I've Never Seen Distortion Like This, Captain

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What has been seen, cannot be unseen.

H/T George Takei on Facebook

Rowhrrrrr!

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Just in case you wanna know the latest thing Jeri Ryan is up to, well, this is it. You may have guessed that she still starts my motor. Yes, yes she does.

Goodbye, Battlestar Galactica

Tonight was the final episode of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica. I've been of the opinion that they jumped the shark after landing on New Caprica, and haven't followed the show quite as faithfully as the first two seasons. Moore and company promised to tie up all the loose ends, and I'd have to say they did.

My main problem was having the survivors colonizing a planet with no technology or supplies, and no experience. I'm sorry, but that is just a hippie wet dream to "return to a simpler life." People rarely lived past thirty years. Women died in childbirth. There would be absolutely no medicine. Just to keep from starving would require some serious devotion to hunting and farming - with no guarantees of success. There would be little time or energy for hanging around the campfire singing Kumbaya. Remember, we are not talking about an established culture such as our own Native Americans. These were a space faring people dependent on technology.

But, the writers did tie up the loose ends. Baltar redeemed himself. The "bad" Cylons were immolated. Resurrection of Cylons came to an end, so they are not immortal anymore. Kara's apparent Cylon existence was explained in a rather spiritual way. The scene with Rosalyn and Adama was quite touching - that's all I'm gonna say about that.

I'll give Moore and company this - it beat the Soprano's ending all to hell.

Khan Passes On

Star Trek's Khan Noonien Singh

Ricardo Montalban passed away today at the age of 88. He'd been in pain and basically a paraplegic since a less than successful spine operation (9 1/2 hrs long) in 1993.

Of course, for most people, he was Mr. Roarke of Fantasy Island and the spokesman for the Chrysler Cordoba - "fine Corinthian leather." But, for me, he'll always be Khan Noonien Singh from the episode Space Seed from Star Trek (the original series) and Star Trek II The Wrath Of Khan. The Wrath Of Khan is considered by many to be the best of the Star Trek movies, largely because of Montalban's portrayal of the uberman Khan.

Godspeed, Mr. Montalban.

Goodbye Nurse Chapel

Majel Barret-Roddenberry died yesterday at home after reportedly battling leukemia. She was 76.

She had been involved with the Star Trek franchise literally since Day One - she portrayed the second in command "Number One" in the original pilot. Apparently NBC wasn't ready for the idea of a strong woman leader, so she became Nurse Christine Chapel, mooning over Mr. Spock in the original series.

She also portrayed Lwaxana Troi - the hapless in love mind reading Betazoid mother of the Deanna Troi character on Star Trek The Next Generation, as well as providing the computer voice for the latest iteration of the starship Enterprise.

She was married to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the Star Trek franchise. After his death in 1991, she became the Star Trek Universe's First Lady - overseeing the franchise her husband started and was such a large part of her performing career.

I've always been of the opinion that she was underrated as an actress. Nurse Chapel was fairly one dimensional. Luwaxana Troi's character at least had some comedic overtones. Ms. Roddenberry covered both roles quite well.

She started out in a universe "where no man has gone before." She ended in a universe where "no one has gone before" due in no small part to her efforts. Godspeed, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry.

h/t Alphecca

Warp Drive Anniversary

April 5, 2063. Mankind's First Contact and the introduction of Warp Drive occur on this date. Zefram Cochrane is the inventor and "captain" of the first warp capable ship. His first contact with the Vulcans launching from Bozeman Montana, make interstellar history and influence Mankind's history from this day forward. In the centuries that follow, school children are required to memorize this important date in history, and the launch site becomes a shrine visited by many - a statue of Cochrane is one of the attractions.

Just so you know.

Last Season of BSG

I have to admit - I pretty well blew off Battlestar Galactica when the colonists moved to New Caprica. So, knowing that the show will be gone was a bit of a spur to get caught up during the Sci Fi Channel's marathon. I didn't know about the Final Five, nor about the identities of four of them. They didn't know that they were Cylons, until they started hearing snippets of "All Along the Watchtower." Plus, it's a kick ass cover, as far as I'm concerned.



So, as I write this, my butt is planted in front of the teevee watching the first episode of the last season. Lots of action so far, and lookin' good!