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[[File:Spock mind melds with Van Gelder.jpg|thumb|[[Spock]] performs a mind meld on Dr. [[Simon Van Gelder]]]]
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[[File:Vulcan mind meld.jpg|thumb|[[Spock]] performs a mind meld on Dr. [[Simon Van Gelder]]]]
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[[File:Vulcan mind meld with Paris.jpg|thumb|Tuvok performing a Vulcan mind meld on Tom Paris]]
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{{ep disambiguation|VOY|rd=Meld}}
"''Vulcan mind melds: utter foolishness. Anybody with an ounce of sense wouldn't share his brain with someone else; would you? I certainly wouldn't.''"
 
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{{disambiguation|additional meanings|mind meld (disambiguation)}}
: - '''The Doctor''' ({{VOY|Meld}})
 
 
{{aquote|Vulcan mind melds: utter foolishness. Anybody with an ounce of sense wouldn't share his brain with someone else; would you? I certainly wouldn't.|[[The Doctor]]|2372|Meld}}
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The [[Vulcan]] '''mind meld''', also known as the '''mind link''', '''mind probe''', '''mind fusion''', '''mind touch''', or simply '''meld''', was a [[telepathic]] link between two individuals. It allowed for an intimate exchange of thoughts, thus in essence enabling the participants to become one [[mind]], sharing [[consciousness]] in a kind of gestalt. ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}}; {{TNG|Sarek}}; ''et al.'')
   
The '''Vulcan mind meld''' was a [[telepathy| telepathic]] link between two individuals, allowing for the exchange of thoughts, thus in essence allowing the participants to become one mind. ({{TNG|Sarek}}) It was a [[psionic energy|psionic technique]] for "synaptic pattern displacement". Normally it was employed only by [[Vulcan]]s. It was a deeply personal thing, part of the private life, and generally not used on [[alien]]s, although cases were known where the mind meld was initiated between a Vulcan and a non-Vulcan. ({{VOY|Meld}}, {{TNG|Sarek}}) Those in a meld shared consciousness in a kind of gestalt. ({{DS9|The Passenger}})
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Normally, it was employed only by [[Vulcan]]s. It was a deeply personal thing, part of the private life, and generally not used on [[alien]]s. ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}}) However, it was possible for telepaths of other species, including [[Human]]s, to learn the technique. ({{TOS|Is There in Truth No Beauty?}}) Cases were also known where the mind meld was initiated between a Vulcan and a non-Vulcan, ({{film|3}}; {{VOY|Meld}}; {{TNG|Sarek}}) a Vulcan and a machine, ({{TOS|The Changeling}}) and even an android and a Human. ({{PIC|Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1}})
   
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== Technique ==
Physical contact was required. The initiator placed the tips of his fingers at key locations on the head of the other participant. This allowed him to place pressure on key [[Nervous system|nerves]] and [[blood]] vessels to facilitate the link.
 
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Physical contact was not strictly required but could enhance the effectiveness of the Vulcan's telepathic abilities. ({{TOS|The Devil in the Dark}}) When physical contact was used in a mind meld with a [[humanoid]], the initiator placed the tips of their fingers at key locations on the head of the other participant. ({{TOS|Mirror, Mirror}}, et al.)[[File:Mind Meld.png|thumb|Spock melding with a whale]]
   
 
A mind meld could also be used by its initiator to probe another person's mind, while the melder shielded his or her own mind from being read by the other participant. ({{film|6}})
The fact that most Vulcans who performed the meld touch the other participant in different manners, reciting varying formulas, implies that it was only ritual behavior, helping to concentrate on the task, leaving mere physical contact being the ultimate prerequisite to initiate the meld. If successful, the link resulted in a merging of both [[brain|minds]], essentially creating a single consciousness in two bodies.
 
   
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Some species, including [[Cardassian]]s, could resist the technique, shielding their thoughts from the attempted probe. Cardassian [[Gul]] [[Dukat]] resisted a forcible attempt by Vulcan [[Maquis]] member [[Sakonna]] to mind meld with him during an [[interrogation]] Sakonna performed on behalf of the Maquis. Dukat explained this ability to resist as "simply a matter of discipline." ({{DS9|The Maquis, Part II}}) [[Hazari]] could also resist a mind meld. ({{VOY|Think Tank}})
It is noteworthy that the meld could also be used by its initiator to probe another person's mind, while the melder him/herself shielded his/her mind from being read by the other participant, resulting in a rather one-sided psionic contact. ({{film|6}}) Only the subject in physical contact with the initiator participated in the meld; others in the vicinity are not affected.
 
   
 
A mind meld could even be used to transfer the entire personality or "[[soul]]" (known to Vulcans as the ''[[katra]]'') of an individual into another body. ({{film|2}}, {{film|3}}) A special, appropriately prepared receptacle, such as a [[katric ark]], could also be used. ({{film|3}}; {{ENT|The Forge}}) Vulcans (and [[Trill]], through the ''[[zhian'tara]]'' ritual) did this without aid, whereas a number of people and species were able to achieve similar feats with technology, such as the [[Arretan]]s, [[Janice Lester]], [[Dr.]] [[Ira Graves]], [[Rao Vantika]], and [[Tieran]]. ({{film|3}}; {{TOS|Return to Tomorrow|Turnabout Intruder}}; {{TNG|The Schizoid Man}}; {{DS9|The Passenger|Facets}}; {{VOY|Warlord}})
Some species are immune to Vulcan mind meld and can resist it, shielding their mind from the attempted probing, including [[Cardassian|Cardassians]], who can achieve this thanks to their intense mental training since childhood. ({{DS9|The Maquis, Part II}})
 
   
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== Side effects ==
A mind meld could even be used to transfer the entire personality or "soul" (known to Vulcans as the ''[[katra]]'') of an individual into another body. A special, appropriately prepared receptacle, such as a [[katric ark]] could also be used. Though Vulcans (and Trill, through the ''[[zhian'tara]]'' ritual) did this psionically, a number of people and races were able to duplicate this feat with technology, such as the people of [[Sargon]]'s planet, [[Janice Lester]], [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Ira Graves]], [[Rao Vantika]], and [[Tieran]]. ({{TOS|Return to Tomorrow|Turnabout Intruder}}; {{film|3}}; {{TNG|The Schizoid Man}}; {{VOY|Warlord}}; {{DS9|The Passenger|Facets}})
 
 
Melding carried some risk. It could be physically debilitating for both parties and involved pressure changes which could potentially aggravate existing conditions. The melding resulted in some loss of identity, and could be difficult to break, especially when the subject's mind was powerful or dynamic. Aftereffects could be treated with the drug [[lexorin]]. ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind|The Devil in the Dark}}; {{VOY|Ex Post Facto|Meld|Flashback}}; {{film|3}}) In some cases, portions of one melder's ''katra'' could be left behind with the other. This then enabled an enhanced form of telepathic contact, sometimes over many [[light year]]s. ({{DIS|Battle at the Binary Stars}})
   
 
During the [[22nd century]], mind melding was believed to be an ability only a minority of Vulcans were born to do. Because of the apparent intimacy of melding, Vulcans during this era considered it a deviant practice defiant to the ancestral teachings of their society. As a result, other Vulcans considered those who were natural "melders" to be outcasts. ({{ENT|Stigma}})
Melding carried some risk. It could be physically debilitating for both parties. The pressure changes could potentially aggravate existing conditions. The melding resulted in some loss of identity, and could be difficult to break, especially when the subject's mind was powerful or dynamic. Aftereffects could be treated with the drug [[lexorin]]. ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind|The Devil in the Dark}}; {{VOY|Ex Post Facto|Meld|Flashback}}; {{film|3}})
 
   
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During the [[23rd century]], mind melding became more commonplace when a Vulcan was near death. ({{film|3}})
At the conclusion of the meld, each mind retained some knowledge of the other.
 
