Star Trek Discovery: The Trouble With Edward

[Archanubis]

I remember Linkara talking about this episode a few weeks ago during a livestream. Now I'm wondering what his thoughts will be if someone brings up the review.

And just for my own curiosity, how does "The Trouble With Edward" compare to another "comedy" episode Chuck's reviewed, "The Low Road" from Beast Wars?

[FlynnTaggart]

Like in Chuck's recent Black Mirror reviews of the "take that" at Star Trek's toxic fanbase, the protagonist is not a nice person but that definitely doesn't excuse how others are treating him. Borcher (Bob/Archer, people who know the actor will understand) isn't even that bad of a guy. Not a nice guy but in all honesty I cannot blame him in that situation, he's Reg Barclay surrounded by d-bags and no understanding people, a Reg Barclay who has his talents squandered and gets chewed out for having the nerve to complain about it. Not a nice guy it seems like but certainly not mind raping people, not worthy of that level of hatred by his captain.

Captain Alita seems like an incompetent idiot. Doesn't use her crew's talent to its fullest because of some strange personal problem, shows favoritism and ostracizes a member of her crew, doesn't recognize when problems arise from the supposed problem member of her crew, is so lacking in respect to that crewmember they don't follow her orders, and gets a crew member killed and her ship lost. Her excuse was "he's an idiot" falls short and seems petty, throws the dead guy under the bus as a last middle finger. She is jock idiot Riker for Reg but without any redeeming qualities.

I think Chuck was too easy on Captain Alita, it was her fault what happened because she created the situation to allow Borcher to destroy the ship, was so petty and self centered she I think allowed through inaction and negative actions him to get to where he was, helped push him there. Thats not defending Borcher's actions but he should have never been allowed to get to that level of destruction. She is like a parent who verbally abuses their kid and treats them like garbage but then wonders why little Jimmy has turned into a little monster setting things on fire and erasing the Tivo.

Also disappointed there was not one Archer joke (unless I missed it) at Edward. He plays a guy named Archer with the codename Duchess, must have been too low fruit.

[clearspira]

I mean, on the one hand it is a fascinating idea to use Tribbles as food, but on the other, I do not understand how it is possible for any planet to starve in the 23rd century. We don't yet have replicators yet (I assume, I don't watch STD) but ENT had protein resequencers where they could make food out of base matter. This seems like a problem that should not exist.

[StarSword]

I wrote my take on this episode on Quora shortly after it came out. The Cliff's Notes version is that they accidentally made Larkin right: Captain Lucero really wasn't ready for command, as evidenced by the fact that she didn't have the guts to confine Larkin to quarters pending mast proceedings for gross insubordination before he disobeyed orders and modified the tribble anyway. Thus directly causing the peacetime loss of a Starfleet vessel and a massive diplomatic row with the Klingons that could have started the war all over again.

https://www.quora.com/Which-Star-Trek-villain-actually-had-a-point/answer/Aaron-Davis-382

[Fianna]

A lot probably depends on how remote the planet is and what sort of society they've set up. Replicators and protein sequencers presumably require a power source and other bits of equipment needed for upkeep and repair, resources that a small colony on a barely settled planet might not be able to supply. And if they only get a visit from Starfleet once every couple years or so, then there's a strong incentive to maintain a self-sufficient source of food, as aid from outside cannot be consistently relied upon.

[Nealithi]

I mean, on the one hand it is a fascinating idea to use Tribbles as food, but on the other, I do not understand how it is possible for any planet to starve in the 23rd century. We don't yet have replicators yet (I assume, I don't watch STD) but ENT had protein resequencers where they could make food out of base matter. This seems like a problem that should not exist.

Initially I saw this as the hole in his theory. But tribbles can eat a wide variety of plant matter. There may have been the equivalent of local weeds the tribbles could eat but were worthless as food to the inhabitants. The tribbles being an invasive species reminds me of the actual issue with rabbits in Australia. To have a good food source Australia imported some very healthy rabbits. A place with lots for the rabbits to eat and no local predators interested in them.

Which also gives me a reason to eye roll at the episode. Tribbles like most life need nutrients to grow and make new tribbles. On a starship this should limit them to what is stored on board. Unless this ship was packed with food behind every panel they should never have reached the point of filling all the corridors. Unless it was another Hollywood. "They don't need to consume anything." moment like the Jem'hadar and the Founders.

[Mabus]

This Short Trek is just awful. Not only in the "terrible stuff happen to terrible people" way, but also because it unintentionally act as a justification to the TOS sexist comments about being no female captains in Starfleet: "See, all they do on a ship is chitchatting with other female personnel, being unreasonable, are more interested in cutsy things at their job, can't handle difficult members of the crew other than getting rid of them, they only make bad decisions and they nearly cause wars/environment catastrophes". You know, the typical stuff said as to why women aren't suited for leadership. So not only do the makers of the Short Trek make a mockery of Starfleet officers, they also unintentionally throw in some sexism.

I keep thinking of that scene where Captain Alita and a few members of the crew go around shooting the never ending spawning tribbles with phaser guns, since it's a perfect metaphor for the episode: "It's funny because they all act like idiots!".

[JL_Stinger]

This episode sounds like a bad Star Trek fanfic.

[MyUserName]

Right off the bat, I'm apolitical, don't give a damn about any western political ideology, so feel free to call me a misogynist for what I'm about to say about that misandrist idiot.

She was incompetent to the extreme. And in actual Star Trek, Pike's competency would also be called into question since it appears he advocated her for the captaincy. You can easily see how this falls short of actual star trek and why DIS and TNG are compared with DIS being inferior. Hollow pursuits showed a socially awkward Reginald Barcley, frustrated by both his own social ineptitude and his crewmans clear contempt for him and just as contemptible towards them. But thanks to Picards principles and Geordi's willingness to see those principles through, and Reg's own willlingness to come out of his shell, he was able to save the ship and return to become a regular contributing crewman.

This whole episode is the inverse of that, and its not funny or entertaining. Edward is not likeable or endearing by any stretch, but its easy to see him as a victim in all this. Both because of his captains clear and undeserved contempt for him, and a victim of his own social ineptitude. And before a review board she has no responsibility or onus, just dismisses the loss of life that occurred under her own Captaincy with "He was an Idiot" Yeah, that sure embodies starfleets ideals of a better and more englightened society.

I quit DIS after Season 1 but I swear if she returns and is still in Starfleet, it will be a clear abandonment of credulity or onus this show may reach for.

[Archanubis]

Initially I saw this as the hole in his theory. But tribbles can eat a wide variety of plant matter. There may have been the equivalent of local weeds the tribbles could eat but were worthless as food to the inhabitants. The tribbles being an invasive species reminds me of the actual issue with rabbits in Australia. To have a good food source Australia imported some very healthy rabbits. A place with lots for the rabbits to eat and no local predators interested in them.

I believe that was David Gerrold's intention when he wrote "The Trouble with Tribbles;" that it was an allegory for the rabbits in Australia.