From: Fiona Moore nydersdyner@yahoo.co.uk
Not racism, surely? According to the episode "Traitor," there existed the "stock equalization act," a Federation law
An excellent example of how subcanonical interpretations can be confused with the original canon. Nowhere was it said that the SEA was a Federation law. In fact, we get the following:
AVON: That means the Helots are back in the empire. But they aren't the sort to cave in so quickly! It took the Federation years to subdue them on the first expansion.
And then, later:
DAYNA: D'you think I'll pass for a Helot? AVON: No problem. When Helotrix was first settled, the old Stock Equalization Act was still in force. Every Earth race had to be represented.
That is, Federation conquest came after settlement. The implication is that the SEA is not a Federation law at all. Of course, there are several possible interpretations, eg: *Helotrix was settled under the direction of the Federation (and the SEA), declared its independence and was then forcefully subdued. *the SEA was legislated by a precursor of the Federation, but remained on the books when the Federation assumed the reins of power.
But we are not led to believe that the SEA is Federation law, although - as you amply demonstrate - it is possible to make that misconception.
This goes on all the time in fan discussion, which often leads to fans talking at cross purposes. Another possible example (not one I've actually heard raised, but I think it's perfectly possible), this time from Moloch:
GROSE: Energy-mass transmuter. LECTOR: Takes ordinary planetary matter -- usually rock -- and converts it into energy. The computer then restructures it into matter of every kind. SERVALAN: Precious stones? GROSE: Gems, crystals, anything you like, so long as you've got the original pattern to work from.
I can see at least two possible interpretations of Servalan's remark.
1) an ironic comment on the source of the matter used in the EMT (rock, cheap and abundant, suddenly becomes a valuable resource) 2) she sees the EMT as a possible source of unlimited free jewellery.
I would go for the first, others might opt for the second. It's a while since I've watched this (or any) episode, but I'm very certain that I've never heard the '?' in her remark; that - to me - has been put there by whoever wrote up the transcript (culled here from Judith's website, I think). Which suggests that that person is interpreting her remark as the second of the two possibilities mentioned above. Grose's reply certainly suggests, very strongly, that he is doing so (but that doesn't mean that he has heard her correctly). What I hear is:
LECTOR: Takes ordinary planetary matter -- usually rock -- and converts it into energy. The computer then restructures it into matter of every kind. SERVALAN (musing quietly): Precious stones... GROSE (only half listening): Gems, crystals, anything you like, so long as you've got the original pattern to work from.
Which interpretation you go for does have very real if minor implications on an understanding of Servalan (which in turn might affect your choice of interpretation), viz:
1) ironic musing = Servalan as intelligent, quick-thinking stateswoman, constantly open to consideration of the social or economic implications of anything new. 2) free frippery = Servalan as vain, selfish megalomaniac, pursuing power for her own flagrant self-gratification.
Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive. She can be both, but your interpretation of her 'precious stone' comment might (a) swing you closer to one reading of Servalan than the other, or (b) reinforce a prior reading of Servalan developed through earlier episodes, or (c) run counter to such a prior reading and cause you to revise your impressions of her character.
All that from two words in a generally neglected episode! If we posit that such multiple readings are found throughout the series, acting on each other within the mind of every fan, then it becomes inevitable that a plethora of altercanonical readings will develop, not all of them in agreement with each other. Fans are more or less doomed to be talking at cross purposes to each other, with ensuing misunderstandings. And arguments. Arguments about the canonicity of slash, for example.
ObOT: I have never heard of a penguin eating ice cream.
Neil