Star Trek Really Needs to Stop Wasting TNG's Most Underrated Alien Species: Here's Why

Star Trek really needs to stop wasting one of The Next Generation’s most underrated species. The franchise has featured a number of telepathic or psychic races over the years, such as the Betazoids. The Next Generation’s fifth season introduced another: the Ullians. Despite the Ullians’ intriguing abilities, they were never seen on-screen again, but 1998’s Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #15 showed the species’ vast potential.

“Requiem in Obsidian,” appearing in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #15, was written by Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin and drawn by Greg Scott. The story, which begins during the occupation of Bajor, reveals that the Obsidian Order, a ruthless Cardassian spy organization, uses Ullians as agents, and one is sent to kill Garak. The Ullian implanted a “mind virus” in Garak’s brain, and it lay dormant for eight years.

It finally emerged and nearly killed Garak, but another Ullian came to his rescue, sacrificing herself to cure the Cardassian.

The Ullians Were a Fascinating Species That Only Made One Star Trek Appearance

The Ullians Had the Potential to be a Great Star Trek Race

Star Trek is full of intriguing alien species, but, unfortunately, many are never seen once their episode ends, and the Ullians are a prime example. Introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s fifth season, in the episode “Violations,” the Ullians possess psychic powers, similar to the Betazoids. Distinguishable by the bulges on their heads, the Ullians were members of the Federation, and were helping that organization with constructing a vast “memory archive,” which brought a contingent to the Enterprise. One of the Ullians unethically used his psychic abilities to harm others.

The episode ends with the renegade Ullians’ plans exposed, but the species slips into obscurity afterward. The glimpses fans got during the Ullians’ episode were tantalizing. While telepathic/psychic aliens were no stranger to the Star Trek franchise, the Ullians ranked as one of the most memorable. Their distinct appearances set them apart from similar species, and the franchise hinted the Ullians were even more powerful than the Betazoids. The sole look at the Ullians also showed the dark underbelly of their culture, as a rogue member invaded the memories of the Enterprise crew.

The Ullians Were the Symptom of a Larger Star Trek Franchise Problem

One Ullian Was Able to Outfox Garak, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Master Spy

The Ullians are a prime example of a problem that plagued Star Trek: The Next Generation: introducing cool and innovative aliens but never giving them follow-up. Species such as the Bynars and the Esoqq graced television screens, offering a glimpse into the larger galaxy. These races, some of which were Federation members, demonstrated just how diverse the Star Trek universe is. Humans and humanoid races may comprise the bulk of the Federation’s membership, but there is room for everyone. The Milky Way is speculated to have billions of life forms in it, and Star Trek has only scratched the surface.

While the Ullians were not one of the more exotic aliens seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation, they had maybe the most potential as a species. The Ullians put a unique spin on the telepathic alien trope. Fans had grown accustomed to Counselor Troi and the Betazoids, but the Ullians provided a counterpart. While the majority of Ullians are ethical, some are not, and they make for terrifying villains.

Garak was played on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by Andrew Robinson.

And “Requiem in Obsidian” shows just how horrifying the Ullians can be. The courier dispatched by the Obsidian Order to kill Garak manages not only to infect him, but arrange it to where he never knows he is sick. Deep Space Nine made it clear nobody gets one over on Garak, and yet the Ullian managed to do just that. The Ullians’ mind virus was so well-designed that Garak went for eight years with it dormant in his body. Fortunately for him, another Ullian was able to cure him, reinforcing their commitment to morals and the concept of consent.

 

Star Trek Needs to Bring the Ullians Back

Star Trek Should Let the Ullians Strut Their Stuff One More Time

The possibility of a Ullian comeback in the Star Trek universe is small. While newer shows have demonstrated a willingness to plumb the depths of the franchise and show races that have not been seen in decades, the Ullians are most likely not high on fan “want” lists. Yet the damage one rogue Ullian managed to cause makes a strong and compelling case for their return. The Next Generation shined a light on many species, and the Ullians, one of the most underrated, need to return.