PATRON TIER LIST TNG S5E21
Added 2025-01-27 18:16:19 +0000 UTCWhat tier do you rate Star Trek TNG S5E21?
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Comments
If she even looked at me with a kind expression I would probably melt into a pool of organic matter.
Sherpa Jones
2025-03-01 04:34:06 +0000 UTCWorf's security measures seem to rely too much on the trust of starfleet officers, crew, and civilian residents.
Sherpa Jones
2025-03-01 04:33:31 +0000 UTCOn the other hand, it really gives you a glimpse into the world of a woman who is objectified for her beauty and charm. To experience through Picard what it is to love that woman for who she is and watch her be forced to be someone she isn't to meet societal expectations. And to experience through her meeting someone who truly wants to love you for you and not for what you can do for them. To really make you ask yourself who can I be if I had to choose. IMO this episode and "I Borg" have very similar themes.
Sherpa Jones
2025-03-01 04:31:48 +0000 UTCPicard's despair after presenting Kamala and knowing she has to keep up an act for the rest of her life, while him knowing she will never experience the love and passion she could have with him, is great.
Jovet
2025-02-20 17:11:12 +0000 UTCThis episode has lots of fun moments: "Riker to Bridge, if you need me, I'll be in holodeck 4." "Thank you, Lieutenant Worf, I believe the crowd has become a little too ebullient for comfort..." "I am simply curious to know what lies beneath..." "Nothing. Nothing lies beneath." Kinda dark ending though. B+ overall.
Mr Moxie
2025-02-07 07:49:09 +0000 UTCI really like this one. I know it can be dismissed as simply a shallow male fantasy or a story promoting female slavery and servitude and those opinions are valid. However I don't particularly share them about this episode. I think this story could have gone that way very easily, but the focus on Kamala and in particular her and Picard's relationship is what makes it shine. I felt that while the feelings of lust that the other crew members had towards Kamala were superficial, Picard and Kamala's feelings for one another, whether brought on by her powers or whether they were natural, past the initial attraction, were authentic. When they were ultimately separated, we can surmise that they WERE both hurting. Kamala is the tragic hero of this story. By our standards she deserves to be free. She deserves to be happy. But as we learn time and time again in this show, there are different cultures with different customs, different beliefs, different dreams and different realities and sometimes injecting our own beliefs on another society is not the appropriate thing to do. Kamala will go on pretending for the good of her people, to avoid a war. It's a horrible price to pay.
Adam Dearn
2025-02-05 17:48:08 +0000 UTCI don't even remember enough about this episode to rate it. And whenever I try, I get this vague feeling of discomfort...
GreenCauldron08
2025-02-04 18:41:39 +0000 UTCRolled my eyes a lot during this one. "Perfect woman" who's only function is to please a man. Yeah, ok. A writer's fantasy brought to life.
Shanelle
2025-02-04 18:25:05 +0000 UTCJust realized the real Season 5 villain is the cargo bay barrels
C
2025-02-04 18:13:41 +0000 UTCFairly average C episode, minus a point for the irritating Ferengi (who weren’t locked up immediately after breaking into the cargo bay for some reason) but balanced out by Famke Janssen
Worf and Riker Ride Again
2025-02-02 14:57:23 +0000 UTCPut a black light in Riker’s room and it’ll look like a Jackson Pollock painting
Worf and Riker Ride Again
2025-02-02 14:54:39 +0000 UTCHorny Riker with a rare moment of self awareness. I feel sorry for the random Ensign that has to clean out the holodeck biowaste filters afterwards though... B for Blue Balled.
The Ninth Doctor
2025-01-31 15:21:42 +0000 UTCSuch a mix of fun stuff and cringe. 'B-'
Boggle
2025-01-30 22:14:11 +0000 UTCIf you think Worf gets unfairly shut down when he suggests certain security measures, maybe look to this kind of episode. How the hell were those Ferengi just allowed the run of the ship. And the super special thing vital to the planet's future was UNGUARDED?
Joe Concepts
2025-01-30 16:01:41 +0000 UTCFamke Janssen is just... whew.
