Links and more reviews
Dec. 7th, 2003 09:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakThere have been some intriguing follow-up posts on my earlier entry regarding those aliens, here, and here. This would be one of the reasons why I love the lj world; we don't just make each other squee and/or flame but debate and write essays.
Not that enthusiasm or ire can't result in lengthy readable prose as well. A couple of days ago,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
melymbrosia discussed John Le Carré, the currently very angry Grand Old Man of spy fiction. Judging by the excerpt the Guardian printed in its review of his newest novel, he's aching for a fight. Quoth he:
'That war on Iraq was illegitimate... it was a criminal and immoral conspiracy. No provocation, no link with al-Qaeda, no weapons of Armageddon. Tales of complicity and Osama were self-serving bullshit. It was an old colonial war dressed up as a crusade for Western life and liberty, and it was launched by a clique of war-hungry Judaeo-Christian geopolitical fantasists who hijacked the media and exploited America's post-Nine Eleven psychopathy.'
(The review for the novel is here, and the Guardian also gives a useful brief summary of Le Carré's life and works if you're unfamiliar with him here.)
Incidentally, the same newspaper reports without Le Carré's ire but rather chillingly about the profitable side of the Iraq war. Seems Dick Cheney's company, Halliburton, has already made more than $ 1bn out of it.
It's enough to make oneself turn to a less than idyllic version of the future (though I always thought Section 31 is definitely Le Carré-inspired).
I'll tell you one thing: if I ever had a party to organize, I'd let Jadzia plan it, not Worf. Not anyone else on DS9, either, though Sisko can cook. You are cordially invited… is a breath of air after the six-parter preceding it. It's predictable in the way wedding episodes are (preparation, annoying in-laws, big crisis, lovers parted, talk to confidants, lovers reunited - see also: Hell's Bells, except that the BTVS version has the Jossian nasty twist that there is no happy ending and instead an even more cutting parting between the lovers after the reunion). And it's fun. Though I can understand Quark when he wonders (not for the first time - he asked the same thing in Let he who is without sin..., too) why she puts up with that permanent frown she calls her fiancé. Not that I don't like Worf, too, but he can be trying. Incidentally, observe that tone of wistfulness Quark uses when he talks to Jake about Jadzia, and the not-denial of loving her. I don't understand why everyone always just pities Julian (okay, everyone not a Bashir/Garak or Bashir/O'Brien 'shipper) about W/D and not Quark. Who of the two gets named by Worf as a wedding objection? Quark, that's who. ("…and she plays tongo with the Ferengi barkeeper…") And with all the fanfic about Odo longing for Kira, or Julian for Jadzia, where is my Quark angst and Quark/Dax h/c? It's the grand friendship-never-quite-love-affair of DS9, I tell you.
Back to the show. I already wrote about my objection to the easy Odo/Kira reconciliation; moving on. You can tell Ron Moore wrote this episode; he's indulging his inner Klingon again, and adding background. The myth about the two Klingon hearts destroying the gods who created them is great; take that, Philip Pullman. DS9 got there first. I actually was on a Blake's7/Babylon 5 convention when two fans performed a wedding on stage using this ritual. They were dressed as Londo and G'Kar at the time, which means I get all kind of odd associations rewatching the Worf/Dax wedding…
Statistical Probalities is the first Bashir episode of the season and gives us our boy in all his facets: enthusiastic Julian, embarrassed Julian, teasing Julian, Julian showing off, and most of all angsting Julian. In short, it's a treat. Though the fact that the other genetically engineered "freaks" are kept in an institute makes me seriously question Federation standards of personal freedom. Can't see what's wrong with the sultry brunette; certainly if hitting on more than one person of the opposite (or for that matter of the same) sex is a reason to lock somebody up, James T. Kirk would have never made it out of Iowa. Patrick the old sweetie gets teary-eyed easily but seems to be quite capable of feeding himself, and he's not aggressive or hurting anyone. Serena doesn't talk but judging by the fact she's shown to be well capable of understanding what's going on around her, she's by no means autistic. Hyperactive Jack is the only one showing aggressive and threatening tendencies, but certainly not more than your average Klingon. Frankly, if I were Bashir, I'd sue on their behalf.
The episode also offers our first glimpse at Damar after Ziyal's death, with a lot of helpful meta interpretation from Jack and friends. The guilt-ridden Pretender who killed the innocent princess, daughter of the deposed king. Oh, and they quote the Scottish play. ("Damar does murder sleep, and therefore, Damar shall sleep no more.") All of which is promising in terms of character set-up, and this is a promise that will be kept; Damar is on the move from Trusted Lieutenant to Tragic Character In His Own Right.
Lastly: The scene where O'Brien shows up and they all immediately realise that he's just there because he's jealous of the time Julian spends with him is adorable.
