Comment Stream
Search and bookmark options
Total Found: 11,333 (Showing 1-25)
Next ►Page 1 of 454
Re: TNG S2: Unnatural Selection
I am also one of the voices on this board that actually prefers Dr. Pulaski over Dr. Crusher. She and Picard had a great dynamic, and I really love, unabashedly, what they did with Pulaski and Worf, after Worf got "the Klingon measles" in an episode near the end of the second season.
"Unnatural Selection" was a great vehicle for Pulaski and for Diana Muldaur. We got to see Pulaski's foibles and stubbornness but also her warmth for humanity. She even apologizes to Data while she's on the shuttle with him, which I thought was a nice little touch of dialogue. I think everyone involved really made an effort to create a well-rounded character in Dr. Pulaski, and I would have liked to see more of her.
As for the continuity issues raised in this episode, specifically in regards to, "How could the Federation allow Darwin Station to experiment like this, considering what happened with Khan and the Eugenic Wars," I will simply chalk it up to this episode taking place in an alternate universe where the Eugenics Wars never happened, and there never was a Khan Noonien Singh.
Also, I can't explain why, but I cracked up at the arrogant, snotty Dr. Kingsley who oozed contempt and snapped at Picard through the viewscreen. She's exactly the type of haughty, vicious scientist-with-a-God-complex that would run a station and experiments like this. It was a nice touch that she knew who Pulaski was, because of that "Linear Models of Viral Propagation" paper that Pulaski wrote.
I'm conflicted on the transporter solution at the end. In its favor, we really don't know how the science behind it works, because, frankly, it's preposterous. But as it is, I can wrap my head around a system that converts matter into energy, and then recreates the matter after traveling through subspace to another location, being able to reform "another version" of the subject by superimposing a trace pattern. (I'm not sure if that even made any sense, but it's no harder to believe than warp drive. ) I can even forgive this can-of-worms being ignored in future episodes and movies because it was shown to be incredibly risky--they almost lost Pulaski, so it doesn't strike me as something that anyone would want to risk attempting again. And besides, if this episode took place in an alternate timeline, there are plenty of parallel universes where it never happened, so it wouldn't be brought up in a future show as a solution anyway.
However, I do understand the criticisms that the solution was an overly-simple, ridiculous deus-ex-machina and that they could have come up with something more inventive.
Also, it seems to me that they should have heard of space suits or even simpler Haz-Mat suits, but I know--Paramount budgets. I also think the message of the episode was simplistic and obvious. But I do like how it showcased the Picard/Pulaski dynamic; Muldaur and Stewart were both marvelous.
I am also one of the voices on this board that actually prefers Dr. Pulaski over Dr. Crusher. She and Picard had a great dynamic, and I really love, unabashedly, what they did with Pulaski and Worf, after Worf got "the Klingon measles" in an episode near the end of the second season.
"Unnatural Selection" was a great vehicle for Pulaski and for Diana Muldaur. We got to see Pulaski's foibles and stubbornness but also her warmth for humanity. She even apologizes to Data while she's on the shuttle with him, which I thought was a nice little touch of dialogue. I think everyone involved really made an effort to create a well-rounded character in Dr. Pulaski, and I would have liked to see more of her.
As for the continuity issues raised in this episode, specifically in regards to, "How could the Federation allow Darwin Station to experiment like this, considering what happened with Khan and the Eugenic Wars," I will simply chalk it up to this episode taking place in an alternate universe where the Eugenics Wars never happened, and there never was a Khan Noonien Singh.
Also, I can't explain why, but I cracked up at the arrogant, snotty Dr. Kingsley who oozed contempt and snapped at Picard through the viewscreen. She's exactly the type of haughty, vicious scientist-with-a-God-complex that would run a station and experiments like this. It was a nice touch that she knew who Pulaski was, because of that "Linear Models of Viral Propagation" paper that Pulaski wrote.