Joe Concepts
2025-01-30 15:59:52 +0000 UTCWhen I was 10 I thought she was the prettiest woman alive.
Ken R
2025-01-30 01:20:06 +0000 UTCAgreed. Dr. Huer, Col. Deering and Princess Ardala.
Paul D
2025-01-30 00:03:28 +0000 UTCIt doesn't shy away from having her adapt to please, while showing Picard struggle to choose to do "the right thing" and her eventually cementing within herself his sense of duty & honor.
Paul D
2025-01-30 00:01:53 +0000 UTCProfessor X and Jean Grey. I know, the X-Men comments are played out…but I still think it’s cool. I also know a little something about being in love with someone you’ll never see again. Very poignant ending, with Picard’s refusal to answer Dr. Huer. So much said with nothing said. B-Tier.
Raphael Gaytan
2025-01-29 17:18:14 +0000 UTCAgree on the chemistry!
Jovet
2025-01-29 15:45:02 +0000 UTCI like it too.
Jovet
2025-01-29 15:42:50 +0000 UTCThis episode feels like a throw back to season one horny Rodenberry nonsense.
kevin coleman
2025-01-29 04:49:23 +0000 UTCIm trying to find the substance in the plot here. Theres some, but it seems diluted by the obvious sex appeal. Overlooking the sitcommy trope of "those darn Ferengi are at it again", there is some valid moral dilemma of a slave girl being sold off to marriage, brainwashed to do the bidding of whoever. But also choosing to do so, (still brainwashed decision?) for the sake of peace. Is one persons happiness worth war? How does the prime directive apply since they are not humans? Difficult to choose between B and C for me.
Chris Mickelson
2025-01-29 02:50:20 +0000 UTCIs this how you write relationships and love in modern fiction? No. But thank goodness for SciFi, where we get to explore interesting 'what ifs' that are only acceptable if you get to play the 'alien race with distinct culture' card. We've all tried to become the person we think our crush wants, and this explores healthy and positive sides to that inclination without outright taking any sides.
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-01-29 01:15:37 +0000 UTCwho would have thought the Ferengi would be up to no good
Loot Narsbaar
2025-01-28 20:17:27 +0000 UTCI may be in the minority, but I’ve come to really love this episode. The idea of wanting to be the best version of yourself when you’re around a particular person is such a beautiful expression/metaphor of what it means to truly be in love with someone. The ending always breaks my heart a little.
Benjamin Azure
2025-01-28 20:08:31 +0000 UTCBuck Rodgers Season 1 had a GREAT cast. I liked Doctor Huer a lot.
Ian Westcott
2025-01-28 18:26:39 +0000 UTCI love Riker's "... I'll be in Holodeck 4" the first real acknowledgment of "yeah, people probably use the holodecks for sex all the time." It's a fun line in a 'meh' episode. MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Where was Troi?? A burgeoning empath struggling with her new powers, and she never talks to the only other empath on the ship?
Ian Westcott
2025-01-28 18:23:23 +0000 UTCThey had to create a being of pure rizz to out rizz Riker ! “ I’ll be at holodeck 3 killing a holographic image !” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 oooooh maaaaaan! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I maybe think you guys are gonna love this ? And I don’t want to underline the importance of what they’re talking about cause this episode rally went up the ladder for me, but… just made it to a B
Sixto
2025-01-28 16:28:56 +0000 UTCOh no, it's the Ferengi. Pass. That actor guest star was better off staying on Buck Rogers In The 25th Century. E
Ken R
2025-01-28 10:03:35 +0000 UTCDated plot and antics to be sure, but plenty to like as well. Riker invents a new euphemism for masturbation.
rear adm. crackbiscuit
2025-01-28 06:26:59 +0000 UTCXavier meets Jean Grey for the first time… wait… Riker showing what the holodeck is “really” used for. Ferengi at their best. Back ground being a nuisance. Great performances from Picard and Kamala. A-B for me.
