Caution: This article contains spoilers for the ‘LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special’.
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Way back in 1978, when the Star Wars Holiday Special (SWHS) aired, I was just a little girl. I don’t remember the concept of the Kashyykian Life Day or even the fact that it falls on my birthday – November 17th. I do remember that, at the time, it was awesome to have anything Star Wars on television after the success of A New Hope (20th Century Fox; 1977) in theatres just over a year prior. However, I recall very little about the special itself. In fact, because I was much older when the Ewok TV films (20th Century Fox; 1984 & 1985) debuted, I somehow blended them with the SWHS thinking the focus revolved around Endor and its inhabitants rather than Chewbacca and his family. I guess I confused ripping arms off with braiding hair or something… LOL!! Ahh, childhood! **BIG GRIN** So, I figured, before we dive into this delightful LEGO upgrade, let’s first take a closer look at its roots, shall we?
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Just exactly what is Life Day anyway? Well, according to StarWars.com, “Life Day began as a Wookiee holiday centered around the Kashyyyk Tree of Life, but can be celebrated by any species in any location.” Additionally, the principles and traditions revolve around harmony, festive adornments and activities and “unique and special food items.” And let’s not forget the music! Created by George Lucas, the harmonious Life Day, similar to much of George’s other creations, was well ahead of its time. Overall, the concept equates to Earth’s Holiday Season without designating a specific religion or region, making the celebration globally inclusive (LOVE THIS!!). The SWHS on the other hand (LOL!!) garners quite the eyeroll from not only fans, but the cast and creator as well. I don’t know about you, but the first thing I think of is Princess Leia’s musical number and the oddly portrayed (LOL!!) son of Chewbacca, Lumpy. Not to mention Carrie Fisher is on record saying she used to play the SWHS at parties as a means to get people to leave… LOL, YIKES!! Sadly, despite the SWHS also introducing us to Boba Fett and his Mythosaur, due to the comical and often negative reflection surrounding the special itself, the wonderful message of Life Day was lost. Mentioned mostly in various SWU games, stories and novels over the years, Life Day made a huge TV resurgence when Jon Favreau added a nod to it in the first ever SWU live action series The Mandalorian (Disney+). HECK YA!! And now with pop culture nostalgia at an all-time high, it makes complete sense to revive (AND IMPROVE – LOL!!) this event for old and new generations alike. And what better way to do so by handing over the reins to LEGO… am I right?!?

Having a long relationship with the SWU, the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special wastes no time diving right in as we’re introduced by narration from the one and only Yoda. That alone brings a soothing comfort matched by the holiday feel of pages in a book drifting into the story. It’s a cozy beginning as Yoda explains that following the destruction of the First Order, freedom, peace and happiness once again fill the galaxy and there’s no better way to honor such joy than with a Life Day Celebration. With the warmth of Star Wars music softly playing, Yoda tells us that Rey and her friends have joined Chewbacca and his family on Kashyyyk. We pick up in the Falcon where Finn is undergoing Jedi training. WAIT… WHAT!!? Did someone just say Canon?? HECK YA!! We hilariously see Finn battle it out with a Marksman-H (NICE!!) while Rey questions herself as a teacher as well as whether Finn is truly ready to become a Jedi. In the meantime, a Holiday sweater wearing (LOL!!) Poe along with Rose, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, BB-8 and D-O show up with enthusiasm for setting up the Falcon to host Chewy’s entire family for the Life Day Celebration… AWWW!! Rey, focused on training Finn rather than her friends, leaves the room to ponder solutions. Meditating for guidance, she’s presented with a possible answer from the Jedi Texts. Setting aside the Life Day festivities and leaving the group behind, Rey and BB-8 seek answers in a Jedi Temple on Kordoku. Man, I always love seeing Jedi Temples!! You?? From here, our story splits in two. One path follows Rey on a roller coaster of melding, both past and present, while the other shows us the rest of the groups’ ups and downs preparing for the Life Day Celebration. Seems simple enough, no? So just what makes the LEGO SWHS so darn… um, special (LOL!) then??

Well first, in traditional LEGO fashion, the settings are magnificent and the comedy is just gold! We get great little LEGO jokes like heads spinning around and hair popping off. There are also a lot of familiar voices from the SWU, including actors from games, films and animation, making the whole thing even more fun. For me, it feels like a balance between other hilarious LEGO projects and Robot Chicken Star Wars (Adult Swim). Things like Poe crying A LOT (LOL!!), Anakin and Kylo’s anger, Vader’s insecurities, The Emperor’s sarcasm, Chewbacca’s family trying to eat Porgs and Lando getting excited about capes are just the tip of the iceberg. The blue milk references and shirtless Kylo Ren and General Hux scene alone are hysterical!!