   
 
An improperly trained melder who initiated a mind meld could cause a degenerative neurological disorder known as [[Pa'nar Syndrome]] to develop in the meld recipient. If left untreated, the disorder was fatal. Vulcan medicine of the mid-22nd century held that there was no cure; however, the disorder was known in [[Surak]]'s time, as was its cure: a corrective meld performed by an experienced melder. It is likely that the ignorance of this cure was due to the widespread prejudice against melders, a prejudice that was not shared by a group of Vulcans called the [[Syrrannite]]s. ({{ENT|Fusion|Stigma|Kir'Shara}})
It was possible to force a mind meld on an unwilling subject, but most Vulcans would be loath to do so, unless under the most dire circumstances. An exception may be the Vulcans of the [[mirror universe]], whose ethical constraints, shaped by the savagery of their environment, were far different. ({{film|6}}; {{ENT|In a Mirror, Darkly}})
 
   
 
Another side-effect was the transfer of [[emotion]]. ''When [[Spock]] melded with {{alt|James T. Kirk}} of the [[alternate reality]], both seemed emotionally affected by the experience, and Spock apologized, explaining that [[emotional transference]] was a side-effect of the melding process.'' ({{film|11}}) Indeed, melding created a strange sense of [[euphoria]] in the participants. ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}})
During the [[22nd century]], mind melding was believed to be an ability only a minority of Vulcans were born to. Because of the apparent intimacy of melding, Vulcans during this era considered it a deviant practice defiant to the ancestral teachings of their society. As a result, other Vulcans considered those who were natural "melders" to be outcasts. ({{ENT|Stigma}})
 
   
 
== Notable uses ==
An improperly trained melder who initiated a mind meld can cause a degenerative neurological disorder known as [[Pa'nar Syndrome]] to develop in the meld recipient. If left untreated, the disorder is fatal. Vulcan medicine of the mid-[[22nd century]] believed that there was no cure; however, the disorder was known in [[Surak]]'s time, as was its cure: a corrective meld performed by an experienced melder. It is likely that the ignorance of this cure was due to the widespread prejudice against melders, a prejudice that was not shared by the [[Syrrannite]] group. ({{ENT|Fusion|Stigma|Kir'Shara}})
 
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=== 22nd century ===
 
In [[2151]], the ''[[v'tosh ka'tur]]'' [[Tolaris]] initiated a mind meld with [[Sub-Commander]] [[T'Pol]] and continued it against her will. Since Tolaris had not been properly trained in the use of his mental abilities, this meld caused T'Pol to develop [[Pa'nar Syndrome]]. ({{ENT|Fusion|Stigma}})
   
 
In [[2154]], Vulcan [[Ambassador]] [[Soval]], defying the taboo of his day, melded with a [[coma]]tose [[Corporal]] [[Askwith]] to learn who had [[bomb]]ed the [[United Earth Embassy]] on {{dis|Vulcan|planet}}, deciding it was worth the risk upon discovering that evidence implicating the Syrrannites was fabricated. For this offense, [[Administrator]] [[V'Las]] (who was actually behind the bombing) relieved Soval of his post. ({{ENT|The Forge}})
Another side-effect is the transfer of emotion. When Spock Prime melded with the James Kirk of the alternate reality, both seemed emotionaly affected by the experience and Spock Prime apologized, explaining that emotional transference is a side-effect of the melding process. ({{film|11}})
 
   
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{{bginfo|For husband and wife writing partners [[Garfield Reeves-Stevens|Garfield]] and [[Judith Reeves-Stevens]], who co-wrote "The Forge" together, being allowed to include the concept of mind melds in that episode felt "momentous". ("The Forge" [[audio commentary]], [[ENT Season 4 Blu-ray]])}}
==Notable uses==
 
In [[2151]], the ''[[v'tosh ka'tur]]'' [[Tolaris]] initiated a mind meld with [[Subcommander]] [[T'Pol]] against her will. Since Tolaris had not been properly trained in the use of his mental abilities, this meld caused [[T'Pol]] to develop [[Pa'nar Syndrome]]. ({{ENT|Fusion|Stigma}})
 
 
In [[2154]], Vulcan [[Ambassador]] [[Soval]], defying the taboo of his day, melded with a [[coma]]tose [[Corporal]] [[Askwith]] to learn who bombed the [[United Earth Embassy]] on Vulcan, deciding it was worth the risk upon discovering that the evidence implicating the Syrranites was fabricated. For this offense, [[Administrator]] [[V'Las]] (who was actually behind the bombing) relieved Soval of his post. ({{ENT|The Forge}})
 
   
 
Shortly afterward, T'Pol's Pa'nar Syndrome was cured by the Syrrannite [[T'Pau]]. ({{ENT|Kir'Shara}})
 
Shortly afterward, T'Pol's Pa'nar Syndrome was cured by the Syrrannite [[T'Pau]]. ({{ENT|Kir'Shara}})
   
In [[November]] of 2154, T'Pol initiated her first mind meld on the [[starship]] {{EnterpriseNX}}. In an attempt to ultimately discover the location of [[Doctor]] [[Phlox]], T'Pol melded with [[Ensign]] [[Hoshi Sato]]. ({{ENT|Affliction}})
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In [[November]] of 2154, T'Pol initiated her first mind meld on the [[starship]] {{EnterpriseNX}} with the assistance of [[Captain]] [[Jonathan Archer]], as he had previously held the ''katra'' of Surak. In an attempt to ultimately discover the location of [[Doctor]] [[Phlox]], T'Pol melded with [[Ensign]] [[Hoshi Sato]]. ({{ENT|Affliction}})
   
''In [[January]] of [[2155]] of the [[mirror universe]], {{mu|T'Pol}}, via a mind meld, implanted a telepathic "suggestion" into the mind of [[Commander]] {{mu|Charles Tucker}}. Under this influence, Tucker sabotaged the power grid of the {{ISS|Enterprise|NX-01}} in order to disable a [[Suliban]] [[cloaking device]]. After doing this, T'Pol melded with Tucker again, erasing his memories of his actions.'' ({{ENT|In a Mirror, Darkly}})
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''In [[January]] of [[2155]] of the [[mirror universe]], {{mu|T'Pol}}, via a mind meld, implanted a telepathic "suggestion" into the mind of [[Commander]] {{mu|Charles Tucker}}. Under this influence, Tucker [[sabotage]]d the [[power grid]] of the {{ISS|Enterprise|NX-01}} in order to disable a [[Suliban]] [[cloaking device]]. After doing this, T'Pol melded with Tucker again, erasing his [[memory|memories]] of his actions.'' ({{ENT|In a Mirror, Darkly}})
   
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=== 23rd century ===
''In an [[alternate reality]], [[Spock|future Spock]] melded with {{alt|James T. Kirk|young Kirk}} in [[2258]] to explain how he and [[Nero]] came from the future. Furthermore, {{alt|Spock}} mind-melded with a [[Romulan]] to find out where Captain {{alt|Christopher Pike|Pike}} was being held.'' ({{film|11}})
 
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[[File:Sarek and Burnham in the mind meld.jpg|left|thumb|Sarek and Michael Burnham in telepathic contact.]]
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Following a [[bomb]]ing at the [[Vulcan Learning Center]], [[Sarek]] was forced to initiate a mind meld with his [[legal ward|ward]], [[Michael Burnham]] in order to revive her. As a result, a portion of Sarek's ''katra'' remained with Burnham. This enabled him to telepathically communicate with her in [[2256]] during the [[Battle of the Binary Stars]]. ({{DIS|Battle at the Binary Stars}})
   
 
''In the [[alternate reality]], [[Spock|Spock Prime]] melded with {{alt|James T. Kirk|young Kirk}} in [[2258]] to explain how he and [[Nero]] came from the future, showing him through images the events that led to the creation of the alternate reality itself. During the meld, some of Spock's own emotions transferred over to Kirk about the [[Destruction of Vulcan]] when he showed Kirk his perspective of the event. Furthermore, {{alt|Spock}} of the alternate reality mind-melded with a [[Romulan]] to find out where [[Captain]] {{alt|Christopher Pike|Pike}} was being held.'' ({{film|11}})
In [[2266]], on stardate 2715, [[Spock]] melded with [[Simon Van Gelder]], then suffering from generalized synaptic damage, to learn whether Van Gelder's allegations about [[Tristan Adams]] were true, or delusions. Spock warned Van Gelder that the pressure changes could be dangerous. ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}})
 
   
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''In the alternate reality, Spock melded with Christopher Pike in [[2259]] during his [[death]], caused by {{alt|Khan Noonien Singh}}. Later that year, Spock also melded with Khan during a fight, in an attempt to stop him.'' ({{film|12}})
In [[2267]], Spock unsuccessfully tried to reach [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]]'s mind when he was under the control of the computer [[Landru]] on planet [[Beta III]]. ({{TOS|The Return of the Archons}})
 