I'm conflicted on the transporter solution at the end. In its favor, we really don't know how the science behind it works, because, frankly, it's preposterous. But as it is, I can wrap my head around a system that converts matter into energy, and then recreates the matter after traveling through subspace to another location, being able to reform "another version" of the subject by superimposing a trace pattern. (I'm not sure if that even made any sense, but it's no harder to believe than warp drive. ) I can even forgive this can-of-worms being ignored in future episodes and movies because it was shown to be incredibly risky--they almost lost Pulaski, so it doesn't strike me as something that anyone would want to risk attempting again. And besides, if this episode took place in an alternate timeline, there are plenty of parallel universes where it never happened, so it wouldn't be brought up in a future show as a solution anyway.
However, I do understand the criticisms that the solution was an overly-simple, ridiculous deus-ex-machina and that they could have come up with something more inventive.
Also, it seems to me that they should have heard of space suits or even simpler Haz-Mat suits, but I know--Paramount budgets. I also think the message of the episode was simplistic and obvious. But I do like how it showcased the Picard/Pulaski dynamic; Muldaur and Stewart were both marvelous.
Re: DS9 S5: Ties of Blood and Water
Good episode but...
...I couldn’t really get THAT into it because I just don’t buy that Ghemor and Kira are as close as father and daughter; it’s pretty ridiculous tbh.
The whole sharing of Cardassian secrets thing was a stretch too; apparently these secrets can only be shared verbally, face-to-face while experiencing severe mortal pain. Ghemor is such a drama queen.
Good episode but...
...I couldn’t really get THAT into it because I just don’t buy that Ghemor and Kira are as close as father and daughter; it’s pretty ridiculous tbh.
The whole sharing of Cardassian secrets thing was a stretch too; apparently these secrets can only be shared verbally, face-to-face while experiencing severe mortal pain. Ghemor is such a drama queen.
Re: ENT S2: Bounty
I agree with Strejda. Of course Rick Berman & Brannon Braga wrote this. One of them actually admitted to an interviewer that he has an ongoing fantasy of crawling up into a giant woman's vajayjay. I'd say "A Night in Sickbay" makes a lot more sense in that context.
I agree with Strejda. Of course Rick Berman & Brannon Braga wrote this. One of them actually admitted to an interviewer that he has an ongoing fantasy of crawling up into a giant woman's vajayjay. I'd say "A Night in Sickbay" makes a lot more sense in that context.
Re: DS9 S4: The Quickening
TNG - pregnant Ogawa is the cure
VOY- pregnant Torres is the cure
DS9 - pregnant Ekoria is the cure
Who was the pregnant elixir on Enterprise?
TNG - pregnant Ogawa is the cure
VOY- pregnant Torres is the cure
DS9 - pregnant Ekoria is the cure
Who was the pregnant elixir on Enterprise?
Re: DS9 S5: Children of Time
I think the newer wiser Odo should have got in the Defiant with the original Odo and flown into the anomaly. They could keep doing this over and over again every 200 years, increasing the number of Odos exponentially until they have enough to create a Great Link that would rival the Dominion.
I think the newer wiser Odo should have got in the Defiant with the original Odo and flown into the anomaly. They could keep doing this over and over again every 200 years, increasing the number of Odos exponentially until they have enough to create a Great Link that would rival the Dominion.
Re: TNG S5: Silicon Avatar
Agree with TH’s analysis. Just rewatched this. Can’t get past the fact that they bring aboard a traumatized mother to serve as an “expert” on the entity. “Sure. We’ve got an expert on white whales. His name is Ahab.”
Agree with TH’s analysis. Just rewatched this. Can’t get past the fact that they bring aboard a traumatized mother to serve as an “expert” on the entity. “Sure. We’ve got an expert on white whales. His name is Ahab.”
Re: TNG S5: Darmok
Rewatching this episode, it really does seem like the audience is well ahead of the characters in comprehending the alien language. An intriguing notion: Does the Star Trek universe’s over-reliance on the universal translator make it harder for Starfleet personnel to pick up the nuances of language? They’ve presumably never had to try to communicate with someone who speaks a different language.
