Target Audience / PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S1E3&4 The Naked Now & Code of Honor

I'd probably put Shades of Grey slightly worst. They could even skip that episode to save themselves 45 minutes of their life.

Travis Boyle

2023-10-15 13:53:14 +0000 UTC

The will hadn’t been read tho. 🤷🏻‍♂️ (I dunno, I’m just making this up on the spot 😁)

Silk

2023-10-10 16:11:32 +0000 UTC

Even if you somehow removed the racist shit from Code of Honor, it would still be a garbage episode

Neill Shaughness

2023-10-10 08:57:19 +0000 UTC

Bingo.

John M.

2023-10-10 08:09:55 +0000 UTC

You are thinking of a different episode. Code of Honor is the one where Tasha fights a lady to the death because the leader of the planet wants her as his wife. Everyone on the planet is black.

Cory Paton

2023-10-10 05:40:59 +0000 UTC

I did not like The Naked Now as it felt just a retread of the TOS episode. Like they were out of ideas so reused one. I also felt like the characters were a little off … like the show was still trying to figure them out. I liked some insight into Klingons in code of honor. Funny the comments about it being racist. Never occurred to me. I just saw Klingons and humans. Until I read the comment above I don’t think I even processed the races of the actors playing the guest star Klingons.

Crankygrandma

2023-10-10 02:20:04 +0000 UTC

Fun fact about Code of Honor: most of the TNG cast regards this episode as the worst they ever did. Jonathan Frakes called it a “racist piece of shit”. Of course by modern standards it is clear to see how casting all black actors for these aliens kidnapping a white woman creates a harmful stereotype. But even back then many of the actors were uncomfortable during the filming.

Daniel

2023-10-10 01:27:13 +0000 UTC

Neither of them are great episodes in my opinion, but I do find parts of The Naked Now quite amusing! It's goofy and bizarre, but I think you guys may appreciate it more than some people think you will. It's not boring at least!

Elizabeth N

2023-10-09 19:14:23 +0000 UTC

Data being 'fully functional' changed my entire perception of him. He wasnt a ken doll and could prob hammer nails..or at least Tasha..What a changed Star Trek this was going to be¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Badger

2023-10-09 05:29:25 +0000 UTC

In my opinion, the naked now came too early in the season, and is an inferior retread of what they did in the original series. Code of honour holds the ranking of one of the worst episodes in all of Star Trek, which is saying something there are only one or two episodes that might be worse and it’s also racist.

Leighton Cressman

2023-10-08 06:37:16 +0000 UTC

Don't call it supposed racist stereotypes. There's nothing "supposed" about it, the episode is racist AF. And that's not from a 2020s perspective, it was just as racist in 1987, the director was fired halfway through production of the episode and no one involved with the show has ever not criticized the episode, not now and not then. There's nothing sad about calling a racist episode exactly what it is.

Phillip Grischa

2023-10-08 05:44:03 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now: A bit too close to the original episode but could have worked had it come later in the season but at this point the audience didn't really know the characters and neither did the writers or actors, it was way too early to do an episode with everyone act out of character. Deanna's supposedly beautiful clothes were hilarious though, wardrobe clearly had nothing civilian for her so Tasha just fondled some weird pieces of fabric, apparently at this point in her life Deanna was either into massive scarfs or draped colorful Toga looks. Code of Honor: In the words of Sam Beckett: Oh boy! Atrocious episode, easily the worst of the entire series.

Phillip Grischa

2023-10-08 05:35:14 +0000 UTC

I couldn't agree more. It's no more racist that this proud warrior culture is made up of black people than all Klingons in TNG being black. Neither is representing an Earth culture or race. Also "Code of Honor" is one of the few episodes of the show that actually feels like it could be an episode of TOS.

Dan Krantz

2023-10-08 02:00:32 +0000 UTC

First season had some rough ones but I still luv em

Scarpad’s Domain

2023-10-08 00:37:19 +0000 UTC

The thing about TNG, for me anyway, is just like TOS it’s nostalgia (was in high school when TNG premiered) and even the worst episodes, If I catch it on tv randomly, I’m going to sit and watch it..

Glenn Johnson Barnes

2023-10-07 22:53:28 +0000 UTC

Troi… I think you’ve been autocorrected 😁

Silk

2023-10-07 20:50:31 +0000 UTC

… other than him saying “I can’t afford this…”

Silk

2023-10-07 20:48:48 +0000 UTC

The only way is up!

Silk

2023-10-07 20:43:37 +0000 UTC

Both Gene Roddenberry and Nichelle Nichols gave their blessing to that name in 1982. In my opinion, that made it canon. If it revealed some connection to something else, I would remove it, but it's only her first name with no greater revelations attached to it. And think on this. If they didn't change a single thing about the episode except the Ligonians were all Asians, or all White, or even mixed, would you still consider it a racist episode? It will be interesting to see which side gets influenced to other side when we all watch it again.

Nerd's Gold

2023-10-07 17:09:45 +0000 UTC

I was pledgingg a frat the weekend this came out but I don't miss it.

Thicketdweller

2023-10-07 17:00:55 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor I love some the spandex shiny visuals but the but sterotypical imagery of the characters was actually uncomfortable for to me watch As I watched it, it felt like they making all the black cast members take 2 or 3 decades backward in representation

Thicketdweller

2023-10-07 16:59:02 +0000 UTC

You were on to something far point, Originally Marina Spirits was supposed to play security chief Hernandez and Denise Crosby was supposed to Deanna trio only trio was supposed to have four boobs

Thicketdweller

2023-10-07 16:56:15 +0000 UTC

Eh, it's been so long since I've seen it, I'm not sure that's in the episode, or from behind the scenes anecdotes I've read, or just conflated from various opinions I've seen around the internet. I'm sure I've seen it SOMEWHERE, but as such, I've edited out my post to remove that and provide more clarity on the initial idea versus what it became.

Nolan

2023-10-07 15:16:24 +0000 UTC

Surely they'll notice that the entire guest cast is Black, if nothing else. (The YouTube channel Newbie Star Trek refers to Ligon II as "the Wakanda planet"!)

