So is Capt Shaw the new, reigning biggest a##hole in Trek?

Discussion in 'Star Trek: Picard' started by Photon, Feb 21, 2023.

  1. Turd Ferguson

    Turd Ferguson Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Starfleet also probably thought being on routine scan/explore/catalogue duty wouldn't require Shaw and Seven to be around each other all day every day (like Picard/Riker, Janeway/Chakotay). Maybe Shaw takes day shift, Seven takes night shift. And, as the mission goes on, Starfleet assumes Shaw will slowly work his way through his PTSD seeing Seven and adjusting to her and seeing she's a valuable asset to the crew.
     
  2. Tuskin38

    Tuskin38 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    According to Terry, Shaw chose Seven. We’ll just have to see if that gets mentioned in dialogue
     
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  3. Dar70

    Dar70 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Oh it will get mentioned. Everytime Terry says something it's in an episode. Lol

    Of course Shaw is now becoming the likeable A##hole. I would not mind a show based on him with Seven as his first officer to be honest.
     
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  4. Dar70

    Dar70 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    The big problem is....they no longer use incandescent lights. Led light are ALWAYS blinding. Just too bright. Throw them out as much as new production like to do and yeah it's pretty bad.
     
  5. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I'm still not sure I'd call Shaw "likable." He might be a bit understandable, given we have some insight into the traumas of his past, but that doesn't make him likable.
     
  6. Turtletrekker

    Turtletrekker Admiral Admiral

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    I wouldn't go with "likable" either. You saw the looks on the faces of his crew after his confrontation with Picard. None of them were saying, "gosh that's a really likeable guy".

    As a captain, I can't argue with any of his command decisions even if they aren't the ones I would have made myself.

    I am so very glad that Seven called Shaw out on the respect issue, and I hope he takes it to heart. That will go a loooong way in my book.

    He is an interesting and fascinating character. One that I've come to want to know more about and see more of. But "likable"? Nah, he's still an asshole. But I also feel as if he could be at the turning point of a very meaningful and interesting character arc, one that I'm looking forward to seeing fulfilled.
     
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  7. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Perhaps not, but they did seem to sympathize with him and the pain of the story he had just told. They weren't like "What an asshole".

    I would! I've liked him ever since the first episode. He may be one of my favorite Trek captains ever!
     
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  8. fireproof78

    fireproof78 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Indeed. I grow quite fatigued of "Oh, every character has to be likable." Well, I don't know everyone in my small circle is likable so it's nice to have that change and that Shaw is still on an arc of growth. It's a good way to engage me, even if I don't like the character.
     
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  9. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    While Todd Stashwick does a great job playing Shaw, as a character Shaw is still very much an Ass.
    Looked more to me like they were looking at Shaw with some very serious disapproval in their eyes. I do not get the impression the Titan's crew holds Shaw in high esteem at all.
     
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  10. Nerys Myk

    Nerys Myk A Spock and a smile Premium Member

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    At least he knows he's an ass.
     
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  11. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    "It seems Asshole replaced charm a long time ago." I'll admit, that was a good line.
     
  12. fireproof78

    fireproof78 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I mean, that's helpful.

    Watching one of the interviews I can't help but chuckle because it's like "Oh, he's so grounded." And I'm like, so being an ass is being "grounded." Since when did people want grounded characters in Trek and this is being hailed as a good thing? He's an ass! He's the admiral of the week that Picard argues with. He's the Jellico that we disagree with and needs to eat crow and grovel to Riker.

    This is evolved humanity?

    I find Shaw intriguing but his inclusion in Trek is odd ball to say the least.
     
  13. Turtletrekker

    Turtletrekker Admiral Admiral

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    So was "Nice" after Picard called him "a dipshit from Chicago".
     
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  14. XCV330

    XCV330 Premium Member

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  15. Starkers

    Starkers Admiral Admiral

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    Absolutely. Was Walter White likeable? (maybe occasionally but less and less as the show progressed) Was Lou Bloom in Nightcrawler likeable? Not remotely yet I still fine him an incredibly compelling character.

    I like Shaw, maybe because he isn't your typical starship captain and seems more real because of that, as someone said he is at least self aware enough to know he's an arsehole, and to understand why, even if he seems to have accepted this facet of his personality rather than making any attempt to change it. Also most of the actions he took were to protect his crew, and I like that he isn't above admitting he's wrong. He didn't have to put Riker in command, if he was being a complete dick or really didn't trust Riker or Picard he could have, presumably, devolved command to whoever his second officer was. To flip this imagine if some random admiral and captain had come about Ent D back in the day trying to get the ship to do some off the books mission. Imagine Riker had helped them and Picard threw him in the brig, now imagine Picard's injured in battle. Who would he give command to? Admiral Arsehole or Data? (Realised as I wrote this that I guess I'm talking about The Pegasus if Riker had continued to back Pressman.)
     
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  16. Agony_Boothb

    Agony_Boothb Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Todd Stashwick is a very handsome man
     
  17. Magistos

    Magistos Commander Red Shirt

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    Someone can be a gold plated butthole and still be trustworthy and make good decisions.

    I feel like that's where Captain Shaw is.
     
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  18. XCV330

    XCV330 Premium Member

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    I just want one final Short Trek where the typical call goes out to a crew

    Comms officer: "Sir.. Starfleet command is asking us to go on a dangerous mission to the neutral zone to pick up a questionable shuttle full of scientists that havent been seen in 20 years"

    Shaw: "no"

    end credits.
     
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  19. fireproof78

    fireproof78 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I'll take your word for it.
    Interesting.
     
  20. XCV330

    XCV330 Premium Member

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    You might not like Shaw, but you probably stand a better chance of staying alive on a ship with a captain like Shaw. He might not like you but he'll probably be fair on your evals as its easier to be fair than to go through the effort of fucking you over. You might not like him but he won't require any social interaction with you and will be willing to delegate his job duties the way he ought to. He'll retire on schedule and everyone will know you're celebrating him leaving more than a body of work no one will really care about, and that's ok. People like Shaw are real. Like them, or not, they have their coping mechanisms and keep things going. I still want to see a slightly younger version of him on Lower Decks.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2023