#retro review

[episodicnostalgia]

Star Trek: The Next Generation, 124 (May 9, 1988) - “Conspiracy”

Teleplay by: Tracy Tormé Story by: Robert Sabaroff Directed by: Cliff Bole

The Breakdown

The Enterprise is en route to Pacifica for… it doesn’t matter, because Picard gets a top secret late-night-call from his old buddy Captain Walker Keel, of the starship Horatio.  Keel implores Picard to cancel his appointment with Pacifica, because he has some piping hot tea (earl grey, presumably) that he can only spill in person, but it’s gotta be now …and also, don’t tell anyone why. Since Picard probably hasn’t had anyone to gossip with since his hairline met his forehead, he orders the Enterprise to “fuck our meeting with Pacifica, and take me to a nearby abandoned mining outpost instead,” much to the crew’s bemusement.

Upon arriving to their new destination, the crew find three other ships have also arrived, with three designated representatives already waiting on the mining-planet’s surface, so Picard beams down before Riker can admonish him about breaching protocol. On the surface Picard is greeted by Keel and the other two ship’s Captains, who are all pointing phasers at his head, and asking him a bunch of MFA questions (which Picard obviously crushes; the dude is nothing if not savvy). Since Picard has proven he’s not an imposter, Keel proceeds to explain that he suspects a vast Conspiracy within Starfleet, that may have permeated even the highest levels of command. Apparently Starfleet has been restructured in vaguely suspicious ways, and also Keel’s first officer and doctor have been acting super-sus. Picard remains unconvinced, but agrees to keep his eyes peeled, and leaves their clandestine rendezvous so he can get back to following orders like an upstanding person.

Of course, wouldn’t you know it, just as we’re getting back on track to the Pacifica story we all came here for, an even more interesting tragedy strikes; The Horatio has been destroyed, claiming the lives of Keel and his entire crew! That alone is enough for Picard to suspect that something is amiss, but when Data pours through all of the Starfleet command files at super-android-speed and finds that things do indeed appear quite suspicious, that clinches it. After bringing his key staff up-to-speed, Picard resolves to bail on Pacifica altogether [sorry Pacifica, sucks to suck. Maybe try being part of the main plot next time], and return to starfleet command to get to the bottom of things once and for all!

Upon arriving to earth, Picard is greeted by three Admirals we’ve never met before, which historically means they can’t be trusted. Fortunately however, Admiral Quinn is amongst them (along with his snivelling-sycophant-commander Remmick, leering in the background) who, you may recall, came to Picard several episodes ago, warning of a conspiracy against Starfleet. Picard explains to the admirals that he has something urgent to tell them, and they seem pretty happy to hear him out.  In fact, they even suggest that Picard and Riker both come down away from prying eyes, for a private little dinner where they can discuss it, and nothing bad will happen. First though, Quinn wants to come up and take a quick look at the Enterprise (because who wouldn’t), and Picard reasons that the Admiral probably wants to warn them about something.

But he would be wrong.

It turns out all three of the Admirals, including Quinn (and also that fucking weasel, Remmick), are possessed by alien-bug-creatures that burrow into the back of your neck at the base of the skull.  Thankfully Picard clues in that something is wrong when Quinn back peddles hard about his previous Conspiracy woes. Since the dinner is obviously a Trap, Picard orders Riker to hang back for a bit and keep an eye on Quinn, while he heads down and hopes for the best.

Up on the Enterprise, Riker starts asking too many questions, until Quinn is forced to admit that he’s here for nefarious possession-related purposes (he brought a possession-bug onto the ship, with Dr. Crusher being the intended target in this case).  But since the jig is up, Bug-Quinn starts beating the shit out of Riker, because being possessed gives the hosts super powerful bodies. 

Geordie and Worf show up to find the Admiral hunched over Riker’s unconscious body, and do their best to help, but they also prove to be no match for Quinn’s super-bug-strength.  Thankfully Dr. Crusher has more common sense than the chief of security and pretty handily knocks Quinn flat on his ass with a phaser (seriously Worf, way to drop the ball). With Quinn secured in sick bay, Crusher is able to determine what the heck is going on, and bring Picard up to speed. Suddenly Riker makes a miraculous recovery, and sneaks up behind Crusher, implying that he got body-snatched after Quinn shit-kicked him.

