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Muffle's 1-Dungeon RPG Game Jam!
I started way too late to pretend I was going to finish in time, but I might keep working on it because the event gave me a fun idea.
EDIT: Ninja'd?? Five more days, huh? I still probably won't get it done by then but cool!
EDIT: Ninja'd?? Five more days, huh? I still probably won't get it done by then but cool!
Favorite Books/Series
Been re-reading the Harry Potter books now that I have some time. Its been years since I've peeked at them and they're still a lot of fun. I think the secret of great children's literature is, funnily enough, giving your child characters agency in the story even when it doesn't make a lick of sense or however small the stakes.
Also reading the Lyonesse books. Recommended by a friend and although I haven't gotten far yet I can tell they're going to be a good read too. Bit difficult to follow sometimes but a well-written book is an easily read book.
Also reading the Lyonesse books. Recommended by a friend and although I haven't gotten far yet I can tell they're going to be a good read too. Bit difficult to follow sometimes but a well-written book is an easily read book.
tf did i do now?
I was going to say "You became WIP" but then I thought about it and wondered if WIP still pokes his head on the site these days. Apparently he does.
You reminded me of WIP, is what you did.
You reminded me of WIP, is what you did.
--Lets Watch Star Trek for the First Time! [The Original Series]
ep 78 – "The Savage Curtain" (★)
Yes. Yes. This is the one that broke me. I liked The Way to Eden more. Yes. Yes. I know.
Everything about this rubs me in places I don't appreciate. The only thing I could think was "This show has done lost it's damn mind." Now, the intro was fun. Abraham Lincoln is out there sitting in a chair floating in space and, yes, no one for even a moment thinks that its the man himself. But we go along with it and invite him aboard and there's a cute little ceremony and we get to explain to him all the cool gadgets we've developed in the last five centuries. Pure fan fiction. But once you get past your bewilderment, we actually beam down to the planet. There it just becomes absolute horseshit of the highest order. For also on the planet, aside from Surak the vulcan we see four great villians of history. Kahless the Unforgettable, Colonel Green of WWIII, Genghis Khan....excuse me what? Genghis khan?! WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?!?! And then they fight. Sure, lets just get vulcan jesus and the 16th president of the united states (is there even a U.S left on earth?) and we can crouch behind rocks and throw sticks at each other. Its an insult! I don't think genghis khan even has a single line of dialogue. I just don't understand what the hell they were thinking. Maybe it was meant to be a silly episode all in good fun but its.... like.... like okay listen:
Surak refuses to fight because this is literally pointless carnage, but also because he refuses to hurt anyone on principle. So he goes to the villains to talk to them. Now the impression that I get of Surak, having been the father of vulcan's philosophy of logic over emotion, is that he is a great diplomat and negotiator. So what does he say to them?
"If you accept the solution I offer, the others will agree to it." says Surak.
"No one talks peace unless they can back it up with war." says Green.
"He talks peace if it is the only way to live."
"Then tell me what we have to gain."
"Your life and the lives of the others."
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. WHAT IS THIS. WHERE ARE WE. Ask HIM what they gain by fighting each other! What did the rock monsters promise them? Are they gonna bust off of the planet with wooden spears and slings?! This whole thing is a test by the rock monsters to see....uh....hm. Which is stronger, good or evil?? Yes, and they propose to test these philosophies by making them fight to the death.
Abraham Lincoln gets speared in the back trying to rescue a dead Surak. Nothing was learned and the enterprise's time was wasted.
ep 79 – "All Our Yesterdays" (★★★)
A library of ages, chronicling all of your planet's history, and a portal to take you there. I'd be over the moon.
Kirk, Spock, & McCoy beam down to a planet right before it's star is about to go supernova. I forget why but I presume its to rescue the remaining population of the planet. Well there is one man left, the librarian Mr. Atoz. He keeps the books and has saved what remained of his people by thrusting them back through time into the old ages of their history. Through a muddled misunderstanding, Kirk and co unwittingly travel into the planets past and trap themselves, each with its own peril. I think the highlight here is Spock, who meets Zarabeth, a political prisoner who was exiled to a frigid and desolate ice age. Although she is able to fend for herself she is doomed to a life of solitude. Thus she's intrigued and overjoyed when she finds Spock & McCoy, her first and last companions. She tells Spock that the portal readjusts people on a molecular level to live in the time they are sent. You can go in, but you can't come back. Spock, analytical as always, knows now that there is no going back, and reluctantly acquiesces. That reluctance seems to melt away as he falls for Zarabeth (I fell for her too!) and begins to adjust to a more simple life.
