Thank you, BBC America

At long last, BBC America has returned Jonathan Creek to their programming lineup. Last spring I discovered this quirky mystery series about a magician’s illusionist played by Alan Davies who solved locked room mysteries as a hobby, but BBC America insisted on showing only the first season’s episodes with an occasional episode from the secondContinue reading “Thank you, BBC America”

Recent Ramblings

Pocket’s Strange New Worlds contest for this year closes on Tuesday, and I made four submissions this year. I liked this year’s batch of stories. One I’ve mentioned before, about Wesley Crusher and the man he replaced at the Enterprise-D’s conn. Another was about Robin Lefler and her nightmares. The third story was about EzriContinue reading “Recent Ramblings”

Allyn's Crackpot Theory: On Trill Symbiosis

As some of you might be aware, I have some very whacked views on Trill symbiosis, how it began, and why it continues. My theories– Symbiosis must confer an evolutionary advantage (i.e., to further the gene line) to both host and symbiont, otherwise symbiosis doesn’t further the life cycle of either. In other words, symbiosisContinue reading “Allyn's Crackpot Theory: On Trill Symbiosis”

On Doctor Who: Neverland

Today I finally finished listening to Neverland. I received …ish earlier in the week (in short–excellent, very strange, and no other Doctor than Colin Baker could have done this story), and then gave Neverland another go. Oh my fucking god. I think I uttered that immortal phrase about six or seven times during the story.Continue reading “On Doctor Who: Neverland”

On the Borg and other stuff

This isn’t a comprehensive compendium of my thoughts on the Borg, which I may or may not write later as time allows. Jay Hailey wrote: How would assimilated “Drones” be controlled? And still retain their own identity underneath? I think the drones’ original identities are semi-aware of their status. They simply cannot do anything aboutContinue reading “On the Borg and other stuff”

Not coming soon to a bookstore near you

Pocket Books, publishers of the Star Trek novels, among other things, sponsor a writing contest every year–the Strange New Worlds anthologies which publish Star Trek fiction by previously unpublished authors. The first such anthology was published in 1998, the fifth earlier this year, and Pocket is currently accepting entries for the sixth contest, winners toContinue reading “Not coming soon to a bookstore near you”

Not coming soon to a theatre near you

Star Trek fans received some disturbing news today–the scenes with Wil Wheaton and Ashley Judd in Star Trek Nemesis were cut from the film for running time reasons. According to published reports Wheaton and Judd reprised their roles as Wesley Crusher and Robin Lefler for the tenth Trek film as guests at the wedding receptionContinue reading “Not coming soon to a theatre near you”

On Why Spock Isn't Spock Anymore

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan received a DVD “director’s cut” treatment this week. Most Star Trek fans consider this the best film of the series. While I’ve always loved Star Trek II and have fond memories of going to see it with my father in the summer of ’82, I count Nick Meyer’sContinue reading “On Why Spock Isn't Spock Anymore”