rewatch

Like Encounter at Farpoint, this episode is actually two distinct plotlines that happen at the same time, but that only sort of interact with one another. The opening exposition sequence tells us the first plotline: The Enterprise is to deliver delegates from two warring species to a peace talk at a “neutral conference planet” called … Read more

The Original Series said “where no man has gone before.” Huzzah for slowly getting less sexist! The TNG episode is actually called “Where No One Have Gone Before.” Boo for terrible grammar! We begin this episode with a puzzle. A scientist, one Kosinski, is going to visit the Enterprise for some propulsion tests. Naturally, he … Read more

In this episode, we finally meet the mysterious Ferengi. One of their ships stole a “T9 energy converter” from a Federation outpost, so the Enterprise has been asked to chase them down. As they approach an unfamiliar planet, some unknown force grabs the Enterprise and holds it fast. Its power seems to increase to match … Read more

…Joe drifts dramatically back to the ship, hand outstretched, by the power of the Force… Oh wait, I’m supposed to be making fun of a different series. Sorry, my bad. Don’t worry, I won’t spend the rest of the rewatch in a coma. Anyway, the episode. We open with a fairly straightforward mission. The Enterprise … Read more

Trigger warning: this episode rewatch discusses rape. And also disease spreading, which might be kind of stressful given, well, the current pandemic. The opening sequence, always succinct and informative, tells us that the Enterprise is investigating some strange messages coming from a research vessel, the SS Tsiolkovsky. (Trivia: this ship seems to have been named … Read more

Whoever did the narrator-voice that says “Last time, on Encounter at Farpoint…!”, they sound a lot like the guy who used to say “Last time, on Dragon Ball Z…!” Do they all take lessons together? Reporting to the captain, Commander Riker reminds us of some facts from the last episode: The planet has a lot … Read more

In rough order of appearance, here are the main characters we meet in the first episode: Captain Picard I…actually can’t think of that much to say about Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Hint: that means he’s pretty awesome and I can’t find anything to complain about. Being unable to pay him a higher compliment than that, I … Read more

To kick us off with style, Captain Picard, whose voice is so much fun to listen to, delivers exposition through the Captain’s Log. We’re introduced to some of the new main characters. Commander Data, Counselor Deanna Troi, Lieutenants Tasha Yar and Worf. And, of course, the charismatic, judgmental, and hypocritical entity known as Q. I’ll … Read more

Star Trek has a lot of…well, bullshit science. In the TV Tropes world, this is known as applied phlebotinium. (Or sometimes misapplied). In fact, Star Trek is notorious for junk science, and their questionable physics are frequently made the butt of jokes. So, Joe…how do you plan to engage with Star Trek’s physics? I’m so … Read more

Before we begin the series rewatch, I have a few general thoughts to share about the series in general. First on the agenda is, alas, the Prime Directive. Dedicated Trekkies beware: I indulge in some pretty hefty Trek-bashing below. Might not be your thing. The next post, and probably all subsequent ones for that matter, … Read more