UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S3E10 - The Defector
Added 2024-05-19 12:00:07 +0000 UTC
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Wizardling
2025-09-18 16:41:57 +0000 UTCGreetings from Youngstown! I started watching your reactions with Star Trek 3 and have really been enjoying watching you do TNG. The Defector is on my top episodes 10 list. I remember watching it when it originally aired. Kirk and Picard are obviously both brilliant strategists, but Picard's handling of the situation at the end IMO really contrasted his style from Captain Kirk more than any previous episode.
Mark Magana
2024-06-05 18:22:38 +0000 UTCOne of my favourites. The character of Admiral Jarok is one of the standout guest stars, and the plot is is *chefs kiss*. And the best is yet to come...
The Ninth Doctor
2024-06-04 19:44:02 +0000 UTCThis is my favourite non-two part episode of Star Trek....ALL of Star Trek
That one green Bolian
2024-05-31 05:35:41 +0000 UTCI'm so glad I watched the full-length reaction of this! It's awesome to see you guys getting so swept up in the story! I KNEW you'd love this episode!
GreenCauldron08
2024-05-30 19:08:04 +0000 UTCWatching this again, I caught the fantastic setup for the Klingons throughout the episode that you only get from repeat viewings. 1. After listening to the Admiral's transmission, Picard calls Worf into his ready room, but we don't see their conversation. That's when the plan is hatched. 2. The Klingon transmission that Picard sends Worf to take care of. 3. When the Romulans attack, Worf asks permission to do something. He's asking permission to have the Klingons engage. However, on first viewing, we assume he wants to return fire. Genius. 4. Then, the final reveal. Just a masterclass by Ron Moore.
Justin B
2024-05-28 00:39:58 +0000 UTCI'm just now getting to this one - up to 110 now. :)
Lady Beyond The Wall
2024-05-27 16:08:53 +0000 UTCSo this reaction now has 102 likes. I did a look through all the Star Trek episode and movie reactions, as well as Firefly, both incarnations of BSG, everything in the various collections. Unless I missed something, this is now the most liked reaction on the patreon, and the first to pass 100 likes.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-05-23 16:59:28 +0000 UTCThe Defector is definitely one of my favorite episodes of TNG Andreas Katsulas is a favorite of mine, both as Tomolak and as Ambassador G'Kar in Babylon 5. If you've ever seen The Fugitive with Harrison ford, he is the one-armed man in that as well.
Nathan Cline
2024-05-22 07:01:01 +0000 UTCThis has always been one of my favorites, especially as a Romulan episode. It just shows off how devious and sneaky they are in such a great way. It's a shame this episode never gets talked about much, it never makes best of lists, doesn't get brought up on youtube channels a lot...but I think it's super solid. And it's a great example of what Ronald D Moore does well. EVERY SCENE is important. No fat. Every scene leads into the next and refers back to the previous ones and everything has a purpose. I think this is where Moore really starts to take off as a writer (and he has plenty of bangers to come!)
Todd Pritchett
2024-05-21 09:41:15 +0000 UTC@Jovet It was the most fun for me so far. I can't wait for the next great one!
T’Pynyn of Vulcan
2024-05-21 06:00:54 +0000 UTCAlas, the absurd romance plots are inevitable...
Jovet
2024-05-20 23:07:57 +0000 UTC@Target Audience We told you: it gets *good* 😀
Jovet
2024-05-20 23:04:30 +0000 UTC"I'm ready for a BANGER" You mad prophet you...
Matt Newmark
2024-05-20 16:12:19 +0000 UTCOh good lord, that would have been so absurd
Gryff
2024-05-20 13:16:15 +0000 UTC"... and a terrific script from Ronald D Moore who was all of 25 years of age at the time he wrote this which truly feels like it came from a seasoned tv writer." That's in part because his scripts were rewritten by seasoned tv writers. Not to take away from Moore's talent because he is a very good writer but he did not produce the finished scripts on his own.
Phillip Grischa
2024-05-20 11:54:16 +0000 UTCTo the discord!
John M.
2024-05-20 11:09:53 +0000 UTCI joke that the universal translator has a cough button, but I think if it were to translate, it would just translate “swearword” because it doesn’t really have a reference for the actual word intended??
Philbot
2024-05-20 06:36:01 +0000 UTCSounds like Deadwood to me.
Philbot
2024-05-20 06:21:18 +0000 UTCWhile I love the Emissary I think the ⛔️spoilers⛔️ ⛔️spoilers⛔️ brings it to ⛔️spoiler⛔️
Philbot
2024-05-20 06:20:41 +0000 UTCMaybe this has already been mentioned, but a fun fact about this episode is that at one point when they were breaking the story, there was a subplot with a romance between Jarok and Dr. Crusher. Very glad they dropped that idea.
