What are best acted scenes in Trek?

[indolover]

I think Chain of Command and Far Beyond the Stars have the best acted scenes in all of Trek.

The Madred/Picard scenes were all good, but IMO the best was when Picard cottoned on that Madred was compensating for being bullied as a youngster. I think Sir Patrick Stewart creamed that scene, especially when he mumbled the French folk tune at the end.

I don't personally think that Russell's breakdown scene at the end of Far Beyond the Stars was overacting. I think Brooks nailed a breakdown to a tee.

 

[Expo67]

Who Mourns For Adonais? had some of the best acting in various scenes.

Veteran Shakespearean actor Michael Forest conveyed a wide range of emotions when he played Apollo. He definately put his stage training into full force.

One scene in particular, was when he was defeated and he pleaded to his fellow Olympian Gods to bring him home.

I also liked how Bill Shatner played out the scene where Kirk was zapped by Apollo and forced to his knees, choking and wheezing. The way that Shatner and Forest acted that scene out, it was very convincing.

Probably Apollo's way of telling Jim Kirk "SILENCE!" in no uncertain terms.

 

[sonak]

picard's breakdown in "family."

 

[Kieran1701]

I'm partial to Sisko's final scene from "In the Pale Moonlight," not to be cliché or anything...

 

[Stoek]

Brent Spiner at the end of The Most Toys. Data makes a calculated logical rational decision to kill Kivas Fajo and then after being snatched away seconds before he can do the deed lies about why the weapon was discharging. Spiner's delivery is just heartbreaking and it left me firmly convinced that Data always had emotions, just that they were different in some ways from biological beings emotions, until the emotion chip came along and made them stronger and more evident.

 

[Canadave]

Brent Spiner at the end of The Most Toys. Data makes a calculated logical rational decision to kill Kivas Fajo and then after being snatched away seconds before he can do the deed lies about why the weapon was discharging. Spiner's delivery is just heartbreaking and it left me firmly convinced that Data always had emotions, just that they were different in some ways from biological beings emotions, until the emotion chip came along and made them stronger and more evident.

I rewatched that one recently, and it's actually rather creepy when you get right down to it. Definitely a great job by Spiner.

Picard's final speech in "The Measure of a Man" is another that comes to mind for me.

And thinking of DS9, Harris Yulin is magnificent in "Duet," especially the scene where he breaks down and reveals the truth. Similarly, Andrew Robinson as Garak is amazing in "The Wire" when he reveals... the... uh... truth?

 

[The Fatman]

These may be obvious, but there are two that immediately jump to mind. First is when Kirk learns that David is dead in TSFS. Shatner's backwards stumble, and the way he delivers his line "You Klingon bastard... you killed my son" is just heartbreaking. Number two would be Picard's "This far, no further!" speech in FC. That for me is a textbook example of what a master actor can do with even cliche material.

As I was typing this, I also thought of Stewart's scene at the end of "Sarek" after the mind meld.

 

[Expo67]

These may be obvious, but there are two that immediately jump to mind. First is when Kirk learns that David is dead in TSFS. Shatner's backwards stumble, and the way he delivers his line "You Klingon bastard... you killed my son" is just heartbreaking. Number two would be Picard's "This far, no further!" speech in FC. That for me is a textbook example of what a master actor can do with even cliche material.

As I was typing this, I also thought of Stewart's scene at the end of "Sarek" after the mind meld.

We can't forget Ricardo Montalban's performance in TWOK. This was a Khan who was explosive, brutal, and violent to the core.

And of course Christopher Plummer's performance as General Chang in TUC. A Klingon Warrior spouting Shakespeare at every turn, while confronting both the Enterprise and the Excelsior above Khitomer, is definately acting at its most finest.

 

[Kieran1701]

These may be obvious, but there are two that immediately jump to mind. First is when Kirk learns that David is dead in TSFS. Shatner's backwards stumble, and the way he delivers his line "You Klingon bastard... you killed my son" is just heartbreaking. Number two would be Picard's "This far, no further!" speech in FC.

Those are two of my favorites, as well. Picard is just so badass in that scene!

