Entertainment
Star Trek’s Most Important Episode Originally Had Dust Mites Flying Tiny Airplanes
By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated
One of the most unappreciated members of any given Star Trek show is the science consultant. This is the guy who is in charge of making all of the crazy sci-fi adventures of our favorite characters sound relatively realistic. At the end of the day, that’s what separates this franchise from Star Wars, which explains its wildest plot points by simply saying that the Force moved in mysterious ways.
On one occasion, a scientific consultant effectively saved the most important episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. After the rocky second season ended with a crappy clip show, Season 3 began with “Evolution,” a banger episode that proved that TNG was about to become must-see TV. The episode prominently featured nanites, futuristic machines straight out of our wildest sci-fi fantasies. But without consultant David Krieger, this episode wouldn’t have had nanites. Instead, it would have had dust mites flying tiny planes around the Enterprise!
Good Boys And Bad Science
For context, the plot of “Evolution” involved the Enterprise crew helping a cranky genius study a stellar explosion that happens every 196 years like clockwork. Meanwhile, teenage wunderkind Wesley Crusher was conducting experiments involving nanites, and he accidentally let a couple of the critters loose. Soon, they replicate and evolve, threatening the big experiment and everyone aboard the ship. The scientist clashes with the nanites, but Picard reaches a diplomatic solution by securing these new life forms their very own homeworld.
“Evolution” is an excellent episode, and it was written by Michael Piller, the man who ultimately became TNG’s showrunner and turned it into one of the best shows in television history. Plus, the nanites are one of the coolest creatures ever introduced into Star Trek. However, Star Trek science consultant David Krieger revealed on his personal website that this episode was nearly very different. According to him, the original pitch didn’t include nanites. Instead, it featured dust mites that gained intelligence and flew around the Enterprise in miniature aircraft.
A Shocking Development
Fortunately for all of us, Krieger found this idea deeply stupid. In fact, he claims that he laughed out loud when he read the original premise for the episode. Once he stopped chuckling, though, he spoke to the producers and firmly objected to the idea of dust mites turning into tiny flying gremlins. Instead, he proposed using nanites instead, which was a great call: not only are nanites based on actual scientific theories, but they looked far less goofy onscreen than flying dust mites ever would.
If David Krieger hadn’t stepped in and shut down the dust mite plot, “Evolution” would have joined the ranks of “Spock’s Brain” as one of the worst episodes in all of Star Trek history. Thanks to this science consultant’s intervention, though, this episode helped transform The Next Generation into what many fans consider the gold standard of the franchise. It also helped Michael Piller become showrunner, and he was so successful in the role that he would later help create both Deep Space Nine and Voyager. In that way, this humble consultant did more than save a single episode; he may have saved Star Trek as we know it!
Entertainment
Cordless power tool deals are already live at Amazon before Prime Day starts
Best early Prime Day deals on cordless power tools:
Summer is the ideal time to tackle home DIY projects. The paint will dry quicker, there’s more hours of daylight, and maybe some friends around to help out. If you have a list of home and yard projects to take care of this summer, make sure you have the necessary tools. Nothing sidelines a weekend project quite like realizing you need to run to the hardware store.
Lucky for us, early Amazon Prime Day deals already have great discounts on cordless power tools. Of course, we expect to see more as we get closer to the June 23 official start of the sale. But for now, here are the top deals worth shopping.
Best DeWalt deal
$169
at Amazon
$249
Save $80
Why we like it
Perfect for anyone building a new tool collection, the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit is on sale for $80 off before Prime Day. The kit comes with the 20V compact drill/driver, 20V impact driver, two 20V batteries, a battery charger, and a durable carrying case. Both tools have a built-in LED light so you’ll get a better view for optimal accuracy. The comfort grip with ergonomic design is also a major plus.
Best Craftsman deal
$299
at Amazon
$369
Save $70
Why we like it
Packing in seven tools, the Craftsman V20 Power Tool Combo Kit is an upgraded starter pack. It comes with a drill/driver, oscillating tool, impact driver, grinder, reciprocating saw, circular saw, and even more. You also get two 20V batteries and a battery charger.
Before Prime Day kicks off, the Craftsman Power Tool Combo Kit is on sale for $229, down from the normal price of $369.
Mashable Deals
Best Hoto deal
$79.99
at Amazon
$99.99
Save $20
Why we like it
Hoto makes some excellent cordless tools that are useful to have around any home, even if you’re not taking on DIY projects soon. The Hoto SNAPBLOQ S-A01 3.7V Electric Screwdriver is the perfect example given that it comes with 56 bits to cover every possible scenario. It also has three torque settings and an LED light. Use it to repair your glasses or sunglasses, get access to tiny screws in a watch or your laptop, while still having access to more standard bits.
