Lately I have noticed a trend in several science-fiction movies and television series where the characters who carry out the "nerd-work" (scientists, technology specialists, IT professionals etc...) are being portrayed as spineless, socially inept, second-class members of their respective teams... despite the fact that they often play the most crucial role in solving whatever problem confronts them.
I will use three Sci-Fi shows to demonstrate this... Star Trek: The Next Generation, Stargate: Atlantis and Sanctuary.
The Sci-Fi Cast
A Strong, Often Stoic Leader - Jean Luc Picard (TNG) Elizabeth Weir (SGA) Helen Magnus (SANC)
A Heroic Man of Action - Will Riker (TNG) John Sheppard (SGA) Will Zimmerman (SANC)
The Nerd - Geordi LaForge (TNG) Rodney McKay (SGA) Henry Foss (SANC)
The Sci-Fi Formula
On a "routine mission", an unforeseen problem arises... The Leader dispatches the Hero to solve the problem... the Hero does something heroic, but usually ineffectual and becomes imperiled... the Leader demands that the Nerd accomplishes something that should be impossible to rectify the situation, usually in a loud, rude manner... The Nerd is disparaged by the Leader and/or The Hero for being too whiny and/or weak... The Nerd accomplishes the impossible task, effectively saving the day... The Hero performs some showy, yet ultimately trivial final task (like pushing a button)... The Hero receives the vast majority of the credit for the victory and gets the girl... The Nerd goes back to his computer and utter lack of friends... The End!
Note: Picard rarely ever disparaged LaForge, but he did ask the impossible of him constantly, and it was always Riker that got all the alien ladies.. so you get the point.
My Question: Why Sci-Fi? Why do you bite the hand that feeds you?
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