The Magnificent Ferengi: I forgot to mention earlier that the six-parter is the first occasion on the show (that I recall) where Kira treats Quark with respect. She continues this in The Magnificent Ferengi, offering him Keevan as a thank-you for saving her life during the occupation. Getting respect is Quark's Achilles heel; it's what he longed for in House of Quark, and in The Magnificent Ferengi as well. Organizing a rescue mission for Moogie is an ideal opportunity. For the writers as well; with the exception of Grand Nagus Zek, they managed to write in every Ferengi guest star, and in a way which made sense. They even brought back Empok Nor and the fact Nog is familiar with it, which pleases the continuity hound in me. What's amazing for a Ferengi episode: I don't think anyone quotes a single Rule of Acquisition. Never mind. It's great fun. Quark assembling his team, negotiating with the Vorta in the face of dozens of Jem'Hadar guns; Nog thinking of the possibility Ishka could be a changeling; Cousin Gaila (who else?) losing it, aiming for Quark and shooting Keevan into the bargain. And likehobsonphile, I get a sick pleasure out of watching Keevan's posthumous fate, considering what he did to his Jem'hadar.
(No review for Waltz here; I'll spare you at least one Eeeevil!Dukat rant by reviewing all E!Dukat episodes of season 6 together in a later entry.)
Who Mourns For Morn is another light-hearted bit of a Ferengi fluff. It includes a Quark-and-Jadzia-playing-Tongo scene, which always pleases me, and I'm still trying to figure out whether it's supposed to be a satire on The Third Man… no, not really. But all the eulogies for Morn (with his never ending conversation and cheerful smile emphasized) are still fun, and you do have to admire how the writers pull of the feat of never letting Morn speak even in this episode carrying his name.
Then things get serious again, not to mention meta. Far Beyond the Stars is obviously where most of that years' budget went, and the results are gorgeous - there's really a sense of period in the 50s setting, with everyone's clothes and body language, and the jazz music. The actors are clearly having a ball, especially Michael Dorn as a smooth-talking baseball player, Cirroc Lofton as a young hoodlum, and I bet Armin Shimmerman and Aaron Eisenberg must have been jubilating to be able to work for a week without Ferengi make-up. But the episode does belong to Avery Brooks, both in terms of direction and acting. Mind you, I do prefer Past Tense when it comes to DS9 taking on society problems, because Far Beyond the Stars, targeting the everyday racism of the 50s (and the attitude towards women, while it's at it), picks a period the audience can feel a certain smugness about - it's behind them, after all. Past Tense on the other hand targets the present day and very near future and has an "act now, look around you" message. This being said, the story of Sci-Fi writer Benny Russell is gripping, all the more so because it doesn't have a happy ending in which he was able to enlighten everyone about race equality. The "what is real" question by Sisko at the end doesn't work as well as it does in BTVS' Normal Again (and I bet Diego Guitierrez or Joss or both must have taken the DS9 ep for inspiration), because the episode itself points out that if it were all a dream, the power of the story would be taken away, as one of Benny's colleagues puts it. Armin Shimmerman's character, I believe. Incidentally, if we're to assume Sisko's brain plus some messages from the Prophets came up with this scenario, it's interesting that he casts Odo (or at least someone who sounds like him) in the role of the Editor who's eternally compromising with the higher authority and unable to make a stand, and Quark (or someone who has his voice) as the quarrelsome leftist writer pointing out uncomfortable truths. (Shades of Sisko remembering his argument with Quark during The Jem'Hadar where Quark called him a racist?)
I could live without self-congratulatory remarks (on the part of the writers) like Nana Visitor's character applauding Benny Russell for "that Major of yours - she's a tough cookie", but those would be small nitpicks. All in all, I love Far Beyond the Stars .
Next: The annual Let's-torture-O'Brien-episode and other delights.
Not that enthusiasm or ire can't result in lengthy readable prose as well. A couple of days ago,
melymbrosia discussed John Le Carré, the currently very angry Grand Old Man of spy fiction. Judging by the excerpt the Guardian printed in its review of his newest novel, he's aching for a fight. Quoth he: 'That war on Iraq was illegitimate... it was a criminal and immoral conspiracy. No provocation, no link with al-Qaeda, no weapons of Armageddon. Tales of complicity and Osama were self-serving bullshit. It was an old colonial war dressed up as a crusade for Western life and liberty, and it was launched by a clique of war-hungry Judaeo-Christian geopolitical fantasists who hijacked the media and exploited America's post-Nine Eleven psychopathy.'
(The review for the novel is here, and the Guardian also gives a useful brief summary of Le Carré's life and works if you're unfamiliar with him here.)
Incidentally, the same newspaper reports without Le Carré's ire but rather chillingly about the profitable side of the Iraq war. Seems Dick Cheney's company, Halliburton, has already made more than $ 1bn out of it.
