I used this clip in my discussion sections of Introduction to Music and Film Sound this morning. Watching them struggle with making their arguments about what’s happening in the clip was really interesting. Many focused on diegetic vs. nondiegetic. Some of them tried to argue one way or another, and some couldn’t. The point being … you can make an argument for neither/both in this clip. As long as you qualify your argument and make your point clearly and meaningfully we will be happy! I also made the point to them that they can talk about expectations caused by convention, and discuss how this clip subverts them. When “Cupid” starts playing, it’s safe to assume that there is an audio advance going on. But as soon as she looks up and starts singing you retroactively realize there wasn’t an advance, and that some kind of audio dissolve occurred. Or maybe the subverted audio advance was itself a dissolve? I don’t even know. But it made for interesting discussion in class today.

Also, this clip is cool because it has what I consider a “visual audiodissolve.” When Ripley stops singing as he sees the pin, we’re given a visual indication that the song has dissolved out and the performance is ending. Very cool. “The Boy With a Thorn in His Side” does the same thing at the beginning. When the dancers start moving in the background we’re given a visual clue that a performance is about to begin. They could have easily used the song just as underscoring, and again, convention let’s us feel safe about that assumption, but the dancers indicate that it is a performance and not underscoring or an audio advance.

Sometimes I feel like complicated examples are easier to use in discussion than straightforward ones. Well, at least they’re more interesting.

Matt Smith, the Eleventh Doctor

Don’t you just want to hug him?

Matt Smith and Teh Moff

Is it Moff Tiem now?
ALMOST! squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I’ve been a big fan of yours for, well, for as long as I can remember. My late night routine was Letterman and then flipping over to your Late Night show. I remember you going off air while you moved to LA and being SO SAD that I had to wait until June. And how we have to wait again … until September! And who knows where you’ll be!

You’ve gotta find a way to come back to us, Conan. Maybe a free webcast of you just doing zany, goofy stuff? On YouTube or something? They’ll let you do that, right?

I feel like I’ve grown up with you, so it’s very strange to not have you around on TV. I guess I’ll have to try to fill the void by watching old Late Night clips online.

Come back soon. I miss you.

Love,
ek

–audio
… pretty much what is listed above

–knitting
Not much, busy with Star Trek

–spinning
Again, not much, busy with Star Trek

–other stuff
Did I mention that I’m working on an article about Star Trek?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHWxtURGECo]

I suppose I’m on an I LOVE SCRUBS kick right now. I admit that I’m getting a bit nostalgic as the series comes to a close. I’ve been really happy with season 8, particularly THE RETURN OF THE TOTALLY GORGEOUS SCOTT FOLEY. omg. His eyes are just … *ahem* anyway. I also really love The Blanks and Sam Lloyd’s voice. And their covers of pop tunes. Oh yes, there is an article on the music of Scrubs already in the works. I’ll be finishing it up this summer hopefully. I love genre blurring. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

–-audio
M.I.A. – Kala
M.I.A. – Arular
The Shins – Shoots Too Narrow
Alkaline Trio – Goddamnit
The Killers – Day & Age
The Submarines – Honeysuckle Weeks
Interpol – Antics

–-knitting
Lemongrass Cardigan (65%)
Lace Ribbon Scarf (60%)
Favorite new designer: Rebecca Danger

–spinning
Ashford Kiwi has arrived, it’ll be finished and assembled tomorrow *glee*

–-research
Music and Irony in Star Trek (1966-69)

–tv
Star Trek: The Next Generation
The Daily Show
The Colbert Report

–music
Asobi Seksu (live! @ SXSW)
Cursive (live! @ SXSW)

–knitting
Lemongrass Cardigan (40%)
Lace Ribbon Scarf (55%)

–spinning
~400 yds

–research
Topics, Tropes, and Musical Idioms in Star Trek (1966–69)
analysis of George Crumb’s Ancient Voices of Children, no. 2, “Me he perdido muchas veces por el mar”

–big stuff
SXSW this week in Austin, pra fun
ordered an Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel
relaxed a bit too much during Spring Break, am now regretting the lack of school work I did
hit 10 hours on Wii Fit; time piggy bank turned golden!

