Great, Overlooked TNG Episodes

[Vger23]

You know, it bored me to tears when I was younger...but "Ethics" is a pretty darn good hour of television. It's kind of dull on the sci-fi adventure side, but it has a really interesting premise and is well written and acted. I think this one gets overlooked quite a bit, inclusive of by myself.

It's also a rare Dr. Crusher episode that works well (Remember Me is another one)

 

[Farscape One]

I think it has one of Frakes' best acted scenes in TNG, when he talks to Worf on how it's Alexander's job to assist his suicide. The entire scene was excellent, as was the episode.

 

[Vger23]

I think it has one of Frakes' best acted scenes in TNG, when he talks to Worf on how it's Alexander's job to assist his suicide. The entire scene was excellent, as was the episode.

100%

Even the interactions he has with Picard on the matter....awesome stuff.

 

[Orphalesion]

Yeah Ethics is a very good episode. I also found the other doctor a very interesting character and a good opponent, so to say to Dr.Crusher.
(And as I said before when I first watched TNG on network TV as a child, I thought that other doctor was Pulaski who had returned to the ship )

 

[Farscape One]

Regarding Beverly in "Ethics"... I think she came off in a bad way. Let me clarify.

I think she was totally right in her dealings with Dr. Russell. She was taking shortcuts and not caring about her patients' lives. Russell was damned lucky that Klingons have a redundant anatomy. Crusher chastised her exactly right at the end.

At the same time, Crusher was not caring about her patient's choice. She was trying to force a decision on Worf that went completely against his nature, values, and faith. She was trying to make Worf choose living with a disability that he could not live with. You don't impose your values and beliefs on a patient. You give them informed options, and let them decide what's best for them. If that means not living anymore... it's their life.

While I agree that a person can definitely be a productive member of society with a disability like not being able to walk, I have always felt that for me, personally... I would have chosen a suicide route like Worf. I feel I would be a burden on my loved ones and it would not be fair to them to be that to them. And frankly, I don't like the idea that I would not be able to do a lot of basic things like getting my own drink from the fridge or going to the bathroom. It's something I made extremely clear with my mom and wife... if something like that were to happen, let me go.

I also applaud Riker in several ways. First, for his speech to Worf. I agree with him... I would not let someone else just give up like that, but in the end, if they choose Worf's route, it's not my place to make their decision. And second, his strategy. He researched Klingon law and found the loophole he needed because if he didn't, he would have assisted Worf. And Riker was right in a lot of what he said.

One of the best dilemma episodes, honestly. And done in an almost bottle show way. The only thing that might have made the episode even better was if it was Pulaski instead of Russell. Given how she and Worf had a mutual respect, I can see her being more on Worf's side of choice. And who here didn't want to see a Crusher/Pulaski scene?

 

[Orphalesion]

Regarding Beverly in "Ethics"... I think she came off in a bad way. Let me clarify.

I think she was totally right in her dealings with Dr. Russell. She was taking shortcuts and not caring about her patients' lives. Russell was damned lucky that Klingons have a redundant anatomy. Crusher chastised her exactly right at the end.

At the same time, Crusher was not caring about her patient's choice. She was trying to force a decision on Worf that went completely against his nature, values, and faith. She was trying to make Worf choose living with a disability that he could not live with. You don't impose your values and beliefs on a patient. You give them informed options, and let them decide what's best for them. If that means not living anymore... it's their life.

You gotta see it from Beverly's POV too though. Two of her few defining characteristics were her compassion and her willingness to go through hellfire itself to save a patient. Both were ingrained in her to the point of stubbornness (as seen in the High Ground) It was those aspects and that stubbornness of her that made it impossible to her to just let Worf die, and his stupid "traditions" be damned (and honestly, I for one find it refreshing to see a 24th century human who doesn't just keel over with unrestricted tolerance when an alien culture's value system clashes with her own)
And really Worf had his responsibilities as a parent (however bad he was at the job) which probably also influenced Beverly's behavior considering she was a single parent as well.
So no, I'm on Dr.Crusher's side here and do not think that she acted wrongly or came off as bad.

