Disclaimer: This is a stream of consciencesnous while exploring why I tend to actually not like Star Trek. Beware of grammar- and spelling mistakes, irritations, returning irritations and general bile. Apologies for the absence of images. Google "Elim Garak" and you'll find out what my favourite character on DS9 looked like. Good luck!
When asked Trekkers often reply: “Because it shows a positive future; it gives hope.”
I could never agree with that reply. I always felt there was something distinctively wrong with it, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I’ve been thinking about this since last summer, which, quite frankly, is probably an inordinate amount of time for this kind of subject. When I was trying to figure out why the Netherlands went from a republic to a kingdom it at least felt worthwhile.
The last couple of months I spent a lot of time watching TNG and DS9 (Trekkers know what I’m talking about) and rewatching. During most of that time I stuck to watching what I knew I enjoyed, but I did, initially, take the time to watch it all in the right order without skipping any episodes…almost (I skipped a few episodes from DS9 in which the grand nagus took a central role. No regrets.). I couldn’t shake the feeling of disagreement with that overall accepted reason for liking star trek. I suppose it also had a lot to do with me being rather bored during a lot of the episodes, especially a lot of the TNG stuff and the early DS9 stuff. Yet, it did not answer my question why I felt liking star trek had nothing to do with the naïve idea it is because it shows a bright and beautiful future.
The first cracks for me came with the realization the only reason I ever liked star trek, if ever, was because of sentimental reasons. I grew up watching star trek and TNG was what star trek looked like to me. Hell, TNG was what sci-fi looked like to me. I realized I didn’t actually remember any storylines from my initial viewing. However, at first rewatch I was delighted to find I did remember all the crewmembers (except for Tasha, but who cares about her?). To my mild surprise I also realized none of the stories looked familiar to me, which was weird since I watched enough TNG back in my teens to know what it was all about and who all the characters were. And to my great disappointment, rewatching TNG didn’t quite excite me as much as I hoped, but I persevered and watched it all (some listened while cleaning the house).
Since I had set my heart on watching all star trek that is available I set out to watch all of DS9. The first three seasons were a familiar borefest I wrestled my way through, but to my relief it contained more good episodes than TNG and it encouraged me to keep going. I didn’t watch eight episodes in one day like I had with TNG (How did I survive that!?!? How did I do that at all!?!?), but managed to fit in four episodes every evening (This had also to do with more spare time when watching TNG and it reduced to evenings and weekends for DS9). To my delight and relief I found the Dominion war and the accompanying characters rather interesting, so much so I actually looked forward to watching the next episode. Unfortunately, that usually only lasted for a max of six episodes, then it would always and reliably return to the borefest I had come to expect and accept.
So I pointed out I was actually quite bored during a lot of the episodes (unfortunately most). Here come all my complaints about star trek:
1) Characters who always get along with each other are boring to watch. It’s conflict that makes stories interesting;
2) The villains are mainly rather one dimensional since in one episode you can’t quite explore characters. After the one episode they often disappear forever. Though recurring villains are not explored either;
3) Moral dillemma’s are discussed, but never get any breathing space (one episode is really not much) which means most subjects are only superficially explored which sometimes makes for interesting television, but usually just doesn’t quite cut the cake);
4) Since everyone in Starfleet gets along, the Federation citizens have become morons in dealing with people who aren’t quite like them (Quick to judge, talk with relish, ambitious, federation social, skilled in everything but social awareness, with a holier than thou attitude. I hate every episode with Barclay in it, not because of Barclay, but because of the compassionately dead Enterprise crew. To me it only shows human kind has learned nothing in the future….except for Data….which is ironic, because he isn’t even close to being humanoid…which goes to show, because the only thing they know is technology and that is what Data is.);
5) Most of the characters don’t get a real chance to develop and remain one dimensional. Characters hardly every learn anything, which keeps them going on the same level in the same way which makes a character and the stories they’re in predictable and therefore often boring.
It slowly became clearer to me when I read something someone else said when asked what he prefered, star trek or Doctor Who. His reply was Doctor Who, because it was written better. Where Star Trek focused more on the development of technology (as opposed to human kind), Doctor Who focusses more on the dramatic aspect of the franchise. Where Star Trek adopts a holier-than-thou attitude, Doctor Who just wants to entertain.
That’s what I love about Doctor Who: “It knows it’s silly, and it doesn’t do anything to redeem it. Yet, it manages to make sense in moral issues and sometimes even in character development.”
That’s what I dislike about Star Trek: “They adopt a holier-than-thou attitude, but don’t quite have the chops to support nor justify that attitude.”
Doctor Who doesn’t have an attitude and therefore doesn’t need to live up to one. Star Trek has an attitude and often fails to live up to it. That’s very annoying.
Also, I believe sci-fi should say something about us; that’s where it’s added value lies. The technological development is just a display of what human kind wishes for and what might be possible in the future. However, when I come back home from work and turn the tv on, I’m not interested in reading the technology catalogue and accompanying manuals. History also shows the best loved stories are the ones where a character goes on a (mental) journey and all the technology caters to the story of the character. Technology itself, unless it’s about Data (generalized, obviously), is not what’s interesting, it’s what human kind does or doesn’t do with it. Technology doesn’t make stories, people do. Inanimate objects, which a replicator is no matter how much it chats, aren’t interesting. However, computers that come to life might be interesting. But there it is again, animation, life, but I digress.
Though having spouted this (without spell- nor grammar check), I have to admit I really enjoyed DS9. Ironically, it was never the Starfleet people, or “the good guys” as captain Sisko would call them and himself, that made DS9 interesting. It were the Cardassians, it were the founders, it was that weasel Weyoun. I believe it’s because they were more human than all the humans on that station (Though the only Cardassian on the station was Garak). It was because the Cardassians had all kind of colours; they weren’t just black and white, they had all kind of interesting shades of grey. And the most beautiful thing about it was, secretly we understood so well why they choose to do certain things (or I did anyway). Which brings me back to the Federation: For a people “so advanced”, they’re so moronic in their social behaviour and empathy, it not only makes me want to throw things at my tv, but worse, it undermines the whole idea of Star Trek. Plus, the quality of too many stories was piss poor.
