Target Audience / UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S3E12

I always felt this is a natural pairing with "The Hunted" before it - a security breach, fights on the Enterprise, and a moral dilemma for the crew to grapple with. Mid-tier, but not bad.

The Ninth Doctor

2024-06-04 21:30:22 +0000 UTC

This one always fell very flat to me and I think I know why. Like The Hunted, the themes and the subject matter are good here, but I think the script needed reworking in order to get the audience fully invested. The Hunted's problem was over half of the episode was action filler that never advanced the story. This episodes problem is it never gets us to really care about any of the characters involved, or what they're fighting for. I don't even know the futuristic cop lady's name, or what planet this is. All I know about the terrorist's motivations is "something about independence," and all I know about cop lady's motivation is "terrorism needs to stop." The episode tries to get us to sympathize with Flynn, but I really don't sympathize with him at all, especially when he keeps trying to avoid taking responsibility for his own actions while simultaneously trying to convince everyone else that he's a noble George Washington. I think the episode needed to both show him being a legitimately good person and having a good cause worth dying for, while also directly calling him out more for all of the stuff he does that's wrong. Beverly did a little of this when she called out that his whole "I care about you" charade is really just another form of him controlling through fear. We needed more of that. Instead, most of the time when Beverly calls him out, they paint her as the out of touch idealist. This episode also does a lot of telling not showing which further flattens the impact of everything. It would have been a lot more impactful for instance if instead of Flynn telling us that his son died in detention, we actually saw the cop lady do something despicable like let a child terrorist die. The cop lady and the government as a whole needed more bad stuff shown about them, and the terrorists needed more good stuff shown about them. Or we needed to see exactly why each side misunderstood the other. Like what if we had seen the terrorists plan to blow up that bus the entire episode only for them to be horrified once they found out it was full of kids? And from the government's perspective, we just see them label them all as heartless animals after that while refusing to listen to them about what really happened? We also needed to see more of what was really at stake here. Why do the terrorists want independence so bad? Why is the government determined not to let them have it? Has either side tried to talk with or understand the other? Or is the real tragedy that both sides refuse to listen? What would happen if the terrorists gained independence? Does the government know that this would be terrible and the terrorists could never manage themselves, but the terrorists are blind to their own shortcomings? The full politics here really needed to be fleshed out. Instead, all we got was the government telling us that the terrorists are monsters, and the terrorists telling they're George Washington with nothing else to really go off of to analyze their true motivations and form our own conclusions. And ultimately it feels like nothing happens. The situation on the planet at the end of the episode is basically exactly the same as it was at the beginning. The Enterprise feels like it's just passing by waiting for Beverly to get rescued. And that's how it feels for the audience too. This episode had a lot in it that could have been really great, but ultimately, it failed to get us invested in the characters or the politics, and ends up being very forgettable. As is, you can tell that the episode is trying to present both sides equally, but in actuality, it still ultimately feels like cop lady good, terrorists bad despite their efforts to balance them out.

