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In stasis. ( “Red Shift” )

Lieutenant Ilia was a Deltan Starfleet officer assigned to the U.S.S. Enterprise as navigator in the 2270s. In 2411, after a mysterious re-appearance, she was taken to Jupiter Station for medical care and study.

History [ | ]

During an encounter with the entity known as V'ger , she was replaced by a nearly identical, albeit artificial version of herself. Researchers on Jupiter Station described Ilia as a "hybrid", a fusion of biological and "very advanced" artificial life. One such researcher reported to Admiral Kathryn Janeway that the probe "made a Soong-type android look crude by comparison".

While aboard Enterprise , this probe served as an "avatar" of V'ger, and would later go on to merge with Commander Will Decker . In an after action report filed by Admiral James T. Kirk , both officers were declared "missing" rather than killed in action. ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

Some time before a Terran Empire attack on Jupiter Station , a comatose Ilia probe teleported onto a Starfleet research station in the Epsilon sector.

Missions involved [ | ]

External links [ | ]

• Ilia at Memory Alpha , the Star Trek Wiki.
• Ilia at Memory Beta , the non-canon Star Trek Wiki.
• 2 Special Requisition Choice Pack - Tier 6 Promotional Ship Choice Pack
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Memory Beta, non-canon Star Trek Wiki

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• Starfleet personnel
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• 2245 births
• 1 Biography
• 2 Alternate events
• 3.1 Appearances
• 3.2 References
• 3.4 Connections
• 3.5 External link

Biography [ ]

Ilia was born on Delta IV in 2245 . Her interests included yoga , swimming , and Deltan philosophy . ( ST video game : Starship Creator )

She had substantial human contact at an early age due to her father's activities as an historian who enjoyed comparing Deltan and Earth civilizations . She came to find space exploration romantic and heroic, contrary to most other Deltans, and resolved to join Starfleet. ( TOS reference : The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

While attending the Delta IV extension campus of Starfleet Academy , she earned fifth-level piloting certifications and premier distinctions in the fields of stellar cartography , navigation , and geology . In 2269 , she earned a doctorate in advanced starship propulsion systems. ( ST video game : Starship Creator )

Ilia met and became involved in a romantic relationship with Willard Decker during his posting to the Federation embassy on Delta IV in the 2260s . ( TOS - Star Trek: Explorer short story : " Explorers of the Storm ", FASA RPG module : Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update )

The relationship came to an end when Decker departed Delta IV without saying goodbye. ( TOS movie : Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

With the rank of lieutenant , Ilia served as navigator aboard the newly refitted USS Enterprise under Rear Admiral James T. Kirk . In 2273 , Ilia was absorbed by V'Ger and listed as missing in action. ( TOS movie , novelization & comic adaptation : Star Trek: The Motion Picture ; TOS comics : " The Motion Picture ", " V'Ger ", " Evolutions ")

Ilia re-materialised 137 years later, in 2410 , apparently having been uplifted with advanced cybernetic augmentation of a kind barely understood by Federation science of the time, but unconscious and in need of medical attention. She was being sought by the Terran Empire of the Mirror Universe , described as "the Emperor's prize". ( STO - Terran Gambit mission : " Red Shift ")

Alternate events [ ]

In the Star Trek: Phase II continuity, Ilia survived her encounter with V'Ger and continued to serve aboard the Enterprise in an alternate version of the events of Captain Kirk 's second five-year mission . ( Phase II episode : " In Thy Image ", TOS - Waypoint comic : " The Fear ")

During this period, in addition to being the ship's navigator , she also served as a counselor , using Deltan techniques to help James T. Kirk deal with his permanent separation from Elsa Kelly . ( Phase II episode : " Tomorrow and the Stars ")

Ilia occasionally also served as a backup science officer . ( Phase II episodes : " Lord Bobby's Obsession ", " To Attain the All ")

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

• TOS movie , novelization & comic adaptation : Star Trek: The Motion Picture
• TOS comic : " Called Home "
• TOS comic : " Dilithium Dilemma "
• FASA RPG module : Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update
• TOS - Waypoint comic : " The Fear "
• STO - Terran Gambit mission : " Red Shift "
• STO - Terran Gambit mission : " Blue Shift "
• STO - Terran Gambit mission : " The Calling "
• TOS - Star Trek: Explorer short story : " Explorers of the Storm "

References [ ]

• TOS novel : Ex Machina
• " In Thy Image "
• " Tomorrow and the Stars "
• " Cassandra "
• " Kitumba "
• " Deadlock "
• " Savage Syndrome "
• " Are Unheard Melodies Sweet? "
• " Devil's Due "
• " Lord Bobby's Obsession "
• " To Attain the All "
• " The Child "

Connections [ ]

External link [ ].

