Comparing TNG's first season to Discovery's first season

[Grendelsbayne]

^I like Symbiosis because I think the aliens provide a lot a tension and surprises and a good ethical dilemma for Picard and Crusher. I found the plight of the Onarans very gripping and there was some real great scenes with the actor who plays Kirk's son, including one where he almost kills Riker with his electrical energy. I thought the guest stars were topnotch and the episode has some of my favorite scenes between Picard and Crusher. But to each his own.

At the very beginning of the episode, there was a certain amount of mystery and suspense that seemed promising, I agree. The 'suprise' factor was artificially dragged out a bit when Dr. Crusher took multiple scenes to finally say what the entire audience had already figured out - that the medicine was an addictive drug. But I actually do think the concept had potential. I would not have been opposed to seeing a later series attempt a more nuanced, well though out version of it. But for me, the dilemma is completely undermined by the extremely ham-handed and dumb application of the prime directive, especially once Picard starts labeling his own choices as PD violations yet still goes on about the PD being sacrosanct.

Still, it's because of these positive factors that I do consider this episode higher than several others from this season. It isn't the worst of the bunch by any means.

 

[BillJ]

But for me, the dilemma is completely undermined by the extremely ham-handed and dumb application of the prime directive, especially once Picard starts labeling his own choices as PD violations yet still goes on about the PD being sacrosanct.

I thought it was the most creative use of the Prime Directive in the history of the franchise.

 

[Armus]

The writers of Symbiosis also wrote Who Watches The Watchers, another Prime Directive episode where Picard backs up his words with action and takes an arrow in the chest to uphold it.

 

[Jedman67]

The writers of Symbiosis also wrote Who Watches The Watchers, another Prime Directive episode where Picard backs up his words with action and takes an arrow in the chest to uphold it.

That was an awful cringeworthy episode, btw. Picard was literally the only good thing about it.

 

[Terok Nor]

It would be better to compare Discovery's first season to Voyager's first season since they both have the same amount of episodes. Overall Discovery would win but Caretaker is better than any of the Discovery episodes to date in my opinion.

I'd also say TNG Conspiracy is better than both Voyager's and Discovery's first seasons combined but again that's my opinion.

 

[johnnybear]

Discovery would win over Voyager's first season? Run that by me again!!! I'm on a totally different opinion here! Somehow!
JB

 

[Grendelsbayne]

Seems right to me. I've made it to episode 9 on my Voyager rewatch. I have seen exactly one episode that was at all above average, while four of the rest were painfully below average. Plus not one of the voyager characters has actually gotten anywhere near gelling into a truly interesting character yet.

 

[Vger23]

Seems right to me. I've made it to episode 9 on my Voyager rewatch. I have seen exactly one episode that was at all above average, while four of the rest were painfully below average. Plus not one of the voyager characters has actually gotten anywhere near gelling into a truly interesting character yet.

Don't hold your breath on that one. The Doctor becomes mildly interesting as the series wears on, and Seven of Nine is a Data / Spock retread who is interesting but, because the other characters are so blah...they rely far to heavily on her when she shows up in later seasons.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

Don't hold your breath on that one. The Doctor becomes mildly interesting as the series wears on, and Seven of Nine is a Data / Spock retread who is interesting but, because the other characters are so blah...they rely far to heavily on her when she shows up in later seasons.

Last time I watched Voy, it was still on the air, but I do have vague memories of eventually liking Janeway, Tuvok, Torres, Seven and the Doctor. Don't know about the rest.

 

[Kytee]

I love S1 TNG , even though it does have several I skip on a rewatch. I liked seeing all the characters as they began ; it reminds you of how their varoius story arks progressed .

I havent yet done a rewatch on discovery , but since we don't know what the future holds , it's hard to enjoy it in the same way I do TNG .

I will say I love several of the characters, I feel like Statements , Tilly and Ash could all have interesting futures . Statements and Tilly are wonderful junior officer types who have some many possible paths to take ; Ash is a bit more grizzled veteran but that holds it's own potential .

I think S1 's are like appitizers , sure you can judge them on their own ; but it's more suitable in my opinion to judge them as part of a whole meal .