The Perfect Mate, Gallifrey Gals Get Warped! S5Ep21
Added 2022-05-24 17:01:01 +0000 UTCIs that Jean Grey as a mutant before her time?! Seems so! Now what could it mean for a metamorph to be the perfect mate? Kat definitely has some thoughts on the matter!
Thank you all for being here with us on these watch throughs and thank you for always being a supportive and wonderful community!
https://vimeo.com/709732116/8a6ce1b2e4
PAULA DEMING
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KATRINA ALYSHA
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Comments
Well at least they didn't borrow Shatner's rug and slap it on her. ☺
Henchman Twenty1
2022-05-29 23:46:40 +0000 UTCThis has never been a favorite episode of mine, though I always loved the actress who played Kamala. As such, I haven't watched this episode in a while, and haven't looked at it with a critical eye until now. As such, watching this reaction showed me a number of aspects I hadn't considered. I'm super glad for that. There are some great episodes to come! 23, 24, 25 are all great.
Arek Schneyer
2022-05-28 02:10:50 +0000 UTCI actually don't think Picard would never perform his duty. He would weigh his options and decide what was best for the Many over the One. He has that selfless streak. That said, it would be great (in this episode or a followup) if she figured out a way to escape without causing a civil war.
Bluefox
2022-05-26 18:03:02 +0000 UTCHonestly, to me this episode was good for showing the darker side of humanity and it's past and present. But I doubt that was the intended message. I wouldn't rate it too high. There are definitely much better episodes even in this season.
DarkAshtar
2022-05-26 05:14:18 +0000 UTCSubscribed for this one (and the next couple until the end of the season.) I wouldn't call this episode a top 100, but I remember it very distinctly because of Professor X Jean Gray, which I did not expect. However, I do like the episode for two reasons: 1. Famke Janssen is indeed gorgeous, and it was nice to see Patrick and Famke's first bout together outside of the X-men films. 2. Episodes that involve confronting one's own intolerance are always a hallmark of excellence. They make you uncomfortable, as you were. It would be easy to latch onto Beverly's tirade at the beginning of the episode. But TNG's major theme has always been less about moral highground, and more about tolerance. Also, I do agree that Star Trek aliens like the Ferengi are a bit one-dimensional and cartoony. Not a huge fan. But who's to say that aliens would be as varied as humans are? Or maybe they are varied, but we humans can't see it because we're too busy stereotyping? :P
SuicuneSol
2022-05-26 00:51:10 +0000 UTCSome of my thoughts on this are: - Startrek imprints parts of human personality (to the extreme) on other aliens to explore humanity, klingons represent our aggression, vulkans our logic etc - It could be argued that we all are to some degree "emphatic metamorphs" we all accommodate our self to our partners needs and desires at least to some degree, so I think she is supposed to represent a part of humanity. - Contradicting my last point, humans to tend to anthropomorphize everything non human, and she is supposed to be an alien (i.e. not human), and she is supposed to question our morality by asking whether alien morality would be appetizing to us humans, think of the film arrival, they are fundamentally alien and therefore do not think like we do. - I think the last bit is supposed to be in the style of a love tragedy, somewhat like Shakespeare, which is why they reminded us of Shakespeare. I.e. both of them fell in love with each other but can not act upon it because of their duty. - What we find desirable behavior is subjective, that is simply the truth. I only mention that because some people do like being treated like property, I'm thinking of the BDSM community as an example. I can think of a tragic case in my country where there was a homosexual BDSM club who where unjustifiably arrested, and the law made similar claims that "you cannot possibly consent to such behavior". I think I'm with Picard on this when he stated "Its not that simple", I frankly do not understand enough of her, her culture and her people to make a good judgment on this case, but from a human perspective, it does seem a lot like grooming.
gobmob2000
2022-05-25 21:36:54 +0000 UTCThe term "mate" has never bothered me, since it's more of a technical term.
Chrissonator
2022-05-25 15:15:32 +0000 UTCI never had much feeling for this episode, don't watch it that much tbh.
