Star Trek: Prodigy ventures Where No Man Has Gone Before

 

The last 5 years seems to be a second Golden Age for Star Trek. The first Golden Age dawned in 1987 with Star Trek: The Next Generation followed by 3 television series for over 600 episodes until 2004, plus 6 theatrical movies. After a long hiatus off-air, the rights owner of Star Trek, CBS Studios, embarked on a revival of the venerable sci-fi franchise with launch of Star Trek: Discovery in 2017 for streaming television. This was soon followed by Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Lower Decks in 2020, each offering a different flavour of Trek to longtime fans as well as new viewers.

Most recently, STAR TREK: PRODIGY is the latest to join the roster as the 10th Star Trek television series – aiming to recruit the next generation of Trekkies. It's set to premiere in Southeast Asia on Nickelodeon this 25 April 2022 at 7pm Malaysian time. The highly-anticipated animated series comprises 10 episodes for its 1st season, with the series running its full course from 25 Apr to 6 May, on weekdays. Subsequently, episode reruns will continue to air in the same timeslot.

Developed by Emmy® Award winners Kevin and Dan Hageman (Trollhunters,  Ninjago), Star Trek: Prodigy is the first Star Trek series aimed at younger audiences, and follows a motley crew of young aliens who must figure out how to work together while navigating a greater galaxy, in search of a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the starship U.S.S. Protostar they have commandeered, but over the course of their adventures together, they will each be introduced to Starfleet and the ideals it represents.

Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager) reprises her role as Kathryn Janeway, but as a hologram for this series. Who better to guide the young crew and the next generation of dreamers than one of the most renowned Starfleet Captains of the Federation? Hologram Janeway will serve as the built-in Emergency Training Hologram on the U.S.S. Protostar. Astute Trekkies might notice that Hologram Janeway is often seen with a coffee cup in her hands, sharing Captain Janeway’s well-documented love of coffee!

Kathryn Janeway returns as an Emergency Training Hologram voiced by Star Trek: Voyager captain herself, Kate Mulgrew

Kate Mulgrew stated, “I have invested every scintilla of my being in Captain Janeway, and I can’t wait to endow her with nuance that I never did before, in Star Trek: Prodigy. How thrilling to be able to introduce to these young minds an idea that has elevated the world for decades. To be at the helm again is going to be deeply gratifying in a new way for me.”

She won’t be the only Star Trek alumni to join the adventure - Robert Beltran from Star Trek: Voyager will also reprise his role as Chakotay, now promoted to Captain. Watch out for more familiar voices and other Easter eggs popping up throughout the series – from the infamous Mr. Spock to Dr Beverly Crusher.

Voice cast (left to right): Dal voiced by Brett Gray, Gwyn by Ella Purnell, Jankom Pog by Jason Mantzoukas.

Other members of the Star Trek: Prodigy voice cast include:

• Brett Gray as Dal
• Ella Purnell as Gwyn
• Rylee Alazraqui as Rok-Tahk
• Angus Imrie as Zero, a non-humanoid Medusan calling back to the alien species introduced during Star Trek: The Original Series in 1968
• Jason Mantzoukas as Jankom Pog, a Tellarite
• Dee Bradley Baker as Murf
• John Noble as The Diviner
• Jimmi Simpson as Drednok

Voice cast (left to right): Rok-Takh voiced by Rylee Alazraqui, Murf by Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Wars, Bad Batch), Zero by Angus Imrie.

Get to know these characters and how they come together as Bridge Crew of the USS Protostar in the first 2 episodes of the series, “Lost & Found”.  Watch this video introducing the non-human characters of Star Trek: Prodigy (beware SPOILERS):

Most Trekkies eagerly anticipate reveal of the titular starship of every new Star Trek series. The U.S.S. Protostar does not disappoint! Its sleek wedge-shaped twin-nacelle Starfleet design is complemented with inner futuristic aesthetics significantly advance of that seen on Captain Janeway's U.S.S. Voyager. The ship registry of NX-76884 indicates an experimental class of starship, possibly launched in the near future after Voyager's return from the Delta Quadrant. Zooming to the bridge located on the upper saucer section with transparent canopy, akin to today's jet fighter cockpit, suggests scale of the Protostar similar or slightly smaller than that of Voyager's 343 metre length. The Protostar should be outfitted with all standard Starfleet equipment, but what experimental technology it carries will be revealed in due course of the series.

The U.S.S. Protostar, starship registry NX-76884.