Meanwhile McCoy, in his most insufferable performance yet, is unabashedly sexist. He accuses Zarabeth of hiding the truth and trying to trick he and Spock just so that she would not be lonely. Not only is he wrong as we learn from Kirk's perspective, Zarabeth was not given all the information to give Spock a proper assessment. This is one of those very few episodes where Spock shows emotion, and McCoy naturally taunts him for it to try and shock him back to his senses. Just give the man a break Bones, maybe if Spock is feeling emotion it might be because the situation is affecting him so heavily. He's torn between finding Kirk or nusring McCoy, the pain of being trapped in a place against his will, and slowly trying to overcome that pain to accept his new station. Eventually the facts all click into place, Kirk shenanigans his way out of his own scrape, and they are able to just barely beam off the planet in the nick of time. Not before Spock can say one last heartfelt goodbye to Zarabeth, who's lonely fate is left unsaid.
Final thoughts: All Our Yesterdays is a damn good title considering the romance and the library. Its properly bittersweet. It doesn't leave me with much, however. I think they wanted a tragic love with Spock as Kirk had in season 1, but its not executed as well. McCoy is completely unsympathetic, and the love isn't explored. All it really leaves me with is a terrible pity for Zarabeth: Were I the writer, I would have had her walk through the door with them. She would have likely perished, but she said herself: "Stranded for a lifetime without companionship, isn't that a kind of death?" Spock lost his hope, and needed to find it again to return to the present. Holding onto that hope and stepping through the portal with the two men, I think this would have been the more human thing. But maybe the most human thing is to survive. I dunno.
ep 80 – "Turnabout Intruder" (★★★)
"Your world of starfleet captains doesn't admit women." I think she's gotta be full of it here. There's just no way – I refuse to believe that. It doesn't go with the spirit of the star trek universe as its come to be defined even in TOS. There have been plenty of capable women all through the series in important positions. The romulans had a female captain. Why not have a woman command a ship? That line really shouldn't be there because if they didn't permit Janice Lester to the captaincy I would think it would be her willingness to MURDER PEOPLE and viscous self hatred that did her in; not some stuffy sexist regulation.
The most damning thing that is done here in my eyes, is that Janice Lester is labeled as insane. Because a woman clearly would never feel homicidal resentment and hatred over being snubbed a valued career position. She was never able to move on from that; that's not insanity that's a personal failing. They remove from her any dignity (in so far as such a villain can have any) that a better script might given her by trying to paint her crimes in a pitiable light.
Nevertheless I am conflicted because I kind of like this episode? Even though I'm certain we're all expecting me to decry it? I just like this idea of Kirk being body-swapped by a hostile double. I like the growing concerns of the crew, the court-martial, and Spock's defiance. Its a decent premise, just marred by its sloppy execution and insensitive portrayal of Lester via Shatner. That's the thing that really makes the least sense to me here: I think they must have been trying to make a statement with this final episode, but it was lost along the way. Otherwise it would have been easier to write Lester as a jealous rival driven to the extreme rather than someone bound by what she perceives as the shackles of her gender. Its the idea that the only thing that barred her from her dreams of starfleet was her own loathing and vindictiveness; the sexism all fabricated in her mind. In the minds of the writers perhaps that makes sense in the world of star trek where they've worked to eliminate institutional sexism, but it certainly rings hollow after McCoy's tirade one episode prior. Its a crummy way for the show to send us off; the actors are tired, the writers heads are in their hands. You can't always go out with a bang.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SEASON 3 COMPLETE!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Favorite Episodes
The Enterprise Incident
Specter of the Gun
Is There In Truth No Beauty
Plato's Stepchildren
The Tholian Web
Yes. Yes. This is the one that broke me. I liked The Way to Eden more. Yes. Yes. I know.
Everything about this rubs me in places I don't appreciate. The only thing I could think was "This show has done lost it's damn mind." Now, the intro was fun. Abraham Lincoln is out there sitting in a chair floating in space and, yes, no one for even a moment thinks that its the man himself. But we go along with it and invite him aboard and there's a cute little ceremony and we get to explain to him all the cool gadgets we've developed in the last five centuries. Pure fan fiction. But once you get past your bewilderment, we actually beam down to the planet. There it just becomes absolute horseshit of the highest order. For also on the planet, aside from Surak the vulcan we see four great villians of history. Kahless the Unforgettable, Colonel Green of WWIII, Genghis Khan....excuse me what? Genghis khan?! WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?!?! And then they fight. Sure, lets just get vulcan jesus and the 16th president of the united states (is there even a U.S left on earth?) and we can crouch behind rocks and throw sticks at each other. Its an insult! I don't think genghis khan even has a single line of dialogue. I just don't understand what the hell they were thinking. Maybe it was meant to be a silly episode all in good fun but its.... like.... like okay listen:
Surak refuses to fight because this is literally pointless carnage, but also because he refuses to hurt anyone on principle. So he goes to the villains to talk to them. Now the impression that I get of Surak, having been the father of vulcan's philosophy of logic over emotion, is that he is a great diplomat and negotiator. So what does he say to them?
