More Star Trek
Jun. 19th, 2009 12:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meddowI've finished watching the Borg Collection, and all the Trek watching has served to remind me that while Picard to me may be the epitome of what a Starfleet Captain should be like, Janeway is easily my favourite of the six. If there's any opportunity to run around a Borg cube with a really big gun on an insane and seemingly suicidal mission, she'll take it, which makes her enormously fun. Plus, the first episode of Voyager I ever watched was the end of Year of Hell Part Two, in which she pulled a Kirk Snr and solo piloted a beaten-to-hell Voyager on a kamikaze ram, and first impressions count.
I have a confession to make, I actually really like Voyager. Yes, its premise, which is the most interesting of all the Trek series, is completely wasted and you really have to mourn for what could have been, and it's not as intelligent as TNG. But I really like most of the characters, and the crew does form the most adorable little family, and I've decided Voyager takes far too much flack for the Borg's villain decay. Really, it’s TNG's and Enterprises's fault. It was, after all, TNG that introduced the concept of the Borg Queen, as well as that a person can be de-Borged and that a Borg can regain its individuality once separated from the collective. Voyager just ran with those things, and I can't say I blame them for it. Janeway interacting with the Borg Queen makes for a far more interesting scene than Janeway interacting with a CGI shot of computers and a disembodied voice. Plus, I love the whole arch-nemesis thing they had going on. And Seven of Nine is one of the most interesting characters in the franchise.
And then came along Enterprise episode Regeneration. In which Archer and co. beat the Borg when really, they should have had their asses handed to them. And it wasn't even a double episode. Apparently, the Enterprise crew can defeat Borg from the future knowing absolutely nothing about them, in 42 minutes. What!?
Anyway, the TNG double Descent has the individualised Borg being ruled over by Data's evil brother Lore, and it was mostly about Data and Lore, with the Borg being Lore's complying henchmen (and, seriously, people name Voyager as responsible for the villain decay?) What stood out was that Dr Crusher got to command the Enterprise, and used the opportunity to be the most awesome I've ever seen her: disobeying the Picard's direct orders, going back to the planet for the crew and flying the Enterprise into a sun to destroy the bad guys and all the while nurturing the talent of Ensigns and given them a chance to shine.
I quite enjoyed the first Voyager Borg two-parter Scorpion, which has no Borg Queen or individualised Borg (although Seven is introduced) and a massive war going on between the Borg and another species that would also quite happily also destroy the crew of Voyager. Cue Janeway negotiating an alliance with the Borg and a lot of manoeuvring from both parties determined to destroy each other, which was really fun.
Drone was quite dull and rather throw away, but a good character episode for Seven. Dark Frontier, I thought, was excellent in both a properly excellent and a crackishly excellent way. It's got the Voyager crew organising a heist of Borg tech, flashbacks exploring Seven's childhood and Janeway and the Borg Queen facing off for the first time. I might picspam it. Unimatrix Zero, i.e. Janeway and the Borg Queen's second face off, had a good start but lost it a bit towards the end. Janeway's plan in that episode has to be one of the most batshit insane and possibly stupid plans I've seen, like, ever. To her credit, at least, she decides to go it alone, and only take others along when her Chakotay threatens to have her found medically unsound if she doesn't. So really, it's all Chakotay's fault. (I don't like Chakotay, he's just so very dull).
Endgame had flaws as a series finale – and apparently it’s one of the reasons why the BSG finale when on and on forever with the character bits. But, I loved how with the two Janeways, the show could have the corrupt and bitter Admiral Janeway and the Borg Queen destroy each other, while the slightly, slightly, more rainbows and bunny rabbits Captain Janeway can get Voyager finally home. I would like to point out, that in that episode marks the first time in the whole series that the Borg Queen got in striking distance of Janeway, and she struck and assimilated her immediately. I think that's rather good villainy, actually.
Finally, even though it was first in the box set (which has the episodes in stardate order), I saved the Enterprise episode for last. It's actually the first Enterprise episode I've bothered to sit down and watch (other than bits I've caught in the past flicking through channels) and I have to say: What the hell is with the opening credits pop song? And was it their intention to make Archer the dullest character on television? No wonder everyone hates it.
Oh, and apparently, in the future, nobody has watched The Thing.
Next up, I've decided to watch the Trek movies since I haven't watched them in years and apparently confused them all in my head (since I though the one with V'ger thing was V, when apparently it's I), so rented I through III. So Shatner it is. Yay?
I have a confession to make, I actually really like Voyager. Yes, its premise, which is the most interesting of all the Trek series, is completely wasted and you really have to mourn for what could have been, and it's not as intelligent as TNG. But I really like most of the characters, and the crew does form the most adorable little family, and I've decided Voyager takes far too much flack for the Borg's villain decay. Really, it’s TNG's and Enterprises's fault. It was, after all, TNG that introduced the concept of the Borg Queen, as well as that a person can be de-Borged and that a Borg can regain its individuality once separated from the collective. Voyager just ran with those things, and I can't say I blame them for it. Janeway interacting with the Borg Queen makes for a far more interesting scene than Janeway interacting with a CGI shot of computers and a disembodied voice. Plus, I love the whole arch-nemesis thing they had going on. And Seven of Nine is one of the most interesting characters in the franchise.
And then came along Enterprise episode Regeneration. In which Archer and co. beat the Borg when really, they should have had their asses handed to them. And it wasn't even a double episode. Apparently, the Enterprise crew can defeat Borg from the future knowing absolutely nothing about them, in 42 minutes. What!?
