Boldly Going and sheet

main: @thedailyall

[the-silver-stone]

I can't be the only one who thinks the ending to "The Menagerie" was not a happy one. Great, Pike gets sent to the planet where they...imprison you and punish you for having freedom of thought??

[biblioflyer]

Star Trek, the Talosians, and Amusing Ourselves to Death

I put TOS on mostly for a lark, something I didn't have to think about too hard while I was eating dinner. I was not prepared for this line in "The Cage."

PIKE: So the Talosians who came underground found life limited here and they concentrated on developing their mental power. VINA: But they found it's a trap. Like a narcotic. Because when dreams become more important than reality, you give up travel, building, creating. You even forget how to repair the machines left behind by your ancestors. You just sit, living and reliving other lives left behind in the thought record.

Its a line that hits hard at a time when there seems to be a mass reckoning with the nature of stock markets and supply chains. As a certain Attorney General of the United States chose to remind us the other day, the Dow is over 50,000. But perhaps not since the 2008 meltdown have market indices felt so completely detached from reality.

I've seen some estimates that at the typical rate of construction, it would take ten years to catch up to where housing demand is in the United States. There's reporting that nearly 100% of all of the 2026 production run of GPUs, certain categories of solid state drive, and RAM have been spoken for to feed the hunger for more compute, especially for AI. NVIDIA is a load bearing element of the US economy.

And if we root for its collapse, we are in some sense rooting for economic chemo therapy because the average American is dependent on investment accounts for any kind of retirement fund and are thus exposed to the risks of an AI bubble.

The other take, Microsoft lost almost amount of money off the combined value of all its stock that was within a hundred billion or two of the entire US defense budget. I'm not versed enough in economics to tell you where this money went but I'm willing to go out on a limb and say if this money didn't go into housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure - goods and services that are most directly connected to human well being, then its probably money being wasted. And if that money CAN'T actually buy its face value in essentials for living, then that money was never really real in the first place.

Which of course it isn't, it is fiat currency after all. But a currency backed in gold or silver that can't be translated into the necessities of survival is no more real.

The tech jobs being cut from the pandemic era hiring fever and blamed on AI, streaming companies are struggling to make enough profit to satisfy investors, and people are using even more imaginary currencies than the dollar to bet on socially constructed events coming to pass or not - and frequently getting ripped off in the process by pedantic litigation of what words mean. Meanwhile Americans struggle to afford housing, healthcare, and education.

We are marking the beginning of the fifth year of the Russian - Ukrainian war. A war that many predicted wouldn't last 90 days because the Russian economy, theoretically the size of Italy, couldn't sustain this invasion when matched against the collective will of Europe and the United States.

It turns out the ability to cut steel and fill shells with explosives matter more in an enterprise such as war than owning trillions of dollars of intellectual property. As soon as it started to look like getting serious about this fight might cut into our precious stockpiles of long lead time doodads we want to fling at China, a lot of folk started looking at their shoelaces.

Now don't get me wrong, I fully support ol' Ike Eisenhower when he said that every starship upgunned, every photon torpedo detonated is in the final estimate, at least a theft from the future even if nobody in the present is deprived. So I'm not saying its cool and awesome to flex your industrial capacity by melting down your nation's booty and firing it at the hospitals, schools, and electrical infrastructure of your neighbor.

But wasted potential, is at least potential.

Is potential something still possessed by those of us who make mouth noises about human rights and mass democracy? Or is it all just abstractions and imagination that cannot be converted into substrate for actual activity in the real world? Into food, shelter, education, and proper care from conception to grave.

Star Trek said we could rise above confusing the symbol of the thing for the thing itself. That amusements would never be as satisfying as achieving something in base reality.

I sure hope its right.

[pancakespace]

[iskander-tm]

a simple feeling

[stardustcleaningguy]

holding the holy scripture in my own two hands ..

[worldcatlas]

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (part 2)

We’re back to the big screen to finish up Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and discover even more exciting shades of beige.

In part one, I skipped over a brief appearance by the Klingons because you can barely see them, but with a bit of photo editing, we can take a closer look.

Why are their bridges so dark? Do targs have sensitive eyes?

Interestingly, they wear a style of uniform we would later see in TNG and beyond – all grey leather and metal studs – rather than the “sparkly sweater vest” uniforms Klingons usually wore in the original series. Although it’s a significant and unexplained departure from their small-screen appearance, I have to say, it’s a lot easier to take these Klingons seriously.

Remember these guys? Star Trek wants you to forget.

