path: root/content-org/star-trek.org

#+TITLE: Michał Sapka's Emacs Confie
#+AUTHOR: Michał Sapka
#+URL: https://michal.sapka.me/star-trek
#+STARTUP: show2levels indent logdone

#+HUGO_BASE_DIR: ~/ghq/vcs.sapka.me/michal-sapka-me/
#+HUGO_WEIGHT: auto

* Main                                                           :@star_trek:
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: star-trek
:END:
** DONE Space Cadet Log Home
CLOSED: [2023-11-16 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: home
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :abstract Homeapage of my small Star Trek fansite :type special :hardback true
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: recent-updates st-logo menu menu-inline img-r st-voy-reviews
:END:
Hello and welcome to my little Star Trek fan site!
Why Star Trek?
Well, I consider it to be [[/star-trek/star-wars-or-star-trek/][the greatest Sci-fi series of all time]]
However, I am not long-time fan. 

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
These are the voyages of Starfleet Cadet Michał

His multi-year mission to explore those classic shows

To explore optimism for future

To seek out new ideas

And fantastic crew

To boldly go where millions have gone before
#+END_QUOTE

Star Trek is not one, but multiple TV series spanning often up to 7 seasons long.
I've heard legends about people watching all it during summer, but I find it hard to believe.
*** The trek
I've joined the Starfleet close to 2010 or 2011[^trakt] and
since then I've stationed on different ships and stations, but it took at least a few years before assignment change.

Please note, that the following is not a full list of Star Trek, but the list of what I've already seen and enjoyed. 
This cadet log will grow in time.
You can follow the journey using [[/st-updates/index.xml][RSS]]

[^trakt]: I've made the mistake of starting the adventure on Netflix, so the data is lost. 

**** The Next Generation
*The* Star Trek.
Gene Roddenberry's vision came to life.

I've stationed on USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) long before starting of this webstite, so only my memory can be base of those notes.
But what I remember most is the crew.
Even if there were a lot of weaker missions, meeting everyone on the bridge.
Everyone, even Data with his terrible cat poetry.

Btw, using "Summarize in the style of Ode to Spot" is the only good usage of ChatGPT I've found.

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng" 
#+begin_menu
The Next Generation
#+end_menu

**** Voyager
I was transferred to Voyager soon after serving on Deep Space Nine [^paradox] and this is my current station. I have to say that the crew is nowhere near as nice as on Enterprise NCC-1701 and our adventures in Delta Quadrant are nowhere near those of Deep Space Nine, but all in all I am very much enjoying my stay here. It won't be the most memorable voyage, but it will be very nice and worth the hustle.
[^paradox]: I am aware of the time paradox. I have no idea how I was able to serve two places at the same time.

#+attr_shortcode: "st-voy" 
#+begin_menu
Voyager
#+end_menu

#+begin_st-voy-reviews
Reviews
#+end_st-voy-reviews
---

(all logos from [[https://seeklogo.com][Seek Logo]])

** DONE Star Wars or Star Trek?
CLOSED: [2023-01-29 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: star-wars-or-star-trek
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract Why I consider Star Trek to be best western SciFi series
:END:
For me, the answer is clear: "Star Trek". The classic series are fantastic. While I like "Star Wars," "Star Trek "owns my heart. Although I am still watching Voyager an have not seen a single episode of "Enterprise," "Deep Space 9" is easily my top #1 western SciFi series. It is (in contrast to "Star Wars") aimed at grown-ups. 

Yes, "Babylon 5" was mind-blowing, and DS9 was its clone. The Xero machines, however, removed all of the wrong things. For example, there is no King Arthur episode; there are no plots without end (what happened to Londo?!). When we compare the top with the top, I will put "Babylon 5" higher, but when we count in the worse episodes of the series, DS9 is on top.

When "The Next Generation" was taking its sweet time looking for footing, DS9 quickly got it. 

When Voyager completely ignored the crew, who were there only for the plot, DS9 fleshed them out. Those Durak/Bashir lunches! That Jadzia or Odo plots!

DS9 takes the best thing - the real humans - from TNG and adds an excellent and engaging main plot. Yes, it's derivative from B5, but who cares? 

"Star Wars," on the other hand, is so small. The first three movies were great on their own. However, it was a childish fantasy, and everything that came later was disappointing. Well, I can't talk about :everything" as "Last Jedi" is so bad that I can't force myself to watch anything after that. Although I've heard good things about "Mandalorian", I haven't seen it. Maybe someday. There is so much good Star Trek to enjoy! 

"Picard," however, is terrible. The second season was easily the worst Star Trek I have ever seen.

What else could I compare to "Star Trek"? 

"Battlestar Galactica" is excellent. It may have the best characters in any western SciFi; the story is engaging. But the world is small and has no place for other stories. "Stargate" is a distant #3, but other than that? "Expanse" is mediocre at best; "Firefly" and "Dark Matter" were killed in infancy. "Doctor Who" has like a thousand missing episodes, so why even start? 

"Orville"? Well, I'll need to start it again, as I stopped watching sometime when season 1 was still new. This leaves me with "Farscape," the muppets in space series. This is also something I need to return to.

Let's also mention "Lexx." The euro-soft porn version of space opera. I liked the first season - it was not something I would ever expect to see. But after that? After that, it was sometimes bad, sometimes terrible, but never watchable. Well, except for the musical episode. It was a banger.

So yeah. "Star Trek" is my number one, and nothing else comes close. In western SciFi, at least, anime is on an entirely different level.

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
"Out of all the stories you told me, which ones that you told me were true and which ones weren't?" — Dr. Bashir 

"My doctor, they all were true." — Garak

"Even the lies?" — Dr. Bashir
 
"Especially the lies" — Garak

* Next Generation                                                :@star_trek:
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: star-trek/tng
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c 
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-tng
:END:
** DONE Adventures (Episodes of The Next Generation)
CLOSED: [2023-11-16 wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: episodes
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: st-logo
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c 
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: type special
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-tng :name Adventures
:END:
The Next Generation consists of 7 seasons and 176 (DVD and original broadcast) or 178 (syndicated) episodes.

Well worth it, though some episodes have not aged gracefully,

Episodes marked with star (★) are considered essential watch - I got the list from [r/DaystromInstitute](https://www.reddit.com/r/DaystromInstitute/wiki/algernonguide_tng/).  
Episodes marked with checkmark (✓) were seen by me.  
I've watched the series years before starting this site, so there are no notes.
Sorry, all I can do here is just an informative but boring list.


