DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to STAR TREK with guest Amanda Gorman
How do you work with someone with vast personality differences?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are honored to be joined by author and inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman, to react to Star Trek (2009). Amanda chose this movie because it speaks to what she writes about, coming together with shared common ground from different backgrounds and perspectives. They take a look at how Kirk and Spock work together despite their differences. Jonathan talks about shared humanity and perspective taking and how Kirk and Spock learn to work together. Alan points out director J.J. Abrams's style of energetic camera movement. And Amanda shares some incredible wisdom that makes them want to give up their seats to her. It's the Amanda Show now!
Comments (35)
I already watched this on YouTube, and I am so glad I watched the Director's Cut of this. Amanda is so great, and she does absolutely nail that psychoanalysis of Kirk and Spock. Talented and brilliant poets and writers are amazing psychoanalysts because they can write about people in a way that's relatable. Those who can understand and see through people write the best characters because they know how to connect and understand others. Thank you, again, for this video. I'll take any and all Trek all day, every day 🖖.
Oh, my! To have Amanda Gorman as a guest... what a thrill! My husband is a poet and poets of Amanda's caliber are held in the highest esteem in our household. I agree with Ben's comment above: the insights shared by all were powerful and true. Quite frankly, these insights are desperately needed during a time in history where rancor has been fostered by people who might benefit from the divisions in our country. Applause, applause, for another wondrous experience that you provided. The episodes have humor and wisdom and generate joy!
Alright, this is probably my favorite episode ever. The insight be everyone (especially from our new fearless leader) was amazing. I even dropped in the Discord about how Jonno's one comment perfectly described the source of so much of my frustrations in myself and life.
Ok question for Alan -- how far did they go with the choking stunt? If that's Chris Pine's coughing/choking, they either took it far or he's really good about knowing what would sound right.
Zoe Saldana in the scene where she comforts Spock -- I love seeing her acceptance when he goes all cold logic "I need everyone to continue performing admirably" -- you can definitely see her processing it and supporting him even though you can tell that she doesn't like his response, but she understands it.
Petition to get Amanda Gorman a permanent spot on this show because wow 😍🥹 Also how do we become best friends? I’ve never wanted to fangirl with someone so hard 😄
I'm a fan girl since the inaugural speech! She's awesome.
I'm just gonna pause right at the beginning to say -- editors, that's so awesome how you put Amanda in the middle seat. It might be super easy and no big deal but it really looks flawless and amazing.
This episode is incredible! Star Trek has always been my second favorite sci-fi franchise (after Star Wars) and I love hearing your assessment of it, and Amanda is spectacular! I think this movie, in particular, has so much personal conflict that it's perfect for a therapy session. Also, every one of the castings for this movie were perfect! I am slightly more partial to Ethan Peck's portrayal of Spock in SNW, but Zachary Quinto did an amazing job in his role and for what he was supposed to portray in this movie. I wish TV series were much easier to do, because I think Deep Space 9 has huge potential with Sisko being a single, African-American father, Dr. Bashir being an augment, Kira's trauma from the occupation of Bajor, O'Brien's trauma from the Hard Time episode, as well as his time as a Soldier, Nog losing his leg and his trauma. DS9, for as much as "trekkers" didn't like it for not being on a ship, had so much more weight placed on the characters and their personal developments than the other series that were much more episodic.
A thoughts provoking episode. I think, working through differences [may] work, if people share the core values / goals, and the difference lies in ways to approach it. Like here protecting the ship / people is the core. But often, these core values and goals are just very different. As Golda Meir said, "We intend to remain alive. Our neighbors want to see us dead. This is not a question that leaves much room for compromise."
I need to watch this extended review but I love the chemistry/comraderie of all three.😍
AMANDA GORMAN is amazing!!!!! The interactions you three have is absolutely incredible. Great episode!
The chemistry between you three is delightful, a joy to watch. When ST is done well it has everything. Drama, action, humor, love. People struggling then ending up being the best versions of themselves. I wasn't terribly excited when this movie came out but shen I watched it, it had everything that my inner ten year old wanted.
This is SUCH an excellent episode! So beautiful, and Amanda's comments were just everything 🧡🧡🧡
I'm sorry... AMANDA GORMAN?! Goodness. YUP. I've never seen Star Trek, but i'll watch this because OH MY GOSH?
I just rewatched this movie this past weekend and loved this episode SO much! 😍🤩
I was so surprised and delighted to see Amanda as co-host! I loved hearing her poetic words flow through her so naturally while chatting with y’all.
I would love to see a Villain Therapy episode on Nero. Where is his mind at that he arrived DECADES before his planet was destroyed and instead of saving his people and warning them, he spend the next 18 years planning and initiating a revenge plot? The line that always stood out for me was when Pike tells him that Romulus is still there, it hasn't happened. And Nero screams "It has happened! I watched it happen!" Obviously he's traumatized and has PTSD. But still, like I said, he could have spent that time reconnecting. Meeting family members who died before he was born. Enacting change to prevent the tragedy, and instead he creates a new tragedy. I guess it really exemplifies the old adage, "hurt people hurt people".
I love this movie, but those lense flairs trigger migraines if I don't prep ahead of time. I don't mind JJ Abrams, but that makes it difficult to watch his movies. Lol
What?? You got Amanda Gorman as a guest?! That’s amazing 😍😍
This was incredible! Thanks to all for putting this together and making it happen. I've already watched it twice and will probably do so again. Love ST, love Amanda. What a phenomenal talent. ❤️ Also, kudos to the editing for the episode. Not sure if the fever gets the credit but I LOLd multiples times. And at 41:48 just ::chef kiss::
Pleeeeeease make this a series with the other two Chris Pine movies 🙏🙏🙏 I would actually die
16:11 This is getting out of hand! Now there are two of them!
Y’all should watch Strange New Worlds. Anson Mount’s Pike is such a welcome example of confident, powerful, soft masculinity.
I hear very good things! But there's so much GREAT sci-fi on AppleTV+ that I'm still getting caught up on. -alan
Well this was perfection. No notes.
Scotty's great, but Alan knows Russian! CHEKOV IS RIGHT THERE 🫱🫱
Petition to just have Amanda Gorman be a permanent cohost, 'cause holy CRAP was she amazing
Yes. This.
This was such an amazing episode! Amanda was inspiring, and I love the conversations between the three of you. Also, very appropriate that you are posting this on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. I read that he was a fan of the original Star Trek series, and that he once talked Nichelle Nichols (the original Uhura) into staying on the show when she wanted to quit.
Yup, very true! She told Gene Roddenberry that she wanted to leave once the first season was done. Sometime after that, she was told that a fan wanted to meet her, and it was none other than Martin Luther King Jr. He told her how he, his wife, and their children were all fans of the show, and she mentioned to him that she was intending to quit so she could go back to musical theater. King told her that she could not do that. He told her “you don’t have a black role, you have an equal role.” She went to Roddenberry that following Monday and told him about meeting MLK JR and he just told her “welcome home.”
Incredible insight from Amanda. Low key love that she’s a Star Trek fan. I also grew up on Star Trek in the 90s watching TNG, DS9 and Voyager. When the world is grim and broken and brutal, there is hope in turning on your TV and watching a show that says humanity has such a future
SO true.
Okay, not that the previous guests we’ve seen were not awesome, but holy shit! 🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍
NGL, we were losing our minds the whole time.