Steven Linden
2024-05-20 03:46:40 +0000 UTCHave to seriously disagree. Both Moore and Braga have talked about how both of them helped elevate the final product. Now in fairness as the show progressed both of them admit that they were running out of ideas and that because of that and the rush at times to keep ahead of the production schedule that they produced some less then successful episodes.
Mark Wood
2024-05-20 03:27:54 +0000 UTCI'm going to disagree with that. I think Braga was actually a really good ideas guy, and when he had another writer like Moore to do quality control on those ideas, the results were pretty good.
Steven Linden
2024-05-20 03:02:33 +0000 UTCI just remembered, James Sloyan is in one of the very best and most dramatic episodes... of Quantum Leap.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-05-20 02:52:10 +0000 UTCI guess I never noticed that. One big ol' error I noticed years ago was that in an episode they establish that matter/anti-matter ratio is always 1:1, and then just a few episodes later, the chief engineer of the week sets the ratio to 25:1
JGoss
2024-05-20 02:02:29 +0000 UTCI believe this episode plays off of "The Enemy." In that one, we saw how easily and casually that Romulans lie. I believe we regular viewers are expected to believe that the defector is a lying plant, especially after Geordie drops the dirt about how the Warbird let the scout ship escape.
Jovet
2024-05-20 01:31:39 +0000 UTC@valen This is a fantastic episode, one of my personal favorites. But the TRULY PROFOUND episodes that are coming may induce permanent "WTF MIND BLOWN" looks on their faces! I, err, really enjoy this show.
Jovet
2024-05-20 01:29:16 +0000 UTCYesterday was Katsulas's birthday. He would have been 78.
Jovet
2024-05-20 01:26:42 +0000 UTCI don't mind technobabble. It is science fiction, after all, and these are all supposed to be smart and capable people.
Jovet
2024-05-20 01:25:35 +0000 UTCBraga and Menosky gave the show its reputation for Treknobabble :\
JGoss
2024-05-20 01:08:07 +0000 UTCMoore is great it’s only when he got tangled with Brannon Braga that we got less than spectacular scripts
Scarpad’s Domain
2024-05-20 00:14:04 +0000 UTCI watched this whole reaction again
Jovet
2024-05-20 00:10:38 +0000 UTCWhat a banger of an episode! Definitely one of my favourites. A plot that keeps you guessing, great guest performances, and a genuine fist-pump moment for Picard with the Klingons reveal. And Shakespeare, lol! After being constantly ahead of the characters last episode, I'm guessing you guys appreciate this one even more for not being like that.
Ryan Caulfield
2024-05-19 23:44:05 +0000 UTC14:00 Worf was right, though. Again.
Jovet
2024-05-19 23:37:49 +0000 UTCThis is a hint of the type of storytelling you will get on DS9
Scarpad’s Domain
2024-05-19 23:32:39 +0000 UTCHe’s fantastic his acting in B5 is so good
Scarpad’s Domain
2024-05-19 23:30:38 +0000 UTCSame here, though I wish I'd joined earlier. when there wasn't such a backlog to get through
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-05-19 23:20:20 +0000 UTCWhat really strikes me about the best episodes of season 3 is just how much Picard is fleshed out. He's pushed and pulled in directions we didn't see much of in the first 2 seasons. Turns out he's every bit the confident badass that Kirk was, it's just that it isn't his first choice of response.
John Deadcorn
2024-05-19 22:58:14 +0000 UTCThe writing and acting are the epitome of what "Romulan" should be as.
Jovet
2024-05-19 22:46:35 +0000 UTCWelcome to the TARDIS.
Jovet
2024-05-19 22:39:55 +0000 UTCThe only time they say "directly..." is when they want the subject transported "directly" to sick bay or "directly" to the bridge. "Directly aboard" makes no sense. @James Goss I think that point is moot because they do that all the time... transport people from wherever to the transporter room. "Direct" implies site-to-site transport.
Jovet
2024-05-19 22:39:01 +0000 UTCTop 5 of the season for me. Top drawer episode.
Jon1701
2024-05-19 21:08:02 +0000 UTCAs a general rule, space is really frickin big, though here I'd assume the klingons kept their distance until the warbirds decloaked, knowing they would be shadowing the Enterprise. As soon as they knew where they were, they got in position.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-05-19 20:56:15 +0000 UTCLow bar
Evan Guthrie
2024-05-19 20:52:26 +0000 UTClove the reaction. great episode if you are into 'the lore' . a Story with War, Betrayal, double cross, and true love. banger for sure
Lt Dan I scream
2024-05-19 20:52:17 +0000 UTCI'd personally say there's 4 episodes that are definitively better, and 3 more that are tied or better depending on what you're looking for - and all 3 of which have aspects you will especially like.
