Janeway_IDIC

It’s back! The Life of Brian is being re-released in cinemas around the world during April 2004! There’s more info at:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1072948.htm

I can’t wait to see this great movie in a cinema!

The episode you’re thinking of is called, “Flashback”. It’s the second episode from season 3. Janeway and Tuvok relive Tuvok’s memories of serving on board the Excelsior with Captain Sulu during the events leading up the Kitomer Accords (Star Trek movie number 6: “The Undiscovered Country”). This is one of my favourite episodes of Voyager, the episode is also available in book form, the mind meld scenes are described in vivid detail.

For any Perth (Western Australia) based Python fans:

There are going to be public screenings of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” at King’s Park during summer.

The Life of Brian is screening on the 22nd of December.

The Holy Grail will be shown on the 10th of December and on the 24th of February.

More info is available from http://www.sunsetevents.com.au

My favourite character is Kathryn Janeway. I found this description of her at: http://www.eidnet.org/local/davehill/old/capkate.htm it sums up very well my appreciation of Voyager’s Captain.

“THE CAPTIVATING CAPTAIN KATHRYN JANEWAY

By Jen Hill (http://www.eidnet.org/local/davehill/old/jenindex.htm)

The moment she steps on the bridge, the air crackles with intensity. From the minute she opens her mouth, we listen intently to her words. Every nuance, every movement speaks volumes about our favorite character aboard the Federation Starship Voyager. You know who I speak of, Captain Kathryn Janeway.

Why is she so fascinating? Why does she inspire us? How is it that we can watch her religiously, critique her on every decision, analyze her thoughts, her feelings, her actions? What is it about the Captain of Voyager that makes our dreams take hold, our minds make up new scenarios and situations, and our mouths drop in disbelief?

I speak as a fan of Kate Mulgrew and of Kathryn Janeway. I also speak as a writer who finds great joy and pleasure in writing, especially in taking my hand to the myriad of adventures that surrounds the Starship Voyager. Every since day one, there was something about Kathryn Janeway that intrigued me, maybe her devotion to her crew, maybe her absolute control, maybe everything that she was. Trying to come to grips on my obsession with the Captain of Voyager, I think that I've finally got it figured out.

I want to be her. I want to be flying in uncharted space with my technology in one hand and my wits in the other. I want to be intoxicated with the discoveries of the universe, I want to explore and discover new worlds and new civilizations. I want to be the one who dares taste Neelix's cooking, and it is I who will practice tennis in the ready room. I will be the one who will dare stand up to the Kazon, who will dare sacrifice her life for a member of her crew, who will dare to defy the laws of the universe time and again. It is me.

Watching Voyager enables me to transcend the monotony of this existence, the endless repititions of day-to-day life, enables me to fly in that starship, to take command. In this sense, Kathryn Janeway is not merely Jeri Taylor and Kate Mulgrew and a figment of someone's imagination. Captain Janeway is me. And in a world where technology is just beginning to overwhelm us, when social problems are getting worse and worse, where disease and death reign, it brings me peace to think of an existence where these things merely do not exist. And if they do, they will eventually be conquered and brought low due to the enigmatic power of humanity. It is a bright future to look forward to, where science merely exists to bring joy, and humanity has the power to overcome its technology.

The power of Star Trek lies in that everyone wishes to believe that such a future could exist. That space exploration and the meeting of different peoples and civilizations is actually a reality, not a promise of better things to come. But it was not merely Star Trek that led me to realize this. It was also the amazing character of Captain Janeway that led me to this conclusion.

The Captain of the starship Voyager has so totally enthralled me that I almost come to the point in believing that she actually does exist. Her experiences captivate me, her intellect motivates me, her compassion shames me, and her entire being is the catalyst of my creative soul. I don't know how else to put it. Kathryn Janeway does exist. She has been the single driving force in my struggle for literacy, her character cries out to me, she fascinates me to the point that she is raised on my pedestal, being more than human, and more than captain, and almost to the point of being a deity. I guess it is because of that reason that I feel the need to humble her, to bring her down to the earth, to give her experiences that will teach her that she is but human. And if she could but believe in me as much as I believe in her, then she finally understand that her mission is not just to get her crew home, but to stand as an idol for the thousands of people who feel the same as I do.

