Star Trek: general discussion-Picard, Discovery, Lower Decks (and Orville)

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**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

On the Avery Brooks thing, I’m often reading he doesn’t look fondly on his Sisko years, but I’ve never found the why.

**Overread**

Patrick Steward didn't look fondly on his Picard years for quite a long time. Though I think he came around before the end of his working time there and now fully embraces them.

Then again even if an actor does fantastic in a role, sometimes the role wasn't what they wanted from it; or perhaps they had ot turn down other work that they'd wished they'd done or perhaps they didn't get on with those they worked with etc...

There can be a huge amount of baggage and attachment behind the scenes - heck even down to how much they got paid and the like. All of which can mean what we consider a fantastic role and acting might be something the actor looks on with an entirely different association and impression.

**Gert**

Concerning Brooks, according to Ciroc Lofton (Jake in DS9), Brooks has been blacklisted by Hollywood for some reason.
A big thing was that he didn't do a new interview for What We Left Behind but he did give some input to the project (input that Ira Steven Behr credited with making the documentary such a hit) and made it clear that he just didn't have anything to add to what he had already said in the past.

**AduroT**

“Alright, I have turned off all the lights, all the communications, and locked all the doors. Please come to the bridge immediately.” How the F did you expect them to get there now?! Not that that seemed to actually have any effect on anything.

**The_Real_Chris**

KamikazeCanuck wrote:
Anyways, with regards to the Phasers anyone kind of miss the beam ones?

Even the ships don't seem to have beams anymore. I both miss the beams and pretending my shaver is a phasor.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

AduroT wrote:
“Alright, I have turned off all the lights, all the communications, and locked all the doors. Please come to the bridge immediately.” How the F did you expect them to get there now?! Not that that seemed to actually have any effect on anything.

Honestly turning the lights on would be a nice change and no doubt disorientate everyone more.

**KamikazeCanuck**

The_Real_Chris wrote:
KamikazeCanuck wrote:
Anyways, with regards to the Phasers anyone kind of miss the beam ones?

Even the ships don't seem to have beams anymore. I both miss the beams and pretending my shaver is a phasor.

Yes, actually if I could only have one it would be the ship beams. That's the iconic Star Trek ship battle look. Not sure why they changed it. I know the Defiant started with that to make it look like they have special phasers but if everyone has them then...not so special anymore.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

The beams are from when the Phasers were as much tools as defensive weapons. The pulse version seen on The Defiant was better for knocking down shields, as each blast could be a higher yield, and battered enemy shields in different locations.

I’m guessing modern Federation ships can use both firing modes, but so far we’ve only seen them used in combat?

**Maniac_nmt**

My wife and I just finished season 1 of Picard, and it was shockingly bad. The not even thinly veiled Thanos and Dr Strange references aside, the Blade Runner schtick was so heavy I kept expecting Harrison Ford to show up and blast Soji.

It fails repeatedly to follow its own internal narrative/logic.

At this point I can only mutter something about should have let the Romulans win (insert Wookiee growl).

**Gert**

I went back to Enterprise because I'm playing a game mod from that era and even considering its sometimes poor writing, it's still better than this.
The only character I genuinely like is Shaw because he is legitimately right nearly 90% of the time. I'm not looking for the TNG crew to be exactly the same but come on, they're all just super miserable and depressed all the damn time.

End of episode review is still much the same. Bits were good but god it's such a damn slog to get to the good bits.

**Mr Morden**

Maniac_nmt wrote:
My wife and I just finished season 1 of Picard, and it was shockingly bad. The not even thinly veiled Thanos and Dr Strange references aside, the Blade Runner schtick was so heavy I kept expecting Harrison Ford to show up and blast Soji.

It fails repeatedly to follow its own internal narrative/logic.

At this point I can only mutter something about should have let the Romulans win (insert Wookiee growl).

Avoid season 2 - season 1 looks like a masterpiece compared to that dross.

**Captain Joystick**

Overread wrote:Phasers have always been a bit variable. I just put it down to the fact that there's no standard power settings past stun so everyone kind of keeps them on a bit of a variable range. Which can account for how sometimes they do wounds and other times blast whole chunks away.

