Magnetic North

STARDATE 00013.5

2011-04-26T22:51:00.002-04:00

Blogger Log - I've been on a mini-marathon watching 4 or 5 episodes in the past few weeks. The quality of writing has increased by leaps and bounds. We've taken on grand ideas; the definition of a life form, time travel/manipulation, Klingon culture, and even an episode dealing with ozone depletion!

Even with all these interesting ideas the backdrop is killing it for me. The static computer screens that randomly blink seem so unrealistic! Oh well, the lasers/stun gun things look real.

STARDATE 0012

2010-12-07T20:29:00.002-05:00

Angel One. Lil' Crusher starts the spread of another virus aboard the Enterprise. This one is really bad and ends up taking out half of the ship's crew...including the captain! This leaves the reading rainbow guy in charge! Boy, this virus story is getting used a lot...kind of like when writers of novels use dreams :(

The parallel story is the away team attempts to 'rescue' some refugee types from a planet where, get this, the women are the dominant gender! Oh, doesn't Riker take full advantage of this. He 'allows' himself to be seduced by the alpha female...used like a piece of meat. Oh, you should see the grin on him after that!

In case you don't know what I'm talking about when I say the rainbow sweater that lil' crusher wears, here is a pic.

STARDATE 0011 - Supplemental

2010-10-26T12:29:00.002-04:00

I've just finished reading STARGAZER - Gauntlet (book 1).

It was a good background book on Picard. This is the first of a series on the Stargazer ship, the first ship we was captain of. This first book laid out how he became captain and a good intro of all the characters associated with this series. So, like I said, a good background book. It had an alright story; Picard, the underdog, being the youngest captain ever (excluding the infamous James T. Kirk), is given an almost impossible task. He, and his ragtag crew, go through a gauntlet (forgive the pun) of challenges. They end up completing the mission, in a way, and all live happily ever after.
What I found kind of funny was that apparently Picard has a natural strength in close proximity star-wars-ship battling. He is a maverick, and forgive the pun again, pulls a Tom Cruise aka Maverick ala Top Gun move where he slams on the brakes and the enemy flies right by (then is blown apart with phasers, haha).

STARDATE 0011

2010-09-29T12:23:00.004-04:00

"Datalore", the episode I have been waiting for ever since reading, Immortal Coil

The book was all about Data's history; who invented him (Dr. Soong), his brother, his 'child' etc. This episode, 'Datalore', was where Data first encounters his brother Lore. It started out really really cheesy, with Data coming to his 'home' planet where he was first discovered. Some cheesy sentimental string music played as he looked down on the planet. The planet is now dead, no signs of life at all, so what do they decide to do...beam a team down. Great idea?
They do a little looking around and find a hidden laboratory where Data's brother Lore's parts are found. They take them back to the ship and put it together, bringing Lore to life.
Turns out Lore is evil. He has a plan to 'feed' some weird crystal thing. He wants to feed it life, the life of all the people on the ship. Well, in the end he does not succeed b/c of Wesley Crusher...again.
Lore tries to pull the ol' Parent Trap trick, where he tries to trick everyone into thinking he is his twin Data. Lil' Wesley notices the small differences with Lore (a twitch and Lore uses contractions). It ends up with Data and Lore fighting it out near a beamer thing (a tranporter thingy), Data manages to throw Lore onto the 'beam me up' thing and Wesley happens to be there to push the button sending Lore into space.
Then the episode just ends? No real wrap up...b/c I know Lore comes back and Data has to shut him down permanently from my extra curricular studies (mentioned in the Immortal Coil book, haha I'm a trekky)

STARDATE 0010

2010-09-21T23:11:00.004-04:00

"The Big Goodbye". This episode is again, typical. There is the 'new' guy, Mr. Walker or Mr. Wells or something like that. I knew right away not to get too attached to this guy b/c he was probably going to die. Also typical, young Wesley Crusher joins the action and you guess it - solved the complex computer/physics/warp drive problem (according to my rough estimations he has been the hero about 40% of the time). With that in mind, I'll sum up the episode.

Captain Picard tries out the holodeck, playing into a 1920s private eye fantasy world. He has such a great time he invites a few crew members to join him and that is when one of those strange energy waves hits the ship and causes the computer to short circuit. This traps them in the holodeck where things get too real. The 'new' guy - Mr. Wales? (I never took much notice of his name) gets shot, doesn't die, but somehow manages to survive a point blank shot to the gut for hours.
The reading rainbow guy, Jordi, can't seem to fix the computer. Even though he is the chief of engineering he just can't figure this out. The writers fall back on an old line, sending Wesley Crusher to help out. Luckily he finds the problem and everyone comes out safely. This time Wesley was sporting a flattering grey jumpsuit with a half rainbow stripe thing across his shoulder - nice pic wardrobe.

