I think perhaps my favorite thing when it comes to these Retro Recaps in general, is experiencing the wonder of the first time an important character appears on screen. Because back in the day, the first appearance of say, Scotty on Star Trek, was nothing more than an afterthought, since no one had a clue that he would become one of the most famous engineers to ever serve in Starfleet. But now, years later, seeing him for the first time on screen is a huge deal. Because this is it, this is the moment he took his first steps on a grand journey, and this just so happens to be on my mind today, simply because the next episode of Star Trek features the introduction of an iconic character, one that you might say, ended up becoming of the greatest thorns to ever stick in the side of Captain James T. Kirk; Harcourt Fenton Mudd.
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Yes, that’s right, good old Harry Mudd arrived on the series before we even saw our first Klingon and well, his story in ‘Mudd’s Women’ was quite the breath of fresh air. Because not only did it do a fine job of establishing immediately what Mudd stands for and what kind of character he would be going forward, this is a tale that managed to wipe away the bad taste I had in my mouth regarding ‘The Enemy Within’. For rather than take the easy way out when it comes to the complex issues this particular story presented, it addressed them head on in thoughtful fashion and that made this episode quite the fascinating journey when all is said and done, one that truly embodied the spirit of the franchise through and through since it dove into a touch of social commentary.

In fact, I was quite impressed with how this story dove into how women are treated and viewed in modern society, since Mudd’s desire to keep this trio of women young speaks volumes to how looks are valued over anything else when it comes to women, and how often times if they’re not at ‘their best’, they’re immediately ignored or forgotten. Plus, it also took a moment to explore the notion of toxic masculinity, specifically how there are men out there who don’t exhibit self-control when they see an attractive woman, and while much of that was a result of the Venus drug that Mudd was providing the women aboard the Enterprise with, the fact that Kirk and Spock and a handful of others were able to handle themselves spoke volumes to how inappropriate behavior and a lack of respect are an outright choice and it was quite surprising to see a message this relevant in a story that’s fifty-three years old.

However, while it was nice to see such brilliant commentary play out on screen, we need to talk about the wonder of Harry Mudd in this particular tale, because I simply cannot get over the magic present here when it comes to his little cat and mouse game with Captain Kirk. Because these two really are perfect foils through and through, and it was just a delight to see Kirk work to bring Mudd down and then see Harry find a way to rebo and get the best of one of Starfleet’s finest. And what’s truly amazing here, is that if one ever had the opportunity to view other Harry Mudd related episodes before this one, you’d never know that these two were first-time enemies in the slightest. The chemistry here is just that good and it really is just a treat to learn that their first showdown was a high stakes poker game with the Enterprise as a bargaining chip.

If anything, this really was quite the refreshing story. Because this was the franchise at its best. For it featured danger and thrills with the ship slowly falling into disrepair with its dilithium crystals (or lithium as they are called here) shattered and it featured a collection of minds working together to solve a grandiose problem and of course, it brings about the genesis of one legendary character, one that would cause all kinds of trouble down the line for not one, but two crews in the Star Trek universe. Because Harry Mudd would return to the saga in Star Trek: Discovery and well, this one was just a treat, and I loved it through and through and hopefully this episode signals the end of the growing pains for this magnificent series because these are the kind of stories that I could simply get lost in, all day long. Until next time.  

The duality of man is something that has managed to fascinate writers and storytellers for as long as I can remember, and I fully understand why. Because our ability to instantly switch from kindness to unrestrained evil is fascinating to say the least, and fiction allows for a safe and quality exploration of what drives our ability to flip between both extremes on a moment’s notice and that’s led to some intriguing tales, the kind that demonstrate the dangers of dipping into and/or indulging our darker side, since it has quite the power over all of us. But not all stories subscribe to notion that evil must be abandoned by man. Some tales instead dive into the concept that perhaps balance is what we should seek instead, and that both halves of the equation are paramount to a happy existence, and one such show that I didn’t expect to explore such matters, was Star Trek.
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But, the next episode of this stunning saga jumped right into those proverbial waters since ‘The Enemy Within’ provided us with a transporter accident that managed to split Captain Kirk into an inherently good version of himself, and one made of pure evil, which made for quite the surprising tale when all is said and done. Because Richard Matheson’s script goes all out in showing us the evil that men are capable of, in uncomfortable fashion, since there is quite the disturbing scene between Evil Jim Kirk and Yeoman Janice Rand, one where he basically assaults her in the comfort of her own quarters and really, this completely took me off guard when I was watching it. Because sexual assault just seems so out of place in this franchise, and my problem with it, is that it was totally unnecessary to see in this tale, for there were other ways that the show could have established the cruelty this iteration of Kirk is capable of, and while I understand it’s a product of the times, this scene really has not aged well in the slightest and it definitely crossed a line.

To make matters worse, it really does draw you out of the story, which is quite the shame. Because this episode really does have some fascinating things to say about the human condition and how keeping the light and the dark in balance is the key to making us better people, so we can draw upon the right parts when necessary, and it also featured a quality race against time as well to figure out how to recombine the two Kirks since a failure to solve the transporter problem would result in a loss of life. Plus, there are some technical marvels to be found in this tale, since The Original Series didn’t receive the kind of money Star Trek: Discovery or Star Trek: Picard are getting in the modern era, which means the special effects crew needed to pull off some wonders with the cameras and with body doubles to make two Kirks work on screen and I have to give it to them, they pulled it off in magnificent fashion here. In fact, the scenes present in the lower decks as Kirk hunts evil Kirk were of note because it all worked together, seamlessly.

If anything, I suppose it’s just best to declare this episode as uneven at best since it clearly had some great ideas in place, the execution just leaves something to be desired and oddly enough, the uneven nature of this tale doesn’t end with its two strange extremes storytelling wise. Because, let’s be honest, at times it gets a little hammy acting wise and yes, that’s due in large part to William Shatner’s performance in this tale. For when he gets the opportunity to ham it up, he wastes no time in letting loose and that makes for some supremely cheesy moments as Evil Kirk unleashes his ‘fury’ in private, which is ironic in its own right. Because at the same time Shatner also turns in some great acting moments here and there as well. After all, it takes some skill to create subtle changes in an established character and Meek Kirk and Evil Kirk are easily spotted thanks to Shatner’s ability to transform as an actor here.

If anything, I suppose I’m just splitting hairs and letting my mental conflict over this tale shine through. But it’s hard to not drift back to the stuff that bothers me in this episode. After all, this is a franchise that tried its best to show us the best parts of mankind at every single turn. So, to see it use shock value to tell its story, and allow an evolved alien who believes in logic to fire off a sexist remark, is just stunning and out of place for this franchise, and it amazes me that this one is consistently regarded as one of the best that the saga ever offered up, because it really isn’t. But, while I’m sure my thoughts here will draw disagreement, what’s done is done, and nothing can be done to change this episode’s missteps. All I can do at this point, is suffer through the growing pains of this young franchise, and hope we get to the good stuff soon because the beginning to this storied franchise, has been a bit rough for certain. Until next time.  

Over the course of its illustrious and storied run, Top Gear has taken us on quite the fascinating ride, one that’s allowed for car enthusiasts and casual fans alike to get up close and personal with supercars that would normally remain out of reach. But this season, I’m noticing a fascinating theme emerging from the show, in that, while the series continues to celebrate the supercar, it’s now pondering as to whether or not the benefits of supercars can find their way into the garage of the average person. And while so far, the answer to that question has been a resounding no, that certainly hasn’t stopped the show from continuing to try and see if such a feat can be done, and it fell to one-man last night to try and make some magic happen when it comes to this particular idea.

Because Paddy has won most of the challenges this season and his choices for average car turned supercar have fared the best, meaning that it was up to him to create the ultimate family car on a budget, and his choice for this particular journey, allowed for one delightful episode to unfold. Because Paddy decided that a Daimler hearse (yes, that’s right, a freakin’ hearse) would be the perfect vehicle for any family out there looking for performance and efficiency and wouldn’t you know it? His wild idea had some serious merit to it. Because this monstrous vehicle actually managed to hang in a race, and it did such a fine job with a weight test (one complete with grandmas), that Freddie and Chris came to realize that Paddy was indeed onto something and well, they helped out in making this ride something truly special.

