Children of Time Review

http://sfdebris.com or http://blip.tv/sf-debris-opinionated-reviews/ds9-children-of-time-5901153

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• star
• trek

[fenrisulf1r]

Yes, I don't quite understand why this received a 6. Was it the annoying kid? Any other flaws in the story/acting/screenplay weren't addressed, so a 6 wasn't really justified... :/

[sfdebris]

@fenrisulf1r it's not a matter of "good things push it up, bad things pull it down." Compared to the rest of the series it's better than average, but there are a substantial number that are still better, not because this failed, but because they did better. If an auto shop is the sixty-third best in the country, that doesn't mean it's because the shop has shortcomings, just that there are some which are better even though that one is really great.

[Aravaganthus]

IRC, didn't Odo meld with himself in this ep? No word on that?

[Nothingisasitseems]

@SciFi2285

Well, writers in general can ASK people (or the actors themselves) or take in life experiences. We're not talking black ghettos in space or Islamic terrorism or anything that requires even a tiny amount of writing talent: we're talking about Star Trek! Even just hiring someone who could relate closer to the characters could be useful, but as cab be seen with Sisko, he doesn't start sprouting ebonics or doing weed, he has a relatable culture that is still futuristic.

[SciFi2285]

@Nothingisasitseems

Alien cultures are easier to "accurately" represent precisely because they are fictional. You can reboot or retcon any inconsistencies (e.g. the Klingon forehead ridge problem). It is a lot more complicated with humans. Research is a good starting point. Whether archives can actually replace the actual experience is debatable though.

[Nothingisasitseems]

@SciFi2285

I believe Gene was partially to blame for the "bland humans" ideal. The idea that humanity had evolved somehow with different ethics and standards of culture from ours. As for the writing, I don't see that as an excuse, if you can write an ALIEN species and culture consistantly in a non realistic genre (sci-fi), than it is possible to write people of different cultures realistically. It's called RESEARCH! It's why SF has such a bad reputation for hack writers: they fail to.

[nthoctave]

@SciFi2285 I do realize this. My intent is to show others who may be going through something alone and in silence that someone is willing to stand up and say something. It is also to serve as a reminder to those who hold prejudices silently that if they do decide to share their hate with the world, someone is willing to stand up and say something back.

[SciFi2285]

@nthoctave

These are legitimate concerns. But there is very little one can say to a unrepentant bully. You can only have respectful disagreement with a person who is respectful.

[nthoctave]

@IRONMANAustralia Well, gee. Now that I've been insulted by someone on the internet (with such brilliance and wit) I guess I should hang my head in shame. Once again, a reasoned plea for tolerance is met with ignorance and hate. I'm just trying to help create a world where teenagers don't kill themselves over all the harm caused by ignorant individuals such as yourself. One has to wonder why you even watch Star Trek because you have obviously missed the entire point of the show.

[SciFi2285]

@Nothingisasitseems

Most of the characters on Star Trek are deliberately written as bland as possible. Sisko only acquired his characteristics as an African American, at the insistence of Avery Brooks, from the third season onward. La Forge never had a background beyond vague references to being born in the "African Confederation." Though I don't fault the writers for this because they can't write about experiences they have never had. And simply relying on stereotypes isn't a good idea.

[Nothingisasitseems]

@ElveeKaye

I'd argue because of the false belief that non-whites are too alien for sci-fi! Or in general, we're done badly.

[TimThomason]

@IRONMANAustralia That was uncalled for. nthoctave did not insult you (I believe) in any way.

Anyways, Worf was raised on Earth and/or an Earth colony by Humans. As Klingon as he wants to be, I don't think he could let himself kill those innocent children and followers, even if they asked him to. Killing Duras is one thing, but killing the "Sons of Worf" would completely go against his Starfleet code of ethics and weird semi-Klingon code of honor. It would haunt him for the rest of his days.

[IRONMANAustralia]

I really wanted to see Worf kill everybody.

I was curious whether he would kill each one personally, or run them through some kind of Masada decimation method and kill the remainder. And would he do the 'hold their eyes open and yell at the sky' thing everytime, or just save one big one until the end?

Worf: "I'm ready to Captain, I've said .. goodbye to my descendants."

Sisko: "Oh Mr. Worf, good news. While you were away we took a vote and changed our minds."

Worf: "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU