Space Quote: The Megachurch Called Star Trek

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Credit: Gallery Books

“Yes. I see it very, very clearly and very strongly. It was about truth and fairness and honesty and respect for others, no matter who they were or what strange alien creature they looked like. That was immaterial. They were alive. And if they needed help, Jean-Luc Picard and his crew, his team, were there to give it. So, yes, in a sense, we were ministers. And I have heard now so many times from individuals who have been honest enough and brave enough to tell me aspects of their life, of their health, of their mental health, and how it was all saved and improved by watching every week.”

-Actor Patrick Stewart in an interview with NPR responding to a question about whether he has noticed the fans’ religion-like reverence for Star Trek: The Next Generation. The conversation follows the release of Mr. Stewart’s new memoir, Making It So.

Television/Book Review: Beacon 23

Posted on by onespaceman2000

You probably already subscribe to half a dozen streaming platforms, but does it include MGM+ (formerly known as Epix)? If not, you will miss the November 12th premiere of a new eight-episode series called Beacon 23.

Here is the basic story from MGM+ (and here is the trailer):

Beacon 23 takes place in the farthest reaches of the Milky Way and follows Aster (Lena Headey), a government agent, and Halan (Stephan James), a stoic ex-military man, whose fates become entangled after they find themselves trapped together inside one of many Beacons that serve as a lighthouse for intergalactic travelers. Every Beacon is run by one highly trained human and a specialized Artificial Intelligence. Aster mysteriously finds her way to the lonely Beacon-keeper Halan, and a tense battle of wills unfolds. Halan begins to question whether Aster is friend or foe, as her ability to disguise her agenda and motives could make her a formidable opponent.

It looks intriguing. And the anticipation has been building since this project was announced more than two-and-a-half years ago (in the middle of Covid). Luckily, not even the writers strike killed this one.

It is based on the book of the same name, which had good reviews. Here are a few comments on the book:

—It’s a quick, easy read, especially since most of the events involve only one character. It’s quite good in its way, too, a bit like “The Martian” if the astronaut in that novel had just kind of hung out back in the Hab without working very hard on his survival. Our hero is flawed, hailed for an act that he views as cowardly, and in the end readers are left to wonder if he’s actually a hero or a fool. (The Oklahoman)

—It’s a book for adult readers, but I think younger readers would have a lot of fun with it. The voice is irresistible and it’s both funny and sad. In some ways it’s a cross between Andy Weir’s The Martian and David Bowie’s Space Oddity. Beacon 23 tells the story of a man whose job it is to stand sentry in what is effectively an interstellar lighthouse, making sure passing ships don’t crash into nearby asteroids. The main character’s name is never given, and the story is told in the first person so it could almost be anyone’s story. It’s very easy to relate to the narrator who is ex-military and living out his retirement all alone in the beacon with only his thoughts and the odd (often wry and hilarious) communications with NASA to keep him company. (Luna Station Quarterly)

—Beacon 23 is a loose combination of Dark Star and The Martian. At times I found the story very funny, particularly the dialogue with Rocky, as well as some interesting interchanges with NASA, imagined and real. There are also the inevitable technical issues to overcome when you are on your own and help is not an inconsiderable distance away. And to top it all the Operator of Beacon 23 is almost certainly suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or in his own words “…just a little bit crazy.” (Book Lore)

I guess the key point in all of these is that the story reminds them of The Martian. All you need now is one more streaming platform. Or you can await broader distribution of the series. Whichever way you go, this one may be worth a second look.

Television: The First Season of Star Wars: Ahsoka

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): The main character Ahsoka. (Disney)

So now that I have seen the full series of the Star Wars TV series Ahsoka, I can say that it was better than I expected. However, it was pretty slow all the way up until episode 6 when a another galaxy far, far away was introduced.

