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The Human Adventure Continues: Talking About Star Trek
- Thread starter Johnny Unusual
- Start date
This is such a weird hang up to me. Most of the articulated opinions I've read on the internet why this is a bad episode, is because they don't like Serious Business Man Captain Archer being a Bad Starfleet Captain
by caring more about his 'stupid dog' instead of the huge diplomatic row he's created down on this planet.But that's like... the point of the episode? And the show broadly in general?
Hardcore fans of Star Trek have this baseline of expectations about how a proper Starfleet Captain should conduct themselves, and get really weirdly upset at when a Captain doesn't live up to those expectations. But the thing about Archer is that he's from a place and time where nobody knew how to be Starfleet Captains yet! He's basically the first! He's like George Washington combined with Neil Armstrong. He walks into the job thinking he'll be a glorified astronaut, and he has to learn the hard way through trial and error what does and doesn't work. He doesn't have The Book to fall back on, he has to be the one who writes it. This episode was all about Archer reconciling that difference in expectations versus reality personally. That he has this kind of character development is fascinating on its own if you're open minded to it.
zonetrope
(he/him)
I started Lower Decks, and it's great how the silly, irreverent neo-Trek series is also the one that gets to do all of the most serious nerding out. Like, there was just a whole bit about the way people say "sen-SOR," and it made me smile so hard. I'm watching it right on the heels of slogging through Picard, and it's such a relief after all of that brooding, derivative nonsense.
Lower Decks is great. Can't wait for it to come back.
On a side note. Is there anything better than a Jerry Goldsmith score?
On a side note. Is there anything better than a Jerry Goldsmith score?
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Once More Unto the Breach
A pretty decent Klingon story. I wouldn't put it as top tier but it is a welcome comeback for Kor. I tend to be more likely to like a Klingon or Ferengi story and this is a solid one.
The Siege of AR-588
This is an episode that I feel like had done a lot of what other episodes have done before, but better. Like, I feel there are elements of that episode where Jake ends up stumbling into a horrific war situation and some other episodes I can't name. But this feels like echoing the themes of those ones even better than before. I am a bit disappointed we are getting away from the John La Carre inspired Garak stories but I'm glad there are episodes like this ones about the messy ethics of war and survival. I also love the use of Quark in the episode that manages to give him more gravitas than usual but still feel very much in character. What's more, I think using a certain sound that has largely been used to comedic effect with the series up till now being one of anguish is a perfect decision, turning what is a Ferengi quirk into something more upsetting. This is probably tied for best episode with the season with Take Me Out to the Holosuite.
A pretty decent Klingon story. I wouldn't put it as top tier but it is a welcome comeback for Kor. I tend to be more likely to like a Klingon or Ferengi story and this is a solid one.
The Siege of AR-588
This is an episode that I feel like had done a lot of what other episodes have done before, but better. Like, I feel there are elements of that episode where Jake ends up stumbling into a horrific war situation and some other episodes I can't name. But this feels like echoing the themes of those ones even better than before. I am a bit disappointed we are getting away from the John La Carre inspired Garak stories but I'm glad there are episodes like this ones about the messy ethics of war and survival. I also love the use of Quark in the episode that manages to give him more gravitas than usual but still feel very much in character. What's more, I think using a certain sound that has largely been used to comedic effect with the series up till now being one of anguish is a perfect decision, turning what is a Ferengi quirk into something more upsetting. This is probably tied for best episode with the season with Take Me Out to the Holosuite.
Rewatch, although considering it had the flakiest syndication schedule ever, I'm sure I missed a few episodes here in there during the original run. And not sure how I'll feel when I get to Season 5, I might skip most of it.
Every episode of Enterprise:
*a problem*
T'Pol: *a reasonable suggestion that plays by established Star Trek rules*
Captain "Good" Conservative: Ya know, we've changed. Humanity has grown; we've evolved. We're not some barbarians anymore, and we DEFINITELY absolutely DO NOT have a chip on our shoulder about it. In fact, we're so advanced and evolved and changed and NOT SORE ABOUT IT AT ALL that we're gonna do something crazy to prove how evolved we are!!!
