October 2017 Overall

October 2017 Overall
Church notes - 1st October 2017: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/09/church-notes-1st-october-2017.html

September Overall: https://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/September-Overall-707286751

2017 so far: http://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/165924137130/2017-so-far

Star Trek Discovery 1.01/1.02 The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars two part premiere review: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/jQ7QMMx1qBu

Star Trek Discovery The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars nitpicks: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/914673823844306945

Star Trek Pilot episode ranking: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/914682804214157312

Godzilla 1998 rating: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/godzilla-1998-rating.html

Star Trek Pilot episode ranking - correction: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/star-trek-pilot-episodes-ranking_3.html

Star Trek Discovery 1.03 Context is for Kings review: https://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/ST-Discovery-1-03-Context-is-for-Kings-Review-708070463

King Kong 2005 rating: https://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/King-Kong-2005-rating-708242784

Star Trek Discovery Context is for Kings nitpicks: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/star-trek-discovery-context-is-for.html

Church notes - 8th October 2017: https://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/Church-notes-8th-October-2017-708587522

Church notes - Why Bother: https://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/Church-notes-Why-Bother-708590066

Godzilla 2014 rating: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/esMrbKHRyXv

Test Thread - 1908: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/917716025319108609

Star Trek Discovery The Butchers Knife Cares Not For the Lambs Cry review: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/star-trek-discovery-104-butchers-knife.html

Blade Runner 2049 review: https://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/Blade-Runner-2049-Review-709643108

Additional note - Spore Drive and Voyager: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/ZTymYyjztUw

Beauty and the Beast (1991) rating: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/919084506417475584

Church notes - 15th October 2017: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/919414689490018304

Gravity Rating: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/gravity-rating.html

Test Thread - 1904: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/test-thread-1904.html

Seventh Son rating: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/seventh-son-rating.html

Guardians of the Galaxy rating: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/7vuvcGfpJmH

Star Trek Discovery Choose Your Pain review: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/921586977425600513

Choose Your Pain nitpicks: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/choose-your-pain-nitpicks.html

Church notes - 22nd October 2017: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/bjP79eHkE4F

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl rating: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/921995154533228545

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest rating: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/922761911216640000

Star Trek Discovery Lethe review: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/Av7dacSZYdb

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End rating: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/924083358736441344

Lethe nitpicks: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115245633245722817719/posts/W1wnmtEs7yR

Church notes - October 2017: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/5QA3tcawLeU

Church notes in 2017 so far: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristopherFardell/posts/TJKz4Qpq6Ho

Church notes - 29th October 2017: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/924511076292554752

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides rating: https://twitter.com/fardell24/status/924908241166909440

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides rating

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

7.5

Church notes - 29th October 2017

29th October
10,000 Reasons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM
Hosanna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnMevXQutyE

Psalm 46

Good Good Father: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBwXHpKVS5I

I Will Serve
Matthew 20:20 - 28
I Could
I Might
I Should
- It's meaningless if you don't do it.
I will - the only appropriate response to God.

Rescued and transformed

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Help those around you take a step to the right through the four Ps.

Selfishness - puts churches in a bad position

vs21
The exact opposite to Jesus' teaching of servanthood. It had come out of pride.

vs24
The other ten disciples had the same attitude. These attitudes are still present in the Church (and every individual) today!

vs 25 - 28

Phil 2:3 - 8
Jesus (and Paul) made it clear that we are to serve. How different would the world be if everyone had a servanthood attitude?

I will go
Acts 1:8
Start with those around you.

What is your Jerusalem?
It is your community. Those you interact with on a regular basis.
John 14:6
There is a way to God, but there is only one way.

Objections
- 'This is not my Spiritual Gift'
John 9:25
- 'I don't feel equipped to speak'
- 'I don't want to impose my beliefs on others'
Acts 4:18 - 20

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Now we can persue God's design in our lives

Colossians 4:2 - 6
Matthew 28:18 - 20

Who is your Jerusalem?

