S P O I L E R
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On the one hand, I think this story is very well written and definitely
interesting. On the other hand, reading it was extremely difficult for
me. I couldn`t have disagreed more with most of what Spock did. To me,
this was not an admirable, brave, hopeful plan for the future. To me, it
was a disaster and I don`t see this Spock as a hero at all.
Logic can be very dangerous. By just using logic, you can justify
anything. All you have to do is string appropriate arguments together.
It becomes even more dangerous when compassion is sacrificed and
atrocities are seen as a necessary evil for the so-called greater good.
I want to try to summarize bluntly what happened instead of clothing it
as something positive and necessary. Spock became Emperor by becoming a
tyrant himself, using a secret alien device in order to murder whoever
might be a threat silently, suddenly and by pressing buttons, no matter
if there are alternatives or not. People fear him and that includes,
nobody ever challenges him or questions his motives. Spock surrounds
himself with yes-men and -women and that includes his wife who adores
him and sacrifices everything for him willingly. Spock`s father Sarek
voices some arguments but buys Spock`s arguments very quickly. Too
quickly, in my opinion.
Yes, I agree that the Empire will collapse with disastrous consequences
if nothing is done. But, no, I don`t see why this Empire has to be
turned into a republic in haste and be sabotaged, handing the former
Empire over to its enemies.
Whenever you invade a country which has suffered under a brutal tyrant
for a very long time, the following pattern is typical: Old, suppressed
conflicts surface. Without any or insufficient power to replace the
destroyed police and army, anarchy will break out. Power vacuums invite
all kinds of criminals, religious fanatics and terrorists to gain a
foothold. The chaos grows, resentments grow. People leave the country, a
dangerous brain drain occurs.
On the other hand, there are examples in which a regime change takes
place without invading and violent change. It takes much longer. It
takes patience, it also includes setbacks. BUT the end result is a
population that supports this change and although there might still be
problems that need to be worked at, you get much more stability,
prosperity and hope for the future.
With the Empire we are talking about something much worse than a real
life dictatorship. From literally one day to another Spock gave rights
and freedoms back to his subjects but had been working at the same time
to enable his enemies not only to take them away again but do much
worse. What this leader did was a cynical betrayal on an unimaginable
scale! Yes, the Empire would have fallen but would that fall have been
as bad as what Spock deliberately did to his people?
It certainly wouldn`t have happened this quickly. That means, Spock
would have had time to complete the Genesis plan. He would have had time
to establish more than the Vulcan underground movement of touch
telepaths. Spock could have given rights - step by step - to his people
without showing weakness towards his neighbours. Also the Federation in
"our" universe is not without teeth.
Spock could have had the chance to soften the blow of the fall of the
Empire. He could have worked at gaining some measure of respect from his
neighbours. Playing his cards right, he could even have gained allies
eventually. Instead Spock`s hasty dismantling of the Empire`s defenses
and introduced chaos by suddenly granting rights nobody had been used to
for a very long time, his enemies struck at their hated neighbour
without any remorse, any regard for their cultural heritage.
No dictatorship lasts forever, that is true. I am sure, Spock is right
that out of the ashes of his fallen Empire, out of his handiwork people
will rise up and demand freedom. But will this uprising lead to a new
dictatorship or indeed to the Federation Spock had seen?
On top of that this Spock was a coward and selfish. He was prepared to
die childless for his cause and convinced his devoted wife that this was
the only way. Spock must have known from pretty early on that Marlena
wanted children so badly but he didn`t let her go. If he really wanted
to, there is more than one way to fake the death of a child and let him
or her grow up in secret.
It has been a very long time and I don`t remember the stories
surrounding the TOS Mirror Universe very well but I remember that I was
left with the impression that Spock was the only honourable character.
How wrong I was!
Baerbel Haddrell
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