Rewatching this episode, it really does seem like the audience is well ahead of the characters in comprehending the alien language. An intriguing notion: Does the Star Trek universe’s over-reliance on the universal translator make it harder for Starfleet personnel to pick up the nuances of language? They’ve presumably never had to try to communicate with someone who speaks a different language.
Re: VOY S5: In the Flesh
Jason,
Your first point is really moot.
I (Federation) have the knowledge and technology necessary to "open a rift" (or whatever they called it) into fluidic space. While the ships linking together is impressive, I'm prepared to conduct random genocide in your backyard... my resources are limitless and my resolve is absolute. .. as a matter of point, we have currently manufactured and stationed in excess of 1 million warheads (the big ones) ready to deploy....
I do agree with you (see my comments above) about this episode and species 8472. They neutered a GREAT villain... better than the Borg in my view.
Jason,
Your first point is really moot.
I (Federation) have the knowledge and technology necessary to "open a rift" (or whatever they called it) into fluidic space. While the ships linking together is impressive, I'm prepared to conduct random genocide in your backyard... my resources are limitless and my resolve is absolute. .. as a matter of point, we have currently manufactured and stationed in excess of 1 million warheads (the big ones) ready to deploy....
I do agree with you (see my comments above) about this episode and species 8472. They neutered a GREAT villain... better than the Borg in my view.
Re: VOY S5: In the Flesh
I don't know that anyone is being unfair to anything.
What I'm saying is that it's more than plausible for species 8472 to do this using the information they had, albeit patchy and incomplete.
I don't know that anyone is being unfair to anything.
What I'm saying is that it's more than plausible for species 8472 to do this using the information they had, albeit patchy and incomplete.
Re: VOY S5: In the Flesh
@ Chrome
"So the Dominion comparison is invalid and Rahul’s criticism is fair."
So what's wrong with species 8472 practicing in the Delta Quadrant?
They are telepathic, so they could gain the necessary info from their contact with the Voyager crew and any Borg they linked with. The Borg had federation/Earth knowledge.
Remember, we (Federation) had an incredibly powerful weapon against them. One in which they had no defense... seems like a plausible angle for them to take.
@ Chrome
"So the Dominion comparison is invalid and Rahul’s criticism is fair."
So what's wrong with species 8472 practicing in the Delta Quadrant?
They are telepathic, so they could gain the necessary info from their contact with the Voyager crew and any Borg they linked with. The Borg had federation/Earth knowledge.
Remember, we (Federation) had an incredibly powerful weapon against them. One in which they had no defense... seems like a plausible angle for them to take.
Re: VOY S5: In the Flesh
@ Chrome’s Voyager Alt
"Of course The Dominion had a stable wormhole so, yeah."
For what we know about fluidic space, it might just be a simple as setting a point and entering our space. It might be like a mobile borg transwarp hub. Distance might be irrelevant.
@ Chrome’s Voyager Alt
"Of course The Dominion had a stable wormhole so, yeah."
For what we know about fluidic space, it might just be a simple as setting a point and entering our space. It might be like a mobile borg transwarp hub. Distance might be irrelevant.
Re: DS9 S5: The Assignment
Agree with Vladimir. Pah Wraith Keiko was hardly different than Fine I’ll Wear The Red Dress Keiko. You would think as a botanist, she would grow some choice plants that may put her in a better mood.
Agree with Vladimir. Pah Wraith Keiko was hardly different than Fine I’ll Wear The Red Dress Keiko. You would think as a botanist, she would grow some choice plants that may put her in a better mood.
Re: TNG S7: Parallels
Yes, it was initially triggered on his trip back from the tournament in the shuttle. This could be a convenient excuse as to why we DON'T see drastically different alt Universes...it needs to be him on that shuttle passing through the fissure the same moment that the alt-Worfs were. So the differences he encounters are not waaay off of what his "correct" Universe is like, since they were all in a position to have been making the same trip.
There's only one standout here, and that is the one trying to survive the Borg-ified Universe. Hard to believe that alt Worf would have been attending a tournament during such chaos, but he could have been doing something else at the time which demanded the use of a shuttle - which just happened to pass over the same fissure.
