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Re: DSC S3: That Hope Is You, Part 2
@Latex Zebra,
I haven't really interacted much with the Trek community over the Discovery Trailer because I thought it was corny as hell. I feel like I might be one of the very few to feel that way, but nothing in that trailer has me pumped for Season 4. It's the same as we got the last two seasons basically, Burnham monologue and all. And I hope one day I will never have to hear the phrase "We're all in this together" ever again. What a bunch of propaganda BS, and it's repetitive for this show.
I'll still watch because it's Star Trek, but I actually liked what Picard and Lower Decks gave us, and I didn't like the first season of Picard. Maybe I really am looking forward to Strange New Worlds the most. I do wish Jammer might reconsider reviewing Lower Decks, or just put the episodes up, provide the synopsis of each and just have them up as a comments section because I am looking forward to Lower Decks season 2.
@Latex Zebra,
I haven't really interacted much with the Trek community over the Discovery Trailer because I thought it was corny as hell. I feel like I might be one of the very few to feel that way, but nothing in that trailer has me pumped for Season 4. It's the same as we got the last two seasons basically, Burnham monologue and all. And I hope one day I will never have to hear the phrase "We're all in this together" ever again. What a bunch of propaganda BS, and it's repetitive for this show.
I'll still watch because it's Star Trek, but I actually liked what Picard and Lower Decks gave us, and I didn't like the first season of Picard. Maybe I really am looking forward to Strange New Worlds the most. I do wish Jammer might reconsider reviewing Lower Decks, or just put the episodes up, provide the synopsis of each and just have them up as a comments section because I am looking forward to Lower Decks season 2.
Re: MAND S1: Chapter 1: The Mandalorian
@Dave in MN
Agreed. I may not even be back for Season 3 because all the great things that I liked about the show from mid season 2 to the end was pretty much shot in the last couple of months. It is a shame too because for me The Mandalorian represented Star Wars going back to what made it great, the fun, the mythos, and just being entertained.
@Dave in MN
Agreed. I may not even be back for Season 3 because all the great things that I liked about the show from mid season 2 to the end was pretty much shot in the last couple of months. It is a shame too because for me The Mandalorian represented Star Wars going back to what made it great, the fun, the mythos, and just being entertained.
Re: TNG S5: The Inner Light
Hey guys, for all the people that said Picard/Kamin's friend was named Batai yes, you are right. It had been so long since I had seen the episode I forgot the spelling and just remembered the pronunciation. But, when I listen to the pronunciation it sounds like patay and the first time I showed the episode to my then gf which was a filipina she said, "Patay, oh he's dead." I also showed it to several pinoy friends of mine and they all hear the pronunciation as patay. I can't think that it's simply a coincidence that Kaman's friend, who has been dead for a thousand years, has a name that just happens to sound exactly like the tagalog word for dead. And if it is a coincidence it seems to be a hell of a long shot.
Hey guys, for all the people that said Picard/Kamin's friend was named Batai yes, you are right. It had been so long since I had seen the episode I forgot the spelling and just remembered the pronunciation. But, when I listen to the pronunciation it sounds like patay and the first time I showed the episode to my then gf which was a filipina she said, "Patay, oh he's dead." I also showed it to several pinoy friends of mine and they all hear the pronunciation as patay. I can't think that it's simply a coincidence that Kaman's friend, who has been dead for a thousand years, has a name that just happens to sound exactly like the tagalog word for dead. And if it is a coincidence it seems to be a hell of a long shot.
Re: TOS S1: Mudd's Women
I can't help but notice that several commenters here are simply insisting that these three girls are being sold or at best prostituted. And not just merely sold but sold into slavery. There is absolutely nothing in the episode that supports this conclusion. The story states that they are being voluntarily transported by Mudd to be the wives of some men in another star system.
The only deception is the fact that they have been given a drug by Mudd that enhances their beauty. And the women go along with it because they know their prospects for marriage are low because of their lack of beauty.
If anything this is a comment on the fact that women overwhelmingly seek riches when husband shopping. And men seek youth and beauty when wife shopping.
But of course we all know that rich men can sometimes be assholes that are control freaks and trophy wives are frequently selfish, vain and useless. So this episode is telling us we will all be better off if we don't set out sights so high.