   
The same year, on stardate 3192, Spock used what might have been a variation on a mind meld to convince a guard on [[Eminiar VII]] to open the door to the room where the landing party was imprisoned, facilitating their escape. ({{TOS|A Taste of Armageddon}})
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In [[2266]], on [[stardate]] 2715, [[Spock]] melded with [[Simon Van Gelder]], then suffering from generalized synaptic damage, to learn whether allegations Van Gelder had made about Dr. [[Tristan Adams]] were true, or delusions. Spock warned Van Gelder that the pressure changes involved in the meld could be dangerous. ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}})
   
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{{bginfo|This was the first mind meld ever depicted in ''[[Star Trek]]''. For more details about this incident, see the [[#Background information|Background information]] section.}}
On stardate 3196, Spock not only melded with a [[silicon]]-based lifeform, the [[mother Horta]], but managed to do so without even touching it at first. ({{TOS|The Devil in the Dark}})
 
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In [[2267]], Spock unsuccessfully tried to reach [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]]'s mind when he was under the control of the [[computer]] [[Landru]] on planet [[Beta III]]. ({{TOS|The Return of the Archons}})
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The same year, on stardate 3192, Spock used what might have been a variation of a mind meld to convince a [[guard]] on [[Eminiar VII]] to open the door to a room where a [[landing party]] was imprisoned, facilitating their escape. ({{TOS|A Taste of Armageddon}})
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On stardate 3196, Spock not only melded with a [[silicon]]-based [[lifeform]], a [[mother Horta]], but managed to do so without even touching it at first. ({{TOS|The Devil in the Dark}})
   
 
In that same year, Spock melded with ''[[Nomad]]'' to learn its origin. ({{TOS|The Changeling}})
 
In that same year, Spock melded with ''[[Nomad]]'' to learn its origin. ({{TOS|The Changeling}})
   
Also in 2267, [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] became the victim of an unwilling mind meld, when the [[mirror universe]] Spock forced information from him about the nature of the transporter accident that brought four {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} officers to the mirror universe. ({{TOS|Mirror, Mirror}})
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''Also in 2267, McCoy became the victim of an unwilling mind meld, when the [[mirror universe]] {{mu|Spock}} forced information from him about the nature of a [[transporter]] accident that had brought four {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} officers into the mirror universe.'' ({{TOS|Mirror, Mirror}})
   
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In [[2268]], Spock performed a mind probe on a [[Drugs and treatments|drugged]] [[John Gill]], creating a condition in which Gill could not initiate speech or other actions but could reply to questions. ({{TOS|Patterns of Force}})
On stardate 4657.5, Spock attempted a meld with [[Kelinda]], a [[Kelvan]], through a few feet of solid rock. Although the attempt was thwarted by [[Kelinda]] with prejudice, Spock was able to get an impression of the Kelvan's true [[non-humanoid]] form. ({{TOS|By Any Other Name}})
 
   
In [[2268]], on stardate 4385.3, Spock melded with [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]], [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] and [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]] to ensure they believed the bullets fired at them from [[Virgil Earp]], [[Morgan Earp]], [[Wyatt Earp]], and [[Doc Holliday]] (at the [[OK Corral]]) were unreal and, therefore, unable to harm them. ({{TOS|Spectre of the Gun}})
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On stardate 4657.5, Spock attempted a meld with [[Kelinda]], a [[Kelvan]], through a few feet of solid rock. Although the attempt was thwarted by Kelinda with prejudice, Spock was able to get an impression of the Kelvan's true [[non-humanoid]] form. ({{TOS|By Any Other Name}})
   
The same year, Spock melded with Kirk, who was suffering from retrograde amnesia, consequential to the misuse of a [[Preserver]] artifact. Although Spock had some difficulty emerging from this meld, he was able to successfully restore Kirk's memory. ({{TOS|The Paradise Syndrome}})
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On stardate 4385.3, Spock melded with [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]], McCoy, and [[Montgomery Scott]] to ensure they believed that bullets fired at them from [[Virgil Earp]], [[Morgan Earp]], [[Wyatt Earp]], and [[Doc Holliday]] (at the [[OK Corral]]) were unreal and, therefore, unable to harm them. ({{TOS|Spectre of the Gun}})
   
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The same year, Spock melded with Kirk, who was suffering from retrograde [[amnesia]], consequential to the misuse of a [[Preserver]] artifact. Although Spock had some difficulty emerging from this meld, he was able to successfully restore Kirk's memory. ({{TOS|The Paradise Syndrome}})
Later in 2268, Spock was driven mad by the sight of [[Ambassador]] [[Kollos]]. [[Miranda Jones]], a [[Human]] telepath trained on Vulcan, used a meld to restore his sanity by making him forget what he'd seen. ({{TOS|Is There in Truth No Beauty?}})
 
   
 
Later in 2268, Spock was driven [[insanity|mad]] by the sight of [[Medusan]] Ambassador [[Kollos]]. [[Miranda Jones]], a [[Human]] telepath trained on {{dis|Vulcan|planet}}, used a meld to restore his sanity by making him forget what he'd seen. ({{TOS|Is There in Truth No Beauty?}})
In [[2269]], Spock melded with a sleeping Kirk, whispering a single word, "forget", to help Kirk forget his love for the female android [[Rayna Kapec]]. ({{TOS|Requiem for Methuselah}})
 
   
Also in 2269, Spock utilized a mind meld to verify the claim that Kirk's consciousness was trapped in the body of [[Janice Lester]]. ({{TOS|Turnabout Intruder}})
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In [[2269]], Spock melded with a [[sleep]]ing Kirk, whispering a single word, "''Forget,''" to help Kirk forget his [[love]] for [[female]] [[android]] [[Rayna Kapec]]. ({{TOS|Requiem for Methuselah}})
   
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Also in 2269, Spock utilized a mind meld to verify a claim that Kirk's consciousness was trapped in the body of [[Janice Lester]]. ({{TOS|Turnabout Intruder}})
In [[2273]], when the ''Enterprise'' was inside ''[[V'Ger]]'', Commander Spock entered a section of ''V'Ger'' where it stored 3D images of objects that it encountered through its travels. He entered this area via thruster suit and subsequently encountered a large representation of Lieutenant [[Ilia]] with a pulsing sensor on her neck. Believing it to have some special meaning, he used a mind meld on it. Spock was overwhelmed by the information from the mind meld, and was flung back unconscious towards the ''Enterprise''. ({{film|1}})
 
   
 
In the [[2270s]], when the ''Enterprise'' was inside ''[[V'ger]]'', Commander Spock entered a section of ''V'ger'' where it stored 3D images of objects that it encountered through its travels. He entered this area via [[thruster suit]] and subsequently encountered a large representation of [[Lieutenant]] [[Ilia]] with a pulsing [[sensor]] on her neck. Believing it to have some special meaning, he used a mind meld on it. Spock was overwhelmed by the information from the mind meld, and was flung back unconscious towards the ''Enterprise''. ({{film|1}})
In [[2285]], Spock used a mind meld to transfer his ''katra'' to McCoy before sacrificing himself to restore warp power during the [[Battle of the Mutara Nebula]]. ({{film|2}}) Upon the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s return to Earth, [[Sarek]] mind-melded with Kirk to discover the fate of Spock's ''katra''. ({{film|3}})
 
   
 
In [[2285]], Spock used a mind meld to transfer his ''katra'' to McCoy before sacrificing himself to restore [[warp drive|warp]] power during the [[Battle of the Mutara Nebula]]. ({{film|2}}) Upon the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s return to [[Earth]], [[Sarek]] mind-melded with Kirk to discover the fate of Spock's ''katra''. ({{film|3}})
After time-traveling to [[1986]], [[Spock]] mind melded with the [[humpback whale]]s [[George and Gracie]] to inform them of the crew's plan to bring the whales back with them to the year [[2286]] to answer a [[Whale Probe|mysterious probe]] that threatened [[Earth]], reasoning that they had to confirm that the whales were willing to help them or they would be no better than those who made the whales extinct in the first place. ({{film|4}})
 
   
 
After [[time-travel]]ing to [[1986]], Spock mind melded with [[humpback whale]]s [[George and Gracie]] to inform them that his crew planned to bring the [[whale]]s back with them to the year [[2286]], to answer a [[Whale Probe|mysterious probe]] that threatened [[Earth]]; Spock reasoned that they had to confirm that the whales were willing to help them or they would be no better than those who made the whales extinct in the first place. ({{film|4}})
In [[2293]], Spock used a mind meld to force information about the [[Khitomer conspiracy]] from [[Lieutenant]] [[Valeris]]. ({{film|6}})
 
