Star Trek Next Generation Collectards

SignOfZeta · 03/06/2017, 07:30 PM

Yeah, I liked the remastered original series a lot. Probably the only "special edition"-ing I've ever enjoyed.

Gredler · 03/06/2017, 08:05 PM

I finished TNG today... danm that is a hell of a last episode, great stuff. I am excited to move on to DS9.

I will need to figure out how to affordably watch the movies, 2 and 3 were so good, it makes me want to watch the rest so bad!

Dicer · 03/06/2017, 08:20 PM

Quote from: Gredler on 03/06/2017, 08:05 PMI finished TNG today... danm that is a hell of a last episode, great stuff. I am excited to move on to DS9.

I will need to figure out how to affordably watch the movies, 2 and 3 were so good, it makes me want to watch the rest so bad!

I literally did the same thing, though I am several eps in on DS9 now.

elmer · 03/06/2017, 09:00 PM

Quote from: Dicer on 03/06/2017, 08:20 PM
Quote from: Gredler on 03/06/2017, 08:05 PMI finished TNG today... danm that is a hell of a last episode, great stuff. I am excited to move on to DS9.
I literally did the same thing, though I am several eps in on DS9 now.

DS9 has some great episodes. Pretty much any of the ones with Garak in it, for a start.

When you've finished DS9, you can watch some real story-telling from its competition at the time ...

Is This the Smoking Gun Proving Deep Space Nine Ripped Off Babylon 5?

Gredler · 03/06/2017, 09:07 PM

Quote from: elmer on 03/06/2017, 09:00 PMWhen you've finished DS9, you can watch some real story-telling from its competition at the time ...

Thanks! I think all of this sci-fi education I am getting is prepping me for B5 - looking forward to that too!

Dicer · 03/06/2017, 11:31 PM

I fucking love the doors on DS9, just saying...

Gredler · 03/07/2017, 02:25 PM

The acting and characters seem so bad immediately after watching TNG, but I do like the setting.

Is it inherently blurry and dark or just my stream?

elmer · 03/07/2017, 03:14 PM

Quote from: Gredler on 03/07/2017, 02:25 PMThe acting and characters seem so bad immediately after watching TNG, but I do like the setting.

I think that you're forgetting just how awkward some of the early TNG episodes were until the actors and writers became comfortable with their characters (Picard was the exception, because Patrick Stewart was a very experienced and good actor).

But ... the DS9 folks take some getting used to.

That's also kinda the point ... it's the Federation's regular grunts at the ass-end of things, stuck in an undesirable 2nd-rate posting that none of the high-flyers would want.

QuoteIs it inherently blurry and dark or just my stream?

Deliberate, IMHO (at least the "dark" part).

Again, working-life in space (i.e. Alien) on an space station built by the Cardassians and not the shiny-lights-and-plastic of the latest-generation front-line Federation starship.

Instead of the encounter-of-the-week format, they tried for a sci-fi soap-opera format.

Then they made it a lot more high-adventure later on.

Gentlegamer · 03/07/2017, 03:43 PM

For DS9, you can skip the whole first season after the pilot except for the episode "Duet."

If you're watching the whole thing, I wonder if you'll comment on the first season episode that made me drop the series when it was first run, I'll let you guess which one. I disregarded DS9 for years and had to catch up later.

esteban · 03/07/2017, 04:51 PM

Quote from: Gredler on 03/03/2017, 01:47 PMI've watched the second and third movie, the first one isn't on any of my subscription streaming services so I haven't seen that one yet.

I know a lot of folks will criticize the first Star Trek film (for its slow pacing and "lack of action"), but, in a serious way, it is one of the best films.

All I can say is this: give the first movie a chance. You have to designate an evening to it and eliminate all distractions. It should be nighttime, lights off and pure "cinema time" at your home.

The reason I say this is because the pacing is deliberately slow, brooding and "fantastical" (stoopid word)...I love how the movie slowly builds and builds and builds. The atmosphere that develops is truly superb, and IMHO the *experience* of the film is truly awe-inspiring...one of the few films that successfully creates the awe and emotions of "peeking into the unknown"....

