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The Rookie (2018)
Better than your average cop show....by far.
Not a huge fan of the genre, but this show hooked me right from the start. Yes, lots of cliques like drinks at a bar after work, but I guess writers have to end episodes with a quieter setting, letting the audience unwind.
Hopefully the quality of the show is maintained and they don't rely on too much character personal life, which is what spoils most crime shows for me.
The Virginian: The Masquerade (1967)
Oh so sappy but thoroughly enjoyable.
Yes, it's yet another of those "pretend I'm in a different line of work so my relative will be proud of me" episodes. Almost every TV series of the 50's and 60's had a crack at this scenario at least once in their run, along with an "amnesia" episode and a "flashback" episode. In fact, the later was a way of making an episode on the cheap. Just reuse lots of old footage and write a bit of dialogue to fill in the gaps.
With regard to the "make the relative proud" episodes, these were usually a disaster, being a farce from start to finish. However in this case I thoroughly enjoyed it, albeit admitting it was completely "sappy".
I was expecting it to fall into the trap of humiliation or forced comedy, but it never did. And contrary to another review, I feel that Hartman played his role exactly as required by the writers and directors. Having him play it any other way would have ruined it.
I was starting to lose interest in the series but then every so often there's a gem like this episode.
This is definitely one of the better episodes of the complete series.
FTL (2017)
Spacesuit but no helmet?
Not bad but I feel that on a test flight it would be pointless to be wearing a spacesuit but not wearing a helmet. Also, a human would not be at the controls of the first test flight, nor even the tenth. What's the point in risking a human life when such a flight could be all AI controlled. Also, I find it a huge clique in that the "hero" of this story is a middle aged white man. I understand why no helmet was worn. Just like the recent remake of Top Gun, the audience has to see the face of the actor. And I also understand that using a human as the pilot of the first FTL makes it dramatic. Still, the writer could have called it the first FTL to have a human pilot.
Planet Unknown (2016)
Entertaining but more fantasy than SF.
I found this short entertaining enough and it did get me thinking about the scenario. If this was a real mission, a geosynchronous satellite would provide communication links and GPS Each bot would know where the other one was. Also, a satellite could detect imminent threats such as meteors. But I guess with such technology available we'd have little drama, and that just leaves us with a search till we find story. Enjoyable. Thanks Shawn 'Zixiao' Wang.
The Orville: All the World Is Birthday Cake (2019)
Explorers go boldly without fear or forethought.
While not the worst episode so far in season two, it's still not up to season one standard.
My gripes: Prior to landing on a newly discovered planet one would expect explorers to remain in orbit and gather information about the planets inhabitants, like, their laws and culture. But no, our intrepid Orville adventurers just arrive and dispatch the senior officers to do the meet and greet.
The story could still have been as it is but the cultural belief that the plot revolves around could have been undiscovered due to it being of such a highly sensitive nature.
On landing their shuttle on the new planet, in the background we see a crowd of people being controlled by what appear to be soldiers carrying sub-machine guns. Also, it's too much of a giveaway when we see the leaders of these people dressed in grey uniforms reminiscent of Nazi uniforms.
The show progressed fairly predictably from that point on-wards.
I feel sorry for the actors who play Isaac (the robotoid) and Lt. Cmdr. John LaMarr (Chief Engineer). Both had very few lines or screen time. It's almost as if they have been relegated to bit players.
Finally, the new actor that takes the role of Chief security officer to replace Alara Kitan (the strong one) doesn't impress me so far. Maybe I'm still getting over the loss of Halston Sage (Alara) from the cast.
Yes, I'll watch the next episode, only because there's no other sci-fi show set in space currently worth watching.
The Orville: Home (2019)
Renews my interest in the show.
A vast improvement. It actually looks and feels like sci-fi, although still not "spacey" enough for a show set on a starship.
I found the gravity issue interesting. The infliction of physical pain and the threat of lopping off a finger was just too dark for this type of show.
The often trite dialog and clichéd scenes was annoying.
Very disappointing to see Alara leave. Her character was cute and fun and should have been used more. Her temporary replacement was a sour joke. The less we see of him the better.
While not as good as the majority of season one episodes, it does renew my interest and raise my hopes for the show.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: First Contact (1991)
Do you reveal the BIG picture?
The topic of this episode is fascinating. One thing I would have liked the writers to include would have been having Picard reveal to Chancellor Durken that not all space-faring beings are as friendly or considerate as the Federation.
- - - - - - - - -
Durken: "Is this some kind of threat Picard?"
Picard: "No, not at all chancellor. I just feel you should be aware of certain realities. For instance, there are the Ferengi. They are traders, but they will endeavor to gain the utmost advantage in any trade deals to the point of exploitation."
Durken: "I'm sure we have many shrewd trader negotiators on our world."
Picard: "And then there are the Borg."
Picard shows video footage of a Borg cube and the normal greeting the Borg give.
Durken: "Captain, what do you suggest we do to speed up our warp program, and when may we join the Federation?"
Picard smiles.
- - - - - - - - -
The question is, would revealing such things actually have the opposite effect. Would it make a species decide to avoid space travel altogether. Would they cease any kind of industrial activity that could attract attention from beings such as the Borg?