Hoto says you’ll get about 60 minutes of runtime before the cordless electric screwdriver needs to recharge its 800 mAh battery.
More cordless tool deals to shop before Prime Day
Entertainment
The Decade's Funniest Sci-Fi Series Is Finally Complete On Netflix
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
Comedy is hard to do right. Science fiction is hard to do right. A sci-fi comedy is nearly impossible. That’s what makes Resident Alien one of the best series of the decade. It’s a funny, well-written sci-fi comedy allowed to tell a complete story from beginning to end. After originally airing on SyFy, the series went to Netflix, and now, the final season has arrived for you to easily binge Alan Tudyk’s greatest performance.
The Perfect Role For Alan Tudyk
Tuidyk plays “Harry Vanderspeigle,” or rather, the alien with a name humans can’t pronounce, impersonating the town doctor (also played by Alan Tudyk in flashbacks), whom he accidentally killed when landing in Patience, Colorado. Harry learns medicine by watching Law & Order, and slowly picks up on human emotions, customs, and social cues as the series goes on, all to further his mission to exterminate the human race. Early on, he realizes that a young boy, Judah, can see his true alien form. He tries to exterminate the witness, but fails, and ends up befriending him instead. Be a different series if the bone saw had worked.
The first few episodes have the other residents of Patience playing the straight man to Harry’s quasi-murderous antics, before Resident Alien finds its groove and settles in. As the seasons go on, Harry finds an ally in Judah’s mom, Asta (Sara Tomko), and a new enemy when the government moves into Patience, which, as with Stranger Things, is represented by Linda Hamilton as a no-nonsense extraterrestrial hunting General. Hamilton isn’t the only sci-fi cameo. Resident Alien is filled with familiar names and faces having the time of their life on the show.
Alan Tudyk’s Firefly co-stars, Nathan Fillion and Jewel Staite, turn up as a telepathic octopus and an FBI Agent respectively. Clancy Brown, Terry O’Quinn, George Takei, and Stephen Root all drop by while behind the camera, Star Trek Voyager’s Robert Duncan McNeill is often directing the big episode of the season. When the star of the show is one of the most beloved performers in Hollywood, it’s easy to get everyone to show up.
Resident Alien Is The Decade’s Best Sci-Fi Series
Resident Alien is an absolute blast of a series. It’s a throwback to the old SyFy slate of Eureka and Warehouse 13, and the only show this decade to nail that vibe. It took a while to catch on. Season 1 flew under the radar with barely a million viewers for each episode. Once it was available on streaming, it became a social media hit, and viewership boomed. Now that it’s complete on Netflix, expect it to again experience a new surge in popularity.
There’s a lesson to be learned here by studios about producing original sci-fi, or well, almost original, since it does adapt the comic book series by Peter Hogan and Steven Parkhouse, and then giving them room to grow, develop, and find their audience. Too often, sci-fi shows are canceled after one season before anyone even knows how great it is. Resident Alien did everything right, barely survived for four seasons, and is now going to be your new favorite series
Entertainment
The best early Prime Day air fryer deals you can shop right now
Best early Prime Day air fryer deals at a glance:
Prime Day is almost here — and Amazon isn’t waiting for the official start to roll out discounts. This year’s sale kicks off on June 23, but early deals on small kitchen appliances are already live, and air fryers are among the standouts.
Whether you’re after a compact basket-style fryer for weeknight meals or a larger oven model that can roast a whole chicken, brands like Ninja, Instant Pot, and Chefman are already seeing price cuts. Here are the best early Prime Day air fryer deals worth grabbing now.
Mashable Trend Report
Best mini air fryer deal
$64.99
at Amazon
$129.99
Save $65.00
Why we like it
If you live alone, like making apps or quick side dishes, or just want an air fryer that won’t take up your entire counter, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Mini Air Fryer (4QT) is on sale for $64.99 at Amazon, down from $129.99. This little air fryer can bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, reheat, and air fry small meals in minutes. Just press the preset button, and it does the rest.
Best large air fryer deal
$89.99
at Amazon
$149.99
Save $60.00
Why we like it
For households with more mouths to feed, the Chefman XL 6-in-1 Air Fryer (14QT) can make family-sized meals in no time. (There’s also a Hi-Fry button for those who prefer an extra crispy finish.) It comes with three removable wire racks, a rotisserie spit, a fetch tool to remove the rotisserie, and a dip tray/baking pan. And right now, you can get it for $89.99 — the lowest price we’ve tracked on this model to date!
More air fryer deals
Topics
Kitchen
Air Fryers
Cordless power tool deals are already live at Amazon before Prime Day starts
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