Second, it’s all about the mashups!! During Rey’s adventure, poking fun at both the Light and the Dark side hits an all time high when multiple generations are crammed together in unique and hilarious ways. I know I certainly wasn’t expecting to see Darth Vader pitch the name Starkiller Base in place of Death Star II… LOL!! Or to later see his insecure whimpers when cast aside as The Emperor takes a liking to Kylo Ren instead. Let alone hearing three generations of Obi-Wan say “Hello there,” to one another… LOL!! Or two Han Solos (NICE!!) facing off with Greedo using a very apt “who’s gonna shoot first” reference… AWESOME!! And what about Vader fighting himself on Hoth or both Luke’s confused by their not yet known nephew hating them. And the genre mashups don’t stop there. Scenes from all across time and space continually have you laughing while also saying, “WAIT… WHAT? REWIND THAT!!” throughout. Including a Mandalorian blip that will have you cheering in your seat… LOL!! On the flip side, seeing Poe, Rose, Finn, Chewbacca and the droids meet their own challenges during the Life Day Celebration is equally as fun with a few mashups of their own. Complete with Lando, Ewoks, Jawas (MARTINI… LOL!!), Max Rebo and more!! I mean. You had me at Max Rebo!!! Even Babu Frik, Jannah, Zori and Maz Kanata, make an appearance at the party alongside several other SWU characters bringing all smiles.
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Finally, this wouldn’t be Star Wars if there weren’t some life lessons along the way. Because by the end, Rey learns that not everything comes from a book. That of course the ancient Jedi Texts are important, but a good teacher will always look beyond. Yoda tells her that, “knowledge and training, a Jedi needs… yes. But useless these are without… connections.” The Life Day lesson Rey learns about her path as a Jedi teacher is that every Master and Padawan need each other and must work together. That her mistake was thinking she had to come up with the answer on her own. And as she sees the swirling visions of Masters and Padawans, she comes to realize that friendship is the key. She then races to set the collisions of time right again – hilariously, I might add (LOL!!) – before returning home to apologize to Finn and join in the festivities. At the same time, Poe and company come to understand that Life Day is about the love shared between family AND friends. And to this they say, “The more the merrier.” YAY!!! Not to mention, seeing Babu Frik breakdance and C-3PO do the robot while Max Rebo provides the jams is definitely the cuteness, I didn’t even know I needed... LOL! Then, as a Life Day miracle of snow on Kashyyyk happens (AWWW!!) and our beloved group, together again, joyously play outside, the story pans out to the book as our narrator Yoda wishes us all a Happy Life Day. AWWW!! Cue the feels!! THE END.

Special indeed!! As with most LEGO projects, the whole thing is family friendly, action packed and full of silliness in all the right places. Additionally, the unique blend of the entire Skywalker Saga allows young, old and everything in between to find multiple areas of interest and nostalgia. Which, I’m guessing, is exactly what LEGO and Disney were going for… LOL! And considering Life Day is also my birthday, my wish is the same as Leia’s from the original SWHS. “That this day will always be a day of joy, in which we can reconfirm our dedication and our courage. And more than anything else, our love for one another.” I’m also quite pleased that we now have a new and fantastically improved Star Wars Holiday Special to commemorate this warm and caring day for years to come. I barely scratched the surface on the laughter and subtleties within, so you’ll just have to see it for yourself, if you haven’t already!! Until next time… May the Force Be with You… Always.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the winter finale of ‘Big Sky’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating new ABC series, Big Sky, the situation was quite grim. Because despite Cassie and Jenny’s best efforts to find the missing women, they were simply unable to do so, despite being mere inches from them whilst investigating the shed. Leaving all of us to wonder as to whether or not Cassie and Jenny’s intrepid and bold quest to find them would succeed in the slightest, since Grace and Dani and Jerrie were mere hours away from being handed off to a new bidder and would likely never be seen again. But rather than keep us in outright suspense and let this issue drag on for weeks on end, the midseason finale of this dynamic new series was quick to address the fate of these poor unfortunate souls.
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For ‘A Good Day to Die’ immediately picked up where last week’s harrowing tale left off, which allowed for the audience to experience quite the intense tale, one that made it seem as though the bad guys were going to win this round. A feat that was set up, by having Cassie and Jenny go head-to-head with their foe in an epic manner. Because once again, Rick was spending time out at the shed with Ronald, mainly because dear Ronnie had come to discover that someone had arrived at the shed the night before and with Trooper Legarski’s truck resting in that location once again… Cassie and Jenny realized that now was the time to strike. Especially after Cassie came to discover that the blueprints for this old place, included a basement. 

But the instant Hoyt Private Investigations and the Sheriff’s office arrived at the remote shed to start their investigation, is when things went south for our heroes in this tale. Because the container in the basement was as empty as could be and Rick of course caused a giant scene in regard to the whole operation and made Jenny and Cassie look like fools. All because he put two and two together when it comes to the tracker and had Ronald move the ladies to The All In Bar before everyone arrived and well… his plan to discredit and embarrass, definitely worked. Because Sheriff Tubb was livid over how this whole thing went down, and he even went so far as to arrest Jenny for criminal stalking once the State Trooper’s office raised a stink about the matter.

