Questions tagged [star-trek]

For all questions about the Star Trek universe. Including the television series, films, characters, events, and technology in the universe. For more specific questions, use in conjunction with the relevant tags, such as [star-trek-tos] or [star-trek-tng].

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What's that ship in the opening credits of 'Star Trek: Enterprise'?

In the Star Trek: Enterprise opening credits it seems to step through starship history up to the Enterprise NX-01. After Cochran's Phoenix, there is a ship that we see almost only from behind, and ...
Jerry Nixon's user avatar
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43 votes
8 answers
9k views

Why is Starfleet HQ in San Francisco?

San Francisco seems an odd choice for Starfleet Headquarters to me, especially within sight of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's such a densely populated area, I would figure that it's one of the last ...
Iszi's user avatar
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43 votes
2 answers
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Did Lucille Ball have a creative influence on Star Trek?

There are many articles on the role that Lucille Ball had in saving Star Trek from an early death and how she advocated for the show in its early days. Was her role limited to funding, politics, and ...
Robert Columbia's user avatar
43 votes
1 answer
5k views

Is this story about how Michael Dorn became Worf true?

I once was told a story about how Michael Dorn auditioned for the role of Commander Worf on Star Trek. Instead of saying what the script he was given said, he tried to "act" like a Klingon would. ...
Alexander Mills's user avatar
43 votes
2 answers
11k views

In Star Trek, do the Greek gods lack nipples?

OK, I hope this question doesn't seem prurient, but I happened upon the image and literally couldn't decide what I'm looking at. In the TOS episode "Who Mourns for Adonais?" we learn that the Greek ...
ThePopMachine's user avatar
43 votes
4 answers
85k views

What is Spock's full name?

What is Spock's full, allegedly unpronounceable name? (And no, I don't mean Dr. Benjamin McLane Spock. I mean the son of Sarek.)
Mark Adler's user avatar
43 votes
5 answers
5k views

Did Odo create his communicator or hide it?

Odo has a working communicator: Is that a part of himself (like his clothes)? Or is it real but he conceals it? I imagine it is the latter (would be hard for him to create) but I don't know if it is ...
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE's user avatar
42 votes
11 answers
26k views

What would be the effect of a Borg assimilating a Q?

In the Voyager episode 'Q2', Q screams at his son "Don't provoke the Borg!". This to me is an indication that even the Q are afraid of them. Was there ever any canon discussion about the affects of ...
PiousVenom's user avatar
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42 votes
4 answers
18k views

Why the "Class M" label?

I've never understood the significance behind labeling habitable planets in the Star Trek universe as "Class M". Does the "M" stand for something? Or are there classes A-Z and the habitable class ...
TheIronCheek's user avatar
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42 votes
3 answers
7k views

What was the first 3D CGI used in Star Trek?

This means I'm seeking the first three-dimensionally computer-modeled and rendered imagery used in Star Trek. We know there was extensive 3D CGI used in DS9 (Odo) and Voyager (USS Voyager). But ...
ThePopMachine's user avatar
42 votes
5 answers
9k views

If Worf was raised by humans after the age of 5, why does he "act" so Klingon?

Worf was rescued from the wreckage of the Khitomer colony by a Starfleet petty officer and raised amongst humans in a time when Klingon\Federation relations were somewhat shaky. How did Worf end up ...
erdiede's user avatar
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42 votes
4 answers
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Is there any adverse effect from consuming a diet of replicated food?

Replicators are used ubiquitously throughout the Star Trek universe to produce any material that the user desires - notably food and drink. On a starship, the crew's entire diet would consist of ...
Zibbobz's user avatar
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42 votes
8 answers
8k views

Why was Terok Nor renamed Deep Space Nine?

Terok Nor, the Cardassian space station in orbit of Bajor, was abandoned when the Cardassian occupation ended. This left the Bajorans in control of the station and they assumed ownership of it. ...
Xantec's user avatar
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42 votes
2 answers
16k views

Why was the alien threat in The Next Generation episode "Conspiracy" never followed up?

In the Star Trek The Next Generation episode Conspiracy Picard and crew are drawn into an alien conspiracy to take over the Federation. This ends with Picard and Riker destroying an alien "mother" ...
Xantec's user avatar
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42 votes
1 answer
4k views

Floor plan for J.T. Kirk's apartment in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock"

My brother is building a loft apartment in his new shop building. Being a big Trekkie, he wants to recreate Kirk's apartment in San Francisco . A cursory review of Trek floor plans shows his TOS ...
Mighty Ferengi's user avatar
42 votes
7 answers
6k views

Why was life support so time-critical in Star Trek ships?

In Star Trek, the loss of life-support for any time—minutes or seconds—seems like an extremely time-critical problem where people must be immediately transported out or every system is ...
Nick T's user avatar
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42 votes
10 answers
36k views

What is the difference between "Warp" and "Transwarp"?

