A Little Bit of Nonsense

[somebuddyX]

UPDATES ON STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION SEASON 8, SOME OF MY FAVOURITE EPISODES, AND WHAT I HOPE WE GET IN STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION SEASON 8
by HAAS
((written with INFERKIT. All text is from INFERKIT but has been edited by somebuddyx.))

HAAS
I can't tell you how excited I am that the eighth season of Star Trek is officially happening. I am thrilled that we finally have definitive proof that an eighth season of TNG is coming, and even more thrilled to know that it will include the introduction of characters from Voyager! I have been wondering how all these concepts from Voyager would ever fit into the show. I think in many ways they do, not only within the context of DS9 and VOY, but also in a logical way.

The relationship between Benjamin Sisko and Worf is a good example of that. We've seen that Worf was essentially cured of his duel addiction by his time on DS9, so why is he still kicking around on a Klingon warship? What happened to those years on Deep Space Nine? Sure he was still missing something, but did he somehow return to his old ways, getting back into drugs and alcohol? Why is it that Sisko has been "recovered" but Worf has not? Did Sisko really go through some sort of spiritual journey that Worf has not? Maybe we'll find out in season 8!

Lastly, I would love to see the show go on and on, with each series (or series of series) eventually wrapping up as the Bajorans return home in time to help out in the Klingons' war. At that point we'd finally have the full history of the Federation, and it would give us a chance to learn about the Klingons too.


Now all we need is to get a picture of that Jean-Luc Picard who is posted in the DS9/VOY/Enterprise/Star Trek You Tube Channel!

So we're all just waiting for some sort of official announcement. What do you guys think?

I know it is probably obvious that many fans would like to have seen this, but there was never any certainty that Roddenberry would ever have the opportunity to show Captain Picard's life after the events of "All Good Things..." There were actually rumors going around that Roddenberry was offered a chance to continue making the series after the third movie, but was unable to. At the same time, however, Roddenberry felt that TNG had moved on, and if had continued wouldn't have been able to last more than two more seasons. So, by the time Roddenberry felt the time was right to continue TNG, it was too late.

Now we have news that Paramount is planning on making the next Star Trek season, and they want Roddenberry to be involved. I would hope that he is.

Is the current storyline on TNG keeping you up at night?

I've always been a fan of TNG. I remember when it first aired, and it really resonated with me, even if I didn't always agree with all the storylines. In fact, I was outraged by "Q Who." It was so unrealistic to imagine the Prime Directive being breached by an AI, but I didn't always see what the big deal was. Now I get it. Now that we are familiar with the Federation, the ideals and mission statement of it, I understand where that "Q Who" scene comes from. It isn't that I felt it was a bad thing, it just seemed so different to me. I mean, these weren't like real super-advanced beings. The more I have watched "Star Trek" the more I have been able to understand what Gene Roddenberry was trying to do with "Star Trek."

There are many great episodes and movies to choose from, so I did a little research to see what each episode of Star Trek was like. A whole page could be devoted to each one.

Here are my top picks. The trivia at the bottom tells you how I voted for the episodes.

The Romulans return after discovering a method to travel to the past. The USS Enterprise escapes in a warp-speed ex-laboratory which is easily repaired. After recovering, it attempts to beam home but fails to send out a distress signal.

I think we all know how that ended.

While making the farewell tour of the Genesis planet, Lieutenant Uhura meets three different aliens and seems to fall in love with one of them. To be honest, she never really had a whole lot to do on the show, but she just seemed too cute to not have her own storyline.

The Nero can't control a very powerful weapon, and Captain Picard (French!) must temporarily give him his card as security. This action seems to do the trick, and the Romulans leave. Captain Picard is frustrated as his card is needed to be sure that Nero is harmless, but the Enterprise still manages to beat the Romulans.

Faced with the task of stopping a alien from slaughtering innocent people, Spock uses an alien Xmas Carol he found in his apartment to hypnotize the alien. Using the alien's body, the Enterprise crew save the day.

I think TNG was full of great sci-fi episodes but where is it's Xmas Carol?

The Transporter malfunctions during a mission and strangles Commander Riker (who is Klingon and is temporarily injected with an alien serum) to death.

So is there no possibility for Riker's rescue?

One of the most dramatic sequences of the entire series, as everyone watches over the hour-long countdown to the time they were all set to return to the ship. By using all three replicators, they can concoct a type of energy drink that will allow them to continue to work. When they get back, the doctors still can no longer find a way to save Riker's life and he dies.

I know I sound like a big fan, but you don't have to agree with my list.

If this wasn't set up already, what would be some cool changes you would like to see for the show?
I would really like to see the arrival of Deanna Troi for some sort of meeting with Riker.
I would like to see Riker and Troi meet for the first time, even though we know she has been to the ship and everything.
I would like to see Riker put her in her place.
I would like to see Riker get made fun of by her.
I would like to see the Riker/Troi relationship.
I would like to see Riker and Data and Geordi have their own relationship.
I would like to see Riker's work with Kirk and Deanna and Riker's relationship with Deanna as well.
I would like to see the arrival of Worf, with something to do with him and Spock.
I would like to see the battle of Wolf 359.
I would like to see some sort of danger coming from somewhere.
I would like to see the adventures of Odo.
I would like to see the arrival of Eda Volnar, a blind Romulan.
I would like to see the arrival of Riker and Troi's child, named Neelix.

 

[somebuddyX]

WRITTEN BY INFERKIT

 

[somebuddyX]

"The Road Best Left Untaken"

"High school English class. Poetry. A séance. What could possibly go wrong?"

