‘Section 31’ Cast and Creatives on the Ethics of Star Trek’s Most Clandestine Organization

There has been much discussion within the Star Trek Universe about the morality and ethics of the Starfleet clandestine operatives of Section 31.

Introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Section 31 stemmed from Starfleet Charter: Article 14, Section 31, which allowed agents to take extraordinary measures in times of extreme threat. Essentially, it allowed agents to go deep and play dirty if they had to bring peace to the Federation.

Many have questioned if this counters the ideals of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a Utopian universe where everyone can live in peace — because they followed the rules. While the coveted group created a lot of controversy back then (in the ‘90s), Star Trek’s recent stories have begun to question and highlight the morality of certain storylines and characters. In the final season of Picard, the righteous former captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise regrets his black-and-white views of his past, including his treatment of Ro Laren. With Section 31, the operatives of the past were often seen in a negative light but deemed necessary for the Federation to look good and peaceful outwardly.

In Paramount+’s first Star Trek feature film, Section 31, the lives of the dangerous operatives are explored, giving an in-depth look at the inner workings of their secretive missions and their impact on the universe.

“The premise that we were operating under is the idea that the Federation plays according to very specific rules that exist according to a specific charter and must operate in Federation space,” says executive producer Alex Kurtzman. “But, there are some problems outside of Federation space, but who will take care of those problems?”

Enter Alok (Omari Hardwick) and his ragtag crew of miscreants tasked with doing the dirty work that Starfleet officers cannot. With his team, they head to Baraam, a nightclub outside federation space, to recruit Terran Empire refugee – and former Emperor –Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) to help obtain a dangerous item linked to her shady past.

“Initially, the whole thought of Star Trek is that it should never need a Section 31, but, in reality, in what world or galaxy – or even in North America – have we not needed a Section 31 to maintain the Utopia, as we define it to be,” says Hardwick. “Leviathan is a utopian reality, and what’s not a reality is an egalitarian society. We’re not of equality. No matter whether people say this person or that person is created equal, there shan’t be any ill thrown and aided and abetted in this person going down. Everybody should be lifted up. That hasn’t been a reality for many societies. I’m proud as Alok – even with [Starfleet Officer Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl)] governing me to ensure I stay where I needed to stay – with this motley crew of ragtag folk I’m using. I’m extremely proud that Alok is doing what is needed. I want an egalitarian world. I want equality. Things need to be better.”

For the Federation to maintain its control over the operatives, which can consist of dangerous aliens and past criminals — Starfleet sent Officer Garrett to ensure that everything is done according to the book — or try to.

Many Trek fans will be surprised to see that name, as the character later becomes the future Captain of the USS Enterprise-C (played by Tricia O’Neill in Star Trek: The Next Generation).

“It’s amazing [because] Trek has such an incredible legacy,” Rohl explains. “To step in the boots of Rachel Garrett – so deliciously portrayed by Tricia O’Neill in “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” it’s just a treat to fill in the beginnings and middles of her story.”

It’s surprising that a Starfleet Officer – and future Captain – was involved with the notoriously classified group, but it’s also what makes Star Trek so intriguing. Even the most compliant of people can surprise you.

Sven Ruygok, who portrays fellow Section 31 crewmember Fuzz, the tiny Nanokin in a robotic Vulcan body, loosely quotes Section 31 operative Luther Sloan from Deep Space Nine’s “Inquisition” — “You are allowed to sleep at night because people like me are willing to do the things that keep you safe.”

Robert Kazinsky, who plays Section 31’s human mech – and all-around himbo – Zeph, brought up Star Trek history and canon to prove how necessary Section 31 was in maintaining the peace immediately following First Contact. He says every treaty and negotiation was done because of Section 31. One may not have seen it, but they are there in the shadows.

“The idea that Roddenberry had – and the ongoing debates that Section 31 shouldn’t exist because ‘we evolved past the need for Section 31,’ that’s great,” says Kazinsky. “Sure, the Federation is a place of equality and safety where you can be whoever you want to be and no judgment. We don’t even have money [in the Federation], and poverty and hunger are all gone. But we’re not alone in the universe, and moral relativism is a curse on this world. It would still be the same curse if we applied it to the galaxy.”

He lists the Romulans, Dominion, and many other known federation antagonists who don’t follow the same ideals as the Federation. So, Section 31 is necessary – including some former villains who want to redeem themselves to save the world.

Former villains like Georgiou.

Though Georgiou has a tough exterior and a traumatic past, a part of her has felt love, loss, and regret. Yeoh says there’s still humanity in the character, especially after interacting with the crew of Star Trek Discovery.

“It’s very easy to say, ‘Oh well, she’s just evil,” says Yeoh. “She’s just bad, but there’s so many layers. We’re not saying that she should be excused for all the atrocities she committed, but can she be forgiven for all of that?”

It’s one of the reasons why Georgiou joined Section 31 – redemption.

Executive producer and director Olatunde Osunsanmi says the story for Georgiou – and all of the characters – is about second chances. He explains, “If you get a second chance, what will you do about it? That’s what we see in Section 31 when Georgiou gets that second chance; what does she do with it?”

Though many fans want to believe the future consists of only good and rule-abiding citizens, it’s not the case in the real world. The idea behind Section 31 is to protect the greater good and only in the way they know how to do it.

“At the end of the day, Section 31 is filled with people who want the same things that the Federation and Starfleet want,” Kurtzman explains. “They want all the same things to reinforce Roddenberry’s ultimate vision of Utopia, which is the Star Trek we all know and love. The most important thing about Star Trek [and] what anchors the team in Section 31 is that they’re just a bunch of [rebellious] weirdos, and the universe is big enough for those people too.”