I want to re-watch Trek, but am looking for organize my watch-throughs thematically. I just can´t handle 24-episode seasons. 1
I’m interested to see how TNG handles societal conflict within the framework of externally-mediated diplomacy (a Trek staple), aka negotiations. I’m not looking for EVERY episode with diplomacy in it, just the ones where two or more parties are being mediated by a third party. Episodes with only two parties (First contact stories if it is only Star Fleet and the other civ) do not belong on the list.
The episodes don´t necessarily have to be “formal negotiations,” either. I remember an episode where Ryker negotiated for the rights of males on a planet rather capably using only his winning smile, hairy chest, an ever-abiding curiosity about foreign cultures. Since there were three parties (males, females, and Ryker)², it would go on the list.
Legal disputes handled authoritatively by a court of law (Measure of a Man) would also not be on this list.
Thank you so much!
Footnotes:
- If anyone has a central clearing house for Trek playlists (or their favorite selective playlist) please let me know what it is.
- Actually four parties, if you include the shipwrecked alpha chads.
No case needs to be made. Turn on the nature channel. Violence is the base, default solution. It is the ability to rise above it that sets apart higher-order creatures. We are living in the most privileged age to ever exist if violence feels like some not-yet-tried solution.
That’s quite a simplified view of nature. Many cooperative species, from bees to elephants, build their societies on cooperation. And sometimes they get violent, too, whether internally or externally.
I’d really recommend you read anything about primates by Frans der Waal before basing your worldview on just-so stories.