New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesRe: Klingon Onomastics?
in reply to a message by Nanaea
A friend of mine had expounded a theory ages ago about the Vulcans symbolizing the Israelis and the Romulans the Palestinians...but I had ingested several Sam Andams and cant quite recall his arguments.
1
Replies
Don't get me started...
I think I'd need more than a couple Sam Adamses to sit through an exposition like that. :) And then, of course, there's the more obvious identification of *Deep Space Nine*'s Cardassians and Bajorans to the WW II Nazis and Jews (or the WW II Nazis and French Resistance).
Funny thing, though... Have you ever noticed how, in all these Trek spin-offs, the good ol' human race can always be easily identified with Americans? I mean, think about it... Who are the "peace-keepers" of the universe in all these Trek spin-offs? Where is Federation H.Q. located, even? In one of the Trek movies, in fact, Federation H.Q. is shown to be in *California*. (Don't even get me started about how Hollywood presents California to the world as being the quintessential U.S.A., while the "lesser" states of the U.S.A. appear more like satellite nations of Californiamerica.)
Oh, there has been a definite undercurrent of ethno-centricity in Gene Roddenberry's starry-eyed vision of the future, that's for sure.
-- Nanaea
I think I'd need more than a couple Sam Adamses to sit through an exposition like that. :) And then, of course, there's the more obvious identification of *Deep Space Nine*'s Cardassians and Bajorans to the WW II Nazis and Jews (or the WW II Nazis and French Resistance).
Funny thing, though... Have you ever noticed how, in all these Trek spin-offs, the good ol' human race can always be easily identified with Americans? I mean, think about it... Who are the "peace-keepers" of the universe in all these Trek spin-offs? Where is Federation H.Q. located, even? In one of the Trek movies, in fact, Federation H.Q. is shown to be in *California*. (Don't even get me started about how Hollywood presents California to the world as being the quintessential U.S.A., while the "lesser" states of the U.S.A. appear more like satellite nations of Californiamerica.)
Oh, there has been a definite undercurrent of ethno-centricity in Gene Roddenberry's starry-eyed vision of the future, that's for sure.
-- Nanaea
1
why isn't my name listed?
1
Could it be arranged that in a forthcoming Star Trek novel Federation H.Q. be moved somewhere to the east (nugde-nudge, wink-wink)?
1
Nanaea
Ditto, milady, ditto. Another thing, it seems that it's mostly second- third- (or more) generation European American (especially male) who are mainly in charge of everything. I've given up on Samual Adamses on this one. A few shots of Stoliy, perhaps... :)
Phyllis
Ditto, milady, ditto. Another thing, it seems that it's mostly second- third- (or more) generation European American (especially male) who are mainly in charge of everything. I've given up on Samual Adamses on this one. A few shots of Stoliy, perhaps... :)
Phyllis
1
I know this may be something close to approaching blasphemy in some circles, but I really don't believe that Gene Roddenberry was quite as forward-thinking as he's been given credit for. For all the hype about how Roddenberry cast characters of different nationalites in the original Trek series, the fact remains that these were all token characters. This was especially true of the black chick, Uhura. No wonder so many of the minor actors from that series have "problems" today with The Star, William Shatner.
A real visionary of the 60s was Sheldon Leonard, who cast Bill Cosby opposite Robert Culp -- as an *equal* -- in the buddy, spy series *I Spy*. Although I hadn't forgotten how cool that series was when I first saw it as a kid, I'm enjoying it now all over again with the DVDs of it that have just been released.
Every episode of *I Spy* truly rocked -- and still does, even by today's standards. Sadly, the same can't be said of *Star Trek*.
-- Nanaea
A real visionary of the 60s was Sheldon Leonard, who cast Bill Cosby opposite Robert Culp -- as an *equal* -- in the buddy, spy series *I Spy*. Although I hadn't forgotten how cool that series was when I first saw it as a kid, I'm enjoying it now all over again with the DVDs of it that have just been released.
Every episode of *I Spy* truly rocked -- and still does, even by today's standards. Sadly, the same can't be said of *Star Trek*.
-- Nanaea
1
Rodenberry's weakness is personified in Captain Kirk's character. He was shallow, smug, self-righteous, and the s.o.b. always got the girl, to boot. It seems that most "leaders" tend to be that way in real life. Many characters are token and underdeveloped, Uhura and Sulu being prime examples. In spike of Kirk, the series did manage to strike a magic chemistry between some characters (eg. Spock and Bones) which is missing an all sequels.
I am intrigued that some of the actors have problems today with William Shatner. Makes one wonder if Kirk's character was a projection of Shatner's own personality?
I am intrigued that some of the actors have problems today with William Shatner. Makes one wonder if Kirk's character was a projection of Shatner's own personality?
1
"I am intrigued that some of the actors have problems today with William Shatner. Makes one wonder if Kirk's character was a projection of Shatner's own personality?"
