UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S1E7 - Lonely Among Us
Added 2023-10-25 15:00:11 +0000 UTC
Comments
Definitely one of the oddest eps of S1, but I have a bit of a soft spot for it. The anticans and selay were kind of irrelevant to the main plot, but they were amusing at least. Also the first (uncredited) appearance of Marc Alaimo in Trek as the main antican. Next time someone offers me a beyond meat burger, I'm gonna call it sickening and barbaric. Riker telling them how they substitute real mean is the first mention of replicators, though they're not directly named. Some interesting performances from the cast during their possessions, especially Stewart, who in a few scenes almost seemed to be channeling a little bit of Shatner. They also finally gave Troi something useful to do in the episode with the hypnosis and psych evaluations, rather than just saying how she feels constantly. The alien energy cloud creatures were interesting enough a concept, and I'm glad they weren't out and out evil, but it still still very uncool making a decision like that for Picard based on a shared curiosity. Also Singh I believe is the first death on the show. I find it's more unique elements make it fairly memorable, but I agree it's not particularly good. Ron Jones was starting to show his talent here though. Also just before the conference meeting, they used a reverse of the last shot at the end of the intro, with a different starfield to portray being at warp. Resourceful use of stock footage.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-06-18 09:28:22 +0000 UTCI think he was very sensitive to not just doing the exact same thing as TOS. Obviously, that sentiment goes away at a point and show gets much better.
Clyde Frog
2024-03-11 19:44:39 +0000 UTCThis episode perfectly illustrates my problem with the early episodes. A "B" plot that went nowhere and just took time away from the more interesting "A" plot. So glad that later they struck a much better balance.
David Scudder
2023-11-02 03:17:29 +0000 UTCWow, interesting as the series goes on I came to like Frakes/Riker, and in more recent years rewatching I came to appreciate him more. But if we're talking this season, no actor besides Stewart is that outstanding.
Joe Concepts
2023-10-29 01:08:51 +0000 UTCAnother episode that makes me wonder why Roddenberry created this series without a chief engineer, especially considering how popular Scotty was!
Joe Concepts
2023-10-27 14:49:58 +0000 UTCIt occurred to me that the "eating no real meat" thing is usually true but I remember on occasion that coming up, and some humans do still eat it. A minor issue, sure.
Joe Concepts
2023-10-27 14:44:30 +0000 UTCGreat reaction, "I'm already blind!" So funny. I love watching these with you!
Gary Leyh
2023-10-27 05:21:01 +0000 UTCThis species or one like it was encountered in Star Trek: Enterprise nearly 100? years before in: S2.E18 ∙ The Crossing (crew held captive by non-corporeal beings).
TeenyStudio Flicks
2023-10-27 02:33:21 +0000 UTCThe legend that is!
SinocTheHodgeheg
2023-10-26 21:52:43 +0000 UTCThe legend that is ☺️
SinocTheHodgeheg
2023-10-26 21:52:15 +0000 UTCColm Meaney? ; )
StonyD
2023-10-26 21:49:02 +0000 UTCSo true. Sadly he passed away before he could really appreciate the adulation he might have received.
Mark Chrisco
2023-10-26 18:45:57 +0000 UTCOnly six main cast, BTW, because they omitted Troi and the Crushers. They would have made them if the line had lasted longer.
Anthony Bernacchi
2023-10-26 17:54:59 +0000 UTCYour suggesting that the greatest detective was Batman instead of Sherlock Holmes now has me imagining Data giving himself a mask and cape and speaking in a low, grumbly whisper.
Timothy Hennon
2023-10-26 17:25:01 +0000 UTCYes he did. The virtually unsung hero of Star Trek.
Collin Freeman
2023-10-26 15:26:30 +0000 UTCThe only- and I do mean only thing that I remember about this episode is that the monkey guy alien looked exactly like my friend Chris the waiter from El Torito. Uncanny. Anyway. It’s not that it was a bad episode. It was OK it was entertaining but not memorable. I saw it once and never saw it again until this week. So this is as good a time as I need to address the issue of everyone’s hatred for the first season . I think the explanation is that it’s not that we hate it it’s just that we know what’s coming and we know what the series became and how frankly effing awesome it became. So in relief, the first season looks like shit. It’s so awkwardly written and acted. I mean come on Riker! Cut with the” if I may, sir” bullshit. All of this mawkish awkwardness is going to fall away like pimpley scabs in season two.
