185
u/miles_dallas Mar 05 '20
I did not want that episode to end.
69
u/HappyInNature Mar 06 '20
This was by far the best episode of the season.
61
u/BNE_Jimmy Mar 06 '20
The whole episode was a love letter. The music was clever, allowing us to be nostalgic without unnecessary exposition. The story, which could have been trite, allowed Picard to be so raw and honest in the ready-cum-dining-room without us thinking less of him. The photography was beautiful (the shot of the water coming out of the shower spout was a ‘wow’ moment). The lighting was so warm especially after the time spent in the ‘darkness’ of space. All this before the superb acting and emotional fan-service reunion of Stewart, Frakes and Sirtis! Thank you so much for this episode. This was my favourite Trek in fifty years of journeys.
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (2)11
u/royrogerer Mar 07 '20
Because they actually took their time and let a conversation really work itself out. I had to keep rewinding will and Jean luc having a chat over and over. It felt like a heart felt interaction between two human beings, not some information drop that I was getting a bit tired of so far.
27
→ More replies (1)50
136
u/filchermcurr Mar 05 '20
Well! I enjoyed the episode in general. The reunion with Riker and Troi was very touching and the interaction between Kestra and Soji was very well done. A lot of times, interactions between children and adults can be awkward and contrived. I enjoyed that Kestra was both mature and immature, old and young, and it matched how Soji felt. She was able to paint things in terms that only a child can.
Picard referencing his artificial heart was good. I'm glad they remember some things!
Nice humor when Raffi is leading Jurati off to get her something and the something turns out to be cake.
Now what I don't like so much... at this point, I'm just going to assume that any character we know from another show is going to die, get tortured, get tortured and die, or lose a shiny child we've just met. These writers seem to like killing off nostalgia, either for shock factor or to send the message that this ain't your mama's Star Trek anymore. Either way, I don't like it and I hope they don't kill Seven and the Rikers (cool band name).
33
u/chillzwerg Mar 05 '20
The Troi-Rikers! remember the trophy of their son.
The Band is called Rykers and plays Punk.→ More replies (1)22
u/Bishop8496 Mar 06 '20
A part of me is already expecting the worst for Seven. I think, this is the main complaint I have about this show. The idea that killing off a character is good for writing.
→ More replies (6)→ More replies (17)22
u/asoap Mar 06 '20
I think they've nailed down firmly now that any character can die at any time. So now Raffi, Rios, Jarati, Seven are not safe. They no longer have plot armor. It's giving a strong sense of lack of safety that is making this way more intense than normal Star Trek. This is anti stark trek where you had the monster of the week and could torture the crew only to have everything and everyone (including the dead) return back to normal.
Except of course for the rare occasions where characters were killed off due to contract negotiations.
→ More replies (1)47
105
u/scubadude2 Mar 06 '20
We all knew it was coming. From the day the trailer dropped we knew the captain and his number one were going to be reunited. We fucking knew and they still managed to make it emotional as hell and tear jerking, and kept it up the whole episode. Bravo to Frakes and Sirtis for bringing their characters back to life in the most amazing way. That episode was golden.
35
u/YnrohKeeg Mar 06 '20
Anyone get all choked up at the look on Deanna's face when she sensed Jean-Luc was dying? Not a word, just a look, and probably the best three seconds of television I've seen in forever.
→ More replies (1)14
u/Jack_of_Swords Mar 07 '20
Interesting. I interpreted that as her sensing a deep hurt in Picard - residue of all the painful confrontations he's had on this adventure. His realization of just how costly his pride and isolation have been. She's an empath after all, not a telepath.
But I can't say I'm totally confident about that. Something to watch for next time I see it.
→ More replies (1)5
u/yerkind Mar 06 '20
i had no idea, never watch any trailers. fucking loved every second of it
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (4)4
u/Acc87 Mar 06 '20
The kid did also fit in really well. I'd given her some black contact lenses, but apart from that a fine girl and character.
80
Mar 06 '20
I love that Rikers house has shields.
27
79
u/campbellm Mar 06 '20
I had no idea how much physically bigger Frakes is than Stewart. Sweet mercy that guy's big.
29
u/AgentMV Mar 06 '20
Have you seen the Riker maneuver?
→ More replies (1)16
u/Mercarcher Mar 06 '20
https://giphy.com/gifs/star-trek-tng-patrick-stewart-xove0Uqyq7lNC
Also wow he's only 6'3". I'm 6'5" and don't think of myself of being big and imposing like that.
→ More replies (1)14
u/In_Correct Mar 06 '20
In some episode of The Next Generation, Q commented how tall Riker is. He was all ways tall. And now he is big.
158
u/kimbereen Mar 05 '20
The chemistry between Jonathan Frakes and Patrick Stewart is something I took for granted in Next Generation. I loved this episode.
51
u/BTBishops Mar 06 '20
For me this was by far the best episode of the show. I feel like they really hit their stride with pacing and storytelling.
→ More replies (3)12
u/honeybadger1984 Mar 06 '20
I just rewatched Pegasus where there was legit tension between them. It was fun jumping from that to this episode of Picard.
→ More replies (2)5
Mar 09 '20
It was like going back in time; Riker looks different because he's older, but he still has the exact same mannerisms that he did before. All of a sudden I became so nostalgic for the TNG characters and just how developed and grounded they all were, compared to many of our more modern counterparts. Hell, even in the first episode they linger on Picard saying 'thank you' twice while he looks at a necklace and hands it back... stuff that generally gets missed out in scripts.