Which means the Daimler got quite the overhaul, complete with a slick paint job, a hatch for snacks, and a ball pit to entertain the kiddies and a new nickname, the Overtaker, all in the hopes of helping the car fit the bill as the ultimate family car. And as it turns out, the old girl continued to live up to expectations, since a beach test against the Stig family’s Mercedes-Benz SUV went extremely well. But alas, despite the changes made to this vehicle, its limitations were eventually exposed when she rolled over on an off-road test, putting an end to the Overtaker’s reign as the greatest family car in all the land. So, the lads sent her off in style, by entering her in a bumper derby, truly allowing for the old girl to go out with a bang before losing to Sabine. 

But while this was quite the treat to watch, at no point did the series step away from its roots, because what is Top Gear without a supercar review? Which means the show took a few minutes to explore the wonder of Dallara Stradale, a car forged from a company that has spent most of its time doing designs behind the scenes. But now, they feel the need to build cars and man, what a ride they’ve put together. Because this car was lightweight and designed to hug the track to provide the driver with an utterly incredible experience and it definitely delivered on that, which is quite the feat considering that this is a supercar that just so happens to feature a Ford engine. But, it’s an engine that’s perfect for this particular car and while she isn’t much to look at it, the results speak for themselves since it finished 2nd time wise on the track, all time.

Plus, the celebrity segment, featuring Mike and Zara Tindall was entertaining as well since a little husband and wife competition kept things interesting and when all is said and done, I think it’s best to declare this episode to be the best that Season 27 has offered to date. Because this one, was just fun through and through and not having to compete in different vehicles allowed for the lads to let loose and be silly around one another, and the pranks present here left me in stitches, and let’s be honest, the idea of turning a hearse into a family car is about as wild as it gets. If anything, this episode only reaffirms that the addition of Paddy and Fred was a wonderful idea since it really does feel like you’re reuniting with old friends when they’re on screen with Chris and I truly cannot wait to see what other wild adventures await us in the weeks to come. Until next time. 

As BBC America’s ‘Wild Summer’ continues along, I’ve been noticing a recurring theme that permeates the shows that have been hitting the airwaves, in that, mankind isn’t quite as cognizant as they should be of the wild world that is thriving beneath our collective noses and there’s a lot of truth to that. Because while we go about daily lives and worry about the usual things that keep us up at night, the animal kingdom continues to go about its daily, and genuinely tough, fight for survival, and while it seems as though the message present in this summer saga, was for us to take a moment and appreciate the wild world that surrounds us, it turns out there is a deeper meaning present in everything the network has presented us with thus far.
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In essence, the lesson is that not only do we need to be aware of the thriving animal kingdom that surrounds us, we also need to respect it and help it continue to thrive. Because mankind’s incredible growth is taxing the animal kingdom and bringing us together in ways we never thought possible, and for proof, well no look no further than last night’s documentary; Wild City: Singapore. For this new, four part series, took the time to introduce us properly to the city that shares the namesake of the title, and the reason that Singapore is worthy of its own documentary, is the sheer fact that this growing metropolis is quite literally standing in the midst of the wild. And the animals that once used the treetops for cover are finding ways to cope with their new human neighbors and how they make that work, made ‘Hidden Wild’ a fascinating opening chapter to this particular documentary.

Because I honestly had no clue that mankind and the natural world are so close to one another in this region of the planet, but Singapore is a mere 15 miles from the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, a place where the animal kingdom goes about its everyday business as humanity does the same. And it was simply incredible to learn that a naturally wild area such as this, has no borders or fences to keep the animals from staying out, or others from getting in, but somehow this setup and design works since animals are doing just fine here. Some for example, use their natural evolution to keep their day, or in this case, night going, since the Colugo is able to camouflage itself during the daylight, allowing it to sneak out into the darkness with ease to eat and care for its young and it’s not the only family animal looking to keep generations going.

