Summary
- Lore introduces the gods as “Kardashevs” in
Star Trek
#23, delving into the scientific side of the god-like beings in the universe. - The Kardashev Scale measures a civilization’s energy progress, with god-like beings in
Star Trek
classified as a Type 3 civilization. - Lore exploits the weakness of the gods, humanizing them and showcasing their vulnerability to scientific laws and mortal principles.
Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #23!
Star Trek has at long last unveiled the official “technobabble” term for its god-like beings. Two years ago, IDW revitalized their line of Star Trek comics with a “God War,” that spanned the franchise. The story explores the relationship between humanity and their gods, giving these powerful beings new layers. Now in Star Trek #23, another new wrinkle is introduced: a scientific name for the gods.
Lore’s plan to destroy the universe was likely inspired by CONTROL, Section 31’s original AI that went rogue during
Star Trek: Discovery’s
second season.
Star Trek #23 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens. Lore, Data’s evil brother, has crashed a gathering of the gods at the Pleroma. Lore seeks to become a god himself, and sees the assembled deities as a threat to his agenda.
Shortly after arriving at the Pleroma, Lore addresses the gods as “Kardashevs.”
Star Trek’s God War Was Just the Beginning
The God War Has Spurred Some of Starfleet’s Biggest Technological Breakthroughs
Lore christening the gods “Kardashevs” keeps with the grand themes IDW’s Star Trek line is exploring. The Klingon Emperor Kahless II launches a campaign of genocide against the universe’s god-like beings. Kahless’ actions threatened all reality, but Captain Ben Sisko and a ragtag group of Starfleet officers culled from all iterations of the franchise were successful in stopping him. Instrumental to Sisko’s victory was the mysterious Vulcan T’Lir, revealed to be the last of the Organians. T’Lir’s vast, universal knowledge allowed Sisko and his crew to create new technology capable of working on scales previously unheard of.
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A Quick Reference Guide to the Kardashev Scale |
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Type |
Source of Energy |
Notes |
|
I |
Can harness the energy of an entire planet. |
Can also potentially control natural phenomena. |
|
II |
Can harness the power of a star. |
Usually takes the form of a Dyson Sphere |
|
II |
Can harness the power of an entire galaxy. |
Can also control interstellar phenomena such as black holes. |
|
IV |
Can harness an entire universe. |
Not in Kardashev’s original theory, added later |
T’Lir and their crewmates used the term “Kardashev” often as they frantically worked to stop Kahless. The Kardashev Scale, named for Russian scientist Nikolai Kardashev, measures a civilization’s progress based on how efficiently they process energy. The god-like beings of the Star Trek universe are immensely powerful, and in T’Lir’s estimation, are a Kardashev Type 3 civilization. T’Lir also helped fashion a new warp drive system capable of entering the Pleroma. They dubbed it the “Kardashev Drive” thanks to its ability to process tachyonic energy. The Kardashev Drive was wildly successful, potentially becoming a game-changer.
Star Trek’s Technobabble Applies Even to the Gods
Lore Is Exploiting the Gods’ Weaknesses
The introduction of a scientific name for
Star Trek’s
gods also humanizes these beings, showing them to be ultimately subjected to the same scientific laws and principles mortals are bound by.
Star Trek is known for “techno-babble,” and hanging the word “Kardashev” on the gods is another example of this trend. The introduction of a scientific name for Star Trek’s gods also humanizes these beings, showing them to be ultimately subjected to the same scientific laws and principles mortals are bound by. In his crusade to destroy the gods, Kahless reveals they have a serious weakness, one that Lore is now exploiting. The “Kardashevs” must now work with the same lesser beings they disdain if they wish to survive the horrors Lore is about to visit in the Star Trek universe.
Star Trek #23 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
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Star Trek #24 (2024) |
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