PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG - Season 2 Episode 22
Added 2024-04-02 13:33:59 +0000 UTCComment 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 LIVE tomorrow, so we won’t be reading the comments on this until then. If you have questions shoot us a message!
Comments
I always wondered if people coming into Next Gen during season were wondering what was going on with Riker's beard.
Nick Sauer
2024-04-04 02:02:21 +0000 UTCThere was a pillow!
Jovet
2024-04-04 01:34:11 +0000 UTCSeason 2 isn’t bad it’s just that its episodes go from a 10 down to a 2 … where season 1 was consistently 5s all the way
Warpiggaming
2024-04-03 22:53:31 +0000 UTCThis is definitely one of my favorite episodes. See S03E01 for more details. If you know, you know.
Burrito Vampire
2024-04-03 22:27:46 +0000 UTCReally through the non-native English speakers for a loop: *never refuse to reuse refuse!
Jovet
2024-04-03 19:00:03 +0000 UTC@Andrea R I heard that in Mr. Sulu's voice, just so you know.
Jovet
2024-04-03 18:59:24 +0000 UTCThe scene where Pulaski is about to beam down and O'Brien jokes with her is right up there with this one.
Jovet
2024-04-03 18:57:44 +0000 UTCI'm sure they will do something like that! I'm not usually one to get excited about ranking things, but I know TNG well enough I could probably come up with a best-of and worst-of list in a reasonable amount of time.
Jovet
2024-04-03 18:53:12 +0000 UTCI took the day off! But I also had a doctor's appointment too.
Jovet
2024-04-03 18:47:14 +0000 UTCExactly! Not gonna lie... that Data joke at the end isn't the WORST way they could probably think up to end a season...
Jovet
2024-04-03 18:46:10 +0000 UTC@James Goss They know of the "strong dislike" "worst of the worst" etc. I've no idea what else they actually know going in.
Jovet
2024-04-03 18:44:38 +0000 UTCI could Photoshop that into existence pretty easily! hahaha
Jovet
2024-04-03 18:43:15 +0000 UTCWhat did they know? Did they know it was clip show or that it was just strongly disliked?
JGoss
2024-04-03 16:04:07 +0000 UTCTrue, but that one wasn't built into an episode plot.
Joe Concepts
2024-04-03 15:40:01 +0000 UTCOr they could have just used scenes where Riker was actually present.
KatWithAttitude
2024-04-03 13:32:22 +0000 UTCWe will see 😝😂
StonyD
2024-04-03 11:19:54 +0000 UTCUnfortunately, due to timing and work I won't be there for the live stream, but let me say this; I am pretty sure you're going to enjoy the episode. Star Trek doesn't tend to do clip shows, so this is quite unique, and as first time viewers you'll enjoy revisiting scenes (and a couple of TOS movie easter eggs), seeing Tasha again, etc. Clip shows are fun like that, but only the first time around. As for the a-story, it's fun enough, a clever little way to work in a clip show and save what little money they had left, and indeed time. The cast we see are all great, nice pieces of dialogue, and Pulask is on top form here. Yeah, I reckon you'll enjoy it.
Andy Frankham-Allen
2024-04-03 08:36:41 +0000 UTCJosh/Alex- Did you expect Tasha Yar to be referenced in so many cutscenes after her death over a season ago? I believe this is the 2nd or 3rd episode they've shown her. Do you think there will be more references again?
Andrea R
2024-04-03 08:28:19 +0000 UTCWe have to keep in mind that they couldn't use any scenes from which Riker was *entirely* absent (even though some of the clips they used cut away from Riker). Also, anything from "The Measure of a Man" would have been too confusing to use because viewers who hadn't seen that episode wouldn't understand why Riker was arguing against Data's personhood. (The final scene could have worked in the "friendship" montage but would have given away the ending of "Measure" for viewers seeing the episodes out of order.) The absence of the Borg nursery from "Q Who" is puzzling and can only really be explained by the producers not wanting to allow a direct comparison between that episode and this one.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-03 08:23:12 +0000 UTCMY FAVORITE PARTS- Great dialog between Picard and Riker, a new jungle planet set, more references to Deanna/Riker's especially strong bond, a unique medical mystery with a unique solution, a reminder that it's not just aliens that are a threat in space and the stakes are always high, MULTIPLE unexpected Tasha Yar clips, ending with a Data funny moment (honestly that's all I need to be happy 😊)
Andrea R
2024-04-03 08:21:21 +0000 UTCThey would have had to start on the very first day of TNG's production, which is when the Holodeck sequence from "Farpoint" was filmed.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-03 08:15:36 +0000 UTCYeah, they were. But they were almost exclusively used in sitcoms, with the clips showing the funniest moments from the shows past.
Regan
2024-04-03 07:46:24 +0000 UTC🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:59:48 +0000 UTCEmpirically correct 🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:59:12 +0000 UTCI pictured you with a sign saying "Everyone loves this episode. Prove me wrong." 🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:58:42 +0000 UTCIt's rare that TNG will get this bad again. It'll happen, but this is a low point. Still worth it for how good Elementary Dear Data and Q Who were, but I sortof wish they'd scrapped this and just had one fewer episode -- the season was already shortened. Just air a rerun, the episode is practically that anyway.
