Random Star Trek thoughts

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

It hasnt seemed that way to me. It seems pretty much like other trek just without pussyfooting around coding characters as something and just giving the representation. I havent noticed anyone being snarky or mean spirited, just scared, it doesnt seem like its trying to be edgy or preachy, or insisting upon itself. As far as the grimdark goes, its hard to find anything in our current grim dark setting that doesnt reflect that aspect of reality, but that's been happening to entertainment since the spring line up of 2002. But the main cast doesnt seem cardboard to me either. The flash of space battles is there, but there is very much interesting ethical quanderies; in fact ive enjoyed the realism of a big war calling those enlightened sensibilities that everyone fosters during peace time which are often the first things to go when combat comes; its been nice seeing some conflict in the systems morality because imo it makes it more impactful when they do choose to do the "heroic" thing. Discovery has been for my money one of the better Trek Season one's, if the show does the usual trek tighten up around mid season 2, i imagine it gets even better as the cast locks in on more chemistry with itself. the delima scinarios seem realistic to me because people when they choose a thing, tend to justify it as the right thing to do. Regardless if it was or not. Initially I was a little thrown off by the Klingon look, but given the Real life predjudices that I see in our real life world how dehumanizing the rhetoric can be, so I actually see the benefit of making the klingons look initially less human, Ive appreciated how they start to seem more human the longer the crew interacts with them. The practical make up effects have been very good to get back to. My biggest pleased moment about the cast is just how not high and mighty the federation is. It's a more realisitic depiction of cooperation sure humanity has evolved since our times now, but they're still human. The Federation has a sense of Honor the same as the klingons, it comes down to the individual crewperson choosing to do the honorable thing because its not an inherent biological trait of evolution, it is making a choice not a biological function. Its one of the first treks Ive seen where pretty much anyone could pick a member of the crew and see themselves instead of having to make inferences or introducing a special guest star like Barclay. My biggest griefs have been that the mirror universe would have been more satisfying to be a season 2 finale twist, give us two seasons with Lorca but I feel like that was the showrunners not knowing they were going to really get a season 2 so all payoffs happen same season, but thats more a problem with streaming series over all not just new trek.

man I woulda loved Lorca and Pike facing off. Talk about contrasting personalities. I did like how Pike worked to rebuild everyone’s trust. Lorca did a number on all of them. The show definitely has some high points and a few solid episodes, but it’s just too uneven for me. Personally I think DS9 had the most solid first season, if you can overlook a couple of questionable episodes. Even their Q episode, for all the shit it gets, serves a solid purpose in distinguishing the setting and Sisko’s command style from what we saw in TNG.

I just hate wasted or directionless writing. Disco season one had some solid threads and moments that could have been borne out a lot better if the writers room had just been a little more focused. Season 2 had a few decent episodes that served as a great prelude to SNW. I’m a pretty big Pike fanboy and I’d go so gay for him

I always dug the idea of Pike, if not the actual portrayal by Jeffrey Hunter, and wondered what a Pike led TOS would’ve been, so I’m glad we finally sort of got to see that. I think he’s up there in my top 4 captains. Mount nails the pathos of Pike, the complexity, that Hunter didn’t quite get right (considering he was only in one episode). He gets the balance of swagger and kindness right. I love how much he openly trashed section 31. He IS Starfleet perhaps more than any person except Picard, in that he quite possibly best exhibits the ideals and what other officers wish they were. This guy lives and breathes selflessness and it doesn’t hurt that he also physically is almost a dead ringer for the original actor. He captures that retro 60s idealism in a strange way. He really is a walking idea almost more than a person. He’s equally tortured and content. Ok sorry I’ll stop swooning now.

 

[Totenkindly]

My comments about Discovery seasons 2 & 3 are in this thread. Kind of spoilery though.

Star Trek Discovery lack of interest

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[The Cat]

Yay Jett Reno! Tig Notaro is so awesome <3

 

[Totenkindly]

Finished the finale of the Picard series over lunch.

While the main plotline finished a little too neatly for me, it was more that there wasn't time to do more (this was the kind of thing that could go on for a few episodes) -- and what was done was pretty decent. I'm generally pretty pleased with the season. Watching the finale, I laughed, I cried, I agonized, I sat amazed. All the right beats got hit, and I wasn't really sure who was going to live or die.

And as far as a nostalgic "wrap-up" episode, it did a remarkably great job. Very satisfying for that kind of thing.

Kind of funny how Season 1 was mostly shit, Season 2 was worlds better, and Season 3 was actually really well-scripted and earned its kudos rather than just being a cheap nostalgia throwback. It all felt earned, even when you could see them calculating which legacy character needed a moment to shine so that they all got their time in the sun.