"If you accept the solution I offer, the others will agree to it." says Surak.
"No one talks peace unless they can back it up with war." says Green.
"He talks peace if it is the only way to live."
"Then tell me what we have to gain."
"Your life and the lives of the others."
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. WHAT IS THIS. WHERE ARE WE. Ask HIM what they gain by fighting each other! What did the rock monsters promise them? Are they gonna bust off of the planet with wooden spears and slings?! This whole thing is a test by the rock monsters to see....uh....hm. Which is stronger, good or evil?? Yes, and they propose to test these philosophies by making them fight to the death.
Abraham Lincoln gets speared in the back trying to rescue a dead Surak. Nothing was learned and the enterprise's time was wasted.
ep 79 – "All Our Yesterdays" (★★★)
A library of ages, chronicling all of your planet's history, and a portal to take you there. I'd be over the moon.
Kirk, Spock, & McCoy beam down to a planet right before it's star is about to go supernova. I forget why but I presume its to rescue the remaining population of the planet. Well there is one man left, the librarian Mr. Atoz. He keeps the books and has saved what remained of his people by thrusting them back through time into the old ages of their history. Through a muddled misunderstanding, Kirk and co unwittingly travel into the planets past and trap themselves, each with its own peril. I think the highlight here is Spock, who meets Zarabeth, a political prisoner who was exiled to a frigid and desolate ice age. Although she is able to fend for herself she is doomed to a life of solitude. Thus she's intrigued and overjoyed when she finds Spock & McCoy, her first and last companions. She tells Spock that the portal readjusts people on a molecular level to live in the time they are sent. You can go in, but you can't come back. Spock, analytical as always, knows now that there is no going back, and reluctantly acquiesces. That reluctance seems to melt away as he falls for Zarabeth (I fell for her too!) and begins to adjust to a more simple life.
Meanwhile McCoy, in his most insufferable performance yet, is unabashedly sexist. He accuses Zarabeth of hiding the truth and trying to trick he and Spock just so that she would not be lonely. Not only is he wrong as we learn from Kirk's perspective, Zarabeth was not given all the information to give Spock a proper assessment. This is one of those very few episodes where Spock shows emotion, and McCoy naturally taunts him for it to try and shock him back to his senses. Just give the man a break Bones, maybe if Spock is feeling emotion it might be because the situation is affecting him so heavily. He's torn between finding Kirk or nusring McCoy, the pain of being trapped in a place against his will, and slowly trying to overcome that pain to accept his new station. Eventually the facts all click into place, Kirk shenanigans his way out of his own scrape, and they are able to just barely beam off the planet in the nick of time. Not before Spock can say one last heartfelt goodbye to Zarabeth, who's lonely fate is left unsaid.
Final thoughts: All Our Yesterdays is a damn good title considering the romance and the library. Its properly bittersweet. It doesn't leave me with much, however. I think they wanted a tragic love with Spock as Kirk had in season 1, but its not executed as well. McCoy is completely unsympathetic, and the love isn't explored. All it really leaves me with is a terrible pity for Zarabeth: Were I the writer, I would have had her walk through the door with them. She would have likely perished, but she said herself: "Stranded for a lifetime without companionship, isn't that a kind of death?" Spock lost his hope, and needed to find it again to return to the present. Holding onto that hope and stepping through the portal with the two men, I think this would have been the more human thing. But maybe the most human thing is to survive. I dunno.
ep 80 – "Turnabout Intruder" (★★★)
"Your world of starfleet captains doesn't admit women." I think she's gotta be full of it here. There's just no way – I refuse to believe that. It doesn't go with the spirit of the star trek universe as its come to be defined even in TOS. There have been plenty of capable women all through the series in important positions. The romulans had a female captain. Why not have a woman command a ship? That line really shouldn't be there because if they didn't permit Janice Lester to the captaincy I would think it would be her willingness to MURDER PEOPLE and viscous self hatred that did her in; not some stuffy sexist regulation.
The most damning thing that is done here in my eyes, is that Janice Lester is labeled as insane. Because a woman clearly would never feel homicidal resentment and hatred over being snubbed a valued career position. She was never able to move on from that; that's not insanity that's a personal failing. They remove from her any dignity (in so far as such a villain can have any) that a better script might given her by trying to paint her crimes in a pitiable light.