Church notes in 2017 so far

By month
January: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/169861.html

February: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/178683.html

March: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/182156.html, http://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/158839963445/church-notes-march-2017

April: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/185291.html

May: https://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/186628.html

June: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/188502.html,  http://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/Church-notes-June-2017-688574038

July: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/192061.html, http://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/163590801590/church-notes-july-2017

August 2017: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/195384.html , http://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/164664170110/church-notes-august-2017

September: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/197094.html

October: https://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/198667.html, https://brenorenz.deviantart.com/journal/Church-notes-October-2017-712231768

Church notes - October 2017

On LiveJournal: https://fardell24.livejournal.com/283492.html

On Dreamwidth: https://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/198667.html

Lethe nitpicks

Lethe nitpicks

The Holodeck

What was new in 2364 was the use of replicated matter in the holodeck, allowing for realistic tactile feedback. (The Hood was an older Excelsior class, as such it's holosimulator is more akin to what we see here in the Discovery. Will growing up was more interested in Anbu-jyutsu than going to any holoarcades that Valdez, Alaska may have to offer.) Also new was the distinction between the simulation environment and the image on the side wall being invisible.

Vulcan skies

Spock's comment “Lieutenant, Vulcan has no moon,” doesn't rule out Vulcan having a companion planet with it's own moon (as depicted in the theatrical release of The Motion Picture and Yesteryear, although the latter doesn't show the companion planet's moon.)

(These astronomical bodies have also been referred to in various novels, probably due to the above depictions.)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End rating

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

8.0

Star Trek Discovery 1.06 Lethe review

Lethe review

The sixth episode of the series. The series continues to improve (and at least there aren't 'colourful metaphors' this episode.) The opening scene with Sarek and his aide on Vulcan was a rather good introduction to the story, being a great set up for what follows. It is obvious that Sarek didn't expect his aid to be a 'Logic extremist'. (Really, the Federation is failed experiment? Because there is a war with the Klingons? Their pessimism would seem to be illogical, if that is the case.) Then there is the scene with Lorca and Tyler in the holodeck.

That is a good scene as Lorca gauges Tyler while he gets to know him (I still don't think he's a Klingon spy). Tyler's humility regarding the kill counter is well done also, as is Lorca's reply. Burnham's talk with Tilly was quite good also, as is the come back later. (Referencing the Enterprise wasn't over the top, and works in context, see next). It is clear that Burnham has taken on a mentoring role, and wants Tilly to succeed in her goals. The scene with Tyler is also good. (Is there something between Burnham and Tyler?)

Of course, that leads into the main plot of the episode, rescuing Sarek. Hence Tilly, Burnham and Tyler going into the nebula on a shuttle. (Enhancing the meld with a mechanism? It works, and it helps to advance the story.) If nothing else, the three of them work well together. But what they discover (or rather what Burnham discovers) is quite interesting. Why Sarek is resisting Burnham's attempt at connecting with him, also provides backstory for his relationship with Spock. Quite well explained.

That Sarek had to make a compromise with the prejudiced head of the Vulcan Expeditionary Group, so that Spock instead of Burnham and Spock would join, only for Spock to unknowingly betray that agreement, goes a long way to explaining the rift between the two when they meet above Vulcan in 2367. The revelation that Cornwell had a relationship with Lorca in the past is interesting. But that she would sleep with Lorca despite being his superior officer, is quite morally questionable. But that leads to the revelation of the nature of Lorca's problems.

PTSD from what happened on the Buran. (Is that all that's wrong with him?) This leads to the next thing, Cornwell taking Sarek's place, and getting captured by the Klingons. Certainly an interesting development. 8.75/10.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest rating

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

8.0

Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl rating

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

8.5

Church notes - 22nd October 2017

22nd October
Psalms 145 - 150

Acts 2:42 - 47

I will!

Structure is important for the vine, which is the Church.
Growth and development - Discipleship.

Rescued and transformed

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Help those around you take a step to the right through the four Ps.
A step to the right.
To knowing Jesus more.
Gathering together to worship.

I will
I will worship with others.
- Worship involves revelation and response
- Individually and in community
The issues of other priorities that pulled them away from worship were settled.
Corporate worship - focusing on worshiping God with others.
Say I will to Corporate worship.
I will attend worship services
vs 46
I will pray before worship
- For the attitude of our hearts
- For the leaders
- For those you're worshipping with
I will pray as I enter Church
I will be a worshipper not a judge
I will grow together with others
 - The Relationship Factor
Proverbs 27:17
The Ministry Factor
Acts 2:45
- They looked after each other
The Teaching Factor
The Evangelism Factor

How do you plan to maake a step to the right?
Who will you help to make a step to the right?