That’s why I hate Star Trek.
Showing posts with label Star Trek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star Trek. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Thursday, October 10, 2013
DW vs ST
A few posts away I linked to a site were arguments for DW and sort of against ST were given to which I believe I said: “This”.
Eventhough I do agree with the arguments given, they are not my own. For me it’s really fairly simple: “Doctor Who can make me unreasonably happy, Star Trek never managed that”.
Nobody knows the ultimate answer to why DW is as loved as it is. All kind of arguments ring true, and all kind of aspects of the show attract different kinds of people. I don’t think there is an ultimate answer.
For ST it seems more cut-and-dried. When asked, the answer often is: “Because it gives hope”. Really? I didn’t pick up on that one. What I see when watching Star Trek is people struggling as much as they do now. The only difference is we’re fighting on a galactic scale, eventhough we don’t really want to. Damn Romulans….and…other creatures!
ST is somewhat preachy, telling the viewers and other races how best to live their lives, eventhough they claim not to impose their living standards on anyone. Naah, they only judge you. If ST was a bit more honest, and a bit less self-congratulory and a bit less preachy I would like ST even more. It would have been a really serious contender for DW.
DW knows its silly. DW doesn’t claim to know better. In fact, the Doctor is often put in his place. In the Whoniverse actions have consequenses, even over a long run. DW is more about identity searching and learning than ST. DW is not preachy, but stays close to what it was intended for; entertainment.
Star Trek is for ‘hope’ (apparently) and Doctor Who for ‘escape’. In any case, outside shines the sun and and inside the TV is on.
Post: DW vs the Rest of Sci-fi
Eventhough I do agree with the arguments given, they are not my own. For me it’s really fairly simple: “Doctor Who can make me unreasonably happy, Star Trek never managed that”.
Nobody knows the ultimate answer to why DW is as loved as it is. All kind of arguments ring true, and all kind of aspects of the show attract different kinds of people. I don’t think there is an ultimate answer.
For ST it seems more cut-and-dried. When asked, the answer often is: “Because it gives hope”. Really? I didn’t pick up on that one. What I see when watching Star Trek is people struggling as much as they do now. The only difference is we’re fighting on a galactic scale, eventhough we don’t really want to. Damn Romulans….and…other creatures!
ST is somewhat preachy, telling the viewers and other races how best to live their lives, eventhough they claim not to impose their living standards on anyone. Naah, they only judge you. If ST was a bit more honest, and a bit less self-congratulory and a bit less preachy I would like ST even more. It would have been a really serious contender for DW.
DW knows its silly. DW doesn’t claim to know better. In fact, the Doctor is often put in his place. In the Whoniverse actions have consequenses, even over a long run. DW is more about identity searching and learning than ST. DW is not preachy, but stays close to what it was intended for; entertainment.
Star Trek is for ‘hope’ (apparently) and Doctor Who for ‘escape’. In any case, outside shines the sun and and inside the TV is on.
Post: DW vs the Rest of Sci-fi
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Star Trek Fanfic
You know what, I actually started writing Star Trek fanfic.
I've been looking sideways at all the Star Trek series. That means, I've been making notes about the other Star Trek series while watching TNG. I've also been looking at the timeline, the real one, in which Star Trek is just a (very big) franchise. I've been doing some calculations, and like a good human (tribute to the 8th Doctor), I've been applying patterns to it. By my calculation we'll have five more years of Doctor Who. In the meantime there will be at least one other Star Trek movie, maybe two before a new series of Star Trek starts. Doctor Who will end sometime in 2018, there will be a Star Trek movie in 2015, in 2017 a new series of Star Trek starts and one or two more movies will be made. That's my calculation.
Then I started thinking about what a new series of Star Trek would look like. Here's my idea:
1) It will be set in the 25th century;
2) We'll return to the Enterprise. Actually, there will be a new Enterprise with a whole new crew. We'll see it from the start this time.
3) The new Enterprise crew is very aware of the Enterprise's legendary status/image and that will be a battle on it's own.
4) Some small references to TOS, TNG and ENT, etc to indicate how big the name "Enterprise" has grown.
5) The crew has to get used to each other as well.
Because there is a completely new crew, and because they're new to each other as well, there are a lot of oppertunities to study their relationships to each other, and to establish and develop relationships.
I have already started with defining the characters. I'm not quite sure yet, it still needs a lot of work. What I do want to do is striking the balance between men and women. So far I decided to go for a crew of five men and five women. The captain and the first officer roles I'm already filling in. With filling in I mean filling in their characters; I have no names yet. I do know their gender, both will be male. The second officer will be a female as well as the counselar. The counselar is a better version of me, obviously (I'm not gonna pass a chance to work on the Enterprise), though I need to work her character out a bit more.
Other ideas for the crew: I want a female chief of Engineering. Probably a male security officer. The rest of them I have not yet decided.
List of characters so far:
Captain: male
First officer: male
Second officer: female
Counselar: female: might change this to male which will place my character somewhere else.
Chief engineering: female
Just ideas, nothing set in stone.
I've been looking sideways at all the Star Trek series. That means, I've been making notes about the other Star Trek series while watching TNG. I've also been looking at the timeline, the real one, in which Star Trek is just a (very big) franchise. I've been doing some calculations, and like a good human (tribute to the 8th Doctor), I've been applying patterns to it. By my calculation we'll have five more years of Doctor Who. In the meantime there will be at least one other Star Trek movie, maybe two before a new series of Star Trek starts. Doctor Who will end sometime in 2018, there will be a Star Trek movie in 2015, in 2017 a new series of Star Trek starts and one or two more movies will be made. That's my calculation.
Then I started thinking about what a new series of Star Trek would look like. Here's my idea:
1) It will be set in the 25th century;
2) We'll return to the Enterprise. Actually, there will be a new Enterprise with a whole new crew. We'll see it from the start this time.
3) The new Enterprise crew is very aware of the Enterprise's legendary status/image and that will be a battle on it's own.