I also skipped over a brief appearance by a lil’ guy in a space suit, but we’ll get back to this costume later.

You just float there for now.

Picking up where we left off, Kirk steps off a shuttle sporting a handsome new uniform in slimming charcoal grey and white. It maintains the gold rank braids on the cuffs from the original series uniforms, but adds a futuristic belt, military-style shoulder marks, and a solid metal Starfleet badge. A stiff, quilted collar adds a touch of “space suit,” as well. All in all, a very sleek space-age outfit that feels like a solid upgrade to the brightly-coloured sweaters of TOS.

I can’t wait to see how everyone else looks in this cool new uniform! 

We also get a momentary, blurry glimpse of some excellent-looking Vulcan robes in black and gold, but once again, this beautiful costume barely gets a moment of screentime before being whisked away.

He had to hurry off to fix his eyebrows, I get it.

So… as it turns out, only admirals get the cool new penguin uniform, and everyone else is stuck with space scrubs. They don’t even get a metal badge (not even hard-working Scotty!), just an embroidered patch with a silver Starfleet delta against a coloured circle indicating the wearer’s department.

At least he gets the cool belt.

Up on the bridge of the Enterprise, It’s a full-on Situation Beige. Crewmen buzz around the bridge in every imaginable shade of white, off-white, tan, taupe, and ecru, blending in nicely with the bulkheads.

Fashion crimes notwithstanding, I think there’s also an OSHA violation or two going on here…

Not even Uhura is immune to unflattering shades of khaki, although she does give us a quick glimpse at the Apple Watch-like wrist communicator worn throughout the film. It’s a great accessory that would unfortunately be rendered obsolete by the comm badge as the franchise moved on.

This woman deserves fashion, dammit!

Chekov, Sulu, and other crewmen model a few interesting variations on the theme, including a tight-fitting polo, a standard crew neck, and an awkwardly-tailored sport coat that can’t possibly be regulation.

You know, for uniforms, they’re not very… uniform.

While others, like Commander Decker, enjoy tight-fitting jumpsuits in the beige-est possible shade of blue. Somehow, I just don’t get a sense of authority from a man who looks like he’s been vacuum-sealed inside his footie pajamas.

Oh boy, you can see Commander Decker’s whole entire Commander Decker.

Next, we are treated to a great crowd shot that really shows off the scope of the costume department’s efforts, with dozens of varied uniforms packed into the scene. It makes me feel a little bad for going after the colour palette so hard, considering the difficulty of coordinating so many pieces.

Then again, it really is giving “thermal underwear in space.”

There are a few noteworthy variations in the crowd, including the guy with an uncovered electrical socket in the front row, but my favourite is probably this Native American officer with cool beaded accessories.

Chakotay could learn a thing or two.

The next character to make their big screen debut is the ship’s doctor, Leisure Suit Larry Dr. McCoy, in a fly as hell, disco-ready outfit, complete with gold chain, oversized belt buckle, and a frankly criminal amount of chest hair. And let’s not even talk about the beard. Thankfully, the good doctor soon cleans up and changes into uniform.

Still too much chest hair.

Next, we pay a visit to engineering to see Scotty, who has gotten a significant costume upgrade. Along with his fellow warp core enthusiasts, Mr. Scott sports a heavy-duty, protective-looking white suit with a strange socket (or antennae?) on the chest, surrounded by concentric circles of padded fabric that really make you wanna plug something in there. Oddly, the costumes also feature black rubber collars that presumably attach to their matching helmets, but do not appear at all sealed to the body of the suit.

They’re air-tight…ish.

Fortunately, the suits also include a handy, built-in to-do list.

Memory aids can be helpful for a… mature crew.

Last but not least, the old gang is finally back together as Spock joins the crew, feeling absolutely no emotion about how slick he looks in these long-sleeved Vulcan robes. I love the matching grey tones between the high-collared shirt underneath and the embroidered Vulcan script on the outer garment (though I’m sure this was a purely logical choice).

It says “zip up here.”

Sadly, Spock is quick to follow protocol and changes into a Starfleet uniform as well. However, he does keep the collared undershirt, creating an ensemble that – in a nice nod to TOS – closely resembles his old uniform.

Spock appreciates consistency.

Uhura has also gotten a costume change, and although they still won’t let her out of Beige Hell, she has at least gotten a smart two-piece pant suit that looks a little more comfortable. In addition to being more flattering, this uniform also includes the gold rank braids at the wrists.

Maybe the replicators in the 2270s only have one colour of ink.

