@fmf saidThis might be interesting if the subject matter wasn't so majorly depressing.
I am two episodes into "The Vietnam War", a 10-part American television documentary series directed by Lynn Novick and Ken Burns.
I'd say the same about Ken Burns' Civil War series, but Vietnam is too recent to approach in simply a historical way. Even WW2 is long enough ago to be understood from a historical standpoint. Vietnam just ruined too many lives, and we're still living with that.
06 May 22
@fmf saidI watched S1 E1 of Picard and gave up.
Enterprise got better and was eventually good for about three series. I found Deep Space 9 tedious and several attempts to get past the midway point in series 1 failed. Voyager seemed worthy and inventive but I think it was aimed at a younger demographic. I thought Discovery series 1 was tremendous but felt disaffected thereafter, not sure why. Picard has been good.
I just found it dull, dreary, hints of woke and naval gazing.
I’m aware I might be wrong, but I have a short grab-me span with TV these days.
@fmf saidPatrick Stewart is a fine actor. I hope the writers gave him some good material to work with in 'Picard'. I remember him well from I Claudius (as Sejanus, Emperor Tiberius's major domo).
Enterprise got better and was eventually good for about three series. I found Deep Space 9 tedious and several attempts to get past the midway point in series 1 failed. Voyager seemed worthy and inventive but I think it was aimed at a younger demographic. I thought Discovery series 1 was tremendous but felt disaffected thereafter, not sure why. Picard has been good.
As I mentioned, DS9 got good only when Michael Dorn as Worf joined the show. That was several seasons in.
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@divegeester saidOriginal Star Trek was also pretty woke for its day.
I watched S1 E1 of Picard and gave up.
I just found it dull, dreary, hints of woke and naval gazing.
I’m aware I might be wrong, but I have a short grab-me span with TV these days.
The sight of starships does get me a little misty.
I would agree that recent Star Treks are "going more for the feels" and often failing badly when it comes to dramatic standards previously established. "But they mean well."
Picard S1 eventually picks up after he finally gets off-planet. S1 and S2 both have their incomprehensibly sloggy moments when it comes to 21st-century screenwriting, but also some good moments.
Not that I am also one of the Aristoi, but perhaps we should consider that maybe these shows are pitched at the rest of the bell curve.
A common theme/trope shared by Picard S2 and Discovery S4 seems to be the overly concerned and caring and protective/smothering character who tries to make decisions for someone else.
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@divegeester saidI like the lighter and more casual touch of "Strange New Worlds" (hoping I got that right this time).
I’d be interested in knowing what people think of this new back-its-roots Star Trek series on Paramount.
It seems a more successful bridge between now and fictional then, than the other recent series.
I don't primarily look for drama in science fiction. In fact I think drama is retrograde. Cool ships and architecture and gadgets, that's what I like.
The costumes in Picard were especially well done, and I like the sets on SNW.
Book's ship on Discovery is cool, but I don't understand how he and the rest of Discovery's crew can endure Burnham's endless emoting. Who exactly can relate to that? Probably none of the Black women in the town where I live, or anyone on Earth. Not necessarily Sonequa Martin-Green's fault. Probably doing the best she can with what the writers and show-runners send her.
05 Jun 22
I enjoyed 1883. It's a one-off 10-part series about a wagon train heading north from Texas to Oregon. If it had been a bit more Deadwood-like, it might have been perfect. For two country music megastars trying their hand at acting they did a magnificent job. Sam Eliot is also great. The whole cast, in fact.
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@divegeester saidFor me it was the Irish Romulans that was a little off-putting.
I watched S1 E1 of Picard and gave up.
I just found it dull, dreary, hints of woke and naval gazing.
I’m aware I might be wrong, but I have a short grab-me span with TV these days.
By "woke" do you mean a narrative context that puts the White Supremacists of Old Earth in their proper place, or something else?
Yeah, yeah, "naval gazing" -- I love starships, too.
Fade In Pro is only $79.95 at the moment, in case you have the gumption and wherewithal to show everyone else how it's done.
Good luck!
17 Jun 22
Beforeigners, series 1, Norweigian drama.
People from previous centuries are randomly returning to present-day Norway and are being integrated into modern life with varying degrees of success. [That's as far as the sci-fi element goes.] Some are from the stone age; others are from the 19th century. There are many thousands of them. It creates issues. I have only started it. Seems very promising. It's an elaborate and inventive allegory for the "problems" of dealing with migrants and refugees.
22 Jun 22
@fmf saidI liked the sries, though it some strange uexplained fantasy stuff.
Beforeigners, series 1, Norweigian drama.
People from previous centuries are randomly returning to present-day Norway and are being integrated into modern life with varying degrees of success. [That's as far as the sci-fi element goes.] Some are from the stone age; others are from the 19th century. There are many thousands of them. It creates issues. I have only started it. Se ...[text shortened]... . It's an elaborate and inventive allegory for the "problems" of dealing with migrants and refugees.