Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxw.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!hao!hplabs!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!houxz!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxw!josie
From: josie@ihuxw.UUCP (Johanna Clementz)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: ST3 (the book) thoughts
Message-ID: <907@ihuxw.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 24-Jun-84 18:20:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxw.907
Posted: Sun Jun 24 18:20:13 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 27-Jun-84 02:41:32 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 78

In response to a recent article requesting reaction
to the novel's love scene between David and Saavik...
I thought it was very well written. It shows that
Saavik has a multitude of strong emotions. We are able 
to get a glimpse of Romulan custom when David finds 
Saavik's "Romulan family mark" branded on her shoulder.
This opens up several possible future stories...
it is stated in the book that Saavik intends to
"death-duel" her Romulan parent - should she have
the misforture of meeting him/her. 
It would be a very interesting note of drama to see
how Saavik would react to the parent. Would she want
to kill? (which would be totally against Mr. Spock's
teaching probably).

In response to the mention of Saavik's knowledge of
Vulcan rituals: I agree that most Vulcan's never discuss
such things, but if so, how did Saavik know what was
happening to Spock when he started to become affected
by the Ponn Far? Even McCoy had to think about it for
awhile before diagnosis in "Amok Time".
In addition, I believe Spock was treated as an
outcast as a child (children can be cruel), but
is accepted fully in Vulcan society as an adult
"You are much known among our people Spock - even as
a legend...": T'pring in "Amok Time". Perhaps Saavik 
has also been accepted.

Another note about the book: Saavik has the ability
to "open her mental shields" in order to sense Spock's
katra. Does Spock have this ability? (to control his
mental shields so completely). In all of the
novels I've read Spock can (effortlessly) "sense"
Kirk's life force, but only because they have a "link"
created from repeated deep mind melds ( remember how
he brought Kirk's memory back after Miramanee's death? )
From what has been written about Saavik, It appears
she may have different talents in this regard - and
more/different control over them. Romulans and Vulcans are
both telepathic races, but perhaps the Romulan
ability/method has developed differently than Vulcan.

Another point I'd like to speculate on is the
importance of Dannan Stuart to the ST universe.
For those of you who have not read the book,
this character is Mr. Scott's neice; Peter's (from ST2)
older sister. She is a "Starfleet pilot" under
Hunter's command. There are several parts in
the book dealing with Mr. Scott's disapproval
of her (from her point of view).  I don't think
the character of Dannan in itself is significant,
but I suspect it may indicate that the 
Excelsior may NOT be a temporary addition.
Possible scenario:
After Kirk "pays the piper" (probably setting it up
to look like he forced the others to help him in order
to get them off the hook). He is demoted to Captain
and given the command of Yet Another experimental
starship design (with turbo-warp or something).
Kirk and his ship will be in constant competition 
with the Excelsior in order to decide the design of 
Starfleet vessels for the next decade. The question
is what of Spock? Will he be able to function as the
Captain of a Starship? Maybe he will request a demotion
to Exec/Science officer in order to stay with Kirk.

The idea of a Federation/Klingon war that was mentioned
in the net sounds exciting. After wrapping up the loose
ends from STIII (such as what will happen to Kirk and
the others officially) we should be able to see some
good space action.
-- 


"I'll be gettin' back to my machines noo"

					Josie Clementz
					ihuxw!josie