One standout of thousands. I'll buy it.
Yes, it was initially triggered on his trip back from the tournament in the shuttle. This could be a convenient excuse as to why we DON'T see drastically different alt Universes...it needs to be him on that shuttle passing through the fissure the same moment that the alt-Worfs were. So the differences he encounters are not waaay off of what his "correct" Universe is like, since they were all in a position to have been making the same trip.
There's only one standout here, and that is the one trying to survive the Borg-ified Universe. Hard to believe that alt Worf would have been attending a tournament during such chaos, but he could have been doing something else at the time which demanded the use of a shuttle - which just happened to pass over the same fissure.
One standout of thousands. I'll buy it.
Re: TOS S3: The Mark of Gideon
A planet so overcrowded that they must press up against the duplicate Enterprise? How did they ever make room to construct it?
Give them the name of a good 21st century skyscraper architect.
A planet so overcrowded that they must press up against the duplicate Enterprise? How did they ever make room to construct it?
Give them the name of a good 21st century skyscraper architect.
Re: TOS S3: The Lights of Zetar
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
The girl.
Re: TOS S3: That Which Survives
Lt. Raddah: "What a bunch of *itches on this ship. If we survive, I'm getting a transfer."
Lt. Raddah: "What a bunch of *itches on this ship. If we survive, I'm getting a transfer."
Re: TNG S3: The Offspring
"But to engage in a moment of levity for a moment, not only does Data use contractions in the episode (“I’m” and “you’ve”), but he does so immediately after reminding everyone that he can’t. It’s almost like they did it on purpose to be playful or something."
Joe Menta, I'm inclined to agree with you. I think they did it as a running gag or Easter egg. The same thing happened in the first-season episode "Datalore." In that show, one of the explicit ways to tell the difference between Data and Lore was that Lore used contractions. It was a plot point in the final act. But at the end of the episode, there's Data on the bridge after Lore had been beamed away, and yes, Data uses a contraction. Amusing!
Of course you could always argue that the final scene takes place after a shift to an alternate universe where Data is able to use contractions as liberally as humans do. Haha.
"But to engage in a moment of levity for a moment, not only does Data use contractions in the episode (“I’m” and “you’ve”), but he does so immediately after reminding everyone that he can’t. It’s almost like they did it on purpose to be playful or something."
Joe Menta, I'm inclined to agree with you. I think they did it as a running gag or Easter egg. The same thing happened in the first-season episode "Datalore." In that show, one of the explicit ways to tell the difference between Data and Lore was that Lore used contractions. It was a plot point in the final act. But at the end of the episode, there's Data on the bridge after Lore had been beamed away, and yes, Data uses a contraction. Amusing!
Of course you could always argue that the final scene takes place after a shift to an alternate universe where Data is able to use contractions as liberally as humans do. Haha.
Re: TNG S7: Parallels
DidWorf?:
"Did worf return to the correct Enterprise though? At the beginning of the episode it starts out with worf receiving a surprise party but at the end of the episode troi said she knows how he hates surprises and talked riker out of throwing one for worf.
If it was the same universe then shouldn't events unfolded the same?"
DidWorf?, I think it was established that Worf started enterting parallel universes before he even returned to the Enterprise, during his shuttle trip. Therefore, the first time we see him on the Enterprise, having his surprise party that Riker threw despite telling him, "I hate surprise parties!" as a prank, he is already on a "wrong" Enterprise in terms of this story. So at the end, the intimate party he was with Troi is the "correct" universe.
That being said, I'm a firm believer that every continuity error and "canon violation" in STAR TREK shows can be easily dismissed by assuming that the episode or film in question takes place in an alternate universe/timeline. This exact episode, "Parallels," defines this concept beautifully. It's an easy way to counter paltry arguments about STAR TREK continuity errors or altered character development (I.E., Captain Janeway's "bipolar" personality changes). And it's no more hard to believe than warp drive, transporters, or DNA "resequencing."
