We see in Spock that Vulcans seem to have the ability to mind-meld with a lot of species - humans, other Vulcans, lava silicon-based monsters. Is there actually any species a Vulcan cannot perform a mind-meld with (i.e. is there any reference to a Vulcan not being able to perform a mind-meld with an individual because it was a certain species?) I grant that the obvious answer would be a machine/computer, but I would prefer an answer of an actual species (the Borg really are a pseudo-race and are a collection of species rather than a species in themselves for the purposes of this question anyway).
asked Jun 3, 2014 at 8:47
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Lt. Com. Data??– Satellite of SinJun 3, 2014 at 9:37
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3Anyone know about the Ferengi? Betazoids can't read them...– LiathJun 3, 2014 at 9:51
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4It is never explicitly stated in the show, but since a mind meld seems to involve physically touching your target, I guess it would be hard for a Vulcan to meld with a Tholian.– EinerJun 3, 2014 at 9:56
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5The Hutts? Jabba the Hutt once said that mind tricks don't work on them..– Satellite of SinJun 3, 2014 at 10:11
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3@Einer Meld melds can work through an environmental suit (The Motion Picture), so they might be able to do one with a Tholian.– XantecJun 3, 2014 at 13:47
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2 Answers
The only species observed to be resistant to mind melds that Memory-Alpha lists are the Cardassians, however, this is attributed to their mental training and discipline. We only see one Vulcan use it on one Cardassian (Dukat), so its effectiveness may vary person to person (initiator and target).
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2There are also a number of species that the Vulcan never try to mind meld with who might be immune - Ferrengi come to mind. Both as a species that might be immune, and as a species the Vulcans would never mind meld with.– ZibbobzJun 3, 2014 at 14:36
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@Zibbobz Yea, there are certainly species that may be immune, as you say. But it is never established for sure. As for a species that the Vulcans would never meld with, I think that that is very variable. We see Spock meld with some weird aliens (the horta for example), and Tuvok melded with Seven while she was suffering multiple personalities, so there was no telling what he might have encountered there. I think that what a Vulcan will meld with is largely up to personal preference.– XantecJun 3, 2014 at 14:42
Spock was unable to maintain his meld with a Kelvan. Any species with a super-intellect (Organians, Q, Douwd, Cytherian, etc.) would undoubtedly be impossible for a Vulcan to meld with. It'd be like an ant trying to understand the thoughts of a human. Plus, changelings cannot be read by Betazoids, and I'm guessing that Vulcans wouldn't be able to meld with them either, as their "brain" isn't something that can be readily accessed.