Chrissonator
2022-05-25 15:13:38 +0000 UTCOne interpretation could be. It comes back to a classic Trek moment "needs of the many". What was done to her couldn't be undone, but being exposed to other cultures and then bonding with Picard meant the brainwashing was replaced with a sense of 'duty'.
Daniel Deeks
2022-05-25 13:57:08 +0000 UTCHey look a Trill!!
Brett Delbridge
2022-05-25 12:22:03 +0000 UTCAs a man, I agree 100% with your thoughts on this one! The episode felt quite wishy-washy, some parts are like "ok great, they're moving in the right direction" then immediately steers in the opposite direction. Like Picard started out correct when they first found her, then he was yelling a bit at Beverly stating the opposite opinion. They could have taken the same concept and done a much better job. She almost feels like she's "programmed", almost like an android with feelings more than a humanoid, until Picard somehow gets that out of her, and even that felt a bit forced with not enough build-up IMO
Chris Lane- Venturi 3D
2022-05-25 06:26:57 +0000 UTCI just finished watching, and you all touched on something very important. Trying to live one’s life to please those around you is soul-crushing, and teaching a child to live that way is grooming. It’s a particularly common experience among the neurodivergent community. We’re taught to suppress everything about ourselves for the convenience and acceptance of society. It’s like a method-acting gig that never ends; you eventually lose touch with the person underneath the mask. Who are you if not the person you spent decades constructing and perfecting to meet an arbitrary standard of normal? I’m only now learning to put my own needs first and to not preemptively apologize for myself. It’s a long process. On a happier note, “Capitalist Yahoos” would make a great band name.
Matthew Zeidman
2022-05-25 04:27:17 +0000 UTCI only just started watching the episode, and Katrina FTW with the lieutenant junior grade pips. If you all had made it to a certain episode in season 6, I might think that was a reference to something.
Matthew Zeidman
2022-05-25 02:53:45 +0000 UTCI never cared much for this episode
Jonathan Emery
2022-05-25 00:01:45 +0000 UTCFrom Memory Alpha: Gates McFadden's own hair was used in seasons 1, 6 and 7. When she returned following the second season, the producers had her wear wigs in seasons 3, 4 and 5. The wigs required over an hour of preparation time before each day of shooting. McFadden's own hair was much finer and longer, but the producers felt that Crusher needed a more professional look, hence the decision to use wigs.
Thontor
2022-05-24 23:55:49 +0000 UTC***[Warning - sarcasm ahead!]*** How come she kept bashing male gays? Seems a bit intolerant to me! 🤔
rdaveh
2022-05-24 23:19:32 +0000 UTCI think it was the most bodacious man on TV. He didn't know what that meant at first. However, Jonathan Frakes jokingly thanked convention goers for their votes, reporting Patrick had been strutting around on the set for weeks after that award.
Mark Chrisco
2022-05-24 22:45:28 +0000 UTCIf i'm remembering correctly, in a previous episode Katrina mentioned having trypophobia and being unsure about the trill makeup in ds9, i hope it wasn't uncomfortable to watch basically the same makeup in this episode?
awktopus
2022-05-24 22:44:56 +0000 UTCGood reactions, i really like listening to your point of views, because i never thougt that this episode was sexist or as you call it "male gaze" , maybe because i'm a man ;) for me it was an allegory for slavery, and that human trafficking is terribly wrong. But anyway it was a pleasure to listen to you both.
Kris Nimitz
2022-05-24 22:27:09 +0000 UTCFucking love to hear it. Excellent reactions.
