Star Trek: Alpha to Delta Quadrants & Everything In Between

[Scepticalscribe]

There have been many threads on Star Wars, including one started by @Huntn on the Star Wars Universe.

There are also others which discuss both worlds, that of Star Wars, and that of Star Trek.

This thread - which I have been thinking about starting for quite some time, and have done so because I think that there is an interest in the topic - and, more importantly, nobody else has done so - is intended as a place where those of us who have long loved the Star Trek franchise can chat about anything and everything to do with the Star Trek world, such as its TV shows, movies, the science, and the political, cultural and social visions behind the whole thing, too.

I would see it as a place where we can discuss everything to do with Star Trek, starting with the original Star Trek series, including the movies, - all of them - and of course, addressing the various TV shows.

Individual episodes, too, can be dissected, discussed and explored.

As a very small kid I saw Star Trek on TV and loved it; I loved the idea of space travel (and devoured books on the Solar System, space travel, and the cosmos); my hero was Mr Spock who made being a nerd fashionable long before that state of being had been given a name.

STNG - Star Trek the Next Generation - was - at its best - an absolute tour de force, - largely thanks to the inspirational choice of Patrick Stewart - a middle aged, balding, British Shakespearean actor who was cast - initially improbably - as the Frenchman Captain Jean-Luc Picard - and really only hit its stride once the third season kicked off.

But, even before that, it had shown some tremendous potential: The episode "The Measure Of A Man" in season two was outstanding.

DS9 - Deep Space Nine - became compellingly dark, with extraordinary depth - while Voyager could have delivered more on its promise, although the premise was fascinating and some of what it attempted to explore was very good.

I daresay that others may wish to discuss "Enterprise"; personally, I thought it the poorest show - or TV series - in the entire franchise by a considerable margin, and failed - completely - to utilise the latent potential in its cast for ensemble acting. Besides, I don't think the lead (Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer) was all that credible - he struck me as a poor actor, with a poorly conceived and written part.

With that, I shall throw this thread open, and extend an invitation to all who would like - or who wish to join in to please feel free to do so.

 

[Apple fanboy]

There have been many threads on Star Wars, including one started by @Huntn on the Star Wars Universe.

There are also others which discuss both worlds, that of Star Wars, and that of Star Trek.

This thread - which I have been thinking about starting for quite some time, and have done so because I think that there is an interest in the topic - and, more importantly, nobody else has done so - is intended as a place where those of us who have long loved the Star Trek franchise can chat about anything and everything to do with the Star Trek world, such as its TV shows, movies, the science, and the political, cultural and social visions behind the whole thing, too.

I would see it as a place where we can discuss everything to do with Star Trek, starting with the original Star Trek series, including the movies, - all of them - and of course, addressing the various TV shows.

Individual episodes, too, can be dissected, discussed and explored.

As a very small kid I saw Star Trek on TV and loved it; I loved the idea of space travel (and devoured books on the Solar System, space travel, and the cosmos); my hero was Mr Spock who made being a nerd fashionable long before that state of being had been given a name.

STNG - Star Trek the Next Generation - was - at its best - an absolute tour de force, - largely thanks to the inspirational choice of Patrick Stewart - a middle aged, balding, British Shakespearean actor who was cast - initially improbably - as the Frenchman Captain Jean-Luc Picard - and really only hit its stride once the third season kicked off.

But, even before that, it had shown some tremendous potential: The episode "The Measure Of A Man" in season two was outstanding.

DS9 - Deep Space Nine - became compellingly dark, with extraordinary depth - while Voyager could have delivered more on its promise, although the premise was fascinating and some of what it attempted to explore was very good.

I daresay that others may wish to discuss "Enterprise"; personally, I thought it the poorest show - or TV series - in the entire franchise by a considerable margin, and failed - completely - to utilise the latent potential in its cast for ensemble acting. Besides, I don't think the lead (Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer) was all that credible - he struck me as a poor actor, with a poorly conceived and written part.

