The Inner Light

[flemm]

I find it overly touchy-feely and slow paced to the point of boredom.

I certainly see what you mean by slow, but in what sense "touchy-feely"?

And once you see Picard is still on the floor of the bridge then the entire game is up.

What game? I've never seen this as an episode that is trying to fool the viewer. Just trying to get a clearer idea of how you thought the episode was lacking

 

[byron lomax]

I certainly don't love it. It isn't bad, but I find it overly touchy-feely and slow paced to the point of boredom.

Actually, one of the episodes' strengths is that (to me at least) it felt quite un-mawkish; the relationships depicted actually seemed realistic and believable.

There's just one thing that decreases my enjoyment of it: what right did those aliens have of subjecting Picard to such a (possibly traumatic) experience, without his consent? I know they were dieing out, but still, it diminishes my sympathy for them.

There are some aspects of the story that are troubling when one really thinks about them. It doesn't really decrease my enjoyment of the episode overall, but the violation of individual choice and freedom is definitely there, even if the eventual result is positive overall.

This TNG website has an interesting critical review: http://eggheadandivorytower.com/

I can't link to the review directly, just click on the Episode Reviews link and you'll find it.

 

[flemm]

Definitely one of the best TNG episodes.
There's just one thing that decreases my enjoyment of it: what right did those aliens have of subjecting Picard to such a (possibly traumatic) experience, without his consent? I know they were dieing out, but still, it diminishes my sympathy for them.

I don't think they did have the right, at least not objectively speaking. Subjectively, Picard has become one of them. He loves them. So, presumably, or at least possibly, he forgives them. To me, the uncertainty on this point is what makes this episode haunting.

I've never felt that this episode was overwhelmingly positive in its intent, but rather about this desperate plea of a dying world and the fact that they probably didn't have a right, but can Picard really blame them now that he has experienced life among them?

As usual, there are some things you just have to accept, such as the fact that this society is unable to leave their planet, yet can create a virtual reality device of this complexity; and the fact that it apparently only works once. But as Trek premises go, I think it is pretty solid.

Different areas of technology might advance at different speeds on different alien worlds. Virtual reality was apparently something this race was good at. Knowing the end was coming, they poured all their resources into creating this time capsule. It had a finite energy source, it would only work once. They didn't want to risk it being destroyed or wasted, so they set it to trigger immediately and automatically. Suspension of disbelief of course has to take over at some point, but I thought it was a well told story with a good sci-fi premise.

 

[nx1701g]

I'm one of the few that never really cared for it, but I'm weird that way.

 

[SRFX]

This is my singular favourite episode of Star Trek ever produced.

 

[15wss]

Cyke's tip for the day:

Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT listen to the Inner Light orchestral suite and "Married Life" from the Up soundtrack back to back. Unless you want to lose half your body moisture through your tear ducts, that is.

Know the title to the orchestral suite to the Inner Light? Id be interested in finding that.

This lovely video uses it (made by CristopherPike, btw). I don't know the title though.

I had long favorited that video - it was such a powerful and moving way to integrate a great piece of Star Trek music and reflecting on 40+ years of Star Trek. The combination of images and music made me so teary!

 

[15wss]

Definitely one of the best TNG episodes.
There's just one thing that decreases my enjoyment of it: what right did those aliens have of subjecting Picard to such a (possibly traumatic) experience, without his consent? I know they were dieing out, but still, it diminishes my sympathy for them.

I don't think they did have the right, at least not objectively speaking. Subjectively, Picard has become one of them. He loves them. So, presumably, or at least possibly, he forgives them. To me, the uncertainty on this point is what makes this episode haunting.

I've never felt that this episode was overwhelmingly positive in its intent, but rather about this desperate plea of a dying world and the fact that they probably didn't have a right, but can Picard really blame them now that he has experienced life among them?

As usual, there are some things you just have to accept, such as the fact that this society is unable to leave their planet, yet can create a virtual reality device of this complexity; and the fact that it apparently only works once. But as Trek premises go, I think it is pretty solid.

