Section 31 Missed Its Prime Opportunity to Grow the Star Trek Universe

Overview

Star Trek: Section 31 prioritizes flashy action and humor over the franchise’s traditional philosophical exploration.
The introduction of Nanokins has potential for deeper themes surrounding communication, identity, and acceptance within the Star Trek universe.
Despite being underutilized in Section 31, Nanokins could evolve into a significant alien race in future narratives.

Star Trek has always been celebrated for its imaginative alien species, from the familiar Vulcans and Klingons to the more bizarre like Medusans and Tellarites. These beings serve as more than mere curiosities; they act as vessels for exploring human society and values.

However, these rich themes are notably absent in the recent feature film, Star Trek: Section 31. This loud and visually extravagant sequel to Star Trek: Discovery follows Philippa Georgiou, portrayed by Michelle Yeoh, a former Empress from the dystopian Mirror Universe, as she leads a team on covert operations. The film favors flippant humor and explosive set pieces over meaningful discourse.

The diverse team features well-known aliens, including a shape-shifting Chameloid and a captivating Deltan. A standout character, Fuzz, initially appears as a Vulcan. However, Fuzz is revealed to be a Nanokin, an original alien species rife with storytelling opportunities—an element that the film fails to explore sufficiently.

Character Analysis: Fuzz in Star Trek: Section 31

Fuzz, voiced by Sven Ruygrok, is characterized by his loud demeanor and nonsensical antics, frequently engaging in absurd confrontations. A pivotal moment occurs when Philippa Georgiou criticizes his behavior for being too un-Vulcan-like. In response, viewers are taken on a visual journey through his throat, leading to the startling revelation of his true form as a member of the microscopic Nanokin race.

Originally envisioned as a full series on Paramount+, Section 31’s concept for the Nanokins may not have been fully realized within its 91-minute runtime. Brief references reveal that Fuzz has a female counterpart named Wisp and mentions having ten children, but substantial details regarding their biology and culture are notably lacking.

The Potential of Nanokins in the Star Trek Universe

Star Trek Section 31 - Fuzz and Georgiou

Some viewers may dismiss Fuzz’s revelation as a cliché, drawing comparisons to films like Men in Black or Meet Dave, where aliens disguise themselves as humans. However, Star Trek has a long history of using its alien characters to delve into complex themes.

The ability of the Nanokins to communicate through physical “conveyances”opens up discussions about identity and appropriation. This aligns with Star Trek’s core mission of exploring communication across cultures, as seen in narratives featuring the iconic communicator badges and beings like Ilya from Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

The potential for thematic exploration continues when considering the implications of the Nanokins—a race that faces misunderstandings due to their unique mode of interaction. Questions arise: How would Starfleet engage with such a species? Would they be willing to undergo transformative measures to understand each other more deeply?

Furthermore, the Nanokins present a unique challenge—a sentient species that some might perceive as a threat, having been likened to a virus by fellow Section 31 character Zeph. Despite any perceived danger, the spirit of Star Trek advocates for acceptance and understanding of all life forms.

Ultimately, aliens in Star Trek serve to mirror and reveal human nature through their interactions. The process of a Nanokin adopting another species’ form necessitates an understanding of that species, potentially uncovering profound insights about their humanity.

Prospects for Nanokins’ Future in Star Trek

Unfortunately, in Section 31, Fuzz’s character primarily serves as a source of humor, lacking depth or introspective moments that might engage viewers on a philosophical level. While this portrayal might leave many fans wishing to never see the Nanokins again, it’s crucial to remember that a single poorly executed story does not define an entire species.

Historical examples like the Ferengi illustrate the potential for character evolution over time. Initially ridiculed in Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Ferengi ultimately transformed into one of the franchise’s most layered and intriguing races through their development in Deep Space Nine.

The Nanokins already display more narrative depth than the Ferengi did in their early appearances. It would be a missed opportunity for the franchise to overlook these compelling aliens based on a lackluster debut in a single film.

Source & Images