What are your controversial Star Trek opinions?

[fireproof78]

I can watch the new Black Panther movie and await Loki's second season while happily not seeing She Hulk or Ms Marvel. I can enjoy live action Star Wars shows and ignore the animated ones. It's okay not to be a hardcore completionist.

Yup. Same here. I watch what Marvel films interest me and ignore those that don't. It's simple.

I know much is made of Marvel's interconnectedness and I don't care much for that because it does become a chore after a time. But, if the stories are well told and well done then they will work as standalone works and enjoyed as such. For instance, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed Spider-man "No Way Home" even though none of us had seen all of the Spider-man films; I hadn't seen Homecoming or Far From Home, my wife hadn't seen any, and my kids hadn't seen the Rami films. Somehow, we all had a good time.

 

[Farscape One]

The pocket seen in TNG 'The Mind's Eye' doesn't count, size matters?
Well, there's always the possibility to take a fanny pack, where did those disappear anyway from our day....

Those are basically just holsters for the personal phaser (Type I), which I think "The Mind's Eye" is the last time we ever see those.

So no, I don't count those because it's specifically designed for it, and has just enough space to hold it.

Like BABYLON 5, the ENTERPRISE uniforms actually had utility.

 

[plynch]

If someone thinks there are too many Trek iterations now and it’s diluting the franchise or making the brand meaningless or cheapened, “Don’t watch it” is facile. Or puerile. Or some other vocab word I’m tryna think of.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Like BABYLON 5, the ENTERPRISE uniforms actually had utility.

The EarthForce uniforms had utility? News to me.

There's parallels a bit with Star Wars too. Rey/Michael Burnham/Thirteenth Doctor all cop a lot of shit just for being girls and what.

Is it possible to give Burnham "shit" for always whispering a dramatic speech every .005 seconds, without it being construed as doing so because she's a woman? I rather think it is.

The Norways are one of Starfleet's best-looking starship classes.

I know the CGI model of the Norway was lost (that's why we never see them again after ST:FC), but can't a new one be made?

 

[Birb-of-Prey]

The Mycelial Network shouldn't have been introduced until the 32nd century, as a workaround for the Burn.

 

[fireproof78]

I know the CGI model of the Norway was lost (that's why we never see them again after ST:FC), but can't a new one be made?

Can it? Of course it can. How much money is Paramount willing to spend on an old design vs a new one? Probably more interested in investing that money is something new.

If someone thinks there are too many Trek iterations now and it’s diluting the franchise or making the brand meaningless or cheapened, “Don’t watch it” is facile. Or puerile. Or some other vocab word I’m tryna think of.

Here's my follow up question: How does it cheapen the franchise? Now, I may be rather vapid or shallow in my thinking because I hear this a lot in the genre fiction side of things, and was recently accused (not here) of being "part of the problem" for daring to think that an adaptation of a work existing was somehow not taking away from the original work.

So, with that perhaps poorly informed perspective put out there, I struggle with how the franchise is "cheapened" when there are more iterations out there. Is it because people are watching the "wrong Star Trek?" Or that they won't try the older shows? I don't know, but I fail to see the cheapening effect that is so feared.

And what makes it "meaningless?" Again, I struggle. The purpose of art is to convey a story or an emotion or invite a reaction from the audience. What makes one story "meaningless" to one person is quite impactful for another. I'll use my own experience with ST 09 and how deeply it moves me to tears each time I watch it as an example.

Oh well. Random musings on meaning. I'm sure I'm wrong on some count...

The Mycelial Network shouldn't have been introduced until the 32nd century, as a workaround for the Burn.

The mycelial network shouldn't exist at all.

 

[F. King Daniel]

If the Norway is in Star Trek Online, it can be in any new Trek show (for anyone who doesn't know, Picard season 2 used STO game models for their big fleet scenes)

 

[Birb-of-Prey]

The mycelial network shouldn't exist at all.

Yeah, it's one of the reasons DSC is the weakest of the current series.

 

[fireproof78]

Yeah, it's one of the reasons DSC is the weakest of the current series.

I wouldn't go that for. The mycelial network is among the more interesting and innovative ideas that Trek has had in a while. DSC was a great avenue to explore those possibilities. Unfortunately, they didn't do all that they could with it.

As such, DSC remains perfectly on part for most Trek series. It has its high points but doesn't always reach the fullest potential of the premise offered.