   
 
In [[2293]], Spock used a mind meld to force information about the [[Khitomer conspiracy]] from Lieutenant [[Valeris]]. ({{film|6}})
{{bginfo|''Star Trek VI'' director [[Nicholas Meyer]] expressed unease at the film's mind meld scene, from a post-9/11 perspective, stating, "''I [...] confess to being troubled by [it] [...] In light of the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration's treatment of 'enemy combatants', I blush.''" (''[[The View from the Bridge - Memories of Star Trek and a Life in Hollywood]]'', hardcover ed., p. 231)}}
 
   
 
{{bginfo|''Star Trek VI'' Director [[Nicholas Meyer]] expressed unease at the [[Star Trek films|film]]'s mind meld scene, from a post-9/11 perspective, stating, "''I [...] confess to being troubled by [it] [....] In light of the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration's treatment of 'enemy combatants', I blush.''" (''[[The View from the Bridge]]'', hardcover ed., p. 231)}}
In [[2366]], in order to assuage his nascent [[Bendii Syndrome]], Sarek entered into a mind meld with [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] at the behest of Dr. [[Beverly Crusher]]. ({{TNG|Sarek}})
 
   
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=== 24th century ===
In [[2368]], Spock entered into a mind meld with Captain Picard to touch the thoughts that Sarek had left before he died, Sarek and Spock having never melded. ({{TNG|Unification II}})
 
 
In [[2366]], in order to assuage [[Bendii Syndrome]], which he was beginning to suffer from, Sarek entered into a mind meld with [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] at the behest of Dr. [[Beverly Crusher]]. ({{TNG|Sarek}})
   
 
In [[2368]], shortly following the death of Sarek, Spock entered into a mind meld with Captain Picard to touch the thoughts that Sarek had left before he died, Sarek and Spock having never melded while Sarek was alive. ({{TNG|Unification II}})
In [[2370]], [[Sakonna]], a Vulcan member of the [[Maquis]], attempted a mind meld on [[Gul]] [[Dukat]] in an attempt to learn the location of illegal [[Cardassian]] weapons in the [[Demilitarized Zone]]. ({{DS9|The Maquis, Part II}})
 
   
 
In [[2370]], [[Sakonna]], a Vulcan member of the [[Maquis]], attempted a mind meld on [[Gul]] [[Dukat]] in an attempt to learn the location of illegal [[Cardassian]] weapons in the [[Demilitarized Zone]], but this mind meld failed due to Dukat's mental discipline allowing him to resist her efforts to access his memories. ({{DS9|The Maquis, Part II}})
In [[2371]], [[Tuvok]] melded with crewmate Lieutenant [[Tom Paris]] after Paris was accused of the murder of [[Banean]] [[scientist]] Doctor [[Tolen Ren]]. The meld allowed him to prove that Paris had been framed in an elaborate plot to provide the Banean's enemies, the [[Numiri]], with critical information, when his analysis of the implanted memory revealed crucial anomalies that proved Paris couldn't have committed the murder. ({{VOY|Ex Post Facto}})
 
   
 
In [[2371]], [[Tuvok]] melded with crewmate Lieutenant [[Tom Paris]] after Paris was accused of having [[murder]]ed [[Banea]]n [[scientist]] Doctor [[Tolen Ren]]. The meld allowed Tuvok to prove that Paris had been framed in an elaborate plot to provide the [[Numiri]], who were enemies of the Baneans, with critical information, when his analysis of Paris' memory of the incident revealed crucial anomalies that proved Paris couldn't have committed the murder. ({{VOY|Ex Post Facto}})
In [[2372]], Tuvok melded with the sociopath [[Betazoid]] [[Lon Suder]] in an attempt to gain a better understanding of Suder's violent impulses. While the meld provided Suder with a measure of emotional control, it also temporarily released Tuvok's more violent and primal urges. ({{VOY|Meld}})
 
   
 
In [[2372]], Tuvok melded with sociopath [[Betazoid]] [[Lon Suder]], in an attempt to gain a better understanding of Suder's violent impulses. While the meld provided Suder with a measure of emotional control, it also temporarily released Tuvok's more violent and primal urges. ({{VOY|Meld}})
In [[2373]], Tuvok melded with his close friend [[Kathryn Janeway]] to discover the root of a supposed memory he had of a girl falling to her death from a precipice. It was later discovered that Tuvok had a [[memory virus]] in his [[brain]] unwittingly transmitted to him in 2293 by [[Dmitri Valtane]]. The virus was destroyed with [[thoron radiation]]. ({{VOY|Flashback}})
 
   
 
In [[2373]], Tuvok melded with his close friend [[Kathryn Janeway]] to discover the root of a supposed memory he had of a girl falling to her death from a precipice. For this meld, [[chair]]s were specially set up. It was later discovered that Tuvok had a [[memory virus]] in his [[brain]], unwittingly transmitted to him in 2293 by [[Dimitri Valtane]]. The [[virus]] was destroyed with [[thoron radiation]]. ({{VOY|Flashback}})
  +
  +
[[File:Torres and Tuvok mind meld.jpg|thumb|Tuvok performing a mind meld on B'Elanna Torres]]
 
In [[2374]], Tuvok attempted to perform a mind meld with [[Kes]] in order to give her stability when her mental powers began to grow out of control. ({{VOY|The Gift}})
 
In [[2374]], Tuvok attempted to perform a mind meld with [[Kes]] in order to give her stability when her mental powers began to grow out of control. ({{VOY|The Gift}})
   
Later that year, he melded with an alien named [[Guill]] in an investigation to prove [[B'Elanna Torres]]' innocence. Guill was from a society where violent thoughts were illegal. Guill was a collector and trader of such thoughts. Tuvok proceeded with the meld under the pretense that only images would be exchanged, but he also grabbed and choked Guill in the meld to get him to submit. ({{VOY|Random Thoughts}})
+
Later that year, he melded with a [[Mari]] named [[Guill]] in an investigation to prove [[B'Elanna Torres]]' innocence in provoking a [[death]] in a telepathic society. Guill was from a society where violent thoughts were illegal, though he was a collector and trader of such thoughts. Tuvok proceeded with the meld under the pretense that only images would be exchanged, but he instead unleashed the intense, primal Vulcan emotions that had been suppressed during the [[Time of Awakening]] to get him to submit and confess to his role in the death. ({{VOY|Random Thoughts}})
   
In [[2375]], Tuvok melded with [[Seven of Nine]] and, indirectly, with a Borg [[vinculum]], to free her from a multiple personality disorder induced by the vinculum. ({{VOY|Infinite Regress}})
+
In [[2375]], Tuvok melded with [[Seven of Nine]] and, indirectly, with a [[Borg]] [[vinculum]], to free her from a [[multiple personality disorder]] induced by the vinculum. ({{VOY|Infinite Regress}})
   
  +
Also in 2375, Tuvok melded with [[Noss]], in order to convey his unspoken feelings for her. ({{VOY|Gravity}})
In [[2377]], Tuvok performed an extended technique of the mind meld, the "Bridging of Minds", on Captain [[Kathryn Janeway|Janeway]] and Seven of Nine, forming a bond between the two individuals, who were otherwise unable to telepathically link. ({{VOY|Unimatrix Zero}})
 
   
 
In [[2377]], Tuvok performed an extended technique of the mind meld, the "Bridging of Minds", on Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine, forming a bond between the two individuals, who were otherwise unable to telepathically link. ({{VOY|Unimatrix Zero}})
{{bginfo|Presumably, Tuvok melded with one of his relatives in [[2378]], after ''Voyager'' returned to the [[Alpha Quadrant]], in order to undergo ''[[Fal-tor-voh]]'', a treatment for his neurodegenerative disease.}}
 
   
 
{{bginfo|Presumably, Tuvok melded with one of his relatives in [[2378]], after ''Voyager'' returned to the [[Alpha Quadrant]], in order to undergo ''[[fal-tor-voh]]'', a treatment for his neurodegenerative disease.}}
Although not a mind meld as such, in [[2379]], the [[Viceroy (Reman)|Reman Viceroy]] enabled [[Praetor]] [[Shinzon]] to telepathically "[[rape]]" [[counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]. ({{film|10}})
 
  +
{{bginfo|This suggests that, although Romulans may not possess psionic abilities, Remans do.}}
 
