rogermccoy
@rogermccoy@startrek.website
- Comment on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy • FlixPatrol 4 days ago:
“All this seems to say that Starfleet Academy is a global hit for Paramount, reaching new demographics and new markets, but not a fit for the Sheridanverse Pro sports streamer Paramount+ was narrowed towards.”
If that’s true, I guess it’s UPN all over again. Starts with Star Trek as the lead only to have it slowly sidelined by a focus on a different audience, including a focus on wrestling. The only way it could be more like UPN is if it was getting ready to merge with a similar-sized service owned by Warner Bros.
Oh dang.
- Comment on Why Star Trek Resurgence and Across the unknown has bad graphics? 1 week ago:
Resurgence had voice acting for the whole game.
- Comment on Interview: Tawny Newsome On “Gargantuan Task” To Give DS9 “Resolution” On ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ 2 weeks ago:
I was mainly using season 3 as an example, but fair point that they were referencing other shows from episode 1.
Heck, one of the first characters to speak on the show was Gul Evek, who had appeared in several episodes of DS9 and TNG starting with “Playing God” when he refused to help O’Brien with the voles.
- Comment on Anyone still watching Scouts? 2 weeks ago:
Still watching, mainly out of curiosity.
It’s become more fun and less repetitive with the new Holodeck Rescues. I don’t know that it really does its job of teaching STEM or much of any lessons, but it’s relatively harmless.
That said, if I had kids I have no idea if this would hold their attention, and I’d much rather the hypothetical kids just watch Bluey instead.
But I’ll probably continue to at least check out the new episodes just out of curiosity based almost entirely on it having the name Star Trek.
- Comment on Interview: Tawny Newsome On “Gargantuan Task” To Give DS9 “Resolution” On ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ 4 weeks ago:
Voyager referenced or included TOS and TNG characters in at least eight episodes of season 3.
- “Flashback” was the big Sulu/Rand/Kang 30th anniversary tribute
- "Death Wish" had Q and Riker
- In “Alliances” Tuvok talks about Spock and recaps the events of Undiscovered Country
- McCoy was mentioned in "Lifesigns"
- Data was mentioned in "Prototype"
- Sulu was mentioned in "Tattoo"
- Picard and Moriarty were mentioned in "Alter Ego"
- Picard was mentioned again in “Scorpion”
That’s basically a third of the season, assuming I didn’t forget any. And that’s not even counting things like the mention of Wolf 359 in “Unity” or the koon-ut-kal-if-fee in “Blood Fever”.
And that’s from the show that went out of their way to make it hard to use existing concepts.
- Comment on Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Starfleet Academy | 1x04 "Vox in Excelso" 5 weeks ago:
I like to think that the pepperoni pizza was a tribute to the 30th anniversary of “Threshold” on the same day, but the true tribute to “Threshold” was depicting parents stranding their offspring on a planet and then justifying that it was fine.
- Comment on Is there a list of important/key episodes – but not just the good episodes? 1 month ago:
I’ve been doing a rewatch and making notes of things that are referenced later. Considering most classic Trek has a reputation for being episodic, you’d be surprised just how much gets referenced later, whether in a passing comment or an in-joke or something. The only episodes of TNG season 1 where I didn’t spot at least a passing reference later was “Too Short a Season”, “Home Soil”, and “When the Bough Breaks”. (The references to a few of the others are vague and/or arguable though, and admittedly “Knowing where that clip in ‘Shades of Gray’ is from” qualifies a few of them.)
So it kind of depends on how strictly you define “important.” Most people could probably skip almost the entirety of TNG season 1 and not be that confused, but for example:
- “All Good Things…” loses a lot without “Encounter at Farpoint”
- “The Naked Now” is important to “The Measure of a Man”
- “Haven” introduces Lwaxana Troi, Mr. Homn, naked Betazoid weddings, and the running gag of data being too precise. “In the Cradle of Vexilon” loses something without it too.