And, as it stands, I would put Picard as the weakest of the current series, of the ones I have seen (Prodigy currently back burnered and not inspired to continue on with Lower Decks).

 

[1001001]

The mycelial network shouldn't exist at all.

That's it. I'm out of here.

 

[Birb-of-Prey]

The one thing I appreciate about the Mycelial Network is how it rips off Dune; you trip so hard that you actually go places

 

[cooleddie74]

Of all the things DSC did and continues to do the Mycelial Network isn't even in the Top 5 of things I'd change.

 

[Farscape One]

Can it? Of course it can. How much money is Paramount willing to spend on an old design vs a new one? Probably more interested in investing that money is something new.

Here's my follow up question: How does it cheapen the franchise? Now, I may be rather vapid or shallow in my thinking because I hear this a lot in the genre fiction side of things, and was recently accused (not here) of being "part of the problem" for daring to think that an adaptation of a work existing was somehow not taking away from the original work.

So, with that perhaps poorly informed perspective put out there, I struggle with how the franchise is "cheapened" when there are more iterations out there. Is it because people are watching the "wrong Star Trek?" Or that they won't try the older shows? I don't know, but I fail to see the cheapening effect that is so feared.

And what makes it "meaningless?" Again, I struggle. The purpose of art is to convey a story or an emotion or invite a reaction from the audience. What makes one story "meaningless" to one person is quite impactful for another. I'll use my own experience with ST 09 and how deeply it moves me to tears each time I watch it as an example.

Oh well. Random musings on meaning. I'm sure I'm wrong on some count...

The mycelial network shouldn't exist at all.

While I can't agree that Abrams' STAR TREK is impactful or meaningful (at least to me), I am in complete agreement with everything else you mentioned.

Perfect example: I love "Masks". I get a great deal of joy and entertainment every time I watch it. I have defended that episode more than any other except "MOVE ALONG HOME"... which is yet another example of my point. But it seems a great deal of people dislike or downright hate both episodes. Hell, the fact I hate ST09 and you love it is yet another illustration.

Well, not just my point, but it's yours, too... it's all subjective. There are very few episodes that are universally loved or hated... ironically, I think there are more universally hated episodes than loved ones.

I wouldn't go that for. The mycelial network is among the more interesting and innovative ideas that Trek has had in a while. DSC was a great avenue to explore those possibilities. Unfortunately, they didn't do all that they could with it.

As such, DSC remains perfectly on part for most Trek series. It has its high points but doesn't always reach the fullest potential of the premise offered.

And, as it stands, I would put Picard as the weakest of the current series, of the ones I have seen (Prodigy currently back burnered and not inspired to continue on with Lower Decks).

I would argue DISCOVERY has yet to hit any of the highs the previous shows have... it's one of the reasons why it doesn't grab me like most of the other shows do. I'm not saying DISCO doesn't have good episodes. There are multiple really, really good ones. Unfortunately, except for "Lethe" and "Project Daedalus", I can't tell you which ones they are because all the episodes just blur together due to the season spanning arcs.

PICARD suffers the same problem, but it's even more amplified because the seasons are shorter and the arcs meander harder in the middle.

Both are definitely the weakest shows, in my opinion, of the current lineup. (I would also put ENTERPRISE above both, easily.)

 

[Farscape One]

Of all the things DSC did and continues to do the Mycelial Network isn't even in the Top 5 of things I'd change.

I'll agree to that. While the network is ridiculous, DISCO has other, more pressing issues.

First thing I'd change... stop the damned season long arcs.

However, since there are people who do love the arcs, I'll go another route so the variety of style for all fans can be maintained... have characters get development without resorting to whining in the middle of a crisis. You're Starfleet officers, an organization made up of professionals that take care of the problems in front of them. I'm not saying a breakdown here and there can't occur, but it felt like everyone had a breakdown in every episode. It's boring after a while.

 

[fireproof78]

I would argue DISCOVERY has yet to hit any of the highs the previous shows have... it's one of the reasons why it doesn't grab me like most of the other shows do. I'm not saying DISCO doesn't have good episodes. There are multiple really, really good ones. Unfortunately, except for "Lethe" and "Project Daedalus", I can't tell you which ones they are because all the episodes just blur together due to the season spanning arcs.