Ian Westcott
2024-04-03 06:57:06 +0000 UTCSeriously 🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:56:19 +0000 UTCMaybe Josh and Alex should do a poll after the series finale where we vote for our top 10 worst episodes. I'm sure they'll do something for the best, but worst could be fun too. 🥰
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:49:52 +0000 UTCBecause they are all square, covered in aluminum foil, and everyone hates them. 🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:46:56 +0000 UTCGood question. Follow up question if the answer is no- What scenes do you think should have been used instead?
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:45:28 +0000 UTCI vote this comment gets read 🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:44:16 +0000 UTCThe premise would have been amazing had they filmed parts "from Riker's eyes" in all these past episodes only to include here! But that foresight is hard to accomplish.
Jovet
2024-04-03 06:43:44 +0000 UTC🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:43:23 +0000 UTCIt is filler. It's definitely out of place for a season finale compared to what's coming, but that's okay because life is fair.
Jovet
2024-04-03 06:42:05 +0000 UTC🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:42:01 +0000 UTCI guess I can only speak for myself, but... blowing = good sucking = good biting = bad
Jovet
2024-04-03 06:41:12 +0000 UTCLove that Star Trek Rollercoaster 🤣
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:39:18 +0000 UTCAlso clip shows were common place.
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:38:29 +0000 UTC"Spock's Brain" is just too ridiculous and preposterous for me to even laugh at. It's just plain STUPID. If there were sharks or lead-lined refrigerators involved it would be remembered more for those things. There are a few TNG episodes that are this level of bad/dumb, and I look forward to chatting about them when the boys get there.
Jovet
2024-04-03 06:35:43 +0000 UTCGreat observation
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:35:36 +0000 UTCIf I remember correctly, clip show episodes were really common in the 80's/90's. So I'm guessing people didn't react as strongly then as we are doing now. But who knows. Lol
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:34:53 +0000 UTCOh my
Andrea R
2024-04-03 06:31:56 +0000 UTCI'm not a fan of Seinfeld...
Jovet
2024-04-03 06:31:12 +0000 UTCTheir feelings were obviously partly due to their disappointment that Picard's specialist didn't turn out to be Dr. Beverly.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-03 04:43:33 +0000 UTCI think this episode is still better than the season premiere with Troi's baby or the Irish episode. But not by much.
Brian Moore
2024-04-03 04:40:44 +0000 UTC"Always with you it is brain!" The cheesiness factor is part of the episode's charm. This particular episode is either not bad enough to be good, or so bad that it passes beyond the line of "so bad it's good" much like the Star Wars Holiday Special. Either way, it's not entertaining in any sense of the word. In my opinion. Watching people react to it might be fun the way watching people watch the Red Wedding is fun. But I'm more interested in which episodes crack the top 5. This episode might remind them of some moments they forgot, so it could have an impact on that. But I doubt this episode will crack that top 5.
John
2024-04-03 02:10:41 +0000 UTCThat's one way to earn your stripes.
JGoss
2024-04-03 02:09:22 +0000 UTCIt's the popular "worst" episode. You can at least laugh at the absurdity, MST3K style. I dare anyone to watch the above TOS episodes instead. Or Miri. Those suck life from the viewer's brain.
JGoss
2024-04-03 02:07:47 +0000 UTC"Brain, brain, WHAT IS BRAIN?" is so bad it's good
JGoss
2024-04-03 02:05:50 +0000 UTCCorrection sir, it blows.
JGoss
2024-04-03 02:03:20 +0000 UTCImagine the difference between getting a five second warning that someone is about to kick you in the jerries, versus just getting kicked in the jerries.
Steven Johnson
2024-04-03 01:55:51 +0000 UTCThe writer never looked at the script again. TNG show runner for TNG "It's a piece of shit."
Steven Johnson
2024-04-03 01:54:53 +0000 UTCMy question: How would your guys' reactions to this have been different if you had known nothing about it beforehand?
Jovet
2024-04-03 00:08:49 +0000 UTCMy prediction: you bros won't hate it, but you won't be that impressed with it. You'll kind-of wonder what all the hate is about and then realize that Pulaski is in it and then you'll do that "knowing grin" simultaneously. And then you'll get (or already be) drunk. And Josh's wife will come crash the party and tear the set down.
Jovet
2024-04-03 00:03:10 +0000 UTCThe best you can say about this episode is that it definitely offers you a chance to look back on TNG so far ...
Elizabeth N
2024-04-02 23:32:48 +0000 UTCIt's an episode. It's a clip show, but it's still an episode. It has a slot, a name, a runtime, new footage, a new planet, a new infectious agent, and a new type of disease. It's an episode!
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:24:11 +0000 UTC*bites
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:21:44 +0000 UTC"Data! Something's got me!..."
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:20:15 +0000 UTC50 Shades of Gray. Hands down.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:19:16 +0000 UTC@Darin Wagner Yes, they will be watching this episode LIVE on YouTube, but like all the other discussions, they won't be reading these comments until they've watched the episode, talked it to death, and have nothing else to say.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:18:51 +0000 UTCI disagree—the mechanism of the illness may be contrived, but the overall plot is believable and plausible. I never worried about Riker actually dying, but it was pretty serious, and an apropos way to introduce "the clips" into the plot.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:16:24 +0000 UTCI hope they don't wait too long. Let's get this party started!!!
