@@cmmgree115 I am surprised that he is in need of money! for he has got a car and if I am not mistaken he has got a house and gets good money making youtube videos! He seems pretty intelligent! what is Dave, and what does he do for a living?
@@sonofgod1220 How much do you think he's making? He's probably just getting enough to get by. I bet TH-cam demonetizes everything he posts, so most of his income is probably from Patreon and Subscribe Star. Yeah where's he going to get a job? People that talk negatively about the establishment are essentially blacklisted.
@@apreviousseagle836 It's very difficult if you are one that questions everything and is out for the truth! but still some do get by but some don't like for example many doctors and nurses that I can name have lost their jobs for being truthful that i can name especially over the last couple of years! I wonder what Dave's typical job is? if I am not mistaken he does psychology from what I gathered from his website and actually charges patients or anyone for that matter for any length of consultation etcetera sort of thing! so I do not really expect him to be that down and out really!
There is one more episode that really deserved to be mentioned. "Sins of the Father" brings us Worf's brother, lies about his father and his family, more incites into Klingon culture, political intrigue, and Worf's discommendation. Because of it, we got some later good and great episodes of both TNG and DS9 that delved further into Worf's family, his storyline and his interactions with other Klingons including the new Chancellor Gowron, his mate K'Ehleyr, his son Alexander, and his rivals the Duras family, and Picard's interaction with the Klingons for being the Arbiter of Succession and involvement during the Klingon Civil War in which the Romulans showed their sneaky interactions with the House of Duras.
Agreed. I forgot all those intricate storyline until you mentioned the. I remember the DS9 crossover. Those crossovers MADE SENSE and were not forced. This really was budding a mythology. New "trek" is just agendas, castration of old characters and making new characters look "better (which ultimately makes it worse) and cynicism. None of those were what Trek did. Even as "bad" as Generations was it still treated its legacy characters with respect. Kirk's death, while not the best, still gave the character a way to go out "saving the universe" and didn't diminish him.
I love Worf episodes. Focusing on Klingons, or any aliens, would be getting off-topic, but it would be in keeping with the spirit of the canon. I'm so sad that we don't get a Klingon franchise.
Agreed. While there had been development into Klingon culture, "Sins of the Father" brought a whole new dimension and depth. It gave the Klingon people their distinct yet understandable system of honor to the audience. We didn't have to agree with it, and many times we could declare it to be wrong, but it was still genuine. It also allows Star Trek to keep Klingons as believable villains when needed. Let's not forget what it did to the character of Worf in particular. Michael Dorn did a fantastic job of breathing genuine life into pretty much a gimmick character, but at least to some degree Worf was still just a gimmick. He was the 'noble exile' and 'the good orc.' But after this? Politics, betrayal, integrity, honor, ceremony and law -- plus now Worf had the center stage to actively choose to accept the pariah status for "the good of the people" or to defy and bring certain bloodshed. The best part is the script hints maybe the blood shed wouldn't have been so wrong, and looking back we can see more hints that Worf might not have been so accommodating. At the same time, Worf and the Klingons wouldn't have grown without Worf's willing choice. I agree with you, and I certainly agree with Dave Cullen. Season Three was the defining season of Next Gen. Wow.
"His hands...were moving faster than I could see, trying to stay ahead of each breakdown. He refused to give up. He was remarkable..." One of the most touching moments of the entire franchise.
@@moviemetalhead , you're absolutely right. The admiral wasn't really a bad guy, and in his offering to assist Data in the "surgery" of Lal restored his dignity. Like you said, his delivery of that line, the actor, was perfect.
Yesterday’s Enterprise is, by far, one of the most maturely written STNG episode I enjoyed. Just well done, even as you mentioned, the changes in the uniforms and the bridge.
Yesterday's Enterprise is without a doubt one of the finest episodes ever. And as a bonus there's a great blooper at the end. If you look at Geordi in 10 Forward when Guinan asks him to tell her about Tasha you can see that he's still wearing the alternate timeline uniform with the high collar!
I was sitting in my college dorm's TV lounge watching that one. (along with EVERYONE else) And when we heard Picard growl out, "That'll be the day.", everyone, all at once, spontaneously cheered out "YEAH!"! I still smile just remembering that. THAT was REAL Star Trek.
@@danwills9981 Never noticed that before and you're the first person I have seen point this out. Good spot. I can't remember what episode it was (think Will goes into an alternate timeline and theres an evil Picard, I could be wrong) and when Picard is sat in his ready room talking you can see a fly buzzing around his face and head lol took me 12 rewatches over many years before I noticed that
I think Yesterday's Enterprise is one of the best episodes of Star Trek, period. Sure, it's more military centric, but that's a reality of this universe, there will always be conflict. The story about the Enterprise C sacrificing itself in the past and how that sacrifice helps create the present we see now, I just love it. I love even more that idea that's discussed with Tasha. Go down fighting, changing history, helping a cause, instead of dying a meaningless death elsewhere.
The most memorable episode for me was "Ensigns of Command". Not so much with the B plot of Picard vs. the Sheliac, but the story of Data trying to convince an entire colony of Humans to abandon their generations old home, gives a very good lesson on freedom of speech. Initially the leader of the colony Gosheven disregards Data's warning having no respect for him given that he's just a machine, but Data finds a helpful advocate in a young woman named McKenzie who is fascinated by him specifically because he is an android. When Data publicly warns the colonists that they must leave the planet to avoid being wiped out by the Sheliac, Gosheven argues for staying and defending their home to honor the numerous sacrifices of their ancestors who made the colony possible. However the debate does not go in Gosheven's favor. When he realizes that a lot of people are seriously considering abandoning the planet and that this is not a debate he can win, he eventually forbids any further discussion on the matter, telling everyone that they're going to stay and fight. Data and McKenzie are forced to host a secret discussion with those who are interested in hearing more of what Data has to say, but the discussion is interrupted when Gosheven intrudes and uses a weapon to deactivate Data, and again he forbids anyone from discussing the matter further. Fortunately McKenzie is able to repair and reactivate Data, who finally comes to the realization that diplomacy is not going to resolve the issue and that he must resort to violence. Data has McKenzie warn Gosheven that he is going to destroy the colony's aqueduct. Gosheven then arms several people to defend the aqueduct, but Data easily makes short work of them, and proceeds to destroy the aqueduct after telling them "That was the stun setting... This is not." (God I love that line). Having effectively demonstrated their inability to defend themselves from an attack, Data finally convinces everyone, including Gosheven, that they have no chance of surviving an attack from the Sheliac, and that they must leave to build a new home elsewhere. This episode is a brilliant lesson on freedom of speech. It effectively demonstrates how when people realize that they cannot win a debate, they may resort to oppressive and even violent means to force their views on others. Under such circumstances it may be necessary to resort to violence just to be able to voice your own opinions, but Data's particular use of violence in this situation was extremely tempered and precise to ensure no loss of life. This episode also gives us one of my favorite lines of all time: "Do you consider your position so weak, that it cannot withstand debate?". This is a lesson that the world is sorely in need of today, as we see so many people with weak indefensible opinions and views who resort to shrieking and threats of violence and actual violence to get their way, much like petulant children. Meanwhile people who stick to sensible arguments and debating in a civilized manner, get drowned out by the screaming and shouting of their opposition who can't even think up rational statements to support their side of the argument. And they utterly refuse to consider for even a moment that their views might be wrong. Or if they do, they don't care, and continue shrieking because they just want to win the argument any way they can. It also demonstrates that those whose opinions are suppressed do not go silent, but rather seek out safe spaces with likeminded individuals to discuss their views free of oppression. This is why "Sunlight is the best disinfectant". By allowing free open discourse on all subjects, bad ideas can have their flaws exposed for all to see. While good ideas that are capable of withstanding scrutiny, can be allowed to thrive and be shared.
I rewatched all of TNG between late 2020 and early 2021. You're right about season 3; virtually every episode broke new ground, gave great performances. I remember watching season 3 when it first aired, I was in middle school. Every week my tweenage mind was just being blown, with every episode being a classic in its own right.
What did you think of the series on your latest rewatch? Did it still hold up for you? Was it as brilliant as you remembered? I have rewatched the entire series maybe a dozen times. I was exactly the same as you when I first watched it I was blown away and in awe of the episodes. And I often thought about some episodes days later because they provided good food for thought. But I honestly don't know if the shows dated, wasn't as good as I thought or I have just watched the episodes so many times that I don't think its as great as I first thought. I have also watched my favourite episodes more than a dozen times. I remember seeing first contact in the cinemas and I thought it was the greatest trek adventure ever and got the DVD and watched it endlessly to the point I now don't like the movie at all. So maybe its down to me rewatching too much
@@laurarules3642 yep that's it... we can't re-watch and re-watch and expect the awe and enjoyment to stay high, or the same... you made yourself sick of it all imo
The final scene in offspring always gets me when the admiral reveals that Lal is doomed and praises Data's efforts to save her "his hands were moving faster than I could see"
Season 3 really had TNG firing on all cylinders. So many great episodes. I remember watching Yesterday's Enterprise when it first aired, and it really was an enthralling episode. Tasha appearing on the bridge was genuinely jarring at the time.
