The Other Picard Manoeuvre...

[WAMTNG]

So, the 'Picard Manoeuvre' (or 'maneuver' if you're in the US) where Picard straightens his uniform: anybody know when this first happens?

I just started work on the WAM for "Where Silence Has Lease" and spotted 'the other Picard Manoeuvre' in it... I'm not sure I ever spotted it in an earlier episode, and they had new uniforms for season 2 suggesting the season 1 uniforms might not have required it.

Any sightings of the other Picard manoeuvre earlier than season 2, episode 2...? Thanks in advance!

 

[Ragitsu]

I adore the alternative (alternative to me, anyhow) spelling/pronunciation of maneuver.

"Man-OOVE-RUH!"

 

[Orphalesion]

Uh, but the new, redesigned uniforms (as in the wool ones as opposed to spandex) were introduced in Season 3, not 2.

 

[Qonundrum]

So, the 'Picard Manoeuvre' (or 'maneuver' if you're in the US) where Picard straightens his uniform: anybody know when this first happens?

I just started work on the WAM for "Where Silence Has Lease" and spotted 'the other Picard Manoeuvre' in it... I'm not sure I ever spotted it in an earlier episode, and they had new uniforms for season 2 suggesting the season 1 uniforms might not have required it.

Any sightings of the other Picard manoeuvre earlier than season 2, episode 2...? Thanks in advance!

@Orphalesion beat me to it as it is season 3, but the more fun question ("funner"?) might be "Why does he do it?" To which the only conceivable answer is anything except "Someone put itching powder in there as a prank between scenes, it's too late to change the pants, and now he's got to act around it."

 

[Qonundrum]

Uh, but the new, redesigned uniforms (as in the wool ones as opposed to spandex) were introduced in Season 3, not 2.

True, but it's still a lovely sentiment that some people are mistaking a season 3 attribute into series 2, since everyone says the show took off in season 3 -- when many could argue it was season 2 when the show really found its stuff (and IMHO did, even with the clunkers. Season 2 is dreadfully underrated and does find the tone season 3 hones, and without being fettered by the sort of industrial action that clobbered the second year. )

 

[JesterFace]

when many could argue it was season 2 when the show really found its stuff (and IMHO did, even with the clunkers)

Unfortunately all seasons seem to have their clunkers, right?

 

[WAMTNG]

Uh, but the new, redesigned uniforms (as in the wool ones as opposed to spandex) were introduced in Season 3, not 2.

D'oh! I got mixed up. It's the costume designer that changed at season 2 - Durinda Wood replacing William Theiss. But it's only Wesley who gets the new uniform, not everyone. Silly me! Thanks for pointing this out. And even more so for doing it politely!

My question about earlier appearances of the 'other Picard manoeuvre' still stands!
Any sightings before this episode...?

True, but it's still a lovely sentiment that some people are mistaking a season 3 attribute into series 2, since everyone says the show took off in season 3 -- when many could argue it was season 2 when the show really found its stuff (and IMHO did, even with the clunkers. Season 2 is dreadfully underrated and does find the tone season 3 hones, and without being fettered by the sort of industrial action that clobbered the second year. )

The show hits its stride in season 3, but season 2 is a huge step up from the first season in my eyes. Stories are tighter, there are episodes that are good in their own right (rather than 'good for season one')... I do think it a little underrated, as you say. In fact, I personally enjoy season 2 far more than season 7. Season 2 has "Elementary Dear Data", "Contagion", "A Matter of Honor", "The Measure of a Man", and "Q Who?" all of which I really rate as great episodes, while 7 has... erm... "All Good Things"... and probably something else good I've forgotten(!).

I realise I've probably just unleashed a kraken-load of "everyone's favourite season 7 episodes now", and we won't find any earlier appearances of 'other Picard manoeuvre', but so be it!

 

[Doug Otte]

I hesitate to write this, because whatever appears on the internet becomes de facto truth to some readers.

I seem to remember that it was developed by Stewart. It was supposed to be Picard's habit left over from when the uniforms had earlier separate jackets. I can't remember if Stewart himself said this, or someone else said Stewart created the tug for this reason.

I started to look at my Compendium and The Continuing Mission, but couldn't find the reference in those books.

 

[Summer Solstice]

The show hits its stride in season 3, but season 2 is a huge step up from the first season in my eyes. Stories are tighter, there are episodes that are good in their own right (rather than 'good for season one')... I do think it a little underrated, as you say. In fact, I personally enjoy season 2 far more than season 7. Season 2 has "Elementary Dear Data", "Contagion", "A Matter of Honor", "The Measure of a Man", and "Q Who?" all of which I really rate as great episodes, while 7 has... erm... "All Good Things"... and probably something else good I've forgotten(!).

I realise I've probably just unleashed a kraken-load of "everyone's favourite season 7 episodes now", and we won't find any earlier appearances of 'other Picard manoeuvre', but so be it!

You have, but I think the last time you did that I told you my favourite season 7 episodes, so I won't list them now.

I really enjoy season 2 - the episodes you mention are particularly good, plus I really like "The Dauphin" (Wesley was my favourite when I first watched the show), "Time Squared" (the concept is pretty cool) and "Peak Performance".

