Star Trek Twerk

My first week of school is over and I have been catching up on some of the moments I might have potentially missed. One of which is the Star Trek/Miley Cyrus Twerking video and I just had to share it. I am an outspoken opponent of the "awesomeness of twerking." I think it is the stupidest thing to ever grace the dance world, or world in general. To have it entered into the Oxford Dictionary Online is even more appalling to me, but it added a bunch of stuff I think it's useless.

The bottom line is that it's lewd, it's crude and it's no Madonna and Britney Spears kissing, which Miley Cyrus hailed as her most memorable and most shocking MTV moment. Madonna and Britney had shock value, but it was shock value for progressive rights of hetero- and homosexuals. Miley made a progressive stance on. . . humping foam objects and letting it all hang out? ::shakeshead::

So have a laugh and enjoy the crew of the Star Trek Enterprise reacting this is visual assault:

WARNING! IF YOU HATED SEEING HER THE FIRST TIME, TURN AWAY AND PROBABLY DON'T WATCH THIS! IF YOU WANT TO RELIVE THE PAIN, PLEASE CONTINUE WATCHING!

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 12: The Menagerie, Part 2

Episode 12 - The Menagerie, Part 2

•  OMG This really did become a season finale. . . in scope of waiting to watch Part 2, that is. Shame on me and my subconscious modern need to wait long periods of time between two part episodes!
• Last Time. . . on Star Trek!
• WHY SPOCK, WHY?!?!?!
• Is that eyeshadow on Spock?
• Well, we already have the death penalty upon us, might as well keep watching.
• What? No HD in the future? You can really see the restoration, though. 
• "IT'S A TRAP!"
• Collections of specimens.
• It's a Menagerie!!! A Cage!!! Both episode titles... DONE!
• No human can resist the Orion Slave Girl Vina! 
• Awe man. . . everyone is against Spock! He didn't even stand a chance. (GUILTY!!)
• Flagrant emotionalism. . . Spock feels insulted.
• All's well that ends well. 
• No Sulu or Janice.... 

I don't have much to say about this episode, other than the interest I have in the background of its creation and how they used all the stock footage from the failed pilot to help out the intense filming schedule of shows at that time. I love the t-shirt I found, though. I almost would order it if I had expendable income for it. How cool is that?

But in addition to finding that shirt, I found one for "Mirror, Mirror." Funny thing. . . I knew about the whole "bizarro" world and all that stuff, but I have never seen the episode. I have seen parodies and heard the story (Sealab 2021 anyone?), but then on The Big Bang Theory (Season 3: Episode 1 - "The Electric Can Opener Fluctuation"), where Sheldon comes home from his Magnetic North Pole expedition to test his theories, he shows up with a Bizarro Spock "beard." I made the connection after having seen the bottle of wine for "Mirror, Mirror" and seeing the t-shirt on the website. I feel super special for knowing, because knowing is half the battle! Woots!

Um... as a digression... the label for the picture I have of Sheldon calls his "beard" a goatee. I don't consider it a goatee. So I asked my husband, who has a beard, what is what he has called? We are not experts on male facial hair. What Sheldon has is not a goatee. A goatee does not include a mustache. We thought it was a Short Boxed Beard, but apparently he needs sideburns. We then thought it was a Van Dyke Beard, but those need a separation between the goatee and the mustache (ala Johnny Depp in 2011 or Christian Bale in 2010). Essentially what we discovered is that he just has a mustache with a goatee, known as a Circle Beard. Oh the things we'll talk about. Funny thing is, we aren't even board. We just really needed to know. 

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 11: The Menagerie, Part 1

Episode 11 - The Menagerie, Part 1

• Shirts look more yellow and less puke. Awesome.
• Something happened to Pike?!?!?! This isn't good!
• Kirk and Pike met when he was promoted to Fleet Captain. (Future reference, Pike is in the J.J. Abrams new Star Trek movies as being a little bit more than just a meeting.)
• Spock has served with Pike for 11 years, 4 months, 5 days.
• Pike Saved kids! He's a hero! (duh.)
• THE WHEEL CHAIR!!! OMG CLASSIC!!! (South Park/Futurama) 

• Christopher Pike would be brilliant at ghost hunting (1 beep for yes, 2 beeps for no).