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:14:02 +0000 UTCNo. There is far worse Star Trek out there. There's worse TNG to come, there's Miri and Spock's Brain... there's so much more that is WORSE than this. But a hell of a lot that's way better, too, luckily.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:13:30 +0000 UTCHow would you have "advanced the plot" in their place?
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:12:37 +0000 UTCVoyager [spoiler spoiler spoiler]
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:11:59 +0000 UTCWell, he did introduce the Borg.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:10:37 +0000 UTCI love how you noticed that.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:09:57 +0000 UTCI agree on the effort of premise for the clipshow. I agree it is not the worst of TNG, there is far worse/inane/stupid coming. I wouldn't put it above "Manhunt" or "Samaritan Snare" though. It definitely is what it is, and what it is is not as dreadful as people make it out to be.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:09:25 +0000 UTCThird worst.... maybe!! Maybe fourth. Hmmm.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:06:59 +0000 UTC@StonyD I still don't understand the "why is she like this?" aspect at all. She's a talented doctor, doctoring. Picard is the one with the problem... why is HE like THAT??
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:06:31 +0000 UTC@Anthony Bernacchi Yes, and none of what we see is from Riker's eyes, reflecting *his* memories of events. And the ship makes noise in space without air to carry it. And...
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:05:26 +0000 UTCThis has a feasible plot, still for a clip show. "Spock's Brain" was just awful stupid.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:03:37 +0000 UTCSounds like he was born to sit still there and, well, do that.
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:01:52 +0000 UTCFor a clip show, it actually has new footage, a new planet, and an actual plot... I'd say it's better than would be expected nowadays!
Jovet
2024-04-02 23:00:26 +0000 UTCYep. Exactly. There is an actual plot, and it's actually plausible. There is new footage filmed, even on a planet's surface. It's not that nerve-wracking, but Cmdr. Riker's condition is very serious. The bizarre needles-in-cranium rolly device is seen for the first time. Troi and Pulaski seem to work well together on screen. And someone's boy Colm is in it! It's really not that bad.
Jovet
2024-04-02 22:58:43 +0000 UTC*Would you guys have enjoyed it more if you didn't know beforehand the hate that it endures??
Jovet
2024-04-02 22:54:21 +0000 UTCWhat?
Jovet
2024-04-02 22:53:48 +0000 UTCWow! 137 comments already as I'm first seeing this! People must really love this one!! Edit: 202 comments T-3 hours before the stream! This is starting to rival "Measure of a Man"! People REALLY must LOVE this one!!!
Jovet
2024-04-02 22:52:38 +0000 UTCI think in the live stream, Josh said he never watched The Simpsons. He did see Seinfeld though, and it has a clip show before the finale.
JGoss
2024-04-02 22:04:08 +0000 UTCanyway
Jiri Luza
2024-04-02 22:04:02 +0000 UTCIt's clickbait and it's also an earlier episode.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-04-02 21:35:43 +0000 UTCNow you know why it's the line in the sand between bad and good TNG.
Syl
2024-04-02 21:25:46 +0000 UTCI forget this episode exists until it's time to skip it when I rewatch the show.
And the rest!
2024-04-02 20:52:14 +0000 UTCPrediction: You'll like this more than the TOS Season 2 finale! My guess is you'll think it's just a mediocre episode, but you'll enjoy seeing the clips from Season 1. The plot is actually a decent Sci Fi story, though it could be done better. Ragging on this episode has become a bandwagon, but I don't think it's truly deserving of the hate. (You've seen and will see worse!)
Bret Kay
2024-04-02 20:49:42 +0000 UTCThis is it, guys. Once you get past this, you'll have... *checks notes* about 40 straight decent to amazing episodes until the next bad one.
JGoss
2024-04-02 20:45:39 +0000 UTCThey defeated by turning the bad dreams up to 11... I know they were saving money, but my god did they literally run out of tape? This could have stopped anyone returning for S3.
Dave Brown
2024-04-02 20:45:39 +0000 UTCCongratulations on making it through the two worst seasons of TNG! If you're still a fan after these two, then most of the rest of the show will be a lot of fun. Literally dozens of bangers, heart-tuggers, and wonderful dives into "The Lore!!!!!" lie ahead. (But still a few flat ones here and there. In a season of 26 epsidoes, they can't all be winners...or can they?)
Timothy Hennon
2024-04-02 20:26:48 +0000 UTCThe core problem is that it is pointless. It is effectively a non-episode. Sort of like those blank pages added to the end of a book to make the printing/binding work out. No need to watch it.
Numinous2019
2024-04-02 20:16:56 +0000 UTCTo be fair, I recognize what you’re saying about the clips relating to Rikers, emotional states and experiences, I never really thought of it that way before, to be honest, I turned off on the episodes so hard I don’t think I ever even considered the possibility That those perspectives were considered that thoroughly OK, so they got a little bit of a raise in quality of production, recognizing the efforts to find clips that are in context for Riker situation, but in my opinion, not in context, to show the best of the series Nice observation
Thicketdweller
2024-04-02 20:01:18 +0000 UTCSorry you had to watch that clip show. Bit of back story the clip show was done because they had run out of budget but had been contracted for 22 episodes so had to finish on the cheap. Now let’s all collectively chug some fireball and forget this one ever happened. Cheers.
