My thoughts on 'Booby Trap'

Balok's Head · May 8 2010, 02:53 PM

Ok, I know that this episode isn't really talked about as being one of the best of the series, or even from it's season. But I love it, and I'd just like to share my reasons and see if anyone agrees with me.

Firstly, the story is great, perfect mix of suspense and mystery. For me it moves at a great pace, not dwelling on anything for too long. Some moments are cringe worthy, all LaForge moments actually; like ".. and I'm not used to die'n!"

It has a really cool score, all original and I don't think that any of it was used again. So it has a nice original aspect to the music side of things.

Another thing that I just LOVE about this episode is that just about all the FX shots appear to be new for this one. It also makes me a little sad to know that just a couple of episodes down the line, they change the FX model to 'that ugly piece of shit model'. Why they did that after accomplishing shots like we see in this episode, I'll never know.

What are your thoughts?

Flake · May 8 2010, 03:39 PM

I agree completely, I always enjoyed seeing the 6ft model in all its glory here and share your disappointment in knowing that it is about the be retired for the vastly inferior 4ft one

RAMA · May 8 2010, 03:51 PM

Balok's Head wrote:

Ok, I know that this episode isn't really talked about as being one of the best of the series, or even from it's season. But I love it, and I'd just like to share my reasons and see if anyone agrees with me.

Firstly, the story is great, perfect mix of suspense and mystery. For me it moves at a great pace, not dwelling on anything for too long. Some moments are cringe worthy, all LaForge moments actually; like ".. and I'm not used to die'n!"

It has a really cool score, all original and I don't think that any of it was used again. So it has a nice original aspect to the music side of things.

Another thing that I just LOVE about this episode is that just about all the FX shots appear to be new for this one. It also makes me a little sad to know that just a couple of episodes down the line, they change the FX model to 'that ugly piece of shit model'. Why they did that after accomplishing shots like we see in this episode, I'll never know.

What are your thoughts?

I think its viewed as being a a good upper level STNG episode though probably not in the top 30 or 40.

I enjoy the music, the Geordi story, the FX and model work are top notch. I love the stirrings of Picard as an interested Archaeologist and quite giddy over seeing a Promelian battlecrusier. In a brief video appearance the Promelians become one of the cooler aliens of ST lore.

Are you talking about the 4 ft model? They used it because it had more surface detail and as they started adding more shots to the FX mix, they need a model that was easier to shoot.

RAMA

Lor'Vela · May 8 2010, 04:57 PM

The music score for this episode is what immediately stood out for me, especially as the Enterprise slowly departs the radiation field. And seeing new visual shots in TNG is a rare pleasure.

One of S3's finest.

caisson2delta · May 8 2010, 09:17 PM

I just saw this, again, a few days ago. I totally agree with the previous thoughts on this episode. I would also like to add that we get to see just how versatile, and good of an officer, Picard is. Data seemed to be surprised by the captain's little slingshot maneuver in order to get them out of the debris field.

Shatnertage · May 9 2010, 12:03 AM

caisson2delta wrote:

Data seemed to be surprised by the captain's little slingshot maneuver in order to get them out of the debris field.

This is something that I never understood. Isn't this basic physics? I haven't had anything more rigorous than high school physics, and I'm familiar with the concept. I've never understood why the bridge crew, all of whom trained as pilots and who spend their careers traveling through space, would find this so unexpected.

In real life, I understand that they needed someone to explain it to the audience, but it's just something that always bothered me.

Good episode, though.

DWF · May 9 2010, 01:20 AM

It's a wonderfully underrated ep. with great visual effects, nice music, Susan Gibson was a fine guest and great to look at and it had a nice non-technologically answer.

T'Girl · May 9 2010, 02:21 AM

I remember watching this episode during a time period when I had a new interest in archaeology. I felt a very strong emotional reaction when Picard destroyed the alien ship at the end of the episode, a real feeling of loss.

