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lizbeeI am continuing to have Emotions about the Star Trek: Picard trailer.
Okay, so first of all, I WASN'T EXPECTING BORG AND I AM DELIGHTED. Jonathan Del Arco is back as Hugh? I hope we're not going to be asked to pretend "Descent" is canon.
Now, I've been known to eyeroll, especially on Antimatter Pod, about the fact that TNG gave Picard so much time to process his assimilation, when everyone else's trauma gets swept under the rug. But that's because I wanted everyone to get that consideration, not because I didn't want to see Picard dealing with it.
And there's one aspect that TNG never dealt with: Picard has had a ridiculous amount of other identities in his head. Sarek. Locutus (and the entire Borg Collective). Kamen. I remember seeing a Tumblr post speculating on how often he wakes up not knowing if he's a Vulcan ambassador or a humble ironweaver from a dying world. It seems like ST:JLP is going to get into that sort of issue, and I am HERE FOR IT.
Anyway. I wasn't expecting Borg, and I DEFINITELY wasn't expecting Seven of Nine! That was the first thing I saw when I woke up yesterday, and I'm STILL on cloud 9!
(I keep seeing people going, "Finally Seven of Nine will get some character development!" and I can only assume they have never actually watched Voyager, that's like saying, "Finally Spock will address his dual Vulcan-human heritage!".)
On the other hand, while I definitely wasn't expecting Seven, it did cross my mind when this series was announced last year that, unlike a lot of others from '90s Trek, Jeri Ryan is still acting, and doesn't look dramatically different from how she did back in the day, and given Seven's prominence, it wasn't wholly out of the question that … but that was just me making stuff up! Essentially writing fic! Seven's return seemed possible, but unlikely.
Whereas, Brent Spiner? Holy crap, you guys, he was the last person I ever expected to return! He's always said he didn't want to be playing Old Man Data! Three cheers for CGI and uncanny valley de-aging, right?
(The youthening effect is creepy, but in a way that suits Data.)
A list of other actors and whether or not I expect to see them:
And the truth is, I've never wanted ST:JLP to be a parade of nostalgic cameos. Look at the cast we've got! Look how diverse it is! Look at all these women! Peyton List is a Romulan! Sign me up!
I want to get to know these characters (and then fall in love with the oldest female character who's not a regular). So I feel like a bit of a hypocrite, because I've been so hyped up on SEVEN OF NINE IS BACK AND WEARING KNITWEAR that I don't yet have room to be excited about the new people.
But that will come. In the meantime, I'm going to sit and enjoy my feelings, ie, SEVEN OF NINE HAS BEEN LIVING HER BEST LIFE AS A BEACHCOMBER IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, CARVING SCULTPURES FROM DRIFTWOOD AND NOT ANSWERING THE DOCTOR'S CALLS. Who do we think made her that sweater? Tuvok? (Definitely Tuvok.)
I have a handful of reservations about the series -- mostly that Michael Chabon is the showrunner, even though the idea for the series came from Kirsten Beyer, and she's the one with television experience. Judging by his Short Trek last year, Chabon is the sort of literary author who thinks his tired old SF clichés are really new and exciting. "Calypso" gave us the Sexy Romantic Lady AI, and it looks like he's introducing Trek to the Endangered Space Waif in ST:JLP.
On the other hand, I'm into the occasional Endangered Space Waif, and I look forward to defending Dahj from accusations of Mary Suedom when the time comes. What's fandom for, if not embracing and complicating female characters who are not well-served by writers?
Anyway, Chabon aside, I'm pretty keen on this. Beyer and I seem to have extremely similar taste in Trek characters, judging by her Voyager novels -- her presence as a senior member of the writing team is another reason I'm slightly, secretly expecting to see Janeway turn up.
You know where I actually do expect to see Janeway, though? The animated comedy series, Lower Decks. Because the panel for that show was weirdly specific about it being set after Voyager's return, and Kate's not averse to a bit of voice work now and then.
I'm … keen for that series, but not as enthusiastic as for the live action stuff. I just don't love the visual style of most American animated comedies. I'll probably watch it and enjoy it -- I like the characters and concepts -- but I'm not FLAILING. (This is subject to change as more promo material comes out. It's early days.) And I'm wary about the fact that the writing team includes a bunch of men (two named Ben, two named Dave, and then MORE MEN) and one woman.
The animated Trek I'm really keen for is the untitled Nickeolodeon series for younger viewers, about teens hijacking a derelict starship. That's an idea with tremendous potential, and I really hope it comes together and is … you know. Good.
ANYWAY, SEVEN OF NINE IS BACK. WHAT A TIME TO BE A TREKKIE.
Okay, so first of all, I WASN'T EXPECTING BORG AND I AM DELIGHTED. Jonathan Del Arco is back as Hugh? I hope we're not going to be asked to pretend "Descent" is canon.
Now, I've been known to eyeroll, especially on Antimatter Pod, about the fact that TNG gave Picard so much time to process his assimilation, when everyone else's trauma gets swept under the rug. But that's because I wanted everyone to get that consideration, not because I didn't want to see Picard dealing with it.