4) Some small references to TOS, TNG and ENT, etc to indicate how big the name "Enterprise" has grown.
5) The crew has to get used to each other as well.
Because there is a completely new crew, and because they're new to each other as well, there are a lot of oppertunities to study their relationships to each other, and to establish and develop relationships.
I have already started with defining the characters. I'm not quite sure yet, it still needs a lot of work. What I do want to do is striking the balance between men and women. So far I decided to go for a crew of five men and five women. The captain and the first officer roles I'm already filling in. With filling in I mean filling in their characters; I have no names yet. I do know their gender, both will be male. The second officer will be a female as well as the counselar. The counselar is a better version of me, obviously (I'm not gonna pass a chance to work on the Enterprise), though I need to work her character out a bit more.
Other ideas for the crew: I want a female chief of Engineering. Probably a male security officer. The rest of them I have not yet decided.
List of characters so far:
Captain: male
First officer: male
Second officer: female
Counselar: female: might change this to male which will place my character somewhere else.
Chief engineering: female
Just ideas, nothing set in stone.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
A Demonstration of Wasting Time
Like some fans I could study my fandom extensively. I could try and memorize all episodes, or complex lyrics. I could study Klingons or Sontarans, learn their language. Or I could become an expert in the engineering of the Enterprise or the TARDIS.
Or I could do something useful with my life.
I choose to do neither of the above. I choose to sum up the things mister Spiner tends to repeat. Some occurences involve other Star Trek TNG alumni.
1) His posing on stage in different positions after he’s been announced during conventions;
2) Answering that…”it was like swimming in a rainbow with beautiful naked babies…” or something to that effect;
3) The yesterday mentioned “you can’t argue against that” reply on why Data was gold/yellow;
4) That Spot (Data’s cat) only once did something in the first take as was described in the script: Eat;
5) Patrick Stewart imitation;
6) That Gates McFadden (who played Doctor Beverly Crusher) discovered Brent’s on button. Yes, Brent’s on button, not Data’s off switch. This one is usually initiated by Gates;
7) Heckling his cast mates when they’re on stage on conventions;
8) Calling his web series a “com trag”; edited 25 Sept: It's actually "sit trag". It annoys me so much, I didn't even bother to get it right.
9) Telling about the one time he couldn’t get to say his line without laughing. He had to say: “Can I speak to Geordie?” The reason he couldn’t get the line out was, he could see him lie on a table behind the Doctor, very lifeless. Apparently, that was hilarious.
One short of ten. Still quite an impressive list. A good demonstration of wasting time.
Sorry for the cynism. I envy his talents.
Or I could do something useful with my life.
I choose to do neither of the above. I choose to sum up the things mister Spiner tends to repeat. Some occurences involve other Star Trek TNG alumni.
 |
| One such typical pose |
2) Answering that…”it was like swimming in a rainbow with beautiful naked babies…” or something to that effect;
3) The yesterday mentioned “you can’t argue against that” reply on why Data was gold/yellow;
4) That Spot (Data’s cat) only once did something in the first take as was described in the script: Eat;
5) Patrick Stewart imitation;
6) That Gates McFadden (who played Doctor Beverly Crusher) discovered Brent’s on button. Yes, Brent’s on button, not Data’s off switch. This one is usually initiated by Gates;
7) Heckling his cast mates when they’re on stage on conventions;
8) Calling his web series a “com trag”; edited 25 Sept: It's actually "sit trag". It annoys me so much, I didn't even bother to get it right.
9) Telling about the one time he couldn’t get to say his line without laughing. He had to say: “Can I speak to Geordie?” The reason he couldn’t get the line out was, he could see him lie on a table behind the Doctor, very lifeless. Apparently, that was hilarious.
One short of ten. Still quite an impressive list. A good demonstration of wasting time.
Sorry for the cynism. I envy his talents.
Monday, August 12, 2013
That Just Not Do
He’s not my type at all. He’s a bit like Jake; charming, funny (funnier than Jake), lively and also a bit annoying. Yet, I’ve gone out of my way to see and read interviews with him. I have an idea of who he is, or at least the way he generally presents himself.
Irritation #1: Brent claims he couldn’t argue against Gene Roddenberry concerning Data’s colour. This is what he usually answers when asked:
Brent: “Don’t you think that by this time in history, they would’ve figured out how to make skin look like skin?” And he said, “What makes you think that what you have isn’t better than skin?” And I went, “Um, okay.” [Laughs.] Can’t argue with Gene Roddenberry.”
Sure you can argue with him. Or at least when he gives that answer. If you’re in the proces of making an android as human-like as possible, even go out of your way to create a effin’ emotion chip, why not make the skin more like actual skin?
[no picture: you know by now what Data looks like. He's got yellow/goldish skin and yellow eyes.]
Had Roddenberry answered: “Gold/Yellow is funnier,” I would have accepted that. However, he didn’t, and that makes me a little unhappy, because his answer doesn’t make enough sense.
There are other things that annoy me about him. I should not complain. Don’t know the man. Never even met him. Fact remains; he’s not Data.
Right now I'm listening an audio interview and I swear, Brent dished out this story again!!!
Irritation #2: Levar Burton telling about how in the audition, blablabla, Geordie and Data were the only ones seeing the uninverse at it is. They wanted to form a team called the Perceivers. Quite glad that didn't happen. It sounds awefully tacky.
And I swear, in the same audio interview I'm still listening, Burton dished that one out again!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!
Irritation #1: Brent claims he couldn’t argue against Gene Roddenberry concerning Data’s colour. This is what he usually answers when asked:
Brent: “Don’t you think that by this time in history, they would’ve figured out how to make skin look like skin?” And he said, “What makes you think that what you have isn’t better than skin?” And I went, “Um, okay.” [Laughs.] Can’t argue with Gene Roddenberry.”
Sure you can argue with him. Or at least when he gives that answer. If you’re in the proces of making an android as human-like as possible, even go out of your way to create a effin’ emotion chip, why not make the skin more like actual skin?
