[goldstategop]

This is the synopsis from the Star Trek site. OK, let's have a debate - not about the Federation v the Romulans but about present day reality. Now much do you think the movie foreshadows America's impending conflict with its Iraqi nemesis? For once no movie has been so eerily titled as this one. Star Trek aways seems in the headlines and the last one about peace with the Klingons, The Undiscovered Country seemed to coincide with the collapse of the Soviet Union as it was being shown in theaters across America. So is Saddam a chilling nemesis with a deadly plot in mind to require immediate action against him? We shall see.

[One_who_hopes_to_know]

Oh Golly, I am sooooo glad you called for this debate. Like, it is so relevant to what is happening in the "real" world now isn't it. Like, I know it's just a movie, but like, it hits sooooo close to home.

You are so right on about The Undiscovered Country !!!! I mean it is like, the director(s) (was it the same one for both movies??) just knew what was happening in the "real" world and like, he/she/they(?) made a Star Trek plot line that just like fit so well!!

Like, I want to debate this soooo much, but like my friend Heather and I are like, going to the mall, and like I may not be back to post for like ages! .... later dude.

[Wolfie]

Bush has a (spoiler deleted)?

[Gurn]

James T. Kirk: "There's just one thing I'd like to say to you people: Get a life. You've taken something I did -- on a lark, for three years -- and let it consume you. Look at you [pointing to the Trek Conventioneer with Spock ears]. You're must be 30 years old. Have you ever kissed a girl?"

[strela]

OK, let's have a debate - not about the Federation v the Romulans but about present day reality. Now much do you think the movie foreshadows America's impending conflict with its Iraqi nemesis?

Dunno - I haven't seen it yet. I will tonight though.

So is Saddam a chilling nemesis with a deadly plot in mind to require immediate action against him?

Well, if the performance of his vaunted "Republican Guard" back during Storm holds any portent in this case, Saddam is a Potemkin village and/or a Romulan holding a disruptor with a dead power cell. While I believe he's working as hard as he can to acquire WMD and might have acquired some of the necessary bits and pieces, I find it hard to believe that he has any in a form that could be used directly against the United States with lethal effect. Yet.

In the case of home-brew nukes, he would surely have tested one by now if he had any at all - his vaingloriousness would have demanded it.

In the modern-day soap opera of Star Trek, the Romulans are cousins of the race of creatures known as Vulcans. While Vulcans are coolly logical and can be good friends to humanity, Romulans wield whatever logic they possess through an almost satanic filter of plotting, scheming, and political intrigue. Referring to Saddam as a Romulan, in my opinion, gives him way too much credit. Call him a rogue Klingon general who has a h***-on for the Federation and call me out of here for today.

[SpinyNorman]

Give me some photon torpedoes and a few good men, and I will get kalifar all over Sadddam's ass!

[A2J]

While I have not seen the movie yet, your post has me thinking about the possible parallels with the Iraqi situation.

Could it be that Bush (Picard) in attempting to reach out to the Arab countries (Romulans), long-time, misunderstood enemies, in an apparent gesture of peace, is encountered by an evil Saddam (Picard's clone) who is bent on destroying his alter ego?

Or maybe not.

Star Trek has consistently taken on real-life issues in their various series, most with a liberal slant. This may be another of those slants that may paint the U.S. (The Federation) as having the same intent (war) as Saddam.

[KellyAdmirer]

I wish Saddam would go hop a ride on a spaceship and vent his wrath on the 23rd century and leave us alone.

[The Iguana]

Some of the early reviews on this movie are brutal.

Hope they're wrong.

[badfreeper]

Just saw the movie. Definite parallels. A psychotic madman bent on domination and destruction. A massive weapon that can cause devastation. And while the good guys always win in these movies, there were some plot twists and unexpected surprises, much like in the war to come.

I'm about to post a thread (with spoilers) in GI if anyone's interested, unless someone's beaten me to it.

[1redshirt]

He's dead Jim.

It's dangerous being the only "Redshirt"

[Willie Green]

OK, let's have a debate - not about the Federation v the Romulans but about present day reality.

OK.

Reality is that Brent Spiner is aging, and even Hollywood cosmetics won't be able to hide Data's wrinkles.
Time for the Trek movies and ditch Next Gen for Voyager. Gotta capitalize a little more from 7-of-9 before she begins to suffer the same fate.
By that time, the Trek Movies will be ready for "Enterprise". The Vulcan babe is HOT!
(Skip right over DS9, the babes on that one were mostly forgettable.)

[Junior]

Just once I'd like to see those insufferable Federation commies get their comeuppance.

[Liberal Classic]

Capt. Amazing: ``Well, we've always been each other's greatest nemesises... nemesi... What's the plural on that?''

Casanova Frankenstein: ``Nemeses.''

Capt. Amazing: ``Whatever.''

[steve-b]

A followup: In a TrekWeb interview, Rick Berman says that he doesn't understand why Nemesis tanked. It's the saddest thing since I heard John Travolta declare his intention to make a sequel to Battlefield: Earth.