Comment Stream

Re: TNG S4: The Nth Degree

I agree Dwight Schultz is a great actor and he pulls this off so well. He actually seems to physically change as Barclay's confidence grows. Barclay develops more of a presence instead of melting into the background.

This recurring role is one of the better ones and I liked him in Voyager as well. I agree he would have been a great regular but they probably liked to keep the revolving door of guest stars in Engineering.

Re: TNG S4: In Theory

I love Data like many others and I believe he has emotions, at least on some level that he many not even recognize. Perhaps he's developed them over time. How could he be curious about things if he didn't have emotions? When he says he's intrigued about the kiss, he is expressing that he is curious, an emotion. Since I am watching so many episodes right now, I notice many places where he expresses a simple emotion, curiosity probably the most common. If he wasn't curious, why would he have gone to the Academy, joined Starfleet, etc.? What would motivate him, be his raison d'être? Is he programmed to "succeed" and that is why he chose this path? Is so, why isn't he more ambitious? Even wanting to be human is expressing an emotion.

I think it is curiosity which drives him. Maybe Dr. Soong programmed curiosity into him on purpose, if possible, so Data would go out into the world and "have a life."

Re: TNG S4: The Mind's Eye

@ Tidd

I thought the scene in 10 Forward was Kell testing Geordi's conditioning to see if he could get him to spill the drink on O-Brien. Also, Kell had a small transmitter hidden in his clothes that he used as a trigger. We never see him do it, but that's how he was caught at the end. Data said the transmitter had to be there and Kell was taken away for what I am sure was a very gentle search by the Klingons. ;)

I'm in the 4 star group on this one.

Re: TNG S4: Half a Life

Imagine how awful it would be to actually hear what other people were thinking - all the snide comments and random dark thoughts that people have. It would take constant effort to ignore most thoughts and to try not to conclude that every single person that exists is a complete and utter ass. I think that's why she's like she is, she tries to talk over and block out so much of what she "hears."

I can't help thinking she'd be kind of fun to hang out with though. At least for a little while.

Re: TNG S4: The Drumhead

After reading through many of these and skimming the others all I have to say is - is it cocktail hour yet? Hell, it's 5:00 pm somewhere...

I appreciate everyone's passion for the subject but really, why debate politics? When all is said and one I bet no one's position moved even a fraction of an inch...

Re: TNG S4: Galaxy's Child

@ William B

I appreciate your comment and I agree that is probably the intention of the episode. They almost got there. I just don't think they quite made it and I can see why many consider what she did at worse rape, at best coerced. I can also see why it's hard not to take into consideration it was Riker being 007 (versus someone like Geordi as many of us probably think that Geordi would have said "no thank you") and that it wasn't succumb or die. I'm glad they didn't write it as a truly life and death choice for Riker.

I do think that some people went to far with the argument that it can't be rape because it's Riker. Thus my comment.

I don't think any of us are trying to trivialize any real if incidents in these threads, even if people toss around the insults sometimes. We just like Star Trek and reading and talking about it. A lot.

Re: TNG S4: Galaxy's Child

I just want to add that I use the word "crime" for expedience sake, but it may be too harsh. Infraction may be a better word.

Re: TNG S4: Galaxy's Child

I've watched this again after many years and read many (but not all, there are so many!) of the comments and despite the fact this seems to have been (almost) beaten to death I will add one point that I believe was overlooked. Many people kept talking about Geordi's intentions, what did he intend, etc. He did not intend for the hologram in Booby Trap to become a sexual attraction/love situation. True. He did fall in love and was sexually attracted, but I don’t think many are arguing that that was his crime. He transferred those feelings to the real Leah (also not a crime) but because of his feelings his actions were completely inappropriate, unprofessional and, yes, sexual harassment. It wasn’t his feelings that were the crime, but his resulting behavior (yes Peter G. that’s aimed at you! ;) ) Certainly he never intended his actions to be sexual harassment, but I would think that most of us have gone through sexual harassment training by now and have learned that the intentions of the person doing the harassment are irrelevant. Intent is almost impossible to prove and it really doesn't and shouldn't matter. The reasonable person standard is often used as in "a hypothetically reasonable person with a reasonable way of interpreting and reacting to a situation of sexual harassment." In some jurisdictions a “reasonable woman” standard is used instead.

