STC Ep. 6: "Come Not Between The Dragons" grading and discussion....(possible spoilers)

[BoredShipCapt'n]

My question - when Usdi left the Enterprise was he transported out or did he crash through the hull again? "Gee thanks, Usdi!" Taylor should have at least escorted him to the shuttlebay.

I had that question too.

In the latest Trek Geeks podcast, Vic reveals that the briefing room scene with Kirk and Spock was written after production had wrapped, because the episode was running too short; then it was shot as part of the Episode 7 schedule. So it's not just our imagination that it feels like an extra epilogue in there.

 

[STEPhon IT]

Two other things regarding "Come Not Between The Dragons."

Did anyone notice the restyled phasers pistols they were using instead of the original design? You mign't notice the difference unless you look closely.

They're replicas of the 70's Star Trek: Phase II phasers. I think both Phase II/New Voyages and STC uses that phaser. It's a nice looking upgrade. Vic talks to anime fans at a convention about his history with that new phaser, of its time, and how he got a hold of an original model when he was a little boy. His stories are quite interesting, I found them on you tube.

 

[USS Intrepid]

Those aren't the Phase II phaser, they're a proposed upgrade designed and built by Scott Nakada. They're quite different than the Phase II version.

 

[Warped9]

For anyone interested in background on "Come Not Between The Dragons," the thinking and development behind the episode. Spoiler alert if you haven't yet seen the episode.

With Vic Mignogna: http://trekgeeks.com/archives/3165

With Michelle Specht: http://trekgeeks.com/archives/3147

Listening to this gives me added appreciation for what goes into these productions.

 

[wamdue]

I have little doubt. I know when I have gotten together with like minded friends or fans at convention panels over the years the discuussion have been very much like this forum albiet without some of the vitriol seen in some of the discussuions here.

I will say that I find most of the discussions here far more civil than what I have seen in some FB discussions. Some of those can get really nasty. In counterpoint the general tone of comments on certain official FB pages--whether it be for STC or whatever--can get rather syrupy given the scarcity of critical remarks.

I I would think any negtive comments get removed from STC facebook page, but IMO people should be holding back a little bit on fanfilms, sure if CBS makes a dodgy episode, then they stand to receive some criticism, even if some of it is more troll like. Fan films less so, ive given an honest review in this thread, but my positive comments have been earned by Vic, and the rest of the cast and crew, im not saying nice stuff for the sake of it, im not going to hate on someones fanfilm, they put too much time into for that, the ending of this episode has some issues, but its a fair thing to say, at the end of an otherwise positive review.

Some of season 3 would have been brutal. An example of what I was talking about is the 1/5 rating showed up when the episode was only released to the Indiegogo donors of $100 or more. No one gives $100 or more to STC then gives this episode a 1. Does not happen.

yes I tend to agree with you, and im not even sure what they get from that action on a small forum like this one, sure I get leaving a troll comment on the YouTube comments section of a trailer for the Star Trek movie, but fan films have no oxygen of publicity to attract that kind of behaviour

 

[Warped9]

"Hating on" something is just being negative to no purpose. Honest criticism is entirely different. And much depends on how something is expressed.

"The third act is garbage" has entirely different connotations than "The third act drags and feels padded."

The former remark, on its own, expresses an opinion, emphatically so, but it's not very informative and could serve to put the recipient--the writer, producer, creator, whatever...--on the defensive. The latter remark is still blunt and brief, but it's informative enough to start a conversation and to elaborate upon.

Anyone who creates something and dares to open it to broad scrutiny must be open to criticism and to discern what is and isn't honest and constructive critique. Criticism can open one to perspectives one has perhaps overlooked. It's not something to be feared, but rather seen as possibly worthy feedback.

 

[YJAGG]

My question - when Usdi left the Enterprise was he transported out or did he crash through the hull again? "Gee thanks, Usdi!" Taylor should have at least escorted him to the shuttlebay.

That is what I forgot to comment on they said engineering was the furthest part of the ship, but the shuttle bay really is, I just figured it was use the sets we have as opposed to figuring out a shuttle bay set

 

[Warped9]

Possibly Engineering is the best shielded.

 

[YJAGG]

Possibly Engineering is the best shielded.

yeah but I think they said the furthest, I mean you could make up something about insulated, or the engine negates it somehow....the little pieces that raise an eyebrow only to be forgotten

 

[BK613]

I've only watched it once so first impressions:
-Production values are top notch and the acting was competent to excellent.
-The initial movements of Udsi reminded me of the Excalbians (and I mean that in a good way.)
-Story seemed a little unfocused. And I must have missed the part where it was indicated why the crew member helping Udsi seemed immune to the effects of the Daddyrage.

 

[markb]

It's called a discussion, and it might be entirely surprising to you and to all the others who never watch or discuss the many other fanfilms in this section, we actually do the same to them as well.
Tell you what, if honest and actual film discussion appalls you so much, here's the door and head on over to STC's Facebook page where they never question anything, just as you might like it...

Frankly I like almost all of the other fan film projects, I particularly like the Farragut films for going their own way and the real sense of joy and fun these guys are having that really pops off the screen.