Bill
2022-05-24 20:59:52 +0000 UTCNow that I've watched the episode and the reaction, I have to say that I'm still of the same mind. The episode might be even more problematic than I remembered - I forgot the part where she was taken from her parents when she was 4. But I still like the part where she talks about how she likes herself when she's with Picard. This feels very true to my life experience. Even though I'm not an empathic metamorph, I do become a different person when I'm in different groups. And I do like myself more in some groups than others. As a result, I've worked hard to surround myself with people who make me better. People who I can say, I like myself when I'm around them. It feels universal to me, but I don't know, maybe other people don't have that experience? My biggest problem with the episode on rewatch, I think, is that Kamala doesn't have any agency. She can't, really, given how she was raised and groomed. And the script doesn't really give us any space to even think that she might.
R. Chang
2022-05-24 20:52:27 +0000 UTCAgree with your Riker take. Looking back, it's Kamala who describes herself as a gift so Riker is just throwing it back at her. As for why she didn't affect or respond the same way with women, the character happens to be hetero. Simple as that. Not everyone is pan.
Raja
2022-05-24 20:29:39 +0000 UTCThe actor who played the Krios ambassador, Tim O'Conner, was know to older sci-fi fans as the regular character Dr. Huer from season 1 of 'Buck Rogers in the 25th Century' way back in 1979.
Henchman Twenty1
2022-05-24 20:13:04 +0000 UTCHonestly, surprised this episode is apparently highly regarded - it's always been extremely average for me at most. The only thing noteworthy about it is that Jean Grey and Professor X are in it. Regarding her being raised from an extremely young age to do this, I think you guys are both wrong AND right. As an empath, she at least has always had at least a partial understanding of the motivations of her handlers, and any men she's met. But at the same time, was she exposed to anyone else that didn't think her marriage to this guy was of vital importance? She understands WHY her doing this was important but apparently is never given an opportunity to question that. Which is why you guys are right. Same with that guy being "playful," that's her giving THAT PARTICULAR man's view of his words. His limited perspective (pre Me Too, obviously) only lets him see it that way. It's WRONG and wrong that no one offers a rebuttal though. So, right and wrong again. Troi SHOULD'VE been in this episode, if for nothing else to crystalize the mental state of Kamala and her effects on others for the audience, rather than letting that element of unreliable narrator creeping in. I do think this is an interesting extension of the 'people pleaser' trait. I know that in social situations, I tend to adapt my personality to fit those I am with. More swearing vs less, what type of humor I use, even conservation topics. I find it easier that way. It's also how I tend to avoid conflict, much like Kamala. It's either a rather unremarkable episode, or it's a frustrating. And if it's frustrating, I don't think that's a knock. I dunno where this idea that movies and TV HAVE to be comfortable, positive experiences. It's ART. Sometimes art is meant to be frustrating or discomforting.
Nolan
2022-05-24 20:01:43 +0000 UTCThis episode aired the same year that Patrick Stewart was voted Sexiest Man on Television by readers of TV Guide. His female counterpart was supermodel and actress Cindy Crawford.
Henchman Twenty1
2022-05-24 19:47:40 +0000 UTCIt's an odd one. I hadn't seen that episode for a couple of decades, but I remembered the premise and dreaded reaching it but, as has happened quite a few times with TNG on this rewatch, I didn't think it was as bad as I was expecting. There are definitely places where mistakes were made, plenty of moments that don't sit well and the focus of the story is in the wrong place, but my main take away is that it wasn't as crass and unpleasant as I feared it would be. That's probably a function of going into it expecting it to be jaw-droppingly awful, rather than without any expectations. There were moments of loveliness in there but ultimately we have a story about a woman who has been groomed to see herself as a possession, and the story they chose to tell about it was how painful it is for Picard. When the second scene of Picard and Crusher talking over breakfast started, I had hopes that the conversation would focus more on Kamala's position, picking up on Beverly's arguments earlier in the episode and was disappointed that the conversation focused instead on Picard feelings for Kamala.
JimmyPea
2022-05-24 19:32:45 +0000 UTCOn top of everything else you guys explained what was wrong with this episode, just from a writing POV this seemed very artificial and forced. Like the writer was this scenario to happen with the crew of the Enterprise and wrote the rest of the story to explain how that would happen, essentially going backwards with the writing process.