Meanwhile Picard is down on the planet surface, and the Admirals pretty much confirm that they have indeed been taking over key members of Starfleet, with the intention being to use humans as slave hosts. Right around then Riker shows up claiming to, in fact, be possessed with the bug that was intended for Crusher.  But it all ends up being a ploy (yep, that whole moment in sickbay was all just a classic red-herring), and once everyone’s guard is down he starts blasting the shit out of everyone in the room. The ensuing fire fight ends with Picard and Riker following a bug into a command station where Bug-Remmick is ostensibly plotting something evil. The possessed commander espouses some obligatory villain-monologue nonsense, but Picard figures enough is enough, so he and Riker straight up phaser Remmick’s head until it explodes. But it’s not over yet, because a giant queen-bug-worm-thing emerges from Remmick’s oozing chest cavity, and you can bet this thing isn’t going down easil- oh… never mind. Yeah, so Picard just vaporizes that too.

With the mother-bug reduced to space-ash, all of the possessed peoples are released, and the reset button has formally been activated.  Data does make one salient point, and informs Picard that prior to his death, Remmick had been sending a message into the far reaches of uncharted space.  The contents of the message are unclear, since the bug-dialect is unknown, but Data hazards a guess that the message may have been a homing beacon to earth…

Anyways it’s probably nothing! The end.

The Verdict.

If you had shown me this episode when I was eight years old, I would have probably identified it as a perfect hour of television.  A physically imposing enemy, who can’t be easily detected, and who could be your most trusted friend? Check. Creature FX, hand to hand combat, phaser fights, and corridor chase scenes? Check, check, check, and motherfucking check!  It’s actually kinda fun/interesting to see a number of preliminary concepts being experimented with, that would eventually be reworked and repurposed in other (arguably stronger) stories later down the line [more on that below].

Overall I’d say there’s more good than bad here, even though quite a few moments end up being unintentionally comical by current pop-culture standards, that’s also part of the charm.  An episode like this is a perfect example of classic pulp-camp television that has always been part of Star Trek’s DNA, and you have to go in with that attitude to enjoy it.  The clunky fight scenes barely hide the obvious stunt-doubles, the stop-motion creature effects are obviously inhibited by some clear budgetary & technological restraints, and the resolution is a bit overly convenient for how dire the circumstances were supposedly meant to be. As much as those things could be considered limitations, I almost appreciate the show even more for being so unapologetically sincere, even when it doesn’t perfectly stick the landing.

Overall, I think the creature work is actually quite impressive, and the practical special-effects used for Remmick’s gaping chest cavity/mother-bug are largely effective.  The other limitations might stop me from hailing this episode as a masterpiece, but they all work to the effect of telling an entertaining, if technically-over-ambitious story.  Even where our heroes make questionable choices, I can forgive on the grounds that the villains do the same; at least there’s an internal logic (or hilarious lack thereof) that remains consistent across the board.

Although, as much fun as ‘Conspiracy’ was, it didn’t have a lot to say.  Apparently at one point, there was an earlier draft of the script that was intended as a real-world allegory to the Iran-Contra affair, with the episode centering around an ordinary coup (sans body-snatch gimmicks), but was kiboshed for being too depressing/controversial. I imagine that iteration of the story might have still likely failed to hit the mark on any meaningful commentary, mainly because Star Trek historically has (especially during this still-early stage in the franchise) a very politically-liberal-colonial bias; ie, lots of good intentions, but with clear blind spots when it comes to addressing the root corruption that our core institutions are built upon, amongst other issues.  All the same, I kind of wish that earlier draft had been allowed to pass, even if it was a disaster, if only to see what it was that TPTB found so distasteful (it’s not like the season 1 scripts were batting 1000 anyways).

Overall, a harmlessly fun hour of camp TV, and a welcome change of pace after the last episode.

