Starfleet Academy accidentally recreates the worst parts of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Author: Chris Snelgrove Published
When it comes to NuTrek, a common sentiment among critics (myself included) is that Star Trek no longer feels like the Golden Age of TV series. deep space nine. However, the most recent episode starfleet academy“Series Adaptation Mill” proves that we cynics should be careful what we wish for. That’s because it accidentally recreates the worst parts of deep space nine: Combines an important, character-focused A-plot with one of the silliest B-plots ever.
First, a little background: In the golden age of Star Trek, writers would often include two main stories in any given episode. The most important stories are designated as A plots, while the less important stories are designated as B plots. This storytelling structure is often effective because it gives more of the cast something to do while giving the audience an additional story that they are likely to find more interesting than the main plot.
That face when you see the mismatched B picture
However, this storytelling method breaks down when the A plot and B plot don’t match up at all, causing the plot to feel oddly disjointed. deep space nine There are plenty of examples of this: In Life Support, the A-plot about Bashir’s attempt to resurrect one of Bajor’s most important spiritual leaders after his death is paired with a B-plot, in which Jack has to explain to Nog that his ongoing Ferengi misogyny is scaring Hoe.
In A Call to Arms, the plot is the long-awaited Dominion invasion. The B-plot is a cringe-worthy story about Rom and Leeta, Casablanca– Quote Wedding.
For me, the most mismatched deep space nine One of the best episodes ever was “Dr. Bashir, I Guess?”, whose plot focused on the revelation that Dr. Bashir was estranged from his parents because they “fixed” him with genetic engineering at a young age. It’s a deeply moving episode about family trauma that completely changes our understanding of its protagonists. Unfortunately, in this episode, the man who created the emergency medical hologram is so desperate to get laid that he sets his sights on Leta, who is written to be almost comically stupid.
Star Trek’s Most Ambitious New Episode
So, what does all this have to do with anything? starfleet academy? The most recent episode, “Series Adaptation Mir,” had an ambitious plot that followed cadet SAM as she investigated Sisko’s ultimate fate; her research helped her (and the audience) learn more about Sisko’s accomplishments, his personality, and the vast legacy he left behind. Along the way, we get cameos from big names like Jake Cisco and the latest incarnation of Dax, while Sam learns more about what it means to be an emissary from her holographic homeworld to the Federation.
Unfortunately (and somewhat convolutedly), it’s paired with a B-plot involving Prime Minister Aker trying to help Commander Nelrek prepare to receive visiting dignitaries. To do this, she throws a rehearsal dinner, which is mostly an excuse for everyone except Nell Lake to tell weird jokes and engage in prop comedy (no, really). The climax of the scene is when a fish suddenly deflates and the other three officers (all of whom have approximately 1500 years of combined intelligence) begin to uncontrollably laugh at the fish for making a prolonged fart sound.
Shaka, when the rest of the episode is stupid
it is crazily It’s uninteresting and almost distractingly weird, but the crazy B-plot blends right in with the rest of the episode. After all, in between the all-important lore about Sisko, we have cadets vomiting flashes and the ship’s digital dean joking about the morning wood. As a viewer who loves more or less all Sisko-related fanservice, I was a little shocked that this episode kept dipping into humor, which is more in line with a show like this Beavis and Butt-head.
However, in what is almost certainly an unintentional irony, “Series Adaptation Factory” successfully honors worst part of deep space ninewhich is about pairing a strong A-plot with the silliest B-plot the writers could come up with. Of course, this makes for frustrating storytelling, but this practice was absolutely rampant during Star Trek’s golden age. starfleet academy It has now proven that it knows how to do the things that DS9 did poorly; with any luck, these new writers will finally be able to play to DS9’s strengths, which is telling great stories No Absolutely embarrassing asshole and fart jokes.