Choose Your Pain nitpicks

Choose Your Pain nitpicks

The D7

That certainly doesn't look like a D7!

(Too much of an error so... maybe the basic framework of the ship is shared with a D7?)

Colourful metaphors

Tilly being awkward and being from somewhere other than Iowa.

Star Trek Discovery 1.05 Choose Your Pain review

Choose Your Pain review

The fifth episode of the series. An interesting story, but there is at least one element I didn't like. The 'colourful metaphors'! Like, this isn't your parent's Star Trek! But more on that later. More is revealed about Lorca. There is certainly history between him and Admiral Cornwell. Their interaction is rather good, particularly when she's confronting him about recruiting Burnham. Then there is Mudd. He was also done rather well, there was no problem believing that he was the same character that Kirk and Spock will meet.

That he was collaborating with the Klingons, there's no doubt. Lorca was well justified in how he reacted to this news, even abandoning him on the ship. Tyler (I don't think he's Voq) was good also, he also wanted to escape from the captivity, from what L'Rell was doing. Talking of L'Rell, she's getting more interesting (what else are the House of Moquai up to? I still don't think Tyler is Voq...) She clearly didn't want Lorca to escape. (Lorca seems to hold out better than Picard will against Madred), but then the scenes aren't the focus of the episode.

(Even less than that episode of Babylon 5; Intersections in Real Time.) Still, the escape was done rather well, particularly with Saru recognising that the fighter that Lorca amd Tyler was in wasn't their enemy. Then there is the situation with the Tardigrade. Each jump had been draining it, and after the jump to rescue Lorca, Ripper enters a state of hibernation (or specifically, a state of cryptobiosis) due to the stress. Thus Staments having to take it's place after the rescue, but more on that below.

Burnham letting it go is a logical development of her earlier concern for it's welfare. (I don't think it goes to warp, rather it jumps into the Galactic Mycelium.) Saru's worries about being a good commander was done well also (I liked the list too). But back to the 'f-bomb' issue. It wasn't at all necessary. Data's swear in Generations wasn't as gratuitous as this was. It reflected the situation that they were in (with the Saucer entering Veridian III's atmosphere) and was also a consequence of the effect that the emotion chip was having on him.

The scene with Staments and Culber was interesting, especially with the bit with mirror at the end. (Is the mirror universe involved? I don't think so.) 7/10. (The 'f-bomb' lowers it a bit!)

Guardians of the Galaxy Rating

Guardians of the Galaxy

Earlier rating is still valid. 8/10.

Seventh Son rating

Seventh Son

7.5/10

Test Thread - 1904

1904
Americas
The Quebecois Rationalist Party continues to gain in popularity, including amongst those willing to use violent means to get their point across.

The proportion of Minnesota Norse speakers in Midgard County drops below 63%.
In eastern Minnesota overall, the number drops below 28%.
In Minnesota overall, the number drops below 14%.
Within the US overall (excluding Minnesota) it drops below 1.6%.
The Democratic Republican Administration in Minnesota (Under the complete control of the Sovereign Administration) bans one of the more 'boisterous' minor parties - the Minnesota Freedom Party, based in Midgard County...


Europe
The Greek Civil War continues.

The European Revolutionary War continues.


Africa
More rationalist rebellions occur in the west of the Empire of the Rif.

The Egyptian rebellion spreads.


Asia
Russia continues to press their invasion of the Kazakh Khanate.


Australasia
Antipodea


New South Wales
Armidale's population reaches 3350.
Dubbo's population reaches 4900.

Gravity rating

Gravity

8.5/10.

Church notes - 15th October 2017

15th October
Psalm 33

Matthew 14: 22 - 32

Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23 - 26

Sermon
Philippians 2:1 - 8

I Will
It's all about attitude. What attitude do you bring when you go to Church?

The Right Attitude
- No Church is perfect, nor are any pastors
We serve out of an attitude

The Right Attitude
I bring Unity to my Church
Ephesians 4:1 - 3
Acceptance of one another in love.
I am a Sacrificial Church member
Philippians 2:6 - 8
Greatness comes from serving others
I am a prayerful Church member
'...we haven't stopped praying for you'.
The Devil's goal - for you to fail as a Christian
Ephesians 6:18
I am a joyful Church member
Philippians 4:4 - 7
Attitude determines all actions

The local Church is the hope of the world.