Based on many of the comments in this thread and my own reaction to Geordi's behavior if I was in Leah's shoes, I do believe by today's standards Geordi sexually harassed Leah. I'm not going to attempt to try to put this into any 24th century standard, but in the late 80s and early 90s the standards we use today were being established. Creating a “hostile environment” (which is what I think Geordi was guilty of) was established as early as 1981 by a D.C. Circuit court. I would argue the standards we use today were already well established when this review and these comments were written. So, even if the writers could have merely been guilty of poor writing based outdated stereotypes, the reviewers defending Geordi by today’s standards have gotten it wrong. Yes, that’s my opinion and it’s nigh impossible to get a consensus on this kind of hot-button topic, but go ahead, look up what a “hostile environment” means.

Finally, whether or not Geordi is a meek little nerdy guy or a big buff bodybuilder is irrelevant to the hostile environment. Leah never had to feel physically threatened for there to be a hostile environment. Leah could have been a total slut and that would be irrelevant too. I bring that up because of the First Contact episode and some of those comments. Some people actually said that Riker was a womanizer so it wasn’t rape. Huh? I’m actually not taking the position it was rape but the logic behind those comments scares me. So a prostitute can’t get raped, is that it?

With that said, I guess I’ll have to check out Black Mirror and Ted Chiang.

Re: TNG S3: Booby Trap

I do like this episode but some things bug me about it:

There's still a breathable atmosphere aboard a derelict 1,000 year old ship? It still has artificial gravity and a comfortable room temperature onboard?

Destroying the Promellian battle cruiser at the end makes no sense. They already turned off the distress signal. The aceton assimilators which are the real problem, are still there in the debris field. You would think Picard would have contacted Starfleet instead to have them figure out a way to retrieve the ship instead of destroying it.

Re: TNG S4: The Wounded

I know I am totally twisted and this is coming completely from left field, but I have always found the Cardassians to be very sexy. What can I say, it all comes down to individual taste... Wait, they don't exist and I'm married to a human male. Love you, hon!

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

@Peter G.

That's interesting, and I agree that with children (and even adults) feelings often need to be explored. Such as asking "why are you sad that your friend is a Muslim?" so the root cause of such feeling can be discovered and dealt with. However, I would argue that feelings are experienced and cannot really be "controlled". With a statement such as your example, I wouldn't try to teach my son to control that feeling as I don't think that would change how he actually felt deep down. He would just be burying it. I would try to understand why he has that feeling so we can work it through and change it. The goal would be the next time (or the time after that) his feeling would be different. This could take time and certainly would take effort.

Also, extreme feelings would need to be dealt with such as "I was so mad at the boy for not liking cats that I felt like killing him." Again, the root cause of such a feeling would have to be explored. But I don't think anyone really learns to control feelings, especially those as quick and natural as happiness, sadness, disappointment, etc. What we can learn to control is the behavior that follows feelings/reactions. What we learn as adults (though many airline passengers seem to be be forgetting it lately) is that while we have many feelings during the day, we can't just behave any way we see fit due to those feelings. We are responsible for our behavior. To some extent I think you are treating feelings and behavior as one and the same.

So, if my son said he was disappointed that this kid hate cats and then he started yelling at and cursing said kid, I would quickly teach him that while his feeling is understandable, his behavior was not acceptable. This teaching would include an exercise in understanding why that behavior was not acceptable and may include an apology to the boy, loss of some privileges at home, etc. Even young children learn that there is a difference between feelings and behavior. They are taught that it's okay to be frustrated/sad/disappointed that mommy wouldn't buy them the toy in the store, but it's not okay to have a tantrum about it.

I would go so far to say we can examine our feelings if we don't like our reaction to something, and we can try to change those feelings in the future. We have to get behind the feelings and the reasons why we are having them. If necessary, there are courses we can take to help us (or we can be forced to take if our resulting behavior is illegal). Maybe that's what you mean by control, but I don't consider it the same thing.

When all is said and done I still believe being disappointed in an artists political views is an acceptable feeling, but my behavior that follows may not be acceptable. If I jump on the internet and start spreading lies about this artist or worse, or try to find where they live so I can damage their property, both are unacceptable to me and society. If I decide not to go to the gallery that is displaying a collection of such artists work (or to not see a movie they are in, etc.) I believe this is acceptable behavior that follows an understandable feeling. I do not feel a need to change that feeling of disappointment I had or and I don't consider it to be of concern. You disagree with that, and that is your prerogative.

