Tag: TV

TV Review: Star Trek: Discovery (2021-2022)

~ Liam ~ Leave a comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released. And new series (close to) when they come out.

Title: Star Trek: Discovery
Release Date: November 18, 2021 – March 17, 2022
Production Company: Secret Hideout | Roddenberry Entertainment | Living Dead Guy Productions | CBS Studios
Episodes:  13
Summary/Review:

The fifth and final season of Discovery is debuted this month and I realized that I never watched season four, so this should address that! Somehow, it’s been almost three years since I last watched Discovery so it was a bit of a catch-up for me to remember character and story arcs on this the most serialized of Star Trek shows.  This also would be the first time I’d be reviewing the Discovery series since I adopted the practice of writing capsule reviews for each episode as I go along which feels a bit weird when each episode is part of a longer story.

Each season of Discovery has a galaxy-level threat as the season story arc in this season is no exception. In previous years, the crew of the Discovery dealt with the rogue AI Control and The Burn.  This season the threat is a Dark Matter Anomaly (DMA) destroying parts of the galaxy.  Without getting too deep into spoilers, the threat is made by aliens from outside our galaxy, and the Discovery crew go where no one has gone before in their efforts to make first contact with these strange beings!

When Discovery started, the feel of the show was very “grimdark,”  a style of storytelling I don’t like in general, and especially felt unsuited to the optimism of Star Trek.  This season though there are a lot of moments where the characters are getting in touch with their feelings, modeling conflict resolution, and offering one another positive support.  It’s such a shift from how the series began, and I admit that I like that they’ve made a place for this positivity in the show, although it can get heavy-handed. Overall, I think this is the most enjoyable season of the show thus far.

 

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NOTE: The capsule reviews below the cut presume familiarity with the episodes and contain SPOILERS!

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TV Review: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

~ Liam ~ 1 Comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released.

Title: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Release Date:  January 3, 1993 -June 20, 1993
Production Company: Paramount Domestic Television
Episodes:  20
Summary/Review:

I’m excited to enter the part of this project where I will “boldly go” where I’ve never been before.  I watched some episodes in the early run of Deep Space Nine, but never really got into the show.  It felt to much like a “soap opera” to me which in retrospect just means that it was a show pivotal in the transition from episodic to serial television as the standard.  A bigger reason that I didn’t watch much of Deep Space Nine (nor Voyager and Enterprise) is that starting in 1995, I lived for 22 years without a TV in my residence, and before streaming became widespread it was near impossible to keep up on current shows.  I’ve heard a lot of good things about Deep Space Nine over the years and I’m excited about catching up on what I missed.

After watching the season, I have to say I loved it.  It’s a show that remains true to it’s Star Trek setting while exploring the possibility of conflict when people of different backgrounds come together in the same space for a common goal.  I was even surprised to learn that episodes considered to be notoriously bad (ex. “Move Along Home”) felt like perfectly enjoyable stories to me.  The cast is strong and from what I’ve heard from fans, the show only gets better so I have a lot to look forward to.

Top 5 Episodes:

  1. Duet
  2. Progress
  3. In the Hands of the Prophets
  4. The Emissary
  5. The Forsaken

And the biggest stinker: The Passenger

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NOTE: The capsule reviews below the cut presume familiarity with the episodes and contain SPOILERS!

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TV Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992-1993)

~ Liam ~ 1 Comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released.

Title: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Release Date: September 21, 1992 – June 21, 1993
Production Company: Paramount Domestic Television
Episodes:  26
Summary/Review:

Watching the sixth season of The Next Generation, I began to realize that the plots are getting very weird (see “Rascals” and “A Fistful of Datas” for starters)! That’s not a knock, weird is often the sign that the creators are taking risks and trying something new, and more often than not these risks pay off.  As I got farther in the season, I found that this was also the season of the character study, as each of the seven leads get at least one story focused deeply on the character in new situations (except Geordi LaForge, who feels criminally underused this season).  Of course, there are a fair number of episodes that are both weird and character studies, such as “Frame of Mind,” “Rightful Heir,” and “Second Chances.”  This is also the season when Star Trek became a TV/Film universe with the debut of Deep Space Nine, and we get a crossover episode in “Birthright.”  I thought about watching the Star Trek shows in the order that each episode was broadcast, but decided it would be easier to stick with The Next Generation through the end of Season 6,  which means next month I’ll be watching the first season of Deep Space Nine!

