It fucked up Trek continuity (here I thought that one or two were going to see the Ferengi, and that no records were kept and SF command and the Vulcan high command wouldn't find out about any contact with them. Oh oh, they didn't say who they WERE - but seeing as we've had someone else MENTION the Ferengi, in the next 200 years I'm sure it wouldn't be TOO hard to piece together who they were... gah.
There was no story line. Basically the Ferengi came and trashed the ship, got oomax and left.
What happened to stories where the characters were central to the story and that they had to grow as a result of the interaction of a 'guest'/'intruder'. This was - if I recall a lot of the problems with fan scripts - people were just having races/ships/characters there for the sake of having them there. No wonder Trek doesn't accept fan/spec scripts anymore...
No character 'grew' or learnt anything in this episode (maybe Jeff Coomb's character - but that's not a recurring character/cast member)
The saving grace of this episode (as always)
PORTHOS!! Brilliant stuff from Porthos. (You had to love the translation bit )
I'm guessing this was a bottle episode.
-All on the sets -minor new effects -no location -reused props (The Ferengi Scanner was just a Ferengi PADD from DS9) -I think they even reused some Ferengi noses and head-pieces. I'm sure I spotted Quark and Rom's nose there.
Andrew
Posted by Ryan McReynolds (Member # 28) on :
I largely agree. I, too, thought that the Porthos part was the best bit of the episode. While I don't think the continuity pollution was ultimately too bad (after all, they could have done nothing to cover their asses), I think that "Acquisition" was one potential story that should have been left untold. Even if they were just dying to use the Ferengi, it could have been done better, and more logically.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I don't think they could reuse the noses, could they? The insides wouldn't be fitted to the actor's noses. Seems it would be easier to make new ones than to try to alter the old ones.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
This episode was largely for that rabid sect of fandom that loves to see Conner Trineer in his underwear. Basically, my mother and my friend Stephen.
There wasn't much to the story, and I largely suspect that this was just a random filler episode like many of the Ferengi episodes on Deep Space Nine were. I'd like to say that maybe Archer would learn not to send weird objects to the engine room for study, but we've already seen this practice is still widespread in the 24th century.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I suppose this will come across as callow DS9-bashing, but aside from "Business as Usual," this was probably one of the best Ferengi-centered episodes Star Trek has produced. Damming with faint praise, perhaps.
Also, let us not overlook the risky beginning, which I thought was cool.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Yes I think they can reuse the noses (or they've just cast new noses from old casts... which would be the biggest 'task' in making the latex appliances.
Bit of Trivia, Quark's nose wasn't ready when DS9 began and for the pilot plus a few episodes Quark actually had Rom's nose!
OK, I know Ferengi are a love/hate thing but no series TNG, Voy and now Ent have done ONE Ferengi episode that comes CLOSE to the brill Ferengi episodes of DS9. Ferengi should stay with DS9 and no one else should attempt to 'play' with them. Look at that abomination of an episode "Repression" from Voyager. Ugh.
DS9 had fantastic Ferengi episodes...
I've noticed a lot of Americans didn't 'get' a lot of the Ferengi episodes - especially Profit and Lace - which I was psyched up to hate 'cause of the 'net but I absolutely LOVED!!
There WERE better Ferengi episodes, namely, yes "Business as Usual" and most importantly "Family Business". Oh and The Bar Association was a highlight of Season 4 (well apart from WotW, TaT and The Visitor.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
I tended to think that the early DS9 Ferengi episodes were the best. They were just the correct side of silly, wheras by the end they were just silly silly.
Posted by Colorful Cartman (Member # 256) on :
The Ferengi are a wasted opportunity. Their only friggin' purpose is comic relief - which I suppose is fine, but after dozens of episodes portraying them as greedy / suspicious / stupid, it's getting a little tiresome.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
I don't think "wasted" is the right term. After all, they tried them as villians, and that failed spectacularly.
I do agree with Andrew too. I was astounded at the amount of disgust and loathing that was thrown at "Profit and Lace". I found it fairly amusing myself, and didn't get what was so offensive about it at all.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Well, now that we've finally torn away the last shred of evidence in support of the so-called comedic superiority of the Commonwealth, I hearby proclaim that no place with a queen can ever criticize American television ever again. No more complaints about our cultural hegemony. You've just lost that priviledge. Sorry.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
I think that there's something inherent to the British sense of humour that while we all like to be refined, ironic, witty, and so forth, we also can't help laughing at a man in woman's clothing.
