Section 31 (Star Trek)

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Italic title Template:Infobox fictional organisation

In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Section 31 is an autonomous intelligence and defense organization that carries out covert operations for the United Federation of Planets. Created by Ira Steven Behr for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Inquisition", the organization was intended to act as a counterbalance to the utopian portrayal of the Federation.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>

Section 31 settings and characters have appeared in dozens of episodes, novels and comics,<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp including the 2025 television film, Star Trek: Section 31.

ProductionEdit

Ira Steven Behr was inspired by a line of dialogue from Deep Space Nine episode "The Maquis" spoken by Commander Benjamin Sisko: "It's easy to be a saint in paradise." Behr said in the 1999 reference companion to the series, "Why is Earth a paradise in the twenty-fourth century? Well, maybe it's because there's someone watching over it and doing the nasty stuff that no one wants to think about."<ref name=":3" />Template:Rp He expressed an interest of exploring what life was really like for those living the fictional 24th century, saying "Is it this paradise, or are there, as Harold Pinter said, 'Weasels under the coffee table'."

The name, Section 31, is explained in the story as being taken from the Starfleet Charter: Article 14, Section 31. The article, according to agents, allowed for extraordinary measures to be taken in times of extreme threat.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> Such measures included malicious sabotage of enemy installations and technology, biological warfare, and preemptive assassination.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>

According to Ronald D. Moore there was considerable debate on the origin of the organization, in particular on how it was formed and how long ago.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Costume designer Bob Blackman chose the black leather costumes worn by Section 31 agents to appear fascistic.<ref name=":3" />Template:Rp Behr had asked for dark black, severe, hostile looking costumes. In Star Trek: The Human Frontier, Michèle and Duncan Barrett explain that Section 31 agents not wearing Starfleet uniforms or dressing as Federation citizens further enhanced their role as an organization that is not constrained by ethics.<ref name=":0" />

ReceptionEdit

Writer David Weddle said many fans felt Section 31 betrayed the value system intended by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, while others were indifferent or intrigued. "Fans would get into these long ethical and political arguments, really struggling with issues like that, which was great to see."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:Rp Moore replied to criticisms of betrayal saying, "The idea that there's a rogue element within the Federation doing dark deeds outside the normal chain of command is certainly a provocative one."<ref name=":4" />

Actor Jeffrey Combs, who portrayed numerous characters throughout Star Trek, enjoyed the appearances of Section 31, saying the stories "gave everything a real flair."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

CharactersEdit

In order of appearance: Template:Ubl

Actor	Character	First appearance	Notes
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters\|check\|unknown=\|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"\|ignoreblank=y\| 1 \| style }}
William Sadler	Luther Sloan	"Inquisition"	Template:Blist
Star Trek: Enterprise {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters\|check\|unknown=\|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"\|ignoreblank=y\| 1 \| style }}
Dominic Keating	Malcolm Reed	Template:Ubl	Template:Blist
Eric Pierpoint	Harris	"Affliction" ‡	Template:Blist
Star Trek Into Darkness ^κ {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters\|check\|unknown=\|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"\|ignoreblank=y\| 1 \| style }}
Noel Clarke	Thomas Harewood	Template:Blist
Template:Nowrap	John Harrison	Template:Blist
Peter Weller	Alexander Marcus	Template:Blist
Star Trek: Discovery {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters\|check\|unknown=\|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"\|ignoreblank=y\| 1 \| style }}
Shazad Latif	Template:Nowrap	Template:Ubl	Template:Blist
Michelle Yeoh	Philippa Georgiou (alternate)	Template:Ubl	Template:Blist
Jayne Brook	Katrina Cornwell	Template:Ubl	Template:Blist
Alan van Sprang	Leland	Template:Nowrap	Template:Blist
Alan van Sprang	Control (artificial intelligence)	"If Memory Serves"	Template:Blist
Tara Nicodemo	Patar (Vulcan)	"If Memory Serves"	Template:Blist
Sonja Sohn	Template:Nowrap	"The Red Angel"	Template:Blist
Star Trek: Lower Decks {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters\|check\|unknown=\|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"\|ignoreblank=y\| 1 \| style }}
Jack Quaid	William Boimler (transporter duplicate)	Template:Ubl	Template:Blist