This film, I believe, is really about the *experience*...even if you know the plot points already, it doesn't matter, because you are supposed to be mesmerized by the sheer vastness of space and significance/insignificance of humanity.

These are tropes in sci-fi, but, I would argue, the *execution* of this film transcends its seemingly simple plot.

It is a *grand* movie that promises (and delivers) an epic.

If you want an action film, however, please look elsewhere.

This is more akin to Kubrick's 2001....

In fact, I think I have seen a correlation between folks who enjoy 2001 and Star Trek I...

BOTTOM LINE: I understand why folks don't like this first film, but it is a masterpiece, period. In fact, it is the most elegant, lyrical and magical film in the franchise. It just might not be your cup of tea.

Gredler · 03/08/2017, 01:38 PM

@esteban

I think I need to just bite the bullet and purchase the movies. I've seen some box sets that are fairly affordable that would get me everything - I've been trying to stream everything for convenience and cost, but only a few of the movies are currently available on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon (my current subscriptions.)

I have frew preconceptions about the movies aside from 5 that I hear was really poor, so my expectations are only set based on the quality of 2 and 3 which I hear are the pinnacle movies.

Maybe I'll watch 5 next (it's on amazon streaming) to get the opposite quality side of the bread for this movie sandwich

@elmer

I got a few more episodes in, and I can already see the vibe you're talking about. It's different, which is nice, and focuses more on a class/group of people in the same universe that is an interesting change of pace.

I will watch it through I think, I am curious where the show ends up going and my desire to flesh out my "trekie" understanding is incentive enough to bare through the awkward beginnings of this new cast and crew.

xcrement5x · 03/08/2017, 02:33 PM

Quote from: elmer on 03/06/2017, 09:00 PM
Quote from: Dicer on 03/06/2017, 08:20 PM
Quote from: Gredler on 03/06/2017, 08:05 PMI finished TNG today... danm that is a hell of a last episode, great stuff. I am excited to move on to DS9.
I literally did the same thing, though I am several eps in on DS9 now.
DS9 has some great episodes. Pretty much any of the ones with Garak in it, for a start.

When you've finished DS9, you can watch some real story-telling from its competition at the time ...

Is This the Smoking Gun Proving Deep Space Nine Ripped Off Babylon 5?

B5 is such an interesting series. It's pretty amazing that the producer was able to keep almost total control of the direction of it the entire run of 5 seasons.

elmer · 03/09/2017, 03:35 AM

Quote from: guest on 03/08/2017, 02:33 PMB5 is such an interesting series. It's pretty amazing that the producer was able to keep almost total control of the direction of it the entire run of 5 seasons.

You just don't get much better writing and acting than B5 at-its-best ...

Babylon 5: Sebastian / Jack (the Ripper)

CGQuarterly · 03/09/2017, 10:36 PM

I've started watching DS9 since they're showing it every night on TV here locally. Gotta say, it ain't bad.

Gredler · 03/09/2017, 11:04 PM

Yeah, growing on me quick. DS9 is not so shabby!

Gentlegamer · 03/13/2017, 04:16 PM

Deep Space Nine is basically Dark Trek in the best way possible.

CGQuarterly · 03/13/2017, 04:37 PM

Quote from: Gentlegamer on 03/13/2017, 04:16 PMDeep Space Nine is basically Dark Trek in the best way possible.

Which episode of season 1 rustled your jimmies?

Gentlegamer · 03/13/2017, 07:33 PM

Quote from: CGQuarterly on 03/13/2017, 04:37 PM
Quote from: Gentlegamer on 03/13/2017, 04:16 PMDeep Space Nine is basically Dark Trek in the best way possible.
Which episode of season 1 rustled your jimmies?

Move Along Home - I was like, well, this is terrible, back to TNG. May be the worst episode of the whole series.

So I completely disregarded DS9 while I had a friend who was watching it and telling me how awesome it was, I thought he was crazy.

I decided to check it out, saw the later season episode where Worf and others are prisoners during Dominion War. Ok, this is cool, I can deal with this. Then the teaser for the next episode was "Kira's lost love returns!" and I was like nah. Years later when I watched the whole series that episode was fine because Kira is one of the best characters, but for someone just dropping in wanting more Dominion War, it was terrible.

