PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S1E23 - Skin of Evil
Added 2023-12-17 23:00:06 +0000 UTCComment on this post your ‘takes’ on this episode and we will read a few in our discussion!
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Comments
Denise Crosby regretted her decision to leave the show.
startrekiborg
2023-12-25 18:45:16 +0000 UTCWhile not a great episode, We'll Always Have Paris is at least a nice Picard character episode.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-12-20 19:01:47 +0000 UTCYeah, We'll Always Have Paris, even with the funny time stuff, is pretty forgettable.
Ian Westcott
2023-12-20 08:47:17 +0000 UTCI remember being completely shocked, but I was six, so probably not where any spoilers were
Mosquito_Wenzi
2023-12-20 07:30:54 +0000 UTCFun fact. Skin of Evil was shot before Symbiosis. If you watch back Symbiosis, at the end of the episode, as Crusher and Picard are leaving the shuttlebay, you will see her waving goodbye just before the doors close.
Dan Hunsaker
2023-12-20 00:11:03 +0000 UTCAs of the time I'm writing this, We'll Always Have Paris has 30 comments, Skin of Evil has 117 (not counting this one). I'm not surprised.
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-19 23:23:01 +0000 UTCWell she is also Bing Crosby’s granddaughter, although she never met him.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-19 22:01:27 +0000 UTCIn retrospect, It seemed a little mean-spirited to not just have Tasha leave the show, but to kill her off so abruptly with seemingly no way of returning? It's not like it was Denise Crosby's fault they didn't know what to do with Tasha...
Adam Reid
2023-12-19 21:08:52 +0000 UTCWith maybe a partial for her 1979 Playboy appearance. Though that may partially be why she got on TNG in the first place.
CM Waters
2023-12-19 19:14:03 +0000 UTCThis episode probably would've worked as an episode even if they did just kill a random security guy instead.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-19 16:12:40 +0000 UTCHer leaving definitely pushes Worf's character into new places, but I'm not sure her leaving made all the writing change. Though it's possible it pushed them to places they hadn't gone yet with the writing.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-19 16:11:06 +0000 UTCFor sure that is definitely a thing to do at the end of TNG. It was a great documentary.
Strife
2023-12-19 16:07:31 +0000 UTCDefinitely watch Chaos at the end of the series run but not now. There are some major spoilers in there. I have to admit, seeing what actually went on behind the scenes its amazing we ever get to Season 3 and the great Trek that followed!
Stephen Wright
2023-12-19 14:53:27 +0000 UTCI love this episode SO MUCH and I've been waiting for you guys to get to this. I know I joke a lot, but this episode is fantastic. Her sudden and meaningless death, in my opinion, makes it feel more real and hurtful. And makes the evil being THAT much more evil. This is certainly not filler, at least for me. This is an episode that should not be passed up.
Rj Simas
2023-12-19 05:58:16 +0000 UTCDepends on, even if they don't read the comments before reacting, they see how many comments there are.
CM Waters
2023-12-19 02:57:09 +0000 UTCThe first season of TNG had mixed reception. I heard the ratings were not all that great at first and at the time many (including cast and crew) thought this would go the path of 90% of revival shows. It must of figured into Denise Crosby's decision to leave the show. The fan community knew about it so Yar's death but they did not know how arbitrary it would be. As for the episode itself, the concept of a race of people figuring out a way to physically drain their evil out into a black substance is interesting and there is a nice creepiness to the episode.
Mike Rogers
2023-12-19 02:44:22 +0000 UTCI think this was my first exposure to the death of a tv show character. I remember being so, so upset that I kept rewinding the vhs back to Yar saying her farewells and just crying. Bit of a strong reaction for an 11 year old at the time but it was just so sad. In hindsight, Denise Crosby was obviously awfully unhappy and made her own choice.
Mara
2023-12-18 20:11:57 +0000 UTCClearly, a turning point in the series. In the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock, the tables are turned and suddenly this series takes on new meaning. If not for this episode, Worf would not continue into the character we all know so well! Denise Crosby leaving due to story writing issues, unaware that her departure will make the writers change direction and the writing becomes more crisp, exciting and dynamic for all the characters. Excellent acting from the whole cast, not too hard either.....for their friend was leaving the show. This is a new beginning for this series!
Dale Gonyea
2023-12-18 20:00:20 +0000 UTCI think this episode has the most comments yet... I wonder if that'll be a tip off for the boys? At the very least they'll know this episode is a Big Deal in some way.
Nolan
2023-12-18 19:11:34 +0000 UTCPuddle of Black Tar Goo for the win!
Chtphr Rrr
2023-12-18 18:48:38 +0000 UTCI really liked Tasha. She had a lot of potential for the next seasons.
Yannik M.
2023-12-18 17:13:02 +0000 UTCI actually liked this episode because TNG rarely had villains, or monsters, so I felt this was a very TOS like episode. I wish Yar had stayed but I think it helped to pair down the cast and allow worf to take a bigger role and really a Klingon security officer just makes sense.
Scarpad’s Domain
2023-12-18 16:13:55 +0000 UTCYep, and as much as I hate to say it the reason she got that part was because of the marquee value she had thanks to Star Trek.
Steven Johnson
2023-12-18 15:12:13 +0000 UTCAnyone feel that Picard's final speech/taunting of Armus was a pretty Kirk-like moment. I can definitly see Shatner doing a similar scene back in the '60s.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-18 14:56:56 +0000 UTCI don't remember those ads, but it wouldn't surprise me. TV rarely keeps secrets that big.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-18 14:52:42 +0000 UTCGiven how I've heard a similar things about Berman, it's interesting that most of the main actors seem to all genuinely be good friends. Especially the ones on for all 7 seasons. Maybe it makes you closer working for a jerk. :)
Joe Concepts
2023-12-18 14:52:04 +0000 UTCI have no knowledge about anything Pokemon. I'm in my 60s and have no kids or grandkids so there you go.
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-18 14:32:25 +0000 UTCYou are 100% correct. I have changed my comment from windows 95 to windows XP lol.
Strife
2023-12-18 14:30:02 +0000 UTCStefano also turned down an offer to be the showrunner for the third season of TOS.
Mark Chrisco
2023-12-18 14:05:49 +0000 UTCAsh's Muk from Pokémon? Sure it only said its name, but it was a cuddly an affectionate dude.
CM Waters
2023-12-18 13:50:43 +0000 UTCLOL! I think you're thinking of the Windows XP default wallpaper.
Jovet
2023-12-18 13:49:46 +0000 UTCThat is the opposite experience I had. When I first saw this, I had no knowledge of the plot. She died so quickly and they acted so shocked that I knew she was killed off.
Jovet
2023-12-18 13:48:44 +0000 UTCHAILING FREQUENCIES CLOSED, SIR!
Jovet
2023-12-18 13:46:16 +0000 UTCYeah that is kinda weird, isn't it? I guess that's where the life it sucked out of her came out. LOL
Jovet
2023-12-18 13:45:52 +0000 UTCIt's bad—I read that as Yasha Tar at first! LOL!
Jovet
2023-12-18 13:40:58 +0000 UTCJust remember, it's Star Trek. Don't read toooo deep into it all. It's okay to not worry about Troi's potential each and every episode.
Jovet
2023-12-18 13:40:05 +0000 UTCOh, good ol' "dark moody sets" Berman? Lucky him.
Jovet
2023-12-18 13:35:50 +0000 UTCWe have finally gotten to Tasha going up to the big Windows XP wallpaper in the sky. I imagine you guys will like this one because it is at least interesting that a main cast member got red shirted. You will probably find it irritating because of all of Tasha's missed potential. When you get to the end of TNG I recommend you watch Shatner's documentary called Chaos on the Bridge about the first season of TNG. The production was a nightmare and I am not surprised Denise Crosby wanted to bail.