Balok's Head · May 11 2010, 07:02 AM

I agree with all points, it's interesting to see some on this particular episode!

The music cue used when the crew discover that the Enterprise is in a radiation field is really cool to listen to, considering how unique it is to TNG.
I really get a kick out of hearing Picard saying "Damn you" to a people, long dead.

On another note, has anyone noticed how vibrant the colours are during the third season? To me the camera work and colours look like crap in later episodes. In this episode they shine.The camera work makes the sets look incredible, in a way I can't actually explain.

Has anyone noticed this?

Oh and who here digs the white carpet on the bridge during the third season?

I always thought the reason the crew are so surprised about Picards trick at the end, was another nod to the 'humans are usefu'l story thread that runs so prominently through the episode. Nothing much more.

RAMA · May 11 2010, 03:50 PM

Balok's Head wrote:

I agree with all points, it's interesting to see some on this particular episode!

The music cue used when the crew discover that the Enterprise is in a radiation field is really cool to listen to, considering how unique it is to TNG.
I really get a kick out of hearing Picard saying "Damn you" to a people, long dead.

On another note, has anyone noticed how vibrant the colours are during the third season? To me the camera work and colours look like crap in later episodes. In this episode they shine.The camera work makes the sets look incredible, in a way I can't actually explain.

Has anyone noticed this?

Oh and who here digs the white carpet on the bridge during the third season?

I always thought the reason the crew are so surprised about Picards trick at the end, was another nod to the 'humans are usefu'l story thread that runs so prominently through the episode. Nothing much more.

Eh, I liked the photography used in season one and two, it looked more "cinematic" to me. However, almost every other area of production improved in season 3.

White? I thought it was tan??

RAMA

Balok's Head · May 12 2010, 04:04 AM

Well I don't know for sure what colour it was, it would also change colour depending on what TV you're watching.

Ok, so it's more of a light ghost grey, but still, it rocks!
I thought that it 'framed' the bridge a lot better than the later or earlier colour.

Unicron · May 12 2010, 04:41 AM

I was watching it earlier today. I always did like the unique music. And Picard's comments about the ship in a bottle.

swaaye · May 17 2010, 10:19 PM

Ron Jones got fired for making these amazing musical scores. Nice huh? The drone music kicks in around the end of season 4.

BolianAuthor · May 18 2010, 04:34 AM

I agree with all good reviews of this episode. I loved the music, and being able to get a glimpse of the Enterprise-D still in her largely skeletal state of construction at Utopia Planitia... that was a major "OMG, how awesome!" goosebump moment for me, at the time. And I think the lighting and photography of the sets was the absolute best in seasons 3 and 4.

buckeyenation · May 19 2010, 01:44 AM

This is actually a fine ep, one of my favorites. I especially enjoy the scene in the transporter room as the away team left for the alien ship. Way to suck up to the Captain, O'Brien!

May 8 2010, 02:53 PM	#1
Balok's Head Lieutenant	My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' Ok, I know that this episode isn't really talked about as being one of the best of the series, or even from it's season. But I love it, and I'd just like to share my reasons and see if anyone agrees with me. Firstly, the story is great, perfect mix of suspense and mystery. For me it moves at a great pace, not dwelling on anything for too long. Some moments are cringe worthy, all LaForge moments actually; like ".. and I'm not used to die'n!" It has a really cool score, all original and I don't think that any of it was used again. So it has a nice original aspect to the music side of things. Another thing that I just LOVE about this episode is that just about all the FX shots appear to be new for this one. It also makes me a little sad to know that just a couple of episodes down the line, they change the FX model to 'that ugly piece of shit model'. Why they did that after accomplishing shots like we see in this episode, I'll never know. What are your thoughts?