The only thing we missed was a scene where he sits down on a chair.
→ More replies (1)
136
u/J_G_B Mar 05 '20
The "ass deep in Romulans" made me laugh a little harder than it should have.
→ More replies (3)
60
u/fireguy286 Mar 06 '20
Two things stuck out:
reminded me a lot of Picard visiting Kirk in Generations.
when Picard asked Riker if he’d ever get back out there and didn’t entirely say no.... don’t play with us writers!
28
u/xeonmasterracev2 Mar 06 '20
At some point in the series you just know they need to have Riker show up in the captain's chair of a starship to lay some fire down on some Romulans. Better have Laforge and Worf with him as well.
→ More replies (2)19
→ More replies (3)7
101
u/Youre_A_Fan_Of_Mine Mar 05 '20
Well, at least Hugh lasted more than one episode.
64
u/trekkie6226 Mar 05 '20
I was sad to see him go.
→ More replies (30)43
u/JBondOHMS Mar 05 '20 edited Mar 05 '20
Del Arco and Jeri are on next weeks ready room...I think/hope 7 saves Hugh via some Borg wizardry...somethings up with her black eyes when the cube starts freaking out..is she the new 'Queen' of XB's..I can see the remaining collective of free Borg 'choosing' her if she somehow saves Hugh.
That vision of whatever definately had shades of romulans/vulcans being told they are really synths and they were literally tearing their skin off at disbelief.
One blew their brains out was a definite Romulan
Plus the face of a synth of some sort,.kinda like Ariam from Disco..but maybe some form of progenitor based artificial life...Which is looking like was the foundation of the Romulan or Vulcan people...and maybe somehow connects to the Borg.
I think they are on the verge of a major rewrite to canon..which Doctor Who just did the other day.
I think Hugh just maybe is coming back at a future date.
→ More replies (23)11
u/kimbereen Mar 05 '20
I really expected him to join the crew. I think it was a mistake to let him go.
→ More replies (2)9
93
u/CmdShelby Mar 05 '20 edited Mar 05 '20
It was nice to see Troi putting her professional skills to use without her emphatic powers and treating Soji like a human being which was a stark contrast to what Narek did last episode; "You're not real".
→ More replies (5)23
83
u/damagedone37 Mar 05 '20
The reunion of Picard and his right and left hands was beautiful. I cried again at Hugh. God this series is so good. So happy we have Trek on again.
→ More replies (3)
41
41
Mar 05 '20
Nice to know Ray bans still exist in the 24th century
38
u/Aestus74 Mar 05 '20
I have a feeling they're not going to explain this. Like the writers were just high one night and photoshopped sunglasses on Spock. They thought it was so funny and such a great idea they decided to make one of the evil Admirals and sunglasses wearing Vulcan.
→ More replies (18)28
u/TheRealDL Mar 05 '20
Michael Chabon has hinted that the sunglasses do serve a purpose, but not to this universes Vulcans.
→ More replies (19)
38
u/Manzarek1996 Mar 05 '20
I don't understand why the writers decided to kill Hugh off like that. But man, seeing Riker, Troi and Picard together again was surreal.
→ More replies (1)38
Mar 05 '20
I'm holding out hope that Seven will revive/resuscitate him using her nanoprobes.
i'm also deathly afraid of the writers deciding to kill seven off, but i'd rather not entertain that possibility right now.
→ More replies (1)16
38
u/fansometwoer Mar 06 '20
Can someone please explain where that Fenris Ranger tag thing came from?
Also, best Troi writing ever.
17
23
u/rustydoesdetroit Mar 06 '20
It was Hugh’s
→ More replies (1)10
u/fansometwoer Mar 06 '20
Really??? thanks! I must have missed it because I was losing my shit at the TV at that moment
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)4
u/dinosaurkiller Mar 08 '20
Seven gave it to Picard, just in case he needs a little “vigilante justice”. He was disoriented when he beamed aboard the cube and dropped it. The rest is just lazy writing.
→ More replies (1)
36
u/Torley_ Mar 05 '20
I cracked up when Jurati goes, "Oh. Hi." during the flashback scene, and the Commodore redundantly introduces herself as "Oh." I know, homophone and all... it's even funnier considering the other mentions of "Oh?" during the episode.
31
Mar 05 '20
Why does it feel like the Commodore purposefully implanted false mental images in Agnes’ mind?
It seemed like what we saw when Oh mind melded with Agnes was either what she thought would happen or something that was meant to scary Agnes’.
→ More replies (2)30
u/Frogman1480 Mar 05 '20
The commodore's ears are mental, she looks like yoda with shades
→ More replies (2)24
29
u/AngledLuffa Mar 05 '20
Skantal: A tan qalanq is no match for a disruptor, sisterboy
Elnor: kills 9 Romulans armed with disruptors
Skantal: ...
21
Mar 06 '20
People really should listen when Elnor implores them to choose to live.
→ More replies (1)
78
u/Rasalom Mar 05 '20
Why does every villain have to enjoy being evil like they're some sort of sadistic monster? Can't we just get a Romulan villain that does what they do out of an honest fear of AI? Some refugee to make us identify with their cause just a bit?? This Romulan chick is a throwaway Saturday morning cartoon villain.
