TNG Chatter

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#1

At the quasi-behest of others, I figured I’d start this thread…

As some of you may know, I’m working my way through Next Generation (after my DS9 binge this summer).

I just watched Redemption parts 1 and 2…

so I guess this thread is for general comments/discussion on the series, hopefully couched in the terms of specific episodes.

As an example: particularly having seen DS9 first, I really enjoyed this look at the Klingon Council. Picard’s non-involvement (such as it is) is such a striking difference from Sisko’s involvement in everything…

I really like Worf’s character. The end of part 2 really clinched it for me… I can really respect someone who is as honorable as he is. And he’s honorable in a way that is different from the rest of the Klingons we see.

#2

The Best of Both Worlds two-parter put TNG on the map. Redemption proved it wasn’t a fluke and Star Trek was back. Michael Dorn put the ‘K’ (for kick-(sorryBarb)) in Klingon.

#3

I think it would be relatively easy to pick out a few key TNG episodes for a rewatch, BoBW, Redemption, the first episode where the whole Worf family issue is brought up (can’t remember the name), Yesterday’s Enterprise to name a couple. The same is true for the original series. As an overall series though DS9 was my favorite. Being more of a serial I have a hard time picking out my favorites for DS9.

Maybe we can have separate threads open for a week or so for OS, TNG & DS9 (do we also want to do Voyager and Enterprise???) for which people can nominate favorite episodes. Episode summaries can be found at www.startrek.com. Then maybe a poll can be made of the top 10 nominees and then a poll made to pick the top five episodes for each series. That could be completed by the time the BttF rewatch is done and then leave us with a three week rewatch for the OS, TNG and then DS9.

Just a thought…

#4

Other Klingons having to live with it everyday learned to make compromise with honor in order to get things done. Once that starts to happen, there are bound to be people who exploits honor to achieve their personal goal and honor becomes a slogan.

Worf having lived in the Federation got to re-examine what Klingon manner really means. He isn’t a fundamentalist, yet he still finds tradition and the ideal of honor important. That’s what makes him a great Klingon.

I really liked the DS9 episode when they addressed why Worf is so tense and uptight. TNG and DS9 together really built a complex and all around character with Worf.

#5

TNG is me favorite Star Trek, probably since that is what I grew up with. Here is a list of some of my favorites and ones that are great candidates for re-watch:

THE MEASURE OF A MAN - Data is on trial for his rights. A great episode that asks the question of what makes one human.
Q WHO? - The Enterprise is thrown into their first encounter with the Borg. A incredible way to introduce one of the greatest enemies in SCIFI.
BOOBY TRAP - The Enterprise is ensnared in a ancient booby trap and needs to get his “game on” to save the ship.
THE ENEMY - Jordi is trapped on the surface of a planet with a Romulan and the only way to survive is to team up.
DEJA Q - Q is condemned to live as a mortal and Data is his teacher of what it is to try to be human. This is a great episode that shows why Data is my favorite character.
YESTERDAY’S ENTERPRISE - Perhaps the greatest single episode of TNG. When the Enterprise C travels through a time distortion the future is changed and the only one who knows it is Guinan. What if the Federation never allied with the Klingons and Tasha never died? Makes you appreciate how great a character Worf is.
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, PART 1 - The Borg are coming to assimilate the Human race. A fight against almost impossible odds and a critical point is the Star Trek universe (Wolf 359). Quite possibly the greatest cliffhanger in TV history and along with Part 2 the must see episode of the entire series.
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, PART 2 - The conclusion of the battle to save the Federation and how will what happened to Picard affect him.

The trinity is correct about the first two seasons starting off slow and that things pick up in the third season. The best of TNG is found in Seasons 3 - 5. I’ll add more favorites in future posts. :smiley:

#6

He’s the brown one?

#7

No Star Trek discussion would be complete without these 2 episodes. IMO 2 of the very best they ever did.

#8

One of my favorite TNG episodes is The Wounded where we meet Captain Benjamin Maxwell, portrayed incredibly by Bob (Shawshank Warden) Gunton, who kills like ~600+ Cardasians with his nebula-class Starship “The Phoenix”. Great episode where Miles Obrien is finally developed and given a past that is further addressed in DS9. This episode also introduces a Cardasian that looks a lot like Gul Dukat…

Best quote of the episode

Picard: “Take this message to your leaders Gul Macet. We’ll be Watching.”

#9

I remember before the series finale of TNG aired, they played a countdown of the top #5 fan favorite episodes. As I recall, they were “The Inner Light”, “Relics”, “Yesterday’s Enterprise”, and “The Best of Both Worlds, Parts 1 & 2” (yeah, kind of not fair that BoBW sucked up two slots, but there ya go). Maybe these would be a good place to start for an arc?

#10

So I’m chugging along through Season 5…

I really liked the Unifications parts 1 and 2, Spock was awesome!! Besides which I thought that fleshing out the situation on Romulus was really interesting.

I also just watched the Worf/Alexander episode “New Ground” and it was just ADORABLE. Alexander is a cute, cute little Klingon kid. And Worf is just so awkward! But sweet. :slight_smile: It made me happy.

#11

One of the best scenes in “Relics” is after Picard gives Scotty the shuttle, Scotty hugs/shakes hands with all TNG crew members except for Worf who he gives the “Evil Eye” to.

#12

I really liked the Data and Spock moments.

#13

So, after having life getting in the way… this afternoon, we finished watching TNG, season 7.

Wow. That last episode was really excellent.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience - I still think I like DS9 better, but TNG is close to it.

#14

It’s like being asked who you’re favorite child is. Love, ya can’t quantify.