"Code of Honor" and "Angel One" are the two I have the most trouble getting through from season one.
Seasons 1 & 2 Unwatchable?
- Thread starter ConRefit79
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"Code of Honor" and "Angel One" are the two I have the most trouble getting through from season one.
When STNG first came on my family had a 19" color TV. It was our BIG TV. I didn't own a VCR yet (that came at Xmas 1987, and cost $550). Even in 1987 on that small analog Goldstar, I could tell something was "off" in the FX. If you didn't look to closely it was fine, but I could see the matte lines and moire patterns from low resolution. I never could get the color right (matched to the color of the photos in the magazines) for the uniforms. For years I thought the show had a rosy red tint to it, which turned out to be the vaseline-like haze on better TV sets from later on due to the transfer from film to videotape. I don't care how much processing you do, it won't come close to the blurays!
I'm working my way through a re-watch of Season 2 and I have to agree with you. Season 2 was a demonstrable improvement over Season 1. There are some really great episodes in this season, including 'Measure of a Man'.
I don't know why people always say season 2 was 'bad' as well. In my opinion only Season 1 had notibably weaker episodes than the rest of the series. In fact, I like most of Season 2's episodes more than Season 6 and 7. Ok, I'll admit 'The Outrageous Okona', 'Manhunt' and 'Shades of Gray' are bad, but other than that? Nothing wrong with it.
Season 2 had Pulaski, the best thing that ever happened to TNG.
It's bizarre that s2 gets lumped in with s1. It's when the series took off. For me, the great, creative stretch of NG was from the end of s1 until about a third of the way through s4. After this, it gets stale and bland. Despite a few mediocre and awkward episodes, s2 also has some of the best, and is my favorite season. It was more vital and alive. I don't see that the kind of bland ep's they seemed to sleepwalk through in later seasons are better than the disappointing ones in s2.
Seasons 1 and 2 are probably separated from the rest of the show because of the uniforms. 
But, there's a big difference from season 2 to 3, at least in my opinion.
But, there's a big difference from season 2 to 3, at least in my opinion.
There is, I agree. The season 1 and 2 cinematographer retired, so the show had a different feel. The crew also had new uniforms, Beverly was back, who I know wasn't the most amazing character, but she fit into the crew dynamic well. We had a new opening credits, and of course, Michael Pillar heading up the writing staff, which became more stable.
Season one is a very uneven ride. I think they weren't quite sure what type of show they wanted to be, with the lack of focus allowing a poor episodes through. Code of Honor, Justice, Haven, Angel One and When the Bough Breaks are particularly hard to sit through.
There is some really good stuff though, whether it be scenes between characters, or episodes like 11001001, Conspiracy, and The Arsenal of Freedom. I think that while it took a while for some of the actors to find their groove, other things such as the music in each episode were really interesting. The crew still have a sense of wonder during these shows.
Season two is a definite step up in all aspects, so I think it's separate to season one. Like I said with all the changes in season three though, that is why it gets lumped in with season one.
Season one is a very uneven ride. I think they weren't quite sure what type of show they wanted to be, with the lack of focus allowing a poor episodes through. Code of Honor, Justice, Haven, Angel One and When the Bough Breaks are particularly hard to sit through.
There is some really good stuff though, whether it be scenes between characters, or episodes like 11001001, Conspiracy, and The Arsenal of Freedom. I think that while it took a while for some of the actors to find their groove, other things such as the music in each episode were really interesting. The crew still have a sense of wonder during these shows.
Season two is a definite step up in all aspects, so I think it's separate to season one. Like I said with all the changes in season three though, that is why it gets lumped in with season one.
I think I would rather watch Code of Honor than something like Angel One.
I agree with you to a large extent; S2 is much better than S1, and it's unfair to lump them together. I think that happens because S3 is generally accepted as to when TNG became "must see TV" (sorry NBC), so S2 does not always get the recognition--and the separation from S1--that it deserves.
The first few seasons can be terse at times in regards to uniforms and basic technology. I remember how some felt afraid of that the new trek would be all powerful ship that never faces destruction. Most people fell in love when Q put them on trial in episode 1.
