UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S1E25 - Conspiracy
Added 2023-12-27 15:00:10 +0000 UTC
Comments
"Next time on Staaaar Trek, TheNextGeneration. The Goa'uld have invaded the Federation! Old friends have become foes, trusted allies have been compromised, and the crew of the Enterprise are their next target. Will Picard and his crew expose the conspiracy, or be co-opted into it?" It's always struck me how the parasites carving a path of influence through the Federation is so similar to Operation: Annihilate from TOS. They weren't headed for Earth in that case, and of course what they did to those they infect was a lot different, but tracking a series of events pointing to where the aliens came from was quite similar. We never see the Horatio (in one piece), but it's identified as an Ambassador class, which is the same class of ship as the Enterprise-C. The Ambassador class is arguably the precursor to the Galaxy class. I love how even the computer is telling Data to shut up now when he's being too long winded. Yeah this episode rewinds the progress on Data's character, but it was a funny scene and there wouldn't be many more chances for "season 1 Data moments" after this, so one for the road I guess. Originally the plan was for these parasites to have a connection to Borg, paving the way for their invasion. The references to destroyed outposts in the next episode were meant as and still considered to be foreshadowing first contact with the Borg. Were it not for the writers strike, the Borg would have been introduced in the first episode of S2, but of course their introduction got pushed back to Q Who and the connection to Conspiracy was dropped. The practical effect of Remmick's death is perhaps the most graphic/gruesome scene in Trek. Certainly up there. The anatomical accuracy of the model showing the spine and ribs and shoulder joints with the flesh melted away and blood dripping off the collar bone.....very disturbing. Especially since we've seen in Hide and Q that even the little phasers can just vaporize a man in an instant. I guess we needed to see that the "mother" was inside Remmick. The guy was a dick in CoA, but he didn't deserve that. I don't honestly know what happened to those that were infected that Riker and Picard shot. Presumably there's some telepathic link between the creatures for the others to die without the mother, hence Quinn being fine. Memory Alpha says Savar and Tryla Scott died, but it says that Aaron's status in unknown, which is strange considering they both shot him and for longer than the others. Seems rather arbitrary. This is a highly memorable episode and one of the most unique and disturbing of the show. Like others, I appreciate it for being something different, but I don't see it as a great "Star Trek" episode and I prefer this kind of story in moderation. Heart of Glory is probably my favourite of S1. Still it keeps you on your toes and is creepy to watch even years later after multiple rewatches, so it's definitely one of the best of the season.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-07-03 05:08:55 +0000 UTCthis one one of my first too. it was impactful lol
Castanea
2024-01-04 06:42:58 +0000 UTCthomas paine was the author of "Common Sense" considered a huge inspiration for making the case for Revolution in colonial america
Castanea
2024-01-04 06:25:40 +0000 UTCThey're called "skants," and can be taken as a subtle indication that gender identity is more widely recognized as fluid in the 24th century than it was in the 1980s.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-01-04 05:27:09 +0000 UTC27:35 that guy was in a dress!
Ee'char
2024-01-03 23:56:40 +0000 UTCYep, this was definitely the first episode of TNG that I ever watched. Aged 9. My schoolmate recommened it, and then the following day apologised to me! I must have blocked out the more "graphic" parts, because I wondered what he was apologising for!
Ee'char
2024-01-03 23:56:24 +0000 UTCNot at the time this came out. In the era of TNG the odd "dark" "spooky" "surreal" episode was a welcome change of pace. I absolutely do not enjoy dark stuff for its own sake in Trek, but the odd episode as a change of tone? Yes.
Steven Johnson
2024-01-02 20:46:56 +0000 UTCThere is nothing higher than Admirals in starfleet is the navy. The federation is the government. You saw the federation president in star trek 4
Derek Orr
2024-01-02 20:36:01 +0000 UTCMeh the dark tone stuff is way too overdone, especially in nu trek
Derek Orr
2024-01-02 20:33:35 +0000 UTCNow THIS is PODRACING!
Jef Etters
2024-01-01 17:42:49 +0000 UTCspeaking of impulse speed notice geordi makes a mistake when he's told to speed up warp speed and he replies "aye sir full impulse" ??
Narnman
2023-12-28 19:21:12 +0000 UTCI joined patreon because i couldnt wait to see your reaction to this episode!