Dan Halstead
2024-05-19 20:48:33 +0000 UTCIn interviews, Stewart has said that English is his second language. As a child he spoke only a local dialect of West Yorkshire, which can sound very different from standard English, and it can be completely unintelligible if you aren’t familiar with it. He had to learn to speak standard English when he started school.
Aramis Calcutt
2024-05-19 20:31:58 +0000 UTCBest pilot in Star Trek period, I think.
John M.
2024-05-19 20:21:40 +0000 UTCWith a splash of Jerry Goldsmith ❤️
T’Pynyn of Vulcan
2024-05-19 20:15:12 +0000 UTCI appreciate the kind of acting we get from Andreas Katsulas. He gives a memorable and intimidating performance while in reality the actor is sitting in front of a partial set backdrop, no other actors in sight, looking right at the camera with nothing to react to but a script supervisor reading Picard's lines to him to respond to.
JGoss
2024-05-19 20:07:55 +0000 UTCHeh, I joined in season 2, knowing what was to come.
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:53:16 +0000 UTCI think DS9 has the best first few seasons of the "golden age" by a country mile. It is not as good as it gets and still has rough patches but there is still good stuff in the beginning.
THE LORE!!!
2024-05-19 19:47:56 +0000 UTCI can say no more ;)
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:39:56 +0000 UTCYes I think season 2 of DS9 is underrated
Darren Seal
2024-05-19 19:37:47 +0000 UTCI was all ready to argue this but yeah I can see where there is another 6 episodes better than this one to come. Season 3 and season 4 is the golden era of TNG for me.
Darren Seal
2024-05-19 19:36:46 +0000 UTCYes both points are so true, the best is yet to to come.
Darren Seal
2024-05-19 19:34:15 +0000 UTCThat’s fair, although I expect most of that in every Romulan episode lmao. I think the “Enemy Mine” stuff with Geordi is what stands out to me in that one, but I get what you’re saying.
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 19:32:55 +0000 UTCAhh The Defector is a 10/10 episode for me. It’s easily one of the best episodes of season 3 if not the show. Yet I often feel it was overlooked. This and a couple of there in s3 is what made me sub for the uncut reactions
Darren Seal
2024-05-19 19:32:00 +0000 UTCA chance encounter with a Romulan officer, mystery as to why he's there, Picard vs Tomalak on the viewscreen, drama over entering the Neutral Zone and triggering a war.
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:23:04 +0000 UTCMy thought is, beam him directly from where he is rather than telling him to go to his transporter pad (assuming it works). We see lots of beaming down for away parties, but when it's ship to ship, it's generally transporter pad to transporter pad.
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:18:56 +0000 UTC..and the best is yet to come!
valen
2024-05-19 19:14:02 +0000 UTCYou're only 10 episodes in to a 26 episode season. The second half is even better than the first half. Prepare yourselves.
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:09:24 +0000 UTCThe part of your reaction I was looking forward to were the two hints of Klingons. Was it super obvious? The episode nails the setup as it moves on so quickly, you don't have time to dwell on it. The second reference made you guys pause, but it didn't spoil the payoff at the end.
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:06:24 +0000 UTCInteresting, I think they were pretty distinct. What similar notes did you catch?
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 19:05:18 +0000 UTCWell, back in TOS "The Changeling" they did say it was partially telepathic... so maybe it can tell if the use of a foreign word is intentional?
Nolan
2024-05-19 19:03:53 +0000 UTCThis episode is why I'm kinda meh on The Enemy. This one hits a lot of similar notes (including some literal notes), but does it WAY better.
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:03:50 +0000 UTCAlso, I love the Klingon Theme (originally from TMP) when the Klingons appear. It's my favorite theme in all of ST.
T’Pynyn of Vulcan
2024-05-19 19:01:50 +0000 UTCRon Fucking Jones. That is all.
JGoss
2024-05-19 19:00:58 +0000 UTCIt was so much fun watching this episode with you two gentlemen! Life is good today! I love the Henry V references throughout this episode. Star Trek has a long tradition of Shakespeare references. TOS is full of them.
T’Pynyn of Vulcan
2024-05-19 18:54:56 +0000 UTCI dare say... this episode might have been their most fun reaction to watch yet.
Jovet
2024-05-19 18:45:08 +0000 UTCThe rewatch of this episode made me think: How do cloaked ships avoid colliding with each other??