3 stars (out of 5)

Parting Thoughts

Silly things that I find interesting: I’d honestly never heard of this episode prior to watching it, but I wasn’t as avid a fan of TNG growing up (DS9 & Voyager for me, baby), so I was left to consider the possibility that I’d somehow missed out on even hearing about a major Space-bug-bodysnatchers story arc. Because, I gotta say you guys, that is one pretty ominous cliffhanger. So yeah, I obviously felt compelled to look ahead for answers, like the slutty little gossip that I am. [My “research” primarily entailed reading subreddits and fan sites. Which means, y’know… grain of salt, subject to error, and all that.] Supposedly, the bugs were meant to return as a recurring ‘Big Bad’ for the show, but the creature effects were too costly to produce on a regular basis. Although, it seems that the borg were possibly utilized as a more cost-effective to achieving a similar hive-mind-themed existential threat.  Likewise, I’ve heard it suggested that some parts of the Changeling arc in DS9 may have been inspired by this episode, but who knows. All the same, one wonders how this story might have otherwise played out if given the chance, although it may be just as well that it didn’t; I think I still prefer the borg.

Remmick’s death is pretty violent for syndicated television. I suspect that level of gore probably wouldn’t make it past most network censors today. I realize that streaming has largely circumvented those kinds of restrictions now, but exploding brain matter still isn’t exactly a common occurrence, even on the newer (and notably more graphic) Trek shows.

So, are the events of this episode a matter of public record? Just before the climax, the bug-admirals indicate that they’re not far off from achieving total control of Starfleet, implying there were many other infected officers (which would support Keel’s suspicions). Is the invasion-attempt something that’s common knowledge across Starfleet (not to mention the general public), or was this all kept hidden somehow? A conspiracy this large could reasonably be expected to set off virtually every alarm across the entire Alpha Quadrant, rousing most governing bodies/empires to a vigilant search for a compact enemy that can turn almost any humanoid into an insurgent super-soldier. I dunno man, I don’t think I’d just let this one go, personally.

[jonberry555]

MAS*H Season 1 Retro Review ALL EPISODES

I love the television show MAS*H, so I thought it would be fun if I rewatched every single episode and recorded a review of said episode. Join me today along this five year long mission as I review every episode of Season 1

[roxysretrodrive-in]

Roxy Recommends: The Cobwebs Channel

Every Sunday for the month of October, I will be highlighting a horror movie review/analysis YouTube channel with less than 100k subscribers.

Created in 2012, The Cobwebs Channel (hosted by a man named Daniel) focuses on both reviews of all types of classic movies (although he does lean towards horror more than others) and reviews of the physical releases of those movies. That way you're not only getting a movie recommendation but also a recommendation of what release to purchase.

I've only recently discovered this channel and there are PLENTY of videos to get through, but I'll highlight a handful of the ones I've watched. We'll start with his review of obscure black and white Mexican horror movies and the box set they come in.

He also makes some very specific "Best Of" type movie lists. Like this one of the top 15 best 1970's vampire movies.

As I stated above, he focuses mostly on classic movie reviews but he does review modern movies from time to time.

And if you're the type of person who loves to see other people's collections, he's got you covered there as well.

This is another channel with a ton of videos so there's plenty of stuff to keep you busy for a while. Be sure to check it out!

[popsixsquishcicerolipschitz]

Retro Review: Bozo The Worlds Most Famous Clown

[jlsoryu]

First proper post here and it's to share this video I've finally finished creating and now uploaded!

Tomb Raider 2 was one of my favs all the way back when it released. I first played it around a friends house and then got it myself and just fell in love with it.

I never did complete it tho, despite wanting to and when I started doing Youtube stuff and getting into retro gaming more, this was always high on the list of games to complete and talk about!

Hopefully you all love it as much as I enjoyed making it. Please do let me know your thoughts and such :)

[retrokid616]

so in honor of Resident Evil 4 Remake out this week i gotta ask

[lokeshbhandarimovies233]

Retro Review: Kurbaan 

Cast: - Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Om Puri, Kirron Kher, and Dia Mirza  

Director:  Rensil D’Silva  

Duration: -2 hours and 41 minutes  

Where to Watch:- Amazon Prime

 Retro Review  Kurbaan- 20 November 2024 marks the 15TH Anniversary Kurbaan  featuring Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Om Puri, Kirron Kher, and Dia Mirza in the lead roles. Directed by Rensil D Silva

 Retro Review: Kurbaan – The movie revolves around Avantika (Kareena Kapoor), a university professor, who falls in love with Ehsaan (Saif Ali Khan), an enigmatic man who eventually becomes her husband. The story takes a dark turn when Avantika discovers Ehsaan's ties to a terror group, and their relationship becomes entangled in a dangerous web of love, deceit, and ideological conflict. 

