Memory Alpha
Register
Memory Alpha
(Adding categories)
(The year noted in the text, and the hyperlink, for the year the Enterprise-B encountered The Nexus changed from the incorrect 2393 to the correct 2293.)
Tag: VE
(39 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{at|xx}}
 
{{sidebar individual
 
{{sidebar individual
| image-top = Soran.jpg
+
|image =Soran.jpg
| caption-top = Tolian Soran in 2371
+
|imagecap =Tolian Soran
| image-bottom = Sorans bio 2.jpg
+
|gender =Male
 
|species =[[El-Aurian]]
| caption-bottom = A screen showing biographical information on Soran
 
| gender = Male
+
|occupation =[[Scientist]]
| species = [[El Aurian]]
+
|status =Deceased
| occupation = [[Scientist]]
+
|datestatus =2371
| status = Deceased
+
|died =[[2371]]
  +
|marital_status =Widower
| died = [[2371]]
 
| actor = [[Malcolm McDowell]]
+
|actor =[[Malcolm McDowell]]
 
}}
 
}}
:''"Time is the fire in which we burn." ''
+
{{aquote|They say time is the fire in which we burn.|Tolian Soran|2371|7}}
  +
[[Doctor]] '''Tolian Soran''' was an [[El-Aurian]] [[scientist]] who, in the [[24th century]], attempted to destroy two [[star]]s and [[Veridian IV|an inhabited planet]] in an effort to gain entrance to the [[Nexus]], an extradimensional realm in which all one's desires are transformed into reality.
   
  +
==Life before the Nexus==
[[Doctor]] '''Tolian Soran''' was an [[El-Aurian]] [[scientist]] stationed on the [[Amargosa observatory]] in [[2371]]. At that time he was over three hundred years old.
 
  +
Soran was born more than 300 years before 2371. His world was destroyed by the [[Borg]] in the latter half of the [[23rd century]], which lead to the death of his entire family, including his wife and children. Soran however escaped aboard the {{SS|Lakul}} along with a handful other survivors. These refugees were to be transported to [[Earth]].
   
  +
However, shortly before reaching Earth in [[2293]], the ship and its companion the {{SS|Robert Fox}} became trapped in an extremely intense [[gravimetric distortion]] trailing from an [[energy]] ribbon which acted as an entrance to the Nexus. While trapped in the distortion, Soran and the other passengers experienced brief moments in the Nexus, where Soran was able to live a life where the Borg had not killed his family. Soran's experiences in the Nexus were short-lived, however, as he and the others were [[beam]]ed away to the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}}, which had responded to a [[distress call]]. Upon finding himself in the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s [[sickbay]], Soran began ranting, demanding to be returned, forcing [[Commander]] [[Pavel Chekov]] to sedate him. Soran subsequently became obsessed with returning to the Nexus and dedicated the next 78 years of his life to discovering a means by which to do so.
Soran lost his entire family during [[assimilation]] of their [[El-Aurian homeworld|homeworld]] by the [[Borg]]. Soran himself fled with numerous other El-Aurian refugees. In [[2293]], his refugee ship, the {{SS|Lakul}}, was caught in the [[Nexus]] energy ribbon near the [[Sol system]]. Soran briefly entered the Nexus, but was pulled out again by the [[Federation]] [[starship]] {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}} as he was beamed aboard with the passengers before the ''Lakul'' was ripped apart.
 
  +
{{bginfo|It was not explicitly said that Soran's homeworld was in fact the [[El-Aurian homeworld]], although from dialog in {{e|Q Who}} the attack did seem to be limited to [[El-Aurian system|their system]].}}
   
  +
==24th century==
Soran subsequently became obsessed with returning to the eternal Nexus, coming to believe that he was being stalked by [[time]]. He searched for a means to safely enter the energy ribbon, realizing that approaching it with a ship was impossible and that he had to bring the Nexus to him. However, the only way to alter the ribbon's path – in order to direct it to an [[Class M|M-class]] planet – was to change the gravitational conditions in the ribbon's vicinity.
 
