PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S1E9 - The Battle
Added 2023-10-29 20:37:07 +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
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Comments
I think you'll agree that this episode makes a huge improvement in the portrayal the Ferengi. Had they remained the squatting, spastic clowns that they had been portrayed as in "The Last Outpost," this would probably have been their last appearance. Thankfully the writers and producers decided to give them another chance.
Dan Krantz
2023-11-01 00:11:11 +0000 UTCA good choice rather than a straight replacement for the Klingons. I wonder who will be the real threat int he future.......
AzoriusMage
2023-10-30 15:42:00 +0000 UTCNo he is just a country doctor can't be curing things like that
AzoriusMage
2023-10-30 15:40:26 +0000 UTCAnother solid episode, beginning the process of sketching in Picard's backstory. Question: How, if at all, did this episode affect your developing perceptions of the Ferengi and the Wesley Crusher character? I predict you will be impressed by the visuals of Picard's climactic hallucination of his old crew. Fun fact: McCoy mentioned multiple times during TOS that he could not cure the common cold. In this episode, we learn that the common cold has been eradicated since the TOS era. I like to imagine that it was McCoy himself who made the crucial breakthrough.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-10-30 13:22:33 +0000 UTCYes it is a place to talk about THESE episodes, but not about future ones or what happens later in the show. The first time they posted these takes they specifically asked NOT to mention plot points or developments past the episodes in question, especially not future shows like DS9.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-30 11:21:17 +0000 UTCLooking at this episode today. I like it quite a bit more. First. It had a few bad direction moments in the soundtrack mostly ,and really this is an episode to highlight Beverly Crusher, loses focus on that rehighlights Ryker, and sidesteps the fact that this was the mission that killed Beverly’s, / Will’ s Husband / Father Again subtly confirming Dr. Crushers ethical focus, not losing sight of her patient. I think this was the first time Picard Calls Ryker, Wil. Look at it more objectively now this is far more solid an episode.
Thicketdweller
2023-10-30 10:53:40 +0000 UTCI always liked Picards log entry of “we are forced to abandon our starship” but in hindsight it was pretty dumb not to blow the thing up. Why let your technology fall into enemy hands?
Jon1701
2023-10-30 10:13:51 +0000 UTCLoved this episode as a kid but it hasn’t aged very well at all.
Jon1701
2023-10-30 10:11:09 +0000 UTCI thought this one was ok...not my in my top 3 of the 9 up to this point except the Picard history was interesting. My ? is how did you like this Picard Story Josh? And to Alex ..did you like the "Picard Lore?" LOL I predict both of you will enjoy this one with the slightly less Wormy acting Little Ferengi. You will or rather TNG will still be Batting almost 1000 after you watch this one. 😀🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-10-30 03:55:14 +0000 UTCForget "The Last Outpost". THIS episode is the real introduction to the Ferengi. Everything regarding the Ferengi in "Outpost" this episode does better, and it even establishes good backstory for Picard, as well as building lore for the Federation and the Ferengi in general.
Timothy Hennon
2023-10-30 03:45:26 +0000 UTCAlex on this episode: "The LORE..." Star Trek really knows how to stretch a budget by reusing sets, models and shots from the movies. One of the fun things is watching out for new footage or models. And for what is a reuse. Also, in universe the Picard Maneuver is that clever warp trick. For the Fandom however, well, we'll get to what the fandom considers the out of Universe Picard Maneuver.
Nolan
2023-10-30 02:57:20 +0000 UTCI believe the reason the model was changed out was because it was decided Picard's old ship should be a Constitution Class. But then at the last minute they decided they liked how the other ship expanded the world more and changed it back to the other model. So last minute was this change that if you watch LaForge carefully, you'll see his mouth clearly form the words "Constitution Class" when first discovering the Stargazer, which they overdubbed with the similar but distinct "Constellation Class."
Nolan
2023-10-30 02:48:59 +0000 UTCMe, too
Collin Freeman
2023-10-30 02:18:45 +0000 UTCThis is the point TNG starts to become recognizable as the show we remember.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-10-30 01:58:50 +0000 UTCHow do you feel about Ferengi being the main antagonists in TNG, as compared to the Klingons and Romulans in TOS?
Bret Kay
2023-10-30 01:42:23 +0000 UTCAgree about the Ferengi being “toned down”. They hinted at them being a formidable, possibly cannibalistic race in Farpoint. Instead, we got a bunch of goofy sniveling little weasels. Its like…”THESE are the baddies we were told about?”. Makes sense
Chris S.
2023-10-30 01:02:50 +0000 UTC100%
Chris S.
2023-10-30 00:59:53 +0000 UTCI was saying the same, but I was told that this is our (the audience) place to talk about the episode before Alex and Josh see it, and they dont read these until after they’ve watched it. But to your point, we should keep full spoilers tight.
Chris S.
2023-10-30 00:58:49 +0000 UTCYes. Great observation! The Ferengi as a fearsome enemy just wasn’t working. In “The Last Outpost”, they were suddenly portrayed and written as if there was a race of Smeagols from LOTR.
Chris S.