Nathan Walker
2025-01-28 04:55:05 +0000 UTCSave us, Quark
Pokeysaurus
2025-01-28 04:28:55 +0000 UTCoh, and poor Picard.... maybe Krusher can cure his blue balls!
The Travelers Travels
2025-01-28 04:00:41 +0000 UTCA good episode that i hate. I call that slavery. Interesting pov but not for me.
Dan Here
2025-01-28 04:00:30 +0000 UTCIn the next episode they find Wolverine floating in space X-Men assemble!
The Travelers Travels
2025-01-28 03:59:24 +0000 UTCAnother episode that a lot of people have problems with, the same problems that Beverly has. I would probably have those same problems if Kamala was a reluctant bride, but she really isn't even after she bonds with Picard. She is willing to do her duty for the sake of her people. I like it, but not one of my favorites. I rank it as “Enjoyable”.
KatWithAttitude
2025-01-28 03:16:28 +0000 UTCThis one should have been terrible, but it works. And it can be troubling in the right way… a race of empaths used this way? And she chose to bond with a man of honor and duty…so she could be that kind of person. Kinda cool. But odd as well. She chose her fate but how much was Picard choosing? Odd, alien, thought provoking. Not a top tier episode but still a solid B.
Crankygrandma
2025-01-28 02:41:46 +0000 UTCOne of the few episodes of the series that I can't recall beat for beat from memory, which is never a good sign. Klingon growl, fight scene, etc, are the only memorable bits before the rewatch. And after a rewatch my only thought is that it's still a safe skip if it ever comes on again. Solid D, but just because it's a forgettable outing.
tkitez (take it easy)
2025-01-28 02:32:07 +0000 UTCThis one is a banger (and no, that’s NOT what I was referring to…😏).
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-01-28 01:45:20 +0000 UTCThought this might be one where I'm higher than the crowd, but nope: smack in the middle with a B (as of posting this). On the right day I might even go to an A-. CONS: FERENGI! PROS: Just about everything else! Guest star Famke Janssen is fantastic, managing to impressively balance graceful, subtle, and romantic. Reminded me a touch of Grace Kelly in this performance. Stewart is equally fantastic, very subtly surfacing a more vulnerable side of Picard. Although the interactions with the crew are super fun, it's her "dance" with Picard that really stands out. Is she just morphing into what she thinks is Picard's, uh, 'perfect mate,' or is there something of who she really is beneath the adaptations that is truly attracted to him? Picard's restraint with her is legendary -- role model stuff -- how he so delicately and respectfully side-steps her every move: intellectually, philosophically, and romantically, while still showing just the right touch of vulnerability and temptation. Delightful writing and acting between these two. A surprisingly memorable and enjoyable episode thanks to the script and the talents of Janssen and Stewart. Parting quote: "Nothing! Nothing lies beneath. I'm really quite dull."
Lovok
2025-01-28 01:34:23 +0000 UTC“Ambassador, Have a safe trip home” = “Shut up and get the fuck out” in Picard
Matthew McKinnon-Gray
2025-01-28 01:29:09 +0000 UTCFun to see Jean Gray and Professor X together before they were mutants, but Ferengi episodes at this point are pretty eye-rolling.
tyranusfan
2025-01-28 01:16:37 +0000 UTCThis one is an A or B for me. It’s been a while, so I’m not super clear, but I do recall liking it and thinking it ended well and Famke gave a great performance.
ScarlettMi
2025-01-28 00:52:25 +0000 UTCJean Grey steals the show from Jean-Luc. It's one I loved on multiple rewatches, so S for me.
THE Fans
2025-01-28 00:40:55 +0000 UTCI do love the mileage we get out of that down the road...
captveg
2025-01-28 00:32:19 +0000 UTCExpands on Picard's personal desires in a way rarely seen, but it doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. B
captveg
2025-01-28 00:19:21 +0000 UTCSurprised at the takes here, I really liked this once. It's an interesting concept and a great one for Picard's character. Very much a "Picard is a badass" episode.
paultardspambot .
2025-01-27 23:03:16 +0000 UTCDecent performances, but overall, it's a forgettable outing. You'll watch it once and likely never again.
