Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

[Grimoire]

When Gene Roddenderry made his first pitch for Star Trek, studio executives rejected it because it was "too cerebral". And indeed it was, it asked questions about morality, how to deal with other civilizations, people who have different cultural values to us. It was indeed science fiction. Science fiction is not just having "futuristic stuff" in your story, it's about asking questions about the impact of technology. In this way, Blade Runner was science fiction. Yes, it had drama, explosions, and lots of running. But it also asked questions about the nature of humanity, and the morality of treating replicants as subhuman. It showed that if we lose our humanity, the future would be grim.

The rot started with the Star Trek reboot. They tried to turn it into an action flick. A lot of running, a lot of explosions, a lot of action. Star Trek was NEVER an action flick! And then STD and now Academy is trying to turn it into a vehicle of political messaging. About the only thing the current series has in common with TOS / TNG / VOY / DS9 is the name "Star Trek". It's not science fiction, and the writers don't seem to understand that. It is a shallow teenage flick.

The worst thing about the reboot and the later TNG films is that they treated the Enterprise as a disposable prop to be destroyed without thought.

In the first series, the Enterprise was really a ship, one whose limitations (she cannae take any more, captain!) and possibilities meant that the crew felt a deep affection for it. It was one of them, and they were with it. As seafarers often do with their vessels, their individual characters.

In some ways it was the MAIN character.

But that's all been forgotten now.

 

[Sal1950]

There's certainly special effects, good acting and great settings, it's too bad the writing is so bad. This is how the arts are in every declining civilization, decandent and immoral.

LOL
We'll all look to you to write the next great novel, screen play, whatever.
Be sure to let us all know when it's released.

 

[Keith_W]

So The Wrath of Khan wasn't a "action flick"

Definitely not! That seminal battle scene was about space naval tactics and how one captain with experience outsmarted the other who was vastly more intelligent than him. Kirk used Khan's hubris against him. I can't remember the name of that JJ Abrams movie where Kirk flew the Enterprise around blaring rock music and causing alien vessels to explode. That was utterly stupid. It's a real pity, because the new Trek started off well. Kirk's father sacrificing himself to save lives, and then the son growing up to be a rebellious loser would have been an intriguing story arc. But no, he continued to be a selfish and shallow prick. And then there was that weird and unnecessary romance between Spock and Uhura, that was so cringe.

 

[Raiju]

I watched the cold open of this, years ago I'd watched a few of these ones - that NY state set is truly impressive. I was struck by how well the character - dialogue match mimics TOS, also the editing/camera angles and pacing. The casting physical appearance is good, for sure. But the acting is, well, just "functional"...makes you aware of how good Shatner, Nimoy, Doohan et al were. And I say that with love, as a fellow actor. These guys are working it, but it just doesn't quite get there.

They do loosen up as it goes. Just like the first episode of TNG is a bit stiff too.

When Gene Roddenderry made his first pitch for Star Trek, studio executives rejected it because it was "too cerebral". And indeed it was, it asked questions about morality, how to deal with other civilizations, people who have different cultural values to us. It was indeed science fiction. Science fiction is not just having "futuristic stuff" in your story, it's about asking questions about the impact of technology. In this way, Blade Runner was science fiction. Yes, it had drama, explosions, and lots of running. But it also asked questions about the nature of humanity, and the morality of treating replicants as subhuman. It showed that if we lose our humanity, the future would be grim.

The rot started with the Star Trek reboot. They tried to turn it into an action flick. A lot of running, a lot of explosions, a lot of action. Star Trek was NEVER an action flick! And then STD and now Academy is trying to turn it into a vehicle of political messaging. About the only thing the current series has in common with TOS / TNG / VOY / DS9 is the name "Star Trek". It's not science fiction, and the writers don't seem to understand that. It is a shallow teenage flick.

I would love to see a remake of Blakes 7 like they did with BSG. Blakes 7 is my all-time number 1 sci-fi series, well the first 2 seasons are.

 

[Sal1950]

And then there was that weird and unnecessary romance between Spock and Uhura, that was so cringe.

Why, are you against inter-species romance ???
How many alien chicks did Kirk have all over him in the original?
OH the shame of it. LOL

 

[Raiju]

First interracial kiss on American tv was on Star Trek TOS (Kirk and Uhura).

 

[Joe Smith]

For me, Blade Runner is one of the best things of all time. In a whole other league. I was quite worried when BR 2049 was in production. I think, all in all, it was a worthy successor. I think DV did a bit better with that than with Dune, although I have not seen the second half of that.

Keeping a franchise going for 50+ years is quite a feat. Both ST and SW have had their ups and downs over time. Every new creator/storyrunner has a big job to figure out. Again, the fact that I'm choosing to largely bow out doesn't mean that I don't think they should keep creating content, or that I am judging it. I'm simply choosing not to participate.

