PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S1E19 - Coming of Age
Added 2023-12-04 00:07:19 +0000 UTCComment on this post your ‘takes’ on this episode and we will read a few in our discussion!
We love reading ALL of your takes so comment whatever and however you’d like! Just no future spoilers please. If you want your take to be read in the video, comment ONE of the following:
- A brief review (2-3 sentences) of why you like/dislike the episode
- A question for us about the episode
- A prediction of how you think we will react to a certain aspect of the episode
- A fun fact about the episode
We are watching this episode Monday so we won’t be reading the comments on this until then. If you have questions shoot us a message!
Comments
Ok Blaine..at the 1:51 mark watch Riker's Neck as he either does a controlled Burp or maybe it was a hard Swallow...LOL. I never noticed it before and I thought it was funny. 🤣
Duane Chancey
2023-12-13 21:14:14 +0000 UTCI've watched at least 5 times. What is at the 1:51 mark?
Blaine Martin
2023-12-13 20:00:21 +0000 UTCThese 1st 2 seasons I never hated. They were just more like TOS, and had a different style than the following ones. And now looking back, and Alex and Josh’s reviews, while there are some cringe episodes, there are not as many as I thought, and I eppreciate them even more!
Chris S.
2023-12-06 15:18:30 +0000 UTCI agree. They “got it right” or at least better.
Chris S.
2023-12-06 15:15:17 +0000 UTCThe crazy thing about that is Patrick Stewart was only in his mid to late 40’s when he started the show! He looked a lot older than he was. Kind of like Abe Vigoda.
Chris S.
2023-12-06 15:14:40 +0000 UTCSolid episode with a thread that will continue to another episode. The outdoor view of the place where Wesley has his test is a recycled matte painting from Buck Rogers In The 25'th Century.
Mike Rogers
2023-12-06 07:54:58 +0000 UTCNot too much to say about this episode I like the scene with Warf and Wesley with Warf having some good insights and a new alien species that doesn’t just look human is introduced that you guys will probably like.
Leighton Cressman
2023-12-06 06:51:22 +0000 UTCThis feels a little too close to spoilers for me
Mosquito_Wenzi
2023-12-05 05:58:09 +0000 UTCPsyOps :)
tyranusfan
2023-12-05 01:04:52 +0000 UTCStarfleet must have writing, acting and special effects departments if they put every applicant to starfleet academy through a test like that.
Phillip Grischa
2023-12-04 22:42:25 +0000 UTCI would agree with that but even in the 90s it was becoming a bit of a meme especially when we got the same character on SeaQuest and then we had the comedic take in Galaxy Quest. That all said you are totally correct in saying that much of the vocal hate for the character is a product of the last 20 years. As a kid I didn't mind Wesley. As an adult I just wish they gave Wil better material to work with in the early seasons.
Strife
2023-12-04 19:28:52 +0000 UTCIt has been a few years since I have seen this one but I don’t remember them saying that specifically and every time I have seen this one over the years I am pretty sure I always had the same opinion of the world building ramifications. I will do a rewatch with the guys when the video is live and see if I notice that explicitly stated this time.
Strife
2023-12-04 16:23:02 +0000 UTCI think this test might be for some sort of elite early admission.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-12-04 16:16:36 +0000 UTCI always thought this one was a bit weird from a world building perspective even though I do like what it does for Wesley's character. Starfleet obviously won't or shouldn't accept just ANYONE to the academy but to make it seem limited to this extreme doesn't make much sense. If Wesley is struggling to pass this test who is staffing all of these Starships and Starbases? I realize you guys are pretty new to the TNG era and haven't seen this whole series, DS9 or Voyager yet but we meet some real idiots along the way that I can't imagine made it through this screening process.
