3. Proud Alien Warriors
CBSMankind seems to have a soft spot for groups of burly blokes sitting around in big halls quaffing ale and bragging about how many people they honourably slaughtered before breakfast. The Klingons are undoubtedly the most well-known example of outer-space Vikings; theyve inspired generations of bank managers and geography teachers to spend their weekends scaring the staff of Pizza Hut by trying to slice a stuffed crust with a batleth, but most sci-fi series have warrior cultures of their own. They make for layered and interesting villains whore just as happy fighting alongside you to defeat a greater threat as they are punching your face off because you spilt their grandmothers pint. And yet, for whatever reason, sci-fi writers invariably decide that what wed really like to see is alien warrior political intrigue lots of sneaky chaps running around in the shadows and arranging assassinations and coups in-between writing up the High Councils minutes. These proud fighters are reduced to middle-aged loudmouths who seem to like nothing better than sitting around a table for hours on end arguing which type of floral roundabout would bring the most honour to the local parish. Even if the backstabbing and political shenanigans does end up in a great big fistfight, alien warrior politics is a tedious waste of characters who just arent suited to the role. If youve established that their cultures built around strength and honour, let them fight - preferably without having to file their tax returns first.