Strife
2023-12-18 12:38:19 +0000 UTCCo-writer Joseph Stefano was one of the main writers/creators of The Outer Limits. He also wrote the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Oh look. Yet another Chief Engineer in a rotating series of them. This one has the annoying habit of announcing his full name with middle initial. It grates like fingernails on a blackboard. No worries. They will soon solve their game of musical chairs in Engineering. I had forgotten how touching the memorial service was. So long Tasha, we hardly knew ye (I'm guessing you boys are too young to get that reference).
StealthMomo
2023-12-18 11:34:19 +0000 UTCThis was a pretty shocking moment in an age where the "anyone can die" trope was largely confined to soap operas.
Dion James Pitman
2023-12-18 11:23:07 +0000 UTCI remember looking at the clock thinking “wow there isn’t going to be much time to wrap this episode up and bring Yar back to life - maybe this will be a two parter” . This broke me as a kid. Probably my first experience of death.
Jon1701
2023-12-18 10:09:08 +0000 UTCDenise Crosby said that had more scenes been written like the opening scene between Yar and Worf then she wouldn’t have asked to leave the show.
Jon1701
2023-12-18 10:07:14 +0000 UTCThis will seem off-topic, but it isn't: there's a British sci-fi show about time travel called "Primeval" in which one of the regular characters is badly affected toward the end of Season 1 by history being changed. At one point she sees herself in a bathroom mirror as a mass of shining, whirling, reflective facets, which is what the temporal anomalies on the show look like. This is what came to mind when I saw the photo of Alex with Denise Crosby: Crosby is a living, walking spoiler, and I felt uncomfortable seeing Alex with her. Fortunately, no harm seems to have been done.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-12-18 08:37:26 +0000 UTCI believe the episode preview said *someone* would die without saying who and showed clips of several of the characters in danger.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-12-18 08:28:45 +0000 UTCThere's another behind-the-scenes anecdote about "Symbiosis" which is really disturbing: after Denise Crosby filmed her last scene, Supervising Producer Rick Berman went up to her, *ripped the communicator badge off her uniform*, and said, "You won't be needing that anymore." Absolutely horrible and classless.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-12-18 08:27:17 +0000 UTCI'm glad to say that none of us spoiled Spock's death for them, either.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-12-18 08:21:53 +0000 UTCShe got the lead in Pet Sematary right after she left, but that was pretty much the peak.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-18 07:48:55 +0000 UTCYou guys, Josh and Alex, have been experiencing what WE did "way back when" the show was in its first (or second) run, so most of us know what's to come. Andreas Schmitt, in his last comment just above, said it best when he said (as many episodes you two are seeing for the FIRST time as we take the ride AGAIN along with you) .... "Alex... when you misspoke "Yasha Tar" earlier in the season, the entire Patron community almost spit their coffee against the screen." Watching you guys see TOS, TAS and TNG for the first time, we have been doing a LOT of spitting our coffee lately.......... we know what's coming. And it's one HELL of a ride that you will not only be astonished by, but will be SO SO SO happy you took that ride. Welcome aboard, gentlemen, to the world-wide league of Trekkies.
Rhett Coates
2023-12-18 07:19:53 +0000 UTCAh, so you've finally gotten to the episode in S1 that we in the audience have all been secretly waiting for. It's too bad Denise decided to leave, but I think most of us would agree that in the long run it was for the best, as it allowed for a *certain* other character to thrive and grow into one of the most prolific and beloved of the entire franchise. Can't wait to see your reaction.
Michael Mannisto
2023-12-18 05:42:12 +0000 UTCGranted this is from wikipedia, but it is sourced as from something called Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (3rd ed.): "It was the show's creator Gene Roddenberry who argued in favor of her sudden demise as he felt it was suitable for a security officer."
Elway Simpson
2023-12-18 05:38:22 +0000 UTCIIRC GR tried his best to change Denise's mind. She wanted out ASAP, so Gene reworked Skin if Evil to include Tasha's end. I'm pretty sure had she been patient, a more elegant exit might have been plotted. Perhaps one without the character's death.