55
Mar 05 '20
I groaned out loud when she said "I'm bored!" while executing people. I literally could not come up with a more trite one-liner for a bad guy if I was trying.
→ More replies (11)15
32
u/LordGalen Mar 05 '20
Can't we just get a Romulan villain that does what they do out of an honest fear of AI?
Jurati doing that isn't enough? She's exactly the villain you just described.
→ More replies (3)29
Mar 06 '20
Same with Commodore Oh. based on her exchange with Jurati, I get the feeling that she's believes she's working for the greater good.
→ More replies (8)8
u/Pellaeonthewingedleo Mar 06 '20
That was always the thing with ST, their villains were good because they believed in what they did not because they enjoyed it (at least the main villains) Gul Dukat, the changelings, Sela, Q Khan
4
u/elasticthumbtack Mar 06 '20
Now she reminds me of Azula from The Last Air Bender.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (3)7
26
Mar 06 '20
I really hope Riker turns up again, he’s not “retired,” as he’s still in the reserves. Also, one cannot ignore the dynamic between Soji and Kestra.
4
u/ta09890 Mar 08 '20
It's pretty much guaranteed that he will. Like someone else said in a different thread, Picard asking him if he would consider flying again is like the most obvious set up for him making an appearance captaining a starship, rescuing the main crew at the last moment.
40
u/japhygrant Mar 05 '20
Hey a character episode!
Squirrely Agnes is not a likable character, but she’s fun to watch. She’s clearly not up to being a badass spy, but I guess that was one effective (albeit rapey) mind meld.
Rafi and Reos are definitely mama and papa bear and I love them.
Troi and Riker and their kids obviously the highlight for fans and I love that they use the longtime relationships they all have in new ways. Picard needed some tough love and support and in this show filled with so much loss, seeing them again and happy despite life taking its toll felt important- grounded Picard in who he is.
Soji is still a cipher, but that’s the point, I guess? I’m sort of thrilled the show gave us some speculation - watching Riker and Troi figuring out what’s going on was helpful for establishing what’s going on for the non obsessive.
Sad we didn’t get more of a Hugh/Elnor team up. Bye Hugh!
Place setting episode for sure, but hey, there’s pizza for everyone!
32
Mar 05 '20
At first I thought Raffi was aiming to get her high
26
u/japhygrant Mar 05 '20
I have a feeling so was Raffi but hey if cake is Agnes' poison. Mostly they were making Rios and Raffi soooo nice that Agnes would feel even worse for all the murder and lies.
→ More replies (5)→ More replies (1)10
u/nonrosknroskno Mar 06 '20
She absolutely was, the look of surprise on Raffi's face when she replies she wants cake said it all.
→ More replies (1)17
Mar 06 '20
watching Riker and Troi figuring out what’s going on was helpful for establishing what’s going on for the non obsessive.
Riker easily figuring out the situation -- with no prep from Picard -- and Troi figuring out how to counsel Soji -- a being she cannot feel emotions from -- was very well done. It got the casual audience up to speed while also showing how smart they still are.
→ More replies (1)
71
Mar 05 '20
At the start of the episode, I really wasn't sure about Kestra.
Then when it ended, I was like THAT BETTER NOT BE THE LAST TIME I SEE THOSE THREE #languageexpert #StrangerThingsaudience #drawherlikeoneofyourFrenchgirls
68
u/pmitten Mar 05 '20
Riker and Troi raised two super weird, nerdy, constantly LARPing kids and ::rupaul voice:: I am so proud to see it. So proud.
24
21
20
u/HappyInNature Mar 06 '20
The actress playing Kestra knocked it out of the park. I got a bit emotional....
18
u/DisinterestedOcelot Mar 06 '20
I was instantly sad at the name Kestra. I knew it was foreshadowing.
→ More replies (5)→ More replies (7)5
54
u/YYZYYC Mar 05 '20
I’m struggling to believe that the Commodore could just convince a non military mild mannered scientist to commit cold blooded murder, after a 30 second mind meld that shows some bad shit. Like did she not question how the Commodore knows for sure all those specific things will happen in the future? I mean this is like someone sharing a short scary fictional video and then they go oh wow ok ya I better go knock off my former lover for you...wtf
58
u/bardbrain Mar 05 '20
I'm assuming that montage is not LITERALLY what Jurati saw but was a summary for our sake.
A 30 second mindmeld could contain a complete 18 hour powerpoint. Hell, as we saw with Star Trek 3, a single, 5 second mindmeld can transmit a good 50 years of information.
Dr. J is going to have to come out of the coma to explain what was in the mindmeld. We were just given a highlight reel.
→ More replies (2)15
u/YYZYYC Mar 05 '20
Totally plausible yes. But some dialogue to convey that would be beneficial
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (7)21
u/japhygrant Mar 05 '20
You clearly have never had a mind meld. It’s pretty freaking intense.
I do wonder about this though: No way CommodO was around for the last time synths took over right? Unless she’s a synth? So this was a memory that’s been carried and passed down through the ages maybe?
I also feel like the way she mind melded with Agnes was pretty non consensual and we know it can harm human brains, so who knows?
