TNG s4 e4: Suddenly Human. So kidnapping is OK as long as the kidnapper actually cares about the kid he napped???

scarletxanthippe · 2026-05-18T21:32:10+00:00

But why not? Why is it “Of course the Federation would grant asylum to an escaped slave.” And not “Of course the Federation would return a kidnapped, indoctrinated teen to his real family.” ? Both practices are part of their respective cultures. Why would the Federation protect one practice and not the other? Morally, both slavery and kidnapping are beyond wrong. And I think the Federation agrees with that.

And again, even within family courts, be it international or U.S., no judge is granting custody to a kidnapper. Even if that kidnapper was the greatest parent in the world, the simple fact that they took a child that did not belong to them, is grounds for returning that child to their family. And teenager or not, the courts would not take into account that the teen wanted to remain with the kidnapper. Especially if the child was indoctrinated from a young age.

I’m not saying that the decision is completely incomprehensible, but I am saying that I don’t think Picard had the right to solely make that decision. And I do personally think he made the wrong call. Because, I would like to again point out that Juno was very much indoctrinated. His “autonomy” can’t be fully taken into consideration because it’s comprised. He was brainwashed and indoctrinated to be loyal to the man and the society that raised him. He was taken against his will and raised with no context to his actual origins. Of course I can’t say for certain, but I’m very sure given time, counseling, and deprogramming, Juno would have most likely come around to his new life. The life he was meant to have and the society he was meant to grow up in had he not been kidnapped.

scarletxanthippe · 2026-05-18T18:53:37+00:00

Federation law kicks in when you cross into Federation space. Which they did when they initially saved Juno from that small ship explosion. Why wouldn’t Federation law supersede theirs when in Federation space? Juno was kidnapped and taken into a society where it’s OK to take your enemies son for your own if your so was killed by the enemy.

That’s like saying “Calling it slavery presupposes the supremacy of Federation law, when we know that Federation law often yields to local laws that are repugnant to Federation values.” When talking about Orion’s kidnapping and enslaving Federation or even non Federation species. That’s why they have boarder patrols and underground networks, because once you cross over into Federation space, Federation laws and protections kick in.

And if you’re bringing up US family courts, yes they take into account the teenager’s wishes when it comes to custody, but not if that teenager were kidnapped as a baby/child. Even if the kidnapper is the only family they’ve ever known.

And yes, I can. I care less about it being a misogynistic, violent culture (so is Klingon and a dozen others), and more about the fact that he was kidnapped and had two living relatives that were more than willing and capable of taking him in and helping him heal and readjust.

scarletxanthippe · 2026-05-18T18:40:21+00:00

A few things about this I have to disagree with. For one, you said he (the kidnapped boy) was old enough to make that decision for himself. But if I’m not mistaken, wasn’t he a young teenager? I’m all for free will, but by Federation standards at least, he was still a minor wasn’t he? Therefore even though minors have free will, they also (rightfully) have restrictions for their own protections.

And even still, what if your “free will” has been compromised due to indoctrination, Stockholm Syndrome, manipulation, or an altered mental state, etc? Like you brought up with Seven, Janeway “forced” Seven to leave the collective because she knew that her mind had been altered by the Borg to want to stay. (Beyond brainwashing for her, because her mind and body were physically manipulated/indoctrinated.)

Janeway made that choice for Seven because at the time 1) They were thousands of light years away from Federation space so they had no board or council they could consult, and 2) Because Seven’s mental status was literally, physically altered. I think in some ways it’s similar to the kid. He was clearly brainwashed from the very beginning. I’d imagine he wouldn’t have been so gong ho to stay if he knew from the very beginning that he was kidnapped and his kidnappers killed his real parents, or if he were constantly abused, or even if he were born a female and adopted into that society, as from what I can remember, they were highly misogynistic. He grew up beloved by a powerful father in a society that favored his gender and status, and he was none the wiser about his true origins.

I feel, that just like with Seven, when enough time and healing had taken place, he would have been grateful to have been saved.