STARDATE 0009

2010-09-20T23:26:00.002-04:00

If you've been perving in my window late at night recently, you may have thought I was up late watching TNG (on VHS)...well, wrong. I was doing something equally as nerdy. Reading.Reading 500 page fantasy epics I specially ordered through the interlibrary program.
Once that epic was read and returned, I moved on to more Star Trek books. One of the historic ones, Starfleet - year one by Michael Friedman. Gives the background on how the Federation and Starfleet were formed. A real page turner. Another equally historic one on Picard's first ship - the Stargazer...which leads right into the next episode I watched.

Now, back to the regularly scheduled TNG. Onto "The Battle". This episode plays on a couple of very frequent themes - 1) mind control is used on the captain & B) a deranged alien makes his goal in life to target the captain and punish him for some incident that happened years ago.
Having a captain who goes crazy for some reason or other just happened a few episodes ago, when that virus attacked the ship and made everyone crazy? That storyline taken care of.
In this episode the furrengi used some strange machine that made Picard have vivid memories...of when he was on his previous ship the Stargazer (which I was reading about late at night instead of watching the VHS. So, that bit of background came in handy on this episode...I actually felt like I was somewhat of a "trekkie", that's scary).
Anyway, the whole point of this mind control was to get Picard to beam over to the Stargazer and relive the battle where he had to abandon ship...which is turns out was the battle that killed a few Ferengi, one of whom was the son of the Ferengi using the mind control device.
Very similar story to the new Star Trek movie. You know? Where that deranged alien makes the goal of his life to get back at a captain that killed someone he cared about a long time ago. Instead of mind control he travels back in time to get Captain Kirk.
Again with the reoccuring storylines?

Oh, and in this episode guess who was the key factor, the guy who found the missing link (hint: he discovered a strange low range frequency while playing around with the long range scanner.)...it was that kid, Wesley Crusher. I think that's about half the episodes now where he has saved the day! This guy has the potential to be the next Luke Skywalker, but, I can't take him seriously because of the awful jumpsuits they put him in.

STARDATE 0008

2010-08-22T23:05:00.002-04:00

'Justice', this episode starts with the ship & crew running across one of the many unexplored worlds containing humans (or species extremely close). The quirk about this planet is that the inhabitants just frolick around in (my closest descriptions) loin clothes? Oh, and they just enjoy life. It appears they have no problems, work, or crime. Crime is an easily solved problem, just execute anyone who breaks the rules - no matter how small the rule.
Well, young Wesley Crusher, who as you may recall has already saved the ship and crew on two previous occasions finally takes the fall...literally. Into some plants that were off limits. The 'police' come and they are about the kill him but luckily the rest of the away team delay the punishment.
In the end the captain choses to ignore this cultures rules and beams everyone out of there...a direct opposition to the prime directive. In other words, he broke a major rule to save little Wesley.
Why?
I have a theory. There is a scene when Wesley's Mom, aka Dr. Crusher, is upset about the wholes situation, wants to be beamed down etc. She is yelling at Capt Picard saying something about how he wouldn't know the feeling of being a parent or something like this. Out of character Picard gets quite upset and says he does. Now, there has been many hints that Crusher and Picard have some history, possibly a relationship...could Wesley be the result of that?
It would make sense then, why Picard had defied the prime directive!

STARDATE 0007

2010-08-11T12:41:00.003-04:00

Lonely Among Us, this was the last episode I watched. Another virus type 'being' that takes over crew members, noteably the Captain! This may be the way of the future. I'm seeing this first hand, as our world becomes more and more interconnected. In other words, our computer had to go to our 'guy' to get fixed b/c of a virus. Isn't Star Trek just just too relevant sometimes?
There was one criticism I had on this episode. The new crew member Mr. Singh, who is obviously going to die b/c he is new, is Indian and has an Indian accent. Really, 600 years from now?

I did manage to finish Immortal coil (that book I mentioned in Stardate 0006.1 or thereabouts), it turned out to be full of robots. All of the 'new' crew members (there is a new bartender, and a new security officer) turn out to be robots?! Boy, I'm going to have to remember this template for the story lines...a new member joins the crew and either dies or becomes the source that episode's problem. Ok, got it, check!