 
Although not a mind meld as such, in [[2379]], the [[Reman Viceroy]] enabled [[Praetor]] [[Shinzon]] to telepathically "[[rape]]" [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]. ({{film|10}})
 
{{bginfo|This suggests that, although Romulans may not have possessed psionic abilities, [[Reman]]s did.}}
  +
  +
[[File:Tuvok Mind Melds with Data Fabricator.jpg|thumb|Tuvok mind melds with the data fabricator]]
  +
In [[2381]], Tuvok performed an invasive mind meld on a [[Zakdorn]] [[data fabricator]] during a secret investigation of Captain [[Carol Freeman]]'s alleged [[bomb]]ing of [[Pakled Planet]]. The forger revealed he had been hired by the [[Pakled]]s, who destroyed their own [[homeworld]] and framed Freeman, in order to force the Federation to relocate them to a more resource-rich planet. ({{LD|Grounded}})
  +
  +
In [[2399]], [[Sutra]], an [[android]], performed a mind meld on a human. ({{PIC|Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1}})
  +
  +
In [[2401]], Seven referenced the mind meld she had done with Tuvok when speaking with {{dis|Tuvok|Changeling}}, using it to reveal the deception of the [[Changeling]]. ({{PIC|Dominion}})
   
 
== Appendices ==
 
== Appendices ==
  +
=== Appearances ===
  +
<div class="appear">
  +
* {{TOS}}
  +
** {{e|Dagger of the Mind}}
  +
** {{e|A Taste of Armageddon}}
  +
** {{e|The Devil in the Dark}}
  +
** {{e|The Changeling}}
  +
** {{e|Mirror, Mirror}}
  +
** {{e|Patterns of Force}}
  +
** {{e|By Any Other Name}}
  +
** {{e|The Paradise Syndrome}}
  +
** {{e|Is There in Truth No Beauty?}}
  +
** {{e|Spectre of the Gun}}
  +
** {{e|Requiem for Methuselah}}
  +
** {{e|Turnabout Intruder}}
  +
* {{TAS}}
  +
** {{e|One of Our Planets Is Missing}}
  +
** {{e|The Infinite Vulcan}}
  +
** {{e|The Magicks of Megas-Tu}}
  +
* {{Star Trek films}}
  +
** {{film|5}}
  +
** {{film|6}}
  +
** {{film|11}}
  +
* {{TNG}}
  +
** {{e|Sarek}}
  +
** {{e|Unification II}}
  +
* {{DS9|The Maquis, Part II}}
  +
* {{VOY}}
  +
** {{e|Ex Post Facto}}
  +
** {{e|Meld}}
  +
** {{e|Flashback}}
  +
** {{e|Warlord}}
  +
** {{e|The Gift}}
  +
** {{e|Random Thoughts}}
  +
** {{e|Infinite Regress}}
  +
** {{e|Gravity}}
  +
** {{e|Unimatrix Zero}}
  +
** {{e|Repression}}
  +
** {{e|Workforce}}
  +
* {{ENT}}
  +
** {{e|Fusion}}
  +
** {{e|Stigma}}
  +
** {{e|The Forge}}
  +
** {{e|Awakening}}
  +
** {{e|Kir'Shara}}
  +
** {{e|Affliction}}
  +
** {{e|In a Mirror, Darkly}}
  +
* {{DIS}}
  +
** {{e|Battle at the Binary Stars}}
  +
** {{e|Lethe}}
  +
** {{e|The Wolf Inside}}
  +
** {{e|The War Without, The War Within}}
  +
** {{e|If Memory Serves}}
  +
** {{e|Choose to Live}}
  +
** {{e|Coming Home}}
  +
* {{PIC}}
  +
** {{e|Nepenthe}}
  +
** {{e|Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1}}
  +
** {{e|Mercy}}
  +
* {{LD|Grounded}}
  +
* {{SNW}}
  +
** {{e|Memento Mori}}
  +
** {{e|A Quality of Mercy}}
  +
</div>
  +
  +
=== Background information ===
  +
Prior to the invention of the Vulcan mind meld, the scene it was first used in was to have been a lengthy interrogation of Simon Van Gelder by Captain Kirk. (''[[I Am Spock]]'', hardback ed., p. 60) When [[Robert H. Justman]] contacted [[Gene Roddenberry]] with a memo about the revised story outline of {{e|Dagger of the Mind}} (the memo was dated {{d|4|April|1966}}), Justman remarked, "''I feel like it would be best for us if we did not establish anything like a truth beam when Kirk attempts to interrogate Van Gelder. Perhaps the ship's doctor could have administered some sort of a sedative which have certain properties which would enable Kirk to get deeper into the heart of what is troubling Van Gelder.''"
  +
  +
[[Leonard Nimoy]] cited [[Gene Roddenberry]] as the inventor of the Vulcan mind meld. (''[[Star Trek: The Real Story]]''; ''[[I Am Spock]]'', hardback ed., pp. 59 & 60) According to Nimoy, Roddenberry devised the idea in an attempt to make the scene it was first used in more dramatic. (''[[I Am Spock]]'', hardback ed., p. 60) In his [[reference works|reference book]] ''[[Gene Roddenberry: The Myth and the Man Behind Star Trek]]'' (p. 81), writer [[Joel Engel]] credited [[Shimon Wincelberg]], who wrote {{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}}, with the concept, rather than Roddenberry. The mind meld was thought up by the staff writers of {{s|TOS}} by the time they had fully devised the [[neural neutralizer]] (which is also established in "Dagger of the Mind"). (''[[The Star Trek Compendium]]'', 4th ed., p. 41)
  +
  +
Thereafter in the episode's development, Spock used a hypnosis machine to retrieve the much-needed information from Simon Van Gelder's mind. (''[[Beyond the Final Frontier]]'', p. 14) The method Spock employed was referred to as hypnotism in another memo from Bob Justman to Gene Roddenberry (this one dated {{d|28|June|1966}}).
  +
  +
In the final draft script of "Dagger of the Mind", the mind meld wasn't referred to as an ancient technique, though it is described as that in the final version of the episode (in a log entry which wasn't at all in the final draft script). The teleplay's description of the mind meld between Spock and Van Gelder was as follows; "''[Spock] places his hands at each side of the junction of neck and shoulder, his thumbs pressing deeply into Van Gelder's torso. Spock seems to be feeling with his fingers for [[blood vessel|[blood] vessel]]s and [[nerve ending]]s. Van Gelder groans, writhes a bit... Spock seems to be finding the pressure points he wants. He is analyzing what he feels, something of an expert [[safe-cracker]] feeling the action of mechanisms and {{dis|tumbler|security}}s through his fingers. Finally he's ready.''" In an ultimately abandoned scene from the same script, this meld was established as causing Simon Van Gelder to lose consciousness and nearly die, and Spock to become exhausted "at the emotion he has put into this."
  +
  +
The invention of the mind meld had the advantage of providing Spock actor [[Leonard Nimoy]] with a way to emphasize the importance of touch to Vulcans, which he was making a concerted effort to do. (''[[I Am Spock]]'', hardback ed., p. 60) Nimoy described the mind meld as "a wonderful creative idea" that Roddenberry devised when he was "at his best." (''[[Star Trek: The Real Story]]'') The actor further commented, "''It was a far more dramatic way to extract information than a lot of questions, and it became a popular device for the show's writers [....] I applauded the concept, not only for the drama but because it gave me an opportunity to step outside the character from time to time.''" (''[[I Am Spock]]'', hardback ed., p. 61)
  +
  +
In ultimately unused dialogue from the second draft script of {{DS9|Accession}}, exposure to Vulcan mind melds was established as causing elevated levels of [[psilosynine]].
  +
  +
In the final draft script of {{ENT|Vox Sola}} but not in the episode itself, the Vulcan mind meld was mentioned by Captain Archer. He likened it to a predicament he had just been saved from, in which becoming caught along with other Human officers in a [[symbiotic lifeform]]'s web-like tendrils had enabled the Humans to read each other's minds.
  +
  +
Likewise, in the final draft script of {{ENT|Rajiin}}, mind melds were again mentioned in dialogue which didn't make it into the final edit of the episode. In that case, they were said by T'Pol to be dissimilar to invasive telepathy carried out by [[Rajiin]], as mind melds were less "physically invasive" than the form of telepathy used by Rajiin and were more about reading minds than her telepathy was.
  +
 
=== Apocrypha ===
 
=== Apocrypha ===
In the novelization of ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country|The Undiscovered Country]]'' featured a slightly different take on the forced mindmeld between Spock and Valeris. As Spock probed her mind, he stopped just short of breaking her will and gave her the choice to willingly help him. The choked sobs by Valeris was her gratitude and grief at being given the choice.
+
In the {{novel}}ization of ''{{dis|Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country|novel}}'', a slightly different take on the forced mind meld between Spock and Valeris was featured. As Spock probed her mind, he stopped just short of breaking her will and gave her the choice to willingly help him. A choked sob by Valeris was an expression of her gratitude and grief at being given the choice. Nevertheless, the scene deeply distressed Spock and shocked the crew.
   