Rich Cirivilleri
2023-10-26 14:53:54 +0000 UTCWhen Data started his pipe-in-the-ready-room routine it looked like Frakes was having so much fun he didn't have to act lol. They really did a lot to bring this stuff to life.
Angelaina Marie
2023-10-26 14:01:14 +0000 UTCGene Coon also came up with the name United Federation of Planets, he invented the Prime directive and a lot of other things people now assume were Roddenberry's ideas
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-26 12:02:43 +0000 UTCTime to put on some makeup and wear some nice underwear... someone go grab Worf!!
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-26 12:00:26 +0000 UTCListening to the rest, LeVar Burton was excellent in Roots and that is what will get him in the history books. Jonathan Frakes for me is a giant nothing, and while the actress might be good, watching this show I wouldn't know, Troi is such a terrible character it might not be possible for anyone to do it better. She is just a complete waste of time.
Ken R
2023-10-26 05:22:46 +0000 UTCFor me the star of this episode was the background music making the scenes take on an old fashioned suspense vibe, like a corny show from the 70s. I enjoyed that part of it and for me the pseudo-mystery is the best part of this episode. It reminded me of "Invaders From Mars" with the Wesley/Dr Crusher scene.
Ken R
2023-10-26 05:12:42 +0000 UTCAnother okay episode. The aliens kind of stole the show. There was a couple good character moments with Data and Picard. The overall premise was interesting but it does seem a bit boring at times. This episode is kind of season 1 in a nutshell. There's nuggets of gold in a lot of the episodes, but felt mediocre for whatever reason. Not bad. Just... flat. The actors did a lot to elevate the show early on. Even if the episode isn't the greatest, the characters are fun to watch at the very least.
Ca$hWednesday
2023-10-26 02:59:03 +0000 UTCGene didn't want Worf, he wanted to avoid all TOS aliens at first. Worf was forced on him, since the other producers thought having a Klingon on the bridge was a great follow through from TOS when they were the villains. It shows, because at this point when Gene was largely in control, Worf is definitely on the back burner.
tyranusfan
2023-10-26 02:57:31 +0000 UTCKept hearing a music cue in this one that sounded like TMP where Spock nerve-pinched the guy in the thruster suit room.
James H
2023-10-26 00:34:18 +0000 UTCNot only can Gates McFadden act, she can dance. She's also a choreographer, which may or may not come into play on the show.
KatWithAttitude
2023-10-26 00:02:58 +0000 UTCBest part of Wednesday's is finding a new TARGET AUDIENCE TNG (TA TNG? TATNG?)
StonyD
2023-10-26 00:01:48 +0000 UTCFrom what I remember, before they turned to Roddenberry, another writer was working on a new Star Trek series idea. In it, one character was a Klingon "marine." Roddenberry wisely kept this idea for his TNG.
Mark Chrisco
2023-10-25 23:29:39 +0000 UTCdiscord.gg/Ajdw2nTb3
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-25 23:05:36 +0000 UTCAndreas, is there a way to message you other than here?
Duane Chancey
2023-10-25 23:02:26 +0000 UTCThe best part of this episode is when they're debating whether to relieve Picard of duty. But it falls apart once Picard directly admits to Crusher that he's possessed, and she doesn't immediately relieve him at least temporarily to assess how much of him is still Picard. That seems like a no-brainer. It's an odd thing to say, but Turnabout Intruder did it better.
Jeff Cornell
2023-10-25 22:29:57 +0000 UTCWorf was not initially intended to be regular character, more of a recurring character. That changed over the course of the 1st season and you'll see him have at least 1 episode focused on him later this season. I think Gene Roddenberry had the idea of putting a Klingon on the bridge more for fan service. He didn't invent the Kiingon race in TOS - that was 1 of Gene Coon's good creations.
