Tag: Star Wars

Star Wars, Mandalorian & Grogu, and My Fake War with Kessel Junkie #StarWars #StarTrek #Mandalorian #Grogu @kesseljunkie

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I saw Mandalorian and Grogu last night. I liked it. I thought it was fun in general, but I tend to like subversions of my expectations even if not particularly surprising, such as with Rotta the Hut. I won’t say anymore about that because, I don’t know, spoilers maybe?

Anyway, I have a fake war with my cousin, Kessel Junkie (kessel junkie?) over which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars. Of course, Star Trek is better, but watching the movie last night, I think Star Wars does something that, if not “better,” is “neater,” than Star Trek. I think they do a much cooler job of providing a wider variety of life forms. It’s still a human-dominated, and certainly humanoid-dominated, universe, but not nearly as much as Star Trek is. Even where Star Trek dealt with a crazy difference in environment (e.g., Excalbians) or fundamental chemical structure (e.g., Hortas), Star Trek was limited by budgets, but they’re willingly bound by pseudo-science as well.

If planets are roughly Class M (i.e., Earthlike), then even with independent evolution, it’s not unreasonable to assume most life will take on certain common characteristics as a matter of logic. This idea is called physical or biological convergent evolution, so while I haven’t done any deep dives into the subject matter, I’m not just pulling it out of my ass. For example, the best elements on which life should be based are carbon, silicon, or germanium. On a very fundamental level, we would be similar to most life forms because it would be far too difficult for a planet to be expected to have more silicon or (especially) germanium than carbon. Evolution would simply favor carbon based life. But, for example, basic eye structure exist for a reason, so there’s a possible practical limitation to just how different other life can be. Of course, it’s a big universe, so there have got to be exceptions, but the point is that aliens may be more like us than we think.

But that’s the difference between science fiction and science fantasy. (Fun) Star Trek fans thrive on pointing out then resolving inconsistencies, and even with nu-Trek, the writers have traditionally tried to remain consistent and logical across series with not only science but also with stories and history, including real world history. Sometimes, that very idea is what the episode’s story is about (e.g., Return to Tomorrow, The Chase, or Distant Origin). This doesn’t mean that Star Trek fans don’t like some occasional weirdness, but limits on that weirdness are sort of baked into the Star Trek community, and I like that. Star Wars has no such limits. As science fantasy, they can simply do what’s cool, and no one will even question it. Parsecs, smarsecs. I want a space slug, so I’m getting a space slug. I also like that.

Will Star Wars ever dethrone Star Trek for me? Of course not, but fortunately none of us need to choose between the two.

But Star Trek >> Star Wars.

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Here’s Something Stupid: My Favorite Starship Design #StarTrek #StarWars #SciFi #TTRPG #RPG #FASA

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My work on my Bridge application has me contemplating all the ship designs I’ve seen in science fiction and science fantasy, and it reminded me of what my favorite design among them is. Unsurprisingly, it’s from Star Trek.

The Klingon D-7M Cruiser from the TOS movie era and beyond.

Now, let’s be crystal clear. I’m fully aware that this is 100% subjective. I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything other than to maybe mull it over and form your own opinion. However, I’m going to explain why I like it so much anyway. First, I think it emulates a jet fighter you might pilot. But in this regard, it probably isn’t any better than this ship from the FASA Star Trek RPG.

The Romulan T-10 (Bright One) Destroyer

I’ve always preferred the Romulans to the Klingons as enemies, but this one loses out (as do many other cool designs) to the D-7M for another reason: The backstory (or at least my preferred backstory) to the D-7’s design. I’ve heard a few theories as to why it has a long, thin neck separating the main hull from the bridge. First, it was to keep the poorly insulated ships from irradiating the command bubble. Second, it was to lower the forward profile of the ship when attacking, leaving it’s command center and devastating photon torpedo launcher less vulnerable to being disabled. The third explanation, though, is my favorite, and to my knowledge it comes from the Star Fleet Battles RPG that I played only once. That game positied the notion that the design made it harder to succeed in a mutiny. The thin neck was a natural bottleneck for subordinates trying to take over the command module. Also, it’s interior design had many obstacles built into it, requiring mutineerers to zigzag through the neck before getting to the command module. That gave plenty of time for the captain to detach the command module and blow up the main hull and neck before the mutineers could reach him. What’s more Klingon than that?