Mark Chrisco
2023-12-18 05:05:11 +0000 UTCTasha getting a typical TOS redshirt death was intentional, when Denise Crosby decided to leave Roddenberry decided to show that main characters are not always save and while for real world reasons the main characters usually survive dangerous situations because they are main characters in universe it's just dumb luck who survives and who dies.
Phillip Grischa
2023-12-18 04:35:35 +0000 UTCEvery season there is going to be THAT episode we all can't wait for you to watch! This one has been killing us because-at the time it came out-it killed us.. As a whole, Troi actress Marina Sirtis felt she did some of her best work in this episode, citing it as one of two episodes from the first season that she fondly recalls
Badger
2023-12-18 04:11:01 +0000 UTCI know it sounds really mean, but that would probably have been better for the show. Tasha had a lot of potential, while the writers never really figured out what to do with Troi most of the time.
Tim b
2023-12-18 04:06:06 +0000 UTCI know, right? You could skip it and you wouldn't even notice.
Tim b
2023-12-18 03:54:09 +0000 UTCOne of the best? Were there other talking puddles on TV? I don't recall any.
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-18 03:46:52 +0000 UTCA real turning point for the young show, and a poignant farewell to a character who had shown such amazing potential in a relatively short time. Speaking of lost potential: the backstory of Armus' resentment at his `race of titans` hinted at interesting ideas that were unfortunately given short shrift in favor of a yet another TOS-style godlike alien gone mad.
Patrick47
2023-12-18 03:44:43 +0000 UTCArmuss has gotta be one of the best talking puddles of sludge in TV history
Neill Shaughness
2023-12-18 03:25:48 +0000 UTCI have mixed feelings about this one. As a little kid this episode was sooo scary and emotional, so despite crying my eyes out I kinda liked it. In subsequent viewings I started to get frustrated by the fact that they gave a main character a pretty lame death. (And it's not the last time this happens in Trek.) I don't care that it's "realistic", Tasha deserved better. Still, I don't hate it, especially because some good episodes later on build on this one. They don't just forget about Tasha!
Tim b
2023-12-18 03:18:45 +0000 UTCWell, you finally got to a Trek episode where a main cast member dies. It's weird, isn't it?
Blane Mather
2023-12-18 03:14:18 +0000 UTCFarewell, Natasha, we hardly knew ye. Or perhaps, Picard said it best. "Au revoir, Tasha". Alex, when you were at GalaxyCon, did you pick up on any mention of what happened to the Tasha Yar character or did this take you totally by surprise?
Collin Freeman
2023-12-18 02:57:59 +0000 UTCI think his official title initially was Tactical Officer, yet the duties of such a person seemed to be handled as much or more by Tasha than by Worf.
Collin Freeman
2023-12-18 02:55:32 +0000 UTCI like the dialogue between Picard and Armus a lot in this one, but I can't get over how cartoonish Tasha's wound makeup looks while she's in sickbay....
Andrew Dubbel
2023-12-18 02:42:52 +0000 UTCYou guys have at last gotten to the 1st Season Ep. I hated when it aired and am still pissed, even though I know Crosby wanted off the show. I didn't know at the time she was unhappy as I had stopped buying Starlog and other Sci-Fi mags for 6 or 7 yrs that would have covered it. To me the best part of this Ep is the ending on the Holodeck. It was a touching Scene and it still makes me Misty watching now as it did when I was 22. I'm sure you guys will be Bummed by this story! That's it! 🙁🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-12-18 02:42:22 +0000 UTCAKA the "Henry Blake" method.
CM Waters
2023-12-18 02:34:50 +0000 UTCThis episode is one of Denise Crosby’s biggest regrets. Not for anything story related but mostly because she gave up on the show before it hit its stride. She asked to leave snd they obliged, but I’ll always wonder where her character would have gone if she’d stayed.
Eric Bundy
2023-12-18 02:19:40 +0000 UTCBecause these episodes were shot out of order, "Symbiosis" would actually be Denise's final performance. I hope you guys go back to the end of that episode and see Denise waving goodbye to the audience in the background of her last shot.
