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Star Trek 'Favorites' Meme (part 4/4)
Being lazy with some of the answers here because this is SO overdue. These questions are kind of fannish/meta focused.
39. Favorite fanwork
This is really hard?? I'm just going to say The Rules of Reincarnation by Owl_Lady. Very feels-y; a very meaty, chonky fic you can lose yourself in; takes Ferengi worldbuilding and the implications of a mortal/immortal relationship quite seriously; all the feelings of falling in love with someone again while also being in an established relationship with them. It's a lot.
40. Favorite couple/pairing
Hm! What is it?! I wonder what it could be!! Anyway, since it's obvious it's Quodo, I'll name some other random Star Trek pairings I also happen to like:
TOS: Scotty/Uhura, but I also like Scotty/anyone. He's just a cute character.
TNG: Picard/Crusher and Data/Geordi.
DS9: Quark/anyone, lol. Also, Jake/Nog.
VOY: Janeway/Chakotay.
ENT: T'Pol/anyone, but probably especially Trip/T'Pol and Hoshi/T'Pol.
DSC: Michael/Prime Georgiou, to be honest.
41. Favorite headcanon
Okay, I've said this a lot, but one of my favorite headcanons (of my own) is that the Keiko/Miles relationship was an arranged marriage, where the matchmaker was Data. This makes sense of some of the weirder aspects of their relationship, and also makes sense of a lot of Keiko and Miles' characterization, namely they're both the type of person to think Data would make a good matchmaker. Neurodivergent Keiko and Miles for the win.
Another personal headcanon of mine is that Trill can look like either how they looked in TNG 3x23 "The Host" (with the forehead bump) or how all Trill have looked since then (with the spots) -- they come in both varieties. The planet is big enough that there's different races of Trill that look a bit different but they all have the ability to join with symbionts.
42. Favorite non-Trek show (or other media)
I'm not sure what this means. Like, favorite show (or other media) that isn't Trek?? That's a lot of possibilities? Well, right now I'm really into the Mana series again because of Echoes of Mana and the recent contest + Legend of Mana anime, although I'm not sure how relevant that is to this meme...
43. Favorite piece of worldbuilding
Hm, well I generally love all the Ferengi worldbuilding. Especially the various elements introduced in 3x23 "Family Business," like how Ferengi houses have little places where visitors put in a bribe when visiting, and how Brunt remembers to do this but Quark clearly has forgotten about this practice because he's been away from Ferenginar so long; and also 4x08 "Little Green Men," where you go to the Vault of Destitution when you die if you're in debt.
44. Favorite niche detail
Hm... nothing in particular is coming to mind.
45. Favorite Memory Alpha page
There are probably a lot of gems out there worth mentioning, but I just wanted to give a shoutout to the page on socks (yes, socks), which I found because I was trying to see if there were any references for what Ferengi socks look like for a piece of fanart I was drawing. In the end I decided on something more plain than what was in canon so it was all moot but I was very tickled and pleased by the existence of a list of important sock appearances in Star Trek.
I also want to give a shoutout to the Quark page for listing Odo under "Adversaries" and the Odo page for listing Quark under "Friendships." It's funny because (1) yeah, their relationship is both -- it's complicated; (2) Odo does behave more like an adversary toward Quark while Quark tends to be more affectionate and supportive, like a friend, towards Odo. This dynamic basically.
Also, shoutout to this list of undeveloped ST:DS9 episodes, in particular the episode "Giant" because I find the opening teaser so dang funny. (Will there ever be a time when I am not "I hope this doesn't awaken anything in me" when it comes to anything Ferengi-related? Probably not.)
46. Favorite 'New Trek' show
Before watching Prodigy and Strange New Worlds, the only one that wasn't actively disappointing, in my opinion, was Lower Decks. While Lower Decks is a bit too crack-y in tone for me, it at least is a good send-up to the wacky time-wasting sci-fi bullshit plots that are very much a part of Star Trek. But moreover, what it has that the other new Treks lack is just solid writing. The characters are fun and very unique (new character types that haven't been seen in Star Trek before) and fleshed out; the plots are coherent, satisfying, solidly entertaining, very condensed (22-minute) romps complete with A and B plots; the world feels like Star Trek -- the TNG flavor in particular. Related to that, it is probably the new Trek show that is most fanservicey/rewards people who are longtime fans because of the amount of references it has to general established Trek canon and the amount of base knowledge it assumes you have about the world; it is less funny and less accessible, I think, if you haven't already watched a lot of Trek. (Although I suppose if you appreciate general sci-fi send-up like Rick and Morty, you'll probably be able to enjoy the show.
