🖖Star Trek TNG S05E19-20 Full Length Reaction
Added 2024-10-20 00:06:46 +0000 UTCS05E19 The First Duty S05E20 Cost of Living
One really surprising ep and one... I'm not even sure lol. Curious to know what you guys think this week! Engage! 🖖
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I think most people including myself, are in full agreement that The First Duty is a great episode and Cost of Living is a pretty terrible one.
Zorak
2024-12-25 01:25:16 +0000 UTCI'm getting the feeling that you don't know who Lwaxana is played by. Majel Barrett Roddenberry, in addition to being Lwaxana is also the voice of the computer, and was married to Gene Roddenberry. She's had roles on the original series, TNG, DS9, the animated series. She has truly earned her title of "The First Lady of Star Trek".
TGrimace
2024-11-16 08:23:32 +0000 UTC'The First Duty' is a good ep, I remembered it well. Perhaps smug Cadet Locarno had recently watched 'A Few Good Men' and had decided the inquiry couldn't handle the truth.
Jason Scade
2024-11-16 01:21:56 +0000 UTCHe's probably a huge Trek fan and got some pull to become a guest star in a one-off. Not uncommon, seeing as a few celebs got the chance as well. (cough, King of Jordan, cough) 😆
Over50Gamer
2024-11-03 05:17:27 +0000 UTCI'm just now watching this, so I have some catching up to do (work has been taking everything out of meeee). Thank goodness it's a Saturday; BINGE NIGHT! ✊️✊️✊️ Jen, you said that you'd definitely watch a Trek show set in the Academy; well, they ARE purportedly working on a Starfleet Academy series (and also another series that I can't name here because the very name is spoiler-y). Thought you'd like to know. EDIT: Also, when I saw this episode as a kid, yeah I didn't like it. But now, being 52, I actually kinda appreciate the Lwaxana sub-plot and the message behind it, especially when she's caught in the crossfire between Worf, Deanna and that stuffy Minister and his cock-blocking assistant. Too much responsibility can make one forget about unplugging and having fun.
Over50Gamer
2024-11-03 04:04:34 +0000 UTCIt's probably been too long since you saw Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but the Academy caretaker, Boothby, is Mr Ray Walston who played Mr Hand, the history teacher that antagonises Jeff Spicoli, Sean Penn's stoner surfer.
Brendan Falvy
2024-10-28 07:48:21 +0000 UTCI will admit, I've never thought about this being the first Lawxana episode after Rodenberry's passing. That does bring a whole other level to the episode. Majel Barrett's acting is really good and strong, I just hate the holodeck land.
Jon Hoover
2024-10-28 00:33:13 +0000 UTCI remembered there is a Wesley episode coming and I knew Jen would appreciate it. But I forgot how it starts and didn't realize her first thought would be they killed him off screen. :) The First Duty is a standout episode, and focusing the story on Wesley was a smart decision. In the earlier seasons, he was often seen as a know-it-all who was always right. But here, he’s faced with the consequences of a mistake, that was driven by ambition and the arrogance of thinking he's above and better than others. I think this is adding some significant depth to his character. The moral dilemma he faces, whether to protect his friends and teammates by hiding the truth or to come clean, is also compelling. It's a powerful conflict between loyalty and integrity. I agree Cost of Living is not even a good episode. But as someone who likes Lwaxana, I tend to enjoy those parts of the episode and it does add some yet unseen depth to her character.
Gábor Árki
2024-10-24 06:06:21 +0000 UTCI watched this a second time and I'm going to go out even one step further...Deanna/MS and Lwaxana/MBR save this episode and turn it into something decent. The metal parasite plotline is fine but it is pretty boilerplate sci-fi stuff and then they just kinda fall back on Data to make it work. The marriage/Alexander plotline is cute and funny, it's about real life stuff, it's well acted. I adore Lwaxana's character. I've mentioned before how I like Pulaski with her crusty on the outside, soft on the inside character and Lwaxana is very similar. Loud and gregarious but really just a big sweetheart. I'll defend her every chance I get.
Preaching to the Horse's Mouth
2024-10-22 16:09:50 +0000 UTCCost of Living is the worst… TNG episode. Revolting.
TC53
2024-10-22 14:19:12 +0000 UTCGood guess thinking people hate Cost of Living. It has Worf's kid, Deanna's Mom... the only way to make it worse would be to add Wesley.
Brian Cali
2024-10-22 05:00:42 +0000 UTCJen is quite musical. She’s able to pick out some of the accompanimental lines in the theme when she sings along. I bet she plays an instrument.