Different areas of technology might advance at different speeds on different alien worlds. Virtual reality was apparently something this race was good at. Knowing the end was coming, they poured all their resources into creating this time capsule. It had a finite energy source, it would only work once. They didn't want to risk it being destroyed or wasted, so they set it to trigger immediately and automatically. Suspension of disbelief of course has to take over at some point, but I thought it was a well told story with a good sci-fi premise.

I liked your analysis. It reminded me of how Picard was so vigorous about trying to leave this strange world - and the strange woman who claimed he was her husband - and yet the evolution of how he settled down and came to find some way to reconcile what happened to him - and what happened to this lost civilization - that was moving stuff for me.

 

[15wss]

Agreed, although I actually felt Picard's assimilation by the Borg got addressed more than other big experiences in his life - it got a direct follow-up episode, it's mentioned many times by other characters afterwards in the series, and we occasionally get indications that the experience still haunts him long after it happened.

I think there was generally less importance given to character continuity in television back then - towards the end of the 90s, shows got into a habit of remembering their characters' pasts and bringing up significant events later on. TNG was from a time just before that began to happen.

I think that's just it - TNG back then was more episodic/anthology, rather than an arch-like series - and it did as best as it could for an era that wasn't as serial oriented as tv seems now or before that era.

I was always of the view that Picard's traumas from the Borg (and the experience of "The Inner Light") became part of him, even if he wasn't all Post-traumatic-stress about it all the time. (I'd presume he obtained and accepted good counseling, or else he wouldn't have continued his career as well as he did, as an in-show explanation).

 

[CaptainStoner]

^^ i agree with both of you. There were some experiences that characters had that SHOULD have been addressed again by the individuals that lived through them. My guess is that there is only so much you can fit into 44 minutes (or whatever the exact time is)....and so they just couldn't for practical reasons.

I think the episode you are thinking of ThereR4Lites was "Lessons", where Picard shares a little bit of his experience from The Inner Light with Nella. And that dialogue was beautifully done.

Yes, and another infamous one was Worf's human "foster son", from S3 was it? Although I can see how they may have felt the need to make a choice between that plot, and Alexander...having that boy interacting with Alexander would have been interesting as well. The human wanting to be Klingon; the Klingon wanting to be human. A missed opportunity.

 

[RandyS]

Okay, I'll say it. I hated this episode. It was stupid. The people on the planet were all dead and had been for several thousand years.

Who cares??

And the episode took place mostly off the Enterprise, which is always a turn-off. I prefer episodes that take place entirely on the ship (whichever show it is) or on a space station, like "Trouble With Tribbles".

Don't feel bad though "Inner Light" lovers. I feel the same way about TOS' "beloved" episode "City on the Edge of Forever". That one was just as stupid.

To be fair though, "Inner Light" did give us that beautiful piece of music on the Best of Star Trek CD.

 

[Commander Rabbit]

my gawd, it has everything~ a great sci-fi story, a beautifully moving script, fine acting, hell, even the lighting was wonderful. There are so many fine moments in this episode. I just love how Picard gets to have a family, if only for what is actually only 20 minutes. The scene at the end, when Riker brings him the Resiken Flute, how Picard holds it close to his chest...brilliant! And then, how he plays that flute as if he had been playing it his entire life....

Excellent review, Yeoman. It's probably my very favorite, definitely in my top handful. Lessons is up there, too.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Okay, I'll say it. I hated this episode. It was stupid. The people on the planet were all dead and had been for several thousand years.

Who cares??

And the episode took place mostly off the Enterprise, which is always a turn-off. I prefer episodes that take place entirely on the ship (whichever show it is) or on a space station, like "Trouble With Tribbles".

Don't feel bad though "Inner Light" lovers. I feel the same way about TOS' "beloved" episode "City on the Edge of Forever". That one was just as stupid.

To be fair though, "Inner Light" did give us that beautiful piece of music on the Best of Star Trek CD.

Thats interesting! I always had the impression that "bottle shows" were less favored by the fans (although that could be entirely true, as this is your opinion you are stating and not speaking for everyone.) But i do find it interesting that you favor bottle shows over off the ship shows!

