UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S1E23 - Skin of Evil
Added 2023-12-20 15:00:08 +0000 UTC
Comments
Yeah, while this is a very memorable episode for obvious reasons, it's certainly a flawed episode for reasons already covered. On the one hand killing Tasha early on very much added to his menace, and made him "absorbing" Riker all the more disturbing. On the other hand, the death of a main character, even one with as little genuine development as Tasha, it's going to overshadow the rest of the episode. So yeah, the structure and pacing have real issues. It's sad that Denise was unhappy with her role in the show and that it ended this way for her, but if there's a silver lining, it's that having 1 less character freed the writers up to focus on particularly Geordi and Worf and to round out the rest of the characters. Aside from Crusher's absence in S2, most of the cast really started to gel in S2 and Geordi becoming chief engineer and Worf becoming chief of security rather than them just filling whatever role on the bridge is needed set them up to grow as characters. When Crusher came back in S3, she fit right in with the fleshed out crew. I do think it was a good artistic choice to not fall into the trope of "grand heroic death" such as we saw with Spock. I mean you think back to The Apple, one guy got vaporized by lightning, one got shot by a poison flower, one stepped on a rock and blew up, and the 4th got hit over the head by a stick. All senseless deaths, and like Yar, they were all security officers. I'm sure they all had friends/family and lives outside of work, and like Yar their deaths left a void in the lives of people around them. They just weren't main characters, so we don't connect with them or feel their loss as much. But yeah, most deaths in the line of duty are pointless. The one area I find no flaw is the soundtrack. Ron Jones created a super menacing motif for Armus that did a lot to sell him as a threat. We also see his versatility in the touching, ethereal music he wrote for the funeral, and we get a little foreshadowing of Tasha's fate when we hear a bit of that music when Worf says he bet on Tasha. I also noticed a few hints of Jones Romulan theme during shuttle crash scene on the bridge. I'm sure not intentional, probably just some musical ideas that ended up being recycled into that theme. I do think most of the characters(Wes and Geordi didn't get much) got at least 1 or 2 good scenes this episode. Tasha got that nice scene with Worf at the beginning, Troi was great in her scenes on the shuttle getting under Armus' skin with the psychoanalysing, Crusher straight up refusing to play his game or beg for her life, Riker pissing him off so much he spat him back out, Data showing as close to contempt as he can for Armus saying he should be destroyed as well as that great moment at the end, and Worf restraining his desire for revenge to work the problem from the bridge. And finally shows the kind of strength dealing with Armus that you expect from him later in the show, and his quite "Au revoir, Natasha" sells how much he's struggling to keep it together after losing someone he was very close to. I do think the memorial service and Tasha's goodbye messages were the strongest part of the episode. The way the episode just carries on after her death doesn't give you time to feel it, but those emotions do kick in at the end. I like that Data was the one who lingered at the end. They're all Tasha's friends, and while her and Data's fling might have been primarily a result of the intoxication virus, that's an early indication that event meant more to Data than it would otherwise seem. So while I do think killing off Tasha could have been handled better, I still think the episode is emotionally effective in the end. Au revoir, Natasha
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-06-30 08:00:21 +0000 UTChe's an oily Tardis
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-06-29 23:08:39 +0000 UTCAs stated in our benefits when you sign up - ALL UNCUT reactions include our footage ONLY. We DO NOT supply the copyrighted content. You must sync with your own copy of the material.
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-30 23:53:41 +0000 UTCI can't see or hear what you are reacting to. Is this a copyright issue?
Alex Hudson
2023-12-30 23:28:29 +0000 UTCAlthough far from being the best episode, this was perhaps one of the single most important episodes in the series when it aired. It ordained that no character was truly safe going forward..
Chris
2023-12-25 23:09:54 +0000 UTCI watched this episode when it aired - but I had no reason to take the teaser seriously back then. Killing off main characters in shows was virtually unheard of - and I was 13- so I had no conception such a thing would happen on ANY show, much less kid-friendly Star Trek. Up to that point, I was fortunate enough never to have experienced personal loss IRL. Tasha was the first "person I knew" that died. Fictional, yes, but... I still feel for that kid on that day 😢
Ian Ramsey
2023-12-21 09:34:20 +0000 UTCS style poignant ending. Showing the emotional depths of the original series This show is clearly establishing itself as separate from it’s predecessor This is truly the first TO
Thicketdweller
2023-12-21 06:30:43 +0000 UTCNow I can say go back and watch the previous episode and watch Tasha wave in the cargo bay at the end of the episode because it was her last day of shooting.
