PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG - Season 3 Episode 7
Added 2024-05-06 12:05:29 +0000 UTC
Comment on this post your ‘takes’ on this episode and we will read a few in our discussion!
NO SPOILERS - If it is information regarding anything THAT DOES OR DOES NOT HAPPEN after this episode, don't include it in your comment.
If you want your take to be read in the video, comment ONE of the following:
- A brief review (2-3 sentences) of why you like/dislike the episode
- A question for us about the episode
- A prediction of how you think we will react to a certain aspect of the episode
- A fun fact about the episode
We are watching this episode Monday, so we won’t be reading the comments on this until then. If you have questions shoot us a message!
Comments
Interesting point!
Column Meanie
2024-05-09 15:43:13 +0000 UTCGene's vision of humanity's future kinda relies on us not being human any more either.
John
2024-05-09 13:27:28 +0000 UTCOf course, arguably, a prisoner doesn't have the right to refuse life-saving medical treatment. And if Worf had been wlling to donate, Beverly would have done it regardless of the Romulan's wishes, even if he weren't a prisoner, because Beverly is all about saving lives.
John
2024-05-09 13:26:34 +0000 UTCGood episode, Worf holding to his principles is great. Geordi had waaay too much sand in his shoe. Tomalok is one of my favorite villains and the Romulans are finally really showing up
Phil Ken Sebben
2024-05-08 07:10:43 +0000 UTCTomalak was always fun. Probably the best "Who, me?" style presentation until a certain other character of a certain other species enters the picture.
Avaria
2024-05-08 04:41:51 +0000 UTCI honestly think the only time we see Romulans use Vulcan level strength is in Star Trek 2009.
Mark Wood
2024-05-08 01:37:06 +0000 UTCYeah there is no error with the ending shot, unless we are lead to believe that either of the ships can go to warp in reverse. Now of course being in space they don't need to to a wide turn to turn around, they could just use thrusters and turn on a dime, but thats not as visually interesting (or a stock shot they could use for either ship).
Mark Wood
2024-05-08 01:34:50 +0000 UTCOnce the Romulan says he doesn't want Worf's blood the issue is basically settled anyhow. 🤷♂️
Greg Quinn
2024-05-07 17:45:40 +0000 UTCMy comment was directed at Gene’s vision of future humanity being so perfect that Earth is a utopia where people don’t argue with each other, they always do the right thing, and they don’t cry, not a comment about Worf not being human.
Column Meanie
2024-05-07 14:10:34 +0000 UTCGood episode. Some good questions on values and ethics is raised. This is about in the middle of the pack for me as far as Season 3 episodes go.
Greg Quinn
2024-05-07 07:10:45 +0000 UTCGood comment...but the last paragraph maybe just a touch spolie?
Greg Quinn
2024-05-07 07:08:54 +0000 UTCThis is a good Geordi ep. One of those few episodes where we see through Geordi’s eyes ,, ( this leads to a great conversation about perception) Worf is not human! But most important is Wesleys move as MVP Even Geordi instantly knows who to give the props to. The romulans are more interesting than before.
Thicketdweller
2024-05-07 06:17:51 +0000 UTCI think you are right. They were facing each other and had to turn around.
Sebastian_Frodo
2024-05-07 03:20:14 +0000 UTCA touchy subject for both Vulcans and Romulans
Leo Greenwood
2024-05-06 23:28:01 +0000 UTCThe Romulan commander is played by Andreas Katsulas, who you saw as G’Kar in Babylon 5, and the one armed man in The Fugitive.
tyranusfan
2024-05-06 22:50:29 +0000 UTCCome to think of it, I can't remember if Romulans are shown to be as physically strong as Vulcans. Vulcans are 3-5x stronger than a human, but I can't recall a Romulan tossing a human around. They're so rarely onscreen at the same time.
JGoss
2024-05-06 20:22:31 +0000 UTCWell in that case, maybe the Enterprise just made a big U-turn before joining the Warbird back to the Neutral Zone. It faded to black, how can we say for sure??? ;)
JGoss
2024-05-06 20:19:23 +0000 UTCNotice that last season Picard had some odd questions about Pulaski especially her "consuming dedication to her work and could such dedication interfere with her judgement?" He is really asking about Beverly having seen the trait in someone else, that she just won't let some things go, but he doesn't have the guts to ask Troi about Beverly. Its easier to just diss the same observation about Pulaski instead. This will show up time and again as both a strength and a problem for the Doctor.