• Ilia article at Memory Alpha , the wiki for canon Star Trek .
• ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 ST video game : Starship Creator
• 1 Achilles class
• 2 Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
• 3 Odyssey class

Ilia (Persis Khambatta)

Character analysis.

Ilia: proving since 1979 that you don't need Rapunzel-like tresses to be totally gorgeous.

Ilia: also proving since 1979 that you can be evaporated, put back together as a sentient android, and still find everlasting love.

What do we talk about when we talk about Ilia ? Well, we'll be talking about the two versions of Ilia.

The first is the real Ilia: the newly hired helms officer of the Enterprise who was once romantically involved with Willard Decker. We don't get to know that girl too much—besides the fact that she must have inspired at least a couple of women to rock the Daddy Warbucks hairstyle.

The Robot Blues

Instead, we spend the bulk of our time with a character we'd like to dub "Robo-Ilia"—an unholy hybrid between a Starfleet officer and living machine. According to her, she was "programmed by V'Ger to observe and record the normal functioning of the carbon-based units infesting U.S.S. Enterprise ."

In fact, she's the one who reveals V'Ger's name.

The crew attempts to reawaken the real Ilia within this android by showing her things from her past life, like the games and clothes she used to enjoy. This will usually work for a second or two, but she inevitably slips right back into being a mechanical zombie. Decker in particular is hurt by this. He clearly still has feelings for his ex-bae.

Peeking to the Surface

Interestingly, however, Robo-Ilia seems to have some residual feelings too. We can see this most notably in the fact that she refers to Decker by his actual name from the get-go, rather than stylizing it as "Decker-Unit" like she does with everyone else on the crew.

We'd argue that this connection is the real reason why V'Ger chooses to merge with Decker. After all, it's been struggling to figure out these weird human emotions, and now it's been struck by the most powerful one of all—love. D'aww.

In this way, we can take small comfort knowing that Ilia and Decker's connection still lives on strong, even if their physical bodies might not.

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W hy's T his F unny?

• Full Name: Ilia
• Species: Deltan
• Gender: Female
• Father: Kham'lia
• Student, Nehru University, India, Earth (TOS Novel: Ex Machina )
• By September 2273: Lieutenant, alpha shift navigator, Starfleet ; USS Enterprise ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )
• September 30, 2273: Dematerialization and later reincorporation by V'Ger ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )
• Became a portion of the gestalt being known as the Voyager ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture ; TOS Novel: Ex Machina ; TNG Novel: The Buried Age )
• Starfleet members

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Picard Season 3 Calls Back to Star Trek: The Motion Picture in One Unexpected Way

Deltans have popped up several times since we first met Ilia in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, but Picard gives us a unique update on the elusive race.

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This Star Trek: Picard article contains spoilers.

Only two episodes in, it’s clear that season three of Star Trek: Picard has a lot more on its mind than just bringing back the crew from The Next Generation . Already, we’ve seen callbacks to not only Deep Space Nine and Enterprise but to the movies starring The Original Series cast, including the boatswain’s whistle from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and a surprise twist very reminiscent of The Wrath of Khan .

So it’s no surprise that the series would give some love to the first movie in the franchise. Released in 1979, after the success of Star Wars convinced studio execs that Gene Rodenberry’s long in gestation TOS follow-up should be a movie instead of the TV series Star Trek: Phase II , Star Trek: The Motion Picture remains a controversial entry in the franchise . For some, it’s a pure distillation of what the series did best, humanist exploration and a celebration of the wonder of discovery. For others, it’s “the motionless picture,” a plodding and indulgent embrace of the series’ worst impulses.

Whatever your thoughts on the movie, most agree that it had some memorable imagery, and not just the oh-so-comfy space pajamas worn by the Enterprise crew. The movie featured Persis Khambatta as Ilia, a Deltan Starfleet officer who becomes the vessel of the V’Ger probe. With her bald head and shifting mannerisms, from warm and open to cold and machine-like, Ilia/V’Ger was a standout from the film.

