Star Trek Holograms: Evolution of a Technology

What Are Holograms Used For in Star Trek?

Holograms in the Star Trek universe play a vital role, functioning beyond simple projections, acting as replacements for organic crew members. In situations of emergencies and other circumstances, Star Trek: Voyager featured The Doctor (a Emergency Medical Hologram created by Lewis Zimmerman) and even Deep Space Nine, with its Emergency Medical Hologram (or, as some fans know it as, an Emergency Medical Hologram Mark 1) both serving as stand-ins - but also capable of evolving. Both characters showcase that the potential exists for Holograms to grow beyond just fulfilling simple instructions. They can learn, make friendships, and can become part of a wider, even interconnected community.

In many cases, the evolution of hologram technology is attributed to Star Trek: Voyager's Doctor, who became a Sentient Hologram - one that can feel emotions and express those emotions with greater depth - and had a role in influencing how those Holograms were regarded - in Star Trek, they were no longer simply regarded as a mere tool.

How Were Holograms Used on Deep Space Nine?

In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine universe - Holograms are often used to create simulations and entertainment for the crewmembers stationed there, but those same characters often find that these Holograms are instrumental to how they operate within the space station and those that call it their home. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's main character Quark (played by Armin Shimerman) even uses a hologram of himself to maintain a full staff, serving as a trick that could get around those issues surrounding a labor strike that was initiated by Rom (played by Max Grodénchik).

Even with Vic Fontaine (a sentient Hologram played by James Darren), those in the Deep Space Nine universe, are often presented as characters who offer a sense of realism within the station - acting as a point of comfort and even a sense of belonging in this often chaotic space. This often leads those watching to appreciate Star Trek Deep Space Nine Holograms and their roles as both helpful and entertainment.

How are Emergency Holograms used In Star Trek?

Emergency Holograms are considered an integral part of Star Trek and are created with a primary function: To serve as stand-ins for the crew. This is often shown with the most commonly used holograms: Emergency Medical Holograms.

These programs, often pre-programmed to serve a key role in handling various situations, were also shown in Star Trek: Voyager, specifically, the Doctor (as Emergency Medical Holograms are called within Star Trek: Voyager), where he often serves as a key component to the medical department and often comes to the aid of the crew.

Why Did Captain Rios Use Emergency Holograms?

In Star Trek: Picard, Captain Rios, played by Santiago Cabrera, was also seen as a character who relied on an assortment of Holograms that were specifically created for La Sirena, his starship, and those that comprised his crew. His unique circumstances - in which he was seen as a loner who is trying to navigate this challenging world. Captain Rios also uses these Emergency Holograms in an effort to feel less alone - in a sense, his journey becomes more focused on his struggle as he attempts to deal with the emotional and personal burden he carries with him - the reason behind his desire for connection.

Even the La Sirena Crew was made up of holograms. Each was given unique personalities and, often, took on specific tasks - Emil, an Emergency Medical Hologram. It could be Enoch, a Emergency Navigational Hologram, who often served as the pilot. They can even take the role of Ian, an Emergency Engineering Hologram, and Emmet - a Emergency Tactical Hologram.

What Was the Difference Between Deep Space Nine's Holograms and Picard's?

Holograms in Star Trek continue to grow more complex. However, in early production, those Holograms had very specific limitations as they were mainly used for simulations or entertaining - like in the case of Deep Space Nine.

There's an evolution that's shown in Star Trek: Picard and also in other shows like Star Trek: Voyager where those Emergency Medical Holograms and even those who might appear in the Star Trek Deep Space Nine Emergency Holograms have taken on a much more unique set of capabilities. These changes show just how much they've grown. There's a move to allow Holograms to think for themselves and have unique personalities, making a new wave of potential, especially for how Holograms could even change the universe they are a part of - serving as characters who may take a key part in a story's progress.

Who Was the Most Popular Star Trek Hologram?

Holograms in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Picard, and even Star Trek: Voyager serve as essential parts of each storyline and in some instances can be credited with being just as influential and impactful. This can even be said about their role as a key figure for developing characters who would play major parts, often creating emotional attachments, friendships and complexities - and ultimately providing viewers with moments that resonate long after the show's finale.

For many fans - there is an agreement. The Doctor, who is a Hologram fRom Star Trek: Voyager , often stands out - and this is also partially based on the character's emotional complexity, the ability to form deep bonds, as well as an opportunity for growth, as a character. His journey has also been a testament to just how those who watch the show may be more understanding about holograms and, possibly even embrace their evolution, as this could potentially reshape what holograms can achieve, in the world of Star Trek: Voyager.

Does the "Emergency Command Hologram" Really Exist?

Fans who have been following Star Trek - both on television and film - have often considered how these characters are designed to be either "artificial intelligence" or Holograms. Even as characters within the Star Trek universe are presented as being a type of simulation of human beings, the main focus has been to help those on a journey.

There are often moments where these characters - such as Star Trek's Doctor, and those Emergency Holograms that appear in Star Trek: Picard - are considered to be at the height of their powers when the characters serve as a stand-in, often to ensure a sense of continued security. The characters also help in bringing about those decisions that are based on logic. This was shown with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Bar Association episode which also featured a series of key holograms - all of whom were inspired by those in the Star Trek Universe.