• It's stuck on No, except for Spock.
• Oh, wait, no, it is still stuck on No. That previous yes was an anomaly.
• It's a five year mission? That's kinda crazy. I guess it's that whole "tour of duty kind of thing."
• Kirk and Commander reviewing if Spock is. . . out of line.
• Oh Spock. . . no . . .betrayal? What are you up to?
• Pike's chair can move based on brainwaves and he can beep yes and no, but that's all... you would have thought a bit more technology would have evolved by then. Such as red and green lights instead of multiple beeps.
• Spock is getting loose with his vulcan neck pinch.
  
• Pike sits, lonely, beeping no, no. Wait... or is that yes, yes.
• Vulcans are incapable of lying. But what about Spock's human side?
• Talos IV: No crew for any reason can go there and no one knows why!
•  Logic and Madness walk a thin line, Spock.
• McCoy cannot be right, because he is not the Logical Spock.
• OH CRAP!!! Mutiny Spock? Oh geez.... 
• "Arrest me." You have baffled McCoy in a moment he could have relished. Was that a slight you designed by making sure he was back on board?
• I'd like to take a moment and say Mr. Scott's haircut is HORRENDOUS!
  
• A COURT MARTIAL! 
• Mendez: "Whatever he's up to, he's planned it well."
• Spock: "This is 13 years ago." So it has been 2 years since Spock served with Pike and, potentially, 2 years since starting to serve with Kirk.
• Those are some incredibly detailed tapes (oh, Kirk agrees!).
• Class M - Oxygen Atmosphere
• (Now we're into The Cage footage.)
• They are sending a transmission of the episode! That... is... awesome!
• To be continued NEXT WEEK!!! (oh thank goodness classic TV is reliable and does what it promises. Additionally, this was NOT a season finale... I don't have to wait all summer to find out what Spock is up to. I think that would have incited the loss of fans back then. They didn't put up with your crazy games.)
• Wait. . . where's Sulu?

I am very intrigued with this episode. It has some great history to it with tons of interesting tidbits. Everything from the history behind the pilot episode, to how Roddenberry came up with the idea for the creation of this episode, to the oft-parodied elements. Even the pieces of information about Vulcan's and Spock's past are notable fodder. Even these formal uniforms are looking really well done and the show is really starting to round out into a consistent groove. I am really quite excited to watch Part II.

As for MST3K connections, there are the same The Cage references, but some new ones with new information.

• John Hoyt (Dr. Phillip Boyce) appears in Episode 208: The Lost Continent as Rostov.
• Peter Duryea (Lieutenant José Tyler) appeared in Episode 204: Catalina Caper. 
• CHANGE: Bob Johnson (voice of Transporter Chief Pitcairon instead of the voice of Talosian #1) was the narrator, among other voices, in Episode 113: The Black Scorpion.
• Adam Roarke (Chief Petty Officer Garrison) was Harris in Episode 104: Women of the Prehistoric Planet.
• Tom Lupo (Security Guard) from Episode K19: Hanger 18 who was a stunt coordinator for the movie.

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 9: Dagger of the Mind

Episode 9 - Dagger of the Mind

• Tantalus Penal Colony
• Red shirts are such N00Bs. You need the Captain to help transfer cargo? Strike 1!
• Didn't check the cargo and a crazy guy climbed out? Strike 2!
• What kind of research are you doing on this Tantalus Penal Colony?
• They're not cage colonies. . . they're resort colonies. 
• Research = Violent Offender
• One red shirt screws up. . . all red shirts will suffer!
• "Where there is no emotion, there is no motive for violence."
• Why isn't the Bridge more secure? Every violent schmuck of an offender gets on the Bridge.
• Spock is creeping over with a neck-pinch. I saw him!
• NO KIRK!!! NEVER GLANCE AT THE GUY OVER THE SHOULDER!! That's a rookie mistake.
• These ID tapes are brilliant! So much helpful information.
• Experimental colony for the mentally unstable. 
• For goodness sake, woman, I remember! Let's keep this professional. The Christmas Party was a long time ago.
• Surprise elevator! Forcing uncomfortable moments to become more uncomfortable.
• Women don't need titles. We'll stroke your male egos with those titles, since anything else would be inappropriate.
• So they cannot remember things and if they do, they will experience the most severe pain ever! It seems to be more of a hypnosis strategy that some new research.
• Ancient Vulcan technique! YES! THERE IT IS!
  
