Was the Traveller Creepy?

[Trekker4747]

I think these judgments say more about how people today read a sexual context into everything.

The Traveler was enlightened.

He was a middle-aged (man) who spoke with an odd incantation to his voice who quickly latched onto, and leered at, a teenage boy. It's pretty hard to *not* take that as creepy.

There was just a "quality" there that's hard to define but if you encountered someone who spoke and acted like him around your children you'd probably make sure the kids stayed in the yard when they play outside. He didn't come across as enlightened when he's standing there with a grin watching Wesley work.

 

[Keith1701]

He did have a sort of creepy vibe in how he was portrayed and his leering at/fixation with Wesley only amplified that.

oh yes, for sure.

 

[Shatnertage]

I thought that when I first saw it, as a kid of about Wesley's age, on original broadcast, and I still think it.

As a teacher, there's a line between showing polite interest/encouraging kids and being a little too attentive. The Traveler way, way crossed that line.

 

[Melakon]

Then there was the order for the crew to think only "good thoughts" to help the Traveler. Which reminded me of Mary Martin's Peter Pan urging children to clap-- clap!-- to save Tinkerbell's life.

If the pedo behavior of Traveler was intentional, there should have been a 'Stay away from my son!" moment from Beverly.

 

[Salinga]

Actually, Wil Wheaton himself finds the Traveller a pretty creepy character. From his blog:

Wesley watches the assistant lay in some commands, but something bothers him, so the assistant lets Wesley tinker with the coordinates himself. Oh yeah, that's not going to cause any problems or piss off the audience at all. After Wesley is done, the assistant gives him a look that, in retrospect, is about an 8.6 on the Mark Foley scale of creepiness. ... Down in engineering, the assistant looks like he's had a little too much Romulan Ale, and Wesley tells him that he can call his mother, who is a doctor. The assistant, saddened that Wesley didn't suggest they play doctor, tells him that he just needs to rest, and that he means no harm to the Enterprise or all the adorable little boys running around on her.

http://www.aoltv.com/2006/10/27/star-trek-the-next-generation-where-no-one-has-gone-before/

 

[Push The Button]

Some people think the Traveller had a creepy sub text, do you think that is true?

http://sfdebris.com/videos/startrek/t179.asp

Yes.

 

[Triskelion]

This may say more about our own cultural degradation than the original story context. Not recognizing the cultural shift – well that says something too.

But I wouldn’t wait for anyone to validate a cultural context other than their own.

I’ll say this about the Traveler – he did give off a very creepy lack of self-veneration.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I think these judgments say more about how people today read a sexual context into everything.

The Traveler was enlightened.

He was a middle-aged (man) who spoke with an odd incantation to his voice who quickly latched onto, and leered at, a teenage boy. It's pretty hard to *not* take that as creepy.

There was just a "quality" there that's hard to define but if you encountered someone who spoke and acted like him around your children you'd probably make sure the kids stayed in the yard when they play outside. He didn't come across as enlightened when he's standing there with a grin watching Wesley work.

TOTALLY.

Awful stuff. Difficult to watch.

 

[Nine of Four]

Not as creepy as Riker was:

TRU DAT!!!

Fun fact: Eric Menyuk, (The Traveler), was considered for Data.

-

 

[jpv2000]

I think the Traveller was a few levels beyond creepy.

 

[Nine of Four]

I think the Traveller was a few levels beyond creepy.

Hahahaha Tru dat!!

-

 

[publiusr]

I guess I'm weird in that I never saw him as creepy.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Neither did I.

 

[Amaris]

I don't find the Traveler creepy at all. He's soft spoken, and he's fascinated by Wesley's intellect. He's also an alien who behaves differently than humans, so no, no creepy here.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

I don't find the Traveler creepy at all. He's soft spoken, and he's fascinated by Wesley's intellect. He's also an alien who behaves differently than humans, so no, no creepy here.

Exactly my thoughts.