However why Xon? Or extra importantly how Xon? The reply is fairly simple. In 1977, Paramount, Gene Roddenberry, and most of the TOS forged have been within the planning phases of doing a TV sequence commonly known as Star Trek II or Star Trek: Section II. This sequel sequence would have been set aboard the refit USS Enterprise, below the command of Captain James T. Kirk, however with no Spock. Leonard Nimoy declined to be within the sequence for varied causes. In his second memoir, I Am Spock, Nimoy says that Spock’s function on the present felt extra like a number of cameos. In that guide, Nimoy theorized that it was potential he was being supplied a diminished function as a result of his first guide, I Am Not Spock, gave everybody the impression he didn’t actually wish to be related to the function anymore. He additionally felt prefer it was type of an insult. Both manner, he stated no. And so, Roddenberry cooked-up a Spock alternative: Xon.
Xon was to be performed by actor David Gautreaux, who did a number of display screen assessments in costume, and in full Vulcan make-up. In contrast to Spock, who was all about repressing his feelings, the thought behind Xon was that he’d be extra interested by human feelings as a result of he was absolutely Vulcan. On this manner, Xon predicted the story arcs for Information, Seven of 9, and T’Pol. However, in fact, Xon himself by no means really appeared in any model of Star Trek on display screen. When Section II was reworked into Star Trek: The Movement Image, Leonard Nimoy agreed to return as Spock and the character of Xon was eradicated. David Gautreaux was given a small function as a human officer named Commander Department, who, within the film, is the man at Epsilon station giving Starfleet intel about V’Ger. You would possibly bear in mind him because the man who stated the oh-so-famous line, “That’s in Klingon boundaries. Who’re they preventing?” Sure, that is the one that almost changed Spock. That’s Xon.
So, outdoors of a humorous reference, does Decrease Decks really add something to the story of Xon? Nicely, perhaps! If we think about Decrease Decks to be canon — which is pretty easy to do — then how does Mariner know who Xon is? The straightforward reply is that, in some unspecified time in the future in Starfleet historical past, Xon was an actual individual. A listing placard within the Starfleet Academy set in The Wrath of Khan lists the workplaces for a Captain Xon, which appears to point that, even earlier than Decrease Decks, Xon was canon, however within the background. This episode of Decrease Decks is the primary time his identify is spoken. We already know Mariner is one thing of a historical past nerd relating to Starfleet’s colourful previous, so it’s potential that she does know who Xon is, and that his Starfleet profession is tremendous fascinating.
Or. Mariner is conscious that Xon was as soon as certain for greatness, however for no matter purpose, didn’t make the ultimate minimize of his personal life. Both manner, if Decrease Decks decides to carry Xon out within the flesh, will probably be a homecoming for a forgotten Vulcan, 41 years later. Clearly, in cultural reminiscence, Xon has lived lengthy. Whether or not he’s prospered is up for debate.
