TTN: Synthesis by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!) - Page 4

Nerys Ghemor · November 5 2009, 01:51 AM

Dark Gilligan wrote:

Defcon wrote:

Yeah, because heaven forbids that there's diversity in the Trek line.

Diversity is one thing, a series devoted to PAD's injokes is quite another. It seems rather self-serving.

BINGO. It's...well, fanwanking. In a pretty literal sense.

BTW, to Mr. Swallow, I actually think not acknowledging that potential "relationship" with Hsuuri (or Hriss?) was a good move and I'm glad you didn't fix them up.

I just don't think he was ready and I truly couldn't see them as a couple, either. Tolerance and even appreciation of others and their cultural values is one thing and Zurin seems VERY good at that (I LOVED his setting the whole "crustacean vs. arachnid" thing straight!)...being a couple is a whole other animal.

I'm not sure who I see him with, though. On the other hand, I don't think everybody HAS to be "with" somebody in order to be a complete person, either. He's young and possibly has a lifespan longer than a human would--he's got more than enough time to relax and wait for the right person to come along.

Defcon · November 5 2009, 09:18 PM

Dark Gilligan wrote:

Defcon wrote:

Yeah, because heaven forbids that there's diversity in the Trek line.

Diversity is one thing, a series devoted to PAD's injokes is quite another. It seems rather self-serving.

An the only reason the series is running for more than 12 years now, and has outlived series that started way later, is because S&S wants to stroke PAD's ego by giving him an outlet for his "self-serving" jokes, not because it's successful, well written Trek fiction, or what?

You two don't enjoy it, fine, but that's no reason to say it isn't Trek like Nerys Ghemor did.

Turtletrekker · November 5 2009, 10:45 PM

Nerys Ghemor wrote:

...shouldn't even be marketed as real Trek.

If Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat can co-exist in the same universe as Fantasy Island, If the X-Files can co-exist in the same universe as the Law and Order franchise and still be "real", then New Frontier can co-exist with the other Trek series and still be considered "real" Star Trek as well.

Dark Gilligan · November 5 2009, 10:46 PM

Never said I didn't enjoy PAD's work, but he can get carried away with himself at times. A strong editor could keep him reigned in when needed but I've often felt that PAD simply does his own thing.

Nerys Ghemor · November 6 2009, 02:04 AM

Turtletrekker wrote:

Nerys Ghemor wrote:

...shouldn't even be marketed as real Trek.

If Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat can co-exist in the same universe as Fantasy Island, If the X-Files can co-exist in the same universe as the Law and Order franchise and still be "real", then New Frontier can co-exist with the other Trek series and still be considered "real" Star Trek as well.

What?! Those are all separate series under different names and franchises entirely. How does that have any bearing on Star Trek, which is all one united franchise?

If NF were labeled as a parody of Star Trek, that would be one thing. But it simply does not fit in with any of the other series; it's just one author's self-indulgence, far more like the Hitchhiker's Guide than a Star Trek novel.

Christopher · November 6 2009, 02:44 AM

Nerys Ghemor wrote:

Turtletrekker wrote:

Nerys Ghemor wrote:

...shouldn't even be marketed as real Trek.

If Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat can co-exist in the same universe as Fantasy Island, If the X-Files can co-exist in the same universe as the Law and Order franchise and still be "real", then New Frontier can co-exist with the other Trek series and still be considered "real" Star Trek as well.

What?! Those are all separate series under different names and franchises entirely. How does that have any bearing on Star Trek, which is all one united franchise?

He's referring to crossover episodes between those shows. There was a Charlie's Angels episode set on the ship from The Love Boat, and there was a mutual crossover between TLB and Fantasy Island. And Detective Munch from Law and Order: SVU (who was originally in Homicide: Life on the Streets) once appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen, a spinoff of The X-Files.

CaseyF · November 6 2009, 04:36 AM

Christopher wrote:

He's referring to crossover episodes between those shows. There was a Charlie's Angels episode set on the ship from The Love Boat, and there was a mutual crossover between TLB and Fantasy Island. And Detective Munch from Law and Order: SVU (who was originally in Homicide: Life on the Streets) once appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen, a spinoff of The X-Files.