AJC
2023-12-21 03:47:06 +0000 UTCI enjoyed this ep I loved a nasty alien in armus
Scarpad’s Domain
2023-12-21 03:46:08 +0000 UTCBefore my viewing today, I'd not noticed that Data seemed to need to be restrained by someone right after he said that, too.
Jovet
2023-12-21 01:52:10 +0000 UTCAlmost certainly a flash of anger from Data when he said Armus should be destroyed. He didn't realize it, but it was there.
tyranusfan
2023-12-21 01:20:40 +0000 UTCHe's still in there. Armus is obviously bigger on the inside than the outside. 😏
Jovet
2023-12-21 00:18:14 +0000 UTCAnd then that dastardly Klingon bwoke it!
Jovet
2023-12-21 00:01:18 +0000 UTCIt's the guy who insisted Geordi relinquish command to him ("Arsenal of Freedom"), so what do 'ya expect.
Jovet
2023-12-20 23:59:26 +0000 UTCAccording to the Season 1 Writers' and Directors' Guide, Tasha regarded Wesley as "the childhood friend she never had." Unfortunately, the show didn't really develop this relationship until Tasha's last two episodes. One of the comic books published during Season 1 did more with it, with Tasha and Wesley playing together in the Enterprise corridors!
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-12-20 23:34:30 +0000 UTCThey were going to not even build an engineering set but Gene knew if they didn’t do it in the beginning it would not happen later on.
Philbot
2023-12-20 23:14:56 +0000 UTCQuestion: while Riker has been enveloped and the creature then envelopes the shuttle, where is Riker?
Geoffrey Linehan
2023-12-20 22:05:45 +0000 UTCThis commercial trailer was sneaky. It said that one of the crew would bid a fond farewell while showing Riker being sucked in, saying “Data! Something’s got me!”
Geoffrey Linehan
2023-12-20 21:59:42 +0000 UTCJesus this episode still gets me. I've known what's happened for 30 years but I love the characters so much that it still strikes.
PIG
2023-12-20 21:56:43 +0000 UTCTasha.. also.. cringe?
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-20 21:45:27 +0000 UTCI wanted her to mess with Armus’ mind more. Lwaxana would have attempted seduction and they’d have all been home in time for tea.
Paul Rymer
2023-12-20 21:42:53 +0000 UTCWhat I think is brilliant is what happens in the aftermath of her death in the next seasons. Crosby leaving must have had an impact as the producers give everyone some great storylines and the cast I know took steps to make things better collectively. It wasn’t good for her but it was a catalyst for the show to grow and thrive.
Paul Rymer
2023-12-20 21:41:28 +0000 UTCI always thought the name Leland T. Lynch was a subtle Twin Peaks reference, but Season 1 TNG was at least a couple years before Twin Peaks aired.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-12-20 20:59:38 +0000 UTCI actually really enjoyed what they tried to do with Troi here, an entire other episode with her being held prisoner by say a serial killer and then messing with his mind might be really gripping and clever character drama.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-12-20 20:39:19 +0000 UTCI honestly don't know if it was in the script or a character choice but every time Picard clearly hates Leland T. Lynch announcing his full name is GOLD.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-12-20 20:23:44 +0000 UTCIt was after this episode, when it first aired back in the 80s, that I checked out of TNG for a long time. Later I came back and watched the rest, but I never quite forgave them for this one. I suspect it's a big contributing factor to that "season one sucks" feeling many fans have expressed.
danzthename
2023-12-20 19:50:53 +0000 UTCThe ending scene is my favorite part of the episode, too. Au revoir, Natasha.
Collin Freeman
2023-12-20 19:23:23 +0000 UTC"Couselor Troi is gonna die." Guess again.
Sam Langanke
2023-12-20 19:11:29 +0000 UTCShe really was the glue in a lot of ways. She was the big sister for Wesley, the only one relatively young still, connecting with him.. she was the fellow fighter for Worf, really forming a friendship with him, doing sports and other stuff together.. she was the similar aged best friend for Troi, she had Picard as a father figure, Riker as the older brother, Data as that "crazy party moment" that she said never happened but secretly she cherishes because she really likes Data... She was really part of the family... such a shame.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-20 18:56:32 +0000 UTCDiscord invite is still: https://discord.gg/zBhCjJ4d
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-20 18:52:16 +0000 UTCAppreciate everything you're doing Andreas <3. Please do join us Discord minions. Plenty of fun spoiler filled discussions, memes...and food pictures.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-12-20 18:51:08 +0000 UTCIf it's a girl you can name her after Tasha :D Seriously though: Congratulations :)
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-20 18:03:27 +0000 UTC😭💀
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-20 17:32:14 +0000 UTC"It looks like Tasha has a thing for Worf" me: "it won't last."
