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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: In the Pale Moonlight (1998)
The Best Trek & One of the Best Episodes of ALL TV
"In The Pale Moonlight" is simply stunning, so good, so flawless that it shames all other Trek. IMO, it is as good in terms of writing and acting as the very best of "The Wire" "The Sopranos" and "Breaking Bad".
The screenplay with an uncredited major rewrite by Ronald D. Moore is perfection. His talents in the dark arts would later come to full bloom as showrunner of Battlestar Galactica. ITPM is a fitting preview for the dark storylines of BSG.
The episode is centered on the interplay between Sisko and Garak. After many many rewatches and chats on Reddit, it became clear to me that Garak was in complete control and basically used and manipulated Sisko to carry the plan to success.
Everything that Garak tells Sisko is a lie, designed to draw him further into the plot and to ensure that Garak succeeds in his actual hidden plan, the assassination of Romulan Senator Vreenak.
Garak told Sisko that his contacts on Cardassia were killed, that was a lie. Garak lied about needing biomimetic gel to trade for the data rod. In reality, he already had the rod and needed the gel to build his bomb that killed Vreenak. Garak knew that his fake holo-recording wouldn't fool Vreenak. It was a ruse and bait to lure Vreenak to DS9.
Sisko, in the end, understands that he was manipulated by Garak. But he accepts the costs--- to his conscience, his Starfleet morality, the murders of Vreenak and Tolar. Sisko will forever be emotionally scarred but understands that Garak's devious plan saved everyone -- The Federation, the Klingons, the Cardassians and even the Romulans from slavery and extermination at the hands of the Dominion.
ITPM is anathema to the basic concept of Star Trek. That diplomacy and benevolence will win the day, resulting in peaceful and happy endings. DS9, the Dominion War and specifically ITPM are pointedly opposed to this outlook. They argue that the peaceful path only works among decent actors. When you are faced with a malevolent violent foe, like the Dominion, you will inevitably be forced to play by their rules. War, subterfuge, lies and misdirection.
ITPM basically argues that an amoral expert in the dark arts like Garak, like Section 31, is necessary in order to survive in a universe that does not share the Federation's benevolent and peaceful ideals.
All in the Family: The Stivics Go West (1978)
Incredible Farewell
Excellent and poignant acting by the four leads. The last regular appearance of Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner. I just learned that Norman Lear wanted this to be the final episode of the series. But Carol O'Connor wanted it to continue and they convinced Jean Stapleton to return while Struthers and Reiner left.
What an incredible show. There are other great shows (Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, The Wire) but few have such iconic characters and such relatable situations to ordinary life. No many people have close contact with the illegal drug trade or organized crime. But , we can all relate to the lives of Archie, Edith, Mike and Gloria.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges (1999)
Bashir's adventures with Sloan & Section 31
Bashir is invited to participate in subterfuge with Sloan against the Federation's frenemies, the Romulans. As the resident 100% Roddenberry clean-cut Starfleet officer, Bashir makes the perfect tool to be used by Section 31. We also find out that Ross is in bed with Sloan. They both get the win, putting their operative in a position of power on Romulus, at the expense of Bashir's idealism and naivety. Section 31 is shown to be more adept at subterfuge and spycraft than the Romulan Tal'Shiar.
This is the most anti-Roddenberry episode of Trek. That the Federation are not the clean-cut angels of the galaxy. They operate in a cold and cynical way. Section 31 is Starfleet's real-politik toolbox. They perform the under the table morally dubious tasks that the public face of the Federation would never sanction. But Section 31 exists with the unwritten consent of Starfleet and by-the-book admirals such as Ross.
A direct slap in the face by DS9's writers to Roddenberry and the cartoonish idealism of The Next Generation.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
The Best STAR TREK ---- by light years
DS9 was built in the shadows of TNG, which is the gold standard of Trek.
TNG was the perfect Pentagon informercial of Trek. The perfect captain, the perfect crew, the perfect ship. The formulaic episodes were basically like a police procedural. Picard shows up, analyzes the issues of the aliens/planet. Then he solves their problems in 42 minutes and moves on to the next planet of the week. Except for Picard & Data, there is very little character depth or growth. Riker, Worf, LaForge, Crusher are basically props to help Picard solve the problems of the week. There really isn't much difference between seasons 1&7 with all these support characters. TNG had a very Sesame Street view of good/bad. Picard, the Federation, humanity are 100% a force for good, without flaws or selfishness, able to solve everyone's problems peacefully.
DS9's showrunner Ira Steven Behr and the writers intentionally set out to show a very different reality. DS9 had morally grey characters and plotlines. Problems are not solved simply and cleanly in 42 minutes. There are difficult choices to be made, individuals and groups that are belligerent and not amenable to the Picard peaceful simple solutions.
The Cardassians and The Dominion are committed to victory through force. The Bajorans are good guys, but are not saints - they are very committed to a traditional religion. The Federation takes questionable actions in order to survive. Several main characters are morally conflicted and grey -- Sisko, Garak, Sloan, Eddington, Quark, Odo, Kira.
DS9 is a deconstruction of the perfect TNG Federation worldview done brilliantly. Survival is made possible by morally questionable actions, many casualties and subversion. There is still hope and decency and morality, but these traits by themselves are no enough to win the battle.
