Target Audience / UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S2E15

I like this episode, but also find it frustrating. Like others, I really dislike the whole scene in Picard's quarters for the prime directive absolutism. I think Troi made a great point that if there is some "cosmic fate" then they have a part to play in it. Good on Pulaski(who is much improved by this point) and Geordi for standing up for what they though was right. Riker was kind of the "consider all options" guy, and Worf seemed unusually callous here. It's Picard that's most frustrating though because I tend to think of him as this extraordinarily principled, paragon type character, and here he's elevating the PD to a quasi religious status where he's willing to take part in passive genocide to be a prime directive absolutist. Like, I get that interfering in other cultures, especially pre warp societies, can be disastrous and should be avoided. But if they're going to go extinct, no level of interference can have a worse result. Even if it costs you your career, it's worth it to save a whole planet/species. I also hate the notion that the PD is this flawless divine philosophy when it was invented presumably by humans and perhaps some other founding members of the federation who were just as fallible as any of our crew. I'm more forgiving of Data in this episode. On the one hand, I get the criticism that he acted out of character violating procedure so many times, and a lot of that could have been handled better. But I think this story highlights that Data was programmed with certain ethical considerations in mind. He may not have emotion per se, but he does have an understanding of right and wrong. Certainly he knows what rules he's violating, but I think what they're getting at is Data's programming is telling him that in this case that the PD is wrong, and that they should help. Basically this episode made Data the crew's moral compass in this case, which I do like. It has it's flaws, but I'd say I like it more than most.

Timothy Nikiforovs

2024-07-16 03:50:12 +0000 UTC

Data was activated about 27 years before this episode

Timothy Nikiforovs

2024-07-15 04:48:40 +0000 UTC

Don't sweat missing the odd bit you guys are great because you keep it natural

AzoriusMage

2024-03-11 17:05:52 +0000 UTC

Was this the first showing of the riker maneuver? I'm so used to it it may have happened many times before but the scene with Wesley in ten forward suddenly stood out lol.

Incredible Jon

2024-03-10 23:14:29 +0000 UTC

oh thanks I was confused because dauphin and measure of a man are posted after later episodes

David Kunard

2024-03-10 09:15:20 +0000 UTC

Speaking for myself, one of the reasons why I became a patron was because of both your personalities and your relaxed and natural style of presentation. Listening to feedback is great, but in the end it's your channel. I much prefer authentic reactions vs contrived ones.

Darren Chapman

2024-03-09 19:33:01 +0000 UTC

The reactions are all here. You can either keep scrolling down until you find them or click the link they have pinned at the top of the posts.

KatWithAttitude

2024-03-09 15:27:08 +0000 UTC

I thought the same. then I looked back and found the reaction to S02E14 from 8 days ago.

Redjac

2024-03-09 11:28:15 +0000 UTC

yes, there a few mediocre episodes but Contagion and Time Squared were reallyn good imo and i would have loved to see your reaction

David Kunard

2024-03-08 18:06:31 +0000 UTC

why did you guys skip ahead to pen pals?

David Kunard

2024-03-08 18:01:26 +0000 UTC

Chillax mate. Just a bit of the ol’ banter. If it’s not on screen, it’s not canon, so on this occasion “it never happened” means it never happened.

Smear Campaign

2024-03-08 17:31:40 +0000 UTC

Good stuff guys keep it up. The genuine reaction is the way to go. This kind of content is great because if it’s authenticity.

Just another Red Shirt

2024-03-08 16:25:53 +0000 UTC

Jesus, people have gotten so bizarrely obsessed with that stuff. NO ONE thought there was anything like "grooming" going on with Data and the girl.

Derek Orr

2024-03-08 15:26:16 +0000 UTC

I've been revisiting Red Dead 2 myself! Can't believe it's been nearly 6 years already.

Charles D.

2024-03-08 14:55:57 +0000 UTC

It's very different. And "wildly over the top improvement to low-res" signal (instead of image) is exactly what happened in this scene. "Autotune" is definitely not an enhancement.

Jovet

2024-03-08 14:10:25 +0000 UTC

This is one of my favorites. I know it felt so long but I just enjoyed the good conversations and good actings and it made me like Data even more.

Atieh B

2024-03-08 10:11:53 +0000 UTC

Something how times changes thing. I don't think anyone in the late 80s early 90s would have thought that. But unfortunately the reality of life is such....