• Requires I make pressure changes to your nerves and change blood flow? Woah, that's crazy! 
• It's NOT hypnosis, btw. . . this Vulcan Mind Meld!
• Minds sharing the same thoughts, but this isn't how I remember seeing the Mind Meld in later versions. 
• Wow. . . chick doctors are defensive for all the wrong reasons.
• Reveals that he erases memories and puts his own thoughts there.
• "Yes Captain, I know my profession."
• No reputable organization would have women wear such incredibly short skirts and hope to have a positive work environment.
• Christmas Parties, even in the future. Good to know!
• 2 Phaser Forms. Gun and Remote Control.
• He died alone, with only silence. No one was there to help him. He died of loneliness.
• Moody Kirk. Contemplative Kirk.

There is only one person to make an MST3K connection and not only were his parts minor in the episode, but the roles he played in the two films used on MST3K are minor as well. A connection nonetheless.

Lou Elias (Inmate Guard) was in Episode 319: War of the Colossal Beast as a soldier. He was also in Episode 509: The Girl in Lover's Lane.

A Toast: Live Long and Prosper (Star Trek Wines)

I couldn't help but get caught up in the gimmick of the Star Trek wines being released by Vinasa Winery (California). I'm only a mediocre wine drinker. I have an occasional glass here and there. I am more a sweet wine drinker and usually a white wine rather than a red. Yet, something about my new adventure made me want to order these bottles and enjoy at least one while watching Star Trek. I have already embraced that fact that in either weeks from now I will still be watching Star Trek in some form or another. Maybe, just maybe, I'll cook a meal that will match the wine and enjoy them both while watching one of the Star Trek feature films! We'll see. Either way, check it out. It's kinda cool.

While I think it's awesome that these wines are from Star Trek: The Original Series, I find it interesting that they weren't more geared towards The Next Generation. I found this article online about Picard and his love of wine. He even had his own private reserve, "Chateau Picard, 2267." Besides, Picard was a bit more classy than Kirk. It might have been a bit more interesting. Just a thought and all that. Anyways. . .this article focuses on Star Trek: Nemesis and the amount of wine/champagne that is being drunk by the actors. I just thought it was neat.

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 5: The Enemy Within

Episode 5 - The Enemy Within

• Written by Richard Matheson. 
• Sulu: Dog-in-Costume Handler
• EVIL CAPTAIN KIRK!!! (A strange alter-ego? Captain Hyde!)
• A savage, ferocious opposite. 
• Note to self: Ok... must learn about the green shirt. I get that green is captain related, but why does he fluctuate between green and yellow. More research is needed.
• Extra Eyeliner for Evil!
• If you look anything less than perfect in the eyes of your crew, they lose faith in you. 
• No...... I'M CAPTAIN KIRK! 
• Vulcan Neck-Pinch #2!
• Rapidly losing the power of decision? Spock, logically, strives to observe this anomaly. Makes me think of the recent Hannibal episode where Lecter chooses to hide from Will that he has a extremely advanced case of Encephalitis, just so that he can study it and have the notoriety of publishing case notes about it (Episode 10, "Buffet Froid"). Lecter and Spock.... could a friendship be formed?
• Logic verses Knowledge (Spock vs. McCoy)
• Sulu NEEDS COFFEE!!! -41 and they're needing only coffee? 
• OH NO SULU!!!!!! He doesn't have a week Mr. Scott!!!
• PHASER TO THE RESCUE!!! You heat that rock. You heat is real good. That is really a seriously awesome tool.
• Sulu keeps spirits high in a crisis. Good man!
• Kirk: "I can't go on without you!"  (The Sensitive Kirk.)
• There is a thoughtless brutal animal in all of us. It's called "being human." Without the negative side you couldn't be the captain. You need the black and white.
• Great philosophical conversation between McCoy and Kirk about the essence of being human.
• Space Federeation PETA's gonna pissed with your treatment of that.... dog-like-creature.
• Your intelligence is controlling your fear. 
• MCCOY: Suppose it wasn't shock, Jim. Suppose death was caused by transporter malfunction. Then you'd die. They'd die, anyway. Jim, you can't risk your life on a theory!
• SPOCK: Being split in two halves is no theory with me, Doctor. I have a human half, you see, as well as an alien half, submerged, constantly at war with each other. Personal experience, Doctor. I survive it because my intelligence wins out over both, makes them live together. Your intelligence would enable you to survive as well. 