[no picture: you know by now what Data looks like. He's got yellow/goldish skin and yellow eyes.]
Had Roddenberry answered: “Gold/Yellow is funnier,” I would have accepted that. However, he didn’t, and that makes me a little unhappy, because his answer doesn’t make enough sense.
There are other things that annoy me about him. I should not complain. Don’t know the man. Never even met him. Fact remains; he’s not Data.
Right now I'm listening an audio interview and I swear, Brent dished out this story again!!!
Irritation #2: Levar Burton telling about how in the audition, blablabla, Geordie and Data were the only ones seeing the uninverse at it is. They wanted to form a team called the Perceivers. Quite glad that didn't happen. It sounds awefully tacky.
And I swear, in the same audio interview I'm still listening, Burton dished that one out again!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!
What I Remember
You know what I realized, beside the fact I’m so distracted I didn’t fully realize at first? I actually sort of grew up with Star Trek the Next Generation. It was one of these shows I used to watch regurlarly. Another show was Friends; it always seemed to be on. Other things I watched were more music related, like the top 40, a lot of MTV and later TMF. I remember being quite fascinated by MC Hammer. In some daily top he featured every evening with “You Can’t Touch That”. I thought it was highly amusing.
In that same period I started to educate myself more in popular culture. I started to check out pop music. I started to check out classic comedy shows like M*A*S*H and Blackadder. I remember being a bit at a loss with music. I had just lost my childhood love; Take That. I started to watch films, on which I’m still hopelessly behind. If only they stop making them for a while. I educated myself in Dutch pop culture skillfully avoiding certain genre’s and the Dutch comedy scene. Then I focused on British entertainment with Queen as my favourite band and Monty Python as comedy group.
That was all very entertaining and I’m finally getting a sense of what’s out there, in popular culture. Strangely, I’ve been systematically ignoring the things I used to watch when I wasn’t consciencely trying to satisfy my hunger to explore entertainment. A great deal had to do with influence from my family. Because I wasn’t stimulated to watch certain things (things being sci-fi), I didn’t realize I really enjoyed it. Yes, I left it on when I zapped by, but nothing told me I did so, because I really enjoyed it. And I certainly didn’t realize I had grown attached to the Enterprise’s crew. Revisiting I found myself feeling glad the cast was as I remembered. Hell, I didn’t even know I made an effort to remember all of them.
I never had that with Doctor Who. Doctor Who wasn’t broadcast when I was growing a conscience. (Stupid question: when I didn’t realize I was alive, did that mean I wasn’t sentient?) I have a feeling I once watched Doctor Who, but I can’t actually remember it. I was probably too young to remember (and I was clearly not impressed). I do have memories from watching Star Trek. I do distinctly remember Riker being pulled into (what later turned out to be) black printer ink. I also distrinctly remember LaForge finally getting rid of his visor and being incredibly distracted by his eyes thinking it was not an improvement. I was glad when the visor went back on. Now I feel bad for Levar Burton; his sight was reduced for 75% when he had the thing on. And of course I remember the Captain; Captain Picard. My brother once had a teacher called Picard. I thought that was awesome, weird and funny in equal measure.
I don’t remember specific things from the others, I only remember who they were. Oh, no wait, I do remember watching Independence Day because I was curious what Brent Spiner looked like without all the makeup.
The weirdest memory is that of Galaxy Quest. Weird, because I can’t remember what happened in Star Trek, but when watching Galaxy Quest I did recognize all kind of things to my delight.
Yeah, I don’t know. I’m just sentimental.
In that same period I started to educate myself more in popular culture. I started to check out pop music. I started to check out classic comedy shows like M*A*S*H and Blackadder. I remember being a bit at a loss with music. I had just lost my childhood love; Take That. I started to watch films, on which I’m still hopelessly behind. If only they stop making them for a while. I educated myself in Dutch pop culture skillfully avoiding certain genre’s and the Dutch comedy scene. Then I focused on British entertainment with Queen as my favourite band and Monty Python as comedy group.
That was all very entertaining and I’m finally getting a sense of what’s out there, in popular culture. Strangely, I’ve been systematically ignoring the things I used to watch when I wasn’t consciencely trying to satisfy my hunger to explore entertainment. A great deal had to do with influence from my family. Because I wasn’t stimulated to watch certain things (things being sci-fi), I didn’t realize I really enjoyed it. Yes, I left it on when I zapped by, but nothing told me I did so, because I really enjoyed it. And I certainly didn’t realize I had grown attached to the Enterprise’s crew. Revisiting I found myself feeling glad the cast was as I remembered. Hell, I didn’t even know I made an effort to remember all of them.
 |
| Geordie LaForge without and with VISOR! |
I don’t remember specific things from the others, I only remember who they were. Oh, no wait, I do remember watching Independence Day because I was curious what Brent Spiner looked like without all the makeup.
The weirdest memory is that of Galaxy Quest. Weird, because I can’t remember what happened in Star Trek, but when watching Galaxy Quest I did recognize all kind of things to my delight.
Yeah, I don’t know. I’m just sentimental.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Random Thoughts About Data
Data is an android. He doesn’t feel anything, he doesn’t experience emotions and he’s fictional. Then why does it bother me when La forge is working on him and there are cables hanging from a socket in his head. And why does it bother me when Riker turns him off in court and why do I feel the need to request to turn him back on? What’s worse, Data himself is completely unimpressed. But then again, that’s no surprise.
Note: second viewing resulted in a different reaction; I was laughing at the sheer abruptness of Data’s turned off status.
Watching the crew manhandling a very inactive Data is also always a fascinating sight. You know what, I want that doll. I have a house that needs cleaning. I’d like an android, or an Ood. I’m not fuzzy.
And why does a straw sticking from Riker’s head not bother me at all? That actually made me laugh. And why did it leave me absolutely indifferent that people were eating from Troi’s cakey body? It looked really spongy. Not so sure about the icing though.
Is Data hollow on the inside? Could he actually carry a phone inside him? Seems a little weird.
Note: second viewing resulted in a different reaction; I was laughing at the sheer abruptness of Data’s turned off status.
