Television: Black Mirror Has Another Space Episode

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Aaron Paul and Josh Hartnett from Black Mirror. (Netflix)

While I recommend the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to anyone looking for a good program (now that the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard has ended), you can also tune into the new season of Netflix’ Black Mirror for a space episode.

You may remember the “USS Callister” episode from season 4 back in 2017, which played off of the Star Trek series. It was one of the better episodes of the series. Well, in season 6 that just started you get to see another space-related episode called “Beyond the Sea.” It is a strange story about astronauts living on a space station while their replicas live back on Earth. The astronauts can slip into the replicas at any time to be back on Earth with their families.

The story starts out well enough (as does with acting, with Josh Hartnett and Aaron Paul playing the astronauts), but then it gets weird, as one might expect with this series.

I do not want to give too much away, but the time period is very odd as is the ending of the story. It makes little sense to me and does not seem to be a completed thought. One would almost expect a follow-on episode, but it is not clear how that could ever correct what we just witnessed.

Hence, I am not recommending the episode, but instead pointing it out for the curious. Even poorly plotted episodes can have minor merits. You decide.

And then go back and watch the “USS Callister” episode to clear your head. That one I can recommend.

Podcast: A Conversation with William Shatner

Posted on by onespaceman2000

WTF Podcast host Marc Maron interviewed William Shatner recently. Overall, it was a fun conversation with Mr. Shatner discussing his early acting career, his family, his flight into space on Blue Origin, his various ongoing projects, and more.

In terms of projects, Mr. Shatner mentioned a variety of interests, including horse shows, television series, and even designing his own watch (shown below). Yes, the man is still busy in his 90s.

I recommend you check it out (the interview starts at about the 11 minute mark).

Note: One of the television series discussed is Fox’s new series Stars on Mars, which premieres today.

Image (Credit): New watch design created by William Shatner and Ilan Muallem Srulovicz. (Egard Watch Co.)

Podcast/Book Review: Jesuits Find an Exoplanet to Explore

Posted on by onespaceman2000

If you are looking for a new podcast as well as a new book, the two come together via the podcast Alienating the Audience. Comedian Andrew Heaton and his buddies have plenty of fun poking various science fiction topics, including Star Wars and Star Trek.

One of the recent episodes discussed a new book, The Sparrow, by author Mary Doria Russell. The story is about a group of Jesuits exploring a new planet with all of the mayhem that follows.

Here is a quick summary from the book itself:

A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life. The mission begins in faith, hope, and beauty, but a series of small misunderstandings brings it to a catastrophic end.

You can listen for yourself to this episode here at Jesuits in Space. But be careful, because there are a number of spoilers. You can always start with the book first, which is part of a series.

Credit: Ballantine Books

Disney Drops Out of the Star Wars Hotel Business

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Promotional photo for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. (Disney)

Earlier I wrote about the high cost of attending a new Star Wars-themed hotel at Disney World in Florida. Well, the experiment has run its course and the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience will officially end September 30, 2023. You still have time to blow a bundle of money on this should that be your thing.

Who knew that there was a limited number of American families willing to pay up to $6,000 for an immersive Star Wars experience? Of course, it seemed a little extreme from day one.

I remember attending the Star Trek experience in Las Vegas at the Hilton hotel many years ago. The show was less than an hour, but it was also an immersive experience that ended with dinner at Quark’s Bar. You could have fund without taking a second mortgage on the house.

Sometimes simple can be better.

Note: I would not be surprised to see a version of this Star Wars hotel opens in Saudi Arabia or Dubai in the near future. They seem like a more appropriate locations for an over-the-top hotel bill.

Television: UFOs and Star Trek

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Promotion for UFOs: Investigating the Unknown. (National Geographic)

With all the ongoing media chatter about unidentified flying objects (UFO), National Geographic has perfect timing with its new series UFOs: Investigating the Unknown. The new series started on February 13th. You can watch it on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.

National Geographic promises that this new five-part series will explore the government’s decades long investigations into UFOs. It seems those investigations just expanded into new areas with the U.S. Air Force recently firing missiles at objects in Canada and the United States. Maybe the new series can help to explain some of these sightings.

If the whole UFO issue has bored you, then tag along with Captain Picard for the third and last season of Star Trek: Picard. The series returned on February 16th. You get to see some of your old favorites joining the cast this season, including Geordi La Forge, Worf, William Riker, Dr. Beverly Crusher, and Deanna Troi.

Here is the basic plot from Paramount+:

In the epic, thrilling conclusion of Star Trek: Picard, a desperate message from a long-lost friend draws Starfleet legend Admiral Jean-Luc Picard into the most daring mission of his life, forcing him to recruit allies spanning generations old and new. This final adventure sets him on a collision course with the legacy of his past and explosive, new revelations that will alter the fate of the Federation forever.

I know, the plot reads like a cover letter on a resume promising everything. That said, I think I will start with Star Trek: Picard and continue to follow UFOs in the daily news. That will be enough drama for me these days.

Image (Credit): Promotional poster for Star Trek: Picard’s third season. (Paramount+)