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So strong is the shadow cast by Ilia that when Lt. T’Veen was spied on the bridge of the new USS Titan in Star Trek: Picard , her bald head immediately brought to mind the Deltans, despite her clearly Vulcan features. T’Veen’s actor Stephanie Czajkowski told Cinemablend that the similarity is no accident. In fact, Czajkowski envisioned her science officer as a Vulcan who also had a Deltan lineage.

Starting from the position that a bald Vulcan would be interesting, Czajkowski wondered, “What happens if she has a little Deltan in her? What does that do in terms of scientific acuity?” Where logic drives Vulcans, Deltans embrace sensuality (which is why they swear a vow of celibacy when joining Starfleet, to avoid distracting others). The combination makes T’Veen an interesting character. “[I]f you throw a little Deltan spice [into a Vulcan], their senses are really on high alert all the way through,” explained Czajkowski. “But also, they can process information so much faster than a human can. So I think, for all of those reasons, she was very, very, much wanted.”

As far as showrunner Terry Matalas, the unique backstory Czajkowski formed for her character totally works. Says Czajkowski, “I was like, ‘Hey, I have a feeling when this comes out and people see this head it’s going to be striking. What’s the story? I think it’s this, are you cool with that?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, dude, yeah, I’m fine.’ So we said she’s a quarter Deltan. Her grandma’s Deltan.”

T’Veen isn’t the first Deltan (or partial Deltan) we’ve seen since 1979. Members of the race have served as crewmen on Federation ships in several of the movies, and season two of Picard began with Soji and Jurarti meeting with Deltans. But they’ve been largely underutilized, perhaps because planned storylines for Ilia’s character in Star Trek: Phase II were given to Deanna Troi, with Betazoids taking the place of Deltans.

But if indeed Picard season 3 isn’t the final frontier for these characters, maybe we’ll get to see more of T’Veen and her Deltan relations in the future. The series is airing now on Paramount+.

Joe George | @jageorgeii

Joe George’s writing has appeared at Slate, Polygon, Tor.com, and elsewhere!

• Edit source

Lieutenant Ilia was a Deltan Starfleet officer aboard the refit USS Enterprise .

Before being assigned to the Enterprise , Ilia served aboard the USS Saladin from 2268 - 2272 , after her relationship with Will Decker ended. ( Starship Saladin )

External links [ ]

• Ilia article at Memory Alpha , the canon Star Trek wiki.
• Ilia article at Memory Beta , the non-canon Star Trek wiki.

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Published Jun 21, 2014

The Motion Picture, A Convention and Persis Khambatta

StarTrek.com

Do you remember where you were when you first saw Star Trek: The Motion Picture ?

I’ll pause for a paragraph while you reflect.

I scurried to a theater in my then-Pennsylvania locale to see it in December, 1979. Considering the moviemaker behind the camera -- Robert Wise, director of The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Andromeda Strain, The Body Snatcher and Run Silent, Run Deep , whose career ignited when, as a young film editor, he edited Citizen Kane -- ST:TMP is a lesser effort. But I still enjoyed the movie. It was awe-inspiring to watch Scotty unveil the new Enterprise to Jerry Goldsmith’s fabulous musical score (so good it was later resurrected for The Next Generation ). I loved seeing The Original Series crew again, albeit in those silly modern uniforms. And then there was Persis Khambatta, strikingly beautiful as the bald alien Lt. Ilia.

Khambatta was a former Miss India and a model-turned-actress when she got her big break as Ilia, the Deltan navigator and love interest to Captain Will Decker (Stephen Collins). Her other major movie roles came in Nighthawks (a surprisingly good thriller) and Megaforce (a startlingly mediocre adventure that, bizarrely, landed the cover of Starlog . Not my fault! I didn’t work there then!). Alas, Khambatta’s acting career soon stalled.

My one encounter with her came at a Trek convention in a New Jersey suburb a few years before her August, 1998 death. It was not a particularly good con -- being the maiden effort of a new con organizer. Reportedly, he took out a loan on his house and used up his savings to finance the con (guest fees, travel expenses, food, hotel rooms, ballroom rent, insurance, advertising, etc.). The hotel selected was under renovation (perhaps this made the facilities cheaper?). Construction detritus, scaffolding, plastic wrap and baseboard littered the ground floor. The smell of new paint and sawdust haunted the air. Unfortunately, the whole lobby area and surrounding hallways were not an inviting environment for an all-new convention.

