• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Season THREE OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Discussion Thread

Started making my way through the Season 2 set last night, and the Season 3 trailer pops up at the beginning - mid-way through the VO guy makes reference to the Federation's most omnipotent foe, the Borg. Erm, wouldn't that actually be Q?
 
I may be defining it too narrowly, but I think the term genocide doesn't quite cover the eradication of an entire taxon or species. As I understand it, it only covers groups within a species (ethnic, religious, etc.). What Kevin did is more like an artificially imposed, immediate, galaxy-wide extinction event. Looked at this way, Picard would be technically correct that they had no law to fit the crime because as far as he knew nothing like it had ever occurred before.

It needn't be 'genocide', if that's the case. It's still murder, isn't it? Surely they have laws against murder.

It always felt to me that that speech was sort of tacked on, because the truth of the matter is the Federation doesn't have the ability to confine the guy. As far as I can see, it would be like trying to put Q in a jail cell.
 
Just finished Survivors, I haven't seen this episode in years. It is interesting that Picard says that the Federation has no laws to fit the alien's crime??? So the Federation has no laws against Genocide????? If that is the case, why did Picard has such a tough time in I Borg??? In this episode Picard didn't know if the alien should be commended or punished? TNG was rife with this moral equivalence non-sense from time to time.


-Chris

I may be defining it too narrowly, but I think the term genocide doesn't quite cover the eradication of an entire taxon or species. As I understand it, it only covers groups within a species (ethnic, religious, etc.). What Kevin did is more like an artificially imposed, immediate, galaxy-wide extinction event. Looked at this way, Picard would be technically correct that they had no law to fit the crime because as far as he knew nothing like it had ever occurred before.


Really??? Then what was Picard's hang up with wiping out the Borg?


-Chris
 
I may be defining it too narrowly, but I think the term genocide doesn't quite cover the eradication of an entire taxon or species. As I understand it, it only covers groups within a species (ethnic, religious, etc.). What Kevin did is more like an artificially imposed, immediate, galaxy-wide extinction event. Looked at this way, Picard would be technically correct that they had no law to fit the crime because as far as he knew nothing like it had ever occurred before.

It needn't be 'genocide', if that's the case. It's still murder, isn't it? Surely they have laws against murder.

It always felt to me that that speech was sort of tacked on, because the truth of the matter is the Federation doesn't have the ability to confine the guy. As far as I can see, it would be like trying to put Q in a jail cell.


It was very weak.


-Chris
 
I always figured (apart from Picard being dramatic) that it was because one non-Federation species erased another non-Federation species.
 
I always figured (apart from Picard being dramatic) that it was because one non-Federation species erased another non-Federation species.

Yeah that was my take on it as well. Combined with the fact that Kevin was clearly dangerous as hell. You wouldn't want to risk him in inadvertently wiping out humanity while you're putting him on trial.

Best to just quarantine the planet and get the hell away from there.
 
I always figured (apart from Picard being dramatic) that it was because one non-Federation species erased another non-Federation species.

Yeah that was my take on it as well. Combined with the fact that Kevin was clearly dangerous as hell. You wouldn't want to risk him in inadvertently wiping out humanity while you're putting him on trial.

Best to just quarantine the planet and get the hell away from there.


If he can't leave the planet, then Picard should have just said something about his punishment would be living alone forever with what he did. Picard as usual never takes a stand unless he has to.


-Chris
 
It's at 40:10, this shot here:
Yeah I thought it was CGI when watching the episode but I had to check the original to be sure.

So, any CG experts out there? That's a very detailed and accurate CG model, and it's obvious a lot of effort went into it. But it still looks generated (at least, as a frame). What specific properties make it look like obvious CG vs something like BSG or Nu Trek (which looked "natural" to me)? Is it lighting sophistication? Texture quality? I know they rendered BSG at 720p and added grain to match the live action scenes. Could be it so simple?
 
In Deja Q, Riker tells Worf to contact all ships in the sector and have them rendezvous and join in relief efforts. We can see Worf responding to Riker in the background but we cannot hear the dialogue. Its not there !

