Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Section 31.Star Trek: Section 31introduces a new Deltan character, but the bald aliens still can’t catch a break.Star Trek’sfirst made-for-streaming film,Section 31brings back Michelle Yeoh asEmperor Philippa Georgiou, as she gets caught up in a hunt for a dangerous weapon with connections to her past. Georgiou teams up with an eclectic team of Section 31 agents that includes the genetically enhanced leader Alok Sahar (Omari Hardwick), a brilliant Chameloid named Quasi (Sam Richardson), and a captivating Deltan named Melle (Humberly González).
The Deltans were introduced inStar Trek: The Motion PicturethroughLt. Ilia (Persis Khambatta), the navigator aboard the newly retrofitted USS Enterprise. Originally intended to be part of the scrappedStar Trek: Phase IItelevision series,Deltans had extra sensory abilities and a strong sexual attractionthat could be distracting to other humanoids. Over the course ofStar Trek: The Motion Picture,V’Gerabsorbs Ilia and creates a robotic duplicate of her to act as a probe. At the film’s climax, V’Ger merges with Ilia’s former lover,Captain Will Decker (Stephen Collins), bringing a tragic end toStar Trek’sfirst Deltan.
Star Trek’s Deltans Are Still Tragic In Section 31 Movie
Sadly, Section 31’s Melle Didn’t Last Very Long
Star Trek: Section 31introduced Melle as an important member of Alok Sahar’s Alpha Team, but she ultimately gets very little to do before herStar Trekstory is cut tragically short. While Deltans wishing to join Starfleet, like Ilia, had to swear an oath of celibacy, Melle had no such limitations.Her magnetism was to be a vital asset to her team,as she could suitably distract almost anyone. However, Melle does not get much chance to use her abilities beforeSection 31’smysterious villainkills her.
Star Trek: Section 31 Cast & Character Guide
Star Trek: Section 31 introduces a new team of operatives teaming up with Michelle Yeoh’s Emperor Georgiou to save the Federation from a new threat.
As Alok and Section 31 attempt to acquire a weapon known as the Godsend, a masked intruder shows up to steal it. In the ensuing scuffle, Melle takes on the attacker, who quickly vaporizes her with his phaser. WhileMelle’sStar Trek: Section 31deathillustrates the dangerous nature of Alpha Team’s mission, the storyquickly moves on. Like Ilia before her,Melle had the potential to be a fascinating character,butSection 31does not give viewers the chance to get to know her. Despite being the most significant Deltan character since Ilia, Melle does not reveal anything new about the species and continues their tendency toward tragedy.
Why Star Trek Keeps Making Deltans Victims
Star Trek Keeps Killing Off Its Deltan Characters
Lieutenant Ilia and Melle are the most prominent Deltans thatStar Trekhas introduced, but both supporting Deltan characters have met tragic fates. InStar Trek: Picardseason 3,a Vucaln/Deltan hybrid namedLt. T’Veen (Stephanie Czajkowski)served as a science officer aboard the USS Titan-A under the command of Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick). Despite being a bridge officer,T’Veen gets almost no character development before she is killed by the Changeling Vadic(Amanda Plummer).Star Trek: Section 31has another Deltan in weapons dealer Dada Noe (Joe Pingue), who is killed in an explosion while being interrogated by Alok and Emperor Georgiou.
Deltans also appeared inStar Trek: Picardseason 2’s premiere. Surprisingly, none of them died.
It’s unclear whyStar Trekkeeps creating Deltans whose lives end in tragedy, rather than exploring their species further. Perhaps it’s because many of the elements originally intended for the Deltans were later incorporated into the character of Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) and the Betazoids onStar Trek: The Next Generation. Still, Deltans have many attributes that make them unique, andStar Trekcould always add new characteristics to the species. Melle, Ilia, and T’Veen were all characters with great potential, and it’s unfortunate thatStar Trek: Section 31became the latestTrekstory to underuse its Deltan character.
