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Star Trek Parental Issues...

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited February 2012 in Ten Forward
I'm sensing some family issues in Star Trek. Let's take a look.

TNG (All characters have lost at least one parent. 7 mothers dead; 6 fathers dead)
Picard: Strained relationship with father; not much info on monther
Riker: Mom dead; Strained relationship with father.
Data: "Father" and "mother" were his creators; both die
Worf: Mother and father are dead
Geordi: Mother dead and father alive; but he was definitely a momma's boy
Troi: Father dead; mother is annoying
Beverly: Both parents dead
Tasha: Both parents dead
Wesley: Father dead

DS9 (4 mothers dead, one left; 2 fathers dead)
Sisko: Mother "dead"; Father is a stout creole cook
Kira: Mother and Father dead
Odo: Parents are evil galactic overlords
O'Brien: Mother dead; father initially disappointed, but later proudest man on Earth.
Jadzia: Lived with both parents growing up
Bashir: Strained relationship with parents
Quark/Rom: Father dead; mother is stubborn
Nog: Mother left; lived with father
Jake: Mother dead; lived with father
Ezri: Father unknown; strained relationship with mother

VOY (3 mothers dead; 4 fathers dead, one left)
Janeway: Father dies after her childhood; mother still alive
Chakotay: Raised by father; little info on mother
Tuvok: No info.
Doctor: Father was his creator
Torres: Father left; mother is Klingon
Kes: Species only lives eight years
Neelix: Raised by parents; both killed during war
Paris: Overbearing father; not much info on mother
Kim: Both parents living
Seven: Parents are assimilated; father presumed dead

ENT (3 fathers dead)
Archer: Father dies; not much info on mother
T'Pol: Father dies; strained relationship with mother
Tripp: Lived with both parents
Mayweather: Lived with both parents; father dies after launch of Enterprise
Hoshi: Has a mother; character was, sadly, poorly underdeveloped
Reed: Lived with father and mother
Phlox: Any definition of family cannot apply to that species

Fortunately, patricide seems to decrease with each new series. Although, fathers still bear the brunt of the deaths. The only exception to that trend was DS9, showing why that series was awesome. :p

Thoughts?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    No info on TOS?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    I know Kirk's brother (I think it was his brother) died and Chekov's brother was killed in a Klingon raid, but that's all I can remember at the moment.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    I always thought Picard's strong cohesion with his senior officers and staff, and his very refined mannerisms, are due to adverse experiences of some kind.


    In RL I have 'issues' with parents too (and no Dad either) so I tend to forge very close bonds to colleagues in my line of work.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    twg042370 wrote:
    No info on TOS?

    Not enough to build it out. The show was about Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. They were the only ones to get a real backstory.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    I know Kirk's brother (I think it was his brother) died and Chekov's brother was killed in a Klingon raid, but that's all I can remember at the moment.

    if you'll remember, chekov didn't have a brother. that was a false memory he was given by that entity in day of the dove
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Rhodes85 wrote: »
    if you'll remember, chekov didn't have a brother. that was a false memory he was given by that entity in day of the dove

    Strangely I forgot that. It's weird since that's one of my favorite episodes. :D

    I can remember Chekov's attack on the Klingons and Kirk mentioning it, but, apart from that, everything else is a blank [at least concerning Chekov and his "brother"].
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    TOS / Star Trek 2009

    Kirk - Father George Kirk deceased (U.S.S. Kelvin) / mother Winona Kirk deceased (died in a fire in Riverside Iowa)

    David Kirk/Marcus - Died before parents (Father - James T Kirk Died saving the universe / Mom - Carol Marcus Unknown)

    Peter Kirk - James T Kirk nephew - Father George Samuel Kirk & mother Aurelan Kirk both deceased - killed by a parasite

    Spock - Mom Amanda Grayson dies of old age or Killed when Vulcan exploded (Take your pick) / father alive

    McCoy - Father David McCoy murdered by his son via euthanasia / Mom unknown

    Scotty - Parents Unknown

    Chekov - father Andrei Chekov (speculation that he died from old age / Mom unknown)

    Uhura - Parents unknown

    Hikaru Sulu - Parents Unknown

    Demora Sulu - Father Hikaru Sulu (alive) / mom unknown
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    BlackV7 wrote:
    TOS / Star Trek 2009

    Spock - Mom Amanda Grayson dies of old age or Killed when Vulcan exploded (Take your pick) / father alive

    I'm pretty sure Spocks father died in an episode of TNG. I remember a scene where Picard passed along his memories to Spock through a mind meld.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    I'm pretty sure Spocks father died in an episode of TNG. I remember a scene where Picard passed along his memories to Spock through a mind meld.