Jovet
2024-05-19 18:44:10 +0000 UTCI tend to agree with both of those statements, especially the 2nd one.
Collin Freeman
2024-05-19 18:40:36 +0000 UTCI've been waiting for your reaction to this episode. You wanted a banger? You have it! Can't wait for the rest of them that are waiting inline!!
valen
2024-05-19 18:34:54 +0000 UTCGreat reaction guys. I knew you'd love it. One of my favs and the scout ship is one of my favorite models, as you saw in the chats.
Monty Crawford
2024-05-19 18:34:34 +0000 UTCIndirectly, obviously.. /s
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 18:23:34 +0000 UTC🫨🫨
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 18:22:31 +0000 UTCDeserved!
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 18:22:16 +0000 UTCGood thing the Klingons never did that... although they'd be right at home in the animated series.
Nolan
2024-05-19 18:10:29 +0000 UTCDepends. Could be seven or eight too.
Sam Langanke
2024-05-19 17:56:28 +0000 UTCI love Picard and Tomalak facing off across a viewscreen. Reminds me of Kirk and Khan in STII.
Screaming Frog
2024-05-19 17:54:55 +0000 UTCOK, well good to know you liked THIS defector. :)
Joe Concepts
2024-05-19 17:44:09 +0000 UTCMake it an all poker episode when all the dialogue is done in Shakespearian English.
CM Waters
2024-05-19 17:34:35 +0000 UTCMy favorite episode of TNG, the first time I saw it and the Klingons decloaked I jumped out of my seat.
Aaron Holden
2024-05-19 17:34:00 +0000 UTCdata makes an unusual reference to a person living during our time. hardly ever happens
Narnman
2024-05-19 17:29:34 +0000 UTCI knew you guys would love this one! 😁
Column Meanie
2024-05-19 17:28:52 +0000 UTCman what an episode! such a ride with twists and turns along the way
Narnman
2024-05-19 17:28:04 +0000 UTCFor my money this is the best episode since measure of a man. It's not the best episode of this season.
harrypothead42024
2024-05-19 17:25:48 +0000 UTCThis is probably my 7th highest episode of the season. We'll get to my first "Best of the Best" ranked episode soon. I think the accent Patrick Stewart was using during the Henry V scene was pretty close to his native Yorkshire accent, before he went to acting school and learned to get rid of it. He didn't get rid of it entirely., since sometimes a little bit still creeps in. He does use it a little bit while narrating the audio book of his "Making It So" memoir. He doesn't always sound like Picard during that book. I highly recommend the book, but there's some TNG and movie spoilers.
KatWithAttitude
2024-05-19 17:17:55 +0000 UTCHow else do you "beam" someone other than directly? I don't know if the line got flubbed or it was written like that, but it's just a minor wince in an otherwise excellent story.
Jovet
2024-05-19 17:05:05 +0000 UTC39:00 Oh the looks on your faces! 😂
Jovet
2024-05-19 16:50:57 +0000 UTCWow what an episode not seen it in a long time and it just had everything
AzoriusMage
2024-05-19 16:47:12 +0000 UTCJames Sloyan kills it in this episode. His performance is so good, especially his scenes with Picard. Sloyan is a Star Trek guest character legend, appearing in basically every Star Trek series. This episode really reminds me of Duet for DS9, and man I cannot wait until you guys start diving into DS9.
Clyde Frog
2024-05-19 16:46:17 +0000 UTCJust from a quick glance... Yeah I think not yet Top Six is pretty close to the truth for me too
JD Nevesytrof
2024-05-19 16:39:56 +0000 UTCAlso, James Sloyan is a great actor, Trek always excels when their one episode guest characters are top tier
JD Nevesytrof
2024-05-19 16:32:17 +0000 UTCOne cool little touch is making all the Romulan ship hulls green in color. From the Romulan perspective, it's the same as making all their ships blood red.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-05-19 16:28:02 +0000 UTCI was incredulous so I went through the list - you're right, 6 of the top 7 still to come imho
Trouty McTroutTrout
2024-05-19 16:20:28 +0000 UTCWhen they were doing the whole swearing in Klingon and Romulan, the romulan called Worf a "PetaQ" which literally translates to "weirdo" although, in Klingon culture it's considered a much more serious insult than that literal translation might suggest. He then calls Worf a "ToDSah" which has no direct translation, but is generally considered a pretty strong insult. From some googling it seems it's derived from the idea that the target of this insult is looking to be rescued, in other words, it's a stab at the targets honor and courage, I'm sure you realize how serious THAT is to a Klingon.... Riker then called the Romulan a Veruul, which literally means fool, but again, like petaQ it's a more serious insult than the literal translation may suggest.
