Odo’s Ferengi Bias - Thoughts
I know I’m coming late to this whole podcast “thing” (I just aged myself with my opening sentence).
I’ve never listened to a Podcast before, so ipso facto (my feeble attempt to sound smart) I have never written a response to a podcast episode, I apologize ahead of time if I’m doing this wrong.
Since I’m a self identified Trekkie going all the way back to TOS, I definitely enjoy sharing my thoughts and feelings about what I believe is the ultimate world influencing fictional TV show (hence your podcast). I thank you for putting your time, energy, money, and selves into this project and giving others a chance to “Geek/Trek Out” in a meaningful way.
I hope it is okay, but I thought I’d give my thoughts as I listen to your episode. As I was listening the first time I was having this side conversation with myself about what you were sharing. This is a list of my random ramblings.
* LOVE THE SONG!!! The Indigo Girls would be impressed.
* Great summary, . . . , but I still have to watch the DSN episode (“Silver Lining Playbook” reference)
* It is really hard for me to say one show is my favorite. I have favorite episodes, but all the shows add to the overall Star Trek universe. For me, picking only one series is like saying one Kal-toh playing piece is more important than the others. You need all of them.
* I agree DSN having a regular character actually being guilty is more serious, but other major characters have dealt with murder: Data “murdering” Kivas Fagio; Riker accused of killing Dr. Nel Apgar; Kirk accused of killing Finney, and Scotty “killing” three women.
* Thank you for pointing out Spock and Bones constantly fighting arguing and insulting each other all through the movies. In my humble opinion, Bones played an “Archie Bunker” role before “All in the Family”. The insensitive co-worker who learns to respect and care for his “different” coworker to the point they Bones literally saves Spock’s consciousness. They love each other despite either of them ever admitting it.
* It is true that the traveling space ship Trek shows were able to create drama and conflict stories dealing with other beings, but I think TNG dealt with the imperfections of the Federation/Government State with stories denying Data’s sentient status (even trying to take his daughter away (moment of silence for Lal) and the classic episode “The Drumhead” showing the ongoing need of standing up to government overreach in the name of security (see Benjamin Franklin).
* LOVE Quark!!! He could have all my gold pressed latinum (if I had any).
* Um, not that I’m running to the defense of TNG, but Dr. Crusher risked everything to defend the honor of Ferengi scientist Dr. Reyna. The “Suspicions” episode deals head on with systematic Ferengi racism (in this case the term “racism” is used correctly, unlike when it is currently used on Earth since humans biologically belong to the same human race).
* If I may push back a little on the Ferengi racism. You could also claim that the Star Trek universe blatantly conveyed Klingon Racism, Romulan Racism, and Borg Racism. I think the shows explored the dangers of meeting different people and the balance of being welcoming and also cautious. Once you have repeated interactions with the same “race” and each time they try to kill you, than I think being cautious is prudent to survival. I think Star Trek, by showing how easy it is for people of good conscience going from being cautious to acting in prejudicial ways was the goal. “All in the Family” and “Blazing Sadles” were not racist. They presented racism and resist as a cautionary tale. As if saying, “You see how stupid you have to be to be racist. Star Trek showed that even smart people can easily fall into the tar pit of racist thought. You have to present it in order to critique it.
* Was Odo confirming the show’s Ferengi bias or affirming Ferengi culture. By definition Ferengi culture centered around profit. According to Ferengis themselves (self-identifying) it was completely moral to “take” without asking from your mom and family. In fact it would be amoral not to if the opportunity presented itself. From that perspective, Odo was respecting Quark’s Ferengi culture by always assuming he is living his life in a Ferengi moral way. It could be considered human arrogance to treat everyone with human morality. Also Odo had to deal with “racism” himself once it was known that the Changlings were trying to kill humans.
* I think you hit on the key point when you referenced the fact that Odo did the work of completing a complete investigation. He did the work he was supposed to do as an investigator, despite his own biases. Let’s face it, as humans we all have our conscience and unconscious biases. The more work we do to identify our biases and the falicies at their core the better we will be at avoiding making mistakes or being insensitive because of those biases. No one will ever be perfect when it comes to biases, but at least we can face up to our imperfection.
* Law and Order dis . . . , ouch! (jk) The biggest lesson I’ve learned from that show (that I have passed on to my kids) is never talk to investigating police without your lawyer present. Anybody with two brain cells should learn that after watching one episode. Having said that, I have to confess, I am a fan.
* Peace, Justice, Righteousness, Law, Order are all often misused to meet our own personal sense of right and wrong. Was Data justified in pulling the trigger or is that murder? Depends on who you ask. As a society, we have to do the messy work (getting it wrong too many times) of defining that through our Justice system. Did I think O.J. was innocent: NO!! But, many people did. Did I think the police officers who beat up Rodney King were innocent: NO!! But, many people did.
(To be continued)