Tim lerch
2024-04-02 19:23:20 +0000 UTCThere were ways to do a good clip show, or at least a tolerable one. "And now for some random clips of Riker being... *spins wheel* ... horny!" wasn't one of them.
bab
2024-04-02 19:07:58 +0000 UTCWould you guys have enjoyed it more if you were back in the day before streaming, when you haven’t seen episodes in ages because it’s on the Network?
PIG
2024-04-02 18:56:56 +0000 UTC"The Fireball is slowly paralyzing me... Quick, remind me of a better episode!"
badvertised
2024-04-02 18:52:50 +0000 UTCRiker wasn't present when Tasha was in the penalty box.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-02 18:49:59 +0000 UTCAnd Dr. Beverly is back! (Just not the way Josh wanted...)
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-02 18:49:00 +0000 UTCEric A. Stillwell. May his name never be forgotten.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-02 18:48:09 +0000 UTCI'm betting you will like seeing the clips and get a kick out of the exploding head and the 80 yr old admiral kicking the crap out of Riker. People are too hard on this one.
Ken R
2024-04-02 18:41:44 +0000 UTCIt's a clip show... nothing more to say really. It represents THE definition of a skippable episode.
Lovok
2024-04-02 18:28:30 +0000 UTC😆
James Bottas
2024-04-02 18:24:10 +0000 UTCPulaski: "If only we had gotten one more season under our belts, we might've had a better chance of saving him..."
Moonlander
2024-04-02 18:13:55 +0000 UTCI think it is kinda ok. It might not be the most exiting season finally especially after the introduction of the romulans and borg to the series but it could also be another assignment earth. All in all it is just a compilation of clips of the journey we had so far. This is by far not the worst possible idea for a season ending. And it is the only episode like that in all of star trek as far as I can tell so it is alright with me.
Sebastian_Frodo
2024-04-02 18:12:37 +0000 UTCThe episode really isn't that bad. It's not great but it's really just an inoffensive clip show done to save money, I think it was filmed over just three days with a limited number of actors and sets. They spend a lot on Q Who and some other more expensive episodes and had to do a cheap episode to compensate for the splurging earlier in the season. They probably should have switched the episode order making Peak Performance the season finale. If this hadn't been the finale people would probably dislike it much less.
Phillip Grischa
2024-04-02 18:10:23 +0000 UTCBased on what you guys say you love, I think you will say this is one of the best episodes EVER!!! After all you can not say the didn't have continuity with the previous episodes and reference previous events in the show. And add in Troi and Riker love story moved forward...... What's not to love?
Prof Moff
2024-04-02 18:07:29 +0000 UTC"Which popular Star Trek characters have died on-screen? If you answered David Marcus and Tasha Yar, you're wrong! Those characters were never popular."
Juan Tutrífor
2024-04-02 18:04:16 +0000 UTCWatching a series of star trek clips on YouTube isn't seen as the worst thing ever, and that's basically what this is. They did what they could with what they had. It's fine.
SinocTheHodgeheg
2024-04-02 18:02:10 +0000 UTC@Eric Wilson: I had JUST managed to purge THAT episode from my memory. Thanks a lot. No, you're right. When I say widely regarded, I mean widely regarded. Not everyone will agree with it, but a lot will. And I did say there are a few TOS episodes I thought were worse. (The Omega Glory, anyone?) It is, IMO, the worst (or perhaps second worst) TNG episode. It has few redeeming qualities. It's possible, that with us all having dumped on it so heavily, that the Target Audience will go in expecting something awful and will manage to find something worth seeing in it beyond the relief you feel when the end credits roll, but I doubt it. I look forward to seeing it tomorrow.
John
2024-04-02 17:51:26 +0000 UTCMy prediction: you'll say this is far from great, but not as terrible as everyone says.
Greg Quinn
2024-04-02 17:44:21 +0000 UTCAudience sees a scene: that was great! Audience sees clip of same scene in clip show episode: THIS IS THE WORST THING THEY HAVE EVER DONE!
James Bottas
2024-04-02 17:44:04 +0000 UTCIn truth, this episode could have worked, had the clips not been so randomly selected, but instead fit the thin narrative better.
Nolan
2024-04-02 17:37:46 +0000 UTC@James Goss - The only saving grace for 'Spock's Brain' is the homage on The Wonder Years.
David Brown
2024-04-02 17:37:18 +0000 UTCSo It's Come to This: A Star Trek Clip Show It turns out what so many people have been telling you is the 'worst episode' of TNG is just a clip show episode. These were super common in the 80s and 90s, practically every show did one at some point because they saved the show some money. While there may not be anything to love here, there was also nothing to hate. Audience, save your bestowing of the title of 'worst' for something that actually fails to do what it tries to do. Because that ain't this.
James Bottas
2024-04-02 17:35:26 +0000 UTCThey're going to love it just to be argumentative.
Steven Johnson
2024-04-02 17:19:53 +0000 UTCThose are at least episodes.
Steven Johnson
2024-04-02 17:18:44 +0000 UTCThere are worse plots, but this is officially the laziest episode. And for that crime, it is sentenced to rock bottom.
Evan Guthrie
2024-04-02 17:18:18 +0000 UTCThis isn't even really an episode. It was "Oh shit, we ran out of money."
Steven Johnson
2024-04-02 17:17:29 +0000 UTCYes, now I remember. Boy, do I miss Berman Trek (NEVER thought I’d ever say that lol!
Chris S.
