Star Trek

[Freedom56]

So far Strange New Worlds is okay. It's a big improvement over the last two seasons of Discovery. I think Halo was a much better series. On another note, The Orville is back for another season.

 

[swakyaby]

Saw the first episode season 3 of The Orville today. With the move from Fox tv network to Hulu, the creator of the series Seth MacFarlane has been able to expand his storytelling with a bigger budget and less tight time constraints. And I think it shows. But there seems to be less jokes, something I enjoyed about the first 2 seasons.

 

[harllee]

OK, so the next episode has dropped ("Spock Amok"), and on this miserably hot afternoon with peak 100% near solstice sun, I decided to stay in and watch it.

I laughed, I cringed, and overall I enjoyed it. I might even try to perform some of my own hijinks and play "Enterprise Bingo" myself.

TIP: before you watch it, pull up TOS episode S2, E1 ("Amok Time") and watch from about 00:28 or so onward. It isn't necessary to do so, but trust me, it will help with enjoying the latest episode.

There is definite fan service in this episode. I don't want to spoil too much yet. There is also character back story development, and a few nuggets dropped in for hints as to what is to come.

The visuals are stunning. It is a stark reminder just how limited they were in 1966. I have to constantly just take myself away from cheesy sets and go with the flow on the new visuals. I'm not sure I'm open to playing pop music over final scenes, but alas, it is what TV does these days. I guess I just gotta go with it.

I think some fans will be really ticked off by this episode, but most will like it. Just remember, Spock *is* married, and we know this in S2, E1 of TOS.

One last thought: the actresses cast for T'Pring in both TOS and SNW are both stunningly beautiful.

Watched it last night, I agree with the great special effects and visuals, loved the sailing vessel and I liked the alien diplomats. BUT The main story line about Spock and the other 2 story lines--Enterprise Bingo and Nurse Chapel's love life seemed a bit silly to me (I wonder if Nurse Chapel is really in love with Spock). I didn't hate the story lines but IMO they were not as good as the first 3 episodes.

 

[JoeWras]

Saw the first episode season 3 of The Orville today. With the move from Fox tv network to Hulu, the creator of the series Seth MacFarlane has been able to expand his storytelling with a bigger budget and less tight time constraints. And I think it shows. But there seems to be less jokes, something I enjoyed about the first 2 seasons.

We're only 1/2 way through the episode. Seemed very serious. We'll finish tonight. Also noticed some PG-13 swearing, not that it matters much. A nice change on SNW is they so far have kept the language clean, unlike Discovery and their F bombs.

It figures that The Orville and SNW will be dropping on the same day this summer.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Watched it last night, I agree with the great special effects and visuals, loved the sailing vessel and I liked the alien diplomats. BUT The main story line about Spock and the other 2 story lines--Enterprise Bingo and Nurse Chapel's love life seemed a bit silly to me (I wonder if Nurse Chapel is really in love with Spock). I didn't hate the story lines but IMO they were not as good as the first 3 episodes.

Your comment about the quality of the story lines creates an opportunity for us to rank the episodes so far. I'll have a go:

1. Children of the Comet
2. Momento Mori
3. Ghosts of Illyria
4. Spock Amok
5. Strange New Worlds (Pilot)

#3 and #4 could be interchangable. Definitely thought "Comet" was the best episode, closely followed by "Momento". The pilot was competent, just didn't grab me like the others.

 

[sengsational]

I've watched all but the most recent SNW. Not bad, but the writers are sliding into the "tragic back story" pit. And that 1 in 10,000 professional who makes it into Star Fleet shouldn't have anger management issues, but we saw a little of that. Again, I hope we don't have to listen to actors yelling their lines when interacting with their fellow crew members. The underlying stories have been good though. The one effect that caused an eye roll from me was the storm clouds that extended all the way into space by about a planet diameter's worth of distance. On a desk globe, the atmosphere of earth is about the thickness of a piece of paper. If it sounds like I should wrap with "get off my lawn", that's not quite where I'm at, but instead I'm just picking on the show...I'm glad to watch it. I'm thoroughly grateful that each episode stands on it's own and that it's not one of those where it's a slog just to get through the story by the end of the season.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Saw the first episode season 3 of The Orville today. With the move from Fox tv network to Hulu, the creator of the series Seth MacFarlane has been able to expand his storytelling with a bigger budget and less tight time constraints. And I think it shows. But there seems to be less jokes, something I enjoyed about the first 2 seasons.

