From: kanamori@Xenon.Stanford.EDU (Atsushi Kanamori)
Subject: Re: Cinefantastique October 92: Are you kidding?!
Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University.
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 04:04:00 GMT

In article <36825@uflorida.cis.ufl.edu> tmfm writes:
>Why, of course there's interest! I would like to read more of that. Would
>you mind posting some more info (with a spoiler warning)? Thanks!

Some things that stuck in my mind:

  * "Power Play" was intended to be a budget-saving episode, a la
    "Shades of Gray." Somehow, it mushroomed into being the most
    *expensive* show of the season (without a corresponding increase
    in content, though.) The head honcho was rather angry about this.

  * Rick Berman had a few words to say regarding "B-stories" (better
    known on r.a.s. as the infamous Tacked-On-Danger subplots.) The
    inclusion of these stories are mandated by him: expect to keep
    seeing them. According to Berman, they need them to "drive the
    story."

  * Speaking of "B-stories", the staff admit to receiving a "lot of
    negative reaction" to "New Ground" and Alexander's presence
    in general. They're holding a "we're right" stand on this, of
    course, but they sound more defensive, than proud, of this aspect 
    of the show.

  * On the other hand, they show little reluctance to praise
    "The Outcast" and "Cost of Living". Gurrgh.

  * Shows that *did* get bashed by the TNG staff were "The Masterpiece 
    Society" and "Imaginary Friend." Fine, no argument *at all* on the latter, 
    but "TMS?". "I, Borg" received mixed reactions: Frakes, e.g., thought 
    it was icky-sentimental.

  * In a segment regarding the Sela Scandal, Michael Dorn wags
    "We couldn't get the same actor to come back and play Alexander
    so Denise Crosby will play him next season." (oh well, I got
    my hopes up for a nano-second there.)

  * Mark Altman comes out with 26 more episode reviews, and as
    before, I alternate between enjoying "camaraderie in the minority"
    and swooning in horror :-) Altman seems to have caught the
    "Cause & Effect" syndrome, incidentally (3's here, 3's there,
    3's everywhere.)

  * Speaking of "C & E", I was curious as to why director Frakes
    "didn't have nice things to say about it." I didn't find out here
    either. Oh well.

  * Those wondering how TNG could have possibly picked the three worst
    composers in Hollywood need wonder no longer: the blandness of the
    music *is* a producer-decision, not a composer decision (and
    much of this started from season 2, which explains why the quality
    of the music in season 1 was so much better than the rest of the
    show's run.) In particular, Ron Jones ("11001001", "Booby Trap",
    "BOBW1", etc.) was fired late in season 4 because he kept
    ignoring the management's rules and restrictions (and hence,
    consistently outscored McCarthy and Chattaway (IMO)).

  * TNG's script supply was almost completely depleted at the end
    of season 4, forcing them to scramble to get this season going.
    Gee... I couldn't tell (;-)

  * I didn't pay much attention to the DS9 part of it -- anyway,
    it seems clear now that its information was outdated. In particular,
    you won't be seeing Ro Laren on the new show.



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Kanamori's Episode Ratings: (last episode rated: "Time's Arrow")
  "This season began with a turkey. I'm simply trying to see 
   that it doesn't end that way." -- fictitious Paramount writer