Anthony Bernacchi

2023-10-07 15:02:33 +0000 UTC

Well, Roddenberry wasn't responsible for the problematic elements of "Code of Honor." He didn't decide to cast only Black actors as Ligonians, and he fired Russ Mayberry partway through the week for being racist. The depiction of the Ligonians is disturbing in the same franchise that gave us Uhura, but the same person was not responsible for both. (Also, would you consider removing Uhura's first name from your post? Strictly speaking that's a spoiler, since it's not revealed in canon until a much later point in the franchise.)

Anthony Bernacchi

2023-10-07 15:01:03 +0000 UTC

Kind of, yes

Collin Freeman

2023-10-07 13:32:56 +0000 UTC

Just curious...where in this Ep. was it said they were "barbaric, savage and tribal"? I missed it.

Duane Chancey

2023-10-07 09:33:33 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor, my Comment. I liked this one also, it was a good Character Ep. for Tasha. I can't figure why so many people dislike this Ep. I did not find it Racist then when it aired or now. The People of the Planet were never referred to as an Asian type culture or being similar to Ancient African Cultures or Kingdoms. When Picard gave Lutan the gift he said, "We are aware of your planets Achievements and it's Unique similarity to an Ancient earth culture we all Admire." Then tells them the gift is from China's Sung Dynasty. The Achievements he is referring to is Technology, Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, Engineering. Anybody Curious can check out the Sung Dynasty on Wiki, the Spelling is Song. Now as for all the people on that planet being black, Would it have been Racist to have them all be Asian or South American? I think it is Woke or over sensitive to be offended by this and not say a thing about the fact there are not too many people from Asia, India or South America and only 4 or 5 Starship personel shown so far in the series. And none in this Ep. that are Black...not counting Geordi. Every Race has had violent, woman-kidnapping, fight-to-the-death cultures....some still do. Also if you pay Attention when the challenge happened Lutan's second said "That has not been done in over 200 years.!" If he wanted to get rid of his wife for her Land he could have arranged an unfortunate Accident say. But I get they wanted to show off Tasha's fighting. OK enough of the PC Crap, How I think you guys will react? I think you will both like it and not even mention the fact everyone from that Planet is Black. I could be wrong so we'll see, my question is Did you think it was at all racist? That's it! 😀🖖

Duane Chancey

2023-10-07 08:52:19 +0000 UTC

Honestly, I just found season 1 of TNG to be re-heated scraps of TOS, mainly due to Roddenberry. Until Michael Piller was appointed show-runner and his shake-up of the writing staff and re-focusing of the show, TNG is very hit and miss (mostly miss).

Numinous2019

2023-10-07 07:40:45 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now, my Comment. I liked the Comedy and there was a fair amount of Character building of Geordi, Tasha, Wesley & Data. This is only Ep.3 but the Original TOS Story was only the 4th aired then. I guess you could say that the Data/Tasha matchup is like the Spock/Chapel one but with the sex! Also Wesley I is like Riley taking over the Engine Room in TOS. Worf and Riker are the only 2 that didn't get as infected, and Geordi was all sad about not seeing like others. The Picard/Crusher was a bit odd but I thought Funny. That is about all...but I never Expect these stories to be way Serious all the time, and I don't think they should be. One other comment is about Denise Crosby aka Tasha Yar.....is she not a Babe Guys? If I Offended anyone with thatcomment...Tough! You Guys should have fun and Laugh at it too like I did when it first aired and more so this time after not seeing it in close to 20 years. I predict you will like it. I have no fun fact but here are 2 Questions 1: What was your Fav. Part & 2: How are you guys coming along with that P.O. Box? 😀🖖

Duane Chancey

2023-10-07 06:23:58 +0000 UTC

Yes, and you can find D.C. Fontana’s original story outline for Naked Now online, and it was actually an adult, intelligent episode. I will say however (I might be the minority) I love the Data/Yar scene..

Glenn Johnson Barnes

2023-10-07 05:23:40 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor is one of the worst Star Trek episodes ever. Though I suppose now with STD, Picard, etc it’s got a lot more competition.

whacky deli

2023-10-07 04:38:16 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now is like if the assignment was to remake The Naked Time without any of the charm. Code of Honor is like if the assignment was to make an episode that will be removed from a streaming service in the future for being racist.

Jef Etters

2023-10-07 03:07:03 +0000 UTC

When you revisit these episodes, its a stroll down memory lane for many. Was it bad? Its subjective. Besides, those early episodes feel more like TOS. The opening theme in each captain’s log etc. the actors hadn’t “gotten” the characters yet, but thats with mist shows. They’re watchable.

Chris S.

2023-10-07 01:32:47 +0000 UTC

Roddenberry was aching to get more sexual with the material he wrote and produced after TOS (see Pretty Maids All in a Row). His libido almost ruined these characters right out of the gate.

Collin Freeman

2023-10-06 23:59:10 +0000 UTC

Nicely said.

Collin Freeman

2023-10-06 23:56:57 +0000 UTC

Ha ha ha! Agreed on BOTH counts!

Collin Freeman

2023-10-06 23:54:49 +0000 UTC

On a network, it probably would not have made it on air even in 1987, but TNG was syndicated, so the rules a little more lax for them with less oversight.

Collin Freeman

2023-10-06 23:51:35 +0000 UTC

I haven't watched these in years, and I'm going to hold off watching them until your reactions drop. That being said, I don't remember either episode being anywhere near as bad as it is being depicted, and I especially liked Naked Now for what it was meant to be... a nod to the original series with some character moments that stick. I'm sure they wanted that for the first regular episode as a way to try to hook TOS fans. From what I remember of Code of Honor, it was a weak episode, but these are aliens, not an Earth colony. People seeing racism may want to look in the mirror. It's hard to reconcile Gene Roddenberry, the man responsible for the existence of Lt. Nyota Uhura on prime time television, and Gene Roddenberry, racist TNG episode creator. I have to wonder if the animosity towards these episodes is like the animosity towards TOS season 3 or TNG seasons 1 and 2. Just something that grew larger like a legend in the fandom and not necessarily from peoples real reactions. When all the talk about season 1 and 2 was happening here, I scanned the episode lists for them. They are not as bad as people seem to think. Yes, there are bad episodes, but there are bad episodes in every season. It may come from the fact that when top ten lists get made, there are no real standout episodes in the first two seasons (one may sneak in to some lists, but not many). However, if you expand to a top 20 or 25, I think you'd start seeing many season 1 and 2 episodes.

