There is no shortage of alien species in Star Trek. However, at times a species can lack a certain level of cultural complexity. Alien races in science fiction tend to become singular, monolithic entities without much variation or development outside of the defining features of their species. The Klingons are warriors obsessed with honor and combat, and this is reflected in almost all aspects of them that we see on screen. Everything on Ferenginar, including ideas of the afterlife, are wrapped up in business and the acquisition of profit. The Vulcans are always collected and logical.
Despite this, Star Trek does manage to give its aliens a fair amount of development and worldbuilding to help make them feel more realistic. We learn more about the major players in the Alpha Quadrant and beyond both through storylines featuring them and in how specific characters like Worf grow and develop over time.
This weeks’ poll asks which species you think was the best developed, and which was the most monolithic?
