What We Left Behind - Documentary Update Confirms *Some* HD Remastering

It was a 9/11 moment--but on June 12, 1994

 

I have to laugh at the reviews on Amazon. So many people are complaining about the documentary being political. Certainly, someone can enjoy the show for its action. However, DS9 was political from casting to its stories. I don't know why the documentary should be different.

 

Kinda makes you wonder whether these reviewers ever watched the show.

A more informed review by KRAD. I don't agree with everything he says, but I understand where he's coming from: https://www.tor.com/2019/08/20/star-trek-deep-space-nine-rewatch-extra-what-we-left-behind/

 

I watched this the other day and it made me think, do all the haters from the '90s still hate it today? It fits right in with a lot of shows of today.

 

Having watched the doc a couple of times, it's inspired me to start a series re-watch for the first time in about 12 years.

The HD scenes are simply amazing, especially so when flicking back to the old DVDs or Netflix.

 

I'm trying to find some way of understanding the criticisms (such as they are), but it seems that they are hung up on "identity politics" in a way that is very contemporary. Perhaps not every episode was about blackness or homosexuality, but they were there, and at the time, they were a big deal.

 

Damn millennials...

At the NYC premiere we all got station schematic posters, and had the option of having ISB sign them. When I went up I noted that I really appreciated his acknowledging that the show could have done better with regards to sexual identity, and he proceeded to sign my poster with a note saying "One day we'll check all the boxes."

Did I have a really, really good time at the premiere? Yes, yes I did.

 

The documentary did touch on some politically charged issues. Behr said he wanted to do more episodes like Rejoined and he wanted Garak to be explicitly homosexual. He is rightly proud that DS9 showed such a positive relationship between a black man and his son. There's also that newsreel clip of Trump in the documentary that, in my view, seemed shoehorned in to generate political relevancy.

I respect the sincerity of Behr's ideals. I think that some fans were surprised that the documentary would look at back at the show and judge it for failing a 2019 politically progressive perspective on some issues. It was the 1990's, it was Star Trek, and you could do one lesbian episode and keep your job. Behr knew that. DS9's legacy is characters and storytelling.

 

I think DS9 is sorta known as "the one with the Black captain" though...

 

Many said Sisko was the most believable military commander because he had such an air of authority. Avery Brooks was a good choice.

 

He was very believable as a military commander and Brooks was a very good choice. Have never understand those who criticize his performance on DSN. I mean just watch this scene:

 

From what I've been hearing here and there, no, not all of them do. I've seen posts on this BB saying that they didn't initially like the show or at the least felt indifferent about it but have come around to it. I've always loved it, but I could also understand why at the time it aired, it confused some people and wasn't their cup of tea. It was a VERY different Trek than what we'd had before.

 

I think I just peed a little.

(also did Worf not learn anything from the first time he got chewed out for murder according to Klingon customs??)

 

Given the first time was on Worf's record already, Sisko was pretty light on him. I'm surprised he wasn't reduced in grade, if not dismissed from the service altogether.

 

I'd like to try something, because there is something about the physical media release and I am curious about how people interpret it.

Go look at the menu page in detail. Don't read all the spoilers until you have thought about what you notice.

Spoiler

Ira Steven Behr will periodically walk past the door to Sisko's office.

I think it is fun, in line with the spirit of the documentary. However, I interpreted in a particular way.

Spoiler

Behr was pretending to be Douglas Pabst.

Perhaps that was just coincidental, but when I showed it to my son, ...

Spoiler

... he said that it was the scene from Far Beyond the Stars.

I also asked a friend to look at it. He wrote back, ...

Spoiler

"Interesting. Are we both the dreamer and the dream?"

I can over-interpret something like it's nobody's business, so I was a little taken aback when two other people made the same specific connection. Did anyone else?

 

I want the CD soundtrack!

https://buysoundtrax.myshopify.com/...wnload-digital-booklet?variant=15351548346403

 

Do you want my digital copy?

Seriously, I bought it from BSX not realizing that as a high-level backer I was going to get a copy anyway.

 

Oh, damn, I forgot I was going to get the digital copy, too, as part of my Indiegogo pledge! Going to download it now!

 

The soundtrack is out in October on CD and Digital:

https://www.amazon.com/What-We-Left...+soundtrack&qid=1569081397&s=movies-tv&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/What-We-Left...+soundtrack&qid=1569081442&s=movies-tv&sr=8-2

 

Hm? It's already out. Has been for awhile.

https://buysoundtrax.myshopify.com/...d-digital-booklet?_pos=1&_sid=5e6510d55&_ss=r

I also have a digital copy I could sell to someone if they'd like.