But ultimately, I simply like the aesthetic. As I said, this isn’t an argument.

I think Star Wars has had enough designs to come up with some really cool ones, but many are, surprisingly, more functional than creative in design. They’re closer to what I think an actual starship would look like if it were real, or maybe what you’d expect from a rebel alliance that’s repurposing far more available freighters as weapons of war. The FASA Star Trek RPG did a top notch job of expanding the Star Trek universe with some really great designs as well, but they just don’t top the D-7 for me. I should also mention that I haven’t watched a tremendous amount of science fiction and science fantasy, so maybe there’s something out there I’d like better. However, for now, the Klingons win this war. Seems appropriate.

As always, YMMV.

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Star Wars Oreo Cookies #StarWars #Oreo #food

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And now for something really stupid.

New, overpriced Star Wars Oreos! Will they be Jedi Oreos or Sith Oreos? Only those dumb enough to pay for the same exact cookie with an intellectual property markup will ever know.

Sorry Not sorry for the naughty word.

Somehow, this video received no copyright strike. Go figure.

May the Farce be with you.

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Happy (The *Real*) Star Wars Day @kesseljunkie #StarWars #StarWarsDay

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As today is the real Star Wars Day and the only one that should be celebrated, I’ll tell you my story. Like all my childhood stories, there’s an element of sadness to it, but only in a “first world problem” sense. It’s not really a downer.

Star Wars: A New Hope was released eight days after my ninth birthday. I didn’t get to see it quickly, as it wasn’t a priority for my parents, and they didn’t want to wait in those ridiculous lines. However, the release was extended due to its popularity, so because they were interested in it themselves, I technically did see it when it was released. Unlike some of you, I don’t remember the exact date, but it was definitely (and obviously) during 1977.

My cousin, Kessel Junkie, and his older brother loved it, but their parents fostered that. They had the bed sheets, toys, etc. So, when it was re-released in the theaters, their parents planned to see it again. The day before, they were over at the house. I had helped out their mother in some way I don’t remember, and she returned me home. She asked me what I wanted in return. I responded, “Take me to see Star Wars.” Knowing how my family would react, I said it with deep and sincere sarcasm in my voice because I never imagined being able to see it in the theater a second time. Well, she enthusiastically responded, “Sure!” She knew that would absolutely pay the debt (so to speak) to me. My mother wasn’t pleased but was in a position where it would be awkward to disallow it. I’d pay for it later, but I didn’t care. So, I actually got to see it twice on the big screen. This was the nicest thing my aunt ever did for me (I don’t mean that as a backhanded compliment), and I always appreciated that.

Foreshadowing!

On Christmas of the year the Empire Strikes Back was released, Kessel Junkie‘s parents got me the novelization for Christmas. It was given to me at the large, extended family Christmas party we had every year, so there was no way to hide it. I immediately started reading it, ignoring the party, but obviously I couldn’t finish the entire novel that night. I was ridiculed every time I picked it up because it was childish (I was fucking 11 years old!), but because that didn’t work, it was confiscated within the week. I never did finish it. I imagine, just like many books, it improved on the story from the movie. I hadn’t thought about this in decades, so maybe I should buy and read it.

This wasn’t really the product of an anti-Star Wars attitude as much as it was just another excuse to crush my spirit, but they did even meaner things with Star Trek, so this had nothing to do with . . .

The “Rivalry”

Star Wars sucks!

