The High Ground

[Willieck]

This was a typical morality play about "xyz" vs "abc" (you fill in the blanks). ST has done this sort of thing a lot and it was quite good as far as it went it that is showed that there are always two sides to these things.

One thing I found quite amusing was when Finn said said he had read some earth's history and he appeared to be quite knowledgeable. I find it unlikely in the extreme that a guy in the far reaches of the Galaxy had even heard about Earth let alone read its history books.

 

[TV's Frank]

You may have a point, but I wonder if a world was trying to gain entrance to the Federation and this world knew that Earth was HQ, some of the inhabitants might decide to check in Earth and see what our history was like. Or there is the fact that it's a TV show designed to be watched and related to by people who live on Earth.

Plus, it has a kick-ass Ron Jones score.

 

[Willieck]

Wow, this one must really have made a big impression with you guys.

 

[MikeS]

I remember it being banned by the BBC for the small line referencing the reunification of Ireland in 2033 (or thereabouts). I finally got to watch it some years later on VHS and to be honest I don't see why they couldn't just blank that one sentence out.

I've not watched it in some time, but I did like the "one man's terrorist is another mans freedom fighter" theme. Certainly changed my outlook (I'd been on the recieving end of three IRA bombs before watching this) and informed my morality.

I wonder how they'd handle the Al-Quaida thing these days.

 

[garoo1980]

I thought it was well done. With all of those issues like, the American Revolution, Ireland, Al-Quida, Palestine, etc, there are always two sides. And I think ST reflected it pretty well with this one. Its not too heavy handed, but its definitely there. The only side it strongly takes is that of peace, which hopefully everyone watching can agree with

 

[Willieck]

I agree with that. I did not want to name names when I started this as it could have stirred up controversy but I was waiting to see if I would get a reaction.

 

[sonak]

The "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" is tossed around a lot as supposedly clever and glib, but is basically nonsense.

There actually ARE specific differences between terrorism and military action(to name two, military action is by a state actor obviously, and is directed against military targets, not civilian ones).


Now, can a military be involved in a terrorist act? Of course. There is such a thing as state terrorism.


But terrorism usually is defined something like this: violence committed by non-state actors against civilians or civilian targets, for the purpose of inspiring fear(or terror) in order to achieve a political goal.

 

[Orac]

I think Data's observation that terrorism has been historically proven to be an effective means of bringing about social changes might also have something to do with the ep being banned in the UK. Actually this might be the same line mentioned earlier as Northern Ireland is one of the examples he gives. (if memory serves)