Miguel A. Moreta
2023-12-18 02:19:07 +0000 UTCA while back Alex called Yar "Tar" and I choked on my drink! Lol Now, here you go. You asked for this!
Miguel A. Moreta
2023-12-18 02:04:14 +0000 UTCDefinitely a shame, but in her defense she didn't know how much all the character would grow. But I would think it's better as an unknown actor to stick around on a TV show while they still want you.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-18 01:48:55 +0000 UTCFinally, Worf isn't just a character without a specific job.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-18 01:46:13 +0000 UTCYes, I even suggested someone remove a comment that I thought wasn't quite vague enough. :)
Joe Concepts
2023-12-18 01:43:43 +0000 UTCHere is a serious writing question... How did you feel about the different things they had Tasha's hologram say to the other crew? I feel that they were stretching a bit for thing to say, given that it's been less than one season and she didn't have much interaction with characters like Geordi and Crusher. What she said about those two in particular felt pretty generic.
Joe Concepts
2023-12-18 01:42:35 +0000 UTCMeh, kind of a filler episode. Nothing much memorable happened.
Jeff Cornell
2023-12-18 01:29:58 +0000 UTCTar dead! What will happen next week on Star Trek: The Next Generation! Stay tuned!
Troy Massey
2023-12-18 01:24:17 +0000 UTCCulling the herd! One of Picard's best Season 1 moments where Patrick Stewart really begins to shine.
Stephen Wright
2023-12-18 01:23:10 +0000 UTCTaking applications for head of security.....
MrDeadstu
2023-12-18 01:14:35 +0000 UTCThe entire cast tried to talk her into changing her mind up until the last moment.
Mark Chrisco
2023-12-18 01:08:21 +0000 UTCI'm like a yo-yo with this episode, liking it after one viewing, hating it after the next... Thinking it was stupid how they killed Tasha off, then appreciating the realism of it... It's so random, you kind of don't even believe it and expect her to be brought back to life somehow by the end of the episode. It's unfortunate the actress decided to leave, because she was the only "strong" female character, Beverly and Troi are both more traditionally feminine and have more of a caretaker type role in the show.
Martin S
2023-12-18 01:05:45 +0000 UTCI predict Alex and Josh will have dinner plate eyes and will be weirded out by the episode. My question: Do you guys think there will be other main character deaths? Or departures?
Jovet
2023-12-18 00:42:19 +0000 UTCShe regretted it almost instantly.
Jovet
2023-12-18 00:39:50 +0000 UTCWell stated!
Jovet
2023-12-18 00:38:28 +0000 UTCIn Will Wheaton’s episode reviews he’s kinda harsh on Denise’s exit, pointing out that Michael Dorn got as little to do as she did, but stayed and became one of the show’s most fascinating characters, meanwhile Denise just got frustrated and quit. Hey, her decision and only she knows how she feels about it.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-18 00:36:47 +0000 UTCYeah, I’d say Denise leaving (and certain other things) plus playing the daughter of Roddenberry’s wife (allowing future guest shots) plus her close friendship with the Roddenberrys saved Marina’s job.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-18 00:29:27 +0000 UTCExactly..my memory may be off, but I remember the episode preview being something about “and one crew member bids a final farewell” with the shot of Tasha’s memorial service hologram.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-18 00:26:03 +0000 UTCTasha memorial hologram to Alex: "We'll always have Galaxycon..."
James Bottas
2023-12-18 00:24:01 +0000 UTCA great twist on an old TOS trope: instead of a character with a God-complex, how about a character with a Devil-complex? MWUHAHAHA TNG goes straight up sci-fi horror with easily the scariest being so far, Armus. There's some genuinely creepy imagery in this episode and yes it gave me nightmares as a little'un. Oh yeah, and TNG just KILLED OFF A MAIN CHARACTER. Fantastic episode
James Bottas
2023-12-18 00:15:37 +0000 UTCThat’s really Frakes in the black oil. As you mentioned in your Angel One review, he’s all in. Denise Crosby felt like she wasn’t getting enough good material to justify staying on the show, and asked to leave. It’s unfortunate that one of her best episodes happens to be the one where she dies! I read somewhere that she asked to just be written off, not killed off, but the producers wanted a dramatic event.
tyranusfan
2023-12-18 00:02:00 +0000 UTCA few years later, a guest speaker at a convention offered this cautionary word of advice: "Should you be lucky enough to be cast in a hit series, don't leave."
