Paul Wesley's incarnation of James T. Kirk
- Thread starter Caeruleus
- Start date
I remamber when:
"With DS9 on the air now - GR is rolling in his Grave...JUST SAY NO TO 'DARK TREK'..."
I wonder how DS9 is viewed by a lot of Trek fans these days...?
My opinion of DS9 has actually worsened due to two main factors:
- Battlestar Galactica - which was a fantastic show - but also clearly showed what type of series Ron Moore & co. actually wanted to make. Going back to DS9 it's now very obvious how much they had to bend over backwards to tell these types of stories in Trek, and how much better it fits in a different setting
- Discovery & Picard: because what was once the deconstruction of Star Trek's ideology by people who didn't believe in it, somehow became the template for all new shows - srsly both DIS & PIC tried SO HARD to be DS9, that they actively avoid similarity to TOS & TNG - the shows which name recognition they are based on, and which are the ones that have actually entered mainstream
But all the other wars before that (Cardassian, Romulan, Klingon) just make me cringe so hard now, in how ridiculous "epic" but useless and forgotten they are, and remind me how every new show now needs to have their own enormous fleet battle every single season.
/unpopular opinion off
Actually not. He had the much bigger emotional burden - he was actively working on his whole live, experience, everyone he ever knew - to be completely wiped out. To never even exist in the first place. And he still does it, because it's the right thing to do.
But you wouldn't notice. Because he has the emotional range of a sponge.
Whereas La'an - which has the much weaker plot of getting & loosing a connection, is the one where you actually experience her feelings through her acting.
(Writing was also a factor. But still.)
I still think PU Kirk was on a fast track to make Captain.
He did. He showed his range. I could appreciate it.
The episode did feel rushed.As someone said it could have unfolded over a more extended time and the aborted arrest scene fell really flat.All that said I enjoyed this one.
It’s too bad that these new shorter seasons are limiting the exposure of the cast as La’an is a great character,portrayed by a great actress.
I feel like this series will be over before we know it.
It’s too bad that these new shorter seasons are limiting the exposure of the cast as La’an is a great character,portrayed by a great actress.
I feel like this series will be over before we know it.
To be fair, Enterprise S1 and S2 are still largely considered creatively bankrupt seasons by the fanbase and by Berman/Braga (on the commentary tracks). Faith of the Heart, the decon stuff, the TCW, and the re-used plots haven't aged well.
The love for S4 has always elevated the show. Even back then. Would love to have Manny Coto work on future Trek projects, even as a staff writer.
Perhaps its time for another petition?
I actually think there is a lot of Early Season 1 TOS Kirk in the seemingly stunted emotional range. Kirk was very buttoned up, to the point where he would explosively lose his cool (usually with Bones). In particular, there is even a discussion with Spock in enemy Within where Spock outright tells him it's important to the crew that he appear infallible.
I thought he was a bit flippant but any diversion from TOS Kirk could plausibly be explained by it not being TOS Kirk. I would commend Wesley for upping his game though. I could definitely feel like I was watching Kirk - even the hair was giving off vibes.
It's a poor casting choice. Wesley is more Jeffrey Hunter than he is William Shatner. Shatner played every scene with passion, and his Kirk in TOS was really a jerk ha ha. No really, he was demanding, impatient, sneaking, daring, and incredibly controlling. The Wesley Kirk is way too tame. Maybe it's the right actor for a "background James T." but the guy who commands The Enterprise (Shatner) is someone who has so much confidence and bravado that it's inescapable.
I wouldn't say that Shatner's Kirk has excessive bravado. He's confident, yes. But he's also contemplative and deeply feels the weight of his responsibility. The "brash playboy bouncing around the galaxy boning alien babes" persona is more a creation of years upon years of pop-culture parody.
Bravado comes from experience not false overconfidence.
I actually kind of loved him. He's closer to the early TOS Kirk I remember- smart, resourceful, wry humor and charm, hopeful, but with an abiding sense of duty and responsibility to his crew, to the mission. (When I was 11 and 12 I was a Kirk girl all the way.)
Interesting, well we shall see. Furthermore, the lad needs to eat a few more hotdogs! James T. Kirk needs some more girth!
He's a healthy weight. No need to be unhealthy.
Last edited:
Similar threads
