Star Trek (1966 - present)

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  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,185
    The show looks its best in S4, ironically because of the switch from celluloid film to digital cameras (the same ones Lucas used). Converting film footage to HD masters was rather imperfect in the early 2000s. Which makes me wish the first three seasons would get a remaster for the live footage, as it only looks just slightly better than SD.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    Broken Bow was such a great start, writing and characterisation is top notch, great action also.

    Broken Bow looks pretty good on my premium 4K player after tweaking some settings, though I know what you mean regarding SD quality.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,212
    Enterprise is very underrated; I think it may have been poorly timed ; under the guidance of the late Manny Coto it really hit its stride. Unfortunately it was too late.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    talos7 wrote: »
    Enterprise is very underrated; I think it may have been poorly timed ; under the guidance of the late Manny Coto it really hit its stride. Unfortunately it was too late.

    Twenty years on Archer is even more of a stand out, in the current era of Trek there is no one who matches him (not including Picard S3) to be fair the whole crew of Enterprise is excellent.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 23 Posts: 25,126
    Happy 93rd Birthday William Shatner (22.03.24)

    Legend.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,185
    Eh, I don’t think S1 or 2 is a good reflection of Captain Archer. “Strange New World” (the episode, not the series) is like a prime example of making Archer to look like a total doofus who seems to want to wing it. There’s this approach in the first two seasons to make Archer into a guy who wants to be a pal with his crew in a way that’s feels annoyingly ingratiating in a way it doesn’t with Kirk and Pike. Then there’s “A Night in Sickbay”, which is borderline character assassination.

    I don’t think Archer really starts to feel like a captain with an air of authority until S3. They really put him to the limit there. By S4 he’s no longer the naive guy from 1 and 2. Still an explorer but hardened by the harsh reality of it.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    Eh, I don’t think S1 or 2 is a good reflection of Captain Archer. “Strange New World” (the episode, not the series) is like a prime example of making Archer to look like a total doofus who seems to want to wing it. There’s this approach in the first two seasons to make Archer into a guy who wants to be a pal with his crew in a way that’s feels annoyingly ingratiating in a way it doesn’t with Kirk and Pike. Then there’s “A Night in Sickbay”, which is borderline character assassination.

    I don’t think Archer really starts to feel like a captain with an air of authority until S3. They really put him to the limit there. By S4 he’s no longer the naive guy from 1 and 2. Still an explorer but hardened by the harsh reality of it.

    Broken Bow is the first time in a long time that I have watched Enterprise, I thought Archer was great. I will see if my opinion changes as I do a full rewatch.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,185
    ”Broken Bow” is probably the strongest episode of the season, and even the show creator Brannon Braga admitted that he felt the first season peaked with its premiere.

    The only thing I would have changed in the pilot is swap the guest Klingon character for Shran. But I get why they went with a Klingon instead as that’s a more familiar alien for the bit opener.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 24 Posts: 25,126
    @MakeshiftPython regarding Strange New World episode, any erratic behavior is clearly influenced by the planet. The planet magnifies discrimination and unconscious bias it is a clever episode.

    Archer is exceptional later in the episode, the writing is very good.

    Enterprisee is light years better than STD. With Enterprise I am locked and totally emotionally invested. The first 4 episodes are high stakes and intense, even better than I remembered.

    ---

    Next up arguably one of the greatest films of all time, first time watch in 4K... The Wrath of Khan.

    I feel emotional this is my favorite film for a multitude of reasons.

    The Wrath of Khan. looks incredible in 4K.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,185
    @MakeshiftPython regarding Strange New World episode, any erratic behavior is clearly influenced by the planet. The planet magnifies discrimination and unconscious bias it is a clever episode.

    Archer is exceptional later in the episode, the writing is very good.

