Anyone ever notice the resemblance between Trelane and Armus? They are both insecure, petulant sociopaths with too much power, and they both make sport of tormenting the crew of the Enterprise. Armus is a bit more virulent, but who wouldn't be if they were fated to make their way through life wearing a barrel of used motor oil?
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Better, I'm sure.
RIP Gene Wilder. One of the funniest people of all time. RIP Robert Vaughn
Trelane was petulant in a different way. It's like he's a spoiled brat, with a lot of toys (he was allowed to make a planet), and then, all of the sudden, he saw a ship fly by and saw more toys to play with. That's all the humans were to him, and he didn't really care to study what was really happening on Earth to get more of the substance involved in his recreations. Indeed, if he were mature, all he would've had to do was help out Kirk and the Enterprise get to where they were going, and blip them right back to Gothos again for drinks and dancing, and I'm sure Kirk would've obliged given how interesting Trelane was.
Armus was more like a kid burning ants with a magnifying glass, or torturing animals because he could. For the first time in unknown years, he's finally got power over something, anything, and he wasn't going to let that opportunity get away. If he had been patient, if he had been cordial and polite, being helpful to get Troi and that other crewman in the shuttle out of there, I'm sure Picard would've been glad to take Armus anywhere if all he wanted was to be off that planet and go somewhere there was others to torture. But he could not get his angst and passions out of the way.
Both couldn't see past their own need for immediate gratification, which is a sign of immaturity, because often the immature are often impatient and can't see beyond the immediate situation. Their power also lends into this conceit.
Agreed, Wylde.
RIP Gene Wilder. One of the funniest people of all time. RIP Robert Vaughn