@@drt1605 yeah the movies mostly sucked balls, but at this stage, not sure movies were in their grasp.....Yesterday's Enterprise would have made a possible TRILOGY vs one movie.....If anything though, TNG had cliffhangers resolved too soon, and Yesterday's Enterprise was perhaps one of them.. Biggest probem with this episode was the battle sequence....It made Picard and the Enterprise seem really overrated.....They should have had an OFFSCREEN battle, where the enterprise destroyed 5 or 6 klingon ships, before being overtaken by a new group of 5 or 6 klingon ships....Instead it destroyed ONE bird of prey......
@@captaingenius-o1c I agree. The Enterprise D was a glass cannon. Three hits and a possible warp core breach was too much. They were not the classic Bird of Pray but a larger cruiser class. They did not make this clear enough.
@@Smenkhaare I'll have to get the ole' VHS tapes out and watch it again, but I think they take about 15 disrupter hits before Picard even fires a torpedo...I mean, what's the point, since your ship can only take about 40 hits total before the shields are down, and why doesn't the Enterprise have disrupters, that can just start firing too, along with a cloaking device in THAT time line...The more I think about the episode, they had to STALL, but they could have at least made the Enterprise seem like something you don't want to mess with..
One line from this season I always remember, in “The Survivors” when Kevin Oxbridge is explaining what he did to the invading aliens: “You do not understand the scope of my crime. I didn’t kill just one Husnock, or 100, or 1000. I killed them all. ALL Husnock, EVERYWHERE.” And then Picard’s reaction…chilling.
Interesting note: the old guy playing the "Dowd" (Doud?) had actually lost his real wife in the weeks before shooting, so his performance is partially due to that.
The Best of Both Worlds was a legitimate cliffhanger, as the “prevailing wisdom” among fans was that Riker’s character was only there to possibly take over for Picard, in the event that Star Trek fans didn’t like having an old bald guy who wasn’t big on action being the captain of the Enterprise. So there was a real possibility that this might happen and Patrick Stewart might be gone forever.
The fact is they DIDN'T know if Stewart was going to return for season 4 when the first part was written. His contract was up for renegotiation and him being there next season wasn't a given at that point, so the story had to be written in a fashion where they could go either way: write Picard out or save him.
I recall that I had given up on Star Trek The Next Generation, and I had stopped watching after the first season. Then, a friend telephoned me, asking if I was watching TNG at that moment. He told me that Starfleet is at war. I remember I said, "you're kidding" turned it on and it was the episode, "Best of Both Worlds". From that point on, I watched TNG again. It had greatly improved.
This season is transcendent not only for the enduring quality of the episodes but the creation of so many recurring subplots and characters that would wind their way through not only TNG but DS9 and Voyager as well. The ability of the writers to return again and again to aspects of the third season stories and continue to find inspiration and not just re-hash previous ideas is a testament to the strength of Star Trek and TNG in particular.
"Riker's Beard" became known as the trope for this phenomenon which I always found very apt. That's more of a reference to season 2 though -- you're right, season 3 was the one that cemented the show as truly great to the point where I was planning my schedule around when the next episode was coming out
_The Offspring_ is one of my all time favorite TNG episodes. Brent Spiner's portrayal of Data in that episode is fantastic. Having kids of my own, the idea of one of them dying before me is horrific, so to watch Data be unable to mourn his daughter while simultaneously _knowing_ he "should" mourn but is completely unable to do so is heart-wrenching.
Andreas Katsulas really hit it out of the ballpark as Tomalak in "The Enemy" and "The Defector." He's right up there with Dukat from DS9 as one of Trek's best villains. Well-spoken and polite with just the right combination of good manners and veiled hostility. 🖖😎👍
@@Willpower-74205 agreed 100%. Also James Sloyan as Admiral Jarrok was a truly special performance… He was also spectacular in his two episodes on DS 9 as Dr. Mora... His tête-à-tête with Rene Auberjonois was magical
Horrible episode. I love the way the Skeksis producers shit on Romulans for their "authoritarianism" but were totally okay with Klingon "authoritarianism". Then, in DS9, they invented the Cardassians instead of using the Romulans for the series' antagonist
Rich Evans on Red Letter Media astutely points out that The Best of Both Worlds is, at its core, a Riker episode. “The best of both worlds” refers to Riker being a captain AND being on the Enterprise, something that was impossible with Picard around. The two parter ultimately had Picard upstaging Riker but really it’s an episode about the hard career choices people have to make in their lives.
@@Burt1038 I heard something similar. It wasn’t that he was planned to be written out of the show but Riker was on standby as Kirk 2.0 in case Picard didn’t work out as a character. They knew they were taking a risk making a very cerebral and diplomatic character the captain.
Whenever I rewatch TNG I tend to skip the first 2 seasons these days. Well actually I have rewatched it so much over the years I maybe watch the 10 to 20 episodes I really like
I didn't like any of the women on TNG. The producers didn't know what to do with them! Pulaski = a good character but ugly as sin Crusher = less ugly (depending on the season's wig), but a boring non-character Yar = foul all-round, glad she left Troi = Began as a hottie, increasingly miserable, ugly and bitchy (better in the movies) Ro = Bajoooring Guinan = Truly excellent, quite under-used Dr Leah Brahms and Ensign Robin Lefler = JACKPOT! 😆
The Defector is the quintessential Romulan episode to me, seeing both their reasonable, relatable side in the form of the titular defector, alongside their classically duplicitous and devious side in the form of Tomalak. And that resolution is a perfect example of Picard politics winning the day.
The Survivors episode blew my mind when it aired. I was 9 when it aired. That line Picard says at the end "We have no Law for your crime." Just did something to my brain that never let it go back to how it was before. That people were or possibly capable of actions so grievous or large scale that normal people would never even consider them in the first place altered my perception of people. It's served me well in my life as I've allowed myself to think of horrible possibilities individuals or certain groups could or would engage in that most people would find too horrible to think they could be real. Nine times out of Ten (especially over the past 10 years) I've been correct whereas other people are shocked and caught off guard by it all.
Tricia O'Neil later played the Klingon scientist Kurak in the Season 6 episode "Suspicions." If you mean Captain Garrett, check out the Lost Era novel "Well of Souls" by Ilsa J. Bick. The story adds a great deal of depth to her character that "Yesterday's Enterprise" didn't have the time to cover. 🖖😎👍
“Sarek” is one of my favorite episodes. I always loved when the Original Series bled into TNG. Seeing Sarek’s affinity towards human women was interesting. I like the fact that Perrin is not Amanda. I think at one point she says she doesn’t even like Spock because she’s protective of her husband and those two really don’t get along. Growing up in a household with a step-mother (a tense relationship at best) I can relate. But it was great to see that his son and former wife still are in his thoughts and affect him. Still bothers me seeing the background crew wearing the old uniforms while only the main cast and special guests git the new.
You mentioned the second time Vash would appear on TNG. I know most will likely not believe me but, I had a key roll in that appearance. I attended a Star Trek convention in Cincinnati, Ohio where Majel Barrett and John de Lancie were the "Special Guests". After it ended, I found myself on the down escalator just behind Mr. de Lancie. I took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him where I asked if when we could expect to see Vash again. Mr. de Lancie indicated he seriously doubted that she would return and stated, "I think we've seen the last of Vash." I expressed my disappointment since I thought there could possibly be a meeting of Vash and Q that could make for a wonderfully entertaining episode. The wheels began turning in Mr. de Lancie's head as he got a Q-like gleam in his eye. He told me that he would do what he could to make something along those lines happen. When I saw the episode, the moment Vash showed up, I thought, "this must be the one." When Q popped in, I knew it was. Mr. de Lancie had asked me what type of credit I would want. I assured him that just the knowledge that I had a hand in it would be enough for me. Qpid will always be my favorite episode of TNG.
The final scene of the defector is perfection. Picard and Tomalak lock in battle of wits to see who comes out on top. Mesmerising. Loved every minute of it.
Season 3 is my go-to for “comfort food” episodes. “The Vengeance Factor”, “The Hunted”, and “The High Ground” aren’t the best of Season 3, but they’re much better and feel more like a “typical TNG episode” than anything in Seasons 1 or 2.
“The Vengeance Factor”, “The Hunted”, and “The High Ground” All of those. They are my Favorite episodes of that season. Maybe my all the time starting point when starting to binge watch. Season 3 - 5 are the best.
This season was so good that it even spawned the trope "growing the beard" as an inverse of "jumping the shark" from Happy Days. This season is when Riker grew his beard, and the surge in quality was so noticeable, that when a TV show goes from mediocre and middling, to finding its footing and growing into the quality show it was meant to be, that show is said to have "grown the beard".
@@StreetPreacherr But he has it back in Nemesis, which is far worse. Most people's criticism of Insurrection is that it's, "just like a two-part episode of TNG." And I'm like... oh well, those tended to be great?
