Lessons

[Yeoman Randi]

The other night i rewatched "Lessons". This is one of my favorite episodes. I think the writers did such a great job with the romance between Picard and Nella Daren. In my opinion, she was better suited as a love interest for Picard than Vash ever was.

I also think the acting in this episode was wonderful. Picard's face just lights up as he shares his passion for music with Nella. Right before one of the breaks, he literally glows after playing music with her.

And when Picard believes that Nella died on the planet, the scene of him in his quarters, closing the box for his flute...well, it is just heartbreaking!

I wish they didn't write Nella out of the show. They could have really explored the idea of balancing romance and work for a captain. What a wasted opportunity!

A side note: i happened to catch the boom in one of the scenes in Picard's quarters. I'd never seen it before!

Anyone else put this episode in their list of favorites?

 

[Pemmer Harge]

Definitely. I was entirely convinced by the relationship and I can't think of a "romance" episode of Trek that I like better. For me, Patrick Stewart's the best actor that Star Trek has had, and this episode really put his talents to great use.

 

[Emnabtond]

Definitely one of my favorite Star Trek episodes of all time, I also can't think of a romance in Trek that drew me in more than this one. When Picard though Nella had died on the planet, my eyes really starting welling up.
The episode was just so delicate, it was a tragedy they didn't continue the romance.

 

[Kev]

Out of season 6 it was definitely a strong episode - especially the great casting of Wendy Hughes, a strong actress in her own right who could really sell the depth of the relationship despite how quickly it developed.

It was a great study of Picard's limitations in other areas of life because of his devotion to his career.

I do feel, that, it was correct the relationship wasn't pursued - it seemed in part to be the point of the episode.

 

[StarryEyed]

The other night i rewatched "Lessons". This is one of my favorite episodes. I think the writers did such a great job with the romance between Picard and Nella Daren. In my opinion, she was better suited as a love interest for Picard than Vash ever was.

As a SERIOUS love interest, definitely. Same with Anij in Insurrection. Same with Beverly Crusher.

I thought Vash was more of a guilty pleasure, an infatuation. She was probably one of the few (perhaps only) women in Picard's life that excited him. That's not something a reserved man like Picard feels too often so it got his attention.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

^ I never even got that from the Vash/Picard pairing. She was like, the antithisis (sp?) of everything Picard stood for. She was so dishonest, and so out for herself (and money?) ....... i don't know. That pairing just gives me the heebie jeebies!

 

[Shazam!]

I think it's a decent episode even if the relationship did progress a little too quickly. I'd have liked to have seen it drawn out for a few episodes and a couple more moments of Crusher being a wee bit jealous.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

"Lessons" is a fantastic character piece for Picard. It does an excellent job of making the point that having a romantic relationship with someone who is in your direct chain of command is exceedingly difficult. The many pitfalls of fraternization between a captain and one of his officers are shown in Picard's romantic relationship with Lieutenant Commander Daren. Picard makes it very clear in the end of this episode that he personally CAN NOT handle placing his lover in harms way.

She was probably one of the few (perhaps only) women in Picard's life that excited him. That's not something a reserved man like Picard feels too often so it got his attention.

I could not have said it better myself. That is the reason Vash will always be my absolute favorite of the Picard pairings.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[Kev]

^ I never even got that from the Vash/Picard pairing. She was like, the antithisis (sp?) of everything Picard stood for. She was so dishonest, and so out for herself (and money?) ....... i don't know. That pairing just gives me the heebie jeebies!

I think that's the basis of the 'opposites attract' spark that was between them.

Picard simply couldn't get a handle on her but she was the adventurer and archealogical hunter he could have been in another life if he hadn't joined Starfleet instead.

She also recognised his secret passions for the same things and was attracted to that.

They could never have had a long-term relationship - but they sure could have an adventure together!

 

[Yeoman Randi]

I think it's a decent episode even if the relationship did progress a little too quickly. I'd have liked to have seen it drawn out for a few episodes and a couple more moments of Crusher being a wee bit jealous.

YES! I found her "im not jealous (but i really am)" attitude very interesting!

 

[Sakrysta]

I think the musical element lent a lot to the relationship as well. It was really fortunate that the relationship between the actors/characters was so harmonious. The emotional resonance carried forward from "The Inner Light" pretty much guaranteed that the episode would provoke a strong response regardless. Had the guest star been off, or the story been lighter, the fan response could have been much different. "The Inner Light" is very precious to the majority of fans. Any follow-up had to be done with great care, and they succeeded very well.

My only quibble with the episode (and it's a minor one) is the editing. The act breaks feel ... just weird for an episode of TNG. I have a hard time explaining what I mean, but every time I watch it, the act breaks BUG me.

 

[Neutral Zone]

It was great to see Picard get some real romance for a change, though he did get romantic in 'Tapestry' but not to the emotional extent as in 'Lessons'.

 

[suzzi]

i never leave this series...this series of Lessons is one of my favorites..

 

[Yeoman Randi]

It was great to see Picard get some real romance for a change, though he did get romantic in 'Tapestry' but not to the emotional extent as in 'Lessons'.

Yeah, i really love the scenes between Nella and Picard, especially when they share their music. Picard practically beams from within. Really lovely.

 

[D Man]

It's a great episode on its own, but in my mind even greater as the only episode that calls back on "The Inner Light," an event which demanded loads of follow-up that never happened. Picard and Nella playing the flute theme from his experience as it echoes through the Jeffries tubes (if I'm remembering the order of events clearly) was absolutely wonderful. As is unfortunately typical for Trek it was of the "romance of the week" variety, but I'd say it's definitely the best in that category, and probably the only really excellent one.

 

[Sakrysta]

^Normally I'd agree about follow up. However, Picard's character being as reserved and private as he is, it never really bothered me that this was the only overt reference to the events of "The Inner Light". We did see him enjoying his flute on several occasions, and the fact that they incorporated the music into his character was enough for me.

 

[BolianAuthor]

I think it's a decent episode even if the relationship did progress a little too quickly. I'd have liked to have seen it drawn out for a few episodes and a couple more moments of Crusher being a wee bit jealous.

Yeah... I LOVED the totally catty look Crusher shot Darren, when she was in sickbay, lol... oh, man... a Crusher/Darren catfight... THAT I'd pay good money to see.

 

[Kal-El]

I too count "Lessons" as one of my favourite Next Generation episodes!

The great and touching character moments, and the lovely music, always stay with me long after seeing and hearing them!

A great episode!

 

[Commander Rabbit]

One of my top three or so favorites.

 

[Rulius]

Just watched it.. a great pity they didn't continue the romance in later episodes.. I gotta admit, who in RL would just say "oh well I will transfer" and end it? Bah.