Me ive been a fan ever since the series premier aired on television. It had the hoky special effects so reminiscent of TOS. Come on, the great extragalactic alien being is nothing more then an oversized button with spaghetti coming out of it.
I guess the early seasons were still the "technology is great, but we still cant make a device that dries a puddle up better then a paper towel does". Data helped massively.
Me ive been a fan ever since the series premier aired on television. It had the hoky special effects so reminiscent of TOS. Come on, the great extragalactic alien being is nothing more then an oversized button with spaghetti coming out of it.
I guess the early seasons were still the "technology is great, but we still cant make a device that dries a puddle up better then a paper towel does". Data helped massively.
Surely you jest...
I agree. Pulaski was great. Season 1 had some intriguing moments as well; I always wanted to see an ongoing arc, and S1 had the Conspiracy stuff, and the destruction along the neutral zone. I heard a rumor that the "de aging" episode was written to feature Shatner, which would have been fantastic. I guess I'm just saying that in the early seasons, there was still potential, before it started boring me to tears. 
Not even close.I agree. Pulaski was great. Season 1 had some intriguing moments as well; I always wanted to see an ongoing arc, and S1 had the Conspiracy stuff, and the destruction along the neutral zone. I heard a rumor that the "de aging" episode was written to feature Shatner, which would have been fantastic. I guess I'm just saying that in the early seasons, there was still potential, before it started boring me to tears.
It is a rumor, but I've never found anything concrete to back it up.
The rumor I heard implied that it would have been a sequel to "Private Little War" but the studio didn't want to resort to the TOS well so soon. I'm not sure of the origin of the rumor, though. It seemed too detailed to be completely made up, and may have been from Memory Alpha, but i'm not sure at all. I just know that I read it somewhere along the way...
I thought the show definitely got better, but I enjoyed the first two seasons during my initial viewing. Once I finished the series the later seasons made the first couple seem out of place in hindsight, and maybe a little less enjoyable but not unwatchable. They were very similar to TOS to me, a little on the silly side at times but still had wonderful characters, some great sci-fi ideas and standout episodes. I grew up on the TOS films without seeing a single episode so going back and watching TOS as an adult was a little awkward. And I got into TNG because I really enjoyed First Contact, so it was sort of the same when I undertook the series and saw the first couple of seasons. There were some really good episodes during those first couple of seasons though, just some very silly ones as well.
Yes, I look forward to picking those up one day. I was pleasantly surprised at how much better I could make the colors look, and how a low level of sharpening really seems to bring out detail - although I think it's not actual details in the film - crazy eh? If you crank up the sharpening, it appears that you can see Data's makeup much like you could in closeups in the TNG films. I back it off to just enough to add a little crispness. Certainly a lot more control over the display than we had as kids!When STNG first came on my family had a 19" color TV. It was our BIG TV. I didn't own a VCR yet (that came at Xmas 1987, and cost $550). Even in 1987 on that small analog Goldstar, I could tell something was "off" in the FX. If you didn't look to closely it was fine, but I could see the matte lines and moire patterns from low resolution. I never could get the color right (matched to the color of the photos in the magazines) for the uniforms. For years I thought the show had a rosy red tint to it, which turned out to be the vaseline-like haze on better TV sets from later on due to the transfer from film to videotape. I don't care how much processing you do, it won't come close to the blurays!
I just entered S2 in my current viewing. It's quite a noticeable upgrade in their lighting of the sets. S1 has some great camera work, but you can see how they've dialed it in going into S2. Everything looks brighter, a bit more color information. They're getting more creative with angles. I'm still adding a bit of color and contrast, and the low level sharpening. And I like to EQ the sound into a pretty dramatic "smiley face" (mid-scoop) to make the ship rumble, and to hear the higher end details a bit better. Sounds sweet but you have to mind the levels, could easily break up a speaker with the amount of boost available - : )
I like Season 1! I don't think it's for someone who is experiencing TNG for the first time, but if you have a strong love for the show Season 1 provides the foundation to which the universe is built.
Code of Honor can go away forever tho!
Code of Honor can go away forever tho!
I found them more watchable than Chaos On The Bridge
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