For this tale also focused upon the wonder of the Smooth Coated Otter, a bright species of otter that knows exactly how to use the tide to hunt for fish and train their young in the process and we were able to meet a family of five in this story, one that is adjusting nicely to the fact that they run into humans and other species alike while in the reserve. Of course, people want nothing more than a picture, but sometimes these poor cuties run into wild dogs that wish to hunt, but thankfully, these resourceful creatures use the territory to their advantage. But while it was wonderful to see life doing just fine in this beautiful reserve on a consistent basis, it wasn’t all joy and cute moments present in this tale since we cannot forget that sometimes, the merging of our non-stop and controlled environment and the world of nature doesn’t always go so smoothly.

Because this tale showed us some of the strife that animals go through in this hybrid environment, since a family of eagles saw one of their young pass away, thanks to some fishing wire that was present in the food they fed their baby, and despite having their other child survive, there’s no guarantees as to what tomorrow will bring and this was a sobering reminder that we haven’t quite figured out that perfect balance between man and nature just yet. Which means we are in for one fascinating ride in the weeks to come since we will undoubtedly learn more about the tenuous yet peaceful relationship between man and nature in this beautiful place and I truly cannot wait to discover what wonders are right underneath the noses of the good people of Singapore and potentially, what the long term relationship between man and nature looks like in a place where mankind is showing no signs of slowing down its inevitable growth. Until next time.

Normally when it comes to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the fans have some idea of what to expect as the season rolls on. We know that a big showdown is on the horizon, we know plenty about the enemy our intrepid heroes are facing and we’re basically enjoying the ride as we barrel toward an epic season finale. But season six of this storied series is changing up the formula in ways that I never thought possible, since the last episode in essence, left us adrift and in the dark as to where the heck this story was headed. Because it seemed like everything was wrapped up in a neat little blow. For Izel was defeated and of course, Sarge died in that story as well, in a manner that outright betrayed everything that May stands for.
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But thankfully, the show wasted no time in helping us to understand the mystery surrounding Sarge’s death and Izel’s plan since ‘Leap’ answered all kinds of incredible questions and well, what we learned was stunning to say the least. But, before we dive too deeply into all of that, let’s talk about the incredible atmosphere that this episode put together. Because we quickly came to learn in this tale that Izel survived the attack on the freighter, and that she has been hiding within people’s bodies and controlling them along the way, and that’s how May was able to get to Sarge and shoot him, and since Izel was running around the Lighthouse in disguise, no one knew how to draw her out into the light, and that made for one tense story, one that basically paid homage to a horror classic.

In fact, this one was reminiscent of John Carpenter’s The Thing, since the evil in question was hiding within man and no one could trust their teammates since that person could in fact be Izel, and this was a true stroke of genius storytelling wise when all is said and done. Because the scene where Mack and the senior leaders of S.H.I.E.L.D. tried to smoke Izel out, kept the audience guessing over and over again since we never quite knew which body she was inhabiting and well, once she was revealed, the darkness of this tale was only further amplified. Because she felt the need to make the depth of her power clear, and was willing to kill Davis to hammer that point home and while this entire sequence was stunning and heartbreaking in its own right, it paled in comparison to the surprise I made mention of a moment ago.

Because this particular tale finally revealed that Sarge survived his wounds and he made a full recovery before continuing his quest to bring Izel down and that quest, revealed all of his secrets. As it turns out, Sarge is in essence, a genuine duplicate of the late Phil Coulson, one that was created by the Monoliths and one that was sent to a world of non-corporeal beings wherein Coulson merged with a being named Pachakutiq, and this alien’s ability to garner a body, inspired Izel to create her own form and set out to bring flesh to her kind. But the complication at hand is that Izel and the Coulson-hybrid used to be close, and the weirdly resurrected Phil no longer trusts her or believes in her, since Coulson’s memories are creating great conflict within his mind, meaning that this unique being is going to have to make quite the choice in the days to come.

In the end however, I was truly impressed with this particular episode. Simply because, it caught me completely and utterly off guard with its reveal of Sarge’s sorted past, and the reveal of his relationship with Izel and her overall plans were handled in organic and smooth fashion and well, I have to admit that this particular tale actually managed to invest me further into the overall story. Because Phil Coulson is in essence, alive and well, and while he’s not exactly his old self, the conflict Sarge is experiencing is fascinating to say the least and I am truly dying to know whether or not the good within Phil will take hold and let him rise to the occasion, or if the darkness within will take over instead. Which makes the wait for tonight’s episode all the more difficult, since I’m sure this upcoming story is going to address that little conundrum. Until next time. 

