Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations: Difference between revisions

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* [[The Alliance]]: The Colloquium of Progress, a multi-species civilization represented in the Axis of Time. Plus of course the United Federation of Planets (and, in ''Watching the Clock'', its new rival, the Typhon Pact).
* [[The Alliance]]: The Colloquium of Progress, a multi-species civilization represented in the Axis of Time. Plus of course the United Federation of Planets (and, in ''Watching the Clock'', its new rival, the Typhon Pact).
* [[Alternate History]]: One is explored to some degree in ''Forgotten History'', almost in the tradition of the [[Star Trek: Myriad Universes]] series.
* [[Alternate History]]: One is explored to some degree in ''Forgotten History'', almost in the tradition of the [[Star Trek: Myriad Universes]] series.
* [[Alternative Calendar]]: As well as multiple real-life calendars, including Christian, Islamic, Hindu and Mayan examples, the chapters of ''Watching the Clock'' offer dating systems from many ''[[Star Trek]]'' cultures, including Vulcan, Andorian, Cardassian, Klingon, Deltan, Tandaran and Risian. Most of these have been plotted out in full by the author, according to his annotations.
* [[Alternative Calendar]]: As well as multiple real-life calendars, including Christian, Islamic, Hindu and Mayan examples, the chapters of ''Watching the Clock'' offer dating systems from many ''[[Star Trek]]'' cultures, including Vulcan, Andorian, Cardassian, Klingon, Deltan, Tandaran and Risian. Most of these have been plotted out in full by the author, according to his annotations.
* [[Amplifier Artifact]]: The Selakar used crystals that amplified their psionic abilities, for use as power sources, weapons, etc. Their most powerful allows them to permanently enslave other minds to their service, augmenting their natural ability to influence people.
* [[Amplifier Artifact]]: The Selakar used crystals that amplified their psionic abilities, for use as power sources, weapons, etc. Their most powerful allows them to permanently enslave other minds to their service, augmenting their natural ability to influence people.
* [[And I Must Scream]]: Apparently, the Temporal Disruptor weapon causes its victims to "feel like it takes an age to die". This is largely why even those factions fighting against the Temporal Accords rarely use them.
* [[And I Must Scream]]: Apparently, the Temporal Disruptor weapon causes its victims to "feel like it takes an age to die". This is largely why even those factions fighting against the Temporal Accords rarely use them.
* [[Arc Welding]]: Every single [[Time Travel]] episode gets at least a [[Shout-Out]]. The [[Arc Welding]] is particularly notable in ''Forgotten History'', which links all of Captain Kirk's time-travel experiences (in [[Star Trek: The Original Series|the Original Series]] and [[Star Trek: The Animated Series|the animated series]]) to create the story of the DTI's origins and early activities.
* [[Arc Welding]]: Every single [[Time Travel]] episode gets at least a [[Shout-Out]]. The [[Arc Welding]] is particularly notable in ''Forgotten History'', which links all of Captain Kirk's time-travel experiences (in [[Star Trek: The Original Series|the Original Series]] and [[Star Trek: The Animated Series|the animated series]]) to create the story of the DTI's origins and early activities.
* [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking]]: Agent George Faunt suffers a breakdown, attacks his colleagues, takes a researcher hostage and turns the DTI branch office into a seige zone. He also makes a lame time-related pun. Dulmur notes this last in a manner suggesting it's almost as serious as the other offenses.
* [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking]]: Agent George Faunt suffers a breakdown, attacks his colleagues, takes a researcher hostage and turns the DTI branch office into a seige zone. He also makes a lame time-related pun. Dulmur notes this last in a manner suggesting it's almost as serious as the other offenses.
* [[Broken Pedestal]]: Lucsly faces this regarding {{spoiler|Meijan Grey}}. Also inverted, as Lucsly gradually realizes that Kirk is not the reckless Time Douche he was expecting.
* [[Broken Pedestal]]: Lucsly faces this regarding {{spoiler|Meijan Grey}}. Also inverted, as Lucsly gradually realizes that Kirk is not the reckless Time Douche he was expecting.
* [[Charm Person]]: Lirahn and other Selakar have this ability.
* [[Charm Person]]: Lirahn and other Selakar have this ability.
* [[Continuity Nod]]: Many. ''Forgotten History'' is largely set in a similar timeframe to ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture|Star Trek the Motion Picture]]'' and the novel [[Star Trek Ex Machina|''Ex Machina'']], and there are references to both. Among other nods is a mention of [[Star Trek: Mere Anarchy|relief efforts to Mestiko]].