Some plot happens, and the ship’s navigator, Ilia, gets hijacked by an alien entity. After briefly experimenting with no costume, she manifests this wild sci-fi bath robe with a huge Dracula collar. The asymmetrical hemline is super cute, but the belt at the waist could be a bit higher and more fitted. I do like how the pink lining inside the collar complements the robo-transmitter implanted in her collarbone.

The bad news: an alien has taken over your body. The good news: they put on a cute fit~

The back of the collar is a nice touch as well, tapering into a heart shape that flatters the actress’ perfectly-shaped head.

So smooth.

On the other hand, I cannot agree with V’ger’s choice of psychically-manifested footwear for this outfit. Clear plastic high heels might look futuristic, but they’re completely impractical for walking through a ship with perforated deck plating, running through sandy-floored caves, or standing near a warp core without melting.

At the other end of practicality, we are introduced to some members of the ship’s security team, who are inexplicably dressed like old-timey football players. They sport shiny helmets, phaser holsters, and crotch-protecting armour in a lovely chocolate brown. While it does break up the beige, it feels a bit silly to see combat guys ready to rumble on a Starfleet vessel.

I think they saw what the Klingons were wearing and got jealous.

Deciding to accessorize, V’ger tries on a headband belonging to her host. It’s a lovely beaded and sequined piece, with a gold charm dangling at one side, and very nearly reminds the navigator who she used to be.

Does this accessory clash with my parasitic control of another sentient being?

Things are getting intense story-wise, and Spock suits up in a shiny red “thruster suit” to take care of business – that is, an EV suit painted safety orange and strapped onto a rocket that looks like it was built with spare kitchen utensils. The whole ensemble is incredibly bulky, but believably looks like a rocket-belt-type contraption that might’ve existed in the 1970s.

Do what you have to do, Spock, but I’ll need my colander back before dinner.

We’re treated to a close-up on the suit’s gloves as Spock pilots the contraption, revealing plenty of details, including more structural quilting. I like the raised details along each finger on the gloves, implying some kind of built-in system, perhaps heating or robotic assistance. The frame of the thruster suit (painted beige) contains a control panel, with buttons on every surface. This segment detaches from the suit itself, so there are also buttons built into the left sleeve.

One for lemonade, one for ice, and one for diet Romulan ale.

We also get a good look at the back of the suit without the rocket attachment when Spock mind melds with V’ger, revealing more quilted details, including some hilarious concentric squares on the butt. From this angle, the suit is mostly the work of the prop department, who have done an excellent job making the hardware look both hi-tech and capable of playing Betamax tapes.

I think my Grandma had one of those on top the TV.

Kirk comes thrusting to the rescue in his own suit, and soon Spock is whisked away to Sick Bay for another costume change. I think this is meant to be a futuristic hospital gown, but it really looks like they’ve just wrapped the sheets around his legs and pinned them in place with binder clips.

In case the doctors need quick access to his thighs.

On the other hand, the sleeveless top is a whole look, and I love the hood with contrasting orange lining.

Not gonna lie, I’d wear it.

As a bonus, Doctors McCoy and Chapel have evolved into their final form: an all-white medical uniform with an oddly rounded collar, shoulder marks, and – notably – a rod of Asclepius embroidered on the left breast, in lieu of a Starfleet delta.

Missing a couple buttons there, Doc?

In the climactic finale, our brave crew suits up for one last away mission in suede jackets, taking advantage of the material’s natural beige hue. Unusual for Trek, they appear to have several large, prominent pockets – but any unease is quickly dispelled by the reassuring presence of decorative quilting along the arms. Speaking of which, the left arm of each jacket bears a reflective stripe that, curiously, does not seem to indicate rank or department, as Spock alone has a red armband.

Fascinating.

With little to differentiate their outfits, Decker decides to accessorize with dramatic lighting and sparkles. Lots of sparkles. Met-Gala-rolled-in-a-Michaels level of sparkles, a.k.a. the correct amount for any outfit. And with that, the Earth is saved.

What was the point of the film again?

