Short # 70 - ST Next Gen 2.4: The Outrageous Okona
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Wherein Andy and Justice rake "The Outrageous Okona" over the coals in their review of this fourth episode of the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The main issue with this episode is not only that Okona himself is not outrageous, but that the episode does not fit narratively in season two, nor does it contribute to character development and growth as we've come to expect following the last episode. Because of these qualities, we argue that it's quite possible that this is a holdover in some form from season one. Also, Joe Piscopo? WTF?
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Short # 69 - ST Next Gen 2.3: Elementary, Dear Data
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Wherein Justice and Andy investigate the events of the third episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation's second season, "Elementary, Dear Data." Who wouldn't love seeing Data as Sherlock Holmes? Well, Katherine Pulaski, for one. This episode continues to explore her technophobic bigotry, while at the same time expanding the character of Data and the wondrous capabilities of the holodeck. We also meet a recurring "villain" in the character of Professor Moriarty, whose fate remains a stain on the record of Captain Picard with it's staggeringly cruel and unusual punishment. Also, Geordie...
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Short # 68 - ST Next Gen 2.2: Where Silence Has Lease
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Wherein Andy and Justice intentionally slip into the snare of the second episode of season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Where Silence Has Lease." As season two starts to find its footing, we still face some strange developmental choices for the characters and the space. Having encountered another all-powerful entity, the crew confounds expectations by reacting to all of the events in the episode without a shred of professionalism or discipline. Even Data seems unable to form a hypothesis, stuck in the exhausting discurvise patterns of a freshmen physics student. Nevertheless, the...
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Short # 67 - ST Next Gen 2.1: The Child
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Wherein Justice and Andy embark on their analysis of the first episode of season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Child" as the first entry in their full season two analysis. Season two is critical because it is a pivotal time in the establishment of Star Trek: The Next Generation as the preeminent entry in the Second Age of Star Trek. While season one was imporant but clumsy, season two helps the series to find narrative stability and character position. In this first episode of the second season, several new characters and spaces are introduced that mark critical -...
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Episode 37 - Highlander & The Book of Elsewhere
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Wherein Andy and Justice ressurect the conversation of immortality by looking at the the 1986 film Highlander and the China Miéville and Keanu Reeves 2024 novel The Book of Elsewhere. What is the psychological nature of being an immortal? It seems to be something people wish for, and yet it is often depicted as something that inevitably leads to severe depression and a desire for death. We also discuss the curious situation of a China Miéville co-authorship and his recyclying of the transporter problem from Star Trek. Topics range from Christopher Lambert's bizzare acting choices to the...
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Short # 66 - The Fantastic Four: First Steps Trailer
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Wherein Justice and Andy launch themselves into the conversation about the recently released trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. What does the retro-futuristic setting imply for its space in the MCU? Has anybody ever thought the powers of Marvel's First Family were cool? We sure don't, and we know you don't either. Ultimately, we wonder if this film can redeem the MCU or the failed Fantastic Four adaptations of the past. It probably won't.
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Short # 65 - Star Trek: Section 31 Review
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Wherein Andy and Justice bemoan the horrifying experience of subjecting themselves to the new film Star Trek: Section 31. This marks the 14th Star Trek film and, given its quality, possibly the last for the foreseeable future. Why does this film exist? How could Michelle Yeoh (an outstanding artist) consent to this film's release? There is no one to blame but Alex Kurtzman.
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Short # 64 - Review of Dune: Prophecy Episodes 4-6
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Wherein Justice and Andy compute the outcome of the first season of Dune: Prophecy on HBO. In these final three episodes, we see even more of a departure from Frank Herbert's Dune lore while at the same time an almost slavish adherence to the original novel. If those things seem in conflict, you're not wrong. And yet, somehow the show remains a compelling experience. More Dune is always good, especially when it's this well-made.
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Short # 63 - How the Grinch Embraced Marx
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Wherein Andy and Justice slither through a reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a 1957 Dr. Suess classic. Many Marxists see the Grinch as abandoning his Marxist principles, but that is not supported by the text. So what happens instead? What does the Grinch really embrace? Who are the Whos, really? And ultimately, what is the reason the Grinch returns from Mt. Crumpet with myocarditis? Happy holidays Karl!
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Short # 62 - Review of Dune: Prophecy Episodes 1-3
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Wherein Justice and Andy map out the DNA of the new Dune: Prophecy series from HBO. At this halfway point of the series' release, we already see a departure from the style of Frank Herbert and notice some inconsistencies in the source material. While this is clearly meant to be tied to the larger franchise of Villeneuve's Dune parts 1&2 and it matches very well aesthetically, we have some questions about the nature of the prequel texts. What is Desmond Hart? How do the characters know about the connection between worms and the spice ten millenia before the events...
info_outlineWherein Justice and Andy embark on their analysis of the first episode of season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Child" as the first entry in their full season two analysis. Season two is critical because it is a pivotal time in the establishment of Star Trek: The Next Generation as the preeminent entry in the Second Age of Star Trek. While season one was imporant but clumsy, season two helps the series to find narrative stability and character position. In this first episode of the second season, several new characters and spaces are introduced that mark critical - and occasionally temporary - changes in series.