Didn't Data try a beard and everyone in the command staff meeting were trying not to laugh. Except for Troi, who made an excuse to leave and could be heard laughing down the hallway.
I think you do the Survivors an injustice in this because the best part about this episode is the reveal at the end where the god-like alien admits he exterminated the entire race of the people who attacked his planet and killed his wife, and submits himself for Picard's judgement, who - and this is the best part because he nails it - says he is not qualified to judge a being of such incomprehensible power. It's a moment that really sets the tone for the rest of the franchise moving forward, and truly separates TNG from TOS. Brilliant writing.
The best thing that happened to TNG is Gene Roddenberry getting sick. He and his lawyer could no longer rewrite other peoples scripts. The show’s writing became much more focused and mature. While there were occasional stinkers like Captain’s Holiday, the overall quality of the season was pretty consistent. I tend to think hit its peak during seasons 3 and 4. By season 7, it was clear the writers were out of ideas. Sadly, these same writers would go on to work on Voyager, which explains why that show was poorly written right from the start.
"The Survivors" is one of my favorite ST: TNG episodes. A PR person for ST:TNG spoke at a convention I attended in the 90s and said that the original story would have had Kevin Uxbridge turn out to be an Oraganian. However, the show-runners didn't want to do a call-out to TOS. So, they took that part out.
That would have been a great tie-in...and make sense as well...What's idiotic is that the entire THING is a "shout-out" to Best Trek/Kirk-Spock...so just another lameness.
"The Enemy" is a good episode. It shows the personality of LaForge. Yes he's kinda unsecure nerd who have bad luck with the ladies. But he never treats anyone bad.
LeVar Burton had another show at the time. "Reading Rainbow". He'd go on a cool adventure and then tell you about some shitty kids books. I like to read but the books on the show were lame. Anyway there's one episode of Reading Rainbow where Burton explains that he is an actor on a show called "Star Trek", he dons his Star Fleet uniform and classic visor then takes the viewer on a tour of The Enterprise. It ain't no ten-penny tour either - he goes into depth on the ship specifications. You also get to see him interact with "lesser characters" or subordinates who you don't see in Star Trek. It's the coolest meta-crossover episode of anything I've ever seen in my life.
I remember watching season 3, you could almost literally watch the show’s quality getting better and better each week. It clearly was hitting its stride, just so far above and beyond the first two seasons. And then the most amazing season finale ever seen in any Star Trek series. I kept looking at the clock trying to figure out how they were going to wrap this up. And then those three terrifying words: to be continued. 😮
I think Riker grew as a character in the best of both worlds. He saved the entire Quadrant. That’s why I was so pissed off when in that later episode where that jackass captain jellico takes over as captain that lady admiral tells riker they needed someone who could handle the cardassians and that person wasnt him. Riker should have said something like “well if could save the Quadrant from the borg I think I could handle a negotiation with some dumbass cardassians”
I understand but I didn’t see that any unique insights by captain Jellico were responsible for the end result. But I guess it was ok as Riker was needed to fly the mission to lay the mines which attached to the cardassian ships at the end.
Looking at this, great video by the by, it really makes me sad that new trek exists. Star trek really has been dumbed down. It died after Enterprise was canceled which also maked me sad as it was just getting going. Ah well. The times we live in.
Sadly i agree, I do enjoy the Orville, don't get me wrong, but I find it doesn't have the gravitas of tng or ds9, a great sci-fi show to be sure, some of the writing can be a bit hit and miss and some of the performances too, buy sure look. It's out 3rd season. Onwards and upwards i say
Booby Trap is an example of a common template in TNG. The Enterprise is caught in an anomaly that threatens their lives. They discover another ship which had been caught in that anomaly but never escaped. Sometimes they find a survivor (although not in this case). Eventually they escape.
Season 3 was the point where TNG really started to shine. They started to figure out the character dynamics and , while there were still a few strange episodes, its where the show's stories really started popping off.
Season 3 of TNG is where the Starfleet uniforms also changed because some of the cast complained that uniforms from the first two seasons were uncomfortable to wear, although the uniforms from the first two seasons were still being worn by crew members that were not a part of the main cast.
I also think it's a nice and easier way to show more senior members of the crew. The collar design did the two piece look also gave rise to The Picard Maneuver. And he did mention the costume change and the reason.
I have just started Season 3 for the first time and just finished the episode "The Defector " (the one with Admiral Jarok). Damn, what a great episode. Really starting to see why Season 3 is regarded as TNG hitting its stride. Every episode I've seen so far is a complete banger. I hope it gets better.
That Q episode where he becomes human was a funny one. When Q is in the brig, and in detail, describes to Picard, this hyperbolic harrowing episode of him losing life, losing consciousness, and Picard simply saying "you fell asleep" lol. Also his interactions with Data were really good too.
Good list for season 3, I also find "The Ensigns of Command", "Captain's Holiday" and "The Most Toys" to be excellent episodes. The Ensigns of Command is a good Data episode and a great lesson in the scientific method. Captain's Holiday is a fun episode that introduces the planet Risa and the recurring character of Vash. The Most Toys is IMO an important Data episode that develops the character and shows the audience much more of what Data is capable of.
I remember as a kid watching that Best of Both Worlds episode and cliff hanger and then I forgot to tune in for the conclusion and I was devastated. It was such a different world then for media consumption.
6:20 I actually disagree. You *should* watch this episode if you have suffered a bereavement: " It is part of our life cycle that we accept the death of those we love. Jeremy must come to terms with his grief. He must not cover it or hide away from it. You see we are mortal and our time in this universe is finite. That is one of the truths that all humans must learn…." - Jean Luc Picard I defy you to find dialogue like that in modern Trek.
I liked Star Trek as a young kid. I even had the Mego Star Trek Enterprise play set with the transporter and the six action figures (5 crew members and 1 Klingon), but the show I watched religiously at about the same time in the 1970s was Space: 1999, which was on Saturday nights at 6 pm. It wasn’t until season 3 of Star Trek that I really sat up and took notice of the show. First, I was glad to see Gates McFadden return as Dr. Beverly Crusher, then I saw The Ensigns of Command, an excellent Lieutenant Commander Data episode, and I was hooked. TNG was on during the same time slot as Space: 1999 once was and suddenly there was a show that I really enjoyed watching, and I couldn’t wait to see next week’s episode. Season 3 is the season that saved TNG and made that show a worthy successor to the original Star Trek.
Yeah, there are too many excellent episodes to go into this season. Great Trek beings! One of my favorites from this season is "The Ensigns of Command" It's a great episode for Data and the story is clever and dramatic. Pillar and Moore coming on to create stories that our characters played more into was an excellent change in the quality of the stories we got. Not sure why you just didn't tell us what happened to the aliens in "The Survivors". That was a holy spit moment.
Definitely rate The Defector as more than an honourable mention. Suspensful and full of intrigue, it also humanises the Romulans through the remourseful defector Jarok, I think.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the fact that the uxbridge alien admitted to committing genocide against an entire species in its rage, and Picard dwelling on the fact that the crime it had committed was one the Federation had no means of bringing it to justice for. The regret he had showed that while he was powerful, that power had its limits as the ability to return life was beyond its abilities.
Thank you, I am enjoying your journey and perspectives on Star Trek. While we might not have the same opinions on certain aspects (new Trek;)) your analysis is always insightful and fair. I have to make mention of something of the first episode you described with the alien being, 'Kevin'. What got me in the show was his guilt, truly a shocker and twist I did not see coming. Keep up the great work!
They showed TNG deries one on Sunday nights here in Australia when it first came out at 7:30PM and it was fun at the time. Then they moved it to 10:30 on a tuesday night from there on out. When it got to series 3 it was definitely worth skipping you homework and staying up late to watch it. Great video Dave, thank you for sharing this one!
Talk about bringing back memories. It is cliche to think entertainment was better when you were younger, however, TNG at its height set a bar that Star Trek has never managed to duplicate!
John De Lancie was brilliant as Q in all of the seasons, but the third one is where it really took off. It was a role he would decades later reprise in spirit as Discord in the vastly popular fourth generation of My Little Pony. This character is an omnipotent, immortal creature of pure chaos that enjoyed being constant thorn in the side of the protagonists while also often prodding them in the right direction, thus helping them in his own twisted way; sound familiar?
It really felt like a maturing, not just of TNG but maybe of the franchise as well. TNG seasons 1&2 are favourites of mine personally -- I love their cross-section of style somewhere between something old and something new, and that they were prepared to take risks and shake things up in a way later Berman era Star Trek sometimes shied away from -- but you can just tell from the very first episode of Season 3 that everything feels more grown up, and the cast feel more confident in their roles and inside this universe. Kind of an intangible but clear change.
SEASON 3 TNG; LET'S GO!!! This is when I started getting into the new era, watched daily at my neighbour's who had SkyTV - 5 to 6pm, then dinner; good times.
Season three was the season that was just mind blowing. You had episodes that were just simply awesome and the season finale is just the cherry on top.