 

[Mojochi]

Unfortunately all seasons seem to have their clunkers, right?

I'd say the ones with the least were seasons 3 & 4, which speaks to me that those seasons were less the show hitting its stride, & more hitting its peak, as season 2 is pretty good & season 5 is alright too, & it's kind of diminishing returns thereafter

As for the Picard maneuver... I'd always assumed it was born out of retiring the onsies, & having a top that rode up on the actors, who just used that as a thing to play, cuz I'm sure I've seen others do it, namely Riker.

 

[Orphalesion]

Yeah Season 3 and 4 where TNG at its finest and most consistently good, it had left behind the growing pains of Season 1 and 2, and hadn't yet descended into the "early 90s beige" vibe that season 6 and 7 had going on.

 

[WAMTNG]

I hesitate to write this, because whatever appears on the internet becomes de facto truth to some readers.
I seem to remember that it was developed by Stewart. It was supposed to be Picard's habit left over from when the uniforms had earlier separate jackets. I can't remember if Stewart himself said this, or someone else said Stewart created the tug for this reason.

Thanks for this! I will take this as the rumour you confess it to be. I'm big on 'sourcing sources' for these sorts of thing, and I appreciate any clues anyone has!

 

[WAMTNG]

....plus I really like "The Dauphin" (Wesley was my favourite when I first watched the show), "Time Squared" (the concept is pretty cool) and "Peak Performance".

I seem to have blocked "The Dauphin" from my memory, so it'll be interesting to see what I make of it. I do like "Time Squared" a lot - it is somewhat overshadowed by season 6's "Cause and Effect" in the 'every season has a time loop episode' stakes, though. And "Peak Performance" is a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to watching it again. (And thanks for the season 7 info in the previous message too, much appreciated!)

 

[WAMTNG]

I'd say the ones with the least were seasons 3 & 4, which speaks to me that those seasons were less the show hitting its stride, & more hitting its peak, as season 2 is pretty good & season 5 is alright too, & it's kind of diminishing returns thereafter

I know where you're coming from, but season 6 might just be my favourite year of TNG - I know it's a devisive one, though. Not everyone digs what that season does, but for me it's half gold, quarter silver, quarter lead. Certainly not clunker free though ("Aquiel" springs to mind...) but it has "Frame of Mind", which is one of my all time greats!

Yeah Season 3 and 4 where TNG at its finest and most consistently good, it had left behind the growing pains of Season 1 and 2, and hadn't yet descended into the "early 90s beige" vibe that season 6 and 7 had going on.

'Early 90s beige' is the absolute best description of late TNG ever!!! What happened to colour after the 80s? It seemed like palettes everywhere became boring overnight...

As for the Picard maneuver... I'd always assumed it was born out of retiring the onsies, & having a top that rode up on the actors, who just used that as a thing to play, cuz I'm sure I've seen others do it, namely Riker.

Aye, I'm convinced I've seen Riker do it too! But as others have said, they still have onesies in season two, so it can't come out of retiring them surely? Anyway, I have my eyes peeled for it now... I'm sure it doesn't occur in season 1. If anyone can prove me wrong, do let me know!

 

[Summer Solstice]

I seem to have blocked "The Dauphin" from my memory, so it'll be interesting to see what I make of it. I do like "Time Squared" a lot - it is somewhat overshadowed by season 6's "Cause and Effect" in the 'every season has a time loop episode' stakes, though. And "Peak Performance" is a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to watching it again. (And thanks for the season 7 info in the previous message too, much appreciated!)

It will be interesting to see what you think of "The Dauphin". Some of the special effects haven't aged well. "Cause and Effect" is fantastic. I love that it turns out they were trying to help the Romulans.

 

[Farscape One]

It will be interesting to see what you think of "The Dauphin". Some of the special effects haven't aged well. "Cause and Effect" is fantastic. I love that it turns out they were trying to help the Romulans.

"Cause And Effect" was the time loop episode in season 5. The season 6 time stopped one with the Romulans was "Timescape". (Both were written by Brannon Braga.)

 

[Farscape One]

So, the 'Picard Manoeuvre' (or 'maneuver' if you're in the US) where Picard straightens his uniform: anybody know when this first happens?

I just started work on the WAM for "Where Silence Has Lease" and spotted 'the other Picard Manoeuvre' in it... I'm not sure I ever spotted it in an earlier episode, and they had new uniforms for season 2 suggesting the season 1 uniforms might not have required it.

Any sightings of the other Picard manoeuvre earlier than season 2, episode 2...? Thanks in advance!

By the way, to answer your question... yes, he did do the maneuver a few times in season 1.

I think the earliest one is in "Where No One Has Gone Before", right at the end when Wesley sits down in the center area on the bridge.

I don't recall if he did it before that episode, but that's pretty close to the very beginning of TNG.

 

[JoseNoodles]

Youtube poster Jay Warden made a compilation of Picard (and other characters) tugging their shirts. It seems pretty comprehensive.

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[Ragitsu]

Sisko is a confirmed secret Picard fanboy?

 

[Summer Solstice]

That is a lot, even in season 1!