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Re: TNG S7: Bloodlines
I think Bok's plan makes more sense if you assume he initially thought Jason was Picard's son, and only resorted to fakery when he discovered he wasn't.
I think Bok's plan makes more sense if you assume he initially thought Jason was Picard's son, and only resorted to fakery when he discovered he wasn't.
Re: TNG S5: The First Duty
Watching this episode this time, I'm more convinced of the notion that Locarno was a thoroughly bad guy than previous times I've seen it. He's thoroughly manipulative, looking out for himself, and I don't doubt that his manipulative tactics led to his team taking on a maneuver that they weren't up to.
The most sympathetic I can be is to say that he may believe his self-serving justifications.
Watching this episode this time, I'm more convinced of the notion that Locarno was a thoroughly bad guy than previous times I've seen it. He's thoroughly manipulative, looking out for himself, and I don't doubt that his manipulative tactics led to his team taking on a maneuver that they weren't up to.
The most sympathetic I can be is to say that he may believe his self-serving justifications.
Re: TNG S4: Galaxy's Child
I was enjoying the first half on the understanding that Geordi was obviously acting very inappropriately, even if somewhat excused by a weird situation, and would get his due comedic comeuppance, and then hopefully a bit of a redemption thing. But then they turn around and give him this self righteous speech and have Leah apologise and that ruins things a bit.
I was enjoying the first half on the understanding that Geordi was obviously acting very inappropriately, even if somewhat excused by a weird situation, and would get his due comedic comeuppance, and then hopefully a bit of a redemption thing. But then they turn around and give him this self righteous speech and have Leah apologise and that ruins things a bit.
Re: TNG S4: Devil's Due
Well, Ardra doesn't show up and collect, and they're apparently due. I mean, maybe we're supposed to think they'll show up in a few months, but I don't get the impression that this is intended.
I don't think the episode was particularly intended to be about religion, only that it has an attitude towards it that is discernible. It looks at the faith of the Ventaxians as a way of changing their society, I don't think it ever really considers it might be true. It allows that there might be an Ardra, but that seems to me to be considering a euhemerisation of a mortal figure, or at most something along the lines of Apollo in TOS
Well, Ardra doesn't show up and collect, and they're apparently due. I mean, maybe we're supposed to think they'll show up in a few months, but I don't get the impression that this is intended.
I don't think the episode was particularly intended to be about religion, only that it has an attitude towards it that is discernible. It looks at the faith of the Ventaxians as a way of changing their society, I don't think it ever really considers it might be true. It allows that there might be an Ardra, but that seems to me to be considering a euhemerisation of a mortal figure, or at most something along the lines of Apollo in TOS
Re: TNG S4: Devil's Due
For me this would be a 2 star episode. Its a pleasant enough way to pad out the season. Plenty of funny lines in it, at least.
I wouldn't say this episode is anti-religion, but I also don't think it believes in it. It mainly seems to see religion as a beneficial lie - if god did not exist it would be necessary to invent him - with the unfortunate side effect of allowing people to exploit it.
For me this would be a 2 star episode. Its a pleasant enough way to pad out the season. Plenty of funny lines in it, at least.
I wouldn't say this episode is anti-religion, but I also don't think it believes in it. It mainly seems to see religion as a beneficial lie - if god did not exist it would be necessary to invent him - with the unfortunate side effect of allowing people to exploit it.
Re: TNG S4: Legacy
I feel like this episode missed a trick by not exploring Ishara's motivations - her real ones. She's evidently willing to go on a suicide mission for her "cadre" but there's no real sense of why.
Maybe she genuinely sees victory for her people as being the only way to fix her world, that the federation has evidently abandoned
You could even make a case that despite the episode's apparent condemnation of her, she acted heroically, choosing to sacrifice her life for her cause rather than abandon her world for a more comfortable life
I feel like this episode missed a trick by not exploring Ishara's motivations - her real ones. She's evidently willing to go on a suicide mission for her "cadre" but there's no real sense of why.