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

@Peter G

I expressed I may give a more detailed reply when I had more time. Here is an imaginary conversation with my son. It’s tongue and cheek, but gets my message across and then some:

Son: Mom, I was disappointed today when I learned that kid I really admire because he is such a great basketball player hates cats.

Me: Why did that disappoint you? If he hates cats has nothing to do with his basketball playing.

Son: I know, but I just love cats so much and my cat in particular. I just felt a little disappointed.

Me: Well, you aren’t allowed to feel disappointment about something like that. You have to stop it.

Son: How do I stop an emotion, when I felt it right away?

Me: Somehow you must learn to. It isn’t allowed.

Son: So when you said you were disappointed to learn that the owner of that company gives lots of money to that political group you don’t like and you weren’t going to buy any more products, was that wrong too?

Me: Yes, that was wrong. I’m not supposed to feel disappointment about something like that. Therefore I have no right to stop buying products because of it.

Son: And that artist whose work you really like, then you were disappointed to find out that he belongs to a political group that believes women should not have jobs or get educated, that was wrong?

Me: Yes, that was wrong. We have to admire Artists no matter what they believe or support and can never feel disappointment about their political beliefs (or anything else for that matter). It is because they are Artists and should never be subject to any difference of opinion at all about their beliefs. We must admire and learn from their work no matter what because they are Artists.

Son: I’m not sure I can turn off my emotion like that when I learn something new. What if I just feel disappointment for a minute or a few seconds even?

Me: Sorry, you still aren’t allowed to feel disappointment because people may find it ALARMING and we may be judged to be people of poor character who don’t accept other people’s differences. So you must learn to turn off that emotion permanently, just to be safe. We don’t want the emotion police to come barging into our home, they are very mean to people who dare feel disappointment about others.

Son, crying: No, we don’t want that. I’m so sorry I ever felt disappointment about someone. I’ll never do it again.

Mom, hugging him: I won’t either my sweetheart, I won’t either.

THE END, almost…

Son: Mom, I’ve been thinking, would it be okay if I felt happy if I learned that basketball kid loved cats? Or is that wrong too?

Mom: I’m not sure, but it’s probably safer if you don’t feel anything about him except admire that he plays basketball so well.

THE END

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

Apology accepted. :)

Re: TNG S4: The Loss

This episode cements it - Picard, Guinan, Data and Worf (Worfy!) are my favorite characters on this show, up there with Spock and Bones in the whole universe. I would add K'Ehleyr to the list because I love her so, but I am only referring to the main characters. If I had to choose anyone from Voyager, it would be the Doctor but he gets away with too much which taints my view, unfairly so probably. Maybe Tuvok.... For me no one from DS9 rates (sorry) though when I was watching I did admire Dax for a while as she was oh so wise. I haven't watched the "newer" shows (yet?). Hmmm, am I missing anyone? Some characters grow on me overtime but I like the ones I mentioned from the get-go.

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

@Jason R one last point. You state:

"Hell, my sister has political views so different from mine and I have every right to be disappointed about that."

You have the "right" to be sure but the question is: why are you "disappointed" by the fact that not everyone, including your sister, has the same views as you?"

I am not disappointed that not everyone has the same views as me and I never stated or implied that. On the other hand, let's take an extreme example and say for the sake of argument that my sister is extremely racist and has no respect for any religions save her own. I do think this "difference of opinion" could actually lead me to not wanting her in my (or my son's) life. Especially as I am married to a man of a different race and religion.

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

@Peter G. I respect your well thought out and expressed comments, even if I don't agree with some of what you say or think some if it is too idealistic to be realistic. I don't have time for a detailed response right now, but liking when someone shares my political views (such as voting for the same person for president that I voted for) and expecting them to be like me are not the same thing at all. My political views make up such a small portion of who I am and who most people are. I don't pretend to "know" anyone based on their political views, but when people share similar views it's something they have in common. What in the world is wrong with liking that? It doesn't mean that I close my mind to other views at all. It doesn't mean that my mind is closed to change and growth. I think it's a natural human reaction and emotion to have.