Justin B
2025-01-27 22:40:47 +0000 UTCAnd just to be clear you low-lifes. I do not do that in my college classes. Get your minds out of the gutter.
Prof Moff
2025-01-27 22:20:31 +0000 UTCThis is the only episode of TNG I haven't seen. I've tried to watch it two or three times but turn it off because its so painfully bad. Surprised to see so many B tier votes. Ending must be better than the beginning.
Kyle Stewart
2025-01-27 22:19:28 +0000 UTCSo Jean Grey is practically throwing herself at Professor Xavier here, but as soon as he winds up in a wheel chair she loses interest. Typical abelism. This episode is like a reimagined version of Elaan of Troyus, but better executed IMO. Famke and Patrick's performances elevate it a lot from what I remember. The ending is pretty sad knowing she bonded with Picard and will spend the rest of her life thinking of him, but will most likely never see him again.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2025-01-27 22:02:43 +0000 UTCoops my comment on episode 20 was supposed to be this episode - thanks guys LOVE your work
jan
2025-01-27 21:32:38 +0000 UTCProfessor X and Jean Gray: together for the first time.
Collin Freeman
2025-01-27 21:08:32 +0000 UTCB for me. Not shockingly an episode with a hot girl and Prof Moff bounces it up a letter grade.
Prof Moff
2025-01-27 20:55:20 +0000 UTCI like Famke Jensen in this one. She makes a C story into a B.
Alexander McKechnie
2025-01-27 20:40:09 +0000 UTCMostly notable for the LORE: dolphins, the holodeck as porn release (unless Riker plans to simulate a cold shower) and the Bond girl’s makeup dots are all notable bits of Trek trivia, for various reasons. The episode itself? Serviceable. C.
John M.
2025-01-27 20:32:45 +0000 UTCGot to say this one is a snooze fest and the idea of dolphins on the ship was and is still dumb af.
ShazD
2025-01-27 20:08:35 +0000 UTCGee. We've never seen this story before. How original...
Nerd's Gold
2025-01-27 20:04:05 +0000 UTCAfter this episode, Kamala went on to have a brief political career on earth.
Evan Guthrie
2025-01-27 20:03:31 +0000 UTCI don’t have much to say about this one. Compelling Picard story and a memorable performance by Fahmke Jensen but it’s not one I choose in a rewatch. B for “broken egg makes a hottie”
Column Meanie
2025-01-27 20:03:31 +0000 UTCI like this one for messy stack of themes. Culture customs vs Sex trade, nature vs nurture, self identity vs meeting a partners needs. It dips its toe into too many things. I would expect an episode like this to fall apart, but the fact it still holds together turns this C into B for me. Perfect example of good execution helping a meh script.
Kenneth Elder
2025-01-27 19:59:33 +0000 UTCI went with a B because I remember it being an interesting premise and a great guest actor in Famke Janssen, another future 'X-Men' star along with of course Patrick Stewart. However, I also don't remember much more than that and feeling sorry for Kamala and Picard at the end. Good, not great, episode.
Forbidden Donut
2025-01-27 19:58:11 +0000 UTCS Picard having to deal with Kamala and resist here attraction. Then fails when she revels to him that she bonded with him anyway. Makes for truly compelling and tragic story.
Keith S
2025-01-27 19:49:14 +0000 UTCTim O’Connor (Ambassador Briam) was a sci-fi veteran. He was a regular in the 1979 Buck Rogers series and appeared in both The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone.
James H
2025-01-27 19:48:19 +0000 UTCA few funny moments but a weak episode overall. I like how they explicitly say what the holodeck is used for. A theme that continues in Deep Space 9.
Spencer Loften
2025-01-27 19:43:01 +0000 UTCMixed feelings about this one. This chick was actually a role model for me as a kid. But considering I have codependency issues now, I'm not sure that was a good thing.
BN13
2025-01-27 19:25:23 +0000 UTCOkay, this is a hot take, but this is a personal S-tier for me. Something about the character and acting of and between Famke Janssen and Picard is exceptional. Their interplay is so believable, and Famke Janssen is so attractive, that I effectively become enchanted during this episode all the way through.