Strife
2023-12-04 15:56:57 +0000 UTCLike Riker, Kirk never liked when people meddled in his command. And look how he reacted to the accusation in "court martial". "Draw a court martial? I DEMAND IT! AND RIGHT NOW"
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-04 15:17:47 +0000 UTCYeah that seemed more like a test for command level officers that want to take the path towards captain. Which is realistic. In real militaries you take additional exams and trainings depending on what career path you want to take, and passing them is a requirement for promotion in that area
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-04 15:12:39 +0000 UTCWell, the Kobayashi Maru Test seemed to be a Command School event. Remember Saavik was already a Lieutenant (and probably teaching classes herself, like a certain Lt. Kirk that Gary Mitchell mentioned) when she took it. They wouldn't be administering that test to a mere cadet candidate.
tyranusfan
2023-12-04 13:19:11 +0000 UTCI think a lot of the Wesley hate is retroactive. The Internet brought all the haters together and magnified ("enhance!") the phenomenon.
tyranusfan
2023-12-04 13:14:31 +0000 UTCThis was one of the first of the few TNGs I've previously seen and it made me like Wesley; he gets a bum rap. His writing is better and his character and personality are more fleshed out than everyone save Picard and Data up to this point. 19 episodes in and we know a lot about him, but all we know about Geordi is he wears glasses.
Ken R
2023-12-04 08:12:40 +0000 UTCOne thing TNG is able to do is fully develop its characters because they had the time to do so and no pressure to keep a particular storyline going. Here we get some great character development for Wesley and some universe building in the interrogation scenes.
Paul Rymer
2023-12-04 07:59:00 +0000 UTCThis is where they started to write the Wesley character properly. Not perfect but a sign of things to come.
Jon1701
2023-12-04 07:48:56 +0000 UTCZo, it was just a ruse to recruit Picard to commondant of starfleet academy Another hint Picard is to old.? Are they wanting to put him out to pasture, are there contract negotiations going on? Stewart went to the table with more demands every season There was a lot of thought that it would not last so the whole cast tried to get every penny they could every time around the contract time.
Thicketdweller
2023-12-04 07:30:14 +0000 UTCBack in the day … Ifelt cheated watching this episode the calls backs t earlier in the season felt more like filler than character development which is not how I see it today. Watching season 1 again I hate use numbers to rate episodes before you finish the season This might be well placed in the top 5 I notice that in this episode Worf has more shine similar to his time on the away mission with Picard in too short a season,.
Thicketdweller
2023-12-04 07:13:49 +0000 UTCI think they backed off the term Kobe Moriashu (or however it is spelled). Got to be to well recognized and starfleet retooled to the psyche test
Thicketdweller
2023-12-04 07:07:34 +0000 UTCIf my previous question was too complex for an end of video wrap up discussion, instead what would each pf your Psych tests be?
Nolan
2023-12-04 05:53:15 +0000 UTCWe see here just how incredibly high the standards for entry into Starfleet Academy supposedly are. What your thoughts on this essential gatekeeping of Starfleet service now that we've been in an era of media foregoing aspirational narratives of elevated characters setting examples for audiences to look and live up to and instead favoring the ultimate relateability of everyone being capable of anything, regardles of abilites, disposition or professional standards?
Nolan
2023-12-04 05:51:38 +0000 UTCIf Captain Kirk had to deal with Remmick, do you think he’d be more patient like Picard, or more openly hostile like Riker?
Matthew McKinnon-Gray
2023-12-04 05:14:28 +0000 UTCI don't really remember this episode. Even opening the video and watching it doesn't shake out many memories. Maybe it was one of those I missed originally. I do know I've watched it, but remember very little of it. Must have been a yawner for me.
Jovet
2023-12-04 04:42:19 +0000 UTCAnother season 1 episode with a lot to like! The interview/interrogation scenes with their cool transitions provided some great character moments and several call backs to earlier episodes! Remember waiting for the series finale in TOS to get a direct reference to an earlier episode? Mordock the benzite, very cool alien. The Starfleet Academy "psych test" basically spells out for us how Wesley's father died and how Picard was involved, a choice that meant someone had to be left behind.. I even got a tad emotional at Wesley telling Picard that he felt he failed, and then Picard picking him back up, so to speak. Top tier season 1
James Bottas
2023-12-04 04:17:31 +0000 UTCMaybe think about something green. Any more might be too much, but I always would have assumed most others would agree with me.
Nerd's Gold
2023-12-04 04:17:01 +0000 UTCI liked this one, I think maybe even top 5 so far. I did like it back in the day too. Lots of Story & Character building in this. I loved the way they did the Interrogation Transitions! The Scene with Wesley & Picard regarding his Failure was Very good. My Question...How did you like the return of a Vulcan? I think you will really like this one the best of all Wesley Eps. so far. I noticed something at the 1:51 second mark that I'm curious to see if you guys catch it, I never saw it until now after seeing this probably 10 or more times over the years! That's it. 😀🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-12-04 03:01:23 +0000 UTCOut of the sake of curiosity, if you can say without spoiling too much, who do you consider the worst above Wesley?