As I watch her, week after week, I sometimes wonder if she is aware of us. If that through some awesome telepathic ability, she is able to sense and respond to the feelings and cares of a generation that cries out for her. That she understands the incredible responsibility of being an idol, of being a role model for a new generation that believes so whole-heartedly in the blessings of the future. My Captain Janeway does understand this, and it motivates her to greater heights never before dreamed. It is for us that she battles the hidden beasts, it is for us that she keeps striking out into unknown depths, it is for us that she makes a stand in her integrity, day after day, knowing that home is so very far away. For as she is real to us, we are real to her.

I think that brings me to Kate Mulgrew. I adore her! Without her, my Captain Janeway would not exist. She breathes life and soul into the person up there in the heavens. I think she also understands the great responsibility she has, to be a link between the REAL Captain Janeway, the one that cares and understands our innermost thoughts and feelings, and the character she plays every week on TV. Kate Mulgrew lends so much heart and soul to her creation that it prompts us to believe in the existence of Captain Janeway. Call me crazy if you will, but I will be forever indebted to Kate Mulgrew for bringing Captain Janeway into my life.

Through the influence of Captain Janeway, I have been given wings to fly. I have struck out on my own, knowing that other women have done so before me. I have been able to bring a quality of depth to my writing that I have never had before. With the shining light of Janeway behind me, I will soar to heights only before imagined. Through the example of Captain Janeway, I have been given the power and the courage to write better and imagine more than ever. And when all is said and done, I will stand high, head proud, and tell the world that Captain Janeway was the greatest influence in my life, and a debt goes to Kate Mulgrew for bringing her to me.

So, thank you, Kate Mulgrew. You have given me a gift whose worth is more than the most precious gold, whose gentle hand guides my dreams, and whose power affects every aspect in my life. God bless you and keep you, to help you keep inspiring people like me to become like Captain Kathryn Janeway.”

This is one of the many great scenes from Life of Brian:

Brian's Mum (addressing the crowd of followers assembled outside the Cohen residence who are waiting to see Brian):

“THERE’S NO MESSIAH IN HERE!

THERE’S A MESS ALRIGHT, BUT NO MESSIAH!”

One of my favourite novels about Vulcans is “The Vulcan Academy Murders”, by Jean Lorrah. This book deals with different aspects of Vulcan culture, including their telepathic experiences, which the writer describes in amazingly vivid detail:

This scene describes the marriage and bonding of a Vulcan woman (T’Mir) and human man (Corrigan):

(Beginning on page 164)

“Her warm fingertips touched the side of his face. He knew the pattern of psi-points, found them on her face – and she was with him. He had no apprehension, for he had now experienced what a mind-touch could be outside of the coldly restricted healing meld. In some ways, this bonding meld was the same as the family healing meld he had experienced … it had the same deep-seated acceptance, the same warmth of recognition and ultimate trust.

But it was more. There was the exquisite awareness of male and female, opposites drawn to one another deeply and strongly in the eternal plan of nature. And as each found what he or she sought, there was a new sense formed – I think your thoughts! Corrigan realised, and felt the delighted laughter T’Mir would never utter aloud vibrating like the song of a silver-bird.

She was as exquisite mentally as she was physically, all Vulcan logic overlaid with her own charming thought patterns - and he could perceive himself in her mind, exotic yet familiar, alien without being foreign … Tenderly, they explored one another’s consciousness, entwining thoughts as they sat touching only through their fingertips on one another’s faces. Corrigan wanted it to go on forever. It will, T’Mir told him, her mind unfolding to him like a rosebud, inviting him into the depths of her being while at the same time she seemed to be everywhere in his mind, never prying, just there as a sweet presence, until-

T’Mir dropped her hand. “No!” Corrigan gasped involuntarily, but she took his hand and insistently pulled it from her face. The intensity of contact lessened - but it was not gone. She was still with him! He had never known anything like it … “Never and always,” he whispered … And he felt her sweet acceptance in his mind, saw his own joy reflected in her eyes.”