2024-04-02 17:15:44 +0000 UTCI just hope they bring enough for the reaction itself.
Steven Johnson
2024-04-02 17:15:26 +0000 UTCIt's definitely a low point in TNG, but one thing people forget about this era of TV - 'clip episodes' were a *common* budget saving maneuver along with the bottle episodes etc - many other shows of the period had them. Really the only thing I dislike about this episode is its placement in the season, not a great way to end it.
Matthew Riley
2024-04-02 17:14:53 +0000 UTCHmmmm no. There are season 7 episodes I would place waaaaay below this one.
JGoss
2024-04-02 17:13:25 +0000 UTCA poor production assistant had to sit down and watch tape after tape for 80 hours to find the appropriate clips.
JGoss
2024-04-02 17:09:39 +0000 UTCThe strike was April to August 1988, which interfered with the start of the season and the completion of the Star Trek V script. The movie was shot with an incomplete script ... it shows.
JGoss
2024-04-02 17:07:30 +0000 UTCThis is getting read. Count on it.
JGoss
2024-04-02 17:00:02 +0000 UTCHere's how I hope the viewing to go... Josh: "Our audience really hates this episode. I don't get it, it seems normal so far."...... Alex: "Yeah, what's the deal....Oh my god, it's a f$%@ing clip show!"
JGoss
2024-04-02 16:58:24 +0000 UTCI second JD. I'd argue Angel One, Justice and Outrageous Okona are worse
JGoss
2024-04-02 16:53:52 +0000 UTCMaybe. They literally just posted a video review titled "The Pulaski Problem' with the tag "Why is she like this?" So, I don't know LOL!!
StonyD
2024-04-02 16:51:41 +0000 UTCMore to do with going overbudget on earlier (better) episodes. The strike was before the season
JGoss
2024-04-02 16:50:19 +0000 UTCI love how half the episode takes place in the transporter room just so they didn’t have to pay to light the bridge set
Richard Stone
2024-04-02 16:41:25 +0000 UTCDefinitely not the worst. There is one in Voyage much worst and I won't do any spoilers but you know exactly what I mean.
Eric Wilson
2024-04-02 16:37:17 +0000 UTCSeason 2, Episode 22: "So It's Come to This: A Star Trek TNG Clip Show" ...D'oh!
JGoss
2024-04-02 16:36:41 +0000 UTC"Widely regarded" the same way that Spock's Brain is widely regarded as the worst episode, but I'd argue that's just hype. I agree there were far worse episodes
JGoss
2024-04-02 16:35:41 +0000 UTCWhile this episode is laughable, it "took one for the team". Production went overbudget on Elementary Dear Data and Q Who, so to make up for it, they made this quick and cheap clip show episode. We got two of the best episodes to date and intriguing new villains out of it, so it was definitely worth it.
JGoss
2024-04-02 16:33:43 +0000 UTCMy prediction is you will appreciate the continuity and the creepy planet set and just go "huh" to the thin framing plot about the disease.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-04-02 16:32:37 +0000 UTCThey're a lot better with Pulaski than they were at the start of the season, though.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-04-02 16:32:01 +0000 UTCErase the clips, it's just a harmless episode with a decent dilemma and good character moments, like O'Brien teasing Pulaski. I'd rather watch it than The Outrageous Okona. It gets the same reputation as Spock's Brain did for TOS, but there were far far worse episodes (The Empath, And the Children Shall Lead).
JGoss
2024-04-02 16:31:45 +0000 UTCPeople are way overreacting about this episode.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-04-02 16:30:01 +0000 UTCI definitely dispute the idea that it's the worst.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-04-02 16:29:36 +0000 UTCSpoiler
JD Nevesytrof
2024-04-02 16:28:56 +0000 UTCWidely regarded as the worst Star Trek episode in the entire franchise. I think there are a few TOS episodes that are worse, and actually "Code of Honor" from next generation's season 1 might be worse, what with how incredibly racist it is. But this is definitely towards the bottom. The studio had blown all the money on previous episodes, (especially Q Who?") so they needed something that cost virtually nothing, and they got one. Unfortunately, it's pretty obvious that's what they did.
John
2024-04-02 16:17:04 +0000 UTCI am not a fan of this episode. I watch it every time it comes up in rotation though. I am curious are you as the Target Audience disappointed in this “clip show “episode? In my opinion, that a plot is the sea plot of a normal episode, and most of these clips, looking backward or out of context And they picked glimpses of Tasha that are mostly about her dying when they could’ve used clips like when she was in the penalty box and shown a much greater range of the character, ultimately chose weak clips by way of being out of context for other characters, as well. what is your opinion?
Thicketdweller
2024-04-02 16:07:09 +0000 UTCPrediction: You two will enjoy the callback to continuity as the show confirms it is more of an ongoing narrative than TOS, while openly decrying Pulaski's presence. You won't think it's the worst episode ever though.
StonyD
2024-04-02 16:03:57 +0000 UTCUntil this moment I had not made the title connection...LOL!!
StonyD
2024-04-02 16:01:02 +0000 UTCSpoilers
StonyD
2024-04-02 15:56:04 +0000 UTC"Be careful what you wish for". - All of us watching when that was said.
KatWithAttitude
2024-04-02 15:55:05 +0000 UTCRest in peace, and God speed.
