Spoilers TNG: Collateral Damage by David Mack Review Thread

[The Wormhole]

I think Reanok might have been referring to the fact that Batanides used coercion to make Commander Dalit Sarai act as a spy against Captain Vale and Admiral Riker, in violation of Starfleet regulations.

Reanok's post says Batanides should be court-martialed for thing's she's done to "Riker and the Titan crew and Picard and the Enterprise crew." What you mention would be what she's done to Riker and the Titan crew, with her tilting the scales at the inquiry being what she's done to Picard. But as far as the Enterprise crew goes, the only thing I can see her doing would be the viral attack, which as I understand it only turned out to be dangerous because Naomi screwed it up. Is there something else Batanides did to the Enterprise (either here or in another book) that I'm not remembering?

 

[USS Firefly]

I enjoyed the novel and almost hoped that Picard retired or became an ambassador so we get captain Worf, I loved how he acted as captain.

 

[Tuskin38]

I know. Weird how Ezri wasn’t in that story.

They probably couldn't get Nicole to play her. The devs have said in the past they don't like bringing in show characters if they can't get their actors (there are exceptions, like if the actor is dead, or they're a tiny role)

 

[thribs]

They probably couldn't get Nicole to play her. The devs have said in the past they don't like bringing in show characters if they can't get their actors (there are exceptions, like if the actor is dead, or they're a tiny role)

Nicole doesn’t seem like the person to refuse. Perhaps she was just busy at the time.

 

[thribs]

What did she do to the Enterprise crew? If you're referring to the computer virus that nearly destroyed the ship, that was only supposed to erase the Husnock data with no harm to the ship itself. Just Naomi Wildman screwed the execution of the virus, resulting in it nearly destroying the Enterprise. Lavelle gets chewed out because of that at the end.

That’s what happens when you put a 14 year old in charge of the execution.

 

[Reanok]

Mr. Mack is right right It was about how Admiral Betanides used coercion to make Dalit Sarai act as a spy against Captain Vale & Admiral Riker.I finished this book last night . I really liked it alot.I voted outstanding. I really like how Worf was able to negotiate with the Nausicans to surrender without more people getting hurt and that they were able to help them find a new world.I liked how Picard's trial was wrapped up in this book.My favorite parts of the book was Picard speaking the truth as he saw it like his speech to Wesley in the First duty. Despite Louvois trying to manipulate evidince against him. She was angry she didn't get him convicted on trumped up charges.I'm so glad that Dayton and David are working on a book project together. I hope Bashir's story will be continued someday.

 

[GaryH]

I don't think I'd call Okona an obscure character, he was the title character and one of the main focuses of an episode. I think this is actually the second or third time he's shown up in the books and comics.

I think most people would think he is obscure in fairness. It was one episode twenty years ago that is not exactly highly regarded although good luck to all who enjoyed it. I have read dozens of books and had completely forgotten who he was until I googled the name.

to be honest, I am very disappointed by this book. It was advertised as a Picard novel with a Worf lead Enterprise subplot, but I felt I was reading an Okona novel with supporting characters most of the time, and he was frankly annoying. I did really enjoy the Picard scenes but it felt like a subplot for most of the book and that Okona was the leading protagonist

I think I am ready for that soft reboot that the new show suggests is coming...

 

[jaime]

The Worf sub-plot, and particularly his handling of it, really was very true to the character.

I just downloaded it after I reset my kindle (long story) and that new style cover is terrible. From a branding perspective alone, it’s bad from to have the ‘last’ book in the series look so different to every book leading up to it...everyone will realise within a few pages that they need one heck of a ‘previously on’. Should have saved the rebrand for the new line, if there is to be one.

 

[Christopher]

I think most people would think he is obscure in fairness. It was one episode twenty years ago that is not exactly highly regarded although good luck to all who enjoyed it. I have read dozens of books and had completely forgotten who he was until I googled the name.

On the other hand, he's one of a fairly small number of Trek characters to have an entire episode named after him. It's not that long a list. Let's see, limiting it to those whose proper names explicitly appear in an episode or movie title, rather than those alluded to by a descriptive phrase (e.g. Trelane or Gem) or a title (e.g. Zek), and leaving out proper names that aren't actual Trek characters (e.g. Adonais or Plato):

Harry Mudd (x3)
Charlie Evans
Miri
Elaan
Spock (x2)
Ari bn Bem
Khan Noonien Singh
Q (frequently)
Data (x4)
Lore
Thadiun Okona
Sarek
Ro Laren
Aquiel Uhnari
Dax (both Jadzia and Curzon?)
Melora Pazlar
Quark
Shakaar Edon
Kahless
Julian Bashir (x2)
Mogh
Morn
Ma'Bor Jetrel
Tuvix
Rajiin
Edward Larkin

I left out Dr. Chaotica and Alice as they're both computer-generated constructs, and Darmok because he's a mythical character.