The more time I’ve had to ponder upon the first three episodes of Star Trek, the more I’ve come to realize that this series was genuinely struggling to find its voice in its early days on the air. Because while we’ve seen some neat ideas come to life and enjoyed some fascinating voyages through space, the key things this franchise stands for, the stuff that quite frankly we love the most about it, has been decidedly absent. And while I fully understand that every series needs time to find its direction, I’m a little surprised to see this iconic saga grasping at space straws and that last episode, truly left me wondering exactly how much longer I would have to wait before the series would find its footing.
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As it turns out, the wait wouldn’t be that long after all. For the next episode in this series, ‘The Naked Time’, managed to fit the mold so to speak, since it featured a lot of what we truly love about this storied saga. For starters, we finally got to see a vast majority of the crew on screen and in a functional role in this tale. Since McCoy returned to the roster and was integral to the plot, and Scotty was given more to do than hang out in the scenery and really, the only person missing at this point is Chekov, but we’ve got a way to go before his arrival. But I digress, because what matters here is that having six of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ present in this tale allowed for something truly important to take place in this story.

Because one of the great things about Star Trek, is the sheer fact that the crew always worked together under pressure to solve incredible problems, and there was never a wrong answer, nor was anyone chastised for their suggestion. It was just humanity and an incredibly smart alien, finding a solution as one and that was present here in the most extreme way imaginable, since hey, the ship was spiraling out of control while a deeply ill crew indulged their darker side. But despite the pressure present here, and despite some of the key members of the bridge crew coming down with this twisted illness, everyone did their best to keep their heads level and their emotions in check and if by chance someone slipped out of line when it comes to those elements, they quickly course corrected to stay focused on the real problem at hand.

Granted, while that may not sound like a big deal at first glance, since it is a staple of the franchise that we take for granted, the fact that this is the first time it appears in the saga is a huge deal and it finally allowed for the chemistry between the actors to shine and honestly, this was really our first taste of what Shatner and company could on screen acting wise. Because this wild illness allowed for the actors to let loose and have a little fun, and let’s be honest, there’s something quite incredible about seeing Spock have an emotional breakdown. But let’s be honest, seeing Sulu bust out the fencing foil is the true highlight of this episode and everything it stands for, and kudos to George Takei for his quality performance in this tale.

In the end however, it was nice to finally see the series find its stride. Because this is an episode that outright felt like home, since everything story wise worked here and everything we know and love about this crew was on display. Plus, I honestly forgot how intense this story was and how the sense of danger only grows and grows as the story rolls along and really all of these elements make this a great episode of Star Trek and I’m simply over the moon that the franchise has found its footing at last and it definitely has energized me to dive into the next episode as soon as possible. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to my Netflix app to do just that since the series has finally ‘arrived’. Until next time. 

We reap what we sow. That’s a phrase that carries a lot of weight with humanity, because it is a saying that we’ve all learned has a great deal of truth to it. For time and time again, we’ve seen good deeds and hard work rewarded and we’ve seen the flip side to that as well. Because regardless of how sneaky or how powerful bad people are, eventually, the rotten karma they inject into the world finds its way back to their doorstep and while we all know we shouldn’t gloat or celebrate on that particular day, there is a sense of satisfaction and justice that comes with seeing bad people take part in a sour harvest. And it just so happens that after watching June endure constant sorrow and hardships at the hands of Gilead’s ‘proud’ commanders on The Handmaid’s Tale, the universe finally paid it forward for a member of executive leadership in this twisted nation.
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Which quite frankly came as a surprise, since ‘Witness’ spent most of its early moments focusing upon June’s plan to move children out of Gilead and I honestly thought this story would remain on that plot thread and let us witness more growth from our intrepid heroine. But, June’s return back to the Lawrence residence revealed that Fred Waterford has been enjoying his newfound sense of purpose and direction in Gilead by using everything he saw in D.C. as a blueprint for his district, demanding that his fellow commanders conform to a lifestyle that better pays tribute to the ‘God’ they worship. Which means that the creature comforts that Commander Lawrence has been enjoying for some time now are gone, and while that is a touch of karma in its own right, since the world he designed tightened the reins upon him, that was merely a taste of things to come since Waterford wasn’t quite done with testing Lawrence’s loyalty and dedication to the cause.