I guess, for me, the thought of a long dead race of people wanting to be remembered is heartbreaking. There were people, lives, loves, hopes, dreams that would be lost forever if those memories were not implanted into Picard. I find that so sad!

I totally agree with you however regarding the music. The Inner Light IS a beautiful piece!

my gawd, it has everything~ a great sci-fi story, a beautifully moving script, fine acting, hell, even the lighting was wonderful. There are so many fine moments in this episode. I just love how Picard gets to have a family, if only for what is actually only 20 minutes. The scene at the end, when Riker brings him the Resiken Flute, how Picard holds it close to his chest...brilliant! And then, how he plays that flute as if he had been playing it his entire life....

Excellent review, Yeoman. It's probably my very favorite, definitely in my top handful. Lessons is up there, too.

awww, why THANK YOU Commander!
I love Lessons as well, and regret that Nella didnt stay onboard...what wonderful dynamics could have come from Picard having a love interest on the ship!

 

[flemm]

I guess, for me, the thought of a long dead race of people wanting to be remembered is heartbreaking. There were people, lives, loves, hopes, dreams that would be lost forever if those memories were not implanted into Picard. I find that so sad!

The thing that it reminds me of is visiting Pompei. It was just so strange and moving to see that city and all those lives frozen in time. And thinking about how they were going about their business one day when the world ended (for them).

 

[RandyS]

Okay, I'll say it. I hated this episode. It was stupid. The people on the planet were all dead and had been for several thousand years.

Who cares??

And the episode took place mostly off the Enterprise, which is always a turn-off. I prefer episodes that take place entirely on the ship (whichever show it is) or on a space station, like "Trouble With Tribbles".

Don't feel bad though "Inner Light" lovers. I feel the same way about TOS' "beloved" episode "City on the Edge of Forever". That one was just as stupid.

To be fair though, "Inner Light" did give us that beautiful piece of music on the Best of Star Trek CD.

Thats interesting! I always had the impression that "bottle shows" were less favored by the fans (although that could be entirely true, as this is your opinion you are stating and not speaking for everyone.) But i do find it interesting that you favor bottle shows over off the ship shows!

You're right, I was speaking only for me, and the consensus IS that bottle shows are less favored by fandom in general. The thing is, there are exceptions to every rule, and I happen to be the exception to that one.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Okay, I'll say it. I hated this episode. It was stupid. The people on the planet were all dead and had been for several thousand years.

Who cares??

And the episode took place mostly off the Enterprise, which is always a turn-off. I prefer episodes that take place entirely on the ship (whichever show it is) or on a space station, like "Trouble With Tribbles".

Don't feel bad though "Inner Light" lovers. I feel the same way about TOS' "beloved" episode "City on the Edge of Forever". That one was just as stupid.

To be fair though, "Inner Light" did give us that beautiful piece of music on the Best of Star Trek CD.

Thats interesting! I always had the impression that "bottle shows" were less favored by the fans (although that could be entirely true, as this is your opinion you are stating and not speaking for everyone.) But i do find it interesting that you favor bottle shows over off the ship shows!

You're right, I was speaking only for me, and the consensus IS that bottle shows are less favored by fandom in general. The thing is, there are exceptions to every rule, and I happen to be the exception to that one.

Oh, absolutely! And there are certainly bottle shows that i LOVE~ and like my mother always says, "Thats what makes horse racing".

 

[RandyS]

Thats interesting! I always had the impression that "bottle shows" were less favored by the fans (although that could be entirely true, as this is your opinion you are stating and not speaking for everyone.) But i do find it interesting that you favor bottle shows over off the ship shows!

You're right, I was speaking only for me, and the consensus IS that bottle shows are less favored by fandom in general. The thing is, there are exceptions to every rule, and I happen to be the exception to that one.

Oh, absolutely! And there are certainly bottle shows that i LOVE~ and like my mother always says, "Thats what makes horse racing".

I may have to steal that!

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Heh! You're the second person on the BBS who likes that expression. I may have to tell my mother she has fans of her own!