 

[JD]

I think most people would think he is obscure in fairness. It was one episode twenty years ago that is not exactly highly regarded although good luck to all who enjoyed it. I have read dozens of books and had completely forgotten who he was until I googled the name.

When I think of obscure characters, I tend to think more of a character who had played a more minor role, that you don't really pay that much attention to. Okona was the title character of the episode he appeared in, and was a huge part of that episode.
Fun Fact: Okona was played by Billy Campbell, who would go on to play the title character in The Rocketeer, and Jordan Collier in The 4400.

 

[The Wormhole]

Fun Fact: Okona was played by Billy Campbell, who would go on to play the title character in The Rocketeer, and Jordan Collier in The 4400.

And he had auditioned for Riker.

 

[GaryH]

When I think of obscure characters, I tend to think more of a character who had played a more minor role, that you don't really pay that much attention to. Okona was the title character of the episode he appeared in, and was a huge part of that episode.
Fun Fact: Okona was played by Billy Campbell, who would go on to play the title character in The Rocketeer, and Jordan Collier in The 4400.

I accept your points but you guys have encyclopaedic knowledge of Trek. Most fans who have watched every episode would struggle to remember him. I know a few people have mentioned that in discussions I have seen on the novel - The character name didn’t ring a bell but googling him vaguely reminded people as Billy Campbell is such a prolific actor.

As I said, happy for other people who enjoyed and not trying to take away, but I wish the advertising had made it clear that it was an Okono novel featuring a Picard subplot rather than how it was marketed, which is not a fault of the writing but set misleading expectations of the book I was looking forward to.

I’ll stop arguing the point now as can’t make it any clearer than that so we can agree to disagree.

 

[DimesDan]

Am about a third of the way through and rather enjoying it, the shift between Third and First person is fun.

 

[JD]

I accept your points but you guys have encyclopaedic knowledge of Trek. Most fans who have watched every episode would struggle to remember him. I know a few people have mentioned that in discussions I have seen on the novel - The character name didn’t ring a bell but googling him vaguely reminded people as Billy Campbell is such a prolific actor.

As I said, happy for other people who enjoyed and not trying to take away, but I wish the advertising had made it clear that it was an Okono novel featuring a Picard subplot rather than how it was marketed, which is not a fault of the writing but set misleading expectations of the book I was looking forward to.

I’ll stop arguing the point now as can’t make it any clearer than that so we can agree to disagree.

Sorry about that, I didn't mean to start an argument, I was just shocked to see him referred to as a minor character.

 

[GaryH]

Sorry about that, I didn't mean to start an argument, I was just shocked to see him referred to as a minor character.

We’re cool. IDIC, and all that

 

[RuthlessNate]

The Naomi Wildman stuff is confusing. She should be 14 years old at this but she’s already a lieutenant in Starfleet and that she she’s at a faster rate but that simply doesn’t give her enough time to achieve that rank. Maybe the Voyager novels explain that.

Naomi was born in 2372 and was only six when Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant, but Scarlett Pomers (who played her) was twelve when the series ended. If her half-Ktarian heritage meant she matured about twice as fast as a regular human, she would have been Academy-age by 2381-ish. The other books have her starting at the Academy in 2382. So if it took her a full four years to get through the Academy, she would have had a year-ish as an ensign. I would think it's possible she got done early, maybe due to post-Destiny manpower shortages.

 

[thribs]

I see. Does seem rather rushed. She was never shown to be exceptionally smart in Voyager. Just a average person

 

[jaime]

I see. Does seem rather rushed. She was never shown to be exceptionally smart in Voyager. Just a average person

Now she is Mei Ling. Naomi would have been too on the nose.

 

[jezor]

Well, I would love to see a spin-off/prequel series following the adventures of a certain JAG Commander (currently retired), but perhaps I'm slightly biased. {Jonathan Ezor}

 

[jezor]

totaly makes sense, I just think a long full on court-room drama in the trek universe sounds great!

Law and Order/JAG spin-off anyone?

Oooh, me, me! {Jonathan}