An excerpt:
Chez Sandrine probably seemed like a good idea, but the stereotypes are even worse here, from the pool hustler to the Europeans who all flirt with everything that moves. It wouldn’t bother me as much if it was a re-creation of an old 20th-century bar, but this is supposed to be a 24th-century locale in Marseilles, and ugh. Watching Ricky and Sandrine paw all over Paris is just oogy.
Having said that, I can watch Janeway hustle everyone at pool all day and night.
Im sorry if this message causes offense. That’s not my intention. However, I’m very disappointed that you’re doing this rewatch. It shows poor judgment on the part of both you and Tor.com editors. To mark the 25th anniversary of the first Star Trek show led by a woman, we get… a rewatch written by a male writer who hates the show? And you created a template for your rewatch that ignores Kes, a fascinating character who is a part of the show for three seasons? With no explanation?
It’s not too late for you to graciously step aside. The show and its fans deserve better.
I don’t hate the show. I didn’t like the show 25 years ago, but part of the reason why I’m doing this rewatch is because lots of people whose opinions I respect love the show, and feel I should give it another chance. And they did so in a non-offensive manner, too. And given how long it’s been, I think the show deserves to be re-considered.
And honestly, I’ve got detailed reviews of episodes of six of the eight extant Trek series, it seems silly to not do the other two (so yes, this probably means an Enterprise rewatch starting in 2022……).
I didn’t “ignore” Kes, I just didn’t include a category for her. I also didn’t include categories for Jim Kirk, Julian Bashir, Miles O’Brien, William Riker, or Jean-Luc Picard.