BN13

2024-05-30 15:46:20 +0000 UTC

"The Irish reunification of 2024" Guess we can file that one under "things Trek predicted that didn't happen". Heading into this one, I kind of remembered it being just OK, as the whole analogy to the troubles in Ireland was never all too relevant to me as a Canadian, and also I was a toddler when this aired. By the time I was old enough to process the subject matter, 9/11 was obviously far more relevant. So I just remembered it as "the terrorism one". However, watching it this time, I'm far less forgiving, and I'd say I like The Hunted more. This episode is one of those times where Trek is way too on the nose with the subject matter. If you make the connection to real world events too obvious, you're not going to make anyone think about the issues. They see exactly what you're going for, and their own biases and opinions on the real world issue come to the surface, and nobody changes their mind. On top of that however, the episode all but picks a side for you. Sure you've got the token scene with Data and Picard's "but terrorism works sometimes" conversation. And as an aside Picard's "political power doesn't flow from the barrel of a gun" is pretty silly. Even the federation clearly understands that "those who beat their swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who didn't", otherwise they wouldn't arm "exploration cruisers" to the teeth. But anyway, aside from this passing consideration, the ep is clearly anti terrorism. We hear about constant bombings of civilian targets, 60 schoolchildren killed(by a radicalized teen, which I take to imply that they would know very well which bus fellow school children would be taking), an attempt to destroy the Enterprise because they delivered medical supplies and then had the audacity to attempt to get a kidnapped officer back. And what do we hear about the Rutians? Well they disappeared a few suspects, and Devos put a stop to that. For all we know Finn's 13 year old son who died in detention was the one that bombed the bus. They don't show us or even explain what the Rutians did that was so horrible and oppressive that made the Ansata resort to such savagery to achieve independence. I don't find Finn sympathetic at all. Ok, he lost his son in police detention, that's terrible. Of course if you assume his teenage son is the same one Devos referenced as planting that bomb, it's not hard to connect his death to a parent of one of the children he killed. Finn acts like delivering medical supplies, completely non lethal aid, is an act of war. He's like "how dare you make it harder for me to murder people". Starfleet expressly refused to supply weapons. Starfleet makes an overture to negotiate for Crusher's release, and Finn's response is to try and murder 1000 people who never killed or harmed a single one of his people. He brags about killing constantly, threatens Picard's life to intimidate Crusher, I could go on. This guy is a piece of shit quite frankly. But he's "artistic", so I'm supposed to sympathize? Yeah, fuck that. Him comparing himself to Washington rings pretty hollow. I'm no historian, and Washington may have taken part in or ordered some distasteful actions. But in regards to the revolutionary war itself, to the best of my knowledge, the colonials weren't going around slaughtering loyalists, they were fighting British soldiers. Valid military targets. Aside from that, what does that have to do with the federation. America and the UFP are 2 completely different political entities. Devos OTOH is very sympathetic. She's so devoted to stopping the killing, even though the job has made her jaded, that she keeps subjecting herself to assassination attempts and seeing the horrors of Ansata attacks even though she just wants to go home. The episode makes this token effort to seem unbiased on the issue, but everything else presented backs up Devos' assessment that the Ansata are animals, savages, and murderers. I walk away from this ep thinking "screw the Ansata". So not only is the real world issue it references plain to see, but it also clearly picks a side in said issue. So yeah, this ep kind of pissed me off, for entirely different reasons than someone in the UK or Ireland in the 1990s may have been pissed off at it. It doesn't make you think, or question your preconceptions about something. It throws a straight up villain at you and asks you to sympathise because he "drew Crusher like one of his Rutian girls". I have to disagree that the writing is this episode's strength. The writing is extremely shallow IMHO. Despite the lazy attempt to make you think otherwise, the Ansata most certainly do not have "the high ground".

Timothy Nikiforovs

2024-05-30 07:59:04 +0000 UTC

Great profile name by the way.

Just another Red Shirt

2024-05-30 00:54:33 +0000 UTC

Thanks man, I was Navy also. Corpsman 8404.

Just another Red Shirt

2024-05-30 00:53:29 +0000 UTC

My best friend told me a similar story, but it ended horrifically instead. Glad the kid was ok, and thank you for your service brother. I was in the Navy, so I can't relate to your experience in that shithole. I have a good idea though, fuck.

Clyde Frog

2024-05-30 00:26:37 +0000 UTC

I read it more as a "glad I don't have your job" kind of thing

Timothy Nikiforovs

2024-05-29 23:18:22 +0000 UTC

Something smells fishy around here...

Steven Johnson

2024-05-29 20:55:19 +0000 UTC

Also, the mention the "western continent", where Ireland is relative to the UK, a western island

Timothy Nikiforovs

2024-05-29 17:46:41 +0000 UTC

It can be tough when you're watching an episode you haven't seen in years or over a decade and barely remember, as well as a brand new reaction at the same time. You're trying to absorb both simultaneously. That's why I've started re watching the episode and then just have it play alongside the reaction on low volume.

Timothy Nikiforovs

2024-05-29 17:43:30 +0000 UTC

Oh thank God that didn't happen! I don't think Riker liked her very much judging by the looks he gave.

Eric Kelly

2024-05-28 23:32:40 +0000 UTC

You probably liked New Coke too. Garbage episode.

Trouty McTroutTrout

2024-05-27 21:46:28 +0000 UTC

You should watch BSG

Derek Orr

2024-05-27 21:46:13 +0000 UTC

ya the long pause from the cop who had her weapon on him while he had his weapon on Picard was a bit much

Derek Orr

2024-05-27 21:45:50 +0000 UTC

umm its classic Star Trek style...just like a private little war from TOS

Derek Orr

2024-05-27 21:44:40 +0000 UTC

When I was in Afghanistan we came across a 12 year old whose job it was to activate a command detonated IED. Good thing he fell asleep before he had the chance. He was not harmed by the way .

