tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post8680103793920701093..comments2024-03-13T14:53:58.150-04:00Comments on MUSINGS OF A SCI-FI FANATIC: Star Trek: TNG S1 Ep7: Lonely Among UsSFFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-61464146605740192462010-12-05T11:21:37.362-05:002010-12-05T11:21:37.362-05:00Absolutely. Thanks for the kind words brother L13....Absolutely. Thanks for the kind words brother L13.<br /><br />I agree. John's point about the transporter and yours about the ongoing ST:TNG technology crutch as a solution is a good one.<br /><br />And like the Prime Directive, they fall back on the tech crutch as the creators see fit, but if someone has to die, technology isn't enough - unless Picard makes it so. <br /><br />It works the same as Picard's flexibility with the Prime Directive and I know ST:TOS had its liberties there too. Cheers L13.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-41459934855767252402010-12-04T23:24:58.183-05:002010-12-04T23:24:58.183-05:00I enjoyed your spot on (as usual) review of this e...I enjoyed your spot on (as usual) review of this episode, SFF. I have to admit that it has an equally stimulating batch of comments. John's transporter meta-argument sure would have saved a whole lot of crew members over the seasons ;-). Sometimes, the early ST:TNG season resolutions relied too much on the god-like tech vein. All of this made for some fine reading, guys.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-64361884115328282232010-12-04T18:44:12.585-05:002010-12-04T18:44:12.585-05:00Oh sure, the old "I haven't seen it trick...Oh sure, the old "I haven't seen it trick." Ha! Just kidding my friend.<br /><br /><br />I loved your thoughts on the non-genre versus science fiction shows Will. It's a well thought out opinion. I will have to give it some thought to see if it holds true. :) I need some examples. : )<br /><br />I have to say that I haven't cared of rthe feel of Season One at all, but I wholeheartedly agree with you Will about Heart Of Glory. That is a standout and more on that later, but I really think that one is what I was looking for. Couldn't agree with you more.<br /><br />I also loved your Season One reviews. I'm right there with you.<br /><br />Babylon 5 Season Two is mostly a highlight with a few semi-lemons.<br /><br />TNG 1.5- absolutely. Season Two which I checked out the first half has been right in line with Season One. Good grief.<br /><br />DS9. Can't comment but I've heard exactly that.<br /><br />Farscape- another good one.<br /><br />You could say Seinfeld improved with age if that counts.<br /><br />Anyway, great points and always enjoy hearing your counterpoints right here. great stuff my friend. Best, SFFSFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-35018340520942293482010-12-04T11:04:41.396-05:002010-12-04T11:04:41.396-05:00How DARE YOU. Actually, Lonely Among Us is one of ...How DARE YOU. Actually, Lonely Among Us is one of only 4 TNG episodes I haven't seen so I haven't missed much. . .but what the hell, I'll punch JKM anyways.<br /><br />I will say this: sci-fi shows work the opposite of non-genre shows (at least successful ones). Usually, a hit non-genre or a 'general genre' (like Lost that has mass appeal) usually has good first seasons and then slowly decline. Sci-Fi shows, on the other hand, especially Star Trek, learn and grow. Almost any sci-fi show is more complex, fine tuned, and superior in all ways in the later seasons then in the beginning.<br /><br />I like the 'feel' of season 1 TNG but, yes, the plotting of most of the episodes in s1 are either ripped off from the original series or just boring. You'll see flashes of awesome in season 1, like 'Heart of Glory' but, for the most part, S1 is, indeed, a chore.<br /><br />Babylon 5 (terrible first season, amazing 2nd season)<br /><br />TNG (terrible 1.5 seasons, great until about middle of season 6)<br /><br />DS9 (generally bland but decent 1st season, bad second season, amazing from there on out)<br /><br />Farscape (good but less complex then later seasons)<br /><br />etc. etc. etc.<br /><br />Man, you guys were just waiting to try to rile me up, weren't you!Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-64528913420942191992010-12-04T10:55:24.478-05:002010-12-04T10:55:24.478-05:00Dempsey.
