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September 22, 2024

Don’t Tell Anyone I’m Watching Star Trek: Prodigy

“Star Trek: Prodigy” is a kids’ show also made for adult Trekkies. Here’s why season 2 is so good.

It’s not logical. But they keep making animated versions of Star Trek. In yet another example, Netflix picked up the cancelled “Star Trek: Prodigy” from Paramount+ and has given us season 2.

Clearly intended for kids by Nickelodeon Animation and CBS’s Eye Animation, “Prodigy” focuses on a group of teens having the same types of Trek adventures usually reserved for the adults in the captain’s ready room.

Talk about watering down a classic science fiction property. Sounds insulting, right? But surprisingly, it’s not.

Star Trek: Prodigy
The writers are clearly Trekkies and have made full use of Federation history. They dig deep and bring back details and characters we all know and love… assuming you’ve been paying attention across these past decades.

The younger target audience couldn’t possibly catch all the easter eggs. Only the adults in the living room will appreciate all the Star Trek references.

And that’s why this series works so well for all ages.

Star Trek: The Animated Series
I must admit I’ve never entirely understood the whole Star Trek animation thing. The original animated series (1973-1975) felt like a cheat instead of bringing back the actual show. But the Saturday morning cartoon was at least something in a world and time that only had the original series’ 79 episodes. It was both terrible and wonderful. A juicy morsal.

Star Trek: Lower Decks
I was confused when I watched the first episode of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” (2020 to present). An adult comedy? But I quickly figured it out.

This series is poking fun at the entire Star Trek universe. But it’s not a parody. It’s smart, clever and spot on, brought to you by writers who really know their Trek.

And the crossover episode on “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” was pure genius.

Star Trek: Voyager Returns?
Then “Star Trek: Prodigy” showed up in 2021. I hardly paid attention. But when I finally checked out the first episode, the series quickly grew on me. Season 2 is even better.

As a Trekkie, how can you not love a show that after more than two decades brings back Captain (now Admiral) Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and our favorite Emergency Medical Hologram doctor (Robert Picardo). Plus, we’ve got a new USS Voyager and a rescue mission to find Chakotay (Robert Beltran) who’s marooned in another time.

Yes, there’s time travel. Plus, alternate universes. And surprise iconic cameos. You’ve got to break out your full Trekkie knowledge to take it all in. In fact, the plot is somewhat complex. (You may need a kid to help you keep track of it all.)

And this beautifully animated series is the only format that could have possibly made this “Star Trek: Voyager” reunion happen after so many years.

These are the Voyages of the Starship Protostar
Beyond the Voyager thread, there’s a new set of characters who drive the story. Led by young Dal (voiced by Brett Gray), six misfit teens from different worlds are thrown together by circumstance. Through a series of fortunate events, they’ve also got their own baby-sized starship (USS Protostar). And of course, the Protostar transports them through their many adventures.

They’re a silly bunch, but totally endearing… again designed for a younger audience.

This team’s journey through a complex and well-designed “Star Trek” storyline, fully emersed in Trek canon, makes it so enjoyable for any adult in the room. (Seasons 1 and 2 both contain 20 episodes.)

The Kid in All of Us
Yes, “Star Trek: Prodigy” is a cartoon for kids. But, if you’re a life-long Trekkie, it’ll latch onto you faster than a Borg implant.

Each nostalgic episode offers a little gift of Trekkie joy, as it taps into the optimism and can-do attitude that centers around everything Star Trek.

It’s not encumbered with the need to reimagine Starfleet into the darker and edgier versions reflected in “Discovery” or “Picard.” Dangers are presented, but we all know how it’s going to work out.

Live Long and Prosper
Some people practice meditation. Others work out to maintain their balance. Watching a geeky dose of “Prodigy” fuels my Zen.

It’s entirely uplifting and continues what is an illogical but successful tradition of Star Trek animation.

I shouldn’t admit that I’m watching “Star Trek: Prodigy.” But I am. Each short episode, which I often stream after dinner has left me with a smile on my face and a little less stress to end my day.

If you know the difference between a Klingon and a Cardassian, I present “Prodigy” for your pointy-eared consideration.

December 12, 2021

The Pain of having to Wait after a Cliffhanger

To quote the original “Lost in Space” franchise, “Oh, the pain… the pain”… of having to endure the wait for a show’s next season.

Cliffhangers are the norm in movie and TV storytelling these days. It’s not unusual to get to the credits of anything without a significant hanging thread compelling you to get to the next episode as fast as possible.

My family and I just watched the third (and final) season premiere of Netflix’s “Lost in Space.” And of course, our 11-year-old son was pleading at the end of the episode that we blow through his bedtime to watch the second episode. (As there are only 8, I held the line to extend the joy over these upcoming viewing weeks.)

Keeping Track of the Jupiter 2’s Course
This fun, non-stop sci-fi series has been constructed on an endless number of cliffhangers, and it’s been especially challenging as a viewer to wait between seasons to see what happens. It’s helpful that Netflix automatically served up a recap of season 2 to kick things off. The writers enjoy dropping breadcrumbs, and you really need to keep track of developing plot points across the seasons.

Yes, it’s been hard to handle the long pause between the second and third seasons of “Lost in Space.” It’s been almost 2 years! (Yes, there were Covid-19 production delays.) But the producers have committed to get the fans to the finish line. (I can’t yet speak to the characters’ success on that important question.)

Danger
You’d think that properly ending any story is an essential technique. But of course, viewership numbers can sometimes kill off a series prematurely and leave the cliffhanger… hanging.

It’s not bad storytelling. Its economics. But ultimately, it actually is bad storytelling.

For a time, I wondered if the new “Dune” would fall into this category.