    I was focusing on their lives during the series itself. Sarek did die during TNG, but Spock was pushing 160 himself.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    We get to see 7 of 9's father near the end of the series when 7 of 9 is taken by the Borg queen, her father, 100% assimilated still walks up to her and 7 of 9 cries like a little girl yelling: "Papa....!?"

    But I guess future Janeway killed 7's father when the main borg nexus was destroyed. :rolleyes:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    McCoy - Father David McCoy murdered by his son via euthanasia / Mom unknown

    I think out of all the parent related mayhem - this one is the worst and the most controversial of them all.

    The good old country doctor, Leonard McCoy.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    TOSLover wrote:
    I know Kirk's brother (I think it was his brother) died and Chekov's brother was killed in a Klingon raid, but that's all I can remember at the moment.

    Actually, Chekov never had a brother. The illusion he did and that he was killed was implanted into his mind by the entity in Day of the Dove. (Sulu states that Chekov was actually an only child.)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    You forgot Ezri (cursed be her presence), who is without father, has a workaholic mother (who she has a poor relationship with), a brother who is a murderer/failed artist/seeking approval, and a "slave brother"...

    She defnetly is the overlord of failed family cases.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Armsman wrote: »
    Actually, Chekov never had a brother. The illusion he did and that he was killed was implanted into his mind by the entity in Day of the Dove. (Sulu states that Chekov was actually an only child.)

    Yep, I know. :) Rhodes85 told me earlier in the thread.

    Thanks for the help, though! :cool:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    anazonda wrote: »
    You forgot Ezri (cursed be her presence), who is without father, has a workaholic mother (who she has a poor relationship with), a brother who is a murderer/failed artist/seeking approval, and a "slave brother"...

    She defnetly is the overlord of failed family cases.

    Thanks. I added her to the OP.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Interesting analysis. Taking it a bit further, how many of these characters lost their mother/father during childhood (under age 18) or that we can presume was lost during childhood if not specifically stated?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Interesting analysis. Taking it a bit further, how many of these characters lost their mother/father during childhood (under age 18) or that we can presume was lost during childhood if not specifically stated?

    I plan on doing some data analysis.
    • Define a question Is there a connection between being a wiener and the presence or absence of certain parents.
    • Gather information and resources (observe)
      • No father and is a wiener: Wesley, Beverly, Archer, Kirk (2009), Troi, T'Pol, Torres
      • Has father or father died in adulthood and is respectable: Sisko, Kirk (TOS), Spock, McCoy, Paris
    • Form an explanatory hypothesis Characters without a father during childhood are more likely to be wieners than those with fathers.
    • Test the hypothesis by performing an experiment and collecting data in a reproducible manner
    • Analyze the data
    • Interpret the data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypothesis
    • Publish results
    • Retest (frequently done by other scientists)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    So, I need everyone's help. The larger sample size I have, the more accurate the data.

    Definitions for this exercise
    Winner: This character is one of the most respected in Star Trek.
    Neither: This character has equal number of great moments as well as stupid moments.
    Loser: Replacing this character with a potted plant wouldn't really hurt the series all that much.