I imagine it's the same gene that causes Americans to proclaim Seinfeld the funniest comedy ever.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Presumably that quality is our taste, and the British lack thereof.
You have been bested by my recycled joke!
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I think you've answered your own question about why people hate the episode. United States + transvestitism = unsuccessful. Except maybe The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But the people who liked that were watching it at 2:00 in the morning while taking various drugs.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
Lest we forget the Church Lady...
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Hm... Okay, then maybe it's just within the last fifteen years or so that transvestitism has become unfunny...
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Don't be so sure. I saw a poll recently that voted Tootsie one of the funniest (i.e. top 5 at least, if not number 1 - I can't remember offhand) comedies of all time.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Argh! Fine, then. I'm out of ideas. People over here are just fucked in the head. :-)
Posted by Magnus de Pym (Member # 239) on :
Also, they are fucked in the head-gemony! Bang!
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
quote:Originally posted by TSN: Argh! Fine, then. I'm out of ideas. People over here are just fucked in the head. :-)
What, you're just realizing that NOW??? I figured that out about ten minutes after I visited for the first time. Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Visited where? You live here, assuming your profile is truthful...
Posted by ThoughtPyminal (Member # 480) on :
Being over come with curiosity, I clicked on the mentioned profile.
"A GREEN MAC? R U GAY?"
Kidding.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Why is the concept of clothing that covers the knee to strange to you North American types? WHY?!
Posted by EdipisReks (Member # 510) on :
um, because?
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Liam: Well, you see, we have this thing over here that's most commonly referred to as "warm weather". We are not perpetually shrouded in a chill fog. During these instances of increased thermometric readings, exposure of extra skin surfaces helps to return the body to a comfortable temperature.
Besides, people who wear long pants all the time are in danger of referring to them only as "trousers", which is a silly word.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
No no no, the word 'pants' is silly. It perfectly fits the concept of undergarments. There's nothing wrong with calling them 'shorts' but it does lead to confusion, surely? "The accused was arrested while running down the freeway dressed only in his shorts" - was he on a multi-lane highway in just his underwear (the mad fool!), or was it just hot so he'd taken his shirt off but was otherwise quite decent?
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Most likely, if talking about undergarments, someone would say "boxer shorts", "underwear" or "underpants".
Posted by Wraith (Member # 779) on :
I would just like to take this opportunity to point out to those of North American origin here that a British accent sounds NOTHING like an Aussies!!!!! Please get this into your heads and learn the difference. Thanks. Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Er, thanks for that.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Yeah, um who'd want to sound like a fekking POM!?!
Oh and BTW, no Australian sounds anything like Steve Irwin.
Posted by Daryus Aden (Member # 12) on :
Just out of curiosity, what do you yanks believe to be the funniest show ever?
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Dukes of Hazard. YEE-HAW!
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"...a British accent sounds NOTHING like an Aussies!!!!!"
See, the problem is that they both sound more like each other than they do like American accents. I mean, we can claim all we want that the "standard" Canadian accent sounds nothing like the "standard" US accent, but someone outside North America is going to have a lot more trouble telling the difference.
That said, yes, I know the difference between an Australian accent and British ones. But they still sound very close to each other, relative to American accents.
"Oh and BTW, no Australian sounds anything like Steve Irwin."
What about Irwin himself?
"Just out of curiosity, what do you yanks believe to be the funniest show ever?"
My personal opinion? "Monty Python's Flying Circus". But I don't think I speak for the majority.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
I think I can most of the time pick a Canadian accent... it has more of a twang to it.
There are of course several American 'accents' within America as well. The Southern, the West-Coast, the Central, the New Yorker, and the North-Eastern states.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Steve Irwin has in the past two months gone from my most hated enemy, to the best person in the world ever. I will have no insults aimed at him!
quote: My personal opinion? "Monty Python's Flying Circus". But I don't think I speak for the majority.
You really need to get some post-80s British comedies, don't you?
Posted by Wraith (Member # 779) on :
Sorry. Just been to the US and almost everyone thought I was an Australian. Not that I have any problem with being mistaken for an Aussie .
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
I hate it when American shows have an "Australian" character with some sort of wacked Cockney accent.
Posted by Magnus de Pym (Member # 239) on :
Twang?
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"You really need to get some post-80s British comedies, don't you?"
Well, I've seen "Red Dwarf", of course. Other than that, there are two other ones that they show (or at least used to show) on PBS here, but they were pretty crappy. But, then, I don't know if they're generally representative or not.
Posted by Colorful Cartman (Member # 256) on :
Pre-80s comedies were the best. 'Allo 'Allo and Red Dwarf were hilarious, but didn't even come close to the sheer brilliance of It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Are You Being Served, Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army... whereas the yanks had only one show worth mentioning, All In The Family. Later stuff, such as The Golden Girls and Perfect Strangers, never quite measured up to the standard AITF had set.
Ah, they don't make 'm like they used to.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
quote:Originally posted by Colorful Cartman: All In The Family
. . . itself a remake of British show In Sickness and in Health. I think. If that's the show with Archie Bunker, anyway.
Posted by Colorful Cartman (Member # 256) on :
Yup, it is. Never seen IS&IH though.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
You know, I find it rather disturbing that for not having seen the show for eight years, and not having thought about it for most of that, I can still recall the vast majority of the words to the "Perfect Strangers" theme song...
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Father Ted. Nuff said.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"...Are You Being Served..."
Actually, I think that one's on PBS sometimes, too. Never really checked it out, though.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Honestly though, everyone who isn't suffering from a crippling headwound recognizes that The Simpsons is the funniest show of all time.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
But what about the funniest film of all time? It ain't Tootsie by a long shot.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
All of the above. And some more.
The Fast Show is one of my favorites too.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
In English or Dutch?
I have to concede to Simon though. Although Father Ted does give it a good run for it's money. But when you line 22 episodes and a Christmas special up against the 7,234,532 episodes of the Simpsons, you aren't going to win.
Posted by Colorful Cartman (Member # 256) on :
Am I the only one who finds the Simpons little more than mediocre at best?
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
You and everyone else on idiot island.
Posted by Colorful Cartman (Member # 256) on :
That includes Britain, right?
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
No.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Yes. It does.
And "King of the Hill" is better.
Posted by Magnus de Pym (Member # 239) on :
My Jesus.
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
Omega's southern roots are starting to show!
Posted by ThoughtPyminal (Member # 480) on :
"King of the Hill" is fun, but it won't have the full effect on you unless you live in Texas. And the closer you are to the Mecca that is Arlington, the better it becomes.
Personal experience with Texans is necessary for the flower to fully bloom.
I've tried explaining this to people, and they just don't understand. They think it's a comedy show based in Texas.
No, I say. It isn't making fun of Texas. That IS Texas. Mike Judge only animated it. In some parts of Dallas "King of the Hill" is known as a gripping half hour of drama.
----
"The Simpsons" is the greatest comedy show of all time...hard to beat. The sight gags alone that you can pull off in Animation are infinite, after all. Add clever writing, and a cast of characters so memorable that a majority of Americans can list off most of the characters in the entire town without blinking an eye...well. It's the only cartoon my Father ever watches, so I know it's something special.
The greatest Comedy movie? Why not just ask what everone's favorite is? I have no idea, personally. For example: I've seen "Mallrats" 8,904,835,143 times, but I'm pretty sure it's not the greatest comedy of all time. Most people (myself included) don't even think it's a good movie.
The funniest moment in a film though has got to be when Lard Ass starts a puke festival in "Stand By Me". I laugh everytime I see that part, because of the especially satisfied look on Lard Ass's face. HA! REVENGE!
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega:
And "King of the Hill" is better.
Dear god, I'm now in a quandry as to what is the most wrong thing Omega has ever said.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I vote for anything he's said as part of one of the evolution vs. wackos arguements.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
quote:Originally posted by PsyLiam: In English or Dutch?
In Dutch!? In English of course, we don't dub every single thing like our Eastern neighbours do .
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Heh heh. . . you should see porn films dubbed into German, they're hilarious. "Oh, ja, fick meine arsche!" 8)
Posted by Colorful Cartman (Member # 256) on :
As if anyone really pays attention to the dialog.
You gotta give those dubbers an A+ for effort, though.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Went shopping to Germany last week, and in one hifi shop they were playing Lord of the Rings in German on a Dolby Digital system. Fantastic sounds, only the dialogue was way WAY off. It really sounded like it was put on top of the other sound. Not too mention that it just sounded very silly.
The only show I know of that hasn't been dubbed is Mr. Bean. They actually have subtitles for the few lines he says.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Dubbed porn? I need something stronger than a "what the 'fuck'?" for that one...
Posted by Magnus de Pym (Member # 239) on :
They even have "moan" ladies! To enhance the "moan"!
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
It sounds unbelieveable, but it's true. The male voices, well. . . imagine Yoda saying the line of dialogue I quoted earlier, and you'll be close.
Posted by EMH Mk.2 (Member # 860) on :
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