- “Where No One Has Gone Before” is crucial in introducing the Traveler, and that plot continues into “Remember Me” and “Journey’s End” and beyond.
- “The Last Outpost” has first contact with the Ferengi, though you could argue that future Ferengi episodes make more sense without it? Though it’s important to the game Star Trek: Resurgence.
- “Justice” doesn’t seem important, but if you skip it you won’t know what Remmick’s talking about in “Conspiracy”.
- “The Battle” isn’t referenced often, but “Bloodlines” depends on it. Remmick mentions this one too.
- “Hide and Q” introduces concepts like the Q Continuum, and the events of it lead to Q’s status in “Q Who”, which introduces the Borg.
- “The Big Goodbye” introduces Dixon Hill and explains holodeck matter. The Jarada are mentioned again later too.
- “Datalore” introduces Lore and the Crystalline Entity and explains Data’s past, somewhat.
- “11001001” is important to understanding “Future Imperfect”… though that episode isn’t really referenced again other than that it introduces a fictionalized version of Nurse Ogawa. So is it still important if you skip both of them?
- “Coming of Age” introduces a lot of the characters and concepts that will be in “Conspiracy”. Fun fact: This is the first episode to name Murf’s species from Prodigy.
- “Heart of Glory” introduces Khitomer and gives Worf’s backstory and sort-of sets up “The Neutral Zone”.
- “The Arsenal of Freedom” is the first mention of Crusher’s grandmother from “Sub Rosa”, but arguably more important for relationship-building between Crusher and Picard.
- “Symbiosis” becomes very relevant in Lower Decks in the episode “Trusted Sources”.
- “Skin of Evil” features the death of Tasha Yar. Armus also returns in Lower Decks.
- Even though the cliffhanger isn’t followed up on, “Conspiracy” becomes important again in “The Drumhead”.
- “The Neutral Zone” pays off the hints that the Romulans were gone, though if you skipped “Heart of Glory” you didn’t catch this in the first place, and “Angel One” arguably contradicted it. But this is the first hint of the Borg, as confirmed in “Q Who” and “The Best of Both Worlds”.
I could add other subtler things, but those are some of the bigger ones just from that highly-episodic season.
- Comment on Annotations for *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy* 1x01: “Kids These Days” 1 month ago:
I’m probably stretching, but as soon as I realized Jay-Den was a birdwatcher I wondered if that was a subtle tribute to Chris Cooper, writer of the Marvel Starfleet Academy series and host of Extraordinary Birder. (Cooper became briefly very well-known in 2020 when a woman called the police on him while he was birdwatching.)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Cooper
I haven’t spotted it myself, but multiple reviews have mentioned the wall includes a mention of Peter David, creator of the Brikar, who first appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation—Starfleet Academy: Worf’s First Adventure, the first licensed novel (or YA novella really) based around Starfleet Academy. That was probably visible in episode #2, but I’ll note it here because
- It’s a standing set.
- It pairs well with the possible Chris Cooper allusion.
David was mentioned as being on the wall at nerdist.com/…/starfleet-academy-wall-of-honor-sta… and comicbook.com/…/every-star-trek-easter-egg-refere….
- Comment on "Starfleet Academy" early review round-up 1 month ago:
Yep. Sounds like a good policy.
And good to distinguish between someone just not liking something and someone who’s just determined to hate something regardless of the content. Easy to overshoot and just start weeding out all “negativity,” which can stifle healthy conversation almost as much as dealing with the hate-posters can. I don’t envy the responsibility you mods have trying to strike a good balance on that.
- Comment on "Starfleet Academy" early review round-up 1 month ago:
I’ve been editing the above comment to include more as I’ve been finding them.
There are several YouTube reviews too (in addition to the TrekCulture video above and the Jessie Gender one linked elsewhere), mostly from people who at a glance don’t seem like they’ve seen it or who have been pre-hating it for months (Dave Cullen, Critical Drinker, and downhill from there.)