 
In the novel ''[[Memory Prime]]'', the mind meld was used as a form of combat between Spock and a Romulan assassin.
 
In the novel ''[[Memory Prime]]'', the mind meld was used as a form of combat between Spock and a Romulan assassin.
   
  +
In the novel ''[[Mindshadow]]'', melding can be used as an interrogation technique; in which case, the melder can block the meldee's access to their own mind. Those that learnt this discipline on Vulcan were required to take an oath that they would rather die before violating the privacy of another's consciousness against their will.
In the [[William Shatner]] novel ''[[The Return]]'', Spock performed a meld with Picard and Kirk in an attempt to free Kirk from the brainwashing program that had been implanted in him by the Borg/Romulan Alliance; at the time, Spock said that such a thing had never been done, but it is possible that the Bridging wasn't well-known among Vulcans.
 
  +
  +
In the novel ''[[Captain's Glory]]'', Vulcans were capable of using the mind meld to pass down memories from ancestors down to their descendants, which meant that melding was partly responsible for the retention of ancient Vulcan traditions.
  +
 
In the [[William Shatner]] novel ''[[The Return]]'', Spock performed a meld with Picard and Kirk in an attempt to free Kirk from a brainwashing program that had been implanted in him by the [[Borg]]/Romulan Alliance; at the time, Spock said that such a thing had never been done, but it is possible that the Bridging wasn't well-known among Vulcans.
  +
  +
In the {{y|2013}} {{video game}} ''{{dis|Star Trek|video game}}'', {{alt|Spock}} melds with unconscious Vulcans to uncover information on the affliction affecting those stationed at Helios-1, as well as passcodes to doors. He also melds with an unconscious [[Gorn]] to determine what their endgame was. {{alt|James T. Kirk}} participates in the meld while restraining the Gorn in case he awakens.
  +
  +
In the [[Star Trek vs. Transformers, Issue 2|second issue]] of the comic crossover mini-series ''[[Star Trek vs. Transformers]]'', Spock performed a meld with Optimus Prime after noting the similarities between the electrical signals in the Autobot leader's circuitry and the firing of neurons within the humanoid brain, as well as to determine who he is. When Spock makes the connection, he learns about the history of the Transformers, their [[homeworld]] of Cybertron, and the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons that has been waged for eons. However, the sheer amount of neurological information overwhelms him and forces him out of the meld. Though Spock stumbles back, his gambit pays off as it reawakens Optimus Prime.
  +
  +
=== See also ===
  +
* [[Synthetic mind meld augment]]
  +
* [[Telepathic mating bond]]
  +
*''[[Ten'chara]]''
   
 
=== External link ===
 
=== External link ===
* {{NCwiki}}
+
* {{mbeta}}
   
 
[[de:Gedankenverschmelzung]]
 
[[de:Gedankenverschmelzung]]
 
[[fr:Fusion mentale vulcaine]]
 
[[fr:Fusion mentale vulcaine]]
 
[[Category:Vulcan]]
 
[[Category:Vulcan]]
  +
[[category:Communication]]
[[Category:medical procedures]]
+
[[Category:Medical procedures]]
 
[[Category:Psychology]]
 
[[Category:Psychology]]
 
[[Category:Crimes]]
 
[[Category:Crimes]]

Latest revision as of 18:12, 25 February 2024

Multiple realities
(covers information from several alternate timelines)
Spock mind melds with Van Gelder

Spock performs a mind meld on Dr. Simon Van Gelder

Vulcan mind meld with Paris

Tuvok performing a Vulcan mind meld on Tom Paris

Meld redirects here; for the VOY episode of the same name, please see "Meld".
For additional meanings, please see mind meld (disambiguation).
"Vulcan mind melds: utter foolishness. Anybody with an ounce of sense wouldn't share his brain with someone else; would you? I certainly wouldn't."
– The Doctor, 2372 ("Meld")

The Vulcan mind meld, also known as the mind link, mind probe, mind fusion, mind touch, or simply meld, was a telepathic link between two individuals. It allowed for an intimate exchange of thoughts, thus in essence enabling the participants to become one mind, sharing consciousness in a kind of gestalt. (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind"; TNG: "Sarek"; et al.)

Normally, it was employed only by Vulcans. It was a deeply personal thing, part of the private life, and generally not used on aliens. (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind") However, it was possible for telepaths of other species, including Humans, to learn the technique. (TOS: "Is There in Truth No Beauty?") Cases were also known where the mind meld was initiated between a Vulcan and a non-Vulcan, (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; VOY: "Meld"; TNG: "Sarek") a Vulcan and a machine, (TOS: "The Changeling") and even an android and a Human. (PIC: "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1")

Technique

Physical contact was not strictly required but could enhance the effectiveness of the Vulcan's telepathic abilities. (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark") When physical contact was used in a mind meld with a humanoid, the initiator placed the tips of their fingers at key locations on the head of the other participant. (TOS: "Mirror, Mirror", et al.)

Mind Meld

Spock melding with a whale

A mind meld could also be used by its initiator to probe another person's mind, while the melder shielded his or her own mind from being read by the other participant. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Some species, including Cardassians, could resist the technique, shielding their thoughts from the attempted probe. Cardassian Gul Dukat resisted a forcible attempt by Vulcan Maquis member Sakonna to mind meld with him during an interrogation Sakonna performed on behalf of the Maquis. Dukat explained this ability to resist as "simply a matter of discipline." (DS9: "The Maquis, Part II") Hazari could also resist a mind meld. (VOY: "Think Tank")

A mind meld could even be used to transfer the entire personality or "soul" (known to Vulcans as the katra) of an individual into another body. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock) A special, appropriately prepared receptacle, such as a katric ark, could also be used. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; ENT: "The Forge") Vulcans (and Trill, through the zhian'tara ritual) did this without aid, whereas a number of people and species were able to achieve similar feats with technology, such as the Arretans, Janice Lester, Dr. Ira Graves, Rao Vantika, and Tieran. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; TOS: "Return to Tomorrow", "Turnabout Intruder"; TNG: "The Schizoid Man"; DS9: "The Passenger", "Facets"; VOY: "Warlord")

Side effects

Melding carried some risk. It could be physically debilitating for both parties and involved pressure changes which could potentially aggravate existing conditions. The melding resulted in some loss of identity, and could be difficult to break, especially when the subject's mind was powerful or dynamic. Aftereffects could be treated with the drug lexorin. (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind", "The Devil in the Dark"; VOY: "Ex Post Facto", "Meld", "Flashback"; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock) In some cases, portions of one melder's katra could be left behind with the other. This then enabled an enhanced form of telepathic contact, sometimes over many light years. (DIS: "Battle at the Binary Stars")

During the 22nd century, mind melding was believed to be an ability only a minority of Vulcans were born to do. Because of the apparent intimacy of melding, Vulcans during this era considered it a deviant practice defiant to the ancestral teachings of their society. As a result, other Vulcans considered those who were natural "melders" to be outcasts. (ENT: "Stigma")

During the 23rd century, mind melding became more commonplace when a Vulcan was near death. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

An improperly trained melder who initiated a mind meld could cause a degenerative neurological disorder known as Pa'nar Syndrome to develop in the meld recipient. If left untreated, the disorder was fatal. Vulcan medicine of the mid-22nd century held that there was no cure; however, the disorder was known in Surak's time, as was its cure: a corrective meld performed by an experienced melder. It is likely that the ignorance of this cure was due to the widespread prejudice against melders, a prejudice that was not shared by a group of Vulcans called the Syrrannites. (ENT: "Fusion", "Stigma", "Kir'Shara")

Another side-effect was the transfer of emotion. When Spock melded with James T. Kirk of the alternate reality, both seemed emotionally affected by the experience, and Spock apologized, explaining that emotional transference was a side-effect of the melding process. (Star Trek) Indeed, melding created a strange sense of euphoria in the participants. (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind")