Top 5 Episodes:

  1. Chain of Command, part I and II
  2. Tapestry
  3. Frame of Mind
  4. Relics
  5. Rascals

And the biggest stinker: Man of the People

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NOTE: The capsule reviews below the cut presume familiarity with the episodes and contain SPOILERS!

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TV Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991-1992)

~ Liam ~ 1 Comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released.

Title: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Release Date: September 23, 1991 – June 15, 1992
Production Company: Paramount Domestic Television
Episodes:  26
Summary/Review:

Season 5 is an odd duck.  Star Trek: The Next Generation has definitely hit its stride and they have the confidence to tell all kinds of stories with their versatile cast and crew.  Indeed, the season includes some of the greatest Star Trek episodes of all time and some noble failures.  But there are also times, especially mid-season where they just seemed to be retreading ground that this series and the original series have already trod. This is also a season with a large number of guest child actors.  I’ve learned that a lot of Star Trek fans do not like kid actors, but as a sentimental dad I actually like the kinds of stories that involve children.  Overall this is another really good season with a few road blocks here and there! Any season with Darmok, The Inner Light, and the return of Spock will go down as legendary!

Top 5 Episodes:

  1. Darmok
  2. Cause and Effect
  3. The Inner Light
  4. Disaster
  5. Unification, part 1 & 2

And the biggest stinker: Violations

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NOTE: The capsule reviews below the cut presume familiarity with the episodes and contain SPOILERS!

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TV Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990-1991)

~ Liam ~ Leave a comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released.

Title: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Release Date: September 24, 1990 – June 17, 1991
Production Company: Paramount Domestic Television
Episodes:  26
Summary/Review:

After a nearly perfect third season, the fourth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation is generally good with a few noticeable flops.  This season is the first of any Star Trek show with a season-long story arc, focusing on the leading to the Klingon Civil War which begins in the season finale cliffhanger.  Some of the best episodes of the season deal with Klingon politics and Worf’s continued dishonor in Klingon society, as well as the Romulans who are secretly supporting a sect of Klingon’s opposed to the alliance with the Federation.  The season introduces some important new characters including the Cardassians, the Trill, Dr. Noonien Soong, the Duras Sisters, Worf’s son Alexander, Keiko O’Brien, Spot the Cat, and the real Dr. Leah Brahm, and Commander Sela.  Lore, The Traveler, K’Ehleyr, Reg Barclay, Vash, and Q, Lwaxana all make important returns to the show.  And Wesley Crusher leaves for Starfleet Academy as Wesley Crusher departs the show’s main cast.

There are a lot of good episodes, many of them quieter and character driven. Some of the best episodes offer experimental points of view, such as the people of a planet encountering the Federation for the first time (First Contact) and an android narrating his typical day (Data’s Day). There are also a few stinkers.  I feel that the Star Trek writers/production team went back to the well too many times, particularly with a crew member having their mind and/or body taken over by some other entity.  This happens to Picard (Locutus of Borg), Data (Dr. Soong’s program), Riker (Barash), Troi (Paxans), Geordi (the Tarchannes), Barclay (the Cytherians), Riker again (Odan), and Geordi (Romulan brainwashing).  Still, I enjoy a bad Star Trek episode more than some of the best shows of most other series.

Top 5 Episodes:

  • The Best of Both Worlds, Part 2
  • Family
  • Data’s Day
  • First Contact
  • Half a Life

And the biggest stinker: Galaxy’s Child

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TV Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989-1990)

~ Liam ~ Leave a comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released.

Title: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Release Date: September 25, 1989 – June 18, 1990
Production Company: Paramount Domestic Television
Episodes:  26
Summary/Review:

During this rewatch, I’d begun to think that the popular conception that the first two seasons were “bad” was overstated.  From about halfway through the first season, I found that the show was consistently good, albeit without any standout, classic episodes.  After rewatching season three, the overall quality of the show has improved in leaps and bounds that it makes the first two seasons less impressive in retrospect. The writing and character development are improved and all of the cast are so thoroughly comfortable in their roles that everything just works, even in some of the wonkier, more experimental episodes. This season also features some all-time classics like “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” “Deja Q,” and “Sarek.”  And the whole season leads up to the season-ending cliffhanger with the Enterprise facing down the Borg!

Top 5 Episodes:

  1. Yesterday’s Enterprise
  2. The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1
  3. Deja Q
  4. Sarek
  5. The Booby Trap

And the biggest stinker: A tie between “The Price” and “A Matter of Perspective” but honestly nothing ranks below a B- this season which is a first for any Star Trek series in my rewatch so far.