→ More replies (6)19
Mar 05 '20
I also feel like the way she mind melded with Agnes was pretty non consensual
Yeah that struck me as a little weird. Vulcans are usually such ethical people.
→ More replies (21)
54
u/3DXYZ Mar 05 '20 edited Mar 05 '20
S1E7 was Inner Light good. It was phenomenal. The first season has had some seriously weak episodes but this was coming home... right where I wanted to be.
I just love Frakes and Marina. There is no doubt that they are a treasure to all of us. This is one of those strange art imitates life moments that the cast and audience can appreciate on multiple levels. It's fascinating how the show's story comes together to give us this great moment. I wish some of the other episodes were stronger but this was a phenomenal episode worthy of the name Picard.
Great performances from Frakes and Marina although it's more than just an excellent performance. These are very honest and natural moments I could easily see the actors sharing with each other and us in celebration of all of our lives together through this silly thing we call Star Trek. This episode is about family and enjoying the moments we have together, while welcoming new people into our lives. This is about family, not just Soji's new family but ours, cast crew and audience. Thanks for that moment... old friends, and new.
→ More replies (4)16
u/BasementCat666 Mar 05 '20
Why "Frakes and Marina" instead of "Jonathan and Marina" or "Frakes and Sirtis"?
→ More replies (8)
18
u/YYZYYC Mar 05 '20
I honestly wish they would have a smaller cast of main characters and not have so many people and so many threads to tie up in just 10 episodes a season. And that’s just the character threads, never mind all the plot that keeps getting teased at but not much ever happens or gets resolved...I mean we have 2 episodes left and so much unresolved...the potential for quick fast Kurtzman BS exposition dialogue that wraps up a big thread in 30 seconds of chat in middle of more lens flare pew pew pew is very high at this point
26
u/ZeroBANG Mar 05 '20
don't expect any of the character plots to be resolved, this is planned to run 3 Seasons.
→ More replies (3)9
u/catnapspirit Mar 05 '20
They have 2 more hours. Just think what a movie can accomplish in 2 hours..
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (6)4
18
u/ladyfromtheclouds Mar 06 '20
I love Soji's head tilts. I have more thoughts about the episode, of course. But this one currently sticks out.
→ More replies (2)
17
34
u/WhiteSquarez Mar 06 '20
Damn, Kestra is such a great character. The actress has an amazing amount of charisma and charm. She was casted perfectly and her part in Soji's journey was really awesome.
I loved this episode and didn't want it to end. It felt like a Next Gen episode in a lot of ways and every time the screen faded to black but went to another actual scene instead of the credits, I was thankful and happy.
→ More replies (1)20
u/serendipity_siren Mar 06 '20
Kestra was the MVP of the episode for me. Sometimes it's hard to find a child actor that doesn't come across as affected or pretentious, and in this case they did it absolutely right.
16
u/Pellaeonthewingedleo Mar 06 '20
i feel like that Episode was the Picard series we deserved. It felt right, for once this was old ST again.
The only complaint I have is Hugh, I feel his death was really unnecessary
5
u/Sam-HobbitOfTheShire Mar 06 '20
I’m wondering if Hugh’s death is setting up Seven to be the “queen” of the XBs. Like maybe she brings him back to life via established Borg wizardry and she takes over the Queen Cell. Hugh did say Elnor needed an XB to use it. And that he hadn’t because he was afraid. And we know Seven.
→ More replies (2)
15
u/NerdTalkDan Mar 06 '20
The quiet moments on Nepenthe were wonderful. Deanna's assessment of Picard was the best way to really contrast old and new Picard. We've heard for weeks from characters about how arrogant and different Picard is/has become. But to hear it from Deanna one of THE crew was satisfying. I feel like the ending where he explicitly says the line "two to beam up" was a way of showing his old mannerisms coming back. But I could be looking too much into things as always lol.
That death. Man that's such a waste of a good character . . .
51
Mar 05 '20
My favorite part was when Picard and Riker were sitting on the dock and suddenly Vreenak popped up, pointed at the water, and hissed "It's a laaaake!"
→ More replies (1)10
u/Non_nomen_usoris Mar 06 '20
And when when he popped up next to a stricken Agnes to helpfully explain her coma away with "It's a caaaake!"
→ More replies (1)
14
Mar 05 '20
Is anyone else craving red velvet cake right now or is it just me
→ More replies (7)4
Mar 06 '20
After all that vomiting, no. Hah.
Actually I’ve no idea what it is, never had it.
→ More replies (3)
14
27
Mar 05 '20
It was bright outside when the pizza was done cooking and it was dark when they had dinner. WTF is the point of a real wood oven pizza if you're gonna let it sit for hours and get cold!
#justiceforpizza
19
Mar 05 '20
My two main takeaways from this episode:
I really need to order pizza tomorrow, and
Someone should procure an inordinate amount of red velvet cake for me.
11
u/GoodGirlElly Mar 06 '20
They could have made some new pizzas after Riker burnt the first ones
→ More replies (5)→ More replies (5)5
26
u/Bommelunder Mar 05 '20
Hugh goddammit - so mad right now - and I even predicted it.
If they going to kill Troi-Riker or Seven... I will stop watching this series. Seriously! Icheb, Maddox and Hugh... that simply enough!