But yeah, having watched Prodigy and Strange New Worlds, both of which are quite strong, I'm not really sure which one to say. Probably Lower Decks still edges the two out, just because I've been with the cast longer and so am more fond of them. But the other two are quite promising.
47. Favorite classic Trek show
See question 1. DS9 just barely edges out TNG, probably.
48. Favorite alien design
If we're talking about clothing/culture as part of design, it's the Ferengi for me. Just... the fashion! The silhouettes! The elaborate layering and ornamentation! The sheer variety in the suits! I love their nails as well, and the ears/fangs/wrinkles/head bumps are... OK -- B-tier design. Not the best but good enough to make the whole package top-tier overall.
If we're talking about mainly the makeup/body, though, maybe the Cardassians? Not sure. I like the grey of the Cardassians combined with a bit of blue accent. The ridges on the face looks alien but also quite aesthetic and pretty. The sleek black hair seems strange combined with reptilian scales but somehow it works? And Cardassian women's hairstyles are just great. I approve.
49. Favorite comedic moment
There are so many I could put here. This is a moment that had me cracking up:
Just love Worf and Geordi being buddies, Riker and Deanna amused but trying to be encouraging... and then Data over there looking perturbed. XD Just in general, Brent Spiner's physical comedy in his portrayal of Data is pure gold, and I love when Data pretends to be amused at a joke when he obviously isn't amused. It's just so utterly devastating for whoever is telling the joke. 😂 See also:
50. Favorite thing about Star Trek
Oh lots of things, but I guess my favorite is just the commitment from very early on to the idea that world/galactic peace is possible; that we can learn to cooperate with people who we see as very different from us, even hostile; that the world will continue to be vibrant and diverse even in the face of cultural contact/mixing/collaboration; that the future could be better, not worse. Just that lefty optimism about the potential of the human race -- that's what I love.
Full list of questions
39. Favorite fanwork
This is really hard?? I'm just going to say The Rules of Reincarnation by Owl_Lady. Very feels-y; a very meaty, chonky fic you can lose yourself in; takes Ferengi worldbuilding and the implications of a mortal/immortal relationship quite seriously; all the feelings of falling in love with someone again while also being in an established relationship with them. It's a lot.
40. Favorite couple/pairing
Hm! What is it?! I wonder what it could be!! Anyway, since it's obvious it's Quodo, I'll name some other random Star Trek pairings I also happen to like:
TOS: Scotty/Uhura, but I also like Scotty/anyone. He's just a cute character.
TNG: Picard/Crusher and Data/Geordi.
DS9: Quark/anyone, lol. Also, Jake/Nog.
VOY: Janeway/Chakotay.
ENT: T'Pol/anyone, but probably especially Trip/T'Pol and Hoshi/T'Pol.
DSC: Michael/Prime Georgiou, to be honest.
41. Favorite headcanon
Okay, I've said this a lot, but one of my favorite headcanons (of my own) is that the Keiko/Miles relationship was an arranged marriage, where the matchmaker was Data. This makes sense of some of the weirder aspects of their relationship, and also makes sense of a lot of Keiko and Miles' characterization, namely they're both the type of person to think Data would make a good matchmaker. Neurodivergent Keiko and Miles for the win.
Another personal headcanon of mine is that Trill can look like either how they looked in TNG 3x23 "The Host" (with the forehead bump) or how all Trill have looked since then (with the spots) -- they come in both varieties. The planet is big enough that there's different races of Trill that look a bit different but they all have the ability to join with symbionts.
42. Favorite non-Trek show (or other media)
I'm not sure what this means. Like, favorite show (or other media) that isn't Trek?? That's a lot of possibilities? Well, right now I'm really into the Mana series again because of Echoes of Mana and the recent contest + Legend of Mana anime, although I'm not sure how relevant that is to this meme...