Because Fred firmly believed that something was afoul in the Lawrence household since Joseph has yet to produce a child after having four handmaids’ in his home, and with Winslow’s blessing, he enacted a policy that had gone the wayside. Wherein Waterford and a cadre of Gilead officials, including Aunt Lydia and his wife and Commander Winslow, made their way to Lawrence house to ensure the ceremony is happening under Joseph’s roof, and this, well this is what rocked Joseph’s world like never before. Because it became clear that he’s never performed the ceremony, because he loves his wife and only wishes to be faithful to her, and sleeping with another woman would devastate Eleanor and sadly…with a High Commander and troops in his home, he had no choice but to follow the edict of Gilead and well, it would seem that having karma slap Commander Lawrence soundly in the face, changed his perspective on a great many things, for what followed the ceremony was stunning to say the least.

For not only was Eleanor in rough shape emotionally, Lawrence was equally as rattled and he was so disgusted with the ceremony and everything it stands for, he actually offered up emergency contraception to June, and a grand assist in her plan to get kids out, so that he can get his wife out of Gilead as well, and this was jaw-dropping to say the least. Because I really thought Lawrence relished in this world and everything it stands for. But June’s potent words and having his dream backfire upon him, finally allowed for Joseph to see that no one can escape an idea this evil, and really the only question hovering over Commander Lawrence at this point, is whether or not he will take up June’s offer to leave with his wife. Because there is an inherent risk that he will end up in jail for his crimes, but there is also a chance that defecting to Canada could serve as his redemption, since his intimate knowledge of Gilead’s inner-workings could help to bring it to its knees.

If anything, this really was quite the stunning episode when all is said and done. In part because I never thought I’d see the day when a commander would consider turning his back on Gilead, but here we are, and I really hope that Joseph leaves this place with his beloved Eleanor. However, all of that aside, this is also a pivotal tale, one that sets the stage for a bold plan, one that will hopefully rip the fabric of Gilead to shreds and it should be interesting to see how June pulls this all off in the weeks to come. Plus, it should be equally as intriguing to uncover what Serena is up to when it comes to Nicole since this little push, she’s making upon Fred could endanger them both and I do hope she’s also trying to do something noble for a change. Because the decency that was present in this particular story was a welcome change of pace and it would be lovely to see this story serve as a keystone episode, one that motivates the story to continue to embrace the light, so that it can triumph over the darkness that is Gilead. Until next time. 

If there’s one universal truth when it comes to new television shows, it is that they experience some serious growing pains in their first year. Because everyone involved with the project is working hard to find the show’s voice in every way imaginable and that means sometimes the stories can be a bit sub-par, or they seem a little confusing as the kinks get worked out in the writer’s room. But either way, we should see progress as the season rolls on and there is a supreme joy to be found in watching a series grow. Which is why I was so supremely shocked when I settled in to watch the next episode of Star Trek, simply because ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’ ended up defying that criteria in every way imaginable, since this particular tale, was actually a bit of a step backward for the franchise.
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Because everything that you don’t expect to be a part of this storied franchise is present here, since a fair chunk of this episode revolves around an unsettling discussion, specifically whether or not to kill Lieutenant Gary Mitchell, after he becomes an omnipotent being and that’s… so unlike this series that it is ridiculous. After all, Trek was about saving lives and taking them would only happen if every last alternative is exhausted. So, to see Spock and Kirk talk about the finer points of murder and/or marooning Gary on Delta Vega as their primary options, is just jarring to say the least, but at the same time, it’s understandable as to why this episode seems so out place. Because as it turns out, this was the ‘second’ pilot that was made after ‘The Cage’ and truly the ideals of what the Federation stands for weren’t quite formed yet, making this a touch odd to air this three episodes into the inaugural season, since the tone and design are so woefully different.