---

Scene: AP English, Period 4

Mrs. Caldwell, a tired woman in her mid-50s, stands at the front of the classroom, gesturing at the Smartboard, where a slide displays Robert Frost’s famous poem, The Road Not Taken.


Mrs. Caldwell (wearily): “Alright, class, let’s discuss. What do you think Frost was trying to say in this poem?”


Chloe, the Overachiever (raising her hand eagerly): “It’s about individualism. About choosing your own path in life and being unique!”


Kevin, the Cynic (leaning back, arms crossed): “No way. It’s about regret. He’s literally saying he’s lying about the path making a difference. It’s irony.”


Tyler, the Guy Who Just Wants to Get Through the Day: “I think it’s about a guy walking.”


A few students nod in agreement.


Mrs. Caldwell (pinching the bridge of her nose): “We’re not—Tyler, this isn’t literal.”


Tyler (shrugging): “Hey, you asked.”

---

Scene: The Argument Escalates

The class immediately fractures into two warring factions.


On one side: Team "The Poem is About Individualism."
On the other: Team "The Poem is About Regret."


Voices rise. Desks are nearly flipped.


Chloe (furious): “Frost literally says it made all the difference! That means something!”


Kevin (yelling back): “He says that in the future! He’s just telling himself that to feel better! That’s the point!”


Mrs. Caldwell (muttering): “This is why I became an English teacher. To referee poetry brawls.”


Finally, Jenny, the Quiet Kid Who’s Always on Her Phone, looks up and says:


Jenny: “Why don’t we just ask Robert Frost?”


A beat.


Chloe: “…Excuse me?”


Jenny (shrugging): “I mean, we could just have a séance.”


The class stares at her.

---

Scene: The Seance Begins

Cut to: A dimly lit classroom, lights off, desks arranged in a circle.


A hastily drawn Ouija board sits in the middle, made out of a ripped-out notebook page. The class is using an empty coffee cup as a planchette.


Kevin: "This is definitely illegal."


Tyler: "Only if we get caught."


Mrs. Caldwell (massaging her temples): "I have officially lost control of this class."


Jenny (chanting dramatically): "O spirit of Robert Frost, we summon thee! From beyond the veil, come forth and speak!"


Nothing happens.


The class waits.


Then—


A COLD WIND RUSHES THROUGH THE ROOM.


The coffee cup slides across the Ouija board. The Smartboard glitches out. The walls shake.


And suddenly—


ROBERT FROST APPEARS, looking VERY UNHAPPY.

---

Scene: A Very Angry Ghost

Frost stands in the middle of the classroom, looking exactly as he did in old photos, except way more pissed off.


Robert Frost (booming voice): "WHO HAS PULLED ME FROM THE ETERNAL BEYOND?!"


The Class (wide-eyed, whispering): “…Oh my god, it actually worked.”


Mrs. Caldwell (softly): “I need a drink.”


Chloe (excited): “Mr. Frost! We summoned you because we need to know—what does The Road Not Taken really mean?”


Robert Frost (folding his arms, glaring): "I see. I have returned to the mortal plane not for love, nor for family, but to clarify a high school poetry debate. Wonderful."


Kevin: "Yeah, but, like—what does it mean?"


Robert Frost (grumbling): "It means I shouldn’t have written it!"


Chloe (gasping): "What?!"


Frost (throwing up his hands): "I wrote it as a JOKE, you idiots! A parody of a friend who always regretted his choices! And now every English teacher in America has turned it into a self-help mantra!"


Chloe (horrified): "But—but it made all the difference!"


Frost: "I WAS BEING SARCASTIC!"

---

Scene: Frost Realizes He’s in the Future

Frost (sighing, rubbing his ghostly temples): "Look, while I’m here, tell me—what year is it?"


Jenny: "2025."


Frost (perking up): "Oh! Then surely you can answer my questions!"


Mrs. Caldwell (already regretting this): "Like… what?"


Frost (excitedly): "Did Kennedy win his second term?"


A long pause.


The class shuffles awkwardly.


Kevin: "So… yeah, uh… about that…"


Frost (narrowing his eyes): "…What happened?"


Chloe (whispering): "Do we tell him?"


Tyler: "I mean, he’s already dead."


Frost (growing more concerned): "WHAT. HAPPENED. TO KENNEDY?"

---

Scene: A Series of Disappointments

The class reluctantly explains.


Frost: "Okay, but surely, after Kennedy, America made it to Mars, yes?"


Jenny: "Uh… not really."


Frost (frowning): "But at least the Soviets and America are at peace, right?"


Chloe: "Eh… depends on how you define ‘peace.’"


Frost: "…Do we at least still have literature?"


Barclay: "Well, we’ve got TikTok."


Frost lets out a long, tired sigh.


Frost: "Put me back."


Mrs. Caldwell: "Huh?"


Frost (desperate, waving his hands): "SEND ME BACK! I DON’T WANT TO BE HERE!"


Kevin (grinning): "Wait, wait! One last question—what’s your take on Fire and Ice? Was it about nuclear war?"


Frost (gritted teeth): "DOES IT MATTER?! YOU IDIOTS CAN’T EVEN GET TO MARS!"

---

Scene: Frost Returns to the Afterlife

With one final gust of spectral wind, Robert Frost vanishes, leaving the class in stunned silence.


The coffee cup flies off the desk and shatters against the wall.


A beat.


Chloe (quietly): "…I think we broke Robert Frost."


Tyler: "Eh. I still think it was about a guy walking."


Mrs. Caldwell (grabbing her purse): "I am so done. Class dismissed."


FADE TO BLACK.

---

Tagline:

"Some roads should remain untaken. Some poets should remain undisturbed."