This interview is a great read. I like what I see of Mike McMahan’s thought processes. I’m fine with “the snub” (LD s3e10) as an end to the Mariner/Jennifer arc. Lower Decks is in good hands. Long may it run. With longer seasons! (you listening Paramount?)
Good news. Both that Starfleet Academy is greenlit, and that Tawny Newsome is one of the writers. The part of the DSC episode teasing a Starfleet Academy (DSC s4e4) came across to me as having an ABC Afterschool Special vibe. It didn’t strike me as being sustainable as a series. But, with this new information, I’m curious and hopeful about Starfleet Academy. I’m also very happy that it will be set in the 32nd century. Making room for new characters and possibilities.
“I’m also pleading 🙏 let David Cronenberg’s Kovich be involved.”
Yes! As well as Admiral Vance and Tilly as series regulars.
Go team Star Trek fans and Prodigy team! I don’t have Netflix, and have no plan to get it. However, I still got your back, Prodigy fans. I’ll keep an eye out for the release of Prodigy season 2 physical media and get that when it’s released. And, promote Prodigy to others.
That’s a cute and colorful dessert spread. As far as Paramount Home Entertainment sponsoring the post, I immediately thought of a quote from Captain Rios (PIC s2e1),
“Confused. ‘Never talk to me again’ was literally the last thing you ever said to me.”
Yay for the effort to promote Prodigy’s season 1, episodes 11 - 20, Blu-ray/DVD release, though.
I’ve heard of Kid Cudi, but I’m not familiar with his music. That’s not a reflection on Kid Cudi. I’m not familiar with anyone’s music, as I stopped keeping up with music some time ago. It’s good that Paramount is trying something else to bring in new Star Trek fans. Most of Paramount’s promotion of Star Trek seemed to be preaching to the choir (promoting Star Trek to existing fans of Star Trek). This doesn’t set my heart aflutter like an announcement of a Moopsy plush would, but as a long time Star Trek fan I don’t think I’m the target of this promotion.
I enjoy the exploration of Ferengi society under Grand Nagus Rom, and visiting some of Ferenginar’s hot spots. I also enjoy seeing Rom and Leeta again. I love the subversion of Rom’s doofiness, and how well Leeta adapted to Ferengi society. First Clerk, indeed. Freeman’s frustration was my frustration, but it had a satisfying ending.
I didn’t enjoy the lower deck gang’s shenanigans as much. There were fun moments, but it felt like a drag on the characters. Mariner’s fighting just to be fighting. She has grown a lot over the past seasons. Her undefined angry outburst in this episode seemed pointless. There’s nothing keeping JG Lieutenant Mariner from her Ensign Mariner renegade behavior and schemes. Boimler has completely backslid into the previously uncertain, twitchy, insecure Boimler. There’s no sign of “Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus’” (s3e8) “I want to be a captain” Tendi.
Rutherford and Tendi’s discomfort pretending to be a couple made me uncomfortable. They’ve clearly been sweet on each other for a while. I could have done without forcing them into this pretend couple scenario, and let their relationship develop at its previous pace. I think Mariner and Boimler being the pretend couple had the potential to be hilarious. And, what the heck. No T’Lyn? Much disappointment.
I think Ransom is the standout in this episode.
The destroyed (maybe? maybe not?) ship of the week is a Ferenghi one. There was the tiniest hint, that one of the crew had been in contact with who or whatever is on that flying ship of destruction. With only 4 episodes left, I hope that ship has a huge payoff after being teased for so long.
I still love Lower Decks. This episode is a mixed bag for me.
I’m surprised by this one. I think it is amusing. And, not offensive. This episode seems to actually get Star Trek, while gently poking fun. After the first two Very Short Treks, I wasn’t going to watch anymore of them. Didn’t watch the third one, and I don’t plan to do so. I’m glad I saw this one.
Lower Decks continues to shine. I enjoy finally being shown aspects Orion culture, beyond being considered, " … delinquents, pirates, slave traders." (DSC s1e15, although the same perception about Orions is held throughout Star Trek). The expansion of Tendi’s background is great. I’m hoping for more on Orion in Star Trek’s future. Poor Mariner, lol.
Getting to see Boimler and Rutherford settle in as roommates made for a nice B story. That got me wondering again about Mariner and Tendi’s new quarters since their promotions. And, T’Lyn’s.
The mysterious ship of destruction is getting old for me. When only ten, twenty-five minutes each, episodes are considered a season, there’s little time to dilly-dally around with story telling. I’m just hoping this tease doesn’t continue to be unexplained until another season.
To bad there wasn’t time in “wej Duj” (LD s2e9) for an Orion Lower Decks segment. Now, I’m just waiting for an appropriate situation to say, " … that makes you more of an Orion plagiarist."