13
13
u/Deshik2 Mar 06 '20
I swear to god, Q is somewhere out there furiously scribling names into a death note
→ More replies (2)
10
9
u/Rosdrago Mar 05 '20
Everytime I read about Commodore Oh, I keep thinking of Agent O and the Master.
→ More replies (1)
9
9
u/AssKraaken Mar 06 '20
I am reimagining the episode. Picard decides to take Soji to Worf’s house instead on the Klingon homeworld. He is the one guy who wouldn’t be afraid of the Romulans coming.
→ More replies (4)
9
u/Basekid Mar 06 '20
Nice character work. But PLEASE spend some effort/money on the set design. Everything looks like it could be bought in stores today.
6
u/cjalas Mar 06 '20
Find out tonight where ST:P props came from! The answer will shock you!
→ More replies (1)
16
u/FunnyWut Mar 05 '20
Overall, I enjoyed the episode. However, by the end it, I just kept wondering why the script had Agnes vomiting every 30 seconds!
40
Mar 05 '20
Think she was trying to get rid of her tracker?
→ More replies (11)21
u/FunnyWut Mar 05 '20
Interesting theory! One I didn’t think about. While I think she could have been trying, earlier in the episode Commodore Oh said that she had to chew the tracker instead of swallowing it whole. This makes me think that her sickness may have been her visceral reaction to what she had done to Maddox or her realization of what is to come versus trying to get rid of the device. I’d love to hear more, though!
→ More replies (7)18
u/Shatterplex Mar 05 '20
Go and kill the person you loved most in the world.
See how your mind and body react to that.
Nevermind the Vulcan mindf-ck she got.→ More replies (2)10
→ More replies (3)8
u/SixthGrader Mar 06 '20
I think the cake throw up was just to show that she was sick over what she had been convinced to do.
When she
3d printed(but seriously that was a 3d printer) the hypospray it warned that it could be fatal to some species. Ok, but maybe not to humans, maybe to humans it makes them throw up romulan spy trackers.→ More replies (3)
8
u/HiMadly Mar 06 '20
Did anyone else think that Commadore Oh Sunglasses were a badly used prop?
→ More replies (4)11
u/cjalas Mar 06 '20
You mean like the 3D printers used as replicators, and the Off the shelf joysticks used on the romulan ship?
→ More replies (2)
8
u/ChrisTakesPictures Mar 06 '20
Don’t know if anybody else has noticed this:
The little „door“ on Rikers wood oven has the shape of a Jeffries Tube hatch. They show it for two or three times.
😂
8
u/uther100 Mar 09 '20
Marina Sirtis was really acting her ass off asking Picard not to make her choose between her loyalty to him and her daughter.
26
u/MoseSchruteFarms Mar 06 '20
Dammit, I knew they were going to kill Hugh. His anguish seeing those XBs being murdered was heartbreaking. I am so damn proud of him though. It was cool he and Seven know each other but I am annoyed they won’t be on screen together. Hopefully we get a flashback.
Picard’s reunion with Riker and Troi was truly touching. It honestly broke my heart. I said it last week, Picard keeps subverting my expectations in the most wonderful way. The thing I LOVE about this show is I constantly find myself with a huge grin on my face or complete anguish. I was overjoyed seeing Picard’s interactions with Riker, Deanna and Kestra. Learning about Thad was heartbreaking. I can only imagine their anguish as Thad was dying, knowing that if Data were alive he would have done anything to save their son because that was who their friend was. I love how even in their grief they have strength. It was honestly beautiful to see. The way he hugged and kissed them both as he left, look how far Jean Luc has come since Encounter at Farpoint. Patrick’s vulnerability was lovely to see.
Isa is amazing. I have really been enjoying her, her range is awesome and as Data’s daughter I feel for her. But man, that way she cocked her head which Riker immediately understood, that made me giddy and sad at the same time. I so wish Data could have met her. I really want her to learn more about him. I wonder if we will ever get a scene with maybe Soji looking deep inside and talking to his consciousness. I have been looking forward to Soji and Picard finally sitting down and talking and I was really happy that it wasn’t an instantaneous thing. I was worried they would have Soji instantly trust Picard because of some programming, but it was great that we had to sit around this episode and earn that. And the fact Riker, Troi and Kestra helped do that was great.
Riker truly was Number One. That rundown he gave Picard after he figured everything out was great, but I love their familiarity. I love how much deeper their relationship is. I also love how Troi dressed Picard down when he treated Soji like an officer and reminded him to be the compassionate man he is.
I adore Kestra. Can we protect that child from all harm forever? She’s a nerdy and adorable kid, her geekiness was awesome. I loved how much she geeked out to meet Data’s daughter. I started out a little wary, but quickly warmed up to her to the point I was like, yup that kid is family. That speech she gave Soji at the end, I was wondering if that was heavy handed, but it actually made so much sense. She is an insightful young woman.
I dunno about Agnus. I want to feel bad for her but to be honest I am kind of hoping she bites it before the end of the season trying to help Picard and Soji. I am not a super big fan of Allison Pill and while I’m okay with her as a foil in the show, I am not interested enough in her to see her in future seasons.