STARDATE 0006.1

2010-08-04T12:52:00.003-04:00

The tapes have been sitting idle, I have been reading Star Trek books instead of watching TNG...I'm really trying to get into this whole thing. It appears I could be busy reading Star Trek books for years. I was not aware of this, but, the library has a whole shelf stocked full of these books (a few Star Wars are mixed in too).

I'm wondering if this is a step up, since it's reading rather than watching tv. Or is it a step further into the addictive world of Star Trek...I have to admit, I heard about a convention in town and seriously considered going, just for curiosity sake mind you.

Immortal Coil is what I'm reading. It's about Data, the story of how he came about. What strikes me as so odd, is that in this book there is a love story...involving him - the robot! They even make reference to that episode where he and Yar get 'physical'. What is up with the robot having more success on the love scene that real humans. Ryker keeps striking out with all of the ladies, and Data moves in and hits home runs? What does this say about the writers - that is the real question here?

STARDATE 0006

2010-07-21T00:13:00.002-04:00

This episode the Enterprise is in pursuit of the Ferengi and it turns out this is the first contact they've had with them. Captain Picard plays it cool, in his patient wise grandfather way, and throws in a reference to some ancient chinese proverb. Data also throws in a few references to 20th century earth (always about the US). This is not the first reference to the good ol days on earth, but, what is lacking is any reference to the past 600 years?! When is this supposed to take place, like 2600. There is no mention of the time between the year 2000 and 2600. That part of the show is lacking.

What is not lacking in this episode is Lt Yar. You know, the short haired security officer who likes to scowl? Well, she had lots of lines in this episode. But, I don't think she had a hard time memorizing them. I can't recall how many times she said, "Captain, I suggest we blast them with the phasers while we have the chance". If I had to guess, I'd say she requested to use the phasers and photon torpedoes at least a dozen times. That is all she said. Then when she finally gets to shoot with her hand held phaser thing when they go down to the mysterious planet (that is in constant thunder storm), her shots are thwarted by the mysterious power of some crystal things. Oh, poor Yar. Maybe next episode.

STARDATE 0004

2010-07-20T12:47:00.002-04:00

Where no one has gone before, was the title of this episode. They did in fact travel to a place nobody would really want to go (I'd hope). The episode was on distance travel and they went faster and farther than physically possible...they outlawed the laws of physics :). It was a bit cheesy though, they travelled through a psychadelic tunnel of sorts and ended up in a mysterious land of marshmallow things floating around? It was actually beyond cheesy, it was mallowy?
Anyway, again Wesley, that curious pre-teen boy, turns into the hero and saves the ship. That's twice so far and I'm on episode four! Where is the captain or professionally trained crew? It appears the writers have high hopes for the kids of the future. Where their play toys are warp drive and not just playstation or Wii...but I'm pretty sure they still have a popular version of Guitar Hero on the holideck.

STARDATE 0005

2010-07-08T12:55:00.003-04:00

*I'm onto stardate 0005 since the episodes seem to be out of order, and I'm missing 4?

Anyway, this one is called 'Haven'. I've made it through 3/4 of it now. They arrive at this wonderful, beautiful world...that they never actually show? I'm picturing caribbean island type, but, cannot confirm this.
It starts with Troi coming into the transporter room and cringing (having one of those dramatic telepathic feeling things...oh the drama with her). Anyway, I guess she there is an arranged marriage for her? Great plot (sarcasm).
Anyway, the thing that gets me, is during their fancy dinner to celebrate this the cutlery, glasses and dishes are just...I have to describe them.
The future appears to be full of 'antiques', circa 1995 Dollarama items. The wonderul wine glass with a platic purple stem. Matching plastic forks and plastic plates. The 'exotic' drinks are drunk from beekers and test tubes!!!

I'm guessing the first season had a small budget, so they just raided the dollar store?

STARDATE 3.45

2010-06-18T12:51:00.002-04:00

It's been well over a week without TNG. No withdrawl symptoms. I guess I'm substituting with Sci-Fi books? I'm into 2001 - A Space Odyssey (Arthur C Clarke). It's from around the same time as the original Star Trek was written, so it's interesting to see some predictions of the future.
In 2001 there is mention of a 'newspaper' that plugs into something like the internet and gives one access to every newspaper published around the world (WOW). Very good prediction.
But, then there is a description of the office/administration area in the base on the moon...the secretaries (all girls apparently) are still using typewriters! haha. A little off the mark on that prediction.

