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Summary
Star Trek ’s problem with empathetic character happen a solution in how it evolves as a conception inStar Trek : DiscoveryandStar Trek : Strange New Worlds . Star Trek : The Next GenerationandStar Trek : Voyagerportray empathy as an alien trait one step removed from telepathy , with Counselor Deanna Troi ’s ( Marina Sirtis ) empathy manifest as a dilute class of Betazoid telepathy , and Kes ' ( Jennifer Lien ) empathy eventually evolve into telepathy and telekinesis attributed to being Ocampa . The brand of empathy display by Captain Christopher Pike ( Anson Mount ) and Captain Saru ( Doug Jones ) onDiscovery , however , doesn’t come from alien genetic science .
Empathy is a core tenet ofStar Trek ’s philosophy , with stories that demonstrate the importance of considering diverse perspective . ThebestStar Trekcharactersshould be able to simulate empathy , irrespective of whether they ’re human or exotic , butTNGandVoyagertook a human social accomplishment and box it as something alien , and in doing so posit that empathy is an cryptic superpower only a few possess . When empathy is portrayed as an alien business leader set or else of something existent humans can actually do , it keep empathic part from in reality showing empathetic skills an interview can find out from .
TNG & Voyager Underutilize Troi and Kes as Empathic Characters
Deanna Troi and Kes' Powers Got in the Way of Character Development
Star Trek : The Next GenerationandStar Trek : Voyagerunderutilized Deanna Troi and Kes as genuinely empathic fictitious character . Deanna can definitively sense others ' emotion thanks to her Betazoid powers , soTroi does n’t require to work empathy as a acquisition , and in fact admits inTNGseason 4 , instalment 10 , " The Loss , " that she has n’t . Deanna ’s undivided reliance on Betazoid empathy means Troi ca n’t perform her duties as ship ’s counselor-at-law without it . Likewise , Kes seems naturally empathetic , butVoyagerseason 2 , installment 10 " Cold Fire " seesKes ' telepathy and psychokinesisgrow stronger when Kes gives in to dark impulses , as though greater Ocampa powers germinate to exchange bare empathy .
Kes andDeanna Troi ’s powers hindered character development , but it ’s of import that Troi and Kes live at all , given the earned run average ofTNGandVoyager ’s yield . It was utterly radical in the eighties to feature a genial health professional on the Starship Enterprise , and Kes ' forgivingness present as strength instead of weakness was unusual for a sci - fi show in the 1990s . While Troi gets a shortcut to understanding others ' emotion through her Betazoid empathy , and Kes ' latent empathy is forget in favor of a more interesting power set , both were so ahead of their fourth dimension that empathyhadto be an alien great power instead of a demonstrable attainment .
Star Trek Sheds Its Fear of Empathy With Discovery & Strange New Worlds
Captain Christopher Pike and Captain Saru Model Real-World, Attainable Empathy
InStar Trek : DiscoveryandStar Trek : Strange New Worlds , empathy is entirely redefined . Discoveryseason 2 get word Captain Christopher Pike demonstrate very human empathy as a compassionate and confident drawing card who give care deeply about each individual member of his crowd ; a trait he hold over to the Enterprise inSNW.Discovery ’s empathetic alien Captain Saruhas naturally heighten Kelpien instincts , butSaru is an emotional anchor and well of kindness independent of alien ability . Saru ’s recognition of fellow Kelpien Su’Kal ’s pain in the neck inDiscoveryseason 3 solves the whodunit of the Burn , and Saru actively connect with Su’Kal is an important step in restore the swell connections of the Federation .
Star Trek : DiscoveryandStar Trek : Strange New Worldsare as much a reflection of the present asStar Trek : The Next GenerationandStar Trek : Voyagerwere of their times . Pike and Saru can demonstrate thatempathy is a real - world skill because of the standardisation of emotional wellness in 21st - century society , just like Troi ’s bearing inTNGreflected growing awareness of mental wellness care in the 1980s . As fellowship as a whole recognizes empathy as a very existent human ability , and not a trait that has to be box as an alien world power , Star Trekfollows suit to mix that recognition into its aspirational edition of the future tense .
Star Trek : The Next Generation , Star Trek : Voyager , Star Trek : Discovery , andStar Trek : Strange New Worldsare all available to swarm on Paramount+ .
