To boldly go ... (Star Trek)

[Elgarian Redux]

Yes, that was a sign of the times. ...
Star Trek and other shows of that era reflect the norm of the day.

Just to be clear: I'm not fallaciously attempting to project present moral values into the past. I'm not making a judgement on Kirk, just saying that sometimes I can't help squirming at the expression on his face. I suppose my comment is more about me than about him.

[Karl Henning]

I don't want to choose between them. They're both excellent characters.

That they are. I loved how when Riker first met Data, there was an element of bigotry, to which of course Data was algorithmically indifferent. My roommate in Buffalo was an immediate fan, and while I didn't have the freedom in my schedule to join him regularly, both the production values and Patrick Stewart's captaincy of the ensemble cast defeated any latent prejudice I might have nursed against the new series.

[Szykneij]

Just to be clear: I'm not fallaciously attempting to project present moral values into the past. I'm not making a judgement on Kirk, just saying that sometimes I can't help squirming at the expression on his face. I suppose my comment is more about me than about him.

I get what you were saying. I find I'm occasionally the same way, not neccesarily with Kirk, but with others.

[Szykneij]

I just happened to be watching The Next Generation, and at the end of the Drumhead episode, Picard says to Worf:

"Villains that twirl their mustaches are easy to spot but those that clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged. But she, or someone like her, will always be with us. Waiting for the right climate in which to flourish spreading fear in the name of righteousness."

Still true.

[relm1]

I just happened to be watching The Next Generation, and at the end of the Drumhead episode, Picard says to Worf:

"Villains that twirl their mustaches are easy to spot but those that clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged. But she, or someone like her, will always be with us. Waiting for the right climate in which to flourish spreading fear in the name of righteousness."

Still true.

Wow, that's prophetic!

[DavidW]

Cross-posting from the TV thread:

I finished the final season of Discovery. It had an interesting premise but was poorly executed. The Federation and the Brin are in a race to find Progenitor technology that could change the fate of the galaxy. It stars Nathan Fillion (though with so much makeup you might not recognize him) and Enterprise fans will be ecstatic over a big reveal in the finale.

But it is filled to the brim with too much therapy talk. Not only are there too many speeches around personal emotions in an unnatural way, but the very plot itself revolves around it. This was a problem in S3-4 of the show, but now it has taken center stage and frankly ended the show more like a wet fart than a satisfying end. It also had the same problem that S1 had which was forgetting about the rest of the crew, and making the show the Michael Burnam show (when Star Trek is known for ensemble casts).

Since Todd isn't posting here anymore (for the time being at least), and I'm sure you're all missing unnecessary ratings, here are my ratings for the seasons:

S1: 4/5 (I really liked it), I liked the initial darker, sinister tone and the big reveal of why it is that way. I like the main character having to start over from the bottom.
S2: 2/5 (I mildly disliked it), I thought the season was a mess and you could tell with the constantly changing producers, directors, and writers that consistency was a challenge.
S3: 3/5 (I mildly liked it), moving to the far future was a smart move and allowed the show to come into its own. It was much more consistent in plot, character arcs, and tone.
S4: 5/5 (I loved it), I really liked the main story here, I thought it was creative and imaginative and just good science fiction.
S5: 1/5 (I hated it), see my review above.

[foxandpeng]

Cross-posting from the TV thread:

I finished the final season of Discovery. It had an interesting premise but was poorly executed. The Federation and the Brin are in a race to find Progenitor technology that could change the fate of the galaxy. It stars Nathan Fillion (though with so much makeup you might not recognize him) and Enterprise fans will be ecstatic over a big reveal in the finale.

But it is filled to the brim with too much therapy talk. Not only are there too many speeches around personal emotions in an unnatural way, but the very plot itself revolves around it. This was a problem in S3-4 of the show, but now it has taken center stage and frankly ended the show more like a wet fart than a satisfying end.

I like Discovery, but this is more than fair.

[Karl Henning]

This will cheer @DavidW up:

"Ballard?"