Nevertheless I am conflicted because I kind of like this episode? Even though I'm certain we're all expecting me to decry it? I just like this idea of Kirk being body-swapped by a hostile double. I like the growing concerns of the crew, the court-martial, and Spock's defiance. Its a decent premise, just marred by its sloppy execution and insensitive portrayal of Lester via Shatner. That's the thing that really makes the least sense to me here: I think they must have been trying to make a statement with this final episode, but it was lost along the way. Otherwise it would have been easier to write Lester as a jealous rival driven to the extreme rather than someone bound by what she perceives as the shackles of her gender. Its the idea that the only thing that barred her from her dreams of starfleet was her own loathing and vindictiveness; the sexism all fabricated in her mind. In the minds of the writers perhaps that makes sense in the world of star trek where they've worked to eliminate institutional sexism, but it certainly rings hollow after McCoy's tirade one episode prior. Its a crummy way for the show to send us off; the actors are tired, the writers heads are in their hands. You can't always go out with a bang.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SEASON 3 COMPLETE!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Favorite Episodes
The Enterprise Incident
Specter of the Gun
Is There In Truth No Beauty
Plato's Stepchildren
The Tholian Web
--Lets Watch Star Trek for the First Time! [The Original Series]
author=pianotm
I remember The Tholian Web being an absolute nailbiter for me. I feel bad. I remember "For the World is Hollow and I have Touched the Sky" being a personal favorite growing up but I cannot remember it for the life of me.
It was a bit of a cerebral one because the core conflict rested with the leader of the asteroid. She was torn between her loyalty to tradition and her love for McCoy, these strange spacefaring visitors that opened up a brand new world and way of thinking for her. Star Trek has a lot to say about the broadening of cultural horizons and furthering unity between intelligent beings. Not much action happens aside from Kirk & Spock getting zapped by a robot rock. The premise is sufficiently unique that it leaves you with a strong impression which is much much more than can be said for the likes of That Which Survives or Whom Gods Destroy.
I'll probably be able to wrap up these writeups tonight. I am excited to finish this project!
--Lets Watch Star Trek for the First Time! [The Original Series]
ep 74 – "The Lights of Zetar" (★★★)
We're gettin' a little bit spooky tonight! A mysterious spaceborne phenomena appearing as a nebula of multicolored lights intercepts the enterprise, exerting an aggressive pressure on the minds of the crew. All are left startled and exhausted by the encounter but Lt. Romaine is knocked out completely, unable to do anything but garble out a low croaking noise! Seeing the same thing happen on the dead station of Memory Alpha, and learning that the lights utterly destroyed their nervous systems, is successfully creepy.
Kirk typically has the honor of having fling in most episodes, but other members of the crew have had their turn. Now its Scotty's turn, and although I love Scotty they did not make him suave at all. Completely head over heels for Romaine, and no idea what to do with himself or how to help. He has his moment at the end. I dunno about sticking the lieutenant into a pressure cooker. Its a good solution to freeing her from the influence of the lights, but surely that's got to be a traumatizing experience. Usually star trek is pretty good about their opening hooks and slow drip of information that opens the episode up, and this is no exception. However things have really been running out of steam in this final stretch (everything after The Tholian Web) because of the budget cuts. The climaxes are thus mediocre. This is one of the better ones because of the emotional core between Scotty and Romaine, but the only reason I cared about that is because I love Scotty.
Perfectly average. These are getting a lot harder to comment on.
ep 75 – "Requiem for Methuselah" (★★★★★)
There is a conflict and rising action in this episode but it makes no sense and there needn't be. The addition of a conflict actually lowers its quality. Were I the writer I'd make the central concept the building of the android itself. Flint is an ageless being. Lonely and left adrift after thousands of years of attempting to build the best life he can. He's done everything he wished to do and raised many families but has outlived them all. However, this ageless being is a human. That's significant! What might a person learn about themselves and about how to live a fulfilling life with so many years to do so? What also, might impede that journey and make it even more difficult? Flint has closed himself away on an isolated planet and completely rejected the human race knowing the cruelties they are capable of. If we had begun with him, and watched as he encountered the enterprise crew, we could have seen his eyes open in a new way.
Maybe Flint has the technology to construct an android, but not the materials. Maybe he has the materials but lacks the know-how. The enterprise crew, out of empathy for their fellow man, could help him to realize his ambition: A fellow immortal companion that would he leave behind. But what are the ramifications of that? The possibilities are so enticing. Alas however, here it boils down to a feud of jealousy between Kirk and Flint. It is very compelling watching it all unfold, mind.
I still really love this episode because despite the flaws. It has so much potential and the dialogue and staging are particularly fine here. Spock actually has a brandy! He's having such a good time!
ep 76 – "The Way to Eden" (★★★)
Riddle me this readers. Has this episode aged poorly? Or has it aged well? I would agree in calling it annoying but its also one of the more watchable episodes of the final stretch. It didn't take too long to figure out what this was gonna be about. I was pretty onboard the crew's confused irritation of these unruly passengers but then I had a jolt of realization! "OH YEAH! SPOCK IS PLAYED BY LEONARD NIMOY!" Perhaps an out of character moment for Spock but certainly in character for this series, Spock is the only officer who is able to bridge the cultural gap and communicate amicably with the space hippies out of his curiosity for their particularly brand of spirituality and willingness to understand their goals. What's more star trek than that? It dates the episode but it also is a reflection of the cultural divide that is interesting to observe for someone who didn't live through it: These people aren't really treated like full-grown adults. I'm reminded of the gorgon that controlled the children to achieve it's vile ends. But what are the ends here? Stupidity! The word that describes the space hippies is the one that echos through time.
