W_L

Well, just be glad they didn't go Chris Carter's route with the X-Files: 1. End the show by killing or possibly killing (cigarette smoking man) from helicopter attack, FBI agents get hauled off, Mulder and scully on the run, and the X-Files locked away. 2. Then rehash it with a Monster of the Week movie that alienated most of your fan base in 2008. X-Files: I want to believe made me not want to watch. 3. Then, redo a short lived "zero answer" series on Fox in 2015 Basically, some shows deserve to die without real answers if what we get in trying to answer them is garbage. Some shows had really good ideas that were too ambitious for their own time, like Battlestar Galactica, which got a revamp in 2000's with Ron Moore of Star Trek, actually giving fans an ending (we're all actually Cylons it turns out, by your command). Or for those that remember 90's TV, Alien nation was an awesome series featuring alien culture in contemporary America with the Aliens being multi-sexual and openly displaying homosexuality (probably was too out there for 1990's senses as protest fired against Fox, but hey I'd do a reboot now) Other shows had great writing and high concept, but in the end they got bounced by some exec looking for more after the initial ratings, like Firefly. Joss Whedon could have done so much with that show. Or, a more recent show, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles was a great show with promise, but again got killed. Lastly, The 4400, was shot down with s many open questions, who were the uture factions manipulating our present with superpowered humans, what's going to happen to Maya, did the guy teleport downtown (for non-geeks The 4400 preceded Heroes, so Hiro actually was not the first live action teleporter). Scifi shows on my list that got ended too soon: Original Battlestar Galactica Alien Nation Frefly Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles The 4400 Non-Sci fi shows also possess interesting mysteries too that never got resolved. My favorite 1990's show with a sinister mystery plot was the Pretender, great show and ended with a runaway train of unanswered questions: Who is Jarod? Who Killed Miss Parker's Mother? Is Mr Parker hiding a deeper secret? Why did he shoot Raines? How many more pretenders are there? Why is the Triumvirate an African illuminati-esque figure? How many more paternity, fraternity, or whatever you call it plot can they keep up? Were they entering Sci-fi territory by introducing psi abilities? The followup movies just made it worse and added yet another layer of story with a Raider of Lost Ark storyline that made me wonder if Jarod is even really supposed to be something else entirely. Fan's of that old series have speculated for years on those and other mysteries from the show. Personally, I rationalized the answer simply as Jarod is actually the reincarnation of a certain carpenter, teacher, savior guy I am not naming due to religious context. It makes sense with why he seeks to help people, his inhuman intellect, and the mysterious prophecy that is protected by Monks about him.

There are many shows with mysteries left with their abrupt cancellation, which show mystery still holds your interest even today?

I blame Pagey for this one: Declan Galbraith does danny boy

Happy Birthday Matt! :D

Happy Birthday Krista :D

Well, A-Tracks went away when people realized CD's were cheap and plentiful, then the CD got killed with MP3 players and Napster, and now we are in the age of Streaming. Technically, those websites are not the dark web, it's still part of the Light side of the Web, sort of like Han Solo shooting first or Luke kissing his own sister (I love Star Wars too, but since this is a Trek thread, someone has to make a few digs at Star Wars) The story outline looks decent and I like Fuller's work (Hannibal was awesome for a sociopathic homoerotic cannibal, glad he went off the cliff with his beloved Try binge-ing that show you will be pleasantly surprised and hungry at the end of Season 1) Borg + Time Travel = Dead plot after First Contact and Star Trek Voyager, plus "cough" Enterprise "cough" ST: Discovery is a good new beginning, maybe we will get to meet old friends again, I wouldn't mind seeing a cameo from Michael Dorn aka Worf as his ancestor and even a little more backstory on the Forehead ridges. I only consider Enterprise Star Trek under Manny Coto, he at least gave us in-universe explanation for the Klingon problem and it opens up some deep wounds for Federation and Klingons that would escalate to full scale war in TOS. There's some good complex story lines there, not to mention Romulans are still skulking around trying to do re-unification, Big Lizards called the Gorn (please do prosethetics no CGI, I'd even accept another Godzilla suit), and of course we still have new intros for species like the Omni-sexual Trill (Dax had girlfriends, boyfriends, and everything else in between, I'd love to see the 23rd century incarnation prior to Curzon). Yes, I know I am geek or a Gayk, but still, I love Science fiction.

Well, international member of Netflix will get for free with their subscription, only US viewers hve to "Pay Per View". I'd rather CBS license it completely and make this a Netflix exclusive series like Daredevil or House of Cards, I like both shows and it works on a streaming platform. Basic channels and Cable are limited due to commercials and ads, streaming video let's show-runner's explore their stories without "a word from Peyton Manning about his chicken Parm sandwich and Nationwide " I guess I am part of the Binge-ing generation, we absorb pop culture and TV shows like sponges over a weekend from Vikings to American horror story (I stopped after Freak show) through Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu, if Tivo doesn't have it recorded.