The film fearlessly tackled the sensitive subject of global terrorism, portraying the struggles of individuals caught between love and extremist ideologies. Vivek Oberoi’s role as Riyaaz, a journalist seeking revenge for personal loss, added another layer of depth to the narrative. 

Retro Review: Kurbaan -With *Kurbaan*, Rensil D’Silva debuted as a director, crafting a film that balanced human emotions with the stark reality of terrorism. The storytelling was gripping, with twists that kept audiences engaged while delivering a powerful social message. 

Performances

Retro Review: Kurbaan- Saif Ali Khan delivered a nuanced performance as Ehsaan, walking the fine line between love and fanaticism. Kareena Kapoor’s portrayal of Avantika was heartfelt, capturing her descent into a world of fear and betrayal. Vivek Oberoi provided a compelling contrast with his passionate and determined portrayal of Riyaaz. Om Puri and Kirron Kher were excellent as the terror group’s ideological anchors.  Read More

[carlocarrasco]

A Look Back at Tomb Raider #2 (2000)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised…

[theamazingstories]

RETRO REVIEW - JOHN DIES AT THE END and Other Stuff (SPOILERS)

Figure 1 – John (Rob Mayes) and David (Chase Williamson) There are so many genre (and near-genre) movies coming out every year that it’s easy to miss a good one. That’s my excuse for missing 2013’s John Dies at the End, from a book by Jason Pargin writing as David Wong. Pargin/Wong also wrote the screenplay with director Don Coscarelli. Anyway, I missed it, and I think it might end up being one…

[episodicnostalgia]

Nostalgic Extra: Halloween (adjacent) edition!

Happy Halloween, everyone!  My review for “the Hobgoblin, Part 2” Will be dropping on Monday, but in the meantime please enjoy this first ever full-page appearance of the Hobgoblin from ‘The Amazing Spider-man #238’ by John Romita’s Jr. & Sr.

Unfortunately, I was behind schedule on being born, so I missed the release of this issue by a couple years. Thankfully, not unlike my introduction to the Symbiote-suit arc, I was ultimately able to hunt down Hobgoblin’s origin via some back issues of ‘Marvel Tales’, which reprinted several Issues from Roger Stern’s critically acclaimed run.

Initially, those three issues (pictured below) left me on a tense cliffhanger for a number of years, before I was finally able to find the conclusion.  This was back in the day where reliable access to comprehensive trade paperback collections still wasn’t a thing, and Amazon was only in its infancy. You just had to accept that if you missed an issue, there might not be much you could do about it.

Naturally, I would always perform an extensive sweep of the back issue bins whenever I visited the more out of the way comic shops.  Even then, you would count yourself lucky if you found just one missing issue in a multi-chapter arc, jig sawing my collection together one found treasure at a time.

Strange to say, but I kind of miss those days. Who ever said Nostalgia was rational?

[vishnumaheshsharma]

Analysis of ‘Phool Aur Patthar’: An Effective, Old School and Classic Template of Masala and Messaging 

The purposefulness, that we witness here, is sadly making an exit from modern day mainstream writing at a rate which is both alarming and disturbing. It is this mastery of connecting each dot at an opportune point that used to make these old school screenplays very cohesive even if the film might not work in totality. The blink and miss comic moment is a visual pun as well where a humorous relief…

[jonberry555]

MAS*H: The Longjohn Flap | Season 1 Episode 19 | Retro Review

I love the television show MAS*H, so I thought it would be fun if I rewatched every single episode and recorded a review of said episode. Join me today along this five year long mission as I review the Season 1 Episode 19: The Longjohn Flap.

[floorman3]

Se7en Review-A Noir that Became A Masterpiece in Years to Come For David Fincher

David Fincher has been a director who has dabbled in a lot of different genres in his career. He started out doing music videos before getting his big break on Alien 3, which didn’t turn out so well for him back in 1992. Most people didn’t like Alien 3 that much. Still, fans and critics who felt like paying attention could see his sense of style and what he was going for in Alien 3, which would…

[frankensama]

Getting into Armored Core 2 Retrospective

In this second part, we tackle both Armored Core 2 and Another Age, and while they don't push the formula significantly, they iterate, polish and enhance their greatest elements to new heights.

[bigfoto593]

👽🤡☠️💀