submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by Izzy@startrek.website to c/risa@startrek.website

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Yep, it's cat.

Are cat people considered canon in the Star Trek universe?

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[-] TrashGoblin@hexbear.net 5 points 11 months ago

Yes. Caitians have appeared in ST:TAS, ST:TMP, Lower Decks, and Prodigy. Kzinti, who are also cat-like, have appeared in TAS and Lower Decks.

[-] ElderWendigo@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Wait, so the cat person in Lower Decks is not a Kzinti? Also, I feel it's worth noting that the Kzinti are from Larry Niven's Known Space universe (because he wrote those episodes for TAS). I feel like it's about time some federation ship stumbled into that alternate Universe.

[-] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 7 points 11 months ago

Kzinti are Star Trek canon.

Niven himself wrote The Animated Series (TAS) episode ‘The Slaver Weapon’, adapted from his short story ‘The Soft Weapon.’

Niven sees Star Trek as a separate universe or timeline, but it shares the Kzin with his own Known Space universe.

In Lower Decks, there is an ensign who is Kzin in addition to Dr T’Ana being Caitian.

Also, it was Niven himself, writing on the official Star Trek website, who put forward the view that Caitians and Kzinti are cousins, with the Caitians having settled on their planet Cait, and adopting a more scientific and technologically oriented culture.

In TAS, Lt. M’Ress was the Caitian second communications officer.

[-] ElderWendigo@sh.itjust.works 7 points 11 months ago

Wow, this is possibly the most insightful comment I have ever gotten as a reply. Thank you.

I'm much more familiar with Niven's Known Space books, so it's interesting to see actual depiction of Kzin. Makes me want to see other Niven aliens like Pierson's Puppeteers, Pak Protectors, and Gw'oth on the screen even more.

[-] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

There was a third species in TAS that some interpret as felinoid, but are more likely lemurians.

The ancient, advanced space-faring species the Vedala was introduced in the TAS episode’The Jihad’ written by Stephen Kandel, whose other episodes featured Harry Mudd.