Half a Life

Dr. Timicin’s attempt to save his planet’s dying star has failed. Now, he has to kill himself. That has nothing to do with the failed science experiment. It’s just his time. You see, Timicin is turning 60. On his planet, that means a tiny taste of armageddon for the birthday boy or girl. But Timicin still has work to do. Plus, he’s fallen in love. Will he go gentle into that good night? Find out when we put Half a Life in the Mission Log. In watching this, you realize just how good of an actress Majel Barrett Roddenberry was. I am glad they fleshed her out…thought the crying was a bit forced though, but I really enjoyed her performance. The rest of her appearances were underwhelming imo. An exploding star has the same mass (with respect to anything outside the expanding shell of its debris) as the star itself. Mass-wise, a star wouldn’t have any significant impact on anything outside of its solar system. it’s also a ship! lol and I think a race of aliens from TOS? or were they the Kelvans? hmmmm When she says “that’s your Prime Directive, not mine”. Betazed is a member of the Federation, correct? Would that not mean that the Prime Directive applies to her as well as a Federation ambassador? Also, they were invited. I know the Prime Directive is somewhat like the transporter in that it has different rules when the story demands, but, they are directly intervening on behalf of this civilization. “Your star is burning out and you don’t have the tech to go find a test one yourself? Sorry dude: Prime Directive”. Even granting asylum would technically violate the Prime Directive because Timicin himself (and the prime minister of the planet and “Ro” Timicin all state it would be a planet-wide societal scandal for him to skip his death). So, it actually seems like Picard only appeals to the Prime Directive in the case of Timicin initially because it suits his purposes. I take it that the Prime Directive does not apply to warp capable, non aligned planets. In S3 “The High Ground”- terrorist episode, Picard says regarding Rutia III, “Although not aligned they have enjoyed a long trading relationship”- or something to that effect. But there is still some measure of non interference philosophy of the Federation, like when in an upcoming, (ahem, cough cough) “issue” arises within the Klingon Empire. Well, to be fair, her interpretation of the Prime Directive probably came from years of studying Kirk. Hahahahahahah! She would have definitely tried to make some green memories w/him! regeekery-JD :thanks for your kind words and thoughts. Sadly, it is better to knock out the legal stuff now, while they can verbalize their wishes. Living trust, medical wishes, advance directive, power of attorney. Not fun, but seriously the best thing my Dad ever could have done for us. Cherish moments and times w your folks. There are little trinkets around the home that may not be special to you at this moment, but when they are gone, will take on special meaning…I’m talking about spatulas, scribbled notes, fruit from the garden. You can never be fully prepared but the legal stuff will help immensely. Be well. I also, think a disaster or calamity or war could have easily influenced Kaelon II to such drastic measures, so we should not judge them too harshly. Hurricane Katrina- nursing home losses… Let’s remember, Terri Schiavo case in 2004, which was sad sad sad, but happens much more often than we know. Families arguing over end of life matters regarding a loved one… Think about the average human lifespan 1500 yrs ago. 60 would’ve been quite old. It was probably not an arbitrary decision that brought them to this age for their “resolution”. Unfortunately, stubborn adherence to this “ideal” has clouded the collective judgment as a species. Their own short-sightedness will be their undoing. Timicin [root name: “time”?, numerology = 6 (short for 60?)], likewise cannot simply change 15 centuries of dogma on a wild weekend – lest his society ends up li