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FULL DISCUSSION - Star Trek TNG S3E16 - The Offspring

FULL DISCUSSION - Star Trek TNG S3E16 - The Offspring

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Not sure btw if anybody has mentioned it yet: No Andorians are still blue. So this was an odd design choice. However, nothing says there aren't different skin tones on Andoria like here on Earth so... maybe that was the equivalent of a black woman? :D But most Andorians are still blue in canon :)

Andreas Schmitt

This ep should have won Emmys. Really well acted by the entire cast. Spiner and Stewart were just amazing! This is why TNG is the best one! :p

ET

Loved rewatching this episode with both of you. Such a classic of TNG, and also all of Star Trek. What a dynamite introduction of Jonathan Frakes as director. Really enjoyed the discussion and your genuine reaction.

J-Ro

Josh *almost* cried when the dying Nancy Hedford said she had never been loved in "Metamorphosis" (a Ralph Senensky episode). According to the TNG Season 2 Writers' and Directors' Guide, Pulaski has three children by three different men (presumably the three husbands she mentions in "The Icarus Factor"). Beverly (who was not yet "Dr." or "Crusher") overlapped with Data at Starfleet Academy, and according to at least one of the original novels they knew each other while they were there, which the TV series neither confirms nor denies. (They have no introductory scene together in "Farpoint.")

Anthony Bernacchi

Creepy

Scarpad’s Domain

Re: Frakes directing--He asked about it in season 2, and bugged the producers enough that they agreed, so long as he went to "Paramount University," which was their tongue in cheek phrase for shadowing various directors and editors and putting in extra time watching how the show was made, in addition to his acting. He did that for about a year before they gave him an assignment, on the condition that he could only briefly be in the show, to allow him to focus on the production side.

tyranusfan

Data's determination to save his child to this day still really touches my heart. As does Lal's final moments and last words to Data! Jonathan Frakes did a great job directing this episode. It was the first of many Star Trek episodes to be directed by a member of the cast. This was Frakes' directorial debut. The episode was written as a spec script by René Echevarria and was bought by the show. Echevarria did a rewrite which was touched up by staff writers who all did a great job!

Comrade Wireless Caller

this whole episode was to show how traumatic it is to separate a child from their parent and how it ultimately "killed" the child, data did create a better version of himself but one who can't cope will lose

Gregory Mark Coburn

Huge stakes, but not huge. Well said, Alex.

Captain Proton

That "YouTube Short" LMAO!!

StonyD

I have had sleep paralysis once in my life. It was terrifying and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. Thankfully a one time occurrence.

Wade MacKinnon

Focus on one digit, finger or toe, and try to move it. Over time this will help your body "remember" how to move.

Joe Green

You mention this only had one plot, that really isn't accurate. It has a connected A and B story. But they mesh so well together that it doesn't feel like there is a disconnect. The Plot is Data learning to be a parent. B Plot is does Data have the right to be a parent.

Mark Wood

You mention that it's measure of a man 2. And interestingly enough, Melinda Snodgrass who did a massive restructure and rewrite (before Piller did his pass on it) felt the story wasn't needed. Because it's Measure of a Man 2. Thinking the heart of the issue about Lal and Data having rights, that Starfleet can't override should be covered by Data isn't property and that he should be allowed to discover his own path. She did really like the Lal and Data part of the story just not the rights side of it. But she did her job, and was kind enough to give Rene Echevarria full writing credit. And just a shout out to the writer Melinda Snodgrass (and others like her) who let these new writers get full WGA credit on the episode, especially on ones where they are doing full rewrites, where their work would qualify in the case of this episode and the Bonding for at least shared Teleplay Credit. Her position as Script consulate pays out a weekly fee, but it's not one that earns residuals. And It was very much expected for TNG to have similar success in reruns that TOS did (one of the most profitable reruns in US history). So being being generous she prevented herself from earning money from these episodes for decades of airings in reruns, on home media and international sales. Now Piller has did a lot of work in this episode (head writers are expected to due a final polish on every script, but here he did more heavy work), but having a producers credit means he does already earn residuals base on his weekly pay for every episode. So it's more of a gesture when it's someone who isn't getting residuals. So kudos, a very classy move. Both Moore and Echevarria have brought attention to her gesture and how she made their work look way better then it was. And both have also continued this practice later in their careers.