Just another Red Shirt

2024-05-27 20:51:33 +0000 UTC

I'm a security guard in real life. Our codes aren't supposed to be comprehensible to the general public.

Anthony Bernacchi

2024-05-27 14:58:52 +0000 UTC

I think Troi's limp line "Code one emergency!" is much more egregiously bad than anything she may be wearing. Picard gives her dressing/uniform leeway; you just have to accept that. But WTF is a "code one emergency" for God's sake?? LOL!!

Jovet

2024-05-27 14:46:40 +0000 UTC

Solid C for me. I've no problem with the premise, but some of the things the characters say or do is too preposterous for me. I mean... "...I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun" is, probably, the most idiotic thing Picard ever says on the show.

Jovet

2024-05-27 14:41:24 +0000 UTC

Right because Roddenberry hated character arcs.

Aramis Calcutt

2024-05-27 10:45:35 +0000 UTC

A pity she wasn't given to say to Picard what she wanted. It would have changed a lot of the dynamic between these two. Yes, I know that's why she couldn't. A pity nevertheless.

Sam Langanke

2024-05-27 09:41:34 +0000 UTC

Oh Finn, draw me like one of your French girls...

Badger

2024-05-27 06:04:24 +0000 UTC

💯

Greg Quinn

2024-05-27 05:33:38 +0000 UTC

Glad they didn't add a romantic spin on Riker's relationship with the female official. Not needed and would have been distracting... and inappropriate given the situation.

Stevtrek

2024-05-27 05:09:29 +0000 UTC

Our 24th century Angel of Death strikes again. Anything to ensure she's around more people dying/actively causing more deaths.

Brandon Burnette

2024-05-27 02:55:55 +0000 UTC

Cue the "Revenge of the Sith" jokes. The title of the initial pitch document was “Strength and Justice” – presumably not a feasible title, since there was already a TNG episode called “Justice.” It was this episode, not “Up the Long Ladder,” that major British and Irish broadcasters refused to air. Satellite channel Sky One showed it in 1992 but omitted the crucial, controversial scene in which Data mentions “the Irish Unification of 2024.” As of March 2024, the BBC had only ever broadcast “The High Ground” once, at 2:39 a.m. on September 29, 2007. This is the first-ever Star Trek episode with both a woman writer, Melinda Snodgrass, and a woman director, Gabrielle Beaumont. However, the finished episode is quite different from Snodgrass’ original concept. Snodgrass intended to write an allegory for the American Revolution, with Picard and his crew realizing they were on the “wrong” (British) side; Picard would have played a role analogous to that of Charles Cornwallis, the British commander who surrendered at Yorktown. The Romulans would have played the role of the French, allying themselves with the independence movement. Thus, Snodgrass originally intended to fulfill Alex’s prediction of the “switch” in the audience’s sympathies. Although Kyril Finn still compares himself to George Washington, Snodgrass reluctantly reworked the story to parallel the Troubles in Northern Ireland on orders from a TNG higher-up whose identity I cannot determine online. Michael Piller may well not have been the culprit, since he disliked the finished episode, calling it “Another show that I wasn’t particularly happy with” and agreeing with Ronald D. Moore that it made no significant statement about terrorism. The Ansata homeland’s location on the “western continent” is likely a relic of the original concept, although Ireland is also west of Britain. On the other hand, the statement that the Rutian government denied the Ansata independence 70 years earlier tracks well with the revised allegorical concept: the Irish War of Independence lasted from 1919 to 1921, and thus was underway 70 years prior to this episode’s original broadcast. While Crusher’s initial refusal to speak to Finn is dramatically effective, it seems odd that she never tells him her name, given that the three things real-world military and paramilitary organizations actively encourage their members to tell their captors if they become prisoners or hostages are their name, rank and serial number. Crusher goes on to reveal other potentially sensitive information to Finn, such as that she has a son and that he is aboard the Enterprise, while still not revealing her name. The absurdity of Troi’s costuming in TNG is never clearer than in this episode, in which she runs up the Bridge ramp shouting, “Security, Code One Emergency!” with her long aqua gown billowing behind her. This would be a dramatically effective incongruity if the terrorists had invaded a formal occasion, but Troi is wearing normal everyday attire for her duties aboard the Federation’s flagship. Kerrie Keane (Alexana Devos) later appeared in an episode of the legal drama series "Shark" called “The Wrath of Khan”! Richard Cox (Kyril Finn) was the first of two actors to play the role of Max Frazier, the father of one of the regular characters on the 1990s PBS children's show "Ghostwriter"; the realization that that show went off the air the year Alex and Josh were born has made me feel older than anything else that happened this week. The role of waiter/terrorist Katik Shaw is one of only four acting credits IMDb lists for Marc Buckland, who is primarily a TV director and producer (and whose Wikipedia article has been tagged for notability since October 2019). Christopher Pettiet (the boy) also appeared in "Point Break" and as one of the sons of L. Frank Baum, the author of the Oz books, in the TV movie "The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story." He died of a drug overdose in 2000 at the age of 24. (By my count, as of this comment I have written over 200 pages of comments on Target Audience Star Trek reactions on YouTube and Patreon.)

