was driven by romantic feelings. Flashbacks depict them sharing intimate moments on a grimy cot or gazing longingly into each other’s eyes as they endeavored to use science to escape their captors. The representation of LGBTQ+ characters in “Discovery” was abundant, and it wouldn’t have been surprising if this pair were among them. Their capacity to find love amid such despair could have served as an inspiring tale.
Despite whether his feelings for Oros were romantic or not, Tarka’s deep-rooted affection drove him to unprecedented lengths, with no turning back. He resorted to deception, theft, and even came close to causing mass destruction. In doing so, he severely tarnished the esteemed Starfleet emblem. At moments, it was perplexing why he persisted in his actions, especially when they were manifestly incorrect. There have been other unfortunate incidents in Star Trek: Discovery. However, the devastation wrought by Tarka’s actions in the name of love stands out as particularly noteworthy.
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2024-07-15 01:00