Roddenberry's vision was not perfect by any means, but he did create a hell of a platform for others to jump from.

I have hopes for the new BR series coming later this year - Fall? Again, it is a big platform, big idea. That one, not quite as milked as some others.

 

[Keith_W]

Why, are you against inter-species romance ???
How many alien chicks did Kirk have all over him in the original?
OH the shame of it. LOL

Nothing wrong with inter-species romance. There's a good way to do it (NOT the Kirk romances in TOS) and a bad way to do it. You can tell that this felt forced, the actors weren't really into it.

 

[Mart68]

They do loosen up as it goes. Just like the first episode of TNG is a bit stiff too.



I would love to see a remake of Blakes 7 like they did with BSG. Blakes 7 is my all-time number 1 sci-fi series, well the first 2 seasons are.

It was bizarre that they cancelled it in the first place, the viewing figures never dipped. The BBC has always been self-indulgent like that, along with flogging their other few successful shows to death.

Why it hasn't been rebooted or had a film franchise is baffling.
Although they'd probably make a mess of it. The usual practice for reboots is to omit the things that made the show popular in the first place.

 

[Sal1950]

I have hopes for the new BR series coming later this year - Fall? Again, it is a big platform, big idea. That one, not quite as milked as some others

Agree with you on both the movies
Doing a series on it will be a tall order
I'll check it out if possible

 

[Sal1950]

The BBC has always been self-indulgent like that, along with flogging their other few successful shows to death.

They sure have turned Dr Who into a shit show. My God talk about going off the rails onto a woke, PCcorrect platform.
Really sad.

 

[Mart68]

They sure have turned Dr Who into a shit show. My God talk about going off the rails onto a woke, PCcorrect platform.
Really sad.

It is shockingly bad isn't it? Having said that I stopped bothering after the Tom Baker era, it went right downhill very fast. The reboot was self-conscious and lame. I watched a couple of episodes with David Tennant, on someone's recommendation - he was good, the stories not so much.

Been watching some of the old Jon Pertwee/Tom Baker episodes recently on some obscure cable channel. Ten bob production values but the good stories and actors carry it. Same was true for Blakes Seven.

With these modern shows and films it's all high production values and piss-poor acting, story, dialogue. Plus 'The Message.' Why do they not understand that if they want to do that it has to be subtle in order to work, not rammed home hard?

 

[Raiju]

Since this is an audio site

"generate a tremendous charge of psychokinetic energy" is a sample of Jon Pertwee from Episode Five of the Doctor Who serial The Daemons

 

[WillBrink]

It's cheesy and cringy and yet, has grown on me. I could hardly get through the first episode, but forced myself to watch a few more, and sorta like it. It's obviously made for a different demographic and to get new and younger viewers into the ST universe, which is probably a smart idea. I will keep watching and see what direction it goes.

 

[EngineerNate]

For me, Blade Runner is one of the best things of all time. In a whole other league. I was quite worried when BR 2049 was in production. I think, all in all, it was a worthy successor. I think DV did a bit better with that than with Dune, although I have not seen the second half of that.

Keeping a franchise going for 50+ years is quite a feat. Both ST and SW have had their ups and downs over time. Every new creator/storyrunner has a big job to figure out. Again, the fact that I'm choosing to largely bow out doesn't mean that I don't think they should keep creating content, or that I am judging it. I'm simply choosing not to participate.

Roddenberry's vision was not perfect by any means, but he did create a hell of a platform for others to jump from.

I have hopes for the new BR series coming later this year - Fall? Again, it is a big platform, big idea. That one, not quite as milked as some others.

Dune part 2 is probably the best film I’ve seen in the last 5 years.

 

[EngineerNate]

Strange New Worlds is the best new Trek by a long shot.

Discovery was mostly decent sci-fi. But bad trek. It was also very uneven quality wise.

By all accounts Picard is terrible.

Haven’t watched Academy yet but a couple of my friends have given it a thumbs up so far.

 

[Joe Smith]

Dune part 2 is probably the best film I’ve seen in the last 5 years.

I should give it a look. I do really like Villeneuve's work in general.

 

[JaMmy]

Ever since William Hartnell and the first appearance of the Daleks screen sci fi has been in decline. Only a creature from the future wielding a plunger can send you cowering behind the sofa, which is from where it should properly be watched, regardless of loudspeaker placement.

 

[Mart68]

Ever since William Hartnell and the first appearance of the Daleks screen sci fi has been in decline. Only a creature from the future wielding a plunger can send you cowering behind the sofa, which is from where it should properly be watched, regardless of loudspeaker placement.

Harsh. It was originally a show for 8 to 12 year olds you know? Was broadcast at tea-time. No-one thought adults would get into it.

 

[JaMmy]

Harsh. It was originally a show for 8 to 12 year olds you know? Was broadcast at tea-time. No-one thought adults would get into it.

I was that 8 year old