I've watched some 4th and 5th SMDM episodes recently, most of which I hadn't scene since they were re-run in the mid-90s. I saw Fred's name in the credits and began to wonder if he is the show killer a lot of people seem to believe. I'm not so sure.
I personally enjoy the 3rd season of Star Trek and feel it may be underrated. Part of this probably stems from avoiding those episodes as a teen because of all the negativity, which I bought into, and later re-discovering them, which made them seem fresh. Nevertheless, while they may be less nuanced and more heavy handed than earlier episodes, they often refine the recycled themes and scenarios brilliantly. Apparently Nichelle Nichols also defended Freiberger, saying that he was doing the absolute best he could with a show that by that point was intended to fail. Production values were not what they had been, but coffee cup lid laden walls aside, I don't feel many of these shows diminish Trek's legacy anymore than say, The Alternative Factor or The Apple.
In the case of Space 1999, that show had been mandated to change drastically in order to be salvaged. I am not a fan of the second season and find it difficult to watch, but much of that has to do with the extremely poor writing, not the production aesthetic Freiberger would have had more of a hand in.
SMDM had already written it's epitaph with the appalling 4th season. If anything, I think some of the 5th season episodes are an improvement overall.
Anyhow, I don't want to bore you guys too much with my opinions, I'd rather like to hear your take on it.
I personally enjoy the 3rd season of Star Trek and feel it may be underrated. Part of this probably stems from avoiding those episodes as a teen because of all the negativity, which I bought into, and later re-discovering them, which made them seem fresh. Nevertheless, while they may be less nuanced and more heavy handed than earlier episodes, they often refine the recycled themes and scenarios brilliantly. Apparently Nichelle Nichols also defended Freiberger, saying that he was doing the absolute best he could with a show that by that point was intended to fail. Production values were not what they had been, but coffee cup lid laden walls aside, I don't feel many of these shows diminish Trek's legacy anymore than say, The Alternative Factor or The Apple.
In the case of Space 1999, that show had been mandated to change drastically in order to be salvaged. I am not a fan of the second season and find it difficult to watch, but much of that has to do with the extremely poor writing, not the production aesthetic Freiberger would have had more of a hand in.
SMDM had already written it's epitaph with the appalling 4th season. If anything, I think some of the 5th season episodes are an improvement overall.
Anyhow, I don't want to bore you guys too much with my opinions, I'd rather like to hear your take on it.
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