Maybe she genuinely sees victory for her people as being the only way to fix her world, that the federation has evidently abandoned
You could even make a case that despite the episode's apparent condemnation of her, she acted heroically, choosing to sacrifice her life for her cause rather than abandon her world for a more comfortable life
Re: TNG S3: A Matter of Perspective
I think what this episode really needed was a motive for Riker killing the Professor that's at least somewhat plausible. Maybe if it had been suggested that Riker had been acting out of a chivalrous desire to protect Manua from an abusive husband. Or perhaps if it was suggested that he killed the Professor in order to stop the Ferengi from acquiring a devastating weapon.
As it was, the episode never really tries to suggest that Riker might be guilty, even with the rather difficult to believe twist that Manua genuinely believes that Riker sexually assaulted her, and it fails to really be interesting otherwise.
I think what this episode really needed was a motive for Riker killing the Professor that's at least somewhat plausible. Maybe if it had been suggested that Riker had been acting out of a chivalrous desire to protect Manua from an abusive husband. Or perhaps if it was suggested that he killed the Professor in order to stop the Ferengi from acquiring a devastating weapon.
As it was, the episode never really tries to suggest that Riker might be guilty, even with the rather difficult to believe twist that Manua genuinely believes that Riker sexually assaulted her, and it fails to really be interesting otherwise.
Re: VOY S7: Endgame
I'm OK with the abruptness of the end. I prefer it to the drag that is the second half of DS9s end anyway, though there's probably a golden mean somewhere that's better than either.
Honestly my biggest problem is probably that Admiral Janeway is too much in the DS9 cynicism and that sours the ending for Voyager a bit. The story would have worked better for me if they hadn't been able to "have their cake and eat it" and this hadn't been the final episode.
Also I wish the Queen hadn't mentioned the whole "grandfather paradox" thing. It wasn't consistent with how time travel worked in this episode and was very unnecessary
I'm OK with the abruptness of the end. I prefer it to the drag that is the second half of DS9s end anyway, though there's probably a golden mean somewhere that's better than either.
Honestly my biggest problem is probably that Admiral Janeway is too much in the DS9 cynicism and that sours the ending for Voyager a bit. The story would have worked better for me if they hadn't been able to "have their cake and eat it" and this hadn't been the final episode.
Also I wish the Queen hadn't mentioned the whole "grandfather paradox" thing. It wasn't consistent with how time travel worked in this episode and was very unnecessary
Re: VOY S7: Friendship One
The convenient scarcity of class M planets in the vicinity seemed difficult to believe, given how many we generally run into in Star Trek
The convenient scarcity of class M planets in the vicinity seemed difficult to believe, given how many we generally run into in Star Trek
Re: VOY S7: Human Error
I think the story would work if they made fixing the borg inhibitor issue a bit easier, and thus Seven's decision not to fix it more obviously an excuse. As it is, the "tech" seems to undercut the story rather than add it.
Also, Seven using Holo-Chakotay for this purpose was rather creepy, and the story could have done with acknowledging that at least (if not having her create a fictional person as holo-boyfriend, though that might make the story seem too like that Janeway "delete the wife" storyline)
I think the story would work if they made fixing the borg inhibitor issue a bit easier, and thus Seven's decision not to fix it more obviously an excuse. As it is, the "tech" seems to undercut the story rather than add it.
Also, Seven using Holo-Chakotay for this purpose was rather creepy, and the story could have done with acknowledging that at least (if not having her create a fictional person as holo-boyfriend, though that might make the story seem too like that Janeway "delete the wife" storyline)
Re: VOY S7: Prophecy
The Doc mentions stem cells, I think fetal stem cells are somewhat special? So maybe that's why its the baby who can help make the cure?
The Doc mentions stem cells, I think fetal stem cells are somewhat special? So maybe that's why its the baby who can help make the cure?
Re: VOY S7: Repentance
I pretty much hate this episode. It makes Voyager complicit in murder in the name of the Prime Directive. Its preachy yet lacks the courage to preach anything beyond the utterly asinine "maybe don't execute mentally ill people if they've been cured".
