Why did the flute people...

[HIjol]

One of my favs, also for the same reasons...but, again, I am one of "those people"...and happy to be,...

Maybe I was too harsh sounding in my previous post, it's a good little drama, and I don't think it's bad, but it's very much hyped as one of the "best" episodes and I think that the those people I was refering to were the kind that maybe only have seen a few episodes and latch on to that one, like reviews in tv guide or on a website like slate or something where I feel like they have the same type of attitude that the characters did in the first few seasons, the were better people than you attitude. I'm not explaining too well, but it's the attitude that they are eglitarian and advanced and everyone else isn't based on what they like. See how they treated the three people in "The Neutral Zone" for example.

And I still think it's cruel to use Picard that way, but maybe since they knew he would completely recover and be fine in 10 seconds they didn't mind?

I think I know just what you mean, and there are many times I have the same outlook...this time with this episode, I did not get past the emotional and visceral impact "Inner Light" had on me...I am a life-long Trekkie (TOS first aired when I was 9) and lean towards emotion and feeling rather than logic and dictum most times...That is what I was referring to when I said "those people" I think you did fine in your explanation, and isn't this what ST and the Forum is all about!?!?...exchange of ideas and opinions and canon and all of it!!!

 

[Shat Happens]

time to another TOS-TNG "which's better?" comparison (I love those):

Best Episode of TOS: Kirk travels thru time and saves the universe
Best Episode of TNG: Picard learns to play a little flute

 

[BillJ]

Best Episode of TNG: Picard learns to play a little flute

I far prefer TOS and in no way consider "The Inner Light" the best episode of TNG. No even close. I'd rather watch "The Royale".

 

[Enterprise is Great]

It's a good episode but way way overrated. It's rather slow and not much exciting stuff happens.

 

[WraithDukat]

I must say, this is a poorly conceived thread title. Take the time to determine the name of the alien species involved, or at least the name of the episode. "Flute people" is simply inadequate to the task.

I was to busy having sex with my wife.

 

[DonIago]

It may subvert the intention of the episode, but the more I read this stuff the more I like the idea that what Picard saw was a bit of a show being put on for his benefit.

The technological inconsistencies. The almost bucolic nature of the planet's inhabitants (prefiguring Picard's Nexus vision?). Perhaps if the probe had selected Worf then he would have been the leader of a Kataanian army fighting on the far side of the planet. Or Data could have been a scientist working to build the probe before it was too late for the civilization.

Also, we have no way of knowing how many people the probe might have zapped (or tried to zap) before encountering Picard.

Lastly, if memory serves, the probe doesn't "self-destruct" at the end of the episode; it simply shuts down. Perhaps Our Heroes could jump start it if they had any desire to?

 

[Herbert]

I was to busy having sex with my wife.

"Flute people"

 

[Qonundrum]

The Probe's Self Destruct made this episode even more self-serving than it already was! Now that Jean Luc has learned valuable life lessons about Family, thanks to Mechanical Mind Rape, no one else can get anything else out of it. This experience was for Picard ... and him alone. Everything else about this episode is fine, except for the method used to impose this "other life" on him. If, for example, Picard found himself on some derelict ship and pressed a wrong button, or ventured where he shouldn't have and ZAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!! here he is, living someone else's memories, it might've made more sense. As it is, it's weird and pretentious ...

Dang, the episode is nearly three decades old and the mind rape aspect never stuck out, especially as "Violations" had aired only four months earlier. Knock out the victim and give 'em a nice piece of candy (or toy) afterward doesn't really make up for it. But it's not a typical sort of crime either and I'd have to admit I', intrigued - it's a lot easier to pick up on history than reading a book and memorizing every word for a test, where - oddly enough - one's a monkey if they pass and a mushroom if they didn't...

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

I was to busy having sex with my wife.

Resurrecting a 3-year old thread for a moment of cheap snarkiness is worthy of a Spam warning.