This just one of the many great telepathy scenes in this book.

This is another one of my favourite sketches:

(I got this script from http://www.intriguing.com/mp/_scripts/cat.txt)

Title: BURYING THE CAT

(From: Monty Python's Flying Circus

Transcribed By: Jonathan Partington)

Mrs. Conclusion (Chapman): Hullo, Mrs. Premise.

Mrs. Premise (Cleese): Hullo, Mrs. Conclusion.

Mrs. Conclusion: Busy Day?

Mrs. Premise: Busy? I just spent four hours burying the cat.

Mrs. Conclusion: Four hours to bury a cat?

Mrs. Premise: Yes - it wouldn't keep still.

Mrs. Conclusion: Oh - it wasn't dead, then?

Mrs. Premise: No, no - but it's not at all well, so as we were going to be on the

safe side.

Mrs. Conclusion: Quite right - you don't want to come back from Sorrento to a dead cat. It'd be so anticlimactic. Yes, kill it now, that's what I say. We're going to have to have our budgie put down!

Mrs. Premise: Really - is it very old?

Mrs. Conclusion: No, we just don't like it. We're going to take it to the vet

tomorrow.

Mrs. Premise: Tell me, how do they put budgies down, then?

Mrs. Conclusion: Well, it's funny you should ask that, because I've just been

reading a great big book about how to put your budgie down, and apparently you can either hit them with the book, or you can shoot them just there, just above the beak.

Mrs. Premise: Just there? Well, well, well. 'Course, Mrs Essence flushed hers

down the loo.

Mrs. Conclusion: No, you shouldn't do that - no, that's dangerous. They breed in

the sewers!

Such a great sketch! I love the fact that they buried the cat, "just to be on the safe side"!

Of all Vulcan talents, I find their telepathic capabilities the most interesting. Whether it’s performing mind melds, sensing the thoughts of others or transferring their katras.

Some of my favourite examples of Vulcan telepathy are:

1. The mind meld between Sarek and Captain Kirk, when Sarek is trying to find Spock’s katra, in “Star Trek 3: The Search For Spock”.

2. When Spock extracts information from the mind of Valeris, in “Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country.”

3. When Tuvok attempts to give Suder some Vulcan self discipline, in “Meld”.

4. When Tuvok learns of Admiral Janeway’s plan to change the time line, because she touches his head, and then kisses him good bye as she leaves his hospital room (“Endgame”).

What are your favourite scenes involving Vulcans exercising their telepathic skills?

Great quote Indy! This fantasy of The Doctor is a great scene! It’s very interesting to know that secretly The Doctor wants to anaesthetise Tuvok. And the way he achieves this is a great feat, in the middle of an opera! The timing couldn’t have been better, impressing the crew, resolving Tuvok’s Pon Far, while singing opera, all at the same time! After Tuvok collapses, none of the crew care about his condition, they’re all too awe struck by The Doctors overwhelming talents! Even the Captain is captivated. This scene is one of my favourites too!

Monty Python write such fantastic songs too! One of their many great songs is, “The Decomposing Composers”:

“Beethoven’s gone, but his music lives on, and

Mozart don’t go shopping no more,

You’ll never meet Liszt or Brahms again

And Elgar doesn’t answer the door

Schubert and Chopin used to chuckle and laugh,

Whilst composing a long symphony,

But one hundred and fifty years later,

There’s very little of them left to see.

They’re decomposing composers

There’s nothing much anyone can do,

You can still hear Beethoven,

But Beethoven cannot hear you.”

Monty Python is great! The Careers Guidance Counselor sketch is a classic. An accountant has had enough of being and accountant, and decides that he wants to be, “a lion tamer!” But the only preparation he has for this new career is the purchasing of a hat that says “Lion Tamer” on it.

Counselor talking to the accountant: “Look when I ring (the zoo manager), his first question about you is not going to be, 'well does he have his own lion taming hat?'"