Actually, it was an episode of The X-Files featuring the origin of the Lone Gunmen (it aired a few years before they got their spin-off).

And just to chime in on the NF discussion, I'm a long-time PAD fan and I love the unique voice he brings to the Trek universe.

And slightly more on-topic, I'm also a Titan and James Swallow fan, and am looking forward to Synthesis. Which I've yet to have a chance to read.

JD · November 6 2009, 04:45 AM

Christopher wrote:

And Detective Munch from Law and Order: SVU (who was originally in Homicide: Life on the Streets) once appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen, a spinoff of The X-Files.

A fun little fact: As of his upcoming appearance on on Paris enquêtes criminelles (the French adaptation of L&O: Criminal Intent, he will hold the record with for the most appearances of a single actor as the same character on different TV show. He actually holds the record now at eight, but it will be an even bigger record (obviously) after this next appearce.

Turtletrekker · November 6 2009, 05:43 AM

Christopher wrote:

And Detective Munch from Law and Order: SVU (who was originally in Homicide: Life on the Streets) once appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen, a spinoff of The X-Files.

Actually, it was a Lone Gunmen centered episode of the X-Files called Unusual Suspects, not an episode of TLG.

http://x-files.wikia.com/wiki/Unusual_Suspects

Paris · November 6 2009, 07:28 PM

My local Chapter's finally got their copies in, and I've got it now. I've already started another trek book (SGR: Oblivion), so I've got a decision to make...

. I'll be back once I've read it

Pegaritaville · November 7 2009, 09:37 PM

It took buying three copies (the first was left on my boat and is stuck in winter storage and the second copy was destroyed when I accidently left it outside), but I finally finished the book.

Anyway, it was worth the extra time and money. Normally I'm not a big fan of stories involving AI sentience, but I enjoyed this one. White-Blue really grew on me. Not enough to completely erase my AI bigotry, but enough to make me hope the character becomes a regular in the Titan series.

Geoff Thorne · November 8 2009, 04:22 AM

Nerys Ghemor wrote:

Dark Gilligan wrote:

Defcon wrote:

Yeah, because heaven forbids that there's diversity in the Trek line.

Diversity is one thing, a series devoted to PAD's injokes is quite another. It seems rather self-serving.

BINGO. It's...well, fanwanking. In a pretty literal sense.

BTW, to Mr. Swallow, I actually think not acknowledging that potential "relationship" with Hsuuri (or Hriss?) was a good move and I'm glad you didn't fix them up.

I just don't think he was ready and I truly couldn't see them as a couple, either. Tolerance and even appreciation of others and their cultural values is one thing and Zurin seems VERY good at that (I LOVED his setting the whole "crustacean vs. arachnid" thing straight!)...being a couple is a whole other animal.

I'm not sure who I see him with, though. On the other hand, I don't think everybody HAS to be "with" somebody in order to be a complete person, either. He's young and possibly has a lifespan longer than a human would--he's got more than enough time to relax and wait for the right person to come along.

It was Hsuuri and it was never meant to be an undying soul connection (just something for other writers to pick or not as they chose). I agree, those are rare and, on TITAN at least, most people seem to realize that shipboard romance is best kept casual and brief.

Quite enjoying Mr. Swallow's yarn so far. I really love this ship and this crew. So far it seems the other writers do as well.

Nerys Ghemor · November 8 2009, 05:18 AM

For some reason I just picture Cardassians having a hard time with the concept of "casual and brief." When they go into a relationship, from what I've observed, it seems to be very serious. So, personally I just figured Dakal would rather be single than go into a fling that he knew wasn't going to be permanent.

I'm not so sure shipboard romance HAS to be a fling, though--but it takes two very committed parties, and I'm not sure how many of the cultures there, besides Cardassians (and I'm not even really counting humanity) accept that concept anymore.

But then I'm old-fashioned. I like marriage stories, seeing people in it for the long haul and really putting the work into the relationship to make it last. (Which is one reason I like Riker/Troi.) Maybe that's one reason I identify with Cardassians--they seem to look at things the same way. (Dukat doesn't count. That man was SICK.)

fleetcaptain · November 8 2009, 12:15 PM

I have been enjoying this book so far. Couldn't stop reading the book at all this week. I was like I'm going to end it before I even get a chance to write something or whatever.

