It’s what fascinates me too. Star Trek’s best episodes are just people talking. Give me them juicy ethical dilemmas and tense negotiations.
Just rewatched DS9’s “The Maquis” 2 parter. It has brilliant speeches from Sisko, Dukat, and Quark in quick succession (part 2, specifically). Each has it’s real world parallels, applicable then and now to varying degrees. Science fiction has always been the best vehicle for reflecting on humanity.
Pretty much. Star Trek is a great way to frame issues because it also involves the most capable humans (most of the time!) at a time where humanity exists in a utopia. So you basically have peak humans put in these interesting situations with great writing and acting! Stories are still relatable decades after.
And if they’re struggling with these issues, the issues must be ingrained in the human condition.
Which is essentially what the show is about - the human condition. Everybody is fucked up in their own way, and that is the heart of the stories.
Perfect people/perfect environments don’t make for interesting stories.
Goes right back to the Greeks.
All the more reason why TNG is seen as the start of the “Golden Age.” The old rule set by Gene was “no conflict between the crew,” but it was far too limiting.
That was the great thing about shows from the 60s and 70s. They didn’t have the resources or technology at the time for big sets, special effects or even CGI … so they had to rely on good writing and good actors with theatrical skill to make it all enjoyable and entertaining.
Shows in the 80s and 90s drifted more and more into just mindless comedy. Now everyone relies heavily on eye candy, CGI and special effects.
I’m taking my time watching TOS and the writing is amazing when you consider the setting and the period of history at the time.
ToS was all Greek (or maybe Shakesperian) morality plays.
TnG tried to follow suit (and kind of did, generally, but added some melodrama which I find annoying).
AltText: You put funny people in funny costumes and paint then green and we could talk about anything we wanted to, because that was the only thing that fascinated Gene about this particular genre. - Majel Barrett
If you’re going to be crazy, do it unique. Roddenberry was an ass (not asshole), but an interesting one, and mildly immortal.
You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it! Einstein?
I have never seen this picture before. I’m a little bit scared.
Therapist: “Majel Barrett as an Orion isn’t real, she can’t hurt you.”
Majel Barrett as an Orion:
It’s certainly a big part for me, but I like the weird Twilight Zone concepts and exploration, too.
Precisely. What lies beyond us and our understanding? What else defines life as we have perceived?