Of course Mudd expects to be paid for his transport of the women. Presumably his original intent was to extract a fee for transporting the women to their husbands before the Venus drug wears off and then take his spaceship and "didi mau." But that plan is all shot to hell when he tries to evade the Enterprise and ends up destroying his ship. So he has to cook up a plan B from outer space. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) And he does so when he hears that the Enterprise is headed to Rigel to buy lithium crystals. Why not marry off the women to the rich miners there?
So he asks the women, "Do you still want husbands?" Again definitive proof that the women aren't being sold but married.
It amazes me that commenters here can have such an agenda that they insist, without the slightest bit of on screen proof, that the women are prostitutes or sex slaves. They are not. They are potential wives. I guess they found the mail order bride aspect distasteful so they attempt to put their own spin on the story. I myself found the mail order bride aspect somewhat distasteful but that doesn't mean I automatically get creative license to completely change the plot and paint it different than it is. And also, please don't forget. This was 1966. Half the shows on tv were Westerns. And mail order brides is an old Western trope. They were probably just trying to appeal to their audience and pull in a few Gunsmoke and Bonanza fans.
Of course, if you want to continue to insist that the women are prostitutes the only logical avenue for that line of reasoning is to admit that marriage is itself a form of prostitution. I mean I could certainly see how one could make the argument that marriage is the most lucrative and socially accepted way for women to prostitute themselves. But considering the feminist bent of some of the posters here I suspect that might be a little to much reality to deal with at one sitting. So I will let the matter rest.
And as for the commenter that said if the story had continued they could see Ben and Eve marry and gradually learn to love each other. That is precisely what I myself would imagine. They both realize that they had their sights set too high and that companionship might be more important in a relationship that physical beauty or money. So instead of looking for the flaws in each other they look for the good.
I can't help but notice that several commenters here are simply insisting that these three girls are being sold or at best prostituted. And not just merely sold but sold into slavery. There is absolutely nothing in the episode that supports this conclusion. The story states that they are being voluntarily transported by Mudd to be the wives of some men in another star system.
The only deception is the fact that they have been given a drug by Mudd that enhances their beauty. And the women go along with it because they know their prospects for marriage are low because of their lack of beauty.
If anything this is a comment on the fact that women overwhelmingly seek riches when husband shopping. And men seek youth and beauty when wife shopping.
But of course we all know that rich men can sometimes be assholes that are control freaks and trophy wives are frequently selfish, vain and useless. So this episode is telling us we will all be better off if we don't set out sights so high.
Of course Mudd expects to be paid for his transport of the women. Presumably his original intent was to extract a fee for transporting the women to their husbands before the Venus drug wears off and then take his spaceship and "didi mau." But that plan is all shot to hell when he tries to evade the Enterprise and ends up destroying his ship. So he has to cook up a plan B from outer space. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) And he does so when he hears that the Enterprise is headed to Rigel to buy lithium crystals. Why not marry off the women to the rich miners there?
So he asks the women, "Do you still want husbands?" Again definitive proof that the women aren't being sold but married.
It amazes me that commenters here can have such an agenda that they insist, without the slightest bit of on screen proof, that the women are prostitutes or sex slaves. They are not. They are potential wives. I guess they found the mail order bride aspect distasteful so they attempt to put their own spin on the story. I myself found the mail order bride aspect somewhat distasteful but that doesn't mean I automatically get creative license to completely change the plot and paint it different than it is. And also, please don't forget. This was 1966. Half the shows on tv were Westerns. And mail order brides is an old Western trope. They were probably just trying to appeal to their audience and pull in a few Gunsmoke and Bonanza fans.
Of course, if you want to continue to insist that the women are prostitutes the only logical avenue for that line of reasoning is to admit that marriage is itself a form of prostitution. I mean I could certainly see how one could make the argument that marriage is the most lucrative and socially accepted way for women to prostitute themselves. But considering the feminist bent of some of the posters here I suspect that might be a little to much reality to deal with at one sitting. So I will let the matter rest.
And as for the commenter that said if the story had continued they could see Ben and Eve marry and gradually learn to love each other. That is precisely what I myself would imagine. They both realize that they had their sights set too high and that companionship might be more important in a relationship that physical beauty or money. So instead of looking for the flaws in each other they look for the good.
Re: TNG S5: The Inner Light
Definitely a stunning episode deserving 4 stars. I admit I haven't read all the comments but I don't recall anyone making the connection between the George Harrison song of the same name. The lyrics fit so well with the story that it can't possibly be a coincidence. The writer must have been a Beatles fan.
