PATRON TIER LIST TNG S5E5

I really hope they enjoy it, too. But I've been way wrong before. LOL!

wildhunt1973

I see them liking this one. I think they'd enjoy Troi being challenged, O'Brien's role and Worf and Keiko. i don't know what grade they'll give but there's a lot to enjoy out it.

Sainjl

Miles needs to see this manhandling of his wife

Narnman

Data obviously never taught Geordi the difference between blowing and sucking.

Jovet

Okay, [redacted] ... 😉

Jovet

I see it! I see it! LOL!!!

Jovet

Asks in Kevin Klein: Could you do that again, but this time really fast? 😉

Avaria

Honestly, it's just a rip-off of every 70s disaster movie and for that I'd start it as a 'D'. but once you factor in a lot of fun scenes between Worf/Keiko, Picard/The Kids, and Riker/Data it goes to a 'C'. And then we finally see real evolution in Troi, who shines in this episode imo. So yeah, I guess it's a 'B' in the end for me.

Boggle

TNG borrows heavily from the navy in using naval rank and insignia (full pip is a full stripe and an empty pip is a half stripe.) They also used colored uniforms instead of insignia to denote officer type: red for command (unrestricted line officer,) gold for engineering/operations (restricted line officer,) and blue for staff (staff officer.) Troi may be a LCDR, but she would never be in command. In that situation, it would actually be Ro calling the shots. Good episode though.

John Pierce

“Disaster” wonderfully pays tribute to the disaster films of the 1970’s and all of the fine character-building moments they led to. Picard has to engage his fatherly instincts, Troi assumes command, and Worf delivers his first baby! Along with great comedic moments between Riker and Data’s head, I remember really enjoying this episode in its first run!

Raphael Gaytan

Doh! Kids!

Jason Lallathin

When it first aired, I was recording it on VHS. At the second commercial break, I plugged my Commodore 128 computer into the VCR to insert the title card “What next?!” set to the melodramatic opening of Brahms’s First Symphony. You may now give birth, A+!

rear adm. crackbiscuit

Oh I love this one, always been a huge fan, everyone gets something to do. Lots of fun

Darren Seal

True, though I don't think it was mentioned again until this episode, while everyone else's rank is mentioned sometimes several times an episode. It's easy to forget it.

KatWithAttitude

One of the most dense episodes as far as notable things. Much needed Obrien screen time, Keiko and Worf delivering the baby, and Troi actually stepping into her rank are all excellent. Characters developing during a crisis is very efficient writing.

cricketlenny

fun episode. everyone gets to do so something in this edit if you look closely it looks like Worf throws Keiko off her seat in Ten Foward when disaster first strikes!!!!

Narnman

This rates an A+ for one of my all time STNG quotes: "I planted radishes in this special dirt and they came up all WEIRD!" One of several fun episodes that I always enjoy on rewatch, others include The Royale and yes Captain's Holiday.

barry vanwieringen

"Troi is in command and we find she has the same rank as Data!!!" We've known that since Encounter at Farpoint. ;)

Phillip Grischa

Picard with kids is nice...clarifies his character; he doesn't actually hate them....Just uncertain how to act around them.

Greg Quinn

A solid episode bumped up to A by the hilarious Worf & Keiko scenes.

Matthew McKinnon-Gray

Yeah, neither the chief nor ensign 'stockade' are command-level officers either, they just have additional technical expertise. Command, leadership, and rank are about more than engineering knowledge.

#MaxwellDidNothingWrong

Deanna has pragmatism on one shoulder and blind optimism on the other - quite the first command decision given the stakes.

#MaxwellDidNothingWrong

An episode where every actor has something to do. You set up a scenario then ask each character, "ok hotshot, what do you do?". That's a great episode.

#MaxwellDidNothingWrong

I never go the fanfiction route, but stick with me because I'm going somewhere: Imagine it's Picard's funeral and all three of these kids, now adults, show up. They haven't seen each other in years. All of them are Starfleet now. And one by one, they recount moments in their service where they overcame a moment of disaster by remembering the lessons they learned from Picard. They raise a glass and sing Frère Jacques in honor of the man who inspired them to wear the uniform. It's precisely because "Disaster" gets me to imagine the larger worlds of these one-off characters that makes me realize why it's such a great story.

