Season ONE OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Discussion Thread

[Jeyl]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Can't wait to see "Where no one has gone before" (Possibly the greatest TNG episode ever) in full glorious HD!

Well, can't argue that visually it's a very unique episode, but best TNG episode ever? If there was any episode where Gene Roddenberry was just emulating himself all over this series, this episode is probably it's biggest showcase. Not only is his "Mary Sue" Wesley treated like he's the best thing to ever happen in the existence of Star Trek, but we have this super galactic traveling alien who is so amazed by Wesley that he proclaims that humanity wasn't worth noticing until that boy showed up.

This is my biggest problem with Season One as a whole. It literally goes out of it's way to paint humanity as some sort of soon to be godlike entity that will be so incredibly powerful that even the Q fear us. And this isn't just a stage that every life form goes through. Oh, no. Hide and Q makes it perfectly clear that humanity and humanity alone in the entire universe are the only species capable of achieving a god like status that would rival Q.

Also, the American way of life is so universal that our constitution can be recreated by human like aliens who know nothing of Earth WORD FOR WORD. So according to Gene Roddenberry, American humans are the most important "thing" in all of existence.

There's a difference between depicting humans as enlightened individuals, and being selfishly pompous.

 

[BillJ]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Also, the American way of life is so universal that our constitution can be recreated by human like aliens who know nothing of Earth WORD FOR WORD. So according to Gene Roddenberry, American humans are the most important "thing" in all of existence.

Makes sense, being Roddenberry was American and all.

 

[cbspock]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Season 1 on DVD always looked crappier than the rest of the DVD set. Now the season 1 blu, makes all those seasons on DVD look like crap. I thought the broadcast versions of the episodes looked better than the DVDs.


-Chris

 

[cbspock]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Also, the American way of life is so universal that our constitution can be recreated by human like aliens who know nothing of Earth WORD FOR WORD. So according to Gene Roddenberry, American humans are the most important "thing" in all of existence.

Makes sense, being Roddenberry was American and all.

The Constitution is based on universal principles, freedom. You aren't going to base the Federation on Sharia Law, or some other oppressive society Also, the history of America has also shown us how we can improve ourselves, we learn from our mistakes. Plus the original Star Trek mirrored society. The Federation was "the west" (USA), the Klingons were the Russians, and the Romulans was "the east", China.



-Chris

 

[22 Stars]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Not S1 or really the BD, but since there's no general BD thread... I'm planning to watch some episodes of S2 today just to sort of see the difference to expect and, wow, just watching the first few minutes of "The Child" and it's just... WOW. This looks like utter crap!

I agree, for years I have been wondering why the TNG DVD's look so horrible, muddier even than the day they aired on WPIX here in NY

Loving S1 on bluray, watched some last night with friends who were new to the project and they were absolutely impressed. One said 'it's like putting glasses on for the first time'!

 

[Jeyl]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Also, the American way of life is so universal that our constitution can be recreated by human like aliens who know nothing of Earth WORD FOR WORD. So according to Gene Roddenberry, American humans are the most important "thing" in all of existence.

Makes sense, being Roddenberry was American and all.

A good writer doesn't make it painfully obvious, and Roddenberry was not a good writer. He had good ideas, but was not good at executing them. His philosophy of mankind being enlightened and perfect and yet telling all his writers to create drama is more delusional than inspiring.

 

[BillJ]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Also, the American way of life is so universal that our constitution can be recreated by human like aliens who know nothing of Earth WORD FOR WORD. So according to Gene Roddenberry, American humans are the most important "thing" in all of existence.

Makes sense, being Roddenberry was American and all.

A good writer doesn't make it painfully obvious, and Roddenberry was not a good writer. He had good ideas, but was not good at executing them. His philosophy of mankind being enlightened and perfect and yet telling all his writers to create drama is more delusional than inspiring.

Watching season one right now and I've found plenty of compelling drama in it. And I have to say that the limit on interpersonal conflict made TNG like nothing else on TV not even TOS. It was a bold strategy and it paid off because TNG was a consistent hit throughout its run.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Also, the American way of life is so universal that our constitution can be recreated by human like aliens who know nothing of Earth WORD FOR WORD. So according to Gene Roddenberry, American humans are the most important "thing" in all of existence.

Makes sense, being Roddenberry was American and all.

A good writer doesn't make it painfully obvious, and Roddenberry was not a good writer. He had good ideas, but was not good at executing them. His philosophy of mankind being enlightened and perfect and yet telling all his writers to create drama is more delusional than inspiring.

Regardless of your impressions of the ego or nationalism involved, you must remember that this was an American TV show targeting an American audience. I seriously doubt that GR or anyone else involved ever dreamed the show would have such far reaching success. It is only reasonable that they would address the history and culture of the USA in their stories.

 

[Doug Otte]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Watched Justice and The Battle today. Both had very clean and prisitine looking transfers. They're so good, I'm almost getting used to the picture quality.

I'm pleasantly surprised that the new audio mixes do seem to add to a more active soundfield for these episodes. Especially the sound effects on The Battle were great. When Picard remembers the events on the Stargazer the soundfield is filled by the sound of fire and alarms, coming from pretty much every speaker. It sounds fantastic.

I also watched Justice last night, and the outdoor scenes look gorgeous.

Although the first season was heavy-handed in its messages, I'm reminded why I was so excited about TNG in its first seasons. It really tried to creatively depict different cultures and how an advanced Federation would react to them.