*** Season One
- S01E01 Encounter at Farpoint (counts as two)[^two-parter] ★ ✓
- S01E03 The Naked Now  ✓
- S01E04 Code of Honor  ✓
- S01E05 The Last Outpost  ✓
- S01E06 Where No One Has Gone Before ★ ✓
- S01E07 Lonely Among Us  ✓
- S01E08 Justice  ✓
- S01E09 The Battle  ★ ✓
- S01E10 Hide and Q  ✓
- S01E11 Haven  ✓
- S01E12 The Big Goodbye  ✓
- S01E13 Datalore  ★ ✓
- S01E14 Angel One  ✓
- S01E15 11001001  ✓
- S01E16 Too Short a Season  ✓
- S01E17 When the Bough  ✓
- S01E18 Home Soil  ✓
- S01E19 Coming of Age  ★ ✓
- S01E20 Heart of Glory  ★ ✓
- S01E21 The Arsenal of Freedom  ✓
- S01E22 Symbiosis  ✓
- S01E23 Skin of Evil  ✓
- S01E24 We’ll Always Have Paris  ✓
- S01E25 Conspiracy  ★ ✓
- S01E26 The Neutral Zone  ★ ✓
*** Season Two
(shorter due to screenwriters strike of 1988)
- S02E01 The Child  ✓
- S02E02 Where Silence Has Lease  ✓
- S02E03 Elementary, Dear Data  ★ ✓
- S02E04 The Outrageous Okona  ✓
- S02E05 Loud as a Whisper  ✓
- S02E06 The Schizoid Man  ★ ✓
- S02E07 Unnatural  ✓
- S02E08 A Matter of Honor  ★ ✓
- S02E09 The Measure of a Man  ★ ✓
- S02E10 The Dauphin  ✓
- S02E11 Contagion  ✓
- S02E12 The Royale  ✓
- S02E13 Time Squared  ★ ✓
- S02E14 The Icarus Factor  ✓
- S02E15 Pen Pals  ★ ✓
- S02E16 Q Who  ★ ✓
- S02E17 Samaritan Snare  ✓
- S02E18 Up the Long Ladder  ✓
- S02E19 Manhunt  ✓
- S02E20 The Emissary ★ ✓
- S02E21 Peak Performance  ✓
- S02E22 Shades of Gray  ✓
*** Season three
- S03E01 Evolution  ✓
- S03E02 The Ensigns of Command ★ ✓
- S03E03 The Survivors  ✓
- S03E04 Who Watches the Watchers ★ ✓
- S03E05 The Bonding  ✓
- S03E06 Booby Trap ★ ✓
- S03E07 The Enemy ★ ✓
- S03E08 The Price  ✓
- S03E09 The Vengeance Factor  ✓
- S03E10 The Defector ★ ✓
- S03E11 The Hunted ★ ✓
- S03E12 The High Ground ★ ✓
- S03E13 Deja Q ★ ✓
- S03E14 A Matter of Perspective  ✓
- S03E15 Yesterday’s Enterprise ★ ✓
- S03E16 The Offspring ★ ✓
- S03E17 Sins of the Father ★ ✓
- S03E18 Allegiance ★ ✓
- S03E19 Captain’s Holiday  ✓
- S03E20 Tin Man  ✓
- S03E21 Hollow Pursuits ★ ✓
- S03E22 The Most Toys  ✓
- S03E23 Sarek ★ ✓
- S03E24 Menage a Troi  ✓
- S03E25 Transfigurations  ✓
- S03E26 The Best of Both Worlds  ★ ✓
*** Season Four
- S04E01 The Best of Both Worlds, Part II  ★ ✓
- S04E02 Family  ★ ✓
- S04E03 Brothers  ★ ✓
- S04E04 Suddenly Human  ✓
- S04E05 Remember Me  ✓
- S04E06 Legacy  ✓
- S04E07 Reunion  ★ ✓
- S04E08 Future Imperfect  ★ ✓
- S04E09 Final Mission ★ ✓
- S04E10 The Loss  ✓
- S04E11 Data’s Day ★ ✓
- S04E12 The Wounded ★ ✓
- S04E13 Devil’s Due  ✓
- S04E14 Clues  ✓
- S04E15 First Contact ★ ✓
- S04E16 Galaxy’s Child ★ ✓
- S04E17 Night Terrors  ✓
- S04E18 Identity Crisis  ✓
- S04E19 The Nth Degree  ✓
- S04E20 Qpid  ✓
- S04E21 The Drumhead ★ ✓
- S04E22 Half A Life  ✓
- S04E23 The Host  ✓
- S04E24 The Mind’s Eye ★ ✓
- S04E25 In Theory  ✓
- S04E26 Redemption, Part I ★ ✓
*** Season five
- S05E01 Redemption, Part II ★ ✓
- S05E02 Darmok ★ ✓
- S05E03 Ensign Ro ★ ✓
- S05E04 Silicon Avatar ✓
- S05E05 Disaster ✓
- S05E06 The Game ✓
- S05E07 Unification I ★ ✓
- S05E08 Unification II ★ ✓
- S05E09 A Matter of Time ✓
- S05E10 New Ground ★ ✓
- S05E11 Hero Worship ✓
- S05E12 Violations ✓
- S05E13 The Masterpiece Society ★ ✓
- S05E14 Conundrum ✓
- S05E15 Power Play ✓
- S05E16 Ethics ★ ✓
- S05E17 The Outcast ✓
- S05E18 Cause and Effect ✓
- S05E19 The First Duty ★ ✓
- S05E20 Cost of Living ✓
- S05E21 The Perfect Mate ✓
- S05E22 Imaginary Friend ✓
- S05E23 I Borg ★ ✓
- S05E24 The Next Phase ✓
- S05E25 The Inner Light ★ ✓
- S05E26 Time’s Arrow, Part I ✓
*** Season six
- S06E01 Time’s Arrow, Part II ✓
- S06E02 Realm of Fear ✓
- S06E03 Man of the People ✓
- S06E04 Relics ★ ✓
- S06E05 Schisms ✓
- S06E06 True Q ✓
- S06E07 Rascals ✓
- S06E08 A Fistful of Datas ✓
- S06E09 The Quality of Life ✓
- S06E10 Chain of Command, Part I ★ ✓
- S06E11 Chain of Command, Part II ★ ✓
- S06E12 Ship in a Bottle ★ ✓
- S06E13 Aquiel ✓
- S06E14 Face of the Enemy ★ ✓
- S06E15 Tapestry ★ ✓
- S06E16 Birthright, Part I ✓
- S06E17 Birthright, Part II ★ ✓
- S06E18 Starship Mine ★ ✓
- S06E19 Lessons ✓
- S06E20 The Chase ★ ✓
- S06E21 Frame of Mind ✓
- S06E22 Suspicions ✓
- S06E23 Rightful Heir ✓
- S06E24 Second Chances ★ ✓
- S06E25 Timescape ✓
- S06E26 Descent, Part I ★ ✓
*** Season seven
- S07E01 Descent, Part II ★ ✓
- S07E02 Liaisons ✓
- S07E03 Interface ✓
- S07E04 Gambit, Part I ✓
- S07E05 Gambit, Part II ✓
- S07E06 Phantasms ✓
- S07E07 Dark Page ✓
- S07E08 Attached ✓
- S07E09 Force of Nature ★ ✓
- S07E10 Inheritance ★ ✓
- S07E11 Parallels ★ ✓
- S07E12 The Pegasus ★ ✓
- S07E13 Homeward ★ ✓
- S07E14 Sub Rosa ✓
- S07E15 Lower Decks ★ ✓
- S07E16 Thine Own Self ✓
- S07E17 Masks ✓
- S07E18 Eye of the Beholder ✓
- S07E19 Genesis ✓
- S07E20 Journey’s End ✓
- S07E21 Firstborn ✓
- S07E22 Bloodlines ✓
- S07E23 Emergence ✓
- S07E24 Preemptive Strike ✓
- S07E25 All Good Things… (counts as two)[^two-parter] ★ ✓

[^two-parter]: Two episodes were initially aired as two normal-length ones, but since then we often see them combined into single episodes of double length.
** DONE Data's Poetry
CLOSED: [2023-11-16 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: data-poetry
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-r
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract Poems by Commander Data
:END:

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-data.png" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Data, our Operations Officer aboard USS Enterprise was a Soong-type android.
He was sure that his goal in life was to learn what it means to Human; to experience the world like his cremates.
One attempt to achieve that was by writing poetry.
Below are two poems he wrote as a result.

