PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG - S1E14 - Angel One
Added 2023-11-12 13:45:04 +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
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- A prediction of how you think we will react to a certain aspect of the episode
- A fun fact about the episode
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Comments
Last comment. Beata's dinky submissive boy is named "Trent," because... of course he's a Trent.
Ian Westcott
2023-11-15 22:03:05 +0000 UTCNew patron here! Do you think Jonathan Frakes could get away with that open-shirted look today? Hahaha. This was written as a take on South African apartheid, but using gender instead of race. A show writer said afterward: "Make it political, sexual overtones yes, but political. Well that didn't last very long. Everything that Gene got involved with had to have sex in it." In the writers' room, Roddenberry stated he wanted feminism but then also immediately said he didn't want to say a matriarchal society would be better because "women were untrustworthy and vicious." Weird guy.
Ian Westcott
2023-11-15 21:56:46 +0000 UTCWhile, there are similarities in the societal concepts between Angel one and the originals series for the world is hollow and I have touched the sky. It is definitely not the exact same story
Thicketdweller
2023-11-15 19:27:12 +0000 UTCWould be completely forgettable if it wasn't for Riker's "fabulous" outfit. They (the writers) take a caricature of traditional sexism, flip the genders, and then treat it almost like a joke for a good part of the episode instead of exploring it earnestly. On the other hand, Riker was allowed to give a typical "Picard speech" at the end, that was kind of cool.
Tim b
2023-11-14 22:29:13 +0000 UTCThe only other candidate for a "stinker" I can think of is the one that fell flat on its face make-up wise, with the 80-year-old admiral who looks like a Muppet.
Timothy Hennon
2023-11-14 20:36:40 +0000 UTCI was part of the Star trek official fan club run by Dan Madsen when I was a kid! Fun times. No internet. We had to wait for the next issue to get a preview of the next movie or episode. Ahhhh…I miss ANTICIPATION! Masculinity is seen as bad these days because modern feminism has gone to far. We are no longer in the days of “classical liberalism” Trek was always progressive. But studios today hate their fans. Especially men, which is odd. Anyway, I always liked making up my own mind about an episode and talk with friends about it. The progressiveness was there, but measured to stimulate conversation. Regardless, I miss the days of unpacking that magazine every quarter to see what was inside. The golden age!
Chris S.
2023-11-14 19:27:32 +0000 UTCThis is a progressive episode that examines the roles of men and women in society through science fiction allegory. This is when Trek is at its best. Using alien societies to comment on humanity. You can see they’re still trying to find the characters voices, but its progressing well. I like it. Classic Star Trek.
Chris S.
2023-11-14 19:19:00 +0000 UTCThis one had a few funny scenes in it and Riker getting to do the Kirk thing of Seducing or being seduced by the Alien Woman was cool. At least she wasn't green right? Not a bad Ep. just not anywhere near my top 10 for the season. My ? for you is how did you like Rikers Blouse? LOL I think you guys will call this one just Ok. Not even close to the last 2..but not awful. That's it. 😀🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-11-14 18:59:12 +0000 UTCI have been a fan since I was 14 months old and saw cats eye at the Halloween time period. I have never been to a single Star Trek convention. This however, doesn’t not negate my statement. Many of the people I know in Indiana, Many of whom throw phrases like “snowflake” and “cuck” both derided episodes like this one and a specifically unnamed episode from season 5. Were fuel for their anger, and derision though still claiming to be Star Trek fans. These same people more than lost it when DS9 came along because the station commander was black So, while my perspective doesn’t match yours it is still not invalid.
Thicketdweller
2023-11-14 08:33:58 +0000 UTCI was a fan of at least a couple ST fan clubs at the time and also met many at conventions. I don't remember any of this "masculinity threatened" stuff at all. If this episode was criticized, it was because making a role reversed society is a widely used sci-fi trope.