Narnman
2023-12-28 19:18:13 +0000 UTCIt has possibly the best and the worst 2 episodes of the series. Probably not hard to figure out which 2 I’m talking about. The thing that turns me off season 2 somewhat is something we can’t talk about until the guys start watching. 😊
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-28 17:26:32 +0000 UTCHonestly, season 2 of TNG varies wildly. It does have some fine episodes and some solid ones, but the bad ones are among the very worst of TNG.........'Up The Long Ladder' might not even get in the top 3 worst episodes for season 2.
Numinous2019
2023-12-28 13:25:31 +0000 UTCYes.
Tristan Cray
2023-12-28 09:32:41 +0000 UTCTo be clear, season 2 originally had the “when TNG got good” moniker, in fact a very famous tv trope was named re: a certain character, which means when a tv series improves. Are actor’s physical appearance a spoiler?
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-28 06:14:22 +0000 UTCHi Joe, ok...I thought I remember recording all these on my VCR as they aired. So I went and looked it up and yes it was aired on May 9, 1988 in the US on various Networks...not in the UK and with a warning in Canada. I'm not sure which one it was here in Orlando but it was either ABC, CBS or NBC.
Duane Chancey
2023-12-28 05:59:19 +0000 UTCThey may not have allowed it. This show was actually originally aired in syndication, not on a network.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-28 04:45:34 +0000 UTCI love season 2.
Just another Red Shirt
2023-12-28 02:53:10 +0000 UTCHe says it was intended for Dr. Crusher. "But, perhaps, you would like to see it first."
tyranusfan
2023-12-28 02:42:35 +0000 UTCI always liked this one and was a bit shocked they allowed that ending to Remick in 1988 on one of the big 3 Networks. I figured you guys would love this one...I bet it wll be in your Top 5 for this Season, or 10 for sure. The Alien in this looked kinda like the one in Wrath of Khan that went in thru the ears. That's it! 😀🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-12-28 02:41:21 +0000 UTCNo, he wasn't talking about Data. Each parasite is apparently intended to join with a specific member of the crew. Admiral Aaron later tells the apparently possessed Riker when he arrives at the dinner that `you were meant for the Doctor`, indicating that the parasite Quinn brought aboard was intended for her. And even if they had been referring to the science officer, there nothing to indicate that either of them is talking about Data.
Patrick47
2023-12-28 01:58:02 +0000 UTCMine too. Never thought I would pay for something I can watch on YouTube for free.
Sam Langanke
2023-12-28 00:48:03 +0000 UTCI’ve always wondered why the man, when possessed and fighting with Riker, says, “it won’t like your science officer,” as if speaking about Data. Data is the operations manager. LaForge, incidentally, is the conn.
Geoffrey Linehan
2023-12-27 23:32:07 +0000 UTCBest cliffhanger eh stay tuned
Scarpad’s Domain
2023-12-27 23:04:58 +0000 UTCI skipped right ahead toward the end because I had to see you react to THAT SCENE. I was not disappointed.
Adam Reid
2023-12-27 22:50:08 +0000 UTCHere we go boys! This is where I feel like the writing on the show goes from impulse to warp speed. The actors have settled into their respective roles & even though the "just fine" season one is almost over, I feel as though the best is yet to come. Thanks for all the great content, you guys are a blast to watch & my 1st/ only Patreon subscription, here's to a Happy New Year Target Audience! 🍻🥂
Billy T. Riker
2023-12-27 22:34:00 +0000 UTCI like worf’s statement “swimming is too much like bathing”
Thicketdweller
2023-12-27 22:27:32 +0000 UTCIt has to be taught , in order to learn about it.
Thicketdweller
2023-12-27 22:17:58 +0000 UTCThere is a documentary where Tracy Torme' states he wrote this script to piss off Roddenberry, who notoriously was against dark cynicism for his humanist future. However, Gene was at the time pissed off at the studio censors for coming down hard on his sex-episodes and the half nudity therein during the first half of the season. So, much to Torme's surprise, Gene greenlit this episode, exploding skull and all.
StonyD
2023-12-27 20:42:59 +0000 UTCI thought every American high school kid still learned about “Common Sense.”
James H
2023-12-27 19:07:33 +0000 UTCYa, considering what kids are exposed to nowadays. My wife decided for our grandkids, age 7 and 9, to watch the 1982 "The Thing" just last night....I objected due to how graphic it is....she reminded me of what they watch now and how it's not much less the same....we watched it and they had no problem with it other than saying how gross a couple of times. They loved it.