Greg Quinn

2024-03-08 09:34:28 +0000 UTC

Data definitely has low level emotions that are just inherent to the complexity of his positronic brain. They are always like "he has no emotion" but that's just obviously not true. He has to have subtle emotions that are just barely there, caused by how complex and similar to a human brain his neural net is

E Parhas

2024-03-08 07:14:13 +0000 UTC

Adding headphones, even only one would likely make them talk louder not quieter

Derek Orr

2024-03-08 06:53:50 +0000 UTC

Sure they can. Its no different than enhancing a digital picture by using sharpening or unsharp masking etc….yes there are limits…but the trope of “enhance” is based on wildly over the top improvements to a low res images….but we all know its quite easy to radically enhance and improve a high resolution image. So applying 24th century digital audio enhancing to a low gain RF signal is perfectly believable. Heck sound engineers enhance audio recordings all the time.

Derek Orr

2024-03-08 06:52:25 +0000 UTC

I thought I had seen most of DS9 but it's not "my jam" like TNG is, so who knows.

Jovet

2024-03-08 06:24:17 +0000 UTC

I love the authentic laid back reactions. My only friendly suggestion, is that it might be helpful to try to aim your long comments to quiet parts, transition scenes, etc. Just when they stop talking, blurt out your comments then? I'm sure it's WAY harder than it looks. And i appreciate the sentiment to let us know you did see it later! Thanks. Keep up the good work 🥰

Andrea R

2024-03-08 05:20:03 +0000 UTC

Just wait'll you get to DS9s photo manipulation. I just chalk it up to them using holography instead of photography.

Nolan

2024-03-08 05:19:49 +0000 UTC

Shit happens, your enjoying the show. Dont worry too much about chatting ;)

SonicHiggs

2024-03-08 02:46:08 +0000 UTC

I mean, it could change... :wink:

Jovet

2024-03-08 02:28:02 +0000 UTC

Before I rewatched this episode, I thought it was unseemly that Data would be secretly messaging a teenage girl for 4 weeks. But having watched it again, I've remembered that Data is probably about 7 years old, so the girl actually groomed Data.

Smear Campaign

2024-03-08 01:45:42 +0000 UTC

While I think Berman's constraints might be a bit harsh, we've now gotten the opposite that leans WAY too hard on trying to be emotionally manipulative, and it's just the corniest, try-hard music ever.

Nolan

2024-03-08 01:28:50 +0000 UTC

This is only the second time I have seen this episode. Sometimes there are episodes that literally all you take away from it is a single sentence description or a single plot point, so rewatching them you really don’t know what is going to happen because on rewatch you mainly just watch the heavy hitters. So this episode was less boring just because it was mostly new to me other than the resolution. The Data scene was from a heavy hitter so I can see the comments but you can’t catch everything. Josh should clip some of those scenes he finds in editing, would be a cool thing for part of the season wrap up.

Jonathan

2024-03-08 00:15:03 +0000 UTC

Watching you guys struggling not to talk during scenes is hilarious, I have to say. :)

tyranusfan

2024-03-07 23:31:27 +0000 UTC

I do not think you guys talk enough, please talk more....................................When Wesley is on screen

Prof Moff

2024-03-07 22:09:13 +0000 UTC

How dare you to talk over the INTRO!!! haha

Jiri Luza

2024-03-07 21:37:30 +0000 UTC

Only to Cardies. 😆

Philbot

2024-03-07 21:21:25 +0000 UTC

YES! Thank you. Did not look like this, though, did it?

Jovet

2024-03-07 21:18:07 +0000 UTC

I was thinking about Riker being Wes’ father figure.. Wil Wheaton has said that he wishes Jonathan Frakes were his real father! His parents were show parents he calls his TNG family his real family!

Philbot

2024-03-07 21:11:20 +0000 UTC

Fake Troi and Data were in his quarters in where silence has lease.

Philbot

2024-03-07 21:07:56 +0000 UTC

In case you guys don’t know who Nikki Cox is she was the girl in T2 who told the T1000 that John had gone to the Galleria. 👍

Philbot

2024-03-07 21:02:10 +0000 UTC

In just her (to date) two episodes, Melinda Snodgrass has left an indelible mark on TNG. The smaller being the addition of Picard's fondness for horses, but more importantly, she created the poker scene that became as much a part of the show as the Holodeck did.

JGoss

2024-03-07 20:38:46 +0000 UTC

Good point. But his bedroom was just a generic set at the time, I think. His main quarters is what's new.

Jovet

2024-03-07 20:20:00 +0000 UTC

Nope, can't agree. The nature of the universe makes it impossible to "enhance" things in this manner. Optical zoom is a thing. EF zoom is not.