    I was more referring to the cold open before they set foot on a planet.
    ARCHER: Prep a shuttlepod, Mister Tucker. (Tucker starts to leave) I like the looks of the northern continent. See if you can find a good place to set down.
    TRAVIS: Yes, sir.
    T'POL: Captain. There are a number of protocols you may want to consider.
    ARCHER: Protocols.
    T'POL: Vulcan ships would begin by sending automated probes down to collect more detailed scans. If the planet proved to be Minshara-class, we would then conduct a geophysical survey from orbit.
    TRAVIS: Minshara-class?
    HOSHI: Suitable for humanoid life.
    ARCHER: How long would all that take?
    T'POL: Six or seven days.
    TUCKER: (still at the door) You expect us to sit up here for a week while probes have all the fun?
    T'POL: This planet has been here a long time. It will still be here in seven days.
    ARCHER: I understand that you have a more cautious approach, but we didn't come out here to tip-toe around. (to Tucker) Get the pod ready.
    (Tucker leaves.)
    ARCHER: I'd like you to put together the survey team. I assume that's not a violation of protocol?


    This one of the more evident issues of the first two seasons which made the show feel like there was no real direction to it. Archer seemed to be winging it as he went out exploring and acts like a petulant ass when T’Pol is trying to explain why protocols are beneficial. The pilot at least had a pretty clear cut mission with escorting the Klingon back to his home world, but that didn’t seem to be evident for most of the first two seasons. It almost makes Starfleet look like a bunch of doofuses with no real agenda.

    And after the **** hit the fan and everything backfired on him, nearly killing a crew member in the process, we don’t even get a moment where Archer concedes that they could have taken the more cautious approach, which denies us a moment of Archer at least being humbled. This is an issue that pops up over and over, because UPN was apparently worried that having the star of their flagship show admit to being in error would turn off viewers or whatever nonsense.

    But like I said, this is only an issue with the first two seasons. The Xindi mission in S3 at least gave the show a new drive and felt like it was actually building up towards something, even if imperfect. And Archer is far better written, as he’s no longer speechifying about really terrible analogies like about humans and gazelles. Then with S4 we see more defined missions given to Archer that makes far better use of the prequel concept in a way that was almost nonexistent in the first two seasons.

    I think had S1 had a stronger sense of direction and didn’t make the characters to look like a bunch of unprofessional boobs, the show might not have dropped so hard and fast in the ratings. It had a very strong premise that wasn’t fully taken advantage of until it was too late.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 24 Posts: 25,126
    The Enterprisee and Enterprise A are the most beautiful ships in cinema, these wessells were a character we cared about, OG ST fans cared about.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 24 Posts: 25,126
    Sauce for the goose
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    Remind me to explain the concept of the human ego
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 25 Posts: 25,126
    @MakeshiftPython regarding Strange New World episode, any erratic behavior is clearly influenced by the planet. The planet magnifies discrimination and unconscious bias it is a clever episode.

    Archer is exceptional later in the episode, the writing is very good.

    I was more referring to the cold open before they set foot on a planet.
    ARCHER: Prep a shuttlepod, Mister Tucker. (Tucker starts to leave) I like the looks of the northern continent. See if you can find a good place to set down.
    TRAVIS: Yes, sir.
    T'POL: Captain. There are a number of protocols you may want to consider.
    ARCHER: Protocols.
    T'POL: Vulcan ships would begin by sending automated probes down to collect more detailed scans. If the planet proved to be Minshara-class, we would then conduct a geophysical survey from orbit.
    TRAVIS: Minshara-class?
    HOSHI: Suitable for humanoid life.
    ARCHER: How long would all that take?
    T'POL: Six or seven days.
    TUCKER: (still at the door) You expect us to sit up here for a week while probes have all the fun?
    T'POL: This planet has been here a long time. It will still be here in seven days.
    ARCHER: I understand that you have a more cautious approach, but we didn't come out here to tip-toe around. (to Tucker) Get the pod ready.
    (Tucker leaves.)
    ARCHER: I'd like you to put together the survey team. I assume that's not a violation of protocol?


    This one of the more evident issues of the first two seasons which made the show feel like there was no real direction to it. Archer seemed to be winging it as he went out exploring and acts like a petulant ass when T’Pol is trying to explain why protocols are beneficial. The pilot at least had a pretty clear cut mission with escorting the Klingon back to his home world, but that didn’t seem to be evident for most of the first two seasons. It almost makes Starfleet look like a bunch of doofuses with no real agenda.

    And after the **** hit the fan and everything backfired on him, nearly killing a crew member in the process, we don’t even get a moment where Archer concedes that they could have taken the more cautious approach, which denies us a moment of Archer at least being humbled. This is an issue that pops up over and over, because UPN was apparently worried that having the star of their flagship show admit to being in error would turn off viewers or whatever nonsense.

    But like I said, this is only an issue with the first two seasons. The Xindi mission in S3 at least gave the show a new drive and felt like it was actually building up towards something, even if imperfect. And Archer is far better written, as he’s no longer speechifying about really terrible analogies like about humans and gazelles. Then with S4 we see more defined missions given to Archer that makes far better use of the prequel concept in a way that was almost nonexistent in the first two seasons.

    I think had S1 had a stronger sense of direction and didn’t make the characters to look like a bunch of unprofessional boobs, the show might not have dropped so hard and fast in the ratings. It had a very strong premise that wasn’t fully taken advantage of until it was too late.

    Archer is cavalier and naive early on, yep that's true.

    Regarding professionalism, you have watched Strange New worlds? these are the most unprofessional of the lot along with STD.
    ---
    Watching episode 5 now of Enterprise S1, really enjoying the rewatch. I love how the show went back to basics technology wise and how more procedures were necessary it opened up more story telling possibility. STD failed miserably as a prequel series before they went to the garish future.

    In the episode Unexpected I have no idea how Jolene Blalock keeps a straight face delivering her lines, its hilarious.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,185
    I can understand people who enjoy early ENT if they’re nostalgic for the Rick Berman productions because it definitely maintains the production style of TNG/DS9/VOY like a well oiled machine. The only difference behind the scenes is that most who had written the previous three shows had all moved on, which was why Berman & Braga get the most writing credits in the first two seasons because they were struggling trying to keep the show afloat and at the same time bring in new writers, a lot who couldn’t really grasp the Trek world and were let go. It’s really not until S3 when Manny Coto joins the staff that things start to become more balanced.
    Archer is cavalier and naive early on, yep that's true.

    Regarding professionalism, you have watched Strange New worlds? these are the most unprofessional of the lot along with STD.

    Watching episode 5 now of Enterprise S1, really enjoying the rewatch. I love how the show went back to basics technology wise and how more procedures were necessary it opened up more story telling possibility. STD failed miserably as a prequel series before they went to the garish future.

    In the episode Unexpected I have no idea how Jolene Blalock keeps a straight face delivering her lines, it’s hilarious.

    You’re criticizing SNW (and lumping it with DISCO as if they’re on same quality) and at the same time praising “Unexpected”? The episode where a crewmember gets impregnated with an alien baby and the show treats it like a wacky comedy?

    I’ll be curious if you’re gonna be as easy on “Terra Nova”.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    edited March 25 Posts: 8,185
    This is an interesting chart.

    https://x.com/starfleetdesign/status/1772111358487625907

    I suspect TNG has such a strong viewership for S1 because so many want to just start at the beginning but it’s the worst season so they naturally drop off. S3 likely gets a bump due to suggestions that many should just start with that season.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    This is an interesting chart.

    https://x.com/starfleetdesign/status/1772111358487625907

    I suspect TNG has such a strong viewership for S1 because so many want to just start at the beginning but it’s the worst season so they naturally drop off. S3 likely gets a bump due to suggestions that many should just start with that season.