You must admit that a culture based upon hedonism, but with a (to us) arbitrary penal system, would keep their civilization in line. It's a unique idea.

I was wondering who designs and builds the beautiful buildings, maintains the gardens, etc. Everyone we saw was partying. But, obviously (like we only saw the militaristic Klingons) there are other members of society who are productive.

 

[BillJ]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

I was wondering who designs and builds the beautiful buildings, maintains the gardens, etc. Everyone we saw was partying. But, obviously (like we only saw the militaristic Klingons) there are other members of society who are productive.

I wonder if the Edo "God" was taking care of their needs, I don't recall any geriatric Edo being around either?

Though that doesn't really add up because someone would've had to lay down the plants and white boundaries Wes tripped into.

 

[Jeyl]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

The Constitution is based on universal principles, freedom.

So why all of the "Americanizing" if freedom is such a universal principle? Other countries have freedom, as does other outer world societies in Star Trek.

 

[BillJ]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

The Constitution is based on universal principles, freedom.

So why all of the "Americanizing" if freedom is such a universal principle? Other countries have freedom, as does other outer world societies in Star Trek.

You still seem to completely miss the point. Star Trek was made by an American for American audiences.

So it stands to reason the various shows would use American themes.

 

[Jeyl]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Regardless of your impressions of the ego or nationalism involved, you must remember that this was an American TV show targeting an American audience. I seriously doubt that GR or anyone else involved ever dreamed the show would have such far reaching success. It is only reasonable that they would address the history and culture of the USA in their stories.

Well, that doesn't quite fit in with Gene's "enlightened humanity" vision that he kept insisting on. This is after all the guy who helped pen "Hide and Q", an episode which featured this great Picard moment.

Picard: And what he might say with irony I say with conviction. "What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty. In form, in moving, how express and admirable. In action, how like an angel. In apprehension, how like a god..." I see us one day becoming that, Q."

later.....

Riker: I could have saved that girl.
Picard: You were right not to try.

And what were the consequences that would have happened if Riker had brought that girl to life? I don't know. Maybe a slight gratification and sense of happiness that he helped a little girl live? There wasn't any "The girl or your crew!" situation going on where there were things at stake. Just some grumpy old man telling him that power corrupts and doing things easily is a sin!

 

[Jeyl]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

You still seem to completely miss the point. Star Trek was made by an American for American audiences.

And yet at the same time it tried to include characters who were very diverse.

 

[BillJ]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

You still seem to completely miss the point. Star Trek was made by an American for American audiences.

And yet at the same time it tried to include characters who were very diverse.

Yet they didn't ever act very diverse.

When push comes to shove they all acted the very same way. Gene thought America would lead the way even into the far future.

 

[BillJ]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Riker: I could have saved that girl.
Picard: You were right not to try.

And what were the consequences that would have happened if Riker had brought that girl to life? I don't know. Maybe a slight gratification and sense of happiness that he helped a little girl live? There wasn't any "The girl or your crew!" situation going on where there were things at stake. Just some grumpy old man telling him that power corrupts and doing things easily is a sin!

The consequences were a human using a power that they simply didn't have the wisdom to yield. Much like Gary Mitchell.

 

[Zaku]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

The Constitution is based on universal principles, freedom.

From "The Newsroom" (great tv show!)

[Will (to Lewis]
And with a straight face, you’re gonna sit there and tell students that America is so star-spangled awesome that we’re the only ones in the world who have freedom? Canada has freedom. Japan has freedom. The U.K. France. Italy. Germany. Spain. Australia. BELGIUM has freedom. (laughs) Two hundred and seven sovereign states in the world, like, a hundred and eighty of them have freedom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16K6m3Ua2nw

 

[Jeyl]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

The consequences were a human using a power that they simply didn't have the wisdom to yield. Much like Gary Mitchell.

So only god like powers should come god like wisdom? Than how do you explain Q or Trelane?

Are you honestly saying that it's ok for an entity like Q to have these powers? I for one seem to remember that some have been injured and even died as a result of Q's actions. And what did Riker want to do? Save a little girl.

 

[davejames]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Watching season one right now and I've found plenty of compelling drama in it. And I have to say that the limit on interpersonal conflict made TNG like nothing else on TV not even TOS. It was a bold strategy and it paid off because TNG was a consistent hit throughout its run.

Agreed. Obviously every season had it's weak episodes, but overall I thought they did a great job working within Gene's guidelines and still making the show work.

The fact this crew all got along and cared for one another, and didn't get into petty arguments and disagreements over every little thing (like you see in every other drama on TV) is actually what I find so cool and refreshing about TNG now.

They really DO seem to act like you'd expect an advanced, 24th Century starship crew to act.

 

[BriGuy]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Riker: I could have saved that girl.
Picard: You were right not to try.

And what were the consequences that would have happened if Riker had brought that girl to life? I don't know. Maybe a slight gratification and sense of happiness that he helped a little girl live? There wasn't any "The girl or your crew!" situation going on where there were things at stake. Just some grumpy old man telling him that power corrupts and doing things easily is a sin!

My thought - it happened, she died, she was dead, and it would have been "wrong" to undo what otherwise could not be undone.

To me, it seems to kind of point to belief in or support of "fate" or "destiny," that she was supposed to die there, then, and it would have been wrong to undo that.

And if Riker can use the power of Q to bring back the dead, then - what can't he do?

And Q is hardly a model to be put up for the responsible use of absolute power. The Q, as we come to know, are more like bored children roaming the galaxy, pulling the wings off flies for their own momentary amusement.