And I'm all for discussion of the qualities and merits of the films. Sure, critique the acting, the visuals, especially the stories. That's all quite interesting and very worthwhile. What I don't think is though, is the endless nitpicking that if it's not a complete, static copy of the show or isn't how some view a mythical 1970 season in their heads, it's either not Star Trek, or it's a betrayal of Star Trek, two opinions I've seen voiced in this thread more then once.

You are not going to get a static copy of Star Trek simply because in the intervening 45 years, acting methods have changed, even down to the way actors move their bodies and position themselves. And while some meanings at the core of most stories are almost timeless and universal, the story choices and the modern values that motivate them have changed as well as the very way that you tell a story.
You cannot hope to equal Bill, Leonard, or De.
And all of these people either have some kickstarter help or pay totally on their own dime, with budgets per episode that are minuscule even by the 1966 cost of the show, never mind adjusting for 45 years worth of inflation.

Contrary to some of the more rigid in this thread, it's all fun, and it's all Star Trek.

 

[Zaminhon]

The only person who was immune was Eliza Taylor who was influenced (chosen) by Usdi. McKennah figured out that a alpha wave suppressor will cancel out the effects so she commandeered a box full of those arm bands from McCoy (after decking him), and distributed them to the crew.

 

[9gs]

I had that question too.

In the latest Trek Geeks podcast, Vic reveals that the briefing room scene with Kirk and Spock was written after production had wrapped, because the episode was running too short; then it was shot as part of the Episode 7 schedule. So it's not just our imagination that it feels like an extra epilogue in there.

i really enjoyed the behind the scenes talk and how certain aspects came about. I am looking forward to the short video on the making of the creature. I hope we get more of that for future episodes.

 

[Warped9]

And I'm all for discussion of the qualities and merits of the films. Sure, critique the acting, the visuals, especially the stories. That's all quite interesting and very worthwhile. What I don't think is though, is the endless nitpicking that if it's not a complete, static copy of the show or isn't how some view a mythical 1970 season in their heads, it's either not Star Trek, or it's a betrayal of Star Trek, two opinions I've seen voiced in this thread more then once.

Too bad. And bullshit.

When the producers themselves assert their vision and intent, repeatedly, then they are open to he called out when they deviate from their stated intentions.

STC is the closest I've ever seen anyone recapture the vibe of TOS. It certainly does far, far better than JJtrek. And we are not fucking stupid--of course, we know it's not 1970. Try reading my review that opened this thread.

If someone claims to be aiming for a stated target and then deviates from their asserted intent then they are open to criticism on that point.

 

[9gs]

The only person who was immune was Eliza Taylor who was influenced (chosen) by Usdi. McKennah figured out that a alpha wave suppressor will cancel out the effects so she commandeered a box full of those arm bands from McCoy (after decking him), and distributed them to the crew.

I wonder if being in close proximity to Usdi had any affect on that. When McKennah came into the room she got over the wave very quickly.

 

[Warped9]

I wonder if being in close proximity to Usdi had any affect on that. When McKennah came into the room she got over the wave very quickly.

I had the same thought.

 

[markb]

Too bad. And bullshit.

When the producers themselves assert their vision and intent, repeatedly, then they are open to he called out when they deviate from their stated intentions.

STC is the closest I've ever seen anyone recapture the vibe of TOS. It certainly does far, far better than JJtrek. And we are not fucking stupid--of course, we know it's not 1970. Try reading my review that opened this thread.

If someone claims to be aiming for a stated target and then deviates from their asserted intent then they are open to criticism on that point.

Your reasoning skills and nerd rage are not impressive

 

[Warped9]

Your reasoning skills and nerd rage are not impressive

Too bad for you. You don't have to read my posts.

If someone claims one thing yet does another then it's fair to point it out. It's pretty simple. If you think it's unfair then you better not put yourself in a situation where there is a discrepency between what you say and what you actually do. Somone might call you on it and your feelings could get hurt.

 

[Admiral2]

Too bad for you. You don't have to read my posts.

If someone claims one thing yet does another then it's fair to point it out. It's pretty simple. If you think it's unfair then you better not put yourself in a situation where there is a discrepency between what you say and what you actually do. Somone might call you on it and your feelings could get hurt.

Fine. Calling them out on a discrepancy between stated intent and actual deed is fair. Condemning the entire project without at least attempting find out why the discrepancy exists is just useless nitpicking. You say you get that it isn't 1970, but you're not acting like it. Again, there may simply be no way for them to achieve a perfect TOS feel every single time, and in some instances it may not even be desirable for them to try. These shows are made by human beings. Human beings change their minds and contradict themselves. The design of the original Enterprise was being rethought and altered well into the first season of TOS. Why should fan-film makers be held to more rigid standards than the people who got paid to make this stuff 50 years ago?

 

[Zaminhon]

I wonder if being in close proximity to Usdi had any affect on that. When McKennah came into the room she got over the wave very quickly.

Great point about McKennah.. I thought that her recovery had to do with her being a shrink and she was more aware of mental processes, but she definitely lost control outside of Usdi's influence when she started hammering on people.