My god I hated that man's singing so much. What a punchable face.
ep 77 – "The Cloud Minders" (★★)
Ehhhhhh. The extremes of stratification and the injustice of the oppressors and oppressed. This one just didn't click with me. The enterprise only stops on the planet to pick up a supply drop but are suddenly swept up in the politics of the world, and force the two segregated communities to intermingle and open their eyes to the root of the troubles that plague them. Vapid is our word of the day. You can think of this as a parallel to Let That Be Your Last Battlefield which I have a newfound appreciation for. It may not have gone to the emotional depths I had preferred but at least it was succinct. This one drags. In the third act when Kirk tries to demonstrate the effects of the zenite gas to the magistrate, it just devolves into a mad cacophony for the sake of pointless drama. We're a long way from the awe and optimism of The Cage.On a positive note good work was done with the sets which have been on the sparse side in season 3.
After the opening titles, Kirk asks "Who are you and what's the meaning of this attack?" but its overdubbed. His lips don't move at all despite us looking right at him. THE SEAMS! THE SEAMS, READERS!
We're gettin' a little bit spooky tonight! A mysterious spaceborne phenomena appearing as a nebula of multicolored lights intercepts the enterprise, exerting an aggressive pressure on the minds of the crew. All are left startled and exhausted by the encounter but Lt. Romaine is knocked out completely, unable to do anything but garble out a low croaking noise! Seeing the same thing happen on the dead station of Memory Alpha, and learning that the lights utterly destroyed their nervous systems, is successfully creepy.
Kirk typically has the honor of having fling in most episodes, but other members of the crew have had their turn. Now its Scotty's turn, and although I love Scotty they did not make him suave at all. Completely head over heels for Romaine, and no idea what to do with himself or how to help. He has his moment at the end. I dunno about sticking the lieutenant into a pressure cooker. Its a good solution to freeing her from the influence of the lights, but surely that's got to be a traumatizing experience. Usually star trek is pretty good about their opening hooks and slow drip of information that opens the episode up, and this is no exception. However things have really been running out of steam in this final stretch (everything after The Tholian Web) because of the budget cuts. The climaxes are thus mediocre. This is one of the better ones because of the emotional core between Scotty and Romaine, but the only reason I cared about that is because I love Scotty.
Perfectly average. These are getting a lot harder to comment on.
ep 75 – "Requiem for Methuselah" (★★★★★)
There is a conflict and rising action in this episode but it makes no sense and there needn't be. The addition of a conflict actually lowers its quality. Were I the writer I'd make the central concept the building of the android itself. Flint is an ageless being. Lonely and left adrift after thousands of years of attempting to build the best life he can. He's done everything he wished to do and raised many families but has outlived them all. However, this ageless being is a human. That's significant! What might a person learn about themselves and about how to live a fulfilling life with so many years to do so? What also, might impede that journey and make it even more difficult? Flint has closed himself away on an isolated planet and completely rejected the human race knowing the cruelties they are capable of. If we had begun with him, and watched as he encountered the enterprise crew, we could have seen his eyes open in a new way.
Maybe Flint has the technology to construct an android, but not the materials. Maybe he has the materials but lacks the know-how. The enterprise crew, out of empathy for their fellow man, could help him to realize his ambition: A fellow immortal companion that would he leave behind. But what are the ramifications of that? The possibilities are so enticing. Alas however, here it boils down to a feud of jealousy between Kirk and Flint. It is very compelling watching it all unfold, mind.
I still really love this episode because despite the flaws. It has so much potential and the dialogue and staging are particularly fine here. Spock actually has a brandy! He's having such a good time!
ep 76 – "The Way to Eden" (★★★)
Riddle me this readers. Has this episode aged poorly? Or has it aged well? I would agree in calling it annoying but its also one of the more watchable episodes of the final stretch. It didn't take too long to figure out what this was gonna be about. I was pretty onboard the crew's confused irritation of these unruly passengers but then I had a jolt of realization! "OH YEAH! SPOCK IS PLAYED BY LEONARD NIMOY!" Perhaps an out of character moment for Spock but certainly in character for this series, Spock is the only officer who is able to bridge the cultural gap and communicate amicably with the space hippies out of his curiosity for their particularly brand of spirituality and willingness to understand their goals. What's more star trek than that? It dates the episode but it also is a reflection of the cultural divide that is interesting to observe for someone who didn't live through it: These people aren't really treated like full-grown adults. I'm reminded of the gorgon that controlled the children to achieve it's vile ends. But what are the ends here? Stupidity! The word that describes the space hippies is the one that echos through time.