Generally speaking the show is a rip off of Star Trek. You're right--when there were jokes it was much more enjoyable.

The CGI artists had a lot of work in this production. Too bad the story was a cliche.

 

[swakyaby]

I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy the season opener of The Orville. On the contrary, the new season is looking very impressive. Beautiful detailed scenes, well fleshed out stories, some light-hearted moments but noticeably more serious in tone than the previous 2 seasons. It definitely falls in the category of soft science fiction, like all Star Trek series, where the social and psychological aspects of the characters predominate over hard science.

I didn’t think of this series as a “rip off.” That’s harsh. Seth MacFarlane has always said he was a big fan of Star Trek, and this series is inspired by and homage to the original series.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Nobody's talking about the latest Star Trek episode, "Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach."

First off, the title is nonsensical. Secondly, Captain Pike acts like a lovestruck idiot. He's basically useless. Finally, the plot hinges on a magic machine that uses a child as a power source. This machine, the working of which is never explained, is responsible for upholding the planet's society and entire infrastructure. The machine essentially imprisons and tortures the child until he is (literally) fried and dies.

The sub plot of Uhura learning security protocols was decent, but can't overcome the stink of the main plot.

I give it a 4 out of 10 rating. So far, the only misstep in the series this season.

 

[Pellice]

Oh, too bad, does sound like a misstep - like "Spock's Brain," but not as memorably campy. Enterprise also an episode - I looked it up, "Wink of an Eye," where starship repairs were "free."

 

[Qs Laptop]

Oh, too bad, does sound like a misstep - like "Spock's Brain," but not as memorably campy. Enterprise also an episode - I looked it up, "Wink of an Eye," where starship repairs were "free."

No, it was not campy at all, it was basically a story about permitting child abuse.

I'm thinking Star Trek should just give up on stories involving children. Remember how bad the TOS story "And the Children Shall Lead"? How about "Charlie X"? Then there was TNG "When the Bough Breaks." Also, all the Wesley-centric TNG episodes were mostly bad. Just give it up.

 

[Pellice]

I really agree. I don't know why it is, but the children stories are boring and stereotyped. DS9 handled it the best with Jake Sisko, but, actually Nog was by far the better character, and he always seemed like one of the adults. Jake's stories were all ditch-able, and he seemed there mainly to illustrate "another side of Captain Sisko."

 

[harllee]

I really disliked the latest episode of Strange New Worlds. It was strange and creepy. And I agree --it was child abuse. I have not like either of the last 2 episodes. Hope this next week improves.

 

[JoeWras]

I didn't want to start it. Yep, weakest episode far.

This week's episode will feature an actor with a topic of current interest. This can be done well or not. We'll find out soon


BTW, The Orville has gone dark and depressing. Makes anything on SNW look uplifting.

 

[folivier]

Agree with Orville. I liked it because of the childish humor, made it similar but more fun than ST. Hopefully they'll bring that back.
As far as the above recent posts about SNW I don't watch any ST to be schooled on social things. I just watch it as a diversion from other shows that try to school watchers.

 

[KarenC]

Nobody's talking about the latest Star Trek episode, "Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach."

First off, the title is nonsensical. Secondly, Captain Pike acts like a lovestruck idiot. He's basically useless. Finally, the plot hinges on a magic machine that uses a child as a power source. This machine, the working of which is never explained, is responsible for upholding the planet's society and entire infrastructure. The machine essentially imprisons and tortures the child until he is (literally) fried and dies.