Having guested at numerous cons; I had some sense of what worked (and what didn’t). Like other newcomers to the con game, this well-intentioned guy had booked a problematic guest line-up. Back then, you really needed a headliner, which meant one of 20 people (Gene Roddenberry and the regular casts of TOS and TNG ; I think this was pre- Deep Space Nine ). Episodic guest stars were fine as secondary con guests with Trek novelists, comic book people and writers comprising tertiary guests, extra added attractions that weren’t going to draw many (any?) more attendees to the event.

However, the line-up here was Mark Lenard (Spock’s Vulcan dad), Tony Todd (Worf’s Klingon brother, Candyman and later an eerie figure in the Final Destination flicks), Persis Khambatta, Arne Starr (inker of DC Comics’ Star Trek title) and me. I liked Lenard enormously and he was so beloved by fans that he could be regarded as a headliner -- but certainly not at this con, because, due to scheduling conflicts, he couldn’t be there on Saturday, the big day. Lenard would only appear Sunday. Todd and Khambatta hadn’t done many (any?) cons at the time. Starr and I were just window dressing. We didn’t really count.

Saturday arrived and the event opened and -- crickets! The place was a desert. There weren’t many people, maybe 100 tops. The dealers were unhappy. Few fans, and they weren’t buying much merchandise! Ticket revenue wasn’t going to cover the guests’ travel, much less other expenses.

So, what went wrong? Well, as I suggested, the guest line-up might be partially to blame. But there was also the hotel’s "under construction" state, inadequate advertising and promotion, potential oversaturation in the Philadelphia marketplace (which already boasted several SF and comics cons annually) and competition from local "mundane" attractions (like sporting events and concerts). I don’t recall the weather, but that too can be a crucial factor. Heavy rain, unexpected snowfall or perfect, beautiful outdoor weather can, naturally, depress indoor attendance.

Whatever the reason, it was clear that the beleagured organizer couldn’t indulge in the convention tradition of taking the guests out to a nice dinner Saturday night. So, as to not increase his expenses, I volunteered the Starlog Company card ("Don’t leave con without it!") and ushered Starr, Todd, Todd’s lady friend and Khambatta (sporting luxurious hair) to a nearby restaurant.

At the time, restaurants in New Jersey still offered Smoking sections. As a lifelong non-smoker, I avoided those areas, but over the years, I got accustomed to the ash. Family members, office-mates, roommates, friends and fraternity brothers all lit up (but almost all eventually quit). I didn’t much like it, but I wasn’t militant regarding tobacco hate.

But, here we were, at the reception area with ex-beauty queen Khambatta standing there, a pack of cigarettes and lighter in hand. Did I mention she still looked... "smokin’ hot?"

The hostess asked me, "Smoking or No Smoking?"

And I looked at Khambatta, this strikingly beautiful woman who -- I was certain -- wanted to smoke. I couldn’t be rude enough (although I was playing ad hoc host and Starlog was picking up the tab) to insist on the healthy option, could I? She smiled and I folded. "Smoking please," I said. Proving only that a lonely fanboy will always let a lovely woman get what she wants -- even if it’s harmful to everyone’s health.

So, we all dined. The only conversation topic I recall is Trek conventions. Mostly, Khambatta didn’t seem very happy that night. I don’t know why. But she smoked and smoked and smoked. I remember that.

David McDonnell, "the maitre’d of the science fiction universe," has dished up coverage of pop culture for more than three decades. Beginning his professional career in 1975 with the weekly "Media Report" news column in The Comic Buyers’ Guide, he joined Jim Steranko’s Mediascene Prevue in 1980. After 31 months as Starlog’s Managing Editor (beginning in October 1982), he became that pioneering SF magazine’s longtime Editor (1985-2009). He also served as Editor of its sister publications Comics Scene, Fangoria and Fantasy Worlds. At the same time, he edited numerous licensed movie one-shots (Star Trek and James Bond films, Aliens, Willow, etc.) and three ongoing official magazine series devoted to Trek TV sagas (The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager). He apparently still holds this galaxy’s record for editing more magazine pieces about Star Trek in total than any other individual, human or alien.

Copyright 2014 David McDonnell

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Scenes Cut from Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Several scenes shot for Star Trek: The Motion Picture never made it into the theatrical release of the film.

Uhura’s loyalty

After Kirk leaves the bridge for his confrontation with Decker, there is a brief scene involving Uhura, Sulu and an alien ensign played by Billy Van Zandt. When Van Zandt’s character questions Kirk’s takeover, Uhura says, “Our chances of coming back from this mission in one piece may have just doubled.”