T'Pol: *a reasonable suggestion that is trying to calm down Captain Conservative Dad*
Captain "Good" Conservative: I see your point...but as a Good Conservative and also a White Man, I am right. And I'll prove to you, and those aliens, how right I am!
T'Pol: ...
Captain "Good Conservative: And then if that doesn't work...I'm gonna punch the crap outta 'em *Star Trek orchestra swells*
Travis: Hello! I am The Black One™! This is my one line of dialogue this episode! I'll be back if they need someone to get hurt! Also, did you know I grew up in space? I grew in space!!!
Reed: Hello, I am barely here, and my entire character is that I am intensely private which is nice because it means the writers don't have to come up with much for me.
Trip: Hey there, I'm the only one outside of T'Pol and Captain Conservative who gets a backstory. I'm basically just a ctrl+C of Scott Bakula's character
Hoshi: I'm not really here to do much except get scared and spout made up, I dunno, maybe racist-sounding dialogue? I dunno
Phlox: Hmm yes...well, this is all pretty stupid. Haha lol
*title*
I WILL TOUCH THE SKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
This show is kinda garbage lol. It really really is Episode From TNG/Voyager/DS9 But Worse™. I'm kinda digging it though...but like...not in the way that I enjoy Star Trek. A friend of mine and I watched this REALLY shitty medical drama a few years ago and made fun of it the whole time, and that was a fun little "project" we took on, and I'm enjoying this in the same way. It's kinda a disaster, and the good conservatism/immediately post-9/11 vibes are just like...pulsating off of this show in waves. It has an AURA; you can SEE it. So yeah that is realllllllllllllyyyyyyy not helping. Unintentionally funny, lots of stale ideas, kinda a disaster.
But hey, the episode I just watched that was a mash-up of Data's Day/In Theory/Space Irish + Space Bureaucrats starring Dr. Phlox wasn't terrible? That's progress!
*a problem*
T'Pol: *a reasonable suggestion that plays by established Star Trek rules*
Captain "Good" Conservative: Ya know, we've changed. Humanity has grown; we've evolved. We're not some barbarians anymore, and we DEFINITELY absolutely DO NOT have a chip on our shoulder about it. In fact, we're so advanced and evolved and changed and NOT SORE ABOUT IT AT ALL that we're gonna do something crazy to prove how evolved we are!!!
T'Pol: *a reasonable suggestion that is trying to calm down Captain Conservative Dad*
Captain "Good" Conservative: I see your point...but as a Good Conservative and also a White Man, I am right. And I'll prove to you, and those aliens, how right I am!
T'Pol: ...
Captain "Good Conservative: And then if that doesn't work...I'm gonna punch the crap outta 'em *Star Trek orchestra swells*
Travis: Hello! I am The Black One™! This is my one line of dialogue this episode! I'll be back if they need someone to get hurt! Also, did you know I grew up in space? I grew in space!!!
Reed: Hello, I am barely here, and my entire character is that I am intensely private which is nice because it means the writers don't have to come up with much for me.
Trip: Hey there, I'm the only one outside of T'Pol and Captain Conservative who gets a backstory. I'm basically just a ctrl+C of Scott Bakula's character
Hoshi: I'm not really here to do much except get scared and spout made up, I dunno, maybe racist-sounding dialogue? I dunno
Phlox: Hmm yes...well, this is all pretty stupid. Haha lol
*title*
I WILL TOUCH THE SKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
This show is kinda garbage lol. It really really is Episode From TNG/Voyager/DS9 But Worse™. I'm kinda digging it though...but like...not in the way that I enjoy Star Trek. A friend of mine and I watched this REALLY shitty medical drama a few years ago and made fun of it the whole time, and that was a fun little "project" we took on, and I'm enjoying this in the same way. It's kinda a disaster, and the good conservatism/immediately post-9/11 vibes are just like...pulsating off of this show in waves. It has an AURA; you can SEE it. So yeah that is realllllllllllllyyyyyyy not helping. Unintentionally funny, lots of stale ideas, kinda a disaster.
