So after watching the end of season 2 of Picard, where no plot lines were resolved properly or made sense, it made realise how little I've actually been enjoying nu-Trek. I kept watching because I think a character shows potential or my headcanon fills in the poor writing. I've watched almost 4 seasons of Discovery and can't think of a single episode I've actually enjoyed. There's nothing really wrong with Strange New Worlds but it feels empty and unfulfilling.
I've read a few Trek books too but never loved any of them and the fanfics I love are few and far between, even considering the amount that I consume. Old Star Trek is not perfect either. And not just Star Trek, I tried watching The Musketeers because that was also highly praised and it just seemed very formulaic and repetitive. I basically ended up watching for the eyecandy and shipping potential. Why have I been wasted so much time on this type of thing?
I'm struggling to think of modern media that I've actually enjoyed and felt that it had real depth to it and stayed with me, even for things that are a more highbrow than popular tv shows. I started reading The Three Musketeers book and it feels so rich in comparison. I don't want to sound snobbish but I guess there is a reason classic literature considered that way (putting aside the privilege aspects regarding what becomes a classic or not). I loved reading Gone with the Wind a while ago and the end of the book completely broke me, even though I'd seen the film a million times already. I just didn't want to let the characters go. The modern sequels paled in comparison, lacking in themes, charismatic characters who grow, terrifying and awe inspiring settings, etc.
I feel kind of sad thinking about the time I've wasted on shallow media and how much it is praised in our society. Media is such a large part of our of culture and realising that most of it is trash is weird and disorienting. How are people content with this? How was I? Why is there such a strong system of praising trash? Because people then gain praise themselves? Or are the number of people who can see the reality so few? I'm not even talking about recognised trash like Marvel movies. Even a lot of Oscar winners are trash.
Considering that are a limited number of classic books out there (compared to how many books have ever been published), what happens when I finish all the ones that interest me? Or even the ones that don't? I go through books pre
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