First, some comments from previous columns . . .
Bullies on the Playground and the End of the Nitpicker's Guides
Beginning with Phil Farrand's comments at the end of the
5/15/98 column
Nat Hefferman: In response to Michael Gurwitz's comments in the 8/7/98 column: Some of my close friends are lawyers, and they too get tired of all the lawyer jokes. The real problem, I believe is the way our legal system is set up, specifically in terms of civil suits. If Paramount sued Dell over Phil's books, Dell would most likely win the case, because they clearly come under the heading of "criticism and commentary". However, it would be a Phyrric victory, mainly because Paramount's pockets are deeper than Dell's, and the cost of litigation for Dell would not be worth the verdict. In other words, Dell is in the right, but it would cost far too much for them to prove it. What this country needs is to adopt the British system of "loser pays"; i.e., the loser of the civil case pays the costs of the winner. This would go a long way towards eliminating the frivolous lawsuits we keep hearing about (remember the lady who got $2 million from McDonalds when she spilled coffee in her lap) and getting rid of the sleazy ambulance-chasers who advertise on "Jerry Springer". As it is now, anyone can sue anybody else for practically any reason, and defendants usually settle out of court, even if they're totally in the right, just to avoid the hassle and costs of litigation. If a plaintiff knew that if he lost, he'd have to pay the defendant's costs, he'd think twice about filing a frivolous suit.
Alasdair Prett:
Just thought I'd pour my two-pen'orth into the great smelting pot of letters you have received these past couple of months. Thank you so much for the enjoyment your books have given to me (if not to those around me, who've grown wary of watching Trek when I'm about, as I say "Apparently, if you watch closely....." ;) One of the three highlights of my final year was finding a nit in the DS9 episode "Heart of Stone", and racing down to the physics department to fire off an email to the Internet Extension Office, thus becoming a member of one of the most exclusive Guilds in the world! I've only recently begun browsing the IEO again, so I've only just caught up with your news. It does seem as though an awful lot of people are rather miffed by the Guides' passing - the last time I recall tempers this raised was over the film "Batman and Robin" !!!
(One thing I noted was that several people referred to fandom having save Trek in the 60's with the marches and petitions and stuff - according to the biog of Gene, a couple of friends of his set that up themselves, and it actually had little to do with the show's survival for the second and third series, of course, that's only an official biog, so I don't believe a word of it..... ;-)
You've taught thousands of people around the world to view things with just a little more attention - to nitpick. I for one, though saddened by the thought that there will be no more than four books in the Star Trek series, will rather thank you for the books you have got out, and for enabling others to milk just a little bit more enjoyment from the show.
I'm also grateful you didn't try writing a NitPicker's Guide to V - it would have been far too long!!!!! All the best for the future,
Stacey L Wilkin:
I'm so sorry to hear of the recent news. Frankly, I'm not all that surprised, but I'm quite a bit ticked off at the unfairness of it all. As you said, Life goes on, but the world won't be quite as nice as it used to be. I guess we can look on the bright side, your successes so far, your following, and the fact that you taught a whole slew of people how to nitpick! I've thouroughly enjoyed your guides and am saddened that there won't be anymore. However, I know that I enjoy your writing, so I'm looking forward to reading some of the other stuff you put out. Good luck in the future, and thanks for the past. All of us nitpickers are here for ya, man.Phil: Thanks again for all the kind words!
The Death Of Jadzia
Beginning with Matt Greer's comments in the 6/12/98 column
Commodore Josh K: I just read the newest column here. I have the following comments: On the issue of who Worf's vengeance will be directed at: I hadn't even realized that he probably would want vengeance, but I agree that if he does, he will definitely go after Dukat. However, I don't think the producers will have him manage to catch Dukat, because the Gul has always been a staple of the show and will probably be around until it ends. Also, I think Worf wouldn't have wanted Jadzia to get a funeral, per se. In TNG's "The Next Phase", when Geordi and Ro Laren "die", Worf convinces everyone to instead have a gathering that follows Klingon traditions and basically amounts to a merrymaking party. He should have wanted the same thing for Jadzia.
The Music For The Movie Trailers of Seven Year In Tibet and Mulan
Beginning with Paul Steele's comments in the 7/10/98 Column
Craig A. Livingston: I have not seen the trailers for "Mafia" but I know that the Chips Ahoy commercials play Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing", a very popular Swing song. --
Sheet Music for The Inner Light Theme
Beginning with Aaron Nadler’s comments in the 7/17/98
Column
Mike Leinoff: I have a comment on "The Inner Light." Last year, in my high school orchestra, the conductor passed out a piece called "Star Trek Through the Years." It included the themes from TOS, DS9, The Inner Light, Generations, VOY, and TNG. I can't remember who wrote it, but I do remember that there was a part for each instrument in the orchestra. If you want, I could find more information when school starts in September.
Sentient Holo-Bunnies and The Death of the Romp
Beginning with Edward Jefferson’s comments in the 7/17/98
Column
Alasdair Prett:
In response to the question of Moriarty's sentience - I don't recall the episode where he first appeared, but he was certainly treated like an anomaly in the show... the "canon" explanation was that the computer was asked to create an opponent suitable for data, and obviously managed to create a sentient life form. This would seem to imply that most of the holodeck characters are just programs, but his has the ability to adapt itself. It also is apparent in "Ship in a Bottle" that Moriarty's been around and "concious" all the time his "program" has been off. Makes you wonder about that computer on the Enterprise, doesn't it? Able to create an entirely new race of beings...On the other point about the Doctor being sentient because of the gelpaks - does that mean that the characters on the holodeck are all similarly real? It would give an interesting slant on that bloke from the Holo-novel Janeway was so fond of...
