Cantakerous Lesbian Sourceresssocketwench@hackers.town
Apr 12, 2025, 2:49 AMReplies
- Cantakerous Lesbian Sourceresssocketwench@hackers.townApr 12, 2025, 2:50 AM
Spock's mind melds with V'ger is what it feels like to view the Federated timeline.
- Cantakerous Lesbian Sourceresssocketwench@hackers.townApr 12, 2025, 3:24 AM
Spock's exploration into V'ger's memory chamber is perhaps one of the most unfortunate parts of the entire film. What actually made to screen is...the last minute re-shoot.
Originally, both Spock *and* Kirk were to explore this part of V'ger in what was called "The Memory Wall". This sequence extensively storyboarded, sets were produced, and even sequences filmed.
Much film archeology has been done on the sequence, and a few minutes of searching can yield these artifacts. The sequence could have been a highlight of the entire film, an effects and cinematic triumph. With the lack of CGI and the limitations of green screens at the time resulted in severe limitations in shooting options and an unwieldy wiring rig necessary to suspend the actors.
It's easy to imagine this sequence being better than the late run, Spock-centric one that ended up in the final film. Some of the set work and recreations are impressive, and more consistent with the feel of V'ger as a whole. My fear, however, is that it might have ended up veering into the cheesy, as such suspended sequences tend to be. Even First Contact's spacewalking sequence didn't entirely succeed, despite all the budgetary and effects advancements at its disposal.
The existing sequence in TMP avoids this by doing *less*. Spock is largely immobile, but he isn't required to move either to make the sequence believable. He's already in significant motion, and he simply passes by or through the recreations unabated. Having the sequence be Spock alone also gives him a moment to shine without Kirk; a highlight for me as a fan of the character.
- Cantakerous Lesbian Sourceresssocketwench@hackers.townApr 12, 2025, 3:40 AM
In a way, I'm also glad for the Memory Wall not being present in the film. The unimpressiveness of the last-minute sequence had a interesting side effect.
When we at least meet V'ger in person, nestled in a highly advanced pit of technology, we see -- a Voyager-style space probe. The contradiction is perhaps one of the most enjoyable moments of the whole film. We later learn it is indeed a Voyager craft, Voyager 6, and the corruption of the name due to the degradation of the nameplate obscuring key letters.
If I imagine this reveal combined with the memory wall, I feel that impact would have been lessened. The way the set goes from pensive blues and greens to a more threatening red would have felt a little tiring at this point. Instead, the more minimalistic "Spock-walk" as opposed to the Memory Wall, saves the punch for the most critical moment.
The Witch of Crow Briarcrowbriarhexe@tech.lgbtApr 12, 2025, 3:34 AM@socketwench I really should know this off the top of my head but did this come out before or after The Black Hole?
UnlikelyLassUnlikelylass@mspsocial.netApr 12, 2025, 3:42 AM@crowbriarhexe @socketwench I could look it up, but... I'm pretty sure it was the same summer. Close enough that I can't think that either inspired the other.
- UnlikelyLassUnlikelylass@mspsocial.netApr 12, 2025, 3:45 AM
@crowbriarhexe @socketwench Wikipedia says both came out december of 79, but ST was a couple weeks before BH. I know I saw BH in a theater, but not ST, and I don't remember snow on the ground...
- The Witch of Crow Briarcrowbriarhexe@tech.lgbtApr 12, 2025, 3:47 AM
@Unlikelylass @socketwench Yeah, that makes sense. Visually it feels like they share some influences, thematically a little but they go in wildly different directions >_< I do wonder what both could have been if Star Wars had come out a few years later.
- Cantakerous Lesbian Sourceresssocketwench@hackers.townApr 12, 2025, 3:50 AM
@crowbriarhexe @Unlikelylass There are reasons Alien feels so damn different than Aliens. Alien is also part of that 70s slow SF, but also draws upon a legacy of slow British Horror which was popular in the same decade. This is why Hellraiser feels so kindred to Alien -- same DNA.
- UnlikelyLassUnlikelylass@mspsocial.netApr 12, 2025, 3:56 AM
@socketwench @crowbriarhexe I always contended that Alien was horror, while Aliens was military SF -- I think having more xenomorphs meant that collectively they couldn't be any more dangerous than the single one was in Alien, plus you had actual military equipment, soldiers, and a whole planet instead of a single starship. Dunno.
But yeah, overall, 70s SF was really living in the shadow of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Space: 1999 and Silent Running both have that 70s pacing and Big Ideas, too, IMHO
- UnlikelyLassUnlikelylass@mspsocial.netApr 12, 2025, 4:03 AM
@socketwench @crowbriarhexe On the other hand, then you have something like Blake's 7, which I was rewatching recently -- it's got a very different vibe, being rooted more in Dr. Who crossed with Brave New World, 1984, and Foundation. Dunno.
There's probably a masters thesis in "video SF of the 70s, and how it changed post-Star Wars". There are plenty of exceptions, but there's a core of thoughtful attempts at melding adventure, prognostication, and philosophy, IMHO. Even BSG is trying.
- Cantakerous Lesbian Sourceresssocketwench@hackers.townApr 12, 2025, 4:04 AM
@Unlikelylass @crowbriarhexe Oh, I wish I had a copy of Blake's 7.
CMPRRSN RTFCTJoshuaACNewman@xeno.glyphpress.comApr 12, 2025, 1:40 PM@socketwench @Unlikelylass @crowbriarhexe
It can be torrented.It sort of claims to be these things, but it’s a mess. Actors kept leaving because the writing and characters are weak. Any given episode probably forgets what happened last time. At a certain point late in the series, the characters are shocked and appalled at the very premise of the show, which the writers had clearly forgotten.