My god I hated that man's singing so much. What a punchable face.
ep 77 – "The Cloud Minders" (★★)
Ehhhhhh. The extremes of stratification and the injustice of the oppressors and oppressed. This one just didn't click with me. The enterprise only stops on the planet to pick up a supply drop but are suddenly swept up in the politics of the world, and force the two segregated communities to intermingle and open their eyes to the root of the troubles that plague them. Vapid is our word of the day. You can think of this as a parallel to Let That Be Your Last Battlefield which I have a newfound appreciation for. It may not have gone to the emotional depths I had preferred but at least it was succinct. This one drags. In the third act when Kirk tries to demonstrate the effects of the zenite gas to the magistrate, it just devolves into a mad cacophony for the sake of pointless drama. We're a long way from the awe and optimism of The Cage.On a positive note good work was done with the sets which have been on the sparse side in season 3.
After the opening titles, Kirk asks "Who are you and what's the meaning of this attack?" but its overdubbed. His lips don't move at all despite us looking right at him. THE SEAMS! THE SEAMS, READERS!
--Lets Watch Star Trek for the First Time! [The Original Series]
ep 68 – "The Empath" (★★)
Took a long break from this to get some work done. Debts? Paid. Vacation? Spent. Food? Cooked. Exercise? Underway. Love life? Kaput. Lets get back up on the horse and finish this.
This is a very below-average, yet also ephemeral episode. It also reminds me a lot of The Cage; the aliens even look like Talosians. The set is extremely minimal and set against a black backdrop and is very much like a stageplay, and as stated above the minimalism works for me. There's some pretty decent performances from the cast and its very much an acting episode. The plot is where we fall short and although I was invested well enough to find out exactly what the alien's motivations were in keeping Gem and the crew captive its not very arresting: It loses a lot of luster on rewatching. I gotta wonder with how many clearly advanced and nigh-omnipotent alien species the enterprise makes continual contact with why, by Picard's time, humanity doesn't have some of that telepathic pinging around ourselves.
At the beginning of this episode, when Kirk falls off of the stairs and is teleported away, there's an imprint of his body on the floor where he disturbed the dust. That's cool!
ep 69 – "Elaan of Troyius" (★★★)
I can't call this a guilty pleasure because that column of the spreadsheet is being hogged by the entirety of The Omega Glory. I also can't call it a bad episode because it is in fact, good. Sure its frustrating watching these two delegates, but given the current events of this day and age I take a masochistic pleasure in watching. "You're gonna STAND in there with him young lady and EXPAND your culture horizons and you're gonna LIKE IT because its GOOD! FOR! YOU!"
I think people highly underestimate the immense difficulty of changing one's self. Change can be painful because you have to struggle against your own judgement for every inch. I took a trip this previous week out to the mountains for a hike and there's nothing like a change in the air to make you give thanks for your luck in life. You appreciate what you may have taken for granted at home as well as what you leave behind. My sister's boyfriend was eager to take me on some of his favorite trails but I'm not in the same shape I was when I was his age. The climbs kicked my ass, but he was with me each step of the way. My hands were bleeding and scuffed and my legs were on fire by the end but that made the feelings of peace at the top of the mountain all the more rich. Point being, hikes take preparation. Change also takes preparation. Most are unprepared. If you want to lead a novice onto a rugged trail, you can't expect them to keep your pace. They always make it look so easy on TV.
Very solid episode. The encounter with the klingons was good fun.
ep 70 – "Whom Gods Destroy" (★★)
There is no more a paradoxical episode than Whom Gods Destroy. It is simultaneously hilarious and forgettable, uncomfortable and joyous. Two stars and four. What happens in this episode is this: Garth, a mad former starship captain, wants to hijack the enterprise. So he traps kirk in a cell, assumes his form, and prepares to be beamed back aboard incognito and spring an ambush. But he is thwarted by the enigma of enigmas:
"Kirk to Enterprise."
"Scott here, sir."
"Beam me abord."
"Aye sir. Queen to queen's level 3."
"I said beam me aboard."
"I said, Queen to queen's level 3."
"...........just testing."
Queen to queen's level 3!? QUEEN TO QUEEN'S LEVEL 3?!?!? Foiled! Bamboozled!! DEFEAT!!! The countermoves are immeasurable!! Garth's tantrum (and by proxy, Shatner's) is a truly incredible sight. The hunt is on! Garth employs all manner of coercion and coaxation to grasp the riddle's answer. Our word of the day is "unfocused." The main through-line is Captain Garth's tragic deterioration from a principled starship captain of distinguished service, to a delusional man caged by his fantasies of conquest and kingship. Its supposed to be a sorrowful thing but Garth is so damn hammy, the mental health aspect so handwaved, there's little to latch onto. The episode is like a fever dream that passes as quickly as it arrived.
