PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S1E11 - Haven
Added 2023-11-06 04:28:47 +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
This episode marks a few firsts in TNG. The first appearance of Majel Barrett as Deanna Troi's mother, Lwaxana. Also the first episode where the plot is there to service building the characters as opposed to the characters being mostly interchangeable people that are there to service the plot. The first time Deanna really goes beyond "I feel (fill in the blank.)" And the first time the show will attempt to blend a little comedy in with the drama. Did you notice that the actress playing Lwaxana is the same actress who played Nurse Chapel in TOS?
Dan Krantz
2023-11-08 04:52:01 +0000 UTCWhen this first aired i thought it was a bit odd but Amusing. Also I always enjoy seeing or hearing Majel Barret in Trek. I bet Josh recognizes Majel Barret right away, not sure about you Alex. If nothing else you'll find it Amusing with a couple funny lines from Data & Lwaxana. Also this custom of Naked Weddings...LOL. I could think of so many funny things about that. I'll just say that if this was real since weddings started...I wonder how many weddings would be cancelled as soon as the Bride & Groom saw each other! That's if they observed the old No sex before the Marriage Tradition too. That's it. 😀🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-11-08 01:27:41 +0000 UTCAlso this episode confirms the force exists in Star Trek since that is basically the explanation that lauxana gives to wyatt.
Leighton Cressman
2023-11-07 21:36:10 +0000 UTCAh yes the episode that talks about how awesome the planet is and never shows us it. Also they all hum and haw about the alien ship and talk about how they are going to deal with it and then Picard is just like put a tractor beam on it. Also they act like if one person of the alien ship goes on the planet then they will all die forgetting that planets are bit and that they can’t live on an isolated island or something.
Leighton Cressman
2023-11-07 21:33:40 +0000 UTCMajel Barrett's third Star Trek character(not counting her animated show voices) is Troi's mom. She comes with a bawdy Ante Mame demeanor and a few laughs. She will make more appearances and her character will be more developed in her other appearances. Here, she is a fun rival to the stoic Picard.
Mike Rogers
2023-11-07 03:53:41 +0000 UTCPersonally I really enjoy Lwaxana, any time someone can completely exhaust Picard's patience, and she seems to do it even more efficiently than Q.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-11-06 23:59:42 +0000 UTCI've always enjoyed the character of Lwaxana. She livens things up on the otherwise quite serious Enterprise and brings some great comedic moments. I love her interactions with Picard! I do think her best episodes are yet to come though.
Elizabeth N
2023-11-06 21:38:55 +0000 UTCMr. HOMN, lol.
Nolan
2023-11-06 21:17:31 +0000 UTCWhile Lwazana can be an acquired taste (for some TNG fans) it is always good to see Majel Barret and she does a good job with the character.
Numinous2019
2023-11-06 18:29:37 +0000 UTCI never had a problem with Lwaxana. We all have that embarrassing relative. But she has a good heart, and her parting line to Picard is very funny.
KatWithAttitude
2023-11-06 17:31:46 +0000 UTCMy guess is: "IS THAT NURSE CHAPEL??" is going to be your reaction :D
Andreas Schmitt
2023-11-06 17:18:56 +0000 UTCLwaxana is a bit of a divisive character but I think she is a great comedic foil for the regular cast's more straight laced attitude. It also finally gave Majel Barret a chance to show us what she can do. When it was on the air and I realized it was an episode featuring her, I'd typically roll my eyes because I knew the episode would reach absolute absurdity... but usually by the end of the episode, I'd end up loving her a little bit more than I did before and I think you guys will too. She's like a mother-in-law you're not happy to see, end up having a good time, but are also happy to see go so you can get on with your life.
THE LORE!!!
2023-11-06 16:22:49 +0000 UTCLwaxana is definitely a character some do not like. I usually find her a bit too much to take, but without spoilers, this isn't the last we see of her and when she has more serious material I like her more.
Joe Concepts
2023-11-06 15:43:09 +0000 UTCI guess this is the first episode where Majel Barrett returns as something other than a computer voice to Star Trek. I actually met her at a small town Star Trek convention once where one of the photos that she would sign was her covered in green makeup as she was the one to test out the Orion slave girl makeup in 1964 for who she described as the more expensive actress Susan Oliver.