Trekkie Tech geeks would be familiar with much of the Federation technology showcased on the  Protostar, like phasers, universal translators, food replicators, etc. plus some surprises. For new fans to Star Trek, these sci-fi devices could be inspirations for future tech in generations to come, like how the communicators seen in The Original Series during the 1960s became real tech as mobile phones in the 1990s. Sneak a peek at some of Star Trek's technology in this video (beware SPOILERS):

The main theme for Star Trek: Prodigy is composed by Academy Award winner Michael Giacchino, who also scored the 2009 Star Trek film and echoes familiarity. Nami Melumad provides the series music.

Star Trek: Prodigy is from CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Studios’ new animation arm; Nickelodeon Animation Studio, led by President of Animation Ramsey Naito; Secret Hideout; and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Aaron Baiers, Katie Krentz, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers alongside co-showrunners Kevin and Dan Hageman. Ben Hibon directs, co-executive produces and serves as the creative lead of the all-new animated series. Claudia Spinelli is Nickelodeon’s Head of Animation Development with Kelley Gardner serving as Executive in Charge of production on Star Trek: Prodigy for Nickelodeon. Alec Botnick is Head of Animation for CBS Studios and Stephanie Groves is the Executive Vice President of Streaming and Cable Series and overseeing the series for CBS Studios.

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

By Outpost Commander Richard Chua

As a long time Trekkie since the 1980s, I've consumed virtually all Star Trek television and films, which makes comparisons inevitable. Whilst the scifi franchise has previously been presented in animated form as Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-74) and Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020 -), this latest incarnation of Star Trek: Prodigy is quite unlike what has come before. 3D animation has  become the norm for today's television and Star Trek has evolved to adopt this format with Prodigy catering to the younger audience that is not served by the other current series (Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks). It therefore takes on formulaic storytelling by presenting its cast of lead characters in their teenage years that would connect better with kids. And by setting the plot in a far flung corner of the galaxy, the new audience is not burdened by needing to know Star Trek from preceding series, starting on a “clean slate” and gradually introducing elements from established canon as the series progresses. 

Yet for the adult audience, say parents of kids viewing Star Trek: Prodigy as a family, it's actually these linkages to canon that engage us as Trekkies. Like finding out happened to crew members of the USS Voyager between the series conclusion and the commencement of Prodigy's timeline, since Janeway is part of the programme (pun intended! 😅). Plus why is the Protostar on Tars Lamora and what happened to its original, presumably Starfleet crew? Will we meet other established characters like Janeway in holographic form? It would certainly make sense for an EMH (Emergency Medical Hologram) to be part of sickbay. As a bonus, spotting those Easter Eggs are sweet treats for longtime fans, in a way rewarding us for our geeky devotion to Star Trek.

It's also worth noting there is no “living” human amongst the main characters of Prodigy. That certainly supports that the U.S.S. Protostar is heading Where No Man Has Gone Before... let's sit back and explore what's out there together with Dal & company.

Note: This review is based on the first 2 episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy “Lost & Found”. Review options belong solely to author. 

Tune-in to Nickelodeon on Monday 25 April 2022 at 7pm for the premiere of Star Trek: Prodigy, with new episodes every weekday. Nickelodeon is available in Malaysia on Astro Channel 616 and Unifi Channel 554. Astro VOD has scheduled Star Trek Prodigy to be available from 30 April to 5 June 2022.

Thanks to Nickelodeon Asia, Outpost Productions has U.S.S. Protostar Crew Packs to giveaway to our readers and fans. Contest starts NOW on our Facebook Page Outpost Productions. Simply Comment on our Post to Tell us why YOU should be part of the U.S.S. Protostar Crew.

Each U.S.S. Protostar Crew Pack is worth USD150 / over RM650 and comprises a LED lamp of the  new starship, real outer space ice cream for astronauts, crew notebook and t-shirts for adults and kids. So submit your entries now to prove your worthiness to be part of the Protostar and be trained by Hologram Janeway as Starfleet's finest. We are opening submissions until 9 May and will be enlisting only 3 qualified applicants (winners). 

Click here to participate in our Facebook Contest

Please feel welcome to shout-out your passion for Star Trek by sharing this blog and our social media posts to your family and friends.

Terms and Conditions for Star Trek: Prodigy Facebook contest:

1. Participation only for residents in Malaysia able to receive prizes by local courier.

2. To participate, post in the Comments of our Facebook post to “Tell us why YOU should be part of the U.S.S. Protostar Crew”. Most creative and engaging replies stand better chance to win.

3. Limit answer in 1 Comment only. Standard Facebook functions available in Comment may be used.

4. Contest closes on Monday 9 May 2022, 11.59pm. Submissions thereafter will not be eligible.

5. Winners will receive Reply to their post contest entry Comment to message Outpost Productions to claim their prize. If no response is received within 5 days then entry is forfeit and prize will be offered to next eligible entry.

6. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Facebook.

7. We reserve the right to revise these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice.

Live Long & Prosper

#LLAP

Star Trek is owned by ViacomCBS. Content here used with permission for fan engagement.