* [[Continuity Nod]]: Many. ''Forgotten History'' is largely set in a similar timeframe to ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture|Star Trek the Motion Picture]]'' and the novel [[Star Trek: Ex Machina|''Ex Machina'']], and there are references to both. Among other nods is a mention of [[Star Trek: Mere Anarchy|relief efforts to Mestiko]].
* [[Continuity Porn]]: Almost every time-travel story in Trek canon and the [[Star Trek Novel Verse]] gets a mention. Other nods are more integral to the plot - the Null from [[Star Trek: Titan]] is referenced as the reason why the Axis of Time has only just made contact with the modern era. Only when galactic drift brought them past the Null was it felt acceptable for the Axis to send out scouts into our time, explaining why it's only now been discovered.
* [[Continuity Porn]]: Almost every time-travel story in Trek canon and the [[Star Trek Novel Verse]] gets a mention. Other nods are more integral to the plot - the Null from [[Star Trek: Titan]] is referenced as the reason why the Axis of Time has only just made contact with the modern era. Only when galactic drift brought them past the Null was it felt acceptable for the Axis to send out scouts into our time, explaining why it's only now been discovered.
* [[Cosmic Retcon]]: A large part of the DTI's purpose is to protect the timeline from these, and much of the Temporal Cold War revolves around trying to cause them without actively being seen to violate the Temporal Accords. In ''Watching the Clock'', a particularly disturbing [[Cosmic Retcon]] occurs, when {{spoiler|Agent Shelan}} is maliciously deleted from history by the primary villain.
* [[Cosmic Retcon]]: A large part of the DTI's purpose is to protect the timeline from these, and much of the Temporal Cold War revolves around trying to cause them without actively being seen to violate the Temporal Accords. In ''Watching the Clock'', a particularly disturbing [[Cosmic Retcon]] occurs, when {{spoiler|Agent Shelan}} is maliciously deleted from history by the primary villain.
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* [[Enemy Mine]]: Discussed in the alternate timeline from ''Forgotten History'', where the Andorians, their homeworld under Vulcan occupation, have formed a strong alliance with the Klingons. A Klingon representative cheerfully acknowledges that had they not found a common foe in the Vulcans, the Klingons would likely consider Andorians their enemy too.
* [[Enemy Mine]]: Discussed in the alternate timeline from ''Forgotten History'', where the Andorians, their homeworld under Vulcan occupation, have formed a strong alliance with the Klingons. A Klingon representative cheerfully acknowledges that had they not found a common foe in the Vulcans, the Klingons would likely consider Andorians their enemy too.
* [[Expecting Someone Taller]]: Dulmur thinks this about Kirk after finally coming face-to-face with him. As for Lucsly, he was expecting someone far more reckless.
* [[Expecting Someone Taller]]: Dulmur thinks this about Kirk after finally coming face-to-face with him. As for Lucsly, he was expecting someone far more reckless.
* [[A God Am I]]: During the Great Psionic War, millennia before the rise of the Federation, many of the advanced telepathic races ended up calling themselves divine and insisting that "lesser" races worship them as deities. Their psionic gifts were offered as proof of divinity.
* [[A God Am I]]: During the Great Psionic War, millennia before the rise of the Federation, many of the advanced telepathic races ended up calling themselves divine and insisting that "lesser" races worship them as deities. Their psionic gifts were offered as proof of divinity.
* [[Gotta Catch Em All]]: One of Lucsly and Dulmur's assignments involved tracking down 13 Ky'rha artifacts (time travel devices) scattered across the quadrant and being sold on the black market.
* [[Gotta Catch Em All]]: One of Lucsly and Dulmur's assignments involved tracking down 13 Ky'rha artifacts (time travel devices) scattered across the quadrant and being sold on the black market.
* [[Gut Feeling]]: Shortly into his partnership with Lucsly, Dulmur has one of these regarding a connection between the Manheim effect of the previous year and the vortex phenomenon they're currently investigating. Lucsly advises against "gut feelings", saying that everything the DTI deals with is counter-intuitive anyway. Nonetheless, Lucsly doesn't entirely dismiss Dulmur's insight, but insists on waiting until he has supporting evidence.
