It's made clear in the novelization that Deltans produce pheromones that mimic the same type of pheromones in most Federation species, specifically sexual ones. Combine this with the Deltan propensity to have aggressive sex, and less sexually progressive species tend to be overwhelmed by sex with Deltans. At least that's how I remember it.
While TMP does allow freedom of inference, there's still that one scene about "the oath"...
- Thread starter Qonundrum
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*Deltans petition to join the Federation.
Starfleet brass be all like "OOOOH!"
*Klingons declare war with the Federation. Kick its collective ass...
Federation looks for scapegoats...
Starfleet crews be all like "It was the Deltans! All I could think about was [CENSORED] them [CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED]!!!"
Starfleet brass be all like "OOOOH!"
*Klingons declare war with the Federation. Kick its collective ass...
Federation looks for scapegoats...
Starfleet crews be all like "It was the Deltans! All I could think about was [CENSORED] them [CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED]!!!"
Reminds me of one of the jokes in Asimov's treasury of humor, poking fun at the dialect that Tom Wolfe referred to as "Army Creole."
Shortened considerably from the actual joke:
A soldier is describing what happened on his 24-hour pass, narrating the most mundane details to his buddies in intense Army Creole. ". . . then she invited me up to her fuckin' apartment, and we started getting real fuckin' friendly."
"And then what happened?"
"What the fuck do you think happened, you fuckin' idiots? We had sexual intercourse."
Agreed. I was focusing on the question of whether the comment was particularly addressing the oath of celibacy. But, yes, that's exactly what Kirk is doing.
Kirk was addressing a newbie officer who had been called in as a last minute replacement navigator on a high-priority, high-stakes mission. And she'd just taken a potential blow to her confidence by an abrupt change of commanding officer from the one she'd expected. (I just saw the scene again, only minutes ago, in the Director's cut.) I maintain that she made it about her celibacy oath, and given Deltan attitudes about sexuality, it was not likely to have been embarrassing to her. I did misremember the "Take Lt. Ilia in Hand" bit with Sulu as being in the Director's Cut; it's in the network TV cut (the 143-minute version; I checked my VHS tape), and Sulu's not leering: he's staring, and clearly overwhelmed. And the scene covers a lot of backstory.
I'm now watching the corridor scene with Decker and Ilia. I also misremembered how much backstory it covered.
And now, Ilia has anesthetized Chekov with her mind, with Chapel looking on.
I'd forgotten just how good the Director's Cut is. As I recall, even the music editing and the Foley were better than previous editions. Although I still clearly remember just how badly botched the theatrical cut was.
I'm now watching the corridor scene with Decker and Ilia. I also misremembered how much backstory it covered.
And now, Ilia has anesthetized Chekov with her mind, with Chapel looking on.
I'd forgotten just how good the Director's Cut is. As I recall, even the music editing and the Foley were better than previous editions. Although I still clearly remember just how badly botched the theatrical cut was.
Yup. Kirk was far more discreet about it. Iliia probably correctly guessed there was a subtext there, but came right out with it. The involuntary reactions of Chekov, Sulu, etc showed that she was already having a subconscious effect on those around her. This would have been a factor explored more in Phase II, and much better than how Troi was in Season 1 of TNG which deviated towards empathy (hey it wasn't the early 70s anymore) but kept the relationship with the XO. .
Let's not forget the follow up dialogue with Decker, which does provide some context
Decker: "I'm sure the Captain didn't mean anything personal."
Ilia: "I would never take advantage of a sexually immature species. You can assure him that's the truth, can't you?"
The above follow-up dialogue (and Sulu's moment of literal awkwardness) is only in (ironically) the network TV cut.
It's amazing the Decker unit doesn't feature more prominently in that scene.
How is it possibly for Ilai, a OFFICER in Starfleet, not to know that statement is insulting?
"My oath of celibacy is on record Captain. May I assume my duties?"
My take on this is that her clearly and publicly stating this is a requirement. The oath exists for a good reason, or it would not exist.
She was saying it to Decker, someone with whom she has an established and intimate relationship. And the smirk on her face and his reaction indicates that it was a joke intended to reference something about their sexual past. She wasn't saying that to the crew at large.
Yes, because we all know that governments and government agencies never do anything without good reason.
The oath exists because Roddenberry was a pervy perverson.
He was though it was intended that the Deltas had powerful pheromones if not a form of telepathy and the experience was just too much for most humans to handle. At least 'normal' humans, if not the "New Humans" (See more Roddenberry weirdness). The novelizations of Star Trek II and III show that could be used in a similar way to help ease Khan's torture victims and some hint at the larger Deltan society.
Would Ilia's declaration of having taken the oath of celibacy have different impact if she had been wearing the Monster Maroons?
Hmm...
I feel it might, though I am at a loss right now to explain why.
Hmm...
I feel it might, though I am at a loss right now to explain why.
I was wondering how would the whole “oath of celibacy” element would have landed if Ilia had been a MALE character …?
I think it would definitely have been received differently. Instead of potentially being seen as titillating by a large section of the audience, it might have been seen as more creepy than anything? The implication being such a male might be something of a sexual predator?
I’m not saying the reaction should be different depending on the character’s sex, but it would have been interesting if that were reversed.
I think it would definitely have been received differently. Instead of potentially being seen as titillating by a large section of the audience, it might have been seen as more creepy than anything? The implication being such a male might be something of a sexual predator?
I’m not saying the reaction should be different depending on the character’s sex, but it would have been interesting if that were reversed.
Please explain how a character taking an oath of celibacy is also an implication they are a sexual predator.
Well, it’s the implication that without the oath of celibacy the crew would be in some kind of danger?
Which, if I recall, is elaborated on in the novelisation, but isn’t on screen, which is why to most viewers the entire scene is something of a head-scratcher.
Oh, I get it. I do see. If a girl holds herself back, it’s read as a chaste act by general audiences, but if it’s a guy it’s like he’s holding back and is a bit more threatening?
I don’t necessarily agree, but I see your point. Thanks for taking the time to explain.
I agree, I don’t think there should necessarily be a difference. Although the way male vs female sexuality has been handled in the media did make me curious how a male Deltan might be presented. Probably no differently I guess. I was just thinking aloud really. It’s kind of a shame we never properly got to see another Deltan character (and I don’t count Section 31).
I read the TWoK novelisation before seeing TMP, which has really great interactions between the Regulus 1 scientists about the Deltan characters. Betazoids are terrible sketches in crayon compared to the nuanced and fascinating Deltans. I was only 12 when I saw the SLV on TV but I understood the context of the comment thanks to the novel.
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