And of course it sets up another potential series.

I guess I should note there's a post-credits sequence that I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It was very well-done, but... it feels like reopening the can of worms.

I think Worf and Data get played for the biggest laughs. Worf might have been the least developed for this season, but he still was bedrock. Meanwhile, it was fascinating to watch the new "Data" now that he's essentially merged with the Shadow Self (Lore and others) and become much more human. He almost doesn't know how to deal with things now, and the rest of the crew is thrown off by his humanity. It's often played for laughs, and it's quite funny.

 

[The Cat]

Ahhhhh It's Number 1! ^_^

 

[The Cat]

This show is growing on me mega fast. Im so glad I gave it a few seasons so I dont have to wait to watch

 

[The Cat]

Wellp, I'm kinda fangirling over Captain Pike now. Also Im so excited Section 31 is about. Though I still maintain that section 31 could carry several seasons on its own and a Star Trek is ready for a gritty spy series. It's also ready for a Starfleet Academy series with Colm Meany as the principal. I'll bet they could get John C McGinnley to play an instructor also. I'd love to see an episode where Obrien visits Rom on Ferengenar at Nog's funeral (RIP Aaron Eisenburg. )

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I think I might just start with season 3 of Picard because I'm genuinely curious and people seem to love it. I started watching season 1 and I kind of got annoyed they were trying to make it grimdark which wasn't what I was tuning for.

I liked NuGalactica a lot but even that didn't end up too dark unless you really think about Apollo's decision and that it probably impacted how long the "Eve" lived in the time magazine article. But still it suggested people can learn from their mistakes which is more optimistic than me on some days.

 

[The Cat]

I think I might just start with season 3 of Picard because I'm genuinely curious and people seem to love it. I started watching season 1 and I kind of got annoyed they were trying to make it grimdark which wasn't what I was tuning for.

I liked NuGalactica a lot but even that didn't end up too dark unless you really think about Apollo's decision and that it probably impacted how long the "Eve" lived in the time magazine article. But still it suggested people can learn from their mistakes which is more optimistic than me on some days.

I enjoyed Battlestar. The Leobon models were very relatable.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I enjoyed Battlestar. The Leobon models were very relatable.

I think I liked "Galactica" (in season 1) Boomer always struggling with her nature and shifting allegiances at times. I found her arc really tragic and moving. I thought they did a really good job with that.

 

[The Cat]

Puppies, hell who doesn't love puppies?

I also enjoyed the Hybrids.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I also enjoyed the Hybrids.

That was a really cool concept. Wasn't there a debate among the Cylons about whether or not what they said meant anything? I feel like that would set the 1s vs the 3s against each other.

 

[The Cat]

I wish The Emperor was my mother. She's so cool.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I wish The Emperor was my mother. She's so cool.

Unlimited Power!

 

[The Cat]

Unlimited Power!

No she doesnt offer that, just lots of tough dommy mommy advice, couple her with my daddy issues with Lorca and Pike, and I've got myself a crush stew going.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

No she doesnt offer that, just lots of tough dommy mommy advice, couple her with my daddy issues with Lorca and Pike, and I've got myself a crush stew going.

No lightning bolts from the fingertips? What is even the point of being Emperor if you don't get UNLIMITED POWER?

 

[The Cat]

No lightning bolts from the fingertips? What is even the point of being Emperor if you don't get UNLIMITED POWER?

I prefer a more complex emperor.

 

[The Cat]

I enjoy that Spock really seems half human in this. He holds a grudge like family.​

 

[Totenkindly]

I enjoy that Spock really seems half human in this. He holds a grudge like family.​

I think it is good when they can maintain the distinction.

For example, Tuvok seems like a full-fledged Vulcan (which he is) in comparison. I was kinda laughing when he was talking to Seven in the series finale of Picard, when she was getting all emotional and defiant, and he was just sitting there studying her, waiting for her to get done, lol. He handled it without getting indignant or annoyed or put off... just like "Waiting for the emotional human to voice her concerns so I can continue."

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I enjoy that Spock really seems half human in this. He holds a grudge like family.​

I'm thinking about checking out Picard Season 3 tonight. I'm deciding between that and trying to finish out the Mandalorian. I'll probably go with Picard which has gotten better marks, but I expect I'll be a lot more forgiving when I get around to the Mandalorian. I do kind of wish they'd kept things smaller in scope and not tying it into bringing back Thrawn or whatever it is, but that was probably never going to happen.