In Star Trek III, Kirk takes the Enterprise out on a little "joyride", with the U.S.S. Excelsior in hot pursuit (initially). The audience learns that the Excelsior is equipped with "trans-warp drive". ...
KeithS's user avatar
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42 votes
4 answers
13k views

Why was the Enterprise built on the ground?

In the latest Star Trek movie (2009) it is shown that the USS Enterprise is being built on the ground. Has any reason or advantage been stated in or out of universe for why they would construct a ...
Xantec's user avatar
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42 votes
2 answers
87k views

How do stardates work?

I’ve seen various answers to how stardates relate to real dates. But is there a general consensus on the correct/most valid answer that holds for all of the various media?
AncientSwordRage's user avatar
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41 votes
15 answers
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What are some things that are scarce even in a post-scarcity Star Trek world?

I don't believe post-scarcity in Star Trek world means EVERYTHING imaginable on earth is in abundance. I believe post-scarcity means that humans need not worry about their livelihoods even if they ...
user486818's user avatar
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41 votes
4 answers
6k views

How "realistic" is the way of holding star trek phasers?

I've never fired a weapon but the design of Star Trek Phasers looks a little bit strange and uncomfortable to me (not the rifles though). If we account for the no recoil effect of particle weapons ...
Jorge Córdoba's user avatar
41 votes
8 answers
18k views

How could the saucer section of the Enterprise sustain warp velocity without a warp engine?

In the first TNG episode the saucer section is separated at warp speed. But how is that possible? Memory Alpha says that the saucer section quickly loses speed, but wouldn't it just drop out of warp ...
suicide's user avatar
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41 votes
2 answers
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Why is Worf in The Undiscovered Country?

After watching The Undiscovered Country I noticed that the advocate for Kirk and Bones during their trial is none other than Michael Dorn, a.k.a. Worf. During the trial I believe they even call the ...
user avatar
41 votes
6 answers
7k views

Why doesn't the Enterprise use stealth/invisibility technology like the Romulans and Klingons?

The stealth mode of starships plays a huge role in many Star Trek films and episodes and is a strong advantage in combat. I remember an episode revealing that the Federation developed a secret stealth ...
Hauser's user avatar
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41 votes
6 answers
7k views

Could Data pass the Kobayashi Maru?

Would he even be allowed to take the test since he could not feel fear and thus, the ultimate reason for the test would not have any effect on Data?
OghmaOsiris's user avatar
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41 votes
3 answers
6k views

Why didn't Seven of Nine assimilate the Voyager crew when she was separated from the collective?

In the episode Scorpion: Part II Seven of Nine is separated from the collective when Chakotay uses a temporary neural link to sabotage the console she is using, permanently destroying her neural link. ...
Kalamane's user avatar
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41 votes
6 answers
7k views

What's the most recent specific historical element that is common between Star Trek and the real world?

It is well known that there appears to be some divergence between the events of the Star Trek universe and ours (in particular, the Augments and Khan Singh, etc.) Related: Has Star Trek ever ...
ThePopMachine's user avatar
41 votes
5 answers
22k views

Why was there a death penalty for going to Talos IV?

Starfleet General Order 7 prohibits any contact with the planet Talos IV on penalty of execution, and this is apparently the only death penalty in Starfleet (at the time of The Menagerie). But why ...
Ixrec's user avatar
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41 votes
4 answers
21k views

What's the command that Kirk gives when he turns over command?

Which is correct, A or B? As he turns over the command, Kirk says A) 'You have the COM' [as in Command] or B) You have the CONN.' [as in ???] I've always assumed the former, A, is correct, ...
Dr. Ken Saichek's user avatar
41 votes
2 answers
15k views

Why does Worf always lose fights and get beaten by most of his opponents?

Worf is billed as a proud warrior from a mighty warrior race who live for combat and fighting. His toughness and fighting skills are constantly referred to with awe and reverence. However, he's ...
Morgan's user avatar
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41 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why would Troi be allowed to play poker?

Since Deanna Troi can tell when someone is lying, why would she be allowed to join a poker game with the other head officers in their weekly poker game? Wouldn't she always win? Or at least know when ...
OghmaOsiris's user avatar
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41 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is the Klingon Bird of Prey a Canada Goose?

While partly written to celebrate the 150th Birthday of Canada today, what follows is a serious question nonetheless. The Klingon Bird of Prey is one of the iconic ships of Star Trek. In-universe, ...
Praxis's user avatar
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41 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why does the EMH use the computer?

I've started watching Voyager, finally, and I've noticed on more than one occasion, we see the Emergency Medical Holographic program (The Doctor) sitting at the desk in sickbay, working on the ...
Plutor's user avatar
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40 votes
5 answers
10k views

How could Picard take control of the fleet so easily?