Tony Payne - How to Walk into Church
We need to have the right attitude as we walk into Church
Prepare
- Reading the Word
- Don't spend the night before partying...
Prayer
Greet Visitors and Newcomers
- It means arriving early
- It means staying late
-- 'People work' or 'The ministry of the pew'
-- We come for each other
-- Prayer

How do you walk into Church?

Philippians 2:9 - 11

Beauty and the Beast (1991) rating

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

9.5

Additional Note - Spore Drive and Voyager

 Additional Note: Spore Drive and Voyager

No specific continuity nitpicks for The Butcher's Knife Cares Not For The Lambs Cry, (other than what has appeared in the previous episodes.) But rather how the Spore Drive is shown to work and possible compatibility with the Intrepid class ship. Even if Janeway and/or Seven knew about the Spore Drive it would be difficult to have the counter rotating ring sections on Voyager. However, it would certainly work on Borg Sphere ships. More on the Borg, below.

Moreover, given Janeway's reaction to what the Equinox was doing, she wouldn't want to use a Tardigrade to guide Voyager's Spore Drive. Obviously the Borg wouldn't hesitate to assimilate as many Tardigrades as necessary to pilot Spheres through the Galactic Mycelium. But would the Collective stop there? They would try to assimilate the Mycelium itself...

Another possibility, the bioneural gel packs themselves might be advanced enough to provide the computational power to guide Voyager through the Mycelium to Federation space. And the Borg would use the raw computational power of the entire Collective if necessary if there are no Tardigrades available.

It may be that something may happen to the Mycelium to make it unusable.

Blade Runner 2049 review

Blade Runner 2049

The sequel to the first Blade Runner movie, based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, by Phillip K. Dick. As a sequel, it works. It tackles the same kind of questions of identity that the first film does. (I haven't read the novel, so I can't compare it to that apparently seminal work.) The character of K (or “Joe”) is an interesting protagonist. He isn't a blank slate. He has a backstory, or thinks he does, and that plays a major role in this story. He has curiosity, and that also contributes to to the story.

(Of course, curiosity would be essential for any Blade Running Replicant...) Then there is his holographic AI companion, JOI, who gives him his name. She also shows some development over the course of the story. (But does she, that is a question, whether she is as real as the humans and replicants or not.) Then there is Deckard, who appears towards the end of the film, with more question of who is real or not. As good as the first one. 8.3/10.

Star Trek Discovery 1.04 The Butchers Knife Cares Not For the Lambs Cry review

The Butcher's Knife Cares Not For the Lamb's Cry review

The fourth episode of the series, continuing in the aftermath of the previous episode. Where to begin? From the beginning from the lead up to the opening battle simulation. The scene inside the synthesizer/replicator as it made Burnham's uniform was good. It is an effective lead into the episode proper. As is the scene in the turbolift between Saru and Burhnam, which is also an effective link to the previous episode. The line 'tell your threat ganglia to calm down' was a very good line.

As is Saru's response. However, one of the main plots of the episode involves the macroTardigrade, that is named 'Ripper.' The scientific process whereby Burnham investigates the nature of the Tardigrade is rather well done. They had done their work here. Too bad Landry didn't listen to her when she wanted one of 'Ripper's claws'. Landry really should have listened to Burnham about the fact that Ripper mightn't react well to sedation... But this is a really good example of 'Reality ensues'.

Tilly's role in this tale was done well, with her helping Burnham to accept Georgiou's will. We also get to see Lorca in action as the Discovery's captain. He pushes his crew to achieve, despite what barriers might be in the way. Particularly in the playback of the Corvan 2 distress call shipwide. Now to the Klingons... I wasn't that surprised that Voq had ate Georgiou, Klingons engaging in cannibalism isn't inconsistent with what has been established previously. The scenes between Voq and L'Rell (particularly on the Shenzhou) were quite well done.