To complicate matters further, Rick moved up the timeline on the pickup, forcing Ronald to prep the trio for transport, which led to the most powerful moments of the night. Because Grace and Dani and Jerrie were quick to beg for their lives and their future, and they really did make every effort to try and reason with Ronald and Rick and that was unsettling for certain. Because of course, they were unable to reach their captors, and the fear and terror that they expressed as the eleventh hour closed in, made this entire sequence as hopeless and as bleak as it can get, since truly… it seemed as though evil was going to win and this trio of innocents would disappear from the face of the earth. And that’s when the story surprised us one more time. 

Because while Jenny was cooling her heels in jail, Cassie still pondered upon ways to get Legarski to admit to his involvement in this mess and that motivated her to visit his wife, to try and learn more about Rick and his habits and this visit paid off in spades. For Merrilee was quick to point out that Rick was a true creature of habit, one that never deviated from his daily routine and that helped Cassie to realize that everything that happened at the shed was a ruse and that a man that met her a bar more times than she could count, out of habit, would likely make use of that place in more ways than one. An epiphany that allowed for Cassie to find Rick with the ladies at The All In Bar and that led to a showdown for the ages. One where Rick left Cassie with no choice, but to put a bullet into a Montana State Trooper.

If anything, this was simply… a breathtaking episode when all is said and done. Simply because it was full of tension and worry and intense moments from beginning to end. For this little cat and mouse game between Jenny and Cassie and Rick and Ronald, basically put us on the edge of our seats as we waited with bated breath to see whether or not the trio could be saved and well… this was definitely a brilliant way to close out the winter segment of this series. Largely because this finale did just enough to satisfy the audience by putting Dani and Grace and Jerrie in safe hands, but it is also brilliant, because it figured out how to leave us hungry for more. Because we actually don't know if Rick survived that bullet or not, and whether or not Cassie and the ladies are actually safe. Since the buyers are near and backup is on its way. Plus, Ronald is still out there and feeling empowered and well, we're all dying to know the answers to these burning questions. But thankfully, we don't have to wait too long for resolution. For Big Sky returns on January 26, 2021 and it will be quite interesting to see where this story takes us next, after that powerhouse ending. Until then.

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the Star Trek Universe offers up some of the finest world-building out there. Because this storied franchise has managed to assemble an actual history of the future, one complete with critical dates that a united mankind of tomorrow celebrates on a consistent basis in a manner that feels organic and natural, and that is no easy task. But this show pulls it off no problem and that really has allowed for quite the rich and engrossing viewing experience when all is said and done. But while it is wonderful to know exactly when Jonathan Archer will go from captain of the Enterprise to the President of the United Federation of Planets, there is one slight flaw when it comes to the STU’s overall world-building.

In that, it tends to focus on the more grandiose moments over anything else. Which has allowed for the social structure of the Federation and its many citizens to be ignored. Something that the saga can get away with by just pointing out that the UFP is a utopia of sorts where the betterment of all species takes precedence. But even then, sometimes we are just plain curious as to how people live in the 23rd Century and beyond, and how the various societies of the universe look and are structured and thanks to Star Trek: The Next Generation, we received those little tidbits of insight from time to time. For ‘The Price’ gave us a fascinating look at the economics of the future and that particular tale’s groundbreaking thoughts on that, opened the door for the next episode in this storied franchise… to finally give us an idea of what everyday life is actually like in the 24th Century.

A feat that ‘Ménage à Troi’ accomplished by slowing things down aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise by having the crew swing by Betazed for some trade agreements and since it was the 1701-D handling these affairs, the iconic Lwaxana Troi was able to come aboard and spend a little time with her daughter and their interactions informed us, that family life hasn’t changed all that much in 2366. Because daughters still quibble over rightful independence from their mothers and they in turn, cannot let go of their babies. Plus, we also came to learn that change is still something that takes people off guard in the future since Wesley was a bit terrified of making his way toward Starfleet Academy, since it likely meant he would be away from his friends and family for a long time, since Starfleet sends you where it needs to. 

But while all of that was fascinating to learn in its own right, what this episode truly hammers home for all of us, is how much people care about one another in the 24th Century. Because Wesley had no problem with tossing his chance at the Academy aside, in order to help Captain Picard and the crew find Deanna and Will and Lwaxana, after they were kidnapped by a smitten Ferengi Daimon. And for that matter, Jean-Luc was even willing to sacrifice his sanity by offering up an over-the-top romantic performance to get the Daimon to release her, which led to the biggest laughs of this particular tale. Simply because Jean-Luc's performance was as hammy as it gets, and the fact that Lwaxana bought it, hook, line and sinker only adds to the wonder and the hilarity of this supremely comical moment.

