Trouble in paradise: “Star Trek: Insurrection” (1998)…

*****STARSHIP-SIZED SPOILERS!!****** “It was the best of times…” December of 1998 was not only a great time to be a Star Trek fan (two Star Trek series on the air, several movies, tons of popular toys/collectibles, etc), it was also a great time for me personally, as well. I was engaged to “she who is…

Is “Star Trek: Nemesis” (2002) all that bad? Yes it is, but…

Written by “Gladiator” scribe John Logan (who also wrote 2012’s “Skyfall”) and directed by famed editor Stuart Baird (who clearly had little-to-no feel for the material), “Star Trek: Nemesis” (2002) is one of the most derided entries of the Star Trek film canon. For this overview, I’m going to skip the traditional synopsis, and just…

Re-assimilating “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996)…

Making Contact. In late November of 1996, I took my non-Trekkie sister with me to see the new Star Trek movie, “First Contact.” I salute my sister for her open-mindedness since 1994’s “Star Trek: Generations” received a lukewarm response, despite my own fondness for it ( In defense of “Star Trek: Generations”). For “First Contact,”…

Star Trek: Picard, S1.7: “Nepenthe” offers a welcome respite…

*****BORG CUBE-SIZED SPOILERS!!***** This week’s episode of “Star Trek: Picard” is titled “Nepenthe”… a title that is very telling.  Nepenthe, in Homer’s “The Odyssey,” was a drug that brought relief from pain and sorrow for one who takes it.  That’s exactly the reaction I had from this installment, scripted by producer/showrunner Michael Chabon, with a…

Musings on the 2nd trailer for “Star Trek: Picard”…

****STARSHIP-SIZED SPOILERS AHEAD!!***** The second trailer for CBS-All Access’ new series “Star Trek: Picard” unveiled last week at New York Comic Con, and while I wasn’t there personally (wrong coast), I have seen the trailer and have some comments and observations on it, so without further ado… “Engage!” The Trailer. Musings on the trailer. Star…

The Orville, S2.12: “Sanctuary” tackles gender inequality…

“The Orville” continues to explore Star Trek-style allegory but with its own unique brand of humor, and this week was another quality entry that managed that delicate juggling act, delivering scathing commentary on international gender inequality with…Dolly Parton. The Story. Capt. Ed Mercer (writer/creator/producer/star Seth MacFarlane) and his first and second officers, Kelly Grayson (Adrianne…