So name a Star Trek moment that you just didn't "get".

[tharpdevenport]

Now that I'm thinking about thigs, I don't get why we have -- in particularly I'm thinking of TNG, though not exclusive to the series -- multiple version of a hand-held phaser.

I don't recall the Type-A and Type-B phasers to have any differences aisde from size. And then there is the phaser rifle. What the hell does it do that the others can't? I can't recall seeing it do anything special.

So I don't get why we have moments where a phaser rifle is necessary and why we had some moments (early on) where a Type-A was used instead.

 

[kirkfan]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

The Vorta are genetically engineered. Maybe the changelings decided that their telekinesis abilities were more trouble than they were worth.

 

[kirkfan]

Now that I'm thinking about thigs, I don't get why we have -- in particularly I'm thinking of TNG, though not exclusive to the series -- multiple version of a hand-held phaser.

I don't recall the Type-A and Type-B phasers to have any differences aisde from size. And then there is the phaser rifle. What the hell does it do that the others can't? I can't recall seeing it do anything special.

So I don't get why we have moments where a phaser rifle is necessary and why we had some moments (early on) where a Type-A was used instead.

Didn't they need a type b phaser to wound the Horta?

 

[Cyke101]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

Hah.

You'd think it would be useful during, oh, say, wartime. Or heck, all those times when a Vorta was in Starfleet custody, for that matter.

 

[kirkfan]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

Hah.

You'd think it would be useful during, oh, say, wartime. Or heck, all those times when a Vorta was in Starfleet custody, for that matter.

He was supposed to kill himself, where would he have gone?

 

[Cyke101]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

Hah.

You'd think it would be useful during, oh, say, wartime. Or heck, all those times when a Vorta was in Starfleet custody, for that matter.

He was supposed to kill himself, where would he have gone?

"To Hell."

...well, that's more like what Sisko would say, I suppose.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

The Vorta are genetically engineered. Maybe the changelings decided that their telekinesis abilities were more trouble than they were worth.

Or just not important. Eris' abilities were useful for her situation - trying to convince the DS9 crew that she'd been held captive and then supposedly breaking them out.

In normal Dominion activities, a Vorta is usually accompanied by Jem'Hadar anyway, so there'd be no need for them to have telekenesis in that sense.

 

[Richard Baker]

Now that I'm thinking about thigs, I don't get why we have -- in particularly I'm thinking of TNG, though not exclusive to the series -- multiple version of a hand-held phaser.

I don't recall the Type-A and Type-B phasers to have any differences aisde from size. And then there is the phaser rifle. What the hell does it do that the others can't? I can't recall seeing it do anything special.

So I don't get why we have moments where a phaser rifle is necessary and why we had some moments (early on) where a Type-A was used instead.

They stopped using the Type-A Phasers because they updated them to be too small. The beam looked like it was shooting out of the fingers instead of a device.

 

[Orphalesion]

"To Hell."

...well, that's more like what Sisko would say, I suppose.

And right after that he'd make a long winded speech about his obsession with the Starfleet uniform.

"He will not find anybody in Hell....who wears that uniform!"

 

[Richard Baker]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

The Vorta are genetically engineered. Maybe the changelings decided that their telekinesis abilities were more trouble than they were worth.

Or just not important. Eris' abilities were useful for her situation - trying to convince the DS9 crew that she'd been held captive and then supposedly breaking them out.

In normal Dominion activities, a Vorta is usually accompanied by Jem'Hadar anyway, so there'd be no need for them to have telekenesis in that sense.

No reason not to have specially engineered Vorta for particular missions. In espionage you would need some extra abilities, for diplomatic liaison or unit supervisor you would not (or have different ones)

 

[The Wormhole]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

Hah.

You'd think it would be useful during, oh, say, wartime. Or heck, all those times when a Vorta was in Starfleet custody, for that matter.

The only Vorta we saw in Starfleet custody was Keevan, and he voluntarily surrendered believing being a Federation POW was a comfy way to sit out the war.

 

[Phily B]

Kirk completely dropping the ball with Khan and the Reliant. It still makes no sense to me, it's amazing with all the nitpicking of other movies particularly JJ, that gets a huge pass.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Kirk completely dropping the ball with Khan and the Reliant. It still makes no sense to me, it's amazing with all the nitpicking of other movies particularly JJ, that gets a huge pass.

If the Reliant hadn't fired on the Enterprise, no one would be giving this a second thought. 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing.

 

[kirkfan]

So what did cause the Vorta to lose their telekinesis?

Hah.

You'd think it would be useful during, oh, say, wartime. Or heck, all those times when a Vorta was in Starfleet custody, for that matter.

The only Vorta we saw in Starfleet custody was Keevan, and he voluntarily surrendered believing being a Federation POW was a comfy way to sit out the war.

According to Dominion regulations, he was supposed to kill himself though.

 

[Taelon]

Could it be possible that the gene for telekinesis is recessive on the X chromosome?