Mark Chrisco
2023-12-18 00:00:25 +0000 UTCI always think of this as being one of the more OS style episodes - monster of the week - practical set that could be any of 100 that we've seen in other series or episodes. However the fact that they legit killed a main character, as well as the cold, out of the blue way it happened really made a mark on the 11/12 yr old me. This was the first time one of my TV shows left me with the feeling that the main cast really wasnt safe. I predict its gonna blow your mind, I dont think you will see it coming at all. How do you feel about it - does it change your outlook on the rest of the series. Going back to the OS you knew the main cast were going to be fine, you just did. With all out the Trek that you know you have laid out in front of you - does it give you more scope for engaging in the danger the crew will be put in?
Carl Davies
2023-12-17 23:50:53 +0000 UTCIn my case it was Diet Pepsi, but yeah, pretty much.
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-17 23:46:18 +0000 UTCI believe I enjoy this episode more than most because I appreciated the unpredictable way it unfolded. So many ways important beats could've been telegraphed and weren't. It doesn't have the polish or skilled storytelling of later seasons, but that enhances the raw rough edges. One of the few episodes of season 1 that felt like it mattered and shouldn't be missed. Love reliving the show through your fresh eyes guys. Keep up the great work!
Skipper Martin
2023-12-17 23:45:07 +0000 UTC"She's dead Jim." Bet ya never expected them to Red Shirt, ahem, GOLD shirt a main character. But I think that shocker aside, you'll love the somewhat horror elements of this episode. And yes Alex, we were all a bit darkly amused when you slipped up and called Yar "Tar" in the past.
Nolan
2023-12-17 23:40:04 +0000 UTCTasha Yar.. a surprisingly quick death in the beginning of this episode. I didn’t feel much until her funeral at the end.. her character wasn’t really developed, but I felt that she had potential for growth throughout the series.. and her conversation with Worf at the start was nice when she was touched that Worf was betting on her in the tournament. Wish we could have gotten to know her better, RIP! 😔
TalynStarburst
2023-12-17 23:37:01 +0000 UTCMy predictions: - You will be in a bit of shock that this happened - You will both feel some real emotions during the funeral (Au revoir Natasha) My question: - Where did she rank for you as a character on the crew and how disappointed are you to see her leave? My comment: - Alex... when you misspoke "Yasha Tar" earlier in the season, the entire Patron community almost spit their coffee against the screen.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-17 23:33:17 +0000 UTCMarina Sirtis worried that she might have got written out until Denise Crosby decided to leave. I’d also argue that Michael Dorn benefits from Crosby leaving, as Worf steps into her role.
Paul Rymer
2023-12-17 23:31:27 +0000 UTCMade for a serious plot twist, though. Star Fleet is dangerous, and the audience needs reminded of that more often.
Jovet
2023-12-17 23:30:04 +0000 UTCYeah that’s probably more accurate :)
Matthew McKinnon-Gray
2023-12-17 23:29:22 +0000 UTCPretty "daring" to kill of a main character, and it's unfortunate, but it made for excellent drama of stakes. Because then, no one is safe! As far as the audience is concerned, anyway.
Jovet
2023-12-17 23:28:39 +0000 UTCI’ve been waiting for this one so I could quote one of my favorite StarFleet engineers: “Oh no Tasha look out the trash bag is behind you!” You’ll get that reference in a future episode… a long while from now.
