http://io9.gizmodo.com/a-new-documentary-shows-how-gene-roddenberry-almost-kil-1721153875
Interesting read.
Agreed. I knew that the production of TNG was anything but a utopian universe but the details are, um, fascinating.
To be honest I think Roddenberry had his share of good ideas but some of my least favorite episodes of both TOS and TNG are the ones where he got all preachy on us. And I absolutely loved "Conspiracy". I always had hoped they would have followed up on that story arc. They end of the episode certainly left them a chance to do that.
I really hoped they would follow-up on the Conspiracy story line. It certainly had potential and it was an excellent early TNG episode.
I don't want to posthumously bash Roddenberry too much, but it's well known that he was problematic when it came to TNG. The first season was pretty awful and that's when his influence was greatest.
Remember the episode where the Security Head girl got drunk and did it with Data? He told her he was programmed to be able to perform just like a human-- which was probably a little disappointing for her. But who would program a cyborg to have sex.......?
Quote from: Sir Slash on May 31, 2016, 10:31:57 AM
But who would program a cyborg to have sex.......?
The Japanese
Quote from: mirth on May 31, 2016, 08:50:58 AM
I really hoped they would follow-up on the Conspiracy story line. It certainly had potential and it was an excellent early TNG episode.
I don't want to posthumously bash Roddenberry too much, but it's well known that he was problematic when it came to TNG. The first season was pretty awful and that's when his influence was greatest.
Season 1 had some gems but it was a real rollercoaster in terms of quality.
There were some moments in S1 and at the time I was just happy to have Trek back on TV. There really wasn't much for decent television sci-fi back then. We're spoiled today.
I watched Chaos On The Bridge awhile back.
Excellent doc about the subject.
While I never really got into TNG, this doc was a great peak into the craziness behind it's creation ( + it's creator).
Also, perhaps, a little about the making of TV series during the period in general.
I'd recommend watching it to anyone somewhat interested in how screwed-up it was behind the "Space Hippy" series.
Will check to see if that's on 'flix or Prime.
Interview with Shatner about the documentary
http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/william-shatner/36591/william-shatner-interview-chaos-on-the-bridge-star-trek (http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/william-shatner/36591/william-shatner-interview-chaos-on-the-bridge-star-trek)
Quote from: JasonPratt on June 03, 2016, 02:13:22 PM
Will check to see if that's on 'flix or Prime.
Think it was on Netflix when I saw it. But it may have been the other.
It's not available on Amazon as part of the membership. You'd have to buy/rent it.
Quote from: mirth on June 05, 2016, 06:07:02 AM
It's not available on Amazon as part of the membership. You'd have to buy/rent it.
It was probably on Netflix, then. I watched it there or on Amazon Prime.
It's on Netflix. I just saw it in my list.
Looks like most if not all of the ST movies are on Netflix at the mo.
Yep it's still on Netflix.
I can't say I'm surprised by the documentary's claims. He may have indeed been a visionary, but Roddenberry was still as human and flawed as anyone else.
Heck, that much was clear just from my having recently read Nimoy's I Am Spock. He's careful to not over-criticize the man (and the critiques he does make are pretty gentle), but reading between the lines, one gets the impression Gene caused more bumps & bruises to the franchise over the years than just about anyone else.
All things considered, I'm amazed TOS lasted even 3 seasons. That TNG lasted 7 is almost more of a miracle (although it probably helped that Roddenberry had mostly been "locked out" by then).
Quote from: Martok on June 10, 2016, 08:00:16 AM
I can't say I'm surprised by the documentary's claims. He may have indeed been a visionary, but Roddenberry was still as human and flawed as anyone else.
Heck, that much was clear just from my having recently read Nimoy's I Am Spock. He's careful to not over-criticize the man (and the critiques he does make are pretty gentle), but reading between the lines, one gets the impression Gene caused more bumps & bruises to the franchise over the years than just about anyone else.
All things considered, I'm amazed TOS lasted even 3 seasons. That TNG lasted 7 is almost more of a miracle (although it probably helped that Roddenberry had mostly been "locked out" by then).
I am about as big a fan of TOS as you will ever see but the fact of the matter is when I look for episodes to re-watch on Netflix I skip quite a few. I think the third season has the most duds of any of the seasons. I mean, really, you start out with "Spock's Brain"...............sigh.
Spock's Brain gave us this classic bit of Star Trek dialogue.
Thank you for ruining my day.
Good luck getting that line out of your BRAIN ;D
Hey now, she is the giver of pleasure. Do not diss her!
You know Kirk tapped that.
"Hey baby. Check out my big brain."
If that's your opener, you're in deep sh*t, mirth.
Real TOS fans watch and enjoy all episodes. Yes, even Spock's Brain. Okay, maybe not enjoy, but certainly watch.
^I will have the occasional marathon but I'm also not ashamed to pick and choose. The beauty of DVD and Netflix technology.
Do be careful who you are calling a real fan, though. :) I was there for the very first airing on Thursday, September 8, 1966. It was "The Man Trap". I went across the street to my friend's house because they had a color TV. It was part of an NBC premier night which included "Star Trek" and a few other new shows for that season.
The episode scared the crap out of me. I was hooked.
Hey, I was 26 days old when Star Trek premiered. I'm a real fan. 8)
"The Man Trap" was one of the first episodes I remember seeing. At the time I was so young I had no idea about how television worked. I just knew Kirk was going to die I was scared to death! :o