STARDATE 0003.3

2010-06-08T12:38:00.002-04:00

No Star Track last night...fell asleep reading the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, you know the book after the infamous Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. Wow, don't I sound dorky?

I did manage to pass on a couple of the tapes. Remember; pay it forward? reduce reuse recyle? I'm feeling good about helping out the environment with Star Trek...again, I sound a bit dorky? Oh well.

STARDATE 0003

2010-06-06T23:50:00.002-04:00

All right, this is classic Star Trek. Episode 3, the one where Yar is kidnapped and has to fight in a primitive style death match! She wins of course.
This episode does bring up the idea of the 'prime directive' - where Starfleet is not to impose their (superior) culture on any primitive culture. I guess the idea is to have as little influence on these puny planet and their development as possible. So, instead of just blasting them to bits with a few photon torpedos and a phaser shot to get their way. Instead, the crew has to outwit these lesser beings according to their backwoods rules.
I guess this 'prime directive' is a shot at how awful British 'gunboat dipomacy' was and how the Federation is so much more civilized...although strangely enought the captain still drinks his earl grey tea?

And, how about that Data. Still trying to be human. I really get a kick out of him trying to make jokes to the reading rainbow guy.

STARDATE 0002

2010-06-05T00:56:00.002-04:00

I finished another episode - number 2. It's the one where the ship picks up a mysterious virus that makes the crew feel 'intoxicated'.
I'm very torn by this episode. One the one hand, it was very entertaining and easy to follow. On the other, it was very...'fluff' is the word I'd use. There was very little substance on space travel or unexplained mysteries of space. Also, when Data (the robot I'll remind you) becomes intoxicated and is seduced by Yar? Come on...then he struts around like he is drunk on love?
This has been the worst episode yet. I know I'm only on the second, but still.

I did a little research beforehand reading The Physics of Star Trek - Lawrence M. Krauss. The book is all about how Star Trek takes on big ideas like time travel, warp drive, black holes, etc. Really serious, hardcore stuff. Then I run across a 'fully functional' robot getting drunk and some actors doing a bad job of acting intoxicated.

To sum up, not impressed with this episode. Luckily I still have about 50 more!

STARDATE 0001.8

2010-06-05T00:55:00.002-04:00

No TNG last night. I did, however, do the ol' Jordie LaForge impression. You know you've all done it...probably 15-20 years ago. It's when you steal your sisters plastic headband and put it over your eyes and say, "look at me! I'm the Reading Rainbow guy on Star Trak, huk huk".

STARDATE 0001.5

2010-06-05T00:50:00.000-04:00

I have manged to make it another 40 minutes into the first episode (which appears to be an extended showing, hurrah!) I’m finding my memories of watching Star Trek TNG the first time around are drastically different now, 20 years later. Being a young impressionable kid at the time of the original airings I think I would have believed anything…and also relished the cheesey story lines. Maybe it is just this first episode, overemphasizing the connections between people, treating us viewers like ignorant braindeads who cannot follow subtle story lines? Oh well, from what I can remember the show gets much better.
I’ve also noticed a few great things about VHS tapes. One, you can fast forward through the FBI warning. With DVD all you get is the red X.
Also, I’m saving the planet. By reusing all of these tapes I’m stopping about 10 pounds of plastic (and probably other countless chemicals in the actual tape) and saving 8 cubic feet of garbage. Hopefully I will find another TNG fan with a VCR whom I can pass these onto when I’m done. Pay it forward, right?

STARDATE 0001

2010-06-04T12:37:00.000-04:00

I have inherited (you might say) a couple of big boxes full of Star Trek - The Next Generation (furthermore referred to as Star Trek TNG) tapes. I have been told it is the entire series. How great is that? Oh, and yes, I said 'tapes'. As in VHS. Remember those? Contrary to popular belief they are still in use by some people (the kind of people who still have cassette players in their minivans, and are lacking the ever popular satellite dish mounted to their roof).
I have been in possession of these for over a week now, but, have only managed to watch 40 minutes of the first episode. Not from lack of interest, just lack of watch time. I do find the first episode to be a strange choice. Introducing 'Q' right off the bat? Q is a rather far out idea, which I guess signals a break from the original series where it always seemed that Kirk and gang were always taking on beings in a more physical battle.
Well, back to the grind (of the physical tape moving over the VCR heads producing video images that show up on my TV screen).