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FULL DISCUSSION - Star Trek TNG S2E21 - Peak Performance

FULL DISCUSSION - Star Trek TNG S2E21 - Peak Performance

Comments

Nah.

Jovet

Fair to consider this the 'real' season finale

Mordock_Vapelord

The next episode is without a doubt skippable every single Star Trek fan will suggest skipping it is the correct course of action

harrypothead42024

Guys, I am not a pro wrestling fan. But, I watch a couple of guys who are pro wrestling fans so I never take any offense whatsoever when you bring it up at all. Also, in America pro wrestling is pretty much pop culture. I might not understand the actual Nuance of every single reference you make but it's not like I'm left out in the cold I get the point. If anybody gives you shit about wrestling, and they're not huge donors to your patreon, just forget them.

harrypothead42024

As I recall, my most hated (yes, HATED) TNG episodes are in seasons 6 and 7. There are some yawners in other seasons but I don't hate them for it. It's only when the premise is too preposterous or too would-upend-the-story-universe that I really loathe an episode.

Jovet

We all "know" how hard it is to hack into a Federation ship's computer without the correct code(s). We don't know how hard it is to hack into a Ferengi ship's computers. So, it doesn't bother me, really.

Jovet

@Greg Quinn "As far as his contributions go...I think they are a mixed bag." Most definitely. But Gene really *made* Star Trek what it is (good and bad, but mostly good), and his presence kept it on track. Gene was a complicated man, probably not soemone I would get along with or agree with on most things, but I respect his vision and his careful and considered universe-building. It's what made Star Trek special and why we are still talking about it today.

Jovet

@Matt Newmark @Greg Quinn @Clyde Frog But it is. It's foreknowledge that Josh and Alex can remember and have an "ah ha!" over when it appears on the screen. A spoiler is often thought of as something that "tells something big before its time" but any foreknowledge that could influence their reaction or enjoyment is a spoiler. This is why I urge all commentators to treat this space like it's 1989 where none of us know what's coming because it hasn't been aired yet.

Jovet

So long as name and number aren't combined, it's not a EII violation :D

Matt Newmark

In fairness, they needed two bangers in a row to balance what is next to come :D Will be (reluctantly) watching live with you because something's got me...

Matt Newmark

Only wrestler I ever met was Rowdy Roddy Piper.. and I was so, so happy. 🥹

Lady Beyond The Wall

Technically Gene didn't die till season 5. I know his direct involvement became less as time went by. As far as his contributions go...I think they are a mixed bag.

Greg Quinn

The name he mentioned is extremely uninformative about the episode and I'm sure when the episode is coming up people will say it's the worse one ever. But yeah.

Greg Quinn

But somehow he could still fool the Ferengi sensors even though he never had their senor codes... 🤔🤷‍♂️

Greg Quinn

@Derek Orr Agreed. And not all "6-12 season" episodes are good, either. The filler episodes are much more obvious.

Jovet

Inquiry: does the porking scene qualify as a "simulated space battle" ? LOL

Jovet

@Clyde Frog Spoilers...

Jovet

Yep. They aren't like rockets, they're more like antennae for creating the warp field.

Evan Guthrie

Just a reminder -- Alex and Josh no longer want to know the names of any future episodes, no matter how uninformative or far away.

Anthony Bernacchi

Spoilers in those last two comments.

Anthony Bernacchi

No, Scotty's first name ("Montgomery," James Doohan's middle name) was mentioned in "Wolf in the Fold" when he was accused of murder. (Alex and Josh commented on how much they liked it.) There may have been other occasions I'm forgetting.

Anthony Bernacchi

What would Klingon Buffy be like?

Anthony Bernacchi

Idk about that.. but haven’t people created sensor ghosts before without the benefit of hacking their systems? It’s less of a visual hack that he played on the Enterprise.

Philbot

Aside from the big 3 and Scotty Chekov got the most character development.. hmm I wonder why? 🤔 😆 wasn’t he the only one who got a first name back then? I don’t think Scotty was named until the movies?

Philbot

Klingon Giles?

Philbot

The difference in later seasons is that the machine is more oiled and more momentum is gained. So, you get a more evenly good show week to week. But you'll still get clunkers.

Mike Rogers

Yeah, I think that's a great point. Back in the day im sure lots of people needed a recap, but with current day technology and streaming, it kinda sucks lol. Still, there is a spot in my heart for nearly every Star Trek episode (not counting everything after the Enterprise series though), including this one.

Clyde Frog

I seem to remember this episode being on a lot of "worst TNG episodes" lists. I could be misremembering. I only dislike one or two TNG episodes. Sub Rosa is definitely one. Terrible episode IMO. This one is much better than that though lol.

Clyde Frog

Those "long ends" are called warp nacelles.

Regan

Did Westley cheat? If they had the option in a real situation, it would not be cheating. I recall hearing a story that before WWII there was a mock training battle between two divisions of tanks in the California desert. Patton was one of the commanders. To drive the tanks they had to drive gas trucks to a point and refuel the tanks. To save time, the story goes, that Patton found a gas station and bought all the gas. His opponent was surprised when the tanks showed up early and he won the exercise.

