You talk a lot about trust, and I think that’s an important factor. Sure, you can argue that the shows’ utopianism changed entirely because the powers-that-be warped the messaging. That’s probably true too, certainly now with the Ellisons at the top. But that’s pretty recent.

I think there’s also an aspect of how much viewers would be able to suspend their disbelief if they were served '60s or even '90s era scripts today. Especially TNG was very diplomacy focused and based in mutual respect. My guess is there has been an erosion of trust in Western society in the meantime. Again, ultimately because Capitalism, I’m sure — but in a broader sense than I interpret from your comment?

I dunno, I don’t have a neatly wrapped theory about this. Sorry if I go completely off on a tangent based on your comment.

I think the first season of Discovery tried to earnestly grapple with real world politics through the whole Klingon war/Mirror Universe arcs. All of Picard seemed to be about conspiracies and shadow governments, which certainly also speaks to its time of production… while dulling the shine on the utopian vision for the future.

And it’s not just badmirals and Section 31 that have been at issue. We’ve seen plenty of disgruntled pirates (read: regular-Joe capitalists) turned terrorists in the eyes of the Federation. Our main casts have visited enough dystopian “slum” planets in the past ten years, where criminals organise and prosper, that the idealism of Star Trek is depicted as precarious.

Way out in the 32nd century, as Osyraa bites into a Federation-produced apple, admiral Vance comments that “it’s made from our shit, you know”. Way to sell post-scarcity, buddy. Nobody wants to know how the sausage is made. I think the past decade of Trek has done a good job of postulating soft values, standing up for minorities and diversity. It’s been pretty shit (to stay in the vocabulary) at representing the very foundation of that sort of tolerance, though.

Trek should be a means to imagining the end of Capitalism, even if only as a background note for all kinds of weekly weird encounters and philosophical twists. But that is not just hard to depict in the 21st century — it’s actively being played as downright unsexy in the shows.

And they’re still on a trek through the stars? Seems to do what it says on the tin.

Okay, that was rude and nitpicky. But I’ll bite:

Read the article. Her voice was heard on every episode, but recorded separately. So, for example, the cast of TNG never met her until she showed up for her first guest spot as Lwaxana. Sirtis relates their (or her) initial reservations:

I didn’t meet Majel until she was a guest star on our show in the episode ‘Haven,’ and we didn’t bond immediately because she was the boss’s wife, and we were all a bit nervous because as a cast; we were a little rowdy

Note the distinction I put in italics.

That was a good read, it’s nice to have both her acting peers’ as well as Rod Roddenberry’s perspectives on her. I’m not sure I’ve read more than the equivalent of her Wikipedia entry before. Polite secondhand info, that is.

I’ve always enjoyed watching Majel whenever she’s on Trek. The first Number One, Nurse Chapel, Lwaxanna… and all the while, also the voice of the Enterprise. Geez, Gene may have been the mind behind the show, but she probably embodied it more than anybody outside of the main cast(s) 🤩

Oh please let’s not 🤣

— Hey, you know how other shows make sequels to really great, memorable episodes?

— …yeah?

— I know how we can subvert that:

Yes, but hear me out: what if you pull down your shirt at the speed of ligh?. I posit that for just a second your belly will show through it.

That was the one that caught my eye, too. Also, probably the one best suited for my budget.

Finally, the Doctor Who crossover we deserve.

Something rotten at the core of Starfleet? Surely not…! 🤣

It’s an old chestnut, and well overdone by now, but the real question is whether they can give it a new spin, or simply make it work better than, say, in “Into darkness”.

At least they’re not pulling known characters out of mothballs for this, so I remain optimistic.

Oh, the XenoGorn? Gornomorph? Let’s workshop that name a bit.

Difference is, there were straightfaced Star trek series airing when Lower Decks started. Now, the only show running (well, there’s Academy as well) is doing high camp every week.

But they definitely do a lot of genre play, and recent interviews with the showrunners indicate that it’s completely intentional, and unlikely to change any time soon.

It’s certainly intentional, I just wish they’d keep their hands on the wheel instead of following every inane impulse that crosses their mind.

As for changing, well — the show is going to end after next season, so there’s a very definite change.

Perhaps, if every other episode wasn’t already a gimmick genre swap. Trelane and/or Q worked fine in plain science fiction where they were the wacky trickster element in and of themselves.

I’d really prefer this show to take a chill pill and focus on telling solid stories rather than doing cleverpants narrative gymnastics.

Soap Opera episode

WTAF. Enough with the damn genre exercises already.

Hold up now, that’s Galaxy quest erasure! 🤣

Didn’t you read the press release? It says “classic Star Trek” specifically 😅

I’m very careful reading those threads to avoid spoilers, because my partner and I will only be watching once the entire season is available. That said, a Dr Giger callback in any way, shape or form is the most promising thing I’ve heard about s4 so far 😂

Well, she makes the Janeway decision at the end.

Good thing they have loads of number one Star Trek fans in the building, whatever that means.

Is she implying that they’re looking for other options than what Secret Hideout has to offer?