@avclub-53e4db6f596904f154b5efa09193e3ab:disqus I think the fact that there's a debate about security vs. liberty at the top of the federation is an implicit critique. I think the (SPOILER) revelation of an attempted military coup, partially constructed upon the martial pride and excellence of the academy with the use…

Exactly! The story goes that Behr was disappointed with how this two-parter turned out. The story was supposed to cover the Season 3 finale and resolve as the Season 4 premiere - and you can see how that would've been a statement of intent. In then end these two episodes didn't have a large enough budget to show…

Paradise Lost is going to blow your mind.

Yeah. So this is term 2 of year 1, and Tony's course is clearly a year-long thing (or a 'double', as we used to call them).

Interestingly, I think that the things Sonia likes about the show are the parts that I find problematic, and vice versa. Perhaps as a result, I'd give this one at least a B+.

Totally.

Totally.

"I don't believe you appreciate the gravity of this situation, Inspector Leibniz."

"I don't believe you appreciate the gravity of this situation, Inspector Leibniz."

Hmm. Something (somebody? several somebodies?) under the purple blanket in the boot (trunk) of the car that the mother pulls her guitar from. Lily and Marshall, hidden away for hilarious sitcom reasons yet to be revealed?

Hmm. Something (somebody? several somebodies?) under the purple blanket in the boot (trunk) of the car that the mother pulls her guitar from. Lily and Marshall, hidden away for hilarious sitcom reasons yet to be revealed?

I am the King's Hand!

I am the King's Hand!

Yeah, stunning episode. It's in the top three Thick Of It episodes of all time for me.

Yeah, stunning episode. It's in the top three Thick Of It episodes of all time for me.

@Automocar:disqus I suppose I understand that instinct. But there are more things that make Trek distinctive than just the utopian outlook. And the truth is that the ideas of diversity and toleration are far less bold and culturally resonant now than they were in the 60s, or even in the 80s and 90s. Maybe that's a sad…

@Automocar:disqus I suppose I understand that instinct. But there are more things that make Trek distinctive than just the utopian outlook. And the truth is that the ideas of diversity and toleration are far less bold and culturally resonant now than they were in the 60s, or even in the 80s and 90s. Maybe that's a sad…

What a great little read - can't believe I've never come across it before. Really does give the lie to the standard "Roddenberry was too optimistic/unsceptical" line.

What a great little read - can't believe I've never come across it before. Really does give the lie to the standard "Roddenberry was too optimistic/unsceptical" line.

"From now on I am Evil Abed. We are the Evil Study Group, and we have but one evil goal… to return somehow to the prime timeline, the one where I stopped you from rolling that die, and destroy the good versions of ourselves and reclaim our proper lives."