In the end however, this really was quite the delightful tale for certain. Since it once again allowed for the cast to let loose and have a little fun for a change, and it really did do a phenomenal job of showing us how wonderful life is in this fictional future. Because all the conflict and worries present in this story, were resolved promptly and in a hopeful manner. For Lwaxana respected her daughter in the end and Wesley didn’t have time to pout, or get a lecture about duty, since he was promoted to a field ensign and really, this was just a wonderful change of pace episode. One that lifts your spirits up and gives you something to smile about for an hour and it’s a wonderful thing that we are getting that right now. For the Borg are coming… and their arrival will offer up some downright terrifying moments. Until next time.

One thing that is truly amazing about the Star Trek Universe as a whole, is how well each and every series in this sprawling saga, connect to one another. Something that the franchise has accomplished by either featuring moments in the ‘past’ that directly impact the shows of the ‘future’, or by outright having characters from older shows guest spot on newer ones. Which are of course, acts that lend credence to the notion that this is one sprawling timeline, one that is as organic as our own and what’s truly fascinating about this particular aspect of the STU, is that for a little while there… this connectivity simply didn’t exist in the slightest.

In some cases, for obvious reasons. After all, the original Star Trek was its own thing, and Gene Roddenberry and the cast and crew of that intrepid series hadn’t a clue that fifty-plus years later the saga would stretch as far as the 32nd Century. But even with the arrival of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the powers that be, specifically Gene Roddenberry, made an effort to have TNG steer clear of the past. Despite the fact that it is a direct sequel to TOS. But eventually, some fine writing and outright time, allowed for this silly rule to finally begin to fade away and that brought about some powerful storytelling. The kind that allowed for the connective tissue of the STU to finally come together and it just so happens that the moment when this barrier finally fell, came about during the next episode of this iconic series. 

For ‘Sarek’ is a tale that brings Spock’s father aboard the Enterprise-D to facilitate a supremely important peace treaty and well, make no mistake about it… having Mark Lenard reprise the role and interact with new icons of the franchise, allows for some serious geek-out moments to happen. Because this really is it, this is the moment when the collective STU is born, and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Because there are all kinds of shout-outs to The Original Series in this episode, including a direct reference to ‘Journey to Babel’ and there’s even mention of Spock himself. Making this episode a fan’s dream come true for certain, since the only real TOS reference in this series prior to this tale, was a quick cameo from DeForest Kelley as Admiral Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy and a sequel episode.

But while it is indeed wonderful and titillating to see Sarek in action once again, this episode does offer up way more than mere fan service. In fact, it becomes quite the sobering tale once we come to learn that Sarek is suffering from the Vulcan equivalent of Alzheimer’s Disease. Because it humanizes Sarek in a way that the movies or TOS never could, and it also offers up a powerful message to the audience as well. In that, it is only a matter of time before old-age and the ravages of time catch up with us and when they do, they will hammer us hard and we have to be prepared to deal with that as the moment comes. And one thing that definitely helps with that unfortunate transition, are good people that stand by us and recognize that we haven’t failed or faltered, we’ve simply entered a new phase in our lives. 

If anything, that is one stunning message to send the audience’s way, but it is handled with such dignity and class that it never once engenders fear, instead it engenders hope that we will indeed be lifted up by those we love and what’s truly amazing, is that the gravity of this tale doesn’t end with its message. Because it also serves to remind us to cherish those we love, as evidenced by Sarek’s regrets in this tale and it also moves you by way of some powerhouse performances from both Mark Lenard and Patrick Stewart and really in the end… this is quite the important episode for certain. Because not only did it break down quite the barrier for the franchise, but it was also designed to help everyone involved with TNG, to cope with an unfortunate reality happening behind the scenes. For Sarek’s decline was written to mirror Gene Roddenberry’s, giving this story incredible depth since it marks the first time that the franchise paid tribute to one of its own in such a sobering manner. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the second episode of ‘Baby Chimp Rescue’.

One particular job that has to be extremely difficult, is that of a charity worker. Because while we see the end result of their work, wherein they are able to put smiles on people’s faces by either feeding them or clothing them, or even providing them with shelter or a meal, we rarely see the hardships that charity workers go through in order to make any of that happen. Because these folks work extremely hard to get a single person aid, and they often have to ask so many for help just to get enough money to pay for a single meal, and that’s why it is important to celebrate stories or documentaries that put that particular hardship on display. Simply because they allow for the viewer to really understand the dedication and the undertaking and the high and the lows that come with charity and that’s precisely why Baby Chimp Rescue is such a magnificent series.

For it takes us on a powerful journey, one that holds nothing back in its presentation of how difficult it can be to offer charity, and for proof that this is the case, then look no further than last night’s episode of this magnificent documentary.. Because ‘Breaking Point’ really did inform us of how difficult it is to run a sanctuary for endangered animals by showing us the struggles that Jenny and Jim Desmond go through, on a regular basis to keep these animals safe. Such as how they have to combat illnesses. Which is no easy task for certain. For their facility is tightly knit, to the point where the chimps are in close quarters, and when illness strikes… it spreads quickly through the chimpanzees, forcing all kinds of emergency actions on the staff’s part to ensure that these precious primates don’t succumb to the illness in question. And sadly, this particular fight is one that the staff can lose… since the outbreak that occurred in this tale, robbed Mira of her life.