Halloween and Michael Myers: A Film Franchise that Won't Stay Dead

This month brings a festive spookiness to many western cultures celebrating Halloween on October 31st. The origins of Halloween derive from the ancient Celtic harvest festival where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to protect themselves from spirits by impersonating them. In the United States, Halloween day is celebrated by children dressing up for trick-or-treat and adults partying in costume.

40 years ago, notable cult classics director John Carpenter co-wrote and directed a movie titled Halloween, which at that time had never been a theme on film. Put simply, the movie is about a serial killer stalking and killing teenagers on Halloween night of 1978. But the killings actually began 15 years earlier when six year-old Michael Myers kills his older sister Judith and is subsequently hospitalised at a sanitarium. Now an adult, Myer escapes on the eve of Halloween and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield to stalk Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends. After brutally killing the said friends on Halloween night, Myers attempts to also murder on Laurie but is thwarted when shot by his psychiatrist Dr. Loomis. However despite his wounds and falling from heights, Myers appears to have escaped.

Although “tame” compared to today's film-making standards, Halloween is often regarded as the inspiration of slasher movies as a sub-set of American horror entertainment. The Halloween franchise itself has spawned ten more movies over the next four decades, including this week's release of the eleventh chapter just named Halloween (again!). For record, here is the line-up of franchise movies:

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
• Halloween (2007)
• Halloween II (2009)
• Halloween (2018)

IGN explains the Halloween franchise recapping the first movie and trying to summarise the rest.

Lengthy recap of the Michael Myers saga (excluding the 3rd movie and Rob Zombie's reboots).

Fortunately this latest Halloween (2018) does not require the audience to know anything of the preceding nine movies as it only plays sequel to the original Halloween (1978)... phew!

Movie Synopsis

Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. 

Master of horror John Carpenter executive produces and serves as creative consultant on this film, joining forces with cinema’s current leading producer of horror, Jason Blum (Get Out, Split, The Purge, Paranormal Activity). Inspired by Carpenter’s classic, filmmakers David Gordon Green and Danny McBride crafted a story that carves a new path from the events in the landmark 1978 film, and Green also directs.

Jamie Lee Curtis then & now as teenage Laurie Strode in 1978 (left) and Grandma Laurie today. 

Nick Castle recreates a set photo today (right) from 1978 when he dons the mask of Michael Myers.

Ignoring events of all other movies in the franchise except the original, this year's Halloween may be a tad confusing for those casual movie viewers may have recalled that Laurie was killed in one of the sequels. Furthermore the franchise was rebooted in the previous decade by musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie. So where does this latest Halloween fit in the franchise? Refer to this info-graphic:

So in this latest alternate Halloween timeline, 40 years have passed since Michael Myer's killing spree in Haddonfield. No secret from the trailer, Myers was captured after being shot and admitted to a mental institution. Laurie has attempted to move on but suffers from serious post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which led to failed marriages and lost custody of her daughter. Today she's a grandmother to Allyson (Andi Matichak) though estranged by the strained relationship with now grown-up daughter Karen (Judy Greer). When Myer's escapes, all three generations of Strode women find themselves in danger and need to re-bond to survive Halloween night.

Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) must band together with estranged daughter Karen (Judy Greer) for a final confrontation with Michael Myers.

Laurie's granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) finds herself ensnared in a trail of murders on Halloween night.

Find out more about rest of the movie cast from this article by Screenrant.

Although it's not yet Halloween, the opening weekend box office of this latest installment of the franchise has been smashing and ranks as the second highest for October in U.S. movie history (after Venom topped the chart earlier this month). Here's how movie-goers are rating Halloween:

This is not your grandfather's Michael Myers... oh, but HE IS actually!

In Malaysia, Halloween opens this week, launched by a Movie Premiere at MBO Cinemas in Starling Mall attended by horror fans and the cult classic slasher himself. Here's what happened:

Halloween's Michael Myers at MBO Cinemas
Michael Myers ?at MBO Cinemas the Starling Damansara Utama #MYHalloweenmovie now showing at MBO Cinemas. Tickets at www.mbocinemas.com and mobile app. #HalloweenMovie2018 #mbocinemas
Posted by MBO Cinemas on Thursday, 25 October 2018

Thanks to United International Pictures Malaysia, Outpost sent a few horror fans to face Michael Myers at the Movie Premiere. Here's what they have to say about Halloween:

A bit distracting to watch horror movie next to this guy, no?

Also read up on this review by Star2 and feature on “Screen Queen”, Jamie Lee Curtis.

Grandma Laurie gets a Sarah Connor tough-as-nails makeover in anticipation of Michael Myers inevitable return.