But hey, the episode I just watched that was a mash-up of Data's Day/In Theory/Space Irish + Space Bureaucrats starring Dr. Phlox wasn't terrible? That's progress!
This is a lie, because it implies Travis gets speaking lines every episode!
You're not wrong about the trends you're seeing so far, but ENT is a slow burn where 'Captain "Good" Conservative' learns to be better the hard way through painful trial and error, and slowly starts admitting to his mistakes and becoming a better person for it. It's a really good character development arc, IMO. But it's one that takes like 3+ seasons to achieve, so I don't blame any first-time viewer burning out early. Back in the day when ENT was first airing, I don't know if I ever made it through to the 2nd Season before burning out myself, and it wasn't until years later that I came back to it to give it a 2nd shot that I began to enjoy and appreciate the show more.
Travis is still a boring non-entity though. I dunno if the actor is all that great to begin with, but the show really gave him the shaft.
"Also, I'm heterosexual. Like, for real heterosexual. I'm just... shy! Yeah, that's the ticket! Please don't read too much into my strong relationships with men and lack of any chemistry with women."
Lotta Star Trek updates today!
We got a first look at "Captain Janeway" in Star Trek: Prodigy
Prodigy will take place in 2383 in the Delta Quadrant. This Janeway won't be the original, but a command training hologram.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 trailer: show is slated for a 'late 2021' release.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2 trailer: show is slated to premier on August 12th, and it's already been renewed for a S3.
Nothing new yet about Strange New Worlds but IIRC they just began production on that so I doubt they've got anything worth showing at this point, and we'll be lucky if the show broadcasts in 2022.
We got a first look at "Captain Janeway" in Star Trek: Prodigy
Prodigy will take place in 2383 in the Delta Quadrant. This Janeway won't be the original, but a command training hologram.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 trailer: show is slated for a 'late 2021' release.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2 trailer: show is slated to premier on August 12th, and it's already been renewed for a S3.
Nothing new yet about Strange New Worlds but IIRC they just began production on that so I doubt they've got anything worth showing at this point, and we'll be lucky if the show broadcasts in 2022.
Sprite
(He/Him/His)
I find the new-new-new-new Disco outfits to be very interesting. It's like they decided between Season 3 and 4 that hey, people like the more colorful outfits, so toss the grey and get the primary colors back. It's probably the right decision. The big vertical stripe that's off-center is a weird choice to me, I would ditch it the way TNG ditched the solitary pinstripe on the shoulders. But everything else looks great.
Oh, also a weird but sensible/logical decision to use TNG color schemes for the departments instead of TOS. Burnham just looks real gucci in red. Interesting that Stamets gets to wear blue. His job description always seemed more like a yellow-shirt kind of deal, but being in the science department makes sense. Still think he woulda looked better in yellow. But I'm cool w/ it because there generally isn't many people repping blue in Star Trek. Culber is still wearing white, and I really like Disco's distinction of putting medical personnel in white. There should be more uniform color variety in general for distinguishing the different departments. This isn't TNG anymore where all the bg characters are sharing the same 20 spandex onesies, they haveCBS-All Access Paramount+ money, go wild on the uniforms!
I pretty much shit my pants seeing Mariner in an Anbo-jutsu getup. This show is too good for us. I hope the brief scene in the trailer with Ransom shooting rainbows has to do with the Magicks of Megas-Tu.
Oh, also a weird but sensible/logical decision to use TNG color schemes for the departments instead of TOS. Burnham just looks real gucci in red. Interesting that Stamets gets to wear blue. His job description always seemed more like a yellow-shirt kind of deal, but being in the science department makes sense. Still think he woulda looked better in yellow. But I'm cool w/ it because there generally isn't many people repping blue in Star Trek. Culber is still wearing white, and I really like Disco's distinction of putting medical personnel in white. There should be more uniform color variety in general for distinguishing the different departments. This isn't TNG anymore where all the bg characters are sharing the same 20 spandex onesies, they have
I pretty much shit my pants seeing Mariner in an Anbo-jutsu getup. This show is too good for us. I hope the brief scene in the trailer with Ransom shooting rainbows has to do with the Magicks of Megas-Tu.