Monty Crawford
2023-12-27 19:02:06 +0000 UTCPaine is not widely remembered today because he ridiculed Christianity in print, causing him to be "canceled"; only six people attended his funeral, and his mortal remains are now lost entirely. The ship named after him in this episode shows that his reputation has been rehabilitated in Star Trek's secular humanist future.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-12-27 18:30:43 +0000 UTCWatching the whole thing now but immediately fast-fowarded to the moment I was looking for, 10/10 no regrets.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-12-27 17:21:43 +0000 UTCThe "Thomas Paine" ship was named for a figure from the American Revolution. He wrote the pro-revolutionary pamphlet "Common Sense."
James H
2023-12-27 16:54:15 +0000 UTCI have been WAITING to see you guys react to the Remmick head-splosion! Whoooo!
OmniRaider
2023-12-27 16:44:59 +0000 UTCCame close to
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-27 16:39:20 +0000 UTCI thought J&A's heads would explode, too!
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-27 16:38:17 +0000 UTC"When my tour of duty is done...I'd like to serve on the Enterprise." ~ Remmick to Picard in Coming of Age. Like three episodes later Picard shoots him in the face until his head explodes. I'm gonna call that a hard "no", dude.
EnigmaticPenguin
2023-12-27 16:30:44 +0000 UTCI agree about the tone. This was what Roddenberry liked about being a syndicated show as opposed to a network show: less interference from higher-ups and censors.
Collin Freeman
2023-12-27 16:25:36 +0000 UTCAs I said previously, this is my favorite episode of season 1. When it first aired in 1988, I thought "Wow! They've come a long way. Okay, now I'm all in." I thought the show really took a major step forward with this episode. Henry Darrow as the Vulcan Admiral Savar was a long-time actor who appeared in a number of shows over the decades. I remember him best from The High Chaparral. He was capable of playing good guys and bad guys in a multitude of genres. The Remmick exploding head effect and mother-alien creature was particularly amazing and gruesome. One of the producers previewed it for his young boy and he seemed to have no problem with it, so they kept it. It helped that TNG was a syndicated show at the time and not a network show with censors breathing down their necks.
Collin Freeman
2023-12-27 16:20:15 +0000 UTCOMG can't wait for the discussion on this episode!
Lucas Herr
2023-12-27 16:17:01 +0000 UTCNow do you understand how great TNG gets? This episode is a highlight for me and a great follow-up to Coming Of Age which you can now watch again in a completely different light. This is the standard that TNG mostly meets in much of Season 2 and from Season 3 onwards. It’s a lot more daring but at the same time more character driven.
Paul Rymer
2023-12-27 16:05:32 +0000 UTCDitalix B sounds like a medical condition. 12:14 Don't you mean... "WOKE GARBAGE!!!" That needs to be on a t-shirt. That final bit with the creature was apparently Gene flipping the bird to the censors. This episode has, in retrospect, been maligned for the "graphic violence." I don't care what anyone says. I love the dark tone of this one.
Steven Johnson
2023-12-27 16:04:37 +0000 UTC46:25 "One of the best cliffhanger endings..." You both have NO IDEA what is coming. NO IDEA!!! :grin:
Jovet
2023-12-27 15:56:24 +0000 UTC44:00 The look on Josh's face! I KNEW you guys would love this one!
Jovet
2023-12-27 15:53:49 +0000 UTCThe vulcan admiral was played by Henry Darrow, best known to me at least for playing Zorro on the old tv shows
Julie Carter
2023-12-27 15:40:39 +0000 UTC25:30 The characters already discussed that history in the episode!
Jovet
2023-12-27 15:35:18 +0000 UTCPeople will start complaining about season 2 on Friday, don't think this is over.😉 Edit: I should have let Alex talk before I paused the video and wrote my comment. Oops.
Phillip Grischa
2023-12-27 15:28:57 +0000 UTCHey, even starship captains have to sleep sometime...
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-27 15:26:59 +0000 UTC15:00 How did you guys like pale scrotum face?
Jovet
2023-12-27 15:24:53 +0000 UTC5:12 Shoulda called it Code Fourty-Seven of Honor. LOL
Jovet
2023-12-27 15:14:59 +0000 UTCWasn't expecting an episode today for some reason, what a treat!
SinocTheHodgeheg
2023-12-27 15:04:06 +0000 UTC
