http://www.idkfa.com/v3 idkfa: syndicated http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3418 I... I tried. I got through half of the first season, if I remember anything from reading the blurbs on Wikipedia. It was painful to watch, particularly when each episode seemed like it was stretching to fill an entire hour. I do remember that about Trance, strangely enough. Maybe I "read ahead." kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:33:49 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3418 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3413 Did you see later seasons of Andromeda? Where Trance changes colors to this dusty gold instead of purple and is kind of scary and intimidating? They totally realized that her impossible optimism wasn't working. Also, in the finale or something it was revealed that she was actually a planet or a star or something. It was weird. Wilber@idkfa.com (Wilber) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 10 Aug 2011 01:58:40 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3413 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3323 Indeed I have. Nice fellow, though. Thinking more on it, the science fiction genre, while usually inhabiting the future and space and such, has the primary function of holding a mirror to the current human condition and human thinking (rational, emotional, or otherwise). Each character's personality represents a specific and exaggerated collection of human traits, and the interaction of those personalities and traits is what creates drama and helps us to relate to the drama, even in a bizarre and foreign environment. When you have characters that are "impossibly happy," or otherwise don't have an "off switch," or almost never exhibit off-days, bad days, bad moods, are never in conflict with others or themselves, etc., they strike me as unrealistic, unlikely, and inhuman. I stop relating to them, at least to me. Contentment isn't something I'm terribly familiar with, nor does it make good fiction. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:59:39 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3323 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3321 Lol, "impossibly happy" characters. You've met Jason Martin, right? Neelix is just like him, but not as good at small talk. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) Cognitive Surplus Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:04:46 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3321 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3319 I know, I know. I just don't like the idea of impossibly happy characters, whose defining traits are that they... are happy, cheery, optimistic. No matter what. See Trance Gemini from Andromeda. (I understand later in the seasons Neelix gets better depth, etc., but that he's introduced as such just irritated me at the start.) kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:45:00 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3319 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3317 You know, Josh, not EVERY character on ST can be a Spock/Data/EMH/Seven-like non-human robot character. It doesn't work with more than one, otherwise the "fish out of water" character has other fishes. The reason Seven worked is because she came around once the Doctor had become human enough to fit in. Wilber@idkfa.com (Wilber) Cognitive Surplus Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:45:28 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3317 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3316 But see, on a DVD you can just "next chapter" into the action. You never even have to hear that damn song! Wilber@idkfa.com (Wilber) Cognitive Surplus Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:38:19 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3316 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3206 Worst... intro... EVER. Although I love to bring it up, that song is so cheesy in such a great way. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:42:46 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3206 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3205 Psht, the first few seasons of DS9 were far superior to the first few seasons of TNG. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:41:59 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3205 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3203 Neelix... I don't know. I have trouble putting a finger on the reason, but for some reason, his character just bothers me. Maybe I would have just preferred two EMH's, rather than Neelix and Kes. And I'm not sure I want to revisit VOY just to figure out what exactly it was. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:24:04 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3203 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3202 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPn-lTytfGo I rest my case, your honor. Green Man@idkfa.com (Green Man) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:24:09 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3202 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3200 They couldn't use the replicators because they are very energy intensive and they had limited fuel. The energy issue is a constant problem in the first few seasons, and even when they have more fuel in later eps they still ration replicator use. Also, Neelix was native to the delta quadrant and had information about the species and things they encountered that would have been otherwise unavailable to Voyager. Like all ST series, the first 2-3 seasons sucked on Voyager, but it was very good near the end. Even Enterprise had some redeeming eps in season 4. I could disuss at length the issues relating to Enterprise's failure as a series, but I think no one cares as much as me so I will just continue to opine on TNG. Oh, and that "first few seasons suck" rule? NOT TRUE FOR TNG. I don't care what anyone says. Naked Now, anyone? The Binars, introducing Ferengi, Yar, lady-planet, Leah Brahms, K'mpec, the dauphin, happy-naked-planet... I mean, come on! I could go on all day. Wilber@idkfa.com (Wilber) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:05:45 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3200 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3158 #Cosign. @scrotor: ugnnnhhhhhhhhhhhh seven of nine.... best character ever. kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:07:44 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3158 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3155 Lol, that's an epic retelling of what I can only imagine is the absolute truth with no embellishments. Governator@idkfa.com (Governator) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:31:37 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3155 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3154 Ugnnnhhhhhhhhhhhh seven of nine.... best character ever. