Topic: Saving the Talosians.

[Nemesis]

I've been watching through TOS for the first time in many years and the first time in sequence.  I've made a few notes about various things and was looking at them and realized that the Talosians can be saved.

To review.  The Talosians had a war that forced them underground.  While underground they advanced first technologically then mentally.  By the time of Pike their technology was declining and they could not maintain it (note how when Pike is returned the elevator has still not been repaired).  They knew how in theory but no longer were technologically oriented but were not advanced enough to go to a purely mental form like the Organians.  They needed a servitor race with specific properties that would allow them to be controlled and be able to revitalize the planets surface at the least.  The Federation could do it but would learn things from the Talosions that would destroy the Federation at least and likely take the Talosions down too. 

So how to save them without creating a slave race?  Norman.  The Androids from I Mudd who already know how to terraform worlds and need to serve.

[Lieutenant_Q]

Interesting theory.  I think the one question that would need to be answered is Would Norman (et. al) be susceptible to the Talosian Telepathy?  They established that hatred was key in blocking the telepathy, but they didn't specify if emotions were key to being able to be influenced by the telepathy at all.  Now you can say that it doesn't matter because the Androids wouldn't need to be enslaved so the telepathic influence is unnecessary.  However, I would argue that the telepathic influence is absolutely critical, because should Norman get out of control again, the Talosians would have no defense against them except the power their telepathic illusions give them.

[Tulwar]

I don't think the problem would be that the androids would enslave the Talosians, but they were a threat to the Federation.  The android's programming would have served the Talosians very well.  The problem is that Norman would want to help humanity as well.  Of course, the Federation reprogrammed them.  Other than that, could you imagine giving technology to aliens as powerful as those androids?  The Talosians might live in a dreamworld, but they could reprogram the machines.  Then again, would they care to be enslaved by an alien race with machines that powerful?

[TAnimaL]

Interesting ideas - it's too bad that both the Talosians and the "Normans" got swept under the carpets after the episodes were over. Then again, TOS did that with a few plotlines over the years.

On one hand, the Federation might've recognized that the Talosians could enslave just about anyone if they got off planet, hence the General Order 7. Then again, the Talosians were supposed to have learned that humans hate captivity so much that even if in a  "gilded" cage, they make bad pets.

What did they want Pike for in "The Menagerie?" Was it to relieve his suffering, or did they still want to try mating Vina & Pike somehow?

[Tulwar]

They could have wanted Pike to return for purely sentimental reasons.  Nobody would want to see their favorite pet living in such a miserable condition.

[Nemesis]

The Federation does seem to have "swept under the carpet" various technologies but I'd say it was more because they would unbalance society and politics.  Imagine if the Romulans and Klingons knew the Federation had a new tech source (warp drives the size of walnuts) like the Android planet.  How long before they attacked to acquire the tech or to destroy it before the Federation could integrate it?  If they didn't they would be ceding dominance to the Federation.

As to Pike the Talosians could feel that they owe either him or Vina for their earlier treatment.  They could also be trying to show the Federation their benevolence to reduce the fear of them.

The android's programming would have served the Talosians very well.

Agreed.  The Androids acted to protect people from physical danger which the Talosians would have gone along with quite well perhaps even eagerly.