Watching the crew manhandling a very inactive Data is also always a fascinating sight. You know what, I want that doll. I have a house that needs cleaning. I’d like an android, or an Ood. I’m not fuzzy.
And why does a straw sticking from Riker’s head not bother me at all? That actually made me laugh. And why did it leave me absolutely indifferent that people were eating from Troi’s cakey body? It looked really spongy. Not so sure about the icing though.
Is Data hollow on the inside? Could he actually carry a phone inside him? Seems a little weird.
Boy Geniuses - Blah!
 |
| Adric |
Just a short rant since I don’t really have anything useful to say today (as if ever).
It occurred to me that Wesley Crusher is in the same category and level of annoyance as Adric was. It doesn’t take much nor long to grow an instant dislike for both characters. They’re both supposed to be super intelligent and promising youngsters. If that equals being highly irritating and snotty, mischief accomplished.
It just doesn’t work, especially when the actor bears no super talent for acting, nor is actually close to being above average intelligence. What do teens know anyway? They’re brains are muddled with lost hormones and general confusion and the required experience is still absent. It’s not they’re fault, it’s the writers fault and also their parents’ fault. They should have protected them from pratfalls and inane bable in highly pubic tv-shows. It doesn’t work, because geniuses are only as smart as their writers who never turn out to be Albert Einstein. I can imagine it’s hard enough for grownups to play geniuses while saying stupid lines. For teens it’s even harder because they lack the beforementioned experience and writers tend to put them in embarrassingly stupid situations usually brought on the character themselves.
 |
| Wesley Crusher |
I do want to like both Adric and Wesley.
…
No, that was a lie; I hate Adric with a passion and Wesley can disappear into the Academy for eternity for all I care.
</ soapbox>
Cross Over
My gawd, is it hot in here, or is it just me?
This: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation/Doctor_Who:_Assimilation2
I must admit, the last three sentences did it. Yes! The possibilities are really endless. Can you imagine, an alliance between the Daleks and the Klingons to fight of? Oooh, and the Master and Q scheming together. Of course Q will eventually zap the Master something fierce, because he's omnipotent. What about a little competition between Q and the Black Guardian?
Okay, now it's time to stick my head under a cold stream of water.
This sounds a little like me:
This: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation/Doctor_Who:_Assimilation2
"First Contact (movie) being all the Doctor's fault!Source: http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1818686&page=2
I want to see a prequel with Kirk, the Tenth Doctor and an alliance between The Daleks and The Klingons (both unite over their hatred of Tribbles of course!)
Or The Master and Q,.....oh the possibilities are endless really"
Okay, now it's time to stick my head under a cold stream of water.
This sounds a little like me:
"It was impossible to see him otherwise. i didn't even think about star trek while watching it. (Which for me is saying a lot, seeing as i think about star trek almost any time i'm not thinking about doctor who. Lol )"Source: http://www.startrek.com/boards-topic/33351148/who-s-the-best-actor-in-tng?page=4
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Real Life Fictional Characters
In the announcement show Peter Capaldi said when he looked in the mirror the Doctor was already looking back at him, but he was not quite yet the Doctor.
Funny he should say that.
Since my Star Trek love has returned I’ve been looking sideways and weirdly at Brent Spiner who played Data the android. As Data he has his hair slicked back, his face covered in gold powder and he wears yellow lenses. It gave him a completely different look and with that he changed into a different person; Data. It was not only the actor making the character, it was the character partly taking over. Something changed in that man when gold with yellow eyes. In Data I can’t see Brent and in Brent I can’t see Data. Even his voice is different and the way he speaks is different. I can’t hear Data in Brent, nor can I hear Brent in Data.The contrast is especially clear when he’s playing opposite himself as respectively Data and his creator Dr. Soong. There’s a moment in the episode Birthright where Soong and Data are practically standing nose to nose and the camera is taking a close profile of both. That’s the same man staring (at nothing in reality) at himself. Blue into yellow, skin against gold dust (don’t know the material Data’s face is made of). Every time I’m baffled how different he is. Data even seems to be a bit taller than Soong.
Back to Doctor Who.
Yesterday I already remarked how every actor who played the Doctor has put something of himself into the Doctor. What can I say? I don’t know Peter Capaldi well enough to say something about how he’s going to play the Doctor. Steven Moffat did remark they’ll go a completely different direction with Peter compared to Matt. If we base our speculations on roles Peter has played in the past, this 12th Doctor could become a much darker personality. That’s an avenue I’m very interested in. Who knows what dark secrets the Doctor has to hide.
It seems a little ironic to me. Yes, Matt’s Doctor was a bouncy Doctor. I believe under all that bouncing and running the Doctor is hiding very dark secrets. To the eleventh that was the way to hide, and maybe even forget, about all the dark secrets he’s hiding. That gives Matt’s Doctor a certain dark edge. Who knows what we’ll find out in the 50th anniversary special.
Let’s see what happens. I’m sure the Doctor will inhabit Peter Capaldi soon enough. He is reaching out already. I’m already greeting Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, so that’s a good sign.
Funny he should say that.
Since my Star Trek love has returned I’ve been looking sideways and weirdly at Brent Spiner who played Data the android. As Data he has his hair slicked back, his face covered in gold powder and he wears yellow lenses. It gave him a completely different look and with that he changed into a different person; Data. It was not only the actor making the character, it was the character partly taking over. Something changed in that man when gold with yellow eyes. In Data I can’t see Brent and in Brent I can’t see Data. Even his voice is different and the way he speaks is different. I can’t hear Data in Brent, nor can I hear Brent in Data.The contrast is especially clear when he’s playing opposite himself as respectively Data and his creator Dr. Soong. There’s a moment in the episode Birthright where Soong and Data are practically standing nose to nose and the camera is taking a close profile of both. That’s the same man staring (at nothing in reality) at himself. Blue into yellow, skin against gold dust (don’t know the material Data’s face is made of). Every time I’m baffled how different he is. Data even seems to be a bit taller than Soong.
Back to Doctor Who.