James Baloun

Really appreciate the comments on the Hathaway's look Alex!

valen

As of right now I have VIP photo ops with Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, Hulk Hogan & LA Knight

Retro Tom

@Steven Johnson Why not just go full-on "All your base are belong to us" LOL

Jovet

Its a bit extra worse given we can now binge the season so fast. Where at least back in the day it was a nice recap

Derek Orr

I agree. I appreciate his more cerebral stories

Derek Orr

See I actually prefer the longer real seasons of 26 episodes or whatever. You get way more stories told and way more characters development and more opportunities for everyone to gel and figure things out…and yes also trip and fall for some clunkers. Where now it’s typically one main plot /story per season and like 8 episodes …which is horrible as it puts all the pressure on one main plot/story and hope it pays off in the big grand conclusion ….and gives very limited repetition for the actors and crew to perfect things. DS9 in later seasons gave a nice balance between the 2 extremes at least

Derek Orr

Its part of the more Roddenberry style federation that is portrayed in TMP and these first 2 seasons of TNG. Unfortunately things do get progressively more star wars, ship battles and combat focused in later seasons and movies

Derek Orr

Courtroom from measure of a man as well

Derek Orr

And the stargazer from season 1

Derek Orr

Have a great time!

Josh (Target Audience)

Watching this again I realize it was a better episode than I remember. Glad you guys liked it as much as you did.

Monty Crawford

Great discussion. Loved all the comments read too 🥰

Andrea R

@Target Audience Oh. 😢

Jovet

Go boldly, Jovet...

Steven Johnson

The Hathaway bridge was a redress of the Enterprise's Battle Bridge (itself made from the movie bridge, films I - IV).

tyranusfan

You only saw the Hathaway bridge last episode- it was redressed as that analysis room (with all the computers) where Worf and K’helar had a lot of dialogue. It has been and will be used many more times. 😉

Jon1701

i mean for self preservation reasons i dont get why picard and riker are so against honing their combat tactical skills. they themselves even mention the borg threat and then downplay that ship combat is a 'small part' of being a captain (when it seems to feature prominently)

Narnman

Yeah, I pull up an episode guide sometimes to see where they're at in the show and just pulled up season 3. More bangers than season 2 but there's some snoozers in every season. I especially hate a couple season 3 eps. We're pretty spoiled by modern television where they can just make 6-12 nothing but net episodes and call it a season. These old Star Treks remind us the networks wanted episodes for each week and 26+ each season, so even the best shows threw up at least a eight bricks a year. "You can make 20 perfect TV episodes and still end up with Abe Lincoln on the bridge. That's not bad television, Data, that's life."

Juan Tutrífor

"Rather than a lil divot in the nose" Dang. An important species in the later seasons just got put on blast. ☹️

Juan Tutrífor

I can only speak for myself but I'm a big wrestling fan & I'm so excited to acomplish a 20 year goal of attending my 1st Wrestlemania next week

Retro Tom

The Stargazer/Hathaway (Constellation class) is actually my favorite starship design. It's such an odd-looking clunky design, which itself was based on the ready room prop that was kitbashed together using a couple AMT Enterprise kits and various Anime model kits. I acquired a fan-made model kit years ago as well as the exact Anime kits Sternbach and Probert used to make my own 'accurate' version, but sadly I never got around to it.

JGoss

One thing I am so looking forward to in years to come is all the fans being reminded of how much Miri level junk there are in TNG's vaunted "later seasons" along with the good stuff.

Alan Thompson

You'll be pleased to know there is a screen-accurate perfect Enterprise-D bridge, recreated by Herman Zimmerman and Michael Okuda, being installed in a science fiction museum in Santa Monica, CA.

JD Nevesytrof

As far as I am concerned, the Star Trek franchise took a dramatic turn for the worse after Gene. I look forward to bringing this up a lot in the future.

Jovet

It's really not as horrible as everyone makes it out to be. "It is what it is" but for what they had to work with, I think they did pretty well. It's definitely not the most dumb or preposterous or stupid episode of TNG, let alone Star Trek.

Jovet

No, the book is wrong. Worf only does it to the Enterprise *once* and that's it. Data changes the code, making it unlikely to impossible for Worf to hack in again. The Ferengi's computer is a point, but I've always assumed that their computers were less sophisticated and easier to hack into.

Jovet

No

Josh (Target Audience)

Some of the circumstances are pretty contrived ... "we can't disengage the simulated weapons" "we can't use the transporters" "we can't __whatever__" ... but it's still very entertaining and enjoyable.

Jovet

@Steven Johnson "When I stroke the beard thusly..." Oh gawd, the places I could go with that...

Jovet

Starting watching on the 8th I hope? 😀

Jovet

Risk, gentlemen. Risk.! That's-why-we're-aboard-her! (or watching Star Trek as the part of the Target Audience).

Collin Freeman

Take Gene out of the writing and it gets better. Go figure.

