Guys, 2020 is wild

[lizbee]

Australia has had fire, followed by flood, and now plague. We had to queue at Aldi for toilet paper yesterday like something out of Soviet Russia (if Soviet supermarkets also sold frozen pizza, Easter eggs and were doing a deal on portable solar panels for camping).

And, at the same time, "I don't care for how Michael Chabon writes Seven of Nine" is an opinion I can express, and it's perfectly reasonable and reality-based.

My free-floating anxiety has gone from a wee bubble to a giant novelty balloon, even though I'm basically okay: we have plenty of food in the house, including a container of this dhal in the freezer (the recipe is basically solid, but I should have added more garlic); we have sufficient toilet paper for a month (why is this a thing? I don't understand); and plans are in place at work for shorter hours (to avoid peak commuting times) and working from home if necessary. I'm concerned about my mother and siblings, but I live two states away and can't do much beyond send good vibes, and practice the hygiene and social distancing that I hope the people close to them are doing. 

I also have a pile of books to read, including Wolf Hall and Jung Chang's newest work of Chinese history; I'm teaching myself to crochet; I just started a Mass Effect replay, and if I somehow run out of Star Trek, I understand there are still other works of science fiction out there. So I have other things to think about, I'm just ... you know. *waves at 2020*

Anyway, Chabon said on Instagram that he never found the Seven-Janeway relationship compelling, and I was like, yeah, that explains a lot, and also I'm completely unsurprised.

Comments

[wolfy_writing]

Yeah, I think everyone's finding this something of A Thing to deal with, And anxiety would compound that.

Glad to hear that it sounds like you'll be okay.

[lizbee]

Yeah, I think everyone's finding this something of A Thing to deal with, And anxiety would compound that.

It's mostly a bit disorienting, that suddenly the whole world is thinking like me? (But even moreso, because I am not remotely close to the OCD spectrum and have always had the attitude of, well, I have a strong immune system, I'll take my chances with this surface/that handshake/etc.)

[kore]

Chabon said on Instagram that he never found the Seven-Janeway relationship compelling

!

!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lizbee]

I KNOW.

And I'm trying to be like, well, that's a reasonable opinion to have, but ... how? Why? And yet apparently he likes Seven's relationship with the Doctor??????

Suffice to say, Chabon and I have very different interests when it comes to storytelling.

[kore]

WTF does he think was compelling? Seven/CHAKOTAY?

Seven/Doctor was....okay, I guess. But Seven/Janeway playing racquetball! Seven's initial prickliness and later determination to Do Right! Janeway's faith in her humanity! That was awesome.

....also, SEVEN IN A STARFLEET UNIFORM, AMIRITE

[lizbee]

Seven/Doctor was....okay, I guess. But Seven/Janeway playing racquetball! Seven's initial prickliness and later determination to Do Right! Janeway's faith in her humanity! That was awesome.

RIGHT! And I find it really echoes with where Seven is now -- Janeway might not necessarily approve of her methods, but Seven is working so hard to protect communities, the way Janeway protected her crew. That was great! But it's also in the episode written by Kirsten Beyer, and I don't think Chabon's take has as much ... interiority.

Or, at least, she has no scenes with people she could confide in.

[kore]

Kirsten Beyer rocks. That scene with Picard and Seven talking about getting back their humanity really let both actors shine.

Chabon strikes me as....one of those well-meaning white dudes who has become very successful with the game setting on Easy and his work reflects that.

[nonelvis]

That dhal sounds amazing. If only my spouse liked dhal ;___;

also, still not over Chabon not understanding Seven-Janeway, because WHAT THE FUCK

[lizbee]

That dhal sounds amazing. If only my spouse liked dhal ;___;

SPOUSE IS A MONSTER. (My dad also doesn't like dhal, but has never had it except with one particular type of bean? And I'm like, YOUR WIFE IS INDIAN-SINGAPOREAN, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?)

also, still not over Chabon not understanding Seven-Janeway, because WHAT THE FUCK

I just. You know, I'm not a big TOS fan, but I don't go around saying I don't find the Spock-Kirk relationship compelling BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE A LIE.

[starlady]

You know, I was not a Chabon fan before this, and if nothing else I am feeling EXTREMELY VINDICATED. The Seven-Janeway relationship was the best thing about the show by a very large measure!!

Full confession: I was a Seven/Doctor shipper when the show was airing because I was, you know, in middle school. But as an adult I am like "yeah, no." TAKE A HINT, CHABON.

Here in California I feel like we're getting closer to a full on Italy-style lockdown and I'm not looking forward to it. I'm in a similar position with my dad on the opposite side of the country. All we can do is practice good pandemic hygiene and social distancing and hope other people do too.

I'm going to make that dahl as soon as I google a substitute for curry leaves.

[lizbee]

I'm going to make that dahl as soon as I google a substitute for curry leaves.

I used bay leaves and lime zest, but I don't think I've ever found actual curry leaves in a store, so I'm not sure how effective the substitution was. But it was recommended on several sites.

[starlady]

It's possible to get them at some grocery stores here. I guess I'll see whether curry leaves are also something that people panic buy.

[queenlua]

...michael chabon writes star trek now?!?! like, cavalier & clay chabon?

*looks at wikipedia* yep, same one.

wow. i uh. i did not know this was a thing he was doing. the future is so weird

[lizbee]

the future is so weird

The weirdest part is that Star Trek: Picard is not that well-written.

[grav_ity]

...jesus, fuck, I know we disagree on things a lot when it comes to fandom but WHO THE HELL THINKS SEVEN AND JANEWAY DON"T

dudes. DUDES. D U D E S.

[lizbee]

I KNOW