It might also just be how often they are fired due to battery drain and such. If you're going into a firefight you might tone the power down to last longer etc...

Overread wrote:

Spoiler:

From what I could see the phases did different damage, but each time they did different damage they were being held by different users. It suggests that there is no standard setting being used and each one is setting a power level they feel is suitable.

Some are going to full power with disintegration; others far less power, which appears to not always work on the changelings. What appears is that their more solid form means that if you hurt them when solid their body reacts like a solid, so they go down to minor fire. However they can rebuild and recover and then resume. They might also just take wounds or such to play dead.

The only oddity is the original, she appeared to take shots way in excess when in liquid form which is either her liquid form protecting her more so or perhaps simply that she, being the most pure of the new strain, is perhaps stronger than those changed after her.

Storyline is taking an interesting turn and the idea of a group of the Federation experimenting on Changelings 100% fits. Odo was experimented upon; and during the war factions of the Federation did develop the plague approach. So the idea that a small wing was doing experiments on a handful of Changelings fits rather nicely as another of those little dark bits of the Federation.

Upon re-watching with a friend...

Spoiler:

Anyway, youtube randomly threw up a recommendation theorizing what the end goal for the baddies is. I don't usually go for Major Grin's stuff, but he raises some interesting points...

Spoiler:

**Overread**

That's a really well put together video!

Utterly full of potential spoilers, but it does really neatly work!

Also really like how it isn't someone talking, its just linking together the relevant scenes and information in a single stream of theory and thought.

**The_Real_Chris**

Gert wrote:
The only character I genuinely like is Shaw because he is legitimately right nearly 90% of the time.

Bar the somewhat understandable issues with Borg and why he would want as a consequence 7 as his first officer, he does come across as a perfectly reasonable mid ranking captain on a second tier ship. Even if I am sure being an engineer he would fit better lights.

**Ahtman**

Spoiler:

**AduroT**

I was reminded about a trope I hate from last week’s episode, namely the whole near instantly freezing into a solid block of ice when exposed to space. That doesn’t happen! You’d take a long time to freeze out there with nothing to absorb your heat! Vacuums being amazing insulators is the entire point of my sweet sweet Yeti koozie.

So this week’s Picard;

Spoiler:

**Captain Joystick**

AduroT wrote:
So this week’s Picard;

Spoiler:

How dare you treat me like a threat?! Im gonna mind control these dudes with guns to threaten you!

I know exactly how to beat the bad guy! By giving them exactly what they spent the past eight episodes trying to get! Oh wait that didn’t work…

Man, Starfleet really needs some better security protocols on those shuttle bays. Titan has Two shuttle thefts in one episode! Seems anyone can just walk in there and fly off with one and there ain’t nothing the bridge can do about it.

“The Enterprise D is completely analog!” I don’t think you know what that word means… But sure, let’s just fly this one antique back to face off against the rest of the fleet with no plan, see how that works out for us. At least our feet will be more comfortable.

Why is the Borg Queen even doing this? Apparently it’s gotta be some new/alternate one since they made nice with them last season and didn’t show their face this episode. Hm… Given this is Nostalgia Bait the season, and they’ve name dropped Janeway a few times without showing them, I’m betting somehow it’s them. Or maybe one of those Androids from season one got disgruntled. It has to be a face we recognize or there’s no reason to hide it.

Spoiler:

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Rather enjoyed that.

Spoiler:

Biggest question of course is with Picard and Mando wrapping up next week, the hell else am I going to watch?

**Just Tony**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Rather enjoyed that.

Spoiler:

Bit ‘member berries, but earned ‘member berries.

On Jack? He’s not exactly in full control of his faculties now, is he. The Borg Queen has seemingly been gently nudging him along. He even says her voice has always been with him.

Changeling’s plan is….interesting. I assume they made some sort of pact with The Borg. Because if not, I’m not entirely sure what they personally stand to gain, as The Borg aren’t noted for stopping. Revenge against a foe that humbled you is one thing. Arming the next lot likely to come and disrupt your perfect order is quite another. Then again, nobody ever said what are essentially terrorists are sane.