Mike Rogers
2023-11-13 23:34:18 +0000 UTCShoulda been a bright blue version of the Edo males costume from Justice.
Nolan
2023-11-13 23:24:19 +0000 UTCChest Hair and Alpha Women...two thumbs up with Very mixed feelings.
Miguel A. Moreta
2023-11-13 19:52:10 +0000 UTCI'd say one more gigantic stinker coming up soon, but other than that the rest of the season is quite good.
Dan Krantz
2023-11-13 16:54:44 +0000 UTCI didn't think Riker's outfit was particularly funny, it was 1988, that look could have easily shown up on background dancers in a music video. I get that it was supposed to look awful in story but it's not like the civilian clothing on the Enterprise looks any better.
Phillip Grischa
2023-11-13 14:29:33 +0000 UTCThis is one of the episodes I put in the upper half of the season, The matriarchal society really disturbs TOS fans who tuned in for more Kirk and co. Felt their masculinity threaten by a story that focused on strong women and reversed the dismissive misogynistic role, Mistress Beata was played by Karen Montgomery Who has few roles to her credit I liked her appearance in the Silly Pate Scene from Amazon Women on the Moon. I don’t know why but this is the last time I find her credited for acting , wonder if the episodes reception encouraged her to leave acting all together , She died in 2015 I predict both of you will like this episode for it’s turning the world upside down concept.
Thicketdweller
2023-11-13 04:57:44 +0000 UTCHot Topic
Stuart Arbury
2023-11-13 04:39:04 +0000 UTCI always liked how Riker tried to act completely not-embarrassed by having to wear that outfit. Personally I think it's some of the earliest hints of Riker starting to lighten up a bit on the show. There were also signs of that when he's amused by Picard's encounter on the holodeck and also when he seems to be the only person who seems entertained by Troi's mother.
Joe Concepts
2023-11-13 02:57:28 +0000 UTCIt's a hoot, at least in one respect.
Mike Rogers
2023-11-13 02:49:47 +0000 UTCOh... I so wish Patreon comments had a laugh react.
Mike Rogers
2023-11-13 02:48:02 +0000 UTCFinally, Troi takes senior position for about… five seconds.
Geoffrey Linehan
2023-11-13 02:16:10 +0000 UTCOne thing I've always disliked about the earlier episodes of TNG is the cheezy background music. There's a lot of it in this episode.
Glenner7
2023-11-13 00:36:17 +0000 UTCThis episode was still in the embarrassingly stupid batch of s1 episodes. The good news is it starts, slowly, to get better from here
Crankygrandma
2023-11-13 00:01:37 +0000 UTCI think you guys will like this more than most Star Trek fans do. It has interactions with alien world and culture, a bit of flipping the roles, and even moral questions at a time when there was a hot debate on the death penalty in the US. I really like this one.
Prof Moff
2023-11-12 22:21:32 +0000 UTCThis will forever and always be the "It's Bonnie from Knight Rider!" episode for me. The most interesting part is that Angel One reminds Deanna of her world, a hint that Betazed is a matriarchy or at least was one on the past.
Phillip Grischa
2023-11-12 20:12:05 +0000 UTCThis is generally regarded as the last of the real stinkers from Season 1, and I tend to agree.
Timothy Hennon
2023-11-12 19:21:59 +0000 UTCI can’t wait to see your reaction to Riker and his “himbo” outfit. I love the Riker, Troi, Data, Yar, away team foursome.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-11-12 17:46:09 +0000 UTCNot exactly the worst episode of the season, but close. I wonder where they found that male outfit for Riker to wear. He's like six feet tall and it looks like most of the men on that planet are about four-foot-two.
Dan Krantz
2023-11-12 17:45:53 +0000 UTCA bunch of male prisoners are about to be executed on a planet run by women. Death by snu-snu! Wait, wrong series Geordi getting to command is nice, but even reading the synopsis of this episode made it feel over stuffed. Also, it was apparently using the gender power swap to discuss Apartheid? What? That's a murky metaphor. Clear as mud.