If anyone watches Wil Wheaton’s after show on YouTube, they had Frakes and Spiner on and it was great to see their reunion. Wheaton is just such a genuine fan. But it really makes me want to see Wesley again. Let’s bring him back as the Captain of the newest Enterprise, tugging his tunic and saying “Damn it Jean Luc, shut up!” I keep imagining them in trouble and the Enterprise coming in to save their asses. Ever since we saw Wesley come back to Starfleet in “Nemesis” at Riker and Troi’s wedding I’ve been hoping they put him in his rightful place as Captain Crusher of the Starship Enterprise, keeping the tradition and spirit that he learned from the TNG crew alive.
20
Mar 05 '20 edited Mar 05 '20
Was anyone else slightly annoyed that they used "gigabytes" instead of "gigaquads"? Not annoyed, that's the wrong word... but disappointed when writers forget their own tech jargon. I thought there were people around to catch things like this (since not all writers live and breathe trek).
22
Mar 05 '20
I just assumed gigabytes and gigaquads both exist, and she downloaded gigabytes which are smaller (how much data could she have on Maddox, when hundreds of gigaquads was the entire Enterprise database?)
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (2)12
u/ZeroBANG Mar 05 '20
Yes!
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Quad
This terminology was originally developed by technical advisers to The Next Generation. The unit of measurement originated in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, and was also used in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual.
...
Writers and advisers deliberately used prefixes used with bytes in modern day notation (mirroring kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, and terabyte). The terminology "quad" was used to detract from comparisons possible with modern-day computing power, since reality frequently outstrips fiction when it comes to computer science. Current capabilities are orders of magnitude greater than what scientists expected them to be only 20-30 years ago, with capacities and speeds roughly doubling every two years as per Moore's Law.
also trek technology evolved from TOS with "Duotronics" to TNG with Isolinear circuitry to Voyager with Bio-neural gel packs ... i could have sworn the whole GigaQuads thing was somehow related to those technologies and that Janeway or Chakotay said something about "primitive binary systems" when scanning that computer they hacked with a Tricorder in that timetravel episode where the EMH got the mobile emitter ...
GigaBytes absolutely is the wrong thing to use here.
Really sad when Star Trek forgets about its own made up techno babble.
→ More replies (5)
7
7
u/theropod Mar 06 '20
Mixed feelings, but it bugged me that Picard introduced Riker as "Commander Riker". I understand that the audience knows him best as a commander, but he was a captain for many years post-Nemesis!
→ More replies (2)7
u/Woodinvillian Mar 06 '20
They were using their old titles for everyone at times. Picard was called Captain and Deanna was also introduced with her old title. These were the titles they held when they worked together years ago.
7
u/greenWindowShopper Mar 06 '20
Did I understand Agnes correctly? the future she saw in the mind meld was so horrible that she had to kill her lover Maddox, but once she gets tracked by Romulans she decides to commit suicide to protect people she's known for 3 episodes?
7
u/greenking2000 Mar 06 '20
She’s not dead. The toxin she took disabled the tracker in her (As we can see they’ve now lost their “ghost”)
→ More replies (2)7
u/TenzenEnna Mar 06 '20
I also think it has more to do with dealing with the compounding guilt.
When she first went on the ship her thoughts could easily have been: "This is still exciting to be in space, and I tried to find Maddox for years with no luck."
Once they found him and her 'mission' was basically over she had nothing but fear and regret. She then witnesses someone boldly sacrifice himself to help the borg, and it forces her to reflect on how she's around these amazing people doing what they think is right, and how she's not the person she thought she was before she met Picard anymore.
Her lover's blood is still on her hands, and she's disappointed in the person she's become, her dream of meeting a "perfect android" is crushed because she's been subjected to vision suggesting her life's work will destroy everyone.
What's left for her to live for? If she stays alive she will be responsible for at least two deaths, possibly more including Picard.
7
u/HappyInNature Mar 06 '20
I think someone started cutting some onions when Kestra was talking to Soji about Picard being a father to her because I started sniffling and tearing up a bit....
→ More replies (1)
6
u/romeovf Mar 06 '20
For happy reunions! ♥️🤗
I could feel the actors' Joy when their characters encountered after so many years. It was mostly a fanservice filler episode of sorts but I loved every minute of it. Kestra is an adorable smartass and I like how the Trois' life turned out in the long run, although it was sad to have their older son die.
Seriously, who decides who gets such a big property with defensive technology, pizza wood oven and everything, and who just gets an RV in the middle of the dessert? 🤣
I'd love to taste that bunnycorn pizza.
Interesting choice to kill off Hugh. I'm very curious to see where this storyline leads Elnor. Will it be Seven who responds the SOS? Will he activate the cube and turn it against Romulans? There are other non evil species there, you know. Who will be the xB he'll use to activate the cube again? 🤔
That mind meld was brutal! I had to pause to get some bits and there was some lady (Oh?) pulling her eyelids and then shooting herself. Nightmare fuel, specially when it's been fed directly into your mind. No wonder why she threw up.
Alison Pill has a very realistic crying acting face. When she crumbled while having cake with Raffi I felt genuinely sad for her. I've seen people cry like that in real life and she pulled it off in a great way. She must be so conflicted and tormented between what she did to Maddox and the "truth" she saw in the mind meld, her ultimate choice to almost kill herself to turn off the tracker was somewhat reasonable given her state of mind.
I almost forgot, the head tilt! Riker is still sharp on noticing such details! And I really like Soji's journey of literal self discovery.
→ More replies (1)
6
u/doc_rock57 Mar 06 '20
I felt the Nepenthe planet scenes were like a call back to the "Family" NG episode. He wants to go to "home" to collect himself after a traumatic Borg encounter, is greeted by a loved child (nephew/Kestra), his family (Brother/Rikers) counsels/ tough loves him to get his head together and become Jean-Luc Picard again. Both are very touching episodes. Best Picard episode so far.
6
22
u/RobustMarquis Mar 05 '20
Killing Hugh really felt like when they killed Picard's family in Generations. "We're gonna exploit your nostalgia and do the worst possible thing with it." Felt like a fat middle finger to anyone with attachment to Hugh and what he represented.
10
u/ckwongau Mar 05 '20
i feel like watching Transformer the movie 1986 , killing off older character , one by one to make way for the new toy .
14
u/dekkerdreyer Mar 05 '20
Discovery and Picard connect? Screenshots: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hwbve82kt6knevd/cracks.png?dl=0
→ More replies (7)17
u/Tomb55 Mar 05 '20
No, its just reuse of assets.
See;
* weird laser tube thing that shows up in every show at some point
→ More replies (4)
5
u/paperclipBruno Mar 06 '20
Shouldn't high-level borg drones be shielded and such?
Whatever happened to that?
I dunno, if I was XB on a cube choke-full of romulans, I would ask the reclamation doc to leave the shield generator in :)
5
u/the6thistari Mar 06 '20
I really hope that, possibly through some Seven induced Borg magic, Hugh isn't dead. Ever since setting him again, I really really really want to see him meet up with his friend, Geordi. I was sad when Hugh and Geordi didn't meet up in Descent. I think they just need to hang out again
4
u/Mr-Doubtfire Mar 06 '20
Please, less cuts...
In this episode you had some good chemistry between the original characters, but that energy is literally cut in pieces.
4
4
u/wonkey_monkey Mar 06 '20
Peyton List's British accent is generally very good, but just because the word "asinine" begins with an "ass" sound in American English, doesn't mean it's pronounced "arse-inine" in British English. It's still just "ass-inine" 🤣
→ More replies (1)
4
4
Mar 08 '20
That was one of THE best episodes of ST I’ve ever seen. Just shows it doesn’t have to be about space battles, aliens, and technology, but about the people and the story between them.
I loved how they built a backstory for The Rikers. They didn’t have to, we’re unlikely to see much of them again, and it didn’t impact the story, but they did it and it was beautiful done, so heartbreaking too.
Shame about the deaths as I really liked the main one, but I’ll admit I’m falling out of love with some of the ship characters. I don’t see much growth but then I’d rather have seen what we have seen than more episodic “on-ship” type episodes.
4
u/NightShadePLAYS Mar 09 '20
So, am im the only one that had to chuckle because of the unibunny? Such a sweet and emotional episode , time fly by while watching it.
7
7
8
u/pigmons_balloon Mar 06 '20
The icing-to-cake ratio on that slice Raffi replicated made me legit furious
→ More replies (4)
3
3
u/teddy2506 Mar 06 '20
Was Rizzo , not sure if that’s her name, killed by Elnor or did she beam out?
9
Mar 06 '20 edited Mar 06 '20
She beamed away to avoid Elnor's knife.
Also, this is the first time we've heard either Narissa or Narek openly admit to being Zhat Vash instead of Tal Shiar, isn't it? The way Narissa described her duel with Elnor sounded like the Zhat Vash and the Qowat Milat could be mortal enemies.
3
u/_Chixcard Mar 06 '20
This episode pulled at my heart in so many ways. I cried a good three, maybe four times. This was the episode I have been waiting for.
3
Mar 06 '20
I think Hugh didnt die. We saw Hugh injured and lay on the ground, but he didnt seem dead. Plus Hugh is on the next week's the ready room, they wouldnt bring him in the ready room if he is dead.
→ More replies (3)
3
Mar 06 '20
Not so much related to the plot, but wow would I love to live in that house on Nepenthe! For real, where can I get myself such a nice plot of land and a house like that?? City living is nice, but that looked so lovely.
3
u/FrancisScottKeyboard Mar 06 '20
Enough with Jurarti puking already, am I right?
Otherwise, a good episode. The writing has been somewhat uneven when it comes to Soji. This was the first time she seemed to have any depth for any length of time. I will concede, however, that perhaps it was done on purpose all year...that when she believed she was human, she was somewhat flat, and now that she realizes she is an android, she appears to have more heart to us than any time before.
And the Troi-Rikers...could have been a steaming pile with their return, but I think for the most part they nailed it. I sort of think the show already had enough darkness in it without an antecedent action death of Will's son. I see why it was done from a narrative perspective, and it was handled well, but part of me wishes for at least a bubble in the future where something crappy isn't part of the backbone of the story. (Especially with Hugh's death.)
And it seems a single vision from one, (supposedly) Vulcan mind meld was not enough to drive Jurarti to murdering her own lover. I hope there ends up being more to the motivation than that, because horrifying as it was, she seemed to take for granted that it was 100% true and inevitable, in which case, that's a bit naive for a scientist.
But depth abounds in "Nepenthe," and probably is the best of the season so far on several levels.
