Tuesday: No

Dinner was the same as yesterday, so I'm keeping with the plan. Yay! It also seems that I have enough salad stuff for another day, so tomorrow is likely to be the same as well.  The dressing wasn't as good as it was yesterday, most likely due to the proportions being different.  I guess not measuring anything is sometimes not good.

Now to more serious issues: those two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Data pretends to be Sherlock Holmes.  The main concept is that Geordi asks the computer to come up with a Sherlock Holmes puzzle to defeat Data.  The computer then creates a sentient Moriarty to be the villain, and trouble hits the entire ship.



The first big problem is that Moriarty is sentient and notices the real people when they call for the computer to make the program sufficiently difficult.  Therefore, the whole idea that this is Geordi's fault because he asked for a villain to defeat Data is wrong, because Moriarty already knows what's going on.

The second problem is that Data immediately recognizes Moriarty through a misty street, despite never seeing him before.  I don't believe the description in the books is sufficient to uniquely identify someone.

Third, Moriarty just drew a picture of the Enterprise, causing Data to freak out. He runs out of the holodeck with Geordi, and then shows him the picture. Geordi then flips it vertically to show the camera, revealing the upright Enterprise. This means Data showed Geordi an upside down Enterprise.

Fourth, there are no security protocols or anything to prevent this shit?

Fifth, can't they just shut down the power to the holodeck? I mean, don't they have circuit breakers in the future?

Ok, no more numbering.

• "Mr. Computer"? Seriously, Moriarty? The female voice responding to all your questions, and you call it "Mr. Computer?"
• Can't you just replicate a truck and drive that in? Maybe bring some phasers? This "let's put on fancy costumes and pretend it's all ok" is just stupid. If you want to dress up, then just say "I want to wear fancy costumes." Don't try to fool people into thinking they're required.
• "Computer, delete all philosophy information from all memory banks, I'm done debating existence with a fucking hologram."
• I would also think that deleting the Moriarty program is safest.  Alternatively, if you're going to try to take a holographic super-villain and give it life outside the holodeck (say, if you've recently had a stroke and aren't thinking too clearly), wouldn't it make sense to give that program to some Federation computer science division, instead of keeping it on board the flagship?

Second episode: plot summary will go here after I watch it again (it's been more than 15 years since I last saw it).

• They're back doing this shit again, despite almost breaking the ship last time? I assume they've solved the "make it hard for Data, but not kill everyone" problem?
• Does he know the solution already? So that's a no to the previous question, isn't it.
• Barclay! It's unfortunate that he's being called in to basically fix Data and Geordi's video game. I wonder if they tried taking the program out, blowing on the connectors, and then plugging it back in again.
• Wait, the Moriarty program was stored in protected memory that was so secure, anybody can just walk in and unlock them?
• Barclay is basically just saying what I'm thinking now.
• That's just stupid. You don't have holographic generators in the hallway. "This contradicts everything we know about holodeck physics." I bet the original script said, "the writers don't feel like making a damn bit of sense, so ad lib a bit."
• Again, I'm forced to wonder this point: Moriarty is a criminal, right? Just because he's now suddenly A Real Boy, doesn't change the fact that his attitude towards the law is somewhat lax.
• The Federation seriously has no security on anything. Random guy who just showed up magically from the holodeck gets command access in ten minutes?
• And yes, this guy is a criminal. Taking control of the ship and holding it hostage unless he gets his way? That's a terrorist.
• Yay, Barclay! 
• He's scared that The Countess won't make it out ok? Can't you throw one of her gloves out? Your clothes didn't magically disappear, so your totally impossible "mind over matter" idea seems to have extended to your clothes. That should be a valid test.
• OMG. That's the twist? I hate you, This Episode of Star Trek. A dream within a dream? That's Poe, you hacks.
• Meh.
• They just lied to you, you moron. Genius supervillain my ass. I hate the writer even more now. That's just lazy.
• Besides, even if they did get Moriarty out of the holodeck, and give him a shuttlecraft, the Enterprise is a battleship. A shuttle is not. "Mr. Worf, arm photon torpedoes. Fire at will."
• They probably need to break that data...cube...motron... Ooops. Smashed your simulated reality. Sorry about that.
• HA HA HA! YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING ON A TV SHOW! YOU ARE WITTY!

Ok, that was far worse than I remember, and I kind of wish I hadn't watched them. :-/