cybernetic enhancements in discovery

[pst]

this something i've thought about a bit and wanted everyone's take on proliferation of cybernetically enhanced humans and wearable technology in star trek: discovery.

just off the top we have keyla detmer and her post-shenzhou look (maybe she lost an eye?):

airiam the possibly enhanced human, possibly enhanced alien:

jira narwani's virtual helmet on the shenzhou which also shows up on crew members aboard the de milo and discovery:

the transporter operator's proto-VISOR:

i think this all creates a more realistic, varied universe, but what do we think? makeup department run amuck or does this suggest something new about the people of the 23rd century's relationship to technology that we don't see in any other series?

 

[Nerys Myk]

The latter.
Though we do see tech when needed for a story, Like the sensor web in "Is There No Truth In Beauty".

 

[Tuskin38]

I really like the Proto-Visor. It's familiar, but also looks more 'primitive' because it required an entire head piece.

 

[Turtletrekker]

So many of the above examples are sight-related, and it made me remember that Lorca and Cornwell both inferred that Lorca could have his eyes replaced with cloned implants. Of course, Lorca's excuse for not having it done was fiction. He stated that he wanted to keep his own eyes, when he really just didn't want to clue the Federation doctors on to the one physiological difference between humans and terrans, but the option was available to him.

 

[pst]

oh also, i forgot about mr. troke and troy januzzi from the shenzhou:

according to memory-beta, troke is a tulian -- a cousin species to bolians which has embraced cybernetic enhancement. troke has a "neural coupling" protruding from the back of his head.

it's hard to tell but januzzi is wearing blue contacts in addition to a headpiece, neither of which are present when he shows up in the mirror universe, leading me to believe these are cybernetic enhancements rather than communications equipment.

 

[Phily B]

The visor is really fucking cool, it looks like it could easily be part of Geordi's line of visors.

 

[pst]

The visor is really fucking cool, it looks like it could easily be part of Geordi's line of visors.

i love it, though i know some people will take exception to the fact that it makes geordi's situation a little less unique than we previously assumed.

the prop is clearly trying to reflect laforge's VISOR though:

 

[Michael]

I dunno, it‘s cool that they‘re including a visual reference to Geordie‘s VISOR, but the reflective foil and the diamond pattern make it look kinda cheap.

 

[Awesome Possum]

i love it, though i know some people will take exception to the fact that it makes geordi's situation a little less unique than we previously assumed.

the prop is clearly trying to reflect laforge's VISOR though:

It’s not like Geordi was the first blind person to get some sort of enhancement, we have primitive versions now. He may just have the latest version. It’s really only explained on the show for the sake of the audience.

 

[XCV330]

Would be interesting if they ever explain why Detmer has to wear that implant, and if she just chose to keep it and the different looking eyeball after emergency surgury or if ArcherCare just doesn't foot the bill for better stuff.

 

[BillJ]

i love it, though i know some people will take exception to the fact that it makes geordi's situation a little less unique than we previously assumed.

the prop is clearly trying to reflect laforge's VISOR though:

I really did like this, and dig these kinds of callbacks in small amounts.

 

[pst]

Would be interesting if they ever explain why Detmer has to wear that implant, and if she just chose to keep it and the different looking eyeball after emergency surgury or if ArcherCare just doesn't foot the bill for better stuff.

back in october emily coutts said she didn't know what the story behind the eyepiece is (other than that it was repairing an injury from the battle at the binary stars), and hoped season 2 would shed some light on it. but i feel like she would've said "oh season 2 will explain it" if that was actually happening.

It’s not like Geordi was the first blind person to get some sort of enhancement, we have primitive versions now. He may just have the latest version. It’s really only explained on the show for the sake of the audience.

in "encounter at farpoint" crusher says something like "i'm familiar with your situation" to geordi and the implication is it's a fairly uncommon one, but yeah nothing has ever been definitively stated and it would make sense if there was more than one person in his position over the years.

 

[Michael]

Are we even sure it was supposed to be a vision aid akin to Geordie‘s VISOR? Upon first seeing it I had the impression it may be a tool in use during transporter operations. The way it was shot and kind of highlighted during the beaming of Pike made me think there was a connection.

 

[pst]

Are we even sure it was supposed to be a vision aid akin to Geordie‘s VISOR? Upon first seeing it I had the impression it may be a tool in use during transporter operations. The way it was shot and kind of highlighted during the beaming of Pike made me think there was a connection.

the FX company refers to at as a "visor" on their instagram.

 

[Alan Roi]

i love it, though i know some people will take exception to the fact that it makes geordi's situation a little less unique than we previously assumed.

the prop is clearly trying to reflect laforge's VISOR though:

Well, part laforge, part Borg Queen

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

Would be interesting if they ever explain why Detmer has to wear that implant, and if she just chose to keep it and the different looking eyeball after emergency surgury or if ArcherCare just doesn't foot the bill for better stuff.

It's also possible that these enhancements vs clone implants are of personal choice as well. She could have looked at the holographic example of what her implants would look like and said, 'Holy shit, thats HOT!' because she would not have been wrong.

Or perhaps the clone implants take longer to grow and in the time it would take she had decided that she pulled off the cyborg look very well.

 

[pst]

It's also possible that these enhancements vs clone implants are of personal choice as well. She could have looked at the holographic example of what her implants would look like and said, 'Holy shit, thats HOT!' because she would not have been wrong.

i mean yeah we also don't have to assume that ALL of these implants are medically necessary. maybe detmer's eye was damaged in the battle and she opted to not simply replace but also enhance her eye.

or lt. januzzi's headpiece is a voluntary direct link to the computer or the 23rd century version of the internet or something.

 

[Kor]

While I think such enhancements make for a very interesting concept, and the idea in general makes a lot of sense in contrast with TNG's vehement anti-enhancement/anti-transhumanism stance, in practice I find this stuff to be hideous.

Kor

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

While I think such enhancements make for a very interesting concept, and the idea in general makes a lot of sense in contrast with TNG's vehement anti-enhancement/anti-transhumanism stance, in practice I find this stuff to be hideous.

Kor

As the Dahar Master, that is certainly your right.

 

[Ronald Held]

Her enhancements are mil-spec not civilian grade?