TV Review: Farscape - season 1

Want some more Star Wars in your Star Trek?  Then Farscape is the show for you.  I'm assuming you not have already watched it, given it began its four-year run in 1999.  

Farscape is an Australian/American production from the Jim Henson company.  It may be worth noting that Brian Henson, son of legendary puppeteer Jim Henson, is the co-producer of the show.  Farscape features a wide array of creative alien muppets, two of which are show regulars.  It took me a little while to get used to the puppetry, but now I can't imagine the show without them.   Additionally, Farscape features a great cast of unknown actors and some imaginative writing.

I'd classify the title as science-fantasy, rather than science fiction, but in the first season, the writers do play around with some great sci-fi concepts like time loops and multiple dimensions not to mention Moya, the living starship which is the primary setting for the action.  The episodes that drew me in were more abstract and science fiction based, but as the show progressed, I grew to love the characters and be invested in them, Moya included.  I suppose it's worth comparing the show to other shows like Firefly or Cowboy Bebop, in that Farscape is heavily character-driven, and the characters are all good-hearted outlaws.  

I'd say my favorite characters at this time are Aeryn-Sun, the Peacekeeper and D'Argo, the Luxan.  When I first saw D'Argo, I have to admit that I thought he was just some kind of knock-off Klingon.  But even if that is what he were, he is still an excellent character, and well performed.  D'Argo is a Warrior, but he is also a deeply caring person.  Aeryn is a military grunt who shows signs of character growth that are intriguing.  Because she lived a highly regimented life, being an outlaw makes for a tough transition.    

From what I've heard, this show gets even better as it progresses, though I have really enjoyed it in the first season.  It's a science fiction show with a lot of heart, that's not afraid to get weird.  I recommend it to any fans of science fiction television looking for a new/old show to watch.

-D

Star Trek: the Next Generation story arcs

I have the unusual opportunity to show Star Trek: TNG to a willing viewer who is otherwise unfamiliar with the series.  Yes, she's caught some episodes over the years, but only a handful.  Suffice it to say, I'm excited by the prospect.

Now, what we will likely do is to eventually watch the show from the beginning, but I've been given license to cherry pick some good episodes just to get a feel for the show.  I insisted on this, because the first season is just so godawful, I wouldn't want to lose her before she’s even begun.  Granted, we will be watching episodes from the first season, because there are plot points that you can’t avoid, such as the introduction of Q, Lore and the death of Tasha Yar.   But I hope to leave season 1 behind asap.

In the meantime, I’ve been having fun reviewing old episodes.  I love TNG.  So very, very much.  One thing I noticed from viewing the episodes in one big list, is that, while TNG didn’t have seasonal story arcs, as are popular in shows these days, they did have a great number of story threads working their way through the show.   And many of these stories are interconnected.  The Borg, for example, overlap with both Q and Lore.  But Lore also overlaps with the Crystalline Entity.  I’ve been having a great time stitching these episodes together.  Driven only by my initial fanaticism, I've managed to construct the following story arcs:

• The Borg/Lore/Crystaline entity
• Worf/Durass/Alexander/Deanna Troi
• Tasha Yar/Sela/Spock

The Borg are an absolute must.  They're easily the biggest bad in the TNG universe.  The Tasha Yar story is the trickiest, as she was around for most of the first season, but it was a bad season.  It’s important to familiarize the viewer with her character in order to get the proper effect of her death and rebirth.  This is especially true in the episode ‘Yesterdays Enterprise’ wherein she receives another shot at life, and it is that element of the story which is so key to the episodes emotional impact.  Not to mention that the events of that episode lead to the birth of Sela.  Sela crosses over nicely with Worf’s Redemption story and with Spock’s reintroduction.  And of course, I'm looking for any excuse to include Spock.

And then there's the inclusion of the Troi/Worf romance, which may just be me being indulgent.  The writers drew those characters very slowly together, mostly through their mutual work with Worf's son Alexander.  But the growth of these two characters reached a head by the show's end, and I always loved that relationship.  

Granted, the more generous and inclusive I get with these storylines, the longer they get, and the more inclusive I'm driven to be.  This must be what it's like to invite people to a wedding.  If I include him, then I have to include her, and if I include both of them, then I have to include these other five.  

