Star Trek 3 Plot: 10 Moral Dilemmas From The Show That Could Be Resurrected

By John K Kirk /

5. Peace At What Cost?

In the episodes €œElan of Troyius€ and €œThe Empath€, we see Star Fleet captains in both generations of Star Trek ready to deliver a free individual into a political marriage to preserve peace between warring planets. Both occasions are somewhat hypocritical in that Star Fleet officers dedicated to preserving the rights of individuals in the Federation should be so willing subjugate these individuals€™ rights, despite being ordered to do so, or even recognizing the inherent customs of other races. If it€™s wrong, it€™s wrong. A further complication in these two episodes is that both captains had personal feelings for the women they were effectively selling into indentured servitude. If these men of such distinctive character can swallow their own personal beliefs to engage in such behaviour, isn€™t it possible that other similar choices might be made in the service of peace in Star Trek III? This is the type of personal scenario that forces the viewer to ask himself if he might make the same decision. Would you willingly part with someone you had personal feelings for if it meant the avoidance of war?