Ally Roth

This is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes of ALL TIME. Easily an SSSS rating for me. I know there are issues (like why can't Troi sense that everyone on the ship other than the people who might have died are all right), but this is just an episode that makes me feel good every time I watch it. And Marissa responding when Picard says "You have the bridge, Number One," and then looking at Riker is hilarious to this day. You, Josh and Alex, will probably hate this episode because it's not deep and doesn't deal with death or a trial, but that's okay. I can love this episode enough for all of us if necessary. Though I do feel bad for the kid who didn't get a commission other than "Executive Officer In Charge of Radishes." A bit of an insult, to be honest.

wildhunt1973

Sure buddy.

Darin Wagner

It has a lot of plotholes and wonky writing but it's just so entertaining to watch. Great pacing with every subplot feeling connected and not feeling like we are spending too much time in it over the others. Troi, Ro Laren and Obrien are a great trio with conflicting points and they provide the drama while Worf and Keiko in Ten Forward make for great comedy and Picard and the kids allow for great sentimentality as we see that deep inside he does connect with kids and how they saved each others lives. There's nothing that good writing wise but it is just a blast to watch.

Fedora The Explorar

Troi is in command and we find she has the same rank as Data!!! Some might not like this episode because there are kids and parts are kind of silly but there's a lot of great scenes, including one of Worf's funniest when Keiko goes into labor. I do enjoy this one a lot. Yet another Season 5 “Best of the Best” ranking for me.

KatWithAttitude

Damn Kids!

The Travelers Travels

Excellent episode. Worf and Keiko are a classic pairing. Picard is out of his element but still manages to be a great leader. Deana and Ro is the weakest subplot in my opinion, but not bad just pedestrian.

Cirk Bejnar

“ so what if we get like a weird pairing of characters in a completely out of their element situation and they ace it at the end? You know like Worf delivering a baby, or captain Deana or Picard with kids ?“ Michael Piller “ yes” walks away

Sixto

I like this episode a lot, gave it an A-tier ranking. But on the off-chance you guys absolutely DISPISE this episode à la Captain's Holiday, here's something that is very funny to me personally that you could use to describe this episode https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kQgI1bGRZ-o

Elway Simpson

High S tier for me, and in my top 4 TNG episodes (#2 in release order). Bit of a guilty pleasure maybe, but this is one of my two go-to episodes if I want to watch some random trek. Picard, Worf and Troi are completely out of their comfort zones, while at the same time Riker & Data, and Geordi & Beverly all have to deal with unusual circumstances using novel solutions. Perfect!

Gruzz

Great "fish-out-of-water" for some of our crew. If you were on the crew which situation would you have been most helpful in? Which the least?

Stevtrek

An east S for me. Picard the nanny, Worf the medic, Date " remove my Head" and Riker, Troi and O'Brien vs Ro, with Miles doing his job even though he has no idea where his pregnant wife is. Finally Doctor "who needs oxygen?" Crusher saving the ship.

Sean Richard

Oh yeah, I get that, it's just that I had always sort of considered her as outside the hierarchical structure, so it seemed confusing to me as a kid. Probably also because she doesn't wear a standard uniform. Doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the episode in any case.

Ryan Caulfield

A an for me, I think what makes this episode work is every character being in the wrong element, and having to deal with what they don't know, and how completely clueless some are for what the others do. Troi is completely clueless in command, Picard could not be more uncomfortable if he was being tortured, and Worf once again proves to be the best comedy straight man in Trek.

Thomas Cole

Oh you're right whoops

Paul

Informal poll: great episode or greatest episode?😁

Eric Singer

The thing is, Ro realistically should have been in charge, as they are the only line officer, but obviously Trek has some weird rank things. Generally, specialists get Rank as part of their seniority in their line (i.e. in MASH all the doctors are Captains) but that doesn't mean they have command authority outside of their specialty. But yes, agree that the dynamic is great.

Thomas Cole

Worf is the ultimate comedy straight man in Trek.

Thomas Cole

Further thoughts? Keen to understand your viewpoint 👍🏼

The Ninth Doctor

Thinking this might be for the previous episode..?

The Ninth Doctor

Prediction: The guys will love it.

Jovet

While I agree that's why the line was written, I was more referring to Troi seeming surprised by it in the episode. It's not like she acknowledged she knew he was correct. It's been a bit since I've seen this one but I remember her just having a dumbfounded look on her face when he tells her.

