Another Voyager 1st-time watch thread

[Shatnertage]

I thought the racial prejudice thing was a little over-played, considering this is the supposedly enlightened Federation. Wouldn't non-humans be just about everywhere? Plus, I find it hard to believe that even snotty kids would go out of their way to antagonize someone who's got a tremendously short temper and would love to beat the shit out of anyone.

I could see young B'Elana being shunned or feeling lonely because of her heritage, but not necessarily picked on for it.

I mean, Worf didn't really have these issues, did he? And he's full Klingon, raised by humans.

 

[T.D. Possum]

I agree but I think the difference is . . .

No, the difference is that "Barge" was well written and beautifully directed, and "Lineage" got the short end of the stick.

 

[HoneyBLilly]

This episode leaves me on the fence.

I love it on one hand and I especially love Tom at the end when he tell her that he would love her and their child, but on the other I want to strangle B'Elanna but I do get how she feels.

 

[lurok]

I am glad you brought it up because it often makes for good conversation/debate.

. Sadly I never seem to be able to engage in debate, probably through lack of sympathy (empathy?). Just find it all a bit whiney/"poor little me boo-hoo". To be fair, I got very bored with nuBSG when they did all that stuff with Kara and her mum & dad, so it's not just Trek. Perhaps it's not having had parents. I like my dramatic characters to be strong and self-destined, not bogged down in familial angst (apart from Oedipus and Elektra ).

 

[Rom's Sehlat]

I agree but I think the difference is . . .

No, the difference is that "Barge" was well written and beautifully directed, and "Lineage" got the short end of the stick.

You enjoyed "Barge of the Dead"? I disliked it. For some reason I enjoyed none of the Voyager Klingon episodes. I suppose it was directed well, though.

 

[Shatnertage]

I liked both "Barge" and this one. I generally don't get into Klingon eps, much, too, so that's saying something.

 

[exodus]

I thought the racial prejudice thing was a little over-played, considering this is the supposedly enlightened Federation. Wouldn't non-humans be just about everywhere?

So? Even in fully integrated societies there is still racial bias.

What's over played is the belief that the Federation is more enlightened when they've shown bias, drug addiction & crime happening within Federation territory by Federation citizens.
Tom Paris, an Admiral's son was allowed by the system to fall though the cracks. Same with Suder. Nog was given warning that the Starfleet cadets might give him a hard time being the only Ferengi. O'Brian was prejudice toward all Cardassians. Weren't all those men that tried to rape Troi all representatives within the Federation?

According to "Let He Who Is Without Sin...", Worf did have these problems as well.

The folks on the Enterprise might be enlightened but we've seen the average citizen isn't always.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I'm very picky about my angst and B'Elanna's angst bored me to death. Weird, creepy, immature.

 

[exodus]

^^ I don't find it any more immature than the millions of Black woman that straighten their hair and bleach their skin because society has told them you must look more White because dark skinned and nappy is ugly. It's why Beyonce is acceptable on magazine covers and India Ire isn't. It's why Jeri Ryan get's to promote the show and the first Latina actress in a starring role on a Trek show doesn't.

 

[froot]

^ That's a good point.

I actually really, really enjoy this episode. While I don't directly identify with B'Elanna, I thought the flashbacks with her father were absolutely heartbreaking. Yes, I was surprised she wanted to do away with the "Klingon" part of her baby after all the times she's had to come to terms with her heritage, but dealing with her father issues was something the show hadn't done yet. I think it's great we got to see both her mother and father and how that impacted her life.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

Was great to see Janeway's bun again.

Yup Probably one of the best of later season episodes...

I just noticed that, around the 9:50 mark of JanewayRulz's clip, Chakotay puts his hands on his hips.

It's like when you spend so much time with someone, their mannerisms start to rub off on you.

QFT

Maybe possum can do a vid of dismissive hand waves?

 

[Shatnertage]

^ A vid of dismissive hand waves would be the best present anyone could ever get me!

And now on to an episode that wasn't much of a present. After a string of several riveting, thought-provoking shows, I feel kind of bad that I have to say bad stuff about...

"Repentance"

This one was a dud. It started off as the typical sanctimonious "social commentary" episode, and even though it delivered an unexpected twist at the end, I just couldn't get into this one.

The low point is when Seven's Borg nanoprobes cure Iko's conscience. Just absolutely cringe-worthy moment there, on many, many levels. Philosophically, I don't like at all what it implies about free will, and it's just a ridiculous idea. Kate Mulgrew barely kept a straight face when Janeway was talking about it.

The one bit of unexpected development was with Neelix and Joleg, who turned out to really be a bad guy after all.

Anyone else get the sense that the Prime Directive's pretty protean when they want it to be. There's a completely different conception of it here than there was in, say, "Who Watches the Watchers." Now it's a general "we don't get involved with others...well, not too involved" instead of "we will sacrifice our lives before interfering with a pre-warp civilization." And it sets up way too much preachiness for my tastes.

Besides that, not too much to say. If I was the warden Iko definitely would have had an accident after he threatened my kids, but YMMV.

 

[exodus]

The low point is when Seven's Borg nanoprobes cure Iko's conscience. Just absolutely cringe-worthy moment there, on many, many levels. Philosophically, I don't like at all what it implies about free will, and it's just a ridiculous idea.

Amen!!

If I was the warden Iko definitely would have had an accident after he threatened my kids.

Welcome to New Jersey!

 

[Shatnertage]

How'd you guess I'm from New Jersey?

 

[T.D. Possum]

^ LOL.

I'm sad that Shat's nearly done. I enjoy this thread so much!

I think Froot should be the one to do the Vid of Dismissive handwaves. I'm still recovering from the two weeks of effort collecting the hands on hips screencaps.

 

[exodus]

How'd you guess I'm from New Jersey?

I know a fellow mob influenced friend when I hear one.

 

[Shatnertage]

After I finish this I'll still hang around here. We're not sure if we want to start with DS9 or some other show [dismissive hand wave] next.

I really, really wish I could get away with doing the hand wave. There are lots of times, professionally and personally, when it would be appropriate.

 

[froot]

A Dismissive Handwave video in the same vein as "Hands on Hips?" Oh my. Possum, didn't that project nearly destroy you?

I'm scared to accept the challenge!

 

[T.D. Possum]

Yes, that project did have a noticeable impact on my sanity. In fact, since completing it, I've been sitting around like Riker in the arts & crafts room in "Frame of Mind", making Dalek paper dolls and cackling to myself. That is why I nominate you to do a dismissive hand wave vid. I need someone to play paper dolls with. (Bring any action figures you have, too!)

 

[exodus]

We're not sure if we want to start with DS9 or some other show [dismissive hand wave] next.

"What choo talkin' 'bout, Willis??"


You haven't seen DS9 yet???

That explains why you still believe the higher evolved idea of the Federation. Now I get it, my bad. I was under the impression you had seen the series. If you do choose to watch DS9 next, you'll see what I mean about not all in the Federation being what Picard says. There is prejudice & corruption still within it.