The scene is restored in the Special Longer Version from 1983 (not to be confused with the 2001 Director’s Edition ).

Scenes with Ilia

When Uhura first hears that Lieutenant Ilia is Deltan, she expresses surprise, leading Kirk to respond that the Deltans are so good at their job that “there are no finer navigators in Starfleet, commander.”

Ilia was the source of other comments, some of which are included in the Special Longer Version .

Sulu, upon being told by Decker to “take Lieutenant Ilia in hand,” acts like a schoolboy attempting to show Ilia the navigation console (with which she is quite familiar). This was meant to demonstrate the effect Deltan women have on human men.

When Decker questions his Deltan friend, she responds by assuring him that she “would never take advantage of a sexually immature species.” This exchange is present in the 1983 version.

McCoy beams aboard

Restored in The Director’s Edition is McCoy’s full entrance, including an unnamed yeoman’s observation that “he insisted we go first, sir. Said something about first seeing how it scrambled our molecules.”

The original plan was to beam McCoy up while carrying a riding crop, indicating that he had been snatched by some Federation transporter without a moment’s notice.

Just after McCoy’s line about how engineers love to change things, in an unrestored cut, Kirk gazes after the retreating doctor, goes to the wall intercom and announces, “All decks, this is the captain. Prepare for immediate departure.” Had this scene remained as it was, it would have reduced the risk of McCoy’s line being cut, as it accidentally was in many prints of the film.

Also present in the longer version is Ilia’s concern after Kirk summons Decker to his cabin. As Sulu introduces new figures into his console, he must gently remind Ilia to listen to him. After he finishes speaking, Ilia again stares at the door, which leads neatly into the scene in Kirk’s quarters.

McCoy-Spock tension

Some cuts were made to improve McCoy’s disposition. For example, after Spock comes aboard the Enterprise and is welcomed by Kirk, McCoy observes, “Never look a gift Vulcan in the ears, Jim.”

Spock must have known what attitude to expect from his old friend because, before the exchange in the officers’ lounge, he asks Kirk, “Sir, I would appreciate Dr McCoy absenting himself from this interview.” Remaining at the conversation, McCoy causes Spock to show a certain irritation, at which point McCoy seriously observes, “If you achieve perfect logic, Spock, you’ll pay a price. It’s given your planet ten thousand years of peace but no poetry’s been written since then, no music.” This comment causes Spock to turn menacingly toward McCoy, until Kirk calls a halt to the situation.

V’Ger’s probe

We learn more about Ilia in a sequence restored in The Director’s Edition .

After Chekov is injured by V’Ger’s energy blast, Ilia is able to provide instant relief by touching him. Arriving on the scene with a medical technician, Dr Chapel and Ilia exchange friendly glances.

Another casuality of V’Ger’s invading energy probes was not so lucky. When the blinding light probe materializes on the bridge, two security men advance on it with phasers drawn. Before Chekov can warn them not to fire, the first man does. In retaliation, the probe envelopes him in a purple glow. The man vanishes, causing the second guard to holster his weapon. This sequence has never been revealed.

After Spock’s spacewalk, the Vulcan describes what he has learned, calling V’Ger “a human machine.” McCoy comments, “We’re living machines too: protein mechanisms,” and when Kirk observes that V’Ger is trying to find its creator, McCoy asks, “Isn’t that what we’re all trying to do? All us machines?”

The comparison between man and machine would lead to a scene in engineering, where Decker is taking the Ilia probe on a tour. They listen to a message from Kirk:

This is the captain speaking. It appears that the alien ship, V’Ger, is not a manned vessel. It is a living entity, a machine life form. We are attempting to ascertain its intentions. All personnel will maintain yellow alert status.

Scotty is hostile to “Ilia” throughout this sequence, at one point saying, “Lassie, if I were functioning logically right not, I’d be showing you the inside of our metal scrape compactor.”

Self-destruct

In a scene that was restored in both the 1983 and 2001 version, Kirk orders Scotty to implement a “self-destruct”.

In a discussion with a female engineer, Scotty reveals that a matter/antimatter explosion would destroy V’Ger along with the Enterprise .

In a sequence partially restored to the longer version, Spock sheds tears for V’Ger. Still missing, though, is Spock’s regret that although he has found part of what he was looking for, V’Ger “has not… and now, because of what we are planning, will not.” It is this statement that causes Kirk to cancel the self-destruct, telling Scotty, “We’re holding off. There may be a chance” (to save Earth, V’Ger and the Enteprise ).