 

• Bones? Is this a first? 
• Which one is the real Kirk? (omg!!! classic reference!!! I am freaking out!)
• You know who I am! (Yes, I wear less eyeliner, because I'm not evil!)
• Can half a man live? (see further down for discussion about whether half a woman can live.)
• I've seen a part of myself that no man should ever see.
• Soft filter on Yeoman Janice. She's so ethereal and angelic. 

The first thing I latched onto with this episode was that it was written by Richard Matheson. I had a bit of a squealing girl moment, because he wrote I am, Legend, which I had read and consider one of the foundational apocalyptic monster novels. An additional attachment to Matheson comes from another one of my geek-loves. . . Stephen King. He tauts Matheson has a master of horror. My one problem with Matheson, or when I was reading I am, Legend, was that it was very masculine. I'm very sensitive to writing styles and Matheson is very masculine, to a point where I almost felt incapable of continuing on with the story. While I land more in a masculine mindset to begin with, sometimes the author's voice is so strong that it is difficult to fully participate in the story as a female reader. While I love the story and the world that is created, I struggle slightly with the delivery of the story.

So I was eager to see this episode due to the fact that I love Matheson's stories and the delivery would not be as prominent an issue as it was in I am, Legend. And I was not let down. This was an amazing episode. It was also the first time I was really sucked into an episode, because it felt like, finally, a real solid episode. The others were still finding their groove or hadn't found a direction yet. Just further proof that networks needs to give shows at least 8-10 episodes before canceling them. Sometimes a show has to find it's footing before it really sucks in viewers. If I had been watching this on television for the first time, I might have tuned out due to pure inconsistency and lack of connection to me as a viewer during the first few episodes. They're cool to me now, because I'm investing outside knowledge to them and I have an infinite desire to understand Star Trek. 

The other thing I thought was interesting about this episode is that it is the first one where Spock and McCoy are REALLY distinguished as having two different philosophical/worldview mindsets. I've seen things about their epic mind battles and how, clearly, McCoy is the mental romantic. I love it! I have a feeling that, like Kirk, I appreciate Spock's logical mind, but I'll gravitate more towards McCoy for his humanity. That's if I'm remember things correctly. Thank goodness Spock is half-human.

Finally, Kirk's line about "can half a man live?" made me think of my Master's Dissertation on nuns in film. The title is "Half a Woman." This episode, from a philosophical standpoint, addresses the classical Greek idea that the human soul is a two-part entity. There is the rational side of the soul and the animalistic side. The rational side can clearly understand reason, which is why Kirk is so torn in the scene where Spock and McCoy are arguing their two sides. He sees the reason in both of their arguments and cannot act on it. The Animalistic Kirk is driven by his passions and desires. He attacks Yeoman Janice and, in his final crazy moment, is declaring that it is his ship!  Two things he has desires and passions for (see Episode 4 and his need for a romantic beach walk). Neither can exist without the other, because in each other they find balance. Kirk finds the will to act on his reasons, only with the desire and passion that drives him.

So in my dissertation I addressed the idea that a woman is not considered whole is she does not have children, so a nun is always considered half a woman. In reality, maybe it was more about a woman, like a man, cannot only exist with reason and rationale. There needs to be passion. When a nun takes her vows, she removes desire and pleasure from her life, thus cutting off the animalistic part of her soul and only prescribing to the reasoning part of her soul. As we saw with Kirk,  he cannot make decisions. Within the Catholic church, the nuns were ruled by the male patriarchs. Decisions were already made. In films that use nuns, it is usually a struggle to unit the two parts of the soul and find the balance of being a women, in terms of society and a devotee to God.

Woah... that was deep. I think it's time to sign off for now, because that took me to a much deeper place than I intended to go. But maybe that's what my college philosophy teacher was talking about. He was a Trekkie through and through and I just didn't understand it till now. What a shame that it took me this long to make those connections.

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 4: The Naked Time

Episode 4 - The Naked Time

• Even though he's in a red suit, he is still technically a red shirt!
• Red Shirt - Absolutely no regard for protocol!
• Spock once again reminds us that he's superior in every way!
• What? No subtitles for Scotty's rough Scottish accent? Beware of screening today. We need subtitles for anyone who doesn't speak with a broadcaster's accent. (Uh... Mr. Scott, not Scotty... yet.)
• Spocks eyebrows are back to a normal looking angle.
• Uniforms are much more... uniform.
• Is this the right-handed disease?
• Sulu: Hookie-Player   Sulu: Swashbuckler (AKA Nutjob?)
• The Sick Bay looks a little bit more like the "Salon Bay." 
• Vulcan neck pinch takes down Swashbuckler Sulu.
  