Mike
2022-05-24 19:27:31 +0000 UTCAnd I think Famke is pronounced "Fahm-kuh".
Joe Concepts
2022-05-24 19:02:27 +0000 UTChi, I love your reactions. But I'm not happy, as you repeatedly accuse riker of seeing women as objects. riker already said in the previous scene that he is against such attitudes. Riker is someone who tries to give diplomatic and teasing answers using the words of the other person. he doesn't think she's a gift, but uses the other person's words to politely decline. and pheromones don't affect men and women in the same way, if women don't also like women. in universe see the archer episode with the 3 orion sisters. I think the real reason for not have also woman fall in love with kamala is that that was to controvers in that time for TV and the money givers.
Redjac
2022-05-24 18:58:42 +0000 UTCI can see having a problem with what goes in the episode but it's strange, because it doesn't seem to ever be suggesting this is okay. I can't imagine viewers trying to explain it away. My biggest problem with it is I don't know what it's trying to say about the subject. In the end it just seems like it's supposed to be that it's sad for her and Picard. BUT, I always felt the suggestion is that while it started out she was just doing her usual thing with Picard, in the end she really did end up falling for him in reality. Strange episode all around, but very good job by Janssen.
Joe Concepts
2022-05-24 18:50:47 +0000 UTCWas it REALLY of her own free will though? One week with Picard and she decided not to bond with Alrik. One more week and she might have decided not to get married to him either. These are not actions of someone who has weighed all the evidence and has freely chosen something. It's clear she wasn't acting out of personal conviction or choice, but from being told all her life this is what she's supposed to do, and from pressure that "the war" won't end unless she sacrifices herself this way.
Firefly24601
2022-05-24 18:48:58 +0000 UTCWell Kamala has been "freed" from her bonding with the "other guy". Like she says with great foreshadowing, "He'd better like Shakespeare". The "other guy" is portrayed as having virtually no personality whatsoever- so maybe he won't be real upset when she dumps him in three years to go off and "find herself". Or maybe her unexpected independence will knock him off his podium and they can both grow as individuals together. I'm betting on the former, but life is complicated so who knows?
Bob Hughes
2022-05-24 18:44:44 +0000 UTCAm sure one of the reasons she turned down playing Dax on DS9 was that she would've been cast or on the short list to star in the 1995 return of James Bond with Pierce Brosnan after 6 years off the screen to play Xenia Onatop in Goldeneye. Also fun fact the old man playing the Ambassador had his own run with sci-fi co-starring on the 1979 TV classic Buck Rogers of the 25th Century. I can't believe The Perfect Mate is not just on the TNG list of greatest episodes but in the top 50 out of 100 of best Star Trek episodes of all time. It has some tender moments between her and Picard as well as Picard and Crusher but it isn't one I rush to watch over the hundreds of other episodes and series episodes to watch, it makes zero sense it is on that list at all.
Brad Barter
2022-05-24 18:42:18 +0000 UTCIt wasn't just Beverly that was like "WTF?" They all were, including Picard and Riker. But when they found out Kamala was doing this of her own accord, their personal opinions become irrelevant. This is an alien species, and Starfleet officers have no right to interfere. They can't impose their own human values on alien cultures. As for your comment about Deanna being absent, and how could you morally have her on the ship and not have her heavily against it... Can I remind you about Deanna's arranged marriage in season 1 episode "Haven"? It would've been hypocritical of her to be against it when her own culture condones it.
Wayne Clarke
2022-05-24 18:39:29 +0000 UTCTo Paula's comment about the reductive nature of certain alien races in Trek, the producers of the various series have stated that in many cases these are reflections of the extreme traits of 20th/21st century human beings: pride, stoicism, greed, deception, addiction, etc. By the future era of Trek, humanity has largely evolved beyond them so they use aliens as vehicles for these traits to examine and comment on contemporary issues.