Three endings

Kirk’s original statement at the end, when reporting the “missing status” of Decker and Ilia, included mention of “Security Officer Phillips,” who was vaporized in the sequence discussed earlier.

There were three versions of the movie’s ending. First, the one that’s in the film. Second, one in which Spock has the final line: “A most logical choice, captain,” responding to Kirk’s course heading “Out there… that way.” Third is a take in which Spock jokes about his need to remain on the Enterprise in order to protect the ship from its erratic, human crew.

15 comments

Interesting read, and more proof positive that when films were released theatrically back in the day, there were numerous edits floating around (intentionally or not). For example, the version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture I saw in the theater contained the scene with Uhuru remarking about their chances doubling, as well as the scene with the security officer being zapped into V’Ger’s data banks. I don’t recall seeing any of the other scenes you describe, however.

I once saw the cut with the security guard being killed and the destruct sequence scene on TV in the early 80s as a young child. I’d always thought I’d imagined it, the scenes were missing from subsequent versions. It was always a cold, clinical movie with hostile interpersonal exchanges throughout – these edited scenes provided a warm respite and it was a shame they were edited out.

Sorry, but you didn’t see the security guard scene. I was never assembled into any cut.

I clearly remember seeing the guard being zapped by V’Ger when I saw The Motion Picture at the theater back in 1979

I don’t. I made seven trips to theaters to see The Motion Picture , from its first day of release to the last, and I never saw any of the scenes discussed above in any of the prints I saw.

I saw it about ten times during its initial ’79 release, at various theaters. It didn’t have this footage.

It would be great to see this footage restored in some future DVD release. I remembering reading that the Director’s Cut likely did not include additional unseen footage, because that inclusion would entail additional payment to actors. Hard to believe somebody saw the security guard scene, but that’s entirely possible considering the last-minute rush to get 800+ plus prints out to theaters in 1979. Great site!

I remember seeing the guard scene at the movies back in ’79.

The special effects of the guard being digitized by V’Ger’s first probe were never completed, so the scene was never part of the assembled movie. However, the scene is definitely in the novelization and the comic book adaptation, and was described by Walter Koenig in his paperback book, Chekov’s Enterprise . Similarly, the scene with the alien ensign being reprimanded by Uhura was not seen by viewers until the ABC TV premiere of The Motion Picture . That additional footage was also in the Special Longer Version home vide release and was retained for the Director’s Edition DVD.

I saw it in theaters during original run, and I seem to remember the transporter accident lasting longer, and being far more terrible and agonizing.

The transporter accident has always been the same. The novelization has a much more graphic description of the scene.

Anyone who posts that they “remember” the security guard vaporization scene from the ’79 theatrical run is either trolling, lying, or just has a bad memory. That scene was not completed in post-production and was never included in any release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture , theatrical or subsequent.

I watched the VHS version as a kid, and I swear I remember something about Ilia making a comment about other species being less sexually mature or something like that. I watched the Paramount+ version last night and it appears that section was cut, thus it leaves the viewer to read between the lines a bit more to understand the Deltan mystique.

Your recollection is correct. It’s part of what I’ve labeled “Scenes with Ilia”. I don’t have Paramount+, but the deleted scenes are included in the iTunes Extras of the Apple TV version.

Yes, that segment is part of the Special Longer Version (ABC’s original TV broadcast and then to home video – i.e., VHS and video disc). The SLV has never made it to DVD, but all the trims from that are in Bonus Features of the 2001 Director’s Edition DVD. The DE is currently undergoing work to recreate the DE in 4K for Paramount+ for premiere in 2022.

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The Ilia probe was an avatar of V'ger , a sophisticated android with the memories of Lieutenant Ilia , whom V'ger had previously abducted from the USS Enterprise . The probe was designed to interact and inspect the carbon units it saw as infesting Enterprise .

By 23rd century medical standards, the Ilia probe was an impressive construct, as it replicated the body of Ilia down to the smallest detail. Noted technological components included " micro-miniature hydraulics , sensors , and molecule -sized multi-processor chips . " More impressively, it contained osmotic micro-pumps , allowing " even the smallest body functions are exactly duplicated, " including every exocrine system , and even eye moisture . Additionally, memory patterns in Ilia's brain were replicated, allowing the crew of the Enterprise to attempt to revive the memories and emotions of the navigator through stimulus.

