My wife and I are currently going through season 2 of Star Trek: TNG and I must say that I had completely forgotten how wonderful the series was. Oh sure, I remembered my enjoyment of it as a feeling of pleasure at mention of the series but the memories of the episodes themselves had faded long ago.
To be fair season one was highly didactic in its scripting and dredged up the worst memories of the original series without nearly half the action. Still one has to admire the daring vision of the Federation. The idea of a future where mankind is free to pursue enlightenment and fullfillment without fear of daily privation is both wonderous and incredible to the modern observer. It is a paradise emphemeral, a dream that we as a species can only dare to aspire to. Power and responsibility in tandem as the norm. A truly awe inspiring vista.
Yet as I am on the subject, viewing it with an adult eye I can see the flaws more clearly. One of the greatest of these is Patrick Stewart. Now before someone crusifies me for that statement let me also add that Stewart is the series' greatest strength. The problem with having him on the show is that he is such a damn good actor that just about everyone else manages to look foolish when he's not there. This isn't to say he overbears the others, by no means is this the case. However when the man really gets going the spell he weaves is so enthralling that the next person to speak will inevitably let us down.
More reimpressions will follow, but for now I've a starship to catch.
3 comments:
it's interesting....while growing up, i couldn't get into the intricacies of star trek. i enjoyed the adventure and mythology of star wars much more. now as an adult, i find the plot lines of star trek very much. in fact, i found star trek:enterprise a nice beginning to the whole star trek universe. and with a movie being made by jj abrams going back to the youth of kirk, spock, and the rest of the crew, i am sure my interest will only peak as time goes on.
I found TNG's first season to be the pinnacle of Star Trek as Roddenberry always wanted it to be, and as an adult it has become my favorite season of all Star Trek, with seasons two and three close behind. Star Trek was in its golden age then.
You're spot-on about Stewart. However, the other actors improve over the course of the series--except for Spiner, who nailed the role on his first day.
Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Notebook, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://notebooks-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.
Post a Comment