Worf in "Parallels"

Discussion in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' started by Noddy, Aug 1, 2013.

  1. Noddy

    Noddy Captain

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    In the episode Parallels, was the prime universe Worf the only one to encounter the anomaly resulting in him being bounced across universes? What's with all the different Worfs appearing in the shuttlecraft near the end?
     
  2. Pavonis

    Pavonis Commodore Commodore

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    No, multiple Worfs passed through the anomaly, all on their way home from the tournament. Why Worfs that had never left the Enterprise during the same time frame were involved in the swapping is not clear to me. Presumably, all the Worfs in the shuttle were depictions of the various timelines where he passed through the anomaly on the way home.
     
  3. R. Star

    R. Star Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    It's pretty much just an action scene showing things are changing back to normal. Nothing positive can come of looking too much into it beyond that.
     
  4. Melakon

    Melakon Admiral In Memoriam

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    I have this episode on one of the Fan Collectives and it confuses me every time I watch it. I can never keep track of all the dimensional shifts and changes within the story. I'm not even sure if the Worf we see in the teaser is "our" Worf.
     
  5. Pavonis

    Pavonis Commodore Commodore

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    Presumably the first Worf seen is the "prime" Worf. We follow one Worf through all his jumps. Why follow one that isn't the one we are familiar with? As he experiences the changes in timelines, the audience experiences the same shocks and surprises, too. We can only empathize with the Worf from the timeline we're familiar with.

    Though it doesn't matter in a way, since he's basically the same man across all timelines.
     
  6. Timo

    Timo Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    He isn't - there's already at least one anomaly there before he first runs into LaForge, who is the root cause of all the subsequent jumps. Namely, there's a surprise party for Worf, even though in the "reset" timeline in the end, we learn that Troi has talked Riker out of arranging one.

    Timo Saloniemi
     
  7. BlueStuff

    BlueStuff Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    This is an episode that made me wonder - why does the crew keep "personal logs?" I mean, what is the function of them? Other than letting the audience know what's going on...

    Do they think they'll want to watch them in future, as a way of keeping treasured memories? Is it like they're writing in their journals or something? That seems like an odd thing for someone like Worf to do. "Dear Diary, today I won the Bat'leth tournament, yay! It was hard but I believed in myself and I won the trophy for the bestest player! Now I'm going back to my duties on the Enterprise. I'm really looking forward to it, but uh-oh! Today is my BIRTHDAY! I hope the crew don't throw me a surprise party. Love, Worf."
     
  8. Pavonis

    Pavonis Commodore Commodore

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    Men can keep journals. It isn't a teenage girl thing. Keeping a record of personal events is more accurate than relying on personal memory. Worf keeping track of his personal life, such as it is, certainly seems in character. Besides, it's probably a Starfleet requirement.

    Why Data keeps a personal log, though, is unclear. Does he dictate to the computer, or just self-record in his memories? His memories are almost flawless.
     
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  9. Captain Clark Terrell

    Captain Clark Terrell Commodore Commodore

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    For numerous professions (medicine, law, etc.), documentation is absolutely required of its practitioners. Doctors must write a note for every patient they see: said note must include a history of present illness, physical exam, pertinent lab and imaging studies, and an assessment and plan.

    Military personnel are likely required to keep records of their activities for similar reasons. Although I don't know the exact reason for keeping a personal log, I would imagine that it affords officers an opportunity to vent and communicate their feelings about a variety of subjects in a manner that is both safe and within the bounds of protocol. As far as Star Trek is concerned, the use of a personal log often helps provide the exposition of an episode or serves to build tension by introducing or elaborating on key events within the episode.

    --Sran
     
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  10. JarodRussell

    JarodRussell Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Starfleet regulation. Keep a diary. Who knows what's gonna happen to you all in space, and maybe it might help us understand it.
     
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  11. Richard Baker

    Richard Baker Commodore Commodore

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    My only regret is that they had a wonderful opportunity in this episode to show some variants of the Enterprise when all the different ones appear. One painted bright red, extra equipment, battle damage, all sorts of things... (if they did do this I cannot find in on screen)
    I also get the giggles when the Bajoran ship fires upon the Enterprise and causes the other ships to appear around it. Just imagine what ran through that captains head when he saw thousands of Galaxy class ships apparently decloaking around him...
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2020
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  12. Melakon

    Melakon Admiral In Memoriam

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    You might just as easily ask why people post videos on YouTube talking about their mundane lives and thoughts on what they think are important issues. Do they think the world cares?
     
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  13. T'Cal

    T'Cal Commodore Commodore

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    Was it this episode in which one of the Datas had blue or brown eyes rather than gold?
     
  14. Pavonis

    Pavonis Commodore Commodore

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    Yes, Data had blue eyes in exactly one timeline. It was a subtle touch. I wonder if even Worf noticed.
     
  15. R. Star

    R. Star Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Heck, I didn't until I owned the DVDs.
     
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  16. trekker670

    trekker670 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    It's so Starfleet can view your logs, see who you're interacting with and identify possible terrorist threats based on this information. It's collected but not viewed without express authorization from the Federation high council. :rofl:
     
  17. R. Star

    R. Star Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    The good guys never have a problem accessing people's personal logs when they're missing/dead or there's any other general need. So yeah, if Section 31 isn't getting copies of everything I'd be damn surprised.
     
  18. Melakon

    Melakon Admiral In Memoriam

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    This is why Sisko deleted one of his log entries after spilling his guts.
     
  19. Zippo and Flask

    Zippo and Flask Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    Sadly/disgustingly, I think they do.
     
  20. Zippo and Flask

    Zippo and Flask Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    I've never noticed that! Must go and look.