Gregory
2023-12-17 23:26:57 +0000 UTCThe only thing that bothered me about it was how everyone (especially Dr. Beverly) just sat there for several seconds after she landed but before she flat-lined. It's almost like it was planned... :D
Jovet
2023-12-17 23:26:56 +0000 UTCI dunno, the nature of evil is, at least, looked at. What is evil? Is it tangible?
Jovet
2023-12-17 23:25:09 +0000 UTCShe regretted leaving, too. As I recall, she felt her character was pretty worthless, and was dissatisfied with the role.
Jovet
2023-12-17 23:23:02 +0000 UTCI also like how they treated Yar's death, in the sense that it wasn't a heroic death. She died like a red shirt would die. It was very realistic in a sense.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-12-17 23:21:00 +0000 UTCPrediction: Alex and Josh STILL won’t believe she’s dead until near the end of the discussion video and they read our comments
The Game Show Reviewer
2023-12-17 23:20:54 +0000 UTCI remember this as a silly homage to 50s sci fi movies. It had an undeveloped monster and no real motive for anything. If it weren't for the one thing that happens, this would be a forgettable episode.
Nerd's Gold
2023-12-17 23:19:48 +0000 UTCA question, if Denise Crosby had stayed on, what would you have liked to see more, a deeper relationship with Data/someone else on the crew, more exploration of her tragic backstory or a plot where she had to take command of the ship/an away team because of a crisis?
JD Nevesytrof
2023-12-17 23:17:18 +0000 UTCThis is where I feel a bit of envy for you guys, because as I recall, on the series' first run Crosby's demise, or at least her exit, was already spoiled for us through interviews and articles. Assuming no spoilers have reached you, I feel you're going to be a lot more shocked than we were back in the eighties.
David Wayne Fox
2023-12-17 23:16:19 +0000 UTCYou guys sorta laughed when I said “I hope you didn’t get any spoilers when you went to the Trek event.” Now you know why — especially given that the event included Denise Crosby. The nature of her departure is often a part of panel discussions. It would’ve been a shame if that got spoiled.
Tom Occhipinti
2023-12-17 23:16:00 +0000 UTCThe first ST episode in which a main character dies and is not revived, although Denise Crosby’s name will still be in the credits for the rest of the season. This is the Season 1 episode for which I was most curious about your reaction, and I’m guessing that’s probably true for a lot of us. At the time I read a rumor (I believe it was in TV Guide) that a main character would be killed, but I don’t think it said who or how. A lot of people were angered that she didn’t go out in a “blaze of glory”, but that rarely happens in real life. The episode before this, “Symbiosis”, was actually filmed after this one, so Denise was still filming as Tasha after the character’s death. And Marina’s tears during the funeral scene were real. She and Denise had become very good friends.
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-17 23:13:54 +0000 UTCIronically, this is Troi’s best episode so far, in that she actually gets to show she’s a knowledgeable therapist.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-17 23:12:05 +0000 UTCSo…yeah…that happened. I mean, the rest of the story is fascinating and all, but after that MASSIVE shocker…I dare you to remember anything else that happened in this episode! How do you think Tasha’s death was handled and how it fit into the broader story? I will say personally I think losing Tasha saved Worf’s character, as otherwise, he doesn’t have much to do. Fun Fact: I’m sure everyone else is gonna point this out, but in “Symbiosis”, when Picard and Crusher are leaving the cargo bay, look in the background. Denise Crosby can be seeing “waving goodbye” to the camera. She confirmed that’s what she was doing since it was filmed AFTER “Skin of Evil”
The Game Show Reviewer
2023-12-17 23:10:59 +0000 UTCWhen you guys called Tasha "Yasha Tar" mistakenly a few times during the beginning of the series, this was so unintentionally funny for a lot if us and it was very difficult not to say anything.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-12-17 23:09:35 +0000 UTCIt's tragic that Denise chose to leave the show so soon. We don't start getting into the meat of characters from Season 3 forward. Denise Crosby recounts quitting and her final shooting day where producer Rick Berman came over to her and snatched the comm badge off her chest saying "You won't be needing this anymore." She never found major success in acting outside of Star Trek, sadly. Episodes like "Heart of Glory" which were filmed after she made that call, show how things are already shifting for characters like Worf.