FPG
2024-05-19 16:14:12 +0000 UTCHe wouldn't truly make his mark until 2011's Thor
James Bottas
2024-05-19 16:12:20 +0000 UTCI see what both of you did there LOL
James Bottas
2024-05-19 16:08:17 +0000 UTCThis episode is a masterpiece. They set it up with episode 7 where Picard begs Worf to go through with the blood transfusion. We get that sense of how powerful the Romulans are so that when 2 Warbirds uncloak at the end the tension is incredible! The cold open where it's a harmless play that leads to the historical references from Picard later with a totally different gravity to the situation. The fantastic performances of James Sloyan and Andreas Katsulas. Leaving the mystery until the very end then a double surprise at the disinformation and the Klingon ships! The reference to the importance of keeping the peace treaty never more poignant than when 3 Klingon ships save the Enterprise from being displayed as a war trophy on Romulus. Even the score as you mentioned. They pulled out all the stops for this one and it's an unequivocal banger! Was waiting a long time to see your reaction to this one and I'm so happy you loved it too!
Trouty McTroutTrout
2024-05-19 15:54:00 +0000 UTCJames Sloyan is the GOAT! He’s done comedy, drama, sci-fi, soaps, you name it. And unlike Matt McCoy (The Price) he brings a different characterization to each performance. Yeah, this is one of my top 20 TNG eps, which tells you how many great eps are to come 😃
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2024-05-19 15:49:16 +0000 UTCI know, my reply wasn’t directed at you ;)
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 15:46:56 +0000 UTCNOT TOP SIX!?!
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 15:46:25 +0000 UTC"The Defector" is my jam! The Klingon reveal is *chef's kiss* and the performances by Stewart and Sloyan are also excellent. I think Jarok did the right thing. He really though his people were in danger and did what he thought best for their future. It's absolutely not his fault his totalitarian government fed him all this BS.
Captain Proton
2024-05-19 15:37:04 +0000 UTCWorking title: “A Question of Trust.” Ronald D. Moore’s second TNG episode, an event which Alex and Josh may have been eagerly awaiting, was also the occasion when the copyright issue involving Sherlock Holmes arose. The "Henry V" scene in the cold open was a late rewrite; the episode originally opened by revisiting the Sherlock Holmes simulation from “Elementary, Dear Data.” When the Conan Doyle estate objected, Patrick Stewart (who else?) suggested "Henry V" as a substitute only two days before filming the scene. The "Henry V" excerpt comes from Act IV, Scene One of Shakespeare’s play. There are various trims in the dialogue, and the original version features three English soldiers rather than two, with “The Defector” retaining John Bates and Michael Williams but omitting the character of Alexander Court, who should have been the one to speak the episode’s opening line, “Brother John Bates, is not that the morning which breaks yonder?” Later in the episode, when Picard says, “Now if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the King that led them to it,” he is quoting a line from the Michael Williams character that the cold open skips. On this rewatch, I laughed aloud at Picard mouthing King Henry’s lines along with Data. It is fascinating that, even though the holodeck program is reenacting a scene from a Shakespeare play, the computer allows Bates and Williams to react to Picard’s presence, with Williams even pointing a spear at him. The Shakespeare scene contains an interesting exception that proves the rule (which has never been a fixed requirement, but an instinctive tendency on the writers’ part) concerning Star Trek’s avoidance of pop culture references from later than 1966. In the context of discussing "Henry V," a pop culture artifact from the year 1600, Data mentions that he has studied Kenneth Branagh’s performance in the play’s title role. The 1989 film version of "Henry V," directed by and starring Branagh, was still in theaters when “The Defector” aired. I do not know of any other instance of Star Trek providing free and unsolicited advertising for a non-Star Trek, non-Paramount movie, but it was well deserved: Branagh’s "Henry V" is one of my ten favorite films of all time, although I have not yet gotten around to recommending it for a Target Audience reaction. (In one of the most deeply satisfying and hilarious casting choices of all time, Branagh’s film features the acclaimed English actor Michael Williams, who was the husband of Dame Judi Dench, in a superb performance as the character of Michael Williams.) Although Ronald D. Moore