I now blog over at The Eyre Guide! This blog is an archive of my past posts.


Thursday, December 26, 2013

Star Trek - some thoughts from a newbie fan

Posted by Charlene // Tags: , ,
Well, it's happened.  Somewhere between watching the recent film versions (thanks Paola!) and deciding to catch a random episode of the original series that's airing on the public TV station, I've decided I really like Star Trek!  And I never imagined I would get into the show.  It's early days yet - I haven't even finished the first season on Netflix (I just recently switched to streaming for Netflix btw - good times) but each episode is so addicting!  And curse you Netflix for adding a plot synopsis to the next episode which forces me to click play!  (Curses in a good way?)

I know there are a lot of Trekkies out there who can really do justice to what this show is all about, so for now, I wanted to talk about why I'm starting to like the show so much.  And if anyone is on the fence about watching it, maybe this post will help!

The first thing I wasn't expecting from this show was how polished it is for the time it was made.  Some of the special effects aren't great, but on the other hand there are some special effects that really look good!  And the show doesn't feel as cheesy as I thought it might be - in fact the characters really pull off the story lines and make me believe in this world.  From the first few episodes, the crew of the Enterprise already have such great rapport, and I'm riveted by the times when we get to see how the crew lives - like their rec room and their private rooms.  Because it seems like it would be a lot of fun to live on the Enterprise.  Except, of course, when the ship is heading into mortal danger every other episode.

I also find it interesting how internal these first few episodes of the series are - there are a lot of dangers that affect the mind and while it is a little redundant, I still find things trying to take over your mind fascinating.  It also makes for some great suspense when people they think they can trust are definitely not trustworthy.  The stories are really solid as well as the acting and special effects and I am really impressed by how thought-provoking and emotionally involving this show can be.  There's a part of me that compares this show to Classic Doctor Who and while I'm watching Star Trek, sometimes I think of what the Doctor would do in a similar situation.  For instance there was an episode (the first one that aired - "The Man Trap") where the creature is the very last of it's kind.  That creature didn't fare so well in Star Trek, and I feel like the Doctor would have had more sympathy with it and would have given it more of a chance to change it's path.  Obviously the basic philosophy is different in the Star Trek world, but it does make sense given these are humans, and humans have their weaknesses.  I don't know if I'll be a rabid fan of Star Trek like I am with Doctor Who, but I definitely plan to watch more and give it a shot!

Share this post: Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email This Pin This Share on Google Plus Share on Tumblr
Scroll Up

15 comments:

  1. How fun that you're watching this as a newbie as well! My coworker and I 'exchanged' shows to watch. I'm trying Star Trek for her and she's trying Doctor Who for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh so cool! I'm glad you are getting into this as well! How is your coworker doing with Doctor Who? Loving it I hope. :D

      Delete
  2. I love both of the new movies and I WANT to get into the older series, but just haven't yet. I'm hoping to make that my next Netflix show once I get back home from holiday visiting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm hoping to watch many episodes while I'm on my holiday break! It is great that the new films are getting people to watch the old series!

      Delete
  3. Eeeeeee, so glad you're getting into Star Trek! I'm excited you're enjoying it! Some of those original series episodes are kinda lame (OK, there are lame ones in all the series) but there are definitely several great, solid, though-provoking episodes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, I remember now that you are a fan! I'll probably tweet you with more comments and questions about the series! :) I do really like the thought-provoking eps!

      Delete
  4. I come from a family of geeks so I grew up on Star Trek, Dr.Who and Red Dwarf..my favorites is the next generation episodes but I have a soft spot for old school Star Trek..Aidan is more of a Deep Space Nine fan! Cool that you are getting in Trek!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never seen Red Dwarf! That should be my next show. After I finish all the Star Trek - I want to watch them in order!

      Delete
    2. They are fun..more humor based but there are some great episodes!

      Delete
  5. I am sorta a new Star Trek fan as well. I watched the 2 new movies and loved them. I haven't really tried watching the series though. I just think that might be too much for me. I have seen some of the older Star Trek movie and didn't really like them. So ... but if you haven't seen Battlestar Galactica then you need to watch that series (the newer one).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh cool! There are a lot of episodes in the TV show, but I'll get through them eventually! :) I have had someone recommend Battlestar to me before - I will check that out someday!

      Delete
  6. Hehe! I've only watched part of the first episode of Voyager so far (why are first episodes often 90 minutes??), but I've enjoyed it so far. I agree that it definitely looks a lot more up together than I thought it would (although admittedly Voyager is a more recent series).

    I think I'll have to watch the first ever episode and see if I share your views =D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, I won't get to Voyager for awhile!! But I am looking forward to seeing what each series brings to the Star Trek world. I am afraid I will be a bigger fan of the the Original series though because it is the first one I saw! I hope you enjoy the first ep!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. LOL, thanks for introducing me to all the things that are taking over my life! :D

      Delete