* [[Gut Feeling]]: Shortly into his partnership with Lucsly, Dulmur has one of these regarding a connection between the Manheim effect of the previous year and the vortex phenomenon they're currently investigating. Lucsly advises against "gut feelings", saying that everything the DTI deals with is counter-intuitive anyway. Nonetheless, Lucsly doesn't entirely dismiss Dulmur's insight, but insists on waiting until he has supporting evidence.
* [[Heroic Willpower]]: An important part of the Deltans' characterization in ''Watching the Clock''.
* [[Heroic Willpower]]: An important part of the Deltans' characterization in ''Watching the Clock''.
* [[Higher-Tech Species]]: The Vedala.
* [[Higher-Tech Species]]: The Vedala.
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* [[Ms. Exposition]]: T'Viss, crotchety temporal physics lecturer extraordinaire. [[Word of God]] confirms it:
* [[Ms. Exposition]]: T'Viss, crotchety temporal physics lecturer extraordinaire. [[Word of God]] confirms it:
{{quote|''T'Viss was where I poured all my tendencies to lecture in extreme technical detail, while keeping the viewpoint characters at a remove that's more relatable to the audience as they struggle to make sense of what she's saying.''}}
{{quote|''T'Viss was where I poured all my tendencies to lecture in extreme technical detail, while keeping the viewpoint characters at a remove that's more relatable to the audience as they struggle to make sense of what she's saying.''}}
* [[My Name Is Not Durwood]]: [[Insufferable Genius|Professor Vard]] refers to Dulmur as Agent Duller, Agent Dummer, and Agent Dombler, among others.
* [[My Name Is Not Durwood]]: [[Insufferable Genius|Professor Vard]] refers to Dulmur as Agent Duller, Agent Dummer, and Agent Dombler, among others.
* [[Mysterious Employer]]: "Future Guy", of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise|Star Trek Enterprise]]'' fame. The mystery is finally resolved at the climax of ''Watching the Clock''.
* [[Mysterious Employer]]: "Future Guy", of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise|Star Trek Enterprise]]'' fame. The mystery is finally resolved at the climax of ''Watching the Clock''.
* [[Mysterious Past]]: We get no real information on Lucsly's backstory, in contrast to almost every other major character within the DTI. Of course, this being Lucsly, his backstory is probably very, very dull.
* [[Mysterious Past]]: We get no real information on Lucsly's backstory, in contrast to almost every other major character within the DTI. Of course, this being Lucsly, his backstory is probably very, very dull.
* [[Parental Favoritism]]: Paul Manheim insists that his brother was the favorite, explaining his subconscious resentment of said brother.
* [[Parental Favoritism]]: Paul Manheim insists that his brother was the favorite, explaining his subconscious resentment of said brother.
* [[Place Beyond Time]]: The Axis of Time, a pocket dimension that allows travel between various eras while itself existing outside normal space-time.
* [[Place Beyond Time]]: The Axis of Time, a pocket dimension that allows travel between various eras while itself existing outside normal space-time.
* [[Precursors]]: Among others, the Arret Empire. Two species in partnership - one standard Humanoid, the other Vulcanoid - spread themselves across the stars and founded countless colonies. Many of the Federation's member races, including Deltans and Vulcans, are strongly implied to be descendants of these colonies.
* [[Precursors]]: Among others, the Arret Empire. Two species in partnership - one standard Humanoid, the other Vulcanoid - spread themselves across the stars and founded countless colonies. Many of the Federation's member races, including Deltans and Vulcans, are strongly implied to be descendants of these colonies.
* [[Retcon]]: A subtle one; Kirk being [[Kicked Upstairs]] at the end of his five-year mission, with ''Enterprise'' given a major refit, was established in ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture|Star Trek the Motion Picture]]'' and explored further in the novel [[Star Trek Ex Machina|''Ex Machina'']]. In ''Forgotten History'', this is now shown to happen in part due to influence from Admiral Delgado, to further his well-meaning, if overzealous, ambitions for time travel experiments. Specifically, with the ''Enterprise'' undergoing a major refit, its old engines are his for the taking, along with their unique properties allowing artificial time travel.
* [[Retcon]]: A subtle one; Kirk being [[Kicked Upstairs]] at the end of his five-year mission, with ''Enterprise'' given a major refit, was established in ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture|Star Trek the Motion Picture]]'' and explored further in the novel [[Star Trek: Ex Machina|''Ex Machina'']]. In ''Forgotten History'', this is now shown to happen in part due to influence from Admiral Delgado, to further his well-meaning, if overzealous, ambitions for time travel experiments. Specifically, with the ''Enterprise'' undergoing a major refit, its old engines are his for the taking, along with their unique properties allowing artificial time travel.