receives sole screen credit for “The Defector,” the final script was a collaborative effort of TNG’s entire writing staff. Moore rewrote the cold open and Act One, with the other writers working on the rest of the episode. The name of planet Nelvana III is a homage to the Canadian animation studio Nelvana, founded in 1971. (There is also a planet named “Nelvaan” in the 2D-animated "Star Wars: Clone Wars" series.) “The Defector” marks the first time viewers have seen the surface of the planet Romulus, albeit as a holodeck simulation. This is also the first Star Trek episode to establish words other than proper nouns from the Romulan language: veruul (an untranslated insult) and onkian (a unit of temperature). The two Klingon words Jarok uses, petaQ (transcribed as pahtk) and toDSaH (transcribed as tohzah), are insulting epithets of unknown meaning. Although the closed captions keep up well with the defector’s false and real identities as Setal and Jarok, they mistakenly claim that the unnamed transporter operator is O’Brien, who does not appear in the episode. James Sloyan (Admiral Jarok) also appeared in the "Wonder Woman" episode “The Girl with a Gift for Disaster” and in “Roland,” a first-season episode of "The X-Files." Prior to his death from a heart attack, John Hancock (Admiral Haden) appeared in the first half-season of the sitcom "Love & War," which also featured Suzie Plakson; he previously had recurring roles on "Cheers" (featuring Kirstie Alley) and "L.A. Law" (featuring Diana Muldaur). Andreas Katsulas reprises the role of Commander Tomalak, reappearing only three episodes after his debut in “The Enemy.” The multiple references to that episode in this one emphasize TNG’s increasing use of continuity between episodes, although, of course, this goes back to the “Coming of Age” — “Conspiracy” mini-arc in Season 1, and even the reference in “11001001” to the holodeck malfunction in “The Big Goodbye.” Simon Templeman (English soldier John Bates in the opening "Henry V" scene) is married to actress [SPOILER REDACTED], who would have an important recurring role beginning in TNG Season 4. With the clarity of Blu-ray, viewers are more likely to share Josh’s recognition of the actor playing Michael Williams (the other English soldier in the cold open), who wore heavy makeup and adopted a different accent than usual for the role. Note how Ron Jones brings in his version of the Klingon theme (which he modeled on Jerry Goldsmith’s Klingon motif from TMP) a moment *before* the Klingon ships decloak, a thrilling musical moment. At this point in TNG’s run, it is possible to predict Alex and Josh’s reaction to the score from the episode number, since Dennis McCarthy and Ron Jones were alternating episodes: they will praise the score during even-numbered episodes (Jones) but pay little attention to it in odd-numbered ones (McCarthy). Whether intentionally or not, the final words of the episode fall into the rhythm of a line and a half of Shakespearean iambic pentameter: “…there is hope for a day / of peace when we can take his letter home.” As of this episode, we have not yet seen any of my six top-ranked episodes of TNG Season 3.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-05-19 15:35:13 +0000 UTCYeah I was being tongue in cheek ;)
JD Nevesytrof
2024-05-19 15:24:03 +0000 UTCWe didn’t miss his original name, you can see me repeating it to myself to try and remember it lol
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 15:12:29 +0000 UTCIt must have those ChatGPT guardrails 😆
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 15:11:51 +0000 UTCThis was the crack I was looking for
Phil Ken Sebben
2024-05-19 15:08:03 +0000 UTCAlways like how the universal translator doesn't know how to translate swear words in other languages.
Code76
2024-05-19 15:02:21 +0000 UTCAnother great episode. I've been looking forward to this episode in particular for a while. I thought you might like it.
John
2024-05-19 14:58:16 +0000 UTCUgh that’s brutal to think about
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 14:50:46 +0000 UTCDo not agree. In fact I think 2 is better than 3.
John M.
2024-05-19 14:43:35 +0000 UTCAnd BSG…because honestly DS9 first few seasons are a pretty long slog of meh
Derek Orr
2024-05-19 14:41:27 +0000 UTCYeah, even claimed to serve under himself during the interrogation scene with Riker
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-05-19 14:41:20 +0000 UTCHow so?
Derek Orr
2024-05-19 14:38:32 +0000 UTCI love that Data mentions Branagh as one of the performances he studies. At the time of this episode, he would have been the new kid on the block. His Henry V, which was his first movie, had just come out in 1989.
