LogFAQs > #967280706

Decided to finally watch this, since the first few shows are on netflix and don't seem to be going anywhere.

Before this I had already seen a few episodes of ds9 and voyager ( and played a few of the games) and I know of a few basic ideas from pop culture like the existence of klingons, borg etc.

Starting with TOS. Already seen the first 19 episodes, so, might be a bit of post spam at first (plus my memories are less fresh, so, i might fail to mention something).

Episode 0 : The Cage

Liked this one. The design of the talosians is pretty cool with the throbbing veins. It actually threw me seeing Pike since I didn't know about this being a rejected pilot at first. Honestly expected to see Kirk for far longer than I should have. The musical plants are a fun, whimsical idea and Spocks smile is adorable. (It's clear from these first few episodes that, similar to Doctor Who, the rules of the world, like how stoic Spock is meant to be, are yet to be settled on and that there'll be some early weirdness).

Pike explaining his weariness and Rigel VII is a bit expositiony, but I like how intelligent he is and how quick he is to learn and try and mask his thoughts. Primitive, emotional thoughts being unreadable is a cool idea. The fact that it's all a big zoo/slave breeder is subtly terrifying.

I like that one of Pike's fantasies is a slave harem. It's a dark and nasty thought, but it seems quite honest and real, especially for 60s television.

Number One is an enjoyable character and clearly the prototype for Spock. Vina has one hell of a tragic story. An attempt at compassion and mercy, turned into a cruel hell because of simple ignorance. Shouldn't have taken the talosians as long as it did to figure out that humans don't care for captivity.

I like the message of needing to actually face real life, rather than hiding behind familiar comforts and illusion. The decision to have Vina stay doesn't feel like it defeats the point, so much as it shows there is nuance to it.

One thing I'm going to mention here, since it crops up in most episodes: I don't care for the rampant sexism. Far too many of the female are practically begging for men to notice them, to the point where its their only character trait. I appreciate its a different time, but it's difficult to watch sometimes. Number One is probably the best female character in these first 19 episodes ( the phaser overload is brilliant), yet she gets a derogatory comment thrown her way from a subordinate, practically apologises for being good at her job and then roped into being a candidate for Eve. The general vibe of progress is absolutely wonderful, but they're definitely stumbling on a few steps.

Feel free to post your thoughts on my thoughts, interesting trivia ect. It'll break up a few hours of post spam.