Star Trek: TNG's Prime Directive Decision Takes a Kirkian Turn for the Worse
TNG's episode explores the consequences of Kirk's Prime Directive violation, highlighting the dire implications and emphasizing the importance of upholding this crucial Starfleet principle
Summary
The Prime Directive was violated by Admiral Jameson when he made the decision to supply weapons to both parties involved in the conflict on Mordan IV. This unfortunate choice resulted in a devastating civil war that endured for forty years, surpassing the consequences of Captain Kirk's decision in Star Trek: The Original Series.
"Too Short a Season" delves into the repercussions of disregarding the Prime Directive, underscoring the fundamental significance of adhering to Starfleet's cardinal rule. The commitment of Captain Picard to upholding the Prime Directive in Star Trek: The Next Generation serves as a prominent example, underscoring the series' emphasis on diplomacy and the pursuit of peaceful resolutions.
An Admiral in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1 makes a decision even worse than Captain James T. Kirk's in Star Trek: The Original Series. In the TOS season 2 episode, "A Private Little War," Captain Kirk tried his best to uphold the Prime Directive, but sometimes circumstances required a more lenient interpretation of Starfleet's most important rule. While TNG mainly focuses on Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise-D, there are episodes that feature a particular guest star.
In episode 16 of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1, titled "Too Short a Season," Admiral Mark Jameson visits the Enterprise-D to assist in resolving a conflict on the planet Mordan IV. Throughout "Too Short a Season," it is revealed that Admiral Jameson had previously dealt with a similar conflict on the planet 45 years ago. Governor Karnas of Mordan IV specifically requests Jameson's involvement due to their shared past, hoping that Jameson can replicate his previous success. However, the decisions Jameson made in the past now come back to haunt him, as he faces the consequences of his actions.
TNG's Admiral Jameson Made Kirk's Prime Directive Decision In TOS Worse
In the Star Trek episode "A Private Little War," Captain Kirk decides to provide flintlock weapons to a group of settlers on a planet, despite it being a violation of the Prime Directive. He justifies his choice by pointing out that the Klingons had already given similar weapons to their opponents. This interference ultimately leads to a prolonged civil war on the planet.
In another episode called "Too Short a Season," Mark Jameson supplies weapons to Governor Karnas in exchange for the release of hostages. To justify his actions, Jameson also arms the opposing side in the conflict on Mordan IV. Consequently, this decision causes the planet to endure four decades of civil war.
Forty-five years later, Karnas seeks revenge and summons Admiral Jameson. While Jameson is not solely responsible for the situation, he had also lied about the incident in his report to Starfleet. Nevertheless, he was hailed as a hero for rescuing the hostages. Despite showing little remorse for his actions over the years, Admiral Jameson eventually offers himself as a sacrifice to Karnas. Interestingly, rumors suggest that the episode "Too Short a Season" was initially intended to be a sequel to "A Private Little War," exploring the consequences of Kirk's actions. However, William Shatner reportedly declined to reprise his role as Kirk, causing the script to be altered.
TNG Shows What A Mistake Violating The Prime Directive Is
Captain Picard, in Star Trek: The Next Generation, is consistently driven to uphold the Prime Directive and make morally upright choices. Unlike Captain Kirk or Admiral Jameson, he would likely have made different decisions. The episodic nature of TOS and TNG often neglected to explore the consequences of past episodes, but "Too Short a Season" deviated from this pattern by showcasing the aftermath of a decision made years before through the introduction of a guest star. This not only underscores the challenges of being a starship captain but also emphasizes the significance of the Prime Directive.
While there are instances where breaking the Prime Directive becomes necessary, more often than not, it has proven to be a crucial and essential guideline. Kirk's solution in "A Private Little War" and Jameson's even more so were not representative of the typical Star Trek approach. The Prime Directive exists to prevent such circumstances from occurring. Though "Too Short a Season" may not be the series' most compelling episode, it effectively demonstrates the importance of the Prime Directive and accentuates Picard's commendable dedication to following it. With Captain Picard as its focal point, Star Trek: The Next Generation extols diplomacy and peaceful resolutions, reserving forceful action for only the most desperate situations.
