Book #125: Star Trek X: Nemesis by J.M. Dillard
J.M. Dillard
Released: December 1st, 1996
My 55th book for 2025 was J.M. Dillard’s "Star Trek IX: Insurrection.
I was first introduced to this movie back in the early 2000's. My dad got this for Christmas on DVD, and I remember watching it. I have always had vivid memories of watching Star Trek with Dad growing up (even if I didn't pay much attention to the actual screen).
In this one, Will Riker, and Deanna Troi are getting married, and just before they get to their honeymoon, the Enterprise-E is called away to an uncharted planet where they find a clone of Data named B4. Following this, the crew is sent to Romulus to respond to a peace proposal. When they arrive there, they find a new and younger Romulan leader who despite his words suggesting peace, seems a bit off. We later find out that he has a connection to Captain Picard, and played a role in them discovering B4 for sinister reasons. The Enterprise must work together to stop him.
Data has arguably the largest role in this one. He acts as an older brother figure to B4 (despite B4 being older than Data in age). He realizes the importance he has in saving the crew, and utilizing what he can to make the ultimate sacrifice. It's a bittersweet end to a legendary character, but he goes out in style with witty analytical quips, and some emotion from his emotion chip thrown in for good measure, showing that he finally feels human after all.
Tom Hardy played the role of Shinzon. I had no idea who he was back then, but his name is pretty big now. It's amazing to think he got to be a villain in one of the old Star Trek movies. He is well-written and well played. I think the writer (and later Hardy) really did the best they could with the character. He is ruthless, and cunning as most bad guys are. The surprise revelation about him is unique, and very Star Trek worthy.
There's an arcing theme of love in this one, spearheaded by Riker & Troi's wedding. Picard and Crusher still have feelings for one another, and while they cannot stay together, there are some warmer scenes between them. Wesley Crusher even makes an appearance for the first time since the TV series ended in 1994. That's a period of 8 years.
It's a bit bittersweet to see the Next Generation crew broken up after this movie, but then again, they had been together for 15 years. It would not be until the Picard series that they would formally reunite. Despite all reviews, it's a good sendoff, with a heart-wrenching conclusion to their initial time together.
Here is what I learned:
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- For John Logan, one of the nicest Star Trek fans I’ve ever met.
- Hiren is the praetor and ultimate ruler of the entire Romulan Star Empire.
- Commander Will Riker and Deanna Troi get married at the Denali mountain range in Alaska.
- Picard has represented the “first contact” for 27 different species.
- Captain Riker is set to take over the U.S.S. Titan.
- Wesley Crusher is set to serve aboard the Titan as night-shift in engineering.
- Guinan has been married once before.
- “If only this moment could last forever…”
- “Certain human rituals — like weddings, birthdays, or funerals — evoke strong and very complex emotions because they mark important transitions in our lives.”
- Shinzon is a human raised by Romulans.
- “The time we have dreamed of is at hand. The time…of conquest.”
- The Remans live on the dark side of Romulus.
- Shinzon fought seventeen major engagements in the war and won them all.
- Shinzon was diagnosed with Shalaft’s disease.
- Shinzon was raised by unloving scientists Tran and Svana. They did instill in him a sense of pride and purpose.
- “We will no longer bow like slaves before anyone. Not the Romulans and not your mighty Federation. We’re a race bred for war…for conquest.
- It finally occurred to Shinzon that Picard, though raised in a gentle culture and possessed of pacifistic beliefs, was-if provoked to self-defense every bit as cunning as his clone, every bit as determined, every bit as deadly.
- Data once created a holodeck program so he could practice stand-up comedy.
- Spot chooses Word to be his new owner.
- “In his quest to be more like us, he helped show us what it means to be human.”
- Commander Martin Madden is Riker’s replacement as first officer aboard the Enterprise.
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Overall, not a bad read. I enjoyed it. It's a bittersweet sendoff to the TNG crew, and has a lot of mixed feelings and emotions, however I don't think most casual fans would get super into it. If you're not big into Star Trek, or are not familiar with the lore, you might be a bit lost.
Recommended only for fans of the series.
On to Book #126: Star Trek (2009) by Alan Dean Foster.
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Need to catch up? See previous blog post: Star Trek VIII: First Contact.
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Want to read about just this series? See the other posts below:
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek TNG: All Good Things...
Star Trek: Into Darkness
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