The Inner Light
Without going out of my door,
I can know all things on earth
without looking out of my window,
I can know the ways of heaven.
The farther one travels
the less one knows
the less one really knows.
Without going out of your door,
You can know all things on earth
without looking out of your window,
you can know the ways of heaven.
The farther one travels
the less one knows
the less one really knows.
Arrive without travelling,
See all without looking,
Do all without doing.
Another thing that is a big tipoff was the fact that Picard's best friend on the planet was named Patay. The word Patay is Tagalog for dead. So they are telling you that he is dead. I don't think anyone caught this either. I wouldn't have known it but for the fact that I have spent time in the Philippines and know a bit of the language.
Greg
Definitely a stunning episode deserving 4 stars. I admit I haven't read all the comments but I don't recall anyone making the connection between the George Harrison song of the same name. The lyrics fit so well with the story that it can't possibly be a coincidence. The writer must have been a Beatles fan.
The Inner Light
Without going out of my door,
I can know all things on earth
without looking out of my window,
I can know the ways of heaven.
The farther one travels
the less one knows
the less one really knows.
Without going out of your door,
You can know all things on earth
without looking out of your window,
you can know the ways of heaven.
The farther one travels
the less one knows
the less one really knows.
Arrive without travelling,
See all without looking,
Do all without doing.
Another thing that is a big tipoff was the fact that Picard's best friend on the planet was named Patay. The word Patay is Tagalog for dead. So they are telling you that he is dead. I don't think anyone caught this either. I wouldn't have known it but for the fact that I have spent time in the Philippines and know a bit of the language.
Greg
Re: MAND S2: Chapter 13: The Jedi
I'm currently watching Clone Wars mainly because of Ahsoka and wanting to see her journey. This Mandalorian episode was so good that it motivated me to continue Clone Wars. Great Review Jammer.
I'm currently watching Clone Wars mainly because of Ahsoka and wanting to see her journey. This Mandalorian episode was so good that it motivated me to continue Clone Wars. Great Review Jammer.
Re: PIC S1: Broken Pieces
I hope Jammer is ok. Considering the time in which we live, him not reviewing the recent episode before the new episode airs is slightly concerning.
I hope Jammer is ok. Considering the time in which we live, him not reviewing the recent episode before the new episode airs is slightly concerning.
Re: PIC S1: The Impossible Box
Happy 25 years Jammer. I found this site through the Trekbbs and I've been following it ever since. I'm glad you've kept up with it with the current era of Star Trek. I also agree with the review for this recent episode. So much better than last week, and it's probably my favorite episode of the season so far.
Happy 25 years Jammer. I found this site through the Trekbbs and I've been following it ever since. I'm glad you've kept up with it with the current era of Star Trek. I also agree with the review for this recent episode. So much better than last week, and it's probably my favorite episode of the season so far.
Re: PIC S1: The End Is the Beginning
Jammer,
Hugh was mentioned by name. It was quick, but Soji mentions his name late in the episode.
Jammer,
Hugh was mentioned by name. It was quick, but Soji mentions his name late in the episode.
Re: TOS S3: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield
I must agree with Brundledan's assessment of this episode. The make up was garish. The camera angles and closeups were distracting. With Frank Gorshin running up and down the corridors in his tights I was half expecting Batman to make an appearance. It was overall a terrible episode and surely helped give the third season its well deserved reputation for being uneven. It has all the subtlety of an H-bomb. And yet while preaching about the dangers of racism it is itself guilty of much the same sin. "Cheron, that's the Southernmost part of the galaxy, isn't it?" That quote pretty much presupposes the concept of us and them and that we are better.
This isn't quite as bad as And the Children Shall Lead or The Way to Eden but it's so close the distinction is hardly worth noticing. Way too preachy, way too presumptuous and in the final analysis guilty of hypocrisy while at the same time being oblivious to the fact.
I must agree with Brundledan's assessment of this episode. The make up was garish. The camera angles and closeups were distracting. With Frank Gorshin running up and down the corridors in his tights I was half expecting Batman to make an appearance. It was overall a terrible episode and surely helped give the third season its well deserved reputation for being uneven. It has all the subtlety of an H-bomb. And yet while preaching about the dangers of racism it is itself guilty of much the same sin. "Cheron, that's the Southernmost part of the galaxy, isn't it?" That quote pretty much presupposes the concept of us and them and that we are better.