[…]

In a separate forum, many folks noted the script was inspired by the short story Those Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin.

 

[Qs Laptop]

In a separate forum, many folks noted the script was inspired by the short story Those Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin.

Interesting factoid, but doesn't make the episode any more palatable.

 

[MuirWannabe]

Ok, I tried to ignore it. I tried to be apathetic about it. I tried to look past it. I tried to accept it. But alas. Captain Pikes hair is just ridiculous. I didn’t cause it. I can’t control it. And I can’t cure it. But I sure can’t stand it.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Ok, I tried to ignore it. I tried to be apathetic about it. I tried to look past it. I tried to accept it. But alas. Captain Pikes hair is just ridiculous. I didn’t cause it. I can’t control it. And I can’t cure it. But I sure can’t stand it.

You don't like Pike's Peak?

 

[harllee]

I love Captain Pike's hair. I would love to run my fingers through it. There a a lot of unique hair styles in Star Trek. I think it is fun.

 

[folivier]

I love Captain Pike's hair. I would love to run my fingers through it. There a a lot of unique hair styles in Star Trek. I think it is fun.

That's my whole point, it should be fun! His hair? Wish mine was that thick.

 

[Pellice]

I just read a story that Kirk's brother, Sam, was going to be in SNW. I don't understand writers' utilization of family members. Doesn't it make it MORE difficult to gently harmonize the different shows when characters must be fitted in to existing frameworks? Is it our fault, us the fans? Do the ratings show we tune in more when a recognizable name is involved? I would actually rather NOT see a story about Sam Kirk, or Kirk's father, etc. Bring some new characters in. SNL has enough backstories and outlines to deal with as it is, and the biggest one isn't even Pike, who disappears from the record until he has a presumably late in life injury and then his demise. The biggest ones are fitting existing crew members into subsequent patterns.

I tried to think of examples of where I would be ok with family member stories. I think Spock's parents have been used fairly effectively and believably. I could see a SNW episode where his mother figures as a secondary story - perhaps set back on earth, where she is accompanying Sarek and is invited to give a lecture to some earth "Vulcan Society" about her adopting the Vulcan philosophy and lifestyle. Spock would go with her and learn some things about Terrans and Vulcans, as welll as about himself But, I'm sure SNW is trying to keep Spock's role less key than in TOS.

But I don't get the impression that any of us here are waiting eagerly for episodes where some relative shows up just because ... I can't even think of why it's particularly useful.

 

[harllee]

So far Sam Kirk has just made some limited appearances in SNW. Not an impressive character.

 

[JoeWras]

Pike's hair: if I had that head of hair, I'd show it off! Good for him. Even if they thickened it up a bit, that's quite an accomplishment.

Sam Kirk: so far AWOL. Hope it stays that way.

Family members: *spoiler alert* I blame Star Wars. Guess what? 3 of the 4 major characters are related. This is the deep secret I just spoiled for you.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I just read a story that Kirk's brother, Sam, was going to be in SNW. I don't understand writers' utilization of family members. Doesn't it make it MORE difficult to gently harmonize the different shows when characters must be fitted in to existing frameworks?

Kirk's brother Sam was in an episode of TOS. The story where giant pieces of skin flakes flop down from the ceiling and fly onto people's backs, sting them, and become parasites. Spock becomes infected and goes on a rampage.

Sam Kirk was a biologist and was killed in this episode. He's kind of infamous in Star Trek fandom because he's played by William Shatner, just with a mustache and dyed hair.

So there is precedent here. Might as well ask if it's hard to fit Pike, Uhura, and Nurse Chapel retroactively into Strange New World frameworks.

But I do not want to see a "who's who" of TOS characters being shoehorned into the series. I really hated that with TNG characters on Picard. I'm guessing that Beverly Crusher makes an appearance on S3 of Picard, along with a couple other regulars from TNG, like the Bajoran helmsperson.