Also, its just rather dull.
I pretty much hate this episode. It makes Voyager complicit in murder in the name of the Prime Directive. Its preachy yet lacks the courage to preach anything beyond the utterly asinine "maybe don't execute mentally ill people if they've been cured".
Also, its just rather dull.
Re: VOY S7: Drive
Tom throwing the race annoys me. I know its the big romantic gesture to show how much Be'lanna means to him, but its not fair on the other people who worked on the Flyer to get it ready for the race, and, considering they're leading at the time, its disrespectful to the race and the other competitors
Tom throwing the race annoys me. I know its the big romantic gesture to show how much Be'lanna means to him, but its not fair on the other people who worked on the Flyer to get it ready for the race, and, considering they're leading at the time, its disrespectful to the race and the other competitors
Re: VOY S6: Equinox, Part II
I liked this episode, but I didn't really like the Doctor going "evil". The concept of switching off his ethical subroutines to twist him I can buy, but it shouldn't immediately switch him into a merry puppet of the bad guys - maybe it should just make him willing to go along with them in response to threats to his own safety and/or the safety of Seven - who he cares for for more than just ethical reasons.
And I don't entirely buy Janeway's characterisation in this, but I can buy that this is a situation that would push her more to extremes than most so I don't find it egregiously bad.
I liked this episode, but I didn't really like the Doctor going "evil". The concept of switching off his ethical subroutines to twist him I can buy, but it shouldn't immediately switch him into a merry puppet of the bad guys - maybe it should just make him willing to go along with them in response to threats to his own safety and/or the safety of Seven - who he cares for for more than just ethical reasons.
And I don't entirely buy Janeway's characterisation in this, but I can buy that this is a situation that would push her more to extremes than most so I don't find it egregiously bad.
Re: TNG S5: The Inner Light
About technological progress, seems likely they Betazoids would have progressed quite differently than Earth, for example.
About technological progress, seems likely they Betazoids would have progressed quite differently than Earth, for example.
Re: DS9 S7: The Emperor's New Cloak
The Intendant is such a crappy character by this point. I mean, I'm not a big fan of hers in her original appearance but there's at least some sort of sense of an actual character. Here she's just a crappy trope personified.
Without her, this would be a pretty OK episode in a switch your brain off kind of way. As long as this didn't result in more of Zek, anyway.
The Intendant is such a crappy character by this point. I mean, I'm not a big fan of hers in her original appearance but there's at least some sort of sense of an actual character. Here she's just a crappy trope personified.
Without her, this would be a pretty OK episode in a switch your brain off kind of way. As long as this didn't result in more of Zek, anyway.
Re: DS9 S6: Inquisition
I'd rather Sloane's organisation had sprung up in response to the Dominion threat, or perhaps the re-emergence of the Romulans in TNG. Having Section 31 be centuries old makes it feel more like a conspiracy theory.
It could have been interesting to tie Sloane in to Admiral Leyton
I'd rather Sloane's organisation had sprung up in response to the Dominion threat, or perhaps the re-emergence of the Romulans in TNG. Having Section 31 be centuries old makes it feel more like a conspiracy theory.
It could have been interesting to tie Sloane in to Admiral Leyton
Re: DS9 S6: Sacrifice of Angels
I don't think the Prophets intervention is terrible, indeed in many ways it makes sense, but it could have done with some more build up. Like, if they spread out Sisko's argument with the Prophets over the whole episode it could have been better perhaps.
It bugs me that Sisko seems to be acting as commander of this big fleet. He's still just a Captain
I don't think the Prophets intervention is terrible, indeed in many ways it makes sense, but it could have done with some more build up. Like, if they spread out Sisko's argument with the Prophets over the whole episode it could have been better perhaps.
It bugs me that Sisko seems to be acting as commander of this big fleet. He's still just a Captain
Re: DS9 S5: Business as Usual
I felt this episode was overly predictable. I mean, you basically know the moral that Quark will be learning from the first scene. I didn't feel the journey was sufficiently compelling to quite make up for that, though it wasn't bad.