The performances of Garth and Marta and of course the brilliant countermeasure of the chess problem are the two big takeaways. I thought it was a fun episode but its undoubtedly weird.
ep 71 – "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" (★★★)
Bit on the nose innit?
I wish I had more to say here but upon reflection there's not really a whole lot to unpack this episode. The skin differentiation is the big thing. Lokai is black on the right side of his face, and white on the left. Bele is the opposite. Look now upon the asinine pettiness from which hatred and prejudice can spring. But readers here's my issue – the two Chevronian's vitriol between one another clearly runs much deeper than that, as is expected. This is generations of cultural oppression and violent resistance against it. Yet because of the paint, the audience can't help but boil it all down to a vapid message about skin color. The color of Lokai's skin is only the excuse with which Bele labels him a savage. It doesn't matter. He could have a birthmark, or be bald.
I don't claim to know where the prejudice on Chevron springs, and I'm positive I'm preaching to the choir here. It just wasn't explored to my satisfaction. Its still a decent episode though and I liked the ending. There was too much of Bele magically controlling the enterprise as a stand-in for "action" than I'd prefer. After the countdown sequence he didn't need to do it twice! Could have been a more cerebral battle but alas. I will repeat what I said for Taste of Armageddon: Perhaps a kitschy episode, but the presentation and scenario aren't as important as what sort of reflections it leaves you with. Maybe this episode inspired a moment of self-reflection in many.
ep 72 – "The Mark of Gideon" (★★)
A diplomatic mission to an isolated planet, a mysterious transporter error, captain Kirk trapped aboard a deserted enterprise. A mysterious woman. Its a great hook and leads to a frustrating dilemma for both Kirk and the enterprise crew. For the crew, the difficult decision to disobey sensitive diplomatic protocols to do what is right. For Kirk, the frustration that this whole thing could have been avoided if ya had just TAAAAAAAAAAAALKED!!!
This is another one of those that makes zero sense if you take even one minute to think about it. There is a solid core here, and the episode unfolds its secrets in an even and satisfying sheet. I feel the the plight on Gideon isn't necessarily absurd, but the secrecy was for the audience not the characters. Nor does it really allow us to ignore the "manual" option that was always open for the people of Gideon. I suppose that would have been far too contentious for television if portrayed in even a remotely positive light. I liked this episode on my first watch but it feels a bit hazy. For some reason (and I have no idea why so don't ask) the relationship between Odona and Kirk really resonated with me on this one. I guess because it didn't feel romantic, more like two people who've formed a bond like family having gone through a great ordeal. I mean, they didn't go through such ordeal that's just my vibe. DON'T ASK ME.
ep 73 – "That Which Survives" (★)
Its the attack of the space vampire! Wait, ANOTHER ONE?!
This one had some so-so moments (scotty in the crawlway comes to mind) but its probably the most forgettable of season 3 by a landslide.
Took a long break from this to get some work done. Debts? Paid. Vacation? Spent. Food? Cooked. Exercise? Underway. Love life? Kaput. Lets get back up on the horse and finish this.
This is a very below-average, yet also ephemeral episode. It also reminds me a lot of The Cage; the aliens even look like Talosians. The set is extremely minimal and set against a black backdrop and is very much like a stageplay, and as stated above the minimalism works for me. There's some pretty decent performances from the cast and its very much an acting episode. The plot is where we fall short and although I was invested well enough to find out exactly what the alien's motivations were in keeping Gem and the crew captive its not very arresting: It loses a lot of luster on rewatching. I gotta wonder with how many clearly advanced and nigh-omnipotent alien species the enterprise makes continual contact with why, by Picard's time, humanity doesn't have some of that telepathic pinging around ourselves.
At the beginning of this episode, when Kirk falls off of the stairs and is teleported away, there's an imprint of his body on the floor where he disturbed the dust. That's cool!
ep 69 – "Elaan of Troyius" (★★★)
I can't call this a guilty pleasure because that column of the spreadsheet is being hogged by the entirety of The Omega Glory. I also can't call it a bad episode because it is in fact, good. Sure its frustrating watching these two delegates, but given the current events of this day and age I take a masochistic pleasure in watching. "You're gonna STAND in there with him young lady and EXPAND your culture horizons and you're gonna LIKE IT because its GOOD! FOR! YOU!"
I think people highly underestimate the immense difficulty of changing one's self. Change can be painful because you have to struggle against your own judgement for every inch. I took a trip this previous week out to the mountains for a hike and there's nothing like a change in the air to make you give thanks for your luck in life. You appreciate what you may have taken for granted at home as well as what you leave behind. My sister's boyfriend was eager to take me on some of his favorite trails but I'm not in the same shape I was when I was his age. The climbs kicked my ass, but he was with me each step of the way. My hands were bleeding and scuffed and my legs were on fire by the end but that made the feelings of peace at the top of the mountain all the more rich. Point being, hikes take preparation. Change also takes preparation. Most are unprepared. If you want to lead a novice onto a rugged trail, you can't expect them to keep your pace. They always make it look so easy on TV.