Nolan
2023-11-12 16:51:47 +0000 UTCI really loved that they allowed that simple quiet shot where Geordi takes command for the first time, you can see how proud and accomplished he feels, it's yet another wonderful character scene.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-11-12 16:21:49 +0000 UTCIt was the '80s. That wasn't unique. Check out Magnum, P.I.
Joe Concepts
2023-11-12 16:18:28 +0000 UTCThe only thing I could remember about this episode was the costume scene with Riker and pretty much had the same reaction as Troi. On a rewatch it was still the best scene. The rest of the season is a lot less hairy than this.
Paul Rymer
2023-11-12 16:18:11 +0000 UTCFun fact: This episode was originally intended to be an allegory for South African apartheid, which was still in effect in 1988. Any resemblance between the finished episode and the South African situation is purely a delusion on the viewer's part.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-11-12 16:12:19 +0000 UTCSeeing both Riker and Picard's hairy chests in same episode is reason enough to like it.
Ramen Nudels
2023-11-12 15:40:00 +0000 UTCI don't think that outfit was really Riker's color. I think Trent got more than a little jealous. I always thought of this episode as "The Reverse 60s Episode". Kinda fun, kinda cringe in spots, but watchable.
KatWithAttitude
2023-11-12 15:25:50 +0000 UTCFrom what I can recall, this episode was a couple steps back from where the series had been heading at this point in the season. I predict you both will think it is okay and generally like it but not think too highly of it.
Collin Freeman
2023-11-12 15:10:41 +0000 UTCRiker is competing to be the new Kirk!
TalynStarburst
2023-11-12 15:00:34 +0000 UTCIf Riker in his "beta male outfit" doesn't give you a laugh then I don't know what will 🤣 You can kind of tell that these early Riker adventures were written with Kirk in mind, showing the chest and all 😉
Andreas Schmitt
2023-11-12 14:38:29 +0000 UTCRun of the mill, but it does suggest an interesting subject. That is, what is Starfleet's policy on civilian or private enterprise contamination on developing worlds?
Mark Chrisco
2023-11-12 14:24:50 +0000 UTCThis Frakes-isode is the most Frakesian Frakes you’ll ever see. I can’t wait for your reaction shot of him showing us the Full Frakes in his bedroom scene, in which Frakes Frakeses his way though diplomatic relations with the planet ruler in the most Frakesian way possible. What Patrick Stewart did for bald men, Jonathan Frakes should have done for chest hair.
Stuart Arbury
2023-11-12 14:10:11 +0000 UTCI have only one comment to make on this episode: Riker's chest hair!! 👀
Elizabeth N
2023-11-12 14:06:14 +0000 UTCOriginally, Wesley’s ski trip was supposed to be on a planet, and the kids brought the virus back to the ship with them. For some reason this was changed to the holodeck, making the origin of the virus a mystery. Also, this is the first episode what made me realize that EVERY sci-fi show from the 60s through the early 2000s did a “mystery virus” story in its first season.
tyranusfan
2023-11-12 13:59:44 +0000 UTCStock 1970's SF story concept, re-purposed for a stock 1980's treatment. At least it's not the standard 'Disaster' episode, or the 'Enemies Have To Work Together When They Get Stranded Together' episode. Those are two kinds of automatic stories TV shows fall back on.
Numinous2019
2023-11-12 13:56:31 +0000 UTCAnother season one groaner after a couple of good episodes in a row. I guess it was nice the Romulans were mentioned?
Dion James Pitman
2023-11-12 13:53:34 +0000 UTCWhat am I even doing with my life? What is this? Why? WHY? For God's sake why? It's not that its that bad, it just bores me into My Deadly Years. I feel myself turning into grumpy McCoy just thinking about it.
Steven Johnson
2023-11-12 13:47:53 +0000 UTC