Eric Brinkmann
2024-05-19 14:37:26 +0000 UTCWait.. how can we enjoy these themes when we weren’t living during the Cold War and don’t understand the fears at the time and aren’t history buffs and don’t like war stories and younger generation blah blah blah blah Could it be…. The execution of the story made us care??? 🤯🤯🤯
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-05-19 14:36:55 +0000 UTCI think you guys missed that Jarok initially gave a different name, Setel, a low level logistics clerk…the big reveal was of course that he was a high ranking well known Admiral Data is the 2nd officer…which is 3rd in command. Essentially like how Scotty was third in command after Kirk and Spock Many people on first watch completely missed the brief reference from Picard to get Worf to chat with Klingon warship. You guys caught it, nice job:) The Klingon theme music from The Motion Picture was perfect for the reveal scene and it wont be the last time you hear it:) This episode should be a lesson in tension and drama for todays trek and other shows, today they would have gone with a pew pew pew battle scene with poor CGI shots of the ships at a huge distance and tiny on the screen and lots of quick cuts and editing and silly lens flare. What we saw in this episode is 100 times superior. Having said that it would have beed amazing to see the battle unfold…I’m not convinced it was going to be an even situation where both sides get destroyed…one large capital ship and 3 escorts against 2 large capital ships…I think the good guys would have won :) The starfleet admiral was not actually super helpful…he basically played the political angle and said hey Picard however this unfolds its all going to be on your shoulders…you can be the hero and keep the peace….or the fallguy if its a big fuck up and war etc. There is an irony to using Shakespeare lines in a story where the Klingon’s assist the federation….an irony you will see a little bit further down the road :) The bit about Custer….Picard talking to Riker, it wasn’t about Riker being a first officer…. he meant “a countrymen of yours” as in a fellow American, reiterating Riker’s heritage from back when earth was still divided into sovereign nations.
Derek Orr
2024-05-19 14:35:46 +0000 UTC9:55 I forgot to mention the "beam directly aboard" line in the Patron Takes. Big hiccup in writing there! LOL!
Jovet
2024-05-19 14:31:10 +0000 UTCOh, so another story with a defecting high-value officer attempting to head off a surprise attack in a cold war, undetectable craft, and an ending depending on clever ploys and you LIKE this one? PICK A LANE, GUYS.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-05-19 14:25:30 +0000 UTC2:45 Looking at your faces... some MIND BLOWN
Jovet
2024-05-19 14:24:39 +0000 UTCYour tastes and mine don't always coincide(see Red October), which made me nervous going into this one because it's my #1 episode of TNG, and I _really_ wanted you guys to like it. I'm deeply relieved to see we're on the same page here. Ron Moore hit a home run with this one, which he wrote as essentially the Cuban missile crisis in space. This episode does pretty much everything right. The score is fantastic, the pacing superb, the performances flawless. There's this perfect ratio of action, suspense, drama, and political intrigue that never lets you get bored. I also love how the Shakespeare scene in the opener wasn't just filler, but echoed throughout the episode as Picard finds himself considering the wellbeing of his crew on the eve of war. I do chuckle when he tells Data that he can't disguise himself and walk among his men, because I just picture Picard dressing up as and talking like Michael Williams from the holodeck program and walking around the ship like that. Obviously a lot of actors come from a theatre background and were trained as Shakespearean actors. James Sloyan commented that he felt Star Trek was the last place you could really be a Shakespearean actor and make it work on TV. He remains in my opinion one of the most talented guest stars in all of Trek. I also like how much we get of Data in this episode. It's especially evident how much he strives to be human in this episode. First we have his exploration of Shakespeare, then his whole exchange with Geordi where he's concerned that he has no "gut feelings", and finally the way he almost seems hurt when Jarok says "the cold reaction of an android" and immediately attempts to make amends by creating the simulation of Romulus for Jarok. On that note I'll suggest Jarok likely brought some mementos knowing he'd never return, and he likely had a photo album, which the computer could scan and recreate on the holodeck. Stewart and Sloyan steal the show, but Spiner isn't slacking either. I'll also point out that Data was about the only person who tried to interact with Jarok without prejudging him. Geordi seemed to believe him, but didn't really interact with him. Everyone else who spoke to him basically called him a liar to his face. Not sure how I'd feel if I left my family and home behind and the only person to give me the benefit of the doubt is an emotionless android. And yes, there are some decent admirals throughout TNG. There will always be "badmirals", and occasionally a "chadmiral", but it's nice once in a while to have the higher ups say "it's your call, but we got your back". Like in The Enemy, we have another case of the saucer section being under utilized. Granted if a war had broken out, it would be a sitting duck without warp just across the neutral zone, but were I Picard I'd still be putting the civilians and any non essential crew on the saucer and going in the stardrive. Regarding the ambush, Picard didn't need to do this with the klingons around to help, but if he were alone out there and Tomalak is making all these ridiculous demands(after the romulans have twice violated the neutral zone AND entered federation space in just a few episodes), I'd just ask Worf which warbird he's transmitting from and tell helm to set a collision course at warp speed. Tell him "if we're not leaving the neutral zone, neither are you". It's a very bittersweet ending. It's not a surprise Jarok killed himself after finding out he'd thrown his whole life away for nothing. Sloyan really sold just how much he was in denial when Picard suggested this was all to test him. On the other hand, if someone who spent so much time serving Romulus as a soldier can see that war is not the answer, and sacrifice everything to prevent it for the sake of his family, then there's hope that peace can be achieved one day. What a great way to kick off 90s Trek.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-05-19 14:20:46 +0000 UTCLove this one! One of my most rewatched episodes
tyranusfan
2024-05-19 14:19:09 +0000 UTCOK, add an all-Shakespeare episode to the TA wishlist, right next to the all-poker episode.
