In a creative and thought-provoking manner, Star Trek often employs science fiction backdrops to analyze and discuss aspects of real-world events. Characters from Starfleet occasionally visit futuristic renditions of historical eras such as Ancient Rome, the American Wild West, or 1920s Chicago through various storytelling devices. These instances are usually subtle. It’s intriguing to observe alternative histories or contemplate how events might unfold with foresight. Regrettably, certain historical images possess greater significance, and Star Trek stumbled upon this truth in the episode titled “Patterns of Force,” which primarily focused on Nazism.
One delightful feature of the internet is its talent for reinterpreting visual art. A solitary scene from a film or series can perfectly embody the essence of the original piece, occasionally with a more refined elegance than the source material itself. On the other hand, it can also transform into a collective expression that transcends the limitations of the source, having no relation to or contrasting sharply with every other image within the work. Frequently, an entire TV episode or movie is reduced to a single frame for the sake of internet humor. Today’s Star Trek producers might pause before providing fans numerous images of their primary cast in Nazi attire.
What happens in “Patterns of Force”?
| Series | The Original Series |
|---|---|
| Episode | Season 2, Episode 21 |
| Director | Vincent McEveety |
| Written By | John Meredith Lucas |
| Release Date | February 16, 1968 |
The story “Patterns of Force” commences as the crew of the USS Enterprise arrives at a planet named Ekos in quest of a missing scholar named John Gill. Upon their arrival, they detect that the technology on this planet surpasses their standard levels, raising suspicions that Gill might have breached the prime directive. Kirk and Spock confirm these worries when they descend onto Ekos to find an Ekosian society mirroring Nazi Germany flawlessly. To blend in with this hostile environment, they don Nazi uniforms. The duo discovers that Ekos is preparing for a genocidal invasion of a neighboring peaceful planet, necessitating immediate intervention. What makes matters worse, they also uncover that the leader of the impending aggression seems to be Professor Gill. Spock’s unique ears reveal his identity, leading the Nazis to take both him and his captain into custody for torture. Fortunately, this captivity offers them a chance to meet with the local anti-fascist movement and gather vital information.
A secret agent within the resistance tells Kirk that Gill is merely a puppet leader, while Melakon, his supposed right-hand man, is actually in charge. Kirk and Spock manage to break free from prison and locate Gill, who is heavily sedated. Once revived by McCoy, Gill reveals he had initially tried to stabilize Ekos, which was in chaos. Influenced by Earth’s fascism as the most efficient form of governance, he established it on Ekos. However, things went awry when Melakon took over and pushed the fascist regime too far. As Gill regains consciousness, he criticizes the extreme aspects of the system he created, which leads to Melakon shooting him. In retaliation, an anti-fascist kills Melakon. With both leaders eliminated, the resistance takes control and begins dismantling the fascist regime. Kirk and Spock depart with pride, believing the locals can handle the rest on their own.
How was “Patterns of Force” received?
In various regions, numerous episodes of Star Trek were prohibited. Specifically, the episode titled “Patterns of Force” was promptly banned in Germany due to its display of Nazi symbols, which are strictly forbidden except in museums and educational settings. Although the questionable costumes might have slipped through unnoticed, the portrayal of fascism as an effective form of governance by the character Gill sparked strong criticism from German authorities. Consequently, “Patterns of Force” was the only episode not aired in Germany during its original broadcast. It wasn’t dubbed into German until 1995 and didn’t air publicly until 2011. Additionally, the BBC edited the episode slightly due to its depiction of torture. Despite the controversy, “Patterns of Force” remains a captivating television episode with a few problematic production choices.
The episode ‘Patterns of Force’ does not endorse fascism or any ideology resembling Nazism. It’s evident that the depicted society is unacceptable and the solution is obvious. The creators could have told a similar story with minor costume changes, arguing that a fascist society doesn’t need to mirror Nazi Germany exactly. However, ‘Star Trek’ chose to have Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock wear swastikas, while a peculiar, misinformed character espouses a twisted version of efficiency as Nazism. This scene is intended to highlight the absurdity and unacceptability of such ideologies.
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2025-04-05 18:34