Nah, Kirk was a sweetheart compared to Shatner. :) I guess you must have heard (or read) about the problems between the minor actors and Shatner's ego, as it's fairly common knowledge these days. When I got my first clue, however, it wasn't such common knowledge. I was backstage with Jimmy Doohan (who played Scotty, you'll recall) at a convention, waiting for Jimmy's cue to go out on stage. And he was chatting quite openly about the old days. (He was also knocking back a quart of Scotch, and this was around 10 o'clock in the morning, as I recall.) And Jimmy kept referring to Shatner rather derisively as "The Star". He said a few other things, as well, which I won't repeat here. Suffice it to say that it was all pretty entertaining, actually. :)
Heheh, Phyllis must be a psy-chick, to have brought up Dr Who. Tom Baker's early years were my own, particular favorites. :)
-- Nanaea
Nah, Kirk was a sweetheart compared to Shatner. :) I guess you must have heard (or read) about the problems between the minor actors and Shatner's ego, as it's fairly common knowledge these days. When I got my first clue, however, it wasn't such common knowledge. I was backstage with Jimmy Doohan (who played Scotty, you'll recall) at a convention, waiting for Jimmy's cue to go out on stage. And he was chatting quite openly about the old days. (He was also knocking back a quart of Scotch, and this was around 10 o'clock in the morning, as I recall.) And Jimmy kept referring to Shatner rather derisively as "The Star". He said a few other things, as well, which I won't repeat here. Suffice it to say that it was all pretty entertaining, actually. :)
Heheh, Phyllis must be a psy-chick, to have brought up Dr Who. Tom Baker's early years were my own, particular favorites. :)
-- Nanaea
1
Nanaea
You never know about psy-chick (or psy-guy) abilities until you're drawn across the *veil* (a paraphrase from my Neopaganism class).
I particularly like the later Doctor Whos (I really haven't had a chance to see the early Tom Baker, but the Peter Davison... :} The humanity of the character, etc.)
Concerning Doohan, I also met him behind the scenes at a convention here in Milwaukee, as well as Walter Koenig and a few others from the original series. (Different years, though.) The less said about what was said concerning Shatner, the better, iykwim.
Phyllis
You never know about psy-chick (or psy-guy) abilities until you're drawn across the *veil* (a paraphrase from my Neopaganism class).
I particularly like the later Doctor Whos (I really haven't had a chance to see the early Tom Baker, but the Peter Davison... :} The humanity of the character, etc.)
Concerning Doohan, I also met him behind the scenes at a convention here in Milwaukee, as well as Walter Koenig and a few others from the original series. (Different years, though.) The less said about what was said concerning Shatner, the better, iykwim.
Phyllis
1
Guys
I was thinking about Checkov. (Remember Walter Koenig's character?) A "token" Russian that I felt could've been used a tiny bit more, but only once they did (and it was a somewhat forgettable episode). I wish I could go on about some of the things I say whenever I "catch" an old Star Trek show, but I want to remain on the 'net.
Now, some of the "Doctor Who" (late Tom Baker, all of the Peter Davison)...
Phyllis
I was thinking about Checkov. (Remember Walter Koenig's character?) A "token" Russian that I felt could've been used a tiny bit more, but only once they did (and it was a somewhat forgettable episode). I wish I could go on about some of the things I say whenever I "catch" an old Star Trek show, but I want to remain on the 'net.
Now, some of the "Doctor Who" (late Tom Baker, all of the Peter Davison)...
Phyllis
1
Tell me this: Who is that Sam Adams or Samuel Adams?
I have heard you all mention him some times now but have no clue as to who he is. Is he some kind of religious leader?
If so what are his views?
I have heard you all mention him some times now but have no clue as to who he is. Is he some kind of religious leader?
If so what are his views?
1
Behind Samuel Adams
Being a great beer, Samuel Adams also bears innumerable evocative anagrams. Here's a sampling:
"Slam Amadeus" : A classical beer that rocks!
"Uma Ass Medal" : Award granted to Uma Thurman-like derrieres.
"Mama sues lad" : Mother sues rapper son for drinking more beers than her.
"A mad-ass mule" : Rapper in question.
"Seal us madam" : Famous Clinton quotation
"Sum Adam's ale" : The consumate drink.
"Amused Lamas" : Buddhists who just drank some.
"Medusa Lamas" : Beautiful gorgon turns above Buddhists to stone.
"Am sad as mule" : Because it is hard to find in Greece.
"Dual ass Emma" : After a couple of bottles, things seem to double.
Being a great beer, Samuel Adams also bears innumerable evocative anagrams. Here's a sampling:
"Slam Amadeus" : A classical beer that rocks!
"Uma Ass Medal" : Award granted to Uma Thurman-like derrieres.
"Mama sues lad" : Mother sues rapper son for drinking more beers than her.
"A mad-ass mule" : Rapper in question.
"Seal us madam" : Famous Clinton quotation
"Sum Adam's ale" : The consumate drink.
"Amused Lamas" : Buddhists who just drank some.
"Medusa Lamas" : Beautiful gorgon turns above Buddhists to stone.
"Am sad as mule" : Because it is hard to find in Greece.
"Dual ass Emma" : After a couple of bottles, things seem to double.
1