“Star Trek >> Star Wars” is a phrase I use more than “My name is Rob,” but as Kessel Junkie will tell you, we’re both fans of both. I just prefer Star Trek, and he prefers Star Wars. But the only Star Wars that doesn’t appeal to me is the animated stuff (for reasons I’ve discussed before) and the Last Jedi (it reminds me too much of the OJ Simpson slow speed chase). Maybe my love of Star Trek is why Rogue One is my favorite Star Wars movie; it has a more Star Trek feel. In any event, don’t take it as an insult to the franchise. Star Wars continues to consistently put out great material, and they even adjust on the fly to cater to what the fans suddenly want to see (e.g., Ahsoka). To be fair, Star Trek did that with Strange New Worlds.

I really do love Star Wars, and you should never doubt that simply because . . .

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Star Trek >> Star Wars.

Ending Another Streak @IronMaiden @themandalorian #TV #music #StarWars #IronMaiden #UpTheIrons

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Sundays are lazy days for me. Sometimes I post other people’s work. Sometimes, something silly. Usually both. Well, there’s nothing sillier than this. I post today only because this will become my 200th consecutive daily post. I’ve pulled this shit before, posting just to say that I’m continuing what would become a 374 day streak, but I post this to say my streak is ending. Very meta.

Okay, fine. Because you’re here, I should probably give you a stupid meme. Here’s one.

Nice mashup of two things I love. It’s not as if I had something important to say for most of the 199 before it (short of some of these).

Now it’s time for another break.

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Old RPG Materials #DnD #ADnD #gaming #RPG #TTRPG #1e #3e #4e #FASA #StarTrek #GammaWorld #MarvelRPG #DragonAgeRPG #StarWarsSaga @Luddite_Vic

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Here’s a meme that’s been going around.

Henry, Sr. shouldn’t have slapped Indy. He should have used a baseball bat.

As you know (if you’ve ever read my blog), I’m running 1st Edition Dungeons & Dragons for the first time in 40 years, and I’m in talks with Luddite Vic about organizing a 4th Edition game. Moreover, in the back of my mind, I’m contemplating a FASA Star Trek RPG game. That one may never happen because I’d absolutely have to run that online to find any players, but it’s certainly something I’d like to do in theory.

The point is that all of that material has been sitting on my shelf for years (if not decades) collecting dust, but it’s still as good as it ever was. The potential is always there, and you never know how your circumstances will change. Hell, I even have 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons material on my shelves, and I can’t stand that edition. I’ve played it a couple of times in the past ten years just so I could hang out with some friends, and I’ve written not one, not two, but three posts on unfinished business I have with the edition, so even that has potential value (assuming the DM gets rid of confirmation of critical hits). Two editions of the Gamma World RPG, Star Wars Saga Edition RPG, Dragon Age RPG, Margaret Weiss’s Marvel Superheroes RPG, several board games (Demons!), and some games still in shrink wrap all litter my “man cave,” but I wouldn’t consider my collection huge. If yours is huge, that in my opinion you’re doing things better than I am. You never know what you might need to pull out for company. Hell, I’m even ready to host a night of blackjack or poker.

Where’s a roided-out Barry Bonds when you need him?

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Dungeons & Dragons is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast, LLC, who neither contributed to, nor endorsed, the contents of this post. (Okay, jackasses?)

Inktober for Charity, Day 20: The Mandalorian #Inktober #JDRF #StillBrave #StarWars #TheMandalorian @JDRF @stillbrave @KevinBednarz @kesseljunkie

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September’s series of musical selections is officially over! It’s October! Or should I say . . . Inktober?

Do you remember what happened the last time I celebrated Inktober? No? Well, you’re not going to like it. You’re certainly not go to like this one. You see, a friend posted to Facebook a list of Inktober assignments, and being the smartass I am, I’ve taken on (synonym: stolen) those assignments despite my . . . “modest” drawing skills. Look, mine will be funnier, okay? I’d link to his (which are going to be much better), but he protects his tweets. You’ll have to settle for mine.