The Aesthetics of the Enterprise E
Beginning with Josh K’s comments in the 7/31/98 Column
Commodore Josh K: On Scott Newton's response to my question about the Enterprise-E and the Sovereign class(directed at him): You're absolutely right, and I hadn't considered that it has no children aboard. I guess it can't carry children because it's busy fighting in the Dominion War, but are you suggesting it never carried children to begin with? Disregarding the Dominion threat, I don't see why Starfleet Command would abandon the principle that the Federation flagship's crewmembers need their families aboard. (I always suspected that during First Contact, it was carrying children but that they were all either assimilated or killed by the Borg.) I also agree that the Ent-E or another Sovereign-class starship needs to make an appearance in the war; however, I think there is a very believable reason it has not been seen: SF is currently engaged in a massive construction project to rebuild all the starships it has lost to the Dominion. The Sovereign class, being more advanced than any other ship in SF, is obviously the most resource-draining and time-consuming to build, so SF has very few of them in service (although with the kind of defenses and weaponry they carry, the Dominion probably hasn't destroyed a single one yet).
Tom Servo on the Promenade
Beginning with the comments of Matt Nelson in the 8/7/98 Column
Robert Cook:
The promonade directory has, probably very deliberately, never been shown clearly enough to read. However, a presumably-official copy of it was printed in the authorized (sorry, Phil..) book 'The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens. 'Tom Servo's Used Robots' is indeed one of the businesses listed. Others include:Banzai Institute
Berman's Dilithium Supply
Del Floria's Taylor Shop (yes, 'Taylor')
Diva Droid Corporation
Forbin Project
Jupiter Mining Corporation
Pancho's Happy Bottom Riding Club
Sirius Cybernetics Corporation
Spacely Sprockets
Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems
Chez Zimmerman
Also, there's a bowling alley. Bonus points if you recognize where each of the above names come from.
Phil: Thanks to Scott Wasilewski, Amos Painter, The Meads and Walter Czarniecki for sending this information along as well!
The Fabled Kiss in the X-File Movie
Beginning with the comments of Leeann Walker in the 8/7/98
Column
Leeann C Walker:
My friend sent me what you said to my comment, and actually now you have me convinced. I guess you're right... thanks for the enlightenment!!! ;-)
Hanks's Last Words In Saving Private Ryan
Beginning with the comments of John Latchem in the 8/7/98 Column
Donald Carlson:
He says "Earn this" twice. (meaning, make the rest of your life worthy of the lives lost saving you)Phil: Thanks to Jason Liu, Joanna Cravit, Alexander Shearer and William J. Alston for sending along this information as well.
Going to Warp in a Planetary System
Beginning with the comments of Christopher Querry in the 8/7/98
Column
Joe Griffin:
Although I did read once that going to warp within a planetary system could destabilize that planet's sun, causing it to go nova. But yeah, it's a plot device.
On to the questions . . .
Mike Deeds: Is there any chance of you doing an "Official NItpicker's Guide for X-Philes Vol. II"? I would love to see another X-Files Guide covering the last seasons and the movie. I hope Chris Carter would approve it.
Phil: I would love to do a Volume II to the X-phile Guide but . . . I would have to have a publisher to get the book out the door and, at this point, the chances seems slim!
Aaron Dotter: I was wondering if anyone out there in nitpicker's land could corroborate something for me- I had taped DS9's season ender and I was watching the battle sequences, and in the one where Kira told Worf to fire on the moon the 1st time, there was a shot of the Defiant's registry number and, after going through it with slow-mo on my VCR, it looks like it got an NCC prefix, but it was hard to tell. Did anybody else see it?
Phil: I didn't but I must confess I wasn't watching that close! And, at the moment, I have no time to look it up. ;-) Anybody?
Jennifer Pope: Hey, Chief, I just received my special order X-Files Guide. Wonderful book, as usual. Trouble is, I've never seen the X-Files; but then again, that's the reason I ordered the Guide. I know we share high standards as regards to sex and violence in the media, and I wanted to read your opinions of the episodes before I started watching. I'd rather miss a few shows than be unpleasantly surprised. The Guide only covers the first four seasons, though - if you ever find some time, and if you think others would like to see it, could you make up a list of the post fourth season eps. and indicate which ones you consider outside of the realm of gruesome good taste? Even if it takes a few years to put together, considering your busy schedule, I'll still be around for it! Thanks so much, and God bless.
Phil: It all depends on what the future holds and at this point, I have no idea what the future holds! ;-)
Stephen Mendenhall: You spent so much time reading those Star Wars novels, what will you do with the notes you made? Somebody just came out with a Star Wars Encyclopedia, maybe they or other SW writers could use your notes--with acknowledgement, of course. I wouldn't want your notes to go to waste! You could post them on your own site, except that I haven't been reading the SW novels much, or even the ST novels. That's all for now, I know you're awfully busy! Good luck!
Phil: Thanks for the kinds wishes. I have no plans for my ruminations on the Star Wars novels at this point because and ruminations I would do on the novels would take a considerable amount of time to put in final form and I don't have that kind of time for something that holds no potential to raise any cash for my family! ;-)
Have a great weekend, everybody!
If you would like to submit a question or comment, send it to: chief@nitcentral.com with "Ask the Chief" or "Question" in the Subject line. (Remember the legalese: Everything you submit becomes mine and you grant me the right to use your name in any future publication by me.)
Copyright 1998 by Phil Farrand. All rights reserved.