  +
[[File:Soran and B'Etor.jpg|thumb|left|Soran and [[B'Etor]]]]
  +
By the year [[2371]], Soran had developed a plan whereby he would destroy two [[star]]s, thereby altering the [[gravitational]] forces near the energy ribbon, altering its course and bringing it to planet [[Veridian III]], where Soran would be waiting for it. To accomplish his goal, Soran entered into an alliance with the [[Duras sisters]], who agreed to secure [[trilithium]], a [[nuclear inhibitor]] with which Soran would destroy the stars, in exchange for research allowing the sisters to develop a trilithium-based weapon. As Soran prepared to fire a [[solar probe]] equipped with trilithium into the [[Amargosa]] star from the [[Amargosa observatory]], the outpost came under attack by [[Romulan]]s, who were attempting to retrieve the trilithium which the Duras sisters had stolen from them. Soran was rescued by the crew of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, and was later able to return to the observatory and launch the probe, destroying the star. As the ''Enterprise'' crew attempted to rescue an [[away team]] from the observatory before the resultant [[shock wave]] arrived, Soran was retrieved by the Duras sisters, and subsequently traveled to the [[Veridian system]], where he intended to destroy the [[Veridian]] star.
   
  +
The ''Enterprise'' crew ultimately uncovered Soran's plot, realizing that Soran intended to destroy the Veridian star despite the fact that it would destroy all planets in the system, including [[Veridian IV]], which supported a [[humanoid]] society of 230 million individuals. The ''Enterprise'' arrived at Veridian III, where [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] beamed to the surface in an attempt to reason with Soran. Picard was ultimately unsuccessful, however, failing both to appeal to Soran's reasoning- Soran grimly stating that everyone died and he was no longer concerned about preserving life- and in his subsequent attempt to penetrate the force field around Soran's equipment and stop him from launching the probe into the star. As the star was destroyed, the energy ribbon was diverted to the surface where it transported both Soran and Picard into the Nexus, immediately before the destruction of all of the planets in the system, and the ''Enterprise''.
For this purpose, Soran allied himself with the [[House of Duras|Duras sisters]], who stole for him [[trilithium]] from the [[Romulan]]s. In [[2371]], aboard the Amargosa Observatory, he successfully developed a trilithium weapon, capable of collapsing a [[star]] by halting its internal [[nuclear fusion|nuclear reactions]]. However, the Romulans attacked the observatory to retrieve their trilithium, and Soran was nearly killed.
 
   
  +
[[File:Soran's death.jpg|thumb|Soran is killed in the launcher's explosion]]
Soran survived thanks to the timely arrival of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, and was able to launch his weapon into the [[Amargosa]] star. The Duras sisters then transported Soran to the [[Veridian system]], where he had hidden a second weapon on the [[Veridian III|third planet]]. The destruction of the [[Veridian]] star would cause the ribbon to intersect Veridian III, though at the cost of the millions of lives in the system.
 
  +
Inside the Nexus, however, Picard was able to make contact with [[James T. Kirk]], who had been pulled in during the ''Enterprise''-B's encounter with the ribbon. Picard was able to convince Kirk to leave the Nexus with him, [[time travel|traveling back in time]] to a point before Soran had launched the probe. As Picard attempted to [[sabotage]] Soran's launcher, Kirk fought Soran, a confrontation which ultimately led to Kirk's death when he fell off the scaffolding holding Soran's equipment while trying to recover the remote control for the launcher. Kirk's sacrifice, however, allowed Picard to successfully disable Soran's launcher. As Soran returned to the probe, he found that Picard had engaged the [[locking clamp]]s, destroying the launcher and killing Soran in a massive explosion. In the aftermath, Picard reflected that he disagreed with Soran's perception of time as a predator, preferring to see it as a teacher that encouraged him to treasure every moment as it would never come again. ({{film|7}})
  +
==Alternate timeline==
  +
In an [[alternate timeline]], Soran had originally succeeded in reaching the Nexus. Since Soran's plan initially worked, it is suggested that Soran is in fact still in the Nexus, since time has ''no meaning'' there. ({{film|7}})
   
  +
== Appendices ==
Pursuing Soran, the ''Enterprise''-D arrived at Veridian III but could not locate his weapon on the surface. The Duras sisters allowed [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] to exchange himself for their prisoner, [[Geordi La Forge]], on the condition that he be allowed to speak with Soran first. Picard was able to stop Soran with the assistance of [[James T. Kirk]], whom he encountered inside the Nexus. Soran died when his weapon exploded on the launch pad, due to Picard's sabotage.
 
