Star Trek: Section 31 is poised to make its debut on Paramount+ on January 24, 2025, featuring Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh as she reprises her role of Emperor Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek: Discovery. Initially intended as a new series, the project has shifted to become the first Star Trek streaming movie. The recently released trailer for Star Trek: Section 31 showcases Georgiou’s return to a clandestine division within Starfleet, promising a plethora of action, captivating set pieces, and stunning costumes.
This film is set during the often overlooked “Lost Era”in Star Trek history, which spans from the events of Star Trek: Generations in 2293 to the commencement of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 2364. During this period, Starfleet donned the iconic “Monster Maroon”uniform, first introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and used until 2349. Notably, this uniform was worn by Captain Rachel Garrett and her crew aboard the USS Enterprise-C, prominently featured in TNG’s “Yesterday’s Enterprise”.
Section 31 Misses the Mark with Starfleet’s “Lost Era” Uniform
The Disappointment of Section 31: Absence of Iconic Starfleet Uniforms
Even though Star Trek: Section 31 takes place in the early 24th century, the trailer notably omits any reference to the classic “Monster Maroon”Starfleet uniform. This absence suggests that the film may not explore or reimagine the aesthetics of the “Lost Era,”which remains a nearly untouched segment of the Star Trek narrative. Despite being a representation of Starfleet, the younger version of Captain Garrett (played by Kacey Rohl) seems to be donning a different outfit, rather than the traditional TNG Monster Maroon uniform or its earlier variants.
Captain Christopher Pike, portrayed by Anson Mount, donned an alternate timeline variation of the Monster Maroon in the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode titled “A Quality of Mercy,” blending elements from both the original uniforms and those seen in Discovery.
The Lost Era within the Star Trek timeline provides a rich backdrop that begs for further exploration. Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi of Star Trek: Discovery, the aesthetic choices for Section 31 appear to align closely with those of previous Discovery episodes. The opportunity was ripe for delivering a fresh take on Starfleet during this period, much like how Star Trek: Strange New Worlds refreshed the visuals of the 23rd century. However, it seems Star Trek: Section 31 intends to venture into unchartered territory, which might not be as disappointing as it initially appears.
Why Star Trek: Section 31 is Moving Away from TNG’s Starfleet Aesthetic
The Necessity of Non-Standard Attire for Section 31 Agents
The trailer for Star Trek: Section 31 consciously distances itself from the familiar Starfleet look established in Star Trek: The Next Generation, notably illustrated in episodes like “Yesterday’s Enterprise.”The storyline necessitates this divergence, as Starfleet uniforms simply do not fit the covert nature of Section 31’s operations. With Agent Georgiou and her team operating outside of Federation boundaries against unknown threats, adhering to traditional uniforms would betray their mission and affiliations. Even Garrett would appear mismatched in the renowned Monster Maroon uniform typical of the Lost Era.
Despite the lack of iconic uniforms, Star Trek: Section 31 promises to offset potential disappointment through extensive world-building within the early 24th century. By shedding light on the often-explored life beyond the Federation, the film can uncover stories that entwine with Georgiou’s morally ambiguous strategies versus Garrett’s Starfleet principles. In this way, the narrative’s depth surrounding classic Star Trek moral dilemmas could render uniform appearances irrelevant, provided the storytelling resonates effectively.
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