THE LORE!!!

I just now got the mid-Worf joke. 🤦

Jovet

I thought her rank was Hatchback.

Jovet

There has to be a morning after?

Jovet

Let's go, Geordi!! I am the very model of a modern Major-General, I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral, I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical; I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical, I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical, About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news, With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse. I'm very good at integral and differential calculus; I know the scientific names of beings animalculous: In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral, I am the very model of a modern Major-General. ... ... ...

Jovet

Nah

Jovet

Neither would plasma fires.

Jovet

The child actors were absolutely fine in this!

Jovet

This is one of my most favorite episode of TNG and it's still just an A to me.

Jovet

I expect her to wear a standard uniform when she's on duty.

Burrito Vampire

Rankly, we never see Troi's rank, 'coz she never wears her standard uniform!

Jovet

She's not a command-level officer, she's just the highest-ranking person on the Bridge.

Jovet

I think it's one of my top 5 episodes of TNG (and, thus, all of Star Trek). It's not that its a particularly amazing or innovative episode, it's just a really enjoyable change of pace, where things are tossed on their head, and everyone has to struggle.

Jovet

I voted, S-tier. I, FUCKING, love this episode. It almost has the feel of a bunch of little anthology episodes happening around each other and a central issue; great episode!

harrypothead42024

Really like how this episode pushes everyone out of their comfort zones while they try to make the best of a bad situation, and there are some fun pair-ups here as well. Sure, some of it comes off as maybe a bit contrived or cliché (why is a counselor a command level officer?), but it works for me, although Geordi and Dr. Crusher in the cargo bay seems like a bit of an afterthought. Who would you guys have paired together?

Ryan Caulfield

Would have been a B+ but Worf saying, "You may now give birth" and having been thrust into the Big Chair maybe effected Troi more than she realized, that bumps it to A tier, even if O'Brian has to explain to Troi what her rank is. I know it's there for exposition, it's just very clunky exposition.

Burrito Vampire

Absolute fun to see the different groups team up. How can you not like Worf going "Congratulations. You are fully dilated to 10 centimetres. You may now give birth." or Riker's "You want me to remove your head?!" or Picard trying to order kids to stop crying :D A-Tier

Andreas Schmitt

@James Knight I assume that's referring to some 'wink wink nudge nudge' reference from one of the cartoons? We can agree to disagree about the label of "canon", particularly anything Kurtzman.

JGoss

I like to think that filament passed through the Enterprise, wreaking havoc as it went. OSHA might approve the safety of my computer, put there's not a lot they can do if lightning strikes the connector of my house and the current decides that its natural grounding isn't enough and some of it has to go through my body to get to the ground. Unusual yes, but it happens... sometimes extreme events can overcome safety.

Ian Westcott

There is a lot to like about this episode. Picard trapped with kids. Troi in command for the first time. Worf delivering a baby. Keiko's face when she nods yes slays me every time.

HuskerChuck

Is this episode predictable and cliched? Yes. Did that stop me from S-ranking it? Hell no! Sometimes cliches done well are good fun. It's just a "fun" little episode that puts characters in very unusual situations (Troi in charge of the bridge, Picard stuck with children in the turbolift, Data without his head, Worf as a nurse, lol was there no one else with that training?) and it somehow all worked.

Ian Westcott

Funny you say that, a canon explanation was recently given.

James Knight

O'Brien has S-tier swimmers.

Paul

Paul

The futuristic equivalent of OSHA needs to REALLY look into the dangers of bridge consoles.

JGoss

One of the most overlooked Star Trek episodes. A unconventional banger where all of the characters are forced out of their comfort zone. Here is a great example of a mundane threat elevated by the writing. Getting to see Troi in command, Picard working with children and Worf delivering a baby are some of my favorite character moments for each one honestly

Deep Red

The best way for someone to grow is by stepping out of their comfort zone, and fictional characters are no different! My only note that keeps this off the S list is that it’s been 105 episodes and the showrunners still don’t have anything for Picard to work on other than “Uncomfortable around kids.”