Yesterday I already remarked how every actor who played the Doctor has put something of himself into the Doctor. What can I say? I don’t know Peter Capaldi well enough to say something about how he’s going to play the Doctor. Steven Moffat did remark they’ll go a completely different direction with Peter compared to Matt. If we base our speculations on roles Peter has played in the past, this 12th Doctor could become a much darker personality. That’s an avenue I’m very interested in. Who knows what dark secrets the Doctor has to hide.
It seems a little ironic to me. Yes, Matt’s Doctor was a bouncy Doctor. I believe under all that bouncing and running the Doctor is hiding very dark secrets. To the eleventh that was the way to hide, and maybe even forget, about all the dark secrets he’s hiding. That gives Matt’s Doctor a certain dark edge. Who knows what we’ll find out in the 50th anniversary special.
Let’s see what happens. I’m sure the Doctor will inhabit Peter Capaldi soon enough. He is reaching out already. I’m already greeting Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, so that’s a good sign.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Doctor Who - 50th Anniversary Special
As you all may know, it’s 2013.
This year is the 50th birthday of the series ‘Doctor Who’. In honour of that impressive birthday all kind of projects are undertaken. I must admit, I’m hardly up to date. I do know Moffat and team have been working on an 50th anniversary special and David Tennant and Billie Piper will return in their respective roles as the Doctor and Rose. John Hurt, not a Doctor Who alumni, will also be in the special and is the Dark Doctor, or something.
The reason I know so little is, beside being distracted by Dutch royals and Star Trek, I’m trying to remain as spoiler free as possible. But I am an impatient fan. So from time to time I fall for temptation and search for news. The latest rumour is that Paul McGann is involved as well and it has something to do with the Last Time War.
This post is not about those rumours. This post is about my wishes.
The Doctors
First I’d like to discuss the Doctor and his many incarnations. Just like many fans I would love to see all Doctors together interacting. That poses a few problems:
1. Some of the actors who played the Doctor are no longer with us;
2. Some of the actors who played the Doctor are still with us, but don’t look like themselves anymore;
3. Too many Doctors in one story could be a problem for that story.
I’m sure if I put my mind to it I could come up with more problems.
A solution could be a recast of those who are dead and those who changed too much. I’m against. It seems disrespectful in every way and the Doctors would not be the incarnations as we know them. That would be only distracting and I love the different incarnations the way they developed. Those actors and their performances have given their incarnations a certain ID and taking away from it seems wrong. It’s supposed to be a tribute, isn’t it? Why tribute something that never was and probably never even will be after the special. Sounds like a massive ID crisis for the Doctor.
The Companions
I’ve never really thought about who I’d like to return. Quite honestly, I could do without any of the old companions. Let Clara be the companion, that’s enough.
On the other hand, I’d love to see some companions interact, like Jamie and Leela. Any situation in which an enemy is aproaching would become instantly interestingly violent. I would love to see the Doctor try and stop them attacking.
Or to see Rose and Amy interact. They would tear each other’s hair out, wouldn’t they?
I did once make up a conversation between Captain Jack (the guy who can’t die) and Rory (the guy who comes back to life every time). Of course I can’t remember it now. It went something like this:
Rory: I was in New York with my wife. I died and now I’m here.
Jack: You came back to life?
Rory: Yeah, and it’s not even the first time.
Jack: *extending hand* Jack Harkness *looking Rory up and down* Yeah, I know that feeling. It doesn’t affect you much.
Rory: *confused/embarressed/scared* What…?
Hmmm, it would be nice to have Captain Jack back; I’m curious of how he would interact with Matt’s Doctor. And of course I miss Rory.
Events
What I’m not sure of is, the story being about the Time War. I like the legend. I like the mystery around the Time War. I’m afraid that if we get to see something about the Time War, it’ll be disappointing and relieving some of the mystery.
That brings me to Paul McGann who played the 8th incarnation of the Doctor. It is suggested we’re going to see the regeneration. I have no clue of what the 8th Doctor is doing in this special. And that brings me to John Hurt. Some suggest John Hurt will be the Doctor inbetween the 8th and 9th incarnation. It could be so; he was wearing 9’s leather jacket.
Of course there will be focused on the question ‘Doctor Who’ and I’m sure John Hurt has a big part in that story. He is the same man as the Doctor, but did something not in the name of the Doctor. I’m sure the special will make everything clear, but right now, I have no idea how to take this.
Conclusion
I have not been thinking too much about it, cause it makes me even more impatient. I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic.
I hope. Moffat is good in screwing specials up, like 2011’s Christmas special.
Favourite non-DW quote comes from Data and O’Brien had no clue what Data wanted to know, but me, with my Wikipedia and Monty Python knowledge knew immediately what Data wanted to know. But I couldn’t have said it better:
“I’m curious; what’s the etymology of that idiom?
This year is the 50th birthday of the series ‘Doctor Who’. In honour of that impressive birthday all kind of projects are undertaken. I must admit, I’m hardly up to date. I do know Moffat and team have been working on an 50th anniversary special and David Tennant and Billie Piper will return in their respective roles as the Doctor and Rose. John Hurt, not a Doctor Who alumni, will also be in the special and is the Dark Doctor, or something.
The reason I know so little is, beside being distracted by Dutch royals and Star Trek, I’m trying to remain as spoiler free as possible. But I am an impatient fan. So from time to time I fall for temptation and search for news. The latest rumour is that Paul McGann is involved as well and it has something to do with the Last Time War.
 |
| Not one of the Doctor's incarnations |
The Doctors
First I’d like to discuss the Doctor and his many incarnations. Just like many fans I would love to see all Doctors together interacting. That poses a few problems:
1. Some of the actors who played the Doctor are no longer with us;
2. Some of the actors who played the Doctor are still with us, but don’t look like themselves anymore;
3. Too many Doctors in one story could be a problem for that story.
I’m sure if I put my mind to it I could come up with more problems.