Yet, what’s ironic here is that while this episode takes one by surprise by giving us crueler and more hardened versions of our favorite characters, it also offers up some supremely fascinating ideas to chew upon as well. Because a fear of those that are different is a wonderful notion to explore and Gary just so happens to fall into that category, since he transforms into something that is unique, and terrifying and the clash presented here revolving around acceptance versus prejudice, was downright fascinating. Plus, I did also appreciate how the show explored the notion of how absolute power corrupts, since Gary is a man that is lower on the Starfleet food chain, while his best friend is the captain of the Enterprise, and seeing him soak up the power he’s been given and relish in it and abuse it after spending so much time as a nobody is supremely relatable, since we’ve seen people become drunk with power, time and time again.

However, while this story does offer up some strange back and forth, there are some cool moments to fawn over for certain. For this particular story does feature the first ever appearance in the franchise of Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott and even though James Doohan is in this for a handful of minutes, he finds a way to stand out in every single scene he’s in. Plus, this is also the episode that shows us what life would have been like without DeForest Kelley on the show and well, that would have been as weird as can be. It’s not that Doctor Piper did anything wrong, it’s just obvious that the southern charm that Mister Kelley brought to the role added to the magic of this series, so it’s a wonderful thing that the character was recast after this second pilot was filmed because Dr. McCoy and his personality and his interaction with Kirk and Spock, truly made the show worthwhile.

But, while it seems as though I’ve been a touch rough on this episode, due to some of the strange things it presents us with, I honestly give this one a pass when all is said and done. In part because it does work to explore some powerful ideas and more importantly, we’re only three episodes into a journey that no one understood back in the day. I mean come on, a weekly serial about mankind living in a perfect utopia and exploring the stars? It just simply had not been done before and big stumbles should come as no surprise, and I have a funny feeling that it won’t be long before the series does what we’re used to with first year shows, and figures out how to grow into the legendary and hopeful franchise we know and love and I cannot wait to see that unfold as the first season continues along. Until next time. 

Sometimes, I think we all forget the fact that there is a revolution happening within the auto industry. For the days of gasoline and muscle cars are slowly coming to an end thanks to the world’s newfound desire for clean energy, and that paradigm shift has brought forth a gamut of electric vehicles to the market. But while it is quite cool to see cars that run off of batteries on the road and see the future come to life, there is one slight problem permeating this change in that, some of these cars aren’t quite as affordable as one might like. Which is something that begs an important question, in that, is it possible to find a moderately priced electric vehicle out there?
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Sadly, there is no easy answer to that question at this particular time, but that certainly didn’t stop Top Gear from exploring that conundrum in the most unique way imaginable. Because this week’s episode saw our hosts work to build a budget electric car, allowing for some unique creations to come into play and what the lads managed to put together was downright fascinating. For Chris decided it would be best to pay tribute to the past by updating a Triumph Spitfire, whereas Fred went a more practical route by converting a Subaru Brat into a green machine and Paddy of course, felt the need to add a new sense style to the Nissan Leaf to go with its electric upgrade and the point of all of this work was to see if any of these vehicles could hold a flame to what’s on the market now.

As it turns out, the answer to that question is a resounding no, because these cars struggled from the get go with performance due in part to age and the fact that they weren’t designed to handle the weight differential that comes with having batteries added to their chassis, but that certainly didn’t make the challenges put forth any less entertaining to watch. In fact, seeing these cars struggle and seeing the lads have a little fun with their failures made for one hilarious episode, especially when they used electric shocks to keep one another in line on a particular course, or when they tried to convince others that their uniquely constructed rides were the wave of the future. But while they came to learn that a budget electric car is a bit of a stretch, the episode was quick to educate us on how the major car companies are starting to make these vehicles every bit as good as everything else on the market.

That was accomplished by way of Chris’ review of the Tesla Model 3, a vehicle that Elon Musk vowed to make as magnificent as any other super car out there and wouldn’t you know it? Mister Musk made good on his promise. Because not only did this vehicle hang with some of the big boys in an overall speed test, it also managed to beat an Alfa Romeo by a fraction of a section on a road test and well, that’s simply incredible. And while this vehicle isn’t quite as sexy as some of the other vehicles out there, and doesn’t handle as well when it comes to those tough turns, the fact that it can compete with other super cars is quite the accomplishment when all is said and done and the results here reinforce the fact that it won’t be long until the electric car becomes the standard and if they manage to fix the little quirks present in Chris’ test, then this series might be testing magnificent cars that are powered by battery on a regular basis.