Pokeysaurus

D for Disaster

Paul Hess

An homage to 70s disaster films like "The Towering Inferno" and "The Posiden Adventure," this episode works so well because the characters have been so well established, putting them in new pairings and dynamics wrings dramatic tension out of each character's unique voice and perspective in situations outside their status quo. I don't think Worf delivering a baby, Picard stuck with children (your favorite plot, I'm sure) or Troi being in command would have worked as well in seasons 1 or 2 as it does here.

Nolan

So, according to the stardates, this episode takes place just over 9 months after Data's Day. O'Brien wasted NO time. It was good to see how much better Picard has become at dealing with kids since Farpoint, and Troi getting more to do beyond "sensing things" was a welcome change. Good use of the whole cast, as well as Ro and O'Brien. Close call with the warp core, but thankfully Riker and Data were able to put their heads together and find a solution.

Timothy Nikiforovs

THAT is an amazingly funny (and apt) Log Line audition if I've ever seen one. Spot on, Dr. (Oh, and --- how did "Spot" the cat fare in this story? We may never know).

Rhett Coates

My favorite line in the episode is an exasperated Keiko screaming back at Worf: "I AM PUSHING!!" That leaves me laughing every time I hear it.

Rhett Coates

Any episode which features Worf in situations where he's uncomfortably out of his element is automatically at least a B tier in my rankings.

Max Shenk

Picard worse nightmare trapped in a room with multiple children and no means to excuse himself to go get milk

Dark Kronis

I'm just anticipating your reaction to realizing that you're getting not one, not two, but THREE child actors with multiple scenes LOL. I always remember this one for Worf delivering the O'Brien baby and "You may now give birth". I didn't love the child characters, but I did appreciate Picard's growth as someone who is presented as very uncomfortable with children and learning to do better with them. Speaking of character growth, I also appreciated Deanna learning to be more of a leader.

Forbidden Donut

I go back to this one, a lot. Fun, multi-situation “dramedy” that somehow works cohesively (in my view, at least). From the drama on the bridge with Troi/Ro to the comedy of Worf delivering Keiko’s baby, to a severed Data head. *Chef’s kiss*

Andrew F.

Picard getting trapped in a turbolift with three kids. How he handles those kids shows how far he has come from his past dislikes for children.

TalynStarburst

Love love love this - so many great scenes and the suspense angle is handled well. Worf helping Keiko give birth was done with great comedic timing “you may now give birth” is such a memorable line. Ro being prickly with Troi is a development as you rarely have regular crew being “real” with each other -both were right but the different characters approaches make it interesting.

Paul Rymer

MSTies will get it.

KatWithAttitude

Awesome episode, lots of nail-biting suspense… My only beef is the Geordi and Crusher scene in the shuttlebay. That wouldn’t happen in real life.

Ron Hubbard Jr

"Frère Jacques Frère Jacques" and "You may now give birth" is what first comes to mind whenever I remember this episode.

Chris Mickelson

The Towering Inferno... in SPAAAAAAAACE! The one scene I didn't like was how Crusher and LaForge solved their particular problem. They would have been vacuum desiccated instantly.

Darin Wagner

Waffling between A and B for me. The parts I like, I LOVE. But the bridge scenes don’t ring true for me, and I’m tired of them throwing kids at Picard - “He doesn’t like kids so it’s funny, right?” I think there is enough I don’t love to bring it to a B

Jeffrey

Love the Bridge dynamic: Chief - Least Senior by Rank, Most Senior by knowledge and experience. RO - Middle by Rank, Knowledge and Training for Command Division. Troi - Most Senior by Rank, otherwise completely clueless.

James Knight

This makes me think you could shake up “the horror gallery” with “the disaster gallery” some month: Airport (1970) Poseidon Adventure (1972) Earthquake! (1974) Airport 1975 (1974) Towering Inferno (1974) Airport ‘77 (1977)

Matt Everkoul

ok, i love this episode. Lots of stuff going on, including the birth of the chief's baby. I really enjoy the continued evolution of Counselor Troi into an actual officer, not just a set of breasts that feels emotions. Also, Data's head there could give "Jan in the Pan" a run for her money.

Connor Fallon

This is a really fun episode with interesting observations about some of the key characters, especially Dr. Crusher and Geordi. If only Geordi had participated in more of Crusher’s plays, he might have had better breath control!

Aramis Calcutt

There is somehing kind of cool about a Star Trek Posiden Adventure crossover.

Keith S

"Mid-Worf: Warrior Gynaecologist". The Star Trek spinoff we never knew we needed...