Steven Johnson
2024-04-02 15:48:26 +0000 UTCHow's that coma coming? Wake me for season 3
Eric Singer
2024-04-02 15:44:17 +0000 UTCOoohhhhhhhhh boy. Here we go. Strap in, fellas. In my opinion, this is the third worst episode in all of TNG.
Jacob
2024-04-02 15:33:40 +0000 UTCUnless they watch old TV shows a lot. Even The Simpsons have had a few. Though some of those actually still have a good storyline for the new segments...
Joe Concepts
2024-04-02 15:27:13 +0000 UTC“I wish there was a compilation of every great little Star Trek moment, you know what I mean?” – Alex, Target Audience “Unnatural Selection” reaction
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-02 15:27:04 +0000 UTCI've been wondering about that. Unless they've seen "Community," the concept (no pun intended) may be totally new to them.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-02 15:24:29 +0000 UTC"The Menagerie" even won a Hugo. When "The Cage" was not readily available, it was one of the most fascinating and beloved TOS stories.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-04-02 15:20:45 +0000 UTCI love you guys, but I might skip watching this one with you. Well, on the other hand, I kind of do look forward to the semi drunken, Fireball induced discussion/rant on the "worst episode ever" of Season 2. I'll watch the reaction 100%, but it would be a form of cruel self-induced torture to sit through THAT episode again. Have a shot for me, and hope that you blow out the braincells that stores memories of this episode. ;) LLAP
Chuck Monson
2024-04-02 15:08:51 +0000 UTCThe guys should do a Season 2 reactions retrospective clip-show. Call it “Shades of Fireball.” Who’s with me??!! 😂
Shatner's Cigarette
2024-04-02 15:08:12 +0000 UTCI rewatched it this week and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Troi is unintentionally amusing as she’s watching Riker suffer then narrating how he is feeling “now he’s horny…” etc. I bet Jonathan Frakes kept laughing while he was stuck on that bench. Can’t they give people a pillow on Star Trek?
Paul Rymer
2024-04-02 15:08:09 +0000 UTCI’m going to go against popular opinion and say this episode isn’t the worst of the series, nor is it even the worst of the season. There are several episodes from this season alone which aren’t nearly as good (Manhunt, Samaritan Snare to name a couple). I’ve always found the premise a somewhat clever way to do a clip show (which were very common in all shows of 1988 because of the infamous writers strike). They saved money by shooting the episode in 3 days and the episode aired in mid-July 1989 (way outside the normal broadcast season when most shows aired their season finales in May or early June.) For a clip show, it is what it is. Now let’s turn the page and get on to season 3 where the show starts to hit its stride!
Column Meanie
2024-04-02 15:06:29 +0000 UTCDo you think that the scenes chosen for the show do a good job of reflecting the strongest aspects of the show so far?
Captain Proton
2024-04-02 15:01:06 +0000 UTCBlasphemer!
Shatner's Cigarette
2024-04-02 14:59:56 +0000 UTCI love how Riker's endless wealth of horny memories was almost the death of him.
Evan Guthrie
2024-04-02 14:58:48 +0000 UTCJust missing the Golden Girls sitting around the kitchen table with a cheese cake.
Emil Garro
2024-04-02 14:58:44 +0000 UTCThe much despised showrunner (by the staff at the time and the fans) Maurice Hurley, who co-wrote the episode said in an interview, “Piece of shit. It was supposed to be a bottle show. Terrible, just terrible, and a way to save some money. I was on the way out the door." He quit after S2.
Shatner's Cigarette
2024-04-02 14:57:38 +0000 UTCThis lazy clip-show was written to save time and money as a result of the writers' strike of 1988. It was shot in only three days, while most take at least seven days. Director Rob Bowman told an interviewer, "It was Paramount saying, 'We gave you more money for "Elementary Dear Data" and the Borg show. Now do us a favor and give us a three-day show.' So that's what you do. It's an accepted part of the medium."
Shatner's Cigarette
2024-04-02 14:57:22 +0000 UTCSo it's come to this, a Star Trek clip show. "They'll never stop The Star Trek! Have no fear, they'll have stories for years, like, Data becomes a human, Maybe Troi gets a iguana, has Worf ever owned a bear? Or, how 'bout a crazy wedding? Where something happens and doo doo doo doo doo... Sorry for the clip show. Have no fears they'll have stories for years."* *This parody of a Simpson's song probably does not contain future plots. Or maybe it does, there's apparently 900 of these things now.
Nolan
2024-04-02 14:57:15 +0000 UTCIf you got your hopes up thinking this finale was about BDSM-kink between Pulaski and Picard, boy are you in for a let a down. #50ShadesOfEarlGrey
Shatner's Cigarette
2024-04-02 14:56:30 +0000 UTCTNG's barrel, maybe. :D
tyranusfan
2024-04-02 14:56:11 +0000 UTC"My great-grandfather was once bitten by a rattlesnake. After three days of intense pain, the snake died." Apparently Riker's great-grandfather was Chuck Norris.
Shatner's Cigarette
2024-04-02 14:56:04 +0000 UTCO’Brien knew what he was doing. He knew Pulaski was hesitant to beam down because of her transporter phobia, so he needled her. Irritated, she focuses on him instead of the process, and is able to go through with it. Her interaction with O’Brien is great, and it’s too bad they waited so long to have that moment happen.
tyranusfan
2024-04-02 14:55:34 +0000 UTCWhat can I say it’s a clip show and the bad one at that. In Stargate, they would have clip shows every now and then, but they would even use them to still advance the plot but here you can tell the writers basically just phoned it in and basically thought it’s a clip show we know it will be bad. I do however, like Riker’s story about the rattlesnake bite and the little joke at the end that Picard goes along with.