With that, I shall throw this thread open, and extend an invitation to all who would like - or who wish to join in to please feel free to do so.

New thread? Make it so number one!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

New thread? Make it so number one!

Why not?

There appeared to be a plethora of Star Wars threads - so why not one devoted solely to all things Star Trek?

Besides, there are even threads discussing - and comparing and contrasting - the two worlds; that is not the aim of this thread, although, of course, that doesn't mean that that Star Wars cannot be discussed: Just that it isn't the point of the thread.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well for me I enjoy most Sci-Fi, including ST.
The Next generation was compulsive viewing when they came out.

Any episodes with the Borg were always good. And I liked Q.
I also enjoyed the different dynamic of Voyager.

However I couldn't stand DS9 or Enterprise.

Also I'm a bit young for the original series. I've seen them of course but they weren't as good as TNG imo.

 

[MacUser2525]

Besides, I don't think the lead (Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer) was all that credible - he struck me as a poor actor, with a poorly conceived and written part.

I recently watched the entire series again and I have got to say an actor can only be as good as the lines he gets and the writing on that show was poor in a lot of parts of it. DS9 for the most part I liked it especially the Ferengi focused episodes like "Little Green Men" has to be my favourite of all in the series. Voyager can take it or leave it other than the Borg and Q episodes not a lot in it. TNG the best of the entire bunch once it got going in the second/third season I really liked it. The original well some good concepts but way to preachy for my taste now I am no longer a kid. And the latest incarnation of the movies well just plain junk IMHO.

 

[rdowns]

I have never watched a Star Trek movie or TV episode.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I have never watched a Star Trek movie or TV episode.

Fair enough.

Are you tempted to want to change that position?

For my part, I rarely watch TV; news, current affairs - and, even that, only if there is a story that I wish to follow. Documentaries, and sometimes, nature programmes.

I hardly ever watch what are classed as 'entertainment', but - over the past decade and a half - my guilty pleasures have been "Foyle's War" (which I loved), "Life On Mars" (the British version), and its sequel, "Deutschland 83", and some - especially STNG - of the Star Trek franchise.

(Oh, yes, Downton Abbey, too.)

At its best, Star Trek was optimistic, imaginative, original, creative and - especially in STNG - highly intelligent television.

 

[rdowns]

Fair enough.

Are you tempted to want to change that position?

For my part, I rarely watch TV; news, current affairs - and, even that, only if there is a story that I wish to follow. Documentaries, and sometimes, nature programmes.

I hardly ever watch what are classed as 'entertainment', but - over the past decade and a half - my guilty pleasures have been "Foyle's War" (which I loved), "Life On Mars" (the British version), and its sequel, "Deutschland 83", and some - especially STNG - of the Star Trek franchise.

(Oh, yes, Downton Abbey, too.)

At its best, Star Trek was optimistic, imaginative, original, creative and - especially in STNG - highly intelligent television.

Doubt it. If I haven't watched any at age 54, I don' think I ever will. Not a big sic-fi fan.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Doubt it. If I haven't watched any at age 54, I don' think I ever will. Not a big sic-fi fan.

Each to their own.

I rarely watch sports, but I do keep abreast of them - and read about them - for water cooler reasons, and because they offer interesting insights into particular societies, and - as well - allow for examples that will capture the attention of a male audience when delivering a political talk.

Re scifi, it excited me as a kid - this was a world of astounding possibility. To my mind, the real world of space exploration was our version of the voyages of people such as Cook, Magellan, Vespucci and - of course - Colombus.

There was even a time in my life when I wanted to make a career in this area.

However, these days, I will still read about - and watch - -with an echo of that awestruck wonder I had as a kid - real life science and space exploration documentaries with avid fascination.

And, for imaginative relaxation, I will sometimes watch scifi, but good intelligent, thought-provoking stuff: STNG.