The reason season 3 was so much better is because they removed Wesley Crusher as the central figure of the show. Every episode of season 2 had the same plot: Wesley fucks up, no one can do anything, Wesley saves the day. It was a bad plot but it was the plot of every damn episode.
this was the year I really got into trek. 10th grade. I even went to a Star Trek convention that year where we talked about Best of both worlds cliffhanger.
Another of my favourites in Season 3 is A Matter of Perspective. The point it makes about three versions of events where each person believes only theirs is true is absolutely relevant to almost everyone in daily life. It's not just a good episode of Star Trek, it should be required viewing! :p
Season 3 was great. And season 4, with Best of Both Worlds Part II and Family just continued the general excellence of the show. I am torn between regarding season 3 or season 5 as the best of the series. Either season rates as some of the best that television, in any genre, has ever produced. Look at season 5 - Darmok, Ensign Ro, Cause and Effect, The Perfect Mate (a harbinger of X things to come), The First Duty, The Next Phase, I Borg (Hugh) and my favorite episode of any Trek show ever - The Inner Light. It's amazing how two of the best Trek episodes ever (City on the Edge of Forever, The Inner Light) really emphasized great story telling, dealing with human emotions, individual dreams to tell stories that are universal and timeless. The Inner Light is a great masterpiece of television - Patrick Steward really deserved an Emmy for this episode alone. And the story! And the acting! And Darmok was a great, underrated episode (in my opinion). Paul Winfield and Patrick Stewart display acting chops rarely matched in series television. It made the epic of Gilgamesh come alive. The way these two great actors played off each other. And did I say that it made Gilgamesh come alive? Gilgamesh,. A king. At Uruk. And so starts one of the greatest storytelling minutes we are likely to see. Finally, the story from thousands of years ago comes alive. Patrick Steward is a TREMENDOUS actor. And in two magnificent episodes in season 5 (Darmok, The Inner Light), we see Sir Patrick at his awesome best. Television does not have to be trite. It just has to tell a great story. And boy, what great stories TNG told.
The Most Toys brought us the most genuinely despicable villain in the series. The actor was a quick replacement since the original committed suicide after some principle filming, but he took the role and ran wild. The character was vile. Unapologetic to the end. He was so depraved and hedonistic that Data actually started to murder him. Brilliant performance.
Yeah I must admit I did really enjoy this season, it was the first time I'd heard earths solar system being call 'Sector 001' which I thought was very clever
Having rewatched episodes of TNG, I had forgotten how much of a struggle the series started out, especially the first season. While I prefer the later seasons, the third season felt right at home for me with even just the surface level changes like the uniforms or the change in the intro. The Borg were truly the most frightening in TNG, with Best of both Worlds being a prime example. Later iterations, particularly from Voyager, did not carry that same presence.
Watching Sarek I was convinced Patrick was ready to leave the show and Best of both Worlds seemed perfect as an Exit then it's like they changed their minds but I love 4x02 Family
Season 3 is definitely the season of TNG, but I really liked Season 2 as well. Something about 2 feels really raw and imperfected, like a live performance show vs a refined album ver of a song that S3 onward became.
Deja Q I think was my mom’s favorite episode. She laughed and was tickled all the way through it. She always liked it when Q showed up, but this was her favorite
I would include "Ensigns of Command" on my own season 3 best-of list. Watching Data learn to use tactical deceit as a political weapon is wonderful, and the unrequited live the local woman has for him is heartbreaking. But best of all, watching Picard beat the ultra-bureaucratic aliens at their own game is immensely fun -- especially the part where they try to contact the Enterprise to capitulate, and Picard leaves them on hold for a couple of minutes as he slowly ambles around the bridge, every expression and posture conveying the clear message "Let the f*ckers squirm a bit." Riker's slow grin as he realizes what Picard is up to is one of my favorite bits of subtly effective acting on the show.
Damn, I haven't watched TNG properly since I lived at home, so probably 20 years. I remember all of those episodes, it's amazing that they're all from Season 3.
I was always a bit disappointed that instead of finding a better way to 'deal' with Deanna's psychic powers, the writers essentially just completely sidelined her for that episode. Although at least it shows that the producers were actually considering ALL of the details of the characters, and someone realized that if Troi was around she would have immediately just been able to discover that the guy wasn't human and the whole thing was just simply illusion. If it was 'new trek' they probably wouldn't have even addressed the possibility, and it would have just left a big plot hole. :)
Nope... In "new trek" you would have seen Deanna breaking down, crying and screaming in a sandbox untill they reveal the alien's plot. He would have been just a toxic patriarch instead of an overly powerful entity that suffers from basic feelings. Therefore, Troi being taken out kinda upheld one of the major common traits that "developed societies" share, to project happiness while living in despair, what made this "ol' alien" more human than most, even if being that "advanced" and "godlike"... A better plot than with Apollo in TOS IMHO
To be honest, the concept of a person being able to destroy an entire race across lightyears and to create a warp-capable ship out of nothing but then being fooled by the Enterprise merely moving to a higher orbit is just as big a plothole. The TNG-writers also commited many of the sins we hold against the NuTrek writers, but we are more forgiving because they usually delivered on the plot where DIS and Picard failed terribly.
@@gildor8866 I don't think the TNG writers had the volume of sins per season that STD and STP has per episode. Or maybe we can ignore those faults in the plot because the premise, character work, and dialogue was so much more engaging than what is created for us today. Oh, I forgot, the show wasn't created for us, it was created for the writers.
Feel like in certain regards Picard being taken by the board and riker being the new captain is similar to how people are feeling right now with Charles becoming King
A few years back I finally watch all of the Original Series followed by TNG. I think both were excellent. I’m mostly impressed with the original series for how well they were able to tell their stories with such cheap sets and effects.
TOO BAD, THE episode following the Best of Both world wasn't in season 3. I warched that in a satellite tent with my Fellow Air Force vets and we all tripped out over Picard fighting with his brother and his relationship with Renee, his nephew.
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what's the goal of this video Dave?
@@cmmgree115 Oh so he is selling, doing sales? I thought that he was warning us about the shadow governments as he typically does!
@@cmmgree115 I am surprised that he is in need of money! for he has got a car and if I am not mistaken he has got a house and gets good money making youtube videos!
He seems pretty intelligent! what is Dave, and what does he do for a living?
@@sonofgod1220 How much do you think he's making? He's probably just getting enough to get by. I bet TH-cam demonetizes everything he posts, so most of his income is probably from Patreon and Subscribe Star. Yeah where's he going to get a job? People that talk negatively about the establishment are essentially blacklisted.
@@apreviousseagle836 It's very difficult if you are one that questions everything and is out for the truth! but still some do get by but some don't like for example many doctors and nurses that I can name have lost their jobs for being truthful that i can name especially over the last couple of years!
I wonder what Dave's typical job is? if I am not mistaken he does psychology from what I gathered from his website and actually charges patients or anyone for that matter for any length of consultation etcetera sort of thing! so I do not really expect him to be that down and out really!
There is one more episode that really deserved to be mentioned. "Sins of the Father" brings us Worf's brother, lies about his father and his family, more incites into Klingon culture, political intrigue, and Worf's discommendation. Because of it, we got some later good and great episodes of both TNG and DS9 that delved further into Worf's family, his storyline and his interactions with other Klingons including the new Chancellor Gowron, his mate K'Ehleyr, his son Alexander, and his rivals the Duras family, and Picard's interaction with the Klingons for being the Arbiter of Succession and involvement during the Klingon Civil War in which the Romulans showed their sneaky interactions with the House of Duras.
The guy playing Gowron was pretty awesome. lol
Agreed. I forgot all those intricate storyline until you mentioned the. I remember the DS9 crossover. Those crossovers MADE SENSE and were not forced. This really was budding a mythology. New "trek" is just agendas, castration of old characters and making new characters look "better (which ultimately makes it worse) and cynicism. None of those were what Trek did. Even as "bad" as Generations was it still treated its legacy characters with respect. Kirk's death, while not the best, still gave the character a way to go out "saving the universe" and didn't diminish him.
Glory to you, and your hoouuse
I love Worf episodes. Focusing on Klingons, or any aliens, would be getting off-topic, but it would be in keeping with the spirit of the canon. I'm so sad that we don't get a Klingon franchise.
Agreed. While there had been development into Klingon culture, "Sins of the Father" brought a whole new dimension and depth. It gave the Klingon people their distinct yet understandable system of honor to the audience. We didn't have to agree with it, and many times we could declare it to be wrong, but it was still genuine. It also allows Star Trek to keep Klingons as believable villains when needed.
Let's not forget what it did to the character of Worf in particular. Michael Dorn did a fantastic job of breathing genuine life into pretty much a gimmick character, but at least to some degree Worf was still just a gimmick. He was the 'noble exile' and 'the good orc.' But after this? Politics, betrayal, integrity, honor, ceremony and law -- plus now Worf had the center stage to actively choose to accept the pariah status for "the good of the people" or to defy and bring certain bloodshed. The best part is the script hints maybe the blood shed wouldn't have been so wrong, and looking back we can see more hints that Worf might not have been so accommodating. At the same time, Worf and the Klingons wouldn't have grown without Worf's willing choice.
