PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S1E5 - The Last Outpost

I love the whole series. I have to admit there are a few episodes in season one that I find almost unwatchable, but by the time you get into the later half of the season the show gets very good. As for the second season, i think it's great. If I were to rank the seasons best to worst, season two for me would be right in the middle.

Dan Krantz

It had a bit of promise. The first couple acts were suspenseful and intriguing, promising a new antagonist for Starfleet. The best way to say this is the Ferengi are to our crew the way "Q" sees humanity. Disappointing all around. Much blame to go around from Gene Roddenberry to the director.

Mark Chrisco

I like the first 2 seasons. They were plot oriented, more in tone with TOS, even the music (with the synths added). This episode provided a bit of a mystery, and introduced the Ferengi. To me, it became apparent that the Ferengi just weren’t going to work as a villain. They are cunning and deceitful in their quest for wealth, but hardly the cannibalistic menace they were meant to be. I’m glad they became more comedic as time went on. I like the episode. I think they were quickly searching for good stories to tell, but Gene was getting sick and the writing staff turnover was horrendous. Never thought I’d say this, but When Rick Berman took over, it became a new show, and stabilized.

Chris S.

When I say I loved this episode, I mean flaws and all, it was Star Trek and The producers were working to find the actors voices and budget and time, caused a lot of fun to be poked at a lot of early episodes and truly any of the worst of what people complain about was still better than any other show at the time,.Z

Thicketdweller

I liked this episode, though the ferengi annoyed me more than disturbed me in any way. I Loved the Ferengi ship. + The Phaser Whip weapon. I echo Dan in that it is very much like arena,battle interviened by superior being/AI.

Thicketdweller

This was an interesting introduction for the Ferengi. Thankfully they do get a lot better development over time.

Seirsan

I agree about the character in ST III, I actually had the same thoughts pop into my head as I watch the reaction to that.

Seirsan

The most memorable scene in this episode for me is Riker finding himself alone when he beams down to the planet -- but I can't fully explain why this scene is so memorable without spoilers. Question: Do you think the Ferengi live up to the hype they received in "Farpoint"? I predict you will be impressed by Riker's courage when Portal seemingly attacks him with his spear. Fun fact: This is only the first of many appearances in the Star Trek franchise, in multiple roles, by Armin Shimerman (Letek).

Anthony Bernacchi

More re-heated story elements from TOS, combined with Roddenberry''s suddenly revised view of future humanity (i.e. they've overcome their limitations, instead of trying to live with them). How long will the novelty of a new ST show mask the deficiencies of the scripting?

Numinous2019

I don't think the Ferengi work as stock adventure villains as they are presented here. An ultra-capitalist faction is great worldbuilding - but weird little frog people don't make for threatening antagonists.

Ryan Baillie

I have almost no recollection of this episode other than the Ferengi first appear in it.

Collin Freeman

well... meet the ferengi. pretty wild design and makeup. and definitely an interesting performance from those actors. that was... one way to do it lol how did you feel about the pacing during the first half? just talking things out on the bridge is how it goes sometimes.

James Bottas

Rewatched this tonight. I was surprised it took so long to get to the planet. My recollection of the episode was pretty much the last 15 minutes or so. My head canon is that the alien in STIII that Bones tries to charter a ship with was some kind of Ferengi. The fight scene in this ep was chaotic and hilarious.

Paul Rymer

Plot-wise this one reminds me a bit of "Arena" in TOS but instead of the Gorn we get the Ferengi. Roddenberry was hoping to make them the new alien menace for TNG but they came off as goofy and ridiculous.

Dan Krantz

While the Ferengi don’t really work here, I admire Roddenberry’s willingness to take risks. Instead of relying on old standbys like the Klingons & Romulans he creates a brand new villain for a new era. It’s like doing a Star Wars trilogy where the Sith are good guys and the Empire never appears.

Matthew McKinnon-Gray

generally..........I say it is........... I got nothing, it is almost ok

Prof Moff

I agree with those points...I'd even include points for the comically over-the-top Ferengi in the gorilla suits. However, none of those facts can change how assertively forgettable the episode's plot is to me.

Miguel A. Moreta

Aww common. It has to get some points for the location alone. The set and effects were awesome and I liked the guardian and the world building of his background a lot.

Andreas Schmitt

I would actually rank this one below "Code of Honor". Where that one was cringey, "The Last Outpost" is tedious, tropey, and, ultimately, uneventful.