 

[Peace]

I have never watched a Star Trek movie or TV episode.

Seriously ?

Wow dude you need to start from scratch then.


My first show was the original Star Trek and I've watched every episode since. Including DS9 , TNG and every movie.

Can't wait for the new series thats on and off.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Seriously ?

Wow dude you need to start from scratch then.


My first show was the original Star Trek and I've watched every episode since. Including DS9 , TNG and every movie.

Can't wait for the new series thats on and off.

Ah, sigh. Excellent.

Someone who 'gets' it.

 

[Dave Braine]

Never classed myself as a Trekkie, then I saw NCC 1701D on the back of a van and knew what it was.

Anyway, I came across the excerpt of an old Captain's Log the other day:

Captain's Log, Stardate 54324.5: Starfleet Command has directed
the Enterprise to do a preliminary exploration of planet --- in
advance of a full research team. Scanners report the atmosphere
to be breathable, but are recieving confusing readings with
regard to life forms. I am beaming down with a landing party
composed of all our chief officers except for poor Scotty.

Supplement: Redshirt Riley has received a head injury, apparently
while exploring under a high rock shelf. He reports only hearing
a loud sound and jumping before being struck. After examination
by Dr. McCoy he has been judged capable of continuing duty.

Supplement: We have encountered an alien creature on this planet.
While it does not itself seem menacing, an unfortunate occurance
took place when it was present. Specifically, on my orders Lt.
Sulu drew his phaser. The creature disappeared leaving a puff
of smoke, immediately following which a loud noise was heard next
to Sulu. Sulu fired, hitting Ens. Chekov. Oddly enough, although
Sulu's weapon was set to stun, Chekov was covered with a
black powder similar to soot. Mr. Chekov has been sent back to
the ship for examination and quarantine.

Stardate 54326.2, Mr. Spock reporting: Tricorder readings
indicate that the creature we encountered earlier is constantly
moving at great speed over the surface of the planet. We have
encountered the creature once again. In an attempt to slow the
creature for study, I attempted to fire on it. The creature,
however, appeared to move faster than the phaser beam.
Regretfully, the beam struck an outcropping of rock above the
Captain's head, causing it to break off and fall. Although it
appears that several tons of rock fell squarely on the Captain,
he was driven straight into the ground but apparently not
seriously injured, although stunned. The Captain has been beamed up
to Sickbay, leaving me in command of the research party.

Captain's Log, Stardate 54342.1: The creature is still at large
on the planet surface. While Mr. Spock continues to lead a
research party I am currently at work with Mr. Scott on an Acme
Pressure Cooker for our lab, for when the creature is finally
apprehended.


Captain's Log, stardate 54342.3. The strange occurrences that have
dogged the landing party since our arrival at this planet have
led me to believe that the creature is in some way directly
responsible for them. Mr. Chekov and I have both been declared
fit for return to duty, though Dr. McCoy has entered in his
medical log that he feels we should be kept under observation.

Mr. Spock has constructed a device which he suspects should be
able to counteract the creature's incredible speed as follows: We
have placed a dish of birdseed out in the open, with several
signs pointing to it. The dish is atop a cleverly concealed trap
door, which will open when any weight falls on it. The creature
will then travel down a slide, eventually being deposited in a cage
constructed of sheets of transparent aluminum. We will then be
free to analyze it at our leisure. Meanwhile, I have forbidden
all beaming down to the surface of the planet except on my or Mr.
Spock's direct order.

Captain's Log, supplemental. The plan failed. The creature was
indeed lured by the birdseed, as expected. It sped to the dish,
consumed the bait, and sped off without setting off the trap. Mr.
Spock is as puzzled as I, and has begun tests to discover the
flaw in the design. I have sent out three search parties to see
if we can box the creature in, one headed by Mr. Sulu, one by Mr.
Chekov, and one by Sociologist Xontel.