I was hoping the little ship of doom is using unfamiliar tech to transport the people on the destroyed ships somewhere. Mainly because of Ma’ah and the Che’Ta’, and now the Orions. But, I’m leaning more towards destruction, than transporting. On the plus side, I have an astonishingly consistent track record of being wrong when guessing story points. Fingers crossed that my streak continues.
It’s not just you. I’m only on the startrek.website instance and more often than not I have to reload the page 2 to 4 times to not get the JSON stuff. I’m on a laptop, and it happens on both Firefox and Chrome. Ever since the migrating of hosts. I thought it was related to wonkiness/slowness that would go away with time. No one else mentioned it before, so I thought is was something about my equipment or connection.
I’ll screenshot the next time it happens. I did copy the text from the last time I had a JSON screen and pasted that text to Notepad. I have pasted that info in a PM to you. All that text, with the JSON bar at the top, is what I get at times instead of the startrek.website page I’m trying for.
/ Film is continuing to report and opine on key points in the oral history book “The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The Next Generation to J. J. Abrams,” edited by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross....
" … the story for “Unification” is jam-packed with exactly the kind of dry, political, diplomatic talk that sets Trekkies’ hearts aflutter."
Hey, I like action, too. But, they aren’t wrong. I do like “Unification’s” premise and execution.
I think attempting the reunification of Vulcan and Romulus is pretty epic. Because the two are major players in Star Trek. A diplomacy mission between two planets/species of the week wouldn’t hold as much drama to me. No way to know what might have been without something beyond “less talky, more action” about the idea. Learning about the thoughts and concerns at the time is interesting.
I enjoyed the surprise of seeing Dr. McCoy with Data, and I wanted more along those lines at the start of TNG. I was still craving more of the TOS cast, in addition to the films, at TNG’s start. By TNG’s third season I thought the show stood firmly on its own.
It is nice to see Discovery, and my favorites of the recent Star Treks – PIC and LD, getting some love. Paramount continuing to pretend that there is no such thing as Prodigy is annoying. Prodigy is not my cup of tea, but I support other Star Trek fans who enjoy the show.
It’s convoluted and stupid, but running your streaming service as a separate entity is how all the studios have it rigged up. Accounting ftw
Convoluted, indeed. At this point, Paramount+ has zero say in Prodigy. Maybe Paramount+ even mentioning the existence of Prodigy might mess up their write-off (I’m saying this with zero sympathy for the “creative” accounting, just to be clear). I have no idea where Nickelodeon even factors in the Prodigy rights situation. Paramount allowed a sneak peek at Prodigy season 2, episode 1 before, WOW - Prodigy Second Season Sneak Peek!. All in all, a very frustrating situation. It seems the best we can do is keep Prodigy’s name alive online and in letters.
I’m not an accountant. My understanding is that streaming companies are using accounting alchemy with write-downs to bump up what’s in the profit category for a quarter. A streaming program getting this treatment disappears from the streaming platform. The studio chooses to take a quick on paper profit now, rather than continue to carry a show for a possible profit later. Viewers are left in the lurch – the show(s) they enjoyed or intended to watch are gone. And creators are hung out to dry, as the programs they created and worked on are not only gone from the streaming service, but may never be seen again. Prodigy has the advantage of a vocal fan base. Many shows might never gain an audience because there is no longer any way to see them.
Agree. Agree. Agree. There is so much goodness in this episode. And, so much quotable material. Dr. T’Ana is becoming my favorite Star Trek doctor. Love her attitude. I laughed so hard when Dirk sicced Lancelot the ferret on Rutherford that I started coughing. Lower Decks! Lower Decks!
I think this one is better than the last one, but that’s a very low bar to clear. The animation is done well in TAS style. This episode is like a Saturday Night Live skit that falls flat. Not innovative, just tepid. I’ve now learned to temper my expectations for the rest of the Very Short Treks.
I’m hoping Very Short Treks started with their weakest showing. Who okayed this? I’m imagining someone who when asked what their favorite part of Star Trek is, responds, “the lightsabers and the Wookies.” How else would the not at all representative of Star Trek whinge, “omg, I can’t say anything without offending someone!,” get put on repeat for nearly the entirety of the short. Except by someone who is clueless about Star Trek. And then ending with the Captain getting his imaginary girlfriend wish fulfilled. What the hell did I just write. What the hell did I just watch.
I just watched it. It was a nice bit of Star Trek-ness. I was shouting out answers to Jackie Cox’ questions to passerbys. And, now I want an outfit like Jackie Cox wore – sequins and Star Trek.
