Star Trekfeatures a catalog of alien species, some of which have become go-to examples of creativity in science fiction. Everyone knows the classics, but a ton of lesser-known races slip through the cracks. The Andorians aren’t quite as memorable as the Klingons or the Ferengi, but their look, personality, and history on or off-screen have earned them a fair amount of attention.
One of the big problems with modernStar Trekis its reliance on old concepts. The first few decades of the franchise were marked by constant creativity,which frequently fell flat. Since it always falls back on old ideas, some races bare no resemblance to their first appearances.
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The Andorians were created by screenwriter and producer D. C. Fontana for a 1968 episode ofStar Trek. Fontana is one of the unsung heroes of the early franchise, with many fascinating contributions under her belt across multiple series. Their debut came in “Journey to Babel,” the tenth episode of season two. They wereintroduced alongside the Tellarites. InThe Original Series, Andorians appeared in only four episodes. Members of the species were background elements in the first and fourth feature films, but they didn’t impact the plot. The Andorians were one of many species that didn’t receive the attention they deserved. They gained a bit of prestige inDeep Space Nine, but the Andorians didn’t really hit their stride untilEnterprise.
Enterprise, the sixth seriesin theStar Trekfranchise, was created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. Berman and Braga initially wanted to keep elements ofThe Original Seriesout of the new prequel. The Andorians would’ve been left in the past, but Braga relished the challenge of taking a completely vacant reoccurring species and imbuing them with a new sense of narrative weight. Their blue skin and antennae made them look ridiculous, but it also made including an Andorian in an episode prohibitively expensive. Modern makeup techniques allowed them to make a grand return inEnterprise,and their silly look made them appeal to fans and creators. With more compelling visuals, modern technology, and a fully fleshed-out narrative presence, the Andorians were back in a big way.
The Andorians are a violent, paranoid, andpassionate race of warriorswho have conflicted with the Vulcans for years. Their home is called either Andor or Andoria. It’s a frigid moon that orbits a ringed gas giant. Society on Andoria is almost entirely underground. They use specialized ships to carve the ice and traverse the moon. Andorians typically carry an ice mining tool called an ushaan-tor for two purposes. It’s a helpful device and the weapon of choice for Andorian duels to the death. They’re consistently suspicious people who turn to violence when challenged or afraid. Andorian weapons tend to lack the stun settings of other armaments. They see military service as an honor and confer higher social statusupon those with substantial rank. Andorians don’t discriminate based on sex. Women are expected to fight alongside men and are rewarded with the same societal benefits.
In “Journey to Babel,” Andorians are introduced as straightforward antagonists. The episode is best known for introducing Spock’s dad Sarek. It follows a conference in which representatives of multiple species discuss admitting a new system into the Federation. An Andorian named Thelev attacks thedelegation and the Enterprise. He murders the Tellarite ambassador and frames Sarek for the killing. He then stabs Kirk, but the Captain is able to defeat him and lock him in the Enterprise’s brig. Thelev uses a concealed transceiver to call in an attack from his ship. The Enterprise wins the battle, and Thelev dies of slow-acting poison, revealing the Andorians' scheme as a suicide mission.
Thirty-three years later, the Andorians would be reinvented in “The Andorian Incident.” This episode explores the long war between theAndorians and the Vulcans. Their systems are neighbors, and the Andorians live in constant fear of being invaded. The Andorians believe that a secluded Vulcan meditation retreat is actually a hidden sensor array. When the Enterprise arrives, they find the monastery under attack. The Andorians invade the facility, capture the crew, and torture Captain Archer for information. Archer sincerely proclaims his ignorance, but the Vulcans eventually reveal their deception. The monastery is a cover for surveillance equipment. The Andorians are proven right and sent away with evidence.
Andorians are a compelling race who fascinatingly mirror the Vulcans. Berman and Braga’s efforts to bring a new story to a solid design paid off with some of the better episodes ofEnterprise. Today, they appear frequently on shows likeProdigyandLower Decks. The long history ofStar Trekfeatures tons of alien species that became iconic and even more that faded out of memory. The Andorians are a rare example of a race that was saved by modern innovations.
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