Sooo much subtle buildup to this scene

Still, in some cases, episodes aren't best shown right next to one another, so it's good to have some padding in between.  For example, QWho and Best of Both Worlds.  While they are the two episodes featuring the Borg in chronological order, there is supposed to have been an entire year between the two episodes, the time it takes for the Borg to travel from the Delta Quadrant to the Alpha Quadrant.  This time is important, because the Borg go from a distant, looming threat to an immediate danger of catastrophic proportions, with just enough time in between to get comfortable in the idea that maybe we aren't all going to die.   So, in order to solve this problem of padding between episodes without including a bunch of irrelevant or mediocre episodes, I would combine arcs.  

So far, I'm looking at 37 episodes, a bit more than a season's worth.  I could easily trim this down to 26 episodes, the length of a full season.  I've marked certain standalone episodes on the list below.  I chose to include these because they expand on existing themes, but aren't strictly necessary.  

So, without further ado, below are my personally constructed Star Trek the Next Generation story arcs.  Again, it is important to note that this is really just based on a fairly quick review of the episode list.  As time goes by, I may expand or pare down these arcs, in addition to adding others I haven't included (the Cardassians come to mind).  I plan to use these arcs to pick a series of stand-alone episodes outside of major story arcs.  

The season number and episode is listed to the right of each entry.  The episodes that are not strictly necessary are marked with an asterisk.  I included the first and last episodes as bookends.

1. *Encounter at Farpoint- 1:1, 1:2
2. *The Naked Now- 1:3
3. Datalore- 1:13
4. Skin of Evil- 1:23
5. *Measure of a Man- 2:9
6. QWho- 2:16
7. The Emissary- 2:20
8. Yesterday’s Enterprise- 3:15
9. *The Offspring- 3:16
10. Sins of the Father- 3:17
11. *Sarek- 3:23
12. Best of Both Worlds- 1 & 2 3:26, 4:1
13. Family- 4:2
14. Brothers- 4:3
15. Reunion- 4:7
16. Mind’s Eye- 4:24
17. Redemption- 1&2 4:26,4:27
18. Silicon Avatar- 5:4
19. Unification- 1&2 5:7, 5:8
20. *Ethics- 5:16
21. *Cost of Living- 5:20
22. I, Borg- 5:23
23. *A Fistful of Datas- 6:8
24. Birthright- 1 & 2 6:16, 6:17
25. Descent 1&2- 6:26, 7:1
26. *Parallels- 7:11
27. *Eye of the Beholder- 7:18
28. *All Good Things 1&2- 7:25, 7:26

 Listed by Arc:
*Encounter at Farpoint  1:1, 1:2

Borg/Data/Lore/Crystalline Entity  -  13 eps

Datalore  1:13
*Measure of a Man 2:9

QWho  2:16
*The Offspring 3:16

Best of Both Worlds 1 & 2 3:26, 4:1

Family 4:2

Brothers 4:3

Silicon Avatar  5:4

I, Borg  5:23

*Birthright 1  6:16

Descent 1&2  6:26, 7:1

Yar/Sela/Spock  8 eps

*The Naked Now  1:3

Skin of Evil  1:23

Yesterday’s Enterprise  3:15
*Sarek  3:23

Mind’s Eye  4:24

Redemption 2 5:1

Unification  1&2 5:7, 5:8

Worf/Duras/Troi - 12 eps

The Emissary  2:20

Sins of the Father 3:17

*Family 4:2

Reunion  4:7

Redemption  1&2 4:26,4:27

*Ethics  5:16

*Cost of Living  5:20

*A Fistful of Datas  6:8

Birthright 1 & 2  6:16, 6:17

*Parallels  7:11
*Eye of the Beholder 7:18

*All Good Things 1&2  7:25, 7:26


-D

P.S.  I think this might be the nerdiest post I've ever posted

RIP Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy passed away this morning at his home due to COPD complications.

I am not going to write an obituary or talk about all the TV shows he was apart of or all the movies he starred in.

I do count myself fortunate that I was able to see him on a number of occasions when he attended Star Trek conventions (sometime in the mid '90s).  On one occasion, he was with William Shatner and DeForest Kelley.  The next time he was with John de Lancie and was after DeForest Kelley's passing and he read the eulogy that he had read at the funeral.  It was moving, despite not being a big fan of the Original Series at that time (meaning I was not overly familiar with DeForest Kelley's acting work).  I now greatly regret not staying with Delaños at that convention to watch both actors do a two person on-stage play of something that I have since forgotten.  I apparently had misplaced hormonal priorities in high school.

Prior to Youtube (the video was embedded in some website about sending food to Israeli troops) I discovered his "Ballad of Bilbo Baggins" and while at first I cringed at seeing Spock singing this absurd diddy while women in bad Hobbit/Vulcan ears danced and sang around him, it has since become something that I can rarely get out of my head whenever I think of it.  It is not a bad thing to find yourself humming.