  +
=== Background ===
 
Soran was played by actor [[Malcolm McDowell]].
   
  +
At least two different versions of Soran's death were written for the script of ''Star Trek Generations''. Additionally, two versions of Kirk's death were shot. The first involved Soran directly killing Kirk with a disruptor bolt, shooting him in the back. This version proved unpopular at early screenings so an alternate death (the scaffold bridge death) for Kirk was filmed and used in the theatrical release.
''Picard's first attempt to stop Soran failed, and both he and Soran entered the Nexus moments before the Veridian system was annihilated. The Nexus was where Picard encountered Kirk, who had been swept into the Nexus in 2293 from the ''Enterprise''-B. Kirk left the Nexus with Picard to avert Soran's plan, thus consigning Picard's first attempt and the destruction of Veridian into an [[alternate timeline]]. It is possible that Soran remains in the Nexus, since he reached it once and time is meaningless there.'' ({{film|7}})
 
{{bginfo|Soran was played by actor [[Malcolm McDowell]].}}
 
   
==External links==
+
=== Apocrypha ===
  +
The early edition of [[Star Trek Generations (novel)|the novelization]] for ''Star Trek Generations'' featured one of the alternate death scenes for Soran. In this version, Picard succeeds in disarming Soran's probe, preventing its launch and the destruction of the star, and allowing the ribbon to pass the planet by. Soran charges at Picard in a fury, who snatches up Soran's disruptor and shoots him dead in the chest.
  +
  +
The novelization gives the name of Soran's deceased wife as Leandra. It also notes that Soran was aware of Picard's trip into the Nexus due to the lack of alternative explanations for Kirk's presence, increasing Soran's rage at Picard for depriving him of his wife again.
  +
  +
=== External links ===
 
* {{startrek.com|soran}}
 
* {{startrek.com|soran}}
 
* {{NCwiki}}
 
* {{NCwiki}}
Line 38: Line 53:
 
[[Category:El-Aurians|Soran, Tolian]]
 
[[Category:El-Aurians|Soran, Tolian]]
 
[[Category:Scientists|Soran, Tolian]]
 
[[Category:Scientists|Soran, Tolian]]
[[Category:Villains]]
 
[[Category:Deceased Characters]]
 

Revision as of 05:26, 11 July 2014

AT: "xx"

"They say time is the fire in which we burn."
– Tolian Soran, 2371 (Star Trek Generations)

Doctor Tolian Soran was an El-Aurian scientist who, in the 24th century, attempted to destroy two stars and an inhabited planet in an effort to gain entrance to the Nexus, an extradimensional realm in which all one's desires are transformed into reality.

Life before the Nexus

Soran was born more than 300 years before 2371. His world was destroyed by the Borg in the latter half of the 23rd century, which lead to the death of his entire family, including his wife and children. Soran however escaped aboard the SS Lakul along with a handful other survivors. These refugees were to be transported to Earth.

However, shortly before reaching Earth in 2293, the ship and its companion the SS Robert Fox became trapped in an extremely intense gravimetric distortion trailing from an energy ribbon which acted as an entrance to the Nexus. While trapped in the distortion, Soran and the other passengers experienced brief moments in the Nexus, where Soran was able to live a life where the Borg had not killed his family. Soran's experiences in the Nexus were short-lived, however, as he and the others were beamed away to the USS Enterprise-B, which had responded to a distress call. Upon finding himself in the Enterprise's sickbay, Soran began ranting, demanding to be returned, forcing Commander Pavel Chekov to sedate him. Soran subsequently became obsessed with returning to the Nexus and dedicated the next 78 years of his life to discovering a means by which to do so.