It's enough to make oneself turn to a less than idyllic version of the future (though I always thought Section 31 is definitely Le Carré-inspired).
I'll tell you one thing: if I ever had a party to organize, I'd let Jadzia plan it, not Worf. Not anyone else on DS9, either, though Sisko can cook. You are cordially invited… is a breath of air after the six-parter preceding it. It's predictable in the way wedding episodes are (preparation, annoying in-laws, big crisis, lovers parted, talk to confidants, lovers reunited - see also: Hell's Bells, except that the BTVS version has the Jossian nasty twist that there is no happy ending and instead an even more cutting parting between the lovers after the reunion). And it's fun. Though I can understand Quark when he wonders (not for the first time - he asked the same thing in Let he who is without sin..., too) why she puts up with that permanent frown she calls her fiancé. Not that I don't like Worf, too, but he can be trying. Incidentally, observe that tone of wistfulness Quark uses when he talks to Jake about Jadzia, and the not-denial of loving her. I don't understand why everyone always just pities Julian (okay, everyone not a Bashir/Garak or Bashir/O'Brien 'shipper) about W/D and not Quark. Who of the two gets named by Worf as a wedding objection? Quark, that's who. ("…and she plays tongo with the Ferengi barkeeper…") And with all the fanfic about Odo longing for Kira, or Julian for Jadzia, where is my Quark angst and Quark/Dax h/c? It's the grand friendship-never-quite-love-affair of DS9, I tell you.
Back to the show. I already wrote about my objection to the easy Odo/Kira reconciliation; moving on. You can tell Ron Moore wrote this episode; he's indulging his inner Klingon again, and adding background. The myth about the two Klingon hearts destroying the gods who created them is great; take that, Philip Pullman. DS9 got there first. I actually was on a Blake's7/Babylon 5 convention when two fans performed a wedding on stage using this ritual. They were dressed as Londo and G'Kar at the time, which means I get all kind of odd associations rewatching the Worf/Dax wedding…
Statistical Probalities is the first Bashir episode of the season and gives us our boy in all his facets: enthusiastic Julian, embarrassed Julian, teasing Julian, Julian showing off, and most of all angsting Julian. In short, it's a treat. Though the fact that the other genetically engineered "freaks" are kept in an institute makes me seriously question Federation standards of personal freedom. Can't see what's wrong with the sultry brunette; certainly if hitting on more than one person of the opposite (or for that matter of the same) sex is a reason to lock somebody up, James T. Kirk would have never made it out of Iowa. Patrick the old sweetie gets teary-eyed easily but seems to be quite capable of feeding himself, and he's not aggressive or hurting anyone. Serena doesn't talk but judging by the fact she's shown to be well capable of understanding what's going on around her, she's by no means autistic. Hyperactive Jack is the only one showing aggressive and threatening tendencies, but certainly not more than your average Klingon. Frankly, if I were Bashir, I'd sue on their behalf.
The episode also offers our first glimpse at Damar after Ziyal's death, with a lot of helpful meta interpretation from Jack and friends. The guilt-ridden Pretender who killed the innocent princess, daughter of the deposed king. Oh, and they quote the Scottish play. ("Damar does murder sleep, and therefore, Damar shall sleep no more.") All of which is promising in terms of character set-up, and this is a promise that will be kept; Damar is on the move from Trusted Lieutenant to Tragic Character In His Own Right.
Lastly: The scene where O'Brien shows up and they all immediately realise that he's just there because he's jealous of the time Julian spends with him is adorable.
The Magnificent Ferengi: I forgot to mention earlier that the six-parter is the first occasion on the show (that I recall) where Kira treats Quark with respect. She continues this in The Magnificent Ferengi, offering him Keevan as a thank-you for saving her life during the occupation. Getting respect is Quark's Achilles heel; it's what he longed for in House of Quark, and in The Magnificent Ferengi as well. Organizing a rescue mission for Moogie is an ideal opportunity. For the writers as well; with the exception of Grand Nagus Zek, they managed to write in every Ferengi guest star, and in a way which made sense. They even brought back Empok Nor and the fact Nog is familiar with it, which pleases the continuity hound in me. What's amazing for a Ferengi episode: I don't think anyone quotes a single Rule of Acquisition. Never mind. It's great fun. Quark assembling his team, negotiating with the Vorta in the face of dozens of Jem'Hadar guns; Nog thinking of the possibility Ishka could be a changeling; Cousin Gaila (who else?) losing it, aiming for Quark and shooting Keevan into the bargain. And like
hobsonphile, I get a sick pleasure out of watching Keevan's posthumous fate, considering what he did to his Jem'hadar. (No review for Waltz here; I'll spare you at least one Eeeevil!Dukat rant by reviewing all E!Dukat episodes of season 6 together in a later entry.)
