Twelve Reasons I Love Star Trek Into Darkness

[martok2112]

I found Spock's more emotionally "free" characterization in '09 a Trek-like analogy of "coming out", so that satisfied the "message" aspect of Trek for me. Not every episode or movie had a "serious message" to convey (nor should they need to).

One of the things I loved about the StarGate SG-1 series was that it didn't always take itself so seriously. They had in-story ways of just completely having fun with the show.

Among my favorite episodes are "Window of Opportunity", where O'Neill and Teal'c are caught in a sort of causality loop, like in Star Trek TNG. The options they explore while caught in the causality loop are gut-bustingly funny.

And "200"...SG-1's 200th episode just completely takes the series by the short hairs and pounds on your funny bone.

 

[Ovation]

I found Spock's more emotionally "free" characterization in '09 a Trek-like analogy of "coming out", so that satisfied the "message" aspect of Trek for me. Not every episode or movie had a "serious message" to convey (nor should they need to).

One of the things I loved about the StarGate SG-1 series was that it didn't always take itself so seriously. They had in-story ways of just completely having fun with the show.

Among my favorite episodes are "Window of Opportunity", where O'Neill and Teal'c are caught in a sort of causality loop, like in Star Trek TNG. The options they explore while caught in the causality loop are gut-bustingly funny.

And "200"...SG-1's 200th episode just completely takes the series by the short hairs and pounds on your funny bone.

I never watched SG-1 (outside the odd episode that was on at someone's house while I was there). It was never on at a convenient time and by the time I got a DVR, other shows had priority. I think it's available to stream on Netflix Canada, so I may get around to watching it (as long as they don't lose the rights halfway through my viewing, like they did with Monk).

 

[Praetorian]

I found Spock's more emotionally "free" characterization in '09 a Trek-like analogy of "coming out", so that satisfied the "message" aspect of Trek for me. Not every episode or movie had a "serious message" to convey (nor should they need to).

One of the things I loved about the StarGate SG-1 series was that it didn't always take itself so seriously. They had in-story ways of just completely having fun with the show.

Among my favorite episodes are "Window of Opportunity", where O'Neill and Teal'c are caught in a sort of causality loop, like in Star Trek TNG. The options they explore while caught in the causality loop are gut-bustingly funny.

And "200"...SG-1's 200th episode just completely takes the series by the short hairs and pounds on your funny bone.

"Window of Opportunity" is quite the serious episode, though!

But it's true, Stargate always knew not to take itself too seriously... Better yet, it knew when to take itself seriously and when not to...
Damn, I miss that show...

 

[Crazy Eddie]

I agree ID did have some things to say about the world (which is one of the things I liked about it, even though it could have done it better) - but 09 really didn't.

Re-watch that movie in the context of the Fail Generation, from the point of view of all the kids who grew up in the hyper-competitive 1990s having a narrative shoved down their throats "If you don't get into a decent college and follow a straight path in life, you'll be a looser forever." Seeing this, while at the same time watching the institutions run by their "successful" elders turning down one blind alley after another as their managers systematically run them into the ground. Some of the people who went to see ST09 are the kids who reached adulthood with $40,000 worth of student loan debt and a useless degree in a knowledge-based field that has already been outsourced to India; kids who got out of college and couldn't find a job as anything but a barrister; kids who worked "entry level" jobs for years on end, hoping for an eventual promotion, only to experience an unending parade of newly hired and barely competent "assistant managers" who walk onto the job with no experience and no qualifications other than an internship arranged by a family friend.

Pike's speech to Kirk isn't just about Kirk. He clearly has a lot of potential to do something amazing, but like anyone in modern society who's deviated from the straight-and-narrow in the past, he's already been written off as useless and has never been given a real opportunity to show what he can do. THAT'S what Pike is talking about when he tells him "You feel like you were meant for something better... something special." That isn't just meant for Kirk, it's meant for everyone from everywhere who never got their chance.

Spock's story, of course, is based on the depiction in "Yesteryear" and the D.C. Fontana novels, but in the end it has the same subtext. Spock actually has the opposite problem as Kirk: he's been groomed FROM BIRTH for greatness and is a shoe-in for the Vulcan Science Academy because his father is a bigshot and made sure he had all the best training. But no matter what Spock does to prove himself, no matter how hard he works, no matter what he achieves, he will never be fully accepted by other Vulcans, and his peers will always look down on him for being half-human.

That's the two-headed dragon faced by the Fail Generation: the cynical elitism for the successful, crushing exclusivity for the struggling, all in the background of broken institutions in a failing society whose leaders -- for various reasons -- deeply resent the achievements of their would-be successors.

 

[Crazy Eddie]

I found Spock's more emotionally "free" characterization in '09 a Trek-like analogy of "coming out", so that satisfied the "message" aspect of Trek for me. Not every episode or movie had a "serious message" to convey (nor should they need to).

One of the things I loved about the StarGate SG-1 series was that it didn't always take itself so seriously.

