otto (06/05/82)
One of the more intriguing aspects of STAR TREK II, for me at least, was the new character Mister Saavik, particularly in light of some Trekiana. In the original TV episode of Star Trek (or was it in the pilot that was turned into the two-episode show: Menagerie) the science officer was a woman identified as "Number One." Audience reaction to this character was not positive. She was a hard, efficient person; just right for a science officer, but not easy for the audience to take. As a result there was a quick shifting of roles, with Spock becoming the science officer and Number One becoming Nurse Chapel. Now, in ST II, we have the character of Mister Saavek, a half-Vulcan woman Star Fleet Cadet. In her we see the same sort of conflict we have seen often enough in Spock between emotions and logic, although in her case it seems to be more conflict between correct professionalism on the one hand and human relationships on the other. This conflict is understated in the film, but is evident precisely *because* we have seen the same sort of conflict many times within Spock. What I find intriquing is that the character of Mister Saavek--doesn't this very name help sharpen the feeling of conflict?-- works very well. What accounts for this? and why did Roddenberry & Company choose to try a character type that proved to be a mistake when Star Trek began? I think there are two answers to these questions. The first is that over time Spock has clearly become the sentimental favorite of Trekkies. When Leonard Nimoy's name appears at the beginning of the film, it gets the biggest audience reaction. Of all the characters in Star Trek, Spock seems to most nearly represent those conflicts and tensions we all experience within ourselves. As a result there is a transfer of audience sympathy to a character that is so clearly *like* Spock. Saavek immediately benefits from our knowing Spock so well. The second reason this character works so well, I feel, is that Saavek is truely a modern character. The role of women today (or should I say roles?) is much less clear cut today than it was perceived to be 20 years ago. The question of "how much should women give up of themselves in order to succeed in male-dominated activities" seems to be a pervasive question these days. Saavek, for genetic rather than historical reasons, finds herself dealing with the same or similar conflicts. Thus, audiences today have more sympathy and understanding for Saavek than they evidently had for Number One. I have to admit that of all the elements of ST II, I was most surprised by the introduction of Saavek as a character and my reaction to her. I find myself truely interested in how she will figure in future ST films, and commend Roddenberry & Company for seeking to improve Star Trek by expanding the number of continuing characters we care about. George Otto Bell Labs, Indian Hill ----------------------