Nerd's Gold

2023-10-06 22:58:20 +0000 UTC

They watch the episode always before reading these. These are meant for AFTER the reaction and Josh won't read them until then.

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 22:45:11 +0000 UTC

Reading these comments has made me grateful home internet didn't exist when I was watching these during the original run. 😅 I hope you've watched them and formed your own opinion before requesting these takes!

Bret Kay

2023-10-06 22:01:06 +0000 UTC

That was the very first episode Nurse Chapel was in and it worked just fine because the writing, acting and directing was better. Ditto Lt Riley and the notion Sulu was a swashbuckler at heart. It being the second episode isn't really why this was weak.

Ken R

2023-10-06 21:25:32 +0000 UTC

I agree. The Naked Time delves deep into the characters. Their emotions, their backstories, their dreams, desires and regrets, even with the secondary characters, bringing them very much to life, which is why that episode is so good. With the exception of Geordi and his I wanna see speech, there is none of that in The Naked Now. Just cardboard characters acting goofy. It's like the difference between a great novel and the comic book version of it.

Dan Krantz

2023-10-06 21:16:35 +0000 UTC

LOL! Never thought of that, but yeah, it makes sense! I always figured it was simply straight-laced Picard just fighting his obvious attraction to her, but having that be his reaction to getting aggressively groped by Galaxy-class MILF Dr. Crusher off-camera just makes it funnier.

Timothy Hennon

2023-10-06 20:47:38 +0000 UTC

I'm guessing "clip show" and "candle show" in your case.

Timothy Hennon

2023-10-06 20:33:57 +0000 UTC

Whenever someone creates a "10 worst TNG episodes" list, usually half of them come not just from the first season, but the first HALF of the first season.

Timothy Hennon

2023-10-06 20:30:37 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now is an inferior sequel to The Naked Time and shows the strength of the TOS old fashioned sense of drama. The TOS scenes with Chapel and Spock, Kirk's monologue, the Lt's speech committing suicide, it would all come off as hokey and campy in an episode desperately in need of some of that mood. This episode is weak. How about comparing and contrasting the directing and acting and music choices of these two shows from two different eras.

Ken R

2023-10-06 20:06:34 +0000 UTC

These were okay. early eps the cast trying to get a feel for their characters. I didn't hate code of honor as much as most do but it isn't even a decent one. Overall my opinion is: These are two episodes.

Prof Moff

2023-10-06 19:53:58 +0000 UTC

I figured it's cause she grabbed his junk just below the camera frame.

Nolan

2023-10-06 19:50:36 +0000 UTC

Picard's guttural sound in that moment! I thought I was the only one who noticed that and thought it was weird.

Ca$hWednesday

2023-10-06 19:06:29 +0000 UTC

I've never liked "The Naked Now." It's essentially a remake of "The Naked Time," but without any of the strong character building moments from the TOS episode. The moments between Kirk and Spock in the briefing room and then Kirk at the end on the bridge with his looking at Janice and his "no beach to walk on" moments make that episode, but there's none of that here. Just crew acting drunk or high. As for "Code of Honor," it's actually very close to something you might have seen on original trek. Some people today looking at it from today's viewpoint consider it somewhat racist, but this was made in 1987 and there was no racist intention of the show.

Dan Krantz

2023-10-06 18:23:00 +0000 UTC

I separated the comments now so you can delete yours. Thank you.

Paul Rymer

2023-10-06 18:16:40 +0000 UTC

For me not one of the regulars. I can’t say who without spoiling too much but chips are involved.

Paul Rymer

2023-10-06 18:15:39 +0000 UTC

Code Of Honor is one of the worst episodes in Trek history. It’s not dated well at all and more so than some episodes of TOS. I haven’t rewatched it yet but I will. I was a big fan of season 1 at the time it was coming out in the UK on rental VHS. I would rent those tapes weekly get to the end of the season and go back again. But Code Of Honor was an episode I would skip.

Paul Rymer

2023-10-06 18:14:04 +0000 UTC

The cast has basically disowned Code Of Honor for being racist and it is the lowest point of Star Trek. Great interviews on this but tough to find ones without spoiling future episodes.

Stephen Wright

2023-10-06 18:11:36 +0000 UTC

Both these episodes are bad, but for very different reasons. One is a rip of a TOS episode that doesn't work because it's a TOS ep disquised as a TNG ep. The other because even in 1987, they recognized that this episode is just not it for many production and moral reasons. Small silver lining for both, Naked Now at least is goofy and we all can laugh at it, for both reasons for and against the episode. For Code of Honor, at least Tasha gets something to do. That's always nice.

Elway Simpson

2023-10-06 17:57:44 +0000 UTC

I love The Naked Now. Sure it's basically a remake of a TOS episode but I buy it. Encountering a virus that the original Enterprise also happened to run into? Works for me! Some feel it's too early, that we don't know the characters well enough yet to see them out of character, but hey, just consider it a crash course. The virus is exposing inner thoughts and suppressed feelings, after all. I forgive the reuse of a TOS episode in episode 2 because the show had a lot of expectations working against it. Understandable that they'd want to do something VERY TOS right away. There's so many hilarious moments in it. Picard's little hop-skip! That guttural sound (what the hell was that? lol) when Crusher is coming onto him! Look, I understand there's cringe involved here, but the scene with Tasha in that outfit... This was a very important scene to little me back in '87 lol

James Bottas

2023-10-06 17:57:13 +0000 UTC

You've made through the absolute lowest point of Star Trek. While not every episode of every show is great, they're all better than Code of Honor

Neill Shaughness

2023-10-06 17:27:19 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now came about because they were behind schedule in the script department and did a quick rewrite of the TOS episode, The Naked Time. Interesting idea but much to early in the series to work. I understand what they were going for in Code of Honor and to be fair, earlier drafts might have produced a better episode. There were bits of racism spread through actions and dialogue. Even as a kid I wondered why the Ligon delegation came aboard in the cargo bay (back door) instead of the transporter room. From what I have read, matters were not helped that the director of the episode demonstrated racist tendencies himself during production and was fired.

