TNG Character Origins in Phase II
- Thread starter albion432
- Start date
Welcome aboard!
I did know about Troi and Riker, but I always assumed Data was just the Spock Archetype... and I always thought TNG was based on "The Cage"...
Or the changes for Decker, or intent to replace Kirk.
Definitely did not know the etymology behind "Picard" as homage to Pike, based on a pejorative no less - that was definitely of interest.
There is a lot of good stuff in that video I definitely did not know. Will be revisiting it an extra time...
Of course, and your mileage may vary, I can't stand the overly loud whoosh noises (they also become excessive) and unnecessary background muzak in the video - if the content is good enough then they really don't need the audio bling and he seems to be a decent enough voice-over narrative artist and video creator (for layout and content and utilization of brief clips).
I did know about Troi and Riker, but I always assumed Data was just the Spock Archetype... and I always thought TNG was based on "The Cage"...
Or the changes for Decker, or intent to replace Kirk.
Definitely did not know the etymology behind "Picard" as homage to Pike, based on a pejorative no less - that was definitely of interest.
There is a lot of good stuff in that video I definitely did not know. Will be revisiting it an extra time...
Of course, and your mileage may vary, I can't stand the overly loud whoosh noises (they also become excessive) and unnecessary background muzak in the video - if the content is good enough then they really don't need the audio bling and he seems to be a decent enough voice-over narrative artist and video creator (for layout and content and utilization of brief clips).
That's rather perceptive on you part, as it never occurred to me until this video, beyond Riker being called "Number One" that is. I also always thought that Picard and Riker were a bifurcation of Kirk, but perhaps a more accurate view would be that Picard is a version of Pike and Riker is a version of Kirk. The Pike/Picard connection has given me a different perspective on the debate between Kirk and Picard. Should the comparison be between Pike and Picard instead? Too bad we didn't get to know Pike better (and I do not even consider the Pike in Discovery to be the same Pike from "The Cage").
Thanks for the post!
It already seemed clear to me that the early Data stuff was digging into "The Questor Tapes". David Gerrold's novelization of "Encounter at Farpoint" postulates a background for Data originating on Kiron III and having been created by unknown aliens. Had Gerrold stuck around longer, we may have seen that origin further developed instead of what developed into "Datalore". The Trek novel "Immortal Coil" also brings in some aspects of "The Questor Tapes".
At the time of TNG's pre-production, then-named Captain Julian Picard was supposedly named for a French Piccard who had explored early inventions in flight. Ballooning, IIRC.
Also, I recall the criticism of captains on "landing parties" was from David Gerrold (the chapter "Whither Star Trek?" in his book, "World of Star Trek"). Gerrold was not involved in "Phase II" at all. When he was brought into pre-production on TNG, he brought his solution with him: that the First Officer lead "away missions".
Shatner was very hesitant to commit to "Phase II" beyond 13 episodes. He was going to be studying the ratings very closely while awaiting a major movie role. I love that Andrew J Robinson (Garak) and Tim Thomerson (Jay Allen in the 1990 TV series pilot of "The Flash") auditioned for Willard Decker but the role was still unfilled when "Phase II" morphed into TMP.
I love that TMP's alien ensign has yellow eyes. Ultimately, that was the colour also chosen for Brent Spiner's Data contact lenses.
By the way, Xon ended up morphing into a male "Dr Savik" in one of the proposals for a potential TMP sequel (movie or telemovie), who morphed into the female "Lieutenant Saavik" for "The Wrath of Khan", who of course morphed into Valeris for ST VI.
TMP's field jackets, at the end of that movie, definitely owe something to the field jackets used in "The Cage".
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Pike's just the proto-Kirk. His one appearance gives little insight to his character. Early Season One Kirk is more or less what Pike would have been. As the show progressed the writers began to write for Shatner's take on a starship captain. Pike, like Kirk would have had a "lady's man" and cocky side like Kirk and Riker if they had kept the name.
I knew pretty much everything that was mentioned. But it was still interesting watching it put together in that manner. Thanks for posting it @albion432.
Ah! Piccard the aviator was Swiss with a French name. Auguste Antoine Piccard (28 January 1884 – 24 March 1962) was a physicist, inventor and explorer, known for his record-breaking helium-filled balloon flights, with which he studied the Earth's upper atmosphere. His sibling was Jean Felix Piccard.
And of course, Xon himself is still canon, as he's name-checked (but unseen) in The Wrath Of Khan, too.
Appropriate as Jean Luc is French with an English accent
Yep. Directional signage to Xon's office, sold off in the "It's a Wrap!" auctions!
As a kid when TNG debuted I was unaware of The Cage. I'd only ever seen a few TOS episodes here and there. When I eventually learned about it and where Picard's nickname for first officers came from I thought it was interesting. I also thought it was a missed opportunity for TNG to have a woman first officer, since that's what Roddenberry wanted to do the first time.
I just rewatched this video and, while I can see where you're coming from, I think the "background muzak" is helpful in this case. I personally think the narration is probably the weakest link in the video and the music helps keep the energy level up in some places. That said, I would like to see more from this video creator!
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