The Orville: Primal Urges (2019)
Total Trash
Why did I waste 44 minutes on this garbage. If you watched the first season you would have expectations of more of the same adventures set in a Star Trek universe. Alas, you would be sadly mistaken.
I don't know what MacFarlane is trying to do but it's certainly got nothing to do with entertainment. Maybe it's his intention to torpedo the series so he can concentrate on another pet project. Perhaps his tribute to Mission: Impossible.
Go shopping, mow the lawn, fill out your tax return, visit the dentist. All of these would be more entertaining.
The Orville: Primal Urges (2019)
Total Trash
Why did I waste 44 minutes on this garbage. If you watched the first season you would have expectations of more of the same adventures set in a Star Trek universe. Alas, you would be sadly mistaken.
I don't know what MacFarlane is trying to do but it's certainly got nothing to do with entertainment. Maybe it's his intention to torpedo the series so he can concentrate on another pet project. Perhaps his tribute to Mission: Impossible.
Go shopping, mow the lawn, fill out your tax return, visit the dentist. All of these would be more entertaining.
The Orville: Ja'loja (2018)
This was - A Huge disappointment
After the first season my hopes were high. I was expecting more of the same interesting adventures with a smattering of humour. Unfortunately MacFarlane ignored all the fans. Toss out the few minutes about the Moclan and this episode could have been any lame sit com set on Earth.
I note in the IMDB description it says, "Adventure, Comedy, Drama". No mention of Sci-Fi. And in this episode there was no adventure nor drama, just a poor excuse for comedy.
This is not the way to start a new season if they expect to retain viewers.
The Orville (2017)
The Sci-Fi show CBS wishes it had made instead of Star Trek: Discovery.
Is this the Star Trek CBS failed to deliver? Let's see:
Well lit bridge - check.
Likeable characters - check.
Humor - check.
CGI under control - check
Interesting plots - check
Enjoyable to watch - check
Makes me want more - BIG CHECK.
Congrats to all the team behind this series. Live long and prosper.
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Star Trek **** ZERO****
Like many Star Trek fans, I awaited the rebirth of Star Trek TV with much anticipation. The fact that it was to be set pre-TOS was a bit disappointing. I had hoped this new series would be set a few hundred year beyond Voyager. Nonetheless, I still had high hopes for the series.
Sadly, those hopes were soon smashed. I found it to be a confusing MESS. None of the characters are likeable. Swearing? Give me a break. Rap music? I feel sick. A secondary character that acts like a faithful puppy needing praise? Mindless.
After watching several episodes it became unbearable.
"Star Trek: Discovery" should be spurned by true fans and casual Trek fans alike. If this happened and "Discovery" was cancelled, then perhaps a re-think would occur and eventually a new series faithful to, and reflecting the true nature of "Star Trek", would be created.
The fact that "Discovery" is going to a 2nd season is just proof that sci-fi fans are desperate for new "set in space" series.
Thankfully there is another sci-fi TV series "set in space" that's worth watching. That series is "The Orville".
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Shades of Gray (1989)
Remember When
I remember when TV series almost always included the "flashback" episode. Basically it was a re-hash of what were considered the most important/interesting events during a season. And that's what this episode is, except it's from the viewpoint of one character only. Of course some people will find this worth watching while others, perhaps a majority, will loathe such episodes, as do I.
Another "must have" episode was the "amnesic" ones where a character would forget who they were, usually due to a knock on the head. I actually enjoyed these sometimes as they often included humour.
Thankfully most modern TV has left these old dogs behind.
Time Trap (2017)
Watch this writer: * Mark Dennis *
The ideas in this film a good, but the acting and directing not so good. It's one of those films that make you want to shout at the actors to do this or that instead of just standing around talking so much. And often the talk is just going round and around.
Nevertheless, the ideas here are interesting and novel. It's worth watching the film just for that reason alone. If the writer, Mark Dennis, can use his imagination to bring us more new ideas in sci-fi then we are in for a treat.
Like to watch sci-fi? Give it a go.
Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)
Tremors meets Jurassic Park and Tomb Raider
I've been hooked on the Tremors film series from the start. If you've seen the original Jurassic Park then watch out for a scene in Tremors 5 that pays tribute to it and goes one better.
Also, it has its own version of Lara Croft (Tomb Raider).
Now for Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell.
Oh, and I also see their making a TV Movie with Kevin Bacon but no mention of Michael Gross (Burt Gummer).
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Star Trek **** ZERO****
Like many Star Trek fans, I awaited the rebirth of Star Trek TV with much anticipation. The fact that it was to be set pre-TOS was a bit disappointing. I had hoped this new series would be set a few hundred year beyond Voyager. Nonetheless, I still had high hopes for the series.
Sadly, those hopes were soon smashed. I found it to be a confusing MESS. None of the characters are likeable. Swearing? Give me a break. Rap music? I feel sick. A secondary character that acts like a faithful puppy needing praise? Mindless.
After watching several episodes it became unbearable.
"Star Trek: Discovery" should be spurned by true fans and casual Trek fans alike. If this happened and "Discovery" was cancelled, then perhaps a re-think would occur and eventually a new series faithful to, and reflecting the true nature of "Star Trek", would be created.
The fact that "Discovery" is going to a 2nd season is just proof that sci-fi fans are desperate for new "set in space" series.
Thankfully there is another sci-fi TV series "set in space" that's worth watching. That series is "The Orville".