I don't think the Star Fleet people were hypocritical. Sure, you can make a case for arms dealers not being necessarily evil, but its pretty obvious these guys aren't the types to give them a good name from the beginning. I mean, Gaila tried to murder Quark in an earlier episode, and the point of them using Quarks holosuite is to get round the law - including for "speciality items".
I felt this episode was overly predictable. I mean, you basically know the moral that Quark will be learning from the first scene. I didn't feel the journey was sufficiently compelling to quite make up for that, though it wasn't bad.
I don't think the Star Fleet people were hypocritical. Sure, you can make a case for arms dealers not being necessarily evil, but its pretty obvious these guys aren't the types to give them a good name from the beginning. I mean, Gaila tried to murder Quark in an earlier episode, and the point of them using Quarks holosuite is to get round the law - including for "speciality items".
Re: DS9 S4: Hippocratic Oath
The main plot seems like something of a walking back from the dark conclusion of "The Abandoned". Goran'agar as a character suggests that the Jem'Hadar aren't purely creatures of their programming. Its an interesting story, though in the end it discusses a lot but doesn't really go anywhere. And I do think Bashir is a bit too forgiving, given how far O'Brien ultimately goes.
I'm really not keen on the B plot. Worf acts like an idiot, Odo does too but the story doesn't really acknowledge it. Then its wrapped up with a rather weak excuse for Quark's get out of jail free card and some preaching of the shades of grey creed.
The main plot seems like something of a walking back from the dark conclusion of "The Abandoned". Goran'agar as a character suggests that the Jem'Hadar aren't purely creatures of their programming. Its an interesting story, though in the end it discusses a lot but doesn't really go anywhere. And I do think Bashir is a bit too forgiving, given how far O'Brien ultimately goes.
I'm really not keen on the B plot. Worf acts like an idiot, Odo does too but the story doesn't really acknowledge it. Then its wrapped up with a rather weak excuse for Quark's get out of jail free card and some preaching of the shades of grey creed.
Re: DS9 S3: The Die Is Cast
I find the lack of consequences for the cast a bit jarring in this one. Not just Sisko getting away with disobeying orders, but Garak torturing Odo being basically forgotten. Except perhaps it brought the two of them closer together? I don't buy that, sorry.
Generally I feel like DS9 has a tendency to let some too big things slide, perhaps because of the whole "shades of grey" thing. Though I suppose you could argue that a lot of it is the same "my people" license that Worf gets in TNG.
I find the lack of consequences for the cast a bit jarring in this one. Not just Sisko getting away with disobeying orders, but Garak torturing Odo being basically forgotten. Except perhaps it brought the two of them closer together? I don't buy that, sorry.
Generally I feel like DS9 has a tendency to let some too big things slide, perhaps because of the whole "shades of grey" thing. Though I suppose you could argue that a lot of it is the same "my people" license that Worf gets in TNG.
Re: DS9 S3: Civil Defense
I like this episode a lot.
The big thing I didn't like was the redshirt getting zapped. It doesn't fit the fun tone of the episode, was totally unnecessary and indeed totally ignored.
I like this episode a lot.
The big thing I didn't like was the redshirt getting zapped. It doesn't fit the fun tone of the episode, was totally unnecessary and indeed totally ignored.
Re: DS9 S7: What You Leave Behind
The Prophet stuff really needed to either be connected to the Cardassia plot - even if only in the slightly loose way they did at the beginning of the season - or have its own episode. As it is, it just feels awkwardly tacked on.
And yeah, I wasn't keen on the montage.
This probably isn't really a valid criticism, but this really doesn't work well as two seperate episodes when its shown that way. The mid point is just a bad place to split it.
The Prophet stuff really needed to either be connected to the Cardassia plot - even if only in the slightly loose way they did at the beginning of the season - or have its own episode. As it is, it just feels awkwardly tacked on.
And yeah, I wasn't keen on the montage.
This probably isn't really a valid criticism, but this really doesn't work well as two seperate episodes when its shown that way. The mid point is just a bad place to split it.
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