*** A Sunset Bloom

Beginning part of the poem is considered to be lost.

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
[...]

"Then we sat on the sand for some time and observed

How the oceans that cover the world were perturbed

By the tides from the orbiting moon overhead  

‘How relaxing the sound of the waves is,’ you said  


I began to expound upon tidal effects  

When you asked me to stop, looking somewhat perplexed  

So I did not explain why the sunset turns red  

And we watched the occurrence in silence instead.”  
#+END_QUOTE

(from S06E25)

*** Ode to Spot

Spot was cat Data kept aboard the USS Enterprise.
This poem was written in his honor.

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
"Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature,  

An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature;  

Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses  

Contribute to your hunting skills and natural defenses.  



I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations,  

A singular development of cat communications  

That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection  

For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.  




A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents;  

You would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance.  

And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion,  

It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion.  



O Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display  

Connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array.  

And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend,  

I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend."
#+END_QUOTE

(from S06E08)
** DONE Crew of The Next Generation
CLOSED: [2023-11-17 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: crew
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-r
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract The crew of USS Enterpise during TNG
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-tng :name crew
:END:

The greatest thing about serving aboard Enterprise-D was the crew. 
I loved each and every one of them.
They felt like friends, like family.

What helped to create that bond was the free time activities I could witness.
Picard's Shakespearean's performances; Riker's concerts; Data's poetry readings.

Even in the grimmest of circumstances, everyone remained professional and human.
This is what I miss the most in recent adventures, the human part.

This is the greatest crew of I have ever met.

*** Captain Jean-Luc Picard 

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-picard.jpeg" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Picard was 51 when he became the captain of USS Enterprise.
His age surely helped him at the command, but also made it more difficult to deal with the crew
Enterprise-D was created in time of relative peace, so it was not a warship.
It was designed to accommodate entire families and so the crew was living with their children.
And if there are two things Picard could not stand, one of those were children.

He kept a clear line between himself and his crewmates.
Yes, he bonded, and the bond changed him - but he was the commander, so his will would always need to be final.
This is why he allowed the rest of the crew to spend time together but without him - they needed to rely on each other as mates, but the commander can not become one.
This made him a bit of loner, always skipping late night poker games.

The deck was his entire world.
Picard is a born diplomat, always ready to create peace instead of conflict - be it when dealing with the crew or with treats.

We've all heard about Picard Maneuver before he joined, but after serving under him the name became synonymous with tucking in shirt.
Jean-Luc did it all the time.

*** Commander William T. Riker

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-riker.jpg" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Will Riker was the first officer at USS Enterpise and an amazing right hand of Jean-Luc.
Much less strict and more risk taking than his superior officer.
Always ready to banter and play games with the crew.
An amazing trumpet player (a Jazz fan! I always love meeting fellow jazz fans) and a well known womanizer.
And, initially, an owner of a magnificent beard.

We still laugh remembering when he proposed Picard to take a day off at Risa.
Our captain was never fond of lower forms of entertainment, so he was not aware that he went to a burdello-planet equipped with jamaharon, a symbol of sexual interest.
I'm sure he was at least a bit amused, but he never showed it.

Will, however, was a great tactician known for several invented strategies.
What made him great was not following the protocol, but the contrary - at one point Data calculated that Riker followed standard practices only 21 percent of the time.
 
I also fondly remember talking about his undercover missions. 
A real life human chameleon!

*** Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-geordi.jpeg" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Geordi moved ranks - starting with lieutenant junior grade aboard the USS Enterprise, but always being the person best understanding the ship.
Whenever we needed to make it go faster than it should - he was there.

He was blind and his visors were the only way he was able to see the world.
On a few occasions he was able to cure his eyesight, but always rejected the possibility.

La Forge was the best friend of Data.

*** Lieutenant Tasha Yar

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-tasha.webp" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Tasha was a security officer when we first joined Enterprise.
We had not many chances to learn about her, due to hear death by end of first year.
All I can say is that she was a strong woman, fitting for a security officer in the Starfleet.

Luckily we were able to meet her again, a few years later.
She was alive in another dimension.

*** Lieutenant Worf

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-worf.jpg" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Worf son of Mogh, was the Klingon from House of Martok who was raised by human family of Rozhenko.
Proud warrior torn between two races who sworn his allegiance to the federation - in fact he was the first Klingon to serve in the federation.
At Enterprise, he served as command division bridge officer up till Tasha's death, after which was appointed to be security chief.

Worf is a mixed bag, we were rarely able to predict him.
As a Klingon, his honor was the most important.
He was always ready to fight, never thinking about own survival.
Often we saw him saving a crewmate even before we knew what was going on.

But he was also raised as a human.
He was living according to Klingon's customs, but the environment he was raised in added a huge doubt in them.
He was unlike any Klingon I've ever met.

Later on he had a son - a Klingon named Alexander Rozhenko.
I felt that he was unable to find himself in fatherhood and his father stories were the ones I felt least interesed in.
The son left Enterprise, and we've never heard of him again.

*** Doctor Beverly Crusher

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-bcrusher.jpeg" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Beverly was the chief medical officer aboard the Enterprise and the mother of Wesley.
She was, as it seems, the closest friend to Jean-Luc (sans Riker), and maybe even more?
Picard was a friend of her late husband and their friendship goes far back.

One time a ghost of her dead grandma possessed her, and it was the most off the wall adventure we had.
Glad it's over, and I never want to talk about this one ever again.

*** Commander Deanna Troi

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-troi.png" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Deanna was a Betazoid–Human who served as counselor aboard the Enterprise.
As a half-betazoid she was capable of extra-sensory empathy, what allowed her to help the crew with loads of emotional problems.
Another trick up her sleeve was limited power of telepathy, which proved very useful during Picard's negotiations on the bridge.

Whenever her mother visited the ship, Jean-Luc had to hide as he never hid having the hots for him.

She was also very, as you may put it, close with William, often refering to him as *imzadi* ("Beloved" in Betazoidian).
They also knew themselves from before the journey, so who knows what happened?

*** Commander Data

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-data.png" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Commander Data, an android, was our operations officer. 
He was the first android to serve in the Federation.

His primary goal in life was to experience it as a human.
This pushed him towards music and owning a cat, Spot.
He was also known for writing poetry, some of which you can find [on my website](/star-trek/tng/data-poetry/)

His brother, Lore, was unlike Data,
Envious and happy to deceive - always a problem.

*** Starfleet Cadet Wesley Crusher

#+attr_shortcode: "st-tng-wesley.jpg" 
#+begin_img-r
The Next Generation
#+end_img-r
Wesley, was placed aboard the Enterprise as son of Beverly Crusher.
Soon after he joined the Starfleed Academy where he was allowed to learn while serving on the Enterprise.