Notable uses

22nd century

In 2151, the v'tosh ka'tur Tolaris initiated a mind meld with Sub-Commander T'Pol and continued it against her will. Since Tolaris had not been properly trained in the use of his mental abilities, this meld caused T'Pol to develop Pa'nar Syndrome. (ENT: "Fusion", "Stigma")

In 2154, Vulcan Ambassador Soval, defying the taboo of his day, melded with a comatose Corporal Askwith to learn who had bombed the United Earth Embassy on Vulcan, deciding it was worth the risk upon discovering that evidence implicating the Syrrannites was fabricated. For this offense, Administrator V'Las (who was actually behind the bombing) relieved Soval of his post. (ENT: "The Forge")

For husband and wife writing partners Garfield and Judith Reeves-Stevens, who co-wrote "The Forge" together, being allowed to include the concept of mind melds in that episode felt "momentous". ("The Forge" audio commentary, ENT Season 4 Blu-ray)

Shortly afterward, T'Pol's Pa'nar Syndrome was cured by the Syrrannite T'Pau. (ENT: "Kir'Shara")

In November of 2154, T'Pol initiated her first mind meld on the starship Enterprise NX-01 with the assistance of Captain Jonathan Archer, as he had previously held the katra of Surak. In an attempt to ultimately discover the location of Doctor Phlox, T'Pol melded with Ensign Hoshi Sato. (ENT: "Affliction")

In January of 2155 of the mirror universe, T'Pol, via a mind meld, implanted a telepathic "suggestion" into the mind of Commander Charles Tucker. Under this influence, Tucker sabotaged the power grid of the ISS Enterprise in order to disable a Suliban cloaking device. After doing this, T'Pol melded with Tucker again, erasing his memories of his actions. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly")

23rd century

Sarek and Burnham in the mind meld

Sarek and Michael Burnham in telepathic contact.

Following a bombing at the Vulcan Learning Center, Sarek was forced to initiate a mind meld with his ward, Michael Burnham in order to revive her. As a result, a portion of Sarek's katra remained with Burnham. This enabled him to telepathically communicate with her in 2256 during the Battle of the Binary Stars. (DIS: "Battle at the Binary Stars")

In the alternate reality, Spock Prime melded with young Kirk in 2258 to explain how he and Nero came from the future, showing him through images the events that led to the creation of the alternate reality itself. During the meld, some of Spock's own emotions transferred over to Kirk about the Destruction of Vulcan when he showed Kirk his perspective of the event. Furthermore, Spock of the alternate reality mind-melded with a Romulan to find out where Captain Pike was being held. (Star Trek)

In the alternate reality, Spock melded with Christopher Pike in 2259 during his death, caused by Khan Noonien Singh. Later that year, Spock also melded with Khan during a fight, in an attempt to stop him. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

In 2266, on stardate 2715, Spock melded with Simon Van Gelder, then suffering from generalized synaptic damage, to learn whether allegations Van Gelder had made about Dr. Tristan Adams were true, or delusions. Spock warned Van Gelder that the pressure changes involved in the meld could be dangerous. (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind")

This was the first mind meld ever depicted in Star Trek. For more details about this incident, see the Background information section.

In 2267, Spock unsuccessfully tried to reach McCoy's mind when he was under the control of the computer Landru on planet Beta III. (TOS: "The Return of the Archons")

The same year, on stardate 3192, Spock used what might have been a variation of a mind meld to convince a guard on Eminiar VII to open the door to a room where a landing party was imprisoned, facilitating their escape. (TOS: "A Taste of Armageddon")

On stardate 3196, Spock not only melded with a silicon-based lifeform, a mother Horta, but managed to do so without even touching it at first. (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark")

In that same year, Spock melded with Nomad to learn its origin. (TOS: "The Changeling")

Also in 2267, McCoy became the victim of an unwilling mind meld, when the mirror universe Spock forced information from him about the nature of a transporter accident that had brought four USS Enterprise officers into the mirror universe. (TOS: "Mirror, Mirror")

In 2268, Spock performed a mind probe on a drugged John Gill, creating a condition in which Gill could not initiate speech or other actions but could reply to questions. (TOS: "Patterns of Force")

On stardate 4657.5, Spock attempted a meld with Kelinda, a Kelvan, through a few feet of solid rock. Although the attempt was thwarted by Kelinda with prejudice, Spock was able to get an impression of the Kelvan's true non-humanoid form. (TOS: "By Any Other Name")

On stardate 4385.3, Spock melded with Kirk, McCoy, and Montgomery Scott to ensure they believed that bullets fired at them from Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday (at the OK Corral) were unreal and, therefore, unable to harm them. (TOS: "Spectre of the Gun")

The same year, Spock melded with Kirk, who was suffering from retrograde amnesia, consequential to the misuse of a Preserver artifact. Although Spock had some difficulty emerging from this meld, he was able to successfully restore Kirk's memory. (TOS: "The Paradise Syndrome")

Later in 2268, Spock was driven mad by the sight of Medusan Ambassador Kollos. Miranda Jones, a Human telepath trained on Vulcan, used a meld to restore his sanity by making him forget what he'd seen. (TOS: "Is There in Truth No Beauty?")

In 2269, Spock melded with a sleeping Kirk, whispering a single word, "Forget," to help Kirk forget his love for female android Rayna Kapec. (TOS: "Requiem for Methuselah")

Also in 2269, Spock utilized a mind meld to verify a claim that Kirk's consciousness was trapped in the body of Janice Lester. (TOS: "Turnabout Intruder")

In the 2270s, when the Enterprise was inside V'ger, Commander Spock entered a section of V'ger where it stored 3D images of objects that it encountered through its travels. He entered this area via thruster suit and subsequently encountered a large representation of Lieutenant Ilia with a pulsing sensor on her neck. Believing it to have some special meaning, he used a mind meld on it. Spock was overwhelmed by the information from the mind meld, and was flung back unconscious towards the Enterprise. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

In 2285, Spock used a mind meld to transfer his katra to McCoy before sacrificing himself to restore warp power during the Battle of the Mutara Nebula. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) Upon the Enterprise's return to Earth, Sarek mind-melded with Kirk to discover the fate of Spock's katra. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

After time-traveling to 1986, Spock mind melded with humpback whales George and Gracie to inform them that his crew planned to bring the whales back with them to the year 2286, to answer a mysterious probe that threatened Earth; Spock reasoned that they had to confirm that the whales were willing to help them or they would be no better than those who made the whales extinct in the first place. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

In 2293, Spock used a mind meld to force information about the Khitomer conspiracy from Lieutenant Valeris. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Star Trek VI Director Nicholas Meyer expressed unease at the film's mind meld scene, from a post-9/11 perspective, stating, "I [...] confess to being troubled by [it] [....] In light of the Bush administration's treatment of 'enemy combatants', I blush." (The View from the Bridge, hardcover ed., p. 231)

24th century

In 2366, in order to assuage Bendii Syndrome, which he was beginning to suffer from, Sarek entered into a mind meld with Captain Jean-Luc Picard at the behest of Dr. Beverly Crusher. (TNG: "Sarek")

In 2368, shortly following the death of Sarek, Spock entered into a mind meld with Captain Picard to touch the thoughts that Sarek had left before he died, Sarek and Spock having never melded while Sarek was alive. (TNG: "Unification II")

In 2370, Sakonna, a Vulcan member of the Maquis, attempted a mind meld on Gul Dukat in an attempt to learn the location of illegal Cardassian weapons in the Demilitarized Zone, but this mind meld failed due to Dukat's mental discipline allowing him to resist her efforts to access his memories. (DS9: "The Maquis, Part II")

In 2371, Tuvok melded with crewmate Lieutenant Tom Paris after Paris was accused of having murdered Banean scientist Doctor Tolen Ren. The meld allowed Tuvok to prove that Paris had been framed in an elaborate plot to provide the Numiri, who were enemies of the Baneans, with critical information, when his analysis of Paris' memory of the incident revealed crucial anomalies that proved Paris couldn't have committed the murder. (VOY: "Ex Post Facto")

In 2372, Tuvok melded with sociopath Betazoid Lon Suder, in an attempt to gain a better understanding of Suder's violent impulses. While the meld provided Suder with a measure of emotional control, it also temporarily released Tuvok's more violent and primal urges. (VOY: "Meld")