3
u/Dyljcam Mar 06 '20
The nostalgia during this episode warmed my heart but I’m wondering why Marina was only a guest star compared to the other who received special guest star status
→ More replies (1)
3
u/awilliams123 Mar 07 '20
Cried and cried throughout this episode. Performances were perfect. Troi’s pain was so real, and her love for Jean-Luc felt very much like it was between the two actors, as well as the characters, colleagues on and off the screen. Such a great episode. As someone already said in a previous comment, I also did not want this episode to end.
3
u/sababylon Mar 07 '20
Fantastic episode! My face hurts from smiling.
I get the feeling that one of the languages created by Thadd will factor in somehow in later episodes. Only a few know of them, including Soji. With Romulnas about, the ability to communicate secretly may come in handy.
Always been a big fan of the Romulans and I'm so glad they are getting all this screen time. I hope we get to learn alot more about their culture.
3
u/one-and-zer0es Mar 07 '20
Goodness, I spent the whole episode with the most awful feeling something would happen to spoil the idyll and when I got to the credits I was so terribly relieved it was a gentle episode. Despite it feeling nothing of the sort. Excellent script writing and acting.
Except....HUGH 😭
3
u/jar086 Mar 08 '20
TMI but I'm medically supervised off my bipolar/anxiety meds or most of them to try for a little wild girl (or boy!) of my own. This episode really pulled me out of a terrible day and I am grateful for this series right now.
3
3
u/EaglesPDX Mar 08 '20
The acting on "Picard" is excellent. There's a great bio of Patrick Stewart and his joining the original Star Trek, thinking it was for one season and ends up being six years and how it changed his life.
But buried in there are Stewart's comments about being concerned over the craft of the TV actors, with Stewart being a Shakespearean professional. That flips around and all the Star Trek actors talk of how Stewart was really "Picard" in front and in back of the camera, bringing everyone's game up with is pro technique and work ethic. Sirtis (Troi) in particular is quoted about the effect he had on the crew and on the individual actors careers.
Episode 7 on "Picard" no doubt worked so well because all those involved were leaking his real life effects on Sirtis and Frakes careers. The reunion of old friends was real.
→ More replies (1)
3
3
3
u/AfroLibertarian Mar 09 '20
I smiled almost the entire episode. Got a little misty eyed in the end. Fantastic episode.
3
u/Frequently_Gay Mar 09 '20
Kestra was the name of Deanna's sister that died as a child. Now both mother and daughter lost a child. The tragedy of the Trois. ☹️
3
u/firepixel Mar 10 '20
Loved seeing Riker, hell yea! The part when Riker spelled out Picard's situation with purely speculation was my favorite. Something is bothering me though, when they take the portal to the planet, did they randomly land a couple hundred yards from Riker and Troi's house? Wait, what?? Glad to see Dr. Agnes go into a coma, I don't know what it is but I really don't like her character. It would be great to catch an episode without having to watch a closeup of her bottom lip bouncing around.
5
u/WelfOnTheShelf Mar 05 '20
Who was Riker worried about when he puts up the house-shields? I was sure he said the Xindi, but that can't be right.
14
u/OrangePeanut235 Mar 05 '20
He realized Picard was in some kind of trouble and his first instinct was to raise shields, ask questions after. I still think it's awesome he can raise shields around his home lol
9
u/ZeroBANG Mar 05 '20 edited Mar 05 '20
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Kzinti
also what the Ferasans in Star Trek Online are based on but there were legal/license issues with the name for some reason... so they just renamed them a little.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/FerasanPoint being, KITTY PEOPLE ...(so the furies have a species to play as in the MMO.)
→ More replies (2)
10
Mar 05 '20
Goddamnit, I was hoping we were done with Agnes. It would have been awesome if she sacrificed herself to save the ship. Instead we're stuck with another off-putting character.
9
u/LangyMD Mar 06 '20
....you do realize that's what she was doing, right? She took that poison to block the tracker that was in her blood-stream knowing that it would seriously injure her.
17
u/captainxenu Mar 05 '20
I think she did what she did because she knew it'd stop him tracking them. Seemed like it worked.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)14
u/Rosdrago Mar 05 '20
I...actually agree, but only because when I put some thought into her character, I don't like her. She's just rather whiny and then commits random murder, just to have a tantrum about it. I thought she was going to commit suicide to save them all.
→ More replies (6)
7
u/cjalas Mar 05 '20 edited Mar 06 '20
Things I hated: The very obvious 3D printer turned “replicator” and the use of “gigabyte” instead of “gigaquad” really threw me out of this episode.
Things I loved: every scene/interaction with Riker, Deanna and Picard.
28
u/3DXYZ Mar 05 '20
The 3D Printer gag was fucking amazing! How can you not love that? It was an obvious wink to the audience. Replicators are becoming a real thing. We've dreamed of this shit for years and now we have smartphones, tablets, and replicators!
→ More replies (6)→ More replies (7)8
2
2
2
u/taliefer Mar 06 '20
I really enjoyed the episode on the whole. but why do even the feel good bits need to be tinged with darkness/bleakness? Riker and Troi live a good life on a peaceful planet with their child...but oh, they had another kid who died, cause darkness must be infused everywhere.
2
u/MrFrode Mar 06 '20
Are any of the characters from TNG happy in this show? I mean, thanks I guess.
→ More replies (2)
220
u/Jack_of_Swords Mar 05 '20
And to think Frakes was nervous about getting in front of the camera again. Great performances all round and truly touching.