 

[2takesfrakes]

I didn't "get" why Decker was so quick and eager to voluntarily dissolve himself in a merger with V'GER in The Motion Picture, without first questioning the necessity of it, in light of the new information they had. V'GER came to Earth expecting a machine-god and was fully prepared to join with it, somehow on a machine's level. Now, all of a sudden, V'GER finds out it's been in error all of this time and doesn't even contend with that imperfection. It just pretends like it knew all along, basically, by unplugging itself, so that a Human would have to complete its programming, instead.

This last-minute switching of gears, while remaining true to its original plan - this odd insistence on physically joining - when it had the resources to conjure up an infinite number of alternative options makes no sense, whatsoever. And having Decker buy into this switch without motivation of any kind doesn't either. V'GER was in the wrong, the Humans had the upper hand and V'GER should've bowed to these inferiors and cooperated fully. And yet, its compulsion to join with something ... anything, or anyone, at this point ... is the only motivation driving the conclusion. The visual is spectacular and holds up, even today. But I don't get it ...

 

[The Wormhole]

Hah.

You'd think it would be useful during, oh, say, wartime. Or heck, all those times when a Vorta was in Starfleet custody, for that matter.

The only Vorta we saw in Starfleet custody was Keevan, and he voluntarily surrendered believing being a Federation POW was a comfy way to sit out the war.

According to Dominion regulations, he was supposed to kill himself though.

Well, yes, but the question was why didn't he try to escape, and since he was voluntarily surrendering so he could spend the war in comfort, why would he try to escape?

 

[Orphalesion]

I didn't "get" why Decker was so quick and eager to voluntarily dissolve himself in a merger with V'GER in The Motion Picture, without first questioning the necessity of it, in light of the new information they had. V'GER came to Earth expecting a machine-god and was fully prepared to join with it, somehow on a machine's level. Now, all of a sudden, V'GER finds out it's been in error all of this time and doesn't even contend with that imperfection. It just pretends like it knew all along, basically, by unplugging itself, so that a Human would have to complete its programming, instead.

This last-minute switching of gears, while remaining true to its original plan - this odd insistence on physically joining - when it had the resources to conjure up an infinite number of alternative options makes no sense, whatsoever. And having Decker buy into this switch without motivation of any kind doesn't either. V'GER was in the wrong, the Humans had the upper hand and V'GER should've bowed to these inferiors and cooperated fully. And yet, its compulsion to join with something ... anything, or anyone, at this point ... is the only motivation driving the conclusion. The visual is spectacular and holds up, even today. But I don't get it ...

Oh man, I agree with that. People have told me that the novelization actually paints him as a transhumanist who always was fascinated with the idea of ascension and a merger of human and machine.

However that is also the novelization that says most of humanity consists now as "New Men" in mass minds and such with Kirk and the rest of Starfleet being "primitives" so take that as you will.

And anyway, I think, novelizations and the expanded universe are no excuse to not put important characterization into the movie. A movie should stand on its own. It's like this one time when my friend told me he liked Qui-Gon Jin in Phentom Menace "because he's so badass in the books" Well that's fine and dandy, but in the movie he's an idiot.

Personally when I saw Phantom Menace first I thought Decker was merging with V'Ger to piss off Kirk...somehow.

 

[enterprisecvn65]

I didn't "get" why Decker was so quick and eager to voluntarily dissolve himself in a merger with V'GER in The Motion Picture, without first questioning the necessity of it, in light of the new information they had. V'GER came to Earth expecting a machine-god and was fully prepared to join with it, somehow on a machine's level. Now, all of a sudden, V'GER finds out it's been in error all of this time and doesn't even contend with that imperfection. It just pretends like it knew all along, basically, by unplugging itself, so that a Human would have to complete its programming, instead.

This last-minute switching of gears, while remaining true to its original plan - this odd insistence on physically joining - when it had the resources to conjure up an infinite number of alternative options makes no sense, whatsoever. And having Decker buy into this switch without motivation of any kind doesn't either. V'GER was in the wrong, the Humans had the upper hand and V'GER should've bowed to these inferiors and cooperated fully. And yet, its compulsion to join with something ... anything, or anyone, at this point ... is the only motivation driving the conclusion. The visual is spectacular and holds up, even today. But I don't get it ...

It's actually pretty to get. It conveniently gets Decker out of the way so Kirk doesn't have to relinquish command of the Enterprise now that the crisis is over or be a dick to Decker and say "I'm staying in command anyway Decker....deal with it."

 

[kirkfan]

The only Vorta we saw in Starfleet custody was Keevan, and he voluntarily surrendered believing being a Federation POW was a comfy way to sit out the war.

According to Dominion regulations, he was supposed to kill himself though.

Well, yes, but the question was why didn't he try to escape, and since he was voluntarily surrendering so he could spend the war in comfort, why would he try to escape?

I believe the Dominion put a price on his head, two extra vials of white to the Jemhadar who got him...