Evan Guthrie
2024-05-19 13:51:21 +0000 UTCGreat episode. James Sloyan as Admiral Jarok is awesome. Great dialog; nice use of Shakespeare; good Data scenes ... and Ronald D. Moore is the man. Season 3 continues its rise.
Collin Freeman
2024-05-19 13:50:52 +0000 UTCThis is exactly what I was thinking. I'm so excited for them to get to Deep Space 9.
Spencer Loften
2024-05-19 13:44:05 +0000 UTCBased on your reaction to this, you guys are going to eat up Deep Space Nine with a spoon.
John M.
2024-05-19 13:37:19 +0000 UTCpetaQ is a Klingon curse word. It can mean a number of different curse words. Even the other Klingon curse word "toDSaH". Even that Romulan curse word "Veruul", too.
Anthony Goodwin
2024-05-19 13:36:15 +0000 UTCI absolutely LOVE this episode!! It is one of my all-time favorites of TNG. It is a perfect episode! There is terrific suspense around who this defector is and what his true motives are. And you feel Picard's dilemma: do nothing and if the defector is telling the truth, Picard failed to stop an all-out invasion by the Romulans. But if Picard believes the defector and strikes first, he could start an all-out war with the Romulans. Is it all a trick to give the Romulans a justification to go to war? The plot twists keep the audience engaged. The score is great. The writing is fantastic. But what really elevates this episode is James Sloan's fantastic portrayal of Jarok. You really feel his sincerity in wanting to prevent war, his sadness at never seeing his home again. The scenes between Jarok and Picard are fantastic. Just two great actors acting off each other. And then the climax with the brinkmanship between Picard and Tomalak with the plot twist of the Klingon ships showing up. WOW. And then the episode ends with that note of hope that someday they will be able to bring that letter home to Romulus. Just outstanding episode!
James Hoffmann
2024-05-19 13:29:48 +0000 UTCSpeaking as a blind person. My view of romulans is was and will always be Fascists, an opinion strengthened by centurion Bakrah that romulans kill blind children. This fascist society would therefore have rigid punishments for treason which would likely include public execution of his immediate family as a message to other potential defectors thus this principal idea of doing all this for his family has always had an extreme dark twist in my opinion Which is that Admiral Jarroc (or however it is spelled) knew and is the reason he ingested a suicide chip. I only have to point at human history to show that this level of cruelty is a factor of such systems. From Ancient Rome to hitlers Germany.
Thicketdweller
2024-05-19 13:28:09 +0000 UTCAlso, made it through the episode without Amazon shitting its pants.
Steven Johnson
2024-05-19 13:02:26 +0000 UTC"Are you prepared to die today, Commander?" Seconds before Picard reveals his hand of the hidden klingons - naturally, the Klingon battle mantra being 'today is a good day to die'
Mara
2024-05-19 13:01:40 +0000 UTCWhile the ending is very Shakespearean in its tragedy, part of me has always wished they had left him more open ended somehow. That's not even a complaint, it's an amazing episode. Like I said in the takes, a watershed moment for TNG.
Steven Johnson
2024-05-19 12:57:48 +0000 UTCGentlemen - Welcome to the "golden era" of TNG. This episode originally aired on January 1st 1990 and what a way to usher Trek into the 90's. An exceptional episode with stellar performances all round, great score and a terrific script from Ronald D Moore who was all of 25 years of age at the time he wrote this which truly feels like it came from a seasoned tv writer. Amazing episode Glad you boys enjoyed it.
William McRae
2024-05-19 12:57:27 +0000 UTCHenry V, Act IV, Scene 1. On the eve of the battle of Agincourt, King Henry visits his soldiers in disguise to understand their mood and morale.
Aramis Calcutt
2024-05-19 12:32:24 +0000 UTCHold onto your butts
SinocTheHodgeheg
2024-05-19 12:16:54 +0000 UTCI can't even remember which episode I'm going to watch. All I know is that Target Audience had one waiting for me. Press Play.
PIG
2024-05-19 12:15:36 +0000 UTC
