Spoilers Star Trek: Lower Decks 2x01 - "Strange Energies"

[DaveyNY]

Perhaps to be proven right and to mock the dirty masses for daring to like it???

OK.., Well..,
I've always enjoyed being 'dirty' in some way shape or form, but I thought at my age those days were behind me.
I guess I'll just have to learn to accept that I'll be considered a dirty little LDS slut for the foreseeable future.

 

[Amaris]

You also forgot the Worf based comedy show that Alex Kurtzman himself mentioned.

Hey, I'd watch it.

Yeah, it seems less and less likely Meyer's idea is going to happen. Then again, we've seen stranger things happen, so who knows. That said, I like that we've got so many options now. I think about 13 year old me back in 1993 finding out that even though TNG is coming to an end, there will be a point in the near future where I can choose from 5 or 6 different Star Trek series simultaneously, and I think there has never been a better time to be a Trek fan.

 

[Boris Skrbic]

It's not a cheat if it is the literally built in to the concept of the show from the beginning.

I keep repeating it’s cheating with respect to established live-action Star Trek conventions, in particular those of the era in question, as opposed to having the comedy emerge naturally, by following those conventions to the letter and veering off into situations that have been conveniently avoided in live action. Like, who exactly dispenses latinum to Federation citizens on DS9, how much and on what basis? Are certain purchases restricted?

Because that's not what it is.

You mean a decision was made at the start that Lower Decks should in no way attempt to overshadow flagship series like DSC, PIC, SNW? I think it has greater potential than any of them, especially if it uses the animated format to maximum advantage.

You want to change Lower Decks from what it is into something that it isn't so you can appreciate it for what it could be? As I said, what you want and what is there just are not going to meet. You will not get steak out of these french fries, it's just not going to happen, but you have a chance elsewhere, including future franchise efforts.

Again, who declared that Lower Decks needs to be “french fries” and why are you convinced that the show will have to maintain this particular approach? That’s like saying characters on Babylon 5 should’ve forever remained in what seemed to be their roles as of Season 1. And even if the show never evolves significantly, what’s wrong with expressing an opinion on what it should be and asking other fans to do the same? I’m not sure why you’re spending so much time defending McMahan’s approach rather than simply express your own opinion on the series. Did McMahan give you precisely what you wanted, right down to the expected level of humor? You don’t wish anything were different? It’s hard to believe, since we’re all individuals. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, rather than “CBS decides, fandom accepts and opines on the how and why.”

 

[jackoverfull]

They're mind-boggingly horrible. The show was poorly conceived from the ground up. 50% of its core four characters are completely annoying and worthless (and also share nearly identical personalities.) Awful, awful writing. Garbage level.

go figure, I’m having plenty of fun with it (not with the season opener, but by the vast majority of the other episodes), in fact I’m liking this more than any trek produced in this century.

also, the characters are much more developed than one would expect after then 23 minutes episodes, imho!

I will probably fast forward through all of their scenes going forward.

uh? I’m at a loss with this approach.

You mean a decision was made at the start that Lower Decks should in no way attempt to overshadow flagship series like DSC, PIC, SNW? I think it has greater potential than any of them, especially if it uses the animated format to maximum advantage.

I don’t think any such decision was ever made: as of now LDS seems totally on its own path, totally separated from Picard and Discovery and making its own thing. In fact I don’t remember ANY callback to discovery (as it should be, as the ship is supposed to be top secret in this timeframe!) and the only slight reference to Picard, which of course takes place in the future, is Q saying that Picard is always making wine (interestingly, he is NOT supposed to be personally involved in winemaking for a few years still! But of course Q is a non-linear entity…).

It will be interesting to see if the show will address the Romulan situation in season five, assuming it survives long enough to have a season five (hope so!).

 

[jackoverfull]

Thinking about it, I wonder how far the ban on cybernetics goes: will people like Rutherford, whose brain is part machine, have issues?

 

[Charles Phipps]

Thinking about it, I wonder how far the ban on cybernetics goes: will people like Rutherford, whose brain is part machine, have issues?

While I doubt they'd ever do that, it'd be hilarious if they did a time travel episode to Picard and Rutherford is on a Klingon ship.

"Oh my God, they banned your cybernetics after the synth attack!?"

"Oh no, I just took a job here."

 

[Tuskin38]

Thinking about it, I wonder how far the ban on cybernetics goes: will people like Rutherford, whose brain is part machine, have issues?

AFAIK Cybernetics weren't banned, just anything to do with advanced AI research and positronic networks.

 

[Tuskin38]

So everything that Ransom transformed reverted when he was turned back to normal. Uh what about the ice Cream Hypospray the doctor was eating? lmao

 

[fireproof78]

I keep repeating it’s cheating with respect to established live-action Star Trek conventions, in particular those of the era in question, as opposed to having the comedy emerge naturally, by following those conventions to the letter and veering off into situations that have been conveniently avoided in live action. Like, who exactly dispenses latinum to Federation citizens on DS9, how much and on what basis? Are certain purchases restricted?

How does comedy emerge naturally? This seems very much like putting the cart before the horse, as well as going against what the show set itself up as, namely a show that is specifically not like the live action shows and gearing far more for self-aware humor than conventions in live action Trek.

It sounds like you want this animated show to be more like a live action show which would automatically beg the question of why be animated?

You mean a decision was made at the start that Lower Decks should in no way attempt to overshadow flagship series like DSC, PIC, SNW? I think it has greater potential than any of them, especially if it uses the animated format to maximum advantage.

I think a decision was made from the start for Lower Decks to take a much different path than DSC or PIC at the time. It embraced McMahan's approach of playful comedy within the Star Trek universe. So, while I agree the show has great potential it also is going to stay true to its base premise and play within that, rather than constantly change styles to suit particular demographics.

