In Star Trek, the planet Risa was a popular tourist destination, commonly referred to as a “pleasure planet.” With an overall temperate to tropical climate and at least 2 moons that orbited a binary star system, Risa was known as a paradise that catered to every whim of its 1.3 billion annual visitors. Thanks to the Risian’s pursuit of pleasure, not just for themselves but also for their guests, the planet’s native populace had a generous spirit that embraced travelers both figuratively and literally, with the motto, “All that is ours is yours.”
As a Class M planet with Earth-like conditions, Risa combined the peaceful joys of a planet-wide all-inclusive resort with its people’s anything-goes, sex-positive attitude. This gave Risa a decidedly hedonistic reputation among its fellow members in the United Federation of Planets. Its culture was represented by the horga’hn, a vaguely humanoid-shaped statuette with an elongated head and diamond-shaped base. Displaying this fertility symbol indicated one was seeking jamaharon, a state of enlightenment implied to be achieved through Risian sexual rituals, and which its people were well-versed in, as Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) accidentally found out on his first visit there.
Star Trek’s Pleasure Planet Risa Explained
Pleasure comes in many forms on Risa, so it became well-known throughout the Federation for its hospitality services and celebration of sensuality. Points of interest on this Federation member world included exciting nightclubs, peaceful resorts, and many natural attractions. Risa boasted gorgeous beaches, bioluminescent subterranean gardens, steam pools, and mud baths, in addition to named locations like Galartha Cliff, which changed pitch for its climbers; the rain-free Temtibi Lagoon; and Suraya Bay, host to a moon festival called lohlunat. Risa also developed points of interest specifically for Vulcans, as noted by T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) in Star Trek: Enterprise.
Risa’s definition of pleasure extended beyond merely sensual delights, with its pursuit serving as inspiration for the development of its primary technologies. Most notably, Risa’s history as a cold, rainy jungle subject to frequent earthquakes prompted Risians to create a planet-wide artificial weather grid and seismic regulators, which transformed Risa into a lush, tropical paradise that was pleasant for most humanoid species. The development of industrial replicators allowed Risians to cater to their guests’ every material need. The use of weapons was banned on Risa, but a pleasurably addictive Risian headset game could be considered one, if its users weren’t careful.
Which Star Trek Captains & Ships Visited Risa
Star Trek captains and their ships visited Risa, usually so their crews could enjoy shore leave on the pleasure planet. In Risa’s first appearance Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, episode 19, “Captain’s Holiday”, Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) suggested Risa as a destination for Captain Jean-Luc Picard, where he met love interest Vash (Jennifer Hetrick). Lt. Commanders Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) and Worf (Michael Dorn), among others, vacationed on Risa in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 5, episode 7 “Let He Who Is Without Sin…” It was implied that Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) also visited Risa, albeit at another time.
Risa was also a destination for series set outside the 24th century. The NX-01 Enterprise led by Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) became the first human-crewed starship to visit Risa in Star Trek: Enterprise season 1, episode 25, “Two Days, Two Nights”. Archer was joined on his visit by Ensigns Hoshi Sato (Linda Park), Travis Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery), Lt. Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating), and Commander Charles “Trip” Tucker (Connor Trinneer). Star Trek: Discovery didn’t visit, but mentioned Risa, and 32nd-century mad scientist Dr. Ruon Tarka (Shawn Doyle), an important character in Discovery season 4, was Risian.
Since its first appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Risa became a planet synonymous with paradise. It was mentioned on nearly every Star Trek series as a tropical getaway, with its reputation for pleasure well-known among most characters. Risa’s beautiful environment and particularly friendly culture made it the go-to destination for Starfleet officers and their companions seeking relaxation and respite from their responsibilities … and maybe a little jamaharon.