Mike Rogers
2023-12-20 17:04:57 +0000 UTCTAsha
Sam Langanke
2023-12-20 16:54:58 +0000 UTCSo Tosha must come off the sex score board. But she leaves in the lead. Tosha - 3 Riker - 2 Data - 1 Troi - 1 Well Tosha is the fighter, a leader making tons of decisions and sometimes in a way giving orders even to Riker and Picard when it comes to security, and she is (was) the hook up winner. The question is: Was Tosha really the TNG Kirk for the first 22 eps? I say yeah I think so.
Prof Moff
2023-12-20 16:41:53 +0000 UTCWe talk a lot about it in the discussion
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-20 16:39:09 +0000 UTCThank you
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-20 16:35:52 +0000 UTCThis... for me, is the moment I've been waiting for. Ever since your TOS reactions, I knew that this episode is a defining one for Star Trek fans. I say that because if it had been any character of that series (perhaps the big 3 excluded), I believe it's fair to say we would've seen just as intense a reaction, but I think it also divides the Trekkies from the Trekkers🖖. Having a bridge crewmember written off, the manner in which she was killed, how she doesn't have a "heroic" death (i.e. Taking a bullet for someone or pushing a kid off the tracks but hit by a train movie trope), affected peoples perception or reflection of the show from that point on. Both your faces said it all, and the way you guys handled it was totally appropriate, this is exactly why I'm here lol. Denise Crosby said that she made the decision to leave voluntarily, and has since said she regretted her decision after the shows success, but how do you feel they executed (No Pun Intended) her character's demise for the story? P.S. I haven't even finished your reaction yet but this is one of my favorites, so far... I didn't see "See No Evil" either 🫣
Billy T. Riker
2023-12-20 16:35:13 +0000 UTCYou both observe things that I tend to not notice! At least not in the first viewing. It's why I enjoy your reaction journey so much. I just kind of take the stories as they come, I don't read too much into everything going on at the time.
Jovet
2023-12-20 16:32:27 +0000 UTC46:10 Oh! We were hoping that meeting her didn't spoil it. :-D
Jovet
2023-12-20 16:30:06 +0000 UTC@Alex: I understand that. But there were a TON more of these "stubtle or not so subtle" hints since the season started that would spoil MAJOR things on the scale of this. It certainly didn't help you forget about it. Especially moderating YouTube was a big job this season. So I repeat my stance: No more "subtle, funny hints" from now on. It's a miracle that they can keep themselves relatively safe with all of pop culture going on to begin with. Let's no make things work by goofing around. We can make our jokes AFTER they have watched the episode, and I specifically made a Discord for all of us, so we can discuss spoilers there and joke among ourselves safely.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-20 16:23:52 +0000 UTCDidn't he say it got spoiled years ago, though? Or did I miss that?
JD Nevesytrof
2023-12-20 16:20:40 +0000 UTCI’ve already been spoiled because of RLM years ago so I can’t blame them completely-Alex
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-20 16:20:24 +0000 UTC😭
AzoriusMage
2023-12-20 16:20:16 +0000 UTCI just want to say one thing here: THIS!! IS WHY YOU DON'T MAKE STUPID HINTS AT SOMETHING! I'm so furious that this got spoiled for Alex right now! I hope this stupid "hinting" will stop right here and right now Since the season started I was fighting like an idiot cleaning up youtube comments in the hope to keep this secret. I spent HOURS going over comments, tired and not going to sleep, hoping I caught the last comment... but noo.. people kept getting mad at me when I said "don't write these stupid hints"... Well to all of you: THIS is why I was so pedantic about that.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-20 15:52:51 +0000 UTCThis might be the first time we’ve ever been called observant
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-20 15:51:50 +0000 UTC6:40 For as observant you both are, I'm surprised you just figured that out. (I noticed that within 60 seconds of Farpoint.)
Jovet
2023-12-20 15:50:29 +0000 UTCWoooo atta go Stu! All the best!
James Bottas
2023-12-20 15:45:25 +0000 UTCWell wishes to you & your wife!
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-12-20 15:40:51 +0000 UTCWatching this from the hospital cause my pregnant wife’s water broke early. Merry Christmas Target Audience folks!
Stuart Arbury
2023-12-20 15:37:17 +0000 UTCHere it is! The first big wtf moment of the show :-)
Bret Kay
2023-12-20 15:35:15 +0000 UTCBig episode
AzoriusMage
2023-12-20 15:34:47 +0000 UTCLet's go!
Phillip Grischa
2023-12-20 15:08:42 +0000 UTCHere we goooo
Mara
2023-12-20 15:03:43 +0000 UTCIt's time!
SinocTheHodgeheg
2023-12-20 15:01:36 +0000 UTC
