Safe Haven

Another fascinating episode of "STTNG" (for short) worthy of some moral reflection, and I know that Bryan Cross and I have discussed it: "Half a Life"--A noted scientist, one Dr. Timicin, (played by David Ogden Stiers of "M*A*S*H*" fame as Major Charles Winchester) is attempting to revitalize the core of a star as a test to save his own world, Kaelon II. The test fails after a promising start, and Timicin is comforted by Ambassador Lwaxana Troi, mother of ship's counselor Deanna Troi. Mrs. Troi, as per usual, is amorously attracted to Timicin, who returns the feelings. In the process of their discussion, Troi learns that Timicin cannot continue his experiments and cannot pursue a long-term relationship with her because of a peculiar cultural practice--"The Resolution." In four days, Timicin will turn 60, surrounded by friends and family who will celebrate his achievements and their mutual love. When it is concluded, Timicin--as have almost tw...

An awful lot's happened in 2 days or so. Rue McClanahan, most famous for her turn as Blanche Deveraux on The Golden Girls, has died. For the record, that show was and is absolutely hilarious. Most people don't know this, it seems, because unless you are an elderly person or headed there soon, you wouldn't be a natural viewer, or so you would think. But I have watched it somewhat randomly for part of my teenage years and twenties, because like so many things from the 1980's, people my age and slightly older are getting nostalgic, and you can find it if you want (or even if you don't). I'm not sure how many full episodes I've seen; I think 30 or 40 is reasonable. Anyway, I've never failed to laugh at an episode once. [You think everything's funny.--ed.] I don't think I'm just saying that because there was a death. Try it out; it's funny. And you won't have to go to confession or the equivalent, though I won't promise that it's G...

It must be anti-neocon week at the BBC. [ Isn't it always?--ed .] Another episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation was amazingly timely and political on BBC America: "The Drumhead"-- Starfleet Admiral Norah Satie (played by Jean Simmons) comes aboard to investigate an apparent sabotage of the dilithium crystal chamber which powers the warp drive. A Klingon who came aboard in an officer exchange turns out to be a spy for the Romulans. Following a lead prompted by the intuition of Satie's Betazoid assistant, (for Betazoids are telepathic) Ensign Simon Tarses is discovered to have lied on his application to Starfleet. He lied about the race of his grandfather, saying he was Vulcan when he was, in fact, a Romulan. Satie uses this revelation to expand the investigation well beyond its initial goals, even after the crew determines that the explosion was an accident. Satie brings Captain Picard under the scrutiny of her tribunal after Picard tries unsuccessfully to stop the...

5 Random Wednesday Thoughts 5. Better to be a theologically inconsistent Protestant than one with no love. 4. I will try to listen this time. Will this be a date? 3. I'm hoping for a 'Star Trek' night with Chris and Dan tomorrow. [ If that was slated to be a date, you just lost it.--ed. ] Whatever! Real intellectuals love the Trek, baby! 2. Happy Birthday, Donica Liu. 1. A note on social networking: Being clever with your religious views only serves to make me think you are: 1) ashamed of Jesus, or 2) a pagan. On the other hand, "Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life!!!" suggests: 1) I am an emotionalist, and/or 2) I'm one of those "hot" girls who won't have premarital sex, but I'll enjoy being a flirty tease for the next ten years. Sad but true.