Queensrÿche: Operation Livecrime (1991)
The Best Concert Film of ALL TIME !!
Queensrÿche: Operation Livecrime is simply the best concert of all time.
As much as I love Radiohead, Hendrix, The Who, Pearl Jam and other great rock bands, none have released a concert film this perfect. The magnificent performance, the incredible songs and lyrics ... WOW.
The lyrics are so brutally honest about the politics of America. And this was written in 1989, long before the internet, alternative media and discussion of the 1% that rule the country.
"Spreading the Disease"
Religion and sex are powerplays
Manipulate the people for the money they pay
Selling skin, selling God
The numbers look the same on their credit cards
Politicians say no to drugs
While we can pay for wars in South America
Fighting fire with empty words
While the banks get fat
And the poor stay poor
And the rich get rich
And the cops get paid
To look away
As the one percent rules America.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
George Lucas at his worst
The Prequel Trilogy is a horribly written crapfest cash-in by George Lucas.
Episode I is the worst of the three prequels. Just horrible writing by Lucas does no favors to the cast.
Young Anakin is written horribly. Jar-Jar is a pointless CGI tech exercise, with no redeeming qualities at all.
A complete waste of the great talents of Liam Neeson and Ewan MacGregor.
Babylon 5 (1993)
Overhyped and underwhelming. Simply lacks quality writing or acting.
Having grown up watching tons of sci-fi, I honestly looked forward to Babylon 5. It was the early 1990s anti-Trek, it boasted completely serialized storytelling.
Yeah well, that was all hype.
J. Michael Straczynski (JMS) simply cannot write ... at all. His dialogue is amateurish and George Lucas levels of painful to watch. JMS's attempts at comedy are horrific. And any attempts at serious political historical moments fail badly.
The main cast, with the exception of the two alien leads Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar) and Peter Jurasik (Londo Mollari), are mediocre actors.
Jerry Doyle, Stephen Furst, Mira Furlan, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway, Claudia Christian, Richard Biggs, Patricia Tallman - sorry but I cannot take any of their 'acting' seriously. A general lack of talent and over-acting.
Jerry Doyle - a third-rate Bruce Willis tough guy wannabe
Stephen Furst - a failed attempt at a Danny Devito funny obese guy
Mira Furlan - another questionable choice for a lead, even worse than her 'acting' in 'Lost'
Bill Mumy - 'Lost in Space' child actor with little talent, overacting as the faithful sidekick to Mira Furlan
Jeff Conaway - the least talented over-acting member of the cast of 'Taxi' fails miserably as a security officer
Claudia Christian - cringe fully badly over-acting chief of security
Richard Biggs - bland and untalented actor, boring doctor
Patricia Tallman - no talent, stiff delivery
I honestly don't care about the amateurish sets, props, costumes or sfx. But Babylon 5 is a joke because of its amateurish writing and acting.
All in the Family (1971)
Timeless & Wonderful
I hated this show at first when my parents watched it. Being about 6 years old, I had no idea what was going on. This loud old guy and his strange family. Later, in my teens and 20's, I understood and came to appreciate the absolute magnificence of the writing, the acting and the social satire. The incredible talent of Norman Lear and the writers, the jarring performances of Carol O'Connor, Jean Stapleton & Rob Reiner.
It was educational at the same time. You came to know the inner mind of Archie & the Meathead, Edith & Gloria and the great supporting characters. They weren't cut and dry, good or evil. All the characters were real, with flaws and strengths. The show could do drama just as well as it did over-the-top comedy.
And it was a massive phenomenon. In an age before streaming, cable tv or the VCR -- All In The Family was seen by nearly half of the tv viewing public. A "MASSIVE" show these days barely gets 1/3 of that.
All the subsequent shows that have pushed the boundaries of television owe their existence to "All In The Family", the first and best boundary-buster in the history of television. I'm looking at you "The Simpsons" "The Sopranos" "Married With Children" "South Park" "The Wire"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Business as Usual (1997)
Wonderful Character Study of Quark
Quark is broke and his cousin Gaila, who recently tried to kill him, shows up with the offer of riches..... by becoming a weapons dealer.
Quark goes along initially, until a crazy warlord shows up and wants to buy weapons to kill 28 million people.
Great performances by Armin Shimmerman (Quark), Lawrence Tierney (Regent), Josh Pais (Gaila) and Steven Berkoff (Hagath).
This dialogue between Quark & Gaila is a gem:
GAILA: Quark, maybe I didn't make myself clear. I've been in the weapons business forty years. I want to retire.
QUARK: I don't blame you.
GAILA: But I'm not going to be able to retire if my hand-picked successor can't control his conscience.
QUARK: The Regent is insane.
GAILA: Stop being so judgmental. It's his bank account, not his mental health you should be concerned with.
QUARK: But twenty eight million people. That just seems wrong.
GAILA: If Hagath heard you talk that way he would toss you out the nearest airlock. Look out there. Millions and millions of stars, millions upon millions of worlds. And right now, half of them are fanatically dedicated to destroying the other half. Now, do you think if one of those twinkling little lights suddenly went out, anybody would notice? Suppose I offered you ten million bars of gold pressed latinum to help turn out one of those lights, would you really tell me to keep my money?