Strange New Worlds: A Look at Ghosts of Illyria

[stryke]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNj6WLvINyo

Probably the weakest ep of the season so glad that's out the way.

[CmdrKing]

I’m inclined to agree. And honestly I’d still call it a 5 or 6 out of 10, it’s a real testament to how damn good SNW Season 1 is front to back.

But yeah the planet side plot with Pike and Spock doesn’t really work. It’s a workable concept but the answer is obvious from the start and there’s just not much tension or sense of discovery involved. It really feels like they didn’t know what to do with them on the ship that wouldn’t steal Una’s spotlight and so wrote them elsewhere.

[stryke]

I'd agree it's a 5 too as while it's just not that entertaining and is rather basic it's all done with at least a level of competence.

[Fianna]

I was expecting a revelation that, if you infect a bunch of genetic engineers with a disease that makes them crave light, then OF COURSE they'll alter their DNA till they've turned into creatures MADE of light.

[JL_Stinger]

"Are we tolerated only because we're useful?"

Some people certainly are.

[clearspira]

"Are we tolerated only because we're useful?"

Some people certainly are.

The truth is, its not ''some people'' at all. Its ''most people''. Most people are only tolerated because they have something to give the group. Money, skills, resources, whatever. The moment that goes, you are on the crapper. That is called real life. That is called ''we are a species that evolved from packs''. You are what you give, no more, no less.

To my mind there is literally only one group of people out there who are blessed with unconditional tolerance and that is parents for their children.

I don't like to use the word ''snowflake'' to describe people who need to learn this lesson (i'm not saying you do) but... I cannot think of a better word either. Too many people nowadays think that the world revolves around them in some special way when it really doesn't. This wasn't a statement that needed clarifying a hundred years ago.

[Sir Will]

"Are we tolerated only because we're useful?"

Some people certainly are.

The truth is, its not ''some people'' at all. Its ''most people''. Most people are only tolerated because they have something to give the group. Money, skills, resources, whatever. The moment that goes, you are on the crapper. That is called real life. That is called ''we are a species that evolved from packs''. You are what you give, no more, no less.

To my mind there is literally only one group of people out there who are blessed with unconditional tolerance and that is parents for their children.

I don't like to use the word ''snowflake'' to describe people who need to learn this lesson (i'm not saying you do) but... I cannot think of a better word either. Too many people nowadays think that the world revolves around them in some special way when it really doesn't. This wasn't a statement that needed clarifying a hundred years ago.

You can be so.... Not everyone has such a dim view of the world. And it would be a very different world if everyone thought like you. I mean if you boil everything down to the absolute minimum sure. But that gets rid of a lot of nuance and human empathy.

[Sir Will]

Yeah I agree with Chuck about this episode. Not bad but pretty meh. Probably my least favorite of the season. The ending seemed really weird and abrupt to me and it features some of that bad Trek science.

Having the ban apply even to species not actively doing it anymore is dumb. Like, fine, don't allow new modifications, but don't punish a species for what their ancestors did.

Also, La'an and Hemmer don't do anything half-assed huh? Beam up lava and try and blow up the ship in glorious light.

[CharlesPhipps]

The subtle Rebecca Romijn thirst from Chuck is something I was amused by.

[stellar_coyote]

"Are we tolerated only because we're useful" creates a very dangerous precedent to life and growth for individual people and society as a whole. For starters, it stifles things like self-expression and can severely impact someone's self-esteem or confidence if they feel they can only be accepted if they prove themselves useful to whatever "pack" they may belong to. A company, a school, a family or whatever.

There's been far too many examples of this kind of mentality in human history (especially American history) where the things that set people apart from the perceived "normal" are tolerated only by the accomplishments of the individual. The concept of the "Model Minority" comes to mind, where a man of color practically had to be a Sidney Poiter character, (handsome, intelligent, well-spoken and damn near perfect) in order to be accepted. But we as a people should not have to set ourselves to such lofty standards if we fall outside the norm. People should be entitled to some manner of respect, not because of how much they contribute to the group, but because of basic human empathy.

Or as one great sci-fi serious put it:
Fry: 'Cause it taught me so much. Like how you should accept people, whether they be black, white, Klingon or even female.