Alan Thompson
2024-05-06 20:00:00 +0000 UTCBut they are not the same species. They have diverged.
Jovet
2024-05-06 19:49:41 +0000 UTCOr human at all, really.
Jovet
2024-05-06 19:40:25 +0000 UTCI always thought it would have been interesting if Worf choose to help the Romulan after talking to him and knowing his blood substance is something the Romulan definitely did not want inside him!
Jovet
2024-05-06 19:39:48 +0000 UTCGreat episode. This is probably the Romulan episode you guys have been waiting for. Also, I absolutely love Andreas Katsulas's portrayal of Commander Tomalak. Finally a Romulan with personality!
Ian Westcott
2024-05-06 19:31:05 +0000 UTCThat's not a problem at all. The obvious conclusion is he used the trough to make four half-spikes, then phaser-welded them in pairs to make fully rounded spikes.
Jeff Cornell
2024-05-06 19:11:14 +0000 UTCWhile the episode highlights Worf's decision, I'd like to know what you guys think of Picard's decision to leave the fate of the ship and possibly the entire Federation up to him. Was respecting Worf's convictions worth risking a war? Or could Picard just not believe deep down that Worf would really let him die?
bab
2024-05-06 18:58:38 +0000 UTCI will. (But I'm watching at least the opening of every episode from here on out before presenting my takes so that I don't make that mistake again.)
John
2024-05-06 18:31:25 +0000 UTCOh, we could get super nitpicky if we tried. I'd love to read what others found. Here's one: Geordi fashions a spike by phaser-ing some metallic rock. The molten spike would have cooled with a flat surface, but the one he uses is perfectly rounded.
JGoss
2024-05-06 18:13:26 +0000 UTCA line of dialogue is no match for some available and inexpensive stock footage!
JGoss
2024-05-06 18:07:55 +0000 UTCIf Bochra looks or sounds familiar, he's the pimp from Crocodile Dundee!
JGoss
2024-05-06 18:02:37 +0000 UTCI'm curious which episode you mistook The Bonding for. Let us know when we get to it.
JGoss
2024-05-06 17:56:53 +0000 UTCDorn indeed did not like Worf's decision and voiced it. Thankfully, Michael Piller ignored his objection.
JGoss
2024-05-06 17:54:19 +0000 UTCThis show gave good advice for sniffing out BS. The Romulan refused to talk, except to volunteer one piece of information, which the crew immediately deduced as a lie. That has always stuck with me. When someone is refusing to answer, be skeptical when they do offer up something.
JGoss
2024-05-06 17:40:42 +0000 UTCThere's a line that the Vulcans onboard were incompatible, akin to a blood type mismatch. It's a stretch that somehow a Klingon is compatible, but hey, dramatic license!
JGoss
2024-05-06 17:36:20 +0000 UTCAnd they used that to have a wonderful scene between Worf and Picard. Worf won't do it for personal reasons, but will do it for the 'greater good' if ordered, meanwhile Picard asks him but refuses to order him to do it because he knows what it would do to Worf.
JGoss
2024-05-06 17:34:31 +0000 UTC*cough* Star Trek Picard *cough*
Jon1701
2024-05-06 17:21:40 +0000 UTCNow the season/series is coming together. A & B (sometimes C) plots are being intertwined to great effect. TWO Geordi eps in a row!
Miah1138
2024-05-06 16:41:57 +0000 UTCI respect that the show respects Worf as a Klingon, and not as just a human with prosthetics. He doesn't have to have the same moral compass that we do. He operates under it 95% of the time, but still holds dear that 5% that keeps him who he is.
JGoss
2024-05-06 16:41:44 +0000 UTCDorn is human, but Worf is not. Sometimes it's for the best when actors don't have the final say on what their character says or does.