Who Mourns For Morn is another light-hearted bit of a Ferengi fluff. It includes a Quark-and-Jadzia-playing-Tongo scene, which always pleases me, and I'm still trying to figure out whether it's supposed to be a satire on The Third Man… no, not really. But all the eulogies for Morn (with his never ending conversation and cheerful smile emphasized) are still fun, and you do have to admire how the writers pull of the feat of never letting Morn speak even in this episode carrying his name.
Then things get serious again, not to mention meta. Far Beyond the Stars is obviously where most of that years' budget went, and the results are gorgeous - there's really a sense of period in the 50s setting, with everyone's clothes and body language, and the jazz music. The actors are clearly having a ball, especially Michael Dorn as a smooth-talking baseball player, Cirroc Lofton as a young hoodlum, and I bet Armin Shimmerman and Aaron Eisenberg must have been jubilating to be able to work for a week without Ferengi make-up. But the episode does belong to Avery Brooks, both in terms of direction and acting. Mind you, I do prefer Past Tense when it comes to DS9 taking on society problems, because Far Beyond the Stars, targeting the everyday racism of the 50s (and the attitude towards women, while it's at it), picks a period the audience can feel a certain smugness about - it's behind them, after all. Past Tense on the other hand targets the present day and very near future and has an "act now, look around you" message. This being said, the story of Sci-Fi writer Benny Russell is gripping, all the more so because it doesn't have a happy ending in which he was able to enlighten everyone about race equality. The "what is real" question by Sisko at the end doesn't work as well as it does in BTVS' Normal Again (and I bet Diego Guitierrez or Joss or both must have taken the DS9 ep for inspiration), because the episode itself points out that if it were all a dream, the power of the story would be taken away, as one of Benny's colleagues puts it. Armin Shimmerman's character, I believe. Incidentally, if we're to assume Sisko's brain plus some messages from the Prophets came up with this scenario, it's interesting that he casts Odo (or at least someone who sounds like him) in the role of the Editor who's eternally compromising with the higher authority and unable to make a stand, and Quark (or someone who has his voice) as the quarrelsome leftist writer pointing out uncomfortable truths. (Shades of Sisko remembering his argument with Quark during The Jem'Hadar where Quark called him a racist?)
I could live without self-congratulatory remarks (on the part of the writers) like Nana Visitor's character applauding Benny Russell for "that Major of yours - she's a tough cookie", but those would be small nitpicks. All in all, I love Far Beyond the Stars .
Next: The annual Let's-torture-O'Brien-episode and other delights.
no subject
Date: 2003-12-07 12:13 pm (UTC)*g* I can see...
Date: 2003-12-07 01:15 pm (UTC)Re: *g* I can see...
Date: 2003-12-07 01:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-07 02:31 pm (UTC)That's another thing I liked about DS9. I always felt that they were subtly undercutting the perfection of the Federation "ideal". I can't quote examples because it's too long since I've seen the episodes, but it was certainly an impression I got at the time.
oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-07 11:27 pm (UTC)Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-08 01:36 am (UTC)Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-08 07:28 am (UTC)I can see how it might happen. The GEs are given a black mark just by existing, since the Federation still harbors unfond memories of the Eugenics War(s). There's probably not a lot of push toward integrating them into society. Since they're so intelligent, why not use those talents to further Federation aims?
Didn't it come up that Julian would not have been allowed to become a doctor if it had been known that he was GE?
Gattaca was a movie that used this issue, classification by DNA, to good effect.
Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-08 09:04 am (UTC)Of course, if they were intended to be used as weapons, isolating them so completely (which apparently might have happend to Julian, too, if his parents had confessed what they had done) makes cruel sense - that way, they can't form any other loyalties and are completely dependent on the state. However to be fair one has to recall that before Julian suggested it, nobody thought of letting them analyze political data or suggest fighting strategies.
Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-08 12:43 pm (UTC)differentfucked-up t get along in the real world. (Cos she's totally stable, oh yeah...) It's supposedly that they were unstable that they were locked up, so Jules would have got away. (Which makes you wonder how many more of them are out there, given the apparent ease of medicine in The Future...)Khan Singh is so just an excuse, cos, face it, natural genetics hasn't done that well in terms of producing psychopathic nutjobs. Jack's meant to be wrong when he says envy keeps them incarcerate, but you do have to wonder...
Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-08 12:40 pm (UTC)God, I hated Gattaca.They should have used them, but they never did. Cos they were 'wrong and bad'. GRR!Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-08 12:39 pm (UTC)Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-08 02:01 pm (UTC)Love your icon *g*.
Re: oh, they do it lots of times...
Date: 2003-12-09 03:03 am (UTC)