The attack on Corvan 2 mainly serves as a push for the Discovery crew, to get the Spore Drive working. (Really, the Federation should have more sources of Dilithium. I guess that is background to the admission of Coridan in 11 years time...) The Spore Drive in action, is quite interesting, with the Discovery's rings spinning and the ship folding in on itself. That the Corvan 2 miners were rescued was just icing on the cake. Overall it was a good instalment in this increasingly interesting series. 8.5/10.

Test Thread - 1908

1908
Americas
In the United States POTUS Arthur C. Sovereign's regime continues to crack down on "moral decay".

The proportion of Minnesota Norse speakers in Midgard County drops below 60%.
In eastern Minnesota overall, the number drops below 27%.
In Minnesota overall, the number drops below 13.5%.
Within the US overall (excluding Minnesota) it drops below 1.4%.

The Venezuelan Civil War intensifies.


Europe


Africa


Asia


Australasia
Antipodea
The Rationalist protests in the various Gold Coast towns escalate into an actual rebellion. The Civil War had begun...

New South Wales
Armidale's population reaches 3500.
Dubbo's population reaches 5100.

Godzilla 2014 rating

Godzilla (2014)

8.75

Church notes - Why Bother

1st Oct - Church: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/09/church-notes-1st-october-2017.html

8th Oct - Singing: http://fardell34.blogspot.com/2017/10/church-notes-8th-october-2017.html

Church notes - 8th October 2017

8th October
Singing Why Bother
Worship
What does He mean by that?

Ephesians 5:18 - 20
Time when we sing and are joyful.
Other times when it brings repentance.
A Challenge
- We need to let God change our heart
- We need to sing with our hearts to the LORD
Passion, etc.

Colossians 3:16
For use as an admonishment, or challenge.
Not just be heard, but to dwell in us richly.
Dwell in us richly.
If we are not careful we might sing songs that aren't edifying.

How does the word dwelling in us richly lead to worship?
Pointing to the truth in His word.

It's not an 'add-on' or a 'time filler' - it helps us to know God better, and unifies us in worship of Him.
We need to focus on whether the songs speak the truth about God.

We need to pray for those who choose the songs for each service.
Eph 5
We should remember that our singing should be inspired by the Spirit
It isn't about you, it's about God.
Psalm 96
'A New Song'
A push back against the toxicity of the world.

Star Trek Discovery Context is for Kings - nitpicks

Context is for Kings nitpicks

Site to site transport.

Contradiction with The Day of the Dove? Possibly. Or maybe Lorca is willing to take the risk. (And Georgiou and Burnham took similar risks on the Shenzhou, given that Burnham doesn't seem surprised.)

Tribble

Lorca has some means to stop it getting into the fortune cookies. (And had figured out by trial and error how much a Tribble could eat before it reproduces)

Spore Drive

As noted in the review, it fails in some way. After the war, Starfleet assumes it not worth the risk of what occurred on the Glenn happening again. (Over eleven decades later, Janeway hasn't got the clearance to know about it, and the Borg hadn't assimilated anyone who does, so Seven doesn't know either. Maybe. Or Voyager tried and found it similar to what really happened in Threshold.)

Discovery as a new ship?

A bit difficult to tell the difference between a new ship and one that had been recently refitted.

King Kong 2005 rating

King Kong (2005)

8.5

Star Trek Discovery 1.03 Context is for Kings Review

The third episode of the series, introducing the main setting of the series, the USS Discovery NCC 1031. It certainly was an interesting episode. The introduction on the prison shuttle was quite good, effectively re-introducing Burnham as someone who has reached rock bottom and resigned to her fate. But that isn't the entire story. The introduction of the Discovery with the shuttle in the tractor beams was done rather well, but that is an aside. Burnham's reactions to the various scenarios that confront her aboard the ship, are also done well.

The various officers she meets aboard the ship, are also done well (some more than others), including her roomate, Cadet Sylvia Tilly. She wasn't as annoying as Neelix, Reg Barclay or Wesley Crusher (all of whom I didn't find all that annoying, most of the time). Her anxiety isn't overplayed. It will be interesting to see how she develops. But Captain Lorca is more interesting, he clearly wants to get things done, regardless of whether it's right or wrong. He certainly isn't like any other Starfleet Captain we have seen.