Which was heartbreaking and devastating to learn of, and the hardships in this tale, didn’t end there. Because another rough and honest and earnest element that this chapter was quick to teach us of, is how Jenny and Jim are often forced to face the end result of ignorance when it comes to these gentle creatures. Because once again, they Jenny and Ben were out and about in Liberia with the local police, in order to save chimpanzees that were either for sale or were chained up as pets and that allowed for us to meet Johnny and see his unsettling living situation. For this particular chimp was ten years of age and fearful of those around him because he spent his days, alone in the elements, often without enough food or he was receiving the wrong kind of nutrients. Since Jenny and Ben came to discover that Johnny was being fed alcohol on a regular basis. But this kind of problem harkens back to the ignorance in question. For these owners simply didn’t know any better and had it not been for the Desmonds, who knows what kind of life Johnny would have led. 

But even then, rescuing a troubled chimp like Johnny has its hardships as well, since he was another addition to the already close quarters at the facility and that led to a sobering epiphany in regard to their mission. In that, the Desmonds are alone in their fight to save these animals and are pushing their resources to the limit in order to make that happen. But while all of these harsh elements make it seem as though this episode focused only upon the bad, there was indeed beauty to be found in this tale. Because seeing this intrepid couple fight so hard for these chimps, allowed for this episode to transform into quite the inspirational and hopeful tale. Because nothing stops Jenny and Jim from caring for them and they really will put themselves in harm’s way to ensure that these rare and beautiful beings are safe and sound, and have every chance to live a long and fruitful and happy life and that really does lift one’s spirits. Simply because that kind of sacrifice and bravery is heroic for certain, and it was wonderful to know that their mission is now inspiring others to do right by nature.

For we also came to learn in this tale, that an architect has stepped up and helped them to design the new sanctuary out of the kindness of his heart, and that the land has been secured. All because people believe in this cause and want to see it succeed and the fact that they are still plugging ahead on the training of these wonderful animals, and finding success with that, and still searching for investors for the sanctuary; leaves the audience hopeful that the next episode of this incredible documentary will finally see them make major strides in building said sanctuary. Because these chimps, and the Desmonds for that matter as well… deserve that kind of reward and the peace that will come with it. But while we wait to see where this documentary takes us next, it’s best we celebrate one powerful episode. One that genuinely moved us to tears by offering up a no-holds barred look at the highs and lows of running a sanctuary for primates. and truly, everything we saw here is going to make the wait for next week’s episode quite difficult for certain. For this incredible tale really does draw you in. Simply because Jenny and Jim’s push to make the world a better place… provides us with exactly the kind of hope we need right now, in the midst of these trying and uncertain times. Until next time.

To learn more about Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection and their mission, or to support their cause, please visit their website.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Chapter 15 of ‘The Mandalorian’.
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Clichés are something that tend to be frowned upon when it comes to storytelling and understandably so. For they are indeed tried and true boring plot devices, the kind that speak to a writer taking the easy way out when it comes to a problem they encountered with the story in question. Which in turn tends to bore an audience when they see them arrive in television or in film, since this is familiar stuff, they’ve all seen before. But while it is understandable as to why we tend to lament clichés through and through, they’re not all bad. In fact, some of them we crave because they manage to offer up epic or uplifting moments and really, all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because this week’s episode of The Mandalorian, offered up a cliché that audiences simply love.
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For ‘Chapter 15: The Believer’, focused heavily on the age-old notion of how far a parent or a loved one is willing to go for their child or someone that they adore, since Din was ready to find Moff Gideon and take the fight to that Imperial rat for stealing Grogu and well, what makes this concept so cliché; is the sheer fact that we already know a good person will do whatever it takes to keep their loved one safe. But the reason we love it, especially in action stories such as this one, relates to the experience that such a cliché will provide the audience with, such as say… a ton of explosions and outright butt kicking in order to save the day and well, that’s precisely what we got in this particular tale. For shortly after they sprung Mayfeld from a New Republic, hard labor prison, it was off to an Imperial refinery to download the location of Moff Gideon’s vessel. 

Which in turn, led to a lot of explosions and hardcore action. Because in order to get inside the facility, Din and Mayfeld had to disguise themselves as Imperial truckers and bring in a load of volatile ore to blend in properly and well, the pirates on their route forced the action in question and while that was a true delight to watch and a fine reminder of just how far Din is willing to go to protect his foundling, that’s really where the clichés came to an end in this tale. For once this dynamic duo arrived at said refinery, some fine surprises dropped into our laps. Such as the fact that Din apparently has an Imperial past of some kind. Since he was forced to remove his helmet and have his face scanned by Imperial gear in order to find the location in question, and the problem at hand, is that the Empire’s database accepted Din’s scan no problem. Which brings forth all kinds of questions as to why Din is in their staff database. 