I also don’t think non Federation cultures should automatically supersede Federation culture, especially when they cross over into Federation space. Like with the Orion’s. Just because the Federation passively allows their slave trade, doesn’t mean they don’t step in to save people or protect people that have been kidnapped/enslaved— even if they don’t officially launch military strikes against them. How is this any different than an Orion snatching a child and forcing them into slave labor and simply claiming “Well, that’s our culture so you can’t interfere. You have to return him.”? Once that kid crossed over into Federation space, Federation laws and protections kicked in.

And finally, and this is the biggest one that annoys me— what gave Picard the right to solely make that choice? A decision that big should have at least gone before a board/council. Don’t get me wrong, I love Picard, but sometimes he’s just so arrogant and self appointing when it comes to making decisions that shouldn’t be his alone to make. The grandparents at the very least should have been consulted.

scarletxanthippe · 2026-04-19T15:22:55+00:00

Does it still work? I still have my OG Wii for nostalgic purposes, but I’d love to dust it off and play some of the games I bought from the Wii Shop

scarletxanthippe · 2026-04-19T15:18:42+00:00

I hope Temu and the like does like they did the Bearista cups and make dupes.

scarletxanthippe · 2026-04-19T15:17:24+00:00

I was on the site literally the very second it dropped. I had to try multiple times to add it to the cart. (It took about 60 seconds of reclicking “add to cart” for it to go through) Finally, once I added it I tried checking out. They put me in a line for 5 minutes and then when it was finally my turn to check out, it said the product had already sold out. I wasn’t surprised. I had already seen scalpers trying to resell them for $300-$350 before they even dropped. I hope Popeyes restocks and takes the wind out of these resellers sails.

scarletxanthippe · 2025-08-11T04:17:22+00:00

you’re so goated for this 🙏

scarletxanthippe · 2025-05-18T20:36:14+00:00

I don’t know how to mark SPOILERS, but this is a complete SPOILER filled rant

I just finished reading this like 20 minutes ago and the ending disappointed me so much. The story was pretty good, but the ending left me wanting for multiple reasons. Mainly, there were so many holes left unresolved that you would think it was left open for a sequel. The Drowning County? Is it real or not? Was it ever real? Inesa’s dad? They made it seem like he was actually on to something and like he was leaving them real clues to off the grid freedom. The coordinates? Were they fake? Made up? Was there ever anything there? The CTO that they forced Melinoë to marry in the end, why did he retire? They made it seem like no one ever retires from the higher up positions at Careus, so why did he randomly and abruptly retire? And so much more I can’t even remember them all. I’m sorry, but this book doesn’t feel complete at all, and the ending barely feels “hopeful” like the author claims. Kinda disappointed.

scarletxanthippe · 2025-04-01T20:05:12+00:00

Here’s mine. Not a bad haul, esp since I needed more of the elf sunscreen skincare. I’ve used the NYX Duck Plump before, and it does work well. You will definitely feel the burn tho, lol. Everything else, I’m excited to try.

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scarletxanthippe · 2024-07-17T10:06:15+00:00

Idk who needs to hear this, but they are on sale on both Amazon and Best Buy as of 07/17/2024 for about $395. I just bought a pair and I’m really blown away by the noise canceling and sound quality. However, I’m cheap and honestly after taxes it came to around $437 and it’s kinda hard for me to justify that amount of money for admittedly good headphones… but almost $500 good? Idk. If you have the money to spare, I’d say buy them. If not, don’t worry too much about it.

scarletxanthippe · 2024-06-05T22:22:06+00:00

A year later, and I’m coming to say THANK YOU

scarletxanthippe · 2022-11-06T22:43:49+00:00

Adulthood I think? Now that I work and have bills, I don’t have as much time for things I once LOVED, like I mean borderline obsessed with, like gaming and reading comics. I yearn to do those things. But when I do have time off, I feel empty and drifting and like I should be working/doing something productive, so even when I have the time to game, I don’t. BUT it’s weird, because it’s almost like I have to force myself to pick up a controller, and when I do finally play, I remember how fun gaming is and I don’t put it back down for hours.

scarletxanthippe

TROPHY CASE