Collin Freeman

I agree

Collin Freeman

I admire Alex's taste in ships. The Constellation class starship is my favorite Starfleet design and it is the "mascot" for my own channel.

Darin Wagner

27:20 The quality of the show does get better, but there are still klunkers. Don't worry about being lambasted. 🙂

Jovet

26:25 I liked "The Child"!!

Jovet

24:38 Just keep in mind that you both can have an even-subconscious bias of judgement influenced by 30 years of media you've seen that came out since this show did.

Jovet

Not *the best* but it's very good, very fun! The idea of the plot "involving everyone" instead of focusing on one particular character is spot on! And really well done.

Jovet

14:47 Those "long ends" are called nacelles. ("nuh-CELLZ" or "nay-CELLZ") They are what make the warp drive happen with energy produced in the warp core.

Jovet

7:02 I wasn't fooled by the Ferengi ship, I knew it was real on first viewing. It's nice when the show follows its own rules. (Data changed the code, Worf's ability to fool the sensors was ended.)

Jovet

I didn't know People didn't like this episode?

Greg Quinn

7:02 Yeah, Wesley cheating is a far cry from "I'm with Starfleet. We don't lie." LOL!

Jovet

15:30 Many sets have been cannibalized multiple times throughout the movies and shows. Several sets built for The Motion Picture became TNG sets - the corridors, sickbay, many more, which then turned around and got reused in the later movies. The bridge from Motion Picture became the Enterprise-D battle bridge, which was redressed multiple times throughout, such as the courtroom set in Measure of a Man and the Hathaway bridge.

JGoss

I watched some clips of the season 2 final to remind myself of it. While definitely not great I don't think it's as horrible as everyone makes it out to be...I don't think you'll love it but I also don't think you will hate it....or at least not completely hate it....

Greg Quinn

Borderline spoiling...🤔

Greg Quinn

The Hathaway bridge, like many other bridges in TNG, was the battle bridge set - if you know what to look for it's hard to unsee. The battle bridge was itself a redress of the set used for the Enterprise bridge in the first 3 movies.

bab

1:43 That's why I was a bit disappointed that you grouped these two strong episodes together. But the live reaction to E22 will be interesting, to say the least!

Jovet

I'm enjoying these longer format discussion videos. Further seasons have a lot more meat on the bone, so 25-30 minutes to discuss feels just right, outside of the all-time bangers like Measure of a Man.

JGoss

Alright that picture is much better

Josh (Target Audience)

Given how there wasn't any negativity towards this episode I shall pluck from "The Nitpicker's Guide to TNG" (great companion book). "Plot Oversight: Several times this episode shows that Worf can project a false image on the sensors and viewscreen of the Enterprise. Why? Because he knows the security override codes for the systems involved. Worf works on the Enterprise. He understands how the computer systems work. Worf also manages to project a false image on the Ferengi ship's sensors. How can Worf do this? He doesn't have the security override codes for the Ferengi ship, and he doesn't know their computer systems."

James Knight

When I stroke the beard thusly, do I not appear more intellectual?

Steven Johnson

Ups and downs is exactly the theme of season 2. You're so close to the finish line now

SinocTheHodgeheg

Everyone agrees it’s fair for me to ban Steven with no refund because of his profile picture, right?

Josh (Target Audience)

The writers are starting to get a feel for the appropriate level of threat the Ferengi can provide: comic nuisances who can seriously threaten a ship , a major character, or a mission maybe two or three times a season. Not a Big Bad like the Romulans, but maybe more of a Medium Bad.

Timothy Hennon

100% agree on everything you mentioned for this one. As a teen when I saw it I wanted more of the simlulated space battles with everyone running around crazy trying to win but do appreciate it a bit more and as you can see the TNG Family even in Season 2 is starting to grow and shows signs of what it will become :)

Andrew Bassey

People love to shit on this episode, but I find it still pretty fun. Riker cheats and Data outsmarts stratagema champ. Good stuff.

Clyde Frog

Looking forward to it.

KatWithAttitude

Hehe. I know. Without spoiling anything, season 3, with a few exceptions has a PHENOMENAL batting average. The 3rd season is my favorite.

Chris S.

In April, exact date still being worked on, will be announced next week

Josh (Target Audience)

What is the start date for Season 3?

KatWithAttitude

Absolutely!

C_Drew

What a high note to end the season on. ...Yep.

Steven Johnson

Look at my face. I am your ensemble, now.

Steven Johnson

At two seasons in, you guys should know by now that TNG is far better at doing the "ensemble" thing than TOS ever did. TOS was really the "Kirk-Spock-McCoy" show with Scotty getting an occasional look in whilst Sulu, Uhura and Chekov are pushed into the background with little to do. TNG did a far better job at making sure its ensemble cast got a chance to shine (granted it wasn't perfect - there were still flaws) but overall it was still streets ahead of what we got from TOS.

William McRae

This would have been a better season finale in a lot of ways. It's fun, some great crew interactions and just overall pleasant enough to end the season on a good note.

Stephen Wright

Not the greatest episode, but generally underrated. It’s the episode that gave us the concept of: “cling on Gile“

Thicketdweller


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