CM Waters
2023-12-04 02:41:54 +0000 UTCMost of the second half of Season 1 is pretty strong, but I'd put this one near the top. We get a good look into the inner workings of Starfleet, both from seeing how the academy candidates are tested and from seeing the investigation into Picard's performance. My biggest criticism is that this episode has probably the least convincing matte painting in the entire series: the painting that tries to extend the hallway in the academy testing area.
Jeff Cornell
2023-12-04 01:59:05 +0000 UTCWell, at least Alex and Josh will enjoy a non-human alien with prosthetics. The 2 stories running concurrently balance out the episode. The Academy exams are interesting, while there are some tense moments, its kinda fun. However, the Picard story is intense, and you wonder what the hell is going on. Actually a decent episode.
Chris S.
2023-12-04 01:32:49 +0000 UTCA pretty decent episode on many levels. And look for some reappearances soon.
KatWithAttitude
2023-12-04 01:25:51 +0000 UTCThe [positive] growth of the character of Wesley Crusher appears in parallel with how the growth of the entire cast, and their relationships to one another, is portrayed in their standing up for Picard: this is where the show's cast really starts to gel as a real Family. I firmly believe this is the jumping off point for what would become a larger ensemble family drama, including many characters which were introduced as the seven-years unfolded. As I've said in previous threads, YOU TWO (Josh and Alex) are ... US, watching these for the FIRST time ... again! This is what makes watching YOUR reactions to the 'Trek saga so much FUN and REFRESHING. 'Can't wait to see your faces as the series unfolds............ you are definitely in for some ASTONISHING surprises!
Rhett Coates
2023-12-04 01:07:01 +0000 UTCThe one Wesley centric story that I remember liking. Wesley had such potential here. Then they turned him into the second worst TNG character.
Nerd's Gold
2023-12-04 00:55:19 +0000 UTCI think you will really enjoy this one. We finally get some more development of Wesley, more backstory on his father's death, some insight into Starfleet exams and training and what level of excellence they demand. We learn a bit about Picard's past, and that we wasn't Mister Perfect from the get go, and you're not ahead of the characters in finding out what all the interrogations were about. Add to that the mystery of what the Admiral is afraid of, and you have the perfect package.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-12-04 00:46:15 +0000 UTCI’m not a big fan of Wesley, but I actually liked him in this episode. It was nice to see a well written story for him for a change here.
TalynStarburst
2023-12-04 00:44:30 +0000 UTCThe show has really begun improving and transitions into more of the show it will become. Good Wesley episode. Some characters (and actors) in this episode you will see again in later episodes.
Collin Freeman
2023-12-04 00:43:12 +0000 UTCI see what you am did there.
Collin Freeman
2023-12-04 00:37:18 +0000 UTCWesley and the Starfleet Academy exam. One day, one night Kobayashi Maru. Meanwhile something seems off with this Admiral almost like a… Conspiracy!
Gregory
2023-12-04 00:35:25 +0000 UTCA good Wesley story! My favorite part is his psyche test that shows that he has not gotten over his father’s death. In a franchise where death is often forgotten the scene after it happens, we see here that Wes not only remembers his dad, but is traumatized by his loss. Also, a great moment for Gates, when she shuts down Remmick’s questioning about her relationship with Picard. She just slaps him down.
tyranusfan
2023-12-04 00:32:11 +0000 UTCStar trek often has influenced future technology. How long until vapers get Mordok's hands-free vape set-up.
SinocTheHodgeheg
2023-12-04 00:31:50 +0000 UTCHmm...I'm going to predict our Target Viewers will actually like this one, if only because they'll end up loathing Lt. Commander Remmick so much! The different tests that academy uses are also pretty fascinating, the Psych Test in particular. I wonder what Worf's was that he alludes to here... Personally, of all the Admiral uniforms we'll end up seeing over the series, I like the season 1 uniforms the best.
The Game Show Reviewer
2023-12-04 00:20:26 +0000 UTCSome fantastic transitions in this episode during the interrogation of the bridge crew, and again TNG shows the strength of getting as much of the regular cast involved as possible.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-12-04 00:12:15 +0000 UTC
