ROUND 1: HOPEFUL HEROES
In a head-to-head comparison, Luke Skywalker emerges as the son of Anakin Skywalker, wielding a lightsaber he forged himself to stand against the Empire as the last Jedi within the Rebel Alliance. His daring mission culminates in the torpedo he launches, a decisive move that helps bring down the Death Star. Across the cosmic divide, Captain James T. Kirk becomes the youngest captain in Starfleet, taking command of the Starship Enterprise at the age of 34. He steers his crew through danger to defend Earth, and his leadership is credited with preventing a catastrophe that could have changed history. The iconic line, ‘Use the force, Luke,’ hangs in the air as a symbolic cue, and it tips the round toward Star Wars, granting it the early point.
SCORE: STAR WARS – 0
STAR TREK – 1
ROUND 2: BIG BADDIE BATTLE
In one corner, Darth Vader stands as the Dark Lord of the Sith, a former Jedi Knight whose prowess is matched by his mental probing, potent telekinesis, and ruthless vengeance. His presence is a reminder that power can be wielded across light and dark in equal measure, making him a formidable antagonist. In the opposite corner, Khan Noonien Singh is Star Trek’s most powerful tyrant, engineered to be five times stronger than the average human. This genetic ascent fuels ambition and cunning, a recipe for relentless pursuit of control. The crowd roars as Vader earns another point with a memorable line, You don’t know the power of the Dark Side.
SCORE: STAR WARS – 1
STAR TREK – 1
ROUND 3: WAR OF THE WEAPONS
Lightsabers are the signature choice for Jedi masters, their high-energy blades capable of cleaving through obstacles when powered by the Force. Their effectiveness hinges on focus, training, and the connection to a higher energy, allowing seemingly impossible cuts and parries. In Star Trek, phasers come in a range of models, offering stun, heat, and disruption. There is no Force in their system, but a careful read of the manual reveals precise settings and tactical applications. A lightsaber clearly outpaces a phaser in raw cutting potential, giving the Jedi masters the lead.
SCORE: STAR WARS – 2
STAR TREK – 1
ROUND 4: YOU SUNK MY BATTLESHIP!
The Death Star stands as a moon-sized battlestation and a symbol of imperial engineering. Its superlaser can obliterate a planet, and its creator Grand Moff Tarkin meets a dramatic end aboard the station. On the other side, the Borg Cube from Star Trek is a warp-drenched hive ship, smaller in scale yet astonishingly fast, capable of adaptive tactics that track and counter enemy weaponry. True, the Death Star could destroy a Borg Cube with a single hit, but the Cube can also slip out of range and reengage on its own terms. In this round, Star Trek claims victory.
SCORE: STAR WARS – 2
STAR TREK – 2
ROUND 5: FAN FIGHT
When George Lucas mapped out Star Wars, he split the saga into two trilogies, creating a billion-dollar empire that reshaped pop culture. Star Trek, the brainchild of Gene Roddenberry, has produced ten feature films and multiple television series, with fans known for their dedication and even willingness to dress as Klingons. The cultural footprint is undeniable in both universes, and the crowd settles on a final point for Star Wars as a nod to its expansive legacy. C-3PO offers a grateful thanks, and the score tips decisively in Star Wars’ favor for the finale.
SCORE: STAR WARS – 3
STAR TREK – 2
ROUND UP: ‘Resistance is futile’ for Star Trek. Both Star Sagas have carved out enduring corners of space for loyal fans, but the final tally leaves Trekkies to reflect on the enduring choices of the pointed-ear world. And if there is any doubt about Star Wars taking the top prize, the buzz around the Star Wars Kid and Episode III’s arrival in theatres on May 19 helps seal the memory.
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