Spoilers Episode 7 "Nepenthe"

[DaveyNY]

If you're that distracted by the camera motion, then perhaps for you the story isn't that captivating.
I didn't notice any camera "jerking' at all, I was too enraptured by what was happening on screen.

Why did Picard keep calling him Commander Riker when he was last seen as a captain?

Perhaps because of the Seven-Plus Years Will spent as Jean-Luc's Number 1.
Old habits die hard.

 

[Cyrus]

Just saw it. Loved it.

great to see Riker and Troi again. Liked Kestra a lot.

I was hoping Elnor would kill Rizzo but no such lock. Hopefully she gets it next week.

interesting that different takes of Riker & Troi scenes were used in the episode than the trailers.

loved the Asimov and Kzinti name drops (Asimov and Niven are my favorite authors).

next week episode looks to be great.

That Riker Pizza looked great. I want one (with fresh tomato and basil but not the rabbit sausage).

 

[Terok Nor]

It seems like Patrick Stewart is getting younger the more Picard rediscovers his purpose in life. He was practically bouncing about in this episode. Nice to see his out of character behavior pointed out by the Rikers. This episode felt like Picard becoming closer to who he used to be.

Kestra was great. Perfect casting. It was heart warming to see Picard, Riker and Troi together again and it was fantastic writing to link the death of their son to the ban on synths. The attack on Mars has caused so much devastation and it feels personal now that we know the Rikers have suffered because of it.

Hugh is dead. That happened. I'm not that bothered really. We hadn't seen him in over 25 years and at least we got an ending for him rather than just imaging what became of him. It was a quick death unlike Icheb who died horrifically. That bothered me.

Was that a Hirogen ex Borg amongst the group who Narissa slaughtered? First time a Voyager created species appeared on another show?

Why was Frakes given special guest star billing on the opening credits but Sirtis was not? Why wasn't Narek actor credited at all?

Good episode. Proper character piece. Elnor is becoming my favorite character. Can't wait for him to team up with Seven next week.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Why did Picard keep calling him Commander Riker when he was last seen as a captain?

His tour on the Titan didn't go as planned.

 

[Tuskin38]

Was that a Hirogen ex Borg amongst the group who Narissa slaughtered?

looks like it
https://twitter.com/trekcore/status/1235741113404751872?s=21

 

[Cyrus]

Why was Frakes given special guest star billing on the opening credits but Sirtis was not? Why wasn't Narek actor credited at all.

I noticed that too. Seemed like Frakes replaced Narek actor in opening credits to minimize the changes.

 

[Terok Nor]

looks like it
https://twitter.com/trekcore/status/1235741113404751872?s=21

I knew it! Hopefully there are others on board the cube or else Rizzo just eradicated the entire population of Hirogen in the Alpha/Beta quadrants

 

[Laptopia]

It seems like Patrick Stewart is getting younger the more Picard rediscovers his purpose in life. He was practically bouncing about in this episode. Nice to see his out of character behavior pointed out by the Rikers. This episode felt like Picard becoming closer to who he used to be.

Kestra was great. Perfect casting. It was heart warming to see Picard, Riker and Troi together again and it was fantastic writing to link the death of their son to the ban on synths. The attack on Mars has caused so much devastation and it feels personal now that we know the Rikers have suffered because of it.

Hugh is dead. That happened. I'm not that bothered really. We hadn't seen him in over 25 years and at least we got an ending for him rather than just imaging what became of him. It was a quick death unlike Icheb who died horrifically. That bothered me.

Was that a Hirogen ex Borg amongst the group who Narissa slaughtered? First time a Voyager created species appeared on another show?

Why was Frakes given special guest star billing on the opening credits but Sirtis was not? Why wasn't Narek actor credited at all?

Good episode. Proper character piece. Elnor is becoming my favorite character. Can't wait for him to team up with Seven next week.

I’m glad I am not the only one who noticed that he seems to get a bit younger and more vital every episode. Clearly done on purpose.

 

[Vger23]

Pure joy. Absolute pure fucking joy.

