Happy Birthday Star Trek!
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@hfaust Star Trek really was the best of sci-fi. Sure, I don't mind a good science fiction series that uses science fiction more as a setting or some science fantasy, but nothing really connects with me like this brand of sci-fi does. It's just a genre full of hope and trying to make sense of a civilization in space. Trek, more than any other series, made sure to keep to that idea as much as possible. It's because of that level of genuine care for making this genre a proper genre rather than a backdrop that really lets me say I enjoy everything up to Enterprise (which I'm still a little shocked at how good it was, even the opening grew on me over time and I really did enjoy the ship's design). Even at the lowest points when everything is going horribly, everyone still tries to act professional as much as possible. Barely any times are spent making it feel like these people are dumb (though Season 1 of TNG definitely had some issues with that whenever writing Wesley, who I don't hate overall but Season 1 is as bad with him as it is with everything else). Even Enterprise, when their backs are to the walls and humanity is just not prepared for anything going on, still tries to make everyone be as professional as possible. It feels real, like these people are truly working to achieve their best.
I'll admit, I've been quite late to a lot of this stuff. But I think it says a lot that even when being late to the party, I'm invested. It's crazy how little some people understand the value of that, the care put in easily drives everyone back to this stuff.
I'll admit, I've been quite late to a lot of this stuff. But I think it says a lot that even when being late to the party, I'm invested. It's crazy how little some people understand the value of that, the care put in easily drives everyone back to this stuff.
@Iffine Wonderfully put, people call Star Trek "competency porn" but also has the ways to keep its integrity even while questioning those principles.
@hfaust Yep, it's great. TNG is very much competency porn, but competency porn is definitely not what makes the series so enjoyable. It is an enjoyable aspect, sure, but it's merely an aspect of a greater idealism and belief in the value of good people. 
Sisko completely fucked up several times upholding the ideals, but at no point does he use that as an excuse to fall into violent tendencies or to destroy everything that was being worked towards. He lets the mistakes haunt him and chooses to try to be better next time.
Also in all of this, I can't even really find a proper excuse to bring up my all time favorite episode of DS9, It's Only a Paper Moon. It's not some perfect episode, it's certainly not the best produced nor the greatest written of the series, but it feels so deeply real in every way. Nog experiencing trauma isn't overdone, he's not having a freakout and self-destructing or whatever bullshit you'd get in a poorly considered series. The entire thing is an analysis of escapism, both the good and bad of it. It feels so good, escapism is so rarely treated in such a respectful and understanding manner.
Sisko completely fucked up several times upholding the ideals, but at no point does he use that as an excuse to fall into violent tendencies or to destroy everything that was being worked towards. He lets the mistakes haunt him and chooses to try to be better next time. Also in all of this, I can't even really find a proper excuse to bring up my all time favorite episode of DS9, It's Only a Paper Moon. It's not some perfect episode, it's certainly not the best produced nor the greatest written of the series, but it feels so deeply real in every way. Nog experiencing trauma isn't overdone, he's not having a freakout and self-destructing or whatever bullshit you'd get in a poorly considered series. The entire thing is an analysis of escapism, both the good and bad of it. It feels so good, escapism is so rarely treated in such a respectful and understanding manner.
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@Iffine The holodeck episodes of DS9 are great and that's one of the best ones. It deals with the issues of the overarching plot (war) but it makes it personal and it touches topics that are still relevant today.