But while that is a fascinating plot point, one that we will all spend hours pondering upon, what was more important about this part of the plan, is how it allowed for Mayfeld to redeem himself in just about every way imaginable. Because being inside an Imperial base, brought back a lot of sour memories of his time with the Empire, and well… that motivated him to bring forth a little payback for the way they treated him and so many other innocents in the galaxy. And after getting a chance to tell off his former commanding officer, he took the opportunity to put him down and everyone at the base as well, since he was also quick to destroy the dangerous ore in question to ensure that the Empire couldn’t weaponize it against innocent and well… it was just delightful to see Mayfeld finally come around to the right side and for his efforts, he got a full ‘pardon’ from Marshal Dune. 

In the end however, this really was quite the satisfying tale when all is said and done. Because it really did offer up something for everyone. For it featured the right kind of cliché by having Din play the desperate ‘dad’ that goes the extra mile to save his kid, plus it had action and adventure and a wonderful redemption story. But most important of all, it set the stage for what should be a powerhouse season two finale. Because those closing moments, wherein Din told Moff Gideon that he’s coming for Gorgu, sent chills down this reviewer’s spine. Because our beloved Mandalorian means business, and he will do whatever it takes to keep little Grogu safe, and that’s bad news for Moff Gideon. Because if Din Djarin and a few of his friends can take down an entire refinery, then they’re going to make minced Bantha meat out of a Star Destroyer and an arrogant Moff. Until next time.       

Obsession is a word that carries quite the negative connotation and understandably so. After all, we’ve heard too many stories about people that lock onto something or someone in an unhealthy manner and chase it/them to the point where it damages their life, their finances or causes great harm to others. Simply because they cannot let go of an idea or a notion, and that’s quite unfortunate, since obsession is something that can actually be a healthy thing. Because being obsessed with helping others in need or achieving your career goals are indeed worthwhile obsessions, but the sour behaviors of others ruin that word for good people and leave the rest of us quite curious.

Because this kind of behavior is something that few of us understand in the slightest, and as is often the case with human beings, we believe that if we can just garner some kind of rudimentary understanding of the problem at hand then maybe, just maybe, we can begin to work toward fixing it. Which is why fiction is a wonderful place to explore the power and the dangers of obsession, since we can witness first-hand, in a safe and secure environment, exactly what drives these individuals to crave more and stop at nothing to get it, and really all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, dives deep into the toxic motivations that create unhealthy obsession.

A feat that ‘The Most Toys’ accomplishes by putting Lieutenant Commander Data in dire straits. For shortly after loading up his shuttlecraft, with a dangerous element needed to save a planet’s ailing water supply, he is captured and his death is faked by the crew of this merchant ship. All so that he can become the property of a slimy little man named Kivas Fago, who collects only the rarest items in the galaxy and there is nothing rarer than a Soong Android, and he is ecstatic that one that is about to become the centerpiece of his collection. Which is a prospect that Data of course wants no part of, and that’s when the story begins its grand and unsettling exploration of obsession. 

One that makes it clear that often times, people who immediately plunge themselves into this unhealthy place have no purpose or direction in life, and they tend to think they’re not worth anything, either. But becoming focused upon a singular goal gives them everything they need, as evidenced by how proud Fago is when he unsuccessfully tries to parade Data around to his friends. Since it speaks volumes to how desperately he wants to be loved and admired by someone or something. But where this examination truly shines, is when it explores the dangers of letting obsession get out of hand. Since men like Fago are willing to do whatever it takes to maintain those feelings of joy, a chilling point that is hammered home by Kivas’ actions at the end of this tale. Which is a shockingly dark twist for certain. One that also manages to explore how men of Fago’s standing can in fact… push good beings to their breaking point since Data was ready to wax the guy to end this mess.

But what matters more, is that this story was an enlightening exploration of obsession, and really in the end, this was quite the powerful tale when all is said and done. Because it definitely pushed the envelope and went to some supremely dark places and it deserves serious credit for doing that. Because few shows are ever brave enough to spotlight that kind of awful behavior in such a frank and honest manner, but sometimes an exploration of the human condition requires us to look at aspects of our society that are unsavory in nature and it is good to know that TNG is/was willing to do that in order to tell a quality story. And now that this sour journey has come to a close, it’s on to a milestone episode, one that brings a supremely important character from the TOS era back to the forefront of the franchise. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 309 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.

There was a time, when stories in the Star Trek Universe were quite different than they are now. For back in the day, during The Original Series era to be specific, the thoughtful tales we enjoy now weren’t always commonplace. Instead, we were often treated to some bizarre tales, the kind that featured outlandish characters and equally outlandish settings, and that definitely made for some memorable moments that fans both lament and celebrate to this day. But eventually, as the series and the franchise found focus… those goofier tales took a back seat to far better storytelling and if by chance something weird was going to appear within the framework of the franchise, it would be neatly woven into the scientific fabric of the story in question, giving it gravity. 
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But while the STU finally found its voice and eventually offered up powerful observations on our world and our society on a consistent basis, every once in a while… an off the cuff episode would still find its way into the mix. Simply because the possibilities when it comes to science fiction are endless, and the temptation to try something wild and new is always too great. But after the Warp 10 incident in Star Trek: Voyager, it seemed as though the franchise was keen to play it straight going forward, and sillier tales simply disappeared from the fabric of the franchise, that is… until this week's episode of Star Trek: Discovery. For ‘Terra Firma, Part 1’ offered up one supremely quirky voyage for certain, one that was designed to finally lead Emperor Philippa Georgiou to a cure for her woefully painful affliction, the cause of which... was finally revealed in this tale

