Formspring Question # 56--Biller Chiller Edition

So just to clarify, you don't like Kenneth Biller?

No, I do not like Kenneth Biller. He is responsible for some of the worst Trek episodes ever. Worse yet, he was stuck on VOY, so he does not have work on better trek series to somewhat redeem himself like Brannon Braga and Rick Berman do.

Look at the damage this guy has done:

"Faces"--If the Vidiians can perform such advanced genetic experiments like splitting one person into two, why do they not clone the healthy organs they need instead of harvesting from aliens?

"Twisted"--The story is not resolved, it just...ends.

"Tuvix"--Janeway kills a being created by accidentally fusing two main characters. She does so when the Doctor refuses the action as a violation of medical ethics.

"The Q and the Grey"--"Continuity? What continuity? no way was it established the Q have children three years ago. Wait...you mean it was? will Trekkies notice that sort of thing?"

"Virtuoso"--The only Doctor on the ship, who happens to also be a hologram, decides to leave for a career as an opera singer.

"Endgame"--Time travel story with no attempt at logic whatsoever. Thank heavens it was the final episode.

These are just off the top of my head. Biller wrote twenty or so episodes, if I am not mistaken. Terrible, illogical, continuity-busting episodes.

This is Awesome

A reminder of how bad Star Trek: Generations was.

Strange Letter # 10--A Letter to an Alien Race

Dear Borg,

You guys were my favorite Star Trek villains for a short, but sweet while there. The concept behind you was a novel idea no matter what those Wholigans across the pod may claim bout those lame-o Cybermen. Other trek aliens could be dismissed as allegory for various cultures--the Klingons are feudal Japanese warriors, the Romulans are totalitarian Chinese, and the Cardassians are Nazis--but you are truly unique and scary.

Oh, sure there are those who say you represent communist perfection or the encroachment of technology. By the time you really started doing your thing in the summer of 1990, no one was thinking about communists any longer. Many on the political left began embracing some “friendly” Marxist principles shortly after the bits and pieces of the Berlin Wall were sold off as souvenirs by some enterprising--no pun intended, there--capitalist. I am no Luddite, so utilizing technology is not a scary concept as far as I am concern, either.

What is scary bout you is the loss of individualism you promise and the force of nature way in which you rob your victims of it. The Trek writers managed to create a truly terrifying villain in you. Becoming part of a hive mind by beig conquered by arace of relentless insects? Chilling. At least it was until Voyager came along. Voyager screwed up everything--and not just by introducing 36 of DD, but by letting Brannon Braga and Rick Berman write twelve episodes a season. But that is bitter rant for another time.

The point is, I miss you guys the way you were back in ‘The Best of Both Worlds.” I know, dramatically speaking, your formidability had to have a short shelf life. How may times could you be defeated attempting to assimilate humanity before new appearances would be greeted with a yawn? Two, as it turned out. I have pretty much blocked out your other appearances for the sake of my own enjoyment. No offense intended, guys, ut you have seen your better days.

Sic transit gloria mudi. It was fun while it lasted, though, was it not?

Keep going boldly,
Jamie

Formspring Question # 41--To Go Boldly...Almost Edition

Prospective Star Trek: the Next Generation Cast

I saw that earlier today, thanks. It was an interesting read. Yaphet Kotto as Picard would have been intriguing, but Reggie Jackson as La Forge? Were they serious?

Note there is no Worf yet. Perhaps that is why the character was so one-dimensional. It looks like he was thrown in at the last miute.

Formspring Question # 25--To Go Boldly Edition

Thanks for ranking the Star Wars films. I figured you'd be an original trilogy kind of guy. How about the Star Trek films next?

1. First Contact
2. The Undiscovered Country
3. The Wrath of Khan
4. The Voyage Home
5. Insurrection
6. The Search for Spock
7. Generations
8. The Motion Picture
9. The Final Frontier
10. Nemesis

Formspring Question # 25--To Go Boldly Edition

Thanks for ranking the Star Wars films. I figured you'd be an original trilogy kind of guy. How about the Star Trek films next?

1. First Contact
2. The Undiscovered Country
3. The Wrath of Khan
4. The Voyage Home
5. Insurrection
6. The Search for Spock
7. Generations
8. The Motion Picture
9. The Final Frontier
10. Nemesis

Make It Sir Patrick Stewart

Also obligatory.

Make It Sir Patrick Stewart

Also obligatory.

Leonard Nimoy to Retire

This is definitely the end of an era. Leonard Nimoy recently told the Toronto Sun he is done with acting.His version of Spock will not appear I the next J. J. Abrams Star Trek because he wants to give Zachary Quinto the spotlight on the role. His stint on Abrams’ Fringe has also ended, so Nimoy feels it is time to get off the stage.

I do not blame him. Nimoy is 79 years old with limited options for roles he can play. Seeing such a dignified actor reduced to playing someone’s goofy grandfather would be as sad as it was watching The Who try to rock at the Super Bowl back in February. All I wanted was for someone to take Roger Daltry home and put him to bed. I do not want to see Nimoy reduced to that, too.

Nimoy has left behind a long career full of roles I enjoyed. Spock is my favorite, of course, but I am a fan of the original Mission Impossible on which he played Paris, and I have a peculiar fascination with In Search Of. I even recall fondly his turn as the voice of Unicron in Transformers: The Movie.

Looking back, I am surprised what a big part of my geek experience he has been. I hope he enjoys retirement.