Looking forward to the finale, though I am expecting Jack to just…save the day. Possibly releasing all Drones.

Biggest question of course is with Picard and Mando wrapping up next week, the hell else am I going to watch?

Strange New Worlds?

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Is there a new season soon?

**Just Tony**

Couple of months. I'm catching up on all the old Trek I missed until it hits,

Except Discovery as I could barely make it through the first episode...

**Ahtman**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Is there a new season soon?

There is and apparently there is a crossover episode with Lower Decks.

AduroT wrote:
I was reminded about a trope I hate from last week’s episode, namely the whole near instantly freezing into a solid block of ice when exposed to space. That doesn’t happen!

Maybe Changelings don't handle a vacuum well.

Also: There is supposed to be ten years between S2 and S3?

**Shadow Walker**

What a beautiful nostalgia bomb at the end. The best Star Trek crew on the bridge of the best Enterprise. The question now, when we know who the real enemy is, will the certain Queen from this show, like maybe show herself?

**Just Tony**

Shadow Walker wrote:
What a beautiful nostalgia bomb at the end. The best Star Trek crew on the bridge of the best Enterprise. The question now, when we know who the real enemy is, will the certain Queen from this show, like maybe show herself?

Funny, I didn't see the Enterprise-E anywhere in that finale...

**AduroT**

Just Tony wrote:
Shadow Walker wrote:
What a beautiful nostalgia bomb at the end. The best Star Trek crew on the bridge of the best Enterprise. The question now, when we know who the real enemy is, will the certain Queen from this show, like maybe show herself?

Funny, I didn't see the Enterprise-E anywhere in that finale...

It Does have a much better weapon loadout…

**Gert**

Hm. Certainly was an episode. Bit annoyed it turned out to be the Borg again.
Good evil scheme though. Very smart.

**The_Real_Chris**

What is your evil scheme my queen?

Mwhahaha! We will kill all the old (have to be every race even though it makes no sense) Starfleet officer! This paves the way for...

A young person appealing hip reboot! Like that JJ Abrams stuff, but possibly younger. With more or less lenses flair. I haven't decided yet. But lots of young people crewing ships! Oh the angst! The drama! The possibility for a new generation of consumers! All will be as close to borg as I can get them!

**Just Tony**

AduroT wrote:
Just Tony wrote:
Shadow Walker wrote:
What a beautiful nostalgia bomb at the end. The best Star Trek crew on the bridge of the best Enterprise. The question now, when we know who the real enemy is, will the certain Queen from this show, like maybe show herself?

Funny, I didn't see the Enterprise-E anywhere in that finale...

It Does have a much better weapon loadout…

And the E doesn't look like a flying turd...

**Overread**

Spoiler:

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Shadow Walker wrote:
What a beautiful nostalgia bomb at the end. The best Star Trek crew on the bridge of the best Enterprise. The question now, when we know who the real enemy is, will the certain Queen from this show, like maybe show herself?

When I look back on it - TNG was perhaps Startrek Exploratory adventures at its peek.

Voyager and series that tried to copy it I feel never quite got the same magic; and series since Voyager keep trying to go from exploring into "ok lets save the universe" type storylines all the time. Timewars in Enterprise; turblolift alternate dimensions in another.
TNG never had to go super large to tell a good adventure.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Even better? Deep Space Nine comprehensively proved Star Trek can be so much more than just Adventure Of The Week.

Hence Voyager should’ve been Trek Does Galactica, with Voyager leading a ragtag fleet back home.

**Chillreaper**

Just Tony wrote:
AduroT wrote:
Just Tony wrote:
Shadow Walker wrote:
What a beautiful nostalgia bomb at the end. The best Star Trek crew on the bridge of the best Enterprise. The question now, when we know who the real enemy is, will the certain Queen from this show, like maybe show herself?

Funny, I didn't see the Enterprise-E anywhere in that finale...

It Does have a much better weapon loadout…

And the E doesn't look like a flying turd...

Yeah? But does it have carpets?