The Verge also provides a more in-depth look into the franchise, slasher movies and their take on this sequel.

For those who like a close encounter with Michael Myers, visit the following MBO Cinemas this weekend:

Halloween is now showing in cinemas nationwide so you don't need to wait until the actual night of 31 October itself. Hardcore fans may want to sit through the end credits... and if need to make more sense of that ending then search for "Halloween 2018 ending explained" on Google and YouTube.

#MYHalloweenMovie #NowShowing #UIPmalaysia

#MichaelMyers #versus #LaurieStrode

Outpost Productions like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Disclaimer: Halloween and associated trademarks are copyright to Miramax LCC, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.

Transformers Trading Card Game offers Big Boys a New Way to Play with their Favourite Robots in Disguise

Too old to play with Transformers? That may certainly be the case for boys who grew up in the 1980's being served Transformers cartoons during their formative years. Not so much that these Generation One (G1) Transformers fans are shy to still be buying the latest toys from Hasbro, but complex robot transformations requiring proper handling may be a tad taxing on adult minds encumbered with adult life, as well as bothersome middle-aged myopia (nearsightedness) settling in. Indeed the closest these Gen-X G1 fans get to relive their childhood “playing” Transformers toys might be with their kid!

The Transformers Trading Card Game Character Cards shown with their toy counterparts.

Now the newly released Transformers Trading Card Game (TFTCG) offers the Big Boys another way to “play” with their favourite bots enacting battles between heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Finally the infamous Robots in Disguise receives a legit trading card game (TCG) from Wizards of the Coast (WotC), publisher of the first and still leading TCG Magic: The Gathering (MtG). Our Outpost Intel Report here intends to comprehensively cover everything you need to know about TFTCG right here.

After 25 years, the "mother" of Trading Card Games Magic: The Gathering is still thriving with millions of players worldwide.

For non-gamers, TCGs is a strategy game using specially designed cards put together by players into customised playing decks to be played against other player(s). The game mechanics determine how cards interact for players to gain advantage over their opponents and win. Cards are typically sold at random in blind packs, i.e. buyers do not know what cards they will receive. Cards are also circulated in differing quantities whereby rare cards are harder to find compared to common cards. This then leads to the “trading” nature of the game whereby players are encourage to trade cards with other players to obtain the cards they need. Major TCGs like MtG are highly competitive with tournaments organised across the world with serious prize money to be won.

Transformers Trading Card Game Autobot Starter Set.

The Transformers Trading Card Game is a battling card game designed for two players. Players build a team of Transformers character cards and power them up with a customizable deck of battle cards. Transformers character cards — such as those in the Autobots Starter Set and Booster Packs — are twice the size of standard playing cards; they can be flipped from bot mode to alt mode and back, and they feature premium printing treatment on one of their sides. The deck of battle cards features Action and Upgrade cards to enhance Transformers character cards.

The four Autobots in the Starter are Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Red Alert, shown here in Bot Mode.

So the transforming element of the franchise is thematically reflected by flipping over a Transformer character card printed with robot mode on one side, and alternate mode on the other. Well that really saves “manhandling” transforming action figures!

Just flip the Character Cards to "transform" your bots into their Alt Mode.

The Starter Set released provides minimum cards for players to start playing this TCG. Contents include four Autobot Character Cards and 40 Battle Cards, plus counters. These cards may be split evenly between two players for a 2-on-2 robot smackdown, or used by a single player as a team of 4 bots against other players. This set comprises Autobots only so it may seem unusual to fans for Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Bumblebee and Red Alert to battle each other, or just think of the bots being mind-controlled by sneaky Decepticons like Bombshell or Mindwipe!

Oversized Character Cards are two-sided representing bot or alt modes with values shown for Attack (yellow box), Health (red) and Defense (blue).

The game objective is to knock-out (KO) your opponent's Transformers represented by the Character Cards. In Basic Rules gameplay, players choose one of their bots to attack their opponent's bot. A bot's Attack value is compared against the target's Defense value. Battle cards are drawn that may affect the respective bots' Attack or Defense. If the Attack is higher than Defense, then the difference is deducted from the target's Health. Once Health reaches zero, that bot is out of the game, i.e. KO'd.

Battle Cards drawn offer a random factor to adjust Attack and Defense values of the bots based on colour of the top right rectangles.

Watch this official How-to-Play video introducing Basic Rules as narrated by Optimus Prime and Megatron:

As a product marked for ages 8+, the Basic Rules is really for younger kids and adults / teenagers will certainly want to use the Advanced Rules for more thematic play. Players would want to customised their decks to take advantage of the strategic abilities inherent in most cards to suit their character bots and playing style.

