Contrary to popular belief, I know little about STNG in comparison to the original series. Though I only viewed this one episode from STNG, I still feel like I can compare it to the first series. First off, the crew is very similar. Data is the replacement for Spock is the aspect that he brings the thought of pure logic. This is evident is his poker playing ability when he logically concludes that he would lose based on the opponents betting, and is puzzled with the opponent ends up bluffing. While Data is entertaining and innocent, he is no Spock. In this series, they changed up the role of captain a bit. Captain Picard is a much more wise and conservative captain than Kirk was. Kirk seemed to be more risking and ballsy than Picard, which makes him to be more entertaining. Also, the emergence of a woman with high power makes STNG more progressive than the original series. I definitely like the crew from the original series better because it is tough to beat Spock, Kirk, and Dr. Bones, but this crew is interesting in a different sense. My favorite crewmember is definitely the Worf, who I wished had a bigger cameo in this episode.
As for how the episode itself differs from the earlier ones we’ve watched, I would say that this episode was a lot more focused on issues within the ship, rather than the surrounding world. In the original series, the concept was find some unknown planet or ship, explore it, get caught in a problem, and work through it so nobody gets hurt. This episode centered around the argument whether Data had rights as a person should, since he was an Android, or if he was just another piece of machinery. I could see where the writers were going with this one, exploring the possibility in the future, when technology has advanced enough to create artificial life, whether or not they are classified as humans in the sense of their rights. I thought it was an interesting concept and I enjoyed the trial they had, but I prefer Kirk and Spock fighting their way out of unknown planets any day.
I like your comparisons between the shows because I think that it also speaks of the cultural comparisons between the times. It's interesting that we see no female superior roles in the original series, but later when the next generation was put out we do. This corresponds with the times, and the rising role of wome in society.
ReplyDeleteWhat is very interesting to note is the progression of captain throughout Star Trek. In the original series, Kirk was captain who was a white male. In the next generation, the captain was also a white male, but a woman had the role as chief medical officer. In deep space 9, the captain becomes a black male and in voyager, the captain is a white female.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice way to look at the progression of the female image throughout society. Funny how history seems to repeat itself in the future though...
ReplyDeleteI prefer Spock and Kirk also, mainly because you cant have to much action in the show when everyone is confined mainly in a ship rather than exploring the universe.
ReplyDeleteI think the scene of him not understanding poker shows that he does not understand human emotion. But he does feel human emotion, he can love.
ReplyDeleteThis episode compared to the old ones clearly does show the progress of women in society. I never really thought of this until I read all of these blogs and it does make sense.
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