• A description of how women should look? Men still prefer the natural look with loose hair. Good to know for the future.
• Using phaser to get through the ship's hull. That was pretty nifty!
• Spock, once again, gets that loving feeling.... with sniffles and tears? Oh my.....
• Special effects reveal: Spock ears.
• Don't cry Spock.... it's ok.
• Kirk gets slap-happy!
• There may be no right way to hit a woman, but apparently there's no right way to hit a Spock, either. 
• Kirk loves his ship like a woman and wants to walk on the beach with her. (Unresolved: Is he really talking about Janice? Is Janice a human version of the ship? Will Kirk ever get his walk on the beach?!?!?)
• McCoy. . . that shirt is coming out of your pay. Completely unnecessary. (Sidenote: Kirk's wardrobe budget must be huge! Two ripped shirts so far.)
• Scotty and Spock save the day!
• Running backwards in time!!! LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN! Next time, this might be easier than messing around with Dark Matter!

• 3 days of redoes! AWESOME!
• Time travel is now possible. Established in Episode 4. Future plots revealed!

I was reading a little more on this episode and I noticed that there is a remastered version of the episodes as part of the 40th Anniversary re-release. As I was reading through the things that have been changed, it has become very obvious to me that we are watching t he remastered versions and I am slightly bummed. I was kind of impressed with the visual quality of the show, but now that I know so much of the small things were changed, I don't feel as in-awe as I did previously. I mean, I was really impressed. I also just have that hit to my pride for not making the connection, but I guess I'll get over it. I feel cheated.

Only one connection to MST3K this week. . . .

• Stewart Moss (Lt. Joe Tormolen) is Dr. John Beck in Episode 1010: It Lives By Night. HEY! Say hi to Mitchell for me!

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 3: Where No Man Has Gone Before

Episode 3 - Where No Man Has Gone Before

•  This is the "Pilot" with the replaced crew.
• Spock is looking strangely yellow when wearing his puke colored shirt. Still no consistency with uniforms. (Yes, I know it's the second pilot with the new cast and was filmed before the previous two episodes.)
• Tractor Beam (first mention).
• Kelso (possible inspiration for That 70's Show? Clearly there are already Star Trek connections between Bob Kelso from Scrubs for other reasons....joke made through Scubs.)
• Scotty!! But..... we've lost McCoy!
• Warp Factor of 1
• Gary Mitchell?!?!? I can't help but laugh at any mention of the name Mitchell (MST3K anyone?!?!).
• Sulu: Physicist
•  Kirk was a teacher? Almost married a woman set up by Gary Mitchell as some sort of "assignment"? 
• HOT LIPS!!! 
• Spock has that loving feeling.

When I was reading up on the background of this episode, I realized it was the second attempt at a pilot. When I was reading into it, I saw that Lucille Ball owned the studio where the pilot was produced and, after a bad showing with the original pilot, convinced NBC to give Star Trek and Roddenberry another chance. She owned Desilu Studios. What an awesome piece of trivia. Kind of like Star Wars saving Fox Studios.... Lucille Ball saved Star Trek! She really was an amazing woman!


And now the MST3K connections:

• Gary Lockwood (Lt. Cmdr. Gary Mitchell) was in Episode 615: Kitten with a Whip in a minor role, and he was Sir George in Episode 411: The Magic Sword. 
• Paul Carr (Kelso) was Dr. Kipling Episode 1010: It Lives By Night.

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 2: Charlie X

Episode 2 - Charlie X

•  What are these beige/nude shirts? With rounded federation symbols? And Kirk's green wrap shirt? A leisure shirt? And what is up with the different blue colors? Why does Dr. McCoy get a shiny blue shirt and Spock a standard and traditional looking shirt? Hmmm. Ray suggests medical smock for McCoy.
• I like how the show doesn't start right away with the intro. It's neat that it has a little story and then the intro. I hadn't realized these did that back then. (NOTE: When did this start in television? Is it something central to certain types of shows?)
• "Captain Kirk is one of a kind, Charlie."
• Ray: "This episode is about YOU and how awkward YOU are." Me: "Oh no...." Ray: "But you don't have evil super powers." Me: frown. What can I conclude from this? I am like an awkward 17 year-old space boy with evil super powers, but without the powers. This does not bode well for my declassification as "boring and unattractive social misfit."
• Recreation Room, Deck 6 (Is this the first mention of multiple decks? How many decks are there?).
• Spock: Logical Musician. Irritated by fabulous black woman's absurdities. Reminder: Star Trek the Musical could never work.