Just to not exclude them entirely, here’s one from a guy I’m not familiar with who didn’t like it much but at least doesn’t seem to broadly hate modern Star Trek:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jssKA2oz3Lk (Nater Tot)
But for most of the channels that are just screaming blind outrage in their thumbnails, I’ve been blocking them as I spot them, so I’ll leave that as an exercise to someone else should they care to round them up for some reason.
- Comment on "Starfleet Academy" early review round-up 1 month ago:
Have to admit I’m curious what would drive someone to downvote you for thanking someone for the links.
- Comment on "Starfleet Academy" early review round-up 1 month ago:
Mostly strong-to-glowing reviews. Comic Book Club, Looper, Radio Times, and TV Guide are the most negative (or at least least positive). Comic Book Club (which I’d never heard of before) is the only one I’ve seen that seems to hate it. ComicBook.com, ScreenRant, and TV Line give middling reviews.
avclub.com/star-trek-starfleet-academy-review-tv-…
awardsbuzz.com/paramount-review-star-trek-starfle…
collider.com/star-trek-starfleet-academy-review/
comicbook.com/…/starfleet-academy-is-star-trek-ho…
comicbookclublive.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-acade…
comicsbeat.com/tv-review-what-grade-does-star-tre…
joblo.com/star-trek-starfleet-academy-tv-review-a…
looper.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy-paramoun…
…substack.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy-revie…
nerdist.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy-review/
polygon.com/star-trek-starfleet-academy-review/
radiotimes.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy-revi…
screenrant.com/star-trek-starfleet-academy-season…
sfchronicle.com/…/starfleet-academy-star-trek-rev…
slashfilm.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy-revie…
starburstmagazine.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-acade…
thathashtagshow.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy…
thewrap.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy-review-…
treknews.net/…/preview-star-trek-starfleet-academ…
tvline.com/…/star-trek-starfleet-academy-review-s…
winteriscoming.net/starfleet-academy-spoiler-free…
Aggregators:
- Comment on Paul Giamatti Ranks His Favorite Star Trek Shows and Talks Star Trek: Starfleet Academy 2 months ago:
Here’s the transcript for those who prefer that over video:
- Comment on Batman wields the Sword of Kahless in his latest event comic 2 months ago:
Bat’leth-man.
- Comment on Shut up and take my money: A working (bluetooth) TNG Combadge 3 months ago:
I have one. I want to say ThinkGeek used to sell them, but I definitely recognize that backing as being from the same device I have.
It’s cool and fun to wear, but not amazing as a Bluetooth device. Microphone didn’t pick up super-well, which isn’t too surprising when it’s clipped on your shirt. Magnet would sometimes slip off if the shirt bunched up or something too. (I haven’t used it in a few years, so I’m a little hazy on some of this.)
A Bluetooth version of the TMP communicators might have better success, albeit at the cost of having to hold your arm up for the whole conversation.
- Comment on 🥺 Set phasers to mourn. 3 months ago:
She’s definitely missed.
Incidentally, sounds like you might appreciate this podcast if you aren’t into it already. I’ve heard it mentioned a few times, though to be honest I haven’t given it a listen myself yet. (I’m behind on too many podcasts already to add another one at the moment.)
- Comment on Podcast Discussion | Star Trek: Khan | 1x09 "Eternity's Face" 3 months ago:
I look forward to them, so thanks for the update. Take your time.
- Comment on Were is the rest of the Star Trek movies in Paramount+? 5 months ago:
Not sure your country of origin, but in the U.S. it has all 13 theatrical films + Section 31, as well as Woman in Motion and Building Star Trek.
- Comment on Canon Connections: SNW 3x05 - Through the Lens of Time 6 months ago:
Nice notes, other than the Berman comment, which was tacky and unnecessary.