I also love The Holy Grail, Life of Brian and Meaning of Life. The scene in Life of Brian where Stan announces that he wants to have babies is great, “We shall fight the oppressors for your right to have babies, brother!” The opening scene of this movie is great too, initially Brian’s Mum is not at all impressed with ‘three wise men’ turning up uninvited. But once she realises that they’ve brought presents, well then the ‘wise men’ are quite welcome.

In the Holy Grail, the scene in which Arthur where is trying to convince the peasants that he is their king, is brilliant. Denis the peasant is way to smart and logical for Arthur, “Look mate, you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power, just coz some watery tart threw a sword at you!”

The Spanish Inquisition: “Our chief weapons are: Fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope!”

There are just so many great scenes from the movies and TV episodes!

Some of my favourites are:

The Spanish Inquisition

The Cheese Shop

Doug and Dinsdale

The Vercotti Brothers

Argument Clinic

Flying Lessons

Spam

Fish License

Abattoir

Be a Great Actor

Two Sheds

Then there’s all those great animations! Such as “The Dancing Teeth” and “How to Give Up Being a Mason”.

PS: “He has a wife you know…”

- Life of Brian

Tuvok (in State of Flux): “How may I be honest with you today?”

Janeway (in Worst Case Scenario): “You’ve just threatened the wrong woman, Chakotay.”

Janeway (in The Cloud): “Dismissed. That’s a Starfleet expression for get out.”

Neelix quoting the Captain (in Thirty Days): "Tell Mr. Paris this is punishment, not shore leave."

Seven of Nine talking to the Captain: "You would deny us the choice as you deny us now. You have imprisoned us in the name of humanity yet you will not grant us your most cherished human right ... to choose our own fate. You are hypocritical, manipulative. We do not want to be what you are! Return us to the collective!"

Captain Janeway: You lost the capacity to make a rational choice the moment you were assimilated. They took that from you. And until I am convinced you've gotten it back, I'm making the choice for you. You're staying here.

Seven of Nine: Then you are no different from the Borg.

Tuvok: "I am curious. Have the Q always had had an absence of manners, or is it the result of some natural evolutionary process that comes with omnipotence?"

I also love the scenes involving Arachnia, Queen of the Spider People.

Captain Janeway talking to Seven, “There's a time and a place for philosophical discussion, this is one of them.”

Captain Janeway: “Who wanted to muck around in the dirt when you could be studying quantum mechanics?”

Seska: “If this had been a Cardassian ship, we would be home now.”

Seven of Nine: “Nevertheless, I am willing to explore my humanity. Take off your clothes.”

B'Elanna Torres: “How the hell do you know when we're having intimate relations?”

Seven of Nine: “There is no one on deck 9 section 12 who does not know when you're having intimate relations.”

While B’Elanna is in labour:

The Doctor, counselling B'Elanna: “Will you relax?”

B'Elanna Torres: “If you tell me to relax one more time I'm going to rip your holographic head off!”

The Doctor: “I hope you don't intend to kiss your baby with that mouth.”

Seven of Nine: “Fun will now commence!”

Captain Janeway: “Dismissed. That's a Starfleet expression for "get out".

Thanks for the link to the Vulcan Language Institute!

It’s a fantastic site, so comprehensive, covering everything from Surak, history and culture, to anatomy and physiology.

In Dark Frontier there is a great scene between Naomi Wildman and Captain Janeway:

Janeway speaking to Naomi: “There are three things to remember about being a starship captain, keep your shirt tucked in, go down with the ship and never abandon a member of your crew.”

Tuvok in (Favourite Son), talking about deja vu:

“Perhaps you are experiencing a paradoxical, state dependant, associative phenomenon.”

The scene in Endgame when Admiral Janeway takes the chronodeflector from the Klingons, and they are perusing her:

Admiral Janeway: “What do you want?”

Klingon Commander: “You’ll pay for your deceit…the house of Korath wont rest until you’ve drowned in your own blood.”

Admiral Janeway: “I’d love to stay and chat, but I’m on a tight schedule!"

Thanks!

I am very happy to see that this web site now has a Vulcan Embassy. The Vulcans are my favourite culture from the Star Trek world, and I look forward to lots of interesting discussions about them.

“I’ve always had the greatest respect for Vulcans … you’re a noble people, and I salute you.”