Steven Johnson
2023-12-17 23:07:53 +0000 UTCI can finally stop cringing at all of the wink wink “look at Tasha wave” not really, but sort of kind of spoilers. So my question is were you guys genuinely surprised? In fairness, I actually remember her death was spoiled in ‘88. I’m pretty sure it was even in the episode previews.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-12-17 23:07:24 +0000 UTCOh, how I've been waiting for you guys to get to this one. The one with the biggest change from TOS era to TNG era: a main cast member dying (for reasons I don't want to get into for Denise leaving the show, someone else can deal with it). It is a shame that Denise felt like she needed to leave, but this does some things for the show in the not to distant future that will have lasting ramifications. Though I do agree with another reviewer that the death itself could have been handled a bit better. This reviewer's idea, to paraphrase, was basically the episode playing out the same up to Tasha dying in Sickbay. Instead, she gets revived, but that was Armus' plan, using Tasha as a weapon to escape the planet. Later on, she ends up in a cargo bay with Data, and somehow gains her senses again (maybe due to Troi on the planet dealing with Armus), saying farewell to Data to tie in with the Naked Now stuff, and then she opens the airlock, taking them both into space. She dies being held by Data in space, and we later learn that while Data can't feel the grief, he does feel diminished by her loss. And just for a non-Yar behind the scenes thing: the goo Armus was made up from was Metamucil and black printer's ink. ...poor Jonathan Frakes.
CM Waters
2023-12-17 23:07:21 +0000 UTCI saw an interview with Denise Crosby she explained that she did a take of the memorial scene at her insistence where she stopped and turned to data while addressing him and said. “It did happen” That would have been excellent. Symbiosis was filmed after skin of evil If you look in one of the scenes Tasha is waving goodbye as it was the last day she was on Seth.
Thicketdweller
2023-12-17 23:07:14 +0000 UTCWhat do you get, when you cross an unhappy actor with an experience that's unfulfilling and a production that made them feel like trash. I'll tell you what you get A character death they didn't deserve.
SinocTheHodgeheg
2023-12-17 23:06:43 +0000 UTCWelp, we here at one of the biggest "Sliding Doors" moments of the entire franchise. the TLDR context for why this happened is that Crosby didn't like not doing anything and wanted off the show. Wasn't having fun. There are a bunch of other details that make this way more wild than you'll initially think. Here would be my question simply regarding the episode: Do you like Roddenberry's choice to make her death just like any Redshirt? Or should it have been more heroic/meaningful?
Elway Simpson
2023-12-17 23:05:20 +0000 UTCTrivia: Frakes really took a dip into that pool of Metamucil and printers ink. He's talked about it being one of the last times he volunteered to do his own stunts LOL!
StonyD
2023-12-17 23:05:01 +0000 UTCYou definitely didn't see that coming! The plot armor is a little thinner than you might think for an older show. Never assume the main cast is safe!
Bret Kay
2023-12-17 23:04:35 +0000 UTCPrediction: They won’t believe Tasha is dead until the funeral sequence
Matthew McKinnon-Gray
2023-12-17 23:03:32 +0000 UTCMan, such a good episode. It’s ironic, really, that Data thinks he’s missed the point, because while he did get it, as Picard said, he still ended up taking the best scene for himself. But that whole memorial always hits me hard. I would have loved to have seen what Tasha could have become with how great this show is later on.
Ragnarok
2023-12-17 23:03:00 +0000 UTCBet you didn't see that coming! In all seriousness, I really hope no one spoiled that for you. Mad respect for the other viewers of your channel for keeping such a big twist a secret if that's the case. It really sucks losing Yar as she had so much potential but the silver lining is that in her absence, other characters get more time to shine and grow and become the characters we love. Even though her death is senseless, at least we got that touching memorial scene to say "au revoir, Natasha."
THE LORE!!!
2023-12-17 23:01:33 +0000 UTC
