Subj : Re: TNG vs TOS - anybody still think Next Generation sucks?
To   : rec.arts.sf.tv,rec.arts.startrek.current,alt.tv.star-trek.tos
From : ToolPackinMama
Date : Thu Sep 29 2005 22:35:22

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.star-trek.tos

Mike wrote:

> I still enjoy TNG today. Although on todays DVD and high def technology,
> TNG is more dated because it was mastered to broadcast videotape and
> can't be mastered in high definition like TOS which was mastered to
> film. 

Hmm!  I hadn't thought of that angle.

> On a deeper note, I think TOS did a lot better in combining the best of
> conservative and liberal ideals into the shows concept. Kirk was a
> "warrior", that none the less found there was a time to "not kill
> today". Klingons were mean, evil bastards but there was always hints to
> the fact that one day the Klingons will be our friends (the biggest
> hint, of course was from the Organians).

That's right.

> In TOS, you got Kirk and a Romulan Commander in a battle to the death
> with a certain amount of regret between the both because deep down
> inside they respect each other and could be friends in another reality
> but are duty bound to their own sides. Both hate war but both know thier
> responsibility. One of these people will die at the hands of the other.

Yes...

TOS was to date IMHO the most "fair and balanced" of Treks.  Both 
liberals and conservatives had their issues dealt with.  Kirk was not a 
liberal nor a conservative: he was both/neither.  He's a moderate.

Kirk is still IMHO the ideal Trek hero, because the overall message of 
~standing up to bullies without becoming one~ found its embodiment in 
him.  Kirk was decisive, tough, and effective as a warrior:  intolerant 
of bullies and jerks, and capable of kicking their butts in a contest. 
But Kirk was not sadistic, nor power-hungry, nor a war-lover.  He's 
generally a gentleman - a tolerant man who prefers peace and civilized 
methods.

.