    Interesting numbers, DS9 has not got the viewers comparatively though there is not much drop off. Those that started watching appeared to stick with DS9 until the end.

  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,185
    Of the classic Trek shows, DS9 definitely lends itself better to binge watching a lot more than the others due to its more serialized storytelling. It’s easy to call it a night when you end it with TNG’s “Data’s Day”, but not so easy if you’re in the middle of the Dominion occupation of DS9 storyline.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 28 Posts: 25,126
    William Shatner Has Questions for Neil deGrasse Tyson

    They discuss City on the Edge of Forever, fascinating discussion. Bill is so sharp at 93 years young.

  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    I enjoyed Enterprise Terra Nova, its not the strongest episode though is still thought provoking. Enterprise at this stage is small steps toward the Prime Directive and Federation, also I am invested in the characters.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    edited March 29 Posts: 8,185
    There’s so many plot holes in “Terra Nova” that even the creator of show named it the weakest of the season. Why did the colony think Earth was attacking them? Why did the colony object to the idea of more colonists, given that it’s an entirely uninhabited planet?

    The idea of a long lost colony being rediscovered by the Enterprise is a great concept, but they totally fumbled on the logistics of how any of this works. It’s also the first time ENT did what seemed like a retread of a previous Trek episode, in this instance “Friendship One”, which had aired months earlier that same year in Voyager’s final season.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 29 Posts: 25,126
    Watching City on the Edge of Forever this is my all time best episode, it works on so many levels it is a masterpiece. I have watched this episode hundreds of times and it never stops astounding me with its brilliance.

    'Lets get the hell out of here'

    Edited: Watching Wrath of Khan in 4K again, this is amazing as good as it gets, the writing is world class, there is only one film that can compete TESB.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited March 29 Posts: 25,126
    When the Enterprise stealth attacks the Reliant in the Mutara Nebula, one of my favorite shots in cinema.

    God this film is amazing in 4K.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    "Wrath of Khan" Epilogue/End Credits

  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,126
    The Andorian Incident, Breaking the Ice and Civilization were solid Enterprise episodes, I will admit there are one or two moments where things could have been tighter with the writing though again I am invested in the characters, STD Trek has a lot of whining cry babies which puts me off.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited April 2 Posts: 25,126
    star-trek-insurrection-4kultrahd-bluray-review-highdef-digest-2.jpg

    Just watching Insurrection, first time viewing of 4K Bluray disk, another great looking remaster, huge step up from the Bluray far more cinematic. Ba'ku planet looks stunning and the sound is again impressive. This film is admittedly one of the weakest though there is a lot to like here, thoroughly enjoying this viewing.

    The briar patch battle and denotation of the subspace weapon is pretty awesome.

    All ten movies restored in 4K are worth the money.

    Jerry Goldsmith score is again outstanding, never sounded better.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited April 5 Posts: 25,126
    STD S5 ep1 was totally insane, the writers have no boundaries. One of the things that they have Michael doing is next level implausible, I was entertained as it was so stupid, so I was laughing for all the wrong reasons. I am intrigued as to what the mystery box is this season, the mystery box is literally in a mystery box... the revelation at the end I did not see coming.

    Episode 2 dropped also just watched it, its not bad they have certainly ramped up the action and pacing and the music is pretty crazy. They have dialed down the mellow drama considerably which helps. One new character that was introduced in the first episode will make things more interesting.

    first-contact-day.jpg
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    edited April 5 Posts: 8,212
    I haven't watch Star Trek : Discovery but recently I saw photos of a new cast member, Callum Keith Rennie; at times he strongly resembles Daniel Craig

    SJ5n8aU.jpg
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,185
    I had been saying that ever since I saw him on BATTLESTAR GALACTICA haha.

    I like that S5 is a basically an archeological adventure connected to TNG’s “The Chase”. I guess we’ll see how that pays off.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,212
    They really could play brothers…
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