Mark Chrisco

2023-10-06 17:26:56 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor: Not much to say, haven't seen some early TNG as much as the later. Director cast an alien species that was initislly supposed to be reptilian with a bushido code with entirely black actors changing them into a species of what was felt to be out-dated 1940s African tribal stereotypes, I think there may have been some incidents with him on set, got fired and replaced. Known as the "racist episode." But it explored the holo-deck a little bit more, and Yar's character, so it's not totally devoid of merit. And it's a very TOS plot, though not exactly one like the last episode.

Nolan

2023-10-06 16:47:06 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now: I'm not sure how this episode plays to those watching the series in order, cause I first saw TNG all out of order on weekend marathons, missing every other week. General consensus is that episode 2 is too early for the characters to be out of character, but I kinda take it as the writers letting us see the things under the surface bubbling up, so we can get a feel for the layers under the usual stoic professionalism. It's not that they're out of character per se, but just that we can see at least some of the sub-text of their characters made text or obvious enough for an ep to inform us about them as we move forward. That said, I'm pretty sure that balding asian engineer was just drunk. Perhaps for the first time in his life. One last thing of note you guys probably noticed, but I think this episode clearly defines the elapsed time from Season 1 of TOS to this episode. Well, if aged McCoy wasn't a big enough clue for all of us. It also is the first time we hear what class of ship the original NCC-1701 USS Enterprise, as well as the other ships of her type we've seen, is: Constitution Class. Whereas this new ship was referred to in the pilot as "Galaxy Class." How do you feel about this "sequel" episode? Would more like this be good, or is this just a lazy plot rip-off?

Nolan

2023-10-06 16:37:55 +0000 UTC

I'm curious if there's an actual behind the scenes story about how this episode was filmed, edited, and given the green light to air in 1987. It seems to me like it should never have made it to broadcast at so many levels.

Ca$hWednesday

2023-10-06 16:30:24 +0000 UTC

Regarding your reception of these two episodes, "The Naked Now" is a tricky one to venture a guess...It can either be enjoyed as a fun homage to TOS or criticized for its unoriginality along with the idea that it was, probably, too early in the season to have our heroes behave so strangely without allowing audiences time to familiarize themselves with these characters before having them behave so far out of character....Beverly and Picard, for example, in this episode, after how they looked at each other during the Farpoint mission, must've seemed like desperately yearning, starcrossed lovers from now on to audiences. Despite its drawbacks, I choose to enjoy it as a wacky homage to TOS with an added bit of physical education for Data. lol😉😉 For "Code of Honor", However, I suspect that "Joke Mode" will be in full effect, and with good reason...Holy Crap! Even though the writers do attempt to include a bit of course correcting in the script (specifically, making it known that while the Men in their culture rule society, the land itself is controlled by the Women), the list of poor choices for the episode was already too substantial. I'm just glad it's in the rearview of your journey forward in Trek.

Miguel A. Moreta

2023-10-06 16:00:16 +0000 UTC

At first glance, I always confuse this one with A Matter of Honor or Heart of Glory. Oddly, the two with "honor" in the title aren't Worf episodes. But luckily that very first Worf-focused episode is one of the best of the first season.

Joe Concepts

2023-10-06 15:59:30 +0000 UTC

Naked Now: the next gen remake/sequel to Naked Time, but no shirtless Sulu with a sword. Just a whole bunch of inebriated StarFleet personnel. Code of Honor: an episode about honor without Worf? Sigh, this is not the best of what Star Trek can be, this is one of those episodes that trek fans talk about when we say season 1 is not the best.

Gregory

2023-10-06 15:54:10 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor, according to Jonathan Frakes: "racist piece of shit."

Joe Concepts

2023-10-06 15:50:00 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor I think deserves all the criticism it gets, though I'm sure if we opened this up to the internet at large we'd find many of the typical suggestions we're being "woke" for complaining. I think it comes down to this... starting out with the idea of a civilization in space based on ancient African cultures and kingdoms could be something interesting if thoughtfully done. But then they quickly show it to be a violent, woman-kidnapping, fight-to-the-death culture. If they had all been Klingons or something, maybe this could've been at least a middling episode. Oh, also... "Yar" and "Yareena"? That's just dumb.

Joe Concepts

2023-10-06 15:48:19 +0000 UTC

Possibly. I'm looking forward to hearing how our guys view this one. One thing's for sure, if they like or at least enjoy these two, they'll do more than fine with TNG in the future ;) I think the rest of the first season is completely fine.

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 15:39:39 +0000 UTC

I think that's something that makes the racial aspects even worse. It's bad on their own, but they also really damage what could've been great showcase for Yar.

Joe Concepts

2023-10-06 15:37:27 +0000 UTC

Even BEFORE it aged it didn't look very good for the same reasons.

Joe Concepts

2023-10-06 15:35:18 +0000 UTC

"Code of Honor": The best thing about this episode is Lutan’s line, “You can create people? Without a soul?” From this point on, Lutan’s question will be one of the central philosophical issues of pretty much every Star Trek series and movie set chronologically after the beginning of TNG. It’s almost as if someone wrote the line on a whiteboard during this episode’s development and never erased it. The episode is also visually stunning in HD. The question everyone will ask you about this episode is obvious yet explosive: Is the episode racist? Most Star Trek fans think so, as do several cast members. Jonathan Frakes once called it a “racist piece of shit.” According to Brent Spiner, “It was just a racist episode. Maybe not intentionally but it felt that way and looked that way. It was the third episode so it was fortuitous that we did our worst that early on and it never got quite that bad again.” Michael Dorn (who was lucky enough not to appear in the episode) called it “the worst episode of Star Trek ever filmed.” On the other hand, guest actress Karole Selmon (Yareena) has denied that the episode is racist, and Wil Wheaton said the issue would not have arisen “if the cast wasn’t arbitrarily decided to be African-American.” I predict that the similarity of Tasha and Yareena’s fight sequence to the Kirk-Spock fight in “Amok Time” will jump out at you, and that you may be irritated or even offended by it, as TOS fans were when this episode aired in 1987. Fred Steiner, the composer of the iconic “Amok Time” score, also wrote the music for this episode, his only work (and the only work by any TOS composer) on TNG. In the original storyline for the episode, the aliens were reptilian rather than humanoid (which would probably have defused some of the controversy, but would have been prohibitively expensive), and Lutan’s grandfather was revealed to have once fought James T. Kirk! (The finished episode is TNG’s first without any reference to a TOS character.) Director Russ Mayberry was fired partway through filming for racist treatment of the cast (not a fun fact, but noteworthy), and never worked on Star Trek again.