- Quark (The Marquis Part 1)

I prefer the way Vulcans are portrayed in TOS, TNG, DS9 and Voyager. The Vulcan culture is extremely interesting. Especially the IDIC (Infinity Diversity in Infinite Combinations) philosophy. Vulcans appreciate the importance of diversity and variation within society. Vulcans value education, they search for knowledge and aspire to achieve a greater understanding of themselves and the universe. I also appreciate and admire the Vulcan way of life, which embraces rationalism and vegetarianism.

Vulcans developed some of the greatest centres of learning within the Federation. Their calm, logical approach to life has enabled them to solve many otherwise volatile situations peacefully. They also have a strong sense of connection with their environment, particularly the planet Vulcan. The hot dry climate has formed their culture, producing the highly resourceful people that they are. With the insights of Surak, they also bought peace to their planet and eliminated war, starvation, poverty and disease. This enabled the entire population to enjoy a high quality of life. And led to the pursuit of knowledge, exploration of the universe and contact with new peoples. They went on to help establish the Federation and spread peace to other worlds.

I don't at all appreciate how Vulcans are portrayed on Enterprise, they seem to be extremely arrogant and obnoxious, and in complete contradiction to their established traits of tolerance, equanimity and pacifism progressively built upon in TOS, TNG, DS9 and Voyager.

I like Monty Python's ode to spam:

"Cafeteria Menu:

1. Egg & Bacon

2. Egg, bacon & sausage

3. Egg & SPAM

4. Egg, bacon, sausage & SPAM

5. SPAM, bacon, sausage & SPAM

6. SPAM, egg SPAM, SPAM, bacon, SPAM, tomato & SPAM

7. SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM,

SPAM, baked beans, SPAM

SPAM, SPAM & SPAM

8. Lobster ... with a mornay sauce, ... shallots, ... garnished with a truffle pate in

brandy with a fried egg on top & SPAM!"

I totally disagree with the review of Voyager. It seems that some people do not trully appreciate or understand Voyager, it is an fantastic series. The story lines are entertaining and their themes are inspiring. The issues faced by the crew are ones we can identify with learn from as the crew face and resolve the issues. The idea that the writers had a short list of recycleable episode topics is rediuculous. As is the suggestion that the characters on Voyager did not develop. Fans of Voyager who have watched the every episode will notice SIGNIFICANT growth and change within individual crew members and the crew as a whole. I agree with Madam Captain, everyone on board Voyager grows and matures during the journey back to the Alpha Quadrant. No one on board Voyager is the same person as when they were first pulled into the Delta Quadrant. Comments about changes to various charcters hair styles are extremely supperficial. To appreciate Voyager fully it is necessary to look much deeper into the issues and philosophies being discussed during episodes.

The controvertial nature of many decisions made during the journey home challenges viewers to seriously consider how to apply ethics and morals under unusual circumstances. I believe Voyager is the best Star Trek series ever produced. Kathryn Janeway is a wonderful role model for today's young women, showing them that they can be just as sucessful in challenging leadership roles as men. The show also demonstrates that anyone can acheieve their goals and dreams through dedication, perseverance and optomism. The ENTIRE program is brilliant!!!

Garak is one of the best characters on Deep Space Nine. I love his subtle humour, sophistication, intelligence and complex personality. He always keeps you guessing as to what his true motivations and intentions are, as a result he is only partly trustworthy. He is all the more mysterious because he is not a regular character, only seen occasionally, so each time Garak makes an appearance it is a real delight. His interactions with Julian are great, especially in the early seasons when Julian was so young and naive.

Slowly as time passes you learn more about Garak's life and personal history, which give you an insight into the whole of Cardassian society. Also Garak's unique status as the son of the head of the Obsidian Order makes him a phenomenally powerful individual. He has been trained and educated in one of the most sophisticated security and intelligence organisations in the entire alpha and beta quadrants, so secretive, manipulative and ruthless that it rivals the Tal Shiar. So you never really know just how far Garak will go to ensure that a situation is resolved in his favour. For example during the episode "In The Pale Moon Light", Garak enlists the dubious character Tolar to create a holodeck program, in one scene Tolar is advised by Garak to return to his quarters, Garak adds that he will drop by shortly to, "Say hello". It is not exactly clear what is meant by this, although Garak has also given Tolar the distinct impression that if forced open, the door to Tolar's quarters MAY explode!