Gredler · 03/13/2017, 07:51 PM

That was the one I was going to ask. Where the dungeons and dragons fan race of aliens try to convince everyone is in danger inside their game... it's not as terrible as you say, but I can see that being pretty shitty when waiting a week and that being the episode that you're given.

Artabasdos · 03/23/2017, 06:02 AM

:-

Quote from: Gredler on 01/13/2017, 08:57 PMI am catching up on Star Trek, I've never watched any of it so for the past few months I've filled white noise with Star Trek Next Generation - I've gotten to where I really like it. Episode 22 of season three made me laugh when I realized it was a about collectarding to a certain extent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Toys

I can't post a link to it, but I was wondering if anyone else has watched this and imagined collectors of videogames in the future

Damn. I've watched every episode of every season of every Trek!

Groover · 04/11/2017, 01:36 AM

Now I'm watching Babylon 5 after reading this thread.

elmer · 04/11/2017, 01:47 AM

Quote from: Groover on 04/11/2017, 01:36 AMNow I'm watching Babylon 5 after reading this thread.

I hope that you started with the first movie "The Gathering" ... it was shown before the series starts, and sets up some important stuff.

The first few episodes (maybe 5 or 6) are pretty weak (and sometimes downright embarrassing) but you really need to suffer through them (and the actors getting comfortable with their roles), because the way that JMS wrote the series (and he wrote almost-all of the episodes), there's at least one or two scenes in every episode that show things that will haunt the characters in later years.

It's a slow-reveal kinda show, with a pre-planned 5-year story arc. Pretty-much unique in TV-history.

IIRC, the actors were even signed to 5-year contracts instead of the usual Hollywood 7-year contracts.

Groover · 04/18/2017, 11:20 AM

Well I started watching and after about 3 episodes I went back and watched The Gathering. I'm about halfway through season 2 and I have been enjoying it. I was surpised with the recast of the captian. I would love to know the story behind that one. I know there are other movies and I have tried tracking down a watch order list.

elmer · 04/18/2017, 12:14 PM

Quote from: Groover on 04/18/2017, 11:20 AMI'm about halfway through season 2 and I have been enjoying it.

I'm glad that you're enjoying it, it's my favorite show, probably because of its incredible ambition and complex writing.

QuoteI was surprised with the recast of the captain. I would love to know the story behind that one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_O%27Hare

QuoteI know there are other movies and I have tried tracking down a watch order list.

IMHO, "In the Beginning" is the best of the movies, but I'd recommend watching things in production order (that movie was made between the 4th and 5th seasons of the show).

You'll just enjoy it more if you know the characters and their story-arcs.

Groover · 04/21/2017, 09:15 PM

So far I'm now halfway through the 3rd season. I'm really hooked.

elmer · 04/23/2017, 10:09 PM

Quote from: Groover on 04/21/2017, 09:15 PMSo far I'm now halfway through the 3rd season. I'm really hooked.

A full 22-episode season in 3 days ... yep, you're hooked!

Groover · 04/26/2017, 09:36 PM

Quote from: elmer on 04/23/2017, 10:09 PM
Quote from: Groover on 04/21/2017, 09:15 PMSo far I'm now halfway through the 3rd season. I'm really hooked.
A full 22-episode season in 3 days ... yep, you're hooked!

Yes, I'm hooked. Now I'm in the middle of season 4 and watched Thirdspace movie. I'm not really seeing the season talk about it much. Also am I going to be happy with the end of all this or left upset with a big cliffhanger? Also I really enjoy being pleasantly surprised but the guest stars on this show.

elmer · 04/26/2017, 11:01 PM

Quote from: Groover on 04/26/2017, 09:36 PMYes, I'm hooked. Now I'm in the middle of season 4 and watched Thirdspace movie. I'm not really seeing the season talk about it much. Also am I going to be happy with the end of all this or left upset with a big cliffhanger? Also I really enjoy being pleasantly surprised but the guest stars on this show.

I think that you'll be happy ... just keep on going.

Thirdspace is pretty bad, and has no relevance to anything, and Soul Hunter is the same.

"In the Beginning" is the thing to watch between the 4th-and-5th seasons, and gives you a slightly different perspective on the things that you've seen at that point.

