Just a breif overview of my Star Trek opinion

[JeffM]

I don't understand the claim that Voyager had so much potential. It was the very premise of the show that ultimately sunk it.

I really liked the premise of Voyager.

To me them being off and totally isolated was great. They had to make their own decisions without Starfleet, and they were exploring lots of new stuff.

Also I liked the Photonic rights thing, even if it did retread lots of the similar stuff with Data.

 

[marksound]

Each of the series had strengths and weaknesses.

RE overacting:
1. Shatner set the standard. When you have little to work with in the way of story, sets, special effects, etc., sometimes all that is left to do is chew the scenery.
2. Avery Brooks excels at overacting, in the Shatnerian tradition.
3. Stewart was prone to overact as well. It wasn't so apparent as with the others, because he's British. We expect it from them.
4. Mulgrew doesn't have the chops to overact, so she didn't even bother trying.

 

[Paradon]

Picard is just plan dull and boring if you ask me! Just like what Q told him! All he thinks about is strategies...like what is the best way to do this and that...like a Vulcan. Mathematics is never going to lead you to the higher truth because it's boring! It's reallly boring! Just like Picard! That's why he still remains single. He needs to work on his charm and get out more...you know get in touch with his intuitions and feelings.

 

[Pauln6]

All the shows deserve their own respect for different reasons. Picard is my favourite captain precisely because he isn't the stereotypical young, sexy, action hero and it was such fertile ground. How dreadfully dull it would be if all the captains were just carbon copies of each other. My least favourite is Archer because I was hoping for a return to the dynamism of TOS when exploring the final frontier require frontier spirit and he was more like a laxidaisical Picard than a go-getting Kirk. It was a missed opportunity.

People assume Kirk was a womanising action man because of the caricatures that grew out of the latter TOS episodes but he was a far more complex character than is assumed by many. I think the writers of STXII have realised that a lot of people liked and respected his character for those complexities and I hope that they tone down NuKirk's more unpleasant 'unruly risk-taking teenager' character traits in the sequel.

Overall, TOS is my favourite - many of the stories don't come close to the quality of the later shows where the overall standard was very high but the original show is captivating. I just wish that they had been able to maintain the more ensemble feel that they had in the first dozen episodes and I would have liked it even more.

 

[Gary7]

I often see judgement about Shatner's portrayal of Captain Kirk that fails to consider the context. It is criticized not only by comparisons to the production standards of today (directing, writing, etc), and maturity of the Star Trek franchise, but also by current social values. That does Captain Kirk and TOS a grave injustice. But so be it... there are plenty of people who appreciate TOS for what it was. I liked earlier portrayals of Captain Kirk, and try to forgive the mess of most Season 3 episodes.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard has his moments, ranging from terrible to terrific. He had a "younger" persona about him in the first two seasons, then shifted into a more mature attitude going forward. I wish Stewart had been able to blend up the character a bit more. He became frequently very stiff and stodgy towards the end (although there are some latter series episodes where he is more lively). For TNG, I liked the dynamic of having the XO more active in command, with the captain in a more supervisory position. But of course, it was still great to see the captain go on away missions.

Benjamin Sisko was the most personable of the captains. If I had to work for any of them, it would be him. I just wish DS9 didn't have so much "soap opera" quality to it. The first few seasons were rather dull for me... it was such an important move to bring in the Defiant. That opened up things much more. And then from there, it got much better. There was noticeably less "character lingering" going on (something that happened far too often in earlier episodes).

I never really liked Captain Janeway in Voyager. She was great in some episodes, but in many... yeah "psychotic" is a good way of putting it. It was sometimes very difficult to believe her character. Her inconsistent attitude about the prime directive was unnerving. Voyager conjured up some really fascinating and enjoyable episodes, but it definitely takes a back seat to other series of the franchise.

I think Scott Bakula wasn't a good choice for captain of Enterprise. At first. The beginning of the series should have been much better than it was. The character dynamics and interpersonal chemistry between the characters were just not there. More than just the writing... In season 3, I think Bakula was finally coming around. He grew into the role. If he could have started with his season 3 Archer personification in Season 1, I'd have a stronger appreciation for Enterprise.