DidWorf?:
"Did worf return to the correct Enterprise though? At the beginning of the episode it starts out with worf receiving a surprise party but at the end of the episode troi said she knows how he hates surprises and talked riker out of throwing one for worf.
If it was the same universe then shouldn't events unfolded the same?"
DidWorf?, I think it was established that Worf started enterting parallel universes before he even returned to the Enterprise, during his shuttle trip. Therefore, the first time we see him on the Enterprise, having his surprise party that Riker threw despite telling him, "I hate surprise parties!" as a prank, he is already on a "wrong" Enterprise in terms of this story. So at the end, the intimate party he was with Troi is the "correct" universe.
That being said, I'm a firm believer that every continuity error and "canon violation" in STAR TREK shows can be easily dismissed by assuming that the episode or film in question takes place in an alternate universe/timeline. This exact episode, "Parallels," defines this concept beautifully. It's an easy way to counter paltry arguments about STAR TREK continuity errors or altered character development (I.E., Captain Janeway's "bipolar" personality changes). And it's no more hard to believe than warp drive, transporters, or DNA "resequencing."
Re: ENT S1: Dear Doctor
I've been enjoying ENT much more than I expected to, given its reputation, and this episode was great in terms of its structure, and the exploration of the world from Dr. Phlox's point of view. It did indeed remind me of 'Data's Day'. The relationship between Phlox and crewman Cutler was touching and convincing, and I enjoyed the scene with Phlox and Hoshi in the canteen.
What a shame then, that it rests on a complete nonsense where evolution is concerned. I can and have happily swallowed nonsense about DNA for the sake of a good plot, but the idea that there are things that are 'more evolved' or 'less evolved' or that evolution is a process with a goal is wrong in the sense that it is incorrect, and it jars as much as if the Enterprise were shooting DNA from it's phase cannons. Worse, in fact, because of the moral implications which can be derived from it, as demonstrated in the episode's conclusion.
Things can be better evolved for their environment, or worse evolved for their environment. There is no evolutionary tendency toward sentience, or anything else. We are not 'more evolved' than chimps or bacteria, although we are probably better evolved to take advantage of the current environment than the former, and will prove less resilient to changes in the environment than the latter. If there were to be a change that threatened our extinction, it would not be pre-ordained or be part of a natural process to benefit bacteria or any other species or organism, 'standing on an evolutionary threshold', although it might unleash a wave of evolutionary change.
Accepting this teleological idea of evolution is a step too far for me. I can accept Time travel paradoxes, FTL travel, DNA manipulation and the rest, but leaving a sentient species to die because it's a natural process? The warped thinking behind what 'natural' means in this context is the sort of thing that leads to Social Darwinism, Racial Destiny and Anti-Science. And whatever else Trek is supposed to be about, I'm pretty certain it isn't any of those.
I've been enjoying ENT much more than I expected to, given its reputation, and this episode was great in terms of its structure, and the exploration of the world from Dr. Phlox's point of view. It did indeed remind me of 'Data's Day'. The relationship between Phlox and crewman Cutler was touching and convincing, and I enjoyed the scene with Phlox and Hoshi in the canteen.
What a shame then, that it rests on a complete nonsense where evolution is concerned. I can and have happily swallowed nonsense about DNA for the sake of a good plot, but the idea that there are things that are 'more evolved' or 'less evolved' or that evolution is a process with a goal is wrong in the sense that it is incorrect, and it jars as much as if the Enterprise were shooting DNA from it's phase cannons. Worse, in fact, because of the moral implications which can be derived from it, as demonstrated in the episode's conclusion.
Things can be better evolved for their environment, or worse evolved for their environment. There is no evolutionary tendency toward sentience, or anything else. We are not 'more evolved' than chimps or bacteria, although we are probably better evolved to take advantage of the current environment than the former, and will prove less resilient to changes in the environment than the latter. If there were to be a change that threatened our extinction, it would not be pre-ordained or be part of a natural process to benefit bacteria or any other species or organism, 'standing on an evolutionary threshold', although it might unleash a wave of evolutionary change.