Then "Call to Arms" comes somewhere in the 5th-season, and lays the ground for the short-lived and not-great Crusade series.

But B5 ... nope, don't worry, that story has a conclusion.

Groover · 04/27/2017, 12:05 AM

Great news.

It is sad to find out Jerry Doyle died last year.

elmer · 04/27/2017, 01:27 AM

Quote from: Groover on 04/27/2017, 12:05 AMIt is sad to find out Jerry Doyle died last year.

Yep, so many of the main cast have passed beyond.

I remember being in awe when the show first started. Hard to believe that's nearly 25-years ago now.

Gredler · 04/27/2017, 02:19 AM

I am finishing up DS9 right now. Mixed feelings about DS9, and looking forward for moving onto more trekking. Voyager next, starting later tonight

wildfruit · 04/27/2017, 04:20 AM

Quote from: Gredler on 04/27/2017, 02:19 AMI am finishing up DS9 right now. Mixed feelings about DS9, and looking forward for moving onto more trekking. Voyager next, starting later tonight

Ds9 is much better than voyager. There is so much filler in voyager it's unreal. So many episodes can be skipped without consequence.
Have recently started watching TOS. amazing. Shatner is a much better actor in it than I ever imagined.

esteban · 04/27/2017, 04:02 PM

Quote from: wildfruit on 04/27/2017, 04:20 AM
Quote from: Gredler on 04/27/2017, 02:19 AMI am finishing up DS9 right now. Mixed feelings about DS9, and looking forward for moving onto more trekking. Voyager next, starting later tonight
Ds9 is much better than voyager. There is so much filler in voyager it's unreal. So many episodes can be skipped without consequence.
Have recently started watching TOS. amazing. Shatner is a much better actor in it than I ever imagined.

A few years ago I rewatched the original series with my daughter (her first time watching, since she was in 4th-5th grade at the time).

The original series holds up well. I was so happy, since I hadn't seen most episodes since I was a kid myself.

Gentlegamer · 04/27/2017, 04:11 PM

Yup, despite the caricature attributed to Shatner's acting as Kirk, it's pretty darn good, and surprising if you haven't seen the real thing.

Winniez · 04/28/2017, 06:08 PM

I still have loads of Star Trek CCG cards from Decipher if anyone is interested (or willing to be labeled as collectard)

Gredler · 04/28/2017, 08:38 PM

Excellent use of the thread.

You are the winnierz

Groover · 04/30/2017, 11:25 PM

I'm in Season 5 of Babylon 5. Really enjoying this show. Sad to be on season 5 knowing there is no 6 but there is still a lot to watch. I will likely rewatch season 1 after I finish it all.

technozombie · 05/01/2017, 08:36 AM

I grew up watching TNG and watched the first season or two of DS9 as it aired. Growing up,TNG was definitely my favorite show that wasn't a cartoon. I also watched Enterprise and liked it at first, until they went on a single story tangent that I didn't find interesting. Also, I hate Scott Bakula, always have always will. Reading this thread makes me want to go back and re-watch them all.

SignOfZeta · 05/01/2017, 10:55 AM

Quote from: Winniez on 04/28/2017, 06:08 PMI still have loads of Star Trek CCG cards from Decipher if anyone is interested (or willing to be labeled as collectard)

Oh man, me too. Quite a few of those...

wildfruit · 05/02/2017, 04:19 AM

I can't believe I never gave this the time of day before. I'm nearly through the first season. TOS is duly promoted to my second favourite series.

esteban · 05/02/2017, 09:17 AM

Quote from: wildfruit on 05/02/2017, 04:19 AMI can't believe I never gave this the time of day before. I'm nearly through the first season. TOS is duly promoted to my second favourite series.

Pure Energy.

Gredler · 05/02/2017, 01:44 PM

Voyager is rrrrouggh to start; might be like elmer mentioned about new cast getting a feel for one another, but man it's difficult to listen to / watch. The whole lost in space facade is kinda cool, and I like the vulcan, but I've not had the urge to turn it on like I did TOS TNG and even towards the end DS9. I'll keep trucking through, I've gone too far to stop now.