However, outside of that fascinating segment, there was still more fun to be had by way of the celebrity segment, which featured Himesh Patel and Danny Boyle, the lead actor and the director of the new film Yesterday, and it was fascinating to learn about their simple tastes when it comes to cars. But the fun in question came about from a friendly competition from the director and the star and the end result of this back and forth ended up a being a close win for Danny Boyle and in the end, this turned out to be quite the magnificent episode. Because it taught the audience a plenty about electric vehicles and what the future might hold for them and of course, the lads made learning fun by way of all the laughs they brought to the table and Paddy and Fred are wonderful additions to this series and they work well together with Chris and I cannot wait to see what kinds of tests and lessons await us in next week’s episode. Until then.  

If there is one question that is supremely important to modern mankind, it would have to be ‘where were you, when…?’ Because asking that question to folks that lived through an important and formative moment in human history, allows for us to get a true understanding, in every way imaginable, about how people felt on that particular day and it’s a question that I’ve posed toward my parents often throughout the years. But while their insight has been invaluable and poignant in its own right, let’s be honest, experiencing those all-important moments is the only true way to understand what they mean to mankind and history as a whole and thankfully, technology is trying to make such a feat possible.
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For old footage of historical events is now being remastered and restored to preserve the importance of yesterday and last night, BBC America took the time to air a beautiful, restored re-telling of one of the most important moments in modern human history; mankind’s first steps on the moon. Which is something that I wasn’t even born for, so when I saw that Moon Landing Live was airing, I definitely cleared my schedule since this network is well known for providing its audience with quality and powerful documentaries, and this particular one is no exception to that rule. For this one was moving and inspiring and immersive and really, I am still in awe of this particular documentary a day after it aired, because of the unique way that it told its story.

Because in essence, this documentary uses old footage from NASA and the networks to transport the audience into the days and hours leading up to that historic landing, and the moment in question, and well, this approach works like a charm. Because this feels like any other newscast on any other day, and while the 1960s aesthetic is a tad jarring at first, it doesn’t take long before you find yourself invested in what you’re seeing, thanks in large part to the emotion present in this footage. For the hopes and the dreams of a nation are evident here, as is the awe and wonder of every newscaster reporting on this historic event and once you empathize with what you’re seeing, that’s it, the documentary has you and you cannot look away and that makes the big moment in question, all the more magnificent. 

Because I’ve only seen snippets of the landing. So, to see the entire process unfold and watch that cratered surface rush up beneath the lander was breathtaking to say the least. And regardless of the fact that it happened fifty-years ago, seeing the lander touch down on the surface off the moon is a humbling experience, and there were definitely tears in my eyes when Neil Armstrong stepped out of the LEM and set foot on the lunar surface before speaking those powerful words and that’s why this documentary is so incredibly special. Because at last, those who weren’t around to experience the wonder and majesty of this event, finally got their chance and were able to bear witness to the fact that mankind had conquered the dangers of space and walked on the surface of the moon.
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Yet, there were still more incredible moments to be found in this tale outside of the landing and the subsequent return of the Apollo 11 crew. Because this documentary found a way to look at some of the hot button issues that were hovering over our nation at the time, since racial injustice was an important topic in America in 1969 and an unpopular war was raging overseas and it was important to offer that contrast since it served to remind us of just how far we still have to go as a society, despite the incredible accomplishments we have made. But, it’s important to note that this addition to the documentary isn’t meant to detract from its power, it is instead designed to teach us an important lesson, one that we truly need to heed.

For this documentary more or less makes it clear, that while we do have a long way to go, when we lock ourselves into a goal, one that seems impossible, and dedicate the right resources and time to it, we can achieve it and this landing is proof of that. Because this was era where technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today, yet, we found a way to touch the heavens and inspire and spread hope in the process, and the message that we need to apply that kind of thinking to our earth-bound problems was not lost upon me and I hope it resonates with others. Either way, this really was an incredible documentary when all is said and done and if you missed it, hunt it down and watch it as quick as you can so that you too can enjoy the power and the majesty of the moment, when mankind visited its lunar neighbor.