I became fascinated with Star Trek when I viewed the first episode in 1966. It was more than just another television series to me, and it changed my life in so many ways. I grew up thinking about the possibilities and potentials that were hinted at in the original series, as well as the many other Star Trek offerings, and as a result of that I moved into technology and became a software engineer. At the age of 77, I just completed my 54th years in the computer industry, and look forward to a few more before I hang up my keyboard. Today I viewed one of my favorite Next Generation episodes, The Survivor (season three, episode 151). So much can be said about this episode and the ramifications that were packed into just this one episode. It stretched my imagination to the limit on so many fronts when I first viewed it, and it did the same thing today! Star Trek episodes like this are certainly beyond being realistic, but they do make you think about technology possibilities, and many of the responses and conclusions reached by the Star Trek characters in most situations expresses the finest character in humanity. Star Trek is great entertainment, but it is also strong in social excellence.
The Survivors Episode
- Thread starter ronhansard
- Start date
It's always been one of my favorite episodes. Thanks for your post.
One thing that initially bugged me about it is how Picard keeps his suspicions secret from the rest of his crew until nearly the end. It was clearly established from the beginning of the series that he relied on input and consensus from his senior staff. However, I realized that, if he followed that protocol in this episode, the audience would have been clued in, too. The only way to maintain suspense was for him to keep it to himself.
One thing that initially bugged me about it is how Picard keeps his suspicions secret from the rest of his crew until nearly the end. It was clearly established from the beginning of the series that he relied on input and consensus from his senior staff. However, I realized that, if he followed that protocol in this episode, the audience would have been clued in, too. The only way to maintain suspense was for him to keep it to himself.
What i enjoy most is how picard "figures out" Kevin's secret like my goodness picard is so clever like how did he know that kevin was the only thing real of the two and i admire that from picard.
I love Seeason 3 so much
I love Seeason 3 so much
TNG season 3 was where the show could start to be a little “soap opera-esque” in its plots, but this is a good episode and story-driven.
I like these “puzzle” episodes of TNG, like this one and “Clues,” where a mystery unfolds. There’s also a sadness and tragedy to this one that makes the ending of the episode memorable.
I like these “puzzle” episodes of TNG, like this one and “Clues,” where a mystery unfolds. There’s also a sadness and tragedy to this one that makes the ending of the episode memorable.
I love Season 3. I think it's my favourite season of Trek. Going from Season 2 to 3 is amazing what a step up it is. Props to Michael Wagner and Michael Piller
Season 3 pretty much smoothed the icing on the cake that season 2 was baking. As much as I love 2, 3 is pretty much absolutely stellar platinum standard that fixes any remaining issues, that 4 coasts on (despite a cookie cutter trope that was used for a few episodes after Picard is deborgified, since everyone needed their own take on abduction). Season 1 started with being "TOS" in feel for whatever reasons*, then growing into its own thing during season 2.
Later seasons became not just excessive soap opera, but soapbox that went out of its way to prop up the clique crew no matter what and this is when the Treknobabble really begins to take off. Even at the time, the change in tone (plotting) was a bit iffy and the change in tone (music) was awful...
* Trying to continue the feel of TOS deliberately**, or because straying from what made Trek "Trek" at the time would be too much. Whatever the reasons, Michael Piller, Michael Wagner, Ira Steven Behr, et al, definitely made TNG as iconic as TOS and in a unique way that oddly fits with Trek.
** Because "we in the 80s can make it feel like the 60s too!", "this will seem just as iconic", "this will blend the original generation into the new one easier", "we can't think of any other way to do this and remakes haven't become a thing yet either, even if this is a sequel and not a remake", and/or other reasons. Season 1 wasn't as much dreadful as it was uneven, exploring styles and taking what worked into the next season. But the more I rewatch it, the more I find to appreciate, the growing pains and steps...
Later seasons became not just excessive soap opera, but soapbox that went out of its way to prop up the clique crew no matter what and this is when the Treknobabble really begins to take off. Even at the time, the change in tone (plotting) was a bit iffy and the change in tone (music) was awful...
* Trying to continue the feel of TOS deliberately**, or because straying from what made Trek "Trek" at the time would be too much. Whatever the reasons, Michael Piller, Michael Wagner, Ira Steven Behr, et al, definitely made TNG as iconic as TOS and in a unique way that oddly fits with Trek.
** Because "we in the 80s can make it feel like the 60s too!", "this will seem just as iconic", "this will blend the original generation into the new one easier", "we can't think of any other way to do this and remakes haven't become a thing yet either, even if this is a sequel and not a remake", and/or other reasons. Season 1 wasn't as much dreadful as it was uneven, exploring styles and taking what worked into the next season. But the more I rewatch it, the more I find to appreciate, the growing pains and steps...
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