The Ninth Doctor

"This is not like the simulation. That was very orderly..." classic Mid-Worf

The Ninth Doctor

Love pretty much everything apart from the stuff with Picard in the turbolift. The child acting is atrocious. The kid playing Patterson looks into the camera pretty much every time he gives a line reading! A-

Jon1701

Top 5 best episodes of TNG, love all the different perspectives.

ByRikersBeard

That was for the benefit of Ensign Ro, who he was talking to in front of Troi, I think. Ro had likely never seen Troi in uniform since she joined the crew 2 eps ago.

The Ninth Doctor

Great episode, it was fun seeing most of the characters out of their elements. My only nitpick is the decompression scene, Crusher was wrong to tell Geordi to take a deep breath, in reality they would have to exhale and get as much air out of their lungs as possible to protect them. The decompression also would not create a hurricane inside, the pressure difference between the inside if the ship and the vacuum outside is literally only one atmosphere, it would be easy to hold on, a small hole in a spaceship's hull can be plugged with an astronaut's hand until it's properly fixed for example, that's now little force is exerted during a decompression.

Phillip Grischa

"Congratulations, you are fully dilated to ten centimeters. You may now give birth." I would imagine that’s how the Vulcans do it.

Evan Guthrie

To be honest, this is an episode I sometimes just want to skip when doing a complete series watch, but I still give it a C.

THE Fans

I absolutely love this episode but one thing that always bothered me was O'Brien having to explain to Troi that she is a Lt Commander. I refuse to believe you can't not know your own rank. She even wore the pips in S1. I'm assuming the line was for the benefit of the audience and Ro but Deanna seems genuinely surprised to hear it.

THE LORE!!!

Worf managing Keiko’s pregnancy will never not be funny to me.

tyranusfan

Like many Troi-focused episodes, this one just misses the mark and rates a solid B for me. Don't get me wrong, I like the people thrown out of sorts, in unusual situations, but something about this episode just rubs me the wrong way. I'm also not a fan of a woman having to deliver a baby during a disaster. (I generally don't like episodes that involve giving birth, or, for that matter, getting married. O'Brien's wedding was okay because it was a minor part of the episode.) Worf does an excellent job with the scene, but I don't like it. But because I know my dislike, I've given it the B-rating up above, rather than the C that particular sequence pushes it down towards.

John

Trek-Quake! Starring: Headless Data, the Flying Crusher (again), Picard stuck with kids, Captain Troi, and introducing... Mid-Worf! Solid A - with various concurrent sub-plots all twisting together, this ep is one that you'll not forget in a hurry.

The Ninth Doctor

Really like the concept of pov of a disaster on the enterprise how it affects other decks/departments/people not just the bridge crew but we also have troi in command! I love this one myself, yes Jean - Luc you are indeed a role model 🫡

LonghillAndy

A pastiche of bad disaster movies that just becomes it’s own bad disaster movie. Even when it aired, the birth scene was cliched. Still a good time. Grade: B.

John M.

I love this episode-- A milestone for the Chief, our characters put in awkward situations where they can shine, Troi not only gets to do stuff, but she has to step up. Even the children are... mmm... tolerable

Moonlander

Frikkin' radishes! Somebody stop that kid!

Banes

Gotta love seeing different characters out of their elements. Brilliant idea to put Picard in charge of the kids, and Worf's comedic ability steals the show once again.

Banes

B tier. Lots of good scenes, but it never really becomes an excellent episode to me. It feels like a 1970's disaster movie with a series of vignettes. Character growth for Troi and Worf being a warrior gynecologist are both great.

EnigmaticPenguin

Strange bedfellows breeds great interactions in every grouping. I absolutely love this one. S

Phil Ken Sebben

This one is definitely TNG's answer to an earthquake episode so common on TV shows in the 80s and 90s. Someone's stuck in an elevator, someone's in labor with an inexperienced "midwife", and someone unexpected is thrust into a leadership role where they have to make life or death decisions.

Dion James Pitman

Star Trek meets EARTHQUAKE! A great tribute to the 1970s disaster films. Throwing Picard into a broken elevator with a bunch of emotional children is so deliciously cruel….LOVE IT! And Worf having to deliver Keiko’s baby is classic. “You may now give birth” is one of the most absurd lines ever put to paper.

Column Meanie