Jovet

2024-03-07 20:18:40 +0000 UTC

Not necessary, but I appreciate you going back to replay your feelings about a relatively throwaway joke. Also - be sure to watch the extended cut. It even has a nice Data/Pulaski moment in that party scene!

JGoss

2024-03-07 20:17:00 +0000 UTC

“Not this time” - Jonathan Frakes Yeah at 16:24 (13:15 of the show) you can see us get curious after we hear her voice, we just don’t say anything or address it at all right then for whatever reason.

Josh (Target Audience)

2024-03-07 20:11:11 +0000 UTC

I'm a big fan of Ron Jones' work on this show, I enjoy every one of his scores, they all add to the episode, and even carry the weaker episodes. Ultimately what Berman wanted was "sonic wallpaper". Music that's just....there, but doesn't call attention to itself or punctuate anything emotionally. Sigh.

JGoss

2024-03-07 20:04:18 +0000 UTC

Big laugh from me. Also the quip about talking to someone who turned out to be dead years ago.

JGoss

2024-03-07 20:00:44 +0000 UTC

I couldn't tell, but I think they talked over Sarjenka's initial "is anyone out there?" line, I got a good laugh out of that given the intro. They weren't confused later, so I guess they heard it.

JGoss

2024-03-07 19:59:02 +0000 UTC

They watch it with subtitles on

Doug

2024-03-07 19:45:01 +0000 UTC

There were the times in Season 1 when "weak Picard" was sick or resting. I believe he also receives Walker Keel's message in his quarters at the beginning of "Conspiracy."

Anthony Bernacchi

2024-03-07 19:44:41 +0000 UTC

Not to be an "ackshully", but I think ST is a property where they are in a future where they can get a pass for this with the tech they have. It's not like in CSI or something where someone from 2005 is trying to zoom/enhance in on a 240px flip phone camera picture.

Ca$hWednesday

2024-03-07 19:44:32 +0000 UTC

Picard’s scenes with the horse on the Holodeck are the first location scenes of Season 2. Note how Picard and Troi’s opening dialogue about how the horse fills a need for companionship foreshadows Data’s friendship with Sarjenka. Something I had forgotten prior to this rewatch is that “Pen Pals” takes place over a span of at least eight weeks. I believe this is the longest timespan covered by any TNG episode up to this point; fortunately, the passage of time is conveyed more elegantly than the infamous time jump in “The Paradise Syndrome.” The “cosmic plan” discussion in this episode is one of the main examples I had in mind when I mentioned in the past that TNG is like a version of the dinner party scene in “Is There In Truth No Beauty?” that is seven seasons long. This scene epitomizes everything TNG is and everything you always hoped it would be, and, of course, features one of the actors from “Is There In Truth No Beauty?” Notice how fully Dr. Pulaski has come around to Data’s side by this point: “My emotions are involved. Data’s friend is going to die. That means something.” “Pen Pals” is a rare child-centered Star Trek episode which is impossible to dislike. Even if decades have gone by since my last viewing of this episode, it makes me feel happy just to think of the moment when Sarjenka is frightened of Data but is then happy to see him once he identifies himself, saying she knew he would come. As a huge Data fan my late mother adored this episode; watching it was sheer bliss for her. Unlike other child actors, Nikki Cox (Sarjenka) went on to success in the industry as an adult, although she is now retired. She starred in the eponymous sitcom "Nikki" on the WB from 2000 to 2002. The production team had to limit Sarjenka and Data’s physical closeness because Cox’s orange makeup smudged off easily. The composer of this episode’s score was Dennis McCarthy, who in TNG’s early years alternated episodes with composer Ron Jones; thus McCarthy scored “Encounter at Farpoint,” Jones scored “The Naked Now,” and so on. As I mentioned in my comment on “The Royale,” with its memorable score by Jones, co-executive producer Rick Berman’s preference was for music that did not call attention to itself. While both McCarthy and Jones are extremely talented composers, McCarthy was always more willing to give Berman what he wanted (perhaps because he had children to support), creating excellent music within those narrow constraints. For example, in “Pen Pals” the music at the end of the “cosmic plan” scene, when everyone hears Sarjenka’s voice, is quite lovely but does not grab the viewer’s attention. Jones always pushed much harder against the limitations Berman imposed. For the episode after “Pen Pals” (which I presume Alex and Josh have already seen), Jones used a 59-piece orchestra, the largest he would ever use on TNG.