Anthony Bernacchi

2023-10-06 15:35:05 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now was, yes, an okay sort of episode but WAY too early in the show to put it out. The characters are no way near fleshed out, and I think some may not even really fit with their later better-established character traits. Though it was a fairly early TOS episode, too, but not this early.

Joe Concepts

2023-10-06 15:33:55 +0000 UTC

Interesting fact about Code of Honor: Those glass-neon-rods that formed the arena Tasha was fighting in were apparently not safe for this kind of work. One of them broke during filming and a glass shard injured Denise Crosby's eyes. This was one of the many problems with early production that plagued the first season and gave some of the cast a hard time. The extremely uncomfortable first version of the uniforms was another.

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 15:25:30 +0000 UTC

if you can ignore the blatant rehash Naked now is kinda fun. tho I think it was a bad choice to make both female characters get frisky, just Yar I think would have been fine for reasons, better executed, the idea could have done character stuff, but for dr Crusher drunk state I would have gone a completely different direction, more of a deep sadness of her loss of her husband kind of drunk.

Talon Karrde

2023-10-06 15:23:38 +0000 UTC

Question about Code of Honor: Despite the obvious criticisms of this epiode, did you still think it was a good episode to flesh out Tasha Yar's character? Did you enjoy it as a character episode for her?

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 15:21:15 +0000 UTC

Question about The Naked Now: Which character's drunk version did you enjoy the most?

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 15:19:43 +0000 UTC

I think he meant spoilers for future episodes and shows. On the pilot there were some issues in that regard.

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 15:12:18 +0000 UTC

"The Naked Now": I like this episode better than most fans; it’s fun and has the nostalgia factor of TNG’s early days. In 1987 the TOS fans who objected to TNG on principle were frothing at the mouth with rage that TNG would dare remake one of TOS’ most beloved episodes in its second week on the air. The more considered objection that later generations of fans make is that Episode 3 was too early to do a new version of “The Naked Time,” since the point of the story is to reveal new dimensions of the regulars by stripping them of their inhibitions, but no one knew yet how the TNG crew normally behaved when they made this episode. What do you think this episode (specifically, Riker’s vague memory of having heard of a similar incident) implies about the level of fame of Kirk and his crew 98 years after the fact? Perhaps counterintuitively, many fans prefer the vague awareness of Kirk’s exploits that the TNG crew demonstrates in this episode to the encyclopedic knowledge of earlier crews’ adventures shown by characters in some of the later Star Trek series (one show in particular). I predict you will both be surprised that Data and Tasha are the first TNG regulars to make love on the show, and that they do so with each other. I also predict Alex will be happy about it, since Data is already his favorite character, and that you will both love Brent Spiner’s comedy performance in this episode. Working title: “Revelations.” With this episode we begin to encounter the behind-the-scenes turmoil of TNG Season 1. “J. Michael Bingham,” this episode’s writer, was a woman: the name is a pseudonym for D. C. Fontana, who was unhappy with Gene Roddenberry’s rewrites to her script, which she felt made it more sexually oriented and demeaned the female characters. Among the differences in Fontana’s version was that Data, although infected with the polywater virus, resisted the temptation to make love with Tasha as part of trying to be a “good little boy,” hoping that this would help him to become human (continuing the Pinocchio motif introduced in “Farpoint”).

Anthony Bernacchi

2023-10-06 15:09:21 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor: sigh!

Dale Gonyea

2023-10-06 14:53:31 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now: This episode actually caused me to stop watching the series. It took an accidental viewing of a third season episode to lure me back. The premise of this is innocent, they meant to acquaint us with these characters, their inner feelings. I felt it was a non-original move for the second episode. I felt that they already are just ripping off TOS episodes. I gave up. Turns out, that was a bit premature of myself. The series and the writing improves dramatically. It's awhile yet before you see real Star Trek happening.

Dale Gonyea

2023-10-06 14:53:18 +0000 UTC

Naked Now: Tasha went the right route with Data because unlike a lot of human guys he'd hold whatever you tell him not to divulge in complete confidence.

JD Nevesytrof

2023-10-06 14:29:34 +0000 UTC

I found the legal resolution of Code of Honor a little funny, if Yareena's marriage dissolves at her death, why doesn't her land ownership automatically dissolve as well? Kind of cherry-picking what stays and what goes.

JD Nevesytrof

2023-10-06 14:27:31 +0000 UTC

As for "Code of Honor", I recently watched a TrekCulture (not a great channel but it has some fun videos. Stay away unless you want spoilers for the franchise) video on YouTube called "The 10 Most Controversial Star Trek Episodes", and CoH was Number 1. It isn't hard to see why, although I don't have the venom towards it as most others do. As others have said, it is nice that Tasha is heavily featured, and the "villian" gets his comeuppance. Other than that, it's a time filler.

KatWithAttitude

2023-10-06 13:56:14 +0000 UTC

Back when you were watching TOS I posted that for me even the worst episodes have some redeeming moment, though sometimes one really has to dig deep to find it. TNG doesn't have many callbacks to TOS, so it is kind of interesting to have them check history and try to find the cure. And "that" moment is kind of revisited later.

