I've opened up my DVD sets and am going to watch the whole series again. It's been a while since I've watched any of these - probably 4 or 5 years, so it's kinda exciting. Anyway, I thought I'd share the experiences by doing a small write-up for each episode as I watch them.
Encounter at Farpoint
The most immediately notable thing about this viewing is how bad the image quality is. I know it was mastered on analogue tape at the time but the quality is quite shocking. The starfields have blue glowing edges, everything is fuzzy and indistinct; a lot of the text in the closing credits isn't even legible. Upscaled on a big TV, it does not look nice at all. I am, of course, maintaining the original aspect ratio.
The series starts without any teaser, straight into the intro sequence. It's a rare treat to see the beginnings of a show and I embrace it fully. The captain's log is accompanied by a fairly rare shot of the front of the Enterprise-D coming into frame, followed by the captain standing by the window looking out.
There are a lot of 'firsts' in this episode, and I appreciate the writing skill in featuring situations that introduce characters and locations without seeming forced in somehow (Holodeck aside). Splitting the crew into two groups makes for some natural introductions and gives all the characters enough screen time to be featured properly. Worf gets to show his bravery, Troi gets to use her empathic powers, Data gets to show off his strength and mental abilities. We get a look at the holodeck, have a chat with the computer, see the first ever saucer separation, use of the transporter, phasers, people tapping their comm badges (a lot more than normal); this episode, as a pilot, introduces an awful lot of things and is quite enjoyable because of it. There's even time for a DeForest Kelley cameo, which is a very touching scene with a nice piece of music to accompany it. Early TNG did some good things with music and mood, very apparent here.
There are really two stories in one in Encounter at Farpoint, and while I'm not so fond of Q as a plot point, I do like the Farpoint/alien side of the story, as it's an interesting sci-fi concept. Being split across a double-episode length gives enough time for both stories to come together without feeling rushed. In fact the pacing is rather good. There's some pretty good directing here as well, lots of low angle close-up shots on faces.
Early TNG may have dated more than the rest of the show, but as with many pilot episodes, it stands up quite well, certainly better than most of season 1 does.
Noteworthy things:
- Zorn namedrops the Ferengi in this episode. The first time they're ever mentioned!
- Troi calls Riker 'Imzadi', and he reads her mind, not the other way around. This is unsual when it's not between two Betazoids, isn't it? It's never really been followed up, and the whole Imzadi thing is kinda dropped eventually.
- The show's main theme is used in the episode (saucer separation sequence). I believe this is the only time it ever happens.
- Accents are all over the place. Troi sounds, I dunno, 'exotic'. Compare her accent to her much later appearance in the TNG movies and it's night and day! (I like the old uniform, though. Much better than the purple suit thing she starts wearing.) Picard has weird Americanisms in his accent, pronouncing it "commAnder" and "clAss". I'm sure this gets gradually phased out over time.
- Men wearing skirts! Oh my goodness!
- The background corridors of the ship/station/alien jellyfish interior are actually painted wall set extensions. I never noticed them before now. Damn you, pin-sharp television!! *shakes fist*
----
I'm not going to do grades or scores 'cos they're for lazy people who don't want to read.
Stay tuned for the next write-up. I'll be watching The Naked Now within the next couple of days.
Yes, this will take a while...
Encounter at Farpoint
The most immediately notable thing about this viewing is how bad the image quality is. I know it was mastered on analogue tape at the time but the quality is quite shocking. The starfields have blue glowing edges, everything is fuzzy and indistinct; a lot of the text in the closing credits isn't even legible. Upscaled on a big TV, it does not look nice at all. I am, of course, maintaining the original aspect ratio.
The series starts without any teaser, straight into the intro sequence. It's a rare treat to see the beginnings of a show and I embrace it fully. The captain's log is accompanied by a fairly rare shot of the front of the Enterprise-D coming into frame, followed by the captain standing by the window looking out.
There are a lot of 'firsts' in this episode, and I appreciate the writing skill in featuring situations that introduce characters and locations without seeming forced in somehow (Holodeck aside). Splitting the crew into two groups makes for some natural introductions and gives all the characters enough screen time to be featured properly. Worf gets to show his bravery, Troi gets to use her empathic powers, Data gets to show off his strength and mental abilities. We get a look at the holodeck, have a chat with the computer, see the first ever saucer separation, use of the transporter, phasers, people tapping their comm badges (a lot more than normal); this episode, as a pilot, introduces an awful lot of things and is quite enjoyable because of it. There's even time for a DeForest Kelley cameo, which is a very touching scene with a nice piece of music to accompany it. Early TNG did some good things with music and mood, very apparent here.
There are really two stories in one in Encounter at Farpoint, and while I'm not so fond of Q as a plot point, I do like the Farpoint/alien side of the story, as it's an interesting sci-fi concept. Being split across a double-episode length gives enough time for both stories to come together without feeling rushed. In fact the pacing is rather good. There's some pretty good directing here as well, lots of low angle close-up shots on faces.
Early TNG may have dated more than the rest of the show, but as with many pilot episodes, it stands up quite well, certainly better than most of season 1 does.
Noteworthy things:
- Zorn namedrops the Ferengi in this episode. The first time they're ever mentioned!
- Troi calls Riker 'Imzadi', and he reads her mind, not the other way around. This is unsual when it's not between two Betazoids, isn't it? It's never really been followed up, and the whole Imzadi thing is kinda dropped eventually.
- The show's main theme is used in the episode (saucer separation sequence). I believe this is the only time it ever happens.
- Accents are all over the place. Troi sounds, I dunno, 'exotic'. Compare her accent to her much later appearance in the TNG movies and it's night and day! (I like the old uniform, though. Much better than the purple suit thing she starts wearing.) Picard has weird Americanisms in his accent, pronouncing it "commAnder" and "clAss". I'm sure this gets gradually phased out over time.
- Men wearing skirts! Oh my goodness!
- The background corridors of the ship/station/alien jellyfish interior are actually painted wall set extensions. I never noticed them before now. Damn you, pin-sharp television!! *shakes fist*
----
I'm not going to do grades or scores 'cos they're for lazy people who don't want to read.
Stay tuned for the next write-up. I'll be watching The Naked Now within the next couple of days.
Yes, this will take a while...
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