[Karl Henning]

[Karl Henning]

I walked on stage in the performance of Caligula night after night, convinced that I was Leonard Nimoy giving a good performance as the mad emperor. "We are resolved to be logical." That was one of my lines. and night after night I dreaded it. I dreaded the moment when that word would fall out of my mouth. "Logical." that's his word. Spock's word, and everybody knows it. But I had to say it. I wanted to swallow it , mumble it, chew it up, rather than say it! Why? Because I knew that the moment those three syllables sounded through the theater, he would be there!
— Leonard Nimoy, I Am Not Spock

[relm1]

I walked on stage in the performance of Caligula night after night, convinced that I was Leonard Nimoy giving a good performance as the mad emperor. "We are resolved to be logical." That was one of my lines. and night after night I dreaded it. I dreaded the moment when that word would fall out of my mouth. "Logical." that's his word. Spock's word, and everybody knows it. But I had to say it. I wanted to swallow it , mumble it, chew it up, rather than say it! Why? Because I knew that the moment those three syllables sounded through the theater, he would be there!
— Leonard Nimoy, I Am Not Spock

Wow, he really needs a vulcan mind meld to get that character out of his head!

[Karl Henning]

I am not Spock.
But given the choice, if I had to be someone else, I'd be Spock. If someone said, "You can have the choice of being any other TV character ever played," I would choose Spock. I like him. I admire him. I respect him.
If someone could wave a magic wand and make him go away, disappear forever, I wouldn't let them do it. I would choose to keep him alive. I don't really have that choice. He'll be around anyway. But if I had that choice I would keep him alive. He stands for something that makes me feel good. Dignity and honesty and a lot more. And whatever of that rubs off on me makes me feel good.
But, I am not Spock.

— Leonard Nimoy, I am Not Spock

[LKB]

I am not Spock.
But given the choice, if I had to be someone else, I'd be Spock. If someone said, "You can have the choice of being any other TV character ever played," I would choose Spock. I like him. I admire him. I respect him.
If someone could wave a magic wand and make him go away, disappear forever, I wouldn't let them do it. I would choose to keep him alive. I don't really have that choice. He'll be around anyway. But if I had that choice I would keep him alive. He stands for something that makes me feel good. Dignity and honesty and a lot more. And whatever of that rubs off on me makes me feel good.
But, I am not Spock.

— Leonard Nimoy, I am Not Spock

Of course, Nimoy did write another volume in his story...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Spock

[Karl Henning]

Of course, Nimoy did write another volume in his story...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Spock

Yes, I've picked up a copy. Thought I'd read the first first. 

[LKB]

Yes, I've picked up a copy. Thought I'd read the first first.

I enjoyed the second one a lot. He explains where the " Vulcan salute "🖖 came from, and presents his life's story effectively. Hopefully you'll find it time well spent. 

[Number Six]

I once had a book of Nimoy's art photos. IIRC, it had a Hebrew title and was full of stunning images of beautiful nude women surrounded by flowing sheer fabric.

I might be remembering wrong. I will I still had it. Don't know what I did with it, to be honest.

[LKB]

I once had a book of Nimoy's art photos. IIRC, it had a Hebrew title and was full of stunning images of beautiful nude women surrounded by flowing sheer fabric.

I might be remembering wrong. I will I still had it. Don't know what I did with it, to be honest.

I've seen that album, and thought that many of the images were quite interesting in the lighting used, and somewhat distant perspective. I didn't purchase it, too pricey for my wallet.

[Number Six]

Here it is: Shekhina

With the getty watermark conveniently covering the lady's exposed bits. 

[Karl Henning]

I like being Spock. But I like myself too. I'd like to be me independent of him. I try—very hard, but it's tough. Sometimes I think I've done it. Sometimes I work very hard at doing my things, thinking my own thoughts. To be me, Leonard Nimoy. Sometimes I think I've got it made! Then I'll get on an airplane and somebody'll flash me a Vulcan salute. Or some nice lady will ask for my autograph and I'll proudly sign, "Leonard Nimoy," and then she'll say, "please sign Mr Spock. That's the way my son knows you.

— Leonard Nimoy, I am Not Spock

[LKB]

I like being Spock. But I like myself too. I'd like to be me independent of him. I try—very hard, but it's tough. Sometimes I think I've done it. Sometimes I work very hard at doing my things, thinking my own thoughts. To be me, Leonard Nimoy. Sometimes I think I've got it made! Then I'll get on an airplane and somebody'll flash me a Vulcan salute. Or some nice lady will ask for my autograph and I'll proudly sign, "Leonard Nimoy," and then she'll say, "please sign Mr Spock. That's the way my son knows you.

— Leonard Nimoy, I am Not Spock

I wonder how many actors have had that kind of experience, after playing a role with which they were evermore identified.