In the Battle of the Sector 001, when Picard came to Earth to engage Borg after violating his direct order, he had a special coordinate in mind which could blowout the Borg cube and Starfleet had no ...
user931's user avatar
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40 votes
2 answers
11k views

Source of Scotty's advice on appearing a genius

I vaguely recall a quote from Scotty of Star Trek:TOS where he indicated that it's important to always leave a little extra behind so that you can pull it out at the right moment so that you appear to ...
McArthey's user avatar
  • 519
40 votes
11 answers
11k views

Why aren't there any nebulae in Star Wars?

In Star Trek there are nebulae practically everywhere. I don't remember seeing any in Star Wars though, why is that? Why does Star Trek hog all the nebulae and Star Wars has none? If there actually ...
RedCaio's user avatar
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40 votes
6 answers
8k views

Does Data "unlearn" things?

As we all know, Data has a photographic memory and can consume vast amounts of information. Assuming his capacity to retain knowledge is finite at some point, does Data purge some unneeded information ...
iMerchant's user avatar
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40 votes
5 answers
6k views

Why do the Starfleet cadets get away with assaulting Kirk in a bar without being disciplined?

At the start of the "Lens Flare: the Motion Picture" 2009 "Star Trek" film, Kirk gets into a fight in a bar with a bunch of Star Fleet cadets. He does NOT start the fight (the first punch is thrown by ...
DVK-on-Ahch-To's user avatar
40 votes
6 answers
7k views

Why is Data so "unique", anyway?

Can you explain to me why is Data supposed to be so "unique", with this concept being repeated several times in TNG episodes? Even in TNG, Data seems to me quite an outdated piece of ...
gd1's user avatar
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40 votes
6 answers
9k views

Why does the bridge dim during Red Alert?

I can't recall if this happens in any of the other series, but in Voyager I've noticed that lighting on the bridge (and, perhaps, other parts of the ship as well) dims whenever Red Alert is called. ...
Iszi's user avatar
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40 votes
4 answers
9k views

Why wasn't it possible to completely de-borgify Seven of Nine while it was possible with Captain Picard?

Captain Picard was assimilated by the Borg collective and turned into a drone. When he was freed from it, all traces of Borg hardware were removed from his body and he returned to being a fully-...
Philipp's user avatar
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40 votes
6 answers
5k views

How many different Soong robots were there?

Star Trek TNG's Data was an andriod created by Noonien Soong, who was the Albert Einstein of robots. He was a busy guy and I think I can count about 4 total robots. Does anyone know all of the Data-...
Mark Rogers's user avatar
40 votes
12 answers
22k views

How can the Next Generation's unfamiliarity with the Borg be explained after Archer's encounter?

In Regeneration Starfleet learns about a culture that we (as audience) know as The Borg. According to TNG, the Federation doesn't seem to know anything about these beings when they "first" meet them. ...
bitmask's user avatar
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40 votes
6 answers
17k views

Is Star Trek: Discovery set in the original or the Kelvin timeline?

A few comments I read before Star Trek: Discovery premiered indicated it was part of the original timeline, but after seeing the show I'm not 100% sure: many of the consoles we see here are similar to ...
Thomas's user avatar
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40 votes
7 answers
17k views

Prior to the start of Deep Space 9, why was Garak exiled and left on DS9?

At the start of the show, Garak's been exiled from Cardassian space, and was left on Deep Space 9. I don't think the reason for this exile was ever explained. It seemed to be a genuine exile, and ...
user avatar
40 votes
6 answers
21k views

How could Troi be promoted to Commander so easily, and why didn't La Forge and Data do the test?

In the episode Thine Own Self Deanna Troi decides to participate the Bridge Officer's Test and gets promoted to the rank of a Commander after passing. Dr. Crusher did this before as we learn in that ...
Just A Guest's user avatar
40 votes
1 answer
24k views

Which race in Star Trek universe was the first to invent Warp technology?

Humans look like late member of Warp Drive community. Klingons were capable of interstellar travel from the time of Kahless. Vulcans were in contact with Andorians from ancient times (ST: Enterprise). ...
user931's user avatar
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39 votes
9 answers
9k views

Which actor appears as the most different species in Star Trek?

Highly related: Which actor has portrayed the most distinct roles in the Star Trek universe? The reason I ask this, and the reason it's not a dupe is because if we look at the answer to that question,...
ThePopMachine's user avatar
39 votes
3 answers
8k views

Shakespeare "in the original Klingon"?

In The Undiscovered Country, the Klingons view Shakespeare as one of their own and the Earth versions as adaptations. How on Earth could that be? Shakespeare was certainly human as forehead ridges ...
Valten1992's user avatar
39 votes
5 answers
10k views

From the bridge why can you see another ship in space, shouldn't there be no light?

Sorry if this has been asked before but I searched and was unable to locate an answer. Something that has always bothered me is in Star Trek whenever the Enterprise comes upon another ship in deep ...
ed.hank's user avatar
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