Later I was ecstatic when he had his appearance in the Star Trek reboot (mainly because it wasn't Willaim Shatner trying to be in another Star Trek franchise, but that's just me being me) as well as the show Fringe, for which he came back for a couple of times.

Like probably a lot of people, Spock was/is my favorite character from the Original Series even if the specifics of being and portraying a Vulcan weren't 100% set in stone during the first year.  He is a great counterpart to Kirk's John Wayne attitude towards space exploration and alien cultures.  

The last thing he tweeted (I am only slightly ashamed that I typed that opening to a sentence associated with the death of a person) is perfect and simply beautiful:

A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015

If only we could all be as eloquent before our own passing.
Now go and hug someone you love.  And tell them you love them.

~JWfW/JDub/Jaconian

Game Idea: Star Trek

Watching reruns of DS9, it has occurred to me that it is time for a new Star Trek game.  Of course, I say this having not played most of the star trek games released.  So I guess what I really mean is:  It’s time for me to play a star trek game.  Or, more specifically, it’s time for me to play the star trek game I’m imagining.  Does it exist, I wonder?

What I’m imagining is basically a Maniac Mansion style adventure game.  I have some vague memories that a Star Trek game has done this in the past.  The idea being to solve puzzles using a crew or away team and a set of equipment and specializations.  Tricorders, med packs, phasers, engineering skills.   All that good stuff. 

I think the potential for level and puzzle design might be very high when you consider all the different possible things a Tricorder might detect.   Invisible Gasses, energy waves, life signs.  It’s the basic structure of any Star Trek episode.  The captain says ‘give me a reading’  and someone says ‘I’m detecting high levels of _____ radiation.  That could be causing the ______ to ______”  now ship it off to Michael Okuda to fill in the blanks.

I suppose what I’m interested in is capturing and augmenting the experience of watching the show.  I don’t necessarily want to dream up a fully functioning, open-world star trek universe (though that is obviously a cool thing to exist).  My thought is of rich scenarios,  clever puzzles, interesting characters and engrossing drama.  I’m imagining something akin to Mass Effect, but with less fighting and more puzzles.  

One game design question would be how you control your party.  Is it five independent people, all controlled by the player, or does the player just control the commanding officer, and issue orders to the others?   The second option seems the simplest.  Your commands can include ‘scanning’ or ‘advisement’ or ‘batten down the hatches.’  Well, some star trek equivalent anyway. 

Also, it seems obvious that getting actors from actual star trek series to do voice overs is a good thing.  On the other hand, the Star Trek universe is rich, and with good writing, I know I would happily embrace a new cast and crew and a new setting.  I've done it four times already.  

I don’t think these ideas are original by any means.  But in the past, Star Trek, like any licensed product, has had a series of rather mediocre games.  I’m just hoping there is a higher production value game that shows a true understanding of the beloved show and universe.  Of course, by now it’s likely that any new game would be set in the re-imagined Original Series universe, which is full of non-stop action.  Yawn.  I left my heart with TNG.  

-D

P.S.  http://www.pixeltrek.com/  for a digital tour of the Enterprise D

First Impressions: The Mote in God's Eye (Book Review)

The Mote in God's Eye was written in 1974 by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.  There are 560 pages in the paperback edition I checked out from the library.   I chose this book based on some echo of a memory that it was a significant sci fi book that maybe I'd like to read.  The cover has praise from Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers) and is described as 'the acknowledged masterpiece' of the team, a story of Mankind's first contact with an Alien Species.

This is an interesting book, different from what I usually read.  It's really detail oriented, and military oriented, which sometimes makes it hard to read.  It can be little bit of a slog.  But when I am able to hang in there, there's some really cool sci fi.  It reminds me a lot of Star Trek, there's even a Scottish chief engineer (...and a Scottish midshipman and Scottish Ensign, and an entire planet of New Scotland).

As in any good science fiction, there is fictional technology involved. The important technology to the human race is hinged around what is essentially warp drive, and a force field which helps to cool down the ship upon return from warp drive.  These are the defining technologies of the human race, and enabled interstellar travel and colonization.  Beyond that, there are lots of primitive mechanical technologies that seem pretty simplistic next to a different interstellar sci-fi world, like Star Trek.  No transporters, inertial dampeners or tractor beams to be found.

