Tin Man episode question

Discussion in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' started by Nakita Akita, Mar 10, 2020.

  1. amp

    amp Commander Red Shirt

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    I'm pretty sure that this is why Tin Man sent Tam back in time to California in the late 1990s. He was going to first become mayor of a small town and then ascend to a higher being who would stay with Tin Man forever. Quark did go back in time to stop him (disguised as a human of course), but unfortunately Tam ate him.
     
  2. Nakita Akita

    Nakita Akita Commodore Commodore

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    All true, except that Tam Ate Quark.
    That's just part of the myth.
    Tam was a vegetarian. Most quarters belive he simply lured Wuark out into the desert.
    Dessert/desert, it's easy to get the two mixed up.:whistle:
     
  3. Farscape One

    Farscape One Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Tam Elbrun did come off as a dick.

    But he had the inner thoughts of EVERYONE in his head at once, every moment of the day. That has to be torture, not having a moment to yourself in your own mind. It's actually very sad, and I can see WHY he is the way he is. It's definitely a big reason why he enjoyed being around Data so much... it was his port in the storm.

    I definitely say Tam and Gomtuu warped away just before it went nova. If the Enterprise can outrun a star going nova at warp 1 in GENERATIONS, then Gomtuu certainly can, especially considering it just hurled them well past the blast radius.
     
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  4. Serveaux

    Serveaux Fleet Admiral Premium Member

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    They warped out.

    Oh - barring misadventure, Tam will live as long as Gomtuu.
     
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  5. Jayson1

    Jayson1 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    They must have stopped at some places. Tam would need to get food and water and maybe fresh oxygen. Not sure where the air is coming from within the ship. I wonder also Gomtuu has a bunch of old clothes and tables and stuff somewhere from the old crew still in storage. Tam will also need things like a bed and stove and shower.


    Jason
     
  6. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    In the lap of squalor I assure you.
    If you are in a perfectly homogenized environment, clothes are not necessary.

    Does Tim Man have a laundry?

    Tam is naked for the rest of his life.

    Pissing and pooping were ever he is, and Tim man eats it.

    A dedicated waste collection and recyclying system?

    That's a lot of chemicals.

    Luke Skywalker's blue milk, or LEXX.

    Tam is probably sucking on a nipple somewhere for food.

    Maybe there is a poo room, and it's an air lock?

    Woosh!
     
  7. CuriousCaitian

    CuriousCaitian Commander Red Shirt

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    I've always found Tam more sympathetic than irritating, partly because I can relate quite strongly to an inability to fit in anywhere, and the millstone of feeling like you never will. The belief no-one will ever understand you, too. I kinda envy the peaceful co-existence he ultimately finds with Gomtuu.

    Harry Groener's skill in walking that tightrope, with a side of soulfulness - the discussion with Deanna about the slow-living race with a days-long greeting ceremony, for example - and the strong writing foundation are the other parts. He's a good, interesting character.
     
  8. Jayson1

    Jayson1 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I agree. It's one of the shows more underrated episodes IMO. I really like the character and premise and basically everything other than Tam's Robin Hood outfit.


    Jason
     
  9. FcukTWOK

    FcukTWOK Ensign Red Shirt

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    The original 1979 novel had Div Harlthor - they changed it to "Tam Elbrun" for the TNG episode apparently because Melinda Snodgrass felt that none of the actors would be able to pronounce it - at the end finding himself being biologically integrated into the titular entity (with a single tear rolling down what's left of his face). The 1976 short story has an ostensibly more upbeat ending along with a comparatively inert sex scene that didn't for whatever reason make it into the novel.
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2020
  10. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    In the lap of squalor I assure you.
    Does Tinman take one pilot at a time, or can it take a few pilots, and therefore are their minds amalgamated, like with the Borg, or partitioned off.
     
  11. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    IIRC, Tin Man had a previous crew (plural).
     
  12. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Sure, but did they all have their minds blended with Tinman at the same time?
     
  13. NigellaDeanna20

    NigellaDeanna20 Commander Red Shirt

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    I've always believed that tin man and Tam went off to explore the galaxy after the end of that episode.
     
  14. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I'm sure they all did (to a certain extent)l, although probably not as much as with Tam.
     
  15. Mojochi

    Mojochi Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    That says to me, the entire crew was merged with Tin Man in at least a similar way as Tam
    We see Gomtuu fashion a rather simplistic command chair, which implies it can provide some things. We also see it transport Data back to the Enterprise over a great distance, which means it has at least a comparable capacity for matter/energy manipulation as the Enterprise & their crew. So, it could probably just as easily provide or replicate whatever Tam needed.
     
  16. Jayson1

    Jayson1 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    But what about Tam's sexual needs. I mean with no men or women around it's likely Tam is going to start feeling urges that I guess a living ship can't handle. Or can it?


    Jason
     
  17. Farscape One

    Farscape One Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Well, Moya, the living ship on FARSCAPE had a son, Talyn...
     
  18. publiusr

    publiusr Admiral Admiral

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    This was one of my favorite TNG episodes.
    Well done sir.
     
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  19. Serveaux

    Serveaux Fleet Admiral Premium Member

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    Thank you.
     
  20. Serveaux

    Serveaux Fleet Admiral Premium Member

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    Gomtuu has wifi.
     
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