h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Horrible, wasn't it? And again proof about how a top-notch actor like Patrick Stewart can raise his game even further when he's given a) great material and b) an equally fantastic actor - in this case, David Warner - to act opposite.

Apparently that episode was written after extensive consultation with Amnesty International in order to ensure that its portrayal of torture and brainwashing techniques was as accurate as possible.

P

Don't have much time, or I'd be a lot more complimentary about how well this is coming along!

A few bits to consider:
[Riker is the Enterprise's first officer and is the show's substitute for Kirk. He's a bit of a ladies'-man, and he aspires to play the trombone.]
He actually succeeds in several episodes. One of his performances was in a wake (Geordi and Ro?).

[Troi is half-human and half-Betazoid. ]
For consistency, you could capitalize Human, but I believe that Betazoids are a human race as well (since they are biologically compatible). Perhaps half-Earthling?

[Data is one of only four Soong-type androids ]
I just need a reminder. Data, Lor, Data's 'daughter', and ... who?

[He's 'fully-functional' and is programmed with a wide variety of techniques and positions designed to give the maximum amount of pleasure. ]
Try not to make him sound like a sex-droid. Either explain the fully functional, or drop the maximum amount bit.

[Wesley is probably the most hated character in the history of Star Trek. ]
This is a bit cruel, and I'm not certain that it is true. There are villians hated more, I believe - and Troi's mother is no favorite with many, nor is Worf's son. If you don't have supporting evidence, I don't think it belongs in this great entry.
How can we hate someone who intruduced us to Ashley Judd?

[Q was the show's adversary.]
A bit misleading. He was in only so many episodes. Perhaps 'a chief adversary'?

[The Ship]
I've heard that schematics of the TOS Enterprise also indicate a separating saucer section. It was just never incorporated into the models, and so was never used.

[Recurring Aliens]
Don't forget the Cardassians.

Great work! Have fun and good luck.



PS: I hated most of the first season. Rodden wanted to rid the stories of violence and strife, and couldn't come up with good enough alternatives. The opening episode 'Mission at Farpoint' was possibly the worst ST story ever filmed.

The fourth android is the replica of Soong's wife.

And isn't there a fifth one in Star Trek: Nemesis - what's his name, Earl-E, or something? Oh yes, B-4. For heaven's sake.

P

Well, what can want say about Nemesis? 'At least it's not Insurrection'.

I watched Nemesis with my blind friend, which was very funny. She pointed out how bad the soundtrack was, with several 'this is very important, do not forget it' moments when the camera pans over something. It did mean that I didn't have quite so much work to do in terms of audio description, though!

Not that this has anything to do with making the entry even better, but it was Paully that started it. Yep. Definitely Paully...

"For consistency, you could capitalize Human, but I believe that Betazoids are a human race as well"

Not human. Most of the sentient species in the galaxy are human*oid*. To the best of my recollection the explanation is that an ancient race of space travellers went through the galaxy several millenia ago seeding planets with their kind, with then evolved over the centuries according to each of the planets' conditions.

Of course, the real explanation is that they had to come up with a semi-plausible reason why most of the aliens that Kirk and his crew encountered look like people from earth with a few prostheses and a bit of slap

I'd mention the Cardassians since they did become a major race in the later series but leave a major description of them until DS9 and link to it from this entry. I also think sections on the 'new' Klingons and Romulans would be useful as both races become much more fleshed out and developed in TNG (perhaps why it did so much better than TOS)

Picard isn't the only non-American captain, there are plenty of captains who aren't American or even human. None of them are the 'main' captains, but you don't say that.

Oh and in your final footnote linking to the Star Trek films entry, you mention there are four TNG films but the entry doesn't have any details on Nemesis, making it a tad confusing

In all fairness that entry was written before Nemesis came out.

I think I can remember one episode where ariologists from various races arrived on one planet to find this hidden message about the origins of most specis.

which is rather handly for visiting alien cultures or ships and not banging your head on low roofs

<>

I love that episode... the bit near the end where a battered and bewildered Picard screams "There are four lights!" (much to the confusion of those who have come to 'rescue' him) still sends a shiver down my spine and a tear to my eye.

>> [Wesley is probably the most hated character in the history of Star Trek. ]
This is a bit cruel, and I'm not certain that it is true. There are villians hated more, I believe - and Troi's mother is no favorite with many, nor is Worf's son. If you don't have supporting evidence, I don't think it belongs in this great entry.
How can we hate someone who intruduced us to Ashley Judd? <<

I agree entirely.

http://www.wilwheaton.net

Would a petition count as supporting evidence?

If so, I'll sign!

I'd sign twice.

The difference between villians and Wesley is that you're supposed to hate the villians, but you're meant to like Wesley. For example, I thought that Kai Winn in DS9 was a horrible person, but I loved her character and thought she enriched the show. I thought that Wesley was a good person, but I hated his character and felt that his presence held the show back. I also thought that Troi's mother was an annoying person, but in that case I found her to be an annoying character too.

Anyway, I said he's PROBABLY the most hated character, and if the Carlsberg ads can get away with it, I don't see why I can't.

'and in his final appearance he realised that he was a god-like being. This didn't help to make fans like him.'

That made me laugh a *lot*. Thankyou.

A colleague of mine tells me that she went to a convention where they had an advance screening of Wesley's departure episode. Everyone apparently applauded, and was on a high for the rest of the weekend - 'They got rid of the little *** at last!' and so on. Tsk.

I agree that Kai Winn is a 'love to hate' character because she was so well written and acted.

I have to admit that I'd sign too, although I've come to like Wil Wheaton in recent years, especially since he guest-presented the (now defunct ) Screen Savers

Well, I admiit to liking Lwaxanna Troi.

I could lol and 'right-on' to many of these posts. I was never a Wesley fan; and, indeed, friends of mine and I made endless fun of him at times.

Still, he was 'the kid' that Picard had to suffer because of his guilt, and helped show Picard's growth as he learned to adapt and appreciate the families on board. Wesley did come in handy in several episodes, like the one where other insufferable youths from 'Enterprise' get abducted by a race of barren people.

Maybe he would not have been so despised if he hadn't had a tendency to mumble his lines somewhat?!

YES! The MOTHER! How could I forget Data's mum!!

Oh, those loved-to-hate characters! They do add spice to a show!!

Ah well, Forgot where I was going with all this.

Again, Good Luch with the piece.

Mmmmmm, Ashley Judd!