KatWithAttitude

2023-10-06 13:52:53 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor: HOOO boy... This one is often called "The Racist One." My only positive thought is "It reminds me of episodes like Gamesters of Triskelion" and "Amok Time" because of the fight. Only problem? Those episodes are way better. Question: Did you guys detect any racial undertones, and if so do you think it was intentional or circumstantial? Fun Fact: Nobody liked working on this episode, felt uncomfortable by it.

Steven Johnson

2023-10-06 13:50:05 +0000 UTC

Naked Now is a sequel/remake of Naked Time and is amusing enough. And Code Of Honor rubs people the wrong way due to the alien race being perceived as a racial stereotype (it's odd they are referred to as having an Asian type culture but are all played by African Americans). Michael Dorn (Worf) came to a convention I went to in the first season and described Code Of Honor "What's that smell? Oh, it's the TV!" As a kid, the racial stuff went over my head and I thought the episode was just okay.

Mike Rogers

2023-10-06 13:49:56 +0000 UTC

Oops. I meant to separate them. I brain farted that part of the process.

Steven Johnson

2023-10-06 13:49:23 +0000 UTC

Haha. I NEVER do anything before my first coffee or desaster ensues :D

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 13:48:44 +0000 UTC

"The Naked Now" I think is just a mid-tier episode. Yes it's a rehash of a plotline from TOS, but there is a key character moment for Data in it. Also the cast got to ham it up pretty good in this one, so that's fun to watch as well.

Ca$hWednesday

2023-10-06 13:45:56 +0000 UTC

Good catch my guy. That's what I get for posting before I've had my morning coffee.

Ca$hWednesday

2023-10-06 13:45:47 +0000 UTC

SEPARATE comments they said, so they can review one without spoiling the other. You might want to split this into two.

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 13:43:23 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor is a top 10 worst episodes of Trek, so you guys'll probably love it. :D Seriously, though, if everyone were to pick the three worst episodes of TNG, I'm extremely confident what the three most 'popular' choices would be, and this would be one of them. The others come next season and season 7.

John M.

2023-10-06 13:43:02 +0000 UTC

The guys read these after seeing the shows.

Mike Rogers

2023-10-06 13:42:23 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor thought: it’s a miracle the show survived to live another day.

Stuart Arbury

2023-10-06 13:41:24 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now Thought: It’s a miracle the show survived to live another day.

Stuart Arbury

2023-10-06 13:41:08 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor is heavily critisized among fans and also among the cast. But what makes me sad is that while everybody focusses on the supposed "racist stereotype" aspects from a 2020s perspective, they completely overlook the fact that this was the first episode that put a FEMALE SECURITY OFFICER front and center and portrayed her as a very competent and respected officer that is more than capable of giving male warriors a run for their money. I think it's a shame that this VERY positive and ahead of its time aspect of the episode is so overlooked.

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 13:27:52 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor is maybe the worst episode of all of Trek. With Next Generation youll find people less starry eyed about Roddenberry and his decisions in yhe 2 seasons he worked on he made it a nightmare to work on this show. simply put sometimes people lose a little bit of touch when they grow older.

Talon Karrde

2023-10-06 13:27:14 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now is probably the only real sequel to a TOS episode in all of TNG. The kind of goofy humor that had worked so well for TOS just felt out of place and outdated for 80s TV and more modern SciFi. The show's stories will evolve into Scifi that takes itself more seriously than TOS did, which is why TOS sometimes seems too silly and goofy for people who check it out after having watched TNG. However as hated as this episode is among some fans, you may want to remember it. One specific scene in it will become part of the show's small threads of continuity.

Andreas Schmitt

2023-10-06 13:25:21 +0000 UTC

My problem with the Naked Now is that we are being asked to see how these characters act when infected with the crazy virus, but it's only the second episode, we don't even really know how these characters act normally. Also, iirc, Riker remains unaffected by the virus despite being infected by it and I don't remember there being a reason.

FireBall_IA

2023-10-06 13:22:38 +0000 UTC

Code of honour is a lame episode even if you remove the racism of the casting choices. The decision to make the planet all black actors was not dictated in the script, it was the directors decision and he was a known racist.

Derek Orr

2023-10-06 13:20:07 +0000 UTC

I'm in the minority but I'm always loved "Code of Honor." The costumes and set design really won me over to the quality of the series. I really liked that it focused on Lt. Yar who I think was always poorly written.

Gary Leyh

2023-10-06 13:16:33 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now and Mcoys cameo in the pilot are the last direct references to previous star trek until like season 3…that was the best decision they ever made , it allowed TNG to be its own thing and grow into its own boots so to speak, rather than being a derivative spin off vibe.

Derek Orr

2023-10-06 13:13:06 +0000 UTC

I haven’t seen these two episodes in years. THE NAKED NOW My impressions: they seemed okay. I enjoyed the reference to The Naked Time for the sake of consistency in the show. Wesley seemed clever in that episode. That climax was nicely dramatized. We finally got to see a chief engineer. I read in one of the issues of Star Trek: The Next Generation magazine that the engineering set wasn’t built, so Gene wrote that bit in the beginning of Encounter at Farpoint with Picard using a lift in order to necessitate Engineering. CODE OF HONOR As one episode guidebook puts it, this is the first episode that doesn’t seem to be a rehash of the original series, aside from the two jellyfish aliens. It struck me odd as a child to watch a civilization of black skinned people being written so they’d be compared by Picard to an Asian culture. I was very surprised to later read that people thought this episode was racist. If you cast other characters, you’d still have an episode dealing with a devious leader who circumvents his society’s rules for power. As an older viewer rewatching it, the sets did look small. The sense of it being on stage was clear, especially in the Lt Yar combat scene.

Geoffrey Linehan

2023-10-06 12:56:22 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor: I'll be positive. If you guys can watch this and still be interested in continuing, you can easily handle anything even remotely bad that the franchise throws at you from here on out. The true low point of Star Trek.

THE LORE!!!

2023-10-06 12:46:12 +0000 UTC

Fun Facts about The Naked Now: DC Fontana wrote it, but after Gene inserted two sexually charged scenes that she viewed as debasing women, she asked for her name to be taken off. This is also the first time that Kirk's Enterprise is referred to as "Constitution class" onscreen, though it had been known as that in the fandom for decades by this point.

tyranusfan

2023-10-06 12:37:42 +0000 UTC

"Code of Honor" did not age well. That's the best thing I can say about it and we will leave it at that and move on. I do think this will lead to an interesting discussion if nothing else.