I'm not sure what to make of his menagerie (certainly the fact that he grabs the 'kitty' from the Glenn...), but I liked the Tribble. It is certainly leading somewhere, and this is a good start. Then there is Staments (named after a real mycologist), there isn't much to say, except that his grief when the news about the Glenn's accident came in was done rather well. But so far I have been ignoring the elephant in the room. Or rather the Mycelium in the room. The Spore Drive. It is certainly an interesting concept.

A link with panspermia. (life throughout the universe linked together, sounds like another franchise). It probably fails in some way, given what happened on the Glenn, but the story along the way will be interesting. The scenes on the Glenn were also quite well done (including Burnham quoting Carroll). The re-introduction of Saru as Discovery's Number One was also good, and the way he describes Burnham is quite apt. 9/10.

Star Trek Pilot Episodes Ranking - correction

Pilot Episode comparison – correction

Correction: Beyond the Furthest Star is the premiere episode of the Animated Series. (Must be because there is similarity in plot lines...)

Emissary

Caretaker

Where No Man Has Gone Before

Beyond the Furthest Star

The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars

Encounter at Farpoint

The Cage

Broken Bow

It probably would have been better if Yesteryear had been released first, then the ranking would be

Emissary

Yesteryear

Caretaker

Where No Man Has Gone Before

The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars

Encounter at Farpoint

The Cage

Broken Bow

(And I wouldn't have been confused).

Godzilla 1998 rating

Godzilla (1998)

8.0

Star Trek pilot episodes ranking

 My current ranking for the Star Trek pilots.

Emissary

Caretaker

Where No Man Has Gone Before

How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth

The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars

Encounter at Farpoint

The Cage

Broken Bow (Not bad but just not as good as the others)

Star Trek Discovery - The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars - nitpicks

The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars two part premiere – nitpicks

These are minor quibbles at most. They didn't impact my enjoyment of the episodes.

Klingon Appearance

Not really a problem. It could be an effect of an attempted treatment for the Augment virus. A counter-agent for that virus gone wrong.

Holographic communications

Not a problem either. The fidelity of the holograms are a lot less than they are in the holodecks/holosuites in TNG/DS9/VOY. It doesn't contradict For the Uniform either. The holocommunicatora in the Defiant, Malinche and Eddington's raider are a lot more advanced. There is also technological fads to consider.

Burnham's Court Martial

It shows her POV, from where she is emotionally after what she had done. Anyone would be in despair after that.

Sarek's adoption of Burnham

I don't see any problem here.

Star Trek Discovery 1.01/1.02 The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars two Part Premiere review

The Vulcan Hello/Battle at the Binary Stars two part premiere review

Clearly, the two episodes are actually a single story, rather than two linked stories, much like Encounter at Farpoint, Emissary, Caretaker and Broken Bow were single stories. Stopping at the E-D's arrival at Farpoint, the discovery of the wormhole, Harry and B'Elanna discovering the Ocampa City or the NX-01's arrival at Rigel wouldn't have been a good idea either. (But the onus is on CBS for that). But I digress. The premiere (or prologue) taken as a whole is a very good introduction to the situation in the Federation at this time.

The relationship between Burnham and Georgeou is established to be strong, in that the captain had thought highly enough of her Number One that she was going to recommend that she have her own ship. But it turns out that Phillipa didn't know Michael as well as she thought she did. It is further established that Burnham had unresolved issues in her past (as did Georgeou) that hadn't been triggered in the past seven years. Not until She had run into T'Kumva's beacon ship. That is what leads to the mutiny.

However, Phillipa is able to forgive Michael by the time they go over to try to capture T'Kumva, not that does any good in the long run. However, the Vulcan education has given her highly honed cognitive abilities (as the ethics discussion with the Shenzhou computer in the brig shows), it will be interesting going forward to see how she helps to solve problems that the Discovery would run into. However, Sarek's motivations, his intentions, in raising a full human child in a Vulcan environment hasn't yet been elucidated. Hopefully, more of that will be revealed as the series goes forward.

With the Klingons, T'Kumva particularly, there was some backstory, that he was bullied because of his father's disgrace (Discommendation?) and discovered the ship along with Voq and then used it in order to not be disgraced and to reunite the Klingons against the Federation; that's an interesting story. Probably too bad he was killed off. It will be interesting to see the repercussions from that. 8.5/10.