I am pleasantly surprised at the vast number of episodes that are really really good the second time around. TNG is my favorite and I saw most of the episodes as a kid and teenager. I loved TNG back then, and I even think I got alot of my mannerisms from watching the characters on that show. Picard as the smart fatherly figure, Riker and Data as brothers, with Riker the athletic, handsome, cutter (means good w/ladies) and Data as the super smart, super strong, but super niave other brother. I like to think I learned alot from watching TNG, and I know it fueled my interest in Science as a youth.
Anway, while catching an episode here an episode there as a man in my thirties, I am noticing that I appreciate each episode more and more as I detect subtleties and great acting. As a kid I always loved the Science aspects of the show and never caught the relationship plots. So I guess I missed alot of good episodes.
Such is the case with In Theory. As I flipped the channels and landed on TNG about 20 minutes after the hour, I quickly recalled that this was the episode Data gets that chick. I thought, "Oh well, this episode is ok but nothing great so since nothing else is on I'll watch it." As I watched I had forgotten the B-plot which is the science plot about the dark matter nebulas. I totally forgot about that plot, but it features one of my coolest previously forgotton scenes at the end, we'll get there later.
I watched Data interact with the woman, Leuitenent what's her face, I was facinated watching him behave. So unDatalike that I was hyponotized by the performance. But more importantly as an adult now I was able to understand what the woman was going through, instead of watching one of my cool heros (Data). Their interaction was great, as I have alot more experience with the ladies now, than I did when I was a kid (of course!). So I really knew what the woman was feeling and why she was like that. Even at the end when Data asks if they are no longer an item, and she says no. Data repsonds by telling her that he will delete the appropiate programs. She was stunned by that but instantly knew that Data would do this. She should have told that that she wished she could do the same, but instead she just wished him well and left in tears. Data stayed seated at his desk and Spot walked over. Spot called for attention and Data responded without hesitation, as one would expect from someone who just had a breakup with their significant other. I appreciate this plot much more as an adult.
This show also used a technique that is hardly seen anymore, the shock scene! TNG used to do this all the time and I loved it! One time, Picard was in the turbolift and the opened up and there was nothing but empty space! In this episode, some crewmen come upon another crewman that fell through part of the floor that had temporarily became out of phase with normal space. So she fell partially through. When the floor phased back into normal space she was killed instanly halfway between floors. It would have neat to see the deck below, to see her legs sticking through the ceiling. I don't really see that kind of "shock" scenery on TV anymore.
I understood the woman and her pain and loss and her need. The show didn't dwell too much on this point as the B-plot moved things along nicely.
Near the end the climax was well worth it. As they figure out what is going on with the dark matter nebulas (nebulei?), they hatch a plan to use the shuttlecraft. Such a great scene as Riker is walking out of the Ready Room starting to assemble the things he will need to pilot the shuttle. Picard walks up and says that he is going to pilot the shuttle. Of course Riker begins to object and Picard delivers a fantastic line by saying "It's my ship Will. I have to do it" Riker just nods as he understands. Great interaction!
TNG excelled at the interaction between the cast. Here Riker and Picard exchange classic dialogue that totally defines the people and crew they truely are. Riker had a point by objecting, even strongly stating his case. But Picard was adamant. He didn't need a long explanation though, and this was not a case of pulling rank by Picard. It was a simple statement that sounded the loud bell of truth that Riker could not argue. And only Picard could say "It's my ship Will." Just fantastic, and I like that he threw in Rikers name, just to emphasize the futility of counter-arguement as friends who knew each other would know.
Even better is a few scenes later when Picard is at the helm of the shuttlecraft. This scene did not change between me as a kid and me as an adult, but when Picard was viewing those dark matter pockets on the viewscene. And the seriousness of his tone as he spoke each coordinate was outstanding. He read his lines perfectly, and it was so succinct that it felt so real. Especially with the camera angle and lighting of the cockpit. I was watching in complete awe. I was at baited breath as he dodged each pocket, until the end when he looked at the viewscreeen and saw one super huge pocket of dark matter! I was like Holy Shit! Then the shuttle craft was hit and it started a spin, inertia dampers go offline and Picard is thrown into the side of the cockpit, pressed down with the centrificule force of the spinning shuttle. I totally liked how he calmly stated "Now would be a good time Mr O'Brien..." He was not panicked or nervous, unless he was pinned down with force and couldn't move. But it was just so great to see the calm way he handled it.
I think I was more releived that he survived the shuttle explosion than the crew, because they didn't seem to act relieved that he lived. As soon as O'Brien stated that Picard was safe, I exhaled loudly and wiped the sweat from my forehead, but Riker and Troi and Worf didn't seem to have any reaction. I though that was wierd.