Anthony Bernacchi

2024-05-27 01:44:20 +0000 UTC

I totally agree! It's one big thing that has hooked me, their perspectives which are often from a completely different angle than mine. I admit I'm appreciating some of the character drivel more now than I used to.

Jovet

2024-05-27 01:43:00 +0000 UTC

Watching this episode with your commentary really does make it seem like i'm seeing it for the first time too. More accurately though, it puts it in another perspective for me. I never gave this episode much thought nor ever rewatched it until now and i'm glad i did because it was quite enjoyable. I felt the same about The Bonding. You are right about this one, it's not one of my favorites. Compared to other episodes coming up, this one is so-so at best. I'm a lot older then i was when i first saw it and now i appreciate it more. Its fun rediscovering these hidden little gems buried in the season. Episode 13 coming up is a personal favorite of mine and I am real excited for you guys to see it. Star Trek is more fun to watch with you guys then on my own.

Eric Kelly

2024-05-27 01:28:21 +0000 UTC

Thanks for making an episode about terrorism fun! Great reaction! Thank you! 🖖 ❤️

T’Pynyn of Vulcan

2024-05-27 01:22:07 +0000 UTC

I just don't find anything Star Treky about this episode if that's a word. Plus did they have to evoke a school bus full of dead children to get their point across? It's one of the worst episodes of the whole season imho. Skip it 9 times out of 10.

Trouty McTroutTrout

2024-05-27 00:37:16 +0000 UTC

I always felt like this episode was a shade less good than the previous episode. Now I'm not so sure. Still I don't see it as significantly better.

Greg Quinn

2024-05-27 00:37:04 +0000 UTC

I understand that but there are other episodes where they're in dark environs but you can still make out the facial features. It is a TV show after all lol. The actors go to a lot of trouble to put that emotion into their line reads for half their face to be shaded out.

Trouty McTroutTrout

2024-05-27 00:35:51 +0000 UTC

@Target Audience tries to deny it fails miserably LOL! Though, that's why I heard it but didn't see it, I was watching the slugging!! 👊 I'm not bothered by you guys reacting vocally, I am worried about full conversations over exposition or other important dialogue. Even if the CC is on.

Jovet

2024-05-27 00:12:26 +0000 UTC

Well he is Klingon...

Greg Quinn

2024-05-26 23:52:25 +0000 UTC

Well now you being bothered by us talking makes a bit more sense. You want us to shut up so you can watch the show lmao

Josh (Target Audience)

2024-05-26 23:51:52 +0000 UTC

Eh...they're in a underground cavern with dark rocks and probably trying to minimize energy use to keep from being detected. It makes sense for it to be dark both practically and for mood. Also...not trying to start a argument...but my favorite part is the moral ambiguity. 🤷‍♂️

Greg Quinn

2024-05-26 23:44:14 +0000 UTC

Yeah but I think we have gotten to the point now that it could be done again

Greg Quinn

2024-05-26 23:40:31 +0000 UTC

Once again, Dr. Crusher creates a problem by refusing orders or defying protocol. Once again Picard gets really pissed at her but ultimately lets her steamroller him.