Some other Starfleet Cadets may have hated his guts, saying that he was unfit for service. 
I hover was very fond of him as his adventures - even if a lot of problems aboard the ship were a direct result of his failed experiments.

* Voyager                                         :@st_voy:@star_trek:
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: star-trek/stv
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy
:END:
** DONE Incidents (Episodes)
CLOSED: [2023-02-01 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: episodes
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract List of Star Trek: Voyager episodes
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: st-logo
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: type special
:END:
Please note, that I started to write notes about episodes starting with Season 5.
If the name is underlined, you can read the notes on the linked page.

Markings:  
★ great episode!


*** Season One
- S01E01 Caretaker
- S01E02 Parallax
- S01E03 Time and Again
- S01E04 Phage
- S01E05 The Cloud
- S01E06 Eye of the Needle
- S01E07 Ex Post Facto
- S01E08 Emanations
- S01E09 Prime Factors
- S01E10 State of Flux
- S01E11 Heroes and Demons
- S01E12 Cathexis
- S01E13 Faces
- S01E14 Jetrel
- S01E15 Learning Curve
*** Season Two
- S02E01 The 37’s Rating
- S02E02 Initiations Rating
- S02E03 Projections Rating
- S02E04 Elogium Rating
- S02E05 Non Sequitur Rating
- S02E06 Twisted Rating
- S02E07 Parturition Rating
- S02E08 Persistence of Vision Rating
- S02E09 Tattoo Rating
- S02E10 Cold Fire Rating
- S02E11 Maneuvers Rating
- S02E12 Resistance Rating
- S02E13 Prototype Rating
- S02E14 Alliances Rating
- S02E15 Threshold Rating
- S02E16 Meld Rating
- S02E17 Dreadnought Rating
- S02E18 Death Wish Rating
- S02E19 Lifesigns Rating
- S02E20 Investigations Rating
- S02E21 Deadlock Rating
- S02E22 Innocence Rating
- S02E23 The Thaw Rating
- S02E24 Tuvix Rating
- S02E25 Resolutions Rating
- S02E26 Basics, Part I Rating
*** Season Three
- S03E01 Basics, Part II Rating
- S03E02 Flashback Rating
- S03E03 The Chute Rating
- S03E04 The Swarm Rating
- S03E05 False Profits Rating
- S03E06 Remember Rating
- S03E07 Sacred Ground Rating
- S03E08 Future’s End, Part I Rating
- S03E09 Future’s End, Part II Rating
- S03E10 Warlord Rating
- S03E11 The Q and the Grey Rating
- S03E12 Macrocosm Rating
- S03E13 Fair Trade Rating
- S03E14 Alter Ego Rating
- S03E15 Coda Rating
- S03E16 Blood Fever Rating
- S03E17 Unity Rating
- S03E18 Darkling Rating
- S03E19 Rise Rating
- S03E20 Favorite Son Rating
- S03E21 Before and After Rating
- S03E22 Real Life Rating
- S03E23 Distant Origin Rating
- S03E24 Displaced Rating
- S03E25 Worst Case Scenario Rating
- S03E26 Scorpion Rating
*** Season Four
- S04E01 Scorpion, Part II Rating
- S04E02 The Gift Rating
- S04E03 Day of Honor Rating
- S04E04 Nemesis Rating
- S04E05 Revulsion Rating
- S04E06 The Raven Rating
- S04E07 Scientific Method Rating
- S04E08 Year of Hell Rating
- S04E09 Year of Hell, Part II Rating
- S04E10 Random Thoughts Rating
- S04E11 Concerning Flight Rating
- S04E12 Mortal Coil Rating
- S04E13 Waking Moments Rating
- S04E14 Message in a Bottle Rating
- S04E15 Hunters Rating
- S04E16 Prey Rating
- S04E17 Retrospect Rating
- S04E18 The Killing Game Ratingx
- S04E19 The Killing Game, Part II Rating
- S04E20 Vis a Vis Rating
- S04E21 The Omega Directive Rating
- S04E22 Unforgettable Rating
- S04E23 Living Witness Rating
- S04E24 Demon Rating
- S04E25 One Rating
- S04E26 Hope and Fear Rating
*** Season Five
- S05E01 [[/star-trek/stv/05x01-night/][Night]]
- S05E02 [[/star-trek/stv/05x02-drone/][Drone]]
- S05E03 [[/star-trek/stv/05x03-extreme-risk/][Extreme Risk]]
- S05E04 [[/star-trek/stv/05x04-in-the-flesh/][In The Flesh]]
- S05E05 [[/star-trek/stv/05x05-once-upon-a-time/][Once Upon A Time]]
- S05E06 [[/star-trek/stv/05x06-timeless/][Timeless]] ★
- S05E07 [[/star-trek/stv/05x07-infinite-regress/][Infinite Regress]] ★
- S05E08 [[/star-trek/stv/05x08-nothing-human][Nothing Human]] ★
- S05E09 [[/star-trek/stv/05x09-thirty-days/][Thirty Days]]
- S05E10 Counterpoint
- S05E11 [[/star-trek/stv/05x11-latent-image/][Latent Image]] ★
- S05E12 Bride of Chaotica
- S05E13 Gravity
- S05E14 Bliss
- S05E15 Dark Frontier
- S05E16 The Disease
- S05E17 Course
- S05E18 The Fight
- S05E19 Think Tank
- S05E20 Juggernaut
- S05E21 Someone To Watch Over Me
- S05E22 11
- S05E23 Relativity
- S05E24 Warhead
- S05E25 Equinox
*** Season Six
- S06E01 Equinox, Part II
- S06E02 Survival Instinct 
- S06E03 Barge of the Dead
- S06E04 Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy 
- S06E05 Alice 
- S06E06 Riddles 
- S06E07 Dragon’s Teeth 
- S06E08 One Small Step
- S06E09 The Voyager Conspiracy 
- S06E10 Pathfinder 
- S06E11 Fair Haven 
- S06E12 Blink of an Eye 
- S06E13 Virtuoso 
- S06E14 Memorial 
- S06E15 Tsunkatse 
- S06E16 Collective 
- S06E17 Spirit Folk
- S06E18 Spirit Folk 
- S06E19 Child's Play 
- S06E20 Good Shepherd 
- S06E21 Live Fast and Prosper 
- S06E22 Muse
- S06E23 Fury 
- S06E24 Life Line 
- S06E25 The Haunting of Deck Twelve 
- S06E26 Unimatrix Zero, Part I 
*** Season Seven
- S07E01 Unimatrix Zero, Part II
- S07E02 Imperfection 
- S07E03 Drive 
- S07E04 Repression 
- S07E05 Critical Care 
- S07E06 Inside Man 
- S07E07 Body and Soul 
- S07E08 Nightingale 
- S07E09 Flesh and Blood, Part I
- S07E10 Flesh and Blood, Part II 
- S07E11 Shattered 
- S07E12 Lineage 
- S07E13 Repentance 
- S07E14 Prophecy 
- S07E15 The Void 
- S07E16 Workforce, Part I 
- S07E17 Workforce, Part II 
- S07E18 Human Error 
- S07E19 Q2
- S07E20 Author, Author 
- S07E21 Friendship One
- S07E22 Natural Law 
- S07E23 Homestead 
- S07E24 Renaissance Man 
- S07E25 Endgame (1)
- S07E26 Endgame (2)
* Voyager reviews                                        :@st_voy:@star_trek:
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: star-trek/stv
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-episodes
:END:
** Season 5
*** DONE star trek: voyager 05x01 - night
CLOSED: [2023-02-12 wed 23:00]
:properties:
:export_file_name: 05x01-night
:export_hugo_custom_front_matter: abstract my opinion on star trek voyager 05x01 - night
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name "1"
:end:
**** Synopsis