May 8 2010, 03:39 PM	#2
Flake Commodore Location: Manchester, UK	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' I agree completely, I always enjoyed seeing the 6ft model in all its glory here and share your disappointment in knowing that it is about the be retired for the vastly inferior 4ft one

May 8 2010, 04:57 PM	#4
Lor'Vela Captain Location: Wherever I happen to be.	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' The music score for this episode is what immediately stood out for me, especially as the Enterprise slowly departs the radiation field. And seeing new visual shots in TNG is a rare pleasure. One of S3's finest. __________________ "You would make a ship sail against the winds and currents by lighting a bonfire under her deck?! I have no time for such nonsense." -- Napoleon, commenting on Fulton's Steamship

May 8 2010, 09:17 PM	#5
caisson2delta Captain Location: The South of Florida	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' I just saw this, again, a few days ago. I totally agree with the previous thoughts on this episode. I would also like to add that we get to see just how versatile, and good of an officer, Picard is. Data seemed to be surprised by the captain's little slingshot maneuver in order to get them out of the debris field.

May 9 2010, 01:20 AM	#7
DWF Vice Admiral Location: Columbus, Ohio	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' It's a wonderfully underrated ep. with great visual effects, nice music, Susan Gibson was a fine guest and great to look at and it had a nice non-technologically answer. __________________ The greatest science fiction series of all time is Doctor Who! And I'll take you all on, one-by-one or all in a bunch to back it up!" --- Harlan Ellison, from his introduction to the PINNACLE series of Doctor Who books

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

May 9 2010, 02:21 AM	#8
T'Girl Vice Admiral	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' I remember watching this episode during a time period when I had a new interest in archaeology. I felt a very strong emotional reaction when Picard destroyed the alien ship at the end of the episode, a real feeling of loss.

May 11 2010, 07:02 AM	#9
Balok's Head Lieutenant	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' I agree with all points, it's interesting to see some on this particular episode! The music cue used when the crew discover that the Enterprise is in a radiation field is really cool to listen to, considering how unique it is to TNG. I really get a kick out of hearing Picard saying "Damn you" to a people, long dead. On another note, has anyone noticed how vibrant the colours are during the third season? To me the camera work and colours look like crap in later episodes. In this episode they shine.The camera work makes the sets look incredible, in a way I can't actually explain. Has anyone noticed this? Oh and who here digs the white carpet on the bridge during the third season? I always thought the reason the crew are so surprised about Picards trick at the end, was another nod to the 'humans are usefu'l story thread that runs so prominently through the episode. Nothing much more.

May 12 2010, 04:04 AM	#11
Balok's Head Lieutenant	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' Well I don't know for sure what colour it was, it would also change colour depending on what TV you're watching. Ok, so it's more of a light ghost grey, but still, it rocks! I thought that it 'framed' the bridge a lot better than the later or earlier colour.

May 12 2010, 04:41 AM	#12
Unicron Continuity Spackle Location: Seeking harmony	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' I was watching it earlier today. I always did like the unique music. And Picard's comments about the ship in a bottle. __________________ "My dream is to eat candy and poop emeralds. I'm halfway successful." Catbert, Evil Director of Human Resources

May 17 2010, 10:19 PM	#13
swaaye Lieutenant Commander	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' Ron Jones got fired for making these amazing musical scores. Nice huh? The drone music kicks in around the end of season 4.

May 18 2010, 04:34 AM	#14
BolianAuthor Writer, Battlestar Urantia Location: Torrance, California	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' I agree with all good reviews of this episode. I loved the music, and being able to get a glimpse of the Enterprise-D still in her largely skeletal state of construction at Utopia Planitia... that was a major "OMG, how awesome!" goosebump moment for me, at the time. And I think the lighting and photography of the sets was the absolute best in seasons 3 and 4.

May 19 2010, 01:44 AM	#15
buckeyenation Lieutenant Commander Location: in the expanse, playing fizzbin	Re: My thoughts on 'Booby Trap' This is actually a fine ep, one of my favorites. I especially enjoy the scene in the transporter room as the away team left for the alien ship. Way to suck up to the Captain, O'Brien! __________________ "Let's make sure history never forgets the name....Enterprise!"