A Dive Into the Bluegills: Parasites in Star Trek's Federated Menace

Star Trek, the expansive and beloved franchise, is rich with intriguing alien species that can offer both horror and intrigue to its audience. One such species is the Bluegills, the parasitic entities that attempted to conquer the United Federation of Planets. This article explores the Bluegills' appearances in Star Trek Online and the Star Trek: Delta Rising storyline, delving into their significance within the Star Trek universe.

Canon and the Approval Process

The Bluegills were first introduced in Star Trek Online, a massively multiplayer online game associated with the Star Trek franchise. Given that Star Trek Online is developed by a company separate from CBS Studios, it's the responsibility of the latter to approve the game's content. This ensures that any appearance of the Bluegills is Canon, meaning it aligns with the official storyline and universe of the franchise.

In the Star Trek: Delta Rising storyline, the USS Voyager plays a crucial role in tackling the Bluegills. This storyline takes place in the Delta Quadrant, an area beyond the familiar reaches of the United Federation of Planets. The Delta Quadrant is known for its alien civilizations, mysteries, and dangers, making it the perfect setting for a hostile encounter with these parasite-like entities.

The Bluegills' Threat and Theme

The Bluegills are depicted as a completely alien and terrifying hive mind, presenting a serious threat to the Federation. Their motives and ideologies are incomprehensible to humans, rendering true diplomacy impossible. This concept is reminiscent of other Star Trek concepts, most notably the Borg. In fact, the original creators of the Bluegills likely aimed to create a similar hive-minded threat but ultimately changed the design from an insectoid to cyborg form, leading to the introduction of the Borg.

Interestingly, New Frontier, a fan series, reused the Bluegills, linking them to their newly created enemies, the Grey. However, this idea did not resonate significantly within the main storyline, remaining a throwaway concept with little impact on the overarching narrative.

Original Plan and Redesigned Borg

The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Conspiracy" from the first season originally did not feature the return of the Bluegills. However, the original plan was to link them to the Borg in some way, possibly through a transmission or shared origin. This concept was later realized in various books and fan fiction, further cementing the connection within fan communities and the broader Star Trek universe.

Despite this, the Bluegills did not reappear in any official Star Trek series or film after the Conspiracy episode. Nevertheless, the idea of a hive-minded threat remains a compelling one within the Star Trek universe, continuing to inspire both creators and fans alike.

While the appearance of the Bluegills in Star Trek Online and Star Trek: Delta Rising is significant for dedicated fans and players, it remains unlikely that the species will make a return in future Star Trek series or movies. Nevertheless, their impact on the Star Trek universe and the ongoing discussions about hive-minded threats offer a rich tapestry of topics for exploration and speculation.

Conclusion

The Bluegills represent a pivotal element in Star Trek's history, serving as a parody of the Borg while introducing a unique and terrifying alien threat. Their appearance in Star Trek Online and the Delta Rising storyline has solidified their place in the canon of the Star Trek universe. Whether or not they will return remains to be seen, but their influence on the franchise is clear, offering fans numerous narratives to explore.