This isn't quite as bad as And the Children Shall Lead or The Way to Eden but it's so close the distinction is hardly worth noticing. Way too preachy, way too presumptuous and in the final analysis guilty of hypocrisy while at the same time being oblivious to the fact.
Re: DS9 S7: It's Only a Paper Moon
Aron Eisenberg passed away last night and I watched this episode again in Tribute. Still one of the best episodes of the series, and probably the best holodeck episode of the series.
RIP Aron.
Aron Eisenberg passed away last night and I watched this episode again in Tribute. Still one of the best episodes of the series, and probably the best holodeck episode of the series.
RIP Aron.
Re: TOS S3: Spectre of the Gun
I thought this was a fair though not great episode if for no other reason that the fact, noted by other commenters, that this episode had a Twilight Zone feel to it. It pretty much was Roddenberry meets Serling. I think it rates about 2.5 stars.
I haven't read all the comments on this page but I'm a bit surprised that no one seems to have mentioned that DeForest Kelly had been in two separate remakes of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral prior to this one.
I have to kind of suspect that they had a partial Western stage set up and the writers were asked to somehow incorporate it into an episode. The fact that Kelly had been in two previous incarnations of the O.K. Corral had to be the genesis for this episode.
It's main weakness does seem to be that there just wasn't enough dialogue to fill 50 minutes so there seemed to be a bit of fluff here and there. And the Western characters all had a cardboard cutout quality to them but that may have been the intention to add to the surreal effect.
As for the commenter that objected to Spock knowing about a 400 year old piece of Earth history....come on, it's Spock. It fits his character perfectly. He's half Vulcan, a species that is mentally superior to humans. And he is half human, so he would have a special interest in humanity. And the guy was a genius by any standards, so yeah he has Earth history down pat. And if all that isn't enough he under goes ponn farr just once every seven years. Just think how much smarter the average guy would be if he didn't spent so much time and energy on sex.
And in the final, errie shootout scene did any one notice that the off camera wind machine had to be turned up to high and was blowing 90 degrees to the path of the supposed bullets? This was because the shots were being fired point blank at the actors and they needed a high wind speed to deflect any blast debris away from them.
And I have to say the best comment on this page was given by the guy that said, "There is no spoon." Perfect!
Finally, for what it's worth I have noticed that there is another commenter on this site named Greg so I have changed my nick to Original Greg.
I thought this was a fair though not great episode if for no other reason that the fact, noted by other commenters, that this episode had a Twilight Zone feel to it. It pretty much was Roddenberry meets Serling. I think it rates about 2.5 stars.
I haven't read all the comments on this page but I'm a bit surprised that no one seems to have mentioned that DeForest Kelly had been in two separate remakes of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral prior to this one.
I have to kind of suspect that they had a partial Western stage set up and the writers were asked to somehow incorporate it into an episode. The fact that Kelly had been in two previous incarnations of the O.K. Corral had to be the genesis for this episode.
It's main weakness does seem to be that there just wasn't enough dialogue to fill 50 minutes so there seemed to be a bit of fluff here and there. And the Western characters all had a cardboard cutout quality to them but that may have been the intention to add to the surreal effect.
As for the commenter that objected to Spock knowing about a 400 year old piece of Earth history....come on, it's Spock. It fits his character perfectly. He's half Vulcan, a species that is mentally superior to humans. And he is half human, so he would have a special interest in humanity. And the guy was a genius by any standards, so yeah he has Earth history down pat. And if all that isn't enough he under goes ponn farr just once every seven years. Just think how much smarter the average guy would be if he didn't spent so much time and energy on sex.
And in the final, errie shootout scene did any one notice that the off camera wind machine had to be turned up to high and was blowing 90 degrees to the path of the supposed bullets? This was because the shots were being fired point blank at the actors and they needed a high wind speed to deflect any blast debris away from them.
And I have to say the best comment on this page was given by the guy that said, "There is no spoon." Perfect!
Finally, for what it's worth I have noticed that there is another commenter on this site named Greg so I have changed my nick to Original Greg.
Re: TNG S5: Silicon Avatar
Just finished watching this episode. The Crystal (you can't assume it's an "entity") travels at warp speed seeking out "life" to consume (destroy). If this crystal had been around for any considerable length of time there would be a much broader path of destruction in the immediate warp range the Federation is capable of in several years time. In other words, it would be very likely there would no longer be any life left in within the Federation's warp range. Just look at what it was able to devastate within a very few days time. So, why no consideration this crystal was a deliberately created and released weapon of mass destruction within Federation space. A bio-destroy weapon of unimaginable evil and viciousness? That any communication would already be with a war machine?
