Even on the original series, Kirk left Uhura to deal with Mirror Sulu (and a bridge full of similar types) without assistance; he trusted she could get the job done (even when she originally had doubts). Additionally, in “The Apple,” Chekov’s love interest kicked butt along with the male members of the landing party, so tough females in Trek had its start during the 1960s, so there’s no reason not to see a character along the same lines in the new film.

“In fact, I was giving a nod back to old captains’ seemingly mysoginistic roots. I’m not sure if it was Kirk or Pike who expressed surprise at having a woman for his personal Yeoman”

That was Pike referring to Yeoman Colt.

The problem with claiming that, “the idea that Kirk would rely on a woman or any assistant to kick some alien ass is ridiculous,” is that it displays absolutely no recognition of the fact that we are now in the 21st century, not the 1960s. The legacy of Xena, Buffy, Dark Angel, Alias & Battlestar Galactica has shown us that women can make very succesful action leads and the men really don’t have to cry in a corner about it.

In fact, I was giving a nod back to old captains’ seemingly mysoginistic roots. I’m not sure if it was Kirk or Pike who expressed surprise at having a woman for his personal Yeoman but if she was expected to double as his bodyguard, such comments would seem (slightly) more understandable. And Yeomen are not officers so I’m not suggesting she be made chief of security – just that her phaser be at the ready to do more than make coffee ;-)

People (including Dirk Benedict and myself) expressed reservations when Starbuck was recast as a woman but the character was a revelation. Star Trek has nowhere near the same edge as BSG, which is far too dark and gritty for Trek. However, it’s about time that the producers accepted that this is sci fi and if the sexes aren’t equal by the 23rd century then we might as well stop pretending that the Federation is such a bastion of equality and at least praise the Klingons for their honesty.

More interest in Kirk will increase the chances for a return to this character, in a later era, by Shatner.

In the mirror universe, the Yeoman’s a spymaster/assassin, so Rand’s character kind of adds up to the model of a Hollywood assistant.

Personally, I don’t like the idea of making the Yeoman position a security position. First, it’s cheesy. Second, given the redshirt bloodbaths of the five year mission, it means she’s a pretty crappy boss. Most importantly, the idea that Kirk would rely on a woman or any assistant to kick some alien ass is ridiculous.

Show me a leader that doesn’t have a personal assistant, or six. Kirk is a ladies’ man with a PhD in Astrophysics, so why wouldn’t his beautiful assistant be off-the-charts brilliant as well? If she’s like a Chief of Staff, that would explain how Kirk can focus on the core relationships.

…

Now what about Computer Voice and Chapel?

Rand was not a supporting guest character at all though; she was the female lead. She appeared in the promo shots with Kirk and Spock, she received equal billing with Dr McCoy, and she appeared in 8 out of 12 episodes in the first half of season one. Charlie X was an episode that was actually written for her character, although about half of her other appearances were little more than cameos. Apparently, it should have been Rand, not Uhura on the planet in City on the Edge of Forever but the actress had been fired by then.

I’m so passionate about seeing Rand elevated back to the position she deserved that I was mortified when I saw that she was not even given a part in the revamp. Rand had so much potential to be a good female lead as well as comic relief. I don’t understand the obsession with emphasising the commissioned officers all the time. O’Brien was a non-com and he was a great character; so was Rand.

Bring her back in a ‘Starbuck-style’ revamp and she could become the tough talking a**-kicking blonde that Tasha Yar never was. The franchise needs something like that to correct the imbalance of the sexes. Making Rand more of a physical character is easier to swallow than Uhura who is almost as smart as Scotty and spends much of her time in a chair…

I agree with your comments about the hierarchy. I would add something that you implied: Uhura outranks Chekov, who is basically a boy. My point throughout this thread has just been that, in my humble opinion, I very much hope that this hierarchy is respected. It seems that most people want this, too—though, maybe, it is a bigger issue for me than it is for most others…

This is not a written review. It was an oral interview. And Kevin Smith IS a fan. He just happens to be a ‘fan’ who is in the business. What other point of view do you suggest he was speaking from, if not his own ‘fan’ perspective?

The closest he comes to critiquing the directing is, “Wow, he really did pull it off!”

The rest of his interview is done with a giddy fanboy’s excitement over the acting…

When did you see the movie?