The Inner Light questions

[los2188]

Maybe you guys can help me out. I know this will sound sort of strange, but since I've been coming to this site I've read a lot from a lot of people about how much they just loved the TNG episode of The Inner Light. I've even read about how some think this episode is the greatest of all Star Trek episodes. Here's my dilemma... All though I do like the episode, I have a hard time finding it to be a "great" episode. Honestly, I can't even say that it's in my top 10 of all TNG episodes. Now I've watched The Inner Light numerous times and I'm 95% sure I understand the story from beginning to end. I love the song that is so prevalent in that episode and I the scene with Picard clutching that instrument was indeed touching. What I'd like to know is what you liked about it so much with the hopes of being able to watch it again myself and pick up things that I may have missed. I want to see why so many people love that episode so much. Thank ladies and gentlemen....ladies again cuz I love the ladies.

 

[BillJ]

I don't even think its one of the better episodes of season five.

 

[los2188]

I don't even think its one of the better episodes of season five.

Wow...I'm glad that I'm not alone in regards to The Inner Light.

 

[Bamarren]

I love it myself and think it is a great ST episode, one of the good episodes...but there are others that really out-do it in many ways.

Personally one of my favourites is 'Far Beyond the Stars' from DS9, When Benny Russell's story appears. I loved that and thought that was easily one of ST's highlights, as in a strange way I saw it in the same vein as IL.

Know what? Im actually going to watch it again in the next few days and post my thoughts on it then, its been probably around two years since I last saw Inner Light, so will give it ago either tonight or tomorrow and get back to you.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

When this was aired, I was the father of two small children. For me, the way Kamin (Picard) ultimately accepted his new family and community and the relationship he finally built with his wife were wonderful. The final scene on the planet when all the old friends and family re-appeared as the rocket ascended was, IMHO, absolutely brilliant. The final scene with the Ressican flute literally stopped my breathing. Inner Light and Darmok remain tied at the top of my TNG favorites list.

 

[Dream]

It is an episode that means different things to different people. A father or mother would probably appreciate it and relate to Kamin more than a teenager would.

 

[BillJ]

It is an episode that means different things to different people. A father or mother would probably appreciate it and relate to Kamin more than a teenager would.

I've been a father for twenty years and still find it insanely dull and makes Riker look like an idiot.

 

[Dream]

I'm no parent, but I really enjoyed it. Patrick Stewart's great acting alone raises the episode for me.

I found it interesting how Picard, who is a very private man, dealt with the fact that he had a family and kids dropped on his lap.

 

[Bamarren]

I actually just watched it again there now because of this thread, first time seeing it in around 2 years and have to say its utterly brilliant.

Patrick Stewarts acting plays a big part, hes fantastic in the role, but the whole story and the subtle little things like the tune appearing every so often is brilliant.

The realisation on his face near the end when his daughter tells him hes already seen the rocket makes your heart skip a beat, and the final scene with Riker handing him the flute and playing it brings you to tears.

Its a fantastic episode and easily up there with the best theres been. Like has been said, depending on your situation may change how you see the episode, but I think its brilliant.

 

[MacLeod]

YOu know I was just watching the review for this episode on sfdebris last night. It's been several years since I last saw thise episode. But from memory I enjoyed it, it might not be in my personal top 10 TNG episodes but it was definatly one of the better ones.

 

[Dream]

I like how after Picard had woken up and learns that his life as an important captain on the Enterprise has been stolen from him and replaced with the life of a man in a small village, he doesn't choose to stay angry or bitter about that for the rest of his life as Kamin like some people might have.

Instead he tries to make his friends and family happy and also tries to find some way to save his planet.

 

[Mojochi]

I'm not convinced it's one of TNG's greatest, but it is certainly a good view, & about 99.999% of the reason why it's any good at all, is because of Patrick Stewart's monumental awesomeness

 

[Dream]

I'm not convinced it's one of TNG's greatest, but it is certainly a good view, & about 99.999% of the reason why it's any good at all, is because of Patrick Stewart's monumental awesomeness

They certainly were lucky to get Patrick Stewart.

A bad actor as captain would have sunk this series faster than ENT.

 

[Morpheus 02]

For me , one of the things that makes it one of the greats are:

1) There are LASTING consequences that go beyond the episode...OK, seemingly trivial that Picard now plays the flute. But it adds a layer of personality to Picard, with some meaning behind why he plays it (as opposed to a random character trait)

2) It plays VERY well into Trek's theme of exploring strange new worlds...and doing so in a unique way. (At least from most episodes).

3) The crew doesn't come up with a magic solution or are so superior to "the other". They are actually "held hostage" to the alien technology.

 

[Kelthaz]

Thank ladies and gentlemen....ladies again cuz I love the ladies.

Creepy.

Anyway, people like it because it's a character driven episode. You have a different opinion. That's cool. Go with that.

 

[Jimi_James]

I think it's a very strong story and certainly a unique take on the idea of exploring new worlds. I agree in part that Stewart is part of what makes the episode so memorable, but I also think that the story could stand on its own. If say, it had been a short story unconnected to Star Trek, I doubt the significance would have been much less.

For me, the music has a lot to do with, partially because it's such a great piece, but also because it becomes so much a part of Picards character. I would have liked to have seen Picard playing the flute in one of the films. It probably wouldn't have fit in Generations or FC, but I could have seen it in Insurrection or Nemesis. Not that it would have done anything to help those films, but it would have been a nice touch.

 

[los2188]

Thank ladies and gentlemen....ladies again cuz I love the ladies.

Creepy.

Anyway, people like it because it's a character driven episode. You have a different opinion. That's cool. Go with that.

Loving ladies is creepy?? Ummm....okay. Two each, his own. Good luck with that. Anyway, I wanted input from others regarding this episode, so the I'm cool with it, you're cool with it or whatever isn't helping any, but I thank you nonetheless.

 

[Timo]

I for one was particularly impressed by the outer light here. For a rare once, the Cutesy Rustic Village set was illuminated to look as if it really were a location shoot, the harsh light matching the sunshine of the location shoots. Never mind if this was just to show how the local star was acting out and gonna go kaboom, it was one of the better efforts of TNG in this respect...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Utopianvista]

I actually outright hate the episode!

It's boring, ridiculous and none of the aliens are very likable. It's mind rape and not very compelling television. It's like the DS9 episode "Hard Time" which I also have serious problems with.

You cannot live a life and go back to the one you lived that, according to your mind, is 20 or whatever years ago like nothing happened. Throwing in a flute sequence is not having everlasting consequences.

It's always amazed me the praise this stinker has got.

 

[BillJ]

I actually outright hate the episode!

It's boring, ridiculous and none of the aliens are very likable. It's mind rape and not very compelling television. It's like the DS9 episode "Hard Time" which I also have serious problems with.

You cannot live a life and go back to the one you lived that, according to your mind, is 20 or whatever years ago like nothing happened. Throwing in a flute sequence is not having everlasting consequences.

It's always amazed me the praise this stinker has got.

This pretty much covers it.