Or would others rather talk it out and reach a compromise with Hitler?
Destroying it was the only rational course of action. The Doctor is a hero who killed an uncompromising weapon of war while Picard was moralizing genocide.
Picard should have been court martialed for dereliction of duty and the trivialization of human life that would undoubtedly affect any of his future command decisions.
But, then again, what can you expect from copies?
Just finished watching this episode. The Crystal (you can't assume it's an "entity") travels at warp speed seeking out "life" to consume (destroy). If this crystal had been around for any considerable length of time there would be a much broader path of destruction in the immediate warp range the Federation is capable of in several years time. In other words, it would be very likely there would no longer be any life left in within the Federation's warp range. Just look at what it was able to devastate within a very few days time. So, why no consideration this crystal was a deliberately created and released weapon of mass destruction within Federation space. A bio-destroy weapon of unimaginable evil and viciousness? That any communication would already be with a war machine?
Or would others rather talk it out and reach a compromise with Hitler?
Destroying it was the only rational course of action. The Doctor is a hero who killed an uncompromising weapon of war while Picard was moralizing genocide.
Picard should have been court martialed for dereliction of duty and the trivialization of human life that would undoubtedly affect any of his future command decisions.
But, then again, what can you expect from copies?
Re: DSC S2: Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2
@Dom
When I wrote my post it was referring to the article you posted, as I replied to him in a Facebook group. That’s where the whole character paragraph comes from. It was a great read.
@Dom
When I wrote my post it was referring to the article you posted, as I replied to him in a Facebook group. That’s where the whole character paragraph comes from. It was a great read.
Re: DSC S2: Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2
That finale was something else. It was full of action, but on thinking about it more, it kind of angers me.
I think my biggest issue with Discovery is two fold: It lacks an identity and the writers cut too many corners to give us emotional moments that are not earned.
What is Star Trek Discovery? What is it's place in the Star Trek Mythos? What I saw in Season 2 was Discovery sidelined in favor of Star Trek mysticism. Pike was great, Spock was decent, but it feels like fans are so entrenched in the original series for some reason (A series that only lasted 3 seasons, by the way) that Star Trek as a whole always has to revert back to that series. Why can't Discovery stand on it's own. Hell, we end season 2 with the Enterprise and not the Discovery. That is a big disservice to Discovery in my opinion.
You were talking about the characters in your piece and I think the character who got the shortest shrift was Paul Stamets. Stamets was a great character in season 1, going from arrogant to standing his ground against Lorca and what he has worked for. In season 2 he's just pining for Culber all year. Anthony Rapp deserves better because he's a much better actor than that.
In terms of cutting corners, look no further than Airiam's death scene. The writers take so much time writing a clip show for this character because they were too lazy to actually work on a character arc for her the prior season and a half. We were lead to believe that these characters are important, then why did the writers treat them as furniture prior to this. The same can be said for the entire secondary bridge crew. We then have scenes with these people writing letters home and it feels empty because why should I care about these people when the writers don't.
I hate how Burnham centric this show is. Everything has to revolve around her, and it makes me roll my eyes. I'm not going to get into a Mary Sue debate, but by making her the Red Angel, did the writers pretty much elevate her to a deity. Also, that story with her mom was a big waste of time. Also, can she stop crying? Every episode this season she is crying and it's ridiculous. She's the most emotionally sad character I've seen in Star Trek and she's the lead.
I hope season 3 is a reboot of the series, and this time they actually give a damn for the characters they write. I don't want Star Trek. I want Star Trek Discovery. That's what the show is called and they should be front and center. By having the final shot of the finale being the Enterprise going on it's mission, that was a spit in the face to the two seasons of Star Trek Discovery, like These are the Voyages was a spit in the face to Star Trek Enterprise (According to many in fandom).
That finale was something else. It was full of action, but on thinking about it more, it kind of angers me.
I think my biggest issue with Discovery is two fold: It lacks an identity and the writers cut too many corners to give us emotional moments that are not earned.
What is Star Trek Discovery? What is it's place in the Star Trek Mythos? What I saw in Season 2 was Discovery sidelined in favor of Star Trek mysticism. Pike was great, Spock was decent, but it feels like fans are so entrenched in the original series for some reason (A series that only lasted 3 seasons, by the way) that Star Trek as a whole always has to revert back to that series. Why can't Discovery stand on it's own. Hell, we end season 2 with the Enterprise and not the Discovery. That is a big disservice to Discovery in my opinion.
