Section 31 Know Why You’re Nervous About the Movie

this week, Star Trek With returns to the world of films A very different spin: Not just in format, the first streaming-exclusive movie the franchise has ever seen, but in perspective, e.g. Section 31 Shining the spotlight on one of the darkest ideas that emerged from TrekIts utopian vision. From the moment it turns on in Deep Space NineSection 31 is considered an insult, not only by the protagonists of this story, but by fans who reject its existence and what it means. Star TrekIdealistic vision of the future. But that’s just the makers and stars behind the new film wanting you to give them more of the benefit of the doubt.

“[Gene] Roddenberry created a universe that was utopian in its ideals. It’s a nice idea, that we’ve overcome things like that — but people need to understand that these things don’t happen without sacrifice,” Rob Kaczynski, who plays the mech-suited Jeff. Section 31The initial group of agents, recently told io9 on Zoom. “You don’t get to the level of the Federation without fighting for equality, generosity, peace, and all those beautiful things. And to fight for it and to get it, you have to fight to keep it.”

Article 31’s existence as an organization within the Federation—almost mythic, ready and willing to break every rule established in its charter to preserve the peace—has always made it a highly controversial part of world-building. The context in which it was first introduced Deep Space NineAs its climactic narrative about the Dominion War (and its outbreak as an existential threat to the Federation not contemplated by Trek Before), for stars like Kaczynski, it’s vital to understand why the idea is so compelling in the first place, even though it’s so hotly contested. Star Trek devotee

“The people of the Federation exist in a bubble of safety and happiness, but there are people outside that realm of the Federation – surrounded by the Dominion, the Founders, the Klingons. [of this era]the [Romulan secret police] Tal Shear, that does not have the same moral relativism that we do. they watched [the Federation] They have been destroyed to fit moral relativism,” argued Kaczynski. “People have to understand why people don’t like the idea [of Section 31]But that didn’t change the perception.”

“The Federation, humanity and all the planets that represent all the other species, strive for the great ideals of who and what we should be… but they don’t just happen by magic,” the actor concluded. “Do you want to expand the universe? Star TrekWhere we can tell the great story of how we got things like the Grand Alliance Treaty [between Starfleet and the Klingons before The Next Generation]Or how can we ever resist such atrocities? Then Article 31 is an important part of that story, and I think we explore that.”

Kaczynski, a shameless Trek The fan himself, can be the most emotional of his colleagues Section 31 stars about the film’s content, but he’s not the only one who sees the dark side of Article 31 as a way to extend the highest ideals. Star Trek. “I think so Section 31 ‘Hey, here’s the reality of a policing group that we need because we have to go back to the belief, and not just the belief but the reality, that there can be equality, that there can be equality.’ Let’s believe again,” Omari Hardwick, who plays Section 31Added team leader Alok. “I believe we’ve really pushed that envelope that way Star Trek Not before. They have other episodes, films within the franchise that have pushed it forward, but I think so Section 31 It gives a very, very aggressive push to that narrative, and I think that’s a good thing.”

“I think a big message of the film is redemption, that even people who have done terrible things have a chance to redeem themselves, to heal and make things right,” said Casey Rohl, who plays Starfleet officer Rachel Garrett. The future captain of enterprise– Seen as c TNG Episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise”—told io9. “It’s something to think about [right now]”

“Section 31 Playing at a really unique time, Casey said,” Hardwick interjected. “We’re in that moment, there’s conflict [in the film] As it relates to that Section 31 and from Star Trek In general we [doing this interview from] The comfort of a hotel, a lot of people asking us great questions, we’re premiering a movie this week—we’re fine, but there’s kids right now finding their own conflict that they’re actually going and seeing in the world. Liberation is their key—you have to figure out how not to throw a stone, because we can all be caught doing what we did wrong. I think this movie really pushes that narrative again, in a beautiful way.”

It just isn’t Section 31 to represent Star Trek From a narrative perspective, but also a tonal one, something that has long been a question of debate in the film legacy of the franchise. “I think if you’re a fan Star TrekYou see the world of the Federation and the world of Starfleet as a world that gravitates towards a very specific vision of Gene Roddenberry’s optimism and very specific rules within Federation space. starring,” Alex Kurtzman, executive producer and Star TrekParamount’s elaborate architect, reflected. “The concept of Article 31 was originally conceived on this Deep Space Nine Suggests that the Federation we know and love cannot exist without those who live in the shadows, who work outside the Federation space, protecting what we all value. Star Trek. It’s a really interesting conversation, because like all things Star TrekIt reflects the conversations we’re having about our real words, and to me that’s what makes it beautiful: it’s a mirror, it holds itself up to our world and asks us to reflect on the lives we’re living and the way we’re living them. doing Section 31 It’s doing just that.”

how about Section 31 Doing it? For Kurtzman, it’s a concept of tone-breaking that many preconceived notions about Star Trek Section 31 itself does as much within the broader fiction. “I believe in takeaways [from the film] It’s a reinforcement of Roddenberry’s essential vision, which to me is the beating heart Star TrekAnd tone is very important to that,” Kurtzman continued. “If we did a dark, just serious, serious Star Trek I think fans would be within their rights to say ‘It’s not Star TrekIt is not Star Trek That I know and love.’

“This movie is funny, and it’s funny, and it’s an adventure and it’s emotional—and it touches on darkness, but I don’t think it’s a dark movie. Our goal was to find a way to address those fans’ concerns as we share them. At the beginning of the film you are told that this story does not exist in Federation space, that you are traveling outside of Federation space to protect the Federation. Hopefully, I think the skeptics will see that we are what they want in the end Trying to do that is to reinforce that essential point of view Star Trek“

Star Trek: Episode 31 Starts streaming on Paramount+ on January 24.

Additional reporting by Cheryl Eddy.

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