Top 5 Favorite Star Trek Romantic Couples

How have I not done this yet? So, as we get closer to Valentine’s Day let’s take a look at something people forget Trek is good for-romance. Yes, along with the action and drama and even occasional comedy there have been some great romantic episodes out there. Episodes that will have you crying your eyes out sad the two characters couldn’t work out. However I want to talk about more than just a one-episode romance. What about a romance that runs through a series (or beyond) ?  

Trek has done a great job giving us some real power couples. We love it watching the relationship evolve, when they’re together and feel it when things go bad. Here are my top 5 Star Trek Couples. The only rule is they have to be main characters on the show (sorry Chief O’Brien and Keiko) and the romance has to be more than infatuation. Of course that rules out the original series entirely since the closest we got there was Kirk and Rand…

But that hardly counts. No Chapel and Spock do not count (screw you SNW) and I am not including that stupid Spock/Uhura crap from the new movies.

#5.Tripp and T’Pol (Enterprise)

They get the top spot because they almost shouldn’t count. Since the series was canceled, we never saw where the relationship wound up. However, I really liked the chemistry these two had. Unlike Voyager where I learned to love all the characters, I didn’t like most on this show. These two were a highlight of the show, however. 

Underrated Trek:Conspiracy (TNG)

Welcome back to Underrated Trek, where I take a special look at Star Trek episodes that I love…which may not be the most popular or even liked by most. I talked before about how Voyager's Counterpoint is an episode many love but I do not. Today I wanted to discuss a season one TNG I have similar feelings for… 

I hated this episode, even before the gory ending (I’ll get to that). And while many consider it a highlight of season one, it’s not for me. I really am not sure when the last time I sat and watched it was, maybe not since it first aired! Well let's see if time has made me change my mind. 

Top 5 Favorite PG Sitcom Insults

We all know catchphrases from sitcoms, we love them especially when they become iconic. But today I wanted to figure on a specific kind of catchphrase. When the catchphrase is really a cover for an insult using words that of course can’t be used on a network sitcom. The R rated slur is a bit much! So they make the insult more PG, by either replacing the offending word, or turn a harmless phrase into one that stings but is technically nothing crude.  

Here are five examples, and the rule here is that it has to be one word or phrase that is repeated throughout the series. And it has to be covering a nasty personal insult, since many catchphrases aren’t intended to be insults. On Good Times jj walkers “dynomite” was great but that was to show excitement. On Full House it was cute when Stephanie said “how rude” but that was exasperation not an insult. And Family Matters had Urkels famous “did I do that??” Which was accepting responsibility for a mistake. 

#5.Welcome Back Kotter 

I guess saying “up yours” wouldn’t be very pc so Vinnie Barbarino expanded it to make it the much more clever “up your nose with a rubber hose” which is simultaneously cleaner and meaner. Kinda silly, but damn if John Travolta didn't make it memorable. 

Ten Decent First Season Episodes of Star Trek-The Next Generation

In 1987 I, and many many others, were excited about a new show called Star Trek-The Next Generation. I still remember seeing the promo that they had on the VHS of Star Trek IV and it looked epic! 

Years later and after the show has evolved into what it would be famous for being, I find that first season so unwatchable. Season 2 managed a few great, even iconic, episodes but season 1? Ugh. But in looking back I wonder if I’m being too hard on it. I mean it’s like Friends. A lot of people hate that shows first season because it’s so out of step with the series, but those episodes were great when they aired and are still great. So is season 1 so awful that nothing is redeemable?

Underrated Trek:Parallax (VOY)

Welcome back to Underrated Trek, where I take a special look at Star Trek episodes that I love…which may not be the most popular or even liked by most. We all know about pilot episodes, but sometimes you need a few extra episodes to really get the status quo. Today’s episode is a quintessential “second pilot”. But does that mean it’s good? 

The second episode of Voyager aimed high. Did it hit or miss? 

Star Trek 60th….and we need to talk

 

Happy new year! 

With many notable anniversaries this year, including the United States itself, the big one I’m most excited about is Star Trek! Yeah hard as it is to believe, this beloved franchise turns 60 this year. Ten years ago for the 50th I went nuts with articles about this franchise. So what do I plan for the 60th?