Chtphr Rrr
2023-11-06 14:56:34 +0000 UTCQuestion: Would you have recognized this episode's main guest star if she wasn't identified in the on-screen credits at the beginning of Act One?
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-11-06 14:23:32 +0000 UTCTroi’s mother is a character who is fun, the episodes she appears in become farcical For me though, the unsung actor and character of the episode is Mr Hung imperturbable, while the family melt down goes on, and calmly ringing the gong without missing a step. He later became Lurch in the 1990’s Adam’s family movies Fun fact. This was the last episode before the 1987 holiday break. There was not a next time at the end of this ep. The next episode feels like the writers went into a retreat and came back with a clearer image of what they were trying to achieve Still, feels like they are trying to map Ryker and Troi’s relationship on to the characters of Decker and Ilya but they stop relying on this trope as frequently making it feel more natural and less contrived Including, the flat Ryker sadness and jealousy that just doesn’t land.
Thicketdweller
2023-11-06 13:52:33 +0000 UTCThis really showcases how GOOD an actor Majel Barrett was. Watching her as Lwaxana, I never once thought of Number One or Nurse Chapel.
David Wayne Fox
2023-11-06 13:08:21 +0000 UTCSome parents will do anything for grandchildren. :D
tyranusfan
2023-11-06 12:34:56 +0000 UTCRegarding the lack of exposition which would explain the link between Wyatt and Ariana, and like many episodes that appear to "lack" Star Trek SUBSTANCE, I got the distinct impression that a scene was LEFT OUT somewhere (or maybe just a few lines of dialogue), which would have happened due to run-time issues. There are many "deleted scenes" from all the 'Trek series, and some of them can be found on YouTube by typing in Star Trek (whatever show, TOS, TNG, DS9, etc.) Deleted Scenes. (Like, what happened with Kirk's nephew when Jim's older brother was found dead in that episode with the flying parasite creatures? A deleted scene, online, shows a scene with Jim's nephew, on the bridge, recovered from his ordeal.) HAVEN may have had a good explanation, but it didn't get "cut into" the final episode, if that was what happened. I would remember that kind of issue for future 'Trek shows, when you guys feel there should be more - there may have been.
Rhett Coates
2023-11-06 08:44:13 +0000 UTCYeah especially because of how "enlightened" the federation is.
Sebastian_Frodo
2023-11-06 08:26:19 +0000 UTCYeah you're right, she already had a role in TOS where she reappeared over and over again:-)
Sebastian_Frodo
2023-11-06 08:21:52 +0000 UTCShe was Mrs. Gene Roddenberry, so probably not a spoiler that she comes back 😜
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-11-06 08:15:28 +0000 UTCIt’s notable that a lot of fans grow to like her, but I did from the start. Trek needs some humour now and then.
Paul Rymer
2023-11-06 08:11:33 +0000 UTCMany people say that they aren't a big fan of Lwaxana Troi. But I think that she has also depth to her character especially throughout the series. And when ever it is a more lighthearted episode she brings always a nice comic relief to the table. I hope it wasn't a spoiler that she will reappear in the future:-).
Sebastian_Frodo
2023-11-06 08:10:02 +0000 UTCI really enjoyed seeing Majel Barrett again. Marina Sirtis said at conventions that early in TNG she lived for a time with Majel and Gene - she called them her American parents. Marina and Majel remained friends. Listen out for the computer voice - it’s also Majel Barrett in most episodes.
Paul Rymer
2023-11-06 08:07:51 +0000 UTCSo I don't know if you guys will pick up on this and the episode doesn't confirm it but... There's no solid reason given for why Wyatt and Ariana have had visions of one another their whole lives, Lwaxana tells Wyatt basically they were meant for each other or something and that's all the reason we get. But Lwaxana never seems the least bit surprised by the Wyatt/Ariana connection and isn't disappointed in the engagement being broken off. She just smiles about it. I think she was behind it, somehow. I don't know if that's even within a betazoid's power but it just feels like that's what was going on there and the script just doesn't spell it out. Thoughts?
James Bottas
2023-11-06 07:46:07 +0000 UTCNot my favorite episode, but I do think Lwaxana eventually gets much better material. (I don’t think it’s a spoiler to mention that Mrs. Gene Roddenberry will appear again lol).