Because this episode was quick to explain that Georgiou's suffering and mental and physical deterioration, was a direct result of her spending too much time in our ‘Prime’ Universe. For it turns out that genetic structure is more or less locked to the place in which it was created and unfortunately for Philippa, it appeared as though this affliction was going to be fatal. For the only other individual that dealt with this particular problem (a Starfleet officer named Yor who crossed over because of the events that introduced us to the Kelvin Timeline), died a slow and painful death because of his displacement, leaving the situation hopeless for the former Emperor, at least until the Discovery’s dynamic new computer system came up with a potential solution to help Georgiou have a fighting chance at tomorrow.

Which brought the crew to a remote and frozen world, one where it seemed as though the computer was in fact, wrong. For there were no signs of.... anything... to be found on this world, just snow and fury from the once proud Emperor of the Terran Empire and that’s when this story took quite the unique turn. For a mysterious individual named Carl popped up in the midst of the snow, complete with a newspaper citing Georgiou’s death and a doorway to her potential solution and well… with no other choice seemingly available to her, she stepped through Door Number 1 and arrived in the past, her past to be exact. On the very day when Captains Burnham and Lorca were set to betray her in an attempt to seize the throne of the Empire and call it their own. Which was uh, an unexpected and wild way to move this story along. 
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But it did allow for the audience to enjoy another Mirror Universe story and see the various members of the crew in far different light than we are used to. Since Mirror Burnham and her love of murder and chaos was on full display in this tale, and we came to learn that the wise and true Captain Saru, was reduced to nothing more than a slave in this universe and well... you simply cannot go wrong with more of Captain Killy. But while all of this was entertaining in its own right, this particular episode really didn’t explain how a voyage home, or at least a fantasy thereof, was going to cure the Emperor. Granted it did imply that perhaps her taking a different path and making peace between the person she’s become and the person she once was, might be the key to finally healing her ailing body and mind, but it never outright said it.

But on the plus side, at least we were treated to some epic moments in this tale. Because the Kelvin Timeline, is finally canon in the Star Trek Universe and that’s huge. Plus, there was some implication that Carl, played brilliantly by Paul Guilfoyle, is a member of the Q Continuum since he was big on riddles and motivating others to think beyond the moment, something that is a staple of that species. But outside of that, make no mistake about it; this was a strange tale. Because none of us saw another Mirror Universe episode coming in the slightest and all we can do now is wait and see exactly where this one is taking us. Because there has to be a point in regard to everything Philippa is going through, and if there isn’t… well then it simply means that the strange has triumphantly returned to the STU. Until next time.

The last time we settled in to discuss the wonder that is Star Trek: The Next Generation, we talked at length about how ‘Tin Man’ did a phenomenal job of exploring the nature of the outcast, and how we need to view them and treat them differently since they are functional members of society that are just slightly different than you and I. But what was truly impressive about that particular tale, is that it was so thorough in its exploration of that that topic, that it actually left a few exploratory threads on the table. Such as how exactly we can help folks that are socially awkward, feel as though they belong and it’s honestly a good thing that the last episode didn’t get to that particular examination. Because that allowed for the next episode in this storied franchise to dive into this concept in great detail, and that made ‘Hollow Pursuits’, one magnificent and powerful tale.

One that introduced fans everywhere to one Lieutenant Reginald Barclay, a name that should immediately put a smile on your face… simply because Reg would quickly become a fan favorite in this series, in large part because of what plays out in this tale. For when we catch up with him here, his social anxiety is wreaking havoc on his ability to fit in aboard the Federation’s flagship and that motivates Mister Barclay (or ‘Broccoli’ as he is often referred to) to hide within the confines of the Holodeck. Wherein he can live out fantasies where he is the hero and beloved by his shipmates and well, we’ll talk more about that particular plot element in a little bit. Because first, we to focus upon what Geordi does for Reg in order to help him fit in. Since that really is the core theme of this particular tale and Commander LaForge’s efforts to help Lt. Barclay, really do make for some beautiful and inspiring moments for certain.

Because the first thing that Geordi does to help Reg out, is to not give up on him and try to include him more in everyday briefings and duties and that does indeed help to bring Reg out of his shell and really… it doesn’t take long for the story to hammer home the fact that inclusiveness is a big key to helping an outcast feel welcome. For folks that are on the outside looking in, don’t think they can ever be a part of what others share in. But Geordi refuses to let Barclay feel like that in the slightest, and he even goes so far as to have honest and open conversations with Reg about his fears and his concerns about serving aboard the Enterprise, so that he can see that they are unfounded, and well… what matters most is that Geordi’s efforts do indeed pay off. For eventually, Reg does realize that he is valued and wanted aboard the Enterprise and that he does have what it takes to be a member of the finest crew in Starfleet. An epiphany that arrives at just the right time, since it helps Reg to save the ship from a life-threatening crisis. 