The crew enters a void in the Delta Quadrant, an area without any stars of 2 light-years radius. The crew morale is very low as the vast emptiness gets to them. The episode starts in the Holodeck, and I was afraid this would be another Holodeck malfunctions story. However, when the ship loses power, the plot goes in a completely different direction - it turns out someone is living in the emptiness—a hostile creature. Soon after, the ship encounters another living form - a ship emitting large doses of radiation piloted by Emck, a Malon. The strange ship offers help with quick passing of the void on one condition - Jenway is to transport the creature to their ship.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-night.jpg" "http://www.myyearofstartrek.com/2015/10/voyager-re-watch-demon-one-hope-and.html"
#+begin_img-c
Jenway, challenged
#+end_img-c

Jenway being Jenway, declines and decides to first talk with the now-imprisoned alien. It informs her that they are a dying breed due to the poisoning of space by Emck. It is soon revealed that Emck's job is to drop toxic waste, a by-product of Malon industries. Jenway tries to give Voyager's technology to Emck, but he refuses, as clean energy would ruin his business. Jenwey then orders her crew to go into a vortex leading out of the void while she stays behind and destroys it so Malons can no longer dump their waste. The staff, however, goes to mutiny. Jenway agrees, and Voyager fires torpedoes as it enters the vortex. The episode ends with the crew seeing stars again.

**** Impressions

What a nice start for season 6, but also a wasted potential. While the main plot is what Star Trek does best and the special effects are becoming great, the period between entering the void and the ship losing power could be filled with the crew's intimate moments. I said it before, and I'll repeat it - Voyager is in deep need of idle moments where people could simply hang out. Some chats, some banter, maybe a dinner or a classic concert. Next Generation's greatest strength was not in the SciFi elements but in the people living on Enterprise. I understand that Voyager faces incomparable dangers. Picard was always close to home, so even in the most severe of circumcisions could ask for help from Starfleet. Voyager, however, is always in hostile space, fighting for resources. Jenwey keeps her humanity and hunger for exploration, but her mission is survival. But why can't we have a Shakespearean performance? Yes, we get glimpses here and there, but we deserve more.

But what strikes me most is how Jenway grew on me. First, she annoyed me. She was always the loudest and greatest. She knew tactics better than her military officers, engineering better than her engineers, and perfect diplomacy? For here is just another Tuesday. She was the anti-Picard, who always treated his crew with dignity and admiration (sans Wesley) But I learned that she is the captain Voyager needs. The Delta Quadrant is so hostile that the crew needs a decisive leader. She also changed, however. She knows that she puts the crew at constant risk, and this is the episode that confronts it. 

There's a lot more to her that she allows the crew (and the viewer) to see. She is fully aware of the burden on her arms and how much she relies on her judgment. This is why the mutiny is fulfilling. She finally allows the crew to decide! There is no fight in her, but rather a relief. The old Jenway would not agree to a plan contrary to her own. The previous 4 years in the Quadrant have taught her to trust others. I wonder if this will in any way impact her in the future.

**** Doctor factor

Not satisfactory. He was there, but not enough.

*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x02 - Drone
CLOSED: [2023-02-22 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x02-drone
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract my opinion on Star Trek Voyager 05x02 - Drone
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 2
:END:
**** Synopsis

A small team, including Seven of Nine and Doctor, is returning from a mission. Due to a transporter malfunction, Doctor's emitter starts failing. B'Elanna takes the emitter to the science lab for repairs. Soon it is revealed that during the malfunction, Seven of Nine and Doctor's patterns briefly merged. The emitter has gained some of her Borg nanoprobes and starts assimilating the ship's equipment. 

The crew discovers a borg maturation chamber with a rapidly growing Borg drone. This is the first time Seven sees something like this, as the Borg assimilate living beings and don't reproduce. Jenway has yet another moral dilemma - as Doctor's emitter is based on 29th-century tech, it would doom the galaxy if it fell in Borg's hands. But, on the other hand, the drone has not connected with the collective and may learn human customs and ways. She goes with the latter, and Seven is tasked with teaching the new drone. It all goes well until the drone accidentally connects with the collective.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-drone.jpg" "https://the-avocado.org/2021/05/27/you-talking-trek-to-me-best-of-voyager-drone/"
#+begin_img-c
Borg round thingy
#+end_img-c

Voyager faces the Borg. Drone decides to help mankind. It transports to the Borg ship, takes over control, and flies into a nearby nebula. The Borg ship is destroyed. 

The crew detects a life sign and finds One, as the drone named itself. It is imminently transported to sickbay but refuses treatment. Borg know of its existence and will pursue Voyager in order to assimilate One's technology.

The episode ends with One's passing away.

**** Impressions

Whenever Borg shows, one can be assured that the episode will touch on the individual vs. collective dilemma. Is giving up one's freedom in order to help a collective a good thing? Star Trek is often called "commies in space," as Starfleet is already very much a collective. People don't work for themselves but instead for the betterment of mankind. Even in DS9, when we see the earth that still has money, everyone still works for the greater good of society. But at the same time, people are free to pursue the betterment of themselves - primarily via art, but sometimes by trying to sleep with every species in the galaxy (hello Kirk!).

The Borg, however, takes the collective to the extreme. An individual only serves the Borg, so it has no needs and wants. They are drones. This is why Borg are scary as hell - they are anti-humanity. 

As for the episode, it was ok. We've already seen a Borg drone emancipated ([I, Borg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Borg) from TNG and Seven of Nine from Voyager). As a whole, I was reminded of an episode of Startrek SG-1 where they encounter an ancient library just before it is destroyed. What ifs are much more interesting than what happened. What if One joined the crew? Its technology would strongly empower Voyager. It could even change the balance of power in the region. Maybe Jenway would change her haircut again? Perhaps they would be able to replicate some clothes for Seven that are not two sizes too small? We will never know as the next episode will return to a world without One. It won't even be mentioned again. 

It's a shame, as One was cool.


**** Doctor factor

Oh yeah, a lot better than last time. We have Doctor interacting with B'Elanna, which is always a treat. Very much a huge plus here!
*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x03 - Extreme Risk
CLOSED: [2023-02-28 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x03-extreme-risk
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract my opinion on Star Trek Voyager 05x03 - Extreme Risk
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 3
:END:
**** Synopsis
Voyager's probe is launched at a gas giant, but Malons spot it and attempt to capture it. To prevent it, the crew sends the probe into the gas planet's atmosphere. Malon's ship follows the probe and is subsequently crashed. Paris presents a design for Delta Flyaer, a specialized shuttlecraft based on Starfleet's and Borg's technology. Malons want the probe as the resources it collected are too valuable, and, as Jenway puts it, we've got a space race.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-extreme-risk.webp" "https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Extreme_Risk_(episode)"
#+begin_img-c
Contemplating suicde?
#+end_img-c

In second story arch, we've got B'Elanna putting herself at risk by going into extremely dangerous Holodeck simulations with safety protocols off. Doctor learns about multiple injuries and diagnoses her with clinical depression. Jenway puts her off the Delta Flyer project, and subsequently, Chakotay approaches her. She reveals she stopped feeling anything - not about her job, future, Paris, or the massacre of Maquis by Cardassians and Dominion. Only putting herself at risk of death allows her to have any feelings.