Anyway, the TNG double Descent has the individualised Borg being ruled over by Data's evil brother Lore, and it was mostly about Data and Lore, with the Borg being Lore's complying henchmen (and, seriously, people name Voyager as responsible for the villain decay?) What stood out was that Dr Crusher got to command the Enterprise, and used the opportunity to be the most awesome I've ever seen her: disobeying the Picard's direct orders, going back to the planet for the crew and flying the Enterprise into a sun to destroy the bad guys and all the while nurturing the talent of Ensigns and given them a chance to shine.
I quite enjoyed the first Voyager Borg two-parter Scorpion, which has no Borg Queen or individualised Borg (although Seven is introduced) and a massive war going on between the Borg and another species that would also quite happily also destroy the crew of Voyager. Cue Janeway negotiating an alliance with the Borg and a lot of manoeuvring from both parties determined to destroy each other, which was really fun.
Drone was quite dull and rather throw away, but a good character episode for Seven. Dark Frontier, I thought, was excellent in both a properly excellent and a crackishly excellent way. It's got the Voyager crew organising a heist of Borg tech, flashbacks exploring Seven's childhood and Janeway and the Borg Queen facing off for the first time. I might picspam it. Unimatrix Zero, i.e. Janeway and the Borg Queen's second face off, had a good start but lost it a bit towards the end. Janeway's plan in that episode has to be one of the most batshit insane and possibly stupid plans I've seen, like, ever. To her credit, at least, she decides to go it alone, and only take others along when her Chakotay threatens to have her found medically unsound if she doesn't. So really, it's all Chakotay's fault. (I don't like Chakotay, he's just so very dull).
Endgame had flaws as a series finale – and apparently it’s one of the reasons why the BSG finale when on and on forever with the character bits. But, I loved how with the two Janeways, the show could have the corrupt and bitter Admiral Janeway and the Borg Queen destroy each other, while the slightly, slightly, more rainbows and bunny rabbits Captain Janeway can get Voyager finally home. I would like to point out, that in that episode marks the first time in the whole series that the Borg Queen got in striking distance of Janeway, and she struck and assimilated her immediately. I think that's rather good villainy, actually.
Finally, even though it was first in the box set (which has the episodes in stardate order), I saved the Enterprise episode for last. It's actually the first Enterprise episode I've bothered to sit down and watch (other than bits I've caught in the past flicking through channels) and I have to say: What the hell is with the opening credits pop song? And was it their intention to make Archer the dullest character on television? No wonder everyone hates it.
Oh, and apparently, in the future, nobody has watched The Thing.
Next up, I've decided to watch the Trek movies since I haven't watched them in years and apparently confused them all in my head (since I though the one with V'ger thing was V, when apparently it's I), so rented I through III. So Shatner it is. Yay?
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 12:41 am (UTC)As to Enterprise: Oh god, please do not judge the whole series on a) that episode (ugh, it was total fail to bring the Borg to Enterprise) and b) the opening song. *facepalm* It was basically a HUGE DEAL OMG among the fans that they picked such a terrible song as the opener, lol. Although I ended up kinda okay with it by the end.. :| Probably because I'd heard it so much. I will admit that Enterprise is the weakest show of all the treks, but honestly the last two seasons were so good! The first couple were pretty bad if I'm being totally honest, but then the creative team behind it changed, and they went back to the roots of original Trek and it really started pulling out some awesome episodes. Enterprise made me love Andorians (who end up with a largish role in the series by the end)! You've said before you've watched a bit of DS9; do you remember Weyoun? Shran, an Andorian in Enterprise, is played by the same guy, and he's just fantastic.
Anyway, wow, I just raved on for way too long about Enterprise and totally revealed my fangirlyness. Ahem.
YAY TREK MOVIES.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 01:07 am (UTC)It's really not fair to judge a show by it's titles, but had to mention the song because is really is so jarring when you've been watching TNG and VOY with their big brass-heavy orchestral themes and space vistas, to get a bad pop song. Anyway, Empire magazine had a list of the three best episodes for each Trek series, and listed Regeneration as the third best Enterprise episode. But I'll take your word for it and check out some others. Does Archer get a bit more interesting?
no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 01:29 am (UTC)Haha, yes, the opening titles of Ent are definitely a shock to the system. I especially love Voyager's and DS9's openings, they're really great.
I am so surprised to hear that anyone put Regeneration in their top 3 list of Enterprise episodes. Most of the best episodes are in season 4, which touches on a lot of Vulcan history/mythology (especially in the 3-part arc The Forge/Awakening/Kir'Shara) and has a great two-parter that takes place in the mirror universe (In a Mirror, Darkly). I also really like the episodes Twilight, Similitude, Doctor's Orders as some good stand alones.
Unfortunately, Archer does not get more interesting, heh. Well, they tried to make him be so, like giving him a romance.. thing. But mostly not. Trip, T'Pol, and Phlox were all my favorite characters.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 03:04 am (UTC)I'll try to check out those episodes you list. It's good getting recommendations since I'm trying to familiarize or re-familiarize myself with ten movies and five series of Star Trek, and going through on a season by season is going to take far to long.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 03:14 am (UTC)Well, I take issue with much of their favorites (I mean, Relics is good and all, but Top 3 TNG episodes ever good? I don't agree) but whatever. For Enterprise, Terra Prime is a very good episode, but it's odd they picked that because it's the second part of a two-parter (Demons/Terra Prime). Haha they're quite right about it being the "real ending" to Enterprise though. These Are the Voyages was atrocious, just atrocious, everyone thought so, even the actors who had to act in it (Frakes and Sirtis guest starred).
*lol* Yeah, undertaking ALL of Trek is something akin to going "Gee, I should watch all of Doctor Who and listen to all the audio books and maybe read some of the books while I'm at it." Kind of a lot, I don't blame you for picking and choosing.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 03:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 02:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-22 06:14 am (UTC)