Star Trek: Into Obsolescence

I saw the new J.J. Abrams movie last week and I’m just now beginning to process how I feel about it. I came out of the 2009 Star Trek feeling like many liberties had been taken with the established universe, but that the movie stayed true to the characters. I was excited by what was to come, what new directions would be taken with these iconic figures. 

I walked out of the action movie that J.J. Abrams just released (I’ll drop the ‘Star Trek’ and just call it ‘Into Darkness’) with a flurry of emotions. Had I just been thrilled by what I’d seen on screen? Yes. Was it a well-made motion picture? Sure. But something gnawed at the back of my mind. Something was bothering me. What was it? Today, I finally figured it out. 

It wasn’t Star Trek. And not only wasn’t it Star Trek, it didn’t care that it wasn’t Star Trek. It flaunted it. What do I mean when I say it wasn’t Star Trek? I mean that it had no qualms about co-opting characters that were established almost 50 years ago and using them to tell a story that had no relation to what had been established before. It was an action movie, plain and simple, that just so happened to use characters named Kirk, Spock and **SPOILER ALERT** Khan. 

And what’s more, no one involved cared. And that’s what bothers me so much. From J.J. Abrams down to Damon Lindelof (who, by the way, needs to stop putting his fucking hands on much-beloved franchises), they didn’t care about alienating established fans of the franchise. For the first time in my life, I felt irrelevant. This movie is for the kids. For an audience that wants to see a whiz-bang action movie. Fuck the characters. I truly believe that the makers of Into Darkness don’t give a shit about people who grew up loving Star Trek. And the sad thing is, it makes sense. Financially, they’re better off going for a target market who knows William Shatner as the guy from the Priceline ads.

I bled for Star Trek. I grew up as a nerdy kid in Arkansas who was laughed at for coming to school dressed as Spock and Data for Halloween. But all that was redeemed because I knew that it was worth it. That the stories being told were worth the derision of my peers. And now I’m being left behind. Star Trek is being given to a new generation. And that generation doesn’t give a damn about what came before it.

I guess my biggest objection to Into Darkness is that it’s cynical filmmaking. You want to take Star Trek in a new direction? Fine. I don’t want to be one of those nerds standing up saying “But the Bones we know wouldn’t use the tricorder like that.” But the movie straight up rubs that new direction in the faces of everyone who loved the old Star Trek. Iconic scenes and characters are obviously in the film purely as “fan service.” But it’s counterintuitive. It’s cynicism at its worst. It’s an insult. I could almost hear the writers saying “Let’s have Spock say this…you know, because people loved it in that other old piece of shit.” You want to make Star Trek into a 21st century CGI Nolanized action franchise? Fine. But don’t pander to me and devalue what I hold dear about the old guard as well.

I’m going to make a controversial statement here. In principle (but not in quality) Into Darkness is worse than the Star Wars prequels. At the very least, George Lucas tried (and failed) to entertain the fans of what had come before. Into Darkness rebukes those fans, uses whatever scraps it wants, and flips a big middle finger to those who disagree. Do I recognize the reality of why it does that? Yes. But I don’t have to like it. And I don’t have to respect it.

Live long and prosper.

I’m an editor

One year ago today, I published an entry called “I’m a quitter.” I had just quit a job that I was immensely unhappy with to pursue a career in editing. I was scared and unsure of what was to come, but confident that I’d made the right decision. I got a very generous amount of positive feedback from lots of people, many of whom I didn’t even know. So, a year later, I wanted to write a quick update.

As of six weeks ago, I am now officially a full-time editor. I love my job. I’m happy with the work I’m doing. And while I haven’t come close to achieving all my career goals, I feel like I’m on the right path for the first time in a while.

The last year has been one of ups and downs. I had a couple of perilous months during the summer, months where I ran out of money and questioned my decision. But I always came to the conclusion that nothing worth doing comes easily. Slowly, things began to turn around and I started to gain some traction. Today, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change a thing. No regrets.

I’ve read a lot of criticism about the “follow your dream” mentality, mainly that it’s an irresponsible view on life and that any attempt to find your bliss must also include a heavy dose of reality. I don’t totally disagree with that viewpoint, but I’ve also learned that life is too short to resign yourself to being miserable without at least attempting to blaze your own trail, if that’s what you want to do.

I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing creative community like Channel 101. I would not be doing what I’m doing today without people from that community like Dave Seger, Brett Weiner, Jon Hill, Morgan Locke, Ben Pluimer, Mike Manasewitsch, and others who put their own reputations on the line, vouched for me, and trusted me to deliver. I owe each of them a debt that I hope to repay someday.

The most common response I got to my original post from people I didn’t know was “I wish I could do that.” My reply is “You can.” I’m extremely fortunate to be where I am today and I’m aware that it could all turn around tomorrow. But the first step in trying to make your dreams come true is the hardest: committing full-stop to doing it. I’m not all the way there yet, but I’m getting there.

I went from the most miserable I’ve ever been to the happiest I’ve ever been in one year. I bet you can do better.

My honest dating profile

Hey guys, I’m about to post this on OkCupid, updated for maximum honesty. Let me know if you know any matches!

My self-summary
I’m a 30-year-old “creative type” who embraces restriction-free self expression, but most of my creative work is bankrolled by corporations. I’m from the deep South, which means that my childhood friends are all married with children, further highlighting the fact that I live in a state of perpetual adolescence. I am not fully comfortable living in either world. 

What I’m doing with my life
I don’t like to think about this question. One week at a time, bro.

I’m really good at
Procrastinating. “Tossing around ideas” in my head for things I probably won’t make. Also, do you know that game Bubble Shooter? I’m really good at that.

The first things people usually notice about me
I like to think it’s my personality. But it’s probably my social awkwardness. That or my teeth.

Favorite books, movies, shows, music, and food
Movies: The same 20 movies that everyone loves and five token movies by auteurs that I may or may not have seen.
TV: Privately, it’s a lot of Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, and Saved by the Bell on Netflix. 
Music and books: My lack of knowledge is so embarassing, I’m going to skip these two and hope you don’t notice. 
Food: I eat like a seven-year-old.

The six things I could never do without 
Constant validation, booze, tiny victories, relevance (real or imagined) and the approval of others (real or imagined). And The Walking Dead.

I spend a lot of time thinking about
Boobs, mostly. It’s the perpetual adolescence thing. 

On a typical Friday night I am
Playing out scenarios of how the night could go and deciding if it’s worth it to go out. If parking at your party is dicey, I will definitely not be attending.

The most private thing I’m willing to admit
I know that this “honest dating profile” idea is lame and self-indulgent, but I think I’m so clever that mine won’t be. Sorry, it’s not my fault. It’s a generational flaw, if anything.

I’m looking for
Someone who matches my predetermined concept of the ideal girlfriend, which doesn’t actually exist in reality. Sooo…Lisa from “Weird Science?”

You should message me if
You are the slightest bit interested. There’s a 50/50 chance I’ll have the guts to you message you back.

Watch out, ladies!

In case I forget

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Drew Hancock’s second episode writer credit (as in the one he wrote the story for as opposed to just pitched jokes for or however their writers room works) for Suburgatory airs February 27th on ABC

I haven’t seen the show but I like to think it’s entirely sword related

Anthony O’Brien is the best.