I agree with you, and I certainly agree with Dave Cullen. Season Three was the defining season of Next Gen. Wow.
"His hands...were moving faster than I could see, trying to stay ahead of each breakdown. He refused to give up. He was remarkable..."
One of the most touching moments of the entire franchise.
Yeah,Data's daughter dying was CRUSHING. I had tears in my eyes.
That line always makes me well up. The delivery of it was perfect.
@@moviemetalhead , you're absolutely right. The admiral wasn't really a bad guy, and in his offering to assist Data in the "surgery" of Lal restored his dignity. Like you said, his delivery of that line, the actor, was perfect.
Yesterday’s Enterprise is, by far, one of the most maturely written STNG episode I enjoyed. Just well done, even as you mentioned, the changes in the uniforms and the bridge.
Yesterday's Enterprise is without a doubt one of the finest episodes ever. And as a bonus there's a great blooper at the end. If you look at Geordi in 10 Forward when Guinan asks him to tell her about Tasha you can see that he's still wearing the alternate timeline uniform with the high collar!
One of the few time travel episodes that I really enjoy, and the "Federation at War" vibe is fantastic.
I was sitting in my college dorm's TV lounge watching that one. (along with EVERYONE else)
And when we heard Picard growl out, "That'll be the day.", everyone, all at once, spontaneously cheered out "YEAH!"!
I still smile just remembering that.
THAT was REAL Star Trek.
I also noticed the difference in the tone of communication between Picard and Riker. There seems to be tension there.
@@danwills9981 Never noticed that before and you're the first person I have seen point this out. Good spot. I can't remember what episode it was (think Will goes into an alternate timeline and theres an evil Picard, I could be wrong) and when Picard is sat in his ready room talking you can see a fly buzzing around his face and head lol took me 12 rewatches over many years before I noticed that
I think Yesterday's Enterprise is one of the best episodes of Star Trek, period. Sure, it's more military centric, but that's a reality of this universe, there will always be conflict. The story about the Enterprise C sacrificing itself in the past and how that sacrifice helps create the present we see now, I just love it. I love even more that idea that's discussed with Tasha. Go down fighting, changing history, helping a cause, instead of dying a meaningless death elsewhere.
The most memorable episode for me was "Ensigns of Command". Not so much with the B plot of Picard vs. the Sheliac, but the story of Data trying to convince an entire colony of Humans to abandon their generations old home, gives a very good lesson on freedom of speech.
Initially the leader of the colony Gosheven disregards Data's warning having no respect for him given that he's just a machine, but Data finds a helpful advocate in a young woman named McKenzie who is fascinated by him specifically because he is an android. When Data publicly warns the colonists that they must leave the planet to avoid being wiped out by the Sheliac, Gosheven argues for staying and defending their home to honor the numerous sacrifices of their ancestors who made the colony possible. However the debate does not go in Gosheven's favor. When he realizes that a lot of people are seriously considering abandoning the planet and that this is not a debate he can win, he eventually forbids any further discussion on the matter, telling everyone that they're going to stay and fight.
Data and McKenzie are forced to host a secret discussion with those who are interested in hearing more of what Data has to say, but the discussion is interrupted when Gosheven intrudes and uses a weapon to deactivate Data, and again he forbids anyone from discussing the matter further. Fortunately McKenzie is able to repair and reactivate Data, who finally comes to the realization that diplomacy is not going to resolve the issue and that he must resort to violence. Data has McKenzie warn Gosheven that he is going to destroy the colony's aqueduct. Gosheven then arms several people to defend the aqueduct, but Data easily makes short work of them, and proceeds to destroy the aqueduct after telling them "That was the stun setting... This is not." (God I love that line). Having effectively demonstrated their inability to defend themselves from an attack, Data finally convinces everyone, including Gosheven, that they have no chance of surviving an attack from the Sheliac, and that they must leave to build a new home elsewhere.
This episode is a brilliant lesson on freedom of speech. It effectively demonstrates how when people realize that they cannot win a debate, they may resort to oppressive and even violent means to force their views on others. Under such circumstances it may be necessary to resort to violence just to be able to voice your own opinions, but Data's particular use of violence in this situation was extremely tempered and precise to ensure no loss of life. This episode also gives us one of my favorite lines of all time: "Do you consider your position so weak, that it cannot withstand debate?".
This is a lesson that the world is sorely in need of today, as we see so many people with weak indefensible opinions and views who resort to shrieking and threats of violence and actual violence to get their way, much like petulant children. Meanwhile people who stick to sensible arguments and debating in a civilized manner, get drowned out by the screaming and shouting of their opposition who can't even think up rational statements to support their side of the argument. And they utterly refuse to consider for even a moment that their views might be wrong. Or if they do, they don't care, and continue shrieking because they just want to win the argument any way they can.
It also demonstrates that those whose opinions are suppressed do not go silent, but rather seek out safe spaces with likeminded individuals to discuss their views free of oppression. This is why "Sunlight is the best disinfectant". By allowing free open discourse on all subjects, bad ideas can have their flaws exposed for all to see. While good ideas that are capable of withstanding scrutiny, can be allowed to thrive and be shared.
“Things can be replaced. Lives cannot.”
Data.
‘Sins of the Father’ is a key episode you didn’t mention. Basically the catalyst for most of Worf’s story arc in the rest of TNG and much of DS9.
Mr Worf. Fire.
The greatest cliffhanger in TV history.
I rewatched all of TNG between late 2020 and early 2021. You're right about season 3; virtually every episode broke new ground, gave great performances. I remember watching season 3 when it first aired, I was in middle school. Every week my tweenage mind was just being blown, with every episode being a classic in its own right.
What did you think of the series on your latest rewatch? Did it still hold up for you? Was it as brilliant as you remembered? I have rewatched the entire series maybe a dozen times. I was exactly the same as you when I first watched it I was blown away and in awe of the episodes. And I often thought about some episodes days later because they provided good food for thought. But I honestly don't know if the shows dated, wasn't as good as I thought or I have just watched the episodes so many times that I don't think its as great as I first thought. I have also watched my favourite episodes more than a dozen times. I remember seeing first contact in the cinemas and I thought it was the greatest trek adventure ever and got the DVD and watched it endlessly to the point I now don't like the movie at all. So maybe its down to me rewatching too much
@@laurarules3642 yep that's it... we can't re-watch and re-watch and expect the awe and enjoyment to stay high, or the same... you made yourself sick of it all imo
The final scene in offspring always gets me when the admiral reveals that Lal is doomed and praises Data's efforts to save her "his hands were moving faster than I could see"
I'm not crying, you're crying.
Season 3 really had TNG firing on all cylinders. So many great episodes.
I remember watching Yesterday's Enterprise when it first aired, and it really was an enthralling episode. Tasha appearing on the bridge was genuinely jarring at the time.
And it's always nice getting to see another generation of the Enterprise!
@@drt1605 yeah the movies mostly sucked balls, but at this stage, not sure movies were in their grasp.....Yesterday's Enterprise would have made a possible TRILOGY vs one movie.....If anything though, TNG had cliffhangers resolved too soon, and Yesterday's Enterprise was perhaps one of them..
Biggest probem with this episode was the battle sequence....It made Picard and the Enterprise seem really overrated.....They should have had an OFFSCREEN battle, where the enterprise destroyed 5 or 6 klingon ships, before being overtaken by a new group of 5 or 6 klingon ships....Instead it destroyed ONE bird of prey......
@@captaingenius-o1c I agree. The Enterprise D was a glass cannon. Three hits and a possible warp core breach was too much. They were not the classic Bird of Pray but a larger cruiser class. They did not make this clear enough.
@@Smenkhaare I'll have to get the ole' VHS tapes out and watch it again, but I think they take about 15 disrupter hits before Picard even fires a torpedo...I mean, what's the point, since your ship can only take about 40 hits total before the shields are down, and why doesn't the Enterprise have disrupters, that can just start firing too, along with a cloaking device in THAT time line...The more I think about the episode, they had to STALL, but they could have at least made the Enterprise seem like something you don't want to mess with..
@@drt1605 It should have at least been a two-parter.
One line from this season I always remember, in “The Survivors” when Kevin Oxbridge is explaining what he did to the invading aliens: “You do not understand the scope of my crime. I didn’t kill just one Husnock, or 100, or 1000. I killed them all. ALL Husnock, EVERYWHERE.” And then Picard’s reaction…chilling.
Interesting note: the old guy playing the "Dowd" (Doud?) had actually lost his real wife in the weeks before shooting, so his performance is partially due to that.
The Best of Both Worlds was a legitimate cliffhanger, as the “prevailing wisdom” among fans was that Riker’s character was only there to possibly take over for Picard, in the event that Star Trek fans didn’t like having an old bald guy who wasn’t big on action being the captain of the Enterprise. So there was a real possibility that this might happen and Patrick Stewart might be gone forever.