The first five episodes where slow, predictable, and almost had the feeling of a fan-created film. Everything from the dialogue to the uniforms to the spacecraft was odd. And creating a female-based story that merely mimics earlier tropes, such as the first episode with Ashoka playing Indiana Jones and Sabine Wren playing a disgruntled teenage (much like the younger Luke Skywalker), was a bit too much. Plus, the idea that these women were pining for a lost boyfriend (Ezra) who they needed to save was the cherry on top of a collapsing pile of mess.

The presence of Anakin Skywalker mid-series did not enhance my feelings towards the show. More than anything, I found it confusing. Why is this show trying to resurrect the reputation of a man who slaughtered children in a Jedi daycare and murdered millions by blowing up planets? Did the creators really need a cameo that bad that they would sink to that level?

Only with episode six with the Grand Admiral “Papa Smurf” Thrawn and his Macbeth-like witches did the series become interesting, though I do not know why the storm troopers were unable to wash their armor and the Imperial Star Destroyer was painted up like a hippie van. And did the creatures on the planet remind you of gentle Jawas and warlike Sand People, or is that just me?

Anyway, I will give the show another chance now that I know what is possible, though I would not say this was the strongest showing by Disney. That said, it was better than some of the other Star Wars spin-offs.

Here is my ranking of all the Star Wars live-action series to date:

  1. Andor
  2. The Mandalorian
  3. Ahsoka
  4. The Book of Boba Fett
  5. Obi-Wan Kenobi

I have many more comments about the new series, but I will leave it there. I am dropping in a few more comments I found that parallel mine to some degree.

At least we still have “Andor.”
—Ben Travers, indieWire

No matter how hard it strives for widespread accessibility, it’s a sequel that will be of primary interest to established fans.
—Nick Schager, The Daily Beast

At a time when audiences have thinning patience both for super-heroics and too much fan service, Ahsoka will still need to raise its game to prove it’s more than wish fulfillment for longtime Star Wars fans.
—Eric Deggans, NPR

Television: 60 Minutes Goes to Mars

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Artist’s rendering of a Martian habitat as envisioned by the Colorado School of Mines and ICON as part of NASA’s 3D Printed Habitat Challenge. (Logan Architecture)

Just a heads up. Tune into CBS’s 60 Minutes next Sunday to learn more about NASA’s efforts to design what may be future habitats on Mars. It involves 3D-printing technologies, which have also been discussed as a means of building a lunar base. In fact, NASA has issued contracts for such construction on the Moon.

Here is a clip discussing this upcoming segment. It is part of a 90-minute episode of 60 Minutes. I am not sure if we should expect a name change for the series.

Note: CBS News had another report on 3D-printing on Mars back in 2017 titled “Mars Colony Could 3D-Print Stuff from Red Planet Dust.” Hopefully, 60 Minutes had a good scoop that advances the story.

Television: Space Tourism

Posted on by onespaceman2000

CBS News had a recent broadcast called “Space Tourism: The Next Great Leap.” Here is the CBS summary:

In the aftermath of the Titan submersible tragedy, extreme travel has come under fresh scrutiny. But one industry stands out for both its allure and the lack of regulation protecting participants’ safety: space tourism. CBS Reports explores the next great leap for humankind and whether regulators and industry stakeholders are striking the right balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring safety.

It was only a matter of time that the deep sea deaths led to greater interest in other nonessential risk. It discusses the space tourist programs under SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and others, though it does not get any of them on the record to talk about risk. The news program does reach out to a few tourists, and spends a lot of time with a balloon company that is not yet a real player in this industry.

Many if not most of the space tourists are wealthy individuals with the means to investigate and understand the risk, so one can only worry so much. This is the same subset of humanity climbing mountains because they are there or jumping from helicopters to ski, so they would probably find some other way to expire with their money just to be “alive.” So, should we care? Maybe millionaire guinea pigs are an easier way to fund missions and experiment until space travel is safer for greater numbers.

Probably we should have at least minimal standards equivalent to other forms of privately-owned craft, be it boats or planes. And only when these craft become true transports for the public should they fall under greater regulation. It’s just an idea, but until then caveat emptor.

Posted in TV