Pon farr
Encyclopedia
Pon farr (ˌpɒn ˈfɑr) is a term used in the fictional Star Trek
canon
ical TV series. In Star Trek, pon farr is a psychophysical condition affecting Vulcans, in which Vulcan
males and females go into heat
every seven years, going into a blood fever, becoming violent, and finally dying if they do not mate with someone with whom they are empathically bonded or engage in the ritual battle known as kal-if-fee. Vulcans also mate outside of Pon Farr, and with species other than Vulcan. A common misconception associated with the series (and Spock in particular) is that Vulcans only have sex once every seven years. However, pon farr is not parallel to the sex lives of Vulcans, and they are able to have intercourse without the affliction, and thus more than once every seven years.
, which depicts Mr. Spock going into pon farr and being returned to Vulcan by Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy in order to undergo the mating ritual and save his life.
Pon farr has occurred as a female Vulcan cycle in the character of T'Pol from the final Star Trek series, Enterprise.
Spock experienced an accelerated version of pon farr due to the Genesis planet's influence in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
, as a young man. He was "aided" by fellow half-Vulcan, Saavik
.
In Voyager
, Tuvok
experienced pon farr while the vessel was trapped far away from any other Vulcans, so he was unable to mate with his wife. Initially he claimed that he had Tarkalean flu to the crew to spare the embarrassment of discussing his actual condition. He attempted to control the pon farr through meditation and drugs, but was not ultimately successful until he met with his wife in a holodeck program. In the episode "Blood Fever
" Vulcan Ensign Vorik experiences pon farr and attempts to mate with B'Elanna Torres
. Due to a partial empathic bond, Torres experiences pon farr as well. Vorik attempts to control the pon farr through meditation, drugs and a holodeck mate, while Torres, trapped on an away mission, nearly mates with Tom Paris
. The pon farr is eventually resolved when Torres and Vorik battle together in the ritual fight ("kal-if-fee") on the planet.
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
ical TV series. In Star Trek, pon farr is a psychophysical condition affecting Vulcans, in which Vulcan
Vulcan (Star Trek)
Vulcans, or sometimes Vulcanians, are an extraterrestrial humanoid species in the Star Trek universe who evolved on the planet Vulcan, and are noted for their attempt to live by reason and logic with no interference from emotion. They were the first extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek...
males and females go into heat
Estrous cycle
The estrous cycle comprises the recurring physiologic changes that are induced by reproductive hormones in most mammalian placental females. Estrous cycles start after puberty in sexually mature females and are interrupted by anestrous phases or pregnancies...
every seven years, going into a blood fever, becoming violent, and finally dying if they do not mate with someone with whom they are empathically bonded or engage in the ritual battle known as kal-if-fee. Vulcans also mate outside of Pon Farr, and with species other than Vulcan. A common misconception associated with the series (and Spock in particular) is that Vulcans only have sex once every seven years. However, pon farr is not parallel to the sex lives of Vulcans, and they are able to have intercourse without the affliction, and thus more than once every seven years.
In Star Trek canon
Pon farr was introduced in the original series episode "Amok Time", written by Theodore SturgeonTheodore Sturgeon
Theodore Sturgeon was an American science fiction author.His most famous novel is More Than Human .-Biography:...
, which depicts Mr. Spock going into pon farr and being returned to Vulcan by Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy in order to undergo the mating ritual and save his life.
Pon farr has occurred as a female Vulcan cycle in the character of T'Pol from the final Star Trek series, Enterprise.
Spock experienced an accelerated version of pon farr due to the Genesis planet's influence in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a 1984 motion picture released by Paramount Pictures. The film is the third feature based on the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the center of a three-film story arc that begins with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and concludes with Star Trek IV:...
, as a young man. He was "aided" by fellow half-Vulcan, Saavik
Saavik
Lieutenant JG Saavik is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe. She first appeared in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan played by Kirstie Alley. Robin Curtis took on the role after a salary dispute caused Alley to drop out of the sequel, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock...
.
In Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
, Tuvok
Tuvok
Tuvok is one of the main characters on the television series Star Trek: Voyager. Tuvok is a Vulcan who serves as the ship's chief of security and its chief tactical officer. Tim Russ portrayed Tuvok throughout the show's run, from 1995 to 2001....
experienced pon farr while the vessel was trapped far away from any other Vulcans, so he was unable to mate with his wife. Initially he claimed that he had Tarkalean flu to the crew to spare the embarrassment of discussing his actual condition. He attempted to control the pon farr through meditation and drugs, but was not ultimately successful until he met with his wife in a holodeck program. In the episode "Blood Fever
Blood Fever (Star Trek: Voyager)
"Blood Fever" is an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the 16th episode of the third season. It has an average fan rating of 4.5/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009....
" Vulcan Ensign Vorik experiences pon farr and attempts to mate with B'Elanna Torres
B'Elanna Torres
B'Elanna Torres is a main character in Star Trek: Voyager played by Roxann Dawson. She is portrayed as a half-human half-Klingon born in 2349 on the Federation colony Kessik IV. Torres joined the Maquis in 2370 and was serving on the Val Jean when brought to the Delta Quadrant...
. Due to a partial empathic bond, Torres experiences pon farr as well. Vorik attempts to control the pon farr through meditation, drugs and a holodeck mate, while Torres, trapped on an away mission, nearly mates with Tom Paris
Tom Paris
Thomas Eugene "Tom" Paris, played by Robert Duncan McNeill, is a character in the television series Star Trek: Voyager. Paris serves as the chief helmsman and an auxiliary medic aboard the USS Voyager...
. The pon farr is eventually resolved when Torres and Vorik battle together in the ritual fight ("kal-if-fee") on the planet.