The fact is they DIDN'T know if Stewart was going to return for season 4 when the first part was written. His contract was up for renegotiation and him being there next season wasn't a given at that point, so the story had to be written in a fashion where they could go either way: write Picard out or save him.
@@brettcooper3893 Yup, it was the perfect cliffhanger.
I recall that I had given up on Star Trek The Next Generation, and I had stopped watching after the first season. Then, a friend telephoned me, asking if I was watching TNG at that moment. He told me that Starfleet is at war. I remember I said, "you're kidding" turned it on and it was the episode, "Best of Both Worlds". From that point on, I watched TNG again. It had greatly improved.
This season is transcendent not only for the enduring quality of the episodes but the creation of so many recurring subplots and characters that would wind their way through not only TNG but DS9 and Voyager as well. The ability of the writers to return again and again to aspects of the third season stories and continue to find inspiration and not just re-hash previous ideas is a testament to the strength of Star Trek and TNG in particular.
I miss the era in which aliens thought Picard was a god.
No alien race would think current year Picard is a god.
He's so feeble now. It's heartbreaking
It would've been fun if Q appeared before the aliens and Picard had to prove Q wasn't a god lol.
@@charzanboo9940
Until they neutered Q in Picard S2, Picard literally couldn't. The Q were omnipotent and pretty much omniscient.
I think Nu "Picard" is a god…
a god damned joke of a man.
@@war1980 Pretty much, but The Sisko managed to surprise Q with a good hook. lol
"Riker's Beard" became known as the trope for this phenomenon which I always found very apt. That's more of a reference to season 2 though -- you're right, season 3 was the one that cemented the show as truly great to the point where I was planning my schedule around when the next episode was coming out
lmao so true
Season 3 was just gold. Lal's final moments was one of the saddest scenes on a tv series.
_The Offspring_ is one of my all time favorite TNG episodes. Brent Spiner's portrayal of Data in that episode is fantastic. Having kids of my own, the idea of one of them dying before me is horrific, so to watch Data be unable to mourn his daughter while simultaneously _knowing_ he "should" mourn but is completely unable to do so is heart-wrenching.
"She can't stop hearing the music in her head and it's driving her crazy."
The song: Baby shark, doo doo doodoo doodoo.
Also "The Defector", a good story that expands Romulan Lore and has a great performance by the guest star Romulan General...
This episode is so good. This it makes it on the honourable mention in his video. For me, is the top 10 episode for the entire series
That’s one of my favorites as well. Maybe not on my top 10 but close
Andreas Katsulas really hit it out of the ballpark as Tomalak in "The Enemy" and "The Defector." He's right up there with Dukat from DS9 as one of Trek's best villains. Well-spoken and polite with just the right combination of good manners and veiled hostility. 🖖😎👍
@@Willpower-74205 agreed 100%. Also James Sloyan as Admiral Jarrok was a truly special performance… He was also spectacular in his two episodes on DS 9 as Dr. Mora... His tête-à-tête with Rene Auberjonois was magical
Horrible episode. I love the way the Skeksis producers shit on Romulans for their "authoritarianism" but were totally okay with Klingon "authoritarianism". Then, in DS9, they invented the Cardassians instead of using the Romulans for the series' antagonist
Rich Evans on Red Letter Media astutely points out that The Best of Both Worlds is, at its core, a Riker episode. “The best of both worlds” refers to Riker being a captain AND being on the Enterprise, something that was impossible with Picard around. The two parter ultimately had Picard upstaging Riker but really it’s an episode about the hard career choices people have to make in their lives.
If I'm not mistaken, Picard was originally going to be written out of the show so this was supposed to be a passing of the baton.
@@Burt1038 I heard something similar. It wasn’t that he was planned to be written out of the show but Riker was on standby as Kirk 2.0 in case Picard didn’t work out as a character. They knew they were taking a risk making a very cerebral and diplomatic character the captain.
TNG S3 and on were good stuff for sure - also nice to get Beverly back
Whenever I rewatch TNG I tend to skip the first 2 seasons these days. Well actually I have rewatched it so much over the years I maybe watch the 10 to 20 episodes I really like
Doctor Beverly!!
I didn't like any of the women on TNG. The producers didn't know what to do with them!
Pulaski = a good character but ugly as sin
Crusher = less ugly (depending on the season's wig), but a boring non-character
Yar = foul all-round, glad she left
Troi = Began as a hottie, increasingly miserable, ugly and bitchy (better in the movies)
Ro = Bajoooring
Guinan = Truly excellent, quite under-used
Dr Leah Brahms and Ensign Robin Lefler = JACKPOT! 😆
@@Scripture-Man 🤨 Remind me to never partake in anything you create or take any recommendation for something you have a positive opinion on.
@@SumDumGy I love beautiful women. You like ugly ones?
The Defector is the quintessential Romulan episode to me, seeing both their reasonable, relatable side in the form of the titular defector, alongside their classically duplicitous and devious side in the form of Tomalak. And that resolution is a perfect example of Picard politics winning the day.
The Survivors episode blew my mind when it aired. I was 9 when it aired. That line Picard says at the end "We have no Law for your crime." Just did something to my brain that never let it go back to how it was before. That people were or possibly capable of actions so grievous or large scale that normal people would never even consider them in the first place altered my perception of people. It's served me well in my life as I've allowed myself to think of horrible possibilities individuals or certain groups could or would engage in that most people would find too horrible to think they could be real. Nine times out of Ten (especially over the past 10 years) I've been correct whereas other people are shocked and caught off guard by it all.
I thought the actress who played the captain of the Enterprise C was excellent - shame there was no way we could ever get to see any more of her!
Tricia O'Neil later played the Klingon scientist Kurak in the Season 6 episode "Suspicions." If you mean Captain Garrett, check out the Lost Era novel "Well of Souls" by Ilsa J. Bick. The story adds a great deal of depth to her character that "Yesterday's Enterprise" didn't have the time to cover. 🖖😎👍
“Sarek” is one of my favorite episodes. I always loved when the Original Series bled into TNG. Seeing Sarek’s affinity towards human women was interesting. I like the fact that Perrin is not Amanda. I think at one point she says she doesn’t even like Spock because she’s protective of her husband and those two really don’t get along. Growing up in a household with a step-mother (a tense relationship at best) I can relate. But it was great to see that his son and former wife still are in his thoughts and affect him. Still bothers me seeing the background crew wearing the old uniforms while only the main cast and special guests git the new.
You mentioned the second time Vash would appear on TNG. I know most will likely not believe me but, I had a key roll in that appearance.
I attended a Star Trek convention in Cincinnati, Ohio where Majel Barrett and John de Lancie were the "Special Guests". After it ended, I found myself on the down escalator just behind Mr. de Lancie. I took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him where I asked if when we could expect to see Vash again. Mr. de Lancie indicated he seriously doubted that she would return and stated, "I think we've seen the last of Vash."
I expressed my disappointment since I thought there could possibly be a meeting of Vash and Q that could make for a wonderfully entertaining episode. The wheels began turning in Mr. de Lancie's head as he got a Q-like gleam in his eye. He told me that he would do what he could to make something along those lines happen.
When I saw the episode, the moment Vash showed up, I thought, "this must be the one." When Q popped in, I knew it was. Mr. de Lancie had asked me what type of credit I would want. I assured him that just the knowledge that I had a hand in it would be enough for me.
Qpid will always be my favorite episode of TNG.
The final scene of the defector is perfection. Picard and Tomalak lock in battle of wits to see who comes out on top. Mesmerising. Loved every minute of it.
Season 3 is my go-to for “comfort food” episodes. “The Vengeance Factor”, “The Hunted”, and “The High Ground” aren’t the best of Season 3, but they’re much better and feel more like a “typical TNG episode” than anything in Seasons 1 or 2.
“The Vengeance Factor”, “The Hunted”, and “The High Ground” All of those. They are my Favorite episodes of that season. Maybe my all the time starting point when starting to binge watch. Season 3 - 5 are the best.
Not only changed the franchise, but changed television with that up-to-that-point unprecedented cliffhanger season finale.
This season was so good that it even spawned the trope "growing the beard" as an inverse of "jumping the shark" from Happy Days. This season is when Riker grew his beard, and the surge in quality was so noticeable, that when a TV show goes from mediocre and middling, to finding its footing and growing into the quality show it was meant to be, that show is said to have "grown the beard".
No, Riker grew his beard for season 2 not 3.
Is it equally significant that Riker 'Shaved the Beard' in the poorly received 'Insurrection' movie?
@@StreetPreacherr But he has it back in Nemesis, which is far worse. Most people's criticism of Insurrection is that it's, "just like a two-part episode of TNG." And I'm like... oh well, those tended to be great?
Didn't Data try a beard and everyone in the command staff meeting were trying not to laugh. Except for Troi, who made an excuse to leave and could be heard laughing down the hallway.