Aramis Calcutt

2024-05-26 23:38:23 +0000 UTC

When Picard slugs Finn on the bridge

JGoss

2024-05-26 23:08:41 +0000 UTC

I don't use X, and never have. It wasn't an argument, it was a fact. I know, I know, no one in North America needs to grasp the exact governmental structure of western Europe. I can argue if you want, though. Your take "no good guys to root for" is wrong. One man's "dark" is another man's "real." You probably have a point about the lighting, but it's an underground base, you can't expect stadium lighting. I found Finn to be complex and predictable, but not boring. "Drawing Beverly" hardly registers on the 'creepy' scale when wantonly murdering civilians for a cause.

Jovet

2024-05-26 22:40:00 +0000 UTC

He was okay. His sudden death when Picard thought he might be facing his own was supposed to be more impactful than it was, for me.

Jovet

2024-05-26 22:32:50 +0000 UTC

This was a rather average episode for me and another skippable one if I was rewatching on my own, but this season is getting ready to go off lol.

Sequiro

2024-05-26 22:31:24 +0000 UTC

@Target Audience Oftentimes I get wrapped up in the episode and don't keep my eyes on you two as much. I remember you cheering once or twice but can't now recall what it was for.

Jovet

2024-05-26 22:30:02 +0000 UTC

Tin Man is great and Tam Elbrun is played by the amazing Harry Groener who also played the Mayor in Buffy. The best big bad ever.

Menty

2024-05-26 22:29:07 +0000 UTC

Showing a sympathetic terrorist is definitely pre- 9/11 writing.

Screaming Frog

2024-05-26 22:26:07 +0000 UTC

Better than I remember and the writing was very good. Maybe done in by its episodic TV constraints.

Stephen Wright

2024-05-26 22:12:52 +0000 UTC

A solid and infamous episode. Finn was an exceptionally effective character. Guess he thought destroying Enterprise would bring the Federation to settle the dispute. On another note, Beverly never looked better then the way she was photographed here.

Mark Chrisco

2024-05-26 21:31:26 +0000 UTC

“I don’t want to be there to meet her” gets me every time 😆

Glenn Johnson Barnes

2024-05-26 21:09:03 +0000 UTC

Go back to twitter and argue if that's what you came for, I'm just here for Star Trek reactions. 👍

Trouty McTroutTrout

2024-05-26 20:43:44 +0000 UTC

It would have been a whole different thing if the species had been familiar and the involvement of the federation really mattered. These random humanoid "aliens", whose name and planet nobody remembers, didn't help story and message.

Sam Langanke

2024-05-26 20:34:04 +0000 UTC

Ah a frustrating episode that’s good but doesn’t quite know what it’s trying to say at times. Excited to see reaction to next batch I’d rate 4 of the next 5 no lower than a 9/10. Some classics to come.

Darren Seal

2024-05-26 20:28:18 +0000 UTC

I have nothing to say about this one. Other than... "SECURITY! CODE ONE EMERGENCY!! SECURITY!!!" (LOL!)

Jovet

2024-05-26 20:20:20 +0000 UTC

("UK and N. Ireland" is redundant. The UK is Great Britain and Northern Ireland.)

Jovet

2024-05-26 20:19:21 +0000 UTC

That's why this episode was banned around there. Too much 'conTWERVussy'

Jovet

2024-05-26 20:16:52 +0000 UTC

How did you miss it??? lol

Josh (Target Audience)

2024-05-26 20:16:13 +0000 UTC

Clue me in? I misssed it

Jovet

2024-05-26 20:15:21 +0000 UTC

B- for me. This was gutsy for 90's TV.

Mike Rogers

2024-05-26 20:02:39 +0000 UTC

Not the worst, not the best, but a solid ‘good’ episode. I prefer my Star Trek allegories a bit less on the nose, and there wasn’t a whole lot of meat to it.

Matthew Riley

2024-05-26 19:27:13 +0000 UTC

They were saving the child murdering for BSG 🌈🎈✨

Benjamin Azure

2024-05-26 19:21:14 +0000 UTC

Alex, Josh…perhaps it would be fair to say this wasn’t a “great” episode, but a “good” one. I give it 3 1/2 out of 5. Perhaps you might agree. Plus, it was a Beverly episode, which we all love.

Chris S.

2024-05-26 19:20:15 +0000 UTC

I love Tin Man..not a top 10, but definitely a change of pace episode.