I think you are fine Greg: Technically, you made the resolution not to make a resolution before you made the resolution. Thus, you have not broken your resolution Now, I am off to solve the question of the Chicken or the Egg, (the answer is the dinosaur with feathers)

Get Ready for the Final Frontier Star Trek is coming back on streaming video in 2017 and it's bringing in new characters, a new story arc set in the Klingon War prior to TOS. It's a vaguely referenced piece of Canon, but it is Canon, Fuller picked a good starting point for a 5 year mission. This period was referenced in Trouble With Tribbles on the disputed K-7 stations being a battle for Fed/Klingons in 2240's, in Star Trek VI the undiscovered country Spock referenced "an end to nearly 70 years of conflict" which was in late 23rd century so I'd estimate around this period as well. I'd prefer the lost era of the late 23rd and early 24th Centuries with the Cardassian war and Tomad Incident with the Romulans, but I will settle for early/mid 23rd century. Yes, I am Trekkie. What I hope for this series: 1. Wohoo, we have a main gay character! "Please CBS don't make him too campy " I know he's supposed to be a scientist, but I don't want Dr. Smith clone. 2. Black Female Lead, Wohoo! It's about time, Kate Mulgrew was an okay Captain Janeway, but she was bland as the Idaho farm she lived on. I hope this character has a bit more aggression like Sisko and complex personality like Kira with some tact of Riker and just a pinch of Spock's cold hand. 3. An Arc based story, wohoo! I love this kind of storytelling, I employ it as well and I know mainstream Science fiction has seen its use rise along with conventional mediums. It worked well for Babylon 5 to set up a multi-year storyline like this. DS9 also had a good run of episodes during its war arcs. 4. Please for Trek's Sake, less Time Travel if you can manage it, Star Trek Fans love the storyline, but hate how gimmicky Time Travel imploded on Enterprise as a bad anachronistic concept. If it is needed, make it appropriate for the show. 5. No Borg = smartest move you can make

2016 has already created great changes in process, I am waiting to see what grows from the ground in 2017, so it is both known and new.

@aditus, oh my! the Vegetarian/Vegan crowd is taking over, soon we'll be stuck with Tofurkey @Valk and Mikie, sounds like you both got what I had, a company lunch/party. I don't get bonuses due to being Salaried and technically in management (Middle Management sucks and we don't get as many perks as employees or senior management). So the turkey gift basket is now as defunct as many other holiday classics like Caroling.

I was watching A Christmas Carol on my red Eye back from Vegas and the thought occurred to me. It wasn't so long ago, when employers would give their employees a turkey every Christmas in appreciation of their work, and to ward off the Ghost of Christmas Future The IRS even has a special provision in Publication 525 that indicates gifts of Turkeys, Hams, or other food during Christmas or Holidays would not b considered taxable income. Whatever happened to that nice Holiday practice? Has America innocuously turned into a nation of Scrooges without ever thinking about it? Sure we have company Christmas parties, but I wouldn't mind getting a nice 15 lb bird with an estimated value of $10. Such a small sign from employers that you matter seems like a distant memory.

Is Love Alive? This is such a beautiful song

Musical Score of the moment:

A great American, explorer, and statesman RIP John Glenn

Ashi if you want to release your guilt, just do this: after Christmas take up wood carving and make your partner a present every day as his present with the tree. The tree's sacrifice will not be in vain and your house will be well decorates and furnished with pine smelling coat racks, spice trays, and wooden back scratchers PS: Actually, that could be a great concept/plot for a Christmas story, a guy with a gift giving problem for his partner decides to give him a small gift every day over the year made out of their Christmas tree. Do you think Hallmark will buy my story rights and make a TV movie

....and it ended with him face down in the pool as homicide detectives swarm in I'm not that bleak, but I am realistic with my relationship issues.

Thanks for the advice, it solves my 1st dilemma, but raises a second one. He's a good guy and I care a lot about him, but neither of us know if it is love or just friendship with some benefits. He does still care about his ex and wished things had gone better between them. What happened was an encounter early on in our relationship, his ex was heading off to grad school and would not be back. I learned about it later as we both opened up. I've got doubts about this relationship, a bit of envy, a bit dissatisfaction, and experiences with cheating exes who were married closeted gay men. So basically, I have a lot of doubt.

This is a new issue for me, but I think it's a good question. If I know an ex-lover wants to hang out with me, but most of our dates end up at he same destination under the covers, is opening up that can of worms worth it? On the flip side, I know my current bf still harbor feelings for his old ex and has already been open with me about their sexual experience together during that encounter. It makes me jealous, but I am accepting on this point and understand his reasons. I understand if this were a pure monogamous relationship where we madly fell in love as high school sweethearts in a Nicholas Sparks Novel or GA fiction story of the week, but real relationships aren't that simple. Everyone has baggage from past lovers, so is it cheating anymore to be with someone from your past? I wonder what is cheating? Is there a definition? Is there a line in the sand I shouldn't cross or is it a tic for tat relative terms within each relationship? Some of you are married and have been in relationships for decades, some even longer as committed partners, and others like me are still trying to figure out this thing called a "relationship". Still, there may be others who just prefers a casual one night stand as well to avoid this kind of issue.

"To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music that words make." Truman Capote

Well this is a memorable year for me, both my maternal grandfather in May and grandmother (she died last week) have passed away. We also lost some great actors: Anton Yelchin of my generation and my favorite candy man Willy Wonka aka Gene Wilder. Today, we also lost one of the greatest inventors of modern world history, who created a culinary dish that has brough a smile to many around the world: The creator of General Tso Chicken has died at 98 2016 really sucks, but we should remember all those we have lost this year.

It's that time again and this hallmark loving teddy bear has to put this song up again:

Rest in Peace! I only know Adam through chat and the occasional post on here in Lounge, didn't know this had happened until now.

Happy late Birthday Mikie