Why do Movies have Cliffhangers to Sequels that aren’t Greenlit?
The writers and producers of “Dune” wisely chose to tackle just the first half of the book (unlike the 1984 flick, which tried to cram it all in).

The start of “Dune” even includes a title graphic that say “Part One.” And yes, the movie ends on a cliffhanger, although it plays more like a chapter ending. It’s arguably the film’s weakest element. But you accept it, because there’s going to be a part two… right?

Well, after I watched it with my son on the day of its premiere in October, I immediately did some Googling to see when the sequel was coming out, and I was shocked with what I found.

It’s not that they hadn’t shot the sequel yet. It’s that the sequel hadn’t even been greenlit! They were waiting to see how successful the first film is.

I get the economics, but come on!

How Good is Half of “Dune?”
Okay, so they did green-light the sequel a few days later. (The sequel will be released in October 2023.)

But imagine if the box office wasn’t so kind to “Dune.” We would only have gotten half a story.

As it turned out, “Dune” was a big success. And my son and I liked it too.

It’s a perfect family film if you’re regulars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sure, there’s lots of action and PG-13-level violence. But If your kids can handle “The Avengers,” “Dune” shouldn’t be a problem. “Dune” is more mature in its storytelling style and more serious in tone. And I think it’s a great next step for a young sci-fi fan.

The Economics can Ruin a Movie Fan’s Day
I can’t dispute economics, but it would have been so much better from a viewer’s perspective if both movies were made back to back, like the second and third installments of “The Matrix” series. (Can’t wait for the fourth one, even though it’s been 18 years!)

Hey, what about a three or four-part “Dune” miniseries for HBO Max? (Yes, again that means covering all of the content.)

Ultimately, If you’re going to tell one story, I feel you’ve got to commit to telling the whole story! Waiting for box office numbers can tragically lead to movies without an ending and very cranky fans.

Patience
On the other hand, maybe you’ve just got to have some faith that things are going to work out the way they should. I’m sure director Dennis Villeneuve had faith that he’d get his shot to direct his “Dune” sequel.”

And remember when the pilot of the “Battlestar Galactica” reboot came out in 2003 with a huge cliffhanger? The actual ground-breaking sci-fi series didn’t show up until 2005. So having to wait is not without precedent.

And then there’s “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.” We had to wait another three years to find out Han’s fate.

But in this age of countless streaming options and a glut of great content to watch, fans can be fickle.

If there’s a cliffhanger, please don’t make us wait too long for what comes next.

July 4, 2021

TV Shows to Stream with your Kids this Summer

Finding the right programming for your tweens to watch can be a difficult exercise. Here’s a list of shows that have worked for my family.

Without the rigors of school and related activities, summertime can often be a time for children to ask for more screen time. So, it’s important for parents to stay one step ahead and have some solid choices up their sleeves. Searching for family-friendly programming at the last minute can be really stressful.

I’ve certainly tried to be ready whenever I hear the question from our eleven-year-old son, “So, what are we watching tonight?”

If you’re looking for a TV series to stream with your kids in their tween years, here’s what my family has been watching:

“Loki” on Disney+
This show, based on the Loki character from the MCU, is the best of the Marvel series on Disney+ to date.

It’s smart, character-driven and benefits from Loki’s well-established storyline from the Marvel movies. Yes, there’s a little bad language, but the violence factor isn’t as intense as what some of the other Marvel properties serve up.

The plot to protect the ‘sacred timeline’ is delightfully unexpected, and “Loki” demonstrates the true potential of a Marvel series the same way “The Mandalorian” did for a Star Wars series.

It’s so good.

“The Mysterious Benedict’s Society” on Disney+
Based on the popular books, this series follows the adventures of four gifted orphans on a mission to save the world from ‘the Emergency.’

It has the same quirky feel and cinematic flair of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” on Netflix. But this show is not as dark.

After watching the premiere, my son complained that the show’s characters had been significantly altered, compared to how he envisioned them from the books. That said, he was eager to watch episode 2.

So, we’re in for more.

“His Dark Materials” on HBO Max
This series, based on the books by Philip Pullman, contains complex themes. But if your kids like this type of storytelling challenge, this show is a must watch. There’s no bad language here, but we’ve got some violence (though not at the same level of a Marvel movie).

The emotional intensity surrounding two children in parallel universes is high. Be ready for pain and loss.

It’s big, bold and cinematic. My son and I loved it.

Season 3 comes out next year.

“Lost in Space” on Netflix
This reimagined take on the classic ‘60s sci-fi series is a pure roller coaster ride. There’s nothing campy about this version. And every episode has a major cliffhanger.

There are only a couple of ‘language moments,’ and while there’s some violence, it’s not really part of the show’s fabric.

Dr. Smith (Parker Posey) is really creepy, but the series stays true to offering pure family adventure. “Danger, Will Robinson!”

Season 3 is being released later this year.

“A Series of Unfortunate Events” on Netflix
It’s been a few years since the last of the three seasons came out, but if you haven’t checked out this fabulous show yet, you should. My son couldn’t “look away.”

Even though its plot is entirely depressing, it still manages to be a whole lot of fun for the entire family.

Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf is especially great.

“WandaVision” on Disney+
I expect to get to “WandaVision” with my son later this summer. I prescreened it myself earlier this year after getting burned by “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+. (That show proved to be not for my tween. It was too violent and dark. Even he didn’t want to watch more than the first episode.)

It’ll be interesting to see how he handles the early “WandaVision” episodes, which are total throwbacks to early television sitcoms, which he’s never been exposed to.

Fun? Boring? We’ll find out…

In Search of the Next Series
Yes, there’s a fair amount of great content available for tweens. The only problem with the above series is they don’t contain that many episodes. So I’m always in search of new shows to stream with our son.

Would you have any recommendations to share? I’d appreciate it.

Thanks!

Tag: Netflix

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