Meanwhile, Delta Flyer is completed, and Torrens volunteers to join its crew. The mission is a success, and B'Elanna experiences her first positive emotions in quite some time.

**** Impressions

Look at how much FX this bad boy can handle! Every few scenes, we get some new CGI. Either the technology caught up to the writer's ambitions, or someone threw a lot more money at them.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-extreme-risk-2.webp" "https://www.tor.com/2021/01/25/star-trek-voyager-rewatch-extreme-risk/"
#+begin_img-c
Look at that scan!
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-extreme-risk-3.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=133"
#+begin_img-c
Look at this vessel!
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-extreme-risk-4.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=133"
#+begin_img-c
Look!
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-extreme-risk-5.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=133"
#+begin_img-c
Just look at this. Stunning!
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-extreme-risk-6.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=133"
#+begin_img-c
Kara Thrace, is that you?
#+end_img-c

I'd say it's just a step below what Marvel movies look like these days.

But outside of the visual, the episode got me hard. I always await crew-centric episodes. All the Sci-Fi techno-bubble is cool and all, but what I consider to be the meat of Star Trek is always the crew. And this was almost a perfect episode. The probe story was in the background, and B'Elanna's trauma was the focal point. It *would* be perfect if her problems wouldn't end with just a friendly chat. It's juvenile, but to fully develop this, the writers would need to expand it into a multi-episode arc. Nowadays, they would do it, but Voyager was still too early for such endeavors. On the other hand, this dark storyline is still much more seriously taken than what Picard did with its first two seasons.

As for the second storyline - I was surprised to find out Malons returned as I considered them dull enough for a monster of a week. After "Extreme Risk" I am not holding my breath to see them again, as they are still uninteresting.

Paris gets my vote for most-relatable-character after vocalizing his distaste for touch screens. Give me real buttons, or give me death!

**** Doctor factor

Unsatisfactory. Doctor is nothing more than a minor plot device here.

*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x04 - In the Flesh
CLOSED: [2023-05-23 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x04-in-the-flesh
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract my opinion on Star Trek Voyager 05x04 - In The Flesh
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 4
:END:
**** Summary
The crew encounters what appears to be Earth's Starfleet Acadamy. It's inhabited by people who should be present, including the groundskeeper Boothby[^boothby]. After an investigation (and seduction) conducted by Chakotay, it is revealed that it's a training replica of the site - one of many training grounds for Species 8472.
[^boothby]: Played again by excellent Ray Walston.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-in-the-flesh.webp" "https://www.tor.com/2021/01/28/star-trek-voyager-rewatch-in-the-flesh/"
#+begin_img-c
Familiar face.
#+end_img-c

Both sides agree on a truce and negotiations. Its conclusion is a trade of information - Voyager gives their knowledge about Borg nanoprobes and, in exchange, receives information about  Species 8472 genetic modifications.

**** Impressions

/Non placet./[^latin] I saw this episode 2 weeks ago and didn't feel like writing about it at all. The basic premise is excellent as it develops Species 8472. However, the execution was boring. It seems that the creators feel much better when they are not confined within a bigger story arch. There was no tension, nor anything deeply exciting happened in the episode. However, I love that the day is saved not by phaser fire but by talking over a round table - and that was the only thing I remembered when sitting to write this post about the entire episode.
[^latin]: [[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non%20placet][a negative vote]]

Homefront[^homefront] did it better.
[^homefront]: an episode of Deep Space 9 sharing a lot of similarities

**** Doctor factor

Was he even here? I don't remember.

*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x05 - Once Upon a Time
CLOSED: [2023-05-25 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x05-once-upon-a-time
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract my opinion on Star Trek Voyager 05x05 - Once Upon a Time. Worst episode yet?
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 5
:END:
Delta Flyer, with Paris, Tuvok, and Samantha Wildman on board, crashes on a planetoid and is buried under kilometers of rock. Wildman's daughter, Naomi, is taken care of by Neelix.

Guess that's the story of the episode.

**** Impressions

On a surface level, this is a terrible episode. The story is forgettable and has no tension since we know Tuvok or Paris will be killed (we're not in Westeros yet). A lot of time is used to show a children's story Naomi explores in Holodeck. And it's full of Neelix, which is never a plus.

However, this is one of the few episodes where Neeling has its place and is not annoying. In most cases, he doesn't add anything to the crew except of food, and his counseling is nowhere near Deanna Troi's. At best, he is forgettable; at worst, he becomes annoying. It's not the actor, as Ethan Phillips gives a lot of personality to this character, putting him above Wesley Crusher[^wesley]. Here, his interactions with this little girl are what build the episode. He cares (as always), but his actions rarely have so much impact as here. Interspecies negotiations? Over his head. Battle with Borg? Nope. Being a caregiver? Perfection!
[^wesley]: having said that I was very much into Wesley's story, and I am still angry about his disappearance midway through TNG and the terrible scene in Picard. I want a spin-off!

But how Neelix can become god-father in this post-religion world is beyond my understanding.

Nothing saves the Holodeck scenes. I guess it was too reminiscent of Wizard of Oz with all of its quirks, but it comes poorly here. The simulation was made for kids, and I see no point in showing so much of it here. Maybe the creators needed something to fill the full episode run with?

However, something that hit me hard was Neelix's dilemmas about telling Naomi that her mother may be dead. There's this dark thread between those sometimes charming but most often useless scenes. It hits too close to home for me.

**** Doctor Factor

Not enough Doctor in the last few episodes!

*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x06 - Timeless
CLOSED: [2023-05-31 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x06-timeless
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract my opinion on Star Trek Voyager 05x06. A good time travel episode.
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 6 
:END:

Due to Kim's calculation error, the Voyager crashes on a frozen planet, killing the entire crew. Only Chakotay and Kim, who were not on the ship during the incident, survived. Somehow they manage to reach Earth but are hunted by the memory of being the cause of death of the entire crew.

Fifteen years later, they manage to return to Delta Quadrant and find a way to communicate with the past, where Voyager is still preparing for the test, which resulted in the incident.

**** Impressions

Woohoo, episode 100! And what an episode it was! It's clear that the creators were saving money for this episode. The first scene is probably the best CGI in Star Trek on TV up to this moment.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-timeless.webp" "https://the-avocado.org/2021/06/03/you-talking-trek-to-me-very-best-of-voyager-timeless/"
#+begin_img-c
Voyager down
#+end_img-c

The story is straightforward. We've got a mission to save Voyager - but this time, we bypass the most significant problems of this series. We know that no matter how great the plan is, it will fail. The crew won't return to Earth before the last episodes of the final season. If the story focused on the test, it would not work as well as it does. Yes, we know that Chakotay and Kim will succeed, but with the twist that we see a different version of the characters we are used to know. They are scared and angry, which is especially shocking when it comes to Kim, who is often the nice guy in the room. Unfortunately, the most emotional moment is downplayed by soap opera-level overacting and screaming at each other.