Anthony Picard
2024-10-22 03:02:34 +0000 UTCThis is true
Anthony Picard
2024-10-22 02:56:20 +0000 UTCYou’re not funny. Those who get satisfaction insulting strangers in comment sections are the ones people should be worried about, not those who unintentionally spoil programs.
Julian San
2024-10-21 23:01:22 +0000 UTCReally looking fwd to the season finale reaction on this, you're gonna love it.
J M
2024-10-21 22:44:15 +0000 UTCLawxana is fun and cheerful that's what the child needed. I like Deanna but she's not a funny person and instead of listening to the child she actually imposed a contract between him and his father.
RSK1995
2024-10-21 15:58:10 +0000 UTC"If I tell her now it's not a spoiler because she'll learn it in the future anyway." ^ these people vote and they drive on public roads. Be careful out there.
Andrew Skow
2024-10-21 15:31:22 +0000 UTCGreat drop, Jen. The First Duty - Yeah, this one is good. I love the depth they are adding to these characters now - it's like they have decided to flesh these characters out a lot more because there is more to Star Trek than just the stories and enough character background to help the plot go. And then, they can have stories like this. It was all good. And the guest stars were all top notch, even the cadets. 'nuff said for now. :) The Cost of Living - No - this one is an automatic skip for me, and you are not the only one. It is weird and kooky. But I think it is a very good watch at least once. Again, fleshing out characters - Alex, Worf and Luaxana (not to mention a little Deanna) all got some pretty wonderful depth to them, and there really are some good moments in this. I had forgotten Worf in the mud bath, and Luaxana always calling him Woof. But I had also forgotten that Alex and Luaxana moment where he can see her as she holds him, and she is about to break down as she feels for him, and has her own stuff. Age and loneliness. That moment is probably enough to justify the episode for me, and it was good to watch it again with you. Thank you so much! Great job as always. Can't wait til next week.
Damon Corrigan
2024-10-20 23:07:30 +0000 UTCI was trying to give Robert Duncan McNeil credit for doing a good job. And I don’t consider a casting choice that will be revealed in the first episode to be a spoiler. Plus if and when she does watch Voyager, I doubt she’ll remember my random comment from months, maybe even years ago.
Julian San
2024-10-20 20:53:47 +0000 UTCHi Jen, great reaction. “Cost of Living” was never one of my favorite episodes. But I never hated it. I wasn’t aware that it won two Emmy awards at the time….and only four other episodes won that many. Oblivious it didn’t win for the screenplay.
Walter Crockett
2024-10-20 20:19:32 +0000 UTCUnfortunately it's a regular occurrence and won't be the first time it's going to be mentioned much like with O'Brien and worf 🤷 us mods do out best to keep Jen unspoilt mostly on YouTube but with patreon we can't do anything sadly
Ian
2024-10-20 18:32:29 +0000 UTCYup!
Patrick
2024-10-20 17:25:47 +0000 UTCWil Wheaton was one of the nicest ST actors I've met. I can't fathom why you wouldn't like him.
Jon Hoover
2024-10-20 16:17:30 +0000 UTCI knew this was going to come up. I'm sorry if I sound too picky, but I feel like this is an unnecessary spoiler. Jen may eventually go on to Voyager. Why tell her about anything up and coming? She'll find out when she gets there.
Jon Hoover
2024-10-20 16:14:04 +0000 UTCJen is correct. The reason people don’t like Wesley is because he was basically a Mary Sue; a Gary Sue, if you will. But The First Duty is a good episode and makes him fallible for everyone to see. And I love the Locarno character and so did a lot of people which is why they brought the actor back when they were casting for Voyager, having him basically play a version of the character.
Julian San
2024-10-20 15:22:30 +0000 UTCI love Wil Wheaton. I have never been able to warm up to Wesley Crusher, from the first time I met him when the episodes aired, through today.
Thomas Yanez
2024-10-20 15:00:04 +0000 UTCSo, was there no follow-up to Kelsey Grammar in the last episode? He just shows up for that one small part?
Joe Blankenship
2024-10-20 14:57:13 +0000 UTCI enjoy both of these. Cost of Living is interesting seeing how Lwaxana and Alexander interact and helping each other with the issues they're facing. It's definitely a more human episodes instead of a Sci Fi one. Watching it this time, I wish they'd completely ditched the B-plot of the alien eating all the nitrium in the ship. It's barely touched on and is resolved in a rush. It adds nothing to the story, except for the sausage tea 😂 I'd rather have more of Lwaxana and Alexander. She really is like a grandma!