43. Favorite piece of worldbuilding
Hm, well I generally love all the Ferengi worldbuilding. Especially the various elements introduced in 3x23 "Family Business," like how Ferengi houses have little places where visitors put in a bribe when visiting, and how Brunt remembers to do this but Quark clearly has forgotten about this practice because he's been away from Ferenginar so long; and also 4x08 "Little Green Men," where you go to the Vault of Destitution when you die if you're in debt.
44. Favorite niche detail
Hm... nothing in particular is coming to mind.
45. Favorite Memory Alpha page
There are probably a lot of gems out there worth mentioning, but I just wanted to give a shoutout to the page on socks (yes, socks), which I found because I was trying to see if there were any references for what Ferengi socks look like for a piece of fanart I was drawing. In the end I decided on something more plain than what was in canon so it was all moot but I was very tickled and pleased by the existence of a list of important sock appearances in Star Trek.
I also want to give a shoutout to the Quark page for listing Odo under "Adversaries" and the Odo page for listing Quark under "Friendships." It's funny because (1) yeah, their relationship is both -- it's complicated; (2) Odo does behave more like an adversary toward Quark while Quark tends to be more affectionate and supportive, like a friend, towards Odo. This dynamic basically.
Also, shoutout to this list of undeveloped ST:DS9 episodes, in particular the episode "Giant" because I find the opening teaser so dang funny. (Will there ever be a time when I am not "I hope this doesn't awaken anything in me" when it comes to anything Ferengi-related? Probably not.)
46. Favorite 'New Trek' show
Before watching Prodigy and Strange New Worlds, the only one that wasn't actively disappointing, in my opinion, was Lower Decks. While Lower Decks is a bit too crack-y in tone for me, it at least is a good send-up to the wacky time-wasting sci-fi bullshit plots that are very much a part of Star Trek. But moreover, what it has that the other new Treks lack is just solid writing. The characters are fun and very unique (new character types that haven't been seen in Star Trek before) and fleshed out; the plots are coherent, satisfying, solidly entertaining, very condensed (22-minute) romps complete with A and B plots; the world feels like Star Trek -- the TNG flavor in particular. Related to that, it is probably the new Trek show that is most fanservicey/rewards people who are longtime fans because of the amount of references it has to general established Trek canon and the amount of base knowledge it assumes you have about the world; it is less funny and less accessible, I think, if you haven't already watched a lot of Trek. (Although I suppose if you appreciate general sci-fi send-up like Rick and Morty, you'll probably be able to enjoy the show.
But yeah, having watched Prodigy and Strange New Worlds, both of which are quite strong, I'm not really sure which one to say. Probably Lower Decks still edges the two out, just because I've been with the cast longer and so am more fond of them. But the other two are quite promising.
47. Favorite classic Trek show
See question 1. DS9 just barely edges out TNG, probably.
48. Favorite alien design
If we're talking about clothing/culture as part of design, it's the Ferengi for me. Just... the fashion! The silhouettes! The elaborate layering and ornamentation! The sheer variety in the suits! I love their nails as well, and the ears/fangs/wrinkles/head bumps are... OK -- B-tier design. Not the best but good enough to make the whole package top-tier overall.
If we're talking about mainly the makeup/body, though, maybe the Cardassians? Not sure. I like the grey of the Cardassians combined with a bit of blue accent. The ridges on the face looks alien but also quite aesthetic and pretty. The sleek black hair seems strange combined with reptilian scales but somehow it works? And Cardassian women's hairstyles are just great. I approve.
49. Favorite comedic moment
There are so many I could put here. This is a moment that had me cracking up:
Just love Worf and Geordi being buddies, Riker and Deanna amused but trying to be encouraging... and then Data over there looking perturbed. XD Just in general, Brent Spiner's physical comedy in his portrayal of Data is pure gold, and I love when Data pretends to be amused at a joke when he obviously isn't amused. It's just so utterly devastating for whoever is telling the joke. 😂 See also:
50. Favorite thing about Star Trek
Oh lots of things, but I guess my favorite is just the commitment from very early on to the idea that world/galactic peace is possible; that we can learn to cooperate with people who we see as very different from us, even hostile; that the world will continue to be vibrant and diverse even in the face of cultural contact/mixing/collaboration; that the future could be better, not worse. Just that lefty optimism about the potential of the human race -- that's what I love.
Full list of questions
no subject
(laughs- yeah, that's my main Voyager ship too)
no subject