He’s drawing for a charity by offering his drawings for sale, the proceeds for which go to the Stillbrave Childhood Cancer Foundation. Noble, but my choice of charity is the JDRF. Unfortunately, no one will buy my work, so until their link breaks, you can directly donate here. Or you can donate to Stillbrave. I won’t get angry. Here are the assignments:

I don’t know all of these things.

<< Prior | Next >>

And here is today’s entry.

Day 20: The Mandalorian

Kessel Junkie is not going to like this one.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me when it comes to drawing hands. Or shoulders. Or anything.

Before you laugh, try to remember that it’s for charity. Then laugh.

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Aft-Firing Weaponry and Canon @StarTrek @starwars @kesseljunkie #StarTrek #StarWars

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My favorite episode of Star Trek, any series, is Balance of Terror from the original series. It has absolutely everything that a Star Trek episode should have, and it, along with my favorite Star Trek movie, the Wrath of Khan, inspired the best episode of Strange New Worlds to date, Memento Mori. For some reason, Balance of Terror keeps coming up in my social media streams. Several people keep saying something that prompts me to volunteer this information.

Or posting a silly meme.

But this post isn’t about Star Trek.

I set my mind to rewatch the episode but kept procrastinating. Yesterday, I was watching the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. I love both of those movies. It occurred to me that none of the X-Wings, Tie-Fighters, etc. had any aft-firing weaponry. That would have been quite useful when being chased during the attacks on either Death Star. The Millennium Falcon sort of did, but only if there was at least one other person on the ship available to mad that blaster. (If I’m wrong, I’m sure Kessel Junkie will correct me.)

But wait! This post is about Star Trek!

This led me to finally re-watch Balance of Terror (re-watching Memento Mori will follow soon) in which I thought there was some background chatter stating that the aft-firing torpedoes are ready. (Note: I may have been mistaken, but there were mentions to aft-firing weapons in the background charter of several episodes, most clearly at 17:02 of Arena.) It also led to a cascade of thoughts regarding the hubbub about violating canon. I love the FASA Star Trek RPG, and it annoyed me that the Constitution Class starships didn’t have aft-firing weaponry. In fact, they made a big deal out of it. It was a glaring weakness in most Federation ships, and a big deal when some did. But it’s not all about an RPG. Star Trek the Motion Picture also suggested that the Klingon ship (also captained by Mark Lenard) having an aft-firing torpedo was a big deal. He thought it would surprise his enemy.

Right emotion; wrong guy.

And then there are those star dates that were completely made up, and the fact that the Romulan ship in Balance of Terror wasn’t capable of warp travel (22:10) yet traveled in interstellar space. In the two episodes I mentioned, there was an inconsistency. In Arena, Kirk comments that diamonds are “perhaps the hardest substance known in the universe” (30:10), and Spock confirms this by stating, “diamonds, the hardest known substance” (41:32), yet Spock points out only four episodes earlier in Balance of Terror that “cast rodinium . . . is the hardest substance known to our science” (21:26). Canon is shit. That’s unfortunate in most (not all) cases, but it’s true. You can’t rely on it. However, one theory says that there’s no such thing as a canon violation because Star Trek First Contact rebooted the franchise, rendering “canon” a nonsense concept.

I love to see Strange New Worlds show aft-firing phasers, see everyone lose their shit for the canon violation, and then lay into them for their ignorance. If everyone now realizes that the Enterprise has aft-firing weapons, that’s fine too. It gives us one more reason to say Star Trek ships are better than Star Wars ships.

Just roll with it and be happy when stories are well-written.

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How to Succeed When Rolling a Natural 1 #StarWars #RPG #TTRPG

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Sundays now are lazy days for me. I either post something silly or other people’s work. Usually both. Today, it’s a mashup of two great things.

Does the roll actually matter?

Star Trek >> Star Wars.

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Identity Theft #StarTrek #StarWars

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This identity theft is both meta and not.

It’s not a joke . . . or is it?

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