For folks who aren't in the Discord and may have missed it, today is the greatest day of my life-- they've made a Frinkiac for Star Trek TNG:
My freshman effort, but I expect to be using this site extensively:
I am never going to close this tab.
My freshman effort, but I expect to be using this site extensively:
I am never going to close this tab.
WHATTTT
Need context. I assume it's Picard s2, but if it the Worf show... I'd lose my mind
So far there is no context. I also am not assuming anything of that nature. Like, for all we know he's just being brought on as a cameo in Lower Decks or Star Trek Online. Which honestly feels like a much more likely scenario versus PIC S2 (which has been filming for a while), or his own Capt Worf show (Which we've heard Kurtzman say already there's no plans for new live action shows until one of the current ones runs its course).
Don't go a-breaking my heart
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Oh, I'm behind
Covenant
Though I feel like more Dukat is diminishing returns at this point (and re-hashes the formula of "he tries to convince someone, usually Kira, he's a good guy but its obvious he's just the worst but somehow the episode unveils new lows"), "Covenant" is a decent episode on its own. I'm not really that interested in the Pa'Wraith religion, I did get a dark laugh out of the reveal of Dukat's brand new illegitimate baby. Not a bad episode, but despite the episode's insistence, it doesn't add much to Dukat.
It's Only a Paper Moon
Hey, its the good Vic episode. I wouldn't go as far as to say it completely justifies the previous times this character was shoved down our throat with everyone just loving this guy, he's perfectly used here in a poignant story about Nog. It does seem weird that Starfleet seems so disinterested in a new intelligence and dragging their heels on giving him rights when there was a big TNG episode about Data having a trial for his life, but other than that, it seems like characters are finally showing mild interest in the hologram with autonomy, particularly since every time that's happened before, that's kind of a big deal. But it also helps that Vic, usually presented as the guy who gives the perfect advice all the time and everyone loves him, fills his usual role here but also comes off as a good guy but also a bit flawed when he realizes he hasn't been fair to Nog in the next step in his road to recovery. I'm sure the stuff I'd much rather explore with the character is probably covered in Voyager episodes, but this does much more with the character as well as continuing the great character work on Nog.
Covenant
Though I feel like more Dukat is diminishing returns at this point (and re-hashes the formula of "he tries to convince someone, usually Kira, he's a good guy but its obvious he's just the worst but somehow the episode unveils new lows"), "Covenant" is a decent episode on its own. I'm not really that interested in the Pa'Wraith religion, I did get a dark laugh out of the reveal of Dukat's brand new illegitimate baby. Not a bad episode, but despite the episode's insistence, it doesn't add much to Dukat.
It's Only a Paper Moon
Hey, its the good Vic episode. I wouldn't go as far as to say it completely justifies the previous times this character was shoved down our throat with everyone just loving this guy, he's perfectly used here in a poignant story about Nog. It does seem weird that Starfleet seems so disinterested in a new intelligence and dragging their heels on giving him rights when there was a big TNG episode about Data having a trial for his life, but other than that, it seems like characters are finally showing mild interest in the hologram with autonomy, particularly since every time that's happened before, that's kind of a big deal. But it also helps that Vic, usually presented as the guy who gives the perfect advice all the time and everyone loves him, fills his usual role here but also comes off as a good guy but also a bit flawed when he realizes he hasn't been fair to Nog in the next step in his road to recovery. I'm sure the stuff I'd much rather explore with the character is probably covered in Voyager episodes, but this does much more with the character as well as continuing the great character work on Nog.
Apparently, not long after, both CBS and Paramount rushed to issue clarifications that he wasn't going to be in any Star Trek TV shows or movies they have planned. Which is actually pretty hilarious.
God-damnit Dorn