giftgoose Reviews

Star Trek: Enterprise: Dear Doctor (2002) Season 1, Episode 13

Pandemic anyone?

[7/10 · 26 February 2021]

In light of what the general public has learned about viruses since the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of PPE (Personal protective equipment) to protect individuals and reduce the spread of viruses, it makes me think the writers had little to no advice from any medical expert with knowledge about virology.

None of the doctors or workers in the hospital are seen wearing any PPE. I don't recall any mention of the possibility of crew members catching the virus either.

It would have been nice to further explore the issue of exploitation of one species by the other. Also, as is known now regarding interbreeding between Humans and Neanderthals, and the fact that we humans still have remnant genetic material from that association, I would think that in a civilization like that shown in the episode there would have been some degree of interbreeding and some people would have acquired enough genetic material such that they would not be victims of the genetic problem.

Another issue that could have been explored further is that of providing assistance with science and technology to a less advanced civilization. We have no problems in doing just that in the modern world, so why should there be any reluctance if we were to do so to an Alien species. The benefits would be mutual. If done correctly and without exploitation, we would be hopefully helping develop a strong ally.

Frankly, I find the whole idea of the "Prime Directive" rather poorly thought out. In so many episodes throughout the various Star Trek series we see the Prime Directive being ignored. Also, other Alien species of course have no obligation to even consider any such directive and, as is mentioned in this episode regarding the Ferengi can quite freely take any opportunities to exploit other species.



Regardless, it's an interesting episode that makes the viewer think. It just goes to show you don't always need violent conflict in space between starships, or gunfights/fistfights etc., to create an entertaining show.

I can recommend this episode to anyone who enjoys having some ethical dilemmas to think about.

Certainly worth watching.

To Hell and Gone (2019)

Reviewers that only ever give 1 Star rating

[5/10 · 2 July 2020]

There are some reviewers that NEVER give more than a 1 Star rating. All items reviewed by psxexperten over the past two years have all shown a 1 star rating. That makes those reviews worthless in my opinion.

Adam-12: Suspended (1973) Season 5, Episode 20

Did LAPD officers take service revolvers home?

[7/10 · 3 March 2020]

In episode 6 of season 2 (A Sound Like Thunder) both Reed and Malloy have their service revolvers with them when on their day off. If I recall correctly there is even mention that they were fortunate this was now LAPD policy. So, contrary to the review by "strong-122-478885", it would appear that Reed having his service revolver after finishing work is a valid plot mechanism. Perhaps the confusion arises because revolvers are often shown being locked in a wall box at the police station before suspects are taken into a secure room for processing.

One thing I did find interesting was the technology used in 1973 for checking vehicle number plate information. I also note that this episode has Shaaron Claridge who played the role of the police radio dispatcher throughout the shows run. Apparently her main job was as an actual LAPD radio dispatcher and she was hired to perform that role for the show. No wonder she has that sound of authenticity.

Mars (2016–2018)

Leave it till 2050

[6/10 · 25 January 2018]

National Geographic should stick to what it knows best, documentaries. Adding a drama into a documentary just doesn't work. Regarding the drama, I know it was written to add tension etc., but give me a break. If that's the best humans could do by 2033 then wait till 2050 and make a proper job of it.

Only having one satellite orbiting Mars and therefore having communications with Earth drop out is stupid. I would hope to see at least several large satellites in orbit and perhaps dozens of mini satellites so that their would always be contact.

And why risk running out of fuel. Send a supply satellite or two to orbit Mars so that when the Astronauts arrive they can refuel and have plenty of surplus fuel.

I would expect that if the spaceship overshot the base then a small airship could be dispatched from the base to pick them up if for any reason they could not move their spaceship to the base.

Pushing a two wheeled cart? Pathetic. We should have robots two do such manual labor by then and said cart would be powered. And of course they had no idea how near they were to the base because they didn't have GPS because they only had one satellite. Were the writers really this lame? YES.