In other episodes the story involving Dukat's daughter Ziyal, let us see a whole new side to Garak, a warm and caring person. The conflict between Garak and Dukat is also very interesting. Although Dukat is a leading figure in the Cardassian Imperial Fleet, he seems unable or unwilling to totally remove himself of the irritating thorn in his side that is Garak. I highly recommend all Deep Space Nine fans read the novel, A Stitch In Time written by Andrew Robinson, the actor playing Garak. The author gives readers fantastically descriptive insights into the mind soul of Garak.

Kathryn Janeway is a fantasic captain! Her courage, determination, compassion and leadership are inspiring. Against all the odds she is committed to getting the crew home. During the journey she faces many issues that challenge her personal ethics, as well as Federation policies. The Captian adapts to each new circumstance she finds Voyager in. Some of her decisions are controvercial, however when viewed in context it can be seen that Captain Janeway upholds the highest ethical and moral standards. Despite being many light years away from Federation space Voyager continues with Starfleet's mission of exploration and discovery of new life, expanding the limits of science and our understanding of the universe. Kathryn Janeway is a fantastic captian!

From all the worlds of the Federation, the Vulcan culture is my favourite. They have a great out look on life; the IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) philosophy. By aiming to manage their emotions rather than being managed by them, Vulcans brought peace to their world. The application of logic as a way of life was first proposed by Surak, some of his writings are available for us to read:

“The basics have been codified many times, in many translations of the Guidelines, but Surak’s initial notes on the subject, still preserved, are perhaps the best summation of them:

Ideally, do no harm. Harm speeds up the heat-death of the Universe, and indirectly, your own.

More practically, do as little harm as possible. We are creatures of a Universe in which entropy exists, and therefore see no way of escape, but we do not need to help it.

Harm no one’s internal, invisible integrities. Leave others the privacies of their minds and lives. Intimacy remains precious only insofar as it is inviolate: invading it turns to torment. Reach out to others courteously: accept their reaching in the same way, with careful hands.

Do not murder. The spear in the other’s heart is the spear in your own; you are he. All action has reaction: what force you inflict, inevitably returns. The murder of the other is the murder of your own joy, forever.

As far as possible do not kill. Can you give life again to what you kill? Then be slow to take life. Take only life that will not notice you taking it. To notice one’s own death increases entropy. To die and not notice it increases it less, but still does so.

Cast out fear. Cast out hate and rage. Cast out greed and envy. Cast out all emotions that speeds entropy, whether it be love or hate. Cast out these emotions by using reason to accept them, and then move past them. Use in moderation emotions that do not speed entropy, taking all care that they do not cause others pain, for that speeds entropy as well. Master your passions, so that they become a power for the slowing of the heat-death.

Do no harm to those that harm you. Offer them peace, and offer them peace again, and to it until you die. In this manner you will have peace, one way or the other, even if they kill you. And you cannot give others what you have not experienced yourself.

Learn reason above all. Learn clear thought: learn to know what is from what seems to be, and what you wish to be. This is the key to everything: the truth of reality, the reality of truth. What is will set you free (Duane, 1990. p. 251–252).”

Jim Kirk has this to say, “Mostly my experience of Vulcans, in the one I work with, has been of great courage an insatiable curiosity – the heritage of a proper descendant of all those people who went out in the little scout ships, both in company with Federation people, and for all the years before you ever met us. And wisdom, as well, and compassion, and a great openness of mind (Duane, 1990. p.268).”

In their quietly confident manner Vulcans encourage us to continually improve ourselves and our understanding of the universe around us, to educate ourselves, and to expand the limits of our knowledge.

(Referencing: Duane, D. 1990. Star Trek: Spock’s World. Pan Books, Sydney.)

I would LOVE to attend the 2004 convention, if only Perth (Western Australia) was a bit closer to the venue!