And there's one aspect that TNG never dealt with: Picard has had a ridiculous amount of other identities in his head. Sarek. Locutus (and the entire Borg Collective). Kamen. I remember seeing a Tumblr post speculating on how often he wakes up not knowing if he's a Vulcan ambassador or a humble ironweaver from a dying world. It seems like ST:JLP is going to get into that sort of issue, and I am HERE FOR IT.
Anyway. I wasn't expecting Borg, and I DEFINITELY wasn't expecting Seven of Nine! That was the first thing I saw when I woke up yesterday, and I'm STILL on cloud 9!
(I keep seeing people going, "Finally Seven of Nine will get some character development!" and I can only assume they have never actually watched Voyager, that's like saying, "Finally Spock will address his dual Vulcan-human heritage!".)
On the other hand, while I definitely wasn't expecting Seven, it did cross my mind when this series was announced last year that, unlike a lot of others from '90s Trek, Jeri Ryan is still acting, and doesn't look dramatically different from how she did back in the day, and given Seven's prominence, it wasn't wholly out of the question that … but that was just me making stuff up! Essentially writing fic! Seven's return seemed possible, but unlikely.
Whereas, Brent Spiner? Holy crap, you guys, he was the last person I ever expected to return! He's always said he didn't want to be playing Old Man Data! Three cheers for CGI and uncanny valley de-aging, right?
(The youthening effect is creepy, but in a way that suits Data.)
A list of other actors and whether or not I expect to see them:
- Jonathan Frakes: is appearing, confirmed
- Marina Sirtis: likewise
- Gates McFadden: not confirmed, but here's the thing -- at this point, I would be shocked if she didn't turn up, but I expect they'll try to keep her appearance, and the nature of Beverly's relationship with Picard at this point, under wraps for as long as possible
- LeVar Burton: Your guess is as good as mine. He's still acting and he's still gorgeous, but he's also busy with his own stuff, and Geordi, I'm sorry to say, may not be necessary to the plot here
- Michael Dorn: super unlikely, I reckon. He played Worf for a really long time, permanently damaging his voice in the process, and the Klingon make-up is even more elaborate now than in the Berman era. He was allegedly invited to do a cameo on Discovery, but turned it down because the money wasn't good enough to justify the time in make-up
- Colm Meaney: of all the DS9 characters, O'Brien is the only one I expect to see, because he's the only one who has a relationship with Picard
- Kate Mulgrew: dare I dream? Actually, yes, where Seven of Nine goes, Janeway is never far behind. And -- look, I hate to say this, because it seems like I'm buying into Hollywood fatphobia, but Kate's lost a fair amount of weight since this series was announced last August. I keep thinking of Carrie Fisher saying of the Star Wars, sequels, "They wanted me, but only two-thirds of me."
- James Frain: what better way to tie in prequel!Sarek with Lenard?
And the truth is, I've never wanted ST:JLP to be a parade of nostalgic cameos. Look at the cast we've got! Look how diverse it is! Look at all these women! Peyton List is a Romulan! Sign me up!
I want to get to know these characters (and then fall in love with the oldest female character who's not a regular). So I feel like a bit of a hypocrite, because I've been so hyped up on SEVEN OF NINE IS BACK AND WEARING KNITWEAR that I don't yet have room to be excited about the new people.
But that will come. In the meantime, I'm going to sit and enjoy my feelings, ie, SEVEN OF NINE HAS BEEN LIVING HER BEST LIFE AS A BEACHCOMBER IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, CARVING SCULTPURES FROM DRIFTWOOD AND NOT ANSWERING THE DOCTOR'S CALLS. Who do we think made her that sweater? Tuvok? (Definitely Tuvok.)
I have a handful of reservations about the series -- mostly that Michael Chabon is the showrunner, even though the idea for the series came from Kirsten Beyer, and she's the one with television experience. Judging by his Short Trek last year, Chabon is the sort of literary author who thinks his tired old SF clichés are really new and exciting. "Calypso" gave us the Sexy Romantic Lady AI, and it looks like he's introducing Trek to the Endangered Space Waif in ST:JLP.
On the other hand, I'm into the occasional Endangered Space Waif, and I look forward to defending Dahj from accusations of Mary Suedom when the time comes. What's fandom for, if not embracing and complicating female characters who are not well-served by writers?
Anyway, Chabon aside, I'm pretty keen on this. Beyer and I seem to have extremely similar taste in Trek characters, judging by her Voyager novels -- her presence as a senior member of the writing team is another reason I'm slightly, secretly expecting to see Janeway turn up.
You know where I actually do expect to see Janeway, though? The animated comedy series, Lower Decks. Because the panel for that show was weirdly specific about it being set after Voyager's return, and Kate's not averse to a bit of voice work now and then.
I'm … keen for that series, but not as enthusiastic as for the live action stuff. I just don't love the visual style of most American animated comedies. I'll probably watch it and enjoy it -- I like the characters and concepts -- but I'm not FLAILING. (This is subject to change as more promo material comes out. It's early days.) And I'm wary about the fact that the writing team includes a bunch of men (two named Ben, two named Dave, and then MORE MEN) and one woman.
The animated Trek I'm really keen for is the untitled Nickeolodeon series for younger viewers, about teens hijacking a derelict starship. That's an idea with tremendous potential, and I really hope it comes together and is … you know. Good.
ANYWAY, SEVEN OF NINE IS BACK. WHAT A TIME TO BE A TREKKIE.