Miguel A. Moreta

(Call me just JD, btw) Here we get a taste of how Riker's style differs from Kirk's, instead of talking the omnipotent computer program into shutting down, he kind of charms it into submission.

JD Nevesytrof

Making a villain out of “greedy capitalists” in a century where supposedly capitalism no longer existed in the federation. It’s like “you want gold? Uhm ok, here you go!”

Glenn Johnson Barnes

My first reaction to the Ferengi back when this premiered was basically "WTF???" After that I just wanted to beat them down with their own energy whips, which actually were kind of cool. They do get SLIGHTLY less annoying, eventually.

KatWithAttitude

I’m sorry I can’t help you with this one guys. I haven’t seen it since it aired, and I remember just about nothing about it except that I didn’t like it and never re-watched it. I’m looking forward to re-watching it with you both. I will be shooting my mouth off about other episodes though.

Rich Cirivilleri

This episode gets held back by the over the top depiction of the Ferengi. Other than that, this a solid episode with more character building.

Nerd's Gold

This episode was a decent idea but I think the script needed some revisions. The crew is supposed to be the best and brightest but it takes them an awfully long time to consider that the planet is what's draining their energy and Riker not even blinking when he might die makes him appear almost non human, it was an odd take on how future humans deal with their own mortality.

Phillip Grischa

The Last Outpost, what to say? Bold concept....that we've seen before. Overused tropes that were meh at best even at the time. A new alien species that would eventually be ironed out.... but not quite yet. I believe you may both enjoy it on some level, but given what's coming in later seasons a mediocre episode at best. If you have lasted this far into the season I believe you will be fine until it starts to stand on it's own. It does get better. I should say I didn't start watching TNG until after it ended because I originally couldn't wrap my mind around the concept of another crew originally, and I won't give away spoilers but there was an incident in a later movie that changed my mind. I sincerely hope you enjoy your journey through the lackluster part because there are some gems in the first season contrary to popular belief...but the low points are still yet to come!

Rob Galloway

Oh yes, I'm not putting all the blame on him, but Armin Shimerman specifically regretted how he performed the character, that's why I mentioned it. While I enjoy the episode, I'm sure nobody was really happy with how the Ferengi turned out here.

Andreas Schmitt

It's not just the performance. The writing, make up... None of it matches up with what they're supposed to be. They were so assured it was going to work out that way, that even the Galoob toyline was geared towards "Ferengi as the big bad."

Steven Johnson

Ahh, the Ferengi. You will hate them. You will tolerate them. You may come to love them while still possibly hating them. I honestly have no memory of what else this episode has to offer other than revealing the Ferengi. And their squatting prancing. Is this what you expected the Ferengi to be after such an extensive build up of two off-hand mentions in previous episodes? I bet you enjoyed Worf's exasperation at having to put up with the little gremlins though. Fun fact: This episode probably also contributed to early feelings of WTFness in audiences of this new series. *Fun fact not verified, wholly supposition of the commenter.

Nolan

I think it's also the most elaborate planet set design so far :) Lots of effects here :)

Andreas Schmitt

I always found this one to just be kind of pointless. It has its moments, but there's not much story here. It definitely needed the B plot on the Enterprise to make an episode out of it. I feel it's mostly notable for the Ferengi's first appearance.

Joe Concepts

I could see what could be considered racist about "Code of Honor" but I don't really get the Jewish references here. I can see that they are all about greed and profit, which does fit into that one stereotype, but I am missing any other parallels. Data describes them as "Yankee traders." To be honest, I think I could see MORE hints of anti-semitic tropes later on when they appear in other series.

Joe Concepts

@Nate, thanks for removing the reference :)

Andreas Schmitt

Hi Nate. Could you please remove the reference to a character from DS9?

James Bottas

The Ferengi were originally planned to be the new bad guys, like the Klingons in TOS. Unfortunately the performance of the lead Ferengi actor here made them look less than threatening. The actor has stated several times that he regretted his performance in this episode, and would take a completely different approach if we could do it again. I'm curious what you thought of the Ferengi. You wanted more Alien designs with more complex makeup. You certainly got it here :D

Andreas Schmitt

The first real look at the Ferengi, the aliens that were meant to be the new Romulans/Klingons. They may be a little hyper active now but they will grow on you… eventually

Gregory

I'm mixed on this one, but I think it begins to show the promise of TNG with the descriptions of the greater galaxy. Things in TOS that jive with some of this are things like the Guardian of Forever. The galaxy is full of ancient mysteries.

Steven Johnson

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