• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

"Pipe it through," "Mind the store" and more

Oh, and how could I forget the execrable:

"Captain, I'm frightened" in City, shortened somewhat in Mirror, Mirror to "Captain, I'm I'm I'm" and subtly altered in Plato's Stepchildren to "Captain, I'm so afraid".

Kind of a low point.
This keeps coming up and I just think it's ridiculous. Even when she says it she's not falling apart in a panic. Hell, even Kirk says, "We're all frightened." in "Miri."

I was watching The Sting last night and at one point Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) says to Henry Gondorf (Paul Newman), "You're afraid of this guy, aren't you." To which Gondorf replies, "Right down to my socks, pal."

It nails home the point that one can be unnerved and even afraid and yet still function.
 
"Captain's Log..."

"Stardate... unknown"

"Phasers on stun"

"Secure from red alert"

"Queen to Queen's level three"

"Corbomite device"

SHAHNA: "Please, help me once again"/KELINDA: "I believe I owe you an apology"
 
Oh, and how could I forget the execrable:

"Captain, I'm frightened" in City, shortened somewhat in Mirror, Mirror to "Captain, I'm I'm I'm" and subtly altered in Plato's Stepchildren to "Captain, I'm so afraid".

Kind of a low point.
This keeps coming up and I just think it's ridiculous. Even when she says it she's not falling apart in a panic. Hell, even Kirk says, "We're all frightened." in "Miri."

I was watching The Sting last night and at one point Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) says to Henry Gondorf (Paul Newman), "You're afraid of this guy, aren't you." To which Gondorf replies, "Right down to my socks, pal."

It nails home the point that one can be unnerved and even afraid and yet still function.

I wasn't referring to the emotions involved. I just think it's crappy scripting, especially in City. There, it just seems stuck in and flatly played. In Mirror, Mirror it's not so bad--though I do object that they stick those words in the woman's mouth. What if Dr. McCoy or Mr. Scott had said it? Ooogie.
 
^ You have to remember that it's the 60's. Social context. Gene was breaking through tough stereotype barriers, making a mixed race bridge crew and putting a woman in an executive officer role. Despite that, there were always going to be signs of the times. There are so many scenes where military women are depicted as being frail and needing male protection. "Captain, I'm frightened," could conceivably come from a civilian woman along for the trip. But a female officer? It's pathetic and dopey. What does such a statement accomplish? What, does she want a hug of reassurance? She's in Starfleet, commissioned to risk her life on away missions. Risk is part of the game. Deal with it.

Thankfully, we don't see this in the ST series that follow, with few plausible exceptions (like Picard and Beverly trapped alone together).
 
There's an even more obvious one:

"Aye-aye, sir."

I also always liked the naval tradition of addressing all Enterprise officers below the captain as "Mister", such as "Mister Scott", "Mister Chekov", and even "Miss Uhura".
 
Let's scrape the bottom of the barrel.

Chekov in an episode: "AAUUGGHHH!!!"

Chekov in another ep: "AAIIIEEE!!!"

Chekov in yet another ep: "OWAWAAIIIHH!!!!"

And so on...

Robert
 
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top