Notices by The Omega Molecule (omegamolecule@tenforward.social)

@Omega_Molecule This reminds me of how, when I watched The Best of Both Worlds as a special event in a movie theater a few ago, they showed a couple of brief interviews with the folks involved in the show at that time. One of the writers said a fan came up to him yelling about The Best of Both Worlds, saying, “You ruined my summer!” It was pretty funny the way he recounted it. I have a feeling we’re in for a long summer this time too 🙃

I’m hearing a lot of folks on the podcasts I listen to speculate that the Disco writers are setting us up for a Best of Both Worlds-style finale that leaves us hanging until next season. At first I thought that was a little too pat what with the parallels between Control and the Borg. The more I think about it, though, I think they’re probably right. I really like the idea of rocketing 950-1,000 years into the future. What will that even look like?

Picked this up from the library today. This should be fun!

So I saw Captain Marvel last night. Pretty good! I couldn't help but notice that Supreme Intelligence seems a bit like Control from Section 31, which my favorite podcast recently theorized may have a link to that rogue squid probe from the future. Not surprising that AI is playing a prominent role in our sci-fi right now. We've got a lot of anxieties about it and some very important questions to work out as a society.

Could there be a relationship between the Golden Mean and the hero's journey in storytelling? This is pretty wild: https://orcalit.com/2019/03/01/orca-blog-for-march-2019-the-mathematics-of-writing/

My latest Trek loot from the library. I never read Trek novels back when VOY and DS9 were airing, probably because I was up to my eyeballs in reading assignments for classes. Looking forward to digging into this VOY novel since I know the characters so well. Also curious to learn more about Kirsten Beyer since I understand she’s overseeing the DISCO novels.

Are they ever going to discuss Sybok? I keep wondering about that now that we’re seeing all these scenes at Sarek and Amanda’s home. Even if Sybok’s not there, it’s becoming a question mark that he’s not even mentioned in passing. I’ve thought off and on that because Sybok exists, it’s pretty much fair game for them to write Burnham in after the fact as well.

Excited for the Season 2 premiere of Discovery tonight. Captain Pike! Spock! Number One! (And can I just say how cool it is that we have an incoming captain who is a Trek fan himself?) Might just queue up the final episode of Season 1 to refresh everything in my mind before showtime. 📺🍿🤓🖖

Just picked this up. Drastic Measures was such a fun read that I’m hoping to make this a regular thing. After “The Brightest Star,” this should be great prep for Season 2 of Discovery.

Getting started on a little vacation reading. Picked this up from the library. 🤓🖖📘

I’ve reached the point in Season 1 in which Culber tells Stamets the mycelial network is at risk of collapse, endangering all existence in all universes. If I understood the Season 2 trailer correctly, that’s what the Red Angel is doing as well (how is unclear so far). So all life across all spaces is yet again under threat?

I noticed tonight that IMDB has the schedule for when Season 2 of Discovery will be aired. Starting on January 17, we’ll have a new episode each Thursday right on through the return of Daylight Saving time here in the US. That’s welcome news as winter deepens and hibernation instincts kick in. Something to look forward to. ✨

I really enjoyed this Saru-themed Short Trek, and I bet it will be among the more popular ones since it plugs directly into Discovery. Listened to the discussion about it on The Lower Decks and they drew a nice parallel to Pen Pals, one of my favorite TNG episodes. And, as others have noted, his species name (Kelpien) seems to have some literal roots what with all that kelp they were collecting...

There’s also the eternal gap between folks who come to Trek for the action and folks who come to it for the contemplation. Ergo why some found Calypso ponderous. I enjoy both action and reflection, so that distinction isn’t so important for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Calypso and think it’s brilliant sci-fi. I like the idea that there’s Trek out there for all people, though—episodes that excel in excitement, others that stand out for their quiet grace.

Making my way through the podcast reviews of Calypso and there’s a pretty clear divide in analysis between folks who are assessing it based on their knowledge of the Odyssey and folks who are just coming to it as pure Trek or sci-fi. As one of those nerds who read Greek mythology for fun as a kid, the Odyssey angle is more personally satisfying to me. But the diversity of opinions is enjoyable in and of itself.

Watching “Under the Skin,” an art-house film with sci-fi elements starring Scarlett Johansson. I’d read that it has a hint of the Solaris aesthetic and it seems that way to me. Ambiguous, questioning, searching. From time to time I really enjoy films like these that resist easy definition.

Star Trek movies and TV shows are on sale at a fairly good discount right now in the iTunes store. Makes sense: Season 2 of Discovery is just around the corner. If you’ve been meaning to snap anything up, now might be a good time.

Really enjoyed this vignette featuring Tilly and the Xahean Queen. I wonder who played Tilly's mom. Seems like Tilly is in the process of forming a new family on Discovery that will support her growth rather than limit her ambitions. Meanwhile, Po has a great opportunity to lead her people (love the concept of being twinned with your planet, invested in her future). Perhaps Tilly and Po will meet again in the future? What was your take? cc @quark

Just watched the trailer for Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery on my TV. I wonder: when they show Stamets excising that spirit/life form/alien/unidentified entity from Tilly, could that have anything to do with what landed on her shoulder at the end of Season 1?

Even noticing how Voq and L’Rell slowly come into focus behind T’Kuvma is interesting. And that prayer T’Kuvma recites at the close of Episode 2 has new meaning now. The writers were laying a foundation for later developments from the very beginning. Satisfying to watch.