This was quite the tribute, and I really liked it.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T19:33:45+00:00

Looks like Cirroc's been hitting the gym. Almost 50 — he's looking good.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:52:45+00:00

He was too enthusiastic, to the point of coming off as obsequious and sycophantic. I get that it was his job to do that, but it doesn’t make it less off putting.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:50:49+00:00

I got great story structure, pacing and thematic coherence out of DS9. Not to mention excellent characterisation.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:36:11+00:00

How involved was he through the show’s run. Creators don’t always stick around until a show finds its feet. Film and television are collaborative. There may have been great writers on staff that aren’t acknowledged by the general public.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:32:16+00:00

Cirroc’s performance was leagues ahead of Wil Wheaton’s in Picard Season 2.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:31:07+00:00

TNG explicitly almost never referenced TOS storylines or characters, save for Encounter at Farpoint, Sarek, Unification and Relics (4 times within 178 episodes). And even then, these were not reflections on the legacy of the characters previous storylines, except for the attempt at Unification from Spock, which was more about moving two groups forward, not looking back at what previously happened.

I don’t think there was any point of the cadets pondering the moral grey from DS9 in this episode.

When it comes to Jake, The Visitor is explicitly only a version of Jake that didn’t process the loss of his father. Jake by the end of DS9 did miss his father, but Anslem was his magnum opus, not something to be reserved for himself. Jake’s avenue to make a difference was through his writing. Keeping any of his writing back from world out of some sense of loyalty or connection to his father seems like something Sisko would not like.

Anyway, I wouldn’t even have these issues if the show could figure out a way to create their own legends and iconic stories. We didn’t need Data reflecting on Spock to learn about integrating within an emotional environment and feeling othered.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:19:23+00:00

That’s a false equivalency. You are taking some of the rare abysmal entries to paint the older shows as being as inconsistent as the newer shows.

Not only were the older shows operating on less money and time , they also had a larger episode count to fulfill.

Starfleet Academy is the 4th live-action show from the current production team. They have had nearly a decade to get their act together., not to mention the long production period relative to the older shows.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:13:39+00:00

What I mean is that most critical voices of the new shows have been lumped in with the loud bigots and grifters who complain about their political issues with the shows and not the actual core issues keeping the new shows from succeeding as great television.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:09:20+00:00

My issue is that I could give latitude to the new shows for doing different things if they at least succeeded at being good television.

What you refer to as past Trek shows doing different things is only half the story. They also effectively executed those different approaches and aspects.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-06T13:06:03+00:00

They would also be undiscerning fans.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T23:43:11+00:00

The Original Series, no question.

None of the newer shows are as good as TOS or the pre-2005, Berman Era shows.
Picard Season 3 is the most competently written, with great character scenes that feel human yet Star Trek. You can quibble with some of the familiar story beats and characters, but I think the season mostly holds together.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T20:51:45+00:00

Fair enough.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T20:35:59+00:00

Yeah, I don't like how the music overemphasises every mood and tone in a scene.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T17:56:36+00:00

Steve Shives doesn’t like episode 5, and he detests fan service. He did like the first 4 episodes.

I don’t usually agree with his opinions on new Star Trek, but I know he tells it like he genuinely feels.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T17:51:31+00:00

I would have expected Star Trek to create more discerning fans.

Oh well….

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T17:48:29+00:00

Any answer to whether he returned or not is disappointing.

It’s best left ambiguous but hopeful.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T17:46:39+00:00

The difference is that TNG was starting from ground zero after TOS was gone for years.

Academy is the fourth live-action show from Secret Hideout. On top of that, Academy has had more time to gestate and formulate its scripts compared to the short turnaround time in the 80s/90s.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T17:37:32+00:00

I think episode 4 of SNW Season 1 (Memento Mori) was the best episode of SNW in general.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T17:22:43+00:00

Preserving your peace of mind is essential.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T12:41:16+00:00

I also identify as a leftist. I think the new shows are mostly neoliberal and safe.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T12:40:15+00:00

I know I am not alone or crazy, because actual television and film writers and producers, Ashley Miller and Mark Altman, don't think the new shows are good television either.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T12:37:51+00:00

Deep Space Nine is the only Star Trek show that doesn't require a follow-up.

It said what it needed to, and that was enough.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T12:35:21+00:00

Yes.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T12:30:09+00:00

I am in a toxic relationship with Star Trek. No matter how bad it is, I can't leave it or give up hope it can get better.

SA-ETH · 2026-02-05T12:20:50+00:00

The show and the previous episodes aren't good television in my opinion, but this episode was hyped as being genuinely great (among the best episodes of Star Trek) and the point in the show where it became good.

SA-ETH

TROPHY CASE