VOY: “Nightingale”

Date: June 17, 2021

Season 7, Episode 8

Music Video of the Day:

Happy Birthday Uncle Michael!

Interstellar News: Yesterday I had a migraine, so sorry about the absence from writing. Today I had a ton of meetings, did six loads of laundry, and got a workout in. I also want to wish my Uncle Michael a very happy birthday today! On the topic of birthday, me and the husband person had a blast at the Classics Track birthday panel for co-director Joe Crowe, who has a birthday tomorrow. The question of the day is: do you think Batman would consider a hot dog a sandwich?

TL;DR: Voyager is doing a major maintenance update, so they’ve landed and will resupply. Icheb is lent to engineering where he thinks Torres is hitting on him, and it gets super awkward. Kim and Seven get involved in an alien conflict and Kim’s first solo command goes seven kinds of sideways (only a partial pun intended).

Favorite Quote:

Kim: Someone died following my orders.

Seven of Nine: You can’t blame yourself for that.

Kim: A captain’s responsible for the lives of his crew.

Seven of Nine: People sometimes die on missions, despite the captain’s best efforts.

Kim: I should have stuck to playing Buster Kincaid.

Seven of Nine: A holodeck program can be turned off when it no longer suits you. Reality can’t. If you really feel responsible for this crew, you’ll help them get home, because they won’t survive without you.

Seven helping school Kim, for the second time this episode.
A nightingale on a branch
This is now how I will picture Harry Kim.

“Have you thought about applying to the Advocate General’s office? You’d make a good lawyer.”: So I love that Icheb has a knack for engineering and Torres is praising him. I also get where he’s an adolescent and could think that Torres was hitting on him, with all those Borg hormones swimming around, BUT IT WAS SO AWKWARD AND PAINFUL for the rest of us. It shouldn’t always be about sex, sometimes your crew mates really just want someone new to hang out with… especially when you’re LOST IN SPACE!

As for the Kim and Seven adventures, of course Kim believes the one side and it goes pear shaped and he doesn’t know how to actually be leader and he gets discouraged. It was a boring trajectory I saw from the beginning – and I usually don’t see the threads that early in a story. I just find not much redeeming about this story, so it gets one brownie covered in coconut cream… but that’s it, no seconds!

TA Out!

Sports Night: Season 2, Episodes 14, 15, and 16

Date: June 15, 2021

Season 2, Episodes 14, 15, and 16

Music Video of the Day:

Two good friends from high school are in this band, and they totally rock. Give them a listen and subscribe!

Interstellar News: This weekend was wonderful, even with an unexpected hike, but I was totally brain fried when I returned. To make up for it, here are three episodes of Sports Night for your reading pleasure.

Episode 14 – “And The Crowd Goes Wild”

Casey wearing sunglasses after his appointment
Danny: “You’re about to walk into a glass wall.”
Casey: “I’m done with that now.”
(walks into a glass wall)
Danny: “That’s four.”

“I’m supposed to hand over these things that are ours.”: Casey gets his eyes looked at, the police want footage from the team regarding a riot, it’s Sam Donovan’s last day, and there’s fallout from the Natalie/Jeremy break up. As much as I disliked their breakup I do love the way it was handled because it was very believable to me. Casey seeing his eye doctor is one of my favorite bits, because Danny fucks with him and then eventually Casey runs into a wall and it’s just a wonderful bit of physical comedy. I hate we didn’t get more of Sam Donovan, and I sort of dislike that he and Dana were just thrown together in his last outing, but there were hints to it wasn’t completely out of left field. It’s a neat little episode that continues the story of our team of media professionals nicely.

Episode 15 – “Celebrities”

Jenny
“Do you think your career progress is being thwarted by your inability to make a parallelogram?”

“You really shouldn’t watch those kinds of movies, Jeremy.”: Jeremy is excluded from the group’s game of “Celebrities” because Natalie is in charge, Casey makes a list and Dan doesn’t, and Jeremy meets a woman who turns out to be a porn star. I absolutely love that Danny and Casey’s team gets creamed, because it wouldn’t be fair for them to win and be the face of the show. There’s a bit about Casey being named to the 100 most influential people in sports that sets up Danny losing his absolute shit because he is too privileged beyond words and can’t deal with disappointment. I see this all the time with brilliant students who have never learned to deal with failure. My favorite part, though, is how Jenny and Jeremy interact. He completely changes his demeanor when he comes back from getting the proof that he was right all because he’s a judgemental prick. He doesn’t want to be, but all that’s going through his head is “what will my parent’s say and what will my friends say?”. When you treat every relationship like it’s a precursor to marriage, you wind up with Jeremy’s attitude. He wouldn’t know fun if it bit him in the ass and announced itself. I’m so glad they finally showed him for who he is and not just through Natalie’s rose colored glasses.

Episode 16 – “The Local Weather”

Jeremy holding an umbrella
Jenny: “Who knew it was gonna rain?”
Jeremy: “You should have asked me.”

