Heck, in one episode, the therapist gets to take command of the ship!
I have a confession to make.
I've been a long-time fan of Star Trek. I enjoyed TOS - in my childhood - and I had to review everything FASA produced for one of the RPG's. Heck, I even wrote the questions for a 'phone in quiz; remember them?
Now, I really enjoyed ST:NG. It seemed to me to combine the old 'adventure/exploration' feel with modern *ahem* special effects and introduced fairly heavy moral and ethical questions. As soon as I watched the first STS9, I really loved it. The dark, 'grey area' emotional experience was increased, with even the Federation not being all sweetness-n-light a lot of the time.
Felt dissatisfied with ST:V. Dunno why, most of the same elements of Next Gen were there, but it just didn't inspire me to watch each episode. ST:E really put me off. I can't put my finger on it, exactly, but I think it didn't feel like Star Trek. Prequel, maybe, but it didn't float my boat.
Now, all these new incarnations coming out - on different ... ah ... streaming services just don't appeal to me. Just from the clips alone, they look dramatic, they look special-effects heavy ... and both of these don't appeal to me as part of what I think I liked about Star Trek. Frankly, if I'm not inspired to watch, based on clips and trailers, I don't feel I want to waste time watching them.
I'm not a hardcore fan - I don't watch these just because, for bad or good, they're part of the Star Trek franchise. I don't want - or feel the need - to watch them and then judge their merit. Considered as a sci-fi programme, not ST, they don't make me want to watch them.
Don't get me wrong: I love the films, even the much-argued reboot with Chris Pine. Great, visual drama.
But from what I've seen, these latest entries are film-quality episodes more fitting for a single (or the inevitable series of) films.
Don't think of this as a rant against. After all, I can't comment on something I haven't watched. But it's only a commentary on that, for me personally, from all I've seen ... I'm not attracted to watch.
*sigh*
I don't mind. I've DVD's, VHS tapes and multiple re-runs to re-watch.
And, of course, my full DVD set of Babylon 5 to be going on with.
Yes, this is a big criticism of many SF series, but particularly so of ST.Also if you want a new species - go for hominoid. Just add something to the skull or have a weird pattern on the face- Voila! A new alien race. Some are sophisticated, (they wear shiny robes), some are primitive, (they wear sleeveless tunics) - the universe is truly a boring place.
Yes, this is a big criticism of many SF series, but particularly so of ST.
I think the backstory is that millennia ago, everybody had a common ancestor.
Truly in fairness, it was going to crash anyway, she just happened to be the unfortunate person at the helm when it happened.To be fair, it seems remarkably easy to crash Federation ships.
The TNG episode "The Chase" explores it.I think the backstory is that millennia ago, everybody had a common ancestor.
I've said time and again that I liked Voyager as it shared, with TOS, the central sense of isolation. They're on their own and have to rely on themselves to deal with issues: with TNG this was almost always lacking with a sense that they could get back-up and/or to safety by tomorrow lunchtime.Original for me, Voyager I liked as it was mindless, the new one is ok. Deep Space 9 boring as hell with too many silly costumes/monsters some of which made 1980's doctor who look good. Ferengi - ridiculous.
The TNG episode "The Chase" explores it.
I've said time and again that I liked Voyager as it shared, with TOS, the central sense of isolation. They're on their own and have to rely on themselves to deal with issues: with TNG this was almost always lacking with a sense that they could get back-up and/or to safety by tomorrow lunchtime.
I'm sticking with Discovery, but have found this season oddly directionless, given the strong cohesive narrative of S2 with a real sense of purpose and mission, this one feels like running errands.
Oh I forgot to mention 'The Orville'. Not Star Trek, I know, but funny.
It is!Yeah, that is the biggest copout ever.
Oh I forgot to mention 'The Orville'. Not Star Trek, I know, but funny.
I haven't got around to seeing any of 'Picard' yet. Based on my descriptions of my likes/dislikes (above) can anyone advise me if I should bother with it????
We have a thread on The Orville. Starts out a Trek ripoff (from some of the same Trek people) but gradually evolves into an unexpectedly exciting science fiction show with some really fine episodes.
It is!
I believe for LeGuin, the Ekumen is so far in the future, that the people are all humans from Earth who may have undergone strange experiments, as in the case of The Left Hand of Darkness, but mostly just normal people. There might be some non-terrestrials, but they were very few and far between.Isn't that the same situation with much of LeGuin's Sci-Fi, though the various "aliens" are all more human looking than the usual Trek - "person with a bit of prosthesis and make up".
But it's a spoof.
Whilst Star Trek throws in the occasional whimsical scene, courtesy of characters such as Data, Neelix, Quark and Odo, the focus was on genuine sci-fi stories, rather than attempts at comedy.
The Orville seemed closer in spirit to Red Dwarf - just nowhere near as funny.
As for Picard, whilst it had pacing issues, it built on TNG's mythos pretty well and I would certainly rate it higher than Discovery. Very much looking forward to Picard series 2, in which I gather Guinan will be back.
I believe for LeGuin, the Ekumen is so far in the future, that the people are all humans from Earth who may have undergone strange experiments, as in the case of The Left Hand of Darkness, but mostly just normal people. There might be some non-terrestrials, but they were very few and far between.
It definitely improved once they stopped trying to force a joke every few moments.Is The Orville a spoof? I would say no: just look at the robot invasion two-parter, it was fantastic and deadly serious. It's more Star Trek with jokes than a parody.
I bet that'll make her eyes water.crowbarring a lot of plot into Tilly
Just started watching the Mandalorian - Crikey that is how to do an SF TV show.
Realistically carries on from source material - check
Engaging story - check
Just the right balance of light and dark - check
Brilliant special effects/set/costumes - check
Moreishness - check
Discovery is not in the same league as this.