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-11-06 07:45:18 +0000 UTCProbably the most asked question will be what do you think of Lwaxana Troi? Personally, I love her and I love Majel Barrett Roddenberry. This was her favorite role, and by all accounts closest to her own personality. She and Marina Sirtis became very close. As for the episode itself? Eh..
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-11-06 07:42:41 +0000 UTCA fairly dull episode enlivened by Majel Barrett (who is clearly having all the fun) & the deadpan comedy of Carel Struycken as Mr Homm. Am I the only one who thinks it’s weird that the otherwise human Millers were so enthusiastic about an arranged marriage?
Matthew McKinnon-Gray
2023-11-06 05:25:12 +0000 UTCAhh, Lwaxana Troi. You'll hate her, you'll tolerate her. You may even come to love her, while still possibly hating her. 🙃🤣 You probably won't love her though. She does have SOME good material, but unlike Majel Roddenberry's other roles, extremely obnoxious. Number One and Nurse Chapel she ain't. And poor Riker. Man just wants a moment to himself to reflect and be morose, but these frakkers keep showing up. Otherwise VERY subtle humor in this one that doesn't really land.
Nolan
2023-11-06 05:13:27 +0000 UTCSuch a meh episode for me..I am not team Lwaxana as just campy writing for even the Picard dialog. it's not Kirk riding Spock bad but I would give it a 'fighting your antimatter self in limbo for eternity' bad.. there is a lot of future hisdtory and references in this episode that will follow thrtu the series, movies and beyond..ye ol Imzadi Who is your least favorite now: Troi or Lwaxana reaction 'not my favorite..' For this episode, Richard Sabre was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling for a Series in 1988. Hey thats something!
Badger
2023-11-06 05:00:30 +0000 UTCI wonder if Armin Shimerman has "Gift Box" listed on his resume. At least it's different than his usual Ferengi.
KatWithAttitude
2023-11-06 04:52:42 +0000 UTCThis episode was made before The Last Outpost, when the writers decided that Riker would go by Will rather than Bill. Troi called him Bill here and The Naked Now.
David Brown
2023-11-06 04:52:07 +0000 UTCI'm curious to see if this episodes takes you from groaning at Deanna to appreciating that she finally got a plot revolving around her, rather than her just popping up to state the obvious. Plus, this was a great opportunity to bring Majel Barrett back.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-11-06 04:48:57 +0000 UTCTalking head box full of jewels!! Lwaxana Troi and her obsession to get Deanna married as quickly as possible. A ship that does not know covid quarantine protocols.
Gregory
2023-11-06 04:44:44 +0000 UTCFor this episode I have a fun fact: Besides telepathy/empathy, the main "alien" trait of Betazoids is that they are all supposed to have completely black irises. This is why Majel Barrett is wearing black contact lenses in this episode. Marina Sirtis actually wears black contacts too, but fewer people notice because they are similar to her natural eye color - just darker. Apparently she once jokingly bemoaned that Brent Spiner got all the sympathy for having to wear contact lenses for his role as Data, whereas nobody seemed to realize that she had to wear them too.
Dion James Pitman
2023-11-06 04:42:59 +0000 UTCReally captures the tone of a 1960's Trek script. This kind of story is necessary if you want an audience to connect with any character ever. Nothing could ever get me to like Troi's mom though. Insufferable imo. ;)
Michael Nemo
2023-11-06 04:42:18 +0000 UTCSomeone somewhere probably: "I dare you to write a more annoying character than Deanna Troi." TNG Writers: "Hold my beer, here's Lwaxana Troi" Majel Barrett is Star Trek royalty and deserves all the praise and respect, but I can't stand this character.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-11-06 04:38:49 +0000 UTCLwaxana Troi tends to be the type of character that you either love, or hate. I love her, she's my favorite TNG guest star, but I know a lot who think she's way too annoying. So, I'm curious where you guys will land
FireBall_IA
2023-11-06 04:35:59 +0000 UTCFirst introduction of Troi's mom. That's about all I have to say here. That's Nurse Chapel of course, and the voice of the ships computer. Majel is often called the "first lady of Star Trek."
Steven Johnson
2023-11-06 04:33:24 +0000 UTC
