A lot of setting the board for the finale in this episode but most certainly in a good way. I really enjoyed delving into Rios’ past. I was surprised to see the connection with Soji there. The scene with Raffi and all the holos was awesome. Alison Pill is really crushing it. This may be the best ensemble cast Star Trek has seen. I figured Seven wasn’t going to be reassimilated for good but I really hope they give Elnor more to do in the finale. I feel as though he’s really been more of an observer to stuff most of this season. Gonna be an interesting ride for the finale.
Haven't seen the new episode yet, because we get it first on Friday at midnight in Germany. But this sounds a lot like the Tkon Empire...
Looks nothing like one to me, the rear section is wider for a start & the nacelles have the same shape but as if they are viewed from the side which means they are flipped sideways, it's probably related but a different class of ship much like the Constitution & Miranda class share some elements or the Galaxy & Nebula Class.
There was a game a few years back called Ship Creator. This looks like one of the ship you can make in that.
That civilzation that moved the 8 stars, were they wiped out hundred of thousands of years ago by another far dangerous power for creating synths or were they warning other future civilizations not to cross a certain theshold of A.I or they will return to stop them from doing so ?
"The Tkon Empire was a massive empire that existed over 600,000 years ago. The Empire had a population of trillions and was highly advanced technologically. The Tkon had the ability to move entire stars, using planets as outposts for defense. They employed guardians known as portals to defend these outposts and to act as gatekeepers for those seeking entry to the Empire. Historical eras for this civilization were described as Ages measured by the Tkon using galactic motionary startime charts. The latter ages of the Tkon Empire were Bastu, Cimi, Xora, and Makto. It was during the Age of Makto when the central star of their home system destabilized and went supernova, ending the Empire." https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Tkon_Empire
Episode is sounding good. Interesting to know that Rios former ship was a Sovereign class, it certainly bumps him up the rankings that he was a Commander on a top ship. So the Commodore is a hybrid, that makes sense and explains why she can mind meld and need sun glasses. No surprise that the Commodore is behind the attack on Mars. Clancy finally wakes up and smells her demotion in the wind. If it is a planet of Data's, did Soong ever visit there and which came first, the Data we know or the planet full of them. Where is Lore, did he create them in honor of his brother. I was never convinced that Maddox was the true creator of Soji or Dahj, he was killed off far too quickly and we were never shown his face when Soji finally activated.
It's an interesting callback to the early development of TNG, as Data was originally supposed to be created by an advanced alien civilization instead of Soong.
Romulans should still have that inner eyelid though. It’s only been a thousand years or so. I like how all the Borg stuff is a misdirect. They are completely irrelevant to the main story. They’re just there to throw people off and to get people to watch the show.
Could be a result of the rejoining of the two species DNA. The Borg angle always looked a bit too obvious, with hints towards Control. I am happy to hear its neither.
What's also interesting about the Tkon is the fact that their empire was destroyed by a supernova. The same thing that happened to the Romulans...
I think that there's probably more going on for one who actually experiences the Admonition than just the images we saw flashed onscreen. They're getting an infodump that's only hinted at to us. We finally see another side of Narizzo...perhaps a bit too late to do the character any good. Nobody's mentioned how Clancy told Picard to STFU--am I the only one who loved that? Raffi said that she was surveilling the Cube, indicating that she could see what the xBs were drawing...when/how did this happen? It seems like Picard's going out of his way to be extra-sensitive to Soji since last week. Picard and Soji's discussion of Data was touching; it's particularly interesting how Picard likened Data's lack of emotion to himself. (And will there be nerdrage for his not taking the emotion chip into account?) Anyway--and I'm probably going to get pelted with rocks and garbage for this--that one scene did more for me than the entire Riker/Troi reunion last week. I hadn't been able to put my finger on why I wasn't getting as much out of "Nepenthe" as so many others seemed to, and now I'd say that it was taking a nice idea and overindulging in it. Less is more. We got a better look at Raffi's conspiracy obsession / intel operative side this week. And see? She locked herself out of the booze. She's taking care of herself. The assemblage of holograms was a great scene, and a very clever use of what just seemed like a gag. Jurati's wonder at meeting Soji was endearing. I was particularly struck by this bit: "Do you eat?" "When I'm hungry." A deliberate Superman(: The Movie) callback? "Actually...I don't know how to work this." "The future is left for us to write." Now that's the old Picard--saying exactly what some here were saying Picard would say if Oh had shown him what she showed Jurati. I was just thinking the same thing. So many have speculated about a Starfleet vessel coming to their rescue in the finale...a Borg Cube would be a nice twist. Hear, hear! I'd say this episode removed a lot of the basis for those theories. Ah yes, I won an imaginary wager there... Totally did not catch that! But not before pinball! The henchman on Freecloud. I doubt the show intends to go there. There's been nothing in the show to indicate that the supernova was anything but a natural occurrence. That something "caused" it is pure fan speculation. OTOH... If the Tkon are involved, that's a mighty interesting parallel...
If it was it's news to me. I don't ever remember the Reliant ever being mentioned as Picard's first assignment straight out of the Academy or one of them. Maybe the writers snuck it in there and I've forgotten over the years but I doubt it. ETA: Ninja'ed by others above. I hadn't seen the BluRay deleted scenes of that episode.
I haven't read any of your posts yet, so here are just a few thoughts. Possibly the best episode in terms of structuring and pacing so far. And it had what imo is necessary for any good story to work: Organic dialogue and character development that comes naturally instead of via overstuffing them with backstory/ drama. Even Rizzo finally got a bit of depth. Fantastic character work and great acting for Soji, Raffi, Seven, Jurati, and most of all Picard and Rios. Also Picard: He's finding his command voice again! Teasing us with Picard in the captain's chair, are you? LOL."I don't know how to work this." Raffi & the hologrms was fun and classic detective work! Rios is all kinds of awesome. Whoever thought he needed that macho introduction scene is an idiot. Or probably just needed an excuse for showing off his upper body. Great bonding scenes for Picard/ Soji, Raffi/ Rios, and finally, Picard/ Rios. So Oh's half Romulan, half Vulcan. Heh! 5 queens of data's poker hand... Dahj, Soji, Jeanna,...? I'm confused with the timeline. Romulans did not exist 200000 years ago, did they?! Still lots of exposition, but also, finally some answers instead of just buildup and bits and pieces. This one leaves me with excitement for the next episode, but in the good "this was great, now on to the next stage, please" way, not in the "stringing us along" way that they relied upon so often. 9/ 10.
The knowledge from some ancient race comes from that long ago. The Romulans presumably discovered it more recently...possibly only centuries ago. Didn't know that, but I'd take anything in tie-in lit with huge heapings of salt, no matter how well-connected with the production it is.