Leighton Cressman
2024-04-02 14:46:21 +0000 UTCOnce you watch this episode you begin to understand why season two has excellent episodes and yet is considered bad.
Ausyarr
2024-04-02 14:42:24 +0000 UTCWe finally did it. We hit the bottom of the Star Trek barrel.
Strife
2024-04-02 14:40:52 +0000 UTCI'm an old man. A tired man. Maybe not the oldest here, but gotta be up there. I don't have time to rewatch this streaming pile. Not when death is perceptible ahead. But back at this time, season finales were not really a thing. TNG helps make them a thing in a big way. But not here.
Michael Schwarz
2024-04-02 14:39:33 +0000 UTCSo, Season 3 of Star Trek TNG is a real step up for the show, and we're all looking forward to that, and uh, we hope you guys enjoy your break from TNG and come back with regenerated enthusiasm in a couple weeks... Ah... Yeah.
Steven Johnson
2024-04-02 14:35:45 +0000 UTCI thought they were watching this live. Anyway it doesn't matter. I'm just following directions.
Darin Wagner
2024-04-02 14:34:48 +0000 UTCWORST EPISODE EVER!
KMScudder
2024-04-02 14:32:49 +0000 UTCThis was the culmination of the writers strike in 88 and just shows. So do a clip show get it over with. Season 3 starts the good stuff can’t wait for you all to see the night and day differences.
Jason Biggs
2024-04-02 14:31:19 +0000 UTCI'm going to be waiting to see that moment when our reacters realize it's a clip show. Even though some of these young whippersnappers may not even recognize a clip show.
Joe Concepts
2024-04-02 14:24:08 +0000 UTCEven by the standards of a clip show, they're really grasping at straws with this one. "Uh, so... how about Riker gets pricked by a thorn... and, like... it makes him remember things?"
Steven Linden
2024-04-02 14:23:56 +0000 UTCONE GOOD SCENE in this one is the bit where we see Riker trying to outwardly keep up his casual, playful "Commander Riker" persona while not really feeling that way. It follows along with Picard noting in Peak Performance that his "familiarity" is his way of connecting with those he's commanding.
Joe Concepts
2024-04-02 14:22:22 +0000 UTCOh Lord... onwards and upwards to season 3 !
Andrew Bassey
2024-04-02 14:21:30 +0000 UTCYep, a dreaded @#$%@%^$ clip show! The only little thing this has going for it is ORIGINALLY the show wasn't even being shown in re-runs yet, so the old clip shows were a reminder of the past couple of seasons.
Joe Concepts
2024-04-02 14:19:08 +0000 UTCAAAAAHHHH!!!!! IT'S A CLIP SHOW!!! Seriously though, the framing device they came up with for this episode is actually pretty clever. A lot better than having the characters sitting around a table as one by one they thoughtfully rub their chin while harp music starts to play and the picture goes wavy. But clip shows always leave audiences feeling like they've been ripped-off. It is a complete waste of everybody's time.
Regan
2024-04-02 14:17:47 +0000 UTC(Star-Trek-Eye-Borg) I’d love to give a prediction, but quite frankly, if you like this episode (not just an aspect or two), then someone paid you off. I do sometimes like flashback episodes, but doing it’s WAY too early and it not right for a season finale. I can only assume lazy writing and behind the scenes drama gave us this monstrosity of an episode. The bad part was we originally needed to wait a few months to get the bad taste out of our mouths. On the bright side, you’ll only wait a few days. Bring on season three!!!!
startrekiborg
2024-04-02 14:12:09 +0000 UTCSo…………..were we right?
Ragnarok
2024-04-02 14:11:23 +0000 UTCThey will have seen the episode by the time they read these.
Regan
2024-04-02 14:10:30 +0000 UTCYeah, I didn’t know exactly when the strike was over, but since Star Trek V came out, it was over, and it was around this time. I think you’re right. I enjoy the episode for what it is.
Chris S.
2024-04-02 14:10:13 +0000 UTC“Doctor, there must be something you can do.” “Dammit, Deanna, I’m almost out of clips!”
James H
2024-04-02 14:03:39 +0000 UTCMy mom really likes this episode
Elway Simpson
2024-04-02 14:02:48 +0000 UTCI've done both. It's a draw.
KatWithAttitude
2024-04-02 13:59:09 +0000 UTCThis episode is a relic. It's from a time before VHS took over and you could rewatch your favorite shows at will. The kind of episode this is (and I won't say the name here) was the kind that could only exist in the time before widespread home media. It is historically significant for that reason. But it's perhaps the worst episode of TNG because of this.
Darin Wagner
2024-04-02 13:58:38 +0000 UTCOh yes, it's not technically doable...the comment was meant more of a joke. :P
Erik Grebner
2024-04-02 13:55:33 +0000 UTCAdditional Pro Tip: Always triple check that Sherlock Holmes is actually public domain BEFORE producing your episode. Turns out that while the bulk of the setting was clear to use, the Arthur Conan Doyle estate had given the character himself (the most popular individual across Western media) a Mickey Mouse extension of copyright. "Elementary, Dear Data" ended up being way more expensive than anticipated.
