Note: This article includes significant plot detail spoilers for Star Trek: Section 31.
Paramount+’s inaugural streaming movie, Star Trek: Section 31, cleverly plays on a well-known gag from Star Trek: The Original Series revolving around Captain James T. Kirk (portrayed by William Shatner) and the USS Enterprise. This film features Michelle Yeoh reprising her role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek: Discovery, as she collaborates with a team of Section 31 agents headed by Alok Sahar (Omar Hardwick).The plot thickens when a mole infiltrates their ranks and sabotages their starship, forcing Sahar and the crew into a derelict space junkyard. Here, Lieutenant Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl), who is destined to captain the USS Enterprise-C, discovers a rusty, blocky vessel that could serve as their new ship.
Section 31’s Quirky Tribute to TOS
From Garbage Scow to the Rescue
Upon losing their starship due to sabotage, it’s the unsightly garbage scow that ultimately becomes critical in saving the United Federation of Planets. Ironically, this vessel embodies the very insult offered by Korax in The Original Series when he refers to the USS Enterprise itself as a “garbage scow.”It’s amusing to witness this underappreciated ship rise to the occasion despite its lacking aesthetics.
Interestingly, the ship showcased in the prelude to Star Trek: Section 31 is not the expected starship but rather this rugged garbage scow, a surprising twist that signals its crucial role in the narrative.
With the stakes soaring as they race against time to prevent a catastrophic threat from falling into enemy hands, the Section 31 team is left with no option but to utilize what they have on hand. Despite its deficiencies, such as unreliable shields and weaponry, this vessel offers a functional tractor beam for gathering refuse. Usage of its hull’s trash to fabricate a makeshift bomb illustrates the ingenuity born of desperation, proving that while it may not resemble the Enterprise, it certainly gets the job done.
Scotty’s Deep Affection for the Enterprise
“It Was A Matter of Pride.”
In the classic episode “The Trouble With Tribbles, ”Scotty finds himself more enraged at the Klingon’s jab about the USS Enterprise being akin to a garbage scow than any disparaging remarks aimed at Captain Kirk himself. He recognizes the Captain’s character, but his emotional attachment to the Enterprise runs deep, having poured hours of effort into its engineering as Chief Engineer. To Scott, a slight against the ship feels like a personal affront.
The subpar state of the actual garbage scow seen in Star Trek: Section 31 further illuminates the gravity of Scotty’s offense. Equating the starship to a barely functional hunk of scrap is not just a critique of Starfleet’s flagship but an implicit attack on Scotty’s esteemed reputation as an engineer. While the garbage scow becomes a makeshift hero in Star Trek: Section 31, it starkly contrasts with what the Enterprise represents to its crew and admirers alike.
For a deeper exploration of this thematic connection, check out the full article here.
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