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:45:47 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3154 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3153 Here's how it would go: Josh: (starting up Voyager after thoroughly enjoying DS9) "Well, might as well finish the fight. I watched it a bit with my dad when I was a kid, but seemed to fall out of habit after the second season or so..." Josh: (watching) "Wait. What is Neelix's purpose on the ship?" Josh: (watching more) "He's the cook. Well, a cook. On a ship with a replicator, that renders cooking an almost obsolete profession, amongst a crew of military space explorers who have been recently marooned on the opposite side of their galaxy, and don't really need to dedicate food resources and ship space to anything except the efficiency of their replicating machines. Maybe... maybe he'll be important later? Have interesting alien powers? Be... comedic relief." Josh: (5 minutes later) "Nope. Not happening." Then with Enterprise: Josh: "I'm not listening to this theme song 98 times." There's also every time John has called me in the last 5 months: Josh: "'Ello" John: "Hey, whatcha doin'?" Josh: "Oh, you know... watching Star Trek." John: (deep, disgusted, bottomless silence, followed by a pained and pitying sigh, followed by a quick muttering under his breath) "(For fuck's sake...) ...And did you want to do something else?" I have to set attainable goals, otherwise I will never succeed. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:08:06 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3153 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3152 Then you'll start getting into the meat and potatoes: Green Man@idkfa.com (Green Man) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:42:27 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3152 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3151 :D Also, I wrote a script that tells me how far / how much Star Trek I have left to watch. Having just watched episode 89, and at the conservative average rate of 5 episodes a week, I'll be done with TNG sometime in November, and done with DS9 sometime in July of next year. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:33:46 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3151 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3150 I think that's a good way to put it. I mean, I've already seen pretty much every episode, and it's fantastic trip down memory lane. I used to fight with my sister so much for my right to watch TNG. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:51:06 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3150 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3149 I got a little emotional reading this. Non-trek people just don't get what the show means, and especially what it means to nerds like us who have it all wrapped up in our childhood. Wilber@idkfa.com (Wilber) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:29:34 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3149 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3148 He's got superhuman attributes, duhsies! The Traveller said so. It is entirely reasonable that he would manifest some extraordinary tricorder reading abilities in the moment of crisis. Wilber@idkfa.com (Wilber) Cognitive Surplus Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:25:09 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3148 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3140 AND! Don't forget: pushing buttons about as fast as Data. Because programming EM transmissions in realtime is that easy. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) Cognitive Surplus Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:23:23 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3140 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3139 I like to think that the sentries just lost interest, or thought it was amusing enough that Wesley was just smashing together his tricorder and comm badge in hopes that something useful would happen. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:15:07 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3139 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3138 Thank goodness they finally got rid of Wesley. I just watched this one myself. Also worth mentioning is that his "solution" was complete bullshit. Worst deus ex machina ever. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) Cognitive Surplus Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:31:43 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3138 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3137 I watched the episode "Final Mission," the ninth episode of the fourth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation this weekend (original air date: December 2nd, 1990). The episode had Wesley Crusher and Captain Picard traveling in a mechanically dubious alien shuttle to get to a planet that is in need of Picard's galaxy-renowned diplomatic arbitration skills. The trip is intended as a "final mission" for Wesley, as he is about to leave the Enterprise to study at Starfleet Academy, and Picard wanted to use the time on the mission to give him sagely advice. As is predicted, the shuttle's propulsion system fails, leaving Wesley, Picard, and the captain of the alien shuttle stranded on a desert planet. Picard maintains an uneasy command of the shuttle crash survivors, convincing the shuttle captain to make for the mountains as their best chance for food or shelter. They make their way across the desert and to a cave, with what appears to be an active spring welling up from the bottom of the cave. However, upon approaching the spring, they discover that a force field surrounds the water, and a number of energy-based sentries attack the survivors when they try to take down the field with their phasers. The sentries cause rocks to fall from the ceiling, injuring Picard. Wesley tries to help Picard, but discovers that the injuries will eventually prove fatal, and cannot be treated in the cave. The alien shuttle captain grows impatient, and convinces Wesley to try another plan to use the phasers to take down the field around the water spring. Their plan again fails, and the alien shuttle captain is killed after being encased in "selenium fibers" by the sentries. Wesley, tending to an ailing Picard, tries to keep Picard awake and in good spirits while he works on a way to disable the field. Picard, on the verge of death, tells Wesley how proud he is of him, gives him advice on Starfleet, the Academy, and life. Up kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Cognitive Surplus Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:55:21 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3137&msg_id=3137