 

[jackoverfull]

AFAIK Cybernetics weren't banned, just anything to do with advanced AI research and positronic networks.

yes, but as I pointed out above part of Rutherford’s brain is machine.

 

[fireproof78]

But that doesn't make it an AI. Just that it interfaces with his brain, much like Geordi's VISOR. Also, Bynars.

 

[Boris Skrbic]

How does comedy emerge naturally? This seems very much like putting the cart before the horse, as well as going against what the show set itself up as, namely a show that is specifically not like the live action shows and gearing far more for self-aware humor than conventions in live action Trek.

Yes, and I find that unnecessarily distracting and typical for this kind of animated show. What if instead we were to see for the first time how latinum is dispensed or what happens if someone would like to own a large property? All the questions that seem too weird to ask, just bring them right out into the open, same as “Those are Klingons?” Imagine if every week we wondered what they were going to cover next, rather than come in with a solid expectation that it will be a mix of exaggerated and inconsequential situations plus references, with attempts at humor barely deserving of a chuckle.

It sounds like you want this animated show to be more like a live action show which would automatically beg the question of why be animated?

Nothing says that if a show (sorta) looks like The Simpsons, it has to be an animated comedy with exaggerated behavior and situations. The animation would be used to bring back younger versions of characters, experiment with different styles and effects for emphasis: everything that wouldn’t make sense in live action on a visual level while keeping the basic dialogue, characters and situations as we expect them, albeit with new questions posed all the time. True speculative fiction, unlike anything seen on recent Trek.

So, while I agree the show has great potential it also is going to stay true to its base premise and play within that, rather than constantly change styles to suit particular demographics.

Not demographics, just the showrunner’s evolving vision on how to make this an iteration of the franchise with significant long-term impact, as opposed to what @Amaris describes as “french fries”. I don’t think anyone should go into a series expecting to keep it a “side dish” for the duration.

 

[jackoverfull]

But that doesn't make it an AI. Just that it interfaces with his brain, much like Geordi's VISOR. Also, Bynars.

not totally clear with the bynars, but Geordi just has an interface implanted, Rutherford’s brain is literally parts machine, with some of his memories and skills stored in the artificial part.

 

[BillJ]

Like, who exactly dispenses latinum to Federation citizens on DS9, how much and on what basis? Are certain purchases restricted?

Does anyone really care about this?

 

[DaveyNY]

not totally clear with the bynars, but Geordi just has an interface implanted, Rutherford’s brain is literally parts machine, with some of his memories and skills stored in the artificial part.

Since it seems that the Bynars have a major role in keeping all of Star Fleet's shipboard computers up-to-date by processing the massive amounts of info contained within them on a regular schedule, they probably get a pass.
Also, there was no indication that the Bynars were ever considered a hostile race and were apparently a member world of the Federation long before the AI crisis came about.


Though, it would have been interesting to see their take on what should have been done to the rogue AI's.
I'm guessing they would have preferred a 'reboot' rather than destruction.

 

[Charles Phipps]

Yes, @Boris Skrbic, you don't want a Star Trek comedy/parody. We get it. However, that is what it is and plenty of people like it for what it is.

Effectively at Season 2 and a 3rd season contracted, you're saying, "What if Deep Space Nine WASN'T set on a space station above Bajor?"

 

[Amaris]

Again, who declared that Lower Decks needs to be “french fries” and why are you convinced that the show will have to maintain this particular approach? That’s like saying characters on Babylon 5 should’ve forever remained in what seemed to be their roles as of Season 1. And even if the show never evolves significantly, what’s wrong with expressing an opinion on what it should be and asking other fans to do the same? I’m not sure why you’re spending so much time defending McMahan’s approach rather than simply express your own opinion on the series. Did McMahan give you precisely what you wanted, right down to the expected level of humor? You don’t wish anything were different? It’s hard to believe, since we’re all individuals. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, rather than “CBS decides, fandom accepts and opines on the how and why.”

No, you're free to complain, it's your energy and effort, but no one has to accept your position, and you're the one who feels the need to push back on it, so the onus is on you and not us to curb it.

It's fine to say "I don't like this," but the general pattern so far seems to be constantly reiterating that point, despite other people liking it just fine. As @Charles Phipps says, we get it. Repeating it over and over again every time we post something we like isn't doing anything to endear your idea to others, if that were your goal, which you may not have.

Regardless, you seem more upset that most of us are fine with it as it is, accepting its far more informal approach to Star Trek. Constantly reminding people that it needs to be more serious when they don't have a problem with it being funny and silly is not a flaw in the show, or in our enjoyment of it.

 

[BillJ]

Regardless, you seem more upset that most of us are fine with it as it is, accepting its far more informal approach to Star Trek.

Heck, it is about as realistic as any of the rest of Trek.

 

[Tuskin38]

Yes, and I find that unnecessarily distracting and typical for this kind of animated show.

Then don't watch it. Simple as that.

What if instead we were to see for the first time how latinum is dispensed or what happens if someone would like to own a large property? All the questions that seem too weird to ask, just bring them right out into the open, same as “Those are Klingons?” Imagine if every week we wondered what they were going to cover next, rather than come in with a solid expectation that it will be a mix of exaggerated and inconsequential situations plus references, with attempts at humor barely deserving of a chuckle.

You're asking them to completely change the premise of the show one season after they established it. That would be like brining Voyager home in Season 2, it would completely ruin the point of the show.

 

[jackoverfull]

Does anyone really care about this?

some probably do. Could be interesting to see, in any case.