The Ilia probe was presumably destroyed when Commander Decker merged with V'ger in order to stop the machine from destroying Earth . ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

Screen Rant

Picard brings back the original star trek movie's "attractive" aliens.

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Star Trek Officially Brands a Surprising Deep Space Nine Hero as a War Criminal

2 modern star trek shows faced exactly the same criticism (but had opposite solutions), i don't care if modern star trek breaks established canon.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Picard Season 2, Episode 1 - "The Star Gazer"

The Deltans return in Star Trek: Picard season 2 after originally being introduced in Star Trek: The Motion Picture . A year and a half after the ending of Star Trek: Picard season 1, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) now confronts questions about his lifelong choices as he's called upon to confront an incursion by the Borg and a new, alternate timeline created by Q (John de Lancie) . But Picard's motley crew also find themselves at new stages in their lives, and this includes Soji (Isa Briones), who establishes contact with the Deltans in the Beta Quadrant.

The most famous Deltan in Star Trek was Lt. Ilia (Persis Khambatta), who was the navigator of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Like all Deltans, Ilia was bald and strikingly attractive. She was also the love interest of Captain Will Decker (Stephen Collins), who had a romantic past with Ilia years before they served on the Enterprise during the mission to stop V'Ger from reaching Earth. Ilia and the Deltans were originally created for the Star Trek Phase II TV series that was eventually turned into Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Paramount following the blockbuster success of Star Wars in 1977. Along with being bald, Deltans are known for being extremely sexually attractive. As such, Deltans like Ilia swore an oath of celibacy when they joined Starfleet.

Related: Star Trek: The Original Movie Had The First Version Of Riker & Troi

The Deltan homeworld is Delta IV in the Alpha Quadrant but in Star Trek: Picard season 2's premiere, "The Star Gazer," Soji met with a delegation of Deltans in the Beta Quadrant world of Raritan IV. Now a free citizen of the United Federation of Planets after the ban on synthetics was lifted, Soji has become an ambassador for her race of androids built from the deceased Commander Data (Brent Spiner) who live on the planet Coppelius. Also present was Dr. Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill), who, as a human, was notably suffering from the effects of close contact with the alluring Deltans. A Deltan male even tried to charm Jurati by asking to see the "hands that built" the synthetic wonder that is Soji. However, Agnes was already reeling from her rocky relationship issues with the USS Stargazer's new Captain, Cristobal Rios (Santiago Cabrera), and she quickly beamed aboard the starship, leaving Soji behind with the Deltans on Raritan IV.

After Lt. Ilia and Captain Decker merged with V'Ger and left their plane of existence at the end of Star Trek: The Motion Picture , other Deltans made a few canonical appearances in Star Trek. There was a Deltan serving on the USS Excelsior in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock and Deltan ambassadors appeared in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. On Star Trek: Enterprise , Ensign Travis Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery) also told a story of his encounter with Deltans when he was a teenager. However, there have been no major Deltan characters in Star Trek since Lt. Ilia.

When Gene Roddenberry created Star Trek: The Next Generation , he repurposed the initial concepts for the Deltans, Ilia, and Will Decker into the Betazoids, Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), and Commander Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes). Riker and Troi had a past romance like Decker and Ilia, and the Betazoids had a sexy component like the Deltans since they were known for marriage ceremonies in the nude. It's unclear whether the Deltans will play a larger role in Star Trek: Picard season 2 but the bald aliens continue to thrive in the early 25th century.

Next: Star Trek: How Picard's Time Travel Compares To The Voyage Home

Star Trek: Picard Season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.

• SR Originals
• Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Stephen collins: decker.

• Photos (36)
• Quotes (17)

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Quotes 

[Kirk apologizes for assuming command over Captain Decker] 

Captain James T. Kirk : [24:30]  I'm sorry, Will.

Commander Willard Decker : No, Admiral. I don't think you're sorry. Not one damned bit. I remember when you recommended me for this command. You told me how envious you were and how much you hoped you'd find a way to get a starship command again. Well, sir, it looks like you found a way.

Commander Spock : V'Ger must evolve. Its knowledge has reached the limits of this universe and it must evolve. What it requires of its god, doctor, is the answer to its question, "Is there nothing more"?

Commander Leonard 'Bones' McCoy, M.D. : What more is there than the universe, Spock?

Commander Willard Decker : Other dimensions. Higher levels of being.

Commander Spock : The existence of which cannot be proven logically. Therefore, V'Ger is incapable of believing in them.