I despised Stargate SG-1; punching its producers and writing staff in the face with a rusty brick has been on my bucket list for the past five years.

Mainly this is because the MOVIE Stargate was really awesome and the TV series kinda-sorta picked up where the movie left off, only to completely fly off the rails by the end of the third episode and leave me wondering "The fuck am I watching?"

 

[Set Harth]

kids who got out of college and couldn't find a job as anything but a barrister

Do you mean barista?

Because a barrister is actually a pretty good gig...

 

[Crazy Eddie]

kids who got out of college and couldn't find a job as anything but a barrister

Do you mean barista?

Yes I do.

Fucking iPad auto-correct...

 

[martok2112]

I found Spock's more emotionally "free" characterization in '09 a Trek-like analogy of "coming out", so that satisfied the "message" aspect of Trek for me. Not every episode or movie had a "serious message" to convey (nor should they need to).

One of the things I loved about the StarGate SG-1 series was that it didn't always take itself so seriously.

I despised Stargate SG-1; punching its producers and writing staff in the face with a rusty brick has been on my bucket list for the past five years.

Mainly this is because the MOVIE Stargate was really awesome and the TV series kinda-sorta picked up where the movie left off, only to completely fly off the rails by the end of the third episode and leave me wondering "The fuck am I watching?"

I'm not sure what the status on it is, right now (I rarely look at imdb), but supposedly Emmerich is planning to reboot the Stargate movie into a new trilogy of movies.

 

[martok2112]

kids who got out of college and couldn't find a job as anything but a barrister

Do you mean barista?

Because a barrister is actually a pretty good gig...

...with a pretty funky wig.

 

[saddestmoon]

The USS Vengeance!

I loved that ship, and even though it's only but one of many reasons to love STID, it's one that stood out for me!

 

[austen_pierce]

The USS Vengeance!

I loved that ship, and even though it's only but one of many reasons to love STID, it's one that stood out for me!

Hallmark announced Vengeance for it's Christmas ornament line this year. Hell yes.

 

[fireproof78]

The USS Vengeance!

I loved that ship, and even though it's only but one of many reasons to love STID, it's one that stood out for me!

Hallmark announced Vengeance for it's Christmas ornament line this year. Hell yes.

Funny story. My work, which can be behind the times, just got in the Hot Wheels USS Vengeance. Seeing as how I already have the Enterprise, this seems like a pretty firm "yes" to purchase. While not my favorite new ship, it is pretty stinking incredible.

Maybe someone should do a Mirror variant of the Vengeance and call it the Genghis Khan.

Also, since this is my first post to this thread, I agree with the OP's list. I have been a torch holder for ST 09 and ID for a long time, and it is nice to see the film get the kind of support that I think it deserves.

Not saying that it doesn't have its problems, but generally speaking, I think it is well done.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

What if the Mirror Universe variant of Vengeance is pink?

 

[Set Harth]

I have been a torch holder for ST 09 and ID for a long time, and it is nice to see the film get the kind of support that I think it deserves.

Oh, I think a lot of people hold a torch for STID... it's just a question of what they plan to do with that torch

 

[austen_pierce]

Maybe someone should do a Mirror variant of the Vengeance and call it the Genghis Khan.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

I agree ID did have some things to say about the world (which is one of the things I liked about it, even though it could have done it better) - but 09 really didn't.

Re-watch that movie in the context of the Fail Generation, from the point of view of all the kids who grew up in the hyper-competitive 1990s having a narrative shoved down their throats "If you don't get into a decent college and follow a straight path in life, you'll be a looser forever." Seeing this, while at the same time watching the institutions run by their "successful" elders turning down one blind alley after another as their managers systematically run them into the ground. Some of the people who went to see ST09 are the kids who reached adulthood with $40,000 worth of student loan debt and a useless degree in a knowledge-based field that has already been outsourced to India; kids who got out of college and couldn't find a job as anything but a barrister; kids who worked "entry level" jobs for years on end, hoping for an eventual promotion, only to experience an unending parade of newly hired and barely competent "assistant managers" who walk onto the job with no experience and no qualifications other than an internship arranged by a family friend.

Pike's speech to Kirk isn't just about Kirk. He clearly has a lot of potential to do something amazing, but like anyone in modern society who's deviated from the straight-and-narrow in the past, he's already been written off as useless and has never been given a real opportunity to show what he can do. THAT'S what Pike is talking about when he tells him "You feel like you were meant for something better... something special." That isn't just meant for Kirk, it's meant for everyone from everywhere who never got their chance.

Spock's story, of course, is based on the depiction in "Yesteryear" and the D.C. Fontana novels, but in the end it has the same subtext. Spock actually has the opposite problem as Kirk: he's been groomed FROM BIRTH for greatness and is a shoe-in for the Vulcan Science Academy because his father is a bigshot and made sure he had all the best training. But no matter what Spock does to prove himself, no matter how hard he works, no matter what he achieves, he will never be fully accepted by other Vulcans, and his peers will always look down on him for being half-human.