Avaria
2024-04-02 13:54:43 +0000 UTCWhat do you think would be a more horrible experience - reading "50 Shades of Gray" or watching "Shades of Gray" 50 times?
Steven Linden
2024-04-02 13:54:24 +0000 UTCOh dear.
Jon1701
2024-04-02 13:53:12 +0000 UTCJoin the recycling revolution, never refuse to reuse!
snthd
2024-04-02 13:52:26 +0000 UTCBy this point the strike was over, I think, but they put their efforts into getting S3 up and running because of time.
Silk
2024-04-02 13:50:58 +0000 UTCHehe. Im getting pumped just thinking about you know what!
Chris S.
2024-04-02 13:46:59 +0000 UTCThis episode is the April Fools joke of TNG, but nobody laughs.
PFCoffey
2024-04-02 13:46:07 +0000 UTCIn interesting idea, but wouldn’t it spoil some stuff? Im so psyched for season 3 (my favorite). The batting average is fantastic.
Chris S.
2024-04-02 13:45:49 +0000 UTCYou will not have to do a recap of TNG after you watch this episode 😉
TalynStarburst
2024-04-02 13:44:57 +0000 UTCSeconded
Stuart Arbury
2024-04-02 13:44:15 +0000 UTCThis is a Troi/Riker episode, and you can really see that Deanna not only still cares for him, but still loves him. Fun fact: the reason this episode is mostly flashbacks is because they didn’t have a lot of money to do a proper finale, so they saved a lot of money. Plus, (I believe) the writer’s strike started, and they were unable to finish to 26 episodes.
Chris S.
2024-04-02 13:44:10 +0000 UTCWhen you go over budget and there’s a writer’s strike.. we can always play a clip show from Riker’s mind.
TalynStarburst
2024-04-02 13:43:52 +0000 UTCDoes the new channel logo (reminiscent of your original logo) mean that your net will spread wider than the current ratio of ST & non-ST content?
Numinous2019
2024-04-02 13:43:45 +0000 UTCNow for the worst episode -- one so bad that many don't even credit it as a proper episode when making Worst Of... lists. Because TNG was sold directly into syndication there wasn't even the guarantee of reruns between seasons in some markets, and you couldn't immediately get home media like you can today. Having this be the last impression people sat with for nearly 3 months is one reason Season 2 is so deeply disliked.
Avaria
2024-04-02 13:43:38 +0000 UTCAs an episode it’s terrible. But when you think of the behind the scenes challenge, it’s fun. “So the strike delayed our season start, we have to deliver one more episode… and we have 3 days.” Everyone involved knew they were just getting this done by the skin of their teeth to meet the episode quota. Not a dissimilar situation to “The Menagerie” in TOS.
Stuart Arbury
2024-04-02 13:43:31 +0000 UTCI get the feeling that there is an expectation from some in the Target Audience community that you will be so angered by this episode that you will rage-quit the entire franchise, never to watch another episode or even speak of Star Trek ever again. Of course you’ve already seen worse, so I don’t think that will happen. As for everyone else, relax. It’s only a clip show.
Dion James Pitman
2024-04-02 13:42:05 +0000 UTCThis episode f@cking sucks
THE LORE!!!
2024-04-02 13:40:20 +0000 UTCOkay, it's a bad episode, but do you suppose a lot of the disparagement is because it feels like filler with all the past episode clips? It's certainly disappointing as a season finale.
Moonlander
2024-04-02 13:40:03 +0000 UTCHere are some my partial, previous comments from past episodes: "The". "Riker". "Editing." "Alex and Josh." "ANYBODDDYYY???"
John M.
2024-04-02 13:39:28 +0000 UTCSimply awful. Even the good flashbacks lose all their potency in this context, and the best acting in the new footage comes from Frakes when he's unconscious.
David Wayne Fox
2024-04-02 13:38:55 +0000 UTCYup. It’s a…clip show. They ran out of budget. At least when TOS did the Menagerie, it was a clip show of scenes from the unaired pilot and definitely added value to the show. Good news is this is the undisputed worst episode of TNG. It can only get better from here…
Mister Hope
2024-04-02 13:37:33 +0000 UTCClip show. This is what you get when you have a writer's strike during your season. It's not a good Star Trek episode, but it's Star Trek, so in terms of TV in general, it's still at least decent.
Collin Freeman
2024-04-02 13:37:27 +0000 UTCFinally, here it is. Probably the most despised episode of the series, although there are a few other contenders. Funny how some of Riker's flashbacks have moments where he wasn't present or that weren't in his POV. The premise actually could have been sort of good if they hadn't needed a cheap episode. With a different way to cure Riker and a halfway decent B plot, maybe, maybe not. Needless to say, I have this ranked as “No. Just...No”.
KatWithAttitude
2024-04-02 13:36:07 +0000 UTCYou guys should just pull Patreon takes from other episodes and feature them here.
Erik Grebner
2024-04-02 13:36:01 +0000 UTCPersonally, I think this is absolutely ok. Sure, it's pretty mid, but there's been far worse episodes in season 2.
SinocTheHodgeheg
2024-04-02 13:35:53 +0000 UTCThis is NOT the season finale you’re looking for.
Silk
2024-04-02 13:35:49 +0000 UTC
