[star trek: TNG] everyone in the future is an asshole
So I've been watching seasons one and two of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and- man, Picard's kind of a dick sometimes.
I mean- consider:
*Data's evil android brother shows up*
Picard: With another android on board, we can't assume Data's first loyalty is to the Enterprise!
Data: *is unfailingly loyal to the Enterprise*
Picard: *does not apologize*
*Two Klingons show up*
Picard: With other Klingons on board, we can't assume Lt. Worf's first loyalty is to the Enterprise!
Worf: *is unfailingly loyal to the Enterprise*
Picard: *does not apologize*
Captain Kirk would not approve of these shenanigans, Picard.
(on the other hand,
Q: I'm going to offer Riker supernatural powers!
Picard: Riker will never accept your offer! I have complete confidence in his integrity!
Riker: *accepts Q's offer*
Picard: *gives Riker a very stern talking-to.)
But the whole series is a little odd thus far. I mean, it's been awhile since I've seen the original series, or maybe I'm expecting more sophistication because it was produced later, but man. Every time someone uses the holodeck, they're all "Wow! A holodeck! Isn't this amazing?" as though it were the first time they'd ever seen one. And when they look through Geordi's visor to provide a visual on a ship he's exploring, Picard spends half the time expressing shock at how weird Geordi's vision is. It was a little embarrassing, frankly. Do they not give sensitivity training in the future? I'm just seeing Picard in an important diplomatic meeting with the Klingons for the first time and insulting their foreheads.
It's not just Picard, though. I'm watching the "Deanna has a mysterious pregnancy!" episode and- no one seems to be reacting like a human being. Deanna doesn't seem to be at all concerned about the fact that she's pregnant by an unknown entity. I mean, hell, plenty of women would be freaked out by a perfectly *ordinary* unexpected pregnancy, let alone an alien immaculate conception.
Picard's response is to call a meeting with the bridge crew, which, what? Everyone except Troy talks about whether or not they should abort the fetus, but when Troy says she's going to have it, Picard's just "Well, that settles that, then!" and dismisses them, making the whole meeting rather pointless. Dr. Pulaski treats it like an entirely normal pregnancy, surprised only by the fact that Deanna had a really easy birth, and not so much the fact that the entire pregnancy took place in thirty-six hours. Riker seems to be mildly jealous, then supportive. And then Deanna seems shocked, shocked! That Ian dies quickly. I mean, come on, the kid's aging rilly rilly fast, what did you *expect*?
I mean- consider:
*Data's evil android brother shows up*
Picard: With another android on board, we can't assume Data's first loyalty is to the Enterprise!
Data: *is unfailingly loyal to the Enterprise*
Picard: *does not apologize*
*Two Klingons show up*
Picard: With other Klingons on board, we can't assume Lt. Worf's first loyalty is to the Enterprise!
Worf: *is unfailingly loyal to the Enterprise*
Picard: *does not apologize*
Captain Kirk would not approve of these shenanigans, Picard.
(on the other hand,
Q: I'm going to offer Riker supernatural powers!
Picard: Riker will never accept your offer! I have complete confidence in his integrity!
Riker: *accepts Q's offer*
Picard: *gives Riker a very stern talking-to.)
But the whole series is a little odd thus far. I mean, it's been awhile since I've seen the original series, or maybe I'm expecting more sophistication because it was produced later, but man. Every time someone uses the holodeck, they're all "Wow! A holodeck! Isn't this amazing?" as though it were the first time they'd ever seen one. And when they look through Geordi's visor to provide a visual on a ship he's exploring, Picard spends half the time expressing shock at how weird Geordi's vision is. It was a little embarrassing, frankly. Do they not give sensitivity training in the future? I'm just seeing Picard in an important diplomatic meeting with the Klingons for the first time and insulting their foreheads.
It's not just Picard, though. I'm watching the "Deanna has a mysterious pregnancy!" episode and- no one seems to be reacting like a human being. Deanna doesn't seem to be at all concerned about the fact that she's pregnant by an unknown entity. I mean, hell, plenty of women would be freaked out by a perfectly *ordinary* unexpected pregnancy, let alone an alien immaculate conception.
Picard's response is to call a meeting with the bridge crew, which, what? Everyone except Troy talks about whether or not they should abort the fetus, but when Troy says she's going to have it, Picard's just "Well, that settles that, then!" and dismisses them, making the whole meeting rather pointless. Dr. Pulaski treats it like an entirely normal pregnancy, surprised only by the fact that Deanna had a really easy birth, and not so much the fact that the entire pregnancy took place in thirty-six hours. Riker seems to be mildly jealous, then supportive. And then Deanna seems shocked, shocked! That Ian dies quickly. I mean, come on, the kid's aging rilly rilly fast, what did you *expect*?