PICARD suffers the same problem, but it's even more amplified because the seasons are shorter and the arcs meander harder in the middle.

Both are definitely the weakest shows, in my opinion, of the current lineup. (I would also put ENTERPRISE above both, easily.)

Well, it wouldn't be fun if we agreed.

Both Discovery and Picard are above Enterprise for me for two reasons: one, I feel a stronger connection to these characters than any of the characters in Enterprise. Two, I think that Discovery has some of the best Mirror Universe stuff since "Mirror, Mirror." All the character work with Georgiou is top notch Trek and something I find really interesting. "Terra Firma" is peak DSC for me, at least after they go to the future.

Picard struggles along, but the follow up to ST 09 and the Romulans wins it out for me. Again, personal investment and all that, but if I'm going to sit down and watch Trek then I love it when I feel that connection. ENT doesn't have that.

As always, a demonstration of the variety in the Trek fan world.

Of all the things DSC did and continues to do the Mycelial Network isn't even in the Top 5 of things I'd change.

Me either, but I hate how underutilized it is. It has a huge amount of potential and gets left aside. I don't think it should exist because they don't utilize it.

In that way, Discovery is following Trek tradition strongly.

It's boring after a while.

I would not recommend working in a counseling office. Because it would get quite boring for you

 

[Farscape One]

Well, it wouldn't be fun if we agreed.

Both Discovery and Picard are above Enterprise for me for two reasons: one, I feel a stronger connection to these characters than any of the characters in Enterprise. Two, I think that Discovery has some of the best Mirror Universe stuff since "Mirror, Mirror." All the character work with Georgiou is top notch Trek and something I find really interesting. "Terra Firma" is peak DSC for me, at least after they go to the future.

Picard struggles along, but the follow up to ST 09 and the Romulans wins it out for me. Again, personal investment and all that, but if I'm going to sit down and watch Trek then I love it when I feel that connection. ENT doesn't have that.

As always, a demonstration of the variety in the Trek fan world.

Me either, but I hate how underutilized it is. It has a huge amount of potential and gets left aside. I don't think it should exist because they don't utilize it.

In that way, Discovery is following Trek tradition strongly.

I can't agree with you on those shows being better than ENT, but I can agree with you that the deep look into Romulan culture was one of the best things about PICARD. And Mirror Georgiou's arc was excellent stuff, a tribute to the perfect casting of Michelle Yeoh. I would put that as the best thing DISCO did in either century they were set in.

 

[fireproof78]

I can't agree with you on those shows being better than ENT, but I can agree with you that the deep look into Romulan culture was one of the best things about PICARD. And Mirror Georgiou's arc was excellent stuff, a tribute to the perfect casting of Michelle Yeoh. I would put that as the best thing DISCO did in either century they were set in.

I would ask what puts ENTERPRISE above these two shows?

Picard is almost understandable. It struggles along at times. DSC has it's ups and downs but characters for me drive that series better than most. Or, maybe that's the appeal for me is these characters who struggle along and not everyone wants those types of characters. I just see too much of Sisko or Kirk reflected in Burnham to not feel the draw, vs. Archer or Trip who just don't appeal to me.

 

[Farscape One]

I would not recommend working in a counseling office. Because it would get quite boring for you

Truthfully, I'd never work at one because I don't think shrinks really do much, by and large. So I'd be wasting my time there, anyway. But that's a topic for a different thread.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Yup. Same here. I watch what Marvel films interest me and ignore those that don't. It's simple.

I know much is made of Marvel's interconnectedness and I don't care much for that because it does become a chore after a time. But, if the stories are well told and well done then they will work as standalone works and enjoyed as such. For instance, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed Spider-man "No Way Home" even though none of us had seen all of the Spider-man films; I hadn't seen Homecoming or Far From Home, my wife hadn't seen any, and my kids hadn't seen the Rami films. Somehow, we all had a good time.

Interconnectedness gives me scenes like this

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

I like scenes that. Gives me a lump in the throat every time.

 

[fireproof78]

Truthfully, I'd never work at one because I don't think shrinks really do much, by and large. So I'd be wasting my time there, anyway. But that's a topic for a different thread.

Fascinating. But, I'll leave it be, since I've heard that before since making my school choice

Interconnectedness gives me scenes like this

Interconnectedness can work. And yes, that scene is a good one. But, I don't want just that.