@Jason R. You go too far in your comments and are actually making points that digress so far from what I have stated as to be nonsensical:

""If you are implying "people should never judge others""

He is not implying that at all. He is merely suggesting that it is unhealthy to view a difference of opinion, even over something important, as some reason to cut people out of your life or as some kind of threat to your personhood."

First of all, I said "If," second of all, I don't think Peter G. needs you to explain what he said or means, and third of all, I never said a difference of opinion gives me a reason to cut people out of my life (though sadly I know too many families where just that has happened). Nor do I think I ever implied that it threatens my personhood.

"To your credit, you seem to value a relationship with your sister more than your disappointment over her views. But so what, if you found out your mailman had bad opinions, you'd suddenly be uncomfortable with him delivering your packages? He'd need to be fired from his job then?"

Again, this strays so far from my original point that I don't even know who you can think it is relevant to what I stated. I stated when "an actor I really admire has political views so different from mine I am quite disappointed. Does that make me stop watching him/her? Usually not, but to each their own in that respect." To jump from that to me caring about the views of the postal worker who delivers my mail is absurd. Some people might care, but it was neither stated nor implied in my post.

You then go on with:
I am not "disappointed" by their views. Their views aren't a threat to me. Why the fuck are people so damned intolerant?

It is a huge jump for me to use the word "disappointed" when I find out that the views of actors I really admire are so different from my own (or later, that I am chuffed when I find they are very similar) for you to conclude I am threatened by them and am so damned intolerant.

Disappointment to me would never equate to feeling threatened or being intolerant. Disappointment is an emotion one feels, a reaction to an event or discovery. It is often a short lived emotion but can be longer in duration as well. To deny it or to argue against it is akin to telling a person when they should and shouldn't feel sad (which is one element of disappointment).

No one has sought clarification as to what I mean by "usually not", but instead jumped to some strong opinions about me and my character. I didn't originally add clarification as to when I may decide to stop watching an actor because it would force me to reveal my political views, which I really don't want to do in this context (quite happy to in others). I think it would color people's interpretation of what I am saying. I'll just say that it would have to be an extreme case of political views that I believed were harmful to society, especially given that actor's potential to influence others, for me to consider not watching them. Some may have a different standard than that and I don't tell them if it's right or wrong. I think in some respects a boycott like that is a small way of protesting those views, just like when someone won't buy products from a company that donates to political groups they disagree with. I guess that's not allowed either in a "must be completely tolerant, no difference of opinions allowed to be expressed or felt" society?

Re: TNG S4: Final Mission

@James G "Really minor quibble this, but all the ridiculous flashing lights on Wesley's tricorder - in 2020 when handheld tech is so commonplace as to be mundane, it really seems preposterous. I can't imagine what they're for. Has sci-fi moved past making objects futuristic by adorning them with flashing lights now, 30 years later?"

Not minor - this has always annoyed me, even 30 years ago. Why when they open up Data does he have flashing lights inside? I have never understood this. My computer doesn't have flashing lights inside when I open it up. Back in the 80s computers did not have flashing lights inside when they were opened up. Hmmm, at least the Terminator didn't have flashing lights inside when he was opened up. Actually, neither did Ash in Alien. This may be a Star Trek quirk?

Last point - why didn't Riker send a shuttle to look for Picard and W. Crusher? Were they too far away? If so, I missed that part.

Re: TNG S4: Future Imperfect

I'm also surprised at the "who stays on one ship for 15 years?" comments. This is Riker's fantasy and he probably imagines himself the captain of the Enterprise with its current crew mostly intact. It's unlikely he would imagine himself captaining a ship full of strangers (and probably can't imagine an updated Enterprise after a major overhaul). These are the people he knows and loves thus they would be in the forefront of his mind. If he really did become captain and 16 years had passed then probably most of the current crew would have moved on in various ways (promotion, death, desertion... okay kidding about the desertion part).

I agree it was very good up until the end, then it was a let-down but also kind of touching if you think about this poor little alien who just felt lonely, rescued at last!

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

One final point, when I find out an actor I really admire has political views very similar to mine, I am chuffed and do a little happy dance in my brain. I guess that's alarming too....

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

@Peter G.

I was specifically referencing actors I really admire, and I think it's only natural if you really admire someone's art you want to admire that person as well. So yes, I am taken aback when I find such an actor has very different political views (have made no expression as to what mine are) than I do.