Technically, I love the structure here. We've got intertwined scenes from both timelines. It's something I've seen recently in Made in Abyss season 2, and it really works great!

One episode I was reminded of was "The Visitor" from Deep Space 9. Unfortunately, it's not a favorable comparison as it only shows the weakness of Voyager. In DS9, we had actual, fleshed-out characters. You really cared about Jake and his relationship with Sisko. Here? Not so much. We're over halfway through the series, and they are still only filling the roles needed on a starship (and Neelix). I still have no idea who they are, what drives them, what scares them. They simply don't feel real. They are not persons but characters. 

Still, we see a druken Seven, which was unexpected. Also we see removal of her eye, but in a better taste than whatver happened in Picard.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-timeless-2.jpg" "https://the-avocado.org/2021/06/03/you-talking-trek-to-me-very-best-of-voyager-timeless/"
#+begin_img-c
It's also much more mechanical than in Picard
#+end_img-c

**** Doctor's factor

A lot of scenes with the Doctor, I am content.

*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x07 - Infinite Regress   :@update:@st_update:
CLOSED: [2023-12-02 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x07-infinite-regress
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract a shining Seven episode
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 7 
:END:

Another simple episode.
Seven of Nine is starts being controlled by people who were once assimilated by the Borg.
During the course of episode it is revealed that is caused by a weapon Species 6339 aimed at Borg.

**** Impressions

Story wise, we've got not much to talk about here. 

But this is the first time I've noticed how *beautiful* Voyager is.
Since almost the entire episode takes place on the ship, we see a lot if it.
It's mostly corridors, but still - I love the aesthetics we've got here.
The ship is much darker than Enterprise was, but it's still not pitch black.
It's atmospheric, without being overly grim.
Season 5 had to receive a significant funding upgrade.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-infinite-regress-1.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=140"
#+begin_img-c
Look at this corridor!
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-infinite-regress-2.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=140&page=3"
#+begin_img-c
And this corridor!
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-infinite-regress-3.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=140&page=5"
#+begin_img-c
And this engineering room!
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-infinite-regress-4.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=140&page=5"
#+begin_img-c
And this corridor in this artsy-fartsy angle
#+end_img-c

I've also noticed how consistent the design of aliens is.
They mostly limit the FX to adding something on the face, but they do it an away that makes it believable.
They make them look similar enough to make me believe that this place actually exits.

Also, we see a lot a little girl here (Naomi).
She is cute and not annoying.
Previously, whenever we've seen a child on /Star Trek/, we could assume that it will be (as the kids say) cringe.
Seems the writers learned how to write kids properly.

But this is Seven's episode, and we are finally able to see what a great actress Jeri Ryan is.
Since she is being possessed by different races, she can be a Human, Klingon and Ferengi - all in the span of a single episode
And she nails each one, especially Ferengi. 
The second she became one there was no doubt who this persona is.
The way she speaks, her moves, even the hand twitching.
Perfect.

Also, one of the personas was a little girl. 
Never before have I thought that Borg would assimilate a small kid.
I'm getting soft with age as this really moved me.

Finally, we see growth of Seven.
This episode and her relation with Naomi mark a huge step toward regaining her human side.

**** Doctor Factor

Failed! There was quite a lot of him here, but he as not given a chance go shine

*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x08 - Nothing Human      :@update:@st_update:
CLOSED: [2023-12-06 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x08-nothing-human
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract what an episode!
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 8
:END:
B'Elanna is attacked by a non-humanoid alien creature and her life is danger.
Doctor creates a holographic representation of a famous Cardasssian exobiologist, Crell Moset, to help save her life.
It is soon revealed that the Cardassian scientist used to experiment Bajorans during their occupation.
**** Impressions

A breathtaking episode.
This is what I call SciFi - to use made up, fantastic setting in order to tell story about *humanity*.
Episodes like this make *Star Trek* my favorite western SciFi.

We've got a real moral problem here.
Does the goal justify the mean?
Is using prisoners of war as test subjects justified if it pushed all of us forward?

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
> *Ensign Tabor*: I can still remember the sounds his instruments made, the screams of his patients, the smell, chemicals and dead flesh. He operated on my grandfather, exposed his internal organs to nadion radiation. It took six days for him to die. He blinded people so he could study how they adapted, exposed them to polytrinic acid just to see how long it would take for their skin to heal.

> *The Doctor*: Ensign, the man you're accusing cured the Fostossa virus. He stopped an epidemic that killed thousands of Bajorans.

> *Ensign Tabor*: By infecting hundreds of people so that he could experiment with different treatments - old, helpless people, like my grandfather, because he considered their lives worthless.

> *The Doctor*: How do you know this?

> *Ensign Tabor*: Everybody knew.
#+END_QUOTE

But the biggest question here: does applying knowledge gained from atrocities, give those actions validity?
This entire episode is an allegory of World War II where Germans, Japanese or Russians did unspeakable things.
This which gave them knowledge we use every day (I am writing this on an semi-IBM machine).
And it does it without sounding cliché or forced.

I was expecting a rogue hologram episode (like TNG did a lot) and I was not ready for what I got.

On a lighter tone: once again we see an improvement in special effects. 
The team created a nice animatronic alien and a CGI version.
We've all seen Babylon 5 and know that the tech was not ready for computer graphics.
They tried and did what they could.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-nothing-human-2.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=142&page=3"
#+begin_img-c
Animatronic greatness
#+end_img-c

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-nothing-human-3.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=142&page=3"
#+begin_img-c
CGI definitely not greatness
#+end_img-c

**** Doctor Factor
Wooohoooo! 
Finally, a rare Doctor-focused episode, and they nailed it.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-nothing-human-1.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=142"
#+begin_img-c
The in-between-names doctor in full glory
#+end_img-c
*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x09 - Thirty Days        :@update:@st_update:
CLOSED: [2023-12-22 Fri 23:19]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x09-thirty-days
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract A good Paris episode
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 9
:END:
We start where it ends: Paris is locked in Voyager's brig, locked for 30 days. 
A really welcome narrative mechanism!
The entire episode is a retelling of the story of how he got there.

In a series of flashbacks we learn about on ocean planet on the brink of doom and of Paris, who yet again disobeys orders to follow his call of ethics.

**** Impressions

Paris should have been a much more interesting character.
He is to be the cool guy in the crew[^kim].
Handsome, intelligent, rebel.
But as most of Voyager's crew, the writers somehow fall short of those expectations.
[^kim]: but, deep inside, we all know that Kim is the coolest.

This is one of the few episodes where they succeed.

Yes, the start is over the top.
Kim and Paris are on a double date in the holodeck where they pretend to be in a 50s SciFi flick - with superpowers and mad scientists.
I am fully aware the Star Trek is a direct descendant of those shows.
But I had never watched them[^twilight], and, at the same time, I am so tired of Marvel, so I didn't enjoy it.
There has to be some nostalgia (even misplaced) to like this sort of things.
And yes, I am watching a 30-year-old show, thank you for noticing.
[^twilight]: except for few episodes of Twilight Zone. I will *need* to return here, as they were amazing

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-thirty-days-1.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=177&page=3"
#+begin_img-c
Complete with black and white filter
#+end_img-c

I also found Paris dressed up as a sea captain a but goofy.