A solution could be a recast of those who are dead and those who changed too much. I’m against. It seems disrespectful in every way and the Doctors would not be the incarnations as we know them. That would be only distracting and I love the different incarnations the way they developed. Those actors and their performances have given their incarnations a certain ID and taking away from it seems wrong. It’s supposed to be a tribute, isn’t it? Why tribute something that never was and probably never even will be after the special. Sounds like a massive ID crisis for the Doctor.
The Companions
I’ve never really thought about who I’d like to return. Quite honestly, I could do without any of the old companions. Let Clara be the companion, that’s enough.
On the other hand, I’d love to see some companions interact, like Jamie and Leela. Any situation in which an enemy is aproaching would become instantly interestingly violent. I would love to see the Doctor try and stop them attacking.
Or to see Rose and Amy interact. They would tear each other’s hair out, wouldn’t they?
 |
| Not one of the Doctor's companions |
Rory: I was in New York with my wife. I died and now I’m here.
Jack: You came back to life?
Rory: Yeah, and it’s not even the first time.
Jack: *extending hand* Jack Harkness *looking Rory up and down* Yeah, I know that feeling. It doesn’t affect you much.
Rory: *confused/embarressed/scared* What…?
Hmmm, it would be nice to have Captain Jack back; I’m curious of how he would interact with Matt’s Doctor. And of course I miss Rory.
Events
What I’m not sure of is, the story being about the Time War. I like the legend. I like the mystery around the Time War. I’m afraid that if we get to see something about the Time War, it’ll be disappointing and relieving some of the mystery.
That brings me to Paul McGann who played the 8th incarnation of the Doctor. It is suggested we’re going to see the regeneration. I have no clue of what the 8th Doctor is doing in this special. And that brings me to John Hurt. Some suggest John Hurt will be the Doctor inbetween the 8th and 9th incarnation. It could be so; he was wearing 9’s leather jacket.
Of course there will be focused on the question ‘Doctor Who’ and I’m sure John Hurt has a big part in that story. He is the same man as the Doctor, but did something not in the name of the Doctor. I’m sure the special will make everything clear, but right now, I have no idea how to take this.
Conclusion
I have not been thinking too much about it, cause it makes me even more impatient. I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic.
I hope. Moffat is good in screwing specials up, like 2011’s Christmas special.
 |
| Not even Star Trek's Data (but the man who plays...) |
“I’m curious; what’s the etymology of that idiom?
Monday, July 29, 2013
the Next Generation (Interest)
For about a year I managed to go to bed early-ish during work weeks. For nearly six months I managed to get up early-ish to go to work. For nearly a year, applying this routine, had me fairly fresh at work.
Something changed. I’m knackered.
Last Friday I posted a picture of Lt. Commander Data from Star Trek. That was pretty much the announcement of a Star Trek period in my stream of interest. Yes, I’ve been watching Star Trek till late in the night, or rather, early in the morning. It completely threw my routine.
What is it about this clip that fascinates me?
Brent Spiner Performing Shakespeare's 'Merchant of Venice'
Is it his loose performance? Is it Shakespeare? Is it his boyish grin throughout the performance? Or is it Data doing Shakespeare in a very un-Data way? I don’t know. In the end, I keep watching that.
You know how that happened? The link wasn’t even Doctor Who. I was watching something on YouTube, might have been “de koningsvaart” on 30 April. It might also have been the film “First Contact” which was on TV not too long ago. It might have been me being bored with watching the same two series over and over again.
I’m not quite done with Alexander yet, but there’s only so much to find and read about him. I’m not quite ready for Star Trek yet; it’s distracting. I have, however, made plans; start with Next Generation and go from there. See how long this lasts.
I don’t want to really talk about it, because I feel there’s not much to say. I can tell you this: Back in the 90’s I watched because I liked Riker. Then when I wasn’t really watching or thinking about Star Trek, for some reason it was Captain Picard who popped in my head occasionally. Now since I’m revisiting the series it’s Data I like best. Overall, the relations between characters are interesting.
I know nothing about the overall story. Back then I watched whatever was on missing most episodes. There were no links, no clues and I had no idea.
I only vaguely knew of other series than “the Nex Generation”. When I think about that, trying to recall it is like trying to lift a mist that’s hanging over something I know. Same with Doctor Who. I always knew there were different Doctors, but I can’t recall when I found out or how. Same with the existence of different Star Trek series; I knew about them, but I can’t remember since when I knew and how I found out.
Looming presence in the background of my memories.
Something changed. I’m knackered.
Last Friday I posted a picture of Lt. Commander Data from Star Trek. That was pretty much the announcement of a Star Trek period in my stream of interest. Yes, I’ve been watching Star Trek till late in the night, or rather, early in the morning. It completely threw my routine.
What is it about this clip that fascinates me?
Brent Spiner Performing Shakespeare's 'Merchant of Venice'
Is it his loose performance? Is it Shakespeare? Is it his boyish grin throughout the performance? Or is it Data doing Shakespeare in a very un-Data way? I don’t know. In the end, I keep watching that.
You know how that happened? The link wasn’t even Doctor Who. I was watching something on YouTube, might have been “de koningsvaart” on 30 April. It might also have been the film “First Contact” which was on TV not too long ago. It might have been me being bored with watching the same two series over and over again.
I’m not quite done with Alexander yet, but there’s only so much to find and read about him. I’m not quite ready for Star Trek yet; it’s distracting. I have, however, made plans; start with Next Generation and go from there. See how long this lasts.
I don’t want to really talk about it, because I feel there’s not much to say. I can tell you this: Back in the 90’s I watched because I liked Riker. Then when I wasn’t really watching or thinking about Star Trek, for some reason it was Captain Picard who popped in my head occasionally. Now since I’m revisiting the series it’s Data I like best. Overall, the relations between characters are interesting.
I know nothing about the overall story. Back then I watched whatever was on missing most episodes. There were no links, no clues and I had no idea.
I only vaguely knew of other series than “the Nex Generation”. When I think about that, trying to recall it is like trying to lift a mist that’s hanging over something I know. Same with Doctor Who. I always knew there were different Doctors, but I can’t recall when I found out or how. Same with the existence of different Star Trek series; I knew about them, but I can’t remember since when I knew and how I found out.