Anthony Bernacchi

2024-03-07 19:42:36 +0000 UTC

Yeah, it's called a reaction for a reason. You can't react to what you're actively watching or experiencing. I get pretty annoyed when people who are "reacting" look away or cover their eyes in shame/unease/shock/disgust/revulsion for very long. The reactor isn't doing his job! (Alex and Josh do not do this, gratefully.)

Jovet

2024-03-07 19:06:06 +0000 UTC

Isn't this the first visit to the captain's quarters?

Jovet

2024-03-07 18:35:34 +0000 UTC

16:21 There's that ridiculous ENHANCE! Ugh. I forgot ST did that here.

Jovet

2024-03-07 18:24:53 +0000 UTC

"Who knew O'Brien was racist!" Hahaha just wait!

Clyde Frog

2024-03-07 18:20:18 +0000 UTC

Have y'all tried the one-ear headphone thing? That way you can still talk to each other without completely drowning out what's being said on screen.

Dan Halstead

2024-03-07 18:11:35 +0000 UTC

2:50 I think "more of an effort" is all we've been asking for. :) There's usually enough time between scenes for a few words. You guys' facial expressions can say a lot, too!

Jovet

2024-03-07 18:10:41 +0000 UTC

It's Chaka!

Stephen Wright

2024-03-07 16:35:05 +0000 UTC

Alex's comment about the budget with the horse is not wrong. They shot very little outdoor scenes in season 2 because by this point they were over budget.

Collin Freeman

2024-03-07 15:58:15 +0000 UTC

It's impossible not to miss certain things. I've been watching Star Trek my entire life, and half of the fun is rewatching old episodes and seeing stuff that you missed or didn't remember.

Ca$hWednesday

2024-03-07 15:40:06 +0000 UTC

Don't worry about missing some parts, I'm sure most people back in the day missed some things while the TV was playing in their family room. People get too upset over nothing.

Doug

2024-03-07 15:31:16 +0000 UTC

Just wanna say I really appreciate you taking the time to both discover and then comment on a missed moment like this. It shows how dedicated you are to the lore and to the fanbase. Kudos.

valen

2024-03-07 14:45:14 +0000 UTC

Maybe on stand out episodes you could do follow up moments you missed when you edit, just like this one.

Mike Rogers

2024-03-07 14:29:26 +0000 UTC

Oh yay! I noticed you guys missed the wrapping paper joke, obviously, but I hoped you'd just see it when you edited it and then laugh at it then, lol. 😂 I'm just happy you eventually noticed it.

Lady Beyond The Wall

2024-03-07 14:19:59 +0000 UTC

To be fair, anyone can watch something with 100% focus and still miss things. Would rather you react and be yourselves than censor or restrain yourselves ☺️

SinocTheHodgeheg

2024-03-07 13:45:42 +0000 UTC

Super early post! A lovely surprise ☺️

SinocTheHodgeheg

2024-03-07 13:01:10 +0000 UTC

UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S2E15 - Pen Pals

Comments

Data was activated about 27 years before this episode

Don't sweat missing the odd bit you guys are great because you keep it natural

Was this the first showing of the riker maneuver? I'm so used to it it may have happened many times before but the scene with Wesley in ten forward suddenly stood out lol.

oh thanks I was confused because dauphin and measure of a man are posted after later episodes

Speaking for myself, one of the reasons why I became a patron was because of both your personalities and your relaxed and natural style of presentation. Listening to feedback is great, but in the end it's your channel. I much prefer authentic reactions vs contrived ones.

The reactions are all here. You can either keep scrolling down until you find them or click the link they have pinned at the top of the posts.

I thought the same. then I looked back and found the reaction to S02E14 from 8 days ago.

yes, there a few mediocre episodes but Contagion and Time Squared were reallyn good imo and i would have loved to see your reaction

why did you guys skip ahead to pen pals?

Chillax mate. Just a bit of the ol’ banter. If it’s not on screen, it’s not canon, so on this occasion “it never happened” means it never happened.

Good stuff guys keep it up. The genuine reaction is the way to go. This kind of content is great because if it’s authenticity.

Jesus, people have gotten so bizarrely obsessed with that stuff. NO ONE thought there was anything like "grooming" going on with Data and the girl.

I've been revisiting Red Dead 2 myself! Can't believe it's been nearly 6 years already.

It's *very* different. And "wildly over the top improvement to low-res" signal (instead of image) is exactly what happened in this scene. "Autotune" is definitely not an enhancement.

This is one of my favorites. I know it felt so long but I just enjoyed the good conversations and good actings and it made me like Data even more.

Something how times changes thing. I don't think anyone in the late 80s early 90s would have thought that. But unfortunately the reality of life is such....

