[REL] Star Trek (Multiple TV Series 1966-present)

[Night457]

Why does everything sound cunning and profitable?

Because I am cynical? No, but seriously... The little girl "alien" did say to her little girl human friend "Now, when the others come you can DIE along with everyone else." This simply because she dared to spend time away from her. (I have known insanely jeaous girls like that, but they were not alien life forces. ) It took Picard's insight to convince her that humans were not totally bad. The Star Trek captains have to do that over and over again, because there is certainly some evidence that humans could be seen that way...

It seems to me they just have a deeper understanding through communication, as well as an extra level of respect and friendliness.

That has always been the quite laudable goal of Roddenberry's vision of Star Trek, absolutely. (I just don't think that the human race is worthy of his ideals. That is my misanthropy.) Unfortunately I think Trek got away somewhat from Roddenberry's ideas when he died and others continued on with the money franchise. It was still safe during the TNG years anyway... just somewhat less so as time went on.

Captain Picard is uncomfortable with children, but Captain Kirk likes to make them cry.

I watched that episode and it wasn't bad, but I was confused by this comment.

Hmmm. Which part were you confused by? For Captain Picard, I was referencing any number of episodes where he demonstrates how uncomfortable he is with children. Of course he IS very intelligent and insightful, and a great leader. So he fumbles his way through and manages to have some success. I guess there is a Picard & kids episode that I need to dig up when I figure out which one it is.

As for the Captain Kirk part... that was just a smartass joke! Kirk is not REALLY a sadistic child hater, but he did bring the children back from being tempted/brainwashed by the Gorgan by forcing them to recognize how hideously evil it/he was. And that made them cry. Dr. McCoy when he walked in was also very happy to see them crying: "I don't know how it happened, but it's good to see." I half-expected him to say "Did you give those little devils a good whuppin'?"

[Amelia]

The little girl "alien" did say to her little girl human friend "Now, when the others come you can DIE along with everyone else." This simply because she dared to spend time away from her.

I think that's because she doesn't help her get in and out of those dangerous places to complete those investigations or setups.
It still depends on the premise i.e. misunderstanding and hostility in the absence of communication.
In fact, it is not aliens, but rather humans who are the notable embodiment of this behavior, which people have always exterminated creatures that frighten them in the absence of full knowledge.

because there is certainly some evidence that humans could be seen that way...
That has always been the quite laudable goal of Roddenberry's vision of Star Trek, absolutely. (I just don't think that the human race is worthy of his ideals.

Whether it's Gene Roddenberry or any of the other workers who complete every aspect of the series, they're all human race.
We should not dismiss the entire human race because of the more "prominent and conspicuous" egregious behaviors.
I'm still enjoying some of the latest series, and while there's a lot to gripe about, that theme comes through all the time.

As for the Captain Kirk part... that was just a smartass joke! Kirk is not REALLY a sadistic child hater, but he did bring the children back from being tempted/brainwashed by the Gorgan by forcing them to recognize how hideously evil it/he was. And that made them cry. Dr. McCoy when he walked in was also very happy to see them crying: "I don't know how it happened, but it's good to see." I half-expected him to say "Did you give those little devils a good whuppin'?"

That explains the confusion. But I don't think the kids cried because of "forcing them to recognize how hideously evil it/he was", the main reason they cry is to see the daily routine of playing with their parents and to recognize the sadness of their parents' death. And this also corresponds to Dr. McCoy's words, because of his previous lines:

00:26:17,159 --> 00:26:28,795
I read you, but as medical officer, I must warn you.
Unless the normal grief is tapped and released from these children, you are treading dangerously.

In other words, Dr. McCoy is glad that Kirk helps the kids release their grief correctly so they can get follow-up treatment.

[Night457]

I think that's because she doesn't help her get in and out of those dangerous places to complete those investigations or setups.

Agreed. Just like most humans, she is seeing things from her own (selfish) point of view. It is significant I think that her response to not getting complete cooperation is to decide that her "friend" should JUST DIE LIKE THE REST. This is no harmless and friendly little alien like Steven Spielberg's "E.T."!

It still depends on the premise i.e. misunderstanding and hostility in the absence of communication.

100% agreed!

In fact, it is not aliens, but rather humans who are the notable embodiment of this behavior, which people have always exterminated creatures that frighten them in the absence of full knowledge.

I have yet to be convinced that we humans have actually encountered outer space aliens, so I really can not say what they would really be like! I certainly agree with you on how humans behave. The usual imaginary outer space aliens in science fiction seem to be split into two camps: openly and relentlessly hostile like Alien, Predator, Borg, The Thing from Another World, War of the Worlds (Martians); or seemingly intelligent and peace-loving like E.T., Starman, Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still.

I think that Star Trek at it best at least tried to acknowledge that different species just might have different interests and values, and that if humans decided to explore outer space and encounter them it just might be a good idea to approach those interactions thoughtfully instead of a knee-jerk immediate "Fire all phasers!"

We should not dismiss the entire human race because of the more "prominent and conspicuous" egregious behaviors.

That is what I have to keep telling myself...

I'm still enjoying some of the latest series, and while there's a lot to gripe about, that theme comes through all the time.

I am glad they have not discarded all the good parts, I just have not kept up entirely with the franchise. Which one is the latest series that you are talking about? I have honestly lost track of them all.

In other words, Dr. McCoy is glad that Kirk helps the kids release their grief correctly so they can get follow-up treatment.

Absolutely! McCoy is definitely on the side of medicine and psychology because he is concerned for his patients, and not just the human ones. Vulcans too even when they cause him grief, and giant rock monsters like the Horta.

Still, it just might be a cliche that when the Gorgan is exposed for being truly evil he suddenly turns hideously ugly and scary. Why doesn't he just continue to to look the same? Evil can have an attractive face. Kirk tells the children "Look how ugly he really is. Look at him and don't be afraid." His physical ugliness is just too spot-on allegorical for me. How would the children react if this malicious monster consistently appeared as, say, a pretty 12-year-old girl who just wanted to play? Would they be so readily convinced by Kirk even with the alien shouting "Death. Death to you all. Death to you all!" if that alien still looked cute?

Personally I find little blonde girls much more terrifying than big ugly monsters, but maybe that is just me.

[Amelia]

Which one is the latest series that you are talking about? I have honestly lost track of them all.

Star Trek: Picard (TV Series 2020–2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8806524

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series 2017–2024)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5171438/

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (TV Series 2022– )
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12327578/

[Sully23]

The series that continues the original Star trek is TNG then Picard those last 2 are prequels it would only ruin the arc as in Young Sheldon others like Voyager or Deep space nine seem spin off it is the series with more multiverses ahead of Law and Order and Chicago FD, PD, Med.

[Zorijer]

This Star Trek wiki has filming dates(and drafting dates which I didn't even think of as something to record) if you want to check ages; [Code] The TNG episode Justice had Wesley Crusher's actor at 14 and the unnamed but prominent one-time guest Judith Jones at 16. (Clip since my computer situation is a bit limited at the moment, I'm sure eMule has a wide selection of the series) [Code] [Image]

[Night457]

Oh yeah, THAT episode! Poor Wes almost got a nosebleed and exploded eyeballs from the hot barely-dressed adult women. He was much more comfortable with a girl near his own age. She was very sweet, and upset when he was going to be executed. That just did not seem right to her.