It was not explicitly said that Soran's homeworld was in fact the El-Aurian homeworld, although from dialog in "Q Who" the attack did seem to be limited to their system.

24th century

Soran and B'Etor

Soran and B'Etor

By the year 2371, Soran had developed a plan whereby he would destroy two stars, thereby altering the gravitational forces near the energy ribbon, altering its course and bringing it to planet Veridian III, where Soran would be waiting for it. To accomplish his goal, Soran entered into an alliance with the Duras sisters, who agreed to secure trilithium, a nuclear inhibitor with which Soran would destroy the stars, in exchange for research allowing the sisters to develop a trilithium-based weapon. As Soran prepared to fire a solar probe equipped with trilithium into the Amargosa star from the Amargosa observatory, the outpost came under attack by Romulans, who were attempting to retrieve the trilithium which the Duras sisters had stolen from them. Soran was rescued by the crew of the USS Enterprise-D, and was later able to return to the observatory and launch the probe, destroying the star. As the Enterprise crew attempted to rescue an away team from the observatory before the resultant shock wave arrived, Soran was retrieved by the Duras sisters, and subsequently traveled to the Veridian system, where he intended to destroy the Veridian star.

The Enterprise crew ultimately uncovered Soran's plot, realizing that Soran intended to destroy the Veridian star despite the fact that it would destroy all planets in the system, including Veridian IV, which supported a humanoid society of 230 million individuals. The Enterprise arrived at Veridian III, where Captain Picard beamed to the surface in an attempt to reason with Soran. Picard was ultimately unsuccessful, however, failing both to appeal to Soran's reasoning- Soran grimly stating that everyone died and he was no longer concerned about preserving life- and in his subsequent attempt to penetrate the force field around Soran's equipment and stop him from launching the probe into the star. As the star was destroyed, the energy ribbon was diverted to the surface where it transported both Soran and Picard into the Nexus, immediately before the destruction of all of the planets in the system, and the Enterprise.

Soran's death

Soran is killed in the launcher's explosion

Inside the Nexus, however, Picard was able to make contact with James T. Kirk, who had been pulled in during the Enterprise-B's encounter with the ribbon. Picard was able to convince Kirk to leave the Nexus with him, traveling back in time to a point before Soran had launched the probe. As Picard attempted to sabotage Soran's launcher, Kirk fought Soran, a confrontation which ultimately led to Kirk's death when he fell off the scaffolding holding Soran's equipment while trying to recover the remote control for the launcher. Kirk's sacrifice, however, allowed Picard to successfully disable Soran's launcher. As Soran returned to the probe, he found that Picard had engaged the locking clamps, destroying the launcher and killing Soran in a massive explosion. In the aftermath, Picard reflected that he disagreed with Soran's perception of time as a predator, preferring to see it as a teacher that encouraged him to treasure every moment as it would never come again. (Star Trek Generations)

Alternate timeline

In an alternate timeline, Soran had originally succeeded in reaching the Nexus. Since Soran's plan initially worked, it is suggested that Soran is in fact still in the Nexus, since time has no meaning there. (Star Trek Generations)

Appendices

Background

Soran was played by actor Malcolm McDowell.

At least two different versions of Soran's death were written for the script of Star Trek Generations. Additionally, two versions of Kirk's death were shot. The first involved Soran directly killing Kirk with a disruptor bolt, shooting him in the back. This version proved unpopular at early screenings so an alternate death (the scaffold bridge death) for Kirk was filmed and used in the theatrical release.

Apocrypha

The early edition of the novelization for Star Trek Generations featured one of the alternate death scenes for Soran. In this version, Picard succeeds in disarming Soran's probe, preventing its launch and the destruction of the star, and allowing the ribbon to pass the planet by. Soran charges at Picard in a fury, who snatches up Soran's disruptor and shoots him dead in the chest.

The novelization gives the name of Soran's deceased wife as Leandra. It also notes that Soran was aware of Picard's trip into the Nexus due to the lack of alternative explanations for Kirk's presence, increasing Soran's rage at Picard for depriving him of his wife again.

External links

  • [1]
  • Template:NCwiki