I'm glad to see that Pava has been getting more time again. I'm just waiting to see if someone will eventually mention her Omega Squad teammates at some point.

ToddCam · November 9 2009, 05:18 PM

^That'd be great! I would love to find out where Decker, T'Priell, and Astrun wound up.

The look of the novel is very misleading. I had it sitting around at work, and everyone who saw it would start, then see the Star Trek logo, and then tell me that they were shocked with the idea of me reading a trashy romance novel.

Oh, and great book!

View Poll Results: Grade "Synthesis"
Excellent	30	33.71%
Above Average	39	43.82%
Average	13	14.61%
Below Average	2	2.25%
Poor	5	5.62%
Voters: 89. You may not vote on this poll

November 5 2009, 10:46 PM	#49
Dark Gilligan Writer Location: an uncharted desert isle	Re: Star Trek: Titan - Synthesis: Discuss / Grade <SPOILERS> Never said I didn't enjoy PAD's work, but he can get carried away with himself at times. A strong editor could keep him reigned in when needed but I've often felt that PAD simply does his own thing. __________________ Visit DG's website at www.darkapostle.net

November 6 2009, 07:28 PM	#55
Paris Fleet Captain Location: on the Enterprise	Re: Star Trek: Titan - Synthesis: Discuss / Grade <SPOILERS> My local Chapter's finally got their copies in, and I've got it now. I've already started another trek book (SGR: Oblivion), so I've got a decision to make.... I'll be back once I've read it

November 7 2009, 09:37 PM	#56
Pegaritaville Vice Admiral Location: On the 'Croix	Re: Star Trek: Titan - Synthesis: Discuss / Grade <SPOILERS> It took buying three copies (the first was left on my boat and is stuck in winter storage and the second copy was destroyed when I accidently left it outside), but I finally finished the book. Anyway, it was worth the extra time and money. Normally I'm not a big fan of stories involving AI sentience, but I enjoyed this one. White-Blue really grew on me. Not enough to completely erase my AI bigotry, but enough to make me hope the character becomes a regular in the Titan series.

November 8 2009, 05:18 AM	#58
Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Location: Cardăsa Terăm--Nerys Ghemor	Re: Star Trek: Titan - Synthesis: Discuss / Grade <SPOILERS> For some reason I just picture Cardassians having a hard time with the concept of "casual and brief." When they go into a relationship, from what I've observed, it seems to be very serious. So, personally I just figured Dakal would rather be single than go into a fling that he knew wasn't going to be permanent. I'm not so sure shipboard romance HAS to be a fling, though--but it takes two very committed parties, and I'm not sure how many of the cultures there, besides Cardassians (and I'm not even really counting humanity) accept that concept anymore. But then I'm old-fashioned. I like marriage stories, seeing people in it for the long haul and really putting the work into the relationship to make it last. (Which is one reason I like Riker/Troi.) Maybe that's one reason I identify with Cardassians--they seem to look at things the same way. (Dukat doesn't count. That man was SICK.) __________________ Are you a Cardassian fan, citizen? Prove your loyalty--check out my fanfic universe, Star Trek: Sigils and Unions. Or keep the faith on my AU Cardassia, Sigils and Unions: Catacombs of Oralius!

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

November 8 2009, 12:15 PM	#59
fleetcaptain Fleet Captain Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA	Re: Star Trek: Titan - Synthesis: Discuss / Grade <SPOILERS> I have been enjoying this book so far. Couldn't stop reading the book at all this week. I was like I'm going to end it before I even get a chance to write something or whatever. I'm glad to see that Pava has been getting more time again. I'm just waiting to see if someone will eventually mention her Omega Squad teammates at some point.

November 9 2009, 05:18 PM	#60
ToddCam Captain Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA	Re: Star Trek: Titan - Synthesis: Discuss / Grade <SPOILERS> ^That'd be great! I would love to find out where Decker, T'Priell, and Astrun wound up. The look of the novel is very misleading. I had it sitting around at work, and everyone who saw it would start, then see the Star Trek logo, and then tell me that they were shocked with the idea of me reading a trashy romance novel. Oh, and great book!