Thanks so much for the feedback. Glad y...Dempsey.<br /><br />Thanks so much for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed the read. I appreciate hearing that.<br /><br />It's funny, I mean, I know there are detractors of ST:TNG in general, but it's hard to believe anyone could enjoy this first season specifically. <br /><br />I know it gets better and I look forward to it. This is a grind for sure. Thanks again Dempsey. SFFSFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-45554788966210966902010-12-04T07:12:36.961-05:002010-12-04T07:12:36.961-05:00ST:TNG does seem to come up with some boring story...ST:TNG does seem to come up with some boring storylines at times I agree, especially Lonely Among Us, I began to lose hope forthe series after watching that.<br />Great post, enjoyed the read.Dempsey Sandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03842133437455945602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-67556230640069426502010-12-03T13:12:27.930-05:002010-12-03T13:12:27.930-05:00Amen. Well said.
I know you are a discerning, ...Amen. Well said. <br /><br />I know you are a discerning, sound and fair mind of judgment my friend.<br /><br />Those later seasons will be a welcomed departure from Season One.<br /><br />I'm not sure how it survived.<br /><br />Television is indeed a fickle thing.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-78666273886271451952010-12-03T12:37:30.255-05:002010-12-03T12:37:30.255-05:00Hi SFF
Star Trek: The Neutered Generation! I love...Hi SFF<br /><br />Star Trek: The Neutered Generation! I love that. Sadly, it's a spot-on joke. That's exactly how the show feels in these early days.<br /><br />And thank you for your kind words about my comment and Exploring Space:1999. I love coming here, because your posts are always excellent retrospectives, always great food for thought, and always very-well written. <br /><br />I'm definitely a lefty in terms of politics, but I also have to be fair about what I write in terms of entertainment and how it succeeds or fails. <br /><br />This TNG view of a politically correct future (no patriotism, no meat-eating, etc.) just isn't very appealing on a pure entertainment level, you know? It's dull. <br /><br />It is a bit strange, how Star Trek got from "let's not kill each other over petty differences" to "don't eat red meat" in the span of twenty years, essentially. <br /><br />The original was about surviving the nuclear age, the Cold War, and not traveling to the stars with hatred in our hearts. <br /><br />TNG Season 1, by contrast, seems very much concerned about delivering a pre-existing and smug sense of political dogma out to the universe.<br /><br />I would complain just as loudly, by the way, if the show were dully espousing a hard right-wing dogma instead.<br /><br />I think that later seasons were better "balanced."<br /><br />warmest wishes,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-70453344150126333322010-12-03T11:44:45.606-05:002010-12-03T11:44:45.606-05:00Okay. Wow.
John- This is like Lonely Among Us Rev...Okay. Wow.<br /><br />John- This is like Lonely Among Us Review Part II. I enjoyed your contribution just as much and made me realize I missed certain points.<br /><br />This is indeed Star Trek: The Neutered Generation. It's like they've been sifted through one of those flour sifters and purified to the point of boredom and politically correct drivel.<br /><br />Are you sure you're not secretly conservative- just a little? Ha.<br /><br />You know, this is the problem I have with the current administration. Obama and friends always telling me how to eat, what I should spend, how I should help, blah blah blah. I'll do what is right in my heart and I don't need you to tell me how to live Mr. Obama. It is painful. I digress only to join in on the subtext of your commentary, which is wonderful.<br /><br />I always enjoy your perspective and I think ST:TNG is truly living a politically correct world light years from all of those facets of The Original Series I adored. I loved its politically incorrect actions, sex at all hours [with aliens] and boozing it up. It felt natural even or at least logicval within the context of a given story. These were people I liked rather loved and still do. Sign me up for that Enterprise but not this one! Good grief. If this is Utopia envisioned for the future it's leaving me with a bad taste.<br /><br />One of the points you mention which I overlooked entirely without actually pointing it out was that these three disparate storylines are poorly developed and this is certainly one of the aspects that really harms the material.<br /><br />Also, and again you mentioned it, the Anticans/ Selay thread which is useless, pointless and not really of any significance really should have been THE STORY! There it was. It would have had conflict and been entirely more interesting [if the dialogue was half decent and not neutered beyond normal human recognition or even normal human liberal recognition]. [Smile]<br /><br />nce again, I thank you, for the kind of commentary that makes me reconsider an entry in much the same way your books [Exploring Space:1999] have allowed me offer certain perspectives on Space:1999 that I might not have considered.<br /><br />Anyway, your perspective that this particular crew sits on high on the bridge like men among gods is fairly accurate. It's consdescending and boring. It's like Obama said, "you'd think people would thank me." I mean seriously. I'm looking for flaws and vices I can connect to here but all I see is a flawed concept that is entirely lifeless when considering the original series.<br /><br />Your points about the use of that transporter are spot on. The whole thing is preposterous. And Skin Of Evil... oh boy, that's another story. Perhaps the cast disliked Tasha more than we knew and opted not to help, but were too kind and politically correct to say anything about it. Kidding.<br /><br />Well, this season is just... ugh... speaking of Paradise... onto Justice. Another dandy.<br /><br />Thanks John very much for inspiring the additional analysis and the kind words. <br /><br />Looking forward to Will's arrival too.<br /><br />Regards,<br />sffSFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-56802574887095238222010-12-03T10:45:59.589-05:002010-12-03T10:45:59.589-05:00Hi SFF:
Again, you speak truth.