Part 2 of the official How-to-Play video explains the Advance Rules for Combat:

Battle cards may be utilised to provide an Upgrade to bots or an Action affecting gameplay. Furthermore, “transforming” or flipping the Transformers may provide additional affects. Serious strategic play would be to combine affects between selected cards to trigger significant game advantages.

Battle Cards as an Upgrade - Weapon: Ion Blaster of Optimus Prime increases the Autobot leader's Attack by 2 and Defense by 1. 

As an Action, the Battle Card Incoming Transmission allows its player to draw 2 cards then replace 1 to top of draw deck.

Find out how to effectively utilise Battle Cards as Actions and Upgrades in this Part 3 Hot-to-Play video:

A couple of other instructional videos are available only from the official game website here covering Special Abilities and Basic Rules in more depth.

Built-in special abilities for certain Transformers like Starscream here allows this Decepticon Aerial Commander to play more Battle Cards for Attack or Defense depending on his current mode.

Click on this link to download the official rules for reference.

When uncertain over interpretation of rules refer first to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) posted on the official Transformers Trading Card Game Facebook Page.

Watch a full game demo from this 47-min video.

Our Outpost Commander had the opportunity to playtest the Autobot Starter Set with long-time Gen1 Transformers fan Vincent Wong using the Basic and Advance Rules. Watch this video for their overview and impressions of the game:

As mentioned in the video, the Starter Set provides an initial sampling or "taste" of TFTCG by introducing the game mechanics and visual appeal of the cards. Furthermore all cards contained in Starter Sets are identical. So to fully "savour" the game will require further purchase, or "investment", of more Character and Battle Cards only found in Booster Packs. Indeed these booster contain the Deceptions as well as alternate versions of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee with different stats and abilities. Compare these three versions of Prime:

This Starter Set Optimus with lower Attack and Health may better reflect Orion Pax.

This Optimus with vastly improved stats and abilities offer players easier opportunity to use this card as it is only of Common rarity from boosters.

This Rare version of Optimus as a Battlefield Legend will be highly sought after for its fantastic abilities and very high Attack. Fans for the 1986 Transformers The Movie will also associate the artwork for Bot Mode to a legendary scene.

Deck construction is certainly a large part of playing cards from boosters as powerful versus weaker bots are balanced out by a star cost to each Character Card. A player is allowed maximum team cost of 25 stars, hence, the option of playing only 2 high cost bots, or 3-4 "cheaper" alternatives.The same named character cannot be fielded together, e.g. 2 x Optimus Prime Autobot Leader, although it is possible to use Optimus Prime Freedom Fighter and Optimus Prime Battlefield Legend together (total 25 points)! Just think that the multiverse also exists in the world of Transformers or time paradoxes happen...

This first release of TFTCG comprises 40 Characters Cards found from Booster Packs (excluding those from the Starter Set) and 81 Battle Cards; all cards numbered between 1 to 40 for the former type, and 1 to 81 for the latter. Each Booster Pack contains 1 oversized foil Character Card and 7 Battle Cards, all randomly packed. There are 4 levels of card rarity in this set (abbreviations as): Common (C), Uncommon (U), Rare (R), Super Rare (SR). The official game website quotes "Most Booster Packs contain 1 Rare Battle Card". No specific mention for the Character Cards so it seems logical to expect Commons and Uncommons from boosters most of the time with occasional rares. The same official source does indicate that the chance of scoring a Super Rare is 1:79 booster packs! This has certainly created a rather pricey secondary market for such Super Rare (and promo) cards listed around USD100 (RM400++) on Ebay.

The Super Rare Bumblebee Legendary Warrior Character Card looks to be valued over RM300 from Ebay (before shipping).

Fortunately there are only 2 Super Rares in Wave 1 which comprise Character Rares for Bumblebee Legendary Warrior SRT 09/T40 and Nemesis Prime Dark Clone SRT 28/T40.

SRT 28/T40: The dark mirror image of Optimus Prime, Nemesis Prime is a nightmare foe for the Autobots. Possessing the combat acumen and memories of Optimus, the only thing keeping the universe safe from his menace is the deep instability left behind by the brutal experiments that created him.

Here are the breakdown for number of cards by rarity:

• Character Cards (total 40): 2 Super Rare, 10 Rare, 16 Uncommon, 12 Common
• Battle Cards (total 81): 30 Rare, 27 Uncommon, 24 Common
• Convention Promo Pack (4): 2 Character Cards, 2 Battle Cards

Get the full card list from the official website here.

Alternative lists for Character Cards by ascending number / name and similarly for Battle Cards for TFTCG Wave 1 from Pojo.com. This handy resource also includes visuals of the cards by clicking on the names.