Glenn Johnson Barnes

2024-05-26 19:18:43 +0000 UTC

Best part of the episode is Picard clocking out a terrorist lol. So now that you've watched this I'm sure a lot of people will point out that it's sort of an IRA themed episode. It was banned for ages in the UK and N. Ireland. I dislike this episode for having no good guys to root for and the dark subject matter. If you do a rewatch, try playing a game where every time Finn says "kill" you have to take a drink. You'll be plastered by the end. Also the lighting is horrible. Half the face is in shadow in every underground scene. I know they're trying to make an ambience but it just comes off as sloppy directing to me. I find Finn to be boring and monotone. The idea of him drawing Beverly is just creepy, like he's already threatened her repeatedly and tried to kill her son. I admit the fight scenes are entertaining but this is a solid D- episode for me.

Trouty McTroutTrout

2024-05-26 19:11:37 +0000 UTC

Yeah for what is a quite grounded episode it’s a bit of a “TV” ending in order to get their message in.

Josh (Target Audience)

2024-05-26 18:55:02 +0000 UTC

This is also, not one of the top 6. I would put this in a B tier, personally. I think it does a fairly reasonable job with the content given that this is made for television in the 90s. Shocking to see actual blood coming out of one of the bombing victims... As far as what it relates to, I mean they don't say Israel/Palestine, they mention Ireland, they mention the American Revolution... But pieces of it can apply to so many things that happened in our history. Not to spoil anything, but this is something where modern Star Trek, and a lot of media made today, fails. When trying to do an allegory, it is important to not be on the nose and too specific. The point is to be broad enough to make the point. So, what's the point here? These things are ugly, and complicated, and anyone who pretends to have a whole answer is probably not on the right side of history. We are shown so many examples within these 40 minutes of things that happened here, caused side effects there, and back and forth. Layered over each other like an intricate knitted pattern. A thatch work of bloodshed and pain. Human interactions just one on one get complicated enough. Now make it two diametrically opposed cultures... Now add in years, decades, even centuries, of disagreements and bloodshed. Good luck solving that over a commercial break.

Steven Johnson

2024-05-26 18:41:30 +0000 UTC

I would say I have pretty much the same feeling about this episode as you do. However, the biggest flaw for me is at the end when the kid rushes in with the gun to kill the police captain. There are 2 of her cops standing right behind the kid. I find it hard to believe they would just stand there and not shoot the kid if they knew their leader's life was at stake. Hmm, must have been sympathizers to the rebels.

Collin Freeman

2024-05-26 18:39:48 +0000 UTC

This is an episode I missed the first time it aired on British TV, and again when it repeated! Caught it MANY years later, but never felt the need to rewatch. I'll be ready to re-evaluate that decision.

Ee'char

2024-05-26 18:38:04 +0000 UTC

😂 true! But it’s a lone turd in a goldmine!

Benjamin Azure

2024-05-26 18:37:58 +0000 UTC

Agreed. Very spot-on-the-nose with respect to Ireland at that time.

Collin Freeman

2024-05-26 18:37:52 +0000 UTC

With 1 exception, I agree with you.

Collin Freeman

2024-05-26 18:37:11 +0000 UTC

Damn...

JGoss

2024-05-26 18:34:57 +0000 UTC

Ehh, Tin Man is the last of those bad ones. That's still coming up.

Dabo Master

2024-05-26 18:34:48 +0000 UTC

this episode seems to have a heavy irish allegory fighting for freedom theme for it in several ways: 1 they mention on this planet 70 years they have been fighting for their rights for self autonomy which for 1990 would make 1920 for ireland which is when they gained their independence back from the brits. 2 the 'terrorist' guy's name is Finn which sounds like an irish last name. 3 they specifically mention irish reunification through terrorism which is supposedly achieved in 2024 in their timeline

Narnman

2024-05-26 18:27:24 +0000 UTC

You guys and the terrorist have something in common: simping for Beverly. (I kid, I kid!)

JGoss

2024-05-26 18:23:58 +0000 UTC

Bad news: Worf gets taken out again because that's what they do. The good news: he has main character immunity, the only one to get shot and not die

JGoss

2024-05-26 18:14:39 +0000 UTC

Just saw it. Yup, that would do it

JGoss

2024-05-26 18:13:01 +0000 UTC

CONGRATS GUYS! You made it through the last of the murky middle. From here on out…it’s the golden age! Looking forward to everything to come! ;)

Benjamin Azure

2024-05-26 18:12:02 +0000 UTC

Worf: I told you so... again

Evan Guthrie

2024-05-26 18:03:30 +0000 UTC

You too too!

