This week we started class with a discussion of the uses and gratification theory. The uses & gratification theory is an approach to understanding why and how people actively seek out specific media to satisfy their specific needs. People use music, books, film and television to fulfil their cognitive and affective needs. People use media to increase the self-esteem and to measure their status in society. Certain individuals also seek out social integrative needs to receive validation and credibility. These individuals socialize with family and friends to develop or retain relations in society. They view similar forms of media and find commonalities within that media. This helps these individuals create relationships with others that share the same interests, likes and dislikes. Others however, use media as a means of escapism and to relieve tension. The twenty-first century has many different forms of media allowing certain individuals to be alone or as a way of coping with loneliness.

In class on Wednesday we finished viewing the film Galaxy Quest. Galaxy Quest is a 1999 American science-fiction comedy directed by Dean Parisot. The movie is a parody of the Star Trek series and all the fandom it attained throughout the years. The parody stars Tim Allen as Jason Nesmith, who played Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, the commander of the NSEA Protector and main character of the series. The film also co-starred Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell and Daryl Mitchell.

Galaxy Quest begins with the crew of the canceled space-adventure television show at a fan convention receiving introductions and signing autographs. Jason Nesmith embraces and loves the attention he receives from his fans; while his supporting cast resents and despises him for “soaking up” all the glory. The plot of this science-fiction parody shifts towards a group of people called Thermians. The Thermians are represented by Mathesar and approach Nesmith with an issue of life or death. A group of Aliens threaten the remaining Thermians and they request help from “Commander Taggart” to save their race. Nesmith thinks this is all an act and agrees to help the Thermians with their problem. The following morning he is transported to the Protector (Thermian spaceship) and addresses the leader of the hostile aliens, Sarris. Nesmith, still unaware of the danger at hand, orders Mathesar to fire on Sarris’s ship and then requests to return home to sleep off his hangover. At this time, he is shot into outer space back to his home in a matter of seconds. Nesmith now realizes the situation at hand and rallies his crew to return to the Protector. Sarris’s ship and crew still remain and have an epic showdown against the Galaxy Quest crew and Thermians. The film ends with the destruction of Sarris’s ship and crash landing of an escape pod into a convention. Sarris’s finally attempt to kill the pestie humans is foiled by Nesmith with a swift laser beam to the chest. This all unfolds in front of the Galaxy Quest fans and the crew receives a standing ovation as they bow on stage. This film encapsulates comedy, action and heartfelt moments throughout the movie. It is a well rounded movie and is great for the whole family.

Written by – Samuel Erickson