I just discovered that one of my 90s friends has passed. Lucy Zinkiewicz (1968-2018) was an incredible force in Australian science fiction fandom. I had the privilege of sharing a few events with her. (Trivia: We also share the acknowledgements page in the Doctor Who Discontinuity Guide.) There seemed to be nothing she couldn’t do, and she set an amazing example for up-and-coming fans on how to participate in conventions, panels and how to make any fan experience worthwhile. She will be greatly missed.
A post could never really do justice in honouring anyone. Nothing less than an in-person speech and a statue would be close to being acceptable. So, with that in mind, I’m dedicating this quite humble post to her, focusing on one of Lucy’s interests – psychology.
So, let’s talk about nostalgia. If you’re a writer, and you’re lucky enough to be able to write something for a long running series, absolutely include as much canon tweaking and nostalgia firing that you can.
In 2017, Doctor Who released the generally average story The Empress of Mars. But, BUT, right near the end, there was an unbelievable nostalgic reference that had me gasping in shock, all my hair on end, even in places I’d forgotten it existed, crying with disbelief. A character from the show in the 70s reappeared filling in a history gap that only classic fans like myself would be aware of. This had me rocketing Empress of Mars from a mundane, just another Ice Warrior story, to the gold annals of space opera in my book. Not only did it feature Alpha Centauri, the producers also got the original actress back, at the age of 91, to voice the character again. I recognised her instantly. To go to that much trouble for fans, for the voice actress to still be alive, for the writer to actually add that missing page to the future history books – I think I went to another dimension for a moment. Certainly, I finally knew what hyperventilating felt like.
Some backstory for those who’ve only ever watched widescreen Doctor Who. In the Seeds of Death, (1969) the Ice Warriors were ‘evil.’ In the Curse of Peladon, (1972), the Ice Warriors were ‘good’. What the hell happened in between?! The Empress of Mars, in 2017, answered that question. For new fans it was a non event. For classic fans it was the WTF moment of the century. Ysanne Churchman returned to Doctor Who to reprise her role as Alpha Centuari and invite the Ice Warriors into the Galactic Federation. In 2020 Churchman is 95. Wouldn’t it be awesome if she could return again? Still, that return was such a mind blowing, unexpected moment, it would be hard to top it.
If you’re a writer on a long running TV show, you just have to bring back old characters for the fans. It is such a unique psychological shock that can only be done in long running series. It’s like Bones McCoy appearing on Star Trek: The Next Generation, or Yoda appearing in the Mandalorian. It is such a legendary thing to do. Even better if you can do it without anyone knowing before the screening. Getting John Simm to reprise his role as the Master in Doctor Who when the series already had a new Master was a stroke of genius. Bringing Nicholas Courtney back as the Brigadier in the Sarah Jane Adventures served the fans of Doctor Who on a less intensive show while protecting Courtney’s health. If the producers had known his time was limited, I’m sure they would have written him into the main series asap. Having Captain Jack Harkness played by John Barrowman suddenly appear in an episode of Doctor Who in 2019 when he hadn’t been in Doctor Who since 2010 is trading on new fan nostalgia. Probably not hyperventilation level but close.
Why do we react to this familiarity? If enemies reappear like the Cybermen in Doctor Who or the Borg in Star Trek, there’s that frission of recognition, and a seratonin hit that adds pleasure to the viewing, keeping you watching. But if an old character reappears, like Scotty in ST:TNG Relics in 1992, there’s that emotional connection, too. A character you might have grown up with, or connected with in some way, played even better by the original actor, now older and wiser, directed by even more respectful directors. It’s why multi Doctor stories in Doctor Who are so good. (I think I’ve watched the 50th anniversary Doctor Who episode 20 times now, and cried every time.) Star Trek: Picard was awesome in bringing back Data, Seven of Nine, Riker and Troi, and I’m so looking forward to seeing Guinan next year, but the series was really about giving Jean Luc Picard a completely new, away from ST: TNG, series. In this sense it didn’t have the frission that additional episodes of ST: TNG might have. Even so, it was an amazing series and just having Patrick Stewart back as Picard was amazing for me.
Which brings me to my main point. Star Trek: Lower Decks is a naff, poorly executed, ribbing of Star Trek fans that should absolutely be denigrated and hated on and I’m calling for it to be cancelled forthw…. What, they referenced a ‘bird of the galaxy’? No, wait, John deLancey reprised his role as Q? What, Riker and Troi are played by Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis? Oh, my God, it’s actually good???
I almost hyperventilated when Riker said “I’m sorry I’m late. I was watching the first Enterprise on the Holodeck.” For those who watched the final episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, you know what I’m talking about. Lower Decks is so for the fans that pointing at the screen in recognition is probably de rigueur.
Star Trek: Lower Decks – I’m now a huge fan. Hit me with some more Gorn! Looking forward to the next season.
This post is dedicated to the late and great Lucy Zinkiewicz who loved science fiction in all its forms, and introduced me to Monty Python, amongst other things. R.I.P.