Quickdog Weighs in on Star Trek

Posted by J.C. on May 10, 2006 under TV | Be the First to Comment

Being a true nerd, I must admit that I have loved Star Trek practically since I was born. As a young kid growing up in Ohio, I use to watch the original series every Saturday with my Dad. And no, it wasn’t the original air dates. But it was in the early 70’s (showing my age again, drat!!) when syndication was not yet the force it is today and the episodes themselves were their original, uncut versions. I loved the action, the evil Klingons and sneaky Romulans, photons, phashers, transporters. I loved it all. Sure, as I grew older I realized all the little flaws but they actually enhanced my enjoyment of Star Trek, not diminished it. I mean, how many times did Kirk defeat an evil computer or robot by a simple logic trick? (Kirk: “Every thing I say is a lie.” Evil Robot: “If everything you say is a lie, then your statement is true. But your statement can’t be true if everything you say is a lie.” The robot would repeat the words several times, a small puff of smoke usually appeared, followed by the robot shutting down. Is Kirk a genius or what?!!) And let’s not forget the giant green hand that nearly crushed the Enterprises’ hull!

Fast forward to the late 80’s and Star Trek the Next Generation. I loved the new series, though I was skeptical at first. I really didn’t start to watch TNG until about the third season or so when the first two were already in syndication. The more I watched the more I liked. The series didn’t really get going until the third year, thought I much preferred Dr. Pulaski in season two to Dr. Crusher ever! I loved that the series ventured into some areas the original series either would not or could not go. I liked the new ship with its bar and the separating saucer section. (A little note for you true nerds out there. The original Enterprise was supposed to have a separating saucer but never did due to budget constraints!) I remember in college making sure I was home every Tuesday night to catch the latest episode, which was not always easy considering Tuesday night meant the crab races at Downtown, a local Bowling Green drinking establishment. That requires a little bit of explaining… then again, sometimes it’s best to leave the readers to their own imaginations!!

Next was Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, though I must admit that I didn’t watch much beyond the first season when it originally aired. I was graduating college and moving to Boulder and all sorts of interesting and crazy things were going on in my life at the time. Consequently, I neglected my faithful companion, TV. But, like an abused mate, no matter how I mistreat her, TV is always there for me. So when my life calmed down to the point where TV watching was again a part of my life, Deep Space Nine reruns were waiting for me. Spike RULES!! I loved this series! I loved this series more than all the others by a mile. I loved the characters; I loved the plot lines; I loved the scenery. I loved that the women seemed to kiss each other…a lot, especially in the other universe!! I loved it all. Characters that were both good and bad. In other words, REAL!! The plot lines showed the negative side of life, not just the good. The Dominion War, Section 31, trouble with allies and enemies alike. I truly enjoyed DS 9.

Then there was Voyager. I watched the first season and I liked it but it didn’t really strike a chord with me either way. As stated above, some crazy and chaotic things were going on in my life when Voyager originally aired so I never really saw it beyond the first season. I suppose I’ll catch the series one day but for now, it’s not high on my agenda. I guess I’ll have to wait until Spike starts airing it in syndication.

There is one last Star Trek series, Enterprise. I must admit I’ve only seen two or three episodes. I am intrigued by the thought of the Federation in its’ infancy and Scott Bakula as a James T Kirk type captain, but I have a deep rooted aversion to any sort of prequel as they usually change things well established in the original. About all I have to say is I really dislike the opening credits. You can’t have words to an opening of any Star Trek incarnation; it’s unnatural!!

So, I have listed a few of my bests and worse below, starting with the original series.

ST TOS:

Favorite Regular Character:
I suppose I’d go with the old standby in James T Kirk. Prime Directive, we don’t need no stinking Prime directive! That and he allegedly had more sex than the rest of the crew, combined!! I also like the fact the William Shatner can’t sing to save his life, overacts with the best of ‘em, and appears regularly on the Howard Stern Show. An honorable mention must go to Chekov, the funniest of all the regular crew.