Captain's Log, stardate 54342.8. Sociologist Xontel has been
temporarily incapacitated. In pursuing the creature, he and his
men somehow managed to cross the place where Mr. Spock's trap was
set just as he completed the corrections to it. The trap was
sprung, and all four of my men were suspended for a moment in
mid-air, puzzled, just before they fell into the cage we
constructed. We are now trying to release them with phasers, as
the lock was inadvertently smashed by the impact from Sociologist
Xontel's foot as he fell. I consider this a major setback. Mr.
Spock considers it "fascinating."

Captain's Log, stardate 54343.4. In an all-out attempt to stop
the creature once and for all, I have had a phaser rifle beamed
down from the Enterprise. The creature has behaved in an
extremely cunning manner, yet I am unsure whether this is a sign
of actual intelligence. Lt. Uhura has been unsuccessful in her
attempts to raise Starfleet Command. Meanwhile, Mr. Scott informs
me that our dilithium crystals are deteriorating at an alarming
rate. He has juryrigged a system that will prevent the decay for
a time, but it is imperative that we find new crystals soon.

Captain's Log, supplemental. Mr. Sulu reports high energy
tricorder readings from an area of the planet in which the
creature has not yet been sighted. He has taken a small party,
including Mr. Spock, to the high-elevation spot from which the
readings emanate. I have begun to analyze the creature's
movements. It seems to travel consistently over a set path.
Perhaps we can corner it in a tunnel it seems to pass through
frequently.

Captain's Log, stardate 54344.7. Mr. Sulu has located a cache of
ACME dilithium crystals atop a high cliff. Regretfully, while
collecting them, the edge of the cliff broke off, and he and Mr.
Spock plummetted several hundred feet to the ground below.
Strangely enough, they both survived the fall with no more than
raising a cloud of dust on impact, although they did pass the
chunk of rock on the way down and end up completely buried. A
rescue excavation has commenced, and they should be safe shortly.

Captain's Log, stardate 54344.9. Mr. Spock has beamed up to the
ship with them to assist Mr. Scott in their installation, as he
forsees compatability problems. Back on the planet's surface, Mr.
Chekov led seven men into the tunnel in an attempt to capture the
creature in transit. A loud BEEP, BEEP was heard, and Chekov
aimed the phaser rifle and commanded his men to spread out. I
wish to state for the record that I would have acted similarly,
and that Ensign Chekov should in no way be held responsible for
the unfortunate circumstances arising from the unexpected
appearance of an old Earth-style freight train. He has been
beamed back up to the ship with minor injuries.


Captain's Log, stardate 54345.1. Dr. McCoy has beamed down with a
hypo containing a mixture of kyranide, tri-ox compound, Scalosian
concentrate, a theragram derivative, and some other items he
found in unmarked containers in Sickbay. By injecting a small
amount into each member of the landing party, I hope to be able
to deal with the creature on its own high speed terms.

Captain's Log, supplemental. The latest experiment to deal with
the strange creature has failed. As Dr. McCoy was injecting a
measured dose of the compound, it abruptly appeared behind him
and uttered a loud BEEP, BEEP! Dr. McCoy, understandably
flustered, accidentally pressured in the entire contents of the
hypo into his arm. A full security team is in pursuit of him,
waiting for the effects of the drug to wear off.

Captain's Log, stardate 54345.2. I have ordered the landing party
transported back to the ship. The new dilithium crystals have
been successfully installed. On my responsibility, the ship is
preparing to engage main phasers to attack the creature, which
continues on its semi-erratic course across the planet's surface.