Collin Freeman
2023-10-25 21:58:08 +0000 UTCMy words exactly. Agree on both counts.
Collin Freeman
2023-10-25 21:51:58 +0000 UTCIt does show that some obvious conclusions are not always obvious. 🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-10-25 21:48:06 +0000 UTCEveryone loved Data as Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, no one asked permission to use Holmes from the Conan Doyle estate which still holds rights to the character. This caused a legal hassle that led most to conclude Brent Spiner would never bring the great detective to TNG again.
Mark Chrisco
2023-10-25 21:34:30 +0000 UTCThey'll get to it eventually hehe
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-25 20:48:58 +0000 UTCTA is not a fan of Dramatic Irony apparently. =P Evidently, Patrick Stewart was fully ready to move back to England before he booked this show. He and his agent took it expecting it to not last much past a year. So, at this point he very well could've been looking for an out. TNG as "one of the greatest shows ever." Ehhh... Yes and no? TNG builds a great world, the cast are always great to watch and the characters are both inviting and comforting to return to. The episodes themselves though? Those can vary dramatically in quality. There is some top-tier stuff ahead. But also some boring as heck blah episodes too. All have SOMETHING to like, but in different measures. But that's what happens when you have many script writers with differing styles, time crunches and budget issues.
Nolan
2023-10-25 20:05:03 +0000 UTCYou guys are right about Akron native Gates McFadden being a great actress. She was in some real movies and unfortunately she is pretty neglected in TNG. However in Picard season 3 she absolutely CRUSHES it, no pun intended.
Jef Etters
2023-10-25 20:03:13 +0000 UTCHi Andreas Schmitt. I Have only seen the first 3 or 4 minutes of a Continues Ep. It was Pilgam of Eternity with...Oops, I almost spoiled it....you know who Andreas. From what I have seen Vic Mignogna as Kirk is probly better then James Cawley from ST New Voyages but Cawley makes me chuckle every time he does one of Shatners manerisms as it is exagerated, and that huge Hawaii 5-0 Mcgarrett hairdo. To serve All my Days is probably my Fav New Voyages Ep. because of the 2 characters from TOS returning with the same actors. I have seen all of the STNV Episodes and there are a few that are really good. The Set & Lighting are so Spot on you would think it's the Original TOS! It is impressive or at least to me. The World Enough and Time is another Awesome Ep. that Alex would totally love with you know who as the main story. I think they should watch these as there are not many, I think the total # of Eps of both series combined are the same as Battlestar Galactica low 20s maybe. What do you think? 😉🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-10-25 19:57:22 +0000 UTCAs much as I disagree with you both about TNG not being 'bad' yet.....it's always a pleasure to hear your responses to the franchise.
Numinous2019
2023-10-25 19:52:23 +0000 UTCGiven the grueling work schedule (up to 18 hours days, sometimes for 10 to 12 days straight) it is understandable that the cast would need to blow off some steam on set.
Numinous2019
2023-10-25 19:47:06 +0000 UTCIt’s true, there are lots of behind the scenes “feuds”, even on some of the Trek shows that come after, but the TNG cast were and are really great friends..and it shows. It elevates even the most mediocre episodes.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2023-10-25 19:31:52 +0000 UTCAlso, good luck getting those Galoob TNG aliens. You can get the six main cast pretty cheap, but the aliens were rare and they go for a lot of money. I don't know that i've seen a Selay in quite awhile. That's a strange figure line.
Steven Johnson
2023-10-25 19:29:41 +0000 UTC*cries quietly at the mention of Babylon 5.* God speed, tiny captain... Dog dudes and lizard guys. They make those great costumes and barely use them. To me you don't make lizard men like that unless you intend to get a good amount of mileage out of them. There's a story that has floated around for years that, in one of these early episodes Patrick Stewart blew up on a couple of the other cast who were goofing around. He was quite concerned about the dignity of the whole thing and took it... He admits he took it too seriously. The great thing about the TNG cast is they were always good friends. They don't have to act it out, it's there. There's a famous shot from one of the early making of videos that shows the cast gathered at dinner and you hear Frakes, as he raises his glass "To the new crew of THE ENTERPRISE!!!" And someone else replies "Live long and prosper!" So they were all jazzed about it.