Bret K
2024-10-20 14:26:12 +0000 UTCI think what you don’t understand about the episode “the cost of living“ is that it’s the first episode where Magel Barret plays Troi’s mom after Gene Roddenberry died. You see, she was married to Gene Roddenberry. I think that knowing that adds a certain poignancy to that episode. I think you’ll understand it better when you’re older.
No name
2024-10-20 13:33:28 +0000 UTCEnjoyed both episodes tbh the lwaxana with Alexander moments were super cute and endearing . I don't tend to think too much into the episodes so I'm able to just enjoy them for what they are and thus no episode is a bad episode to me 🤷
Ian
2024-10-20 09:36:09 +0000 UTCOh yeah, I forget that Tig is in the Star Trek universe now. She's one of my favorite comedians. Seen her live a couple times. And Professor Blastoff was one of the funniest podcasts ever.
Joe Blankenship
2024-10-20 06:49:02 +0000 UTCCouple of reminders of why television got better when they started doing half the number of episodes per season. I wasn't crazy about either of these episodes. I mean, who can blame Wesley for not immediately jumping to snitch on his friends? Everybody has lied to cover their own ass at some point. Plus, we never blame Picard when it's time to break the Prime Directive. As for the Lwaxana episode, I did find it amusing to see her talking to the computer since she is the computer. And Worf in a mudbath was pretty great.
Joe Blankenship
2024-10-20 06:43:01 +0000 UTCThat Locarno guy is a real bad egg, nobody should let him fly a spaceship again! Maybe throw him in a penal settlement...
Jack O
2024-10-20 06:04:26 +0000 UTCWe saw Starfleet headquarters once or twice in the movies. And in the early TNG episode with head-explodey guy. Though those scenes showed Starfleet HQ and not the Academy. They're both in San Francisco.
Joe Concepts
2024-10-20 05:50:24 +0000 UTCI think the Wesley hate has been overblown. People did complain early on, but I for one have softened on the character.
Joe Concepts
2024-10-20 05:47:57 +0000 UTCthe first duty is one of my fav episodes of season 5
scott osborne
2024-10-20 05:31:56 +0000 UTCThe brilliant Wesley Crusher is a fine young man. Makes sense to develop an attachment to him. He has been through much losing his father. Here, he exhibited poor judgment but stood up in the end. The First Duty is a good episode. Robert Duncan McNeill (who played Nick) is a good actor. He portrayed a more prominent character (that I liked) in "Star Trek: Voyager." My favorite Lwaxana episode is S4 "Half a Life." There are 6 Lwaxana episodes in TNG and 3 Lwaxana episodes in DS9. After TNG (1987-1994), I recommend: --DS9 (1993-1999) (7 seasons). I am partial to TNG but many consider DS9 the best ST series. DS9 is excellent. Watch for the performances. Good acting. Good writing. Has plenty of action, but the show is really about social issues and inspires philosophical discussion. --Voyager (1995-2001) (7 seasons). I liked Voyager. A female captain.
Clay F
2024-10-20 05:04:01 +0000 UTCDefinitely not one of my favorites. I am not sure I have seen this one outside of my original watch. A combo Alexander and LT is a skip for me.
TigerMyth
2024-10-20 04:39:30 +0000 UTC“If there was like a teen drama show set in Starfleet, I would 100% watch that.” Well, Jen, I have some *excellent* news for you. The Starfleet Academy show premieres next year starring Holly Hunter and Tig Notaro. Although it takes place in the Star Trek Discovery era, so you might need to watch that first to get caught up.
Paul Peavler
2024-10-20 04:02:44 +0000 UTCYou were one of fourteen people who were concerned for Wesley after that opening. lol. And yes, the 14 total is from 1990s until today.
TigerMyth
2024-10-20 03:06:37 +0000 UTCThe Yeager Loop is a reference to pilot Chuck Yeager who was the first man to break the sound barrier. On a side note my father flew in the back seat with him a few times in an F-4 Phantom while in the Air Force.
Geoff S.
2024-10-20 02:30:44 +0000 UTCI'll speak up a little for the Lwaxana episode. Yes, it's a low budget episode. But it's in a season with so many good ones. Spock, Groundhog Day, Darmok, and the generally agreed best episode of Star Trek ever (The Inner Light), and the finally is amazing. If this is the worst, it's still pretty good. Beyond that, when I first saw this episode when it aired in '92 I was Alexander's age. Episodes like Tasha's death or the upcoming S5E23 didn't really hit that hard to an 8 year old. The monster that killed Tasha didn't look very cool, the episode was slow, everyone was sad. This one was fun as a kid. Clowns, mud baths, implied nudity, and a character my age having struggles like I had. We watched every week as a family, and I do think this episode had some family/kid appeal that may not transfer to critical appeal. We joked about naked weddings for years.