Captain's Log, supplemental. This is a warning to all other
starships that may pass this way. Do not approach this planet!
The illogical events occuring here are too much to overcome with
simple science. If you have heard the events transcribed in the
rest of this log, you will learn that this creature is nearly
undefeatable. We channelled full ship's power through the phaser
banks. Theoretically, the creature should have been destroyed;
however, the energies were too much strain for the ACME crystals.
The full force of the phasers backlashed over the Enterprise,
engulfing her completely. At first, the only noticeable effect
was a complete failure of all systems save emergency gravity and
life support. Then a web of black lines spread through the
Enterprise's superstructure. Next, the ship began breaking up,
piece by piece, falling through the atmosphere to land on the
surface of the planet. When the ship had collapsed entirely, my
crew was left hanging in space for a short time, and finally each
of us began to fall to the planet below. We have no theories on
how any of us survived, but every crewmember has reported nothing
more than a sense of uneasiness, followed by the realization that
they were several hundred miles up in the air, a sinking
sensation, and then a gradual drop: first the feet, then the
body, and finally the head, usually wearing a resigned expression
of perplexion. We are attempting now to communicate with the
creature in the hopes that it will prove intelligent. Perhaps we
can communicate our peaceful intentions to it. Mr. Spock has
constructed a crude rocket launcher from the wreckage of the
ship, and with this we hope to send the recorder marker up into
space, where hopefully someone will find it.

Captain James T. Kirk, of the United Federation of Planets, Captain of the
Starship Enterprise, recording.

 

[Foggydog]

GREAT THREAD! I have watched the original series so many times I know the episode within about 10 seconds. I have seen every movie, watched every episode of STNG. Loved STNG. DS9 was just ho hum to me and I watched some and missed some. Voyager definitely could have been better, but Kate Mulgrew was a good captain in my opinion. The year of hell was pretty really mind bending to say the least. My favorite episode was the planet that had 10,000 years of evolution during the hour long episode.
My favorite episode of STNG the one about the dying planet where the enterprise encounters a space buey (forgive my spelling). The caption had spent a lifetime as Kamin. The scientist. I ended up naming my pooch Kamin after this episode.
The day after my wedding, there was a Star Trek convention in town and we went there. Her in her gown, and myself in a tux.
Yes, I love most things about Star Trek. I only watched one episode of enterprise and that was all.
I really loved the new reincarnation of the original Star Trek directed but JJ Abrams. The second movie, Into Darkness was just total robbery of Star Trek 2, the wrath of Khan. But I really loved how space seed was turned into a full movie.

Thanks for this awesome thread !!!!!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Never classed myself as a Trekkie, then I saw NCC 1701D on the back of a van and knew what it was.

Anyway, I came across the excerpt of an old Captain's Log the other day:



Captain James T. Kirk, of the United Federation of Planets, Captain of the
Starship Enterprise, recording.

The crew of the original Enterprise - the original Star Trek - encounter Road Runner.

That is actually very funny.

 

[MacUser2525]

Never classed myself as a Trekkie, then I saw NCC 1701D on the back of a van and knew what it was.

Anyway, I came across the excerpt of an old Captain's Log the other day:

snip ...

They should have been a little more wiley in their ways to catch that creature.

 

[0388631]

The closest thing to Star Trek I've ever seen was the first Star Wars film. The second closest was Gattaca when it came out. I've never liked science fiction, be it in literature or visual entertainment.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

GREAT THREAD! I have watched the original series so many times I know the episode within about 10 seconds. I have seen every movie, watched every episode of STNG. Loved STNG. DS9 was just ho hum to me and I watched some and missed some. Voyager definitely could have been better, but Kate Mulgrew was a good captain in my opinion. The year of hell was pretty really mind bending to say the least. My favorite episode was the planet that had 10,000 years of evolution during the hour long episode.
My favorite episode of STNG the one about the dying planet where the enterprise encounters a space buey (forgive my spelling). The caption had spent a lifetime as Kamin. The scientist. I ended up naming my pooch Kamin after this episode.
The day after my wedding, there was a Star Trek convention in town and we went there. Her in her gown, and myself in a tux.
Yes, I love most things about Star Trek. I only watched one episode of enterprise and that was all.
I really loved the new reincarnation of the original Star Trek directed but JJ Abrams. The second movie, Into Darkness was just total robbery of Star Trek 2, the wrath of Khan. But I really loved how space seed was turned into a full movie.