I think you do the Survivors an injustice in this because the best part about this episode is the reveal at the end where the god-like alien admits he exterminated the entire race of the people who attacked his planet and killed his wife, and submits himself for Picard's judgement, who - and this is the best part because he nails it - says he is not qualified to judge a being of such incomprehensible power. It's a moment that really sets the tone for the rest of the franchise moving forward, and truly separates TNG from TOS. Brilliant writing.
The best thing that happened to TNG is Gene Roddenberry getting sick. He and his lawyer could no longer rewrite other peoples scripts. The show’s writing became much more focused and mature. While there were occasional stinkers like Captain’s Holiday, the overall quality of the season was pretty consistent. I tend to think hit its peak during seasons 3 and 4. By season 7, it was clear the writers were out of ideas. Sadly, these same writers would go on to work on Voyager, which explains why that show was poorly written right from the start.
"The Survivors" is one of my favorite ST: TNG episodes. A PR person for ST:TNG spoke at a convention I attended in the 90s and said that the original story would have had Kevin Uxbridge turn out to be an Oraganian. However, the show-runners didn't want to do a call-out to TOS. So, they took that part out.
That would have been a great tie-in...and make sense as well...What's idiotic is that the entire THING is a "shout-out" to Best Trek/Kirk-Spock...so just another lameness.
Best line in Star Trek, *ever*:
Q: "What can I do to convince you that I'm human??"
Worf: "Die."
Q: "Oh very good, Worf. Eat any good books lately?"
LOL 😂
"The Enemy" is a good episode. It shows the personality of LaForge. Yes he's kinda unsecure nerd who have bad luck with the ladies. But he never treats anyone bad.
LeVar Burton had another show at the time. "Reading Rainbow". He'd go on a cool adventure and then tell you about some shitty kids books. I like to read but the books on the show were lame. Anyway there's one episode of Reading Rainbow where Burton explains that he is an actor on a show called "Star Trek", he dons his Star Fleet uniform and classic visor then takes the viewer on a tour of The Enterprise. It ain't no ten-penny tour either - he goes into depth on the ship specifications. You also get to see him interact with "lesser characters" or subordinates who you don't see in Star Trek.
It's the coolest meta-crossover episode of anything I've ever seen in my life.
@@daviswhite3591 That would have been a phenomenal extra for the blu-ray box sets.
@@inkermoy It's on Disc 1 of the TNG Season 2 blu-ray set. 🖖😎👍
@@Willpower-74205
Shut up Will!
*wink*
"Dave, you're not supposed to be here" -Guinan
Yesterday's Enterprise is one of the best hours of television ever made.
Might be my favorite stand alone episode of any series, with BOBW being my favorite two-parter.
I’m with you brother
“Who watches the watchers” is one of the best examples of all Star Trek.
Season 3 is excellent.
I remember watching season 3, you could almost literally watch the show’s quality getting better and better each week. It clearly was hitting its stride, just so far above and beyond the first two seasons. And then the most amazing season finale ever seen in any Star Trek series. I kept looking at the clock trying to figure out how they were going to wrap this up. And then those three terrifying words: to be continued. 😮
"The Defector" needs more attention. They packed so much into a single episode, and that climax was so good
I think Riker grew as a character in the best of both worlds. He saved the entire Quadrant. That’s why I was so pissed off when in that later episode where that jackass captain jellico takes over as captain that lady admiral tells riker they needed someone who could handle the cardassians and that person wasnt him. Riker should have said something like “well if could save the Quadrant from the borg I think I could handle a negotiation with some dumbass cardassians”
Saving the Quadrant from the borg doesn't mean you understand Carrdassian culture, Admiral Jackass did.
I understand but I didn’t see that any unique insights by captain Jellico were responsible for the end result. But I guess it was ok as Riker was needed to fly the mission to lay the mines which attached to the cardassian ships at the end.
Looking at this, great video by the by, it really makes me sad that new trek exists. Star trek really has been dumbed down. It died after Enterprise was canceled which also maked me sad as it was just getting going. Ah well. The times we live in.
Then there's good news for you! The Orville is by far the best new Star Trek our there. It starts comedic, but the tone shifts more serious over time.
@@Saavryn yeah the 3rd season is serious writing af. 😲
Sadly i agree, I do enjoy the Orville, don't get me wrong, but I find it doesn't have the gravitas of tng or ds9, a great sci-fi show to be sure, some of the writing can be a bit hit and miss and some of the performances too, buy sure look. It's out 3rd season. Onwards and upwards i say
Strange new worlds is a return to form. Try it.
You can thank Les "Sexual Harassment" Moonves for that.
Yesterday's Enterprise was awesome. Maybe one of the top 10 TNG episodes off all-time.
It’s probably #2 for me
Booby Trap is an example of a common template in TNG. The Enterprise is caught in an anomaly that threatens their lives. They discover another ship which had been caught in that anomaly but never escaped. Sometimes they find a survivor (although not in this case). Eventually they escape.
Season 3 was the point where TNG really started to shine.
They started to figure out the character dynamics and , while there were still a few strange episodes, its where the show's stories really started popping off.
Ironically it is the fact that Roddenberry was removed from direct involment after season two. There have been several documentaries about.
Thanks!
I can’t believe all these episodes were in Season 3! Some of my favorites 😎
Season 3 of TNG is where the Starfleet uniforms also changed because some of the cast complained that uniforms from the first two seasons were uncomfortable to wear, although the uniforms from the first two seasons were still being worn by crew members that were not a part of the main cast.
I also think it's a nice and easier way to show more senior members of the crew. The collar design did the two piece look also gave rise to The Picard Maneuver. And he did mention the costume change and the reason.
Who cares about extras?
@@countofdownable I care. (Luke Skywalker line) 😀
I have just started Season 3 for the first time and just finished the episode "The Defector " (the one with Admiral Jarok). Damn, what a great episode.
Really starting to see why Season 3 is regarded as TNG hitting its stride. Every episode I've seen so far is a complete banger.
I hope it gets better.
That Q episode where he becomes human was a funny one. When Q is in the brig, and in detail, describes to Picard, this hyperbolic harrowing episode of him losing life, losing consciousness, and Picard simply saying "you fell asleep" lol. Also his interactions with Data were really good too.
Good list for season 3, I also find "The Ensigns of Command", "Captain's Holiday" and "The Most Toys" to be excellent episodes.
The Ensigns of Command is a good Data episode and a great lesson in the scientific method.
Captain's Holiday is a fun episode that introduces the planet Risa and the recurring character of Vash.
The Most Toys is IMO an important Data episode that develops the character and shows the audience much more of what Data is capable of.
Captains Holiday is so fun. I love it.
I remember as a kid watching that Best of Both Worlds episode and cliff hanger and then I forgot to tune in for the conclusion and I was devastated. It was such a different world then for media consumption.
6:20 I actually disagree. You *should* watch this episode if you have suffered a bereavement:
" It is part of our life cycle that we accept the death of those we love. Jeremy must come to terms with his grief. He must not cover it or hide away from it. You see we are mortal and our time in this universe is finite. That is one of the truths that all humans must learn…."
- Jean Luc Picard
I defy you to find dialogue like that in modern Trek.
I liked Star Trek as a young kid. I even had the Mego Star Trek Enterprise play set with the transporter and the six action figures (5 crew members and 1 Klingon), but the show I watched religiously at about the same time in the 1970s was Space: 1999, which was on Saturday nights at 6 pm. It wasn’t until season 3 of Star Trek that I really sat up and took notice of the show. First, I was glad to see Gates McFadden return as Dr. Beverly Crusher, then I saw The Ensigns of Command, an excellent Lieutenant Commander Data episode, and I was hooked. TNG was on during the same time slot as Space: 1999 once was and suddenly there was a show that I really enjoyed watching, and I couldn’t wait to see next week’s episode. Season 3 is the season that saved TNG and made that show a worthy successor to the original Star Trek.
Q - What must I do to convince you people?
Worf - Die.
" The High Ground" Was also a great episode. Really nicely paced episode with a tight script and good performances
Yeah, there are too many excellent episodes to go into this season. Great Trek beings! One of my favorites from this season is "The Ensigns of Command" It's a great episode for Data and the story is clever and dramatic. Pillar and Moore coming on to create stories that our characters played more into was an excellent change in the quality of the stories we got. Not sure why you just didn't tell us what happened to the aliens in "The Survivors". That was a holy spit moment.
Definitely rate The Defector as more than an honourable mention. Suspensful and full of intrigue, it also humanises the Romulans through the remourseful defector Jarok, I think.
Terrific episode. Loved the actor who played Jarok.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the fact that the uxbridge alien admitted to committing genocide against an entire species in its rage, and Picard dwelling on the fact that the crime it had committed was one the Federation had no means of bringing it to justice for. The regret he had showed that while he was powerful, that power had its limits as the ability to return life was beyond its abilities.
That episode was powerful and outstanding. I have not forgotten Picard's last line, "...he is to be left, alone".
