Summary
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Lore introduces the gods as “Kardasheves” in Star Trek #23, Delving into the scientific side of the god-like beings in the universe.
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The Kardashev Scale measures the energy progress of a civilization, with god-like beings Star Trek Classified as a type 3 civilization.
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Lore exploits the weakness of the gods, humanizing them and showing their vulnerability to scientific laws and mortal principles.
Warning: Contains spoilers for Star Trek #23!
Star Trek Has finally unveiled the official “technobabble” term for its god-like beings. Two years ago, IDW revitalized their line of Star Trek Comics with a “God War,” which spanned the franchise. The story explores the relationship between humanity and their gods, giving the powerful beings new layers. Now in Star Trek #23, another new wrinkle is introduced: a scientific name for the gods.
Lore’s plan to destroy the universe was likely inspired by Control, the original AI of Section 31 who went rogue during Star Trek: Discovery Second season.
Star Trek #23 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens. Lore, Data’s evil brother, has crashed a gathering of the gods in the Pleroma. Lore seeks to become a god himself, and sees the assembled deities as a threat to his agenda.
Shortly after arriving at the Pleroma, Lore addresses the gods as “Kardashevs.”
Star Trek God War is just the beginning
The God War spawned some of Starfleet’s biggest technological breakthroughs
Lore comforting the gods “Cardasheves” continues with the great themes IDW Star Trek Line is exploring. The Klingon Emperor Kahless II launches a campaign of genocide against the universe’s god-like beings. Kahless’ actions threatened all reality, but Captain Ben Sisko and a ragtag group of Starfleet officers collected from all iterations of the franchise succeeded in stopping him. Instrumental to Cisco’s victory was the mysterious Vulcan T’Lir, revealed to be the last of the Organians. T’Lir’s vast, universal knowledge allowed Sisko and his crew to create new technology capable of operating on scales previously unheard of.
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A Quick Reference Guide to the Kardashev Scale |
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Type |
source of energy |
Notes |
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I |
Can harness the energy of an entire planet. |
Can also potentially control natural phenomena. |
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II |
Can use the power of a star. |
Usually takes the form of a Dyson Sphere |
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II |
Can harness the power of an entire galaxy. |
Can also control interstellar phenomena such as black holes. |
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IV |
Can use a whole universe. |
Not in Kardashev’s original theory, added later |
T’Lir and their crews often used the term “Kardashev” as they worked frantically to keep Kahless. The Kardashev Scale, named for Russian scientist Nikolai Kardashev, measures the progress of a civilization based on how efficiently they process energy. The god-like beings of the Star Trek Universes are immensely powerful, and in T’Lir’s estimation, are a Kardashev Type 3 civilization. T’Lir also helped create a new warp drive system capable of entering the pleroma. They dubbed it the “Kardashev Drive” thanks to its ability to process tachyonic energy. The Kardashian Drive was wildly successful, potentially becoming a game-changer.
Star Trek Technobabble applies even to the Gods
Lore is exploiting the weaknesses of Gods
The introduction of a scientific name for Star Trek God also humanizes these beings, showing them to be ultimately subject to the same scientific laws and principles that mortals are bound by.
Star Trek is known for “techno-bubbles,” and hanging the word “Kardashev” on the gods is another example of this trend. The introduction of a scientific name for Star Trek God also humanizes these beings, showing them to be ultimately subject to the same scientific laws and principles that mortals are bound by. In his crusade to destroy the gods, Kahless reveals that they have a serious weakness, one that Lore is now exploiting. The “Cardasheves” must now work with the same lesser beings they cause if they are to survive the horror Lore is about to visit in the Star Trek Universe.
Star Trek #23 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
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Star Trek #24 (2024) |
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