JGoss
2024-05-06 16:40:02 +0000 UTCThat comment from Josh got an immediate chuckle from me too
JGoss
2024-05-06 16:39:10 +0000 UTCEvery bit of character building they've done allows this episode to take shape and shine. And you get Romulans! I suspect this will be in the Season 3 Top 10 (that's how good the season is) of your favorite episodes.
Paul Sage
2024-05-06 16:30:55 +0000 UTCI really enjoy the Worf/Picard scene for showing the depth and mutual respect of the characters. Worf refuses, but will do it if ordered, but Picard refuses to cross that line, despite what it might do to peace. "LIEUTENANT...... that will be all."
JGoss
2024-05-06 16:29:40 +0000 UTCA really solid A story with Geordi and the Romulan, but I also love the B plot with Worf. Worf basically lets a Romulan die choosing his needs over the needs of the many. Bev is totally playing up the Hippocratic oath angle and Picard actually back's Worf's autonomy. Keep in mind that Dr. Jack Kevorkian was performing euthanasia on patients at the time in the US creating a national debate about saving terminally ill patients.
Jack Shipley
2024-05-06 15:35:14 +0000 UTCGood Geordi episode to make up for the last one. I like when characters traits aren't always a positive, and it makes sense that worfs backstory and heritage come into play in a bad way every once in a while (at least, more than just everyone giving him the side-eye when he suggests blowing something up every episode)
TivAcrid
2024-05-06 15:14:47 +0000 UTCI think it was the Romulan not even wanting Worf's help that let's Worf off the hook. If a patient doesn't want help, that should have been the end of it right there...
Brendon Waldron
2024-05-06 14:42:40 +0000 UTCAbout the only bad episode of the season. I just found this one boring. The Worf part was interesting but the rest of it was just...I don't know. I called it a great episode in my ranking, but that's still in the middle of my grading scale.
wildhunt1973
2024-05-06 14:39:05 +0000 UTCYeah, that never made sense because, aren't Vulcans and Romulans basically the same species?
wildhunt1973
2024-05-06 14:28:46 +0000 UTCI like the B story with Worf’s conflict and interactions with the crew. However, the biotechnobabble leads us to believe that Romulan blood is compatible with Klingon blood, while Vulcan blood is completely useless in this situation. Dr. Crusher is better than this.
Leo Greenwood
2024-05-06 14:11:44 +0000 UTCI love the fact the Worf doesn't give the transfusion. It's the believable choice for his character and its a source of much needed tension among everyone involved. Ironic that the only one who is happy with his choice is the Romulan himself!
Alexander McKechnie
2024-05-06 14:00:29 +0000 UTCI respect the writing decisions with Worf. He's not human, so we shouldn't expect him to always share human ideals. It is a brave choice to have him refuse to help, but it makes sense based on his personal experiences and gives him room for further growth.
Justin B
2024-05-06 13:46:52 +0000 UTCA Geordi story, a Worf story, and the best use of Romulans so far. What's not to like?
Screaming Frog
2024-05-06 13:40:59 +0000 UTCIt's a solid version of a very standard TV show formula episode. LeVar Burton is possibly the most immediately relatable cast member (and the others wouldn't be far behind). I wonder if Michael Dorn was conflicted about Worf's decision. Did he feel the writers were staying true to his character, while he may have personally regretted the lack of a clear moral act in a show that had a sizeable younger audience?
Numinous2019
2024-05-06 13:30:42 +0000 UTCFun fact : Michael Dorn originally wasn’t happy with Worfs character arc in this episode and petitioned Michael Pillar to get the ending changed.
Jon1701
2024-05-06 13:29:23 +0000 UTCAndreas Katsulas! If you know, you know.
Matt G Cowart
2024-05-06 13:27:40 +0000 UTCJosh, literally an episode ago: "Probably won't get another Geordi episode for awhile." The show: "Hah! Dumbass." Still not a huge deep dive on his character backgound, except, like Anakin, he has a disdain for sand. Oh, and the Romulans are actually, fully here. You'll pop for that.
