I have an amateur theory that people who grew up with TNG as their primary exposure to the franchise, versus TOS or pretty much anything other than TNG, might be inclined to think of season three of Picard with more fondness than those who did not, and I'm curious to see whether the numbers bear that out. Thanks for indulging my scientific curiosity!
Poll Season Three: The Search For Causation
- Thread starter DonIago
- Start date
I was born in 1979, so I grew up with TNG even though it wasn't my favorite. I loved the TOS Movies and went to see TUC in the theater three times. Technically I think Season 3 is the best season of PIC, but it's a photo-finish with Season 1.
So, strictly speaking, yes, the first poll option applies to me, so that's how I voted: I grew up with TNG and consider S3 the best.
So, strictly speaking, yes, the first poll option applies to me, so that's how I voted: I grew up with TNG and consider S3 the best.
I got into TNG when it was in daily syndication when I was in elementary school... maybe 2nd grade? DS9 started when I was in 3rd grade, and VGR in 5th grade.
I knew more about TOS from guidebooks and novels than first hand viewing, but eventually managed to see around 75% of it when it was shown occasionally on weekends. I even bought a few episodes on VHS like WNMHGB, "Space Seed", "Metamorphosis", and "Turnabout Intruder" just to see them.
TOS films were much easier... albeit the local video rental store didn't have TMP or TWOK, so those I had to record on Saturday afternoon TV. TMP was the SLV, but TWOK was edited for time.
Huh. So far the results support my theory that people who grew up with TNG are more likely to consider S3 the best season of PIC than people who didn't grow up with TNG, though it's far too soon to call anything definitive.
Nevertheless, I shall now pat myself on the back. (pats himself on back)
Nevertheless, I shall now pat myself on the back. (pats himself on back)
So, I have kind of an odd perspective. I was born in 84, so caught parts of TNG as it aired, and in syndication, but it was not my preferred Star Trek, nor was it my dad's, who preferred TOS that we had on TOS, and I usually watched Seaquest over TNG, if given the choice.
Despite this, I think that Season 3 didn't quite rise to the to the strengths of TNG. Season 1 leaned in to Picard's strength of negotiating which I felt that Season 3 missed as some of TNG's strengths.
Despite this, I think that Season 3 didn't quite rise to the to the strengths of TNG. Season 1 leaned in to Picard's strength of negotiating which I felt that Season 3 missed as some of TNG's strengths.
I think it was KRAD who pointed out in his S3 overview article that the season doesn't really engage in any of the usual Trek pasttimes of exploration or scientific curiosity or such. In that regard, I'll take DISCO S4.
I was born 1979. TNG (specifically Data) truly got me into scifi, though DS9 ended up becoming my favorite series in the franchise. (I'm sure I sound like a broken record saying this.) I consider season 3 of PICARD the best of that series, for multiple reasons.
So for me, at least, your theory is sound.
A possible side experiment... since PICARD season 3 used elements of DS9 and VOY, what about seeing how those who grew up or preferred either view season 3 of PICARD against seasons 1 and 2?
So for me, at least, your theory is sound.
A possible side experiment... since PICARD season 3 used elements of DS9 and VOY, what about seeing how those who grew up or preferred either view season 3 of PICARD against seasons 1 and 2?
To be fair, pretty much every season of DISCO and PICARD didn't really focus much on exploration or scientific discovery, except a bit of DISCO season 4. That's the problem with seasonal arcs and how it has put a stranglehold on that aspect for both shows... no real room to breath to tell those kind of stories.
So I can't ding season 3 for doing pretty much what every arc heavy season has done since 2017.
It's all close to the same. I was born in August, so TNG started when I was 8 and VOY ended when I was 21. TNG/DS9/VOY literally span from when I was in third grade to when I hit drinking age. Between the three of them, can't get any more, "When I was growing up" than that.
At the time I liked DS9 more than TNG and VOY, but it's since evened out. I probably like them all roughly the same, for different reasons.
I've posted two polls in under a week, when I normally go years without starting any new threads at all. I'm pretty happy to defer any additional polling to others who may be interested and motivated.
That said, DS9 is my favorite series and I didn't consider S3 the best of PIC (though there's complicated reasons for that), but having been born in '75, I grew up on TOS reruns and the films.
Born in June of 1979, so I had TNG, DS9, and VOY during all those important years, too. I see your point about the era of growing up, though, and how it may not be that different of an opinion. Still, there are a wide array of opinions on which show during the Berman was the best, and both those who grew up on it while it aired or after they ended can still change the view.
Haha now I'm remembering how ENT was ending just as my undergrad was ending...
Wonder how many people here had ENT (or late VGR for that matter) as their gateway to Star Trek as kids.
) when TNG hit the air waves. Watched every week. Picard 3 was not the best.
Born December 1979. Grew up watching TNG every week.
I vividly remember, "Captain's log, Stardate 41153.7..."
I vividly remember, "Mr. Worf, fire."
I vividly remember, "Five card stud, nothing while and the sky's the limit."
I loved TNG at the time although I don't think its aged well. Still, Picard season 3 was by far NOT the best.
I vividly remember, "Captain's log, Stardate 41153.7..."
I vividly remember, "Mr. Worf, fire."
I vividly remember, "Five card stud, nothing while and the sky's the limit."
I loved TNG at the time although I don't think its aged well. Still, Picard season 3 was by far NOT the best.
I got into TOS as a kid in the mid 80s, but didn't start watching TNG until the end of the first season. They were practically concurrent for me, and I loved them both, and read all the novels, and had models and toys of both eras. I never really liked the TNG interactions with Scotty and Spock, and even as a kid, i knew there were things I disagreed with by the end of TNG. Generations was terrible and soured me on the franchise for awhile. I never finished DS9 or VOY. TOS fanfilms brought me back to the fold, but it wasn't until Picard S3 that I forgave TNG, and it was the first season of Picard that I enjoyed. A love letter to the TOS movie franchise IMO. I am revisiting early TNG, where the DNA of TOS is still readily apparent and I am actually loving it. Late TNG is boring talky drudge.
Watched TOS Sci-Fi channel reruns and VHS tapes over and over during the 90s. Watched some TNG here and there but TOS was my real love. I probably watched that WoK VHS over 100 times.. and that's one of the reasons I hate PIC 3 so much. Imagine calling an episode of Star Trek "No Win Scenario" and then just writing all the heroes sitting on their asses waiting for a deus ex machina. No "I don't like to lose" moment. No sacrifices. Not even any tension with the main villain (who is just sitting outside the nebula doing fuckall). They really just got lucky and lived. Unlimited contempt for Matalas.
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