No matter how many lightyears traveled or the distance displaced from “home, one commonality unites crews throughout Star Trek. The need for connection is deeply rooted in humanity. While this may be true for humans, we also see it in nearly every culture explored in the Star Trek universe. Nearly every type of family unit has been explored, along with their joys and challenges. This is largely responsible for drawing the wonderfully diverse fanbase that the franchise maintains. So let’s explore some tales of Star Trek & Family this Thanksgiving.
Photo Credit: Paramount+.
To be Vulcan and Human
Star Trek began exploring the different facets of the family early on in The Original Series. When a Vulcan delegation arrives on the Enterprise for negotiations, it’s revealed that Ambassador Sarek (Mark Leonard) and his human wife, Amanda (Jane Wyatt), are Spock’s (Leonard Nimoy) parents. Despite the logical, emotion-suppressing nature of Vulcans, Spock seems close to his mother. Being only half-Vulcan, Amanda tries to appeal to Spock’s human side. The relationship between Sarek and Spock however seems strained. Their disconnect is due to Spock’s choice to join Starfleet over the Vulcan Science Academy. In some ways, this on-screen friction ironically mirrored real life. In his book “The Most Human,” Adam Nimoy recounts a turbulent relationship with his father, Leonard, while he played Spock in Star Trek‘s early days.
Spock and Sarek’s conflict is revisited throughout the Original Series. And echoed in Star Trek: The Next Generation (Unification, Parts 1 & 2). Yet, there is a deep father-son bond that reveals itself in time. Just as Adam and Leonard‘s did, reconciling later in life. In Star Trek II: The Search for Spock, Sarek is distraught over the loss of his son, who sacrificed himself to save the Enterprise against Khan (Ricardo Montalban). Sarek begs Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) to pursue the last chance he has of saving his son. And in The Voyage Home, they reconcile their differences. Sarek shows pride in his son, in the most Vulcan way of course. By the time Sarek is on his deathbed in The Next Generation, and despite everything that has ever happened, Sarek admits his love for Spock to Picard (Sir Patrick Stewart).
Picard’s Legacy
Star Trek: The Next Generation truly embraced the concept of family on multiple levels. From the bonds formed between the Enterprise-D’s crew, to the deep family connections branching from every main character, the series took audiences exploring through more than just the stars.
“From being a small child, I can remember being told about the family line. The Picard who fought at Trafalgar. The Picard who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. The Picards who settled the first Martian colonies. And when Robert married and he had a son…”
– Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: Generations)
Captain Picard can be described as many things, as a leader, philosopher, or virtuous man. There is also the side of him that holds a deep connection to history and his family. Being the Captain of the Enterprise came at a high cost to Picard. One he did not recognize until he believed it was too late in life. He gave up the chance of raising a family of his own. In “Samaritan Snare,” (Season 2, Episode 17) while talking to Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) Picard remarks “Wishing for a thing does not make it so… For ambitious Starfleet officers, there are certain costs involved.” Among other reasons, this kept Picard from pursuing the everlasting romantic attraction to Doctor Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden).
Jean-Luc’s ties to family are illustrated in the aptly named TNG episode “Family” (Season 4, Episode 2). Picard returns to Earth to help recover from his assimilation by the Borg. This resonating scene illustrated how important it is to have a family to lean on in challenging times. After repairing their strained brotherly relationship, Robert and his son Renee perished in a fire (Star Trek: Generations). This would eventually lead Jean-Luc to take over the family’s French wine estate as seen in Star Trek: Picard.
Sometimes, a person’s ‘family’ is not dictated by blood alone. The familial connections among the Enterprise-D crew developed over the years on-screen. Picard’s role as Captain further led to a fatherly role among the group. TNG‘s sense of family is further accentuated in Star Trek: Picard. The gang comes together one last time to save the galaxy with their Captain, well, retired Admiral.
The Unexpected
Star Trek has also been superb in showing us so many life lessons – especially, to expect the unexpected. We all have plans for the future, but they can often be altered by unforeseen events.
In Star Trek: Picard we see the Riker/Troi family (Jonathon Frakes and Marina Sirtis) now living on the planet Nepenthe after the loss of their first son, Thad. It is these experiences, both good and bad, that shape a family and its future.
When first introduced to Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, we see the death of his wife Jennifer during the Borg attack on Wolf 359. Now a single father, Sisko takes a command assignment on Deep Space Nine (despite being tempted to resign from Starfleet). It’s through stories like these that we see the resiliency of family.
A Family Far from Home
Speaking of the unexpected, sometimes families develop from the most unconventional of circumstances. Being stranded 70,000 light years from home will bring people together, both for survival and companionship. Star Trek: Voyager not only showed the common sense of ‘family’ among a starship crew but was the perfect example of a blended family. Two crews – Starfleet and Maquis, initially enemies, come together in the combined effort to return home. Mixed into the group is the once-criminal Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill), Delta-Quadrant natives Neelix (Ethan Phillips) and Kes (Jennifer Lien), and eventually the ex-Borg Seven-of-Nine (Jeri Ryan). Despite their histories, relationships form and a close unbreakable bond develops.
Through the series, we see each character develop and understand the true meaning of family, even as they miss their loved ones back in the Alpha Quadrant. Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) guided this family she led across space through all perils and stopped at nothing to protect them. Sometimes, this meant breaking the “rules” a bit, but also showed how the ties of blood are truly thicker than water.
Regardless of one’s walk in life, these integral bonds are seen in both protagonists and antagonists. Many times, fans have seen ‘enemies,’ break the law and moral barriers to protect the ones they love, and to avenge them. Prime examples are L’ak (Elias Toufexis) and Moll (Eve Harlow) in Star Trek: Discovery; Nero (Eric Bana) in 2009’s Star Trek film; and let’s not forget – Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch), in both universes.
An Ever-changing Future
The Star Trek franchise has never been afraid of adapting its vision of the future to meet cultural and societal evolution over its 60-year history. From its role in the civil rights movement to embracing the LGBTQ+ community, Star Trek is a safe space for all. After the franchise’s 15-year hiatus, Star Trek: Discovery was introduced. Like many before it, this series was not afraid to illustrate social change.
Paul Stammets (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) were the first openly gay couple in the franchise. We also saw the relationship between Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) and Gray Tal (Ian Alexander). Star Trek: Picard later showed Seven of Nine’s path after leaving Voyager – leading to a beautiful union with Raffi (Michelle Hurd). This propelled us further into a future of acceptance and diversity, showing that a family’s true foundation is love – a force that should never have boundaries.
The Endless Frontier
There are simply too many examples of family, and its importance through the franchise to list. Star Trek has always explored the human condition – to explore, better ourselves, and to love. Many philosophers would say that to be human is to love, and love is the foundation of any family.
During this holiday season, Trek Central recognizes our family and we are thankful for our followers and fellow fans. Live long and Prosper!
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