For BSG is it a good idea to go to the original series first, or skip it? I did TOS before TNG and I'm glad I did - so many references and characters popped up it was worth it - and TOS episode on DS9 was pretty great too.

elmer · 05/02/2017, 02:23 PM

IMHO both Voyager and Enterprise are pretty bad, and not worth wasting the time to watch. There's so much better TV out there.

Then-again, I didn't overly love the direction that DS9 turned in when it suddenly shifted into this major-intergalactic war, but yet these low-level characters are suddenly crucial and don't get bumped out of the way by the Federation's A-Team.

Still ... DS9 actually had some really good episodes and some good actors.

I can't even begin to say that about Voyager or Enterprise. Such lazy writing!

***********

As for BSG ... I'd highly recommend watching the original 1978 pilot movie (sometimes shown as the first 2 or 3 episodes of the series).

That'll give you the background to the original show and characters, and you'll see enough to understand all the loving-tributes that are paid to the original in the reboot show (it's not a continuation like TOS/TNG, it's a total reboot & retelling of the original story).

But for gawd's sake ... stop after the pilot. The original show is *terrible*!

The only other part of the original show that really reappears in the reboot is the return of Cmdr Cain. That's a 2-parter in the original that's almost-worth-watching at some point, just to see how much better it was done in the reboot.

BTW ... from my POV, the first couple of seasons of the reboot are some of the best TV ever made, but it goes seriously off-the-rails towards the end when it becomes obvious that the writers didn't really know where they were going to go with the story when they started it.

Gredler · 05/02/2017, 03:28 PM

Wow maybe I will bail and jump ship from Star Trek now, because from what I've heard/seen of Voyager it's mind numbing. I've not been really sitting down and watching these, it's just been white noise wile I do laundry, other chores, or at work during a mundane task; but voyager doesn't add entertainment it saps it.

Knowing BSG is a retelling of the same/similar story is nice. I will follow your instructions, and jump ship to BSG soon I imagine. I wont give up on Trek yet, I think I can grind through a bit more

Gentlegamer · 05/02/2017, 03:42 PM

The only episode of Voyager that must be watched is Tuvix.

Groover · 05/02/2017, 10:21 PM

It is funny to see some old technology in Babylon 5. Like a Newspaper and Books. Also some old CRT monitors as set dressing.

SignOfZeta · 05/02/2017, 11:19 PM

I'll stand up for Enterprise. I watched every episode and IMO there were more than a few good ones. Even if you hate it, it's an origin series and it fleshes out a lot of stuff that had only been barely mentioned in the previously.

Voyager though...jeez. I love the ship, but basically every single other thing about it is DUMB on eleven. The characters are dumb, their makeup is dumb, their stupid fucking voices are dumb, their costumes are dumb, the dialogue is all dumb, it's fucking DUMB. There is basically nothing to like. I couldn't stand watching it. Irritating as fuck and nothing cool at all. It's like a high school theater company was hired to make Star Trek.

However there are some things written about it in Trekonomics that make it sound pretty cool, mainly involving the doctor. The same book says interesting things about Feringi though so I'm of the opinion that the author of Trekonics has more talent than the people who worked on DS9 and Voyager because I can't seem to enjoy anything about them unless he explains it to me.

Gredler · 05/03/2017, 12:42 AM

Ferengi are cool, and so far the doctor is certainly the saving grace of voyager

SignOfZeta · 05/03/2017, 09:54 PM

Ferengi are absolutely not cool. They are a fucking terrible invention and one of the worst things in the history of Star Trek. Like some crazy secret marginalia from Middle Ages Catholic Church designed to keep mothers from letting their children be eaten by Jews...except with two great big round boners on each side of their head. I have a seriously difficult time watching anything with these ridiculous living plot devices in them.

Gentlegamer · 05/04/2017, 07:48 AM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 05/03/2017, 09:54 PMFerengi are absolutely not cool. They are a fucking terrible invention and one of the worst things in the history of Star Trek. Like some crazy secret marginalia from Middle Ages Catholic Church designed to keep mothers from letting their children be eaten by Jews...except with two great big round boners on each side of their head. I have a seriously difficult time watching anything with these ridiculous living plot devices in them.

Did your rabbi warn you not to watch DS9?