“Twovix.” Love it. From Jack’s advice to Shax at the start through the end, I enjoy this episode. Voyager becoming a museum was a great way to cram a lot of VOY escapades into an episode. I’m going to miss Mariner’s, Boimler’s, Tendi’s, and Rutherford’s time together in their hallway bunks, but the promotions are well deserved and bound to happen. I think T’Lyn is a great addition. The ending though, oh, no. Not Ma’ah and the Che’Ta’! I’m betting their demise (seeming? seems likely?) is because of William Boimler or Badgey. Maybe both of them. Keep in mind I’m terrible at guessing.
“I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee.” Also love it. First and foremost, yes, I, a grown woman, want a Moopsy plush. Preferably one that says, “moopsy.” I was wondering if Mariner’s being promoted would go smoothly, and I was not disappointed with how it played out. For all his goofiness, I think Ransom is a great commanding officer. I’m pretty meh on the potential of Rutherford and Livik being adversaries. It seems out of character for Rutherford. But, LD continues to pleasantly surprise me, so I’m keeping an open mind. Boimler’s tribulations with his new quarters were funny, and very Boimler. With what happened to the Romulan ship at the beginning of the episode, I’m wondering if the whatever it is will take out a different ship every episode this season.
I’m glad this scene was omitted. I think that it starts as a “beautiful little moment,” but then it just goes off the rails. I thought it would be about Worf reconciling his Earth upbringing with his Klingon heritage, finding a balance that suited him, or something along that line. Nope. Using killing a random woman (or anyone) as a plot point. Always tiresome, and very not Worf.
“We have always believed that The Wrath of Khan is the fulcrum movie upon which Star Trek turned.”
I think that this cannot be overstated. TMP did not get the reception, recognition, and bucket loads of money, the studio was banking on. It no doubt took a lot of work, and luck, to get the studio to back a second Star Trek film, even with its much lower budget. There are many reasons we have the current choices of Star Trek series and movies, but I don’t underestimate how vital TWoK’s success is with the situation. This sounds like a fascinating book, and is definitely on my “I want” list.
There are inspiring, epic quotes in Star Trek. Words that stir the soul, shining a light on paths to a brighter now and a better future. But, what about those bits of dialog that don’t have a stirring message, that you enjoy just because you enjoy them?...
I don’t hate the Borg Queen. I think she’s an awesome antagonist. All hail the (Borg) Queen Alice Krige. Mad respect for Susanna Thompson’s portrayal. Loved Annie Wersching’s Borg Queen, too. Jane Edwina Seymour’s Borg Queen creeped me out, which was the goal, so kudos to her.
Yes! I think taken on its own, it comes across as a not-epic quote. But, as the finish to a tremendous demonstration by two amazingly talented actors, it’s so emotionally hard-hitting.
I love this scene! I think they all nailed it. Wilson Cruz’ delivery, posture, head tilt, everything for, "Did you just call me ‘Papi?’ " is wonderful. I’m loving the Georgiou quotes, too.
No worries. You regularly comment and post on a variety of topics, always with a steady and non-antagonistic viewpoint. This situation is very, “it’s not you, it’s me.” I have relatives from the southern U.S., and they shorten “passed away” to just “passed.” It’s just what I’m used to hearing.
I can’t join them on the picket lines, but writing letters? I’m in! Sadly, my missives won’t be on Star Trek themed stationery. Paramount marketing team, get cracking on that. LLAP WGA & SAG/AFTRA.
Rolling with those are LD season 4 titles, oh, there’s more Badgey. That he was still around was set up before, but this is a possible confirmation. I think Badgey and Peanut Hamper have the most out there performances. I’m both intrigued and appalled at the possibility of a new Badgey appearance. I can’t tell from the titles, but I’m hoping for a William Boimler appearance in season 4.
Yes! I’m not even going to try to imagine how LD will handle a Tuvix situation, but I’m betting it will be good. If I had a list of things that would never be LD episodes, that episode title that’s a play on the name of a Harlan Ellison short story, “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream,” would be on that list. Mr. Ellison’s short story is the antithesis of humorous. But, LD continues to pleasantly surprise me.
I think Tendi is always great. The moment of her going full on Orion Pirate was absolutely wonderful. “That thing has a tooth remover?” “Shh. I’m pirating! Let’s go!” (s3e6)
Strange no ENT representation in the promotion. Also strange, isn’t that Murf from Prodigy on the right side, middle outer edge of the Animated Celebration promotional image? If it is, I’m not going to read anything into it. I don’t see any other Prodigy characters, but sharper eyes than mine might.
Working from the oral history in The Five Year Mission: The next 25 years, this is a fascinating deep dive that answers the question “How did a recycled cover of a 1998 song written for Rod Stewart, ‘Where My Heart Will Take Me’ aka ‘Faith of the Heart’ become the title music for Enterprise?”...