Nostalgia glasses? You bet. And I don't care what anyone thinks of that to be honest. And I'm not even a huge TNG fan. But this was something special, and bringing Picard back together with the Rikers.... I thought that was brilliantly written, acted and executed in just about every way.

Everyone who has said that it's difficult to rate/judge the individual episodes without looking at the holistic whole story was dead on. But, even as a stand-alone and isolated as a single episode, this was just great. I do love how they've chosen to allow this story to unfold. It's been a wonderfully appropriate pace and style in PIC thus far.

Random thoughts:

• Marina Sirtis has never been better. Awesome performance.

• I loved the opener. It reveals that there is a very good reason for the Romulan Blade Runners and the Federation to take the synthetic threat so seriously, not just because they are paranoid assholes like so many have accused them of.

• Jurati was brilliant this week. She's probably my least-favorite character, but the performance by Pill and the character arc is winning me over.

• This series is just filled with beautiful images and locations. I also really love the stark contrast between the artifact and the sunny, earthy locations.

• This theme about a humbled Picard on a journey of redemption and self discovery has given me such a better appreciation for the character overall. PIC is a great story in terms of showing that nobody is ever too old to stop growing and learning.

• Hugh is dead. Pretty gut-wrenching.

• Rizzo is a gloriously scene-chewing, nasty villain. I honestly hope she survives the season so she can stick around.

• Is this more concern over/related to "Control" from DSC? I'm sure this has been asked 379 times already in this thread. I didn't bother reading because I didn't want to have my happiness dampened by nitpicky pedantic gripes about triviality.

• I'm genuinely invested in this quest now. I can't wait to see what happens next.

• The performances were absolutely brilliant. I mean wonderful. The actress who plays the Riker's daughter, Alison Pill, Marina Sirtis, and Patrick Stewart were all amazing this week.

This is on-par with Into the Forrest I Go and If Memory Serves. The writing, direction, action, performances, emotional beats, even music ques....all perfect by my tastes. It's been a nice little run of episodes these last two weeks. My first 9 last week. Now this.

PIC has arrived.

10/10

 

[Cyrus]

I believe this episodes confirms Oh, Rizzo and Narek are Zat Vash. Rizzo admits it in her talk with Elnor. Narek is working with her and using the tracking device given by Oh to Jurati.

 

[Vger23]

I believe this episodes confirms Oh, Rizzo and Narek are Zat Vash. Rizzo admits it in her talk with Elnor. Narek is working with her and using the tracking device given by Oh to Jurati.

I like how all three of them are so different. It's a nice triad of antagonists, as opposed to the typical "one villain and their evil minions."

I actually don't like Narek at all. He's just a slimey, uninteresting douche of a character. One of the very few things about the show that doesn't work for me.

 

[Beckler]

What does all this talk and in-depth analysis accomplish, exactly? Does it really create additional enjoyment for you? Just watch the show! I'm glad I'm not a trekkie...

 

[Bad Thoughts]

So is it universally agree that Sirtis gave us the Troi we always deserved?

 

[Kevman7987]

Rizzo is a gloriously scene-chewing, nasty villain. I honestly hope she survives the season so she can stick around.

I disagree. I want her killed by the xBs after Seven shows up. Before she dies I want Seven to say "We are the Borg. Resistance is futile."

 

[Midquest]

I have more thoughts for another time, but I literally came here just to say, "Marina Sirtis is a gift to Star Trek and they finally gave her an episode that did justice to the character."

I can count on one hand the episodes that really showcased Deanna well, and this was one of them in a really satisfying way.

 

[Vger23]

I disagree. I want her killed by the xBs after Seven shows up. Before she dies I want Seven to say "We are the Borg. Resistance is futile."

Oh, I'm quite certain she'll die.

I'd just rather she doesn't. At least not this season. Narek on the other hand, I could care less about.

 

[Vger23]

I'm glad I'm not a trekkie...

 

[DEWLine]

Mildly disappointed that the titular planet didn't get a named host-star. For now, anyway...

 

[Vger23]

Mildly disappointed that the titular planet didn't get a named host-star. For now, anyway...

Pardon?

 

[thribs]

So after 43 years, we finally had a Star Wars reference in Star Trek.