Accepting this teleological idea of evolution is a step too far for me. I can accept Time travel paradoxes, FTL travel, DNA manipulation and the rest, but leaving a sentient species to die because it's a natural process? The warped thinking behind what 'natural' means in this context is the sort of thing that leads to Social Darwinism, Racial Destiny and Anti-Science. And whatever else Trek is supposed to be about, I'm pretty certain it isn't any of those.
Re: TNG S4: The Wounded
I have no trouble believing that the Rutledge's crew could be in agreement with Maxwell's plan. This is a battle-hardened crew that probably had experiences during the Kardashian war that mirrored O'Brien's. O'Brien even starts to stick up for Maxwell early in the episode before Picard cuts him off. Loyalty like that is hard to come by, as Picard even says to Gul Macet at the end. On the Rutledge, it also appears that Maxwell was a lot more "chummy" with the lower ranks than Picard is. He's more of a friend to the crew than a distant leader.
The Enterprise-D apparently didn't see much action in the war, unless this episode takes place in an alternate timeline/universe, of course. It's a luxury liner, whereas the Rutledge is a sparse tactical vessel with a crew of maybe a hundred at most. Things would be a lot different on that ship, especially with a war-weary crew. I figure the crew was with Maxwell all along and would never have voiced an objection to the captain that had kept them alive all those years in the war.
However, it's also possible that the Rutledge crew was starting to mutiny behind the scenes as Maxwell became unhinged after meeting with Picard. The Rutledge was turned over to its first officer for the trip back, meaning that the Enterprise could probably trust that the crew would accompany them back to the starbase properly.
Either way, it doesn't strike me as a plot hole at all.
I have no trouble believing that the Rutledge's crew could be in agreement with Maxwell's plan. This is a battle-hardened crew that probably had experiences during the Kardashian war that mirrored O'Brien's. O'Brien even starts to stick up for Maxwell early in the episode before Picard cuts him off. Loyalty like that is hard to come by, as Picard even says to Gul Macet at the end. On the Rutledge, it also appears that Maxwell was a lot more "chummy" with the lower ranks than Picard is. He's more of a friend to the crew than a distant leader.
The Enterprise-D apparently didn't see much action in the war, unless this episode takes place in an alternate timeline/universe, of course. It's a luxury liner, whereas the Rutledge is a sparse tactical vessel with a crew of maybe a hundred at most. Things would be a lot different on that ship, especially with a war-weary crew. I figure the crew was with Maxwell all along and would never have voiced an objection to the captain that had kept them alive all those years in the war.
However, it's also possible that the Rutledge crew was starting to mutiny behind the scenes as Maxwell became unhinged after meeting with Picard. The Rutledge was turned over to its first officer for the trip back, meaning that the Enterprise could probably trust that the crew would accompany them back to the starbase properly.
Either way, it doesn't strike me as a plot hole at all.
Re: DSC S1: Will You Take My Hand?
If you're going to have a year-long arc, there really ought to be a good payoff at the end. But there was no reason whatsoever to think that L'Rell would call off the war if they gave her the bomb and every reason to think that they would not.
If you're going to have a year-long arc, there really ought to be a good payoff at the end. But there was no reason whatsoever to think that L'Rell would call off the war if they gave her the bomb and every reason to think that they would not.
Re: DSC S2: An Obol for Charon
One thing that grated me in this episode is when Stamets says Tilly has a eukaryotic organism, and they instantly jump to fungi. While fungi are eukaryotic, so are plants and animals.
One thing that grated me in this episode is when Stamets says Tilly has a eukaryotic organism, and they instantly jump to fungi. While fungi are eukaryotic, so are plants and animals.
Re: TOS S3: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield
Noble intent (and I'm FINE with "heavy-handed" preaching with the right message).
But absolutely ruined by a long list of bad moves in writing, direction, etc.
Terrible episode, and I WANTED to like it.
Noble intent (and I'm FINE with "heavy-handed" preaching with the right message).
But absolutely ruined by a long list of bad moves in writing, direction, etc.
Terrible episode, and I WANTED to like it.
Next ►Page 1 of 454