Why Certain Star Trek Characters Seem Superfluous in Their Demise

Spoiler Alert!

In Strange New Worlds S1 E9, Hemmer's death was seen as a necessary plot advance for introducing Scotty. Unfortunately, this character was just starting to gain some well-deserved recognition.

Additionally, Tasha Yarr's demise in The Next Generation was more about increasing Worf's prominence rather than necessity. She was killed off to promote him into her position as Head of Security, but her character didn't seem to have a significant purpose beyond that.

The Redshirt Paradox

In The Original Series, the concept of redshirts and goldshirts was often used to highlight the vulnerability of anyone not protected by plot armor. However, some instances seemed more about story progress than actual character depth. For example, the young yeoman who had just gotten married and Scotty's nephew, who didn't leave his post in Wrath of Khan.

Convenient Deaths for Plot Advancement

Hemingway's death in Strange New Worlds was indeed a case of convenience. Tasha Yarr's death was also seemingly unnecessary. A more subtle denouement could have preserved her character without the subsequent promotion of Worf. Similarly, Alexander's mother's death in Generations was designed to escalate conflict over the blood honor issue, but it was perhaps too convenient. A different character could have died without disrupting the emotional narrative and plot progression.

Inconsequential Deaths Undermining Character Complexity

There are numerous Star Trek episodes where characters die without adding significant depth to the story or their legacy. For instance, in First Duty, Josh the cadet's death was largely used to advance the plot. Instead of his extensive prosthetics ending his Starfleet career, he could have survived, leading to an ongoing investigation and the exposure of corruption. This would reinforce the theme of loyalty to one's duty even in the face of personal connections.

Another example is Jadzia in Dramatis Personae. Her death was pivotal in advancing the plot and demonstrating the impact of the Dominion War, but a stealthier approach could have kept the character alive. Garak's housekeeper could have been arrested, allowing the storyline about Cardassians re-taking their world from the Dominion to continue with Legat Damar's survival.

Unnecessary Character Deaths for Plot Convenience

In Voyager, the deaths of Seska and Suder in Basics Part 2 were purely for the sake of moving the narrative forward. If Suder had survived his wound, Seska could have been given a choice between leaving Voyager and joining the Kazon with her child or facing expulsion. This would have maintained the storyline's integrity without losing plot momentum.

Characters Dying for Unnecessary Reasons

One of the most criticized examples is Alexander's mother's death in Generations. Her character was killed simply to expedite the plot's progression and create dramatic tension around the blood honor concept. Another instance is Troi and Worf's relationship, which led to Troi's mother's death. This was an unnecessary sacrifice designed to advance the storyline but came at the cost of character believability and emotional engagement. A more skilled narrative could have avoided such sacrifices.

While these deaths may have served to advance the plot, they often detract from the audience's emotional connection with the characters and the overall narrative's richness. It's important for Star Trek to balance story progression with character development to create a more engaging and meaningful experience for viewers.

Conclusion

Character deaths in Star Trek, while often necessary for plot advancement, sometimes serve as an example of sacrificing character depth for story convenience. These deaths can sometimes feel superfluous, making the narrative feel less cohesive and more contrived. By reevaluating the importance of each character's role and how their demise serves the greater good of the storyline, Star Trek could enhance its storytelling and deepen the audience's engagement.