You were talking about the characters in your piece and I think the character who got the shortest shrift was Paul Stamets. Stamets was a great character in season 1, going from arrogant to standing his ground against Lorca and what he has worked for. In season 2 he's just pining for Culber all year. Anthony Rapp deserves better because he's a much better actor than that.
In terms of cutting corners, look no further than Airiam's death scene. The writers take so much time writing a clip show for this character because they were too lazy to actually work on a character arc for her the prior season and a half. We were lead to believe that these characters are important, then why did the writers treat them as furniture prior to this. The same can be said for the entire secondary bridge crew. We then have scenes with these people writing letters home and it feels empty because why should I care about these people when the writers don't.
I hate how Burnham centric this show is. Everything has to revolve around her, and it makes me roll my eyes. I'm not going to get into a Mary Sue debate, but by making her the Red Angel, did the writers pretty much elevate her to a deity. Also, that story with her mom was a big waste of time. Also, can she stop crying? Every episode this season she is crying and it's ridiculous. She's the most emotionally sad character I've seen in Star Trek and she's the lead.
I hope season 3 is a reboot of the series, and this time they actually give a damn for the characters they write. I don't want Star Trek. I want Star Trek Discovery. That's what the show is called and they should be front and center. By having the final shot of the finale being the Enterprise going on it's mission, that was a spit in the face to the two seasons of Star Trek Discovery, like These are the Voyages was a spit in the face to Star Trek Enterprise (According to many in fandom).
Re: ORV S2: Sanctuary
So we get 2 4.5 star reviews in a row. Is Jammer turning around his feelings about Orville as a whole? I'm a little surprised and a little impressed.
So we get 2 4.5 star reviews in a row. Is Jammer turning around his feelings about Orville as a whole? I'm a little surprised and a little impressed.
Re: DSC S2: Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 1
I called this episode over-waught in sentimentality. I don’t remember many shows (Star Trek or otherwise) having this much crying, and then it feels like the entire crew is bowing at the feet of Burnham and it’s really hard to connect with the emotions this series wants us to connect. For example there was a scene where we see the characters writing letters to families and like Airiam Death, it felt unearned. Compare this to say A Call to Arms in terms of goodbyes and there is much more gravitas to it. Granted we know the characters more but that’s provided by the writing of those characters. We want to see this succeed, we understand why Sisko is pissed at Jake staying on the station. That’s what character development is.
In this series we never see these people as people, except for Burnham and occasionally Suru and Tilly. Heck, even Stamets has been sidelined this season to relationship drama. We haven’t seen this connection the crew supposedly has with Burnham, so those scenes in the episode feel empty.
My favorite episode this season is If Memory Serves and not just because it was the long awaited sequel to the Cage. It was an episode that slowed down and allowed these characters to be actually people. The scene with Pike and Vina, or the scenes with Burnham and Spock really delivered the emotional weight those scenes deserved.
The last few episodes have shown more crying and more emotional baggage than probably the entire franchise combined. Melodrama for the sake of melodrama doesn’t work unless it’s earned. This series is basically cutting corners and leaving all the important stuff on the cutting room floor. It’s a shame because I do think this season is better for the most part than season 1 but it’s ending like season 1 ended, with the feeling the series can be so much more.
I called this episode over-waught in sentimentality. I don’t remember many shows (Star Trek or otherwise) having this much crying, and then it feels like the entire crew is bowing at the feet of Burnham and it’s really hard to connect with the emotions this series wants us to connect. For example there was a scene where we see the characters writing letters to families and like Airiam Death, it felt unearned. Compare this to say A Call to Arms in terms of goodbyes and there is much more gravitas to it. Granted we know the characters more but that’s provided by the writing of those characters. We want to see this succeed, we understand why Sisko is pissed at Jake staying on the station. That’s what character development is.
In this series we never see these people as people, except for Burnham and occasionally Suru and Tilly. Heck, even Stamets has been sidelined this season to relationship drama. We haven’t seen this connection the crew supposedly has with Burnham, so those scenes in the episode feel empty.
My favorite episode this season is If Memory Serves and not just because it was the long awaited sequel to the Cage. It was an episode that slowed down and allowed these characters to be actually people. The scene with Pike and Vina, or the scenes with Burnham and Spock really delivered the emotional weight those scenes deserved.