“I believe they prefer to be called “adult-film actresses.””: Dan has a session with his therapist while he stands in the doorway explaining how he doesn’t need a session, there’s a new world record, and Jeremy and Jenny progress. Danny’s session with Abby is wonderful, because she keeps getting more comfortable as Danny just stands in the doorway, sort of inviting him to sit down without actually saying those words. The whole bit about Oscar Parrish breaking the world record only to have it taken away from him 5 minutes later was completely heartbreaking, but it’s completely awful that Danny is comparing himself to Oscar. Oscar was on his last shot doing something physical that he just can’t do anymore or any better than right in this moment. Danny, on the other hand, is young and in his prime and has so many more chances to prove himself as an influential person in sports. The fact that he thinks he’s out of the game shows how out of touch he really is and how much he really needs the therapy.

The Jenny and Jeremy bit here is where I’m not really caring about their relationship anymore. Will Jeremy get over his misconceptions? Will Jenny realize he won’t be able to change because he’s too set in his ways? I do like the way the episode was framed, but otherwise it’s not one of my favorites.

TA Out!

VOY: “Body and Soul”

Date: June 11, 2021

Season 7, Episode 7

Music Video of the Day:

“Oh Virginia down the way we’ll be there in no time.”

Interstellar News: I’m super excited to be heading up to VA this weekend to spend time with a dear friend. I’m going out in the world and doing things, it’s a Christmas miracle!

TL;DR: Seven, the EMH, and Kim are attacked in the Delta Flyer by aliens that are hostile to holograms, so Seven downloads the EMH. This has the effect of the Doctor’s personality in the forefront while using Seven’s body. It’s wonderful until they separate and Seven explains she can feel everything and has been violated. She and the Doctor come to an agreement so they can all make it out alive. Back on Voyager, Tuvok is going through pon farr and Paris suggests a visit to the holodeck.

Favorite Quote:

EMH(in Seven’s body): Captain Ranek and I shared a meal aboard the Flyer. He’s really a gentleman, once you get to know him.

KIM: You had a dinner date in Seven’s body?

EMH: It wasn’t a date. It was a tactical maneuver designed to win the trust of our captors, and it worked.

You really need to hear Kim say the line, he’s so flabbergasted.
“You improvised your way through an entire cheesecake, as well as three servings of Ktarian chocolate puffs. Now I have to suffer the consequences.”

“Indulgences are what make life worth living.”: On one hand, this episode is an amazing acting exercise for Seven. On the other hand, I think they make too much light of Seven’s body being violated. In “Retrospect“, Seven thought she had been physically violated and it was a terrible episode. Here she was actually violated and there’s a happy ending, which makes me very sick. I mean there are parts of this that are good if you put aside Seven not being in control of her own body, but for me it’s very hard to put that aside. The EMH is so overwhelmed with being able to eat, drink, and do all of the things he can’t normally do that he forgets what a sacrifice Seven made in order for him to not be destroyed. The subplot of Tuvok going through pon farr is ridiculous, but it’s awesome of Paris to be a bro and not tell anyone else about it.

There are two redeeming scenes. The one where the EMH is in Seven’s body and they win Ranek over with food and at the end where Seven presents the Doctor with a compromise. As an Italian who loves food, these scenes speak to me… but that’s about all I can say nice about this episode. 2 slices of mediocre cheesecake for this one.

TA Out!

VOY: “Inside Man”

Date: June 10, 2021

Season 7, Episode 6

Music Video of the Day:

I love that the group had these four actors do this video, it’s fantastic!

Interstellar News: It’s been a hectic week and work, but I am so very much looking forward to this weekend.

TL;DR: After a missed data stream, “Reg” the hologram is sent by Starfleet to get Voyager home in three days. “Reg” is a hologram of Barclay but was intercepted by some Ferengi who want to steal Seven’s nanoprobes. Barclay manages to foil the Ferengi while Voyager manages to avoid liquidation.

Favorite Quote:

Seven of Nine: I was Borg.

Reg the hologram: Exactly. You were Borg. But you escaped, and despite incredible odds, you managed to reclaim your humanity. No one’s ever done that before. You’re famous.

Seven of Nine: Fame is irrelevant.

Reg the hologram: Maybe. But you’ve given hope to everyone who’s ever lost somebody to the Borg. You’ve inspired millions.

Seven of Nine: If you think my participation in the hoopla would be beneficial to others, then I’ll comply.

Reg trying to convince Seven she’ll be celebrated on Earth upon Voyager‘s arrival.
Troi and Barclay on the beach
“I went to her apartment. She was gone. No furniture, no forwarding address. Not even a Dear Reg letter.”

“Do you have any idea how inappropriate it is to follow your therapist on vacation?”: This episode is delightful at every turn. Voyager is sad about missing mail last month and this month seems to be a bust until “Reg” comes through. While some remain optimistic, like Kim, Paris recounts their near misses from “Hope and Fear” and “Bliss” and doesn’t get too excited. We then pan to the AQ where Barclay is having another meltdown because something didn’t work, so he tracks down Troi who is the best counselor in existence because she quickly figures out that Barclay has been “had” by his “girlfriend”. I’ll admit I didn’t suspect the Ferengi at first and I absolutely love how Barclay cons them in the end. He and Troi really do make a great problem solving team, but it’s a shame he still panics after all the work he’s done in the past. This was just such a twisty-turny episode and I found that I really enjoyed it. It shows the big problem of trying to communicate over thousands of light-years and the trust each side must have. I also love how gullible Kim is and that Parris and Torres totally get him, he’s still so green in so many ways. I give this 8 movies covered by the folks over at MST3K!