Steven Johnson
2023-10-25 19:17:37 +0000 UTCOk you are still Batting almost 1000 in my opinion, as you didn't say Bad to describe this one. I'm glad you guys caught the Model of the TOS Shuttle Craft. I'll forgive the 30 seconds or so it took for you to point it out...as a long time fan (over 50 years). People like me Noticed it Instantly. One thing about this reaction that did surprise me was as a big Star Wars Fan Alex did not mention the Antican's Tool...A Mini Light Saber! 😮 My Fav part you also did not mention was Data and Sherlock Holmes. Here is a fun Fact for you Brent Spinner did do Comedy sketches before TNG. He was a character named Bob Wheeler on a few Night Court Eps. Really funny guy! You guys should check it out...I'm sure there is a clip on YouYube. Josh you are right I think Gates Mcfadden is a very good actor. Take Care 😀🖖
Duane Chancey
2023-10-25 18:40:07 +0000 UTCSmall clarification on Wesley's status: He's not a full ensign. An acting ensign has the rights and privilages of an Ensign, but is not yet a member of Starfleet. Like everybody else he needs to go to the academy first. That's why Picard told him in that episode "Whether the rank becomes permanent is up to you"
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-25 18:23:20 +0000 UTCGood to see a quick appearance from a true fan favourite character from TNG!
SinocTheHodgeheg
2023-10-25 17:58:20 +0000 UTCOf all the Shows they definitely had the most fun on set
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-25 17:56:24 +0000 UTCAlex mentioning how professional Stewart was, there's a very funny story where later this season the cast finally got a little TOO out of hand and Patrick Stewart rounded them up to yell at them in his best captain's voice for being unprofessional on the set, that the Royal Shakespeare alumni would NEVER act this way...and finally very shortly after he's singing and goofing off just as much as the rest, and this lasted the following six years. As Frakes said, "We broke him."
JD Nevesytrof
2023-10-25 17:37:34 +0000 UTCAnother meh episode in my opinion. A few good ones are coming up soonish though.
Phillip Grischa
2023-10-25 17:31:46 +0000 UTC🤣
Josh (Target Audience)
2023-10-25 17:27:03 +0000 UTCMaybe the honeymoon is wearing off for Josh, we need to get some real good eps up in this bish soon.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-10-25 17:21:49 +0000 UTCBtw thank you for the " one of us, one of us!" That made my day 😀
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-25 17:11:55 +0000 UTCST Continues continues to be the running gag. I cannot wait to rub it in your face when you finally watch it and end up enjoying it 😉
Andreas Schmitt
2023-10-25 17:08:05 +0000 UTCSince you asked us to comment, it certainly won't be the last time a plot revolves around a species being considered for Federation membership, a couple exceptional episodes deal with that.
JD Nevesytrof
2023-10-25 15:49:00 +0000 UTCI’m so glad you gents comment on these episodes from a story construction perspective. You’re engaged with the characters, the ideas, the plots, but you’re also very adept at analyzing the narrative architecture. These episodes were written fast and on an assembly line- 26 episode seasons! The writers had to feed the production beast constantly and didn’t have the time to always perfect things at the script stage. I actually find this to be a charm of this era of Trek- it yields great episodes, it yields terrible episodes, it yields everything in between. And because of this, most of the big Trek writers are very candid about their feelings on some of the lesser episodes, totally owning that “we didn’t get the concept quite right, this A plot and B plot didn’t match up, etc.”
Stuart Arbury
2023-10-25 15:27:55 +0000 UTCThis one's a true Sci Fi story, love it :-)
Bret Kay
2023-10-25 15:16:36 +0000 UTCThere's a shortlist of shows that need 50+ eps before they find their footing.
Michael Nemo
2023-10-25 15:02:51 +0000 UTC