Thanks for this awesome thread !!!!!

My pleasure.

That episode that you mentioned - "The Inner Light" is astonishing. And brilliant - one of the very best (in a series distinguished by some outstanding episodes) episodes in the entire franchise. And all told in an hour.

Patrick Stewart's exquisite talent - and extraordinary range are put to powerful use in that portrayal of the beautiful but ultimately bittersweet alternative life lived by Jean-Luc Picard (superbly acted again by Patrick Stewart - putting an established and gifted classical actor in that role allowed for a wonderful degree of subtle character exploration and development over time that - to my mind - gave STNG an added dimension) in the superb episode "The Inner Light"? Brilliant. Superb. And close to perfection.

Actually, it is a beautiful and heart-breaking episode. One with no violence, or CGI, or dramatics. Just a superb story, script, and a stunning awe-inspiring performance from Patrick Stewart: One where Patrick Stewart manages - with a moving but deeply felt of economy of expression manages to convey a fully lived alternative life - a completely believable and credible alternative life, - one with a wife, family, a grounded identity in home and community - even though Captain Picard of the Enterprise - with his grasp of science (which is what allows him to measure - accurately - that the planet is doomed because the sun will go supernova) would never have willingly chosen such a deceptively simple life.

 

[Peace]

My pleasure.

That episode that you mentioned - "The Inner Light" is astonishing. And brilliant - one of the very best (in a series distinguished by some outstanding episodes) episodes in the entire franchise. And all told in an hour.

Patrick Stewart's exquisite talent - and extraordinary range are put to powerful use in that portrayal of the beautiful but ultimately bittersweet alternative life lived by Jean-Luc Picard (superbly acted again by Patrick Stewart - putting an established and gifted classical actor in that role allowed for a wonderful degree of subtle character exploration and development over time that - to my mind - gave STNG an added dimension) in the superb episode "The Inner Light"? Brilliant. Superb. And close to perfection.

Actually, it is a beautiful and heart-breaking episode. One with no violence, or CGI, or dramatics. Just a superb story, script, and a stunning awe-inspiring performance from Patrick Stewart: One where Patrick Stewart manages - with a moving but deeply felt of economy of expression manages to convey a fully lived alternative life - a completely believable and credible alternative life, - one with a wife, family, a grounded identity in home and community - even though Captain Picard of the Enterprise - with his grasp of science (which is what allows him to measure - accurately - that the planet is doomed because the sun will go supernova) would never have willingly chosen such a deceptively simple life.

Is that the one where Picard grows up, gets married has kids and grandchildren ?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Is that the one where Picard grows up, gets married has kids and grandchildren ?

Yes, it is.

 

[trifid]

Great thread, sign me up for the club

TOS, TNG and VOY hold a special place in my heart , Enterprise had some great episodes and was getting better in the last few seasons. DS9 I know a lot of people say it's the best series but for me it didn't capture the exploration/wonderment that Star Trek is, ie exploring new worlds and civilizations which is what drew me to Star Trek in the first place.

 

[Foggydog]

My pleasure.

That episode that you mentioned - "The Inner Light" is astonishing. And brilliant - one of the very best (in a series distinguished by some outstanding episodes) episodes in the entire franchise. And all told in an hour.

Patrick Stewart's exquisite talent - and extraordinary range are put to powerful use in that portrayal of the beautiful but ultimately bittersweet alternative life lived by Jean-Luc Picard (superbly acted again by Patrick Stewart - putting an established and gifted classical actor in that role allowed for a wonderful degree of subtle character exploration and development over time that - to my mind - gave STNG an added dimension) in the superb episode "The Inner Light"? Brilliant. Superb. And close to perfection.