* [[Ret-Gone]]: {{spoiler|Shelan}}
* [[Ret-Gone]]: {{spoiler|Shelan}}
* [[Revenge Before Reason]]: The Sponsor has a little of this:
* [[Revenge Before Reason]]: The Sponsor has a little of this:
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* [[Set Right What Once Went Wrong]]: Averted. The crew of the ''Verity'', shot forward in time to find their planet in ruins following the [[Star Trek Destiny|Borg Invasion]], want to try and return to their original time to give warning. They're prevented from doing so, and it's explained why their decision was the wrong one, no matter how subjectively understandable the desire.
* [[Set Right What Once Went Wrong]]: Averted. The crew of the ''Verity'', shot forward in time to find their planet in ruins following the [[Star Trek Destiny|Borg Invasion]], want to try and return to their original time to give warning. They're prevented from doing so, and it's explained why their decision was the wrong one, no matter how subjectively understandable the desire.
* [[Shown Their Work]]: The author, Christopher L. Bennett, has a degree in Physics and it shows.
* [[Shown Their Work]]: The author, Christopher L. Bennett, has a degree in Physics and it shows.
* [[Space Elves]]: The Deltans are fleshed out in ''Watching the Clock'', and have aspects of this trope.
* [[Space Elves]]: The Deltans are fleshed out in ''Watching the Clock'', and have aspects of this trope.
** The Vedala in ''Forgotten History'' fit the bill. They're generally benevolent, older than other spacefaring races, very advanced and isolationist, and seem ever-so-slightly smug about their status in relation to younger "child" races. Behind their reasonable manner is the clear belief that [[Our Elves Are Better|Vedala are better than you]].
** The Vedala in ''Forgotten History'' fit the bill. They're generally benevolent, older than other spacefaring races, very advanced and isolationist, and seem ever-so-slightly smug about their status in relation to younger "child" races. Behind their reasonable manner is the clear belief that [[Our Elves Are Better|Vedala are better than you]].
* [[Stable Time Loop]]: Kirk, Spock and Scotty only know how to slingshot with warp engines other than ''Enterprise'''s because {{spoiler|Lucsly shows Kirk how. Luscly}} is ''[[I Need a Freaking Drink|not happy]]''.
* [[Stable Time Loop]]: Kirk, Spock and Scotty only know how to slingshot with warp engines other than ''Enterprise'''s because {{spoiler|Lucsly shows Kirk how. Luscly}} is ''[[I Need a Freaking Drink|not happy]]''.
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* [[Time Police]]
* [[Time Police]]
* [[Time Travel]]: The books feature this, of course, but it's important to note that the DTI wants to avoid it wherever possible. The department exists to protect ''against'' time travel and clean up the mess that results, not travel in time themselves.
* [[Time Travel]]: The books feature this, of course, but it's important to note that the DTI wants to avoid it wherever possible. The department exists to protect ''against'' time travel and clean up the mess that results, not travel in time themselves.
* [[Timey-Wimey Ball]]: Averted. The books aim for consistancy regarding how time travel works in the Trek universe. Given that the onscreen source material is often guilty of the [[Timey-Wimey Ball]] approach, that's a tall order, but the author was able to tie most of the existing examples of time travel into a coherent theory on Trek temporal physics.
* [[Timey-Wimey Ball]]: Averted. The books aim for consistancy regarding how time travel works in the Trek universe. Given that the onscreen source material is often guilty of the [[Timey-Wimey Ball]] approach, that's a tall order, but the author was able to tie most of the existing examples of time travel into a coherent theory on Trek temporal physics.
* [[Unusual Chapter Numbers]]: Each chapter of ''Watching the Clock'' has a subtitle with an [[Alternative Calendar]] date:
* [[Unusual Chapter Numbers]]: Each chapter of ''Watching the Clock'' has a subtitle with an [[Alternative Calendar]] date:
{{quote|''Chapter XI - Décade II Quartidi Frimaire, Année DXC de la République, [[Everything Sounds Sexier in French|French Republican Calender]] - A Friday''}}
{{quote|''Chapter XI - Décade II Quartidi Frimaire, Année DXC de la République, [[Everything Sounds Sexier in French|French Republican Calender]] - A Friday''}}
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