Jovet

2024-05-26 18:01:16 +0000 UTC

With all due respect, gentlemen, I skipped this one to the end to see your after reactions. This is one I really didn't care to rewatch. Not that I don't care about the issues presented, I could go on all day on them, but this episode never did a thing for me. Good after reactions though. I'll listen to the reaction video Tuesday on the way to work. Carry on.

Monty Crawford

2024-05-26 17:48:04 +0000 UTC

It will make sense once you see what it’s in reaction to

Josh (Target Audience)

2024-05-26 17:43:07 +0000 UTC

Given the subject matter, I was not expecting that as a thumbnail .... let's goooooo

JGoss

2024-05-26 17:42:12 +0000 UTC

Please have Obi-wan and Anakin jokes.....

JGoss

2024-05-26 17:41:34 +0000 UTC

Hell yeah. Happy Sunday everyone!

SinocTheHodgeheg

2024-05-26 17:36:45 +0000 UTC

UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S3E12 - The High Ground

Comments

I always felt this is a natural pairing with "The Hunted" before it - a security breach, fights on the Enterprise, and a moral dilemma for the crew to grapple with. Mid-tier, but not bad.

Great profile name by the way.

Thanks man, I was Navy also. Corpsman 8404.

My best friend told me a similar story, but it ended horrifically instead. Glad the kid was ok, and thank you for your service brother. I was in the Navy, so I can't relate to your experience in that shithole. I have a good idea though, fuck.

I read it more as a "glad I don't have your job" kind of thing

Something smells fishy around here...

Also, the mention the "western continent", where Ireland is relative to the UK, a western island

Oh thank God that didn't happen! I don't think Riker liked her very much judging by the looks he gave.

You probably liked New Coke too. Garbage episode.

You should watch BSG

ya the long pause from the cop who had her weapon on him while he had his weapon on Picard was a bit much

umm its classic Star Trek style...just like a private little war from TOS

When I was in Afghanistan we came across a 12 year old whose job it was to activate a command detonated IED. Good thing he fell asleep before he had the chance. He was not harmed by the way .

I'm a security guard in real life. Our codes aren't supposed to be comprehensible to the general public.

I think Troi's limp line "Code one emergency!" is much more egregiously bad than anything she may be wearing. Picard gives her dressing/uniform leeway; you just have to accept that. But WTF is a "code one emergency" for God's sake?? LOL!!

Solid C for me. I've no problem with the premise, but some of the things the characters say or do is too preposterous for me. I mean... "...I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun" is, probably, the most idiotic thing Picard ever says on the show.

Right because Roddenberry hated character arcs.

A pity she wasn't given to say to Picard what she wanted. It would have changed a lot of the dynamic between these two. Yes, I know that's why she couldn't. A pity nevertheless.

Oh Finn, draw me like one of your French girls...

💯

Glad they didn't add a romantic spin on Riker's relationship with the female official. Not needed and would have been distracting... and inappropriate given the situation.

Our 24th century Angel of Death strikes again. Anything to ensure she's around more people dying/actively causing more deaths.

I totally agree! It's one big thing that has hooked me, their perspectives which are often from a completely different angle than mine. I admit I'm appreciating some of the character drivel more now than I used to.

Thanks for making an episode about terrorism fun! Great reaction! Thank you! 🖖 ❤️

I just don't find anything Star Treky about this episode if that's a word. Plus did they have to evoke a school bus full of dead children to get their point across? It's one of the worst episodes of the whole season imho. Skip it 9 times out of 10.

I always felt like this episode was a shade less good than the previous episode. Now I'm not so sure. Still I don't see it as significantly better.

I understand that but there are other episodes where they're in dark environs but you can still make out the facial features. It is a TV show after all lol. The actors go to a lot of trouble to put that emotion into their line reads for half their face to be shaded out.

@Target Audience *tries to deny it* *fails miserably* LOL! Though, that's why I heard it but didn't see it, I was watching the slugging!! 👊 I'm not bothered by you guys reacting vocally, I am worried about full conversations over exposition or other important dialogue. Even if the CC is on.