Adding headphones, even only one would likely make them talk louder not quieter

I thought I had seen most of DS9 but it's not "my jam" like TNG is, so who knows.

Just wait'll you get to DS9s photo manipulation. I just chalk it up to them using holography instead of photography.

Shit happens, your enjoying the show. Dont worry too much about chatting ;)

I mean, it *could* change... :wink:

Before I rewatched this episode, I thought it was unseemly that Data would be secretly messaging a teenage girl for 4 weeks. But having watched it again, I've remembered that Data is probably about 7 years old, so the girl actually groomed Data.

While I think Berman's constraints might be a bit harsh, we've now gotten the opposite that leans WAY too hard on trying to be emotionally manipulative, and it's just the corniest, try-hard music ever.

Watching you guys struggling not to talk during scenes is hilarious, I have to say. :)

I do not think you guys talk enough, please talk more....................................When Wesley is on screen

How dare you to talk over the INTRO!!! haha

Only to Cardies. 😆

YES! Thank you. Did not look like this, though, did it?

I was thinking about Riker being Wes’ father figure.. Wil Wheaton has said that he wishes Jonathan Frakes were his real father! His parents were show parents he calls his TNG family his real family!

Fake Troi and Data were in his quarters in where silence has lease.

In case you guys don’t know who Nikki Cox is she was the girl in T2 who told the T1000 that John had gone to the Galleria. 👍

In just her (to date) two episodes, Melinda Snodgrass has left an indelible mark on TNG. The smaller being the addition of Picard's fondness for horses, but more importantly, she created the poker scene that became as much a part of the show as the Holodeck did.

Good point. But his bedroom was just a generic set at the time, I think. His main quarters is what's new.

Nope, can't agree. The nature of the universe makes it impossible to "enhance" things in this manner. Optical zoom is a thing. EF zoom is not.

Not necessary, but I appreciate you going back to replay your feelings about a relatively throwaway joke. Also - be sure to watch the extended cut. It even has a nice Data/Pulaski moment in that party scene!

“Not this time” - Jonathan Frakes Yeah at 16:24 (13:15 of the show) you can see us get curious after we hear her voice, we just don’t say anything or address it at all right then for whatever reason.

Big laugh from me. Also the quip about talking to someone who turned out to be dead years ago.

I couldn't tell, but I think they talked over Sarjenka's initial "is anyone out there?" line, I got a good laugh out of that given the intro. They weren't confused later, so I guess they heard it.

They watch it with subtitles on

There were the times in Season 1 when "weak Picard" was sick or resting. I believe he also receives Walker Keel's message in his quarters at the beginning of "Conspiracy."

Not to be an "ackshully", but I think ST is a property where they are in a future where they can get a pass for this with the tech they have. It's not like in CSI or something where someone from 2005 is trying to zoom/enhance in on a 240px flip phone camera picture.

Isn't this the first visit to the captain's quarters?

16:21 There's that ridiculous ENHANCE! Ugh. I forgot ST did that here.

"Who knew O'Brien was racist!" Hahaha just wait!

Have y'all tried the one-ear headphone thing? That way you can still talk to each other without completely drowning out what's being said on screen.

2:50 I think "more of an effort" is all we've been asking for. :) There's usually enough time between scenes for a few words. You guys' facial expressions can say a lot, too!

It's Chaka!

Alex's comment about the budget with the horse is not wrong. They shot very little outdoor scenes in season 2 because by this point they were over budget.

It's impossible not to miss certain things. I've been watching Star Trek my entire life, and half of the fun is rewatching old episodes and seeing stuff that you missed or didn't remember.

Don't worry about missing some parts, I'm sure most people back in the day missed some things while the TV was playing in their family room. People get too upset over nothing.

Just wanna say I really appreciate you taking the time to both discover and then comment on a missed moment like this. It shows how dedicated you are to the lore and to the fanbase. Kudos.

Maybe on stand out episodes you could do follow up moments you missed when you edit, just like this one.

Oh yay! I noticed you guys missed the wrapping paper joke, obviously, but I hoped you'd just see it when you edited it and then laugh at it then, lol. 😂 I'm just happy you eventually noticed it.

To be fair, anyone can watch something with 100% focus and still miss things. Would rather you react and be yourselves than censor or restrain yourselves ☺️

Super early post! A lovely surprise ☺️

More Creators

It's very different. And "wildly over the top improvement to low-res" signal (instead of image) is exactly what happened in this scene. "Autotune" is definitely not an enhancement.

I mean, it could change... :wink: