For the record I'm watching the TNG-r versions of the episodes, at least for the early seasons.
Last rewatch a few years ago I endured three less-than-impressive efforts to start TNG's first season with "Encounter At Farpoint," "The Naked Now" and "Code Of Honor." If anyone went by those three initial outings one could be forgiven for bailing on the show. It isn't that there weren't some interesting ideas early on, but the general execution was rocky and at times even cringe inducing. There were things I liked and a heap of stuff I didn't care for at all.
In each case they were treading into areas TOS had already done (or similarly enough) and had done better. "The Naked Now" was a prime example of clumsy reuse of an idea done far, far better in TOS' "The Naked Time." And while "Code Of Honor" can strike one as something that could have been done in TOS it's hard to imagine it would have been as embarrassing as the TNG version.
"The Last Outpost" ***
The Enterprise is chasing an alien vessel when both ships are rendered powerless.
There are echoes of TOS' "Arena" in this, but it's not really a remake of that story because there are enough dissimilarities to make this its own thing.
TNG's fourth outing is a distinct step up from the previous three episodes. And so much depends on context. I previously rated this a 4 out of 5 and in all candor I waffled on that rating. In comparison to the previous efforts it comes across as so much better yet taken on its own it's a little harder to ignore the rough spots so this time around it rates a 3. So all things considered it should be a 3.5, but my rating system wasn't based on half points.
Watching the enhanced versions of TNG is a treat. You're seeing it as it should be seen. And it's quite differnt than watching TOS-R--at least to me--because TNG-R doesn't look like two different productions spliced together whereas TOS-R looks distinctly that.
This isn't a bad first contact story where both parties stumble over lack of knowledge, rumour and misconceptions as well as inherent suspicions. Yes, it is largely one-sided because we really don't get to see things from the Ferengi perspective, but it isn't a huge loss because the Ferengi as presented are a big disappointment. While I could applaud trying to portray aliens differently from ourselves in this case the Ferengi are presented in a far too comical manner to be taken seriously. There was nothing offered up to intrigue me to want to learn more about them. Based on this episode if we had never seen the Ferengi ever again it wouldn't have been a loss. Indeed based on what I know will be coming in later episodes and series they never are developed in any truly interesting way. They basically will become jokes and a source of comic relief.
While the general execution is better in this episode it's not without rough moments of poorly written dialogue and awkward acting. There are moments when the characters speak and act more like teenagers rather than trained and experienced adult professionals. It isn't often, but those moments are there, particularly early on. There is some interplay between Riker and Picard that can make me cringe. Riker in particular can come across as a kiss-ass at times and Picard a bit pompous. They are occasional instances, but they're there.
In the beginning Picard doesn't really impress me as a truly experienced commander and his crew seem rather green. I know it's really a result of writing and direction, but the crew don't come off as well as the TOS crew in the early goings. Even as TOS was finding its way in its early episodes the writing, direction and performances were generally strong and polished and felt fully realized. The instances of clumsiness of execution were few and almost non-existent in early TOS. The TOS crew impressed as being fully prepared to deal with what they might encounter. Early on the TNG crew don't convey that idea, at least not consistently, not yet.
The Federation also looks to have softened and become overly politically correct in this era to the point of near paralysis. Picard doesn't seem to know how to really proceed. Thre can surely be a case where a commander seeks input from his staff, but at this point it can make Picard (and in extent the Federation) look weak.
The latter part of the episode works better than the early parts particularly when Portal shows up. It's a shame we don't get to learn more about him and the Tkon Empire given how disappointing the Ferengi are.
In the end it's a watchable episode on its own, but on its own it's just okay. It's only in context of what preceeded it that makes it look better than it is.
Last rewatch a few years ago I endured three less-than-impressive efforts to start TNG's first season with "Encounter At Farpoint," "The Naked Now" and "Code Of Honor." If anyone went by those three initial outings one could be forgiven for bailing on the show. It isn't that there weren't some interesting ideas early on, but the general execution was rocky and at times even cringe inducing. There were things I liked and a heap of stuff I didn't care for at all.
In each case they were treading into areas TOS had already done (or similarly enough) and had done better. "The Naked Now" was a prime example of clumsy reuse of an idea done far, far better in TOS' "The Naked Time." And while "Code Of Honor" can strike one as something that could have been done in TOS it's hard to imagine it would have been as embarrassing as the TNG version.
"The Last Outpost" ***
The Enterprise is chasing an alien vessel when both ships are rendered powerless.
There are echoes of TOS' "Arena" in this, but it's not really a remake of that story because there are enough dissimilarities to make this its own thing.
TNG's fourth outing is a distinct step up from the previous three episodes. And so much depends on context. I previously rated this a 4 out of 5 and in all candor I waffled on that rating. In comparison to the previous efforts it comes across as so much better yet taken on its own it's a little harder to ignore the rough spots so this time around it rates a 3. So all things considered it should be a 3.5, but my rating system wasn't based on half points.
Watching the enhanced versions of TNG is a treat. You're seeing it as it should be seen. And it's quite differnt than watching TOS-R--at least to me--because TNG-R doesn't look like two different productions spliced together whereas TOS-R looks distinctly that.
This isn't a bad first contact story where both parties stumble over lack of knowledge, rumour and misconceptions as well as inherent suspicions. Yes, it is largely one-sided because we really don't get to see things from the Ferengi perspective, but it isn't a huge loss because the Ferengi as presented are a big disappointment. While I could applaud trying to portray aliens differently from ourselves in this case the Ferengi are presented in a far too comical manner to be taken seriously. There was nothing offered up to intrigue me to want to learn more about them. Based on this episode if we had never seen the Ferengi ever again it wouldn't have been a loss. Indeed based on what I know will be coming in later episodes and series they never are developed in any truly interesting way. They basically will become jokes and a source of comic relief.
While the general execution is better in this episode it's not without rough moments of poorly written dialogue and awkward acting. There are moments when the characters speak and act more like teenagers rather than trained and experienced adult professionals. It isn't often, but those moments are there, particularly early on. There is some interplay between Riker and Picard that can make me cringe. Riker in particular can come across as a kiss-ass at times and Picard a bit pompous. They are occasional instances, but they're there.
In the beginning Picard doesn't really impress me as a truly experienced commander and his crew seem rather green. I know it's really a result of writing and direction, but the crew don't come off as well as the TOS crew in the early goings. Even as TOS was finding its way in its early episodes the writing, direction and performances were generally strong and polished and felt fully realized. The instances of clumsiness of execution were few and almost non-existent in early TOS. The TOS crew impressed as being fully prepared to deal with what they might encounter. Early on the TNG crew don't convey that idea, at least not consistently, not yet.
The Federation also looks to have softened and become overly politically correct in this era to the point of near paralysis. Picard doesn't seem to know how to really proceed. Thre can surely be a case where a commander seeks input from his staff, but at this point it can make Picard (and in extent the Federation) look weak.
The latter part of the episode works better than the early parts particularly when Portal shows up. It's a shame we don't get to learn more about him and the Tkon Empire given how disappointing the Ferengi are.
In the end it's a watchable episode on its own, but on its own it's just okay. It's only in context of what preceeded it that makes it look better than it is.