Very solid episode. The encounter with the klingons was good fun.
ep 70 – "Whom Gods Destroy" (★★)
There is no more a paradoxical episode than Whom Gods Destroy. It is simultaneously hilarious and forgettable, uncomfortable and joyous. Two stars and four. What happens in this episode is this: Garth, a mad former starship captain, wants to hijack the enterprise. So he traps kirk in a cell, assumes his form, and prepares to be beamed back aboard incognito and spring an ambush. But he is thwarted by the enigma of enigmas:
"Kirk to Enterprise."
"Scott here, sir."
"Beam me abord."
"Aye sir. Queen to queen's level 3."
"I said beam me aboard."
"I said, Queen to queen's level 3."
"...........just testing."
Queen to queen's level 3!? QUEEN TO QUEEN'S LEVEL 3?!?!? Foiled! Bamboozled!! DEFEAT!!! The countermoves are immeasurable!! Garth's tantrum (and by proxy, Shatner's) is a truly incredible sight. The hunt is on! Garth employs all manner of coercion and coaxation to grasp the riddle's answer. Our word of the day is "unfocused." The main through-line is Captain Garth's tragic deterioration from a principled starship captain of distinguished service, to a delusional man caged by his fantasies of conquest and kingship. Its supposed to be a sorrowful thing but Garth is so damn hammy, the mental health aspect so handwaved, there's little to latch onto. The episode is like a fever dream that passes as quickly as it arrived.
The performances of Garth and Marta and of course the brilliant countermeasure of the chess problem are the two big takeaways. I thought it was a fun episode but its undoubtedly weird.
ep 71 – "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" (★★★)
Bit on the nose innit?
I wish I had more to say here but upon reflection there's not really a whole lot to unpack this episode. The skin differentiation is the big thing. Lokai is black on the right side of his face, and white on the left. Bele is the opposite. Look now upon the asinine pettiness from which hatred and prejudice can spring. But readers here's my issue – the two Chevronian's vitriol between one another clearly runs much deeper than that, as is expected. This is generations of cultural oppression and violent resistance against it. Yet because of the paint, the audience can't help but boil it all down to a vapid message about skin color. The color of Lokai's skin is only the excuse with which Bele labels him a savage. It doesn't matter. He could have a birthmark, or be bald.
I don't claim to know where the prejudice on Chevron springs, and I'm positive I'm preaching to the choir here. It just wasn't explored to my satisfaction. Its still a decent episode though and I liked the ending. There was too much of Bele magically controlling the enterprise as a stand-in for "action" than I'd prefer. After the countdown sequence he didn't need to do it twice! Could have been a more cerebral battle but alas. I will repeat what I said for Taste of Armageddon: Perhaps a kitschy episode, but the presentation and scenario aren't as important as what sort of reflections it leaves you with. Maybe this episode inspired a moment of self-reflection in many.
ep 72 – "The Mark of Gideon" (★★)
A diplomatic mission to an isolated planet, a mysterious transporter error, captain Kirk trapped aboard a deserted enterprise. A mysterious woman. Its a great hook and leads to a frustrating dilemma for both Kirk and the enterprise crew. For the crew, the difficult decision to disobey sensitive diplomatic protocols to do what is right. For Kirk, the frustration that this whole thing could have been avoided if ya had just TAAAAAAAAAAAALKED!!!
This is another one of those that makes zero sense if you take even one minute to think about it. There is a solid core here, and the episode unfolds its secrets in an even and satisfying sheet. I feel the the plight on Gideon isn't necessarily absurd, but the secrecy was for the audience not the characters. Nor does it really allow us to ignore the "manual" option that was always open for the people of Gideon. I suppose that would have been far too contentious for television if portrayed in even a remotely positive light. I liked this episode on my first watch but it feels a bit hazy. For some reason (and I have no idea why so don't ask) the relationship between Odona and Kirk really resonated with me on this one. I guess because it didn't feel romantic, more like two people who've formed a bond like family having gone through a great ordeal. I mean, they didn't go through such ordeal that's just my vibe. DON'T ASK ME.
ep 73 – "That Which Survives" (★)
Its the attack of the space vampire! Wait, ANOTHER ONE?!
This one had some so-so moments (scotty in the crawlway comes to mind) but its probably the most forgettable of season 3 by a landslide.
What Videogames Are You Playing Right Now?
Got my hands on Path of Radiance. been a long time since I’ve played a new fire emblem so what the heck let’s dig into it! Just finished the first four chapters today and the whole time I kept thinking ‘how would one write a good mercenary gang?’ I guess like this. I like where things are going so far. Ike is a beast and Titania is my favorite so far. I’ve always had a soft spot for the ol’ loyal retainer cliche.
Games - Tester
Games - Other