Overall what an enjoyable episode. I would rate this one much higher now that I am a thirthy-something year old guy, instead of the pre-teen kid. I think there are many more "great" episode to rediscover.
Anway, while catching an episode here an episode there as a man in my thirties, I am noticing that I appreciate each episode more and more as I detect subtleties and great acting. As a kid I always loved the Science aspects of the show and never caught the relationship plots. So I guess I missed alot of good episodes.
Such is the case with In Theory. As I flipped the channels and landed on TNG about 20 minutes after the hour, I quickly recalled that this was the episode Data gets that chick. I thought, "Oh well, this episode is ok but nothing great so since nothing else is on I'll watch it." As I watched I had forgotten the B-plot which is the science plot about the dark matter nebulas. I totally forgot about that plot, but it features one of my coolest previously forgotton scenes at the end, we'll get there later.
I watched Data interact with the woman, Leuitenent what's her face, I was facinated watching him behave. So unDatalike that I was hyponotized by the performance. But more importantly as an adult now I was able to understand what the woman was going through, instead of watching one of my cool heros (Data). Their interaction was great, as I have alot more experience with the ladies now, than I did when I was a kid (of course!). So I really knew what the woman was feeling and why she was like that. Even at the end when Data asks if they are no longer an item, and she says no. Data repsonds by telling her that he will delete the appropiate programs. She was stunned by that but instantly knew that Data would do this. She should have told that that she wished she could do the same, but instead she just wished him well and left in tears. Data stayed seated at his desk and Spot walked over. Spot called for attention and Data responded without hesitation, as one would expect from someone who just had a breakup with their significant other. I appreciate this plot much more as an adult.
This show also used a technique that is hardly seen anymore, the shock scene! TNG used to do this all the time and I loved it! One time, Picard was in the turbolift and the opened up and there was nothing but empty space! In this episode, some crewmen come upon another crewman that fell through part of the floor that had temporarily became out of phase with normal space. So she fell partially through. When the floor phased back into normal space she was killed instanly halfway between floors. It would have neat to see the deck below, to see her legs sticking through the ceiling. I don't really see that kind of "shock" scenery on TV anymore.
I understood the woman and her pain and loss and her need. The show didn't dwell too much on this point as the B-plot moved things along nicely.
Near the end the climax was well worth it. As they figure out what is going on with the dark matter nebulas (nebulei?), they hatch a plan to use the shuttlecraft. Such a great scene as Riker is walking out of the Ready Room starting to assemble the things he will need to pilot the shuttle. Picard walks up and says that he is going to pilot the shuttle. Of course Riker begins to object and Picard delivers a fantastic line by saying "It's my ship Will. I have to do it" Riker just nods as he understands. Great interaction!
TNG excelled at the interaction between the cast. Here Riker and Picard exchange classic dialogue that totally defines the people and crew they truely are. Riker had a point by objecting, even strongly stating his case. But Picard was adamant. He didn't need a long explanation though, and this was not a case of pulling rank by Picard. It was a simple statement that sounded the loud bell of truth that Riker could not argue. And only Picard could say "It's my ship Will." Just fantastic, and I like that he threw in Rikers name, just to emphasize the futility of counter-arguement as friends who knew each other would know.
Even better is a few scenes later when Picard is at the helm of the shuttlecraft. This scene did not change between me as a kid and me as an adult, but when Picard was viewing those dark matter pockets on the viewscene. And the seriousness of his tone as he spoke each coordinate was outstanding. He read his lines perfectly, and it was so succinct that it felt so real. Especially with the camera angle and lighting of the cockpit. I was watching in complete awe. I was at baited breath as he dodged each pocket, until the end when he looked at the viewscreeen and saw one super huge pocket of dark matter! I was like Holy Shit! Then the shuttle craft was hit and it started a spin, inertia dampers go offline and Picard is thrown into the side of the cockpit, pressed down with the centrificule force of the spinning shuttle. I totally liked how he calmly stated "Now would be a good time Mr O'Brien..." He was not panicked or nervous, unless he was pinned down with force and couldn't move. But it was just so great to see the calm way he handled it.
I think I was more releived that he survived the shuttle explosion than the crew, because they didn't seem to act relieved that he lived. As soon as O'Brien stated that Picard was safe, I exhaled loudly and wiped the sweat from my forehead, but Riker and Troi and Worf didn't seem to have any reaction. I though that was wierd.
Overall what an enjoyable episode. I would rate this one much higher now that I am a thirthy-something year old guy, instead of the pre-teen kid. I think there are many more "great" episode to rediscover.