Mark Wood

Yep, sounds like the same condition. I can usually snap myself out of it by concentrating on wiggling my big toe. Usually.

Joe Green

It's pronounced "Echevarria," jeeeez.

Juan Tutrífor

Don't forget Laina.

Michael Metrick

Much of what made early science fiction so popular was the human like interaction between non-humans, allowing the author to examine the human condition from a fresh perspective. Sure there's plenty of shoot-em-ups but the best stories had the well set up pathos to further the plot.

Michael Metrick

11:14 I think the people were doing double takes because the Android was walking down the hall naked not because it looked weird

harrypothead42024

Alex, the reason you cry for things that happen on television or in movies but not in real life is you are more empathetic than you are sympathetic or maybe I have that backwards

harrypothead42024

I always assumed the synthehol was for people workng on a starship. So you don't get drunk while doing important exploring and battling.

Joe Concepts

You do get a some kind of buzz but you can shake it off. I think Data says the "intoxicating effects can be easily dismissed."

THE LORE!!!

Re : that corridor set. Give me a pen and paper I can draw you that set. From memory. 😂

Jon1701

Honestly, I find the idea that Starfleet would rule androids legally people and then still treat them like they are not to be very consistent with how human beings behave. Remember, Data's sentience was establish by a random JAG officer in a closed room out in the middle of nowheresville. It may be legally binding , but it certainly doesn't mean every person in Starfleet is convinced. Haftel gives lip service to their personhood to the extent the law requires, but he never comes off like he actually believes it. Frankly he comes off like a guy that's just trying not to get cancelled. He does whatever he wants, but he knows he can't openly oppose the "woke mob," so he's just like "Yeah, of course I acknowledge they're people. Now give me the baby so I can do experiments on it."

Steve Boshear

Yes. Human parents don't really get to chose such things for their children, and since Data had to construct her by hand, I don't think he wanted the responsibility to decide such things on his own.

Jovet

@Target Audience Now that only made me think of O'Brien posed like Marilyn Monroe, trying to keep his kilt held down.

Jovet

I tend to think the stuff about "choosing their own gender" wasn't really a transgender reference since it seems pretty early for mainstream shows to be making a comment about that. '90s TV definitely would be tackling gay issues, but the rest usually wasn't seen. Though an occasional plot about a one-time character having a "sex change" would show up now and then.

Joe Concepts

Playing Amazing Grace, just like Scotty did in Wrath of Khan

Jeffrey

We haven't seen a certain Ressikan flute yet.

Dan Halstead

I do have to disagree with Alex. As someone who never thought I would want kids, the positives FAR outweigh the negatives. And yes, this episode hits harder as a parent. There is no training, you just do your best!

Stephen Wright

We all agree that human beings are sentient and can make their own decisions. And yet CPS exists, to intervene when the government is worried about the well-being of a child. Real world situations are rarely so black & white as to come down to just one principle.

Dan Halstead

As to why there is a Green Andorian- Different ethnicity? Andorians have looked fairly different in different presentations

paultardspambot .

The scene where the admiral was describing how fast Data’s hands were moving, the admiral looked like he was fighting back tears. I think once a father saw another father, trying frantically to save his child he understood his error and finally saw them as more than just machines.

Just another Red Shirt

Wil Wheaton said that when he was young on the show, he sometimes snuck onto the set of the hallways and stood in the middle of the curve, where you cannot see either end, and pretended he was on a real starship :) So the set is big enough that there is a place where all you can see is the Enterprise hallways :)

Andreas Schmitt

I think that last conversation with him in the hallway, talking to Troi/Geordi and Wesley was kinda him realising / stating that he'd seen the lengths that Data was going to go to in order to help/save his daughter, and that it was no less than a normal 'human' would do for their child

Mara

“Thank you for my life” *cut to O’Brien in a kilt blowing away*

Josh (Target Audience)

What this episode really needed was O’Brien playing the Irish bagpipes to keep you from crying.

James H

27:10 Nah

Jovet

25:40 Exploitation. Just as the Romulan defector pointed out.