 

[sonak]

I often see judgement about Shatner's portrayal of Captain Kirk that fails to consider the context. It is criticized not only by comparisons to the production standards of today (directing, writing, etc), and maturity of the Star Trek franchise, but also by current social values. That does Captain Kirk and TOS a grave injustice. But so be it... there are plenty of people who appreciate TOS for what it was. I liked earlier portrayals of Captain Kirk, and try to forgive the mess of most Season 3 episodes.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard has his moments, ranging from terrible to terrific. He had a "younger" persona about him in the first two seasons, then shifted into a more mature attitude going forward. I wish Stewart had been able to blend up the character a bit more. He became frequently very stiff and stodgy towards the end (although there are some latter series episodes where he is more lively). For TNG, I liked the dynamic of having the XO more active in command, with the captain in a more supervisory position. But of course, it was still great to see the captain go on away missions.

Benjamin Sisko was the most personable of the captains. If I had to work for any of them, it would be him. I just wish DS9 didn't have so much "soap opera" quality to it. The first few seasons were rather dull for me... it was such an important move to bring in the Defiant. That opened up things much more. And then from there, it got much better. There was noticeably less "character lingering" going on (something that happened far too often in earlier episodes).

I never really liked Captain Janeway in Voyager. She was great in some episodes, but in many... yeah "psychotic" is a good way of putting it. It was sometimes very difficult to believe her character. Her inconsistent attitude about the prime directive was unnerving. Voyager conjured up some really fascinating and enjoyable episodes, but it definitely takes a back seat to other series of the franchise.

I think Scott Bakula wasn't a good choice for captain of Enterprise. At first. The beginning of the series should have been much better than it was. The character dynamics and interpersonal chemistry between the characters were just not there. More than just the writing... In season 3, I think Bakula was finally coming around. He grew into the role. If he could have started with his season 3 Archer personification in Season 1, I'd have a stronger appreciation for Enterprise.

it's interesting that you see Sisko as the "most personable," I see him as possibly the least so of the series captains, with the possible exception of Picard at various times.

To me, Janeway, while erratic in her decisions and attitudes, was probably the warmest, and tended to treat her crew like family.

 

[Gary7]

it's interesting that you see Sisko as the "most personable," I see him as possibly the least so of the series captains, with the possible exception of Picard at various times.

To me, Janeway, while erratic in her decisions and attitudes, was probably the warmest, and tended to treat her crew like family.

I didn't elaborate more about Janeway, but if so I would have included that she was very personable... almost too much really for what I consider realistic. Yes, at times she could pour on the stern stance, but so many times she was so emotionally caught up in situations that called for less candor. As an actor, I thought Mulgrew had some incredibly stirring moments. She's very talented. I think the issue was more about the writing for her character.

But Sisko? Definitely he was at times very stern and even abrasive, but mostly when the circumstances called for it. Otherwise, I found him usually rather honest and engaging, genuinely interested in how his staff felt about things.


EDIT:
On second thought... you know, it's easy to point out what you don't like about one captain or another. But I have to say that overall, they're all likable to some degree. It's entertaining to see such variety in characters and acting styles. I'm glad the Star Trek franchise is as big as it is. So, I'll back peddle and say that I may have some favorites, but that doesn't diminish liking the rest of them. All of them have some real shining moments that if you watch enough episodes, can leave you feeling appreciation.

 

[T'Girl]

unlike Buffy's Willow, how does she still get work?

She's funny, and people like her.

Her home sex video was pretty hot too.

Captain Janeway in Voyager. She was great in some episodes, but in many... yeah "psychotic" is a good way of putting it.

I prefer to view Janeway as experiencing psychological troubles, it makes the character both more understandable and more interesting.

 

[Admiral Shran]

To me, Janeway, while erratic in her decisions and attitudes, was probably the warmest, and tended to treat her crew like family.

A disfunctional family maybe.

 

[Kelthaz]

To me, Janeway, while erratic in her decisions and attitudes, was probably the warmest, and tended to treat her crew like family.

Absolutely. Except for when she, you know, killed them. But it only happened once and she was probably out of coffee that day. Perfectly understandable.

I'd have to agree with Sisko being the most personable. It's probably because he was the only one who had a life outside his job and DS9 devoted more time to character development, but regardless that still puts Sisko at the top.

 

[Paradon]

There's no love for Janeway?

 

[T'Girl]

That's Seven of Nine's job.