Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2022 Blog #34
August 29, 2022
Summer Cinema Scenes in 10 parts
Part 9 “Star Trek Six, The Undiscovered Country”
“All Things Change”
I love the original Star Trek movies but have never been able to fully appreciate the newer ones with a newer cast. I appreciate the original characters far too much to transfer by loyalty to newer actors. My favorite of these original movies is Star Trek Six: The Undiscovered Country.
This movie, produced in 1991, describes the breakup of the Klingon Empire. It seems to be a reflection of the real life breakup of the Soviet Union between 1989-1991. There were many comparisons between the Soviet Union and this movie when it came to theaters. Two themes dominate this movie; all things change and some people live in fear of the future and wish to keep change from happening.
Several warriors from the United Federation of Planets as well as the Klingon Empire do not trust former opponents. The treaties , however flawed, had keep a state of relative peace. There wasn’t friendship between the two sides but there was peace. The political structure gave security to each side but small factions could not imagine the future without these structures, however imperfect they were.
A plot organized by high ranking members of the Federation as well as the Klingons is organized to keep the new promise of peace from ever happening. High placed officials were willing to thwart an unfolding future that they feared.
Captain Spock has been a major player in beginning peace talks between these factions. He is confronted by Lieutenant Valeris who fears the future changes. She asks Captain Spock about artwork in his quarters. He explains that it is a painting of the expulsion of humans from the Garden of Eden. Spock explains that it is a reminder that “all things end.”
Like many of the characters in this movie I don’t like change either. I enjoy stability and yet, change is always inevitable. Spock’s words, “all things end” reverberate for me. Things begin and things end. When new things begin will these things be good or bad? Perhaps they will be both good and bad. Perhaps it is up to us to manage the changes in our lives to ensure that we can find positive outcomes in every change.
All things change. Whether the changes are positive or negative is largely up to us.
All things end https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Op4vc3GBs
Pastor Mark Author 