The One Thing You Could Change, TNG Edition...
- Thread starter Farscape One
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I would like either for Selar to appear more often, be a recurring character or for there to be a little more continuity, a little more referencing of events and decisions from previous episodes in later episodes rather than that they were very often ignored throughout the series.
another one...
I would have added more Data/Worf conversations. The brief scene in “Data’s Day” about the human wedding traditions, and some other brief scenes scattered in later season were pretty good.
more would have been good. Maybe even a whole episode centered around the two on a mission together. Feels like there was some untapped potential there.
I would have added more Data/Worf conversations. The brief scene in “Data’s Day” about the human wedding traditions, and some other brief scenes scattered in later season were pretty good.
more would have been good. Maybe even a whole episode centered around the two on a mission together. Feels like there was some untapped potential there.
Agreed.
Their conversation in the shuttle in "The Next Phase" was really good. And in "Birthright, Part I" and "Rightful Heir", they had good dialogue, too.
Even quick moments like at the end of "Power Play" were nice ones.
In "The Naked Now", when Data wasn't aware of the joke he was reciting when Picard cut him off, Worf said he doesn't understand their humor either. Given it was directly after the pilot, I thought that was a setup for the two of them, throughout the series, to comment to each other about all things human, since they are the outsiders.
I think it was a missed opportunity, because all their interactions we did see were solid.
Their conversation in the shuttle in "The Next Phase" was really good. And in "Birthright, Part I" and "Rightful Heir", they had good dialogue, too.
Even quick moments like at the end of "Power Play" were nice ones.
In "The Naked Now", when Data wasn't aware of the joke he was reciting when Picard cut him off, Worf said he doesn't understand their humor either. Given it was directly after the pilot, I thought that was a setup for the two of them, throughout the series, to comment to each other about all things human, since they are the outsiders.
I think it was a missed opportunity, because all their interactions we did see were solid.
One of my favorite moments in the series is when Data is Acting Captain in "Gambit II" and has to dress down Worf for being insubordinate. Both Spiner and Dorn handled that scene really well. I'd sometimes try to channel Data's determined but unemotional demeanor when I had to discipline someone in real life.
I wouldn't change anything. There's the risk of the (in)famous butterfly effect, after one little change everything might be spoiled? 
Does striking "Code of Honor" from the annals of TNG count? That was an absolutely wretched episode!
If that's no the sort of answer you were looking for, I'd say pepper in more Klingon episodes.
If that's no the sort of answer you were looking for, I'd say pepper in more Klingon episodes.
This isn't exactly a "thing I'd change", it's more a "why didn't Picard do this", from "When the Bough Breaks".
PICARD'S SOLUTION: Risk killing Data and Riker by beaming them through the shield. Take the kids back by force, then be magnanimous in victory.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION: Contact Radue. Say, "you have 7 of our kids, and a repulsor beam that we think is just frickin' awesome because it flicks enemies off into space without killing them. You return the former, and give us the specifications on the latter, and we'll make it so you can pop out hundreds of your own kids. Thousands, maybe. While you're at it, throw in the specs on that planetary shield, too. We can use it on moonbases, which don't have ozone layers."
[No, I didn't forget about the cloaking device, I just remembered the treaty with the Romulans]
PICARD'S SOLUTION: Risk killing Data and Riker by beaming them through the shield. Take the kids back by force, then be magnanimous in victory.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION: Contact Radue. Say, "you have 7 of our kids, and a repulsor beam that we think is just frickin' awesome because it flicks enemies off into space without killing them. You return the former, and give us the specifications on the latter, and we'll make it so you can pop out hundreds of your own kids. Thousands, maybe. While you're at it, throw in the specs on that planetary shield, too. We can use it on moonbases, which don't have ozone layers."
[No, I didn't forget about the cloaking device, I just remembered the treaty with the Romulans]
It's been a while since I saw the episode, but as I recall the Aldeans weren't particularly interested in any negotiations once they had the children. Picard and Crusher tried to tell them about the radiation poisoning but Radue thought it was just a ruse to get the children back. And he certainly wouldn't have been open to any proposal which prevented them from using their planetary shield.
P.S. I just looked up Jerry Hardin who played Radue and was also Mark Twain in "Time's Arrow". I never realized that he was Melora Hardin's dad (Jan from The Office).
Rewatch it, if you can stream. Thanks to Beverly, Picard knew that it was possible to restore the Aldeans' fertility. On no occasion did he reveal this, until the Enterprise had forcibly retrieved the kids. Even though he would be effectively offering hundreds of kids in exchange for seven (most of whom didn't want to stay). As they dematerialized, Radue said (and genuinely believed) "you have destroyed us."
Even if Picard believed that the forcible solution was necessary, he still should have negotiated for the planetary shield and repulsor beam as conditions for medical aid. It could be argued that after what they did (kidnapping children), they deserved to be sentenced to extinction. I won't go that far, but I've no issue with making them pay a fair price for a new lease on life.
Even if Picard believed that the forcible solution was necessary, he still should have negotiated for the planetary shield and repulsor beam as conditions for medical aid. It could be argued that after what they did (kidnapping children), they deserved to be sentenced to extinction. I won't go that far, but I've no issue with making them pay a fair price for a new lease on life.
I just checked the script. You're right that Picard first sent in Riker and Data to first disable the Aldeans repulser beam, but he did try to tell Radue about the radiation before beaming away the kids. Radue wouldn't listen and would have sent the Enterprise away again if he could.
I don't dispute that. But look at what Picard DIDN'T say. He had an enormous bargaining chip at his disposal: thousands of native born Aldean kids who wouldn't hunger strike, wouldn't refuse to cooperate, and wouldn't want to go home. But he never revealed it.
