The Phoenix Question?
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| Title: | The Phoenix Question? |
| Creator: | Cynthia Coit |
| Date(s): | 1983 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Topic: | |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Phoenix Question? is a 1983 essay by Cynthia Coit.
It was published in The Council Log #1, a Star Trek zine.
The topic of the essay is: "Are the Kirk and Spock consistent with the T.V. series and movies in their character development in the Phoenix books?"
The "Phoenix books" are Sondra Marshak and Myra Culbreath's pro Trek novels The Price of the Phoenix and The Fate of the Phoenix.
Some Topics Discussed
From the Essay
Are the Kirk and Spock consistent with the T.V. series and movies in their character development in the Phoenix books?
I believe they are indeed. Examples: [many examples from various Star Trek episodes where Spock shows emotion, illogical behavior, empathy, and a willingness to sacrifice himself for others]
Now we shall consider Kirk and his manifestation as James, the Phoenix. The first time I read it I couldn't believe that someone could write it. How could they do that to James? How could James accept a life that was virtual slavery? That was the life the Commander offered him.
Even loving her, he would be at her mercy. She took him as the spoils of war and he didn't even realize it. At least, not right away and perhaps he never did. She knew that he thought she was joking when she referred to him as property and she allowed him that illusion. Kirk has always been practical. When Delia in THE WINK OF AN EYE demonstrated her control over him and his helplessness to resist, he tried to make a deal with her, offering himself if she would let his ship go. James had that same ability to adjust to any situation and try to make the most of it in whatever way he could.
When James offered himself to Omne, for his friends lives, he made Omne understand that he would serve him only as long as his friends lived and only for their sake. So that fits right in with the Kirk personality. How James will deal with him fate as Omne's prisoner would make an interesting final book on the subject. I can't accept his permanent enslavement any more than Spock could. With Omne's abilities I expect him to free himself from exile, with James' persistence, I expect him to escape from Omne. In order to do that he would have to kill Omne. Could he do that? I don't know. In order to remain free, he might be able.