Well he is Klingon...

Well now you being bothered by us talking makes a bit more sense. You want us to shut up so you can watch the show lmao

Eh...they're in a underground cavern with dark rocks and probably trying to minimize energy use to keep from being detected. It makes sense for it to be dark both practically and for mood. Also...not trying to start a argument...but my favorite part is the moral ambiguity. 🤷‍♂️

Yeah but I think we have gotten to the point now that it could be done again

Once again, Dr. Crusher creates a problem by refusing orders or defying protocol. Once again Picard gets really pissed at her but ultimately lets her steamroller him.

When Picard slugs Finn on the bridge

He was okay. His sudden death when Picard thought he might be facing his own was supposed to be more impactful than it was, for me.

This was a rather average episode for me and another skippable one if I was rewatching on my own, but this season is getting ready to go off lol.

@Target Audience Oftentimes I get wrapped up in the episode and don't keep my eyes on you two as much. I remember you cheering once or twice but can't now recall what it was for.

Tin Man is great and Tam Elbrun is played by the amazing Harry Groener who also played the Mayor in Buffy. The best big bad ever.

Showing a sympathetic terrorist is definitely pre- 9/11 writing.

Better than I remember and the writing was very good. Maybe done in by its episodic TV constraints.

A solid and infamous episode. Finn was an exceptionally effective character. Guess he thought destroying Enterprise would bring the Federation to settle the dispute. On another note, Beverly never looked better then the way she was photographed here.

“I don’t want to be there to meet her” gets me every time 😆

Go back to twitter and argue if that's what you came for, I'm just here for Star Trek reactions. 👍

It would have been a whole different thing if the species had been familiar and the involvement of the federation really mattered. These random humanoid "aliens", whose name and planet nobody remembers, didn't help story and message.

Ah a frustrating episode that’s good but doesn’t quite know what it’s trying to say at times. Excited to see reaction to next batch I’d rate 4 of the next 5 no lower than a 9/10. Some classics to come.

I have nothing to say about this one. Other than... "SECURITY! CODE ONE EMERGENCY!! SECURITY!!!" (LOL!)

("UK and N. Ireland" is redundant. The UK is Great Britain and Northern Ireland.)

That's why this episode was banned around there. Too much 'conTWERVussy'

How did you miss it??? lol

Clue me in? I misssed it

B- for me. This was gutsy for 90's TV.

Not the worst, not the best, but a solid ‘good’ episode. I prefer my Star Trek allegories a bit less on the nose, and there wasn’t a whole lot of meat to it.

They were saving the child murdering for BSG 🌈🎈✨

Alex, Josh…perhaps it would be fair to say this wasn’t a “great” episode, but a “good” one. I give it 3 1/2 out of 5. Perhaps you might agree. Plus, it was a Beverly episode, which we all love.

I love Tin Man..not a top 10, but definitely a change of pace episode.

Yeah for what is a quite grounded episode it’s a bit of a “TV” ending in order to get their message in.

This is an episode I missed the first time it aired on British TV, and again when it repeated! Caught it MANY years later, but never felt the need to rewatch. I'll be ready to re-evaluate that decision.

😂 true! But it’s a lone turd in a goldmine!

Agreed. Very spot-on-the-nose with respect to Ireland at that time.

With 1 exception, I agree with you.

Damn...

Ehh, Tin Man is the last of those bad ones. That's still coming up.

You guys and the terrorist have something in common: simping for Beverly. (I kid, I kid!)

Bad news: Worf gets taken out again because that's what they do. The good news: he has main character immunity, the only one to get shot and not die

Just saw it. Yup, that would do it

CONGRATS GUYS! You made it through the last of the murky middle. From here on out…it’s the golden age! Looking forward to everything to come! ;)

Worf: I told you so... again

You too too!

It will make sense once you see what it’s in reaction to

Given the subject matter, I was not expecting that as a thumbnail .... let's goooooo

Please have Obi-wan and Anakin jokes.....

Hell yeah. Happy Sunday everyone!

More Creators

@Target Audience tries to deny it fails miserably LOL! Though, that's why I heard it but didn't see it, I was watching the slugging!! 👊 I'm not bothered by you guys reacting vocally, I am worried about full conversations over exposition or other important dialogue. Even if the CC is on.