Jovet

Jesus we get it, you're a big tough guy who likes pew pew sci fi and outgrew your 'childish' emotions of love and empathy years ago.

kevin coleman

13:55 No explanation on the green Andorian.

Jovet

@KatWithAttitude Not just you. These guys are gonna need tissues!

Jovet

LOL!

Jovet

Mine holds me down to the bed making me paralyzed and unable to move which is even more terrifying in my opinion

C_Drew

So far, of the first 16, I have it Yesterday Ent, The Bonding, Beverly and the Terrorists, as my top 3, I think the soldier on the ship is 4. I forget what the rest were , they didn't seem all that memorable to me.

Ken R

They probably meant the concept of introducing a family member out of nowhere to create a story in a series. I won't discuss future episodes in this series but the concept can get taken too far when a show starts running out of ideas. Personally I see this episode as being more about parental rights. Certainly never seemed like a tack on episode to me in fact it's one of the objectively best of season.

Trouty McTroutTrout

This is my FAVORITE EPISODE & here's why I don't care much for it... 😜🖖

A G

I don't know what Trope he was referring to, but this episode was just way too sweet, and she just way too precious. It reminds me of The Waltons or Eight Is Enough, and seems so out of place for Star Trek. Data walks the line but never crosses it (so far), but "father, no one in school likes me"? Really? That's what everyone loves? I guess I'm just on another wavelength. The last few minutes were theoretically touching I guess, but I stopped watching this kind of fare more years ago than I care to mention. I almost feel a montage was needed with the theme from Courtship Of Eddie's Father playing in a slow, mournful piano style. Give me Game Of Thrones and BSG any day over stuff like this.

Ken R

Batman "Tell me, do you cry?........you will." And yeah, on the surface it does seem odd that after Measure of a Man Picard would seemingly be so opposed to Data creating a child. But yeah, I think he knew it was going to be the same fight all over again, and he's kind of pissed at Data for putting him in that position. Also wonder if Picard's line that "it's a life. It can't be activated and deactivated simply" was meant to be a commentary on abortion? I don't even buy that Data "using starfleet materials" would affect his parental rights. Money per se may not be used in the federation, but it's not like people don't have personal possessions. Replicator rations and such. Anything that couldn't be replicated I'm sure Data legally requisitioned for personal use at which point the parts are his property. Even that aside, if 2 organic people date on a starship, get it on in starfleet quarters, go for checkups/deliver the baby in a starfleet sickbay, and receive all the nutrition throughout the process from starfleet replicators, does that make the baby starfleet property? Obviously not. Edit - regarding my patron take, forgot Lal lived 2 weeks, not 2 days. For the purposes of the joke, same difference.

Timothy Nikiforovs

You mean 4x2? Unless Ensigns of Command just hit different for you😂

Timothy Nikiforovs

Stay with you for 30 years.. well we'll have to look back at this then when we are watching Voyager with you.

Sequiro

Even Charlie X follows that line, but this is by FAR the best version that Star Trek has done.

Andreas Schmitt

I think I had something like that decades ago. It was either sleep paralysis or an extremely vivid dream, so vivid I can can still remember it. I became aware when I was lying in bed, and suddenly I was floating up to the ceiling but I couldn't move a muscle. I floated around the house for a while before I floated back to bed. It was a very strange feeling.

KatWithAttitude

Well Measure of a Man deals more specifically with the concept of ending Data's life as he knows it for the purpose of mass producing more androids for service to humans. The Offspring is more about guardianship/custody rights so I think it does touch on new ground. I agree it doesn't take away from the charm of this episode or the emotional hit at the end.

Trouty McTroutTrout

The one that makes me even more weepy than The Offspring does.

KatWithAttitude

This episode is a personal favorite. Such a good story about Data and his child. As a secondary thing, I feel it's one of the better uses of Troi up to this point in the series as well. Her feeling the emotion of Lal is understated in a good way, if that makes sense. Well-acted, and the fact that Lal came to her for emotional help is a nice bit of continuity in regard to Troi's role on the ship.

