Overall this was a good episode. It was too bad that only redshirts were left behind.
Okay now to the substance of my post. This episode was billed as an examination of faith, however I felt let down.
I liked that this episode featured an apparently artificial planet and star system. This continues the theme that was introduced from the beginning of the franchise with the movie. That is, What measure is a god? A sufficiently advanced alien? A being of energy and transcendental knowledge? The ability to mold and shape worlds?
I like this theme and and the questions it brings up. I do not however like the actions of the characters protrayed in this episode which is suggested to be faith.
The Destiny is brought out of FTL by an artificial star orbited by a seemingly idylic planet. This planet not only provides much needed supplies, but presents an alternative to life on Destiny while providing the people on destiny a much needed opportunity to perform much needed repairs and the opportunity to access greater areas of the ship.
From this circumstance, and without and further evidence, some of the crew members decide that an advanced entity specificly created the star system for their benefit, and that if they hang around long enough this same entity will show up and help them return home.
In other words, they made up a story to explain their situation and decided that it was good enough to believe in, and risk their lives on. I wold have liked a little bit more complexity and nuance.
TJ's case is good. She wants to stay on the planet becuase it offers a better quality of life than on Destiny. I wold have liked to have seen this position shared by others. Why did no one on the ship offer this argument? You do not have the "believe" in order to make a rational decision that staying on the planet is the better alternative.
Concerning faith. Instead of an entirely made up explaination, I would have like to see some evidence that this or some other reason was the correct explanation -- Especially if it was only one person who had the experience. I mean, it would have been interesting if someone, or a small group of people while off by themselves saw or interacted with the glowy form of an ascended being; Or, some while trying to figure out the mystery of the obelisk had the strong impression that the planet was meant to be their lifeline.
It would have been a much greater examination of faith, if instead of trying to believe in a fantasy, the people had to consider whether to believe someone whose evidence could not be shared.
Okay now to the substance of my post. This episode was billed as an examination of faith, however I felt let down.
I liked that this episode featured an apparently artificial planet and star system. This continues the theme that was introduced from the beginning of the franchise with the movie. That is, What measure is a god? A sufficiently advanced alien? A being of energy and transcendental knowledge? The ability to mold and shape worlds?
I like this theme and and the questions it brings up. I do not however like the actions of the characters protrayed in this episode which is suggested to be faith.
The Destiny is brought out of FTL by an artificial star orbited by a seemingly idylic planet. This planet not only provides much needed supplies, but presents an alternative to life on Destiny while providing the people on destiny a much needed opportunity to perform much needed repairs and the opportunity to access greater areas of the ship.
From this circumstance, and without and further evidence, some of the crew members decide that an advanced entity specificly created the star system for their benefit, and that if they hang around long enough this same entity will show up and help them return home.
In other words, they made up a story to explain their situation and decided that it was good enough to believe in, and risk their lives on. I wold have liked a little bit more complexity and nuance.
TJ's case is good. She wants to stay on the planet becuase it offers a better quality of life than on Destiny. I wold have liked to have seen this position shared by others. Why did no one on the ship offer this argument? You do not have the "believe" in order to make a rational decision that staying on the planet is the better alternative.
Concerning faith. Instead of an entirely made up explaination, I would have like to see some evidence that this or some other reason was the correct explanation -- Especially if it was only one person who had the experience. I mean, it would have been interesting if someone, or a small group of people while off by themselves saw or interacted with the glowy form of an ascended being; Or, some while trying to figure out the mystery of the obelisk had the strong impression that the planet was meant to be their lifeline.
It would have been a much greater examination of faith, if instead of trying to believe in a fantasy, the people had to consider whether to believe someone whose evidence could not be shared.
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