If radiation is a problem then build the base underground. Send machine to do the digging and build the structure. Have your Mars base already up and running and all ready for the arrival of the intrepid explorers. In retrospect from the current date (27 Feb 2021) when we've just seen the landing on Mars of yet another rover type vehicle, unless there's some sudden change in approach, we'll be lucky to see a viable Mar base by 2100. As we all know, the budgets for space exploration are minuscule compared to budgets for the military and other agencies.

Really, this is a joke. If humans are serious about establishing a base on Mars it needs to be done properly. I mean in a BIG way. Sure, it would cost more, but why risk everything because you failed to have redundant systems in place and failed to plan out everything in minute detail, and have plenty of backup systems and fail safes systems in place.

It will be a sad day if anything like what we see in this show is what occurs in the near future. My belief is that we just aren't that stupid.

In reality, humans can do better then a bunch writers can imagine.

Reviewing my review has made me want to write a story on how it should be done, maybe get Andy Weir to collaborate. No, on second thoughts he failed to do it right as well. But then he was doing a "Robinson Crusoe" on Mars story rather then a look at what could be really done if we really had a desire to establish ourselves on other worlds.

One day, perhaps.

Source Code (2011)

Intense, intelligent and imaginative.

[10/10 · 13 November 2016]

I started watching this film without knowing anything about it except that it was in the sci-fi genre. I'm glad of that because having seen it I feel that's the best way to approach this film, although I know from experience that most people like to know a little more than just the genre.

This is the first time I've rated any film a 10, so that speaks for itself.

All I can say is, if you're looking for NEW ideas and like intelligent sci-fi, then take a look at Source Code.

Cheers and happy viewing.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

Tom Cruise plays Tom Cruise, not Jack Reacher.

[6/10 · 10 November 2016]

While this is not a bad film, it's not a great one either. Let's settle on "watchable".

Really, Tom's getting a bit old for the action hero roles. How much longer will they keep casting him in these types of films I wonder.

The title character, Jack Reacher, is a creation of novelist Jim Grant, better known by his pen name, Lee Child. To really appreciate the character you have to read at least some of the novels which, in my view, are a far better experience then watching a film based on them.

Instead of making films based on the novels I feel a TV series could have been better. The characters and the story could be much more engrossing, creating ample suspense and "attachment". Who knows, some TV series producer could still snag the rights to create a series if this film is the last. For some background information about Jack Reacher and the author Lee Child, just go to Wikipedia. Being a fan of the author and his novels, I found the articles worth my time.

For a more rewarding entertainment I suggest you read the novels.

Jericho (2006–2008)

Could have been so much better.

[6/10 · 25 October 2015]

The idea was fine but they went astray. Instead of sticking with the main story line they decided to meander into soapy territory far too often.

There are some good lessons to be learned from this show, though I doubt that anyone in a position to make decisions to implement contingency plans for small rural towns would have watched this show.

For me, the worst thing about this type of show is how stupid the characters can be. They often seem to make snap decisions without proper discussion. And what discourse there is often ends in bitterness. It just makes me want to bang their heads together and tell them to use a bit of logical thinking.

I know it's the current way of editing shows but switching so frequently from one story line to another for a couple of minutes then back to the previous story line becomes annoying. One minute your watching a tense life threatening situation unfold then your switched to a scene where someones thinking about what their life could have been.

Verdict: Has its moments of greatness but also has

many frustrating/annoying moments.

The Postman (1997)

18 years down the road how does it stand up as entertainment?

[7/10 · 2 June 2015]

I only recently saw this film for the first time, but I had heard that it had been panned by the critics and was a failure at the box office. Trying to disregard that baggage I gave it my attention.

As most readers would know, it's yet another "post-apocalyptic" film, but compared to the ultra-violence of such fair as Mad Max, this is fairly tame IMO.

I found the film very slow in places and the romantic side story was rather lame. However there were times when I was completely engrossed in the story and the characters.

If you've never seen it then give a go. I know I'll be watching it next time it's broadcast.