The last few episodes have shown more crying and more emotional baggage than probably the entire franchise combined. Melodrama for the sake of melodrama doesn’t work unless it’s earned. This series is basically cutting corners and leaving all the important stuff on the cutting room floor. It’s a shame because I do think this season is better for the most part than season 1 but it’s ending like season 1 ended, with the feeling the series can be so much more.
Re: DSC S2: Perpetual Infinity
I'm starting to get really confused by this storyline. The mystery seems to be dissipating in favor of AI Terminator II style Judgement Day. Because of that, I wasn't really a fan of this episode and unfortunately that seems to be the thing that wraps up this season.
I'm starting to get really confused by this storyline. The mystery seems to be dissipating in favor of AI Terminator II style Judgement Day. Because of that, I wasn't really a fan of this episode and unfortunately that seems to be the thing that wraps up this season.
Re: DSC S2: Project Daedalus
The more I think about this episode the more I didn't like it and it's because of the one thing this show does that I hate. The smaller characters are not developed at all, so when we get a big episode featuring one of them, it rings a little hallow. I mean Burnham and Airiam were friends? Since when?
The scene where Airiam is sharing memories of her hanging out with Tilly and Detmer is a clear example of why this series doesn't develop these people all that well. If she was an important character in death, she should have almost been an important character in life too.
The more I think about this episode the more I didn't like it and it's because of the one thing this show does that I hate. The smaller characters are not developed at all, so when we get a big episode featuring one of them, it rings a little hallow. I mean Burnham and Airiam were friends? Since when?
The scene where Airiam is sharing memories of her hanging out with Tilly and Detmer is a clear example of why this series doesn't develop these people all that well. If she was an important character in death, she should have almost been an important character in life too.
Re: TOS S1: Mudd's Women
Kudos to Trek Fan for the best and most thought provoking analysis of this episode. You are spot on.
Kudos to Trek Fan for the best and most thought provoking analysis of this episode. You are spot on.
Re: ORV S2: Home
I enjoy reading your reviews Jammer, and this one was no exception. However, I thought the Jar of pickles was not hopelessly corny, but kinda sweet. I'm going to miss Alara. She was a great character and I loved her two big episodes last year (Command Performance and Firestorm).
I enjoy reading your reviews Jammer, and this one was no exception. However, I thought the Jar of pickles was not hopelessly corny, but kinda sweet. I'm going to miss Alara. She was a great character and I loved her two big episodes last year (Command Performance and Firestorm).
Re: DS9 S6: In the Pale Moonlight
This is my favorite DS9 episode, possibly favorite episode of the entire ST franchise.
The way it depicts Sisko in such an anti-hero fashion. With such a believable twist of character driven by the threat of war. Well...you have already captured that.
But the fact that it cuts away the ensemble cast and lets Robinson and Avery have the full stage makes it a high quality play. Seeing the back and forth between Garek and Sisko gives me fuzzies.
Everytime I rewatch DS9, I can't help but get excited in every episode which they place Garek. The acting is incredible. Compare that with something like Smallville, where the only "good" acting was the actor portraying Lex.
The creator of DS9, Ira Behr, had always felt TOS and TNG were too "pure" and wanted a different environment. One subject to breakdowns and frailties. Well this episode really shines in depicting such a realistic visage.
That combined with the Section 31 episodes + the moral ambiguities shown with Gul Dukat makes for a relishing series that quickly erased any initial concerns of "how can they create a Star Trek without a starship???"
This is my favorite DS9 episode, possibly favorite episode of the entire ST franchise.
The way it depicts Sisko in such an anti-hero fashion. With such a believable twist of character driven by the threat of war. Well...you have already captured that.
But the fact that it cuts away the ensemble cast and lets Robinson and Avery have the full stage makes it a high quality play. Seeing the back and forth between Garek and Sisko gives me fuzzies.
Everytime I rewatch DS9, I can't help but get excited in every episode which they place Garek. The acting is incredible. Compare that with something like Smallville, where the only "good" acting was the actor portraying Lex.
The creator of DS9, Ira Behr, had always felt TOS and TNG were too "pure" and wanted a different environment. One subject to breakdowns and frailties. Well this episode really shines in depicting such a realistic visage.
That combined with the Section 31 episodes + the moral ambiguities shown with Gul Dukat makes for a relishing series that quickly erased any initial concerns of "how can they create a Star Trek without a starship???"
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