 

[Expo67]

The late Steve Ihnat's performance as Garth Of Izar is also another memorable one. He played Garth as someone who is mild and gentle one moment, then violent and discordant the next.

Most of all, he played the former Federation Starship Fleet Captain as a tragic figure. One who conveyed moments of pride and instability, when he was suffering from that affliction.

It's no wonder that Garth was one of Jim Kirk's heroes. Garth, when he was cured, projected a strong and likable personality. Someone who inspired others.

I'm surprised that Steve Ihnat was not nominated for an Emmy for that performance.

 

[erastus25]

Maxwell and O'Brien at the end of The Wounded stands out to me.

 

[Pemmer Harge]

Hmm, I'd say it has to be something Patrick Stewart did. There were guest stars of similar talent, but none of them had the time to get into their roles that he had. The famous "There it sits!" speech in The Measure of a Man, which may be Picard's defining moment, is a strong candidate. I also really like the scene in Lessons where he tells Lt Cmdr Daren about his flute and what it means.

 

[Satyrquaze]

Stewart/Picard dealing with the range of Vulcan emotions after a Mind-Meld with Sarek in "Sarek".

 

[Alienesse]

Another powerful scene that comes to mind is Spock's death in TWOK, followed by Kirk's emotional speech.

I would also dare bring ENT into this discussion and mention Scott Bakula's portrayal of Captain Archer all along the "Azati Prime" / "Damage" / "The Forgotten" trilogy. The moment he orders the Xindi listening post destroyed, his pre-suicide mission preparations, the interrogation scene with the Xindi commander, his grim conversation with Phlox about his unethical decision of stealing a warp coil from an innocent alien crew, the raid on the alien ship, and then his unrelenting determination to convince Degra and the other Xindi of the fact that humans were not their enemies. All these instants paint the picture of a man who has the strength to do what needs to be done and rises to the demands of commanding a dangerous mission. That's someone I can proudly call Captain of the Enterprise.

 

[Andymator]

Number two would be Picard's "This far, no further!" speech in FC. That for me is a textbook example of what a master actor can do with even cliche material.

I think the problem with that scene is that it's far too good. We're not supposed to be rooting for Picard's quest for vengeance, we're supposed to be realizing how wrong he is... only every time I watch that part I just go "Hell yeah! Let's go make them pay!"

 

[NX-01]

Number two would be Picard's "This far, no further!" speech in FC. That for me is a textbook example of what a master actor can do with even cliche material.

I think the problem with that scene is that it's far too good. We're not supposed to be rooting for Picard's quest for vengeance, we're supposed to be realizing how wrong he is... only every time I watch that part I just go "Hell yeah! Let's go make them pay!"

I LOVE that scene from First Contact. I'd vote this one to be the best. Patrick Stewart is a great actor.

 

[frankie13]

kirk watching joan collins getting knocked over and killed

 

[Starbreaker]

Spock's death. The trio nailed that one.

 

[Rett Mikhal]

One of the best acted scenes in my opinion is in "The First Duty", when Picard lays down the law on Ensign Crusher. I remember when we played the one line at a time game, nobody wanted to say the line directly preceding Picard's speech, because everyone wanted to be the person who typed it. It was that poignant.

Also a scene that always stuck with me was in "Yesterday's Enterprise", in which Picard informs Captain Garrett that the Federation has essentially lost the war and "defeat is inevitable." The solemn look on his face, the whispering tone of voice, it's like he really believes he's there, in the future in a doomed war about to be enslaved by the enemy. I mark this one down only because of that damned odd lisp Captain Garrett has which drives me absolutely mad.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

In addition to the ones being mentioned:

Patrick Stewart telling Dathon the tale of Gilgamesh in Darmok

Patrick Stewart realizing the point of the Inner Light

When Picard announces the death of the Bajoran girl in Lower Decks to the crew.

Damar telling his people to"resist today" in TCFOE.

One of my favorites is Trip breaking down to Tpol saying he envies Vulcans in the Forgotten.

Colm Meany in every scene he is in, particularly Hard Time. High props go to the guy that played Ee'char as well. "Be well, Miles."