If you all are as big a bunch of nerds as I am, I recommend Marc Cushman's "These Are the Voyages." Incredible detail on every episode of ST TOS www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...

And while I'm taking apart bad ST:TOS, we all enjoy the humor of "Piece of the Action," but, um, the Iotians learned to talk like Chicago mooks from reading *one book*? If the USS Horizon had left a library of vids, etc, sure, but...all this from a book?

I'd argue that "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" is an excellent episode. Yes, it's heavy-handed - this was the 60s, after all - and Spock not noticing which side of Bele's face is which is a blooper - but Gorshin really saves it.

It's here at 19:14: "If they refuse to move out on cue, SCREW THEM" www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPC-...

There's a great outtake from this episode, where the centurion says: "And if they move, SCREW THEM"

Admired Kate Mulgrew. Tapped out at the onboard rebel and the holographic doctor.

The one thing I *did* like about TNG was that the Federation finally figures out "away teams," and that you should not beam your entire senior command into dangerous situations and leave Sulu or Chekhov in charge when the top brass all get turned into Thralls.

Yeah, that's in "Who Mourns for Adonais" and it's a wince-inducing line in a Federation of hundreds of planets "Mankind has no need for gods. We find the one quite adequate." We? Not even true on Earth, Jim.

I knew I'd have a problem with TNG the minute I saw the set. It was like a talk show set on a starship. It's a fargin' heavy cruiser, with a full compliment of ass-kicking weapons. Put the barcaloungers away, get the kids to a star base, and fire Wesley from an airlock.

AND WHY WOULD THE PEACEFUL FEDERATION NEED A GENERAL ORDER 24 Ahem. Sorry. But this kind, egalitarian Federation has a "wipe out the planet" option? For what? In case the Halkans won't hand over their dilithium?

I admit I never gave DS9 a fair shot, because when Sisko's teen son showed up, I tuned out. I'd have enough of Wesley Crusher and children on the TNG Enterprise, which is why I liked "Enterprise" and "Strange New Worlds." No kids or family drama, please.

Let us now rip apart some ST:TOS episodes that we might love, but deserve it. "Bread and Circuses," as @fpriorbis.bsky.social and I always point out, is so stupid on so many levels. Another planet is so perfectly parallel to Earth that it developes a Roman Empire. Ah, no. /1

I reach! The rest of you are Herberts

I am reviled among TNG fans for not particularly loving TNG. ("Captain, I am sensing negative emotions from Tom." Yeah, shut up.) But I forgave a lot for "Yesterday's Enterprise" and "First Contact" is a very good ST movie on its own.

Okay, but my top four remain, and "Balance of Terror" is always first. Space Seed and Doomsday Machine can tie for fifth. Those of you who argue for "Taste of Armageddon" in the top five are cracked. LOTS of problems in that one, including Kirk's insane risk and a General Order that has no sense.

When I'm thinking top 10, I'm more and more thinking "Who Mourns for Adonais" should be in it, marred only by older Scotty creeping on the young Lt. But the ending: "I...wish we hadn't had to do that."

I...am not a *huge* fan of City of on the Edge of Forever. I love the dilemma, and the ending, but generally thought it was kind of slow, and Joan Collins's Edith was a smidge too precious for me. But that ending...yeah. "He knows, Doctor." and "Let's get the hell out of here."

> @theatlantic.com www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...

The drugs are yummy.

Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.

"Zelensky said that Russia and the United States were discussing bilateral economic agreements worth some $12 trillion, including deals that would affect Ukraine" (Note: there are not $12 trillion worth of deals to be done in Russia) www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

"When there's nothing left, you bust the joint out. You light a match."

I’ll take it

Started watching Fallout today only because of this post. And my trust has been rewarded.

Lynn just wanted to play a nice game of Scrabble on her birthday on a snowy afternoon but someone else had other ideas

I got told many times that I looked like Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate, and it used to piss my mother off because she thought I was better looking than Hoffman

#AT40 I'm gonna regret this, but this is my 1977 hair.

#AT40 It's lovely, it's about New England, we sang it at the top our lungs after too many beers and sloe gin fizzes (for the girls) and I once sent the sheet music to a girl as a romantic thing, and if you don't like this song, you're not my friend.

#AT40 A few years ago, I saw him do the entire album start to finish in concert here in Rhode Island. Flawless. (His backing band is The Empty Pockets," they're very good.)

#AT40 Look, I have defended the Bee Gees, including their disco phase, but this is indefensible

#AT40 I think we shouldn't judge anyone's 1977 hair

Made it home just ahead of the snow band that's gonna drop another half a foot of snow here

#AT40 1977! I was 16 and running with the high school seniors, which was a bad idea, but a lot of fun.

A little birthday excursion to Jamestown for the birthday girl

Snow day

I’d include the doomsday machine, but I am not a fan of the Tholian Web

If ranking off the top of my head, "Balance of Terror" is always first, but in no order I'd include Enemy Within, Space Seed, The Enterprise Incident, and Mirror Mirror

I don’t think Vance is a true believer and so I believe there’s a place inside him left that still feels this shame and hurt. That some part of him knows that he sold every last inch of his soul he could sell. That he crossed every line of decency and dignity in hope of reward. And this is reward.

most recent email i have received is a guy who told me i should be lynched. looked him up and he is a 68/69-year-old retiree in phoenix who doesn't appear to be married or have children. his facebook page is nothing but reposted memes and AI slop and he used to post a lot on gun forums

This is one of the five best episodes of the original series. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Space travel: the year, 1997

It's like Groundhog Day: Fascism Edition around here

I see it's "fascism Friday" in Tom's feed, right on schedule.

“Akin” doing a lot of lifting here but no thank you

I have long said that we are fighting an authoritarian government. Interesting that we’re moving the goalposts back away from “fascism” however.

Just listen to my grandmother and you never go wrong

Easy to agree with Elie here. I don't think an "elections czar" will do it, but every state-level official who cares about democracy - and a battalion of lawyers - better buckle up for what's coming.

Alright, friends, it’s time! Make plans now to join us on March 26 in the Montante Cultural Center at Canisius University for this year’s installment of the Fitzpatrick Lecture Series when Tom Nichols joins us for an important and timely conversation. I look forward to seeing you there.

Pro tip to House reporters: Print this out and have with you BEFORE you interview Mike Johnson later today.

President Trump posted a video including imagery depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes.