Category: Star Trek Musings

It’s Okay To Like A Franchise And Not Like Everything In It

You’re a big fan of a franchise. You like the movies they put out. Some of the TV shows were pretty good. You’ve even dabbled in some of the official novels and comic books.

But then something comes along and it isn’t quite as good… and much to your dismay, you discover that you not only don’t like this new thing, but you might actually hate it. You consider this an affront to the franchise you’ve grown to love over the years.

It doesn’t end there. Something else comes along and it’s even worse than the other thing. You come to realize that these new things are lesser products devised to set aside all the things you loved about that franchise in favor of trying to appeal that wider, casual audience… otherwise known as the “lowest common denominator.”

All of a sudden, the thing you loved ever since you were a young kid is slowly but surely becoming a thing that you don’t like. You get to that point where you’re becoming the old timer who shouts at the clouds about how everything was better back in the day when the franchise was in its infancy and now everything is just crap or worse.

Does that make you less of a fan?

Of course it fucking doesn’t.

Kids… it’s okay to be a fan of something and not like everything that comes out of it. I have enjoyed many franchises over the years – some of which have been a substantial part of my life in some form or fashion – and I can freely admit that some of the stuff coming from those franchises lately have been… let’s just say “less than stellar.” Does that make me less of a fan of this thing or worse, a “fake fan?”

Of course it fucking doesn’t.

First of all, someone not enjoying the thing you enjoy should not prevent you from enjoying the thing you enjoy. Some things I enjoy are not enjoyed by other people. That does not hamper my enjoyment of these things that some people don’t enjoy as much as I do, if at all. Your enjoyment of something should not be gauged by how many other people are or are not enjoying that something. If you like something that everybody else hates, then more power to you. On the other hand, if you don’t like something that is beloved by many others, that doesn’t make you less of a fan and if anyone else tries to convince you otherwise in a non-joking manner, that’s their problem, not yours.

Like what you like and be done with it. If you like the old stuff, just watch the old stuff. If you like the new stuff, watch the new stuff. If you like everything, then have at it. And if you’d rather spent your time doing something else, then that’s cool too.

I’d tell you not to be a dick, but it seems like every time I hear someone tell people not to be a dick, they eventually become one themselves.

I don’t know what compelled me to type out this piece of business, but hey, it’s something, I suppose.

No Resurgence Outside The Epic Store Equals No Buys For Me

Source: https://www.engadget.com/star-trek-resurgence-launches-may-23rd-on-most-platforms-170248699.html

A bit late to the game, but for those wondering, the new Star Trek: Resurgence game will be hitting stores on May 23rd and will be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series Whatever, and PC. Which is all well and good, but the PC version will be offered exclusively through the Epic Games Store.
Which means it’s a no-buy for me.
I hear someone decide not to buy the game based on Epic Store exclusivity and that got a snarky response about “taking a stand.” I can’t speak for that individual, but this is less to do with “taking a stand” and more to do with “I really don’t want another storefront to manage.” People may recall how long it took me to adopt Steam because of all the DRM and even now, I’d rather buy something off GOG if given the option due to the LACK of DRM. I’ve got a bunch of games on GOG that I still haven’t played and I’ve got even more games on Steam that I still haven’t played… and most of the Epic Game stuff that I’m even remotely interested in is shit from 20-30 years ago.
(It also doesn’t help that a lot of what I’ve seen of the game hasn’t wowed me. It’s one of those Telltale type things where a story plays out and you pick choices on how to react. I probably got one of those laying around somewhere and that’s all I needed.)
I don’t know… maybe once it hits Steam and it’s available on sale, I might consider it, but I don’t need a storefront to manage shit on unless it’s on another platform.

The Final Drop Of Sour Mead – The Final Episodes Of PICARD

So I just finished watching the last couple episodes of Picard; the final drop of sour mead from the field of memberberries that have everyone declaring this to be the bestest and greatestest season of the series… which I am inclined to agree with. If only because I actually enjoyed this season more than the first two seasons and therefore, that’s all it really takes to be the best season in a series that is preceded with one promising season that fell off the rails and another season that is so incomprehensibly awful that just giving it any semblance of attention is more than it probably deserves.
I thought about giving this thing one last big ol’ recap to sort of bring things home. I thought about diving deep into some of the plot issues and contrivinces that left me baffled. I thought about diving into talking about that one moment that brought back that warm fuzzy feeling that I had not felt with this franchise in a long time and then watch that moment fall apart in a hail of phaser fire and video game shooter schlock. I thought about doing all of that here and I even had a good chunk of it written.
Then I realized that I’m not going to do any of that here.

Continue reading “The Final Drop Of Sour Mead – The Final Episodes Of PICARD”

Dismemberberries

Yesterday, I watched the MMPR: Once And Always special on Netflix and in a few moments, I’m going to be taking in the final drop of sour mead, otherwise known as Star Trek: Picard. For what it’s worth, yes, I’ll be writing on both pieces, though you’ll have to wait a while before those get posted.

There’s a term that the kids like to toss around the interwebs – memberberries. This has origins in the South Park show, referring to a fruit that, when consumed, will evoke feelings of nostalgia, remembering things from happier, more innocent times. This is apparently the slang used for any show that uses nostalgia and whathaveyou to prop up its worth.

It’s safe to say that there’s going to be a healthy helping of that… but I can’t help but feel that what’s actually being served is a bowl of dismemberberries. You eat the thing, you’re minded of nostalgic things that made you happy, and then you wonder how long it’ll be before it gets FUBARed.

Anyway, we’ll see if that happens to be the case.

Section 31 Movie A Thing Now… Okay, Cool.

Source: https://trekmovie.com/2023/04/18/breaking-michelle-yeoh-to-return-to-star-trek-in-section-31-tv-movie/

So the long-rumored Section 31 television show is now going to be a television movie. And they’re bringing back Michelle Yeoh’s mirror universe Emperor turned captain dick character back into the fold so we can find out what happened after she stepped back in time.

You know what? I’m fine with this. I was weary of a Section 31 series because what would be the point, but a one-shot television movie sort of thing wouldn’t be such a bad idea. And if you’re really going to go forward with this whole Star Trek: Legacy thing that people are having boners over, a series of occasional television movies would probably be the best way to go about it and features a bunch of characters and such going off on their own adventures.

The Bitter Taste Of Sour Mead – Catching Up With The Third Season Of Picard (Part 1)

(Note: This was written before the ninth episode of Picard came into being… except the last line.)

I haven’t been talking about the new Picard season as of late and quite honestly, I haven’t had much to say. A few episodes have come and gone since then. There’s only a couple episodes left on this run, so I suppose it’s about time we get back on track and share some brief thoughts on what has aired so far.

Obviously, there’d be spoilers. And I’m also going all over the place here and there, but if that doesn’t bother you, by all means, read on…

Continue reading “The Bitter Taste Of Sour Mead – Catching Up With The Third Season Of Picard (Part 1)”