That's the two-headed dragon faced by the Fail Generation: the cynical elitism for the successful, crushing exclusivity for the struggling, all in the background of broken institutions in a failing society whose leaders -- for various reasons -- deeply resent the achievements of their would-be successors.

I can sort of see that, and I'll keep an eye out for it next time I get a chance to rewatch it, but based on what I remember, this aspect of the film really didn't come anywhere near being central to the film.

 

[saddestmoon]

The USS Vengeance!

I loved that ship, and even though it's only but one of many reasons to love STID, it's one that stood out for me!

Hallmark announced Vengeance for it's Christmas ornament line this year. Hell yes.

Definately a must-purchase It looks amazing with those lit sections!

 

[fireproof78]

I have been a torch holder for ST 09 and ID for a long time, and it is nice to see the film get the kind of support that I think it deserves.

Oh, I think a lot of people hold a torch for STID... it's just a question of what they plan to do with that torch

Well, with great power comes great...oh forget it

Actually, I almost didn't see it because of the hatred that was being expressed by fans that just kind of pushed me away from fandom in general. Glad I came back, but yeah, it was nasty.

I also like the fact that ID did not shy away from the consequences of Trek 09 but embraced the idea of Kirk not being ready to be captain. There was a level of humanity and hubris that I found so engaging and fascinating, and a bit of a mirror of Wrath of Khan, in that Kirk learns from his mistake and admits it, while Khan learns nothing, to his downfall. It was a nice moment that I found as a good build up of Kirk's character and the arc that really continues from Trek 09 and continues forward.

That was one of several aspects that I found enjoyable. Even in the silly bits, the character pieces kept pulling me through.

Also, on the idea of Trek 09 and the failed generation, for me, that is what keeps Kirk's arc going. Roddenberry wrote about a future where everyone could reach their full potential, could contribute to society in a meaningful way and Kirk is not doing that. He is taking the opposite approach and taking everything for granted.

In addition, I think Trek 09 is about the importance of father's and mentors. There is a strong flow of Pike's fatherly influence on Kirk, and the pain that Kirk feels at missing his dad. Pike steps in to a void he didn't realize he had. It takes that fatherly influence to push Kirk to become the man we knew in the Prime universe.

Sarek serves a similar influence o Spock, encouraging him to grow towards a balance of humanity and Vulcan, as well as imparting the importance of maintaining logic. It is a reconciliation that was sooner than the Prime universe, but a definite important father-son moment.

Also, quick aside, Stargate SG-1 is something that takes about a season to warm up and get you through the world building, again. So, it is great military sci-fi that, as it matured, presented an interesting world. But, it is not for everyone.

 

[xavier]

I have been a torch holder for ST 09 and ID for a long time, and it is nice to see the film get the kind of support that I think it deserves.

Oh, I think a lot of people hold a torch for STID... it's just a question of what they plan to do with that torch

Well, with great power comes great...oh forget it

Actually, I almost didn't see it because of the hatred that was being expressed by fans that just kind of pushed me away from fandom in general. Glad I came back, but yeah, it was nasty.

I also like the fact that ID did not shy away from the consequences of Trek 09 but embraced the idea of Kirk not being ready to be captain. There was a level of humanity and hubris that I found so engaging and fascinating, and a bit of a mirror of Wrath of Khan, in that Kirk learns from his mistake and admits it, while Khan learns nothing, to his downfall. It was a nice moment that I found as a good build up of Kirk's character and the arc that really continues from Trek 09 and continues forward.

That was one of several aspects that I found enjoyable. Even in the silly bits, the character pieces kept pulling me through.

Also, on the idea of Trek 09 and the failed generation, for me, that is what keeps Kirk's arc going. Roddenberry wrote about a future where everyone could reach their full potential, could contribute to society in a meaningful way and Kirk is not doing that. He is taking the opposite approach and taking everything for granted.

In addition, I think Trek 09 is about the importance of father's and mentors. There is a strong flow of Pike's fatherly influence on Kirk, and the pain that Kirk feels at missing his dad. Pike steps in to a void he didn't realize he had. It takes that fatherly influence to push Kirk to become the man we knew in the Prime universe.

Sarek serves a similar influence o Spock, encouraging him to grow towards a balance of humanity and Vulcan, as well as imparting the importance of maintaining logic. It is a reconciliation that was sooner than the Prime universe, but a definite important father-son moment.

Also, quick aside, Stargate SG-1 is something that takes about a season to warm up and get you through the world building, again. So, it is great military sci-fi that, as it matured, presented an interesting world. But, it is not for everyone.

Sarek...I wish he was in Into Darkness.

 

[austen_pierce]

In addition, I think Trek 09 is about the importance of father's and mentors. There is a strong flow of Pike's fatherly influence on Kirk, and the pain that Kirk feels at missing his dad. Pike steps in to a void he didn't realize he had. It takes that fatherly influence to push Kirk to become the man we knew in the Prime universe.

I found this driven home more by STID, when Pike dies. Huge impact on Kirk.