But before we dive deep into the messages that examination sends our way, let’s take a moment and circle back to Barclay’s Holodeck fantasies. Because these particular sequences accomplish two key goals in this tale. First and foremost, they offer up some incredible comic relief. Since a tiny Will Riker and some beatdowns of the bridge crew leave the audience in stitches with their perfect timing and outright over-the-top nature. But more importantly, they also help ease a second message into this particular tale. In that, when life is rough and we feel the need to escape, we absolutely should do so. Since it helps our brains to cope with stress. But at the same time, it is important that we remember to keep ourselves grounded in reality. For fantasy worlds are easy to get lost within and that can cause us more harm than good, as evidenced by Reg’s actions in this tale and the consequences he does face for choosing fantasy over reality. 

In the end however, this ended up being quite the cerebral and moving tale for certain. One that really did do a phenomenal job of teaching the audience to always embrace people with open arms and do whatever it takes to make them feel welcome and normal. Especially if they are someone that has been known to struggle with social interaction. Because doing so might do wonders for their psyche and it will help them to feel welcome and that’s a wonderful message to send across to the audience for certain. Since it once again asks the viewer to be better and a little more thoughtful in our everyday interactions, simply because we haven’t a clue what kindness might do for someone that is outright struggling. And now that we’ve completed this unique journey through the world of folks that are labeled as outcasts, it would seem that the series is headed back into darker territory… since the next leg of our journey explores the nature of obsession and the dangers of backing good people into a corner. Until next time.

The word 'outcast' immediately evokes some specific imagery in our mind. The kind that reminds us of the awkward kid in school, the one who was picked on often and tended to keep to themselves simply because they didn’t quite fit in. Or it reminds us of our own past, where we were in fact that awkward kid in question. But the bottom line, is that this word is synonymous with people that don’t fit a particular societal mold and are often shunned because of it, since people fear anyone or anything that they deem to be different or awkward. But what’s truly fascinating about this particular imagery, is that it is starting to fade away from everyday life, for various reasons.

One of which is related to the fact that a great deal of the kids that were picked on while they were growing up, have made a point to teach their children to not mirror those particular habits and to instead befriend the awkward kid or kids because… they’re actually pretty damn cool. But this is also changing simply because society is starting to change, and its coming to realize that this kind of behavior accomplishes nothing, and that kindness and unity are better choices for certain. And one such way that this particular message is getting out to the masses is through popular media, since we are seeing that theme appear more often in film and television and truly, there is a fair chance the genesis of this message… came about from the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For ‘Tin Man’ features a bold mission for the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. One where they are ordered into unknown space to identify and make contact with a sentient ship that Starfleet Command has nicknamed ‘Tin Man’, and in order to facilitate open lines of communication, a mission specialist named Tam Elbrum comes aboard and he is immediately shunned by some members of the crew. Because unfortunately, this eccentric but supremely talented empath has quite the past, one mired with mistakes and lost lives and that’s branded him as dangerous in every sense of the word. And while we could talk at length about the plot and how this story wraps up, what we really need to discuss… is how this particular tale focuses heavily on the notion of the outcast and how we need to treat them in everyday life. 

Because Tam really does serve as the allegory for the awkward kid, for he is an outcast aboard the ship and picked on, albeit in a classier manner in this tale, and it takes an objective mind to finally reach him. For the only individual that he is comfortable around on the ship is Lieutenant Commander Data, and it is how Data treats Tam that brings across the message in question. For Data makes it clear that individuals that are ‘awkward’ or ‘weird’ likely are nothing of the sort. Instead, they simply think differently than the rest of us and they communicate differently as well, and the key to making them not feel ostracized or unwelcome, is to offer them understanding and kindness and inclusivity. Plus, it is equally as important to help them feel as though they belong and that they have value, because doing so can allow for them to accomplish wonders.

If anything, all of these elements make this a supremely powerful tale when all is said and done. In large part because of its relatability factor, but also because it really does give the viewer pause. For it asks the audience if they are at their absolute best in these situations, and if they’re approaching an individual in this manner with an open mind and that’s just amazing. Because it is just rare for a sci-fi show to challenge its audience in this manner, and that lends credence to the theory that this was likely the first story out of the gate when it comes to this line of thinking. Something that genuinely reinforces TNG’s standing as a pioneering series and the wonder of this story, and the fact that Tam doesn’t quite accomplish wonders in this tale since he opts to go with Tin Man into the void, prompted the writer’s room to explore the nature of the outcast further. Since the next episode in this storied franchise… dives deep into the concept of social anxiety, and what it takes for an outsider to properly fit in. Until next time.