In 2373, Tuvok melded with his close friend Kathryn Janeway to discover the root of a supposed memory he had of a girl falling to her death from a precipice. For this meld, chairs were specially set up. It was later discovered that Tuvok had a memory virus in his brain, unwittingly transmitted to him in 2293 by Dimitri Valtane. The virus was destroyed with thoron radiation. (VOY: "Flashback")

Torres and Tuvok mind meld

Tuvok performing a mind meld on B'Elanna Torres

In 2374, Tuvok attempted to perform a mind meld with Kes in order to give her stability when her mental powers began to grow out of control. (VOY: "The Gift")

Later that year, he melded with a Mari named Guill in an investigation to prove B'Elanna Torres' innocence in provoking a death in a telepathic society. Guill was from a society where violent thoughts were illegal, though he was a collector and trader of such thoughts. Tuvok proceeded with the meld under the pretense that only images would be exchanged, but he instead unleashed the intense, primal Vulcan emotions that had been suppressed during the Time of Awakening to get him to submit and confess to his role in the death. (VOY: "Random Thoughts")

In 2375, Tuvok melded with Seven of Nine and, indirectly, with a Borg vinculum, to free her from a multiple personality disorder induced by the vinculum. (VOY: "Infinite Regress")

Also in 2375, Tuvok melded with Noss, in order to convey his unspoken feelings for her. (VOY: "Gravity")

In 2377, Tuvok performed an extended technique of the mind meld, the "Bridging of Minds", on Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine, forming a bond between the two individuals, who were otherwise unable to telepathically link. (VOY: "Unimatrix Zero")

Presumably, Tuvok melded with one of his relatives in 2378, after Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant, in order to undergo fal-tor-voh, a treatment for his neurodegenerative disease.

Although not a mind meld as such, in 2379, the Reman Viceroy enabled Praetor Shinzon to telepathically "rape" Counselor Deanna Troi. (Star Trek Nemesis)

This suggests that, although Romulans may not have possessed psionic abilities, Remans did.
Tuvok Mind Melds with Data Fabricator

Tuvok mind melds with the data fabricator

In 2381, Tuvok performed an invasive mind meld on a Zakdorn data fabricator during a secret investigation of Captain Carol Freeman's alleged bombing of Pakled Planet. The forger revealed he had been hired by the Pakleds, who destroyed their own homeworld and framed Freeman, in order to force the Federation to relocate them to a more resource-rich planet. (LD: "Grounded")

In 2399, Sutra, an android, performed a mind meld on a human. (PIC: "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1")

In 2401, Seven referenced the mind meld she had done with Tuvok when speaking with Tuvok, using it to reveal the deception of the Changeling. (PIC: "Dominion")

Appendices

Appearances

Background information

Prior to the invention of the Vulcan mind meld, the scene it was first used in was to have been a lengthy interrogation of Simon Van Gelder by Captain Kirk. (I Am Spock, hardback ed., p. 60) When Robert H. Justman contacted Gene Roddenberry with a memo about the revised story outline of "Dagger of the Mind" (the memo was dated 4 April 1966), Justman remarked, "I feel like it would be best for us if we did not establish anything like a truth beam when Kirk attempts to interrogate Van Gelder. Perhaps the ship's doctor could have administered some sort of a sedative which have certain properties which would enable Kirk to get deeper into the heart of what is troubling Van Gelder."

Leonard Nimoy cited Gene Roddenberry as the inventor of the Vulcan mind meld. (Star Trek: The Real Story; I Am Spock, hardback ed., pp. 59 & 60) According to Nimoy, Roddenberry devised the idea in an attempt to make the scene it was first used in more dramatic. (I Am Spock, hardback ed., p. 60) In his reference book Gene Roddenberry: The Myth and the Man Behind Star Trek (p. 81), writer Joel Engel credited Shimon Wincelberg, who wrote TOS: "Dagger of the Mind", with the concept, rather than Roddenberry. The mind meld was thought up by the staff writers of Star Trek: The Original Series by the time they had fully devised the neural neutralizer (which is also established in "Dagger of the Mind"). (The Star Trek Compendium, 4th ed., p. 41)

Thereafter in the episode's development, Spock used a hypnosis machine to retrieve the much-needed information from Simon Van Gelder's mind. (Beyond the Final Frontier, p. 14) The method Spock employed was referred to as hypnotism in another memo from Bob Justman to Gene Roddenberry (this one dated 28 June 1966).

In the final draft script of "Dagger of the Mind", the mind meld wasn't referred to as an ancient technique, though it is described as that in the final version of the episode (in a log entry which wasn't at all in the final draft script). The teleplay's description of the mind meld between Spock and Van Gelder was as follows; "[Spock] places his hands at each side of the junction of neck and shoulder, his thumbs pressing deeply into Van Gelder's torso. Spock seems to be feeling with his fingers for [blood] vessels and nerve endings. Van Gelder groans, writhes a bit... Spock seems to be finding the pressure points he wants. He is analyzing what he feels, something of an expert safe-cracker feeling the action of mechanisms and tumblers through his fingers. Finally he's ready." In an ultimately abandoned scene from the same script, this meld was established as causing Simon Van Gelder to lose consciousness and nearly die, and Spock to become exhausted "at the emotion he has put into this."

The invention of the mind meld had the advantage of providing Spock actor Leonard Nimoy with a way to emphasize the importance of touch to Vulcans, which he was making a concerted effort to do. (I Am Spock, hardback ed., p. 60) Nimoy described the mind meld as "a wonderful creative idea" that Roddenberry devised when he was "at his best." (Star Trek: The Real Story) The actor further commented, "It was a far more dramatic way to extract information than a lot of questions, and it became a popular device for the show's writers [....] I applauded the concept, not only for the drama but because it gave me an opportunity to step outside the character from time to time." (I Am Spock, hardback ed., p. 61)

In ultimately unused dialogue from the second draft script of DS9: "Accession", exposure to Vulcan mind melds was established as causing elevated levels of psilosynine.

In the final draft script of ENT: "Vox Sola" but not in the episode itself, the Vulcan mind meld was mentioned by Captain Archer. He likened it to a predicament he had just been saved from, in which becoming caught along with other Human officers in a symbiotic lifeform's web-like tendrils had enabled the Humans to read each other's minds.

Likewise, in the final draft script of ENT: "Rajiin", mind melds were again mentioned in dialogue which didn't make it into the final edit of the episode. In that case, they were said by T'Pol to be dissimilar to invasive telepathy carried out by Rajiin, as mind melds were less "physically invasive" than the form of telepathy used by Rajiin and were more about reading minds than her telepathy was.

Apocrypha

In the novelization of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, a slightly different take on the forced mind meld between Spock and Valeris was featured. As Spock probed her mind, he stopped just short of breaking her will and gave her the choice to willingly help him. A choked sob by Valeris was an expression of her gratitude and grief at being given the choice. Nevertheless, the scene deeply distressed Spock and shocked the crew.

In the novel Memory Prime, the mind meld was used as a form of combat between Spock and a Romulan assassin.

In the novel Mindshadow, melding can be used as an interrogation technique; in which case, the melder can block the meldee's access to their own mind. Those that learnt this discipline on Vulcan were required to take an oath that they would rather die before violating the privacy of another's consciousness against their will.

In the novel Captain's Glory, Vulcans were capable of using the mind meld to pass down memories from ancestors down to their descendants, which meant that melding was partly responsible for the retention of ancient Vulcan traditions.

In the William Shatner novel The Return, Spock performed a meld with Picard and Kirk in an attempt to free Kirk from a brainwashing program that had been implanted in him by the Borg/Romulan Alliance; at the time, Spock said that such a thing had never been done, but it is possible that the Bridging wasn't well-known among Vulcans.

In the 2013 video game Star Trek, Spock melds with unconscious Vulcans to uncover information on the affliction affecting those stationed at Helios-1, as well as passcodes to doors. He also melds with an unconscious Gorn to determine what their endgame was. James T. Kirk participates in the meld while restraining the Gorn in case he awakens.

In the second issue of the comic crossover mini-series Star Trek vs. Transformers, Spock performed a meld with Optimus Prime after noting the similarities between the electrical signals in the Autobot leader's circuitry and the firing of neurons within the humanoid brain, as well as to determine who he is. When Spock makes the connection, he learns about the history of the Transformers, their homeworld of Cybertron, and the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons that has been waged for eons. However, the sheer amount of neurological information overwhelms him and forces him out of the meld. Though Spock stumbles back, his gambit pays off as it reawakens Optimus Prime.

See also

External link