Trials in Sci Fi

While browsing the legal news — like you do when you’re a lawyer — I came across this question from the ABA: “What’s your favorite trial scene from a movie?” This got me thinking about trial scenes in science fiction. Sometimes great. More often absurd. Frequently an excuse to release an inexpensive and much maligned “clip show.”

I could write a series of blog entries, each one about a different example. But for now, I’ll stick to the one that for me was the most poignant — the trial of humanity from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Source: CBS, Star Trek: The Next Generation, “Encounter at Farpoint”

On its maiden voyage, the Enterprise encounters Q — an omnipotent (and wonderfully sardonic) being who challenges them to “answer for the multiple and grievous savageries of the species.” If they fail, with a snap of Q’s finger, humans would be relegated to their own solar system. Captain Picard acknowledges humanity’s past crimes, but implores Q to put them to the test now. Through their curiosity, ingenuity, and compassion, the crew discover an unusual life form, save its life, and pass the test.

… that is, until the very last episode of the show, when Q returns and declares: “The trial never ended.” After seven years (or seasons), Q had reached a verdict and found them guilty, meaning “It’s time to put an end to your trek through the stars.” Yet despite Q’s grim pronouncement, Captain Picard and his crew use their thirst for knowledge and powers of exploration to save humanity once again.

As far as depictions of trials go, this one’s pretty bad. But these bookend episodes did showcase the ideals that Gene Roddenberry always espoused: that we should always keep an open mind and strive to better ourselves.

The trial never ends.