I really don't see how this is alarming (which is a rather provocative word) to you given I have limited it to politics. I find the comments on this website are often very political (subtly and not so subtly). I never said or implied to any extent that I expect "artists will have a point of view of life in common" with me and I think you read way too much into my post to come up with that one (yes, you tried to direct it to others as well, but it seems it was directed mainly at me). I never even said that they have to share my political views, just that I am disappointed when they are "so different from mine." Hell, my sister has political views so different from mine and I have every right to be disappointed about that. I am. I'd expect she feels the same way about me. Do I refuse to talk to her? Cut her out of my life? No and no. Granted, I know her personally and I don't these artists, but I don't think people apply vastly different standards to people they know and people they don't know, nor can they realistically be expected to.

If you are implying "people should never judge others" I would laugh and say this isn't the 24th century and maybe it's time to beam back to reality. Judging is done to form opinions and we all have them. It's when those opinions cause us to discriminate and treat some people differently than others that it becomes a problem. With art it's tricky because it's usually about how we choose to spend our time and money. For example, is someone discriminating if they refuse to see a Tom Cruise movie because they don't like his religion? Do you find this alarming? What if they believe, rightly or wrongly, that this religion has actually done harm to many individuals and society as a whole? That by paying to see this movie they are de facto supporting this religion?

Just as an FYI I came across that list of links on a different website and copied it over because there were may comments about the actor's politics, but no substance behind them on this thread. I thought people should have something to look at to decide for themselves. You can be alarmed that people are interested in and may be disappointed in or pleased by his politics, but in this current climate politics seem to touch everything. I don't see that changing anytime soon so those alarm bells of yours will probably never stop ringing.

@OmicromThetaDeltaPhi

I would say as accusations go mine was pretty lightweight and I assure you I can throw much worse accusations at people...

I certainly never said or implied that an actor shouldn't "dare to disagree with me on political issues." That's utter nonsense. Many do, many will and that's life. It does happen that when I learn an artist that I really admire has views I really don't admire, I go through a "say it isn't so" period and have to adjust my thinking. I assure you this can all happen in an instant because I really have plenty of other things to occupy my time. However, I am hoping I do find the time to take up backgammon.

Re: TNG S4: Reunion

I love K'Ehleyr so much. One of my favorite characters and so well acted. The first time I watched this I really hated that she died, and I still do. I know it works with the story but it's one that hurts. Suzie Plakson did well as the female Q on Voyager and as St. Selar but she OWNED this character. I thought K'Ehleyr and Worf were great together - much better than any of Worf's later loves (and I barely know about those on DS9 as I never managed to even getting close to finishing that series, it wasn't for me). This is a great episode.

Re: TNG S3: Hollow Pursuits

From what I understand, Schultz is very "conservative":

http://www.ontopmag.com/article/8156/Dwight_Schultz_Suggests_Obama_Will_Force_Him_To_Alter_His_Sex
http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2012/09/dwight-schultz-is-howling-mad-about.html
http://www.redstate.com/diary/kjl29...alks-about-being-a-conservative-in-hollywood/

I can't find what he used to say on his "Howling Mad Radio" show because I can't be bothered to look.

Sintek is entitled to his/her opinion. However, he/she certainly could have expressed it in a manner that actually made people respect such opinion, instead of dismissing it out-of-hand for being boorish.

I admit when I find out an actor I really admire has political views so different from mine I am quite disappointed. Does that make me stop watching him/her? Usually not, but to each their own in that respect.

All of that aside, I enjoyed this episode despite some of the flaws discussed above. Add me to the "I was very shy growing up" list (and still am in some situations) so I can identify with the social-awkwardness expressed in this episode.

Re: TNG S3: Deja Q

I love this episode too but I couldn't find anyone who mentioned another great exchange:

Troi: I am sensing an emotional presence, Captain. I would normally describe it as being terrified.

Q: How rude.

Amen.

Re: TNG S3: The Price

Long time reader but first time commenter on this site (which I'm reading as I rewatch all of TNG after many years). I just had to say "I Am Nomad"'s comment above had me cracking up so hard tears were flowing. My nine year old son was dying to know what was so funny...

Re: ENT S2: Minefield

"Please sir, may I have some more?"