I also applaud Riker in several ways. First, for his speech to Worf. I agree with him... I would not let someone else just give up like that, but in the end, if they choose Worf's route, it's not my place to make their decision. And second, his strategy. He researched Klingon law and found the loophole he needed because if he didn't, he would have assisted Worf. And Riker was right in a lot of what he said.

It was one of the few peisodes were Riker came off as really good. Measure of a Man was another imho.

One of the best dilemma episodes, honestly. And done in an almost bottle show way. The only thing that might have made the episode even better was if it was Pulaski instead of Russell. Given how she and Worf had a mutual respect, I can see her being more on Worf's side of choice. And who here didn't want to see a Crusher/Pulaski scene?

Yes an appearance by Dr.Pulaski would have the episode even better...and less black and white, since Pulaski would not have been portrayed like Dr.Russel and she would have definitely sided with the Klingon Perspective.
It would have also been interesting to see Pulaski meet Alexander.
And of course the verbal and philosophical sparring between the two doctors.

(also, while I'm not the biggest fan of the TOS crew, I'd say McCoy would have been on Beverly's side in that argument, and would have had some choice words for Worf)

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I would agree, Beverly was right about all the other issues in the episode like using the experimental treatment before the standard one was attempted, and she was right not to recommend the experimental treatment. But to not even offer it to Worf as an option was the wrong decision.

Especially in a presumably post-malpractice lawsuit world.

 

[Lady Mondegreen]

I agree that Beverly came off as in the wrong about this particular application (the other doctor was a bad doctor who cut corners and risked people's lives without consent, but Worf should have been offered the treatment based on his clear preference for a chance at recovery over living with disability). It didn't make me feel negatively about the character, though -- I enjoy Dr. Crusher's characterization as a person who has a very strong moral compass and is willing to fight for her views, even if I don't think her philosophy is always correct. I do wish another main character had confronted her about the specific reasons she was wrong in this instance, though, even if they weren't fully able to convince her.

 

[Farscape One]

Picard did tell her it was going too far to ask Worf to make that disability journey she wanted him to go through. That's probably the closest anyone ever got to saying that.

 

[Farscape One]

You gotta see it from Beverly's POV too though. Two of her few defining characteristics were her compassion and her willingness to go through hellfire itself to save a patient. Both were ingrained in her to the point of stubbornness (as seen in the High Ground) It was those aspects and that stubbornness of her that made it impossible to her to just let Worf die, and his stupid "traditions" be damned (and honestly, I for one find it refreshing to see a 24th century human who doesn't just keel over with unrestricted tolerance when an alien culture's value system clashes with her own)
And really Worf had his responsibilities as a parent (however bad he was at the job) which probably also influenced Beverly's behavior considering she was a single parent as well.
So no, I'm on Dr.Crusher's side here and do not think that she acted wrongly or came off as bad.


It was one of the few peisodes were Riker came off as really good. Measure of a Man was another imho.



Yes an appearance by Dr.Pulaski would have the episode even better...and less black and white, since Pulaski would not have been portrayed like Dr.Russel and she would have definitely sided with the Klingon Perspective.
It would have also been interesting to see Pulaski meet Alexander.
And of course the verbal and philosophical sparring between the two doctors.

(also, while I'm not the biggest fan of the TOS crew, I'd say McCoy would have been on Beverly's side in that argument, and would have had some choice words for Worf)

I understand those are among her core traits and values, and they are both very admirable qualities. A good doctor would have them.

But my issue is once the patient made up his mind, that's it. What about the patient's right to choose? It's his life, not hers. If the patient is of sound mind, which Worf was, you present all options to him. If he rejects them and prefers the suicide, that is his right and choice. You don't force your values on other people, despite however good intentions are behind it.

 

[gakelly]

I think it has one of Frakes' best acted scenes in TNG, when he talks to Worf on how it's Alexander's job to assist his suicide. The entire scene was excellent, as was the episode.

I remember watching it thinking that Frakes must have a cold because his voice sounds like it.