Let's just indulge a bit of G1 fanboy service by looking at Character Cards for a few popular characters:

RT 27/T40 Megatron Living Weapon unfortunately does not become a Walther P38 in Alt Mode. He also has a Common version CT 26/T40 Megatron Decepticon Leader.

RT 14/T40 Decepticon Shockwave rightfully offers more firepower to Attack in Alt Mode plus funky abilities.

RT 21/T40 Grimlock Dinobot Commander is able to lead his team of dino-warriors Sludge, Snarl, Slag and Swoop, although it would not be possible to field all 5 of them together within 25 star cost.

The line-up of characters in Wave 1 seems to mainly comprise Prime and his car-bots, Seekers, Insecticons and Dinobots of G1 vintage. They are supplemented with notable mentions like Nemesis Prime, Darkmount and she-bots Arcee & Chromia. Browse photo album of all characters on the official TFTCG Facebook Page Photo Album.

For serious gaming, consider these top 5 Transformers to deploy in battle.

The Character Cards also offer display opportunities for Transformers collectors, such as matching action figures in either bot or alt mode with their namesake card.

Fan fav cute Bumblebee posing like his TFTCG Character Card.

Our Autobot Leader strikes a pose with his TFTCG card.

The Battles Cards looks to have adapted comic book artwork from IDW over the years, which may also have been inspiration for the card affects. Browse all 81 cards from the photo album at the official TFTCG Facebook Page.

Locally in Malaysia, the Transformers Trading Card Game has yet to be widely available and may only be found at selected hobby and gaming shops. The recommended retail price (RRP) for the two Wave 1 products are:

• Autobot Starter Set, RM54.72
• Booster Packs, RM14.62 each / box of 30 packs, RM438.60

And coming soon on 16 November 2018 is the METROPLEX Deck featuring a GIANT size character card of this classic Gen 1 city-bot and his supporting bots Scamper, Six-Gun and Slammer. The Metroplex card itself measures 14cm wide and 20cm tall!

• Metroplex Set, RM72.64

For Transformers and/or gaming fans who want to get started right NOW on the TFTCG, Outpost has made special arrangements through our online retail channel with the following deals for a limited time only:

Autobot Starter Set price: RM 50/-

Gaming Bundle price: RM380/- for Booster box of 30 packs plus FREE folder for 48 oversize character cards, oversize card hard sleeve protectors x3, battle card sleeves x100 (while stocks last).

Pack of 80 coloured sleeves price: RM18/- when purchased together with any TFTCG product; otherwise RM20/-

Products are only available for shipping to addresses in Malaysia. Now enjoy FREE SHIPPING for orders above RM150.

Submit your Order through this online Form below:



Sales Confirmation will be emailed thereafter with payment instructions. Happy Gaming!

Autobots... Transform and Roll Out!

Or in this case, "flip" yourselves over!

LOL!

#TFTCG

Disclaimer: Transformers and other trademarks are copyright to Hasbro, referenced here for fan service announcements.

Star Trek Captain Philippa Georgiou Malaysian connection

Michelle Yeoh on the cover of Entertainment Weekly magazine as Captain Philippa Georgiou.

When the latest incarnation of Star Trek launched last September, Star Trek Discovery certainly sent where no Malaysian has gone before. That being Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh stepping onto a Federation starship as Captain Philippa Georgiou. More politely addressed as Tan Sri Dato' Seri Michelle Yeoh within Malaysia by her honorific titles received by royalty, she is widely known internationally for her prowess in martial arts action movies such as Hong Kong's Police Story 3 (1992) starring alongside Jackie Chan, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) with Chun Yun Fat. She has also been a Bond Girl in 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies and other western film productions like Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) and Luc Besson's biopic The Lady (2011) as  Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Prior to Star Trek, Michelle Yeoh's geek pop culture contributions include Babylon A.D. (2008) with Vin Diesel and more recently a surprise cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).

Interview of Michelle Yeoh on her role as Captain Georgiou.

Michelle Yeoh's stint on Star Trek Discovery began in the pilot episode "The Vulcan Hello" as Captain of the USS Shenzhou in the year 2256, approximately 10 years before Star Trek The Original Series (TOS). As Philippa Georgiou, she is a highly decorated Starfleet officer and mentor for the last 7 years to Lt. Commander Michael Burnham, the new series lead character as portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green of The Walking Dead fame. Although human, Burnham was raised on Vulcan under tutelage of Ambassador Sarek, father of the infamous Mr Spock. The relationship between Georgiou and Burnham on the Shenzhou is much like surrogate mother to daughter with the Captain nurturing the younger officer's humanity from Vulcan stoicism and instilling Federation ideals.

On the bridge of the USS Shenzhou (left to right): Saru (Doug Jones), Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Phillipa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh).