  

  How'd that work out?

• 3D Chess Board and Solitaire is still popular!
• Charlie silences Uhura.... he was just doing what we were all thinking. It wasn't really... evil. He also has a knack for magical card trick photography!
• "There's no right way to hit a woman." Well said, Kirk.
• I'm picking up on subtle pauses... could this be the start of the exaggerated running gag of Shatner's acting ability? (Ray: "He is at his best here. Nothing is up with him yet. Wait.")
• Kirk is on his way to the Bridge in a yellow crew shirt. [cut] Kirk arrives on the bridge a few seconds later in his green shirt! WITCH CRAFT!!!
• Charlie has personal boundary issues.Space Aspbergers? (No offense.)
• Shirtless with tight spandex! I wonder if the chicks wear SPANX! I'm not ready for this!

• SPARRING MUSIC! The most dangerous dance! (Not the classic verse, but intense music for a brief spar-session.)
• And a Red Shirt dies. Only a stern look from Kirk.
• NCC-1701
• Spock randomly quotes broken William Blake. Tyger, Tyger burning bright. . . Then recites The Raven by Poe... or at least a few lines.
• Charlie turns blue shirt girl into an.... iguana? What a random animal for a future person to turn someone into.
• Do you mean the original definition of nice? Foolish, ignorant, and wanton? (Criminal Minds reference... um... my own references, not... ya' know... Star Trek and Criminal Minds.)
• The Thasians! We appear where we want.

Ok, I found the earlier conversation with my husband about this being an episode about me offensive. I am nowhere near as awkward as this guy. Plus he's crazy. I left my crazy phase a long time ago.


Mystery Science Theater 3000 cast connections:

• Charles J. Stewart (Commander [Captain of Antares] Ramart) is Captain Harris in Episode 319: War of the Colossal Beast.
• Don Eitner (Navigator) appears in Episode 517: Beginning of the End as Soldier at Observation Post #2. 
• Bob Herron (Sam - uncredited) is in Episode 108: The Slime People as a Slim Person and stunts. He was also in Episode 803: The Mole People as a Mole Person!

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode 1: The Man Trap

Episode 1 - The Man Trap

• The velour is gone! Zapp Brannigan has Kirk's smugness, but Pike's velour! Already my geek is in high gear.
• A blue shirt dies...Where are the red shirts?!?! Hanging out on the ship, I guess. Not cool enough to be part of the landing crew? Lots of yellow shirts dying here. Final count is 2 blue and 2 yellow.
• Sulu: Botanist. Sulu: Bridge
• Woah.... Swahili spoken on TV? With no subtitles! That was pretty nifty.
• Truth serum! 
• Vulcans have green blood. . .I did not know that. Spock explains (is that sarcasm?) it is because of different blood cells due to spawning in a another ocean than Kirk's ancestors. 
• Blue phaser = kill. Purple phaser = stun.

A conversation that spun off of this episode involved Stardate. Apparently Stardate was chosen at random, to some extent, by the show writers. Stardate is unreliable, but you can still count earth years, which are more reliable. This was further referenced in an episode of Family Guy that was airing on Adult Swim when we had stopped watching Star Trek for the night. In this episode, Peter is watching Star Trek and, in exaggerated fashion, Kirk is saying the Stardate and it is just a bunch of random numbers that aren't even close to the actual rough numbers on the show. It was a proud geek moment for me that was way funnier because, well. . . I never got that tiny bit before.  (NOTE: A question I still want to pinpoint. The origin of the spastic/pausing Captain Kirk?)


The velour conversation also took a turn for the interesting after this episode. We wanted to know what the shirts in this episode were made of. Well, apparently there are different types of velour. It is a fabric or textile, not a material. It can be made from cotton or polyester. So in the pilot episode, it was a "robe velour." We speculate it was made from cotton to be more plush-looking. Season 1 velour is probably "craft velour" to make it more spandexy and breathable.


Wow! Only two episodes in and I'm feeling imbued with relevant and valuable geek knowledge.