[discoonthegrass]

So a while back I made a list of insanely Spirk-y moments in The Search for Spock and The Final Frontier, but I can’t believe I missed arguably the most Spirky of all: The Motion Picture. That’s right, the strangely-long, odd-uniformed first installment of the TOS movies is a romance in disguise:

Spock spends years trying to purge all emotions, only to completely abandon his quest once he hears V’ger’s consciousness call out to him from across the galaxy, knowing the Enterprise crew will need him

He basically tried to give up his emotions because he was overwhelmed by them—especially those relating to Kirk—only to seek his answers with Kirk

Kirk recommending a Vulcan science officer because he reminds him of Spock, and when that guy dies, wanting another Vulcan officer despite there being none

“Why it’s Mr, Mr” “-Spock!” *Kirk gives heart eyes like he’s just seen salvation*

Really just the entire sequence where Kirk gazes at Spock with complete adoration, as Spock completely ignores his attempts of friendship (he’s slaying in that outfit tho)

Kirk admits that he, personally, needs Spock, meanwhile Spock shows utterly no reaction, causing Kirk to feel very hurt/lost

Bones (and later Decker) question Spock’s loyalty, but Kirk steadfastly believes that Spock could never betray the ship for his own gain even though he really doesn’t know that anymore

Jim risking himself to go into space and catch Spock from unconsciousness, when as the captain he probably should’ve sent someone else

Spock seeing the answers to his questions (all the knowledge and logic in the galaxy) and realizing that there is no beauty in it without emotion

Jim leaning over Spock’s unconscious body, caressing his shoulders & arms even as Bones tries to stop him, and concernedly asking Spock what he should’ve known

Spock smiling, telling Jim (and he uses Jim, not Captain) that he should’ve known “this simple feeling is beyond V’ger’s comprehension”

He grabs Jim’s hand and stares up at him with such love in this moment, and Jim caresses his other hand as he gazes down at him with mutual adoration

Spock says there is “no meaning, Jim. No answers.” without emotions/love/this simple feeling

Spock admits that “logic and knowledge are not enough” as he weeps for V’ger, knowing that before emotions he was incomplete

He has found the solution to his lifelong grapple between his logic and emotions which is to find a balance

He admits that V’ger is a child searching for answers who doesn’t know what it needs, staring directly at Jim when he says it (since Jim is who he needs) - he’s crying because he realizes how horrific being lonely is

When V’ger is evolving, Spock brushes Kirk’s arm to get him to follow him - instead of actually talking he basically is just doing anything to have more physical touch

Scotty suggests they can go back to Vulcan, but Spock directly looks at Kirk and declares that he’s perfectly fine here on the Enterprise

Anyway I firmly believe that immediately after this movie they had Scotty (the highest ranking crew member NOT involved in the actual coupling) marry them during the Enterprise’s shakedown cruise. Bones of course was the best man. I bet he cried but then denied it after lmao

[frogayyyy]

to love, is to turn back and look

star trek: the motion picture novelisation - gene roddenberry // orpheus and eurydice - frederic leighton (1864) // first love / late spring - mitski // star trek: the motion picture // talk - hozier // orpheus mourning the death of eurydice - ary scheffer (1814) // metamorphoses - ovid (translated by sir samuel garth)

[brighhton]

the needs of the one

[wwillywonka]

WATCHED THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY AGAIN. I'M STILL SO FUCKING INSANE ABOUT SPOCK LETTING HIMSELF BE MANIPULATED INTO ALMOST GETTING JIM AND MCCOY KILLED. AND THE WAY HE STILL BLAMES HIMSELF FOR IT IN UNIFICATION IS SOOOO! AAAAAHHH!!

[wwillywonka]

tng unification is really just "let's remind spock of the time he was manipulated by his favorite student into almost getting his best friends killed. and let's have his trusted friend of 80 years betray him in the same way so it'll be spock's fault that picard and data almost die, too. let's make spock say he has no regrets when clearly he blames himself for so many of the continuing consequences of political unrest between the federation and their enemies and show him isolating himself from his personal relationships. oh that implicit trust and love for his fellow person that he learned from jim? let's show how easily it is for others to control."

[cosmicyeehaws]

spock and the very best star trek creature: weird little space dog

[stra-tek]

Reminder to all: There is still a giant Spock clone roaming the galaxy. (TAS: “The Infinite Vulcan”)

[jpbradley]

*Leans in close to the President’s ear*

[codenameregnar]

[purple-iris]

Made me cry laugh at work-

[pien-art]

having many many thoughts about major Kira / Bajorans having a tail :)

[robotspock]

the number one rule for watching star trek the original series is that you CANNOT under any circumstances go into an episode expecting it to be Good. if it ends up being one of the Good ones, this is purely coincidence and you should not expect it to happen again. the main takeaway from any tos episode should be that it could've stood to lose maybe 20 minutes of runtime, and that's part of the charm. you HAVE to understand this to make the most of it.