Looming presence in the background of my memories.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Why Sci-Fi
When I grew up nothing of sci-fi was watched, not until I had the age of about 14/15. That was also around the time Star Trek was first broadcast and I made a hobby out of zapping.
I grew up with a family very much rooted in reality, not fantasy. No, I should rephrase that (I can see several misleading and incorrect assumptions you can make from that). My parents, were not interested in watching a series about something that was not immediately recognizable to them. It shone through in our upbringing. I watched soaps or realistic drama’s, (Dutch) panel shows, evening fulling entertainment shows in which people did stupid stuff, the news and sport, lots of sports. That was what was watched back home. Star Trek did not qualify. Strangely, British series didn’t qualify either.
It was not really strange British series didn’t qualify. English was not a language that was spoken at home. My mum doesn’t really want to read during watching, my dad was more interested in sports and my borther at the time also was more interested in sports. So that left me alone slowly discovering what else was going on entertainment wise. I spent some hours watching some British or American series in my parents’ bedroom.
I remember one particular British series about fireworkers. I followed that dilligently; I can only remember one story line from it. That’s how it started for me, watching the BBC. I must have been around 15. At that point I wanted to visit London one day. My mum said I only wanted to because of that series. Truth is, I very early on knew I wanted to escape the crippling and controlling village life. Deep in my heart I always knew I was rather a city person.
Monty Python was completely not understood. Both my mum and my brother at some point said: “They’re completely mad, aren’t they?” and my mum claiming she didn’t like that kind of humour, because it was childish. I asked her which humour was grownup; she couldn’t answer. Ironically, I think Monty Pythong has the most grownup humour you can find on the planet.
Problem with my parents is, and through inheritance and upbringing my brother too, they don’t look deep into what it is that’s good about it. For them entertainment is just that: ‘entertainment’. They either like it, or they don’t. They’re not wondering why they like it, or why not. Greatest problem is, because of prejudice, certain art forms are simply not visited. My mum once claimed she didn’t like sci-fi, because it’s not real. As if soaps are real. She also doesn’t know the difference between a soap and a quality drama series. It doesn’t matter to her.
Since this is just about art forms, and since art is mainly for entertainment purposes and very orientated on taste, I can’t force her to watch things. Her life quality might not enhance when watching Star Trek. Though I think if there’s one TV/Film genre that can teach people something about themselves, how we live our lives and treat each other, it is sci-fi. The broad spectrum of possibilities and exploration gives people the chance to look ahead, to look back, to evaluate and to learn. Dreams and fantasies encourage people to develop, start up new things and learn from that. A good drama gives those oppertunities too, but is limited in what is (or what we think is) possible. That’s why I like sci-fi.
That’s why I think so many people like the Doctor. He’s an alien holding up a mirror and showing how and what else is possible. He shows our dreams. He shows what might be abroad (from earth). He encourages us to try it, to develop, to grow and be better than ourselves. He helps us being human, and understand more what it means to be human. That’s much more worth than an adulterer who gets divorced and crashes his car against a tree. That’s not innovative, that’s not new, and apparently, it teaches us nothing, because we keep doing it.
In this post an image of Star Trek’s Lt. Commander Data. Another interesting character with a lot of possibilities, disabilities (emotion wise) holding up a mirror while he goes his android ways exploring what it is like to be human (and have emotions).
I grew up with a family very much rooted in reality, not fantasy. No, I should rephrase that (I can see several misleading and incorrect assumptions you can make from that). My parents, were not interested in watching a series about something that was not immediately recognizable to them. It shone through in our upbringing. I watched soaps or realistic drama’s, (Dutch) panel shows, evening fulling entertainment shows in which people did stupid stuff, the news and sport, lots of sports. That was what was watched back home. Star Trek did not qualify. Strangely, British series didn’t qualify either.
It was not really strange British series didn’t qualify. English was not a language that was spoken at home. My mum doesn’t really want to read during watching, my dad was more interested in sports and my borther at the time also was more interested in sports. So that left me alone slowly discovering what else was going on entertainment wise. I spent some hours watching some British or American series in my parents’ bedroom.
I remember one particular British series about fireworkers. I followed that dilligently; I can only remember one story line from it. That’s how it started for me, watching the BBC. I must have been around 15. At that point I wanted to visit London one day. My mum said I only wanted to because of that series. Truth is, I very early on knew I wanted to escape the crippling and controlling village life. Deep in my heart I always knew I was rather a city person.
Monty Python was completely not understood. Both my mum and my brother at some point said: “They’re completely mad, aren’t they?” and my mum claiming she didn’t like that kind of humour, because it was childish. I asked her which humour was grownup; she couldn’t answer. Ironically, I think Monty Pythong has the most grownup humour you can find on the planet.
 |
| Lt. Commander Data (from Star Trek) |
Since this is just about art forms, and since art is mainly for entertainment purposes and very orientated on taste, I can’t force her to watch things. Her life quality might not enhance when watching Star Trek. Though I think if there’s one TV/Film genre that can teach people something about themselves, how we live our lives and treat each other, it is sci-fi. The broad spectrum of possibilities and exploration gives people the chance to look ahead, to look back, to evaluate and to learn. Dreams and fantasies encourage people to develop, start up new things and learn from that. A good drama gives those oppertunities too, but is limited in what is (or what we think is) possible. That’s why I like sci-fi.
That’s why I think so many people like the Doctor. He’s an alien holding up a mirror and showing how and what else is possible. He shows our dreams. He shows what might be abroad (from earth). He encourages us to try it, to develop, to grow and be better than ourselves. He helps us being human, and understand more what it means to be human. That’s much more worth than an adulterer who gets divorced and crashes his car against a tree. That’s not innovative, that’s not new, and apparently, it teaches us nothing, because we keep doing it.
In this post an image of Star Trek’s Lt. Commander Data. Another interesting character with a lot of possibilities, disabilities (emotion wise) holding up a mirror while he goes his android ways exploring what it is like to be human (and have emotions).
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