Michelle Yeoh has infused her character with cultural elements outside the typical American mold of television. Most notably of which she does not speak English with an American accent as would have most principal cast of US productions. Whilst most Malaysian and Asian viewers are quite used to her accent and tone inflections, indeed it is uncommon for American viewers to hear foreign accents outside stereotypical racial roles. Hence it became a statement on Star Trek progressiveness in television for its equality and inclusiveness, a theme that has resounded since TOS first aired over 50 years ago with a racially diverse principal cast. Read more about netizens initial reaction of her accent on Netshark.com; side observation on our part that some Americans have difficulty understanding English spoken outside their native accents.

A Wayang Kulit puppet seen on Captain Georgiou's ready room.

The producers of Star Trek Discovery have subtly included cultural references of Georgiou's Asian heritage. Although us Malaysians here have probably yet to encounter anyone local with such a surname, perhaps that will change in another 200 years. Months ago, screenshots of Captain Georgiou's ready room / office on the starship Shenzhou highlighted a Wayang Kulit puppet in the background (see picture above). Wayang Kulit is a traditional puppet shadow-play originating from southeast asia. Whilst widely known by Malaysians, the traditional performance is now a diminishing art form amongst younger generations. Find out more about how the artists at Fusion Wayang Kulit (FWK) are infusing modern pop culture into this traditional art to revive interest for the current generation.

In the latest Star Trek Discovery episode and season one finale "Will You Take My Hand?", Michael Burnham asks Philippa Georgiou of her homeland. In reply Captain Georgiou replies that he grew up in Malaysia.

Upon further probing by Burnham, she more specifically pinpoints Pulau Langkawi, translated to English as Langkawi island. In response Burnham mentions of "beautiful beaches".

In what would likely be seen as a few throwaway lines elsewhere in the world, these mentions of Malaysia and Langkawi has certainly gotten Malaysians buzzing on social media. Considering that western entertainment media typically references locations that more widely known to American audiences, e.g. New York, San Francisco, London, etc., hearing not just one but two references associated to our country in an established sci-fi franchises like Star Trek clearly resounded in many Malaysians. Here are some reactions to our Instagram photo posted yesterday and shared to Facebook:

Response by Malaysian Trekkies on Facebook Group Starbase MY - Star Trek Fans Malaysia.

We have no inkling on whether dear Tan Sri Yeoh influenced selection of Pulau Langkawi entering Star Trek canon, although Georgiou's association with Malaysia had been unofficially hinted some time ago on Trek chatter. Since Michelle Yeoh's actual hometown is Ipoh, perhaps Langkawi simply served better as an exotic sounding name that had more syllables. Indeed it could have been spoken as "Langkawi island" instead of "Pulau Langkawi", noting that most of Star Trek's audience do not speak the Malay language and therefore would not read "pulau" as "island". Nevertheless with Burnham's mention of "beautiful beaches" it does help serve as somewhat of a tourism plug for Langkawi.

For our readers elsewhere in the world, Malaysia is a tropical country in southeast asia just north of the equator. West Malaysia comprises a peninsula stretching between Thailand and Singapore, whilst East Malaysia spans along the northern shores of Borneo island. Total land area of Malaysia is 330,803 sqkm, roughly 13% smaller than Japan.

Langkawi is an island just off the northwest coast of peninsula Malaysia bordering Thailand. It measures 478 sqkm, approximately two-thirds the size of Singapore. As an island resort, Langkawi does offer "beautiful beaches" associated with island attractions and geoforest parks. Direct access to the island by air is provided via an international airport, and good for travel most times of the year from sunny tropical weather. Discover more about Langkawi from the official tourism website.

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These are not actually the first time Malaysia has been mentioned in Star Trek, but the third. The first was way back in year 2000 in the seventh season of Star Trek Voyager on an episode titled "Inside Man". As a member of Project Pathfinder, Lieutenant Reginald Barclay (a recurring Starfleet character played by Dwight Schultz) was experiencing transmission problems sending his hologram to the USS Voyager stranded in the Delta Quadrant. His apparent obsessive paranoid soon annoys his supervising officer who then tell Reg to take a leave of absence and offered use of his cousin's beach house in Malaysia during that time off. It seems even 18 years ago Malaysia was somewhat associated to "beautiful beaches", which is most certainly true in the current 21st century.

Reginald Barclay (right) offered to take a vacation on the beach in Malaysia during Voyager's episode "Inside Man".