Captain James T. Kirk : What it needs in order to evolve... is a human quality. Our capacity to leap beyond logic.

Commander Willard Decker : And joining with its creator might accomplish that.

Commander Leonard 'Bones' McCoy, M.D. : You mean this machine wants to physically join with a human? Is that possible?

Commander Willard Decker : Let's find out.

Captain James T. Kirk : Let's take a look. Full sensor scan, Mr. Spock. They can't expect us not to look them over now.

Commander Willard Decker : Now that we're looking down their throat.

Captain James T. Kirk : Right, now that we've got them just where they want us.

Captain James T. Kirk : All right, explanation. Why was my phaser order countermanded?

Commander Willard Decker : Sir, the Enterprise redesign increases phaser power by channeling it through the main engines. When they went into anti-matter imbalance, the phasers were automatically cut off.

Captain James T. Kirk : Then you acted properly, of course.

Commander Willard Decker : Thank you, sir. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you.

Commander Willard Decker : V'ger... expects an answer.

Captain James T. Kirk : An answer? I don't know the question.

[Decker announces his intention to merge with V'ger] 

Commander Willard Decker : Jim, I want this. As much as you wanted the Enterprise, I want this.

Commander Willard Decker : [shouting]  Don't interfere with it!

Lt. Pavel Chekov : Absolutely I will not interfere.

Commander Willard Decker : All due respect, sir, I hope this isn't some kind of Starfleet pep talk. I'm really too busy.

Captain James T. Kirk : I'm taking over the center seat, Will.

Commander Willard Decker : You're what?

Captain James T. Kirk : I'm replacing you as captain of the Enterprise. You'll stay on as executive officer, temporary grade reduction to Commander.

Commander Willard Decker : You, personally, are assuming command?

Captain James T. Kirk : Yeah.

Commander Willard Decker : May I ask why?

Captain James T. Kirk : My experience. Five years out there, dealing with unknowns like this. My familiarity with the Enterprise, its crew.

Commander Willard Decker : Admiral, this is an almost totally new Enterprise. You don't know her a tenth as well as I do!

Captain James T. Kirk : That's why you're staying aboard.

Captain James T. Kirk : [45:09]  You saved the ship.

Commander Willard Decker : I'm aware of that, sir.

Captain James T. Kirk : Stop competing with me, Decker!

Commander Willard Decker : Permission to speak freely, sir?

Captain James T. Kirk : Granted.

Commander Willard Decker : Sir, you haven't logged a single star hour in two and a half years. That plus your unfamiliarity with the ship's redesign, in my opinion, sir, seriously jeopardizes this mission.

Captain James T. Kirk : I trust you will nursemaid me through these difficulties, mister?

Commander Willard Decker : Yes, sir, I'll do that.

Captain James T. Kirk : Then I won't keep you from your duties any longer, Commander.

Commander Willard Decker : We all create God in our own image.

Captain James T. Kirk : We have to replace Commander Sonak. I'd still like a Vulcan there, if possible.

Commander Willard Decker : None available, Captain. In fact, there's no one who's fully rated on this design.

Captain James T. Kirk : You are, Mr. Decker. I'm afraid you're gonna have to double as science officer.

Commander Willard Decker : [1:19:01]  Why bring us inside? Not to destroy us. They could have done that outside

Captain James T. Kirk : They still can

Spock : Curiosity, Mister Decker. Insatiable curiosity

Lt. Ilia : [bumping into Will after his conversation with Capt. Kirk]  Was it difficult?

Commander Willard Decker : No more than I expected. About as difficult as seeing you again. I'm sorry.

Lt. Ilia : That you left Delta IV? Or that you didn't even say goodbye?

Commander Willard Decker : If I had seen you again, would you have been able to say it?

Lt. Ilia : No.

Commander Willard Decker : [1:17:57]  Captain, a maximum phaser strike directly at the beam might weaken it just enough to break free

Spock : Break free to where, Commander? Any show of resistance would be futile, captain

Commander Willard Decker : We don't know that, Mr. Spock. Why are you opposed to trying?

Decker : I'm sure the Captain didn't mean anything personal.

Lt. Ilia : I would never take advantage of a sexually immature species. You can assure him that's the truth, can't you?

[the alien probe has taken Ilia] 

Commander Willard Decker : This is how I define "unwarranted", Captain!

Decker : Captain, what's the next move?

Captain James T. Kirk : The question is, Mr. Decker, is there a next move?

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