Favorite Guest Character:

I guess it must be William Windom as Commodore Matt Decker in the Doomsday Machine. The scene where Decker is flying the shuttlecraft into the doomsday machine alone warrants his nomination, but he is good through out the whole episode.

Favorite Episode:

I have a few. The Doomsday Machine as mention is a good one. The Enterprise Incident, a classic cat and mouse, submarine tail is another good one. Shore Leave is entertaining. Amok Time and the Vulcan mating rituals are also fascinating (pun intended!) But I have to say the Way to Eden is my favorite. The episode can be summed up in two words: Space Hippies!! What more needs to be said.

Most Disliked Character:

Charlie X. This guy is nothing more than a whinny little wuss.

Most Disliked Episode:

The Empath. No real reason other than it’s just not exciting. Another true nerd alert: The reason it appears in a big, empty, dark room is again, due to budget constraints.

ST TNG:

Favorite Regular Character:
Worf and Data. Next Generation did a wonderful job of establishing the Klingon culture. I think the characters of both Worf and Data grew and developed the most during NG’s run. Of course the homage to John Belushi in the Qpid episode didn’t hurt either.

Favorite Guest Character:

Is there any other choice, John de Lancie as Q. Probably my all time favorite Star Trek character because he is simply hilarious. Lursa & B’Etor get an honorable mention for two words: Klingon cleavage!

Favorite Episode:
Anything with Q starting with the Borg because that’s when he started being really funny. I also liked Yesterday’s Enterprise, mostly because it revived Denise Crosby in an interesting character. First season episode Justice might have made the list had they actually killed Wesley. It would have been my favorite episode of all time if Beverly, upon hearing of her son’s death, would have committed suicide! (See below.)

Most Hated Character:

Anybody named Crusher! Wesley was an annoying little girlie man who I still believe is a closet homosexual. But by far my most hated character has to be Dr. Beverly self-righteous meddling bitch Crusher! She acts like she’s so much better than anyone else and is always totally convinced of her own superiority.

Most Hated Episode:

Two actually, Ethics and I, Borg. Both episodes show what a bitch Dr. Crusher is. In Ethics, Worf is paralyzed and wants to die because he feels like he is no longer a warrior. A visiting doctor has a radical new surgery that has a 37% chance of restoring Worf’s ability to walk again and miss righteousness objects. Hello, he is definitely going to kill himself if he stays paralyzed! 37% survival rate is better than 0%!! Duh!! And of course I, Borg just makes me physically ill. I don’t even consider it a true episode; it’s just a terrible, horrible nightmare and I will wake up soon! Calm Blue Ocean, calm Blue Ocean, calm Blue Ocean …

ST DS9:

Favorite Regular Character:
Actually, I have several. Quark, Garak, and Worf because of the complexity of the characters; Jadzia because she’s hot!

Favorite Guest Character:

Q because naming him only once was not enough and Leeta, because she’s hot! An honorable mention has to go to evil Kira simply because she is so bad! And she’s hot!

Favorite Episode:

It’s hard to name any one specific episode because I liked so many but I will name two: In the Pale Moonlight and Who Morns for Morn? The first episode shows that even a good, strong character is capable of deceit and a little treachery to do what do what needs to be done. So one Romulan Senator has to be murdered in order to drag them into the war? So what? Perhaps the means do justify the ends. And the Morn episode because the chick covered in mud in Morns’ hot tub/bed is, well, hot!

Most Disliked Character:

I really don’t have one though Rom gets on my nerves from time to time and Jake as the reporter is a bit too cliché.

Most Disliked Episode:

Again, I really don’t have one but anything that involves the relationship between Sisko and Kasidy is totally uninteresting.

I haven’t seen enough of Enterprise or Voyager to comment so I will take my leave of you now. Peace and Long Life. Live Long and Prosper.