 

[AKTunaya14]

I remember watching it thinking that Frakes must have a cold because his voice sounds like it.

How funny, I noticed this too! I'm not sure I thought that he was sick exactly but I do remember thinking his voice sounds different. I think there is one other episode where I noticed a similar change but I can't remember which one. lol

This was a great episode, btw. I really enjoy the episodes that dive deeper into their personal lives like this one . I was conflicted with how I felt about both of their opinions because I think that both of their POV's were valid and both had flaws. That was a complicated one. I also agree with another post that mentioned Dr. Pulaski. I actually really liked her, she grew on me and I was sad when she did not return. She definitely would have added to this episode.

 

[gakelly]

Lessons is a great episode. It really developed the loneliness and isolation that Picard feels. It is really easy to feel the empathy with him.

 

[Vger23]

Lessons is a great episode. It really developed the loneliness and isolation that Picard feels. It is really easy to feel the empathy with him.

I agree. It’s a well executed and compelling character episode, and the romance angle was done with class and sensitivity.

 

[Physics of Trekkies]

Re: Crusher in "Ethics".

Compassion is laudable. Compassion is not the ultimate virtue and does not override person liberty and individual right to choose one's own path in their own administration of health or their own decisions when life is worth living.

In the UK, Terry Pratchett lost his case to terminate his own life before the onset of dementia. The very OPPOSITE of personal choice over one's own body. Compassion can become authoritarian if all other factors are ignored. Self-autonomy is the casualty. Crusher was spot ON with Dr. Russell but was dead wrong re: how she interacted with Worf.

 

[Lady Mondegreen]

Lessons is a great episode. It really developed the loneliness and isolation that Picard feels. It is really easy to feel the empathy with him.

I found it much more believable than the usual romance of the week -- they actually created and developed a character who seemed like a great match for the person they were paired up with (although I can't be the only person who thought she bore a weird resemblance to Dr. Crusher in both appearance and voice). The resolution seemed kind of disappointing and really felt like it was only happening because of the one-episode constraint, though. I wish they had let it span multiple and come up with a more satisfying ending.

 

[Physics of Trekkies]

I found it much more believable than the usual romance of the week -- they actually created and developed a character who seemed like a great match for the person they were paired up with (although I can't be the only person who thought she bore a weird resemblance to Dr. Crusher in both appearance and voice). The resolution seemed kind of disappointing and really felt like it was only happening because of the one-episode constraint, though. I wish they had let it span multiple and come up with a more satisfying ending.

It's been a long while so I may be missing something, but I remember the resolution being tied to any and all away missions like if they wanted to keep pursuing a relationship, she would either have to be removed from consideration for away missions or he would have to relinquish command. Hell, even removing her from away missions would be problematic.

The conflict of interest is too prevalent and any mission could result in a choice being made that would compromise the integrity of his decision as to who makes it back.

I would have loved more exploration as to the guidelines of a Captain's wife having a job on board. I imagine it would be complicated especially since any situation with her being abducted by aliens would have to result in a 26th Amendment type of change of command like in West Wing when Zoe was kidnapped.

 

[Lynx]

"Conundrum" is sadly overlooked. It's a great episode. I would have liked to see MacDuff again, maybe as the real MacDuff whose identity was stolen by this Satarran agent.

"Masks" is also an overlooked favorite episode of mine.

I like "We'll Always Have Paris" most for Michelle Phillips' appearance. She was stunning then for being in her fifties.

 

[JN2849]

Conspiracy is one of my favorite episodes that almost no one else ever seems to mention. Chris Carter lifted not only plot points from this episode, but almost entire lines of dialogue verbatim when he created the X Files.

 

[Farscape One]

"Conundrum" is sadly overlooked. It's a great episode. I would have liked to see MacDuff again, maybe as the real MacDuff whose identity was stolen by this Satarran agent.

"Masks" is also an overlooked favorite episode of mine.

I like "We'll Always Have Paris" most for Michelle Phillips' appearance. She was stunning then for being in her fifties.

"Masks" is a HIGHLY underrated favorite of mine!