Instead of offering an actual solution, Picard was effectively telling Radue "your civilization is doomed. Deal with it, and give our kids back so they don't die with you."
Something else, regarding the same episode... for continuity purposes, it would have been better if it had been impossible for Beverly to restore the Aldeans' fertility.
The main reason is simple: it would have made the Aldeans into instant enemies, instead of potential allies. And it would explain why the Federation is never able to gain access to their vast tech base, which includes impenetrable planetary shielding, high powered but nonlethal repulsor beams, and the capacity to evaluate a person's mental gifts with a long range scan.
Also, it has more gravitas that way. Picard has taken away Aldea's only hope at a future, and sentenced them and their culture to oblivion. Instead of their gratitude, he has their hate. Radue tells the Enterprise to get out, and declares that the knowledge they offered to share will now die with them. As the Enterprise flies away from Aldea, the Aldeans restore power to their systems and the planet shimmers back into invisibility... and back into legend. And Picard ends the episode without having to pick anyone up or get a tribble stuck to his uniform.
The main reason is simple: it would have made the Aldeans into instant enemies, instead of potential allies. And it would explain why the Federation is never able to gain access to their vast tech base, which includes impenetrable planetary shielding, high powered but nonlethal repulsor beams, and the capacity to evaluate a person's mental gifts with a long range scan.
Also, it has more gravitas that way. Picard has taken away Aldea's only hope at a future, and sentenced them and their culture to oblivion. Instead of their gratitude, he has their hate. Radue tells the Enterprise to get out, and declares that the knowledge they offered to share will now die with them. As the Enterprise flies away from Aldea, the Aldeans restore power to their systems and the planet shimmers back into invisibility... and back into legend. And Picard ends the episode without having to pick anyone up or get a tribble stuck to his uniform.
Have Data choose Jessica Fletcher (Murder she wrote) as his hero to emulate, rather than Sherlock Holmes. Complete with bad jokes and unconvincing laughs at the ending.
Seriously though, I think I would have loved dr. Pulaski to stay. I have nothing against Beverly Crusher, but Pulaski brings a welcome contrast to the crew, in that she doesn't shy away from asserting herself in the face of Picard . I didn't feel so back when TNG had only just come out and I was an adolescent, when I didn't understand why they replaced the lovely Beverly with such an old woman who said such disagreeable things, but I'm starting to appreciate her more and more as I'm moving closer to her supposed age
It's a shame Diana Muldaur and the rest of the TNG cast apparently didn't get on that well.
(EDIT: I now see keeping Pulaski has been suggested multiple times already in this thread).
Seriously though, I think I would have loved dr. Pulaski to stay. I have nothing against Beverly Crusher, but Pulaski brings a welcome contrast to the crew, in that she doesn't shy away from asserting herself in the face of Picard . I didn't feel so back when TNG had only just come out and I was an adolescent, when I didn't understand why they replaced the lovely Beverly with such an old woman who said such disagreeable things, but I'm starting to appreciate her more and more as I'm moving closer to her supposed age
It's a shame Diana Muldaur and the rest of the TNG cast apparently didn't get on that well.
(EDIT: I now see keeping Pulaski has been suggested multiple times already in this thread).
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The best thing about Pulaski, which was derided by some, was how her relationship with Data evolved over time. At the beginning, she regarded him as little more than a box on wheels. But getting to know him, she started to see him as a person.
One way that DS9 is better than TNG is that it allowed conflicts between the main characters. Some of these relationships were complex (Quark/Odo). Others evolved over time (Bashir and O'Brien didn't get along at first). A few were just plain negative (in her own words, Kira despised Quark).
One way that DS9 is better than TNG is that it allowed conflicts between the main characters. Some of these relationships were complex (Quark/Odo). Others evolved over time (Bashir and O'Brien didn't get along at first). A few were just plain negative (in her own words, Kira despised Quark).
The might count as more than "one thing" but its collectively one episode/concept that all goes together. Have the episode "Second Chances" take place in early season 4 and the end of the episode/beginning of the next:
-Will finally accepts promotion to Captain and leaves the Enterprise.
-Data is promoted to Commander/First Officer.
-Thomas Riker is promoted to Lt Commander and takes the position at Ops.
Basically a big status quo change that acknowledges Riker's growth/readiness as Captain, references Data's performance during Best of Both Words, and keeps the cast the same. Various new storytelling opportunities are opened up for two main characters, and gives Frakes a chance to sink his teeth into a different kind of Riker for the rest of the show's run.
-Will finally accepts promotion to Captain and leaves the Enterprise.
-Data is promoted to Commander/First Officer.
-Thomas Riker is promoted to Lt Commander and takes the position at Ops.
Basically a big status quo change that acknowledges Riker's growth/readiness as Captain, references Data's performance during Best of Both Words, and keeps the cast the same. Various new storytelling opportunities are opened up for two main characters, and gives Frakes a chance to sink his teeth into a different kind of Riker for the rest of the show's run.
1 thing? Troi doing more “counseling” whatever that meant in the 24th century. She maybe needed a lab and a staff too. I’d have made her part psycho historian as in the Asimov novels, psychology having advanced as much as any other science in the future.
After that... I dunno. Either include more of bolder early seasons futurism in later seasons, or have Troi and Riker (ahem Picard and Crusher) play out their romantic arcs during the series. Or not. The series works for me.
Now the movies...?
I’m good with “All Good Things...” Even FC if it’s all or nothing. It was good but not the big screen Borg epic they might have done with JJ money.
After that... I dunno. Either include more of bolder early seasons futurism in later seasons, or have Troi and Riker (ahem Picard and Crusher) play out their romantic arcs during the series. Or not. The series works for me.
Now the movies...?
I’m good with “All Good Things...” Even FC if it’s all or nothing. It was good but not the big screen Borg epic they might have done with JJ money.
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