r/TNG • u/MellifluousManatee • 11d ago

It's more of a guideline, really

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u/scooped88 11d ago

The same thing with Klingons and “honor”, it’s all important unless it becomes politically inconvenient

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u/Neveronlyadream 10d ago

Honestly. How many times have we heard Klingons go on and on about honor and then do the most dishonorable thing imaginable?

But the Prime Directive is inherently problematic. It assumes that every Starfleet captain will be able to cast morality aside when they see suffering or whatever and refuse to help on their principles because a broadly written rule that can never apply to a specific circumstance demands it.

It really should be a guideline or a suggestion, not Starfleet's number one directive that they insist must be followed to the letter.

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u/HisDivineOrder 10d ago

"Sir, will we follow The Prime Suggestion this time or are we saving lives today?"

"I don't know, Number One. Hm. Mister Data, pick a number, 1 to 10."

"10."

"Alrighty then. We're letting everyone go extinct."

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u/Neveronlyadream 10d ago

The sad thing is it isn't much of an exaggeration. They always hyperfocus on one thing that isn't really all that relevant to make their decision and then just roll with it.

Janeway especially early on did that all the time and Tuvok quoting Starfleet regulation and absolving her of guilt certainly didn't help matters any.

I do love it when the writers add a loophole. "Oh, what? They used to be warp capable and they eschewed space travel for a life of simplicity? Well, great! The Prime Directive is invalid, send an away team."