Just checked the DVD and this was a mistake in the original run! Well done for being so authentic, CBS-D :) Why did I not notice this until the HD version?
 
It's at 40:10, this shot here:
Yeah I thought it was CGI when watching the episode but I had to check the original to be sure.

So, any CG experts out there? That's a very detailed and accurate CG model, and it's obvious a lot of effort went into it. But it still looks generated (at least, as a frame). What specific properties make it look like obvious CG vs something like BSG or Nu Trek (which looked "natural" to me)? Is it lighting sophistication? Texture quality? I know they rendered BSG at 720p and added grain to match the live action scenes. Could be it so simple?

Definitely the lighting imho but I am no expert.

I think its a great shot and very good CGI ! Tobias Richter did a superb job with the mesh (assuming its still that one) - My only issue with it is that the windows are slightly recessed into the hull instead of being flush and at some angles this means we do not see the light of the window as you do on the model but just bits of the recess. The windows should be flush to better replicate the model. This is a minor nitpick though :)
 
The overall look of the still image is what makes it pretty clear that it's CGI. I haven't seen it in motion yet but I'd wager it looks more authentic when in motion. The glow from the impulse engine kind of gives it away too.
 
As good as it was, the CG on BSG still looked pretty CG to me. This shot of the Enterprise looks at least as good as that, I think.
 
I think 50% is the lighting. But I think the other 50% is the sharpness. The CGI is just too crisp. The edges are sharp and too clean. There's no softness to them. Case in point:

CGI:
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x01/farpoint_hd_198.jpg

Physical model:
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x01/farpoint_hd_194.jpg

Notice with the neck of the real thing, there's a slight aura around it. With the CGI model, it's a crisp line that looks artificial. When there's a fake human or something closely resembling a human, there's a phenomenon called "Uncanny Valley". I'd say this is uncanny valley for a physical model. They're trying so hard to make it look like the real thing that it looks fake.

That particular CGI shot was greatly improved in BOBW Part II. I think they softened the model slightly and improved the lighting. It's much much closer to looking like the real thing.
 
Yep. I've heard some F/X studios will render at 720p just to add the softness to it.
 
I may be defining it too narrowly, but I think the term genocide doesn't quite cover the eradication of an entire taxon or species. As I understand it, it only covers groups within a species (ethnic, religious, etc.). What Kevin did is more like an artificially imposed, immediate, galaxy-wide extinction event. Looked at this way, Picard would be technically correct that they had no law to fit the crime because as far as he knew nothing like it had ever occurred before.

It needn't be 'genocide', if that's the case. It's still murder, isn't it? Surely they have laws against murder.

It always felt to me that that speech was sort of tacked on, because the truth of the matter is the Federation doesn't have the ability to confine the guy. As far as I can see, it would be like trying to put Q in a jail cell.

All good points. Possibly he meant that Federation laws only allow prosecution of murder when physical evidence of murder is present? Because Kevin removed the entire species by thought, and the only evidence was his word, they'd never be able to prosecute him in court.
 
In Deja Q, Riker tells Worf to contact all ships in the sector and have them rendezvous and join in relief efforts. We can see Worf responding to Riker in the background but we cannot hear the dialogue. Its not there !

Just checked the DVD and this was a mistake in the original run! Well done for being so authentic, CBS-D :) Why did I not notice this until the HD version?

Hmm. I'll need to check it, but is it possible it was always intended to be that way? I don't remember the shot, but sometimes you don't need to hear dialogue. Hitchcock famously did this numerous times.
 
Who Watcher's the Watchers looked great. Now onto The Bonding, with commentary w/ Okuda and RDM


-Chris
 
Who Watches the Watchers is the first episode I views. Always a favorite. The outdoor location footage is fantastic. I have been to Vasquez Rocks, it looked so detailed here it reminded me of being there.
 
The commentary on The Bonding is worth the listen. Also, I noticed in Booby Trap, the welding effects in the saucer of the under construction Enterprise on the holodeck when Geordi first looks at it.


-Chris
 
Interesting they didn't fix the missing port thruster effect in booby trap when they are trying to get out of the debris field.


-Chris
 
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top