 The next mention of Malaysia came two years later in Star Trek Enterprise during the middle of the series first season in the episode titled "Silent Enemy". In this instance, Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula of "Quantum Leap" fame) had requested Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) to track down the parents of his tactical officer Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating). After locating them, Hoshi inform Archer that Reed's parents are located in Kota Baharu, Malaysia. Again for those not familiar with Malaysia, Kota Bahru (correctly spelt) is capital city for the northeastern state of Kelantan in West Malaysia. In today's day and age, this city of 300,000 people does not come to mind as a first choice for western expatriates to make home; Reed's parents seem to hail from England. Perhaps in 150 years later (of which Star Trek Enterprise takes place), Malaysia's My Second Home (MM2H) Programme has effectively attracted nationals from all over the world for long-term residence / retirement in our outlying cities and "beautiful beaches".

Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) informs Captain Archer (Scott Bakula) on the whereabouts of a colleague's parents in the Star Trek Enterprise episode "Silent Enemy".

Find all the references of Malaysia in Star Trek at Memory Alpha powered by Wikia.


START SPOILERS, beware reading further if you have yet to watch any episodes of Star Trek Discovery.

Avid followers of the series would be well aware that the Philippa Georgiou in this final episode is not the same version of the person starting the series. The original Captain Georgiou (also played by Michelle Yeoh) was killed by Klingons at the end of the series pilot in episode two "Battle at the Binary Stars". Michael Burnham bears the guilt of being unable to save her Captain or bring back her body (which was subsequently eaten; gross!).

Philippa Georgiou & Michael Burnham face off against Klingons in Episode 2 "Battle at the Binary Stars".

In true scifi fashion, Philippa Georgiou returns to Burnham and the Discovery, albeit another version from the Mirror Universe. This Georgiou is far from the compassionate nurturing mother-figure of the Prime Universe, but a ruthless dictator of the Terran Empire. Burnham saves the Terran Georgiou from certain death and brings her over to the Prime Universe. Through desperation on the losing side of the war with Klingons, Terran Georgiou in this final episode "Will You Take My Hand?" is appointed by Starfleet Command to take guise as the Prime Universe Georgiou to Captain the Discovery on a critical mission to end the war.

Here's the actual scene from the Episode "Will You Take My Hand?".

So in this context, viewers know that Burnham is testing Terran Georgiou on her guise as Prime Georgiou in front of the bridge crew. Therefore it could be said that Georgiou's replies may reflect the Terran counterpart instead of the Prime version. However, Burnham did not openly challenge her replies so it could be surmised both Malaysia and Langkawi may be consistent to the origins of the Prime Georgiou. And surely such background information should be readily available from Starfleet service records that Terran Georgiou would have studied prior to her assuming guise of Prime Georgiou.

Terran Georgiou posing as the Prime Georgiou on covert mission in the season finale.

As the episode plays out, we can be somewhat relieved that this Georgiou survives the season, albeit departing from the crew of the USS Discovery. It certainly leaves ample room for callback of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh to reprise Georgiou in later seasons of Star Trek Discovery. And we will wait and see whether more Federation idealism rubs into Terran Georgiou steering her towards who was the Prime Georgiou. Though it was a fun ride watching the "evil" side of Michelle Yeoh as the Terrain Emperor since we are more used to seeing her in heroic character roles.

END SPOILERS

Another series on Netflix featuring Michelle Yeoh is Marco Polo. She portrays a martial arts warrior named Lotus in Season 2. This mega-budget series inspired from Marco Polo's journey in China during the rule of Kublai Khan was actually filmed in Malaysia at Pinewood Studios, Iskandar Johor. The production value is very impressive.

Whilst Philippa Georgiou's martial arts prowess was somewhat limited in Star Trek Discovery (why use swords when phasers are available), classic Michelle Yeoh kung fu action is part of Marco Polo:

For more out-of-this-world fantastical martial arts, watch the official sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon also available on Netflix titled Sword of Destiny. It also stars Donnie Yen and directed by Wo-Ping Yuen. Unlike the first movie, Sword of Destiny is in English as a Netflix Original Film.

Back to Star Trek, check out our resident Vulcan Mr Smock and Malaysian Trekkies Mr Enginer and Mr Thomas reviewing the finale episode and this first season of Star Trek Discovery:

Watch this video till the end as Smock will explain how to win a Netflix tote bag and complimentary subscription thanks to the nice people at Netflix. Help share this blog post as well and follow to get our latest posts as soon as they are transmitted.

Netflix goodies to giveaway. Watch our video review to find out how.

The entire first season of Star Trek Discovery is now streaming on Netflix and available to binge-watch at your leisure. Netflix also offers the entire Star Trek saga comprising over 700 episodes including the above-mentioned ones with references of Malaysia. Read out previous blog post that revealed the most popular Star Trek episodes watched by Netflix viewers. Also check out our rundown of Star Trek Discovery back when the series was just launched.

To connect with Malaysian Star Trek Fans, join the Facebook Group Starbase MY - Star Trek Fans Malaysia.

LIVE LONG & PROSPER #LLAP

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