In an early episode on TNG, Riker describes time warp as exceeding warp 10. Which makes sense - at warp 10 you arrive at your destination at the same moment that you left your origin, so at warp 10+ you arrive earlier than you left.

That’s all very true, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling like Data would have a better time learning about humour from any other crew. Another great instance is his conversation with Guinan during the series, when she tries to explain jokes to him with “you’re a droid and I’m a noid”. I wasn’t laughing, either, and I don’t believe it’s because I have an odd sense of humour.

Then she gives up and sends him to the holodeck to learn from a computer generated stand up comic. Which is like telling ChatGPT to learn psychotherapeutic techniques from Eliza.

The poor man never stood a chance.

Reminds me of the scene in Generations where Riker dunked Worf in the water, data joined in the fun by dunking Crusher, and everyone responded like that was totally out of pocket.

Doesn’t make sense to me either, Data.

The Orville was never funny, and it got much better when it stopped trying to be. Star Trek has a pretty good track record with humour. Especially where Newsome is concerned.

Huh, I thought I’d heard Netflix cancelled it, but according to everything I see on Google they just haven’t announced anything one way or the other. It’s been long enough that I wouldn’t hold my breath, though.

Sure, I’d understand your sentiment more when all those shows were being announced, rather than after they’ve all been canned. Right now we’re looking at ten episodes plus the Section 31 special in the coming year, which doesn’t seem like over doing it to me. But I was raised on seasons of twenty-plus episodes, so maybe I’m spoiled.

They’ve cancelled Discovery, Prodigy, Picard, Lower Decks, and you’re worried they’re going to over-do it? If they do it much less, there wont be any Trek left!

Ah, but consider: Space and time and thought are not the separate things we imagine they are, and sometimes a Galaxy class starship can cross the entire universe on the power of belief.

So brew another coffee and keep on burning out, I suppose?

Yup. We also laughed at Shatner’s get a life sketch, and dozens of gags from Futurama and Family Guy.

The ways humans engage with their personal fascinations are often inherently ridiculous, and everybody ought to be able to laugh at that.

He must have been walking on eggshells all through Star Trek IV, just waiting for a riot to break out.

The one I always feel like I need to warn people about is the treatment of Rand in The Enemy Within. Particularly since that happens so early in the series.

Is it any better if it’s poker?

Technically it would have to, wouldn’t it? But the typical experience is more like LARPing.

What about someone using the holodeck to play chess?

No one misinterpreted your original post. It was sarcastic and dismissive, so people responded with that same energy.

As to the edit, I think it’s good that the new Trek shows each have such distinct personalities. They won’t all appeal to everyone, but the overall diversity is a strength. Part of what killed Star Trek in the 2000s was that TNG, Voyager, and Enterprise had all stuck to a very consistent approach. After close to twenty years, it was inevitably feeling a bit stale.

You wanted Lower Decks to be more boring? I like a good conference room scene as much as the next Trekkie, but they only had 22 minutes to work with!

Hot take: it’s a great movie, but not a great Star Trek movie. Too militaristic, gives you the impression that Starfleet is at odds with scientists instead of made up of scientists.

Obviously, though, to each their own.

I like helping people, but not with what I do for my day job. Ask me to shovel your driveway or help you move or proofread your emails or anything but more of what I’ve already spent all day doing.

It’s a bunch of over-the-top self-indulgent ego-stroking fan service. I loved it.

The audiobook has nice production values, too. Although you should know it’s an abridged version of the text.

Looks like good Star Trek to me. I love the Franz Joseph stuff. Pored over it for hours when I was a kid.

Is Beverly carrying a twentieth century clipboard?