TA Out!

Loki… He’s Adopted

Date: June 8, 2021

Music Video of the Day:

Loki is trouble with a capital T!

Interstellar News: As I continue the MCU movie marathon with the husband person and our dear friends in New York, one pointed out that both of these movies have Loki as the antagonist. While I absolutely hate the notion that adopted babies are troublemakers, the way Chris Hemsworth delivers that line in Avengers is absolute gold. Tonight we watched Iron Man 3, which I’ll write about sometime later.

Thor (2011)

Thor movie poster
“This drink, I like it. Another!” *smashes cup*

“I have no plans to die today.”: This movie is wonderful in so many ways. It begins with Thor being a spoiled brat and it ends with him understanding what it means to be a hero, very much like Tony Stark was at the beginning and then end of Iron Man. The bits on Asgard introduce us to all the players while the bits on Earth provide comedy and a chance to see how the other half lives. Darcy is completely wonderful and I’m so glad I got to see more of her, with her PhD, in WandaVision. There are times where you want to feel bad for Loki, but then he does something to fuck that up. Odin, as always, saves the day but Frigga pulls her weight and I truly wish there was more of her in this movie. I will say that Thor’s transformation into the self-sacrificing kind comes quite quickly, especially when you realize he’s been alive for a reaaaaaaally long time. The action scenes are exciting, everyone trying to remove the hammer like it’s Excalibur is so much fun, and seeing Hawkeye and Agent Coulson is always a good time. While there are many good and memorable scenes, Thor bringing Selvig home drunk is one of the best. “We drank, we fought, he made his ancestors proud.”

Avengers (2012)

Avengers movie poster
“Hulk… Smash!”

“Until such a time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”: As I love pretty much everything about this movie, I’m just going to share all of my favorite lines and maybe put in some thoughts or analysis here and there.

  • “Sir, please put down the spear.” Fury to Loki
  • “I’m in the middle of an interrogation and this moron is giving me everything.” Black Widow to Coulson
  • “Phil? Uh, his first name is Agent.” Stark to Potts
  • “Really? They wanted me in a submerged, pressurized metal container? Oh, no. This is much worse.” Banner about the Hellicarrier

The running gag of Coulson and his “near mint” Captain America cards are wonderfully set up and done throughout the movie.

  • “I’ll need a distraction. And an eyeball.” Barton (under the influence) to Loki
  • “There are always men like you.” a wise German man
  • “There’s only one God, ma’am. And I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that.” Cap to Natasha

The three-way battle between Thor, Iron Man, and Cap is wonderful for the dialogue and getting the “heroes fight amongst their selves” bit out of the way early.

  • “I understood that reference.” Cap to everyone about understanding the Wizard of Oz reference
  • “BILCHSNIPE? You know; huge, scaly, big antlers. You don’t have those?” Thor and Coulson discussing the flora and fauna of Midgard

When the Hellicarrier is attacked they all do their best to work together or mitigate the threats (like Hulk) and are separated. This makes it more powerful later when they all gather in New York and come together as a team… trusting each other, especially when Iron Man puts Cap “in charge”.

  • “So that’s what it does.” Coulson after shooting Loki
  • “Well then, son, you’ve got a condition.” Security guard to Banner after he transitions from being the Hulk
  • “That’s just a preview, this is opening night. Loki’s a full-tilt diva. He wants flowers, he wants parades, he wants a monument built in the skies with his name plastered… Son of a bitch!” Stark to Rogers, realizing where Loki is heading

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the scene where Loki tries to turn Stark against the rest of the Avengers, but he can’t because of Tony’s reactor. It brings us this fabulous line… “Well, performance issues. You know? Not uncommon.”

Then there’s the Chitauri vs. the Avengers and this fantastic scene:

“Puny God.”
  • “You and I remember Budapest very differently.” Hawkeye and Black Widow reminiscing
You can start at the beginning of the clip, but the end is my favorite.
  • “So, this all seems horrible.” Banner arriving late to the party
  • “I don’t see how that’s a party” Black Widow remarking at aliens being brought their way
  • “Captain, none of this is gonna mean a damn thing if we don’t close that portal.” Black Widow being the only smart person at the party
  • “I recognize the council has made a decision, but given that it’s a stupid ass decision, I’ve elected to ignore it.” Fury gets all the best lines
  • “What the hell? What just happened? Please tell me nobody kissed me.” Stark after waking up
  • “Superheroes? In New York? Give me a break!” Stan Lee’s cameo

I am also completely in love with the post-credits scene where they all go out for shawarma. Banner has a giant stack of plates and it’s that level of detail I just adore. 10/10 would watch again. It’s not perfect but it’s a good way to spend a Tuesday night.

TA Out!