Raja
2022-05-24 18:32:56 +0000 UTCI always thought Kamala was going to be with Data and it was going to be a deep analysis about how she could finally be who she really is around Data and how the "curious" questions would be from Data. Data would learn about relationships and devotion while Kamala would learn about true self realization and acceptance. She would fall for Data because she could finally be herself and be who she really is by imprinting on her self desire instead of someone else's. I can see that people rate this episode because it is a Picard-centric episode but it misses the best opportunity to have Data introduce her to "reality" instead of what she has been manipulated to believe. It is an episode that is dated and gives us a look at social behavior and sensibilities of the time.
Christian Rennie
2022-05-24 18:24:58 +0000 UTC"Miners, not minors!" - Alexander Dane 😉
Firefly24601
2022-05-24 18:23:10 +0000 UTCHaven't watched this episode in years. I totally forgot about the scene where Beverly calls the Kriosian ambassador a slave trader and calls out Jean-Luc. That alone bumped up this episode just a little bit. I absolutely love Gates McFadden and her portrayal of Beverly Crusher.
Eric
2022-05-24 18:23:09 +0000 UTCHavent rewatched this one in a long time - was creepy when I first saw it and it hasnt improved with age. And maybe I understand better today why I didnt like it. The idea of being bred as property, traded off and sold downriver - ugh! The few interestingly written moments doesnt redeem this one for me.
Mark Ten
2022-05-24 18:21:13 +0000 UTCI have always found this episode flawed, but it has so much good stuff in it that I can’t dislike it. The Crusher/Picard stuff, Famke Jansen and Patrick Stewart work well together, I don’t mind a downbeat ending but I don’t like the Ferengi stuff, the scene with the minors or Rikers attitudes in this one.
Darren Seal
2022-05-24 18:18:56 +0000 UTCYou are correct, as a male I will never viscerally experience the objectification that you talk about in this episode. That is part of why I enjoy your commentary so much. Keep fighting the good fight!
michael mccafferty
2022-05-24 18:12:10 +0000 UTCTough episode. Very male-gazey... The writing is gross in a few places, and the question of the ethics of "giving" a woman to a man as a bargaining chip is also very messed up. Personally the ending doesn't work for me either, it would have been better if she engineered her own escape... because she molded herself around Picard, who would never allow himself to be a "slave" regardless of duty. But the episode doesn't have a script that can get there. 3/10.
Jay Fleming
2022-05-24 18:01:56 +0000 UTC“Fun” Fact: Early in the X-Men’s run it’s revealed through a thought bubble that Professor X had romantic feelings for Jean Grey (who was 15 or 16 at the time 🤮🤢🤮). Thankfully after that it was dropped and never brought up again. It is interesting though as in this episode we get to see Professor X and Jean Grey fall in love
TB
2022-05-24 17:54:01 +0000 UTCVery interested to see what Paula and Kat think of this one. There is a lot about it that is deeply problematic that was even apparent to a teen boy watching it in the 90s, but I still actually enjoy a lot of the episode, Like, without that stuff, I do think that it has a lot to say about how people change when they're with different people, which is a thing that everybody does.
R. Chang
2022-05-24 17:47:49 +0000 UTCFamke Janssen, especially from this time, is sure spot-on casting for someone everyone falls in love with when they enter the room. Whew.
Joe Concepts
2022-05-24 17:27:34 +0000 UTCDespite any failings, this episode does have what may be the most human portrayal of Picard thus far. It also deserves note that Famke and Patrick Stewart were reunited in the X-Men movies with a much different relationship.
Mark Chrisco
2022-05-24 17:25:13 +0000 UTCPicard tells Kamala that he falls asleep at night with an old book in his hand. We actually saw this in 4x13 "Devil's Due" when fake Ardra appears in Picard's quarters he was asleep holding a book.
Henchman Twenty1
2022-05-24 17:11:54 +0000 UTCEven though the thumbnail of the gals are the same each week, in my head I'm hearing a cartoony Kat say, "Okay. Look. Lookie there. It's Jean Grey."
fcast17
2022-05-24 17:11:13 +0000 UTC