But they are FINALLY letting the characters have fun.
Last time it was not Moriarty level of fun, and this time it's still not.
But finally something nice is happening and are witnessing it.
Most of goofy scenes up to recently were strictly Neelix centered, but what we needed was exactly this.

I am always happy when we to know the crew outside their duty, as this is (always) my primary issue with the show.
Bring back the fun!

As for the primary plot, I also enjoyed it.
Not loved it, but it was very enjoyable.
Paris refusing orders from Jenway was, at the same, expected, and thrilling.
What Chakotay fails at, Paris delivers.
We've got one character on the entire crew who is not afraid to go against his captain's if it means following his instinct.

This is not a must-see episode, but what is, is one of those where you start valuing the show more.
Paris is cool, end of story.

And, once again, the CGI is breathtaking.
#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-thirty-days-2.jpg" "https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=177&page=3"
#+begin_img-c
We deserve more underwater SciFi shows.
#+end_img-c

**** Doctor factor

Unsatisfactory

*** DONE Star Trek: Voyager 05x11 - Latent Image
CLOSED: [2024-03-08 Fri 22:07]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: 05x11-latent-image
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract A great Doctor episode!
:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c
:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu st-voy-rev-s5 :name 11
:END:
After a longer hiatus, I am back watching Voyager.
The previous episode was not memorable, so no review for now.
But this?
This is a WOW episode!

Doctor learns that he performed a surgery on Kim 1,5 year ago.
After an investigation, we learn that /something/ happened then, and it was erased from his memories.
After and even longer investigation it turns out that Doctor had to make a choice between saving Kim and Ensign Ahni Jetal.
He has chosen Kim and Ahni dies.
This causes /moral dilemma/ powerful enough, to break Doctor's programming and Jenwey decides to rewrite him, as he was no longer able to perform his duties as a doctor.

**** Impressions

Wow!
I was left speechless.
There are so many aspects that this episode nails.

We've got the basic premise of The Doctor evolving from a simple program into a person.
I love they have not made it a /Seven/ episode, as Borgs are goto when it comes to such stories.
Moreover, we've got Jenway who made tough choice between a doctor and The Doctor.
Love it!

Speaking of which - Jenway is slowly becoming my favorite captain.
At first, I could not stand her - she was all knowing, perfect and deeply annoying.
But it's episodes like this that show /why/ she is the captain.
I can't imagine Picard or Sisko in a situation like this.
Yes, they all had some tough moral dilemmas - genocides and such - but none were so deeply, interpersonally involved.
None had to live with the results.
And Mulligan's performance is perfect.
We have a scene where Doctor confronts her. In a span of few seconds, se moves from goofy and having fun with the crew to martial tribunal level of seriousness.
This is not the first time she does it, but everyone I am floored.

#+attr_shortcode: "star-trek-voyager-latent-image-1.jpg" "https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/A_IC0KJPUnyl6XGYILsz17io5kee4P2H/"
#+begin_img-c
There's more and more of Naomi.
I can't wait to see what the show has planned for her!
#+end_img-c
**** Doctor factor

Happiness of the highest order.
It's a not only a Doctor episode but also a Perfect Doctor Episode.
The episode ends with:

#+begin_quote
In that book, which is my memory, on the first page of the chapter that is the day when I first met you appear the words, 'here begins a new life'
#+end_quote


I love how he is developing through the series and sure hope authors won't forget that this episode exists!


* Picard                                                         :@star_trek:
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: star-trek/picard
:END:
** DONE Picard is Back. Oh No
CLOSED: [2023-02-16 Wed 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: picard-is-back-oh-no
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract what an episode!
:END:
I've seen the first two seasons of Picard but have enjoyed none. While the first was ok as a longer mediocre episode of TNG, the second was a trainwreck. The characters became even more unlikable, the story was boring, and nothing connected them to the old Trek.

And now the third comes out. While [[https://www.theverge.com/23594675/star-trek-picard-season-3-review][The Verge]] says it's great, nothing they've done in recent years buys me any confidence in them. And the review has this line:

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
But when put up against other crews, like the Deep Space Nine one (it had a terrorist on the team!) and Voyager (it had multiple terrorists on the team!), the TNG crew felt more sanitized. *For many fans, this was the boring crew.*
#+END_QUOTE

[[/star-trek/stv/05x01-night/#impressions][So yeah, no Verge for me]]. However, I've stumbled upon another review named ["Don't watch 'Star Trek: Picard' season three, it'll only encourage them"](https://www.engadget.com/star-trek-picard-season-3-paramount-plus-preview-review-080010710.html) which reads like it was written by someone who has seen and enjoyed the old Treks.

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
Picard remains a grimdark slog, shot on perpetually underlit sets and featuring a succession of increasingly-bleak setpieces.

It's clear that Alex Kurtzman is only comfortable writing in a single register. His go-to is usually a militaristic, testosterone-fuelled paranoid Reaganite fantasy in which the real villain was our own government all along
#+END_QUOTE

Those two quotes encompass my general feeling towards Picard. I have not watched anything modern Trek related san the three moves from a few years back, so I can't say anything about them. Old Trek was optimistic, even if the Federation had its fair share of shadiness. The world was vast, and humanity was hungry to explore it all. Sometimes we've encountered something nice. Sometimes we had to survive an open war. But underneath all that, there always was a huge admiration and love for mankind. Unfortunately, Picard creators seem to hate that feeling just as much as the Netlifx Witcher crew hates Witcher.

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
I've often theorized that many modern-day Star Trek creators would much rather be over the hall making their own Star War instead. Maybe I'm wrong, and the Picard crew is really nostalgic for the hamfisted Bush-era politics of 24.
#+END_QUOTE

Picard is bad, but I'll watch this season to have it over with. I want closure as I really like Star Trek. I don't want my Star Trek journey to end like Star Wars one did - anything modern past Force Awakens was boring at best, and this movie gets a pass on the sheer power of nostalgia. Last Jedi was so inexplicably terrible that I just gave up and never tried to watch Rise of Skywalker. Or anything Star Wars at all.

* Updates                                     :@star_trek:@st_update:@update:
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: star-trek/updates
:END:
** DONE Star Trek Is Now a Section
CLOSED: [2023-11-17 23:00]
:PROPERTIES:
:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: star-trek-is-now-a-subpage
:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: abstract what an episode!
:END:
 Hey!
 
 My journey into madn... Star Trek is now a dedicated section.
 This is the first proper subpage created on my webpage as a result of [me getting tired of blogging](/2023/tired-of-blogging/).
 I've started with The Next Generation as this is where I started experiecing Trek, but since I am now watching Voyager [^hiatus], this will be soon be added as well.
 [^hiatus]: well, I am on a longer hiatus but I'll return there shortly.
 
 For now there are only two small texts:
 
 - [[/star-trek/tng/episodes][list of episodes]]
 - [[/star-trek/tng/data-poetry][Data's petry]]
 - [[/star-trek/tng/crew)][Crew]]