At the end of its third season, the fourth Trek show needed to shake things up. It needed dramatic tension. It needed a character who could foreground the franchise's running themes about humanity and the nature of the individual. It needed Jeri Ryan in a skintight bodysuit. There was an instant ratings bump, presumably because people enjoy themes. Darren Franich
Michael Fassbender in ''Prometheus'' is just the latest artificial life form with genuine good looks