Actually, it is a beautiful and heart-breaking episode. One with no violence, or CGI, or dramatics. Just a superb story, script, and a stunning awe-inspiring performance from Patrick Stewart: One where Patrick Stewart manages - with a moving but deeply felt of economy of expression manages to convey a fully lived alternative life - a completely believable and credible alternative life, - one with a wife, family, a grounded identity in home and community - even though Captain Picard of the Enterprise - with his grasp of science (which is what allows him to measure - accurately - that the planet is doomed because the sun will go supernova) would never have willingly chosen such a deceptively simple life.

At the end of the episode when they found the flute and Patrick Stewart played for just a moment still burns in my memory.

Also, the pilot episode I called in sick just to watch it. Q really got to me in that episode, but I grew to really like him in later episodes

 

[AlliFlowers]

I love all things Trek. I have a wonderful collection of memorabilia which I treasure. The plots were original, and have been copied time and again. Every time a student asks me if I've watched any of the Purge movies, I tell them no - but I saw the original episode of Start Trek they were based on. I forget the name of the episode.

 

[C DM]

My pleasure.

That episode that you mentioned - "The Inner Light" is astonishing. And brilliant - one of the very best (in a series distinguished by some outstanding episodes) episodes in the entire franchise. And all told in an hour.

Patrick Stewart's exquisite talent - and extraordinary range are put to powerful use in that portrayal of the beautiful but ultimately bittersweet alternative life lived by Jean-Luc Picard (superbly acted again by Patrick Stewart - putting an established and gifted classical actor in that role allowed for a wonderful degree of subtle character exploration and development over time that - to my mind - gave STNG an added dimension) in the superb episode "The Inner Light"? Brilliant. Superb. And close to perfection.

Actually, it is a beautiful and heart-breaking episode. One with no violence, or CGI, or dramatics. Just a superb story, script, and a stunning awe-inspiring performance from Patrick Stewart: One where Patrick Stewart manages - with a moving but deeply felt of economy of expression manages to convey a fully lived alternative life - a completely believable and credible alternative life, - one with a wife, family, a grounded identity in home and community - even though Captain Picard of the Enterprise - with his grasp of science (which is what allows him to measure - accurately - that the planet is doomed because the sun will go supernova) would never have willingly chosen such a deceptively simple life.

That is truly one of the best TNG episodes, and perhaps all of ST in general even. Always gets me. The bit of a recall in the Lessons episode with a piano and flute duet is interesting as well.

I do wonder at times what Picard must have felt when he "came back". As impactful and meaningful of an experience it most have all been, it is in a sense an intrusive thing to almost randomly have someone go through it all because they happened to be passing by the probe.

I think there was another episode (if not more) where something similar was going on in the sense of intrusiveness where the ship and the crew were taken elsewhere and things done with/to them all so that another species could "explore" in their own way without leaving their own home essentially.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

At the end of the episode when they found the flute and Patrick Stewart played for just a moment still burns in my memory.

That is truly one of the best TNG episodes, and perhaps all of ST in general even. Always gets me. The bit of a recall in the Lessons episode with a piano and flute duet is interesting as well.

I do wonder at times what Picard must have felt when he "came back". As impactful and meaningful of an experience it most have all been, it is in a sense an intrusive thing to almost randomly have someone go through it all because they happened to be passing by the probe.

Yes, having lived his alternative life, he found on his return that he could actually play the Ressikan flute. I love that scene too, at the very end, where Commander Riker, having handed him the box containing the flute, turns and leaves abruptly - head tilted and tense - leaving Captain Picard alone with the agony and pain of his memories.

 

[D.T.]

I love all things Trek. I have a wonderful collection of memorabilia which I treasure. The plots were original, and have been copied time and again. Every time a student asks me if I've watched any of the Purge movies, I tell them no - but I saw the original episode of Start Trek they were based on. I forget the name of the episode.

Return of the Archons

"Come for the Festival, are ya?"