Paul
2025-01-27 19:24:01 +0000 UTCIf I could give this TWO S I would. One for each of the ones in Famke Janssen's name. This was her first role on TV and certainly her first as a sex symbol. She (allegedly) had a role in "Fathers and Sons" which I'd never heard of, but in my attempt to find her in the movie I came across the most REMARKABLE group of future famous people - the cast is OUTRAGEOUS.
Matt Newmark
2025-01-27 19:22:21 +0000 UTCFAMKE!!!
Aramis Calcutt
2025-01-27 19:05:13 +0000 UTCTNG does "Elaan of Troyius".
Steven Linden
2025-01-27 19:03:13 +0000 UTCFeels like a script for the OG series to me and friends. The more OG fans like this more than the TNG fans who think this doesn't fit TNG. We can mostly agree htough that the guest star is an S tier hotty, an A tier actress but this feels like a C-Cup episode... C+ TIER! We compramise calling it C Tier.
MrTickleTrunk
2025-01-27 19:02:33 +0000 UTCI had memory holed this one as an S, but upon rewatch it’s just a B for me
Phil Ken Sebben
2025-01-27 19:01:30 +0000 UTCLooks like I like this one more than most everyone else. S.
Greg Quinn
2025-01-27 18:59:56 +0000 UTCThe X-Men prequel you didn't know existed. Famke Janssen playing a mutant with telepathic powers under the guidance of Patrick Stewart. Novelty of that aside, while not the best, this is also a decent episode. Lotta exploration about the push and pull of different areas in life. What is right vs what feels right. Duty vs self-interest.
Nolan
2025-01-27 18:59:28 +0000 UTCI feel heartbreak for the guest star at the end - but getting there was a bit too predictable
Jeffrey
2025-01-27 18:58:11 +0000 UTCA member of the bridge crew falls in love with a visiting alien dignitary. The biggest plot twist in this episode is that it's Picard and not Riker who is horny for the alien. C grade,
John
2025-01-27 18:53:43 +0000 UTCMy take is more positive than some other reactions solely because of the end. (Okay, + points for Famke) A culture with arranged marriage using a servile woman as the casualty - has her commit the ultimate act of defiance. She bonds to someone else. She'll lie for the rest of her life about it, but she knows. Its actually very cool for that reason if nothing else.
Paul Sage
2025-01-27 18:36:22 +0000 UTCFamke Janssen the perfect casting for the perfect mate. I don’t think this would be made now, kind of think she was like a Deltan in terms of the concept before the twist. It gets a B from me.
Paul Rymer
2025-01-27 18:34:41 +0000 UTCI see a few people have already beaten me to the Charles Xavier and Jean Grey jokes
Dion James Pitman
2025-01-27 18:34:31 +0000 UTCThis always feels like a S1/S2 episode, but well done for that low bar
Paul Hess
2025-01-27 18:33:55 +0000 UTCWorfs growl. Hilarious.
ComMix
2025-01-27 18:33:19 +0000 UTCJean Grey tells Professor X she's a mutant!
Joe Concepts
2025-01-27 18:29:03 +0000 UTCX tier. Jean Grey tries to bone Professor Xavier. Nothing else here of note.
EnigmaticPenguin
2025-01-27 18:27:27 +0000 UTCRiker going to the Holodeck right after his encounter with the metamorph is the Star Trek equivalent of "I'll be in my bunk."
THE LORE!!!
2025-01-27 18:24:56 +0000 UTCThe epitome of “contractually obliged” - definite C tier
Brian Dunleavy
2025-01-27 18:24:50 +0000 UTCFamke Janssen 🤤. I’ll be in holodeck 4 if anyone needs me. Remember the ship will clean itself. B
Phil Ken Sebben
2025-01-27 18:22:40 +0000 UTCHey it’s Professor X and Jean Grey!!! But seriously a decent romance plot, but you can quickly see where it’s all going.
Gregory
2025-01-27 18:21:48 +0000 UTC