- Comment on About Star Trek Starfleet Academy blacklash 6 months ago:
It’s the same dumb cycle that’s happened with every new Trek show since TNG (and probably TAS). It’s tiresome, but at least it’s predicable, I guess? Just ignore the obligatory backlash and see how it turns out.
- Comment on What are the best single episodes to show people new to Trek? 7 months ago:
I love Prodigy, but I’ve seen people struggle to get past the first episode. If someone’s coming in reluctantly it’s not where I’d start.
- Comment on What are the best single episodes to show people new to Trek? 7 months ago:
I’ve shown this as a first episode (or at least first 2-3 episodes) and it hasn’t been an issue. If you’re sitting with them you can explain significant items, but generally they get enough without much help.
- Comment on What are the best single episodes to show people new to Trek? 7 months ago:
Great episode, but I’d argue it doesn’t really give a new viewer much of a feel of what Star Trek is. Probably works better when you have a few episodes of TNG already under your belt.
- Comment on What are the best single episodes to show people new to Trek? 7 months ago:
Might be worth showing him the first episode of Lower Decks then. Or “Temporal Edict” is another strong early episode that’s still fairly introductory and really gives a lot of the Star Trek vibes about being capable and ethical while still showing it as a fun time.
- Comment on SkyShowtime NL has confirmed, via a comment on their Official Facebook page, that Season 3 will arrive on August 1st. No Date for Paramount+ has been shared yet. 11 months ago:
They’ve retracted the comment.
“The premiere date for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S3 was given to one of our members in error and is incorrect. Apologies for the inconvenience caused. We share your excitement and can’t wait for the 3rd season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to premiere.”
www.youtube.com/channel/…/community?lb=UgkxyY8OW7…
Though it could still be accurate and they’re just doing damage control. Maybe we’ll find out for First Contact Day?
- Comment on Change my mind: SNW, SFA should fire their music departments and replace them with Chris Westlake!!! 😉 1 year ago:
To clarify, Melumad does the incidental music in Prodigy, but the theme is by Michael Giacchino. He also scored, among many other things, the three Kelvin Timeline films, so he probably brings that “cinematic” feel you’re describing.
Melumad does occasionally integrate part of Giacchino’s Kelvin Timeline themes. For example, I want to say it appears toward the beginning of Prodigy 1x11.
- Comment on Change my mind: SNW, SFA should fire their music departments and replace them with Chris Westlake!!! 😉 1 year ago:
Westlake is great, but so is Nami Melumad (who does the music for Strange New Worlds and Prodigy), so I’m absolutely not behind a call to have her fired, whether that call is meant to be tongue-in-cheek or not.
- Comment on ‘Section 31’ Director Says The Streaming Movie Is A New Flavor Of Star Trek… With A Surprise Twist 1 year ago:
I agree it’s overused for the average episode of Trek, but if we accept that they’re doing a Section 31 movie, what’s the point of a low-stakes feature film (even a streaming film), especially one centered around Section 31?
- Comment on Annotations for *Star Trek: Lower Decks* 5x09: “Fissure Quest” (SPOILERS) 1 year ago:
Great notes, as always.
In addition to the already-cited references, the Beagle could additionally be a sly reference to Archer’s pal Porthos.
Interestingly, Jolene Blalock is credited simply as “Jolene”.
Our T’Pol also had some indirect experience with the concept of katra transference when Archer briefly carried Surak’s katra.
- Comment on Annotations for *Star Trek: Lower Decks* 5x08: “Upper Decks” (SPOILERS) 1 year ago:
Nice notes, as usual.
V’Ger is the antagonist in TMP
Also it’s in the Lower Decks opening credit sequence this year.
the Cambodian word for “toilet” is bangkon, which is pronounced similarly.
Interesting catch. That didn’t occur to me, ហើយខ្ញុំចេះភាសារខ្មែរ។
Nurse Westlake is named after Chris Westlake
He’s also appeared as far back as the series premiere, though he’s rarely spoken until now, and I don’t think he’s ever said more than a couple of lines.