What are your controversial Star Trek opinions?

Discussion in 'General Trek Discussion' started by Amasov, Jun 20, 2020.

  1. FredH

    FredH Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    I don’t know “controversial”, but:

    One unacknowledged but strong factor in Spock’s 80+ years of pursuing Vulcan/Romulan reunification was an irrational sense of deep guilt. In the initial encounter with the Romulan Bird of Prey testing out the Federation’s defenses in the 2260s, Spock urged his captain to attack and destroy the Romulan ship, knowing that only a show of strength would hold the Romulans off. He thus felt responsible for the lives lost in the decades of subsequent conflict. He knew there was no logic in this, but the feeling, and thus the drive to repair the situation, was there.
     
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  2. JonnyQuest037

    JonnyQuest037 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I disagree with this, especially with TOS. They were better with continuity and staying consistent with references than they generally get credit for.
    100% agree. They're what are in my personal headcanon when it comes to those historical events.
     
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  3. BillJ

    BillJ The King of Kings Premium Member

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    I'm talking more 'across the franchise' than any one show in particular. Besides, we all know that TOS blows the other shows out of the water on pretty much every count. :techman:
     
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  4. 1001001

    1001001 Serial Canon Violator Moderator

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    Certainly, people here give more thought to plot developments than the writers ever did.
     
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  5. BlueStuff

    BlueStuff Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang is an excellent episode; one of the most purely fun instalments of DS9.
     
  6. Lord Garth

    Lord Garth Admiral Admiral

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    My controversial opinion is that Klingon Boob isn't something to get mock-outraged about. Like a few people did, no one here, during the first season of DSC.

    In fact, I'll have you know that Klingon Bob likes Klingon Boob very much.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2020
  7. fireproof78

    fireproof78 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Windows on the bridge are OK. Yes, this is the hill I'm willing to die on, proverbially speaking.
     
  8. BillJ

    BillJ The King of Kings Premium Member

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    IIRC, it was a mock boob. Which is something to get mock outraged about. :rofl:
     
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  9. Vger23

    Vger23 Vice Admiral Admiral

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  10. Amasov

    Amasov Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Welp, since we're two weeks in, I make no reservations in saying that I think Lower Decks is one of the best things to happen to the franchise in recent years. I know a lot of fans are mad about it because Trek shouldn't do comedy, but, honestly, it's an unbelievably fun show that's truly Star Trek at its core. And I love how the show sometimes just like to jab at the absurdities and tropes of the Trek universe. I fucking roared at that line, "Don't worry, the doctor will run a blue light over it and you'll be fine!"

    Another thing is I think Short Treks are one of the most innovative things the franchise has done and it's a perfect way to make use of a streaming platform. Shorts are something that wouldn't have been as easy to distribute back in the 90s and even as recent as the early 2000s. They either would've appeared as special features on a DVD/BLU-RAY or had to have been short enough to play during a commercial break, similar to how The Walking Dead did that Flight 49 series that led into Fear the Walking Dead. But Short Treks also open up the Trek world so much by not only experimenting or using it as a platform to introduce upcoming series or characters, but, they can also be used as a means to revisit past series. I know I've mentioned it before, but, I'd be totally on board to see an Enterprise-themed Short or DS9 and Voyager.
     
  11. 1001001

    1001001 Serial Canon Violator Moderator

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    Let's be careful about discussing Lower Decks.

    Also, everything you said is correct.
     
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  12. Amasov

    Amasov Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Be careful because of spoilers?
     
  13. 1001001

    1001001 Serial Canon Violator Moderator

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    Precisely.
     
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  14. Qonundrum

    Qonundrum Vice Admiral Admiral

    I never expected Trek to do an in-franchise "parody of itself", never mind done in an agreeable way or "done right" (especially as comedy is subjective!), but it has a clever balance of comedy, self-aware in-jokes (but without being garish), and deftly handled homage*. Complete with new material that makes it as new as it is genuinely refreshing and, no, it's not "taking a crap on canon or Gene's vision" since the moral of the premiere is definitely thematic*. It's also (a) not heavyhanded - they show rather than tell it without a big metaphorical sledgehammer, and (b) very true to the franchise. Am keeping this spoiler-free*, but I was not just pleasantly surprised but impressed.

    The show is indeed "truly Star Trek" as the premiere's moral is shown* very well.


    * Okay, some spoilers I do feel a need to bring up to support the show with-- here they are in spoiler tags:


    The "guy with eyepatch" is a subtle an indirect nod to General Chang for those who see the reference, but the scene can also be perceived in enough ways by audiences regardless of familiarity with the show and it's very deftly done. True, knowing enough of the show and episodes does help with a lot of the humor being used as an added bonus but in most instances it's not needed and it still feels like its own thing first and foremost. I love this. The show uses a lot of these moments (so did the theme) and it's done impeccably well. The show is a comedy, is a parody, anyone thinking this is going to be a serious outing is going to not enjoy the show and I'll get back to that in a tic. They makes these "callbacks" their own elements in stories instead of just being a 2D "hey look we're taking this the old show as a joke so go 'ha-ha' now." It's really VERY nicely handled, very nicely done.

    A more generic joke, I loved the setup for the spider thing that Boemler falls into. They mention what the spider does, he falls into it, then they make the dirty joke. And I was in stitches. That's how to do it - subtle and dirty yet innocent at the same time and letting the audience see if if's funny and if so why and on their own perception rather than being told outright. This is also why "you are out of your vulcan mind" works whereas "you are out of your fucking mind" does not - noting this can be done in any genre, comedic or otherwise. This show gets it, it understands, it RULES.

    Yes, this show is a comedy - it's risky to do, especially when they're using a new premise in the franchise of exploring "second contact". "Second contact" is brilliant in of itself, and trying comedy (a risky and subjective genre to begin with) is risky but if it pays off it's gold. This is gold. IMHO. Those who disagree just don't like the combination. It's subjective. Nothing wrong with that.

    The story's most prominent universal moral is to not jump to conclusions. Raise your hand if you're good at that because many of us humans do.

    Another moral theme, albeit a relative one, is using what TOS movies did and show characters snub authority if there's a good reason, which the episode states involving the local farmers Mariner helps out (and who are grateful and not trying to do anything rotten in return - score another plus for this show. Helping others also seems closer to a universal moral but there's also a time and place for the whole of the issue and this episode explores it and in a non-cynical way. It was fantastic.)

    Note that Mariner too has her own foibles and issues, all the characters do. They are all types I'm finding likable, even with the foibles. That's big. IMHO, YMMV. They all also misunderstand that bridge crews are for the most part not all out for glory and that was an interesting line (did the TNG episode of the same name make any such quips? I don't remember but it's a moot point and a point good enough to bring back anyway.) This show, at least this episode, is showing a level of maturity that's incredibly understated.



    So, yeah, this show just works for me. It's different but it's got personality, a soul, and is engaging. You bet I'll defend it.
     
  15. Orphalesion

    Orphalesion Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Lower Decks might be the best entry in the Star Trek franchise since DS9 ended.
     
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  16. Amasov

    Amasov Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Of course. I forgot where I was. :)
     
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  17. Tenacity

    Tenacity Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    The scene where Sisko knocked Q's ass to the floor was pretty good.
     
  18. johnjm22

    johnjm22 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Everything other than TOS, TNG, DS9 and the first six movies should be deleted from canon.
     
  19. fireproof78

    fireproof78 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    That's why I only watch TOS off VHS.
     
  20. Vger23

    Vger23 Vice Admiral Admiral

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