Ca$hWednesday

2023-10-06 12:34:51 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now is a lot of fun. It gives some of the cast a chance to show their comedy chops while also having some genuine jeopardy. It has one line that is remembered to this day and is used in pop culture and memes; you’ll recognise it when you hear it. My favourite scene is towards the end of the episode, I expect it’ll make you laugh.

Paul Rymer

2023-10-06 12:34:04 +0000 UTC

Jonathan Frakes refers to Star Trek episode “Code of Honor” as an ... https://www.dailystartreknews.com/read/jonathan-frakes-refers-to-star-trek-episode-code-of-honor-as-an-embarrassment-but-is-optimistic-for-radical-real-change-in-the-future?format=amp

Rich Cirivilleri

2023-10-06 12:30:18 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now: I don't even know what to say. They made a TOS sequel episode. Seems like it might be a cool idea on paper. In practice, I think it fails because it feels dated. The way the women are written is not particularly flattering. All the men are stoically holding their liquor, and all the women are panting with pent up sexual desire. It's weird. It's what TOS often gets accused of being in my view. It's not a good first shot out the gate. Fun Fact: Wil Wheaton thinks that The Naked Now is where the audience first started to hate his character. Also, he later learned the writer of this episode John D.F. Black hated him. Question: Was this even remotely what you thought the first "proper" episode of TNG would be like?

Steven Johnson

2023-10-06 12:26:08 +0000 UTC

Code of Honor: cringe when it first aired and major cringe today. The actors themselves felt very uncomfortable with the script and do not like this episode. The one redeeming aspect is some good screen time for Tasha Yar.

Collin Freeman

2023-10-06 12:26:04 +0000 UTC

Mawkish, stilted, and in the case of” Code of honor”, downright racist. Just about every cast member considers this. To be the lowest in the series, until they found their footing. So don’t worry. It gets better. Oh sweet Mary, how it gets better.

Rich Cirivilleri

2023-10-06 12:24:20 +0000 UTC

The Naked Now: too much of a retread of The Naked Time. One of my least favorite episodes. By this point in Roddenberry’s career, he was mostly rehashing old stories from TOS (see his rejected script for the Star Trek 2 film), and he was more bold in letting his sexual fantasies play out in his stories.

Collin Freeman

2023-10-06 12:23:40 +0000 UTC

The first time I saw "The Naked Now" as a rerun, I loved it! I thought it was hilarious, especially since I had not at that point seen the original series episode, and I was familiar with Data from other reruns and thought it was great to see him in a different light. Upon rewatching a few years later, I still appreciate it well enough and in particular how a certain event becomes somewhat important later on in the series...but now I also see that it was literally just a rewrite of "The Naked Time" and did very little to distinguish itself. I'm curious what y'all think from this episode will be important later on (I'm being very careful not to say what it is to avoid spoilers). I think you guys might appreciate this episode for what it is, but also recognize that it's literally just The Naked Time again.

Joshua Hartman

2023-10-06 12:15:56 +0000 UTC

It think it is important people don't put any spoilers in these

AzoriusMage

2023-10-06 12:05:12 +0000 UTC

PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S1E3&4 The Naked Now & Code of Honor

Comments

I'd probably put Shades of Grey slightly worst. They could even skip that episode to save themselves 45 minutes of their life.

The will hadn’t been read tho. 🤷🏻‍♂️ (I dunno, I’m just making this up on the spot 😁)

Even if you somehow removed the racist shit from Code of Honor, it would still be a garbage episode

Bingo.

You are thinking of a different episode. Code of Honor is the one where Tasha fights a lady to the death because the leader of the planet wants her as his wife. Everyone on the planet is black.

Neither of them are great episodes in my opinion, but I do find parts of The Naked Now quite amusing! It's goofy and bizarre, but I think you guys may appreciate it more than some people think you will. It's not boring at least!

Data being 'fully functional' changed my entire perception of him. He wasnt a ken doll and could prob hammer nails..or at least Tasha..What a changed Star Trek this was going to be¯\_(ツ)_/¯

First season had some rough ones but I still luv em

The thing about TNG, for me anyway, is just like TOS it’s nostalgia (was in high school when TNG premiered) and even the worst episodes, If I catch it on tv randomly, I’m going to sit and watch it..

Troi… I think you’ve been autocorrected 😁

… other than him saying “I can’t afford this…”

The only way is up!

I was pledgingg a frat the weekend this came out but I don't miss it.

Code of Honor I love some the spandex shiny visuals but the but sterotypical imagery of the characters was actually uncomfortable for to me watch As I watched it, it felt like they making all the black cast members take 2 or 3 decades backward in representation

You were on to something far point, Originally Marina Spirits was supposed to play security chief Hernandez and Denise Crosby was supposed to Deanna trio only trio was supposed to have four boobs

Surely they'll notice that the entire guest cast is Black, if nothing else. (The YouTube channel Newbie Star Trek refers to Ligon II as "the Wakanda planet"!)

Kind of, yes

Just curious...where in this Ep. was it said they were "barbaric, savage and tribal"? I missed it.

Honestly, I just found season 1 of TNG to be re-heated scraps of TOS, mainly due to Roddenberry. Until Michael Piller was appointed show-runner and his shake-up of the writing staff and re-focusing of the show, TNG is very hit and miss (mostly miss).

Yes, and you can find D.C. Fontana’s original story outline for Naked Now online, and it was actually an adult, intelligent episode. I will say however (I might be the minority) I love the Data/Yar scene..

Code of Honor is one of the worst Star Trek episodes ever. Though I suppose now with STD, Picard, etc it’s got a lot more competition.

The Naked Now is like if the assignment was to remake The Naked Time without any of the charm. Code of Honor is like if the assignment was to make an episode that will be removed from a streaming service in the future for being racist.