In addition, the social development in the book is highly limited.  As opposed to a world like Star Trek, the Navy is made up entirely of Men.  The same can be said for the science teams.  As of this point in the book, there is only one Human female in the story and at least a dozen named Male characters.  At times it seems as though this book has more in common with a classic seafaring novel of the 18th or 19th century,  (never my favorite genre) as opposed to a progressive science fiction series like Star Trek.

Some of the character's assumptions about the aliens are pretty boneheaded as well, they keep assuming they are mutations or somehow crippled.  But it is fun to hear them be so far off the mark, and sit, smug in my assurance that the writers will reveal the truth to be much more interesting.

I am about a hundred and fifty pages in, however, and things have gotten really interesting.  The high level of detail is an asset when talking about a new species of Intelligent Life.  They deeply consider the alien's physiology, technology and social order.  The writers release information slowly, leaving me hungry to learn more.  The detailed treatment of the scientific exploration of a new intelligent species along with their careful unfolding of such information helps me to get through their, otherwise unappealing and rather primitive sci fi world.

This book isn't quite what I'm used to.  I am eager to read more, but they are dragging it out a bit.

-D

The Classic Episodes (TV Review)

Any good show has a shortlist of classic episodes.  The ones that stand up above the rest.  In some cases, these might be the ones that you would show to an uninitiated person, who would like to know what this show is all about.  And because I love lists as much as the next guy, I'm going to pick one episode from a few TV series I've watched.

While it's generally best to watch a show in chronological order, so you can see the characters develop, there are usually episodes in the run of a series that are self-contained, and little to no background is required to enjoy them.  These are the ones I'd like to focus on.  In each case, there are others that might do just as good a job, but these are my picks.  

http://www.redbubble.com/people/dangerousdays/works/9026099-darmok-and-jalad-at-tanagra

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Darmok

Star Trek: The Next Generation has the advantage of having many self-contained episodes and few multi-episode spanning story arcs.  This makes the show easy to pick up and enjoy.  But when I think of the series, Darmok is usually the first episode I think of.

The execution of the theme is original, and totally what Star Trek is all about.  This story is fully diplomatic, it's just a matter of learning to communicate.  On one side is hand-to-hand combat with a shiny beast, and also stories around the campfire.  On the other side is... well, research.  Half this episode is just characters researching language, stories, and discussing their findings.

All you need know is the barest information about what the Federation is, and how they operate.  And not necessarily even that.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Restless

Now, I haven' gotten through the whole series, so maybe this will change, but I just saw the Dream episode of Buffy, and it was a really well done episode.  About 80% of the action in the episode takes place within four different dreams.  I loved the strangeness of it; I felt like it was not just a Hollywood version of what dreams are, but a much more realistic one.  One key detail is the way that the dreamers take the strangeness in stride, the way I've found I tend to do in my own dreams.

Information about the characters might help this episode, but it's true value is in the direction and cinematography, which can be appreciated on their own merits.

Doctor Who

Blink

This is one of those episodes.  It's self contained, well designed, really a fantastic episode.  Frankly, it's such a good episode that it might even spoil the series a little.  This is definitely the first episode I show anyone who is curious about Dr. Who.  Even if they don't end up liking the series, they will more than likely enjoy this episode.  It is well-executed, original and completely self contained.  The lead roles are one-off characters.  Outsiders, like the first time viewers, unfamiliar with the series they inhabit. 

Nine days into June, and I'm posting again

Whelp, I've been busy lately, 



I'm going to take a moment to comment on the various things Jaquonian said in his previous post. Just 'cause. And I'm going to do it in reverse order.

Firstly, I guess I'm okay with Evangeline Lilly, until further notice. It makes sense that they'd want to have a character with a name who is an elf, given that in the Hobbit Book, the Mirkwood elves don't really have any distinguishing characters. It's kind of like how they expanded Haldir's character in LOTR.  Also, it makes sense that she'd be female, because there is a serious lack of female characters in Middle Earth.  

Personally, the thing I didn't like about the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was how bloody long it was. Granted, I expected it to be long when it was first announced, but I don't see the point now that it's been broken into three films. In addition, it felt much longer because of the directors insistence on regular 'edge of your seat' chase scenes. Over and over again, the characters were literally - and I do mean literally -  hanging from cliffs. It just made for a stressful viewing experience, especially for a movie based on a book that I find rather relaxing.  

