YOUTUBE VIDEO - 'The High Ground' Would Never Be Made Today! (PATRON TAKES S3E11&12)
Comments (13)
I don’t know if someone missed it, but there were similar themes in sci-fi/fantasy in the mid-2000s, deep into our occupation of Iraq, so it’s totally untrue that this would not be made post-9/11. Josh is right; it was kind of ahead of its time.
A good Crusher episode. This ep was obviously a take off on the Israel/Palestinian conflict. Even the term "Insata" sounds like a take off on the Palestinian term "Intifata" or rebellion. So I am a little surprised it didn't stir even more controversy than it did!
"Today's Terrorist is tomorrow's Statesman." (https://www.academia.edu/716191/Today_s_terrorist_is_tomorrow_s_statesman_the_United_States_and_Angolan_nationalism_in_the_early_1960s)
Oh crap. I thought these were all YouTube edits of the reaction. Now I have to go back and watch all of these.
I disagree with this blanket statement. I think it would be made today. Assuming that saying this episode wouldn't be made today because of the "Situation" in the Middle East,, This episode was made during the First Intifada (1987-1993), a major incident that included riots and also Terrorist attacks. There was also a Second Intifada (2000-2005) and Star Trek obliquely addressed the issue then too, and I don't necessarily mean in referring to 9/11 (although it did). The current Situation started "just" seven months ago. I think it will just take awhile for the writers to catch up, but of course it will be subtle.
The take makes no reference to the Middle East
This episode is a mixed bag. Post-TOS Star Trek often fell into the trap of 'MESSAGE' stories, instead of an engaging, well crafted story that had a moral, or an accompanying perspective on an issue. The first can be heavy handed, while the latter is usually the better way to make a point.
The episode was not banned in the UK and Ireland because it showed alien terrorists, it was because Data mentioned that terrorism can be successful in achieving its goals and cited the reunification of Ireland as an example. That could have been seen as encouraging by the terrorists active at the time, so I understand why both governments didn't want it on the air.
Regarding the brainrot, I don't think that's a new problem, it's just more visible because of social media. I think there were just as many people in the 70s or 80s rooting for bad characters and looking up to them. JR Ewing from Dallas was extremely popular for example despite being a morally corrupt abusive asshole.
Yes, but J.R. was an 'enjoyable' bad guy. Maybe some people aspired to be like him, but most people were entertained by a hissable villain played with relish and flair by the talented Larry Hagman. J.R. was intended to be the worst combination of traits, with Bobby Ewing presented as his clear counterpart and his long suffering wife re-enforced just what a low life J.R. was.
Ouch. Put in the spotlight for being wrong. 😅 I guess I should've been more nuanced, in that it's an episode that wouldn't have easily been made in the 2000s. and that the world is starting to shift to not being as binary in regard to the topics the episode covered as it was in that decade and the one that followed it. And there's obviously some exceptions to the rule there as well. But my goodness, the 2000s were filled with shows about national security and bogeyman terrorists. Hell, that's what launched the MCU in Iron Man.
It’s the most interesting take of the video, and caused the most discussion. That’s why it’s the focus.
People love to say things wouldn’t be made today and I find it is rarely correct.