When you revisit these episodes, its a stroll down memory lane for many. Was it bad? Its subjective. Besides, those early episodes feel more like TOS. The opening theme in each captain’s log etc. the actors hadn’t “gotten” the characters yet, but thats with mist shows. They’re watchable.

Roddenberry was aching to get more sexual with the material he wrote and produced after TOS (see Pretty Maids All in a Row). His libido almost ruined these characters right out of the gate.

Nicely said.

Ha ha ha! Agreed on BOTH counts!

On a network, it probably would not have made it on air even in 1987, but TNG was syndicated, so the rules a little more lax for them with less oversight.

They watch the episode always before reading these. These are meant for AFTER the reaction and Josh won't read them until then.

Reading these comments has made me grateful home internet didn't exist when I was watching these during the original run. 😅 I hope you've watched them and formed your own opinion before requesting these takes!

That was the very first episode Nurse Chapel was in and it worked just fine because the writing, acting and directing was better. Ditto Lt Riley and the notion Sulu was a swashbuckler at heart. It being the second episode isn't really why this was weak.

LOL! Never thought of that, but yeah, it makes sense! I always figured it was simply straight-laced Picard just fighting his obvious attraction to her, but having that be his reaction to getting aggressively groped by Galaxy-class MILF Dr. Crusher off-camera just makes it funnier.

I'm guessing "clip show" and "candle show" in your case.

Whenever someone creates a "10 worst TNG episodes" list, usually half of them come not just from the first season, but the first HALF of the first season.

These were okay. early eps the cast trying to get a feel for their characters. I didn't hate code of honor as much as most do but it isn't even a decent one. Overall my opinion is: These are two episodes.

I figured it's cause she grabbed his junk just below the camera frame.

Picard's guttural sound in that moment! I thought I was the only one who noticed that and thought it was weird.

I separated the comments now so you can delete yours. Thank you.

For me not one of the regulars. I can’t say who without spoiling too much but chips are involved.

The cast has basically disowned Code Of Honor for being racist and it is the lowest point of Star Trek. Great interviews on this but tough to find ones without spoiling future episodes.

You've made through the absolute lowest point of Star Trek. While not every episode of every show is great, they're all better than Code of Honor

I'm curious if there's an actual behind the scenes story about how this episode was filmed, edited, and given the green light to air in 1987. It seems to me like it should never have made it to broadcast at so many levels.

At first glance, I always confuse this one with A Matter of Honor or Heart of Glory. Oddly, the two with "honor" in the title aren't Worf episodes. But luckily that very first Worf-focused episode is one of the best of the first season.

Code of Honor, according to Jonathan Frakes: "racist piece of shit."

Possibly. I'm looking forward to hearing how our guys view this one. One thing's for sure, if they like or at least enjoy these two, they'll do more than fine with TNG in the future ;) I think the rest of the first season is completely fine.

I think that's something that makes the racial aspects even worse. It's bad on their own, but they also really damage what could've been great showcase for Yar.

Even BEFORE it aged it didn't look very good for the same reasons.

The Naked Now was, yes, an okay sort of episode but WAY too early in the show to put it out. The characters are no way near fleshed out, and I think some may not even really fit with their later better-established character traits. Though it was a fairly early TOS episode, too, but not this early.

Question about Code of Honor: Despite the obvious criticisms of this epiode, did you still think it was a good episode to flesh out Tasha Yar's character? Did you enjoy it as a character episode for her?

Question about The Naked Now: Which character's drunk version did you enjoy the most?

I think he meant spoilers for future episodes and shows. On the pilot there were some issues in that regard.

Code of Honor: sigh!

Naked Now: Tasha went the right route with Data because unlike a lot of human guys he'd hold whatever you tell him not to divulge in complete confidence.

I found the legal resolution of Code of Honor a little funny, if Yareena's marriage dissolves at her death, why doesn't her land ownership automatically dissolve as well? Kind of cherry-picking what stays and what goes.

Oops. I meant to separate them. I brain farted that part of the process.

Haha. I NEVER do anything before my first coffee or desaster ensues :D

"The Naked Now" I think is just a mid-tier episode. Yes it's a rehash of a plotline from TOS, but there is a key character moment for Data in it. Also the cast got to ham it up pretty good in this one, so that's fun to watch as well.

Good catch my guy. That's what I get for posting before I've had my morning coffee.

SEPARATE comments they said, so they can review one without spoiling the other. You might want to split this into two.

The guys read these after seeing the shows.

Code of Honor thought: it’s a miracle the show survived to live another day.

The Naked Now Thought: It’s a miracle the show survived to live another day.

Code of honour is a lame episode even if you remove the racism of the casting choices. The decision to make the planet all black actors was not dictated in the script, it was the directors decision and he was a known racist.

I'm in the minority but I'm always loved "Code of Honor." The costumes and set design really won me over to the quality of the series. I really liked that it focused on Lt. Yar who I think was always poorly written.

The Naked Now and Mcoys cameo in the pilot are the last direct references to previous star trek until like season 3…that was the best decision they ever made , it allowed TNG to be its own thing and grow into its own boots so to speak, rather than being a derivative spin off vibe.

Code of Honor: I'll be positive. If you guys can watch this and still be interested in continuing, you can easily handle anything even remotely bad that the franchise throws at you from here on out. The true low point of Star Trek.

"Code of Honor" did not age well. That's the best thing I can say about it and we will leave it at that and move on. I do think this will lead to an interesting discussion if nothing else.

Jonathan Frakes refers to Star Trek episode “Code of Honor” as an ... https://www.dailystartreknews.com/read/jonathan-frakes-refers-to-star-trek-episode-code-of-honor-as-an-embarrassment-but-is-optimistic-for-radical-real-change-in-the-future?format=amp

Code of Honor: cringe when it first aired and major cringe today. The actors themselves felt very uncomfortable with the script and do not like this episode. The one redeeming aspect is some good screen time for Tasha Yar.

Mawkish, stilted, and in the case of” Code of honor”, downright racist. Just about every cast member considers this. To be the lowest in the series, until they found their footing. So don’t worry. It gets better. Oh sweet Mary, how it gets better.

It think it is important people don't put any spoilers in these

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