Nolan
2024-05-06 13:22:57 +0000 UTCThe author did a follow up a few years later and plenty of readers found mistakes in the episode. In the word of the author the episode was “chainsawed apart” they found that many 😂
Jon1701
2024-05-06 13:22:01 +0000 UTCTook a while but we're getting a full dose of Geordi episodes now! I really enjoy the story/writing of this one though the acting is a bit cheesy imho. What did you guys make of the Worf side story? Was he too callous or in his rights?
Trouty McTroutTrout
2024-05-06 13:19:21 +0000 UTCI don't think so because if he had accepted to donate when Dr crusher initially asked the romulan likely would not have died making his death a consequence of worf's choice
Charlie
2024-05-06 13:12:06 +0000 UTCI mean now.
Mara
2024-05-06 13:08:36 +0000 UTCIf you mean viewers in 1989 would recognize Andreas, likely not since B5 did start until several years later.
Column Meanie
2024-05-06 13:05:45 +0000 UTCI have a feeling this is the Romulan episode you guys have been waiting for. Only took them 3 seasons to finally figure out how to use them. And Worf’s arc here is incredible: it really sets him apart from the rest of the crew and reminds us that he’s not a “perfect human”.
Column Meanie
2024-05-06 13:03:14 +0000 UTCAnother Geordi episode and it’s a proper Romulan focused one. The only thing I don’t like is that the Romulan died offscreen before Worf declined Picard’s request. It kind of lets Worf ethically off the hook because his choice ultimately didn’t matter. A coward’s writing choice!
EnigmaticPenguin
2024-05-06 12:52:27 +0000 UTCI just finished watching this episode again for the first time in nearly ten years so I don't make the mistake I did with "The Bonding." I think you'll enjoy the episode. You get a lot of Geordi and a lot of Worf, with a smattering of Picard, Riker, and Beverly thrown in (across the table from Worf, as it were.) The A story isn't super original, but it's not bad, and the B story is thought-provoking. There's a lot to unpack from that B story. Also, Andreas Katsulas as Commander Tomalak (spelling checked) is always solid. Wonderful voice, wonderful performance as always. We were fortunate to have him on Babylon 5, and he shines here too.
John
2024-05-06 12:47:54 +0000 UTCAnother Geordi focused episode. But more importantly a real Romulan episode! Here's hoping you find it worth the wait!
Julie Carter
2024-05-06 12:33:13 +0000 UTCIn the '90s there was a book called "The Star Trek TNG Nitpicker's Guide", in which the author went episode by episode and listed all the little continuity mistakes and plot holes he could find. This was the only episode of the entire series where he couldn't find anything. But I did. At the very end, Picard says the Enterprise will escort the Romulan ship back to the Neutral Zone, but the final shot of the episode shows the two ships flying off in opposite directions instead.
Jeff Cornell
2024-05-06 12:32:45 +0000 UTCOne of my personal all time favorite next gen episodes. And the next one is not far away. Here you can really see the differences between season 1, 2 compared to 3. The best romulan episode so far and even small things like Gordi using his phaser to melt stuff to craft something to climb that wall. I am still not sure how they did that set though. Seems that they've got a lot of money at that point.
Sebastian_Frodo
2024-05-06 12:29:56 +0000 UTCI love this episode, after barely giving Geordi stuff to do we get back to back Geordi eps. But it’s the Worf B story I am very fond of. The show doesn’t take the easy way out and makes a very bold decision.
Darren Seal
2024-05-06 12:26:00 +0000 UTCThis episode really calls back to the cold war. Any bad move by one individual could spell a bloody war. I really like how they handled the topic and it shows Picard at his best keeping control of the situation.
Evan Guthrie
2024-05-06 12:18:27 +0000 UTCGreat appearance of the legendary Andreas Katsulas as Commander Tomalak. Babylon 5 regulars will have already picked up on his distinctive voice, and here he chews the scenery as a Romulan. Honestly, a good to great episode that deals with saber rattling, acts of provocation, diplomacy and seeing the 'enemy' as another person rather than dehumanising them.
Mara
2024-05-06 12:11:42 +0000 UTCBack to back Geordi episodes, though they couldn’t be more different. Really strong B story as well with Worf. I didn’t expect him to do what he did to be honest. The show was brave in that aspect.
Paul Rymer
2024-05-06 12:11:37 +0000 UTC