    Rate Each Character

    TOS
    Kirk
    Spock
    McCoy
    Scotty
    Sulu
    Chekov
    Uhura

    TNG
    Picard
    Riker
    Data
    Geordi
    Worf
    Tasha
    Troi
    Beverly
    Wesley
    Pulaski

    DS9
    Sisko
    Kira
    O'Brien
    Bashir
    Odo
    Quark
    Rom
    Nog
    Garak
    Dukat

    VOY
    Janeway
    Chakotay
    Tuvok
    Paris
    Kim
    Torres
    Doctor
    Seven of Nine
    Kes
    Neelix

    ENT
    Archer
    Tucker
    T'Pol
    Hoshi
    Travis
    Reed
    Phlox

    2009
    Kirk
    Spock
    McCoy
    Scotty
    Sulu
    Chekov
    Uhura
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Tuvok was married at the beginning but his wife "divorced" him for being missing.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    So, I need everyone's help. The larger sample size I have, the more accurate the data.

    Definitions for this exercise
    Winner: This character is one of the most respected in Star Trek.
    Neither: This character has equal number of great moments as well as stupid moments.
    Loser: Replacing this character with a potted plant wouldn't really hurt the series all that much.

    Rate Each Character

    TOS
    Kirk Winner
    Spock Winner
    McCoy Winner
    Scotty Winner
    Sulu Neither
    Chekov Neither
    Uhura Loser

    TNG
    Picard Winner
    Riker Neither
    Data Winner
    Geordi Neither
    Worf Winner
    Tasha Loser
    Troi Loser
    Beverly Neither
    Wesley Loser
    Pulaski Loser

    DS9
    Sisko Winner
    Kira Winner
    O'Brien Winner
    Bashir Neither
    Odo Winner
    Quark Winner
    Rom Winner
    Nog Neither
    Garak Winner
    Dukat Winner

    VOY
    Janeway Neither
    Chakotay Neither
    Tuvok Winner
    Paris Winner
    Kim Neither
    Torres Neither
    Doctor Winner
    Seven of Nine Winner
    Kes Loser
    Neelix Loser

    ENT
    Archer Neither
    Tucker Winner
    T'Pol Loser
    Hoshi Loser
    Travis Loser
    Reed Neither
    Phlox Winner

    I wont rate the 2009 film as one appearnce is not enough. my judgment is clouded by the characters from the original.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    So, I need everyone's help. The larger sample size I have, the more accurate the data.

    Picard's a definite winner. And both of his parents survived into old age, apparently dying in the 2460s. His father didn't like his career choice, but he did seem to have happy memories with both parents and the few mentions his mother gets are all good.

    I don't know if Picard's inclusion on the list in the original post -- while technically correct -- really supports what the theme of this thread is trying to say. Yeah, he lost both parents. But did so after a rather robust and full life with both of them and no broken childhood or anything like that. Compared to say, Tasha's parents, or Worf's parents? Or even Geordi's issues with losing his mom?

    I also think Data, Odo and The Doctor can't really qualify for this list at least the way the OP presents them. Like take the Doctor. Technically Zimmerman is his "father" or "creator" but in the context of the discussion I'm not sure it applies properly. He wasn't raised by a father.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    superchum wrote: »
    Picard's a definite winner. And both of his parents survived into old age, apparently dying in the 2460s. His father didn't like his career choice, but he did seem to have happy memories with both parents and the few mentions his mother gets are all good.

    I don't know if Picard's inclusion on the list in the original post -- while technically correct -- really supports what the theme of this thread is trying to say. Yeah, he lost both parents. But did so after a rather robust and full life with both of them and no broken childhood or anything like that. Compared to say, Tasha's parents, or Worf's parents? Or even Geordi's issues with losing his mom?

    I also think Data, Odo and The Doctor can't really qualify for this list at least the way the OP presents them. Like take the Doctor. Technically Zimmerman is his "father" or "creator" but in the context of the discussion I'm not sure it applies properly. He wasn't raised by a father.

    The thrust of the thread has changed over time. I'm now more focused on parental involvement in childhood. The OP was just focused on the current state of their parents. I plan on redoing it with parental status during childhood.

    The Doctor and Data will most likely be left out due to their artificial nature. Also, Phlox may be left out due to the orgy that is families on his planet.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    BlackV7 wrote:
    McCoy - Father David McCoy murdered by his son via euthanasia / Mom unknown

    I find the statement that McCoy murdered his father in this context to be biased and wrong.
    Controversial - as someone else said - certainly, but not murder.
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