2023-10-30 00:56:13 +0000 UTCThe Ferengi receive a much needed toning down. Still a bit over the top but they're already less like middle-earth goblins, so that's good. We get a story about Picard's pre-Enterprise career. The important take-away is that he's got a bit of legendary reputation himself. My favorite parts are the First Officer to First Officer talks between Riker and Kazago. They find some common ground in their rank and responsibilities.
James Bottas
2023-10-30 00:23:02 +0000 UTCJames Mcavoy might actually work ;)
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-29 23:54:45 +0000 UTC👍
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-29 23:53:57 +0000 UTCIf I remember correctly, this is a very comic book supervillain episode. The plot and means to an end used seem very Adam West Batman or over the top Bond villain. But once again, the characters are what makes TNG work.
Nerd's Gold
2023-10-29 23:22:15 +0000 UTCHere we already get a better use of the Ferengi. And I always liked the interaction between Riker and the Ferengi first officer. It's funny how it almost sounds sort of honorable how he sees the captain's unprofitable waste of time as going against their values and culture. Kind of a hint at where you could go with them going forward.
Joe Concepts
2023-10-29 23:18:09 +0000 UTCIf you pay attention to Picard's ready room, you'll notice that the yellow model of the Stargazer he keeps on the pedestal vanishes for several episodes, replaced by a silver movie era Enterprise. This is because they took the yellow model so they could use it to match the filming model they were building for this episode. The yellow model returns after they're finished.
tyranusfan
2023-10-29 22:58:38 +0000 UTCI think this will be your fav so far. It has many of the TOS "things we like" but is a true TNG ep. A little back story on Picard, a maneuver named for him showing Picard is a bit of a legend, hate, revenge, even love in a way if you think of the Ferengi father and son. I do not think it will end up being one of your favs but of the ones we have seen yeah I think so.
Prof Moff
2023-10-29 22:45:09 +0000 UTCNo spoilers on future content please.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-29 22:44:57 +0000 UTCLittle bit of trivia thanks to Mike Okuda. The Phase 2 set framework was still there in TMP. The original series-style hallways are behind the walls we see in TMP. Okuda said that for the better part of those 18 years... You could climb up above the sets, look down on the hallway sets and still see the Phase 2 corridors outside of those TNG hallways. A lot of the Phase 2 and TMP stuff exists all the way up to Voyager.
Steven Johnson
2023-10-29 22:17:58 +0000 UTCI shall edit my comment presently, sir.
Steven Johnson
2023-10-29 22:05:30 +0000 UTCRiker definitely had some good break out scenes for his character. They're still working on the Ferengi here, and this is one of the last TNG episodes where they're presented as a serious threat & that role will be replaced by the Romulans & other factions. The Ferengi won't be properly developed until their appearances in the sister show Deep Space 9
Justin DiBari
2023-10-29 22:05:17 +0000 UTCThey would never figure that out within the context of the series, because that is meta humor.
Steven Johnson
2023-10-29 21:36:10 +0000 UTCNow we see the Ferengi start to shift into their less "mysterious threat/Romulan" guise and into their sneaky, conniving, profit-obsessed species trait. A better fit, in my opinion.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-10-29 21:33:34 +0000 UTCAs you already assumed, Picard had a previous command. You will find the USS Stargazer as a model in his ready room later on.
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-29 21:33:13 +0000 UTCThe Stargazer was supposed to be a constitution class ship like the original Enterprise but after principal photography ended they realized they had enough money for a new ship model and dubbed over Geordie saying "constitution class" with "constellation class".
Phillip Grischa
2023-10-29 21:32:35 +0000 UTCBeen a lifelong TNG fan but only just recently saw this episode. There are some who view this Ferengi on the list of Picard’s greatest nemeses for how much he messes with him here. Great bit of backstory lore for Picard that will be referenced frequently as the show goes on.
Stuart Arbury
2023-10-29 21:16:29 +0000 UTCI liked the use of parts of old sets from the movies - Trek got good value out of that bridge set originally made for TMP and then redressed multiple times.
Paul Rymer
2023-10-29 21:05:47 +0000 UTCPicard had a ship before the Enterprise? Wow backstory time!!
Gregory
2023-10-29 20:57:14 +0000 UTCInteresting to learn about Picard's past, but this isn't one of my guilty pleasure episodes. Another one that's more or less background noise for me.
KatWithAttitude
2023-10-29 20:55:06 +0000 UTCYep! And she was originally supposed to be a CONSTITUTION class, but they decided later in production of the episode to change it. So Levar's line is dubbed.
Steven Johnson
2023-10-29 20:54:49 +0000 UTCThe Constellation class Stargazer is the first new TNG Starfleet ship design we see other than the Enterprise herself.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-10-29 20:51:59 +0000 UTCNot a standout episode but a solid one. Good look into Picard's backstory.
Mike Rogers
2023-10-29 20:50:40 +0000 UTCA 45 minute commercial for migraine medication. The battle bridge and the bridge of the Stargazer are, in fact, the same bridge we see used for the USS Enterprise, USS Reliant, and USS Saratoga in the Star Trek movies. Oh, and here's a question for you guys. James Mcavoy for young Picard? Eh? Eh?
Steven Johnson
2023-10-29 20:44:11 +0000 UTCYou got some backstory for Picard in this episode. What else about Picard’s backstory do you hope to learn soon?
Jonathan
2023-10-29 20:39:02 +0000 UTC
