Warning: Contains spoilers for Star Trek: Defiant #19!
Star Trek is made Section 31 Something even more sinister, put creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision for the future in jeopardy. For 26 years, Section 31 has pushed Roddenberry’s utopian ideals to their extremes. Working in secrecy, Section 31 secures the safety of the Federation – no matter the cost. Now, in Star Trek: Defiant #19, New and disturbing details about the organization are coming to light, showing just how terrible they are.
Section 31 appeared for the first time in an episode called “Inquisition”. It was written by Bradley Thompson and David Weddle.
Star Trek: Defiant #19 was written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Angel Unzueta. Chief O’Brien is working furiously to stop a Romulan invasion, working on a tip from his old friend Doctor Bashir. Bashir comes in and tells O’Brien to stop, and that he (Bashir) was wrong.
Bashir worked on information from Section 31, And a piece of text, made to resemble an official memo to Bashir, threatened O’Brien with indefinite detention and a trip to a “reeducation” center.
The piece ends ambiguously, as its writer challenges Bashir to call his bluff.
Star Trek Section 31, explained
Section 31 has been controversial since its debut over 25 years ago
Section 31, introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Sixth season, became one of the show’s lasting contributions to the overall Trek Myth. A rough equivalent to the Romulan’s Tal Shi’ar, Section 31 regularly employs brutal tactics and lethal force in keeping the Federation safe from harm. Section 31 possess technology beyond that of Starfleet, and their ships regularly use cloaking devices – which are banned under normal circumstances. The agency has since appeared in some form in almost every country Trek show since their first appearance, and will star in their own movie, streaming on Paramount+.
Fans felt the existence of Section 31 was against the humanist and utopian vision Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry mandated for the show.
Section 31 was controversial among Star Trek Fans from the get-go, and remains so to this day. Fans felt the existence of Section 31 was against the humanist and utopian vision Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry mandated for the show. Roddenberry believed that humanity would evolve beyond such duplicative tactics and tricks. He presented himself to Starfleet as a strong moral organization that took each time to the top. in Star Trek: The Next Generation The first season, Wesley Crusher famously declared: “Starfleet doesn’t lie.” However, lies and subterfuge are the basis for the methods of Section 31.
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Section 31’s shady methods include torture and sabotage
Section 31 seems to run counter to Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry’s Hopeful Vision
Section 31’s various appearances in the Star Trek The world has painted a horrifying picture of the agency. Although the full extent of Section 31’s actions over its 300 years of existence may never be fully known, until now they have been blamed for assassinations and acts of sabotage. in Discovery’s Second season, Section 31’s AI control tried to kill all sentient life in the galaxy, and Picard S Season three featured one of the group’s storage facilities, which was a virtual chamber of Star Trek Horrors, including a second, more effective Genesis device and genetically modified changelings.
The piece of text mentions that O’Brien may be shipped off to an unspecified location, for “redaction.” The writer of the piece does not clarify what this means, but the implication is dire for O’Brien. It’s possible he was bluffing, but from what fans have seen of Section 31 so far, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Indefinite containment and conditioning violates many galactic treaties, as well as the utopian ethos of the Federation. It also seemingly violates the utopia Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry envisioned for humanity’s future.
Star Trek: Defiant #19 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!