Deep Space Nine

Looking back through my archives, I realized that I haven't written about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine one of my favorite TV shows of all time. Although I only finished watching the entire series in 2008, I've been a fan since I started regularly watching the show towards the end of season 5 (1996-1997).

I appreciate Star Trek, especially some of the better episodes and the even numbered old school movies (II, IV, and VI). However, it was well before my time, and not very well syndicated in Central Illinois during my formative years. Star Trek: The Next Generation was the choice of my friends, and was a show I enjoyed as well (even if season 1 was ridiculously goofy). * However, ever since I watched the first few episodes my dad had taped, I was hooked.

Although the show certainly has its fans, and it did attract a modest following, it was nowhere near as successful as TNG. Part of this may have been it being located on a space station instead of a starship. It also was a much darker show than the hyper optimistic TNG, a tone that didn't fit quite so well in the internet boom heydays of the Clinton years.

Had Deep Space Nine premiered in 2004 instead of 1994, it probably would have gained a much larger audience, as many of its topics are even timlier in the post 9/11 world. Episodes such as "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost" dealt with overzealous "patriots" willing to sacrifice freedoms for elusive security. Other episodes dealt with racism, religion, torture, genetic engineering and even trans-sexualism (although in an easily explainable way involving Trill).

Yet as serious as many of the episodes where, the show also had its lighthearted moments. I anticipated every episode where Quark, Rom, or any of the other Ferengi played an integral part. Throw Odo into the mix, and you usually have one heck of an adventure. Despite the obvious difficulties, the time travel epsiodes were usually my favorite, whether it was the more serious "Past Tense" or the humorous retelling of the Roswell story in "Little Green Men", the writers knew how to do time travel right.

Although I have many favorite episodes, the best one by far has to be "Far Beyond the Stars". In this day and age, the episode still resonates, as Benny Russell would have been considered just as reckless writing about a black President as he was writing about a black space station captain. Although you should check out all 7 seasons, this is a must see.

Like everything, the show wasn't perfect. I groaned every time Worf and/or Jadzia went out on a mission with the Klingons, and the episodes with the lounge singer were mixed at best (although the Ocean's 11 type story was surprisingly entertaining). However, it was far more hit then miss.

With the reboot of the Star Trek Franchise this summer, maybe more people will take the time to become acquainted with this show. Those that do take a trip out to the station by the Wormhole (or the Temple of the Prophets) will find something interesting.

*Yes, I'm aware of the other two TV shows. Please don't remind me.

My Year in 2008 Movie-Going

Last year, I had intended to do a year-end review of movies for 2007. As it way my first year in which I had both the income and proximity to a theater, I watched almost one movie a week. It was a wonderful year to watch movies, with many great movies. However, I never got the post written, and my thoughts were left in the dark.

At the end of 2008, I again intended to share my thoughts on the year of movies. However, this presented a problem, as many of the year-end movies didn't appear in my area until the end of January, when they all came into the theater at once. Therefore, I had to delay my post due to going to the theater 3 or 4 nights a week. By this past Tuesday, I had finally watched Gran Torino, ending my year of 2008 movies.

Overall, I can't say 2008 was as good as 2007, especially when comparing the Oscar Bait movies of the years. Three of my favorite movies from 2008 (Ironman, The Dark Knight, and Wall-E) came out during the summer, and one (In Bruges) debuted about a year ago. Although I enjoyed movies like Rachel's Getting Married, Gran Torino, and Slumdog Millionaire, none of them entered my list of favorites like Juno, There Will Be Blood or Walk Hard did in 2007.

Still, there were some very good things about the films of 2008. Dreamworks finally made an animated movie worth a damn (Kung Fu Panda). Pineapple Thunder, Tropic Thunder and Forgetting Sarah Marshall made me laugh. Pixar showed us that it is possible to make a love story about two robots heart-warming, and also showed that it was possible to top Ratatouille in terms of ambition. Even a movie that looked like it would be a disaster (W) turned out to be a very competent surprise.

So where will 2009 take us? The first big movie of this year is coming out March 6, when we get to see if the fears of nerds everywhere will be realized when Watchmen comes out. Later in the year, new entries from Pixar, Harry Potter, and Star Trek come out, all movies that could be great, or be disappointing. I'm sure there will be more movies to get excited about, but for right now those are the four movies I am anticipating.

Until next time, enjoy the popcorn, and I hope to see you at the movies.

A Note on Quo Vadimus

I'll have my 2008 movie wrap-up post later this week, but tonight, a quick note on the future of this blog.

No, the blog isn't going away, but it will be getting a new name (although the url will probably stay the same). Quo Vadimus will be getting a new mission, one which I have yet to completely determine. I will have more on that later.

Until then, you can still come here for my infrequent and semi-coherent rants about movies, TV, and sports. And after that, I hope you'll frequent both the new blog and the new and (hopefully) improved Quo Vadimus.

Until next time,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger

The 2008 NFL Wrap up

To all readers who aren't football fans: I apologize for the 4th straight football post. Rest assured this is the last one that will done, at least until the Bears screw up the draft.

Well, how about the end of that Super Bowl, eh? Too bad the rest of the game was unremarkable.

I apologize for not giving my Championship or Super Bowl picks, but as you can see the simple rule with my picks is go against me, unless Pittsburgh and Baltimore are involved. Until the Super Bowl I picked both teams correctly, and certainly would have picked Pittsburgh had I known they were going up against the Cardinals.

Although they were a model of mediocrity during the regular season, I must congratulate the Arizona Cardinals for joining the real NFL. Now their fledgling group of fans can move from ridiculous irrelevance to painful memories. The Eagles , Bills, and Browns fans welcome you. Detroit and Houston, you're next.

And to Pittsburgh, I congratulate you. You now have one for your left hand as well. Also, considering you have to live with the Pirates, I'm not sure another title isn't deserved.

And so, another season wraps up, and the lights for meaningful games are out until next September. A sports hungry nation turns its eyes towards college basketball, just in time for the run to the tournament. And later this month, four of the sweetest words in the English language ("Pitchers and Catchers Report") will usher in the beginnings of another summer in the sun. For those in Cleveland and on the north side of Chicago, Dallas San Francisco, and yes even you in Kansas City and Pittsburgh, can be forgiven for having hope.

At least until after Opening Day...