I get what they were going for with the song, but it’s a swing and a miss for me. I think the opening credits montage fits perfectly with the show, but not the song. When I watch ENT, the only time I don’t mute the sound during the opening credits is for “In a Mirror, Darkly, Parts 1 and 2.”
" … another ‘space theme for nerds,’ so to speak … "
Not so to speak. Exactly that. Give me the orchestral story telling. Give me that epic space theme.
Interview — Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Mike McMahan on Moopsy, Creating the Orion Homeworld, Tuvix, and Much More! ( blog.trekcore.com )
NYCC Starfleet Academy confirmation ( collider.com )
StarfleetAcademy ‘will be funny’ according to Alex Kurtzman....
‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Finds New Home At Netflix After Paramount+ Cancellation ( deadline.com )
Anyone up for a Prodigy Supernova Soirée? ( www.msn.com )
Looking for news about saving Star Trek Prodigy, I came across this shameless paid promotional piece on MSN from Paramount Home Entertainment....
Boldly Be with Star Trek and Kid Cudi ( www.startrek.com )
Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Lower Decks | 4x06 "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place"
LoglineThe Cerritos visits the Ferengi homeworld....
Star Trek: very Short Treks | "Holograms All the Way Down" ( www.startrek.com )
This one was written by Star Trek: Prodigy’s Aaron J. Waltke....
Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Lower Decks | 4x04 "Something Borrowed, Something Green"
LoglineTendi is summoned back to Orion for a wedding....
BTS Video: Not-So-Lower Decks: The Crew Gets Promotions ( www.startrek.com )
The Ready Room may be on hiatus during the strikes, but it looks like they have some prerecorded segments in the can.
/ Film reflects on Oral History of TNG ‘Unification’ Spock appearance ( www.slashfilm.com )
/ Film is continuing to report and opine on key points in the oral history book “The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The Next Generation to J. J. Abrams,” edited by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross....
New Era of Star Trek - promotional trailer for new shows on Paramount+ ( youtu.be )
This was included in the Star Trek Day content, but released separately a couple of days ago....
Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Lower Decks | 4x03 "In the Cradle of Vexilon”
LoglineBoimler leads his first away mission on an alien megastructure....
Star Trek: very Short Treks | "Holiday Party" ( www.youtube.com )
StarTrek.com link featuring the second chapter of “The Scheimer Barrier”.
Star Trek: very Short Treks | Skin a Cat ( youtu.be )
Produced by: Awesome Inc...
Star Trek Day 2023 Special ( www.youtube.com )
Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Lower Decks | 4x01 "Twovix" and 4x02 "I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee"
"Twovix" loglineThe Cerritos ensigns must assist a caretaker on the voyage of a historically significant starship....
Worf and Riker Have a Heart to Heart in Star Trek: Picard Deleted Scene ( gizmodo.com )
Preview: ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan – The Making Of The Classic Film’ With Authors Interview ( trekmovie.com )
Weekend Star Trek Merchandise Roundup — New Trek Movie Figures, UK Model Starships, and a 2023 Advent Calendar! ( blog.trekcore.com )
What's Your Favorite, Not at All Epic, Star Trek Quote
There are inspiring, epic quotes in Star Trek. Words that stir the soul, shining a light on paths to a brighter now and a better future. But, what about those bits of dialog that don’t have a stirring message, that you enjoy just because you enjoy them?...
Roxann Dawson (B’Elanna) passed on directing new Star Trek but has returned to science fiction with Foundation ( www.slashfilm.com )
Interesting extract from a longer /Film interview with in-demand director Roxann Dawson....
Trek Celebrities Invite Fans To Join Them On The Picket Line For ‘United We Trek’ On Star Trek Day ( trekmovie.com )
Star Trek: Lower Decks Episode Guide - Season 4 featuring (alleged) episode titles ( www.cygnus-x1.net )
I say “alleged” because this has not been corroborated by any other sites that I’ve seen, but this site’s track record is pretty good.
Murf photobombed the Star Trek Day Animated Celebration Poster! ( startrek.website )
@Nmyownworld spotted Murf in the poster in the promotional announcement for Star Trek Day....
Paramount Invites Fans to a Special Global 'Star Trek Day' Celebration on September 8 ( startrek.com )
Braga: ‘I still cringe when I hear it.’ Apparently, it was a long road to the franchise’s most despised title music ( www.slashfilm.com )
Working from the oral history in The Five Year Mission: The next 25 years, this is a fascinating deep dive that answers the question “How did a recycled cover of a 1998 song written for Rod Stewart, ‘Where My Heart Will Take Me’ aka ‘Faith of the Heart’ become the title music for Enterprise?”...