Theodore Mangini
2024-10-20 02:15:11 +0000 UTC**puts on Steve Rogers' face** I understood that reference!
Over50Gamer
2024-10-20 01:25:55 +0000 UTCThat first suspicious "commercial break" cracked me up. Good instincts as always Jen That Locarno is the worst - he is the opposite of Starfleet material, and he seems to have no conscience about it. And Wes now has serious consequences to deal with. It's quite a lesson in peer pressure and conformity. We visited Starfleet in season 1, Conspiracy. I'd never seen Cost of Living before but I smiled - a quirky, fun, unexpectedly meaningful episode.
Anthony Peterson
2024-10-20 01:19:08 +0000 UTCDS9 and Voyager used a lot of cgi. Since tng used physical models they filmed. DS9 and Voyager were shot on film but edited on video. So remastering them is much more difficult. Plus, the fanbase is smaller than tng.
Jeremy
2024-10-20 01:13:21 +0000 UTCMainly because they felt they didn't get a good return on their investment for TNG's remastering. 😌
Chrissonator
2024-10-20 01:09:35 +0000 UTCSome shots might look less than stellar because some film couldn't be found, unfortunately, when they rescanned the film negatives to do the remastering, so they upscaled SD footage as best as possible where necessary.
Chrissonator
2024-10-20 01:08:30 +0000 UTCThe First Duty is a great episode ... seeing Wesley at the academy, a great Picard speech, the Culbert Maneuver, the investigation. But none of that matters, because: Boothby. What a fun irascible character who's been there as an irascible old man full of wisdom and knowledge even since the Picard days. At my college (RPI) we had a cook who became a legend, known as Mr. RPI for all the great things he did for the athletes and students over the years. That's who Boothby is.
Paul Hess
2024-10-20 01:08:19 +0000 UTCThe look on Marina/Deanna's face when she's with Lwaxana in Ten Forward during the first scene post intro😆 Gold
Preaching to the Horse's Mouth
2024-10-20 01:05:37 +0000 UTCI rather like Cost of Living, but then I'm a Lwaxana truther as well as a Deanna truther lol (Also a Pulaski truther. Yes, I'm a very contrarian person.)
Preaching to the Horse's Mouth
2024-10-20 01:01:23 +0000 UTCOh hi Tom! Oh pardon me Nicholas...
Brett Whittaker
2024-10-20 00:56:08 +0000 UTCfuture star trek alum guest star episode
rubberkidney
2024-10-20 00:48:50 +0000 UTCAll good things... 👍
Jason Scade
2024-10-20 00:38:52 +0000 UTCEver since this episode, I continuously pray I never disappoint Captain Picard.
Jon Hoover
2024-10-20 00:32:11 +0000 UTCI always liked the episodes and movies best which give you a new perspective on the characters and - most importantly - make them more human and imperfect. It was about time, especially for Wesley, to finally shake off that boring, all perfect-plastic-teenager image. I'm sure this made him a bit more likeable for many viewers who disliked him before. He's growing up and somehow he became more human to me. The episode shows a real dilemma in which he and the others find themselves - within the sci fi framework - and I think it's well executed. One of the better TNG episodes.. Again, the reason why I love watching your reactions is your differentiated view on things, the characters, the narrative, etc. Very well done. Clearly a difference compared to a certain other reactor doing TNG who always demands happy endings, always sees the crew as morally superior, only knowsgood guys and bad guys (and that's annoying as h***.. ). Looking forward to season 6 already🙏🏻
Marco Borromeo
2024-10-20 00:26:36 +0000 UTCThe scenes that look different were scenes that they lost the original film for and were not able to remaster. They are taken from the video for broadcast. The rest of the series was remastered for BluRay. They did a great job with it. Unfortunately DS9 and Voyager didn’t get the same love
Jeremy
2024-10-20 00:21:57 +0000 UTCYep, one of the best episodes ever, and one of the worst episodes ever.
Jon Hoover
2024-10-20 00:20:08 +0000 UTCI’m always excited for the weekend cause it’s Star Trek react time 🥳🥳
Ciarra Jade
2024-10-20 00:19:02 +0000 UTCAt least one more day waiting for The Lost Boys 🥵
Respect the Cockerel
2024-10-20 00:18:58 +0000 UTC