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TV Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988-1989)

~ Liam ~ Leave a comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released.

Title: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Release Date: November 21, 1988 – July 17, 1989
Production Company: Paramount Domestic Television
Episodes:  22
Summary/Review:

The consensus is that Star Trek: The Next Generation doesn’t hit it’s stride until Season 3, but Season 2 does have some high points.  The show feels a lot more confident and consistent than Season 1.  There’s also a willingness to try some more adventurous stuff leading to some bizarre stories.  Even when it fails spectacularly, TNG is still entertaining.

I assumed that I wasn’t watching the show when Season 2 first aired.  This is because it wasn’t until years later that I learned there was an entire season in which Beverly Crusher was replaced by Kate Pulaski (Diana Muldaur).  But some of the episodes were very familiar so I guess my younger self just didn’t cotton on to the fact that ship had an entirely different doctor for a while.

Top 5 Episodes:

  1. Q Who
  2. A Matter of Honor
  3. The Measure of a Man
  4. Elementary, Dear Data
  5. Peak Performance

And the biggest stinker: Shades of Gray

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As always, the episode reviews below the cut assume you have prior knowledge of the show and contain spoilers.

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TV Review: Star Trek: Lower Decks (2023)

~ Liam ~ Leave a comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released (as well as keeping up with new releases as they come out).

Title: Star Trek: Lower Decks
Release Date: September 7 – November 2, 2023
Production Company: CBS Eye Animation Productions | Secret Hideout | Important Science | Roddenberry Entertainment | Titmouse, Inc.
Episodes:  10
Summary/Review: Lower Decks continues to be extremely funny while also remaining true to the ethos at the heart of every great Star Trek series.  Although perhaps the references and homages to past series are a little overdone for anyone who hasn’t watched or remembers all of them.  The main 4 – Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, and Rutherford – are promoted to lieutenant and a lot of the stories relate to their new responsibilities and how their friendship is challenged by no longer working together all the time. The Vulcan T’Lyn also becomes a major character this season and she’s an excellent addition.  The season story arcs involve non-Federation ships going missing culminating in a two-part finale where we learn it’s orchestrated by a rogue character from TNG.  It’s probably the best finale in a new Trek season since Lower Decks season 2.  Anyhow, it’s all fun.  Enjoy!

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As always, the episode reviews below the cut assume you have prior knowledge of the show and contain spoilers.

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TV Review: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2023)

~ Liam ~ 1 Comment

Title: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Release Date: June 15-August 17, 2023
Production Company: Secret Hideout | Weed Road Pictures | H M R X Productions | Roddenberry Entertainment | CBS Studios
Episodes:  10
Summary/Review:

The second season of Strange New Worlds continues to be the standard bearer for 21st century Star Trek shows. For the first time I watched the show as a new episode dropped each week, and it felt good to anticipate a new episode every Thursday.  The production has gone bigger and bolder with several cinematic episodes which include a “steal the Enterprise” plot, a courtroom drama, a time travel romance in 21st century Toronto, a crossover with an animated series, and a musical.  Overall, I enjoy the commitment to stand alone episodes with ongoing character stories, although I felt the first season held together better overall.  Still, this is some really good Star Trek!  Really, what I want now is more time with these characters and stories. Like a 24-26 episode season.  And air it on broadcast TV!

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As always, the episode reviews below the cut assume you have prior knowledge of the show and contain spoilers.

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TV Review: Star Trek: Lower Decks (2021)

~ Liam ~ Leave a comment

In what should be a long-term project, I plan to watch and review every Star Trek television show and movie in the order that they were released (as well as keeping up with new releases as they come out).

Title: Star Trek: Lower Decks
Release Date: August 12 – October 14, 2021
Production Company: CBS Eye Animation Productions | Secret Hideout | Important Science | Roddenberry Entertainment | Titmouse, Inc.
Episodes:  10
Summary/Review:

Having just finished the first Star Trek animated series, I took the opportunity to catch up on Star Trek‘s second animated series and first comedy series Lower Decks.  It remains a very silly show with a lot (sometimes too many) of references to Star Trek lore.  And yet it never feels too mean-spirited or solely a spoof.  The ongoing stories of the core characters and even the supporting cast are full of heart and keep you rooting for the crew!  Creative episodes such as “Where Pleasant Fountains Lie,” “wej Duj,” and “First First Contact” are among the best that Star Trek has to offer.

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WARNING: The episode summary reviews below the read more tag assume familiarity with the episodes and thus are full of spoilers.

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