1. The City on the Edge of Forever
S1E28, Originally aired April 6th, 1967
Written by Harlan Ellison; Directed by Joseph Pevney

Captain’s log, supplemental entry. Two drops of cordrazine can save a man’s life, a hundred times that amount has just accidentally been pumped into Dr. McCoy’s body. In a strange, wild frenzy, he has fled the ship’s bridge. All connecting decks have been placed on alert. We have no way of knowing if the madness is permanent or temporary, or in what direction it will drive McCoy.

Star Trek, "The City on the Edge of Forever"

Who didn’t see this coming? This is an absolutely incredible episode, and it deserves all of the praise it has received over the years since it’s first airing. The script is incredible, the acting is terrific (particularly Shatner, this is quite possibly his best acting ever), and the story has a great mix of comedy and tragedy.

I immediately knew I loved this episode when Kirk and Spock have their encounter with a 1930s police officer. It’s absolutely hilarious. When you watch a show like Star Trek it’s so easy to feel comfortable with the characters and their surroundings. Seeming them as powerless, as fishes out of water, makes them that much easier to relate to and somehow seem more “real.” Once you see them here, and see that they are infallible in a way yet to be explored by TOS, you really just love Kirk and Spock.

Edith Keeler and Jim Kirk

Time travel is always a tricky issue. I’m a huge fan of Doctor Who (as you’ll note if you know me and/or my research) so I deal with time travel and canon in tv quite regularly. What happens when you travel into the past? What changes? The implications and ramifications of time travel are mind boggling and so so cool to think about. The fact that this one person, Edith Keeler, is so instrumental seems totally far-fetched. But the ramifications of her life, or death, makes the story so compelling. Throw in Kirk, a lonely and love-starved star ship captain (a character trait little explored in TOS during the first season, but something famously exploited in the remainder of the show), and you know you’re in for a ride. A tragic, angsty, ride.

Please, please go watch this episode. Right now.

2. Journey to Babel
S2E15, Originally aired November 17th, 1967
Written by D.C. Fontana; Directed by Joseph Pevney

Captain’s log, stardate 3842.3. We have departed Vulcan for the neutral planetoid code-named Babel. Since it is in our sector, the Enterprise has been assigned to transport ambassadors of Federation planets to this vitally important council. The issues of the council are politically complex, the passengers… explosive.

Star Trek, "Journey to Babel"

This is an entirely ship-based story, where the Enterprise is transporting a group of agitated diplomats to a conference regarding the inclusion of a planet into the Federation. Here we get our first glimpse of Spock’s family and a taste of the conflict between his human and Vulcan halves. This episode is also a predessor to the narratives of TNG, with all of the Federation politics, dignitaries, etc. that Picard often dealt with. This is their first go-around, though, and we get a taste of intergalactic peace-keeping Kirk-style.

Spock's Mother, Amanda

I admit a certain fascination with Spock’s parents, particularly his father, Sarek. How does a Vulcan decide that a human is the most logical mate? Perhaps that line towards the end was one of those “married couple jokes,” but I really do wonder how a Vulcan would come to that conclusion. Or how Vulcans decide on mates in general. But there really are more important things I should spend my time pondering.

Shras Endilev

I also really enjoy how Kirk has to trick Spock into giving up command. Spock’s loyalty to his duty as 1st Officer were so strong that he was going to let his dad die. Not cool, Spock, not cool. He’s an ambassador! Although they were in a tricky situation. Such a toss up. Good thing Kirk is so strong willed and able to pretend he’s not in excruciating pain while suffering from a punctured lung. Way to go, captain! Also, did I mention that Spock essentially blamed his father for killing Gav? Sometimes the logical, Vulcan way isn’t the right way. Oh well!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the best Star Trek episode of all time!