Thank you, I am enjoying your journey and perspectives on Star Trek. While we might not have the same opinions on certain aspects (new Trek;)) your analysis is always insightful and fair. I have to make mention of something of the first episode you described with the alien being, 'Kevin'. What got me in the show was his guilt, truly a shocker and twist I did not see coming.
Keep up the great work!
They showed TNG deries one on Sunday nights here in Australia when it first came out at 7:30PM and it was fun at the time. Then they moved it to 10:30 on a tuesday night from there on out. When it got to series 3 it was definitely worth skipping you homework and staying up late to watch it. Great video Dave, thank you for sharing this one!
Talk about bringing back memories. It is cliche to think entertainment was better when you were younger, however, TNG at its height set a bar that Star Trek has never managed to duplicate!
John De Lancie was brilliant as Q in all of the seasons, but the third one is where it really took off. It was a role he would decades later reprise in spirit as Discord in the vastly popular fourth generation of My Little Pony. This character is an omnipotent, immortal creature of pure chaos that enjoyed being constant thorn in the side of the protagonists while also often prodding them in the right direction, thus helping them in his own twisted way; sound familiar?
It really felt like a maturing, not just of TNG but maybe of the franchise as well. TNG seasons 1&2 are favourites of mine personally -- I love their cross-section of style somewhere between something old and something new, and that they were prepared to take risks and shake things up in a way later Berman era Star Trek sometimes shied away from -- but you can just tell from the very first episode of Season 3 that everything feels more grown up, and the cast feel more confident in their roles and inside this universe. Kind of an intangible but clear change.
I'm kind of impatiently waiting for you to get to Inner Light and Darmok. Two of my favourites.
SEASON 3 TNG; LET'S GO!!!
This is when I started getting into the new era, watched daily at my neighbour's who had SkyTV - 5 to 6pm, then dinner; good times.
Season three was the season that was just mind blowing. You had episodes that were just simply awesome and the season finale is just the cherry on top.
The reason season 3 was so much better is because they removed Wesley Crusher as the central figure of the show. Every episode of season 2 had the same plot: Wesley fucks up, no one can do anything, Wesley saves the day. It was a bad plot but it was the plot of every damn episode.
Good lord Dave. I do decree this is one of your finest ever videos 🖖😀
this was the year I really got into trek. 10th grade. I even went to a Star Trek convention that year where we talked about Best of both worlds cliffhanger.
Another of my favourites in Season 3 is A Matter of Perspective. The point it makes about three versions of events where each person believes only theirs is true is absolutely relevant to almost everyone in daily life. It's not just a good episode of Star Trek, it should be required viewing! :p
Season 3 was great. And season 4, with Best of Both Worlds Part II and Family just continued the general excellence of the show. I am torn between regarding season 3 or season 5 as the best of the series. Either season rates as some of the best that television, in any genre, has ever produced. Look at season 5 - Darmok, Ensign Ro, Cause and Effect, The Perfect Mate (a harbinger of X things to come), The First Duty, The Next Phase, I Borg (Hugh) and my favorite episode of any Trek show ever - The Inner Light. It's amazing how two of the best Trek episodes ever (City on the Edge of Forever, The Inner Light) really emphasized great story telling, dealing with human emotions, individual dreams to tell stories that are universal and timeless. The Inner Light is a great masterpiece of television - Patrick Steward really deserved an Emmy for this episode alone. And the story! And the acting!
And Darmok was a great, underrated episode (in my opinion). Paul Winfield and Patrick Stewart display acting chops rarely matched in series television. It made the epic of Gilgamesh come alive. The way these two great actors played off each other. And did I say that it made Gilgamesh come alive? Gilgamesh,. A king. At Uruk. And so starts one of the greatest storytelling minutes we are likely to see. Finally, the story from thousands of years ago comes alive. Patrick Steward is a TREMENDOUS actor. And in two magnificent episodes in season 5 (Darmok, The Inner Light), we see Sir Patrick at his awesome best. Television does not have to be trite. It just has to tell a great story. And boy, what great stories TNG told.
The Most Toys brought us the most genuinely despicable villain in the series. The actor was a quick replacement since the original committed suicide after some principle filming, but he took the role and ran wild. The character was vile. Unapologetic to the end. He was so depraved and hedonistic that Data actually started to murder him. Brilliant performance.
Wonderful video. Thanks. Hope more to come to review the remaining seasons.
Yeah I must admit I did really enjoy this season, it was the first time I'd heard earths solar system being call 'Sector 001' which I thought was very clever
Having rewatched episodes of TNG, I had forgotten how much of a struggle the series started out, especially the first season. While I prefer the later seasons, the third season felt right at home for me with even just the surface level changes like the uniforms or the change in the intro. The Borg were truly the most frightening in TNG, with Best of both Worlds being a prime example. Later iterations, particularly from Voyager, did not carry that same presence.
Watching Sarek I was convinced Patrick was ready to leave the show and Best of both Worlds seemed perfect as an Exit then it's like they changed their minds but I love 4x02 Family
The survivors had one the best JLP quotes of all time:
We are not fit to be your judges. We have No law to fit your crime.
"Yesterday's Enterprise" is my favorite TNG episode.
Every single episode of season 3 is a classic. The season finale is freaking best of both worlds. Easily my favorite season by far.
Season 3 is definitely the season of TNG, but I really liked Season 2 as well. Something about 2 feels really raw and imperfected, like a live performance show vs a refined album ver of a song that S3 onward became.
Deja Q I think was my mom’s favorite episode. She laughed and was tickled all the way through it. She always liked it when Q showed up, but this was her favorite
Good memories.
What a stark difference to the current day Star Dreck.
Season 3 is when Data became a fan favorite. Later seasons (season 6 & 7) relied on Data to carry weaker episodes a bit too much.
Excellent video and on spot analysis! Star Trek TNG was indeed a very good series that I really enjoyed watching. Keep up the good work!
I would like a review of the infamous Troi and Crusher stretching scene.
I second that motion.
"Fascinating"
You said Leonard Nimoy was in the first TOS character in Encounter at Farpoint. I'm pretty sure it was Deforest Kelley.
I would include "Ensigns of Command" on my own season 3 best-of list. Watching Data learn to use tactical deceit as a political weapon is wonderful, and the unrequited live the local woman has for him is heartbreaking. But best of all, watching Picard beat the ultra-bureaucratic aliens at their own game is immensely fun -- especially the part where they try to contact the Enterprise to capitulate, and Picard leaves them on hold for a couple of minutes as he slowly ambles around the bridge, every expression and posture conveying the clear message "Let the f*ckers squirm a bit." Riker's slow grin as he realizes what Picard is up to is one of my favorite bits of subtly effective acting on the show.
Damn, I haven't watched TNG properly since I lived at home, so probably 20 years. I remember all of those episodes, it's amazing that they're all from Season 3.
I was always a bit disappointed that instead of finding a better way to 'deal' with Deanna's psychic powers, the writers essentially just completely sidelined her for that episode. Although at least it shows that the producers were actually considering ALL of the details of the characters, and someone realized that if Troi was around she would have immediately just been able to discover that the guy wasn't human and the whole thing was just simply illusion.
If it was 'new trek' they probably wouldn't have even addressed the possibility, and it would have just left a big plot hole. :)
Nope... In "new trek" you would have seen Deanna breaking down, crying and screaming in a sandbox untill they reveal the alien's plot. He would have been just a toxic patriarch instead of an overly powerful entity that suffers from basic feelings. Therefore, Troi being taken out kinda upheld one of the major common traits that "developed societies" share, to project happiness while living in despair, what made this "ol' alien" more human than most, even if being that "advanced" and "godlike"... A better plot than with Apollo in TOS IMHO
To be honest, the concept of a person being able to destroy an entire race across lightyears and to create a warp-capable ship out of nothing but then being fooled by the Enterprise merely moving to a higher orbit is just as big a plothole. The TNG-writers also commited many of the sins we hold against the NuTrek writers, but we are more forgiving because they usually delivered on the plot where DIS and Picard failed terribly.
@@gildor8866 I don't think the TNG writers had the volume of sins per season that STD and STP has per episode. Or maybe we can ignore those faults in the plot because the premise, character work, and dialogue was so much more engaging than what is created for us today. Oh, I forgot, the show wasn't created for us, it was created for the writers.
Never really realized how awesome this season was, thank you!
Great overview! Miss this era of tv sci-fi.
Feel like in certain regards Picard being taken by the board and riker being the new captain is similar to how people are feeling right now with Charles becoming King
A few years back I finally watch all of the Original Series followed by TNG. I think both were excellent. I’m mostly impressed with the original series for how well they were able to tell their stories with such cheap sets and effects.
TOO BAD, THE episode following the Best of Both world wasn't in season 3. I warched that in a satellite tent with my Fellow Air Force vets and we all tripped out over Picard fighting with his brother and his relationship with Renee, his nephew.
The Borg looked a bit shit at the end of Season 3. They really improved them hugely over the years
Man even the honorable mentions are great
Love that you started with The Survivors. One of my favorites.