"Lonely Am...Hi SFF:<br /><br />Again, you speak truth. <br /><br />"Lonely Among Us" is another weak episode of the first season of TNG, I agree. <br /><br />The episode is overloaded with plot lines (the warring ambassadors/aliens, the alien energy creature come aboard, and Data's fascination with Sherlock Holmes), yet not one of the stories is handled particularly well, or fully. <br /><br />I mean, why not give us the Antican/Selay as the main event instead? It's just there to fill time, it seems.<br /><br />And again, Star Trek: The Next Generation presents for us a "paradise" we might not actually like to live in. <br /><br />No nationalism/patriotism (per the Oliver North version of Q in "Encounter at Farpoint"), no inter-crew sexual mingling (we must "avoid temptation," Picard reminded us in "Naked Now") and now, no eating red meat, per "Lonely Among Us." <br /><br />Listen, I'm a liberal -- a proud liberal! :) -- but even to me this TNG world seems like a terrifying top-down, politically-correct universe.<br /><br />I believe this is one reason why the series is so dull in these early days. Everyone is so concerned with lecturing us about the proper way to live in the 24th century that the episodes feel like political sermons and not entertainment. <br /><br />Those who are not politically correct -- like Worf -- all come from outside Starfleet, and that's disturbing.<br /><br />I'm not advocating boozing it up or promiscuous sex (well, maybe...), but episodes like this make me miss the individuality of a character like Kirk or Scotty, who could drink (real alcohol, not synthehol...) and carouse but still be great heroes and great Starfleet officers. <br /><br />The point is that humans have foibles and vices...but can overcome those flaws. Like Bones, or Kirk, or Scotty overcome them. <br /><br />Contrarily, if you don't give the characters any foibles or vices, they have nothing substantive or personal to overcome; and they become terribly obnoxious, hectoring people, telling us lowly mortals how we could be better.<br /><br />The Next Gen cast of characters is a little lock-step, a little brainwashed for my taste. All hail the (Secular) God of PC! I mean, remember when Tasha addressed Q's courtoom and said the gathered audience should get down "on its knees" to what "Starfleet is." Yikes...that's scary, isn't it? <br /><br />A paramilitary organization (with apparently indoctrinated followers...) demanding worship from those not fortunate enough to live by its utopian ideals? <br /><br />I also have grave reservations about the manner in which the transporter is used at this episode's conclusion. If this technique could work to successfully re-constitute Picard, then how come, in Skin of Evil, the Enterprise didn't simply re-constitute Tasha's pattern from the moment before she was beamed down and killed by Armus? <br /><br />True she would have lost five minutes of "time" on the planet battling Armus, but she'd still be alive! And I'm sure, if you excuse the pun, she could have "lived" without those five minutes on the surface.<br /><br />To me, "Lonely Among Us" opens up a whole can of worms better left closed in terms of transporter tech. <br /><br />(The same thing is true of "Unnatural Selection." If Dr. Polanski is super-aging...let her die. Then re-constitute her last stored transporter pattern, from before the infection at the station, and let THAT version of her continue...).<br /><br />See the problem?<br /><br />Okay, Will...fire away! :) <br /><br />Thanks for another great review, SFF! Enjoyed it very much...<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-58129964247856356452010-12-03T08:45:29.286-05:002010-12-03T08:45:29.286-05:00by the way... sorry Will. : )by the way... sorry Will. : )SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.com