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T'aral

Galileo 7 Logic

Just got through watching the TOS episode 'Galileo 7'. In the epilogue, the command staff harangues Spock over the fact that he performed what would be considered an 'act of desperation'. Spock responds that his actions were logical.

 

Am I the only one who sees that Spock's actions were, indeed, completely logical?

 

Given: The Enterprise has to be en route to Marcus III.

Given: Sub-space interference preventing sensors/communications.

 

If the Enterprise is still looking back and a flare is fired, there is a possibility of detection.

If the Enterprise is not looking back, there is no possibility of detection.

If no visible action is taken, there is no possibility of detection.

 

The only possibility of detection assumes the Enterprise is still looking AND the flare is fired.

 

THEREFORE: the flare must be fired.

 

It's Totally Logical! Just because a positive outcome is unlikely, that doesn't make it illogical.

 

 

Thoughts?

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I think you missed that they were teasing him.

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You missed my point: they had no right to tease him. What he did was perfect in its logic.

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Going slightly off topic in the topic with regard to: Lieutenant Boma.

 

His reactions were purely emotional (as opposed to Spock's logic) and that's fine as the episode was pretty action and tension packed. I get the fact that Boma was needed as the foil, the one to countermand the logic for the episodic drama.

 

Boma strikes me as the type of officer Calestorm (non-canon example) would not like to have at her back in a Galileo 7 situation. He was combative, questioning Spocks decisions constantly and just didn't deal with the situation very well. Not a very good "field man".

 

In contrast to Doctor McCoy who isn't necessarily a field operative either and always questions Spock (irascible, but with respect) yet recognizes that Spock is in command and McCoy can be trusted to handle things when needed.

 

Just throwing this into the mix.

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People tease without provocation. There is often no logic behind it. To expect there will be is missing the point.

 

Should they have teased Spock about the calls he made? No. They were rooted in logic.

 

So what? Teasing isn't supposed to be logical. That's why it's teasing.

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Captain: have you ever read Dreadnought? Diane Carey didn't miss that particular detail, either.

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Captain: have you ever read Dreadnought? Diane Carey didn't miss that particular detail, either.

 

I have read Dreadnought - a long time ago Doc - and a copy is currently (I think) somewhere in my Twilight Zone of Storage. I honestly don't recall all the aspects of the novel's plot, or if the contents considered Boma/officers not making a good field operative. As you've pointed this out, I may have to go diving for it one day to refresh my memory. I do know Dreadnought was the era of novels (1980's to say early 90's) when the authors were allowed to use non-canon characters and for the most part these were good characters. And Diane Carey is what I consider one of the select "true blue" Star Trek authors as her Trek novels are just so good.

 

And to wing back towards the Spock Logic vs Spock Illogic of the Galileo 7? Yes his actions were ultimately logical, even with the gamble at the end with the last ditch effort with the fuel dump/flare. I'd like to come in from a couple other Galileo 7 angles:

 

1.) Spock did some 'scrambling' throughout the episode as he worked through being in command of the mission; leaders aren't made instantly but there are times a mission leader must learn quickly & on the fly due to circumstances

2.) He adhered at all times to his logic, being true to his overall nature

3.) Logic doesn't necessarily apply to all command situations or decisions, yet it sometimes takes logic to recognize that

4.) The fuel dump was a gamble (a logical gamble?) but it was correct to assume the Enterprise was searching

 

As for the Galileo team teasing Spock? That might be considered a sign of acceptance as their leader.

 

Would I follow Spock on an Away Mission as my Team Leader? Yes I would.

 

Would I be thrilled if Spock assigned me to scout the area as he did Latimer and Gaetano? Probably not, but I signed up to see the galaxy and explore strange new worlds.

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The fuel dump would have been a gamble if there was anything to lose, for the outcomes were as follows:

 

Do not dump the fuel and ignite: burn up in 40 minutes.

Dump the fuel and not be detected: burn up in 10 minutes.

Dump the fuel and be detected: potentially be rescued.

 

The shuttle passengers were essentially dead given their current circumstances - the waiting was all that remained. Providing a signal was the only logical course of action, even if one didn't expect anyone to be watching. Do nothing: you die. Do something: you'll probably die sooner, but you might just live.

 

As for your other comments: they are essentially correct. Logic is a fine tool, but it only functions if the premises are correct. Spock's premises were, in several cases, erroneous.

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The fuel dump would have been a gamble if there was anything to lose, for the outcomes were as follows:

 

Do not dump the fuel and ignite: burn up in 40 minutes.

Dump the fuel and not be detected: burn up in 10 minutes.

Dump the fuel and be detected: potentially be rescued.

 

The shuttle passengers were essentially dead given their current circumstances - the waiting was all that remained. Providing a signal was the only logical course of action, even if one didn't expect anyone to be watching. Do nothing: you die. Do something: you'll probably die sooner, but you might just live.

 

As for your other comments: they are essentially correct. Logic is a fine tool, but it only functions if the premises are correct. Spock's premises were, in several cases, erroneous.

 

And 1st Season TOS was generally more...conducive (?) to command type decisions or situations that showcased how a character might deal with leadership or situations that tested an officer or crewmember..

 

"Balance of Terror" or submarines in space: commander vs commander squaring off in a silent battle. There was also a subplot between two officers showcasing what can be the cold factors of serving in a Fleet/military service. I'm not implying Seasons 2/3 weren't engaging as 2 has what's generally considered some of the best episodes - Amok Time, Mirror Mirror, Journey to Babel, Bread and Circuses - of the series. And we won't go near the infamous "Spocks Brain" of Season 3 (Brain? Brain? What is Brain?!")

 

Season 1 took a more classic approach to captains, commanders, officer conduct, field command/decisions, space military, space opera/science ficton with eps like Galileo 7, Balance, Court Martial. IMO. ;-)

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Even still Spock is the only one they showed growing in his role. Everyone else except Chekov who joined in the middle and Sulu for one episode as a physicist they portrayed as having done that current role at that current rank for years.

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They don't even talk about other assignments they've had, just that Kirk got hazed by Finnegan.

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