Boggle

🤣 "So... I'm not either JOHN!" Omg I lost it when you said that, perfect ending🤣

Phluke Skywalker

How do you compare the emotional experience of this episode to The Bonding from earlier in the series? Obviously Josh shed a tear in this one. The Bonding was more of a slow roll with individual character moments where as The Offspring is goofier and charming and sort of let's you grow attached to Lal before hitting you with a sledgehammer at the end.

Trouty McTroutTrout

The Star Wars crossover one? Or the Doctor Who crossover?

Greg Quinn

This episode never made me cry. I cried in the opening of trek 09 and I heard recently on strange new worlds that’s it.

Philbot

I get what John is saying, though I disagree. There is a sci-fi trope of the character that is born, lives out their life, and dies in the span of an episode and we've seen it already with "The Child." But I think this episode handles it so well that it elevates the formula.

Jeffrey P

💀

Josh (Target Audience)

He’s got a ship to run. Geordie probably already tried to build a woman and knew it would fail. 😝

Philbot

Did the admiral get redemption in the end? I like his monologue about Datas hands.

Philbot

It's funny, I feel like the guys mature enough to have the self awareness to say "I wouldn't make a good father" actually would be in the long run.

JGoss

Great discussion, this is what sets you above the standard react channel.

JGoss

The lol actress UTTERLY nailed "Afraid" in every way.

Matt Newmark

My comment from the uncut reaction PART II... "I've never cried on camera before" S3E2? - hold my beer.

Matt Newmark

I basically agree that it doesn't make sense to have ruled them able to make their own choices but still try to take her away. At the same time...I personally didn't find that got in my way of enjoying it (I treated it the way I treat a boom when something blows up in space....I know it doesn't make sense...but I'm okay with it).

Greg Quinn

Except when they do drink the real stuff

Greg Quinn

Sleep paralysis sucks. I never see anything though. Just hear it, and feel it when it starts trying to pull me off the bed.

Joe Green

My favorite episode doesn't come until Season 5...

KatWithAttitude

39:31 Fellas, man to man, and I mean this... You'd both be great dads. And yes, it is absolutely terrifying and wonderous. The moment your child is born, and mine was a little girl... The instant I saw her my entire perspective shifted. Without her, I am nothing. Any man who walks into fatherhood thinking they're ready or they're going to do great is already on the wrong foot, because a little baby will humble you. I absolutely agree with that Patron Take. I watched Interstellar about a year after it came out and really enjoyed it. I watched it again after my daughter was born and I was emotionally ruined by it. I love that movie so much, but I can't watch it now. That line at the end "Because my dad promised me." It.... Defines the parameters of what it is to be a good father. You have to be patient, and strong, and set the boundaries.,, and be a man of your word. Boys need a good man to show them how to be... Girls need a strong man to show them what to expect. Far be it for me to ever tell anyone what to do with their lives, but I will say this... There is nothing like it. It is scary, but it is beautifully so. It's a gift like no other.

Steven Johnson

Evil Starfleet admirals are so common that we have a term for it: “Badmirals”

Adam Zey

I will gladly take Venmo or Paypal for the dude that wrongly bet £50 Alex would cry first.

THE LORE!!!

My take was one of the negative takes. But after viewing again, I think I look on the episode a little more charitably. But again, the premise that Starfleet has again forgotten the sentience of androids just doesn't do it for me.

Evan Guthrie

YES!!

Josh (Target Audience)

That sounds like a nightmare

Josh (Target Audience)

Me, too.

Collin Freeman

I saw this episode when it came out. It totally hits differently rewatching it in my late 40s.

Steve Krautkramer

video looks good, they were not joking about the better color.

Lt Dan I scream

The Twilight Zone episode is "Number 12 Looks Just Like You".

KatWithAttitude

In the TNG era, alcohol is rare. They drink synthehol - a synthetic alcohol that has the taste but not the deleterious effects.

Collin Freeman

"For our audience, ask your kids about that"? Ouch, you've got us pegged. Just for the record, no kids, but I am definitely too old for all that Disney Network stuff. EDIT: Ok, I obviously just told on myself. It's Disney Channel, not Disney Network.

Eric Brinkmann

The one character i think should have had more screen time is Geordi. Considering he is Data's best friend and an engineer, it would have made sense for him to be more involved in this story. Minor quibble.

Collin Freeman


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