I'm prepared to forgive non-canon moves, but when they contribute to an already over-long and stressful movie experience, then I'm not happy.  That said, I'm excited to see the Mirkwood scenes, and for god sake, SMAUG!  I mean... I have some pretty high expectations for that guy.   Benedict Cumberbatch is pretty awesome in Sherlock, and was great in Star Trek II.  Quick aside:  Star Trek II was not as good as Star Trek 1, though not particularly bad - just not particularly good.  It also suffered from the 'roller coaster ride' effect, like the Hobbit.  I guess that's just how it's done now.  I could have used much more dialogue from Cumberbatch. 

Topic Jump!

In retrospect, I wish I'd paid more attention to that first Humble Weekly Bundle.  Walking Dead has gotten great reviews, and I think it's mostly a point and click adventure.  And, what the hell, maybe Back to the Future is good too.  I think point and click is right about my speed these days, given I'm 30 going on 60.  Just kidding, but yeah, getting older sucks, especially the part where you have to work all day.  

As another aside,  my life has felt a bit like this scene from Ghostbusters.  "Dogs and Cats, living together!"

Bummer about Shadow of the Eternals.  However, their message does seem very hopeful, so even if they couldn't come up with the cash, maybe this will continue to lead to good things.  

-D


I'll leave you with a link:  Good old Games.  This is yet another digital gaming store.  The focus here is on retro PC gaming.  This is a pretty deep well for me, seeing as my years up until recently have been spent console gaming.  I'm particularly interested in giving a game called 'Planescape: Torment' a try.  

And you know, while I'm at it, here's another retro gaming link, Racketboy.  It's a really well designed retro site, where you can find great images, and well organized topics, and articles on a very extensive selection of gaming systems.   Except... so far, I haven't really enjoyed the writing.  I guess you can't have everything.  Check it out when you're in a retro mood. 

The Question of Geek or It's all Geek to Me - a response

 This post is a response to my blogging colleague and good friend's post:  What does it mean to you?

I think part of the problem presented by the meaning of Geek is connected to what Felicia Day presents as a concern: that Geek has become over-commercialized.  It's like Geeks were these rare and beautiful jewels, who were content to sparkle and be pretty and perhaps be set into the inlay on an elder blade, or curse a hapless treasure hunter.  But what ended up happening is that the world of business discovered that these jewels have monetary value, and can be traded for bucks.  And now they are circulating, and circulating. What once had to be stolen from a crypt in the amazon is now available for $4.99 on amazon.com. 

And to make matters worse: when something that used to be precious is now a commodity, it's hard not to begin to question authenticity.  I think this is where the phrase 'you're not a real...' - something or other - comes in.  There is a fear of receiving the fools gold of geekdom.  It's a legitimate concern, though I think some take it too far. 

I feel a certain frustration when I hear people toss around 'Geek' like it's something to be proud of.  It's hard to see that something that felt very costly to me as a youth claimed loudly as an adult.  However, I don't really think it's appropriate to publicly question someone's authenticity as a person, either.  That can be harmful.  Besides, for all the rejection I felt when I was young, I had at least an equal amount of connection-  I never went to a Star Trek convention alone.  

Now that I'm a grown up, with an adult life and adult job, the labels Geek and Nerd don't worry me too much anymore.  It's my 'adult' concerns that eat up the majority of my attention and identity. Or maybe I've just gotten really good at hiding it.  I certainly understand why it is a concern for Felicia Day, who has named her channel 'Geek and Sundry.'  If the term 'Geek' becomes watered down, where will that leave Felicia?  

I once read an article, way back when smartphones hadn't invaded, Steam really hadn't caught on, and Futurama was still canceled.  The author of this article had firm definitions of Nerd and Geek.  In it, they defined the Geek as the tinkerer, the one who could figure out how things work, who knew the computer coding language, who could do the advanced math, applied or no.  And the Nerd was the collector.  The one who consumed vast quantities of media and knowledge, and had it all organized, but didn't necessarily have any practical use for it. 

I think a dork was somewhere in between.  If there was a label that I identify with on the Nerd Continuum, I think it would be dork.  I just don't get it, I don't really mind that I don't get it, and I really hope you leave me alone about how I don't get it.  I do like stuff though, and if you ask about it, I will totally tell you all about it.  I guess it's kind of like Aspberger's Syndrome, which is on the chopping block for the DSM V.  Did I just wrinkle your brain? No?  Oh.  okay. 

I can't help but think I'm forgetting something.  I thought long and hard about this subject all day.  I guess I don't have to cover everything in just one try.  Anyway, Geek = label given to me as a kid.  Bitterness.  As adult it is now a good classification... whaaa?   The end. 

-D

Currently Playing: Final Fantasy II (NES)

Classify this.  Or just check the page out, it makes me feel better about things.